A composite vessel for storing and dispensing a liquid

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a composite vessel for storing and dispensing a liquid such as a carbonated beverage.

Background of the invention

For many liquids storage and dispensing is often problematic due to the adverse affects of air contact and pressure loss on such liquids.

Loss of pressure in a container containing a carbonated beverage is detrimental as, if the air pressure on the beverage is not sufficient, the carbon dioxide held in the beverage escapes into the ambient air causing the beverage to lose its carbonation or go "flat".

One common way of sidestepping these two problems is by providing carbonated beverages in containers that are intended to be consumed in a relatively short space of time. This is advantageous in that the contents are consumed before the adverse effects of air contact are manifested, and the containers themselves are not opened (depressurised) and closed so many times that the beverage becomes flat.

This "solution" to the problems of storing and dispensing carbonated beverages is not practicable, however, in dealing with the distribution of larger volumes of carbonated beverages (or in the case that the volume is small but the time taken to consume the beverage after initially opening the container is extended). For larger volumes of carbonated beverages the expense and time incurred in splitting and packaging the large volume into a high number of small volume containers is undesirable. Further, the packaging of beverages into relatively small quantities introduces, large amounts of packaging waste. Another common way of dealing with the abovementioned issues is by distributing large amounts of carbonated beverage in a single vessel in which the contents are kept under pressure and out contact with the air. A standard beer keg is an example of one such vessel. Often, however, such vessels require specialised equipment in order to dispense the beverage while maintaining the pressure and preventing air from coming

into contact with the contents. While such methods are appropriate for delivering, storing and dispensing commercial quantities of carbonated beverages, this solution is impracticable for the majority of domestic uses.

Beef kegs and similar vessels are further impractical where the carbonated beverage is to be created and packaged in a domestic environment as well as consumed (for example when brewing beer with a "home brew" beer kit or similar).

Summary of the invention

In one aspect the present invention provides a composite vessel for storing and dispensing a liquid, the composite vessel including an outer container defining a first opening; a flexible inner container for placement inside the outer container, the inner container defining a second opening, and a closure for closing the first and second openings, the closure including an air inlet valve and a liquid outlet valve, wherein one of the outer and inner containers is arranged to receive pressurised air through the air inlet valve and, under the influence of the pressurised air, the liquid is evacuated from the other of the outer and inner containers via the liquid outlet valve.

The inner container may include a mounting arrangement for removably mounting the inner container within the outer container.

The mounting arrangement may include a gland for supporting the inner container in a neck region of the outer container, the gland including air inlet and liquid outlet openings communicating respectively with the air inlet valve and the liquid outlet valve, the liquid outlet opening also providing a filling opening.

At least one seal may be provided between the closure and the gland for isolating the air inlet and liquid outlet openings.

The inner container may be a flexible bag and the outer container may be of relatively rigid construction.

The composite vessel may further include an external pressure release valve, the external pressure release valve being biased to a closed position and arranged to open in response to a predetermined pressure building up in the composite vessel.

The external pressure release valve may be carried on the closure and provides a vent through the closure into at least one of the outer and inner containers. Alternatively, the external pressure release valve may be carried on the outer container.

The liquid outlet opening may be centrally located in the gland.

The composite vessel may further include an internal pressure release valve, the internal pressure release valve providing a one way passage from the interior of the inner container to the exterior of the inner container in the event of a predetermined pressure build up in the inner container.

The internal pressure release valve may be carried on the inner container. Alternatively, the internal pressure release valve may be provided on the closure.

The liquid may be stored in the inner container, the outer container is arranged to receive pressurised air through the air inlet valve, and under the influence of the pressurised air liquid is arranged to be evacuated from the inner container through the liquid outlet valve.

Alternatively, the liquid may be stored in a void between the outer container and the inner container, the inner container is arranged to receive pressurised air through the air inlet valve, and under the influence of the pressurised air liquid is arranged to be evacuated from the outer container through the liquid outlet valve.

The composite vessel may be a beer keg.

In a second aspect the present invention relates to a flexible bag for holding liquid, the bag being beatable within a relatively rigid outer container, the bag including a mounting gland for removably mounting the bag within a neck of the outer container, the mounting gland incorporating a first filling opening in communication with an interior of

the bag, and at least a second opening in communication with a void created between the outer container and the bag when the bag is mounted within the outer container.

The bag may further include an internal pressure release valve, the internal pressure release valve providing a one way passage from the interior of the bag to the exterior of the bag.

The internal pressure release valve may be carried on the mounting gland.

The mounting gland may have a tubular portion having an outer surface to which the bag is bonded, an inner surface defining the filling opening and an annular flange extending from the tubular portion through which the second opening extends.

The tubular portion may include a sealing face arranged to cooperate with a sealing arrangement provided on a closure for closing the filling opening and the neck of the container, wherein the sealing face and sealing arrangement are arranged to provide an airtight seal between the first filling opening and the second opening.

The bag may be a sterile bag which is evacuated and provided with a removable seal which extends over the filling opening.

The annular flange may be formed with a lower peripheral recess for receiving an upper portion of the container neck in a snug fit, and when so located within the outer container, the bag and outer container are closable by a closure, the closure including a liquid outlet valve and an air inlet valve, the first opening being communication with the liquid outlet valve and the second opening being in communication with the air inlet valve.

The bag may be a beer brewing bag.

In a third aspect the present invention relates to a closure for closing a composite vessel including a relatively rigid outer container and a flexible bag in which a liquid is to be held, the closure including an air inlet valve, a liquid outlet valve, and a pressure release valve, wherein the air inlet valve is arranged to allow air to pass through the

closure into an air cavity between the inner bag and the outer container, and the liquid outlet valve is arranged to allow the liquid contained in the bag to be evacuated through the liquid outlet valve under influence of air pressure in the air cavity.

In a fourth aspect the present invention provides a composite vessel for storing and dispensing a carbonated liquid, the composite vessel including a relatively rigid outer container defining a first opening; a flexible inner container for placement inside the outer container, the inner container defining a second opening, a gland for supporting the inner container in a neck region of the outer container, a closure for closing the first and second openings, the closure including an air inlet valve, a liquid outlet valve, and a pressure release valve, wherein the outer container is arranged to receive pressurised air through the air inlet valve and, under the influence of the pressurised air, the liquid is evacuated from the flexiible inner container via the liquid outlet valve, and a sealing arrangement between the closure and the gland for isolating the flexible inner container from the rigid outer container.

In a fifth aspect the present invention provides A flexible bag for holding a carbonated liquid, the bag being locatable within a relatively rigid outer container, and including a mounting gland for removably mounting the bag within a neck of the outer container, the mounting gland incorporating a first filling opening in communication with an interior of the bag, and at least a second opening in communication with a void created between the outer container and the bag when the bag is mounted within the outer container; an internal pressure release valve, the internal pressure release valve providing a one way passage from the interior of the bag to the exterior of the bag, and a sealing face arranged to cooperate with a sealing arrangement provided on a closure for closing the filling opening and the neck of the container, wherein the sealing face and sealing arrangement are arranged to provide an airtight seal between the first filling opening and the second opening.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show a preferred embodiment of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the

invention is not limited to the features of the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings in which:

Figure 1 provides an exploded perspective view of a composite vessel in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2a provides a cross-sectional view of the assembled composite vessel of figure 1 with an empty inner container;

Figure 2b provides a cross-sectional view of the assembled composite vessel of figure 1 with a filled inner container;

Figure 3a provides a cross sectional view of the closure of the vessel depicted in figure 1 ;

Figure 3b provides a top perspective view of the closure of the vessel depicted in figure 1 ; and

Figure 3c provides a bottom perspective view of the closure of the vessel depicted in figure 1 ;

Figure 4 provides a detailed cross-sectional view of the closure, gland and inner container of the composite vessel of figure 1 ;

Figure 5a provides a cross-sectional view of an assembled composite vessel with an empty inner container according to an alternative embodiment;

Figure 5b provides a cross-sectional view of the composite vessel of figure 5a with a filled inner container;

Figure 6 provides a detailed cross-sectional view of the closure, gland and inner container of the composite vessel depicted in figures 5a and 5b.

Detailed description of the embodiments

Referring to figure 1 , the composite vessel 10 includes a closure 12 in the form of a screw top lid, a flexible inner container 16, and a rigid outer container 18.

The inner container 16 is a flexible bag or bladder formed of a material which is impervious to air and is suitable for contact with the liquid to be contained. Such materials include layered metallised polyester, LDPE, HDPE, or combinations thereof, which are suitable for food or beverage packaging. Material such as that used for wine bladders is appropriate.

As discussed below, the thickness of material used to construct the inner container 16 will depend on the purpose of the composite vessel 10 (e.g. whether the vessel 10 is to be used only for the storage of beer or carbonated beverage, or whether beer is to be brewed within the vessel 10), and whether the mounting arrangement 14 of the inner container 16 is provided with an internal pressure release valve (as discussed below).

The outer container 18 is suitably a rigid blow moulded PET vessel which is sufficiently strong to withstand the pressure created by the carbonated beverage being stored in the vessel, and the pressure created when dispensing the carbonated beverage (as discussed below) without deforming or breaking. Typically, this pressure is approximately 22PSI, but may be up to 35PSI.

As is most easily seen in figures 2a and 2b, in order to fill the vessel with the desired liquid the inner container 16 is provided with a mounting arrangement, in this instance a gland 14, for allowing the inner container 16 to be mounted in the neck 20 of the outer container 18. To effect this mounting the gland 14 includes a peripheral shoulder 22 which rests snugly on the upper edge of the neck 20 of the vessel 10. The liquid can then be poured directly through a central aperture 24 in the gland and into the inner container 16. As the liquid is poured the inner container 16 distends to accommodate the liquid. The inner container 16 may be manufactured such that it will distend only to accommodate a predetermined volume of liquid, or the distension may be halted by the inner container 16 coming into contact with the outer container 18. Figure 2b provides a depiction of composite vessel 10 with a filled inner container 16.

Once the inner container 16 has been filled with the desired amount of liquid the closure 12 is screwed onto the complementally threaded neck 20 of the outer container 18 to provide an airtight seal. This airtight seal is between both the closure 12 and the inner container 16 and the closure 12 and the outer container 18. After the closure 12 has been screwed on a small air space may exist in the inner container 16 between the closure 12 and the top level of the liquid. In order to expel the air in this airspace between the liquid and closure 12 pressurised air can be introduced into the void 23 between the outer container 18 and inner container 16 via an air inlet valve 36 in the closure 12. This introduction of air into the outer container 18 is the same procedure as is undertaken to dispense the liquid as is discussed below and will cause the expulsion of any air in the airspace between the liquid and the closure 12 through a liquid outlet valve 34 in the closure 12. The liquid outlet valve 34 must be operated (e.g. depressed) to allow the liquid to be expelled therethrough.

In the event that the composite vessel 10 is being used to store and dispense beer, for example, additional ingredients such as sugar and/or yeast may be added into the inner container 16 along with the liquid so that the beer brewing process may be continued inside the vessel 10.

The outer container 18 also includes a concave well 25 to allow for the stacking of multiple vessels 10 for convenient storage. When stacking vessels 10 for storage the well 25 of a top vessel accommodates the neck 20 and closure 12 of a bottom vessel.

Referring to figures 3a, 3b, 3c the closure 12 will now be discussed in further detail. The closure 12 includes an internal thread 30 for engaging with the neck 20 of the outer container 18, an external pressure release valve 32, a liquid outlet valve 34 and an air input valve 36. In the preferred embodiment each of the external pressure release valve 32, liquid outlet valve 34 and air inlet valve 36 are biased to a closed position by respective springs 33, 35 and 37 to prevent any undesired air or liquid flow into or out of the composite vessel 10.

The external pressure release valve 32 and air inlet valve 36 are located in the closure 12 such that they correspond to openings 15 in the gland 14 and provide passages

through the closure 12 into the void 23 between the outer container 18 and the inner container 16.

The liquid outlet valve 34 is located in the closure 12 such that it aligns with the central opening 24 of the gland 14 and provides a passage through the closure 12 into the inner container 16.

The external pressure release valve 32 is a ball and spring valve and is configured to release pressure from the vessel 10 in the event that too much pressure is generated in the vessel 10. Such an excess pressure condition may occur, for example, when beer is being brewed in the container and excess sugar and/or yeast have been added, creating excess carbonation. An excess pressure condition may also occur if air is introduced into the vessel 10 via the air inlet valve 36 (as discussed further below) without the liquid outlet valve 34 being opened (also discussed below). The pressure release valve is set to release pressure prior to the breaking or deformation of the outer container 18. A suitable pressure at which the external pressure release valve 32 operates would be between 28PSI to 35PSI.

While in the depicted embodiment the external pressure release valve 32 opens into the void 23 between the outer container 18 and inner container 16 rather than opening into the inner container 16, it is, of course, possible to locate the external pressure release valve 32 such that it opens into the inner container 16. In this case, however, it is likely that in the event that pressure is released from the vessel 10 liquid from inside the inner container 16 will also be released through the external pressure release valve 32.

Finally, while the external pressure release valve 32 is located in the closure 12 in the depicted embodiment, it would of course be possible to incorporate a pressure release valve into a wall of the outer container 18 itself.

The liquid outlet valve 34 is configured to receive a hose or the like (not shown) through which liquid in the inner container 16 may be dispensed. A valve release mechanism (not shown) must also be provided to counteract the bias of the valve spring 35 and

open the valve. This release mechanism may be part of a tap dispensing means or similar as is known in the art.

The air inlet valve 36 is configured to receive a source of pressurised air from a compressor or cylinder via an air supply hose (not shown). When beverage is to be dispensed from the vessel 10, the air cylinder/compressor is operated to introduce pressurised air into the void 23 between the outer container 18 and inner container 16. The pressurised air counteracts the bias of the spring 37 to open the inlet valve 30 to allow the pressurised air to flow into the void 23. The pressurised air in turn causes the inner container 16 to compress.

If the liquid outlet valve 34 is open the compression of the inner container 16 causes the liquid inside the bladder to flow out through the outlet valve 34, once the dispensing hose is in position. If the liquid outlet valve 34 is not open, pressure will build up in the vessel 10. If this pressure becomes too high the external pressure release valve 32 will open. Ideally a dispensing mechanism is used to dispense the beverage which automatically synchronises the introduction of air into the vessel 10 through the air inlet valve 36 and opening of the liquid outlet valve 34.

As mentioned above, it is advantageous to also open the outlet valve 34 and introduce a small amount of air through the air inlet valve 36 when the liquid is first placed into the vessel 10 and the closure 12 screwed on. By doing this any air trapped in the inner container 16 is expelled through the liquid outlet valve 34.

Each of the external pressure release valve 32, liquid outlet valve 34 and air inlet valve 36 are provided with removable valve covers 38, 40 and 42 respectively. These covers 38, 40 and 42 may, for example, be screw type covers or bayonet type covers to allow for the easy removal of the cover and cleaning or sterilising of the valve passage and mechanism prior to re-use.

As will be appreciated, in order to store and dispense liquid in the above described vessel 10 the closure 12 and valves 32, 34 and 36 must seal such that air cannot flow into the inner or outer container (except via the air inlet valve 36 as discussed above),

that air or liquid cannot escape from the inner or outer container (unless pressure build up activates the external pressure release valve 32 or liquid is being dispensed through the liquid outlet valve 34), and air or liquid cannot pass from the inner container 16 to the void 23 or vice versa (i.e. the inner container 16 and outer container 18 must be isolated from each other when the container is in use).

Referring to figure 4, the various seals provided in the closure 12 will now be described. Each of the external pressure release valve 32, liquid outlet valve 34 and air inlet valve 36 are fitted with O-ring seals 50, 52 and 54 respectively to prevent unintended liquid or air flow through those valves. A further O-ring provides an isolation seal 56 where the closure 12 meets the central aperture 24 of the gland 14. The isolation seal 56 seals against a raised annular shoulder 58 on the gland 14. It will be appreciated that different types of seals may be used instead of or in combination with the O-ring seals, for example various forms of moulded seals made from elastomeric materials such as silicone.

The isolation seal 56 prevents liquid and/or air from flowing out of the central aperture 24 of the gland 14 and back through the additional apertures in the gland 14 leading into the void 23 between the inner container 16 and outer container 18 (and vice versa).

As can be seen, in the above arrangement the beverage is stored and dispensed in such a way that air pressure is maintained to prevent the beverage from going flat. Further, after the inner container 16 has been filled and air from the inner container 16 expelled (as discussed above) the beverage has no or very little further contact with air and therefore does not go stale/flat.

Once the beverage stored in the vessel 10 has been consumed, the closure 12 is opened and the gland 14 and inner container 16 removed. If desired the bladder may be sterilised in preparation to be refilled.

Alternatively, the gland 14 and inner container 16 may be discarded and a replaced with a new, pre-sterilised inner container 16 (including mounting arrangement 14) for use with the next beverage to be stored and dispensed. Use of a new mounting

arrangement 14 and inner container 16 is particularly useful where the inner container 16 is to be used in the brewing of beer and complete (or close to complete) sterilisation is required. In order to maintain sterilisation during shipping and shelf-time, pre- sterilised inner containers 14 may be provided with a seal (not shown) over the mounting arrangement sealing the inner container 14 from potential contaminants. The seal may be a flexible plastic seal or similar which adheres to the mounting arrangement but can readily be peeled off when the container is to be used.

Figures 5a, 5b and 6 provide depictions of an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the gland 14 of the inner container 16 is fitted with an internal pressure release valve 60. With the exception of the valve 60 the various components of the composite vessel of this embodiment are the same as those described above, and the same numbering has been applied.

The internal pressure release valve 60, best seen from the cut away view of the closure and inner bag provided in figure 6, is a one way valve and allows pressure build up in the interior of the inner container 16 to be vented to the exterior of the inner container 16. When the inner container 16 is mounted in the outer container 18 the internal pressure release valve 60 allows excess pressure in the inner container 16 to be released into the void 23 between the inner container 16 and outer container 18. The internal pressure release valve 60 is fitted with an O-ring seal 62 and in this particular embodiment is a ball and spring valve.

The internal pressure release valve 60 is particularly useful when the container 10 is to be used for brewing and storing beer or any other fermented beverage. In this case the internal pressure release valve 60 allows any surplus gas produced by fermentation to escape from the inner container 16 into the void 23. The internal pressure release valve 60, therefore, is configured to release pressure in order to prevent the inner container 16 breaking or rupturing. A suitable pressure at which the internal pressure release valve 60 operates would be approximately 0.5PSI to 1 PSI. As discussed above, the external pressure release valve 32 in the closure 12 operates to vent pressure from the void 23 to the atmosphere outside the container 10 if required.

By providing the gland 14 with the internal pressure release valve 60, the inner container 16 can be manufactured from material of a lower tolerance than may otherwise be required. For example, if providing the inner container 16 with an internal pressure release valve 60 the inner container 16 may be manufactured with a rupture strength of approximately 1 PSI to 1.5PSi, while if the internal pressure release valve 60 is omitted the inner container 16 may need to be manufactured with a rupture strength of approximately 35PSI to 42PSI.

While the internal pressure release valve 60 has been described and depicted as provided on the mounting arrangement/gland 14, it would of course be possible to provide the internal pressure release valve elsewhere on the inner container 16 or even on the closure 12.

In an alternative embodiment to that described above the beverage may be stored in the void 23 between the outer container 18 and the inner container 16 rather than inside the inner container 16. In this case the liquid outlet valve 34 and inlet valve 32 in the closure 12 must be positioned accordingly - i.e. the outlet valve positioned at the periphery of the lid so as to open into the outer container 18 and the inlet valve positioned in the closure 12 to align with the central hole 24 of the gland 14.

In this embodiment the beverage is dispensed by introduction of air into the inner container 16. This causes the inner container 16 to distend which in turn applies pressure to the beverage being stored in the void 23 between the inner container 16 and the outer container 18. The outlet valve is opened and the pressure created by the distended inner container 16 forces the beverage out of the outlet valve. In this embodiment the external pressure release valve 32 will advantageously open into the inner container 16, but may alternatively open into the void 23.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.