EP1152974B1 - Fût muni d'un raccord à soupape et d'un déflecteur - Google Patents

Fût muni d'un raccord à soupape et d'un déflecteur Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1152974B1
EP1152974B1 EP00902766A EP00902766A EP1152974B1 EP 1152974 B1 EP1152974 B1 EP 1152974B1 EP 00902766 A EP00902766 A EP 00902766A EP 00902766 A EP00902766 A EP 00902766A EP 1152974 B1 EP1152974 B1 EP 1152974B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
deflector
aperture
keg
wall
container
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP00902766A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1152974A1 (fr
Inventor
Helmut Wilhelm Skerra
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Skerra Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
Skerra Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Skerra Pty Ltd filed Critical Skerra Pty Ltd
Publication of EP1152974A1 publication Critical patent/EP1152974A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1152974B1 publication Critical patent/EP1152974B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0829—Keg connection means
    • 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
    • B67D1/0802—Dip tubes
    • 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
    • B67D1/0829—Keg connection means
    • B67D1/0831—Keg connection means combined with valves
    • B67D1/0832—Keg connection means combined with valves with two valves disposed concentrically

Definitions

  • the invention relates to improvements in containers such as a keg for housing pressurised fluids like beer.
  • the invention relates to improvements in fittings for such kegs which fittings house a valve which facilitates ingress and egress of pressurised fluid into and out of the keg.
  • fitting for pressurised kegs comprising an upper flange for attachment of a connector to a feed or outlet pipe.
  • the fitting further comprises a valve consisting of a movable seal urged by a coiled spring against a valve seat provided on the under side of the upper flange.
  • the flange is disposed away from the top wall of a keg to enable attachment of the connector.
  • known kegs and keg fittings require a multiple stage filling process in order to reduce frothing and to attempt to facilitate complete filling of the keg to required volumes of fluid such as beer.
  • a multiple stage filling process wherein the fitting is below the rest of the keg, it is known to begin filling the keg at a first (low) flow rate or pressure for a short period of time say 5 seconds, followed by a second stage of filling at a slightly higher speed or pressure for say a further 5 to 10 seconds, followed finally by filling of the rest of the keg at a third higher speed or pressure for say a further 35 seconds.
  • This multiple stage filling process is done to achieve relatively quick filling without excessive frothing of a liquid such as beer.
  • One objective of the invention is to provide a fitting for a container such as a pressurised keg which enables a single stage filling process and/or enables a reduction in the filling time of a keg.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple to manufacture and cost effective fitting for kegs.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a keg which is easier to manufacture, and or has a valve fitting that is less likely to cause problematical frothing during filling.
  • GB-A-905125 (in particular Figures 1 and 3) describes a container for housing pressurised fluid, comprising a fitting for attachment to an aperture of a container wall, which fitting comprises a valve assembly for enabling ingress and egress of fluid into and out of the container via the aperture and a housing attachable to the wall and operably surrounding the valve assembly in use.
  • the container also comprises a fluid deflector (see numerals 14 and 19 on Figure 1 and numerals 20 and 22 on Figure 3) operably located proximal the valve for deflecting fluid radially away from the aperture.
  • a container such as a keg for housing pressurised fluid like beer, comprising a fitting for attachment to an aperture in a container wall, which fitting comprises a valve assembly for enabling ingress and egress of fluid into and out of the container via the aperture, and a housing attachable to the wall and operably surrounding the valve assembly in use, wherein the container further comprises a fluid deflector operably located proximal the valve for deflecting fluid radially away from the aperture, characterised in that the deflector is attached to the inside of the keg wall having the aperture.
  • the term keg and container are used interchangeably to note any kind of fluid container.
  • the deflector is attached to the inside of the keg wall having the aperture, for example by welding.
  • the deflector comprises a substantially flat central region preferably approximately the same size as the aperture.
  • the deflector preferably has outer legs extending towards the inside wall of the keg and preferably being adapted for attachment thereto for example by welding.
  • the deflector can comprise a central aperture for a downtube, and a seat for the upper part (or centre-piece) of the downtube in order to locate and maintain the position of the downtube.
  • the downtube can comprise suitable lugs to sit on the seat forming part of the deflector.
  • an aperture is defined by the deflector between the deflector and keg wall which aperture (possibly comprising two or more sections between legs) is substantially equal if not greater in size than the cross sectional area of the inlet aperture in the fitting (ie. through the valve).
  • the housing comprises a neck and flange above the apertured wall of the keg, which together with the deflector define a chamber about the valve assembly which chamber has a radial cross-sectional area at any axial position which is substantially equal to or preferably greater than the cross-sectional area of a fluid inlet aperture (12) in the flange thereby to prevent or at least mitigate retardation in the flow or velocity of fluid into the keg.
  • a keg K comprising a top wall T having a central aperture about which is formed a neck N for a fitting F to which a connector is attached in use for filling or emptying keg K.
  • Fitting F further comprises a spring S for resiliently urging a seal against a valve seat on the under side of the top flange of fitting F.
  • Spring S co-operates in this regard with part (shoulder 20 described later) of a centrepiece or downtube C which facilitates removal of fluid from the keg in use.
  • Keg K further comprises a deflector D for deflecting movement of fluid sideways or radially into the barrel during filling as will become apparent in relation to Figures 2 to 4.
  • fitting F which comprises an upper flange 10 connected for example by welding to the upper perimeter or shoulder of a neck N formed in top wall T of keg K.
  • neck N can be formed by deep drawing the top wall T about the substantially centrally disposed aperture.
  • Flange 10 further comprises an aperture 12 and an outer rim 14 for attachment to a connector having feed or outlet pipes for a fluid.
  • Fitting F further comprises a seal 16 which fits into a cup 18 at the upper end of spring S.
  • Spring S is located against the shoulder 20 provided on centrepiece C from which project upper and lower lugs 22a and 22b respectively.
  • This shoulder region 20 of centrepiece C further comprises a groove 24 for receiving a locating pin 26 at the bottom of spring S.
  • Keg K further comprises a deflector D consisting principally of a plate 30 having a substantially centrally located aperture 32 about which extends a central flat region 34 having a series of slots 35 for receiving lower lugs 22b.
  • An angled region 36 extends away from central region 34 to a series, in this case three, legs which extend between the deflector plate and the inside surface of top wall T, whereat the deflector and top wall can be welded together for example.
  • regions 34 and 36 of deflector D provide a sealed plate of substantially equal cross sectional area to the radial cross-section of the chamber CH below flange 10. Additionally, the diameter of neck N and distance between flange 10 and deflector D enable a relatively large chamber CH to be provided thereby enabling smooth transfer of fluid between an inlet pipe (not shown) and the main body of the keg.
  • the apertures A provided between the legs 38 of deflector D assist together with regions 34 and 36 of the deflector plate to deflect incoming fluid in the direction of arrows L, that is radially away from the fitting.
  • the fitting F shown in Figures 2 to 4 enables a single speed or pressurised transfer to take place thus avoiding the need for stepped speed of transfer.
  • the filling time can be reduced for a 50 litre keg by up to 30% if full speed is used instead of filling in stages. Accordingly, full flow of fluid can be achieved at all times in the filling of keg K according to the invention.
  • FIG. 5 and 6 A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 5 and 6 wherein in this embodiment the keg and fitting comprise substantially similar components to those shown in Figures 2 to 4 and accordingly like components are labelled using the same two digit reference number prefixed with the number 1.
  • an open ended cylindrical neck N is provided having a rebated lower end 113 for attachment to the rim of the aperture formed in top wall T of the keg, for example attachment can be by welding. Further, the upper rim 111 of neck N is adapted for attachment to the under side of flange 110 again for example by welding into a rebated shoulder for example.

Landscapes

  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
  • Table Devices Or Equipment (AREA)
  • Compressor (AREA)
  • Pens And Brushes (AREA)
  • Massaging Devices (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Claims (8)

  1. Récipient, tel qu'un tonnelet (K), destiné à contenir un fluide sous pression, tel que de la bière, comprenant un embout (F) de fixation à une ouverture (12) de paroi formée dans une paroi (T) du récipient, l'embout (F) comportant un ensemble à soupape destiné à permettre l'entrée et la sortie de fluide du récipient (K) par l'ouverture (12), et un boîtier (N, F) destiné à être fixé à la paroi (T) et entourant pendant le fonctionnement l'ensemble à soupape, dans lequel le récipient (K) comporte en outre un déflecteur de fluide (D) disposé pendant le fonctionnement du côté interne de la soupape et destiné à dévier le fluide radialement vers l'extérieur de l'ouverture (12), caractérisé en ce que le déflecteur (D) est fixé à l'intérieur de la paroi (T) du tonnelet ayant l'ouverture (12).
  2. Récipient selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le déflecteur (D) est fixé à l'intérieur de la paroi (T) du tonnelet ayant l'ouverture (12) par soudage.
  3. Récipient selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel le déflecteur (D) a une région centrale pratiquement plate qui a de préférence approximativement la même dimension que l'ouverture (12).
  4. Récipient selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, dans lequel le déflecteur (D) possède une ou plusieurs branches externes s'étendant vers la paroi interne (T) du tonnelet (K) et adaptées de préférence à la fixation à celle-ci par exemple par soudage.
  5. Récipient selon la revendication 1, 2, 3 ou 4, dans lequel le déflecteur (D) a une ouverture centrale destinée à un tube descendant (C) et un siège pour la partie supérieure ou pièce centrale du tube descendant (C) afin que la position du tube descendant (C) soit déterminée et maintenue.
  6. Récipient selon la revendication 5, dans lequel le tube descendant (C) a des pattes convenables (22a, 22b) destinées à se loger sur le siège faisant partie du déflecteur (D).
  7. Récipient selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel une ouverture est délimitée par le déflecteur (D) entre le déflecteur et la paroi (T) du tonnelet, cette ouverture, qui comprend éventuellement au moins deux tronçons placés entre une ou plusieurs branches, ayant une dimension pratiquement égale ou supérieure à la section de l'ouverture (12) d'entrée dans l'embout (F).
  8. Récipient selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le boîtier (N, F) comporte un col (N) et un flasque (F) au-dessus de la paroi (T) du tonnelet (K) ayant l'ouverture et, avec le déflecteur (D), délimite une chambre autour de l'ensemble à soupape, cette chambre ayant une section radiale en position axiale quelconque qui est pratiquement égale ou de préférence supérieure à la section d'une ouverture (12) d'entrée de fluide dans le flasque (F), si bien que le retard à l'écoulement du fluide ou la réduction de la vitesse du fluide dans le récipient (K) est empêché ou au moins réduit.
EP00902766A 1999-02-10 2000-02-10 Fût muni d'un raccord à soupape et d'un déflecteur Expired - Lifetime EP1152974B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9902835.9A GB9902835D0 (en) 1999-02-10 1999-02-10 Improvements in containers
GB9902835 1999-02-10
PCT/GB2000/000427 WO2000047514A1 (fr) 1999-02-10 2000-02-10 Raccord de robinet et deflecteur pour futs

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1152974A1 EP1152974A1 (fr) 2001-11-14
EP1152974B1 true EP1152974B1 (fr) 2004-12-29

Family

ID=10847371

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00902766A Expired - Lifetime EP1152974B1 (fr) 1999-02-10 2000-02-10 Fût muni d'un raccord à soupape et d'un déflecteur

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1152974B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE285986T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2450700A (fr)
DE (1) DE60017092D1 (fr)
GB (2) GB9902835D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2000047514A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104029940A (zh) * 2014-06-27 2014-09-10 刘志鹏 一种防泡沫扎啤桶

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL1015643C2 (nl) * 2000-07-07 2002-01-08 Dispense Systems Internat B V Vat voor frisdrank, bier en dergelijke.
NL1017742C2 (nl) 2001-03-30 2002-10-03 Heineken Tech Services Inrichting en werkwijze voor het aansluiten van een container op een drukbron.

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB905125A (en) * 1959-03-10 1962-09-05 Hopkins & Sons Ltd G Improvement in valves for pressure casks
US3294291A (en) * 1964-12-01 1966-12-27 Ballantine & Sons P Apparatus for withdrawing beer from kegs
GB2075476B (en) * 1980-04-22 1983-12-07 Alumasc Ltd Valve-type closure for containers
US4715414A (en) * 1985-02-11 1987-12-29 Grundy Dispense Systems, Inc. Concentric well-type extractor tube for filling containers with pressurized fluid
AU7558387A (en) * 1986-07-18 1988-01-21 Apv Burnett & Rolfe Inc. Valve for a container
US4685598A (en) * 1986-09-02 1987-08-11 The Perlick Company Keg valve assembly improved for fast filling
WO1991000240A1 (fr) * 1989-06-29 1991-01-10 Helmut Skerra Unite de soupape
GB2328204A (en) * 1997-08-11 1999-02-17 Kenneth Leonard Simpson Keg and spear valve assembly
GB9724225D0 (en) * 1997-11-18 1998-01-14 Skerra Pty Ltd Improvements to kegs

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104029940A (zh) * 2014-06-27 2014-09-10 刘志鹏 一种防泡沫扎啤桶

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1152974A1 (fr) 2001-11-14
GB2346613B (en) 2003-06-25
ATE285986T1 (de) 2005-01-15
WO2000047514A1 (fr) 2000-08-17
GB0002889D0 (en) 2000-03-29
GB2346613A (en) 2000-08-16
DE60017092D1 (de) 2005-02-03
AU2450700A (en) 2000-08-29
GB9902835D0 (en) 1999-03-31

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