EP2504269A1 - A system for rapid contact cooling of a collapsible beverage container in a beverage dispensing system - Google Patents
A system for rapid contact cooling of a collapsible beverage container in a beverage dispensing systemInfo
- Publication number
- EP2504269A1 EP2504269A1 EP10787719A EP10787719A EP2504269A1 EP 2504269 A1 EP2504269 A1 EP 2504269A1 EP 10787719 A EP10787719 A EP 10787719A EP 10787719 A EP10787719 A EP 10787719A EP 2504269 A1 EP2504269 A1 EP 2504269A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- beverage
- beverage container
- container
- tapping
- inner space
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 555
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 213
- 238000010079 rubber tapping Methods 0.000 claims description 119
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000012809 cooling fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000001174 ascending effect Effects 0.000 description 15
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 15
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 9
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 9
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 9
- 235000013405 beer Nutrition 0.000 description 6
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 5
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 4
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 3
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 3
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 3
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 2
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000016795 Cola Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241001634499 Cola Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000011824 Cola pachycarpa Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000006096 absorbing agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000014171 carbonated beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004880 explosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000796 flavoring agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019634 flavors Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000011389 fruit/vegetable juice Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009533 lab test Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229920003052 natural elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001194 natural rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000014214 soft drink Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229920003051 synthetic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005061 synthetic rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
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
- B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
- B67D3/0009—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with cooling arrangements
-
- 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
- B67D1/0004—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid the beverage being stored in a container, e.g. bottle, cartridge, bag-in-box, bowl
-
- 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
- B67D1/0857—Cooling arrangements
- B67D1/0858—Cooling arrangements using compression systems
-
- 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
- B67D1/0857—Cooling arrangements
- B67D1/0869—Cooling arrangements using solid state elements, e.g. Peltier cells
-
- 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
- B67D1/0889—Supports
- B67D1/0891—Supports for the beverage container
-
- 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
- B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
- B67D3/0029—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with holders for bottles or similar containers
- B67D3/0032—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with holders for bottles or similar containers the bottle or container being held upside down and provided with a closure, e.g. a cap, adapted to cooperate with a feed tube
-
- 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
- B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
- B67D3/0029—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with holders for bottles or similar containers
- B67D3/0035—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with holders for bottles or similar containers the bottle or container being held upside down and not provided with a closure, e.g. a bottle screwed onto a base of a dispenser
-
- 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
- B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
- B67D3/0058—Details
- B67D3/008—Supports
-
- 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
- B67D2001/0827—Bags in box
- B67D2001/0828—Bags in box in pressurised housing
-
- 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
- B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
- B67D2210/00028—Constructional details
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a beverage dispensing system for rapid contact cooling of a beverage container and a corresponding method of rapid contact cooling of a beverage container by using a beverage dispensing system..
- Beverage dispensing systems are used in many establishments to provide beverages such as draught beer. Such beverage dispensing systems are mostly used for professional establishments such as in bars or restaurants, however, increasingly also for private users such as in private homes
- the beverage is typically provided in a plastic or metallic beverage container or keg
- the beverage container is typically positioned upright, i.e. the container outlet is facing upwardly, and the beverage is drawn from the beverage container through an ascending pipe.
- the beverage is usually expelled from the beverage container to a tapping head by a pressure fluid, typically compressed gas.
- a collapsible beverage container may be used.
- collapsible beverage containers usually including pre-carbonated beverage
- the pressure fluid acts on the outside of the beverage container, decreases the volume of the beverage container and thereby forces the beverage out of the beverage container
- the upright position in connection with an ascending pipe will not constitute any problem in connection with rigid containers, however, when using collapsible beverage containers there may be a risk that the beverage container may collapse into the ascending pipe during dispensing If the beverage container collapses into the ascending pipe, the ascending pipe may break or jam during dispensing and as a result leave residual beverage inside the beverage container. Such residual beverage constitutes a loss, since the beverage container must then be disposed and replaced. Further, the walls of the beverage container may rupture when rammed by the ascending pipe. Such rupture may cause leakage of beverage into the beverage dispensing system, escape of pressure fluid and occasionally explosion Thus, ascending pipes in connection with collapsible beverage containers constitute a problem.
- the problem in connection with ascending pipes may be solved by dispensing the beverage having the beverage container arranged in an upside down position, i.e. having the container outlet facing downwards.
- the ascending pipe By positioning the beverage container in an upside down position in the beverage dispensing system, the ascending pipe may be excluded Thereby the risk of leaving any residual beverage in the beverage container is eliminated since the beverage container may collapse completely without blocking the container outlet
- Collapsible beverage containers used for the beverage dispensing purpose are typically blow- moulded in one piece from a pre-form
- the shape of the mould largely determines the shape of the beverage container.
- the shape of the beverage container is cylindrical and any edges are typically rounded, e g to form a substantially circular cross section..
- Such containers have been described in e.g. WO2004/099060, filed by the applicant company and disclosing a method for dispensing a beverage from a collapsible container by using an increased pressure.
- beverage dispensing system Most of the beverages intended to be dispensed by using a beverage dispensing system as described above are to be served cold.
- beverages include beers, soft drinks and colas.
- the flavour of such beverage is significantly influenced by the temperature of the beverage.
- many kinds of beer develop the most enjoyable taste when served at a temperature around 7°C.
- many beverages, including most beers must be stored in a cold environment to remain fresh for longer time periods extending e.g. one day, at least when the container has been opened and some air has been allowed to enter the container For instance, beer will spoil very quickly when stored in room temperature, but may possibly be stored for more than 50 days in case it is stored at around 7°C
- the beverage container is therefore stored in a compartment which is pressurized and chilled for the beverage to remain fresh and carbonated for an extended period of time, such as at least 50 days.
- Beverage dispensing systems including a cooling chamber are known in the prior art WO2007/019853, filed by the applicant company, discloses an assembly for dispensing beverage, the assembly including a pressurized and cooled chamber.
- the cooling effect is enhanced by means of ventilators, which cause an additional cooling effect by forced convention WO02/30807 discloses a juice dispenser having a thermoelectric device.
- the beverage dispensing system may include a thermostat to account for external temperature variations to keep the temperature low and constant inside the compartment and in the beverage
- the dispensing line is cooled by a separate cooling system for achieving a cooling of the beverage which is about to be dispensed
- the above-mentioned beverage containers are substantially airtight
- the beverage container In using the above-mentioned beverage containers to store pasteurized beverages, there is typically no need to store the beverage container in a cold environment before exposing it to air when opening the beverage container Consequently, such beverage containers are provided to the customer at room temperature and must be cooled from room temperature to proper dispensing temperature of about 7°C
- the problem in connection with providing the beverage container at room temperature is that once the beverage container is empty and a new beverage container should be installed, the new beverage container, having room temperature, must be cooled down to about 7°C before beverage dispensing can be resumed
- gases such as air
- Beverage includes mostly water which has a large heat capacity. Therefore it may take up to 24 hours for the beverage stored in a beverage container, which is originally stored at room temperature, to be cooled down to the optimal dispensing temperature of 7°C, Forced convection, e.g.
- a beverage dispensing system for use with a collapsible beverage container containing beverage, the beverage container defining in a non-collapsed state a top wail having a container outlet, an opposite bottom wall and a cylindrical wall connecting the top and bottom walls, the beverage dispensing system comprising:
- a housing defining an inner space extending between an openable ltd and an end wail located remotely from the openable lid, the inner space being adapted to receive the beverage container,
- a tapping device including a tapping handle for operating a tapping valve, the tapping device communicating with the inner space for receiving a tapping line extending from the container outlet of the beverage container to the tapping valve,
- a pressurization device for pressurizing the inner space to a pressure above the ambient pressure outside the inner space for causing beverage to be expelled from the beverage container towards the container outlet when the tapping valve is operated by the tapping handle, and a cooling element located within the inner space and comprising a contact cooling surface having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the cylindrical wall, the bottom wall and/or the top wall of the beverage container, the contact cooling surface juxtaposing and contacting at least 10%, preferably 20% or more such as 50%, 70%, 90% or even 100%, of the cylindrical wall, the bottom wall and/or the top wall of the beverage container when the beverage container is received in a non-collapsed state within the inner space.
- H is the heat current
- k is the thermal conductivity
- A is the contact area between the beverage and the contact cooling surface
- T H is the temperature of the beverage
- T c is the temperature of the cooling element
- L is the distance between the cooling element and the beverage
- the thermal conductivity is a material parameter which will be different for the different materials along the cooling current, i.e. for the cooling element, the beverage container walls and the beverage itself. It is therefore advisable to use materials having a high thermal conductivity, especially for the contact cooling surface and the cooling element which may be made of a material having a high thermal conductivity.
- convective cooling by air is a very slow process, and it may take 24 hours or more to cool a beverage container of normal size and the beverage contained therein down to a suitable dispensing temperature.
- the contact cooling surface contacting at least 10% of the beverage container wili achieve conductive cooiing directly between the cooling element and the beverage container.
- Conductive cooling has a much higher cooling efficiency than the convective air cooling
- the distance between the cooling element and the beverage should be kept as small as possible, preferably by making the walls of the beverage container as thin as possible. There is, however, a limit of how thin the walls of the beverage container can be made while still maintaining structural stability of the beverage container.
- the temperature of the cooling element should be as low as possible, since the heat current is also dependent on the temperature difference between the beverage and the cooling element.. However, care should be taken to avoid the formation of ice crystals within the beverage..
- Ice crystals within the beverage may deteriorate the taste of the beverage, and may clog the container outlet, tapping line and/or tapping device, possibly preventing further beverage dispensing- There is thus a lower limit of the temperature of the cooling element of about 0°C or possibly a few degrees centigrade below 0°C depending on the alcohol content of the beverage, Since the amount of heat energy drawn from the beverage, i.e.
- the heat current from the beverage is directly proportional to the contact area between the beverage and the cooling element and taking into account that most of the other parameters therein are more or less fixed, it is important to have a large contact cooling surface between the cooling element and the beverage container
- the contact cooiing surface should therefore be shaped to adapt to the curvature of the wails of beverage container for achieving as large contact area as possible
- the contact cooling surface is preferably contacting the cylindrical wall of the beverage container, however, it may also contact the bottom wall and/or the top wail, except the part of the top wall which is containing the container outlet. It is also contemplated that the cooling element and the contact cooling surface may be split into several cooling elements having several contact cooling surfaces to better fit the walls of beverage container
- the beverage container should be of the collapsible type, implying that the walls of the beverage container should be relatively thin and made of a collapsible material .
- the beverage container When the beverage container is filled with beverage, it assumes a non-collapsed state.
- the beverage container does contain ten liters of beverage in its non-collapsed state, however, sizes between 5 liters and 70 liters are equally feasible.
- the beverage container may be made of metal having a high thermal conductivity, however, plastics or similar poiymertc material are preferably used due to the flexibility and due to environmental concerns, since such material may be easily disposed of by combusting. It should be noted that since the walls of the beverage container are thin, thus, the thermal conductivity of the material chosen for the beverage container does not have a very large impact on the heat current, and thereby on the cooling efficiency.
- the collapsible beverage containers typically are blow-molded from plastic pre ⁇ forms and subsequently filled by beverage.
- the containers generated by such blow-moiding process have a bottom, a top and a cylindrical wall there between .
- the bottom may be shaped like a circular disc for allowing the beverage container to stand upright without any additional support.
- the bottom has a smooth transition to the cylindrical wail, which typically extends by a substantially constant diameter from the bottom of the beverage container to the top of the beverage container
- the top wall of the beverage container is preferably convex shaped and contain a centrally located flange including the container outlet, which should be sealed immediately after the beverage container is filled by beverage
- the tapping valve may either be a part of the dispensing line, a part of the tapping device, or a separate part.
- the beverage container is positioned inside the inner space of the housing of the beverage dispensing system by opening the operable lid and sliding the beverage container through the thereby established opening.
- the inner space may be pressurized by using the pressurization device.
- the tapping line is connected between the tapping valve and the container outlet. By operating the tapping handle, beverage is expelled from the beverage container by the pressure inside the inner space
- the beverage flows from the beverage container via the tapping line and the tapping valve through the beverage outlet of the tapping valve to the outside of the beverage dispensing system while the beverage container is collapsing
- any contact cooling surface not contacting the beverage container wall may be considered a waste, since the cooling efficiency through the air is limited as discussed above,, It is an advantage of the presently preferred embodiment that the beverage container is contacting a large portion of the contact cooling surface.
- the contact cooling surface remains contacting at least 10%, preferably 20% or more such as 50% or even 100%, of the cylindrical wall, the bottom wall and/or the top wall of the beverage container until at least 30%, preferably 50% or more such as 70% or even 90%, of the beverage contained in the beverage container has been dispensed.
- the contact cooling surface looses contact with the walls of the beverage container, consequently causing a significant loss of cooling efficiency.
- the contact cooling surface is located below the beverage container for the beverage container to collapse towards the contact cooling surface by gravitational force and pressure force.
- the cooling element and/or the beverage container may be spring mounted for causing an attraction force between the beverage container and the contact cooling surface for allowing the contact to be maintained even when the beverage container has collapsed to a significant degree.
- a low position of the contact cooling surface decreases the probability that an air bubble resulting from the head space of the beverage container will be located adjacent the contact cooiing surface Such air bubble will significantly worsen the cooling efficiency.
- the contact cooling surface of the beverage dispensing system is capable of reducing the average temperature of ten liters of beverage initially having room temperature and being stored in the beverage container, by at least 10°C, preferably by at least 15°C, within a time period of no more than three hours, preferably no more than two hours, more preferably no more than one hour.
- the applicant company has performed laboratory test confirming that the preferred embodiment according to the first aspect of the invention is capable of cooling ten liters of beverage from a storage temperature of 22°C down to the preferred dispensing temperature of e.g. 7°C in less than 3 hours.
- the time required for cooling the beverage stored in the non-collapsed beverage container from room temperature to dispensing temperature is reduced to at least 1/3, preferably to at least 1/4, of the time required for cooling the beverage stored in the non-collapsed beverage container from room temperature to dispensing temperature when the contact cooling surface is contacting 0% of the beverage container.
- the contact cooling surface extending in a longitudinal direction defined by the direction between the openable lid and the end and in a transversal direction defining an arc corresponding to the curvature of the cylindrical wall of the beverage container, the arc having an angle of between 90° and 180°, preferably between 120° and 160°.
- the beverage container is resting in a cradle constituting the cooling element to allow a very large contact cooling surface to be formed partly encircling the cylindrical wall of the beverage container, while still allowing the beverage container to be easily removed
- the beverage container is pressed towards the contact cooiing surface by means of e.g a spring or an inflatable cushion, or alternatively by the contact cooling surface having a slightly smaller radius than the beverage container.
- the cooling efficiency may be improved since the beverage container is then pressed against the cooling surface
- the contact area between them may increase since small air bubbles otherwise occurring between the contact cooling surface and the beverage container are eliminated.
- the spring mounting may be substituted by other similar means, such as an air cushion or the like
- the contact cooling surface may have a slightly smaller radius than the beverage container, such that the beverage container is slightly squeezed and thereby an increased contact area is achieved.
- the cylindrical wall of the beverage container when the beverage container is received within the inner space, the cylindrical wall of the beverage container is supporting substantially the full weight of the beverage container.
- the weight of the beverage container is preferably supported in its entirety by the contact cooling surface for allowing the beverage container to be pressed against the contact cooling surface Such pressure force may even out any differences between the contact cooling surface and the beverage container wall and may eliminate any air pockets which may exist there between.
- the openable lid is located above or aligned horizontally with the end
- the openable lid is preferably located above or aligned horizontally with the end .
- the bottom wall of the beverage container is located at the openable lid and the top wall is located at the end wall when the beverage container is received within the inner space, the inner space comprising a connector located near the end and communicating with the container outlet.
- the container outlet is preferably located away from the openable lid and near the end.
- the longitudinal direction of the contact cooling surface defines a slope in relation to the horizontal plane of between 5° and 85°, preferably between 10° and 80°, more preferably between 20° and 70°, such as 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60° and 65°
- the contact cooling surface defines a slope to allow the contact cooling surface to define a large area and at the same time allow the contact cooling surface to be positioned low and at the same time allow the beverage outlet to be positioned low
- the housing further comprises a front wall, the front wall being pivotal!y operable between an open position in which the inner space is accessible from the outside and a closed position in which the inner space is non-accessible from the outside, the tapping device being optionally accommodated on the front wall.
- the pivotable front wall allows a simple installation of the dispensing Sine.
- the beverage dispensing system further comprises a separate tapping rod located outside of, preferably in front of or beside, the housing, the tapping rod accommodating the tapping device Alternatively, a separate tapping rod may be used. Since the present embodiment does not require any cooling in the tapping rod, the tapping rod can be made very thin.
- the cooling element comprises a Peltier element, or alternatively the cooling element is connected to a cooling device via cooling pipes, the cooling device comprising a compressor, cooling fluid and a heat sink, the heat sink being located outside of the inner space
- the cooling element may be connected to a cooling device including cooling fluid, heat sink and compressor
- the tapping tine and the tapping valve are fixedly connected and delivered together with the beverage container, the tapping line and the tapping valve being installed and subsequently replaced together with the beverage container
- the tapping line may be delivered together with the beverage container to ensure regular change of tapping line and to simplify the installation procedure.
- the tapping line may be provided separately, allowing a very quick installation of the beverage container by using the same tapping line a plurality of times.
- the tapping line and tapping valve are forming parts of the beverage dispensing system, the container outlet comprising a pierceable membrane, the connector or alternatively the tapping line comprising a piercing element for piercing the pierceable membrane upon receipt of the beverage container within the inner space.
- the beverage container is preferably sealed by a pierceable membrane, which is pierced upon installation of the beverage container into the inner space,
- a first aspect of the present invention obtained by a method of cooling a beverage stored in a collapsible beverage container, preferably by using a beverage dispensing system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the beverage container defining in a non-collapsed state a top wall having a container outlet, an opposite bottom wall and a cylindrical wall connecting the top and bottom wa!ls, the method comprising providing a beverage dispensing system comprising:
- a housing defining an inner space extending between an openable lid and an end located remote from the openable lid, the inner space being adapted to receive the beverage container,
- a pressurization device for pressurizing the inner space to a pressure above the ambient pressure outside the inner space
- a tapping device including a tapping handle for operating a tapping valve, the tapping device communicating with the inner space,
- a cooling element located within the inner space and comprising a contact cooling surface having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the cylindrical wall, the bottom wail and/or the top wall of the beverage container,
- the method according to the second aspect of the present invention may comprise any of the features of the system according to the first aspect of the present invention
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage dispensing system according to the present invention
- Fig 2 is a partially sectional perspective view of a beverage dispensing system according to the present invention
- Figs 3a-3c are illustrations of various embodiments of a cooling element according to the present invention.
- Figs 4a - 4f are a series of illustrations showing the installation of a new beverage container into a beverage dispensing system according to the present invention.
- Figs 5a-5c are a series of illustrations showing an embodiment of the ergonomic installation of a beverage container according to the present invention.
- Figs 6a-6c are a series of illustrations showing an embodiment of the ergonomic installation of a beverage container contained within a package.
- Figs 7a-7b are a series of illustrations showing the installation and subsequent tapping of a beverage container in a beverage dispensing system according to the present invention.
- Figs 8a-8b are a series of illustrations showing a beverage dispensing system with a separate tapping rod according to the present invention
- Figs 9a-9b are a series of illustrations showing a beverage dispensing system having a supplementary cooling lid in addition to a cooling element
- Figs tOa-IOb are a series of illustrations showing a beverage dispensing system according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
- Figs 11a-1 1b are a series of iilustrations showing a beverage dispensing system according to yet a further embodiment of the present invention.
- Fig. 1 shows a beverage dispensing system 10 according to the present invention.
- the beverage dispensing system 10 comprises a base plate 12, preferably located on a fiat, horizontal surface
- a housing part 14 extends upwardly from the rear part of the base plate 12.
- the front part of the base plate 12 forms a drip tray 20,
- the housing part 14 is extending towards the front part of the base plate 12, above the drip tray 20, in an angle of app 45°.
- a lid 16 is located at the top of the housing part 14 opposite the base plate 12
- the front part of the housing part 14, which is facing the drip tray 20 of the base plate 12, defines a front housing part 18.
- the front housing part 18 extends above the drip tray 20 which is located at the front part of the base plate 12,
- the front housing part 18 further comprises a tapping head 22 located near the lid 16,
- the tapping head 22 comprises a tapping handle 24 extending from the upper part of the tapping head and a beverage outlet 26 located opposite the tapping handle 24 and facing towards the drip tray 20 of the base plate 1 .
- the tapping head 22 further comprises a tapping valve (not shown).
- the tapping valve (not shown) is connected to the tapping handle 24 and the beverage outlet 26,
- the tapping handle 24 is normally oriented in a vertical position constituting a non-beverage dispensing position where the tapping valve (not shown) is closed.
- the tapping handle 24 is temporarily swung towards a horizontal position constituting a beverage dispensing position where the tapping valve (not shown) is open, causing the beverage to flow out of the beverage outlet 26
- Fig 2 shows a partially sectional perspective view of the beverage dispensing system 10 of Fig 1. From the present view it can be seen that an inner space 32 is defined within the housing part 14, the lid 16, the front housing part 18 and the base piate 12 A filled beverage container 28 is accommodated within the inner space 32, The beverage container 28 has a volume of about ten litres and fills a large portion of the inner space 32. The beverage container 28 rests on a cooling element 30 located within the inner space 32. The cooling element 30 is connected to a combined cooling pressurisation device 34 by a cooling pipe 36 The beverage container 28 comprises a connecting flange 38 which is oriented towards the base plate 12 when the beverage container 28 is installed into the inner space 32.
- a tapping line 40 extends between the connecting flange 38 and the tapping valve (not shown) located within the tapping head 22.
- the combined cooling and pressurisation device 34 provides cooling to the cooling element 30 as well as pressurisation to the inner space 32.
- the combined cooling and pressurisation device 34 may optionally cool the inner space 32, however, the inner space 32 may be cooled by the cooling element 30 as well. It is further possible to employ a separate cooling device and a separate pressurization device in place of the combined cooling and pressurization device 34.
- Fig, 3a shows a first embodiment of a cooling element 30' according to the present invention
- the beverage container 28 defines a beverage container bottom 42 located opposite the connecting flange 38
- the beverage container 28 further defines a cylindrical container wall 44 connecting the beverage container bottom 42 and the connecting flange 38.
- the cooling element 30' defines a contact cooling surface 46 having a curvature corresponding to the cylindrical container wall 44 of the beverage container 28 and adapted to receive the cylindrical container wall 44 by a tight fit of a section of the cylindrical container wall 44.
- the cooling element 30 is preferably made of a metal such as aluminium or any similar material having a high thermal conductivity
- the cooling element 30' according to the present embodiment comprises a Peltier element which is electrically connected to a combined cooling and pressurisation device 34' via electrical wires 36.
- the combined cooling and pressurisation device 34' provides electrical current to the Peltier element for causing a cooling effect.
- Fig 3b shows a further embodiment of a cooling element 30" according to the present invention
- the cooling element 30" has a shape corresponding to the cooling element 30' of Fig . 3a, however, instead of a Peltier element, the cooling element 30" comprises a cooling inlet 48.
- the combined cooling and pressurisation device 34" comprises a cooling pipe 36" which is inserted into the cooling inlet 48 of the cooling element 30" for supplying a coolant to the cooling element 30".
- the combined cooling and pressurisation device 34 consequently comprise a compressor (not shown) for cooling the coolant.
- Fig . 3c shows a further embodiment of a cooling element 30"'
- the cooling element 30"' of Fig 3c is similar to the cooling element 30" of Fig. 3b, however, instead of a cooling inlet 48, the cooling pipe 36" is fixedly connected to the cooling element 30 and forms a mesh or web inside the cooling element 30 for achieving an optimal distribution of coolant throughout the contact cooling surface 46 of the cooling element 30"'
- Fig 4a shows a side view of the beverage dispensing system 10 It can be seen that the housing part 14 is extending upwardly from the base piate 12 and further extending above the drip tray 20 and defining an angle relative to the base plate 12 of about 45°.
- Fig 4b shows a side view of the beverage dispensing system 10 when the front housing part 18 has been lowered towards the base piate 12.
- the front housing part 18 defines an upright position along with the housing part 12
- the front housing part 18 may be pivoted towards the base plate 12 into a substantially horizontal position as shown by the arrow
- the tapping head 22 is located adjacent the base plate 12.
- Fig 4c shows a side view of the beverage dispensing system 10 after the front housing 18 has been pivoted towards a horizontal position,. By pivoting the front housing part 18 towards the base plate 12, the removal of the lid 16 is thereafter allowed .
- the lid 16 is mounted by means of a bayonet mount and to remove the lid 16 it is rotated about 3 ⁇ 4 of a turn and lifted outwardly
- the lid 16 defines an interior top cavity 50 which is facing towards the housing part 14.
- Fig 4d shows a side view of the beverage dispensing system 10 when a new beverage container 28 is inserted into the housing part 14. When the lid 16 has been removed, access is provided to the inner space (not shown here).
- the beverage container 28 should be inserted having the connecting flange 38 facing towards the base p!ate 12 and the beverage container 28 defining an angle of about 45° in relation to the base plate 12.
- Fig 4e shows a side view of the beverage dispensing system 10 when the beverage container 28 has been inserted into the inner space (not shown here)
- the Hd 16 may be reconnected to the housing part 14 and the front housing part 18 may be pivoted towards its upright position .
- the beverage container bottom 42 is then accommodated inside the top cavity 50 of the lid 16.
- Fig, 4f shows a side view of the beverage dispensing system 10 when in use.
- Fig,, 5a shows the beverage dispensing system 10 including a housing part 14 without the lid 16.
- the housing part 14 is extending towards the front part of the base plate 12, above the drip tray 20, in an angie of ap 45°
- the front housing part 18 has been lowered into its substantially horizontal position and is defining an optional support block 56.
- the beverage container 28 has been removed from its package 54 and positioned tilted about 45° in relation to the horizontal plane in a stable first installation position
- the beverage container 28 comprises a beverage container bottom 42 which is convex so that the beverage container 28 may be easily pivoted into the first installation position .
- the beverage container bottom 42 is resting against the support block 56 and against the front housing part 18, however, in an alternative embodiment, the beverage container bottom 42 may be resting against the front housing part 18, the base plate 12 or any substantially horizontal plane, depending on the dimensions of the beverage container and the beverage dispensing system 10 Using a support block 56 may be advantageous since it will prevent slippage of the beverage container bottom 42
- the housing part 14 comprises an upwardly oriented rim 62 through which the inner space 32 of the housing part 14 is accessible.
- the rim 62 comprises a contact surface 60, which is oriented towards the drip tray 20
- the beverage container 28 further comprises a beverage container top 58 which is rounded and comprises centrally located connecting flange 38.
- the connecting flange 38 comprises a container outlet for the beverage stored in the beverage container 28
- the beverage container top 58 and the connecting flange 38 are resting against the contact surface 60 of the rim 62 of the housing part 14.
- the contact surface 60 is shaped having a curvature to provide a stable positioning of the beverage container 28 and prevent movement of the beverage container 28 both in the direction towards the housing part 14 and in the sideward directions.
- the beverage container 28 is of the collapsible type and may have a volume of typically around ten litres for allowing about 20 servings of the beverage before needing to install a new beverage container 28.
- Typical height of the beverage container 28 for the beverage dispensing system 10 is between 0 25m and 0 5m, preferably 0.35m .
- Fig . 5b shows the beverage dispensing system 10 during ergonomic installation of the beverage container 28
- the beverage container 28 may be pivoted in a rotational motion around the contact surface 60 to an elevated position
- the user being either a private user or a professional beverage dispensing operator such as a bartender or barmaid, performs the Sifting
- a lifting device such as a crane may be used to lift the beverage container bottom 42 of the beverage container 28 in order to avoid personal injuries.
- the beverage container bottom 42 may be pivoted by simply pivoting the front housing part 18 up towards its vertical orientation.
- the contact surface 60 remains in contact with the beverage container top 58.
- the contact surface 60 simplifies the rotational movement of the beverage container 50
- the curvature of the contact surface 60 and the corresponding curvature of the beverage container top 58 and the connecting flange 38 of the beverage container 28 prevent any sideward movement of the beverage container 28.
- the connecting flange 38 is used to grasp the contact surface 60 of the rim 62 at a higher angle along the contact surface 60 to avoid slipping of the beverage container 50
- the contact surface 60 of the rim 62 wiii be supporting most of the weight of the beverage container 28.
- the beverage container 28 then primarily rests on the beverage container top 58 and occasionally against the connecting flange 38 if needed for the pivoting stability. Accordingly, the beverage container top 58 and the connecting flange 54 must be made rigid enough to support the weight applied upon them.
- the two above-mentioned parts may be reinforced to avoid any risk of breakage, such as by using a double or dual layered container.
- a double layered container has an inner collapsible beverage container which is protected by an outer rigid container. Having such a double-layered beverage container will in some embodiments make the lid 16 unnecessary, since the pressurized fluid is then kept in the space between the outer container and the inner beverage bag.
- the beverage dispensing system 10 includes a piercing element 64 at the end of the tapping line 40, The tapping Sine 40 and the piercing element 64 are fixated inside the housing remote from the rim 62, and may be replaced when needed .
- the container outlet at the connecting flange 38 of the beverage container 28 comprises a corresponding pierceable membrane (not shown).
- the beverage container 28 may be delivered having a tapping line 40 and a tapping valve (not shown) already connected to the container outlet at the connecting flange 38
- Fig 5c shows the beverage dispensing system 10 when the beverage container 28 is installed into the inner space 32.
- the beverage container 28 must not be in perfect registration with the rim 62 of the beverage dispensing system It is sufficient if the connecting flange 54 is in registration with the rim 62, since the positioning of the beverage container 28 will be corrected after the sliding motion has started and the beverage container 28 will continue by its own motion into the inner space 32 of the beverage dispensing system 10
- the beverage container 28 is directed by the curvature of the contact surface 60 and as the beverage container 28 enters the inner space 32, the beverage container 28 is guided by the rim 62 and the beverage container top 58 of the beverage container 50 for a correct positioning
- the beverage container 28 may enter the inner space 32 being slightly out of registration .
- the inner wails of the housing part 14 defining the inner space 32 and the contact cooling surface 46 will orient the beverage container 28 such that the connecting flange 54 is positioned in front of the piercing element 64
- the concave surface 46' should have a concave shape having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the cylindrical container wall 44.
- the concave surface 46' is preferably identical with the previously described concave contact cooling surface 46, however, in some embodiments a separate contact cooling surface 46' may be used, or the contact cooling surface may be a part of the inner wails of the housing part 14.
- the connecting flange 38 of the beverage container 28 Upon reaching the resting position at the bottom end of the inner space 32, remote from the rim 62, the connecting flange 38 of the beverage container 28 is connected fluid-tightiy to the piercing element 64 of the tapping line 40 inside the inner space 32
- the beverage container 28 wiii protrude slightly outside the inner space 32
- the lid 16 may be replaced and locked pressure-tightly onto the rim 62 of the beverage dispensing system 10 Thereby the installation procedure is concluded, and after the inner space 32 has been pressurized, the beverage may be dispensed from the beverage dispensing system 10 by swinging the tapping handle 24,
- a shock absorber may be provided inside the inner space 32, such as a foamed plastic pad or a natural or synthetic rubber pad, serving to prevent the beverage container 28 from being deteriorated or even broken or smashed.
- Fig 6a shows an alternative embodiment of the ergonomic handling according to the present invention, where the beverage container 28 remains located within the package 54 during a part of the installation procedure.
- the package 54 has a package bottom 54', an openable package top 54" and four parallel sidewalls which have not been assigned reference numerals but which are connecting the package bottom 54' and the package top 54"
- the package top 54" comprises flaps 54"' which serve to seal and close off the package 54 during storage and transportation.
- the beverage dispensing system 10 shown in fig 6a comprises a housing part 14 having a rim 62' being similar to the previous embodiments shown above.
- the rim 62' differs from the above described rims in that the contact surface 60' of the rim 62' is defining a plane outer contact surface as distinct from the rounded contact surface of the previous embodiment of the dispensing unit shown in figs 5a-5c.
- the contact surface 60' corresponds to the package top 54"
- the package 54 may thus be positioned in a pivoted orientation where the package top 54" is resting against the contact surface 60'
- the package bottom 54' remains contacting the front housing part 18 or alternatively the base plate 12
- Fig 6b shows the alternative embodiment of the ergonomic handling according to the present invention when the package bottom 54' has been elevated and the package 54 including the beverage container 28 has been pivoted around the contact surface 60'.
- the beverage container 28 may slide from inside the package 54 towards the rim 62' and further into the inner space 32 of the housing part 14 while the package 54 remains in its elevated position as shown in Fig 6a
- Fig 6c shows the alternative embodiment of the ergonomic handling according to the present invention when the beverage container 28 has been installed After the beverage container 28 has reached its final position, the package 54 may be disposed and the lid 16 may be replaced.
- Fig 7a shows the installation of the beverage container 28 into the beverage dispensing system 10.
- the beverage container 28 is introduced through the rim 62 into the inner space 32 and the connecting flange 38 connects to the piercing element (not shown).
- the lid 16 is attached to the housing part 14 while the beverage container 28 is resting on the contact cooling surface 46 of the cooling element 30
- the front housing part 18 is pivoted back to the vertical orientation, thereby enabling beverage dispensing operations
- Fig 7b shows the dispensing of beverage by swinging the tapping handie 24 of the beverage dispensing system 10
- the beverage dispensing system 10 is ready for use.
- the tapping handle 24 By swinging the tapping handle 24 from a substantially vertical orientation constituting the non-beverage dispensing position, towards a substantially horizontal orientation constituting the beverage dispensing position, the tapping valve (not shown) inside the tapping head 22 will open and beverage will be expelled from the beverage container 28, via the dispensing line 40, the dispensing valve and through the beverage outlet 26.
- the beverage is preferably collected in a beer glass 52 positioned below the beverage outlet 26.
- the beverage container 28 is blow-moulded of flexible polymeric materiai, typically plastics such as PET or PP.
- the present beverage container 28 has a height of about 0 35m, and a diameter being about the same as the height.
- the pressure in the inner space 32 drives the beverage outwardly and at the same time compressing the beverage container into a collapsing state as shown..
- the figure is showing the beverage container in a state where about 50% of the beverage volume has been dispensed .
- the beverage container 42 will collapse from an elevated position of the beverage container bottom 42 or cylindrical wall 44 and downwardly in the direction towards the connecting flange 38..
- the beverage surface will always be substantially horizontal due to the influence of the gravity, and the beverage container 28 will form itself to match the beverage surface. Due to local differences in the materia! strength of the beverage container, a slightly uneven surface may form as the beverage container 28 is compressed, as indicated in the figure.
- the applicant company has found out that by positioning the outlet at the connecting flange 38 below the rest of the beverage container 28, the gravitational force will aid in the expelling of the beverage, and an ascending pipe may be omitted.
- the contact cooling surface 46 should be located as low as possible as well.
- the contact cooling surface 48 constitutes a slope having an angle of about 45° relative to the horizontal plane for allowing at least 50% of the beverage volume to be dispensed without the cylindrical container wall 44 losing any contact with the contact cooling surface 46 and at the same time allowing dispensing even of the last portion of beverage, since the container outlet and connecting flange 38 are located in a low position. It is further contemplated that the cooling element 30 and the contact cooling surface 46 may be slightly inwardly bent to extend inwardly at the beverage container top 58 for contacting a portion of the beverage container top 58 in the vicinity of the transition between the beverage container top 58 and the cylindrical container wall 44 for allowing a larger contact cooling surface 48 and act as an appropriate stop quoin when the beverage container 28 is sliding into the housing part 14.
- the cooling element 30 should, however, not form a constriction preventing the connecting flange 38 to pass, thus, the size of the connecting flange 38 effectively sets the limit for the inward extension of the cooling element 30.
- Fig. 8a shows a side sectional view of a further embodiment of a beverage dispensing system 10'.
- the beverage dispensing system 10' lacks the front housing part including the tapping head and instead features a separate tapping rod 66 including a tapping head 22', a tapping handle 24' and a beverage outlet 26.
- the tapping head 22' is located at the top of the tapping rod 66.
- the separate tapping rod 66 is extending upwardly from the base plate 12 in front of the housing part 14'
- a dip tray 20' is located below the beverage outlet 26'
- the figure shows the installation of a new beverage container 28 into the housing part 14 and the subsequent positioning of the lid 16 onto the housing part 14.
- Fig. 8b shows a side sectional view of the beverage dispensing system 10' when assembled and ready for beverage dispensing
- the tapping handle 24' of the tapping rod 66 By operating the tapping handle 24' of the tapping rod 66, beverage will flow out of the beverage outlet 26'.
- the tapping rod 66 may be located on a separate base plate a certain distance from the housing part 14, e.g the tapping rod 66 may be placed on a bar counter, while the housing part 14 is located below the bar counter
- Fig 9a shows a side sectional view of yet a further embodiment of a beverage dispensing system 10".
- the beverage dispensing system 0" comprises a lid 16' including an auxiliary cooling element 68 which has a shape adapted to fit tightly to the beverage container bottom 42 and thus provide additional cooling to the beverage container 28..
- Fig. 9b shows a side sectional view of the beverage dispensing system 10" when assembled and ready for beverage dispensing.
- the auxiliary cooling element 68 is pressing tightly against the beverage container bottom 42 thereby providing an additional contact cooling surface 70. It is contemplated that for some embodiments, it may be sufficient to only use the auxiliary cooling element 68, thereby dispensing with the cooling element 30.
- Fig 10a shows a side sectional view of a beverage dispensing system 10'" constituting an alternative embodiment to the previously presented beverage dispensing system 10 with which the beverage dispensing system 10' shares the most features..
- the housing part 14"' of the beverage dispensing system 10"' forms a bend, however, presently having an angle of about 90°.
- the cooling element 30 located within the inner space 32"' of the housing part 14 is oriented substantially horizontally, i.e. parallel with the base piate 12"', and forming a concave contact cooling surface 46"'
- Fig, 10b shows a side sectional view of the beverage dispensing system 10"' when assembled and ready for beverage dispensing.
- the beverage container 28 should preferably be fitted with an ascending pipe for secure dispensing of the whole beverage volume.
- the advantage of the present embodiment is that the cylindrical container wall 44 will maintain substantial contact with the contact cooling surface 46"' until the beverage is completely expelled from the beverage container 28.
- the inner space is fitted with an optional air cushion 72 for pressing the beverage out of the beverage container 28 and for achieving a larger contact pressure between the cylindrical container wall 44 and the contact cooling surface 46"'. It is contemplated that such air cushion may be fitted to other embodiments, such as the embodiment of fig 7, for the same purpose.
- Fig 1 a shows a side sectional view of a beverage dispensing system 10"' constituting an alternative embodiment to the previously presented beverage dispensing system 10 with which the beverage dispensing system 10' shares the most features. Contrary to the previously described embodiments, the housing part 14"" of the beverage dispensing system 10"' forms a straight upstanding housing part 14"". The cooling element is omitted, however, an auxiliary cooling element 68"" is located in the lid 16"".
- Fig 11 b shows a side sectional view of the beverage dispensing system 10"" when assembled and ready for beverage dispensing The cooling element 60, which is located in the lid 16"", is then oriented substantially horizontally, i.e.
- the advantage of the present embodiment is that the connecting flange 38 of the beverage container 28 is located low.
- the cooling element 60 may optionally be spring- loaded towards the beverage container bottom 42.
- the beverages used in connection with the embodiments according to the present invention may be either carbonated or non-carbonated, and the beverage containers may have an ascending pipe or the ascending pipe may be omitted.
- the beverage is carbonated and the ascending pipe is omitted.
- the beverage container may possibly have a slightly elliptical form when accommodated in the inner space due to the weight of the beverage and the flexibility of the beverage container, and when the inner space is pressurized, the beverage container may change its shape slightiy and form a slightly more spherical shape.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PL10787719T PL2504269T3 (en) | 2009-11-23 | 2010-11-23 | A system for rapid contact cooling of a collapsible beverage container in a beverage dispensing system |
EP10787719.3A EP2504269B1 (en) | 2009-11-23 | 2010-11-23 | A system for rapid contact cooling of a collapsible beverage container in a beverage dispensing system |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP09176771 | 2009-11-23 | ||
EP10787719.3A EP2504269B1 (en) | 2009-11-23 | 2010-11-23 | A system for rapid contact cooling of a collapsible beverage container in a beverage dispensing system |
PCT/EP2010/068016 WO2011061343A1 (en) | 2009-11-23 | 2010-11-23 | A system for rapid contact cooling of a collapsible beverage container in a beverage dispensing system |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2504269A1 true EP2504269A1 (en) | 2012-10-03 |
EP2504269B1 EP2504269B1 (en) | 2014-06-04 |
Family
ID=42561147
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP10787719.3A Active EP2504269B1 (en) | 2009-11-23 | 2010-11-23 | A system for rapid contact cooling of a collapsible beverage container in a beverage dispensing system |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2504269B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102666362B (en) |
DK (1) | DK2504269T3 (en) |
EA (1) | EA022684B1 (en) |
PL (1) | PL2504269T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2011061343A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITUA20163118A1 (en) * | 2016-05-03 | 2017-11-03 | Water Time Il Boccione S R L | AUTOMATIC DISTRIBUTOR OF BEVERAGES EXPRESSED WITH PAYMENT |
Families Citing this family (10)
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EP2657186A1 (en) * | 2012-04-26 | 2013-10-30 | Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A. | Liquid pressure reducing unit for beverage dispensing unit. |
CN103654423A (en) * | 2012-08-31 | 2014-03-26 | 可口可乐公司 | Beverage distributing device |
DE102012111850A1 (en) * | 2012-12-05 | 2014-06-05 | Krones Ag | Device for emptying containers |
BR112015015668B1 (en) * | 2012-12-28 | 2020-10-27 | Societe Anonyme Des Eaux Minerales D'evian Et En Abrégé S.A.E.M.E. | thin-walled plastic container, method for manufacturing by blow molding, method for dispensing a liquid, set for implanting the method and method for packaging |
EP2938547B1 (en) * | 2012-12-28 | 2017-07-26 | Societe Anonyme des Eaux Minerales d'Evian Et en Abrege "S.A.E.M.E" | Retractable blow moulded plastic thin-walled container |
GB2511851A (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2014-09-17 | Heineken Uk Ltd | Beverage Dispense System and Method |
EP2826744A1 (en) | 2013-07-15 | 2015-01-21 | Carlsberg Breweries A/S | A beverage dispensing system |
ITUA20162230A1 (en) * | 2016-04-01 | 2017-10-01 | True Keg S R L | SYSTEM FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF WATER, AS WELL AS A REUSABLE CONTAINER THAT CAN BE USED IN SUCH A SYSTEM |
EP3440009A4 (en) * | 2016-04-06 | 2019-11-20 | Font Fine Wine Pty Ltd | Beverage dispenser |
US11034569B2 (en) | 2018-02-14 | 2021-06-15 | Taphandles Llc | Cooled beverage dispensing systems and associated devices |
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US2116622A (en) * | 1936-06-25 | 1938-05-10 | Carl H Eisenmenger | Dispensing apparatus for beverages |
DE3618634A1 (en) * | 1986-06-03 | 1987-12-10 | Jean Pierre Denis | DISPENSER FOR BEVERAGES |
FR2741430B1 (en) * | 1995-11-21 | 1998-02-20 | Gomez Francois | REFRIGERATION DEVICE FOR MINI DRINKS OF BEVERAGES EQUIPPED WITH A PRESSURE PULLING SYSTEM |
JP3574144B2 (en) * | 1997-09-04 | 2004-10-06 | ハイネケン テクニカル サービシーズ ビー ブイ | Beverage dispensing device |
US6516625B2 (en) | 2000-10-13 | 2003-02-11 | Mark Bedard | Juice dispensing apparatus |
FR2840393A1 (en) * | 2002-05-30 | 2003-12-05 | Nestle Waters Man & Technology | DEVICE FOR COOLING AND / OR HOLDING THE TEMPERATURE OF A CONTAINER FOR FLOWING PRODUCT AND SUITABLE CONTAINER |
WO2004063086A1 (en) * | 2002-12-13 | 2004-07-29 | Paul Boudier | Heat exchanger for a supple receptacle |
BRPI0410014A (en) * | 2003-05-06 | 2006-04-25 | Carlsberg Breweries As | method for dispensing a drink and device for it |
ITRN20050022A1 (en) | 2005-03-31 | 2006-10-01 | Celli Spa | LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE |
MY163766A (en) | 2005-08-12 | 2017-10-31 | Carlsberg Breweries As | An assembly for dispensing beverage |
EP2025640A1 (en) * | 2007-08-10 | 2009-02-18 | Carlsberg Breweries A/S | Cooling device for a beverage keg |
US7721567B2 (en) | 2007-08-17 | 2010-05-25 | Jeffrey Travis Dalton | Cooling, carbonation and dispensing system for a liquid in a keg |
-
2010
- 2010-11-23 EP EP10787719.3A patent/EP2504269B1/en active Active
- 2010-11-23 EA EA201290362A patent/EA022684B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2010-11-23 DK DK10787719.3T patent/DK2504269T3/en active
- 2010-11-23 PL PL10787719T patent/PL2504269T3/en unknown
- 2010-11-23 WO PCT/EP2010/068016 patent/WO2011061343A1/en active Application Filing
- 2010-11-23 CN CN201080052797.XA patent/CN102666362B/en active Active
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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See references of WO2011061343A1 * |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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ITUA20163118A1 (en) * | 2016-05-03 | 2017-11-03 | Water Time Il Boccione S R L | AUTOMATIC DISTRIBUTOR OF BEVERAGES EXPRESSED WITH PAYMENT |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN102666362B (en) | 2015-03-11 |
PL2504269T3 (en) | 2014-11-28 |
WO2011061343A1 (en) | 2011-05-26 |
EA201290362A1 (en) | 2013-01-30 |
DK2504269T3 (en) | 2014-09-15 |
EP2504269B1 (en) | 2014-06-04 |
CN102666362A (en) | 2012-09-12 |
EA022684B1 (en) | 2016-02-29 |
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