GB2212791A

GB2212791A - Method of keeping vessel contents under hygienic conditions

Info

Publication number: GB2212791A
Application number: GB8727436A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Henry Sparkes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-11-24
Filing date: 1987-11-24
Publication date: 1989-08-02
Also published as: GB8727436D0

Abstract

A barrier or filter 8 is provided between ambient air and the interior 4 of a drink dispensing vessel 3 so that air entering the vessel to replace drink drawn off is filtered against external pollution. A valve 7 may be omitted so as to avoid cavitation. <IMAGE>

Description

METHOD OF KEEPING KEG CONTENTS UNDER HYGIENIC CONDITIONS.

The problem of oxidization and air-borne bacteria affecting the contents of a keg or vessel used for dispensing drink from a bulk source where a system of carbon dioxide for blanketing is undesirable is the sublect of previous Applications Nos. 8629213 and 8712763.

It may be considered, in cases where the contents of aL air vented bulk storage vessel or keg is fully dispensed within a limited time, that the level of oxidization of the contents may be acceptable to the consumer. However, the lapse in hygienic control may not be quite so apparent with such a method of dispensing from the said air vented vessel or keg when other conditions are considered. Where, for example, a keg of cinder or ale is placed upon a bar counter for display and sale in a public place that is congested, the atmosphere in close proximity to the said keg is likely to be highly contaminated by tobacco smoke, bad breath, germs from coughs and sneezes, etc., the keg is seen to be sealed and well protected from the said polluted atmoshpere.

It is desirable to keep the keg sealed from outside atmosphere to reduce the effect of oxidization of it's contents, but it maD not be obvious that when, essentially, the said keg has to be vented to cause the brewed liquor to flow freely from the dispensing tap, --the said contaminated atmosphere will be force drain into the said keg by suction in consequence to the partial vacuum within the said keg created by the drawing off of the contents. The said contaminated atmosphere will come into contact with the brewed liquor within the keg, where it will remain until the said keg is exhausted. This forced entry of contaminated air into the keg is repeated every time the keg is essentially vented throughout dispensing, and the said air being turbulent as it is drawn into the keg will aggravate the situation.It will thus be seen that the described comnon practice of dispensing a brewed liquor from an air vented vessel or keg is unhygienic and falls far short of general standards demanded in the interest of hygiene in other areas relating to the handling and sale of food and drink.

The object of the present invention is to prevent contaminated air from entering a keg of brew in which blanketing by carbon dioxide is undesirable, and thus ensure that the keg contents are kept under hygienic conditions whilst being dispensed in a foul atmosphere as might exist within a crowded bar or public place.

A specific embodiment of the invention, by way of example with reference to Sig l, in which an air filter (1) is fitted to the cap (2) of a partially filled keg (3) of brew (4) is presented for dispensing over a period of time, and internal venting to atmosphere is necessary to allow the brew to flow freely from the dispensing tap (5).

Then venting becomes necessary to relieve cavitation within cavity (6), and hence to restore free flow from the dispensing tap (5), apovlication of valve control (7) will comeunicate and allow the free passage of outside atmosphere to within the keg (3), having passed.through element (8). The said element (8) ill cleanse all atmosphere before the said atmosphere will enter the keg (3) and come into contact with the brew (4), thus ensuring that the keg contents will be kept under hygienic conditions throughout dispensing. It will be understood that the space above the brew (4) cavity (6) inside the keg (3) could be vented to atmosphere at all times through the filter (1) and not, necessarily, vented only when free flow from the dispensing tap (5) is prevented by cavitation within the cavity (6)* This said method of dispensing with the keg interior vented to atmosphere via the filter at all times could be preferable since the filter element will act as a barrier and restrict the. free circulation of air from outside the keg to the keg interior when the pressure within the keg is in balance with the outside atmosphere causing the generation and relieving of cavitation to be less severe, but, essentially, venting the keg interior to outside atmosphere must be through some form of filter to maintain hygiene within the keg.

Claims

CLAIMS.

1. To provide for a means of introducing a barrier or filter between ambient air or atnosphere and the interior of a drink dispensing vessel such that the said air entering the keg to replace brew draw off will be filtered against external pollutian.

2. A filter constructed as in Claim 1 that will allow for a restricted flow of air to within a keg or drink dispensing vessel to avoid cavitation.

3. A filter as in Claims 1 and 2 in which the body- of the filter is integral with the keg cap.

4. A filter as in Claims 1 and 2 in which the body of the filter is remote from and filters air to one or Liore kegs or drink dispensing vessels.