Device and system for releasing vacuum pressure from liquid-dispensing containers

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices for safely and cleanly puncturing liquid-dispensing containers to release pressure caused by liquid dispensing.

1 . A device for venting a liquid-dispensing container, comprising: 
 a hollow shaft comprising an open piercing tip;    a cap; and    at least one vent hole in the hollow shaft in fluid communication with the open piercing tip.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow piercing tip ends an angle of about thirty degrees.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the handle is generally perpendicular to the hollow shaft.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the handle is large enough to be grasped and/or pushed by human fingers.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a plurality of vent holes.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cap extends over the at least one vent hole without blocking air flow to and from the vent hole.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is constructed from a plastic material.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is constructed from a metal material.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises both plastic and metal materials.  
     
     
         11 . A system for dispensing liquid from a container, comprising: 
 the puncturing device of  claim 1;  and    a liquid dispensing-container comprising a segment which can be punctured by the piercing tip using less force than that necessary to puncture the rest of the container.    
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the segment has about the same area and shape as the radial cross section of the hollow shaft of the puncturing device.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the segment comprises plastic.