Tapping device and container therefor, and method for the manufacture thereof

• US 7,661,556 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2001
• Issued: 02/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Heineken Technical Services B.V.
• Original Assignee: Heineken Technical Services B.V.
• Inventors: Bax, Bart Jan, van Duuren, Marius Corstiaan, van der Klaauw, Guido Petrus Johannes
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicolas; Frederick C.
• Application Number:
  US10/297,071
• Publication Number:
  US 20040069368A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,185 Days
• Field of Search: 222/1, 222/146.6, 222/105, 222/129.1, 222/129.2, 222/129.3, 222/183, 222/131, 222/400.7, 222/400.8, 222/386.5, 222/394, 222/399, 222/396, 623/89, 623/99
• US Class Current: 222/1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0406 with means for carbonating the beverage, or for maintaining its carbonation B67D1/0418 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/06 Mountings or arrangements of dispensing apparatus in or on shop or bar counters shop or bar counters per se A47F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0861 the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0868 the cooling fluid being a gas
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0872 Aesthetics, advertising
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1405 Control taps
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00047 Piping
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00049 Pipes
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00062 Pipe joints
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00133 wheeled

Abstract

A tapping device (1) for beverage, including a cooling device and a tapping rod (8) with a tapping cock (14), the tapping rod including a first (50) and a second (52) channel, which channels are in fluid communication with each other adjacent the tapping cock (14), while at least during use a tapping line (48) extends through the second channel, which tapping line is coupled at one end with a container (6) for beverage and at the other end can cooperate with the tapping cock.

Claims

1. A method for dispensing a beverage, wherein a container comprising a beverage is provided, said container being provided with a primary valve with coupling means, for coupling to a source for a pressure fluid, while an at least partly flexible tapping hose is connected with said primary valve, wherein said tapping hose is provided, adjacent an end remote from said container, with a secondary valve fixedly connected to said hose which can be repeatedly opened and closed, wherein said container is positioned near a tapping device having a tapping cock, and a guide tube extending through said device towards said tapping cock, wherein at least a part of said at least partly flexible tapping hose is inserted into said guide tube in an insertion direction, said secondary valve facing forward seen in said insertion direction, in the direction of the tapping cock and is coupled with said tapping cock, wherein said beverage is dispensed from said container through said tapping hose and said valve, wherein after removal of at least part of said beverage from said container said tapping hose and said secondary valve are removed from said tapping cock and said guide tube and said container and said tapping hose, including said secondary valve are replaced.

2. A method for dispensing a beverage, wherein a container comprising a beverage is provided, said container being provided with a primary valve with coupling means, for coupling to a source for a pressure fluid, while an at least partly flexible tapping hose is connected with said primary valve, wherein said tapping hose is provided, adjacent an end remote from said container, with a leading end, wherein said container is positioned near a tapping device having a tapping cock, and a guide tube extending through said device towards said tapping cock, wherein at least a part of said at least partly flexible tapping hose is inserted into said guide tube in an insertion direction, said leading end facing forward seen in said insertion direction, in the direction of the tapping cock and is coupled with said tapping cock, wherein said beverage is dispensed from said container through said tapping hose, wherein after removal of at least part of said beverage from said container said tapping hose is removed from said tapping cock and said guide tube and said container and said tapping hose are replaced.

3. A method for dispensing a beverage, wherein a container comprising a beverage is provided, said container being provided with a primary valve, while an at least partly flexible tapping hose is connected with said primary valve, wherein said tapping hose is provided, adjacent an end remote from said container, with a secondary valve fixedly connected to said hose which can be repeatedly opened and closed, wherein said container is positioned near a tapping device having a tapping cock, and a guide tube extending through said device towards said tapping cock, wherein at least a part of said at least partly flexible tapping hose is inserted into said guide tube in an insertion direction, said secondary valve facing forward seen in said insertion direction, in the direction of the tapping cock and is coupled with said tapping cock, wherein said beverage is dispensed from said container through said tapping hose and said valve, wherein after removal of at least part of said beverage from said container said tapping hose and said secondary valve are removed from said tapping cock and from said guide tube, and said container and said tapping hose, including said secondary valve, are replaced.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the secondary valve is laid in the tapping cock, for cooperation with an operating mechanism of the tapping cock.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the tapping cock cooperates with the secondary valve, such that the secondary valve can be opened and closed by means of the tapping cock for the purpose of clearing a fluid passage from the hose to the surroundings.

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein the container is supplied with the hose with the secondary valve connected thereto.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the hose is removed together with the container.

8. A method for dispensing a beverage, wherein a container comprising a beverage is provided, said container being provided with a primary valve, while an at least partly flexible tapping hose is connected with said primary valve, wherein said tapping hose is provided, adjacent an end remote from said container, with a leading end, wherein said container is positioned near a tapping device having a tapping cock, and a guide tube extending through said device towards said tapping cock, wherein at least a part of said at least partly flexible tapping hose is inserted into said guide tube in an insertion direction, said leading end facing forward seen in said insertion direction, in the direction of the tapping cock and is coupled with said tapping cock, wherein said beverage is dispensed from said container through said tapping hose, wherein after removal of at least part of said beverage from said container said tapping hose is removed from said tapping cock and said guide tube and said container and said tapping hose are replaced.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said tapping hose has, adjacent the leading end, a secondary valve, which secondary valve is coupled with an operating mechanism of the tapping cock, such that the secondary valve can be opened and closed with the operating mechanism.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the secondary valve is laid in the tapping cock, for cooperation with the operating mechanism of the tapping cock.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein the leading end is positioned in the tapping cock, thus forming a hose cock with an operating mechanism of the tapping cock.

12. A method according to claim 8, wherein the container is supplied with the hose connected thereto.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the hose is removed together with the container.