Patent Application
20170107091
The present invention relates to keg connectors for rapidly and easily connecting a beer keg to a dispensing line and to a pressurized gas line. It concerns in particular a cheap, re-usable keg connector adapted to the new evolution of beer keg designs.
Background for the Invention
When beer or malt based fermented beverages (collectively referred to herein as “beer”) are widely distributed stored in bottles and metal cans, there is a marked preference by the public for beers served directly on tap from a keg, referred to as draught (or draft) beer. Since draught beer was traditionally served in large volumes in public houses (pubs) and restaurants, large capacity metal kegs were traditionally used, typically 50 l kegs (=11 Imperial gallons). In recent years, however; a reduction of the kegs capacity offered on the market has been observed. There are two main factors explaining this trend.
First, brewers have developed various solutions for offering draught beer to particulars with specifically designed home appliances. It is clear that if 50 l kegs can be emptied reasonably rapidly in a pub, this is not the case for home appliances. Hence, smaller kegs of 5 to 15 l capacity were developed. Such home appliances are often referred to as “table top dispensers” because they are small enough to stand on top of a table.
Second, even in pubs, the tastes of the consumers have shifted from traditional lager beers towards special beers, with more specific flavours. This diversification of the types of beers offered for consumption in pubs has pushed brewers to store their special beers in smaller capacity kegs, ranging from 8 to 25 l kegs. Since such kegs are too large to stand on top of a counter, and probably too small to justify storing them in a basement far away from the tap, they are usually stored directly under the tapping column, usually in a refrigerated chamber. For this reason and by opposition to the expression “table top dispensers”, such dispensing systems used in pubs are often referred to as “under the counter dispensers”.
With the reduction of kegs capacity, however, the cost of packaging (=keg) per litre of beer sold increased accordingly. Alternative solutions to metal kegs had to be developed, typically replacing metal kegs by polymeric kegs made for example of PET. Furthermore, since draught beers require a pressurized gas to drive the dispensing of the beer out of the keg, and pressurized CO2 bottles used in pubs are not readily available for home appliances, solutions were proposed to use air compressors as source of pressurized gas instead. To avoid any contact between air and the beer, dispensing bag-in-containers have been used, wherein the beer is contained in a flexible inner bag inserted in an outer, rigid container, and pressurized gas is injected into the space between the inner bag and outer container to collapse the inner bag and drive the beer out of the bag. As illustrative examples, integrally blowmoulded polymeric dispensing bag-in-containers are disclosed in WO2008129018, WO2008129016, WO2008129012, WO2008129015, or WO2008129013, which contents are herein incorporated by reference.
Regardless of its size, before use a beer keg must be connected to a dispensing line and to a source of pressurized gas. Home appliances have been designed with their own specific solution for rapidly connecting a dispensing line and a gas source to the interior of the kegs (cf. e.g., WO2012056018). In some cases, the source of pressurized gas is stored in the keg itself, but this solution is rather expensive and to date implementable in quite small kegs only (cf. e.g., WO9947451, WO2007/108684). In pubs, however, although the kegs designs have changed dramatically as discussed above, the same equipment as for large 50 l kegs is often still being used downstream from the keg, including the keg connector, the dispensing line and gas duct, and draught column and tap. Conventional keg connectors are usually made of metal, are heavy, complex and expensive. Examples of conventional keg connectors are disclosed in WO9407791, U.S. Pat. No. 3,545,475, DE91 091 77U. They are ill-fitted for smaller polymeric kegs, typically of 8 to 25 l kegs. Some solutions have been proposed to replace conventional keg connectors with simpler connectors.
WO2007/108684 discloses a simplified keg connector comprising a single connection to a dispensing tube. The keg connector could be designed without a connection to a pressurized gas tube because the pressurized gas source is stored in a container located inside the keg. Absent a connection to a pressurized gas source, the requirements, in particular mechanical, clamping, and sealing properties, on the keg connector are substantially reduced, and the size thereof could be reduced accordingly. Numerous connectors for coupling a single dispensing duct to a container comprising no pressurized gas connection have been disclosed in fields other than beer kegs, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,871,679, EP2012052, or WO200107819, but are not suitable for a quick connection of a beer keg to both a dispensing line and a pressurized gas source.
FR1334267 and WO02079075 disclose keg connectors which are as bulky and complex as conventional keg connectors. EP1347936 discloses a small size keg connector comprising a connection to both a source of pressurized gas and a dispensing tube. The keg connector of EP1 347936, however, is not connected to a closure of the keg, as it acts as a closure per se. Each new keg is sold with such connector already clamped into position with a new dispensing line coupled thereto. A keg connector concomitantly acting as closure is also disclosed in US2011210148, but in this case, the connector is reversibly coupled to a container by a thread and can be removed therefrom and used with a new container.
There remains a need in the art for re-usable keg connectors adapted for small size kegs (e.g., 8 to 25 l capacity), generally made of polymer, which are cheap, light, safe and easy to connect to a new keg and disconnect to a spent keg. The present invention proposes such keg connector. These and other advantages are discussed more in details in the following sections.
The present invention is defined in the appended independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. In particular, the present invention concerns a keg connector for coupling a dispensing line and a gas line to a keg comprising a closure provided with a sealed dispensing opening and with a gas opening, said keg connector comprising:
In a preferred embodiment, the downstream portion of the dispensing tube forms an angle of 70 to 120°, preferably of 80 to 100°, with the upstream portion of the dispensing tube. Alternatively or concomitantly, the upstream portion of the gas tube forms an angle of 70 to 120°, preferably of 80 to 100°; with the downstream portion of the gas tube
The downstream portion of the dispensing tube can be reversibly detachable from the upstream portion of the dispensing tube. Alternatively or concomitantly, the upstream portion of the gas tube can be reversibly detachable from the downstream portion of the gas tube.
In an alternative embodiment, the dispensing tube is an integral part of the mono-block integral body. Alternatively or concomitantly, the gas tube is an integral part of the mono-block integral body.
Both or anyone of each of the downstream end of the dispensing tube and the upstream end of the gas tube may comprise a connection element in order to facilitate the coupling thereof to a dispensing line and gas line, respectively.
In an embodiment particularly suitable for use with dispensing bag-in-containers, the upstream portion of the dispensing tube is located substantially at the geometrical centroid of the perimeter of the inner surface of the top plate structure, and the downstream portion of the gas tube is located close to the perimeter of the inner surface of the top plate structure.
The present invention also concerns an assembly of a a keg connector as defined above coupled to a container containing a beverage, wherein the container comprises a body portion and a neck portion provided with an opening sealed by a closure comprising a dispensing opening and a gas opening, characterized in that, the upstream portion of the dispensing tube is inserted in the dispensing opening of the closure and the downstream portion of the gas tube is inserted in the gas opening of the closure, and in that, the keg connector is reversibly maintained in coupling position by the two clamping legs. The closure generally comprises a skirt ending in a circumferential ridge. In one embodiment the keg connector is reversibly maintained in coupling position by clamping the protrusions at the free ends of the clamping legs beyond said circumferential ridge. In an alternative embodiment, the neck of the container comprises a circumferential ring forming a ledge around the circumference of the neck region, and wherein the keg connector is reversibly maintained in coupling position by clamping the protrusions at the free ends of the clamping legs beyond said circumferential ring.
In a preferred embodiment, the assembly of the present invention is used in a dispensing unit usually found in most pubs and bars, with the downstream end of the dispensing tube being fluidly connected to an upstream end of a dispensing line. The dispensing line comprises a free downstream end and is coupled to a tapping valve situated between the upstream and downstream ends of the dispensing line (15). The upstream end of the gas tube is fluidly connected to a downstream end of a gas line, said gas line comprising an upstream end connected to a source of pressurized gas.
The present invention also concerns a method for connecting or disconnecting a keg to a tapping valve comprising the following steps:
The keg connector thus coupled to a keg can be disconnected from the keg as follows:
For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
As shown in
The container or keg (9) (the two terms being herein considered as equivalent) generally extends along a longitudinal axis, X1, from an opening sealed by a closure (10) to a base. The opening is comprised in a substantially cylindrical neck region, which is separated from a body portion, usually substantially cylindrical of larger diameter than the neck region, by a shoulder forming a transition region, and the body portion is adjacent to the base. The container (9) can be a traditional keg, wherein the pressurized gas is injected into the same volume which contains the liquid. In this case, a dispensing hollow spear is generally used with one end dipped at the lowest part of the liquid in a direction parallel to the gravitational field when in use and the other end coupled to a dispensing opening (50) of a closure sealing the opening of the keg. Alternatively, the keg (9) can be a dispensing bag-in-container as illustrated in
The connection of a dispensing line (15) and a gas line (17) to the keg (9) is made very rapid, easy, and comfortable with the use of a keg connector (1) according to the present invention. A keg connector of the present invention can be used several times with different kegs, and is extremely cheap to produce and easy to use. In particular, a keg connector (1) according to the present invention comprises a mono-block integral body comprising, on the one hand, a top plate (2) structure defined by a perimeter and comprising an upper surface (2t) and a lower surface (2L) and, on the other hand, a clamping system. The integral mono-block body is preferably made of a polymer, more preferably, but not necessarily, a thermoplastic polymer such as a polyolefin (e.g., PE, PP), a polyamide (e.g., PA6, PA66, PA12), a polyester (e.g., PET, PEN) and the like. It is advantageously injection moulded. For smaller series, 3D-printers can be used to produce the mono-block integral body (2). The mono-block integral body comprises an integral clamping system for reversibly coupling the keg connector to the closure of a keg. The clamping system comprises:
The keg connector (1) further comprises:
As shown in
As the clamping legs (3) are sliding along the closure skirt (10s) the upstream portion (5u) of the dispensing tube (5) and the downstream portion (7d) of the gas tube (7) are concomitantly introduced into the dispensing opening (50) and gas opening (70), respectively, of the closure (10), the upstream end (6u) of the dispensing tube (5) breaking open the sealed dispensing opening (50) in the process. For this reason, the upstream portion (5u) of the dispensing tube (5) and the downstream portion (7d) of the gas tube (7) must be parallel to one another, and must be parallel to the longitudinal axis, X1, when the keg connector is moved into coupling position.
In a preferred embodiment illustrated in
Similarly, the downstream portion (5d) of the dispensing tube (5) can form an angle of 70 to 120°, preferably of 80 to 100°; more preferably about 90° with the upstream portion (5u) of the dispensing tube. This configuration has the same advantage of saving space as the gas tube (7) discussed supra. It has the drawback, however, that it is more difficult to wash a lumen forming a relatively sharp elbow than a straight lumen. This drawback does not affect the gas tube which needs not be washed as thoroughly as the dispensing tube before use with a new keg. In case a lateral connection of the dispensing line (15) is desired, but it is preferred to not have a dispensing tube (5) forming an angle, it is possible, as illustrated in
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing tube (5) and/or the gas tube (7) or at least a portion of said dispensing and/or gas tubes is distinct from the mono-block integral body, and can be removably assembled thereto. This configuration is advantageous in that, in particular the dispensing tube needs not be washed before a new use but can simply be removed and replaced by a new one. This allows the use of dispensing and/or gas tubes (5, 7) having a relatively sharp angles, with simple dispensing and/or gas lines (15, 17) comprising no specific end geometry, contrary to the L-shaped upstream end of the dispensing line (15) discussed with respect of the foregoing embodiment. A simple flexible polymeric pipe can thus be used as dispensing or gas line (15, 17), which decreases the cost of a disposable element of the dispensing unit.
In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in
In an embodiment particularly suitable for use with dispensing bag-in-containers, the upstream portion (5d) of the dispensing tube (5) is located substantially at the geometrical centroid of the perimeter of the inner surface of the top plate structure (2), and the downstream portion (7d) of the gas tube (7) is located close to the perimeter of the inner surface of the top plate structure (2). As shown in
In case of traditional dispensing kegs, wherein pressurized gas, generally CO2, is injected into the volume containing the liquid to be dispensed through a hollow spear, the dispensing tube (5) is advantageously located close to the centroid of the top plate (2) structure, whilst the gas tube (7) should not be too close to the perimeter thereof, since it must correspond to a gas opening (70) of a closure which is located over the opening of the keg. In some instances, the gas duct (7) and dispensing duct (5) may be concentric, with the downstream portion (7d) of the gas duct (7) being enclosed within the upstream portion (5u) of the dispensing tube (5).
When a keg connector (1) according to the present invention is reversibly coupled to a keg (9), it is is maintained in its coupled position by means of the clamping legs (3) snap-fitted beyond a broad section of the keg, which can be formed by the circumferential ridge (10r) forming the free end of the closure skirt (10s) or, alternatively by a circumferential ring (9r) formed at the neck region of the keg (9). In its coupled position, the upstream portion (5u) of the dispensing duct (5) is engaged in the dispensing opening (50) of the closure (with the seal thereof broken open upon introduction of the upstream end (6u) of the dispensing tube (5)) and the downstream portion (7d) of the gas tube (7) is engaged in the gas opening (70) of the closure. The terms “downstream” and “upstream” are used herein with reference to the flow direction of a fluid in the corresponding tubes (viz., liquid in the dispensing tube (5) flowing out of the container, and pressurized gas flowing in the gas tube (7) into the container).
The downstream end (6d) of the dispensing tube (5) must be connected to an upstream end of a dispensing liner (15); which comprises a free downstream end (15d) and is coupled to a tapping valve (13t) located between the upstream and downstream ends of the dispensing lines. In a preferred embodiment illustrated in
Similarly, when the keg connector (1) is in its coupled position with the keg, the downstream portion (7d) of the gas tube (7) is inserted in the gas opening (70) of the closure (10). The upstream end (8u) of the gas tube (7) is connected to a gas line (17) which is coupled to a source (17g) of pressurized gas, such as a bottle containing gas under high pressure (cf.
When the latter is open, the liquid is free to flow out of the downstream end (15d) of the dispensing line (15) into a glass or any other recipient (cf.
A keg connector according to the present invention can be used repeatedly with different kegs (9) and is not disposable with each single keg. For this reason, it must be easily removable from an empty keg in order to the coupling thereof to a new keg. To facilitate the removal of a keg connector from an empty keg, the keg connector comprises two levers (4) which are a continuation of the clamping legs (3) extending on the opposite surface of the top plate structure (2), at the upper surface (2t) thereof. After closing the communication between the keg and the source (17g) of pressurized gas, the keg connector (1) can be easily removed by pressing the free ends (4f) of the two levers (4) towards one another, so that the protrusions (3p) at the free ends (3f) of the clamping legs (3) are driven away from each other, to a distance of d1 or greater. In such configuration, the keg connector can be removed along the longitudinal axis, X1, and can pass over the broad section without hindrance. After some washing, the keg connector is ready for use with a new keg.
A keg connector (1) according to the present invention is extremely cheap to produce and can be used repeatedly with several kegs. It is very simple and rapid to use, requiring no complex movements of twisting or rotating for reversibly coupling it to a keg, but a simple translation along the longitudinal axis of the container suffices until the clamping legs (3) snap fit into position, with the dispensing tuber (5) and gas tube (7) engaged in the respective dispensing opening (50) and gas opening (70) of the keg closure (10). It is very compact, taking very little room when coupled to a keg. The removal thereof is very easy too, making it a perfect replacement to the conventional bulky keg connectors or to the disposable, single use connectors of the prior art.
The following table lists the reference numbers used in the Figures.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14161266.3 | Mar 2014 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2015/055971 | 3/20/2015 | WO | 00 |
