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WO2019185718A1 - Système et procédé pour commander un niveau d'azote dans un récipient pour boisson - Google Patents

Système et procédé pour commander un niveau d'azote dans un récipient pour boisson Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019185718A1
WO2019185718A1 PCT/EP2019/057724 EP2019057724W WO2019185718A1 WO 2019185718 A1 WO2019185718 A1 WO 2019185718A1 EP 2019057724 W EP2019057724 W EP 2019057724W WO 2019185718 A1 WO2019185718 A1 WO 2019185718A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
beverage
collapsible
nitrogen
pressure
dispensing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2019/057724
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jonas Christiansen
Beata WOJTYSZYN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Carlsberg Breweries AS
Original Assignee
Carlsberg Breweries AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Carlsberg Breweries AS filed Critical Carlsberg Breweries AS
Publication of WO2019185718A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019185718A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/1252—Gas pressure control means, e.g. for maintaining proper carbonation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0001—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught by squeezing collapsible or flexible storage containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0003—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/04—Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers
    • B67D1/0462—Squeezing collapsible or flexible beverage containers, e.g. bag-in-box containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0878—Safety, warning or controlling devices
    • B67D1/0882—Devices for controlling the dispensing conditions
    • B67D1/0884—Means for controlling the parameters of the state of the liquid to be dispensed, e.g. temperature, pressure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/04—Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers
    • B67D2001/0475—Type of gas or gas mixture used, other than pure CO2
    • B67D2001/0481—Single inert gas, e.g. N2
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/04—Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers
    • B67D2001/0475—Type of gas or gas mixture used, other than pure CO2
    • B67D2001/0487—Mixture of gases, e.g. N2 + CO2
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0801—Details of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs
    • B67D2001/0811—Details of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs provided with coded information

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a beverage dispensing system and method for maintaining the nitrogen content of a beverage being dispensed from a collapsible beverage container within the required beverage specifications.
  • Beverage dispensing systems are typically used in beverage dispensing
  • beverage dispensing systems are used to dispense carbonated alcoholic beverages such as draught beer and cider.
  • non-alcoholic beverages such as non-alcoholic beers, soft drinks and non-carbonated beverages such as wine and fruit juice may be dispensed using a beverage dispensing system.
  • Beverage dispensing systems are mostly for professional users such as in establishments like bars, restaurants and hotels, however, increasingly also for private users such as in private homes.
  • Professional beverage dispensing systems typically dispense beverage provided in large beverage kegs. Such beverage kegs may hold 20-50 L or even up to 500 L of beverage for a professional beverage dispensing system for allowing typically 50-100 beverage dispensing operations before needing to exchange the beverage keg.
  • beverage kegs are made of solid materials such as steel and re-filled a number of times.
  • the dispensing of beverage from such steel kegs requires elaborate dispensing assemblies which are capable of both pressurizing and cooling the beverage.
  • the pressurization is typically made by means of a carbon dioxide cartridge connected to the keg during dispensing.
  • the carbon dioxide cartridge provides the dispensing pressure and allows the beverage to remain carbonized until the beverage is being dispensed.
  • nitrogenated beers or simply nitro beers.
  • the nitrogen is included with the carbon dioxide in the beer and is responsible for providing a so-called nitrogen head, or simply head, i.e. a creamy or foaming froth on top of the beer after pouring, as well as providing a so-called surge pour while dispensing the beer.
  • These beers include typically English style beers such as ales, stouts, and porters.
  • Applicant company of the present invention has realized that when dispensing beers from collapsible beverage containers, such as PET-kegs, in particular single use collapsible beverage containers, nitrogen has a strong tendency to interact with the gas-filled head space of such containers, not only during the beverage dispensing operation but also during their transportation, i.e. while no dispensing operation takes place.
  • the gas-filled head space, or simply head space is the space or volume above the level of beverage within a beverage container.
  • collapsible beverage containers hereinafter also referred as collapsible kegs
  • no external gas enters into the keg to press the beverage out, and rather the dispensing pressure is provided by an outside pressure fluid such as compressed air.
  • an outside pressure fluid such as compressed air.
  • Such beverage dispensing systems using a collapsible keg typically have the collapsible keg installed in a pressure chamber.
  • the pressure fluid is allowed to enter the pressure chamber.
  • the pressure fluid then acts on the beverage container wall and forces the beverage out of the beverage container.
  • the collapsible keg shrinks, i.e.
  • a tapping device comprising a tapping head typically including a beverage dispensing control means such as a tapping handle and a tapping valve for allowing an operator to control the tapping valve and thereby the beverage dispensing operation.
  • the operator such as a bartender or barmaid, uses the tapping handle to control the rate of beverage dispensing.
  • the collapsible kegs are preferably made of flexible and disposable material such as plastic.
  • US 2017305731 discloses a device for infusing liquids, such as beer or wine, at a desired temperature and pressure.
  • the invention comprises a fillable container to contain the infusing material and the liquid to be infused, a cooling system to maintain the temperature of the liquid at a desired level during infusion, and a pressurization system to facilitate dispensing the liquid after infusion.
  • US 2017113915A seeks to maintain the carbonation level within a beverage in a rigid container by a compressed gas comprising mixed gas (CO2 and N2), means for regulating the pressure and a temperature control system.
  • CO2 and N2 mixed gas
  • US 5029733 discloses a dispensing system for nitro beers comprising a flexible bag.
  • the dispensing system requires introducing carbon dioxide or nitrogen during the beverage dispensing to provide the desired level of froth or head of the beverage as dispensed.
  • WO 2014209785 describes a storage for maintaining the carbonation in beverages by using a flexible bag, temperature and pressure control means. To dispense the beverage, and external source of gas such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen is used to feed gas directly into the flexible container portion.
  • WO 2016146749 discloses a method and system for introducing nitrogen into a collapsible beverage container filled by a pre-carbonized beverage, i.e. this citation simply discloses how to get nitrogen into a collapsible beverage container and how to close it.
  • US 5565149 and US 6138995 are concerned with solutions to the problem of controlling dissolved N2 and CO2 in beer in connection with steel kegs, as the pressure in the beverage container of the beverage dispensing system is applied on the head space of the beverage container by an external gas source. Further, the nitrogenation of the beer takes place upon dispensing through a so-called contactor module, which is a membrane device in fluid communication with a N2 and CO2 source.
  • a poor control of the nitrogen and carbon dioxide in the collapsible keg may not only result in a poor surge of beverage being dispensed and too small a head in the dispensed beverage then served to the customer, which is undesirable.
  • a nice surge or good surge means that the coloring of a beer changes gradually yet relatively quick e.g. within a minute or so, from white, indicating a significant presence of foam, to a dark coloring, indicating the presence of beer with less content of foam, yet still providing a nice creamy head.
  • striking the balance between ending with a serving (poured beer) which is not completely colored white due to the presence of foam, or completely dark due to no surge, represents a significant challenge.
  • a poor control of the nitrogen and carbon dioxide in the collapsible keg may also result in an uncontrolled surge and then too much head in the dispensed beverage due to too much foaming.
  • a head of about 5-20% of the height of a beer glass may be desired, heads of 25% or more, for instance about 33% or more, of the height of the beer glass may be undesirable and may occur if the concentration of CO2 and particularly N2 in the collapsible keg is not controlled properly.
  • a head of 33% or more, say up to 40% may be desired.
  • Even small variations in the concentrations of N2 and CO2 away from the prescribed specifications of the beverage may cause a significant change in the amount of foam, surge, height of the head and flavor of the dispensed beverage.
  • this can be provided by maintaining a predetermined nitrogen content in said beverage by controlling the equilibrium of the nitrogen and carbon dioxide within the beverage by adapting a dispensing pressure and/or the temperature of the beverage while inside said collapsible beverage container on the basis of equilibrium pressure calculated according to: nitrogen containing gas, CO2, or nitrogen containing gas + CO2 chemical equilibrium data.
  • the present disclosure further relates to a beverage dispensing system for dispensing beverage stored in a collapsible beverage container wherein the beverage upholds a predetermined nitrogen and carbon dioxide content.
  • the system is configured for maintaining a predetermined nitrogen content in said beverage by controlling the equilibrium of the nitrogen and carbon dioxide within the beverage by adapting a dispensing pressure and/or the temperature of the beverage while inside said collapsible beverage container on the basis of equilibrium pressure calculated according to: nitrogen containing gas, CO2, or nitrogen containing gas + CO2 chemical equilibrium data.
  • Control of the equilibrium of the nitrogen and carbon dioxide within the beverage and adaptation of the dispensing pressure and/or the temperature of the beverage can for example be provided by a processing unit, e.g. in a computing device associated with the system.
  • the presently disclosed system may further comprise a pressure chamber for accommodating the beverage container, the pressure chamber comprising a base part including a beverage container connector for connecting to a beverage outlet of said collapsible beverage container, and a lid connectable to said base part, said lid and said base part thereby defining an inner space for accommodating the collapsible beverage container, and accommodating and encapsulating said collapsible beverage container.
  • the presently disclosed system may further comprise a tapping device comprising one or more tapping heads for extracting said beverage from said beverage-filled space and a tapping line extending from said container connector to said one or more tapping heads, said tapping line comprising one or more beverage lines.
  • the system may also comprise
  • the presently disclosed system may also comprise pressure generation means in fluid communication with said inner space, thereby defining a dispensing pressure for collapsing said collapsible beverage container and forcing said beverage from said beverage-filled space through said tapping line and out through said one or more tapping heads.
  • the dispensing pressure of the beer is typically the dispensing pressure inside the pressure chamber holding the collapsible beverage container, i.e. the pressure in the inner space defined by the base part and the lid.
  • This pressure can for example be measured by a pressure sensor mounted somewhere on the pressure chamber and configured to measure the pressure in in the inner space.
  • a pressure sensor mounted somewhere on the pressure chamber and configured to measure the pressure in in the inner space.
  • the pressure chamber may have been characterized such that a certain configuration of a connected pressure generation means, e.g. a pump or a compressor, is known to result in a certain pressure in the inner space.
  • the presently disclosed system is configured to suitably adapt the dispensing pressure based on the requirements for the specific beverage.
  • the temperature of the beverage can likewise be measured by measuring the temperature in the inner space, e.g. by a temperature sensor. But as with the pressure above it may not be necessary to actually measure the temperature of the beer, because there may be integrated cooling in the system that is adapted to cool the pressure chamber to a certain temperature, or the system may be located in a room with climate control providing a certain predefined temperature, such that the temperature of the beverage is maintained at that temperature.
  • said beverage upholds a predetermined nitrogen and carbon dioxide content” it is meant that the nitrogen and carbon dioxide have been pre-mixed into said beverage.
  • the nitrogen and carbon dioxide are pre-mixed into the beverage before transporting the beverage container to the place of consumption.
  • Nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide content means concentration in the beverage, for beer suitably in ppm units for N 2 and in g/L units for C0 2 .
  • the beverage may contain 25-70 ppm by weight N 2 , 2-3 g/L C0 2 which corresponds to about 1 -1.5 C0 2 volumes per volume of beer (v/v), since 2 g/L C0 2 is about 1 v/v.
  • the carbon dioxide content is also referred to as carbonation level.
  • the nitrogen containing gas is N 2 and/or N 2 0.
  • said dispensing pressure is the equilibrium pressure calculated according to N 2 , C0 2 or N 2 +C0 2 chemical equilibrium data.
  • equilibrium data is readily available in the literature.
  • other gases such as N 2 0 may also be used as nitrogen containing gas.
  • the dispensing pressure enables not only the collapsing of the keg and dispensing of the beverage, but also keeps the needed equilibrium pressure for maintaining the required N 2 and C0 2 in the beverage, as specified for the beverage in the keg.
  • said beverage is pre-mixed with nitrogen and carbon dioxide so that nitrogen and carbon dioxide ratio is respectively in the range 60-75 to 30-40, and in which the sum of nitrogen and carbon dioxide ratios is 100.
  • the nitrogen to carbon dioxide ratio is 70 to 30. The ratio corresponds to the partial pressures of nitrogen and carbon dioxide in the collapsible beverage container.
  • the presently disclosed approach enables a beverage, in particular beer or coffee such as a cold coffee, from a collapsible beverage container being dispensed, i.e. served, with the nitrogen content having the prescribed specifications of the beverage.
  • the total pressure may be calculated and the dispensing pressure be adapted accordingly, as shown in the accompanying examples.
  • the temperature of the beverage in the collapsible keg may be adapted when a given suitable dispensing pressure is being set.
  • the presently disclosed method may further comprise the step of providing a base part including a beverage container connector for connecting to said beverage outlet of said collapsible beverage container.
  • a tapping device comprising one or more tapping heads for extracting said beverage from said beverage-filled space may further be provided. And a tapping line extending from said container connector to said one or more tapping heads, the tapping line preferably comprising one or more beverage lines, may also be provided.
  • a lid connectable to said base part may also be provided.
  • the lid and the base part preferably defining an inner space for accommodating the collapsible beverage container, and accommodating and encapsulating said collapsible beverage container.
  • the lid is flexible, alternatively it may be rigid.
  • the presently disclosed method advantageously includes the step of installing a pressure generation means in fluid communication with said inner space thereby defining a dispensing pressure for collapsing the collapsible beverage container and forcing the beverage from the beverage-filled space and for example through the tapping line and out through the one or more tapping heads.
  • the beverage container When installed in a beverage dispensing system like the applicant’s DraughtMasterTM, the beverage container is typically oriented in a predetermined position such as an “upside down” position, i.e. the beverage outlet is oriented in a downward direction so that the head space is thereby oriented in an upwards direction.
  • the base part is typically rigid and suitable for supporting the weight of the beverage container, and the beverage container connector forms a fluid-tight connection between the beverage outlet and the tapping line.
  • the tapping head typically comprises at least one tapping valve, which is controlled by a beverage dispensing control means, such as a pushing button or preferably a tapping handle.
  • a beverage dispensing control means such as a pushing button or preferably a tapping handle.
  • a user wishing to dispense beverage will for example move the handle from a vertical position to a horizontal position and thereby operate and open the valve for allowing a flow or stream of beverage from the beverage filled space via the tapping line to the tapping head.
  • the lid is connectable to the base part in a fluid-tight fashion in order to be able to form a hermetically sealed inner space, which has a suitable volume for encapsulating the beverage container.
  • the base part may be made of rigid material in order to support the collapsible beverage container.
  • rigid material should be understood as being capable of supporting the weight of the beverage without bulging.
  • Pressure is applied to the collapsible beverage container in order to apply a dispensing pressure for forcing the beverage from the beverage filled volume via the tapping line to the tapping head when the tapping valve is open as a result of the tapping handle being moved from its original vertical (close) position.
  • the pressure should be sufficiently great to overcome the crumpling pressure of the collapsible beverage container plus the gas pressure of brewage, i.e. the pressure required for collapsing the beverage container, and as well overcome the pressure losses in the dispensing line, e.g. for elevating the beverage from a cellar located below a bar.
  • the pressure generation means is provided to apply a force onto the collapsible beverage container, i.e. thereby defining the dispensing pressure for collapsing said collapsible beverage container and forcing said beverage from the beverage-filled space, for example through the tapping line and out through the one or more tapping heads.
  • the flexible lid may be made of an elastic material such as rubber or alternatively said made of a non-elastic flexible material such as plastic. Flexible in the context of the present patent application is understood to mean that it is made of a material, which will be deformed when a force is applied to the material, the material will yield and conform to the applied force without breaking. Dispensing by means of a flexible lid and using vacuum is disclosed in applicant’s pending PCT application No. PCT/EP2018/083423 entitled Systems and methods for dispensing a beverage stored in a collapsible beverage container.
  • a pressure generation means i.e. a pressure source, such as an air compressor
  • This is well known in the art and within the immediate reach of the skilled person, as also is adapting the dispensing pressure.
  • An example illustrating one way of using such a pressure generation means and adapting the dispensing pressure is disclosed in applicant’s patent application WO2012/010659.
  • the beverage may be selected from the group consisting of: beers, soft drinks, coffees and wines.
  • Coffee is preferably cold coffee, pre-mixed with nitrogen, so that a creamy head at the top of the served coffee is achieved, thus increasing appeal and flavor for the customer.
  • the beers are selected from the group consisting of: ales, stouts and porters.
  • the carbonation level of these beers is 1.8-3.0 g/L CO2, often 2.0-3.0 g/L CO2.
  • the carbonation levels in g/L may be converted to v/v by using a factor of 2.
  • 2 g/L CO2 corresponds to 1 v/v CO2
  • 3 g/L CO2 corresponds to 1.5 v/v CO2.
  • a nice surge pure during dispensing of the beer and a nice head are obtained. For instance, for an ale beer, the
  • predetermined nitrogen content is preferably in the range 25-40 ppm by weight such as 30-35 ppm, and the carbon dioxide content 2.0-2.9 g/L CO2 such as 2.1-2.7 g/L CO2.
  • the predetermined nitrogen content is preferably in the range 40-70 ppm by weight and the carbon dioxide content 1.8-2.4 / L CO2.
  • the dispensing pressure is higher than the equilibrium pressure of the beverage, preferably 0.1 -0.5 barg higher than the equilibrium pressure of the beverage.
  • the pressure generation means such as an air compressor
  • the present specific embodiment invites to apply a dispensing pressure 0.1 -0.5 barg higher. This further ensures that nitrogen stays within the beverage and thus keeps generating a foaming froth at the top of the beer after dispensing, while at the same time accounting also for any other pressure loss within the system, for instance in the tapping line, or for a higher alcohol content of the beverage, since the higher the alcohol content the lower the solubility of CO2 in the beverage.
  • barg denotes gauge pressure in bar and represents the difference between the absolute pressure provided onto the collapsible keg and the atmospheric pressure.
  • an absolute pressure of 3 bar (3 bara) corresponds to approximately 2 barg.
  • said collapsible beverage container is a single-use collapsible beverage container, i.e. a single-use collapsible keg. This eliminates the need of having gas cylinders around for supplying nitrogen and carbon dioxide, and eliminates the need for cleaning the keg.
  • Applicant company has also found that it is actually desirable to have the required level of nitrogen in the beer strictly within the specification of a specific beer, or in other words, that the surge and/or appearance of head in a beer upon dispensing is indeed sensitive to its particular concentration of nitrogen. It may thus necessary to maintain the beer at 30-40 ppm N 2 when for instance dispensing an ale, while for another type of nitro beer, such as stout, 50-65 ppm N 2 will be required to provide the nice surge and head.
  • a measuring device for at least retrieving information about said beverage may be provided installing in any of said collapsible beverage container, said base part, said lid, and said tapping line. Accordingly, one embodiment the presently disclosed approach comprises the step of installing in any of said collapsible beverage container, said base part, said lid, and said tapping line, a measuring device for at least retrieving information about said beverage. Further, an electronic sensor device in the form of an analogue sensor, a digital sensor, or combinations thereof, may be installed in said base part and/or said lid for reading said information from said measuring device thereby establishing digital data representing said information about said beverage.
  • the presently disclosed approach may therefore enable that the right surge and/or head for the specific beer being dispensed is provided.
  • the presently disclosed method comprises the step of installing in said collapsible beverage container, a measuring device for at least retrieving information about said beverage.
  • a measuring device for at least retrieving information about said beverage.
  • an electronic sensor device in the form of an analogue sensor, a digital sensor, or combinations thereof, may be installed in said base part and/or said lid for reading said information from said measuring device thereby establishing digital data representing said information about said beverage.
  • a measuring device means as used herein one or more measuring devices.
  • the measuring device may be in the form of an analogue sensor, a digital sensor or combinations thereof.
  • the digital sensor is a wireless electronic device, in particular a RFID-tag, a bar code, or combinations thereof.
  • the electronic sensor device for reading said information from said measuring device in the form of a digital sensor may be a RFID-reader, a bar code reader, or
  • the presently disclosed method encompasses also installing a digital sensor in the form of digital identifier, preferably an RFID-tag or NFC- tag, on said collapsible beverage container.
  • the digital identifier preferably RFID-tag or NFC-tag
  • the digital identifier is readable by a sensor, e.g. NFC/RFID-sensor, in said base part and/or said lid. Since a pressure chamber is defined by said base part and said lid, the digital sensor in the form of a digital identifier, e.g. RFID-tag, is readable by a sensor, e.g. RFID-sensor, in the pressure chamber.
  • RFID-tags Radio Frequency Identification tags
  • RFID-chips may retrieve i.e. receive, store and optionally process e.g. transmit, information.
  • RFID enables uniquely identifying items using radio waves.
  • information in term of the properties or parameters of the beverage including content of beverage in said collapsible beverage container may be measured and thereby identified.
  • information about the type of beverage and beverage temperature in the collapsible keg may be measured and identified.
  • the beverage temperature in the collapsible keg and the type of beverage this for instance being an ale beer, stout, porter, or any other beverage having specific requirements for content of nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide, may be retrieved.
  • the retrieved information from a measuring device is then stored, read, and optionally processed by the electronic sensor device, preferably a digital sensor device, included in the base part and/or the lid.
  • the dispensing pressure is adapted.
  • the beer type is identified as an ale with a specification of 35 ppm N2 and 2.5 g/L CO2
  • the dispensing pressure is adapted to about 2.3 bara (1.3 barg)
  • 2.3 bara is the sum of the partial pressures of N 2 and CO2 at this temperature, as this is the pressure at which the required specification of 35 ppm N2 with 2.5 g/kg CO2 for this specific type of beer is maintained. See Table 1 and Example 1.
  • a nice serving, e.g. a nice surge and/or head, for specifically this beer is thereby also obtained.
  • the beer type is identified as a stout beer and the nice surge and head are wanted, a specification of 60 ppm N2 and 1.9 g/L CO2 may be required; see Table 2 and Example 2.
  • a suitable internal cooling no further cooling e.g. in the tapping line may be required so that the dispensing (serving temperature) is also 5°C.
  • the dispensing pressure is adapted to about 3.1 bara (2.1 barg), which is the sum of the partial pressures of N2 and CO2 at this temperature, as this dispensing pressure is the pressure at which the required specification of N2 and CO2 is maintained.
  • the type of the beverage may be stored or an identification for a database with other information about the beverage, e.g. whether the beverage is a beer, a specific beer type, soft drink, coffee, wine or other, the name of the beverage as well as other information relevant to the user or customer such as the alcohol percentage if applicable.
  • the information may then be displayed automatically at for instance the tapping head.
  • RFID tags or bar codes may store some or all of this information in a convenient way.
  • the collapsible beverage container typically includes a closure adapted to cooperate with said beverage container connector, wherein an identification tag, e.g. NFC or RFID-tag, can be mounted on the rim of said closure, sealing of said closure, or internally in said closure, and optionally the NFC/ RFID-reader is mounted on the base part adjacent to said closure.
  • an identification tag e.g. NFC or RFID-tag
  • the present disclosure further relates to a collapsible beverage container, preferably single use, for use in the presently disclosed beverage dispensing system, said collapsible beverage container comprising a closure and an identification tag, such as a NFC / RFID tag and/or a barcode.
  • the closure is preferably configured to cooperate and/or engage with the beverage container connector disclosed herein.
  • the ID tag may be mounted on the rim of said closure, sealing of said closure, or internally in said closure.
  • One or more visible bar codes may be printed or attached on the rim, closure and/or body of the collapsible beverage container.
  • the presently disclosed method further comprises the steps of:
  • the RFID-reader may be mounted on the base part adjacent to said closure.
  • RFID-tag is mounted in a less visible location.
  • the provision of an RFID-tag enables identification of the keg and improved inventory management, as already discussed above and further explained below.
  • the RFID-tag may be mounted prior to filling a collapsible keg so that after filling, the tag is logged centrally, a production label is written to the tag and/or ID from the tag is correlated in a database or data-logging system with all information, including the specific type of beverage.
  • installing and“mounting” are used interchangeably throughout the present disclosure.
  • a data logging system for retrieving and storing said digital data may be provided.
  • the method further comprises the step of installing a data logging system for retrieving and storing said digital data.
  • said data logging system is a computer system
  • said nitrogen containing gas, CO2, or N2+CO2 equilibrium data are equilibrium data of a specific beverage, e.g. according to publicly available data, on solubility of the nitrogen gas and/or carbon dioxide (e.g. in water or beer or wine or coffee)
  • said computer system is adapted to store the nitrogen containing gas, CO2, or N2+CO2 equilibrium data of said specific beverage, and also calculate said dispensing pressure.
  • the nitrogen containing gas is N2 or N2O, preferably N2.
  • an ale beer may be identified as the beverage in the collapsible keg via the RFID-tag requiring a particular specification of nitrogen and carbon dioxide in the beer.
  • the data logging system e.g. the computer system, stores the specific equilibrium data for this specific ale beer and calculates the dispensing pressure and in order to adapt the dispensing pressure accordingly, e.g. by providing a dispensing pressure equal to the calculated equilibrium pressure (absolute pressure) at a given temperature of the beverage.
  • the data logging system stores the specific equilibrium data specific for this wine or beer having a high alcohol content (say 11 % in contrast to normally about 4-6% v/v) and calculate the dispensing pressure and thereby adapt the dispensing pressure accordingly, e.g. by providing a dispensing pressure equal to the calculated equilibrium pressure at a given temperature of the beverage.
  • the equilibrium data Due to the presence of significantly higher percentage of alcohol in wine, the equilibrium data is different compared to equilibrium data in water or beer, since the solubility of CO2 decreases with increasing alcohol content.
  • the proper dispensing pressure corresponding to the specific beverage, here wine, at a given temperature of the beverage is thereby obtained. If the beverage in the collapsible keg is identified via the RFID-tag as coffee requiring a specific content of nitrogen and carbon dioxide, the equilibrium data for CO 2 , N 2 , or N 2 +CO 2 may also vary with respect to that of beer or wine.
  • the proper dispensing pressure, calculated according to the specific equilibrium data for coffee is thereby obtained. Problems related to too much or too little foam in the beverage recipient regardless of the type of beverage dispensed are thus mitigated.
  • a further embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a collapsible beverage container for use in presently disclosed beverage dispensing system, the collapsible beverage container comprising a collapsible body and a closure with a beverage outlet configured for engagement with the beverage container connector of the beverage dispensing system, the collapsible beverage container further comprising at least one identification tag mounted on a rim of said closure, a sealing of said closure or internally in said closure, and/or on the body of said container, said identification tag readable by a corresponding reader in the beverage dispensing system.
  • the identification tag may be a radio frequency identification tag, such as RFID / NFC, a visible / optical tag, such as a barcode, or a combination thereof.
  • the identification tag may comprise identification information for uniquely identifying said container.
  • the identification tag may further comprise information selected the group of: type of the beverage, producer of beverage, origin of beverage, production date of beverage, production place of beverage and shipping date of beverage.
  • the identification tag may further comprise at least one of one or more predefined codes for approval by the beverage dispensing system.
  • the present disclosure further relates to a kit of parts of the presently disclosed beverage dispensing system and the presently disclosed collapsible beverage container.
  • an identification tag enables identification of the keg and improved inventory management, and also for determining the type of beer - and in case of a nitro beer the system thereby knows the required pressure and/or temperature requirements.
  • the ID tag may be mounted prior to filling a single use collapsible keg so that after filling, the tag is logged centrally, a production label is written to the tag and/or ID from the tag is correlated in a database or data logging system with all information. Inventory management is improved, since each collapsible keg has a unique ID, i.e. identification concerning what, when and where it is produced, as well as when it is shipped, to whom, when it is emptied or opened, etc.
  • the beverage dispensing system optionally comprises an RFID-reader, e.g. a high frequency RFID-reader such as NFC (Near-Field Communication) reader, mounted preferably on the base part adjacent to a closure.
  • RFID-reader e.g. a high frequency RFID-reader such as NFC (Near-Field Communication) reader
  • the sole accompanying figure shows a schematic representation of beverage dispensing system 10 comprising a single collapsible beverage container 12 contained in the inner space 14, base part 16, a tapping line 18 and tapping device 20.
  • the pressure chamber comprises lid 22 and base part 16.
  • the base part 16 is rigid.
  • the lid 22 and base part 16 are sealed together establishing the inner space or inner volume 14 of the pressure chamber including the filled single use collapsible beverage container 12.
  • the beverage container 12, also known as a keg is of the collapsible type made of a collapsible polymeric material, thus the term collapsible beverage container.
  • the collapsible beverage container 12 defines a beverage-filled space containing the beverage 24, typically being a carbonated beverage such as beer.
  • the beverage container 12 also defines a gas-filled head space 26 at its top portion, above the level of the beverage inside the beverage container 12.
  • the lid 22 and the rigid base part 16 are separable but during operation they are sealed together, thereby forming the pressure chamber.
  • the base part 14 is also connected to a pressure generation means or pressure source, such as an air compressor 28.
  • the compressor 28 enables pressurizing the sealed inner volume 14 defined by the lid 22 and base part 16 and which accommodates and encapsulates the collapsible beverage container 12.
  • the tapping device 20 is enabling beverage flow, the pressure applied onto the beverage container 12 will result in its gradual collapse, as beverage is forced out and towards the tapping device 20.
  • the beverage dispensing system 10 includes a pressure sensor 30.
  • the beverage container 12 includes a digital identifier, such as an RFID tag 32, which is readable by an RFID sensor (not shown) in the pressure chamber or any other suitable location in the beverage dispensing system 10.
  • the pressure sensor 30 is provided for continuously measuring the pressure within the inner space 14 during dispensing.
  • An additional pressure sensor (not shown) may also be provided for continuously measuring the pressure inside the beverage container.
  • Temperature sensor(s) (not shown) may also be adapted for continuously measuring the temperature of the beverage.
  • the dispensing pressure is suitably the pressure provided by sensor 30.
  • the RFID-tag 32 in the collapsible beverage container 12 includes information about the kind of beverage, e.g. beer, which kind of beer, e.g. ale, lager etc. and the specification of the beverage, e.g. alcoholic content. This will enable automatic processing of the information.
  • the information may be stored locally or communicated to data logging system at a central data storage location e.g
  • Tables 1 and 2 below present equilibrium data in the form of concentration tables for N2, CO, and N2+CO2 in water in chemical equilibrium for the dispensing of two types of beers: an ale beer having the specification 35 ppm N2, 2.5 g/L CO2 and a stout beer having specification 60 ppm N2, 1.9 g/L CO2.
  • kH N2 (kH N2
  • X N 2 is the concentration of nitrogen in water, ppm weight
  • MW N 2 is the molar weight of nitrogen, 28 g/mol
  • P N 2 is the partial pressure of nitrogen, bara (absolute pressure)
  • MWCO2 is the molar weight of nitrogen, 44 g/mol
  • P C 02 is the partial pressure of carbon dioxide, bara (absolute pressure)
  • the required total pressure PT PN2+PCO2 may be found and the dispensing pressure thus adapted accordingly, i.e. by using PT as the dispensing pressure.
  • An ale beer requires the specification 35 ppm N 2 and 2.5 g/L C0 2 during serving in order to provide a nice surge and head.
  • a temperature of the beer while in the collapsible beverage container of 5°C which corresponds to a preferred dispensing (serving) temperature of the beer, i.e. serving temperature, such cooling suitably provided by cooling via an integrated cooling system
  • the surge of the beer during dispensing as well as the head formed after dispensing provides the proper serving of this type of beer in accordance with the specifications.
  • the changes of the headspace of the collapsible beverage container during the dispensing becomes rather insignificant, as the right equilibrium of nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide is sustained for the beer during its dispensing.
  • a stout beer requires the specifications 60 ppm N 2 and 1.9 g/L C0 2 during serving in order to provide a nice surge and head.
  • the surge of the beer during dispensing as well as the head formed after dispensing provides the proper serving of this type of beer in accordance with the specifications.
  • the changes of the headspace of the collapsible beverage container during the dispensing becomes rather insignificant, as the right equilibrium of nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide is sustained for the beer during its dispensing.
  • a beer requires specifications of 60 ppm N 2 , it is stored in a collapsible beverage container at a serving temperature of 3°C and pre-mixed with a N 2 to C0 2 ratio of 70 to 30 (ratio of partial pressure of N 2 to C0 2 ).
  • the beer may be served at 3°C with the specified amount of nitrogen, here 60 ppm and sustaining the pre-mixed N 2 /C0 2 ratio of 70/30.
  • a method of dispensing a beverage stored in a collapsible beverage container in a beverage dispensing system said collapsible beverage container defining a beverage-filled space, a gas-filled head space and a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage-filled space for extracting said beverage from said beverage-filled space, in which said beverage upholds a
  • - providing a base part including a beverage container connector for
  • a tapping device comprising one or more tapping heads for extracting said beverage from said beverage-filled space
  • tapping line extending from said container connector to said one or more tapping heads, said tapping line comprising one or more beverage lines, and
  • a lid connectable to said base part, said lid and said base part defining an inner space for accommodating said collapsible beverage container, and accommodating and encapsulating said collapsible beverage container,
  • the method further comprising:
  • a pressure generation means in fluid communication with said inner space for causing said flexible lid to apply a force onto said collapsible beverage container, thereby defining a dispensing pressure for collapsing said collapsible beverage container and forcing said beverage from said beverage-filled space through said tapping line and out through said one or more tapping heads, o maintaining a predetermined nitrogen content in said beverage by controlling the equilibrium of the nitrogen and carbon dioxide within the beverage by adapting said dispensing pressure and/or the temperature of the beverage while inside said collapsible beverage container on the basis of equilibrium pressure calculated according to: nitrogen containing gas, CO2, or nitrogen containing gas + CO2 chemical equilibrium data.
  • nitrogen containing gas is N2 and/or N2O.
  • said beverage is selected from the group consisting of: beers, soft drinks, coffees and wines. 4.
  • said beers are selected from the group consisting of: ales, stouts and porters.
  • said beverage is a beer which is pre-mixed with nitrogen and carbon dioxide so that nitrogen and carbon dioxide ratio is respectively in the range 60-75 to 30-40, and in which the sum of nitrogen and carbon dioxide ratio is 100.
  • an electronic sensor device in the form of an analogue sensor, a digital sensor, or combinations thereof, for reading said information from said measuring device thereby establishing digital data representing said information about said beverage.
  • the measuring device is in the form of an analogue sensor, a digital sensor or combinations thereof.
  • the digital sensor is a wireless electronic device, in particular an RFID-tag, a bar code, or combinations thereof.
  • Methods according to any of the preceding points further comprising: installing a data logging system for retrieving and storing said digital data.
  • said data logging system is a computer system
  • said nitrogen containing gas, CO2, or N2+CO2 equilibrium data are equilibrium data of a specific beverage on solubility of nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide, and adapting said computer system to store the nitrogen containing gas, CO2, or N2+CO2 equilibrium data of said specific beverage, and also to calculate said dispensing pressure.
  • a base part including a beverage container connector for connecting to said beverage outlet of said collapsible beverage container, providing a tapping device comprising one or more tapping heads for extracting said beverage from said beverage-filled space,
  • tapping line extending from said container connector to said one or more tapping heads, said tapping line comprising one or more beverage lines, and
  • a lid connectable to said base part, said lid and said base part defining an inner space for accommodating said collapsible beverage container, and accommodating and encapsulating said collapsible beverage container,
  • a pressure generation means in fluid communication with said inner space for pressurizing said inner space, thereby defining a dispensing pressure for collapsing said collapsible beverage container and forcing said beverage from said beverage-filled space through said tapping line and out through said one or more tapping heads,

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  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé de maintien de la teneur en azote d'une boisson distribuée à partir d'un récipient pour boisson pliable dans les spécifications requises de la boisson. L'invention concerne un système de distribution de boisson pour distribuer une boisson stockée dans un récipient pour boisson pliable, la boisson conservant une teneur en azote et en dioxyde de carbone prédéfinie, le système étant conçu pour maintenir une teneur en azote prédéfinie dans ladite boisson en régulant l'équilibre de l'azote et du dioxyde de carbone à l'intérieur de la boisson en adaptant une pression de distribution et/ou une température de la boisson tout en régulant l'intérieur dudit récipient pour boisson pliable sur la base de la pression d'équilibre calculée selon des données d'équilibre chimique pour du gaz contenant de l'azote, pour du CO2, ou pour du CO2 + du gaz contenant de l'azote.
PCT/EP2019/057724 2018-03-27 2019-03-27 Système et procédé pour commander un niveau d'azote dans un récipient pour boisson Ceased WO2019185718A1 (fr)

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EP18164375.0 2018-03-27
EP18164375 2018-03-27
EP18198642.3 2018-10-04
EP18198642 2018-10-04

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2025071545A1 (fr) * 2023-09-25 2025-04-03 Invinity, Llc Boisson à base de vin sans alcool comprenant des mélanges d'azote et de dioxyde de carbone

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US5029733A (en) 1987-12-14 1991-07-09 Guinness Brewing Worldwide Limited Beverage dispensing system
US5565149A (en) 1995-03-15 1996-10-15 Permea, Inc. Control of dissolved gases in liquids
US6138995A (en) 1998-03-31 2000-10-31 Permea, Inc. Dispense of beverage containing controlled levels of dissolved gas
US20100089943A1 (en) * 2006-10-07 2010-04-15 Volker Till Method of storing beer kegs and dispensing beer in a commercial bar or restaurant, a method of storing beverage barrels in a commercial bar or restaurant, and an apparatus therefor
EP2258629A1 (fr) * 2009-06-05 2010-12-08 Eurokeg B.V. Conteneur pour boisson pressurisée, en particulier une bière, et procédé de remplissage d'un conteneur avec une boisson pressurisée
WO2012010659A1 (fr) 2010-07-21 2012-01-26 Carlsberg Breweries A/S Mesure volumétrique de boisson
WO2013113657A1 (fr) * 2012-02-03 2013-08-08 Carlsberg Breweries A/S Procédé de distribution de boisson gazeuse, système de distribution de boisson et récipient pliable
WO2014209785A1 (fr) 2013-06-24 2014-12-31 Young Inventions LLC Système de distribution, de transport et de stockage de boisson gazeuse
WO2016146749A1 (fr) 2015-03-18 2016-09-22 Carlsberg Breweries A/S Procédé et système pour introduire de l'azote dans une boisson
US20170113915A1 (en) 2014-06-11 2017-04-27 Heineken Supply Chain B.V. Beverage dispensing system, beverage container and pressurizing system for use in a beverage dispensing system or container
US20170305731A1 (en) 2014-10-28 2017-10-26 Fusion Tower, LLC Pressurized temperature-controlled liquid infusing device

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5029733A (en) 1987-12-14 1991-07-09 Guinness Brewing Worldwide Limited Beverage dispensing system
US5565149A (en) 1995-03-15 1996-10-15 Permea, Inc. Control of dissolved gases in liquids
US6138995A (en) 1998-03-31 2000-10-31 Permea, Inc. Dispense of beverage containing controlled levels of dissolved gas
US20100089943A1 (en) * 2006-10-07 2010-04-15 Volker Till Method of storing beer kegs and dispensing beer in a commercial bar or restaurant, a method of storing beverage barrels in a commercial bar or restaurant, and an apparatus therefor
EP2258629A1 (fr) * 2009-06-05 2010-12-08 Eurokeg B.V. Conteneur pour boisson pressurisée, en particulier une bière, et procédé de remplissage d'un conteneur avec une boisson pressurisée
WO2012010659A1 (fr) 2010-07-21 2012-01-26 Carlsberg Breweries A/S Mesure volumétrique de boisson
WO2013113657A1 (fr) * 2012-02-03 2013-08-08 Carlsberg Breweries A/S Procédé de distribution de boisson gazeuse, système de distribution de boisson et récipient pliable
WO2014209785A1 (fr) 2013-06-24 2014-12-31 Young Inventions LLC Système de distribution, de transport et de stockage de boisson gazeuse
US20170113915A1 (en) 2014-06-11 2017-04-27 Heineken Supply Chain B.V. Beverage dispensing system, beverage container and pressurizing system for use in a beverage dispensing system or container
US20170305731A1 (en) 2014-10-28 2017-10-26 Fusion Tower, LLC Pressurized temperature-controlled liquid infusing device
WO2016146749A1 (fr) 2015-03-18 2016-09-22 Carlsberg Breweries A/S Procédé et système pour introduire de l'azote dans une boisson

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2025071545A1 (fr) * 2023-09-25 2025-04-03 Invinity, Llc Boisson à base de vin sans alcool comprenant des mélanges d'azote et de dioxyde de carbone

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