EP3738920B1 - Beverage container and a control valve for a beverage container - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a beverage container according to the features of independent claim 1.

Beverage containers of this type are well known in practice. This applies in particular to so-called 5L party beer kegs. A beverage container according to the introductory part of the independent claim is known from EP 1 642 861 A1 known.

Party beer kegs of the type in question here are known in a wide variety of designs. The beer kegs are usually made of tinplate and have a tap in the lower area, near the bottom. A ventilation valve is provided in the upper area, preferably in the lid. This is opened when tapping so that the beer can flow out of the tap in the lower area due to gravity. The disadvantage here is that if there is a small amount of beer left, it only flows hesitantly from the tap. In addition, any remaining amount of beer in the party beer keg spoils extremely quickly. Accordingly, the beer must be consumed quickly.

Out of EP 2 009 535 A1 A party beer keg is known in which the tap is located in the upper part of the beverage container, more precisely in the side wall of the beverage container. The beer reaches the tap via a riser pipe.

To maintain the minimum pressure required for tapping, a pressure source in the form of a carbon dioxide cartridge is installed inside the container. When beer is tapped, the pressure inside the barrel is regulated via the pressure source so that it is sufficient until the very end of tapping, so that the beer is pumped up to the tap via the riser pipe.

In the well-known party keg, the pressure source is assigned to the lid of the container together with the control valve for regulating the pressure inside the beer keg, or more precisely, it is suspended from the lid of the beer keg. A so-called tapping lever extends through the lid from a valve holder to activate the pressure source that generates the internal pressure. The pressure source is a high-pressure compressed gas cartridge, which in itself represents a danger during transport and handling due to the high pressure inside the cartridge. In addition, the pressure regulation device, combined with a required pressure reducer, is complex to construct.

Out of EP 1 140 692 B1 A beverage container is known in which a type of aerosol can is used as a storage container for a compressed gas instead of a pressure cartridge. A valve is arranged in the dome area of the pressure can, as is known from practice with aerosol paint cans.

The pressurized gas is released depending on the pressure inside the container, whereby the release occurs due to a drop in pressure. Such a release of the pressurized gas is not clearly reproducible and carries the risk of an unintentional release of the pressurized gas or a failure of the activation required to dispense the beer. The EP 1 140 692 B1 The known device therefore only works with limited reliability.

The present invention is based on the object of designing and developing a beverage container of the generic type in such a way that the disadvantages occurring in the prior art are at least largely eliminated. In particular, the use of a pressure cartridge arranged in a cartridge protection housing with liquefied gas contained therein should not be necessary. Differences to competitive products are important.

The above object is solved by the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the activation device is provided in the bottom of the barrel or container, namely it is installed in the bottom of the container in a sealing manner. The bottom is therefore an assembly part or a holder for the activation device, which is firmly connected to the bottom. The activation device extends from inside the container to outside the container, through the bottom. Accordingly, the activation device can be operated from outside the container, namely from underneath the beverage container, without an operating element that would spoil the appearance being provided on or at the lid of the beverage container. By operating the activation device, which is accessible from the bottom, the control valve can be activated so that it releases gas from the pressure canister depending on the internal pressure in the container.

The can arranged inside the container is designed in the form of an aerosol can with an outlet valve. When the beverage container is correctly positioned, it is upside down, i.e. with the dome area and the outlet valve pointing downwards, preferably in an area close to the wall of the beverage container. The dome area and the outlet valve of the pressure can are directed downwards or towards the bottom and are firmly arranged in the container, namely built into the bottom of the container.

At this point it should be noted that the beverage container is preferably a 5L party beer keg. According to the volume of the pressure can together with the activation device/control valve, the interior of the beverage container designed so that the required amount or volume of beer fits into the beverage container, taking into account a certain free volume.

The control valve is advantageously arranged between the dome area or the outlet valve of the pressure cell and the bottom of the container. The pressure cell thus stands on the control valve or is firmly connected to the control valve.

The activation device can be connected to the control valve or be part of the control valve. The activation device extends with an activation element from the control valve through the bottom of the container to the outside of the container, wherein the activation element and at least parts of the activation device are arranged in a housing which is sealed against the pressurized interior of the beverage container.

As already explained, the activation device is arranged in a housing, preferably together with the control valve. The housing is connected to the base in the area of the passage by welding, adhesive, force-fitting or form-fitting, sealing it. The welded connection to the base, which is made of tinplate, can be made by ultrasonic welding, laser welding or the like.

The activation element of the activation device, which extends outside the container, is sealed from the container and/or from the housing of the activation device by a sealing agent, preferably an O-ring or a sealing compound. Liquid therefore does not escape from the beverage container to the outside, especially not through the housing of the activation device. A secure liquid barrier is achieved.

It is essential for the activation element extending through the base to the outside of the container that it is arranged in an inwardly turned niche in the base, in a recess in the base or the like. The base of the container formed by a ring fold is thus not impaired. In addition, the activation element is secured by a safety element, a It is secured and/or covered by a protective cap or similar. It can be operated from outside or underneath the container, which unlocks or "arms" the beverage container. Only then can the beer be drawn and the internal pressure in the beverage container is adjusted accordingly, namely according to the amount of beer drawn or the reduced volume and the associated pressure reduction inside the container.

After removal of the safety element, the actuation takes place and the activation element acts directly or indirectly on the outlet valve of the pressure cell, preferably on a tappet which is assigned to the outlet valve of the pressure cell.

As already mentioned, the internal pressure in the beverage container is regulated in such a way, namely set to a predetermined value, that regardless of the amount of liquid in the housing, the pressure is sufficient to dispense the liquid from the housing. For example, the beer can be dispensed via a riser pipe through a dispensing device located in the upper part of the beverage container, and this is always at the same pressure right down to the last drop.

The control valve comprises a pressure surface or a membrane which is exposed to the internal pressure in the container on the side facing the pressure can and to the mechanical pressure of a pressure medium on the opposite side facing the activation device. The pressure medium can be a pre-tensioned elastic means, for example a spring. The arrangement of the membrane and the arrangement and design of the spring are such that when the internal pressure is below the pressure of the pressure medium relative to the membrane, the latter presses against the outlet valve of the can due to the force of the pressure medium. This results in the outlet valve being actuated so that gas flows out of the can until the pressure inside the container moves the membrane away from the outlet valve of the can against the force of the spring so that the outlet valve of the can is no longer actuated and no further gas can flow out of the pressure can.

To operate the activation device, a tool can be provided with which the activation device can be operated from outside the container, in particular from below the bottom of the container. This tool can be positioned outside the container in the bottom area. After using the tool, it can be clipped back on or otherwise secured in the bottom area.

Fig. 1

in einer schematischen Ansicht, geschnitten, einen erfindungsgemäßen Getränkebehälter am Beispiel eines 5L-Party-Bierfasses, wobei im Innern des Getränkebehälters ein Drucksystem mit Regelventil und Aktivierungseinrichtung sowie eine Zapfeinrichtung mit Steigrohr angeordnet sind,

Fig. 2

in einer schematischen Ansicht den Gegenstand aus Figur 1, im Detail, wobei das Regelventil nicht aktiviert ist,

Fig. 3

in einer schematischen Ansicht den Gegenstand aus Figur 1, im Detail, wobei das Regelventil durch die Aktivierungseinrichtung aktiviert ist, und

Fig. 4

in einer schematischen Ansicht den Getränkebehälter aus den Figuren 1 bis 3, schräg von unten, wobei im Boden des Getränkebehälters die Nische mit Aktivierungseinrichtung bzw. Abdeckung des Aktivierungsorgans angedeutet ist.

There are now various possibilities for designing and developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. For this purpose, reference is made on the one hand to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and on the other hand to the following explanation of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing. In connection with the explanation of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching are also explained. The drawing shows

Fig. 1

in a schematic view, cut, a beverage container according to the invention using the example of a 5L party beer keg, wherein a pressure system with control valve and activation device as well as a dispensing device with riser pipe are arranged inside the beverage container,

Fig. 2

in a schematic view the object from Figure 1 , in detail, with the control valve not activated,

Fig. 3

in a schematic view the object from Figure 1 , in detail, wherein the control valve is activated by the activation device, and

Fig. 4

in a schematic view the beverage container from the Figures 1 to 3 , diagonally from below, with the bottom of the beverage container Niche with activation device or cover of the activation organ is indicated.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view, sectioned, of a beverage container 1 according to the invention, in the interior 2 of which a dispensing device 3 with riser pipe 4 is arranged. The dispensing device 3 has an actuating member 5 which, when pulled out, can be actuated from outside the container 1. An outlet 6 is formed below the actuating member 2.

Inside the container 1 there is a pressure source in the form of a pressure can 7 which is filled with a compressed gas. This can be, for example, compressed CO _2. It is essential that the gas in the pressure can 7 is in the gaseous state.

Figure 1 also clearly shows that a housing 10 is connected to the dome area 8 and thus to the outlet valve 9 of the pressure cell 7. A control valve 11 and an activation device 12 of the control valve 11 are arranged in this housing 10.

Figure 1 furthermore clearly shows that a niche 14 is formed in the bottom 13 of the container 1, which has a passage in the bottom 13, which is connected at the edge to the housing 10 in a flow-tight manner. Preferably, the housing 10 is welded to the material of the bottom 13, in particular ultrasonically welded.

An activation member 16 of the activation device 12 extends outside the housing 1 and is covered by a protective cap 17 serving as a securing element.

Figure 2 shows in detail the "inner workings" of the housing 10, namely the control valve 11 and the activation device 12, with the activation element 16 extending through the base 13. The activation element 16 is secured by the protective cap 17. The control valve 11 is thus in the "unarmed" state.

Figure 3 shows the same arrangement as Figure 2 , whereby the control valve 11 is in the triggered, ie armed, state. The protective cap 17 is detached from the activation element 16.

In this state, a pre-tensioned spring 18 presses against a membrane 19, which in turn actuates the outlet valve 9 of the pressure can 7, until a pressure builds up in the interior 2 that compensates for the pressure of the pre-tensioned spring 18, so that the membrane 19 moves away from the outlet valve 9. This process is repeated every time beer is tapped, which reduces the pressure prevailing in the interior 2. Without the provision of the pressure can 7, a controlled tapping of the beer would not be possible, especially if the tapping device 3 is located in the upper area of the wall of the container 1.

Figure 4 finally shows in a schematic view, obliquely from below, the container 1 designed as a beer barrel, with outer wall 20 and base 13, in which the niche 14 is formed with the activation element 16 covered by the protective cap 17. Since the activation element 16 with the protective cap 17 is arranged in the inwardly offset niche 14, the base formed by the lower fold 21 and the resulting stability are ensured.

With regard to further advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention, reference is made to the general part of the description and to the appended claims in order to avoid repetition.

Finally, it should be expressly pointed out that the embodiment of the teaching according to the invention described above serves only to discuss the claimed teaching, but does not restrict it to the embodiment.

list of reference symbols

1

beverage container

2

interior

3

dispensing device

3a

tap

4

riser pipe

5

actuator

6

outlet

7

pressure vessel

8

cathedral area

9

outlet valve

10

Housing

11

control valve

12

activation device/actuating device

13

Floor

14

niche

15

Lid

16

activating organ

17

protective cap

18

Feather

19

membrane

20

exterior wall

21

fold

Claims (9)

1. Drinks container (1), in particular beer keg, preferably 5L party beer keg, for providing and dispensing a liquid, preferably a drink, in particular a beer or beer drink, having a base (13), a cover (15) and a dispensing device (3) for pressure-assisted discharging of the liquid in the container (1),

   wherein within the container (1) there is arranged with gas, preferably with carbon dioxide, a pressure vessel (7) which is associated with a control valve (11) which is for discharging the gas into the container (1) and which can be activated from outside the container (1) by means of an activation device (12),

   wherein by discharging the gas the pressure inside the container (1) can be adjusted to a value which regardless of the quantity of liquid in the container (1) is required to discharge the liquid from the container (1) and which where applicable keeps the liquid in or remaining in the container (1) fresh,

   wherein the activation device (12) is installed in such a sealing manner in the base (13) of the container (1) that it extends from the inner side of the container (1) to the outer side of the container (1) and can be activated from outside the container (1), according to which the control valve discharges gas from the pressure vessel depending on the internal pressure applied in the container,

   characterised in that the pressure vessel (7) is configured in the manner of an aerosol vessel with an outlet valve (9) and is securely arranged in an inverted state in the container (1), that is to say, with a dome region of the pressure vessel (7) and the outlet valve (9) directed in a downward direction or facing the base (13).
2. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that the control valve (11) is arranged between the dome region (8) or the outlet valve (9) of the pressure vessel (7) and the base (13) of the container (1).
3. Container according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the activation device (12) extends where applicable as a component of the control valve (11) with an activation member (16) from the control valve (11) through the base (13) of the container (1) to the outer side of the container (1).
4. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the activation device (12), preferably together with the control valve (11), is arranged in a housing (10) which is connected to the base (13) in a sealing manner by means of welding technology, adhesive technology, in a non-positive-locking or positive-locking manner in the region of the passage.
5. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the activation member (16) which extends outside the container (1) is sealed with respect to the container (1) and/or with respect to the housing (10) of the activation device (12) by a sealing means, preferably by an O-ring or a sealing mass.
6. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the activation member (16) which extends outside the container (1) is secured and/or covered outside the container (1), preferably in an inwardly placed recess (14) of the base (13), in an indentation or the like, by means of a securing element, a protection cap (17) or the like.
7. Container according to claim 6, characterised in that the activation device (12) after the safety element has been removed acts directly or indirectly on the outlet valve (9) of the pressure vessel (7), preferably on a tappet of the outlet valve (9).
8. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the control valve (11) comprises a diaphragm (19) which is exposed at the side facing the pressure vessel (7) to the inner pressure applied in the container (1) and at the opposing side facing the activation device (12) is exposed to the mechanical pressure of a pressure medium (18), preferably a pretensioned spring (18), so that, with an internal pressure below the pressure of the pressure medium (18) with respect to the diaphragm (19), it presses as a result of the force of the pressure medium (18) against the outlet valve (9) of the vessel (7) so that gas flows out of the vessel (7) until the pressure applied inside the container (1) moves the diaphragm (19) counter to the force of the spring (18) away from the outlet valve (9) of the vessel (7) so that no further gas flows out of the pressure vessel (7).
9. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that a tool is arranged to activate the activation device, wherein the activation device (12) can be activated with the tool from outside the container (1).

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