U.S. patent application number 12/602371 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-19 for beverage container with cooling means.
This patent application is currently assigned to HEINEKEN SUPPLY CHAIN B.V.. Invention is credited to Roelof Anton Segers.
Application Number | 20100206890 12/602371 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38983575 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100206890 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Segers; Roelof Anton |
August 19, 2010 |
BEVERAGE CONTAINER WITH COOLING MEANS
Abstract
A beverage container, comprising a casing and an outer holder
included therein, wherein against the outside of the outer holder a
cooling line is included, which is at least partly wound in contact
with the outer holder and is included within the casing, wherein
dispensing and filling means are provided on the outer holder,
wherein at least a cover is provided which can seal off an opening
of the casing and can cover the dispensing and filling means such
that the dispensing and filling means are cooled during use.
Inventors: |
Segers; Roelof Anton;
(Bussum, NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Pearne & Gordon LLP
1801 East 9th Street, Suite 1200
Cleveland
OH
44114-3108
US
|
Assignee: |
HEINEKEN SUPPLY CHAIN B.V.
1017 ZD AMSTERDAM
NL
|
Family ID: |
38983575 |
Appl. No.: |
12/602371 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
June 2, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NL2008/050339 |
371 Date: |
March 16, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/592.18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D 1/0801 20130101;
B67D 1/0862 20130101; F25D 31/006 20130101; F25D 2331/802
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/592.18 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/72 20060101
B65D083/72 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 31, 2007 |
NL |
1033914 |
Claims
1. A beverage container, comprising a casing and an outer holder
included therein, wherein against the outside of the outer holder a
cooling line is included, which is at least partly wound in contact
with the outer holder and is included within the casing, wherein
dispensing and filling means are provided on the outer holder,
wherein at least a cover is provided which can seal off an opening
of the casing and can cover the dispensing and filling means, such
that during use, the dispensing and filling means are cooled.
2. A beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the cooling
line extends to near and preferably around the dispensing and
filling means.
3. A beverage container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein between
at least a part of the casing and the outer holder a space is
confined which is in communication with a space that can be
enclosed by the cover around the dispensing and filling means, for
cooling with the cover closed.
4. A beverage container according to any one of the preceding
claims, wherein in the outer holder an at least partly flexible
inner container is provided in which beverage is includable, which
inner container reaches with a filling opening through an opening
in the outer holder, to which filling opening the dispensing and
filling means are connectable, such that they project outside the
outer holder.
5. A beverage container according to claim 4, wherein a hatch is
provided in the outer holder, through which the inner container can
be brought into and out of the outer holder, which hatch, when the
cover is closed, is included under the cover in said cooled
space.
6. A beverage container according to any one of claims 4 or 5,
wherein the dispensing and filling means comprise a connecting
piece which comprises a substantially straight channel, which
connecting piece, during use, reaches into the filling opening of
the inner container and holds this against an edge of the opening
in the outer holder, wherein the dispensing and filling means link
up with said channel and are fixable on the outer holder and/or the
casing.
7. A beverage container according to claim 6, wherein the
connecting piece is provided with a flange extending outwards to be
included between the inner container and the dispensing and filling
means.
8. A beverage container according to any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the cooling line is manufactured from plastic or
rubber hose.
9. A beverage container according to claim 8, wherein the cooling
line is wound against the outside of the outer holder, such that in
at least a number of windings the cooling line has a somewhat
flattened form, in particular somewhat oval, flat oval,
semi-circular or flat.
10. A beverage container according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the
cooling line extends to around the dispensing and filling means
and/or into the cover.
11. A beverage container according to any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the casing is at least substantially built up from
dish parts.
12. A beverage container according to any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the outer holder has a substantially cylindrical
shape with an end wall and front wall, wherein, during use, the
front wall faces a front side and the dispensing and filling means
and the cover are provided on the front side, wherein the casing is
provided at an underside with standing means and on an opposite,
top end with support means, such that a comparable holder with
standing means can be set on the support means, for stacking
holders.
13. A beverage container according to any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the dispensing and filling means comprise a shutoff
and a three-way valve device, which are mutually detachably
connected and wherein during use the shutoff is included between
the holder, in particular an inner container, and the three-way
valve.
14. A beverage container according to claim 13, wherein the
three-way valve is provided with drive means for remote control of
the three-way valve, in particular pneumatic drive means.
15. A beverage container according to any one of the preceding
claims, wherein on or in the outer holder a series of sensors is
provided in a row, which row extends substantially along an inner
container included within the outer holder, along which, during
use, the inner container will extend at least partly, which sensors
are thermal sensors and are designed for determining the degree of
filling of the inner container on the basis of temperature
measurement.
16. A beverage container according to any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the cooling line is connectable to an inline
cooler.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a beverage container. In
particular, the invention relates to a container for carbonated
beverage, such as beer.
[0002] Beverage, in particular carbonated beverage, is typically
stored in containers such as a keg or tank, which is designed for
withstanding the pressure and, optionally, for being cooled. In
particular tanks such as cellar beer tanks are cooled in order to
bring to and maintain the beverage at a desired temperature.
[0003] From practice, a tank is known for beverage storage which is
provided with a double-walled outer casing. At least one of these
walls is manufactured from diamond plate, with the diamonds
attached to the other one of the two plates, so that space between
the two casings is obtained. Cooling means such as water is led
between the two casings through said space, which effects cooling.
Such a tank is relatively expensive and difficult to
manufacture.
[0004] Further, from practice, a tank is known comprising a cooling
line provided around an outer holder, while a casing, for instance
an insulating casing, is provided therearound. The cooling line is
manufactured from copper line, wound around the outer holder, with
a relatively large pitch and rather open winding. Owing to the
copper, which offers good heat conductivity, such a tank is also
relatively expensive in manufacture.
[0005] These known tanks have an opening in the casing in which
opening dispensing and filling means are provided for introducing
the beverage into the tank, drawing the beverage therefrom and, for
instance, cleaning the beverage. During use, a line links up with
the dispensing and filling means.
[0006] These tanks have as a drawback that the opening and the
dispensing and filling means are not protected and covered, so that
their temperature will differ from the rest of the tank. In
particular it has appeared that precisely here, microbiological
problems can occur.
[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a container for
beverage, with which at least one of the problems of the known
container is solved, or an alternative thereto is offered.
[0008] In a first aspect, a container comprises a casing and an
outer holder included therein, wherein against the outside of the
outer holder a cooling line is included which is at least partly
wound in contact with the outside holder and is included within the
casing, wherein dispensing and filling means are provided on the
outer holder. At least one cover is provided which can seal off an
opening of the outer holder and can cover the dispensing and the
filling means, such that during use, the dispensing and filling
means are cooled.
[0009] Herein, sealing off is at least understood to include that
the at least one cover can cover the opening and the dispensing and
filling means.
[0010] In a second aspect, a container can have a cooling line
which is manufactured from plastic or rubber hose.
[0011] Surprisingly, it has appeared that a relatively simple
plastic or rubber hose, which is preferably wound tightly around
the outside holder, in contact therewith, can provide sufficient
cooling capacity for cooling the beverage in the container and
keeping it cooled.
[0012] In a third aspect, a container can have a series of sensors
on or in the outer holder, in a row, which row preferably extends
substantially along an inner or outer surface of the outer
container, preferably along an inner container included within the
outer container, along which row, during use, the inner container
will extend at least partly, which sensors are thermal sensors and
are designed for determining the degree of filling of the inner
container on the basis of temperature measurement. The inner
container can also be indicated as bag or liner.
[0013] With the aid of the sensors, the degree of filling of the
container, in particular of a flexible inner container, can be
determined in a simple manner.
[0014] The invention will be described in further detail on the
basis of the drawing. In the drawing:
[0015] FIG. 1 shows, in perspective view, a container according to
the invention, with closed cover;
[0016] FIG. 2 shows the container according to FIG. 1, with opened
flap;
[0017] FIG. 3 shows, in side view, a container with partly taken
away outer casing and visible cooling line;
[0018] FIG. 3A shows, in cross-sectional front view, a part of a
wound hose;
[0019] FIG. 4 shows, in partly cross-sectional side view,
dispensing and filling means of a container;
[0020] FIG. 4A shows an alternative embodiment of dispensing and
filling means; and
[0021] FIG. 5 schematically shows parts of a tapping device with
two containers placed one on top of the other.
[0022] In this description, identical or corresponding parts have
identical or corresponding reference numerals. In this description,
containers will be described for storage of beverage. It should
however be understood that they can also contain other beverages,
in particular carbonated beverage.
[0023] In FIGS. 1-3, a container 1 is shown in the form of a cellar
beer tank, which can be included in a customary and known manner in
a line circuit of a cellar beer installation. In the continuation
of this description, for the container, the term tank 1 will be
used.
[0024] The tank 1 as shown is designed as a bag-in-container type
tank, comprising an outer container 2, an at least partly flexible
inner container 3 included therein and a casing 4 enclosing the
outer container. The casing may be provided with a thermal
insulating layer 12, as shown in FIG. 3. Here, the tank 1 shown is
substantially cylindrical, with a longitudinal axis L extending
horizontally, wherein on a front side an opening 5 is provided in
the casing 4. In this opening 5, filling and dispensing means 6 are
represented which will be discussed in further detail on the basis
of FIGS. 4 and 4A. Above the filling and dispensing means 6, in the
opening 5, a hatch 7 is visible, that can be opened in order to
remove an inner container 3 from the outer container and place a
new one.
[0025] Over the opening 5 a cover 8 is provided, hingedly connected
to the casing 4 by a pivot 9 above the opening. As shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, the cover 8 can cover the opening 5 completely in a closed
position and release it completely in an opened position
(represented in FIG. 3 in interrupted lines). A spring V, in
particular a gas spring, is provided for maintaining the cover in
the opened position, for instance when the filling and dispensing
means are to be approached or when the inner container is to be
replaced. As the cover 8 can cover the opening completely,
influence from the outside of the tank 1 is reduced to a
minimum.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, around the outer container, a cooling
line 10 is wound. The cooling line 10 is included in a cooling
circuit 11, so that cooling agent such as cold water can be led
through the cooling line. In FIG. 3, the cooling circuit 11 is
schematically represented with an inline cooler K with which, for
instance, also a tapping line can be cooled. In the embodiment
shown, the cooling line 10 is manufactured from hose 33, in
particular plastic hose, which is wound relatively tightly and
closely. In FIG. 3, a number of windings 34 of the hose 33 are
shown in interrupted lines, wherein the hose 33 also extends in the
space 15 under the cover, for additional cooling. Herein,
relatively tightly is at least understood to include so tightly
around the outer container 2 that the hose is in close contact with
the outer surface thereof. Optionally, in the outer surface a
groove can be provided in which the hose can be wound, for
enlarging the contact surface. Starting from a hose with a round
cross-section, herein, tightly can also include in a manner such
that the round cross-section is pressed to a somewhat oval shape,
as shown in FIG. 3A, so that the contact surface is even further
enlarged. Incidentally, the starting point can also be a hose with
a different cross-section, for instance oval, flat oval,
semi-circular, rectangular or the like. The cooling line is
preferably manufactured from plastic but may also be manufactured
from rubber. Herein, relatively closely is understood to include
that windings of the hose 33 are located around the outer container
2 at a mutually small distance from or against each other. This may
be understood as windings with a small pitch. The intermediate
distance D of the windings 34 may for instance be smaller than the
cross-section of the hose 33. In the exemplary embodiment shown,
the hose 33 is wound such that the windings 34 abut against each
other on at least a part of the outer container 2, more
particularly on virtually the entire outer container 2. The hose 33
can be rather inexpensive when compared to, for instance, copper,
with a relatively poor heat conductivity compared to copper. Owing
to the tight and/or close winding, still, sufficient cooling
capacity can be obtained with the same cooling rate.
[0027] The thermal insulation 12 may be a foam layer which covers
the hose 33 and the front side 13 around the opening and the rear
side 14. In the example shown, the cooling line 10 runs along the
rear side 14 and the front side 13 of the tank, at least of the
outer container 2, so that these surfaces too are cooled. However,
this can be omitted and the insulation 12 can be held at some
distance from the front and rear side, at least partly, so that
cool air can flow therealong from the line 10. In the exemplary
embodiment shown, the space 15 enclosed by the cover 8, when this
is closed, is cooled as a result of the cooling of the outer
container 2 and an insulating action of the cover 8. To that end,
the cover 8 can be provided with an insulating layer. With it, the
filling and dispensing device 6 and the hatch 7 are cooled. Owing
to this cooling to, for instance, a few degrees above zero, for
instance between 0 and 10 degrees Centigrade, more particularly
between 2 and 6 degrees Centigrade, a favourable microclimate is
created and maintained, so that bacterial growth is largely
prevented. As a result, the installation needs to be cleaned less
frequently, which is advantageous to management of the apparatus.
Furthermore, the risk of contamination of the beverage is
considerably reduced. Further, it is of energetic advantage.
[0028] As schematically shown in FIG. 3, in the cooling circuit 11
an inline cooler K is included, for cooling beverage that is
discharged from the tank. This is a manner known per se for cooling
beverage (further). With a tank according to the invention,
preferably, the cooling line 10 is included in the cooling circuit
11 of the inline cooler, which further simplifies the installation.
However, also, a separate cooling for the cooling means can be
provided in the cooling line 10, for instance a separate inline
cooler K or a different cooling device known per se.
[0029] In FIG. 5 it is shown that two or more tanks can be placed
side by side and one above the other, which can all be included in
the same cooling circuit. To that end, the tanks 1 and in
particular the casing 4 are provided with at least standing means
35, such as legs, and a top side 36 suitable for carrying a tank 1
of the same type in filled condition. To that end, the top side 36
is preferably partly of flat design. By stacking the tanks 1, the
advantage is achieved that less floor space is occupied. The tanks
1 can have standard sizes or at least all have the same sizes, but
can also have different volumes. In FIG. 5, further, kegs F,
draw-off taps 37, a cooling unit 38 and a regulator unit 39 are
shown, as well as a control device 40 with touch screen 41.
[0030] In FIG. 4, schematically, a view is shown of a portion of a
tank 1 with filling and dispensing means 6 (also indicated as
connecting means) and a portion of a line circuit 11. Above the
filling and dispensing means 6, schematically, a hatch 7 is shown,
and the cover 8 in open condition. The inner container 3 has a neck
18 inserted through an opening 19 into the outer container 2.
Around the opening 19, an attachment means 20, such as screw thread
or a first part of a bayonet catch is provided. A flange 21 of the
neck 18 abuts against an outside of the opening 19. On the
attachment means 20, a counter attachment means 22 is fixed, which
is provided on a shutoff 23. Here, the flange 21 is sealingly
confined between the attachment means 20 and the counter attachment
means 22. The shutoff 23, for instance a ball valve without empty
spaces, with a straight passage, is provided on the opposite side
with a coupling means 24 on which either a filling line of, for
instance, a tanker can be connected for filling the tank, in
particular the inner container 3, with beverage such as beer, or,
as shown, a three-way valve 25 of a tapping circuit. The three-way
valve 25 is preferably, as shown, remotely controllable between a
first and a second position. To that end, it is for instance of
electric or preferably of pneumatic design with actuator 42. To the
three-way valve 25 are further connected a beverage dispensing line
27 and a supply line 28. The supply line 28 may be a changeover
line which connects the tank to another tank, or a rinsing line for
supply of rinsing means, such as water or another cleaning agent,
for cleaning the tapping circuit. In the first position, the
three-way valve 25 connects the shutoff 23 to the beverage
dispensing line 27 and in the second position the supply line 28 to
the beverage dispensing line 27. Therefore, in the first position,
beverage can be dispensed from the tank, in the second position,
the tapping circuit can be rinsed or beverage can be dispensed from
a tank connected upstream to the line circuit or another container
and be lead into the tapping circuit. As the three-way valve 25 is
remotely controllable, switching between the first and the second
position can be carried out simply with the device 40 without a
user having to proceed physically to the tank and without the cover
8 needing to be opened.
[0031] As appears from FIG. 4, the counter attachment means 22 is
provided with a pipe 30 which projects into the inner container 3
or at least in the neck thereof, for a good connection. As the
shutoff and the pipe are relatively straight and have no hollow
spaces, cleaning them is particularly simple. As a result, the
hygiene is improved further. As the space 15 is cooled, the
advantage is achieved that the filling and dispensing means 6 are
and remain cooled, so that they need to be cleaned less frequently
than customary tanks. Furthermore, with this, switching tanks as
described is possible without cleaning between times being
required.
[0032] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the cooling line 10 is
fed through a part of the cover 8, so that this is actively cooled
which is advantageous, in particular also when the outer container
is manufactured from plastic. However, indirect cooling as earlier
described is also possible. Also, for instance a cooled sleeve can
be provided over the connecting device, for instance slid or
folded. In FIG. 3, schematically, a series of sensors 31 is shown,
which extend in a vertical row along an inside of the outer
container 2, for instance regularly spaced apart. The sensors 31
are thermal sensors with which, through conductivity, heat or
temperature and temperature differences can be recorded. With it,
the rest volume of beverage in the container can be determined, as
the beverage will give a different temperature and/or heat capacity
than air in the inner space. With this, the liquid level in the
inner container can be determined and hence the rest volume. To
that end, the sensors are provided with a heater element with
which, locally, the temperature can be increased. Depending on the
heat capacity of the adjoining medium, air of beverage, heating
will proceed quicker or slower, whereby the nature of the medium
can be determined. The sensors 31 are provided on, for instance, a
strip 32 provided against the inner or outer container. They
preferably lie against the outside of the outer container, in or
under the insulating casing 12. A strap 31A can be provided tightly
over the sensors with the aid of the spring or through elasticity,
so that they are in close contact with the container. Preferably,
contact paste is provided between the container and the sensors for
good heat conductivity. The sensors may be included in a flexible
watertight housing, for instance potted, in order to ensure a good
action. The sensors can be connected in series and/or parallel in a
manner directly clear to the skilled person. The strip 32 with
sensors 31 may have been manufactured in far greater length than
necessary for a tank, after which, with the production of the
tanks, each time the desired length of the strip can be cut off and
processed. The sensors are connected to a control unit 42 in which,
on the basis of the sensors, the degree of filling the container
can be determined. To that end, during use, when it is completely
filled, the inner container abuts against all sensors 31 on the
strip. Here, the sensors will all measure the same temperature.
According as the container 3 empties, it is pressed loose further
from the inside of the outer container 2, so that some sensors 31
will lose contact with the inner container 3. Therefore, different
sensors 31 will measure different temperatures, on the basis of
which the degree of filling can be determined relatively
accurately.
[0033] FIG. 4a shows an alternative embodiment of a connecting
device 6, in which reference numerals from FIG. 4 are used, to
which reference is made. With this embodiment, the shutoff 23 is
designed as a ball valve without empty spaces and with a passage
running straight which links up tightly with both the three-way
valve 25 and the pipe 30. As a result, cleaning is possible in a
simple manner, if desired and/or necessary. A for instance
pneumatic or electric actuator 42 is provided with which a valve
body 43 can be rotated between the position shown in FIG. 4A,
wherein the discharge line 27 is connected to the supply line 28,
or a second position wherein the inner container 3 is connected to
the discharge line 27. Here too, the actuator 42 can preferably be
operated remotely, for instance from the bar with the operating
unit 40.
[0034] The casing 3 is preferably built up from dish parts, which
can be relatively easily removed and replaced. As a result,
maintenance to the tanks is possible in a simple manner and the
appearance of the tanks can simply be adapted to, for instance, the
beverage in the tank, the brewer, the accommodation, a particular
event and the like.
[0035] The invention is not limited in any manner to the
embodiments represented in the drawing and the description. Many
variations thereon are possible within the framework of the
invention as outlined by the claims. A container according to the
invention can, for instance, have a different position, for
instance a longitudinal axis extending approximately vertically
instead of horizontally, wherein the filling and dispensing device,
the opening and/or the cover may be provided in a circumferential
wall. Furthermore, the container can be designed without inner
container, for instance as a keg.
* * * * *