Coupler device

Abstract

The coupler device is configured to fluidly connect a beverage chamber of a beverage container with a beverage dispense line. The coupler device comprises a housing with a coupler arranged for removably connecting the housing to the beverage container. A beverage channel extends through the housing between a beverage inlet and a beverage outlet, the beverage inlet being configured for connecting a first dispense line portion of the beverage dispense line and the beverage outlet being configured for connecting a second dispense line portion of the beverage dispense line. An opening element is movably arranged with respect to the housing for opening the mouth of the beverage container to connect the beverage chamber with the first dispense line portion. The coupler housing comprises a cover movably arranged to move between an open position, in which the cover allows access to the beverage inlet for connecting the first dispense line portion, and a closed position, in which the cover prevents connection of the first dispense line portion to the beverage inlet. The coupler device further comprises a fastening means arranged for fastening the cover in the closed position.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A coupler device is arranged to fluidly connect a beverage chamber of a beverage container, such as a beer keg, to a beverage dispensing line. Conventional coupler devices typically include a housing with a beverage channel extending through it between a beverage inlet and a beverage outlet, the coupler inlet being connectable to a beverage container outlet and the outlet being connectable to a dispenser, such as a water tap, arranged at the downstream end of the dispensing line. Once connected, the dispensing of the beverage from the container can be controlled by the dispenser. For this purpose, the coupler device often comprises a mouth opening element arranged movably relative to the housing for opening the mouth of the beverage container, i.e. opening the beverage container outlet, to put the beverage chamber in fluid communication with the dispensing line. Once opened, the beverage can flow from the beverage container through the beverage channel towards the dispenser. Some coupler devices have a beverage inlet connected to a first dispensing line section extending between the beverage container and the beverage inlet, and a beverage outlet connected to a second dispensing line section extending between the beverage outlet and the dispenser. The first pouring line section is, for example, a conduit having a length and / or providing a flow path that reduces the rate of contamination of the beverage in the beverage container with microorganisms migrating through the beverage line. The first pouring line section is usually attached to a coupler device with an end having an attachment means that snaps or clamps tightly to the beverage inlet. This provides a suitable connection between the first pouring line section and the coupler device for flowing the beverage from the beverage container to the beverage channel, while allowing intentional removal of the first pouring line section from the coupler device, for example when changing the beverage container to replace an empty copy with a full one, but with the risk of the first pouring line section being unintentionally removed from the coupler device. This can cause beverage spillage, beverage contamination and discomfort to the user. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] It is an object to provide a coupler apparatus in which the risk of unintentional removal of a beverage dispense line attached thereto is reduced.It is a further object to provide a coupler apparatus which is easy to use by a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] 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 comprising: a housing with a coupler arranged for removably coupling the housing to the beverage container, a beverage channel extending through the housing between a beverage inlet at a beverage inlet side of the housing and a beverage outlet at a beverage outlet side of the housing, the beverage inlet configured for connecting a first dispense line portion of the beverage dispense line and the beverage outlet configured for connecting a second dispense line portion of the beverage dispense line, and an opening element movably arranged with respect to the housing for opening a mouth of the beverage container to bring the beverage chamber into fluid communication with the first dispense line portion, the coupler housing comprising a cover movably arranged to move between an open position where the cover allows access to the beverage inlet for connecting the first dispense line portion and a closed position where the cover prevents disconnection of the first dispense line portion from the beverage inlet, and the coupler comprising a fastening means arranged for fastening the cover in the closed position. During use of the coupler device, the housing is coupled to the beverage container by a coupler, such as a seat with an internal thread that fits into an external thread provided on the surface of the beverage container. The first pouring line portion extends from the beverage chamber to a beverage inlet of the coupler device for supplying beverage fluid from the beverage chamber to the beverage channel when the beverage container is opened by the opening element. To prevent undesired disconnection or removal of the first pouring line portion from the coupler device, the cover is brought and fixed in a closed position such that the first pouring line portion cannot be disconnected from the beverage inlet, especially when beverage fluid flows through the beverage line. For example, the cover may clamp or otherwise mechanically press the first pouring line portion against the coupler housing.

[0005] Optionally, the cover includes a door pivotally connected to the coupler housing, preferably to the inlet side of the coupler housing.

[0006] In one embodiment of the coupler device, the cover in the closed position and the inlet side of the housing together define a chamber arranged to receive at least an end of the first pour line portion. For example, the first pour line portion, such as a flexible conduit, may be attached to the beverage inlet with an end of the first pour line portion, which fits into the chamber. Preferably, the end of the first pour line portion and the chamber are shaped and / or sized and / or otherwise designed or adapted relative to each other such that the end fits into the chamber, preferably relatively closely, i.e. under normal handling conditions of the coupler device, a connection between the first pour line portion and the coupler device is maintained when the end is fitted into the chamber and coupled to the beverage inlet. The risk of the first pour line portion becoming unintentionally or undesirably detached from the coupler device is reduced herein.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the coupler device, the cooling body is provided and arranged to cool the chamber and / or the end of the first dispensing line section when connected to the beverage inlet and / or when fitted to the chamber. Cooling is an effective means of reducing the migration rate of microorganisms migrating through the first dispensing line section to the beverage chamber. Optionally, the cooling body is a part of the coupler housing near or adjacent to the chamber, e.g. a surface thereof. For example, the cooling body comprises a plate-like body defining an inner side of the chamber opposite an outer side of the chamber defined by the cover. The cooling body may optionally be cooled with a cooling fluid, e.g. a cold liquid such as water may be flowed along the surface of the cooling body to maintain the cooling body at a desired cooling temperature.

[0008] In a particular embodiment of the coupler device, the fixing means for fixing the cover in the closed position is operably coupled to the opening element and is configured to fix the cover in the closed position depending on the position of the opening element. The fixing means may therefore particularly fix the cover in the closed position when the beverage container is opened to prevent the first pouring line section from being removed when beverage flows through the pouring line. In the non-opening position of the opening element, the fixing means may release the cover to allow movement of the cover, for example to bring the cover into an open position to allow the first pouring line section to be intentionally removed from the coupler device.

[0009] Optionally, the securing means comprises a latch arranged to be movable relative to the cover in the closed position between a locked position, in which the cover is secured in the closed position, and a released position, in which the cover is free to move between the closed and open positions. The latch may, for example, physically block the cover from moving in the open position. Optionally, the latch and the cover have cooperating surfaces for this purpose. For example, the latch may have a chamfered end that cooperates with a corresponding chamfered surface on the cover to allow movement of the cover in one direction against the latch and a shoulder or other blocking edge, and prevent movement of the cover in the opposite direction.

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the coupler arrangement has a latch coupled to the coupler housing by a biasing means configured to bias the latch to a release position. Preferably, the latch secures the cover only in a closed position and releases the cover upon actuation by a user, for example by actuating a manual lever provided for this purpose.

[0011] Optionally, the biasing means comprises a spring or spring-like body. Preferably, the biasing means comprises a leaf spring or plate spring connected at one end to the latch.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the coupler device, the biasing means is operably coupled to the aperture element and is configured to secure the cover in the closed position depending on the position of the aperture element. In particular, the aperture element, when brought into the aperture position, can act against the biasing means, such as a leaf spring connected to the latch, to maintain the latch in a fixed position with the cover in the closed position. Preferably, the biasing means biases the latch to the released position when the aperture element is in the non-aperture position.

[0013] Optionally, the opening element comprises an opening piston in the housing, the opening piston coupled to an opening lever of the coupler device for axially moving the opening piston between a lowered position relative to the coupler for opening the mouth of the beverage container and an elevated position relative to the coupler. Preferably, the opening piston is arranged to act on the fixing means to fix the cover in the closed position when the opening piston is in the lowered position and to release the cover to allow movement to the open position when the opening piston is in the elevated position.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the coupler device, the fixing means comprises a movable blocking plate having a through opening arranged to allow axial movement of the opening piston between the lowered and raised positions through the blocking plate when the blocking plate is in the unblocked position and to prevent axial movement of the opening piston when the blocking plate is in the blocked position. During use of the coupler device, the position of the blocking plate relative to the opening piston determines whether the opening piston can be moved. For example, the blocking plate may be arranged within the coupler housing to be actuated by a user to move to allow subsequent opening of the beverage container or to prevent subsequent opening, as desired by the user.

[0015] A particular embodiment of the coupler apparatus includes a blocking plate coupled to the latch and biased by a biasing means against the coupler housing and configured to secure the door relative to the coupler housing when the blocking plate is in the unblocked position and the opening piston is in the lowered position.

[0016] Optionally, the fixing means comprises a lever pivotally coupled to the coupler housing and arranged to pivot between a cover fixing position in which the lever clamps the cover against the housing, and a cover releasing position in which the lever allows the cover to be moved to the open position.

[0017] Preferably, the lever is a mouth-opening lever arranged to actuate a mouth-opening element, the mouth-opening element being in a mouth-opening position to open the mouth of the beverage container when the lever is in the cover-securing position, and the mouth-opening element being in a non-mouth-opening position when the lever is in the cover-releasing position.

[0018] In certain embodiments of the coupler arrangement, the lever comprises a lever arm arranged to act against the cover in a cover fixed position, e.g., the lever arm can be rotated relative to the cover in response to pivotal movement of the lever relative to the coupler housing.

[0019] A preferred embodiment of the coupler device has a lever arm with a locking groove, and a cover with a protruding element arranged to allow movement of the protruding element along the length of the groove along the lever arm. For example, the protruding element may be a protrusion such as a tab or knob extending from the cover that fits into the locking groove when the cover is closed and can be moved therethrough as the lever is pivoted in a closing direction relative to the coupler housing until a locked position of the cover is reached. Pivoting the lever in an opening direction opposite the closed position moves the protrusion from the locked position out of the locked groove to allow opening of the cover.

[0020] In 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, the container having a container outlet with a sealing member arranged to enable opening of the container outlet, and a coupler device as described herein, wherein an opening element of the coupler device is configured to open the container outlet by movement of the opening element when coupled to the container.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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]

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 shows an example of an embodiment of a coupler device according to the present invention. [Figure 2a] 2A-2C are a perspective view, another perspective exploded view, and a side view, respectively, of the coupler device of FIG. 1, respectively, with first dispensing line portions separately and coupled together; [Figure 2b] 2A-2C are a perspective view, another perspective exploded view, and a side view, respectively, of the coupler device of FIG. 1, respectively, with first dispensing line portions separately and coupled together; [Figure 2c] 2A-2C are a perspective view, another perspective exploded view, and a side view, respectively, of the coupler device of FIG. 1, respectively, with first dispensing line portions separately and coupled together; [Figure 3a] An example of another embodiment of a coupler device according to the invention is shown in different views. [Figure 3b] An example of another embodiment of a coupler device according to the invention is shown in different views. [Figure 3c] An example of another embodiment of a coupler device according to the invention is shown in different views. [Figure 3d] An example of another embodiment of a coupler device according to the invention is shown in different views. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary coupler device 100. The coupler device comprises a housing 10 with a coupling 20 for coupling the housing 10 to a beverage container, such as a beer keg. The beverage container comprises a container body that defines 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 vertically movable relative to the housing 10 between a raised position relative to the coupling 20 and a lowered position relative to the coupling 20. The mouth opening element 30 can be actuated using a mouth opening lever 40, which moves the mouth opening element 30 downwards from the raised position to the lowered position to allow opening of the beverage container during use of the coupler device, and upwards to release the mouth opening element 30 from the container. The mouth opening lever 40 is for this purpose pivotally connected to the housing 10 by a pivot shaft and coupled to the mouth opening element 30. The opening lever is provided with a manually operable lock 45 allowing the opening lever to be locked in a pivoted position to prevent undesired actuation of the opening element.

[0026] 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.

[0027] The coupler device 100 comprises a beverage channel 80 extending through the housing 10 between a beverage 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 channel 80 in particular comprises a section extending horizontally transverse to the direction of movement of the opening element.

[0028] The coupler device 100 further comprises a cover 200 formed by a door pivotally connected to the coupler housing 10 at a pivot axis 220. The door 200 can be pivoted to move between a closed position shown in FIG. 1 and an open position shown in FIG. 2a. In the open position, the door allows access to the beverage inlet 81. In the closed position, as best seen in FIG. 2a, the door 200 and the inlet side 60 of the coupler housing 10 define a chamber. The coupler device comprises a cooling body in the coupler housing, which is arranged to cool the chamber and / or the end of the dispensing line portion when connected to the beverage inlet. The cooling body can be cooled with a cooling fluid supplied to the coupler device through a cooling conduit, for example a cooling conduit arranged coaxially with the beverage channel.

[0029] Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show the coupler device 100 as shown in Figure 1 with a first dispensing line portion 300 uncoupled and coupled to each other, respectively. As shown, the beverage inlet 81 is configured for releasable connection with a first tube forming the first dispensing line portion 300. To this end, the first tube comprises a connection body 310 that fits in a chamber between the cover 200 and the beverage inlet 81 when the cover 200 is in a closed position. The opposite end of the first tube 300 comprises an adapter body 320 that is configured and arranged for attachment to a beverage container outlet.

[0030] The connection body 310 can be inserted into the chamber when the cover 200 is in the open position in order to connect the first pouring line portion 300 to the beverage inlet 81. In the closed position of the cover 200, the chamber is closed and therefore no insertion or removal of the connection body 310 is possible. When the coupler device is used with a beverage container, the tube 300 is first connected to the beverage inlet 81 before the cover is closed, thereby clamping the connection body 310 against the inlet side 60 of the coupler housing adjacent to the cooling body so that the connection body 310 is cooled. The coupler device comprises a fastening means 230 for fixing the cover in the closed position. The fastening means 230 in this embodiment of the coupler device comprises a latch 230 arranged to be movable with respect to the door 200 in the closed position between a locked position, in which the door is fixed in the closed position, and an released position, in which the door is free to move between the closed and open positions. The latch 230 is coupled to the coupler housing by a biasing means configured to bias the latch to the released position. The latch 230 is operably coupled to the opening element 30 and is configured to fix the door in a closed position depending on the position of the opening element. In particular, a biasing means 250 formed by a leaf spring is operably coupled to the opening element and the latch 230 and is configured to fix the door 200 in a closed position by means of the latch in an opening-down position of the opening element 30 and to release the door 200 by biasing the latch 230 to a door-release position when the opening element is in a non-opening-up position. The opening element 30 includes an opening piston in a housing, the piston being coupled to the opening lever 40, for moving the opening piston axially between a lowered position and a raised position. The fixing means 230 further comprises a movable blocking plate 240 having a through opening arranged to allow axial movement of the opening piston between a lowered position and a raised position through the blocking plate when the blocking plate is in an unblocked position and to prevent axial movement of the opening piston when the blocking plate is in a blocked position.The blocking plate 240 is coupled to the latch and is biased by a spring means 260 against the coupler housing and configured to secure the door against the coupler housing when the blocking plate is in the unblocked position and the opening piston is in the lowered position.

[0031] The beverage outlet 82 of the beverage channel 80 is configured to be connected to a second tube forming a second dispensing line portion. The second tube may be attached to a dispenser, e.g. a tap, at a downstream end of the second tube. The second tube may be permanently connected to the beverage outlet 82 of the coupler device, for example. Before opening the mouth of the beverage container, the downstream end of the first tube may be connected to the inlet to create a fluid connection between the first tube and the second tube via the beverage channel 80 of the coupler device 100. Thus, a dispensing line is formed between the beverage chamber and the dispenser.

[0032] 3a-3d show another, for example alternative, example of a coupler device 100 with a movable cover 200 formed as a pivoting door. Here, the fixing means comprises an opening lever 40 with a pair of lever arms 41 pivotally connected to the coupler housing at a pivot axis 42. When the opening element is in the opening position, the opening lever 40 fixes the door 200 shown in Figs. 3a, 3c to open the mouth of the beverage container. When the opening element is in the non-opening position, the opening lever 40 is in the door-released position shown in Figs. 3b, 3d. The door 200 comprises a pair of protruding elements 220 formed as notches or tabs on opposite sides of the door 200 which cooperate with respective locking grooves 43 provided on each of the opening lever arms 41. Each locking groove 43 allows the corresponding protrusion 220 to move along the length of the groove, such that the protrusion is guided in the groove so that the lever arm can pivot. As shown in Figures 3a and 3c, when the opening lever 40 is closed, the lever arm acts against the door 200, firmly and securely closing the door 200 when the opening lever's closed position is reached.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] (Additional Note) (Appendix 1) 1. A coupler device configured for fluidly connecting a beverage chamber of a beverage container with a beverage dispense line, the coupler device comprising: a housing, the housing comprising a coupler arranged to releasably couple the housing to the beverage container; a beverage channel extending through the housing between a beverage inlet on a beverage inlet side of the housing and a beverage outlet on a beverage outlet side of the housing, the beverage inlet configured for connecting a first dispense line portion of the beverage dispense line and the beverage outlet configured for connecting a second dispense line portion of the beverage dispense line; an opening element movably arranged with respect to the housing for opening the beverage container to place the beverage chamber in fluid communication with the first dispense line portion; Equipped with the coupler housing comprises a cover, the cover being movably arranged to move between an open position in which the cover allows access to the beverage inlet for connecting the first pouring line portion, and a closed position in which the cover prevents connection of the first pouring line portion to the beverage inlet, the coupler comprising fixing means configured to fix the cover in the closed position. Coupler device.

[0038] (Appendix 2) 2. The coupler apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a door pivotally connected to the entrance side of the coupler housing.

[0039] (Appendix 3) 3. The coupler device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover and the inlet side of the housing in the closed position define a chamber positioned to receive at least an end of the first dispensing line portion.

[0040] (Appendix 4) 4. The coupler device of claim 1, wherein the fixing means is operably coupled to the opening element and configured to fix the cover in the closed position depending on the position of the opening element.

[0041] (Appendix 5) 5. The coupler device of claim 4, wherein the fixing means comprises a latch movably arranged with respect to the cover in the closed position between a locked position in which the cover is fixed in the closed position and a released position in which the cover can freely move between the closed position and the open position.

[0042] (Appendix 6) 6. The coupler apparatus of claim 5, wherein the latch is coupled to the coupler housing by a biasing means configured to bias the latch to the released position.

[0043] (Appendix 7) 7. The coupler apparatus of claim 6, wherein the biasing means is operably coupled to the aperture element and configured to secure the cover in the closed position dependent on a position of the aperture element.

[0044] (Appendix 8) 8. The coupler device of claim 7, wherein the mouth opening element includes a mouth opening piston in the housing, the mouth opening piston coupled to a mouth opening lever of the coupler device for axially moving the mouth opening piston between a lowered position relative to the coupler for opening the mouth of the beverage container and an elevated position relative to the coupler.

[0045] (Appendix 9) 9. The coupler arrangement of claim 8, wherein the fixing means comprises a movable blocking plate having a through opening arranged to allow axial movement of the opening piston between the lowered and raised positions therethrough when the blocking plate is in an unblocked position and to prevent axial movement of the opening piston when the blocking plate is in a blocked position.

[0046] (Appendix 10) 10. The coupler apparatus of claim 9, wherein the blocking plate is coupled to the latch and biased against the coupler housing by a biasing means and configured to secure the door relative to the coupler housing when the blocking plate is in the unblocking position and the opening piston is in the lowered position.

[0047] (Appendix 11) 5. The coupler arrangement of claim 4, wherein the fixing means comprises a lever pivotally coupled to the coupler housing and arranged to pivot between a cover fixing position in which the lever clamps the cover against the housing and a cover releasing position in which the lever allows the cover to be moved to the open position.

[0048] (Appendix 12) 12. The coupler device of claim 11, wherein the lever is a mouth-opening lever arranged to actuate the mouth-opening element, the mouth-opening element being in a mouth-opening position for opening the mouth of the beverage container when the lever is in the cover fixing position, and the mouth-opening element being in a non-mouth-opening position when the lever is in the cover releasing position.

[0049] (Appendix 13) 13. The coupler device of claim 11 or 12, wherein the lever comprises a lever arm arranged to act against the cover in the cover fixing position.

[0050] (Appendix 14) 14. The coupler apparatus of claim 13, wherein the lever arm includes a locking groove and the cover includes a protruding element, the locking groove being positioned to allow movement of the protruding element along the length of the groove along the lever arm.

[0051] (Appendix 15) 15. 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 container outlet; and a coupler device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein an opening element of the coupler device is configured to open the container outlet by movement of the opening element when coupled to the container.

Claims

1. 1. A coupler device configured to fluidly connect a beverage chamber of a beverage container with a beverage dispense line, the coupler device comprising: a housing including a coupler arranged to removably couple the housing to the beverage container; a beverage channel extending through the housing between a beverage inlet on a beverage inlet side of the housing and a beverage outlet on a beverage outlet side of the housing, the beverage inlet configured for connecting a first dispense line portion of the beverage dispense line and the beverage outlet configured for connecting a second dispense line portion of the beverage dispense line; a mouth opening element movably arranged relative to the housing for opening the mouth of the beverage container to place the beverage chamber in fluid communication with the first dispensing line portion; Equipped with the coupler housing comprises a cover movably arranged to move between an open position in which the cover allows access to the beverage inlet for connecting the first dispensing line portion and a closed position in which the cover prevents connection of the first dispensing line portion to the beverage inlet, the coupler comprising fixing means configured to fix the cover in the closed position. Coupler device.

2. The coupler apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a door pivotally connected to the entry side of the coupler housing.

3. 2. The coupler apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover and the inlet side of the housing in the closed position define a chamber positioned to receive at least an end of the first dispensing line portion.

4. A coupler device as described in claim 2, wherein the cover and the inlet side of the housing in the closed position define a chamber positioned to receive at least an end of the first dispensing line portion.

5. 5. The coupler device of claim 1, wherein the securing means is operably coupled to the opening element and configured to secure the cover in the closed position depending on the position of the opening element.

6. 6. The coupler device of claim 5, wherein the securing means comprises a latch movably positioned relative to the cover in the closed position between a locked position in which the cover is secured in the closed position and an released position in which the cover is free to move between the closed position and the open position.

7. 7. The coupler apparatus of claim 6, wherein the latch is coupled to the coupler housing by a biasing means configured to bias the latch to the released position.

8. 8. The coupler device of claim 7, wherein the biasing means is operatively coupled to the aperture element and configured to secure the cover in the closed position dependent on the position of the aperture element.

9. 9. The coupler device of claim 8, wherein the opening element includes a mouth opening piston within the housing, the mouth opening piston coupled to a mouth opening lever of the coupler device for axially moving the mouth opening piston between a lowered position relative to the coupler for opening the mouth of the beverage container and an elevated position relative to the coupler.

10. 10. The coupler apparatus of claim 9, wherein the securing means comprises a movable blocking plate having a through opening positioned to permit axial movement of the opening piston through the blocking plate between the lowered and raised positions when the blocking plate is in an unblocking position, and to prevent axial movement of the opening piston when the blocking plate is in a blocking position.

11. 11. The coupler device of claim 10, wherein the blocking plate is coupled to the latch and biased against the coupler housing by a biasing means, and configured to secure the door relative to the coupler housing when the blocking plate is in the unblocking position and the opening piston is in the lowered position.

12. 6. The coupler device of claim 5, wherein the securing means comprises a lever pivotally coupled to the coupler housing and arranged to pivot between a cover securing position in which the lever clamps the cover to the housing and a cover releasing position in which the lever allows the cover to be moved to the open position.

13. 13. The coupler device of claim 12, wherein the lever is a mouth-opening lever arranged to actuate the mouth-opening element, the mouth-opening element being in a mouth-opening position that opens the mouth of the beverage container when the lever is in the cover-securing position, and the mouth-opening element being in a non-mouth-opening position when the lever is in the cover-releasing position.

14. 13. The coupler device of claim 12, wherein the lever comprises a lever arm positioned to act against the cover in the cover-locking position.

15. A coupler device as described in claim 13, wherein the lever comprises a lever arm arranged to act on the cover in the cover fixed position.

16. 15. The coupler apparatus of claim 14, wherein the lever arm includes a locking groove and the cover includes a protruding element, the locking groove positioned to allow movement of the protruding element along the lever arm and the length of the groove.

17. A coupler device as described in claim 15, wherein the lever arm includes a locking groove and the cover includes a protruding element, the locking groove being positioned to allow movement of the protruding element along the length of the groove along the lever arm.

18. 5. 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 allow opening of the container outlet; and a coupler device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an opening element of the coupler device is configured to open the container outlet by movement of the opening element when coupled to the container.

19. A system comprising: a beverage container having a beverage chamber for containing a beverage, in particular a malt-based beverage such as beer, said container having a container outlet with a sealing member arranged to enable opening of said container outlet; and a coupler device as described in claim 5, wherein a mouth-opening element of said coupler device is configured to open said container outlet by movement of said mouth-opening element when coupled to said container.

20. A system comprising: a beverage container having a beverage chamber for containing a beverage, in particular a malt-based beverage such as beer, said container having a container outlet with a sealing member arranged to enable opening of said container outlet; and a coupler device as described in claim 6, wherein a mouth-opening element of said coupler device is configured to open said container outlet by movement of said mouth-opening element when coupled to said container.

21. A system comprising: a beverage container having a beverage chamber for containing a beverage, in particular a malt-based beverage such as beer, said container having a container outlet with a sealing member arranged to enable opening of said container outlet; and a coupler device as described in claim 7, wherein a mouth-opening element of said coupler device is configured to open said container outlet by movement of said mouth-opening element when coupled to said container.

22. A system comprising: a beverage container having a beverage chamber for containing a beverage, in particular a malt-based beverage such as beer, said container having a container outlet with a sealing member arranged to enable opening of said container outlet; and a coupler device as described in claim 8, wherein a mouth-opening element of said coupler device is configured to open said container outlet by movement of said mouth-opening element when coupled to said container.

23. 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 container outlet; and a coupler device as described in claim 9, wherein a mouth-opening element of the coupler device is configured to open the container outlet by movement of the mouth-opening element when coupled to the container.

24. 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 container outlet; and a coupler device as described in claim 10, wherein a mouth-opening element of the coupler device is configured to open the container outlet by movement of the mouth-opening element when coupled to the container.

25. 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 container outlet; and a coupler device as described in claim 11, wherein a mouth-opening element of the coupler device is configured to open the container outlet by movement of the mouth-opening element when coupled to the container.

26. 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 container outlet; and a coupler device as described in claim 12, wherein a mouth-opening element of the coupler device is configured to open the container outlet by movement of the mouth-opening element when coupled to the container.

27. ​​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 container outlet; and a coupler device as described in claim 13, wherein a mouth-opening element of the coupler device is configured to open the container outlet by movement of the mouth-opening element when coupled to the container.

28. 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 container outlet; and a coupler device as described in claim 14, wherein a mouth-opening element of the coupler device is configured to open the container outlet by movement of the mouth-opening element when coupled to the container.

29. 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 container outlet; and a coupler device as described in claim 15, wherein a mouth-opening element of the coupler device is configured to open the container outlet by movement of the mouth-opening element when coupled to the container.

30. A system comprising: a beverage container having a beverage chamber for containing a beverage, in particular a malt-based beverage such as beer, said container having a container outlet with a sealing member arranged to enable opening of said container outlet; and a coupler device as described in claim 16, wherein a mouth-opening element of said coupler device is configured to open said container outlet by movement of said mouth-opening element when coupled to said container.

31. A system comprising: a beverage container having a beverage chamber for containing a beverage, in particular a malt-based beverage such as beer, said container having a container outlet with a sealing member arranged to enable opening of said container outlet; and a coupler device as described in claim 17, wherein a mouth-opening element of said coupler device is configured to open said container outlet by movement of said mouth-opening element when coupled to said container.

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