BEVERAGE DISPENSER SET

Abstract

A beverage dispensing assembly comprises a beverage container for holding a beverage. The container body includes a beverage outlet provided with a beverage container sealing member arranged to permit the opening of the beverage outlet. A beverage supply line extends between the beverage container and a dispenser for dispensing the beverage into a supply outlet of the dispenser. A detachable coupling device is coupled to the container body and a second beverage conduit of the beverage supply line, with a first beverage conduit of the beverage supply line extending between the beverage container and the coupling device. The first beverage conduit, at a first end thereof, includes an adapter body suitably arranged in the beverage container that covers the beverage container sealing member.The coupling device has a movable piston that acts on the adapter body and is configured to open the beverage container sealing member when actuated by the piston, causing the beverage container sealing member to open the beverage outlet to provide a fluid connection between the beverage chamber and the first beverage conduit.

Description

BEVERAGE DISPENSER SET FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to a beverage dispensing assembly. The invention further relates to a coupling device for use in a beverage dispensing assembly. The invention also relates to a beverage conduit for use in a beverage dispensing assembly. BACKGROUND There is a wide variety of beverage dispensing assemblies for dispensing all types of beverages. A common beverage dispensing assembly, often used for dispensing beverages in food and beverage service establishments and in the hospitality industry, such as bars and restaurants, comprises a beverage container holding a beverage and a beverage supply line extending between the beverage container and a dispenser, such as a tap with a tap handle, for dispensing the beverage at a supply outlet of the dispenser. A coupling device is arranged to couple the beverage supply line to the beverage container, wherein a piston of the coupling device is movably arranged to cause a sealing member of the beverage container to open, thus providing a fluid connection between the beverage container and the beverage supply line.As such, with the known beverage dispensing assembly, a beverage can be dispensed by first actuating the piston of the coupling device to cause the opening of the beverage container's sealing member, which is called broaching (piercing) the beverage container. After broaching, the beverage contained in the beverage container can flow freely past the opened sealing member through the coupling device into the beverage supply line to a dispensing valve, which is usually provided on the dispenser. The dispenser can be operated as desired to open and close the dispensing valve, in which case, when the dispensing valve is opened, a quantity of beverage can flow from the beverage container through the coupling device and the supply line to a dispensing opening of the dispenser to dispense the beverage into a suitable container, such as a glass or cup. During its service life, the dispensing unit is exposed to microorganisms present in its environment. These microorganisms pose a risk of infiltration, particularly in the supply line, for example, during a beverage container exchange. After the coupler is attached to a new beverage container holding a new quantity of beverage, these microorganisms can migrate from the supply line into the beverage inside, which provides a suitable and sufficient source of nutrients for rapid multiplication. As a result, the shelf life of the beverage in the container—that is, the period during which the beverage can be consumed normally and properly—may be reduced, and / or the beverage may spoil prematurely.In addition, if the beverage has a low percentage of alcohol by volume, or is completely alcohol-free, and / or has a relatively high sugar content, such as some non-alcoholic beers, the beverage is particularly susceptible to contamination by fermenting microorganisms such as wild yeast, which can lead to an unwanted increase in the alcohol content of the beverage due to fermentation. It is an object of the invention to provide a beverage dispensing assembly that slows the deterioration of the beverage. In particular, it is an object of the invention to prevent contamination by microorganisms of the beverage contained in the beverage container of said beverage dispensing assembly. Specifically, it is an object of the invention to prevent the backflow (return flow) of fluid and microorganisms from the beverage supply line to the beverage container of said beverage dispensing assembly. More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a beverage dispensing assembly that prevents the formation of alcohol in the beverage contained in the beverage container without the need to cool the beverage container. Another object of the invention is to provide a coupling device for use with said beverage dispensing assembly.Furthermore, the invention aims to provide a beverage conduit suitable for use in such a beverage dispensing unit. More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a beverage conduit for use in such a beverage dispensing unit that prevents the formation of alcohol in a beverage container of the dispensing unit without requiring the beverage container to be cooled. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, in a first aspect of the invention, a beverage dispensing assembly is provided comprising a beverage container with a container body defining a beverage chamber for holding a beverage, for example a non-alcoholic beverage such as non-alcoholic beer; the container body comprising a beverage outlet provided with a beverage container sealing member arranged to permit the opening of the beverage outlet; a beverage supply line extending between the beverage container and a dispenser, such as a tap with a tap handle, for dispensing the beverage into a supply outlet of the dispenser; and a coupler device comprising a coupler housing arranged to be detachably coupled to the container body and to couple the beverage supply line.The coupler housing defines a piston space in which a piston is movably disposed to cause the beverage container sealing member to open the beverage outlet to provide a fluid connection between the beverage chamber and the beverage supply line, wherein the beverage supply line comprises a first beverage conduit and a second beverage conduit separate from the first beverage conduit; the first beverage conduit having a first end thereof connected to the beverage container in fluid communication with the beverage outlet and a second end thereof connected to the coupler device to form at least part of a first beverage flow path arranged to guide the flow of beverages from the beverage chamber to the coupler device when the beverage outlet is open.the second beverage conduit connected to the coupler device to form a second beverage flow path arranged to guide the flow of beverages from the coupler device to the dispenser, and wherein the first beverage conduit at its first end comprises an adapter body through which the first beverage flow path extends, the adapter body being suitably arranged in the beverage container covering the beverage container sealing member, the adapter body being configured to open the beverage container sealing member when the piston of the coupler device moves acting on the adapter body. In this first aspect, the beverage dispensing unit prevents the direct exchange of fluid between the beverage container and the coupling device when the beverage container sealing member opens. This means that the fluid, and any potential contamination, must first travel through the initial beverage conduit extending between the beverage container and the coupling device. This significantly increases the distance for microorganisms to travel from the coupling device—typically the primary point of risk for microbial infiltration in the supply line—to the beverage stored in the beverage chamber.The piston of the coupling device used to clamp the beverage container does not pose a potential source of contamination to the beverage inside, as the adapter body of the first beverage conduit forms an effective fluid barrier between the piston and the beverage outlet of the beverage container. This prevents almost immediate contamination of the beverage in the beverage chamber when connecting to an infiltrated supply line. The beverage container sealing member may comprise any means suitable for hermetically sealing the beverage chamber prior to use. For example, the beverage container sealing member may be a fluid-tight cover or seal that permits the beverage outlet to be opened by piercing the cover or seal or by removing at least a portion of the cover or seal by the adapter body as the piston of the coupler device acting on the adapter body moves. In a preferred embodiment, however, the beverage dispensing assembly has the beverage container sealing member comprising a beverage valve disposed in the beverage outlet opening and movable between a closed position in which the beverage chamber is closed and an open position in which the beverage chamber is open for dispensing beverages.For example, the beverage valve may comprise a pivoting and / or movable valve body, for example, a thin metal plate, which can be moved from the closed position to the open position by the action of a piston, such as the piston with an outer end of the piston pushing against the valve body. Optionally, the beverage valve may be arranged to return from the open position to the closed position. For example, the beverage valve may be provided with a spring that pushes it back to the closed position. The first beverage conduit is specifically arranged so that the shelf life of the beverage contained in the beverage container remains largely unchanged and the beverage does not spoil prematurely without the need to cool the beverage container. Preferably, the first beverage conduit is arranged to completely prevent the migration of microorganisms into the beverage chamber. The first beverage conduit may be arranged so that, in use, it forms at least part of a first beverage flow path extending horizontally or downwards from the beverage chamber to the coupling device. Such a beverage flow path in the supply line, extending horizontally or downwards from the container to the coupling device, is effective in reducing the migration rate of microorganisms. Migration through the beverage flow path in the opposite direction, i.e., horizontally or upwards, thus becomes entirely dependent on the multiplicative expansion of the microorganisms, as gravity-assisted movement of the microorganisms towards the beverage chamber is prevented.Thus, the flow channel acts as a barrier to microorganisms migrating from below the first beverage flow channel upwards towards the beverage chamber. Specifically, the microorganisms must migrate horizontally or upwards against gravity along the length of the first beverage channel to reach the container. In use, the beverage dispensing assembly delays or reduces beverage contamination in the beverage chamber sufficiently to allow the total amount of beverage to be consumed at an average rate before spoilage occurs due to the presence of microorganisms in the dispensing device. In other words, premature spoilage of the beverage due to microbial contamination is prevented. Typically, in beverage dispensing assemblies, the beverage container is located below the dispenser.For example, the beverage container might be located below a bar counter, while the dispenser is located above the counter. In such a case, the flow path in the supply line extends upward relative to the flow direction from the container to the dispenser. If, instead, a downward-extending flow path is provided in the first beverage line, extending upward from the coupling device, any microorganisms that may have infiltrated the coupling device and / or the second beverage line will settle in a low-lying area, such as a local minimum, within the supply line, some distance from the beverage chamber of the beverage container.The horizontally or downwardly extending flow path can be provided along the entire length of the first beverage conduit or can be a part of it with other parts of the first beverage conduit nQdfrnn / eznz / B / Yi extending in another direction, for example, in an upward flow direction from the beverage chamber to the coupling medium. In one embodiment of a beverage container suitable for use in the beverage dispensing assembly of the first aspect of this document, the first beverage conduit is hermetically sealed to the container body, thus preventing the entry of microorganisms into the beverage chamber through a connection interface between the container body and the first beverage conduit. For example, the first beverage conduit may be integrated into the container body or at least into a portion thereof. Optionally, the first beverage conduit may be pre-assembled together with the beverage container, for example, with the adapter body hermetically sealed to the outlet of the beverage container.This prevents the direct infiltration of microorganisms into the beverage chamber through the container body and the first beverage conduit, while the first beverage conduit acts to counteract the migration of microorganisms into the beverage chamber by coupling the beverage container to the coupling device. In one aspect of the beverage dispensing assembly, the adapter body comprises an annular flange hermetically sealed to the beverage outlet of the beverage container. The adapter body includes a projecting member extending axially from the annular flange and arranged to move in an axial direction when the piston of the coupling device moves to a position that engages the adapter body to engage the sealing member for opening and closing the beverage chamber. As such, the adapter body is interposed between the beverage outlet of the beverage chamber and the piston of the coupling device, preventing any direct contact between the coupling device and the beverage exiting the beverage outlet. The first beverage conduit may conveniently comprise a tube that defines the flow path of the beverage, attached at one end to the container body by means of an adapter body and at the opposite end of the tube provided with coupling means for attachment to the coupling device. The first beverage conduit, or at least the tube, may be a separate body from the container body, for example, designed as a disposable body. Being disposable may imply that the first beverage conduit or tube is relatively inexpensive and / or easy to manufacture, and that it can be discarded, for example, after use. As such, the first beverage conduit or tube may be made entirely of polymers suitable for beverage dispensing assemblies, for example, silicone. Thus, the first beverage conduit may be a plastic tube or be made of a plastic tube.Optionally, the first beverage conduit may be recyclable or made of recyclable material. At the opposite end, the first beverage conduit may include coupling means for the coupling device. For example, the coupling means may include a snap-fit ​​connector for coupling to the corresponding snap-fit ​​means of the coupling device. Optionally, the opposite end of the first beverage conduit may be provided with a fluid seal, for example, a peel-off seal or a removable cover, which, prior to use, hermetically seals an open end of the first beverage conduit. When in use, i.e., when connecting the first beverage conduit to the coupling device, the fluid seal may be opened or removed to allow beverage to flow from the first beverage conduit to the coupling device. Optionally, a coupling interface provided between the first beverage conduit and the vessel body differs from a coupling interface between the second beverage conduit and the coupling device, so that direct coupling of the second beverage conduit from the supply line to the vessel body is not possible without the first beverage conduit and the coupling device. Preferably, the beverage dispensing assembly is provided by coupling the beverage container, comprising the first beverage conduit attached to the container body, to the coupling device connected to the second beverage conduit. The first beverage conduit and the container body may be pre-assembled to form the beverage container. The first beverage conduit and the container body may be sterilized after pre-assembly and / or, preferably, are pre-assembled in a sterile environment. Preferably, the first beverage conduit and the container body are kept sterile, i.e., isolated from the environment, until they are coupled to the coupling device and the dispenser to form the beverage dispensing assembly. For example, the free coupling ends of the first beverage conduit may be sealed before coupling, for example, by means of a seal.The seals at the respective ends of the first beverage conduit can be opened or removed, at least partially, to allow beverage flow through the first beverage conduit after it has been coupled between the beverage container and the coupling device. Each seal may consist, for example, of a metal strip fixed and extended over the respective free coupling end of the first beverage conduit. The metal strip may, for example, be pierced upon coupling to the beverage container or the coupling device, or it may be manually peeled off the coupling end of the first beverage conduit before coupling to the beverage container or the coupling device, to open the first beverage flow path through the first beverage conduit. The second beverage conduit may consist, for example, of a standard beer tube connected to a dispenser, such as a tap, which includes the dispensing opening. The second beverage conduit may be detachably connected to the dispenser. The second beverage conduit and the dispenser may be pre-assembled. The beverage dispensing assembly in accordance with the above allows coupling and uncoupling, i.e., interchange, of a beverage container to an existing dispenser on-site, such as in a bar, with a reduced risk of microorganisms that may be present in the coupling device, the second beverage conduit or the dispenser, or that may enter the coupling device, the second beverage conduit or the dispenser during coupling, migrating to the beverage chamber of the coupled beverage container. Optionally, the first beverage flow path comprises a downward-sloping bend in the flow direction from the beverage chamber to the coupling device. Along this bend, the supply line could vary in slope to create a suitable migration barrier for microorganisms. Optionally, the curvature defines a near 360° turn in the initial beverage flow path, preferably provided as a loop in the first beverage conduit. This 360° turn creates a suitable barrier to reduce the migration of microorganisms into the beverage container. Specifically, within this near 360° turn, the dispensing conduit defines a vertically oriented flow path section and an outward flow path section that are particularly difficult for microorganisms to traverse. Optionally, the first beverage conduit comprises a plurality of loops provided consecutively along the first beverage flow path. Most microorganisms in the dispensing conduit will settle in a low region, for example, at the lowest point of the first 360-degree turn relative to the coupling means. Should any microorganisms migrate beyond this first 360-degree turn, the subsequent 360-degree turns effectively prevent them from migrating into the beverage chamber of the beverage container. Optionally, the coils or loops define a spiral section of the flow path. In the spiral section, the coils or loops can have the same diameter (i.e., two or more coils of the plurality of coils are the same size) or a variable diameter (i.e., two or more coils of the plurality of coils are different sizes). In the spiral section, the coils or loops can be arranged in the same plane or in three dimensions (i.e., form a helical section or helix). Optionally, the spiral section of the flow path defines a helical section of the flow path. The spiral section is effective in preventing the migration of microorganisms through it, while requiring minimal space between the beverage container and the coupling media.A central axis of the spiral or helical section, i.e., the axis around which the turns or loops rotate, may extend in any direction with respect to a direction of the downward flow path of the first 360-degree turn with respect to the coupling means. Optionally, the central axis of the spiral or helical section extends in the same direction, i.e., in line, as the downward flow path of the first 360-degree turn with respect to the coupling means. Alternatively, the central axis of the spiral or helical section may also extend at an angle, i.e., not in line, with respect to the downward flow path of the first 360-degree turn with respect to the coupling means, for example, transversely to the downward flow path of the first 360-degree turn with respect to the coupling means. Optionally, the first beverage conduit in the supply line comprises a flexible tube or other liquid conduit. The flexibility of the tube or other liquid conduit allows the upward flow path to be easily arranged to include a beverage flow channel extending horizontally or downward from the beverage chamber to the coupling means, for example, by bending the flexible tube or other liquid conduit. The tube or other liquid conduit may be of a suitable length to sufficiently reduce the migration rate of microorganisms from the downward portion to the beverage chamber, thereby preventing premature spoilage of the beverage due to microbial contamination. A suitable length may depend on the total volume of beverage to be consumed and stored in the beverage container. Preferably, the length of the tube or other liquid conduit is at least 5 cm.A length of tubing or other liquid conduit is preferably sufficient to provide a loop in the tubing or other liquid conduit, and more preferably sufficient to provide multiple loops or a spiral section in the tubing or other liquid conduit. The length of the tubing or other liquid conduit may be, for example, at least 30 cm. To facilitate storage, transport, and handling, it is preferable that the length of the tubing or other liquid conduit not be excessive. For example, when the tubing or other liquid conduit is pre-assembled with the vessel body, the length preferably does not exceed 1–2 meters, although longer lengths may be used if necessary or desired for any reason. A length of tubing or liquid conduit may determine the length of the first beverage flow path and / or the beverage flow channel.In other words, a length of flexible tubing or other flexible liquid conduit provided with a bend or multiple loops can, in a straight form of said tubing or liquid conduit, be identical to a length of the first beverage flow path and / or beverage flow channel defined therein. Thus, the tubing or other liquid conduit may, for example, be provided with a spiral section and have a length of approximately 100 cm, while the distance between the container body at one end of the tubing or other liquid conduit and the coupling end of the second part of the supply line at the opposite end of the tubing or other liquid conduit is only a few centimeters. Optionally, the first beverage flow path includes a yeast trap. The yeast trap provides an additional barrier in the first beverage flow path, particularly against yeast migrating into the beverage chamber. The yeast trap may, for example, in addition to a main beverage flow channel through which the beverage can flow from the beverage chamber to the dispenser, comprise one or more spaces, such as side chambers or channels, branching off the main beverage flow channel in a direction of migration of microorganisms towards the beverage chamber. These one or more spaces are adapted to capture microorganisms without obstructing fluid flow through the main beverage flow channel from the beverage chamber to the dispenser.For example, the first beverage flow path in the first beverage conduit may branch one or more times in the direction of height, with an upper branch path continuing as part of the main beverage flow channel and a lower branch path adapted, for example, by having a dead end, to capture yeast cells, which will settle by gravity into the lower branch path, thus preventing them from migrating further through the upper branch path into the beverage chamber. Optionally, the yeast trap may include means for actively separating the yeast from the fluid, such as centrifugal means. For example, the centrifugal means may include magnetic means, such as a magnetic element, provided and arranged to create a vortex of the fluid in the first beverage flow path, so that the yeast is actively forced out by centrifugal forces. Alternatively, or additionally, yeast capture spaces may be provided in the first beverage conduit along the first beverage flow path to trap the yeast and prevent it from moving further upwards.For example, the first part of the supply line may comprise a body, such as a tube, with a central fluid lumen defining the beverage flow channel in the first beverage flow path, through which the pressurized fluid can flow under the influence of centrifugal forces, with the first supply line body comprising one or more yeast capture chambers provided along the central fluid lumen, wherein the yeast capture chamber(s) are arranged such that, in use, the flow direction of the pressurized fluid is through the central fluid lumen beyond the chamber(s), i.e., there is no flow of pressurized fluid into the chamber(s), while at the same time allowing by means of centrifugal forces the capture of yeast in the chamber(s). In another aspect of the beverage dispenser assembly, the adapter body comprises a gas flow channel extending through the annular flange from a gas inlet opening on a first face of the adapter body, facing the piston of the coupling device, to a gas outlet opening on a second face of the adapter body, facing the beverage chamber. This allows gas to be introduced into the beverage chamber to pressurize the beverage contained in the beverage container. Another aspect of the beverage dispenser assembly is that the coupler device comprises a gas flow path from a gas conduit inlet opening arranged to couple a gas conduit to the coupler device to a gas outlet opening in fluid communication with the gas inlet opening of the adapter body to supply gas to the beverage container. nQdfrnn / eznz / B / Yi In another aspect of the beverage dispenser assembly, the gas flow path extends from the inlet opening through the moving piston to the gas outlet. In a preferred embodiment of a beverage dispensing assembly according to Aspect 1 hereof, cooling means are provided and arranged to cool at least a portion of the first beverage conduit, thereby preventing microorganisms from migrating through a quantity of beverage residing in the first beverage flow conduit into the beverage container. The further cooling of the first beverage flow conduit inhibits the growth and reproduction of any microorganisms that may have advanced in that flow conduit, preventing such microorganisms from multiplying and reaching the beverage container. Optionally, the cooling means comprise one or more cooling systems selected from the group consisting of liquid cooling systems, air cooling systems, and evaporative cooling systems. These cooling means may be arranged to specifically cool the first beverage flow path of the beverage dispensing assembly. Cooling other parts of the beverage dispensing assembly is optional. Cooling only the first beverage flow path allows the cooling means to be relatively simple and compact for cooling only that portion of the supply line. Optionally, liquid cooling media can be provided, for example, a cooling circuit through which cooling liquid flows, in a heat exchange region along the first beverage flow path of the first beverage pipe to cool the first beverage flow path by heat exchange. For example, the first beverage pipe of the supply line can be arranged with multiple loops or as a spiral section, within the cooling chamber inside the cooling media in heat exchange contact with a cooling liquid circuit. In another aspect, the beverage dispenser assembly has the coupler device comprising within the coupler housing a cooling body arranged to thermally connect with the first beverage conduit to cool at least part of the first beverage conduit when the first beverage conduit is coupled to the coupler device. In another aspect of the beverage dispenser assembly, the cooling body comprises a cooling plate with a cooling surface adjacent to at least a portion of the first beverage conduit. In another aspect of the beverage dispenser assembly, at least part of the first beverage conduit is provided with a spiral section of the conduit that spirals in a plane adjacent to the cooling surface of the cooling plate to cool at least the spiral section of the conduit. nQdfrnn / eznz / B / Yi In another respect, the beverage dispenser assembly has the cooling plate substantially made of a metal or other material with thermal conductivity properties similar to those of metal, the cooling plate preferably made substantially of nickel-plated brass. In another aspect, the beverage dispenser assembly also comprises a cooling circuit to circulate a cooling fluid from a cooling fluid source along the cooling body to cool the cooling body. Another aspect of the beverage dispenser assembly is that the cooling circuit includes a cooling chamber within the coupler housing adjacent to the cooling body, whose cooling chamber is in fluid communication with a coolant supply channel of the cooling circuit coupled at one end to the cooling fluid source and at the opposite end coupled to the coupler device to supply the coolant to the cooling chamber. In another aspect of the beverage dispenser assembly, the coupling device contains a coolant drain channel to drain the coolant from the cooling chamber to a coolant return channel of the cooling circuit. In another aspect of the beverage dispensing assembly, the refrigerant return channel is coupled at one end to the coupling device and at one opposite end to the cooling fluid source, and wherein at least one of the refrigerant supply and refrigerant return channels extends at least partially coaxially with the second beverage conduit to cool a beverage flow through the second beverage conduit. Optionally, cooling means are arranged to cool at least part of the first beverage conduit of the supply line to a temperature of 6°C or lower. Below 6°C, the metabolism of microorganisms decreases, reducing their growth and reproduction rates. The migration of microorganisms through the first beverage flow path is effectively stopped at temperatures of 4°C or lower. Preferably, the first beverage flow path of the supply line is cooled to between 0°C and 3°C to prevent freezing of the beverage present in the flow path. Optionally, the beverage container holds a beverage with an alcohol by volume of 2% or less, preferably 1.2% or less, and more preferably 0.5% or less. Preventing contamination is especially important for low-alcohol beverages, as these provide environments particularly conducive to the growth of microorganisms such as yeast. Furthermore, yeast and / or other microorganisms can convert the sugars present in the beverage, which can negatively affect its flavor. Yeast, in particular, can convert sugars into alcohol through fermentation, unduly increasing the alcohol content. nQdfrnn / eznz / B / Yi Optionally, the drink does not contain alcohol. Optionally, the drink is a non-alcoholic malt beverage, for example, non-alcoholic beer, or a non-alcoholic fermented fruit beverage, for example, non-alcoholic cider. Another aspect of the beverage dispenser assembly is that the coupler device includes a locking mechanism to ensure a connection between the coupler device and the first end of the first beverage conduit. A particular feature of the beverage dispenser assembly is the coupling device comprising a snap lever coupled to the movable piston to actuate the movable piston so that it moves in the piston space between an un-snap position in which the piston does not act on the adapter body and a snap position in which the piston acts on the adapter body to open the beverage container sealing member, wherein the coupling device comprises a first locking mechanism arranged to prevent the snap lever from actuating the piston. Another aspect of the beverage dispenser assembly is that the first locking mechanism comprises a first locking body arranged to move between a locked state to block movement of the movable piston from the unbroken position to the broken position, and an unlocked state in which movement of the movable piston from the unbroken position to the broken position is possible by actuating the brooch lever. The fastening mechanism includes an secured state in which the connection between the coupling device and the first end of the first beverage conduit is secured, and an unsecured state in which the connection between the coupling device and the first end of the first beverage conduit is not secured, wherein the fastening mechanism is operatively coupled to the first locking mechanism such that the first locking mechanism is put into the unlocked state when the fastening mechanism is put into the secured state, and the first locking mechanism is put into the locked state when the fastening mechanism is put into the unsecured state. In another aspect of the beverage dispenser assembly, the fastening mechanism comprises a detection mechanism for detecting the presence of a connection between the coupling device and the first end of the first beverage conduit, wherein the detection mechanism is configured to cooperate with the fastening mechanism such that the detection mechanism allows the fastening mechanism to be placed in an engaged state if the detection mechanism detects the presence of such a connection, and to cooperate with the fastening mechanism such that the detection mechanism prevents the fastening mechanism from being placed in an engaged state if the detection mechanism detects the absence of such a connection. In another aspect, the beverage dispenser assembly has the first end of the first beverage conduit composed of a connecting body arranged to connect the first beverage conduit to the nQdfrnn / eznz / B / Yi coupling device, the connecting body composed of a detection member arranged to be detected by the detection mechanism when the first end of the first beverage conduit is connected to the coupling device to put the locking mechanism in the secured state. In another aspect of the beverage dispenser assembly, the fixing mechanism comprises a movable fixing body, preferably a pivoting door, coupled to the coupler housing. The movable fixing body in the closed state encloses a defined space between the movable cover body and the coupler housing, and in the open state provides access to the space, where the first end of the first beverage conduit is arranged to fit into the space when connected to the coupler device. In another aspect, the beverage dispenser assembly has the coupling device comprising a valve, preferably a ball valve, between the first beverage flow path and the second beverage flow path. The valve is actuated by a valve actuating device to move the valve between an open position in which the valve opens fluid communication between the first beverage flow path and the second beverage flow path, and a closed position in which the valve stops fluid communication between the first beverage flow path and the second beverage flow path. Another aspect of the beverage dispenser assembly is that the coupling device includes a second locking mechanism to block the movement of the movable piston from the broached position to the unbroached position in case the valve is in the open state. Another aspect of the beverage dispenser assembly makes the second locking mechanism movable between a locked state, in which the second locking mechanism blocks the piston drive, and an unlocked state, in which the second locking mechanism unlocks the piston drive to allow movement of the piston from the broached position to the unbroached position by actuating the broach lever. The second locking mechanism can be moved from the locked state to the unlocked state by moving the valve from the open position to the closed position, and the second locking mechanism can be moved from the unlocked state to the locked state by moving the valve from the closed position to the open position. In another aspect, the beverage dispenser assembly has the coupling device comprising a third locking mechanism arranged to block the operation of the valve from the closed position to the open position, in case the broaching piston is in the broaching position. In another aspect, the beverage dispenser assembly has the first locking body formed by a through hole configured to align with a cross-sectional shape of a portion of the movable piston in the unlocked state of the first locking body to allow said portion of the movable piston to extend into the through hole and to physically block the movement of the movable piston when the first locking body is in the locked state. Another aspect of the beverage dispenser assembly is that the second locking mechanism comprises a second locking body arranged to engage the piston in the locked state of the second locking mechanism, to block movement of the piston from the broached position to the unbroached position. The second locking body comprises a second through-hole configured to align with a cross-sectional shape of a portion of the movable piston in the unlocked state of the second locking body, to allow said portion of the movable piston to extend into the second through-hole and to physically block movement of the movable piston when the second locking body is in the locked state. In one particular aspect, the beverage dispenser assembly has a piston comprising a protrusion configured to cooperate with the first locking member and / or the second locking member. In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a coupling device is provided for use in a beverage dispensing assembly in accordance with the first aspect described herein. In a third aspect of the invention, a conduit is provided for use as a first beverage conduit in a beverage dispensing assembly according to the first aspect described herein, wherein it defines a first beverage flow path and comprises a first end for coupling to a beverage container and a second opposite end for coupling to a coupling device of the beverage dispensing assembly, wherein the first end comprises an adapter body through which the first beverage flow path extends, the adapter body being configured to fit into a beverage outlet of a beverage container of the beverage dispensing assembly to cover a sealing member of the beverage container.wherein the second end of the beverage conduit comprises a spiral section of the conduit that spirals in a plane within a conduit connecting body to connect to the coupling device. In another aspect, the conduit has the first end and the second end before its use in a drinking set are sealed with a manually removable seal. Another aspect of the conduit is the beverage conduit, which comprises a flexible plastic drinking tube that extends between the adapter body and the connecting body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other aspects of the present invention are clarified below by means of the accompanying drawing and the corresponding embodiment, which form part of this application. The drawing is not intended in any way to reflect a limitation of the scope of the invention, unless clearly and explicitly stated. In the drawing: nQdfrnn / eznz / B / Yi Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 show a cross-sectional view of the respective states of a beverage dispensing assembly; Figure 3 shows two respective perspective views of a first beverage conduit of the beverage dispenser assembly. Figures 7, 8, and 9 show a detailed perspective view of a portion of a coupling device of the beverage dispenser assembly. Figures 10, 11, and 12 show a cross-sectional view of the respective states of the coupler device; and Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the coupler device of the beverage dispenser assembly. In this application, similar or corresponding features are denoted by similar or corresponding reference symbols. The description of the modality is not limited to the examples shown in the figures, and the reference numbers used in the detailed description and the claims are not intended to limit the description of the modality but are included to clarify the modality by reference to the examples shown in the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The figures show a cross-sectional view of a beverage dispensing assembly 1. The assembly 1 comprises a beverage container for holding a beverage, for example, a conventional metal keg for holding a beverage such as beer, a top portion 100 of which is shown in Figures 1-2. The top portion 100 of the keg has a top wall 101 that delimits a beverage chamber of the beverage container on its upper side. The top wall 101 of the keg comprises a neck portion 105 that defines a beverage outlet 103 in which a beverage container sealing member 104, in this case a valve, is provided for opening and closing the beverage chamber. The valve is spring-loaded in the closed position by a spring 106. The top portion 100 of the keg further comprises a carrying skirt 107 that extends upward from a periphery of the top wall 101 to facilitate transport of the keg. The beverage dispensing assembly 1 further comprises a coupling device 200 with a coupling housing 201 that securely engages the neck portion 105 of the beverage container. The coupling housing 201 defines a piston space 202 in which a piston 203 is movably disposed. The coupling device 200 can typically be used in a bar or other type of beverage dispensing establishment where beverage dispensing assemblies are used, where the coupling device 200 is used to conveniently and securely connect a beverage container to a tap or other type of bar dispenser. The coupling device 200 can be easily detached from the neck portion. 105 of the beverage container to allow the exchange of said beverage container for another beverage container, for example, to replace an empty beverage container with a new beverage container with a new quantity of beverage. Before use, the beverage container is typically sealed by the sealing member 104 to retain the beverage in the beverage chamber. Opening the beverage container poses a risk of contamination of the beverage in the chamber, as microorganisms can enter through the open beverage outlet 103. To limit contamination of the beverage in the container, the beverage dispenser assembly 1 further comprises an adapter body 300 designed to work with the sealing member 104 of the beverage container. The adapter body 300 is preferably associated with the beverage container 100; that is, each beverage container 100 is provided with its own adapter body.The adapter body 300 forms one end of a first beverage conduit 401 of a beverage supply line 400 of the beverage dispensing assembly, the first beverage conduit 401 comprising a flexible tube extending from the beverage chamber 102 to the coupling device 200. The adapter body 300 is configured to seamlessly connect the beverage chamber 102 to the flexible tube when the sealing member 104 of the beverage container is open. The adapter body 300 comprises an annular sealing flange 302 with which the adapter body 300 is tightly coupled to the beverage outlet 103 of the beverage container. Extending axially with respect to the annular flange 302 is a projecting member 301 of the adapter body 300 that is arranged to engage the sealing member 104 for opening and closing the beverage chamber. In the coupler housing 201 there is a piston 203 movably arranged in a piston space 203 formed by the coupler housing 201. The piston 203 can be actuated by a user, by means of a snap lever 204. The piston 203 of the coupler device 200 is arranged to couple to the adapter body 300 to provide the fluid connection between the beverage chamber 102 and the first supply line 401.In this example, piston 203 moves vertically in piston space 202 with respect to coupler housing 201, where a downward movement of piston 203 pushes down the adapter body 300 which, in turn, pushes with the protruding valve member 104 to move the valve 104 from its closed position at the beverage outlet 103 to the open position, compressing the spring 106, thereby providing a passage for the beverage contained by the beverage container 100 to flow out of outlet 103 and into the first beverage conduit 401. The coupler housing 201 provides a passage for a propellant gas, for example, carbon dioxide gas, to allow the propellant gas from an external gas source to flow into the beverage chamber 102 to pressurize the beverage contained in the beverage container. In this regard, the coupler device 200 comprises a gas flow path from an inlet opening of the gas conduit 207, to which a gas conduit extending from an external gas source connects to a gas outlet opening. The gas flow path extends from the inlet opening 207 through the movable piston 203 to the gas outlet opening.The adapter body 300 comprises a gas flow channel extending through the annular sealing flange 302 from a gas inlet opening 310 on a first face of the adapter body facing the gas outlet opening in the coupler device piston to a gas outlet opening on a second face of the adapter body facing the beverage chamber. The coupling device 200, being at one end of the coupling housing 201 coupled to the beverage container, is coupled at the other end of the coupling housing 201 to a second beverage conduit 402 of the beverage supply line 400. The second beverage conduit 402 comprises, for example, a flexible beverage tube extending between the coupling housing 201 and a tap for dispensing the beverage into a beverage container. The coupling device 200 is further arranged to be coupled to a coupling member 403 of the first beverage conduit 401. The coupling member 403 is located at a second end of the first beverage conduit 401, opposite the end of the first beverage conduit 401 that contains the adapter body 300. In this example, the first beverage conduit 401 comprises, at or near its second end, a spiral section 404, wherein the first beverage conduit 401 defines a spiral beverage line section. The spiral section 404 acts as a barrier to the migration of microorganisms from the coupling device 200 to the beverage chamber 102. For a particular compact configuration, the first beverage conduit 401 comprises a connecting body 404 in which the first beverage flow path spirals within the spiral section 404 in a plane about an axis, wherein the first beverage conduit 401 terminates with a male coupling member 403 of the connecting body extending substantially from the spiral plane along the axis. The male coupling member 403 is configured to press-fit with a female coupling member of the coupling device 200.To accommodate the spiral section 404 of the first beverage conduit 201, the coupling device 200 comprises a complementary seat for the spiral section 404. To ensure coupling between the first beverage conduit 401 and the coupling device 200, a fixing body 205 may be provided. The fixing body 205 includes a cover or door 206 that is hinged to a remnant of the coupler housing 201 and is movable between an open state, in which the cover 206 exposes the spiral seat to allow coupling of the first beverage conduit 401 with the coupler housing 201, and a closed state in which the cover 206 engages with the coupler housing 201 to ensure said coupling of the first beverage conduit 401 with the coupler housing 201. nQdfrnn / eznz / B / Yi The fastening body 205 forms part of a fastening mechanism comprising a detection mechanism 406 for detecting the presence of a connection between the coupling device 200 and the first end of the first beverage conduit 401. The detection mechanism 406 is configured to cooperate with the fastening mechanism such that the detection mechanism allows the fastening mechanism to enter the locked state, i.e., the cover 206 to close against the coupling housing, if the detection mechanism detects the presence of such a connection, and to cooperate with the fastening mechanism such that the detection mechanism prevents the fastening mechanism from entering the locked state if the detection mechanism detects the absence of such a connection. Consequently, the cover 206 cannot enter the closed state, engaging against the coupling housing, when there is no first beverage conduit 401 connected to the coupling device 200. The connecting body of the first beverage conduit 401 further comprises a sensing member 405 arranged to be detected by the sensing mechanism 406 when the first end of the first beverage conduit is connected to the coupling device to lock the locking mechanism into the locked state. As shown more clearly in Figure 3 and Figure 13, the sensing member 405 is formed by a wing-shaped body extending from one side of the connecting body 404 opposite the male coupling member 403. When the first beverage conduit 401 is connected to the coupling device 200, the wing-shaped body 405 is positioned such that a spring-loaded, movable latch of the sensing mechanism 406 is moved when the cover 206 is closed. For this purpose, the movable latch 406 has an inclined surface against which the wing-shaped body 405 acts to move the latch from the unlocked state to the locked state. In the coupling device, there is a valve, in this case a ball valve 500, located between the first beverage conduit 401 and the second beverage conduit 402. This ball valve 500 is movable between an open position, in which it opens the beverage supply line 400 to allow the beverage to flow, and a closed position, in which it closes the beverage supply line 400. The ball valve 500 is manually actuated and closed. A user can manually actuate the ball valve 500 using a lever on the ball valve 501, which is pivotally connected to the coupler housing 201. The ball valve 500 includes a ball valve body 502 with a ball valve channel 503 extending through it.The ball valve body 502 can be rotated within the housing 505, between the open position in which the ball valve channel 503 aligns with the second beverage conduit 402, allowing the beverage to pass through, and the closed position in which the ball valve body 501 is rotated about 90 degrees from the open position, so that the valve body 501 occludes the second beverage conduit 402. It will be appreciated that other types of valves can also be used. nQdfrnn / eznz / B / Yi The coupling device 200 comprises a cooling body, in particular a cooling plate 210. The cooling plate 210 is substantially annular in shape, with a central opening configured to receive the male coupling member of the first beverage conduit 401. The cooling plate 210 comes into contact with the first beverage conduit 401 when the latter is coupled to the coupling device 200. More specifically, in the coupled state, the spiral plane of the spiral section of the first beverage conduit extends parallel to a plane in which the cooling plate 210 extends, thus providing a large contact surface between the cooling plate and the first beverage conduit 401. In this way, the first beverage conduit 401 is cooled, thereby cooling the beverage it contains.Cooling the beverage in the spiral section 404 of the first beverage conduit creates a barrier to the migration of microorganisms from the coupling device 200 into the beverage chamber 102, thus preventing beverage contamination. Furthermore, to ensure a refreshing beverage, the cooling plate 210 cools the beverage as it is conveyed through the first beverage conduit 401, eliminating the need to cool the entire beverage container. A coolant duct circuit is provided for circulating a cooling fluid from a cooled fluid source along the cooling plate 210 to cool the cooling plate 210. The cooling circuit includes a cooling chamber 510 within the coupler housing 201 adjacent to the cooling plate 210, the cooling chamber 510 being in fluid communication with a coolant inlet channel 511 of the cooling circuit to supply coolant to the cooling chamber 510. A coolant drain channel 512 of the cooling circuit is arranged to drain coolant from the cooling chamber 510. The coolant drain channel 512 is in fluid communication with a coolant return line 513 of the cooling circuit, which is coupled at one end to the coupler device 200 and at the other end to the cooled fluid source.The refrigerant return line 513 extends, at least in part, coaxially with the second beverage line 402 to cool a beverage flow through the second beverage line 402. To ensure a secure connection of the beverage container 100 to the beverage supply line 400, the coupling device 200 is equipped with one or more locking mechanisms. For example, it is preferable to clip the sealing member 104 of the beverage container only after the first beverage conduit 401 has been connected to the second beverage conduit 402. The one or more locking mechanisms thus impose a predetermined sequence of actions on the user before smoothly connecting the beverage container 100. In particular, the locking mechanisms require the user to: first, couple the coupling member 403 of the first beverage conduit 401 to the coupling housing 201; second, clip the sealing member 104 of the beverage container 100 by pushing the adapter body 300 downwards with the piston 203; and third, open the ball valve 500.Similarly, the one or more locking mechanisms impose a predetermined order of actions on a user before disconnecting the beverage container 100, in the reverse order of connecting the beverage container 100. In particular, the locking mechanisms require the user to: first, close the ball valve 500; second, move the piston 203 upwards with the piston lever 204 to the unlocked position; and third, disconnect the coupling member 403 from the first beverage conduit 401 of the coupler housing 201. A first locking mechanism is provided to prevent the piston 203 from moving from an uncoupled to an uncoupled position should the coupling member 403 of the first beverage conduit 401 become uncoupled from the coupling device 200. As is more clearly seen in Figure 4, the piston 203 is in the unbroken position, here in its highest position relative to the adapter body 300, and the first beverage conduit 401 is disconnected from the coupling device 200. A first keyway plate 601 cooperates with a first shoulder 602 of the piston, thereby preventing axial movement of the piston 203 downwards towards the adapter body 300. The first keyway plate consists of a plate body with a keyway opening.Consequently, the first keyway plate 601 prevents broaching of the sealing member 104 if the first beverage conduit 401 is disconnected from the coupling device 200. As is more clearly seen in Figure 5, the first beverage conduit 401 has now been coupled to the coupling device 200. This coupling caused a translation of the first keyway plate 601, thereby releasing the piston 203 and allowing axial downward movement of the piston 203 toward the adapter body 300. In Figure 5, the piston 203 is in the broaching position, here in its lowest position relative to the adapter body 300. The piston 203 is movable by actuating the snap lever 204.As is more clearly seen in Figures 10-12, the snap lever 204 comprises a lever-locking mechanism that includes a first movable lever-locking member 611 associated with the snap lever 204 and a second lever-locking member 612 associated with the coupler housing 201. The snap lever 204 is hinged to the coupler housing 201 and actuates the piston 203 to move between the broached and unbroached positions. The lever 204 can be moved by axially retracting the first lever-locking member 611 by means of the manually actuated snap lever 410, to such an extent that the first locking member 611 releases the second locking lever 612.The first locking member 611 can be extended once the piston 203 has reached the broaching position, at which point the first locking member 611 and the second locking member 612 interlock to prevent the snap lever 204, and therefore the piston 203, from returning to the non-broached position. nQdfrnn / eznz / B / Yi A second locking mechanism is provided to prevent the movable broach piston from moving from the broaching position to the non-broaching position. This second locking mechanism comprises a second keyway plate 603 arranged to cooperate with a second shoulder 604 of the piston 203. The second locking mechanism is actuated by the ball valve lever 501. As can be seen more clearly in Figures 7-9, the ball valve lever 501 is engaged with the second keyway plate 603 by means of a cam 605 associated with the ball valve lever 501 and a groove associated with the second keyway plate 603. Rotating the ball valve lever 501 causes the cam 605 to engage the groove 606 and displace the second keyway plate 503 in a plane transverse to the axial direction of the piston 203.As best seen in Figure 9, the second keyed hole plate 603 cooperates with the second shoulder 604 of piston 203, so that piston 203 is locked in the broached position. In the locked state of the second locking mechanism, as shown in Figure 9, the ball valve 500 is open to allow beverage flow through the beverage supply line 400. Consequently, piston 203 can only move from the broached to the unbroached position if the ball valve 500 is first brought to the closed position. Similarly, due to the keyed opening of the second keyed hole plate 603, the ball valve 501 can only open if piston 203 is in the broached position. The invention is described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. However, it is evident that various modifications, variations, alternatives, and changes may be introduced without departing from the essence of the invention. For the sake of clarity and conciseness, the features are described herein as part of the same embodiments or of separate embodiments; however, alternative embodiments with combinations of all or some of the features described in these separate embodiments are also contemplated and are understood to fall within the scope of the invention as described in the claims. Accordingly, the specifications, figures, and examples should be considered illustrative and not restrictive. The invention is intended to encompass all alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.Furthermore, many of the elements described are functional entities that can be implemented as discrete or distributed components or together with other components, in any suitable combination and location. In the claims, reference symbols placed in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of features or steps other than those enumerated in a claim. Furthermore, the words "a" and "an" shall not be construed as limiting to only one, but are used to mean "at least one," and do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. nQdfrnn / eznz / B / Yi 1 beverage dispenser assembly 100 beverage container 101 container body 102 beverage chamber 103 beverage outlet 104 sealing member 105 neck portion 106 spring 107 carrier skirt 200 coupler device 201 coupler housing 202 piston space 203 piston 204 snap lever 205 fixing body 206 cover 207 gas conduit inlet opening 210 cooling plate 300 adapter body 301 projection member 302 annular sealing flange 310 gas inlet opening 400 beverage supply line 401 first beverage conduit 402 second beverage conduit 403 coupling member 404 spiral section 405 detection member 406 detection mechanism 410 snap lever closure 500 ball valve 501 ball valve lever 503 ball valve body 504 ball valve channel 510 cooling chamber 511 coolant inlet channel 512 coolant drain channel 513 refrigerant return line 601 first keyway plate 602 first speed bump 603 second keyway plate 604 second bump 605 cam 606 slot 611 first lever locking member 612 second lever locking member

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing assembly comprising: a beverage container with a container body defining a beverage chamber for holding a beverage, in particular a non-alcoholic beverage such as non-alcoholic beer, the container body comprising a beverage outlet provided with a beverage container sealing member arranged to permit the opening of the beverage outlet; a beverage supply line extending between the beverage container and a dispenser, such as a tap with a tap handle, for dispensing the beverage into a supply outlet of the dispenser; and a coupling device comprising a coupler housing arranged to be detachably coupled to the container body and to couple the beverage supply line,defining the coupler housing as a piston space in which a piston is movably disposed to cause the beverage container sealing member to open the beverage outlet to provide a fluid connection between the beverage chamber and the beverage supply line; wherein the beverage supply line comprises a first beverage conduit and a second beverage conduit separate from the first beverage conduit; the first beverage conduit having a first end connected to the beverage container in fluid communication with the beverage outlet and a second end connected to the coupler device to form at least part of a first beverage flow path arranged to guide the flow of beverages from the beverage chamber to the coupler device when the beverage outlet is open,the second beverage conduit connected to the coupler device to form a second beverage flow path arranged to guide the flow of beverages from the coupler device to the dispenser, and wherein the first beverage conduit, at its first end, comprises an adapter body through which the first beverage flow path extends, the adapter body being arranged to fit into the beverage container covering the beverage container sealing member, said adapter body being configured to open the beverage container sealing member when the piston of the coupler device acting on the adapter body moves.

2. Beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the beverage container sealing member comprises a movable beverage valve disposed in the beverage outlet opening between a closed position in which the beverage chamber is closed and an open position in which the beverage chamber is open for dispensing beverages.

3. Beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the adapter body comprises an annular flange arranged hermetically in the beverage outlet opening of the beverage container, the adapter body comprising a projecting member extending axially from the annular flange and arranged to move axially when the piston of the coupling device moves, acting on the adapter body to engage the sealing member to open and close the beverage chamber.

4. Beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 3, wherein the adapter body comprises a gas flow channel extending through the annular flange from a gas inlet opening on a first face of the adapter body facing the piston of the coupling device to a gas outlet opening on a second face of the adapter body facing the beverage chamber.

5. Beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 4, wherein the coupling device comprises a gas flow path from a gas conduit inlet opening arranged to couple a gas conduit to the coupling device to a gas outlet opening in fluid communication with the gas inlet opening of the adapter body for supplying gas to the beverage container.

6. Beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 5, wherein the gas flow path extends from the inlet opening through the movable piston to the gas outlet opening.

7. Beverage dispensing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupler device comprises, within the coupler housing, a cooling body arranged to thermally connect with the first beverage conduit to cool at least part of the first beverage conduit when the first beverage conduit is coupled to the coupler device.

8. Beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 7, wherein the cooling body comprises a cooling plate with a cooling surface adjacent to at least part of the first beverage conduit.

9. Beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 8, wherein at least part of the first beverage conduit is provided with a spiral section of the conduit that spirals in a plane adjacent to the cooling surface of the cooling plate to cool at least the spiral section of the conduit.

10. Beverage dispenser assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the cooling plate is made substantially of a metal or other material with thermal conductivity properties similar to those of metal, the cooling plate preferably made substantially of nickel-plated brass.

11. Beverage dispensing assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 10, the assembly further comprising a cooling circuit for circulating a cooling fluid from a cooling fluid source along the cooling body to cool the cooling body.

12. Beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 11, wherein the cooling circuit includes a cooling chamber within the coupler housing adjacent to the cooling body, said cooling chamber being in fluid communication with a coolant supply channel of the cooling circuit coupled at one end to the cooling fluid source and at the opposite end coupled to the coupler device for supplying the coolant to the cooling chamber.

13. Beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 12, wherein the coupling device contains a coolant drain channel for draining coolant from the cooling chamber to a coolant return channel of the cooling circuit.

14. Beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 13, wherein the coolant return channel is coupled at one end to the coupling device and at one opposite end to the cooling fluid source, and wherein at least one of the coolant supply and coolant return channels extends at least partially coaxially with the second beverage conduit for cooling a flow of beverages through the second beverage conduit.

15. Beverage dispensing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling device comprises a fastening mechanism to ensure a connection between the coupling device and the first end of the first beverage conduit.

16. Beverage dispensing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, the coupling device comprising a latch lever coupled to the movable piston for actuating the movable piston to move within the piston space between an unlatched position in which the piston does not act on the adapter body and a latched position in which the piston acts on the adapter body to open the beverage container sealing member, wherein the coupling device comprises a first locking mechanism arranged to prevent the latch lever from actuating the piston. nQdfrnn / eznz / B / Yi 17. Beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 16, wherein the first locking mechanism comprises a first locking body arranged to move between a locked state to block movement of the movable piston from the unbroken position to the broached position, and an unlocked state in which movement of the movable piston from the unbroken position to the broached position is possible by actuating the broaching lever.

18. Beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 15 and any one of claims 16 to 17, wherein the fastening mechanism includes a secured state in which the connection between the coupler device and the first end of the first beverage conduit is secured, and an unsecured state in which the connection between the coupler device and the first end of the first beverage conduit is unsecured, wherein the fastening mechanism is operatively coupled to the first locking mechanism such that the first locking mechanism is brought to the unlocked state by putting the fastening mechanism in the secured state, and the first locking mechanism is brought to the locked state by putting the fastening mechanism in the unsecured state.

19. Beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 18, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a detection mechanism for detecting the presence of a connection between the coupling device and the first end of the first beverage conduit, wherein the detection mechanism is configured to cooperate with the fastening mechanism such that the detection mechanism allows the fastening mechanism to be brought to the secured state if the detection mechanism detects the presence of such a connection, and to cooperate with the fastening mechanism such that the detection mechanism prevents the fastening mechanism from being brought to the secured state if the detection mechanism detects the absence of such a connection.

20. Beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 19, wherein the first end of the first beverage conduit comprises a connecting body arranged to connect the first beverage conduit to the coupling device, and the connecting body comprises a sensing member arranged to be detected by the sensing mechanism when the first end of the first beverage conduit is connected to the coupling device to put the locking mechanism into the secured state.

21. Beverage dispensing assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a movable fastening body, preferably a pivoting door, coupled to the coupler housing, the movable fastening body in the closed state enclosing a defined space between the movable cover body and the coupler housing and in the open state providing access to the space, wherein the first end of the first beverage conduit is arranged to fit into the space when connected to the coupler device. nQdfrnn / eznz / B / Yi 22. Beverage dispensing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling device comprises a valve, preferably a ball valve, between the first beverage flow path and the second beverage flow path, the valve being actuated by a valve actuating device to move the valve between an open position in which the valve opens fluid communication between the first beverage flow path and the second beverage flow path, and a closed position in which the valve stops fluid communication between the first beverage flow path and the second beverage flow path.

23. Beverage dispensing assembly according to any one of claims 16 to 21 and according to claim 22, the coupling device comprises a second locking mechanism for locking the drive of the movable piston from the broached position to the unbroached position in case the valve is in the open state.

24. Beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 23, wherein the second locking mechanism is movable between a locked state in which the second locking mechanism blocks the piston drive and an unlocked state in which the second locking mechanism unlocks the piston drive to allow movement of the piston from the broached position to the unbroached position by actuating the broach lever, the second locking mechanism is movable from the locked state to the unlocked state by moving the valve from the open position to the closed position, and the second locking mechanism is movable from the unlocked state to the locked state by moving the valve from the closed position to the open position.

25. Beverage dispensing assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 24, the coupling device comprising a third locking mechanism arranged to block the operation of the valve from the closed position to the open position, in case the broaching piston is in the broaching position.

26. Beverage dispensing assembly according to any one of claims 17 to 25, wherein the first locking body comprises a shaped through-hole configured to align with a cross-sectional shape of a portion of the movable piston in the unlocked state of the first locking body, to allow said portion of the movable piston to extend into the through-hole and to physically block the movement of the movable piston when the first locking body is in the locked state.

27. Beverage dispensing assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein the second locking mechanism comprises a second locking body arranged to engage the piston in the locked state of the second locking mechanism, to block a movement of the piston from the broached position to the unbroached position, the second locking body comprising a second through-hole configured to align with a cross-sectional shape of a portion of the movable piston in the unlocked state of the second locking body to allow said portion of the movable piston to extend in the second through-hole and to physically block the movement of the movable piston when the second locking body is in the locked state.

28. Beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 26 and / or claim 27, wherein the piston comprises a protrusion configured to cooperate with the first locking member and / or the second locking member.

29. Coupler device for use in a beverage dispensing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, the coupler device conforming to a coupler device as described in any one of the preceding claims.

30. Beverage conduit for use as a first beverage conduit in a beverage dispensing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the beverage conduit defines a first beverage flow path and comprises a first end for coupling to a beverage container and a second opposite end for coupling to a coupling device of the beverage dispensing assembly, wherein the first end comprises an adapter body through which the first beverage flow path extends, the adapter body being configured to fit into a beverage outlet of a beverage container of the beverage dispensing assembly to cover a sealing member of the beverage container, wherein the second end of the beverage conduit comprises a spiral section of the conduit that spirals in a plane within a conduit connecting body for connecting to the coupling device.

31. Beverage conduit according to claim 30, wherein the first end and the second end, prior to use in a beverage assembly, are sealed with a manually removable seal.

32. Beverage conduit according to claim 30 or claim 31, wherein the beverage conduit comprises a flexible plastic beverage tube extending between the adapter body and the connection body.

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