EP2014607B1 - Pressure cap for drinks containers and method for operating same - Google Patents

Description

The following invention relates to a pressurized cap for beverage containing vessels, in particular for vessels containing carbonated beverages, and to a method for operating the printing attachment.

STATE OF THE ART

Various devices for providing pressure in beverage containers are known from the prior art, which serve to provide such a pressure in vessels such as beer kegs that the beer is tapped in the desired manner and forms an attractive foam crown.

Such a dispensing device for beverage kegs is in the utility model 79 06 737 U1 from Kötter, H , called. The dispensing device disclosed therein serves in particular for use with small beverage barrels provided with carbon dioxide cartridge and manometer. They should be easy to handle and be operated by the layman. The device should have only a very small amount of space. There is therefore disclosed a device having an unprotected protruding into the space dispensing device, which is coupled to a valve via a carbon dioxide cartridge and also protrudes into the room unprotected.

The DE 1944 673 to Baltzer, W , also relates to a multi-way beer keg closure with tapping device, wherein a compressed gas cushion is already provided during the filling of the device; it is automatically provided after application of the container closure or when filled by the container closure. In particular, on a Removal device made of metal or plastic parked, which can be connected by means of a screw or clamp closure with the keg connection liquid and gas-tight. Thus, the carbonated beverage can be omitted via the sampling device by the previously provided compressed gas cushion. For small kegs, a carbon dioxide cartridge can be installed separately for complete emptying and also removed again, so that the keg without the carbon dioxide cartridge mounted on it can be stored in the refrigerator until completely consumed if it is completely emptied. The disadvantage of this is that the fresh consumption of the drum contents procured a fresh gas cartridge and must be installed with equipment cost.

Further, the DE 697 18 763 T2 from Suntory Ltd. an ice-cooled dispenser from which beer from a beer keg can be filled directly into a jug, to which carbon dioxide gas from a cartridge is added. The object of this invention is to provide ice cooling, which is accomplished by the disadvantageously space consuming, complex disclosed invention.

Another apparatus for providing a carbonated beverage is disclosed in US 5,436,074 DE 2 323 345 to Morgan et. al described, which provides a reservoir for the beverage, which is equipped with a pipe leading to the tap, wherein an ultrasonic generator is coupled to the tube, so that when tapping a solid foam structure is obtained.

Further, the EP 1 688 813 A1 a pressure reducing and regulating valve with a piercing mechanism of a gas cartridge which can be mounted in the barrel closure.

EPIPHANY

Based on this prior art, the present invention based on the object to provide an improved device for supplying pressure in beverage-containing vessels and a method for operating the same. This task is done by a print attachment with the features of independent claim 1 and by a method having the features of independent claim 13. Preferred embodiments are described by the subclaims.

A first embodiment relates to a printing attachment, which can be placed on beverage-containing vessels to pressurize the drink with gas, which is provided by an advantageously space-saving integrated into the pressure cap gas cartridge. The gas cartridge is connected via a valve assembly and a sword with the contents of the vessel in contact. To allow the gas to flow from the cartridge into the vessel, it is pushed by means of a lever arrangement against a mandrel, which provides an opening in the gas cartridge, respectively in a present in the cartridge neck closure device. The mandrel itself is mounted on a carriage having a bore for directing the gas. The gas may flow through a bore actuatable valve assembly through the bore into a channel system which extends into the sword and may thus flow into the beverage. The gas flow through the duct system is made possible by a rocker arm, which is in operative connection with a piston, so that with appropriate position of the rocker arm, the gas through the bore first into a first channel, thence into a space surrounded by a piston and further into can flow a second channel. The actuation of the piston by the rocker arm causes the gas from the piston chamber is pressed into the channel, which opens into the sword.

The spatial depth of the pressure cap according to the invention is essentially determined by the size of the gas cartridge, which can be arranged in the pressure cap. The rocker arm is particularly advantageously arranged in such a space-saving manner that the transfer of the gas from a first level, on which the cartridge neck is located, from which the gas exits into the bore, is made possible to a second level, from which the gas pressure controlled in the vessel is transferred. The clever arrangement of the rocker arm between the two levels allows advantageous with little design effort to save space, a gas cartridge can be placed on a vessel that this can be applied to the gas at the desired time, while the drink, if it is not completely used up will continue to be stored with vessel and pressure attachment.

Another embodiment advantageously relates to the design of the vessel as a can or as a barrel, especially as a beer keg, as it is known as a small container. Skilfully, cans or barrels can be stacked and stored in household refrigerators together with the pressure attachment, even opened drums or cans can be stored without losing quality.

Furthermore, embodiments refer to the advantageous arrangement of the lever, with which the valve arrangement according to the invention can be actuated in the pressure attachment.

Finally, embodiments relate to the provision of safety provisions by pressure and check valves.

In addition, embodiments are related to the method for operating the printing head according to the invention, which demonstrates how a drink in a corresponding vessel can be supplied with gas in a simple and skilful manner in order to qualitatively improve the beverage and, if appropriate, to facilitate its removal from the vessel ,

These and other advantages are set forth by the following description with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The reference to the figures in the description is to support the description. Articles or parts of objects which are substantially the same or similar may be given the same reference numerals. The figures are merely schematic representations of embodiments of the invention. It shows:

Fig. 1 an elevational view of the printing attachment according to the invention from above,

Fig. 2 a side elevation of the print attachment according to the invention with inserted carbon dioxide cartridge,

Fig. 3 a perspective view of the print attachment from below,

Fig. 4 a perspective view of the print attachment from above.

DESCRIPTION

The device of the present invention is basically used to be placed on vessels that are suitable for storage and transport to the provision of carbonated drinks. Barrels or cans, such as are known from the prior art, are particularly suitable as such vessels. Such barrels or cans can be placed, and may have in the standing state at its upper lid surface an opening which is only temporarily closed. Such an opening can be closed with a membrane, a stopper, a rotary or other closure, and be opened at the time when the sword, which is also referred to as a short sword depending on its length, to be introduced.

In general, the gas used for pressurizing can be any food gas, in particular carbon dioxide, with which carbonated beverages such as beer are pressurized, or else oxygen, with which Drinks can be acted upon, which should have a particularly high oxygen content. Such drinks are known in particular from the fitness sector.

The focus of the present invention is directed to small container barrels with a capacity of about 5-10 liters, in particular those containing beer, since these small containers barrels must be supplied with carbon dioxide for emptying, so that the drink is fresh and pleasant Schaumkrone in a drinking vessel can be tapped and presented.

Drums that are suitable to be provided with the printing attachment according to the invention are inter alia in the WO 00/07927 by Grittmann described.

If the pressure attachment according to the invention is arranged on a corresponding trash container for beer with integrated dispensing system, by operating the mechanism, carbon dioxide can be transferred from a cartridge integrated in the pressure attachment into the drum, where carbon dioxide forms with the beverage or in the beverage. The pressure provided in this way assists in the transfer of the beverage from the dispensing device arranged on the barrel or, if appropriate, correspondingly attachable to the barrel, so that the beverage supplied with fresh carbon dioxide can be made available for consumption in a fresh, bubbly manner. The pressure cap according to the invention with integrated carbon dioxide cartridge is so far particularly advantageous for the application of the beer tap, since the beer is replaced by the in situ resulting carbon dioxide a froth and fresh taste.

Fig. 1 shows the pressure cap according to the invention, the sword 2, better visible Fig. 2 , having. The sword 2 is connected via a valve assembly with a carbon dioxide cartridge 3 in combination.

Basically, a sword is understood herein to mean a tube, which is arranged substantially perpendicular to the device plane in which the gas cylinder is located. The sword can be fixedly arranged on the pressure attachment, in other, not shown embodiments, the sword can also be plugged as a loose component. Furthermore, the sword is suitable to be introduced by a corresponding opening provided in a barrel in the barrel. The sword can accordingly protrude more or less deeply into the barrel, in which it can be included in accordance with the embodiment of the barrel of a riser connected to a tap. Of course, in other embodiments, the sword vice versa also surround the riser tight.

Out Fig. 1 It will be understood that the gas cartridge 3, which may be a carbon dioxide cartridge for providing carbon dioxide for reaction with H ₂ O for the formation of carbonic acid, is provided by a lever assembly 4 which is accessible and actuatable from the outside of the pressurized cap against one on the inside arranged on the pressure cap mandrel 5 is displaced so that the mandrel 3 opens the cartridge. The mandrel 5 is arranged on a carriage 6, which lies in a recess and in this against a punch 8 is displaceable. The displaceable carriage 6 is moved as a result of the operation of the lever 4 against a punch 8, which is against a sealing element, which in the present case is a rubber disc 9, is applied. The sealing element is arranged at one end of the punch 8, which faces the mandrel 5. It can also be made of rubber and other suitable material such as Teflon or plastic. Further, its shape may take other than the disc shape, other suitable geometric shapes such as a ring shape or cylindrical shape.

The punch 8 is slidably mounted in a bearing shell 10 and is in operative connection with a first end of a rocker arm 11. The rocker arm is arranged so that the gas from the pierced Cartridge neck flows, is transferred from its higher level under pressure control to the lower level at which the sword is: For this purpose, after the punch 8 is advanced by the lever movement of the lever assembly 4, the gas flows through the bore 12, which in Carriage is arranged along an axis extending through the carriage AA, to the first channel 14, which is located in the bridge portion 13. The bridge part is arranged so that the first channel 14 and the bore 12 are approximately at right angles to each other. The gas pressure is considerably reduced at this time by the corresponding change in the flow-through volumes.

This spatial arrangement of the first channel 14 to the bore 12, which establishes a fluidic connection between a piston 16 and the bore 12 is not mandatory: The fluidic connection can also be realized in a different geometric arrangement, while maintaining the desired pressure reduction.

The piston 16 abuts against a second end of the rocker arm 11 which is tiltably supported in the pressure attachment 1, the first end of which is in contact with the ram 8, so that after tilting the rocker arm 11 by the punch movement, the second end of the rocker arm 11 with the piston 16 is brought into contact, so that the area surrounded by the piston 16 space 17 via the second channel 18 with the sword 2 in fluid communication. The gas contained in the space 17 flows via the sword 2 into the vessel, not shown figuratively.

Said lever 11 thus bears against the inside of the edge 1 "of the hood 1 ', which unites the individual components of the pressure attachment so that the lever can tilt, for which purpose it has a rounded portion 19 which, as in FIG Fig. 1 and 2 Obviously, a support will be provided on a contact surface 19 'of the hood edge 1 "The hood edge 1" is therefore on its outer side stiffened by longitudinal ribs 28. Of course, other patterns or shapes may also provide stiffening of the hood rim 1 ". If the fillet 19 of the lever 11 is eccentric, a smaller plunger movement will be effected.

As in Figs. 1 and 2 becomes clear, the punch 8 according to the invention may have a bulge, which corresponds to a corresponding present in the lever 11 recess.

The second bore 14 is in fluidic contact with the bottom surface of a piston 16, the bottom surface of which is meaningfully larger than the bottom surface of the punch 8 formed by the rubber disc 9, in order to bring about a corresponding reduction in pressure. By actuation of the lever 4 is thus causes the mandrel 5 opens an access into the gas cartridge arranged in the pressure cap that the gas flowing through the bore 12 continues to flow through the first channel 14, from where it enters a second channel 18, before it flows through the sword 2 into the barrel.

Out Fig. 3 It will be seen that the pressure cap 1, which may be a hood 1 'with a hood edge 1 "is angeorndet that the valve assembly is mounted in the hood, while the gas cartridge releasably in a recess 26 in the hood 1' set and advantageous It can be easily replaced, it can be mounted on a sliding base 22 - see Fig. 2 - Be supported, which is connected to the lever assembly 4 via a hinge 23. Thus, it is stored stable and safe transport.

The described lever arrangement is advantageously arranged on the outside of the hood 1 ', as in FIG Fig. 4 shown; the lever can be easily realized by an inserted into the hood 1 'tab 24 which can be pressed down. For additional protection against unintentional depression, a web 25, which lies across the tab 24, may be provided. This can be directly to the Hood material to be cut. Advantageously, it is just so designed that it breaks off when intentionally pressing down the tab 24.

In order to ensure that, for example, at elevated ambient temperatures or other conditions, no pressure builds up in the barrel or can, which becomes undesirably high, as can be seen in Fig. 1 is shown, the bridge member 13 having a pressure relief valve 27 which may be disposed on a side facing away from the sealing element end of the bridge member 13. The pressure relief valve 27 opens advantageous at an overpressure from 2 bar.

In addition, the pressure attachment in the sword 2 may have a check valve 20, as in Fig. 2 shown.

In order to easily attach the pressure cap to the vessel or can, the hood rim 1 "is adapted to be engaged with the upper rim of the keg or can, such as by a simple detent mechanism facing away recesses 21 which act as springs.

The actuation of the pressure attachment for pressurizing vessels containing beverages, so can be done by the lever assembly 4 is actuated, whereby the gas cartridge against the mandrel 5, which is arranged on a carriage 6, is moved. In this case, the gas flows out into a bore 12 present in the carriage. The carriage 6, which lies in a recess, is displaced against a plunger 8, whereby gas flows into a first channel 14 present in the bridge part and further into a space 17 surrounded by the piston. This results in pushing the punch 8, which is mounted in the bearing shell 10, and the punch 8 is brought into contact with a first end of the rocker arm 11, whereby the rocker arm 11 tilts.

The second end of the rocker arm 11 is brought into contact with the piston 16, so that the chamber 17 surrounded by the piston 16 via the second channel 18 is brought into fluid communication with the sword 2 and the gas contained in the space 17 flows through the sword 2 under pressure reduction in the vessel.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 print article 1' Hood 1" hood edge 2 epee 3 carbon dioxide cartridge 4 lever assembly 5 mandrel 6 carriage 8th stamp 9 rubber discs 10 bearing shell 11 rocker arm 12 First drilling 13 bridge part 14 First channel 16 piston 17 room 18 Second channel 19 rounding 19 ' contact surface 20 check valve 21 recesses 22 step bearing 23 joint 24 flap 25 web 26 Recess for gas cartridge 27 Pressure relief valve 28 ribs

Claims (13)

1. Pressure top (1) suitable to be placed on beverage-containing vessels for pressurizing, the pressure top (1) comprising:

   - an extractor blade (2) which is in operative connection with a gas cartridge via a valve arrangement,
   characterized in that

   - the gas cartridge is a carbondioxide cartridge (3) or oxygen cartridge displaceably arranged by a lever arrangement (4) against a spike (5);

   - the spike (5) is arranged on a carriage (6) which is located in a recess and displaceable against a plunger (8);

   - a sealing element is arranged at one end of the plunger (8) facing the spike (5);

   - the plunger (8) is displaceably provided in a bearing shell (10) and is in operative connection with a first end of an actuating lever (11);

   - the carriage (6) has a bore (12) along an axis (A-A) extending through the carriage;

   - a bridge part (13) with a first channel (14) providing a fluidic connection between a piston (16) and the bore (12);

   - the piston (16) resting against a second end of the actuating lever (11) tiltably supported in the pressure top (1);

   wherein a space (17) enclosed by the piston (16) is in fluidic connection with the extractor blade (2) via a second channel (18).
2. Pressure top (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure top (1) has a cap (1') with a cap rim (1"), especially with a cap rim (1") which is designed to engage with the upper edge of the keg or can, and the valve arrangement is fastened in the cap (1') and the lever arrangement (4) is arranged on an outer side of cap (1'),
   and at least the gas cartridge is detachably positioned in a recess (26) in the cap (1').
3. Pressure top (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bottom surface of the piston (16) is larger than the bottom surface of the plunger (8) provided by the sealing element, wherein the sealing element is in the form of a disk, ring or cylinder and is made of rubber, Teflon, an elastic plastic, or another suitable material.
4. Pressure top (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bridge part (13) has a pressure relief valve (27), especially a pressure relief valve (27), which opens at an excess pressure starting at 2 bar.
5. Pressure top (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the pressure relief valve (27) is arranged on one end of the bridge part (13) facing away from the sealing element.
6. Pressure top (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vessel is a keg or a can, preferably with a volume of up to 10 liters, more preferably with a volume of up to 5 liters.
7. Pressure top (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a rounding (19) of the actuating lever (11) provides a support at a contact surface (19') of the cap rim (1 "), especially an eccentrically designed support.
8. Pressure top (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a non-return valve (20) is provided in the extractor blade (2).
9. Pressure top (1) according to at least one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the cap rim (1 ") has recesses (21) facing away from each other and acting as springs.
10. Pressure top (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas cartridge is supported on a displaceable foot rest (22) which is connected via a joint (23) with the lever arrangement (4).
11. Pressure top (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the lever arrangement (4) has a clip (24) embedded in the cap (1'), especially a clip (24) that is covered at least partly by a web (25) which is suitable to tear off when the actuating lever (11) is operated.
12. Pressure top (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extractor blade (2) is suitable to be enclosed by a riser tube which is connected with a spigot.
13. Method for pressurizing vessels containing beverages, using a pressure top

    (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein an extractor blade

    (2) is in operative connection with a gas cartridge via a valve arrangement, comprising:

    - operation of the lever arrangement (4) and thereby

    - displacing the gas cartridge against a spike (5) which is arranged on a carriage (6) whereby gas flows into a bore (12) provided in the carriage (6);

    - displacing the carriage (6) located in a recess against a plunger (8), whereby gas flows into a channel (14) provided in the bridge part (13) and further into a space (17) enclosed by the piston (16); and whereby

    - the plunger (8) is displaced which is provided in the bearing shell (10) and by that;

    - operatively connecting the plunger (8) with a first end of the actuating lever (11), tilting the actuating lever (11) which is tiltably supported in the pressure top (1), whereby the second end of the actuating lever (11) is brought into contact with the piston (16)

    - so that the space (17) enclosed by the piston (16) is in fluidic connection with the extractor blade (2) via the second channel (18), and the gas contained in the space (17) flows via the extractor blade (2) into the vessel.

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