Device for dispensing a liquid under pressure
First Claim
1. A device (1, 101, 201, 301) for dispensing a fluid, comprising a container having a first compartment (4, 104, 204, 304), an a second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316), the first compartment (4, 104, 204, 304) being arranged for receiving the fluid (3) to be dispensed, and the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) being arranged for receiving a propellant, while, at least during use, an opening (19) is provided between the first (4, 104, 204, 304) and the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316), pressure control means (8;
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17, 117, 217, 317) being arranged for controlling during use the pressure of propellant flowing from the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) into the first compartment (4, 104, 204, 304), while in the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) fillers (20) are provided for absorbing and/or adsorbing at least part of the propellant, wherein the propellant contains at least carbon dioxide (CO2), while the fillers (20) comprise at least activated carbon, characterized in that the fluid (3) to be dispensed is a carbonated beverage, in particular beer, the pressure control means (B;
17, 117, 217, 317) being set for providing and maintaining in the first compartment (4, 104, 204, 304) an excess pressure between 0.1 and 2 bar, more particularly between 0.2 and 1 bar, and preferably about 0.7 bar relative to the surroundings.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for storing and dispensing carbonated beverages such as beer is provided. The device has a fluid compartment and a propellant compartment which are connected through a pressure control means. The pressure control means delivers propellant from the propellant compartment to the fluid compartment as the beverage is withdrawn therefrom to maintain a desired excess equilibrium pressure of the propellant in the headspace of the fluid compartment. For carbonated beverages, the propellant is preferably relatively pure CO2, and also ensures proper carbonation to the beverage. A method of dispensing a carbonated beverage is also provided.
66 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A device (1, 101, 201, 301) for dispensing a fluid, comprising a container having a first compartment (4, 104, 204, 304), an a second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316), the first compartment (4, 104, 204, 304) being arranged for receiving the fluid (3) to be dispensed, and the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) being arranged for receiving a propellant, while, at least during use, an opening (19) is provided between the first (4, 104, 204, 304) and the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316), pressure control means (8;
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17, 117, 217, 317) being arranged for controlling during use the pressure of propellant flowing from the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) into the first compartment (4, 104, 204, 304), while in the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) fillers (20) are provided for absorbing and/or adsorbing at least part of the propellant, wherein the propellant contains at least carbon dioxide (CO2), while the fillers (20) comprise at least activated carbon, characterized in that the fluid (3) to be dispensed is a carbonated beverage, in particular beer, the pressure control means (B;
17, 117, 217, 317) being set for providing and maintaining in the first compartment (4, 104, 204, 304) an excess pressure between 0.1 and 2 bar, more particularly between 0.2 and 1 bar, and preferably about 0.7 bar relative to the surroundings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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17, 117, 217, 317) being arranged for controlling during use the pressure of propellant flowing from the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) into the first compartment (4, 104, 204, 304), while in the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) fillers (20) are provided for absorbing and/or adsorbing at least part of the propellant, wherein the propellant contains at least carbon dioxide (CO2), while the fillers (20) comprise at least activated carbon, characterized in that the fluid (3) to be dispensed is a carbonated beverage, in particular beer, the pressure control means (B;
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5. A device according to any one on the preceding claims, wherein per liter of carbonated beverage (3), between 2 and 20 grams, in particular between 6 and 18 grams, of activated carbon (20) are provided, wherein per liter of carbonated beverage (3), between 1 and 10 grams, in particular between 2 and 8 grams, of CO2 are included, associated to the fillers (20).
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11. A method for keeping fluid under pressure and dispensing said fluid, wherein the fluid is included in a container (2, 102, 202, 302), wherein a propellant is stored under relatively high pressure in a compartment (16, 116, 216, 316), wherein the compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) is brought into communication with the container (2, 102, 202, 302), such that with the aid of the propellant the fluid is pressurized and so maintained and can be dispensed via dispensing means (7;
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107, 307;
234, 235), wherein prior to the introduction of the propellant into the compartment a filler (20) is introduced into the compartment which filler (20) can absorb and/or adsorb at least part of the propellant, such that an amount of propellant is introduced into the compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) at a pressure which is considerably lower than the pressure that would arise in the same compartment with the same amount of propellant and under the same external conditions if the filler (20) had not been included therein, characterized in that the propellant is introduced into the compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) under a pressure of between 4 and 14 bar, more particularly between 5 and 12 bar, and preferably about 10 bar, measured at application temperature, while using pressure control means (8;
17, 117, 217, 317) the propellant, as the fluid is dispensed via the dispensing means, is dispensed at a pressure such that in the container (2, 102, 202, 302) an excess pressure is maintained between 0.1 and 1.5 bar, more particularly 0.2 and 1 bar, and preferably about 0.7 bar relative to the surroundings. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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107, 307;
Specification