Patent Application
20110226809
The present application claims priority on Canadian patent application No. 2,697,003 filed on Mar. 22, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to the field of pouring devices for use in combination with a pouch comprising a liquid. In particular, the disclosure relates to pouring devices and a kit for pouring liquids.
It is well known that the packaging industry tends to use plastic bags for containing and transporting goods such as foods, produces, powders, ice and chemicals. These plastic bags or pouches consist of a flexible packaging made of a thin, supple, plastic film. After being filled with the goods in question, these bags or pouches are heat sealed together, bonded with adhesives or stitched. This type of packaging is appealing to the industry since it is easily sterilized and can therefore be reused. Moreover, this type of packaging is environmentally friendly. Indeed, plastic bags usually use less material than comparable boxes, cartons, or jars, thus are often considered as “reduced or minimized packaging”. Depending on the construction, plastic bags can be well suited for plastic recycling.
In the food industry, these bags or pouches are often used to package liquids such as water, milk, juices, wine or sauces. In order to have access to the enclosed product, the user will often cut one of the bag's corners. This method creates a permanent opening, which exposes the remaining liquid to the ambient air. Such exposition creates a risk of bacterial contamination or oxidation of the enclosed liquid.
According to one aspect there is provided a pouring device for use with a pouch containing a liquid comprising:
a housing comprising walls defining a first chamber adapted to receive a liquid and a second chamber adapted to receive a liquid, the first chamber being adapted to be in fluid flow communication with the second chamber and the second chamber being adapted to be in fluid flow communication with the pouch;
a first closing mechanism effective for allowing passage of a fluid from the first chamber to the outside of the device when being in an open position and being effective for preventing passage of a fluid from the first chamber to the outside of the device when being in a closed position; and
a second closing mechanism effective for allowing passage of a fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber when being in an open position and being effective for preventing passage of a fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber when being in a closed position.
According to another aspect there is provided a pouring device for use with a pouch containing a liquid comprising:
a housing comprising walls defining a first chamber adapted to receive a liquid and a second chamber adapted to receive a liquid, the first chamber being adapted to be in fluid flow communication with the second chamber and the second chamber being adapted to be in fluid flow communication with the pouch;
a spout in fluid flow communication with the first chamber,
a first closing mechanism effective for allowing passage of a fluid from the first chamber to the spout when being in an open position and being effective for preventing passage of a fluid from the first chamber to the spout when being in a closed position; and
a second closing mechanism effective for allowing passage of a fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber when being in an open position and being effective for preventing passage of a fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber when being in a closed position.
According to another aspect, there is provided a pouring device for use with a pouch containing a liquid comprising:
a housing comprising walls defining a first chamber adapted to receive a liquid and a second chamber adapted to receive a liquid, the first chamber being adapted to be in fluid flow communication with the second chamber and the second chamber being adapted to be in fluid flow communication with the pouch;
a supporting member effective for securing the pouring device to a container adapted to receive the pouch, the supporting member being adapted to be mounted on the housing;
a first closing mechanism effective for allowing passage of a fluid from the first chamber to outside the pouring device when being in an open position and being effective for preventing passage of a fluid from the first chamber to outside the pouring device when being in a closed position; and
a second closing mechanism effective for allowing passage of a fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber when being in an open position and being effective for preventing passage of a fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber when being in a closed position.
According to another aspect, there is provided a pouring device for use with a pouch containing a liquid comprising:
a housing comprising walls defining a first chamber adapted to receive a liquid and a second chamber adapted to receive a liquid, the first chamber being adapted to be in fluid flow communication with the second chamber and the second chamber being adapted to be in fluid flow communication with the pouch;
a sealing mechanism for sealingly engaging the pouring device with the pouch;
a first closing mechanism effective for allowing passage of a fluid from the first chamber to outside the pouring device when being in an open position and being effective for preventing passage of a fluid from the first chamber to outside the pouring device when being in a closed position; and
a second closing mechanism effective for allowing passage of a fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber when being in an open position and being effective for preventing passage of a fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber when being in a closed position.
It was observed that by using such pouring devices, a user can considerably reduce the risks of spillage and premature oxidation of the liquid contained in the pouch. It is also possible to considerably reduce the risks of contamination of the liquid. In brief, it extends the period of time at which the freshness of the liquid is preserved. Moreover, the various flavors and aromas of the liquid are preserved over a prolonged period of time. These devices also provide interesting solutions for efficiently sealing a pouch for avoiding spillage and for efficiently securing the devices to a container adapted to receive the pouch.
In the appended drawings which represent various examples:
The following examples are presented in a non-limitative manner.
The expression “substantially at right angle” as used herein means, for example an angle of about 75 to about 105°. It can also refer to an angle of about 80 to about 100° or about 85 to about 95°.
For example, the first closing mechanism can comprise a first cylindrical wall and a second cylindrical wall. Alternatively, the first closing mechanism can comprise a trap or door system. For example a slidable trap.
For example, the supporting member can comprise a first leg adapted to be disposed inside the container and a second leg adapted to be disposed outside the container.
For example, the sealing mechanism can comprise a bias element, a sleeve and a stop member that are slidably mounted on an exterior wall of the second chamber. The sleeve can be adapted to move between two positions: (i) a first position, whereat the bias element is compressed, thereby generating a space between the sleeve and the stop member for receiving and engaging a portion of the pouch; and (ii) a second position, whereat the bias element urges the sleeve against the stop member, thereby sandwiching the portion of the pouch between the sleeve and the stop member and sealingly engaging the portion of the pouch with the pouring device.
For example, the stop member can be an O-ring.
For example, the bias element can be a spring.
The second closing mechanism can comprise a ball valve and a seal. It can also comprise other types of valves such as a butterfly valve, a check valve, a gate valve, a globe valve, etc.
For example, the first chamber can be defined by the first cylindrical wall having a side wall and top portion and the second cylindrical wall having a side wall and a bottom portion, the cylindrical walls being each provided with at least one aperture in such a manner that when the apertures are at least partially aligned, passage of a fluid from the first chamber to outside the device is allowed and when the apertures are not aligned, passage of a fluid from the first chamber to outside the device is prevented.
For example, the first cylindrical wall and the second cylindrical wall can be rotatably mounted with respect to one another.
For example, the first cylindrical wall can be rotatably mounted on the second cylindrical wall, the first cylindrical wall having a diameter greater than a diameter of the second cylindrical wall.
For example, the second chamber can be defined by a third cylindrical wall, the third cylindrical wall comprising a first aperture allowing for the fluid flow communication with the first chamber and a second aperture allowing for the fluid flow communication with the pouch.
For example, the second closing mechanism can comprise a ball valve and a seal and the ball and the seal are dimensioned to block the first aperture in the closed position, thereby preventing passage of a fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber.
For example, the third cylindrical wall can have a diameter inferior to a diameter of the second cylindrical wall.
For example, the housing can be further provided with a piercing member having a portion adapted to pierce the pouch and allowing the device to be partially inserted therein, the piercing member being mounted on the third cylindrical wall, the piercing member comprising an inlet and an outlet for allowing a fluid flow communication between the second chamber and the pouch.
According to another aspect, there is provided a kit comprising at least one pouring device as previously described; and a container adapted to receive a pouch containing a liquid. The kit can also comprise instructions related to the use of the device and container.
As it can be seen from
As it can be seen from
As it can be seen from
The pouring device 10 comprises a body portion 24. The body portion comprises a third cylindrical wall 26 which defines a second chamber 28. The third cylindrical wall 26 further comprises an aperture 27 and an aperture 29 that allow for a fluid to be conveyed therethrough. The aperture 27 allows for a fluid flow communication between the first chamber 22 and the second chamber 28 while the aperture 29 allows for a fluid flow communication between the second chamber 28 and the interior of the pouch.
When connected together, the first cylindrical wall 12 and the second cylindrical wall 14 constitute a first closing mechanism which prevents passage of a fluid from the first chamber 22 to the exterior of the pouring device 10 and also prevent a fluid from the exterior of the device from entering into the chamber. When the first cylindrical wall 12 and the second cylindrical wall 14 are rotated with respect to one and another at certain positions, the aperture 16 matches with the aperture 20 thereby allowing fluid flow communication between the first chamber 22 and the spout 18 and allowing a fluid contained in the first chamber 22 to flow through aperture 16, aperture 20 and spout 18 to be poured outside of the device 10.
In
The pouring device stand is also provided with a second closing mechanism comprising a ball valve 30. The ball valve 30 comprises a ball 32 and a first seal 34. The ball valve 30 is effective, in a position as shown in
The pouring device 10 also comprises a sealing mechanism 36 which comprises a bias element 38, a sleeve 40 and a stop member 42. The bias element 36, the sleeve 40 and the stop member 42 are all dimensioned to be mounted on the third cylindrical wall 26 in such a sequential order. The sealing mechanism 36 allows for sealingly engaging a pouch containing a liquid so that when a liquid flows from the pouch to the pouring device 10, there is no spills or liquid leaking at the junction of the pouch and the device 10. The sealing mechanism 36 thus sealingly engage the pouch. More particularly, when all the three elements 38, 40 and 42 of the sealing mechanism 36 are mounted on the third cylindrical wall 26, the bias element 38 urges the sleeve 40 against the stop member 42 (first position or closed position). A user desirous of sealingly engaging the pouch with the pouring device 10 simply has to compress the bias element 38 by sliding the sleeve 40 (second position or open position) towards the bias element 38 thereby generating a space between the sleeve 40 and stop member 42. Such space is thus adapted to receive the pouch. When the pouch is inserted in the space between the sleeve 40 and the stop member 42, the user simply needs to release the sleeve 40 that will be back at such a first position and sealingly engage the pouch.
In an embodiment, the stop member 42 is an O-ring. As can be seen on
The bias element 38, the sleeve 40 and the stop member 42 can all have a general cylindrical shape and be provided with a diameter that is superior to the diameter of the third cylindrical wall 26. The pouring device 10 can be further be provided with a piercing member 44 that is adapted to pierce the pouch and allow for partially inserting the device 10 into the pouch before sealingly engaging the pouch with sealing mechanism 36. The piercing member 44 is provided with at least an aperture 46 to allow a fluid flow communication between the pouch and the second internal chamber 28.
As it can be seen in
The pouring device 10 is effective for pouring a fluid contained in a pouch such a milk, juice etc. The enclosed liquid is poured out of a spout 18 via the pouring portion 19. When comprising a supporting member 48, the device 10 can be connected to a portion 54 of a container (for example a jug). Such container is adapted to receive a pouch containing a liquid and can be made of plastic or metal. Such container can further comprise a handle to facilitate manipulation by the user.
A user having a pouch comprising a liquid that can be inserted into a container can use the pouring device 10 by first piercing an aperture into the pouch by using the piercing member 44. Then, the user can insert the pouring device 10 into the aperture of the pouch and sealingly engage the pouch together with the pouring device 10 by using the sealing mechanism 36 as previously explained. By doing so, the user will avoid any spillage and having a liquid leaking from the junction of the device 10 and the pouch. Optionally, if the device 10 is provided with a support member 48, the device 10 can be secured to the container by using the support mean 48. In fact, by simply placing the leg 50 outside the container and the leg 52 inside the container, the user will thus secure the device 10 to the container. When the user is ready to pour the liquid out of the pouch, the later can simply rotate the first cylindrical wall 12 so as to make sure that the aperture 16 and the aperture 20 are at least partially aligned and then, the container can be tilted so as to pour the liquid. By doing so, the user will cause the ball 32 to move inside the first chamber 22 and thereby provide a free access to the aperture 27 which will no longer be blocked by the ball 32. The liquid will thus flow through the aperture 46, the aperture 29, the second chamber 28, the aperture 27, the first chamber 22, the aperture 20, the aperture 16, and the pouring portion 19. Once the liquid is poured, the user can put back the container at a vertical position whereat the ball 32 is blocking the aperture 27. Any remaining liquid in the first chamber 22 would then be prevented from returning into the second chamber 28 and eventually into the pouch. When a certain portion of liquid is maintained in the first chamber 22, the user can simply slightly tilt the container so as to remove this portion from the first chamber 22. Also, by slightly tilting the container, the user can disengage the ball 32 from the aperture 27 and eventually compress the pouch so as to substantially remove the air contained within the pouch and the device 10. When such a step is completed, the user can simply rotate the first cylindrical wall 12 so as to make sure that the aperture 16 and the aperture 20 do not match with one and another and eventually to put back the container into a vertical position thereby positioning the first closing mechanism and the second closing mechanism into closed positions. In such positions, any fluid disposed outside of the pouring device is prevented from entering into the first chamber 22 and into the second chamber 28. Such closed positions can be maintained until a user wants to pour a further quantity of liquid.
For example, when using the device 10 to pour a liquid enclosed in the pouch, the container holding the pouch can be slightly tilted thereby allowing the liquid to flow through the second chamber 28, the first chamber 22 and eventually through the spout 18. When such a step is completed, the container can be brought back to its original vertical position. The liquid remaining in the pouring device 10 will either fall back into the liquid pouch, if comprised in the second chamber 28, or be trapped in the first chamber 11 by way of the first closing mechanism.
When the ball 32 is placed at the center of the seal 34, the ball closes the aperture 27 and therefore prevents any communication between the first chamber 22 and the second chamber 28. Indeed, when the ball 32 covers the aperture 27 located at the bottom of the seal 34, substantially no fluids (such as liquid, air, gas) or contaminants can be transferred from the first chamber 22 to the second chamber 28. Indeed, by blocking the aperture 27, the ball valve 30 prevents any bacteria or spore from contacting the liquid enclosed in the pouch or second chamber 28. This second closing mechanism therefore allows to maintain the sterility of the enclosed liquid. To unlock the second closing mechanism, a simple tilting of the pouring device 10 is required. Indeed, the ball 32 will roll away from the aperture 27 when tilting the container, which will therefore unblock the passage between the two chambers 22 and 28.
The first chamber 22 is defined by a first cylindrical wall 12 and a second cylindrical wall 14 By rotating the first and second wall with respect to one another, the user can align both apertures (16 and 20) with one another. This allows for pouring out the liquid enclosed in the first chamber 22. Subsequently, when a user has finished pouring the liquid and has brought the container back into a vertical position, the first cylindrical wall 12 and the second cylindrical wall 14 can be rotated again to un-align the apertures 16 and 20 and therefore prevent any liquid from entering or exiting the first chamber 22 towards the outside of the device 10. This rotating system represents the first closing mechanism of the pouring device 10. It has the advantage of preventing fluids (liquid, air, gas) or contaminants from entering into the first chamber 22. It therefore prevents any bacteria or spore from entering the first chamber 22 and helps to maintain the freshness and integrity of the enclosed liquid.
The present disclosure has been described with regard to specific examples. The description was intended to help the understanding of the disclosure, rather than to limit its scope. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure as described herein, and such modifications are intended to be covered by the present document.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2697003 | Mar 2010 | CA | national |
