NO346885B1

NO346885B1 - System and method for filling pressurized beverage keg

Info

Publication number: NO346885B1
Application number: NO20200194A
Authority: NO
Inventors: John Gordon Angeltvedt; Glenn Mathisen; Tadas Kanopka
Original assignee: Angeltvedt As
Priority date: 2020-01-20
Filing date: 2020-02-14
Publication date: 2023-02-13
Also published as: NO20200194A1

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FILLING PRESSURIZED BEVERAGE KEG

Technical Field

This invention relates in general to a method of filling a pressurized beverage keg with a liquid content, such as beer. The invention includes filling of both steel and plastic kegs, with and without internal product bags. The method is performed without the use of electrical flow meters or other electrical volumetric measurement devices. Correct filling of the keg is obtained by the principal of keg pressure operated filling. This principal will be further explained under the section of detailed description of the invention.

Background Art

With the expansion of Craft Breweries around the world for the past 15-20 years, the need for low tech equipment adapted to these small volume producers have increased. Currently there are no keg filling systems situated between manual filling and automatic filling machines. Manual filling challenges in many cases the local countries HSE regulations and the quality of beer filled onto the kegs. The Automatic systems challenges the small producers in terms of understanding the technology and the cost of such systems.

US6230763 shows a method for filling a barrel with liquid, where the barrel is prestressed with gas before the liquid is filled. The method comprises the filling of the barrel with liquid and removing the prestress gas from the barrel while filling the barrel. EP0672613, GB2182319 and US3166106 discloses other examples of publications related to the filling of barrels or kegs.

The system according to the present invention, called CraftFill™, is a combined mechanical and pneumatic operated keg filler that only needs compressed gas to operate. The system is designed to fill kegs within the standard tolerances of oxygen pick up and filling volume. The cost of the invention is suited the low volume producers and can be expanded to fulfill a normal volume expansion without having to invest in expensive automatic systems. The Operators can also safely fill and handle kegs in compliance with most HSE regulations worldwide.

Further advantages of the invention over prior art, is that the invention is substantially lower priced, requires almost no support once commissioned, and can be serviced locally, worldwide.

The invention is also safe and cost efficient to use.

The invention is further advantageous in that it does not require use of electricity.

Summary of invention

The invention relates to a filling system for filling a keg containing pressurized gas with liquid comprising a process arrangement, a keg filling head coupled to the process arrangement, said keg filing head is further adapted to be connected to the pressurized keg the process arrangement further comprising a keg valve piston in operable connection with the keg filling head adapted to open a keg valve (not shown) in order to allow the pressurized gas to flow out of the keg and into the process arrangement,

a pilot valve in fluid communication with the keg filling head adapted to be activated at least partly by a pressurized gas flowing out from the keg,

a product valve in fluid communication with the pilot valve and adapted to be opened by a gas flowing through the pilot valve when the pilot valve is activated by the pressurized gas from the keg.

Preferably, the keg valve piston is activated by a filling lever valve arranged on the outer surface of a housing enclosing the process arrangement. The filler lever valve is adapted to operated manually.

Preferably, the process system being coupled to a plurality of keg filling head attached to a sheet of the housing enclosing the process system, said each keg filling heads being in fluid communication respectively with an additional keg valve piston, pilot valve and product valve.

Preferably, the pilot valve is adapted to be activated by an initial pressure of at least 6 bar.

Preferably, the system comprising a supply line in fluid communication with the process system for supply of liquid to the keg. The system further may comprise a return line for collection of excess gas or cleaning fluid from the system, depending on the process.

Preferably, the supply line and possibly the return line having a downwardly sloping angle towards respectively a supply source and a return source for storage of pressurized gas or cleaning fluid from the process arrangement.

The invention further relates to a method of filling fluid into a keg containing pressurized gas by a filling system according to any one of the claims, said method comprising the sequential steps of;

-attaching the keg to the filling system through the keg filling head,

-opening the keg valve to allow pressurized gas to escape from the keg and into the process arrangement,

-activating the pilot valve in the process arrangement by the pressurized gas from the keg,

- opening the product valve by a pressurized gas flowing through the open pilot valve to allow the fluid to flow into the keg from the supply source.

Preferably, the method further comprising a step of activating the product valve by a gas pressure of approximately 6 bar in the initial filling process. The gas may be supplied from a main source in the system.

Preferably, the method further comprising the steps of opening the keg valve manually by a filling lever valve in operable connection with the keg valve piston.

It is further described a method comprises the sequential steps of opening a forced filling valve for supply of pressurized gas to a pilot valve,

-activating the pilot valve in the process system by the gas pressure from the keg

-opening the product valve by the pilot valve to allowing the liquid to flow into the keg from the supply source.

The invention also relates to a method of cleaning the filling system according to any one of the claims, wherein the method comprises the sequential steps of -activating the pilot valve in the process arrangement (60) by a forced filling valve coupled to the pilot valve,

-opening the product valve by the pressurized gas flowing through the open pilot valve in order to allow the cleaning fluid to flow through the process arrangement to clean the system.

Brief description of drawings

The attached drawings show, by way of example, preferred embodiments of the system and method according to the invention:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the system having one filler point, and a keg.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention having a plurality of filler points.

Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the process system according to the invention. The figure illustrates the filling process of a keg.

Figure 4 shows a schematic view of the process system in figure 3, illustrated in the cleaning process of the system.

Detailed description of the invention

As stated above, the prior art filling of kegs is done either manually or automatically. In manual systems it is performed by a manual valve connected to a keg and a tank/pump for feeding the fluid/product to the keg. In automated systems, there is a requirement for air, electricity, steam, and water. In contrary, the system according to the invention only requires a minimum of 6 bar working pressure to be fully operational. They key factor that distinguishes the filling method and system according to the invention from all other methods or systems, is the principal of “keg pressure operated filling valve”. This means that the pressurized keg itself is part of the pneumatic circuit enabling the filling of an empty keg. All kegs (plastic and metal) without internal product bags are pressurized with an inert gas before filling, this gas can be either Co2 or nitrogen. All kegs with an internal product bag are usually plastic kegs and they are pressurized with Air. Common for all kegs is that the internal gas pressure is approx.2-2,5 bar. The present invention allows these gases (Co2, Nitrogen or Air) to operate a pilot valve 7, which again opens a product valve 3. The product valve 3 is connected to the main gas supply of 6 bar. This means that for the system according to the invention to start filling the keg 50, it is the internal gas pressure from the keg 50 itself that is needed to initiate the keg filling sequence. Without a keg 50, or a keg 50 without any internal gas pressure, the operator is unable to fill the keg 50. This is also a safety measure prohibiting the operator to unintentionally open a filling valve lever 6 risking the fluid to hit the operator by force, ie prevent accidental flow out of the keg filling head 1. The pressure is indicated on an instrument panel 9.

The main auxiliary components for filling are 6 bar compressed gas connected to the fillers air in regulator and a pressurized keg 50 mounted on the keg filling head 1. Together with the product introduced to the product in connection, the process of filling kegs is fulfilled. The operator may leave the filler being assured that when the keg 50 is full, the filling sequence will shut down by itself. This is a major safety function in today’s Craft brewing business, where more focus on HSE and low-cost equipment are prioritized parameters securing a long-term small business.

The individual features of the invention will in the following be further described in relation to the accompanying figures.

Figure 1 is illustrating an embodiment of a keg filling system 30 with one keg filling head 1.

The system 30 comprises a housing 31 having an upper sheet 36 in which the keg filling head 1 is arranged. The keg filling head 1 is arranged in a through hole of the sheet 36. The keg filling head 1 is thus adapted to link the keg 50 to a process arrangement 60 (figure 3) enclosed in the housing 31.

There are also attached various components 10, 8, 6, 9 to the housing 31. These components may for instance be one of the following: a counter pressure regulator 8, a forced filler valve 10, the filler lever handle 6, and the instrument panel 9 for displaying various measurements in the process arrangement 60. This may for instance be the measurement of the gas pressure in the keg 50 when filling the keg 50. The components are arranged on one of the sides of the housing 31 in the embodiment of figure 1. However, other arrangements are possible. All the components are arranged to interact with the process arrangement 60 on the inside of the housing 31. There may also be further or other components attached to the housing 31.

The figure 1 further discloses a supply line 15a and a return line 15b. The supply line 15a and the return line 15b are at the outside end, connected to supply tank 61 and return tank 62 or similar storage for the fluid/product or gas. There are also preferable one or more pumps (not shown) associated with the supply and return line for the circulation of fluid.

The figure 1 further shows the keg 50 to be positioned onto the filling system 30. The keg 50 comprises a keg valve (not shown) arranged in one end of the keg 50. This valve is not disclosed further but has the purpose of attaching the keg 50 to the filling system 30 prior to the filling. The keg 50 in the figure is not in a connected position with the filling system 1.

There may also be arranged a support rack 51 to support the keg 50 prior to the connection with the keg filling head 1. The support rack 51 may be positioned adjacent to the housing as indicated in the figure 1.

Figure 2 shows a filling system 40 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The filling system 40 shows several equal keg filling head 1 arranged in series. Each keg filling heads 1 are equal to the keg filling head 1 as disclosed in figure 1. In general reference numbers with equal numbers in the figures, refer to the same features. The filling system further discloses a housing 41 with a sheet 46. The keg filling heads 1 are arranged in series in the sheet 46 of the housing 41 and further in communication with the process arrangement 60 at the inside of the housing 41.

Each of the keg filling heads 1 are adapted to receive one keg 50 as shown in figure 1 or a similar keg having a keg valve (not shown) to mate with the keg filling heads 1. The filling system 40 may also have similar components as the components disclosed in figure 1; the forced filler button 10, the counter pressure regulator 8, the filler level handle 6 for controlling the operation process, and the instrument panel 9. The instrument panel 9 in most cases indicating the level of pressure of the gas flowing from the keg 50. The components will be further described in relation to the process arrangement 60.

The components are arranged in relation to each of the keg filling heads 1 as disclosed in the invention. Other arrangements may also be possible.

There may further be arranged a support rack 51 as disclosed in figure 1 to support the keg prior to the filling.

Figure 3 and 4 shows the process arrangement 60 within the housing 31, 41 in further detail. The process arrangement or system 60 of figure 3 also illustrating the connection between the components 6, 9, 8, 10 disclosed on the outside the filling system and the process arrangement 60 in further detail.

Figure 3 further shows an embodiment with three filling heads 1 for attaching the keg 50 (figure 1) prior to the filling sequence. This is only for exemplary purpose, other number of keg filling heads 1 may be possible embodiments of the invention. The process arrangement illustrated in figure 3 may be adopted to fit into the filling system in figure 1 and 2 by adopting the number of keg filling heads and associated components present in the process arrangement 60.

The process arrangement 60 comprises a pneumatic line arrangement 65 indicated by dotted lines in the figure. This pneumatic line arrangement is used both in the filling process and in the cleaning process.

The process arrangement 60 also comprises a product pipeline arrangement 63 indicated by continuous lines in the figure 3. A part of this pipeline arrangement 63 is used in the filling process.

The figure 3 shows a keg valve piston 2. The keg valve piston 2 has the purpose for lifting a filling valve piston 1a arranged within the keg filling head 1, upwardly from the keg filling head 1 and further into the keg valve (not shown).This engages the filling of the keg 50 in the keg filling process. The keg valve piston 2 is activated by pressurized gas supplied from a main gas supply 16. The pressurized gas flows in pipelines 16a, 16b towards the keg valve piston 2 for activation of the keg valve piston 2. The lever 6 is arranged on the pneumatic pipeline 16b and arranged to open and close the supply of gas to the keg valve piston2.

The product valve 3 is arranged in the product line arrangement 63.

The product pipeline 63 comprises the supply line 15a for supplying fluid into the process arrangement 60 from the reservoir or tank 61. The product pipeline 63 further comprises a product hose 4, bringing the fluid/product from the supply line 15a to the product valve 3. The supply line 15a may be a stainless-steel product pipe DN50. The product valve 3 is arranged in the product pipeline 63, more specifically arranged in connection with the hose 4.

The fluid is introduced on one side of the product valve 3 and when the valve 3 is opened, the fluid is filling the keg 50.

The pneumatic line arrangement 65 comprises a pilot valve 7 that is in fluid communication with the keg filling head 1 adapted to be opened by the pressurized gas flowing out from the keg 50, when this is connected to the system 60. The opening of the pilot valve 7 further activates the opening of the product valve 3 in the product line 63.

The product valve 3 requires a pressure of at least 6 bar to open. The opening of the pilot valve 7 thus opens a source of supply of pressurized gas from the main gas supply 16 through pneumatic lines 16a, 16c to the pilot valve 7, and further through 16d towards the product valve 3.

Further there are arranged an instrument tubing line 64. In figure 3 this line is indicated by dotted lines. The instrument panel 9 and the counter pressure regulator 8 are arranged in this tubing line 64. The instrument tubing line 64 is for instance made of plastic. In the filling process the pressurized gas is flowing out of the keg and towards the pilot valve 7. Thus, the flow of gas is at the same time flowing in the instrument panel 64 and further through the counter pressure regulator 8 towards the return valve 15b. The counter pressure regulator 8 has the purpose of regulating the flow of pressurized gas to the pilot valve 7 and thus further regulating the opening of the product valve 3. This has thus effect on the filling of the product/fluid into the keg 50. When the counter pressure regulator 8 is closed, the gas pressure will not flow out of the keg 50. The pilot valve 7, engages the product valve 2 when the gas from the keg 50 is present and keg filling start/stop lever 6 is activated. The counter pressure adjustment valve 8 for adjusting the exhaust gas from the keg 50 and the speed of filling the keg 50. The more open the valve 2, the faster the keg 50 is filled. The instrument panel 9, showing the pressure on which, the product is entering the keg 50.

The reference numbers 18, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 refers to connections and reducers or other fittings between the elements in the system.

Figure 4 shows the system 60 in a cleaning process, also called cleaning in place. In this process, the keg 50 is removed, and instead, there is arranged a cap (not shown) to close the keg filling head 1. In this process, all of the pressurized gas is supplied from the main gas supply 16 and brought to the pilot valve through the lines 16a, 16b, 16c. The pilot valve 7 further activates the product valve 3. This operation is the same as in the filling process, with the exception of the initiation of opening the pilot valve 7.

Keg filling start/stop valve 6, engages the gas to the keg valve piston2.

Further, in the cleaning process, the product valve 3 is to be opened to allow cleaning fluid to flow through the product line 63. The cleaning fluid flows from a cleaning tank 61’ replacing the product tank 61 from figure 3. In addition, there is also arranged the forced filling valve 10 for starting the Cleaning in place cycle. The opening of the forced filling valve allows gas to be supplied into the pneumatic system from a main gas supply 16. This forced filling valve 10 is thus a replacement of the gas pressure activating the pilot valve 7 from the keg 50 in the filling process.

The product valve 3 will thus be opened. In this cleaning process, however, the fluid will bypass the keg filling head 1 through the instrumental tube line 64, to a return pipe 15b and further towards a return tank 62’. The figure 4 indicates a continuous line 64, indicating that a liquid/cleaning fluid is flowing in the tube 64 towards the return tank 62’. The return pipe 15b could be a stainless steel. Product pipe, DN50. This is the same material as the supply pipe 15a.

The various components with reference number 12-20 may also be made of stainless steel. These components make up the piping construction in the cleaning part of the process, for instance as connections fittings or reducers as

The filling process according to the invention will be described in detail in the following; The process follows the steps in sequence.

Attaching a pressurized keg to the filling head 1. This may be performed by a slight twist clockwise. By mounting the pressurized keg on the keg filling head 1, the internal gas pressure inside the keg 50 is now prepared to be opened and let the main gas of 6 bar open the product valve 3. Without a keg 50 or a keg 50 with no internal gas pressure mounted, the filling process can’t be fulfilled.

Position the keg filling lever valve 6 to an “up” position and the following sequence starts

a) The filling valve piston 1a inside the keg filling head 1 is moved by its keg valve piston 2 up and penetrates the keg valve (not shown).

b) When the keg valve (not shown) is pierced, the internal gas pressure inside the keg 50 is released out through the keg valve (not shown) and down to the pilot valve 7 activating the pilot valve 7.

c) When the pilot valve 7 is activated, the main gas of 6 bar is introduced to the product valve 3, and the product valve 3 opens.

d) The product/fluid is now flowing into the keg 50.

e) When the keg 50 is full of product/fluid, there is no more internal gas pressure inside the keg 50. This can be observed on the counter pressure gauge 9.

f) The pilot valve 7 closes due to the reduced pressure from the keg 50.

g) The product valve 3 closes as a consequence of the closure of the pilot valve.

h) The full keg 50 can be removed safely and the process with filling the next empty keg 50, can begin.

The process can be repeated several times to subsequent kegs that are attached to the filling system 30, 40.

The cleaning process follows the same produce except that the pressurized gas is supplied from the main gas supply entirely, and that the cleaning product is transported from a cleaning tank 61’, through the product line 63, the product valve 3 and the keg filling head 1 and further through the instrumental line 64, towards a tank 62’.

The present invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment and some drawings for the sake of understanding only and it should be clear to persons skilled in the art that the present invention includes all legitimate modifications within the ambit of what has been described hereinbefore and claimed in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A filling system (30, 40) for filling a keg containing pressurized gas (50) with liquid, comprising

- a process arrangement (60),

- a keg filling head (1) coupled to the process arrangement (60), said keg filing head (1) is further adapted to be connected to the pressurized keg (50),

characterized in that the process arrangement (60) further comprising

- a keg valve piston (2) in operable connection with the keg filling head (1) adapted to open a keg valve (not shown) to allow the pressurized gas to flow out of the keg (50) and into the process arrangement (60),

- a pilot valve (7) in fluid communication with the keg filling head (1) adapted to be activated by a pressurized gas flowing out from the keg (50),

- a product valve (3) in fluid communication with the pilot valve (7) and adapted to be opened by a gas flowing through the pilot valve (7) when the pilot valve (7) is activated by the pressurized gas from the keg (50).

2. The filling system according to claim 1, wherein the keg valve piston (2) is activated by a filling lever valve (6) arranged on the outer surface of a housing (31, 41) enclosing the process arrangement (60).

3. The filling system according to claim 2, wherein the process arrangement (60) being coupled to a plurality of keg filling heads (1) attached to a sheet (46) of the housing (41) enclosing the process arrangement (60), said each keg filling heads (1) being in fluid communication respectively with separately arranged keg valve piston (2), pilot valve (7) and product valve (3).

4. The filling system according to any one of the claims 1-3, wherein the product valve (3) is adapted to be activated by an initial pressure of at least 6 bar.

5. The filling system according to claim 4, wherein the system comprising a supply line (15a) in fluid communication with the process arrangement (60) for supply of liquid to the keg (50).

6. The filling system according to claim 5, wherein the supply line (15a) having a downwardly sloping angle towards respectively a supply source (61) and a return source (62, 62’) for storage of pressurized gas or cleaning fluid from the process arrangement (60).

7. A method of filling a fluid into a keg (50) containing pressurized gas by a filling system (30, 40) according to any one of the claims 1-6, said method comprising the sequential steps of;

-attaching the keg (50) to the filling system (30, 40) through the keg filling head (1),

-opening the keg valve (not shown) to allow pressurized gas to escape from the keg (50) and into the process arrangement (60),

-activating the pilot valve (7) in the process arrangement (60) by the pressurized gas from the keg (50),

-opening the product valve (3) by a pressurized gas flowing through the open pilot valve (7) to allow the fluid to flow into the keg (50) from the supply source (61).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the method further comprising step of activating the product valve (3) by a gas pressure of approximately 6 bar in the initial filling process.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the method further comprising the step of opening the keg valve (not shown) manually by a filling lever valve (6) in operable connection with the keg valve piston (2).

10. The method of cleaning the filling system (30, 40) according to any one of the claims 1-6, wherein the method comprises the sequential steps of -activating the pilot valve (7) in the process arrangement (60) by a forced filling valve (10) coupled to the pilot valve (7),

-opening the product valve (3) by the pressurized gas flowing through the open pilot valve (7) to allow the cleaning fluid to flow through the process arrangement (60) to clean the system.