Claims
- 1. A drink spout system, comprising:
a body having a base portion adapted to be coupled to a drink container having a compartment adapted to contain drink fluid and a dispensing portion coupled to the base portion and selectively movable relative thereto, wherein the dispensing portion includes an outlet through which drink fluid passes as it is dispensed from the drink spout system, and further wherein the dispensing portion defines at least a portion of a fluid conduit through which drink fluid flows through the drink spout system to the outlet; and a valve assembly adapted to selectively permit drink fluid to flow through the fluid conduit to the outlet, wherein the valve assembly is selectively configurable between a dispensing position, in which drink fluid may flow through the fluid conduit to the outlet, and a closed position, in which the valve assembly prevents drink fluid from passing through the fluid conduit to the outlet, wherein the dispensing portion is adapted to urge the valve assembly to its dispensing position as the dispensing portion is moved generally toward the valve assembly.
- 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing portion is slidably mounted on the base portion.
- 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly is adapted to automatically return to the closed position.
- 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the valve assembly is at least partially formed from an elastomeric material.
- 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the drink spout system further includes a preload mechanism adapted to urge the valve assembly beyond its closed position.
- 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly includes at least one slit through which drink fluid may flow when the valve assembly is in its dispensing position.
- 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly is free from slits through which drink fluid may flow when the valve assembly is in its dispensing position.
- 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly is formed from a non-elastomeric material.
- 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the body includes a seal region, wherein the dispensing portion includes a contactor, wherein the valve assembly includes a plug member that in the closed position engages the seal region to prevent drink fluid from flowing into and through the fluid conduit to the outlet, wherein in the dispensing position the plug member is urged away from the seal region to define an inlet to the fluid conduit through which the drink fluid may flow through the valve assembly, and further wherein the plug member is adapted to be urged away from the seal region by the contactor when the dispensing portion is moved generally toward the valve assembly.
- 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the valve assembly includes a biasing mechanism that couples the plug member to the base portion and urges the plug member into engagement with the seal region.
- 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the biasing mechanism is at least partially formed from an elastomeric material.
- 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the biasing mechanism is at least partially formed from a deflectable material.
- 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the biasing mechanism is formed from a non-elastomeric material.
- 14. The system of claim 10, wherein the biasing mechanism includes apertures through which drink fluid may flow.
- 15. The system of claim 9, wherein the fluid conduit has an outer perimeter and the seal region extends around the outer perimeter of the seal region.
- 16. The system of claim 9, wherein the inlet is oriented generally transverse to the direction of fluid flow through the fluid conduit.
- 17. The system of claim 9, wherein the valve assembly includes a seal member that is formed from a resilient material and which is adapted to form a seal between the plug member and the seal region.
- 18. The system of claim 9, wherein the contactor is mounted on the plug member.
- 19. The system of claim 9, wherein the contactor includes a plurality of spaced-apart supports extending from the dispensing portion.
- 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the contactor couples the plug member and the dispensing portion together to move as a unit.
- 21. The system of claim 9, wherein the plug member and seal region are at least substantially formed from a rigid material.
- 22. The system of claim 9, wherein the plug member is adapted to move in a range of positions generally concurrent and countercurrent to the direction of fluid flow through the fluid conduit.
- 23. The system of claim 1, wherein the drink spout system further includes an air return system adapted to permit air from external the compartment to enter the compartment as drink fluid is dispensed from the outlet.
- 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the air return system includes at least one air return inlet on the body through which air from external the drink container may be drawn as drink fluid is dispensed through the drink spout system, at least one air return outlet in fluid communication with the at least one air return inlet and adapted to deliver the air into the compartment as drink fluid is dispensed through the drink spout system, and at least one passage interconnecting the at least one air return inlet and the at least one air return outlet.
- 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the body includes a cover adapted to prevent at least a portion of the at least one air return inlet from being obstructed when a user drinks from the drink spout system.
- 26. The system of claim 24, wherein the body includes means for preventing the at least one air return inlet from being obstructed when a user drinks from the drink spout system.
- 27. The system of claim 24, wherein the air return system includes a plurality of air return inlets into which air from external the container may enter an air passage, and a plurality of air return outlets through which the air enters the compartment.
- 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the air return inlets are radially spaced around the fluid conduit.
- 29. The system of claim 24, wherein the body includes a sidewall through which air may enter at least one of the air return inlets.
- 30. The system of claim 24, wherein the air return system further includes a return valve assembly that is selectively configurable between an open position, in which air may pass through the at least one air passage and into the compartment, and a closed position, in which the return valve assembly obstructs the at least one air passage so that air may not pass through the at least one air passage and into the compartment.
- 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the return valve assembly is at least substantially formed from an elastomeric material.
- 32. The system of claim 31, wherein the return valve assembly has an outer perimeter portion that extends generally away from the outlet through which drink fluid is dispensed from the drink spout system.
- 33. The system of claim 31, wherein the return valve assembly is integrally formed with the valve assembly.
- 34. The system of claim 30, wherein the return valve assembly and the valve assembly are free from slits.
- 35. The system of claim 30, wherein the return valve assembly is adapted to automatically return to its closed position.
- 36. The system of claim 30, wherein the return valve assembly is a pressure-differential valve assembly.
- 37. The system of claim 23, wherein the drink spout system further includes means for restricting air returned to the compartment from being drawn into the valve assembly as air bubbles.
- 38. The system of claim 23, wherein the drink spout system further includes direction independent means for restricting air returned to the compartment from being drawn into the valve assembly as air bubbles.
- 39. The system of claim 24, wherein the drink spout system further includes a flow restrictor adapted to prevent the air entering the compartment through the air return system from being drawn as air bubbles into the fluid conduit as drink fluid is dispensed from the drink container.
- 40. The system of claim 39, wherein the flow restrictor is adapted to prevent the air entering the compartment through the air return system from being drawn into the fluid conduit as drink fluid is dispensed from the drink container regardless of the orientation of the drink container.
- 41. The system of claim 39, wherein the flow restrictor includes a partition extending into the compartment to at least substantially separate the compartment into a region generally beneath the air return system and a region generally beneath the valve assembly.
- 42. The system of claim 39, wherein the flow restrictor includes a sleeve surrounding the valve assembly and extending into the compartment.
- 43. The system of claim 42, wherein the flow restrictor includes at least one flange extending outward from the sleeve.
- 44. The system of claim 39, wherein the flow restrictor includes a sleeve surrounding the at least one air return outlet and extending into the compartment.
- 45. The system of claim 9, wherein the drink spout system further includes an air return system adapted to permit air from external the compartment to enter the compartment as drink fluid is dispensed from the outlet, wherein the air return system includes at least one air return inlet on the body through which air from external the drink container may be drawn as drink fluid is dispensed through the drink spout system, at least one air return outlet in fluid communication with the at least one air return inlet and adapted to deliver the air into the compartment as drink fluid is dispensed through the drink spout system, and at least one passage interconnecting the at least one air return inlet and the at least one air return outlet.
- 46. The system of claim 45, wherein the air return system further includes a return valve assembly that is selectively configurable between an open position, in which air may pass through the at least one air passage and into the compartment, and a closed position, in which the return valve assembly obstructs the at least one air passage so that air may not pass through the at least one air passage and into the compartment.
- 47. The system of claim 46, wherein the drink spout system further includes a flow restrictor adapted to prevent the air entering the compartment through the air return system from being drawn as air bubbles into the fluid conduit as drink fluid is dispensed from the drink container.
- 48. The system of claim 47, wherein the flow restrictor is adapted to prevent the air entering the compartment through the air return system from being drawn into the fluid conduit as drink fluid is dispensed from the drink container regardless of the orientation of the drink container.
- 49. The system of claim 1, wherein the body further includes a lock mechanism that is selectively configurable between a locked position, in which the valve assembly is prevented from being urged from its closed position to its dispensing position, and an unlocked position, in which the valve assembly may be configured to its dispensing position as the dispensing portion is moved generally toward the valve assembly.
- 50. The system of claim 49, wherein the lock mechanism is adapted to prevent the dispensing portion from configuring the valve assembly to its dispensing position when the lock mechanism is in its locked position.
- 51. The system of claim 49, wherein the lock mechanism is adapted to be selectively configured between its locked and unlocked positions upon rotation of the dispensing portion relative to the base portion.
- 52. The system of claim 9, wherein the body further includes a lock mechanism that is selectively configurable between a locked position, in which the plug member is prevented from being urged from the seal region, and an unlocked position, in which the plug member may be moved away from seal region as the dispensing portion is moved generally toward the valve assembly.
- 53. The system of claim 1, in combination with a drink container having an internal compartment adapted to contain drink fluid and an opening over which the drink spout system is mounted.
- 54. The system of claim 53, wherein the drink container is an aseptic drink container and the compartment contains drink fluid.
- 55. The system of claim 53, wherein the base portion is adapted to be repeatedly coupled to and removed from the drink container.
- 56. The system of claim 53, wherein the drink container is a drink bottle having a neck with an opening and a reduced cross-sectional area compared to at least a substantial portion of the drink container, wherein the neck has a cross-sectional area of less then 6 centimeters, and further wherein the base portion of the drink spout system is mounted on the neck so that drink fluid passing through the opening is received into the drink spout system.
- 57. The system of claim 56, wherein the neck has a diameter that is less than 4 centimeters.
- 58. The system of claim 56, further including an air return system adapted to deliver air from external the compartment into the compartment through a passage other than the fluid conduit.
- 59. The system of claim 58, wherein the air return system further includes a return valve assembly that is selectively configurable between an open position, in which air may pass through the passage and into the compartment, and a closed position, in which the return valve assembly obstructs the flow of air so that air may not pass through the passage and into the compartment.
- 60. The system of claim 58, wherein the drink spout system further includes a flow restrictor adapted to restrict the air entering the compartment through the air return system from being drawn into the fluid conduit as drink fluid is dispensed from the drink container.
- 61. The system of claim 60, wherein the flow restrictor is adapted to restrict the air entering the compartment through the air return system from being drawn into the fluid conduit as drink fluid is dispensed from the drink container regardless of the orientation of the drink container.
- 62. The system of claim 60, wherein the drink spout system further includes means for restricting air returned to the compartment from being drawn into the valve assembly as air bubbles.
- 63. A drink spout system, comprising:
a body having a base portion adapted to couple the drink spout system on a drink container having a compartment adapted to contain drink fluid, a dispensing portion coupled to the base portion and selectively movable relative thereto, and a seal region, wherein the dispensing portion includes an outlet through which drink fluid passes as it is dispensed from the drink spout system, and further wherein the dispensing portion defines at least a portion of a fluid conduit through which drink fluid flows though the drink spout system to the outlet; and a valve assembly adapted to selectively permit drink fluid to flow through the fluid conduit to the outlet, wherein the valve assembly includes a plug member coupled to the body by a plurality of supports that extend between the body and the plug member and urge the plug member into contact with the seal region, wherein the valve assembly is selectively configurable between a closed position, in which the plug member engages the seal region to prevent drink fluid from flowing into and through the fluid conduit to the outlet, and a dispensing position, in which the plug member is urged away from the seal region to define an inlet to the fluid conduit through which the drink fluid may flow through the valve assembly.
- 64. The system of claim 63, wherein the dispensing portion includes a contactor adapted to urge the plug member away from the seal region when the dispensing portion is moved toward the valve assembly.
- 65. The system of claim 64, wherein the contactor is mounted on and the dispensing portion so that the plug member and move as a unit.
- 66. The system of claim 63, wherein the supports are at least partially formed from an elastomeric material.
- 67. The system of claim 63, wherein the supports are at last partially formed from a deflectable material.
- 68. The system of claim 67, wherein the supports are formed from a non-elastomeric material.
- 69. The system of claim 63, wherein the drink spout system further includes an air return system adapted to permit air from external the compartment to enter the compartment as drink fluid is dispensed from the outlet, wherein the air return system includes at least one air return inlet on the body through which air from external the drink container may be drawn as drink fluid is dispensed through the drink spout system, at least one air return outlet in fluid communication with the at least one air return inlet and adapted to deliver the air into the compartment as drink fluid is dispensed through the drink spout system, and at least one passage interconnecting the at least one air return inlet and the at least one air return outlet.
- 70. The system of claim 69, wherein the air return system further includes a return valve assembly that is selectively configurable between an open position, in which air may pass through the at least one air passage and into the compartment, and a closed position, in which the return valve assembly obstructs the at least one air passage so that air may not pass through the at least one air passage and into the compartment.
- 71. The system of claim 70, wherein the drink spout system further includes a flow restrictor adapted to prevent the air entering the compartment through the air return system from being drawn as air bubbles into the fluid conduit as drink fluid is dispensed from the drink container.
- 72. The system of claim 71, wherein the flow restrictor is adapted to prevent the air entering the compartment through the air return system from being drawn into the fluid conduit as drink fluid is dispensed from the drink container regardless of the orientation of the drink container.
- 73. The system of claim 63, in combination with a drink container having an internal compartment adapted to contain drink fluid and an opening over which the drink spout system is mounted.
- 74. The system of claim 73, wherein the drink container is an aseptic drink container and the compartment contains drink fluid.
- 75. The system of claim 73, wherein the drink container has a neck with an opening and a reduced cross-sectional area compared to at least a substantial portion of the drink container, wherein the neck has a cross-sectional area of less then 6 centimeters, and further wherein the base portion of the drink spout system is mounted on the neck so that drink fluid passing through the opening is received into the drink spout system.
- 76. The system of claim 73, wherein the neck has a diameter that is less than 4 centimeters.
- 77. The system of claim 76, further including an air return system adapted to deliver air from external the compartment into the compartment through a passage other than the fluid conduit.
- 78. The system of claim 77, wherein the air return system further includes a return valve assembly that is selectively configurable between an open position, in which air may pass through the passage and into the compartment, and a closed position, in which the return valve assembly obstructs the flow of air so that air may not pass through the passage and into the compartment.
- 79. The system of claim 77, wherein the drink spout system further includes a flow restrictor adapted to restrict the air entering the compartment through the air return system from being drawn into the fluid conduit as drink fluid is dispensed from the drink container.
- 80. The system of claim 79, wherein the flow restrictor is adapted to restrict the air entering the compartment through the air return system from being drawn into the fluid conduit as drink fluid is dispensed from the drink container regardless of the orientation of the drink container.
Parent Case Info
[0001] RELATED APPLICATION
[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/273,781, which was filed on Mar. 5, 2001, is entitled “Drink Spout System,” and the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60273781 |
Mar 2001 |
US |