DE102021200420A1 - Sleeve, tap and container for a drink - Google Patents

Abstract

A sleeve for a tap for dispensing a beverage from a container, preferably beer from a beer keg, most preferably beer from a 5L party beer keg, is disclosed. The sleeve comprises a piston chamber (10), an outer shell (11) and an inflow opening (8), the piston chamber (10) being designed inside the sleeve (1) and for at least partially accommodating a piston (19), the inflow opening (8) is formed in the sleeve (1) and allows the beverage to flow into the piston chamber (10) and wherein an underside (6) and an upper side (7) can be defined on the longitudinal sides of the sleeve. At least one flow channel (12) is formed on the outer shell (11), the at least one flow channel (12) extending in a direction transverse to the sleeve (1) and the at least one flow channel (12) being formed to gas accumulating on the underside (6) in the direction of the upper side (7). A tap with this sleeve and a container for a drink, preferably a beer keg, particularly preferably a 5L party beer keg, are also disclosed

Description

The invention relates to a sleeve for a tap for removing a beverage from a container, preferably beer from a beer keg, most preferably beer from a 5L party beer keg, comprising a piston chamber, an outer shell and an inflow opening, the piston chamber inside the sleeve and for at least partially accommodating a plunger, the inflow opening being formed in the sleeve and allowing the beverage to flow into the plunger chamber, and with a bottom and a top being definable on the longitudinal sides of the sleeve.

The invention also relates to a tap for removing a drink from a container, preferably beer from a beer keg, very particularly preferably beer from a 5L party beer keg, and a corresponding container for a drink.

The present invention relates generally to beverage containers, faucets and faucet sleeves. It is mainly about smaller beer kegs, for example so-called party kegs with a capacity of five liters. Such party kegs are well known from practice and are regularly made of tinplate. Without restricting the generality, a beer keg or a party beer keg is primarily discussed below as preferred embodiments.

Five liters of beer are made available in such party kegs, if possible with a long shelf life, over long transport distances with the most varied of climatic conditions. There are such kegs with an integrated CO ₂ cartridge for dispensing the beer. Simpler in construction, but also easier to handle, are beer kegs where the beer can be discharged by gravity, namely through a low-lying, integrated tap. A ventable plug is provided so that air can flow in from above, namely to avoid negative pressure in the barrel. The keg is aerated through the opening that the stopper closes.

From the DE 101 12 451 A1 a tap for such beverage containers is known, the tap comprises a sleeve and a piston arranged in the sleeve. When the beverage container is delivered, the plunger is completely accommodated in the sleeve. To remove the beverage, the plunger is partially pulled out of the sleeve into a working position. Removal of the beverage is started by rotating the piston about a central axis of the sleeve.

From the WO 2010/069340 A1 another tap is known, which also comprises a sleeve and a piston arranged in the sleeve in a rotationally fixed manner. The piston can in turn be moved within the sleeve between a closed position and a working position. At the end of the piston facing away from the sleeve, an outlet head is pivotably arranged. When the outlet head is in a blocked position, dispensing of a beverage is blocked. After throwing the outlet head into a removal position, the beverage can be removed through an inflow opening on the sleeve, an inner flow channel formed in the piston and a removal opening on the outlet head.

When filling such beer kegs, a filling lance (usually a stainless steel tube) is inserted into the beer keg from above and lowered to just before the bottom of the beer keg. After that, beer is fed into the beer keg, which gradually fills the beer keg with beer. The air in the beer keg is displaced from the beer keg by the beer that has been filled in. The problem here is that air reservoirs can form on the tap, in particular on its sleeve. Even small amounts of oxygen can cause oxidation of the beer, leading to beer aging. This can create a stale taste.

It is therefore known to provide an oxygen scavenger in the beer keg, which binds oxygen that is in the beer keg or that has entered it. However, these scavengers only have a limited absorption capacity. It is true that the scavenger's absorption capacity could be increased. However, this would lead to not insignificant cost increases.

The present invention is based on the object of designing and developing a sleeve, a tap and a beverage container of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that the accumulation of a gas, in particular air, can be effectively reduced.

According to the invention, the above object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Accordingly, the sleeve in question is characterized in that at least one flow channel is formed on the outer shell, wherein the at least one flow channel extends in a direction transverse to the sleeve and wherein the at least one flow channel is formed to allow gas accumulating on the underside to direct towards the top.

With regard to a tap, the above object is achieved by the features of claim 12. After that, the one in question includes Tap a sleeve according to the invention and a piston, the piston being arranged at least partially in the piston chamber of the sleeve, an inner flow channel being formed in the piston, which guides a beverage flowing into the inflow opening to a removal opening.

With regard to a container for a drink, the above object is achieved by the features of claim 15. According to this, at least one container wall defines a capacity inside the container, with a tap according to the invention being guided through one of the at least one container walls, which tap enables a beverage to be dispensed from the capacity.

In a manner according to the invention, it was first recognized that during the filling process of the beverage container, air can accumulate in particular on the tap and there in particular on the sleeve of the tap and is not displaced during filling by the beer that has been filled in. Smaller bumps or structuring of the outer shell of the sleeve are sufficient for this. It is true that this air is released from the sleeve during transport of the beverage container. However, the filling process is then already completed and the beverage container is hermetically sealed. The air therefore remains in the beverage container. It is therefore desirable that an accumulation of gas on the sleeve or on the tap is already prevented or dissolved during the filling process.

It has also been recognized that one or more flow channels in a direction transverse to the sleeve are already sufficient to effectively prevent the accumulation of gas and to divert the gas accumulating on an underside of the sleeve in the direction of the upper side. The flow channels seem to influence the surface tensions in the area of the sleeve to such an extent that the gas can no longer hold on to the underside. In this way it can be prevented in a simple manner that appreciable amounts of air accumulate on the sleeve and remain in the beverage container after the filling process. This improves the durability of the drink and does not unnecessarily consume any scavenger that may be present.

The at least one flow channel will develop its inventive effect in particular when the sleeve is installed in a beverage container and a capacity of the beverage container is filled with a liquid, in particular a beverage.

For the sleeve, it is irrelevant how concretely a "bottom" and an "upper side" can be defined on the longitudinal sides of the sleeve. Typically, the bottom and top would be on opposite sides of the sleeve. The underside and the top can result from constructive measures of the sleeve. In one embodiment, the underside or the top is defined by how the sleeve is arranged in an installed condition in later use. A party beer keg usually stands on the bottom of the keg when in use. If the sleeve is arranged in the barrel in a torsion-proof manner, this automatically results in a bottom and an upper side of the sleeve, namely as the side that is directed towards the bottom of the barrel. Overall, therefore, an underside and an upper side of such a sleeve can be easily defined.

Accordingly, the "inflow opening" can be designed in various ways, as long as the inflow opening allows the beverage to pass through from the capacity of the beverage container into the piston chamber. In one embodiment, the inflow opening is formed on an end face of the sleeve. In another embodiment, the inflow opening is formed on a longitudinal side of the sleeve. The inflow opening is preferably formed by a circular or oval opening in a wall of the sleeve.

How specifically the "tap" works is of secondary importance for the present disclosure. Because it is only important that the at least one flow channel described here is formed on the sleeve. The tap can be actuated by turning the piston. Preferably, however, the faucet functions similarly to the faucet disclosed in US Pat WO 2010/069340 A1 is described.

The type of manufacture of the sleeve or the tap is also of secondary importance, as long as the sleeve or the tap has the required properties. The sleeve or the tap is preferably produced by injection molding. A scavenger material can be added to the plastic granules to be injected. The sleeve or spigot may be made of polypropylene, a polymer and/or other plastic. It is also conceivable that the sleeve is made of polypropylene, for example, and a sealant is injection-molded on by means of a thermoplastic polymer, for example in an overmoulding process.

The “flow channels” can be designed and/or arranged in various ways. Importantly, the flow channels can direct a gas from the bottom of the sleeve toward the top. The flow channels can only extend in a transverse direction. It is but also conceivable that the expansion direction of the flow channels additionally have a component in the longitudinal direction, for example to be able to utilize special flow conditions when filling the beverage container. Only a single flow channel can be provided. The flow channels are preferably used in pairs, namely one flow channel for each "path" from the bottom to the top.

In one embodiment, the at least one flow channel is formed by a depression in the outer shell, preferably by a groove. This can mean that the flow channel is delimited by a wall in at least two, usually three, directions and is open in one direction away from the outer shell. Such a flow channel can have a bottom and two side walls in a cross section, for example. Flow channels of this type can be produced particularly easily and can nevertheless conduct a gas very well from the underside in the direction of the upper side.

In one embodiment, the at least one flow channel extends in the circumferential direction and/or is straight and/or straight in sections. A flow channel in the circumferential direction can conduct rising gas particularly effectively when the sleeve is installed horizontally in the beverage container. Correspondingly, flow channels that are straight or straight in sections can conduct rising gas particularly well and with little resistance. “Straight” or “straight in sections” does not necessarily mean that the flow channels run along a straight line. It is also conceivable that such a flow channel follows the surface of a hollow-cylindrical sleeve. As long as the flow channel nevertheless appears rectilinear in a plan view, one can speak of a straight extension or a straight extension in sections.

In one embodiment, a wall bordering the at least one flow channel is designed to be inclined and/or rounded and/or convex relative to a perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the sleeve. Such a configuration can result in the flow channel becoming wider as the distance from a central axis of the sleeve increases. The at least one flow channel can be dug into the outer shell in a V-shape. However, it is also conceivable that the at least one flow channel has a floor from which the bordering walls rise. In this case, the bottom can partially extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sleeve. Inclined, rounded and convex walls can offer particularly favorable flow conditions.

In one embodiment, the at least one flow channel extends around at least one eighth, preferably at least one fourth, of the circumference of the sleeve. A flow channel does not have to go all the way from the bottom to the top. This means that a flow channel would typically extend less than half the circumference. At the same time, it has been shown that a flow channel that extends around one eighth of the circumference of the sleeve is already well suited for conducting gas from the bottom towards the top. Because as soon as a flow channel has guided the gas around part of the circumference of the sleeve, the gas can no longer be held by the structure of the outer shell and is accelerated upwards by the buoyancy of the gas. It is particularly favorable if a flow channel extends around at least a quarter of the circumference of the sleeve.

In one embodiment, surface structures, preferably recesses, pockets, ribs, webs or the like, are formed on the outer shell to reduce the material of the sleeve. Such surface structures can extend in a longitudinal direction of the sleeve. On the one hand, these surface structures serve to save material and reduce costs. On the other hand, the surface structures can promote the stability of the sleeve.

In one development, at least one of the surface structures is formed on the underside, it being possible for a flow channel to extend into the at least one surface structure on the underside. In this way, gas that would accumulate in this surface structure can be discharged particularly effectively in the direction of the top.

In one embodiment, the sleeve has a flange and a sealing flange on a longitudinal end, the flange and sealing flange preferably being designed to receive a container wall in a sealed manner. The flange allows the sleeve to be inserted into an opening in the container wall, with the flange resting against the outside of the container wall when the sleeve is in the inserted state and can remain visible from the outside. The sealing flange can reach behind the container wall and hold the sleeve firmly in the container wall. At the same time, the sealing flange can seal the opening in the container wall.

In a further development, the flange is designed asymmetrically with respect to a central axis of the sleeve, as a result of which the underside points in a predefined direction when installed. on this way the subpage can be clearly defined.

In one embodiment, the sleeve is designed essentially as a rod-shaped hollow body, preferably as a hollow cylinder. The sleeve can be closed at one end at the end. Such a sleeve can be produced particularly easily.

In one embodiment, the inflow opening is formed on the underside and/or defines the underside. Such an arrangement of the inflow opening enables a beverage to be removed as completely as possible from the capacity of the beverage container.

In one embodiment, the tap comprises an outlet head, the removal opening being formed on the outlet head and the outlet head being pivotable between a blocked position and a removal position, with the beverage being able to leave the tap through the removal opening in the removal position. Such an outlet head is, for example, in the already mentioned WO 2010/069340 A1 described.

In one embodiment, the piston is designed to be displaceable in the piston chamber between a closed position and a working position in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve. The closure position can be designed in such a way that the plunger, including any outlet head that may be present, is received completely or at least essentially in the sleeve and thus in the interior of the beverage container. As a result, safe transport of the beverage container can be achieved.

• 1 eine Seitenansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Hülse mit vier Strömungskanälen,
• 2 eine Draufsicht von unten auf die Hülse gemäß 1,
• 3 eine Schrägansicht auf die Hülse gemäß 1,
• 4 eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Strömungskanals der Hülse gemäß 1 und
• 5 eine Explosionszeichnung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Zapfhahns mit der Hülse gemäß 1, einem Kolben und einem Auslaufkopf.

There are now various possibilities for embodying and developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. For this purpose, on the one hand, reference is made to the claims subordinate to the independent claims and, on the other hand, to the following explanation of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing. In connection with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention using the drawing, generally preferred refinements and developments of the teaching are also explained. Show in the drawing

• 1 a side view of an embodiment of a sleeve according to the invention with four flow channels,
• 2 a plan view from below of the sleeve according to FIG 1 ,
• 3 according to an oblique view of the sleeve 1 ,
• 4 an enlarged view of a flow channel of the sleeve according to FIG 1 and
• 5 an exploded view of an embodiment of a tap according to the invention with the sleeve 1 , a plunger and an outlet head.

the 1 until 4 show different views of an embodiment of a sleeve according to the invention for a tap for removing a beverage from a container. The sleeve 1 is essentially designed as a hollow cylinder, at one end of which a flange 2 and a sealing flange 3 are designed. The opposite end 4, the sleeve 1 is closed at the end. Flange 2 and sealing flange 3 are designed in such a way that they can receive a container wall 5 of a beer keg (only indicated here) in a sealing manner. The flange 2 is designed asymmetrically (particularly clearly in 3 visible), whereby the sleeve 1 can remain non-rotatably in the container wall 5 when introduced into a suitably designed opening in a beer keg. In this way, an underside 6 and an upper side 7 can be clearly defined, namely the sides that point downwards or upwards in the mounted state of the sleeve when the beer keg is positioned as intended on a bottom of the beer keg. Also formed on the underside 6 is a circular inflow opening 8 through which beer can flow from a capacity 9 into a piston chamber 10 .

Four flow channels 12 are formed on an outer shell 11 of the sleeve 1, the flow channels 12 being arranged in pairs on both sides of the sleeve. Each of the flow channels 12 extends around about a quarter of the circumference of the sleeve 1. The flow channels 12 are designed to conduct gas accumulating on the underside 6 in the direction of the upper side 7. FIG.

Various surface structures are also formed on the outer shell 11, for example in the form of webs 13 or pockets 14. As in FIGS 1 and 2 as can be seen, there are two pockets 14' on the underside 6, so that gas could collect there particularly easily. One of the flow channels 12 extends directly into this pocket in order to reliably discharge this gas.

In 4 one of the flow channels 12 is shown enlarged, namely one of the flow channels 12 which extends into one of the pockets 14'. The enlarged area is in 2 marked with a dashed line. The flow channel 12 is bounded by a floor 16 and side walls 16 . It is in 4 good to see that the side walls 15 are not perpendicular to the bottom 16 of the flow channel 12 is formed. The bottom 16 is parallel to a central axis 17 of the sleeve 1. The lateral walls 15 begin perpendicularly to the bottom 16, but then run rounded and form a convex surface that allows the flow channel 12 to become wider with increasing distance from the central axis 17.

If the sleeve 1 is inserted into a beverage container and the capacity 9 of this beverage container is filled with a beverage, the beverage within the capacity 9 continues to rise. If air wants to accumulate on the underside 6, it is guided through the flow channels 12 in the direction of the upper side 7 and can leave the capacity 9 through a ventilation opening in the beverage container.

5 shows an exploded drawing of an embodiment of a tap 18, which comprises a sleeve 1, a piston 19 and an outlet button 20. The piston 19 is adapted to the piston space 10 in such a way that the piston can be accommodated at least partially in the piston space 10 . The outlet button 20 is designed to be pivotable via a pivot axis 21 . When the plunger 19 and the outlet head 20 are fully inserted into the plunger chamber, the plunger is in a closed position. When the piston 19 is pulled out into a working position, a drink contained in the capacity 9 can pass through the inflow opening 8 into an inner flow channel 22 and to an opening 23 . If the drain button 20 is in a locked position (as in 5 shown), the drink cannot reach a dispensing opening 24 on the outlet button 20 . If the outlet button 20 is pivoted downwards about the axis 21 into a removal position, the drink passes from the opening 23 to the removal opening 24 and can thus be removed from the capacity 9 of the beverage container.

In the 1 until 3 and 5 A freshness seal 25 can also be seen, which is formed on the downward-facing part of the flange 2 and comprises a button 26 and a connecting web 27. The button 26 is inserted non-reversibly into an associated receptacle (not shown) in the drain button 20 . As a result, the piston can be brought from the closed position into the working position only by destroying the connecting web 27, as a result of which an opening of the beverage container is easily recognizable.

With regard to further advantageous configurations of the teaching according to the invention, in order to avoid repetition, reference is made to the general part of the description and to the appended claims.

Finally, it should be expressly pointed out that the exemplary embodiment described above only serves to explain the teaching claimed, but does not restrict it to the exemplary embodiment.

Reference List

1

sleeve

2

flange

3

sealing flange

4

end of sleeve (closed)

5

container wall

6

bottom

7

top

8th

inflow opening

9

capacity

10

piston space

11

outer shell

12

flow channel

13

web

14, 14'

pocket

15

lateral wall

16

floor

17

central axis

18

tap

19

Pistons

20

drain button

21

axis of rotation

22

Inner Flow Channel

23

opening

24

removal opening

25

seal of freshness

26

Button

27

Connecting bridge

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 10112451 A1 [0005]
• WO 2010/069340 A1 [0006, 0018, 0031]

Claims (15)

Sleeve for a tap for removing a drink from a container, preferably beer from a beer keg, very particularly preferably beer from a 5L party beer keg, comprising a piston chamber (10), an outer shell (11) and an inflow opening (8 ), wherein the piston chamber (10) is formed inside the sleeve (1) and for at least partially accommodating a piston (19), the inflow opening (8) being formed in the sleeve (1) and the beverage flowing into the piston chamber (10) and wherein an underside (6) and an upper side (7) can be defined on the longitudinal sides of the sleeve, characterized in that at least one flow channel (12) is formed on the outer shell (11), the at least one flow channel ( 12) extends in a direction transverse to the sleeve (1) and wherein the at least one flow channel (12) is designed to conduct gas accumulating on the underside (6) towards the upper side (7). sleeve after claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one flow channel (12) is formed by a recess in the outer shell (11), preferably by a groove. sleeve after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the at least one flow channel (12) extends in the circumferential direction and/or is straight and/or straight in sections. Sleeve after one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that a wall (15) bordering the at least one flow channel (12) is inclined and/or rounded and/or convex relative to a perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the sleeve (1). Sleeve after one of Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the at least one flow channel (12) extends around at least one eighth, preferably at least one quarter of the circumference of the sleeve (1). Sleeve after one of Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that to reduce the material of the sleeve (1) on the outer shell (11) surface structures, preferably recesses, pockets (14, 14 '), ribs, webs (13) or the like, are formed, the surface structures preferably in a Extend longitudinally of the sleeve (1). sleeve after claim 6 , characterized in that at least one of the surface structures (14') is formed on the underside (6), the at least one flow channel (12) preferably extending into the at least one surface structure (14') on the underside (6). Sleeve after one of Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that the sleeve (1) has a flange (2) and a sealing flange (3) on one longitudinal end, the flange (2) and sealing flange (3) preferably being designed to receive a container wall (5) in a sealed manner. sleeve after claim 8 , characterized in that the flange (2) to a central axis (17) of the sleeve (1) is asymmetrical, whereby the underside (6) in an installed state in a predefined direction. Sleeve after one of Claims 1 until 9 , characterized in that the sleeve (1) is essentially designed as a rod-shaped hollow body, preferably as a hollow cylinder, the sleeve (1) preferably being closed at one end (4). Sleeve after one of Claims 1 until 10 , characterized in that the inflow opening (8) is formed on the underside (6) and / or defines the underside (6). Tap for removing a drink from a container, preferably beer from a beer keg, most preferably beer from a 5L party beer keg, comprising a sleeve (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 11 and a piston (19), the piston (19) being arranged at least partially in the piston chamber (10) of the sleeve (1), an inner flow channel (22) being formed in the piston (19) and leading into the inflow opening (8) directs inflowing beverage to a dispensing opening (24). tap after claim 12 , characterized in that the tap (18) comprises an outlet head (20), the removal opening (24) being formed on the outlet head (20) and the outlet head (20) being pivotable between a blocked position and a removal position, wherein in the Removal position the drink can leave the tap (18) through the removal opening (24). tap after claim 12 or 13 , characterized in that the piston (19) in the piston chamber (10) is designed to be displaceable between a closed position and a working position in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve (1). Container for a drink, preferably a beer keg, particularly preferably 5L party beer barrel, wherein at least one container wall (5) defines a capacity (9) inside the container and wherein through one of the at least one container wall (9) a tap (18) according to one of Claims 12 until 14 is performed, which allows a removal of a drink on the capacity (9).

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