Patent Grant
10258940
The invention relates to a beverage dispensing assembly. The invention further relates to a beverage container for use in a beverage dispensing assembly.
Beverage dispensing assemblies are known in the art in different constructions, for both on and off premise use.
It is known to dispense beverages such as carbonated beverages, especially beer from a rigid metal or wooden container such as a keg, barrel or cask by feeding pressurised gas, such as CO2 into the container, forcing the beverage out of the container.
In an alternative system, as for example known from Heineken's DraughtKeg® and disclosed in for example EP1064221, a beverage container can be provided with an integrated, for example internal pressurizer, with which preferably automatically gas is introduced into the container in order to pressurise the beverage for dispensing and maintain as much as possible a constant pressure inside the container.
It has further been known, as is for example known from Heineken's BeerTender® and disclosed in WO00/03944, to dispense beverages from a bag-in-container type of container, in which a beverage is contained inside a flexible inner container, which is suspended in a more rigid outer container. In such system a pressurising gas can be inserted into the container, between the inner and outer container, thereby compressing the bag or inner container, squeezing out the beverage without the pressurising gas coming into direct contact with the beverage.
In EP2148771 an integrally blow moulded bag-in-container is disclosed, for holding and dispensing beverages, wherein at least one vent is provided running parallel to an interface between inner and outer containers, which vent opens to the atmosphere at a location adjacent to and orientated approximately coaxially with the bag-in-container's mouth. EP2148771 fails to disclose how this container is used in a dispensing assembly, especially how this is to be connected to a tapping line or tapping device.
WO2011/002295 further discloses a system in which a container is compressed within a pressure chamber, such that beverage contained within the container is dispensed. This requires a strong pressure chamber and an air tight closure of the pressure chamber to the container.
NL1034419 discloses a tapping assembly comprising a BIC type container having a gas inlet at bottom side of the container and a dispense assembly screwed onto the opposite neck side thereof. In this tapping assembly a standing cup is connected to the bottom of the container, which cup includes a one way valve for keeping the container pressurised after removal of the gas supply.
WO2010128151 discloses a tapping assembly comprising a BIC type container, again comprising an air inlet at a bottom end thereof, and a dispensing assembly screwed onto the neck end thereof. In this tapping assembly the container is placed onto a tapping apparatus, comprising an intermediate dosing chamber from which beverage is dispensed.
The present invention aims at providing an alternative tapping assembly. The present invention aims at providing a beverage dispensing assembly that is easy to operate and maintain. The present invention aims at a beverage tapping assembly requires relatively little space compared to the volume of beverage contained therein. The present invention aims at a beverage container which is suitable for storage and dispensing beverage in an easy and safe way. Any one of these aims can at least partly be achieved, individually or in combination, by a beverage dispensing device and/or beverage container according to this disclosure. Other aims and advantages may be alternatively or additionally be obtained by the invention.
In a first aspect the present invention can be characterised by a beverage dispensing assembly, comprising a container and a tapping apparatus having a chamber in which the container fits and can be entered into through an opening closable by a lid, such that the container is enclosed between the lid and a opposite end of a chamber. Spaced apart from the lid a first connector is provided, for feeding pressurised gas into the container through a gas inlet provided in the container. At the side of the opening of the chamber a pressure element is provided for pressing the container with the gas inlet onto the first connector. The first connector is preferably provided at said opposite end of the chamber, such that the container is pushed onto and/or into it when the container is inserted into the chamber through the opening.
In a second aspect the present invention can be characterised by a closure provided in and/or on the neck region of the container, with a substantially tubular element at the neck region, having a closed peripheral wall, and an operating element fitting inside said tubular element, slidingly sealing against the said wall. A cap is fitted at or near an end of the tubular element, closing off the tubular element, wherein the operating element can be pushed into the tubular element to such extend that it at least partly removes the cap from the tubular element and/or pierces said cap, for opening a passage from the container to a dispensing line connected to the operating element. The cap can be positioned at an end of the tubular element facing an inner space of the container, especially a beverage containing space.
In a third aspect the present invention can be characterised by a beverage container wherein a closure is provided in and/or on the neck region of the container, comprising a substantially tubular element at the neck region, having a closed peripheral wall, and an operating element fitting inside said tubular element, slidingly sealing against the said wall. A cap is fitted at or near an end of the tubular element, closing off the tubular element, wherein the operating element can be pushed into the tubular element to such extend that it at least partly removes the cap from the tubular element and/or pierces said cap, for opening a passage from the container to a tapping line connected to the operating element.
The tubular element with the cap can be made integrally, for example by multi component injection moulding, such as 2-K moulding. Alternatively the cap can be mounted to the tubular element in a different manner, for example by press fit or bonding, as long as it can be pushed at least partly away from the tubular element.
The operating element preferably is designed such that once it has been use for pushing the cap at least partly away, it locks in or behind part of the tubular element, such that it is locked in position and cannot be removed, at least not without damage, or reused, whereas it preferably extends at least partly beyond the position in which the cap was fitted, such that the cap cannot be pushed back into a position in which it closes off the tubular element.
In order to further elucidate the present invention, embodiments thereof shall be disclosed and discussed hereafter, with reference to the drawings. Therein shows:
In this description embodiments are shown and disclosed of the invention, by way of example only. These should by no means be interpreted or understood as limiting the scope of the present invention in any way. In this description the same or similar elements are indicated by the same or similar reference signs. In this description embodiments of the present invention shall be discussed with reference to carbonated beverages, especially beer. However, other beverages could also be used in the present invention.
In this description references to above and below, top and bottom and the like shall be considered, unless specifically stipulated differently, to an orientation of a container lying down on a side, as for example shown in
In this description a bag-in-container type container, such as a bag-in container (BIC) or Bottle in Bottle or Bag in Bottle (BIB) type has to be understood as meaning at least a container comprising an outer holder and an inner holder, wherein the inner holder is designed to hold a beverage and is more flexible or compressible than the outer holder. The outer holder can for example be a container, such as a bottle shaped container with a neck and a body, a box shaped holder or the like, whereas the inner holder can be a flexible container, such as a bag. The inner and/or outer holder can be made of mono materials or blends, can be made entirely or partly by injection moulding and/or blow moulding, rotation moulding or the like. Preferably a bag-in-container according to the invention is made by integrally blow moulding. In embodiments the bag-in-container can be made by inserting at least one preform into another preform and then blow moulding them together into a bag-in-container type container. In embodiments the bag-in-container can be made by over-moulding at least one preform forming a multi layered preform and then blow moulding them together into a bag-in-container type container. In embodiments a bag can be suspended inside an outer container, after forming the outer container and the bag separately, at least in part.
In the present disclosure by way of example a bag in container (BIC) shall be described, integrally blow moulded from a preform set comprising two plastic preforms, super imposed, which should be understood as meaning that one of the preforms is inserted into the other, after which they are together blow moulded in a known manner into a BIC.
In this description a tapping assembly shall be described, comprising at least a tapping apparatus and a container, especially a bag in container (BIC) type container and a valve operating device or such device to which the container is to be coupled, as well as a source of pressurised gas, such as air. As pressure fluidum other gasses can however be used, such as CO2, or another fluidum, such as water. The fluidum can be supplied in any suitable way, as is known in the art, but is preferably provided as pressurised air by a pump or compressor incorporated in the tapping device.
In this description wording like substantially, about and the like should be understood as meaning that variations are possible with respect to the property it refers to, for example deviations of 15% or less, such as 10% or less or 5% or less or for example 30° or less, such as for example 20° or less, such as 10° or less.
The tapping apparatus 2, shown in
In the embodiment shown in
A drip tray 12 is shown below a beverage outlet opening 13. At a rear of the apparatus schematically a mains plug 14 is shown for connecting the apparatus to a mains for supplying electricity to for example electronics of the apparatus, to a compressor or pump and to cooling elements in the apparatus 2, all in a manner known per se.
In embodiments the container 3 can be a BIC type container, and in embodiments the air inlet 16 can comprise a valve 21, for example as schematically shown in
The first connector 16 can comprise a connecting part 26 movable relative to a housing 27, which connecting part is connected to a gas supply line 28. The gas supply line 28 may be flexible, such as to accommodate for movement of the connecting part 26. The connecting part has an opening 29 in a surface 30 that can sealingly engage the first element 22 around the opening 23. such that a gas tight connection can be obtained between said two openings 23, 29. The gas supply line may be connected to an air pump or compressor 31 within the tapping apparatus, for supplying pressurised gas, especially air through said openings 23, 29. A spring element 32 is provided between the connecting part 26 and the housing 27, biasing the connecting part 26 towards the container 3 and allowing adjustment of the position of the connecting part 26 relative to the housing 27 and/or to the container 3. In the embodiment shown the spring element 32 comprises or is formed by a conically wound, helical spring, forming a frusto-conical shape having the top 33 engaging the connecting part 26 around the opening 29. The outer surface 30 of the connecting part 26 is preferably slightly hollow such that it can be self centering relative to the first element 22, in order to properly align the openings 23, 29. The spring, especially the conical spring will allow for longitudinal adjustment, radial adjustment and angular adjustment of the position of the connecting part 26 and especially the outer surface 30 thereof relative to the container 3.
In the embodiment shown the chamber 5 is provided with a lower or bottom side 34, on which the container can be positioned and over which the container 3 can be slid form the opening 6 towards the opposite end 15 thereof. The positioning of the first connector 16 is preferably such above the bottom side 34 that the distance D between the bottom side 34 and the opening 29 of the connecting part 26 is about half the diameter W of the container, such that the opening 29 will align with the opening 23 on the longitudinal axis X of the container. The bottom side 34 can be concave in cross section, such that the position of the container 3 relative to the chamber is thereby thus defined. By providing the movable and preferably self positioning connecting part 26 adjustments of the position of the opening 29 can be obtained for adjusting for for example production tolerances, changes in the diameter W and/or longitudinal length L of the container 3, which could be due to for example temperature or pressure changes within the container 3 or the like or askewness of one or both of the surface 30 and the element 22. An additional advantage of such relatively close fitting bottom part 34 of the chamber 5 is that cooling of the container 3 through contact cooling can be obtained very efficiently, by cooling the bottom part 34 of the chamber with cooling means 34A.
When pressurised gas such as air is forced through the opening 29 it will push the second element 24 away from the opening 23, allowing the gas to flow into the space 35 between the inner container 3A and the outer container 3B, thus compressing the inner container 3A. The inner container 3A can be connected to the outer container 3B, for example at to spaced apart locations, such as for example at opposite axial ends at or near the neck region and at or near the connector 7, such that a direction of compression may at least partly be predefined, such as primarily in radial direction. When the pressure in said space 35 is about equal to or slightly higher than a desired pressure for the beverage, the supply of gas may be stopped. To this end in a known manner the electronics 36 of the apparatus may comprise a pressure sensor and switching means for switching on and off the pump or compressor 31 depending on the pressure in the container relative to a desired set pressure, for example by measuring the pressure in the line 28. When the container is removed from the apparatus the second element 24 may be pushed back over and/or into the opening 23 closing the opening 23 and thus acting as a valve 21.
As shown and discussed before the container 3 can be slid into position in the chamber 5 within the apparatus 2 by inserting it into the chamber through the opening 6, bottom 37 forward, until the first element 22 is pushed against the connecting part 26. Then the lid 7 can be closed over the container 3, locking it into position and forcing the connecting between the openings 23, 29. In embodiments a switch can be provided at or near the first connector, for allowing supply of electrical power to the pump or compressor 31 once the connecting part 26 is moved relative to the housing 25 over a predetermined distance, thereby indicating that a container has been properly placed. Alternatively such movement can open a valve in the pressurised gas supply line 28. Such embodiments may prevent accidental introduction of pressurised gas into an empty chamber 5 or when a container is not (yet) properly placed. Also other sensors can be applied for sensing whether a container is present and properly placed in the chamber 5 before allowing pressurising air.
Before closing the lid 7 over the opening 6 the dispense line 11 can be connected to the container 3 and the tapping valve operating system 10, operable by the handle 9. This can be done prior to closing the lid 7 or by closing the lid 7 or after closure, when pressurizing the container. In
The container 3 and/or the operating element 41 with the dispense tube 11 and in-line valve can be disposable, made substantially of plastics materials and/or for single use only. The in-line vale could be omitted and for example be replaced with a flexible tube part, squeezable by the vale operating system 10 for opening and closing the passage for dispensing beverage, as for example known from WO2006/082486, or the tapping line 11 could, at the end 38, be provided with a coupler for coupling to a tapping cock, for example quick coupler as known in the art. Preferably the in-line vale 39 is used, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,390,375, US2004/0226967 and NL1015368. In
As shown in
At a second end 49 opposite the first end 48 the tubular element 44 may closed by a cap 50. The cap 50 may be made of plastic or rubber. In the embodiment shown the tubular element 44 at the second end 49 comprises a peripheral rim portion 51. The cap 50 comprises a central part 52 and a rim portion 53 extending around it, which rim portion 53 comprises a groove 54 that fits snugly over the rim portion 51 of the tubular element 44. The rim portion 51 may have a thickness t2 smaller than the thickness t1 of the further tubular element 44, which may increase at the end 49 slightly further, such that a shoulder 55 is formed at the second end 49 of the tubular element 44, at the inward facing side of the rim portion 51. The cap 50 can be made separate from the further closure 42 and fixed to the end 49 for closing the tubular element 44. Preferably the closure 42 is made integrally, for example by multi-component injection moulding, such as 2-K moulding. Preferably the cap 50 and tubular element 44 are made of such materials that during manufacturing the cap 50 is crimped onto the rim portion 51. In use the cap 50 may be pressed further onto the rim portion 51 for further closure.
The operating element 41 fits inside said tubular element 44, from the first end 48. The operating element comprises a body 56 with a central channel 57 extending longitudinally through the body 56. From a first end 66 of the body 56 the dispensing line 11 is fitted into the channel 57. It may be press fit in the body 56 or otherwise connected, for example bonded or welded or mounted by for example use a clamping means, as known in the art for mounting flexible tubing. The portion of the dispense line 11 inside the channel 50 has an axis parallel to and preferably coinciding with the longitudinal axis X2 of the channel 57. From the opposite end 58 of the body 56 the operating element 44 comprises an end portion 59 provided with axially extending elements 60. These elements 60 can for example be click fingers. The elements 60 have outward facing portions 61 for engaging the second end 49 of the tubular element 44, especially under the shoulder 55, when the cap 50 is removed at least in part from the tubular element 44, as will be discussed further. These elements 60, 61 may lock the operating element 41 within the tubular element 44. Between the locking elements 60 spokes 62 can be provided, which are connected at one side to the body 56 and at the opposite end, facing the inner volume 63 of the container 3, a ring 64 is provided, extending longitudinally passed the locking elements 60.
At the first end 66 of the body 56 an outward flaring flange 67 is provided around the dispense line 11, widening in a direction away from the body 56. The inward facing surface 68 of the flange 67 is preferably convex and the flange is rotation symmetrical around the axis X2. Therefore the flexible dispense tube 11 can be bent along the surface 68 in any direction over a substantial angle, for example 45 degrees or more or, preferably, at least about 90 degrees, without buckling or pressed shut or otherwise being blocked.
The operating element 41 has, at an outer surface of the body 56, a peripheral seal 46 for slidingly sealing against the inside of said wall 45. The cap 50 is fitted at or near the end of the tubular element 44, closing off the tubular element 44. The operating element can be pushed into the tubular element 44 to such extend that it at least partly removes the cap 50 from the tubular element 44, for opening a passage from the container to the tapping line 11 connected to the operating element 41. When pushing down the operating element 41 into the tubular element 44 the forward second end, and especially the ring 64, if provided, will be forced against the cap 50, such that when pushed further, the cap 51 will be forced at least partly from the rim 51, allowing the elements 61 to click under the shoulder 55. The cap 50 may be entirely removed, which means that it will fall into the beverage space 63. Alternatively the cap may maintain attached to part of the tubular element, for example by a living hinge, still allowing the elements 61 to hook under the shoulder or at least open a passage from the space 63 to the dispense line 11 through the operating element. The ring 64 and elements 61 will prevent the cap 50 from reclosing the end of the tubular member 44.
In the embodiment shown, the length Ltube of the inside tubular member, measured along the axis X1 is larger that the distance Lend between the ring 64 and the seal 46, such that when the operating element 41 is inserted into the tubular element, the seal 46 will first sealingly engage the surface 45 before the cap 50 can be pushed off at least part of the tubular element, especially off the rim 51. Thus spilling of beverage is prevented passed the operating element 41.
In the outward facing surface 69 of the flange 47 a stepped surface portion 70 for receiving part of the flange 67, such that the upper edge 71 of said flange 67 will come to lie about flush with or below the higher portion 72 of the flange 47.
As can be seen in
As can be seen in
In an embodiment of
In
Preferably the end 98 will engage the second side 99B of the slit 99 only when the arm 89 is brought into about the position in which the first 92 and second ends 93 are aligned with the point 95, such that prior to that position the valve elements 77, 78 are not moved over any relevant distance.
For closing the valve again the opposite direction of movement will occur, again forcefully closing the valve once the disk 97 has been rotated beyond a position in which the first 92 and second ends 93 are aligned with the point 95.
Such tapping valve operating system 10 has the advantage that it mechanically provides for a tapping system in which it is virtually impossible to open the valve only partly, or close it only partly. This will improve tapping behaviour, especially for not so experienced users. It further increases convenience.
A tapping assembly of the present invention can be used as follows.
A container 3 is obtained by or otherwise provided to a user, together with the operating element 41 with dispense tube 11 and valve 39. The user removes a seal 100 or other provision covering the closure 42 and pushes the operating element 41 into the tubular element 44 of the closure, all the way down, thus pushing the cap 50 from at least part of the tubular element 44 and opening the container. The valve 39 is preferably in a normally closed position, such that no beverage can be released from the container. Then the lid 7 of the apparatus 2 is opened and the container 3 is slid into position within the chamber 5. The dispense line 11 is bent upward, such that the valve 39 can be positioned in the valve operating system. Especially one of the flanges 82, 83 is engaged by the holder 88 and the other by the valve engagement element 86, operable by the operating system 10. Then the lid 7 is closed over the container, pushing the pressing element 19 against the container 3, especially against the neck thereof, as disclosed, forcing the connectors 16, 17 in fluid communication. The length of the dispense line 11 is preferably such that the dispense line 11 is pulled along the surface 68 of the flange 67 when the valve 39 is properly positioned in the holder 88. This prevents the tube 11 form being engaged by the element 19. When power to the compressor or pump 31 switched on pressurised air will be forced into the space 35, pressurising the beverage inside the inner container 3A. When then the valve 39 is opened, beverage will be dispensed until the valve 39 is closed again.
After a desired amount, possibly substantially all of the beverage has been dispensed form the container 3, the lid 7 may be opened again and the container 3 can be pulled out of the chamber 5 and can be either stored for further use, if not empty, or can be discarded. The container 3 can be replaced by another container 3 easily. Since the valve 39 and dispense line 11 are replaced too, contact between the beverage and the apparatus 2 can be minimised, if not prevented, thereby reducing the need of cleaning the apparatus to a minimum.
The invention is by no means limited to the embodiments specifically disclosed and discussed here above. Many variations thereof are possible, including but not limited to combinations of parts of embodiments shown and described. For example the container can be a single walled container in stead of a BIC or BIB type, or can be a membrane container, in which a membrane separates a beverage compartment connected to the neck from a pressurising compartment positioned in connection with the connecting element 17. The tapping device can be provided with the opening 6 and lid 7 in a different position, for example at a top side of the apparatus, wherein the opposite end 15 can be the lower end of the chamber. The opening 6 could be at the front of the apparatus, wherein the container could be positioned with the axis X vertically, directly on top of the connector 16. In embodiments the lid could be at least in part an integral part of the container and/or operating element. In embodiments the first connector could be positioned differently, for example at or in the lid, wherein a container can be inserted into the chamber such that the neck region, or at least the dispense opening of the container faces away from the lid, for example towards a bottom of the chamber, whereas the gas inlet of the container faces the lid. The pressure element can then be provided at said end of the chamber opposite the lid, for example the bottom of the chamber. A dispense line 11 can then extend for example alongside the container towards the lid or a tap or be guided out of the chamber in any other suitable way. Alternatively the apparatus could be open, such that the container is placed on for example an air supply directly. Cooling can be obtained in any suitable way, including but not limited to contact cooling, cooling of the air in the chamber, or any other such suitable means. The tapping valve operating system could be designed differently, for example for directly engaging the valve or for squeezing the dispense line, as a tube valve, when no in-line valve is used. The closure could be formed differently, for example comprising a valve in stead of the cap, and the operating element could be designed differently, for example such that it can be screwed or otherwise positively connected to the tubular element for obtaining a fluid tight connection. The operating element can be designed to pierce the cap in stead of pushing the cap away from at least part of the tubular element.
These any many other variations are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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| 2009864 | Nov 2012 | NL | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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| PCT/NL2013/050841 | 11/22/2013 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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| WO2014/081294 | 5/30/2014 | WO | A |
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