Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a container for drink provided with a top and with an outlet that is located at the top and is connected to a flexible dispensing line, the container having a chamber at the top in which the dispensing line is accommodated.  
         [0002]     A container of this type is disclosed in International patent application Ser. No. WO 99/11563. In the case of the known container the flexible line is accommodated inside a cap that is fitted over an upper end face of the container. The container can have a plastic outer jacket with an internal flexible bag, containing a carbonated drink, such as beer. The container is placed in a closable chill chamber of a drink dispensing device and connected to a pressure line which feeds a pressure medium into the space between the flexible bag and the outer jacket. The flexible dispensing line is fed through a dispensing tap at the top of the chill chamber, which dispensing tap is in clamping engagement on the tube in order to close this off and releases the dispensing line by operation of a tap handle. On placing the container in the chill chamber a break seal at the top of the cap can be removed and the dispensing line can be removed from the cap in order to connect the outlet to the dispensing tap.  
         [0003]     One disadvantage of the known container is that access to the dispenser tube via the opening in the cap is relatively difficult for the user. Furthermore, positioning of the end of the tube in the dispensing tap of the dispensing device is relatively difficult.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     One aim of the invention is to provide a container with which the flexible dispensing line can be hygienically fixed on the container during storage and transport of the container and with which the line can easily be placed in the use position by a user and can be connected to a dispensing tap of a dispensing device known per se.  
         [0005]     A further aim of the invention is to provide a container with which the flexible dispensing line can be reliably housed in the container again after use.  
         [0006]     A further aim is to provide a container that can easily be placed with the correct orientation in a dispensing device and which can be coupled in a simple manner to the dispensing device, such as to the dispensing tap and/or to the pressure medium feed.  
         [0007]     To this end a container according to the invention is characterised in that the container is provided at the top with a central bridge having a top face and with a peripheral wall, located transversely to the bridge, having two wall sections which border the short sides of the bridge, the chamber being formed in the central bridge.  
         [0008]     The grip element can easily be grasped by the user, after which the dispensing line can be extracted from the chamber. The grip element can then be connected to the dispensing tap of the dispensing device, as is described in WO 99/11561 and in Netherlands Patent Application no. 1015 368, which was filed on 31 May 2000 in the name of the Applicant. In this context the chamber can be closed off by the grip element itself or by a separate lid. As a result of the hygienic storage of the flexible line in the chamber, contamination of the line is counteracted, whilst the grip component that protrudes outside the chamber ensures easy handling.  
         [0009]     Because the flexible line is housed in the central bridge of the container, the container can easily be handled by means of, for example, two hand grips located on either side of the bridge.  
         [0010]     Furthermore, the central bridge is a location on the container that is protected against mechanical contact with the environment during storage or transport, so that damage to the dispensing line is counteracted.  
         [0011]     By positioning the outlet end of the dispensing line in or close to a cut-out in a peripheral wall, the outlet end has essentially the same orientation on the container in the storage and transport position as in the use position, in which the grip component of the outlet end is connected to the dispensing tap. As a result, the user is able, after placing the container in a dispensing device, easily to transfer the outlet end from the storage and transport position into the use position.  
         [0012]     In one embodiment the container is provided close to the extraction opening with a clamping element that engages on the outlet end of the dispensing line in order to fix this in a defined position on the container during storage and transport. As a result, when the dispensing line is removed from the chamber by a user the outlet end has a secured defined position on the container that corresponds to the position in which the outlet end has to be placed in the dispensing tap of the dispensing device, so that ease of use is optimum.  
         [0013]     Both the operating element of a shut-off valve for the feed opening and the air connector can be accommodated in the chamber according to the invention, which operating element and air connector are accessible via a top face of the chamber, so that on placing the container in the dispensing device and closing the lid of the dispensing device an actuating element and an air coupling on the lid of the dispensing device are able to engage on the operating element and the air connector. The operating means for opening the container and the connection for the pressure source can be effectively protected by fitting a protective cap over the chamber.  
         [0014]     It is preferable to position the operating element and the air connector in the chamber in one line and to feed the flexible dispensing line in a loop from the operating element along a long side, around the air connector back to the front short side of the chamber. In this way the central bridge can be constructed as an integral unit with the operating element, the air connector and the flexible dispensing line, which integral unit can be produced by machine. Kinking of the dispensing line is prevented by storing the flexible dispensing line in accordance with the loop described above, so that said dispensing line does not suffer any permanent deformation or constriction on prolonged storage and can easily be brought back into its straight position.  
         [0015]     It is furthermore preferable to provide the container at a peripheral wall, such as at a top or bottom or at a longitudinal side, with positioning means which extend transversely to the peripheral wall and on placing the container in a chill chamber engage on complementary positioning means in the chill chamber, in such a way that the container is brought into a defined position with respect to the chill chamber. In particular the positioning of the container with respect to the dispensing tap of the drink dispensing device and with respect to a connection for pressure medium that is not positioned on a centre line of the container is facilitated by this means. The chill chamber of the dispensing device can be provided with at least two diametrically located slot-shaped, stepped wall sections, the width of which can decrease towards the base of the chill chamber. The depth of the stepped wall sections, or the distance therefrom to the centre line of the chill chamber, can also taper, so that the container can be introduced into the chill chamber relatively easily through the open top face of the essentially cylindrical dispensing device by introducing the projections into the relatively wide slots. On lowering the container into the chill chamber the walls of the constricting slots engage on the projections, so that the container acquires its correct orientation.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     A few embodiments of a container, as well as an assembly of a container and drink dispensing device according to the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the appended drawing. In the drawing:  
         [0017]      FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c ,  1   d  show a cross-section and, respectively, a longitudinal section of an assembly of a container and a dispensing device, according to the present invention, in a front view and a side view, respectively,  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a container according to  FIG. 1  with the protective cap removed and with the dispensing line in the extended use position, it being possible for the outlet end to be fitted in a dispensing tap of the dispensing device,  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the container according to  FIG. 2 , with protective cap removed, the dispensing line being placed in the accommodating chamber,  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective bottom view of a central bridge, with the accommodating chamber for the dispensing line,  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a container according to  FIG. 3  with the protective cap fitted, in the storage and transport position,  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of a container according to the invention provided with positioning ears, and  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a chamber with the flexible dispensing line constructed as an integral unit. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]      FIGS. 1   a - 1   d  show a container  1  that has been placed in a drink dispensing device  11 . The container  1  is provided with a plastic outer jacket and at a top  2  has a cap  3  attached to the outer jacket. The container  1  has an outlet  4 , which can clearly be seen in  FIG. 1   d . A flexible dispensing line  5  is connected to the outlet  4 , which dispensing line is provided at its outlet end  6  with a shut-off valve  7  and with an outlet section  8 , made of relatively rigid plastic, at right angles. The shut-off valve  7  is described in more detail in Netherlands Patent Application no. 1 015 368, which was filed on 31 May 2000 in the name of the Applicant, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, and engages on a dispensing tap  19  of the dispensing device  11 .  
         [0025]     The dispensing device  11  is provided with a chill chamber  12  for accommodating the container  1 . The container  1  has two ears  13 , 13 ′ at its top, which ears protrude laterally with respect to the peripheral wall  14  of the container. The ears  13 , 13 ′ bear on horizontal supporting surfaces  15 , 15 ′ of stepped wall sections  16 , 16 ′ in the chill chamber wall  17 . In this way the container  1  is correctly positioned with respect to the chill chamber, both in respect of height and in respect of angular position, so that the dispensing line  5  and the shut-off valve  7  can be connected to the dispensing tap  19  of the dispensing device  11 .  
         [0026]     Furthermore, the ears  13 , 13 ′ assist when positioning an air inlet  20  of the container  1  with respect to a coupling element  21 , arranged in the lid  25 , of a pressure line  22 , which pressure line is connected to a compressor  23 . As can be seen from  FIG. 1   b , the coupling element  21  is located some distance from the centre line  24 , next to the central outlet  4 .  
         [0027]     When placing the container  1  in the chill chamber  12  the lid  25  of the dispensing device  11  is open and the container  1  is suspended in the chill chamber  12  by bringing the ears  13 , 13 ′ to bear on the horizontal supporting surfaces  15 , 15 ′. As a result of this suspension in the dispensing device, containers of different heights can be used, the distance between the bottom  9 ′ of the container and a base  9  of the chill chamber  12  being able to vary, for a constant and accurately defined position of the air inlet  20  and the outlet  4 .  
         [0028]     The distance between opposing side walls  26 , 26 ′ and  27 , 27 ′ of the stepped wall sections  16 , 16 ′ can decrease towards the base of the chill chamber  12  whilst the rear walls  28 , 31  of the wall sections  16 , 16 ′ can taper towards the centre line  24 . As a result the container  1  can easily be placed through the top opening in the chill chamber  12  with the ears  13 , 13 ′ in the broad positioning slots and the container itself seeks its correct orientation when it is lowered into the chill chamber.  
         [0029]     The horizontal supporting surfaces  15 , 15 ′ are provided with chamfered ridges  18 , 18 ′ which engage in cavities  29 , 29 ′ in the ears  13 , 13 ′ of the container  1 . The curvature of the ridges  18 , 18 ′ is oriented in line with line L, see  FIG. 1 , on which the coupling element  21  for the air connector and the operating element for the spring-loaded shut-off valve of the outlet  4  are located, so that the air connector in the lid and the operating element for the valve are aligned correctly with respect to the container.  
         [0030]     After closing the lid  25 , the compressor  23  is connected to the air inlet  20  and a spring-loaded shut-off valve of the outlet  4  is pressed down by a lid component, so that the outlet is opened and drink can be dispensed from the container  1  under pressure via the dispensing tap  19  by opening and closing the shut-off valve  7  by means of a handle  10 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  shows the container  1  with the dispensing line  5  in the extended position, in which the shut-off valve  7  can be connected to the dispensing tap  19 . With this arrangement a plate  30  forms a grip component that can be grasped by the user and that can be placed in the dispensing tap  19  in order to position the outlet end  6  accurately in the dispensing tap  19 , as is shown diagrammatically in  FIG. 1   d . The dispensing line emerges through an extraction opening  31  from chamber  32 , which is accommodated in central bridge  33 . The central bridge  33  is located within a peripheral wall  36  of the container that has two hand grips  59 ,  60 , located some distance away from the bridge  33 , and two wall sections  40 , 40 ′ which border the ends of the bridge  33 . The dispensing line  5  is connected in the chamber  32  to the outlet  4  of the container  1 .  
         [0032]     In the storage and transport position that is shown in  FIG. 3 , the dispensing line  5  is housed in the chamber  32 , whilst the plate  30  is located in the cut-out  35  in the peripheral wall  36 . The outlet section  8  at right angles is positioned in a slot  37 . As a result the outlet end  6  is in a position that to a large extent corresponds to the position in which the outlet end  6  has to be placed in the dispensing tap  19 , so that it is clear to a user how the dispensing line  5  and the outlet end  6  have to be brought into a use position that is shown in  FIG. 1   d  and in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0033]     In the storage and transport position as shown in  FIG. 3 , the outlet end  6  of the dispensing line  5  is located in a second compartment  45  that is delimited by the surface of the cut-out  35  in the peripheral wall  36  of the cap  3  and by a top face  46  of the central bridge  33 . In the second compartment  45  the air connector  20  extends through a top wall  47  of the chamber  32  so that this can be connected to the coupling element  21  in the lid  25  of the dispensing device. Via an opening  48  in the top wall  47  the lid  25  is able on closing to engage, for example via the coupling element  21 , on an operating element  51  (see  FIG. 4 ) for opening the outlet  4 . The second compartment  45  can be closed off by a removable protective cap or lid  52 , as shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective bottom view of the central bridge  33 , side walls  41 , 42  and the top wall  47  of which delimit the chamber  32 . A tube section  53  at right angles is fitted on the end of the dispensing line  5  and, when the operating element  51  is pressed down, engages on a spring-loaded shut-off valve for the outlet  4 . To this end, when the lid is closed, part of the lid  25  of the dispensing device extends through the top wall  47  of the chamber  32 .  
         [0035]     As shown in  FIG. 5  the second compartment  45  is covered by the lid  52 , the lid having two sections  54 , 55  at right angles which are essentially coincident with the plane of the peripheral wall  36  and with a top face  46  of the central bridge  33 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of the container  1 , provided with the two ears  13 , 13 ′, projecting laterally beyond the peripheral wall  14 , and with two hand grips  59 , 60 , located on either side of central bridge  33 , which can be used by a user to lift the container  1  and place it in the dispensing device.  
         [0037]      FIG. 7  shows a central bridge  33  that is constructed as an integral unit with the flexible dispensing line  5 , the operating element  51  and air connector  48 . Corresponding components in  FIG. 7  are provided with the same reference numerals as in  FIGS. 2-6 . The flexible dispensing line  5  extends from the operating element  51  towards the front short side  66  of the bridge  33 . The dispensing line  5  then runs via a first bend  70  along a long side  67  of the bridge  33  and extends via a second bend  71  around the air connector  48 , which is in line with the operating element  51 . The dispensing line  5  runs further from the rear short side  65  of the bridge  33  to the front short side  66  via the second long side  68  of the bridge  33 . The outlet end  6  is held in place by the clamping element  39  close to the open short side  66  of the chamber  32 . The chamber  32  is closed off by the L-shaped lid  52 .  
         [0038]     The arrangement shown can be efficiently assembled by machine, permanent deformation in the dispensing line  5  as a result of kinking or folding double being prevented. After removal of the lid  52 , the gripper component  30  is in a position that is easily accessible for the user and that corresponds to the position in which the outlet end  6  has to be fitted in the dispensing device.  
         [0039]     The bridge  33  according to  FIG. 7 , that is constructed as an integral unit, can be clicked into the mid section of the top  2  of the container so that the opening  31  in the chamber is coincident with the cut-out  35  in the wall section  40  and is closed off by the short section  54  of the lid  52 .  
         [0040]     The connector or opening  48  and the operating element  51  are placed in the correct position with respect to the lid  25  of the dispensing device  11 , viewed in the longitudinal direction of the central bridge  33 , by means of the cavities  29 , 29 ′ in the ears  13 , 13 ′.

Technology Category: b