BEVERAGE DISPENSING APPARATUS

• US 20120187153A1
• Filed: 07/16/2010
• Published: 07/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Coopers Brewery Limited
• Original Assignee: Coopers Brewery Limited
• Inventors: Wallace, Allan K., Burge, Paul Andrew, Harris, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 9,051,167 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/386.5
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0462 Squeezing collapsible or flexible beverage containers, e.g. bag-in-box containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0831 combined with valves
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0828 in pressurised housing

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refillable keg assembly for use in dispensing beverages, in particular beer. The keg assembly comprises an outer shell, and a collapsible container for holding the beverage, positionable within the outer shell. A sealed cavity is defined between the outer shell and the collapsible container. A beverage outlet from the collapsible container enables beer to be dispensed from the keg assembly, and a gas valve allows gas to enter the cavity. The pressure in the container is maintained above atmospheric pressure, and when dispensing the beverage, pressure in the cavity collapses the collapsible container and forces the beverage out through the beverage outlet. A gas compressor is connected to the gas valve, and is activated by a pressure switch to maintain the pressure within the cavity. To refill the keg assembly, the collapsible container can be replaced, and a new collapsible container filled whilst within the outer shell.

Claims

1. A refillable keg assembly for a beverage, comprising:

an outer shell;

a collapsible container for holding the beverage, positionable within the outer shell;

a sealed cavity defined between the outer shell and the collapsible container;

a beverage outlet from the collapsible container; and

a gas valve for allowing gas to enter the cavity,

whereby, when dispensing the beverage, pressure in the cavity collapses the collapsible container and forces the beverage out through the beverage outlet.

2. The refillable keg assembly of claim 1, wherein gas in the cavity is maintained at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure

3. The refillable keg assembly of claim 1, further comprising a tap connected to the beverage outlet for dispensing the beverage.

4. The refillable keg assembly of claim 1, further comprising a gas compressor connected to the gas valve, for forcing gas into the cavity.

5. The refillable keg assembly of claim 4, further comprising a pressure activating switch for activating the compressor when the pressure in the cavity decreases below a threshold pressure, thereby allowing the compressor to maintain the pressure in the cavity.

6. The refillable keg assembly of claim 1, further comprising a dip tube within the collapsible container, to provide a non-blocking channel from near the bottom of the collapsible container to the beverage outlet.

7. The refillable keg assembly of claim 6, further comprising a helical passage from the top of the dip tube to the beverage outlet, which acts as a flow constrictor to restrict the flow rate as the beverage is dispensed from the beverage outlet.

8. The refillable keg assembly of any claim 1, further comprising a relief valve to allow pressure to be relieved from the collapsible container and prevent the collapsible container from rupturing.

9. The refillable keg assembly of claim 1, wherein the collapsible container is replaceable in order to refill the keg assembly.

10. The refillable keg assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cap to the outer shell, the gas valve and the beverage outlet being located within the cap, and the cap being adapted to connect to the collapsible container such that the collapsible container locates within the outer shell.

11. The keg of claim 10, wherein the cap includes one or more removable cap components, such that removal of the one or more components creates a beverage inlet for filling the collapsible container within the keg.

12. The refillable keg assembly of claim 1, wherein the beverage is beer.

13. A dispenser adapted for connection to the refillable keg assembly of claim 1, the dispenser comprising an internal cavity for receiving the refillable keg assembly.

14. The dispenser of claim 13, further comprising:

a tap for connection to the beverage outlet, to dispense the beverage;

a gas compressor for connection to the gas valve, to maintain the pressure within the cavity; and

a refrigeration device for chilling the beverage.

15. The dispenser of claim 14, further comprising a pressure activating switch for activating the compressor when the pressure in the cavity decreases below a threshold pressure, thereby allowing the compressor to maintain the pressure in the cavity.

16. A keg for connection to a replaceable, collapsible container for holding a beverage, the collapsible container located in use within the keg and defining a sealed cavity between an outer wall of the bag and an inner wall of the keg, the keg comprising:

a beverage outlet for allowing the beverage to flow from the collapsible container; and

a gas valve for allowing gas to enter the cavity,

whereby, when dispensing the beverage, pressure in the cavity collapses the collapsible container and forces the beverage out through the beverage outlet.

17. The keg of claim 16, further comprising a cap, the gas valve and the beverage outlet being located within the cap, and the cap being adapted to connect to the collapsible container such that, in use, the collapsible container locates within the keg.

18. The keg of claim 17, wherein the cap includes one or more removable cap components, such that removal of the one or more components creates a beverage inlet for filling the collapsible container within the keg.

19. The keg of any one of claims 16, wherein the beverage is beer.

20. A method of refilling a beer keg, comprising:

removing an emptied collapsible container from within the beer keg;

inserting a new collapsible container into the beer keg; and

filling the new collapsible container.