EP0610312B1 - Production d'une dispersion moussante de bulles - Google Patents

Production d'une dispersion moussante de bulles Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0610312B1
EP0610312B1 EP92922253A EP92922253A EP0610312B1 EP 0610312 B1 EP0610312 B1 EP 0610312B1 EP 92922253 A EP92922253 A EP 92922253A EP 92922253 A EP92922253 A EP 92922253A EP 0610312 B1 EP0610312 B1 EP 0610312B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
beverage
fluid
chamber
surrounding
pressure
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP92922253A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP0610312A1 (fr
Inventor
Keith 15 Beconview Drive Streetly Tromans
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.)
Heineken UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Scottish and Newcastle Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB919123451A external-priority patent/GB9123451D0/en
Priority claimed from GB919126702A external-priority patent/GB9126702D0/en
Priority claimed from GB929206483A external-priority patent/GB9206483D0/en
Application filed by Scottish and Newcastle Ltd filed Critical Scottish and Newcastle Ltd
Publication of EP0610312A1 publication Critical patent/EP0610312A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0610312B1 publication Critical patent/EP0610312B1/fr
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    • 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

  • This invention relates to a device and a method for generation of a foaming dispersion of bubbles within a beverage or other liquid packaged within a sealed, non-resealable can or other container, and to a beverage package incorporating a beverage frothing device.
  • This invention is especially although not exclusively suited to use with canned alcoholic beverages such as beer, ale, porter, stout or lager, but may also be used with non-alcoholic "soft" drinks.
  • a device and method for the production of a foamy dispersion of bubbles or "head” is desirable in canned beverages such as beer, ale, porter, stout or lager since these beverages tend to have a diminished head when dispensed from a can, in comparison to beverages dispensed on draught.
  • Head generation is assisted by the release of gas dissolved in the beverage when it is depressurised whether by being drawn from a keg as with draught beverage, or by the opening of a can or bottle.
  • this head generation is enhanced by the pressurisation of the kegs with carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), nitrogen (N 2 ) or other suitable inert gases, combined with the use of foaming devices in the dispense equipment.
  • CO 2 carbon dioxide
  • N 2 nitrogen
  • draught beverages usually release more bubbles during depressurisation caused by dispensing and have more dense, longer lasting heads than beverages dispensed from cans or bottles.
  • Disclosure has been made of various moulded inserts which are wholly or partially gas-filled and discharge their gas (or gas and beverage) through an orifice in the insert upon depressurisation of the can.
  • the energy released from the insert upon depressurisation may be temperature sensitive causing inconsistent head production at varying temperatures. At room temperature this may result in excessive foaming, spillage and loss of beverage.
  • a device for generating a foaming dispersion of bubbles in a fluid surrounding the exterior of said device said fluid comprising a liquid having gas dissolved therein
  • said device comprising an internal chamber provided with valve means adapted to admit some of said fluid surrounding said exterior of said device through said valve means and into said chamber when the pressure of said surrounding fluid exceeds the internal pressure of said chamber by a first predetermined amount, thereby to establish a reserve of pressurised fluid within said chamber
  • said valve means being further adapted to release said reserve of pressurised fluid from said chamber to pass outwardly via orifice means into said fluid surrounding said exterior of said device when said internal pressure of said chamber exceeds the pressure of said surrounding fluid by a second predetermined amount, said orifice means being dimensioned to cause the outward passage of fluid therethrough to generate a foaming dispersion of bubbles in said surrounding fluid.
  • the generation of said foaming dispersion of bubbles in said surrounding fluid is preferably brought about in use of said device by so dimensioning said orifice means as to depressurise said fluid passing outwardly through said orifice means in a manner which causes the gas dissolved in said liquid to come out of solution in the form of a plurality of foam-generating seed bubbles.
  • Said valve means may comprise functionally separate inlet valve means and outlet valve means respectively adapted for the admission and release of fluid to and from said chamber.
  • Said inlet valve means may comprise a poppet valve or a flap valve, or more preferably a one-way fluid valve as described in British Patent Specification GB1066508.
  • Said inlet valve means may alternatively comprise a diaphragm having at least one slit therein, said diaphragm partly bounding said chamber and being substantially closed to the outward passage of fluid therethrough, said diaphragm being inwardly deformable by external pressure to open said at least one slit for the passage therethrough of fluid into said chamber.
  • Said outlet valve means may comprise a poppet valve or a flap valve, or more preferably a differential valve which may have the form of an outer passage normally closed by a plug having a chamber-facing inner area acted upon by the internal pressure of said chamber, said plug further having an exterior-facing outer area acted upon by the pressure of said fluid surrounding the exterior of said device, said outer area being greater than said inner area by an extent which maintains said outlet passage plugged until said internal pressure of said chamber exceeds the pressure of said surrounding fluid by said second predetermined amount thereupon to cause or allow said outlet passage to come unplugged to release said reserve of pressurised fluid from said chamber.
  • Said differential valve is preferably such that upon said outlet passage becoming unplugged, said outlet passage remains unplugged and does not become replugged by subsequent pressure changes.
  • a method of generating a foaming dispersion of bubbles in a fluid comprising the steps of providing a device according to the first aspect of the present invention, submerging said device in said fluid to surround the exterior of said device with said fluid, pressurising said surrounding fluid above the internal pressure of said chamber in said device by at least said first predetermined amount thereby cause some of said surrounding fluid to be admitted through said valve means of said device and into said chamber to establish a reserve of pressurised fluid within said chamber, maintaining said device submerged in said fluid and maintaining the pressurisation of said fluid surrounding the exterior of said device above the initial pressure thereof by an amount that substantially obviates premature discharge of a substantial proportion of said reserve of pressurised fluid from said device, said pressurisation of said surrounding fluid being maintained until the generation of a foaming dispersion of bubbles is required and thereupon depressurising the fluid surrounding the exterior of said device to a pressure below the
  • a method of packaging a beverage in a sealed container for the subsequent generation of a foaming dispersion of bubbles in said beverage upon said container being unsealed, said beverage comprising a liquid having gas dissolved therein said method comprising the steps of providing a sealable container which is initially open, unsealed and empty of liquid; providing a device according to the first aspect of the present invention; emplacing said device in said open container; prior or subsequent to the emplacement of said device in said open container, adding a quantity of said beverage to said open container sufficient to submerge said device when emplaced in said container and to surround the exterior of said device with said beverage; closing and sealing said container with said quantity of beverage and said submerged device therein; and temporarily elevating the temperature of at least the contents of said closed and sealed container by an amount to cause a concomitant increase in the pressure of said beverage surrounding said device sufficient to cause some of said beverage to be admitted through the valve means of said device and into the internal chamber of said device to establish a
  • At least the internal chamber of said device is preferably purged of oxidising gases prior to emplacement thereof in said container, for example by displacing air initially present in said device with a suitable non-oxidising gas which may be nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or a mixture of these gases.
  • Said container is preferably likewise purged of oxidising gases before the addition thereto of said quantity of beverage.
  • Said temporary elevation of the temperature of at least the contents of said sealed container is preferably subsumed within a conventional pasteurisation procedure for newly sealed containers of beverage, conveniently by conjointly heating the sealed container and its contents.
  • a packaged beverage comprising a closed and sealed container containing a quantity of beverage and a device according to the first aspect of the present invention, said beverage having been packaged in said container by the method according to the third aspect of the present invention.
  • Said beverage may be an alcoholic beverage which is preferably a fermented beverage containing dissolved carbon dioxide as a product of fermentation, but the beverage may additionally or alternatively comprise ersatz carbonation, for example an injected gas comprising carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen.
  • ersatz carbonation is likely to be employed where the beverage is unfermented as in the cases of non-alcoholic "soft" drinks and cocktails of soft drink mixed with distilled alcohol).
  • Said container is preferably a can which may have a one-piece body of deep-drawn aluminium or steel closed by an initially separate top end disc (preferably also of aluminium or steel) incorporating an integral closure tab defined by coining of the top end disc and attached to a manually operable pull ring for partial or total separation of the tab from the top end disc to unseal and open the filled can, the can being closed and sealed by seaming of the top end disc to the rim of the body.
  • Fig. 1 shows, in longitudinal section , a fully assembled device according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • This first embodiment is a re-usable device particularly intended to demonstrate the operational principles of the present invention (as distinct from the other embodiments which are single-use devices intended to be disposed of along with the singe-use disposable beverage cans in which they are incorporated).
  • the device as shown in Fig. 1 has an end cap (see also Fig. 2) having an axial inlet aperture 5 countersunk at 7 to act as the valve seat of a poppet inlet valve assembly 3.
  • the end cap 1 is threaded on an internal surface 10 to co-operate with a corresponding external thread on a wall 13 of a reservoir or internal chamber 9 of the device (see also Fig.s 3 and 4).
  • a male part 20 of the inlet valve assembly 3 (see also Fig. 5) is provided as the movable closure element thereof.
  • One end 22 of the part 20 is conically shaped to be complementary to the valve seat 7 of the valve assembly 3 and normally cooperates with the valve seat 7 to close the inlet aperture 5.
  • the other end of the male part or closure element 20 has a cavity 25 adapted to receive a spring 27 and one end 30 of a spacer bar 35.
  • the end 30 of the spacer bar 35 comprises an axial bore 38 which cooperates with the cavity 25 in the closure element 20 to enclose the spring 27 which biases the closure element 20 firmly against the valve seat 7 of the inlet valve assembly 3, thus closing the valve's inlet aperture 5.
  • the other end 40 of the spacer bar 35 comprises a second axial bore 45 (Fig. 5), of shorter length than the bore 38, and which accommodates one end 50 of a piston extension 55 of a piston assembly 51 (Figs. 1 and 6).
  • the other end 65 of the piston extension 55 has an annular groove 70 and extends from a piston 75 into which is cut a second annular groove 80.
  • the piston 75 is of a larger diameter than the piston extension 55 and hence the outward-facing area A2 of the piston 75 (see Fig. 6) substantially exceeds the inward-facing area Al of the piston extension 55. (The functional significance of this area ratio will be explained below).
  • Fig. 1 The device of Fig. 1 is assembled as follows:
  • the piston extension 55 is inserted into the reservoir 9 through the aperture 15 such that the piston 75 fits into a cylindrical end wall portion 17 of the device.
  • O-ring seals 85 and 90 are fitted contiguously with annular grooves 70 and 80 and with the walls of the aperture 15 and the cylindrical portion 17 respectively to provide sliding seals therebetween.
  • the piston assembly 51, the aperture 15 and the cylindrical port 17 together define an outlet valve assembly 60 for the device of Fig. 1.
  • the piston extension 55 is then slotted into the spacer bar axial bore 45.
  • the spring 27 is located in the cylinder formed between axial bore 38 in the spacer bar 35 and cavity 25 on the closure element 20 of the poppet valve.
  • FIGs. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention which differs from the first embodiment (described above with reference to Figs. 1-6) in respect of certain details of its construction. (Parts of the second embodiment which are not significantly different from the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals).
  • an end cap 1 is welded ultrasonically onto the device body 13 and includes a pliable circumferential ring 2 which presses both ends of the device against the side wall of a beverage can 120 thereby holding the device firmly in position within the can 120.
  • a piston assembly 100 of the second embodiment is moulded in a single piece instead of being assembled separately from the separately formed piston 75, spacer bar 35, spring 27 and closure element 20 of the first embodiment.
  • the closure element of the inlet valve assembly 3 is provided by a hemispherical protrusion 102 from a hinged plastic spring 103 which provides the force to hold the hemispherical protrusion 102 against the valve seat 7 of the inlet valve assembly 3 thereby closing the inlet aperture 5.
  • the O-ring seals 85 and 90 of the first embodiment are replaced in the second embodiment by moulded seals 105 and 110 respectively (Fig. 8), these seals 105 and 110 being formed during the moulding process employed to form the components of the second embodiment to be continuous with the piston assembly 100. Assembly of the second embodiment is analogous to that of the first embodiment, and operation of the second embodiment will be described below along with that of the first embodiment.
  • Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate a third embodiment which differs from the first and second embodiments described above in that the inlet valve assembly 3 of the previous embodiments is replaced by a one-way inlet valve 130 as describe in GB1066508 and sometimes known as a "Woodford valve").
  • the one-way inlet valve 130 comprises a pliable plastic tube 135 intregal with the end cap 1 and open at each of its ends 135a and 135b.
  • One end 135a of the tube 135 has a circular opening 137 therein which presents negligible resistance to the passage of beverage therethrough.
  • the other end 135b of the tube 135 comprises a flattened portion 138 of reduced diameter (in comparison to that of 135a) having an opening 139 which consists of a slit in the end 135b of the tube 135, the slit opening 139 being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of, and in the same plane as the flattened portion 138.
  • the third embodiment has a modified outlet valve piston assembly 140 lacking any physical contact with the inlet valve 130 and the single orifice 61 in the wall 13 of the previous embodiments of the device is replaced by four longitudinal exhaust grooves 145 (Fig. 11) on the inner surface of the cylindrical end wall portion 17.
  • the device In use of the first or second embodiment of the invention (Figs. 1-6; Figs. 7-9), the device is placed across a diameter of an unmodified beverage can prior to filling, sealing and pasteurisation such that the side wall 120 of the can 119 (Fig. 1; Fig. 7) is in contact with the end cap 1 at one end of the device and in contact with the cylindrical portion 17 at the other end.
  • the device is held in position by the force exerted by the pliable circumferential ring (second embodiment only).
  • the device is disposed at the bottom of the can 119 throughout the charging and discharging of the device.
  • the inlet valve assembly 3 requires a pressure differential of approximately one bar to open.
  • the inlet valve assembly 3 opens and beverage flows into the reservoir 9 until the pressure therein increases to a level greater than the pressure in the can minus 1 bar (to account for the bias of the spring 27 or 103) at which point the inlet valve assembly 3 closes.
  • the outlet valve assembly 60 has a high external/low internal area ratio that causes it to remain closed at high internal/low external pressure differentials.
  • the value of this differential is dependent on the area ratio such that P 1 A 1 ⁇ P 2 A 2 where P 1 and A 1 are the internal pressure and area respectively and P 2 and A 2 are the external pressure and area respectively. Therefore, increases in the pressure differential above the given value result in outward movement of the piston assembly 51 or 100 until the orifice 61 is exposed allowing efflux of beverage therethrough. This efflux continues until the pressure differential is eliminated.
  • a generally constant pressure differential is maintained within the reservoir 9, the value of which can be selected by varying the internal/external area ratio of the outlet valve assembly 60.
  • the pressure of the beverage in the can 119 decreases very rapidly and this alters the force balance across the outlet valve assembly 60.
  • the pressure in the reservoir 9 then causes outward movement of the piston assembly 51 or 100 and exposure of the orifice 61.
  • the outward movement of the piston assembly 51 or 100 is restrained by the wall 120 of the can 119 such that the escape of the beverage/gas mixture is through the orifice 61 or the small annular gap in the outlet valve assembly 60 between the chamfered rim 18 of the cylindrical portion 17 and the chamfered rim 82 of the piston assembly 51 or 100. This provides the seed bubbles necessary for head generation in the beverage.
  • the device is placed in a can 119 as described for the first and second embodiments.
  • the pressure in the can 119 rises due to pasteurisation, beverage flows into the reservoir 9 through the inlet valve 130 until the pressure in the reservoir 9 increases to a level at which the pressure therein equals the pressure in the can minus the small amount of pressure required to open the inlet valve 130, at which point the inflow of beverage stops.
  • Increases in the pressure in the reservoir 9 above the pressure in the can cause the walls of the flattened portion 138 to be compressed together thus closing the opening 139 and preventing efflux of beverage through the inlet valve 130.
  • the pressure of the beverage in the can 119 decreases very rapidly, upsetting the force balance across the outlet valve assembly 150.
  • the pressure in the reservoir 9 then causes outward movement of the piston assembly 140 and allows escape of beverage/gas mixture from the reservoir 9 through the grooves 145.
  • the outward movement of the piston assembly 140 is restrained by the wall 120 of the can 119 such that the escaping beverage/gas mixture is forced through the grooves 145 and this initiates the seed bubbles necessary for head generation in the beverage held in the can 119.
  • a fourth embodiment of the foam-generating device of the present invention has an inlet valve 152 of elastomeric material such as rubber.
  • the inlet valve 152 is fitted onto one end 155 of the reservoir wall 13.
  • a return lip 160 seals the inlet valve 152 onto the wall 13 and this seal is enhanced by the compression applied to the device by the can wall 120.
  • the compliance of the valve 152 due to the elastomeric material allows up to a 1% change in the can diameter during thermal cycling without affecting the valve 152.
  • the compressive force on the valve 152 is increased by the charge forces on the device causing it to expand.
  • the compliance of the valve 152 allows the device to overcome the mechanical changes occurring in charging of the device, and in handling and storage of the filled cans.
  • Three reliefs 165 in the face of the inlet valve 152 allow liquid to pass between the valve 152 and the can wall 120.
  • Circumferential ribs 170 on the valve 152 are provided to increase resistance to collapse of the valve 152 under pressure when the device is charged.
  • Beverage enters the inlet valve 152 through the open end 175 and passes through an orifice in the other end of the valve 152.
  • the orifice comprises a slit 180 between two walls of elastomeric material 183,185.
  • the slit 180 opens against the compressive force between walls 183 and 185 in response to increase in pressure outside the device and allows influx of fluid.
  • the wall 185 is pressed against wall 183 and the slit 180 is closed.
  • the valve 180 admits fluid when the external/internal pressure differential across the valve is sufficient to overcome the compressive force of wall 185 against wall 183. Fluid thus admitted cannot escape back through the slit 180 since pressure increases in the device increase the compressive force of wall 185 against wall 183, enhancing the seal on the slit 180.
  • the device body 190 (Fig. 15) has an annular groove 192 in the outer surface for assembly, handling and insertion purposes and also for isolating the seal from the flexure of the body 190 when under pressure.
  • the body 190 has three longitudinal exhaust grooves 195 in one end 197 for exhaust of pressurised fluid from the device.
  • the fourth embodiment has an outlet valve assembly comprising a differential piston 200 (Figs. 16 and 17) having pressure-energised inner and outer seals 205, 207 which can expand to accommodate the full range of moulding tolerance.
  • Inner seal 205 has a cup form whereby fluid pressure on the inner face of the piston 200 will produce a force reaction. Part of the force produced by the internal pressure acts radially to expand the seal 205 and part acts axially to push the piston 200 out of the bore when the device discharges. As the pressure in the device rises, the radial component will increase to form a sealing force which balances the pressure.
  • outer seal 207 (which also has a cup form), a lower sealing force is used than in the inner seal 205 to reduce friction and a small chamfer 210 at the rim of the seal 207 is provided to obviate mechanical jamming of the piston 200.
  • a protrusion 215 acts as a stroke-limiting end stop for the piston 200 and also provides a convenient pick up point when handling the component thereby reducing handling damage to the seals 205, 207.
  • the body 190 and the piston 200 Prior to assembly of the fourth embodiment, the body 190 and the piston 200 are handled by the slot 192 and the protrusion 215 respectively. The components are purged with nitrogen and the piston 200 is then inserted into the body 190, followed by the inlet valve 152. This seals both ends and displaces a proportion of the volume of the device, thereby establishing a positive pressure in the nitrogen. This prevents oxygen ingress and increases the pressure of stored gas to be released in discharge upon the can being opened, thereby enhancing foam-generating performance.
  • the fourth embodiment is placed across a diameter of the can 119 and is held in place by the force reaction of the elastomeric inlet valve 152.
  • the device admits fluid through the inlet valve 152 when the pressure outside the device is sufficient to open the slit 180 against the force of the wall 185 and the pressure inside the device.
  • Beverage (or other gas-containing liquid) is thus admitted into the device and the pressure inside the device increases to a level determined by the internal/external area ratio of the differential piston 200 of the outlet valve as described for previous embodiments.
  • the fourth embodiment of device Upon opening of the can, the fourth embodiment of device initiates seed bubbles in accordance with a mechanism similar to that described for the third embodiment.
  • the fifth embodiment of device shown is similar to the fourth embodiment, but with an alternative inlet valve 220.
  • the inlet valve 220 is constructed from an elastomeric material such as rubber and comprises a diaphragm 225 stretched across one end of the device body 190, the valve 220 having a cross-shaped slit 230 in the centre of the diaphragm 225, a return lip 160, and three inlets 165 as previously described.
  • the device is inserted across a diameter of the can and the physical compression of the elastomeric material at the valve 220 creates a force which retains the device in position.
  • the diaphragm 225 At pressure equilibrium the diaphragm 225 is distended against the can wall 120 thereby closing and sealing the slit 230 until the pressure outside the device rises due to the pasteurisation process.
  • the diaphragm 225 deflects and fluid is admitted through the slit 230, thereby compressing the gas in the reservoir 9.
  • FIGs. 24 and 25 respectively show a modified version of the outlet valve assembly shown in Figs. 15-17, in its 'closed' configuration, and an enlarged fragmentary view of the valve assembly in its 'open' configuration.
  • Figs. 24 and 25 those parts of the modified outlet valve assembly which correspond to parts of the outlet valve assembly of Figs. 15-17 are given the same reference numerals.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Porous Articles, And Recovery And Treatment Of Waste Products (AREA)
  • Distillation Of Fermentation Liquor, Processing Of Alcohols, Vinegar And Beer (AREA)
  • Alcoholic Beverages (AREA)
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages (AREA)
  • Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
  • Medicines Containing Antibodies Or Antigens For Use As Internal Diagnostic Agents (AREA)

Claims (17)

  1. Appareil de création d'une dispersion de bulles formant une mousse dans un fluide entourant l'extérieur de l'appareil, le fluide contenant un liquide dans lequel est dissous un gaz, l'appareil étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte une chambre interne ayant un dispositif à soupapes destiné à admettre une partie du fluide entourant l'extérieur de l'appareil par le dispositif à soupapes et dans la chambre lorsque la pression du fluide environnant dépasse la pression interne de la chambre d'une première amplitude prédéterminée, si bien qu'une réserve de fluide sous pression est établie dans la chambre, le dispositif à soupapes étant en outre destiné à libérer la réserve de fluide sous pression de la chambre afin qu'elle passe vers l'extérieur par le dispositif à orifice dans le fluide entourant l'extérieur de l'appareil lorsque la pression interne de la chambre dépasse la pression du fluide environnant d'une seconde amplitude prédéterminée, le dispositif à orifice ayant une dimension telle qu'il provoque le passage vers l'extérieur du fluide pour la création de la dispersion de bulles sous forme d'une mousse dans le fluide environnant.
  2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif à orifice a des dimensions telles qu'il réduit la pression du fluide s'écoulant vers l'extérieur par le dispositif à orifice d'une manière qui provoque la séparation du gaz dissous dans le liquide sous forme de plusieurs bulles germes génératrices de mousse en quittant la solution.
  3. Appareil selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif à soupapes comporte un dispositif à soupape d'entrée et un dispositif à soupape de sortie qui sont fonctionnellement séparés et qui sont destinés respectivement à l'admission de fluide dans la chambre et à la libération du fluide de la chambre.
  4. Appareil selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif à soupape d'entrée comporte une soupape à clapet.
  5. Appareil selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif à soupape d'entrée est une soupape unidirectionnelle de fluide telle que décrite dans le brevet britannique GB-1 066 508.
  6. Appareil selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif à soupape d'entrée comporte un diaphragme ayant au moins une fente fine, le diaphragme délimitant partiellement la chambre et étant pratiquement fermé par le passage du fluide vers l'extérieur, le diaphragme étant déformable vers l'intérieur sous l'action de la pression externe afin qu'il ouvre la fente fine au moins pour le passage du fluide dans la chambre par cette fente.
  7. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 6, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif à soupape de sortie est une soupape différentielle.
  8. Appareil selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que la soupape différentielle a la forme d'un passage externe normalement fermé par un bouchon ayant une surface interne tournée vers la chambre et sur laquelle agit la pression interne de la chambre, le bouchon ayant en outre une surface externe tournée vers l'extérieur et sur laquelle agit la pression du fluide entourant l'extérieur de l'appareil, la surface externe étant supérieure à la surface interne d'une étendue telle que le passage de sortie est maintenu fermé jusqu'à ce que la pression interne de la chambre dépasse la pression du fluide environnant de la seconde amplitude prédéterminée en provoquant ou en permettant le débouchage du passage de sortie pour libérer la réserve de fluide sous pression de la chambre.
  9. Procédé de création d'une dispersion de bulles destinée à former une mousse dans un fluide, le fluide comprenant un liquide dans lequel est dissous un gaz, le procédé étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend les étapes suivantes : la disposition d'un appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, l'immersion de l'appareil dans le fluide afin que l'extérieur de l'appareil soit entouré du fluide, la mise sous pression du fluide environnant à une pression supérieure à la pression interne dans la chambre de l'appareil de la première amplitude prédéterminée au moins afin qu'une partie du fluide environnant soit admise par le dispositif à soupapes de l'appareil dans la chambre pour l'établissement d'une réserve de fluide sous pression dans la chambre, le maintien de l'appareil immergé dans le fluide et le maintien de la pression du fluide entrant à l'extérieur de l'appareil au-delà de sa pression initiale d'une valeur qui empêche pratiquement l'évacuation prématurée d'une partie importante de la réserve de fluide sous pression de l'appareil, la mise sous pression du fluide environnant étant maintenue jusqu'à ce que la création de la dispersion des bulles formant la mousse soit nécessaire, puis la réduction de pression du fluide environnant à l'extérieur de l'appareil à une pression inférieure à la pression interne de la chambre de la seconde amplitude prédéterminée au moins afin que la réserve de fluide passe vers l'extérieur par le dispositif à orifice et crée ainsi la dispersion de bulles formant une mousse dans le fluide environnant.
  10. Procédé de conditionnement d'une boisson dans un récipient étanche pour la création ultérieure d'une dispersion de bulles capable de former une mousse dans la boisson lorsque le récipient est débouché, la boisson comprenant un liquide dans lequel est dissous un gaz, le procédé étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend les étapes suivantes : la réalisation d'un récipient qui peut être scellé et qui est initialement ouvert, descellé et vidé de liquide, la disposition d'un appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, la disposition de l'appareil dans le récipient ouvert, avant ou après disposition de l'appareil dans le récipient ouvert, l'addition d'une certaine quantité de boisson dans le récipient ouvert d'une manière suffisante pour que l'appareil soit immergé lorsqu'il est placé dans le récipient et que l'extérieur de l'appareil soit entouré par la boisson, la fermeture et le scellement du récipient avec ladite quantité de boisson et l'appareil immergé à l'intérieur, et l'élévation temporaire de la température du contenu au moins du récipient fermé et scellé d'une quantité telle que la boisson entourant l'appareil subit une élévation correspondante de pression qui suffit pour qu'une partie de la boisson soit admise par le dispositif à soupapes de l'appareil et dans la chambre interne de l'appareil pour l'établissement d'une réserve de boisson sous pression à l'intérieur de la chambre, si bien que, lorsque le récipient est ensuite descellé et ouvert, la boisson entourant l'extérieur de l'appareil placé dans le récipient subisse une réduction de pression vers la pression atmosphérique ambiante et la pression de cette boisson diminue au moins de la seconde amplitude prédéterminée au-dessous de la pression interne de la chambre de l'appareil à cause de la réserve de boisson contenue dans l'appareil et provoque le déclenchement de l'évacuation de la boisson de la réserve de la chambre interne de l'appareil vers l'extérieur par le dispositif à orifice de l'appareil et dans la boisson environnante pour la création d'une dispersion de bulles formant une mousse dans la boisson environnante, ayant tendance à former un volume libre au-dessus de la boisson.
  11. Procédé selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que la chambre interne de l'appareil au moins est purgée de gaz oxydant avant la mise en place dans le récipient.
  12. Procédé selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que le récipient est purgé de gaz oxydant avant l'addition de ladite quantité de boisson.
  13. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 à 12, caractérisé en ce que l'élévation temporaire de la température du contenu au moins du récipient scellé est réalisée dans une opération classique de pasteurisation de récipients de boisson nouvellement scellés.
  14. Boisson conditionnée, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend un récipient fermé et scellé contenant une certaine quantité de boisson et un appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, la boisson ayant été conditionnée dans le récipient par mise en oeuvre du procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 à 13.
  15. Boisson conditionnée selon la revendication 14, caractérisée en ce que la boisson est une boisson alcoolique.
  16. Boisson conditionnée selon la revendication 15, caractérisée en ce que la boisson alcoolique est une boisson fermentée contenant de l'anhydride carbonique dissous comme produit de fermentation.
  17. Boisson conditionnée selon l'une quelconque des revendications 14 à 16, caractérisée en ce que le récipient est une boíte ayant un corps en une seule pièce d'acier ou d'aluminium ayant subi un emboutissage profond et fermé par un disque d'extrémité supérieure initialement séparé qui est aussi formé d'acier ou d'aluminium, et comprenant une patte solidaire de fermeture formée par estampage du disque de l'extrémité supérieure et fixée à un anneau de traction manoeuvrable à la main pour la séparation partielle ou totale de la patte du disque d'extrémité supérieure lorsque la boíte remplie doit être descellée et ouverte, la boíte étant fermée et scellée par soudage du disque d'extrémité supérieure sur le rebord du corps.
EP92922253A 1991-11-05 1992-11-05 Production d'une dispersion moussante de bulles Expired - Lifetime EP0610312B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB919123451A GB9123451D0 (en) 1991-11-05 1991-11-05 Packaging for beverages
GB9123451 1991-11-05
GB9126702 1991-12-17
GB919126702A GB9126702D0 (en) 1991-12-17 1991-12-17 Package for beverages
GB929206483A GB9206483D0 (en) 1992-03-25 1992-03-25 Packaging for beverages
GB9206483 1992-03-25
PCT/GB1992/002048 WO1993009055A1 (fr) 1991-11-05 1992-11-05 Production d'une dispersion moussante de bulles

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0610312A1 EP0610312A1 (fr) 1994-08-17
EP0610312B1 true EP0610312B1 (fr) 1998-08-05

Family

ID=27265912

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92922253A Expired - Lifetime EP0610312B1 (fr) 1991-11-05 1992-11-05 Production d'une dispersion moussante de bulles

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0610312B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH07500797A (fr)
AT (1) ATE169284T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2890692A (fr)
CA (1) CA2122737A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69226533D1 (fr)
HU (1) HUT67660A (fr)
WO (1) WO1993009055A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (11)

* 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
AU674762B2 (en) * 1993-06-18 1997-01-09 Heineken Technical Services B.V. Container with head enhancing insert
US5780083A (en) * 1993-08-12 1998-07-14 Whitbread Plc Carbonated beverage container
EP0712368B1 (fr) * 1993-08-12 1997-03-12 Whitbread Plc Piece d'insertion pour un recipient a boisson gazeuse
US5827555A (en) * 1993-09-28 1998-10-27 American National Can Company Foaming insert for a beverage container
DK0719230T3 (da) * 1993-09-28 1998-05-04 American National Can Co Skumdannende indsats til en drikkebeholder
EP0739299B1 (fr) * 1994-01-21 1999-03-24 Whitbread Plc Piece de recipient a boissons
WO1995019925A1 (fr) * 1994-01-21 1995-07-27 Whitbread Plc Reservoir de boisson
US7228789B1 (en) 1999-05-18 2007-06-12 Whitbread Plc Beverage container
EP1055614A1 (fr) * 1999-05-18 2000-11-29 Whitbread Plc Récipient à boisson
JP6932445B2 (ja) * 2017-07-31 2021-09-08 株式会社吉野工業所 発泡用ウィジェット

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1266351A (fr) * 1969-01-27 1972-03-08
GB2222570A (en) * 1988-09-12 1990-03-14 Guinness Son & Co Ltd A Carbonated beverage container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0610312A1 (fr) 1994-08-17
ATE169284T1 (de) 1998-08-15
DE69226533D1 (de) 1998-09-10
AU2890692A (en) 1993-06-07
HU9401203D0 (en) 1994-09-28
JPH07500797A (ja) 1995-01-26
HUT67660A (en) 1995-04-28
CA2122737A1 (fr) 1993-05-13
WO1993009055A1 (fr) 1993-05-13

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