CN102947214A - Method and apparatus for dispensing beverages, especially carbonated beverages - Google Patents

Abstract

A container unit for beverages comprising a beverage container having a main body portion and a neck portion, wherein at least the main body portion forms a first compartment for the beverage, wherein the pressure control means is preferably at least partially disposed within the beverage container for pressurizing the beverage beverage in the container, the pressure control means comprising a gas container forming a second compartment containing the propellant under pressure, wherein the dispensing unit is arranged in and/or on the neck portion and the gas container passes through the neck portion and/or The dispensing unit is supported, wherein the pressure regulating device is arranged in the dispensing unit.

Description

Method and device for dispensing beverages, especially carbonated beverages

technical field

The invention relates to a dispensing unit and a method for dispensing liquid under pressure.

Background technique

Document EP1064221 discloses a device for dispensing a liquid, wherein the device comprises a container having a first compartment configured to contain the liquid to be dispensed and a second compartment configured to contain a propellant gas, wherein at least during use, the opening is disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment. The device also includes pressure control means configured to control the pressure of propellant gas flowing from the second compartment into the first compartment during use. A pressure control device is disposed within the first compartment.

Contents of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a container unit in an alternative manner. Another object is to provide a container unit in which the pressure control device can be easily arranged to be installed particularly easily.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing unit that can be easily mounted to a beverage container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of forming and/or filling a beverage container, in particular a self-pressurizing beverage container.

In a first aspect, a container unit according to the invention may comprise a beverage container having a body portion and a neck portion, wherein at least the body portion forms a first compartment for the beverage. A pressure control device is provided for pressurizing the beverage in the beverage container, the pressure control device comprising a gas container forming a second compartment for containing a propellant under pressure. The dispensing unit is arranged in and/or on the neck part, and the gas container is supported by the neck part and/or the dispensing unit, wherein the pressure regulating device is arranged in the dispensing unit. The gas container preferably extends at least partially within the beverage container, preferably depending within the neck portion of the container.

In a second aspect, a dispensing unit for a beverage container according to the invention comprises pressure regulating means and dispensing means. On a first side of the dispensing unit a first coupling device and a second coupling device are arranged, the first coupling device surrounding the first coupling device. At least one first gas channel opens in the first coupling device, said first channel extending into the chamber of the pressure regulating device, wherein at least one second channel opens between the first coupling device and the second coupling device, said A second channel extends into the chamber.

Description of drawings

In order to understand the present invention, the embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way or form. In the attached picture:

Figure 1a is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a dispensing unit according to the invention in its initial state;

Figures 1b, 1c and 1d are respectively a top plan view, a side view and a bottom plan view of the dispensing unit shown in Figure 1a in an unfolded state;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the dispensing unit shown in Figure 1 in its initial state;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing unit shown in Figure 1 taken along line A-A;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing unit shown in Figure 1 taken along line B-B;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing unit shown in Figure 1 taken along line C-C;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing unit shown in Figure 1 taken along the line D-D;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a dispensing device comprising the dispensing unit shown in Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the dispensing device shown in Figure 7 taken along the line A-A of Figure 2, wherein the operating lever is in its initial position;

Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device shown in Figure 7 taken along the line D-D of Figure 2, wherein the operating lever is in its initial position;

Figure 10 is a partial sectional view of the dispensing device shown in Figure 7 taken along the line A-A of Figure 2, wherein the operating lever is in the first operating position;

Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device shown in Figure 7 taken along the line D-D of Figure 2, wherein the operating lever is in the first operating position;

Figure 12 is a partial sectional view of the dispensing device shown in Figure 7 taken along the line B-B of Figure 2, wherein the operating lever is in the first operating position;

Figure 13 is a partial sectional view of the dispensing device shown in Figure 7 taken along the line D-D of Figure 2, wherein the operating lever is in a second operating position;

14 is a partial sectional view of the dispensing device shown in FIG. 7 taken along the line D-D of FIG. 2, showing a second embodiment of the dispensing unit with the operating lever in the initial position;

15 is a partial sectional view of the dispensing device shown in FIG. 7 taken along line D-D of FIG. 2, showing a second embodiment of the dispensing unit with the operating lever in its first operating position;

16 is a partial sectional view of the dispensing device shown in FIG. 7 taken along line D-D of FIG. 2 , showing a second embodiment of the dispensing unit with its operating lever in its second operating position;

Figure 17 schematically represents the dispensing unit according to the description from the side facing the beverage container;

Figure 18 schematically represents a third embodiment of the container unit;

Figure 19 schematically represents a fourth embodiment of the container unit; and

Fig. 20 schematically shows a fifth embodiment of the container unit.

Detailed ways

In this description, by way of example, the container unit and the pressurizing unit and the various methods are described with reference to a carbonated beverage, in particular beer.

In this description, pressure regulating means or pressure control means shall be understood to include at least a device for controlling the pressure in the beverage container by supplying gas from the high-pressure propellant gas container or the second compartment according to the pressure in the first compartment containing the beverage to be dispensed. pressure devices or components. In this description, embodiments are described in which the beverage container is made of plastic in any suitable manner eg known in the art, eg blow moulding, in particular stretch blow moulding, from a preform. Similarly, however, beverage containers, which may be partially or entirely made of metal, may be used. In the specifically described and represented embodiment, the gas container is described as being made of plastic, such as PET or PEN or mixtures thereof or other thermoplastic materials. The gas container may be made by injection molding and/or blow molding (eg, similar to blow molding of beverage containers), and may have the basic shape of a blow molded preform used to form a bottle, and also Can be made of PET, PEN or their blends or other thermoplastic materials. However, such a gas container can also be manufactured differently and/or from different materials, eg metal.

In an embodiment of the invention, an aspect may be the use of a dispensing unit comprising a dispensing device and a pressure regulating device, by means of which a container comprising a high-pressure propellant gas and gas and a beverage container can be closed.

In an embodiment of the invention, an aspect of the invention may be based on the idea that during dispensing, instead of maintaining a regulated constant volume in the liquid container by controlling the dispensing channel or the flow area of the dispensing outlet for the liquid Pressure does not control the flow rate of the liquid, but the flow area of the distribution channel and outlet is maintained at a constant value, preferably at a maximum value, and the pressure in the liquid container is controlled within a predetermined pressure range in order to control the volume of the liquid being dispensed. flow rate. This makes it possible to apply relatively low pressure when dispensing any type of liquid, including aerated and still beverages, while maintaining the possibility to adjust the flow rate of the liquid by simply adjusting or even changing the desired pressure of the propellant gas inside the liquid container . A further advantage of this solution may be that by controlling the pressure inside the liquid container during the dispensing process, a flow path for the liquid through the dispensing unit and from the liquid container can be formed without any flow hindrance, thus avoiding liquid infusion during the dispensing process. formation of undesired eddy currents.

In the container unit according to the invention a beverage container 36 may be provided which has a body part 50 and a neck part 51 , wherein at least the body part 50 forms a first compartment for the beverage. Pressure control means 53 are provided for pressurizing the beverage within the beverage container 36, said pressure control means 53 comprising or connectable to the gas container 33 forming a second compartment for containing the propellant under pressure. The dispensing unit 10 may be arranged in and/or on the neck portion 51 and the gas container 33 may be supported by the neck portion 51 and/or the dispensing unit 10, wherein the pressure regulating device 54 of the pressure control device 53 is arranged in the dispensing unit 10 . Typically, the pressure control means thus comprise at least the pressure regulating means 54 and the gas container 33 or the connection means accordingly. The gas container 33 preferably extends at least partially within the beverage container 36 , preferably depending within the neck portion 51 of the container 36 and extending at least partially into the interior space contained within the body portion 52 . The dispensing unit 10 can close the beverage container 36 and the gas container 33 .

When the gas container 33 is injection moulded, it may have a gas container body portion 55 having a diameter capable of passing propellant gas (e.g. at an internal gas pressure (absolute) of 4 and 20 bar) in the first compartment. To the expanded peripheral wall portion 56 . This situation is advantageous in that the dispensing unit 10 can be fixed, with the gas container 33 even better located inside the fuel container 36 . In various embodiments, the gas container 33 can be inserted into or at least partially past the neck portion 51 of the beverage container 36, wherein the neck portion 51 surrounds the upper portion of the gas container 33, which is configured for A passage 57 for the gas between the inner surface of the neck portion 51 and the outside of the gas container 33 , wherein preferably the dip tube 35 extends from the first compartment through said passage into the dispensing unit 10 .

The dispensing unit 10 may comprise first coupling means 40 and the neck 51 of the beverage container 36 may be provided with at least one coupling means, preferably sealingly coupled to the first coupling means 40 . Similarly, the dispensing unit 10 may have at least one second coupling means 42 and the gas container 33 may have a neck portion comprising coupling means for preferably sealing cooperation with the second coupling means 42 .

The beverage container may have a first, inner axial length measured between the outer end of the neck portion 51 and the opposite end of the beverage container 36, and the gas container 33 may have a dispensing unit 10 and the gas container 33 attached thereto. A second, outer axial length measured between opposite ends of the container 33, wherein the first axial length is slightly greater than the second axial length. Preferably, the first axial length is between 1 and 1.2 times the second axial length, more preferably between 1 and 1.1 times the second axial length. This may provide a relatively slender gas container, suitable for insertion through the neck portion 51 or the fill opening of the beverage container 36, but with a relatively large internal volume. This allows a sufficient amount of propellant gas to be stored within the gas container 33 .

The dispensing unit 10 may comprise at least one passage 30, 25a to the first compartment via a pressure regulating device 53, which forms a space between the first compartment and the second compartment (i.e. the interior space of the beverage container 36 and the space of the gas container 33). Part of the gas passage between the inner spaces). The pressure regulating means 53 may also comprise at least one valve assembly for opening and closing the gas channel 30, 25a depending on the pressure in the first compartment.

In the dispensing unit 10 for the beverage container 36, a pressure regulating device 54 and a dispensing device may be included, wherein the first coupling device 40 and the second coupling device 42 are arranged on a first side of the dispensing unit. The first coupling means may surround the second coupling means, which should be understood to mean at least, but not limited to, a surrounding seen in a view substantially perpendicular to said first side of the dispensing means, such as shown in particular in FIG. 17 . At least one first gas channel 25a (which in all embodiments may also be referred to as a gas inlet channel) opens in the second coupling device 42, said first channel 25a extending to the chamber 58 of the pressure regulating device 54 (in all embodiments In an embodiment, it may be referred to as a pressure detection chamber), wherein at least one second channel 25b opens between the first coupling device 40 and the second coupling device 42 , said second channel 25b extending into said chamber 58 . The second channel may also be referred to as a gas outlet channel in the disclosed embodiments. A gas container 33 is mountable to the second coupling device 42, said gas container 33 having an axial length _Lgas and extending within the second coupling device 41 viewed in the direction of its axial length _Lgas , which may be understood to mean Viewed substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of said first instance of the dispensing unit, the gas container 33 has no part extending beyond the first coupling means, as shown in FIG. 17 .

The valve stem 23 may extend through the first channel 25a and be connected to or be part of the movable and/or flexible wall portion 22 of the chamber 58 , the valve stem 23 may be adapted at least according to the wall portion of the chamber 58 The position of 22 closes and opens the first channel 25a through the widening 24 of the valve stem 23 . Its implementation will be further described. The wall portion 22 may for example be a flexible membrane 22 as disclosed in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-16 or a piston as disclosed in EP1064221 with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 18 . All combinations thereof are also considered disclosed herein.

In FIG. 1 a a first preferred embodiment of a dispensing unit 10 is shown in perspective. Although the dispensing unit 10 of FIG. 1 is shown as a cap for a bottle, the dispensing unit may be designed in any other way, such as a tapping unit for a beer keg. The shown first embodiment of the dispensing unit 10 comprises a lower mounting part 11 and an upper covering part 12 . The lower mounting part 11 and the upper covering part 12 are connected via a flexible hinge 13 . The upper cover portion 12 includes a pivotable lever 14 for controlling the flow rate of the liquid during dispensing. The operating rod 14 is provided with a plurality of disposable breakable joints 15 for securing the operating rod 14 to adjacent parts of the upper cover part 12 . These joints 15 also have the function of indicating that the dispensing unit 10 has not been tampered with. Before the dispensing unit 10 is used for the first time, these joints 15 are damaged so that the operating lever 14 can be moved.

In FIGS. 1 a , 1 b and 1 c , the lower mounting part 11 , the upper covering part 12 , the operating lever 14 and the disposable breakable joint 15 of the dispensing unit 10 can be seen in different views of the unfolded state. In FIG. 1 d , the flexible dispensing tube 16 and the membrane 22 of the pressure regulating device are also shown, although these elements are arranged inside the dispensing unit 10 .

In Fig. 2, the dispensing unit 10 can be seen in plan view using the same reference numerals as in Figs. 1a-1d. This figure also shows section lines A-A, B-B, C-C and D-D along which a plurality of cross-sectional views are taken and shown in at least subsequent Figures 3-6, wherein the distribution unit 10 is shown in its initial state, i.e. When the joystick is in its initial position, it is in the stored state.

FIG. 3 shows the dispensing unit 10 in a sectional view taken along the section line A-A shown in FIG. 2 . Inside the dispensing unit 10 , a dispensing pipe 16 is arranged below the operating rod 14 . The dispensing pipe 16 is fixed to the lower mounting portion 11 and includes an opening 17 in fluid communication with an inner space of a liquid container (not shown) coupled to the dispensing unit 10 . The dispensing tube 16 has an outer end portion 19 provided with an opening 19' allowing liquid to flow from the liquid container during dispensing. In Fig. 3, the outer end portion 19 of the dispensing tube 16 is fully compressed by the eccentric front protrusion 18 of the operating lever 14, thereby closing off the liquid flow path.

As shown in Figure 4, the upper cover part 12 of the dispensing unit 10 passes, for example, between the downward protrusion 20 of the upper cover part 12 and the edge 21 of the corresponding through hole of the lower mounting part 11 capable of receiving the shown protrusion 20. The snap fit between them is fixed to the lower mounting part 11.

The dispensing unit 10 also comprises pressure regulating means 54 for generating a constant regulated pressure for the propellant gas inside the liquid container. The pressure regulating device may also be referred to as a pressure control device 54 . In the shown preferred embodiment of the dispensing unit 10, the pressure regulating means 54 comprises an elastic membrane 22, preferably made of rubber, a valve stem 23 bonded at one end to the central part of the membrane 22, a valve stem 23 formed at the other end of the valve stem 23. The valve head 24 and the fluid communication path for the propellant gas, which connects the inner space of the gas container 33 with the inner gas space of the liquid container 36 (partially also referred to as head space) via the pressure regulating device 54 . In the illustrated embodiment of dispensing unit 10 , the fluid communication path includes first and second gas channels 25 a , 25 b or outlet channels (shown in FIG. 6 ) in which valve stem 23 is guided, and chamber 58 . The operation of the pressure regulating device 54 of the dispensing unit 10 will be described subsequently. They form part of the pressure control device 53 .

As shown in FIG. 5 , the operating lever 14 has two coaxial pivots 26 a and 26 b serving as axes about which the operating lever 14 can pivot. On the side surface of the inner pivot 26a, there is a pin 27 configured to extend into a guide hole 29 (shown in FIG. 6 ) of the slider 28 . The slide 28 is guided such that it can move horizontally between two end positions defined by the two end positions of the operating lever 14 . When the operating lever 14 is pivoted, the pin 27, arranged eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the pivots 26a, 26b, moves along a circular path, thus forcing the slider 28 towards the central part of the dispensing unit 10 or in the opposite direction, while The pin 27 moves up and down in the guide hole 29 . A slide is an embodiment of an operating device or a part thereof.

As is clearly shown in Figure 6, the slide 28 partially covers the membrane 22, the extent of which depends on the position of the lever. Under the coverage area of the membrane 22 there is a third gas channel 30 formed to connect the inner space of the gas container with the head space of the liquid container via the pressure regulating means via the chamber 58 . The slide 28 is formed to be able to vary the area of the upper opening 31 of the third gas channel 30, which is also an outlet channel, thereby regulating the amount of propellant gas flowing from the gas container into the liquid container. By adjusting the flow rate of the gas flowing through the third gas channel 30, the pressure of the propellant gas within the liquid container can be varied during dispensing. Since the pressure regulating device 54 of the pressure control device 53 (integrated into the dispensing unit 10) is adapted to generate a predetermined pressure in the beverage container 36 (also called liquid container 36), the variable pressure range has The upper limit of the predetermined pressure limit. On the other hand, the lower value of the variable pressure range does not drop below ambient pressure, since the closure of the third gas channel 30 will stop the outward flow of liquid and also prevent ambient air from entering the liquid container 36 .

The mechanism comprising the operating rod, the slide, the third channel and the pressure regulating means may together constitute or at least form to regulate the flow rate of the propellant gas flowing from the gas container 33 into the liquid container 36 and may be referred to as flow regulating means or operating means or its part of the device. By changing the flow area of the third gas channel 30 through the mechanism, the pressure in the liquid container 36 can be adjusted, whereby the flow rate of the liquid can also be set during the dispensing process.

Figure 7 schematically shows an assembled dispensing device or container unit 70 comprising a liquid or beverage container 36 (shown in dashed lines) (for example a bottle of beverage including carbonated beverage such as beer), including for example 2 and 20, more preferably 4 and 14 A gas container 33 , eg a dispensing unit such as the dispensing unit 10 according to the invention, and preferably a dip tube 35 for propellant gas (eg carbon dioxide or nitrogen) at high pressure between bar. The dispensing unit 10 is coupled to the liquid container 36 and the gas container 33 in a hermetically sealed manner. Although the gas container 33 is shown inside the liquid container 36 in FIG. 7 , the gas container 33 may also be arranged outside the liquid container 36 . The dip tube 35 is arranged inside the liquid container 36 and is connected to a corresponding dispensing channel of the dispensing unit 10 .

In FIG. 8 , a sectional view of the dispensing device 70 shown in FIG. 7 shows the operating lever 14 of the dispensing unit 10 in its initial position. The cross-sectional view is taken along line A-A of FIG. 2 . In the dispensing device 70 , the operating lever 14 of the operating device, which can also be referred to as dispensing unit, is in its initial position, which is usually assumed when the dispensing device 70 is stored. In this case, the front projection 18 of the operating lever 14 closes the outer end 19 of the dispensing tube 16 , thereby preventing the dispensing of the liquid 32 of the liquid container 36 . The dispensing pipe 16 also contains the liquid 32 under pressure due to the overpressure of the propellant gas 34 in the head space of the liquid container 36 . Liquid 32 may enter dispensing tube 16 via opening 17 of a dispensing channel (not shown) formed in dispensing unit 10 .

In the partial sectional view of FIG. 9 , an exemplary way of coupling the dispensing unit 10 to the liquid container 36 and the gas container 33 can be seen in more detail. According to the invention, the dispensing unit 10 has first coupling means for coupling to the liquid container 36 . As shown in the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the first coupling means may comprise a snap fit portion 40 formed in the lower mounting portion 11 of the dispensing unit 10, said snap fit portion 40 being adapted to be sealingly attached to the liquid. The corresponding coupling part of the container 36. For this purpose, the first coupling means may comprise an elastic sealing ring 38 against which the corresponding coupling means of the liquid container 36 bear against after mounting the dispensing unit 10 on the liquid container 36 . Although in FIG. 9 only a preferred embodiment of said first coupling means is shown, the dispensing unit 10 can also be coupled to the liquid container 36 in other ways according to the invention, for example by screwing or gluing, instead of the mode of coupling. Applications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

According to the invention, the dispensing unit 10 also comprises second coupling means for coupling to the gas container 33 . As shown in the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the second coupling means may comprise a snap fit portion 42 also formed in the lower mounting portion 11 of the dispensing unit 10, said snap fit portion 42 being adapted to be sealingly attached to The corresponding coupling part of the gas container 33. Preferably, the second coupling means comprise an elastic sealing ring 43 against which the respective coupling portion of the gas container 33 bears against after attachment of the gas container 33 to the dispensing unit 10 . Although in Fig. 9, only the preferred embodiment of said second coupling means is shown, the dispensing unit 10 can also be coupled to the gas container in other ways, for example by screwing or gluing, the application of alternative coupling modes is well known to those skilled in the art. Obvious to a technician.

As shown in FIG. 17 , both the first coupling means and the second coupling means may be substantially circular, disposed within the first side 60 of the dispensing device 10 . The first coupling means may surround the second coupling means, spaced therefrom, as shown in FIG. 17 . This view is substantially perpendicular to said side 60 , or along _the axis Lgas of the gas container 33 . As shown in FIG. 17 , the contour 33A of the gas container 33 extends within the first coupling device in the view of FIG. 17 . This provides the possibility to insert the gas container 33 into the beverage container 36 via the neck portion 51 through coupling means provided thereon.

Figure 9 shows the dispensing unit in the storage state with the operating lever (not shown) in its initial position. The slide 28 is now in its inner end position, where it presses the entire coverage area of the membrane 22 onto the upper surface of the lower mounting part 11 , thereby completely closing the upper opening 31 of the third gas channel 30 . In this state, the membrane 22 takes a form similar to an arch, and the valve head 24 closes the lower orifice of the first gas channel 25a. The pressure of the propellant gas 34 acting on the bottom surface of the valve head 24 is compensated by counteracting the elastic force of the raised membrane 22 . In the gas space 58 defined by the membrane 22 and the upper surface of the lower mounting part 11 of the dispensing unit 10, the pressure is equal to the pressure of the gas container 33, and due to the second gas flow between the gas container 33 and the head space of the liquid container 36 The pressure in the fluid communication path of the channel 25b is also equal to the pressure in the liquid container 36, also referred to as the first pressure.

After the dispensing of the liquid is completed, the operating lever is moved to its original position again, and the various components form the same arrangement as shown in FIG. 9 in the dispensing unit. If the dispensing pressure is lower than the shown first pressure at the end of the dispensing, the propellant gas tends to flow from the gas container 33 into the liquid container 36 via the second gas channel 25b until it is reached in the liquid container 36 by the pressure regulating device of the dispensing unit 10. and set the first pressure.

In Fig. 10, the operating lever 14 of the dispensing unit 10 can be seen in a vertical position in which the dispensing duct 16 is maximally open, ie the outer end portion 19 of the dispensing duct 16 provides the largest possible flow area for the liquid. In this case, however, the third gas channel (not shown) is always closed. Liquid flows from the liquid container 36 through a dispensing channel (not shown), then through the opening 17 and finally through the dispensing tube 16 . If a dip tube 35 is also used (as shown in FIG. 10 ), the liquid 32 is driven via the dip tube 35 into the dispensing channel.

FIG. 11 shows the same state of the distribution unit 10 as shown in FIG. 10 . The pressure regulating device is always in the same state described for the initial state of the dispensing unit 10 , ie the membrane 22 is raised and the third gas channel 30 is closed. In the first preferred embodiment of the dispensing unit 10, the vertical operating position (also referred to as the first operating position) of the operating lever 14 shown in FIGS. 10-12 defines a first operating range of the operating lever 14 and a second operating range thereof. The boundary position between ranges, wherein the first operating range is related to the control of the flow area of the distribution channel or outlet of the liquid (ie, the distribution tube 16 in the first embodiment), and the second operating range is related to the second operating range of the propellant gas. The control of the flow area of the three gas channels 30 is related. By continuing to pivot the operating lever 14 counterclockwise in FIG. 11 , the upper orifice 31 of the third gas channel 30 becomes gradually opened as the slider 28 moves towards the periphery of the lower mounting portion 11 .

As shown in the cross-sectional view of the dispensing device shown in FIG. 12 , the dispensing channel 44 forms a fluid communication path for the liquid 32 between the interior space of the liquid container 36 and the flexible tube 16 . Dip tube 35 may optionally be connected to the lower end of distribution channel 44 .

In FIG. 13 , the dispensing device 70 is shown in partial cross-section with the operating lever 14 moved to the second operating position so as to at least partially open the upper opening 31 of the third gas channel 30 . In the illustrated embodiment of the dispensing unit 10, this position of the operating lever 14 belongs to the second operating range of the operating lever 14, wherein the flow rate of the liquid 32 is controlled during dispensing by controlling the pressure of the propellant gas 34 within the liquid container 36. control. The more the operating rod 14 is pushed downwards in the direction F indicated by the arrow in FIG. The increased area of the covering portion on the port 31 is improved. Thus by changing the opening area of the orifice 31 the amount of gas flowing from the gas container 33 into the liquid container 36 via the third gas channel 30 and thus the driving force for the liquid 32 can be changed.

In order to minimize or even completely stop the gas flow through the second gas channel 25b during the dispensing process, the second gas channel 25b is closed or alternatively limited to when the first pressure is generated in the liquid container 36 by the pressure regulating device There is a large delay. For this reason, in the first embodiment of the dispensing unit 10, the second gas channel 25b has a constricted portion 25c, in which the gas flow rate is so small under normal operating conditions that only a negligible amount of propellant gas is available per unit of time. Flow therethrough into the liquid container 36 and thus a regulated first pressure can be generated by the pressure regulating means for a relatively long period of time relative to the time period normally required to dispense the desired amount of liquid. For example, if the first regulation pressure is 1.7-2 bar (absolute), the diameter of the restricting portion 25c of about 100 μm allows a regulation delay of about 0.5-15 minutes, which is much longer than the usual duration for filling a cup. But after the dispensing of the liquid, if the next dispensing action starts later, this delay will be meaningless. Furthermore, the regulated first pressure in the liquid container 36 is greater than the equilibrium pressure of the liquid 32 stored in the liquid container 36, preferably only greater than about a few tenths of a bar, thereby providing a suitable period of time for the liquid in the liquid container during storage. storage pressure.

On the other hand, the pressure regulating means 54 of the first embodiment of the dispensing unit 10 also limit the maximum pressure of the pressure range associated with the second operating range of the operating lever. When the third gas channel 30 is fully opened, the pressure in the liquid container 36 increases rapidly due to the large flow area of the orifice 31, but the pressure can only rise to the first pressure because the pressure regulating device 54 prevents the liquid container 36 from The pressure in the head room increases further. In effect, the valve head 24 will close the first gas channel 25a when the first pressure in the liquid container 36 is reached, thereby blocking any further flow of propellant gas 34 from the gas container 34 into the liquid container 36 .

In Fig. 14 a partial sectional view of a dispensing device 70' is shown with a second embodiment of a dispensing unit 110 according to the invention. In this example, the operating lever 114 (indicated by dashed lines) of the dispensing unit 110 is in its initial position for storage of the liquid container 136 . This second embodiment of the dispensing unit 110 comprises a common gas outlet channel 130 which simultaneously provides the functionality of the first and second gas outlet channels of the first embodiment of the dispensing unit . In order to properly control the gas flow through this common gas channel 130, the slider 128, which is the operating device or a part thereof, is designed with a notch 129 on its bottom sliding surface, which makes the membrane 122 in the upper part of the common gas channel 130 There is a partial rise 123 above the aperture 131 . Below this local rise 123 , a restricted flow rate of propellant gas 134 is allowed, thus providing a substantial delay in the development of the first pressure within the liquid container 136 .

As shown in FIG. 15 , in which a second embodiment of the dispensing unit 10 is shown with the operating lever 114 in its first operative position, the slider 128 is moved to a position to fully close the common gas channel 130 . Similar to the first embodiment of the dispensing unit (not shown in FIG. 15 ), in this position the operating lever 114 fully opens the flexible dispensing tube of the dispensing unit 110 .

Fig. 16 shows another embodiment of dispensing unit 110, wherein operating lever 114 is in the second operating position during dispensing, wherein the inner end portion of slider 128 passes through the main part of membrane 122 to rise to common gas channel 130. The common gas channel 130 is at least partially opened above the upper orifice 131 . In the second range of operation of the lever 114, the common gas channel 130 is only used to control the pressure of the propellant gas within the liquid container 136, and thus also the flow rate of the dispensed liquid.

Since this embodiment of the dispensing unit 110 does not have a separate gas channel with a constricted portion to supply the propellant gas 134 from the gas container 133 into the liquid container 136, the relatively large flow area of the common gas channel 130 is critical in accomplishing liquid dispensing. This then allows a relatively rapid build-up of the regulated first pressure within the liquid container 136 .

FIG. 18 shows an alternative embodiment of a beverage container 36 in which the pressure regulator 53 is suspended within the neck 51 of the container 36 and a portion of the gas container 33 extends into the interior space of the body 52 of the beverage container 36 . In this embodiment, the pressure regulating device 53 is integral with the dispensing device 10 . The gas container 33 can rest on the free end 69 of the neck 51 via the flange 61 . The dispensing device 10 is mounted on the neck 51, for example by press fit or snap-fit means 40, so that the dispensing device 10 presses against the flange 61, thus pressing the flange 61 against the neck 51, and the gas container 33 is closed gas-tight. Suitable seals 38, 43 may be provided if desired.

A valve 62 such as the aerosol valve described in EP 1064221 is arranged in the bottom 71 of the dispensing device 10 below the wall part 22 (on the other side of which the pressure regulating chamber 63 is located), above the inner space of the gas container 33 and the bottom 71 A connection is formed between the spaces 58. The bottom 71 may be an integral part of the dispensing unit 10, or may be a separate part, provided on the flange 61, for example by snap-fitting, gluing, welding, press-fitting or the like. On the opposite side of the space 58 a, the flexible wall portion 22 of the pressure regulating device 54 is arranged, which rests against the valve 62 , forming part of the wall of the pressure regulating chamber 63 . If the pressure in the space 58 drops below the regulated pressure, the wall portion 22 will be forced against the valve 62 by the pressure in the pressure regulating chamber 63 above the wall 22, thereby opening the valve 62 and allowing gas to flow from the gas container 33 into the space 58 . At least one channel 25b is provided through the bottom 71 and the flange 61 and into the interior space of the beverage container 36 . There will thus be a substantial pressure equalization between the space 58 and the interior space of the beverage container 36 . When the pressure within the beverage container 36 returns to the desired pressure (eg equalization pressure), the wall portion 22 will be pushed back and the valve 62 will close. The pressure regulating or controlling means 53 of all embodiments may provide a similar configuration of the chambers 58 and 63 and the intermediate wall portion 22 to open and/or close the inlet channel 25a.

The dip tube 35 extends from the interior space of the beverage container 33 , through the gas container 33 and through the flange 61 into the dispensing device 10 . Dispensing tube 63 is connected to dip tube 35 via valve 64 , which in the embodiment shown may be a hose valve, operable by arm 14 connected to eccentric 66 . In Figure 18, valve 64 is shown in the closed position. By moving the arm 14 in the direction of the arrow 67 , the valve 64 is opened and beverage is expelled from the beverage container 36 via the dip tube 35 and the dispensing tube 63 . The pressure in the beverage container 36 will be regulated by means of the pressure regulating device 53 , in particular the device 54 . Moving the arm 14 back, the valve 64 is closed again. It is clear that a gas type valve 64 may be provided, for example an in line valve. Other means for operating valve 64 may be provided. In other embodiments, the valve 64 may be omitted, wherein the dispensing pipe may be provided with or connected to the dispensing unit or a valve in order to cooperate with a valve unit of the dispensing unit, eg as described in EP1289874.

In Fig. 19, another embodiment of a beverage container 36 is shown (only its upper part is shown), which comprises a neck 51 on which the unit 10 is arranged. The gas container 33 is arranged externally of the container 36, for example in a recess in its outer wall, such that the longitudinal _axes Lgas and _Lbottle extend substantially parallel to each other. The gas container 33 is mounted within the unit 10 in any suitable manner, such as previously disclosed for other embodiments. Within the unit 10 there is again provided a gas detection chamber 58 and a gas regulating chamber 63 separated by a deformable and/or displaceable wall or wall portion 22 as previously described. The gas inlet channel 25a extends from the gas container 33 into the pressure sensing chamber 58 through which the valve stem 23 extends, carrying the head 24 to close the channel 25a. The stem is connected to the wall portion 22 . Also provided in the unit 10 is a distribution pipe 16 which extends from the dip tube 35 to the outlet port 19 . The tube 16 is at least partially flexible so that it can be closed by means of an eccentric 66 as described with reference to FIG. 18 . The gas outlet channel 25 b , 30 extends from the gas detection chamber 58 to the interior space of the beverage container 36 . Said channels 25b, 30 have a relatively large cross-section, preferably sufficient when fully open so that the amount of gas flowing into the beverage container from the gas container and/or gas detection chamber 58 is sufficient to restore the desired pressure in the beverage container substantially immediately so that Dispenses beverage during dispensing at maximum flow rate. The channels 25b, 30 may have, for example, a cross-section of 0.5 square millimeters or more.

In the unit 10, an operating device 28 is provided which can slide in a channel 80 substantially perpendicular to the channels 25b, 30. A spring 81 is disposed between the bottom 82 of the channel 80 and the device 28 such that the device 28 is biased in an outward direction from the channel 80 . An opening 83 is provided in the device 28 substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement F and has a cross-section similar to that of the channels 25 b , 30 . In the first position, as shown in FIG. 19, only a small portion, preferably a very small portion, of the opening 83 leads to the channels 25b, 30, such that the remaining passage through the channels 25b, 30 and the opening 83 is very small, such as far Less than 0.5 square millimeters, so that in this position, the flow from the chamber 58 to the beverage container 36 can be restricted, delaying pressure equalization during and/or after dispensing a beverage. By pushing the device 28 towards the closed end of the channel 80, the opening 83 will be more open relative to the channel 25b, 30, allowing a faster flow of gas and thus a faster rise in pressure within the beverage container 36.

Fig. 20 also schematically discloses an embodiment similar to that of eg Fig. 9, but in which the gas container 33 has a different shape. In this embodiment, the gas container 33 is arranged at the upper part of the beverage container 36 and is, for example, substantially spherical, toroidal, arcuate or similar in shape, having a cross-section Dg substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of _{the gas} and parallel to The axis L is the axial length Z of _{the gas} . In various embodiments, the section Dg may be greater than the inner section Dneck of the neck of the beverage container 36 such that the gas container 33 cannot be pulled out of the beverage container 36 via the neck 51 . In the disclosed embodiment, a gas container 33 as shown in FIG. 21 may be used having a cross-section substantially equal to at least half of the body of the inner cross-section Db of, for example, a beverage container 36, preferably at least 3/4 of said cross-section Db, such as about Same as section Db, so that the gas container 33 abuts the inside and/or shoulder of the main body wall of the beverage container, for example directly below the neck 51 . In various embodiments, the length Z of the gas container 33 may be less than half of the axial length L of the beverage flex 36, preferably less than 1/4 of said axial length L, for example about 1 /5. In various embodiments, the length Z is substantially minimal in order to provide a sufficient volume within the gas container 33 to hold a sufficient amount of gas such that the beverage container 33 is released from the beverage container at the desired maximum pressure of the gas in the gas container. Dispense the full volume of the drink.

In various embodiments of the invention, for example with a gas container 33 shown in FIG. Said pre-form shaped container is then blow molded at least partially within the beverage container to the desired final shape. The pre-form may be at least partially blow molded prior to insertion into the beverage container, or may be completely blow molded within the beverage container. Blow molding may be achieved at least in part by gas pressure introduced or established within gas container 33 . This can be advantageous in particular when dry ice is used to provide at least part of the desired quantity of pressurized gas within the gas container 33 .

In various embodiments of the present description, the gas container 33 may be disposed within the top half of the beverage container 36 with the neck 51 or at least the dispensing unit 10 positioned on top thereof. Preferably, the gas container 33 is arranged substantially directly below the neck 51 and/or the dispensing unit 10 , eg in the upper quarter or fifth of the inner volume of the beverage container 36 . This means that the beverage volume contained in the beverage container will be located in the lower part of the gas container, substantially or preferably substantially completely below the gas container 33 . This means that the center of gravity of the entire assembly comprising the unit 10, the beverage container 36 with the beverage and the gas container 33 is compared to the position when the gas container 33 is arranged as shown in FIG. G will shift down. This increases the stability of the assembly.

In an alternative embodiment, the operating device 28 for beverage dispensing and the operating device 14 may again be integrated as previously described with reference to, for example, FIGS. Show. Alternatively, in all embodiments, the gas container may be shaped and/or dimensioned differently, and may, for example, be positioned around a flange of the container neck such that its outside will be substantially level with the perimeter defined by the body of the beverage container. aligned or within that perimeter.

According to one aspect, a method of providing a beverage container unit is described, wherein the beverage container 36 is filled with beverage via the filling opening, for example the neck portion 51 . A gas container 33 is additionally provided, which contains a predetermined amount of gas or a gas generating device. This may for example be CO2 gas or dry ice and be predetermined such that the pressure builds up in the gas container above the dispense pressure of the beverage, for example above 2 bar, preferably above 4 bar (absolute), such as but not limited to 4 and 15 bar between. The gas container may fit within the dispensing opening or neck portion 51 so that it extends into and through the filling opening and into the interior space of the beverage container 36 . This is preferably done after filling the beverage container with beverage. A dispensing unit 10 is provided, comprising a pressure regulating device 54 , which is mounted in and/or above the filling opening and connected to the gas container 33 .

In one embodiment, the dispensing unit 10 may be, for example, any one of the previously disclosed embodiments. It can be installed after the beverage container is filled, with the propellant gas under pressure disposed inside the gas container. In one embodiment, the gas container 33 may be mounted to the dispensing unit 10 separately from the beverage container 36 and placed on the beverage container 36 as a unit. Alternatively, the gas container may be suspended in or on the beverage container 36, such as but not limited to, by a flange 61, wherein the first and second coupling means may be placed and coupled to the first and second coupling means after the dispensing unit. Two connecting devices. In such an embodiment, the gas may be supplied into the gas container after the gas container is placed in or on the beverage container 36 .

In one aspect, the present invention also relates to a novel method of dispensing liquid under pressure from a liquid container storing liquid under pressure by propellant gas at a first regulated pressure. Preferably, in this method, the first pressure exceeds the equilibrium pressure of the liquid, for example but not limited to more than a few tenths of bar. To provide the first regulated pressure in the liquid container, additional propellant gas is stored in the gas container at a second pressure substantially higher than the first pressure. The propellant gas stored in the second gas container is also used to control the flow rate of the liquid during dispensing.

In the method according to the invention, dispensing may be initiated by reducing the first pressure of the liquid container to a third pressure, wherein the third pressure is at least ambient pressure. Depending on the design of the particular dispensing equipment used for dispensing, the third pressure may be greater than ambient pressure. After the excess pressure of the liquid container is partially or completely released, the dispensing path of the liquid is opened and the flow area of the entire dispensing path is set. The opening of the dispensing path for the liquid can take place along the inner dispensing conduit or at the dispensing outlet.

Finally, while keeping the set flow area of the dispensing path of the liquid constant, the pressure of the propellant gas in the liquid container can be controlled within a pressure range defined by the first pressure and the ambient pressure, thereby dispensing the first amount of liquid. The first amount preferably corresponds to a round of the entire dose of liquid to be dispensed. It is preferred that the overpressure of the liquid container during dispensing does not exceed ambient pressure by a few tenths of bar, for example 0.1-0.2 bar, so as to keep the flow rate of the liquid at a rather low level and thus not to foam the liquid too much.

Alternatively, the step of reducing the overpressure in the liquid container and the step of opening and setting the flow area of the dispensing path of the liquid may be performed simultaneously. In this case, a second liquid quantity can additionally be dispensed in this step, but this second dispensed liquid quantity is preferably very limited. Preferably, the second amount is less than 10-15% of the total liquid amount to be dispensed in one dose.

During dispensing, the dispensing pressure of the propellant gas within the liquid container may preferably be controlled in embodiments of the invention by controlling the flow rate of the propellant gas from the gas container to the liquid container. However, the control of the pressure in the liquid container during dispensing can also be carried out in other ways, for example by using an additional gas supply, optionally an external gas container, in order to provide the required amount of gas for this purpose.

Although a number of preferred embodiments of the dispensing unit and dispensing method according to the invention have been described above, the invention is by no means limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the description and the drawings, and may be implemented within the scope of the invention defined by the claims. Many variants of it are implemented.

In particular, a single operating lever of the dispensing unit can be performed by providing two independent operating levers or other operating means for each of the above operating ranges, i.e. the first operating lever is used to control the flow area of the liquid dispensing path, the second operating lever Used to control the flow area of the third gas channel (or common gas channel) for propellant gas. Furthermore, instead of a rod, any other type of means (such as a button, a knob, etc.) may be used as the operating means for controlling the flow rate of the liquid. The slide 28 can be simplified, eg replaced by a plastic elastic, which can be pressed against and/or forced away from the membrane by the rod 14 in order to open and/or close the associated channel, such as the channel 30 .

The pressure regulating device can also be designed differently from the exemplary pressure regulators described above with reference to the figures, but at the same time provide the same function of generating a regulated first pressure inside the liquid container. Such pressure regulating devices are known in the art.

The dispensing unit 10 may be designed to fit within the neck portion of the beverage container, or may be at least partially integrated with the beverage container. The beverage container may be a bag in container design, wherein the beverage may be contained within a flexible bag suspended within the beverage container, for example connected to the dispensing device 10, surrounding a second mounting device which may comprise a gas container 33, wherein the second slot The channels 25b, 30, 130 lead to the space between the bag and the beverage container. The dispensing tube 64 or 19 may be elongated and extend well beyond the perimeter of the beverage container and may be provided with an in-line valve or similar device.

These and many other variations, including but not limited to all combinations of parts of the described and discussed embodiments, are considered to have been disclosed herein and fall within the scope of the invention and/or the claims appended to this specification.

Claims (15)

1. the container unit that is used for beverage, comprise the drinking container with base portion and neck part, wherein described at least base portion is formed for the first compartment of beverage, pressure control device at least part of being arranged in the described drinking container preferably wherein, beverage in order to pressurize in the described drinking container, described pressure control device comprises gas container, formation is contained in the second compartment of the propellant under the pressure, wherein allocation units be arranged in the described neck part and/or on, and described gas container is by described neck part and/or the supporting of described allocation units, and wherein pressure-regulating device is arranged in the described allocation units.

2. container unit according to claim 1, wherein, the closed described drinking container of described allocation units and described gas container.

3. container unit according to claim 1 and 2, wherein, described gas container is by plastics, particularly by thermoplastic material, more especially made by PET or PET compound.

4. container unit according to claim 3, wherein, described gas container is injection-molded, and wherein said gas container has base portion, and described base portion has can be in the inner peripheral portion that radially expands in described the first compartment under the absolute internal gas pressure between 4 and 20 bar.

5. each described container unit according to claim 1-4, wherein, described gas container can insert and at least part of neck part of passing described drinking container, wherein said neck partly surrounds the top of described gas container, be provided for the passage of the gas between the outside of the inside face of described neck part and described gas container, wherein dip-tube preferably extends past described passage from described the first compartment and enters described allocation units.

6. each described container unit according to claim 1-5, wherein, described allocation units comprise the first connecting device, and the neck of described drinking container partly is provided with at least one connecting device that preferably is connected to hermetically described the first connecting device.

7. each described container unit according to claim 1-6, wherein, described gas container has gas container base portion and gas container neck part, wherein said gas container base portion is at least part of to be extended in described the first compartment, wherein said allocation units comprise at least one second connecting device, and described gas container neck partly comprises the connecting device that cooperates with described the second connecting device hermetically for preferably.

8. each described container unit according to claim 1-7, wherein, described drinking container is the blow moulded plastic container, preferably by PET or PET compound are made at least.

9. each described container unit according to claim 1-8, wherein, described drinking container have between the opposite end of the outer end of described neck part and described drinking container, measure first, inner axial length, and described gas container have between the opposite end of the allocation units of attached described gas container and described gas container, measure second, outside axial length, wherein said the first axial length is slightly greater than described the second axial length, be preferably between 1 and 1.2 times of described the second axial length, more preferably between 1 and 1.1 of described the second axial length times.

10. each described container unit according to claim 1-9, wherein, described allocation units comprise at least one passage from described pressure-regulating device to described the first compartment, thereby form the part of the gas passage between described the first compartment and the second compartment, wherein said pressure-regulating device comprises at least one valve module that opens and closes described gas passage according to the leading pressure in described the first compartment.

11. be used for the allocation units of drinking container, comprise pressure-regulating device and distribution device, wherein the first side at described allocation units arranges the first connecting device and the second connecting device, described the first connecting device is around described the second connecting device, wherein at least one first gas passage is open in described the second connecting device, described first passage extends in the chamber of described pressure-regulating device, wherein at least one second channel is open between described the first connecting device and the second connecting device, and described second channel extends in the described chamber.

12. allocation units according to claim 11, wherein, gas container is installed to described the second connecting device, described gas container has axial length and extends in described the first connecting device when the direction of axial length is watched, and wherein said gas container is preferably by plastics, more preferably injection-molded and/or blown-moulding and/or PET or PET compound are made.

13. each described allocation units according to claim 10-12, wherein valve rod extends past described the first conduit and is connected to the movable and/or flexible wall part of described chamber or as the part of the movable and/or flexible wall part of described chamber, and described first passage is closed and opened to wherein said valve rod can be at least according to the position of the described wall part of described chamber.

14. be used for providing the method for drinking container unit, wherein drinking container is filled by beverage via filling opening, and gas container is arranged to extend in the described filling opening and the described filling opening of process, the allocation units that comprise pressure-regulating device wherein are set, described allocation units are installed in the described filling opening and/or the top, and are connected to described gas container.

15. method according to claim 14 is wherein used according to claim 11-13 each described allocation units, described allocation units are installed after described drinking container is filled, and the propellant gas under the pressure wherein is provided in described gas container.

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