Patent Publication Number: US-2006011640-A1

Title: Device and system for releasing vacuum pressure from liquid-dispensing containers

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      Embodiments of the present invention relate to liquid-container puncturing devices which allow air to enter containers and prevent contaminants from entering the container. Particular embodiments comprise a hollow cylinder for puncturing plastic, handles, ventilation holes, and a cover. Further embodiments comprise a system comprising a puncturing device and a liquid container having a segment which can be easily punctured by preferred embodiments of the puncturing device of the present invention.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Liquid dispensing containers often build up vacuum pressure as water leaves the container. The build up pressure significantly reduces the flow of liquids from the container. In order to eliminate the vacuum, owners of liquid dispensing containers (such as commercial drinking water containers with a spigot) use a sharp object such as a knife to puncture a hole into the container. However, a person&#39;s hand may slip during the puncturing and may be cut on the sharp object. This poses a particular threat to children and geriatric users of water-dispensing containers. In addition, the resulting hole can allow contaminants to enter the container. While various devices for removing vacuum pressure exist in the prior art, such devices are typically difficult to handle and can allow contaminants to enter. Additionally, liquid containers of the prior art can be difficult to puncture in order to release vacuum pressure which builds up as the liquid flows out from the container.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Embodiments of the present invention comprise puncturing devices which safely puncture, release vacuum pressure from, and prevent contaminants from entering into liquid-dispensing containers. The puncturing of air-tight containers facilitates the entry of air into the container and eliminates the vacuum that results from fluid being dispensed from the air-tight container. Embodiments of the device preferably comprise a hollow tube with a sharp angle at its tip which facilitates puncturing of containers made of puncturable material such as plastic. Embodiments additionally comprise handles which preferably extend perpindicularly outward from the hollow puncturing shaft. The handles allow the user to better control the insertion and removal of the puncturing device into and from a container. The puncturing device further comprises a protective cap which preferably prevents contaminants and/or debris from entering into the container, and may facilitate insertion of the device into containers. The device additionally comprises ventilation holes within the hollow puncturing shaft, which are protected from outside debris by the protective cover. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a pressure-releasing puncturing device.  
       FIG. 2  shows a cross sectional view of the puncturing device of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  shows an alternative embodiment of the puncturing device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Embodiments of the present invention comprise puncturing devices which safely puncture, release vacuum pressure from, and prevent contaminants from entering into liquid-dispensing containers. The puncturing of air-tight containers facilitates the entry of air into the container and eliminates the vacuum that results from fluid being dispensed from the air-tight container.  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment of a pressure-releasing puncturing device  10  of the present invention. The device preferably comprises a hollow shaft  12  that ends in a hollow piercing tip  14 . In preferred embodiments, the hollow shaft is cylindrical, while in other embodiments the hollow shaft can be another shape. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the hollow piercing tip  14  can be formed by cutting the hollow shaft  12  along an angle measuring approximately thirty degrees at the end of the puncturing device. In alternative embodiments, the angle at the end of the hollow piercing tip  14  can be between twenty degrees and forty-five degrees. The hollow piercing tip  14  is preferably sharp enough to allow piercing of a plastic container with a minimal amount of force exerted by the user. Alternative preferred embodiments comprise hollow puncturing tips  14  comprising larger angles and/or rounded or smoothened tips for safety, so that the hollow puncturing tip  14  is less likely to accidentally puncture human skin.  
      Preferred embodiments of the device may optionally comprise handles  16  which extend perpindicularly from the hollow shaft  12 . The handles  16  preferably extend out far enough to provide a surface with which the user&#39;s hand may contact when inserting and removing the device  10  from a container. In preferred embodiments, the handles  16  are rigid enough to maintain their shape when subjected to enough pressure to insert and remove the device  10  from a container. The handles can also preferably block contaminants and debris from entering the punctured container through the hole created by the puncturing device  10  during insertion.  
      Preferred embodiments of the device  10  comprise a protective cap  18 . The protective cap  18  covers the top end of the hollow shaft  12  to prevent debris or contaminants from entering into the punctured container through the device  10 . The protective cap preferably  18  provides enough surface area so that the protective cap  18  can be grasped or pressed upon by the user&#39;s fingers. The protective cap  18  can be a separate piece which is preferably sealed onto the hollow shaft  12  of the device, or in alternative preferred embodiments, the cap and the rest of the device is formed of a continuous material.  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the device  10  of  FIG. 1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , preferred embodiments of the device  10  further comprise at least one air flow hole  20 , and more preferably a plurality of air flow holes  20 , on the hollow shaft  12 . The air flow holes  20  are preferably located adjacent to an air-flow channel  22 , which comprises a space located between the protective cap  18 , the handles  16 , and the hollow shaft  12 .  
       FIG. 3  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the venting device comprises a hollow shaft  12 , and open puncturing tip  14 , and an open end  30 . A cap  18  fits over the open end  30 , but does not close off the open end. The cap has at least one vent  32 , preferably on the underside of the cap  18 .  
      In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , no separate handles are used because the cap itself provides surfaces on the top  36  and bottom  34  configured to facilitate manual insertion and withdrawal.  
      Upon puncturing of the container by the device  10 , air is allowed to flow freely from the outside into the air channel  22 , through the air flow holes  20  and hollow shaft  12 , and into the container. The device  10  further allows air flow in the opposite direction, from the container to the outside. In preferred embodiments, the protective cap  18  significantly reduces the debris and contaminants from entering the punctured container through the air flow holes  20 .  
      Preferred embodiments of the device  10  comprise a metal, plastic, or other material known to those skilled in the art which is rigid enough to maintain its shape when puncturing fluid devices. Alternative embodiments can preferably be made from a material which can resist high temperatures and detergents used in dishwashing machines.  
      Preferred embodiments of the present invention further comprise water dispensing systems. The systems preferably comprise embodiments of the puncturing device  10  of the present invention and water dispensing containers comprising a segment which can be easily punctured by puncturing devices. In preferred embodiments, the segment is located on the top, sides, front or back of the container. The easily-puncturable segment preferably comprises a material with a thickness and tension which is strong enough to maintain structural integrity so as not to break during transportation or normal use, while simultaneously having a thickness and tension which allows for easier puncturing by puncturing devices of the present invention. The puncturable segment preferably comprises a shape and area that is about the same as the shape and area of the radial cross section of the shaft of the puncturing device. The puncturable segment can be punctured using less force than necessary to puncture the rest of the liquid-dispensing container. The puncturable segment can preferably be made from plastic, foil, or other material known to those skilled in the art. The device is preferably allowed to remain in the container after puncturing, whereby the device allows air flow into and out of the container while preventing solid and/or liquid contaminants from entering into the container. In preferred embodiments, the liquid-dispensing container comprises a sign indicating to the user the location of the segment into which the puncturing device should be inserted.  
      Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, but merely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. Similarly, other embodiments of the invention may be devised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. All additions, deletions and modifications to the invention as disclosed herein which fall within the meaning and scope of the claims are to be embraced thereby.