EP2336078A1 - Dispositif de distribution de liquides à gaz pressurisé comportant une unité de perforation - Google Patents

Dispositif de distribution de liquides à gaz pressurisé comportant une unité de perforation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2336078A1
EP2336078A1 EP09015694A EP09015694A EP2336078A1 EP 2336078 A1 EP2336078 A1 EP 2336078A1 EP 09015694 A EP09015694 A EP 09015694A EP 09015694 A EP09015694 A EP 09015694A EP 2336078 A1 EP2336078 A1 EP 2336078A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
piercing
actuating unit
cartridge
piercing member
container
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP09015694A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Stijn Vandekerckhove
Daniel Peirsman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Anheuser Busch InBev SA
Original Assignee
Anheuser Busch InBev SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Anheuser Busch InBev SA filed Critical Anheuser Busch InBev SA
Priority to EP09015694A priority Critical patent/EP2336078A1/fr
Publication of EP2336078A1 publication Critical patent/EP2336078A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/04—Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers
    • B67D1/0412—Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers the whole dispensing unit being fixed to the container
    • B67D1/0418—Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers the whole dispensing unit being fixed to the container comprising a CO2 cartridge for dispensing and carbonating the beverage
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/04—Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers
    • B67D1/0406—Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers with means for carbonating the beverage, or for maintaining its carbonation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D2210/00028—Constructional details
    • B67D2210/00128—Constructional details relating to outdoor use; movable; portable
    • B67D2210/00131—Constructional details relating to outdoor use; movable; portable wearable by a person, e.g. as a backpack or helmet

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of dispensing devices for liquids, in particular beverages. It concerns dispensers activated by a propellant gas contained in a pressure container or cartridge which needs be pierced open before use.
  • the present invention proposes a solution to optimize the piercing of the propellant gas cartridge.
  • Liquid dispensing devices have been on the market for ages. Many of them rely on a pressurized gas raising the pressure in the interior of a container containing the liquid to be dispensed, in particular a beverage like beer or other carbonized beverages.
  • the gas is either fed directly into the container containing the liquid like e.g., in US 5,199,609 or between an external, rather stiff container and an inner, flexible vessel (e.g., a bag or a flexible bottle) containing the liquid to be dispensed, like in US 5,240,144 .
  • Both applications have their pros and cons which are well known to the persons skilled in the art.
  • the present invention applies equally to both types of delivery systems.
  • the compressed gas may be provided by a compressor, included in a specific appliance (cf. US 5,251,787 ), or contained in a compressed gas bottle (cf. US 5,383,576 , Figure 7). More recently, a market for disposable, stand alone, home appliances has been developing rapidly. For obvious technical and economic reasons, no compressor or large compressed gas bottle can be used in such disposable devices, and the propellant gas is then usually contained in a rather small pressurized cartridge closed by a cap or a membrane. The cap or membrane of these home dispensers may be pierced open in plant but, to avoid risks of leakage, it is usually preferred that the piercing of the closure be performed by the end-user prior to using the device for the first time.
  • a pressurized gas cartridge (1) is forced into place against a fixed piercing member (14) upon screwing a cap (11), thus piercing the membrane thereof.
  • a gas cartridge is pierced at (180) on screwing an upper handle part (156) to a lower part (81).
  • US3372838 discloses a pressurized gas driven dispenser, wherein the closure of a gas cartridge (32) is pierced upon screwing a cap (34) provided with a piercing member (35).
  • a piercing member (34) is forced through the closure of a CO 2 -cartridge by rotating a knob (24) which actuates a pusher (40) against the piercing member.
  • piercing mechanism Another problem arising with most of the piercing mechanisms reviewed above is that once the cartridge is pierced the piercing member remains in its piercing position, thus hindering the fluid communication between the cartridge and the container.
  • the piercing member may be retrieved by unscrewing the corresponding cap or knob that forced the piercing member through the closure of the cartridge, but this is not always possible as the cartridge is sometimes held in place upon screwing a cap like in GB1427732 .
  • complex spring systems are required (cf. e.g., WO2006/128653 ), which render the mechanism much more expensive, a particularly sensitive issue with disposable dispensing devices.
  • the force to be applied by the end user to pierce the gas cartridge could be above the limit of comfort of use or would require larger knobs which are detrimental to the compactness of the system as a whole.
  • the present invention is defined in the appended independent claim. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
  • the present invention provides a liquid dispensing device comprising
  • a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention is to use a toggle mechanism to actuate the linear motion of the piercing member.
  • Figure 1 shows two alternative embodiments of liquid dispensing devices according to the present invention, in both cases the dispensing of a liquid, generally a beverage like a beer or a carbonated soft drink, is driven by a pressurized gas contained in a gas cartridge (10).
  • a pressurized gas contained in a gas cartridge (10) Upon piercing of the closure (11) of the pressurized gas cartridge (10) by actuation by an actuator (102) of a piercing unit (101), the gas contained in the cartridge (10) is brought into fluid communication with the container (30) at a reduced pressure via the pressure regulating valve (103).
  • the gas is introduced through the gas duct (104) directly into the container (30) and brought into contact with the liquid contained therein, whilst in the embodiment depicted in Figure 1(b) , the gas is injected at the interface between an outer, rather rigid container (30) and an flexible inner container or bag (31) containing the liquid. In this latter embodiment, the gas never contacts the liquid to be dispensed.
  • the pressure in the vessel (30, 31) increases and forces the liquid up the dispensing duct (32).
  • the dispensing duct (32) needs not necessarily penetrate in the container and dip in the beverage, because the bag (30) collapses upon pressurization of the volume comprised between the bag (30) and the container (31), thus allowing the beverage to contact the channel opening (6) without necessarily requiring a drawing stem. Dispensing of a liquid can then be controlled by means, like a valve, well known to the person skilled in the art and not represented in the Figures.
  • a bottom stand (34) generally made of the same material as the top casket (33) gives stability to the dispenser when standing in its upright position.
  • the piercing unit (101) comprises:
  • the piercing member (1) generally comprises a hard, sharp needle or pin made for example of metal mounted on a plastic insert (cf. Figure 5 )) to connect it to the actuating unit (2).
  • the plastic insert can conveniently be injection moulded over the needle or pin and advantageously forms an integral part of the actuation unit (2).
  • the needle may need sealing means (25) -which can advantageously be integrated in the plastic insert- to seal any opening (111) in the chamber housing the piercing unit (101) upon retrieval of the piercing member.
  • the actuating unit (2) is activated by applying a compression or a tensile force in a direction normal to the translation direction of the piercing member (1).
  • a compression force only are depicted, but it is obvious to invert up side down the orientation of the drawings of Figures 2 to 4 to yield a similar system actuated by a tensile force.
  • the actuating unit (2) illustrated in Figure 4(d) may comprise an L-shaped structure hinged at its corner with a fixed hinge (24) and rotatably connected at (22) at one of its ends to the piercing member (1).
  • Application of a compression force (F) on the free end permits the swinging of the L-structure around '24), thus thrusting the piercing member forward in a direction (d) normal to the force (F).
  • guiding means represented by shaded areas, may be provided. Though very simple, this mechanism requires a fixed hinge which may increase the production cost.
  • a preferred embodiment is to use a toggle mechanism for the actuating unit (2) as depicted in Figures 2 , 3 , 4(a) to (c) , and 5 .
  • Toggle mechanisms are well known, e.g., in electrical applications for switches (cf. e.g., http://www.roymech.co.uk/Useful_Tables/ Cams_Springs/Mechanism.html).
  • a toggle mechanism allows the creation of a force in a first direction (d) by the extension of the end-to-end span of a wavy or zigzagging structure upon acting so as to reduce the waviness or zigzagginess thereof.
  • the actuating unit (1) comprises at least two rigid sections (21 A) and (21 B) hinged together by a central joint (20).
  • the free end of a first rigid section (21A) is rotatably connected to a fixed point by an articulation (22) and the free end of the at least second rigid section (21 B) is rotatably connected to the piercing member (1).
  • Figure 2(A) shows the actuating unit (2) in its actuatable configuration (A), with the central joint (20) hinging the two sections (21) in a bent position, like a knee.
  • FIG. 2 The embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 is particularly advantageous because, as shown in Figure 2(C) , upon further application of a compression force (F), the straightened structure is bent downwards at the central joint (20), thus reducing the end-to-end span of the actuating unit (2) by a distance, ⁇ .
  • the piercing member can thus be permanently retrieved from the cartridge with the same continuing application of a force (F) in the same direction. No reactivation of the piercing system is possible, thus reducing any risk of mishandling of the mechanism.
  • This particular embodiment is advantageous for disposable dispensing devices wherein the whole device with cartridge, container, etc. is to be disposed of after use.
  • the solution proposed in Figure 2 can be manufactured very economically by injection moulding in one piece the whole structure depicted in Figure 4(a) over the metal needle or pin of the piercing member (1).
  • the central joint (20a) as well as the articulations (22a) can be made integrally with the rest of the structure as thinned sections, giving them flexibility whereas the thicker sections (21 A) and (21B) are rigid.
  • the thinned sections of the central joint (20a) and/or of the articulations (22a) have a curved geometry giving some elasticity to the joints.
  • the injection moulded structure may include a seal (25) which acts as connection between the actuating unit (2) and the piercing member (1), as well as sealing means after the cartridge closure (11) has been pierced and the piercing member (1) retrieved to seal any aperture at the back of the piercing member (1).
  • FIG. 4(c) An alternative actuating unit (2) comprising two rigid sections hinged by a central joint (20) is illustrated in Figure 4(c) .
  • This embodiment differs from the one depicted in Figure 2 or 4(a) in that the actuating unit is activated by a lever, like a switch, which is a continuation of the rigid section (21A) which is mounted on a fixed hinge (24). By pressing the extended free end of the rigid section (21 A) the whole mechanism toggles thus triggering the movement of the piercing member through the closure (11) of the cartridge.
  • This embodiment though elegant, requires a fixed hinge which may result less economical than the previous embodiment of Figure 4(a) .
  • FIG 3 Yet another example of toggling actuation unit (2) is illustrated in Figure 3 , which is quite similar to the one depicted in Figure 2 but where the central joint (20) hinging at least two rigid sections (21) is replaced by a continuous arched structure (23).
  • the articulations (22) at each end of the arch can be a continuous, but thinned section of the arched structure (23).
  • Other designs for the articulations (20) can of course be applied depending on the mechanical requirements and on processing economics considerations.
  • the actuation unit (2) according to this embodiment may comprise more than one arched structure as illustrated in Figure 4(b) , wherein two "waves" are laid side by side forming an 'M'.
  • Such design may have the advantage, on the one hand, of decreasing the height of the toggling actuation unit (2) and, on the other hand, of reducing the stress applied over a single arch, by an order corresponding to the number of arches set side by side. It is clear that a similar multi-toggle system can also be obtained with the design of Figures 2 and 4(a) , by simply providing several joints (20) hinging two adjacent rigid sections (21).
  • the piercing unit (101) is in fluid communication with a pressure regulating chamber (103) comprising a pressure regulation valve. After piercing of the cartridge closure (11), the pressure in the pressure regulating chamber (103) rises to the level of the gas pressure in the cartridge. It is essential to seal off any aperture in the piercing unit (101) other than the one (113) communicating with the pressure regulating chamber (103). In particular, it may be necessary to seal the section of the piercing unit comprising the actuation unit (2) from the section comprising the piercing member which upon piercing is at the same pressure as the gas cartridge.
  • the first compartment (105) is in fluid communication with the cartridge opening (11) as well as with the pressure regulating chamber (103). It contains the piercing member (1).
  • the second compartment (106) contains the piercing unit (2).
  • the piercing member (1) is provided with a sealing ring (25) as illustrated in Figure 4(a) .

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
EP09015694A 2009-12-18 2009-12-18 Dispositif de distribution de liquides à gaz pressurisé comportant une unité de perforation Withdrawn EP2336078A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP09015694A EP2336078A1 (fr) 2009-12-18 2009-12-18 Dispositif de distribution de liquides à gaz pressurisé comportant une unité de perforation

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP09015694A EP2336078A1 (fr) 2009-12-18 2009-12-18 Dispositif de distribution de liquides à gaz pressurisé comportant une unité de perforation

Publications (1)

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EP2336078A1 true EP2336078A1 (fr) 2011-06-22

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EP09015694A Withdrawn EP2336078A1 (fr) 2009-12-18 2009-12-18 Dispositif de distribution de liquides à gaz pressurisé comportant une unité de perforation

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140322445A1 (en) * 2013-04-24 2014-10-30 Diamon Fusion International, Inc. Defined dosing atmospheric temperature and pressure vapor deposition system
US10106394B2 (en) 2014-05-24 2018-10-23 GrowlerWerks, INC. Method of regulating pressure in pressurized beverage dispenser

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3372838A (en) 1966-05-27 1968-03-12 Nat Distillers And Chemicals C Carbonated beverage dispenser
GB1163761A (en) 1965-09-13 1969-09-10 Euracom S P R L Beverage Dispensary Apparatus
GB1427732A (en) 1972-04-04 1976-03-10 Brew It Yourself Mfg Export Lt Gas injector and safety valve especially for storage and dis pensing vessels
EP0149352A2 (fr) 1983-12-30 1985-07-24 Mitsubishi Corporation Dispositif distributeur pour liquides
US5199609A (en) 1991-09-11 1993-04-06 Ash Jr William O Portable dispensing system
US5240144A (en) 1989-01-06 1993-08-31 Joseph Feldman Beverage dispensing apparatus
US5251787A (en) 1992-03-09 1993-10-12 Simson Anton K Pressurized container dispenser
US5383576A (en) 1990-12-17 1995-01-24 The Coca-Cola Company Liquid container system
WO2006128653A1 (fr) 2005-06-02 2006-12-07 Kurt Oberhofer Cylindre a source de gaz co2 sous pression
WO2007145641A1 (fr) 2006-06-16 2007-12-21 Sturman Bg, Llc Ensemble de distributeur intégré et jetable
WO2008060152A1 (fr) * 2006-11-17 2008-05-22 Heineken Supply Chain B.V. Dispositif de robinetterie manostatique

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1163761A (en) 1965-09-13 1969-09-10 Euracom S P R L Beverage Dispensary Apparatus
US3372838A (en) 1966-05-27 1968-03-12 Nat Distillers And Chemicals C Carbonated beverage dispenser
GB1427732A (en) 1972-04-04 1976-03-10 Brew It Yourself Mfg Export Lt Gas injector and safety valve especially for storage and dis pensing vessels
EP0149352A2 (fr) 1983-12-30 1985-07-24 Mitsubishi Corporation Dispositif distributeur pour liquides
US5240144A (en) 1989-01-06 1993-08-31 Joseph Feldman Beverage dispensing apparatus
US5383576A (en) 1990-12-17 1995-01-24 The Coca-Cola Company Liquid container system
US5199609A (en) 1991-09-11 1993-04-06 Ash Jr William O Portable dispensing system
US5251787A (en) 1992-03-09 1993-10-12 Simson Anton K Pressurized container dispenser
WO2006128653A1 (fr) 2005-06-02 2006-12-07 Kurt Oberhofer Cylindre a source de gaz co2 sous pression
WO2007145641A1 (fr) 2006-06-16 2007-12-21 Sturman Bg, Llc Ensemble de distributeur intégré et jetable
WO2008060152A1 (fr) * 2006-11-17 2008-05-22 Heineken Supply Chain B.V. Dispositif de robinetterie manostatique

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140322445A1 (en) * 2013-04-24 2014-10-30 Diamon Fusion International, Inc. Defined dosing atmospheric temperature and pressure vapor deposition system
WO2014176378A3 (fr) * 2013-04-24 2015-10-29 Diamon Fusion International, Inc. Système de dépôt en phase vapeur sous pression et à température atmosphérique utilisant une dose définie
US9562288B2 (en) 2013-04-24 2017-02-07 Diamon Fusion International, Inc. Defined dosing atmospheric temperature and pressure vapor deposition system
US10106394B2 (en) 2014-05-24 2018-10-23 GrowlerWerks, INC. Method of regulating pressure in pressurized beverage dispenser

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