WO2005097664A1

WO2005097664A1 - Water dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2005097664A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/001298
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adam Llywellyn Green
Original assignee: Waterwerkz Limited
Priority date: 2004-04-08
Filing date: 2005-04-05
Publication date: 2005-10-20
Also published as: EP1748950A1

Abstract

A pub is dispenser (10) of potable water is disclosed. Water is supplied from a water main and filled on demand into a container drawn from a bulk supply (24). Each container is uncapped, filled and capped before delivery to the user. Suitable containers and magazines for containers are also disclosed. The water may be filtered, cooled, flavoured and/or carbonated.

Description

Water Dispenser

This invention relates to a device for dispensing drinking water in a sealed container.

Current health advice is to drink up to two litres of water each day. However such, a quantity cannot easily be carried when away from home, and accordingly large quantities of bottled water are sold each day, usually in plastic bottles having a capacity of about 250 ml. The filling and distribution of such bottles to retail outlets adds substantially to the cost of the water contained therein, and the empty bottles create a significant waste disposal problem.

Tap (mains) water is treated to a high standard and is widely available in homes and offices. However drinking fountains are uncommon, and of doubtful hygiene. The travelling public generally have no option but to purchase drinks, and often choose bottled water as the least expensive kind. Plain water may in fact be preferred as being unadulterated by flavourings, sugar and/or stimulants.

What is required is a means of making drinking water more widely available to the public, at a low cost, and in a hygienic form.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a dispenser of liquid for use with a flexible pre-formed container having a removable cap thereon, the dispenser being adapted to remove a cap prior to filling a container, to fill a container through the opening which is normally closed by the cap, and to replace the cap after filling. This arrangement ensures that the container is closed against contamination except during the necessary filling operation. A particular advantage is that the pre-formed container may be handled, for example for filling a dispensing magazine, without risk of contamination of the neck region. So far as the applicant is aware, the provision of a capped empty container is unknown for the purpose of automatic filling via the capped opening, in a dispensing machine. A typical mechanism comprises a transfer station having a gripper to remove a cap, a filler engageable with the container opening to meter a quantity of liquid into the container, and a re-capper.

The cap is preferably a screw cap, and includes an external skirt adapted to encompass a drinking spout. In such a case, the removal and re-capping stations typically comprise a gripper to unscrew and re-screw the cap, and means to lift the cap from the container neck during filling thereof.

In the case of a capped container, the neck may include external guides for co-operation with container storage handling and transporting apparatus. Such guides may for example comprise externally directed flanges, generally parallel and perpendicular to the axis of the container opening. Flanges of this kind are adapted to engage between twin transport rails. The neck may further include anti rotation means, such as flats between the flanges, so as to aid in e.g. unscrewing of a cap.

The dispenser may further include a filtration device and/or a chiller. In the preferred embodiment an accumulator is provided upstream of the filling means. In a most preferred embodiment an accumulator is provided upstream of a chiller. The dispenser may further include an ice maker adapted to permit ice to be added to a drink, or to be dispensed in bulk within a sealed container.

Preferably the pre-formed containers include orientation means thereon to ensure correct positioning in a filling and sealing mechanism. Such an orientation means may for example permit successive pre-formed containers to be angular spaced in a magazine for space saving purposes. Alternatively the orientation features of successive pre-formed containers may be aligned, and the orientation feature used to prevent relative angular movement, for example by abutment with a corresponding feature of a magazine.

In one preferred embodiment the pre-formed containers are filled from above, and the dispenser preferably include lifting means to raise a pre-formed container to a sealing station. Such an arrangement permits containers to be filled by gravity whilst presenting sealed containers at a convenient height for the public. Furthermore the arrangement takes advantage of mains pressure to deliver water to the top of the dispenser, thus avoiding variable filling characteristics due to variations in mains pressure. This arrangement also permits the optional accumulator and chiller to be positioned above the filling and sealing mechanism. Finally, the lifting means ensures that the full height of the dispenser is available for a magazine or magazines of pre-formed containers, thus allowing a comparatively long period before replenishment is required.

Preferably the dispenser includes a single stack of containers but optionally may include a plurality of said stacks and a feed mechanism for selecting and delivering a container from one of the stacks to a filling and sealing station.

In one preferred embodiment the pre-formed container comprises a soft evacuated pouch adapted for vertical stacking in a magazine, and having a designated drinking place, such as a readily pierced straw location, or a prefixed screw cap.

In a preferred embodiment the dispenser further includes communication means for indicating that replenishment or servicing is required. Such means for example comprise a light source and light receptor which are in communication when a stack of containers falls below a minimum height, and a mobile telephone device adapted to send an appropriate message to a service centre.

The pouch is preferably rectangular or square, and has a sealable filling opening along one side, preferably opposite to the designated drinking place. In a preferred embodiment the dispenser includes a mechanical, air or vacuum device for separating the walls of the pouch to permit filling thereof.

The dispenser may further include means of carbonating water, for example from a source of carbon dioxide under pressure, so as to permit sparkling or still water to be dispensed on demand. In this connection, the dispenser may include a dual accumulator, or an intermediate chamber whereby a defined volume of water can be carbonated prior to filling.

In another preferred embodiment the dispenser further includes means to dispense drinking straws, preferably flavoured drinking straws whereby an unflavoured drink may be flavoured between drink container and mouth. Most preferably such a flavoured straw is adapted for dispensing at the same time as the drink container, and may be secured thereto by, for example, adhesive. The dispenser may include means for selection of one of several different flavoured straws, and a suitable magazine for delivering the selected straw to the point of drink delivery.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a public dispenser adapted for connection to a mains supply of water, and comprising means for automatically filling a container with potable water on demand, and for sealing the container against liquid loss, and means for dispensing the container. In a preferred embodiment the dispenser is operated in accordance with prepayment means, such as a coin-freed mechanism, but it is also envisaged that free dispensing would be possible, for example within a workplace or public facility. The water may be in solid or liquid form, or a mixture of solid and liquid.

In one embodiment the dispenser includes a plurality of pre-formed containers, preferably arranged in a magazine, and which are selected one by one for filling and sealing. The pre-formed containers may each for example comprise a flexible plastic pouch having a filling opening adapted for hermetic sealing. In a preferred embodiment the filling opening is sealable by application of heat or ultrasound, preferably by bringing walls of the filling opening into intimate contact. In a preferred embodiment the filling opening is in a different location from a designated drinking place. Such a container may comprise a flexible pouch having folded side gussets to allow expansion upon filling, such a container may typically have a capacity in the range 220-500 ml.

In another embodiment the preformed containers comprise a pouch having a spout with valve means therein, these valve means opening against a resilient closing force, permitting filling of the pouch under pressure. Preferably the valve means are constituted by a movable member within the spout. Most preferably the valve means also open against the resilient closing force on application of a suction force to the spout, or by application of a mechanical force to the exterior of the pouch, for example squeezing. The valve may for example be a tri-lobe flap valve of silicone rubber.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a magazine for a plurality of empty containers, and comprising a tubular housing having an axis and adapted to receive an upright stack of containers for release one by one from one end thereof. The axis is preferably upright, and the containers are released from the base thereof. Preferably the housing includes orientation means to locate adjacent containers in a predetermined relative orientation, and in a preferred embodiment the orientation means comprise an axially extending groove or rib.

In one preferred embodiment a plurality of equispaced grooves are provided, each adapted to receive an orientation feature of a container. The grooves may be provided around the centre or around the periphery of a tubular housing, the containers respectively lying radially towards the outside or inside.

The invention also comprises a magazine having a stack of containers therein, in the preferred embodiment each container has a drinking aperture defined by a pre-applied cap, said cap preferably constituting an orientation feature for the magazine and for transport and handling means within a dispenser.

Preferably form-locking means are provided on the upper and lower sides of the magazine so as to permit a plurality of magazines to be arranged in register in a vertical stack.

According to another aspect of the invention, a container for use in the dispenser according to the invention is provided. Such a container may be pre-printed with a plurality of options corresponding to a plurality of dispensing options, and is adapted to be marked with one option immediately prior to dispensing thereof. A preferred embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig. 1 illustrates schematically a dispenser according to the present invention. Fig. 2 illustrates an internal arrangement of the dispenser of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a part-axial section through a magazine for pre-formed containers. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a partially filled magazine according to Fig. 3 Fig. 5 is a part-axial section through a second magazine for pre-formed containers. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the magazine according to Fig. 5. Fig.7 shows in part section a guide rail. Fig.8 is a plan view illustrating an alternative magazine. Fig.9 illustrates in side elevation a rail transport arrangement, and Fig.10 illustrates a transverse section through the rail transport arrangement of Fig.9.

With reference to Fig. 1, a dispenser comprises a floor standing cabinet 10, typically 2 m high, 1 m deep and 1 m wide. The precise dimensions will be selected according to requirements, as will become apparent, but desk and wall mounted variants are possible.

The cabinet 10 has the usual coin input slot 11 and return slot 12, a push-button selection panel 13 and a dispensing draw 14. Typically a full height front door can be opened for servicing, and is provided with a window 15 to permit viewing of the internal mechanism.

Fig. 2 illustrates a suitable internal layout of components. A vertical stack 21 ojf unfilled containers feeds from the bottom (arrow 22) to a container preparation station 23, for example for opening and orientating a flat pouch. The prepared container is raised to a filling station 24, and once filled is raised to a sealing station 25. After sealing the container passes horizontally to a marking station 26 from where it is delivered to a dispensing drawer 14. Water is introduced via a suitable connection, and passes under mains pressure to the top of the cabinet where it passes through a filtration and accumulation station 27,28 and a chiller 29 to the filling station 24. A coin-freed mechanism allows selection and dispensing of the sealed container in a conventional manner.

In use a customer will select the product to be dispensed and insert the appropriate prepayment through input slot 11. A container is selected from the stack, filled, hermetically sealed and delivered to the dispensing draw. An important aspect of the invention is that the container is filled on demand, and accordingly the marking station can apply a suitable date and time to the container just prior to delivery.

Some features of a dispenser according to the invention are optional. In case of a potable mains water supply, filtration may be of a relatively simple kind using for example ceramic or activated charcoal filtration techniques. In cases where water quality is not reliable a more sophisticated filtration technique may be used, such as reverse osmosis.

The mechanism may include periodic back flushing of a particulate filter using water which has already been filtered, so as to pass contaminants to a suitable drain com ection or container.

The accumulator 28 allows sufficient accumulation of water for several container filling events, and eliminates variability of operation due to carrying mains water pressure. Water may pass from the accumulator to the filling station 24 under gravity, or under pressure supplied by a separate feed pump, alternatively the accumulator may comprise a resilient bladder within a confining enclosure, thus providing a modest feed pressure.

The chiller 29 allows water to be cooled to a desired extent so as to provide refreshment in hot conditions. Typically a conventional electrically powered flash chiller will be provided. The usual coin safe 30 collects coins from the payment mechanism. The dispenser may include additional modules, as desired. For example an ice maker having a feed stock of filtered water may provide ice to the filling station in addition to, or as a substitute for water. A dosing station may be incorporated to add flavour or suitable nutrients to the container prior to sealing. Typically several fruit flavours may be selectable from the selection panel, in addition to an isotonic selection whereby appropriate salts can be dosed.

The marking station 26 may further include means for marking a common pre-printed container type with the selected variant.

A typical stack of unfilled containers comprise a refillable magazine 31 such as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. A generally circular tubular housing has a plurality of equally spaced internal ribs 32 extending along the axis thereof, and defining grooves 33 therebetween. Arranged in the magazine are unfilled pouches 34 having a generally rectangular form and a pre-applied cap 35 on a drinking aperture. As illustrated, the caps 35 are located in respective grooves 33 so that the pouches lie one above another in circular spiral sequence. The angular spacing of adjacent pouches is determined by the flat thickness thereof, and the width of the cap, so that one spiral of pouches is of sufficient thickness to permit caps in the same groove to overlie.

Two pouches are illustrated in Fig. 3 (not all ribs are shown), which also illustrates a male/female form at top and bottom of the magazine so as to permit a plurality of conveniently sized magazines (e.g. 400 mm high) to be assembled into a vertical stack of full dispenser height. Means to hold the ribs 32 in register are required (not shown), but any suitable arrangement can be adapted, such as an axial peg and corresponding hole.

The pouches are unsealed at the bottom, for the purpose of filling, as will be further described.

A suitable closure is required at top and bottom of each magazine, for example a plastics snap-on cap or the like. Furthermore a pull tab, such as 36, is preferably provided to loosely retain pouches until withdrawn in the direction of arrow 37, and to prevent full engagement of an upper magazine with a lower magazine (or a release mechanism below the lowest magazine) until withdrawn. Such a release tab thus has a dual purpose.

On removal of the lowermost release tab of a magazine stack, the lowermost pouch will drop onto a suitable transfer mechanism adapted to present the pouch in a predetermined orientation. Such a mechanism may for example comprise a rotary table adapted to make one revolution at a time, and having a surface arranged to trap and sweep a pouch to a pre-set end position. Another suitable mechanism is a spiral ramp having a release device for allowing the lowermost pouch to fall onto the spiral, which carries the pouch to a pre-set end position.

Both suc mechanisms allow a pouch released to any orientation to move angularly to a pre-set end position for further processing.

From the pre-set end position a pouch is transferred, for example by vacuum sucker to a vertical orientation with the cap 35 lowermost. The unsealed pouch bottom is opened by separating the walls, also by vacuum sucker, and the pouch filled with a suitably metered volume of liquid and/or ice, with the appropriate additives if required.

Once filled, the pouch bottom is hermetically sealed, for example by ultrasonic welding, and transferred by a suitable mechanism to the marking station and dispensing drawer.

Figs. 5 and 6 show an alternative somewhat rectangular magazine 40 in which pouches 34 are stacked vertically in a common orientation, and separated by dividers 41 (3 only shown). Each cap is located in a common orientation groove 42.

Fig.7 illustrates a rail mechanism suitable for holding containers in a magazine, and comprising a 'C section extrusion 50', for example of plastic or aluminium, having a mouth defined by opposite arms 51. The neck 52 of a flexible pouch 53 has parallel flanges 54, protruding outwardly, as illustrated to engage on either side of the arms 51. A cap 55 closes the neck, and is wholly contained within the extrusion 50. It will be apparent that a series of such pouches may be engaged in the extrusion 50 side by side, and are free to slide along the length of the extrusion. A series of such extrusions may be for example arranged vertically in a circumferential array, to provide guidance for the magazine arrangement of Fig.3. Such an extrusion may also provide for guidance of a succession of pouches within a dispensing machine, for example from a filling station to a capping station, and the extrusion may be curved to accommodate a change of transport direction.

The neck 52 of the pouch may have opposite flats or a square section so as to ensure that containers are stacked or transported in a predetermined orientation. Thus, the neck can ensure that pouches lie flat. A further advantage of opposite flats is that the container may be restrained to permit unscrewing of a cap for filling, and subsequent screwing-on of the cap after filling.

Fig.8 illustrates a circular magazine 60 having an array of axially disposed 'C section extrusions 50 to retain successive pouches 53 by their caps. This arrangement is also suitable for retaining pouches by the flanges 54 illustrated in Fig.7. Pouches are released one by one from an end of the magazine in the manner described in relation to Fig.3.

Figs.9 and 10 show how twin rails 70 may be used to guide containers 53 having neck flanges 54. Such rails are easily bent to guide a container in a prescribed direction, and also allow access to the mouth of the neck from above, whereby a cap 55 may be removed, and replaced for filling of the container.

In use pouches are drawn out one by one from the cap end, by for example vacuum and transferred, e.g. by chute, to wall separation and filling station, as previously described.

Claims

1. A dispenser of liquid for use with a flexible pre-formed container having a removable cap thereon, the dispenser being adapted to remove a cap prior to filling a container, to fill a container through the opening which is normally closed by the cap, and to replace the cap after filling.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1 and a flexible pre-formed container having a removable cap, the container comprising a neck having external guides for co-operation with container storage handling and transporting apparatus of said dispenser.

3. A dispenser according to claim 2 wherein said guides comprise externally directed flanges, substantially parallel and perpendicular to the axis of the container opening.

4. A dispenser according to claim 3 wherein said neck further includes anti rotation means to aid in removing and replacing a cap.

5. A dispenser according to any preceding claim and adapted for connection to a mains supply of water, the dispenser further comprising means for automatically filling a container with potable water on demand and for hermetically sealing the container, and means for dispensing the container.

6. A dispenser according to claim 5 and further including prepayment means.

7. A dispenser according to claim 1 or claim 2 and further includes a plurality of pre-formed containers arranged in a replaceable magazine, said containers being adapted for selection and filling one by one.

8. A dispenser according to claim 7 wherein each said pre-formed container comprises a flexible plastic pouch having a filling opening adapted for hermetic sealing.

9. A dispenser according to claim 8 wherein each pouch has a filling opening in a different location from a designated drinking place.

10. A dispenser according to any preceding claim and further including communication means for communicating to a remote service centre that replenishment is required.