MX2012012562A - METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING DRINKS, IN SPECIAL CARBONED DRINKS. - Google Patents

Abstract

Beverage container unit, comprising a beverage container with a body portion and a neck portion, where at least the body portion forms a first beverage compartment, where a pressure control device is provided, preferably at least partially in the beverage container, to pressurize a beverage in the beverage container, wherein said pressure control device comprises a gas container that forms a second compartment to contain a propellant gas under pressure, where a dispensing unit is provided in and / or on the neck portion and where the gas container is supported by the neck portion and / or the dispensing unit, where pressure regulating means are provided in the dispensing unit.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING DRINKS, ESPECIALLY BEVERAGES CARBONATED The invention relates to a dispensing unit and to a method for dispensing a liquid under pressure.

EP 1064221 discloses a device for dispensing a liquid, wherein the device comprises a container having a first compartment, and a second compartment, where the first compartment is arranged to receive the liquid to be dispensed, and where the second compartment is located. arranged to receive a propellant gas, wherein, at least during use, an opening is provided between the first and the second compartment. The device further comprises a pressure control means arranged to control, during use, the pressure of the propellant gas flowing from the second compartment to the first compartment. The pressure control means is provided inside the first compartment.

An object of the present 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 provided, and especially mounted easily.

Even a further 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 for forming and / or filling a beverage container, especially a self-pressurized beverage container.

In a first aspect, a container unit according to the present disclosure can provide a beverage container with a body and a neck portion, wherein at least the body portion forms a first beverage compartment. A pressure control device is provided for pressurizing a beverage in the beverage container, which pressure control device comprises a gas container forming a second compartment for containing a propellant gas under pressure. A dispensing unit is provided in and / or over the neck portion and the gas container is supported by the neck portion and / or dispensing unit, wherein the pressure regulating means is provided in the dispensing unit. The gas container preferably extends at least partially in the beverage container, preferably suspended in the neck portion of the container.

In a second aspect, a dispensing unit for a beverage container according to the invention comprises a pressure regulating means and a dispensing means. On the first side of the dispensing unit there is provided a first coupling means and a second coupling means, wherein the first coupling means surrounds the second coupling means. Within the first coupling means, at least one first gas passage is opened, said first gas passage extends in a chamber of the pressure regulating means, wherein between the first and the second coupling means at least one second passage is opens, said second passage extends into said chamber.

The embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, to clarify the invention. These embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way or manner. In these drawings: Figure la is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the dispensing unit according to the invention in its initial state, Figure Ib, le and Id are a top plan view, a side view and a bottom silver view of the dispensing unit illustrated in Figure la, respectively, in an extended state.

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

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing unit illustrated in Figure 1 taken along line A-A; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing unit illustrated in Figure 1 taken along line B-B; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing unit illustrated in Figure 1 taken along the line C-C; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing unit illustrated in Figure 1 taken along the line D-D; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a dispensing device comprising the dispensing unit illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing device illustrated in Figure 7 taken along line A-A of Figure 2, where the operating lever is in its initial position; Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device illustrated in Figure 7 taken along the line D-D in Figure 2, where the operating lever is in its initial position; Figure 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device illustrated in Figure 7 taken along line A-A of Figure 2, where the operating lever is in a first operating position; Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device illustrated in Figure 7 taken along line D-D of Figure 2, where the operating lever is in the first operating position; Figure 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device illustrated in Figure 7 taken along line B-B of Figure 2, where the operating lever is in the first operating position; Figure 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device illustrated in Figure 7 taken along the line D-D of Figure 2, where the operating lever is in a second operating position; Fig. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device illustrated in Fig. 7 taken along the line D-D of Fig. 2, showing a second embodiment of the dispensing unit where the operating lever is in the initial position; Figure 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device illustrated in Figure 7 taken along line DD of Figure 2, showing the second embodiment of the dispensing unit where the operating lever is in its first operating position; Figure 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device illustrated in Figure 7 taken along line DD of Figure 2, showing the second embodiment of the dispensing unit where the operating lever is in its second position of f operation; Figure 17 schematically illustrates a dispensing unit according to the description, from a side facing the beverage container; Figure 18 schematically illustrates a third embodiment of a container unit; Figure 19 schematically illustrates a fourth embodiment of a container unit; Y Figure 20 illustrates schematically a fifth embodiment of a container unit.

In this exemplary description, the container units and the pressurization units, as well as the methods, are described with reference to carbonated beverages, especially beer.

In this description, a pressure regulating means or a pressure control device should be understood as including at least one device or assembly for controlling the pressure within a beverage container, based on a predominant pressure in a first compartment. comprising the beverage to be dispensed, by feeding gas from a high pressure propellant gas container or a second compartment. In this description, embodiments are described in which the beverage container is made of plastic, for example blow molded, especially blown and stretched from a preform, in any suitable manner, such as is known in the art. However, similar beverage containers can be used partially or completely made of metal. In the specifically described and illustrated embodiments, a plastic gas container, for example PET or PEN or combinations thereof, or other thermoplastic material is disclosed. The plastic container can be made by injection molding and / or blow molding, for example in a manner similar to blow molding a beverage container, and can have a basic form of a blow mold preform to form a bottle , and can also be made from PET, PEN or combinations thereof or other thermoplastic material. However, said gas container can also be made differently and / or from different materials, for example metal.

In embodiments of the present invention, one aspect may be that a dispensing unit, comprising a dispensing means and a pressure regulating means, is used with which a gas container comprising a high pressure propellant gas and the container of drink can be closed.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, an aspect of the present invention can be based on the idea that during dispensing, instead of maintaining a constant regulated pressure in the liquid container and controlling the flow velocity of the liquid by controlling the flow area of the dispensing channel or the dispensing outlet for the liquid, the flow area of the channel or the dispensing outlet on the contrary is kept 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 flow velocity of the liquid being dispensed. This allows a relatively low pressure to be applied to the dispensing for any type of liquid, including carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, while maintaining the possibility of adjusting the liquid flow rate by simply adjusting or even varying the desired pressure of the propellant gas in the liquid. liquid container. An additional advantage of this solution is that by controlling the prevailing pressure in the liquid container during dispensing, the liquid flow path from the liquid container through the dispensing unit can be formed free of any obstacle of flow, thus allowing to avoid the development of unwanted turbulences in the liquid during the dispensing.

In a container unit according to the present disclosure, a container 36 can be provided, with a body 50 and a neck portion 51, wherein at least the portion of the body 50 forms a first beverage compartment. A pressure control device 53 is provided for pressurizing a beverage in the beverage container 36, which pressure control device 53 comprises or may be connected to a gas container 33 that forms a second compartment to contain a low propellant gas. Pressure. A dispensing unit 10 may be provided in and / or on the neck portion 51 and the gas container 33 may be supported by the neck portion 51 and / or dispensing unit 10, wherein the pressure regulating means 54 is provided. of the pressure control device 53 in the dispensing unit 10. In general, the pressure control device therefore comprises at least one pressure regulating means 54 and the gas container 33 or therefore a connecting means. The gas container 33 preferably extends at least partially in the beverage container 36, preferably suspended in the neck portion 51 of the container 36 and extends at least partially in the internal space constituted in the body portion 52. The dispensing unit 10 can block both the beverage container 36 and the gas container 33.

When the gas container 33 is injection molded, it can have a gas container body portion 55 with a peripheral wall portion 56 that expands radially within the first compartment by the propellant gas, for example under internal gas pressure between 4 and 20 absolute bars. This can be advantageous in that it can secure the dispensing unit 10 with the gas container even better within the gas container 36. In the embodiments, the gas container 33 can be inserted into and at least partially through the portion of neck 51 of the beverage container 36, wherein the neck portion 51 encloses an upper part of the gas container 33, providing a passage 57 for the gas between an inner surface of the neck portion 51 and an outer portion of the container of gas 33, wherein preferably a dip tube 35 extends through said passage from the first compartment into the dispensing unit 10.

The dispensing unit 10 may comprise a first coupling means 40 and the neck portion 51 of the beverage container 36 may be provided with at least one coupling means for coupling to the first coupling means 40, preferably in an airtight manner. Similarly, the dispensing unit 10 can have at least a second coupling means 42 and the gas container 33 can have a neck portion comprising a coupling means to cooperate with the second coupling means 42, preferably in a hermetic The beverage container may have a first internal axial length, measured between an outer end of the neck portion 51 and an opposite end of the beverage container 36, and the gas container 33 may have a second external axial length measured between the unit dispenser 10 to which is attached the gas container 33 and an opposite end of the gas container 33, wherein the first axial length is slightly larger 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 can provide a relatively thinner gas container, suitable for being inserted through the neck 51 or filling the opening of a beverage container 36, which nevertheless has a relatively larger internal volume. This allows the storage of a sufficient amount of propellant gas within the gas container 33.

The dispensing unit 10 may comprise at least one passageway 30, 25a through the pressure regulating means 53 to the first compartment, forming part of a gas passage between the first compartment and the second compartment, i.e., between the internal space of the beverage container 36 and the internal space of the gas container 33. The pressure regulating means 53 may further comprise at least one valve assembly for opening and closing said gas passage 30, 25a, based on the prevailing pressure in the first compartment.

In a dispensing unit 10 for a beverage container 36, a pressure regulating means 54 and a dispensing means can be found, wherein a first coupling means 40 and a second means of dispensing are provided on a first side of the dispensing unit. coupling 42. The first coupling means may surround the second coupling means, which has to be understood as meaning but not limited to the surroundings seen in a view substantially perpendicular to said first side of the dispensing means, such as for example specifically illustrated in fig. 17. Within the second coupling means 42 at least a first gas passage 25a, which in all embodiments can be referred to as a gas inlet channel, opens said first passage 25a extending within a chamber 58 of the regulating means of pressure 54, which in all embodiments can be referred to as a pressure sensing chamber, wherein between the first and second coupling means 42 at least a second passage 25b is opened, said second passage 25b extends into said chamber 58 The second passage may also be referred to in the disclosed embodiments as a gas outlet channel. A gas container 33 can be mounted to the second coupling means 42, which gas container contains an axial length Lgas and extends into the second coupling means 41, viewed in a direction of its axial length LgaSf which can be understood as meaning that viewed in said axial direction, which may be substantially perpendicular to said first side of said dispensing unit, the gas container 33 does not have a part extending beyond the first coupling means, as seen in FIG. 17 A valve stem 23 can extend through the first channel 25a and be connected to or part of a flexible and / or movable side wall 22 of said chamber 58, whose valve stem 23 can block and open the first passage 25a, for example, by a widening 24 of the stem 23, depending on at least one position of said wall part 22 of the chamber 58. Its embodiments will be further clarified in detail. The wall part 22 can for example be a flexible membrane 22, as disclosed for example in the embodiments of FIG. 1-16, or a piston, as disclosed for example as such in EP1064221 and referenced in the embodiment of Figure 18. All combinations thereof, therefore, should be considered as disclosed herein.

In FIG. 1a, a first preferred embodiment of the dispensing unit 10 is illustrated in a perspective view. Although the dispensing unit 10 in Figure 1 is illustrated as a lid for a bottle, the dispensing unit may be designed in any other way, for example as a threading unit for a beer keg. The first illustrated embodiment of the dispensing unit 10 comprises a lower mounting part 11 and an upper cover part 12. The lower mounting part 11 and the upper cover part 12 are connected by a flexible hinge 13. The upper covering part 12 comprises a rotary operating lever 14 used to control the flow velocity of the liquid during dispensing. The operating lever 14 is provided with different single break joints 15 for securing the operating lever 14 to an adjacent portion of the upper cover portion 12. These joints 15 also have the function of demonstrating that the dispensing unit 10 has not been manipulated Before the first use of the dispensing unit 10, these gaskets 15 have to be broken so that the operating lever 14 can move.

In Figures la, Ib and le, the lower mounting part 11, the upper covering part 12, the operating lever 14 and the single breaking joint 15 of the dispensing unit 10 can be viewed in different views of an extended state. In FIG. Id, a flexible dispensing tube 16 and a membrane 22 of a pressure regulating means are also illustrated, although these elements are disposed within the dispensing unit 10.

In Figure 2, the dispensing unit 10 can be seen in a plan view using the same reference numerals as in Figures a to Id. This figure also indicates sectioning lines AA, BB, CC and DD along which Cross-sectional views are taken and illustrated in at least the following Figures 3 to 6 in which the dispensing unit 10 is illustrated in its initial state, ie, in the storage state, when the operating lever is in its initial position.

Figure 3 illustrates the dispensing unit 10 in a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA indicated in Figure 2. Within the dispensing unit 10, a dispensing tube 16 is located below the operating lever 14. The dispensing tube 16 is secured to the lower mounting part 11 and comprises an opening 17 which establishes a fluid communication with the internal space of the liquid container (not shown) to which the dispensing unit 10 is coupled. The dispensing tube 16 has a portion of outer end 19 provided with an opening 19 'to allow liquid to flow out of the liquid container during dispensing. In Figure 3, the outer end portion 19 of the dispensing tube 16 is completely compressed by an eccentric front projection 18 of the operating lever 14, through which the liquid flow path is closed.

As can be seen in Figure 4, the upper covering part 12 of the dispensing unit 10 is fixed to the lower mounting part 11, for example, by a snap fit between the downstream projection 20 of the upper covering part 12. and the edge 21 of a corresponding through hole of the lower mounting part 11 adapted to receive said projection 20.

The dispensing unit 10 also comprises a pressure regulating means 54 for generating a constant regulated pressure for propellant gas in the liquid container. Reference may be made to the pressure regulating means may as a pressure control device 54. In the illustrated preferred embodiments of the dispensing unit 10, the pressure regulating means 54 comprises a strong membrane 22, preferably of rubber, a shank valve 23 attached to a central portion of the membrane 22 at its end, a valve head 24 formed at the other end of the valve stem 23 and a fluid communication path for the propellant gas, wherein said fluid communication path connects the internal space of the gas container 33 and the gas space internal of the liquid container 36 (partially also referred to as head space) through the pressure regulating means 54. In the illustrated embodiments of the dispensing unit 10, the fluid communication path includes a first gas channel 25a in the which is guided to the valve stem 23 and a second gas channel 25b or outlet channel (illustrated in Figure 6) and chamber 58. The operation of the pressure regulating means 54 of the dispensing unit 10 will be described later. They are part of the pressure control device 53.

As illustrated in Figure 5, the operating lever 14 has two coaxial pivots 26a and 26b that function as an axis for the operating lever 14 about which it can pivot. On the lateral surface of the inner pivot 26a, there is a bolt 27 arranged so as to extend in a guide hole 29 (illustrated in FIG. 6) of a slide 28. The slide 28 is guided as to move horizontally between the two end positions defined by the two end positions of the operating lever 14. When the operating lever 14 is pivoted, the pin 27, which is arranged eccentrically with respect to the rotational axis of the pivots 26a, 26bv, moves as far as possible. along the circular path, thereby exerting pressure on the slide 28 to move towards the central portion of the dispensing unit 10 or in the opposite direction, while the bolt moves up or down in the guide hole 29 The slide is an embodiment of an operating device or part thereof.

As seen clearly in Figure 6, the slide 28 partially covers the membrane 22, where the extent of the coverage depends on the position of the operating lever. Below the membrane coverage area 22, there is a third gas channel 30 formed to connect the internal space of the gas container with the head space of the liquid container through the pressure regulating means through the chamber 58 The slide 28 is formed so as to be able to modify the area of an upper opening 31 of the third gas channel 30, which also constitutes an outlet channel, thereby adjusting the amount of propellant gas flowing from the gas container inside. of the liquid container. By adjusting the velocity of the gas flow flowing through the third gas channel 30, the pressure of the propellant gas can be modified in the liquid container during dispensing. Because the pressure regulating means 54 of the pressure control device 53, as integrated in the dispensing unit 10, is adapted to generate a predetermined pressure in the beverage container 36, which is also referred to as a liquid container 36, the variable pressure range has an upper limit defined by said predetermined pressure of the pressure regulating means 53. On the other hand, the value of the lower limit of the variable pressure range can not be lowered below the ambient pressure because the closing of the third gas channel 30 will stop the spill of the liquid and also prevent the ambient air from entering the liquid container 36.

The mechanism including the operating lever, the slide, the third channel and the pressure regulating means can together constitute or at least form part of a means for adjusting the flow velocity of the propellant gas flowing from the gas container 33. in the liquid container 36, and to which reference can be made as flow regulating means or operating device or parts thereof. By varying the flow area of the third gas channel 30 by said mechanism, the pressure can be adjusted in the liquid container 36, and thus the flow velocity of the liquid can also be configured during dispensing.

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates an assembled dispensing device or container unit 70 comprising the liquid or beverage container 36 (indicated by a dashed line), for example, a bottle containing a beverage, for example a carbonated beverage such as beer, a gas container 33 containing a propellant gas, for example carbon dioxide or nitrogen, at a high pressure, for example between 2 and 20, more preferably between 4 and 14 bar, a dispensing unit, such as the unit dispenser 10 according to the present invention, and preferably a dip tube 35. The dispensing unit 10 is coupled to the liquid container 36 and the gas container 33 in a gas-tight manner. Even though in figure 7, the gas container 33 is illustrated inside the liquid container 36, the gas container 33 can also be arranged externally to the liquid container 36. The immersion tube 35 is disposed within the liquid container 36 and is connected to a channel of corresponding dispensing of the dispensing unit 10.

In Figure 8, a cross-sectional view of the dispensing device 70 illustrated in Figure 7 is illustrated with the operating lever 14 of the dispensing unit 10 in its initial position. The cross section is taken along the line AA of Figure 2. In the dispensing device 70, the operating lever 14, to which reference can also be made as an operating means of the dispensing unit, is in its initial position which is normally applied during the storage of the dispensing device 70. In this case, the forward projection 18 of the operating lever 14 closes the external external portion 19 of the dispensing tube 16, thus preventing the dispensing of the liquid 32 of the liquid container 36. Due to the overpressure of the propellant gas 34 predominant in the head space of the liquid container 36, the dispensing tube 16 also contains the liquid 32 under pressure. The liquid 32 can enter the dispensing tube 16 through the opening 17 of the dispensing channel (not shown) formed within the dispensing unit 10.

In the partial cross-sectional view of Figure 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 present invention, the dispensing unit 10 has a first coupling means for engaging the liquid container 36. As illustrated in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 9, the first coupling means may comprise a snap-fit portion 40 formed in the lower mounting part 11 of the unit. dispensing 10, wherein said press fit portion 40 is adapted to be fixed so as to be sealed to the corresponding coupling part of the liquid container 36. For this, the first coupling means may comprise an elastic seal ring 38 against which the corresponding coupling portion of the liquid container 36 rests after the assembly of the dispensing unit 10 in the container Liquid container 36. Although in Figure 9, only one preferred embodiment of said first coupling means is illustrated, the dispensing unit 10 may conform to the present invention to be coupled to the liquid container 36 in other ways as well, for example , by means of a threaded or glued fitting; the implementation of such alternative coupling modes is obvious to those skilled in the art.

In accordance with the present invention, the dispensing unit 10 further comprises a second coupling means for coupling to the gas container 33. As illustrated in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 9, the second coupling means may comprise an adjustment portion for pressure 42 also formed in the lower mounting part 11 of the dispensing unit 10, wherein said press fit portion 42 is adapted to be fixed so as to be sealed to the corresponding coupling part of the gas container 33. Preferred the second coupling means comprises an elastic seal ring 43 against which the corresponding coupling portion of the gas container 33 rests after the assembly of the gas container 33 to the dispensing unit 10. Although in FIG. , only a preferred embodiment of said second coupling means is illustrated, the dispensing unit can be attached to the container of gas in other ways also, for example, by means of a threaded or glued fitting; the implementation of such alternative coupling modes is obvious to those skilled in the art.

As can be seen in fig. The first and second coupling means can both be substantially circular, provided on a first side 60 of the dispensing device 10. The first coupling means can surround the second coupling means spaced therefrom., as presented in fig. 17. This view is substantially perpendicular to said side 60, or along the axis Lgas of the gas container 33. As can be seen in fig. 17 the outline 33A of the gas container 33 extends in the view of fig. 17, within the first coupling means. This is provided by the possibility of inserting the gas container 33 into the beverage container 36 by the neck portion 51, through the coupling means provided immediately afterwards.

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

After finishing dispensing the liquid, the operating lever moves again and is placed in its initial position, and as a result the same arrangement of the parts within the dispensing unit is obtained as shown in Figure 9. If the pressure As the dispenser is lower than said first pressure at the end of dispensing, the propellant gas tends to flow from the gas container 33 into the liquid container 36 through the second gas channel 25b until the first pressure is reached and the same pressure is reached. attach to the liquid container 36 by the pressure regulating means of the dispensing unit 10.

In Figure 10, the dispensing unit 10 can be observed with its operating lever 14 in a vertical position, where the dispensing tube 16 is open to its maximum extent, i.e. the outer end portion 19 of the dispensing tube 16 presents the Larger possible flow area for the liquid. In this case, however, the third gas channel (not shown) remains closed. The liquid flows out of the liquid container 36 through the dispensing channel (not shown), then through the opening 17 and finally through the dispensing tube 16. If an immersion tube 35 is also used (as shown in FIG. Figure 10), the liquid 32 is pushed into the dispensing channel through the dip tube 35.

Figure 11 shows the same state of the dispensing unit 10 as shown in Figure 10. The pressure regulating means remains in the same condition as described for the initial state of the dispensing unit 10, i.e. the membrane 22 it is raised and the third gas channel 30 is closed. In the first preferred embodiment of the dispensing unit 10, this vertical operating position of the operating lever 14 illustrated in Figures 10 to 12 (also referred to as the first operating position) defines a limit position between a first operating range of the operating lever 14 and a second operating range thereof, wherein the first operating range is associated with the control of the flow area of the dispensing channel or the outlet for the liquid (i.e., the dispensing tube 16, in FIG. the first embodiment), while the second operating range is associated with the control of the flow area of the third gas channel 30 for the propellant gas. As the operating lever 14 continues to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 11, the upper opening 31 of the third gas channel 30 gradually opens as the slider 28 moves toward the periphery of the gas portion. bottom mount 11.

As can be seen in the transverse view of the dispensing device illustrated in Figure 12, the dispensing channel 44 establishes a fluid communication path for the liquid 32 between the internal space of the liquid container 36 and the flexible tube 16. It can be connected optionally a dip tube 35 at the lower end of the dispensing channel 44.

In Figure 13, the dispensing device 70 is shown in a partial cross-sectional view, wherein the operating lever 14 moves to a second operating position 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 velocity of the liquid 32 is controlled during dispensing by controlling the pressure of the propellant gas 34 in the liquid container 36. The more downward the movement of the operating lever 14 is when pushing it in the direction F indicated by an arrow in Figure 13, the greater the area of the upper opening 31 of the third channel will be. gas 30 that will be released by the displacement of the slider 28, thereby generating the elevation of an increasing area of the portion of cob opening of the membrane 22 above the opening 31. Accordingly, by varying the open area of the opening 31, the amount of gas flowing from the gas container 33 within the liquid container 36 through the third can be varied. gas channel 30 and, consequently, the driving force of the liquid 32.

In order to minimize or even completely stop the flow of gas through the second gas channel 25b during dispensing, the second gas channel 25b must be closed or, alternatively, restricted so that a substantial delay is present. in the generation of the first pressure in the liquid container 36 by the pressure regulating means. To this end, in a first embodiment of the dispensing unit 10, the second gas channel 25b has a limited section 25c in which the gas flow velocity, under normal operating conditions, is so small that only a negligible amount of propellant gas can pass through it and into the liquid container 36 per unit of time, and therefore the first regulated pressure can be generated by the pressure regulating means within a relatively long time with respect to the period of time normally needed to dispense the desired amount of liquid. For example, if the first regulated pressure is 1.7-2 absolute bar, a diameter of approximately 100 μp? for the restricted section 25c allows a regulation delay of approximately 5 to 15 minutes, which is a much longer time than the normal duration of filling a vessel. After finishing dispensing the liquid, however, a similar delay does not matter if the next dispensing action begins even later. In addition, the first regulated pressure in the liquid container 36 is greater than the equilibrium pressure of the liquid 32 stored in the liquid container 36, preferably only by a few tenths of a bar, thereby providing a long-term storage pressure. suitable for the liquid in the liquid container during storage.

On the other hand, the pressure regulating means 54 of the first embodiment of the dispensing unit 10 also limits the maximum pressure of the pressure range associated with the second operating range of the operating lever. When the third gas channel 30 is completely open, the pressure in the liquid container 36 increases rapidly due to the large flow area of the opening 31, but the pressure can only rise to the first pressure since the regulating means of pressure 54 prevents the headspace space of the liquid container 36 from increasing further. In fact, upon reaching the first pressure in the liquid container 36, the head of the valve 24 will close the first gas channel 25a, thereby blocking the flow of propellant gas 34 from the gas container 33 inside the container of gas. liquid 36 In Figure 14, a partially transverse view of a dispensing device 70 'is illustrated with a second embodiment of the dispensing unit 110 according to the present invention. In this example, the operating lever 114 (indicated by a dotted line) of the dispensing unit 110 is in its initial position used for storage of the liquid container 136. This second embodiment of the dispensing unit 110 comprises an exit channel. of common gas 130 which provides the function of both the first gas outlet channel and the second gas outlet channel used in the first embodiment of the dispensing unit. In order to suitably control the flow of gas through this common gas channel 130, the slider 128 as an operating device or part thereof is designed to have a recess 129 in its lower sliding surface which allows the membrane 122 has a local elevation 123 above the upper opening 131 of the common gas channel 130. Below this local elevation 123 a limited flow rate of the propellant gas 134 is allowed, thus providing a substantial delay in the development of the first pressure in the liquid container 136.

As can be seen in Figure 15, which illustrates the second embodiment of the dispensing unit 110 with the operating lever 114 in its first operating position, the slide 128 moves to a position where it completely closes the common gas channel 130. Similar to the first embodiment of the dispensing unit (but not illustrated in Figure 15), in this position the operation lever 114 completely opens the flexible dispensing tube of the dispensing unit 110.

Figure 16 illustrates the second additional embodiment of the dispensing unit 110 with the operating lever 114 in a second operating position during dispensing, wherein the inner end portion of the slider 128 at least partially opens the common gas channel 130 , allowing the main part of the membrane 122 to rise above the upper opening 131 of the common gas channel 130. In the second operating range of the operation lever 114, the common gas channel 130 is used only to control the pressure of the propellant gas in the liquid container 136 and thus also the flow velocity of the liquid being dispensed.

Since this embodiment of the dispensing unit 110 does not have a separate gas channel with a limited section for feeding the propellant gas 134 from the gas container 133 into the liquid container 136, the relatively large flow area of the gas channel common 130 allows a fairly rapid development of the first regulated pressure in the liquid container 136 after finishing with the dispensing of the liquid.

Fig. 18 shows an alternative embodiment of a beverage container 36, wherein the pressure regulating device 53 is supported on the neck 51 of the container 36, part of the gas container 33 extends within the internal space of the body 52 of the beverage container 36. In this embodiment, the gas regulating device 53 is integrated with the dispensing device 10. The gas container 33 can be supported on the free end 69 of the neck by a flange 61. The dispensing device 10 is mounted on the neck 51. , for example by means of a press fit or holding means 40, so that the dispensing device 10 is pressed against the flange 61, thereby pressing the flange against the neck 51 and causing the gas container 33 to close in a hermetic way to the gas. Suitable seals 38, 43 may be provided, if necessary.

A valve 62, for example an aerosol valve as described in EP1064221, is provided in a lower part 71 of the dispensing device 10., forming a connection between the internal space of the gas container 33 and the space 58 on the lower part 71, below the wall part 22, on the other side of which a pressure regulating chamber 63 is provided. The lower part 71 can it can be an integral part of the dispensing unit 10 or it can be a separate part, which can for example be provided on the flange 61, for example by means of fastening, gluing, welding, press fit or the like. On an opposite side of the space 58, a flexible wall portion 22 of a pressure regulating means 54 is provided, resting against the valve 62, forming part of the wall of the pressure regulating chamber 63. If the pressure in the space 58 falls below the regulating pressure, the wall part 22 will be forced, by pressing in a pressure regulating chamber 63 above the wall 22, against the valve 62, opening the valve 62 and allowing the gas flow from the gas container 33 in the space 58. At least one passage 25b is provided through the bottom 71 and the flange 61, in the internal space of the beverage container 36. The pressure equilibrium will exist substantially between the space 58 and the internal space of the beverage container 36. When the pressure in the beverage container 36 returns to the desired pressure, such as the equilibrium pressure, the wall part 22 will retract and the valve 62 will close. The pressure regulation or control device 53 of all embodiments may be provided with a similar arrangement of the chambers 58 and 63 and the intermediate wall portion 22 to open and / or close the inlet channel 25a.

A dip tube 35 extends from the interior space of the beverage container 33, passing the gas container 33 and through the flange 61 into the dispensing device 10. A dispensing tube 63 is connected to the dip tube 35 by a valve 64, which in the illustrated embodiment can be a hose valve, which can be operated by an arm 14 connected to an excenter 66. In fig. 18, valve 64 is shown in closed position. By moving the arm 14 in the direction of the arrow 67, the valve 64 opens and the beverage can be expelled from the beverage container 36 through the dip tube 35 and the dispensing tube 63. The pressure of the beverage container 36 will be regulated by the pressure regulating device 53, especially the medium 54. By moving the arm 14 back into position, the valve 64 is closed again. Clearly other types of valves 64 can be provided, for example an in-line valve. Other means for operating the valve 64 may be provided.

In other embodiments, the valve 64 can be dispensed, where the dispensing tube can be provided with or connected to a dispensing unit or valve for cooperating with a valve unit of a dispensing unit, as described, for example, in EP1289874.

In fig. 19 shows a further embodiment of a beverage container 36, of which only a top portion is shown, comprising a neck 51, on which a unit 10 is provided. A gas container 33 is provided outside the container 36, by example in a dent in the outer wall thereof, such that the longitudinal axes Lgas and Lboteiia extend substantially parallel to one another. The gas container 33 is mounted in the unit 10, in any suitable manner, for example as previously disclosed in other embodiments. Within the unit 10 a gas sensing chamber 58 and a gas regulating chamber 63 are again provided, as described above, separated by a mobile or deformable wall or part of wall 22. A gas inlet channel 25a extends from the gas container 33 into the pressure sensing chamber 58, through which a shank 23 carrying a head 24 for closing the channel 25a extends. The stem is connected to the wall part 22. In the unit 10, further, a dispensing tube 16 is provided, which extends from a dip tube 35 to an outlet end 19. The tube 16 is at least partially flexible, so that it can be closed by an excenter 66, as discussed with reference to fig. 18. A gas outlet channel 25b, 30 extends from the gas sensing chamber 58 to the internal space of the beverage container 36. This channel 25b, 30 has a relatively large cross-section, which preferably is sufficient to allow When the channel is completely open, a quantity of gas flows from the gas container and / or the gas sensing chamber 58 into the beverage container sufficiently to substantially immediately restore a desired pressure within the container. beverage container for dispensing beverages, during the dispensing of the beverage at a maximum flow. The channel 25b, 30 may have a cross section of, for example, half square mm or more.

In unit 10, an operating device 28 is provided, slidable in a channel 80 extending substantially perpendicular to channel 25b, 30. A spring 81 is provided between a lower part 82 of channel 80 and the device. 28, which deflects the device 28 in an outward direction of the channel 80. An opening 83 is provided in the device 28, which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement F, with a cross section similar to that of the channel 25b, 30. In a first position, as shown in fig. 19, opening 83 will open to channel 25b, Only in a small part, preferably a very small part, for example in such a way that the remaining passage through the channel 25b, 30 and the opening 83 is very small, for example, well below 0.5 mm square , in such a way that in this position a limited flow from the chamber 58 to the beverage container 36 is possible, delaying the balance of the pressure during and / or after the threading of the beverage container. By pushing the device 28 towards the closed end of the channel 80, the opening 83 will open further to the channel 25b, 30, allowing for a greater gas flow and thereby a faster pressure rise in the beverage container 36. .

Fig. 20 also schematically discloses an embodiment similar to the embodiment of, for example, FIG. 9, wherein the gas container 33, however, has a different shape. In this embodiment, the gas container 33 is provided in an upper portion of the beverage container 36, and, for example, substantially in the form of a ball, a donut, a dome or the like, with a cross-section Dg substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Lines and a length of the Z axis parallel to said axis Lgas- In some embodiments the cross section Dg may be larger than an internal cross section Dcueiio of the neck of the beverage container 36, so that the gas container 33 can not be removing from the beverage container 36 through the neck 51. In embodiments as disclosed, a gas container 33 as illustrated in FIG. 21 can be used with a cross section Dg substantially equal to, for example, at least half of the body of the internal cross section Db of the beverage container 36, preferably at least 3/4 of said cross section Db and for example approximately same cross-section Db, so that the gas container 33 protrudes from the internal part of the body wall and / or from a shoulder portion of the beverage container, for example directly below the neck 51. In some embodiments, the length Z of the gas container 33 may be less than half the axial length L of the beverage container 36, preferably less than 1/4 of said axial length L, for example about 1/5 of said axial length. In some embodiments the length of Z is approximately minimum to provide sufficient volume in said gas container 33 to contain sufficient amounts of gas to dispense the total volume of beverage from the beverage container, at a desired maximum pressure of said gas in the container. said gas container.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, for example with a gas container 33 as shown in FIG. 20, the gas container can be a plastic container, which is injection molded or otherwise formed as a preform, from which a final desired shape is obtained by blowing at least partially into the beverage container, after an insertion at least partial of the gas container inside the container in said form of a preform. The preform can be blow molded at least partially before insertion into the beverage container, or it can be blow molded completely inside the beverage container. The blow molding can be achieved at least partially by the pressure of the gas introduced into or formed within the gas container 33. As will be described later, especially when dry ice is used to provide at least part of the desired amount of pressure of gas inside the gas container 33, this can be advantageous.

In embodiments of the present disclosure the gas container 33 can be provided in an upper middle portion of the beverage container 36 when it is placed with the neck 51 or at least the dispensing unit 10 in a top portion thereof. Preferably the gas container 33 is provided almost directly below the neck 51 and / or the dispensing unit 10, in for example, within a fourth upper part or a fifth upper part of the internal volume of the beverage container 36. This means that the volume of the beverage comprised within the beverage container will be in the lower portion of the gas container, substantially, or, preferably, almost completely below the gas container 33. This means that the center of gravity G of the entire assembly, comprising the unit 10, the beverage container 36 with a beverage and the gas container 33 will move downward as compared to their position when the gas container 33 is provided as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 9, with a longer length and a smaller cross section. This increases the stability of the assembly.

In an alternative embodiment, the operating device 28 and the operating means 14 for the dispensing of beverages can again be integrated as shown above with reference to, for example, to FIG. 1-16, wherein the gas container is at least partially located outside the container 36, as shown in FIG. 19. Alternatively in all embodiments the gas container may have a different shape and / or dimensions and, for example, may be provided as a collar around the neck of the container, for example so that an outer side thereof is approximately level with or within the perimeter defined by the body of the beverage container.

According to one aspect, there is disclosed a method for providing a beverage container unit, wherein a beverage container 36 is filled with a beverage through a filling opening, for example a neck portion 51. In addition, a container is provided. gas 33, comprising a predetermined amount of gas or gas generating medium. This, for example, can be C02 gas or dry ice, and is predetermined such that a pressure builds up in the gas container well above the dispensing pressure for the beverage, for example, well above 2 bar, preferably above 4 bar absolute, such as for example, but not limited to between 4 and 15 bar. The gas container can be mounted in the dispensing opening or neck portion 51 so as to extend into and through the filling opening within the internal space of the beverage container 36. This is preferably done after filling the container of drink with the drink. A dispensing unit 10 is provided, comprising a pressure regulating means 54; said dispensing unit 10 is mounted in and / or over the filling opening and is connected to the gas container 33.

In one embodiment, for example, the dispensing unit 10 may be any of the previously disclosed embodiments. It can be mounted after filling the beverage container, where propellant gas is supplied under pressure in the gas container. In one embodiment, the gas container 33 can be mounted in the dispensing unit 10 separately from the beverage container 36 and placed in the beverage container 36 as a unit. Alternatively, the gas container can be suspended in or on the beverage container 36, for example, but not limited by said flange 61, where the dispensing unit can be placed and coupled to the first and second coupling means. In such an embodiment, the gas can be fed into the gas container after being placed in or on the beverage container 36. In one aspect, the present invention also relates to a novel method of dispensing a liquid under pressure from a container of liquid in which the liquid is stored under pressure by a propellant gas that has a first regulated pressure. Preferably, in said method, the first pressure exceeds the equilibrium pressure of the liquid, for example, but not limited to, a few tenths of a bar. In order to provide the first regulated pressure in the liquid container, additional propellant gas is stored in a 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 velocity of the liquid during dispensing.

In a method according to the invention, the dispensing can be initiated by reducing the first pressure of the liquid container to a third pressure, wherein the third pressure is at least the ambient pressure. Depending on the design of the particular dispensing apparatus used to perform the dispensing, the third pressure may be higher than the ambient pressure. After the overpressure of the liquid container has been completely or partially released, the liquid dispensing path is opened and the flow area of the entire dispensing path is fixed. The opening of the liquid dispensing path can be carried out along an internal dispensing duct or in a dispensing outlet.

Finally, while maintaining the fixed flow area of the dispensing path for the liquid unchanged, the pressure of the propellant gas in the liquid container can be controlled within a pressure range defined by a first pressure and the ambient pressure, dispensing that way a first amount of liquid. This first quantity preferably corresponds to the complete dose of the liquid to be dispensed in a batch. It is preferred that the overpressure that remains in the liquid container during dispensing does not exceed the ambient pressure by a few tenths of a bar, for example, 0.1-0.2 bar, to maintain the flow vely of the liquid at a level rather low and thus not allow excessive foam formation of the liquid.

Alternatively, the step of reducing the overpressure in the liquid container and the step of opening and fixing the flow area of the dispensing path for the liquid can be carried out at the same time. In this case, a second amount of liquid may be dispensed additionally in this step, but this second dispensed quantity of liquid is preferably very limited. It is preferred that the second amount be less than 10 to 15% of the total amount of liquid to be dispensed in one dose.

During dispensing, the dispensing pressure of the propellant gas in the liquid container in embodiments of the invention can preferably be controlled by controlling the flow vely of the propellant gas flowing from the gas container into the liquid container. The control of the pressure in the liquid container during dispensing, however, can be carried out in other ways as well, for example by the use of an additional gas supply, optionally an external gas container, to provide the amount necessary gas for this purpose.

While several preferred embodiments of the dispensing unit and the dispensing method according to the invention have been illustrated above, the present invention is by no means limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the description and drawings, and many variations of it is possible within the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

In particular, the single operating lever of the dispensing unit may be presented by providing two independent operating levers or other operating means for each of the above-mentioned operating range, i.e., a first operating lever for controlling the flow area of the dispensing means for the liquid and a second operating lever for controlling the flow belong to the third gas channel (or the common gas channel) for the propellant gas. In addition, instead of levers, any other type of tool can be used, such as a push button, a rotary knob, etc. as a means of operation to control the flow vely of the liquid.

The slide element 28 can be simplified, for example, it can be replaced by a piece of resistant plastic, which can be forced on and / or from the membrane by the lever 14 to open and / or close the channel (s). ) relevant (s), such as channel 30.

The pressure regulating means can also be designed differently from the exemplary pressure regulator described above with reference to the drawings, while at the same time providing the same function of generating a first regulated pressure in the liquid container. Said pressure regulating means is well known in the art.

The dispensing unit 10 could be designed to fit within a neck portion of a beverage container, or could be integrated at least partially with a beverage container. The beverage container could be a bag with a container design, where the beverage could be contained within a flexible bag suspended in the beverage container, for example connected to the dispensing device 10, surrounding the second mounting means, which it may contain the gas container 33, where the second channel 25b, 30, 130 opens in a space between the bag and the beverage container. The dispensing tube 64 or 19 may be extended and extended well beyond the periphery of the beverage container, and may be provided with an in-line valve or the like.

These and many other variants, including but not limited to all combinations of parts of embodiments that were described and discussed, are considered as disclosed herein and included within the scope of the present disclosure and / or the claims appended to this disclosure.

Claims (15)

1. CLAIMS Having thus specially described and determined the nature of the present invention and the way it has to be put into practice, it is declared to claim as property and exclusive right: 1. Beverage container unit, comprising a beverage container with a body portion and a neck portion, wherein at least the body portion forms a first beverage compartment, wherein a pressure control device is provided, preferably at least partially in the beverage container, for pressurizing a beverage in the beverage container, wherein said pressure control device comprises a gas container forming a second compartment for containing a propellant gas under pressure, wherein a dispensing unit is provided in and / or on the neck portion and where the gas container is supported by the neck portion and / or the dispensing unit, where pressure regulation means are provided in the dispensing unit. 2. Container unit according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing unit closes the beverage container and the gas container. 3. Container unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gas container is made of plastic, especially a thermoplastic plastic, more specifically PET of a PET mixture. 4. Container unit according to claim 3, wherein the gas container is injection molded, wherein the gas container has a body portion with a peripheral wall portion radially expanding within the first compartment under internal gas pressure between 4 and 20 absolute bars. 5. Container unit according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the gas container can be inserted into and at least partially through the neck portion of the beverage container, where the neck portion encloses an upper portion of the container. gas container, providing a passage for gas between an inner surface of the neck portion and an outer portion of the gas container, wherein preferably a dip tube extends through said passage from the first compartment within the dispensing unit . 6. Container unit according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the dispensing unit comprises a first coupling means and the neck portion of the beverage container is provided with at least one coupling means for coupling to the first coupling means, preferably in an airtight manner. 7. Container unit according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the gas container has a gas container body portion and a gas container neck portion, wherein the gas container body portion extends to the less partially within the first compartment, wherein the dispensing unit comprises at least a second coupling means and the gas container neck portion comprises a coupling means for cooperating with the second coupling means, preferably in a sealed manner. 8. Container unit according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the beverage container is a blow molded plastic container, preferably made of at least PET or a PET mixture. Container unit according to any of claims 1 - 8, wherein the beverage container has a first internal axial length measured between an outer end of the neck portion and an opposite end of the beverage container, and the container of The gas has a second external axial length measured between the dispensing unit to which the gas container is fixed and an opposite end of the gas container, where the first axial length is slightly larger than the second axial length, preferably between 1 and 1. , 2 times the second axial length, more preferably between 1 and 1.1 times the second axial length. 10. Container unit according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the dispensing unit comprises at least one passage from the pressure regulating means to the first compartment, forming part of a gas passage between the first compartment and the second compartment , wherein the pressure regulating means comprises at least one valve assembly for opening and closing said gas passage, based on the pressure prevailing in the first compartment. 11. Dispensing unit for a beverage container, comprising a pressure regulating means and a dispensing means, wherein on a first side of the dispensing unit there is provided a first coupling means and a second coupling means, wherein the first coupling means surrounds the second coupling means, wherein within the second coupling means at least a first passage of gas opens, where said first passage extends into a chamber of the pressure regulating means, where between the first and second means of coupling opens at least a second passage, wherein said second passage extends into said chamber. 12. Dispensing unit according to claim 11, wherein a gas container is mounted to the second coupling means, wherein the gas container has an axial length and extends within the first coupling means, viewed in a direction of its axial length, wherein the gas container is preferably made of plastic, more preferably it is injection molded and / or blow molded and / or made of PET or a PET mixture. 13. Dispensing unit according to any of claims 10-12, wherein a valve stem extends through the first channel and is connected with or part of a movable and / or flexible wall part of said chamber, wherein the stem of the The valve can close and open the first passage, depending on at least one position of said wall part of the chamber. 14. Method for providing a beverage container unit, wherein a beverage container is filled with a beverage through a filling opening, and a gas container is provided that extends into and through the filling opening, where it is provided a dispensing unit comprising a pressure regulating means, wherein the dispensing unit is mounted to and / or over the filling opening and connected to the gas container. 15. Method according to claim 14, wherein a dispensing unit is used according to any of claims 11-13, which is assembled after filling the beverage container, where propellant gas is supplied under pressure in the gas container.