Sealing unit for a container

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a sealing unit (8, 8', 108) for sealing an opening in a wall of a container for storing, transporting and serving liquids, such as beverages, comprising an outer housing and an inner housing (20, 40) defining a gas flow path (38') disposed between an outer surface of the inner housing and an inner surface of the outer housing. The inner housing (20) has a first axial position in which the gas flow path (38') is closed and gas is prevented from flowing into or out of the container, and a second axial position in which the gas flow path (38') is open and gas is prevented from flowing in a generally axial direction (P A1 The movable inner housing (20) is axially movable between a first axial position and a second axial position, at which a liquid flow into or out of the container is permitted, and further includes a biasing element disposed between the outer housing (20) and the inner housing (40), the biasing element being configured to bias the movable inner housing (20) to move to the first axial position. Liquid flow paths (37', 37'', 37''') are defined inside the movable inner housing, and liquid seal units (65, 65') are disposed within the liquid flow paths.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sealing unit for sealing an opening in a wall of a container for storing, transporting, and providing a liquid such as a beverage. The present disclosure also relates to a bag connection element and / or a control unit removably coupled to the sealing unit, an assembly including such a control unit and / or bag connection element and the sealing unit, and a method of operating such a sealing unit.

Background Art

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a sealing unit for a liquid container configured to temporarily store an amount of a liquid such as beer. A liquid container such as a beer container can be made to withstand a high internal pressure in order to be suitable for holding a pressurized liquid. Such a liquid container is made of a structurally strong material and shape. For example, a liquid container for holding beer can take the form of a beer keg or barrel made of stainless steel or aluminum. The beer keg may have a single opening at one end. The sealing unit is generally made of steel and is firmly attached to the wall of the container. A tubular element or spear may be attached to the sealing unit extending from the opening side of the container to the opposite side. The sealing unit may have an automatically closing valve that is opened by a coupling fitting that can be attached to the sealing unit when the keg is tapped or when the keg is being filled. There may also be means for allowing a gas (usually carbon dioxide) to enter and exit the container in order to expel the beer from the keg when the keg is tapped or to allow the beer to enter when the keg is being filled. The coupling fitting may have one or two valves for controlling the flow of beer from the keg and the flow of gas into the keg.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Sealing units for containers tend to have a complex structure including a number of different components and are usually mainly made of metal parts. This can make such sealing units expensive, heavy, and / or bulky.

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved sealing unit.

[0005] A further object is to provide a sealing unit that is at least one of easy to manufacture, lightweight, suitable for high pressures that prevail within a pressurized container, and having a relatively small number of individual components.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] At least one of these objects is a sealing unit for sealing an opening in a wall of a container for storing, transporting, and providing a liquid such as a beverage, etc., - an outer housing configured to be fixedly attached to the wall of the container, - an inner housing disposed inside the outer housing and configured to be axially movable relative to the outer housing, comprising The outer and inner housings are configured to define a gas flow path disposed between the outer surface of the inner housing and the inner surface of the outer housing. The inner housing is configured such that when the gas flow path is closed, gas is prevented from flowing into or out of the container, and when the gas flow path is opened, gas can flow axially into or out of the container as a whole. The inner housing is axially movable between a first axial position and a second axial position. Further provided is a biasing element disposed between the outer housing and the inner housing and configured to bias the movable inner housing to move to the first axial position. A liquid flow path is defined within the movable inner housing, and a liquid sealing unit is disposed within the liquid flow path. The liquid sealing unit - fixedly attached to or integrally formed with a movable inner housing, and a base including a tubular base element, - a valve including a tubular valve element axially movably disposed inside the tubular base element, the tubular valve element being configured to be axially movable inside the tubular base element between a closed position where the liquid flow path is closed and liquid inflow into or outflow from the container is prevented, and an open position where the liquid flow path is opened and liquid can flow axially into or out of the container as a whole, Comprising Can be at least partially achieved in the sealing unit.

[0007] A sealing unit comprising such a valve and a base is configured not only to be able to open and close a liquid flow path through the sealing unit (e.g., depending on the position of the valve (part)), but also to be able to open and close a gas flow path through the sealing unit (e.g., depending on the position of the inner housing relative to the outer housing). Further, when there is no external force on the inner housing, or when the external force is below a threshold determined by a biasing element, the gas flow path is automatically closed under the influence of this biasing element. Optionally (as described later), when there is no external force on the valve, or when the external force is below a threshold determined by a further biasing element, the liquid flow path is automatically closed under the influence of the further biasing element. The first biasing element can be a spring element, such as a helical spring, between the inner and outer housings configured to bias the inner and outer housings to move to the closed position when the housing is in the open position. Similarly, in certain embodiments, the further biasing element can be an elastic or resilient portion of the valve configured to return the valve to the closed position.

[0008] In one embodiment, the biasing element is configured to allow the inner housing to move from a first axial position to a second axial position under the influence of a first external force, and to move the inner housing from the second axial position to the first axial position when the first external force is decreased or removed.

[0009] In one embodiment, the sealing unit comprises a further biasing element configured to bias a movable tubular valve element to move to a closed position. The further biasing element enables the movable tubular valve element to move from the closed position to the open position under the influence of a second external force, while being configured to return the movable tubular valve element from the open position to the closed position when the second external force is decreased or removed. The further biasing element comprises a flexible connection element (the flexible connection element is at least partially made of an elastic material (a stretchable material)).

[0010] In one embodiment, at least one of both the outer housing and the inner housing is cylindrical, concentrically arranged, and together forms a telescopic tube.

[0011] In embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one of the outer housing, the inner housing, and the liquid sealing unit is made of plastic.

[0012] In one embodiment, the base of the liquid sealing unit is made of a plastic material that has at least partially greater flexibility than other parts of the liquid sealing unit.

[0013] In one embodiment, the sealing device is configured to enable axial movement of the valve of the liquid sealing unit relative to the inner housing, independently of the axial movement of the inner housing relative to the outer housing.

[0014] In one embodiment, the space defining the gas flow path between the outer and inner housings has an overall annular shape, and / or the liquid flow path is overall cylindrical.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the valve comprises a valve connection element including a sealing extension extending on a radial flange of the inner housing for forming a seal between the radial flange of the inner housing and a corresponding radial flange of the outer housing. Thus, the valve that forms a liquid seal unit together with the base can not only open and close a liquid flow path through the seal unit (depending on the position of the valve (a part thereof)), but also open and close a gas flow path through the seal unit (depending on the position of the inner housing relative to the outer housing). Thus, the liquid seal unit can, in these embodiments, also seal the gas flow path in the same way, and thus is a unit that can do more than seal the liquid flow path.

[0016] The container can be of the type comprising a foldable thin-walled liquid bag made of a flexible material disposed inside the container. Generally, such a foldable bag can be attached to the sealing unit and arranged in fluid connection with the sealing unit. Thus, the inside of the foldable bag can be used to store liquid therein, while at the same time gas can be added to or removed from the space between the container wall and the foldable bag through the same sealing unit. For example, by increasing the pressure in the space (e.g., by enabling gas to enter the space through the sealing unit (by moving the gas into the space)), the liquid in the bag is urged to be discharged from the bag through the sealing unit. To establish a fluid (liquid and / or gas) connection between the sealing unit and the inside of the foldable bag, the inner housing of the sealing unit may comprise a tubular end portion configured to receive a bag connection element.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a bag connection element for a sealing device as defined herein. The bag connection element can be attached to or form part of a foldable bag and enables proper attachment of the bag to a sealing unit while simultaneously enabling a liquid connection or flow path between the inside of the bag and the inside of the inner housing, a gas connection or flow path between a first space between the wall of the container and the foldable bag, and a second space between the inner and outer housings.

[0018] Furthermore, the bag connection element can be configured to enable attachment of a tubular element, such as a downpipe or a spear, that provides a liquid flow path from a sealing unit / bag connection element on one side of the foldable bag to an inlet / outlet opening on the opposite side of the bag. In particular, when attaching a relatively long tubular element, it may be difficult to maintain correct alignment between the tubular element and the tubular end of the inner housing during use. To maintain the properly aligned tubular element and the tubular end of the inner housing, the bag connection element may comprise a tubular upper part that can be inserted in a fitting manner into the tubular end of the inner housing. Preferably, the tubular upper part comprises one or more attachment elements configured to enable attachment to the inner surface of the tubular end. Furthermore, the outer surface of the tubular upper part may comprise radial protrusions, such as a plurality of parallel ring-shaped ribs, that enable the bag connection element to be snap-fitted to a radial protrusion provided on the inner surface of the tubular end of the inner housing. To further enhance the possibility of proper alignment, the bag connection element may comprise one or more support elements that each define a receiving space configured to receive the tubular end of the inner housing when the bag connection element is inserted into the tubular end. The number of support elements may be varied. However, the number of support elements is preferably at least three, and each of the support elements preferably extends radially with respect to the centerline of the tubular end of the inner housing. In these embodiments, and in embodiments where the support elements are evenly distributed along the circumference of the tubular upper part, alternatively or additionally, the risk of misalignment of the bag connection element and possibly the tubular element (i.e., the downpipe) with respect to the sealing device is reduced. Furthermore, the receiving space may have a width corresponding to the thickness of the tubular end of the inner housing, such that the end can be firmly held by the support elements.

[0019] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the bag connection element is a spout, such as a spout made of plastic material, comprising a radial attachment flange connected to a port forming a foldable bag. In this case, the spouted port may form a foldable bag.

[0020] According to another aspect, a control unit is provided for controlling the flow of gas and the flow of liquid entering and exiting a container for storing, transporting, and providing a liquid such as a beverage. The control unit is configured to be removably coupled to a sealing unit as defined herein, and the control unit optionally includes a control unit housing having a coupling fitting for removably coupling the control unit housing to a corresponding coupling fitting of the sealing unit.

[0021] In one embodiment, a plurality of flow paths are provided inside the control unit housing to allow the passage of drive gas and liquid, and / or the control unit housing includes a first inner tube with a relatively small diameter and a second outer tube that is concentrically arranged around the first inner tube and has a larger diameter. The inner tube and the outer tube can move telescopically relative to each other to apply an external axial force to the inner housing and the valve when the control unit is attached to the sealing unit.

[0022] According to another aspect, an assembly is provided that includes a container for storing, transporting, and providing a liquid such as a beverage. The container includes a wall having an opening to which a sealing unit as defined herein is attached. The container includes a foldable thin-walled liquid bag made of a flexible material disposed inside the container. The foldable bag is preferably configured to allow a beverage to be disposed therein while allowing a drive gas to be disposed in the space between the wall of the container and the foldable bag.

[0023] The container and / or the control unit may be made of steel or aluminum, and / or the container may be cylindrical as a whole. In a further embodiment, the container is a beer keg.

[0024] The present disclosure also relates to the use of a sealing unit and / or an assembly as defined herein.

[0025] According to another aspect, a method of operating a sealing unit as defined herein is provided, the method comprising: - applying a first external axial force to the inner housing to move the inner housing from a first axial position to a second axial position; - supplying gas through the gas flow path to the container, optionally to the space between the wall of the container and the foldable bag disposed within the container, or removing gas from the container through the gas flow path; - applying a second external force to the tubular valve element to move the tubular valve element from a closed position to an open position; - supplying liquid through the liquid flow path to the container, optionally to the interior of the foldable bag disposed within the container, or removing liquid from the container through the liquid flow path; - reducing or removing the external forces applied to the inner housing and the tubular valve element such that the inner housing moves the inner housing to the first position and the tubular valve element moves to the closed position. Including. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The present disclosure is described with reference to specific embodiments and specific figures, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The figures described are only schematic and are not intended to be limiting. In the figures, the sizes of some elements may be exaggerated for purposes of illustration and may not be drawn to scale. Dimensions and relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to the actual reduction for the implementation of the disclosure.

[0027]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 8

Figure 9A

Figure 9B

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13A

Figure 13B

Figure 13C

Figure 14A

Figure 14B

Figure 14C

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Figure 23

Figure 24

Figure 25

Figure 25A

Figure 26

Figure 27A

Figure 27B

Figure 27C

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] In the following description, for the purpose of explanation, many specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are not described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.

[0029] As used in this specification and the appended claims, it should be noted that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should further be noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any elements. Therefore, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for the use of exclusive terms such as "solely", "only", etc. in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or for the use of "negative" limitations.

[0030] In the following description, when referring to the concept of a "container", any type of holder for holding contents such as a pressurized and / or carbonated liquid like beer can be considered. However, the sealing unit described herein is not limited to application to this particular type of container. In fact, the sealing unit defined herein can be applied to any other type of container, including but not limited to liquid jars, flasks, bottles, cartons, etc.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a liquid container 1 for storing, transporting, and providing a liquid such as a beverage, for example a beer or other alcoholic or non-alcoholic, carbonated or non-carbonated drink. Carbonated beverages are usually pressurized to maintain carbon dioxide in solution and prevent the beverage from going flat. Thus, the liquid container 1 is configured to allow the container to be pressurized (typically an overpressure of 1 bar or more), which means that the walls of the liquid container are strong enough to withstand the relatively high pressure inside the container. Thus, usually, the liquid cylinder 1 is cylindrical and made of a rigid material such as steel or aluminum.

[0032] Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 1, inside the liquid container 1, there is arranged a foldable thin-walled (inner) liquid bag 2 made of a flexible material. Inside 15 of the foldable thin-walled bag 2, a beverage can be arranged, while in the space 16 between the wall of the container 1 and the foldable bag 2, an amount of gas can be arranged. The gas is pressurized carbon dioxide (CO2 ) A mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide, or actually any suitable gas (mixture) that can expel (drive) the beverage collected in the liquid bag 2 from the container 1. In other embodiments, although not shown, there is no foldable bag 2 and the gas is introduced in the same amount as the liquid.

[0033] The upper wall 3 of the container 1 is provided with an opening 4 to which a sealing unit 8 can be attached to seal the container 1 from the environment. The sealing unit 8 may be provided with a male or external thread 9 that can engage with a female or internal thread provided on the upper wall 3. The sealing unit 8 is configured such that liquid (i.e., beverage) and driving gas can enter or exit the container in a controlled manner. The sealing unit 8 may include separate seals for the flow of liquid and gas. The sealing unit 8 is further configured to enable connection to a control unit 30 that can control (e.g., control both the flow rate and flow direction of the flow of gas and liquid respectively) the flow of gas and liquid to and from the container 1 when the container is filled or tapped.

[0034] Control unit Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the control unit 30, while Figures 2 - 5B show only the lower part of the same control unit 30. The lower part of the control unit includes a movable container interface joint part 32 (also referred to herein as a cask interface joint part). The control unit 30 is configured to be removably coupled to the sealing unit 8. For this purpose, the control unit 30 may be composed of a control unit housing 33 provided with a coupling fitting 31 (e.g., a bayonet - type coupling) for removably coupling the control unit housing 33 to a corresponding coupling fitting 34 of the sealing unit 8 attached to the container 1. By operating, for example, the lever 10, at least a part of the interface part 32 moves axially or anti - axially in the direction of the sealing unit 8 (P A) so that it can be moved to (), the movable container interface joint portion 32 is disposed inside the control unit housing 33.

[0035] Inside the control unit housing 33, a plurality of flow paths are provided to allow the passage of drive gas and liquid (beverage). More specifically, the control unit housing 33 may include a first inner tube 35 with a relatively small diameter and a second outer tube 36 that is concentrically arranged around the first inner tube 35 and has a larger diameter. The first inner tube 35 provides a flow path 37 for the liquid, while the second outer tube 36 forms a flow path 38 for the gas. Both tubes 35, 36 may be fixed to each other, and movement in the axial direction of one tube causes movement along that of the other tube. In other embodiments, the inner tube and the outer tube are movable relative to each other in the axial direction (P A ). For example, both tubes 35, 36 may be arranged to be telescopically movable relative to each other in the axial direction (P A , FIG. 1). The control unit housing 30 is fluidly connected to the inside 15 of the foldable bag 2 for the supply or discharge of liquid (beverage) (from the liquid supply (not shown) in the filling stage and towards the glass or similar receptacle in the dispensing stage (also called the discharge or tapping stage)) via the liquid input / output element 12 and at least the liquid flow path 37 in the inner tube 35, and to the space between the outer surface of the foldable bag 2 and the inner surface of the container wall for the supply of drive gas from a gas supply (not shown) to the space or for the discharge of gas from the space to allow for an appropriate liquid flow via the gas input / output element 11 fluidly connected via the flow path between the outer tube 36 and the inner tube 35, and further includes a lever 10 for controlling the axial movement of both the outer tube 36 and the inner tube 35. The sealing unit is configured such that, as will be described later, the axial movement of the outer tube 36 and the inner tube 35 enables the operation of both the gas seal and the fluid seal.

[0036] The inner tube 35 of the control unit 30 is part of the liquid flow path 37. The liquid flow path 37 enables liquid to flow towards the foldable bag 2 within the container 1 during the filling stage or to flow out from the foldable bag 2 of the container during the discharge stage. The control unit 30 (flow path 37 1 as shown in FIG. 5B), passes through the sealing unit 8 (flow path 37 2 -37 4 ), and extends towards the interior 15 of the foldable bag 2 through a tubular element (a "spire" or a "downpipe") 41 connected to the sealing unit 8 (flow path 37 5 ). There is a liquid seal in the liquid flow path 37, more specifically in part 37 3 of the liquid flow path 37. The liquid seal can be arranged in an open state to enable liquid to flow in either direction through the liquid flow path 37, or in a closed state to block the inflow of liquid into and outflow of liquid from the interior of the container through the flow path 37. As described above, the inner tube 35 may be connected to a liquid supply (not shown) through the liquid input / output element 12, such that liquid (e.g., beer) can move downward (i.e., downward in the illustrated arrangement, with the container arranged below the liquid input / output element 12). In other configurations, the liquid may, of course, flow in a different direction through the liquid flow path 37 to enable the liquid to move upward and be discharged, or flow to a liquid tap.

[0037] The space between the outer side of the inner tube 35 and the inner side of the outer tube 36 of the control unit 30 forms the first part 38 1 of the gas flow path 38. The gas flow path 38 extends not only through the control unit 30 but also through the sealing unit 8, and is configured to enable gas to flow into and out of the container 1 (more specifically, to flow into and out of the space 16 between the wall of the container and the foldable bag 2). Referring to FIG. 5B, the gas flows from a gas supply (not shown), through the gas input / output element 11, through parts 38 1 and 38 2and the portion 38 of the gas flow path 38 of the sealing unit 8 3 ~38 7 from which it can flow into the space 16 between the wall of the container and the foldable bag 2. Similarly, the gas can flow from the gas flow path 38 7 ~38 3 in the sealing unit 8, the gas flow path 38 2 ~38 1 in the control unit 30, and via the gas input / output element 11, in the opposite direction from the space 16 to a gas collection device (not shown) or to the surroundings. A gas flow control device (not shown) is connected to the gas supply and the gas collection device to balance the pressure inside and outside the container and to enable the gas to flow in the desired direction.

[0038] In other embodiments (not shown), the foldable bag 2 is omitted. In these embodiments, the driving gas for expelling (driving) the liquid and the liquid itself can be maintained at the same volume within the container (as a result, the driving gas and the liquid are not separated from each other by the foldable bag). The sealing unit 8 may also be applied in these embodiments.

[0039] Sealing unit Refer to FIGS. 2 to 5B showing the first embodiment of the sealing unit 8 and the lower end 32 of the control unit 30 of FIG. 1. The control unit 30 is shown to be attached to the sealing unit 8 by using coupling fittings 31, 34. In the embodiment shown (see FIG. 5B), the coupling fitting is a bayonet-type coupling, which enables quick coupling and separation of the control unit 30 to the sealing unit 8. However, other types of couplings may be used.

[0040] The sealing unit 8 may comprise an outer housing 20 which is generally cylindrical as a whole and is attached to the wall 3 of the container by using a male screw 9 provided in the housing 20 and a female screw around the opening 4 of the upper wall 3. An inner housing 40 is movably disposed inside the outer housing 20. For example, the inner housing 40 may also be generally cylindrical as a whole and may be disposed concentrically with respect to the outer housing 20. Referring to FIG. 5B, the axial movement of the inner housing 40 with respect to the outer housing 20 may be restricted by a radially circumferential flange 45 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 40 and a radially circumferential flange 46 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer housing 20. The radial flange 46 of the outer housing 20 is sized to include or provide the gas flow path opening 47 (for example, formed by a gap between the outer end in the radial direction of the flange 46 and the outer surface of the inner housing portion 40A), and the gas flow path opening 47 allows the passage of gas when the flange 45 of the inner housing 20 is separated from the flange 46 of the outer housing 20, while being arranged such that the gas flow is blocked when the flange 45 of the inner housing 40 abuts against the flange 46 of the outer housing 20. In order to provide an airtight seal, the radially circumferential flange 45 of the inner housing 40 may be provided with an annular groove 49 in which a flexible O-ring 53 is disposed inside.

[0041] As described above, the outer housing 20 includes a suitable mounting element such as a male screw 9 configured to firmly attach the sealing unit 8 to the corresponding female screw of the upper wall 3 of the container 2. As in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, the inner housing 40 is fixedly connected to the rest of the inner housing, and the liquid in the liquid flow path 37 cannot flow from the liquid flow path 37 2 to the gas flow path 38 3 , 38 4 and vice versa. To prevent this, the inner housing portion 40a is sealed to the rest of it by an O-ring 43. In other embodiments, for example, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 13A to 13C, the inner housing portion 40a is integrally formed with the rest of the inner housing 40.

[0042] The movable inner housing 40 further comprises a tubular end portion 64 (at its lower end) configured to couple the bag connection element 60. The foldable bag 2 is attached to this bag connection element 60. The foldable bag 2 can be attached to the bag connection element 60 in a complete manner from the space 16 between the wall of the container and the bag 2 so that gas cannot enter the interior 15 of the bag. Next, the bag connection element 60 has a tubular element 41 (downpipe or spear) that reaches a position close to the bottom of the bag 2 in the container and provides a flow path 37 for the liquid 5 Since the inner bag 2 and the tubular element 41 are fixedly attached to the inner housing 40 of the sealing unit 8, they will move along with the axial movement of the inner housing.

[0043] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5B, the bag connection element 60 comprises a tubular upper portion 63 that can be inserted into the tubular end portion 64 of the inner housing 40. The outer surface of the tubular upper portion 63 of the bag connection element 60 may comprise one or more attachment elements that enable attachment of the bag connection element to the inner housing. An example of such an attachment element is the radial protrusion 61 shown in the figure, for example a plurality of parallel ring-shaped ribs, whereby the bag connection element 60 can be snap-fitted to the radial protrusion 62 provided on the inner surface of the tubular end portion 64 of the inner housing 40 of the sealing unit 8. Further, one or more support elements 110 extending upward as a whole from the bag connection element 60 may be provided to support the tubular end portion 64 of the sealing unit 8 between the one or more support elements 110 and the tubular upper portion 63 of the bag connection element 62. The support element 110 avoids or at least reduces the torsional movement of the bag connection element 60 (and the tubular element or downpipe 41 attached thereto) associated with the sealing unit 8, thereby ensuring proper alignment of the tubular element with the inner housing of the sealing unit.

[0044] Figures 15 to 17 show different embodiments of the bag connection element 160. In this embodiment, the bag connection element 160 comprises a spout 50, for example an injection-molded plastic spout, and the foldable bag 2 is formed by a (spouted) pouch 57. The spout 50 has a radially attached flange 51 attached to the inner surface of the pouch 57, for example by a welding operation (see welding line 56). There are many alternative ways to attach the spout 50 to the pouch 57, such as by sealing the attachment flange 51 between multiple layers of the pouch material. The spout 50 may comprise an external tubular upper part 52 extending outside the pouch 57 and may be configured to enable attachment of the spout 50 and the connected pouch 57 to a sealing unit, for example any of the sealing units 8, 8' and 108. A plurality of ribs 61 are provided on the outer surface of the external tubular upper part 52 for fixing the external tubular upper part 52 to the tubular end 64 of the inner housing. The spout 50 may also be provided with an internal tubular part 54 extending inside the pouch 57. This internal tubular part 54 is configured to enable attachment of an elongate tubular element 41 (downpipe).

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, the mounting flange 51 has a plurality (e.g., five) of support elements 110 that extend radially with respect to the centerline of the outer tubular upper part 52 and are evenly distributed over the circumference of the outer tubular upper part 52. Each of the support elements 110 includes a lying support element part 114 and an upright support element part 115 (lying / upright with respect to the mounting flange 51), and the space 116 thereof is capable of receiving the wall of the tubular end part 64 of the inner housing 40. Preferably, the tubular end part 64 is sized to fit snugly into each space 116 provided by the support element 110 (i.e., the width (a) of the space 116 is essentially equal to the thickness of the wall of the tubular end part 64), so that when the connecting element 160 is inserted into the tubular end part 64, not only is the outer tubular upper part 52 attached to the inner housing using the rib 61, but the connecting element 160 will remain correctly positioned within the tubular end part 64 due to the presence of the support element 110.

[0046] Referring to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 12, inside the cylindrical outer housing 20 of the sealing unit 8, an inner housing 40 is arranged to be movable relative to the outer housing 20. More specifically, the inner housing 40 is in the axial direction, i.e., direction P A1(In FIG. 5B), it may be disposed inside the cylindrical outer housing 20 so as to be movable up and down along the virtual axis of the outer housing 20. The sealing unit 8 further includes a biasing element (also referred to as a spring element in this specification), and the biasing element is disposed between the outer housing 20 and the inner housing 40 and configured to bias the inner housing 40 that is movable to a position where the passage of gas through the sealing unit is closed (i.e., blocked). (In the arrangement of FIG. 5B, the biasing element has a tendency to bias the inner housing 40 upward). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the biasing element is composed of a spring element 42 such as a helical spring disposed to surround the inner housing 40 (as shown). The spring element 42 has one of its ends 111 supported on a spring element support 112 such as a radially inner flange of the outer housing 20. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bottom of the spring element 42 may be attached to the outer housing 20. At the opposite end (i.e., the upper end in the arrangement of the figure), the spring element 42 is supported by the aforementioned circumferential flange 45 formed at the upper end of the inner housing 40.

[0047] The spring element 42 may be configured to bias the inner housing 40 to the first position shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In this specification, the first position is also referred to as the initial position, the upper position, or the fully closed position. In this position, the flange 45 of the inner housing 45 seals one or more gas openings 47 of the radially inner flange 46 of the outer housing 20, thereby sealing the entire flow path 38 and preventing gas from entering or leaving the container 1. The spring element 42 is subjected to an external force opposite to the biasing force (for example, the downward pushing action of the outer tube 36 of the control unit 30 against the inner housing portion 40a of the inner housing 40 in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, or the downward pushing force of the (inner) tube 135 in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 18 to 26), and the inner housing 40 is moved axially downward from the initial position (for example, shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B) to the second position (for example, shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, that is, the position where the gas seal is opened and the liquid seal is still closed), thereby enabling gas to flow through the flow path 38 (that is, the flow path 38 inside the control unit 30 1 and 38 2 , the flow path 38 between the upper end of the outer housing 20 and the inner housing 40 3 , the flow path 38 passing through the opening 47 4 , the flow path 38 just formed between the flanges 45, 46 4a , the flow path 38 along the space between the spring element 42 and the outer housing 20 / inner housing 40 5 , the flow path 38 at the lower end of the outer housing 20 6 , and the flow path 38 leading to the space 16 in the container 1 7 (see also the arrows G in FIGS. 8 and 7B 2 , G 3 , G 4 ). When the external force is stopped, the inner housing is biased to automatically move axially (upward) from the second position to its initial first position by the above biasing force of the biasing element (for example, the spring action of the spring element 42), and then the flow path 38 4a is sealed again, thereby sealing the opening 47 of the flange 46 of the outer housing 20.

[0048] Furthermore, a liquid seal unit 65 is disposed inside an inner housing 40 that is axially movable. The liquid seal unit 65 is opened by an external force such as a downward pushing action of an inner tube 35 of the control unit 30 at the upper end of the liquid seal unit 65 (more specifically, the upper end of a valve element 68 described below). Similar to the gas seal, the liquid seal unit 65 is automatically closed when there is no such external force. More specifically, the liquid seal unit 65 is closed by the biasing action of a further biasing element such as a flexible (e.g., elastic or stretchable) connection element 76 described below.

[0049] The liquid seal unit 65 is fixedly connected to the inner housing 40 and includes a base 66 including a tubular base element 71 (see FIG. 5B). The liquid seal unit 65 further includes a valve 67, and the valve 67 is axially movable inside the tubular base element 71 (direction P A2 ) and includes a tubular valve element 68 arranged to be so. The tubular valve element 68 has a plurality of radial openings 73, and the plurality of radial openings 73 lead from a flow path 37 in the control unit 30 1 , a flow path 37 in the upper part of the inner housing 40 2 , and a flow path 37 in the tubular base element 71 / tubular valve element 68 3 to a flow path 37 in the lower part of the inner housing 40 4 and finally reach a flow path 37 formed inside a tubular element or a spear 41 that is in open fluid connection with the internal volume 15 of the foldable bag 2, enabling the passage of liquid (FIGS. 9A and 9B show this only when the liquid seal unit 65 is in the open position). In the closed position (FIGS. 5A / 5B, FIGS. 7A / 7B), the liquid flow path 37 5 is blocked by the valve 67, and liquid (beverage) cannot move from this liquid flow path 37 3 to the liquid flow path 37 3 or vice versa. 4

[0050] The valve 67 includes a tubular valve element 68 movable in the axial direction, a valve connection element 74 for fixedly attaching the valve 67 to the inner housing 40, an axially movable tubular valve member 75 connected to or formed with the axially movable valve element 68, and a flexible connection element 76 (stationary (non-movable) relative to the inner housing 40) between the axially movable tubular valve member 75 and the valve connection element 74. The flexible connection element 76 is an example of a further biasing element configured to bias the movable tubular valve element 68 to a position (Figs. 5A, 5B, 7A, 7B) where the liquid flow path is closed and the interior of the inner bag (if present) is sealed (closed) from the environment. For example, the flexible connection element 76 allows the movable tubular valve element 68 to move from the closed position (Figs. 5A, 5B, 7A, 7B) to the open position (Figs. 9A, 9B) under the influence of an external force, while biasing the movable tubular valve element 68 to return from the open position to the closed position when such an external force is not applied.

[0051] As a result, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, the inner housing 40 is arranged to be axially movable relative to the outer housing 20 to open and close the gas flow path 38. On the other hand, the valve 67 is axially moved relative to the inner housing 40, essentially independently of the movement of the inner housing 40 relative to the outer housing 20, to open and close the liquid flow path 37 between the interior 15 of the bag 2 and the liquid input / output element 12, enabling liquid to flow into and out of the container (see FIGS. 9A and 9B) (see also the arrows L1 to L4 indicating the liquid flow). In other embodiments, for example, by means of a certain element (e.g., an (inner) tube or the like that interlocks the movement of the inner housing 40 that opens the gas seal with the valve of the liquid seal unit), the opening and closing of the liquid seal unit 65 can be performed in accordance with the opening and closing of the gas seal. When no external force is applied to the liquid valve 67, the valve will be automatically closed by the action of the flexible connection element 76, thereby blocking the liquid flow path 37. Also, when no external force is applied to the inner housing 40, the "gas valve" formed by the inner and outer housings will be automatically closed by the action of the biasing element 42, thereby blocking the gas flow path 38.

[0052] Figures 6 to 12 show the respective operations during the filling stage of the container. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the operations will be performed in a different order during the discharging stage. The figures show that first the control unit 30 is attached to the sealing unit 8. Next, the lever 10 is operated to axially move the outer tube 36 and the inner tube 35 into the sealing unit 8, applying respective axial external forces onto the upper end of the inner housing 40 (i.e., on the inner housing portion 40a of the inner housing 40) and onto the liquid seal unit 65. A first external axial force is applied to the inner housing 40 by the outer tube 36 so as to move the inner housing from the first axial position to the second axial position. Next, during the filling stage, gas can be supplied into the container through the gas flow path 38. The gas can be supplied directly into the interior of the container or into the space 15 between the wall of the container and the foldable bag 2 disposed inside the container. During the discharging stage, instead, the gas is removed from the container (the foldable bag inside) through the gas flow path 38. Next, a second external force is applied to the tubular valve element 68 by the inner tube 35 so as to move the tubular valve element 68 from the closed position to the open position. Next, during the filling stage, liquid can be supplied into the container 1 through the liquid flow path 37 or, when the foldable bag 2 is present, into the interior 15 of the foldable bag 2. Alternatively, during the discharging stage, liquid may be removed from the container through the liquid flow path. Next, by operating the control unit 30, the external forces are reduced or removed by returning the inner tube 35 and the outer tube 36 (in the opposite axial direction). Thereby, the inner housing 40 and the tubular valve element 68 are automatically returned to their respective initial (closed) positions.

[0053] It is clear that the timing of opening and closing of the gas seal and the liquid seal follows the dimensions of the inner tube and the outer tube, whether the inner tube and the outer tube are axially movable relative to each other, and the like. For example, if the inner tube and the outer tube are fixed to each other, or if both the gas seal and the liquid seal are operated by one and the same element (for example, one (inner) tube), the timing difference between the opening and closing of the gas seal and the opening and closing of the liquid seal can be constant (for example, when opening both seals, first the gas seal is opened and then the liquid seal is opened, while when closing both seals, the liquid seal may be closed first before the gas is closed. There may also be a case where the timing difference is zero, which means that both the gas seal and the liquid seal are opened and closed synchronously). In other embodiments (for example, embodiments where the gas seal is operated independently of the liquid seal), the timing difference can be made variable.

[0054] Figures 13A to 13C and 14 show a second embodiment of a container 1 including a sealing unit 8', a part of a control unit 30', and a foldable bag 2. The sealing unit 8' in Figure 13A is shown in a state where its gas seal and liquid seal are closed. In Figure 13B, the gas seal is opened and the liquid seal is closed, while in Figure 13C, both the liquid seal and the gas seal are opened. The sealing unit 8' corresponds to the aforementioned sealing unit 8, except that the liquid seal unit 65 of the sealing unit 8' is embodied differently. The liquid seal unit 65' is attached to the inner housing 40 of the sealing unit 8' in a different manner. Further, in this embodiment, the inner housing portion 40a of the inner housing 40 is omitted, and the inner tube and the outer tubes 35', 36' of the control unit 30' can directly contact the inner housing 40 and the valve, respectively. Finally, the airtight seal between the flanges of the inner and outer housings formed by the flexible O-ring 53 in the annular groove 49 in the embodiment of Figures 2 to 12 is provided here by the liquid seal unit 65' itself. In this sense, the liquid seal unit 65' can not only seal the liquid flow path 37 but also help to block the gas flow path 38.

[0055] As shown in Figures 13A to 13C and 14, the valve connection element 74 and the flexible connection element 76 of the first embodiment are replaced by a valve connection element 78 and a flexible connection element 79, respectively. The flexible connection element 79 is configured to function as an additional biasing element (e.g., be sufficiently flexible): it enables the valve to be moved from a closed state to an open state (i.e., moved downward in the shown arrangement) when an external force is applied to the upper part of the valve by, for example, the inner tube 35 or the like, while it will automatically return the valve from the open state to the closed state when there is no external force on the valve.

[0056] The valve connection element 78 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a sealing extension 80 that extends onto the radial flange 45 of the inner housing 40, enabling a good seal between the radial flange 45 of the inner housing 40 and the radial flange 81 of the outer housing 20 when the inner and outer housings are in the first (initial) position. In this position, the gas flow path is completely sealed, and gas cannot enter or exit the container 1. As shown in FIGS. 13A - 13C and FIG. 14, the sealing extension 80 of the liquid sealing unit 65' can have one or more selectively integrated O - shaped sealing rings 69 (two rings are shown in the figure) formed with the sealing extension 80 to improve sealing characteristics, similar to the O - ring 53 used in the first embodiment of the sealing unit.

[0057] FIGS. 14B and 14C show a part of the liquid sealing unit corresponding to the liquid sealing units 65 of FIGS. 1 - 12 and the sealing unit 65' in the case of FIGS. 13A - 13C and FIG. 14. FIG. 14B shows a part of the liquid sealing units 65, 65' in the closed position, and FIG. 14C represents the liquid sealing unit in the open position. The tubular valve element 68 of the valve 67' is coaxially arranged with the tubular base element 71 of the base 66 and is movable axially (in the figure, P A2 , upward and downward) between (at least) two different axial positions with respect to the static tubular base element 71 (i.e., stationary with respect to the inner housing 40 which itself is movable to open and close the gas seal). The tubular valve element 68 is configured for valve operation. More specifically, the tubular valve element 68 constitutes a manipulator in the form of a valve stem that can open and close the liquid flow path 37 of the liquid passing through the liquid sealing units 65, 65'. The tubular valve element 68 is provided with a sealing member 90 at its upstream end. The sealing member 90 may be formed by an end wall. This end wall of the tubular valve element 68 is closed, but there are one or more radial openings 73 on the side surface of the tubular valve element 68, and when the valve is in the open position in FIGS. 9A, 9B, 13C, and 14C, liquid can flow from the container 1 through the liquid sealing unit flow path 37 3 to the liquid sealing unit. 3It is possible to flow outward (or vice versa) through it.

[0058] As shown in the figure, the tubular valve element 68 is connected to the outer tubular wall formed by the movable tubular valve member 75 via the upper wall 93. The outer tubular wall defines a tube having a diameter larger than that of the tubular valve element 68 and defines a gap 94 therebetween. Further, the flexible connection element 76 is formed of a flexible (elastic) wall extending obliquely or horizontally with respect to the axial direction. The valve connection element 74 is firmly attached to the inner housing 40. The flexible connection element 76 enables the tubular valve elements 68, 68' to move up and down with respect to the inner housing 40 between the closed position shown in FIG. 14B and the open position shown in FIG. 14C. To open and close the liquid flow path 373, the valve includes a sealing body, preferably a sealing body formed by a flexible ring-shaped seal collar 95 extending inwardly toward the tubular valve element 68. The sealing body 95 is disposed on the seal member 90 of the tubular valve element 68. The seal collar 95 can be formed of a suitable plastic material that is essentially flexible. As described above, the tubular valve element 68 is also provided with several radial openings 73. These radial openings 73 are disposed immediately downstream of the seal collar 95. Thereby, when the valve is in the open position, liquid will be discharged through the radial wall openings 73 and the tubular valve element 68. Along its inner circumference, the tubular base element 71 is provided with a ring-shaped seal valve 96 extending into the tubular base element 71. The seal valve 96 includes a storage seal sheet 97 configured to seal the reception of the aforementioned seal collar 95 when the valve is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 14B.

[0059] Furthermore, the tubular base element 71 is provided with a ring-shaped end sheet 98 which is one of several utility seal sheets within the tubular base element 71. In this exemplary embodiment, the end sheet 98 is composed of an inclined end formed in the tubular base element 71. The end sheet 98 is structured to seal the reception of the seal collar 95 when the valve is in the closed position. Thus, the valve is structured to open the flow path 37’’ by virtue of the axial movement of the seal collar 95 relative to the inner housing 40 away from the end sheet 98.

[0060] The seal valve 96 also includes a downstream-facing ring-shaped stop sheet 99. This stop sheet 99 is structured for movement-limiting contact with an external stop collar 100 formed around the tubular valve element 68 in a region downstream of the aforementioned radial opening 73 and downstream of the seal valve 96. FIG. 14C shows the stop collar 100 in contact with the stop sheet 99 following the valve-opening axial movement of the tubular valve element 68.

[0061] The tubular base element 71 also includes an internal and cylindrical seal portion 101 disposed in the longitudinal portion between the aforementioned end sheet 98 and the seal valve 96. The seal portion 101 can be structured to slide-seal against the seal collar 95. In its radially expanded position, this seal collar 95 is arranged to have a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the internal cylindrical seal portion 101. The seal collar 95 will be somewhat compressed radially when positioned in the seal portion 101. Thus, all of the seal sheets 97, 98, 101 can be structured to seal against the seal collar 95 during their axial movement.

[0062] FIG. 26 shows a further embodiment of the sealing unit 108. Similar to the aforementioned sealing units 8, 8', the sealing unit 108 includes an outer housing 120, an inner housing 140, and a liquid seal unit 165. The liquid seal unit 165 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 18 and 19, the outer housing 120 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 20, 21, and 25, and the inner housing 140 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 22-24. Finally, the operation of the sealing unit 108 is described in FIGS. 27A-27C.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 20, 21, 25, and 26, the outer housing 120 is generally cylindrical as a whole. On the upper part of the outer housing 120, on its outside, there is provided an external thread or male thread 109 that can engage with an internal thread or female thread provided on the upper wall 3. Inside the upper part of the outer housing 120, a coupling fitting 134 such as a bayonet-type fitting may be formed to enable the control units 30, 30' to be removably coupled to the sealing unit 108. In the lower part, a plurality of radial gas openings 149 are provided to enable gas to enter and exit the outer housing 120.

[0064] The inner housing 140 is also essentially cylindrical and sized to be axially movable inside the outer housing 120. The upper part 148 of the inner housing 140 (also referred to as the spring upper part in this specification) is formed by a radial flange 145, while the base of the inner housing 140 includes a spring base 147. A spring element 142 is provided between the spring upper part 148 and the spring base 147. The spring element 142 is permanently connected to or integrally formed with the radial flange 145 that extends from the inner housing 140 at the upper part. On the bottom side, the spring element 142 can be connected to the inner housing 140 by, for example, a snap-fit connection to be described later.

[0065] In the illustrated embodiment, the spring element 142 is basically a helical spring 146 that surrounds the inner housing 140. The helical spring 146 can be formed of a plastic material and can have a double helix shape. The spring element 142 is arranged such that the spring upper part 148, and thus the inner housing 140 connected to or formed with it, is axially moved relative to the outer housing 120, more specifically, relative to the spring element support on the inner surface of the outer housing 120.

[0066] The spring element support of the outer housing 120 has a function similar to that of the spring element support 111 in FIGS. 5B, 7B, and 9B. However, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 18 to 26, the spring element support is arranged on the bottom side of the outer housing 120 and is formed by a plurality of support openings 113 distributed along the circumference of the housing 120. The support openings 113 are configured to receive a corresponding number of radially protruding portions 151 (preferably configured to be flexible) formed along the outer circumference of the spring base 147 (preferably in a snap-fit manner). In this way, the bottom of the spring element 142 can be easily fixed to the outer housing 140 simply by inserting the inner housing 140 into the outer housing 120, and the flexible protruding portions 151 will ultimately be pushed into the support openings 113 so that the inner housing 140 will be properly supported by the outer housing 120.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 21, one or more longitudinal mounting orientation ribs 203 extending axially as a whole may additionally be provided on the inner surface of the outer housing 120. Similarly, referring to FIG. 22, on the inner housing 140 or the spring base 147 of the spring element 142, one or more longitudinal depressions 200 for accommodating the mounting orientation ribs 203 may be provided when the inner housing 140 is slid into the outer housing 120 during the assembly stage of the sealing unit 108. The depressions 200 are arranged at positions corresponding to the positions of one or more mounting orientation ribs 203 so that only one specific orientation in which the inner housing 140 can be inserted into the outer housing 120 can be enabled.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 21, a plurality of guide ribs 201 are provided on the inner surface of the outer housing 120, preferably near the radially inner flange 207 (having the same function as the aforementioned radial flange 46). The guide ribs 201 may be evenly distributed along the circumference of the inner surface of the outer housing 120. As a result, the radial flange 145 of the inner housing 140 avoids unwanted radial movement of the inner housing 140 while simultaneously allowing the inner housing 140 to move freely axially.

[0069] FIG. 25A is a detailed view of a small portion of the outer housing 120 and the inner housing 140 (without the liquid seal unit 165), showing the space between the bottom surface of the radial flange 207 of the outer housing 120 and the upper surface of the flange 145 of the inner housing. This figure also shows two generally ring-shaped ribs 205 formed on the bottom surface of the radial flange 207 of the outer housing 120 (the number of these ribs 205 may be less (i.e., one) or more in other embodiments). The ribs 205 are configured to improve the gas sealing ability of the sealing unit 108 (of course, for example, when a liquid seal unit 165 extends between the upper flange 207 and the lower flange 145 as shown in FIG. 26).

[0070] FIG. 26 shows the sealing unit 108 in an assembled state (i.e., with the liquid seal unit 165 disposed between the outer and inner housings and the inner housing 140 inserted into the outer housing 120). Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the liquid seal unit 165 according to this further (i.e., third) embodiment largely corresponds to the first embodiment of the liquid seal unit 65 described above and further corresponds to the second embodiment of the liquid seal unit 65'. Compared with the first embodiment of the liquid seal unit 65, the valve connection element 74 and the flexible connection element 76 of the first embodiment are replaced by a valve connection element 178 and a flexible connection element 176, respectively, in the third embodiment. Further, in the first and second embodiments, the base is formed by a separate tubular base element 71 provided with an expandable and contractible ring-shaped seal collar 95 that extends inwardly towards the tubular valve element 68, while in the third embodiment, the base is formed by a suitably formed portion of the inner housing 140. In other words, the tubular base element 171 is part of the wall of the inner housing 140. The liquid flow path within the inner housing 140 has a locally narrowed shape that forms the base of the liquid seal unit 165. The wall of the inner housing 140 includes the tubular base element 171 (see FIG. 26), and the tubular base element 171 includes an expandable and contractible ring-shaped seal collar 195 that extends inwardly towards the tubular valve element 168. The tubular base element 171 formed integrally with the wall of the inner housing 140 has the same function as the aforementioned tubular base elements 71, 71'. In the third embodiment, the tubular base element 171 is formed integrally with the wall of the inner housing, while in other embodiments (not shown), the tubular base element may also be formed by a separate component that can be attached to the wall of the inner housing 140. What is important is that the tubular base element can function as a seat for the axially movable tubular valve element, closing the liquid opening of the tubular valve element when it is in the first axial position and leaving the liquid opening open when the tubular valve element is in the second position.

[0071] For the remaining part, the third embodiment may correspond to the first and second embodiments.

[0072] The flexible connection element 176 can be configured to function as a further biasing element (e.g., to be sufficiently flexible): it allows the valve to be moved from the closed state to the open state (i.e., moved downward in the illustrated arrangement) when an external force is applied to the upper part of the valve, while it will automatically return the valve from the open state to the closed state when there is no external force on the valve.

[0073] The liquid seal unit 165 of the third embodiment is attached to and / or formed together with the inner housing 40 of the sealing unit 108 in a similar manner to the liquid seal unit 65' of the second embodiment. The liquid seal unit 165 includes a base 166 and a valve 167. The base 166 in this embodiment is formed by a locally narrowed shape of the wall of the inner housing 140 (see FIGS. 24 and 26). The valve 167 of the liquid seal unit 165 includes a valve connection element 178 having a frustum-shaped (downward axial direction), more specifically a frustoconical-shaped, portion 184 as a whole. The function of this portion 184 of the connection element 178 will become apparent from the description of the operation of the sealing unit in FIGS. 27A - 27C.

[0074] The valve connection element 178 is configured to connect a valve to the inner housing 140 and, for this purpose, has a sealing extension 180 that extends onto the radial flange 145 of the inner housing 140. The sealing extension 180 is made of a flexible material and enables a valve to be fixed (preferably snapped onto) the radial flange 145 of the inner housing 140 while at the same time enabling a good seal between the radial flange 145 of the inner housing 140 and the radial flange 207 of the outer housing 20 (by having a circumferential skirt 181) when at least the inner and outer housings are in the first (initial) position (see Fig. 27A). In this position, the gas flow path is completely blocked and no gas enters or exits the container 1. Since the sealing extension 180 of the valve is made of a flexible material, good sealing characteristics can be achieved without using additional sealing means such as the O-ring seal ring 69 (see Figs. 13A - 13C and 14) present in the second embodiment, for example.

[0075] Next, a method of operating the gas seal and the liquid seal, i.e., a method of moving them from their respective closed positions to their open positions, will be described. Fig. 27A shows the sealing unit 165 with the control unit 130 inserted. The control unit 130 mostly corresponds to the control unit 30 and a detailed description thereof is omitted here. The control unit 130 includes a tube 135 (similar to the inner tube 35 of the first and second embodiments) and an outer element 136 that surrounds the tube 135 and leaves a ring-shaped space 151 that forms a gas flow path 38 towards and from the sealing unit 108 between the tube 135 and the outer element 136. As can be seen in the figure, the outer element 136 can be regarded as a tubular outer element or outer tube as a whole, similar to the outer tube 36 of the first and second embodiments. 2 As can be seen in the figure, the outer element 136 can be regarded as a tubular outer element or outer tube as a whole, similar to the outer tube 36 of the first and second embodiments.

[0076] On the bottom side of the outer element 136, a ring-shaped support member 154 is disposed so that the outer element 136 can be inserted into the sealing unit 108 and then properly supported on the radial flange 207 of the outer housing 120. The (inner) tube 135 is arranged to be axially movable (see the arrows in FIGS. 27A and 27B) when the outer element 136 is inserted into the sealing unit and supported by the radial flange 207. The tube 135 has an expanded portion 156 (with a greater wall thickness). On the bottom side of the expanded portion 156, a ring-shaped end element 150 is formed or attached.

[0077] In the position shown in FIG. 27A, both the gas seal and the liquid seal are closed. Regarding the gas seal, the inner housing 140 is set to its most upright position by the spring element, and as a result, the flange 145 of the inner housing 140 presses the sealing extension 180 sandwiched between the flange 145 and the corresponding flange 207 of the outer housing 120, so that the gas flow path is blocked. Regarding the liquid seal, at the uppermost position of the inner housing 140, the liquid opening 173 of the valve's tubular valve element 168 portion is closed by a sealing body, preferably by a sealing body formed by an expandable ring-shaped seal collar 195 of the tubular base element 171 extending inwardly towards the tubular valve element 168.

[0078] When the tube 135 is moved axially downward from the initial first position of FIG. 27A to the second position shown in FIG. 27B, in order to ensure proper sealing of the contact area between the tube 135 and the liquid seal unit 165 (even before the liquid seal is opened at a further stage), i.e., to provide a liquid-tight or gas-tight seal, the bottom side of the ring-shaped end element 150 begins to push downward on the conical portion 184 of the valve connection element 178. During the movement from the initial position to the second position, not only is the ring-shaped end element 150 on the bottom side of the expanded portion 136 of the tube 135 pushed against the conical portion 184 of the connection element 178, but the bottom end of the tube 135 (the cylindrical wall thereof) contacts the stepped flexible portion 176 and begins to push the tubular valve element 168 downward. As a result, the tubular valve element 168 of the valve begins to move downward and reaches the open position shown in FIG. 27C. In the latter position, the liquid opening 173 of the tubular valve element 168, which was previously closed due to the presence of the telescopic ring-shaped seal collar 195 of the inner housing 140, is then exposed. In this way, the liquid flow path 37 is no longer blocked, and as a result, liquid can flow freely through these openings 173.

[0079] Note that in the area of the contact surface between the bottom end 137 of the tube 135 and the stepped flexible portion 176 of the valve, for the seal formed between the tube 135 (the ring-shaped end element 150 thereof) and the conical portion 184 of the valve connection element 178, liquid cannot leave the liquid flow path. Similarly, gas can flow through the gas flow path 38 without the risk of passing through the same seal.

[0080] It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described and can therefore vary. Since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims, it is also understood that the terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting.

Claims

A sealing unit for sealing an opening in the wall of a container for storing, transporting, and supplying a liquid, comprising: - An outer housing configured to be fixedly attached to the wall of the container; - An inner housing disposed inside the outer housing and configured to be axially movable relative to the outer housing; The outer housing and the inner housing are configured to define a gas flow path disposed between the outer surface of the inner housing and the inner surface of the outer housing. The inner housing is axially movable between a first axial position where the gas flow path is closed and gas is prevented from flowing into or out of the container, and a second axial position where the gas flow path is opened and gas is allowed to flow axially into or out of the container as a whole. The sealing unit further comprises a biasing element disposed between the outer housing and the inner housing and configured to bias the movable inner housing to the first axial position. A liquid flow path is defined within the movable inner housing, and a liquid seal unit is disposed within the liquid flow path. The liquid seal unit comprises: - A base fixedly attached to or integrally formed with the movable inner housing and including a tubular base element; - A valve including a tubular valve element axially movable inside the tubular base element. The tubular valve element is movable inside the tubular base element between a closed position where the liquid flow path is closed and liquid is prevented from flowing into or out of the container, and an open position where the liquid flow path is opened and liquid is allowed to flow axially into or out of the container as a whole. The sealing unit further comprises a further biasing element configured to bias the movable tubular valve element to the closed position. ​ ​ The further biasing element is made of an elastic material and is configured to enable the movable tubular valve element to move from the closed position to the open position under the influence of a second external force, while returning the movable tubular valve element from the open position to the closed position when the second external force is decreased or removed, and the sealing unit includes a flexible connection element of the valve. Claim 2 The biasing element is configured to enable the inner housing to move from the first axial position to the second axial position under the influence of a first external force, while moving the inner housing from the second axial position to the first axial position when the first external force is decreased or removed. The sealing unit according to claim 1. Claim 3 At least one of the outer housing and the inner housing is cylindrical, concentrically arranged, and together forms a telescopic tube. The sealing unit according to claim 1 or 2. Claim 4 At least one of the outer housing, the inner housing, and the liquid sealing unit is made of plastic. The sealing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Claim 5 The base of the liquid sealing unit is made of a plastic material that has at least partially greater flexibility than other parts of the liquid sealing unit. The sealing unit according to claim 4. Claim 6 It is configured to enable axial movement of the valve of the liquid sealing unit relative to the inner housing, independently of the axial movement of the inner housing relative to the outer housing. The sealing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Claim 7 The space defining the gas flow path between the outer housing and the inner housing has an overall annular shape, and / or the liquid flow path is overall cylindrical. The sealing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Claim 8 The valve includes a valve connection element including a sealing extension extending on the radial flange of the inner housing for forming a seal between the radial flange of the inner housing and the corresponding radial flange of the outer housing. The sealing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Claim 9 The valve of the liquid sealing unit comprises a valve connection element having a tapered portion as a whole. The sealing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The inner surface of the outer housing has at least one longitudinal mounting orientation rib extending axially as a whole, and the outer surface of the inner housing has at least one longitudinal depression for accommodating the at least one mounting orientation rib when the inner housing is slid into the outer housing. The sealing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The inner housing comprises a tubular end portion configured to receive a bag connection element for attaching a foldable bag within the container. The sealing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A bag connection element configured to connect a foldable bag to the sealing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the bag connection element comprising a tubular upper portion that can be inserted into the tubular end portion of the inner housing, the tubular upper portion comprising attachment elements configured to enable attachment to the inner surface of the tubular end portion, and / or the outer surface of the tubular upper portion comprising radial protrusions that enable the bag connection element to be snap-fitted to radial protrusions provided on the inner surface of the tubular end portion of the inner housing of the sealing unit.

13. The bag connection element comprises one or more support elements each defining a receiving space configured to receive the tubular end portion of the inner housing when the bag connection element is inserted into the tubular end portion. The bag connection element according to claim 12.

14. The receiving space has a width corresponding to the thickness of the tubular end portion of the inner housing, and / or the bag connection element is a plastics spout comprising a radial mounting flange connected to a port forming the foldable bag. The bag connection element according to claim 13.

15. A control unit for controlling the flow of gas and the flow of liquid entering and leaving a container for storing, transporting, and supplying a liquid, wherein the control unit is configured to be removably coupled to the sealing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and the control unit optionally comprises a control unit housing provided with a coupling fitting for removably coupling the control unit housing to a corresponding coupling fitting of the sealing unit.

16. Inside the control unit housing, a plurality of flow paths are provided to allow the passage of drive gas and liquid, and / or the control unit housing comprises a first inner tube with a relatively small diameter and a second outer tube concentrically arranged around the first inner tube and having a larger diameter, and the first inner tube and the second outer tube are capable of telescopic movement relative to each other to apply an external axial force to the inner housing and the valve when the control unit is attached to the sealing unit. The control unit according to claim 15.

17. An assembly comprising a container for storing, transporting, and supplying a liquid, the container comprising a wall having an opening to which the sealing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is attached, the container comprising a foldable thin-walled liquid bag made of a flexible material disposed inside the container, the foldable bag being configured to allow liquid to be disposed therein while allowing drive gas to be disposed in the space between the wall of the container and the foldable bag.

18. The assembly according to claim 17 or the control unit according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the container is made of steel or aluminum and / or the container is generally cylindrical in shape.

19. The assembly according to claim 18, wherein the container is a beer barrel.

20. Use of the sealing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or the assembly according to any one of claims 17 to 19.

21. A method of operating the sealing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein - Applying a first external axial force to the inner housing so as to move the inner housing from the first axial position to the second axial position; - Optionally supplying gas through the gas flow path to the container, into the space between the wall of the container and the foldable bag disposed within the container, or removing gas from the container through the gas flow path; - Applying a second external force to the tubular valve element so as to move the tubular valve element from the closed position to the open position; - Optionally supplying liquid through the liquid flow path to the container, into the interior of the foldable bag disposed within the container, or removing liquid from the container through the liquid flow path; - Reducing or removing the first external axial force and the second external force respectively applied to the inner housing and the tubular valve element, such that the inner housing and the tubular valve element move the inner housing to the first axial position and move the tubular valve element to the closed position; A method comprising.

Images