The present invention relates, in general terms, to an improved means allowing for ready dispensing of the contents of a container. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a means for storing and preferably re rigerating a fluid for dispensing.

Throughout the ensuing description reference will be made to an especially preferred embodiment of the present invention, intended for the storage and dispensing of a fluid such as wine. It must be realised, however, that the arrangement in accordance with the present invention could readily lend itself to the storage and dispensing of other fluids, as for example fruit juice, milk, water, lemonade etc., and that the invention is therefore under no circumstances to be considered to be in any way restricted to any preferred embodiment(s) or usage(s) disclosed hereinafter. Indeed, the present invention is suitable for storage and dispensing of any fluid, in particular a fluid which is best stored, and subsequently consumed, in a refrigerated state. DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART In relatively recent times there has been an upsurge in the demand for what might be termed "bulk" fluids, in the form of water, milk, fruit juice and, perhaps even more than any other, wines. To satisfy such demands ever-larger containers for storing such fluids have been developed. By way of example only, quality wines are now made available in so-called casks, generally in the form of a flexible sealed container (of any suitable heat-resistant, substantially oxygen- impermeable material) having associated therewith means allowing for the ready and controlled dispensing of the contents thereof, with the overall arrangement being housed, for purposes of sale and/or storage, within a substantially paraUelepipedal container of cardboard, paperboard or the like. Alternatively sachets or the like, again constructed of the aforementioned heat-resistant, substantially oxygen- impermeable material and having a dispensing means associated therewith, are available. When the wine (fluid) to be thus "housed" is best consumed chilled, the overall container assembly is required to be

located within some form of refrigerating cabinet or compartment, either with or without the external cardboard or paperboard container. The prior art arrangements are such that the overall container assembly will be withdrawn from a refrigerated compartment - e.g. a refrigerator, ice chest or the like - when in use, and replaced therein when not in usenl a domestic situation, wherein the volume consumed and the frequency of consumption is not usually great, the need for continuous removal from and restoral of the overall container to a refrigerated cabinet arguably is not overly onerous. On the other hand, however, in establishments such as hotels, wine bars, restaurants etc., where so- called "house" wines are continually being purchased, such a steady demand creates its own problems. By way of explanation it has become the practice in such establishments to store the bulk wine, in a container assembly of the aforementioned general type, within a refrigerated cabinet, generally of the front opening or top opening type. Every time that cabinet is accessed, there is a substantial loss of chilled air therefrom due to the need for opening the doors thereof, thereby giving rise to decreased efficiency of cooling, and the need for subsequent and continuous re-cooling. In addition the need to regularly access the cabinet gives rise to a certain degree of inconvenience to the barman, or waiter or the like. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVΕNTION

The present invention seeks to overcome the problems and disadvantages associated with the prior art by providing a refrigerated means for housing one or more containers of bulk fluid. The means in accordance with the present invention includes its own refrigeration capability, and preferably also a filtration means, and allows for ready dispensation of stored product without any undue interruption to or disturbance of that refrigeration capability. Li accordance with the present invention there is provided, therefore, an improved refrigerated storage means or cabinet for the storage and dispensing of fluids, said cabinet including: a receptacle means for receiving and releasably retaining therein a bulk container of said fluid; means for refrigerating or chilling said receptacle means; and means adapted to receive and retain within said cabinet, in flow

connection with said bulk container, a dispensing apparatus for said fluid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and put into practical effect there shall now be described in detail preferred embodiments of a refrigerated storage means or cabinet in accordance with the invention. The ensuing description is given by way of non-limitative example only and is with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of an arrangement in accordance with the present invention, intended to house for dispensing two different types of wines or bulk containers of wines; and

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view from the side of the arrangement of Fig. 1. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated the refrigerated dispensing means in accordance with the present invention is in the form of a substantially parallelepipedal cabinet, generally designated 1. In the preferred embodiment illustrated the cabinet 1 is of a size and shape as to be able to accommodate therewithin two bulk containers 2 of fluid, whether water, wine, fruit juice, milk or whatever. It must be realised, however, that the actual size and shape of the cabinet 1 forms no part of the invention and that, in a practical sense, a suitable cabinet 1 could be devised or constructed to house any number of bulk containers or carriers 2, dependent on the size thereof.

The arrangement as illustrated is adapted to be free¬ standing, for location on a bar or the like, when used in a shop, cafe, restaurant, hotel or the like establishment, or indeed on any suitable flat surface, as for example a table, breakfast bar or the like when used in a domestic situation. In the especially preferred embodiment illustrated ground-engaging 3 means of any known type may be provided, in the form of legs, or even castors, rollers or the like.

The embodiment as illustrated includes, in the upper part thereof, a suitable receptacle or tank 4, preferably of stainless steel or the like material, having a refrigerating coil 5 disposed therearound in any

known manner. Preferably some form of insulation, for example a suitable foam plastics material 6, will also be provided whereby to assist in refrigeration of the said stainless steel tank 4. The arrangement is such that, in use, one or more bulk fluid containers or carriers 2 of the aforementioned general type can be disposed within the tank 4, with a tap or faucet means 7 associated therewith being adapted to be received and retained within one or more apertures 8 provided at the front of the overall unit 1. In that way the existing dispensing means of the bulk containers 2 can be employed, with no ancillary or additional dispensing means being required. In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, separate dispensing means may be included with the cabinet 1. It should be realised, however, that the actual dispensing means employed does not constitute part of the invention.

Refrigeration of the tank 4 and the contents thereof is achieved through any known means and, in the especially preferred embodiment illustrated, there is provided within the bottom of the overall assembly, in a separate compartment, an electric motor 9 connected by any suitable means to the refrigerating coil 5, in turn in operative connection with condenser coils 10 disposed externally of the cabinet 1.

The arrangement as illustrated includes a recessed front portion 11, affording a surface 12 on which a glass, carafe or the like receptacle can be disposed for receiving product to be dispensed. The recessed front portion 11 includes a so-called fluid or beverage dispensing panel 13 associated therewith, the said panel 13 having formed therein the aforementioned aperture(s) 8 for receiving and retaining dispensing means in the form of tap(s), faucet(s) or the like. The panel 13 is preferably removable, whereby to allow for interchanging thereof dependent upon the size, and number, of bulk containers to be housed within the overall cabinet 1. hi one extremely practical arrangement, not shown, the panel 13 will have associated therewith, preferably protruding from the lowermost portion thereof beneath the aperture(s) 8, a strip or the like of a suitable impact- absorbing material, as for example rubber. Such strip will assist in minimising breaking, as by impact on the cabinet 1, of glasses, carafes,

bottles or any such containers during filling thereof from the cabinet 1. In another preferred embodiment, again not illustrated, a drip tray means or the like can also be incorporated, with the surface 12 being in the form of a grid or grille adapted to be disposed over a drip tray. In accordance with a preferred feature there may be provided, at the uppermost portion of the overall cabinet 1, a means 14 allowing for display thereon of identifying information as to the nature of the contents of the cabinet 1. Preferably also a top cover 15 of the overall container will have at least a portion 16 thereof formed of clear perspex (or the like transparent material) whereby to allow for ready viewing of the interior of the cabinet 1 in order to allow the user to determine whether a bulk storage container housed therewithin is empty and needs replacement. A handle means 17 may also be provided to facilitate removal of the top of the cabinet. In an especially preferred embodiment, not shown, a gasket or the like can be provided in conjunction with the top cover 15, whereby to improve refrigeration performance by improving sealing, and furthermore to reduce the likelihood of unwanted "sweating". The cover 15 itself may be such as to be either totally separable from the cabinet 1, whereby to allow for top-loading of that cabinet, and/or to provide ready access to the interior of the cabinet 1 for purposes of cleaning. Alternatively, the cover 15 may be such as to be hingedly connected to the top of the cabinet 1 whereby to be pivotally upwardly and outwardly movable relative thereto. The top cover 15 preferably will be constructed either totally, or in part, of a suitable plastics material, to allow for easy cleaning thereof and to avoid the possibility of the onset of rust or corrosion.

The means employed for achieving cooling of the contents of the cabinet 1 do not, strictly speaking, constitute an essential part of the invention, and indeed any suitable refrigerating means may be employed. In one preferred embodiment, however, the apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes the aforementioned electric motor or power source 9, an evaporator - preferably of a heavy duty type including a suction line accumulator for added protection of the overall cooling system - and an external refrigerated coil which is

mechanically wrapped for maximising heat transfer and overall operating efficiency. Appropriately disposed within the cabinet 1, in any known manner and by any suitable means, may be a condensate collecting means, in the form of a removable tray or the like intended to collect condensation even under the most humid conditions. Means may also be provided for mamtaining a substantially constant beverage temperature within the cabinet and, in an especially preferred embodiment, such may take the form of a thermostat or the like means located at the rear of the cabinet for easy access for purposes of adjustment thereof. A suitable compressor and associated cooling fan will also be provided, for increased efficiency.

In recent times there has been a marked increase in demand for what might best be termed bottled water. All known and in use arrangements generally suffer by virtue of the fact that replenishment of an empty dispensing machine for such bottled water involves the purchase of a pre-filled container, which can then be installed on the dispensing apparatus itself. Such is, of course, for obvious reasons an overly expensive exercise. Generally speaking the prior art arrangements did not allow for replenishment of an empty container by merely connecting such container to a tap or other source of fresh water. The arrangement in accordance with the present invention, on the other hand, in an especially preferred embodiment is especially suited for the (.hilling of water. In such a preferred embodiment, not illustrated, the overall cabinet again includes a tank of a suitable stainless material with a further container - a so-called holding tank - of a suitable food grade plastics material adapted to be disposed therewithin, such further container having a step included in the sides thereof. A so-called primary tank, to be disposed within the aforementioned holding tank by means of engagement with the aforementioned step, but of a dimension (overall) much less than both the stainless steel tank and the holding tank, can then receive fresh water from any source for purposes of refrigeration/chilling prior to use. The primary tank will have associated therewith a filtration means of any known type, adapted to be removably located therewithin. The filtration means will allow normal tap water, housed within the aforementioned primary tank, to pass

through into the holding tank, where it can be stored chilled for future use. In the result, water being dispensed from the overall apparatus not only smells and tastes better, but by virtue of its relatively long contact period with the filtration means exhibits reduced levels of heavy metals (such as lead, copper and mercury), organic materials (such as pesticides), chlorine, dirt in general and rust.

In use a bulk storage container or means, preferably pre- chilled, can be suitably disposed within the stainless steel tank 4 of the cabinet 1, with the tap or dispensing means 7 then being appropriately located, as shown for example in Figs. 1 and 2, through the apertures

8 provided in the cabinet 1. The arrangement will be such that the contents of the storage container can be dispensed on demand whilst the overall container is retained within the refrigerated tank 4, thereby resulting in rninimisation of heat gain during storage and dispensing. It should be understood that the aforegoing description refers merely to preferred embodiments of the invention and that variations and modifications will be possible thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the ambit of which is to be determined from the ensuing claims.