Liquid dispenser and flexible bag therefor

Abstract

A liquid dispenser uses a flexible bag having expansible and collapsible cells. A rigid manifold is provided in the bag to keep passages open in use and to isolate one of the cells from the remaining cells. In one application, a concentrated drink mix may be held in a reservoir and diluted within other cells in the bag for dispensing to a cup or the like. A valve system allows for the particulates in the liquid without compromising the function of the valve.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A flexible container for delivery of metered quantities of fluent material therefrom, the container comprising: 
 a first flexible sheet;    a second flexible sheet at least partially in opposed relationship with the first sheet such that the first and second sheets define a volume capable of holding the fluent material;    a manifold located between the first and second sheets, the manifold including passage elements comprising spaced apart, opposing walls extending between sides of the manifold, at least portions of the manifold at the sides between the opposing walls being open, the walls including at least one region in which the walls diverge and converge with respect to each other to define a valve window in the passage element;    the first and second flexible sheets being sealingly attached to the manifold over opposite ones of said open sides of the manifold thereby to define with the walls a passage for the fluent material within the manifold, at least one of the first and second flexible sheets being elastically deformable at the valve window to a position between the walls for occluding the passage at the valve window.    
     
     
         2 . A flexible container as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the manifold is formed with a valve seat generally at the valve window, the valve seat extending between and closing the side of the manifold within the valve window, the valve seat being adapted for sealing contact with the first flexible sheet upon deformation of the first flexible sheet into the valve window to occlude the passage.  
     
     
         3 . A flexible container as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the valve seat has an arcuate recess adapted to sealingly engage the first flexible sheet upon deformation of the first flexible sheet into the window.  
     
     
         4 . A flexible container as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the opposing manifold walls in the valve window extend along arcs.  
     
     
         5 . A flexible container as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the valve seat is formed with ramps on opposite sides of the arcuate recess, the ramps extending from the arcuate recess to a location adjacent the second flexible sheet.  
     
     
         6 . A flexible container as set forth in  claim 2  where there are plural valve windows and valve seats in the manifold.  
     
     
         7 . A flexible container as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the passage includes at least two branches.  
     
     
         8 . A flexible container as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the manifold has multiple ports for passage of fluent material into and out of the manifold.  
     
     
         9 . A flexible container as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the first and second sheets are sealing attached to each other to define multiple distinct cells within the container capable of containing the fluent material, each of said cells being in fluid communication with one of the ports.  
     
     
         10 . A flexible container as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the manifold further comprises rigid tubes extending outwardly from the remainder of the manifold and into the cells, the rigid tubes defining at least some of the ports.  
     
     
         11 . A flexible container as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the tubes each have radially elongate, tapering wings.  
     
     
         12 . A flexible container as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the manifold further comprises an internal channel in fluid communication with one of the tubes, the fluid channel crossing one of the passage branches and being sealed from fluid communication with the crossed passage branch, the fluid channel opening into another of said passage branches.  
     
     
         13 . A flexible container as set forth in  claim 1  in combination with the fluent material.  
     
     
         14 . A flexible container as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the first and second sheets are sealing attached to each other to define multiple distinct cells within the container capable of containing the fluent material, the fluent material being contained in a first of said cells.  
     
     
         15 . A flexible container as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the fluent material is a concentrated beverage liquid.  
     
     
         16 . A flexible container as set forth in  claim 14  wherein a second of said cells is sized for receiving a preselected volume corresponding to an amount of fluent material in a single dispensed unit.  
     
     
         17 . A flexible container as set forth in  claim 16  wherein a third of said cells is sized for receiving a preselected volume of a fluent additive corresponding to an amount of fluent additive added to the fluent material in the single dispensed unit.  
     
     
         18 . A flexible container as set forth in  claim 16  where a third cell and a fourth cell are each sized for receiving a volume of fluent material and fluent additive equal to the total volume of the fluent material and fluent additive in the single dispensed unit.  
     
     
         19 . A flexible container as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the passage is configured for directing fluent material and fluent additive from the first and second cells alternately to the third cell and to the fourth cell.  
     
     
         20 . A flow control apparatus for controlling the flow of a fluent material from a flexible container by acting on the container, the flow control apparatus comprising: 
 a shell sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of the flexible container therein;    a valve including a valve head disposed for movement relative to the shell between an open position in which fluent material may flow within the flexible container past the location of the valve head and a closed position in which fluent material is blocked from flowing within the flexible container past the location of the valve head, the valve head including a compliant tip adapted to resiliently deform for at least partially enveloping and sealing around particulate matter in the fluent material to inhibit leaking of fluent material past the valve head, the compliant tip of the valve head engaging the container in the closed position to stop the flow of fluent material.    
     
     
         21 . Flow control apparatus as set forth in  claim 20  wherein the valve tip is made of an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         22 . Flow control apparatus as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the elastomeric material of the valve tip has a hardness of about 25 to 30 Shor A.  
     
     
         23 . Flow control apparatus as set forth in  claim 22  wherein the elastomeric material is silicone rubber.  
     
     
         24 . Flow control apparatus as set forth in  claim 20  wherein the valve head includes a rigid member mounting the valve tip thereon.  
     
     
         25 . Flow control apparatus as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the valve further comprises a driver for selectively driving movement of the valve head between the open and closed positions.  
     
     
         26 . Flow control apparatus as set forth in  claim 20  wherein the flow control apparatus is adapted to apply positive and negative fluid pressures to the flexible container for moving the fluent material therein.  
     
     
         27 . Flow control apparatus as set forth in  claim 20  wherein the valve tip has an arcuate surface arranged for engaging the flexible container in the closed position of the valve.  
     
     
         28 . Flow control apparatus as set forth in  claim 27  further comprising a valve seat having an arcuate recess of a shape complementary to the arcuate surface of the valve tip.  
     
     
         29 . Flow control apparatus as set forth in  claim 28  in combination with the flexible container, wherein the valve seat constitutes a portion of the flexible container.  
     
     
         30 . Flow control apparatus as set forth in  claim 29  wherein the flexible container comprises: 
 a first flexible sheet;  
 a second flexible sheet at least partially in opposed relationship with the first sheet such that the first and second sheets define a volume capable of holding the fluent material;  
 a manifold located between the first and second sheets, the manifold including passage elements comprising spaced apart, opposing walls extending between sides of the manifold, at least portions of the manifold at the sides between the opposing walls being open, the manifold defining the valve seat;  
 the first and second flexible sheets being sealingly attached to the manifold over opposite ones of said open sides of the manifold thereby to define with the walls a passage for the fluent material within the manifold, the first flexible sheet being elastically deformable by the valve tip into engagement with the valve seat for occluding the passage.  
 
     
     
         31 . Flow control apparatus as set forth in  claim 30  wherein the valve seat is formed with ramps on opposite sides of the arcuate recess, the ramps extending from the arcuate recess to a location adjacent the second flexible sheet.  
     
     
         32 . Flow control apparatus as set forth in  claim 31  where there are plural valve seats in the manifold.  
     
     
         33 . Flow control apparatus as set forth in  claim 30  in combination with the fluent material.  
     
     
         34 . Flow control apparatus as set forth in  claim 33  wherein the first and second sheets are sealing attached to each other to define multiple distinct cells within the flexible container capable of containing the fluent material, the fluent material being contained in a first of said cells.  
     
     
         35 . Flow control apparatus as set forth in  claim 34  wherein the fluent material is a concentrated beverage liquid.  
     
     
         36 . A drink dispenser comprising: 
 a flexible bag comprising a first sheet and a second sheet and a manifold received between the first and second sheet, the first and second sheets being joined together to define plural cells capable of containing liquid, the plural cells including a reservoir cell containing a concentrated drink liquid, a first dosing cell for receiving a volume of concentrated drink liquid to be diluted, a second dosing cell for receiving a volume of a diluent for diluting the concentrated drink liquid for consumption, and first and second mixing cells for receiving the volumes of concentrated drink liquid and diluent from the first and second dosing cells to mix the concentrated drink liquid and the diluent, the flexible bag further comprising a manifold defining a passage connecting in fluid communication the reservoir cell and the first dosing cell, the manifold defining a passage for delivering concentrated drink liquid from the reservoir cell to the first dosing cell, the passage including two branches for selectively delivering concentrated drink liquid and diluent from the first and second dosing cells to the first mixing cell and to the second mixing cell;    a flow control apparatus at least partially receiving the flexible bag, the flow control apparatus including valves arranged for engaging the flexible bag for deforming at least one of the first and second sheets to selectively occlude portions of the passage, and a controller for operating the valves to alternately block the passage branch to the second mixing cell while leaving the branch to the first mixing cell open for delivery of concentrated drink liquid and diluent from the first and second dosing cells to the first mixing cell, and block the passage branch to the first mixing cell while leaving the branch to the second mixing cell open for delivery of concentrated drink liquid and diluent from the first and second dosing cells to the second mixing cell.    
     
     
         37 . A drink dispenser as set forth in  claim 36  wherein the flow control apparatus comprises a fluid pressure device controlled by the controller for acting upon the flexible bag to selectively compress or expand the cells to drive flow of fluid within the flexible bag.  
     
     
         38 . A drink dispenser as set forth in  claim 37  wherein the flexible bag has an outlet port and the passage branches extent toward and are adapted for fluid communication with the outlet port, the controller being operable to open the passage branch from the first mixing cell to the outlet port and block the passage branch from the second mixing cell toward the outlet port at the same time fluid communication of the first and second dosing cells with the first mixing cell through the passage branch is blocked and fluid communication of the first and second dosing cells to the second mixing cell is open, and to open the passage branch from the first mixing cell to the outlet port and block the passage branch from the second mixing cell toward the outlet port at the same time fluid communication of the first and second dosing cells with the first mixing cell through the passage branch is blocked and fluid communication of the first and second dosing cells to the second mixing cell is open.