KR100902528B1 - A system for dispensing a liquid substance - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for dispensing one or more liquid substances includes a dispensing device having a bag filled with the material to be dispensed and a housing having an empty space for receiving the bag. The bag has a first connector member and the dispensing device has a second connector member connectable to the first connector member to release the material from the bag. The dispensing device has a restraining means for restraining the first connector member of the bag at the prescribed preliminary connection position before connecting the first connector member and the second connector member to each other. The first connector member and the second connector member are displaceable with respect to each other between the connected position and the unconnected position. The distribution device is provided with actuator means connected with the first connector member or the second connector member to displace the first connector member and the second connector member with respect to each other between the connected position and the unconnected position.

Description

A SYSTEM FOR DISPENSING A LIQUID SUBSTANCE

The present invention relates to a system for dispensing one or more liquid substances.

The system includes a dispensing device having at least one bag filled with the material to be dispensed and a housing having a space for receiving the bag. The bag has a first connector member and the dispensing device has a second connector member connectable to the first connector member to release the material from the bag.

Systems as described above are generally known.

A disadvantage of the known system relates to the interconnection of the first connector member and the second connector member when guiding the bag to the dispensing device.

In some known systems, the operator of the dispenser must guide the bag into the dispenser while simultaneously connecting the first connector member with the second connector member. Since this is difficult to do, the operator may not be able to make a reliable connection.

In other known systems, the operator has to grasp both the first connector member and the second connector member and operate them together, thus having the same disadvantage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing system capable of effective and reliable interconnection of a first connector member and a second connector member.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a dispensing system capable of using an assembly of multiple bags, each having a first connector member.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bag-in-box assembly which can be advantageously used in the system of the present invention.

The first object of the present invention is to provide a system according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein the dispensing device defines a first connector member of each bag before connecting the first connector member and the second connector member to each other. A restraining means for restraining in the preliminary connecting position, wherein the first connector member and the second connector member are displaceable with respect to each other between the connecting position and the non-connecting position, and the dispensing device comprises a first connector member and a second connector. It is achieved by providing a system comprising actuator means connected with a first connector member or a second connector member for displacing the members relative to each other between a connected position and a non-connected position.

In one embodiment, the second connector member is fixedly mounted to the dispensing device, and the bag with the first connector member is displaceable.

In a preferred embodiment, the second connector member is displaceable in the dispensing device.

Thus, according to the invention, the first (before the relative displacement of the first and second connector members towards the connecting position (at a predetermined fixed position in the dispensing device or by means of actuators cooperating with the displaceable first connector member) Accurate positioning and maintenance of the connector member is possible. This avoids the problems in the prior art and ensures reliable interconnection of the connector member.

In addition, according to the present invention, the flexible bag can be more easily and quickly connected to the distribution device.

Preferably in the non-connected position the second connector member is located outside of the space for accommodating the bag. This avoids the risk of damaging the second connector member when guiding the bag to or from the dispenser.

In a preferred embodiment, due to the housing of the dispensing device, the bag can be inserted and removed in the first direction (horizontal direction), and the second connector member is preferably in a second direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to the first direction. Displacement is possible.

In a preferred embodiment, the space in the housing is adapted to receive an assembly of multiple bags, each bag having a first connector member, wherein the base member interconnects the first connector member of the bag. The base member ensures the correct pre-connection position of the first connector member of the bag to the housing or actuator means of the dispensing device.

Sacks are generally flexible and foldable. Thus, the strength of the bag in the first connector member area can be increased due to the base member.

In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises a carrier member for at least one bag, preferably a box in which at least one bag is received. This makes it possible to easily handle one or more bags. The box can be made of plastic, for example. The box may be formed with a handle for handling the box.

In a preferred embodiment, the restraining means is adapted to restrain the base member and eventually restrain the multiple first connector member. In a practical embodiment, the restraining means is adapted to receive the base member by sliding.

In a preferred embodiment, the first connector member and the base member are connected to each other by snap means. This makes it possible to connect the sacks to each other using a base member in a simple manner after producing the sacks fitted to the first connector member in a known manner and before or after filling the sacks.

In a preferred embodiment, the dispensing device has multiple second connector members mounted to a common support, which is displaceable between the connected position and the non-connected position.

In order to prevent premature displacement of the second connector member, the dispensing device comprises detection means for detecting the presence of at least one bag carrier or bag in the space within the housing, the detection means being connected to the actuator means. Thus, it is preferred that the second connector member (s) be displaceable only towards the connecting position when the presence of at least one bag carrier or bag is detected.

In a practical embodiment, the detecting means comprises a mechanical detector in contact with a portion of the bag, the assembly of the bag or the carrier member.

In a preferred embodiment, the detecting means is adapted to detect the presence of the base member connected with the assembly of the sacks connected to each other.

In a practical embodiment, a latch is connected to the actuator means and the latch prevents the second connector member (s) from displacing towards the connecting position when no bag, bag assembly or carrier is detected.

In a preferred embodiment, the common support for the multiple second connector member comprises a removable support member on which the second connector member is mounted. This enables, for example, cleaning of the second connector member and replacement of the removable member, thereby providing another second connector member or the like.

In a practical embodiment, the actuator means comprises a straight guide means for guiding the common connector of the multiple second connector members or the second connector member.

In a preferred embodiment, the actuator means comprises a movable (sliding) member, which is movable in a direction perpendicular to the linear guide means and by means of a cam mechanism to the common support of the second connector member or multiple second connector members. It is connected. Preferably, the cam mechanism comprises an interengaging slot and a follower. Advantageously, the slot is formed in the sliding member and the follower is mounted on the common support.

In a preferred embodiment, a removable or perforated seal is attached to the base member covering the opening of the first connector member. This avoids contamination of the opening of the first connector member.

In a preferred embodiment, each first connector member has cover means for closing the bore of the first connector member before connecting the first connector member and the second connector member to each other. In another preferred embodiment, the covering means is a plug that engages the seat portion of the first connector member in the closed position, and the plug is displaceable from the seat portion to the open position when the first connector member and the second connector member are connected.

In a preferred embodiment, the first connector member is a bore-shaped female connector member and the second connector member is a male connector member fitted to the bore.

In the case of an assembly of multiple bags, each bag is filled with a different material. In order to prevent erroneous connection between the bag and the dispensing device, it is preferred that the base member and the restraining means comprise an interengaging key formation so that the base member is constrained only in a particular orientation by the restraining means.

In a preferred embodiment, the base member is an elongated strip having a series of receiving openings (separated from each other) for receiving the first connector member of the bag. In a practical embodiment, the strip has restraining rails on both sides thereof in the longitudinal direction, and the restraining means includes restraining grooves for slidingly receiving the restraining rail.

A particularly advantageous configuration of the invention is that the dispensing device is a postmix beverage dispensing device having mixing means for mixing at least one liquid with water.

Also, the present invention is an assembly of a bag filled with liquid, each bag having a first connector member 5 connectable to the second connector member 110 of the dispensing apparatus, the first connector member having a base member (6). It relates to an assembly of the bag, characterized in that connected to each other by).

The present invention also relates to an in-box bag assembly comprising a box member and an assembly of a bag contained in the box member.

The present invention also provides a method of filling an assembly of multiple bags with a liquid material, each bag having a first connector member and a cover means for covering the first connector member after filling, the bag of the assembly being the first connector of the bag. It relates to a filling method, characterized in that the bag is interconnected before filling by a base member interconnecting the members, after which the bag is preferably filled and closed simultaneously.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 shows schematically a part of a system according to the invention.

1A shows a cross section of a distributor of the system of FIG. 1.

2 shows a bag in a box according to the invention.

3 shows the actuator means for the second connector member of the dispensing device.

4A and 4B show the base member and the first connector member of the bag assembly of the in-box bag assembly of FIG. 2.

In Figures 1 to 4 the relevant part of the system for dispensing liquid material is shown.

In this embodiment the system comprises a postmix beverage dispensing device having mixing means for mixing at least one liquid substance with water. In particular, the system is for dispensing two substances (eg, two substances which are mixed with water and become a beverage such as coffee) from two separate bags.

The system includes an in-box bag assembly 1 (partially shown in FIG. 1 and more detailed in FIG. 2) and a dispensing device 100 (see FIG. 1A) (eg a coffee dispensing device). Only relevant parts of this apparatus 100 are shown and will be described.

The dispensing apparatus 100 has a housing 101 in which a space 102 for accommodating the bag assembly 1 in a box is present.

The intra-box bag assembly 1 has a box 2 in which two collapsible bags 3 each filled with a liquid material are accommodated.

In this embodiment, the bag 3 is the same, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Each bag 3 has a first connector member 5 sealed at the bottom of the bag 3.

A base member 6 (shown in detail in FIG. 4) connects the first connector member 5 of the bag 3 to each other.

The first connector member 5 and the base member 6 are connected to each other by the snap means 7.

The dispensing device 100 has two second connector members 110, each of which is connectable to the first connector member 5 so that the material can be released from the associated bag 3.                 

An actuator means 200 is connected to the second connector member 110, which can displace the second connector member 110 with respect to the first connector member 5 between the connection position and the non-connection position. have.

A preferred embodiment of this actuator means 200 is shown in detail in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The dispensing device 100 is a restraining means for restraining the first connector member 5 of the bag 3 to the prescribed preliminary connection position before the first connector member 5 and the second connector member 110 are connected to each other. 300 is provided. This restraining means 300 is located at the bottom side of the space 102, so that the bag assembly in the box rests on these restraining means 300. The restraining means 300 cooperates with the base member 6 to restrain the first connector member 5.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the figure, the restraining means 300 is provided with a bracket 301 with an upper surface 302 provided with two parallel rails 303. The rail 303 is oriented in the direction in which the bag assembly 1 in the box is inserted into the space 102. The base member 6 has rails 7 on both sides thereof, so that the rails 7 slidingly interact with the rails 303 of the restraining means 300.

The base member 6 has a contact 8 at one end of the rail 7, which is in contact with the rear face of the rail 303, so that the pre-connected position of the base member 6 and thus the first connector member. The preliminary connection position of (5) is defined. Since the contact portion 8 and the rail 303 also act as key formations, the base member 6 can be constrained in a particular orientation by the restraining means 300. This is particularly relevant when the bag 3 contains different materials.

In the unconnected position, the second connector member 110 is located below the top surface 302 of the bracket as shown in FIG. 3, and thus outside the space 102 for receiving the assembly 1 in the box. In FIG. 1, the second connector member 110 is shown only above the top surface 302 to show the presence of the connector member 110, but may also be located below the top surface 302 in FIG. 1. .

The upper surface 302 of the bracket 301 has a hole through which the second connector member 110 can pass when connecting the second connector member 110 to the first connector member 5.

In the preferred embodiment described here, the direction of inserting the base member 6 into the bracket 301 is almost horizontal, and the displacement direction of the second connector member 110 is substantially vertical. Other arrangements are also possible, including arrangements where the base member 6 is above the in-box bag assembly.

The second connector member 110 is mounted to the common support 201, which is displaceable between the connected position and the non-connected position.

This common support 201 is here a removable common support 201 held in the associated member 202 of the actuator means 200.

The common support 201 includes two liquid channels connected to a second connector member 110 having a socket 204 which connects this passage to a corresponding hose (not shown). If the second connector member 110 of another configuration is required and / or if the second connector member 110 is completely worn and / or needs cleaning, the replacement of the support 201 is possible.

In the present embodiment, the actuator means 200 includes a sliding member 205, which can manually slide in the horizontal direction.

The bracket 301 has parallel sidewalls 304 each having two straight guide slots 305 facing the displacement direction of the second connector member 110.

The member 202 has a boss made of a bolt 306 penetrating the slot 305. Thus, the member 202 and the second connector member 110 are displaceable in the vertical direction.

The sliding member 205 has two parallel limbs 207, each of which is slidable along the associated sidewall 304 of the bracket 301.

Each rim 207 is formed with two slots 208, each bolt 306 penetrating one of these slots 208. Thus, when the sliding member 205 is pushed toward the bracket 301 from the starting position shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, these bosses 306 are pushed upward by the rim 207 along the slot 208. do. Slot 208 is generally disposed in an inclined position such that member 202 is displaced upwards. The shape of the slot 208 can vary.

Biasing means, such as springs, may be provided to bias the sliding member 205 to a position associated with the unconnected position of the second connector member 110.

To prevent the second connector member 110 from actually protruding above the top of the bracket 301 (which may damage the second connector member 110) before the bag assembly 1 in the box is inserted, Detection means 400 are provided for detecting the presence of the bag assembly 1 in the box at the preliminary connection position. Due to the associated latch, the actuator means 200 becomes operable only when this exact position is detected.

In this embodiment, the detection means 400 comprises two mechanical sensors 401 which contact the base member 6 only when the base member 6 is fully inserted into the restraining means 300. These sensors 401 generally cooperate with a mechanical latch (not shown) that prevents the movement of the sliding member 205.

In order to place the in-box bag assembly 1 in the dispensing apparatus 100, the operator will open a door or the like associated with the space 102, with the sliding member 205 if the in-box bag assembly 1 is not already connected. Will be in the position shown in FIG.

When the operator puts the in-box bag assembly 1 into the space 102, the base member 6 is slidably connected to the bracket 301. Only when the base member 6 is correctly positioned in the pre-connected position, the sensor 401 releases the latching of the sliding member 205. Then, the operator can push the sliding member 205 inward to displace the second connector member 110 upwardly toward the connecting position.

If desired, the actuator means 200 can be power driven.

In addition, the second connector member 110 may be fixedly arranged in the dispensing apparatus 100, and the actuator means 200 may be used to displace the first connector member 5. In practice this is the case when the member 202 is fixedly mounted to the dispensing apparatus 100. When the sliding member 205 is pushed inward, the base member 6 and the first connector member 5 are displaced downward to make a connection.

In a variant not disclosed in the figures, the dispensing device comprises a mechanism for displacing the bag (or bag in the box) relative to the restraining means. In this example, the mechanism may be used to slide the bag in the box from the restraint rail 303 and / or to slide the bag in the box into the restraining means. This is particularly advantageous when the restraining means requires vertical movement of the bag or the bag in the box. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism may comprise a hand operable lever.

In another embodiment, the lever can be used to actuate one or more displaceable second connector members as a substitute for the sliding member disclosed above or in cooperation with the sliding member.

The base member 6 is in the form of an elongated strip having a series of receiving openings 9 (separated from each other) for receiving the first connector member 5 of the bag 3. The rail 7 is located on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the base member 6.

One or more elastic snap members 10 are located in each opening 9 to snap connect the first connector member 5 and the base member 6 to each other.

In the embodiment described here, the first connector member 5 is a female connector member 5 and is drilled from an insertion opening for the second connector member 110 (which is a male connector member) to an opening inside the bag 3. It has a bore formed body.

In order to prevent contamination of the bore 11, it is preferable that a removable or perforated seal, which can leave a hand-to-hand trace, is attached to the base member 6 while covering the opening of the first connector member 5. (Not shown).

Each first connector member 5 has a cover in the form of a plug 12 for closing the bore 11 of the first connector member before connecting the first connector member 5 and the second connector member 110 to each other. It also has a closing means.

The plug 12 engages with the seat portion 13 of the first connector member 5 in the closed position. When the first connector member 5 and the second connector member 110 are connected, the plug 12 is displaceable from the seat portion to the open position. The plug 12 is here connected to the body of the first connector member 5 by a flexible arm portion 14.

The second connector member 110 is a male connector member 110 each having a tubular body having a head portion which is mutually coupled with the plug 12.

The base member 6 is particularly advantageous for the handling of the two bags 3 when assembling the bag assembly 1 in the box. In addition, the base member 6 is advantageous when filling an assembly of multiple bags with a liquid material, each bag having a first connector member and a covering means for covering the first connector member after filling. The sacks are then interconnected prior to filling by a base member 6 interconnecting the first connector member 5 of the sacks 3, after which the sacks 3 are filled (preferably simultaneously) and closed. do.

Claims (32)

One or more sacks filled with the material to be dispensed (3) and A dispensing device 100 having a housing having a space 102 for receiving the bag, The bag has a first connector member 5, the dispensing device having at least one kind of second connector member 110 which can release the material from the bag and which is connectable to the first connector member. A system for dispensing a liquid substance, The first connector member 5 and the second connector member 110 are displaceable with respect to each other between the connected position and the unconnected position, The dispensing apparatus is configured to connect the first connector member 5 of each bag 3 to the second connector member 110 in a non-connected position before connecting the first connector member 5 and the second connector member 110 to each other. Restraining means (300, 303) for restraining at a preliminary connection position defined for The distribution device 100 includes a first connector member 5 or a second connector member for displacing the first connector member 5 and the second connector member 110 with respect to each other between a connected position and a non-connected position. And an actuator means (200) in connection with (110). The method of claim 1, wherein the second connector member 110 is displaceable, and in a non-connected position, the second connector member 110 is located outside of the space 102 for accommodating the bag, A system for dispensing one or more liquid substances. 3. A housing according to claim 2, wherein, due to the housing of the dispensing device, the bag 3 can be inserted and removed in the first direction (horizontal direction), and the second connector member 110 is perpendicular to the first direction. A system for dispensing at least one liquid substance, characterized in that it is displaceable in the vertical direction. 4. The space 102 according to claim 1, wherein the space 102 in the housing is adapted to receive an assembly of multiple bags 3, each bag having a first connector member 5, and a base member. (6) is characterized in that the first connector member (5) of the bag is interconnected. The system for dispensing at least one liquid substance according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a carrier member (2) for at least one bag. 5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that the restraining means (303) is adapted to restrain the base member (6). 7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the restraining means (303) is adapted to receive the base member (6) by sliding. 5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that the first connector member (5) and the base member (6) are connected to each other by snap means (10). 5. The dispensing device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the dispensing device (100) has multiple second connector members (110) mounted on common supports (201, 202), the common supports being displaceable between a connection position and a non-connection position. A system for dispensing at least one liquid substance. 4. The at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing device comprises detecting means (401) for detecting the presence of at least one bag carrier or bag in the space within the housing. System for dispensing liquid substance. 11. The detection means (400) according to claim 10, wherein the detection means (400) is connected to the actuator means (200) such that the second connector member (s) 110 are displaced only towards the connecting position when the presence of at least one bag carrier or bag is detected. A system for dispensing at least one liquid substance, characterized in that possible. 12. Dispensing at least one liquid substance as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the detecting means (400) comprises a mechanical detecting means (401) in contact with a portion of the bag, the assembly of the bag or the carrier member (2). System. 13. The system for dispensing at least one liquid substance according to claim 12, characterized in that the detecting means (401) is adapted to detect the presence of a base member (6) connected with the assembly of the sacks connected to each other. 4. The latch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the latch is connected to the actuator means 200, and the latch is connected to the second connector member (s) when the bag, the assembly of the bag or the carrier is not detected. A system for dispensing at least one liquid substance, characterized in that the displacement is prevented. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the common support includes a removable support member (201) mounted with a second connector member (110). 4. The actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the actuator means (200) comprises straight guide means (305, 306) for guiding the common support of the second multiple connector members or the second connector member. A system for dispensing at least one liquid substance, characterized in. 4. The actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator means (200) comprises a sliding member (205), which is capable of sliding in a direction perpendicular to the linear guide means and by means of a cam mechanism. A system for dispensing at least one liquid substance, characterized in that it is connected to a common support of a second connector member or multiple second connector members. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the cam mechanism comprises an interengaging slot (208) and a follower (306). 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the slot 208 is formed in the sliding member 205, and the follower 306 is mounted in the common supports 201, 202. system. The system of claim 4, wherein a removable or perforated seal is attached to the base member covering the opening of the first connector member. The cover means according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the first connector members (5) has a cover means for closing the bore of the first connector member before connecting the first connector member and the second connector member to each other. 12) a system for dispensing at least one liquid substance. 22. The lid according to claim 21, wherein the covering means is a plug (12) which engages with the seat portion (13) of the first connector member in the closed position, the plug being from the seat portion when the first connector member and the second connector member are connected. A system for dispensing at least one liquid substance, characterized in that it is displaceable to an open position. 4. The male connector member (110) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first connector member (5) is a female connector member having a bore and the second connector member (110) is fitted to the bore. System for dispensing at least one liquid substance. 7. A member according to claim 6, characterized in that the base member and the restraining means 303 comprise mutual keying formations 8, 303, so that the base member can be restrained only in a particular orientation by said restraining means. A system for dispensing more than one liquid substance. The at least one liquid phase according to claim 6, characterized in that the base member (6) is an elongated strip having a series of spaced apart receiving openings (9) for receiving the first connector member (5) of the bag. System for dispensing material. 26. A kind according to claim 25, characterized in that the strip has a restraining rail 7 on both sides thereof in its longitudinal direction, and the restraining means 303 comprises a restraining groove for slidingly receiving the restraining rail. A system for dispensing the above liquid substance. 4. Dispensing apparatus 100 according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing apparatus 100 is a postmix beverage dispensing apparatus having mixing means for mixing at least one liquid with water. A system for dispensing more than one liquid substance. delete delete delete 6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that the restraining means (303) is adapted to restrain the base member (6). 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises a box in which one or more bags are housed. 5.

Images