WO2019077057A1

WO2019077057A1 - A beverage dispensing system comprising a plurality of pressure chambers

Info

Publication number: WO2019077057A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/078595
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonas Christiansen; Thomas BERG SCHOLTE
Original assignee: Carlsberg Breweries A/S
Priority date: 2017-10-19
Filing date: 2018-10-18
Publication date: 2019-04-25

Abstract

A beverage dispensing system comprising a plurality of pressure chambers (12a, 12b, 12c), each of said pressure chambers defining an inner space for receiving or having a collapsible beverage container (14a, 14b, 14c), said collapsible beverage container defining a liquid filled beverage space (26a, 26b, 26c), a gas-filled head space (18a, 28b, 28c) and a beverage outlet in communication with said liquid filled beverage space (26a, 26b, 26c) for extracting said liquid, said beverage dispensing system further comprising a tapping line (20) extending from a first beverage connector (16a) of the first pressure chamber (12a) towards a tapping device of said beverage dispensing system, and a first junction (22) interconnecting said tapping line (20) with a second beverage connector (16b) of a second pressure chamber (12b), thereby defining a first tapping line part (20') between said first beverage connector (16a) and said junction (22), in which said first tapping line part (20') defines an inner volume being equal to or larger than said head space of said collapsible beverage container.

Description

A BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF PRESSURE CHAMBERS

The present invention relates to a beverage dispensing system comprising a plurality of pressure chambers and a method of constructing a beverage dispensing system by providing a plurality of pressure chambers

Introduction Large-volume carbonated beverages, such as draught beer, are conventionally delivered to the place of consumption in metal kegs that typically hold a large volume of e.g. 25 litres. Such kegs are intended for expensive and elaborate dispensing assemblies comprising draught beer coolers, carbon dioxide cartridges, etc., for cooling and dispensing the beverage from the container. Such kegs and dispensing assemblies are well-known in the art.

The present invention relates to a module for a modular beverage distribution system and a modular beverage distribution system comprising a plurality of modules. As used herein the term "modular" means a system, which allows different components to be positioned independently or as a compact unit, enabling the system to be installed in different configurations. In settings where carbonised or carbonated liquids, such as beer, including draught beer or carbonated soft drinks, are to be sold as well as non-carbonised liquids, such as wine and fruit juice or water, there is a need for a modular beverage distribution system where capacity may be expanded or reduced gradually or stepwise. The present invention provides a module for uses in such a modular beverage distribution system, a modular beverage distribution system, a pressure-guarding unit and a dispensing valve. Related art may be found in patent publications such as WO 07/019848, WO 07/019849, WO 07/019850, WO 07/019851 and WO 07/019852. Reference is made to the above patent publications, and all are hereby incorporated in the present specification by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 1 a

The dispensing of draught beverages such as draught beer is typically achieved by providing the beverage in a pressurized beverage container referred to as a keg and allowing the beverage to flow via a beverage line to a beverage tap. Traditionally, steel containers connected to a carbon dioxide supply have been used, however,

2

nowadays collapsible polymeric containers also exist, one example being disclosed in the applicant's own international application WO2009/024147, which relates to a pressure-guarding unit for use with a module for a modular beverage distribution system. The module comprises a first type connector and a second type connector. The first type connector is adapted to receive a pressure-fluid from a pressure-fluid source. The second type connector is adapted to transfer the pressure-fluid to a first type connector of a neighbouring module. The pressure-guarding unit comprises a first interface connector in fluid communication with a second interface connector. The first interface connector is adapted to receive the pressure-fluid. The second interface connector is adapted to connect to a first type connector. The pressure guarding unit further comprises a pressure regulator mounted between the first interface connector and the second interface connector so as to limit pressure supplied from the first interface connector to the second interface connector. Beverage containers for use with draught beverage dispensing systems comprise carbonated beverage and pressurized gas. When the beverage container is nearly empty, a significant amount of gas may enter the beverage line and mix with the remaining beverage in the beverage line and this may result in a large amount of foam escaping from the beverage tap during tapping. A beverage glass filled with an excessive amount of foam may be less appealing and must in many cases be discarded. Further, foam may remain in the beverage line so that the first beverage glass filled after installing a new and full beverage container will have an excessive amount of foam as well. In relation to modular beverage dispensing systems, which feed a common dispensing line that ends up at a common tapping device, there is a problem in that the beverage containers, due to small differences in the material of the container, in the volume of beverage and in the pressure applied, although starting out full, will be empty at different times. When a beverage container is empty, the gas-filled head space remains and it is inevitable that gas will be injected into the beverage line as the head space is collapsed. This gas generates foam, which will enter the tapping line and mix with the beverage from the other beverage containers, which may not be empty. By replacing the empty beverage container, it will not be long until the next one is empty and the line is again filled by foam. Thus, in effect it is the first empty beverage container, which determines when the beverage containers must be 3

replaced even though several liters of beverage may remain in the non-empty beverage containers.

EP 2 809 609 A1 discloses a beverage dispensing system comprising a pressure chamber for accommodating a collapsible beverage container made of a flexible material. The collapsible beverage container includes a beverage space consisting of carbonated beverage and a head space consisting of gas. The tapping line interconnects the collapsible beverage container within the pressure chamber and the dispensing device.

WO 2014/197238 A1 discloses a liquid mixing and dispensing system comprising a housing enclosing a chamber containing multiple containers and a flexible bag is in each of the containers. The flexible bags contain first liquids. Connecting conduits lead from the bags to a discharge conduit. A supply conduit is configured and arranged to supply a pressurized second liquid to the containers and to the discharge conduit. The pressurized second liquid serves to collapse the bags and ejects the first liquids from the bags and via the connecting conduits into the discharge conduit for mixture with the first liquid. WO 2013/1 13657 A1 discloses a method of dispensing carbonated beverage comprising the step of providing a beverage dispensing system comprising a pressure chamber, which chamber accommodates a collapsible beverage container made of a flexible material. The collapsible beverage container includes a beverage space, a head space, a dispensing device, a tapping line, and an interruption valve. The method further comprises the step of maintaining a first elevated pressure within the pressure chamber, which acts on the collapsible beverage container for crumpling the collapsible beverage container at a container crumpling pressure and establishing a second elevated pressure, the first elevated pressure being equal to the sum of the second elevated pressure and the container crumpling pressure.

There exist so-called FOB detectors, which include a floater for allowing beverage to pass while preventing gasses to pass. One example is found in WO2017/0721 14. However, using a FOB detector for every module would be too costly.

Thus, it is an object according to the present invention to prevent foam in the beverage lines without needing to use costly FOB detectors. 4

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned object and more are achieved by a beverage dispensing system comprising a plurality of pressure chambers, each of the pressure chambers defining an inner space for receiving or having a collapsible beverage container, the collapsible beverage container defining a liquid filled beverage space, a gas-filled head space and a beverage outlet in communication with the liquid filled beverage space for extracting the liquid, the plurality of pressure chambers including:

a first pressure chamber defining a first bottom, the first bottom defining a first beverage connector for connecting to the beverage outlet of the collapsible beverage container, and

a second pressure chamber defining a second bottom, the second bottom defining a second beverage connector for connecting to the beverage outlet of the collapsible beverage container,

the beverage dispensing system further comprising:

a tapping line extending from the first beverage connector towards a tapping device of the beverage dispensing system, and

a first junction interconnecting the tapping line and the second beverage connector, thereby defining a first tapping line part between the first beverage connector and the junction,

characterized in that

the first tapping line part defining an inner volume, the inner volume being in the range between 0.1 litres and 1 litre, preferably between 0.2 litres and 0.8 litres, more preferably between 0.3 litres and 0.6 litres, most preferably about 0.4 litres, or the inner volume being equal to or larger than the head space of the collapsible beverage container. In the present beverage dispensing system, the pressure chambers are, at least during use, oriented such that the beverage containers are located in an "upside down" position, i.e. the beverage outlets, which are connected to a corresponding beverage connector of the pressure chambers, are located facing downwards. This has the advantage that no ascending pipe is needed and that the beverage will always be located adjacent the beverage outlet since the head space, i.e. gas-filled head 5

space, will always be located at the top. The additional advantage is that the beverage container may be completely emptied, however, there is the evident risk of having foam in the tapping line caused by the gas in the head space. All beverage containers have a head space in order to avoid explosion/rupture of the beverage container due to expansion, such as thermal expansion. The head space varies slightly due to the amount of beverage filled into the container during filling and the accuracy of the volume of the beverage container. The typical standard volume of the head space for a 25 litre or 20 litre container is 0.4 litres, however, it may vary under the circumstances indicated above. The volume of the head space will vary depending on the actual conditions such as pressure, temperature and beverage composition, and when the beverage container collapses, there will always be a head space, that is, there will always be some gas in the head space occupying a volume within certain limits. Thus, the head space preferably defines a volume of not more than 0.4 litres, the minimum limit preferably being 0.04 litres.

Gas from a beverage container enters into the tapping line when one container is empty and the head space is pressed into the tapping line and reaches the junction to another pressure chamber including a non-empty container. The gas from the former container will thus mix with the beverage from the latter container and result in a beverage/gas mixture, which constitutes a foam when it is dispensed through the tapping device.

By allowing the volume of the tapping line part situated before the junction with another pressure chamber to be greater than the head space of the beverage container, it is impossible for the head space gas to reach the non-empty container. The whole head space may thus be accommodated in the tapping line, which will prevent foaming. In the present context, the above term "the inner volume being equal to or larger than the head space of the collapsible beverage container", may also be formulated as "the inner volume being equal to or larger than the head space of the collapsible beverage container, for avoiding gas from the collapsible beverage container of the first pressure chamber to reach the beverage from the collapsible beverage container of 6

the second pressure chamber, i.e. the collapsible beverage container of the adjacent pressure chamber".

In the present context, the expression "pressure chamber" should be construed broadly, i.e. not only encompassing a closed chamber in which gas is used as pressure medium, but also chambers using a liquid pressure medium and chambers using solid objects such as pistons directly applying a force onto the collapsible container. Further, it is contemplated that although the present cleaning unit is primarily intended for use together with beverage dispensing systems operating with collapsible containers, it is equally feasible to use together with beverage dispensing systems using non-collapsible containers, such as standard steel containers, or systems using large collapsible bags.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the first beverage connector is located at a higher level than the second beverage connector. In this particular beneficial embodiment, it will be ensured that the first to be empty container is the one that is located at the uppermost location. Since the beverage containers will form something like communicating vessels, the uppermost container will crumple slightly faster that the lower containers, assuming equal applied pressure in the pressure chambers. Since the uppermost container includes the volume in the tapping line, once the uppermost container is empty, no foam will enter the tapping line and the lower container may continue dispensing. Once the lower container is empty, gas may enter the tapping line and the user will know that all containers are empty. The tapping line between the lower container and the tapping device may have a volume being smaller than the volume of the head space of the beverage container, such that foam will appear once the last beverage container is empty, in order to advise the operation of the situation that all beverage containers are empty. Preferably, the pressure is equally applied in the pressure chambers; accordingly, in a particular embodiment, the first beverage connector is located at a higher level than the second beverage connector and the pressure is equally applied in the pressure chambers. Thereby it is prevented that foam escapes from a beverage tap of the tapping device during dispensing without the need to provide a sensor or other control means.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the first junction is located at the second connector. It may thus be beneficial to use a tapping line which is series 7

connected between the connectors of the pressure chambers. In this way, the tapping line may be made shorter. This is counterintuitive, since shortening the tapping line would make it more difficult to accommodate therein the gas from the head space as the beverage container collapses.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the plurality of pressure chambers includes more than two pressure chambers. The present beverage dispensing system according to the first aspect may in principle be expanded to any number of pressure chambers, which may be connected in series. In this way, the user must not exchange the beverage container as often as by using two or less pressure chambers. Further, the same pressure source and cooling source may be used for the plurality of pressure chambers.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the beverage dispensing system comprises between 3 and 50 pressure chambers. The above numbers are particularly suitable for modular systems, being a compromise between being able to dispense a large amount of beverage in-between interruptions for changing containers and the cost of the pressure chambers. According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the plurality of pressure chambers includes a third pressure chamber defining a third bottom, the third bottom defining a third beverage connector for connecting to the beverage outlet of the collapsible beverage container, the beverage dispensing system further comprising a second junction interconnecting the tapping line and the third pressure chamber between the first junction and the tapping device, thereby defining a second tapping line part between the second connector and the second junction, the second tapping line part defining a further inner volume, the further inner volume being in the range between 0.1 litres and 1 litre, preferably between 0.2 litres and 0.8 litres, more preferably between 0.3 litres and 0.6 litres, most preferably about 0.4 litres, or the further inner volume being equal to or larger than the head space of the collapsible beverage container.

In this way, it is impossible for the head space gas from the second container to reach the non-empty third container. The whole head space may thus be accommodated in the tapping line, which will prevent foaming. The pressure chambers may be 8

pressurized such that the first container is empty before the second, which will be empty before the third.

In the present context, the above term "the further inner volume being equal to or larger than the head space of the collapsible beverage container", may also be formulated as "the further inner volume being equal to or larger than the head space of the collapsible beverage container, for avoiding gas from the collapsible beverage container of the second chamber to reach the beverage from the collapsible beverage container of the third pressure chamber, i.e. the collapsible beverage container of the adjacent pressure chamber".

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the second beverage connector is located at a higher level than the third beverage connector, thereby creating a staggered configuration. By using a staggered configuration it is possible to ensure that the first container is empty before the second, which will be empty before the third. It will be ensured that the first to be empty container is the one that is located at the uppermost location. Since the beverage containers will form something like communicating vessels, the uppermost container will crumple slightly faster that the middle container, which in turn will crumple slightly faster than the lower container, assuming equal applied pressure in the pressure chambers. Since the uppermost and middle containers include the volume in the tapping line, once the uppermost container is empty, no foam will enter the tapping line and the lower container may constitute dispensing. Once the lower container is empty, gas may enter the tapping line and the user will know that all containers are empty. Preferably, the pressure is equally applied in the pressure chambers; accordingly, in another particular embodiment, the second beverage connector is located at a higher level than the third beverage connector, and the pressure is equally applied in the pressure chambers. Thereby it is prevented that foam escapes from a beverage tap of the tapping device during dispensing without the need to provide a sensor or other control means when using more than two pressure chambers.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the second junction is located at the third connector. It may thus be beneficial to use a tapping line which is series connected between the connectors of the pressure chambers. In this way, the tapping line may be made shorter. As already explained above, this is counterintuitive, since 9

shortening the tapping line would make it more difficult to accommodate therein the gas from the head space as the beverage container collapses.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the tapping line and at least the tapping line part(s) are located in a chilled compartment. In this way, the beverage that is stored in the tapping line between dispensing operations will be kept fresh. The chilled compartment may be e.g. a fridge or a cellar.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the collapsible beverage container defines a tight fit within the inner space of each of the pressure chambers. Tight fit is to be understood that the distance between the inner wall of the pressure chamber and the outer wall of the container is about 1 cm or less in order to not waste any unused space inside the pressure chamber which must be compressed. According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the tapping line part(s) is/are at least 8 cm long. Such lengths are appropriate in order to achieve a suitable diameter of the tapping line parts(s). Shorter tapping line part(s) would be unreasonable wide.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the tapping line part(s) is/are feeding one tapping device. In this way, the beverage container must not be replaced as often.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the tapping line part(s) is/are feed through a cooling unit. The cooling unit may be a pass through cooling unit, which cools the beverage as it passed through. The dispensing line parts may advantageously be situated within the cooling unit in order to not waste any space.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned objects and more are achieved by a method of constructing a beverage dispensing system by providing a plurality of pressure chambers, each of the pressure chambers defining an inner space for receiving or having a collapsible beverage container, the collapsible beverage container defining a liquid filled beverage space, a gas-filled head space and a beverage outlet in communication with the liquid filled beverage space for extracting the liquid, the plurality of pressure chambers including: 10

the method further comprising the steps of:

extending a tapping line from the first beverage connector towards a tapping device of the beverage dispensing system, and

establishing a first junction interconnecting the tapping line and the second beverage connector, thereby defining a first tapping line part between the first beverage connector and the junction,

characterized in that

the first tapping line part defining an inner volume, the inner volume being in the range between 0.1 litres and 1 litre, preferably between 0.2 litres and 0.8 litres, more preferably between 0.3 litres and 0.6 litres, most preferably about 0.4 litres, or the inner volume being equal to or larger than the head space of the collapsible beverage container. The above method may advantageously be used to manufacture a beverage dispensing system according to the first aspect. The method according to the second aspect may further include any of the features of the embodiments of the first aspect.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1 is a beverage dispensing system according to the present invention.

FIG 2A is a beverage dispensing system in which the beverage containers are full. FIG 2B is a beverage dispensing system in which the beverage containers are collapsing.

FIG 2C is a beverage dispensing system in which one of the beverage containers is empty. 1 1

FIG 2D is a beverage dispensing system in which two of the beverage containers are empty.

Detailed description of the drawings

FIG. 1 shows a beverage dispensing system 10 according to the present invention. The beverage dispensing system includes three pressure chambers 12a 12b 12c. Each of the pressure chambers includes a corresponding collapsible beverage container 14a 14b 14c. The beverage containers 14a 14b 14c include a beverage outlet (not shown) which is connected to a corresponding beverage connector 16a 16b 16c at the bottom end of the pressure chamber 12a 12b 12c. Each of the pressure chambers 12a 12b 12c is also connected to a pressure line 18 which supplies compressed air to each of the pressure chambers 12a 12b 12c. Each of the beverage connectors 16a 16b 16c is connected to a tapping line 20 in a series configuration. Thus, the tapping line is divided into a first part 20' extending from the first connector 16a to a first junction 22 at the second connector 16b (i.e. the first junction 22 is located at the second connector 16b), a second part 20" extending from the second connector 16b to a second junction 22' at the third connector 16c (i.e. the second junction 22' is located at the third connector 16c), and a third part 20"' extending from the second junction 22' to the tapping device 24. The pressure chambers 12a 12b 12c are staggered with respect to each other such that the first pressure chamber 12a and the first connector 16a is located at a higher level than the second pressure chamber 12b and the second connector 16b, which in turn are located at a higher level than the third pressure chamber 12c and the third connector 16c. Correspondingly, the first beverage container 14a is located at a higher level than the second beverage container 14b which in turn is located at a higher level than the third beverage container 14c. FIG 2A shows a beverage dispensing system 10 in which the beverage containers 14a 14b 14c are full. This corresponds to the situation when new beverage containers 14a 14b 14c have been installed into the pressure chambers 12a 12b 12c and before any dispensing has started. Each container 14a 14b 14c defines a liquid filled beverage space 26a 26b 26c and a gas-filled head space 28a 28b 28c. In each 12

container, the typical volume of the beverage space is about 25 litres and the volume of the head space is about 0.4 litres.

FIG 2B shows a beverage dispensing system 10 in which the beverage containers 14a 14b 14c are collapsing, while no container is empty. The beverage containers 14a 14b 14c are collapsing due to the pressure applied inside the pressure chambers 12a 12b 12c as the beverage is forced out of the beverage containers 14a 14b 14c and into the tapping line 20. The head spaces 28a 28b 28c remain at the top of the beverage containers 14a 14b 14c as the beverage containers 14a 14b 14c crumples. The beverage containers 14a 14b 14c form communicating vessels and thus the liquid level remain about the same in all beverage containers 14a 14b 14c. Thus, after dispensing a given amount of beverage from the tapping device, the first beverage container 14a which is located at a higher level than the second beverage container 14b will have the least amount of beverage and will be the most crumpled. The second beverage container 14b which is located at a higher level than the third beverage container 14c will have a greater amount of beverage than the first beverage container 14a but less than the third beverage container 14c and will be the less crumpled than the first beverage container 14a but more than the third beverage container 14c. The third beverage container 14c which is located at a lower level than the second beverage container 14b will have the most amount of beverage and will be the less crumpled.

FIG 2C shows a beverage dispensing system 10 in which one of the beverage containers 14a is empty. The first beverage container 14a has been crumpled to its most crumpled state, i.e. the force applied by the pressure in the pressure space cannot crumple the beverage container 14a any further. The beverage of the beverage container 14a has been dispensed through the tapping line 20. The gas of the head space 28a is now located partially in the crumpled beverage container 14a and partly in the first tapping line part 20', however, the gas in the head space 28a does not reach the first junction since the volume of the first tapping line part 20' is greater than the volume of the head space 28a. Thus, a small amount of beverage from the beverage space 26a remains in the first tapping line part 20' adjacent the first junction 22, no gas enters the tapping device and no foam is generated. Dispensing can continue without interruption. 13

FIG 2D shows a beverage dispensing system 10 in which two of the beverage containers 14a 14b are empty. Now, also the second beverage container 14b has been crumpled to its most crumpled state, i.e. the force applied by the pressure in the pressure space cannot crumple the beverage container 14b any further. The beverage of the beverage container 14b has been dispensed through the tapping line 20. The gas of the head space 28b is now located partially in the crumpled beverage container 14b and partly in the second tapping line part 20", however, the gas in the head space 28b does not reach the second junction 22' since the volume of the second tapping line part 20" is greater than the volume of the head space 28b. Thus, a small amount of beverage from the beverage space 26b remains in the second tapping line part 20" adjacent the second junction 22', no gas enters the tapping device and no foam is generated. Dispensing can continue without interruption.

No gas can enter the third tapping line part 20"' until the third container 14c is empty and the gas from the head space 28c enters the third tapping line part 20"'. In case the volume of the third tapping line part 20"' is less than the volume of the head space 28c, gas and foam may be dispensed at the tapping device for indicating that all of the containers 14a 14b 14c are empty.

14

The invention is characterized by the following points:

1. A beverage dispensing system comprising a plurality of pressure chambers, each of said pressure chambers defining an inner space for receiving or having a collapsible beverage container, said collapsible beverage container defining a liquid filled beverage space, a gas-filled head space and a beverage outlet in communication with said liquid filled beverage space for extracting said liquid, said plurality of pressure chambers including:

a first pressure chamber defining a first bottom, said first bottom defining a first beverage connector for connecting to said beverage outlet of said collapsible beverage container, and

a second pressure chamber defining a second bottom, said second bottom defining a second beverage connector for connecting to said beverage outlet of said collapsible beverage container,

said beverage dispensing system further comprising:

a tapping line extending from said first beverage connector towards a tapping device of said beverage dispensing system, and

a first junction interconnecting said tapping line and said second beverage connector, thereby defining a first tapping line part between said first beverage connector and said junction,

characterized in that

said first tapping line part defining an inner volume, said inner volume being in the range between 0.1 litres and 1 litre, preferably between 0.2 litres and 0.8 litres, more preferably between 0.3 litres and 0.6 litres, most preferably about 0.4 litres, or said inner volume being equal to or larger than said head space of said collapsible beverage container.

2. The beverage dispensing system according to point 1 , wherein said first beverage connector is located at a higher level than said second beverage connector.

3. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the preceding points, wherein said first junction is located at said second connector. 15

4. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the preceding points, wherein said plurality of pressure chambers including more than two pressure chambers. 5. The beverage dispensing system according to point 4, wherein said beverage dispensing system comprises between 3 and 50 pressure chambers.

6. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the points 4-5, wherein said plurality of pressure chambers includes a third pressure chamber defining a third bottom, said third bottom defining a third beverage connector for connecting to said beverage outlet of said collapsible beverage container, said beverage dispensing system further comprising a second junction interconnecting said tapping line and said third pressure chamber between said first junction and said tapping device, thereby defining a second tapping line part between said second connector and said second junction, said second tapping line part defining a further inner volume, said further inner volume being in the range between 0.1 litres and 1 litre, preferably between 0.2 litres and 0.8 litres, more preferably between 0.3 litres and 0.6 litres, most preferably about 0.4 litres, or said further inner volume being equal to or larger than said head space of said collapsible beverage container.

7. The beverage dispensing system according to point 6, wherein said second beverage connector is located at a higher level than said third beverage connector. 8. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the points 6-7, wherein said second junction is located at said third connector.

9. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the preceding points, wherein said tapping line and at least said tapping line part(s) are located in a chilled compartment.

10. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the preceding points, wherein said collapsible beverage container defines a tight fit within said inner space of each of said pressure chambers. 16

1 1. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the preceding points, wherein said tapping line part(s) is/are at least 8 cm long.

12. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the preceding points, wherein said tapping line part(s) is/are feeding one tapping device.

13. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the preceding points, wherein said tapping line part(s) is/are feed through a cooling unit. 14. A method of constructing a beverage dispensing system by providing a plurality of pressure chambers, each of said pressure chambers defining an inner space for receiving or having a collapsible beverage container, said collapsible beverage container defining a liquid filled beverage space, a gas-filled head space and a beverage outlet in communication with said liquid filled beverage space for extracting said liquid, said plurality of pressure chambers including:

said method further comprising the steps of:

extending a tapping line from said first beverage connector towards a tapping device of said beverage dispensing system, and

establishing a first junction interconnecting said tapping line and said second beverage connector, thereby defining a first tapping line part between said first beverage connector and said junction,

characterized in that

said first tapping line part defining an inner volume, said inner volume being in the range between 0.1 litres and 1 litre, preferably between 0.2 litres and 0.8 litres, more preferably between 0.3 litres and 0.6 litres, most preferably about 0.4 litres, or said inner volume being equal to or larger than said head space of said collapsible beverage container. 17

15. The method according to point 14, further including any of the features of any of the points 1-13.

16. The beverage dispensing system according to point 2, wherein the pressure is equally applied in the pressure chambers.

17. The beverage dispensing system according to point 7, wherein the pressure is equally applied in the pressure chambers. 18. A beverage dispensing system comprising a plurality of pressure chambers, each of said pressure chambers defining an inner space for receiving or having a collapsible beverage container, said collapsible beverage container defining a liquid filled beverage space, a gas-filled head space and a beverage outlet in communication with said liquid filled beverage space for extracting said liquid, said plurality of pressure chambers including:

said beverage dispensing system further comprising:

characterized in that

said inner volume being equal to or larger than said head space of said collapsible beverage container, in which said head space defines a volume of not more than 0.4 litres.

19. A method of constructing a beverage dispensing system by providing a plurality of pressure chambers, each of said pressure chambers defining an inner space for receiving or having a collapsible beverage container, said collapsible 18

beverage container defining a liquid filled beverage space, a gas-filled head space and a beverage outlet in communication with said liquid filled beverage space for extracting said liquid, said plurality of pressure chambers including:

said method further comprising the steps of:

characterized in that

Claims

19 CLAIMS

said beverage dispensing system further comprising:

characterized in that

2. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1 , wherein said first beverage connector is located at a higher level than said second beverage connector.

3. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first junction is located at said second connector. 20

4. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said plurality of pressure chambers including more than two pressure chambers.

5. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 4, wherein said beverage dispensing system comprises between 3 and 50 pressure chambers.

6. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the claims 4-5, wherein said plurality of pressure chambers includes a third pressure chamber defining a third bottom, said third bottom defining a third beverage connector for connecting to said beverage outlet of said collapsible beverage container, said beverage dispensing system further comprising a second junction interconnecting said tapping line and said third pressure chamber between said first junction and said tapping device, thereby defining a second tapping line part between said second connector and said second junction, said second tapping line part defining a further inner volume, said further inner volume being in the range between 0.1 litres and 1 litre, preferably between 0.2 litres and 0.8 litres, more preferably between 0.3 litres and 0.6 litres, most preferably about 0.4 litres, or said further inner volume being equal to or larger than said head space of said collapsible beverage container.

7. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 6, wherein said second beverage connector is located at a higher level than said third beverage connector.

8. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the claims 6-7, wherein said second junction is located at said third connector.

9. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said tapping line and at least said tapping line part(s) are located in a chilled compartment.

10. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said collapsible beverage container defines a tight fit within said inner space of each of said pressure chambers. 21

1 1. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said tapping line part(s) is/are at least 8 cm long.

12. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said tapping line part(s) is/are feeding one tapping device.

13. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said tapping line part(s) is/are feed through a cooling unit.

14. A method of constructing a beverage dispensing system by providing a plurality of pressure chambers, each of said pressure chambers defining an inner space for receiving or having a collapsible beverage container, said collapsible beverage container defining a liquid filled beverage space, a gas-filled head space and a beverage outlet in communication with said liquid filled beverage space for extracting said liquid, said plurality of pressure chambers including:

said method further comprising the steps of:

characterized in that

said first tapping line part defining an inner volume, said inner volume being in the range between 0.1 litres and 1 litre, preferably between 0.2 litres and 0.8 litres, more preferably between 0.3 litres and 0.6 litres, most preferably about 0.4 litres, or said inner volume being equal to or larger than said head space of said collapsible beverage container. 22

15. The method according to claim 14, further including any of the features of any of the claims 1 -13.