WO2007091887A1

WO2007091887A1 - Method and apparatus for distributing beverage

Info

Publication number: WO2007091887A1
Application number: PCT/NL2007/050048
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christoph Kreyenberg
Original assignee: Heineken Supply Chain B.V.
Priority date: 2006-02-08
Filing date: 2007-02-07
Publication date: 2007-08-16
Also published as: EP1991494A1; NL1031105C2; AU2007212818A1

Abstract

A method for distributing beverage, wherein beverage is introduced into an inner space of a container through a filling opening, after which the filling opening is closed by a stop and the container is conveyed to a user, wherein by the user an adapter is inserted into the filling opening, whereby the filling opening is closed, which adapter comprises a riser tube which is inserted into the inner space, while the adapter furthermore comprises a gas inlet opening which is set into communication with said inner space, wherein the gas inlet opening is connected, by means of at least one connecting line, to air supply means, and the riser tube is connected on the outside of the container to a tapping line, which tapping line is set into communication with tapping means, wherein the air supply means are switched on, whereby the beverage is pressurized and is passed via the riser tube into the tapping line, for dispensing beverage using the tapping means and/or into the tapping cock.

Description

Method and apparatus for distributing beverage.

The invention relates to a method for distributing beverage. It is well known to distribute beverage, particularly carbonated beverage and more particularly beer, in a beverage container, typically manufactured from metal_* provided with a circumferential wall, a bottom and an upper face, with a tapping cock arranged in the circumferential wall near the bottom. In the upper face, a filling opening is then provided which, after filling of the beverage container, is closed by a stop. Such a stop is for instance a plastic plug which is pushed into the filling opening.

After the beverage container has been filled with the beverage and has been closed with the stop, it is conveyed to the end user, possibly via distributive traders where the container is temporarily stored. By the end user the tapping cock, pushed-back into the container and in closed position, is pulled out from it and then opened, so that beverage can be tapped from the inner space of the container under the influence of gravity. Such a beverage container has the advantage of being simple in use and relatively inexpensive. It is a disadvantage, however, that tapping proceeds solely under the influence of gravity. As a result, the tapping pressure will be relatively low and moreover become progressively lower according as the beverage container is progressively emptied. Moreover, the beverage container will have to be set up such that a glass can be held under the tapping cock, which means that the beverage container needs to be placed, for instance, on the edge of the table, which is disadvantageous in view of safety and convenience of use.

The object of the invention is to provide a method for distributing beverage, in particular carbonated beverage such as beer. Such a method is characterized according to the invention by the features according to claim 1. In a method according to the invention, in the manner described in the introductory portion, a beverage container is formed, filled with beverage through the filling opening in the upper face and then closed by fitting a stop in the filling opening. However, in contrast with the known method and apparatus, an adapter is made available to the user which can be placed in the filling opening after the stop has been taken out of it. The adapter is provided with a riser tube which is inserted into the inner space of the beverage container, preferably as far as a point near the bottom thereof, while a tapping line on the side of the adapter held outside the beverage container has been or is to be connected to the riser tube. Also, by the adapter a communication with the inner space of the container is formed, via a gas inlet opening, to which gas inlet opening a connecting line has been or is to be connected.

In a method according to the invention, a beverage container of the type described in the introductory portion can be used in at least three different manners to be chosen by the user and optionally even to be combined.

Firstly, the tapping cock near the bottom can be opened to allow the beverage to flow out by gravity. Secondly, a pump or other source of a pressure gas, in particular for instance air, can be connected to the connecting line, so that the inner space of the beverage container and hence the beverage can be pressurized, after which the tapping cock can be opened for dispensing the beverage under pressure. In a comparable manner, the inner space and hence the beverage in the beverage container can be pressurized, whereupon beverage can be dispensed via the riser tube and the dispensing line. In this way, the additional disadvantage of the known beverage container that it needs to be set up in a particular manner to allow a glass to be held under the tapping cock, can be obviated. By regulating the pressure in the inner space, for instance the foaming behavior of the beverage can be controlled. Moreover, a desired pressure can be maintained in the inner space at all times, regardless of the extent of filling. The adapter moreover affords the advantage that in the use of the tapping cock for tapping under the influence of gravity, an equalization of pressure above the beverage can be obtained, so that a stable tapping behavior is preserved during dispensing of the beverage.

It is noted that tapping devices are known for pressurized dispensing of beverage, in particular beer, using a beverage container whose inner space is pressurized by introducing a pressure gas therein. Such devices are for instance offered under the name of Beertender^® by Heineken^®, the Netherlands, and under the name of PerfectDraft^®, by Philips, the Netherlands and InBev, Belgium. These beverage containers are based on the Bag-in-Container type and can only dispense beverage by means of a special tapping device, via a valve assembly with riser tube and gas inlet opening, fixedly included in the beverage container, and hence allow only one possibility of use.

Furthermore, in FE1255526 a tapping device is described involving the use of a container open at the top which a user can take to a pub to be filled with beer. Then the container is closed by a cover through which a riser tube is inserted centrally. A flexible tapping line links up with the riser tube, for dispensing the beer. Remote from the riser tube, in the cover, a coupling has been screwed to which an end of a supply line has been connected, which at its other end is coupled to an air pump of a tapping device in which the container can be included. It also holds for this beverage container that it can only be used with the aid of the specific tapping device, in only one manner.

In the use of the adapter according to the invention for dispensing the beverage via the riser tube and tapping line, the beverage container can be inserted in a tapping device in which it is substantially entirely enclosed and, for instance, only the tapping line reaches outside the tapping device or is inserted in a tapping cock or the like or is connected thereto so that beverage can be dispensed. The tapping device can. then comprise for instance cooling means, as well as, for instance, a pump for pumping air into the inner space of the beverage container. The tapping cock near the bottom can then the held in the closed position and does not binder placement in a tapping device.

The invention furthermore relates to an assembly of a beverage container and tapping means, characterized by the features according to claim 12.

Such an assembly affords a user the advantage that he can choose from different ways of tapping the beverage, depending, for instance, on the user's personal preferences, the available space for setting up the beverage container, availability of, for instance, electric current, cooling means and the like, the location where the beverage is to be tapped or, for instance, the nature of the beverage in the container.

An advantage of an assembly according to the invention can furthermore be that the adapter can be reused and that a brewer or bottling plant can utilize a standard filling line for filling the beverage containers and closing them. In this way, the costs can be kept relatively low.

Moreover, in this way the advantage is achieved that the user himself can choose in what manner tapping is going to be done.

The invention further relates to an adapter for use in a method or assembly according to the invention. To clarify the invention, embodiments thereof will be further elucidated with reference to the drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows in partly sectional side elevation an assembly according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows in partly sectional side elevation a beverage container for use in an assembly according to Fig. 1, with filling opening closed by a stop, and closed, pushed-back tapping cock;

Fig. 3 shows in partly sectional side elevation a beverage container according to Fig. 2, with pulled-out tapping cock and inserted adapter;

Fig. 4 shows in partly sectional side elevation a beverage container with adapter according to the invention, placed in a tapping device;

Fig. 5 shows an adapter for use in an assembly according to the invention; Fig. 6 shows in partly sectional side elevation an upper part of a container with an adapter in an alternative embodiment; and

Fig. 7 shows in top plan view an adapter according to Fig. 6. In this description, the same or corresponding parts have the same or corresponding reference numerals. The invention is not in any way limited to the embodiments shown by way of example only. Variations thereon are possible. The embodiments shown are only schematic.

Fig. 1 shows in sectional side elevation an assembly 1 according to the invention, comprising a beverage container 2, an adapter 3 and a pump 4. The beverage container 2 comprises a bottom 5, a circumferential wall 6 and an upper face 7, for instance manufactured from steel, aluminum, tin, plastic or a like material or combinations thereof. Provided in the circumferential wall 6, near the bottom 5, is a tapping cock 8, with which beverage can be tapped from the inner space 10. The tapping cock 8 can be put away largely within the beverage container 2 in a first position as shown in Fig. 2, and be pulled out to a second position as shown in Fig. 3 so that it can be operated from the outside of the beverage container 2. Such beverage containers 2 are known from the prior art and are supplied for instance as a 5-liter keg by Amstel^®, the Netherlands, Warsteiner^®, Germany, Beck's^®, Germany, and many others, in all kinds of variations. Such a beverage container 2 is conventionally filled with beverage, in particular beer, through a filling opening 11 situated centrally in the upper face 7. This filling opening has for instance a circular shape with a diameter of a few centimeters. In particular, such a filling opening has a diameter between 2 and 8 cm and preferably between 2.5 and 5 cm, for instance approximately 3 cm. Existing filling devices are set for such dimensions. Such a size of the opening affords a sufficiently large filling opening to allow the beverage container to be filled relatively fast with the desired amount of beverage, while especially in the case of carbonated beverage the advantage is obtained that the pressure on the stop 12 that is inserted into the filling opening 11 after the beverage has been introduced into the inner space 10 can be readily borne by the stop 12 when it is secured, for instance clamped or screwed, in the filling opening 11.

With the tapping cock 8 in the first position and the stop 12 in the filling opening 11, and filled with the beverage 9, the beverage container 2 is conveyed to a user, for instance a consumer, with or without intermediacy of one or more distributive traders where the beverage container is stored for some time. The inner space 10 is closed by the stop 12 and the tapping cock 8, so that the beverage remains clean and does not oxidize. A user can set up the beverage container 2 on a table surface, in a cooling device or otherwise, resting on the bottom 5. The stop 12 is then placed at the top. Next, the user can choose the manner in which he wishes to tap the beverage. For instance, he can leave the stop 12 as it is, and open the tapping cock for dispensing beverage through gravity. He can also use an adapter 13 which can be inserted into the filling opening 11 and secured therein, as will be described hereinafter. To that end, the stop 12 can be pulled out of the filling opening 11 or be pierced by the adapter.

The adapter 13 in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 3 has a body 14 which is slightly frustoconical towards a bottom face 15. The cross section of the body 14 in a central area between the bottom face 15 and an opposite top face 16 is such that the filling opening 11 is thereby closed, ie. when the body is inserted in the filling opening, it abuts against the edge of the filling opening all around. Preferably, the outer surface of the body is roughened or provided with ridges 17 and/or slightly stepped and/or slightly flexible, for instance by means of an elastic outer surface, so that clamping and/or form closure in the filling opening is obtained for locking the body 14, such that it can be removed again, preferably without damage, but is not pushed away by pressure, for instance of a few bars, operatively occurring in the beverage container. Optionally, clamping means may be provided, such as clamping fingers that can be pulled clear, which engage under the upper face 7 of the beverage container. Through the body 14 of the adapter 13 extends a riser tube 18, from a point just above the top face 16 to a point far below the bottom face 15. Preferably, the riser tube is slidable within the body, so that the relative position of the body 14 with respect to the riser tube 18 is settable, as schematically indicated by the body positions 14A and 14B represented partly in broken Hues. In this way, the length L of the riser tube under the body 14 can be set depending on the height H of the inner space of the beverage container 2, so that a lower free end 19 of the riser tube 18 can always be positioned near the bottom 5 for the purpose of completely emptying the beverage container 2. Through the body 14, next to the riser tube 18, extends a gas inlet opening 20, from a point in or near the top face 16 to a point in or near the bottom face 15. In this way, in the condition shown in Fig. 1, a communication is created between the inner space 10 and the surroundings, at least with a connecting line 21 which has been or can be connected to the gas inlet opening 20. In Hg. 1, this connecting line 21, which in the example shown is flexibly designed as a hose, is connected at a first end 22 to the gas inlet opening 20 and at the opposite end 23 to an air pump 4.

By installing the adapter 13 as shown in Fig. 1, and keeping the upper end of the riser tube closed, for instance by squeezing it shut with a squeeze cock or inserting a stop therein (not shown), air under pressure can be introduced into the inner space 10 with the air pump 4, so that an excess pressure can be set. Preferably, the pump 4 is provided with a pressure control, so that a pre-set pressure can be controlled and maintained. When subsequently the user opens the tapping cock 8, the beverage will flow out with a predetermined pressure, greater than gravity.

In an advantageous, alternative embodiment, there is connected to the upper end 24 of the riser tube 18 a dispensing tube 25, as a tapping line, which enables directed dispensing of beverage from the inner space 10, for instance by directing a free end 26 of the dispensing tube into a glass. The free end 26 may also be included in a cock 27 of a tapping device 28 as known or comparable to a tapping device as known from the Beertender^® or PerfectDraft^® as mentioned above. Thus, the dispensing tube 25 may be designed wholly or partly flexible, for instance as a hose, and be elastically squeezed shut using a clamping mechanism in the cock for shutting off the passage in the dispensing tube 25. By operating the handle 29 of the cock 27, the passage is then temporarily cleared, so that air pump-pressurized beverage is dispensed via the riser tube and the dispensing hose. In this way, a third tapping possibility is provided. In the last-described mode, preferably, first the passage is shut off in the dispensing tube before the inner space is pressurized. This prevents unintended and premature flow of the beverage. The pump 4 or comparable pumping means may be included in the tapping device 28 but may also comprise a loose pump, for instance an electric pump or a hand pump. Also, a user can, in principle, introduce pressure into the inner space by blowing. In a still further variant, air under pressure is introduced through the tapping cock 8 and tapping is done via the adapter.

In Figs. 6 and 7 an alternative embodiment of an adapter according to the invention is shown. In this embodiment, the upper face 7 of the container 2 has been folded (clinched) onto the circumferential wall 6, and the adapter 3 is provided with two wings 30 extending in opposite directions, which can be clamped around the folded edge 31. A body 14 is included between the wings 30, through which extend the riser tube 18 and the gas inlet opening 20 in the form of an air tube 34. In this embodiment, the body 14 has a substantially circular top plan view, with a cross section that is greater than that of the filling opening 11. At the underside operatively facing the container, an annular packing 32 is provided, made of a flexible material such as rubber, elastomer or the like. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 and 7, this packing 32 surrounds the filling opening 11 (at least in top plan view) and forms a substantially and preferably completely gastight seal against the upper face, at least at operatively normal pressures in the container, for instance up to a few bars, for instance up to 3 bars. The wings 30 are preferably made of slightly resilient design, so that through the resilient action of the wings 30 the packing is pressed against the upper face. Such a design provides the advantage, among others, that variations in the diameter of the filling opening can be more readily compensated and that a larger sealing surface is obtained.

Naturally, instead of resilient wings that need to be pressed over the edge of the container, other means can be used as well. The wings may for instance be provided with sliding parts that are pulled in the direction of the body by resilient elements, so that a substantially radial clamping force can be obtained. Also, the wings may be secured under or behind for instance protrusions such as grips, if provided on the container. In case a metal container is used, a magnetic attachment can be used, while further an adhesive ring might be used.

In a further embodiment, not shown, the stop 12 may be provided with pierceable openings through which the adapter, at least the riser tube and/or gas inlet opening, can be inserted. The stop 12 may then itself form the body of the adapter or at least a part thereof. A beverage container according to the invention is preferably used for beer but can also be used for other gas-containing beverages. Preferably, with respect to the surroundings, an excess pressure in the inner space 10 of approximately 0.4 to 1 bar is obtained. The tapping line or dispensing tube is preferably so long that it can be brought beyond the circumference of the beverage container and preferably has a length that is greater than the radius of the beverage container, for instance approximately the diameter of the beverage container.

The invention is not limited in any way to the exemplary embodiments represented in the description and drawings. Many variations thereon are possible within the framework of the invention. For instance, the adapter may be designed in one piece, i.e. integrally with at least the riser tube and possibly the connecting line and/or the dispensing hose. The riser tube is then preferably slightly flexible, so that it can be used in beverage containers of different heights. A valve may be provided at an end of the dispensing tube, for operation by the cock of a tapping device or by hand. In the adapter, a shutoff may be provided which shuts off the passage between the riser tube and the dispensing tube in a pre-set position and can be opened by a user for tapping beverage. For the adapter and the beverage container, other materials than mentioned can be used and the shape of the body may be adapted to a filling opening 11. Optionally, a set of adapters or parts thereof may be made available to a user, so that always a suitable body can be chosen, or washers or the like may be provided which can be arranged on or around the body for adjustment to a particular filling opening. These and many comparable embodiments are understood to fall within the framework of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for distributing beverage utilizing a container, which container has a circumferential wall, a bottom and an upper face, and is provided with a tapping cock in the circumferential wall near the bottom and is provided with a filling opening in the upper face, wherein beverage is introduced into an inner space of a container through said filling opening, after which the filling opening is closed by a stop and the container is conveyed to a user, wherein by the user an adapter is inserted into the filling opening, in particular after removal of the stop, whereby the filling opening is closed, which adapter comprises a riser tube which is inserted into the inner space, while the adapter furthermore comprises a gas inlet opening which is set into communication with said inner space, wherein the gas inlet opening is connected, by means of at least one connecting line, to air supply means, in particular an air pump, and the riser tube is connected on the outside of the container to a tapping line, which tapping line is set into communication with tapping means, wherein the air supply means are switched on, such that air is pumped into the inner space, whereby the beverage is pressuri∑ed and is passed via the riser tube into the tapping line, for dispensing beverage using the tapping means and/or into the tapping cock.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the container is inserted into a tapping device and the tapping line is inserted into a clamping mechanism of the tapping means, which tapping line can be opened and closed by a user with the aid of the clamping mechanism.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the clamping mechanism is provided on the tapping device.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the container can be inserted into the tapping device from an upper side and can be locked therein, while cooling means are provided in the tapping device for cooling of the container and beverage included therein.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter is inserted from the upper side into the filling opening, after removal of the stop, and is secured in the filling opening and/or on the container in particular by clamping and/or form closure and/or magnetism, such that the adapter seals the filling opening and the adapter is removable from the filling opening.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the adapter is removable from the filling opening substantially without damage of the container or the adapter, and can be reused.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter at least seals onto the upper face around the filling opening.

8. A method according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the adapter is secured on a longitudinal edge of the upper face and/or the circumferential wall.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tapping line is set into communication with the tapping means, such that the tapping line is closed, prior to pressurizing of the beverage in the container.

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump means are driven electrically.

11. A method according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the pump means are driven by hand.

12. An assembly of a container, a stop and an adapter, wherein: the container is provided with a circumferential wall, a bottom and an upper face^' and is provided with a tapping cock in the circumferential wall near the bottom and is provided with a fining opening in the upper face; the stop is arranged for sealing the filling opening after filling of the container; and the adapter is provided with a body for placement in or near the filling opening after removal of the stop, a riser tube which extends in or through said body and on a side of the body is coupled with or can be coupled with a tapping line, which tapping line is at least partly flexible and wherein a gas inlet opening extends through the body.

13. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein the body, on an outer circumference thereof, is provided with means for clamping or form closure in the filling opening and/or on the container.

14. An assembly according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the gas inlet opening terminates at a short distance under the body, next to the riser tube, and on the opposite side has been or can be connected with a supply line, which supply line is at least partly flexible.

15. An assembly according to any one of claims 12-14, wherein the adapter is provided with sealing means which in use abut against the upper face, around the filling opening, for forming or contributing to a gastight sealing.

16. An assembly according to claim 15, wherein the sealing means comprise a flexible ring which surrounds the filling opening.

17. An assembly according to any one of claims 12-16, wherein a valve is provided in or adjacent the riser tube, which valve can be opened by the dispensing line by pressing it at least partly into the body.

18. An assembly according to any one of claims 12-17, wherein the container is substantially cylindrical, with a height which extends between the bottom and the upper face and has a diameter, approximately at right angles to the longitudinal direction, that is smaller than the height, while the tapping line is longer than the supply line and has a length that is at least greater than half of the diameter.

19. An assembly according to any one of claims 12-18, wherein the riser tube has a length, under said body, that is approximately equal to the height of the container.

20. An assembly according to any one of claims 12-19, wherein the body is frustoconical or stepped in at least one direction.

21. An assembly according to any one of claims 12-20, wherein the body with the riser tube and the gas inlet opening have been manufactured in one piece.

22. An adapter for use in an assembly according to any one of claims 12-21 or in a method according to any one of claims 1-11.

23. An adapter according to claim 22, wherein the adapter has a body with which it is securable in a filling opening of a beverage container, in particular in an opening having a circular cross section, more particularly an opening having a diameter between 2 and 8 cm, such that the filling opening is thereby closed, while through the body extend a riser tube and a gas inlet opening, from a point near a top face to a point near a bottom face.