TAPPING AND REGULATING DEVICE, AND CONTAINER HAVING SUCH A TAPPING AND REGULATING DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a tapping and regulating device for dispensing a liquid from a container, in particular from a beverage container, preferably for dispensing a beer or a beer beverage from a keg, preferably from a 5-litre party keg, with a rod-shaped or cylinder-shaped arrangement composed of pressure unit, regulating unit and tapping unit, which arrangement can preferably be inserted almost flush into the container through an opening in the lid of the container, wherein the tapping unit can be transferred from a transport and storage position, in which it is inserted in the arrangement, to a use position, in which it is withdrawn from the arrangement and fluidically connected thereto, and wherein the withdrawn tapping unit is able to be mounted on the container, preferably at the latter's edge, fold or the like, for handling or actuating.

Claims

1. A tapping and regulating device for dispensing a liquid from a container, in particular from a beverage container, preferably for dispensing a beer or a beer beverage from a beer keg, preferably from a 5 L party beer keg, with a rod-shaped or cylindrical arrangement, consisting of a pressure unit, a regulating unit and a tapping unit, which can preferably be plugged through an opening in the lid of the container in an approximately flush manner into the container, wherein the tapping unit can be moved from a transport and storage position, in which it is plugged into the arrangement, into a use position, in which it is removed from the arrangement and is flow-connected to the latter, and wherein the removed tapping unit can be attached to the container, preferably to its edge, fold or the like for handling or actuating.

2. The tapping and regulating device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the pressure unit comprises, as lower housing part, an end-side cartridge housing with a gas cartridge arranged therein, preferably a CO.sub.2 cartridge, which end-side cartridge housing is adjoined, as second housing part, by a sealing housing, in which the tapping unit is arranged as far as possible in its transport and storage position and closes off the sealing housing at the free end.

3. The tapping and regulating device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that a middle housing part is configured between the two housing parts, or a transition region is configured in the two housing parts by way of the regulating unit.

4. The tapping and regulating device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, possibly as an integral constituent part of the housing parts, a riser pipe for pressure-induced rising of the liquid is configured outside the cartridge housing and possibly the middle housing part or the transition region, which riser pipe opens in the region of the sealing housing into the latter and opens in the interior of the sealing housing into an internal flow channel which is flow-connected via an elastic flow connection to a tapping channel of the tapping unit.

5. The tapping and regulating device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the elastic flow connection is configured as an elastic hose which is just so long that the tapping unit can be moved into its use position.

6. The tapping and regulating device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the pressure unit comprises a pressure sleeve with a screw-in sleeve with a valve tappet which can be actuated via the regulating unit which is operatively connected to it, wherein the pressure cartridge is screwed into the screw-in sleeve and can be actuated via the valve tappet.

7. The tapping and regulating device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the regulating unit comprises a membrane which acts on the valve tappet and is subjected to the pressure of a pressure chamber which is configured between the pressure sleeve and the membrane, and opens or closes the pressure cartridge via the valve tappet counter to the pressure of a pressure compressor which is loaded with spring force.

8. The tapping and regulating device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that an overpressure protection means, which, in addition to a seal ring, can comprise a rupture disk loaded with spring force, is provided between the regulating unit and the tapping unit, preferably in a region of the sealing housing which faces the regulating unit.

9. The tapping and regulating device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the tapping unit comprises a tap head, with a tapping channel which adjoins the elastic hose, and a tap handle which serves for actuation purposes.

10. The tapping and regulating device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the tapping unit comprises a valve barrel which gradually opens or closes the tapping channel upon actuation of the tap handle.

11. The tapping and regulating device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, at its front-side end, the tapping unit comprises a handling member for pulling the tapping unit out of the transport position into the actuating position.

12. The tapping and regulating device as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that, in the transport position, a tamper-proof seal connects the tap head releasably to the sealing housing and possibly closes the free end of the tapping channel which, when the tapping unit is pulled out of the sealing housing by means of the handling member, detaches or breaks irreversibly and possibly opens the tapping channel for the free outlet.

13. The tapping and regulating device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that a clamping device which serves to plug the tap head in a clamping manner onto the edge or fold of the container is provided in the tap head.

14. The tapping and regulating device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, at its free end, the sealing housing has a flange or a peripheral shoulder for external contact with the edge of the opening in the lid of the container.

15. The tapping and regulating device as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that, below or behind the flange or the shoulder, the sealing housing has a latching means with sealing means for sealing with respect to the opening in the lid of the container.

16. A container, in particular a beverage container, preferably a beer keg for beer or for a beer beverage, for example a 5 L party beer keg, with a tapping and regulating device for dispensing a liquid as claimed in claim 1.

Description

[0031] There are now various possibilities to configure and develop the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous way. To this end, reference is to be made firstly to the further independent claims to claim 1 and secondly to the following explanation of one preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention on the basis of the drawing. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention on the basis of the drawing, preferred refinements and developments of the teaching will also be explained generally. In the drawing:

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic view of one exemplary embodiment of a 5 L party beer keg according to the invention with an opening in the lid, without a tapping and regulating device,

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic view, in section, of a 5 L party beer keg with an inserted tapping and regulating device according to the invention, wherein the tapping unit is situated in the transport and storage position within a rod-shaped or cylindrical arrangement,

[0034] FIG. 2a shows a diagrammatic view, in part and on an enlarged scale, of the pressure and regulating device of the object from FIG. 2,

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic view of the object from FIG. 2, wherein the tapping unit is pulled out of the rod-shaped or cylindrical arrangement and is situated in the use position, in which it is clipped onto the fold of the beer keg,

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic view of the object from FIG. 3, wherein the tap handle which serves for tapping purposes is raised,

[0037] FIG. 5 shows the beer keg in accordance with the illustration from FIG. 2 in a plan view,

[0038] FIG. 6 shows the beer keg in accordance with the illustration from FIG. 2 in a perspective view,

[0039] FIG. 7 shows the beer keg in accordance with the illustration from FIG. 2 in a frontal view, and

[0040] FIG. 8 shows the beer keg in accordance with the illustration from FIG. 4 in a perspective view.

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic view of a 5 L beer keg 1. An opening 3 which is to be understood to be the only opening in the beer keg 1 is configured at the top in the lid 2. As a consequence, only a single opening 3 is also to be sealed in the case of this beer keg 1.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows, furthermore, that the lid 2 is connected via a fold 4 to the wall 5.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic sectional illustration of the beer keg 1 according to FIG. 1, wherein the tapping and regulating device according to the invention is plugged in an approximately flush manner into the opening 3. From bottom to top, the tapping and regulating device can be described as follows:

[0044] A CO.sub.2 cartridge 7 is arranged in a cartridge housing 6. The cartridge 7 is screwed into a screw-in sleeve 8 which consists of plastic or stainless steel. The screw-in sleeve 8 is in turn situated in a pressure sleeve 9, wherein the screw-in sleeve 8 can be screwed into or fastened in some other way to the pressure sleeve 9.

[0045] A valve tappet 10 which dips with the end of its shank into a flange base 11 of a membrane 12 is situated above the pressure sleeve 9. The membrane 12 serves to actuate the valve tappet 10.

[0046] A spring compressor 13 is arranged above the membrane 12, wherein a regulating spring 14 comes into contact on the spring compressor 13. The spring compressor 13 and the regulating spring 14 are surrounded by the sealing housing 15 which is screwed into the pressure sleeve 9.

[0047] The upper shank end of the spring compressor 13 protrudes through a through opening 16 in the sealing housing 15 as far as a passage at the lower end of the rotary piston 17, in which the spring compressor 13 is latched. The regulating spring 14 or the plate of the spring compressor 13 is not in contact with the membrane 12. The regulating spring 14 is compressed.

[0048] An overpressure protection means 18 is provided in the clearance between the upper shank end of the spring compressor 13 and the lower end of the rotary piston 17. The overpressure protection means 18 comprises a sealing disk 19 with a rupture disk 21 which is sealed by way of an O-ring 20. This sealing disk is pressed outward against the rupture disk 21 by way of a compression spring 22 which is supported on the inside on the sealing housing 15.

[0049] A sealing surface 23 which is attached to the rotary piston 17 and seals against a through arch 24 in the sealing housing 15 lies opposite the overpressure protection means 18. An inlet hole 25 is provided on the sealing housing 15 for the flow channel of the rotary piston 17 on the opposite side, along the sealing surface 23.

[0050] The upper end, running or attached to the cartridge housing 6, of a riser pipe 27 moves in a positively locking manner into the housing 1 at the outer lower end of the through arch 24 of the sealing housing 15.

[0051] The flow channel 26 and an activating web 29 of the rotary piston 17 protrude into the upper, inner clearance 28 of the sealing housing 15.

[0052] A hose 30, which is fastened to the flow channel 26 of the rotary piston 17, and an activating pin 31, pushed into the activating web 29, of the tap head 32 adjoin one another. An inlet channel 33, to which the other free end of the hose 30 is fastened, is situated opposite the activating pin 31.

[0053] The inlet channel 33 of the tap head 32 opens into a valve barrel 34, to which a tap handle 35 is fastened.

[0054] A seal 36 which acts with respect to the outer wall of the keg lid 2 in the region of the opening 3 is provided on the flange of the sealing housing 15. Moreover, a tamper-proof seal 38 which is connected to the tap head 32 is provided.

[0055] FIG. 2a shows the essential details explained with respect to FIG. 2 in an enlarged illustration.

[0056] FIG. 3 differs from FIG. 1 in that the tapping unit is moved out of its transport and storage position into the removed use position. Specifically, the tap head 32 is plugged onto the fold 4 of the keg lid 2. It can be seen clearly that the hose 30 flow-connects the tap head 32 to the riser pipe 27 via the rotary piston 17. The storage space 39 which is open to the outside is now empty and open to the outside. It is sealed with respect to the keg interior.

[0057] Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows that the actuating member which serves for tapping purposes, namely the tap handle 35, is situated in a laid-flat position.

[0058] According to FIG. 4, the tap handle 35 is deployed and can be actuated, as a result of which the valve barrel 34 is rotated.

[0059] FIGS. 2 to 4 show, furthermore, that the tap head 32 comprises a slot-like clamping device 40, by way of which the tap head 32 is plugged in a clamping manner onto the fold 4.

[0060] The figures show, furthermore, the downwardly directed outlet 41 which is configured in the tap head 32.

[0061] FIG. 5 shows the beer keg, equipped with the tapping and regulating device according to the invention, from above, wherein the tapping unit is situated in the transport and storage position. An arrow 42 indicates the rotational direction, in which the bracket or plate 43 which can be seen from above is to be rotated, in order that the tap head 32 which is situated in the storage space 39 under an at least small stress passes out of the storage space 39.

[0062] FIG. 6 shows the keg equipped with the tapping and regulating device according to the invention in a diagrammatic, perspective side view, and FIG. 7 shows the object from FIG. 6 in a front view.

[0063] In accordance with the illustration in FIG. 8, the tapping unit is situated in the use position, and the tap head 32 is plugged onto the upper outer edge, that is to say onto the fold 4 of the beer keg 1. The tap handle 35 is deployed for tapping. The hose 30 leads out of the keg interior, through the opening 3 to the tap head 32. It can be seen, furthermore, that a fastening collar or flange 44 is provided on the opening 3 or at the upper end of the storage space 39, on which fastening collar or flange the tap head can be fixed in a screw-like or bayonet-like manner in the plugged-in state within the storage space 39.

[0064] The following is to be stated in key words with respect to the function of the above-explained tapping and regulating device: [0065] The valve tappet pierces the CO.sub.2 cartridge with its tip. This either already takes place during assembly by the filler or, in the case of a corresponding configuration of the sealing housing and the rotary piston and the spring compressor, by way of the consumer. As soon as the CO.sub.2 cartridge is activated, the pressure which serves to convey the liquid prevails at the bottom of the valve tappet. [0066] The end user rotates the tap head, situated in the transport position, in accordance with a functional instruction by between 10 to 120 in or counter to the clockwise direction, depending on the embodiment. [0067] The tap head is connected by way of its activating pin in the activating web to the rotary piston and correspondingly also rotates the latter. [0068] On account of the rotational movement of the rotary piston, the inlet hole on the sealing surface of the rotary piston is brought into an overlap with the outlet hole of the through arch of the sealing housing. The fluid channel (riser pipe, flow channel, hose) is released in this way. [0069] Upper cutouts on the flange of the sealing housing release the tap head which can be removed upward out of the sealing housing out of its transport position. [0070] A valve barrel is configured in the tap head, on which valve barrel a tap handle engages or acts. Moreover, the free end of the hose is fastened to the tap head. The tap head is pulled together with the hose out of the sealing housing or out of the storage space of the sealing housing. The tap head is then pressed by a clamping device, more precisely on its notch, with a certain pressure upward onto the fold of the keg, and can latch there below the fold by means of a latching lug. [0071] Afterward, the tap handle is moved upward. As a result, it rotates the valve barrel. The latter releases the flow path of the fluid channel and the tapping channel. The fluid can exit through the outlet. [0072] The pressure in the interior of the container drops during tapping. As soon as the pressure drops below a predefined level, the regulating spring presses the membrane downward in the direction of the valve tappet. As a result, CO.sub.2 escapes from the CO.sub.2 cartridge in the direction of the pressure chamber and passes via the outflow channel below the O-ring in the direction of the container. The pressure in the container rises again. Pressure equalization arises between the pressure chamber and the container. The two regions are at the same pressure. Atmospheric pressure prevails above the membrane. This atmospheric pressure arises as a result of the free access to the atmosphere via the through opening between the spring compressor, the rotary piston and the sealing housing. [0073] The regulating pressure in the pressure chamber is determined by way of the specific embodiment of the regulating spring which is pressed upward onto the membrane via the active surface in the pressure chamber in the case of a prevailing pressure. The valve tappet is then no longer pressed downward actively out of the regulating spring or the membrane. CO.sub.2 can no longer flow out from the CO.sub.2 cartridge in the direction of the pressure chamber. [0074] The pressure equalization is prevented until pressure again escapes from the container as a result of the tapping operation. The above-explained regulating operation begins again and is repeated as desired as long as liquid is situated in the container or as long as the CO.sub.2 cartridge provides pressure medium. [0075] Should a malfunction occur during regulating of the pressure, for example if CO.sub.2 escapes into the container in an uncontrolled and excessively rapid manner, or should the container pass into a critical pressure state as high as the bursting range on account of great heating, the CO.sub.2 can escape in a controlled manner without bursting the container with the aid of the installed overpressure protection means.

[0076] The overpressure protection means operates as follows: [0077] A sealing disk with a hole in the middle is provided. It is separated from the rupture disk and sealed by way of an O-ring. A spring which presses against the rupture disk is arranged behind the rupture disk. If the pressure in the interior of the container rises above a predefined value, the rupture disk lifts from the O-ring as a result of the prevailing pressure in the hole of the sealing disk. The spring which lies behind it is compressed. Correspondingly, the hole in the sealing disk is released, and pressure can escape outward to the atmosphere via the sealing housing past the rupture disk.

[0078] The above comments in respect of the function of the tapping and regulating device according to the invention do not restrict it via the specific features of the patent claims. They serve rather for explanatory purposes.

[0079] Reference is made to the general part of the description and to the appended claims with regard to further advantageous refinements of the apparatus according to the invention, in order to avoid repetitions.

[0080] Finally, it is to be noted expressly that the above-described exemplary embodiment of the teaching according to the invention serves merely to explain the claimed teaching, but does not restrict it to the exemplary embodiment. [0081] Container, keg, beer keg [0082] Lid, keg lid [0083] 3 Opening (at the top in the container) [0084] 4 Fold [0085] 5 Wall (of the container) [0086] 6 Cartridge housing [0087] 7 Cartridge, pressure cartridge [0088] 8 Screw-in sleeve [0089] 9 Pressure sleeve [0090] 10 Valve tappet [0091] 11 Flange base [0092] 12 Membrane [0093] 13 Spring compressor [0094] 14 Regulating spring [0095] 15 Sealing housing [0096] 16 Through opening [0097] 17 Rotary piston [0098] 18 Overpressure protection means [0099] 19 Sealing disk [0100] 20 O-ring [0101] 21 Rupture disk, rupture ring [0102] 22 Compression spring [0103] 23 Sealing surface [0104] 24 Through arch [0105] 25 Inlet hole, inlet opening [0106] 26 Flow channel [0107] 27 Riser pipe [0108] 28 Clearance [0109] 29 Activating web [0110] 33 Inlet channel [0111] 34 Valve barrel [0112] 35 Tap handle [0113] 36 Seal [0114] 37 Not allocated [0115] 38 Tamper-proof seal [0116] 39 Storage space (in the sealing housing) [0117] 40 Clamping device [0118] 41 Outlet