AU2014302006A1 - Cap assembly for a beverage container - Google Patents

Abstract

A cap assembly for sealing a beverage container for holding a gas entrained beverage, the cap assembly being configured to cooperate with a dispensing assembly to dispense the beverage, the cap assembly including a first cap component; and a beverage outlet port including a normally-closed beverage dispensing valve and a beverage outlet aperture for dispensing beverage therethrough when the beverage dispensing valve is opened, the beverage outlet aperture being formed in the first cap component; wherein the first cap component is provided with a cap cover for reducing ingress of contaminants into the cap assembly, and wherein the cap cover includes an access aperture positioned or positionable over the beverage outlet aperture such that the beverage dispensing valve is openable from outside the cap assembly without removing or breaching the cap cover.

Description

WO 2014/205477 PCT/AU2014/000334 CAP ASSEMBLY FOR A BEVERAGE CONTAINER Technical field The present invention relates to a cap assembly for a beverage container. Background Servings of carbonated or nitrogenated beverages such as beer are typically served to a customer from a vessel (e.g., a keg) which is connected via a line to a tap at the service point. While it is possible for this experience to be replicated at home by purchasing and connecting all of the required components, most casual consumers are reluctant to do so. As a result, in recent times it has become popular to provide smaller (e.g., IL to 5L volume) self-contained beverage dispensers, sometimes known as "party kegs", for sale to the home consumer. One example of a known beverage dispensing assembly is shown in US Patent No. 8,070,023 to Vitantonio, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The beverage dispensing assembly of Vitantonio includes a sealed disposable container assembly containing a carbonated beverage, and a separate dispensing assembly that cooperates with the container assembly to selectively unseal the container assembly and dispense controlled portions of the beverage from the container assembly. The container assembly includes a container, and a cap assembly which seals the container. The cap assembly also houses a pressure source, a gas inlet for receiving gas from the pressure source, and a beverage outlet for dispensing beverage from the container. The beverage outlet of the cap assembly of Vitantonio is in fluid communication with an interior volume of the container via a dip tube. A valve is arranged near the beverage outlet, such that when the valve is opened, beverage is forced out through the outlet via the dip tube. A problem which can occur in filling and sealing the container assembly is that after the container is filled with carbonated beverage and the dip tube or siphon tube in the cap WO 2014/205477 PCT/AU2014/000334 -2 assembly is inserted into the container. air or other gases can become trapped in the dispensing path between an upper level of the beverage in the dip tube or siphon tube and the flow valve. When the first few beverages are poured from the dispensing assembly, excessive foam head can be formed due to either the trapped gases or the non-wetted surfaces. Air or other gasses trapped in the dip tube can also cause oxidation or other undesirable or unintended effects and a general overall reduction in quality of the beverage during the life of the filled container. One approach to solving the above mentioned foaming problem is disclosed in US Patent Publication No. 2009/0321443 of Taggart. Taggart's solution is to fill the dip tube, during production. at least up to the valve with a flushing liquid, the beverage, or both. The flushing liquid has less entrained gas than the beverage. By having liquid (i.e., either beverage or flushing liquid) contact the valve, the problem of a very foamy head on the first few pours that are dispensed from the vessel is mitigated. However, a potential disadvantage of this method is that several additional processing steps may be required. For example, if a flushing liquid is used, the filling process entails bringing a flushing liquid spout into fluid communication with the beverage outlet opening, opening the valve and introducing flushing liquid from a flushing liquid source into the dip tube through the beverage outlet opening. When the flushing liquid begins to exit an opening at the distal end of the dip tube, the valve is closed and the flushing liquid spout is removed from the beverage outlet opening, such that the flushing liquid is trapped in the dip tube between the valve and the distal end of the dip tube. It would be desirable to overcome or alleviate one or more of the above difficulties, or at least to provide a useful alternative. Summary of the invention The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a cap assembly for sealing a beverage container for holding a gas entrained beverage, the cap assembly being configured to cooperate with a dispensing assembly to dispense the beverage, the cap assembly WO 2014/205477 PCT/AU2014/000334 -3 including: a first cap component and a beverage outlet port including a normally-closed beverage dispensing valve and a beverage outlet aperture for dispensing beverage therethrough when the beverage dispensing valve is opened, the beverage outlet aperture being formed in the first cap component; wherein the first cap component is provided with a cap cover for reducing ingress of contaminants into the cap assembly, and wherein the cap cover includes an access aperture positioned or positionable over the beverage outlet aperture such that the beverage dispensing valve is openable from outside the cap assembly without removing or breaching the cap cover. Preferably, the cap assembly further includes a second cap component fastened to the first cap component. The beverage dispensing valve may be at least partially housed in the second cap component. The cap assembly may further include a gas source housing. The gas source housing may be the second cap component or may be formed in the second cap component. A gas source may be retained in the gas source housing. The gas source may be a gas cartridge. In certain embodiments, the cap assembly includes a cartridge retaining component for securing the gas cartridge to the gas source housing, the cartridge retaining component also being secured to the first cap component. The beverage dispensing valve may be housed between the second cap component and the cartridge retaining component. The cartridge retaining component may include a cartridge tip assembly. and any cartridge tip assembly may include at least one seal for preventing unwanted escape of gas from the gas source or cartridge tip into the ambient environment once the cartridge has been activated. A cartridge tip assembly may house a spike for opening the gas source to enable flow of gas into a downstream component or assembly, such as a dispensing assembly and/or a pressure regulator. In certain embodiments, the cap cover is formed separately from the first cap component. The cap cover may be at least partially detachable from the first cap component or may be WO 2014/205477 PCT/AU2014/000334 -4 permanently affixed to it. In other embodiments, the cap cover is formed integrally with the first cap component. In certain embodiments, the cap cover is at least partially frangible, such that applying a dispensing assembly to the cap assembly ruptures the cap cover at one or more points to thereby operably couple the dispensing assembly with the cap assembly. Separate but not necessarily exclusive from other features in any embodiments, a set of or a plurality of features or controlled part-to-part fitments, especially at any or all of the edges, holes, or ports in a detachable cap, can provide a seal or barrier. The purpose of this seal or barrier is to prevent any dirt, debris, liquids, or other foreign material from intruding into the assembly at any location. This is especially useful to protect areas desired to be kept clean and/or dry in order to prevent biological growth or to otherwise maintain the cleanliness or sanitation as may be required by the application. Brief description of the drawings Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a cap assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a top view of the cap assembly; Figure 3 is a side view of the cap assembly; Figure 4 is a side view of the cap assembly, showing a dip tube attached; Figure 5 is an underneath view of the cap assembly and dip tube; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cap assembly fastened to a beverage container; Figure 7 is a cross-section through the line 7-7 of Figure 6; and Figure 8 is a partial close-up view of Figure 7. Detailed description of preferred embodiments Referring to the Figures and initially to Figure 1, there is shown a cap assembly 10 including a threaded first (outer) cap component 12 and a second (inner) cap component WO 2014/205477 PCT/AU2014/000334 -5 14. The inner cap component 14 has an aperture 18 for receiving and supporting a gas cartridge 70. The assembly 10 also includes a cartridge retaining element 40 which further assists to hold cartridge 70 in place. A cap cover 60 is sealingly fitted over the outer cap component 12 and includes an aperture 62. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the cap assembly 10 is used to seal a beverage container 200 which contains a beverage under pressure. Annular seal 100 of cap assembly 10 assists in preventing gas from exiting the container 200. The beverage may be a gas-entrained (e.g. carbonated) beverage such as beer or soft drink, for example. The combination of cap assembly 10 and beverage container 200 may be used with a corresponding dispensing assembly, for example a dispensing assembly similar to that disclosed in US Patent No. 8,070,023, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. The dispensing assembly cooperates with the cap assembly 10 and, in use, is operably coupled to it such that beverage can be dispensed, via cap assembly 10, through the dispensing assembly. Cartridge retaining element 40 is retained between inner cap component 14 and outer cap component 12 by the use of countersunk stainless steel screws 54 which are received in threaded apertures 16 of inner cap component 14, via apertures 46 of cartridge retaining element 40 and apertures 56 of outer cap component 12. Alternatively, self-tapping or thread-forming screws 54 may be used with unthreaded apertures 16. Apertures 56 are tapered such that the heads of countersunk screws 54 sit flush against the tipper surface of the outer cap component 12. The inner cap component 14 has a gas inlet port 28 which is sealed off by a check valve 38. The check valve 38 is an umbrella valve to prevent liquid or gas contents from back flowing in the system yet have as low a cracking pressure as possible for admitting gas into the interior of beverage container 200 as may be required. An exemplary valve is manufactured by Vernay Industries, Inc and is formed of an elastomeric material such as silicon having a Shore A Durometer rating of about 60. Other types of check valve 38 may also be used with embodiments of the invention. As best shown in Figure 3. the inner cap component 14 also has a beverage outlet port 29. The beverage outlet port 29 is connectable to a (lip tube 220 as shown in Figures 4 and 7.

WO 2014/205477 PCT/AU2014/000334 -6 The gas inlet port 28 has an aperture 30 for receiving a spring 32 and valve cup 34. The spring 32, when the cap assembly 10 is assembled, biases valve cup 34 against a seal member 36 located on a lower surface of cartridge retaining component 40, such that gas cannot enter the gas inlet 28 unless valve cup 34 is urged against the spring bias. Similarly, beverage outlet port 29 is associated with a spring 22 and valve cup 24 received in aperture 20, the valve cup 24 being biased against seal 26 of cartridge retaining component 40 to prevent beverage from exiting the dip tube 220. When cartridge retaining component 40 and outer cap component 12 are fastened to inner cap component 14, the gas inlet port 28 is in communication with an aperture 44 in the cartridge retaining component 40 and aperture 50 in outer cap component 12. Aperture 44 of the cartridge retaining component 40 is surrounded by a raised sidewall, which locates within aperture 50 of the outer cap component 12. Similarly, beverage outlet port 29 is in communication with aperture 42, which also has a raised sidewall 43 to locate within aperture 52 of the outer cap component 12. The sidewall surrounding aperture 42 is raised sufficiently to also allow location within an aperture 62 of a cap cover 60 which is fitted over the outer cap component 12 and is retained there by snap-in engagement of a peripheral lip 64 in an annular groove 59 of outer cap component 12. Cartridge 70 is retained in inner cap component 14 by inserting it into cartridge recess 18, and securing cartridge retaining component 40 on top. The cartridge retaining component 40 has a seat 48 having an aperture 41 in its floor. The aperture 41 fits over the neck 74 of cartridge 70. A cartridge tip assembly 80 is received in the seat 48 and includes a cartridge tip base 81, cartridge neck seal 82, flat seal 84, cartridge-piercing spike 88, cartridge tip head 86, cartridge/regulator seal 90 and cartridge tip cap 92. Cartridge neck seal 82 fits around cartridge neck 74 and flat seal 84 is located at the upper surface 72 of cartridge 70, as best shown in Figure 8. The seals 82 and 84 prevent gas from escaping out of the system from the cartridge tip during operation. Cartridge tip head 86 holds the cartridge-piercing spike 88 and is affixed to base 81 by screw-threaded attachment. As best seen in Figure 8, the spike 88 is retained with its lower piercing end positioned slightly above the upper surface72 of cartridge 70.

WO 2014/205477 PCT/AU2014/000334 -7 Advantageously, the removable cap cover 60 reduces or minimises ingress of contaminants into the cap assembly 10 during the process of filling and capping the beverage container 200 whilst still permitting beverage outlet valve 24 to be activated from outside the cap assembly 10. As best seen in Figure 8, at least a portion of the raised sidewall 43 projects through the outer cap component 12, and engages with an inwardly turned lip 68 of the cap cover 60. The lip 68 forms a seal with the raised sidewall 43, and therefore the outer cap component 12, such that when the valve 24 is opened to purge the dip tube 220 as described below, any beverage which exits through the opened valve cannot seep into either the outer cap component 12 or the inner cap component 14, such that the purging operation can be carried out in a more hygienic manner than if the cap cover 60 was not present. It will be appreciated that the cap assembly 10 can be provided with many alternative types of cap cover. For example, while the cap cover 60 particularly illustrated is fully removable, alternative cap covers may be partially removable, for example having a line of weakness which is ruptured to allow part of the cover to be removed to selectively expose parts of the cap assembly 10 (e.g. gas inlet port 28 and cartridge tip assembly 80) for coupling to corresponding parts of a dispensing assembly. Further alternative cap covers may be permanently affixed to first cap component 12, but have one or more frangible regions which are puncturable by parts of the dispensing assembly when the dispensing assembly and cap assembly 10 are brought into engagement. For example, a frangible foil or film, or other similar rupturable sealing member, may be applied to first cap component 12. In a yet further alternative, the cap cover may be integrally formed with the first cap component 12, and have one or more frangible surface regions which are rupturable by parts of the dispensing assembly when the dispensing assembly and cap assembly 10 are brought into engagement. Advantageously, a cap cover which is puncturable by the dispensing assembly, to allow the dispensing assembly and cap assembly to be coupled, obviates the need to remove the cover, thus reducing handling of the cap assembly and the possibility of contamination and user error.

WO 2014/205477 PCT/AU2014/000334 -8 Regardless of other constructional details of the cap cover 60, the access aperture 62 provides access to normally-closed valve 24 while the cover is in place, without requiring removal or breach of the cover 60. Accordingly, after the container 200 is filled with a gas entrained beverage such as beer or a soft-drink, the valve 24 may easily be held open while a dip tube 220 connected to the beverage outlet port 29 is lowered into the beverage in the container (for example, by any suitable apparatus for applying the cap assembly 10 to the container 200). Because the valve 24 is held open. air contained in the dip tube 220 can be purged through the top of the dip tube to the outside of the cap assembly 10 as the dip tube 220 is lowered into the beverage 210 and can be continued to be maintained open while the outer cap component 12 is screwed onto the neck of bottle 200. After the outer cap component 12 has been firmly fastened the valve 24 may be closed. As a consequence of the valve 24 being held open during the entire capping procedure, the dip tube 220 is allowed to fill with beverage, such that the Clip tube 220 and valve 24 are primed with beverage. This displaces and purges most (if not all) the air which would otherwise be trapped in the dip tube 220 in a typical filling and capping process. This provides two significant advantages. Firstly, the total package oxygen content (TPO) is reduced, with concomitant reduction in degradation of the beverage quality due to oxidation. Secondly, the problem of beer or other carbonated beverage foaming excessively on the first few pours is greatly reduced or even eliminated. This is because the beverage 'wets' the surface inside the dip tube and valve body which eliminates, or at minimum greatly reduces the number of, bubble nucleation sites as well as removing the headspace which would cause highly turbulent flow as a gas-liquid front moves through the system during the first dispense. If the dip tube 220 is not vented (and not filled with beverage), when the valve 24 is activated by the consumer, numerous potential nucleation sites would be present which will allow for bubbles to form and in addition the beverage would rush into and through the headspace, generating foam on the first dispense through the beverage outlet. Additionally, with the headspace in the dip tube and valve body eliminated, the pressure drop on the first dispense is better managed and controlled which will also reduce excessive foaming. A further advantage of the presently disclosed cap assembly is that air can be purged from WO 2014/205477 PCT/AU2014/000334 -9 the dip tube in a single step during the capping operation, i.e. by lowering the complete cap assembly such that the dip tube descends into the beverage in the container, rather than needing to conduct a separate purging step prior to applying the cap to the beverage container. Additionally, the valve 24 may be held open for a brief time interval after the cap assembly forms a seal or partial seal with the bottle 200. In this subsequent stage, the gas in the gas entrained beverage will naturally come out of solution and begin to raise the pressure inside the bottle 200 above the ambient pressure. Since the valve 24 is open to ambient on one side, this will result in the beverage being forced up the dip tube and valve body higher than the top most level of the beverage in the bottle 200, which would be the maximum height if gravity alone were utilized for the gas purging and displacement. The process of capping the bottle 200 may of course be carried out manually, with the person carrying out the capping procedure holding the valve 24 open using a stainless steel pin or other tool. In general, however, the filling and capping procedure will be largely automated. Automated processes and machinery for filling and capping beverage containers are well-known in the art, and will not be described in detail herein. It will be appreciated that any such machinery should include means for gripping the outer cap component 12, a moveable pin for activating and de-activating the valve 24, and means for rotating the outer cap component 12 to screw the outer cap component onto the neck of the container 200. In this regard, ears 58 of outer cap component 12 can be gripped to allow the outer cap component 12 to be rotated. If it is so desired, due to the advantageous placement of the aperture 62 in cap cover 60, the process for displacing and purging gas described above may take place any time after the cap assembly has been fully applied to the bottle, rather than holding the valve 24 open during capping. This is accomplished by simply opening the valve 24 by any suitable means and allowing gravity and/or the pressure in the bottle to cause the beverage to displace and purge gas from the dip tube and valve body. However, it is preferred that the purging be done as soon as possible after filling to prevent any degradation or damage to the bottle contents due to the presence of the gas in the dip tube and valve body.

WO 2014/205477 PCT/AU2014/000334 - 10 The sealed beverage container 200 can be supplied to consumers substantially in the form shown in Figure 6, with the consumer removing the cap cover 60 (e.g., using thumb-grip 66) in order to be able to apply a dispensing apparatus (not shown) such as the dispensing assembly mentioned above. The dispensing apparatus, when secured to the cap assembly 10 and activated, drives spike 88 through the top surface 72 of cylinder 70, the spike 88 being accessible via gas cartridge access aperture 51 of outer cap component 12. The dispensing apparatus defines a closed gas flow path from cylinder 70 through the cartridge tip 80 and into gas inlet port 28 via a regulator (not shown). Seal 90 at the top of cartridge tip 80 prevents gas leaving the path between the cartridge tip 80 and regulator. The dispensing apparatus may include an actuator for opening the valve 24 via aperture 52 in the outer cap component 12, with a beverage dispensing path being defined when the valve is opened, such that beverage 210 can be dispensed. The above embodiments are provided by way of example only, and many modifications and variations are possible while still falling within the scope of the invention. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge, in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims (17)

1. A cap assembly for sealing a beverage container for holding a gas entrained beverage, the cap assembly being configured to cooperate with a dispensing assembly to dispense the beverage, the cap assembly including: a first cap component; and a beverage outlet port including a nornally-closed beverage dispensing valve and a beverage outlet aperture for dispensing beverage therethrough when the beverage dispensing valve is opened, the beverage outlet aperture being formed in the first cap component; wherein the first cap component is provided with a cap cover for reducing ingress of contaminants into the cap assembly, and wherein the cap cover includes an access aperture positioned or positionable over the beverage outlet aperture such that the beverage dispensing valve is openable from outside the cap assembly without removing or breaching the cap cover.

2. A cap assembly according to claim 1, including a second cap component fastened to the first cap component.

3. A cap assembly according to claim 2, wherein the beverage dispensing valve is at least partially housed in the second cap component.

4. A cap assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further including a gas source housing.

5. A cap assembly according to claim 4 when appended to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the gas source housing is, or is formed in, the second cap component.

6. A cap assembly according to claim 4 or claim 5, including a gas source retained in the gas source housing.

7. A cap assembly according to claim 6, wherein the gas source is a gas cartridge.

8. A cap assembly according to claim 7. including a cartridge retaining component for WO 2014/205477 PCT/AU2014/000334 - 12 securing the gas cartridge to the gas source housing, the cartridge retaining component also being secured to the first cap component.

9. A cap assembly according to claim 8, wherein the beverage dispensing valve is housed between the second cap component and the cartridge retaining component.

10. A cap assembly according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the cartridge retaining component includes a cartridge tip assembly.

11. A cap assembly according to claim 10, wherein the cartridge tip assembly includes at least one seal for preventing unwanted escape of gas front the gas source or cartridge tip into the ambient environment once the cartridge has been activated.

12. A cap assembly according to claim 10 or claim 1H, wherein the cartridge tip assembly houses a spike for opening the gas source to enable flow of gas into a downstream component or assembly.

13. A cap assembly according to claim 12, wherein the downstream component or assembly is a dispensing assembly.

14. A cap assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap cover is formed separately from the first cap component.

15. A cap assembly according to claim 14, wherein the cap cover is at least partially detachable from the first cap component.

16. A cap assembly according to any one of claims I to 13, wherein the cap cover is formed integrally with the first cap component.

17. A cap assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap cover is at least partially frangible, and wherein applying a dispensing assembly to the cap assembly ruptures the cap cover at one or more points to thereby operably couple the dispensing assembly with the cap assembly.