Coupling with data carrier for beverage kegs

Abstract

The present invention relates to a coupling assembly (1) for a beverage keg (13). The coupling assembly comprises a coupling housing (2) and a seal (4). The coupling housing (2) has an elastic raised tube (6) disposed inside the coupling housing and movable relative to the coupling housing. An electronic data carrier (22) is disposed on or in the seal (4) and / or in a cover (24) of the seal (4).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fitting assembly for a beverage keg having the features of the preamble of claim 1. [Background technology]

[0002] From the prior art it is known to store and consume beverages in containers which allow their transport from a beverage production facility, such as a brewery, to a point of consumption, such as a restaurant.

[0003] Common containers for beverages are bottles, cans and beverage kegs, in the latter case it is possible to provide larger volumes of beverage in a beverage keg, for example more than 10 liters, in particular more than 20 liters, preferably more than 30 liters.

[0004] It is known to fill a beverage keg with a beverage at a filling location and extract it at a removal location, in which the beverage is removed from the beverage keg under pressure, in particular by using a gas. Carbon dioxide is particularly used for this purpose. The beverage keg has a keg body with an outer shell for this purpose. The keg body is usually made of a metal material. The keg body usually has an opening in the center of its upper side, into which a fitting is inserted. The fitting serves as a connection point for filling the keg. Once the filling process is complete, the fitting remains on the keg and has a seal or seal assembly so that the beverage filled in the keg remains sealed and, if necessary, under pressure.

[0005] At the tapping point the beverage keg is connected to the dispensing system: on the one hand there is a gas line for introducing gas into the beverage keg, and on the other hand a beverage line for tapping or extracting the beverage from the keg. For this purpose a keg coupler is used, which coupler is in particular connected to the fitting in a form-fitting and fluid-tight, but releasably coupled manner.

[0006] As the keg body itself is usually made of metal, i.e. a non-transparent, opaque material, and as kegs are often cleaned after the first filling and refilled dozens of times, it is necessary to obtain information about the contents of each keg and, if necessary, further information about the keg and / or fittings. In particular for the reuse of fittings, external marking, e.g. with stickers, labels or permanent marking, e.g. by engraving with a laser, is only suitable to a limited extent.

[0007] From GB 383900 A1 a raised tube is known in which the relay is embedded by means of a sealing compound, for example a rubber material. Summary of the Invention

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a beverage keg in which information about the beverage keg, and optionally about the beverage, remains on the beverage keg in a rewritable and fixed manner.

[0009] The aforementioned object is achieved according to the invention by a coupling assembly according to the features of claim 1.

[0010] Advantageous embodiment variants are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0011] The fitting assembly for the beverage keg is preferably resilient and, depending on the embodiment, sometimes has a relatively movable raised tube disposed therein, as well as a fitting sleeve with a seal. The fitting assembly, particularly the sleeve and raised tube, are made from a metallic material, particularly a food-grade material such as stainless steel. The seal is disposed between the fitting housing, particularly between the inner side of the fitting housing and the raised tube, thus sealing the raised tube against the fitting housing.

[0012] According to the invention, the coupling assembly is characterized in that an electronic data carrier is arranged on or in the seal or a cover arranged thereon, the data carrier being in particular an RFID tag or an NFC tag, which allows information to be stored on the electronic data carrier, which in particular contains, but is not limited to, the following data, individually or in combination: -Age of the seal and / or fitting - Information about the keg, in particular the age of the keg and / or information about fitting replacements and / or fillings The filling capacity of the keg can also be stored. In particular, however, the keg contents, i.e. the age, type or brand and / or filling location of the beverage in the keg, respectively, are recorded. For example, information about the keg pressure may also be displayed. Additional coupled sensors may be used to store or evaluate information about the temperature, keg pressure, and / or transport of the keg and its beverage contents. -Beverage expiration date - Name of drink - Brewer or manufacturer.

[0013] The data carrier itself is specifically designed to be energy-free, so it has no active energy source.

[0014] The data carrier itself is particularly rewritable. It is particularly preferred that the data carrier has code or password protection. This means that writing to the data carrier can only be done with special technical assistance and authorization. This prevents misuse and accidental overwriting.

[0015] The coupling assembly is particularly suitable for reading with corresponding reading hardware. This can consist of a smartphone with corresponding software or app, so that each keg can be checked randomly for contents, filling date, beverage type, etc. during the delivery of the beverage keg to the wholesaler's handling point or also at the delivery point for an event or restaurant. The keg can also be detected at the brewery or at the transmission point, at least partially or fully automatically. This means that the number of rinses of the keg, the date and time of the filling process, and the contents, etc. are stored. The manufacturer can then integrate the writing on the tag fully automatically into the filling line or downstream points in the process chain.

[0016] However, the coupling assembly is particularly suitable in conjunction with a sensor system in the keg coupler, which in principle would enable a connected keg to identify where a particular keg filled with beverage is being dispensed or connected to a dispensing system, for example for a pub owner or premium brewery.

[0017] According to the present invention, it has been found advantageous to integrate an electronic data carrier, preferably within the seal, or in the upper region of the seal, particularly vertically or toward the keg coupler, or to place the data carrier on the seal. If the data carrier is placed on the seal, a cover is placed on top of it. The data carrier, which may preferably be self-adhesive, can be placed on the seal or the cover. The seal is made of a rubber-like material, particularly an elastomeric material. The cover is preferably made of a non-electronically shielding material, such as a plastic material. This makes it possible to read data on the data carrier or write it wirelessly, despite the fact that the data carrier itself does not have an active energy source. Instead of being placed on the top side of the seal, the data carrier can also be placed on the bottom side of the seal, particularly by connecting it to the seal with an additive (so-called bonding).

[0018] Because the data carrier is located in the upper area of ​​the seal or covered by a cover, it does not come into direct contact with the beverage or cleaning medium. This also means that the data carrier is not exposed to abrasive wear or direct mechanical contact when filling or tapping the keg coupler. This allows the data carrier to have a particularly long service life, particularly corresponding to the service life of the seal or coupling. During this long service life, the data carrier remains readable or rewritable.

[0019] To manufacture data carriers, preferably made of food-grade materials, it has been found particularly advantageous to provide electronic conductor tracks on a dimensionally stable material, such as a plastic film or ring or PCB (so-called FR-4 glass fiber composite), especially for RFID or NFC tags, and then embed the data carrier in the seal, or embed a cover on the seal, or attach it to a seal cover. This process is called overmolding. During the overmolding process, the printed circuit board or conductor foil of the data carrier can be at least partially, especially completely, melted. Since the seal or cover is non-conductive, the conductor tracks of the data carrier are electrically insulated from each other, especially from direct contact, so that their functionality is maintained after the seal is manufactured or the cover is attached to the seal. Thus, the data carrier according to the present invention can have a structural height of less than 0.5 mm.

[0020] It has proven particularly advantageous to mount the data carrier on a dimensionally stable ring carrier, which is then attached to the underside of the seal cover using epoxy resin. This creates a chemical / force-fit connection that is particularly suitable for food use, without gaps or other irregularities. Even though the assembly is on the outside of the keg, the use of adhesive materials approved for food contact is recommended. The same connection must, of course, withstand the thermal, chemical, and mechanical stresses of the keg's life cycle. Finally, the installation space occupied by the data carrier and bonding material can be compensated for by optimizing the design of the elastomer seal so that the seal and data carrier assembly, including the TAG, is equivalently (1:1) interchangeable with the seal and carrier assembly, as before and as is commercially available.

[0021] For other embodiment variants of the coupling (especially types A and G, see FIG. 8), it is particularly advantageous to place the data carrier in the main seal. This means that the data carrier can also be integrated into a complete product by replacing the seal of a coupling already on the market. Therefore, integration can be performed during the seal manufacturing process by inserting the data carrier into the seal manufacturing tool so that the data carrier is inserted / held in the tool and overmolded with elastomer. Alternatively, the data carrier can be attached to or in the seal after the seal manufacturing process, or subsequently inserted above the seal in a separate carrier part or placed below the seal.

[0022] Further advantages, features, characteristics and aspects of the present invention are described below. Variations of the preferred embodiment are described below, which will help to facilitate an understanding of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] In particular, Figure 1 shows the coupling assembly in a cross-sectional view. Figure 2 shows the coupling assembly with the data carrier at the separation plane between the carrier and the seal. Figure 3 shows an exploded view of Figure 2 with the housing 2 in cross-sectional view. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view with the data carrier embedded in the seal. Figure 5 shows a variation of the alternative embodiment with the data carrier embedded in the cover. Figure 6 shows a variation of the alternative embodiment with a U-shaped coupling assembly with a tag attached to the seal carrier. Figure 7 shows a D-shaped coupling assembly with a tag attached to the seal carrier. Figures 8-11 show various cross-sectional views of an A-shaped coupling assembly.

[0024] In each drawing, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, but for the sake of simplicity, duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a coupling assembly 1 in a cross-sectional view. The coupling housing 2 has an outer sealing ring 3 for being placed liquid-tight in a beverage keg 13 (not shown in detail). The seal 4 is placed in the coupling housing 2 and is inserted in a form-fitting, liquid-tight manner into the upper end 5 of the raised tube 6. For this purpose, a seal body in the form of a ball 7 with a helical compression spring 9 is inserted so that the ball 7 comes into form-fitting contact with the inner sealing surface of the seal 4 against the spring force. For this purpose, a ridge 8 is formed on the raised tube 6. The ridge 8 holds the helical compression spring 9 in a form-fitting manner within the raised tube 6. Furthermore, a helical compression spring 10 and a retaining ring 11 are arranged around the raised tube 6, thereby pressing the entire raised tube 6 from the inside into the coupling housing 2. Furthermore, the coupling housing 2 has a recess 12 on its side surface. Furthermore, the seal 4 is arranged between the coupling housing 2, here in particular the inside of the sealing surface 17 of the coupling housing 2, and the raised tube 6. The seal 4 therefore seals the coupling housing 2 against the raised tube 6. The raised tube 6 can be arranged in the coupling housing 2 so as to be movable relative to the coupling housing 2. However, the raised tube 6 can also be fixed in the coupling housing 2, in which case a further valve body is mounted inside the raised tube 6.

[0026] Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the assembled fitting assembly 1. The fitting assembly 1 is inserted into a beverage keg 13, thus forming a gas side 14 on the beverage keg 13 itself and, if the beverage keg 13 is positioned upwards in the vertical direction V, a beverage side 15 inside the raised tube 6 itself and below the fitting assembly 1. In particular, the gas side 14 is formed between the fitting housing 2 and the raised tube 6, which is achieved by the recess 12 in the fitting housing 2. In the closed sealing state, a spring force F9 presses the ball 7 against the inner sealing surface 16 of the seal 4. Any beverage present on the beverage side 15 is therefore prevented from leaking into the environment U.

[0027] The upper end 5 of the raised tube 6 is expanded, where the second helical compression spring 10 comes into form-fitting contact and presses the entire raised tube 6 with the seal 4 against the internal sealing surface 17 of the coupling housing 2 against a spring force F10. This also seals the beverage from the gas side 14 against the environment U in the closed state.

[0028] On activation, the keg coupler, not shown in detail, is form-fittingly inserted into the keg coupler receptacle 18 and presses the raised tube 6 with the seal 4 downwards in the vertical direction V. This transports gas into the beverage keg 13 via the gas side 14 so that, when the keg coupler is connected, the ball 7 or sealing plate also moves downwards in the vertical direction V against the seal 4, allowing beverage to flow out of the beverage keg 13 and be discharged.

[0029] The seal 4 itself is made from a reinforcing ring 19 surrounded by a resilient sealing material 20. The seal 4 has an upper head portion K and a web portion S.

[0030] This is an S-type fitting. The data carrier 22 is arranged on the seal 4, specifically above it. This electronic data carrier 22 is arranged in the form of a ring or ring segment around or on top of the seal 4. A cover 24 is arranged above the seal 4 in the direction of the possible outlet 23 of the fitting assembly 1 and covers it so that it at least partially overlaps it. The cover 24 also covers the electronic data carrier 22, preventing it from coming into contact with the liquid or beverage in the keg 13. To manufacture the seal 4 with the cover 24, the data carrier 22 is in particular arranged on the material of the seal 4 or on the material of the cover 24, and the two components are then inserted into each other. It is also possible to injection-mold or embed the cover 24 made of a plastic-like material onto the seal 4, in particular in the form of an overmolding process. The data carrier 22 is thus embedded between the cover 24 and the seal 4 and is therefore also sealed. The data carrier 22 can then be read through the cover 24 using a corresponding read-out device.

[0031] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of Figure 2. In this case it can be seen that the data carrier 22 is designed as a circumferential ring.

[0032] Figure 4 shows a cross-section similar to Figure 2. However, in this case the data carrier 22 is embedded in the seal 4 itself. The cover 24 is additionally attached to the seal 4. However, the seal 4 is first manufactured together with the data carrier 22. The tag is held or placed in a tool for the seal 4, and then the seal 4 is molded onto it in one piece and in one step.

[0033] Figure 5 shows another embodiment, in which the data carrier 22 is embedded within the cover 24. Thus, the data carrier 22 is positioned on the seal 4, but is completely overmolded or embedded within the cover 24 itself.

[0034] FIG. 6 shows another design variant. In this case, a U-shaped joint assembly 1 is shown. The data carrier 22 is arranged on a circumferential ring 25, here preferably made of metal or alternatively plastic. The metal ring 25 is at least partially embedded in the seal 4. Again, the data carrier 22 can first be arranged on the metal ring 25 or a metal reinforcement of the seal body and then overmolded with the seal material 20 in an overmolding process. The data carrier 22 is thus sealed from the beverage, at least with respect to the outlet 23. The data carrier 22 can extend partially laterally beyond the metal ring 25 to facilitate positioning in the tool.

[0035] Figure 7 shows the D-joint assembly 1 already described at the beginning of Figure 1. Here too, a metal reinforcing ring 19 is arranged on the seal 4 itself. Here, an electronic data carrier 22 is attached to the reinforcing ring 19, which may be made of metal or plastic but is sufficiently dimensionally stable, and is then overmolded with sealing material 20 in an overmolding process. As a result, the data carrier 22 is again sealed off from the dispensed beverage.

[0036] Figure 8 shows a cross-section of the fitting assembly. The seal 4 is placed between the raised tube 6 and the inside of the fitting. The data carrier 22 itself is placed in the center of the seal 4 and is overmolded with elastomer during manufacture.

[0037] 9 shows alternatively that the data carrier 22 is inserted above the seal 4. For this purpose, the data carrier can be injected directly into the seal 4, but can also be inserted afterwards into a groove.

[0038] 10, the data carrier 22 is arranged below the seal 4. It rests on the upper sleeve 26.

[0039] According to FIG. 11, the data carrier 22 is completely integrated into the seal 4, ie completely overmolded with the sealing material 20, which is in particular an elastomer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1: Fitting assembly 2: Joint housing 3: Seal ring 4: Sticker Top edge of 5:6 6: Raised tube 7: Seal body or ball 8: Protuberance 9: Helical compression spring 10: Helical compression spring 11: Retaining ring 12:2 recess 13:Beverage keg 14: Gas side 15: Beverage side 16:4 inner seal surface 17:Seal surface 18: Keg coupler holder 19: Reinforcement ring 20: Elastic sealing material Material recess at 21:19 22: Data carrier 23:Exit 24: Cover 25: Metal ring 26: Sleeve

Claims

1. A coupling assembly (1) for a beverage keg (13), said coupling assembly comprising a coupling housing (2) in which a relatively movable elastic raised tube (6) is arranged, and a seal (4) arranged between said coupling housing (2) and said raised tube (6), wherein an electronic data carrier (22) is arranged above, below or in said seal (4) and / or in a cover (24) of said seal (4).

2. The coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the data carrier (22) is an RFID tag or an NFC tag.

3. 3. Coupling assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data carrier (22) is designed as an at least partially circumferential ring portion, preferably as a complete circumferential ring section.

4. 4. A coupling assembly according to claim 1, wherein when a data carrier (22) is placed on the seal (4), the data carrier is covered by a cover (24), the cover (24) being made of a plastic-like material, in particular a non-radio wave shielding material.

5. 5. A coupling assembly according to claim 1, wherein the data carrier (22) is embedded in the seal (4) and / or the data carrier (22) is embedded under the cover (24) on the seal (4) and / or under the cover (24).

6. Coupling assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electronic data carrier (22) operates without energy.

7. Coupling assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data carrier (22) has code protection.

8. 8. A coupling assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data carrier (22) stores at least one of the following information: type and age of seal and / or coupling, age and / or filling capacity of the beverage keg, brand and / or filling location of the keg contents, a unique ID number, fill volume of the keg, expiration date of the beverage, name / denomination of the beverage, brewer / manufacturer, filling location.

9. 9. The coupling assembly according to claim 1, wherein the coupling housing (2) has a conical internal sealing surface (17) tapering toward an upper end thereof, a seal (4) is inserted between the internal sealing surface (17) of the raised tube (6) and the upper end (5), the raised tube (6) is pressed against the sealing surface (17) by the seal (4) with a spring force (F10), the seal (4) is disposed inside the upper end (5) of the raised tube (6), and a seal body (7) is disposed at the upper end (5) of the raised tube (6) so as to be elastically movable relative thereto, and the seal body is placed so as to form-fit against the internal sealing surface (16) of the seal (4) with a spring force (F9).

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