EP4093697B1 - Piston, tap, and container for a beverage - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a piston for a tap for removing a beverage from a container, preferably beer from a beer keg, particularly preferably beer from a 5L party beer keg, comprising an inner flow channel, an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the inner Flow channel is formed in the piston and for guiding the beverage from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and wherein the piston has a plurality of webs on an outside.

The invention further relates to a tap for removing a drink from a container, preferably beer from a beer keg, particularly preferably beer from a 5L party beer keg, and a corresponding container for a drink.

The present invention relates generally to beverage containers, taps and plungers for taps. These are mainly smaller beer kegs, for example so-called party kegs with a capacity of five liters. Such party kegs are well known in practice and are usually made of tinplate. Without limiting generality, the preferred embodiments below are a beer keg or a party beer keg.

Five liters of beer are provided in such party kegs. There are such kegs with an integrated CO ₂ cartridge for dispensing the beer. Beer kegs in which the beer can be dispensed by gravity, namely through a low-lying, integrated tap, are simpler in construction but also easy to handle. A ventable plug is provided so that air can flow in from above, namely to avoid negative pressure in the barrel. The barrel is ventilated through the opening that the stopper closes.

From the DE 101 12 451 A1 a tap for such beverage containers is known. The tap includes a sleeve and a piston arranged in the sleeve. When delivered, the piston is completely housed in the sleeve. To remove the beverage, the piston is partially pulled out of the sleeve into a working position. By rotating the piston about a central axis of the sleeve, the beverage is removed.

Further designs of taps are in the documents DE 297 22 034 U1 , US 6,845,786 B1 , DE 198 25 929 A1 and EP 3 418 250 A1 described.

From the WO 2010/069340 A1 Another tap is known, which also includes a sleeve and a piston. The piston can in turn be moved within the sleeve between a closed position and a working position. A pivotable outlet head is arranged at the end of the piston facing away from the sleeve. When the outlet head is in a locked position, beverage removal is blocked. After moving the outlet head into a removal position, the beverage can be removed through an inflow opening on the sleeve, an inner flow channel formed in the piston and a removal opening on the outlet head.

With such taps it is common for the piston to have to be moved from a closing position to a working position. To simplify this movement, a lubricant, usually a food-grade grease, is inserted between the piston and the sleeve. Nevertheless, with the known taps a relatively large amount of force is required to move the piston in the sleeve.

The present invention is based on the object of designing and developing a piston, a tap and a beverage container of the type mentioned in such a way that the piston can be moved within the sleeve of the tap with as little effort as possible, without sacrificing sufficient stability.

According to the invention, the above object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Thereafter, the piston in question is characterized in that at least one of the plurality of webs is designed as a stepped web, the at least one stepped web having a plurality of first regions and at least one second region arranged between adjacent first regions, the plurality of first regions being designed for this purpose are to touch a wall of the piston chamber when arranging the piston in a piston chamber, and wherein the at least one second region is designed as a recess relative to the plurality of first regions.

With regard to a tap, the above task is solved by the features of claim 12. The tap in question then comprises a sleeve and a piston according to the invention, the piston being at least partially arranged in a piston space of the sleeve, an inflow opening being formed in the sleeve through which the beverage can flow into the piston space, the first several Areas of the at least one stepped web touch a wall of the piston chamber, while the at least one second area is spaced from the wall of the piston chamber.

With regard to a beverage container, the above task is solved by the features of claim 15. Thereafter, at least one container wall defines a capacity inside the container, with a tap according to the invention being guided through one of the at least one container walls, which enables a beverage to be removed from the capacity.

In accordance with the invention, it was first recognized that in the known taps an increased expenditure of force arises because there is an unnecessarily large contact surface between the piston and a wall of a piston chamber of the sleeve and that this contact surface is often not sufficiently wetted with lubricant. Therefore, according to the invention, the piston is redesigned in such a way that the contact area between the piston and the wall of the piston chamber is reduced, but at the same time there are still sufficient points of contact to hold the piston stably in the sleeve. For this purpose, a recess is provided on at least one web on the outside of the piston, which creates at least one area of the web that is spaced from a wall of the piston chamber. At the same time, there remain at least one web area that touches the wall of the piston chamber. This effectively reduces the contact area between the piston and the piston chamber without interrupting the web and impairing the overall stability of the piston. The at least one recess also offers the advantage that when the piston moves in the piston chamber, less lubricant is scraped off through the web, which can improve the overall lubricating properties between the piston and the sleeve. This creates a tap in which the piston is easier to move in the sleeve and the piston still sits firmly in the sleeve.

Specifically, this approach according to the invention is implemented in that at least one of the several webs on the outside of the piston is designed as a stepped web. Such a stepped web has a plurality of first areas and at least one second area, with a second area being arranged between two adjacent first areas. This means that the first and second areas should usually alternate. The plurality of first regions are designed to touch a wall of the piston chamber when the piston is arranged in a piston chamber. Since the at least a second area is each designed as a recess relative to the first areas, the second area is arranged at a distance from this wall of the piston chamber.

It is advisable if the total length of the second area(s) relative to the total length of the stepped web is at least as large as the total length of the first areas. Preferably, the aspect ratio between the first and second regions is at least 1 to 1, particularly preferably at least 1 to 2, most preferably approximately 1 to 3.

The term "web" generally refers to an external surface structure of the piston. To reduce material, the pistons in question are not made from a solid material, but rather have a structured outside. The inner flow channel, which can be surrounded by webs, runs inside the piston. The webs therefore serve to ensure the stability of the piston and - to simplify production - are usually straight. The webs have outer edges which - together with possibly other surfaces - touch a wall of a piston chamber in an assembled state.

A piston chamber is formed in a non-moving part of a tap. This non-moving part is usually a sleeve that is guided through a container wall of a beverage container. A "wall of the piston chamber" is usually the wall that delimits the piston chamber in a transverse direction. In the case of a cylindrical piston chamber, this wall is, for example, the lateral surface of the cylinder.

A “touch” of the plurality of first regions with the wall of the piston chamber can mean that the plurality of first regions and the wall of the piston chamber are at least partially formed in a form-fitting manner. However, contact can already occur if the several first areas of the wall come very close and the distance between a first area and the wall is less than one millimeter, preferably less than 0.5 millimeters, particularly preferably less than 0.1 millimeters. A deliberately existing distance between one of the several first areas and the wall can help to further reduce the pull-out forces that must be applied. A first area with a consciously present distance can be useful, for example, in first areas that are arranged close to the outlet opening. Even if a lubricant is arranged between a first area and the wall, this is considered “touching” in the present context. Even if, for example, component tolerances lead to a greater distance in one displacement position than in another displacement position, this is still understood as “touching” in the sense of the teaching disclosed here.

A “return” on a stepped bridge can be designed in different ways. It is essential that the recess achieves a distance between a second region and a wall of the piston chamber. However, the outer edge of the second area can be designed in different ways for this purpose. For example, the outer edge can be straight, straight in sections or curved.

The piston or the tap can be manufactured differently and consist of different materials. Preferably, the piston or the tap is manufactured by injection molding. The plunger or tap may be made of polypropylene, a polymer and/or another plastic. It is also conceivable that the piston and/or the sleeve is made of polypropylene, for example, and a sealant is molded on using a thermoplastic polymer, for example in an overmolding process.

In principle, the plurality of webs can extend relatively arbitrarily relative to the piston. This includes sloping webs as well as non-rectilinear webs. However, from a production point of view, special ones can occur Extension directions can be advantageous. In one embodiment, the plurality of webs extend in a longitudinal direction of the piston and/or in a transverse direction of the piston. The at least one stepped web preferably extends in a longitudinal direction of the piston. This configuration simplifies the design of the injection molds, particularly when producing the piston using injection molding technology.

In one embodiment, in the case of a plurality of second regions, the recesses of at least two of the plurality of second regions are identical. For example, in the case of a straight web, this means that the outer edges of at least two of the plurality of second regions lie on a straight line, the straight line being parallel to a longitudinal direction of the piston. In the case of a stepped web that extends in a transverse direction of the piston, this can mean that the outer edges of at least two of the plurality of second regions lie on a circular line.

In one embodiment, in the case of a plurality of second regions, the recesses of at least two of the plurality of second regions are designed differently. In this way, specific requirements for the stepped bridge can be addressed even more flexibly.

These embodiments can also be combined. For example, there can be three second areas, two of which are identical and a third which differs from the other two second areas. This means that two of the several areas are identical and at least two of the several areas are different from one another.

In one embodiment, outward-facing edges of the plurality of first regions lie on a straight line or a circle, wherein in the case of a straight line, the straight line is preferably arranged parallel to a central axis of the piston and wherein in the case of a circle, the circle preferably has a center on the central axis of the piston.

In one embodiment, an outward-facing edge in the plurality of first regions and an outward-facing edge in which at least one second region are each arranged parallel or coaxial to one another. This can be achieved, for example, in that the outer edges of the first and second regions are at least partially straight (in the longitudinal direction in the case of a web) or as a circular arc (in the transverse direction in the case of a web).

In one embodiment, the at least one second region has a transition region at an end facing a first region, an outward-facing edge of the transition region bringing about a preferably continuous transition between adjacent first and second regions, the outward-facing edge of the transition region preferably is inclined at an angle between 30° and 70° relative to a connecting line of the first areas. In this way, continuous transitions can be created, which can further reduce friction between the piston and a wall of the piston chamber.

In a further development, an outward-facing edge between a first area and a second area is rounded. This measure can further reduce friction between the piston and a wall of the piston chamber.

In one embodiment, an envelope surface around the piston is cylindrical. An envelope surface is formed in that outer edges of the plurality of webs or other parts of the piston are approximated by a geometric figure. A cylindrical envelope surface is particularly suitable if the Piston chamber is cylindrical. The base area of the cylinder is preferably a circle, an ellipse, a hexagon, an octagon or the like. Such envelope surfaces lead to pistons that are easy to construct.

In one embodiment, the webs have, for example, a width between 5% and 45% of the extent of the piston in a transverse direction of the piston, preferably a width between 15% and 35% of the extent of the piston in a transverse direction of the piston. The more pronounced the webs are, the greater the material reduction is usually. At the same time, sufficient material should remain inside the piston to accommodate an internal flow channel. A preferred width of a web between 15% and 35% of the extension of the piston in a transverse direction of the piston can represent a favorable compromise between the opposing objectives.

In one embodiment, a first web and a second web intersect in a cutting line, wherein the first web and/or the second web is a stepped web and wherein one of the first regions of the stepped web is arranged in the region of the cutting line. In this way, the stability of the piston can be further improved. This embodiment can be used particularly favorably if the first web extends in the longitudinal direction and the second web extends in the transverse direction.

In one embodiment of the tap, the tap comprises a spout head with a removal opening, the spout head being pivotable between a blocking position and a removal position and the spout head being adapted to the piston in such a way that in the removal position the beverage can flow from the outlet opening to the removal opening . Such an outlet head is, for example, in the one already mentioned WO 2010/069340 A1 described.

In one embodiment of the tap, the piston is designed to be displaceable in the piston chamber between a closed position and a working position in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve, the sleeve and the piston being coordinated with one another in such a way that in the working position the beverage can flow through the inflow opening into the inlet opening. In this way, safe transport of the beverage container can be achieved in the closed position, while reliable removal of the beverage is possible in the working position.

Fig. 1

eine Schrägansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Kolbens für einen Zapfhahn,

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht von oben auf den Kolben gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht des Kolbens gemäß Fig. 1 und

Fig. 4

eine Explosionszeichnung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Zapfhahns mit einem Kolben gemäß Fig. 1.

There are now various possibilities for designing and developing the teaching of the present disclosure in an advantageous manner. On the one hand, reference should be made to the claims subordinate to the subordinate claims and, on the other hand, to the following explanation of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention based on the drawing. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention based on the drawing, generally preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching are also explained. Show in the drawing

Fig. 1

an oblique view of an embodiment of a piston according to the invention for a tap,

Fig. 2

a top view of the piston according to Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3

a side view of the piston according to Fig. 1 and

Fig. 4

an exploded drawing of an embodiment of a tap according to the invention with a piston according to Fig. 1 .

The Figures 1 to 3 show various views of an exemplary embodiment of a piston 1 according to the invention for a tap. The piston 1 has an inlet opening 2 and an outlet opening 3 as well as an inner flow channel 4 on which connects the inlet opening 2 and the outlet opening 3 with each other. In the area of the inlet opening 2, an inlet-side seal 5 is molded on, which extends over large parts of a long side of the piston 1. At the outlet opening 3, an outlet-side seal 6 is molded on, which serves to seal an outlet head, not shown here. This outlet head can be attached to a rotation axis 7 on the piston 1.

Webs 8, 8' are arranged around the inner flow channel 4 and extend in the longitudinal direction (webs with reference number 8) or transverse direction (webs with reference number 8') of the piston 1. Webs 8 intersect in the longitudinal direction and webs 8 'intersect in the transverse direction along the cutting line 26. Two of the webs 8 are designed as stepped webs 9, the stepped webs 9 being arranged on opposite sides of the inner flow channel 4. These stepped webs 9 have four first areas 10 and three second areas 11, with the second areas 11 each being arranged between two adjacent first areas 10. An outer edge of the first areas 10 and the second areas 11 is arranged parallel to a central axis 12 of the piston 1. Especially in Fig. 2 It can also be seen that the recesses of the two outer second areas 11 are identical, while the middle second area 11 differs from the two outer second areas, namely has a smaller recess.

The stepped webs 9 each have a width of approximately 25% of the extent of the piston 1 in a transverse direction, the width being measured from the approach of the web 9 on the inner flow channel to the outer edge in a first area 10. The second areas 11 have a transition area 13 at the ends that face the adjacent first area 10. The transition region 13 is inclined relative to a connecting line of the first regions 10, namely at an angle of approximately 55 °. The outward-facing edge between a first area 10 and a second area 11 is also rounded to further reduce the friction of the piston 1 in a piston chamber.

When assembled, the piston 1 is arranged in a piston chamber 14, which is cylindrical and in Fig. 2 is shown in simplified form in cross section. It can be seen that the first areas 10 touch a wall 15 of the piston chamber 14, while the second areas 11 are spaced from this wall 15. The two left first areas 10 are in direct contact with the wall 15, which can also include a lubricant introduced between the first area 10 and the wall 15. A small distance can be seen between the two right first areas 10 and the wall 15. This configuration makes it easier to pull out the piston 1 from a closed position into a working position. Specifically, this reduces the pull-out forces without affecting the stability of the tap.

Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a tap 16, which includes a sleeve 17, a piston 1 and an outlet button 18. The sleeve 17 can be inserted into a container wall 19 (shown here in simplified form) of a beverage container. The container wall 19 defines a capacity 20, which is designed to hold a beverage, for example beer. The piston 1 is adapted to the piston chamber 14 in such a way that the piston 1 can be at least partially accommodated in the piston chamber 14 and that the outer edges of the first regions 10 touch a wall of the piston chamber 14. The outlet button 18 is designed to be pivotable via the axis of rotation 7.

When piston 1 and outlet head 18 are completely pushed into piston chamber 14, piston 1 is in a closed position. When the piston 1 is pulled out into a working position, a drink contained in the capacity 20 can flow through an inflow opening 21 on the sleeve 17 and the Inlet opening 2 enters the inner flow channel 4 and reaches the outlet opening 3. If the outlet button 18 is in a locking position (as in Fig. 4 shown), the drink cannot reach a removal opening 22 on the spout button 18. If the outlet button 18 is pivoted downwards about the axis of rotation 7 into a removal position, the drink passes from the outlet opening 3 to the removal opening 22 and can thus be removed from the capacity 20 of the beverage container.

A freshness seal 23 can also be seen, which includes a button 24 and a connecting web 25. The button 24 is not reversibly inserted into an associated receptacle (not shown) in the outlet button 18. As a result, the piston 1 can only be brought from the closed position into the working position by destroying the connecting web 25, whereby opening of the beverage container can be easily recognized.

With regard to further advantageous embodiments of the teaching according to the invention, in order to avoid repetition, reference is made to the general part of the description and to the attached claims.

Finally, it should be expressly pointed out that the exemplary embodiment described above only serves to discuss the claimed teaching, but does not limit it to the exemplary embodiment.

Reference symbol list

1

Pistons

2

Entry opening

3

Exit opening

4

internal flow channel

5

inlet side seal

6

outlet side seal

7

Axis of rotation

8.8'

web

9

stepped bridge

10

first area

11

second area

12

Central axis

13

Transition area

14

Piston chamber

15

Wall of the piston chamber

16

tap

17

sleeve

18

outlet head

19

container wall

20

capacity

21

Inlet opening

22

removal opening

23

Freshness seal

24

Button

25

connecting bridge

26

cutting line

Claims (15)

1. Piston for a dispensing tap for removing a drink from a container, preferably beer from a beer cask, in a particularly preferred manner beer from a 5L party beer cask, comprising an inner flow channel (4), an inlet opening (2) and an outlet opening (3), wherein the inner flow channel (4) is formed in the piston (1) and to direct the drink from the inlet opening (3) to the outlet opening (4), and wherein the piston (1) has at an outer side a plurality of webs (8, 8', 9),
   characterised in that at least one of the plurality of webs (8, 8') is in the form of a stepped web (9), wherein the at least one stepped web (9) has a plurality of first regions (10) and at least a second region (11) which is arranged between adjacent first regions (10), wherein the plurality of first regions (10) are constructed, when the piston (1) is arranged in a piston chamber (14), to touch a wall (15) of the piston chamber (14), and wherein the at least one second region (11) is in the form of a recess relative to the plurality of first regions (10) in each case.
2. Piston according to claim 1, characterised in that the plurality of webs (8, 8', 9) extend in a longitudinal direction of the piston (1) and/or in a transverse direction of the piston (1), wherein the at least one stepped web (9) preferably extends in a longitudinal direction of the piston (1) .
3. Piston according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, in the case of a plurality of second regions (11), the recesses of at least two of the plurality of second regions (11) are constructed identically.
4. Piston according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that, in the case of a plurality of second regions (11), the recesses of at least two of the plurality of second regions (11) are constructed differently.
5. Piston according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that outwardly facing edges of the plurality of first regions (10) are located on a straight line or a circle, wherein in the case of a straight line the straight line is preferably arranged parallel with a centre axis (12) of the piston (1) and wherein, in the event of a circle, the circle preferably has a centre on the centre axis (12) of the piston (1).
6. Piston according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that an outwardly facing edge is arranged in the plurality of first regions (10) and an outwardly facing edge is arranged in the at least one second region (11) in each case parallel or coaxial with each other.
7. Piston according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the at least one second region (11) has at an end facing a first region (10) a transitions region (13), wherein an outwardly facing edge of the transition region (13) brings about a preferably continuous transition between adjacent first and second regions (10, 11), wherein the outwardly facing edge of the transition region (13) is preferably inclined at an angle between 30° and 70° relative to a connection line of the first regions (10).
8. Piston according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that an outwardly facing edge is rounded between a first region (10) and a second region (11).
9. Piston according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that an enveloping surface is formed cylindrically around the piston (1).
10. Piston according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the webs (8, 8', 9) have a width between 5% and 45% of an extent of the piston (1) in a transverse direction of the piston (1), preferably have a width between 15% and 35% of an extent of the piston (1) in a transverse direction of the piston (1).
11. Piston according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that a first web and a second web intersect with each other in a line of section (26), wherein the first web and/or the second web is/are a stepped web and wherein one of the first regions of the stepped web is arranged in the region of the line of section (26).
12. Dispensing tap for removing a drink from a container, preferably beer from a beer cask, in a particularly preferred manner beer from a 5L party beer cask, comprising a sleeve (17) and a piston (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the piston (1) is arranged at least partially in a piston chamber (14) of the sleeve (17), wherein in the sleeve (17) there is formed an inflow opening (21) via which the drink can flow into the piston chamber (14), wherein the plurality of first regions (10) of the at least one stepped web (9) touch a wall (15) of the piston chamber (14), whilst the at least one second region (11) is spaced apart from the wall (15) of the piston chamber (14).
13. Dispensing tap according to claim 12, characterised in that the dispensing tap (16) has a discharge head (18) having a removal opening (22), wherein the discharge head (18) can be pivoted between a locking position and a removal position, and wherein the discharge head (18) is adapted to the piston (1) in such a manner that in the removal position the drink can flow from the outlet opening (3) to the removal opening (22) .
14. Dispensing tap according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the piston (1) is constructed so as to be able to be displaced in the piston chamber (14) between a closure position and a working position in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve (17), wherein the sleeve (17) and the piston (1) are adapted to each other in such a manner that in the working position the drink can flow through the inflow opening (21) into the inlet opening (2).
15. Container for a drink, preferably a beer cask, in a particularly preferred manner a 5L party beer cask, wherein at least one container wall (19) defines a volume capacity (20) within the container and wherein there is guided through one of the at least one container walls (19) a dispensing tap (16) according to any one of claims 12 to 14 which enables removal of a drink from the volume capacity (20).

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