EP2576423B1 - Method and apparatus for dispensing beverages, especially carbonated beverages - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for dispensing beverages, especially carbonated beverages Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2576423B1
EP2576423B1 EP11724814.6A EP11724814A EP2576423B1 EP 2576423 B1 EP2576423 B1 EP 2576423B1 EP 11724814 A EP11724814 A EP 11724814A EP 2576423 B1 EP2576423 B1 EP 2576423B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
gas
pressure
beverage
dispensing
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.)
Active
Application number
EP11724814.6A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2576423A1 (en
Inventor
Bernardus Cornelis Johannes Landman
István Stephen LINDMAYER
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.)
Heineken Supply Chain BV
Original Assignee
Heineken Supply Chain BV
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
Priority claimed from HU1000286A external-priority patent/HUP1000286A2/hu
Priority claimed from NL2006199A external-priority patent/NL2006199C2/en
Priority claimed from NL2006197A external-priority patent/NL2006197C2/en
Application filed by Heineken Supply Chain BV filed Critical Heineken Supply Chain BV
Publication of EP2576423A1 publication Critical patent/EP2576423A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2576423B1 publication Critical patent/EP2576423B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/70—Pressure relief devices
    • 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
    • B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
    • B67D1/0078—Ingredient cartridges
    • B67D1/008—Gas cartridges or bottles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/60—Contents and propellant separated
    • B65D83/66—Contents and propellant separated first separated, but finally mixed, e.g. in a dispensing head
    • B65D83/663—Contents and propellant separated first separated, but finally mixed, e.g. in a dispensing head at least a portion of the propellant being separated from the product and incrementally released by means of a pressure regulator
    • 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
    • B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
    • B67D1/0081—Dispensing valves
    • B67D1/0082—Dispensing valves entirely mechanical
    • 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
    • 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
    • B67D1/0412—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
    • B67D1/0437—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 gas pressure space within the container for the liquid
    • 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
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/14—Reducing valves or control taps
    • B67D1/1405—Control taps
    • 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
    • B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
    • B67D1/0081—Dispensing valves
    • B67D2001/0087—Dispensing valves being mounted on the dispenser housing
    • B67D2001/0089—Dispensing valves being mounted on the dispenser housing operated by lever means

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a dispensing unit and a method for dispensing a liquid under pressure.
  • the document EP 1064221 discloses a device for dispensing a liquid, wherein the device comprises a container having a first compartment, and a second compartment, the first compartment being arranged for receiving the liquid to be dispensed, and the second compartment being arranged for receiving a propellant gas, wherein, at least during use, an opening is provided between the first and the second compartment.
  • the device further comprises a pressure control means arranged for controlling, during use, the pressure of the propellant gas flowing from the second compartment into the first compartment.
  • the pressure control means are provided within the first compartment.
  • WO2005/007560 a cylindrical beverage container is disclosed, similar to the beverage container of EP1064221 , wherein in an opening in a flat top of the beverage container a housing is mounted, comprising dispensing means placed off centre relative to the opening. Next to the dispensing means a pressure regulating device is mounted in the housing. A closed cylinder with pressurised gas is connected to the pressure regulating means, such that a valve of the closed cylinder can be opened and closed by the pressure regulating means, based on the pressure prevailing inside the beverage container.
  • DE615553 discloses a cylindrical beverage container with an entirely open top side.
  • a support and a lid are provided for supporting and enclosing the beverage container and the lid.
  • the lid is hollow and comprises a space for containing pressurised gas.
  • a dispensing means is provided in the lid, which comprises an operating ball valve which in a closed position allows an amount of gas to flow into an intermediate compartment and in opened position, i.e. during dispensing allow the gas to flow from the intermediate compartment into the beverage container. There is no pressure regulating means in this system.
  • WO 2009/126034 A1 discloses a similar beverage container in the shape of a bottle.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide for a container unit in an alternative manner. Another object is to provide a container unit in which a pressure control device can easily be provided for, especially easily be mounted.
  • a still further object of the present invention is to provided for a dispensing unit that can easily be mounted to a beverage container.
  • a container unit can comprise a beverage container with a body and a neck portion, wherein at least the body portion forms a first compartment for beverage.
  • a pressure control device is provided, for pressurising a beverage in the beverage container, which pressure control device comprises a gas container forming a second compartment for containing a propellant under pressure.
  • a dispensing unit is provided in and/or on the neck portion and the gas container is supported by the neck portion and/or the dispensing unit, wherein pressure regulating means are provided in the dispensing unit.
  • the gas container preferably extends at least partly in the beverage container, preferably suspended in the neck portion of the container.
  • container units and pressurising units as well as methods are described with reference to carbonated beverages, especially beer.
  • a pressure regulating means or pressure control device has to be understood as at least including a device or assembly for controlling pressure inside a beverage container, based on a pressure prevailing in a first compartment comprising the beverage to be dispensed, by feeding gas from a high pressure propellant gas container or second compartment.
  • the beverage container is made of plastic, for example blow moulded, especially stretch blow moulded from a preform, in any suitable manner, such as known in the art.
  • similarly beverage containers can be used made partly or entirely of metal.
  • a gas container is described made of plastic, for example PET or PEN or blends thereof, or another thermoplastic material.
  • an aspect can be that a dispensing unit is used, comprising dispensing means and pressure regulating means, with which both a gas container comprising high pressure propellant gas and the beverage container can be closed.
  • an aspect of the present invention can be based on the idea that during dispensing, instead of maintaining a regulated constant pressure in the liquid container and controlling the flow rate of the liquid by controlling the flow area of the dispensing channel or dispensing outlet for the liquid, the flow area of the dispensing channel or outlet is rather maintained at a constant value, preferably at a maximum value, and the pressure in the liquid container is controlled within a predetermined pressure range so as to control the flow rate of the liquid being dispensed.
  • This allows to apply a relatively low pressure at dispensing for any kind of liquid, including both gaseous and non-gaseous beverages, while keeping the possibility to adjust the flow rate of the liquid by simply adjusting or even varying the desired pressure of the propellant gas in the liquid container.
  • a further advantage of this solution can be that by controlling the pressure prevailing in the liquid container during dispensing, the flow path of the liquid from the liquid container through the dispensing unit may be formed free of any obstacle of flow, thus allowing to avoid the development of undesired turbulences in the liquid during dispensing.
  • a beverage container 36 can be provided, with a body 50 and a neck portion 51, wherein at least the body portion 50 forms a first compartment for beverage.
  • a pressure control device 53 is provided, for pressurising a beverage in the beverage container 36, which pressure control device 53 comprises or can be connected to a gas container 33 forming a second compartment for containing a propellant under pressure.
  • a dispensing unit 10 can be provided in and/or on the neck portion 51 and the gas container 33 can be supported by the neck portion 51 and/or the dispensing unit 10, wherein pressure regulating means 54 of the pressure control device 53 are provided in the dispensing unit 10.
  • the pressure control device therefore comprises at least the pressure regulating means 54 and the gas container 33 or a connecting means therefore.
  • the gas container 33 When the gas container 33 is injection moulded, it can have a gas container body portion 55 with a peripheral wall portion 56 which is radially expandable within the first compartment by the propellant gas, for example under internal gas pressure between 4 and 20 bar absolute. This can be advantageous in that it can secure the dispensing unit 10 with the gas container 33 even better inside the beverage container 36.
  • the gas container 33 can be inserted into and at least partly through the neck portion 51 of the beverage container 36, wherein the neck portion 51 encloses an upper part of the gas container 33, providing for a passage 57 for gas between an inner surface of the neck portion 51 and an outer portion of the gas container 33, wherein preferably a dip tube 35 extends through said passage from the first compartment into the dispensing unit 10.
  • the beverage container can have a first, internal axial length, measured between an outer end of the neck portion 51 and an opposite end of the beverage container 36
  • the gas container 33 can have a second, outer axial length measured between the dispensing unit 10 to which the gas container 33 is attached and an opposite end of the gas container 33, wherein the first axial length is slightly larger than the second axial length.
  • the first axial length is between 1 and 1.2 times the second axial length, more preferably between 1 and 1.1 times the second axial length. This can provide for a relatively slim gas container, suitable to be inserted through the neck 51 or filling opening of a beverage container 36, having nevertheless a relatively large internal volume. This enables storage of a sufficient amount of propellant gas inside the gas container 33.
  • the dispensing unit 10 can comprise at least one passage 30, 25a through the pressure regulating means 53 to the first compartment, forming part of a gas passage between the first compartment and the second compartment, i.e. between the inner space of the beverage container 36 and the inner space of the gas container 33.
  • the pressure regulating means 53 can further comprise at least one valve assembly for opening and closing said gas passage 30, 25a, based on pressure prevailing in the first compartment.
  • a gas container 33 can be mounted to the second coupling means 42, which gas container 33 has an axial length L gas and extends within the second coupling means 41, seen in a direction of its axial length L gas , which can be understood as meaning that seen in said axial direction, which can be substantially perpendicular to said first side of the dispensing unit, the gas container 33 has no part that extends beyond the first coupling means, as can be seen in fig. 17 .
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the dispensing unit 10 in a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A indicated in Figure 2 .
  • a dispensing tube 16 is arranged under the operating lever 14.
  • the dispensing tube 16 is secured to the lower mounting part 11 and comprises an opening 17 that establishes a fluid communication with the internal space of the liquid container (not shown) to which the dispensing unit 10 is coupled.
  • the dispensing tube 16 has an outer end portion 19 provided with an opening 19' to allow the liquid to flow out from the liquid container during dispensing.
  • the outer end portion 19 of the dispensing tube 16 is entirely compressed by an eccentric front projection 18 of the operating lever 14, whereby the flow path of the liquid is closed.
  • the dispensing unit 10 also comprises a pressure regulating means 54 to generate a constant regulated pressure for propellant gas in the liquid container.
  • the pressure regulating means can also be referred to as pressure control device 54.
  • the pressure regulating means 54 comprises a resilient membrane 22, preferably made of rubber, a valve stem 23 joined to a central portion of the membrane 22 at is one end, a valve head 24 formed at the other end of the valve stem 23 and a fluid communicating path for the propellant gas, said fluid communicating path connecting the internal space of the gas container 33 and the internal gas space of the liquid container 36 (partly also referred to as head space) through the pressure regulating means 54.
  • the fluid communicating path includes a first gas channel 25a in which the valve stem 23 is guided, and a second gas channel 25b or outlet channel (shown in Figure 6 ) and the chamber 58.
  • the operation of the pressure regulating means 54 of the dispensing unit 10 will be described later. They form part of pressure control device 53.
  • the stud 27 which is arranged eccentrically with respect to the rotational axis of the pivots 26a, 26b, moves along a circular path, thus forcing the slide 28 to move toward the central portion of the dispensing unit 10 or in the opposite direction, while the stud 27 moves up or down in the guiding hole 29.
  • the slide is an embodiment of an operating device, or part thereof.
  • the slide 28 partly covers the membrane 22, the extent of coverage depending on the position of the operating lever. Under the coverage area of the membrane 22, there is a third gas channel 30 formed to connect the internal space of the gas container with the head space of the liquid container through the pressure regulating means, through a chamber 58 .
  • the slide 28 is formed so as to be capable of varying the area of an upper aperture 31 of the third gas channel 30, which is also an outlet channel, thereby adjusting the amount of the propellant gas flowing from the gas container into the liquid container. By adjusting the flow rate of the gas flowing through the third gas channel 30, the pressure of the propellant gas can be varied in the liquid container during dispensing.
  • Figure 7 schematically illustrates an assembled dispensing device or container unit 70 comprising the liquid or beverage container 36 (indicated by dashed line), for example, a bottle containing a beverage, for example a carbonated beverage such as beer, a gas container 33 containing a propellant gas, for example carbon dioxide or nitrogen, at a high pressure, for example between 2 and 20, more preferably between 4 and 14 bar, a dispensing unit, such as the dispensing unit 10 according to the present invention, and preferably a dip tube 35.
  • the dispensing unit 10 is coupled to the liquid container 36 and the gas container 33 in a gas-tight sealed manner.
  • the gas container 33 is shown inside the liquid container 36, the gas container 33 may equally be arranged externally to the liquid container 36.
  • the dip tube 35 is arranged inside the liquid container 36 and connected to a corresponding dispensing channel of the dispensing unit 10.
  • the dispensing unit 10 has a first coupling means for coupling to the liquid container 36.
  • the first coupling means may comprise a snap fitting portion 40 formed in the lower mounting part 11 of the dispensing unit 10, said snap fitting portion 40 being adapted to be sealingly attached to a corresponding coupling part of the liquid container 36.
  • the first coupling means may comprise an elastic sealing ring 38 against which the corresponding coupling portion of the liquid container 36 bears after mounting the dispensing unit 10 onto the liquid container 36.
  • the dispensing unit 10 further comprises a second coupling means for coupling to the gas container 33.
  • the second coupling means may comprise a snap fitting portion 42 formed also in the lower mounting part 11 of the dispensing unit 10, said snap fitting portion 42 being adapted to be sealingly attached to a corresponding coupling part of the gas container 33.
  • the second coupling means comprises an elastic sealing ring 43 against which a corresponding coupling portion of the gas container 33 bears after attaching the gas container 33 to the dispensing unit 10.
  • the first and second coupling means can both be substantially circular, provided in a first side 60 of the dispensing device 10.
  • the first coupling means can surround the second coupling means, spaced apart there from, seen the view as presented in fig. 17 .
  • This view is substantially perpendicular to the said side 60, or along the axis Lgas of the gas container 33.
  • the contour 33A of the gas container 33 extends, in the view of fig. 17 , within the first coupling means. This provided for the possibility of inserting the gas container 33 into the beverage container 36 via the neck portion 51, through the coupling means provided thereupon.
  • FIG 9 shows the dispensing unit 10 in its storage state when the operating lever (not shown) is in its initial position.
  • the slide 28 is now in its inner end position where it presses the whole coverage area of the membrane 22 onto an upper surface of the lower mounting part 11, thereby entirely closing the upper aperture 31 of the third gas channel 30.
  • the membrane 22 takes the form like a dome, and the valve head 24 closes the lower aperture of the first gas channel 25a.
  • the pressure of the propellant gas 34 acting to the bottom surface of the valve head 24 is compensated by the counteracting resilient force of the elevated membrane 22.
  • the pressure is equal to the pressure of the gas container 33, and due to the fluid communication path between the gas container 33 and the head space of the liquid container 36 through the second gas channel 25b, this pressure is also equal to the pressure prevailing in the liquid container 36, also referred to as a first pressure.
  • the operating lever After finishing the dispensing of the liquid, the operating lever is moved again into its initial position, resulting in the same arrangement of the parts within the dispensing unit as shown in Figure 9 . If the dispensing pressure was lower than said first pressure when the dispensing was terminated, the propellant gas tends to flow from the gas container 33 into the liquid container 36 through the second gas channel 25b until the first pressure is reached and set in the liquid container 36 by the pressure regulating means of the dispensing unit 10.
  • the dispensing unit 10 can be seen with its operating lever 14 being in a vertical position wherein the dispensing tube 16 is open to the maximum extent, i.e. the outer end portion 19 of the dispensing tube 16 presents the largest possible flow area for the liquid. In this case, however, the third gas channel (not shown) is still closed.
  • the liquid flows out from the liquid container 36 through the dispensing channel (not shown), then via the opening 17 and finally through the dispensing tube 16. If a dip tube 35 is also used (as shown in Figure 10 ), the liquid 32 is driven into the dispensing channel through the dip tube 35.
  • FIG 11 shows the same state of the dispensing unit 10 as shown Figure 10 .
  • the pressure regulating means is still under the same condition as described for the initial state of the dispensing unit 10, that is, the membrane 22 is elevated and the third gas channel 30 is closed.
  • this vertical operating position of the operating lever 14 shown in Figures 10 to 12 (also referred to as a first operating position) defines a boundary position between a first operating range of the operating lever 14 and a second operating range thereof, wherein the first operating range is associated with the control of the flow area of the dispensing channel or outlet for the liquid (i.e.
  • the second operating range is associated with the control of the flow area of the third gas channel 30 for the propellant gas.
  • the dispensing channel 44 establishes a fluid communication path for the liquid 32 between the internal space of the liquid container 36 and the flexible tube 16.
  • a dip tube 35 may optionally be connected.
  • the dispensing device 70 is shown in a partial cross-sectional view, wherein the operating lever 14 is moved to a second operating position to at least partially open the upper aperture 31 of the third gas channel 30.
  • this position of the operating lever 14 belongs to the second operating range of the operating lever 14, wherein the flow rate of the liquid 32 is controlled during dispensing by controlling the pressure of the propellant gas 34 in the liquid container 36.
  • the more downward the operating lever 14 is pushed in the direction F indicated by an arrow in Figure 13 the larger area of the upper aperture 31 of the third gas channel 30 is released by the displacement of the slide 28, thus causing the elevation of an increasing area of the coverage portion of the membrane 22 above the aperture 31.
  • the opened area of the aperture 31 the amount of gas flowing from the gas container 33 into the liquid container 36 through the third gas channel 30 and, consequently, the driving force for the liquid 32 may be varied.
  • the second gas channel 25b is to be closed or alternatively, it is to be restricted so that a substantial delay be presented at the generation of the first pressure in the liquid container 36 by the pressure regulating means.
  • the second gas channel 25b has a restricted section 25c in which the gas flow rate, under normal operating conditions, is so small that only a negligible amount of propellant gas can flow there through into the liquid container 36 per time unit, and therefore the regulated first pressure can be generated by the pressure regulating means within a relatively long time with respect to the time period normally needed to dispense the desired amount of liquid.
  • the first regulated pressure is 1,7-2 bars absolute
  • a diameter of approximately 100 ⁇ m for the restricted section 25c allows a regulation delay of approx. 5 to 15 minutes, which is a much longer time than the usual duration of filling a glass. After finishing the dispensing of the liquid, however, such a delay has no significance if the next dispensing action starts even later.
  • the regulated first pressure is in the liquid container 36 is greater than the equilibrium pressure of the liquid 32 stored in the liquid container 36, preferably only by a few tenths bar, thus providing an appropriate long term storage pressure for the liquid in the liquid container during storage.
  • the pressure regulating means 54 of the first embodiment of the dispensing unit 10 also limits the maximum pressure of the pressure range associated with the second operating range of the operating lever.
  • the pressure in the liquid container 36 increases quickly due to the large flow are of the aperture 31, but the pressure can rise only up to the first pressure since the pressure regulating means 54 prevents the pressure of the head space of the liquid container 36 from increasing further.
  • the valve head 24 upon reaching the first pressure in the liquid container 36, the valve head 24 will close the first gas channel 25a, thereby blocking the flow of any more propellant gas 34 from the gas container 33 into the liquid container 36.
  • FIG 14 a partial cross-sectional view of a dispensing device 70' is illustrated with a second embodiment of the dispensing unit 110 according to the present invention.
  • the operating lever 114 (indicated by dashed line) of the dispensing unit 110 is in its initial position used for storage of the liquid container 136.
  • This second embodiment of the dispensing unit 110 comprises a common gas outlet channel 130 providing the function of both the first gas outlet channel and the second gas outlet channel used in the first embodiment of the dispensing unit.
  • the slide 128 as operating device or part thereof, is designed to have a recess 129 on its bottom sliding surface which allows the membrane 122 to have a local elevation 123 above the upper aperture 131 of the common gas channel 130. Under this local elevation 123, a limited flow rate for the propellant gas 134 is allowed, thus providing a substantial delay in the development of the first pressure in the liquid container 136.
  • Figure 15 which illustrates the second embodiment of the dispensing unit 110 with the operating lever 114 being in its first operating position
  • the slide 128 is moved to a position where it entirely closes the common gas channel 130.
  • the operating lever 114 in this position the operating lever 114 entirely opens the flexible dispensing tube of the dispensing unit 110.
  • Figure 16 illustrates the further embodiment of the dispensing unit 110 with the operating lever 114 being in a second operating position during dispensing where the inner end portion of the slide 128 at least partly opens the common gas channel 130 by allowing the main part of the membrane 122 to elevate above the upper aperture 131 of the common gas channel 130.
  • the common gas channel 130 is used only for controlling the pressure of the propellant gas in the liquid container 136 and thus also the flow rate of the liquid being dispensed.
  • the dispensing unit 110 has no separate gas channel with a restricted section to feed propellant gas 134 from the gas container 133 into the liquid container 136, the relatively large flow area of the common gas channel 130 allows a rather quick development of the regulated first pressure in the liquid container 136 after finishing the dispensing of the liquid.
  • Fig. 18 shows an alternative embodiment of a beverage container 36, wherein the pressure regulating device 53 is suspended in the neck 51 of the container 36, part of the gas container 33 extending into the inner space of the body 52 of the beverage container 36.
  • the pressure regulating device 53 is integrated with the dispensing device 10.
  • the gas container 33 can rest on the free end 69 of the neck 51 by a flange 61.
  • the dispensing device 10 is mounted on the neck 51, for example by press fitting or click means 40, such that the dispensing device 10 is pressed against the flange 61, thus pressing the flange 61 against the neck 51 and the gas container 33 is closed gas tightly.
  • Suitable seals 38, 43 can be provided, if necessary.
  • a valve 62 for example an aerosol valve as described in EP1064221 is provided in a bottom 71 of the dispensing device 10, forming a connection between the inner space of the gas container 33 and the space 58 above the bottom 71, below the wall part 22, at which other side a pressure regulating chamber 63 is provided.
  • the bottom 71 can be an integral part of the dispensing unit 10 or can be a separate part, which can for example be provided on the flange 61, for example by click means, gluing, welding, press fit or the like.
  • a flexible wall part 22 of a pressure regulating means 54 is provided, resting against the valve 62, forming part of the wall of the pressure regulating chamber 63.
  • the wall part 22 will be forced, by pressure in a pressure regulating chamber 63 above the wall 22, against the valve 62, opening the valve 62 and allowing gas to flow from the gas container 33 into the space 58.
  • At least one passage 25b is provided through the bottom 71 and the flange 61, into the inner space of the beverage container 36.
  • the pressure regulating or control device 53 of all embodiments can be provided with a similar arrangement of chambers 58 and 63 and the intermediate wall part 22 for opening and/or closing the inlet channel 25a.
  • a dip tube 35 extends from the inner space of the beverage container 33 past the gas container 33 and through the flange 61 into the dispensing device 10.
  • a dispense tube 63 is connected to the dip tube 35 by a valve 64, which in the embodiment shown can be a hose type valve, operatable by an arm 14 connected to an excentre 66. In fig. 18 the valve 64 is shown in closed position. By moving the arm 14 in the direction of the arrow 67 the valve 64 is opened and beverage can be expelled from the beverage container 36 through the dip tube 35 and the dispense tube 63. Pressure in the beverage container 36 will be regulated by the pressure regulating device 53, especially the means 54. Moving the arm 14 back then the valve 64 is closed again.
  • valves 64 can be provided, for example an in line valve. Other means for operating the valve 64 can be provided.
  • the valve 64 can be dispensed with, where the dispense tube can be provided with or connected to a dispense unit or valve to cooperate with a valve unit of a dispense unit, as for example described in EP1289874 .
  • a further embodiment is shown of a beverage container 36, of which only an upper portion is shown, comprising a neck 51, on which a unit 10 is provided.
  • a gas container 33 is provided outside the container 36, for example in a dent in the outer wall thereof, such that the longitudinal axis L gas and L bottle extend substantially parallel to each other.
  • the gas container 33 is mounted in the unit 10, in any suitable manner, for example as disclosed before in the other embodiments.
  • a gas sensing chamber 58 and a gas regulating chamber 63 are again provided, as described before, separated by a deformable and/or displaceable wall or wall part 22.
  • a gas inlet channel 25a extends from the gas container 33 into the pressure sensing chamber 58, through which a stem 23 extends, carrying a head 24 for closing off the channel 25a.
  • the stem is connected to the wall part 22.
  • a dispense tube 16 is provided, extending from a dip tube 35 to an outlet end 19.
  • the tube 16 is at least partly flexible, such that it can be closed by an excenter 66, as discussed with reference to fig. 18 .
  • a gas outlet channel 25b, 30 extends from the gas sensing chamber 58 to the inner space of the beverage container 36.
  • This channel 25b, 30 has a relatively large cross section, preferably sufficient to allow, when fully open, an amount of gas to flow from the gas container and/or the gas sensing chamber 58 into the beverage container sufficient to restore substantially instantly a desired pressure inside the beverage container for dispensing beverage, during dispensing of the beverage at maximum flow.
  • the channel 25b, 30 can have a cross section of for example half a square mm or more.
  • Fig. 20 further discloses schematically an embodiment similar to the embodiment of e.g. fig. 9 , wherein the gas container 33 is however of a different shape.
  • the gas container 33 is provided at an upper portion of the beverage container 36, and is for example substantially ball shaped, donut shaped, dome shaped or the like, having a cross section Dg substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L gas and an axial length Z parallel to said axis L gas .
  • the cross section Dg can be larger than an internal cross section D neck of the neck of the beverage container 36, such that the gas container 33 cannot be pulled out of the beverage container 36 through the neck 51.
  • a gas container 33 as shown in fig.
  • the gas container can be a plastic container, which is injection moulded or otherwise formed as a preform, which is blown into a desired final shape at least partly within the beverage container, after at least partial insertion of the gas container into the container in the said form of a preform.
  • the preform can be blow moulded at least partly prior to insertion into the beverage container, or can be blow moulded completely inside the beverage container.
  • the blow moulding can be achieved at least partly by the pressure of the gas introduced into or formed inside the gas container 33.
  • dry ice is used for providing at least part of the desired amount of pressure gas inside the gas container 33, this can be advantageous.
  • the gas container 33 can be provided in a top half portion of the beverage container 36 when position with the neck 51 or at least the dispensing unit 10 at a top thereof.
  • the gas container 33 is provided about directly below the neck 51 and/or dispensing unit 10, in for example within an upper quart or upper fifth of the internal volume of the beverage container 36.
  • the volume of beverage comprised with the beverage container will be in the lower portion of the gas container, substantially or, preferably, about entirely below the gas container 33.
  • the centre of gravity G of the entire assembly, comprising the unit 10 the beverage container 36 with beverage and the gas container 33 will be shifted downward compared to its position when the gas container 33 is provided as shown in for example fig. 9 , having a larger length and smaller cross section. This increases the stability of the assembly.
  • the operating device 28 and the operating means 14 for the beverage dispensing can again be integrated as shown before with for example reference to fig. 1 - 16 , the gas container being positioned at least partly outside the container 36, as shown in fig. 19 .
  • the gas container can be shaped and/or dimensioned differently and can for example be provided as a collar around the neck of the container, for example such that an outer side thereof will be about flush with or within the perimeter defined by the body of the beverage container.
  • a method for providing a beverage container unit wherein a beverage container 36 is filled with a beverage trough a filling opening, for example a neck portion 51.
  • a gas container 33 is furthermore provided, comprising a predetermined amount of gas or gas generating means. This can for example be CO2 gas or dry ice, and is predetermined such that a pressure is build up in the gas container well above the dispensing pressure for the beverage, for example well above 2 bar, preferably above 4 bar absolute, such as for example but not limited to between 4 and 15 bar.
  • the gas container can be mounted in the dispensing opening or neck portion 51 such that it extends into and through the filling opening into the inner space of the beverage container 36. This is preferably done after filling the beverage container with the beverage.
  • a dispensing unit 10 is provided, comprising pressure regulating means 54, which dispensing unit 10 is mounted in and/or over the filling opening and is connected to the gas container 33.
  • the dispensing unit 10 can for example be any one the previously disclosed embodiments. It can be mounted after filling of the beverage container, wherein propellant gas under pressure is provided in the gas container.
  • the gas container 33 can be mounted to the dispensing unit 10 separate from the beverage container 36 and placed on the beverage container 36 as one unit.
  • the gas container can be suspended in or on the beverage container 36, for example but not limited to by said flange 61, where after the dispensing unit can be placed and coupled to the first and second coupling means.
  • the gas can be fed into the gas container after placing in or on the beverage container 36.
  • the present invention also relates to a novel method of dispensing a liquid under pressure from a liquid container in which the liquid is stored under pressure by a propellant gas at a first regulated pressure.
  • the first pressure exceeds the equilibrium pressure of the liquid, for example but not limited to by a few tenths bar.
  • additional propellant gas is stored in a gas container at a second pressure substantially higher than the first pressure.
  • the propellant gas stored in the second gas container is also used for controlling the flow rate of the liquid during dispensing.
  • the step of reducing the overpressure in the liquid container and the step of opening and settling the flow area of the dispensing path for the liquid may be executed simultaneously.
  • a second amount of liquid may additionally be dispensed in this step, but this second dispensed amount of liquid preferably is very limited. It is preferred that the second amount is smaller than 10 to 15% of the entire amount of liquid to be dispensed in one dose.
  • the dispensing pressure of the propellant gas in the liquid container can in embodiments of the invention preferably be controlled by controlling the flow rate of the propellant gas flowing from the gas container into the liquid container.
  • controlling the pressure in the liquid container during dispensing may, however, be carried out in other ways as well, for example by using an additional gas supply, optionally an external gas container, to provide the necessary amount of gas for this purpose.
  • the pressure regulating means may also be designed differently from the exemplary pressure regulator described above with reference to the drawings, while providing the same function of generating a regulated first pressure in the liquid container.
  • Such pressure regulating means are well-known in the art.
  • the dispensing unit 10 could be designed to fit within a neck portion of a beverage container, or could at least partly be integrated with a beverage container.
  • the beverage container could be of a bag in container design, wherein the beverage can be contained within a flexible bag suspended in the beverage container, for example connected to the dispensing device 10, surrounding the second mounting means, which can contain the gas container 33, wherein the second channel 25b, 30, 130 opens into a space between the bag and the beverage container.
  • the dispense tube 64 or 19 can be elongated and extended well beyond the periphery of the beverage container, and can be provided with an in line valve or the like.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Control Of Fluid Pressure (AREA)
EP11724814.6A 2010-06-02 2011-05-27 Method and apparatus for dispensing beverages, especially carbonated beverages Active EP2576423B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
HU1000286A HUP1000286A2 (en) 2010-06-02 2010-06-02 Dispensing unit and method for dispensing a liquid under pressure
NL2006199A NL2006199C2 (en) 2011-02-14 2011-02-14 Method and apparatus for dispensing beverages, especially carbonated beverages.
NL2006197A NL2006197C2 (en) 2011-02-14 2011-02-14 Method and apparatus for dispensing beverages, especially carbonated beverages.
PCT/NL2011/050369 WO2011152717A1 (en) 2010-06-02 2011-05-27 Method and apparatus for dispensing beverages, especially carbonated beverages

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2576423A1 EP2576423A1 (en) 2013-04-10
EP2576423B1 true EP2576423B1 (en) 2020-04-15

Family

ID=89989754

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11724813.8A Withdrawn EP2576387A1 (en) 2010-06-02 2011-05-27 Method and apparatus for dispensing beverages, especially carbonated beverages
EP11724814.6A Active EP2576423B1 (en) 2010-06-02 2011-05-27 Method and apparatus for dispensing beverages, especially carbonated beverages

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11724813.8A Withdrawn EP2576387A1 (en) 2010-06-02 2011-05-27 Method and apparatus for dispensing beverages, especially carbonated beverages

Country Status (12)

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US (2) US20130068798A1 (ru)
EP (2) EP2576387A1 (ru)
JP (2) JP6087278B2 (ru)
CN (2) CN102947214A (ru)
AR (2) AR081256A1 (ru)
BR (2) BR112012028044A2 (ru)
CA (2) CA2798169A1 (ru)
DK (1) DK2576423T3 (ru)
EA (2) EA201291349A1 (ru)
MX (2) MX2012012562A (ru)
WO (2) WO2011152717A1 (ru)
ZA (1) ZA201208592B (ru)

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US9233824B2 (en) * 2013-06-07 2016-01-12 The Coca-Cola Company Method of making a beverage including a gas in a beverage making machine
US20140154380A1 (en) * 2013-06-07 2014-06-05 The Coca-Cola Company Method of Producing Aroma Enhanced Gas for Use in a Beverage Making Machine
US20140154382A1 (en) * 2013-06-07 2014-06-05 The Coca-Cola Company Method of Supplying Consumables to a Beverage Making Machine
US20140170279A1 (en) * 2013-06-07 2014-06-19 The Coca-Cola Company Method of Making a Beverage in a Beverage Making Machine
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US10815114B2 (en) 2016-12-27 2020-10-27 Midnight Madness Distilling, Llc Effervescent liquid dispenser
US11111125B2 (en) 2017-07-25 2021-09-07 Midnight Madness Distilling, Llc Effervescent liquid dispenser
BR102017028540B1 (pt) 2017-12-28 2021-11-16 Heber Frizera Ferreira Válvula e processo para gaseificação de líquido e dispensa de líquido gaseificado
NL2020756B1 (en) 2018-04-12 2019-10-23 Heineken Supply Chain Bv Pressure regulating system for a beverage container and beverage container provided therewith
JP6667851B2 (ja) * 2018-08-08 2020-03-18 株式会社オフィス山口 飲料注出装置
DE102020102112A1 (de) 2020-01-29 2021-07-29 SCHäFER WERKE GMBH Vorrichtung zur Entnahme einer Flüssigkeit aus einem Behälter mit integriertem Treibgasabschnitt

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP6087278B2 (ja) 2017-03-01
BR112012029060A2 (pt) 2016-08-09
CN102971230A (zh) 2013-03-13
US20130068798A1 (en) 2013-03-21
BR112012028044A2 (pt) 2016-08-02
WO2011152717A1 (en) 2011-12-08
AR081257A1 (es) 2012-07-18
EA201291349A1 (ru) 2013-04-30
WO2011152715A1 (en) 2011-12-08
CA2798169A1 (en) 2011-12-08
ZA201208592B (en) 2013-07-31
EA201291399A1 (ru) 2013-04-30
JP2013530892A (ja) 2013-08-01
EP2576387A1 (en) 2013-04-10
CN102947214A (zh) 2013-02-27
DK2576423T3 (da) 2020-05-25
CA2798166A1 (en) 2011-12-08
EP2576423A1 (en) 2013-04-10
MX2012013978A (es) 2012-12-17
MX2012012562A (es) 2012-11-23
US20130233895A1 (en) 2013-09-12
JP2013528538A (ja) 2013-07-11
AR081256A1 (es) 2012-07-18

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