EP2209736B1 - Dispensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a dispensing device for dispensing liquid from a container having a top, a side wall and a bottom, comprising a sleeve which can be inserted into the top in a sealing manner and into which a rising pipe opens via an inflow opening, a piston which is movable in the sleeve and can be moved between a closed position, in which the inflow opening is closed off by the piston, and an opened position, in which the inflow opening is connected to an outlet opening via a cavity of the piston. The outlet opening opens into an outlet channel of an extension arm which protrudes laterally from the sleeve and the output of which is coupled to a dispensing valve which can be activated by means of an actuating member in order to allow, in the opened position, liquid to be dispensed. The extension arm with the dispensing valve is, in the closed position, completely recessed within an outwardly open recess between the top and an outer edge of the container and can be transferred by way of a movement of the piston into a dispensing position in which a dispensing opening protrudes outwards beyond the outer edge of the container.

Description

The invention relates to a container with a topsoil, an underbody and a lateral surface, comprising a dispensing device for dispensing liquid from the container, which is accommodated on the topsoil, by means of which a convenient dispensing of liquid can take place from the container.

In the prior art, various dispensing devices for so-called party kegs are known, which usually have a filling volume of 5 or 10 1 and are usually filled with beer.

A simple solution is a side, down in the barrel faucet attached tap through which the drink can be removed. The removal of the liquid is carried out by the own gravitational pressure from the container (see. WO 99/31010 ). However, this requires for the pressure equalization in the container an additional opening, otherwise no liquid would leak due to the resulting negative pressure in the container. The pressure compensation thus produced by an inflow of ambient air leads to a rapid loss of quality in carbonated or oxidation-sensitive beverages.

To avoid this disadvantage, the container can be placed under a constant internal pressure, which is independent of the level (see, for example EP 1 642 861 A1 and WO 2005/007560 A2 ). In this case, the position of the tap on the container can be freely selected by the pressure prevailing in the container internal pressure.

A disadvantage of these solutions is provided on the top of the container arrangement of the dispensing device, as this stackability is impaired.

Although it is also known in the prior art to receive the dispensing device sunk between the upper bottom of the container and the peripheral outer edge (see. US 2,134,852 ), however, the known solution is very complicated and complicated.

Against this background, the invention has for its object to provide a container with a dispensing device for dispensing liquid from the container, which is characterized by a simple and inexpensive construction that is convenient to operate and affects the handling of the container as little as possible.

This object is achieved by a container with a topsoil, a bottom and a lateral surface, comprising a dispensing device for dispensing liquid from the container, with a sealable in the topsoil sleeve into which a riser via an inlet opening, with a in the sleeve movable piston, which is movable between a closed position in which the inflow opening is closed by the piston, and an open position in which the inflow opening is connected via a cavity of the piston to an outlet opening, wherein the outlet opening in an outlet channel a boom which projects laterally from the sleeve and the output of which is coupled to a dispensing valve activatable by means of an actuator to permit dispensing of liquid in the open position, the arm complete with the dispensing valve in the closed position sunk within an outwardly open cavity between the topsoil and an outer edge of the container and is translatable by a movement of the piston in a dispensing position in which a tap opening protrudes beyond the outer edge of the container to the outside.

The object of the invention is completely solved in this way.

By configuring the dispensing device with a piston that can be pulled out of a sleeve can be achieved in conjunction with the geometric configuration of the boom that the dispensing valve completely recessed in the closed position within an outwardly open cavity between the topsoil and an outer edge the container is received and protrudes in the dispensing position on the outer edge of the container to the outside.

Thus, on the one hand a stackability of the container is ensured and on the other hand allows a convenient pin when the nozzle is in its open position.

According to a further feature of the invention, the piston is movable by an axial displacement and / or a rotation within the sleeve between the closed position and the open position.

In this way, a seal of the dispensing device can still be achieved in the original sealed state with particularly simple means, wherein higher pressures of, for example, about 5 bar are possible within the container in the still closed original state without the secure seal is compromised.

According to a further feature of the invention, guide means are provided which predetermine an axial displacement and a rotation of the piston between the closed position and the open position.

With these features, the transfer of the dispensing device from the closed position to the open position is made clearly visible to the user and accidental adjustment of the open position is avoided.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a handle for pulling out the piston from the closed position is provided on the piston.

This facilitates the transfer of the dispensing device in the open position.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the boom consists of two firmly connectable parts which each have a recess at their mutually facing joining surfaces, which together form the outlet channel.

With such a configuration of the boom can be made as a plastic injection molded part, wherein the outlet channel can have a variable shape within wide limits.

Preferably, in this case, the outlet channel is curved.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the nozzle opening is formed in a lateral surface of the sleeve, and the piston has an inlet opening, which is aligned in the open position with the inlet opening.

In this way, a simple and secure seal can be achieved both in the closed position and in the open position.

The nozzle is designed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention as a roller valve.

In this way, a particularly simple structure and easy activation by means of an associated actuator.

The actuator is preferably designed as a pivot lever which is pivotally fixed to the boom.

In this way, a particularly simple operation option.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a tamper-evident device is provided on the dispensing device, which indicates whether the dispensing device is in the closed position in still intact original condition.

Here, the tamper-evident can be formed for example by a tearable plastic web or a tearable plastic bottle.

Such a tamper-evidence ensures that an unauthorized initial opening and transfer of the dispensing device is made visually recognizable in the open position for a customer or consumer.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the dispensing device consists of plastic injection molded parts.

This allows a simple and inexpensive production in large quantities.

In an additional development of the invention, a sealing surface injection-molded in 2K technology is provided on one of the plastic injection-molded parts.

In the 2K technique, two different plastic materials with different properties, e.g. a harder and a softer, connected in successive injection molding operations. This results in a particularly intimate and well-adhering connection between the two plastic materials.

In this way, a simple and reliable sealing execution of the respective sealing surfaces is ensured.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a throttling to limit the exit velocity is provided at the dispensing device. This may be a cross-sectional reduction over a larger area or a localized cross-sectional reduction, which is provided approximately in the riser or in the outlet channel.

This makes it possible to limit the exit velocity to a desired range.

It is understood that the features of the invention mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination indicated, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Behälters in Form eines Partyfasses mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Zapfeinrichtung in der geschlossenen Position im Originalzustand der Zapfeinrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine Aufsicht des Behälters gemäß Fig. 1 von oben in vergrößerter Darstellung;

Fig. 3

eine teilweise geschnittene Darstellung des Behälters gemäß Fig. 1, wobei sich die Zapfeinrichtung in ihrer geöffneten Position befindet, in der ein Zapfvorgang möglich ist;

Fig. 4

eine Aufsicht auf den Behälter gemäß Fig. 3 von schräg vorne;

Fig. 5

eine vergrößerte Darstellung der Zapfeinrichtung in teilweise geschnittener Darstellung;

Fig. 6

eine Explosionsdarstellung der Zapfeinrichtung mit Hülse, darüber angeordnetem Kolben mit Ausleger, darüber angeordnetem Oberteil des Auslegers und einem darüber angeordneten Betätigungsorgan;

Fig. 7

eine vergrößerte Darstellung von Kolben mit Auslegerunterteil, darüber angeordnetem Oberteil und darüber angeordnetem Betätigungsorgan; und

Fig. 8

eine leicht abgewandelte Ausführung der erfindungsgemäßen Zapfeinrichtung, wobei die Handhabe zum Betätigen des Kolbens eine leicht abgewandelte Ausführung aufweist und für eine Originalitätssicherung ausgebildet ist.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a container in the form of a party keg with a dispensing device according to the invention in the closed position in the original state of the dispensing device;

Fig. 2

a top view of the container according to Fig. 1 from above in an enlarged view;

Fig. 3

a partially sectioned view of the container according to Fig. 1 with the dispensing device in its open position, in which a dispensing operation is possible;

Fig. 4

a view of the container according to Fig. 3 from diagonally forward;

Fig. 5

an enlarged view of the dispensing device in a partially sectioned view;

Fig. 6

an exploded view of the dispensing device with sleeve, arranged above piston with boom, arranged above the upper part of the boom and an actuator disposed above it;

Fig. 7

an enlarged view of piston with boom base, arranged above the upper part and arranged above actuator; and

Fig. 8

a slightly modified embodiment of the dispensing device according to the invention, wherein the handle for actuating the piston has a slightly modified design and is designed for a tamper-evident.

In Fig. 1 For example, a container 10 in the form of a party keg of, for example, 5 l capacity is shown in perspective and indicated overall by 10. The container 10 has a substantially cylindrical basic shape with an upper floor 12, a lateral surface 14 and a lower floor 16. At the upper floor 12, a central filling opening 18 is provided which allows a filling of the container 10 with a drink, eg with beer. Furthermore, an opening 20 is provided on the topsoil 12, in which a print cartridge with a controller is used to permanently pressurize the container interior with gas pressure, such as a CO ₂ gas pressure, as is generally known in the art (see, eg EP 1 642 861 A1 ).

Further, a tapping device according to the invention is added to the topsoil 12, which is designated overall by 22. In the in Fig. 1 shown position, the dispensing device 22 is in a fully recessed arrangement within a cavity 23 which is formed between the upper bottom 12 and the peripheral outer edge 25. The dispensing device 22 is thus not above the contour of the outer edge 25 upwards. Thus, the container 10 is in spite of built-in dispensing device 22 stackable.

From the enlarged supervision according to Fig. 2 Further details of the dispensing device 22 can be seen. The dispensing device 22 has a dispensing valve 24 which can be activated by means of an actuating member 26. Further, as a further part of the dispensing device 22, a piston 30 can be seen, which protrudes from a sealing flange 32 upwards, which is sealingly inserted into a corresponding opening on the top floor 12. For actuating the piston 30, a handle 28 is provided.

The basic structure of the dispensing device 22 is closer Fig. 3 recognizable.

The dispensing device 22 has a sleeve 36, at the upper end of the sealing flange 32 is molded. The piston 30 is axially displaceable in the sleeve 36 and additionally arranged rotatable by a certain amount. Laterally on the sleeve 36, a riser 38 is arranged, which via an inflow opening 40 in the Inside the sleeve 36 opens. By in the sleeve 36 axially displaceable and additionally rotatable piston 30 is in the in Fig. 3 illustrated position a connection from the inlet port 40 via a cavity formed in the piston 30 42 to an outlet opening 44 at the piston end, which is followed by an outlet formed in a boom 34, which finally opens into the nozzle 24.

In the in Fig. 3 shown opened position is thus made via the piston 30, a compound of the riser 38 to the nozzle 24.

If, however, the dispensing device 22 is in its closed position, then the inflow opening 40 is securely closed by the piston 30.

An enlarged view of the container 10 in Fig. 4 also shows the dispensing device 22 in its open position, in which the boom 34 is pivoted outwardly to a use position, wherein liquid can escape on actuation of the dispensing valve 24 by means of the actuator 26 from the container interior to the outside.

In order to facilitate a transfer of the dispensing device 22 from the closed position, in which the dispensing device 22 sunk on the top shelf 12, a handle 28 is provided on the piston 30. The handle 28 may have any shape, which in any case is designed so that a simple gripping and pulling the piston 30 is made possible upwards.

From the enlarged, partially sectioned view according to Fig. 5 is the interaction of piston 30 and sleeve 36 better recognizable.

The sleeve 36 has a basically cylindrical shape and is closed at the lower end of the front side, while at the upper end of the sealing flange 32 is molded from relatively soft plastic sealing material. Within the sleeve 36 is the Piston 30 received axially displaceable and rotatable. Flanged laterally to the sleeve 36 is a connecting piece 46 for receiving the riser 38. The connecting piece 46 opens via the inflow opening 40 into the interior of the sleeve 36. In the in Fig. 5 In the open position shown, the inflow opening 40 of the sleeve 36 corresponds to an associated piston inlet 60, which opens into the cavity 42 of the piston 30, whereby a flow channel is provided to the outer end of the piston 30, which opens into the outlet opening 44.

Out Fig. 6 It can be seen that on the outer surface of the piston 30, a guide means 58 is provided in the form of a groove in which an associated web (not shown) engages the inner surface of the sleeve 36. As a result, a forced guidance is formed so that the piston 30 can be displaced axially within the sleeve by a certain amount and can be rotated by a certain amount.

Out Fig. 7 It can be seen that the guide means 58 has an axial groove portion 64 and an adjoining peripheral groove portion 66 which extends in the circumferential direction. The piston 30 can thus be first pulled out on the handle 28 along the axial groove portion 64 upwards and be rotated upon reaching its axial end position by a certain amount. Thus, a transfer of the piston 30 is made possible from the initially in the sleeve 36 fully recessed position to the open position in which the piston 30 protrudes upwards and the boom 34 is pivoted outwardly beyond the edge 25 of the container 10, so that a easy pin is enabled. In the boom 34, which is arranged at the upper end of the piston 30, there is the outlet channel 56, via which liquid can pass from the outlet opening 44 to the dispensing valve 24 and finally to the dispensing opening 48.

Like from the Fig. 6 and 7 can be seen, the boom 34 is composed of two parts, from a lower part 54th and from a top 52nd Lower part 54th and upper 52 can be firmly and sealingly connected to each other, for example, by detents 68 on the upper part 52, in associated Lock receptacles 70 engage the lower part 54. The outlet channel 56 has a curved shape and is formed of two mutually complementary depressions, which are formed in the upper part 52 and the lower part 54. The respective recesses are sealed by a circumferential sealing bead 72 against each other.

Such a two-part construction of the arm 34 of two parts which can be connected together makes it possible to produce both parts as injection-molded parts, while the outlet duct 56 can nevertheless have approximately a curved shape.

The curvature of the outlet channel 56 is advantageous because it facilitates a lower overall height and accommodates the dispensing device 22 in the closed position above the upper floor 12. Namely, since the topsoil 12 is formed to rise up to the filling opening 18, the curved configuration of the outlet channel 56 allows it to be laid more in the outer region of the cavity 23 between the topsoil 12 and the outside edge 25. In this way, saving on the height.

The nozzle 24 is formed in the embodiment shown here as a roller valve (see. Fig. 5 ), with a cavity 50, which is connected via an inlet opening 51 with the outlet channel 56, and with a bleed opening 48 through which liquid can be dispensed with open dispensing valve 24. Here, the inlet opening 51 is laterally offset relative to the bleed opening 48.

In the closed position, in which the piston 30 is in its retracted position in the sleeve 36 in its original state, leakage of fluid through the inlet opening 40 is additionally prevented by a sealing surface 62 which surrounds the piston inlet 60 and at its Outer edge of a sealing bead 63 is enclosed (see. Fig. 7 ).

Through this additional seal can also increased cask pressures during storage and transport of about beer-filled containers can be safely absorbed, without the risk of leakage of liquid is to be formed, and which can be up to about 5 bar.

In Fig. 8 is a slightly modified embodiment of the dispensing device according to the invention shown and generally designated by numeral 22 '.

Here, the handle 28 'for pulling the piston 30 has a slightly modified form. This is a ring which extends along the actuator 26 on its upper side. To activate the handle 28 'is pivoted outwardly, the handle 28' rolls on the surface of the sealing flange 32 with corresponding curvatures and so raises the piston 30 upwards.

In Fig. 8 In addition, a tamper evident, which is intended to make visually recognizable, whether the dispensing device 22 'has already been operated once, and thus is no longer in its original closed state. For this purpose, for example, at the upper end of the piston 30, a web 80 may be formed, in which a recess 76 is provided. Through the recess 76, a plastic material can be injected, which connects to the surface of the sealing flange 32 located underneath. When the handle 28 'is actuated, the plastic material injected through the recess 76 loosens, thus indicating the first actuation of the handle 28'. Similarly, at the outer end of the handle approximately a further recess 78 may be provided, through which a plastic tape or the like is molded, which is connected to the actuating member 26. Again, a tearing indicates a first time operation.

Claims (15)

1. A container (10) having a top (12), a bottom (16) and a lateral surface (14), the container comprising a tapping device (22, 22') for dispensing liquid from the container (10), with a sleeve (36) which can be inserted into the top (12) in a sealing manner and into which a rising pipe (38) opens via an inflow opening (40), with a piston (30) which is movable in the sleeve (36) and can be moved between a closed position, in which the inflow opening (40) is closed off by the piston (30), and an opened position, in which the inflow opening (40) is connected to an outlet opening (44) via a hollow space (42) of the piston (30), wherein the outlet opening (44) opens into an outlet channel (56) of an extension arm (34) which protrudes laterally from the sleeve (36) and the output of which is coupled to a dispensing valve (24) which can be activated by means of an actuating member (26) in order to allow, in the opened position, liquid to be dispensed, wherein the extension arm (34) with the dispensing valve (24) is accommodated, in the closed position, so as to be completely submerged within an outwardly open hollow space (23) between the top (12) and an outer edge (25) of the container (10) and can be transferred by way of a movement of the piston (30) into a dispensing position in which a dispensing opening (48) protrudes outwards beyond the outer edge (25) of the container (10).
2. The container (10) of claim 1, wherein the piston (30) is movable between the closed position and the opened position by way of an axial displacement and/or a rotation within the sleeve (36).
3. The container (10) of claim 2, wherein the tapping device (22, 22') comprises a guide means (58) that defines an axial displacement and a rotation of the piston (30) between the closed position and the opened position.
4. The container (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein a handle (28) is provided on the piston (30) for withdrawing the piston (30) from the closed position.
5. The container (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the extension arm (34) consists of two parts (52, 54) which can be securely connected to each other and have, on their mutually facing joining faces, depressions which jointly form the outlet channel (56).
6. The container (10) of claim 5, wherein sealing means (72) are provided for sealing the two depressions (56) from each other in the region of their periphery.
7. The container (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet channel (56) is curved.
8. The container (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the inflow opening (40) is formed in a lateral surface of the sleeve (36) and the piston (30) has a piston inlet opening (60) which is aligned with the inflow opening (40) in the opened position.
9. The container (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing valve (24) is embodied as a roller valve.
10. The container (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating member (26) is embodied as a pivoted lever which is pivotably secured to the extension arm (34).
11. The container (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the tapping device (22, 22') comprises a tamper-evident safeguard that indicates whether the tapping device (22, 22') in the closed position is in the still intact original state.
12. The container (10) of claim 11, wherein the tamper-evident safeguard is formed by a tear-off plastic web or a tear-off plastic tab.
13. The container (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the tapping device (22, 22') consists of plastic injection-moulded parts.
14. The container (10) of claim 13, wherein a sealing face (62), which is moulded on using 2-component technology, is provided on at least one of the plastic injection-moulded parts.
15. The container (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the tapping device (22, 22') is provided with a restriction for limiting the exit speed.

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