Fluid packaging container

Abstract

Fluid packaging container of substantially rigid, or semi rigid construction. The container being configured to be operatively connectable to a beverage dispensing station. The fluid packaging container defines an interior space and contains a first volume of a liquid ingredient and a second volume of gas. In use the first and second volumes are each variable between a volume of substantially zero and a volume corresponding substantially to the interior space and being complementary to one another. Thereby the first and second volume together fill the interior space. The fluid packaging container in particular includes a fluid outlet arranged to communicate with the beverage dispensing station and pressure equalizing means for maintaining a predefined pressure in the second volume, irrespective of liquid withdrawn from the interior space.

1 . A fluid packaging container of substantially rigid, or semi rigid construction configured to be operatively connectable to a beverage dispensing station, the fluid packaging container defining an interior space and containing a first volume of a liquid ingredient and a second volume of gas, the first and second volumes in use are each variable, wherein the fluid packaging container further includes a fluid outlet arranged to communicate with the beverage dispensing station and pressure equalizing means for maintaining in use a predefined pressure in the second volume, irrespective of liquid withdrawn from the interior space, wherein the packaging container includes a fluid valve associated with the fluid outlet. 
     
     
         2 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure equalizing means include aseptic venting means providing an aseptic barrier. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 2 , wherein the aseptic venting means gives controlled access to the second volume. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 2 , wherein the aseptic venting means includes a micro pore membrane. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 4 , wherein the micro pore membrane is an expanded polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE). 
     
     
         6 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 4 , wherein the micro pore membrane is a gas permeable sheet of polyethylene fibers. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 4 , further comprising a tamper evident seal, and wherein the second volume is pressurized above atmospheric pressure only prior to removal of a tamper evident seal to uncover the micro pore membrane. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 2 , wherein the venting means is adapted to be connected to a source of pressurized gas associated with the beverage dispensing station. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 2 , wherein the aseptic venting means includes an aseptic valve. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure equalizing means includes a supply of gas for maintaining the predefined pressure in the second volume. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 10 , wherein the supply of gas is also effective to restore the predefined pressure in the second volume upon gas expansion within the interior space, or to replenish gas depleted from the interior space 
     
     
         12 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 10 , wherein the supply of gas is in communication with the second volume. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 10 , wherein the supply of gas is accommodated within the interior space. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 13 , wherein the supply of gas includes a storage body, capable of storing a quantity of gas under relatively high pressure and releasing portions of the quantity of gas at a relatively low pressure. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 14 , wherein the storage body comprises a porous mass. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 14 , wherein the storage body includes a gas-adsorbing material. 
     
     
         17 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 16 , wherein the gas-adsorbing material is selected from a group comprising granular activated carbon and carbon fiber composite molecular sieve material (CFCMS). 
     
     
         18 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 14 , wherein the storage body is a combination of a pressure vessel and a pressure controlled valve assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a tamper evident seal. 
     
     
         20 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid packaging container has a storage chamber having a parallelepiped or tetraedic exterior form. 
     
     
         21 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 20 , wherein the storage chamber is a parallelepiped or tetraedic carton body. 
     
     
         22 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid valve is an aseptic valve. 
     
     
         23 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure in the second volume is above atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         24 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas in the second volume is sterile air. 
     
     
         25 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas in the second volume is an inert gas. 
     
     
         26 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid includes one of a concentrate of a coffee, a dairy product, a chocolate and a tea. 
     
     
         27 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is a coffee concentrate and wherein the gas in the second volume includes coffee aroma. 
     
     
         28 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 27 , wherein the packaging container includes a dosing pump. 
     
     
         29 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 28 , wherein the dosing pump is positioned upstream of the fluid outlet. 
     
     
         30 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 22 , wherein the fluid valve is a two-way valve for filling the second volume of gas and that also functions as the fluid valve for allowing fluid to be expelled from the interior space under aseptic conditions. 
     
     
         31 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 30 , wherein the two-way valve is configured in accordance with one or more of the structural features as explained in reference to  FIGS. 3 to 8 . 
     
     
         32 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 31 , wherein the first and second volumes in use are each variable between a volume of substantially zero and a volume corresponding substantially to the interior space and being complementary to one another, so that the first and second volume together fill the interior space. 
     
     
         33 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 32 , further including a liquid and gas barrier between the first volume and the second volume. 
     
     
         34 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 33 , wherein the liquid and gas barrier is provided by an insoluble third volume contained in the interior volume. 
     
     
         35 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 34 , wherein the third volume comprises a food-grade oil that floats on top of the first volume of liquid. 
     
     
         36 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 34 , wherein the third volume comprises a substantially solid gas and fluid tight float that floats on top of the first volume of liquid. 
     
     
         37 . A fluid packaging container of substantially rigid, or semi rigid construction configured to be operatively connectable to a beverage dispensing station, the fluid packaging container defining an interior space and containing a first volume of a liquid ingredient and a second volume of gas, the first and second volumes in use are each variable, wherein the fluid packaging container further includes a fluid outlet arranged to communicate with the beverage dispensing station and wherein the second volume at least prior to use has predefined pressure in the second volume. 
     
     
         38 . The fluid packaging container according to  claim 37 , wherein the predefined pressure is above atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         39 . A fluid packaging container of substantially rigid, or semi rigid construction configured to be operatively connectable to a beverage dispensing station, the fluid packaging container defining an interior space and containing a first volume of a liquid ingredient and a second volume of gas, the first and second volumes in use are each variable, wherein the fluid packaging container further includes a fluid outlet arranged to communicate with the beverage dispensing station and wherein the packaging container includes an aseptic fluid valve associated with the fluid outlet.