CARTRIDGE CONTAINING A BEVERAGE INTENDED TO BE MOUNTED IN A DEVICE FOR STORING AND CONTROLLING THE OPENING AND CLOSING OF SAID CARTRIDGE, ASSOCIATED DEVICE, ASSEMBLY AND METHOD

Abstract

A device for the transport, storage, opening and closing of a cartridge capable of receiving a liquid, the cartridge being closed by a valve, includes a shell, a base, and a cap including a tubular body, a neck, a stopper, a safety system and a locking ring. The cartridge is intended to be mounted in such a device. A method for mounting such a cartridge in such a device is also included.

Claims

1. A device for transport, storage, opening and closing of a cartridge, the cartridge capable of receiving a liquid, the cartridge comprising: a wall defining a body; a bottom; and an opening, the opening being closed by a valve, the valve comprising: a fixed part secured to the opening; and a movable part, the movable part configured to slide with respect to the fixed part between an open position, in which the movable part is configured to allow passage of a liquid from an outside of the cartridge towards an inside of the cartridge or from the inside of the cartridge towards the outside of the cartridge, and a closed position, in which the movable part is configured to inhibit the passage of liquid, from the outside of the cartridge towards the inside of the cartridge, and from the inside of the cartridge towards the outside of the cartridge; an element for returning the movable part to the closed position wherein an upper end of the movable part of the valve projects beyond the opening of the cartridge, the device further comprising: a shell configured and dimensioned to receive the body of the cartridge, a lower end of the shell leaving free access to the bottom of the cartridge and an upper end of the shell leaving free access to the movable part of the valve, the cartridge being slidably mounted with respect to the shell, between a low position of the cartridge, in which the movable part of the valve is in the closed position, and a high position of the cartridge, in which the movable part of the valve is in the open position; a base, configured to be secured to the lower end of the shell, the base being dimensioned to close access to the bottom of the cartridge, the base comprising a pusher capable of moving from a rest position, in which the pusher does not exert any stress on the cartridge, to an activation position, in which the pusher is pressed on the bottom of the cartridge in order to slide the cartridge from the low position to the high position, the pusher being able to move from the rest position to the activation position due to pressure exerted by a user on the pusher; and a cap, configured to close the upper end of the shell and to control the opening and closing of the movable part of the valve, the cap comprising: a tubular body configured to receive the liquid leaving the cartridge via the valve, the tubular body comprising first coupling elements configured to secure the tubular body at the upper end of the movable part of the valve and second coupling elements configured to secure the tubular body to the upper end of the shell; a neck configured to receive the tubular body, the neck being secured with the tubular body, the neck comprising an open upper end; a stopper configured to close the open upper end of the neck, the stopper being intended to be removed to allow the liquid coming from the cartridge to be evacuated from the device; a safety system, slidably mounted opposite the neck, the safety system configured to move between a low position, in which the safety system inhibits the removal of the stopper and inhibits the activation of the pusher, and a high position, in which the stopper can be removed and the pusher can be activated; and a locking crown, mounted on the neck and rotating with respect to the neck, the locking crown configured to rotate from a first position, in which the crown inhibits displacement of the safety system from the low position of the safety system to the high position of the safety system, to a second position, in which the safety system is allowed to move from the low position of the safety system to the high position of the safety system.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the safety system comprises two substantially parallel rods whose upper ends are connected together by a ring portion, the ring portion being dimensioned to at least partially cover the stopper, the two rods configured to slide in rails provided in a wall of the neck, the two rods being dimensioned so that their lower ends are in contact with the fixed part of the valve when the safety system is in the low position of the safety system.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the locking crown comprises locking elements capable of maintaining the safety system in the low position when the locking crown is in the first position.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the locking elements comprise two cams provided on the crown, each cam accommodating a rod, each cam comprising a stop point in which the rod is engaged and inhibited from moving when the locking crown is in the first position, the rod disengaging from the stop point and becoming free to move when a user rotates the locking crown from the first position to the second position.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein a lower end of the tubular body being provided with a first radial flange and the upper end of the movable part of the valve being provided with a second radial flange, the first coupling elements comprise a plurality of screws and bolts intended to cooperate with a plurality of orifices provided in the first and second radial flanges and arranged facing each other in order to couple the first and second radial flanges together.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the upper end of the shell is provided with an internal thread, the second coupling elements comprise an external thread intended to cooperate with the internal thread of the upper end of the shell in order to secure the tubular body to the shell.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the lower end of the shell is provided with an internal thread, the base is provided with an external thread intended to cooperate with the internal thread of the shell in order to secure the base to the shell.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the shell is made of aluminum and is provided with portholes made of transparent plastic material, the internal threads of the upper end of the shell and the internal threads of the lower end of the shell being made of metal.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge being mounted within the device, and the device being in a storage configuration, the tubular body is coupled to the movable part of the valve of the cartridge, the tubular body is secured to the upper end of the shell, the cartridge is in the low position of the cartridge, the base is secured to the lower end of the shell, the stopper closes the open upper end of the neck, the safety system is in the low position of the safety system, the locking crown is in the first position.

10. An assembly comprising a device according to claim 1 and a cartridge for mounting in the device, the cartridge comprising: a wall defining a body; a bottom; and an opening, the opening being closed by a valve, the valve comprising: a fixed part secured to the opening; and a movable part, the movable part being able to slide with respect to the fixed part between an open position, in which the movable part is configured to allow the passage of a liquid from the outside of the cartridge to the inside of the cartridge or from the inside of the cartridge to the outside of the cartridge, and a closed position, in which the movable part is configured to inhibit the passage of liquid, from the outside of the cartridge to the inside of the cartridge, and from the inside of the cartridge to the outside of the cartridge; an element of returning the movable part in the closed position, wherein an upper end of the movable part of the valve projects beyond the opening of the cartridge.

11. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein the wall of the cartridge is made of glass.

12. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein the movable part of the valve of the cartridge comprises at a lower end of the valve a valve stop of conical shape configured to cause a wedge effect with respect to the liquid contained in the cartridge.

13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the valve stop has a ribbed wall.

14. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein the cartridge contains a carbonated beverage.

15. A method for mounting a cartridge according to claim 10 wherein the method comprises: A) the following elements are disposed, separated from each other: the cartridge, the shell, the cap, and the base; B) the cartridge is inserted into the shell through the lower end of the shell, until the opening of the cartridge abuts against a shoulder of the shell formed around a free access formed by the upper end of the shell, the upper end of the movable part of the valve projecting beyond the upper end of the shell; C) the tubular body of the cap is secured to the upper end of the movable part of the valve via the first coupling elements; D) the tubular body is secured to the shell via the second coupling elements; and E) the base is secured to the lower end of the shell.

16. A cartridge for mounting in a device according to claim 1, the cartridge comprising: a wall defining a body; a bottom; and an opening, the opening being closed by a valve, the valve comprising: a fixed part secured to the opening; and a movable part, the movable part being capable of sliding with respect to the fixed part between an open position, in which the movable part is configured to allow the passage of a liquid from the outside of the cartridge towards the inside of the cartridge or from the inside of the cartridge towards the outside of the cartridge, and a closed position, in which the movable part is configured to inhibit the passage of liquid, from the outside of the cartridge to the inside of the cartridge, and from the inside of the cartridge to the outside of the cartridge; a return element of the movable part in the closed position; wherein an upper end of the movable part of the valve projects beyond the opening of the cartridge.

17. The cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the wall of the cartridge is made of glass.

18. The cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the movable part of the valve of the cartridge comprises at a lower end of the valve a valve stop of conical shape configured to cause a wedge effect with respect to the liquid contained in the cartridge.

19. The cartridge according to claim 18, wherein the valve stop has a ribbed wall.

20. The cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the cartridge contains a carbonated beverage.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0058] In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0059] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a device comprising a cartridge according to the present disclosure;

[0060] FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of the movable part of the cartridge valve of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure;

[0061] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the fixed part of the cartridge valve of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure;

[0062] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure;

[0063] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the shell of the device of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure;

[0064] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the base of the device of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure;

[0065] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the cap of the device of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure;

[0066] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the tubular body of the cap of FIG. 6 according to the present disclosure;

[0067] FIG. 7B is a sectional view of the tubular body of FIG. 7A according to the present disclosure;

[0068] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the neck of the cap of FIG. 6 according to the present disclosure;

[0069] FIG. 8B is a side view of the neck of FIG. 6 according to the present disclosure,

[0070] FIG. 8C is a sectional view of the neck of FIG. 8B along the plane I-I according to the present disclosure;

[0071] FIG. 8D is a bottom view of the neck of FIG. 8A according to the present disclosure;

[0072] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the safety system of the cap of FIG. 6 according to the present disclosure;

[0073] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the locking crown of the cap of FIG. 6 according to the present disclosure;

[0074] FIG. 10B is a top view of the locking crown of FIG. 10A according to the present disclosure;

[0075] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1, the cartridge being mounted in the device, the device being in a locked configuration for the storage and the transport according to the present disclosure;

[0076] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 11, in which the locking crown has been rotated from the first position to the second position, the safety system has been displaced to the high position and the stopper has been removed, the movable part of the cartridge valve being in the closed position according to the present disclosure;

[0077] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 12, in which the user has pressed the pusher, so that the cartridge is in the high position and the movable part of the valve is in the open position according to the present disclosure; and

[0078] FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 13, in which the user has released the pressure on the pusher, so that the cartridge has returned to the low position and the movable part of the valve has returned to the closed position, the safety system having been returned to the low position and the locking crown having been turned from the second position to the first position according to the present disclosure.

[0079] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0081] With reference to FIG. 1, a device 1, according to the present disclosure, intended to receive a cartridge 100 capable of receiving a liquid, for example a carbonated beverage such as champagne, is shown. The device 1 is configured to be able to authorize storage and transport of the cartridge 100 in extreme conditions, such as the conditions present in a pressurized passenger compartment of a spacecraft, during takeoff, flight and landing of the craft. The device 1 is also configured to be able to authorize the opening and closing of the cartridge 100 in weightless conditions and thus be able to serve the liquid, such as a beverage, present in the cartridge 100 according to a gesture very close to that which is carried out in atmospheric conditions on land.

[0082] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the cartridge 100, intended to be mounted on the device 1, has a shape adapted to receive a liquid (not shown). In the example shown, the cartridge 100 is formed of a wall 101 defining a body 102, of generally cylindrical shape, a bottom 103, and an opening 104. The opening 104 has a diameter smaller than that of the body 102, the wall 101 thus forming a shoulder 105 between the body 102 and the opening 104. At the level of the opening 104, the wall forms a neck 106. The wall 101 can be formed of any material compatible with the storage of a liquid. The wall 101 is, in one form, made of glass, a material particularly suitable for storing a carbonated beverage such as champagne.

[0083] The liquid intended to be received inside 107 of the cartridge 100 enters and leaves the cartridge 100 through the opening 104. This opening 104 is closed via a valve 110 mounted on the neck 106.

[0084] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2A-2B and 3, the valve 110 comprises a part intended to be fixed to the opening 104, in the form of a collar 111. The collar 111 is formed of an upper collar 112 and a lower collar 113, the upper collar 112 having a diameter greater than the diameter of the lower collar 113, the lower collar 113 and the upper collar 112 being connected together by a transverse wall 114. The lower collar 113 is received inside the opening 104 of the cartridge 100 and the outer wall of the lower collar 113 is fixed to the neck 106 of the cartridge 100, by any suitable fixing elements, for example by glue. The upper collar 112 projects outside the opening 104 of the cartridge 100.

[0085] The valve 110 further comprises a movable part with respect to the collar 111, in the form of a conduit 115 intended to form a transition channel for the liquid entering or leaving the cartridge 100. The conduit 115 is received within the collar 111 and is able to slide within the collar 111 between an open position (see FIG. 13) where the conduit 115 allows the passage of liquid from the outside of the cartridge 100 towards the inside 107 of the cartridge 100 or from the inside 107 of the cartridge 100 towards the outside of the cartridge 100, and a closed position (see FIG. 3), in which the conduit 115 inhibits the passage of liquid, from the outside of the cartridge 100 towards the inside 107 of the cartridge 100, and from the inside 107 of the cartridge 100 towards the outside of the cartridge 100.

[0086] With reference to FIG. 2A, the conduit 115 comprises a tubular element 116 provided in the lower part of the tubular element 116 with a plurality of lumens 117 (four in the shown example) intended to allow the passage of liquid from the inside 107 of the cartridge 100 towards the inside of the conduit 115 and vice versa. The conduit 115 further comprises a valve stop 118, located at the lower end of the tubular element 116. In the shown example, the valve stop 118 has a conical shape: as will be seen below, such shape attracts the liquid, in particular a carbonated beverage, in the vicinity of the lumens 117 of the tubular element 116. The outer wall of the valve stop 118 can also be grooved to accentuate this attraction effect. In one form, the valve stop 118 is made of stainless steel.

[0087] The conduit 115 also comprises a radial flange 119 located at the upper end of the tubular element 116. As appears from FIG. 2A, the radial flange 119 is pierced with a plurality (six in the shown example) of circular orifices 120 distributed circumferentially. The radial flange 119 also comprises two through recesses 121 of generally square shape, diametrically opposed. The function of these orifices 120 and these recesses 121 will be explained below.

[0088] With reference to FIG. 3, the valve 110 comprises an element for returning the conduit 115 to a closed position, in the form of a helical spring 122, housed between the conduit 115 and the collar 111, the upper end 122a of the helical spring 122 bearing on a radial stop located in the upper region of the external wall of the tubular element 116, the lower end 122b of the helical spring 122 bearing on a radial stop located on the internal wall of the lower collar 113.

[0089] In FIG. 3, the valve 110 is shown in a closed position. The helical spring 122 is in a rest position. The passage between the inside 107 of the cartridge 100 and the inside 116a of the tubular element 116 is closed. In fact, the lumens 117 are closed by the internal wall of the lower collar 113 and by the valve stop 118.

[0090] FIG. 13 shows the valve 110 in an open position. The helical spring 122 is under stress. Consequently, the conduit 115 has been displaced downwards and the lumens 117 of the tubular element 116 are located inside 107 of the cartridge 100, allowing the passage of liquid from the inside 107 of the cartridge 100 towards the inside 116a of the tubular element 116.

[0091] As appears from FIG. 3, the upper end of the conduit 115 projects beyond the opening of the cartridge 100. It is thus possible to act on this upper end, for example by applying pressure directed downwards on the radial flange 119, to move the conduit 115 from the closed position to the open position, then to release the pressure exerted on the radial flange 119 to again move the conduit 115 from the open position to the closed position.

[0092] The cartridge 100 can thus be transported and handled on land, with the valve 110 in the closed configuration. The cartridge 100 can thus also be easily filled with a beverage, in particular a carbonated beverage such as champagne, via a filling device provided with a tool to put pressure on the radial flange 119 and to hold the valve 110 open during the filling. The filling of the cartridge 100, for example by champagne, can thus be carried out industrially within the farms producing champagne.

[0093] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the device 1 according to the present disclosure comprises a shell 2 intended to surround the body of the cartridge 100 and to protect the latter from the outside, for example from possible shocks. The shell 2 is thus dimensioned to receive the body of the cartridge 100. The shell 2 is formed of a wall 3 defining a body 4 of generally cylindrical shape, with an open upper end 5 and an open lower end 6. The open upper end 5 has a diameter less than that of the body 4, the wall thus forming a shoulder 7 between the body 4 and the open upper end 5. The open upper end 5 is dimensioned to receive the upper collar 112 of the valve 110 and thus allow free access to the conduit 115 of the valve 110. The open lower end 6 is intended to allow free access to the bottom 103 of the cartridge 100 once the cartridge 100 is installed inside the shell 2.

[0094] As can be seen from FIG. 4, the open upper end 5 of the shell 2 is provided with an internal thread 8. The open lower end 6 is also provided with an internal thread 9. These internal threads (8, 9) can for example be made of metal.

[0095] As will appear from the description below, during the operation of the device 1 according to the present disclosure, when the cartridge 100 is mounted on said device 1, the cartridge 100 is intended to slide with respect to the shell 2 on a certain distance along an axis of revolution A from the cartridge 100 and the shell 2, in order to move from a low position, in which the conduit 115 is in a closed position, to a high position, in which the conduit 115 is in an open position. Thus, for example, the longitudinal dimension of the shell 2 is greater than the longitudinal dimension of the cartridge 100 in order to authorize this displacement of the cartridge 100 within the shell 2.

[0096] The wall 3 of the shell 2 can be formed of a transparent plastic material, such as polycarbonate, for example, or of an opaque material, such as aluminum. In particular, the wall 3 of the shell 2 can be made of aluminum and be provided with transparent portholes, made for example on either side of the shell 2, in order to allow the user to check the filling level, the integrity of the glass cartridge 100 and the mechanism, before opening the device 1.

[0097] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, the device 1 according to the present disclosure also comprises a base 10. The base 10 is intended to close the lower end 6 of the shell 2, thus closing access to the bottom 103 of the cartridge 100 when the cartridge 100 is received inside the shell 2. The base 10 comprises a main body 11 provided with an external thread 12 configured to cooperate with the internal thread 9 of the lower end 6 of the shell 2 in order to secure the base 10 to the shell 2.

[0098] In other forms not shown, the base 10 could be secured to the lower end 6 of the shell 2 by any other conventional elements for securing two parts together, such as for example glue, the cooperation of surfaces snapping into each other, engagement by force, etc.

[0099] The base 10 comprises a pusher 13 comprising a lower part in the form of a button 14 projecting outside the main body 11 and forming a support surface for a user's finger. The pusher 13 also comprises an upper part, located inside the main body 11 forming a cup 15 configured to be able to receive the bottom 103 of the cartridge 100. The cup 15 is provided with a plurality of fins 16, arranged in the manner of petals, the fins 16 being able to flex slightly to allow a dimensional tolerance at the contact points of the bottom 103 of the cartridge 100. Such dimensional tolerance accounts for variations in dimensions between one cartridge 100 made of glass to another.

[0100] The pusher 13 is slidably mounted within the main body 11, and is able to move from a rest position shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, to an activation position shown in FIG. 13, under the pressure exerted by a user on the button 14. As will appear from the description below, when the pusher 13 is in the rest position, the cartridge 100 is in a low position within the shell 2. When the pusher 13 is in the activation position, the cartridge 100 is in a high position within the shell 2.

[0101] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 6, the device 1, according to the present disclosure, also comprises a cap 17, intended to be secured to the movable part of the valve 110, in other words to the conduit 115, as well as to the open upper end 5 of the shell 2. The cap 17, thus, allows the closure of the upper end 5 of the shell 2 and controls the opening and closing of the entire device 1, in order to authorize or inhibit the liquid contained in the cartridge 100 to escape from the device 1. The cap 17 thus also includes the channel through which the liquid from the cartridge 100 must pass in order to exit the entire device 1 and be served.

[0102] In this regard, and with reference to FIGS. 6, 7A and 7B, the cap 17 comprises a tubular body 18 dimensioned to receive the liquid leaving the cartridge 100 via the valve 110. The tubular body 18 is positioned in the alignment of the axis of revolution A of the cartridge 100 and thus forms an interior channel 18a capable of conducting the liquid leaving the valve 110 of the cartridge 100 to an open upper end of the cap 17. The tubular body 18 is provided, at the lower end of the tubular body 18, with a radial flange 19. The radial flange 19 is provided with a plurality (four, three of which are visible in FIG. 7A) of circular orifices 20 arranged circumferentially, as well as two holes 20a of dimensions larger than those of the circular orifices 20, the two holes 20a being diametrically opposite. As will appear from the description below, the circular orifices 20 of the radial flange 19 of the tubular body 18 are intended to be placed opposite the circular orifices 120 of the radial flange 119 of the conduit 115 of the valve 110 in order to couple the two radial flanges (19, 119) between them via screws fixed in these orifices (20, 120) by bolts, and thus securing the tubular body 18 to the valve 110. The holes 20a are intended to be placed opposite the through recesses 121 of the radial flange 119 of the conduit 115 of the valve 110 in order to accommodate the rods 28 (see FIG. 9) of the safety system in the locked configuration of the device 1 according to the present disclosure.

[0103] The radial flange 19 of the tubular body 18 is also provided with an external thread 21. The external thread 21 is configured to cooperate with the internal thread 8 of the open upper end 5 of the shell 2 in order to secure the tubular body 18 with the shell 2.

[0104] With reference to FIGS. 1, 6 and 8A-8D, the cap 17 also comprises a neck 22, secured to the tubular body 18. The neck 22 is intended to cover, in other words to surround, the tubular body 18 and the neck 22 comprises a wall 24 generally cylindrical, the lower part 24a of which widens conically towards the outside. The wall 24 thus defines an internal conduit 23 configured to receive the tubular body 18, the radial flange 19 of the tubular body 18 projecting beyond the lower end 23a of the internal conduit 23 of the neck 22, in the extension of the conical lower part 24a of the wall 24. The wall 24 is provided, on an external surface of the wall 24, with two longitudinal rails 25, diametrically opposed, the two rails 25 completely crossing the conical lower part 24a of the wall 24.

[0105] With reference to FIG. 6, the upper part of the neck 22 is extended beyond the upper end of the tubular body 18. Moreover, the upper end 23b of the inner conduit 23 is open. In the closed and locked configuration of the device 1 (see FIGS. 6 and 11), the upper end 23b of the inner conduit 23 of the neck 22 is closed by a stopper 26.

[0106] The stopper 26 may be made of cork. In the shown example, the stopper 26 has the classic shape of a champagne stopper, with a head 26a projecting outside the inner conduit 23 of the neck 22 and a foot 26b engaged in the upper part of the inner conduit 23 of the neck 22.

[0107] With reference to FIGS. 1, 6 and 9, the cap 17 also comprises a safety system 27. The safety system 27 comprises two parallel rods 28 whose upper ends 28a are connected together by a ring portion 29. The ring portion 29 is dimensioned to at least partially cover the head 26a of the stopper 26. The rods 28 are slidably mounted within the longitudinal rails 25 of the neck 22, between a low position (FIGS. 6, 11 and 14) and a high position (FIGS. 12 and 13). As will appear from the description below, the rods 28 are dimensioned so that, in their low position, for example in the locked or closed configuration of the device 1 according to the present disclosure, their lower ends 28b are in contact with the transverse wall 114 of the collar 111 of the valve 110 and press downwards on this transverse wall 114. In the unlocked or open position of the device 1 according to the present disclosure (see FIGS. 12 and 13), the rods 28 have been displaced towards their high position, in which they no longer inhibit the upward displacement of the collar 111 of the valve 110 and therefore of the cartridge 100.

[0108] With reference to FIGS. 1, 10A and 10B, the cap 17 also comprises a locking crown 30. The locking crown 30 comprises a ring 31 housed in the internal conduit 23 of the neck 22 and a radial flange 32. The locking crown 30 is mounted in rotation with respect to the neck 22, such that the radial flange 32 is accessible by a user who can rotate the radial flange 32, between a first position, in which the radial flange 32 inhibits the displacement of the rods 28 from their low position to their high position, to a second position, in which the rods 28 are allowed to be displaced from their low position to their high position. The radial flange 32 comprises two diametrically opposed cams 33, each cam 33 accommodating a rod 28. Each cam 33 comprises a stop point 34 in which each rod 28 is engaged in the low position, the engagement of the rod 28 in the stop point 34 inhibiting the rod 28 from moving upwards. When the radial flange 32 is turned by a user from the first position to the second position, each rod 28 is released from the stop point 34 and is displaced within the cam 33 towards an enlarged space 35 within which the rod 28 is free to be displaced towards the top of the device 1.

[0109] Thus, with reference to FIG. 6, once all of the elements constituting the cap 17 are assembled together, the rods 28 of the safety system 27 are installed in the longitudinal rails 25 of the neck 22 and they pass through on the one hand the radial flange 32 of the locking crown 30 via the cams 33, and on the other hand the radial flange 19 of the tubular body 18 via the holes 20a. With reference to FIG. 6, the lower ends 28b of the rods 28 are also provided with a return system, for example in the form of a spring 28c, intended to adjust the pressure that the rods 28 will exert on the transversal wall 114 of the collar 111 in the locked configuration of the device 1.

[0110] All of the parts of the cap 17 intended to be in contact with the liquid are, in one form, made of compatible metal which can be in contact with food, such as stainless steel for example.

[0111] With reference to FIG. 11, the device 1 of FIG. 1 is shown once all of the parts described above are assembled together, the device 1 being in a locked configuration, in which the device 1 can be stored and transported in extreme conditions such as those encountered in the pressurized passenger compartment of a spacecraft, during the different phases of a space flight.

[0112] Assembly of device 1 includes Disposing of the following elements described in FIGS. 1 to 10B, not yet assembled: the cartridge 100, filled with a liquid, for example a carbonated beverage such as champagne, the shell 2, the cap 17 in a configuration where the safety system 27 is in the high position, and the base 10. The cartridge 100 is inserted into the shell 2 by the lower end 6 of the shell 2, until the opening 104 of the cartridge 100 abuts against a shoulder 7 of the shell 2 formed around the free access formed by the upper end 5 of the shell 2, the radial flange 119 of the conduit 115 of the valve 110 projecting beyond the upper end 5 of the shell 2. The radial flange 19 of the tubular body 18 of the cap 17 is placed in contact with the radial flange 119 of the conduit 115 of the valve 110, so that the circular orifices 120 of the radial flange 119 of the valve 110 are aligned with the orifices 20 of the radial flange 19 of the tubular body 18, and that the through recesses 121 of the radial flange 119 of the valve 110 are aligned with the holes 20a of the radial flange 19 of the tubular body 18. The radial flanges (19, 119) are then secured to each other via screws passing through the orifices (20, 120) of the two flanges, the screws being fixed via bolts. The tubular body 18 is thus secured to the movable part of the valve 110. The upper end 5 of the shell 2 is then screwed onto the radial flange 19 of the tubular body 18 by cooperation between the internal thread 8 of the shell 2 and the external thread 21 of the radial flange 19, the tubular body 18 is secured to the shell 2. The base 10 is secured to the lower end 6 of the shell 2, thus closing access to the bottom 103 of the cartridge 100.

[0113] Once the device 1 is thus assembled, the stopper 26 is inserted into the upper end 23b of the inner conduit 23 of the neck 22.

[0114] Then, in order to pass the device 1 thus assembled into the locked configuration as shown in FIG. 11, the safety system 27 is lowered into a low position by exerting downward pressure on the ring portion 29. During this movement, the rods 28 pass through the through recesses 121 and their lower ends 28b come to press on the transverse wall 114 of the collar 111 of the valve 110, thus pushing the fixed part of the valve 110, and therefore the cartridge 100 downwards. The cartridge 100 thus adopts a low position, in which the bottom 103 is in contact with the pusher 13 without the latter exerting any constraint on the cartridge 100.

[0115] During the displacement of the safety system 27 towards the low position, the ring portion 29 comes into contact with the stopper 26, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0116] During the assembly described above, the radial flange 32 of the locking crown 30 was in the second position. The radial flange 32 of the locking crown is moved from the second position to the first position, in order to block the safety system 27 in the low position, thus locking the device 1. In this configuration of the device 1, as shown in FIG. 11: said tubular 18 body is coupled to said movable part of said valve 110 of the cartridge 100, said tubular body 18 is secured to the upper end 5 of the shell 2, the cartridge 100 is in the low position, the base 10 is secured to the lower end 6 of the shell 2, the stopper 26 closes the upper end 23b of the neck 22, the safety system 27 is in the low position, the locking crown 30 is in the first position.

[0117] Thus, the valve 110 is closed and the displacement of the pusher 13 is inhibited by the pressure exerted by the rods 28 on the transverse wall 114 of the collar 111 of the valve 110, the rods 28 themselves being blocked in their low position thanks to the locking crown 30.

[0118] The operation of the device 1 according to the present disclosure will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14.

[0119] The device 1 in FIG. 11 can be used to serve champagne, for example in weightless conditions.

[0120] To do this, the user unlocks the locking crown 30 by rotating the radial flange 32 from a first position to a second position. This action releases the rods 28 which were previously engaged in the stop points 34 of the cams 33. The rods 28 find themselves in the enlarged spaces 35 of the cams 33 in which they are free to be displaced.

[0121] The user can then grasp the ring portion 29 to displace the safety system 27, and therefore the rods 28, towards their high position. This gesture is very close to that which a user would make unpinning the usual wire-cap covering a classic champagne bottle stopper.

[0122] The displacement of the ring portion 29 upwards causes the release of the stopper 26 which, under the internal pressure of the device 1, is pushed upwards, emitting a stopper sound that pops. The stopper 26 is stopped in course by the ring portion 29. The user can then remove the stopper 26 from the device 1, as shown in FIG. 12.

[0123] In this configuration of the device 1 shown in FIG. 12, the pusher 13 can now be activated. The lower ends 28b of the rods 28 are no longer in contact with the transverse wall 114 of the collar 111 of the valve 110, and the displacement of the cartridge 100 towards a high position is no longer inhibited.

[0124] The user can thus press on the button 14 of the pusher 13 to move the pusher 13 from a rest position (shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) to an activation position, as shown in FIG. 13. To do this, the user can hold the device 1 by the base 10, as the user would with a classic bottle of champagne.

[0125] The cartridge 100 is then displaced to a high position, the helical spring 122 of the valve 110 is compressed and the conduit 115 slides into an open position, as shown in FIG. 13. The lumens 117 of the conduit 115 then allow the liquid, for example the champagne, present inside 107 of the cartridge 100 to move into the inside 116a of the tubular element 116, then into the interior channel 18a of the tubular body 18, and finally into the interior conduit 23 of the neck 22. During this operation, the valve stop 118 participates in the attraction of the liquid, such as champagne, towards the lumens 117 of the conduit 115 of the valve 110. When the liquid reaches the open upper end 23b of the neck 22, the liquid can accumulate inside the space defined by the ring portion 29 of the safety system 27.

[0126] The user can then release the pressure exerted on the button 14 of the pusher 13. The helical spring 122 of the valve 110 then returns to the rest position and returns the conduit 115 to the closed position, the cartridge 100 thus passing from the high position at the low position, and the pusher 13 is returned to the rest position, as shown in FIG. 14. The liquid is no longer allowed to escape from the cartridge 100 and the user can serve the liquid, for example champagne, which has accumulated in the space defined by the ring portion 29 of the safety system 27.

[0127] The user can then repeat the operation as many times as he wishes, by pressing the button 14 of the pusher 13 again. He can thus serve, for example, champagne to several people.

[0128] When the user wishes to close the device 1, he can, after releasing the pressure on the pusher 13 in order to close the valve 110 and place the cartridge 100 in the low position, displace the safety system 27 in order to place the safety system 27 in the low position, as shown in FIG. 14. He can then turn the radial flange 32 of the locking crown 30 from the second position towards the first position, in order to block the safety system 27 in the low position. In this low position of the safety system 27, as appears from FIG. 14, the lower ends 28b of the rods 28 are in contact and press on the transverse wall 114 of the collar 111 of the valve 110, inhibiting any displacement of the cartridge 100 towards the high position, even in the event of pressure being exerted on the pusher 13.

[0129] During all of these steps, the user performed gestures very similar to those generally performed when opening a classic bottle of champagne in atmospheric conditions on land.

[0130] Thus, the device 1, according to the present disclosure, makes it possible on the one hand to store and transport under extreme conditions a carbonated beverage such as champagne in a cartridge 100 according to the present disclosure, and on the other hand to serve such a carbonated beverage, such as champagne, in weightless conditions by carrying out a ritual very close to that carried out on land with a classic bottle of champagne.

[0131] Unless otherwise expressly indicated herein, all numerical values indicating mechanical/thermal properties, compositional percentages, dimensions and/or tolerances, or other characteristics are to be understood as modified by the word about or approximately in describing the scope of the present disclosure. This modification is desired for various reasons including industrial practice, material, manufacturing, and assembly tolerances, and testing capability.

[0132] As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using a non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C.

[0133] The apparatuses and methods described in this application may be partially or fully implemented by a special purpose computer created by configuring a general-purpose computer to execute one or more particular functions embodied in computer programs. The functional blocks, flowchart components, and other elements described above serve as software specifications, which can be translated into the computer programs by the routine work of a skilled technician or programmer.

[0134] The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the substance of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.