Coupler device for a beverage dispensing system

Abstract

A coupler device 100 for fluidly connecting a beverage chamber of a beverage container to a beverage dispense line. The coupler device comprises a beverage conduit 80 extending between an inlet configured for connection to a first dispense line portion attached to a beverage container and an outlet 82 configured for connection to a second dispense line portion attached to a dispenser. The beverage conduit 80 includes a horizontally extending beverage conduit section 83 defining a horizontal flow path for the beverage, in which the coupler device comprises a backflow valve arranged to prevent backflow of the beverage through the beverage conduit from the outlet to the inlet of the coupler device. The backflow valve includes a movable valve element 84 that is movable relative to the beverage conduit section along the horizontal flow path to allow beverage pressure surges in the dispense line to move across the valve.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupler device for coupling a beverage container to a beverage dispense line, in particular for a beer dispense system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional coupler devices are arranged to fluidly connect a beverage chamber of a beverage container, such as a beer keg, to a dispensing line. Once connected, the dispensing of beverage from the container can be controlled by a dispenser, such as a tap, arranged at the downstream end of the dispensing line.

[0003] A coupler device typically includes a housing with a fluid conduit extending therethrough between an inlet and an outlet, the coupler inlet being connectable to the container outlet. The fluid conduits of various conventional coupler devices extend vertically during use when coupled to a container.

[0004] The beverage container can be exchanged, for example to replace an empty container with a full one. The conventional coupler device is therefore removably coupleable to the beverage container. When the containers are separated, a conventional one-way valve is provided in the vertically extending beverage conduit of the conventional coupler device to prevent a backflow of beverage in the dispensing line. The conventional one-way valve includes a valve seat and a valve ball arranged in the vertical beverage conduit of the coupler device. The valve ball is received by the seat to seal the beverage conduit and is pushed upwards by the beverage flow from the container towards the dispenser. The vertical extension of the beverage conduit ensures a bias of the valve ball towards the valve seat under the effect of gravity.

[0005] However, in coupler devices where the beverage conduit extends horizontally rather than vertically during use when coupled to a container, conventional one-way valves do not reliably prevent backflow, particularly since the valve ball cannot be biased towards the valve seat by gravity. Such coupler devices are therefore provided with a manually operable shut-off valve which is manually closed before disconnecting the coupling device from the container. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved coupling device for preventing backflow whilst being easy for the user to use. It is a further or alternative object to provide a coupling device which is less expensive and / or which is more hygienic to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect, a coupler device is provided for fluidly connecting a beverage chamber of a beverage container to a beverage dispense line. The coupler device comprises a housing with a coupler arranged for removably coupling the housing to the beverage container, a beverage conduit extending through the housing between an inlet configured for connection to a first dispense line portion attached to the beverage container and an outlet configured for connection to a second dispense line portion attached to the dispenser, and an opening element arranged to be movable relative to the housing for opening the mouth of the beverage container to fluidly connect the beverage chamber to the first dispense line portion. During use of the coupler device when coupled to the beverage container, the beverage conduit includes a horizontally extending beverage conduit section defining a horizontal flow path for the beverage, in the beverage conduit section the coupler device comprises a backflow valve arranged for preventing backflow of the beverage through the beverage conduit from the outlet to the inlet of the coupler device. The backflow valve comprises a movable valve element that is movable relative to the beverage conduit section along the horizontal flow path to allow a beverage pressure surge in the dispense line to move across the valve. Thus, a pressure surge, also called water hammer, caused by the closure of the dispensing line at the dispenser and propagating in a reverse flow direction, i.e., from the dispenser towards the beverage container, does not bounce off the reverse flow valve, but instead can propagate across the reverse flow valve to be absorbed by the beverage container. The beverage chamber of the beverage container often includes a gas-filled headspace in which the beverage held by the container can expand. Thus, the beverage container can act as a surge tank. By allowing the pressure surge to propagate across the reverse flow valve, the exposure to peak loads on the reverse flow valve is reduced, thus increasing the durability of the coupler device and the dispensing line components.

[0008] In particular, it has been found that pressure changes in the beverage dispense line caused by rapid closure of the dispense line by the dispenser can be mitigated in most dispense systems by allowing a volume of about 2 mL of beverage to backflow. The backflow valve may therefore be arranged to allow backflow of at least 2 mL of beverage. To limit the amount of beverage leakage after disconnecting the coupler device from the container, the backflow valve may also be arranged to allow backflow of up to 5 mL of beverage.

[0009] Optionally, the movable valve element is movable between an upstream end and an opposite downstream end of the beverage conduit section, such that the volume of the beverage conduit section between both ends of the beverage conduit section minus the volume of the movable valve element is at least 2 mL. The movable valve element is therefore movable an amount such that a volume of at least 2 mL of beverage can flow back towards the beverage container. When the coupler device is disconnected from the container, the volume of the beverage conduit section between both ends of the beverage conduit minus the movable valve element is preferably at most 5 mL, to prevent excess beverage spilling.

[0010] Optionally, the movable valve element comprises a closure body movably arranged within the beverage conduit section and movable along a horizontal flow path relative to the beverage conduit section between an open position to allow flow of the beverage through the beverage conduit section from the inlet to the outlet and a closed position in which the closure body blocks a flow-through opening of the beverage conduit section to prevent backflow of the beverage through the beverage conduit section from the outlet towards the inlet.

[0011] Optionally, the closure body is spherical, such that it can be received in the closed position regardless of its rotational orientation.

[0012] Optionally, the beverage conduit section comprises an axial guide for guiding movement of the closure body along a central horizontal axis of the conduit section between the open and closed positions, the axial guide ensuring that the closure body, e.g. a closure ball, is aligned with the beverage conduit section and that the closure body returns to the closed position in response to a backflow of beverage.

[0013] Optionally, the beverage conduit section includes an upstream subsection in which an upstream seat is provided for receiving the closure body in the closed position, and a downstream subsection in which a downstream seat is provided for receiving the closure body in the open position.

[0014] Optionally, the volume of the beverage conduit section between the upstream and downstream seats minus the volume of the closure body is at least 2 mL, preferably at most 5 mL. Thus, the closure body may be arranged to move from the open position to the closed position an amount such that a volume of at least 2 mL of beverage can flow back towards the beverage container.

[0015] Optionally, the upstream subsection has a constant cross-section substantially equal to the cross-section of the closure body, and the downstream section has a cross-section larger than the cross-section of the closure body.

[0016] Preferably, the closure body has a cross-sectional diameter of 6 to 16 mm and the upstream subsection has a cross-sectional diameter of 6.5 to 16.5 mm. More preferably, the closure body has a cross-sectional diameter of 8 to 12 mm and the upstream subsection has a cross-sectional diameter of 8.5 to 12.5 mm. Most preferably, the closure body has a cross-sectional diameter of approximately 10 mm and the upstream subsection has a cross-sectional diameter of approximately 10.5 mm. A closure body with a relatively small cross-sectional diameter requires a small opening size at the inlet of the beverage conduit for leak-free closure of the opening by the closure body. If the cross-sectional diameter of the closure body in use is less than 6 mm, the flow pressure of the beverage stream is too high during dispensing because the size of the opening is too small. A closure body with a relatively large cross-sectional diameter moves more slowly through the beverage conduit. A cross-sectional diameter of the closure body in use that is more than 16 mm moves too slowly in the closed position, causing the beverage to leak out when the coupling device is disconnected from the beverage container.

[0017] Preferably, the cross-sectional diameter of the upstream subsection is 0.1-2 mm larger than the cross-sectional diameter of the closure body. More preferably, the cross-sectional diameter of the upstream subsection is 0.3-0.7 mm larger than the cross-sectional diameter of the closure body. Good results were obtained with these sizes of closure body and upstream subsection, as well as the size difference between the closure body and the upstream subsection, in terms of leak-free sealing of the beverage conduit after initially allowing at least 2 mL of beverage backflow upon closure of the dispensing line. If the diameter size difference between the closure body and the upstream subsection is more than 2 mm, the liquid volume backflowing around the closure body upon closure of the dispensing line is too large, causing the closure body to move slowly in the closed position. If the diameter size difference between the closure body and the upstream subsection is less than 0.1 mm, the liquid volume backflowing around the closure body upon closure of the dispensing line is too small, causing undesirable high liquid pressure in the beverage conduit and the dispensing line.

[0018] Optionally, the downstream seat includes a central flow-through opening for allowing a flow of beverage therethrough, such that the closure body can be pushed from the open position towards the closed position by a backflow of the beverage.

[0019] Optionally, the closure body is arranged unbiased in the beverage conduit section and is movable between the open and closed positions by beverage flow through the beverage conduit section. A biasing spring, particularly for carbonated beverages, and more particularly for malt-based beverages such as beer, which may be provided in the dispensing line, promotes turbulence that would cause the beverage to foam excessively when dispensed.

[0020] Optionally, the movable valve element includes a check valve assembly movable along the horizontal flow path within the beverage conduit section and comprising a plunger member in fluid-tight sliding engagement with the beverage conduit section wall and having an opening for allowing flow of beverage therethrough, and a valve closure member configured to allow flow of beverage through the opening of the plunger member from the inlet to the outlet in an open state of the check valve assembly, and to prevent backflow of beverage through the opening from the outlet to the inlet in a closed state of the check valve assembly.

[0021] Optionally, the check valve assembly is spring-coupled to the beverage conduit section, for example the check valve assembly may be biased back to a neutral position.

[0022] Optionally, the spring is disposed in the beverage conduit section at an upstream end of the beverage conduit section, between a downstream spring engagement surface of the plunger member and an upstream spring engagement surface of the coupling device.

[0023] Optionally, the spring comprises a helical spring having a central flow-through opening, an outer diameter of the helical spring corresponding to a diameter of the beverage conduit section.

[0024] According to another aspect, there is provided a system comprising a beverage container having a beverage chamber for containing a beverage, in particular a malt-based beverage such as beer, and a coupler device as described herein, wherein the container has a container outlet with a sealing member arranged to enable opening of the beverage outlet, and an opening element of the coupling device is configured, when coupled to the container, to open the container outlet by movement of the opening element in a vertical direction transverse to a horizontal direction in which the beverage conduit section of the coupler device extends.

[0025] Optionally, the system comprises a first tube forming a first dispensing line section, the first tube being attached to the beverage container outlet at an upstream end of the first tube, and a second tube forming a second dispensing line section, the second tube being attached to the dispenser at a downstream end of the second tube, the coupler device being configured to couple its inlet to the downstream end of the first tube and its outlet to the upstream end of the second tube.

[0026] It will be understood that any of the aspects, features, and options described herein may be combined, and in particular, it will be understood that any of the aspects, features, and options described with reference to the coupler device apply equally to the system, and vice versa. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 shows an example of a coupler device. [Figure 2A] 1 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of a beverage conduit of an exemplary coupler device with a reverse flow valve. [Figure 2B] 1 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of a beverage conduit of an exemplary coupler device with a reverse flow valve. [Diagram 3] 1 shows a detailed view of a beverage conduit of a coupler device with an exemplary backflow valve for the coupler device; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary coupler device 100. The coupler device comprises a housing 10 with a coupler 20 for coupling the housing 10 to a beverage container, such as a beer keg. The beverage container comprises a container body defining a beverage chamber for holding a beverage. A mouth opening element 30, e.g. a mouth opening piston, is provided in the housing 20 for opening the mouth of the beverage container. The mouth opening element 30 may be arranged, for example, to open a container seal of the beverage container. The mouth opening element 30 is movable in a vertical direction (Y direction in FIG. 1 ) relative to the housing 10. The mouth opening element 30 can be actuated using a mouth opening lever 40 for moving the mouth opening element 30 downwards to open the mouth of the beverage container and upwards to release the mouth opening element 30 from the container.

[0030] In this embodiment, the coupler arrangement 100 comprises a gas conduit having a gas inlet port 50 for connecting a gas tube thereto. The gas conduit, in this embodiment, extends through the coupler housing 10 between the gas inlet port 50 and a gas outlet port connectable to a gas inlet of a beverage container.

[0031] The coupler device 100 comprises a beverage conduit 80 extending between an inlet 81 provided at the inlet side 60 of the housing 10 and an outlet 82 provided at the outlet side 70 of the housing 10. The beverage conduit 80 in particular comprises a beverage conduit section 83 extending horizontally (direction X in Figure 1) across the vertical direction.

[0032] 2A and 2B show a detailed cross-sectional view of the beverage conduit 80 of the coupler device, in particular the coupler device 100 as shown in FIG. 1. The inlet 81 is configured for releasably connecting to a first tube forming a first dispensing line section. The first tube is attached to a beverage container outlet at an upstream end of the first tube in this embodiment. The outlet 82 is configured for connecting to a second tube forming a second dispensing line section. The second tube is attached to a dispenser, e.g. a tap, at a downstream end of the second tube. The second tube can for example be permanently connected to the beverage conduit outlet of the coupler. Before opening the mouth of the beverage container, the downstream end of the first tube can be connected to the inlet to create a fluid connection between the first tube and the second tube via the beverage conduit 80 of the coupler device 100. Thus, a dispensing line is formed between the beverage chamber and the dispenser.

[0033] The beverage conduit 80 extends horizontally and includes a beverage conduit section 83 which forms a horizontal flow path for the beverage. In this embodiment, for ease of use, the entire beverage conduit 80 extends horizontally.

[0034] In the beverage conduit section 83, the coupler device 100 comprises a backflow valve arranged to prevent backflow of beverage from the outlet 82 back through the beverage conduit 80 towards the inlet 81. The backflow valve includes a movable valve element 84. The movable valve element 84 is movable relative to the beverage conduit section 83 along a horizontal flow path defined by the conduit section 83. The coupler device 100 is arranged to allow beverage pressure surges in the dispense line to move across the backflow valve.

[0035] In particular, during use, the beverage held by the container flows through the dispensing line to the dispenser at the end of the second dispensing line, via the beverage conduit of the coupler device, when the dispenser is opened. After dispensing the beverage, for example after drafting a beer beverage, the dispenser is closed to stop the flow of beverage from the container. Due to the inertia of the flowing beverage, the sudden closure of the dispenser causes the beverage to exert a force on the closed dispenser, which causes a pressure build-up upstream of the dispenser. The pressure build-up results in a pressure surge propagating along the dispensing line in the reverse flow direction, i.e. from the dispenser back towards the beverage container. This is also known as water hammer, or hydraulic shock.

[0036] By allowing the movable valve element to move in the reverse flow direction, the pressure surge can propagate across the valve element 84 toward the beverage container. The beverage container can act as a surge container to absorb the pressure surge. Thus, pressures upstream and downstream of the moving valve element 84 can be averaged.

[0037] The coupler device 100 is specifically arranged to allow at least 2 mL of beverage volume to flow back before and / or while the backflow valve is closed. A volume of approximately 2 mL has been found to be adequate to even out any residual pressure differential that may result from a pressure surge.

[0038] The movable valve element may comprise a closure body. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the movable valve element 84 is embodied as a closure body, in particular a spherical closure body. The spherical closure body 84 is movably arranged in the beverage conduit section 83 and is movable along a horizontal flow path defined by the beverage conduit section 83 between an open position for allowing the flow of beverage through the beverage conduit section 80 from the inlet 81 to the outlet 82 and a closed position in which the closure body 84 blocks the through-flow opening of the beverage conduit section to prevent a backflow of beverage through the beverage conduit section from the outlet 82 towards the inlet 81. Figure 2A shows the closure body in the closed position, and Figure 2B shows the closure body in the open position.

[0039] The coupler device 100 comprises an upstream seat 85 for receiving the closure body 84 in the closed position and a downstream seat 86 for receiving the closure body 84 in the open position. The beverage conduit section can delimit a volume of at least 2 mL between the upstream seat 85 and the downstream seat 86. The upstream seat 85 having a central through-flow opening 88 is arranged in an upstream subsection 83A of the beverage conduit section 83. The upstream subsection 83A has a constant cross section corresponding to the cross section of the closure body 84. It will be understood that a certain lateral play can be provided between the conduit section wall and the closure body 84 to allow the closure body to move in the flow direction of the conduit section 83. The play can be, for example, 0.1 to 0.3 mm. The downstream seat 86 is arranged in a downstream subsection 83B of the beverage conduit section 83. The downstream subsection 83B has a cross section larger than the cross section of the closure body 84 to allow the beverage to flow around the closure body 84 while the closure body is held by the downstream seat 86.

[0040] The coupler device 100 comprises an axial guide 89 arranged to guide the closure body 84 moving along the centre line of the horizontal beverage conduit section 83. The guide 89 prevents the closure body 84 from moving offset from the horizontal flow path defining the conduit section 83 and ensures a reliable return of the closure body 83 to the upstream seating 85. The guide 89 is in this embodiment particularly provided in the downstream subsection 83B when the cross section of the closure body 84 is smaller than the cross section of the beverage conduit section.

[0041] The closure body 84 is provided without any particular bias in the beverage conduit section 83. The closure body 84 therefore moves between the closed and open positions under the influence of the beverage flow.

[0042] 3 shows another, e.g., alternative, example of a backflow valve provided in the beverage conduit section 83 of the coupler device 100. Here, the movable valve element 84 is embodied as a check valve assembly, which comprises a plunger member 91 in fluid-tight sliding engagement with a wall of the beverage conduit section 83. The plunger member 91 includes an opening 92 for allowing the beverage to flow therethrough. The check valve assembly also comprises a valve closure member 93 configured to allow the flow of the beverage through the opening 92 from the inlet 81 to the outlet 82 of the beverage conduit in an open state of the check valve assembly 84, and to prevent backflow of the beverage through the opening 92 from the outlet 82 back to the inlet 81 in a closed state of the check valve assembly 84.

[0043] The coupler device 100 also includes, in this embodiment, a spring 95 for biasing the check valve assembly 84 into coupling with the beverage conduit 80. The spring 95 is, in this embodiment, located in the beverage conduit section 83 upstream of the check valve assembly 84, between a downstream spring engagement surface of the plunger member 91 and an upstream spring engagement surface of the coupling device 100.

[0044] The check valve assembly 84 is arranged to move in a reverse flow direction, i.e., toward the inlet 81 of the beverage conduit 80, along the horizontal flow path defined by the beverage conduit section 83. The axial displacement of the check valve assembly 84 may account for pressure differentials resulting from pressure surges. In use, the stroke volume of the movable check valve assembly 84 may be at least 2 mL. Thus, for example, the volume of the beverage conduit section 83 minus the volume of the check valve assembly may be approximately 2 mL.

[0045] The present invention is described herein with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the present invention. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the essence of the present invention. For purposes of clarity and concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, but alternative embodiments having all or some combination of the features described in these separate embodiments are also envisioned.

[0046] However, other modifications, variations, and alternatives are possible. Accordingly, the specification, drawings, and examples are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[0047] Although for purposes of clarity and concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, it will be understood that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having all or any combination of the described features.

[0048] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other features or steps than those stated in the claim. Moreover, the words "a" and "an" are used to mean "at least one" and not to be limited to "only one", but do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0049] (Additional Note) (Appendix 1) 1. A coupler device for fluidly connecting a beverage chamber of a beverage container to a beverage dispensing line, comprising: a housing, the housing including a coupler for releasably coupling the housing to the beverage container; a beverage conduit extending through the housing between an inlet configured to be connected to a first dispense line portion attached to the beverage container and an outlet configured to be connected to a second dispense line portion attached to a dispenser; an opening element movably arranged with respect to the housing for opening the opening of the beverage container to fluidly connect the beverage chamber to the first pouring line portion; Equipped with the beverage conduit includes a horizontally extending beverage conduit section which, during use of the coupler device when coupled to the beverage container, defines a horizontal flow path for the beverage; in said beverage conduit section, said coupler device comprising a backflow valve arranged to restrict backflow of beverage through said beverage conduit from said outlet to said inlet of said coupler device, said backflow valve having a movable valve element movable in a backflow direction along said horizontal flow path relative to said beverage conduit section to allow beverage pressure surges in said dispense line to move across said valve; Device.

[0050] (Appendix 2) 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the movable valve element is movable between an upstream end and an opposite downstream end of the beverage conduit section, and wherein the volume of the beverage conduit section between the opposite ends of the beverage conduit section minus the volume of the movable valve element is at least 2 mL, preferably at most 5 mL.

[0051] (Appendix 3) 3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the movable valve element comprises a closure body movably arranged within the beverage conduit section and movable along the horizontal flow path relative to the beverage conduit section between an open position to allow a flow of beverage through the beverage conduit section from the inlet to the outlet and a closed position in which the closure body blocks a flow-through opening of the beverage conduit section to prevent backflow of beverage through the beverage conduit section from the outlet towards the inlet.

[0052] (Appendix 4) 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the closure body is spherical.

[0053] (Appendix 5) 5. The apparatus of claim 3 or 4, wherein the beverage conduit section is provided with an axial guide for guiding movement of the closure body along a central horizontal axis of the conduit section between the open and closed positions.

[0054] (Appendix 6) 6. The apparatus of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the beverage conduit section includes an upstream subsection provided with an upstream seat for receiving the closure body in the closed position, and a downstream subsection provided with a downstream seat for receiving the closure body in the open position.

[0055] (Appendix 7) 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the volume of the beverage conduit section between the upstream seat and the downstream seat minus the volume of the closure body is at least 2 mL, preferably at most 5 mL.

[0056] (Appendix 8) 8. The apparatus of claim 6 or 7, wherein the upstream subsection has a constant cross-section substantially equal to the cross-section of the closure body, and the downstream section has a cross-section larger than the cross-section of the closure body.

[0057] (Appendix 9) 9. The device of any one of clauses 6 to 8, wherein the downstream seat includes a central flow-through opening to permit flow of beverage therethrough.

[0058] (Appendix 10) 10. The device of any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the closure body is arranged unbiasedly in the beverage conduit section and is movable between the open position and the closed position by beverage flow through the beverage conduit section.

[0059] (Appendix 11) 3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the movable valve element includes a check valve assembly movable along the horizontal flow path within the beverage conduit section, the check valve assembly comprising a plunger member in fluid-tight sliding engagement with a beverage conduit section wall and having an opening for allowing the flow of beverage therethrough, and a valve closure member configured to allow the flow of beverage through the opening of the plunger member from the inlet to the outlet in an open state of the check valve assembly, and to prevent backflow of beverage through the opening from the outlet to the inlet in a closed state of the check valve assembly.

[0060] (Appendix 12) 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the check valve assembly is spring-coupled to the beverage conduit section.

[0061] (Appendix 13) 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a spring disposed in the beverage conduit section at an upstream end thereof between a downstream spring engagement surface of the plunger member and an upstream spring engagement surface of a coupling device.

[0062] (Appendix 14) 14. A system comprising: a beverage container having a beverage chamber for containing a beverage, in particular a malt-based beverage such as beer, the container having a container outlet with a sealing member arranged to enable opening of the beverage outlet; and a coupler device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein an opening element of the coupling device is configured, when coupled to the container, to open the container outlet by movement of the opening element in a vertical direction transverse to a horizontal direction in which a beverage conduit section of the coupler device extends.

[0063] (Appendix 15) 15. The system of claim 14, comprising a first tube forming the first dispensing line portion, the first tube being attached to the beverage container outlet at an upstream end of the first tube, and a second tube forming the second dispensing line portion, the second tube being attached to a dispenser at a downstream end of the second tube, the coupler device being configured to couple its inlet to the downstream end of the first tube and its outlet to the upstream end of the second tube.

Claims

1. 1. A coupler device for fluidly connecting a beverage chamber of a beverage container to a beverage dispensing line, comprising: a housing including a coupler for releasably coupling the housing to the beverage container; a beverage conduit extending through the housing between an inlet configured to be connected to a first dispensing line portion attached to the beverage container and an outlet configured to be connected to a second dispensing line portion attached to a dispenser; an opening element movably arranged relative to the housing for opening a mouth of the beverage container to fluidly connect the beverage chamber to the first dispensing line portion; Equipped with the beverage conduit includes a horizontally extending beverage conduit section that, during use of the coupler device when coupled to the beverage container, defines a horizontal flow path for the beverage; In the beverage conduit section, the coupler device comprises a backflow valve arranged to restrict backflow of beverage through the beverage conduit from the outlet to the inlet of the coupler device, the backflow valve having a movable valve element movable in a backflow direction along the horizontal flow path relative to the beverage conduit section to allow beverage pressure surges in the dispensing line to move across the valve. Device.

2. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the movable valve element is movable between an upstream end and an opposite downstream end of the beverage conduit section, and wherein the volume of the beverage conduit section between the opposite ends of the beverage conduit section minus the volume of the movable valve element is at least 2 mL, preferably at most 5 mL.

3. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the movable valve element comprises a closure body movably arranged within the beverage conduit section and movable along the horizontal flow path relative to the beverage conduit section between an open position to allow the flow of beverage through the beverage conduit section from the inlet to the outlet and a closed position in which the closure body blocks a through-flow opening of the beverage conduit section to prevent backflow of beverage through the beverage conduit section from the outlet towards the inlet.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the closure body is spherical.

5. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the beverage conduit section comprises an axial guide for guiding movement of the closure body along a central horizontal axis of the conduit section between the open and closed positions.

6. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the beverage conduit section includes an upstream subsection provided with an upstream seat for receiving the closure body in the closed position, and a downstream subsection provided with a downstream seat for receiving the closure body in the open position.

7. 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the volume of the beverage conduit section between the upstream seat and the downstream seat minus the volume of the closure body is at least 2 ml, preferably at most 5 ml.

8. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the upstream subsection has a constant cross section substantially equal to the cross section of the closure body, and the downstream section has a cross section greater than the cross section of the closure body.

9. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the downstream seat includes a central flow-through opening for permitting the flow of beverage therethrough.

10. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the closure body is disposed unbiased within the beverage conduit section and is movable between the open position and the closed position by beverage flow through the beverage conduit section.

11. The device described in claim 6, wherein the closure body is positioned unbiased within the beverage conduit section and is movable between the open position and the closed position by the beverage flow passing through the beverage conduit section.

12. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the movable valve element includes a check valve assembly movable within the beverage conduit section along the horizontal flow path, the check valve assembly comprising: a plunger member in fluid-tight sliding engagement with a beverage conduit section wall and having an opening for allowing the flow of beverage therethrough; and a valve closure member configured to allow the flow of beverage through the opening in the plunger member from the inlet to the outlet in an open state of the check valve assembly, and to prevent backflow of beverage through the opening from the outlet to the inlet in a closed state of the check valve assembly.

13. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the check valve assembly is spring-coupled to the beverage conduit section.

14. 12. The device of claim 11, comprising a spring disposed in the beverage conduit section at the upstream end thereof between a downstream spring engagement surface of the plunger member and an upstream spring engagement surface of a coupling device.

15. 10. A system comprising: a beverage container having a beverage chamber for containing a beverage, in particular a malt-based beverage such as beer, the container having a container outlet with a sealing member arranged to enable opening of the beverage outlet; and a coupler device according to claim 1, wherein an opening element of the coupling device is configured, when coupled to the container, to open the container outlet by movement of the opening element in a vertical direction transverse to a horizontal direction in which a beverage conduit section of the coupler device extends.

16. A system comprising: a beverage container having a beverage chamber for containing a beverage, in particular a malt-based beverage such as beer, the container having a container outlet with a sealing member arranged to enable opening of the beverage outlet; and a coupler device as described in claim 3, wherein an opening element of the coupling device is configured, when coupled to the container, to open the container outlet by movement of the opening element in a vertical direction transverse to a horizontal direction in which a beverage conduit section of the coupler device extends.

17. A system comprising: a beverage container having a beverage chamber for containing a beverage, in particular a malt-based beverage such as beer, the container having a container outlet with a sealing member arranged to enable opening of the beverage outlet; and a coupler device as described in claim 6, wherein an opening element of the coupling device is configured, when coupled to the container, to open the container outlet by movement of the opening element in a vertical direction transverse to a horizontal direction in which a beverage conduit section of the coupler device extends.

18. A system comprising: a beverage container having a beverage chamber for containing a beverage, in particular a malt-based beverage such as beer, the container having a container outlet with a sealing member arranged to enable opening of the beverage outlet; and a coupler device as described in claim 10, wherein an opening element of the coupling device is configured, when coupled to the container, to open the container outlet by movement of the opening element in a vertical direction transverse to a horizontal direction in which a beverage conduit section of the coupler device extends.

19. A system comprising: a beverage container having a beverage chamber for containing a beverage, in particular a malt-based beverage such as beer, the container having a container outlet with a sealing member arranged to enable opening of the beverage outlet; and a coupler device as described in claim 11, wherein an opening element of the coupling device is configured, when coupled to the container, to open the container outlet by movement of the opening element in a vertical direction transverse to a horizontal direction in which a beverage conduit section of the coupler device extends.

20. 16. The system of claim 15, comprising a first tube forming the first dispensing line portion, the first tube being attached to the beverage container outlet at an upstream end of the first tube, and a second tube forming the second dispensing line portion, the second tube being attached to a dispenser at a downstream end of the second tube, wherein the coupler device is configured to couple its inlet to the downstream end of the first tube and its outlet to the upstream end of the second tube.

21. A system as described in claim 16, comprising a first tube forming the first dispensing line portion, the first tube being attached to the beverage container outlet at an upstream end of the first tube, and a second tube forming the second dispensing line portion, the second tube being attached to a dispenser at a downstream end of the second tube, wherein the coupler device is configured to couple its inlet to the downstream end of the first tube and its outlet to the upstream end of the second tube.

22. A system as described in claim 17, comprising a first tube forming the first dispensing line portion, the first tube being attached to the beverage container outlet at an upstream end of the first tube, and a second tube forming the second dispensing line portion, the second tube being attached to a dispenser at a downstream end of the second tube, wherein the coupler device is configured to couple its inlet to the downstream end of the first tube and its outlet to the upstream end of the second tube.

23. A system as described in claim 18, comprising a first tube forming the first dispensing line portion, the first tube being attached to the beverage container outlet at an upstream end of the first tube, and a second tube forming the second dispensing line portion, the second tube being attached to a dispenser at a downstream end of the second tube, wherein the coupler device is configured to couple its inlet to the downstream end of the first tube and its outlet to the upstream end of the second tube.

24. A system as described in claim 19, comprising a first tube forming the first dispensing line portion, the first tube being attached to the beverage container outlet at an upstream end of the first tube, and a second tube forming the second dispensing line portion, the second tube being attached to a dispenser at a downstream end of the second tube, wherein the coupler device is configured to couple its inlet to the downstream end of the first tube and its outlet to the upstream end of the second tube.

25. The device described in claim 12, wherein the check valve assembly is spring-loadedly coupled to the beverage conduit section.

26. The device described in claim 10, comprising a spring positioned in the beverage conduit section at the upstream end of the beverage conduit section between the downstream spring engagement surface of the plunger member and the upstream spring engagement surface of the coupling device.

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