ATTACHMENT FOR A CONTAINER FILLED WITH A LIQUID

Abstract: An attachment (10) for use in discharging a liquid from a normally placed container (14) filled with the liquid having a threaded portion (64) at the neck (46) and an opening (47) at the end of the neck sealed with a thin sealant (48) is descri­ bed. Said attachment comprises a gas inlet (12) for causing gas to flow into the container (14) through an inflow conduit connected to a gas source, a gas outlet (16) for causing gas to effuse into said container (14), a fluid inlet (18) for causing a liquid to flow in from the internal part of the container and a fluid outlet (20) for causing the fluid to effuse into an outflow conduit to which said fluid outlet is connected. Said attach­ nent further comprises a first tube (34), a second tube (36) arranged coaxially relative to the first tube and inside the first tube, and a screwed portion (38) supported by the first tube to be screwed into the threaded portion (64) of the container; the inner part of the second tube is connected to the liquid outlet (20); one end of the second tube is projecting also from one end of the first tube, has a cutting edge (50) to sever said sealant (48) and forms said fluid inlet (18); an annular space formed between the first and second tubes communicates with said gas inlet (12), and said one end of the second tube and outer wall of the first tube form the gas outlet (16).

Description: The present invention relates to an attachment for use in discharging a liquid from an upright container having a threaded portion at the neck, an opening at the end of the neck sealed with a thin sealant and a tube extending to the bottom of the container. The attachment comprises a gas tube for causing gas to effuse into the container, a fluid tube which is arranged coaxially relative to and partially inside the gas tube for causing fluid to flow from inside said container into the attachment and a threaded connection means for securing the attachments to the upright container. Such attachments are in use for containers in post-mix type beverage dispensing machines by which a concentrated syrup, i.e. a concentrate such as cola or juice, and carbonated water and/or water are mixed in a cup. It is difficult or even impossible to use such an attachment for a container which is closed by sealant. The danger exists that the pierced sealant will block the fluid tube or will impede the supply of carbon dioxide gas. The fluid tube has a blunt end and therefore is not even suitable for piercing a sealant. EP-A-0,102,527 discloses an attachment for an inverted container in which the gas tube and the fluid tube are arranged side by side and their ends form a cutting edge. The gas tube as well as the fluid tube penetrate the sealant when the attachment is pressed into the opening of the container neck. It is pointed out that the syrup concentrate can be supplied with the container upright provided that the attachment has a long fluid tube so that the syrup can be discharged from the bottom of the container. Handling and cleaning of an attachment including such a long fluid tube is troublesome. The following three problems exist with containers to whose opening the attachment is fastened in a state of the neck positioned upward and which are disposed within the vending machine in an inverted state: 1) an operation of inverting the container is relatively troublesome and forces an operator to do an extra work; 2) locating the container in an inverted state requires any device for hanging the container, thereby to render its structure complex; and 3) when the container is located in an inverted state, a concentrated syrup adheres to the entire face of a gasket for the attachment, in consequence of which this concentrated syrup makes its vicinity dirty by dripping or the concentrated syrup sticks firmly to the screw attached part of the attachment at the time of exchanging containers, whereby inhibiting the sealability between the container and attachment. The invention as claimed in claim 1 solves the problem of how to design an attachment for use in discharging a liquid from an upright container having a threaded neck portion, an opening at the end of the neck sealed with a thin sealant and a tube extending to the bottom of the container wherein no danger exists that the severed sealant blocks the fluid tube or impedes the supply of carbon dioxide gas. An annular space is formed between the gas tube and the fluid tube and communicates with the exterior gas source. The end of the fluid tube and the outer wall of the gas tube form the gas outlet. Preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the subclaims. An example of how to carry out the invention is shown in the enclosed drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows an axial section through the attachment mounted in the container and Fig. 2 an overall view of the container with the attachment. First, an attachment 10 shown here comprises a gas inlet 12 to which an inflow conduit (not shown) is connected, said inflow conduit being connected to a gas source, e.g. a carbon dioxide gas cylinder (not shown), a gas outlet 16 for causing gas to effuse into a container 14, a fluid inlet 18 for causing a liquid, e.g. a concentrated syrup for soft drinks from the inside of the container 14 and a fluid outlet 20 for causing the fluid to effuse into an outflow conduit (not shown) to which said fluid outlet is connected. In the gas inlet 12 and fluid outlet 20 there are mounted non-return valves 22 and 24 as shown, for instance. Non-return valves 22 and 24 are forced in a direction of the closed position by means of springs 25 and 28. By virtue of this non-return valves 22 and 24 are usually closed. The interior and exterior of the gas inlet 12 and fluid outlet 20 are caused to communicate with each other in cases where the exterior has a sufficiently high pressure relative to the interior and where non-return valves 22 and 24 are inwardly forced mechanically by the projection made in the conduit to which they are connected, for instance. The gas inlet 12 and fluid outlet 20 are provided with O-rings 30 and 32 to ensure the sealing and connection as well as bosses 31 and 33. The attachment 10 comprises a substantially cylindrical gas tube 34, a substantially cylindrical fluid tube 36 and a screwed portion 38. The gas tube 34 and fluid tube 36 are connected in the upper part and are arranged coaxially. The fluid tube 36 comprises plural e.g. four crests 40 which contact the inner wall of the gas tube 34 so that these tubes 34 and 36 are arranged coaxially also in the lower portion. The upper end of an annular space formed by the first tube 34 and second tube 36 are sealed and communicates with the gas inlet 12 in the upper portion, as illustrated. The lower end of this annular space is opened, thereby to form a gas outlet 16. A hole made in the fluid tube 36 communicates with a fluid outlet 20 at its upper end. The lower end is opened to form a fluid inlet 18. The lower end of the fluid tube 36 has a rather larger diameter than that of the upper portion, as shown. And on its outer periphery is formed a channel 44 housing an O-ring 42. A slant face is formed in the lower end of the fluid tube 36 and constitutes a cutting edge 50 to sever a sealant 48 sealing an opening 47 at the top of the neck 46 of the container 14. A screwed portion 38 is located in the lower portion of the gas tube 34 rotatably. The inner diameter of an upper portion 52 of the screwed portion 33 is less than that of a lower portion 54 and is almost equal to the outer diameter of the lower portion of the gas tube 34. An O-ring 58 is arranged within a channel 56 cut in the outer periphery of the lower portion of the gas tube 34. By virtue of this the screwed portion 38 is allowed to rotate sealably in the lower part of the gas tube 34. An annular metal sheet 62 is fixed to the lower portion of the gas tube 34, as shown. The upper portion 52 of the screwed portion 38 is arranged between a flange part 60 and metal sheet 62, with the result that the rotation centering about its central axis can be made freely but its moving up and down is restricted. A sealing member 63 is disposed on the back of the upper portion 52 of the screwed portion 38. Whereby a seal of the screwed portion 38 and the upper end of the neck 46 of the container 14 is formed when fastening the screwed portion 38 to the container 14. The inner wall of the lower portion 54 of the screwed portion 38 has a screw attached part 66 engaging with a threaded portion 64 of the container 14. The outer wall is knurled, thereby to ensure its easy rotation. The container 14 comprises a neck 46 having a threaded portion 64, as described above. An opening 47 at the end of the neck 46 is sealed with a thin sealant 48. This sealant 48 is severed by the cutting edge 50 when fastening the attachment 10 to the neck 46 of the container 14. As the sealant 48 is used a thin film in the form of three layers, polyethylene, aluminum and PET. With PET inside (container side) this sealant is bonded to the end of the neck 46 of the container 14 by heating, for example. As the thin film for sealant 48 other than the above can be used a three-layered film of aluminum (15µ), polyethylene (50µ) and hot-melt (5-10µ) with the hot-melt inside. Further, a two-layered film of aluminum (15µ) and PET (50µ) with PET inside can be also employed. Within the container 14 there are arranged, for example, a synthetic resinuous tube 74 and a connection member 77 having a support 76 to support this tube 74. The tube 74 is extending to the bottom of the container 14, as shown in Fig. 2. The support 76 comprises, as shown, a lower cylinder 78 connected to the tube 74, an upper cylinder 80 housing the lower end of the fluid tube 36, a cylindrical portion 82 forced into the neck 46 of the container 14 and a flange 84 for connecting the upper cylinder 80 to the cylindrical portion 82. The flange 84 is provided with plural, e.g. four openings 86. The upper end of the upper cylinder 80 is provided with a concave and a convex in the form of a rectangular pulse. Constructing so produces the following excellent effect. That is, when the attachment 10 is mounted on the neck 46 of the container 14, the sealant 48 disposed in the opening 47 at the end of the container 14 is severed by the cutting edge 50 formed in the lower end of the second tube 36, and then the lower end of the fluid tube 36 is housed in the upper cylinder 80 of the connection member 77. The sealant 48 is resilient to some extent. It happens sometimes that the sealant 48 is pulled by the lower end of the fluid tube 36 and contacts the upper end of the upper cylinder 80. As clearly shown in Fig. 1, a carbon dioxide gas is supplied via a space between the gas tube 34 and the fluid tube 36, for example. This carbon dioxide gas is supplied into the container 14 via a space between the lower end of the gas tube 34 and the upper end of the cylinder 80 and through an opening 86 made in the flange 84. Accordingly, if the sealant 48 contacts the upper end of the upper cylinder 80, this hinders the above supply of the carbon dioxide gas. Contrary to this, according to the illustrated example of the invention, the upper end of the upper cylinder 80 is provided with a concave and a convex. By virtue of this, even if the sealant 48 contacts the upper end of the cylinder 80, the supply of the carbon dioxide gas will not be impeded. An opening may be made in the neighborhood of the upper end of the upper cylinder 80. As mentioned above, a syrup is filled in the container 14 at a syrup production factory. The opening 47 at the end of the neck 46 of the container 14 is sealed with the sealant 48 and then conveyed to the post-mix type soft drink vending machine, for instance. In order to protect the sealant 48 during the conveying of containers and prevent its contamination a cap (not shown) is screwed into the opening 47 at the end of the neck 46 of the container 14 after sealing with the sealant 48. In an automatic vending machine the container 14 is supported by a setting stand 88 as shown in Figure 2 in a normally placed state. Next, mounting the above attachment 10 on the container 14 and its function will be explained. For example, the container 14 being filled with a concentrated syrup for soft drinks, being sealed with the sealant 48 and having a cap (not shown) fastened to the neck 46 is supported by a stand 88 in a normal state (i.e. a state of the neck 46 being positioned upward). The cap is removed and the sealant 48 is severed by the cutting edge 50 mounted at the tip of the fluid tube 36, and the top end of the fluid tube 36 is inserted into the container 14, and the screwed portion 38 is screwed into the threaded portion 64 of the container 14 firmly. By virtue of this the upper end of the neck 46 of the container 14 is pressed against the back of the sealing member 63 of the screwed portion 38, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Thus, the inside portion of the container 14 is sealed relative to the exterior, and the top end of the fluid tube 36 is housed within the upper cylinder 80 of the support 76. The inside part of the fluid tube 36 is caused to communicate with the lower cylinder 78 of the support 76 and tube 74. Next, the gas inlet 12 of the attachment 10 is connected to a CO₂ gas cylinder (not shown) by an inflow conduit (not shown) via an appropriate control valve (not shown). The inflow conduit has an adequate projection for moving the non-return valve 22 inwardly. While, the fluid outlet 20 is also connected to an outflow conduit (not shown). The outflow conduit has also a projection for moving the non-return valve 24 inwardly. By the above arrangement the control valve is operated, thereby to supply a carbon dioxide gas to the gas inlet 12 from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder (not shown). This carbon dioxide gas is supplied into the container 14 through the gas inlet 12, the annular space formed between the gas tube 34 and the fluid tube 36 and gas outlet 16. The carbon dioxide gas is supplied into the more internal side of the container 14, thereby to pressurize the liquid housed in the container 14. To the fluid outlet 20 is connected an outflow conduit (not shown) provided with a projection for moving the non-return valve 24 inwardly. The exhaust port of this outflow conduit is situated above a cup arranged in the determined position. And this outflow conduit is provided with any adequate control valve (not shown). Since the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas is exerted on the liquid within the container 14, the liquid is supplied into a cup via the tube 74, lower cylinder 78 and upper cylinder 80 of the support 76, fluid inlet 18, fluid tube 36, fluid outlet 20 and outflow conduit by opening the above control valve. Where the liquid in the container 14 is a concentrated syrup for soft drinks, a dilute solution, e.g. water or carbonated water is fed into the cup by means of the known mechanism. Effect of the invention: The attachment of the present invention having the above construction, this can be fastened to the container in a state of placing the liquid filling container normally. By virtue of this an operator is not forced to spend an extra work for inverting the container and any additional unit such as device for hanging the container is not required. Further, it is possible to avoid a problem such as contamination brought about by placing the container invertedly. Further, in the attachment of the invention the fluid tube is arranged coaxially relative to the gas tube and within the gas tube. Via this fluid tube the liquid in the container is discharged. This enables one to locate the tube disposed in the container centrally in the neck of the container. As a result, it is possible to simplify the structure of a support for supporting this tube and for communicating this tube with the fluid tube. Further, in the attachment of the present invention the fluid tube for discharging the liquid is located within the gas tube, as above, and the fluid tube is projecting from the first tube. The opening of a container provided with the attachment of the present invention is sealed with a sealant, and this sealant is cut by the attachment of the present invention. There is a risk of part of the severed sealant clogging a tube for discharging the liquid. With the attachment of the present invention the risk becomes small by the above construction that part of the sealant may clog the fluid tube for discharging the liquid.

Claims: An attachment (10) for use in discharging a liquid from an upright container (14) having a threaded portion (64) at a neck (46), an opening (47) at the end of the neck (46) sealed with a thin sealant (48) and a tube (74) extending to the bottom of the container, comprising: a gas tube (34) for receiving gas from an exterior source, said gas tube (34) having an inlet end (12) for receiving gas and an outlet end (16) for causing gas to effuse into said container (14); a fluid tube (36) which is to be connected to said tube (74) and is arranged coaxially relative to and partially inside said gas tube (34) for causing fluid to flow from inside said container (14) into said attachment (10) and has a portion projecting beyond the outlet end of said gas tube; and a threaded connection means (38) positioned relative to said gas tube (34) for engaging said threaded portion (64) of said neck (46) and securing said attachment (10) to said upright container (14); characterized by said projecting portion having an outer diameter larger than the remaining portion of said fluid tube (36) and one end shaped to form a cutting edge (50) for severing said sealant (48). The attachment according to claim 1, wherein said threaded connection means (38) is rotatably disposed on said gas tube (34). The attachment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fluid tube (36) comprises plural crests (40) which contact the inner wall of the gas tube (34) so that these tubes (34 and 36) are also arranged coaxially in the lower portion. The attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 3 comprising a connection member (77) to be located in the neck of the upright container (14), the connection member (77) comprising a support (76) for the tube (74), the support (76) having an outer periphery (72) to be fastened to the inner wall of the neck (46) and a cylindrical portion (78, 80) supported by the outer periphery (82) and communicating with the tube (74) extending from the support (76) to the bottom of the container (14). Attachment according to claim 4, wherein the upper edge of the cylindrical portion (78, 80) is provided with a concave and a convex. The attachment according to claims 4 or 5, wherein an opening (86) is formed in the neighborhood of the upper end of the cylindrical portion (78, 80).

Inventors: KOBE, SUSUMU
Applicants: THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B67D1
IPC codes: G07F13, B67D1