U.S. patent application number 13/700824 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-21 for method and apparatus for dispensing beverages, especially carbonated beverages.
This patent application is currently assigned to HEINEKEN SUPPLY CHAIN B.V.. The applicant listed for this patent is Bernardus Cornelis Johannes Landman, Istvan Stephen Lindmayer. Invention is credited to Bernardus Cornelis Johannes Landman, Istvan Stephen Lindmayer.
Application Number | 20130068798 13/700824 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44453927 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130068798 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Landman; Bernardus Cornelis
Johannes ; et al. |
March 21, 2013 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING BEVERAGES, ESPECIALLY
CARBONATED BEVERAGES
Abstract
Container unit for beverage, comprising a beverage container
with a body and a neck portion, wherein at least the body portion
forms a first compartment for beverage, wherein a pressure control
device is provided, preferably at least partly in the beverage
container, for pressurising a beverage in the beverage container,
which pressure control device comprises a gas container forming a
second compartment for containing a propellant under pressure,
wherein a dispensing unit is provided in and/or on the neck portion
and the gas container is supported by the neck portion and/or the
dispensing unit, wherein pressure regulating means are provided in
the dispensing unit.
Inventors: |
Landman; Bernardus Cornelis
Johannes; (Boskoop, NL) ; Lindmayer; Istvan
Stephen; (Dobrokoz, HU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Landman; Bernardus Cornelis Johannes
Lindmayer; Istvan Stephen |
Boskoop
Dobrokoz |
|
NL
HU |
|
|
Assignee: |
HEINEKEN SUPPLY CHAIN B.V.
NL-1017 ZD AMSTERDAM
NL
|
Family ID: |
44453927 |
Appl. No.: |
13/700824 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
May 27, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NL11/50369 |
371 Date: |
November 29, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/396 ;
141/3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 3/04 20130101; B65D
83/663 20130101; B67D 1/0082 20130101; B67D 1/1405 20130101; B67D
1/008 20130101; B67D 2001/0089 20130101; B67D 1/0437 20130101; B67D
1/0418 20130101; B67D 1/0406 20130101; B65D 83/70 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/396 ;
141/3 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/66 20060101
B65D083/66; B65B 3/04 20060101 B65B003/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 2, 2010 |
HU |
P1000286 |
Feb 14, 2011 |
NL |
2006197 |
Feb 14, 2011 |
NL |
2006199 |
Claims
1. Container unit for beverage, comprising a beverage container
with a body and a neck portion, wherein at least the body portion
forms a first compartment for beverage, wherein a pressure control
device is provided, preferably at least partly in the beverage
container, for pressurising a beverage in the beverage container,
which pressure control device comprises a gas container forming a
second compartment for containing a propellant under pressure,
wherein a dispensing unit is provided in and/or on the neck portion
and the gas container is supported by the neck portion and/or the
dispensing unit, wherein pressure regulating means are provided in
the dispensing unit.
2. Container unit according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing unit
closes the beverage container and the gas container.
3. Container unit according to claim 1, wherein the gas container
is made of plastic, especially a thermoplastic plastic, more
specifically PET or a PET blend.
4. Container unit according to claim 3, wherein the gas container
is injection moulded, wherein the gas container has a body portion
with a peripheral wall portion which is radially expandable within
the first compartment under internal gas pressure between 4 and 20
bar absolute.
5. Container unit according to claim 1, wherein the gas container
can be inserted into and at least partly through the neck portion
of the beverage container, wherein the neck portion encloses an
upper part of the gas container, providing for a passage for gas
between an inner surface of the neck portion and an outer portion
of the gas container, wherein preferably a dip tube extends through
said passage from the first compartment into the dispensing
unit.
6. Container unit according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing unit
comprises a first coupling means and the neck portion of the
beverage container is provided with at least one coupling means for
coupling to the first coupling means, preferably sealingly.
7. Container unit according to claim 1, wherein the gas container
has a gas container body portion and a gas container neck portion,
wherein the gas container body portion extends at least partly into
the first compartment, wherein the dispensing unit comprises at
least one second coupling means and the gas container neck portion
comprises coupling means for cooperating with the second coupling
means, preferably sealingly.
8. Container unit according to claim 1, wherein the beverage
container is a blow moulded plastic container, preferably made from
at least PET or a PET blend.
9. Container unit according to claim 1, wherein the beverage
container has a first, internal axial length, measured between an
outer end of the neck portion and an opposite end of the beverage
container, and the gas container has a second, outer axial length
measured between the dispensing unit to which the gas container is
attached and an opposite end of the gas container, wherein the
first axial length is slightly larger than the second axial length,
preferably between 1 and 1.2 times the second axial length, more
preferably between 1 and 1.1 times the second axial length.
10. Container unit according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing
unit comprises at least one passage from the pressure regulating
means to the first compartment, forming part of a gas passage
between the first compartment and the second compartment, wherein
the pressure regulating means comprises at least one valve assembly
for opening and closing said gas passage, based on pressure
prevailing in the first compartment.
11. Dispensing unit for a beverage container, comprising a pressure
regulating means and dispensing means, wherein at a first side of
the dispensing unit a first coupling means and a second coupling
means are provided, the first coupling means surrounding the second
coupling means, wherein within the second coupling means at least
one first gas passage opens, said first passage extending into a
chamber of the pressure regulating means, wherein between the first
and second coupling means at least one second passage opens, said
second passage extending into said chamber.
12. Dispensing unit according to claim 11, wherein a gas container
is mounted to the second coupling means, which gas container has an
axial length and extends within the first coupling means, seen in a
direction of its axial length, wherein the gas container preferably
is made of plastic, more preferably injection moulded and/or blow
moulded and/or of PET or a PET blend.
13. Dispensing unit according to claim 10, wherein a valve stem
extends through the first channel and is connected to or part of a
movable and/or flexible wall part of said chamber, which valve stem
can close off and open the first passage, depending at least on a
position of said wall part of the chamber.
14. Method for providing a beverage container unit, wherein a
beverage container is filled with a beverage trough a filling
opening, and a gas container is provided extending into and through
the filling opening, wherein a dispensing unit is provided,
comprising a pressure regulating means, which dispensing unit is
mounted in and/or over the filling opening and is connected to the
gas container.
15. Method according to claim 14, utilizing a dispensing unit for a
beverage container, comprising a pressure regulating means and
dispensing means, wherein at a first side of the dispensing unit a
first coupling means and a second coupling means are provided, the
first coupling means surrounding the second coupling means, wherein
within the second coupling means at least one first gas passage
opens, said first passage extending into a chamber of the pressure
regulating means, wherein between the first and second coupling
means at least one second passage opens, said second passage
extending into said chamber, the dispensing unit being mounted
after filling of the beverage container, wherein propellant gas
under pressure is provided in the gas container.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a dispensing unit and a method for
dispensing a liquid under pressure.
[0002] The document EP 1064221 discloses a device for dispensing a
liquid, wherein the device comprises a container having a first
compartment, and a second compartment, the first compartment being
arranged for receiving the liquid to be dispensed, and the second
compartment being arranged for receiving a propellant gas, wherein,
at least during use, an opening is provided between the first and
the second compartment. The device further comprises a pressure
control means arranged for controlling, during use, the pressure of
the propellant gas flowing from the second compartment into the
first compartment. The pressure control means are provided within
the first compartment.
[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide for a
container unit in an alternative manner. Another object is to
provide a container unit in which a pressure control device can
easily be provided for, especially easily be mounted.
[0004] A still further object of the present invention is to
provided for a dispensing unit that can easily be mounted to a
beverage container.
[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide for a
method for forming and/or filling a beverage container, especially
a self pressurising beverage container.
[0006] In a first aspect a container unit according to the present
disclosure can comprise a beverage container with a body and a neck
portion, wherein at least the body portion forms a first
compartment for beverage. A pressure control device is provided,
for pressurising a beverage in the beverage container, which
pressure control device comprises a gas container forming a second
compartment for containing a propellant under pressure. A
dispensing unit is provided in and/or on the neck portion and the
gas container is supported by the neck portion and/or the
dispensing unit, wherein pressure regulating means are provided in
the dispensing unit. The gas container preferably extends at least
partly in the beverage container, preferably suspended in the neck
portion of the container.
[0007] In a second aspect a dispensing unit for a beverage
container according to the disclosure comprises a pressure
regulating means and dispensing means. At a first side of the
dispensing unit a first coupling means and a second coupling means
are provided, the first coupling means surrounding the second
coupling means. Within the first coupling means at least one first
gas passage opens, said first passage extending into a chamber of
the pressure regulating means, wherein between the first and second
coupling means at least one second passage opens, said second
passage extending into said chamber.
[0008] Embodiments of the present invention shall be described,
with reference to the drawings, for elucidation of the invention.
These embodiments should by no means be understood as limiting the
scope of the invention in any way or form. In these drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a first preferred
embodiment of the dispensing unit according to the invention in its
initial state;
[0010] FIGS. 1b, 1c and 1d are a top plan view, a side view and a
bottom plan view of the dispensing unit shown in FIG. 1a,
respectively, in an unfolded state;
[0011] FIG. 2 is top plan view of the dispensing unit shown in FIG.
1 in its initial state;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the dispensing unit
shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line A-A;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the dispensing unit
shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line B-B;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the dispensing unit
shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line C-C;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the dispensing unit
shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line D-D;
[0016] FIG. 7 is perspective view of a dispensing device comprising
the dispensing unit shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing device
shown in FIG. 7 taken along the line A-A of FIG. 2, with the
operating lever being in its initial position;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing
device shown in FIG. 7 taken along a the line D-D in FIG. 2, with
the operating lever being in its initial position;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing
device shown in FIG. 7 taken along the line A-A of FIG. 2, with the
operating lever being in a first operating position;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing
device shown in FIG. 7 taken along the line D-D of FIG. 2, with the
operating lever being in the first operating position;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing
device shown in FIG. 7 taken along the line B-B of FIG. 2, with the
operating lever being in the first operating position;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing
device shown in FIG. 7 taken along the line D-D of FIG. 2, with the
operating lever being in a second operating position;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing
device shown in FIG. 7 taken along the line D-D of FIG. 2, showing
a second embodiment of the dispensing unit with the operating lever
being in the initial position;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing
device shown in FIG. 7 taken along the line D-D of FIG. 2, showing
the second embodiment of the dispensing unit with the operating
lever being in its first operational position;
[0025] FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing
device shown in FIG. 7 taken along the line D-D of FIG. 2, showing
the second embodiment of the dispensing unit with the operating
lever being in its second operating position;
[0026] FIG. 17 schematically a dispensing unit according to the
description, from a side facing the beverage container;
[0027] FIG. 18 schematically a third embodiment of a container
unit;
[0028] FIG. 19 schematically a fourth embodiment of a container
unit; and
[0029] FIG. 20 schematically a fifth embodiment of a container
unit.
[0030] In this description by way of example container units and
pressurising units, as well as methods are described with reference
to carbonated beverages, especially beer.
[0031] In this description a pressure regulating means or pressure
control device has to be understood as at least including a device
or assembly for controlling pressure inside a beverage container,
based on a pressure prevailing in a first compartment comprising
the beverage to be dispensed, by feeding gas from a high pressure
propellant gas container or second compartment. In this description
embodiments are described in which the beverage container is made
of plastic, for example blow moulded, especially stretch blow
moulded from a preform, in any suitable manner, such as known in
the art. However, similarly beverage containers can be used made
partly or entirely of metal. In the embodiments described and shown
specifically, a gas container is described made of plastic, for
example PET or PEN or blends thereof, or another thermoplastic
material. The gas container can be made by injection moulding
and/or blow moulding, for example similar to blow moulding of a
beverage container, and can have a basic shape of a blow mould
perform for forming a bottle, and can also be made of PET, PEN or
blends thereof or another thermoplastic material. However, such gas
container can also be made differently and/or of different
materials, for example metal.
[0032] In embodiments of the present invention an aspect can be
that a dispensing unit is used, comprising dispensing means and
pressure regulating means, with which both a gas container
comprising high pressure propellant gas and the beverage container
can be closed.
[0033] In embodiments of the present disclosure an aspect of the
present invention can be based on the idea that during dispensing,
instead of maintaining a regulated constant pressure in the liquid
container and controlling the flow rate of the liquid by
controlling the flow area of the dispensing channel or dispensing
outlet for the liquid, the flow area of the dispensing channel or
outlet is rather maintained at a constant value, preferably at a
maximum value, and the pressure in the liquid container is
controlled within a predetermined pressure range so as to control
the flow rate of the liquid being dispensed. This allows to apply a
relatively low pressure at dispensing for any kind of liquid,
including both gaseous and non-gaseous beverages, while keeping the
possibility to adjust the flow rate of the liquid by simply
adjusting or even varying the desired pressure of the propellant
gas in the liquid container. A further advantage of this solution
can be that by controlling the pressure prevailing in the liquid
container during dispensing, the flow path of the liquid from the
liquid container through the dispensing unit may be formed free of
any obstacle of flow, thus allowing to avoid the development of
undesired turbulences in the liquid during dispensing.
[0034] In a container unit according to the present disclosure a
beverage container 36 can be provided, with a body 50 and a neck
portion 51, wherein at least the body portion 50 forms a first
compartment for beverage. A pressure control device 53 is provided,
for pressurising a beverage in the beverage container 36, which
pressure control device 53 comprises or can be connected to a gas
container 33 forming a second compartment for containing a
propellant under pressure. A dispensing unit 10 can be provided in
and/or on the neck portion 51 and the gas container 33 can be
supported by the neck portion 51 and/or the dispensing unit 10,
wherein pressure regulating means 54 of the pressure control device
53 are provided in the dispensing unit 10. In general the pressure
control device therefore comprises at least the pressure regulating
means 54 and the gas container 33 or a connecting means therefore.
The gas container 33 preferably extends at least partly in the
beverage container 36, preferably suspended in the neck portion 51
of the container 36 and extending at least partly into the inner
space comprised in the body portion 52. The dispensing unit 10 can
close off both the beverage container 36 and the gas container
33.
[0035] When the gas container 33 is injection moulded, it can have
a gas container body portion 55 with a peripheral wall portion 56
which is radially expandable within the first compartment by the
propellant gas, for example under internal gas pressure between 4
and 20 bar absolute. This can be advantageous in that it can secure
the dispensing unit 10 with the gas container 33 even better inside
the beverage container 36. In embodiments the gas container 33 can
be inserted into and at least partly through the neck portion 51 of
the beverage container 36, wherein the neck portion 51 encloses an
upper part of the gas container 33, providing for a passage 57 for
gas between an inner surface of the neck portion 51 and an outer
portion of the gas container 33, wherein preferably a dip tube 35
extends through said passage from the first compartment into the
dispensing unit 10.
[0036] The dispensing unit 10 can comprise a first coupling means
40 and the neck portion 51 of the beverage container 36 can be
provided with at least one coupling means for coupling to the first
coupling means 40, preferably sealingly. Similarly the dispensing
unit 10 can have at least one second coupling means 42 and the gas
container 33 can have a neck portion comprising coupling means for
cooperating with the second coupling means 42, preferably
sealingly.
[0037] The beverage container can have a first, internal axial
length, measured between an outer end of the neck portion 51 and an
opposite end of the beverage container 36, and the gas container 33
can have a second, outer axial length measured between the
dispensing unit 10 to which the gas container 33 is attached and an
opposite end of the gas container 33, wherein the first axial
length is slightly larger than the second axial length. Preferably
the first axial length is between 1 and 1.2 times the second axial
length, more preferably between 1 and 1.1 times the second axial
length. This can provide for a relatively slim gas container,
suitable to be inserted through the neck 51 or filling opening of a
beverage container 36, having nevertheless a relatively large
internal volume. This enables storage of a sufficient amount of
propellant gas inside the gas container 33.
[0038] The dispensing unit 10 can comprise at least one passage 30,
25a through the pressure regulating means 53 to the first
compartment, forming part of a gas passage between the first
compartment and the second compartment, i.e. between the inner
space of the beverage container 36 and the inner space of the gas
container 33. The pressure regulating means 53 can further comprise
at least one valve assembly for opening and closing said gas
passage 30, 25a, based on pressure prevailing in the first
compartment.
[0039] In a dispensing unit 10 for a beverage container 36, a
pressure regulating means 54 and dispensing means can be comprised,
wherein at a first side of the dispensing unit a first coupling
means 40 and a second coupling means 42 are provided. The first
coupling means can surround the second coupling means, which has to
be understood as meaning at least but not limited to surrounding
seen in a view substantially perpendicular to said first side of
the dispensing means, as for example shown specifically in FIG. 17.
Within the second coupling means 42 at least one first gas passage
25a, which in all embodiments can also be referred to as a gas
inlet channel, opens, said first passage 25a extending into a
chamber 58 of the pressure regulating means 54, which in all
embodiments can be referred to as a pressure sensing chamber,
wherein between the first 40 and second coupling means 42 at least
one second passage 25b opens, said second passage 25b extending
into said chamber 58. The second passage can also be referred to in
the embodiments disclosed as a gas outlet channel. A gas container
33 can be mounted to the second coupling means 42, which gas
container 33 has an axial length L.sub.gas and extends within the
second coupling means 41, seen in a direction of its axial length
L.sub.gas, which can be understood as meaning that seen in said
axial direction, which can be substantially perpendicular to said
first side of the dispensing unit, the gas container 33 has no part
that extends beyond the first coupling means, as can be seen in
FIG. 17.
[0040] A valve stem 23 can extend through the first channel 25a and
be connected to or part of a movable and/or flexible wall part 22
of said chamber 58, which valve stem 23 can close off and open the
first passage 25a, for example by a widening 24 of the stem 23,
depending at least on a position of said wall part 22 of the
chamber 58. Embodiments thereof shall be further elucidated. The
wall part 22 can for example be a flexible membrane 22, as for
example disclosed in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-16, or a piston, as
is for example discloses as such in EP1064221 and referred to in
the embodiment of FIG. 18. All combinations thereof should also be
considered having been disclosed herein.
[0041] In FIG. 1a, a first preferred embodiment of the dispensing
unit 10 is illustrated in a perspective view. Although the
dispensing unit 10 in FIG. 1 is shown as a cap for a bottle, the
dispensing unit may be designed in any other way, for example as a
taping unit for a beer keg. The illustrated first embodiment of the
dispensing unit 10 comprises a lower mounting part 11 and an upper
covering part 12. The lower mounting part 11 and the upper covering
part 12 are connected via a flexible hinge 13. The upper covering
part 12 comprises a pivotable operating lever 14 used to control
the flow rate of the liquid during dispensing. The operating lever
14 is provided with several once breakable joints 15 for fixing the
operating lever 14 to an adjacent portion of the upper covering
part 12. These joints 15 also have the function to demonstrate that
the dispensing unit 10 has not been tampered with. Before the first
use of the dispensing unit 10, these joints 15 are to be broken so
that the operating lever 14 can be moved.
[0042] In FIGS. 1a, 1b an 1c, the lower mounting part 11, the upper
covering part 12, the operating lever 14 and the once breakable
joint 15 of the dispensing unit 10 can be seen in different views
of an unfolded state. In FIG. 1d, a flexible dispensing tube 16 and
a membrane 22 of a pressure regulating means are also shown,
although these elements are arranged inside the dispensing unit
10.
[0043] In FIG. 2, the dispensing unit 10 can be seen in a plan view
using the same reference numbers as in FIGS. 1a to 1d. This figure
also indicates sectioning lines A-A, B-B, C-C and D-D along which
cross-sectional views are taken and illustrated in at least the
following FIGS. 3 to 6, in which the dispensing unit 10 is shown in
its initial state, i.e. in the storage state, when the operating
lever is in its initial position.
[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates the dispensing unit 10 in a
cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A indicated in FIG. 2.
Inside the dispensing unit 10, a dispensing tube 16 is arranged
under the operating lever 14. The dispensing tube 16 is secured to
the lower mounting part 11 and comprises an opening 17 that
establishes a fluid communication with the internal space of the
liquid container (not shown) to which the dispensing unit 10 is
coupled. The dispensing tube 16 has an outer end portion 19
provided with an opening 19' to allow the liquid to flow out from
the liquid container during dispensing. In FIG. 3, the outer end
portion 19 of the dispensing tube 16 is entirely compressed by an
eccentric front projection 18 of the operating lever 14, whereby
the flow path of the liquid is closed.
[0045] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the upper covering part 12 of the
dispensing unit 10 is secured to the lower mounting part 11, for
example, by snap fitting between a downward projection 20 of the
upper covering part 12 and the rim 21 of a corresponding
through-hole of the lower mounting part 11 adapted to receive said
projection 20.
[0046] The dispensing unit 10 also comprises a pressure regulating
means 54 to generate a constant regulated pressure for propellant
gas in the liquid container. The pressure regulating means can also
be referred to as pressure control device 54. In the illustrated
preferred embodiments of the dispensing unit 10, the pressure
regulating means 54 comprises a resilient membrane 22, preferably
made of rubber, a valve stem 23 joined to a central portion of the
membrane 22 at is one end, a valve head 24 formed at the other end
of the valve stem 23 and a fluid communicating path for the
propellant gas, said fluid communicating path connecting the
internal space of the gas container 33 and the internal gas space
of the liquid container 36 (partly also referred to as head space)
through the pressure regulating means 54. In the illustrated
embodiments of the dispensing unit 10, the fluid communicating path
includes a first gas channel 25a in which the valve stem 23 is
guided, and a second gas channel 25b or outlet channel (shown in
FIG. 6) and the chamber 58. The operation of the pressure
regulating means 54 of the dispensing unit 10 will be described
later. They form part of pressure control device 53.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, the operating lever 14 has two coaxial
pivots 26a and 26b serving as a shaft for the operating lever 14
around which it can be pivoted. On the lateral surface of the inner
pivot 26a, there is a stud 27 arranged extending into a guiding
hole 29 (shown in FIG. 6) of a slide 28. The slide 28 is guided so
that it can move horizontally between two end positions defined by
the two end positions of the operating lever 14. When the operating
lever 14 is pivoted, the stud 27, which is arranged eccentrically
with respect to the rotational axis of the pivots 26a, 26b, moves
along a circular path, thus forcing the slide 28 to move toward the
central portion of the dispensing unit 10 or in the opposite
direction, while the stud 27 moves up or down in the guiding hole
29. The slide is an embodiment of an operating device, or part
thereof.
[0048] As clearly shown in FIG. 6, the slide 28 partly covers the
membrane 22, the extent of coverage depending on the position of
the operating lever. Under the coverage area of the membrane 22,
there is a third gas channel 30 formed to connect the internal
space of the gas container with the head space of the liquid
container through the pressure regulating means, through a chamber
58. The slide 28 is formed so as to be capable of varying the area
of an upper aperture 31 of the third gas channel 30, which is also
an outlet channel, thereby adjusting the amount of the propellant
gas flowing from the gas container into the liquid container. By
adjusting the flow rate of the gas flowing through the third gas
channel 30, the pressure of the propellant gas can be varied in the
liquid container during dispensing. Since the pressure regulating
means 54 of pressure control device 53, as integrated in the
dispensing unit 10 is adapted to generate a predetermined pressure
in the beverage container 36, also referred to as liquid container
36, the variable pressure range has an upper limit defined by said
preset pressure of the pressure regulating means 53. On the other
hand, the lower limit value of the variable pressure range can not
decrease below the ambient pressure since the closure of the third
gas channel 30 will terminate the outflow of the liquid and also
prevent the ambient air from entering the liquid container 36.
[0049] The mechanism including the operating lever, the slide, the
third channel and pressure regulating means can together constitute
or at least form part of a means for adjusting the flow rate of the
propellant gas flowing from the gas container 33 into the liquid
container 36, and can be referred to as flow regulating means or
operating device or parts thereof. By varying the flow area of the
third gas channel 30 by said mechanism, the pressure may be
adjusted in the liquid container 36, and thereby the flow rate of
the liquid may also be set during dispensing.
[0050] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an assembled dispensing
device or container unit 70 comprising the liquid or beverage
container 36 (indicated by dashed line), for example, a bottle
containing a beverage, for example a carbonated beverage such as
beer, a gas container 33 containing a propellant gas, for example
carbon dioxide or nitrogen, at a high pressure, for example between
2 and 20, more preferably between 4 and 14 bar, a dispensing unit,
such as the dispensing unit 10 according to the present invention,
and preferably a dip tube 35. The dispensing unit 10 is coupled to
the liquid container 36 and the gas container 33 in a gas-tight
sealed manner. Although in FIG. 7, the gas container 33 is shown
inside the liquid container 36, the gas container 33 may equally be
arranged externally to the liquid container 36. The dip tube 35 is
arranged inside the liquid container 36 and connected to a
corresponding dispensing channel of the dispensing unit 10.
[0051] In FIG. 8, a cross-sectional view of the dispensing device
70 shown in FIG. 7 is illustrated with the operating lever 14 of
the dispensing unit 10 being in its initial position. The
cross-section is taken along the line A-A of FIG. 2. In the
dispensing device 70, the operating lever 14, which can also e
referred to as operating means of the dispensing unit, is in its
initial position that is normally applied during storage of the
dispensing device 70. In this case, the front projection 18 of the
operating lever 14 closes the outer end portion 19 of the
dispensing tube 16, thereby preventing the dispensing of the liquid
32 from the liquid container 36. Due to the overpressure of the
propellant gas 34 prevailing in the head space of the liquid
container 36, the dispensing tube 16 also contains liquid 32 under
pressure. The liquid 32 can enter the dispensing tube 16 through
the opening 17 of the dispensing channel (not shown) formed within
the dispensing unit 10.
[0052] In the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 9, an exemplary
way of coupling the dispensing unit 10 to the liquid container 36
and the gas container 33 can be seen in more detail. According the
present invention, the dispensing unit 10 has a first coupling
means for coupling to the liquid container 36. As illustrated in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the first coupling means may
comprise a snap fitting portion 40 formed in the lower mounting
part 11 of the dispensing unit 10, said snap fitting portion 40
being adapted to be sealingly attached to a corresponding coupling
part of the liquid container 36. To this end, the first coupling
means may comprise an elastic sealing ring 38 against which the
corresponding coupling portion of the liquid container 36 bears
after mounting the dispensing unit 10 onto the liquid container 36.
Although in FIG. 9, only a preferred embodiment of said first
coupling means is illustrated, the dispensing unit 10 may according
to the present invention be coupled to the liquid container 36 in
other ways as well, for example by threaded fitting or gluing, the
implementation of which alternative coupling modes is obvious for
those skilled in the art.
[0053] According the present invention, the dispensing unit 10
further comprises a second coupling means for coupling to the gas
container 33. As illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the
second coupling means may comprise a snap fitting portion 42 formed
also in the lower mounting part 11 of the dispensing unit 10, said
snap fitting portion 42 being adapted to be sealingly attached to a
corresponding coupling part of the gas container 33. It is
preferred that the second coupling means comprises an elastic
sealing ring 43 against which a corresponding coupling portion of
the gas container 33 bears after attaching the gas container 33 to
the dispensing unit 10. Although in FIG. 9, only a preferred
embodiment of said second coupling means is illustrated, the
dispensing unit may be coupled to the gas container in other ways
as well, for example by threaded fitting or gluing, the
implementation of which alternative coupling modes is obvious for
those skilled in the art.
[0054] As can be seen in FIG. 17 the first and second coupling
means can both be substantially circular, provided in a first side
60 of the dispensing device 10. The first coupling means can
surround the second coupling means, spaced apart there from, seen
the view as presented in FIG. 17. This view is substantially
perpendicular to the said side 60, or along the axis Lgas of the
gas container 33. As can be seen in FIG. 17 the contour 33A of the
gas container 33 extends, in the view of FIG. 17, within the first
coupling means. This provided for the possibility of inserting the
gas container 33 into the beverage container 36 via the neck
portion 51, through the coupling means provided thereupon.
[0055] FIG. 9 shows the dispensing unit 10 in its storage state
when the operating lever (not shown) is in its initial position.
The slide 28 is now in its inner end position where it presses the
whole coverage area of the membrane 22 onto an upper surface of the
lower mounting part 11, thereby entirely closing the upper aperture
31 of the third gas channel 30. Under this condition, the membrane
22 takes the form like a dome, and the valve head 24 closes the
lower aperture of the first gas channel 25a. The pressure of the
propellant gas 34 acting to the bottom surface of the valve head 24
is compensated by the counteracting resilient force of the elevated
membrane 22. In the gas space 58 defined by the membrane 22 and the
upper surface of the lower mounting part 11 of the dispensing unit
10, the pressure is equal to the pressure of the gas container 33,
and due to the fluid communication path between the gas container
33 and the head space of the liquid container 36 through the second
gas channel 25b, this pressure is also equal to the pressure
prevailing in the liquid container 36, also referred to as a first
pressure.
[0056] After finishing the dispensing of the liquid, the operating
lever is moved again into its initial position, resulting in the
same arrangement of the parts within the dispensing unit as shown
in FIG. 9. If the dispensing pressure was lower than said first
pressure when the dispensing was terminated, the propellant gas
tends to flow from the gas container 33 into the liquid container
36 through the second gas channel 25b until the first pressure is
reached and set in the liquid container 36 by the pressure
regulating means of the dispensing unit 10.
[0057] In FIG. 10, the dispensing unit 10 can be seen with its
operating lever 14 being in a vertical position wherein the
dispensing tube 16 is open to the maximum extent, i.e. the outer
end portion 19 of the dispensing tube 16 presents the largest
possible flow area for the liquid. In this case, however, the third
gas channel (not shown) is still closed. The liquid flows out from
the liquid container 36 through the dispensing channel (not shown),
then via the opening 17 and finally through the dispensing tube 16.
If a dip tube 35 is also used (as shown in FIG. 10), the liquid 32
is driven into the dispensing channel through the dip tube 35. FIG.
11 shows the same state of the dispensing unit 10 as shown
[0058] FIG. 10. The pressure regulating means is still under the
same condition as described for the initial state of the dispensing
unit 10, that is, the membrane 22 is elevated and the third gas
channel 30 is closed. In the first preferred embodiment of the
dispensing unit 10, this vertical operating position of the
operating lever 14 shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 (also referred to as a
first operating position) defines a boundary position between a
first operating range of the operating lever 14 and a second
operating range thereof, wherein the first operating range is
associated with the control of the flow area of the dispensing
channel or outlet for the liquid (i.e. the dispensing tube 16, in
the first embodiment), whereas the second operating range is
associated with the control of the flow area of the third gas
channel 30 for the propellant gas. By continuing to pivot the
operating lever 14 counter-clockwise in FIG. 11, the upper aperture
31 of the third gas channel 30 becomes gradually opened as the
slide 28 moves toward the periphery of the lower mounting part
11.
[0059] As can be seen in the cross-sectional view of the dispensing
device illustrated in FIG. 12, the dispensing channel 44
establishes a fluid communication path for the liquid 32 between
the internal space of the liquid container 36 and the flexible tube
16. To the lower end of the dispensing channel 44, a dip tube 35
may optionally be connected.
[0060] In FIG. 13, the dispensing device 70 is shown in a partial
cross-sectional view, wherein the operating lever 14 is moved to a
second operating position to at least partially open the upper
aperture 31 of the third gas channel 30. In the illustrated
embodiment of the dispensing unit 10, this position of the
operating lever 14 belongs to the second operating range of the
operating lever 14, wherein the flow rate of the liquid 32 is
controlled during dispensing by controlling the pressure of the
propellant gas 34 in the liquid container 36. The more downward the
operating lever 14 is pushed in the direction F indicated by an
arrow in FIG. 13, the larger area of the upper aperture 31 of the
third gas channel 30 is released by the displacement of the slide
28, thus causing the elevation of an increasing area of the
coverage portion of the membrane 22 above the aperture 31. Hence,
by varying the opened area of the aperture 31, the amount of gas
flowing from the gas container 33 into the liquid container 36
through the third gas channel 30 and, consequently, the driving
force for the liquid 32 may be varied.
[0061] In order to minimize or even entirely to terminate the gas
flow through the second gas channel 25b during dispensing, the
second gas channel 25b is to be closed or alternatively, it is to
be restricted so that a substantial delay be presented at the
generation of the first pressure in the liquid container 36 by the
pressure regulating means. To this end, in a first embodiment of
the dispensing unit 10, the second gas channel 25b has a restricted
section 25c in which the gas flow rate, under normal operating
conditions, is so small that only a negligible amount of propellant
gas can flow there through into the liquid container 36 per time
unit, and therefore the regulated first pressure can be generated
by the pressure regulating means within a relatively long time with
respect to the time period normally needed to dispense the desired
amount of liquid. For example, if the first regulated pressure is
1.7-2 bars absolute, a diameter of approximately 100 .mu.m for the
restricted section 25c allows a regulation delay of approx. 5 to 15
minutes, which is a much longer time than the usual duration of
filling a glass. After finishing the dispensing of the liquid,
however, such a delay has no significance if the next dispensing
action starts even later. Moreover, the regulated first pressure is
in the liquid container 36 is greater than the equilibrium pressure
of the liquid 32 stored in the liquid container 36, preferably only
by a few tenths bar, thus providing an appropriate long term
storage pressure for the liquid in the liquid container during
storage.
[0062] On the other hand, the pressure regulating means 54 of the
first embodiment of the dispensing unit 10 also limits the maximum
pressure of the pressure range associated with the second operating
range of the operating lever. When the third gas channel 30 is
entirely opened, the pressure in the liquid container 36 increases
quickly due to the large flow are of the aperture 31, but the
pressure can rise only up to the first pressure since the pressure
regulating means 54 prevents the pressure of the head space of the
liquid container 36 from increasing further. In fact, upon reaching
the first pressure in the liquid container 36, the valve head 24
will close the first gas channel 25a, thereby blocking the flow of
any more propellant gas 34 from the gas container 33 into the
liquid container 36.
[0063] In FIG. 14, a partial cross-sectional view of a dispensing
device 70' is illustrated with a second embodiment of the
dispensing unit 110 according to the present invention. In this
example, the operating lever 114 (indicated by dashed line) of the
dispensing unit 110 is in its initial position used for storage of
the liquid container 136. This second embodiment of the dispensing
unit 110 comprises a common gas outlet channel 130 providing the
function of both the first gas outlet channel and the second gas
outlet channel used in the first embodiment of the dispensing unit.
In order to properly control the gas flow through this common gas
channel 130, the slide 128 as operating device or part thereof, is
designed to have a recess 129 on its bottom sliding surface which
allows the membrane 122 to have a local elevation 123 above the
upper aperture 131 of the common gas channel 130. Under this local
elevation 123, a limited flow rate for the propellant gas 134 is
allowed, thus providing a substantial delay in the development of
the first pressure in the liquid container 136.
[0064] As can be seen in FIG. 15, which illustrates the second
embodiment of the dispensing unit 110 with the operating lever 114
being in its first operating position, the slide 128 is moved to a
position where it entirely closes the common gas channel 130.
Similarly to the first embodiment of the dispensing unit (but not
shown in FIG. 15), in this position the operating lever 114
entirely opens the flexible dispensing tube of the dispensing unit
110.
[0065] FIG. 16 illustrates the further embodiment of the dispensing
unit 110 with the operating lever 114 being in a second operating
position during dispensing where the inner end portion of the slide
128 at least partly opens the common gas channel 130 by allowing
the main part of the membrane 122 to elevate above the upper
aperture 131 of the common gas channel 130. In the second operating
range of the operating lever 114, the common gas channel 130 is
used only for controlling the pressure of the propellant gas in the
liquid container 136 and thus also the flow rate of the liquid
being dispensed.
[0066] As this embodiment of the dispensing unit 110 has no
separate gas channel with a restricted section to feed propellant
gas 134 from the gas container 133 into the liquid container 136,
the relatively large flow area of the common gas channel 130 allows
a rather quick development of the regulated first pressure in the
liquid container 136 after finishing the dispensing of the
liquid.
[0067] FIG. 18 shows an alternative embodiment of a beverage
container 36, wherein the pressure regulating device 53 is
suspended in the neck 51 of the container 36, part of the gas
container 33 extending into the inner space of the body 52 of the
beverage container 36. In this embodiment the pressure regulating
device 53 is integrated with the dispensing device 10. The gas
container 33 can rest on the free end 69 of the neck 51 by a flange
61. The dispensing device 10 is mounted on the neck 51, for example
by press fitting or click means 40, such that the dispensing device
10 is pressed against the flange 61, thus pressing the flange 61
against the neck 51 and the gas container 33 is closed gas tightly.
Suitable seals 38, 43 can be provided, if necessary.
[0068] A valve 62, for example an aerosol valve as described in
EP1064221 is provided in a bottom 71 of the dispensing device 10,
forming a connection between the inner space of the gas container
33 and the space 58 above the bottom 71, below the wall part 22, at
which other side a pressure regulating chamber 63 is provided. The
bottom 71 can be an integral part of the dispensing unit 10 or can
be a separate part, which can for example be provided on the flange
61, for example by click means, gluing, welding, press fit or the
like. At an opposite side of the space 58 a flexible wall part 22
of a pressure regulating means 54 is provided, resting against the
valve 62, forming part of the wall of the pressure regulating
chamber 63. If the pressure in the space 58 drops below a
regulating pressure, the wall part 22 will be forced, by pressure
in a pressure regulating chamber 63 above the wall 22, against the
valve 62, opening the valve 62 and allowing gas to flow from the
gas container 33 into the space 58. At least one passage 25b is
provided through the bottom 71 and the flange 61, into the inner
space of the beverage container 36. Thus pressure equilibrium will
exist substantially between the space 58 and the inner space of the
beverage container 36. When the pressure in the beverage container
36 is back at the desired pressure, such as the equilibrium
pressure, the wall part 22 will be pushed back and the valve 62
will close. The pressure regulating or control device 53 of all
embodiments can be provided with a similar arrangement of chambers
58 and 63 and the intermediate wall part 22 for opening and/or
closing the inlet channel 25a.
[0069] A dip tube 35 extends from the inner space of the beverage
container 33 past the gas container 33 and through the flange 61
into the dispensing device 10. A dispense tube 63 is connected to
the dip tube 35 by a valve 64, which in the embodiment shown can be
a hose type valve, operatable by an arm 14 connected to an excentre
66. In FIG. 18 the valve 64 is shown in closed position. By moving
the arm 14 in the direction of the arrow 67 the valve 64 is opened
and beverage can be expelled from the beverage container 36 through
the dip tube 35 and the dispense tube 63. Pressure in the beverage
container 36 will be regulated by the pressure regulating device
53, especially the means 54. Moving the arm 14 back then the valve
64 is closed again. Clearly other types of valves 64 can be
provided, for example an in line valve. Other means for operating
the valve 64 can be provided. In other embodiments the valve 64 can
be dispensed with, where the dispense tube can be provided with or
connected to a dispense unit or valve to cooperate with a valve
unit of a dispense unit, as for example described in EP1289874.
[0070] In FIG. 19 a further embodiment is shown of a beverage
container 36, of which only an upper portion is shown, comprising a
neck 51, on which a unit 10 is provided. A gas container 33 is
provided outside the container 36, for example in a dent in the
outer wall thereof, such that the longitudinal axis L.sub.gas and
L.sub.bottle extend substantially parallel to each other. The gas
container 33 is mounted in the unit 10, in any suitable manner, for
example as disclosed before in the other embodiments. Within the
unit 10 a gas sensing chamber 58 and a gas regulating chamber 63
are again provided, as described before, separated by a deformable
and/or displaceable wall or wall part 22. A gas inlet channel 25a
extends from the gas container 33 into the pressure sensing chamber
58, through which a stem 23 extends, carrying a head 24 for closing
off the channel 25a. The stem is connected to the wall part 22. In
the unit 10 furthermore a dispense tube 16 is provided, extending
from a dip tube 35 to an outlet end 19. The tube 16 is at least
partly flexible, such that it can be closed by an excenter 66, as
discussed with reference to FIG. 18. A gas outlet channel 25b, 30
extends from the gas sensing chamber 58 to the inner space of the
beverage container 36. This channel 25b, 30 has a relatively large
cross section, preferably sufficient to allow, when fully open, an
amount of gas to flow from the gas container and/or the gas sensing
chamber 58 into the beverage container sufficient to restore
substantially instantly a desired pressure inside the beverage
container for dispensing beverage, during dispensing of the
beverage at maximum flow. The channel 25b, 30 can have a cross
section of for example half a square mm or more.
[0071] In the unit 10 an operating device 28 is provided, slidable
in a channel 80 extending substantially perpendicular to the
channel 25b, 30. A spring 81 is provided between a bottom 82 of the
channel 80 and the device 28, biasing the device 28 in a direction
outward from the channel 80. An opening 83 is provided in the
device 28, substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement
F, having a cross section similar to that of the channel 25b, 30.
In a first position, as shown in FIG. 19, the opening 83 will be
open to the channel 25b, 30 only for a small part, preferably a
very small part, for example such that the remaining passage
through the channel 25b, 30 and opening 83 will be very small, for
example well below 0.5 square mm, such that in this position a
limited flow is possible from the chamber 58 to the beverage
container 36, delaying pressure equilibrium during and/or after
tapping beverage. By pushing the device 28 towards the closed end
of the channel 80 the opening 83 will become more open to the
channel 25b, 30, allowing for a greater flow of gas and thus a
faster pressure raise in the beverage container 36.
[0072] FIG. 20 further discloses schematically an embodiment
similar to the embodiment of e.g. FIG. 9, wherein the gas container
33 is however of a different shape. In this embodiment the gas
container 33 is provided at an upper portion of the beverage
container 36, and is for example substantially ball shaped, donut
shaped, dome shaped or the like, having a cross section Dg
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L.sub.gas and
an axial length Z parallel to said axis L.sub.gas. In embodiments
the cross section Dg can be larger than an internal cross section
D.sub.neck of the neck of the beverage container 36, such that the
gas container 33 cannot be pulled out of the beverage container 36
through the neck 51. In embodiments as disclosed a gas container 33
as shown in FIG. 21 can be used having a cross section Dg
substantially equal to for example at least half of the internal
cross section Db body of the beverage container 36, preferably at
least 3/4th of said cross section Db and for example about the same
cross section Db, such that the gas container 33 abuts the inside
of the wall of the body and/or of a shoulder portion of the
beverage container, for example directly below the neck 51. In
embodiments the length Z of the gas container 33 can be less than
half of the axial length L of the beverage container 36, preferably
less than 1/4th of said axial length L, for example about 1/5th of
said axial length. In embodiments the length Z is about minimal for
providing sufficient volume in said gas container 33 for holding
sufficient amounts of gas for dispensing the entire volume of
beverage from the beverage container, at a desired maximum pressure
of said gas in said gas container.
[0073] In embodiments of the present disclosure, for example with a
gas container 33 as shown in FIG. 20, the gas container can be a
plastic container, which is injection moulded or otherwise formed
as a preform, which is blown into a desired final shape at least
partly within the beverage container, after at least partial
insertion of the gas container into the container in the said form
of a preform. The preform can be blow moulded at least partly prior
to insertion into the beverage container, or can be blow moulded
completely inside the beverage container. The blow moulding can be
achieved at least partly by the pressure of the gas introduced into
or formed inside the gas container 33. Especially when, as will be
described hereafter, dry ice is used for providing at least part of
the desired amount of pressure gas inside the gas container 33,
this can be advantageous.
[0074] In embodiments of the present description the gas container
33 can be provided in a top half portion of the beverage container
36 when position with the neck 51 or at least the dispensing unit
10 at a top thereof. Preferably the gas container 33 is provided
about directly below the neck 51 and/or dispensing unit 10, in for
example within an upper quart or upper fifth of the internal volume
of the beverage container 36. This means that the volume of
beverage comprised with the beverage container will be in the lower
portion of the gas container, substantially or, preferably, about
entirely below the gas container 33. This means that the centre of
gravity G of the entire assembly, comprising the unit 10, the
beverage container 36 with beverage and the gas container 33 will
be shifted downward compared to its position when the gas container
33 is provided as shown in for example FIG. 9, having a larger
length and smaller cross section. This increases the stability of
the assembly.
[0075] In an alternative embodiment the operating device 28 and the
operating means 14 for the beverage dispensing can again be
integrated as shown before with for example reference to FIGS.
1-16, the gas container being positioned at least partly outside
the container 36, as shown in FIG. 19. Alternatively in all
embodiments the gas container can be shaped and/or dimensioned
differently and can for example be provided as a collar around the
neck of the container, for example such that an outer side thereof
will be about flush with or within the perimeter defined by the
body of the beverage container.
[0076] According to an aspect a method for providing a beverage
container unit is described, wherein a beverage container 36 is
filled with a beverage trough a filling opening, for example a neck
portion 51. A gas container 33 is furthermore provided, comprising
a predetermined amount of gas or gas generating means. This can for
example be CO2 gas or dry ice, and is predetermined such that a
pressure is build up in the gas container well above the dispensing
pressure for the beverage, for example well above 2 bar, preferably
above 4 bar absolute, such as for example but not limited to
between 4 and 15 bar. The gas container can be mounted in the
dispensing opening or neck portion 51 such that it extends into and
through the filling opening into the inner space of the beverage
container 36. This is preferably done after filling the beverage
container with the beverage. A dispensing unit 10 is provided,
comprising pressure regulating means 54, which dispensing unit 10
is mounted in and/or over the filling opening and is connected to
the gas container 33.
[0077] In an embodiment the dispensing unit 10 can for example be
any one the previously disclosed embodiments. It can be mounted
after filling of the beverage container, wherein propellant gas
under pressure is provided in the gas container. In an embodiment
the gas container 33 can be mounted to the dispensing unit 10
separate from the beverage container 36 and placed on the beverage
container 36 as one unit. Alternatively the gas container can be
suspended in or on the beverage container 36, for example but not
limited to by said flange 61, where after the dispensing unit can
be placed and coupled to the first and second coupling means. In
such embodiment the gas can be fed into the gas container after
placing in or on the beverage container 36.
[0078] In an aspect, the present invention also relates to a novel
method of dispensing a liquid under pressure from a liquid
container in which the liquid is stored under pressure by a
propellant gas at a first regulated pressure. Preferably, in such
method the first pressure exceeds the equilibrium pressure of the
liquid, for example but not limited to by a few tenths bar. So as
to provide the first regulated pressure in the liquid container,
additional propellant gas is stored in a gas container at a second
pressure substantially higher than the first pressure. The
propellant gas stored in the second gas container is also used for
controlling the flow rate of the liquid during dispensing.
[0079] In a method according to the invention, the dispensing can
started by reducing the first pressure of the liquid container to a
third pressure, wherein the third pressure is at least the ambient
pressure. Depending on the design of the particular dispensing
apparatus used for dispensing, the third pressure may be higher
than the ambient pressure. After the overpressure of the liquid
container is partly or wholly released, the dispensing path for the
liquid is opened and the flow area of the entire dispensing path is
settled. Opening of the dispensing path of the liquid may be
carried out along an internal dispensing duct or at a dispensing
outlet.
[0080] Finally, while keeping the settled flow area of the
dispensing path for the liquid unchanged, the pressure of the
propellant gas in the liquid container can be controlled within a
pressure range defined by the first pressure and the ambient
pressure, thereby dispensing a first amount of liquid. This first
amount preferably corresponds to the entire dose of the liquid to
be dispensed at one run. It is preferred that the overpressure
prevailing in the liquid container during dispensing does not
exceed the ambient pressure by a few tenths bar, e.g. 0.1-0.2 bar,
in order keep the flowing rate of the liquid at a rather low level
and thereby not to allow excess frothing of the liquid.
[0081] Alternatively, the step of reducing the overpressure in the
liquid container and the step of opening and settling the flow area
of the dispensing path for the liquid may be executed
simultaneously. In this case a second amount of liquid may
additionally be dispensed in this step, but this second dispensed
amount of liquid preferably is very limited. It is preferred that
the second amount is smaller than 10 to 15% of the entire amount of
liquid to be dispensed in one dose.
[0082] During dispensing, the dispensing pressure of the propellant
gas in the liquid container can in embodiments of the invention
preferably be controlled by controlling the flow rate of the
propellant gas flowing from the gas container into the liquid
container. For controlling the pressure in the liquid container
during dispensing may, however, be carried out in other ways as
well, for example by using an additional gas supply, optionally an
external gas container, to provide the necessary amount of gas for
this purpose.
[0083] Although in the foregoing, several preferred embodiments of
the dispensing unit and the dispensing method according to the
invention have been illustrated, the present invention is not in
any way limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the
description and the drawings and many variations thereof are
possible within the scope of the invention defined by the attached
claims.
[0084] In particular, the single operating lever of the dispensing
unit may be carried out by providing two independent operating
levers or other operating means for each operating range mentioned
above, i.e. a first operating lever for controlling the flow area
of the dispensing path for the liquid and a second operating lever
for controlling the flow are of the third gas channel (or the
common gas channel) for the propellant gas. Moreover, instead of
levers, any other kind of tool, such as a push button, a rotatable
knob, etc. may be used as an operating means for controlling the
flow rate of the liquid. The slider element 28 can be simplified,
for example be replaced by a resilient piece of plastic, which can
be forced onto and/or from the membrane by the lever 14 for opening
and/or closing the relevant channel(s), such as channel 30.
[0085] The pressure regulating means may also be designed
differently from the exemplary pressure regulator described above
with reference to the drawings, while providing the same function
of generating a regulated first pressure in the liquid container.
Such pressure regulating means are well-known in the art.
[0086] The dispensing unit 10 could be designed to fit within a
neck portion of a beverage container, or could at least partly be
integrated with a beverage container. The beverage container could
be of a bag in container design, wherein the beverage can be
contained within a flexible bag suspended in the beverage
container, for example connected to the dispensing device 10,
surrounding the second mounting means, which can contain the gas
container 33, wherein the second channel 25b, 30, 130 opens into a
space between the bag and the beverage container. The dispense tube
64 or 19 can be elongated and extended well beyond the periphery of
the beverage container, and can be provided with an in line valve
or the like.
[0087] These and many other variants, including but not limited to
all combinations of parts of embodiments described and discussed,
are considered to have been disclosed herein and fall within the
scope of the present disclosure and/or claims as appending to this
description.
* * * * *