Patent Application
20050205603
The present invention relates to a beverage pack and, more particularly, to a holding and dispensing apparatus for use with a beverage pack.
Referring to
The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.
It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a holding and dispensing apparatus for use with a pack.
According to the present invention, a holding and dispensing apparatus is provided for use with a pack. The holding and dispensing apparatus includes a holding device for holding the pack and a dispensing device for dispensing beverage from the pack.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the attached drawings.
The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the drawings.
Referring to
The holding device includes a clamp 5 for clamping the pack 3 and a handle 70 attached to the clamp 5. The clamp 5 includes a first jaw 11 for contact with the top of the pack 3 and a second jaw 61 for contact with the bottom of the pack 3. The first jaw 11 is connected with the second jaw 61 so that a distance between them is adjustable. Thus, the clamp 5 can clamp packs of different heights. The handle 70 is attached to a plate 62 extending from the second jaw 61. It is easier to grip the handle 70 than to hold the pack 3.
A telescopic device is provided for connection the first jaw 11 with the second jaw 61 in the above-mentioned manner. The telescopic device includes a column 12 extending from the first jaw 11 and two rods 64 extending into the column 12 from the second jaw 61. The column 12 includes two tunnels 18 defined therein, a series of teeth 19 formed thereon and a stop 34 formed thereon. The rods 64 extend from a base 63 that is attached to the second jaw 61. On each of the rods 64 is mounted a compression spring 65. The rods 64 and the compression springs 65 are inserted in the tunnels 18. Thus, the first jaw 11 is connected with the second jaw 61 in a telescopic manner.
The first jaw 10 includes two restraints 17 formed thereon for restraining the pack 3. Similarly, the second jaw 61 includes restraints 66 and 67 formed thereon for restraining the pack 3. The base 63 includes a restraint for restraining the pack 3.
A locking device 80 is used to lock the plate 62 to the column 12. The locking device 80 includes a tongue 83 for engagement with one of the teeth 19, a spring 82 for biasing the tongue 83 and a switch 81 for operating the tongue 83. The handle 70 is hollow for receiving the spring 82 and the tongue 83. In the preferred embodiment, the handle 70 includes a first portion formed on the plate 62 and a second portion engaged with the first portion. The spring 82 and the tongue 83 are put in the handle 70 through an aperture (not numbered) defined in the plate 62. The switch 81 is put in an aperture (not shown) defined in the tongue 83 through a slot (not numbered) defined in the handle 70 and, more particularly, in the second portion of the handle 70.
The dispensing device includes a first piercing element 30 for piercing a first aperture in the top of the pack 3 and a second piercing element 31 for piecing a second aperture in the top of the pack 3. The beverage is poured from the pack 3 through the first aperture. The air pressure outside and inside the pack 3 is balanced because of the second aperture.
The first jaw 11 includes an aperture 14 defined therein for receiving the first piercing element 30, a second aperture 15 defined therein for receiving the second piercing element 31 and a corner shield 16 formed thereon for concealing the first piercing element 30.
A cover 20 is used to cover the first piercing element 30 and the second piercing element 31. The first jaw 10 includes two pivots 13 formed thereon. The cover 20 includes two clips 21 for clamping the pivots 13 so as to pivotally mount the cover 20 on the first jaw 10. A first seal 22 is attached to the cover 20 in order to seal the first piercing element 30. A second seal 23 is attached to the cover 20 in order to seal the second piercing element 31. The cover 20 includes an extension 25. When the cover 20 is put on the first jaw 10, the extension 25 extends beyond the first jaw 10. Thus, the cover 20 can easily be lifted via manipulating the extension 25.
A locking device 50 is used to lock the cover 20 to the first jaw 10. The first jaw 10 includes a slot 36 defined therein and a pivot 37 extending across the slot 36. The cover 20 defines a window 24 about which a reduced edge 26 is formed. The locking device 50 includes a lever 51 put in the slot 36, a clip 53 for clamping the pivot 37, a hook 54 for hooking the reduced edge 26, a press portion 55 extending beyond the cover 20 and a torque spring 56 arranged between the first jaw 10 and the lever 51.
A snap opening device 52 is used to snap open the cover 20 from the first jaw 10. The snap opening device 52 includes a spring 57 attached to the first jaw 10 and a sheath 58 mounted on the spring 57 in order to contact the cover 20.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The present invention has been described via detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.
