GB2189771A

GB2189771A - Bottle dispenser adapter

Info

Publication number: GB2189771A
Application number: GB08610476A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John William Dunn
Original assignee: SALESPRINT TEMPLE GROUP LIMITE
Current assignee: SALESPRINT TEMPLE GROUP LIMITE
Priority date: 1986-04-29
Filing date: 1986-04-29
Publication date: 1987-11-04
Also published as: GB8610476D0

Abstract

An adaptor for connecting bottles having tamper-proof non-return valve devices in their necks to a gravity fed measuring dispenser comprises lower and upper duct sections 10, 11 at an angle of some 25 degrees, the upper section being provided with a cork or other resilient insert 12 to receive the neck of the inclined and inverted bottle in use, the inserts being interchangeable to accommodate different sizes of bottle neck. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dispenser adaptor This invention relates to dispensers for serving accurately predetermined measures by volume of spirits, wines, or other beverages or liquids from a bulk container, e.g. a bottle as used in bars, restaurants etc and, more specifically, to an adaptor for connecting certain types of bottle or other container to such dispensers.

Where the bottle has an open neck once a cork, cap or other seal is removed it is simply inverted vertically above the dispenser and connected directly thereto by inserting a spigot formation on the dispenser into the mouth ofthe neckforgravity feed.

Certain types of bottle, particularly some types in use in countries such as Spain for spirits and other beverages are fitted with a tamper-proof non-return valve device in oratthe distal end ofthe neck with a viewto preventing interference with or adulteration of the contents of the bottle or its refilling once empty. One result ofthis arrangement is that liquid will notflowfrom the bottle bygravitywhen itis inverted vertically, it had to be held atan angletothe vertical to obtain a continuous flow. Containers incorporating this arrangement are hereinafter referred to as "bottles or other bulk liquid containers ofthe kind described".

The object of the invention is to provide an adaptor forming a simple and economical means of connecting bottles or other bulk liquid containers of the kind described to said dispensers and which can readily be adapted to accommodate a range of bottle neck dimensions.

According to the invention there is provided an adaptorforconnectingthe input duct of a vertically mounted gravityfed liquid dispensertothe neck of an inverted bottle or other bulk liquid container of the kind described including an operatively upper duct section within which the distal end portion of said neck is operatively received; an operatively lower duct section sized to fit in fluid-tight connection with said input duct in use, said upper duct section being angled with respect to said lower duct section to locate the bottle at the required angle oftilt; and a sealing insertformed of cork or other resilient material removably received in the upper duct section and having ataperedorotherthrough bore forfluid-tight engagement with said distal part whereby inserts having different sizes of bore can be substituted in a common duct section to accommodate bottles having different neck dimensions.

Conveniently the body of the adaptor including the two ductsections is a unitary moulding of plastics material, said sections being cylindrical, and the sealing insert is a cylindrical bush push-fitted in the upper duct section.

One example of the invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure lisa perspective view of an adaptor; Figure2 is a vertical section thereof and Figure 3 is a front elevation thereof.

A body of the adaptor is a single plastics moulding and comprises a cylindrical lower duct section 10 having a slightly upwardly tapered internal bore which is a fluid-tight push fit on the upwardly directed input duct spigot of a vertically mounted dispenser of known kind.

A larger diameter cylindrical upper duct section 11 has its axis inclined with respect to the axis of section 10 by about 25 and its interior bore receives a push-fit sealing insert or liner in the form of a bush 12, in this example formed of corkthough it is contemplated that other resilient materials such as elastomeric plastics or rubber might be used. In this examplethe innerthrough bore of bush 12 is tapered inwardly to facilitate its mating fluid-tight engagement with the distal end part of the neck of a bottle or other container the latter located at an angle to the vertical.

The taper or bush 1 will itself accommodate a limited range of neck dimensions, necks of smaller diameter being pushed further in. An internal step 13 within section 11 prevents bush 12 being axially displaced too far inwardly thereof and an integral cross-bar 13 at the mouth ofthejunction between the two sections prevents the bottle neck being thrust too far inwardly.

When used with bottles or other containers of the kind described the angle of tilt from the vertical ensures that a free and continuousflow of liquid reaches the dispenser in spite of the presence ofthe non-return valve arrangements in or on the neck.

The adaptor can also be used with conventional bottles not having the non-return valve arrangement if desired.

To enable the adaptor to accommodatethewide range of bottle neck dimensions a series of alternative bushes is provided having internal bores of differing diameters which can be selectively inserted in section 11 as required to suit the bottle neck diameter.

1. Anadaptorforconnectingtheinputductofa vertically mounted gravity fed liquid dispenser to the neck of an inverted bottle or other bulk liquid containerofthe kind described including an operatively upper duct section within which the distal end portion of said neck is operatively received; an operatively lower duct section sized to fit influid-tightconnection with said inputduct in use, said upper duct section being angled with respect to said lower duct section to locate the bottle at the required angle of tilt; and a sealing insert formed of cork or other resilient material removably received in the upper duct section and having a tapered or other through boreforfluid-tight engagement with said distal part whereby inserts having different sizes of bore can be substituted in a common ductsectionto accommodate bottles having different neck dimensions.

2. An adaptor as in claim 1 wherein the body including the two duct sections is a unitary moulding of plastics material.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Dispenser adaptor This invention relates to dispensers for serving accurately predetermined measures by volume of spirits, wines, or other beverages or liquids from a bulk container, e.g. a bottle as used in bars, restaurants etc and, more specifically, to an adaptor for connecting certain types of bottle or other container to such dispensers. Where the bottle has an open neck once a cork, cap or other seal is removed it is simply inverted vertically above the dispenser and connected directly thereto by inserting a spigot formation on the dispenser into the mouth ofthe neckforgravity feed. Certain types of bottle, particularly some types in use in countries such as Spain for spirits and other beverages are fitted with a tamper-proof non-return valve device in oratthe distal end ofthe neck with a viewto preventing interference with or adulteration of the contents of the bottle or its refilling once empty. One result ofthis arrangement is that liquid will notflowfrom the bottle bygravitywhen itis inverted vertically, it had to be held atan angletothe vertical to obtain a continuous flow. Containers incorporating this arrangement are hereinafter referred to as "bottles or other bulk liquid containers ofthe kind described". The object of the invention is to provide an adaptor forming a simple and economical means of connecting bottles or other bulk liquid containers of the kind described to said dispensers and which can readily be adapted to accommodate a range of bottle neck dimensions. According to the invention there is provided an adaptorforconnectingthe input duct of a vertically mounted gravityfed liquid dispensertothe neck of an inverted bottle or other bulk liquid container of the kind described including an operatively upper duct section within which the distal end portion of said neck is operatively received; an operatively lower duct section sized to fit in fluid-tight connection with said input duct in use, said upper duct section being angled with respect to said lower duct section to locate the bottle at the required angle oftilt; and a sealing insertformed of cork or other resilient material removably received in the upper duct section and having ataperedorotherthrough bore forfluid-tight engagement with said distal part whereby inserts having different sizes of bore can be substituted in a common duct section to accommodate bottles having different neck dimensions. Conveniently the body of the adaptor including the two ductsections is a unitary moulding of plastics material, said sections being cylindrical, and the sealing insert is a cylindrical bush push-fitted in the upper duct section. One example of the invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure lisa perspective view of an adaptor; Figure2 is a vertical section thereof and Figure 3 is a front elevation thereof. A body of the adaptor is a single plastics moulding and comprises a cylindrical lower duct section 10 having a slightly upwardly tapered internal bore which is a fluid-tight push fit on the upwardly directed input duct spigot of a vertically mounted dispenser of known kind. A larger diameter cylindrical upper duct section 11 has its axis inclined with respect to the axis of section 10 by about 25 and its interior bore receives a push-fit sealing insert or liner in the form of a bush 12, in this example formed of corkthough it is contemplated that other resilient materials such as elastomeric plastics or rubber might be used. In this examplethe innerthrough bore of bush 12 is tapered inwardly to facilitate its mating fluid-tight engagement with the distal end part of the neck of a bottle or other container the latter located at an angle to the vertical. The taper or bush 1 will itself accommodate a limited range of neck dimensions, necks of smaller diameter being pushed further in. An internal step 13 within section 11 prevents bush 12 being axially displaced too far inwardly thereof and an integral cross-bar 13 at the mouth ofthejunction between the two sections prevents the bottle neck being thrust too far inwardly. When used with bottles or other containers of the kind described the angle of tilt from the vertical ensures that a free and continuousflow of liquid reaches the dispenser in spite of the presence ofthe non-return valve arrangements in or on the neck. The adaptor can also be used with conventional bottles not having the non-return valve arrangement if desired. To enable the adaptor to accommodatethewide range of bottle neck dimensions a series of alternative bushes is provided having internal bores of differing diameters which can be selectively inserted in section 11 as required to suit the bottle neck diameter. CLAIMS

3. An adaptor as in claim 1 or2whereinsaid sections are cylindrical, and the sealing insert is a cylindrical bush push-fitted in the upper duct section.

4. An adaptor as in preceding claim wherein the upper duct section has its axis inclined with respect to the axis of the lower duct section by substantially 25 degrees.

5. An adaptorfor a liquid dispensersubstantially as herein before described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.