EP2209735B1 - Apparatus for removing liquids from a container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for removing liquids from a deformable container.

Both in commercial applications and in private applications, dispensing devices have been known recently for dispensing, in particular, beverages such as beer. It is known that such dispensing devices have holders for a beer keg made of metal. To completely empty the keg, it is known that these kegs are supplied with a gas, more specifically, that a gas is passed into the interior of this keg to increase the internal pressure on the liquid and thus this liquid from the container pushing. However, care should be taken that a gas is used which does not affect the liquid, such as the beer. Such a device is known from WO 2007/019853 A2 known. With these improvement potentials the so-called carboning is an important point. Carbonation means that when a beverage is held in a container with carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) under pressure, the carbon dioxide goes into solution depending on pressure and temperature, ie this beverage has more CO ₂ content than originally.

In order to avoid the contact of the drink to be taken with other substances, was in the EP 1 626 925 B1 proposed to provide a deformable beverage container which is disposed within a pressure chamber. This pressure chamber is pressurized, so that by this pressure deformable container is squeezed together and in this way the liquid can be removed.

This procedure works satisfactorily. To maintain the pressure in this pressure chamber, however, expensive measures are required.

Another method for removing liquids from a deformable container is known from WO 97/32807 A known.

The present invention is therefore based on the objects to provide a device for removing liquids from deformable containers, which on the one hand avoids contact of the liquid with other gases and on the other hand can do without expensive pressure chambers. This is inventively achieved by a device according to claim 1, an arrangement according to claim 12 and a method according to claim 14. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A device according to the invention for removing liquids from a deformable container has a connection which can be connected to an opening of the container in order to remove the liquid from the container. Furthermore, a transport line arranged after the connection (ie in the direction of flow of the liquid to be removed downstream) is provided in order to transport the liquid discharged from the container and a deformation device for deforming the container. In this case, this deformation device is designed such that the inner volume of the container is reduced by an action of the deformation device on the container. According to the invention, the deformation device has a deformation element which can be moved relative to the container and can be brought into contact with the container, the inner volume of the container being reduced by the movement of this deformation element.

In contrast to the above-cited prior art, in which the compression of the container takes place via compressed air, in the case of the invention a direct mechanical action is therefore exerted on the container. The invention is based on the surprising finding that the container or its wall does not tear under mechanical action and thus also no further openings of the container arise. As a result of the movement of the deformation element, an increase in the internal pressure of the container is achieved and in this way the beverage, which is preferably beer, can be removed more easily.

The deformation device is thus a mechanical element which acts mechanically on the container in order to deform it.

Advantageously, the device has a holder, which stabilizes the position of the opening of the container relative to the terminal. In this case, this holder can be a holder which surrounds the connection itself, but it would also be possible for further holding elements to be provided above the connection. It should be noted that the container not only has a considerable weight, but by the deformation device further forces on the container be exercised, so that a stabilization of the container against the connection is helpful.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a drive device, which causes the movement of the deformation element. This is understood in particular to mean an automatic drive device. Preferably, this drive device is a motor with a spindle drive. However, pneumatic or hydraulic drives would also be conceivable in order to move the deformation device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the deformation element is movable in a longitudinal direction of the container. Thus, the container is compressed in its longitudinal direction, whereby a particularly efficient emptying of the container is possible here. However, it would also be possible that the deformation element is arranged in the circumferential direction around the container, it has, for example, a plurality of strips which move in a radial direction of the container and in this way achieve a compression of the container. Preferably, the container is a disposable container.

According to the invention, the deformation element has an outer cross section which is adapted to an inner cross section of the container. This outer cross section of the deformation element is slightly smaller than the said inner cross section of the container. This adapted shaping can prevent the development of wrinkles and warping during the compression process.

Preferably, the deformation element has a circular outer cross-section. Also, this rotationally symmetrical configuration causes the occurrence of wrinkles or distortions is counteracted. In an advantageous embodiment, the deformation element is arranged or designed such that the distance between the outer periphery of the deformation element and the circumference of the container is less than 10 mm, preferably less than 6 mm, preferably less than 4 mm and particularly preferably less than 2 mm is.

Also, this very small distance between the outer periphery of the deformation element and the inner circumference of the container ensures that the container or its wall is guided very tight during the compression process and therefore the formation of kinks and cracks is prevented. Also, the corresponding edge of the container is bent evenly.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the deformation element has a curved surface, wherein this curvature is adapted to a curvature of an end region of the container in which its opening is arranged. In this way, a particularly effective expressions of the container is also achieved because the internal volume of the container can be very largely reduced.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a regulating device which regulates a pressure exerted by the deformation element on the container pressure.

In this way it can be prevented that the container is subjected to an excessive pressure and burst, for example, as a result of this pressure. Also, in this way, the pressure with which the beverage, such as a beer, is tapped, be regulated.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the deformation device has a carrier, on which the deformation element is arranged movable relative to the carrier. Preferably, a spring element is provided between this carrier and the deformation element. This can be adjusted via an adjustment of this spring element, the force exerted by the deformation element on the container. In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a sensor device which detects a characteristic of a distance between the carrier and the deformation element-sized size. This distance is also a measure of the spring force that is applied to the deformation element. Thus, this spring force can be controlled with the help of this sensor device.

The present invention is further directed to an arrangement for dispensing or withdrawing liquids with a deformable container, which container is filled with a liquid and having an opening for removal of the liquid. Furthermore, the arrangement has a connection which can be connected to the opening of the container in order to remove the liquid from the container and a deformation device in order to deform the container. In this case, this deformation device acts on the container such that is reduced by this action, the inner volume of the container.

According to the invention, the deformation device has a deformation element which can be moved relative to the container and can be brought into contact with the container, the inner volume of the container being reduced by the movement of this deformation element. Thus, even with the arrangement according to the invention, the reduction of this internal volume is not effected by an air pressure but by a mechanical deformation element.

In an advantageous embodiment, a cross-section of the container in the longitudinal direction of the container initially expands to a maximum value and then decreases again. Preferably, this extension and the reduction are each uniform. Thus, a biconical shape of the container is particularly preferably proposed, which has approximately in the longitudinal direction in the middle of the maximum cross-section. Preferably, the cross section of this container is circular. The end portions of the container are preferably curved and preferably hemispherical curved.

The present invention is further directed to a method for withdrawing liquids from containers, wherein the container is connected to a terminal and the liquid is removed from the container via this connection. Furthermore, the container is deformed with a deformation device in such a way that the inner volume of the container is reduced. According to the invention can be brought into contact with the container deformation element of Deformation device moves relative to the container and by the movement of this deformation element, the inner volume of the container is reduced.

Preferably, the deformation element is moved in the longitudinal direction of the container.

Further advantages and embodiments will be apparent from the attached drawings:

Fig. 1

Eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

Fig. 2

Eine Detaildarstellung der Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

Eine Detaildarstellung in einem halb gefüllten Zustand des Behältnisses;

Fig. 4

Eine Detaildarstellung in einem leeren Zustand des Behältnisses; und

Fig. 5

Eine Darstellung eines bevorzugten Behältnisses.

Show:

Fig. 1

A schematic representation of a device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

A detailed representation of the device Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

A detailed view in a half-filled state of the container;

Fig. 4

A detailed view in an empty state of the container; and

Fig. 5

An illustration of a preferred container.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an inventive device for removing a liquid from a deformable container 10. This device has a deformation element 22 which along the longitudinal direction L of the container 10 is movable. By lowering this deformation element 22, the container 10 is compressed and thus the inner volume of this container 10 is reduced.

During this movement process, the container 10 or its wall 10e is bent, resulting in an edge 13 which also moves downwards with the movement of the deformation element 22. The deformation element 22 is arranged here on a carrier 24. This entire carrier also moves in the longitudinal direction L. For this purpose, a motor 30 is provided which sets a spindle 42 in motion and in this way via a corresponding mating thread in a piston 44 generates the movement. The reference numeral 20 refers to the deformation unit in its entirety.

Between the deformation element 22 and the carrier 24, a spring 26 is provided, which biases the deformation element 22 relative to the carrier 24 downwards. In this case, this spring 26 is arranged in a recess 25 of the deformation element 22. Furthermore, the deformation element 22 has a rod 28 which is guided in a guide 27 of the carrier 24.

Furthermore, two sensors 32, 34 are arranged on the carrier 24, which detect a position of a rod 28 arranged on the projection 36. Depending on these sensors 32, 34, which may be, for example, light barriers or magnetically operating sensors, signals output, a movement of the carrier 24 can be controlled. It is possible to control the movement such that the projection 36 is always located between the two sensors 32 and 34. In this way, a predetermined force of the spring 26 can be adjusted to the deformation element 22 and thus also a predetermined pressure on the liquid in the container 10.

Furthermore, the device has a transport line 5, via which the withdrawn liquid can be removed. The reference numeral 14 refers to a pressure gauge, the reference numeral 16 to a valve and the reference numeral 18 to an outlet. Furthermore, a cooling device (not shown) may be provided which, for example, cools the entire container 10.

Furthermore, a (not shown) housing may be provided, which surrounds the container 10 and, for example, in the event of tearing of the container prevents the escape of liquid to the outside or injury to a user. Such a housing could also be directly adjacent to the container or serve as a rigid sleeve to prevent the container expands during loading by the deformation element in the radial direction.

Fig. 2 shows a detailed representation of the bottom portion of the region of the mouth or opening 12 of the container 10 more precisely. It should be noted that the container 10 is upside down during operation.

The reference numeral 10b refers to a support ring which is arranged on the container. The reference numeral 19 denotes a lid which is placed on the container 10. The container itself is, as mentioned above, made of a plastic, and preferably of polyethylene tereftalate (PET for short). By using this disposable container, as mentioned above, some problems of multi-purpose steel drums (also referred to as keg casks) can be solved. On the one hand, the container 10 can be performed together with a removal hose 5, that is, the transport line 5, and also the hygiene for the entire system can be improved as well as the durability of the drink after tapping.

As mentioned above, the fluctuation of the internal pressure in the container 10 via the above-mentioned spring 26, which acts as a compensation spring, with appropriate relaxation can be manually or controlled biased again. Thus, with the control technique described above, the pressure fluctuation within the container 10 can be kept very low. By the deformation element 22 shown above so that the container 10 is mechanically deformed from the outside so that the desired internal pressure in the container 10 is maintained.

The reference numeral 7 refers to a block in which the transport line 5 is arranged. It should be noted, however, that the transport line 5 may also be provided in the form of a hose, which is already arranged on the container 10. The reference numeral 15 refers to a mandrel which opens a protective body 17 of the container 10, so that subsequently the liquid can escape. The reference numeral 4 refers to the terminal which is inserted into the opening 12 of the container and the reference numeral 9 to sealing means which seal the area between the container 10 and the lid 19 of the container 10 and the terminal 4. The reference numeral 10c denotes a thread of the container.

Fig. 3 shows a representation of a container 10 in a half-emptied state. It can be seen that the container 10, while the deformation element 22 moves downward, is deformed in the form of a roller diaphragm. An end portion 22a or an outer surface of the deformation body 22 is at a Inner circumference of the container 10 in the region of the opening 12 adapted.

In Fig. 4 the situation is shown in which the container 10 is completely emptied. It can be seen that in this case the end section 22a is exactly adapted to the region 10d of the opening 12 of the container so that a maximum amount of liquid can be removed from the container 10. Also, here the lid 19 is shown, which is placed on the opening 12 of the container.

Fig. 5 shows a representation of a full container 10, wherein the level of the liquid within the container 10 is designated by the reference numeral N. In this preferred embodiment, the container 10 has a biconical cross-section with each curved end sides 10a. In this way it is achieved that the in Fig. 3 shown deforming body acts on the container 10 so that the inner volume of the container can be reduced to almost zero.

More specifically, the container 10 widens conically in the longitudinal direction L up to the center line M, and then conically tapers again. The container 10 is thus preferably substantially (i.e., except for the region in which the aperture 12 is disposed) axisymmetric with respect to the line M.

Furthermore, one recognizes in the in the Fig. 3-5 shown representations that the outer circumference of the deformation body is only slightly smaller than a corresponding inner circumference of the container 10. In this way, a very tight folding of the container during the Compressive process achieved and thus effectively emptied the container, on the other hand, the occurrence of buckling and throws is prevented.

All disclosed in the application documents features are claimed as essential to the invention, provided they are new individually or in combination over the prior art.

Claims (14)

1. An apparatus (1) for the removal of liquids from a deformable container (10), with a socket (4) which is capable of being connected to an opening (12) of the container (10) in order to discharge the liquid out of the container (10), with a conveying line (5) arranged downstream of the socket (4), in order to convey the liquid discharged out of the container (10), and with a deformation device,(20) for deforming the container (10), the deformation device (20) being designed in such a way that the internal volume of the container (10) is reduced by an action of the deformation device (20) upon the container (10), characterized in that the deformation device (20) has a deformation element (22) which is capable of being moved with respect to the container (10) and is capable of being brought into contact with the container (10), wherein the internal volume of the container (10) is reduced by the movement of this deformation element (22) and wherein the deformation element (22) has an external cross-section which is adapted to an internal cross-section of the container (10) and is slightly smaller than the aforesaid internal cross-section in order to prevent the occurrence of folds and warping during the compression procedure.
2. An apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus (1) has a holding means which stabilizes the position of the opening (12) of the container (10) with respect to the socket (4).
3. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus (1) has a drive device which produces the movement of the deformation element (22).
4. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformation element (22) is capable of being moved in a longitudinal direction (L) of the container (10).
5. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformation element (22) has a circular external cross-section.
6. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformation element (22) is arranged in such a way that between the distance between the external periphery of the deformation element (22) and the internal periphery of the container (10) is less than 10 mm, preferably less than 6 mm, preferably less than 4 mm and in a particularly preferred manner less than 2 mm.
7. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformation element (22) has a curved surface (22a), wherein this curvature is adapted to a curvature of an end region (10a) of the container (10).
8. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus has a regulating device which regulates a pressure exerted by the deformation element (22) upon the container (10).
9. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformation device (20) has a carrier (24) on which the deformation element (22) is arranged so as to be movable with respect to the carrier (24).
10. An apparatus (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that a spring element (26) is provided between the carrier (24) and the deformation element (22).
11. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims 9 - 10, characterized in that the apparatus (1) has a sensor device (32, 34) which detects a variable which is characteristic of a distance between the carrier (24) and the deformation element (22).
12. An arrangement for the dispensing of liquids with a deformable container (10), wherein this container (10) is capable of being filled with a liquid and has an opening (12) for the removal of the liquid, with a socket (4) which is capable of being connected to the opening (12) of the container (10) in order to discharge the liquid out of the container (10), and with a deformation device (20), for deforming the container (10), which acts upon the container (10) in such a way that the internal volume of the container (10) is reduced by this action, characterized in that the deformation device (20) has a deformation element (22) which is capable of being moved with respect to the container (10) and is capable of being brought into contact with the container (10), wherein the internal volume of the container (10) is reduced by the movement of this deformation element (22) and wherein the deformation element (22) has an external cross-section which is adapted to an internal cross-section of the container (10) and is slightly smaller than the aforesaid internal cross-section in order to prevent the occurrence of folds and warping during the compression procedure.
13. An arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that a cross-section of the container (10) is first enlarged to a maximum value and is then reduced again in the longitudinal direction (L) of the container (10).
14. A method of removing liquids from containers (10), wherein the container (10) is connected to a socket (4) and the liquid is removed from the container (10) by way of this socket (4), and wherein the container (10) is deformed with a deformation device (20) in such a way that the internal volume of the container (10) is reduced, characterized in that a deformation element (22) - capable of being brought into contact with the container (10) - of the deformation device (20) is moved with respect to the container (10), and the internal volume of the container (10) is reduced by the movement of this deformation element (22) and wherein the deformation element (22) has an external cross-section which is adapted to an internal cross-section of the container (10) and is slightly smaller than the aforesaid internal cross-section in order to prevent the occurrence of folds and warping during the compression procedure.

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