Double-walled insulated transport beer barrels

Abstract

This application relates to the field of transporting beer kegs, and in particular to a transporting beer keg with a double-layered insulation design. The transporting beer keg includes a keg body and a closable opening at the top of the keg body; the keg body adopts a composite layered structure, comprising, from the inside out: an inner liner made of food-grade polymer material, a foamed polypropylene insulation layer tightly attached to the outer wall of the inner liner, and an inflatable airbag layer covering the insulation layer. Compared with the prior art, this application, through the orderly combination of the above technical features, achieves this by using a crenellated interface structure to reduce the amount of foamed polypropylene while enhancing interfacial thermal resistance, an inflatable airbag layer to improve overall insulation performance, and an intermittent temperature monitoring system to accurately record historical temperature data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of transporting beer kegs, and in particular to a transporting beer keg with a double-insulated design. Background Technology

[0002] Maintaining the appropriate temperature is crucial for beer quality during transportation and storage, especially for temperature-sensitive beers like draft beer, which prioritize freshness. Temperature fluctuations significantly impact flavor and shelf life. One mainstream solution for widely used insulated beer kegs is expanded polystyrene (EPP) as the external insulation layer. While EPP offers some insulation, its cost remains a key limiting factor. Achieving sufficient insulation requires a thicker EPP layer, resulting in material and processing costs accounting for a significant portion of the overall structure, thus affecting the product's economic viability and marketability.

[0003] Beyond the challenge of balancing insulation performance with cost, existing beer transport kegs generally lack the ability to monitor the internal liquid temperature in real time or traceably. This is a significant technological gap. In complex logistics processes (such as long-distance transportation, transit warehousing, and point-of-sale display), even with insulation layers, the beer inside the keg may still experience unknown temperature fluctuations. For example, prolonged exposure to high temperatures, or limited insulation after opening, can cause the internal temperature to quietly rise above the critical point affecting flavor. However, the inability to know whether and for how long the beer has experienced excessively high temperatures during transportation or storage leads to two main problems: First, it is impossible to accurately trace the root cause of quality problems (whether it is caused by brewing, transportation, or storage), making it difficult to determine responsibility and improve processes; second, and more importantly, for temperature-sensitive products like draft beer, once it experiences temperatures exceeding the threshold or prolonged exposure at any stage, its flavor (such as freshness, bitterness balance, and aroma) may have irreversibly deteriorated, but this is not visually apparent, ultimately impacting consumer experience and brand reputation. The lack of historical temperature data makes it difficult to ensure the consistency of the final taste and quality of the product.

[0004] Therefore, the industry urgently needs a comprehensive and innovative solution. On the one hand, fundamental innovation is needed in the insulation structure to break through the cost bottleneck of existing EPP solutions, significantly reducing overall manufacturing costs and improving cost-effectiveness while ensuring effective insulation. On the other hand, it would be of great significance to integrate a simple temperature monitoring function into beer kegs (especially transport kegs) without significantly increasing costs and maintaining low power consumption (e.g., using a low-power solution that records temperature at intervals rather than continuous monitoring). Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to overcome at least one deficiency of the prior art and to provide a transport beer barrel with a double-layer insulation design.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application discloses a double-layered heat-insulated transport beer keg, which includes a keg body and a closable opening at the top of the keg body; the keg body adopts a composite layered structure, which includes, from the inside out: an inner liner made of food-grade polymer material, a foamed polypropylene heat insulation layer tightly attached to the outer wall of the inner liner, and an inflatable air bladder layer covering the outside of the heat insulation layer. The barrel body integrates a monitoring component at the top, which includes a temperature sensor, a microcontroller, an NFC communication module, and a power supply unit; the temperature sensor extends into the inner cavity of the liner, and the microcontroller establishes electrical connections with the temperature sensor, the NFC communication module, and the power supply unit respectively. The contact interface between the foamed polypropylene insulation layer and the inner liner forms a periodic geometric configuration, specifically a crenellated mating surface composed of alternating rectangular protrusions and rectangular grooves; the two ends of the rectangular grooves are closed to form a sealed insulation chamber.

[0007] The inflatable airbag layer is provided with an independent inflation port. After inflation, it forms a sealed air cavity that wraps the heat insulation layer, forming an additional heat insulation barrier and enhancing the structure's impact resistance.

[0008] Furthermore, the microcontroller of the monitoring component is configured in an intermittent data acquisition mode, triggering the temperature sensor to perform measurements at fixed time intervals. The acquired temperature data is stored in the microcontroller's non-volatile memory and passive data exchange is achieved through the NFC communication module.

[0009] Compared with existing technologies, this application, through the orderly combination of the above technical features, achieves a crenellated interface structure that reduces the amount of foamed polypropylene while enhancing interfacial thermal resistance. The inflatable air bladder layer improves overall thermal insulation performance, and the intermittent temperature monitoring system accurately records historical temperature data. The thermal resistance of this transport beer keg is higher than that of traditional single-layer insulation structures, while the overall manufacturing cost is lower than that of vacuum insulation structures.

[0010] The beneficial effects listed above are not exhaustive of all advantages. Other potential beneficial effects and detailed technical implementation methods will be further disclosed in the embodiments or other descriptive sections of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0011] A better understanding of various aspects of this disclosure will be achieved by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The positions, dimensions, and extents of the structures shown in the drawings, etc., do not always represent actual positions, dimensions, and extents. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of one embodiment disclosed in this application.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of one embodiment disclosed in this application.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of one embodiment disclosed in this application.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a hardware connection block diagram of the monitoring component in one embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below; in fact, the embodiments described below are intended to make the disclosure more complete and to fully illustrate the scope of protection of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide further additional embodiments.

[0016] It should be understood that the same reference numerals denote the same elements in all the accompanying drawings. For clarity, the dimensions of certain features may be modified in the drawings.

[0017] It should be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. All terms used in this specification (including technical and scientific terms) have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art, unless otherwise defined. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, techniques, methods, and apparatus known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail; however, where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and apparatus should be considered part of this specification.

[0018] Unless otherwise specified, the singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in this specification include the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “containing” used in this specification indicate the presence of the claimed feature but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features. The term “and / or” used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items.

[0019] This embodiment discloses an exemplary structure for a double-layered insulated beer transport keg, aiming to solve the balance problem between insulation performance and cost in existing beer transport kegs, while providing real-time or traceable monitoring capabilities for the internal liquid temperature. The following is in conjunction with the appendix... Figures 1 to 3 An embodiment of the beer barrel transportation method is described in detail.

[0020] The beer transport keg has a cylindrical structure with a sealable opening at the top for easy filling and dispensing of beer. The keg body has a composite layered structure, consisting of an inner liner layer 1, a foamed polypropylene insulation layer 2, and an inflatable air bladder layer 3, from the inside out.

[0021] The inner liner 1 is made of food-grade polymer material, which has good chemical stability and safety, allowing it to come into direct contact with beer and ensuring that the beer's quality is not affected. The shape of the inner liner 1 matches the overall shape of the keg, forming a cavity for holding the beer.

[0022] The foamed polypropylene insulation layer 2 is tightly attached to the outer wall of the inner liner layer 1. It's important to understand that foamed polypropylene is a lightweight material with excellent thermal insulation properties, effectively reducing heat transfer between the inside and outside of the keg and maintaining the beer's low temperature. This insulation layer is manufactured using a foaming molding process and contains numerous tiny air bubbles. These bubbles effectively prevent heat conduction and convection, thus achieving excellent insulation.

[0023] In terms of specific structure, the contact interface between the foamed polypropylene insulation layer 2 and the inner liner layer 1 forms a special periodic geometric configuration, specifically a crenellated mating surface composed of continuously arranged rectangular protrusions and rectangular grooves, with the two ends of the rectangular grooves closed to form a sealed insulation chamber. This structural design can further increase the contact thermal resistance between the foamed polypropylene insulation layer 2 and the inner liner layer 1, reduce heat transfer efficiency, and thus improve the overall thermal insulation performance of the tank. At the same time, this structure can also reduce the amount of foamed polypropylene insulation layer 2 used, reducing costs while improving the thermal insulation effect.

[0024] As a second heat-insulating structure, in this embodiment, an inflatable airbag layer 3 covers the outside of the foamed polypropylene insulation layer 2. The inflatable airbag layer 3 is made of flexible rubber material, possessing good elasticity and inflatability. When uninflated, the airbag layer fits tightly against the surface of the foamed polypropylene insulation layer 2, facilitating transportation and storage. After inflation, the inflatable airbag layer 3 forms a relatively closed air cavity, further enhancing the insulation performance of the barrel. Simultaneously, the inflated airbag layer also acts as a buffer, improving the barrel's impact resistance and reducing damage caused by collisions during transportation. The inflation port of the inflatable airbag layer 3 is located at the top of the barrel for convenient inflation by the user.

[0025] The inflatable airbag layer 3 is equipped with an independent inflation port, and the inflatable airbag layer 3 can be inflated using an inflation device.

[0026] Based on the above structure, in order to realize the temperature monitoring and traceability function of this embodiment, a monitoring component 4 is integrated on the top of the barrel, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 4The monitoring component 4 includes a temperature sensor 401, a microcontroller 402, an NFC communication module 403, and a power supply unit 404. The probe of the temperature sensor 401 extends into the cavity of the inner liner 1, enabling real-time monitoring of temperature changes in the beer inside the keg. The microcontroller 402 establishes electrical connections with the temperature sensor 401, the NFC communication module 403, and the power supply unit 404, respectively, to achieve the acquisition, processing, and transmission of temperature data.

[0027] More specifically, the power supply unit 404 provides stable power support for the monitoring component 4, ensuring the normal operation of the temperature sensor 401, microcontroller 402, and NFC communication module 403. The power supply unit 404 uses a replaceable battery, which is convenient for users to replace when the battery is depleted, thus extending the service life of the monitoring component 4.

[0028] Temperature sensor 401 is used to sense the temperature of the liquid in the container and convert the temperature signal into an electrical signal, which is then transmitted to microcontroller 402. Microcontroller 402, which integrates non-volatile memory, processes and stores the collected temperature data and exchanges data with external devices (external mobile phones or NFC acquisition terminals) through NFC communication module 403.

[0029] It is important to understand that the NFC communication module 403 is a short-range wireless communication technology with low power consumption and fast connection speed, which allows users to quickly obtain the temperature information of the beer in the keg using NFC-enabled smart devices (such as mobile phones, tablets, etc.).

[0030] In actual use, beer is filled into the inner liner 1 of the keg, and then the keg is sealed through the sealable opening at the top. Before sealing, the inflatable airbag layer 3 is inflated to fully expand and create good heat insulation and cushioning. The temperature sensor 401 in the monitoring component 4 monitors the temperature of the beer inside the keg in real time and collects temperature data according to the intermittent data acquisition mode set by the microcontroller 402. The collected temperature data is stored in the non-volatile memory of the microcontroller 402, so that users can read and query the data at any time through NFC-enabled devices.

[0031] For example, during beer transportation, although the external ambient temperature may fluctuate significantly, the double-layer insulation design of the keg—including a foamed polypropylene insulation layer 2 and an inflatable air bladder layer 3—effectively blocks external heat from entering, maintaining the beer's low temperature. Simultaneously, the monitoring component 4 records real-time temperature changes within the keg, allowing users to promptly obtain temperature data via the NFC communication module 403 if an abnormal temperature rise occurs, enabling them to take appropriate measures to prevent the beer from spoiling due to excessive heat, thus affecting its taste and quality.

[0032] Compared to traditional single-layer insulated beer kegs, the double-layer insulated transport beer keg in this embodiment offers significant advantages. Its thermal resistance is significantly improved, maintaining the beer at a low temperature for a longer period and extending its shelf life. Simultaneously, the combination of a foamed polypropylene insulation layer 2 and an inflatable air bladder layer 3 reduces material costs while ensuring effective insulation, improving the product's cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, the integrated temperature monitoring component 4 provides real-time temperature data monitoring and traceability for beer transportation and storage, helping to accurately trace the root cause of quality problems, clarify responsibility, and provide consumers with more reliable quality assurance.

[0033] In the above embodiments, certain aspects not described in detail, such as the specific manufacturing process of the barrel, the connection methods of each component, and the detailed circuit design of the monitoring component, are all within the scope of well-known technology or existing technology for those skilled in the art. For example, the barrel molding process can adopt conventional methods in the art, such as injection molding and blow molding; the connection between components can use common methods such as bonding, welding, or mechanical fixing; and the circuit design of the monitoring component 4 can be implemented based on existing electronic circuit design principles. Those skilled in the art can fully utilize their existing knowledge and experience, combined with the relevant technical features and requirements given in this embodiment, to carry out specific implementation and operation of these undisclosed or undetailed contents, without the need for further detailed explanation.

[0034] While exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, all changes and modifications are included within the scope of protection of this disclosure as defined by the claims. This disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and equivalents of those claims are also included.

Claims

1. A double-walled insulated transport keg for beer, characterized in that The transport beer barrel includes a barrel body and a closable opening at the top of the barrel body; the barrel body adopts a composite layered structure, which includes, from the inside out: an inner liner made of food-grade polymer material, a foamed polypropylene insulation layer tightly attached to the outer wall of the inner liner, and an inflatable airbag layer covering the outside of the insulation layer. The barrel body has a monitoring component integrated at the top; The contact interface between the foamed polypropylene insulation layer and the inner liner forms a periodic geometric configuration, specifically a crenellated mating surface composed of alternating rectangular protrusions and rectangular grooves; the two ends of the rectangular grooves are closed to form a sealed insulation chamber. The inflatable airbag layer is provided with an independent inflation port, which forms a sealed air cavity that wraps the heat insulation layer after inflation.

2. A double-walled insulated transport keg as defined in claim 1, characterized in that The monitoring component includes a temperature sensor, a microcontroller, an NFC communication module, and a power supply unit; the temperature sensor extends into the inner cavity of the liner, and the microcontroller establishes electrical connections with the temperature sensor, the NFC communication module, and the power supply unit respectively.

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