EP0597606A1 - Behälter für Getränke - Google Patents

Behälter für Getränke Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0597606A1
EP0597606A1 EP93308516A EP93308516A EP0597606A1 EP 0597606 A1 EP0597606 A1 EP 0597606A1 EP 93308516 A EP93308516 A EP 93308516A EP 93308516 A EP93308516 A EP 93308516A EP 0597606 A1 EP0597606 A1 EP 0597606A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
beverage
gas
package
primary chamber
aperture
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP93308516A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0597606B1 (de
Inventor
Alan James Forage
Robert Purdham
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Guinness Brewing Worldwide Ltd
Original Assignee
Guinness Brewing Worldwide Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Guinness Brewing Worldwide Ltd filed Critical Guinness Brewing Worldwide Ltd
Publication of EP0597606A1 publication Critical patent/EP0597606A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0597606B1 publication Critical patent/EP0597606B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
    • B65D85/72—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials
    • B65D85/73—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials with means specially adapted for effervescing the liquids, e.g. for forming bubbles or beer head

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a beverage package and a method of forming such a package. More particularly it concerns beverages containing gas, such as carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen, in solution and packaged in a sealed container which, when opened for dispensing or consumption, causes gas to be evolved or liberated from the beverage to form, or assist in the formation of, a head of froth on the beverage.
  • the beverages to which the invention relates may be alcoholic or non-alcoholic; primarily the invention was developed for fermented beverages such as ale, lager, stout or other beer and cider but may be applied with advantage to so-called soft drinks and beverages, or alcoholic drinks such as spirits, liquers, wine and the like.
  • Beverage packages which comprise a sealed container having a primary chamber containing the beverage having gas in solution and forming a primary headspace comprising gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric and in which a secondary chamber containing gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric has a restricted orifice which communicates with the beverage in the primary chamber.
  • the primary headspace is opened to atmospheric pressure and this creates a pressure differential within the container which causes gas in the secondary chamber to be ejected by way of the restricted orifice into the beverage in the primary chamber.
  • the ejection of the gas from the secondary chamber and through the restricted orifice causes gas in solution in the beverage to be evolved for froth formation.
  • An example of a beverage package having the latter characteristics is disclosed in our British Patent No. 1,266,351 (where the gas ejection from the secondary chamber may be through a non-return valve).
  • the restricted orifice is located at or towards the bottom of the beverage in the primary chamber.
  • gas in solution is initially evolved in the region of the beverage which is local to the restricted orifice and this evolution of gas develops or grows rapidly to rise or surge throughout the volume of beverage in the primary chamber to develop a head of froth which is retained when the beverage is dispensed from the container.
  • carbon dioxide in solution with or without nitrogen gas in solution
  • a beverage package comprising a sealed container having a primary chamber containing beverage having gas in solution therewith and forming a headspace comprising gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric; a secondary chamber containing gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric and which communicates or is capable of communicating with beverage in the primary chamber by way of an aperture submerged in the beverage, said aperture being located in the beverage at a position nearer to the surface of the beverage than to the bottom of the beverage in the primary chamber, and wherein the package is openable to open the primary chamber to atmospheric pressure and said opening creates a pressure differential causing gas under pressure from the secondary chamber to be introduced by way of the aperture into the beverage in the primary chamber for said introduction to liberate gas from solution in the beverage to form froth in the primary headspace and wherein said liberation of gas is restricted to a minor proportion of the volume of beverage in the primary chamber disposed within a minor depth of the beverage from the surface thereof.
  • Beverage packages are well known, for example as disclosed in our British Patent No. 1,266,351, in which in response to a pressure differential developed on opening of the package, gas under pressure from a secondary chamber is injected into beverage in the primary chamber for the purpose of liberating gas from solution in beverage in the primary chamber.
  • This ejection is effected from the secondary chamber through an aperture and in the prior proposals such aperture is located at or towards the bottom of the beverage in the primary chamber.
  • high energy from the gas injection liberates gas from solution in the beverage initially in the region of the aperture and this seeds the further liberation of gas from the beverage so that a surge of gas bubbles develops and grows rapidly to rise, predominantly, throughout the volume of beverage in the primary chamber.
  • the aperture is located in the beverage in the primary chamber nearer to the surface of that beverage than to the bottom of the beverage and as a consequence the aforementioned liberation of gas from solution in the beverage by the rising surge of gas bubbles from the aperture restricts the gas liberation to a minor proportion of the volume of beverage in the container.
  • the minor proportion of beverage from which gas is liberated will be less than 30% of the total volume of beverage within the container.
  • the result of such restricted gas liberation is that a major proportion of the volume of beverage in the container will retain gas in solution - this is particularly so for carbon dioxide. Therefore when the beverage is dispensed from the container into a drinking glass for consumption, gas may continue to evolve from solution to maintain "sparkle" and other characteristics considered desirable for the beverage product.
  • the secondary chamber may be integral with the container but is preferably formed by a hollow insert located in the primary chamber.
  • the insert will usually be located at or towards the bottom of the primary chamber and in such case it may be provided with an extension that projects upwardly in the beverage to locate the aperture at its submerged position nearer to the surface of the beverage than to the bottom of the beverage in the primary chamber.
  • the insert will be formed of plastics having a base part which carries a tubular extension projecting upwardly within the beverage so that the base part and tubular extension together form the secondary chamber and the aperture can be located at or towards the top of the tubular extension.
  • the base part of the insert is located within the container through an open top thereof during formation of the beverage package and subsequently the extension part can be fitted and sealed to the base part within the primary chamber.
  • the aperture of the insert is likely to be restricted sufficiently to alleviate flow of beverage from the primary chamber into the secondary chamber when the contents of the sealed package are in equilibrium.
  • the aperture has a non-return valve associated therewith which restrains entry of beverage into the secondary chamber and which is responsive to the pressure differential (developed when the package is opened to open the primary headspace to atmospheric pressure) to permit the injection of gas under pressure from the secondary chamber into the upper region of beverage in the primary chamber for froth development.
  • the latter form of insert may be received within an open topped container during formation of the package with the aperture closed so that the secondary chamber is sealed and contains gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric; following charging of the container with its beverage and subsequent sealing of the container, the sealed package may be processed (for example as a result of the package being heated for pasteurising the beverage, so that the structure of the insert is modified, for example by thermal distortion of plastics material from which the insert is formed) to ensure that when the sealed package is opened and the pressure differential applied, communication is effected, possibly by way of a known non-return valve in the insert, between the secondary chamber and the beverage in the primary chamber.
  • the beverage package illustrated comprises a conventional form of container such as a light metal can 1 having an externally concave circular base 2 on which the package will normally stand, a cylindrical side wall 3 and a circular top 4 which will usually be seamed to the side wall 3 to seal the container.
  • the top 4 will be openable, typically by a ring pull, displaceable tab or other conventional means for the purpose of dispensing beverage contents of the container.
  • the beverage for the package may be considered as a light beer or lager having in solution a mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases, typically the carbon dioxide content will be 1.25 to 6.0 gramms per litre and the nitrogen gas content will be 3% to 5% vols./vol.
  • the term "vols./vol.” is well known in the art but a definition of it may be found in our British Patent No. 1,588,624.
  • the container 1 forms a primary chamber 5 and prior to fitting and sealing the top 4 and with the container in an upstanding condition, an insert 6 is inserted into the primary chamber through the open top of the container and located on the base 2 at the bottom of the primary chamber 5.
  • the insert 6 is conveniently assembled from plastics mouldings to have a hollow generally cylindrical drum part 7 from which extend diametrically opposed flanges 8 and a tubular extension part 9 which projects upwardly from the drum part 7 towards the open top of the container.
  • the insert 6 is fitted within the container so that the flanges 8 frictionally engage with the cylindrical side walls 3 to retain the insert at the bottom of the primary chamber.
  • alternative means of retaining the insert 6 at the bottom of the container may be provided, for example by suction or magnetically.
  • the hollow drum part 7 and extension part 9 of the insert form a secondary chamber 10 which is to communicate with the primary chamber 5 by way of an aperture or port 11 at the upper end of the extension part 9.
  • the secondary chamber 10 contains gas, usually nitrogen, at a pressure greater than atmospheric. Pressurisation of the secondary chamber 10 may be effected in either of two ways as will be discussed hereinafter.
  • the primary chamber 5 is charged with the beverage 20 containing gas in solution and thereafter the container is closed and sealed by the top 4 so that a primary headspace 21 in the primary chamber of the container is at a pressure greater than atmospheric. Pressurisation of the headspace 21 may be achieved in conventional manner, for example by dosing the primary chamber with liquid nitrogen immediately prior to the top 4 being fitted and sealed.
  • the aperture 11 is submerged in the beverage 5 and is located much nearer to the surface 22 of the beverage than it is to the bottom of the primary chamber 5; in practice the aperture 11 is likely to be submerged to a depth at which approximately 10% to 20% of the volume of beverage 20 in the primary chamber is located above that aperture.
  • the primary headspace 21 is opened to atmospheric pressure and rapidly de- pressurises.
  • a pressure differential is developed whereby the pressure of gas in the secondary chamber 22 exceeds the pressure in the headspace 21.
  • gas is liberated from solution in the beverage 20 to provide a surge of gas bubbles which develops, predominantly, throughout the beverage 20 above the aperture 11 and rises to develop froth in the headspace 21.
  • Gas under pressure may be provided in the secondary chamber 10 where that secondary chamber is in constant communication by way of the aperture 11 with the primary chamber 5 by locating and maintaining the insert 6 in the open topped container in a gas environment where the pressure is greater than atmospheric and this environment is maintained to pressurise the secondary chamber during charging of the primary chamber with beverage and sealing the open top of the container.
  • the aperture 11 should form a restriction which ensures that any beer which may flow from the primary chamber through the restricted aperture 11 into the secondary chamber 10 (during charging of the container with beverage, during the period in which the contents of the sealed package come into equilibrium, and during general handling and storage of the sealed package) is negligible.
  • the insert 6 may, for ease of mechanical handling, be assembled within the open topped container by first fitting the base part 7 of the insert within the container and subsequently fitting and sealing the extension part 9 to the base part 7 within the container.
  • the insert 6 as received by the primary chamber 5 may have its secondary chamber 10 sealed and containing gas, typically nitrogen gas, at a pressure greater than atmospheric.
  • the port 11 will initially be closed but arranged to open, following charging of the primary chamber 5 with beer 20 and subsequent pressurisation of the headspace 21 and sealing of the container with the top 4, by appropriate processing of the sealed package.
  • the sealed package may be subjected to heat during pasteurisation of the beverage 20 and such heat may cause a change in the characteristics of the plastics material of the extension part 9 which results in automatic opening of the port 11.
  • the characteristics of the plastics insert 6 change to the extent that the free end of the projection 30 cooperates with the port 11 to form a non-return valve which is responsive to the pressure differential developed between the pressure of gas in the secondary chamber 10 and that in the headspace 21 (when the top 4 is opened to open the headspace to atmospheric pressure).
  • the non-return valve presented by the projection 30 and port 11 normally restrains beer from entering the secondary chamber 10 through the port 11.
  • the plastics material of the extension part 9 may flex in response to the pressure differential that is developed and relative to the projection 30 so that gas under pressure is injected from the secondary chamber 10 through the port 11 into the upper region of the beer 20 in the primary chamber 5 for froth development.
  • the aperture 11 is shown as being directed towards the surface 22 of the beer 20 it will be appreciated that this aperture may be arranged to provide the gas injection into the beer in any direction as preferred and probably depending upon the depth at which the port 11 is submerged within the beer 5, for example where the aperture 11 is located immediately below the surface 22 of the beer 20 it is likely that the port 11 will be arranged to inject gas towards the cylindrical side wall of the container or even downwardly into the beverage to alleviate loss of energy from the gas injection into the headspace 21.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
  • Distillation Of Fermentation Liquor, Processing Of Alcohols, Vinegar And Beer (AREA)
  • Tea And Coffee (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
  • Table Devices Or Equipment (AREA)
EP93308516A 1992-11-10 1993-10-26 Behälter für Getränke Expired - Lifetime EP0597606B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9223516A GB2272199B (en) 1992-11-10 1992-11-10 A beverage package
GB9223516 1992-11-10

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0597606A1 true EP0597606A1 (de) 1994-05-18
EP0597606B1 EP0597606B1 (de) 1997-01-08

Family

ID=10724816

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93308516A Expired - Lifetime EP0597606B1 (de) 1992-11-10 1993-10-26 Behälter für Getränke

Country Status (10)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0597606B1 (de)
JP (1) JP3260940B2 (de)
AT (1) ATE147355T1 (de)
AU (1) AU670632B2 (de)
CA (1) CA2102037C (de)
DE (1) DE69307279T2 (de)
DK (1) DK0597606T3 (de)
ES (1) ES2098679T3 (de)
GB (1) GB2272199B (de)
NZ (1) NZ250143A (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8007880B2 (en) 2002-12-16 2011-08-30 Ball Packaging Europe Gmbh Insert for a pressurized container of liquid
US8469221B2 (en) 2004-07-09 2013-06-25 Ball Packaging Europe Gmbh Floating multi-chambered insert for liquid containers
EP2947026A1 (de) 2014-05-20 2015-11-25 Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A. Speicherung und Freisetzung-System, Getränkebehälter damit, Deckel damit und Verfahren zur Verbesserung der visuellen Aspekte eines Getränks
WO2019211042A1 (de) * 2018-05-04 2019-11-07 Ardagh Metal Beverage Holdings Gmbh & Co. Kg Getränkebehälter
US10477997B1 (en) 2013-10-28 2019-11-19 Bryce Bunkers Carbonated beverage nucleation accessory

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9312677D0 (en) * 1993-06-18 1993-08-04 Pyxis Limited Beverage container and method of producting a filled beverage container
GB9421142D0 (en) * 1994-10-20 1994-12-07 Scottish & Newcastle Plc Method and apparatus for enhancing a beverage head
US6074217A (en) * 1995-05-25 2000-06-13 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Coaxial connector receptacle
GB2321062B (en) * 1997-01-13 1998-12-16 Matthew Clark Polysaccharide-containing, foaming beverage
US7228789B1 (en) 1999-05-18 2007-06-12 Whitbread Plc Beverage container
EP1055614A1 (de) * 1999-05-18 2000-11-29 Whitbread Plc Getränkebehälter

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1266351A (de) * 1969-01-27 1972-03-08
EP0227213A2 (de) * 1985-11-29 1987-07-01 ARTHUR GUINNESS SON & COMPANY (DUBLIN) LIMITED Getränkeverpackung und Verfahren zum Verpacken eines gelöstes Gas enthaltenden Getränkes
EP0520602A1 (de) * 1991-06-25 1992-12-30 Guinness Brewing Worldwide Limited Behälter für Getränke

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB8915532D0 (en) * 1989-07-06 1989-08-23 Whitbread & Co Plc Beverage container and method of filling it
IE70665B1 (en) * 1989-11-22 1996-12-11 Whitbread & Co Plc Carbonated beverage container

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1266351A (de) * 1969-01-27 1972-03-08
EP0227213A2 (de) * 1985-11-29 1987-07-01 ARTHUR GUINNESS SON & COMPANY (DUBLIN) LIMITED Getränkeverpackung und Verfahren zum Verpacken eines gelöstes Gas enthaltenden Getränkes
EP0520602A1 (de) * 1991-06-25 1992-12-30 Guinness Brewing Worldwide Limited Behälter für Getränke

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8007880B2 (en) 2002-12-16 2011-08-30 Ball Packaging Europe Gmbh Insert for a pressurized container of liquid
US8469221B2 (en) 2004-07-09 2013-06-25 Ball Packaging Europe Gmbh Floating multi-chambered insert for liquid containers
US10477997B1 (en) 2013-10-28 2019-11-19 Bryce Bunkers Carbonated beverage nucleation accessory
EP2947026A1 (de) 2014-05-20 2015-11-25 Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A. Speicherung und Freisetzung-System, Getränkebehälter damit, Deckel damit und Verfahren zur Verbesserung der visuellen Aspekte eines Getränks
WO2015177167A1 (en) 2014-05-20 2015-11-26 Anheuser-Busch Inbev S.A. Retention and release system, beverage container therewith, closure therewith and method for enhancing visual aspects of a beverage
WO2019211042A1 (de) * 2018-05-04 2019-11-07 Ardagh Metal Beverage Holdings Gmbh & Co. Kg Getränkebehälter
CN112424090A (zh) * 2018-05-04 2021-02-26 阿尔达金属饮料德国股份有限公司 饮料容器
CN112424090B (zh) * 2018-05-04 2024-02-20 阿尔达金属饮料德国股份有限公司 饮料容器

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP3260940B2 (ja) 2002-02-25
ATE147355T1 (de) 1997-01-15
JPH06211248A (ja) 1994-08-02
CA2102037A1 (en) 1994-05-11
ES2098679T3 (es) 1997-05-01
DE69307279D1 (de) 1997-02-20
AU670632B2 (en) 1996-07-25
AU5042493A (en) 1994-05-26
DK0597606T3 (de) 1997-03-17
GB2272199A (en) 1994-05-11
GB2272199B (en) 1996-03-13
EP0597606B1 (de) 1997-01-08
NZ250143A (en) 1994-12-22
CA2102037C (en) 2003-09-23
GB9223516D0 (en) 1992-12-23
DE69307279T2 (de) 1997-08-14

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