RFID-enabled pressure chamber for kegs

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capabilities for a beverage container, the pressure chamber comprising a lid portion; a base portion, the lid portion and the base portion defining a sealed interior space for receiving and enclosing the beverage container, the base portion or the lid portion adapted to engage a corresponding beverage container outlet, an inner connector portion disposed inside the base portion or lid portion; and an outer substantially annular gasket portion disposed inside the base portion or lid portion and surrounding the inner connector portion, the outer substantially annular gasket portion adapted to engage a corresponding hollow annular space in a closure of the beverage container, the outer substantially annular gasket portion comprising a substantially planar annular antenna adapted to transmit radio waves to a radio frequency identification tag disposed on an outer rim of the closure. The disclosure further relates to a pressure system for a beverage comprising a crushable beverage container and a pressure chamber, the pressure system including RFID capabilities.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a radio frequency identification (RFID) enabled pressure chamber for a beverage container, particularly a disposable crushable beverage container. The present disclosure further relates to a pressure system including a radio frequency identification enabled pressure chamber and a crushable beverage container including a radio frequency identification tag. [Background technology]

[0002] Beverage dispensing systems are typically used in beverage dispensing facilities to efficiently dispense large quantities of beverages. Typically, beverage dispensing systems are used to dispense carbonated alcoholic beverages, such as draft beer and cider. However, non-alcoholic beverages, such as non-alcoholic beer, soft drinks, and non-carbonated beverages, such as wine and fruit juice, can also be dispensed using beverage dispensing systems.

[0003] Commercial beverage dispensing systems typically dispense beverages provided in large beverage kegs. Such beverage kegs may hold, for example, 20-50 L of beverage for a commercial beverage dispensing system, to allow typically 50-100 beverage dispensing operations before the beverage keg needs to be replaced. Generally, beverage kegs are made of a sturdy material, such as steel, and are refilled many times. Between each filling, the beverage keg is thoroughly cleaned. More recently, due at least in part to hygiene concerns, systems with crushable disposable kegs have been developed. Such beverage dispensing systems using crushable beverage kegs may place or position the beverage keg in a pressure chamber. Thus, while a conventional steel keg needs to be pressurized with CO2, for example by a CO2-cartridge connected to the keg during dispensing, a disposable beverage system such as the applicant's DraughtMaster™, or a bag of container systems such as Heineken Blade® or BeerTender® or Anheusher-Bush InBev PureDraught®, uses air from a pressure source, for example an air compressor, to push the beer out and crush the keg or bag inside the container (hereafter simply called keg), meaning that nothing touches the beer from the time it leaves the brewery until it enters the beverage receiver, for example a beer glass. Thus, beverages stored in such crushable beverage containers can be pre-carbonized or pre-mixed with nitrogen when dispensing English type beers such as ales and stouts. When dispensing the beverage, a pressure fluid, for example compressed air, is allowed to enter the pressure chamber, causing the beverage keg to collapse during the dispensing of the beverage. The volume of the beverage keg is reduced corresponding to the amount of beverage dispensed. The crushable beverage keg is preferably made from a flexible, disposable material such as plastic.

[0004] To manage and track exchangeable beverage containers, the containers may be equipped with an RFID tag, such as a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag. Besides having a unique identification, the system can extract information about the beverage, such as, for example, the type of beverage, the volume of the container, the date and / or origin of production, and the alcohol content, if applicable, directly from the tag or by processing a database. The use of RFID tags is known for steel kegs and, more recently, for beverage systems comprising disposable crushable kegs. However, the fact that crushable beverage kegs are placed in a pressure chamber under many physical constraints leads to technical challenges and disadvantages with regard to the communication between an RFID interrogator and an RFID tag. It is an object of the present disclosure to overcome one or more of these challenges and disadvantages. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure provides, in a first embodiment, a pressure chamber with radio frequency identification for a beverage container, comprising: - Lid, - a base portion, said lid portion and said base portion defining a sealed interior space for receiving and enclosing said beverage container, said base portion or said lid portion being an inner connector portion adapted to engage a corresponding beverage container outlet and disposed inside the base portion or the lid portion; and an outer substantially annular gasket portion disposed inside the base or lid portion and surrounding the inner connector portion, said outer substantially annular gasket portion adapted to engage a corresponding hollow annular space in a closure of a beverage container, the outer substantially annular gasket portion comprising a substantially planar annular antenna adapted to transmit radio waves to a radio frequency identification tag disposed on an outer rim of the closure; The present invention relates to a pressure chamber with radio frequency identification for a beverage container, comprising:

[0006] The outer substantially annular gasket part shall be considered to have a three-dimensional body, i.e. an annular shape with a certain height. The outer substantially annular gasket part may thereby be a toroid or the upper half of a toroid. The shape of the toroid is not necessarily completely regular and may be rotated based on a rectangle, a square and / or a circle or combinations thereof. The function of the outer substantially annular gasket part is to be introduced into a corresponding hollow part of the closure and to seal the connection between the tapping line and the container.

[0007] The base and the lid constitute a sealed pressure chamber for enclosing the crushable keg. The keg with the beverage container outlet usually also has a closure for cooperating with a coupler of a beverage dispensing system, preferably via the base. The closure may have an outer rim, on which an RFID tag, such as an NFC tag, can be arranged, for example as shown in figures 1 and 5. The pressure chamber is usually fixedly installed, whereas the crushable keg is usually disposable and replaced when empty. According to an embodiment of the invention, the base comprises an outer substantially annular gasket part arranged inside the base, for example at the bottom of the base part of the pressure chamber. "Annular" in this context shall be interpreted broadly as a shape having a through hole and a minimum height suitable for being introduced into a corresponding hollow annular space of a closure of a crushable beverage container. The annular shape may be considered as a donut shape, which may have irregularities. When the keg is placed in the pressure chamber, the substantially annular gasket part is introduced in a sealed configuration into the corresponding hollow annular space of the closure. If a substantially planar annular antenna is disposed on the substantially annular gasket portion, the antenna may also be introduced into the hollow annular space of the closure. The antenna may be positioned and adapted to propagate radio waves from a location within the hollow annular space to an RFID tag disposed on the outer rim of the closure, thereby allowing the RFID tag to be interrogated locally for a particular barrel. Preferably, the substantially planar annular antenna is an omnidirectional antenna.

[0008] Further details regarding the physical constraints of the present invention, the integration of the substantially planar annular antenna (interrogation antenna), the location of the interrogation antenna and the RFID tag, antenna design and other aspects are provided in the detailed description of the invention below.

[0009] The present disclosure further provides a pressure system for a beverage, comprising: - a crushable beverage container comprising a closure having a beverage outlet, the closure having an outer rim and a radio frequency identification tag disposed on the rim; a pressure chamber, o Lid, o a pressure chamber having a base portion, said lid portion and said base portion defining a sealed interior space for receiving and enclosing a crushable beverage container, said base portion or said lid portion being an inner connector portion adapted to engage a beverage outlet and disposed inside the base portion or the lid portion; and an outer substantially annular gasket portion disposed inside the base or lid portion and surrounding the inner connector portion, the outer substantially annular gasket portion adapted to engage a corresponding hollow annular space in a closure of a crushable beverage container, the outer substantially annular gasket portion comprising a substantially planar annular antenna adapted to propagate radio waves to a radio frequency identification tag; The present invention relates to a pressure system for beverages, comprising:

[0010] Thereby, a "pressure system" can be considered as an assembly comprising a crushable beverage container and a pressure chamber for containing and enclosing the crushable beverage container. In this assembly, the beverage chamber and the crushable keg can be equipped with a two-way radio transmit / receive connection using a given frequency. The pressure system can be part of a beverage dispensing system in the form of a modular system comprising multiple crushable beverage containers and pressure chambers sharing a common tapping line. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1A] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a substantially annular gasket portion on the outside of a base portion of a pressure chamber inserted into a corresponding hollow annular space of a beverage container closure, the substantially annular gasket portion comprising a substantially planar annular antenna disposed in the space between an annular keg gasket locking flange (15) and a top wall of the closure (12). [Figure 1B] 1 shows a cross-section of a substantially annular gasket portion on the outside of a base portion of a pressure chamber inserted into a corresponding hollow annular space of a beverage container closure, the substantially annular gasket portion comprising a substantially planar annular antenna disposed in the space between an annular keg gasket portion (16) and a keg gasket locking flange (15). [Diagram 2] 1 shows a cross-section of a substantially annular gasket portion on the outside of a base portion of a pressure chamber partially inserted into a closure of a keg. [Diagram 3] 1 shows an embodiment of a substantially planar annular antenna integrated into a base piece, such as a plastic piece or a printed circuit board. [Figure 4] 1 shows an example of a simplified schematic diagram of a matching network for the presently disclosed radio frequency identification enabled pressure chamber. [Diagram 5] 1 shows a beverage dispensing system as a modular system with three pressure chambers with a crushable beverage filled container. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates the beverage dispensing system as a flex system with one pressure chamber where the closure of the beverage container is inserted into the lid of the pressure chamber during assembly. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the tapping line is in fluid communication with the outlet of the beverage container through the lid of the pressure chamber, the interior of the lid comprising similar elements as those disclosed in FIGS. 1A and 1B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The present disclosure relates to a pressure chamber with radio frequency identification for a beverage container, said pressure chamber comprising a lid and a base, said lid and said base defining a sealed interior space for receiving and enclosing the beverage container. Preferably, the base comprises an inner connector adapted to engage a corresponding beverage container outlet and an outer substantially annular gasket surrounding the inner connector. The inner connector and the outer substantially annular gasket together may constitute a coupler, which when engaged with a closure on the beverage container forms a space sealed from the pressure chamber. Both the inner connector and the outer substantially annular gasket, i.e. the coupler, are preferably located inside the base, more preferably at the bottom of the base. The inside of the base is defined as the inside, i.e. the sealed side, of the pressure chamber, which is also the side facing the beverage container when the beverage container is enclosed in the pressure chamber. The outer substantially annular gasket of the base may be adapted to engage a corresponding hollow annular space of a closure of the beverage container when placed inside the pressure chamber.

[0013] In an alternative system, the lid comprises a coupler, preferably arranged on the inside of the lid, more preferably on the bottom of the lid. The inside of the lid is defined as the inside, i.e. the sealed side, of the pressure chamber, which is also the side facing the beverage container, in particular the beverage container outlet, when the beverage container is enclosed in the pressure chamber. A substantially annular gasket part on the outside of the lid may be adapted to engage with a corresponding hollow annular space of the closure of the beverage container when placed in the pressure chamber. A substantially planar annular antenna may be arranged, for example, between the keg gasket locking flange and the keg gasket.

[0014] When installed in a beverage dispensing system such as the applicant's DraughtMaster™, the beverage container is typically oriented in a predetermined position, such as an "upside down" position, i.e. the beverage container outlet is oriented downwards. The coupler is typically rigid and suitable to support the weight of the beverage container. When installed in the beverage dispensing system, there is a fluid-tight connection between the beverage container outlet and the tapping line, alternatively the tapping line is already connected to the outlet in the keg prior to installation. A keg having a beverage container outlet typically has a closure, either via a base or a lid, for cooperating with the coupler of the beverage dispensing system. The beverage container may be equipped with an RFID tag, such as an NFC tag. Preferably, the RFID / NFC tag is located on the closure of the beverage container, for example on the outer rim of the closure. According to one embodiment of the presently disclosed RFID-equipped pressure chamber, the substantially annular gasket portion of the coupler comprises a substantially planar annular antenna adapted to transmit radio waves to an RFID tag located on the beverage container, such as on the outer rim of the closure. WO 2019 / 158562 describes the use of RFID tags in crushable beverage containers.

[0015] The inventors realised that rather than providing an RFID tag and an RFID interrogator outside the pressure chamber, it would be possible and advantageous to integrate at least the interrogation antenna inside the coupler located in the base or lid, making the system easier to maintain and upgrade. The inventors also realised that by using a planar annular antenna and locating it in a substantially annular gasket part of the coupler inside the pressure chamber, the problems of positioning relative to the RFID tag and lack of space inside the pressure chamber could be solved. Thus, the present invention may present a solution that takes into account both the geometry of the pressure chamber and the beverage container, and the requirements regarding the magnetic field strength of the RFID tag.

[0016] As is well known in the art, RFID allows for the unique identification of an item using radio waves. An NFC / RFID system comprises a reader and a tag. The reader or interrogator is a two-way radio transceiver that transmits a radio frequency signal via an antenna to the tag, which absorbs, activates and radiates back the frequency, thereby responding with the unique information stored in the tag. Typically, the interrogator has an interrogation antenna and the RFID tag has a target antenna. The RFID tag placed on the crushable container, such as on the closure of said container, is preferably a passive RFID tag that is excited by the radiation of the interrogator's radiation field (the antenna of the substantially annular gasket part in the pressure chamber). In the present disclosure, RFID tag refers to a transponder with a target antenna. According to one embodiment of the pressure chamber with radio frequency identification function of the present disclosure, the RFID tag is attached to the rim of the closure of the beverage container. The interrogator may have a substantially planar annular antenna, which shall be considered as the interrogation antenna. The interrogation portion may further comprise an interrogation circuit / reader, which may be integrated into the substantially annular gasket portion, such as integrated into an upper section of the outer substantially annular gasket portion, or which may be integrated into the printed circuit board.

[0017] NFC is a special subset of RFID technology. Within the scope of this disclosure, NFC shall be interpreted as a non-limiting embodiment of RFID. An RFID interrogator, an RFID antenna, an RFID tag, and an RFID tag antenna may be, but are not necessarily, an NFC interrogator, an NFC antenna, an NFC tag, and an NFC tag antenna, respectively, accordingly.

[0018] Physical location of the gasket section (of the chamber), closure section (of the barrel), and RFID interrogator antenna The crushable beverage container may comprise a crushable body and a closure having a beverage outlet configured to engage with a connector of a beverage dispensing system. The closure may have an outer rim, such as a substantially cylindrical outer rim, and an inner rim, such as a substantially cylindrical inner rim. The closure may further comprise a top wall. The outlet of the container may be connected via an inner cylindrical or tubular connection inside the inner rim. This connection may comprise a valve or mechanism for controlling the flow of the beverage. The inner connector part of the coupler is preferably adapted to be engaged with the beverage outlet. In an installed configuration, where the keg is placed in the pressure chamber and connected to a tapping line, the inner connector part is preferably located inside the inner rim of the closure.

[0019] The outer substantially cylindrical rim, the substantially cylindrical inner rim and the top wall may define a hollow annular space of the closure into which the outer substantially annular gasket portion may be introduced in a sealing configuration.

[0020] The outer substantially annular gasket portion may include a keg gasket locking flange that may constitute an upper section of the outer substantially annular gasket portion, as shown in the example of FIG. 1A. The keg gasket locking flange may be a substantially rigid material, such as plastic or rubber. Preferably, the keg gasket locking flange is configured to closely fit the inner rim of the closure in the sealed configuration. Beneath the keg gasket locking flange may be a more resilient keg gasket. The keg gasket may be a resilient material, or at least a material that is more resilient than the material of the keg gasket locking flange.

[0021] The substantially annular gasket part may have an upper surface, i.e., a surface facing the keg in the installed position. FIG. 1A may serve as an illustration of an example of an upper surface 18 of the keg gasket locking flange (15) constituting the upper section of the substantially annular gasket part 10. The upper surface may have an annular inner section and an annular outer section. FIG. 1B may serve as an illustration of an example of an upper surface of the keg gasket locking flange (15) constituting the upper section of the substantially annular gasket part (10). The upper surface has an annular inner section and an annular outer section. These sections are also illustrated in FIG. 2, where 19 is the annular inner section (surface) and 20 is the annular outer section (surface). The annular outer section may be located closer to the top wall (11) of the closure in the sealed configuration than the annular inner section. Thereby, the annular inner section of the upper surface of the keg gasket locking flange and the top wall of the closure may define an antenna space for a substantially planar annular antenna in the sealed configuration. The substantially planar annular antenna does not necessarily have to be located on the top surface. There may be an additional sheath over the antenna, such as a plastic sheath. Alternatively, the substantially planar antenna may be entirely integrated in the substantially annular gasket portion, such as integrated in the top section of the outer substantially annular gasket portion. In the example of FIG. 1, the substantially annular antenna space 21 is the space between the top wall of the closure and the annular inner section of the top surface. The substantially planar annular antenna may be located in the annular inner section of the top surface or may be integrated in the outer substantially annular gasket portion.

[0022] Substantially planar annular antenna Antennas may be designed to achieve certain minimum magnetic field strength requirements for given physical constraints, i.e., limitations in space and location of the RFID tag. Two such standards are ISO / IEC 15693 and ISO / IEC 14443.

[0023] Preferably, the substantially planar annular antenna is integrated into the substantially planar annular printed circuit board and / or integrated into the substantially annular gasket portion, e.g., integrated into the keg gasket locking flange and / or the top section of the outer substantially annular gasket portion. As previously mentioned, the keg gasket locking flange may be made of a substantially rigid material, such as plastic or rubber, into which the substantially planar annular antenna may be molded or printed. The substantially planar annular printed circuit board may be adapted to fit into the antenna space. There may be an additional sheath over the antenna, such as a plastic sheath.

[0024] The substantially planar annular printed circuit board may further include an interrogation circuit and further necessary electronic components and circuitry. The interrogation circuit and / or further necessary electronic components and circuitry may be attached to another base piece, such as a printed circuit board or a plastic piece for holding the antenna and components together. The interrogation circuit, or alternatively the base piece and / or the entire assembly, may be disposed on the substantially annular gasket portion and / or may be integrated into the substantially annular gasket portion, such as incorporated into the keg gasket locking flange and / or the upper section of the outer substantially annular gasket portion.

[0025] The substantially planar annular antenna may be arranged with a first offset in height relative to the radio frequency identification tag on the barrel and a second offset in circumferential distance from the outer edge of the substantially planar annular antenna to the radio frequency identification tag. The height offset can be seen, for example, in FIG. 4 as the longitudinal extension of the barrel and the pressure chamber. Within the present disclosure, this is sometimes referred to as the Z dimension in a Cartesian coordinate system. The first offset can be considered as the distance between the substantially planar annular antenna and the center of the RFID tag in the Z dimension, as shown in FIG. 1. The first offset (Off1) may be between 5.5 mm and 18.5 mm, for example between 5.5 mm and 15.5 mm, for example between 8.5 mm and 18.5 mm, preferably between 7.5 and 16.5, for example between 7.5 and 13.5, for example between 10.5 mm and 16.5 mm, for example 13.5 mm, in particular 10.5 mm.

[0026] The second offset can be considered as the distance between the substantially planar annular antenna and the RFID tag in the XY dimension, i.e. on the extension line of the planar antenna, as shown in Figure 1. The second offset (Off2) can be between 10.7mm and 22.7mm, preferably between 13.7mm and 19.7mm, e.g. 16.7mm.

[0027] In one embodiment of the presently disclosed radio frequency identification pressure chamber, the substantially planar annular antenna and the radio frequency identification tag extend in substantially orthogonal directions, as shown in Figure 1. Preferably, the substantially planar annular antenna is configured to generate a magnetic field component orthogonal to the radio frequency identification tag, the magnetic field component having a local maximum at the radio frequency identification tag.

[0028] The substantially planar annular antenna may have a substantially circular shape. Thus, the substantially planar annular antenna may have a substantially circular inner edge and a substantially circular outer edge. The antenna may take many forms, for example in terms of the number of turns. The substantially planar annular antenna may be a spiral antenna, such as a two-turn spiral antenna, a single turn antenna, or a two-turn antenna, and the substantially planar annular antenna may have an outer diameter d out and inner diameter d in Preferably, the outer diameter d out and inner diameter d in is selected such that the antenna complies with the dimensions of the pressure chamber and the keg (i.e. the available space), the location of the RFID tag, and the requirements of the magnetic field generated by the RFID tag to comply with standards such as ISO / IEC 15693 and ISO / IEC 14443. Taking into account the above requirements and preferences, the outer diameter of the substantially planar annular antenna may be between 70 mm and 110 mm, preferably between 80 mm and 100 mm, more preferably between 87 mm and 97 mm, e.g. 92 mm.

[0029] Preferably, the RFID tag may be located circumferentially outside the antenna at the outer rim of the closure, so that the antenna design is selected so that the magnetic field is greatest outside the antenna in the XY dimensions at the distance of the RFID tag in the XY plane.

[0030] The trace width and spacing are parameters of a planar antenna, such as the substantially planar annular antenna of the presently disclosed radio frequency identification enabled pressure chamber. The substantially planar annular antenna may be a spiral antenna. The spiral antenna may have a trace width w between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm, e.g., 0.5 mm, and a trace spacing g between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm, e.g., 0.5 mm.

[0031] If the substantially planar loop antenna is a single turn antenna, as shown in the example of FIG. 3B, it may have a trace width w of 1 mm and an outer diameter d of the substantially planar loop antenna. out and inner diameter d inA loop along the line may be formed.

[0032] In embodiments where the substantially planar annular antenna is a two-turn antenna, the two-turn antenna may have a trace width w between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm, e.g., 0.5 mm, and a trace spacing g between 0.2 mm and 0.7 mm, e.g., 0.5 mm, with the two turns being spaced apart from the outer diameter d of the substantially planar annular antenna. out and inner diameter d in The two turns may be wound along a line perpendicular to the substantially circular inner edge and the substantially circular outer edge.

[0033] Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show embodiments of substantially planar annular antennas: Figure 3A shows a spiral antenna, Figure 3B shows a single turn antenna and Figure 3C shows a two turn antenna.

[0034] Example of Figure 3A: Spiral Antenna: Planar spiral antennas are known for their planar design suitable for incorporation into e.g. printed circuit boards. The orientation of the plane in which the tag antenna lies is orthogonal to the plane of the reader antenna, so the importance of the vertical component of the magnetic field (Z axis) is limited as it does not generate any magnetic flux in the tag. The component that generates the net magnetic flux in the tag can be thought of as the curling behavior of the generated magnetic field at the coil centre.

[0035] Example in Figure 3B: Single turn antenna: In this embodiment, the magnetic field is generated closer to the periphery of the antenna where the RFID / NFC tag is located. As shown in Figure 3B, the magnetic field is generated midway between the two traces of the antenna by two opposing currents.

[0036] Example of FIG. 3C: Two-turn antenna: In this embodiment, the two turns are substantially planar, annular antenna with outer diameter d out and inner diameter d in Form a loop along the

[0037] Matching Network The radio frequency identification pressure chamber may further include a matching network. The matching network is typically located between the interrogation circuit and the antenna. The RF transmission line has a characteristic impedance, which is a factor in the RF circuit. Preferably, the impedance is matched to prevent standing waves and ensure efficient transfer of power from the source to the load. The antenna is desirably impedance matched in the operating environment to operate at the desired frequency band with maximum efficiency within the RFID spectrum from 125 kHz to 5.4 GHz. The presently disclosed radio frequency identification pressure chamber may operate at, for example, 13.56 MHz, and the matching network may be designed according to the example of FIG. 4.

[0038] Pressure Systems The present disclosure further relates to a beverage pressure system comprising the presently disclosed radio frequency identification enabled pressure chamber and a crushable beverage container having a radio frequency identification tag. The radio frequency identification enabled pressure may be any of the embodiments described above.

[0039] Thereby, the pressure system can be considered as an assembly including a crushable beverage container and a pressure chamber for containing and enclosing the crushable beverage container. The pressure system can be part of a beverage dispensing system in the form of a modular system including multiple crushable beverage containers and pressure chambers sharing a common tapping line.

[0040] In particular, the pressure chamber of the pressure system may comprise: o lid; and o a base portion, said lid portion and said base portion defining a sealed interior space for receiving and enclosing a crushable beverage container, said base portion comprising: an inner connector portion adapted to engage the beverage outlet and disposed inside the base portion; and an outer substantially annular gasket portion disposed inside the base portion and surrounding an inner connector portion, the outer substantially annular gasket portion being adapted to engage a corresponding hollow annular space in a closure of the crushable beverage container and comprising a substantially planar annular antenna adapted to propagate radio waves to a radio frequency identification tag;

[0041] Alternatively, the inner connector portion may be disposed inside the lid portion and the outer substantially annular gasket portion may be disposed inside the lid portion.

[0042] The crushable beverage container may preferably comprise a closure having a beverage outlet. In a preferred embodiment, the closure has an outer rim and a radio frequency identification tag arranged on said rim. In one embodiment, the closure has an outer substantially cylindrical outer rim and a substantially cylindrical inner rim. The outlet of the crushable container may be connected via a cylindrical or tubular inner connection inside the inner rim. The closure may further comprise a top wall covering at least the annular section defined by the inner and outer rims. The outer rim, the inner rim and the top wall may thereby define a hollow annular space of the closure.

[0043] Once assembled, the RFID tag on the crushable container and the interrogation antenna and reader allow for monitoring useful information regarding the condition of the pressure chamber and the keg itself, thereby improving the safety of the beverage dispensing system. The system is able to transmit and process information, and in particular process and store information about both the brand (contents), amount remaining, days on tap, etc., about the beverage in the crushable container. The pressure state of the chamber can be monitored as well, and if pressure drops to zero it can be used to indicate that a new crushable beverage container has been inserted into the system.

[0044] Detailed Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are exemplary and are intended to illustrate some of the features of the presently disclosed beverage pressure chambers and pressure systems with radio frequency identification and should not be construed as limiting the presently disclosed invention.

[0045] FIG. 1A shows a cross section of an outer substantially annular gasket part (10) of a base or lid part of a pressure chamber inserted into a corresponding hollow annular space (24) of a closure of a beverage container. The substantially annular gasket part (10) comprises a substantially planar annular antenna (14) arranged in the space between the annular gasket part (10) and the top wall (11) of the closure. Besides the top wall (10), the closure has an outer rim (12) on which the RFID tag (8) is arranged, and an inner rim (13). The substantially annular gasket part (10) comprises a keg gasket locking flange (15) constituting the upper section of the outer substantially annular gasket part (10). Under the keg gasket locking flange (15) there is a keg gasket (16), preferably resilient. The keg gasket locking flange (15) has an upper surface (18) towards the top wall (11) of the closure. In FIG. 1B, a substantially planar annular antenna (14) is disposed between an annular barrel gasket portion (16) and a barrel gasket locking flange (15).

[0046] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the outer substantially annular gasket part (10) of the base part (5) or lid part of the pressure chamber (1) partially inserted into the closure (17) of the keg (2). In FIG. 2, the substantially planar annular antenna and the RFID tag are not attached. A substantially planar annular antenna can be attached in the antenna space (21). The substantially annular gasket part (10) comprises a keg gasket locking flange (15) constituting the upper section of the outer substantially annular gasket part (10). Under the keg gasket locking flange (15) is a keg gasket (16), preferably resilient. The annular antenna may be placed between these two sections for maximum protection (illustrated in FIG. 1B). The keg gasket locking flange (15) has an upper surface (18) towards the upper wall (11) of the closure (17). The upper surface of the outer substantially annular gasket part (10) has an annular inner section (19) and an annular outer section (20). A substantially planar annular antenna (not visible in FIG. 2) may alternatively be disposed on the annular outer section (20) and may optionally be covered by a sheath or may optionally be integrated, such as molded, into the substantially annular gasket part (10). The base part (5) of the pressure chamber (1) includes an inner connector part (9) adapted to engage a corresponding beverage container outlet (23). In addition to the top wall (10), the closure (17) has an outer rim (12) on which an RFID tag (not visible in FIG. 2) may be positioned, and an inner rim (13).

[0047] 3A shows an embodiment of a substantially planar annular antenna (14) in the form of a spiral antenna integrated into a base piece (22), such as a printed circuit board or a piece of plastic. The substantially planar annular antenna (14) has a substantially circular inner edge (25) and a substantially circular outer edge (26). The substantially planar annular antenna (14) has an outer diameter d out and inner diameter d in has.

[0048] FIG. 3B shows an embodiment of a substantially planar annular antenna (14) in the form of a single turn antenna. The substantially planar annular antenna (14) has an outer diameter d out and inner diameter d in has.

[0049] 3C shows an embodiment of a substantially planar annular antenna (14) in the form of a two-turn antenna. The substantially planar annular antenna (14) has an outer diameter d out and inner diameter d in The two turns are wound around the outer diameter d out and inner diameter d in The two turns are wound along a line perpendicular to the substantially circular inner edge and the substantially circular outer edge.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows an example of a simplified schematic diagram of a matching network for the presently disclosed radio frequency identification enabled pressure chamber.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modular beverage dispensing system (27) comprising three pressure chambers (1) with crushable beverage filled containers (2). Each pressure chamber (1) comprises a rigid base portion (5) and a lid portion (6). The beverage containers (2), also called kegs, are of a crushable type made from a crushable polymeric material and are therefore called crushable beverage containers. The crushable beverage containers (2) define a beverage filled space containing a beverage (3), typically a carbonated beverage such as beer. The beverage container (2) may also comprise a gas-filled headspace in its upper section above the liquid level of the beverage in the beverage container (2). The lid portion (6) and the rigid base portion (5) are separable but are sealed together during operation to define an interior space (4) for accommodating the beverage container (2). The lid portion (6) may be made of rubber, for example. The crushable beverage container (2) includes a closure (17) for cooperating with a coupler (27) of a beverage dispensing system via the base (5), whereby the crushable beverage container (2) is connected to a tapping line (28) which passes through a cooling device (7) and further on to a tapping device (29). [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 Pressure chamber with radio frequency identification function 2 Beverage containers 3 Beverages 4. Sealed inner space 5 Base 6 Lid 7 Cooling device 8. RFID Tags 9 Inner connector part of coupler 10. A substantially annular gasket portion on the outer side of the coupler 11 Upper wall (of closure) 12 Outer rim (of closure) 13 Inner rim (of closure) 14 Substantially planar annular antennas (interrogation antennas) 15 Keg Gasket Locking Flange 16 Barrel Gasket 17 Closures 18 Top surface (of barrel gasket locking flange (15)) 19 Annular inner section (of barrel gasket locking flange (15)) 20 Annular outer section (of barrel gasket locking flange (15)) 21 Antenna Space 22 Base piece / printed circuit board (interrogator) 23 Beverage container outlet 24 Hollow antenna space 25 inner edge (of a substantially planar annular antenna) 26 Outer edge (of a substantially planar annular antenna) 27 Beverage Distribution Systems 28 Tapping Line 29 Tapping device 30 Tapping line opening of lid

[0053] Further details of the invention 1. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification for a beverage container, comprising: - Lid, - a base portion, the lid portion and the base portion defining a sealed interior space for receiving and enclosing a beverage container, the base portion comprising: an inner connector portion adapted to engage a corresponding beverage container outlet and disposed inside the base portion; and an outer substantially annular gasket portion disposed inside the base portion and surrounding the inner connector portion, the outer substantially annular gasket portion adapted to engage a corresponding hollow annular space in a closure of a beverage container, the outer substantially annular gasket portion comprising a substantially planar annular antenna adapted to transmit radio waves to a radio frequency identification tag disposed on an outer rim of the closure; A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification for a beverage container comprising:

[0054] 2. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification for a beverage container, comprising: - Lid, - a base portion, the lid portion and the base portion defining a sealed interior space for receiving and enclosing a beverage container, the lid portion comprising: an inner connector portion adapted to engage a corresponding beverage container outlet and disposed inside the lid portion; and an outer substantially annular gasket portion disposed inside the lid portion and surrounding the inner connector portion, the outer substantially annular gasket portion being adapted to engage a corresponding hollow annular space in a closure of a beverage container, the substantially annular gasket portion comprising a substantially planar annular antenna adapted to transmit radio waves to a radio frequency identification tag disposed on an outer rim of the closure; A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification for a beverage container comprising:

[0055] 3. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capability according to any of the preceding items, wherein an outer substantially annular gasket portion is shaped to be introduced in a sealed configuration within a corresponding hollow annular space of a closure of a beverage container.

[0056] 4. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capability as described in item 3, wherein the outer substantially annular gasket portion has an upper surface having an annular inner section and an annular outer section, the annular outer section being positioned in a sealed configuration closer to a top wall of the closure than the annular inner section.

[0057] 5. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capabilities as described in item 4, wherein the annular inner section of the upper surface and the upper wall of the closure, in the sealed configuration, define an antenna space for a substantially planar annular antenna.

[0058] 6. A pressure chamber with a radio frequency identification function according to any one of items 4 to 5, wherein the antenna space is substantially annular.

[0059] 7. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capability according to any one of items 4 to 6, wherein a substantially planar annular antenna is disposed on the annular inner section of the upper surface.

[0060] 8. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capability as described in any preceding item, wherein the outer substantially annular gasket portion comprises a keg gasket locking flange, the keg gasket locking flange constituting an upper section of the outer substantially annular gasket portion.

[0061] 9. The radio frequency identification capable pressure chamber of item 8, wherein the keg gasket locking flange is made of a substantially rigid material such as plastic or rubber.

[0062] 10. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capability as described in any of items 8 to 9, wherein the keg gasket locking flange is configured to fit closely against the inner rim of the closure in a sealed configuration.

[0063] 11. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capability as described in any one of items 8 to 10, wherein the outer substantially annular gasket portion further comprises a keg gasket disposed under a keg gasket locking flange.

[0064] 12. The radio frequency identification function pressure chamber according to item 11, wherein the keg gasket is made of a resilient material or a material that is more resilient than the material of the keg gasket locking flange.

[0065] 13. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capability according to any of the preceding items, wherein the inner connector part is substantially cylindrical.

[0066] 14. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capability as described in any preceding item, wherein the substantially planar annular antenna is integrated into the substantially planar annular printed circuit board and / or into the substantially annular gasket portion, such as integrated into an upper section of the outer substantially annular gasket portion.

[0067] 15. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capabilities as described in items 5 and 14, wherein a substantially planar annular printed circuit board is adapted to fit within the antenna space.

[0068] 16. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capability according to any of items 14 to 15, wherein the substantially planar annular printed circuit board further comprises an interrogation circuit and / or the interrogation circuit is integrated into the substantially annular gasket portion, such as being integrated into an upper section of the outer substantially annular gasket portion.

[0069] 17. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capability according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the substantially planar annular antenna is an omnidirectional antenna.

[0070] 18. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capability according to any preceding claim, wherein the substantially planar annular antenna has a substantially circular inner edge and a substantially circular outer edge.

[0071] 19. The substantially planar annular antenna is a spiral antenna, such as a two-turn spiral antenna, a single-turn antenna, or a two-turn antenna, and the substantially planar annular antenna has an outer diameter d out and inner diameter d in 2. A radio frequency identification capable pressure chamber according to any of the preceding items, comprising:

[0072] 20. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification function according to item 19, having an outer diameter between 70 mm and 110 mm, preferably between 80 mm and 100 mm, more preferably between 87 mm and 97 mm, for example 92 mm.

[0073] 21. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capability as described in any of items 18 to 19, wherein the spiral antenna has a trace width w between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm, e.g., 0.5 mm, and a trace spacing g between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm, e.g., 0.5 mm.

[0074] 22. A single turn antenna has a trace width w of 1 mm and an outer diameter d of a substantially planar annular antenna. out and inner diameter d in 20. The pressure chamber with radio frequency identification function according to any one of items 18 to 19, wherein a loop is formed along the

[0075] 23. A two-turn antenna has a trace width w between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm, e.g., 0.5 mm, and a trace spacing g between 0.2 mm and 0.7 mm, e.g., 0.5 mm, and the two turns are spaced apart by an outer diameter d of a substantially planar annular antenna. out and inner diameter d in 20. The pressure chamber with radio frequency identification function according to any one of items 18 to 19, wherein a loop is formed along the

[0076] 24. The radio frequency identification function pressure chamber according to item 23, wherein the two turns are wound along a line perpendicular to the substantially circular inner edge and the substantially circular outer edge.

[0077] 25. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capability as described in any preceding item, wherein the substantially planar annular antenna is positioned with a first offset in height relative to the radio frequency identification tag and with a second offset in circumferential distance from an outer edge of the substantially planar annular antenna to the radio frequency identification tag.

[0078] 26. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification function as described in item 25, wherein the first offset is between 8.5 mm and 18.5 mm, preferably between 10.5 mm and 16.5 mm, for example 13.5 mm.

[0079] 27. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification function according to any of items 25 to 26, wherein the second offset is between 10.7 mm and 22.7 mm, preferably between 13.7 mm and 19.7 mm, for example 16.7 mm.

[0080] 28. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capability according to any preceding claim, wherein the substantially planar annular antenna and the radio frequency identification tag extend in substantially orthogonal directions, the substantially planar annular antenna being arranged to generate a magnetic field component orthogonal to the radio frequency identification tag, the magnetic field component having a local maximum at the radio frequency identification tag.

[0081] 29. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capability according to any of the preceding items, wherein the radio frequency identification is a short-range wireless communication and the radio frequency identification tag is a short-range wireless communication tag.

[0082] 30. A pressure system for beverages, comprising: - a crushable beverage container comprising a closure having a beverage outlet, the closure having an outer rim and a radio frequency identification tag disposed on the rim; a pressure chamber, o Lid, o a pressure chamber having a base portion, the lid portion and the base portion defining a sealed interior space for receiving and enclosing a crushable beverage container, the base portion comprising: an inner connector portion adapted to engage the beverage outlet and disposed inside the base portion; and an outer substantially annular gasket portion disposed inside the base portion and surrounding the inner connector portion, the outer substantially annular gasket portion adapted to engage a corresponding hollow annular space in a closure of a crushable beverage container, the outer substantially annular gasket portion comprising a substantially planar annular antenna adapted to propagate radio waves to a radio frequency identification tag; 1. A beverage pressure system comprising:

[0083] 31. A pressure system for beverages, comprising: - a crushable beverage container comprising a closure having a beverage outlet, the closure having an outer rim and a radio frequency identification tag disposed on the rim; a pressure chamber, o Lid, o a pressure chamber having a base portion, the lid portion and the base portion defining a sealed interior space for receiving and enclosing a crushable beverage container, the lid portion comprising: an inner connector portion adapted to engage the beverage outlet and disposed inside the lid portion; and an outer substantially annular gasket portion disposed inside the lid portion and surrounding the inner connector portion, the outer substantially annular gasket portion adapted to engage a corresponding hollow annular space in the closure of the crushable beverage container, the substantially annular gasket portion comprising a substantially planar annular antenna adapted to propagate radio waves to a radio frequency identification tag; 1. A beverage pressure system comprising:

[0084] 32. A pressure chamber with a radio frequency identification function according to any one of items 1 to 29, and a pressure system according to item 30.

[0085] 33. A pressure system according to any of items 30 to 32, wherein the closure has an outer, substantially cylindrical outer rim; a substantially cylindrical inner rim; and an upper wall.

[0086] 34. The pressure system of item 33, wherein the outer substantially cylindrical outer rim, the substantially cylindrical inner rim and the top wall define a hollow annular space of the closure.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification pressure chamber for a beverage container, comprising: - Lid, - a base portion, said lid portion and said base portion defining a sealed interior space for receiving and enclosing said beverage container, said base portion or said lid portion being an inner connector portion adapted to engage a corresponding beverage container outlet and disposed inside said base or lid portion; and an outer annular gasket portion disposed inside the base or lid portion and surrounding the inner connector portion, the outer annular gasket portion adapted to engage a corresponding hollow annular space of a closure of the beverage container, the outer annular gasket portion comprising a planar annular antenna adapted to transmit radio waves to a radio frequency identification tag disposed on an outer rim of the closure; A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification for a beverage container comprising:

2. 2. The radio frequency identification pressure chamber of claim 1, wherein the outer annular gasket portion is shaped to be introduced in a sealed configuration within a corresponding hollow annular space of the closure of the beverage container.

3. 3. The pressure chamber with radio frequency identification function of claim 2, wherein the outer annular gasket portion comprises a top surface having an annular inner section and an annular outer section, the annular outer section being positioned closer to a top wall of the closure than the annular inner section in the sealed configuration, and the annular inner section of the top surface and the top wall of the closure defining an antenna space for the planar annular antenna in the sealed configuration.

4. 3. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification function as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer annular gasket portion includes a keg gasket locking flange, the keg gasket locking flange forming an upper section of the outer annular gasket portion, and the planar annular antenna is integrated into the upper section.

5. A radio frequency identification capable pressure chamber as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the outer annular gasket portion further comprises a keg gasket disposed beneath a keg gasket locking flange.

6. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification function as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the barrel gasket is made of a resilient material or a material more resilient than the material of the barrel gasket locking flange.

7. 6. The radio frequency identification enabled pressure chamber of claim 5, wherein the planar annular antenna is disposed between the keg gasket locking flange and the keg gasket.

8. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the planar annular antenna is integrated into a planar annular printed circuit board.

9. The planar annular antenna has a circular inner edge and a circular outer edge, the planar annular antenna is a spiral antenna, such as a two-turn spiral antenna, a single-turn antenna, or a two-turn antenna, and the planar annular antenna has an outer diameter d ｏｕｔ and inner diameter d ｉｎ A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification function according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising:

10. The two-turn antenna has a trace width w between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm and a trace spacing g between 0.2 mm and 0.7 mm, and the two turns are spaced apart from the outer diameter d of the planar annular antenna. ｏｕｔ and inner diameter d ｉｎ 10. The radio frequency identification capable pressure chamber of claim 9, wherein the pressure chamber forms a loop along a line.

11. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification function as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a planar annular antenna has a first offset in height relative to a radio frequency identification tag and is positioned with a second offset in circumferential distance from an outer edge of the planar annular antenna to the radio frequency identification tag.

12. 12. The radio frequency identified pressure chamber of claim 11, wherein the first offset is between 5.5 mm and 15.5 mm.

13. 13. A radio frequency identification capable pressure chamber as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the second offset is between 10.7 mm and 22.7 mm.

14. 14. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capability as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the planar annular antenna and the radio frequency identification tag extend in orthogonal directions, the planar annular antenna being arranged to generate a magnetic field component orthogonal to the radio frequency identification tag, the magnetic field component having a local maximum at the radio frequency identification tag.

15. A pressure chamber with radio frequency identification capability according to any preceding claim, wherein the radio frequency identification is short-range wireless communication and the radio frequency identification tag is a short-range wireless communication tag.

16. 1. A beverage pressure system comprising: - a crushable beverage container comprising a closure having a beverage outlet, said closure having an outer rim and a radio frequency identification tag disposed on said rim; a pressure chamber, o Lid portion, o a pressure chamber having a base portion, said lid portion and said base portion defining a sealed interior space for receiving and enclosing said crushable beverage container, said base portion or said lid portion comprising: an inner connector portion adapted to engage with the beverage outlet and disposed inside the base or lid portion; and an outer annular gasket portion disposed inside the base or lid portion and surrounding the inner connector portion, the outer annular gasket portion adapted to engage a corresponding hollow annular space of the closure of the crushable beverage container, the outer annular gasket portion comprising a planar annular antenna adapted to propagate radio waves to the radio frequency identification tag; 1. A beverage pressure system comprising:

17. A pressure system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the pressure chamber is a radio frequency identification-enabled pressure chamber as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15.

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