Pressurized Beverage Dispensing System

Abstract

A keg positioning system is provided having a flexible portion of an internal spear for beverages dispensed from the internal cavity of a beverage keg. The flexible portion enables use of the keg in both a vertical or horizontal orientations, with minimal waste of the beverage. A frame may also be employed to provide for vertical stacking of multiple kegs above a support floor space sized for the lowest frame in the stack.

Claims

1. A spear for a beverage keg, comprising: an elongated spear having a first end connected in a sealed engagement with a bung hole in a first endwall of a beverage keg; said spear extending from said first end to a distal end; a portion of said spear extending from said distal end of said spear toward said first end, being formed of flexible tubing; said spear having an elongated configuration having said flexible tubing substantially aligned with a center axis of said beverage keg while said beverage keg is in a vertical disposition supported upon a second endwall of said beverage keg, opposite said first endwall; said spear having a curved configuration with said flexible tubing formed to a curve extending toward a sidewall of said beverage keg which extends between said first end and said second endwall of said beverage keg, with said beverage keg supported on an exterior of said sidewall in a horizontal disposition; said curve in said flexible tubing positioning the distal end of said spear adjacent to or in a contact with an interior surface of said sidewall, whereby said distal end of said spear is positioned below a surface of a beverage fluid held in said beverage keg whether said beverage keg is in said vertical disposition or said horizontal disposition.

2. The spear for a beverage keg of claim 1, additionally comprising: said flexible tubing forming all of said spear.

3. The spear for a beverage keg of claim 1, additionally comprising: a first portion of said spear extending from said first end of said spear to a sealed connection with said flexible tubing; a second portion of said spear formed by said flexible tubing extending from said sealed connection to said distal end of said spear.

4. The spear for a beverage keg of claim 1, additionally comprising: an end piece engaged with a distal end of said spear; and said end piece having a weight imparting force to said distal end of said spear, said force urging said flexible tubing to form said curve.

5. The spear for a beverage keg of claim 2, additionally comprising: an end piece engaged with a distal end of said spear; and said end piece having a weight imparting force to said distal end of said spear, said force urging said flexible tubing to form said curve.

6. The spear for a beverage keg of claim 3, additionally comprising: an end piece engaged with a distal end of said spear; and said endpiece having a weight imparting force to said distal end of said spear, said force urging said flexible tubing to form said curve.

7. The spear for a beverage keg of claim 5, wherein said weight is substantially between 250-450 grams.

8. The spear for a beverage keg of claim 6, wherein said weight is substantially between 250-450 grams.

9. The spear for a beverage keg of claim 1 additionally comprising: a flexible stiffener engaged with said flexible tubing; and said flexible stiffener holding said flexible tubing substantially aligned with said center axis of said beverage keg with said beverage keg inverted from said vertical disposition supported on said second endwall.

10. The spear for a beverage keg of claim 2 additionally comprising: a flexible stiffener engaged with said flexible tubing; and said flexible stiffener holding said flexible tubing substantially aligned with said center axis of said beverage keg with said beverage keg inverted from said vertical disposition supported on said second endwall.

11. The spear for a beverage keg of claim 3 additionally comprising: a flexible stiffener engaged with said flexible tubing; and said flexible stiffener holding said flexible tubing substantially aligned with said center axis of said beverage keg with said beverage keg inverted from said vertical disposition supported on said second endwall.

12. The spear for a beverage keg of claim 1, additionally comprising: a frame, said frame having a passage therethrough communicating between a first end of said frame to a second end of said frame, said passage having a support surface; said support surface slanting between said first end of said frame and said second end of said frame whereby said support surface at said first end of said frame is at a higher elevation than said support surface at said second end of said frame; and said beverage keg removably positionable within said passage in said horizontal disposition with said sidewall resting upon said support surface, thereby positioning said first sidewall at an elevation higher than said second sidewall of said beverage keg.

13. The spear for a beverage keg of claim 2, additionally comprising: a frame, said frame having a passage therethrough communicating between a first end of said frame to a second end of said frame, said passage having a support surface; said support surface slanting between said first end of said frame and said second end of said frame whereby said support surface at said first end of said frame is at a higher elevation than said support surface at said second end of said frame; and said beverage keg removably positionable within said passage in said horizontal disposition with said sidewall resting upon said support surface, thereby positioning said first sidewall at an elevation higher than said second sidewall of said beverage keg.

14. The spear for a beverage keg of claim 5, additionally comprising: a frame, said frame having a passage therethrough communicating between a first end of said frame to a second end of said frame, said passage having a support surface; said support surface slanting between said first end of said frame and said second end of said frame whereby said support surface at said first end of said frame is at a higher elevation than said support surface at said second end of said frame; and said beverage keg removably positionable within said passage in said horizontal disposition with said sidewall resting upon said support surface, thereby positioning said first sidewall at an elevation higher than said second sidewall of said beverage keg.

15. The spear for a beverage keg of claim 6, additionally comprising: a frame, said frame having a passage therethrough communicating between a first end of said frame to a second end of said frame, said passage having a support surface; said support surface slanting between said first end of said frame and said second end of said frame whereby said support surface at said first end of said frame is at a higher elevation than said support surface at said second end of said frame; and said beverage keg removably positionable within said passage in said horizontal disposition with said sidewall resting upon said support surface, thereby positioning said first sidewall at an elevation higher than said second sidewall of said beverage keg.

16. The spear for a beverage keg of claim 12, additionally comprising: a plurality of said frames formed to a stacked configuration; each of said frames in said plurality having a said beverage keg respectfully positionable therein with said first sidewall thereof at or adjacent said first end of said frame, whereby a plurality of said beverage kegs is each positionable to said horizontal disposition elevated above a floor surface sized to support the lowest of said plurality of frames in said stacked configuration.

17. The spear for a beverage keg of claim 13, additionally comprising: a plurality of said frames formed to a stacked configuration; each of said frames in said plurality having a said beverage keg respectfully positionable therein with said first sidewall thereof at or adjacent said first end of said frame, whereby a plurality of said beverage kegs is each positionable to said horizontal disposition elevated above a floor surface sized to support the lowest of said plurality of frames in said stacked configuration.

18. The spear for a beverage keg of claim 14, additionally comprising: a plurality of said frames formed to a stacked configuration; each of said frames in said plurality having a said beverage keg respectfully positionable therein with said first sidewall thereof at or adjacent said first end of said frame, whereby a plurality of said beverage kegs is each positionable to said horizontal disposition elevated above a floor surface sized to support the lowest of said plurality of frames in said stacked configuration.

19. The spear for a beverage keg of claim 15, additionally comprising: a plurality of said frames formed to a stacked configuration; each of said frames in said plurality having a said beverage keg respectfully positionable therein with said first sidewall thereof at or adjacent said first end of said frame, whereby a plurality of said beverage kegs is each positionable to said horizontal disposition elevated above a floor surface sized to support the lowest of said plurality of frames in said stacked configuration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features of the beverage keg stacking system and method herein. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting. In the drawings:

[0022] FIG. 1 shows an overhead perspective view of a conventional beverage keg in a vertical disposition and having a portion of the sidewall cut away to reveal the spear having all or a portion formed of flexible tube and extending toward a second endwall within the interior cavity.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a view of the device of FIG. 1, in a horizontal disposition, and depicting the spear having a portion formed from a flexible tube extending in a curve toward a sidewall of the beverage keg with a distal end of the spear formed by the flexible portion located adjacent or in contact with the sidewall.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows the stackable frame of the system herein, having a support passage formed therein which positions an engaged keg with a rear-positioned endwall at a lower elevation than a front-positioned endwall having a coupling valve therein.

[0025] FIG. 4 shows the stackable frame employed to stack a plurality of beverage kegs in a stack where two or more beverage kegs are in tilted horizontal dispositions in floor space in a cooler to increase the number of such kegs positionable in a small area of floor space.

[0026] FIG. 5 shows the beverage keg such as in FIG. 1, wherein a flexible stiffener is engaged with or made part of the hose which straighten the hose when the keg is inverted such as in FIG. 6.

[0027] FIG. 6 shows a preferred mode of the device and system herein wherein the flexible tube may form the entire spear and the flexible tube is urged to a substantially vertical position when the keg is inverted, to thereby align and position the distal end of the tube forming the spear for conventional cleaning.

[0028] Other aspects of the present invention shall be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0029] In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

[0030] Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-6, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, the device 10 as shown in FIG. 1, depicts an overhead perspective view of a conventional beverage keg 12 in the conventional vertical disposition used widely to dispense beverages from the internal cavity 14 of the beverage keg 12. As shown, a portion of the sidewall 16 is removed, to reveal components of the device 10 herein, which form a spear 11 adapted for positioning within the internal cavity 14 of a beverage keg 12. In a conventional beverage keg 12, the spear 11 is well known to those in the art, formed entirely by a rigid metal tube which extends from a first end in a sealed connection to the first endwall 22, to a distal end positioned immediately adjacent the second endwall 36, and due to being formed of metal entirely, remains straight.

[0031] The spear 11 herein, in all modes is formed either partially or entirely by a flexible tube 18 which at a first end of the flexible tube 18 is in a sealed connection with the bung hole 21 formed through the first endwall 22. Where spear 11 is used as a term herein, it is intended to refer to an elongated hollow member extending into a beverage keg 12 from a sealed connection with the bung hole 21 in the first endwall 22 such as an engagement with a coupling valve 20 which conventionally engages in a bung hole 21 at the first endwall 22 of such a beverage keg 12. Of course the first end of the spear 11 can engage other fittings or components which operatively engage into the bung hole 21 as would occur to those skilled in the art.

[0032] As shown the device 10 herein includes a beverage keg spear 11 a flexible tube 18 forms all or at least a portion of the elongated tube or spear 11, which is configured at a first end of the spear 11 for a sealed engagement with a hole formed in the first endwall 22 of a beverage keg 12, such as in a connection with a conventional coupling valve 20. Such coupling valves 20 are conventionally engaged in the bung hole 21 formed in a center of the first endwall 22 of the beverage keg 12 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. This flexible tube 18 portion can form the entire spear 11 such as shown in FIG. 6, or can engage with a rigid tube 24 extending from a sealed connection with the hole in the first endwall 22 such as to a coupling valve 20.

[0033] Currently, a flexible tube 18 formed of silicone material having an interior diameter of one inch and an exterior diameter of 1.2 inches works well. A length of the flexible tubing 18 from an end of a rigid tube 24 portion of between 10-16 inches has worked well in experimentation, and currently a length of the flexible tube 18 of 13 inches works well to form the curve and automatically position distal end 26 of the flexible tube 18 forming the distal end of the spear 11, adjacent to or in contact with the sidewall 16 and thereby within and below the level of beverage fluid 30 of the beverage in the keg 12, in an optimum position for draining the beverage keg 12 such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. By adjacent to is meant that an edge of the flexible tube 18 or end piece 28 if used, surrounding the intake opening 29 is spaced less than one half inch from the sidewall.

[0034] Experimentation has found that a rigid tube 24 forming the first portion of the spear or tubing extending from the coupling valve 20, has shown it may operate more efficiently than the flexible tube 18 alone. This is because the extension provided by the rigid tube 24 keeps the first end of the flexible tube 18 portion from crimping when in the horizontal orientation of FIG. 2. However, the flexible stiffener 40 shown in FIG. 6 with a spear 11 entirely of flexible tubing 18 can be made to operate almost as well.

[0035] Because the interior length of beverage kegs 12 differ, a ratio was determined after experimenting for spears 11 formed of both a rigid tube 24 and flexible tube 18. When the spear 11 is in this configuration, the length of the flexible tube 18 to the rigid tube 24, of a total length of the spear 11 when combined forms the rigid tube 24 to a length substantially 40% of the total length of the spear 11, and the flexible tube 18 to substantially 60% of the total length of the spear 11, has shown to work well in all beverage kegs 12.

[0036] By substantially is meant plus or minus 10% of the length of each of the engaged components of the flexible tube 18 and the rigid tube 24 forming a spear 11 in a sealed connection with the bung hole 21 or a connector such as a coupling valve 20. By total length is meant the length from the face of the coupling valve 20 to the distal end of the flexible tube 18 or to opening in the end piece 28 thereon which is currently substantially 19-20 inches.

[0037] However, the flexible tube 18 may also be formed in a fashion such as with flexible stiffeners 40 such as in FIGS. 5-6 or the like, to prevent over-bending and binding, and could form the entire spear from a flexible tube 18 extending between a first end engagement to the coupling valve 20 and a distal end 26 having an opening therein for fluid to flow therethrough in an axial conduit, to the operatively engaged coupling valve 20. Such a flexible stiffener 40, for example, could be a spiraled spring-like support engaged on the exterior circumference of the flexible tube 18 such as in FIGS. 5-6, at least adjacent to abutting the coupling valve 20 if so used. Currently however, the spear formed at the first end of a rigid tube 24 of a length between 7 to 9 inches, which is sealably engaged with the first end of the flexible tube 18 by a crimp or connector, has shown to enhance the ability of the flexible tube 18 by preventing kinking thereof.

[0038] It is the employment of this flexible tube 18 in the spear engaged with a coupling valve 20 of a conventional beverage keg 12, which affords the function to the device 10 to operate either in the vertical orientation of FIG. 1, or the horizontal orientation of FIGS. 2-5. Without this flexible tube 18 either forming the entire spear extending from the coupling valve or a portion thereof, operation of the beverage keg 12 in the horizontal orientation such as in FIGS. 2-5, would cause substantial beverage waste when the beverage keg 12 becomes partially drained and the fluid drops below the center axis 13 of the beverage keg 12 such as in FIG. 2. This is because a conventional spear extending as a rigid tube from the coupling valve 20 stays aligned with the center axis 13 of the beverage keg 12 in which it is positioned. Thus, the distal end of such rigid spears will not intake beverage fluid 30 once the fluid level in a horizontal disposition of the beverage keg 12, drops below the center axis 13 of the beverage keg 12.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 5-6, the inclusion of a metal or weighted end piece 28, having a first end engaged within the opening at a distal end 26 of the flexible tube 18 is preferable as it provides automatic self-centering and self-leveling of the distal end of the flexible tube 18 in either the vertical orientation of FIG. 1, or the horizontal orientation of FIG. 2, or any position in between. Currently, the end piece 28 has an opening of between 0.75 to 1 inch in diameter, and is preferably flared to this width from a first end engaged with the flexible tube 18.

[0040] In order to curve the flexible lube 18 to descend the distal end 26 of the flexible tube 18 into the beverage fluid 30 in the horizontal disposition of the beverage keg 12, a weight for the end piece 28 of substantially between 250-450 grams is preferred. Currently a weight for the end piece of substantially 300 to 360 grams is especially preferred as it has shown in experimentation to curve the flexible tube 18 and sink the distal end 26 and to cause the edge surrounding the opening of the end piece 28 to contact the interior surface of the sidewall 16 without excess noise or denting it, which is desirable. In referring to weight in all cases herein, the term substantially is meant plus or minus 20% in weight.

[0041] In this fashion, the opening at a second end of the end piece 28 is always positioned in the beverage fluid 30 at its lowest point, such that the beverage fluid 30 in the beverage keg 12 is forced by compressed gas into the opening of the end piece 28, and through the axial passage of the tube formed by the flexible tube 18 and then to the rigid tube 24 if used, for fluid communication to the coupling valve 20. Thus, the weighted end piece 28, by self-positioning the end of the flexible lube 18 to the lowest point of the beverage keg 12, no matter the orientation, insures minimal waste of beverage fluid 30.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the provision of a flexible tube 18 in the spear 11 extending from the coupling valve 20 either formed partially of flexible tube 18 and partially of rigid tube 24, or entirely of flexible tube 18, allows for use and positioning of the beverage keg 12 in a horizontal disposition also shown in FIGS. 3-5. However, as also noted, the end piece 28 or the distal end 26 of the flexible tube 18 herein, will always be submerged in the beverage fluid 30 since it will self-position and descend to the lowest point within the internal cavity 14 of the beverage keg 12 generally in a contact with the interior of the sidewall 16 caused by the weight of the end piece 28 curving the flexible tube 18. Thus, even where a single beverage keg 12 is employed without the preferred frame 32 shown in FIGS. 3-4, the beverage keg 12 can be used in a horizontal disposition, which is a utility lacking in conventional beverage kegs 12 having rigid spears formed of a rigid tube extending from the coupling valve 20 in the first sidewall 22.

[0043] The employment of beverage kegs 12 in this horizontal disposition of FIGS. 2-5, or in some configurations in a vertical or slanted positioning, can be enhanced using the frame 32 shown in FIG. 3, which is stackable upon other frames 32 as shown in FIG. 4, to a height only limited by the ceiling of the cooler in which they are situated. When engaged within the frame 32 the beverage keg 12 having the flexible tube 18 portion is positioned upon a support surface 33 within a passage 34 communicating into the frame 32. This support surface 33 holds the beverage keg 12 in the horizontal orientation supported by the sidewall 16 positioned on the support surface 33. This positions the center axis 13 of the beverage keg 12 such that it is in a declining angle from the coupling valve 20 relative to a flat support surface for the frame 32.

[0044] In a particularly preferred mode of the device 10, the support surface 33 formed into the frame 32 slants downward such that a lower edge of the second endwall 36 where it meets the sidewall 16, opposite the first endwall 22 in which the coupling valve 20 is engaged, is positioned at an elevation which is lower than a lower edge of the first endwall 22 where it meets the sidewall 16. This can be seen in FIG. 3, where the center axis 13 of the beverage keg 12 extending from the coupling valve 20 runs at a downward angle from the coupling valve 20 toward the second endwall 36.

[0045] This angled positioning of the beverage keg 12 on the support surface 33 of the frame 32, helps maintain the beverage keg 12 engaged within the passage 34 in the frame 32, and helps prevent it from falling out which is especially preferred where multiple frames 32 are stacked on top of each other such as in FIG. 4, thereby positioning multiple beverage kegs 12 above the one area of floor space.

[0046] Shown in FIG. 4, is a mode of the device 10 as noted, wherein a plurality of frames 32 are engaged in a stack. As shown, the frames may have cooperative fasteners on each frame to engage adjacent frames 32 stacked thereon in a registered positioning. Such cooperative fasteners can be for example pins 42 in one frame 32 which engage recesses 44 formed in registered positions in an adjacent stacked frame 32. Other such cooperative fasteners may be employed such as any removably engageable fasteners which might be found in the 2018 GRAINGER catalog and used by one skilled in the art to form a stack of frames 32 which won't slide from respective engagements, and which will align the passages 34 in each frame 32 in a stack. So stacked, all of the passages 34 in each frame 32 will have respective support surfaces 33 which engage the exterior of the sidewall 16 of an inserted beverage keg 12 and slant the axis 13 of each such keg slightly downward toward the floor or lower positioned frame 32 as the case may be.

[0047] Shown in FIG. 5, as noted earlier, is a spear device 10 as herein disclosed extending from a first end engagement to the coupling valve 20 or other fitting which is operatively engaged in the bung hole 21 formed in the first sidewall 22. As shown, a flexible stiffener 40 is engaged with the flexible tube 18. While shown as an exterior-engaged flexible stiffener 40, it could be located within the flexible tube 18 are formed as part of it in a molding or extruding process.

[0048] FIG. 6 shows a preferred mode of the device 10 similar to that of FIG. 5, however, it shows the desirable positioning of the flexible tubing 18 of the spear engaged with the coupling valve 20 in a substantially perpendicular position extending from the first endwall 22 and coupling valve 20 when the beverage keg 12 is inverted. This was found in experimentation to be desirable in some instances where perpendicular positioning of the spear from the first end to the distal end is desirable for cleaning and sanitizing the spear and the beverage keg 12. As such, inclusion of a flexible stiffener 40 around, within, or formed integral to the flexible tube 18 would be preferred where sanitizing requires this return from the curved configuration of FIG. 5 to a substantially perpendicular configuration of FIG. 6. By substantially perpendicular is meant that the center of the distal end 26 of the flexible tube 18 or the center of the opening of the end piece 28 if used, is within 20 degrees of being aligned with the axis 13 of the beverage keg 12 running from the center of the coupling 20.

[0049] It is noted and anticipated that although the keg positioning system and device 10 is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner.

[0050] While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the keg positioning and stacking system and method of employment have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.