APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A FLOW PATH

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus (1) for providing a flow path from a normally sealed container (2) for flowable product, such as wine (not shown) in the container, which may be a normally hermetically sealed bag (2), part of which is shown in the figures. The bag (2) has secured to part of its surface a gland or support part (3), the gland (3) being cylindrical and hollow and having two longitudinally spaced apart flanges (4 and 5), one (4) of which defines a seating or edge remote from the bag (2).

Description: APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A FLOWPATH The invention relates to apparatus for providing a flow path, particularly between respective interiors of two members which are connected, or to be connected, with a flow path between them. It is often necessary to connect two members, for example a drinks holder of the kind in which a flexible reservoir or bag of, say, liquid is held in a box, and the reservoir and box is to be connected to a dosing device for a measured distribution of the liquid from the reservoir in say a drinks machine. Such boxes with reservoirs therein are replaceable and it is accordingly essential that the contents of the reservoir remain sealed until the box is mounted in a drinks machine ready to be dispensed. Until now, it has not proved possible readily to provide a sealed container which is also easily prepared for dispensing of its contents when connected with a dispensing or dosing device. Similar considerations apply to dispensing of powders, particles or granules held initially in a sealed bag prior to dispensing from a machine in which the bag itself in a box, is mounted. It is accordingly an object of the invention to seek to mitigate this disadvantage. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for providing a flow path from a normally sealed container for flowable product in the container, comprising a mounting part adapted for mounting on a support part of the container and a part, movable with respect to the mounting part, adapted to pierce the container and to open a flow path through the apparatus. The mounting part may comprise a bifurcated part, particularly a substantially horseshoe shaped part. This provides for ease of mounting. The horseshoe shaped part may have means complementary with the support part of the container in use. This again provides ease of use. The means may comprise a groove means and a spigot means of the horseshoe shaped part. This provides a positive sliding connection. The mounting part and movable part may be screw-engageable. This provides a positive action. The movable part may have an internal passage means with a projecting piercing tip part. This provides for one-stroke piercing. The passage means may have an entry adjacent the piercing tip. This provides for free flow of product. The entry may comprise two passage parts leading to the interior of the passage means. This provides for non-bridging of product on entry to the passage. There may be an external seal means for sealing on the support part in a fully pierced position. This maintains external cleanliness of the apparatus. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a container having mounted thereon apparatus as hereinbefore defined. Apparatus for providing a flow path from a normally sealed container for flowable product in the container, is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a part schematic side elevational view of apparatus according to the invention in a non-piercing mode; and Fig. 2 is a similar view to that of Fig. 1 , in a piercing mode. Referring to the drawings, there is shown apparatus 1 for providing a flow path from a normally sealed container 2 for flowable product, such as wine (not shown) in the container, which may be a normally hermetically sealed bag 2, part of which is shown in the Figures. The bag 2 has secured to part of its surface a gland or support part 3 , the gland 3 being cylindrical and hollow and having two longitudinally spaced apart flanges 4 and 5, one 4 of which defines a seating or edge remote from the bag 2. The apparatus 1 is for piercing the bag part 6 below (as viewed) the hollow interior of the gland 3, (the bag being shown intact in Fig. 1). The apparatus 1 has a mounting part 7 of bifurcated horseshoe, in the embodiment, shape which has an annular groove means 9 for receiving the flange 4 and an annular spigot 10 which locates between the flanges 4 and 5. It will be understood that the apparatus 1 is mounted on the gland 3 by offering up the open part of the horseshoe 7 to the flanges 4 and 5 and pushing the apparatus 1 so that the groove 9 slides over the flange 4 and the spigot 10 slides between the flanges 4 and 5 until the gland 3 sits at the root or base of the horseshoe 7. Piercing of the bag 2 then takes place by rotating a movable part 11 of the apparatus 1 so that it moves over a cylindrical part 12 of the apparatus 1 upstanding from the mounting part 7, the cylindrical part 12 and movable part 11 having complementary screw engaged means 13, 13 '. The movable part 11 also supports an internal passage means in the form of a centrally located body 14 which terminates in a piercing tip 15 which has an inlet defined by a pair of orifices 16 and two substantially parallel passage parts 17 leading to the passage 18, which itself leads to a connection 19 for a receptacle such as a hose which when mounted on the connection 19 or boss is connected via the passage 18 and passage parts 17 to the interior of the bag 6 to provide for product flow. It will be understood that the passage 6, 17, 18 is opened when the part 11 is screwed down to the Fig. 2 position from the Fig. 1 position, the tip 15 piercing the fabric of the bag 6 which is forced away as shown at 6 ■ in chain-dotted lines in Fig. 2. It will further be understood that such connection is achieved hygienically because the piercing tip 15, being protected in Fig. 1 by the surrounding mounting part 7 of the apparatus can move down to pierce the bag 6 without touching anything other than the bag 6, as the gland 3 provides not only a support but also a guide during piercing. To prevent leakage, the passage part 14 has an external step or shoulder 20 which acts as a seat for seal means 21 such as an 'O'-ring. In the Fig. 2 piercing position, the 'O'-ring 21 rests under pressure of screwing down on the upper (as viewed) surface of the flange 4, thereby ensuring that no product escapes laterally of the apparatus 1 at the gland 3. The apparatus may provide a relatively massive construction, with a passage 14 of 32 mm diameter, say.

Claims: — CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for providing a flow path from a normally sealed container for flowable product in the container, characterised by a mounting part (7) adapted for mounting on a support part of the container and by a part (11) , movable with respect to the mounting part (7) , adapted to pierce the container (2) and to open a flow path through the apparatus (1). 2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 , characterised by the mounting part (7) comprising a bifurcated part. 3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, characterised by the mounting part (7) comprising a substantially horseshoe shaped part. 4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, characterised by the horseshoe shaped part (7) having means (9) complementary with the support part (4) of the container (2) in use. 5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, characterised by the means (4) comprising a groove means and by a spigot means (10) of the horseshoe shaped part (7). 6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised by the mounting part (7) and movable part (11) being screw-engageable. 7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterised by the movable part (11) having an internal passage means (18) with a projecting piercing tip part (15). 8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, characterised by the passage means (18) having an entry (16) adjacent the piercing tip (15). 9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, characterised by the entry (16) comprising two passage parts leading to the interior of the passage means (18). 10. Apparatus according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, characterised by an external seal means (21) for sealing on the support part (4) in a fully pierced position. 11. A container, characterised by having mounted thereon apparatus (1) according to any preceding claim.

Inventors: SHIPWAY MALCOLM, SHIPWAY, MALCOLM
Applicants: SHIPWAY MALCOLM, SMITH DAVID S PACKAGING, DAVID S. SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B67B7
IPC codes: B67B7