Patent Grant
11027960
The present disclosure relates to transferring fluids to/from containers and/or storing/transporting fluids in containers.
This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Carbonated beverages are popular drinks of choice for many people. Examples of popular carbonated beverages include beer, carbonated water, soda, etc.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
For the past few decades, efforts have been made to produce inexpensive, disposable packaging for various liquids, in particular, beverages, and even more particularly, beer. In general, the focus of these efforts has been to create various forms of packaging designed to be filled by automated means, usually in mass quantities in a factory, and emptied (dispensed) by the consumer either manually or by some type of dispensing apparatus. In many cases, large beverage manufacturers initiated these efforts in order to create a proprietary package that would help to facilitate the sales of their beverage(s). As a result, the particular packaging/dispensing system developed is exclusive to a particular beverage brand (or brands), thus limiting the consumer to only those brands offered for use with that particular packaging/dispensing system.
Also, a major challenge for small beverage manufacturers is the distribution of their product(s). For example, bottling or canning beer is cost prohibitive to a lot of small brewers thereby limiting them to kegs. While there is clearly a market for keg beer, in many (if not most) instances, a keg of beer is too large of a quantity and is too inconvenient to handle and use.
Recent laws have been passed in a number of states (growler laws) allowing the filling of consumer-supplied containers by retail merchants. The problem with filling an open container with draft beer, even if resealed, is that upon exposure to air (oxygen) the shelf life of the beer is dramatically reduced, typically limited to two or three days.
Yet another issue applies to home brewers. The general consensus among people who brew their own beer is that the bottling step is the most undesirable step in the process due, in general, to the cost, inconvenience, and labor involved.
The inventor hereof recognized the above and then identified that a need therefore exists for a packaging/dispensing system that 1) allows the consumer to choose any beverage brand available, 2) maintains the original quality of the beverage, 3) is inexpensive, and 4) is easy to use.
Unlike some other beverages, a carbonated beverage, particularly beer, tends to be fragile and may be easily damaged if agitated or overexposed to air or light. For example, beer may be agitated and damaged when dispensed through an “open” pinch valve if the pinch valve is not fully open due to memory of the pinch valve material preventing the pinch valve from remaining fully open. As another example, beer may be damaged when too much carbon dioxide (over carbonation) is added into the same container that includes the beer, which is a traditional process for dispensing beer.
After recognizing the above, the inventor hereof developed and discloses herein exemplary embodiments of apparatus, systems, and methods for transferring beer to/from a container without the beer being damaged due to agitation, without overexposure to air, and/or without requiring a separate carbonation source as is traditionally required for dispensing beer. As disclosed herein, exemplary embodiments may allow a user to individually fill a container with beer, store the beer within the container, and then dispense the beer from the container. All of which may be accomplished without damaging agitation and without requiring a separate carbonation source to dispense the beer. In addition, the beer is also not overexposed to air (e.g., with little or no exposure to outside air, etc.), which may also damage beer. In exemplary embodiments, the beer is not exposed to the outside environment (e.g., to air, etc.) until the beer is dispensed from a transfer tube (broadly, conduit) into a user's cup, glass, etc. Also in exemplary embodiments, beer may be stored in a substantially airtight manner such that the beer won't lose its carbonation and become flat during storage. Accordingly, exemplary embodiments may thus provide one or more or all of the following important packaging requirements: liquid barrier, light barrier, oxygen barrier, maintain sufficient pressure, and maintain chilled (if not pasteurized like draft beer).
With reference now to the figures,
The end portion 113 of the transfer tube 112 is inserted through the opening 109 in the top 110 of the transfer cap 108 until the flange or shoulder portion 114 of the transfer tube 112 abuts against an inner surface of the top 110 of the transfer cap 108. The transfer tube 112 is configured to be attached to the conduit 131. As shown in
Conduit 131 is preferably a flexible tube or hose attached to transfer tube 112 in a manner as shown thereby trapping transfer cap 108 between the flange 114 of the transfer tube 112 and the end of the conduit 131. In the exemplary embodiment, the transfer tube 112 is preferably not directly attached to the transfer cap 108 thereby allowing the transfer cap 108 to rotate freely for threaded engagement to the fitment 116 without rotation of the transfer tube 112. Optionally, a hose clamp (not shown) may be used as necessary to secure the conduit 131 to the transfer tube 112. In this embodiment, the transfer cap 108 attaches to the fitment 116 via screw threads 111, 119. Other methods of releasable attachment (e.g., snap fit, friction fit, bayonet fitment, etc.) may be alternatively employed.
Alternatively, the transfer cap 108 and transfer tube 112 may be attached directly together, e.g., heat sealed, glued, welded, (e.g., sonic, ultrasonic, chemical, etc.) or other suitable attachment method, or monolithically formed (e.g., injection molded, etc.) so as to have a single piece construction. Similarly, the conduit 131 may be attached as a separate piece or formed monolithically with the transfer cap 108 and transfer tube 112. Also, other means may be used to help retain the connection between the transfer tube 112 and the conduit 131.
The transfer tube 112 includes an end portion 121 configured to be inserted into opening 117 of fitment 116 such that, upon insertion, an airtight seal is formed between end portion 121 and opening 117. As the transfer tube 112 is inserted further into the fitment 116, the end portion 121 of the transfer tube 112 engages, opens, and extends through fitment valve 124 thereby providing an open passage to/from the container 166 into and through the transfer assembly (
As shown in
The valve 124 may allow flow into the container 166 (e.g., from top to bottom in
With the transfer tube 112 positioned through the valve 124 (
Referring to
In this example, the valve 124 includes a flange 127 and sealing elements 129 (e.g., elastomeric lips of a duckbill valve, elastomeric cuspids of a cross-slit valve, etc.) depending from the flange 127. The retainer 128 includes an opening 130 configured to receive the sealing elements 129 therethrough.
The apparatus 100 may also be used when storing a liquid in a container when the apparatus 100 includes or is provided with the storage/transport cap 104 as shown in
The storage/transport cap 104 may then be screwed or threaded onto the fitment 116. As shown in
During the cap switch, there may be an insignificant amount of gas leakage from the container, e.g., during the time it takes for the valve 124 to self-close. But the valve 124 will still hold sufficient pressure, e.g., 20 pounds per square inch (PSI), prevent contamination, and keep the beer good during the limited amount of time needed to switch between the transfer cap 108 and the storage/transport cap 104.
The storage/transport cap 104 provides a proven, reliable pressure seal as well as a seal against contamination. For example, the storage/transport cap 104 helps keep the fitment surface 126 and the valve 124 clean for insertion of the transfer tube 112. The container (e.g., flexible container 166 (
Alternative exemplary embodiments may not include any storage/transport cap. In such embodiments, the transfer cap and transfer tube may remain with the container during storage. For example, the transfer tube may be reconfigured such that it is slidable away from and out of contact with the valve to thereby allow self-closure of the valve. The valve may then inhibit the ingress flow into and out of the container. A cap may be positioned within the open top of the transfer tube to prevent contamination (e.g., dust, etc.) from entering the transfer tube. In order to add liquid to or remove liquid from the container, the transfer tube may be slid into contact with the seal and/or valve component(s) to thereby open the seal and/or valve component(s), and the cap removed from the open top of the transfer tube.
Assuming the apparatus 100 has been used while storing beer (or other liquid) in the container, the storage/transport cap 104 may be removed from the fitment 116. The transfer cap 108 may then be screwed or threaded onto the fitment 116, and the end portion 121 of the transfer tube 112 inserted through the opening 117 in the top 118 of the fitment 116. The same transfer cap 108 and transfer tube 112 used to fill the container as described above may also be used when dispensing beer from the container 166 as shown in
The transfer tube's end portion 121 may be inserted into and through the opening 117 of the fitment 116 and valve 124. The valve 124 may be opened and held open by the portion of the transfer tube 112 positioned within the valve 124, to thereby allow the beer (or other liquid) to flow out of the container through the transfer tube 112. By way of example, the container may comprise a flexible bag 166 as shown in
As shown in
With continued reference to
A wide variety of materials and manufacturing methods may be used for the various components of the apparatus 100 depending, for example, on the requirements of the specific application or intended end use for the apparatus 100. Example factors to be considered include the weight and volume of the liquid to be contained (size of the bag), pressure requirements due to the amount of carbonation (if any) in the liquid, pressure requirements for dispensing the liquid, chemical compatibility, compatibility of the bag material and the fitment material for bonding purposes, temperature range of the application, etc.
In an exemplary embodiment, the caps 104, 108 and the fitment 116 may be injection molded from thermoplastic material or other injection moldable material. The container 166 and components of the apparatus 100 (e.g., fitment 116, storage cap 104, etc.) may be opaque in some embodiments so that beer in the container is not exposed to light during storage as overexposure to light may damage the beer. In other exemplary embodiments, the container 166 and components of the apparatus 100 may be at least partially see-through (e.g., transparent, translucent, etc.) to allow a user to readily determine how much liquid is in the container and/or whether liquid is flowing through the transfer assembly when filling the container 166 or dispensing from the container 166.
In exemplary embodiments, one or more vent holes may be provided in the fitment to allow fluid such as gas to escape or release from the container through the one or more vent holes. For example, and as shown in
The first and second vent holes 136, 137 may be located relative to the valve 124 (e.g., on the container side of the valve 124, etc.) to allow venting from the container regardless of whether the valve 124 is open or closed. As shown in
The vent hole 136 is also located (e.g., a sufficient distance below the threads 119, etc.) such that the vent hole 136 is not covered by the storage/transport cap 104. Even when a storage/transport cap 104 or transfer cap 108 is attached to the fitment 116, the vent hole 136 may nevertheless be used to allow venting from the container 166 at any time by removing or repositioning the cover member 133 to expose the vent hole 136, e.g., such as for pressure relief in an overpressure condition, which may be particularly desirable for a carbonated liquid or for extreme temperature variations, etc.
The vent hole 136 may also be located on an outwardly protruding portion 141 (e.g., a raised bump, etc.), which increases the perimeter of the fitment portion about which the cover member 133 is positioned and concentrates the force of the elastic cover member 133 immediately around the vent hole 136, thus providing a more effective seal. Accordingly, the cover member 133 must be stretched to a great extent when covering the vent hole 136, which thereby increases the sealing pressure applied by the cover member 133. Additionally, or alternatively, the vent hole, cover member, and/or cap may be configured such that the cap presses down on the cover member to increase the sealing effect the cover member has on the vent hole and/or to help retain the cover member in place over the vent hole when the cap is in place on the fitment.
The second vent hole 137 may be located immediately below the threads 119. In this example, the vent hole 137 is covered by the storage/transport cap 104 threaded onto the fitment 116. The cap 104 and fitment 116 are configured such that a seal 139 is created between tapered or slanted sealing surfaces of the cap 104 and fitment 116. The seal 139 prevents the container 166 from venting when the cap 104 is in place. Accordingly, the vent hole 137 allows venting when the cap 104 is removed (e.g., to purge unwanted gas from the container 166, etc.). Additionally, or alternatively, other means may be used for creating the seal 139 between the cap 104 and fitment 116, such as an O-ring, etc. Transfer cap 108 may also be configured with or without seal 139, or an alternative, depending on when and how venting is desired.
The second vent hole 137 may include a cover member (not shown) similar to cover member 133 that allows venting when the cap 104 is removed, but is sealed by the cap 104 when the storage/transport cap 104 is secured to the fitment 116. In this manner, venting is allowed, for example during filling (e.g., to relieve excess pressure from the container, etc.), but not allowed during storage/transport.
Alternatively, other embodiments may include only the first vent hole 136 or the second vent hole 137, but not both. Still other embodiments may include one or more vent holes located elsewhere in the fitment depending on the particular application or end use. For example, the fitment may include a plurality of vent holes circumferentially spaced apart along a perimeter of the fitment.
As shown in
The cover member 133 may be made from various materials. In an exemplary embodiment, the cover member 133 may be formed from a resiliently stretchable or elastic material (e.g., rubber, etc.) that is capable of being stretched to fit generally over and snugly fit against the fitment 116 and the first vent hole 136. The configuration of the cover member 133 and first vent hole 136 (e.g., durometer, shape, and size of the cover member 133, shape, size, and location of the vent hole(s), and/or number of holes, etc.) may vary depending on the particular application or end use. By way of example, the cover member 133 and first vent hole 136 may be configured to prevent over pressurization of the container. For example, the cover member 133 and first vent hole 136 may be configured such that relatively high pressure will cause movement of the cover member 133 outwardly away from the first vent hole 136 to thereby automatically allow gas to escape and lower the pressure without the user having to manually move or reposition the cover member 133.
The retainer 128 may include a hole or opening 150 so that the retainer 128 does not obstruct the vent hole 136. By way of example (
As shown in
A thermoelectric cooling system 174 (e.g., thermoelectric module, fan, heat sink, etc.), or other cooling system, is positioned toward or at a bottom of the pressure vessel 170. The thermoelectric cooling system 174 may be operable for reducing and maintaining temperature of beer within the flexible container 166 to a sufficiently low enough level so that the beer will not be damaged due to heat.
The pressure vessel 170 also includes a pressurized source of gas or other means 184 (e.g., pump, etc.) for adding fluid (e.g., air, etc.) into the pressure vessel 170. For example, a pump or compressor may be used to add air to the pressure vessel 170 to increase the air pressure therein. The increased air pressure squeezes or applies a compression force to the flexible container 166. In response, the flexible container's sidewall(s) are caused to flex and force liquid to flow out of the flexible container 166 through the transfer tube 112, conduit 131, and beer faucet 167. As the liquid is dispensed, the flexible container 166 collapses, but air may be added within the space between the rigid container 170 and the flexible container 166 to compress the flexible container 166 and force the liquid out. Advantageously, this process thus does not require a separate compressed gas source to add pressure into the reservoir or main content holding portion of the flexible container 166.
The flexible container 166 may comprise a flexible round bag that is expandable when being filled with liquid and collapsible when liquid is dispensed. The flexible container 166 may be round and configured to equally distribute stress along the seam or interface 171 between upper and lower portions 173, 175 (e.g., upper and lower halves, upper and lower circular hemispherical portions, etc.). The stress may be created or caused, for example, due to the weight of the liquid within the flexible container 166. The magnitude of the stress will depend on the particular liquid and amount within the flexible container 166. The stress may also be created or caused, for example, when the flexible container 166 is compressed to dispense the liquid, such as by increasing air pressure around the flexible container 166, manually squeezing the flexible container 166, by the pressure of carbonation of the liquid in the container 166, changes in temperature, etc.
Although
While dispensing a beverage, for example, from a container (e.g., as shown in
The flexible container 166 may be individually filled with liquid (e.g., carbonated liquid, etc.) and/or liquid may be stored within and/or dispensed from the flexible container 166 while using an apparatus (e.g., 100, etc.) disclosed herein. By way of example, a fitment (e.g., 116, etc.) disclosed herein may be attached to an inner surface of the flexible container 166, e.g., heat sealed, glued, welded (e.g., sonic, ultrasonic, chemical, etc.), or other suitable attaching methods that provides an airtight seal between the fitment and container, etc. Alternatively, fitment 116 may be integrally formed with a container.
As shown in
In
The transfer cap 208 may be coupled to a fitment 216 of a container 266 as shown in
The container 266 may be expandable when being filled with fluid (
As shown in
The fitment 216 may be located at or near a bottom of the container 266 when the container 266 is within the pressure vessel 270 such that any carbon dioxide gas at the top of the beer will be dispensed last from the container 266 thereby emptying the second conduit 231 of beer. As a result, an empty bag may be replaced with a full bag of a different beer without concern about cross-contamination. Also, and advantageously, beer may thus be dispensed from within the container 266 via the fitment 216 and beer faucet 267 into a glass, mug, cup, etc. without dispensing unwanted or excess foam on top of the beer.
The container 266 may be made with an aluminum substrate thereby providing the necessary strength, flexibility, and good thermal conductivity. By way of example, the container 266 may be made from a laminate having an aluminum substrate with various polymer layers and/or coatings although other suitable materials may also be used. The container's good thermal conductivity allows for good cooling of beer (or other liquid) within the container 266. A thermoelectric cooling system 274 or other cooling system is positioned toward or at a bottom of the pressure vessel 270. The thermoelectric cooling system 274 may be operable for reducing and maintaining temperature of beer within the container 266 to a sufficiently low enough level so that the beer will not be damaged due to heat.
With continued reference to
In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure vessel 270 may be self-locking such that the lid 280 cannot be opened when the pressure vessel 270 is under pressure. In this example, the pressure vessel 270 may include a manual release to depressurize and unlock the pressure vessel 270 to thereby allow the lid 280 to be opened.
The pressure vessel 270 also includes a pressurized source of gas or other means 284 (e.g., pump, etc.) for adding fluid (e.g., air, etc.) into the pressure vessel 270. For example, a pump or compressor may be used to add air to the pressure vessel 270 to increase the air pressure therein. The increased air pressure squeezes or applies a compression force to the container 266. In response, the container's sidewall(s) are caused to flex and force liquid to flow out of the container 266 through the first conduit 212 (e.g., a transfer tube, etc.), the second conduit 231 (e.g., a dispense tube, etc.), and the beer faucet 267. As the liquid is dispensed, the container 266 collapses, but air may be added within the space between the rigid container 270 and the container 266 to compress the container 266 and force the liquid out. Advantageously, this process thus does not require a separate compressed gas source to add pressure into the reservoir or main content holding portion of the container 266.
As shown in
The second valve 272 includes first, second, and third valve openings or ports 287, 289, 295 respectively connected and/or in fluid communication with the first, second, and third conduits 212, 231, and 286. As disclosed herein, the first conduit 212 may be used to open a valve within the fitment 216 (e.g., valve 124 in
The second valve 272 includes first, second, and third valve settings or positions. The second valve 272 includes a switch 296 (e.g., rotatable lever, handle, etc.) for rotating a movable valve member 292 within the second valve 272 to manually select the first, second, or third valve setting.
In the first valve setting shown in
In the second valve setting shown in
Excess unwanted carbon dioxide may occur when a keg goes empty as the container 266 is being filled via a faucet 267 connected to that keg (e.g.,
With the second valve 272 closed to the second conduit 231 in the second valve setting, fluid is unable to flow from the second conduit 231 to either of the first conduit 212 or the third conduit 286. Fluid is also unable to flow to the second conduit 231 from either of the first conduit 212 or the third conduit 286 when the second valve 272 is in the second valve setting.
In the third valve setting shown in
More specifically, the apparatus 200 may be used for purging air from the second conduit 231 through the first conduit 212 to the outside environment when the third valve setting is selected before the apparatus 200 is connected to the container 266. In this example, the transfer cap 208 is not coupled to the fitment 216 of the container 266, and the first conduit 212 has not opened the valve within the fitment 216. Accordingly, beer may flow through the second conduit 231 and first conduit 212 to thereby purge and remove air from the second conduit 231. The beer may then be dispensed from the first conduit 212 into a drain of a sink, etc. without any beer flowing into the container 266, which has not yet been connected to the apparatus 200. Accordingly, the second conduit 231 may also be referred to as a purge tube in this example.
After the air is purged from the second conduit 231, the second valve 272 may closed by selecting the first valve setting shown in
After the transfer cap 208 has been coupled to the fitment 216 of the container 266, the third valve setting may be selected for the second valve 272. The container 266 may then be filled with beer that flows from the beer faucet 267 (
With the second valve 272 closed to the third conduit 286 in the third valve setting, fluid is unable to flow from the third conduit 286 to either of the first conduit 212 or the second conduit 231. Fluid is also unable to flow to the third conduit 286 from either of the first conduit 212 or the third conduit 286 when the second valve 272 is in the third valve setting. Accordingly, the second valve 272 inhibits air from flowing in reverse through the third conduit 286 into either the first conduit 212 or the second conduit 231.
Alternative embodiments may include a second valve having a different configuration and/or different valve settings. For example,
In a first valve setting shown in
In a second valve setting shown in
In a third valve setting shown in
In a fourth valve setting shown in
Because the fluid flow bypasses the first conduit 212 (and container 266) when the second valve 272 is in the first valve setting (
With continued reference to
The first, second, and third conduits 212, 231, 286 may be attached to the respective valve portions (conduits or openings) 297, 298, 299 using any suitable attachment means, such as heat sealed, glued, welded, (e.g., sonic, ultrasonic, chemical, etc.), hose barbs, press fit, threaded, etc. Alternatively, the first conduit 212, the second conduit 231, and/or the third conduit 286 may be monolithically formed (e.g., injection molded, etc.) so as to have a single piece construction with the second valve 272. For example, the first conduit 212 may be formed integrally with valve portion 297. In this alternative construction, the transfer cap 208 may be assembled to the second valve 272 by snap fit wherein the opening 209 of the transfer cap 208 is stretched over the first conduit portion 212 of the monolithic first conduit/valve portion 212/297.
In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the apparatus 200, the second valve 272 and the transfer cap 208 are separate pieces that are coupled together. For example, the valve portion 297 may be positioned within the opening 209 in the top 210 of the transfer cap 208 such that a shoulder or flange 214 of the second valve 272 is above the top 210 of the transfer cap 208. Then, the valve portion 297 may be inserted into the first conduit 212 thereby trapping the transfer cap 208 between the shoulder or flange 214 of the second valve 272 and a portion (e.g., an end portion, shoulder or flange, etc.) of the first conduit 212. The first conduit 212 is positionable through the opening of the fitment 216 to engage and open the valve within the fitment 216.
In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the first conduit 212 is positionable through the aligned openings of the transfer cap 208 and the fitment 216 such that a first end portion of the first conduit 212 is generally between the transfer cap 208 and the fitment 216 and such that a second end portion of the first conduit 212 is generally between the transfer cap 208 and the second valve 272. The second end portion of the first conduit 212 is coupled to the valve portion 297, such as by inserting the valve portion 297 into the second end portion of the first conduit 212, etc. The first end portion of the first conduit 212 is configured to engage and open the valve within the fitment 216. The first conduit 212 may include a flange or shoulder similar or identical to the flange or shoulder 114 of the transfer tube 112 shown in
The transfer cap 208 is preferably not fixedly attached (e.g., adhesively attached, etc.) to the valve portion 297 or to first conduit 212. Instead, the transfer cap 208 may be rotatable for threaded engagement with the fitment 216 without having to rotate the second valve 272 or first conduit 212. Alternatively, the transfer cap 208 and second valve 272 may be attached together, e.g., heat sealed, glued, welded (e.g., sonic, ultrasonic, chemical, etc.) or other suitable attachment method, or the second valve 272 and transfer cap 208 may be monolithically formed (e.g., injection molded, etc.) so as to have a single piece construction. Additionally, the transfer cap 208 may be attachable to the fitment 216 by any suitable means such as threads, snap fit, clamp-fit, etc.
The transfer cap 208, first conduit 212, fitment 216, and valve within the fitment 216 may include features similar or identical to corresponding features of the transfer cap 108, transfer tube 112, fitment 116, and valve 124 within the fitment 116. For example, the transfer cap 208 may be configured to be coupled to the fitment 216 such that at least a portion of the transfer cap 208 is in contact with at least a portion of the fitment 216 and such that the opening in the top 210 of the transfer cap 208 is aligned with an opening of the fitment 216. The valve within the fitment 216 may be configured to inhibit fluid flow out of the container 266.
The container 266 may be movable relative to a faucet within a space defined by a length of a conduit between first and second end portions of the conduit when the conduit is coupled to the faucet. For example, the container 266 may be moveable relative to the beer faucet 267 within a space defined by a length of the second conduit 231 when the container 266 is connected to the faucet via the apparatus 200.
With the first conduit 212 positioned through the valve within the fitment 216, beer (or other liquid) may advantageously be able to flow openly (e.g., in a laminar flow path, straight line or linear flow path, without being damaged by agitation, etc.) through the first conduit 212 into or out of the container 266. Beer added to or removed from the container 266 can flow through the first conduit 212 without having to directly contact portions of the transfer cap 208, fitment 216, and valve within the fitment 216.
At least one of the first conduit 212 and/or the surface defining the opening of the fitment 216 may be configured such that an airtight seal between the conduit and the surface defining the fitment opening is defined before the first conduit 212 opens the valve within the fitment 216. The first conduit 212 may be rotatably coupled to the transfer cap 208 such that the first conduit 212 is rotatable relative to the transfer cap 208. The first conduit 212 may also be rotatable relative to the container 266 when the first conduit 212 is positioned in the fitment opening to open the valve within the fitment 216.
The apparatus 200 may further include a storage/transport cap or closure having features similar or identical to corresponding features (e.g., a sealing portion 105, one or more vent holes 136, 137, one or more cover members 133, etc.) of the storage/transport cap or closure 104 shown in
The device 351 is configured for moving the sealing member 352 towards and over the faucet's unsealed portion 353. The device 351 is further configured to allow continued movement of the sealing member 352 against the faucet's unsealed portion 353 such that the device 351 generates a clamping force with the beer faucet 367. The clamping force helps retain the device 351 to the beer faucet 367 and helps the sealing member 352 provide a good seal (e.g., airtight seal, etc.) for the faucet's unsealed portion 353.
In this exemplary embodiment, a first end portion 354 of the device 351 defines a first opening 355. The first opening 355 is configured (e.g., sized, shaped, etc.) to receive a portion 356 of the faucet body 357 as shown in
A threaded shaft or body 361 is threadedly engaged with the threaded nut 360. The sealing member 352 is at a first end portion of the threaded shaft 361. A knob 362 is at an opposite second end portion of the threaded shaft 361. The knob 362 may be used for rotating the shaft 361 relative to the threaded nut 360 to thereby move the threaded shaft 361 and sealing member 352 towards or away from the faucet's unsealed portion 353 depending on the direction of rotation.
When the faucet body portion 356 is positioned within the opening 355 as shown in
The clamping force is created between the sealing member 352 and the flanges or shoulders 365 by rotating the knob 362 and moving the sealing member 352 towards the flanges or shoulders 365 and into contact with the beer faucet 367 creating a seal 364 between the sealing member 352 and the faucet body 357. The magnitude of the clamping force may depend on the extent that the knob 362 is continued to rotate after the sealing member 352 initially contacts the beer faucet 367. The sealing member 352 is configured to provide space or clearance 366 to allow unencumbered movement of the internal mechanism 368 of the faucet 367.
In exemplary embodiments, the sealing member 352 may be made of elastomer or other suitable sealing material. The shaft 361 and body (e.g., first and second end portions 354, 359, shoulders or flanges 365, etc.) of the device 351 may be made of metal, plastic, or other suitable material.
Exemplary embodiments may be configured to be added to or retrofitted to an existing container, e.g., by positioning a fitment over a spout or neck of the existing container (e.g., growler, bottle, rigid container, flexible container, etc.) and sealing the interface therebetween. For example, the fitment may comprise a material having sufficient resiliency to be stretched out to fit over a spout or neck of an existing container and then conformingly seal against the spout or neck. In such exemplary embodiments, the existing container may be full of air. For example, a rigid container will be full of air (or some gas) when empty. Having a vent hole in the fitment as disclosed herein may advantageously allow the air in the existing rigid container (or other container) to escape when filling the container with liquid.
In an exemplary embodiment, the fitment may include an upwardly protruding portion (e.g., rib, ridge, protrusion, sealing element, etc.) along the top of the fitment. The upwardly protruding portion may be configured to be received within a corresponding recessed portion along an inner surface of the top of the storage/transport cap and/or transfer cap. The positioning of the fitment's upwardly protruding portion within the cap's recessed portion may help sealingly engage the cap and the fitment when the cap is in place. The fitment's upwardly protruding portion may define a circular ring along the top surface of the fitment. The inner surface of the top of the storage/transport cap and/or transfer cap may define a recessed portion having a circular shape corresponding to the circular shape of the fitment's upwardly protruding portion. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the storage/transport cap and/or transfer cap may include a gasket to help seal the interface between the cap and the fitment. Alternatively, any appropriate sealing method may be used.
In an exemplary embodiment, the container's reservoir holding the liquid remains sealed in an air-tight manner during use, e.g., when the container is being filled with beer (or other liquid), stored for later use, and emptied, such as when beer is being dispensed for consumption or to discard. Advantageously, this allows for the elimination of a separate carbonation source that is traditionally required for dispensing beer. Also, example embodiments do not require a drop tube to dispense the liquid, which drop tubes are traditionally used to extend from a mouth or opening of the container into the container's reservoir that holds the liquid.
Because exemplary embodiments do not require a separate carbonation source that adds carbonation into the container's interior or reservoir holding the liquid, exemplary embodiments may also be used with non-carbonated liquids, such as wine, milk, etc. Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure should not be limited to use with any particular liquid. For example, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be particularly useful when used for transferring and/or storing beer. But exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may also or instead be used with other carbonated beverages besides beer (e.g., tonic water, soda, etc.) as well as with non-carbonated liquids (e.g., wine, milk, etc.).
Exemplary embodiments of the apparatus (e.g., 100, 200, etc.) disclosed herein may also be used by small-quantity beer brewers (e.g., home brewers, etc.) to avoid the painstaking, cumbersome, and time consuming process of having to individually clean and fill bottles. Also, the typical carbonation step may be simplified by providing a forced-carbonation kit that utilizes apparatus 100, 200, etc. Instead of the typical method of adding additional sugar immediately prior to bottling to cause carbonation, a simple kit may be provided to directly carbonate a relatively large container (or a number of relatively large containers simultaneously) rather than numerous individual beer bottles one at a time. An example of such a kit would include one or more of apparatus 100 and/or 200 adapted to be connected to a regulated source of pressurized carbon dioxide in order to facilitate the forced carbonation process commonly known in the brewing industry. Also, for large brewers, the methods and apparatus described herein provide an alternative to canning/bottling.
Exemplary embodiments of the apparatus (e.g., 100, 200, etc.) disclosed herein may be used with a wide range of container sizes, shapes, and types (e.g., disposable, flexible, rigid, and/or portable containers, etc.) and/or containers made from various materials (e.g., plastic, polymer, metal, glass, or any other suitable material, etc.). For example, exemplary embodiments of the apparatus (e.g., 100, 200, etc.) disclosed herein may be used with the flexible round container 166 shown in
In exemplary embodiments, the storage/transport cap (e.g., 104, etc.) and transfer cap (e.g., 108, 208 etc.) are configured to be threaded onto the fitment (e.g., 116, 216, etc.). The threaded configuration (e.g., thread pitch, diameter, etc.) shown in the figures may be configured differently in other embodiments. In addition, other exemplary embodiments may rely upon a different connection between a fitment and a cap besides threads. For example, the threads may be replaced with another means of attachment, such as a friction fit, snaps, clips, etc. in other embodiments.
Also, exemplary embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure should not be limited to use with any particular liquid. For example, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be particularly useful when used for transferring and/or storing beer. But exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may also or instead be used with other carbonated beverages besides beer (e.g., water, soda, etc.) as well as with non-carbonated fluids (e.g., wine, milk, other liquids, gas, etc.).
Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. In addition, advantages and improvements that may be achieved with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are provided for purpose of illustration only and do not limit scope of the present disclosure, as exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may provide all or none of the above mentioned advantages and improvements and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
Specific dimensions, specific materials, and/or specific shapes disclosed herein are example in nature and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure herein of particular values and particular ranges of values for given parameters are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values that may be useful in one or more of the examples disclosed herein. Moreover, it is envisioned that any two particular values for a specific parameter stated herein may define the endpoints of a range of values that may be suitable for the given parameter (i.e., the disclosure of a first value and a second value for a given parameter can be interpreted as disclosing that any value between the first and second values could also be employed for the given parameter). For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, and 3-9.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
The term “about” when applied to values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters. For example, the terms “generally,” “about,” and “substantially,” may be used herein to mean within manufacturing tolerances.
Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements, intended or stated uses, or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/825,860 filed Aug. 13, 2015 (published as US2017/0043994 on Feb. 16, 2017 and issuing as U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/005,654 on Jun. 26, 2018). The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.
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| Child | 16017981 | US |
