EP0328598A1

EP0328598A1 - Improved beverage dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP0328598A1
Application number: EP88907154A
Authority: EP
Inventors: John Wentworth Bucknell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-07-22
Filing date: 1988-07-22
Publication date: 1989-08-23
Also published as: WO1989000544A1; EP0328598A4; JPH02500102A

Abstract

A beverage dispenser (10) is disclosed for use with prefilled containers (11) of carbonated beverage. The beverage dispenser (10) incorporates a dispensing valve assembly (21), and is screwed to the neck (13) of the container (11). The beverage dispenser (10) also contains a supply of carbon dioxide (23) for pressurizing the container (11) and for replacing beverage withdrawn from the container (11). This allows a quantity of beverage to be withdrawn from the container (11) without loss of carbonation of the remaining liquid, and without contamination of the remaining liquid by air.

Description

"IMPROVED BEVERAGE DISPENSER"

-- BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION --

This invention relates to improved containers for the storage and dispensing of liquids containing gas or vapour in solution.

This invention has particular but not exclusive application to the storage and dispensing of carbonated beverages, and for illustrative purposes reference will be made to such application. However, it is to be understood that this invention could be used in other applications, such as the storage and dispensing of liquids of low vapour pressure.

The present trend in the sale of carbonated soft drinks and beers is to the use of relatively large containers or bottles to take advantage of the economies of scale that this brings. A disadvantage of this trend is that when only a small amount of beverage is dispensed and the container is resealed, gas escapes from the liquid into the free space in the container. If this space is sufficiently large, the beverage will lose its carbonation or go flat. Thus beverage is often wasted since once flat it is unpalatable. The presence of air in the space above the liquid may also contribute to deterioration of the flavour, particularly in the case of beers.

The present invention aims to alleviate the above disadvantages and to provide storage and dispensing means and methods which will be reliable and efficient in use. Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter become apparent.

-- SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION --

With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention in one aspect resides broadly in storage apparatus for a fluid, said storage apparatus including:- a closure assembly sealably replaceable on a container; and pressurizing means associated with said closure assembly and operable to pressurise said container. Preferably the pressurizing means is provided with anon-return gas inlet to the container such that the pressurising mcans may be separated from the container while pressure is retained within the latter. The pressurising means may be a pump operable by a user to pump pressurizing air into the container, although other pressurising means such as stored compressed or liquefied gas may be used if desired. A pressure regulating valve may be provided for regulating the pressure within the container to a substantially constant value, regardless of the pressure supplied from the source of the pressurising gas. whereby the container may be formed of relatively light material such as plastics material and may be designed for a maximum value of internal pressure defined by the pressure regulating valve. If air is used as the pressurizing gas, it Is preferred that an expandable bladder be provided for maintaining separation between the pressurizing air and the liquid such that contamination of the liquid by the air is minimised.

The pressurizing means may be adapted to extend into the container when operatively supported thereon whereby the upper portion of fluid within the container may be expelled from the container during installation. For instance, this feature may be utilised to purge any air from above a liquid within a container during installation.

The closure assembly may include a dispensing valve for dispensing liquid therefrom, and the dispensing valve may be provided with a valve inlet disposed within the lower portion of the container such that the pressurized gas may force liquid through the valve inlet and the dispensine valve when the latter is operaaed. A safety valve may be incorporated into the closure assembly to prevent excessive pressure being built up in the container. If desired, complementary mating valve assemblies may be incorporated in the closure assembly and the container to allow the container to be separated from the closure assembly with minimal pressure loss in the container. A pluralily of containers may be provided, and may be filled with selected pressurized beverages. The containers may be selectively mounted to or dismounted' from a common closure assembly such that a selected beverage may be dispensed.

In another aspect, this invention resides broadly in a method of dispensing carbonated beverages, the method comprising:- providing a container having a closure assembly provided with a non-return gas inlet and n dispensing vnlvo; pressurising means associated with said non-return gas inlet whereby the interior of said container may be pressurize d through said non-return inlet: placing fluid within said container; pressurising said container by the introduction of a pressurizing gas thereto; and operating said dispensing valve such that fluid stored within said container flows from said dispensing valve.

The pressurising gas may be air, and pump means may be provided to pressurize the container, or it may be stored gas such as carbon dioxide. When air is used, it is preferred that the air be pumped into an expandable bladder disposed within the container such that the liquid may remain uncontaminated.

-- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS --

In order that this invention may be more easily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, wherein:-

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a storeά-ϊas beverage dispenser according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a top view of the stored-gas beverage dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is α pictorial view of an alternative embodiment of the stored-gas beverage dispenser;

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of a pump-type beverage dispenser according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of the pump-type beverage dispenser of FIG. 4;

FIG . 6 is a sectional s ide view of a compact s tored -gas container pressurizer; FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of a compact stored-sas dispensing assembly;

FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of an insulated chamber incorporating a closure assembly and two containers, and

FIG. 9 is a sectional top view of the insulated chamber incorporating a closure assembly and two containers.

-- DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS --

The stored-gas beverage dispenser assembly 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 Includes a beverage container 11 formed by blow moulding a plastics material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and supported on a container base 12. The neck 13 of the beverage container 11 is screwed into a pressurizing head assembly 14 and is sealed to the latter by a container seal ring 15.

The pressurizing head assembly 14 is formed from an outer housing 16 and an inner housing 17, bonded together and to a main housing 20. A dispensing valve assembly 21 is supported within the outer housing 16. A portion of the main housing 20 projects within the neck 13 and is formed into a cartridge chamber 22 shaped to support a gas cartridge 23, the latter being retained within the cartridge chamber 22 by a regulator assembly 24 which is screwed down into the centr of the main housing 20.

The regulator assembly 21 is formed within a regulator body 25 from the lower end of which projects a piercing tube 26 for piercing a hole in the end of the gas cartridge 23, the escaping gas flowing through the piercing tube 2G and a gas Filter 27 to a spring loaded gas valve 30. The gas valve 30 is operated by a regulating piston 31 which slides within the regulator body 25 and is biased into operative contact with the gas valve 30 by a regtilator spring 32. Gas may flow from the gas cartridge 23 past the ens valve 30 until the gas pressure on the lower face of the regulating piston 31 readies a value sufficient to urge it upwards against the force of the regulator spring 32, allowing the gas valve 30 to close. Gas passing through the gas valve 30 may then flow through the gas aperture 33 and along the gas passage 31 into the space between the cartridge chamber 22 and the neck 13. and thence into the beverage container 11.

A liquid flow tube 35 is supported within a tube recess 36 in the main housing 20 and projects into the lower portion of the beverage container 11. A liquid passage 37 within the main housing 20 joins the tube recess 36 to the housing nipple 40. A flexible dispensing tube 41 connected to the latter joins at its other end to a valve nipple 42 formed on the valve housing 43. The latter incorporates a valve seat 44, and the beverage outlet 45 is sealed from the valve nipple 42 by a rolling diaphragm seal 46 biased into contact with the valve seat 44 by a plunger 47 which is spring-loaded by a valve spring 50. The rolling diaphragm seal 46 is moulded about the plunger 47. and may be raised from the valve seat 44 by movement of the valve lever 51 which is pinned to the upper end of the plunger 47.

A semi-circular carrying handle 52 is pivoted at its ends to the outer housing 16, and a recess 53 is formed in the latter for accommodating the former when it is not required.

The beverage dispensing assembly 10 is prepared for use by removing a sealing cap (not shown) from the neck 13 of a beverage container 11 filled with beverage, and screwing the neck 13 into the lower end of the pressurizing head assembly 14. The intrusion of the cartridge chamber 22 into the neck 13 displaces any air trapped within the nesk 13. A gas cartridge 23 is placed within the cartridge chamber 22 and the regulator assembly 24 is screwed into the top of the pressurizing head assembly 14. The lower skirt of the regulator body 25 displaces air from the main housing 20 as it is screwed in, and the piercing tube 26 pierces the end of the gas cartridge 23, allowing gas to flow through the gas valve 30, the gas aperture 33 and the gas passage 34 into the beverage container 11, pressurizing the latter. When the pressure within the beverage container 11 has reached the desired value, the pressure acting on the lower face of the regulating piston 31 forces it up against the regulator spring 32, allowing the gas valve 30 to seat, stopping the flow of gas. When it is desired to draw beverage from the container

11, the dispensing valve assembly 21 is actuated by pressing down on the outer end of the valve lever 51, raising the rolling diaphragm seal 43 from the valve seat 44. The pressure within the container 11 forces beverage through the liquid flow tube 35, the liquid passage 37 and the dispensing tube 41 to the beverage outlet 45. The loss of pressure occasioned by the outflow of beverage allows the regulating piston 31 to fall, opening the gas valve 30 again and allowing gas to flow from the gas cartridge 23 until the desired pressure is restored within the beverage container 11 is restored.

If desired, the dispensing valve assembly 21 may be detached from the outer housing 16 and attached to a serving bar or the like and connected by a long dispensing tube 11 to the housing nipple 40. Beverage may then be dispens ed from the dispensing valve assem blt 21 while the be v e r a ge container 11 remains in an inconspicuous location or a refrigerator. The beverage dispenser 60 shown in FIG. 3 has a pressurising head 61 into tiie lower end of which a standard beverage bottle 62, such as a two or three-litre PET bottle may be fitted after discarding the standard bottle cap (not shown). The pressurizing head 61 has a recess 62 in the rear portion within which a gas cartridge may be installed, the latter being retained and forced against a piercing tube by a screw cap 63. The gas from the gas cartridge is supplied to the beverage bottle 62 through a pressure regulating valve which limits the pressure within the beverage bottle 62 to a value which is safe for bottles of that type. A beverage delivery tube projects into the lower portion of the beverage bottle and is connected to a delivery valve 64 actuated by a valve lever 65. A handle 66 formed in the top portion of the pressurizing head 61 facilitates transport and handling of the beverage dispenser 60. The air-pump assembly 70 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 has a container 71 to which a closure assembly 72 is attached by means of a screw thread 73. The closure assembly 72 carries an air pump plate 74 attached to the closure assembly 72 by bellows 75. Air is inducted into the air pump cavity 76 through an inlet valve 77, and the compressed air from the air pump cavity 76 is discharged through an outlet valve 78 into an expandable bladder 79. The expandable bladder 79 divides the liquid storage cavity 80 from the pressurised air cavity 81. A discharge tube 82 projects down from the closure assembly 72 to the lower portion of the container 71, and connects to a discharge cavity 83 within the closure assembly 72. The discharge cavity 83 terminates in a discharge orifice 84 which has a valve 85 operable to open or close the discharge orifice 84. A spring 86 biases the valve 85 into a closed position, and the nrrt.imtor lever 87 allows the valve 85 to be opened. The expandable bladder 79 is attached to a collar 91 which fits within the neck of the container 71. The collar 91 seals to both container 71 and the closure assembly 72, and releases from them both to relieve internal pressures when the closure assembly 72 is unscrewed from the container 71.

The carrying handle 88 folds down into a recess 89 in the closure assembly 72 when it is not in use. Ribs 90 formed on the outside of the container 71 enhance the resemblance of the assembly 70 to a barrel.

To use the air-pump dispenser 70, the container 71 is unscrewed from the closure assembly 72 and filled with carbonated beverage. The closure assembly 72 Is then refitted, along with the discharge tube 82 and the expandable bladder 79. The air pump plate 74 is then forced down by hand, driving air from the air pump cavity 76 through the outlet valve 77 into the pressurised air cavity 81 to maintain pressure on the beverage in the liquid storage cavity 80 and prevent loss of carbon dioxide from the beverage. When the air-pump plate 74 is released, the elasticity of the bellows 75 forces the air-pump plate 74 upwards, sucking a new charge of air into the air pump cavity 76 through the inlet valve 77. When it is desired to decant beverage from the assembly. the actuator lever 87 is lifted to open the valve 85, allowing the beverage to Flow from the liquid storage cavity 80 through the discharge tube 82 and the discharge cavity 83 and out of the discharge orifice 81. The reduction in volume of the liquid storage cavity 80 due to the decanting of the beverage is accommodated by an expansion in the expandable bladder 79 and the air within the pressurised air cavity 81.

The stored-gas container pressurizer 100 shown in FIG. 6 is screwed to a pressure retaining cap 101 which in turn screws onto the neck of a container 102. A seal 103 prevents loss of pressure through the serew thread. Mat ing contact- activated valves 104 and 105 in the closure assembly and the pressure retaining cap 101 open a gas path between the closure assembly 100 and the container 102 when they are screwed together. A sealing ring 106 prevents the loss of gas from the joint.

A carbon dioxide storage cylinder 107 is retained within the closure assembly 100 by a housing 108 which screws onto the closure assembly 100, forcing the cylinder 107 through the seal 109 and puncturing the end of the cylinder 107 with the bulb spear 110. A secondary seal 111 seals the housing 108 to the closure assembly 100. High-pressure gas from the cylinder 107 flows through high pressure tube 112 and filter 113 to regulator valve 114, which is opened as required to maintain the desired discharge pressure by the piston 115 which floats in the bore 116 to which it is sealed by seals 117. Spring 118 and adjustment screw 119 combine with the piston 115 to produce the desired discharge pressure in the discharge tube 80. The gas flows through the discharge tube 80 and the contact-activated valves 104 and 105 into the container 102.

In use, the stored-gas container pressurizer 100 is screwed to a container 102 which contains beverage to be pressurised, and a carbon dioxide storage cylinder 107 is fixed into the closure assembly 100. The gas from the storage cylinder 107 flows along the high pressure tube I 12 and the filter 113 to regulator valve 111, where the gas pressure is reduced before the gas flows along the discharge tube 80 and through the contact-activated valves 104 and 105 into the container 102 to pressurise the beverage. The closure assembly 100 may then be removed from the pressure retaining cap 101, leaving the beverage pressurised. The compact stored-gas dispenser assembly 130 shown in

FIG. 7 is functionally similar to the container pressurizer 60. The closure assembly 130 attaches to a container 131 by means of a screw thread 132 and seals to it by a sealing ring 133. A stored-gas cylinder 134 feeds a regulator 135, and the discharge gas from the regulator 135 pressurises the container 131 to prevent loss of carbonation by the beverage therein. The beverage is decanted through a discharge tube 136 and a valve 137 operated by a push button 138 before passing out through the delivery lube 139. The insulated chamber assembly 150 shown in FIGS. 8 and

9 has an outer chamber 151 which is insulated to reduce heat ingress. Within the outer chamber 151 a pressure container 152 contains beverage 153 and carbon dioxide 154. The pressure container 152 is sealed by a screw-on lid 155 through which a gas pressurising pipe 156 projects into the pressure container 152. The gas pressurising pipe 156 is connected through a pressure regulator 157 to a carbon dioxide cylinder 158. A discharge pipe 159 leads from the lower portion of the pressure container 152 through the screw-on lid 155 to a delivery valve 160. A spare beverase container 161 and a spare carbon dioxide cylinder 162 are also located within the outer chamber, which is closed by an insulated lid 163.

To use the insulated chamber assembly 150. the pressure container 152 is filled with aerated beverage and the screw- on lid 155 is fitted. The pressure regulator 157 is operated, allowing carbon dioxide to flow from the cylinder 158 into the pressure container 152 lo pressurise the beverase within it. The delivery valve 120 may then be operated to decant beverage from the assembly. When the beverage From the pressure container 152 is consumed, the pressure container 152 may be exchanged with the spare container 121, while the carbon dioxide cylinder 158 may be exchanged with the spare cylinder 162 when necessary.

It will of course be realised that while the above has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Claims

-- CLAIMS --

1. Storage apparatus for a fluid, said storage apparatus including:- a closure assembly sealably replaceable on a container; and pressurizing means associated kith said closure assembly and operable to pressurize said container.

2. Storage apparatus as defined in Claim 1, wherein said pressurizing means is provided with a non-return gas inlet to said container.

3. Storage apparatus as defined in Claim 1 or Claim 2. wherein said pressurizing means includes a pump operable by a user to pump pressurizing air into said container.

4 . Storage apparatus as defined in Claim 3 , wherein an expandable bladder is provided for maintaining separation between said pressurizing air and liquid stored, within said container.

5. Storage apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pressurizing means includes stored compressed or liquefied gas adapted to be introduced into said container through a pressure-regulating valve.

6. Storage apparatus as defined in Claim 5, wherein said gas is carbon dioxide gas.

7. Storage apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said closure means includes a dispensing valve having a valve inlet connectible to the lower portion of said container.

8. Storage apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a safety pressure-relief valve is incorporated into said closure assembly.

9. Storage apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein complementary mating valve assemblies are incorporated in said closure assembly and said container for permitting the separation of said closure assembly and said container without significant gas loss from said container.

10. Storage apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pressurizing means is adapted to extend into said container when operatively supported thereon for expelling fluid from said container during installation.

11. A method of dispensing carbonated beverages, the method comprising:- providing a container having a closure assembly provided with a non-return gas inlet and a dispensing valve; pressurising means associated with said non-return gas inlet whereby the interior of said container may be pressurized through said non-return inlet; placing fluid within said container; pressurizing said container by the introduction of a pressurizing gas thereto; and operating said dispensing valve such that fluid stored within said container flows from said dispensing valve.

12. Storage apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.