Bag in container and adapter for connecting a bag in container to a tapping device

Abstract

Bag in container and adapter for connecting a bag in container to a tapping device. Bag-in-container ( 6 ), comprising a bag ( 8 ) inside a container ( 10 ), the bag being compressible upon introduction of a gas under pressure into a space ( 9 ) between the bag and the container through a passage ( 11 ) between a neck ( 4 ) of the bag and a neck ( 5 ) of the container. A lid ( 20 ) is mounted onto the bag-in-container, comprising a first channel ( 25 ) connecting to an inner space of the bag and a second channel ( 28 ) connecting to said passage. A connector ( 30 ) is provided, connected to the bag-in-container. The lid comprises a channel part ( 35 ), extending from the second channel to an inlet opening ( 44 ) in a plane (PI) extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container, or the connector ( 30 ) comprises a channel part ( 42 ), extending during use, when coupled to the lid, from the second channel or a connecting element ( 38 ) to an inlet opening in a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container. The bag-in-container further comprising a flexible dispensing line ( 36 ).

1 . Bag-in-container, comprising a bag inside a container, the bag being compressible upon introduction of a gas under pressure into a space between the bag and the container, wherein the bag has a first neck and the container has a second neck, the second neck extending around the first neck, wherein at least one passage is provided between the first and the second neck, providing access for said gas under pressure into said space, wherein the first and second neck both have a closed peripheral wall, wherein a lid is mounted onto the bag-in-container, said lid comprising a first seal sealing against the bag and a second seal sealing against the container, the lid further comprising a first channel, during use fluidly connecting to an inner space of the bag and a second channel, during use fluidly connecting to said at least one passage,
 wherein a connector is provided, connected to or connectable to the bag-in-container, wherein the connector has a first connecting element fitting onto and/or into the first channel an at least partly flexible dispensing line fluidly connected to or connectable to the first connecting element for dispensing beverage from the bag, and wherein:
 the lid comprises a channel part, extending from the second channel to an inlet opening, wherein the inlet opening lies in a plane extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container; or 
 the connector comprises a channel part, extending during use, when coupled to the lid, from the second channel or a second connecting element of the connector to an inlet opening, wherein the inlet opening lies in a plane extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container. 
   
     
     
         2 . Bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein the first channel has a first longitudinal axis and the second channel has a second longitudinal axis, the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to each other and/or to the longitudinal axis of the container. 
     
     
         3 . Bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein a second opening is provided in the lid or the connector, diametrically opposite to the inlet opening, positioned in a plane extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container and spaced radially outward from the peripheral wall of the second neck, wherein the inlet opening is in fluid communication with the second opening through the lid, through the connector and/or through the container. 
     
     
         4 . Bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein between the lid and the connector a gas space is enclosed, during use connecting to the inlet opening and the second channel. 
     
     
         5 . Bag-in-container according to  claim 4 , wherein the second connecting element comprises or is formed by a piercing element for piercing into the second channel, which piercing element at least comprises one groove for allowing gas to pass into and/or out of said second channel from or into said gas space. 
     
     
         6 . Bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein the first connecting element is or comprises a hollow needle. 
     
     
         7 . Bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein the second connecting element fits onto and/or into the second channel. 
     
     
         8 . Bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one passage has a main direction of flow which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         9 . Bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid or the connector is provided, in a position radially opposite the inlet opening, with a second connecting surface, extending in a plane substantially parallel to the plane in which the first inlet opening lies. 
     
     
         10 . Bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein the first connecting surface and the second connecting surface are substantially equally distant from the longitudinal axis of the bag-in-container. 
     
     
         11 . Bag-in-container according to  claim 9 , wherein an outlet opening is provided in said second connecting surface, said outlet opening fluidly connected to the second connecting element or the second channel. 
     
     
         12 . Bag-in-container according to  claim 9 , wherein the first connecting surface has a first center and the second connecting surface has a second center, wherein the first center and the second center lie on a straight line extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bag-in-container. 
     
     
         13 . Bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein the passage comprises at least a substantially cylindrical space between the peripheral walls of the first neck and the second neck, extending into the bag-in-container from the level of a free longitudinal edge of the first neck. 
     
     
         14 . Bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein the bag-in-container is an integrally blow molded bag-in-container. 
     
     
         15 . Bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector provides for a standing surface for the bag-in-container to stand on. 
     
     
         16 . Connector for connecting to a lid of a bag in container, said connector comprising first and second connecting elements having parallel longitudinal axes extending from a first surface, and two openings diametrically opposite each other in connecting surfaces extending substantially parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the first connecting element and the longitudinal axis of the second connecting element . 
     
     
         17 . Bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein the plane extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container is spaced radially outward from the peripheral wall of the second neck.