DISPOSABLE SYRUP PACKAGE HAVING INTEGRAL DISPOSABLE VALVE ASSEMBLY

Abstract: A disposable syrup package (10) includes an integral valve assembly (16). The valve assembly (16) includes a movable plate (22) with an aperture (22A) that lines up with a discharge opening (26) of a container (10) in an open position. In a first embodiment, the plate (22) is mounted for reciprocating movement in a slot in the discharge wall of the container (10) and is spring biased to a closed position. In a second embodiment, the plate (22) is mounted for rotation and includes an arcuate slot alignable with the discharge opening (26).

Description: The invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing syrup through a discharge opening in an end wall of a disposable container for use in a post-mix beverage dispensing system. The apparatus comprises plate means disposed adjacent to and mounted for reciprocating movement in a slot formed in the end wall of the container and intersecting that discharge opening. The plate means have an open position for accommodating the flow of liquid from the container and a closed position for blocking the flow of liquid from the container. Spring means normally bias the plate means to the closed position. The plate means are movable in a plane parallel to a plane defined by the end wall and include aperture means alignable with the discharge opening in the end wall in the open position of the plate means. An apparatus of this type is known from US-A-2,127,911. It is used for a self-closing tube and cap and comprises an elongated plate with spring bias means. This prior art self-closing tube and cap is intended for manual manipulation and does not lend itself to incorporation in a post-mix beverage dispensing system. US-A-2,027,503 discloses a similar apparatus wherein the plate means are moved into the opened position by rotation of a closure cap. That prior art closure cap is not used in connection with disposable concentrate containers and it does not comprise any means for warranting that the valve assembly can be opened only after the container or bottle is properly installed. An exemplary disposable syrup package which could be installed into the apparatus of the subject invention is disclosed in US-A-4,216,858. The disposable syrup package is designed for use with a separate valve assembly included within the post-mix dispensing apparatus. The valve assembly has a piercing device which ruptures a frangible membrane in the discharge end of the syrup package as the syrup package is plugged into a socket associated with the valve assembly. This valve assembly requires that the syrup package be closed by a frangible membrane and a protective cap. The invention as claimed solves the problem of how to design a syrup dispensing apparatus for a post-mix beverage dispensing system such that it ensures that the container is properly installed in the system before the container valve opens. The advantages attained by the invention are mainly that the valve assembly has a minimum number of moving parts whereby high reliability and low package costs are achieved. One way of carrying out the invention is described in detail below in connection with the drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the syrup package including an integral valve assembly; and Figures 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views taken along line A-A of Figure 1 showing the valve assembly in the closed and opened positions, respectively. Referring to Figures 1, 2A and 2B, there is generally illustrated a syrup package or container 10 having a flow rate control tube 12 which is normally closed to the atmosphere by a removable cap 14. The operation of the syrup package 10 including the flow rate control tube 12 is generally described and is similar to the operation of the syrup package disclosed in the aforementioned US-A-4,216,885. However, the syrup package 10 in Figure 1 is also provided with an integral valve assembly 16 associated with the discharge neck 18 of the container and the end wall 21. The end wall 21 of container 10 is closed by an adaptor block forming an elongated discharge neck 18. A discharge opening or bore 26 extends through the adaptor block. A slot 34 is also formed in the block transversely of the discharge bore 26 for accommodating a movable actuator plate 22. Actuator plate 22 is provided with a discharge aperture 22A, and is spring biased by a coil spring 24 to a normally-closed position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2A. Bore 26 has a relieved portion in which a pair of O-rings 28 may be provided to seal bore 26 when actuator plate 22 is in the closed position, and to prevent leakage around aperture 22A in the open position. Actuator plate 22 is also provided with an angular actuation bend 22B operatively associated with a stationary slot or cam surface formed in a stationary portion 30 of the post-mix beverage dispenser, into which the container 10 is to be inserted. Neck 18 is provided with an actuation tab 18T which may be operatively associated with a rotating ring (not shown) of the dispenser, or may facilitate manual rotation of the container 10 and neck 18 between the two respective positions illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B. It can be seen from reference to Figures 2A and 2B that when container 10 and neck 18 are rotated by means of the actuation tab 18T, plate 22 rotates with respect to the stationary portion 30 and slot 32 therein, and the angular end 22B is engaged and depressed by the stationary portion 30 to reciprocate plate 22 until aperture 22A is in alignment with discharge bore 26. In this position, syrup or other liquid is free to flow through discharge bore 26 and aperture 22A into the post-mix beverage dispenser.

Claims: An apparatus for dispensing syrup through a discharge opening (26) in an end wall (21) of a disposable container (10) for use in a post-mix beverage dispensing system, comprising: plate means (22) disposed adjacent to and mounted for reciprocating movement in a slot (34) formed in the end wall (21) of the container (10) and intersecting said discharge opening (26), said plate means (22) having an open position for accommodating the flow of liquid from the container (10) and a closed position for blocking the flow of liquid from said container (10); spring means (24) for normally biasing said plate means (22) to said closed position; and said plate means (22) being movable in a plane parallel to a plane defined by said end wall (21), said plate means (22) including aperture means (22A) alignable with the discharge opening (26) in the end wall (21) in the open position of the plate means (22) characterized by said end wall (21) being an adaptor block and said slot (34) being formed in said adaptor block for accommodating said plate means (22) and said plate means (22) including an angled actuation end (22B) operatively associated with a stationary cam surface (32) adjacent the adaptor block of said container (10), said actuation end (22B) being depressed against said spring means (24) by said cam surface (32) in response of rotation of said plate means (22) about a longitudinal axis of said container (10).

Inventors: RUDICK, ARTHUR G.
Applicants: THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
Application year: 1987
Main classification: B65D47
IPC codes: B67D3, B65D47