Patent Publication Number: US-2009223998-A1

Title: Convered dispensing jug for bagged liquids

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     1. This invention is directed to a dispensing jug for dispensing a liquid contained in a flexible plastic bag, and in particular to such a jug having a covering lid to retain the bagged liquid within the jug. 
     2. Widespread use is presently made of dispensing jugs that contain a bagged liquid such as milk. The jugs are substantially conformed in size and form with the liquid-filled bags, so that the outer wall surfaces of the bag when full conform to, and tend to adhere to the inner surfaces of the wall of the jug. This stabilization of the bag of liquid by the jug enables perforation of the top of the bag within the jug, and subsequent dispensing of the liquid out of the bag. However, as the volume of the liquid within the bag diminishes, the bag frequently loses its adherence with the walls of the jug, and becomes unstable, such that it may even become dislodged within the jug during the pouring of the residual liquid. This can lead to irregular or totally uncontrolled flow of the liquid from the bag, with the possibility of undesired spillage. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
     The present invention provides a dispensing jug for bagged liquids, the jug having a cover that retains the bag within the jug. The jug cover has an aperture through which the contained liquid can be dispensed. 
     In a first embodiment the aperture of the cover is sized and positioned such that, with a filled, imperforate bag of liquid inserted in the jug, upon closure of the jug cover the bag is pressurized, causing the top forward corner of the bag to protrude through the cover aperture, such that it may be readily cut off, to enable dispensing of the bagged liquid. 
     In a further covered embodiment, the jug may have at least one elongated window in the jug wall, for viewing the level of liquid contents within the bag. In a preferred embodiment two such vertically oriented viewing windows are located in mutually opposed relation in the side wall portions of the jug. 
     Other embodiments include the provision of a jug with a cover having a small, forwardly oriented aperture to limit accidental inward displacement of the perforated bag corner; a jug cover provided with a perforating blade and a controllable pouring aperture; and a jug wherein the level viewing window also serves to name the contents, such as milk or juice. 
     While the lids are illustrated as being removable lids, it will be understood that lids may be hinged to the body of the jug, and may comprise more than one such hinged portion. The governing criteria for the lids is the capability of permitting insertion of a bag of liquid, access to pierce or open the bag, and retention of the bag within the jug. 
     The present invention thus provides a jug for use with a sealed, substantially rectangular-sided plastic bag containing a liquid comestible, the jug having a body portion to receive the bag in inserted, close fitting relation within the jug, a jug cover cooperable with the jug body portion to enclose an upper, gas-filled portion of the bag in compressive relation therein; the cover having an outlet aperture to receive an upper corner of the bag in projecting relation therethrough, whereby in use the bag may be readily perforated to enable pouring of the liquid through the outlet aperture, and the bag may be securely retained within the jug by the cover. 
     The jug may include an elongated, upwardly extending viewing aperture in a sidewall portion of the jug, for viewing the level of contents within the bag. 
     The jug viewing aperture may be a sealed window, enabling the use of the jug to receive and dispense un-bagged, free liquids. 
     The jug body portion has a substantially oval shape when viewed from above, a handle portion extending rearwardly of the jug; a frontal portion of the jug located oppositely from the handle portion may extend above the handle and the major rim portion of the jug body, to receive the cover in attached relation with the jug body. 
     The upper surface portion of the cover is preferably inclined downwardly and rearwardly, having the outlet aperture located in an upper, forward portion of the surface. In one embodiment the cover aperture opens substantially upwardly of the jug In another embodiment the cover aperture opens substantially forwardly of the jug. The jug contents viewing aperture may be configured in the form of the letters of a word connotive of the jug contents, the letters being arranged in mutually surmounted relation. The jug may have two mutually opposed viewing apertures that may be sealed. In an embodiment having a piercing blade extending downwardly from the cover into the jug, the cover has a lower enclosing surface that encloses the jug portion, in use to compress the sealed bag into piercing engagement with the piercing blade; and an externally connected aperture in the enclosing surface, for passage of liquid from a pierced bag when poured from the jug. The externally connected aperture may form part of a closure valve that enables the control of liquid discharge from the jug. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       Certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated, by way of example, without limitation of the invention thereto, other than as set forth in the accompanying claims; it being understood that further embodiments may be derived by one skilled in the art. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a first embodiment of a covered dispensing jug in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  of a second embodiment of the subject jug; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the externally applied jug cover of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an underview of the cover of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation of a further, inserted jug cover embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a side perspective of a jug for use with the inserted  FIG. 5  jug cover; 
         FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of a modified jug embodiment having an upstanding collar; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the cover for the  FIG. 7  jug embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevation of a jug cover having a piercing blade and flow control valve; 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevation, in section taken at  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 , and 
         FIG. 11  is a side perspective of a window-labelled jug with a cover having a forward facing cover aperture. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a jug  12 , for dispensing bagged liquids such as a milk has a container  14  to receive the bagged liquid. A cover  16  having an aperture  18  secures to the top of the container  14 . 
     The container  14  and cover  16  are sized in relation to a standard flexible plastic bag of liquid such that the liquid containing portion of the bag substantially fills the container  14 , and an air-filled upper portion of the plastic bag projects above the rim of container  14 . 
     Application of the rearwardly tapered cover  16  into secured relation to the container  14  serves to lightly pressurize the bag and push the bag upper front corner  20  out through the aperture  18 , where the bag corner  20  can be readily pierced or cut-off. 
     In the  FIG. 2  embodiment, a viewing window  22  in one or both sides of the jug  12  permits visual determination of the remaining contents of the clear plastic bag. 
     It is contemplated that a narrow open slit window may be used, being sufficiently wide to afford visual access, and too narrow for the bag to extrude through. 
     An enclosed handle  24  facilitates handling of the jug, particularly when full. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 3 through 6 , the jug  30  ( FIG. 6 ) includes cover attachment means in the form of two or more slots  32 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the cover  50  is an outer-fitting cover, shown with pairs of ribs  52  ( FIG. 4 ) that engage the upper lip of a jug, to secure the cover  50  in place. The cover  34  ( FIG. 5 ) has an inset rim  36  with lugs  37  to engage the slots  32 . The cover  34  is illustrated as having an upward facing aperture  38 . 
     In the  FIGS. 7 and 8  jug  70  and cover  74  combination embodiment, an upward extension  72  of the jug  70 , extending above the rim of the jug, receives the cover  74  in downward sliding, enclosing relation. Two pairs of moulded guides  76  on the outer surfaces of extension  72  receive in sliding relation a pair of vertical ribs  78  located within the cover  74 , to retain the cover  74  in place. 
     It will be understood that a supplementary lid may be included with these embodiments. 
     The  FIGS. 9 and 10  embodiment has a cover  90  that includes an upper, slidable flow control valve  92 , and a bag piercing blade  94 . A cover enclosure surface  96  has an aperture  98 . The control valve  92  has a discharge inlet  93  and a discharge outlet  95 . The cover  90  is secured by one or other of the attachment means shown and described above, or may be in hinged attachment 
     In use, upon applying the cover  90  to the underlying bag-loaded jug (not shown), the cover serves to pressurize the bag, forcing the bag upwardly against the blade  94 , which pierces the forward corner portion of the bag. Rearward displacement of the control valve  92  brings the valve discharge inlet  93  into registry with the aperture  98  of the cover  90 , enabling the liquid contents of the bag to be poured. 
     In the  FIG. 11  embodiment, the jug embodiment  112  has a level-indicating window  114 , configured in the word “MILK” in which at least portions of the word form a substantially continuous window or slit through which the level of contents within the jug  112  may be readily seen. The jug cover  116  has a substantially forward facing aperture  118 , through which the forward corner  20  of the bag is shown. It appears that in many instances this cover embodiment may provide enhanced protection of the bag, after it has been opened, with reduced possibility for entry of contaminants. 
     In the case of jugs wherein the contents viewing window is a sealed entity, such jugs are entirely suited for general use, with or without the jug cover.