BEVERAGE STORAGE AND DISPENSING APPARATUS

Abstract

A beverage container and dispenser utilizing a keg that slidingly engages a support to connect a liquid dispenser and compressed air inlet. The keg is guided into proper orientation in the support via a track located on the support.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel beverage storage and dispensing apparatus which is particularly useful for dispensing beverages stored in collapsible and flexible, valve operated bags.

Beverages, such as wine and other spirits, are normally placed in rigid barrels or bottles and shipped to commercial distributors or consumers for consumption. Rigid containers for the storage of beverages, although being traditionally acceptable, constitute a relatively expensive way to store and transport beverages.

In the last several years, portable beverages have been stored in flexible bags having a valve or tap to allow dispensing of the same. Such flexible bags have been placed in boxes formed of cardboard or polymeric materials. It has been found that packaging portable beverages in this manner is inexpensive compared to traditional rigid containers. Also, it has been realized, in the case of wine, that such wine is not oxidized by air when dispensed, as is the case with wine stored in a rigid bottle. Also, spoilage due to cork taint is eliminated by the use of a plastic tap or valve fitted to the flexible storage container.

Reference is made to United States Patent 8,590,744 which is incorporated by reference to the present application as a whole. This patent describes a novel liquid storage and delivery system which utilizes a canister having a diaphragm that is pressured to force liquid from a flexible storage container within the canister.

Many other systems for dispensing portable beverages have been proposed. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,772,111, 2,090,665, 3,180,529, 4,437,319, 5,915,602, and 6,481,238 describe portable dispensers for beverages stored in kegs which may include cooling and the provision of compressed air to force liquids from a barrel or keg.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,774,229, 3,327,902 and 4,518,104 show beverage dispensing systems which include mechanisms to control the temperature of the beverage eventually dispensed from containers.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,940,019 teaches an automated system for mixing drinks using the combination of a syrup, water, and carbon dioxide, controlled by electronic circuitry to combine these elements to produce such drink.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,501,404 and 3,630,589 illustrate keg handling devices which employ rolling or tilting plateforms to move a keg into the inside of a cabinet or dispenser for dispensing the contents of the keg.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,217,013 and 5,474,374 show container handling units that employ sliding and tilting mechanisms to move a bulk container into various positions.

A beverage storage and dispensing apparatus that easily delivers a portable beverage from a flexible container in a keg would be a notable advance in the field of food and beverage operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present applications a novel beverage storage and dispensing apparatus is herein provided.

The apparatus of the present invention is used in conjunction with a collapsible bag containing a beverage that possesses an outlet valve or tap. The collapsible bag or pouch is placed in a keg similar to that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,744. Most importantly, the present invention provides for an interconnection of a beverage flow mechanism as well as the delivery of compressed gas to the keg. In this regard, the keg possesses an end portion and a body. The body connects to the end portion to form a housing having an interior chamber for holding the collapsible bag filled with the beverage to be dispensed. The body also includes a guide, such as a pin, which extends outwardly from the keg housing. Moreover, the end portion of the keg includes an orifice for access to the outlet valve of the collapsible bag positioned within the interior chamber of the keg.

A support or cradle is also provided in the present invention and includes a bottom portion and a wall portion angularly oriented relative to the bottom portion. The bottom portion is constructed with a surface having a track. The track is sized to accommodate the guide extending from the body of the keg to allow the keg to slide relative to the bottom portion of the support and a predetermined path.

A pressure operated valve is held by the support and is located relative to the wall portion of the support. The pressure operated valve includes an inlet configured for mating with the outlet valve of the collapsible bag containing the beverage when the keg slides along its pre-determined path to a termination place. Thus, beverage is permitted to flow from the collapsible bag within the keg to the pressure operated valve, which also includes an outlet for dispensing the beverage to a consumer.

The end portion of the keg also possesses a compressed gas inlet. Such compressed gas inlet directs compressed gas to the interior chamber of the keg body and may impinge on the collapsible bag or other elements, such as the bladder shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,744, previously incorporated by reference hereto. A compressed gas source is held by the support and located relative to the wall portion of the support. The compressed gas source mates with the compressed gas inlet located at the end portion of the keg when the keg slides along its predetermined path to its termination place.

The end portion of the keg may also possess a mechanism for removably connecting the end portion to the body of the keg housing. In addition, a hand gripping member may be fastened to the keg to allow maneuvering of the same into position such that the guide of the keg enters the track found on the support. A latch may also be found in the present embodiment for securing the keg to the support. The keg may also include a pressure relief valve which ruptures if excess pressure builds up within the keg.

It may be apparent that a novel and useful beverage storage container and dispensing apparatus has been hereinabove described.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a beverage storage and dispensing apparatus which allows a collapsible bag containing a beverage found in a keg to be efficiently moved and processed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage storage and dispensing apparatus which may be operated by a single person and is capable of dispensing portable beverages in large quantities easily and quickly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage storage and dispensing apparatus that eliminate the need for sanitizing and recycling of beverage containers. Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage storage and dispensing apparatus which greatly reduces the cost of handling potable liquids between initial packaging and dispensing.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage storage and dispensing apparatus which is efficient and durable.

The invention possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns particular characteristics and features thereof which will become apparent as the specification continues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the keg used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right end view of the keg depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a left end view of the keg depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of the support or cradle employed in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a left end view of the support of FIG. 4 partially showing the keg on the support, in phantom.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the pressure operated valve held by the support for dispensing beverage from the collapsible bag within the keg.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a prospective view showing the movement of the keg relative to the support in order to activate the beverage dispensing from the collapsible bag within the keg and delivery of compressed air to the keg.

For a better understanding of the invention reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention which should be taken in conjunction with the above described drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the present invention will evolve from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be referenced to the prior described drawings.

The apparatus for dispensing and storing beverages is depicted as whole by reference character 10, FIG. 8. Basically, the invention includes keg 12 and support 14 in sliding relationship. Each element will be discussed in detail as the specification continues.

Keg 12, FIGS. 1-3 includes a housing 16 formed by a cylindrical body 18 and an end portion 20, FIG. 2. Keg 12 also includes end portion 22 generally opposite end portion 20 of body housing 16. Housing 16 possesses an interior chamber 24 (broken away portion on FIG. 1) which encompasses a collapsible bag 26 having a tap or outlet valve 28, shown partially in phantom on FIG. 1. Outlet valve 28, is also depicted in FIG. 2 as being accessible through an orifice 30 through an end portion 20. Again, such collapsible bag is fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,744. Keg 12 may be formed of any rigid or semi-rigid material such as, stainless steel, aluminum, and the like. Handles 32 and 34 are fixed to and extend from end portion 22, while handle 36 fixes to end portion 22. The outer surface 38 of end portion 20 and outer surface 40 of end portion 22 are depressed inwardly toward interior chamber 24 of housing 16. Pressure relief valve 42 extends through end portion 22 and is intended to relieve unwanted pressure from interior chamber 24 of housing 16, typically at or above 20 p.s.i. Most importantly, keg 12 includes a guide 44, in the form of a pin or boss that extends outwardly from the outer surface 46 of body 18 of keg 12. End portion 20 is removably attachable to body 18 by the use of keyhole openings therethrough which engage screw heads extending from body 18. For example, keyhole and screw combinations 48 and 50, FIG. 2, represent mechanism 52 for removably connecting end portion 22 to body 18 of keg 12, by twisting.

Turning now to FIG. 4, it may be observed that support, cradle or carriage 54 is depicted. Again, support 54 may be formed of any rigid or semi-rigid materials such as stainless steel or aluminum. It should be noted that the edge portions of support 54 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are illustrated in a single line format due to the scale of the drawings and the minimal thickness of such portions, typically 20 gage stainless steel. Support 54 includes a bottom portion 56 formed of a central or rectangular section 58 and two wing sections 60 and 62 that extends outwardly and upwardly from central rectangular section 58. As depicted in FIG. 5, wing sections 60 and 62 form an approximate 45 degree angle with central rectangular section 58. Wall portion 64 is angulated or relative to bottom 56, forming an approximate 90 degree angle with bottom 56 of support 54. Side partitions 66 and 68 extend along bottom 56 to wall portion 64 of support 54. Thus, support 54 is generally in the form of a cradle. Wing section 60 of bottom 56 includes a surface 70 which supports a track 72. Track 72 is fashioned from a pair of polymeric runners 74 and 76 that extend along wing section 60 of bottom 56. Needless to say, guide 44 of keg 12 slides along bottom 56 of support 54 within track 72. It should be noted that track 72 includes a wider part 78 and a narrow part 80 to allow the user of apparatus 10 to more efficiently engage guide pin 44 within track 72. A skid 82 runs along wing portion 62 of bottom 56, to further aid in the sliding movement of keg 12 along support 14.

With further reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, support wall portion 64 holds a pressure operated valve 84 having an inlet 86 which mates, at orifice 30, with outlet valve 28 of collapsible bag 26 holding the beverage. Beverage would then flow through outlet 88 of valve 84 for dispensing according to directional arrow 90. Of course, other dispensing conduits and taps would be used at outlet 88, once valve outlet 88 has been opened, to fill containers such as glasses and pitchers with the beverage flowing from flexible bag 26. A bracket 92 connected by fasteners to wall 64 holds the inlet 86 of pressure operated valve 94 to the track 72 side of wall 64 of support 54. FIGS. 6 and 7 depict a detail of pressure operated valve 84 with bracket 92 shown partially. It may be seen, that a plug 94 is biased by spring 96 toward collapsible bag outlet valve 28. FIG. 7 shows valve 84 in its open position where pressure from outlet valve 28 pushes on a recess 98 of plug 94 according to directional arrow 100. As may be seen, liquid flows around plug 94, past spring 96, and exits from outlet 88 in this arrangement.

In addition, end portion 20 of keg 12 includes a compressed gas inlet 102, FIGS. 1 and 2 that is capable of mating with a compressed gas source at outlet 104. Outlet 104 is mounted to wall 64 of support 54. Compressed gas inlet 102 is of conventional configuration, such as a fitting part #MC 2202. Compressed gas outlet may take the form of part #PMC 1204. Inlet 102 and outlet 104 are manufactured by CPC of St. Paul Minn. Of course, compressed gas outlet 104 connects to a source of compressed gas (not shown) of conventional configuration that releases such compressed gas into inlet 102 of keg 12 when inlet 102 of keg 12 mates with outlet 104 mounted to wall 64 of support 54.

In operation, with specific reference to FIG. 8, keg 12 is in a sliding relationship with support 54, directional arrow 105, specifically along track 72 and skid 82 found on wings 60 and 62, respectively, of bottom 56 of support 54. To effect such sliding, guide 82 of keg 12 enters large part 78 of track 72 and travels to narrow part 80 as keg 12 moves toward wall portion 64 of support 54. As depicted schematically in FIG. 5, keg 12 rests on runners 74 and 76 of track 72 as well as skid 82. It should be noted that runners 74 and 76 as well as skid 82 may be formed of naturally lubricated polymeric material such as high density polyethylene. At this point, keg 12 travels along a predetermined path within track 72 indicated by distance arrow “A” on FIG. 8. Keg 12 travels along such path to a termination place where end portion 20 of keg 12 lies immediately adjacent wall 64. At this juncture outlet valve 28 of collapsible bag 26 mates with pressure operated valve 84, and compressed gas inlet to keg 12 mates with compressed gas outlet 104. As heretofore described, pressure operated valve for conducting beverage from collapsible bag 26 and compressed gas outlet 104 are held to and supported by wall 64 of support 54. It should also be noted that track 72 correctly orients the position of keg 12 adjacent wall 64 to allow such simultaneous mating of valves 28 and 84 and inlet and outlets 102 and 104, prior described. A latch 106 holds keg in place. Once compressed air is fed through compressed gas inlet into keg 12, collapsible bag 26 is squeezed to force beverage from the same through outlet valve 28 of collapsible bag 26 and into pressure operated beverage valve 84. Keg 12 may be removed from support 54 once the beverage has emptied from collapsible bag 26. End portion 20 of key 12 is then opened and a new full collapsible bag 26 is placed into the interior 24 of keg 12 to begin the dispensing process once again.

While in the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such detail without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.

Claims

1. A beverage storage and dispensing apparatus utilized in conjunction with a collapsible bag containing the beverage and having an outlet valve; comprising: a. a keg, said keg comprising a housing having an end portion and a body, said body connected to said end portion forming an interior chamber of said housing for holding the collapsible bag, said keg including a guide extending outwardly from said keg housing, said end portion further including an orifice for access to the outlet valve of the collapsible bag within said interior chamber of said keg;b. a support, said support comprising a bottom portion and a wall portion angularly oriented relative to said bottom portion, said bottom portion further comprises a surface and a track positioned relative to said bottom portion surface, said track being sized to accommodate said guide extending from said keg to allow said keg to slide relative to said bottom portion of said support in a predetermined path, to a termination place with said keg at a particular orientation;c. a pressure operated valve held by said support and being located relative to said wall portion of said support, said pressure operated valve including an inlet configured for mating with the outlet valve of the collapsible bag containing the beverage after said keg slides along said predetermined path to said termination place, to permit the flow of beverage from the collapsible bag, said pressure operated valve further comprising an outlet for dispensing the beverage;d. a compressed gas inlet located at said end portion of said keg, said compressed gas inlet directing compressed gas inlet to the interior chamber of said keg housing; ande. a compressed gas source held by said support and located relative to said wall portion of said support, said compressed gas source including an outlet mating with said compressed gas inlet located at said end portion said keg after said keg slides along said predetermined path to said termination place.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said support further comprises a skid contacting the keg when said keg slides along said predetermined path.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said end portion of said keg includes a mechanism for removably connecting said end portion to said body of said keg.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said track comprises a pair of runners separated from one another.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a hand gripping member connected to said keg.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a pressure relief valve on said keg, said pressure relief valve communicating with the interior of said keg.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said support further comprises a skid contacting the keg when said keg slides along said predetermined path.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said end portion of said keg includes a mechanism for removably connecting said end portion to said body of said keg.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said track comprises a pair of runners separated from one another.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a hand gripping member connected to said keg.