Connector for attaching to beverage barrel and method for dispensing beverage from said beverage barrel

Abstract

A connector for a beverage container 12 is provided. The connector 10 includes a container connection portion 38 configured to connect to a container outlet 18 and support the container from a connection point. The connector 10 also includes an appliance connection portion 34 configured to connect the connector 10 to an appliance 14. The connector 10 is configured to connect to a container and to the appliance 14 such that the container is suspended from the connector 10 within the appliance 14.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention disclosed herein relates to a connector for dispensing liquid from a container and to a device for dispensing beverages from a container, the connector serving to hang on the container at its outlet while allowing dispensing from the container when in an upright position. [Background technology]

[0002] Dispensing of liquids such as beverages like beer is increasingly desired in the home. However, liquids like beer require a pressurized environment to maintain freshness. Thus, to provide such an environment, beer containers are typically heavy and bulky. This makes them difficult to use with domestic appliances, as the container must be lifted and fitted into the appliance for home use, and often the container must be turned upside down to pour.

[0003] Furthermore, the connection points between the container and the appliance are often more suitable for commercial use, for example large barrels are often used that must be inverted to allow dispensing and / or require specialist tubing and cleaning equipment, and such connection points do not allow flexibility in the size or type of container, nor the size or location of the dispensing equipment to be changed.

[0004] Currently available systems do not easily allow for i) the connection and disconnection of the beverage container and the device, and ii) the opening of the container so that the liquid in the inner bottle can be dispensed, including venting the outer bottle to atmosphere and connecting the outer bottle to a source of pressurized fluid. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention seeks to ameliorate these problems by providing a connector and beverage dispensing device that allows easy connection of beverage containers and appliances and / or provides a convenient home dispensing mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage container connector. In one aspect, the connector is a beverage container connector. In one aspect, the connector comprises a container connection portion configured to connect to a container outlet and to support the container. In one aspect, the connector comprises an appliance connection portion configured to connect the connector to an appliance. In one aspect, the connector is configured to be connected to the container and the appliance such that the container is suspended from the connector within the appliance.

[0007] The use of a connector to suspend the container within the instrument avoids the major tolerance issues of flexible or variable size containers, and also allows the container to be hung from the top, making it easier for the user to initially lift the container to insert it into the instrument and lift the container out of the device.

[0008] The "all-in-one" connection point simplifies home dispensing by eliminating the need to make and maintain or modify multiple connections and their associated tubing, and by making the connections more easily recognizable, allowing for more widespread use.

[0009] This makes the connector suitable for use with a variety of sizes of appliances and allows for a variety of applications, such as countertop equipment, under cabinet, portable or outdoor appliances.

[0010] The connector has a built-in gas connection to pressurize the beverage for dispensing, eliminating the need for a separate connection.

[0011] By fastening directly to the container, the connector provides an orientation-neutral seal for easy insertion and connection to a container such as a barrel.

[0012] The integrated tap handle and valve provide a simplified dispense control mechanism for home dispensing. The integrated tap also allows for the use of a removable tubing at the beer line interface, allowing the user to discard and replace the tubing and / or more easily clean the removable tubing when outside the appliance.

[0013] The connector material provides the strength to support a metal or plastic container and its contents.

[0014] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container including a connector according to any one of the above aspects.

[0015] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing device comprising a connector according to any one of the above aspects.

[0016] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to control an additive manufacturing apparatus or device to manufacture a connector and / or appliance of any one of the above aspects.

[0017] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a device by additive manufacturing, the method comprising obtaining an electronic file representing a shape of a product, and controlling an additive manufacturing apparatus to manufacture the product according to the surface shape specified in the electronic file over one or more additive manufacturing steps, the product being a connector and / or a fixture according to any one of the aspects above, the surface shape or the three-dimensional shape of the product. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] Several embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] [Figure 1A]1 illustrates a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1B] 1B illustrates a perspective view of the connector and receptacle shown in FIG. 1A. [Figure 1C] 1 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1D] 1 shows a perspective view of a connector, a container, and a device. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a container to which a connector according to the present invention can be attached and a connector attached to said container. [Diagram 3] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a container to which a connector according to the present invention can be attached and a connector attached to said container. [Figure 4] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a device and a container with a connector attached prior to insertion into the device. [Diagram 5] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the connector, container, and device with the connector and container inserted into the device. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a connector according to the present invention. [Figure 7] 2 shows a perspective view of the underside of a connector according to the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 shows a rear perspective view of a connector according to the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 shows a cross section of the connector and the dispensing channel in the closed state. [Figure 10] 1 illustrates a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 11A-11H depict an inventive dispensing device including a container, a connector, and an instrument in a loading stage according to one embodiment. [Figure 12A] 1 shows a dispensing device including a container, a connector and an instrument in an unloading stage. [Figure 12B] 1 shows a dispensing device including a container, a connector and an instrument in an unloading stage. [Figure 13A] 1 depicts a top view of the connector showing the ejection mechanism. [Figure 13B] FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of the connector showing the handle and ejection mechanism in the loading stage. [Figure 13C] 1 depicts a side view of the connector showing the handle and ejection mechanism when the connector and container are in the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] FIG. 1A shows a connector 10 according to an embodiment. The connector 10 has a connector body 30. The connector 10 is shown in detail in FIGS. 6-8. FIG. 1 shows the connector 10 in use. As shown in FIG. 1B, the connector body 30 is connected to a container 12 having an outlet 18. In use, the connector body 30 is lowered into the outlet 18 of the container 12. The container 12 is suitable for containing a pressurized beverage, such as beer. The connector 10 can be snap-fit ​​into the container outlet 18. In another embodiment, the connector 10 is attached to the outlet 18 by rotating it to engage the threads of the outlet.

[0021] 1C shows the household appliance 14 with the door 50 open. The appliance 14 is suitable for use on a countertop or other surface, such as a table or floor.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, respectively, the connector 10 can be used with plastic beverage containers (Figure 2) or metal kegs (Figure 3). Plastic beverage containers, i.e., disposable kegs (OWKs), are becoming increasingly popular, especially for home use. When used with OWKs, the connector 10 penetrates the beer opening, and the connector 10 also has a lip seal that engages the air port without orientation. The connector 10 can also be used with metal kegs, where the connector 10 simultaneously engages the beer valve and the air valve on the keg.

[0023] 4 is a more detailed view of the connector 10, the container 12, and the appliance 14. As shown, the appliance 14 has a cavity 22 adapted to receive a container volume. The appliance 14 includes a pair of rails 36. The appliance rails 36 are disposed above the cavity 22. The connector 10 includes an appliance connection, in this embodiment in the form of rails 34. The appliance rails 36 receive complementary rails 34 on the connector 10 such that the connector 10 is slidable relative to the appliance 14. The connector 10 can slide along the appliance rails 36 into position within the appliance 14 with or without the container 12 attached. When the container 12 is connected to the connector 10, the container 12 is thereby hung or suspended within the appliance 14.

[0024] The connector and instrument rails 34, 36 are formed from a material capable of supporting the weight of the container 12 and its contents.

[0025] This arrangement allows the user to easily insert the container 12 into the device 14. Because a tight mating connection between the connector 10 and the device 14 is not required, the required tolerances can be relaxed. This arrangement also allows the connector 10 to be guided into the correct position without the user having to position it. The sliding rails 34, 36 simplify the manufacture of these parts and provide the flexibility to use containers of various shapes and sizes without having to change the size of the connection points.

[0026] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 10 and container 12 inserted into the fixture 14. As shown, the connector 10 includes a dispensing channel 16. When connected to the container 12, the dispensing channel 16 is configured to convey liquid, i.e., beer, from the interior of the container 12 to a connector outlet 20. As shown, the connector outlet 20 is a pouring spout. In some embodiments, the connector 10 includes a tap handle 16 operable to open and close the dispensing channel 16. As shown in FIG. 5, the fixture 14 completely surrounds the container 12, with the container 12 suspended from the connector 10.

[0027] FIG. 6 shows the top view of the connector 10. As shown, a pair of rails 34 are separated by the connector body 30. Also shown is the location of the dispensing path 16. The dispensing path 16 includes a removable channel that can be locked in place using a channel / cartridge locking portion 28. The channel / cartridge locking portion 28 includes a central slot that is visible from the top. The central slot houses a cartridge or channel. The cartridge can be a tube or other suitable flow path that is removable and replaceable. This allows the user to easily discard, clean, and replace the channel. The connector body 30 also includes a groove 32 to aid in insertion and removal by the user.

[0028] 7 shows the underside of the connector 10. The container connection or coupler 38 of the connector 10 includes a clamping surface 40 that can rotatably engage or snap-fit / push-fit into the container outlet 18. The advantage of a push-fit connection clamping surface is that it provides an orientation-free connection between the connector 10 and the container 12. Once connected, the container 12 is suspended from the connector 10 and can be lifted by lifting the connector 10. The clamping mechanism is suitable to support the weight of the container 12 and its contents.

[0029] In some embodiments, the device 14 has a door 50 that can be closed to enclose the suspended container 12 within the cavity 22 inside the device. In some embodiments, the device 14 includes refrigeration means for maintaining the container 12 and its contents at a predetermined temperature. The door 50 forms a seal around the connector 10 and the device cavity 22 such that the container 12 is maintained at a constant environment inside the device 14. The door 50 is rigid such that the seal is locally compressed to prevent air leakage.

[0030] The connector 10 has an outer shell. The shape of the outer shell makes the function of the outer shell clear to the user. A visible tap handle 24 is used to make the ventilation function clear to the user. The body 30 of the connector 10 indicates where the OWK / metal barrel should be placed. Two rails 34 on the sides of the connector 10 correspond in shape to rails / slots 36 on the appliance 14 and show the user how to insert the connector 10. The rails 34 also act as handles for the user to lift the connector with the connected container and place the combination into the appliance.

[0031] FIG. 8 shows the rear of the connector 10. An inlet 44 for gas, e.g., pressurized air, is shown. The inlet 44 engages a gas source within the device 14. The inlet 44 receives and delivers the gas to the internal cavity of the container 12. The connector includes a conduit for delivering the gas from the inlet to the container connection 38. The container 12 is in the form of a "bottle-in-bottle" arrangement in which an internal bottle defines a compressible internal cavity and an external bottle or container. The external bottle is generally rigid. In some embodiments, the external bottle is rigid only when in use and flexible when not in use. The space between the internal and external bottles defines an external cavity (not shown). Although the term bottle is used herein, it will be understood that any suitable receptacle is contemplated. The internal cavity is generally flexible and suitable for holding a liquid, e.g., a beverage such as beer. The outer cavity can be expanded by blowing (pumping) air or other suitable gas into the outer cavity through opening 18, thereby compressing the inner cavity. Other suitable gases include CO2. When air or other suitable gas is blown into the outer cavity, the outer bottle becomes substantially rigid. Thus, when the outlet of the inner cavity is open, pressure acting on it will force fluid out of the inner cavity. Alternatively, a single cavity receptacle with a dip tube can be used, where gas pressure acts directly on the surface of the liquid, forcing the liquid out of the cavity through the dip tube.

[0032] FIG. 9 shows the dispense channel 16 in more detail. The dispense channel 16 includes a user replaceable dispense tube 16. This eliminates the need to clean the flow path 16. The connector 10 further includes a pinch mechanism 46 and a spring 48. The dispense tube 16 is used to convey the beer from the container to the spout or outlet 20 of the connector 10. When the tap handle 24 is closed to stop the flow of beer, the tube 16 is pushed flat (pinched). The pinch mechanism 46 transfers the movement of the tap handle 24 to a lever that pinches the dispense tube. The dispense tube is formed from a flexible polymer, for example rubber. The spring 48 ensures that the tap handle 24 returns to an upright position (closed position) when the user no longer manipulates the tap handle 24. In an alternative embodiment, the pinch mechanism is configured as an over-center mechanism that is bistable, having two stable positions but being unstable between the two positions and returning to one or the other of the stable positions. In this case, the tap handle 24 can also remain in its lowest and most open position once the user places it there. In this open position, a continuous beverage can be drafted without holding the tap handle 24. The fact that the tap handle 24 can remain in the open position allows the user to insert or retract the dispensing tube 16 from the connector 10.

[0033] It will also be appreciated that while the present embodiment includes a removable dispense tube 16 that is a separate piece attached to the connector 10, in other embodiments the connector 10 may be adapted to provide an integral dispense channel extending between the container connection portion 38 and the connector outlet 20 without the need for a separate dispense tube. In such embodiments, a shut-off valve is incorporated into the connector in place of a pinch tube. The shut-off valve is operated by movement of the faucet handle. Suitable shut-off valves include, but are not limited to, ball valves, plug valves, cylinder valves, gate valves, globe valves, and pinch valves.

[0034] Figure 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the connector 10. The connector 10 further comprises a handle 52. The handle 52 provides an additional gripping point for the user to insert the connector 10 and container 12 into the instrument 14. The steps of connecting the connector 10 to the container 12 and inserting the connector 10 and container 12 into the instrument 14 are shown in Figures 11A-H.

[0035] As shown in Figures 11E-G, the handle 52 is rotatable to fold into a folded position for fitting into the device 14. Figures 12A and 12B show the steps for removing the connector 10 and container 12 from the device 14. In this embodiment, an ejection mechanism is provided to release the connector 10 from the device 14 for removal. Figures 13A-C show this mechanism in top and side cross-section.

[0036] The instrument includes a carriage that is movable along a receiving rail 36. The carriage is also spring loaded by a spring mounted near the receiving rail 36. When the connector 10 is inserted into the instrument, the carriage is pushed rearward along the rail 36, thereby compressing the spring until the locking pin engages a notch in the connector. The instrument also includes a release actuator that lifts the locking pin out of the notch. The compressed spring pushes the connector out of the instrument, presenting the connector, along with an empty barrel, to the user for removal from the instrument.

[0037] The embodiments described herein are injection molded, blow molded, or extruded from polymeric or composite materials. Alternatively, the embodiments described herein can be partially or completely manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques. Thus, the examples described herein include not only the products or components described herein, but also methods of manufacturing such products or components via additive manufacturing, and computer software, firmware, or hardware for controlling the manufacturing of such products via additive manufacturing.

[0038] The structure of one or more parts of a product can be digitally represented in the form of a design file. A design file - e.g., a computer-aided design (CAD) file - is a configuration file that encodes one or more of the surface or volumetric features of the product's shape. That is, the design file represents the geometry or shape of the product. Once obtained, the design file can be converted into a set of computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to control an additive manufacturing device to manufacture the product according to the geometry specified in the design file. The conversion can convert the design file into slices or layers that are sequentially formed by the additive manufacturing device. The instructions (also called geometric code or "G-code") can be calibrated to a particular additive manufacturing device and specify the exact location and amount of material to be formed at each stage of the manufacturing process. Formation can occur by deposition, sintering, or other forms of additive manufacturing methods.

[0039] The design file or computer executable instructions can be stored in a computer readable storage medium (e.g., memory, storage system, etc.) that stores (temporarily or non-temporarily) code or computer readable instructions representative of the product to be manufactured. As previously mentioned, the code or computer readable instructions define a product that can be used to physically generate an object upon execution of the code or instructions by an additive manufacturing system. For example, the instructions can include a precisely defined 3D model of the product, which can be generated from any of a wide variety of well-known computer-aided design (CAD) software systems, such as AutoCAD®, TurboCAD®, DesignCAD 3D Max, etc. Alternatively, a model or prototype of the part can be scanned to determine the three-dimensional information of the part.

[0040] Thus, by controlling an additive manufacturing device according to computer-executable instructions, the additive manufacturing device may be instructed to print out one or more parts of a product. These may be printed in an assembled or unassembled state. For example, different parts of a product may be printed separately (as a kit of unassembled parts) and then assembled. Alternatively, the different parts may be printed in an assembled form.

[0041] In view of the above, embodiments include a method of additive manufacturing production, including obtaining a design file representing a product, and instructing an additive manufacturing device to manufacture the product in assembled or unassembled form according to the design file. The additive manufacturing device may include a processor configured to automatically convert the design file into computer executable instructions for controlling the manufacture of the product. In these embodiments, the design file itself, when input to the additive manufacturing device, may automatically cause the manufacture of the product. Thus, in this embodiment, the design file itself may be considered as the computer executable instructions that cause the additive manufacturing device to manufacture the product. Alternatively, the design file may be converted into instructions by an external information processing system, with the resulting computer executable instructions being provided to the additive manufacturing device.

[0042] Additive manufacturing techniques are described herein as enabling the production of complex objects, typically by building the object vertically, point by point, layer by layer, although other manufacturing methods are possible and are within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, while the discussion herein refers to the addition of material to form successive layers, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the methods and structures disclosed herein may be implemented with any additive manufacturing technique or other manufacturing techniques.

[0043] The present invention has been described above purely by way of example. The invention may be varied in detail within the scope of the claims attached hereto. It will further be understood that the invention is in no way limited to the combination of features shown in the embodiments described herein. Features disclosed in connection with one embodiment may be combined with features disclosed in connection with further embodiments.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described in relation to the dispensing of beverages, it will be appreciated that the invention is equally applicable to the dispensing of any liquid.

Claims

1. A connector for a beverage container, comprising: a container connection portion configured to connect to a container outlet and support the container; an appliance connection portion configured to connect the connector to an appliance; configured to be connected to the container and the appliance such that the container is suspended from the connector inside the appliance. Connector.

2. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a discharge mechanism for releasing the connector from the appliance for removal.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the appliance includes a carriage movable along a receiving rail, and the carriage is also subjected to a spring load by a spring attached near the receiving rail, such that when the connector is inserted into the appliance, the connector pushes the carriage backward along the receiving rail, thereby compressing the spring until a locking pin engages a notch of the connector. Connector.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the appliance further comprises a release actuator for lifting the locking pin out of the notch, and the compressed spring pushes the connector out of the appliance and delivers the connector to the user for removal from the appliance.

5. The connector according to claim 4, further comprising a dispensing mechanism configured to enable dispensing of the contents of the container.

6. The connector according to claim 5, configured to be inserted into the appliance in front of the appliance, optionally via an openable sealing member within the front of the appliance.

7. The connector according to claim 6, comprising a clamping surface that is rotatably engageable with or snap-fit / push-fit to the container outlet of the container, wherein the clamping mechanism is suitable for supporting the weight of the container and its contents. Connector.

8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein the appliance connection portion comprises a pair of rails provided on either side of the container connection portion and shaped to interact with the appliance.

9. The connector according to claim 8, comprising an outlet, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises a dispensing channel extending between the container connection part and the outlet of the connector for dispensing the content of the container, and optionally, the channel has a replaceable dispensing tube therein.

10. The connector according to claim 9, wherein the channel is a removable channel that can be locked in a predetermined position using a channel locking part.

11. The connector according to claim 10, wherein the dispensing mechanism further comprises a pinch mechanism operable to open and close the channel or the replaceable tube at a point between the container connection part and the outlet of the connector.

12. The connector according to claim 11, further comprising an inlet suitable for engaging with a gas supply outlet in the instrument and a gas conduit extending between the inlet and the container connection part, such that when the container is connected to the connector, gas can move between the inlet and the inner part of the container.

13. The connector according to claim 12, comprising a tap handle operable to selectively enable dispensing of the content of the container by opening and closing the dispensing channel. Optionally, the tap handle operates the pinch mechanism, and / or the pinch mechanism is bistable in both a fully open position and a fully closed position. Connector.

14. The connector according to claim 13, configured to connect to the container when the container is in an upright position.

15. The connector according to claim 14, further comprising a container.

16. The connector according to claim 15, wherein the container is a disposable keg, and the connector penetrates a beer opening in the disposable keg, and the connector comprises an edge seal engaging with an air opening of the disposable keg without requiring a specific orientation of the disposable keg.

17. The connector according to claim 16, the instrument comprising a receiving part suitable for receiving the connector, and a dispensing device comprising a cavity suitable for receiving the container.

18. The dispensing device according to claim 17, wherein the receiving part of the instrument comprises a rail. The rail of the connector is a rail of complementary shape. The rails of complementary shape of the connector move against the rails of the instrument so as to reach a fixed position inside the instrument. Optionally, the rails of complementary shape are provided within the upper portion of the receiving part of the instrument, such that the container within the receiving part of the instrument is suspended from the rails of complementary shape of the connector. Connector.

19. A dispensing device according to claim 18, wherein the instrument comprises a cooling mechanism configured to cool the container when the container is received within the instrument. Preferably, the cooling mechanism includes thermoelectric cooling configured to cool the container when received within the instrument. Connector.

20. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to control an additive manufacturing apparatus or device to manufacture a connector and / or an instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. A method of manufacturing a device by additive manufacturing, comprising the step of obtaining an electronic file representing the shape of the product, the shape including the surface shape or the volume shape of the product, and the step of controlling an additive manufacturing apparatus to manufacture the product according to the surface shape specified in the electronic file over one or more additive manufacturing steps. The method having wherein the product is a connector and / or a device according to any one of claims 1 to 19. Method.

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