Fitting comprising a data carrier for a beverage keg

Abstract

The invention relates to a fitting assembly (1) for a beverage keg (13), said fitting assembly comprising: a fitting housing (2) having a resilient riser pipe (6) that is located therein and is in particular movable relative thereto; and a seal (4), characterised in that an electronic data carrier (22) is located on or in the seal (4) and / or in a cover (24) for the seal (4).

Description

[0001] Fitting with data carrier for a beverage keg

[0002] The present invention relates to a fitting arrangement for a beverage keg having the features in the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0003] It is well known in the art to store beverages for consumption in containers. This allows for transport from the beverage production site, such as a brewery, to the place of consumption, such as a restaurant.

[0004] Common containers for beverages are bottles, cans and kegs. In the latter case, it is possible to store larger quantities of the respective beverage, for example more than 10 liters, in particular more than 20 liters and preferably more than 30 liters of the beverage in a keg. In order to fill the beverage into the keg at the filling point and to extract it at the tapping point, it is known that the beverage is tapping from the keg under pressure with the aid of a gas. CO2 is particularly used for this purpose. The kegs have a keg body with an outer shell. The keg body is usually made of a metallic material. The keg body usually has an opening in the middle of its top side into which a fitting is inserted. The fitting serves as a coupling point for filling the keg. Once the filling process is complete, the fitting remains on the keg and has a seal ora sealing arrangement so that the beverage filled into the beverage keg remains sealed and, if necessary, under pressure.

[0005] At the dispensing point, the beverage keg is connected to a dispensing system. There is a gas line for introducing the gas into the beverage keg and a beverage line for dispensing or extracting the beverage from the keg. For this purpose, a dispensing head is used, which is connected to the fitting, particularly in a form-fitting and fluid-tight, yet detachably connected manner.

[0006] Since the barrel body itself is usually made of a metallic, i.e., non-transparent and opaque material, and since the barrels are often cleaned after the initial filling and refilled dozens of times, it is necessary to obtain information about the respective barrel contents and, if necessary, additional information about the barrel and / or the fitting. Particularly due to the reuse of the fitting, external markings, such as stickers, labels, or even permanent markings, such as laser engraving, are only suitable to a limited extent.

[0007] From GB 383 900 A a riser pipe is known into which a transponder is cast by means of a sealing mass, for example rubber material.

[0008] The present invention therefore aims to provide a beverage keg in which information about the beverage keg and, optionally, about the beverage itself, remains rewritable and permanently on the beverage keg. The aforementioned object is achieved according to the invention with a fitting arrangement according to the features of claim 1.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0010] The fitting assembly for a beverage keg comprises a fitting sleeve with a preferably spring-loaded and, depending on the design, sometimes relatively movable riser tube arranged therein, as well as a seal. The fitting assembly, in particular the sleeve and the riser tube, are made of metallic material, in particular of a food-grade material, such as stainless steel. The seal is located between the fitting housing, in particular on the inner surface of the fitting housing, and the riser tube, and thus seals the riser tube against the fitting housing.

[0011] According to the invention, the fitting assembly is characterized in that an electronic data carrier is arranged on or in the seal or a cover located above it. The data carrier is, in particular, an RFID tag or an NFC tag. This makes it possible to store information on the electronic data carrier, which in particular, individually or cumulatively, but not exclusively, contains the following data:

[0012] - Age of the seal and / or fitting

[0013] - Information about the barrel, in particular age and / or fitting changes and / or fillings of the barrel.

[0014] - Furthermore, the capacity of the keg can be stored. In particular, however, the age, type or brand, and / or bottling location of the keg contents, i.e., the beverage contained in the keg, are recorded.

[0015] - Furthermore, information relating to the keg pressure, for example, can be provided. With additional sensors coupled, conclusions can be drawn about temperature, keg pressure, and / or the transport of the keg and the beverage content contained therein.

[0016] - Best before date of the beverage - Name of the beverage

[0017] - Brewery / Manufacturer.

[0018] The data storage device itself is designed to be energy-free, meaning it has no active energy source.

[0019] The data storage device itself is, in particular, rewritable. It is particularly preferred that the data storage device be protected by a code or password. This means that writing to the data storage device is only possible with special technical tools and authentication. This prevents misuse or incorrect overwriting.

[0020] The fitting arrangement is particularly suitable for reading data with appropriate reading hardware. This can consist of a smartphone with appropriate software or an app, so that during the delivery of beverage kegs to a wholesaler's transshipment point or at a delivery point for an event or a restaurant, the respective keg can be randomly checked for contents, filling date, type of beverage, etc. The kegs can also be recorded at least partially or fully automatically at the breweries or transshipment points. This way, information such as the number of keg rinses performed or the dates and contents of the filling are stored. Furthermore, the manufacturer can integrate the tag writing fully automatically into their filling plant or a downstream point in the process chain.

[0021] However, the fitting arrangement is particularly suitable in conjunction with a sensor system in a tap head. This makes it possible, for example, for the innkeeper or a higher-level brewery to identify where a specific keg containing the filled beverage is on tap or connected to a dispensing system.

[0022] In order for the electronic data carrier to be able to be integrated according to the invention, it has proven advantageous that the data carrier is preferably arranged either in the seal, and here in particular in an upper region of the seal in the vertical direction or towards the dispensing head, or that the data carrier is arranged on the seal. If the data carrier is arranged on the seal, a cover is arranged over this. The data carrier can preferably be self-adhesive and can thus be arranged on the seal or the cover. The seal is made of a rubber-like material, in particular an elastomeric material. The cover is preferably made of a material that does not provide electronic shielding, for example a plastic material. This makes it possible to read out the data on the data carrier or to store it on the data carrier, despite the fact that the data carrier itself has no active energy source.to label the data carrier, and to do so wirelessly. As an alternative to the arrangement on the top side of the seal, the data carrier can also be arranged on the underside of the seal, in particular by bonding it to the seal.

[0023] Because the data carrier is either located in the upper area of ​​the seal or covered by a cover, it is not in direct contact with the beverage or cleaning media. Furthermore, when filling or when a dispensing nozzle is used, the data carrier is not exposed to abrasive wear or direct mechanical contact. This makes the data carrier particularly durable, particularly readable and rewritable for the lifespan of the seal or fitting.

[0024] To produce the data carrier, for which food-safe material should preferably be used, it has proven particularly preferable, particularly in the case of an RFID tag or NFC tag, to provide electronic conductor tracks on a plastic film or a dimensionally stable material such as a plastic ring or a PCB (so-called FR-4 glass fiber composite material) and then to pour the data carrier into the seal or to pour the cover onto the seal or to attach it to the seal cover. This process is called overmolding. During the overmolding process, the circuit board or the conductor film of the data carrier can melt at least partially, or in particular completely. Because the seal or cover is not electrically conductive, the conductor tracks of the data carrier are electrically insulated from one another, in particular from direct contact, so that the functions can be carried out after the seal or cover have been produced.after applying a cover to the seal. The data carrier according to the invention can thus have a structural height of less than 0.5 mm.

[0025] It has proven particularly advantageous to mount the data carrier on a rigid ring carrier and then attach it to the underside of the sealing cover using epoxy resin. This creates a chemical / positive connection, which, with no gaps or other irregularities, is particularly suitable for use with food. Even if the assembly is located outside the drum, the use of bonding material approved for food contact is recommended. This same connection must, of course, withstand the thermal, chemical, and mechanical stresses of a drum's life cycle. And the space required by the data carrier and bonding material can be compensated for by optimizing the design of the elastomer seal in such a way that the assembly consisting of the seal and data carrier, including the TAG, is 1:1 interchangeable with the seal and carrier assembly as before and currently on the market.

[0026] For other design variants of fittings (particularly A- and G-types: Figure 8), the arrangement of the data carrier in the main seal is particularly effective. Thus, the integration of the data carrier into the overall product by replacing the seal in fittings currently on the market is also conceivable. The design can thus be carried out during the seal manufacturing process by inserting the data carrier into the seal production tool, such that the data carrier is inserted / held in the tool and overmolded with elastomer. Alternatively, the data carrier is attached to / into the seal after the seal production process, or subsequently inserted into the top side of the seal in a separate carrier part, or arranged on the underside of the seal. Further advantages, features, properties, and aspects of the present invention are the subject of the following description.Preferred embodiments are the subject of the following description. These serve to facilitate understanding of the invention. They show:

[0027] Figure 1 shows a fitting arrangement in cross-sectional view,

[0028] Figure 2 shows a fitting arrangement in cross section with data carrier in the

[0029] Separation plane between carrier and seal,

[0030] Figure 3 is an exploded view of Figure 2 with the housing 2 in

[0031] cross-section,

[0032] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view with the seal cast

[0033] data carrier,

[0034] Figure 5 shows an alternative design variant with a

[0035] Cover molded data carrier,

[0036] Figure 6 shows an alternative design variant with a

[0037] Fitting arrangement of the ll-type with the tag applied to the seal carrier and

[0038] Figure 7 shows a D-type fitting arrangement with the tag applied to the seal carrier,

[0039] Figures 8 to 11 show various cross-sectional views through an A-type fitting arrangement.

[0040] In the figures, the same reference symbols are used for identical or similar components, even if a repeated description is omitted for reasons of simplification.

[0041] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the fitting arrangement 1. A fitting housing 2 has an outer seal 3 for fluid-tight arrangement in a beverage keg 13 (not shown in detail). The seal 4 is arranged in the fitting housing 2 and is inserted in a form-fitting, fluid-tight manner into an upper end 5 of a riser pipe 6. For this purpose, a sealing body in the form of a ball 7 with a helical compression spring 9 is inserted, so that the ball 7 is brought into form-fitting contact with an inner sealing surface of the seal 4 against a spring force. For this purpose, curvatures 8 directed into the riser pipe 6 are formed, which hold the helical compression spring 9 in a form-fitting manner in the riser pipe 6. Furthermore, a helical compression spring 10 surrounding the riser pipe 6 and a retaining ring 11 are arranged, which press the entire riser pipe 6 from the inside into the fitting housing 2. The fitting housing 2 also has recesses 12 in its outer surface.Furthermore, the seal 4 is arranged between the fitting housing 2, specifically an inner side of the fitting housing 2 at a sealing surface 17, and the riser pipe 6. The seal 4 thus seals the fitting housing 2 from the riser pipe 6. The riser pipe 6 itself can be arranged relatively movably within the fitting housing 2. However, the riser pipe 6 can also be fixed in the fitting housing 2, in which case another valve body is mounted in the riser pipe 6.

[0042] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view through an assembled fitting arrangement 1, wherein the fitting arrangement 1 is inserted into a beverage keg 13. For this purpose, a gas side 14 is formed in the beverage keg 13 itself, as well as a beverage side 15 in the riser pipe 6 itself and below the fitting arrangement 1, provided that the beverage keg 13 is oriented upwards relative to the vertical direction V. In particular, the gas side 14 is formed between the fitting housing 2 and the riser pipe 6, which is realized by the recesses 12 in the fitting housing 2. In the closed, sealed state, the spring force F9 thus presses the ball 7 against an inner sealing surface 16 of the seal 4. A beverage present on the beverage side 15 is thus prevented from escaping into the environment U.

[0043] The upper end 5 of the riser pipe 6 is widened, with the second helical compression spring 10 coming into contact with the seal 4 in a form-fitting manner and pressing the entire riser pipe 6 with the seal 4 against an internal sealing surface 17 of the fitting housing 2 against a spring force F10. This also seals off the beverage from the gas side 14 to the environment U when closed. In the event of activation, a dispensing head (not shown in detail) would be inserted into a dispensing head receptacle 18 in a form-fitting manner and would press the riser pipe 6 with the seal 4 downwards in the vertical direction V. This would cause gas to be conveyed into the beverage keg 13 via the gas side 14, so that when the dispensing head is connected, the ball 7 or sealing plate is also moved downwards in the vertical direction V relative to the seal 4, allowing the beverage to flow out and be drawn from the beverage keg 13.

[0044] The seal 4 itself is formed from a reinforcing ring 19 and an elastic sealing material 20 surrounding it. The seal 4 has an upper head section K and a web section S.

[0045] This is an S-type fitting. A data carrier 22 is arranged on the seal 4, specifically on the top side of the seal 4. This electronic data carrier 22 is arranged in the form of a circular ring or circular ring section once around the seal 4 or on the seal 4. A cover 24 is arranged above the seal 4 in the direction of a possible outlet 23 of the fitting arrangement 1, which cover at least partially overlaps the seal 4. The cover 24 also overlaps the electronic data carrier 22 so that the latter does not come into contact with the liquid or beverage in the barrel 13. To produce the seal 4 with cover 24, the data carrier 22 is positioned in particular on the material of the seal 4 or the material of the cover 24, and then both components are plugged together. Furthermore, it is possible to injection-mold the cover 24 from a plastic-like material onto the seal 4 or to mold it onto the seal 4.to be cast, particularly in the form of an overmolding process. The data carrier 22 is thus cast between the cover 24 and the seal 4 and thus sealed. Using a suitable reading device, the data carrier 22 can then be read through the cover 24.

[0046] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of Figure 2. Here, it can be seen that the data carrier 22 is designed as a circumferential circular ring. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view, analogous to Figure 2. However, here the data carrier 22 is cast into the seal 4 itself. The cover 24 is additionally applied to the seal 4. However, the seal 4 is first manufactured with the data carrier 22. The tag is held or positioned in the tool of the seal 4, and then the seal 4 is cast in one piece and in a single step.

[0047] Figure 5 shows an alternative design variant. Here, the data carrier 22 is cast into the cover 24. Thus, the data carrier 22 is located on the seal 4, but completely encapsulated or cast into the cover 24 itself.

[0048] Figure 6 shows an alternative design variant. A fitting arrangement 1 of the II type is shown. The data carrier 22 is arranged here on a circumferential ring 25, preferably made of metal or alternatively also plastic. The metal ring 25 is at least partially cast into the seal 4. Here, too, the data carrier 22 can first be arranged on the metal ring 25 or the metal reinforcement of the sealing body and then overmolded with the sealing material 20, also in an overmolding process. The data carrier 22 is thus sealed from the beverage, at least with regard to the outlet 23. The data carrier 22 can be partially formed laterally beyond the metal ring 25 to facilitate positioning in the tool.

[0049] Figure 7 shows a D-type fitting assembly 1, already described in Figure 1. Here, too, a metallic reinforcement ring 19 is arranged in the seal 4 itself. Here, the electronic data carrier 22 is mounted on a reinforcement ring 19, either metallic or plastic, but sufficiently dimensionally stable, and then overmolded with the sealing material 20 in the overmolding process, so that here, too, the data carrier 22 is sealed off from a beverage to be dispensed.

[0050] Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view through a fitting assembly. The seal 4 is arranged between the riser pipe 6 and on the inside of the fitting. The data carrier 22 itself is arranged centrally in the seal 4 and was overmolded with elastomer during manufacturing.

[0051] Figure 9 alternatively shows the data carrier 22 being inserted into a top surface of the seal 4. For this purpose, it can be injected directly into the seal 4, but can also be subsequently inserted into a groove.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment according to Figure 10, the data carrier 22 is arranged below the seal 4. It rests on an upper sleeve 26.

[0053] According to Figure 11, the data carrier 22 is completely integrated into the seal 4, thus completely overmolded by the sealing material 20, in particular elastomer.

[0054] Reference symbol:

[0055] 1 - Fitting arrangement

[0056] 2 - Fitting housing

[0057] 3 - Sealing ring

[0058] 4 - Seal

[0059] 5 - upper end to 6

[0060] 6 - Riser pipe

[0061] 7 - Sealing body or ball

[0062] 8 - Curvature

[0063] 9 - Coil compression spring

[0064] 10 - Helical compression spring

[0065] 11 - Retaining ring

[0066] 12 - Recess to 2

[0067] 13 - Beverage keg

[0068] 14 - Gas side

[0069] 15 - Beverage side

[0070] 16 - Inner sealing surface to 4

[0071] 17 - Sealing surface

[0072] 18 - Tap head holder

[0073] 19 - Reinforcement ring

[0074] 20 - elastic sealing material

[0075] 21 - Material recess at 19

[0076] 22 - Data carrier

[0077] 23 - Outlet

[0078] 24 - Cover

[0079] 25 - Metal ring

[0080] 26 - Sleeve

Claims

Patent claims Fitting arrangement (1) for a beverage keg (13), comprising a fitting housing (2) with a riser pipe (6) arranged therein and in particular also relatively movable, and a seal (4) arranged between the fitting housing (2) and the riser pipe (6), characterized in that an electronic data carrier (22) is arranged on, under or in the seal (4) and / or in a cover (24) of the seal (4). Fitting arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the data carrier (22) is an RFID tag or an NFC tag. Fitting arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the data carrier (22) is designed as an at least partially circumferential circular ring section, preferably as a fully circumferential Circular ring section. Fitting arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when a data carrier (22) is arranged on the seal (4), said data carrier is covered by a cover (24), wherein the cover (24) is made of a plastic-like material, in particular a material that does not shield wireless waves. Fitting arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data carrier (22) is cast into the seal (4) and / or that the data carrier (22) is cast under the cover (24) on the seal (4) and / or the cover (24). Fitting arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic data carrier (22) is operated without energy. Fitting arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data carrier (22) has coding protection. Fitting arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the following information is stored on the data carrier (22): type and age of the seal and / or fitting, age and / or filling capacity of the beverage keg, age, brand and / or filling location of the keg contents, unique ID number, filling quantity of the keg, expiration date of the beverage, designation / name of the beverage, brewery / manufacturer, filling location. Fitting arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitting housing (2) has a conically extending inner sealing surface (17) tapering towards an upper end, and between the inner sealing surface (17) and the upper end (5) of the riser pipe (6) a seal (4) is incorporated and the riser pipe (6) is pressed against the sealing surface (17) with the seal (4) due to a spring force (F10) and the seal (4) is arranged inside in the upper end (5) of the riser pipe (6), wherein in the upper end (5) of the riser pipe (6) a sealing body (7) is arranged in a spring-elastic, relatively movable manner, which comes into positive contact with an inner sealing surface (16) of the seal (4) due to a spring force (F9).

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