Fittings for liquid foodstuff, particularly water, containers

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a method for filling a carboy with liquid foodstuff designed to be installed in a fountain for distribution of such a liquid. The liquid is introduced in a disposable flexible liner, inserted in the carboy, the flexible liner being such that it is pressed against the internal walls of the carboy at the end of the filling process. During the filling, the internal part of the carboy, which is on the outside of the liner, is preferably maintained at atmospheric pressure.

1 . Method for filling a carboy with liquid foodstuff designed to be installed in a fountain for distribution of such a liquid, characterized in that the liquid is introduced into a disposable, flexible liner via an opening in the flexible liner, the flexible liner being inserted into the carboy, and the flexible liner being configured such that it is pressed against the internal walls of the carboy at the end of the filling process.  
   
   
       2 . Method in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the opening of the liner is integral with a carboy cap which is configured to fit over an opening in the carboy, and the cap comprises an opening to permit the distribution of liquid by gravity when the carboy equipped with the liner and the cap is installed in a distribution fountain.  
   
   
       3 . Method in accordance with  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that, during filling, an internal part of the carboy outside the liner is maintained at atmospheric pressure.  
   
   
       4 . Method in accordance with  claim 3 , characterized in that during filling, the opening of the liner is slightly moved away outwardly, at a distance from the opening of the carboy so that air is able to penetrate into the carboy via the space between the opening of the carboy and the part of the liner that is located outside the carboy.  
   
   
       5 . Method for distribution of liquid foodstuff by means of a carboy filled in accordance with the method according to claims  1  or  2 , characterized in that during distribution, the internal part of the carboy that is outside the liner is maintained at atmospheric pressure or a higher pressure.  
   
   
       6 . Carboy for the application of the method in accordance with one of the claims  1  or  2  comprising at least one hole for putting the outside atmosphere in contact with the internal space of the carboy which is outside the liner.  
   
   
       7 . Fitting for fountain for distribution of liquid foodstuff, characterized in that it comprises a disposable, flexible liner, which is filled with liquid to be distributed and is designed to be introduced into the fountain for the distribution, the flexible liner being such that, as it is emptied of liquid due to gravity, its wall remains in contact with the free surface of the liquid so that practically no empty space remains inside the liner which is partially emptied of liquid.  
   
   
       8 . Fitting in accordance with  claim 7 , characterized in that the flexible liner includes walls formed from an elastic material.  
   
   
       9 . Fitting in accordance with  claim 7  or  8 , characterized in that the liner comprises an edge designed to overlap a carboy neck.  
   
   
       10 . Fitting in accordance with one of the claims  7  or  8 , characterized in that the liner is integral with a carboy cap.  
   
   
       11 . Fitting in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that the carboy cap has a central opening for the introduction and discharging of liquid, this opening being bordered by a cylindrical internal wall, with which the opening of the liner is integral.  
   
   
       12 . Fitting in accordance with  claim 11 , characterized in that the cylindrical internal wall has an end with an edge, with which the opening of the liner is integral.  
   
   
       13 . Fitting in accordance with  claim 12 , characterized in that the liner has an opening which includes an edge that is molded to the end edge of the cylindrical internal wall of the cap.  
   
   
       14 . Fitting in accordance with one of the  claim 11 , characterized in that, to plug its central opening, the carboy cap additionally comprises a central cap, which cooperates with the cylindrical internal wall by locking.  
   
   
       15 . Fitting in accordance with  claim 14 , characterized in that the liner has an opening edge that cooperates with the end edge of the cylindrical internal wall in the form of a gutter and is maintained against the end edge when the central cap is put in place.  
   
   
       16 . Fitting in accordance with  claim 15 , characterized in that it comprises a collar inserted between the end edge of the liner and a end edge of a sleeve of the central cap.  
   
   
       17 . Fitting in accordance with  claim 11 , characterized in that the central opening in the carboy cap has a central cylindrical part sealed by an end internal cap, which can be separated from the central opening in the carboy cap during the installation of the carboy in the liquid distribution fountain.  
   
   
       18 . Fitting in accordance with  claim 11 , characterized in that the central opening in the carboy cap has a central cylindrical part sealed by a element with precut sections, these precut sections permitting the passage of a tube during the installation of a carboy in a liquid distribution fountain.  
   
   
       19 . Fitting in accordance with  claim 18 , characterized in that the precut sections have radial directions.  
   
   
       20 . Fitting in accordance with  claim 18 , characterized in that the precut sections have a spiral shape.  
   
   
       21 . Fitting in accordance with  claim 7  or  8 , characterized in that it comprises a collar integral with the opening of the liner, this collar having at least one channel for placing the internal space of a carboy, which is outside the liner, in contact with the atmosphere.  
   
   
       22 . Fitting in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that the cap has at least one aperture for placing the internal space of the carboy, which is outside the liner, in contact with the atmosphere.  
   
   
       23 . Fitting in accordance with one of the  claim 7  or characterized in that a collar is integral with the opening of the liner, this collar having at least one said channel for placing the internal space of the carboy, which is outside the liner, in contact with the atmosphere.