Abstract:
The present invention describes polymer compositions that have enhanced properties as oxygen barriers, as well as manufacturing methods for such oxygen-scavenging polymers and devices composed of such oxygen-scavenging polymers. These oxygen- scavenging polymers offer several benefits over existing materials, including a reduced ability for oxygen and carbon dioxide to permeate the polymer, reduced foaming of beverages stored in containers composed of the polymers, improved moisture absorption, and increased anti-bacterial/anti-fungal properties.
Abstract:
Polymeric keg connector for fluidly connecting the interior of a container comprising an opening with a fluid tube, the keg connector comprising: a) a connector base body (1a); b) coupling means (5) for firmly and releasably coupling the connector base body to the opening of the container; c) a support element (13) movable in a longitudinal direction Z with respect to the base body, by sliding one sliding surface (13sl) of the support element against one sliding surface (1sl) of the main base body (1a), said support element (13) rigidly supporting: d) a tube (4b, 6b, 400b) comprising a penetration end portion parallel to longitudinal axis Z, suitable for penetrating into said opening; e) penetration actuation means (15) for reversibly moving by a given distance along the longitudinal axis Z the support element (13) and tube, upon movement of the support element (13) when the base body (1a) is coupled to said opening, from a first retracted position (Z0), to a second connected position (Z2), wherein said distance is sufficient for the said tube penetration end to penetrate into said opening provided on a closure of said container, wherein the sliding surfaces (1sl, 13sl) of said connector base body and said support element are manufactured in a particulate-reinforced polymeric material and the polymeric material of the connector base body is reinforced by a particulate material that is different than the particulate material reinforcing the support element.
Abstract:
Device for dispensing a liquid from a container (9), comprising: a dispensing tube (21) for dispensing the liquid through a dispensing valve (23v); a gas tube (22) for feeding a pressurized gas into the container, the upstream end of the gas tube being connectable to a source of pressurized gas (22g); a three way valve 1 coupled to the downstream end of the gas tube 22, the three way valve comprising: a keg duct (1k) suitable for communication with the interior of the container; a gas duct (1g) connected to the downstream end of the gas tube; and a vent duct (1v); the three way valve can switch from a dispensing position (Id) wherein the keg duct (1k) is in communication with the gas duct (lg), and out of communication with the vent duct (11v), to a venting position (11dg), wherein the keg duct (11k) is in fluid communication with the vent duct (11v), and out of fluid communication with the gas duct (11g).
Abstract:
A kit for dispensing a beverage through a dispense tube comprising a dispense valve, the kit comprising: • - an assembly of a keg (1) and a closure (2), the keg (1) and closure (2) assembly comprising: • a. an inner vent mechanism incorporated in the closure or at the interface of keg and closure, the inner vent mechanism configured to fluidly connect the inner space and intermediate space when an overpressure of predetermined value Poo occurs in the flexible bag; and • b. a safety relief mechanism (8a, 8b, 27) incorporated in the closure (2) or at an interface of closure (2) and keg (1), the safety relief mechanism designed to relief pressure when an overpressure of predetermined value P 01 occurs in the keg, wherein Po1 is larger than Poo; • - a keg connector (38) comprising a base body and: • a) coupling means (40) for connecting the keg connector (31) to the neck portion (5) of the keg (1) or to the closure (2) of said keg; • b) a dispense connector (38a) comprising a dispense tip (38b); • c) a gas connector (39a), comprising a gas tip (39b); characterized in that said connector comprises an overpressure relief vent (41) and an overpressure relief valve (42) to relief pressure when an overpressure in the gas tip (39b) reaches a predetermined overpressure value P 02 and in that at least one of following conditions are fulfilled: • i The predetermined overpressure P 02 at which the relief valve opens is smaller than Po1; • ii the coupling of the keg connector to the keg or closure increases the overpressure Po1 needed to activate the overpressure mechanism in the closure or at the interface of keg and closure to an overpressure Po1' larger than Po1, with P o1' being larger than P 02 ·
Abstract:
The present invention concerns a beverage dispensing device comprising: (a) A container (8) containing a liquid beverage to be dispensed, (b) A beverage dispensing line (4) and a gas line (6), (c) A keg connector suitable for connecting the interior of the keg with the dispensing line (4) and, gas line (6) by coupling said keg connector to a closure of the container; (d) A storing compartment (11) comprising means (5) for receiving at least two containers; (e) An elongated tapping column (2), fixed to said top plate (11t) and provided with a tapping valve element (3) Characterized in that, the means for receiving at least two containers in the storing compartment (11) are such that each container is stored in a dispensing position with its longitudinal axis, X1, forming a storing angle of ± 30° with respect to the top plane, Π, and in that, the keg connector is such that the height, H2, measured along the longitudinal axis, X1, between the bottom end of a container and the furthest point of the keg connector coupled to the closure of said connector is not more than 5% greater than the height, H1, of said container without keg connector, (H2-H1)/H1 ≤ 5%.