EP0630349B1 - Fut de securite - Google Patents

Fut de securite Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0630349B1
EP0630349B1 EP93906700A EP93906700A EP0630349B1 EP 0630349 B1 EP0630349 B1 EP 0630349B1 EP 93906700 A EP93906700 A EP 93906700A EP 93906700 A EP93906700 A EP 93906700A EP 0630349 B1 EP0630349 B1 EP 0630349B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
keg
neck
spear valve
assembly
locking elements
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
EP93906700A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0630349A1 (fr
Inventor
Robert Bernard Cook
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.)
Micro Matic AS
Original Assignee
Universal Equipment Co London 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 Universal Equipment Co London Ltd filed Critical Universal Equipment Co London Ltd
Publication of EP0630349A1 publication Critical patent/EP0630349A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0630349B1 publication Critical patent/EP0630349B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0829—Keg connection means
    • B67D1/0831—Keg connection means combined with valves
    • B67D1/0838—Keg connection means combined with valves comprising means for preventing blow-out on disassembly of the spear valve

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a safety keg assembly including a keg and a safety spear valve and also to a safety spear valve.
  • a beer keg is usually a substantially cylindrical drum having a mouth at one end which is closed by a spear valve assembly providing access to beer in the keg via a tapping head.
  • the spear valve assembly usually comprises a beer valve located in the keg neck which includes a valve body and a valve housing, and a downtube connected to the valve body which extends into the keg.
  • a tapping head is connected to the spear valve providing pressure in the form of CO 2 , allowing the beer to be supplied under pressure to a dispensing tap at the bar.
  • valve housing and valve body must be coupled together after the valve body with the downtube thereon has been inserted through the keg neck.
  • US4509663 discloses an assembly according to the preamble of claims 1 and 6, wherein a keg neck has a blind receiving groove for a lug that extends from a collar for securing a spear valve in the keg neck.
  • the lug keys into the groove which comprises an upper and lower vertical section at each end of a horizontal section.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an improved safety keg assembly reducing the risk of a spear valve assembly being accidentally ejected by residual pressure.
  • a safety keg assembly comprising a keg having a keg neck, and a keg spear valve assembly releasably fitted in the keg neck, the keg neck having at least one abutment surface having a slot therethrough and the spear valve assembly including a plurality of locking elements axially and circumferentially spaced relative to one another and dimensional to pass through the slot whereby the keg neck and spear valve assembly cooperate together to prevent the spear valve from being blown out by residual pressure in the keg.
  • the co-operable abutment surfaces comprise an abutment shoulder on the keg neck having a slot therethrough and at least one projecting locking element on the spear valve assembly dimensioned to pass through the slot.
  • the invention also includes a safety keg assembly comprising a keg having a keg neck, and a spear valve releasably fitted in the keg neck, the spear valve having a plurality of locking elements located on and extending outwardly therefrom, the locking elements being axially and circumferentially spaced relative to one another and being arranged such that, once the keg spear valve is inserted into the keg neck, the locking element will prevent the spear valve from being blown out by residual pressure by engaging a shoulder on the keg neck, the assembly and disassembly of the spear valve and the keg neck being facilitated by a slot in the shoulder of the keg neck through which the locking elements can pass.
  • the invention also includes a spear valve for the keg assembly as aforesaid and a keg including an access slot for receiving such a spear valve.
  • two locking elements are provided, spaced axially and circumferentially, relative to one another.
  • two locking elements are provided, the elements being spaced axially from each other and being arranged to be diametrically opposite each other on the spear valve.
  • the keg may be provided with a plurality of shoulders spaced axially relative to each other to form one or more channels therebetween, with slots through which the or each locking element can pass.
  • the slots in respective shoulders are spaced circumferentially relative to each other.
  • the slots in respective shoulders are arranged with substantially the same circumferential and axial displacements therebetween as the circumferential and axial displacements between respective locking elements on the keg spear valve.
  • two locking elements and two shoulders may be provided, the shoulders being spaced axially relative to each other, and the two locking elements being spaced axially relative to each other.
  • the locking elements are diametrically opposed and the slots in the two shoulders are diametrically opposed.
  • a keg (1) has a body (2) and a keg neck (3) defining a mouth (4).
  • the mouth (4) of the keg (1) is closed by a spear valve assembly (5) releasably seated within the mouth (4).
  • the spear valve assembly (5) and keg (1) are provided with a co-operable safety device (6).
  • the safety device (6) comprises locking elements (7) on the spear valve assembly (5) and an abutment shoulder (8) on the keg neck (3).
  • the keg neck (3) is a hollow cylinder having a smooth inner portion (9) and a threaded inner portion (10).
  • the abutment shoulder (8) is formed on the smooth inner portion (9) and is substantially annular extending inwardly towards the centre of the keg neck (3).
  • a slot (11) is cut out of the shoulder (8).
  • the keg neck (3) is rigidly secured to the keg body (2), the smooth inner portion (9) being disposed adjacent the keg body (2).
  • the keg neck (3) defines the keg mouth (4) and permits access to the inside of the keg (1).
  • the spear valve assembly (5) comprises a depending downtube (12), a beer valve indicated generally at (13) and a body (14) disposed around the beer valve (13).
  • the body (14) of the spear valve assembly (5) is substantially cylindrical and has three portions (15,16,17); a screw threaded locking ring portion (15) spaced from the downtube (12); a skirt portion (17) adjacent the downtube (12); and a smooth portion (16) located between the screw threaded portion (15) and the skirt portion (17).
  • the locking elements (7) are formed in the skirt portion (17) and comprise metallic lugs bent out of the plane of the surface of the skirt (17).
  • the two elements (7) are axially spaced from one another on the skirt portion (17) forming an inner locking element adjacent the downtube (12) and an outer locking element (7).
  • the locking elements (7) are diametrically opposed and extend outwardly from the body (14) as shown.
  • the inner locking element (7) abuts the outer face of the shoulder (8).
  • the spear valve (5) is then rotated until the locking element (7) aligns with the shoulder slot (11): the locking element (7) can then pass through the slot. Repeating this rotary action allows the other locking element (7) to pass through the slot (11).
  • a bridging washer (18) is also provided, being disposed around the skirt portion (17) and located between the smooth portion (16) and the outer locking element (7), thereby providing a continuous seal reaction face, bridging the shoulder slot (11).
  • the spear valve assembly (5) of the first embodiment is inserted, downtube (12) first, into the keg (1) through the keg neck (3).
  • the locking elements (7) in turn, abut the outer face of the shoulder (8) and the rotary action described above allows each element (7) to pass in turn through the shoulder slot (11).
  • the screw threaded portions (10,15) on the keg neck (3) and valve assembly (5) respectively, threadingly engage with each other and allow the keg neck (3) and valve assembly (5) to be tightened together.
  • the smooth portion (16) abuts against the washer (18) which, in turn, abuts the shoulder (8), sealing the slot (11) and thereby the keg (1).
  • valve assembly (5) To disassemble the valve assembly (5) from the keg neck (3) (see Figures 5 to 8), the residual pressure in the keg (1) is evacuated and the valve assembly (5) is unscrewed from the keg neck (3).
  • the valve assembly (5) When the outer locking element (7) abuts against the abutment shoulder (8), the valve assembly (5) is rotated relative to the keg neck (3) until the locking element corresponds with the slot (11) in the shoulder (8).
  • the valve assembly (5) can then be lifted until the inner locking element (7) abuts the shoulder (8).
  • the valve assembly (5) is again rotated until the inner locking element (7) can travel through the slot (11) and the valve assembly (5) is then free to be removed from the keg neck (3).
  • the spear valve assembly (5) can be unscrewed from the keg neck (3) and at this point the pressure build up in the keg (1) could cause a blow-out.
  • the valve assembly (5) is provided with locking elements (7), the outer locking element (7) will abut against the shoulder (8) preventing the spear valve assembly (14) from being blown out and allowing excess pressure to escape.
  • the inner locking element (7) acts as a back-up and will itself abut the shoulder (8).
  • FIGs 3 and 4 show a slightly different embodiment to that shown in Figures 1 and 2, the safety device being mounted on a different design of spear valve assembly. Parts corresponding to parts in Figures 1 and 2 carry the same reference numerals.
  • the safety device is very similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2, the device simply being adapted to an alternative spear valve assembly (20) which comprises a beer valve (21), a body (22) and a downtube (23).
  • the body (22) comprises a smooth portion (16), a skirt (17) and a separate screw threaded locking ring portion (15).
  • the skirt (17) is formed integrally with the downtube (23).
  • the locking elements (7) are axially displaced and formed diametrically opposed in the skirt (17) so as to extend radially outwardly therefrom.
  • the keg neck (3) is substantially as described above.
  • the locking elements (7) are sections of the skirt (17) bent away from the axis of the spear valve to form lugs whereby insertion and removal of the spear valve is only possible by alignment with the or each slot in the keg shoulder as described.

Landscapes

  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
  • Pressure Vessels And Lids Thereof (AREA)
  • Mechanically-Actuated Valves (AREA)
  • Safety Valves (AREA)

Abstract

Un fût de sécurité (1) comporte un col (3) où est montée de manière amovible une soupape en tige (5). Cette dernière est munie d'au moins un ergot de verrouillage (7) faisant saillie (7) et s'adaptant au col (3). Une fois la soupape en tige (5) insérée dans le col (3), son ergot de verrouillage (7) l'empêche d'être projetée vers l'extérieur par la pression résiduelle car il s'engage avec un épaulement (8) placé sur le col (3). On peut monter la soupape en tige (5) dans le col (3) et l'en démonter grâce à un espace (11) ménagé dans l'épaulement (8) de ce col de manière à recevoir l'élément de verrouillage (7)

Claims (7)

  1. Fût de sécurité comprenant un fût (1) présentant un col (3) de fût, et un clapet à tige (5) pour fût engagé dans le col du fût de façon à pouvoir en être dégagé, le col du fût présentant au moins une surface d'aboutement (8) qui comporte une fente (11) et le clapet à tige comprend plusieurs éléments de verrouillage (7), caractérisé en ce que la fente traverse la surface d'aboutement et les éléments de verrouillage sont espacés axialement et circonférentiellement les uns par rapport aux autres et sont dimensionnés pour pouvoir traverser la fente (11), de sorte que le col du fût et le clapet à tige coopèrent ensemble pour empêcher le clapet à tige d'être expulsé par la pression résiduelle régnant dans le fût.
  2. Fût de sécurité selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la surface d'aboutement (8) ménagée sur le col du fût comprend un épaulement annulaire du col.
  3. Fût de sécurité selon la revendication 1 ou 2, comprenant deux éléments de verrouillage (7) écartés axialement et circonférentiellement l'un de l'autre.
  4. Fût de sécurité selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le col (3) du fût comprend plusieurs épaulements arqués qui sont écartés axialement les uns par rapport aux autres pour déterminer entre eux un canal ou plusieurs, chaque épaulement étant arrangé pour fournir un passage à travers lequel peut passer l'élément de verrouillage ou chaque élément de verrouillage, les passages étant déplacés angulairement.
  5. Fût de sécurité selon la revendication 4, dans lequel les passages sont des fentes ménagées dans les épaulements.
  6. Fût de sécurité comprenant un fût (1) comportant un col (3) de fût qui présente un épaulement (8), et un clapet à tige (5) ajusté de façon dégageable dans le col du fût, le clapet à tige comportant plusieurs éléments de verrouillage (7) disposés sur lui et se prolongeant vers l'extérieur, caractérisé en ce que les éléments de verrouillage sont axialement et circonférentiellement espacés les uns par rapport aux autres, et sont arrangés de façon que, une fois que le clapet à tige du fût est introduit dans le col du fût, les éléments de verrouillage empêchent le clapet à tige d'être expulsé par la pression résiduelle en engageant un épaulement du col du fût, l'assemblage et la séparation du clapet à tige et du col du fût étant facilités par une fente (11) ménagée dans l'épaulement (8) du col du fût et que les éléments de verrouillage peuvent traverser.
  7. Clapet à tige (5) pour un fût de sécurité selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, comprenant plusieurs éléments de verrouillage (7) qui sont orientés vers l'extérieur et qui sont axialement et circonférentiellement écartés les uns par rapport aux autres.
EP93906700A 1992-03-21 1993-03-18 Fut de securite Expired - Lifetime EP0630349B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB929206212A GB9206212D0 (en) 1992-03-21 1992-03-21 A safety device
GB9206212 1992-03-21
PCT/GB1993/000561 WO1993019003A1 (fr) 1992-03-21 1993-03-18 Fut de securite

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0630349A1 EP0630349A1 (fr) 1994-12-28
EP0630349B1 true EP0630349B1 (fr) 1996-11-20

Family

ID=10712599

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93906700A Expired - Lifetime EP0630349B1 (fr) 1992-03-21 1993-03-18 Fut de securite

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0630349B1 (fr)
AU (1) AU3760893A (fr)
ES (1) ES2096280T3 (fr)
GB (2) GB9206212D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1993019003A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3725242B2 (ja) * 1996-04-12 2005-12-07 サントリー株式会社 ビール用樽のスピアチューブ
EP1066215B1 (fr) * 1998-03-24 2006-05-03 Spears Limited Dispositif de surpression de securite pour soupape de tige
US8635873B2 (en) 2009-02-27 2014-01-28 D2Bg Llc Compressed gas-driven device with passive thermodynamic composition
US8833078B2 (en) 2009-02-27 2014-09-16 D2Bg Llc Compressed gas-driven device with passive thermodynamic composition

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2075476B (en) * 1980-04-22 1983-12-07 Alumasc Ltd Valve-type closure for containers
US4406301A (en) * 1981-04-07 1983-09-27 Vending Components, Inc. Keg-tapping structure
US4509663A (en) * 1982-03-29 1985-04-09 Draft Systems, Inc. Locking mechanism and valve assembly
GB2158906B (en) * 1984-05-18 1988-02-17 Micro Matic As Valve closure for kegs

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2096280T3 (es) 1997-03-01
GB2279340A (en) 1995-01-04
AU3760893A (en) 1993-10-21
GB2279340B (en) 1995-11-08
WO1993019003A1 (fr) 1993-09-30
GB9206212D0 (en) 1992-05-06
GB9418943D0 (en) 1994-11-09
EP0630349A1 (fr) 1994-12-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0032038A1 (fr) Robinet rotatif
CA2305445A1 (fr) Systeme de fermeture pour recipients sous pression
EP0414339B1 (fr) Tête de puits de connexion et anneau
US4944424A (en) Safety cap assembly
US4752275A (en) Coupling with a hub for transmitting a torque onto a shaft
EP0529186B1 (fr) Robinet à tournant
US4363336A (en) Keg-tapping structure
EP0630349B1 (fr) Fut de securite
NZ216420A (en) Replacement top for screw down tap: adjustment nut allows axial adjustment in permanent sealing of tap assembly to seat in tap body
US6276544B1 (en) Security closure for a bottle
US4509663A (en) Locking mechanism and valve assembly
EP0711711B1 (fr) Fermeture de sécurité pour bouteilles et autres récipients semblables
EP0380195A1 (fr) Connexion de sécurité à des ouvertures d'un corps tubulaire
WO1993017913A1 (fr) Systeme de distribution de carburant, ensemble flexible et raccordements associes, et ses procedes de fabrication
US6073971A (en) Fitting arrangement
CA2126550C (fr) Systeme de fermeture pour tonneaux
US6089415A (en) Valve for a pressure container
US5163571A (en) Two-part plastic bottle-cap
US4537543A (en) Security locking bolt
EP0056295B1 (fr) Fermeture à valve pour frêt ou barrique
EP0142966A1 (fr) Fermeture à soupape pour tonnelets ou fûts
WO1987003573A1 (fr) Orifices d'extraction de liquide pour conteneurs de boisson
US6869102B2 (en) Transport assembly
EP0327373A2 (fr) Accessoires de sécurité pour un récipient pour boissions
IE914560A1 (en) Safety delivery device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19940930

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): ES IE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19950705

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): ES IE

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): ES IE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: 70710

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2096280

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

RAP2 Party data changed (patent owner data changed or rights of a patent transferred)

Owner name: MICRO MATIC A/S

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Payment date: 20080313

Year of fee payment: 16

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20080418

Year of fee payment: 16

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090318

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20090320

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090320