DISPENSING DEVICE

Abstract: A dispensing device (10) for dispensing liquid from a container (100), the dispensing device including a main body (12) which includes an end wall (13) having an internal side face (15) directed towards the interior (80) of the container and an external side face (16), a dispensing outlet (32), and a closure (30) moveable relative to the main body between open and closed positions to selectively open and close the dispensing outlet (32), a chamber (20) between the external side face (16) and the dispensing outlet (32), a liquid transfer port (14) in the main body for permitting liquid flow from the container interior to the chamber and a breather port (22) in the main body providing communication between the container interior and the chamber, the liquid transfer port (14) and the breather port (22) being spaced apart from one another so as to form a static head therebetween.

Description: DISPENSING DEVICE This invention relates generally to dispensing devices suitable for dispensing liquids from containers. One example of a type of container with which the dispensing device of the present invention is particularly suitable for use are containers of the type for dispensing liquids such as drinking water, juice and the like. Typically such containers are located on a bench or in a refrigerator and have a discharge tap in a region near the base of the container. To ensure smooth discharge of the liquid from the container it is necessary that the interior of the container is vented to atmosphere. Presently this is effected by piercing the container wall in the region of the top. Such an arrangement is not particularly satisfactory. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved dispensing device which alleviates the aforementioned problem. According to the present invention there is provided a dispensing device for dispensing liquid from a container, the dispensing device including a main body which includes an end wall having an internal side face which when the device is in use is directed towards the interior of the container and an external side face, a dispensing outlet, and a closure movable relative to the main body between open and closed positions to selectively open and close the dispensing outlet, a chamber between the external side face and the dispensing outlet, a liquid transfer port in the main body for permitting liquid flow from the container interior to the chamber and a breather port in the main body providing communication between the container interior and the chamber, the liquid transfer port and the breather port being spaced apart from one another so as to form a static head therebetween. The arrangement is such that when the closure of the device is opened air is introduced to the chamber. A static head differential has been created by the vertical distance between the liquid transfer port and the breather port in the main body. There are no material barriers separating the air from the liquid within the chamber. The arrangement is such that air can enter the chamber externally of the container and pass through the breather port to the interior of the container so as to ensure a continuous flow of liquid out of the container. Pressure within the container is decreased and simultaneously liquid continuously discharges through the outlet port in the bottom of the chamber wall, whilst the closure remains open. Discharge flow rates can be adjusted to container capacities by increasing the diameter of the chamber, and/or increasing the distance of the end wall from the closure and/or the size and position of the liquid transfer and breather ports in the end wall or side wall of the main body. Preferably, the main body includes a generally tubular side wall extending from the external side face of the end wall, such that the end wall and at least part of the tubular side wall define the chamber. Preferably, the closure can close the open end of the tubular side wall. The dispensing outlet is preferably in the tubular side wall. Preferably the tubular side wall is extended in the region of the dispensing outlet so as to form a gutter which directs liquid within the chamber towards the dispensing outlet. Preferably, the closure is pivotally connected to the main body for movement between the open and closed positions. The dispensing device may include one or more pins on one of either the main body or closure arranged to cooperate with respective one or more guides on either the main body or closure to guide the closure during pivotal movement thereof. The device may further include flow control members which form a zone within the chamber containing the liquid transfer port and breather port. Preferably, the flow control members includes two generally parallel spaced apart partition walls which project from the closure and are receivable in slots in the end wall of the main body so as to form a conduit within the chamber which contains the liquid transfer port and the breather port. Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and in those drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic pictorial view of a dispensing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing various components thereof; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device in a closed position; Figure 3 is an end view of the device; Figure 4 is a sectional side elevation of the device in a closed position; Figures 5 and 6 are sectional side views of the device in the open and closed positions; Figures 7 to 9 are sectional side views showing another form of device according to the invention; Figure 10 is a sectional side view illustrating the manner of connection of the device to a container; and Figure 11 is a sectional schematic side elevation of a further embodiment of device according to the invention. Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings there is shown a dispensing device generally indicated at 10 which is fitted to a container 100 having an outlet 102 (see Figure 2). In its normal in use orientation when dispensing liquids the outlet is disposed in the region of the lower part of the container. For example, the container 100 may be in the form of a bottle which, when in a dispensing position, is rested on its side with the outlet 102 being arranged adjacent the surface on which the bottle rests. Such bottles are often used for storing and dispensing drinking water. The dispensing device 10 includes a main body portion 12 having an end wall 13 with an internal side 15 which faces the interior of the container 80 and an external side 16. As shown the main body 12 also includes a tubular side wall section 18 extending from the end wall 13 the space adjacent the end wall and bounded by parts of the wall of the tubular side wall section defining a chamber 20. A liquid transfer port 14 and a breather port 22 are formed in the end wall 13. As can be seen from the drawings the ports 14 and 22 are spaced apart so as to produce static head pressure there between. The chamber 20 is disposed on the external side of the end wall of the main body 12 and receives therein liquid from the liquid transfer port 14. The device further includes a closure member 30 for opening and closing a dispensing outlet 32 which is in liquid communication with the chamber 20. The closure member 30 is adapted to close the dispensing outlet 32 as a result of pivotal movement relative to the main body portion 12. The closure member 30 includes a plug section 31 having an inner end face 35 which is receivable within the tubular section of the main body so as to enclose the chamber 20, the plug section 31 being movable so as to cause the dispensing outlet 32 to open and close. As shown the plug section 30 is hingedly connected to the main body at hinge 45. A lever 36 operatively connected to the plug section is provided for opening and closing the closure member. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, when the closure member 30 is in the closed position the inner end face 35 of the plug section 31 is in contact with external side 16 of end wall 13. Preferably, the plug section has sealing rings 34 on its outer surface providing a seal against the inner surface of the tubular side wall section 18 of the main body 12. A gutter wall 50 is provided which is an extension of the tubular section. The gutter wall 50 includes a lower most portion 51 having the dispensing outlet 32 therein and two side wall portions 53 and 54 which extend to each side of the outlet. As shown the gutter wall 50 is an extension of the tubular section, the side wall portions 53 and 54 being tapered outwardly from a position near the top of the tubular section when it is in its normal operating orientation so that the gutter wall is at its widest in the region of lower most portion 51. The side wall portions 53 and 54 are adapted to act as gutters directing fluid towards the discharge outlet 32. The device further includes liquid flow control elements in the form of parallel spaced apart partition walls 71 and 72 which project from the inner end face 35 of the plug section of the closure member 30. The partition walls 71 and 72 are receivable within slots 75 and 76 so as to form a confined region within the chamber 20 which contains the liquid transfer port 14 and breather port 22. During opening and closing of the dispensing outlet by pivotal movement of the closure member 30 the partition walls 71 and 72 can move through the slots 75 and 76. The device further includes means for limiting the pivotal movement of the closure member 30 relative to the main body 12. The limiting means includes a pair of stops 77 and 78 on the edge of the partition walls 71 and 72. A deflector 39 is arranged to direct liquid towards the outlet 32. The device further includes a pair of catch pins 80 and 81 each penetrating respective opening 83 and 84 in the closure member 30. Each opening includes a conical tube which guides the pins 80 and 81 into position when the closure member is returned to the closed position. The device further includes tamper evidence rings 86 and 87 and cooperating catch pins 88 and 89 interconnected by break out tabs which are caused to break when the closure member 30 is moved to the open position for the first time. The rings are retained by the pins when broken away. Figure 5 and 6 are simplified sectional side views showing the device in its closed and open positions. In the closed position as shown in Figure 5 the plug section 33 overlies the dispensing outlet 32. By finger manipulation of the lever 36 the closure 30 can be pulled outwardly thereby pivoting about hinge 45 so that the tubular section 33 is clear of the dispensing outlet 32. The closure is arranged for pivotal movement through about 15°. Pivotal movement is limited by stops 77 and 78 which as the partition walls 71 and 72 move through slots 75 and 76 are prevented from moving beyond that shown in Figure 6 as a result of stops 77 and 78 abutting against end wall 13 in the region just below the slots 75 and 76. Figures 7 to 9 show a further embodiment and the same reference numerals have been used to identify similar parts to those described in the first embodiment. In this particular embodiment, the inner face of the wall of the closure 30 are provided with tubular projections 47 and 48 which are received within the ports 14 and 22 when the closure is in the closed position. Referring to Figure 10 of the drawings, the container 100 has an outlet 102 formed by a wall 103 with inner and outer surfaces 104 and 105 terminating in a rim at the free end thereof. The dispensing device has an inner and outer skirt 91 and 92 connected at an upper end thereof with an end wall 93 connecting the skirts 91 and 92. The inner and outer skirts define between then a circumferential slot 94 which when the device is applied to the container, receives the container outlet 102. The inner skirt includes a section 95 at its free end defining a deflecting section. The outer surface of the inner skirt 11 is stepped outwardly adjacent the end wall 93 to provide a sealing section or band 96. The relative diameters of the container, the inner and outer skirts and the thickness of the container wall is such that then the device is applied to the container 100 with the inner skirt 91 in contact with the inner wall and the device seated on the container rim, the inner wall of the container adjacent the sealing band is forced inwardly into tight sealing engagement with the wall thereby effectively sealing the closure to the container. The sealing section 1 and deflecting section 2 project from the outer surface of the inner skirt thereby forming a recess therebetween. When the device is first applied to the container, the deflecting section 2 engages the inner surface of the container, because diameter D] (that is, the diameter of the outer side of skirt 91) is greater than diameter D (that is, the diameter of the inner surface of the container outlet 102). The section 95 causes the wall the distort so that the free end wall is urged inwardly. This concept is described in Australian Patent Specification Numbers 51379/96 and 56460/98. Figure 11 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the present invention. In this embodiment the distance between the end wall 13 and the open end of the tubular side wall has been increased so that it is spaced from the closure 30 and the diameter of the main body 12 and the height of the end wall 13 increased. In this embodiment the size of the air breather port 22 and the liquid transfer port 14 can be increased to give effect to an increase in the static head differential and an increase in the fluid flow through the liquid dispensing outlet 32 . Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A dispensing device for dispensing liquid from a container, the dispensing device including a main body which includes an end wall having an internal side face directed towards the interior of the container and an external side face, a dispensing outlet, and a closure moveable relative to the main body between open and closed positions to selectively open and close the dispensing outlet, a chamber between the external side face and the dispensing outlet, a liquid transfer port in the main body for permitting liquid flow from the container interior to the chamber and a breather port in the main body providing communication between the container interior and the chamber, the liquid transfer port and the breather port being spaced apart from one another so as to form a static head therebetween. 2. A dispensing device according to claim 1 when the main body includes a generally tubular side wall extending from the external side face of the end wall, such that the end wall and at least part of the tubular side wall define the chamber. 3. A dispensing device according to claim 2 wherein said closure can close the open end of the tubular side wall. 4. A dispensing device according to claim 3 wherein said dispensing outlet is in said tubular side wall. 5. A dispensing device according to claim 4 wherein said tubular wall is extended in the region of the dispensing outlet so as to form a gutter which directs liquid within the chamber towards the dispensing outlet. 6. A dispensing device according to any preceding claim wherein said closure is pivotally connected to the main body for movement between the open and closed positions. 7. A dispensing device according to claim 6 wherein including one or more pins on one of either the main body or closure arranged to cooperate with respective one or more guides on the other either the main body or closure to guide on the closure during pivotal movement thereof . 8. A dispensing device according to any preceding claim including flow control members which form a zone within the chamber containing the liquid transfer port and breather port. 9. A dispensing device according to claim 8 wherein said flow control members include two generally parallel spaced apart partition walls which project from the closure and are receivable in slots in the end wall of the main body so as to form a conduit within the chamber which contains the liquid transfer port and breather port.

Inventors: GOODALL DONALD TERRY, MILNE HARVEY MCKENZIE, GOODALL, DONALD, TERRY, MILNE, HARVEY, MCKENZIE
Applicants: GOODALL DONALD T, MILNE HARVEY MCKENZIE, GOODALL, DONALD, TERRY, MILNE, HARVEY, MCKENZIE
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B67D3
IPC codes: B65D47, B67D3