Systems for storing beverages

• US 9,156,670 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2014
• Issued: 10/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Drink Tanks Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nicholas Hill
• Inventors: Hill, Nicholas, Herrick, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicolas, Frederick C
• Application Number:
  US14/515,394
• Publication Number:
  US 20150041499A1
• Time in Patent Office: 363 Days
• Field of Search: 222/131, 222/183, 222/386.5, 222/389, 222/387, 222/396, 222/397, 222/400.7, 222/464.1, 222/465.1, 222/542, 222/558, 220/737, 220739-740, 220/758, 215395-397
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/12 Vessels or pots for table use
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/2266 Means for facilitating drinking, e.g. for infants or invalids
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/2817 fixed by means of one or more collars
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/38 Devices for discharging contents containers formed by folding or erecting paper blanks B65D5/72 ; incorporated in removable or non-permanently secured closure members B65D47/00; for discharging thin flat articles B65D83/08
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/48 Separable nozzles or spouts
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 45/06 associated with toggle levers, e.g. swing stopper arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/32 with means for venting
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/2053 in an least partially rigid container
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/04 Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers
• 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 1/0804 Shape or materials
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0835 with one valve
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/125 Safety means, e.g. over-pressure valves
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1277 Flow control valves
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0822 Pressurised rigid containers, e.g. kegs, figals
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0825 details of dip tube
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0029 provided with holders for bottles or similar containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0051 dispensing by tilting

Abstract

Systems for storing beverages are disclosed, which include a container for storing, transporting and dispensing a beverage, e.g. beer. In some implementations the container includes a pressure-tight lid closure system including wire bails.

Claims

1. A beverage storage system comprising:

a container body comprising a vacuum sealed metal vessel having a rim which has a non-planar surface,

a lid having a threaded portion and a gas inlet valve; and

an annular elastomeric seal interposed between a bottom surface of the lid and the rim and configured to seal against the non-planar surface of the rim.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the lid further comprises a pressure relief valve.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the gas inlet valve comprises a pressure inlet fitting configured to receive a gas delivery device.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the pressure inlet fitting comprises a portion configured to actuate a pressure delivery device.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the pressure inlet fitting is removable.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the container body has a volume of less than 3 liters.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the container body is double-walled.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric seal has a beveled surface configured for engagement with the non-planar surface.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the seal is disposed in an annular channel in the bottom surface of the lid.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the container body includes a generally cylindrical neck region and the channel includes a sidewall configured to abut an outer surface of the neck region.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a dispensing device in fluid communication with the body.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the dispensing device comprises a tubular conduit disposed outside of the body.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the dispensing device further comprises an actuating handle at a distal end of the tubular conduit, configured to allow a user to regulate flow from the dispensing device.

14. The system of claim 1 further comprising a handle mounted on the container body.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the handle is mounted on a retention element that is maintained in a fixed position on the container body.

16. The system of claim 2 wherein the pressure relief valve comprises an umbrella valve.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the gas inlet valve comprises an elastomeric duckbill valve.

18. A beverage storage system comprising:

a container body comprising a vacuum sealed metal vessel having a rim which has a non-planar surface,

a lid having a gas inlet valve; and

an annular elastomeric seal disposed in an annular channel in the bottom surface of the lid and configured to seal against the non-planar surface of the rim;

wherein the container body includes a generally cylindrical neck region and the channel includes a sidewall configured to abut an outer surface of the neck region.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the container body is double-walled.