HK1082963B - Beverage or food disposable container assembly - Google Patents

Description

Disposable container assembly for beverage or food

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hose fitting, in particular a connection/hose fitting for connecting a disposable food container to a dispensing line of a food dispensing device or the like. The invention is particularly suitable for making an inexpensive, reliable and hygienic connection to a sterile food container containing a microbiologically sensitive fluid such as milk or milk-based concentrate, soft ice, an edible fluid, etc.

Background

In the food industry, it is common to provide beverages or food products prepared from a beverage-forming or food-forming base (base) such as a concentrate or ready-to-use ingredient or the like in a dispensing system, where the ingredient is stored in disposable containers such as flexible packages/bags, bag-in-box (bag-in-box) type packages or the like, when desired. Beverage or food base ingredients are typically extracted from the bag via a portion of a hose connected to a dispensing line by a hose fitting, using mechanical means or by gravity or a combination of both. The hose fitment is used to conveniently and quickly establish a connection from a source of beverage or food base ingredient to a dispensing line.

Hygiene problems arise when fluids sensitive to microorganisms are in danger of (spoilage), for example for weakly acidified or neutral concentrates such as milk and the like, so special attention and regular cleaning of the dispensing line is required. One possible method is to connect a sanitary manifold system to the fitment of the container so that the fitment and dispensing line are periodically rinsed from the inside to remove, clean and rinse any food deposits and eventually eliminate any bacterial colonies that may have started to grow.

A co-pending patent application entitled "hygienic MANIFOLD SYSTEM and method FOR hygienically dispensing FLUIDS ('sanity manual SYSTEM and method FOR HYGIENICALLY DISPENSING FLUIDS') filed on the same day by p.w. carhuff et al, addresses an invention that meets the needs of periodic cleaning and rinsing terminals and dispensing lines. This application is incorporated herein by reference.

Known fittings typically have a connection portion and a simple gland (gland) that extends the connection portion rearwardly and connects to the hose. Typically, the fitment gland must be long enough to form an effective seal. If the gland is too short, leakage may occur and contamination may occur, particularly at cracks, connecting lines or dead zones. If the gland is too long, the fitment will squeeze/pinch the hose at a location remote from the fitment port when no fluid is being dispensed. Thus, the further the pinch point, the higher the risk of a deterioration of the hygiene, since the parts of the hose and the fitting that need to be cleaned increase.

There is therefore a need for a novel fitment that can be shorter than known fitments to shorten the distance between the pinch point (of the fitment to the hose) and the fitment port connected to the dispensing line, such as a cleaning or rinsing system, while at the same time providing a seal that does not cause problems with leakage to the surrounding environment. In addition, there is a need for a fitting having improved resistance/stability and tightness of the connection.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention meets these needs.

The present invention relates to a beverage or food disposable container assembly comprising a storage means for storing a microbiologically sensitive food-forming or beverage-forming base material, a hose connected to the storage means, and a hose fitting for securely establishing a fluid connection between the hose having an outer diameter and a hose retaining means of a beverage or food dispensing line, the hose fitting comprising: (a) a first body portion having a sleeve extending along a longitudinal axis, the sleeve having a first engagement surface for internally engaging the end of the hose, the sleeve further including a first free end and a second end terminating in a terminal circumferential abutment wall defining a fluid outlet; (b) a sleeve comprising an aperture, said aperture including a second engagement surface which externally engages the hose end in place around the hose end so as to press the hose end against said first engagement surface in a manner effective to create a tight seal between the fitting and the hose end, wherein said sleeve is annular and includes coupling means at the outer edge of the sleeve and adapted to engage complementary hose retaining means on a dispensing line, and said sleeve is in abutting engagement with the terminal circumferential abutment wall of said first body portion.

This configuration allows for a smaller fitting with less contact surface with the hose end while ensuring improved sealing against fluid flowing through the hose and fitting towards the dispensing line. The fitting can thus be connected to a hose so that flow control can be effected at a location closer to the fitting outlet, for example by means of a pinch valve, in order to shorten the microbiologically sensitive part of the hose. Thus, the hose portion to be cleaned or rinsed downstream of the pinch point by a cleaning or rinsing fluid during operation in a dispensing device can be shortened accordingly, thereby limiting the risk of contamination and growth of microorganisms.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the sleeve is annular and comprises connection means adapted to engage complementary hose retaining means on the dispensing line. Whereby the coupling means can be supported by a member for securing the hose end to the fitting. Thus, the fitting can be simpler because a hose connection extension, such as a gland, for connecting the fitting to the hose is no longer required.

More preferably, the sleeve of the body and the bore of the sleeve have different surface shapes to form a wedging action (web effect) at the end of the hose, so that the hose resists disengagement when subjected to a pulling force. Thus, the connection of the fitting to the hose can be made more secure because the ring sleeve itself can withstand the pulling forces exerted on the hose or fitting. Thus, in contrast to a conventional fitting in which a pulling force applied to the hose tends to separate the hose from the fitting, in the present invention, the pulling force applied to the hose tends to increase the connection pressure exerted by the sleeve on the end of the hose abutting the body of the fitting.

The attachment means of the fitting for engaging the fitting with a dispensing line, such as a sanitary manifold system, may take on various configurations and shapes for the skilled artisan. For example, the connecting means may comprise a slot complementary to a holder on a holding means of the dispensing line. Alternatively, the connecting means may comprise at least one rib which cooperates with a complementary shape of the retaining means on the dispensing line.

The invention also includes a disposable container for a beverage or foodstuff, the container comprising a reservoir for a microbiologically sensitive food-forming or beverage-forming base, a hose connected to the reservoir and to a fitment as described above closed by a pierceable membrane. It is particularly preferred that the reservoir is a package containing a shelf-stable low-acidity concentrate, such as a milk-based concentrate.

The invention also includes a food or beverage fitment adapted to securely establish a fluid connection between a hose and a hose retaining device of a beverage or food dispensing line, the fitment including a body having a first engagement surface for internally engaging a hose end, and a sleeve member including a second engagement surface externally engaging the hose end around the hose end to press the hose end against the first engagement surface in a manner effective to form a tight seal between the fitment and the hose end.

Drawings

Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fitment of the present invention attached to a portion of a hose;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fitting of FIG. 1, showing the fitting when closed;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fitting of FIG. 2 connected to a hose portion;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fitting according to a second embodiment of the invention when closed;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the closed configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 4;

figure 6 schematically illustrates the use of the fitment of the present invention to connect a container to a sanitary manifold system.

Detailed Description

Referring in detail to the drawings, numeral 1 indicates the fitment first shown in figure 1, numeral 2 indicates a hose adapted to be connected to the fitment, and numeral 3 indicates a sanitary product supply assembly as shown in figure 6 as a whole.

As shown in figures 1 to 3, the fitting of the invention is formed of two main parts, a first body part 10 and an annular sleeve 11, which when assembled and secured together to a terminal portion or end 20 of a hose form a fluid tight assembly between the fitting and the hose 2. The material to be transferred through the fitment may be any type of liquid or semi-liquid fluid, but is preferably a microbiologically sensitive ingredient such as a concentrate, a ready-to-use food product, a ready-to-drink beverage, soft ice cream or sorbet, a clinically used solution or the like, which is pumped by a pump from a flexible or rigid container, which may be a plastic envelope (pouch) or bag, to a dispensing line. In a preferred application, the fluid is milk or a milk-based concentrate for reconstitution into hot or cold beverages in a dispensing device that preferably does not require refrigeration. The concentrate can be maintained in sterile conditions within the container when the container is closed, and can be dispensed at ambient temperature without risk of microbial hazard upon opening the container. Due to its particular configuration, the fitment of the invention can maintain advantageous dispensing hygiene conditions.

As shown in fig. 2, the first body portion 10 of the fitting includes a tube portion or sleeve 12 extending along a longitudinal axis I. The sleeve 12 forms a tubular engagement surface with an outer portion adapted to the nominal inner diameter of the hose end 20 to be connected. Preferably, the hose is made of a resilient plastics material so as to stretch slightly to fit over the sleeve 12. At a first end of the sleeve 12, a terminal abutment wall 13 is provided to define a central fluid inlet 14 based on the axis I. When the hose is fitted over the sleeve, the terminal abutment wall forms an abutment which determines the length of hose to be engaged therein.

The fitting also includes a second member 11, the member 11 being a preferably annular sleeve having an internal bore 15 defining a second engagement surface with the end of the hose. As shown in fig. 3, the bore of the sleeve 11 is adapted to properly engage the outer surface of the hose end 20 to form a fluid tight connection. More specifically, the sleeve 12 and bore 15 are configured with different surface shapes to form a wedge-shaped connection at the hose end so that the hose end resists disconnection when subjected to a pulling force. In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve 12 has an engagement surface 16, the engagement surface 16 being gradually inclined in the direction of the hose to form an inclination θ 1 with respect to the longitudinal axis I; while the hole 15 has an engagement surface 17 which is also gradually inclined in the same direction but forming an inclination angle theta 2 greater than theta 1 to form a wedge area 4 which can grip the hose in the vicinity of the outer radial surface 180 of the sleeve 11. Thus, the hose can be properly secured between the sleeve and the sleeve while resisting a pulling force in the outward direction T.

The sleeve 11 also supports connection means 18 adapted to fit complementarily to retaining means of a dispensing line to be described later. It will be readily appreciated that when the fitment is secured to a dispensing line by the connecting means 18, a pulling force applied to the hose in the direction T will cause the sleeve to generate a reaction force at the wedging region 4, thereby increasing the pressure applied to the end of the hose and thus holding the end of the hose more securely within the fitment. Thus, the bore and sleeve of the fitting need not be long, as there is sufficient pressure to form a tight and secure seal. It is particularly preferred that the body and sleeve can be engaged along a hose length L equal to or less than the outer diameter D of the hose without any risk of leakage. For example, the hose typically has an outer diameter D of about 1 to 1.5cm (centimeters), while the fitting length may typically be 0.5 to 1.2 cm. Good results are obtained with a D of 1.2cm and a L of 0.8 cm. The fitment is preferably made of a food grade plastic such as polyolefin, polyamide, polystyrene or polytetrafluoroethylene (polytetrafluoroethylene).

More preferably, the sleeve has a front surface 110 that can abut against the inner surface 130 of the first body abutment wall 13. Particularly preferably, the two surfaces 110 and 130 can be securely joined together by, for example, gluing, heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, snap fitting, or a combination thereof. This makes it more difficult for fluid to escape the hose, as shown in figure 3, because if fluid were to escape it would encounter at least two restricted areas 40, 41. In addition, the hose end is held by friction with the sleeve and sleeve surfaces, but a snap-lock, adhesive or heat-seal connection may also be used to ensure greater safety and tightness.

More preferably, the fitment is closed by a tamper-evident membrane (19) which closes the outlet 14. The film may be attached to the outer surface of the abutting wall 13 by any suitable technique such as heat sealing, vibration sealing, gluing or any other equivalent means. The connection may be permanent or removable, depending on the needs of the user. If the membrane is fixedly attached (on the outer surface) the membrane 19 may be punctured to allow fluid to pass when the hose is opened, or alternatively the membrane may be peeled off, for example in case the attachment is formed by a peelable joint.

Figures 4 and 5 show an embodiment in which the body and the sleeve are connected together by a snap-fit connection 6, the connection 6 may comprise a plurality of pins 60 of the first component adapted to be secured in a plurality of apertures 61 of the other component. The benefits of this configuration are: can be conveniently and quickly connected with the hose without arranging a sealing station on a production line.

As shown in fig. 6, a sanitary beverage or food supply assembly 3 can be generally integrated into a dispensing device, such as a beverage dispensing device, for hygienically brewing (reconstituting) a beverage when needed. The assembly includes a disposable sub-assembly or container 30 removably attached to a sanitary manifold system 31. The manifold system 31 includes a housing 32 having an interface 33 for establishing a beverage or food fluid connection between the container 30 and a dispensing line 34. The manifold system can be passed and rinsed through rinsing line 35 using cleaning and/or rinsing fluid from cleaning or rinsing lines 320, 321. The cleaning and/or rinsing fluid may include hot or cold water, chemicals, steam, and combinations thereof. The cleaning or rinsing line may be selected and opened by a valve 323 controlled by a control system (not shown).

The container assembly 30 preferably comprises a package 300 containing a beverage or food base (base), a hose 2 terminated/connected by a fitment 1 of the present invention. The package may be generally a bag-in-box type package or any similar disposable flexible package that can be easily and conveniently transported and stored. The hose 2 is preferably sealed or crimped directly onto the package port 301 and is made of a material suitable for sealing with the packaging material. The container assembly and its membrane are preferably sterilized prior to filling the container, for example by irradiation. The filling of the liquid food product is preferably carried out under aseptic conditions. Aseptic filling can be achieved by a filling port or opening provided in the package itself or by filling a fitment attached to the hose which is then appropriately sealed. Thus, such container assemblies may be maintained sterile until the film is punctured or, optionally, peeled off, which facilitates the transport, storage and loading of the containers in the dispensing apparatus at ambient temperatures. Such a flexible envelope and hose assembly is described in Clyde, U.S. patent 6024252 entitled "dispenser system," the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The container assembly is connected to the manifold system with its fitment 1 connected to the interface 33 and the hose 2 engaged with a pinch valve 60 or the like means to maintain the sterility of the upstream portion of the hose and the package. Additional valves and pumping means are typically provided to ensure control of the flow of product to the distribution line (not shown).

The manifold system comprises retaining means 36 which complementarily engage the terminal fitting 1 of the invention in a convenient and removable manner. The configuration of the connection means can vary within wide limits, depending on the type and shape of the fitting to be locked at the interface 33. The connection means may provide a watertight connection at the interface to establish reliable and secure fluid communication between the container and the dispensing line/tubing 34 of the sanitary manifold system. In a preferred mode, a spring-loaded retention system 37 is provided which is adapted to engage the attachment means of the fitment so as to resiliently urge the fitment into engagement with the port. It is clear that the connection between the fitting 1 and the manifold system 31 can be achieved by any other equivalent means, such as a cam or lever mechanism, to produce substantially the same result without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In a cleaning or rinsing mode, the manifold system can direct cleaning or rinsing fluid in the fitment all the way to the pinch point 61 to periodically clean or rinse this critical portion of the container assembly. In this configuration, the pinch valve ensures that the upstream portion of the container assembly remains isolated and sterile.

Importantly, it can be readily appreciated that the shortened construction of the fitting 1 is effective to shorten the downstream portion of the hose that requires cleaning or rinsing. Since the contact between the fitting and the fluid is limited to a short tubular inner surface of the sleeve, there is little chance of microorganisms (here) surviving. Thus, the hygiene of the dispensed product can be improved and the risk of bacterial contamination and growth is correspondingly reduced. Thus, an aseptically processed container containing a low acid concentrate, e.g. a milk concentrate with a lower water activity, can be dispensed at ambient temperature in a dispensing device without the need to refrigerate the container. This dispensing device has a significant cost advantage over known dispensing devices that dispense a whitened beverage (white juice) from chilled milk.

More details regarding a manifold system AND METHOD FOR hygienically providing microbiologically SENSITIVE FLUID from a container are described in co-pending U.S. patent application entitled "SANITARY manifold system AND METHOD FOR hygienically dispensing microbiologically SENSITIVE FLUID" ("SANITARY MANIFOLDSYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HYGIENICALLY DISPENSING AMICONBIOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE FLUID") filed on even date herewith by P.W.Carhuff et al, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth above.

Claims (10)

1. A beverage or food disposable container assembly comprising a storage device (300) for storing a microbiologically sensitive food-forming or beverage-forming base, a hose (2) connected to the storage device, and a hose fitment securely establishing a fluid connection between the hose (2) having an outer diameter and a hose retaining means (36) of a beverage or food dispensing line, the hose fitment comprising: (a) a first body (10) having a sleeve (12) extending along a longitudinal axis, the sleeve having a first engagement face for engaging internally a hose end (20), the sleeve further comprising a first free end and a second end terminating in a terminal circumferential abutment wall defining a fluid outlet; (b) a sleeve (11) comprising an aperture (15) including a second engagement surface which engages the hose end (20) externally around the hose end in order to press the hose end against said first engagement surface in a manner which effectively creates a tight seal between the fitting and the hose end, wherein said sleeve (11) is annular and includes coupling means (18) at the outer edge of the sleeve and adapted to engage complementary hose retaining means (36) on a dispensing line, and said sleeve is in abutting engagement with a terminal circumferential abutment wall (13) of said first body portion (10).

2. Disposable container assembly for beverages or food according to claim 1, characterized in that said connecting means (18) comprise grooves or ribs.

3. Disposable assembly of beverage or food containers according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (12) of the body (10) and the hole (15) of the sleeve (11) have different surface shapes that create a wedging action at the hose end (20), so that the hose (2) resists disengagement when subjected to a pulling force.

4. A beverage or food disposable container assembly according to claim 3, wherein said sleeve (12) is tapered from said terminal circumferential abutment wall (13) to said hose at an angle which is less than the angle at which said sleeve aperture (15) is tapered to said hose to form a wedging region at a location closer to the free end of said sleeve.

5. Disposable assembly of containers for beverages or food products according to claim 1, characterised in that said sleeve (11) has a front circumferential surface (110) cooperating with an inner surface (130) of the terminal circumferential abutment wall (13) of said body (10) and connecting means allowing the tight coupling together of these surfaces.

6. Disposable container assembly for beverages or food according to claim 5, characterized in that said two surfaces (110, 130) are connected together by press-fitting, gluing, heat sealing, snap-fitting or a combination thereof.

7. Disposable container assembly for beverages or food according to claim 1, wherein said fluid outlet (14) is closed by a pierceable or peelable film (19).

8. Disposable container assembly for beverages or food products according to claim 1, wherein said body (10) and said sleeve (11) are joined along a hose length (L) which is smaller than the outer diameter (D) of said hose (2).

9. Disposable container assembly for beverages or food products according to claim 1, wherein said storage means (300) is a package containing a shelf-stable low-acid concentrate.

10. Disposable container assembly for beverages or food according to claim 1, wherein said storage means (300) contains a milk-based concentrate.