Valve assembly for use in dispensing beverage

• US 20050045662A1
• Filed: 12/12/2002
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Heineken Technical Services B.V.
• Original Assignee: Heineken Technical Services B.V.
• Inventors: Raats, Paul Henri
• Granted Patent: US 6,942,127 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/400.700
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/067 combined with a valve, a tap or a piercer
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0462 Squeezing collapsible or flexible beverage containers, e.g. bag-in-box containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0802 Dip tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0832 with two valves disposed concentrically
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/314 Unitary mounting for gas pressure inlet and liquid outlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6137 Longitudinal movement of valve

Abstract

A valve assembly for a container with an inner bag for receiving beverage, in particular carbonated beverage such as beer, wherein a beverage valve is provided with a communication with the inner space of the bag and means for operation of the beverage valve by a tapping device in which the container is receivable, the beverage valve being partly surrounded by an upstanding first apron which is gas-tight, while, spaced therefrom, a second gas-tight apron is situated, and between the first and the second apron a bottom wall with at least one gas passage opening is provided which during use is in communication with the space enclosed between the inner bag and the container, such that during use between the two aprons a chamber is formed through which gas under pressure can be forced through the gas passage opening, separately from the beverage.

Claims

1. A valve assembly for a container in which an inner bag is provided for receiving beverage, in particular carbonated beverage such as beer, wherein a beverage valve is provided which on the side facing the inner bag is provided with a communication with the inner space of the bag and on the opposite side is provided with means for operation of the beverage valve by a tapping device in which the container is receivable, wherein the beverage valve, on the opposite side, is surrounded by an upstanding first apron which is gas-tight, while along the outer side of said first apron, at a distance therefrom, a second apron is situated, also gas-tight, while between the first and the second apron a bottom wall with at least one gas passage opening is provided which during use is in communication with the space enclosed between the inner bag and a container surrounding the inner bag, the arrangement being such that during use a collar of a connecting element abuts gas-tightly and liquid-tightly against the second apron, while a dispensing element abuts gas-tightly and liquid-tightly against the first apron, so that between the two aprons a chamber is formed through which gas under pressure can be forced through said at least one gas passage opening, separately from the beverage.

2. A valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first apron is higher than the second apron.

3. A valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second apron are arranged concentrically with respect to the beverage valve.

4. A valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the beverage valve comprises a valve body having a frontal surface, facing the first apron, that is greater than the cross-sectional surface of the channel enclosed by the first apron, and wherein the end of the first apron facing the valve body defines a valve seat for the valve body.

5. A valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the beverage valve comprises a valve body which is biased in the direction of a valve seat defined adjacent the lower end of the first apron in a tubular body surrounding the valve body and connecting to said first apron, at least to the bottom wall, wherein the valve body comprises spacer means for forming passage openings between the valve body and said tubular body, at least with the beverage valve open.

6. A valve assembly according to claim 5, wherein said valve body is biased by spring means which are supported on a closing element which has been fitted from the end situated opposite the first apron into the tubular body and has been secured therein.

7. A valve assembly according to claim 6, wherein the closing element has been secured by resilient projections engaging in openings.

8. A valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein around the second apron, on the side remote from the first apron, a third apron is provided which, on the outer side thereof, is provided with first coupling means for cooperation with complementary means in the container, in particular screw thread or bayonet means and with second coupling means for coupling to the connecting element.

9. An assembly of a valve assembly according to any claim 1 and a connecting element for coupling thereto, wherein the connecting element is provided, on a first side thereof, with a collar which in a condition of use abuts gas-tightly and liquid-tightly against the second apron, while within the collar a dispensing element is situated which extends as far as the second side of the connecting element and is movable in the direction of the beverage valve, relative to the collar, which dispensing element is substantially hollow and on the second side links up with a dispensing hose or tube and on the first side is provided with a connecting edge which can cooperate gas-tightly and liquid-tightly with the first apron, while a gas channel extends from the second side of the connecting element, reaching into a chamber enclosed during use between the first apron, the second apron, the bottom wall, and the connecting element, such that via this gas channel gas under pressure can be forced through the at least one gas passage opening, while by pressing the dispensing element down against the beverage valve, the beverage valve can be opened for dispensing beverage, through the dispensing element and the dispensing hose or tube.

10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the gas channel, on the second side, terminates next to a passage opening through which the dispensing element extends.

11. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the dispensing element on the first side is provided with a slightly flexible edge which abuts sealingly against the inner side of the first apron, which edge preferably reaches outwardly to some extent.

12. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the connecting element comprises, within the collar, a second collar, around the dispensing element, which second collar sealingly engages the upper longitudinal edge and/or the outer side of the first apron.

13. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the connecting element comprises a chamber in which the dispensing hose or tube is receivable.

14. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the connecting element is provided with counter-coupling means for coupling with second coupling means provided on a third apron of the valve assembly, for securing the connecting element on the valve assembly.

15. A container in which an inner bag is provided for receiving beverage, in particular carbonated beverage such as beer, in which is provided a valve assembly according to claim 1 or an assembly according to claim 9.

16. A method for using a container according to claim 15, provided with an assembly according to claim 9, wherein in a neck of the container the valve assembly is secured, with the inner bag secured to the valve assembly, after which the inner bag is filled through the valve assembly along the beverage valve, with connecting element removed, whereafter subsequently the connecting element is secured on the valve assembly and/or the container, with the beverage valve closed.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein after fitting the connecting element, the container is placed in a tapping device and subsequently a gas is introduced through the at least one gas passage opening between the inner bag and the surrounding container for compressing the inner bag, thereby displacing the beverage present in the inner bag, upon opening of the beverage valve.