Patent Publication Number: US-10787300-B2

Title: Liquid carrier and dispenser

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure generally relates to packaging and more specifically to a liquid carrier and dispenser. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many businesses offer carry-out and catering services to customers that include bulk quantities of beverages. For example, some coffee shops offer large containers of coffee that may be purchased and transported to serve groups of people at events such as conferences, meetings, parties, or any other group gathering. While certain packaging solutions for transporting and dispensing bulk quantities of liquid are currently available, they are typically awkward to use and repeatedly expose their liquid contents to air, thereby causing warm liquids to cool over time and cool liquids to become warm over time. 
     SUMMARY OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS 
     According to one embodiment, a liquid dispensing system includes a collapsible bag, a tap, and a box. The collapsible bag is configured to be filled with a liquid. The collapsible bag includes a spout that is configured to permit the liquid to be poured into the collapsible bag. The tap is configured to be coupled to the collapsible bag and permits the liquid to be dispensed out of the collapsible bag. The box is configured to contain the collapsible bag. The box includes a back side, a front side opposite the back side, a left side, a right side opposite the left side, a bottom side, and a top side. The front side includes an access hole for the tap. At least a portion of the access hole is located below a horizontal center line of the front side. The top side is sloped from the back side towards the front side. The box further includes a handle configured for carrying the box. The handle is located proximate to the top side of the box. The box further includes a plurality of feet located on the bottom side of the box proximate to the back side. The plurality of feet are configured to elevate the back side of the box. 
     According to another embodiment, a liquid dispensing system includes a bag, a tap, and a box. The bag includes a spout that is configured to permit the bag to be filled with a liquid. The tap is configured to be coupled to the bag. The box is configured to hold the bag. The box includes a back side and a front side opposite the back side. The front side includes an aperture for the tap. At least a portion of the aperture is located below a horizontal center line of the front side. 
     According to another embodiment, a box for a liquid dispensing system includes a back side, a front side opposite the back side, a left side, a right side opposite the left side, a bottom side, and a top side opposite the bottom side. The front side includes an access hole for a tap, at least a portion of the access hole being located below a horizontal center line of the front side. The top side is sloped from the back side towards the front side. The top side is configured to open and close in order to permit a bag to be placed into the box. The bag is configured to carry a liquid. The box further includes a handle configured for carrying the box. The handle is located proximate to the top side of the box. The box further includes a plurality of feet located on the bottom side of the box proximate to the back side. The plurality of feet are configured to elevate the back side of the box. 
     Technical advantages of certain embodiments may include providing a liquid carrier and dispensing system that is inexpensive, quick to assemble, easy to use, and is at least partially recyclable. In some embodiments, the liquid carrier and dispensing system is configured in such a way that a user is not required to lift and tilt the system in order to dispense liquid into a cup. Instead, some embodiments provide a specially-shaped dispenser that includes a tap that is located on the dispenser in a way that permits liquid to be easily dispensed simply by operating the tap. Furthermore, unlike other liquid dispensing systems, users do not have to manually remove a cap in order to dispense liquid. This prevents exposing liquid contents to air and therefore helps keep warm liquids such as coffee warmer and fresher longer. 
     Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some, or none of the enumerated advantages. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a liquid carrier and dispensing system, according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a lay-flat box that may be used in the liquid carrier and dispensing system of  FIG. 1 , according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a spout that may be used in the liquid carrier and dispensing system of  FIG. 1 , according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a tap that may be used in the liquid carrier and dispensing system of  FIG. 1 , according to certain embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     Many businesses offer carry-out and catering services to customers that include bulk quantities of beverages. For example, some coffee shops offer large containers of coffee that may be purchased and transported to serve groups of people at events such as conferences, meetings, parties, or any other group gathering. While certain packaging solutions for transporting and dispensing bulk quantities of liquid are currently available, they are typically awkward to use and repeatedly expose their liquid contents to air, thereby causing warm liquids to cool over time and cool liquids to become warm over time. 
     To address these and other problems with existing products for transporting bulk quantities of liquid, the teachings of the disclosure provide a liquid carrier and dispensing system that is inexpensive, quick to assemble, easy to use, and is at least partially recyclable. In some embodiments, the liquid carrier and dispensing system is configured in such a way that a user is not required to lift and tilt the system in order to dispense liquid into a cup. Furthermore, unlike other liquid dispensing systems, some embodiments are completely sealed after being filled with liquid and do not have to be unsealed in order to dispense the liquid. This prevents exposing liquid contents to air and therefore helps keep warm liquids such as coffee warmer and fresher longer. The following describes a liquid carrier and dispensing system that provides these and other advantages. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a liquid carrier and dispensing system,  FIG. 2  illustrates a lay-flat box that may be used in the liquid carrier and dispensing system of  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3  illustrates a spout that may be used in the liquid carrier and dispensing system of  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 4  illustrates a tap that may be used in the liquid carrier and dispensing system of  FIG. 1 , according to certain embodiments. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a liquid carrier and dispensing system  100 , according to certain embodiments. In some embodiments, liquid carrier and dispensing system  100  includes a box  110 , a bag  120 , a spout  130 , and a tap  140 . Spout  130  is coupled to bag  120  and permits liquid to be poured or otherwise loaded into bag  120 . Spout  130  may also be coupled to bag  120  and permits the liquid inside bag  120  to be dispensed. Bag  120  may be placed inside box  110  as illustrated. In some embodiments, box  110  includes feet  150  and a handle  170 . Box  110  permits liquid carrier and dispensing system  100  to be easily transported and for liquid to be easily dispensed from bag  120 . 
     In general, liquid carrier and dispensing system  100  provides an inexpensive, quick and easy to assemble, easy to use, and an at least partially recyclable solution to carrying and dispensing bulk quantities of liquid such as coffee. Liquid carrier and dispensing system  100  includes various features that enable users to dispense liquid into a cup without having to lift and tilt box  110 . More specifically, some embodiments include tap  140  that is located on a lower portion of one side of box  110  that permits liquid to be easily dispensed by only operating tap  140 . This is in contrast to other systems that require users to remove a cap or lid and then lift the box in order to pour liquid into a cup. Furthermore, unlike other liquid dispensing systems, some embodiments of liquid carrier and dispensing system  100  are completely sealed after being filled with liquid (e.g., via spout  130 ) and do not have to be unsealed in order to dispense liquid out of bag  120 . This prevents exposing liquid contents within bag  120  to the environment and therefore helps keep warm liquids such as coffee warmer and fresher longer than existing solutions. 
     Box  110  is generally any appropriate box or container for holding or containing bag  120 . In some embodiments, box  110  is made of recyclable cardboard, paper, plastic, or any other appropriate material. In some embodiments, box  110  includes a front side  111 , a back side  112  that is opposite front side  111 , a top side  113 , a bottom side  114  that is opposite top side  113 , a left side  115 , and a right side  116  that is opposite left side  115 . In some embodiments, box  110  includes at least two feet  150  that protrude from bottom side  114  proximate to back side  112  and are configured to elevate back side  112  of box  110 . This may help any liquid within bag  120  to exit bag  120  via tap  140 . In some embodiments, box  110  may include handle  170  for transporting liquid carrier and dispensing system  100 . As described in more detail below in reference to  FIG. 2 , some embodiments of box  110  may be configured to lay flat prior to being assembled. This may allow for easier shipment and storage of multiple boxes  110  prior to usage. 
     In some embodiments, box  110  has an assembled shape that is a cuboid or a rectangular cuboid. In some embodiments, box  110  has a shape that slopes towards front side  111  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . In these embodiments, a height  122  of back side  112  is greater than a height  121  of front side  111 . Furthermore, in embodiments where box  110  slopes towards front side  11 , sides  111 ,  112 ,  113 , and  114  are rectangles, and sides  115  and  116  are quadrilaterals. While specific shapes of box  110  have been described and illustrated, box  110  may have any appropriate shape and size. 
     Bag  120  is any appropriate container for holding a liquid within liquid carrier and dispensing system  100 . In some embodiments, bag  120  is a collapsible bag. In some embodiments, bag  120  is made from any appropriate material such as plastic. In some embodiments, bag  120  is a 3 L bag of metalized film. In some embodiments, bag  120  has a shape that corresponds to a shape of box  110  so that it may snugly fit within box  110  when filled with liquid. For example, when box  110  has a shape that slopes towards front side  111  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 18 , bag  120  may have a corresponding shape that slopes away from spout  130  and towards front side  111 . In some embodiments, bag  120  is configured to be placed into box  110  through an opened top side  113  of box  110  so that spout  130  is located proximate to back side  112  and top side  113  of box  110  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
     Spout  130  is any appropriate device that permits liquid to be poured or otherwise loaded into bag  120 . A particular embodiment of spout  130  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In some embodiments, spout  130  includes a removable cap  310  and a stem  320 . Removable cap  310  may be screwed or otherwise coupled onto stem in any appropriate manner. Stem  320  may be permanently affixed to bag  120  (e.g., bag  120  and stem  320  may be manufactured together) or may be affixed to bag  120  during assembly of liquid carrier and dispensing system  100 . In general, removeable cap  310  may be removed from spout  130  to allow any appropriate liquid to be placed into bag  120 . After bag  120  is filled with liquid, removeable cap  310  may be screwed or otherwise coupled back to spout  130  to protect the liquid inside bag  120  from the environment. 
     Tap  140  is any appropriate device for permitting liquid within bag  120  to be dispensed. In some embodiments, tap  140  is a VITOP tap. A specific embodiment of tap  140  is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In general, tap  140  prevents exposing the liquid inside bag  120  to the environment while still permitting a user to dispense liquid into, for example, a cup. In some embodiments, tap  140  includes a handle  410  that may be pressed downward in order to dispense liquid from bag  120 . In other embodiments, tap  140  may include any other appropriate mechanism (e.g., screw open/close) that permits liquid inside bag  120  to be dispensed. In some embodiments, tap  140  may be permanently affixed to bag  120  (e.g., bag  120  and tap  140  may be manufactured together). In other embodiments, tap  140  may be affixed to bag  120  during assembly of liquid carrier and dispensing system  100 . In these embodiments, tap  140  may be placed through access hole  145  and then coupled to bag  120 . Access hole  145  is described in more detail below. In some embodiments, tap  140  is located entirely below or at least partially below horizontal center line  160 . 
     In some embodiments, box  110  includes an access hole  145  on one side. For example, access hole  145  may be located on front side  111 . Access hole  145  is generally any aperture of any appropriate shape and size for accommodating tap  140 . In some embodiments, access hole  145  may be a die-cut access hole that is round in shape. In some embodiments, access hole  145  is located entirely below or at least partially below horizontal center line  160 . Horizontal center line  160  is generally a line that is in the middle of front side  111 . That is, horizontal center line  160  is located in the middle of height  121  and splits front side  111  horizontally into two equal portions: an upper portion  111 A and a lower portion  111 B. In embodiments where access hole  145  is located entirely below horizontal center line  160 , access hole  145  is completely below horizontal center line  160  in lower portion  111 B of front side  111 . In embodiments where access hole  145  is at least partially below horizontal center line  160 , a portion of access hole  145  is above horizontal center line  160  (i.e., within upper portion  111 A) and a portion of access hole  145  is below horizontal center line  160  (i.e., within lower portion  111 B). In these embodiments, a center  145 A of access hole  145  may be either above or below horizontal center line  160 . In some embodiments, center  145 A is below horizontal center line  160  such that the majority of the area of access hole  145  is within lower portion  111 B of front side ill. 
     Feet  150  are any appropriate protrusions or devices that elevate back side  112  of liquid carrier and dispensing system  100 . In general, feet  150  elevate liquid carrier and dispensing system  100  so that liquid in bag  120  may flow towards front side  11  and be easily dispensed from tap  140 . Feet  150  may prevent a user from having to lift and tilt liquid carrier and dispensing system  100  in order to dispense liquid from tap  140 . In some embodiments, liquid carrier and dispensing system  100  includes two feet  150  that are integrated into box  110  (e.g., as tabs). In some embodiments, feet  150  are located on bottom side  114  of box  110  proximate to back side  112 , as illustrated. In some embodiments, feet  150  are any appropriate shape and size. For example, feet  150  may be rectangular in shape and approximately one inch in length. In some embodiments, feet  150  are any appropriate distance from back side  112 . For example, feet  150  may be 0-1 inches from back side  112 , 1-2 inches from back side  112 , or 2-3 inches from back side  112 . 
     Handle  170  is any appropriate shape and size that permits a user to transport liquid carrier and dispensing system  100 . In some embodiments, handle  170  is formed from tabs of box  110  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a lay-flat box  210  that may be used as box  110  in liquid carrier and dispensing system  100 , according to certain embodiments. In general, lay-flat box  210  may be cut from a single piece of material (e.g., cardboard) and may include multiple cutouts  201  and creases  202  that permit lay-flat box  210  to be assembled into box  110  of liquid carrier and dispensing system  100 . Multiple lay-flat boxes  210  may be stacked on top of each other for more efficient storage and transport for customers of liquid carrier and dispensing system  100 . In some embodiments, creases  202  may be lines that have been pre-folded, perforated, or partially cut (e.g., cut to a certain depth) that permit easy folding of lay-flat box  210  along creases  202 . In some embodiments, lay-flat box  210  includes multiple tabs that, when assembled, form the sides of box  110 . For example, some embodiments of lay-flat box  210  includes upper tabs  210  (e.g.,  210 A-D) that, when assembled, form top side  113  and handle  170  of liquid carrier and dispensing system  100 . In these embodiments, tabs  210 C-D include hand holes  240  for carrying box  110  and cutouts  260  that may be placed into slits  250  in tabs  210 A-B for keeping top side  113  closed. Similarly, some embodiments include lower tabs  220  (e.g.,  220 A-D) that, when assembled, form bottom side  114  of box  110 . In some embodiments, feet  150  may be formed by cutting lines  230 A-B around feet  150  but leaving the remaining portions of lines  230 A-B uncut as creases  202 . This may permit lay-flat box  210  to be folded along lines  230 A-B, thereby causing feet  150  to protrude from bottom side  114 . 
     Herein, “or” is inclusive and not exclusive, unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Therefore, herein, “A or B” means “A, B, or both,” unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Moreover, “and” is both joint and several, unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Therefore, herein, “A and B” means “A and B, jointly or severally,” unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. 
     The scope of this disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the example embodiments described or illustrated herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. The scope of this disclosure is not limited to the example embodiments described or illustrated herein. Moreover, although this disclosure describes and illustrates respective embodiments herein as including particular components, elements, functions, operations, or steps, any of these embodiments may include any combination or permutation of any of the components, elements, functions, operations, or steps described or illustrated anywhere herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Furthermore, reference in the appended claims to an apparatus or system or a component of an apparatus or system being adapted to, arranged to, capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable to, or operative to perform a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system, component, whether or not it or that particular function is activated, turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, operable, or operative.