Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02609771 2007-11-26
pcTIE.la20061005 089 1
WO 20061128 653 A 1
Vessel having CO1 compr~.ssed gas source
Description
The invent-ion relates to a vessel. that can 1ae filled with liquid and closed
in
pressure-tight condi.tion, and from wh.ich liquid can be withdrawn. Examples
of
such vessels are drums, small drums (party kegs) or cans, in which CO~-
containzng liquids, especially bevexages, are filled under pressure. In
particular, it relates to party beer kegs.
There exist tap fittings that operate with high-pressure GOs cartridges and
that can be used to tap such vessels in order to withdraw liquid therefrom by
means of C02 pressure. This corresponds to the staridard tapping technique in
gastronomy, wherein CO2 .from high-pressure CO2 boLtles is used and very good
wholesomeness and shelf life of the beer are achieved.
In some consumer groups, however, tap fittings with COz high-pressure
cartridges have not become popular. For persons who buy party beer kegs only
occasionally, it is not worthwhile to procure an expensive tap fitting. Some
people are even uncomfortable handling high-pressure COZ cartridges. Others
worry about the replacement supply of cartr.;i.dgos.
There have therefore been developed party beer kegs equipped with an
integrated outlet tap in the bottom region of thc keg, whereby the beer can he
drawn by the internal pressure and gravity alone. UsUally air is admitted to
the party keg above the liquid surface therein, in order to permit pressure
equal.ization. This can be achieved by puncturing with a can opener. Howevor,
other party beer kegs have an integrated outlet tap and a hand-operated air-
admission valve in the top end plate of the keg, forming part of a bunghole
closure (see VJO 99/23008 A1) _
A disadvantage of such party kegs is that the wSiolesomencss and srielf life
of
the beer are impaired by the ingress of air into the top space of the keg_
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When a party keg of this type is tapped, the contents must be consumed
quickly, so 'that the bc-er does not become flat and stale.
Several suggestions have been made as regards improving the shelf life of beer
in a tapped party keg. For examp].c, WO 99/4%451 Al teaches integrating ari
aerosol can that contains CO2 bound to active earbon under low pressure into
the party keg and building up a CO-2 pressure in the top space of trLe keg
sufficient to equal or e5cceed the partial pressure of the CO2 dissolvea in
the
beer. A disadvantage is the large volume of the can.
From DE 19952379 Al L-here is known a COa dispenser for party kegs in the form
of a separa'te manual device, with which L'he party keg is pierced above the
liquid surface therein in order to pump CO~ into the top space of the keg.
TYie
dispenser contains a high-pressure CCZ cartridge and a pr.essure-regulating
valve. Zt is intended for multiple uses arnd can be L=ransferred from party
keg
to party keg. Even if the CO2 consumption may be smaller than in the case of a
tap fitting operating with COl, such a CO2 dispenser ulta.rnately raises
similar
concerns in consumer groups.
From practice it is also known that there can be introduced into the top space
of a party beer keg a pressure bag, which expands when the pressure in the top
space drops, thereby on the one hand filling the empty space being formed and
on the other hand exerting a contact pressur.e on the liquid surface in the
keg
greater than the partial pressure of the CD2 dissolved in the beer. The
pressure bag comprises multiple plies of plastic film that is impermeable to
oY,ygen di'L"fusion. It has a plurality of chambers that eontain gas-formirig
chemicals, such as baking powder and citric acid. The chambers are
successively activated as the pressure drops in the top space of the party keg
and are inflated by the gas evolved during the reaction of the chemicals.
A disadvantage of the lcnown pressure bag is the un.stcady application of
pressure on the beer. The -o'ressure rises suddenly when the respective next
chamber of the pressure bag is activated, and it then drops successively. This
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results zn irregular tap behavior. T'he tap behavior fluctuates betwecn
discharge of the beer in a strong sLream and a mere trickle.
The object of the inventiori is to provide a vessel of the type mentioned
hereinabove having an integrated compressed COZ gas source of small overall
volume, ~rom which dischurged COz exerts a steady pressure on the liquid in
the vessel and improves its shclf life and wholesomeness.
This object is achieved by a vessel having an insert that can be fixed in
sealed manner in an opening of the vessel and a high-pressurc CG2 car.tridge,
a
pressure-regulating valve for discharging CQ2 therefrom and a control element
that is accessible from the outside and that can be actuated to pierce the
high-pressure CO2 cartridge with a piercing needle. The con-L'roI clement is a
rotary knob, which cooperates with an axially guided slide for actuating the
piercing needle.
By virtue of its small overall volume, the insert is suitable for replacing
the bunghole closure with pressure-equalizing valve according to WO 99/23008
Al, without necessita'ting any substantial modifications to the shape and size
of the respective vessel to be equipped therewith, such as a party beer keg_
The processes at a filling plant are altered slightly at most. The insert can
be rnade of plastic materials, which for years have proved most suitable for a
bunghole closure with pressure-equalizing valve and an outlet tap. The
configuration of the control element as a rotary knob corresponds to that of
the widely used pressure-equalizing valve according to WQ 99/23008 Al. The
operation of the compressed COZ gas source is routinely so siraple that a user
familiar with actuation of a conventional pressure-equalizing valve hardly
notices any difference. The user does not directly handle a high-pressuxe CO2
cartridge, which would probably make him uncomfortable. The cartridgc is
designed for one-time use in a single vessel and will be disposed of together
therewith. In particular, the shelf life o~ beer in a tapped party kog will be
extended by several days without concern by filling the top space with COz
instead of air.
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Commercial pierceable COZ cartridges in a size suitable for the inventive
compressed CO~ gas source contain approximately 16 g of CO2 at a pressure of
approximately 80 bar. The reduction and precise regulation of the pressure of
the COn discharged into the top space of Lhe Vessel imposes considerable
requirements on the construction of a compressed CO2 gas sourcc in the form of
a compact insert. The pressure is r-ypically between 0.-11 and 0.7 ba.1r_ It
ia
equal to or slightly higher LTan the partial pressure of the CO2 dis=solved in
the lic3uid.
Especially for beer, the CO~7 content is one of the factors that dotermiries
the
taste. The CO2 content varies from bccr variety to beer variety_ If the C02
pressure in the top space of the party keg is too low, COz escapes Lrom the
becr. If the C02 pressure in the top space is too high, the beer becomes
overcar.bonated and its taste and wholesomeness are impaired. The compressed
C02 gas source described in detail hereinafter ensures Lhdt ricither one nor
the other occurs.
zn a preferred embodiment, the rULary Icnob is mounted to rotatc in axial3.y
fixed manner. The rotary knob and the slide are in contact with inclined
surfaces extending in circumferential direction.
In a preferred embodiment, the inclined surfaces ri.~c with the same slope, in
proportion to 'the circum~crential angle. The inclined surfaces merge into one
another at step-like axial setbacks.
In a preferred embodiment, four inclined surfaces disposed in a square
configuration are provided.
In a preferred embodiment, the slide comes into flush contact with the
pa.erci.ng needle during piercing of the high-pressure CO2 cartridge, such
that
end face is against end face.
In a preferred embodiment, the piercing needle for piercing the high-pressuzn
COZ cartridge is structural.ly combined with a valve member of tkie pressure-
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regulating valve, which is ax.ially adjustable between a sealing position erd
a
passing position at a v8ive seat of the pressure-regulating valve.
Iri a preferred errmbodiment, the pressure-regulating va7.ve has a laLeraT.
outle't
opening, in front of which there i.s disposed an annular elastic sleeve having
non-return functiori. The slF:evQ ensures that no liquid can enter the 9 nscrt
.
An elastic 0-ring may also be used for the same purpose.
in a preferred embodiment, the piercing needle occupies a sealing position
directly downstrc-am from the valve seat of the pressure-regulating valve just
before piercing takes place. Thereby the volume of the valve space to which
the maximum pressure of the high-pressure CO2 cartridge is admitted after it
has been pierced is very small.
In a preferred embodiment, the vessel has a tightly sealed chamber, in which
the head of the high-pressure C42 cartridge has a snug fit at the opening of
the vessel. The tight seal of the chamber is preferred for hygiene reasons.
in a preferred embodiment, the chamber is closed with a bottom cover, wrich is
welded or bolted to the wall of the chamber. The joint is tight. The high-
pressure CO2 cartridge does not come into contact with the liquid
constitu.ting
the contents of the vessel.
In a preferred embodiment, the high-pressure CO2 cartridge is sealed against
the wall of the chamber, around the circumference of its small dianleter
nec.)c.
Thereby the axial lorces ta which the cartridge .i.s subjected during piercing
are limited-
In a preferred embocli.ment, the insert occupies a top opening of tYie vessel.
The Co? from the high-pressure CO2 caTtridge is discharged into a top space of
the vessel above the liquid sur:Face therein.
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I:n a preferred erfibodiment, the opening that rer.:eivc-:s the insrrrt is a
bunghole,
through which the vessel is fillcd with liquid. The insert functioris as t.he
bunghole closure-
The CO2 from the high-pressure CO2 cartridge can be discharged into the top
space of the vessel dbove the liquid su_,'face thex'ein. However, it is also
possible to c.onnr-,c:t a pressure bag to the insert. The pressure bag is
pulled
on by applying vacuum to the housing of the insert and is tightly heat-sealed
to the housing. The pressure bag is ultimately ciisposed in d1 t'e4t contact
with
the housing of t1'ie insert in the interior of the vessel. It is inflated by
the
discharged CO2. Compared wiL.h the prior art pressure bag rnentioned
hercinabove, the advantage is tYien achieved that the filling pres=surc- nf
the
pressure bag is constant, or in o'Lher words riq pressure fluctuations and
irregulariLies in tapping behavior occur. The filling pressurc can bc set at_
a
somewhat higher value thdn uhe partial pressure of the Cd2 dissolved in tl1e
liquic,i, which pressure therefore remains completely unaffected and neutral
as
regards taste.
In the variant with the pressure bag, a compressed gas other than C02 may
dJ.so
be injected from a high-pressure cartridge.
In a preferred emL+odimen't;, the vessel has an outlet tap at the bottom.
Withdrawal of the 1iquid tl,.c-n takcs place by iriternal pressure and the
effect
of gravity. The COZ from the high-pressure CO2 cartridge prevents a reduced
prpssure from developing in the top space of the vCssel. This is possa.,talc
in
the variatits with and without pressure bag.
In the variant with the pressure bag, Lhe vessel can have, insteaCl of the
outlet tap, a top spigot to which there leads a riser line extending L'o the
bottom of the vessel. The liquid is conveyed by the pressure of the CO?
discharged from the high-pxessure CO2 cartridge to the spi.got- Tapping aL
t.hc
top of the vessel is more convenient than at the bottom.
In a preierred embodirnent, an ouLlet spout together with a hose connection is
provided on Lhe outside of the spigot. The outlct spout is added. to the
vessel
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as a scparate part. it is clipped onto the said vessel afl:er the spigot has
been removed.
The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter on the basis of
exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing, wherein:
Fig. 1 shows a compresscd CO;2 gas source in longitudinal section;
Fig. 2 shows the side view of a cut-away vessel containing thc compressed
CO2 gas saurce, to which a pressure bog is connected, as a bunghole
closure;
Fig. 3 shows the corresponding view of a vessel containing the compressed.
CO; gas source in a separate opening of the top enGl plate of the
vessel; and
Fi.g. 4 shows the corresponding view of a vessel containing the compressed
CO2 gas source in an opening of the bottom end plate of the vessel.
The compressed COz gas sourc;e shown in Fig. 1 is constructed as an insert,
which fits in the bunghole of a vessel, extends into the vesse.l. and tightly
closes the bunghole. The compressed CO2 gas source can take the place of the
bunghole closure with pressure-equalizing valve according to Wo 99/23008 Al.
The vessel is filled under pressu,re with COZ-Containing liquid through the
bunghole usually disposed at the middlc= of its top end pla-te. Thereafter thc
bunghole is tightly closed with the insert. To withdraw the liqu.icl, there
Caii
be used an integrated outlet tap, which is disposed on the side wall of the
vessel at the height of thc bottom end plate thereof. The liquid flows out
under the action of internal pressure and gravity, until. a reduced pressure
is
reached .in the top space of the vessel above the liquid surface therein. To
adjust this correctly and mazntain it in controlled manner, the compressed Co1
gas source is activated. The compressed COz gas source injects CO2 into the
top space of the vessel under a pressure that corresponds to the pa.r.tial
pressure of the COz dissolved in the liquid or that slightly exceeds this
partial pressure. Thereby steady emptying of the vessel ia ensured. No air is
admitted into the top space of tYic vessel. The C02 content of the liquid
remains constant.
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The insert has slender elongated shape, and for the inost part is radially
symmetric relative to a central axis. It is made largely of plastic. Th.e
plastic materials used for its manufacturc have proved effective for years for
bunghole closures and outlet taps of relevant vessels. The two-component
plastic injectiori-molding technique can be used for manu.facLure. The nard,
inflexible plastic parts arc-, shown as hatched areas in the drawing, and the
soft, elastic plastic parts are illustrated as so7.id black areas.
When the insert is in installed condition, closing the bunghole of the
vessel.,
it projects with a housing 10 into the vessel. At its insidc end housing 10
has a chamber 12 for receiving a high-pressure C02 cartridge 14 in a snug rit,
The head of cartridge 14, at the end face of which it can be pierced~ is
proximal to the bunghole. Cartridge 14 has its smallest diameter at a straight
cylindrical neck. Here it is sealed with a circumferer~'Lial seal 16 against
the
wall of housing 10.
The inside end of chamber 12 is olosed with a cover 18, which is welded or
bolted to the wall of housing 10.
Elousing ]-0 is supported externally with a circumFerential collar 20 on the
beaded rim of the bunghole. On collar 20 there is formed a seal 22, with which
the inscrt seals the bunghole-
2~L rotary knob 24 countersunk in housing 10 protrudes outwardly beyond collar
20, and can be actuated to pierce the CO2 cartridge. By means of a
circumferential shoulder 26 tha=t projects radially outward, rotary knob 24 is
mountcd in a circumferential groove of housing 10 to rotatG in axially f:ixcd
manner.
A pull tab 30, which can 1De bent upward, is linked by a. film hinge 26 to the
outer end face of rotary knob 24. Pull tab 30 is connected to rotary knob 29
via predetermined break points, which break in clearly visa.ble manner when
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first bent upward. Thc predetermined break points constitute a L-ainper-proor
aeal.
To piercc- CO_ cartridge 14 there is used a piercing needle 34, which is
structurally Combined with 'Lhe valve mernber of a pressure-regu-lating valve.
The valve member is mour,ted togethcr with an el-35tic diaphragm 36 at t_he
center of the dris of housing 10. 'T'he tip of piercing needle 34 is dispased
only a short distance from Llie end Lace of COz c:a.r.,tridg4 14.
During axial positioning movement of piercing needle 34 on CO2 cartridge 14,
the valve member lifts from a valve seat 38 of the pressure-regulating valve.
Valve seat 38 is madc from elastic sealing mate.r.ial and molded onto housing
10.
Piercing needle 34 is urged by a slide 40, which is disposed between rotary
knob 24 and piercing needle 34. Slide 40 is guid'd in longitudinal sliding
relationship in houSing 10. For this purpuse Ltiei'e are used canis 42, which
extend radially outward frora tho surfacc of slide 40 and engage in ax.i.al
grooves 44 of housing 7Ø
Rotary knob 24 and slxde 40 are in contact with inclined surfaces 46
exteriding
in circumferential ctirectiori. Four inclined surfaces 46 disposed in a square
confiquraClon are provided, rising wi'th Lhe sdnie slope in proportion to the
circumferential angle and merging into one another at step-like axi.al
setbacks. Slide 40 is displaced axially by turning rptary knob 24.
A helical compression spring 48 is clamped between s1a.Ge 40 and piercing
needle 34. The helical compression spring is disposed around a central, p.Lug
like extensiori 50 on the outside of pierc.i.ng necdle 34 distal from
diaphragm
36 and around a central., axial tappet 52 on the inside of 57.id4 40.
Extension
50 and tappet 52 havc plane end faces, which are di~posed opposite one another
with a short distance betweei,. Before piercing takes place, therefore, slicle
40 is kept apart from piercing needle 34 by means of helical compression
spring 98.
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Diaphragm 36 bounds a working space 54 downstxeam from valve seat 38 of the
pressure-regulating valve. Working space 54 has a lateral outlet opening 56,
in front of which there is disposed an annular elastic sleeve 58_ S3,eeve 56
has the functior, of a non-return valve. It prevenL=s liquid from entering Lhe
i,nsert.
To pierce C(~Z cartridge 14, pull tab 30 is bent upwurd and rotar.y knob 24 is
turned by approximately 90 . S1ide 40 is moved axially inward against the
force of helical compression spring 48. Its tappet 52 comes into flush contact
with extension 50 of piercing needle 34, such that one end face is against the
other end face. Piercing needle 34 is moved axially inward under elastic
deformation of d.iaphragrn 36. Just before it achieves piercing, it occupies a
sealing position on a seal 60 directly downstream from valve seat 38 of the
pressure-regulating valve. 1'he valve member lifts from valve seat 38. Aftcr
piercing, a very small valve space 62 upstream from the head of CO_ cartridge
14 fills with CO2 under high pressure.
After rotary knob 24 has turned a complete 90 or rnorc;!, slidG 40 springs
axially back outward under the force ef helical conipression spring 48.
Piercing needle 34 is also retracted axia.lly by the elastic return
deformation
of diaphragm 36, the pressure-regulating valve is closed and a small amount of
CO2 under high pressure is admitted into working space 54. Further opening and
closing of the pressure-regulating valve is determined by an equilabrium of
forces across diaphragm 36, established by the elastic properties of
diaphraqrct
36, the spring constant of helical cempression spring 48 ar,d thc Co, pressure
in working space 54. The de=termining factor for the pressure of the
disoharged
CO2 is the spring constant of helical compression spring 48.
Usually the user will activate the cgmpressed Co2 gas source when the internal
pressure in the vessel has dropped so much that the stream of liquid emerging
through the outlet tap is too weak. Howevez, thF compressed CU2 gas source can
already be activated beforehand without difficulty even if the .'tnternal
pr.essure in the vessel is still high. Intxoduction of CO2 into the top space
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of 'the vessel does not talce place as long as the high internal pressure is
acting on sleeve 58 in front of out;let opening 56.
According to Fig. 2 to Fig. 4, sleeve 58 is cmitted. Instead, the compressed
CO? gas source is connected to a pressure bag 66, which surrouncis housing 10
and can be inflated by the discharged CO2.
instead of an outlet tap, the vessel has an integrated spigot 68, which is
disposed on the side wall of the vessel at the height of its top end plate. A
riser line 70 that ex.tends to the bottom end plate of the vessel, leads to
spigot 68. Riser line 70 has surface holes 72 in the manner of a drainage
line. An actuating part 74 and an outlet spout 76 together with a hose
conncction are provided extE.x'nally on spigot 68.
In Fig. 2, the compressed COz gas source functions as a bunghole closure of a
bunghole, which is disposed at the center of the top end plate of the vessel
arid is used for filling the vessel. In Fig. 3, the compressed Co: gas source
is seat-ed in a separate lateral opening of the top end pl.ate of the vessel,
and in Fig. 4 it is seated in an opening of the bottom cnd plate of the
vessel_
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LiSt of reference numerals
Housing 56 Outlet opening
12 Chamber 58 Sleeve
14 High-pressure CO; cartridge 60 Seal tor need,4e
16 Seal on cartridge 62 Valve spaca
18 Cover 66 Pressure bag
Collar 68 Spigot
22 Seal on collar 70 Riser line
24 Rotary knob 72 Surface hole
26 Shouldcr 74 Actuating part
28 Film hinge 76 Outlet spout
Pull tab
34 Piercirig need].e
36 Diaphragm
38 Valve seat
Slide
42 Cam
44 Axial groove
46 Inclined surface
93 Helical compzession spring
Fr.tension
52 Tappet
54 Wo.rking space
