GB2238780A

GB2238780A - Venting device

Info

Publication number: GB2238780A
Application number: GB9026531A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stanley John Matthews; David Cartmell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-12-06
Filing date: 1990-12-06
Publication date: 1991-06-12
Also published as: GB9026531D0; GB8927589D0

Abstract

So as to avoid fluid waste, a venting device for a container 10 of fluid under pressure eg. beer comprises a body 22 to be received in the container and provided with a channel 30 to direct fluid, eg. froth, passing through the channel to a collection vessel. The collection vessel may be the container itself or a separate vessel. <IMAGE>

Description

VENTING DEVICE This invention relates to a venting device for containers housing fluid under pressure such as beer barrels and casks.

Usually beer barrels comprise a tap which is located adjacent the base of the beer barrel and an orifice which is provided in the top of the beer barrel via which the beer is poured into the barrel. Once the barrel is full a cask plug is located within the orifice. While beer is being removed from the barrel this cask plug is removed to allow venting of the beer which is under pressure owing to build up of carbon dioxide within the barrel.

Whilst this cask plug is being removed bubbles of beer containing carbon dioxide are lost through the orifice. This beer is not collected and is thus wasted.

The invention has been made from a consideration of this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a venting device for a container housing fluid under pressure, comprising a body adapted to be received in the container, wherein a channel is provided through the body in order to direct fluid passing through the channel to a collection vessel.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of venting beer comprising the use of the apparatus as previously defined.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the body comprises a tap. The body sealingly engages the periphery of an orifice in the container. The body may sealingly engage the periphery of an orifice provided in a plug which is received in the container.

The base of the body is received in the container. The body is adapted to engage a pipe for transmitting the fluid to the collection vessel. A part of the device is profiled. This part of the device may be provided with a number of ribs. The collection vessel may be separated from the container. The collection vessel may be the container itself. The diameter of the base of the body is preferably less than the diameter of an upper section of the body. The top of the device is adapted to receive the force of a hammer. The device may comprise a metal such as stainless steel. The fluid may comprise alcohol. The fluid may be beer.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only with reference to the single figure of the accorr,panying drawing which shows a vertical cross section through the venting device of the invention.

Referring tc the drawing, an orifice 12 is provided in the upper surface of a beer barrel 10, the orifice being stopped via a cask plug 14. An aperture 16 extends vertically through the cask plug 14. Whilst being transported in an inner plug (not shown) seals this aperture.

A tap 20 made from stainless steel, for example, comprises a vertical pipe 22, the top end 24 of which is wider than its base 25, a head 26 provided at the top of the pipe 22 and a horizontal pipe 28 extending from the head 26 substantially perpendicular to the vertical pipe 22. An open ended bore extends from the base 25 of the vertical pipe 22 to the free end 32 of the horizontal pipe 28. A length of flexible hose 34 engages ribs 36 provided on the exterior of the horizontal pipe 28.

In use the inner plug (not shown) is removed from the aperture 16 and the vertical arm 22 of the tap is driven into sealing engagement with aperture 16 via applying a force to the top 36 of the tap 20.

The free end (not shown) of the flexible hose 34 is then located in a collection vessel. Owing to a build up of carbon dioxide in the barrel some beer will be transmitted through the bore 30, but this is collected in the collection vessel and subsequently returned to the barrel, thus avoiding waste.

It is to be understood that the above described embodiment is by way of illustration only and many modifications and variations may be made.

Claims

1. A venting device for a container having fluid under pressure comprising a body adapted to be received in the container, wherein a channel is provided through the body in order to direct any fluid passing through the channel to a collection vessel.

2. A venting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body comprises a tap.

3. A venting device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the body sealingly engages the periphery of an orifice in the container.

4. A venting device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body sealingly engages the periphery of an orifice provided in a plug which is received in the container.

5. A venting device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base of the body is received in the container.

6. A venting device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body is adapted to engage a pipe for transmitting the fluid to the collection vessel.

7. A venting device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a part of the device is profiled.

8. A venting device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said part of the device is provided with a number cf ribs.

S. A venting device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the collection vessel is separate from the container.

10. A venting device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the collection vessel comprises the container.

11. A venting device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the diameter of the base of the body is less than the diameter of an upper section of the body.

12. A venting device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the top of the device is adapted to receive the force of a hammer.

13. A venting device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a metal.

14. A venting device as claimed in ar.y preceding claim comprising stainless steel.

15. A venting device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fluid comprises alcohol.

16. A venting device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fluid comprises beer.

17. A venting device as hereinbefore defined with reference to the accompanying drawing.

18. A method of venting a fluid using the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 17. ,, .