GB2304701A

GB2304701A - Valved adaptor for a pressure barrel

Info

Publication number: GB2304701A
Application number: GB9517338A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Paul Hughes
Original assignee: ZYGO
Current assignee: ZYGO
Priority date: 1995-08-24
Filing date: 1995-08-24
Publication date: 1997-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2015-08-24
Also published as: GB2304701B; GB9517338D0

Abstract

An adaptor for a pressure barrel for eg beer allows liquid [eg beer draining down from the dispensing pipe work], to flow back into the barrel. The device comprises a conduit 14 for liquid from an inlet 16. Above the inlet 16 is preferably a funnel. The device may be attached to the barrel via a standard coupling 39, which has a gas conduit 46. The device also houses a valve, such as ball 28 which in the solid line position shown will allow fluid to run from the funnel into the barrel past the ball via holes 32,34. This is the situation when the gas has been released from the barrel. When the barrel is pressurised and the device is attached pressurised fluid will cause the ball to rise in the conduit and seat against the inlet 16 as shown in dotted outline, thus preventing escape of the fluid. When gas is released via 46 and the pressure drops to ambient the ball falls to allow ingress of fluid.

Description

ADAPTOR FOR A BARREL This invention relates to an adaptor for a barrel 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 an inlet for liquid and means for attachment to a connecting head capable of opening the barrel to the flow of liquid, the device defining a conduit for liquid whereby, in use, the liquid can flow from the inlet through the connecting head into the barrel, wherein the device houses a valve which shuts the conduit to the flow of liquid when the conduit is exposed to pressurised fluid (i.e., gas and/or liquid) from within the barrel.

The valve which is housed in the device reduces the chances of loss of fluid from within the barrel and of splashing the user of the device. The valve preferably comprises a ball biassed to a lower seat within the conduit to allow the passage of liquid into the barrel, the ball being movable under the effect of pressurised fluid from within the barrel to an upper position in which the conduit is closed.

Advantageously, the ball is biassed to the lower seat by gravity.

The device of the invention comprises means for attachment to a connecting head capable of opening the barrel to the flow of liquid, which preferably involves a screw-threaded engagement but can be of any suitable type. Preferred connecting heads include those having GRUNDY or SANKEY connection with the barrel and are well-known to those skilled in the art.

In order to be useful with the device of the invention, it is important that the connecting head should not contain a non-return valve (both on the gas inlet and on the liquid outlet) since the non-return valves would clearly prevent liquid from being added to the barrel. Thus, conventional connecting heads either without non-return valves or modified by removal of the non-return valves are suitable for use with the device of the invention.

The inlet for liquid preferably comprises a funnel for improved direction of the liquid into the barrel.

The invention also provides a kit of parts comprising a device of the invention and a connecting head capable of opening a pressure barrel to the flow of liquid.

The device of the invention is preferably suitable for use with beer (including lager and cider) casks or kegs.

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

With reference to Figure 1, a device 10 comprises a main body 12 which defines a conduit 14 for liquid from an inlet 16. The main body 12 is formed in three parts 18, 20, 22 which are attached by means of screw-thread arrangements with seals 24 and 26 preventing leakage of liquid through the joints.

The upper part 18 of the main body 12 is funnel-shaped to aid the addition of liquid through the inlet 16.

The conduit 14 houses a ball 28 which rests on a seat 30 and allows liquid to pass through the conduit 14 around the ball 28 and through apertures 32 and 34.

The lower part 22 of the main body 12 has an attachment member 36 loosely, rotatably mounted on it.

The attachment member 36 has a screw-thread for attachment to the top of a conventional connecting head with a seal 38 inhibiting liquid loss from the joint.

In Figure 2, the device 10 of Figure 1 is illustrated attached to a conventional connecting head 39 which is shown in partial cross-section. The device 10 is attached to an upper part 40 of the connecting head 39. When the connecting head 39, with the device 10 attached, is connected to a pressure barrel, a handle 42 is used to open the valve on the barrel. If the barrel is pressurised, fluid (gas and/or liquid) from within the barrel forces the ball 28 from its seat 30 to an upper position 44 shown in broken lines whereby the inlet 16 and the conduit 14 are closed. The pressure within the barrel is then released via the connecting head 39 through an outlet 46. Once the pressure within the barrel has returned to ambient pressure, the ball 28 returns under gravity to the seat 30 and liquid may enter the inlet 14, pass through the conduit 14 and enter the barrel via the connecting head 39.

Claims

1. Device for allowing liquid to be added to a pressure barrel comprising an inlet for liquid and means for attachment to a connecting head capable of opening the barrel to the flow of liquid, the device defining a conduit for liquid whereby, in use, the liquid can flow from the inlet through the connecting head into the barrel, wherein the device houses a valve which shuts the conduit to the flow of liquid when the conduit is exposed to pressurised fluid from within the barrel.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a ball biassed to a lower seat within the conduit to allow the passage of liquid, the ball being movable under the effect of pressurised fluid from within the barrel to an upper position in which the conduit is closed.

3. Device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ball is biassed to the lower seat by gravity.

4. Device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the means for attachment is via a screwthreaded engagement.

5. Device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the inlet comprises a funnel.

6. Kit of parts comprising a device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a connecting head capable of opening a pressure barrel to the flow of liquid.

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