U.S. patent application number 13/059861 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-16 for closure for dispensing pressurized or carbonated beverage from a container, container using said closure and a set comprising said container and closure.
Invention is credited to Ingemar Jonsson.
Application Number | 20110142997 13/059861 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41707337 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110142997 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jonsson; Ingemar |
June 16, 2011 |
CLOSURE FOR DISPENSING PRESSURIZED OR CARBONATED BEVERAGE FROM A
CONTAINER, CONTAINER USING SAID CLOSURE AND A SET COMPRISING SAID
CONTAINER AND CLOSURE
Abstract
Closure for a container for keeping pressurized or carbonated
beverage, comprising means for dispensing the beverage from the
container so that dispensation of gas not being dissolved in the
beverage is prevented or reduced until all beverage has been
dispensed, and being provided with means for permitting, preventing
and optionally regulating dispensation of the beverage. Set
comprising a container for keeping pressurized or carbonated
beverage and a closure as disclosed above. Preferably the container
is a standardized PET bottle. Preferably the beverage is a
carbonated beverage, such as mineral water or soda or beer or
sparkling wine or champagne.
Inventors: |
Jonsson; Ingemar;
(Helsingborg, SE) |
Family ID: |
41707337 |
Appl. No.: |
13/059861 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
August 17, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE2009/000381 |
371 Date: |
February 18, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/115 ;
222/394 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/20 20130101;
B65D 47/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/115 ;
222/394 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/72 20060101
B65D085/72; B65D 83/00 20060101 B65D083/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 18, 2008 |
SE |
0801799-8 |
Claims
1-36. (canceled)
37. A closure for a container for keeping pressurized or carbonated
beverage comprising: an outlet for dispensing therethrough beverage
from the container; at least one dispensation regulator providing
at least in part that dispensation of gas not dissolved in the
beverage is prevented or reduced such that at least about 20% of
the gas pressure prevailing in the container prior to start of
dispensation remains at least until about 50% of the beverage has
been dispensed.
38. The closure according to claim 37, wherein the dispensation of
gas not being dissolved in the beverage is prevented or reduced
such that at least about 30% of the gas pressure prevailing in the
container prior to start of dispensation remains at least until
about 50% of the beverage has been dispensed.
39. The closure according to claim 37, wherein the dispensation of
gas not being dissolved in the beverage is prevented or reduced
such that at least about 40% of the gas pressure prevailing in the
container prior to start of dispensation remains at least until
about 50% of the beverage has been dispensed.
40. The closure according to claim 37, wherein the closure is for
use with a metallic container, a non-metallic container, a glass
container or a plastic container, wherein the plastic container is
optionally a PET-bottle.
41. The closure according to claim 37, wherein the closure is for
use with a container being so placed during dispensation of the
beverage that the outlet is adjacent to that part of the container
wherein there is beverage.
42. The closure according to claim 37, wherein the closure is for
use with a container being so placed during dispensation of the
beverage that the outlet is situated above that part of the
container where there is beverage, and further comprising a siphon
so placed that during dispensation of the beverage the entry to the
siphon remains within the beverage, and so arranged that beverage
to be dispensed is flowing only through the siphon to the
outlet.
43. The closure according to claim 42, wherein the siphon is a tube
and includes a flexible tube, a flexible tube having a density
being higher than the density of the beverage, a flexible tube
being provided with a weight to keep the entry to the tube within
the beverage, or a tube being flexible primarily in that part of
its length which is most distal from the closure.
44. The closure according to claim 37, wherein the inside of the
closure is provided with a first thread, which fits with a second
thread on the outside of the part of the container onto which it is
screwed, whereby beverage, non-dissolved gas, or both, is prevented
from being dispensed when the threads are screwed tightly together,
and whereby beverage, non-dissolved gas, or both, passes into a
compartment thereby created within the closure for subsequent
dispensation therefrom when the threads are not screwed tightly
together, and wherein the dispensation capacity is regulated by
adjusting the extent to which the first and second threads are
screwed together.
45. The closure according to claim 37, wherein the outlet has the
form of a radially extendable tube wherein the inlet of the tube is
shut or blocked when the tube is in its innermost position, thereby
preventing beverage from being dispensed.
46. The closure according to claim 37, wherein the outlet is hollow
and has a sharp end and the sharp end is used for penetrating a
seal on a beverage container, such as a screw cap threadably sealed
on a bottle top, wherein after penetrating the seal the hollow
outlet remains attached to the seal forming fluid and gas
communication between the contents of the container and the
exterior opening of the hollow outlet.
47. The closure according to claim 37, wherein the closure has at
least first and second controls, the first control providing
opening and closing of the flow of beverage or excess gas, the
second control providing regulating of the flow of beverage or
excess gas.
48. The closure according to claim 47, wherein the first control
comprises cooperating threads of the closure suitable to threadably
engage with the threaded neck of a bottle, and the second control
is a valve selected from the group consisting of a slide valve, a
flip valve, a needle valve or a snap-in valve.
49. The closure according to claim 37, wherein the closure is for
use with a bottle having a threaded bottle neck and the closure
comprises increasingly resistant threads such that after the
closure is substantially threadably engaged with a bottle having a
threaded neck, the closure and bottle may only be unscrewed to a
predetermined distance before the increasingly resistant threads
prevent further unscrewing, or where the closure comprises
threading designed such that after the closure is substantially
threadably engaged with a bottle having a threaded neck, the
closure and the bottle may only be unscrewed a predetermined
distance before the threading of the closure prevents any further
unscrewing of the closure from the bottle neck.
50. The closure according to claim 37, wherein the closure is for
use with a bottle, and the closure is provided with a gasket
tightening towards the top of the bottle neck when the closure is
closed, and that upon turning the closure a predetermined angle
relative to the bottle, beverage from the bottle enters the space
between the gasket and the upper inside of the closure, whereby the
upper inside is provided with a valve that is opened by pushing on
the upper outside of the closure, and whereby the upper outside and
the valve are both flexible in that the valve closes when pushing
on the upper outside ceases.
51. The closure according to claim 37, wherein the closure is
provided with a valve, and the valve is initially blocked from
being used by a movable part thereof adhered to a non-movable part
of the valve, where after the blocking is broken by moving the
movable part, the valve will function in its normal way.
52. The closure according to claim 37, wherein the closure is
provided with a cap, a shrink film or heat-sealing for rendering
the closure tamperproof, less vulnerable for leakage, rupture, or
other damage during transportation, or both.
53. The closure according to claim 37, wherein the closure has one
of more of the following features: it is not provided with a lever
arm arrangement for opening and closing any dispensation feature;
it is for use without a closure routinely used with beverage
containers with screw tops; it does not comprise a flexible tube on
the outside the closure, wherein the outside is defined as the
portion of the closure that does not face into or onto a container;
it does not require squeezing of the container for being operated;
it is not for use with a multi-compartment container.
54. The closure according to claim 37, wherein the closure has at
least a first control for providing opening and closing of the flow
of beverage or excess gas, comprising cooperating threads of the
closure and of the neck of a bottle respectively, and at least a
second control for regulating of the flow of beverage or excess gas
comprising a valve selected from the group consisting of a slide
valve, a flip valve, a needle valve or a snap-in valve.
55. The closure according to claim 37, wherein the closure has at
least first and second controls, the first control providing
opening and closing of the flow of beverage or excess gas, the
second control regulates the flow of beverage or excess gas, in
that it is for use with a bottle, in that it is provided with a
gasket tightening towards the top of the bottle neck when the
closure is closed, and in that upon turning the closure a
predefined angle relative to the bottle beverage from the bottle
enters the space between the gasket and the upper inside of the
closure, whereby the upper inside is provided with a valve that is
opened by pushing on the upper outside of the closure, whereby this
upper outside and the valve are both flexible in the sense that
when you stop pushing on the upper outside the valve closes.
56. A container for keeping pressurized or carbonated beverage,
that is for use with a closure according to claim 37, and comprises
a smaller percentage of beverage than a standard PET bottle, or has
a higher gas pressure than a standard PET bottle, or both.
57. A container according to claim 56, wherein the pressurized
beverage in the container is kept under increased pressure, which
is obtained by addition of liquid nitrogen or liquid carbonic acid
to the beverage, preferably in an amount of more than about 4 g,
preferably more than about 6 g, per litre beverage, just before
applying the closure on the container, and/or by applying the
closure on the container under an increased nitrogen and/or carbon
dioxide pressure, preferably being more than about 5 bar.
58. A kit comprising a container for keeping pressurized or
carbonated beverage and a closure according to claim 37.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a closure for dispensing
pressurized or carbonated beverage from a container so that
dispensation of gas not being dissolved in the beverage is
prevented or reduced until all the beverage has been dispensed. The
closure is especially useful for dispensing carbonated beverages,
such as mineral water, soda, beer, sparkling wine or champagne from
a standardized bottle, preferably a bottle made from polyethylene
terephtalate, commonly called a PET bottle, so that the dispensed
beverage keeps sufficient gas pressure as long as there is beverage
still to be dispensed. The closure thus provides for preserving
fizz in dispensed beverage as well as in beverage still to be
dispensed.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,090 discloses a suction spout for
carbonated beverage cans made of metal, but does not disclose any
closure similar to the closure of the present invention.
[0003] WO2006/083659 discloses a beverage dispensing system with a
specialized sealed container. This is in contrast to the present
invention, which pertains to a closure for dispensing pressurized
or carbonated beverage from a non-specialized container.
[0004] US 2004/0035869 discloses a resealing arrangement for a
beverage container without disclosing any closure similar to the
closure of the present invention.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,945 discloses a sealing and dispensing
cap for a carbonated drink container using a lever arm arrangement
for open and closing a dispensing channel. The present invention is
not primarily intended for use with any similar arrangement.
Further, there is no proof of concept in '945.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,037 discloses a combination cap and
dispensing spout for a carbonated beverage bottle. This device is
pressed onto the original bottle cap, which may be partly opened
using said device. The carbonated beverage is allowed to flow
through the threads in the partly opened original cap and further
through the combination cap from where it exits via a tubular
spout. This is in contrast to the present invention where the
claimed closure is used without the original bottle cap.
Consequently in the present invention the carbonated beverage does
not flow through the threads of the original bottle cap.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,364 discloses a dispensing valve for
carbonated beverage bottles having means for connection of the
valve body to the bottle neck and comprising a flexible tube.
[0008] WO 94/29183 discloses a flow-controlling device for a
soft-walled bottle comprising a non-return valve, which is opened
by squeezing the bottle. The present invention is primarily not
intended for use with any means requiring that any bottle or
container be squeezed.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,011,971 discloses a device for dispensing of
non-pressurized liquids, such as still wine. Contrary thereto the
present invention is only intended for dispensation of pressurized
or carbonated beverage.
[0010] DE 4,422,190 discloses a multi-compartment bottle with a
dispensing device suited for dispensing champagne or similar
beverages. The present invention is primarily not intended for
multi-compartment bottles.
[0011] All of the cited prior art references disclose only one
means for dispensing. Our invention preferably makes use of at
least first and second means for dispensing.
DEFINITIONS
[0012] With "fizz" is here meant gas dissolved in a pressurized or
carbonated beverage. This gas is released as bubbles when the
pressure outside the beverage becomes lower than the pressure in
the beverage. This gas is released as bubbles when the vapor
pressure of the beverage is equilibrated to the decreased pressure
of the gas outside the beverage when inside a container, or to
atmospheric pressure when the beverage is flushed out from the
container into e g a glass.
[0013] With "slide valve", also called "flip valve", is here meant
a valve mounted on a closure and having a hollow part with a first
opening at the end that faces towards the periphery of the closure
and a second opening inclined about 90.degree. relative to the
first opening that faces towards the inner side of the closure.
This valve slides in a notch in the upper part of the closure. In
the valve's open state the second opening is essentially entirely
facing an opening in the closure being exposed to the inside of a
container onto which the closure is attended. In the valve's closed
state the second opening does not to any extent face any opening in
the closure. By moving the slide the flow of the beverage can be
controlled. The slide valve can also be fitted with a thread both
on the valve and on the notch thereby providing a more precise
control of the flow of the beverage.
[0014] A "needle valve" is a variant of a slide valve.
[0015] With "snap-in valve" is here meant a valve designed as a
stopper placed e g in an opening through the top of a closure being
attached to a container. The stopper is operated via a lever,
preferably being controlled by a spring acting on one end of the
lever. When no pressure is exercised on the other end of the lever
the stopper is in a closed position. When pressure is exercised on
said other end of the lever the stopper comes to an open position.
By adjusting said pressure the flow of the beverage can be
controlled. This type of valve is preferably equipped with a flow
guidance that directs the beverage to the periphery of the
closure.
[0016] With "slot profiles" is here meant interruptions in a thread
being essentially perpendicular to the thread. The function for
such slot profiles in the thread of a closure and in the thread of
a corresponding container comprising pressurized or carbonated
liquid, such as a beverage, is mainly to provide means for
releasing excess gas from the container.
[0017] With "radially compressed" is here referred to e g the
situation when the periphery of a hole is slightly conical for
accomplishing a tight grip around an object being inserted in the
hole.
[0018] With "excess gas" is here meant the gas in a container
comprising pressurized or carbonated beverage that is not dissolved
in the beverage and thus exists as free gas outside the liquid.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Upon decanting pressurized or carbonated beverage such as
carbonated water, soda, beer, sparkling wine or champagne from a
container, e g from a PET bottle, the fizz is decreased. The fizz
is stronger the stronger the pressure of the excess gas, i e the
free gas outside the liquid. Upon repeated openings of the bottle
the gas pressure outside the beverage is thus step-by-step
equilibrated to atmospheric pressure. When gas is evaporated from
the beverage the fizz will decrease. The longer the time between
openings of the bottle the more gas will evaporate from the
beverage implying even less fizz. The reduction in fizz is more
notable the bigger the bottle. Likewise the smaller the relation
between the volume of the beverage and the volume of the excess gas
the more notable the reduction in fizz.
[0020] Contrary thereto when a bottle provided with a closure
according to the present invention is opened only the excess gas
pressure needed to press out beverage from the bottle is consumed.
In comparison with the hitherto used opening of a PET bottle with
the present invention a higher interior gas pressure is preserved
in the dispensed beverage as well as in the beverage remaining in
the bottle. Consequently the present invention provides for less
decrease in fizz. That the present invention provides for less
decrease in fizz is shown e g in Example 10
[0021] Surprisingly the captioned problem with reduced fizz can be
solved by controlled use of the excess gas pressure in the
container upon dispensing beverage from the container, preferably
via one or more control mechanisms, different embodiments of which
are described below. Satisfactory dispensation may be achieved as
well when holding the bottle top down, top up or in inclined
position.
[0022] A standard PET bottle and its corresponding normal closure
both have slot profiles, in the bottle neck threads and in the
closure threads respectively, for releasing excess gas when the
closure is opened. In order to prevent excess gas from being
dispensed at least the closure thread need be devoid of slot
profiles. The thread on the bottle neck may keep its slot profiles.
When there are no slot profiles in the closure thread a leak proof
seal is accomplished between the bottle neck and the closure also
when the closure is partly opened.
[0023] One way to control the dispensation of beverage and excess
gas is to place one or more conduits through the closure periphery
from the outside in such a way that the conduit(s) will be exposed
to excess gas when opening the closure maximum about one turn with
the bottle placed top up, and to beverage with the bottle placed
top down. Thereby the gas and the beverage respectively are let out
through the conduit(s) via the seal between the closure and the
bottle neck top. In order to keep maximum fizz in the dispensed
beverage excess gas from the container should not be dispensed
until all the beverage has been dispensed. This principle prevails
irrespective of what embodiment of the present invention is
used.
[0024] The conduit(s) may be combined with a control valve, e g a
slide valve, a flip valve or a snap valve where a hole is exposed
to the volume inside the closure, but outside a sealing between the
bottle neck top and the inside of the closure.
[0025] The shelf life or expiration date of the beverage will not
be compromised if the seal between the closure and the bottle neck
top is made so that a V-formed gasket of the closure accomplishes a
tight joint to the top of the bottle. Also closures with other
types of gaskets or simply a well planed top of the closure will
function as well.
[0026] A bottle closure, specially designed to retain the contents
of a soda bottle, i e carbonated beverage and gas therein
dissolved, may be sealed using a gasket between the bottle neck top
and the closure, for example a closure made to fit a bottle neck
according to standard PCO-1810. The closure has a leak proof thread
and an outlet on its upper periphery, preferably furnished with a
valve to control the release of the beverage. Upon turning the
bottle and the closure about half a turn relative to one another
and placing the bottle top down the beverage will be pressed out
into the compartment between the leak proof threads and the
interior of the closure. If no control valve is installed beverage
will flow out of said outlet with maximum intensity.
[0027] To avoid said uncontrolled outflow of beverage a control
valve might be installed. When this valve is in its closed position
no beverage will be dispensed. When the valve is fully or partly
open a controlled stream of beverage will be flushed out through
the conduit of the control valve. If the closure is instead opened
with the bottle top up and the control is opened the gas above the
beverage level will be released. This gas would other wise have
been released via the standardized slot profiles on the bottle neck
and the closure thread. If there are slot profiles only at the
beginning of the closure thread the excess gas pressure is released
when the closure and the bottle neck are almost unscrewed from one
another.
[0028] The bottle neck may though be furnished with a pressure
tight siphon attached to the bottle neck's inner periphery. When
using such a siphon the beverage of the bottle can be dispensed
when the bottle is standing top up without excess gas being
dispensed. If the siphon is flexible the beverage can be dispensed
from any inclined position of the bottle between the horizontal
position and the vertical position, which is convenient when the
bottle is placed e g on a refrigerator shelf.
[0029] The siphon may be made of a material having a higher density
than the beverage or be provided with a weight, whereby the siphon
will not float up, but remain below the surface of the beverage.
Preferably the siphon is flexible, more preferably partly flexible,
such as flexible only in about the last third part of its length as
measure from the closure, i e in the part of the siphon being most
distal from the closure. Such a partly flexible siphon has the
advantage of not risking being bent in the container, thereby
avoiding the risk of the tip of the siphon being placed too close
to the closure.
[0030] The outlet from the closure may be a radially extendable
tube. The inlet of the tube may be shut or blocked when the tube is
in its innermost position thereby preventing beverage from being
dispensed. The outlet from the tube may be so formed that the
dispensed beverage exits the tube in a direction pointing below the
horizontal plane when the container essentially is in a vertical
position. Further, the tube may be extendable, preferably by being
telescopic, so that the outlet of the tube may be located at a
distance of up to three times the largest width of the closure as
measured from the edge of the closure. The dispensation capacity
may be regulated by moving the tube from its innermost position.
Such regulation of the dispensation capacity may take place by
moving the tube so that the inlet thereof to a larger or lesser
degree coincides with an opening through which the beverage to be
dispensed enters the closure.
[0031] Alternatively a sharpened hollow member, e g a hollow
needle, can be pressed through the closure, preferably for use with
the bottle placed top down. Such a hollow member should be designed
to withstand the pressure from the pressurised or carbonated
beverage in the container.
[0032] For the embodiment with a hollow member is preferably used a
stand into which the bottle neck and the closure are pressed down
over the hollow member whereby the hollow member is radially
compressed to ensure maximal tightening between the hollow member
and the closure.
[0033] In useful embodiments the closure is provided with at least
two control means, called first and second control means, the first
control means providing for safe opening and closing of the flow of
beverage or excess gas, the second control means providing for
regulating the flow of beverage or excess gas. The first control
means may consist in the cooperating threads of the closure and of
the bottle neck respectively. The second control means may be a
valve, preferably a slide valve, a needle valve, a flip valve or a
snap-in valve. Alternatively also the first control means may be a
valve.
[0034] In order to prevent unnecessary leakage the present closure
may be provided with means for preventing that the closure be too
much unscrewed from the bottle neck, i e preventing the closure
from being unscrewed from the bottle neck more than to a predefined
stage, or for making such unscrewing difficult. These means may
thus be entirely blocking unscrewing or may account for increased
resistance in unscrewing.
[0035] In order to improve recycling by facilitating separation of
materials a closure according to the present invention is
preferably made from one or more of polyethylene (PE), high density
polyethylene (HD PE), polypropylene (PP) and ethylene vinyl acetate
(EVA).
[0036] In another useful embodiment dual regulating means and
choice of material as per the preceding paragraph are combined. In
this embodiment upon turning the closure about half a turn relative
to the bottle beverage from the bottle enters the space between a
gasket and the upper inside of the closure. This upper inside is
provided with a convex valve. Pushing on the upper outside of the
closure opens this convex valve. This upper outside and the convex
valve are both flexible in the sense that when you stop pushing on
the upper outside the convex valve closes. This embodiment inter
alia has the advantage that it can be made entirely from one
polymeric material--there is no need for any additional springs
made from another material. The required flexibility and automatic
reversed function are inherent in the convex design of the valve
and the flexible upper outside of the closure. The pressure from
the beverage enhances the captioned double tightening. This
embodiment provides for a reliable and resealable tightening, which
further is easy to operate.
[0037] A container for keeping pressurized or carbonated beverage
under pressure suitable for cooperating with a closure according to
the present invention may comprise a smaller percentage of beverage
than a standard PET bottle, and/or have a higher gas pressure than
a standard PET bottle. The gas pressure can be increased by the
addition of a few drops of liquid nitrogen or carbonic acid just
before closing the bottle. This liquid nitrogen or carbonic acid
will change to gas phase shortly after closing of the bottle. The
normal gas pressure in a standard PET bottle is the pressure
obtained when liquid nitrogen or carbonic acid is added to the
beverage in an amount of between 2 g and 4 g per litre beverage and
the beverage thereafter is kept in the container being closed.
[0038] Especially the present closure is applied on a container
wherein pressurized or carbonated beverage is kept under a
pressure, which is obtained when liquid nitrogen or carbonic acid
is added to the beverage in an amount of more than 4 g, preferably
more than 6 g, per litre beverage and the beverage thereafter is
kept in the container being closed.
[0039] The present invention also encompasses a set comprising a
container for keeping pressurized or carbonated beverage under
pressure and a closure according to the present invention.
[0040] Although mainly standardized PET bottles have been discussed
above as suitable containers for the present invention also other
containers for keeping pressurized or carbonated beverages are
encompassed by the present invention. Except for PET bottles other
plastic bottles, glass bottles, other non-metallic containers and
metallic containers are useful in the present invention.
[0041] When embodiments with bottle and closure are discussed above
it has been presumed that the bottle neck is threaded on its
outside, that the closure is threaded on its inside and that these
two pieces may be screwed and unscrewed in relation to one another.
This is though not always necessary. In one useful embodiment the
capsule and bottle neck are screwed tightly together after filling
of the bottle with the required amount of beverage where after they
may not be taken apart. This feature may e g be achieved by using
threads that are such that they may not be unscrewed, by using
latches in connection with the threads, and by fastening the
threads towards each other using e g adhesive or melting by heat or
ultrasound.
[0042] A further development of the aforesaid embodiment makes use
of a bottle with a bottle neck devoid of threads and a closure also
being devoid of threads. These two parts may simply have an even
outside surface and an even inside surface respectively. They may
also have surfaces provided with guiding means such as longitudinal
grooves. The bottle neck and the closure are irreversibly joined, e
g by using adhesive or melting by heat or ultrasound.
[0043] The captioned embodiments where the closure is irreversibly
fastened to the bottle neck have e g the advantage that there is no
risk of leakage between the closure and the bottle neck.
[0044] In order to make the closure tamperproof and to reduce the
risk for leakage all types of valves mounted on the closure may be
initially blocked from being used, e g by having the movable part/s
of the valve glued to, or otherwise adhered to, a suitable
non-movable part of the valve. Once said blocking is broken by
moving the movable part/s the valve will function in its normal
way.
[0045] The captioned problem with reduced fizz in pressurized or
carbonated beverage dispensed from a container, such as a
Coca-Cola.RTM. beverage dispensed from a PET bottle, is known since
such containers were introduced, without any remedy having to date
been put forward. The present invention thus provides a solution to
this long felt need.
LEGEND OF FIGURES
[0046] FIGS. 1A-1D schematically show in cross section a closure
according to Example 1.
[0047] FIGS. 2A-2B schematically show in cross section a closure
according to Example 2.
[0048] FIGS. 3A-3B are photos showing the embodiment according to
Example 4.
[0049] FIGS. 4A-4C schematically show in cross section a closure
according to Example 9.
[0050] FIG. 5 shows how the pressure of free gas in a 2 litre Coca
Cola bottle provided with a closure according to the present
invention develops when the bottle is emptied in aliquots of 0,2 1.
As a comparison is shown how the pressure of free gas in a 2 litre
Coca Cola bottle provided with a standard screw cap develops when
the bottle is emptied in aliquots of 0,2 1.
[0051] FIGS. 6A-6C schematically show in cross section a closure
according to Example 11.
EXAMPLES
[0052] The following Examples are illustrative and non-limiting
Example 1
[0053] The embodiment according to this example is schematically
shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. A PET bottle closure (1) fitting on a PCO
1810 bottle neck is provided on its inside with a non-interrupted
and tight thread (2), which seals slot profiles (3) on the thread
of a bottle neck when screwed thereon. The closure (1) is fitted
with a standard gasket seal (4) fitting between the bottle neck's
top and the closure (1). The closure (1) if also fitted with a hole
(5) above the thread between the outside of the gasket seal (4) and
the inner periphery of the closure (1), said hole (5) leading to
the outside of the closure (1). Upon opening the bottle when placed
in vertical position with the closure (1) towards the bottom
beverage (6) will be dispensed through the hole (5). Upon opening
the bottle when placed in vertical position with the closure
towards the top excess gas (7) will be dispensed through the hole
(5). Upon turning the closure (1) backwards the flow of beverage
(6) or excess gas (7) is stopped once the gasket seal (4) tightens
towards the bottle neck top. When the gasket seal (4) is close to
the bottle neck top only a small amount per time unit of beverage
(6) or excess gas (7) may be dispensed. In other words the thread
of the closure (1) is used to control the rate of dispensation of
beverage (6) or excess gas (7). This embodiment may be provided
with a siphon.
[0054] Beverage (6) exits when the bottle is held top down if a
siphon is not used and when the bottle is held top up if a siphon
is used. Excess gas (7) exits when the bottle is held top up if a
siphon is not used. The bottle should not be operated top down when
a siphon is used, as it is not totally foreseeable whether beverage
(6) or excess gas (7) will exit in this situation.
Example 2
[0055] The embodiment according to this example is schematically
shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. This example is similar to Example 1,
though with the difference that the hole (5) in Example 2 is fitted
with a control valve (8). Beverage (6) or excess gas (7) reaches
the inlet of the control valve (8) upon opening the closure (1),
whereby the flow of beverage (6) or excess gas (7) is controlled
via the control valve (8), which can be designed in many different
ways, preferable as a snap valve with spring action. This means
that the valve releases beverage (6) or excess gas (7) only when
pressed upon. The control valve may also be of other types, such as
a slide valve or a flip valve. FIGS. 2A and 2B show the bottle top
up, but illustrate mutatis mutandis also the bottle top down.
Preferably the outlet from the control valve (8) is sealed, e g by
ultrasonic partial melting if made of a plastic material, upon
delivery so that this seal needs to be broken prior to the first
use of the control valve (8). Thereby the risk for leakage is
reduced and the shelf life of the contents of the bottle is
increased.
Example 3
[0056] This example is similar to Examples 1 and 2, though with the
difference that a flexible siphon is placed in the bottle and is
connected to the bottle opening, thereby allowing beverage (6) to
be pressed out by excess gas (7) when the container is standing up
with the closure (1) at the top or when it is placed in any
inclined position, between a vertical position with the closure (1)
at the top and a horizontal position. The horizontal position is e
g useful when keeping a PET bottle lying down in a refrigerator and
dispensing beverage directly from there.
[0057] The only exit from the bottle is thus through the siphon,
which as such may be designed in a number of ways known in the
art.
Example 4
[0058] A hollow needle is pressed through the closure and the
bottle is placed top down. The needle is designed to withstand the
pressure from the gas and the beverage in the container to avoid
leakage. Connected to the needle is a control valve through which
the beverage is let out. This arrangement may preferably include a
stand into which the bottle neck and the closure are pressed down
over the needle, whereby the closure is radially compressed to
ensure maximal tightening between the needle and the closure. A
major benefit with this embodiment is that all known fitting
closures may be used.
Example 5
[0059] This example is similar to Example 4,though with the
difference that here the bottle is fitted with a siphon and the
needle/control valve device is placed on top of the bottle for use
with the bottle standing up.
Example 6
[0060] A washer is placed between the bottle neck and the inner top
surface of the closure whereby the washer is placed on distancing
elements in order to ensure free space between the washer and the
inner top surface of the closure. A hole is arranged for at any
location on the top of the closure. This hole is preferably
equipped with a control valve. Upon holding the bottle upside down
beverage will pass out around the washer and further out through
the hole upon opening the closure. Preferably a control valve is
placed over the hole of the closure. For longer storage after
opening, the closure should be tightened to minimize leakage of gas
and/or beverage. This embodiment is suitable for use with a siphon
as well as without a siphon.
Example 7
[0061] This example is similar to Examples 1, 2 and 6. Here the
thread of the closure is designed in such a way that it has slot
profiles only towards the open part of the closure. Here excess gas
is released as with a standardized PET bottle closure, i e
downwards from the closure thread when the closure is opened in its
normal way, i e by simply being unscrewed. This means that the use
of the present embodiment of the invention does not affect normal
opening of the closure. When the closure is opened in its normal
way the control valve should be in its closed position. This
embodiment is preferably used with a bottle not provided with a
siphon.
Example 8
[0062] The closure embodiment of this example is a variant of any
of the embodiments of Examples 1-7 for use with a bottle,
preferably standing up. Here a needle valve is mounted at the
periphery of the closure. Upon delivery of the closure the needle
valve is shut. The closure is furnished with an elongated hollow
key for opening the needle valve. Upon turning the closure about
180 degrees in relation to the bottle beverage reaches the space
between the top of the bottle neck and the upper inside of the
closure. Then the needle valve is opened using said elongated
hollow key, which at the same time functions as an outlet exiting
at a predefined distance outside the closure. You may operate the
key with just one hand thereby adjusting the flow of the
beverage.
Example 9
[0063] The embodiment according to this example is schematically
shown in FIGS. 4A-4C. This embodiment is a closure for a bottle and
has dual regulating means. Preferably the closure is made from one
or more of polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HD PE),
polypropylene (PP) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). In this
embodiment upon turning the closure about half a turn relative to
the bottle pressurized or carbonated beverage (6) from the bottle
enters a space (9) between a gasket (10) and the upper inside (11)
of the closure. This upper inside (11) is provided with a
preferably convex valve (12). Pushing on the upper outside (13) of
the closure opens the valve (12). The upper outside (13) and the
valve (12) are both flexible in the sense that when you stop
pushing on the upper outside (13) the valve (12) closes. Once the
valve (12) is opened beverage (6) is led out through an outlet (5),
which may be designed in any convenient way.
[0064] In order to render the closure less vulnerable for leakage
or rupture or other damage during transportation and to make the
closure at least somewhat tamperproof the valve (12) may be
initially fastened towards the upper inside (1) e g use of adhesive
or by melting using heat or ultrasound. When you open the valve
(12) for the first time you will break this initial fastening. A
cap or a shrink film may also be used to make the closure
tamperproof.
[0065] This embodiment inter alia has the advantage that it can be
made entirely from a polymeric material as above--there is no need
for any additional springs. The required flexibility and automatic
reversed function are inherent in the convex design of the valve
and the flexible upper outside of the closure. The pressure from
the beverage enhances the captioned double tightening.
[0066] In a modification of the embodiment according to this
example the closure may be irreversibly fastened on the bottle neck
in any of the ways described earlier.
Example 10
[0067] No prior art reference, such as the ones cited above,
discloses any proof of concept for any invention having any
similarity with the present invention. In order to show the utility
and effectiveness of the present invention the following experiment
was carried out. The reduction of the pressure of the free gas in a
standard 2 litre PET bottle filled with Coca Cola provided with its
normal screw cap being emptied via 0.2 litre aliquots of Coca Cola
in vertical position with the opening upwards was compared with the
reduction of the pressure of the free gas in a standard 2 litre PET
bottle filled with Coca Cola provided with a closure according to
the present invention being emptied via 0.2 litre aliquots of Coca
Cola in vertical position with the opening downwards. The original
bottle cap was removed from both bottles and was exchanged for a
bottle cap fitted with a manometer and closure according to the
present invention also provided with a manometer. After 20 minutes
the free gas pressure was measured. It is evident that the initial
free gas pressure could not be measured as there were no manometers
on the original bottle caps.
[0068] The result of the test of Example 10 is illustrated in FIG.
5. The free gas pressure reduction in the standard bottle is shown
with the lower and dotted line while the free gas pressure
reduction in the bottle with a closure according to the present
invention is shown with the upper and uninterrupted line.
[0069] It is evident that the reduction of the pressure of the free
gas in the bottle provided with a closure according to the present
invention is very much smaller than the reduction of the pressure
of the free gas in the bottle provided with a normal screw cap.
[0070] The equation for the lower line in FIG. 5 is approximately
Y=1/e.sup.4.6.times.10.sup.-3.sup..times.X. The equation for the
upper line in FIG. 5 is approximately when 0<X<800 then Y=1
and when 800<X<2000 then Y=-0.8.times.10.sup.-3 X+1,6.
[0071] Similar curves prevail for other types of containers. It has
been found that for a useful embodiment of the present invention
dispensation of gas not being dissolved in the beverage is
prevented or reduced in such a way that at least 20% of the gas
pressure prevailing in the container prior to start of dispensation
remains at least until 50% of the beverage has been dispensed. In a
preferred embodiment at least 30% of the gas pressure prevailing in
the container prior to start of dispensation remains at least until
50% of the beverage has been dispensed. In another preferred
embodiment at least 40% of the gas pressure prevailing in the
container prior to start of dispensation remains at least until 50%
of the beverage has been dispensed.
[0072] There are other ways of characterizing how well the gas
pressure is maintained when using the present invention. For
example for a useful embodiment of the present invention
dispensation of gas not being dissolved in the beverage is
prevented or reduced in such a way that when up to 25% of the
beverage has been dispensed the gas pressure in the container is at
least 40% of the gas pressure prevailing in the container prior to
start of dispensation. In a preferred embodiment when up to 50% of
the beverage has been dispensed the gas pressure in the container
is at least 40% of the gas pressure prevailing in the container
prior to start of dispensation. In another preferred embodiment
when up to 75% of the beverage has been dispensed the gas pressure
in the container is at least 10% of the gas pressure prevailing in
the container prior to start of dispensation.
[0073] The present invention encompasses not only a closure as
disclosed above, but also a container for use with such a closure
and a set comprising a container for keeping pressurized or
carbonated beverage under pressure and such a closure.
Example 11
[0074] The embodiment according to this example is schematically
shown in FIGS. 6A-6C. This embodiment is a closure (1) for a bottle
and has dual regulating means. Preferably the closure is made from
one or more of polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HD
PE), polypropylene (PP) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and is
provided on its inside with a non-interrupted and tight thread (2).
The embodiment according to this example schematically demonstrate
a control valve variant where a washer/gasket (10) is placed
between the closure (1) and the opening of the container (14) to
ensure tightening and long shelf life. In this embodiment upon
turning the closure (1) about half a turn relative to the bottle
pressurized or carbonated beverage the washer/gasket (10) will be
pressed by the beverage and/or the gas pressure to the closure (1)
leaving a space (15) between the containers opening and the
washer/gasket and will ensure at least intermittent tightening. By
pressing the flexible end (16) of the closure, the washer/gasket
(10) will be displaced and beverage (6) or excess gas (7) will be
dispensed depending on the vertical position of the container.
FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C show the bottle top up, but illustrate mutatis
mutandis also the bottle top down.
* * * * *