BR102020024515A2 - Container for carbonated beverage with beverage release system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container for carbonated beverage with a beverage delivery system, comprising a hollow body (1) of circular cross section, provided with a peripheral wall that extends from a base, and an upper face closing the top of said body, two holes (2B, 2C) on the upper face, with a central hole (2B) located in the center of the upper face and the other decentralized hole (2C) displaced in relation to the center of the upper face, whereas in the central orifice (2B) a beverage pressurization system is coupled, and in the decentralized orifice (2C) a beverage dispensing assembly (6) is coupled.

Description

CONTAINER FOR CARBONATE BEVERAGE WITH BEVERAGE RELEASE SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention refers to a keg-type beverage container with a liquid release system applied to carbonated beverages, with an internal pressurization system, which allows the installation of a beverage pressurization system and a set of independently dispensing drink.

STATUS OF THE TECHNIQUE

[002] The containers currently used in this segment, in a first modality, dispense drink gravitationally through an orifice at the bottom of the container. These products have low beverage dispensing flow rates, particularly because as liquid is consumed, the dispensing flow rate decreases considerably, impairing the user experience. Another aspect to be highlighted is that, to dispense the beverage in this way, it is necessary to open a relief valve at the top (bunghole), which generates considerable ingress of oxygen into the beverage, impairing the quality of the liquid and, consequently, its shelflife. In some cases, it is not even possible to dispense all the drink from the container.

[003] The most common products in the current technique dispense drink through the use of a CO2 cylinder with high pressure, usually 16 grams of gas, placed in the container, after filling, this mentioned cylinder being connected to a pressure reducing valve, that regulates the internal pressure of the container, balancing the pressure reduction caused by the beverage dispensing with CO2 release from the cylinder. In this case, the flow is higher than the gravitational dispensing described above, but also inconsistent and with a loss of performance along the volume of liquid, creating a bad experience for the user and, in some cases, not dispensing all the liquid from the container, despite to present a “shelflife” superior to that by gravitational dispensation.

[004] It is also worth considering in current state-of-the-art products the fact that they generate a lot of foam when dispensing carbonated beverages, in most cases beer, impairing the use of the liquid and the user experience even with the liquid at low temperatures, there is since excessive foam is undesirable.

[005] One of the causes responsible for the generation of turbulence and foam, sometimes in excess, lies in the fact that the containers are provided with a single orifice, where the drink is dispensed, with the carbon dioxide cartridge being previously inserted inside the mentioned container. Used faucets are common, which can enable higher contamination rates, notably due to the fact that, through a single hole, usually in the center of the container, the placement and need for prior activation of the cartridge (before going to the consumer) it is a fact of contamination; the faucets are long, generally projecting from the central region of the container, which favors the occurrence of turbulence and dripping after the beverage is dispensed.

[006] It is known from the state of the art the document PI0708944-9 that describes a container, provided with an internal space and a dispensing valve, where in the internal space, a drink containing gas, such as beer, is included, where a control unit pressure is arranged to automatically control the pressure in the internal space, where around the dispensing valve a first coupling means extends, further comprising a dispensing line which, at one end, is provided with a coupling element that is provided with a second coupling means for cooperation with the first coupling means, wherein the dispensing valve is a female valve, and the coupling member is provided with a mostly hollow stem having one end and at least one opening , where the dispensing line connects with the rod opposite said end, so that, in the coupling condition of the coupling means, the rod extends against, or into, the opening. valve, bringing the valve into, and holding it in, an open position, so that beverage can flow via the valve, and at least one said opening, into the dispensing line. Specifically, this document shows a long faucet, which generates turbulence and dripping, enabling excessive foam, which is not desired.

[007] The document PI0111374-7 refers to the beverage dispenser assembly that comprises a dispensing device that receives a dispensing head, as well as a container containing beverage, particularly carbonated beverage, said container connected during use to the distribution line , is provided with a coupling element at an outlet end for connecting said dispensing head. According to the invention, the beverage dispenser assembly is distinguished by the fact that the coupling element comprises a shut-off valve, which can be closed by placing the outlet end of the dispensing line of said dispensing head. This document describes a container where the beverage is housed in a flexible pouch. In another configuration it is intended for a large volume of beverage, for example for use in a bar, where a compressor or CO2 cartridge is connected to a container, which container can receive a cartridge containing carbon and CO2. This document has a particular feature aimed at the shut-off valve, which can be closed and communicates with the distribution line. It is typically a complex assembly faucet. In the case of the dispensing system, the conduit coming from the inside of the container moves in a long vertical path until it reaches the tap, which generates turbulence, possible excess foam. If we understand that we are applying for a patent for a container of preferably 5 liters and for a carbonated drink, that is, beer, the previous document will have, due to its long dispensing path, not very positive events already reported.

[008] The document PI0708946-5 describes a beverage container provided with an internal space, partially filled with carbonated beverage and a valve assembly fixed to the beverage container, in particular, a top surface thereof, whose valve assembly comprises a valve body pressed in a closing direction against a valve seat, and where, preferably, an engagement means is extended out of the internal space, where a pressure control device is provided, which device comprises a cartridge loaded with a pressure gas, the reservoir of which is in communication with the internal space, at least during use, via a pressure control device. The dispensing device comprises an operating device for pressing the valve body out of the valve seat, which operating device comprises a part of a beverage dispensing channel and is provided with means for holding the valve assembly in an open position. This container is the type that previously receives the carbon dioxide pressure cartridge, whose activation must be carried out at the factory, with all the problems mentioned, such as contamination points, in addition to taking up excessive space inside the container. In this construction, the faucet is composed of a duct that starts from the central point of the container, in a straight line, in order to compose a complex dispensing line, subject to turbulence and, above all, which is in an insistent drip. Another relevant factor is that this previous document has a single orifice, which is central and where the drink comes out; therefore, the need for pre-insertion and activation of the cartridge remains.

[009] The document BR112016028913-7 describes a beverage dispensing system comprising a beverage container containing a beverage compartment and a pressurizing system, the pressurizing system comprising a pressurized gas container, a closure acting on the gas container and a pressure regulator operative to open the closure to allow gas to enter the beverage compartment from the gas container; the pressure regulator comprises a regulation chamber having at least a movable and/or deformable wall part based on pressure in the beverage compartment, wherein at least one opening is provided through a wall of the regulation chamber providing at least part of a gas passage between the regulation chamber and the beverage compartment. This document uses a pressurized gas container that is mounted inside the container, including a regulation chamber with a movable wall, all of which are factory assembled, incurring the same problems already mentioned. Thus, this regulation chamber, depending on the pressure in the beverage compartment, makes the movement of the mobile wall, for the passage of gas. This document describes and shows a linear path dispensing set where the faucet is distal in relation to the center, in addition to not showing, even in its variation, having a short faucet and which is associated with an aerosol valve positioned at the point where the duct from the inside of the container protrudes.

[010] Document BR112016017127-6 describes a beverage dispensing assembly of a container, comprising a beverage outlet channel and a valve body operable to open and close said outlet channel, wherein the channel defines a direction of flow. beverage flow towards an outlet end, and wherein the valve body is provided at or near the outlet end of an outlet channel and is shaped with a base facing in a direction against the flow direction, and a tip with an end facing in a direction of flow, wherein the tip, between the base and the tip, has an outwardly curved outer surface so that the beverage, engaging the base, can be guided from the base onto the surface external to the end, forming a jet of drink when it leaves the surface at or near said end. This document describes an outlet channel centralized in the container, while a gas cartridge is used to establish, under the pressure conditions, the outlet of the liquid at the tap. In this document, the gas cartridge is inserted in a large area of the container, requiring a complex assembly of the set, in addition to including a flexible membrane and a valve that communicates with the liquid outlet duct, releasing it when the internal pressure is reduced. larger. The operational condition of this model requires complex assembly between the gas cartridge and the central part where the drive and the beverage outlet takes place. On the other hand, the dispensing line is very extensive and complex, and the problems regarding turbulence and excess foam are clear. Also in this previous document, a single hole is made through which the beverage is dispensed, obviously through its operational resources.

[011] In the state of the art, document BR112016017130-6 is also known, which describes the dispensing set comprising a container, containing a pressurized drink, connected to or provided with a dispensing set, in which the dispensing set comprises a outlet channel closable by a valve body and a chamber between the container and the valve body, said chamber being at least partially closed by a movable and/or deformable wall part, connected to the valve body or a valve seat , so that the pressurized beverage from the container filling the chamber forces the wall part, into a position by pushing the valve body or valve seat into a position closing the outlet channel and pushing the wall part, the valve body or the valve seat may be forced into a position opening the outlet channel, wherein preferably, at least during use, there is an open connection between said chamber and a beverage compartment of the container. entity. However, it incurs problems very similar to the previous document, such as complex assembly, which also incurs costs, in addition to the need to insert the gas cartridge in a large internal area of the container. Thus, like the previous document, this one too, with a long release conduit, tends to drip even when closed, added to the occurrence of turbulence.

[012] The document PI0606601-1 describes a pressure control device for containers containing media such as liquid or gas containers, pressure control device, which comprises a pressure control chamber with at least one movable wall part to operate a mechanism for opening and/or closing a gas supply opening of a gas reservoir, while a remover is accommodated in the pressure control chamber. Preferably, the pressure control device is stored under atmospheric conditions before the beverage and the pressure control device are brought into contact. This document describes a device that uses a CO2 gas cartridge, its protection being, however, aimed at the use of a pressure chamber with a movable wall to open or close the gas supply, said chamber in the upper part of the cartridge. In this model, the release of the volume of liquid is conditioned to the volume of the chamber or activation of the button, whatever the option, in addition to requiring some assembly by the user. However, it does not solve the problems of overcarbonation, as well as the other documents that present pre-filling cylinder activation. This document, as well as all the others analyzed, present some common drawbacks, such as extensive taps, starting from the center of the container, as well as the use in the container of a single hole, through which the beverage is released, the activation, as a rule, by a common faucet, faucets or large stroke levers to release the liquid; these associated characteristics contribute, among other aspects, to dripping and excess foam, which is totally eliminated in the present invention.

[013] Reiterating the state of the art already described, the related documents have common characteristics, where a single orifice is used, usually in the center of the container, through which the drink is dispensed through the opening of a tap distal to the center. Another characteristic of the products in these previous documents is that they use common faucets, which corroborates with the problems of dripping and turbulence. In some state-of-the-art models, handles are used for dispensing the beverage, but these generally have very long strokes, which is another factor that may contribute to their not being perfectly closed.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[014] It is an objective of the invention to keep the barrel filling from the central hole, which is advantageous in the production process, as it eliminates the orientation of the cylindrical barrel in the production line.

[015] It is still an objective of the invention to provide a container for carbonated beverage that allows the installation of the pressurization system inside the brewery itself.

[016] It is also an objective of the invention to provide a container for carbonated beverage that has a tap with a shorter length and, in this way, reduces possible turbulence in the liquid, prevents the liquid from dripping after closing the tap, among, and that allows the removal nozzle for cleaning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[017] The objects of the invention are achieved by means of a container for carbonated beverage with a beverage delivery system, the container comprising a hollow body 1 of circular cross section provided with a peripheral wall that extends from a base, and an upper face closing the top of said body, the container further comprising two holes in the upper face, a central hole being located in the center of the upper face and the other decentralized hole displaced with respect to the center of the upper face, in which the central hole is a beverage pressurizing system is coupled, and in the decentralized orifice a beverage dispensing assembly is coupled.

[018] The beverage pressurization system preferably comprises a CO2 cartridge arranged inside a pressure regulator, a base on which a cam is received, and a handle pivotally coupled to the cam for activating the pressurization system, the said pressure regulator is fixed to the central hole, and said base is arranged on the upper face of the container, axially aligned with said central hole.

[019] The beverage dispensing set preferably comprises an aerosol valve, a faucet with a cylindrical pin for actuating said valve, a tubular terminal inside which the cylindrical pin and the valve are housed, and a flexible conduit in communication with said valve and extending into the container body

[020] The container preferably comprises a ring coupled to said off-center hole, and inside which the tubular end of the beverage dispensing assembly is retained.

[021] Preferably, the off-center hole comprises a skirting flange on which the ring is fixed, this ring having sealing elements and incorporating an annular projection in the form of a point that fits and locks to the corresponding contour of the skirting skirt.

[022] The container may further comprise an upper peripheral annular support coupled to the upper edge of the peripheral wall of the hollow body, the upper peripheral annular support having two recesses diametrically opposed to each other and diametrically aligned with the central hole and with the decentralized hole, being that the faucet extends from the off-center hole through one of these recesses, and the handle, in a downwardly pivoted position, extends through the opposite recess.

[023] The faucet preferably has, at the coupling end with the decentralized orifice, a tubular end displaceable towards the decentralized orifice, the handle has a trigger, in the form of a ledge located at the lower end of the handle when it is in a pivoted position towards the cam, and in this position of the handle, the trigger presses the tubular end of the faucet down and activates the aerosol valve.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[024] The invention will be described below in its modalities, and, for better understanding and illustration, references will be made to the attached drawings, in which they are represented:
Fig. 1: Perspective view of a container with the faucet and handle in an off position;
Fig. 2: Side cut view of the container with the handle deactivated and the tap in the position of use;
Fig. 3: Perspective view of the container with two holes, one for the cartridge with the pressure regulator and one for the beverage dispenser;
Fig. 4: Exploded perspective view showing top ring, faucet, handle, pressure regulator and beverage dispensing duct;
Fig. 5: Perspective view showing the container with two holes, one illustrating the placement of the pressure reducer and the other representing the beverage dispensing duct, the images being illustrative only and not necessarily indicating that the inserts are together;
Fig. 6: Side cut view of the upper part of the previous figure, with emphasis on the fitting ring of the beverage dispenser set, next to the carbon dioxide cartridge;
Fig. 7: Side view in section of the previous figure, with the beverage dispenser set in place, the same occurring with the carbon dioxide cartridge;
Fig. 8: Detail in section showing the tap applied to the container, with the aerosol valve and the handle attached to the cam in the deactivated position;
Fig. 9: Side sectional view showing the faucet applied to the container, with the aerosol valve and the handle attached to the cam in the deactivated position;
Fig. 10: Side view in section showing the tap applied to the container, with the aerosol valve and handle in the position of the first pivot, activating the CO2 cartridge;
Fig. 11: Side view in section showing the faucet applied to the container, with the aerosol valve and handle in the second pivot position, or the aerosol valve actuation;
Fig. 12: Shows an enlarged version of the section with the handle in the second pivot position, with details of the application of the faucet to the inner duct of the container, aerosol valve, cam and CO2 cartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[025] The beverage container with a liquid release system, according to the present invention, comprises a hollow body 1 of circular cross section, provided with a peripheral wall that extends from a base, and an upper face closing the top of said hollow body. Inside the hollow body the carbonated drink is stored. This drink, preferably, is draft beer or beer. In the embodiments of the invention, illustrated in the figures, the container is in the form of a barrel with a volume of 5 liters.

[026] Container 1 comprises two holes 2B, 2C, on its upper face, with a central hole 2B, located in the center of the upper face, and another decentralized 2C, that is, displaced in relation to the center of the upper face. Preferably, both holes have skirting flaps 3. In the central hole 2B a beverage pressurizing system is coupled, and in the off-center hole 2C a beverage dispensing assembly 6 is coupled.

[027] As can be seen in figures 2 and 9, the beverage pressurization system preferably comprises a CO2 cartridge 4, arranged inside a pressure regulator 5. Said pressure regulator 5 is fixed at its upper end , to said central hole 2B, preferably by crimping its upper edge to the skirt 3 of the hole 2B. In the lower part of the pressure regulator 5 there is arranged a check valve 5A intended to release the gas by releasing the beverage and in case of need to inject more pressure inside the container 1.

[028] The beverage pressurization system preferably further comprises a base 10, in which a cam 11 is received, and a handle 12, pivotally coupled to the cam 11 for activating the pressurization system. The base 10 is arranged on the upper face of the container, axially aligned with said central hole 2B, to enable the pressure system to be actuated by the pivoting movement of the handle in relation to the cam.

[029] As can be seen in Figure 9, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the beverage dispensing assembly 6, coupled to the decentralized orifice 2C, comprises an aerosol valve 22, a faucet 21 with a cylindrical pin 20 for actuation of said valve 22, a tubular terminal 19 inside which the cylindrical pin 20 and the valve 22 are housed, and a flexible conduit 23 in communication with said valve and extending into the body of the container, plunging into the beverage to be served . As can be seen in detail in figure 6, the flexible conduit 23 is coupled to the lower end of the tubular terminal 19, communicating with the underside of the valve 22. This flexible conduit 23 is intended to lead the carbonated beverage to the tap 21.

[030] Still as illustrated in figure 6, a ring 16 is coupled to said decentralized hole 2C. Inside this ring 16 is retained the tubular end 19 of the beverage dispensing assembly 6. This ring 16 is preferably crimped to the skirt 3 of the offset hole 2C, and has sealing elements, incorporating an annular projection in the form of a point 17, which fits and locks to the corresponding contour of the skirt 3. Internally to the ring 16 there is configured a skirting tooth 18 that retains the tubular end 19 inside which the cylindrical pin 20 of the tap 21 is arranged to actuate the aerosol valve 22 of high delivery.

[031] The faucet 21 has at the end of the container 1 a tubular end 24, of the type that can be moved downwards towards the decentralized orifice 2C and actuate the aerosol valve 22, this operation being carried out in the second pivot position of the handle 12, from the trigger 25 configured on the handle 12 which, in this way, not only activates the gas cartridge but also acts in the dispensing of the beverage. As can be seen in figures 11 and 12, when the handle 12 is in the second pivot position, the trigger 25, in the form of a lug on the lower end of the handle 12, presses the tubular end 24 of the tap downwards as shown by the arrow. , and this movement activates the aerosol valve 22.

[032] As can be seen in Figure 4, the container 1 further comprises an upper peripheral annular support 7 coupled to the upper edge of the peripheral wall of the hollow body, preferably to a ferrule 8 formed on that upper edge of the peripheral wall. This peripheral upper annular support 7 has two sets of lugs 9 with a recess between the two lugs. Said recesses of these sets are located diametrically opposite each other in the upper peripheral annular support 7 and diametrically aligned with the central hole 2B and with the decentralized hole 2C. In this way, the tap 21 extends from the offset hole 2C, passing through one of these recesses, while the handle 21, in a downwardly pivoted position, extends through the opposite recess.

[033] Handle 12 has an initial position, as shown in Figure 9, as well as a first pivot position, as shown in Figure 10, in which the CO2 cartridge is activated, and a second pivot position, as shown in Figures 11 and 12 , where the handle is pivoted towards cam 11, where it remains at an inclination greater than 120 degrees from the initial position

[034] In the embodiment of the invention, shown in figure 8, the faucet 21 has an initial straight sector 26 followed by a terminal curvature 27. Since this faucet 21 is connected to the decentralized hole 2C, located closer to the edge of the container, this reduces the distance between the inlet of the beverage 28 coming from the container and the position of its release in the cup 29, when compared to a faucet coupled in the central region of the container, as is customary in the market.

[035] Another characteristic intrinsic to the invention lies in the fact that, with the handle 12 in the second pivot position, for the release of the beverage, only a small stroke touch is assigned to the handle 12 by the user, in order to make the operation more user-friendly.

[036] Still, the combination of the short stretch of faucet 21 with the actuation of the handle 12 to activate the aerosol valve 22 generates an impediment to dripping insistently present in systems that share conventional and extensive faucets. Added to this factor is the efficient production of a full jet, without the inconvenient turbulence that sometimes generates excessive foam.

[037] The system, according to the invention, in addition to producing a full jet, a consequence of the use of the high delivery aerosol valve 22 with the short stroke of the handle 12, also avoids waste by dripping and the inconvenience generated by said drip. .

[038] The presence of two holes on its upper face allows keeping the filling of the container from the central hole inside the brewery itself, dispensing with the orientation of the cylindrical container in the production line

Claims (7)

Container for carbonated beverage with beverage release system, comprising
- a hollow body (1) of circular cross-section, provided with a peripheral wall that extends from a base, and an upper face closing the top of said body,
characterized by the fact that it comprises two holes (2B, 2C) on the upper face,
being a central hole (2B) located in the center of the upper face and the other decentralized hole (2C) displaced in relation to the center of the upper face, and in the central hole (2B) a beverage pressurization system is attached, and in the hole decentralized (2C) a beverage dispensing assembly (6) is coupled. Container for carbonated beverage, according to claim 1, characterized in that the beverage pressurization system comprises a CO2 cartridge (4) arranged inside a pressure regulator (5), a base (10) on which a cam (11) is received, and a handle (12) pivotally coupled to the cam (11) for activating the pressurization system, said pressure regulator (5) being fixed to the central hole (2B), and said base (10) is arranged on the upper face of the container (1), axially aligned with said central hole (2B). Container for carbonated beverage, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the beverage dispensing assembly (6) comprises an aerosol valve (22), a tap (21) with a cylindrical actuating pin (20). of said valve (22), a tubular terminal (19) inside which the cylindrical pin (20) and the valve (22) are housed, and a flexible conduit (23) in communication with said valve and extending to the inside the container body. Container for carbonated beverage, according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a ring (16) coupled to said decentralized orifice (2C), and inside which the tubular terminal (19) of the dispensing set is retained. drink (6). Container for carbonated beverage, according to claim 4, characterized in that the decentralized hole (2C) comprises a skirting skirt (3) on which the ring (16) is fixed, this ring (16) having sealing elements and incorporating an annular projection in the form of a point (17) that fits and locks to the corresponding contour of the skirt (3). Container for carbonated beverage, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises an upper peripheral annular support (7) coupled to the upper edge of the peripheral wall of the hollow body, the upper peripheral annular support (7) having two recesses diametrically opposed to each other and diametrically aligned with the central hole (2B) and with the off-center hole (2C), the faucet extending from the off-center hole (2C) through one of these recesses, and the handle (12) ), in a downwardly pivoted position, extends through the opposite recess. Container for carbonated beverage, according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the faucet (21) has, at the coupling end with the decentralized orifice (2C), a tubular end (24) displaceable towards the decentralized hole (2C), the handle (12) has a trigger (25), in the form of a ledge located at the lower end of the handle (12) when it is in a pivoted position towards the cam (11), in which position of the handle, the trigger (25) presses the tubular end (24) of the cock downwards and activates the aerosol valve (22).

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