GB2060104A

GB2060104A - Improvements in or Relating to Apparatus for Gassing Liquids

Info

Publication number: GB2060104A
Application number: GB7929291A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Gard J E
Current assignee: Gard J E
Priority date: 1979-08-22
Filing date: 1979-08-22
Publication date: 1981-04-29
Also published as: GB2060104B

Abstract

A gas valve actuator for gassing liquids from a gas bottle having an externally threaded neck in which is fitted a valve having a valve obturator depressible for effecting release of gas from the bottle comprises a generally cylindrical metal body 1 having defined in one end an internally threaded recess 2 the bottom of which forms a seat 3 for an annular sealing washer 4 into the centre of which is arranged to project an actuator pin 6, the actuator pin being fitted within a bore which extends coaxially of the recess through the body from the seat to the end thereof remote the recess, the inside diameter of the sealing washer and the outside dimension of the pin being such that the pin is spaced apart from the washer, there being provided a passageway to permit of gas flow through the bore, the construction of the actuator being such that the threaded portion of the body may be screwed onto the neck of a gas bottle so as to effect a seal between the neck and the sealing washer and whereby the valve obturator is depressed by the pin consequent upon further screw action after sealing as aforesaid has been effected, thereby to release gas from the bottle so that it passes through the body portion via the passageway for liquid gassing purposes. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements In or Relating To Apparatus for Gassing Liquids This invention relates to apparatus for gassing liquids and more especially it relates to apparatus for gassing home-brewed beer.

It is convenient to store home brewed beer in a barrel sold for this purpose which is provided with a tap. In order to gas beer stored in this way it is desirable to use CO2 from a commercially available gas bottle herein defined as being a bottle having an externally threaded neck in which is fitted a valve having a valve obturator depressable for effecting release of gas from the bottle.

Apparatus is already available for gassing beer from gas bottles of the kind defined and comprises two parts coaxially assembled, the outer of the two parts being internally threaded and screwed in sealing engagement against the neck of the bottle and the inner part being slidable within the outer part for depressing the valve obturator in the neck of the bottle to release the gas for the beer through a passageway in the inner part. This known arrangement is relatively expensive to produce and has the additional disadvantage that a gas tight seal must be maintained between the two coaxially assembled parts.

According to the present invention a gas valve actuator for gassing liquids from a gas bottle of the kind defined comprises a generally cylindrical metal body portion having defined in one end thereof an internally threaded recess the bottom of which forms a seat for an annular sealing washer into the centre of which is arranged to project an actuator pin, the actuator pin being fitted within a bore which extends coaxially of the recess through the body portion from the seat to the end thereof remote the recess, the inside diameter of the sealing washer and the outside dimension of the pin being such that the pin is spaced apart from the washer, there being provided a passageway to permit of gas flow through the bore, the construction of the apparatus being such that the threaded portion of the body may be screwed on to the neck of a gas bottle of the kind defined so as to effect a seal between the neck and the sealing washer, and whereby the valve obturator is depressed by the pin, consequent upon further screw action after sealing as aforesaid has been effected, thereby to release gas from the bottle so that it passes through the body portion via the passageway for liquid gassing purposes.

The passageway may be provided in the pin.

The pin may be a hollow tube split to define a tube of generally C-shaped cross section. The pin thus fabricated may be made of steel which is springy ar. i which therefore facilitates a force fit of the pin within the bore.

The end of the hollow pin which makes contact with the valve obturator in the bottle may have fitted therein a relatively soft stud which will not damage the valve obturator.

The stud may for example comprise an aluminium rivet which is force fitted into the end of the hollow split pin.

The sealing washer may comprise a rubber grommet.

The end of the body remote the recess may be drilled to form a further recess in which is received a sealing ring for sealing against the nozzle of a gas inlet nozzle fitted to the screw top of a liquid container.

Alternatively this end of the body may be provided with a nozzle for insertion into the complementary recess of a gas inlet valve fitted to the screw top of a liquid container.

The apparatus may comprise a combination of the said actuator and a gas inlet nozzle for fitting to the screw top of a liquid container. In this latter case the inlet valve may comprise a Schraeder type valve in combination with a pressure release valve. One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sectional side view of a gas valve actuator for gassing liquids from a gas bottle of the kind defined, and wherein, Figure 2 is an inlet nozzle and valve for fitting to the screw top of a liquid container.

Referring now to the drawings the gas valve actuator comprises a body 1 having defined in one end thereof an internally threaded recess 2 the bottom of which defines a seat 3 for a sealing washer 4 comprising a rubber grommet. The body portion is fabricated from aluminium rod which may be knurled to facilitate screwing on of the actuator to the complementary threads of the neck of a gas bottle of the kind defined. The body 1 is bored to provide a hole 5 in which is fitted a steel pin 6 longitudinally split and force fitted in the hole 5. Such pins are commercially available and described as Groverlock pins. The pin 6 is arranged to project in spaced apart relationship within the washer 4 and the end of the pin is shielded by means of an aluminium rivet 7 which is force fitted into the end which projects within the washer 4.The end of the body portion 1 remote from the screw threaded recess 2 is bored to provide a hole 8 for receiving a gas inlet nozzle which is fitted to the screw top of a beer barrel container. In order to provide a seal between the nozzle and the body an O-ring washer 9 is positioned at the bottom of the hole 8.

In use, the body portion 1 is screwed to the neck of a gas cylinder of the kind defined so that the washer 4 makes good sealing contact against the neck of the bottle. By screwing the body portion 1 still further on to the neck, the rivet 7 fitted in the pin 5 is constrained to operate the valve obturator of the gas bottle whereby gas is released from the bottle to pass through the split in the pin along the pin 6 and out through the hole 8. In practice when the gas release operation is carried out a nozzle fitted to the screw top of a beer container will be entered into the hole 8 so that gas passes through a valve in the nozzle to gas beer within the container.

Turning now to Figure 2 an inlet nozzle for fitting to the screw top of a beer storage container is shown which comprises a body portion 10 made of aluminium which is externally threaded at one end 1 1 to receive a nut 12, the end 11 being inserted in use through a hole in the centre of the screw top of a beer container and the nozzle being secured to the screw top by means of the nut 1 2. An O-ring sealing washer 13 is provided which is received in an annular channel at the threaded end of the body portion 10.

Within the body portion 10 to a Schraeder type valve is assembled comprising a nylon tube 14 which is a force fit within a drilled passage 1 4a in the body 10, the tube 14 serving to retain a spring 15 in compression against a rivet 16 which supports a sealing ring 17. The sealing ring provides a seal against a sealing face 18 of the passage 1 4a, due to action of the spring 1 5. In use of the inlet nozzle an end face 1 9 of the nozzle is entered into the hole 8 of the gas valve actuator of Figure 1 and brought into contact with the O-ring 9 so that a seal is produced therebetween. Gas released from a cylinder of the kind defined by the valve actuator of Figure 1 breaks the seal between the O-ring 17 and the sealing face 18 to pass through the nylon tube 18 into a container to which the inlet nozzle is fitted.

In order to provide for the release of excessive pressure within the container due to fermentation or when gassing the liquid a flexible sealing sleeve 20 is provided which fits tightly around the body portion 10 to cover a pressure release vent 21 which communicates with the passageway through the body portion 10. Release of pressure via the vent 21 is facilitated by means of a groove 22 which encircles the body portion 10 beneath the sealing sleeve 20 and thus when the vent 21 is exposed to excessive pressure, gas escapes via the vent 20 and groove 22.

It is envisaged that apparatus for gassing home brewed beer will comprise the combination of an inlet nozzle as described with reference to Figure 2 and a gas valve actuator as described with reference to Figure 1.

Claims

1. A gas valve actuator for gassing liquids from a gas bottle of the kind defined comprising a metal body portion having defined in one end thereof an internally threaded recess the bottom of which forms a seat for an annular sealing washer into the centre of which is arranged to project an actuator pin, the actuator pin being fitted within a bore which extends coaxially of the recess through the body portion from the seat to the end thereof remote the recess, the inside diameter of the sealing washer and the outside dimension of the pin being such that the pin is spaced apart from the washer there being provided a passageway to permit of gas flow through the bore, the construction of the apparatus being such that the threaded portion of the body may be screwed on to the neck of a gas bottle of the kind defined so as to effect a seal between the neck and the sealing washer, and whereby the valve obturator is depressed by the pin consequent upon further screw action after sealing as aforesaid has been effected, thereby to release gas from the bottle so that it passes through the body portion via the passageway for liquid gassing purposes.

2. A gas valve actuator as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the passageway is provided in the pin.

3. A gas valve actuator as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the pin is a hollow tube split to define a tube of generally Cshaped cross section.

4. A gas valve actuator as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pin is made of spring steel and fabricated so as to facilitate a force fit of the pin within the bore.

5. A gas valve actuator as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein one end of the pin which makes contact with the valve obturator in the bottle has fitted therein a stud which is soft enough not to damage the valve obturator.

6. A gas valve actuator as claimed in claim 5 wherein the stud comprises an aluminium rivet which is force fitted into one end of the pin.

7. A gas valve actuator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sealing washer comprises a rubber grommet.

8. A gas valve actuator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the end of the body remote the recess is drilled to form a further recess in which is received a sealing ring for sealing against the nozzle of a gas inlet nozzle fitted to the screw top of a liquid container.

9. A gas valve actuator as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the body is provided with a nozzle for insertion into the complementary recess of a gas inlet valve fitted to the screw top of a liquid container.

10. A gas valve actuator as claimed in claim 9 wherein the inlet valve comprises a Schraeder type valve in combination with a pressure release valve.

1 A gas valve actuator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A gas valve actuator as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with an inlet nozzle and valve substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2.