U.S. patent application number 10/590170 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-29 for distribution methods for distributing and dispensing beverages and liquid food products.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE WATERBOYS PTY LTD. Invention is credited to David Davies.
Application Number | 20070271876 10/590170 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34891639 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070271876 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davies; David |
November 29, 2007 |
Distribution Methods For Distributing And Dispensing Beverages And
Liquid Food Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a method of distributing beverages or liquid food
products including transportation, by a commercial distributor, or
flexible bags (10) filled with the beverage or liquid food
products. Flexible bags (10) are located in the bulk transport
containers (30) and transported to consumers of the product in
required quantities. Flexible bags (10) are delivered to a
consumer, the beverage or liquid food product being dispensed for
consumption ban an end consumer. Through each step in the
distribution method, hazard and critical control points during
distribution and dispensing are minimised, the "one way" nature of
the preferred embodiment of the method minimising recovery and
recycling costs at well as potential hygiene problems associated
with re-use of containers currently in use.
Inventors: |
Davies; David; (Geraldton,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAHIVE & COCKFIELD, LLP
ONE POST OFFICE SQUARE
BOSTON
MA
02109-2127
US
|
Assignee: |
THE WATERBOYS PTY LTD
21 BOULDER ROAD
MALAGA AUSTRALIA
AU
6531
|
Family ID: |
34891639 |
Appl. No.: |
10/590170 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
February 28, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU05/00281 |
371 Date: |
June 11, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/443 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/14 20130101;
B67D 2001/0814 20130101; B65D 75/5877 20130101; B67D 3/0083
20130101; B67D 3/0019 20130101; B65B 5/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/443 |
International
Class: |
B65B 5/08 20060101
B65B005/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 27, 2004 |
AU |
2004900979 |
Claims
1. A method of distributing flexible bags filled with a beverage or
liquid food product under sterile conditions to a consumer of said
beverage or liquid food product in return for payment and
comprising the of: a) locating said flexible bags, filled with said
beverage or liquid food product, in a bulk transport container
having a capacity for a plurality of flexible bags; b)
transportation, by a commercial distributor, of the bulk transport
container, in which the filled flexible bags are located, to a
consumer of said beverage or liquid food product; c) unloading a
required quantity of flexible bags filled with beverage or liquid
food product for delivery to the consumer; and d) delivering each
flexible bag for dispensing the beverage or liquid food product
contained in the flexible bag o be consumed by an end consumer,
wherein, through each step, hazard and critical control points
during distribution and dispensing are minimized.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of filling
said flexible bags through a spout or tap forming part of each
flexible bag thereby avoiding residue from a sealing process.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the commercial distributor fills
the flexible bags.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said beverage contained in a
flexible bag is drinking water.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said distribution method is "one
way" without recovery of flexible bags for re-use.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein said commercial distributor
positions said flexible bag containing water in a dispenser for
delivery of the water to the end consumer
7. The method of claim 6 wherein said commercial distributor
supplies and maintains the dispenser in return for payment.
8. The method of claim 4 wherein said bulk transport container is
of a variable capacity adaptive to varying quantities of flexible
bags in accordance with consumer demand.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein said bulk transport container is
of a cubic design having a smooth wall and base construction
thereby reducing risk of damage to, and contamination of, said
flexible bags.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein said bulk transport container is
made of a polymer suitable for use in food grade environments.
11. The method of claim 6 wherein the flexible bag incorporates at
least one handle.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said flexible bag is positioned
in said dispenser by said at least one handle.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein said flexible bag, when
positioned in said dispenser, allows substantially complete
drainage of the liquid contents from said flexible bag.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein said dispenser has a housing
having a base, the base being angled with respect to a vertical
axis of the housing, to allow substantially complete drainage of
the liquid contents from said flexible bag.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein said housing of said dispenser
has an inner wall and a shield is located between said flexible bag
and said inner wall of said housing to protect a lower portion of
the flexible bag from damage.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein said flexible bag is
communicated with a tap for delivery of water for consumption by
the consumer and said shield is located proximate said tap.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein a commercial distributor
comprises at least one party selected from the group consisting of:
a single entity, and a vertically integrated entity, servants,
contractors and agents of either entity.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein a consumer is a bailee of the
flexible bags.
19. A method of distributing drinking water contained in flexible
bags filled with drinking water under sterile conditions to a
consumer of drinking water in return for payment and comprising the
following steps a) filling the flexible bags with water through a
spout or tap forming part of each flexible bag; b) locating said
flexible bags filled with drinking water in a bulk transport
container having a capacity for a plurality of flexible bags; c)
transportation, by the commercial distributor, of the bulk
transport container, in which the filled flexible bags are located,
to a consumer of said drinking water; d) unloading of required
quantity of flexible bags filled with drinking water for delivery
to the consumer; and e) mounting a flexible bag in a dispenser for
dispensing the drinking water for to an end consumer, wherein, said
distribution method is "one way", without recovery of flexible bags
for re-use, and wherein, through each step, hazard and critical
control points during distribution of the drinking water are
minimized.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to methods for distributing and
dispensing beverages and liquid food products.
[0002] Bottled water distribution is one of the most important
markets in the food industry, with a value in the billions of US
dollars.
[0003] Currently, bottled drinking water is distributed to
customers using large polycarbonate bottles. Such bottles
traditionally hold 15-19 litres of product and, correspondingly,
weigh between 15-19 kg. These bottles are recycled but the hygiene
practices necessary to provide some measure of integrity pose an
ongoing problem for the industry.
[0004] Hygiene is a major consideration. Maintaining the HACCP
(Hazard and Critical Control Points) system when a bottle has been
used by a consumer, returned without a cap and subsequently stored
by a retailer prior to washing and sterilising the bottles is
difficult. It is difficult to monitor whether the bottle has been
put to storage of toxic substances or substances incompatible with
the safe distribution of bottled water. Contamination is a
difficult problem to detect prior to consumption.
Taint/discolouring or chemical after taste of water are familiar
problems.
[0005] Second, usage of the large polycarbonate bottles pose risk
of injury to personnel distributing the bottles or customers of
drinking water supplied in the bottles. If the bottles fall, they
may cause significant injury. This raises a significant
occupational health and safety issue.
[0006] Third, storage, transportation and recovery of bottles
creates significant expense. If bottles are trucked to distribution
points and customers, by larger trucks, as is usual practice, the
biggest cost issue is the Cubic Metre rate charged for empty or
full cages with wasted area due to the round bottles. Rising fuel
prices do not assist. Such trucks may also require a lifting device
to cope with the heavy bottles. Usage of caged trucks may also
create exposure to dust/oil etc and other forms of airborne
contaminants whilst the bottles are on the tray of the truck. This
may lead to product of unhygienic quality. There is thus an overlap
between the contamination problems discussed above and the
transport economics issue.
[0007] Fourth, polycarbonate or like bottles are typically provided
with a plastic seal or cap that the customer or operator must
remove prior to placing the bottle in a dispenser. Spillage and
wastage of drinking water may result as a bottle is inverted and
placed into a dispensing position in the dispenser. Insects,
airborne bacteria and dust may also pollute the water at this point
making it unhygienic.
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide methods
and devices for distributing and dispensing beverages, such as
drinking water, to customers that address the above described
health, safety and cost issues with prior art distribution methods
and devices.
[0009] With this object in view, the present invention provides a
method of distributing flexible bags filled with beverage or liquid
food product under sterile conditions, preferably through a spout
or tap forming part of each flexible bag, to a consumer of said
beverage or liquid food product in return for payment and
comprising the following steps of distribution:
[0010] a) locating said flexible bags filled with beverage or
liquid food product in a bulk transport container having capacity
for a plurality of flexible bags;
[0011] b) transportation, by a commercial distributor, of the bulk
transport container in which the filled flexible bags are located
to a consumer of said beverage or liquid food product; and
[0012] c) unloading a required quantity of flexible bags for
delivery to the consumer; and
[0013] d) delivering each flexible bag for dispensing the beverage
or liquid food product contained in the flexible bag to be consumed
by an end consumer, wherein, through each step, hazard and critical
control points during distribution of beverage and liquid food
products are minimised.
[0014] Such hazards associated with beverage or food include
physical hazards, such as of impact injury, or chemical or
biological hazards such as posed by toxins, microbes or other
contaminants. Critical control points are points in the
distribution system where such potential hazards can be minimised
or avoided.
[0015] The commercial distributor may, itself, fill the flexible
bags with drinking water, other beverages, such as fruit juices,
milk and so on or other liquid food products using an automated
filling or packaging line under sterile conditions. Such liquids
may have comparable density and/or viscosity to water. It is not
intended that the flexible bags be re-used. The distribution method
may be "one way". There is no requirement for the flexible bags to
be recovered for re-use, thus incurring the hazards of
contamination which are difficult to detect and which erode the
integrity of the HACCP chain as described above. That is, the
distributor "disposes", in a property sense, of the flexible bags.
Storage costs and recovery costs may also be avoided. However, a
customer can use a recycle or disposal service so that the material
of the flexible bag can be re-used or responsibility disposed
of.
[0016] Flexible bags are desirably filled through a tap, outlet,
spout, valve or other dispenser forming part of the bag rather than
through a form, fill and seal method which is a way of beneficially
avoiding a critical control point being a residue from that sealing
process. In addition, such a bag is sealed in the manufacturing
process and not in the filling process. Thus, a better quality seal
is achieved. Special polymer sealing devices may also be avoided,
saving cost. The tap may be fitted to the bag after manufacture.
Any form of flexible bag, preferably of simple, hygienic and
inexpensive construction, can otherwise be used.
[0017] The commercial distributor may also mount, for example by
positioning, the flexible bags in a dispenser for dispensing the
drinking water, other beverage or liquid food product. The
distributor may supply dispensers to customers on a rental, sale or
other basis as part of the distribution service. The distributor
may service the dispensers in accordance with a maintenance
schedule. The dispenser, when a refrigerated cooler, is equipped
with cooling means. Drinking water is typically chilled prior to
customer consumption so a dispenser for drinking water would
usually incorporate a chilling unit.
[0018] The bulk transport container used for transportation of the
flexible bags is intended to accommodate a plurality of flexible
bags while advantageously being adaptive to varying quantities of
these bags in accordance with consumer demand. In other words, the
bulk transport container is, advantageously, of variable capacity
and/or collapsible. Packaging or "boxing" of individual flexible
bags is avoided. In this way, easier and less expensive inventory
management may be achieved with economics not requiring that a
large minimum quantity of product, as necessary with polycarbonate
bottled water distribution systems, be accepted by a distributor or
sub-distributor.
[0019] A suitable bulk transport container is a bulk transport
container of cubic or analogous design having smooth wall and base
construction with provision for a side-gate for readier access. The
construction of the container reduces risk of damage to, and
contamination of, the flexible bags during transportation or
storage (critical control points). The container may be made of
polymer, such as High Density Polypropylene, (HDPP) suitable for
use in food grade environments. Such a container may be collapsible
to achieve variable capacity. The return ratio of the bulk
transport container may be selected to achieve efficient use of
storage space and enable economic use of transport vehicles without
wastage of space on the vehicle. The containers are stackable.
[0020] The flexible bags may be filled in a central location and
then distributed to distribution centres prior to distribution to
multiple customers in multiple locations. Direct distribution from
the central location is an alternative. A central distributor may,
in a franchising system, authorise franchisees or others to
distribute beverages and/liquid food products in accordance with
the method of the invention. Capacity of the bulk transport
container is varied in accordance with the volume of beverage or
liquid food product to be delivered. The bulk transport container
may be employed in collapsed state for smaller volumes and flexible
bag inventory. Supervision of deliveries, inventory and payment may
be conducted using a computer system.
[0021] The flexible bags may incorporate at least one handle. The
handle(s) allow easier lifting and may accommodate support means to
position or hold the flexible bag in a dispenser allowing
substantially complete drainage of the liquid contents from the
flexible bag to minimise wastage. The handle may crimp a flexible
bag within a grip of the handle. The handles may allow positioning
or holding of the flexible bag within the dispensers. The flexible
bags may be cylindrical in shape when filled or may adopt a
cylindrical shape when placed within the dispenser. The bags may
accommodate any desired volume such as a volume of less than 15
litres, preferably between 10 to 15 litres, of product, the aim
being to reduce hazard if the bags are dropped during
transport.
[0022] Dispensers suitable for holding flexible bags may comprise a
housing to locate the flexible bags during dispensing of the
beverage or liquid food product and minimise contamination. The
housing may include a support means, which may co-operate with
handles(s) forming part of the flexible bag, to support the
flexible bag within the housing. A cylindrical housing or a housing
with a cylindrical inner surface may accommodate flexible bags that
adopt the shape of a cylinder when inserted into the housing. Seams
of the flexible bags may be arranged such that a cylindrical shape
is formed on filling of the flexible bags. A base of the housing
may be angled, or otherwise configured, with respect to a vertical
axis of the housing to allow substantially complete drainage of the
contents of the flexible bag from the dispenser under gravity to a
tap or other delivery means for water or liquid food product to a
consumer. The base could be formed with a contour or funnel shape.
A housing may be of flared construction to facilitate positioning
of a flexible bag within the dispenser. A positioning or hanging
arrangement for a flexible bag may be avoided in this manner though
it may be adopted if desired. The chilling unit may be arranged to
chill the base of the housing of the dispenser.
[0023] The flexible bag may be provided with, or communicated with,
an outlet spout tap or valve which may co-operate with other
delivery means forming part of the dispenser to deliver the
beverage or liquid food product for consumption by the customer.
The tap may be accommodated within a slot or bore formed within the
housing of the dispenser. The tap is fed by gravity. Pumped systems
in which liquid product requires to be pumped from the flexible bag
are desirably and advantageously avoided. A shield, for example of
polymeric or composite material, may be disposed between the
flexible bag and the inner wall of the housing of the dispenser to
protect the lower portion of the flexible bag and tap from damage.
The shield may be located proximate the tap, valve or spout of the
bag and/or slot or bore in the housing of the dispenser.
[0024] Commercial distributors may conduct any or each of the steps
of the method as a single entity, a vertically integrated entity
and/or through one or more parties selected from the group of their
contractors, servants or agents.
[0025] Consumers may be domestic, industrial or commercial
consumers. "Consumers" may be bailees of the filled flexible bags
on behalf of others. That is, "consumers" as used herein may
encompass owners and operators of storage facilities for storage of
the filled bags on behalf of the commercial distributor. The "end
consumer" is an individual or group of individuals which actually
consumes the beverage. A consumer may also comprise a community to
which water or other beverages and liquid food products require to
be supplied for health, hygiene or supply restriction reasons
caused by war or natural disaster. Such communities may be remotely
located from major population centres.
[0026] The invention may be more fully understood from the
following description of preferred embodiments thereof made with
reference to the drawings in which:
[0027] FIG. 1a is a side view of an unfilled flexible bag used in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the distribution method
of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the tap fitted to the
flexible bag of FIG. 1a;
[0029] FIG. 1c is a front view of a handle for the flexible bag of
FIG. 1a;
[0030] FIG. 1d is a top view of the handle of FIG. 1c;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a transport vehicle loaded
with bulk transport containers loaded with filled flexible bags in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the distribution method
of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective section view of a bulk transport
container filled with flexible bags for distribution in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the distribution method of the
invention;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bulk transport container
of FIG. 3 in collapsed condition with approximately one third of
maximum capacity;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bulk transport container
of FIG. 4 in expanded condition or full capacity as used in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the distribution method
of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a dispenser, being a
refrigerated cooler, loaded with a filled flexible bag in
accordance with a further aspect of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a dispenser, being a
refrigerated cooler, suitable for bench top application;
[0037] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the housing of a dispenser
suitable for use in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
distribution method of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 9a is a top view of the housing of FIG. 8; and
[0039] FIG. 9b is a front view of the housing of FIG. 8;
[0040] FIG. 9c is a side view of the housing of FIG. 8 and
[0041] FIG. 10 is a front view of a shield to protect a tap of a
dispenser used in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
distribution method of the present invention.
[0042] In accordance with the distribution method of the invention,
a distributor of a beverage or liquid food product procures
flexible bags 10, of the form shown in Figure la,. Such bags 10 are
of polymeric construction suitable for food grade applications, and
designed to withstand ordinary handling which could involve wear.
Such flexible bags 10 are fitted at tap hole 12 or formed with a
valve, spout or tap through which a beverage, for example, drinking
water, is directed to fill the bag. A suitable tap 20 is described
in U.S. Pat. Nos 6,296,157 and 6,360,925, in the name of Scholle
Corporation, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference. Such a tap 20 is shown in perspective in FIG. 1b. It has
an actuator 21 to actuate flow of liquid and a ribbed end 22 to
allow socket fitting into tap hole 12, the ribs forming the seal
with a smooth internal bore of the tap hole 12. Avoidance of
threading of end 22 avoids potential risk of abrasion and flow of
debris into the liquid product and contaminating it. The flexible
bag 10 is of rectangular shape, when flat, and is provided with a
pocket 14 disposed between seams 11 of the bag 10. Transverse seams
11 and 17 and longitudinal seams 19 are formed in the bag 10. A
handle 15, as shown in detail in FIGS. 1c and 1d, may be fitted
through the pocket 14 to support the bag 10 in a dispenser or to
facilitate carriage by distributor or consumer. The illustrated
handle 15 is of polyethylene or propylene formed in a loop. Rod
portion 15b may be inserted through pocket 14 of bag 10 and secured
by fitting sleeve 1 5c over a barb portion 15a of rod portion 15b.
Loop 15d allows the handle 15 to be positioned or hung in a
dispenser, as shown in FIG. 6, for example by a locator. The volume
of a single bag is about 11 litres filled and weighs less than 12
kg (density of water 1.0 g/cc at ambient conditions) though bags of
flexible or different volume may be catered for. Seams 16 and 17
are arranged such that, when placed in a dispenser, a "funnel" or
contour will be formed at the base of bag 10 to facilitate drainage
of liquid product to the base under gravity. The diagonal
disposition of seams 16 illustrate how the funnel is formed. This
minimises wastage of liquid product.
[0043] The distributor of drinking water uses a conventional
automated packaging or filling line, to fill flexible bags 10,
under sterile conditions as dictated by applicable health or
quality standards, with drinking water. Other beverages or liquid
food products are alternative product options. Drinking water
applications are described from here on by way of advantageous
example. A large number of flexible bags 10 may be filled
continuously over a period of time. The packaging line may be
operated continuously or intermittently and may be arranged to
deliver different liquid products, that is, water, orange juice and
so on during a filling run. Flexible bags 10 do not require
individual packaging in containers such as boxes or other bags as
familiar in the "bag in box" art. Indeed, this is very desirably
avoided with cost savings. Arrangement of seams 11, 17 and 19 may
enable the flexible bag 10 to adopt a cylindrical shape on
filling.
[0044] Filled flexible bags 10 are located within a bulk transport
container 30 as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. No specific mounting is
required using hangers, straps or the like. The bags 10 are neatly
stacked in the container. Such a bulk container 30 is available
under the trade mark GEM.CON from Chep International. Such a
container 30 has smooth wall and base construction with provision
for a side-gate for readier access. Slots 32 in the wall allow
lifting by forklift truck as necessary. Lid 31 is detachable and
may be tamper proof. The container may be made of polymer, such as
High Density Polypropylene (HDPP), suitable for use in food grade
environments. The construction of bulk transport container 30 helps
protect flexible bags 10 from damage or contamination during
transportation. Such a container 30 is collapsible with return
ratio selected to achieve efficient use of storage space and enable
economic use of transport vehicles without wastage of space on/in
the vehicle. Container 30 has an about 3:1 return ratio allowing
its volume to be reduced by up to two thirds, as necessary, and as
illustrated by comparison of FIGS. 4 and 5 enabling more efficient
use of storage space during warehousing and transportation. This
may be achieved by folding of the walls of container 30 to the most
appropriate capacity for the number of flexible bags 10 of liquid
food product or beverage to be delivered. The detachable lid 31 is
then placed into position. Flexibility in selection of transport
vehicle to save transport costs is also achieved by ability to vary
capacity of container 30.
[0045] A single bulk transport container 30 may accommodate 60-65
of the 11 Litre volume flexible bags. Container 30 helps to isolate
bags 10 from dust and oil contamination. Such bulk transport
containers 30 may then be placed in a vehicle of suitable selected
storage capacity including a land transport vehicle, water
transport vehicle or aircraft for transportation of the container
and drinking water to any desired location. FIG. 2 shows a flat top
truck 50 loaded with a number of bulk transport containers 30
stacked in two layers for a large bulk delivery. Such location may
be a remote location affected by war, disaster or shortage of
drinking water.
[0046] A commercial distributor, being a supplier of drinking water
to customers of residential, industrial or commercial kind, may
transport the bulk transport containers 30 directly to, or may
supervise the transportation to, customers and consumers. While the
distributor may transport drinking water directly to a consumer,
for example from a central location, the distributor may supply to
sub-distributors or franchisees of a beverage supplier for
distribution to consumers. Bulk transport containers 30 may have
variable capacity adaptive to various delivery sizes. Such
franchisees, included within the definition of "commercial
distributor" used in this specification, may be supplied from a
central location and transport economics may allow smaller
quantities of beverage (drinking water) to be economically supplied
to customers than is possible with a bottled water distribution
system where bottle storage space may create lack of economy.
Avoidance of bottles also limits safety issues for personnel
lifting bottles. Flexible bags are less likely to cause injury than
rigid bottles having less weight and impact.
[0047] The distributor or franchisee may assist the customer by
mounting a filled flexible bag 10 containing beverage within a
dispenser 40 being a refrigerated cooler. A suitable dispenser will
be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10. The commercial
distributor may supply such dispenser(s) 40 to customers as part of
the distribution service. The distributor may provide the customer
with after-sales service directed but not limited to: nature of
beverages and liquid food products available, use of dispensers,
supply of dispensers and payment options. Such services may be
provided by a computer which supervises management of product
inventory, account payments, maintenance schedules and so on.
[0048] The commercial distributor will not plan to recover the
flexible bags for re-use, but rather "disposes" of the flexible
bags 10 on delivery to the consumer. In this way, hygiene problems
implicit in prior bottled water distribution methods that require
re-use of bottles is avoided. Adverse economics due to bottle
recovery, storage and cleaning costs are also avoided. The
commercial distributor disposes of the flexible bags 10 by delivery
to the consumer for consumption of the beverage or liquid food
product without taint or adverse effect due to recycling of the
delivery container.
[0049] FIG. 6 shows a dispenser 40, being a refrigerated cooler,
having an internal housing 42 in which a filled flexible bag 10 is
located. The flexible bag 10 filled with drinking water, adopts
cylindrical shape, when located within housing 42. Provision of
lateral seams 19 and transverse seam 17 of flexible bag 10 assist
in achievement of the cylindrical shape. Housing 42 is located on a
stand 44. Housing 42 incorporates a chilling unit 46. The chilling
unit 46 may be constructed following knowledge in the refrigeration
art. Housing 42 is provided with removable cover 48, the cover
being provided with aesthetic design to enhance customer appeal.
Both housing 42 and cover 48 are provided with a slot or bore 49
through which extends tap 20, as above described, for dispensing
drinking water to a consumer.
[0050] Such dispensing of drinking water is assisted by positioning
or hanging flexible bag 10 by handle 15 (see FIG. 1c) by loop 15d
placed on a locator or other suitable means located on the side
wall of housing 42 beneath removable cover 48. Specifically, the
hanging arrangement assists gravity flow of drinking water to tap
20. Gravity flow is further assisted by the "funnel" or contour
formed by the arrangement of seams 16 and 17 when bag 10 is located
in housing 42. The dispenser 40 is not provided with a pump to
deliver water through tap 20 to the consumer. Cost and complexity
may thus be avoided.
[0051] FIG. 7 illustrates a dispenser 140 without a stand 44. In
this case, the dispenser 140 is an ambient dispenser located on a
bench top 60.
[0052] FIGS. 8 and 9 provide more detail of the construction of
housing 42. Housing 42 is here illustrated to be of cylindrical
section but open, along much of its length, along a dispensing
segment 43 of the housing 42. A slot or bore 49 is located at a
base 42a of the housing 42 but with a sufficient rim or wall 47 to
contain a flexible bag 10. Base 42a of housing 42 is angled, at
between 15-20.degree., to horizontal at the bottom slot or bore 49,
to provide a downward gradient from the rear wall 42b of housing 42
toward slot or bore 49. This also assists dispensing of drinking
water because the flexible bag 10 Thus, bag 10, when in dispensing
position, may have a sloping "floor" that facilitates drainage of
drinking water toward slot or bore 49 and tap 20 for dispensing to
a consumer. A shield 70, of planar and arcuate construction, and as
shown in FIG. 10, may be disposed within rim 47 between tap 20 and
tap hole 12 of bag 10 to prevent wear or piercing of flexible bag
10 at this point. Aperture 71 of shield 70 is fitted over actuator
21 after the tap 20 is fitted to flexible bag 10 thus holding it in
position proximate the tap 20 protecting the flexible bag 10 in
this region. Cuts in aperture 71 facilitate such positioning.
Shields 70 may be of a polymeric or composite construction. Shields
70 and handles 15 may be supplied in separate bags or kits, which
may also be conveyed in bulk transport container 30, and may be
installed by the distributor. Shield 70 is shown installed in FIG.
6 in dashed outline.
[0053] Base 42a of housing 42 may be arranged relative to a
chilling unit 46 such that base 42a is chilled, thus chilling
drinking water within flexible bag 30. Chilling unit 46 is only
included as required. Refrigeration coils may perform the chilling
duty. Additional chilling may be required for bags 10 of greater
volume.
[0054] Once bag 10 is positioned within housing 42 of dispenser 40
and removable cover 48 is placed into position, the dispenser 40
can be operated and tap 20 actuated by actuator 21 to deliver
drinking water to the consumer. If desired, a bag 10 may be
pre-chilled in a refrigerator prior to placement in dispenser
housing 42.
[0055] Modifications and variations to the distribution methods and
devices for distributing and dispensing beverages and liquid food
products in accordance with the present invention may be apparent
to the skilled reader. Such modifications and variations are deemed
within the scope of the present invention. In particular, any
liquid food product or beverage may be distributed and dispensed in
accordance with the methods and devices of the invention.
* * * * *