Dispensing – With refill preventing means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-20
2001-05-15
Derakshani, Philippe (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
With refill preventing means
C251S022000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230937
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a dispensing outlet assembly through which liquid in a container is dispensed. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with a dispensing outlet assembly for the dispensing of a beverage from a container such as a bottle.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing outlet assembly having a novel effect.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispensing outlet assembly for connection to a liquid container, said assembly comprising (a) a body having (i) an inlet for connection to the container, (ii) a dispensing outlet through which liquid is dispensed from the container, and (iii) a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet; and (b) at least one modifier for modifying at least one property of the liquid being dispensed, said at least one modifier being disposed in the flow passage in the body so as to be contacted by the liquid passing in use from the inlet to the dispensing outlet, whereby liquid having at least one property which is different to that of the liquid in the container is dispensed.
Said at least one modifier is preferably one which is arranged to induce an organoleptic change in the liquid, and may be selected from one or more of the following:
1. An additive for changing the colour of the liquid,
2. An additive for changing the flavour of the liquid,
3. An additive for changing the mouthfeel of the liquid,
4. An additive for changing the odour of the liquid,
5. An additive for changing a light transmission characteristic of the liquid e.g. opacity.
6. A pH modifier which may be arranged to induce any desired organoleptic change in the liquid, for example a colour, flavour or mouthfeel change.
7. A decolouriser (e.g. activated charcoal) for decolouring a coloured liquid,
8. A deodoriser (e.g. activated charcoal) for deodorising an odiferous material.
Most preferably, the dispensing outlet assembly includes means for preventing liquid which has already contacted said at least one modifier from returning to the container. Such means may be selected from any one or more of the following:
1. A non-return valve; and
2. A recess disposed between said at least one modifier and the inlet of the body so as to retain liquid which has contacted the modifier in order to prevent such liquid from returning to the inlet.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid container fitted with a dispensing outlet assembly according to said first aspect of the present invention.
The liquid may be any desired liquid, but is preferably a beverage, more particularly an alcohol-containing beverage, e.g. a spirit-based liquor.
The liquid container preferably takes the form of a bottle or other at least partially transparent container whose liquid contents can be viewed. This is particularly preferable in the case where said at least one modifier serves to modify the visual appearance, particularly the colour or other light transmission characteristic of the liquid.
Most preferably, the body of the assembly is formed of an opaque material so that the presence of said at least one modifier is not visually apparent.
The body of the dispensing outlet assembly may be arranged to be secured to the container in any desired way, e.g. by means of a snap- or press-fit connection.
It is therefore possible in accordance with the present invention to provide a variety of dispensing outlet assemblies which can be fitted as desired to a container having a certain type of liquid therein so that the properties of the liquid being dispensed from the container can be selected at will.
In the case where said at least one modifier is an additive which imparts a colour change to a colourless liquid or a colour change to an already coloured liquid, said modifier may comprise a dye which is in particulate or liquid form. It is particularly preferred for such modifier to be formed by co-spraying dye with one or more excipients which are soluble or dispersible in the liquid, for example one or more of cellulose particles (e.g. microcrystalline cellulose), sugar particles (e.g. dextrose) and gum particles (e.g. a dextrin such as maltodextrin). In the case where the dye is in particulate form and is to be wetted with the liquid, this makes the dye readily wettable so that the colour can be drawn through the particulate dye mass when contacted by the liquid.
In a particularly convenient embodiment, which is used for colouring a beverage, e.g. an alcoholic beverage such as a spirit-based liquor, the modifier may comprise an edible dye (e.g. carmine or an azo dye approved for use in foodstuffs) and one or more of the above-mentioned excipients.
Said at least one modifier may be contained in an apertured bag in said flow passage.
In one convenient embodiment, the apertured bag is a perforated bag. The material of the bag is preferably a porous, woven or spun-bonded polyolefin (e.g. polypropylene or polyethylene) which is heat-sealable. The perforations in the bag preferably have a size of 40 &mgr;m to 90 &mgr;m, more preferably about 70 &mgr;m. With such an arrangement, the bag is arranged to be soaked with the liquid as it is being dispensed so that some of the modifier is leached from the bag and modifies the liquid being dispensed.
In another convenient embodiment, the apertured bag is arranged to be acted upon by a part which is movable when the assembly is tilted so as to cause release of a quantity of said at least one modifier from the bag into the flow path. Such a bag may has a capillary-type aperture or it may have an aperture which is normally closed but which opens when the contents of the bag are pressurised by said part.
In a further embodiment, the modifier is contained in a reservoir and pump means, eg. an electrical pump, is provided for dispensing the modifier from the reservoir.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2975925 (1961-03-01), Chambers
patent: 3073469 (1963-01-01), Towns
patent: 4458817 (1984-07-01), Guala
patent: 5743437 (1998-04-01), Moore et al.
patent: 5924606 (1999-07-01), Huizing
Hatch Julie
Johnson David
Kendle Heather
Ogle Simon
Purdey Colin
Andrus Sceales, Starke & Sawall
Bui Thach H.
Derakshani Philippe
United Distillers & Vintners (HP) Limited
LandOfFree
Dispensing outlet assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Dispensing outlet assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dispensing outlet assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2516438