HK1115366A - Device for connecting a flexible container to a beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Description

Device for connecting a flexible can to a beverage dispensing apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an assembly for dispensing a beverage. The assembly comprises a pressure chamber which, in use, is capable of accommodating a beverage container. The beverage container is made of a crushable material and includes a neck having an outlet. Furthermore, the neck of the beverage container is arranged with a connecting element comprising means for receiving the inlet end of the dispensing line; and the pressure chamber comprises a wall for accommodating the beverage container and a lid.

Background

Large volumes of carbonated beverages such as draught beer are typically transported to the consuming site of a metal drum, which is typically 25 liters in capacity, for example. Such kegs are used in expensive and elaborate dispensing assemblies including draught beer coolers, carbon dioxide gas canisters and the like for cooling and dispensing the beverage from the beverage canisters. Such buckets and dispensing assemblies are well known in the art.

The metal drum is heavy and therefore difficult to handle and costly to transport. In addition, metal drums are expensive to manufacture and need to be collected and canned after being used up or partially used.

The bucket may be used multiple times before it is worn out. Thus, these drums are typically transported over long distances during their lifetime, and the heavier they are, the higher the cost of transportation. Furthermore, the consumption of draught beer varies with seasonal variations. The more summer the consumption, the colder the weather the less. Therefore, in order to meet the demand, a large number of buckets must be recycled, so that a large number of empty buckets are stored during periods of low consumption.

Another disadvantage of the known draught beer assemblies is that many parts in contact with the beverage are reused, and therefore regular cleaning is required to keep the parts hygienic and to prevent bacterial growth. Such cleaning is time consuming and it is difficult to clean thoroughly, although all parts are cleaned. If those parts that come into contact with the beverage are not completely cleaned, the quality of the beverage is affected.

To overcome some of the above disadvantages, beverage cans for dispensing assemblies are now being made lighter and more flexible materials are being introduced. Plastic bags with contents pressed out mechanically, pneumatically, hydraulically have been tested and are very prone to breakage during actual use.

There is also known in the art the dispensing of beverages from collapsible beverage bottles, such as bottles made of plastic material PET. These bottles are emptied by squeezing the contents by applying mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic pressure to collapse the walls of the bottle. These bottles can only hold a small quantity of beverage, e.g. a few litres, and are not comparable to those of metal cans which can hold large volumes of beverage. However, collapsible bottles also have many advantages over metal drums in many respects.

The plastic material may be ground and the particles obtained after grinding may be used to produce new plastic material. Furthermore, the ground particles do not take up any space and therefore do not require a large storage space. Also, since the bottle is light, it is easy to handle and low in transportation cost. The plastic bottle can also be made transparent to allow viewing of the contents, or it can be dyed to a desired color. When empty, the bottles can be collapsed, thereby taking up little space during recycling.

Dispensing assemblies with collapsible beverage bottles can be seen for example in EP-a 1-1003686. The apparatus forms an integral dispensing device comprising: a housing with a lid, a sealing device, a pressure source, a cooling device and a dispensing tap. The dispensing device is relatively complex in design, comprises a number of components, and these components are themselves elaborate and costly. It is therefore desirable to provide a beverage dispensing assembly that is relatively simple in design and construction, in which the beverage container can be easily handled by the user even if it is heavy.

Furthermore, due to, for example, government regulations, environmental requirements, and material cost considerations, the bottles need to be recycled when empty, and other components need to be replaced and disposed of at the same time as the bottles are replaced. These operations are usually performed while plastic bottles and other parts are collected and ground. Therefore, for environmental reasons, it is desirable to develop components that can be used once in an assembly for dispensing beverages, while for economic reasons, it is desirable to make these components as small as possible in terms of volume and weight, without compromising their function, safety and durability.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to wholly or partly overcome the above disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art.

The above objects, together with other objects, advantages and features, which will become evident from the below description, are accomplished by the solution according to the present invention by a connecting element adapted to abut the lid of the pressure chamber so as to form a seal between the lid and the beverage container during use.

The overall width of the connecting element is preferably smaller than the width of the beverage container so that the consumption of material in the production of the connecting element can be minimized.

According to the invention, the connecting element may comprise a disc having a first surface and a second surface and a wall portion arranged around the second surface and extending from the second surface perpendicularly to the second surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the first surface of the disc-shaped member of the connecting element may comprise locking means for securely connecting the connecting element to the neck of the beverage container. Preferably, said locking means comprises a first annular space arranged between an outer circular wall and an inner circular wall, said outer wall and said inner wall being arranged concentrically.

Furthermore, said first annular space may extend through the disc shaped member to provide an increased rigid connection between the connecting element and the neck of the beverage container, such that bending of the disc shaped member in the connecting element does not substantially affect the locking means.

According to the invention, the outer circular wall may comprise an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surface may comprise a plurality of protrusions which are capable of securely engaging with a plurality of protrusions on the outside of the neck.

Preferably, the outer surface of the outer circular wall comprises support means which are capable of supporting the outer wall in a radial direction so that a firm and rigid connection is formed between the neck and the connecting member. The connection thus formed between the neck and the connecting piece can withstand pressures of up to 7 bar. The support means may be constituted by a plurality of ribs arranged around the outer wall.

Furthermore, the locking means may comprise sealing means to prevent leakage of beverage out through the locking means.

The inner circumferential wall is preferably insertable into the outlet of the beverage container.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a gas-tight membrane is attached to the inner circumferential wall, thereby completely sealing the beverage container. The membrane is preferably capable of withstanding pressures of 7 bar.

Alternatively, the second diaphragm may be made as one part of the connecting member. The second membrane may provide an additional seal for the beverage container and this is a preferred option when combining the beverage container to an existing beverage dispensing system.

According to the invention, a piercer can be arranged inside the inner circular wall at a predetermined distance from the membrane, said piercer being able to pierce the membrane when a predetermined pressure is reached in the pressure chamber. The piercer may be an integral part of the connector or may be a separate part that is connectable to the connector.

The inlet end of the dispensing tube may be connected to a piercer. In one embodiment of the invention the outlet of the dispensing tube may have a bevelled cut so that the bevelled end of the dispensing tube constitutes the piercer.

Furthermore, the second surface of the disc-shaped member may comprise an inner circular wall portion arranged inside said wall portion, whereby a second annular space is formed between said wall portions. The inner circular wall portion may form a compartment in which receiving means are arranged for receiving the inlet of the dispensing line.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the receiving means is connectable to a flexible collar, which collar is capable of moving the piercer into a piercing position when a predetermined pressure is reached in the pressure chamber during use.

The second annular space is preferably engageable with corresponding means inside the lid of the pressure chamber.

Furthermore, a seal may be arranged in the second annular space to form a seal between the lid and the connection piece.

The connector may be made of a plastic material such as PET, PE, PBT or PP or a combination thereof.

The innovation of the invention also comprises: providing a beverage can made of a crushable material and including a neck having an outlet; a connecting element is provided which is arranged at the neck of the beverage container and comprises means for receiving an inlet end of the dispensing tube.

Preferably, the beverage container is connectable to the lid of the pressure chamber by means of a connecting element, whereby a seal is formed between the lid and the beverage container.

Drawings

The invention and its advantages are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to illustrate some non-limiting embodiments, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a dispensing beverage assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of another embodiment of the beverage dispensing assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 2 with the top portions pivoted apart;

FIG. 4 shows a side cross-sectional view of a pressure chamber in the assembly of FIG. 1;

fig. 5 shows a side view of an embodiment of a beverage can;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a connector having a coiled dispensing tube;

FIG. 7 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the inlet end of the distribution pipe and the piercer in the connector;

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a connector with a coiled distribution tube;

fig. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the circled portion in fig. 8, showing the arrangement of the sealing device between the beverage container and the connecting element;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the top of the connector;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the bottom of the connector;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the connector;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the connector;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the connector;

FIG. 15 shows a first side cross-sectional view of the connector;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the connector;

FIG. 17 shows a second side cross-sectional view of the connector;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 17 shown in phantom;

FIG. 19 shows a top view of the seal;

FIG. 20 shows a cross-sectional view of the seal of FIG. 19; and

figure 21 shows a cross-sectional view of a particular embodiment of a connector and receiver.

All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily drawn to scale. The figures illustrate only the parts necessary for an understanding of the invention, other parts being omitted, or merely suggested.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of an embodiment of the assembly 1 according to the invention. In the present embodiment, the assembly 1 comprises a heat transfer system (not shown). In the present invention, the heat transfer system is at least capable of cooling or heating the pressure chamber 2 in the assembly 1. The pressure chamber 2 is able to receive a beverage container (not shown) during use, whereby the heat transfer system is able to cool or heat the beverage in the beverage container.

The beverage may be beer, soft drinks, wine, tea, coffee, etc., whereby the assembly provides the appropriate cooling or heating function for a particular beverage so that the beverage has a temperature suitable for the consumer when the beverage is being consumed.

In the following description the heat transfer system will be explained in connection with a cooling system, it being clear that the heat transfer system may also be a heating system, or a combination thereof.

The assembly 1 shown in fig. 1 further comprises a cooling unit 3 in the form of a refrigerator, which cooling unit 3 contains a pressure chamber 2. The cooling unit 3 includes a cooling member and a ventilation device for circulating cooling air in the cooling unit 3 when used as a refrigerator. These components are hidden behind the ventilation grating 4 shown on the left side of the assembly 1.

The pressure chamber 2 comprises a wall or lid and a lid 6, the lid 6 being intended to receive a beverage container (not shown in the figures).

The pressure chamber 2 is further provided with a pressure source (not shown) which is capable of providing a predetermined pressure to the pressure chamber 2. Furthermore, a pressure control unit may be arranged in connection with the pressure source and the pressure chamber 2.

The lid 6 in this embodiment is detachable from the pressure chamber 2, however in other embodiments the lid 6 may be pivotally connected to the pressure chamber. The lid 6 may be locked to the pressure chamber by a closure means such as a pedal, bayonet or screw hook lock. Furthermore, the lid 6 comprises an opening (not shown in the figures), which is preferably located in the centre of the lid 6. After loading the beverage container into the pressure chamber 2, the dispensing line is connected to the beverage container through said opening.

The pressure chamber 2 is shown in fig. 1 in an operating position, which in this embodiment corresponds to the pressure chamber 2 being in a vertical position. The lid 6 is arranged at the bottom of the pressure chamber 2 and comprises a handle 7, which handle 7 facilitates the operation of the pressure chamber 2.

Fig. 2 is a side view of another embodiment of the assembly 1' of the present invention. This embodiment shows a home dispensing assembly wherein the pressure chamber (not shown) can accommodate a beverage container of about 5 litres. The assembly 1' is in the position of use, ready for dispensing a beverage into the glass 8. Due to the compact construction of the assembly 1', the pressure chamber is at the same time made as a cooling unit. The module 1' comprises a top part 9 and a bottom part 10.

Fig. 3 shows the assembly 1' of fig. 2 in a loaded position. In this position, the top part 9 is pivoted away from the bottom part 10. When the top part 9 is pivoted, a pressure source (not shown in the figure) is disconnected from the pressure chamber in the top part 9. The pressure chamber can then be opened, the empty beverage container removed and a new filled beverage container placed thereon.

The pressure chamber is then closed and the top part 9 is pivoted back into connection with the bottom part 10, so that the pressure source immediately starts to build up pressure in the pressure chamber and thus the dispensing of the beverage is effected.

In fig. 4, the pressure chamber 2 is shown in a side sectional view with a beverage container 11 inside. The beverage container 11 is turned upside down and the pressure chamber 2 is ready for use in this vertical position. The beverage container 11 comprises a connecting element 12 according to the invention. The connecting element 12 is arranged at the neck 13 of the beverage container 11. The neck 13 comprises the inlet/outlet of the beverage container. The connecting element 12 can abut the lid 6 of the pressure chamber 2, whereby a seal can be formed between the lid 6 and the beverage container 11 during use. The connecting element 12 also enables the opening 14 of the lid 6 to be aligned with the inlet end of a dispensing line (not shown in the figures) and connects the inlet end of the dispensing line to the outlet 19 of the beverage container.

The connecting element 12 comprises a second annular space 15 which engages corresponding means 16 inside the lid 6 on the pressure chamber 2.

The support means of the connecting element 12, which here is in the form of a rib 17, is in the embodiment shown intended to support a shoulder 18 of the beverage container 11.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a beverage container 11 according to the invention. At the outlet end of the beverage container 11 a connecting element 12 is arranged. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the ribs 17 are not intended to support the shoulder of the beverage container. Furthermore, the entire width of the connecting element 12 is also smaller than the width of the beverage container 11.

The beverage container 11 is preferably made of plastic, in particular a polymer such as PEN or PET or a blend of PET. Thus, the beverage container 11 can be formed as a thin-walled, self-supporting structure that is capable of collapsing when an external force is applied to the pressure chamber. The beverage container 11 may be manufactured as a multi-layered structure that includes an oxygen barrier layer to provide protection to the beverage within the beverage container. Furthermore, when the quality of the beverage is sensitive to light, the beverage can 11 can be colored or tinted to provide a barrier to light. Such a light barrier layer may be arranged within the oxygen barrier layer. Other suitable processes include coating the beverage can 11, such as plasma coating the inner wall and/or epoxy coating the outer wall.

The beverage containers 11 can be transported individually to the filling site. Normally, such beverage cans 11 are not blown open to their maximum size before being filled with beverage. At the processing point, the beverage container 11 is blown to its maximum size, the container 11 having a bottom, a middle portion with a wall, a shoulder and a neck forming an inlet and an outlet. After the beverage container 11 has been blow-formed, the container 11 is filled with the desired beverage and the connecting element 12 is then pressed onto the neck to close the container body. In this way the connecting element 12 can be used as a closure for a beverage can.

Preferably, the connection between the connecting element 12 and the beverage container 11 is essentially such that once the connecting element 12 is fixed to the beverage container 11 it cannot be removed without destroying the beverage container 11 and/or the connecting element 12, thus creating a beverage container unit that is safe from accidents, the beverage inside of which is of course ready to be transported to the place of consumption. Such an inseparable connection can be obtained in various ways. Preferably, the connection is achieved by press fitting the connecting element 12 onto the neck of the beverage container 11, wherein the neck and the connecting element 12 are provided with cooperating locking means, as will be further described below.

In the side sectional view shown in fig. 6, the connecting element 12 is connected to the neck 13 of the beverage container 11. In this embodiment the distribution pipe 19 is coiled as shown and arranged inside the second annular space 15 in the connection 12. Connected to the dispensing line 19 is a dispensing valve 20. Above the bottom of the connecting piece 12 is arranged a cover 21, which cover 21 protects the dispensing line during transport. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the connector 12, wherein the inlet end 22 of the dispensing tube 19 is arranged in connection with a piercer 23. The piercer 23 is in this embodiment an integral part of the connecting piece 12. The piercer 23 is arranged inside the inner circular wall 24 (see fig. 6) at a predetermined distance from the gas-tight membrane 25, which gas-tight membrane 25 is arranged in connection with the inner circular wall 24. During operation of the assembly, the piercer 23 is able to pierce the membrane 25 when a predetermined pressure is reached in the pressure chamber 2.

The inner circumferential wall 24 forms a compartment 26 in which a receiving means is arranged for receiving the inlet 22 of the dispensing duct 19. The receiving means 27 is arranged to be connected to a flexible collar 28, said collar 28 being capable of moving the piercer 23 to a piercing position when a predetermined pressure is reached in the pressure chamber during use. In this embodiment, the collar 28 is attached to the inner circular wall 24 by an annular flange at the top of the inner circular wall 24. In this embodiment the flange 29, collar 28 and receiving means 27 are able to provide a seal whereby beverage can only flow through the inlet 22 of the dispensing tube 19 when the membrane 25 is pierced. Furthermore, the membrane 25 is arranged on the upper surface of the flange 29, which enhances the connection between the membrane and the connecting piece and the pressure resistance.

In a not shown embodiment of the invention, the piercer may be a separate part that can be connected to the connecting member 12. For example, the inlet end of the dispensing tube may be beveled so that the beveled end of the dispensing tube can act as a piercer.

Fig. 8 shows a side sectional view of the connecting piece 12. Fig. 10 shows an enlarged view of the encircled portion of fig. 8 showing in detail the connection between the neck of the beverage container and the connecting element 12. The locking means of the connecting member 12 may comprise a plurality of protrusions which are capable of securely engaging with a plurality of protrusions of the outer surface of the neck. These protrusions may be in the form of threads/barbs and notches/beads as shown in fig. 8 and 9, as well as other snap mechanisms. As an alternative to the shown embodiment the connecting element 12 can also be glued or welded to the neck of the beverage container 11 or the connecting element 12 can be screwed onto the neck of the beverage container 11, provided of course that the screw thread is provided with means preventing the connecting element 12 from loosening.

A sealing ring 31 is arranged between the neck 13 of the beverage container and the connecting element 12. The sealing ring 31 prevents leakage of the beverage during normal use and provides a seal when displacement occurs between the beverage container and the connecting element.

In fig. 11, the connecting member 12 is a perspective view as viewed from above. The connector 12 comprises a disc shaped member 32, said disc shaped member 32 having a first surface 33 and a second surface 35 (see fig. 11) and a wall portion 34. The wall portion 34 is arranged around the second surface 35 and protrudes from the second surface 35 perpendicularly to the second surface 35, thereby forming a housing.

In the first surface 33 of the disc shaped part 32 of the connecting element 12 locking means 36 are provided for firmly connecting the connecting element 12 to the neck of the beverage container. The locking means 36 comprise a first annular space 37 arranged between an outer circular wall 38 and an inner circular wall 24, said outer wall 38 and said inner wall 24 being arranged concentrically. The first annular space 37 has a width which is slightly smaller than the thickness of the neck of the beverage container in order to achieve a press fit and locking.

The outer surface of the outer circular wall 38 comprises support means 17 capable of radially bracing the outer wall 38, thereby forming a rigid and secure connection between the neck and the connecting member 12. The support means is constituted by a plurality of ribs 17 around the outer wall 38. In fact, the rib 17 braces against the wall 38 and thus against the beverage container and forms a rigid connection between the connecting element 12 and the neck of the beverage container. It should be noted that the connecting element 12 can be used as a handle when the connecting element 12 is mounted on the beverage container, thereby facilitating the handling of the cylindrical beverage container by the user. It is therefore important that as rigid a joint as possible is formed between the beverage container and the connecting element. The ribs 17 may extend further up to the shoulder of the beverage container to form a support for the beverage container.

Inside the inner wall 24 is an integral piercer 23, as shown. The membrane, which is not visible in fig. 10, is arranged above the piercer 23.

In fig. 11, the connecting member 12 is shown in a perspective view from below. The second surface 35 of the disc-shaped part 32 comprises an inner circular wall 24, said inner circular wall 24 being arranged inside said wall part 34, whereby a second annular space 15 is formed between said wall part 34 and said wall 24. This second annular space 15 can be used for placing the coiled dispensing tube of fig. 6 and can in the position of use engage corresponding means inside the lid of the pressure chamber of fig. 4. Furthermore, a seal (not shown) may be arranged in the second annular space.

The inner circular wall 24 forms a compartment 26 in which a receiving means 27 for receiving the inlet of the dispensing line is arranged.

Fig. 12-14 show the connecting element 12 in side, top and bottom views, respectively.

Fig. 15 shows a side sectional view of the connecting element 12. Figure 16 shows a detailed view of the collar 28 and wall 24.

Fig. 17 shows a side sectional view of the connecting element 12.

The circled portion 40 in fig. 17 is shown enlarged in fig. 18, which shows in detail the receiving means 27, the piercer 23 for piercing the membrane 25 and the flexible collar 28.

The piercer 23 preferably has means for abutment with the cap 6, and the cap 6 has corresponding abutment means. This enables the piercer 23 to automatically pierce the membrane 25 and thereby open the beverage container when the beverage container is forced towards the lid 6 of the pressure chamber 2, since the abutment with the lid causes the piercer 23 to move relative to the connecting element 12. This avoids the need for manual opening of the beverage container before it is placed in the assembly 1, 1'. In fact, when the pressure chamber 2 is placed in the working position, i.e. in the vertical position, with the beverage can facing downwards and the connecting element at the lower end as shown in fig. 4, the weight of the beverage can forces the connecting element 12 towards the lid 6 of the pressure chamber. At the same time, the pressure in the pressure chamber is started, which also forces the connecting element towards the lid, whereby the connecting element 12 can act as a plunger for the lid, whereby the abutment means of the lid forces the piercer to move by the movement of the flexible collar towards the membrane, whereby the membrane is pierced and the beverage opening is formed.

The collar 28 may be provided with one or more cuts (not shown) and is preferably constructed of the same material as the rest of the piercer 23. The cut-out of the collar 28 gives the collar 28 a resilience which enables the collar 28 to bend outwards when the piercer 23 is forced to move towards the beverage container to pierce the membrane 25. Furthermore, the inlet end of the dispensing tube may be used as a piercer (not shown) so that the membrane 25 can be pierced by the inlet end of the dispensing tube.

The various parts of the connector 12 are preferably manufactured from a plastic such as PET, PE, PBT or PP or a combination thereof. This not only makes it less expensive to manufacture, but also enables the parts to be ground up and recycled for use with new plastic articles, such as new connectors. The membrane may also be glued or welded to the connecting element. The material of these films may be, for example, plastic coated with paper, paper or aluminum foil.

Furthermore, a second diaphragm may be used as a part of the connecting member 12. The diaphragm may be made of a polymeric material, such as PET, and may be formed as an integral part of the connector 12. The second membrane may preferably be arranged outside the first membrane with respect to the interior of the beverage container 11, such that the piercer 23 may pierce the first membrane. The piercer 23 may alternatively be dedicated to interact with the second membrane. For example, the piercer 23 may be made of metal to ensure that the membrane is properly pierced. Fig. 21 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the connector 12. In fig. 21 the part of the piercer 23 facing the membrane and the beverage container is shown as flat. This is a preferred form for the metal piercer 23.

Furthermore, the connecting element 12 is structurally adapted to cooperate with the lid of the pressure chamber, so that the beverage container is able to stand upright when said connecting element is mounted on the neck of the beverage container, with the outlet of the container facing downwards. The connecting element 12 enables the beverage container to stand on the lid and on any other surface without damaging the outlet of the beverage container, since the outer wall of the connecting element extends beyond the neck of the beverage container.

This also enables the upper end of the collapsible cylindrical beverage container opposite the outlet to be shaped to a shape most suitable for collapsing.

The substantially planar connecting element 12 greatly simplifies the mounting of the beverage container in the pressure chamber, since the beverage container does not have to be handled on the wall of the dispensing assembly as in prior art assemblies. This configuration is thus more suitable for accommodating larger beverage cans.

Fig. 19 and 20 show a top view and a side sectional view along line a-a, respectively, of the seal 41. The seal 41 is formed in an annular shape including a main body portion 42, an annular flange 43, and a plurality of projections 44 arranged around the main body portion 42 on the other side of the flange 43. During use of the assembly, when the beverage container is loaded into the pressure chamber and the pressure chamber is placed in the use position, i.e. the vertical position of the beverage container, the beverage container will start to be pressed down against the lid of the pressure chamber. During this movement, the connecting element 12 first comes into contact with the collar 43 of the sealing element 41, whereby a seal is formed and pressure can be built up. The connector 12 continues to move towards the lid thereby pushing the flange 43 down towards the main portion 42 of the seal 41. As the pressure in the pressure chamber rises, the connecting element will be pushed towards the lid and the sealing member 41 will form a proper seal between the lid and the connecting element. Furthermore, due to the design of the sealing member 41, the sealing member 41 can easily be released from the connecting element when the beverage container is removed from the pressure chamber.

In addition, the seal may have other geometries, such as circular (e.g., O-ring), square, oval, or combinations thereof, and may be made of a material that facilitates sealing, such as a rubber material.

Although the invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments thereof, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that other variations may be made within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims (24)

1. An assembly (1, 1') for dispensing a beverage, said assembly comprising

A pressure chamber (2) which, in use, is capable of accommodating a beverage container (11),

the beverage container (11) is made of a crushable material and comprises a neck (13) with an outlet,

the neck (13) of the beverage container (11) is arranged with a connecting element (12), said connecting element (12) comprising means (27) for receiving the inlet end (22) of the dispensing line (19); and is

The pressure chamber (2) comprising a wall (5) for accommodating a beverage container (11) and a lid (6),

wherein the connecting element (12) is adapted to abut the lid (6) of the pressure chamber, so that in use a seal is formed between the lid (6) and the beverage container (11).

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the entire width of the connecting element (12) is smaller than the width of the beverage container (11).

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting member (12) comprises a disc-shaped member (32), said disc-shaped member (32) having a first surface (33) and a second surface (35) and a wall portion (34), said wall portion (34) being arranged around the second surface (35) and extending from the second surface (35) perpendicularly to the second surface (35).

4. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein the first surface (33) of the disc-shaped member (32) of the connecting element (12) comprises locking means (36) for securely connecting the connecting element (12) to the neck (13) of the beverage container (11).

5. Assembly according to claim 4, wherein the locking means (36) comprise a first annular space (37) arranged between an outer circular wall (38) and an inner circular wall (24), the outer wall (38) and the inner wall (24) being arranged concentrically.

6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the first annular space (37) passes through the disc (32).

7. An assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the outer circular wall (38) comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surface comprises a plurality of protrusions which are capable of securely engaging with a plurality of protrusions on the outside of the neck (13).

8. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein the outer surface of the outer circular wall (38) includes support means (17) for radially supporting the outer wall (38) so that a secure and rigid connection is formed between the neck portion (13) and the connecting member (12).

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the support means is formed by a plurality of ribs disposed about the outer wall (38).

10. An assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the locking means (36) comprises a sealing means (31).

11. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the inner circumferential wall (24) is insertable into an outlet of a beverage container (11).

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein a gas-tight membrane (25) is attached to the inner circumferential wall (24).

13. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein a piercer (23) is arranged inside the inner circular wall (24) at a predetermined distance from the membrane (25), said piercer (23) being adapted to pierce the membrane (25) when a predetermined pressure is reached inside the pressure chamber (2).

14. An assembly according to claim 13, wherein the piercer (23) is formed as an integral part of the connecting member (12) or as a separate part that can be connected to the connecting member (12).

15. An assembly according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the inlet end (22) of the dispensing tube (19) is arranged in connection with a piercer (23).

16. An assembly according to claim 15, wherein the inlet end (22) of the dispensing tube (19) is a bevelled cut, such that the bevelled cut of the dispensing tube (19) constitutes the piercer (23).

17. An assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 16, wherein the second surface (35) of the disc-shaped member (32) comprises an inner circular wall (24), said inner circular wall (24) being arranged inside said wall portion (34), whereby a second annular space (15) is formed between said wall portion (34) and said wall portion (24).

18. Assembly according to claim 17, wherein the inner circumferential wall (24) forms a compartment (26) in which a receiving means (27) is arranged for receiving the inlet (22) of the dispensing duct (19).

19. An assembly according to claim 18, wherein the receiving means (27) is connected to a flexible collar (28), said collar (28) being adapted to move the piercer (23) into the piercing position when a predetermined pressure is reached in the pressure chamber (2) during use.

20. Assembly according to claim 17, wherein the second annular space (15) is engageable with corresponding means (16) inside the lid (6) of the pressure chamber (2).

21. An assembly according to claim 20, wherein the seal (41) is arranged in the second annular space (15).

22. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector (12) is made of a plastics material such as PET, PE, PBT or PP or a combination thereof.

23. A beverage can (11) made of a crushable material for use in the assembly of any of claims 1 to 22, the beverage can comprising: a neck (13) having an outlet; a connecting element (12) arranged at the neck (13) of the beverage container (11) and comprising means (27) for receiving the inlet end (22) of the dispensing tube (19).

24. A beverage container (11) according to claim 23 wherein the beverage container is connected to the lid (6) of the pressure chamber (2) by a connecting element (12), whereby a seal is formed between the lid (6) and the beverage container (11).