EP2114816A2

EP2114816A2 - Keg

Info

Publication number: EP2114816A2
Application number: EP07856176A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Berger; Gerhard Kunz; Christian BÖLSCHER; Thorsten Schmidt; Robert David; Jürgen LANDAUER
Original assignee: KHS GmbH
Current assignee: KHS GmbH
Priority date: 2006-12-22
Filing date: 2007-11-08
Publication date: 2009-11-11
Also published as: WO2008083782A3; CN101622191B; US20090320264A1; BRPI0718343A2; WO2008083782A2; RU2009128175A; DE102006061120A1; CN101622191A; MX2009004303A; US20130334160A1; RU2450967C2; JP2010513154A; DE102006061120B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a keg consisting essentially of a keg body (2) made of plastic, preferably PET, comprising a keg neck (3) that forms the keg opening, and a keg fitting (7, 7a-7h). Said keg fitting is embodied as a disposable fitting and is non-positively and/or positively held at the keg neck by at least one connecting portion that protrudes into said keg neck or at least partially surrounds it.

Description

Keg

The invention relates to a keg according to the preamble of claim 1.

The object of the invention is to show a keg, which can be made particularly inexpensive as a disposable keg and can also be easily disposed of or recycled after use.

To solve this problem, a keg is designed according to the patent claim 1.

Further developments are the subject of the dependent claims. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 1-9, which show in partial view the mouth or neck area of a keg together with different disposable fittings in partial representation.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a keg with a keg body 2 made of plastic or of PET, which is also referred to as keg bubble and which has the usual shape known to the person skilled in the art, namely a molded keg neck 3. The keg - HaIs 3 forms the mouth region of the keg 1 with the keg opening 1.1 and is on its outer surface, for example provided with two keg-axis concentrically enclosing and radially projecting Keg-rings 4 and 5.

At Keg-neck 3, the disposable fitting 7 is tightly secured using at least one seal 6, which has the necessary for filling the keg 1 with the liquid product and for dispensing the liquid filling material from the keg 1 valve or functional elements and in the illustrated embodiment, inter alia from the in the figure 1 upper flange-fitting element 8 (also cap), with which the disposable fitting is attached to the keg neck 3 and on which further, in the figure 1 with 9 and 10 designated functional elements of the disposable fitting 7 are provided. The fitting element 8 abuts with its in the figure 1 upper disc-like portion against the opening edge of the keg opening 1.1 and is u.a. also to protect the keg neck 3 flange over its outer surface away.

The disposable fitting 7 is connected in the embodiment of Figure 1 with the keg 1 substantially non-positively. For this purpose, the fitting element 8 is integrally formed with a circular cylindrical connecting portion 11 which concentrically surrounds the fitting axis FA and extends with a clamping fit in the likewise circular cylindrical keg opening 1.1. On its outer surface of the connecting portion 11 is provided with a plurality of claws, for example in the form of the axis of the keg 1 concentrically enclosing projections 12. These are each barb-shaped so that they allow a depression of the connecting portion 11 in the circular cylindrical keg opening 1.1, but counteract a moving out of the connecting portion 1 1 from the keg opening 1.1 by barb-like clawing on the inner surface of the keg neck 3.

In order to achieve a particularly reliable connection between the keg 1 and the disposable fitting 7, in addition to this by the projections 11 partly non-positive, but partly also form-fitting connection (by the engagement of the projections 12 in the material of the keg neck) an additional non-positive connection by a suitable adhesive technique and / or by an additional welding of the connecting portion 11 with the keg neck 3, for example under application an induction welding process, an ultrasonic welding process, etc.

FIG. 2 shows, as a further embodiment, the keg 1 with a keg fitting 7a, which essentially differs from the keg fitting 7 only in that the connecting section 13 of the fitting element 8a extending into the keg opening 1.1 engages on the outer circumference an external thread is provided, with which the disposable fitting 7 a is screwed into an internal thread 14 of the keg neck 3.

FIG. 3 shows, as a further embodiment, the keg 1 together with a disposable fitting 7b, which differs from the disposable fitting 7 in that a circular-cylindrical connecting portion 15 is formed on the fitting element 8b and engages the fitting neck 3 engages over its outer surface and is provided with an internal thread, with which the disposable fitting 7b is screwed onto an external thread 16 which is provided on the outer surface of the keg neck 3 in the region of the opening edge of the keg mouth 1.1.

FIG. 4 shows the keg 1 together with a disposable fitting 7c, which is held in a form-fitting manner on the keg neck 3 by virtue of the fact that there is a portion around the axis of the upper disc-like section of the fitting element 8c projecting beyond the peripheral surface of the keg neck 3 FA of the disposable fitting 7c distributed a plurality of wall or connecting portions 17 are formed, the segments of the axis FA concentrically enclosing circular cylinder and are provided in the region of their free end inside each with a locking surface 18 which is about axes radially or approximately radially Axis FA convex is curved.

Of the mouth edge of the keg opening 1.1 of the lying neck ring 4 is segmented in this embodiment, i. it forms a plurality of neck ring segments 19 distributed around the axis FA at uniform angular intervals, the number of which is equal to the number of connecting sections 17. For attaching the disposable fitting 7c this is placed on the keg neck 3 so that each first connecting portion 17 is disposed between two neck ring segments 19. Die beiden Keg-Hals 3 sind mit einem Keg-Hals 3 verbunden. Subsequently, by turning the disposable fitting 7c about the axis FA, a bayonet-type positive locking of the disposable fitting 7c on the keg 1. Here, each connecting portion 17 engages with its contact surface 14, a neck ring segment 19. The investment or locking surfaces 18 are each having a plurality provided by barb-like acting detents which dig into the neck ring segments 19 by pressing into the material of these segments and thus counteract undesirable loosening of the bayonet connection between the disposable fitting 7 c and the keg 1.

FIG. 5 shows the keg 1 together with a disposable fitting 7d, in which the fitting element 8d is designed such that, with the disposable fitting 7d mounted on the keg neck 3, the keg neck 3 is located in the region of the mouth opening inside and Each outside with a circular cylindrical connecting portion 20 and 21 overlaps. The inner connecting portion 20 is in this case with a against the inner surface the keg neck 3 adjacent seal 22 provided. The outer connecting portion 21 has distributed about the axis FA of the disposable fitting 16 a plurality of resilient claws 23 which protrude with their free ends on the keg-neck 3 facing inner surface of the connecting portion 21 and a barb-like locking or clawing of the fitting element 8d when placed on the keg neck 3 effect. The claws 23 consist for example of spring plate and are based with their the mouth edge of the keg opening 1.1 remote, in the representation of Figure 5 lower end in a recess 21.1 in the connecting portion 21 and stand with her in Figure 5 upper end obliquely in formed between the two connecting portions 20 and 21, the keg neck 3 receiving annular opening 24 into it. The claws 23 thus include at this end with the axis FA at an angle which opens to the keg body 2 out. Due to the clawing or engagement of the claws 23 in the material of the keg neck 3, a secure frictional and at the same time positive retention of the disposable fitting 7d on the keg neck 3 is achieved.

FIG. 6 shows the keg 1 together with a disposable fitting 7e, which is held with its fitting element 8e by circumferential clamping or deformation on the keg neck 3. The latter has for this purpose at the mouth edge of the keg opening 1.1 on an outwardly projecting annular flange portion 25 which is engaged behind by a molded-on the fitting element 8e and on the underside of the fitting element 8e annular connecting portion 26 positively. The seal 6 is arranged in this embodiment in the vicinity of the mouth edge of the keg opening 1.1 between the inner surface of the keg neck 3 and another, integrally formed on the fitting element 8e and also projecting beyond the bottom of this fitting element annular connecting portion 27.

Figure 7 shows the keg 1 together with a disposable fitting 7f, of which only the fitting element 8f is shown. This is held in a form-fitting manner by latching on the keg neck 3, namely in that a substantially circular-cylindrical connecting portion 28 introduced into the keg opening 1.1 is provided at its free edge with a latching annular projection 29 which defines the axis FA of the disposable fitting 7f and the fitting element 8f concentrically surrounds. The projection 29 engages in an open on the inner surface of the keg neck 3 annular groove 30 a. In order to facilitate the engagement of the projection 29 in the groove 30 during assembly, the inner surface of the keg neck 3 is slightly conical in a region 30 adjacent to the groove portion 31 so that there is the inner cross section of the cone opening 1.1 to its mouth edge something increased.

For the sealing between the one-way fitting 7f and the keg 1, two sealing rings 32 and 33 are provided in this embodiment, which respectively surround concentrically the axis FA and of which the one sealing ring 32 at the mouth edge of the keg opening 1.1 between the keg Neck 3 and the fitting element 8f is provided. The other sealing ring 33 is supported axially on a projecting into the keg opening 1.1 annular projection 34 and abuts against the free edge of the connecting portion 28 at.

FIG. 8 shows the keg 1 together with a disposable fitting 7g, which is deformed by permanent or plastic deformation of an initially tubular or circular cylinder shaped, on the underside of the fitting element 8g wegstehende wall element 35 is held outside of the keg neck 3.

After placing the disposable fitting 7g on the keg neck 3, the wall portion 35 is removed by suitable means, i. deformed with a suitable mold and the formation of the wall member 35 made of a thermoplastic material under heat so that the deformed wall element 35.1 against the outer surface of the keg neck 3 fitting fitting with the contour of the keg neck 3, i. et al the neck ring 4 engages behind a positive fit. In principle, it is also possible to produce the wall element 25 made of shrink film or a material having shrink-film-like properties, in the form that only the form-fitting, the outer contour of the keg neck 3 following concerns the deformed wall element 35.1 is reached by heat alone ,

For the necessary sealing and in particular also for the radial securing of the disposable fitting 7g on the keg neck 3, the element 8g has an inner, circular cylindrical connecting section 36, which extends into the keg opening 1.1 and abuts against the inner surface of this opening. The seal 6 is located between the connecting portion 36 and the inner surface of the keg neck 3 in the region of the mouth opening.

Finally, FIG. 9 shows the keg 1 together with a disposable fitting 7h, of which in FIG. 9, for the sake of simpler illustration, essentially only the fitting element 8h attached to the keg neck 3 is shown. The latter consists essentially of a shell-like housing or base 37 made of a suitable material, for example of plastic, and of a cover 38 which closes this lower part on the upper side facing away from the keg body. The lower part 37 extends when the disposable fitting 7h is mounted with a middle substantially cup-like portion 37.1 fits into the keg opening 1 inside. The lower part 37 protrudes radially beyond the outer surface of the keg neck 3 with the outer circumference 37.2 surrounding the axis FA. The wall of the lower part 37 is formed at the transition between the inner portion 37.1 and the outer portion 37.2 so that the keg neck 3 is received in an open towards the underside of the lower part 37 annular opening 39. In the region of this opening is also the transition between the Keg neck 3 and the disposable fitting 7h on the outer surface of the keg neck 3 sealing gasket. 6

The lower part 37 is further provided in one piece with a projecting over the underside circular cylindrical connecting portion 40 which surrounds the keg neck 3 on its outer side in the region of the neck ring 4 and on its the Keg neck 3 facing inner surface with a detent forming annular projection 41st is provided, which engages behind the neck ring 4 form-fitting after mounting the disposable fitting 7h.

Due to the three-dimensional or shell-shaped design of the lower part 37, despite its low wall thickness and, in spite of its low material consumption and low mass, it has sufficient strength. In order to facilitate the latching of the disposable fitting 7h on the keg neck 3, it may be expedient to divide the annular connecting portion 40 with the catch 41 into several segments by slots running parallel to the axis FA of the disposable fitting 7h. In order to secure the latching attachment of the disposable fitting 7h against undesired loosening, a securing ring 42 is provided which, after the latching of the fitting element 8h, encloses the connecting section 40 or the segments forming this section in a recess 43 and thereby engages radial spreading of the connecting portion 40 prevented. The circlip 42 is pre-assembled at this time when placing the disposable fitting 7h and is initially at the transition between the connecting portion 40 and the bottom of the lower part 37. After locking the locking ring 42 is moved so far down until it in the recess 43rd is included.

As the material for the production of disposable fittings 7, 7a - 7h, for example, metal, but especially plastic, is suitable, in the latter case as many functional elements of the respective disposable fittings are made of plastic, for example, the fitting element 8, 8a - 8h , which is then preferably made as a molded part with all sections for connection to the keg neck 3 in one piece.

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive idea underlying the invention.

_{d cc}

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 keg

1. "I keg opening

2 keg body

3 keg-neck

4, 5 neck ring

6 seal

7, 7a - 7h Disposable fitting

8a - 8h cap or fitting element

9, 10 fitting element

11 connecting section

12 lead

13 connecting section

14 internal thread

15 connecting section

16 external thread

17 connecting section

18 locking surface

19 neck ring segment

20, 21 connecting section

21 .1 recess

22 seal

23 claw

24 opening

25 neck section

26 - 28 connecting section

29 annular projection

30 groove

31 conical area

32., 33 sealing ring

34 advantage

35 wall element

35. .1 deformed wall element

36 connecting section

37 lower part

37. 1, 37.2 Section of the lower part

38 lid

39 opening

40 connecting section

41 rest

42 circlip

43 recess for retaining ring

FA fitting axle

Claims

claims

1. Keg essentially consisting of a made of plastic, preferably made of PET keg body (2) and of a keg fitting (7, 7a - 7h) on a keg opening (1.1) forming the mouth region (3), characterized in that the fitting designed as a one-way fitting (7, 7a-7h) is held non-positively and / or positively locking at the mouth region (3).

2. Keg according to claim 1, characterized in that the disposable fitting (7, 7a - 7h) with at least one in the keg opening (1.1) extending into or the mouth region (3) at least partially enclosing connecting portion (11, 13, 15 , 17, 20, 21, 26, 35.1, 40) is non-positively and / or positively held at the mouth region (3).

3. Keg according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the frictional connection by barb-like projections or claws (12) against a surface of the keg body (2) abutting surface of the disposable fitting (7) and / or on a generated against an area of the disposable fitting fitting surface of the keg body (2).

4. Keg according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the non-positive connection is produced by welding, for example induction welding or ultrasonic welding.

5. Keg according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the non-positive connection is produced by gluing.

6. Keg according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a further functional elements of the disposable fitting (7, 7a - 7h) carrying the fitting element (8, 8a - 8h) preferably integrally with the in the keg mouth (1.1) extending into and / or the mouth region at least partially enclosing connecting portion (11, 13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 26, 40) is formed.

7. Keg according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the keg opening (1.1) in reaching, a fitting axis (FA) concentrically enclosing annular connecting portion (11) on its outer surface, the barb-like projections or claws (12) ,

8. Keg according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the disposable fitting (7a, 7b) for the positive connection with the keg body or the mouth region (3) is screwed.

9. Keg according to claim 8, characterized in that in the keg opening (1.1) in reaching annular connecting portion (13) is held positively on its outer surface by screwing on the mouth region (3) of the keg body.

10. Keg according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the disposable fitting (7b) on the inner surface of the mouth region (3) of the keg body encompassing connecting portion (15) by screwing at the mouth region (3) of the keg body form-fit is held.

11. Keg according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the disposable fitting (7c) with the at least one connecting portion

(17) is held positively in the manner of a bayonet lock at the mouth region (3) of the keg body (2).

12. Keg according to claim 11, characterized by a plurality of distributed around the fitting axis arranged connecting portions (17) through which the disposable fitting (7c) is held in the manner of the bayonet lock on the keg body (2).

13. Keg according to claim 12, characterized in that the at least one connecting portion in front of the outer surface of the mouth region (3) is arranged.

14. Keg according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the at least one connecting portion has a preferably profiled, formed for example with ratchet teeth or claws locking surface

(18) which abuts against a mating surface (19) on the keg body (2).

15. Keg according to claim 14, characterized in that the mating surface of a projection, for example of a ring segment (19) at the mouth region (3) is formed.

16. Keg according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the non-positive connection between the at least one connecting portion (21) and the mouth region (3) of the keg body (2) by at least one resilient detent or claw (23) is generated.

17. Keg according to claim 16, characterized in that the at least one resilient claw (23) is formed by a spring element, which is held or supported on the connecting portion (21) and projects beyond the mouth region (3) adjacent surface of the connecting portion.

18. Keg according to one of claims 16 and 17, characterized in that the resilient claw (23) is made of a resilient flat material, such as spring steel.

19. Keg according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the disposable fitting (7e, 7f, 7h) by pressing or latching at the mouth region (3) of the keg body (2) is held.

20. Keg according to claim 19, characterized in that the keg body (2) at the mouth region (3) has at least one projecting beyond the outer surface ring or flange (25), which is engaged behind by the connecting portion (26).

21. Keg according to claim 20, characterized in that the disposable fitting (7) with the in the keg opening (1.1) extending into the connecting portion (28) in the keg opening (1.1) is held by latching.

22. Keg according to claim 19, characterized in that the disposable fitting (7h) by at least one connecting portion (40) on a over the outer surface of the mouth region (3) wegstehende, preferably annular projection (4) is held by latching.

23. Keg according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the disposable fitting (7g) by permanent or plastic deformation of the connecting portion (35) is positively held at the mouth region (3) of the keg body (2).

24. Keg according to claim 23, characterized in that the connecting portion (35.1) of a preferably thin-walled, the mouth region (3) enclosing wall portion (35) or tube is deformed by pressing and / or heat.

25. Keg according to claim 24, characterized in that the tube (35) is formed by a shrink film or a shrink-film-like material.

26. Keg according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mouth region (3) of the keg body (2) at least over a partial area between an inner, in the keg opening (1.1) extending into the connecting portion (20, 36, 37.1 ) and an outer connecting portion (21, 37.2, 35.1) of the disposable fitting (7d, 7g, 7h) is received.

27. Keg according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one annular seal (6, 32, 33) between the disposable fitting (7, 7a - 7h) and the mouth region (3.

28. Keg according to claim 27, characterized in that the at least one seal (6, 32) in the region of a mouth edge of the keg opening (1.1) is provided.

29. Keg according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection section (11, 13, 15, 17, 21, 26, 28, 35.1) provided with fitting element (8, 8a - 8g) plate or disc-like, preferably flanged over the mouth region (3) of the keg body (2) is formed protruding.

30. Keg according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the mouth region (3) of the keg body (2) held fitting element (8h) is designed as a hollow body, with a in the Keck- opening (1.1 ) reaching into the section (37.1) and with a section (37.2) enclosing the mouth region.

31 keg according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mouth region of a hollow cylindrical or substantially hollow cylindrical keg neck (3) is formed.

32. Keg according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least at the mouth region (3) of the keg body (2) fixed fitting element (8, 8a - 8h) of the disposable fitting (7, 7a - 7h) Plastic is made.