MXPA06000739A - Pressure regulator for a container for a carbonated drink - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) for carbonated drink provided with a chamber (2) containing the drink, a drink dispensing opening (13) for drink from the chamber, a pressure medium chamber which pressure medium chamber (9) has an outlet (21) that is closed by a valve for delivering pressure medium and a pressure regulating element (10) connected to the valve for operating the valve, wherein the pressure regulating element has a housing (35) with an end wall (40), a peripheral wall (36) and a piston (19) that can be moved in the housing along the peripheral wall in a sealed manner, wherein an upper housing part (39) is formed between a side of the piston that faces the end wall and a lower housing part (37) that least partially surround the valve, is formed at the side of the piston facing away from the end wall, wherein the piston engages on the delivery valve and wherein the upper housing part of the housing is in fluid communication with a reference pressure source.

Description

PRESSURE REGULATOR FOR CONTAINER FOR CARBONATED DRINK Field of the Invention The invention relates to a container for carbonated beverage, which is provided with a chamber containing the beverage, a hole for dispensing beverage for the beverage that comes from the chamber, a chamber of the pressure medium that is it is in fluid communication with the chamber for supplying the pressure medium to the chamber, this chamber of the pressure medium has an outlet which is closed by means of a supply valve for delivery of the pressure medium and a regulating element of the pressure medium. pressure connected to the supply valve for the operation of the same. The invention also relates to a pressure regulating element and to a method for filling a container with a carbonated beverage. Background of the Invention It is known to provide a pressure medium, such as C02 to containers, such as metal containers containing whipped cream or beer cans, by means of a C02 cartridge containing C02 in accordance with a high pressure. , such as 50 bar or higher. The volume of the C02 cartridge is relatively small and a large proportion of the C02 escape in the connection if the connection was not made with REF. 169630 quickly and in a sealed mode. Seals for high pressure C02 cartridges and their pressure regulation are a relatively complex problem. Furthermore, with the known devices there is no facility for the user to adjust the regulating pressure. A barrel or beer keg in which a chamber of the pressure medium is formed by a cavity in the barrel is also described in DE 201 15 158 Ul Gebrauchsmusterschirft. A separate distribution head containing a pressure regulator can be connected by the user with a beer distribution valve and with a C02 supply valve. When the distribution head is connected to the chamber of the pressure medium, it is connected to the beer chamber in the barrel. The pressure regulating element is not indicated in greater detail. In addition, a beer container in which the beer is packaged in a flexible bag, this Bag is accommodated in a rigid plastic container, as described in document NL-A 1019054 in the name of the Applicant. The container is placed in a dispenser, which is provided with a compressor that is connected to the container to increase the pressure in the space between the flexible bag and the outer rigid container. The use of a compressor in the distributor makes this process relatively complex, while the compressor can cause vibration and an increase in the noise level. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a container for carbonated beverage, from which the beverage can be dispensed without the use of pressure means that will be connected separately, such as a compressor known from the state of the technique or cylinders of carbon dioxide gas. A further object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple pressure regulating element for a carbonated beverage container that is effective at a relatively low pressure. It is also an object of the invention to provide a pressure regulating element that can be mechanically connected to the container for carbonated beverage in an efficient mode, in particular, in a process for filling the container with carbonated beverage, such as in a line filling for beer. A further object of the invention is to provide a pressure regulating element that can be adjusted by the user. To achieve this objective, the container according to the invention is characterized in that the pressure regulating element has a housing with an end wall, a peripheral wall and a piston that can be moved in the housing along the peripheral wall in a sealed mode, wherein the upper housing portion is formed between a side of the piston that faces the end wall and the end wall and a lower housing part, which at least partially surrounds the supply valve, is formed in the side of the piston which faces outwardly from the end wall, wherein the piston engages the supply valve and wherein the upper housing part of the housing is in fluid communication with a reference pressure source. The relatively simple pressure regulator according to the invention can be connected to the container of the pressure medium in a simple mode. The container of the pressure medium can be connected, for example, to the container, for example, through a wall of the upper part, the side part or the lower part. However, it is preferred that the pressure medium container be accommodated in the carbonated beverage chamber. The pressure regulating element according to the invention is suitable for use at relatively low pressures, lower than 20 bar, preferably lower than 10 bar. The exact regulation of the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the chamber, at an excess pressure of some bar with respect to the reference, which is, for example, the ambient pressure, is possible using the regulating element of the pressure according to the invention, without the use of complex gas seals. In one embodiment, a spring element is accommodated between the end wall of the housing of the pressure regulating member and the piston. As a result, the supply valve of the pressure medium chamber is pre-tensioned and the pressure regulation range of the pressure regulating element can be regulated in a simple mode by adjusting the tension of the spring. In one embodiment, the upper housing part of the pressure regulating element comprises a cylindrical wall with a screw thread and a cover that is joined to the cylindrical wall through a complementary screw thread, wherein the volume of the part The upper housing is variable when the cap is moved along the cylindrical wall for adjustment of the internal pressure in the container. By moving the lid, the user can adapt a range of pressure regulation in a simple mode, and if desired, a carbonated beverage, such as beer, can be dried or extracted from the container under a high pressure, with a large amount of foam formation, or according to a low pressure, without much foaming. The chamber of the container can be provided with an insertion hole for introducing the chamber of the pressure medium into the chamber, this insertion hole is provided with a connecting element, wherein the pressure regulating element has an element complementary connection for fixing the connection element of the camera. The chamber may be provided with an activation member, which engages the chamber of the pressure medium when the regulating valve is fixed, as a result of which, the supply valve is pressed against the piston. The pressure regulating element may constitute a closure assembly with a beverage distribution valve and may be. connected to the container of the pressure medium. After filling the container with the beverage, such as in a beer filling line, the container of the pressure medium can be placed in the container through the filling hole in the latter and the filling hole can be closed when connecting the closing assembly with the camera, for example, through a tight connection or connection to the liquid passage. For this purpose, it is preferred that a tool be used in the filling line to effect connection of the closure assembly with the container such that it can not be removed by the user. Once the closure assembly has been placed in the filling hole, the container is ready for use, for example, for placement in a beverage distributor as described in document NL-A 1019054 in the name of the Applicant, which is now possible, however, distribution or supply with the compressor in the beverage distributor. After connecting a distribution line with the beverage distribution orifice, the contents of the container can be distributed according to the desired pressure. According to a further embodiment of a carbonated beverage container, the beverage distribution orifice is closed by a beverage distribution valve, this beverage distribution orifice has been displaced with respect to the container axis, wherein the The distribution is provided with a discharge or outlet section located in a position transverse to the container axis and a section located in the direction of the container axis that engages the outlet, wherein the distance of the axis of the beverage distribution orifice is from so that in an inactive position, the discharge section is within the periphery of the container and in a dispensing position rotated with respect to the inactive position where the discharge section projects beyond the periphery of the container. When placed in the transport position, the beverage distribution line is rotated about its vertical axis, so that it lies within the periphery of the container. The container can be transported and stored easily in this position without the risk of any damage to the distribution line. By rotating the beverage distribution line about its vertical axis, the beverage distribution line is located outside the periphery of the container, so that the beverage can be distributed therefrom to a vessel placed next to the container. The container suitable for this embodiment is described, for example, in document NL 1016688 in the name of the Applicant Brief Description of the Figures A few embodiments of a container for carbonated beverage will be described in greater detail by way of example, With reference to the attached figures, Figure 1 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a container and a pressure regulating element according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a detail of a closing assembly with a pressure regulating element and a beverage distribution valve according to the invention, Figure 3 shows a closure assembly similar to that of Figure 2, wherein the pressure regulating element has been adjusted, Figure 4 shows a tool for fastening the closure assembly according to Figures 2 and 3 in a container for carbonated drink, and Figure 5 shows a container for carbonated beverage, wherein the beverage distribution line can be rotated about its vertical axis between a storage / transport position located within the periphery of the container and an operative position located outside the periphery of the container. Figure 1 shows a container for carbonated beverage 1, such as beer, and which is described for example, in NL-A 1019054. The container can be made of metal or plastic and can be used in a dispenser as described in FIG. the aforementioned publication, however, being possible the distribution with the compressor to pressurize the container. In the container 1 there is a chamber 2 containing carbonated drink, preferably beer. In the upper wall of the container 1 there is a filling opening 5 through which the pressure medium container 9 has been introduced into the chamber 2. A closing assembly 7 which is connected to the pressure medium container 9 has It has been placed in the filling hole 5 after the filling of the chamber 2 and closes it in an airtight way to the passage of liquid. The closure assembly 7 has a pressure regulating element 10. , which clutch onto a valve 12 of the container 9, and a beverage distribution orifice 13, which is closed by a spring loaded valve 11. The pressure regulating element 10 operates a disconnect valve 12 of the medium container of pressure 9 through the pressure medium, preferably C02, which is capable of flowing into space 17 above the level of the beer. The pressure regulating element 10 has a piston 19 which engages on the shut-off valve 12 'and which through the orifice 21 is in communication with the pressurized space 17. The piston 19 is in communication with the surroundings through the orifice 24. A distribution line 27 that is located at a certain distance from the axis 29 of the container 1 has been placed in the beverage distribution orifice 13. A riser or vertical tube 30, which is connected to the inner side of the dispensing orifice 13 below the valve 11, it is accommodated in the container 1. A projection 32 is incorporated on the base of the container 1 as an activating member on which the lower part of the pressure medium container 9 bears when fixed the closure assembly 9 in the upper container wall. As a result, the valve 12 is pushed against the piston 19 of the pressure regulating element and the pressure medium container 9 is activated by opening the supply valve 12. The container 9 may contain an aerosol container known per se with a spring-loaded disconnect valve 12 that can be opened by pushing it inward. The pressure medium container may contain active carbon and C02 as described in NL-A 1012922 in the name of the Applicant. The capacity of the container can be between 1 and 50 liters and in a preferred embodiment is between 3 and 5 liters. Figure 2 shows the closure assembly 7 and presents a housing 35 of the pressure regulating element 10 in which the piston 19 is able to move up and down in a sealed manner along the inner cylindrical peripheral wall 36 of the housing 35. The valve 12 of the pressure medium container 9 is accommodated in the lower housing part 37, an edge of which rests on the upper support 38 of the container 9. In the housing upper part 39, which is delimited by the cylindrical peripheral wall 36 and the end wall 40, there is a spring element 41 for the application of a predetermined pressure in the valve 12 by means of the piston 19. The lower housing part 37 is in communication with the space 17 above the beer in the container 1 through the orifice 21. The upper housing part 39 is in communication with the surroundings through the small orifice of the regulator. 24, so that the environmental pressure prevails at this point as the equilibrium pressure. In the case of variations in the internal pressure in the lower housing part 37 of the pressure regulating element 10, such as an elevation as a result of the increase in temperature or a fall as a consequence of the elongation of the volume of the space 17 above the beer as a consequence of the distribution of beer from the container, the piston 19 will move to restore the fixed pressure difference in the space 17 with respect to the atmosphere. In addition, Figure 2 shows the beverage distribution orifice 13 incorporated in the closure assembly, this orifice is closed by the valve 11, which in the closed position thereof is pressed against the valve seat in accordance with the elastic pressure of the spring 44. The upper end of the vertical tube 30 is connected to the closure assembly 7. As can be seen from Figure 2, the closure assembly 7. is connected by means of an elastic pin 42 with a flange edge of the lid of the container 9. In this way, the plastic closure assembly 7 can be assembled quickly with the container 9 before it is connected to the filling opening 5 of the container 1 by means of the screw thread 43 after filling the container with the beverage by means of this hole 5. When the beverage has been dispensed from the container 1 and the pressure medium coming from the container 9 has been consumed, at least partially, the container 1 can be returned to the manufacturer, where the unit 3Assembled from the closure assembly 7 and the pressure medium container 9 can be removed from the container 1 using a special tool as shown in Figure 4. After cleaning the container 1, a new closure assembly with a full container of the pressure medium that is connected to it, can be placed in the container 1 filled with drink, in order to close the filling orifice 5. Figure 3 shows a mode in which the pressure regulating element 10 can be adjusted by the user in order to obtain the desired pressure in the space 17 above the beer. To achieve this objective, the pressure regulating element 10 has a cover 45 that forms the end wall 40 of the upper housing part 39. The cover 45 is connected by the screw thread 46 to the cylindrical peripheral wall of the housing 35. and by its tightening, the elastic pressure on the piston 19 can be increased, so that the valve 12 is further pushed inward and that a greater amount of the pressure medium is supplied from the container 9, as a result of which the pressure increases correspondingly. Figure 4 shows a modality of a tool 50 by means of which the closure assembly 7, connected to the pressure medium container 9, can be fixed in the filling hole 5 of the filled container and can be removed from the empty container . The tool 50 has a support plate 52 mounted on a rotary shaft 51. The support plate has an accommodating cavity 53 for the clutch on the pressure regulating element 10 and a projection 54 that falls into the beverage distribution orifice. 13. The exact positioning with respect to the pressure regulating assembly 7 is obtained by means of the accommodating cavity 10 and the projection 54 and a moment can be exerted on this assembly for fixing or releasing the screw thread 43. The Figure 5 shows an additional embodiment of a container 1, wherein the distance DI of the beverage distribution orifice 13 from the axis 29 of the container 1 is such that a horizontal portion 55 of the distribution line 27 projects a distance D2 beyond of the shaft 29, this distance D2 is smaller than the diameter of the container 1, so that in the storage / transport position shown, the distribution line 27 does not It comes out with respect to the container and in this way, it is protected against mechanical damage. In the position indicated by the dashed line in Figure 5, the distribution line 27 extends beyond the periphery of the container because the radial distance D3 of the filling hole 13 to the periphery of the container 1 is smaller than the distance D2 in Figure 5.

By rotating the distribution line 27 around the vertical line section 56, which is accommodated in the beverage distribution orifice so that it can be rotated, the distribution line can be placed in the distribution position shown by the trace line, the container 1 in Figure 5 and the distribution line 27 can be constructed as described, for example, in document NL-A 1012922 in the name of the Applicant. It is noted that in relation to this date the best method known by the Applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that. it is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (18)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: 1. A container for carbonated beverage is provided with a chamber containing the beverage, a hole for distribution of beverage for the beverage that comes from the chamber, a chamber of the pressure medium that is in fluid communication with the chamber for the supply of the pressure medium to the chamber, the chamber of the pressure medium has an outlet that is closed by a supply valve for the supply of the pressure medium and a pressure regulating element connected to the supply valve for the operation thereof, characterized in that the pressure regulating element has a housing with an end wall, a peripheral wall and a piston that can be moved in the housing to along the peripheral wall in a sealed mode, wherein the upper housing part is formed between a side of the piston orienting the end wall and the end wall and the housing bottom part, which at least partially surrounds the supply valve, is formed on the side of the piston that faces away from the end wall, in where the piston engages on the supply valve and wherein the upper housing part of the housing is in fluid communication with the reference pressure source.
2. 2. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper housing part of the pressure regulating element is in communication with the surroundings as the source of reference pressure.
3. The container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring element is accommodated between the end wall of the housing of the pressure regulating element and the piston.
4. The container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chamber of the pressure medium is accommodated in the chamber for drinking.
5. The container according to claim 4, characterized in that the camera is provided with an insertion hole for introducing the chamber of the pressure medium inside the chamber, the insertion hole is provided with a connecting element, wherein the pressure regulating element has a complementary connecting element for fixing in the connecting element of the chamber.
6. The container according to claim 5, characterized in that the chamber is provided with an activation member, which clings to the chamber of the pressure medium when a chamber of the pressure medium is fixed in the chamber, as a result of the which the supply valve is pressed against - the piston.
7. The container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper housing part comprises a cylindrical wall with a screw thread and a cover which is connected to the cylindrical wall through a complementary screw thread, wherein the volume of the upper housing part is variable through the movement of the cover along the cylindrical wall for the adjustment of the internal pressure in the container.
8. The container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure assembly is constituted by a pressure regulating element and the beverage dispensing orifice that. is closed by a beverage distribution valve for the supply of the contents of the container, the closure assembly is connected in a sealed mode in a filling orifice for the 'introduction of the beverage and the chamber of the pressure medium inside the camera.
9. The container according to claim 8, characterized in that the closure assembly forms a cylindrical component.
10. 10. The container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container of the pressure medium contains the pressure medium according to a pressure of less than 20 bar, preferably less than 10 bar.
11. The container according to claim 10, characterized in that the container of the pressure medium comprises an aerosol container filled with C02.
12. The container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beverage distribution orifice is located at a distance away from the axis of the chamber, wherein the distribution line is provided with a discharge section located in a transverse position. to the axis of the chamber and a section that is located in the direction of the axis of the chamber and is connected to the outlet, so that it can be rotated, wherein the distance between the axis and the orifice of distribution of drink is so that in an inactive position the discharge section is located within the periphery of the container and that in the distribution position rotated with respect to the inactive position, the discharge section projects beyond the periphery of the container.
13. 13. The assembly of the chamber of the pressure medium and the pressure regulating element according to one of the preceding claims.
14. The pressure regulating element according to one of the preceding claims.
15. 15. A container for carbonated beverage with a beverage distribution orifice that is closed by a beverage distribution valve, the beverage distribution orifice has been displaced with respect to the container axis, characterized in that a distribution line is provided with a discharge section located in a position transverse to the container axis and a section that is located in the direction of the container axis and is connected with the outlet so that it can be rotated, wherein the distance between the axis and the distribution orifice of beverage is so that in an inactive position, the discharge section is located within the periphery of the container and where in a dispensing position rotated with respect to the inactive position, the discharge section projects beyond the periphery of the container. container.
16. 16. The method for the production of a container containing carbonated drink, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: filling a container with carbonated drink by means of a filling orifice, supplying a container of the pressure medium connected with a regulating element of pressure according to one of claims 1-13, and 'connecting the pressure regulating element to the filling orifice by means of a closing tool. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the pressure regulating element is cylindrical with an external screw thread and is connected with a screw thread of the filling orifice by rotation. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that when the pressure regulating element is fixed by means of the closing tool, the chamber of the pressure medium is brought into clutch with an activation member in the chamber , so that the shut-off valve of the chamber of the pressure medium is pushed against the piston.