Integral keg connector

Abstract

A keg connector for coupling a dispensing line and gas line to a keg is disclosed having a closure with a sealed dispensing opening and gas opening. The connector has a mono-block body with a top plate structure having a perimeter, upper surface, lower surface, and clamping system. The clamping system has two clamping legs jutting from the lower surface of the top plate, and two levers jutting out of the upper surface of the top plate, each lever has a coupled end fixed to the opposite portions of the perimeter of the top plate as the hinge ends of the two legs. The connecter has a dispensing tube with an upstream portion jutting out of the lower surface of the top plate, and a gas tube with a downstream portion jutting out of the lower surface of the top plate parallel to the upstream portion of the dispensing tube.

Claims

1. A keg connector for coupling a dispensing line and a gas line to a keg comprising a closure provided with a sealed dispensing opening and with a gas opening, said keg connector comprising: a mono-block integral body comprising a top plate structure defined by a perimeter and comprising an upper surface and a lower surface and being provided with a clamping system for reversibly coupling the keg connector to the closure of a keg, said clamping system comprising; (i) two clamping legs jutting out of the lower surface of said top plate structure, each of said clamping legs having a hinge end integrally linked to two opposite portions of the perimeter of said top plate structure and a free end opposite the hinge end and comprising at least one protrusion extending towards the free end of the other leg, (ii) two levers jutting out of the upper surface of said top plate structure, each of said levers having a coupled end integrally fixed at the same two opposite portions of the perimeter of the top plate structure as the hinge ends of the two clamping legs, and a free end, such that pressing the free ends of the two levers towards one another reversibly and resiliently drives the two free ends of the clamping legs away from one another, a dispensing tube comprising a lumen bringing in fluid communication an upstream end located at the end of an upstream portion of the dispensing tube and a downstream end located at the end of a downstream portion of the dispensing tube, said upstream portion of the dispensing tube having an outer diameter matching the size of the dispensing opening of a closure for insertion therein, and jutting transversely out of the lower surface of the top plate structure and is rigid such as to be able to break the seal of the dispensing opening by pressing thereon, and a gas tube comprising a lumen bringing in fluid communication an upstream end located at the end of an upstream portion of the gas tube and a downstream end located at the end of a downstream portion of the gas tube, said downstream portion of the gas tube having an outer diameter matching the size of the gas opening of a closure for insertion therein, and jutting transversely out of the lower surface of the top plate structure substantially parallel to the upstream portion of the dispensing tube.

2. The keg connector according to claim 1, wherein, the downstream portion of the dispensing tube forms an angle of 70 to 120? , preferably of 80 to 100; with the upstream portion of the dispensing tube, and/ or the upstream portion of the gas tube forms an angle of 70 to 120? , preferably of 80 to 100; with the downstream portion of the gas tube.

3. The keg connector according to claim 2, wherein, the downstream portion of the dispensing tube is reversibly detachable from upstream portion of the dispensing tube, and/or the upstream portion of the gas tube is reversibly detachable from downstream portion of the gas tube.

4. The keg connector according to claim 1, wherein, the dispensing tube is an integral part of the mono-block integral body, and/or the gas tube is an integral part of the mono-block integral body.

5. The keg connector according to claim 1, wherein, the downstream end of the dispensing tube comprises a connection element at the downstream end thereof, and/or the upstream end of the gas tube comprises a connection element at the upstream end thereof.

6. The keg connector according to claim 1, wherein the upstream portion of the dispensing tube is located substantially at the geometrical centroid of the perimeter of the lower surface of the top plate structure, and the downstream portion of the gas tube is located within the perimeter of the lower surface of the top plate structure.

7. An assembly of a keg connector according to claim 1 coupled to a container containing a beverage, wherein the container comprises a body portion and a neck portion provided with an opening sealed by a closure comprising a dispensing opening and a gas opening, wherein, the upstream portion of the dispensing tube is inserted in the dispensing opening of the closure and the downstream portion of the gas tube is inserted in the gas opening of the closure, and wherein the keg connector is reversibly maintained in coupling position by the two clamping legs.

8. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the closure comprises a skirt ending in a circumferential ridge, and wherein the keg connector is reversibly maintained in coupling position by clamping the protrusions at the free ends of the clamping legs below said circumferential ridge.

9. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the neck portion of the container comprises a circumferential ring forming a ledge around the circumference of the neck portion, and wherein the keg connector is reversibly maintained in coupling position by clamping the protrusions at the free ends of the clamping legs below said circumferential ring.

10. The assembly according to claim 7, with the downstream end of the dispensing tube being fluidly connected to an upstream end of a dispensing line, said dispensing line comprising a free downstream end and being coupled to a tapping valve, and with the upstream end of the gas tube being fluidly connected to a downstream end of a gas line, said gas line comprising an upstream end connected to a source of pressurized gas.

11. A method for connecting or disconnecting a keg to a tapping valve comprising the following steps: providing a keg connector according to claim 1 and a container extending along a longitudinal axis, X1, from a base to a neck portion, the base being separated from the neck portion by a body portion, and the neck portion being provided with an opening sealed by a closure comprising a sealed dispensing opening and a gas opening, fluidly connecting the upstream end of the gas tube to a source of pressurized gas, fluidly connecting the downstream end of the dispensing tube to a dispensing line and coupling said dispensing line to a tapping valve, and pressing the keg connector against the closure along the longitudinal direction such as to insert the upstream portion of the dispensing tube and the downstream portion of the gas tube into the corresponding dispensing opening and gas opening, respectively, breaking open in the process the seal of the dispensing opening, until the protrusions of the free ends of the clamping legs snap fit into a coupling position with the closure of the container to obtain an assembly.

12. The method according to claim 11, comprising the following steps for disconnecting the keg from the tapping valve: shutting the fluid communication between the source of pressurized gas and the gas tube; pressing the two levers towards one another with one hand such as to drive the two free ends and their corresponding protrusions of the clamping legs away from one another, and pull the keg connector away from the closure along the longitudinal axis, X1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1: Illustrates a beer keg stored in a cooled closet, comprising a keg connector connecting said keg to a dispensing line and to a pressurized gas line.

(3) FIG. 2: illustrates a closure suitable for use with a keg connector according to the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3: shows a perspective (a) top view and (b) bottom view of a keg connector according to the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4: shows a dispensing bag-in-container comprising a closure (a) before and (b) after connection to a dispensing line and to a gas line by means of a keg connector according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4(b) the present invention concerns dispensing containers or kegs (9) containing a liquid, typically a beverage, such as beer or other carbonated beverages, to be dispensed through a dispensing line (15) controlled by a tapping valve (13t) and driven by a pressurized gas injected into the container. The source (17g) of pressurized gas can be a pressurized bottle containing a gas under high pressure, a gas compressor, and/or a gas adsorbed on a solid adsorbent. Depending on the type of container (9) and of the liquid contained therein, the gas can be air, carbon dioxide, nitrogen or the like.

(7) The container or keg (9) (the two terms being herein considered as equivalent) generally extends along a longitudinal axis, X1, from an opening sealed by a closure (10) to a base. The opening is comprised in a substantially cylindrical neck region, which is separated from a body portion, usually substantially cylindrical of larger diameter than the neck region, by a shoulder forming a transition region, and the body portion is adjacent to the base. The container (9) can be a traditional keg, wherein the pressurized gas is injected into the same volume which contains the liquid. In this case, a dispensing hollow spear is generally used with one end dipped at the lowest part of the liquid in a direction parallel to the gravitational field when in use and the other end coupled to a dispensing opening (50) of a closure sealing the opening of the keg. Alternatively, the keg (9) can be a dispensing bag-in-container as illustrated in FIG. 4 and disclosed in WO2008129018, WO2008129016, WO2008129012, WO2008129015, or WO2008129013, which contents are herein incorporated by reference, wherein a flexible inner bag is coupled to an outer container at the neck region and contains the liquid to be dispensed. A vent between the inner bag and the outer container allows pressurized gas to be injected between the inner bag and the outer container to delaminate and collapse the inner bag and thus dispense the liquid contained therein (cf. FIG. 4(b)).

(8) The connection of a dispensing line (15) and a gas line (17) to the keg (9) is made very rapid, easy, and comfortable with the use of a keg connector (1) according to the present invention. A keg connector of the present invention can be used several times with different kegs, and is extremely cheap to produce and easy to use. In particular, a keg connector (1) according to the present invention comprises a mono-block integral body comprising, on the one hand, a top plate (2) structure defined by a perimeter and comprising an upper surface (2t) and a lower surface (2L) and, on the other hand, a clamping system. The integral mono-block body is preferably made of a polymer, more preferably, but not necessarily, a thermoplastic polymer such as a polyolefin (e.g., PE, PP), a polyamide (e.g., PA6, PA66, PA12), a polyester (e.g., PET, PEN) and the like. It is advantageously injection moulded. For smaller series, 3D-printers can be used to produce the mono-block integral body (2). The mono-block integral body comprises an integral clamping system for reversibly coupling the keg connector to the closure of a keg. The clamping system comprises: (a) two clamping legs (3) jutting out of the lower surface (2L) of said top plate structure (2), each of said clamping legs having a hinge end (3h) integrally linked to two opposite portions of the perimeter of said top plate structure (2) and a free end (3f) opposite the hinge end and comprising at least one protrusion (3p) extending towards the free end of the other leg, and (b) two levers (4) jutting out of the upper surface (2t) of said top plate structure (2), each of said levers having a coupled end (4c) integrally fixed at the same two opposite portions of the perimeter of the top plate structure (2) as the hinge ends of the two legs, and a free end (4f), such that pressing the distal free ends of the two levers towards one another reversibly and resiliently drives the two free ends (3f) of the clamping legs (3) away from one another.

(9) The keg connector (1) further comprises: a dispensing tube (5) comprising a lumen bringing in fluid communication an upstream end (6u) located at the end of an upstream portion (5u) of the dispensing tube and a downstream end (6d) located at the end of a downstream portion (5d) of the dispensing tube; said upstream portion (5u) of the dispensing tube has an outer diameter matching the size of the dispensing opening of a closure for insertion therein, and juts transversally out of the lower surface (2L) of the top plate structure and is rigid such as to be able to break the seal of the dispensing opening by pressing thereon, and a gas tube (7) comprising a lumen bringing in fluid communication an upstream end (8u) located at the end of an upstream potion (7u) of the gas tube and a downstream end (8d) located at the end of a downstream portion (7d) of the gas tube; said downstream portion (7d) of the gas tube has an outer diameter matching the size of the gas opening of a closure for insertion therein, and juts transversally out of the lower surface (2L) of the top plate structure substantially parallel to the upstream portion (5u) of the dispensing tube (5).

(10) As shown in FIG. 4, the keg connector (1) of the present invention can be coupled to the closure (10) of a keg (9) by simply pressing it onto said closure in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis, X1, of the keg. At rest, the protrusions (3p) at the respective free ends (3f) of the clamping legs (3) are separated by a rest distance, d0. Upon pressing the keg connector onto the closure, the clamping legs (3) must pass through at least a broad section spanning a distance normal to the longitudinal axis, d1>d0, so that the clamping legs must be flexed slightly until the protrusions (3p) are separated by a distance, d1, to pass through said broad section. The keg connector reaches its coupling position when the protrusions (3p) have passed just beyond said broad section and are able to snap back into their rest position separated by a distance, d0, resting adjacent the broad section. The broad section can be the closure (10) itself which comprises a skirt (10s) and the clamping legs are able to snap back into their rest position when the protrusions reach the ridge (10r) of the closure skirt. The keg connector is thus coupled to the closure (10) which is itself coupled to the keg (9). Alternatively, the keg (9) comprises a circumferential ring (9r) forming a ledge around the circumference of the neck region. Said circumferential ledge forms the broad section over which the clamping legs must be flexed to pass further and can snap back into their rest position once the protrusions (3p) have passed beyond the ring (9r) (cf. FIG. 4(b)).

(11) As the clamping legs (3) are sliding along the closure skirt (10s) the upstream portion (5u) of the dispensing tube (5) and the downstream portion (7d) of the gas tube (7) are concomitantly introduced into the dispensing opening (50) and gas opening (70), respectively, of the closure (10), the upstream end (6u) of the dispensing tube (5) breaking open the sealed dispensing opening (50) in the process. For this reason, the upstream portion (5u) of the dispensing tube (5) and the downstream portion (7d) of the gas tube (7) must be parallel to one another, and must be parallel to the longitudinal axis, X1, when the keg connector is moved into coupling position.

(12) In a preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upstream portion (7u) of the gas tube (7) forms an angle of 70 to 120?, preferably of 80 to 100?; with the downstream portion (7d) of the gas tube. In a more preferred embodiment the upstream portion (7u) and downstream portion (7d) of the gas tube (7) are substantially normal. This allows a lateral connection of the gas line (17) to the keg connector which, depending on the configuration of the closet (11) in which the keg can be stored when in use can be convenient to save room.

(13) Similarly, the downstream portion (5d) of the dispensing tube (5) can form an angle of 70 to 120?, preferably of 80 to 100?; more preferably about 90? with the upstream portion (5u) of the dispensing tube. This configuration has the same advantage of saving space as the gas tube (7) discussed supra. It has the drawback, however, that it is more difficult to wash a lumen forming a relatively sharp elbow than a straight lumen. This drawback does not affect the gas tube which needs not be washed as thoroughly as the dispensing tube before use with a new keg. In case a lateral connection of the dispensing line (15) is desired, but it is preferred to not have a dispensing tube (5) forming an angle, it is possible, as illustrated in FIG. 2, to provide a straight dispensing tube (5) with a downstream end (8d) located flush with, or even slightly in recess of the upper surface (2t) of the top plate (2) structure. As visible in FIG. 2(a), a channel can be provided to accommodate the upstream portion of a dispensing line (15) ending with a L-shaped connector (15c). After use, the dispensing line (15), which is very difficult to wash satisfactorily, is normally removed and replaced by a new one, whilst the straight and relatively short lumen of the dispensing tube (5) of the keg connector can easily be thoroughly washed before use with a new keg. Note that in an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the downstream portion (5d) of the dispensing tube (5) and/or the upstream portion (7u) of the gas tube (7) can be coaxial with their respective upstream portion (5u) and downstream portion (7d), respectively.

(14) In an embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing tube (5) and/or the gas tube (7) or at least a portion of said dispensing and/or gas tubes is distinct from the mono-block integral body, and can be removably assembled thereto. This configuration is advantageous in that, in particular the dispensing tube needs not be washed before a new use but can simply be removed and replaced by a new one. This allows the use of dispensing and/or gas tubes (5, 7) having a relatively sharp angles, with simple dispensing and/or gas lines (15, 17) comprising no specific end geometry, contrary to the L-shaped upstream end of the dispensing line (15) discussed with respect of the foregoing embodiment. A simple flexible polymeric pipe can thus be used as dispensing or gas line (15, 17), which decreases the cost of a disposable element of the dispensing unit.

(15) In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 2, the whole keg connector is made of a single monolithic, integral block including the top plate (2) structure with its clamping legs (3) and levers (4), as well as the dispensing tube (5) and the gas tube (7) in their entirety, including both upstream and downstream portions thereof.

(16) In an embodiment particularly suitable for use with dispensing bag-in-containers, the upstream portion (5d) of the dispensing tube (5) is located substantially at the geometrical centroid of the perimeter of the inner surface of the top plate structure (2), and the downstream portion (7d) of the gas tube (7) is located close to the perimeter of the inner surface of the top plate structure (2). As shown in FIGS. 3&4 this configuration is well suited for bag-in-containers wherein pressurized gas is injected between the inner layer forming a flexible, collapsible bag containing the liquid to be dispensed, and the outer container. For this reason, the gas opening (70) in a closure (10) used with such bag-in-containers is conveniently located at the level of the rim defining the perimeter of the mouth of the container where a vent can be located. The dispensing opening can be anywhere else over the mouth of the container, and is conveniently located at the centre thereof.

(17) In case of traditional dispensing kegs, wherein pressurized gas, generally CO2, is injected into the volume containing the liquid to be dispensed through a hollow spear, the dispensing tube (5) is advantageously located close to the centroid of the top plate (2) structure, whilst the gas tube (7) should not be too close to the perimeter thereof, since it must correspond to a gas opening (70) of a closure which is located over the opening of the keg. In some instances, the gas duct (7) and dispensing duct (5) may be concentric, with the downstream portion (7d) of the gas duct (7) being enclosed within the upstream portion (5u) of the dispensing tube (5).

(18) When a keg connector (1) according to the present invention is reversibly coupled to a keg (9), it is is maintained in its coupled position by means of the clamping legs (3) snap-fitted beyond a broad section of the keg, which can be formed by the circumferential ridge (10r) forming the free end of the closure skirt (10s) or, alternatively by a circumferential ring (9r) formed at the neck region of the keg (9). In its coupled position, the upstream portion (5u) of the dispensing duct (5) is engaged in the dispensing opening (50) of the closure (with the seal thereof broken open upon introduction of the upstream end (6u) of the dispensing tube (5)) and the downstream portion (7d) of the gas tube (7) is engaged in the gas opening (70) of the closure. The terms downstream and upstream are used herein with reference to the flow direction of a fluid in the corresponding tubes (viz., liquid in the dispensing tube (5) flowing out of the container, and pressurized gas flowing in the gas tube (7) into the container).

(19) The downstream end (6d) of the dispensing tube (5) must be connected to an upstream end of a dispensing liner (15); which comprises a free downstream end (15d) and is coupled to a tapping valve (13t) located between the upstream and downstream ends of the dispensing lines. In a preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the assembly formed by a keg (9) and a keg connector (1) according to the present invention is used in a tapping system as can be found in bars and pubs. The keg can be stored under the counter, preferably in a closet (11) comprising a cooling system (12) for refrigerating the beverage (e.g., beer) contained in the keg. The dispensing line (15) runs from the downstream end (6d) of the dispensing tube (5) of the keg connector, through a tapping column and is coupled to a tapping valve system (13t) which can be, for example, a pinch valve as disclosed e.g., in EP2452914.

(20) Similarly, when the keg connector (1) is in its coupled position with the keg, the downstream portion (7d) of the gas tube (7) is inserted in the gas opening (70) of the closure (10). The upstream end (8u) of the gas tube (7) is connected to a gas line (17) which is coupled to a source (17g) of pressurized gas, such as a bottle containing gas under high pressure (cf. FIG. 1), or to a compressor (cf. FIG. 4). Injection of pressured gas into the keg (9) through the gas line (17) and gas tube (7) drives the flow of liquid contained in the keg through the dispensing tube (5) and dispensing line (15) to the tapping valve (13t).

(21) When the latter is open, the liquid is free to flow out of the downstream end (15d) of the dispensing line (15) into a glass or any other recipient (cf. FIG. 4(b)). FIG. 4 shows the example of a dispensing bag)-in-container which dispensing mechanism has been discussed supra. In case of a traditional keg, a spear is required to lead the flow of liquid from the most remote portion of the container from the keg opening in a direction parallel to the gravity field when the keg is in dispensing position (i.e., if the keg stands up vertical with its opening at the highest point, then the spear must reach close to the base of the container. If the keg is held in a tilted position, then the free end of the spear must reach the lowest point of the keg. If the keg is held vertically with its opening facing downwards, then no spear is needed). But with such configuration, injection of a pressurized gas is generally not necessary since dispensing is driven by gravity.

(22) A keg connector according to the present invention can be used repeatedly with different kegs (9) and is not disposable with each single keg. For this reason, it must be easily removable from an empty keg in order to the coupling thereof to a new keg. To facilitate the removal of a keg connector from an empty keg, the keg connector comprises two levers (4) which are a continuation of the clamping legs (3) extending on the opposite surface of the top plate structure (2), at the upper surface (2t) thereof. After closing the communication between the keg and the source (17g) of pressurized gas, the keg connector (1) can be easily removed by pressing the free ends (4f) of the two levers (4) towards one another, so that the protrusions (3p) at the free ends (3f) of the clamping legs (3) are driven away from each other, to a distance of d1 or greater. In such configuration, the keg connector can be removed along the longitudinal axis, X1, and can pass over the broad section without hindrance. After some washing, the keg connector is ready for use with a new keg.

(23) A keg connector (1) according to the present invention is extremely cheap to produce and can be used repeatedly with several kegs. It is very simple and rapid to use, requiring no complex movements of twisting or rotating for reversibly coupling it to a keg, but a simple translation along the longitudinal axis of the container suffices until the clamping legs (3) snap fit into position, with the dispensing tuber (5) and gas tube (7) engaged in the respective dispensing opening (50) and gas opening (70) of the keg closure (10). It is very compact, taking very little room when coupled to a keg. The removal thereof is very easy too, making it a perfect replacement to the conventional bulky keg connectors or to the disposable, single use connectors of the prior art.

(24) The following table lists the reference numbers used in the Figures.

(25) TABLE-US-00001 # Description 1 keg connector 2 top plate structure 2L lower surface of top plate structure 2 2t upper surface of top plate structure 2 3 clamping leg 3f clamping leg free end 3h clamping leg hinge end 3p clamping leg protrusion 4 lever 4c lever coupled end 4f lever free end 5 dispensing tube 5d downstream portion of dispensing tube 5u upstream portion of dispensing tube 6d downstream end of dispensing tube 6u upstream end of dispensing tube 7 gas tube 7d downstream portion of gas tube 7u upstream portion of gas tube 8d downstream end of gas tube 8u upstream end of gas tube 9 keg, container 10 closure 11 keg closet 12 cooling system 13 tapping column 13t tap valve 15 dispensing line 15c connection element between dispensing line 15 and dispensing tube 5 15d downstream end of dispensing line 17 gas line 17c connection element between gas line 17 and gas tube 7 17g source of pressurized gas 50 dispensing opening of closure 10 70 gas opening of closure 10