Systems and methods for dispensing a beverage stored in a collapsible beverage container

Abstract

A beverage dispensing system (10) for dispensing a beverage stored in a collapsible beverage container (18) comprising a base part (14), a beverage container connector for connecting to a beverage outlet of said collapsible beverage container (18), and a lid (12) connectable to said base part (14), in which said lid (12) and said base part (14) define a sealed inner space (16) for accommodating and encapsulating said collapsible beverage container (18), and in which said beverage dispensing system (10) further comprises a vacuum pump (32) in fluid communication with said inner space (16), thereby collapsing said collapsible beverage container (18) and forcing said beverage out of the collapsible beverage container (18) through a tapping line (26) and out through a tapping device (28).

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing system for dispensing a beverage stored in a collapsible beverage container, said collapsible beverage container defining a beverage filled space, a gas-filled head space and a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage filled space for extracting said beverage from said beverage filled space, said beverage dispensing system comprising: a base part including a beverage container connector for connecting to said beverage outlet of said collapsible beverage container; a tapping device for extracting said beverage from said beverage filled space and a tapping line extending from said beverage container connector to said tapping device; and a lid connectable to said base part, said lid and said base part defining a sealed inner space for accommodating and encapsulating said collapsible beverage container, wherein said lid is flexible and said beverage dispensing system further comprises a vacuum pump in fluid communication with said inner space for depressurizing said inner space for causing said flexible lid to apply a force onto said collapsible beverage container, thereby collapsing said collapsible beverage container and forcing said beverage from said beverage filled space through said tapping line and out through said tapping device.

2. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said flexible lid is made of an elastic material such as rubber or alternatively wherein said flexible lid is made of a non-elastic flexible material such as plastic.

3. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said beverage dispensing system includes a plurality of base parts and a plurality of lids connectable to said base parts.

4. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said beverage from said beverage filled space of said collapsible beverage container is a carbonated beverage.

5. The beverage dispensing system of claim 4, wherein the carbonated beverage is beer.

6. The beverage dispensing system of claim 4, wherein the collapsible beverage container is made of polymeric material or plastic.

7. A method of dispensing a beverage stored in a collapsible beverage container by using a beverage dispensing system, said collapsible beverage container defining a beverage filled space, a gas-filled head space and a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage filled space for extracting said beverage from said beverage filled space, the method comprising: providing a base part including a beverage container connector for connecting to said beverage outlet of said collapsible beverage container; providing a tapping device for extracting said beverage and a tapping line extending from said container connector to said tapping device; providing a lid connectable to said base part, said lid and said base part defining an inner space for accommodating said collapsible beverage container; accommodating and encapsulating said collapsible beverage container in said inner space, wherein said lid is flexible; providing a vacuum pump in fluid communication with said inner space; and depressurizing said inner space by using said vacuum pump, thereby causing said flexible lid to apply a force onto said collapsible beverage container for collapsing said collapsible beverage container and forcing said beverage from said beverage filled space through said tapping line and out through said tapping device.

8. A beverage dispensing system comprising: a first beverage dispensing system for dispensing a beverage stored in a collapsible beverage container, said collapsible beverage container defining a beverage filled space, a gas-filled head space and a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage filled space for extracting said beverage from said beverage filled space, said first beverage dispensing system comprising: a base part including a beverage container connector for connecting to said beverage outlet of said collapsible beverage container, and a lid connectable to said base part, said lid and said base part defining a sealed inner space for accommodating and encapsulating said collapsible beverage container, wherein said lid is flexible and said first beverage dispensing system further comprises a vacuum pump in fluid communication with said inner space for depressurizing said inner space for causing said flexible lid to apply a force onto said collapsible beverage container, thereby collapsing said collapsible beverage container and forcing said beverage from said beverage filled space; and a second beverage dispensing system for dispensing a beverage stored in a collapsible beverage container, said collapsible beverage container defining a beverage filled space, a gas-filled head space and a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage filled space for extracting said beverage from said beverage filled space, said second beverage dispensing system comprising: a base part including a beverage container connector for connecting to said beverage outlet of said collapsible beverage container, and a lid connectable to said base part, said lid and said base part defining a sealed inner space for accommodating and encapsulating said collapsible beverage container, wherein said lid is rigid and said second beverage dispensing system further comprises a compressor in fluid communication with said inner space for pressurizing said inner space for applying a force onto said collapsible beverage container, collapsing said collapsible beverage container and forcing said beverage from said beverage filled space.

9. The beverage dispensing system of claim 8, wherein the beverage dispensing system comprises a tapping device for extracting said beverage from any of said beverage filled spaces and a common tapping line extending from any of said beverage container connectors to said tapping device.

10. The beverage dispensing system of claim 8, wherein the first beverage dispensing system or the second beverage dispensing system includes a plurality of base parts and a plurality of lids connectable to said base parts.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1A is a beverage dispensing system having a flexible and elastic lid including a filled keg.

(2) FIG. 1B is a beverage dispensing system having a flexible and elastic lid during dispensing.

(3) FIG. 1C is a beverage dispensing system having a flexible and elastic lid including an empty keg.

(4) FIG. 2A is a beverage dispensing system having a flexible pressure chamber including a filled keg.

(5) FIG. 2B is a beverage dispensing system having a flexible pressure chamber during dispensing.

(6) FIG. 2C is a beverage dispensing system having a flexible pressure chamber including an empty keg.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(7) FIG. 1A shows a side view of a beverage dispensing system 10 having a pressure chamber comprising an elastic lid 12 and a rigid base part 14, which are sealed together establishing an inner volume 16 including a filled beverage container 18. The beverage container 18, also known as keg, is of the collapsible type made of a collapsible polymeric material, thus the term collapsible beverage container. The collapsible beverage container 18 defines a beverage filled space containing beverage 20, typically being a carbonated beverage such as beer. The beverage container 18 also typically defines a gas filled head space 22.

(8) The elastic lid 12 and the rigid base part 14 are separable but during operation they are sealed together for defining the inner volume 16 for accommodating the beverage container 18. The elastic lid 12 may e.g. be made of rubber. The beverage container 18 defines a beverage outlet 24 which is connected to a tapping line 26 which extends through the base part 14 to a tapping device 28. The base part 14 includes a beverage container connector (not shown) for connecting to said beverage outlet 24 of said collapsible beverage container. The tapping device 28 includes a tapping valve which may be operated by a handle for enabling and disabling a flow of beverage from the beverage container 18 through the tapping line 26 and tapping device 28 to beverage glass 30.

(9) The base part 14 is also connected to a vacuum pump 32. The vacuum pump 32 is capable of removing air from the sealed inner volume 16 between the beverage container 18 and the pressure chamber comprising elastic lid 12 and base part 14 in order to establish a sub-atmospheric pressure inside inner volume 16. As the elastic lid 12 is flexible, it will yield to the force established by the pressure difference between the atmospheric pressure outside the pressure chamber and the sub-atmospheric pressure inside the inner volume 16. When the tapping device 28 is enabling beverage flow, the force will cause the elastic pressure lid 12 to yield and apply a force onto the beverage container 18, which will start to collapse as beverage is forced out of the beverage container 18 and towards the tapping device 28.

(10) FIG. 1B shows a side view of a beverage dispensing system 10 having a pressure chamber comprising an elastic lid 12 during dispensing. When a significant volume of beverage has been dispensed, the beverage container 18 will have collapsed and the elastic lid 12 will have assumed a tight fit about the beverage container 18.

(11) FIG. 1C shows a side view of a beverage dispensing system 10 having a pressure chamber comprising an elastic lid 12 including an empty beverage container 18. When all of the beverage in the beverage container 18 has been dispensed, the beverage container 18 will be fully collapsed or compressed while the elastic lid 12 has assumed a tight fit about the beverage container 18. Now, the elastic lid 12 may be removed from the base part 14 and the beverage container 18 may be exchanged. Thereafter, dispensing operations may be resumed.

(12) FIG. 2A shows a side view of a beverage dispensing system 10′ having a pressure chamber comprising non-elastic lid 12′ including a filled beverage container 18. The present beverage dispensing system 10′ is similar to the previous embodiment except that the flexible lid 12′ is non-elastic or substantially non-elastic. It may e.g. be made of soft plastic materials.

(13) FIG. 2B shows a side view of a beverage dispensing system 10′ having a pressure chamber comprising non-elastic lid 12′ during dispensing. The present beverage dispensing system 10′ is similar to the previous embodiment except that the lid 12′ will not form a tight fit about the collapsing beverage container 18 but instead be folded about the beverage container 18 during dispensing.

(14) FIG. 2C shows a side view of a beverage dispensing system 10′ having a pressure chamber comprising non-elastic lid 12′ including an empty beverage container 18. When all of the beverage in the beverage container 18 has been dispensed, the beverage container 18 will be fully collapsed or compressed whereas the lid 12′ has been folded about the beverage container 18. Now, the flexible lid 12′ may be removed from the base part 14 and the beverage container 18 may be exchanged. Thereafter, dispensing operations may be resumed.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

(15) 10. Beverage dispensing system 12. Flexible lid 14. Rigid base part 16. Inner volume 18. Beverage container 20. Beverage 22. Head space 24. Beverage outlet 26. Tapping line 28. Tapping device 30. Glass 32. Vacuum pump

(16) The invention is characterized by the following points:

(17) 1. A beverage dispensing system for dispensing a beverage stored in a collapsible beverage container, said collapsible beverage container defining a beverage filled space, a gas-filled head space and a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage filled space for extracting said beverage from said beverage filled space, said beverage dispensing system comprising: a base part including a beverage container connector for connecting to said beverage outlet of said collapsible beverage container, a tapping device for extracting said beverage from said beverage filled space and a tapping line extending from said beverage container connector to said tapping device, and a lid connectable to said base part, said lid and said base part defining a sealed inner space for accommodating and encapsulating said collapsible beverage container,
wherein said lid is flexible and said beverage dispensing system further comprises a vacuum pump in fluid communication with said inner space for depressurizing said inner space for causing said flexible lid to apply a force onto said collapsible beverage container, thereby collapsing said collapsible beverage container and forcing said beverage from said beverage filled space through said tapping line and out through said tapping device.

(18) 2. The beverage dispensing system according to point 1, wherein said flexible lid is made of an elastic material such as rubber or alternatively wherein said flexible lid is made of a non-elastic flexible material such as plastic.

(19) 3. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the preceding points, wherein said beverage dispensing system includes a plurality of base parts and a plurality of lids connectable to said base parts.

(20) 4. The beverage dispensing system according to any of the preceding points, wherein said beverage from said beverage filled space of said collapsible beverage container is a carbonated beverage preferably beer, said collapsible beverage container preferably being made of polymeric material such as plastic.

(21) 5. A method of dispensing a beverage stored in a collapsible beverage container by using a beverage dispensing system, said collapsible beverage container defining a beverage filled space, a gas-filled head space and a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage filled space for extracting said beverage from said beverage filled space, the method comprising: providing a base part including a beverage container connector for connecting to said beverage outlet of said collapsible beverage container, providing a tapping device for extracting said beverage and a tapping line extending from said container connector to said tapping device, providing a lid connectable to said base part, said lid and said base part defining an inner space for accommodating said collapsible beverage container, and accommodating and encapsulating said collapsible beverage container in said inner space, wherein said lid is flexible and the method further comprises the steps of: providing a vacuum pump in fluid communication with said inner space, and depressurizing said inner space by using said vacuum pump, thereby causing said flexible lid to apply a force onto said collapsible beverage container for collapsing said collapsible beverage container and forcing said beverage from said beverage filled space through said tapping line and out through said tapping device.

(22) 6. A beverage dispensing system for dispensing a beverage stored in a collapsible beverage container, said collapsible beverage container defining a beverage filled space, a gas-filled head space and a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage filled space for extracting said beverage from said beverage filled space, said beverage dispensing system comprising: a base part including a beverage container connector for connecting to said beverage outlet of said collapsible beverage container, a tapping device for extracting said beverage from said beverage filled space and a tapping line extending from said beverage container connector to said tapping device, and a lid connectable to said base part, said lid and said base part defining a sealed inner space for accommodating and encapsulating said collapsible beverage container, wherein said lid is rigid and said beverage dispensing system further comprises a compressor in fluid communication with said inner space for pressurizing said inner space for applying a force onto said collapsible beverage container, collapsing said collapsible beverage container and forcing said beverage from said beverage filled space through said tapping line and out through said tapping device.

(23) 7. A beverage dispensing system comprising:

(24) i) a first beverage dispensing system for dispensing a beverage stored in a collapsible beverage container, said collapsible beverage container defining a beverage filled space, a gas-filled head space and a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage filled space for extracting said beverage from said beverage filled space, said first beverage dispensing system comprising: a base part including a beverage container connector for connecting to said beverage outlet of said collapsible beverage container, a lid connectable to said base part, said lid and said base part defining a sealed inner space for accommodating and encapsulating said collapsible beverage container, wherein said lid is flexible and said first beverage dispensing system further comprises a vacuum pump in fluid communication with said inner space for depressurizing said inner space for causing said flexible lid to apply a force onto said collapsible beverage container, thereby collapsing said collapsible beverage container and forcing said beverage from said beverage filled space, and
ii) a second beverage dispensing system for dispensing a beverage stored in a collapsible beverage container, said collapsible beverage container defining a beverage filled space, a gas-filled head space and a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage filled space for extracting said beverage from said beverage filled space, said second beverage dispensing system comprising: a base part including a beverage container connector for connecting to said beverage outlet of said collapsible beverage container, a lid connectable to said base part, said lid and said base part defining a sealed inner space for accommodating and encapsulating said collapsible beverage container, wherein said lid is rigid and said second beverage dispensing system further comprises a compressor in fluid communication with said inner space for pressurizing said inner space for applying a force onto said collapsible beverage container, collapsing said collapsible beverage container and forcing said beverage from said beverage filled space.

(25) 8. The beverage dispensing system according to point 7, wherein the beverage dispensing system comprises a tapping device for extracting said beverage from any of said beverage filled spaces and a common tapping line extending from any of said beverage container connectors to said tapping device.

(26) 9. The beverage dispensing system of points 7 or 8, wherein the first or second beverage system includes a plurality of base parts and a plurality of lids connectable to said base parts.