GB2292375A - Device for adding liquid to a barrel - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for allowing liquid to be added to a pressure barrel comprises a body having means for attachment to the barrel, means for opening a pressure valve on the barrel and an inlet for liquid, the body defining a conduit from the inlet to the interior of the barrel. The device avoids unnecessary waste by allowing liquid, such as a beverage, to be returned to a pressure barrel. The inlet may be in the form of a funnel (16 fig 1). A gas outlet 20 may be provided on the body. A closing member 30 may be provided responsive to pressure in the barrel such that it closes off the liquid inlet by seating against seat 32 until sufficient gas has been released through outlet 20 via passages 40 to allow the pressure within the barrel to fall and hence allow the closing member 30 to move away from seat 32 and allow liquid from the funnel into the barrel. Alternatively a ball valve may be used to close off the inlet until sufficient pressure has been released through outlet 20. <IMAGE>

Description

BARREL ADAPTOR This invention relates to a barrel adaptor and, in particular, to a device for allowing liquid to be added to a pressure barrel.

Beverages are often dispensed from a pressure barrel in which they are pressurised by a gas such as carbon dioxide or air. The barrel is usually some distance away from the point at which the beverage is dispensed and, therefore, a significant amount of the beverage is present in the tubes connecting the barrel to the point of dispensation. When the connecting tubes are cleaned, the beverage present in the tubes may be collected but is often discarded since it is not possible to return the beverage to the barrel through its pressure valve. The present invention aims to provide a device which allows liquid to be added to a pressure barrel and, therefore, permits a beverage to be returned to the barrel.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for allowing liquid to be added to a pressure barrel comprising a body having means for attachment to the barrel, means for opening a pressure valve on the barrel and an inlet for liquid, the body defining a conduit from the inlet to the interior of the barrel.

Preferably, the device comprises a gas outlet for releasing pressurised gas from within the barrel.

The gas ou-tlet is, advantageously, separate from the conduit for the liquid.

The conduit defined by the body preferably houses a valve which shuts the conduit to the flow of liquid when the conduit is exposed to pressurised gas and/or liquid from within the barrel. The pressure is then released solely through the gas outlet. The valve opens when the pressure in the barrel has reduced and allows liquid to be added to the barrel through the conduit. The valve preferably comprises a closing member movable along an upright chamber within the conduit between an upper seat in which the conduit is closed and a lower seat in which it is open. The closing member preferably returns to its lower seat under gravity.

The device of the invention may, advantageously, comprise means for opening and closing the communication of the conduit and/or the gas outlet with the interior of the barrel. This arrangement allows the device to be attached to the barrel before any pressurised gas within the barrel is released.

The means for opening a pressure valve on the barrel may be provided by the means for attachment to the barrel.

The device of the present invention is preferably suitable for use with barrels which are beer (including lager) casks or kegs.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 shows a side view of a device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a part cross-sectional side view of part of the device; and Figure 3 shows a side view of a device according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows device 10 having body 12.

Means for attachment (not shown) of the body to a pressure barrel to open a pressure valve on the barrel are located at the lower part 14 of body 12. The connection between the body 10 and a barrel is typically a GRUNDY or SANKEY connection and suitable mechanisms for engagement of the body with the barrel will be well-known to those skilled in the art from conventional pressure keg connectors. Funnel 16 is a screw thread engagement with top end 18 of body 12 and, in use, beverage is poured into the funnel 16 to pass through body 12 into the barrel.

Gas outlet 20 is formed as part of body 12 and communicates with the interior of the barrel when the device 10 is attached to the barrel. Handle 22 is pivotally mounted on body 12 and acts via a mechanism (not shown) within the body to open or close communication of top end 18 and outlet 20 with the barrel.

Figure 2 shows closing member 30 (not shown in cross-section) which moves between upper seat 32 and lower seat 34 within conduit 36. Closing member 30 has an upper part 38 (which may be made of rubber material) which provides a seal with seat 32. Closing member 30 may, alternatively, be ball shaped and may be made of any suitable material. When device 10 is attached to a pressurised barrel, movement of handle 22 to an open position causes closure member 30 to move up conduit 36 under the pressure of the gas and/or liquid remaining in the barrel to a position in which upper part 38 seals conduit 36 by abutment with seat 32. Gas is then released through outlet 20 by communication with the barrel via passages 40.When the gas has been released and the pressure reduced, closing member 30 drops down to rest on seat 34 and opens conduit 36 to allow liquid to flow from funnel 16 past closing member 30 and into the barrel.

Figure 3 depicts a variant of the device shown in Figure 1 which includes a connecting member 50 located between top end 18 and funnel 16 and housing a ball valve (not shown). The ball valve may be moved between open and closed positions using handle 52 which is pivotally mounted on connecting member 50.

Attaching device 10 to the pressure barrel with the ball valve in a closed position ensures that all of the pressure within the barrel is released through outlet 20. When the pressure has been released, the ball valve can be opened to allow liquid from funnel 16 to pass through body 18 into the barrel.

Variations and modifications of the specific embodiment of the invention described above will be apparent to the skilled person and are within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (8)

1. A device for allowing liquid to be added to a pressure barrel comprising a body having means for attachment to the barrel, means for opening a pressure valve on the barrel and an inlet for liquid, the body defining a conduit from the inlet to the interior of the barrel.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a gas outlet for releasing pressurised gas from within the barrel.

3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the conduit houses a valve which shuts the conduit to the flow of liquid when the conduit is exposed to pressurised gas and/or liquid from within the barrel.

4. Device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the valve comprises a closing member movable along an upright chamber within the conduit between an upper seat in which the conduit is closed and a lower seat in which it is open.

5. Device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising means for opening and closing the communication of the conduit and/or the gas outlet with the interior of the barrel.

6. Device as claimed in claim 5, comprising a ball valve for manually opening and closing the conduit.

7. Device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising a funnel for directing liquid to the inlet.

8. Device for allowing liquid to be added to a pressure barrel substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.