US 10,486,956 B2 · Apparatus and methods for filling and dispensing liquids

Abstract

A shippable liquid storage and dispensing apparatus includes a collapsible liner arranged within a container, with a dispense head coupled to the container, suitable for handling oxygen- and moisture-sensitive materials. The dispense head includes a pressurization gas passage, a pressurization gas valve, a liquid passage, a liquid valve, a liner gas passage, and a liner gas valve, wherein each valve may have an associated quick connect fitting. The dispense head remains attached to the container during inert gas purging, liner filling, container shipment, and liquid dispensing. Pressurized inert gas may be maintained in the liner overlying liquid-containing material during shipment of the coupled dispense head and container. The container may have an extended chime to provide a protective zone that contains the entirety of the dispense head.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A dispense head for coupling with the mouth of a rigid container and with a bag in the container for holding a liquid to be dispensed, the dispense head comprising:

a central probe portion axially extending a vertical length of the dispense head and having a first fluid passageway and a second fluid passageway, each with respective upper outlets extending horizontally and lower outlets, the probe having a central flange extending radially outward;
an upper body portion with a central aperture radially capturing the central probe portion;
a lower body portion that cooperates with the upper body portion to sandwich the central flange of the central probe portion therebetween;
a nut that extends around the lower body portion and having a inwardly extending flange that is rotatable received in a circular recess between the upper body portion and the lower body portion, the nut having threads to connect with the rigid container.

1 more element

A dispense system comprising:

a container comprising a stainless steel container portion with an outer cylindrical wall, an upper endwall and a lower endwall, each integral with the cylindrical wall, the upper endwall having a mouth for accessing an interior of the container portion, the mouth having threads thereon, and an upper chime extending from the container portion upwardly, the chime including a lip and an uppermost lip portion;
a liner placeable in the interior of the container conforming to said interior, the liner having a fitment for positioning in the mouth of the container;
a dispense head including an upper body portion secured to a lower body portion, a probe portion extending axially through the upper and lower body portion and captured radially and axially within the upper and lower body portions, and a nut sized for engaging with the threaded mouth, wherein the nut is rotatably captured radially and axially between the upper and lower body portions, the dispense head further including a dispense fluid passageway and a gas passageway, the dispense head and upper chime cooperatively sized such that when the dispense head is attached to the mouth of the container the dispense head is entirely below the uppermost lip portion.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and methods for filling and dispensing liquids

Life of this patent

Apparatus and methods for filling and dispensing liquids

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16