Device for dispensing carbonated beverages

Claim 1

A device for dispensing beverages containing carbonic acid gas, more particularly beer, comprising in combination: a first container wherein said beer is adapted to be stored, said first o container having an opening; a tapping assembly operatively mounted on said first container and extending through said opening of said first container, said tapping assembly comprising: a first immersion pipe having an inlet opening adjacent to the bottom of said first container and extending upwardly through said opening of said first container and having an outlet opening at its upper end; tapping cock means operatively mounted on said first pipe outside of said first container; valve body means operatively connected to said first pipe outside of said first container; and a second container adapted to hold a predetermined quantity of pressurized carbonic acid gas operatively mounted in said valve body; means for selectively supplying pressurized carbonic acid gas into said first container; and an automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressurereducing valve means disposed in said valve body, said pressure-reducing valve means having a high-pressure inlet and a low-pressure outlet, said high-pressure inlet being in communication with said second container and said low-pressure outlet being in communication with said first immersion pipe, and throttle means disposed in said first immersion pipe, said throttle means being made of a plastic material which is chemically inert with respect to the beverage and carbonic acid stored in said first container, said throttle means having a substantially cylindrical passage extending therethrough for conducting the beverage stored in the container, said passage having an inlet and outLet in the shape of a truncated cone, the diameter of said passage tapers gradually inwardly from the inlet of said passage to the outlet thereof at a ratio of substantially 2:1.

Claim 2

A device for dispensing beverages containing carbonic acid gas, more particularly beer, comprising in combination: a first container wherein said beer is adapted to be stored, said first o container having an opening; a tapping assembly operatively mounted on said first container and extending through said opening of said first container, said tapping assembly comprising: a first immersion pipe having an inlet opening adjacent to the bottom of said first container and extending upwardly through said opening of said first container and having an outlet opening at its upper end; tapping cock means operatively mounted on said first pipe outside of said first container; valve body means operatively connected to said first pipe outside of said first container; and a second container adapted to hold a predetermined quantity of pressurized carbonic acid gas operatively mounted in said valve body; means for selectively supplying pressurized carbonic acid gas into said first container; and an automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressurereducing valve means disposed in said valve body, said pressure-reducing valve means having a high-pressure inlet and a low-pressure outlet, said high-pressure inlet being in communication with said second container and said low-pressure outlet being in communication with said first immersion pipe, and throttle means disposed in said first immersion pipe, said throttle means being made of a plastic material which is chemically inert with respect to the beverage and carbonic acid stored in said first container, said throttle means having a substantially cylindrical passage extending therethrough for conducting the beverage stored in the container, said passage having an inlet and outLet in the shape of a truncated cone, the diameter of said passage tapers gradually inwardly from the inlet of said passage to the outlet thereof at a ratio of substantially 2:1.

Claim 5

A device for dispensing beverages containing carbonic acid gas, more particularly beer, comprising in combination: a first container wherein said beer is adapted to be stored, said first container having an opening; a tapping assembly operatively mounted on said first container and extending through said opening of said first container, said tapping assembly comprising: a first immersion pipe having an inlet opening adjacent to the bottom of said first container and extending upwardly through said opening of said first container and having an outlet opening at its upper end; tapping cock means operatively mounted on said first pipe outside of said first container; valve body means operatively connected to said first pipe outside of said first container; and a second container adapted to hold a predetermined quantity of pressurized carbonic acid gas operatively mounted in said valve body; means for selectively supplying pressurized carbonic acid gas into said first container; and an automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means disposed in said valve body, said pressure-reducing valve means having a high-pressure inlet and a low-pressure outlet, said high-pressure inlet being in communication with said second container and said low-pressure outlet being in communication with said first immersion pipe, said valve body having at least two separate bores, said automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means being disposed in a first one of said two bores, and nonreturn valve means being disposed in a second one of said two bores, said pressure-reducing valve means including valve shank means movably disposed in said first bore and dividing it into a high-pressure chamber and a low-pressure chamber, first and second channels, respectively connecting said high-pressure chamber and low-pressure chamber with said second bore at two points in said bore which are spaced from each other.

Claim 6

A device for dispensing beverages containing carbonic acid gas, more particularly beer, comprising in combination: a first container wherein said beer is adapted to be stored, said first container having an opening; a tapping assembly operatively mounted on said first container and extending through said opening of said first container, said tapping assembly comprising: a first immersion pipe having an inlet opening adjacent to the bottom of said first container and extending upwardly through said opening of said first container and having an outlet opening at its upper end; tapping cock means operatively mounted on said first pipe outside of said first container; valve body means operatively connected to said first pipe outside of said first container; and a second container adapted to hold a predetermined quantity of pressurized carbonic acid gas operatively mounted in said valve body; means for selectively supplying pressurized carbonic acid gas into said first container; and an automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means disposed in said valve body, said pressure-reducing valve means having a high-pressure inlet and a low-pressure outlet, said high-pressure inlet being in communication with said second container and said low-pressure outlet being in communication with said first immersion pipe, said valve body having at least two separate bores, said automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means being disposed in a first one of said two bores, and nonreturn valve means being disposed in a second one of said two bores, said pressure-reducing valve means including valve shank means movably disposed in said first bore and dividing it into a high-pressure chamber and a low-pressure chamber, first and second channels, respectively connecting said high-pressure chamber and low-pressure chamber with said second bore at two points in said bore which are spaced from each other.

Claim 7

A device for dispensing beverages containing carbonic acid gas, more particularly beer, comprising in combination: a first container wherein said beer is adapted to be stored, said first container having an opening; a tapping assembly operatively mounted on said first container and extending through said opening of said first container, said tapping assembly comprising: a first immersion pipe having an inlet opening adjacent to the bottom of said first container and extending upwardly through said opening of said first container and having an outlet opening at its upper end; tapping cock means operatively mounted on said first pipe outside of said first container; valve body means operatively connected to said first pipe outside of said first container; and a second container adapted to hold a predetermined quantity of pressurized carbonic acid gas operatively mounted in said valve body; means for selectively supplying pressurized carbonic acid gas into said first container; and an automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means disposed in said valve body, said pressure-reducing valve means having a high-pressure inlet and a low-pressure outlet, said high-pressure inlet being in communication with said secOnd container and said low-pressure outlet being in communication with said first immersion pipe, said second container having a threaded neck portion and said second bore in said valve body has a mating threaded portion, a through-bored broaching tip and a sealing disc mounted in said second bore opposite said second container, said broaching tip extending through said sealing disc, whereby said neck portion is adapted to sealingly engage said sealing disc and said broaching tip is adapted to pierce said neck portion in a substantially axial direction when said second container is threadably inserted into said second bore of said valve body.

Claim 8

A device for dispensing beverages containing carbonic acid gas, more particularly beer, comprising in combination: a first container wherein said beer is adapted to be stored, said first container having an opening; a tapping assembly operatively mounted on said first container and extending through said opening of said first container, said tapping assembly comprising: a first immersion pipe having an inlet opening adjacent to the bottom of said first container and extending upwardly through said opening of said first container and having an outlet opening at its upper end; tapping cock means operatively mounted on said first pipe outside of said first container; valve body means operatively connected to said first pipe outside of said first container; and a second container adapted to hold a predetermined quantity of pressurized carbonic acid gas operatively mounted in said valve body; means for selectively supplying pressurized carbonic acid gas into said first container; and an automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means disposed in said valve body, said pressure-reducing valve means having a high-pressure inlet and a low-pressure outlet, said high-pressure inlet being in communication with said secOnd container and said low-pressure outlet being in communication with said first immersion pipe, said second container having a threaded neck portion and said second bore in said valve body has a mating threaded portion, a through-bored broaching tip and a sealing disc mounted in said second bore opposite said second container, said broaching tip extending through said sealing disc, whereby said neck portion is adapted to sealingly engage said sealing disc and said broaching tip is adapted to pierce said neck portion in a substantially axial direction when said second container is threadably inserted into said second bore of said valve body.

Claim 10

A device for dispensing beverages containing carbonic acid gas, more particularly beer, comprising in combination: a first container wherein said beer is adapted to be stored, said first container having an opening; a tapping assembly operatively mounted on said first container and extending through said opening of said first container, said tapping assembly comprising: a first immersion pipe having an inlet opening adjacent to the bottom of said first container and extending upwardly through said opening of said first container and having an outlet opening at its upper end; tapping cock means operatively mounted on said first pipe outside of said first container; valve body means operatively connected to said first pipe outside of said first container; and a second container adapted to hold a predetermined quantity of pressurized carbonic acid gas operatively mounted in said valve body; means for selectively supplying pressurized carbonic acid gas into said first container; and an automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means disposed in said valve body, said pressure-reducing valve means having a high-pressure inlet and a low-pressure outlet, said high-pressure inlet being in communication with said second container and said low-pressure outlet being in communication with said first immersion pipe, a second pipe having an upper inlet opening in communication with said first low-pressure outlet and a lower outlet opening extending to a limited degree into said first container, valve pressure-adjusting means operatively connected to said automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means for adjusting the gas pressure limits automatically maintained by said pressure-reducing valve means in said first container, said valve body having at least two separate bores, said automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means being disposed in a first one of said two bores, and nonreturn valve means being disposed in a second one of said two bores, said pressure-reducing valve means including valve shank means movably disposed in said first bore and dividing it into a high-pressure chamber and a low-pressure chamber, first and second channels, respectively connecting said high-pressure chamber and low-pressure chamber with said second bore at two points in said bore which are spaced from each other, and wherein said valve shank means defines at least one gas passage in said first bore, first gas-sealing means disposed in said first bore, said adjusting means comprising a flexible membrane mounted in said valve body opposite said valve shank means, adjustable biasing means operatively connected to said flexible membrane, a pull rod connected, on the one hand, to said valve shank means and, on the other hand, to said flexible membrane, the latter moving said valve shank means between a first position in which gas passes through said gas passage in said first bore and a second position in which said first gas-sealing means seal said gas passage in said first bore.

Claim 11

A device for dispensing beverages containing carbonic acid gas, more particularly beer, comprising in combination: a first container wherein said beer is adapted to be stored, said first container having an opening; a tapping assembly operatively mounted on said first container and extending through said opening of said first container, said tapping assembly comprising: a first immersion pipe having an inlet opening adjacent to the bottom of said first container and extending upwardly through said opening of said first container and having an outlet opening at its upper end; tapping cock means operatively mounted on said first pipe outside of said first container; valve body means operatively connected to said first pipe outside of said first container; and a second container adapted to hold a predetermined quantity of pressurized carbonic acid gas operatively mounted in said valve body; means for selectively supplying pressurized carbonic acid gas into said first container; and an automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means disposed in said valve body, said pressure-reducing valve means having a high-pressure inlet and a low-pressure outlet, said high-pressure inlet being in communication with said second container and said low-pressure outlet being in communication with said first immersion pipe, a second pipe having an upper inlet opening in communication with said first low-pressure outlet and a lower outlet opening extending to a limited degree into said first container, valve pressure-adjusting means operatively connected to said automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means for adjusting the gas pressure limits automatically maintained by said pressure-reducing valve means in said first container, said valve body having at least two separate bores, said automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means being disposed in a first one of said two bores, and nonreturn valve means being disposed in a second one of said two bores, said pressure-reducing valve means including valve shank means movably disposed in said first bore and dividing it into a high-pressure chamber and a low-pressure chamber, first and second channels, respectively connecting said high-pressure chamber and low-pressure chamber with said second bore at two points in said bore which are spaced from each other, and wherein said valve shank means defines at least one gas passage in said first bore, first gas-sealing means disposed in said first bore, said adjusting means comprising a flexible membrane mounted in said valve body opposite said valve shank means, adjustable biasing means operatively connected to said flexible membrane, a pull rod connected, on the one hand, to said valve shank means and, on the other hand, to said flexible membrane, the latter moving said valve shank means between a first position in which gas passes through said gas passage in said first bore and a second position in which said first gas-sealing means seal said gas passage in said first bore.

Claim 14

A device for dispensing beverages containing carbonic acid gas, more particularly beer, comprising in combination: a first container wherein said beer is adapted to be stored, said first container having an opening; a tapping assembly operatively mounted on said first container and extending through said opening of said first container, said tapping assembly comprising: a first immersion pipe having an inlet opening adjacent to the bottom of said first container and extending upwardly through said opening of said first container and having an outlet opening at its upper end; tapping cock means operatively mounted on said first pipe outside of said first container; valve body means operatively connected to said first pipe outside of said first container; and a second container adapted to hold a predetermined quantity of pressurized carbonic acid gas operatively mounted in said valve body; means for selectively supplying pressurized carbonic acid gas into said first container; and an automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means disposed in said valve body, said pressure-reducing valve means having a high-pressure inlet and a low-pressure outlet, said high-pressure inlet being in communication with said second container and said low-pressure outlet being in communication with said first immersion pipe, a second pipe having an upper inlet opening in communication with said first low-pressure outlet and a lower outlet opening extending to a limited degree into said first container, and comprising closure means threadably mounted in said opening of said first container and defining a third bore, said first immersion pipe extending through said third bore, second sealing means mounted in said third bore and adapted to sealingly engage said first immersion pipe, an and bayonet-type connecting means removably connecting said first immersion pipe to said closure means, thereby maintaining said first pipe in a substantially vertical position inside and outside of said first container.

Claim 15

A device for dispensing beverages containing carbonic acid gas, more particularly beer, comprising in combination: a first container wherein said beer is adapted to be stored, said first container having an opening; a tapping assembly operatively mounted on said first container and extending through said opening of said first container, said tapping assembly comprising: a first immersion pipe having an inlet opening adjacent to the bottom of said first container and extending upwardly through said opening of said first container and having an outlet opening at its upper end; tapping cock means operatively mounted on said first pipe outside of said first container; valve body means operatively connected to said first pipe outside of said first container; and a second container adapted to hold a predetermined quantity of pressurized carbonic acid gas operatively mounted in said valve body; means for selectively supplying pressurized carbonic acid gas into said first container; and an automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means disposed in said valve body, said pressure-reducing valve means having a high-pressure inlet and a low-pressure outlet, said high-pressure inlet being in communication with said second container and said low-pressure outlet being in communication with said first immersion pipe, a second pipe having an upper inlet opening in communication with said first low-pressure outlet and a lower outlet opening extending to a limited degree into said first container, and comprising closure means threadably mounted in said opening of said first container and defining a third bore, said first immersion pipe extending through said third bore, second sealing means mounted in said third bore and adapted to sealingly engage said first immersion pipe, an and bayonet-type connecting means removably connecting said first immersion pipe to said closure means, thereby maintaining said first pipe in a substantially vertical position inside and outside of said first container.

Claim 23

A method for broaching and tapping a first container having stored therein a beverage containing carbonic acid gas, comprising the steps of: piercing closure means sealing said first container by means of an immersion pipe forming part of a tapping installation; thereafter producing a predetermined pressure in said first container by introducing carbonic acid gas from a CO2 capsule into said first container via a second pipe forming part of said tapping installation; and maintaining said predetermined pressure in said first container by means of an automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve, which includes movable valve shank means which cooperate with first gas-sealing means, said valve shank means defining at least one gas passage and being connected to a flexible membrane, so that valve shank means are movable between a first position in which gas passes into said first container via said second pipe and a second position in which said first gas-sealing means seal said gas passage, thereby maintaining said predetermined pressure in said first container.

Claim 24

A method for broaching and tapping a first container having stored therein a beverage containing carbonic acid gas, comprising the steps of: piercing closure means sealing said first container by means of an immersion pipe forming part of a tapping installation; thereafter producing a predetermined pressure in said first container by introducing carbonic acid gas from a CO2 capsule into said first container via a second pipe forming part of said tapping installation; and maintaining said predetermined pressure in said first container by means of an automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve, which includes movable valve shank means which cooperate with first gas-sealing means, said valve shank means defining at least one gas passage and being connected to a flexible membrane, so that valve shank means are movable between a first position in which gas passes into said first container via said second pipe and a second position in which said first gas-sealing means seal said gas passage, thereby maintaining said predetermined pressure in said first container.

Claim 25

A device for dispensing beverages containing carbonic acid gas, more particularly beer, comprising in combination: a first container wherein said beer is adapted to be stored, said first container having an opening; a tapping assembly operatively mounted on said first container and extending through said opening of said first container, said tapping assembly comprising: a first immersion pipe having an inlet opening adjacent to h the bottom of said first container and extending upwardly through said opening of said first container and having an outlet opening at its upper end; tapping cock means operatively mounted on said first pipe outside of said first container; valve body means operatively connected to said first pipe outside of said first container; and a second container adapted to hold a predetermined quantity of pressurized carbonic acid gas operatively mounted in said valve body; means for selectively supplying pressurized carbonic acid gas into said first container; and an automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means disposed in said valve body, said pressure-reducing valve means having a high-pressure inlet and a low-pressure outlet, said high-pressure inlet being in communication with said second container and said low-pressure outlet being in communication with said first immersion pipe, said valve body means having a housing through which the first pipe extends, said housing being in the forM of a single lateral projection having a space therewithin for receiving a container of pressurized carbonic acid gas, said pressure-reducing valve being contained in said housing.

Claim 26

A device for dispensing beverages containing carbonic acid gas, more particularly beer, comprising in combination: a first container wherein said beer is adapted to be stored, said first container having an opening; a tapping assembly operatively mounted on said first container and extending through said opening of said first container, said tapping assembly comprising: a first immersion pipe having an inlet opening adjacent to h the bottom of said first container and extending upwardly through said opening of said first container and having an outlet opening at its upper end; tapping cock means operatively mounted on said first pipe outside of said first container; valve body means operatively connected to said first pipe outside of said first container; and a second container adapted to hold a predetermined quantity of pressurized carbonic acid gas operatively mounted in said valve body; means for selectively supplying pressurized carbonic acid gas into said first container; and an automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means disposed in said valve body, said pressure-reducing valve means having a high-pressure inlet and a low-pressure outlet, said high-pressure inlet being in communication with said second container and said low-pressure outlet being in communication with said first immersion pipe, said valve body means having a housing through which the first pipe extends, said housing being in the forM of a single lateral projection having a space therewithin for receiving a container of pressurized carbonic acid gas, said pressure-reducing valve being contained in said housing.

Claim 28

A device for dispensing beverages containing carbonic acid gas, more particularly beer, comprising in combination: a first container wherein said beer is adapted to be stored, said first container having an opening; a tapping assembly operatively mounted on said first container and extending through said opening of said first container, said tapping assembly comprising: a first immersion pipe having an inlet opening adjacent to the bottom of said first container and extending upwardly through said opening of said first container and having an outlet opening at its upper end; tapping cock means operatively mounted on said first pipe outside of said first container; valve body means operatively connected to said first pipe outside of said first container; and a second container adapted to hold a predetermined quantity of pressurized carbonic acid gas operatively mounted in said valve body means for selectively supplying pressurized carbonic acid gas into said first container; an automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means disposed in said valve body, said pressure-reducing valve means having a high-pressure inlet and a low-pressure outlet, said high-pressure inlet being in communication with said second container and said low-pressure outlet being in communication with said first immersion pipe; a second pipe having an upper inlet opening in communication with said first low-pressure outlet and a lower outlet opening extending to a limited degree into said first container; and valve pressure-adjusting means operatively connected to said automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means for adjusting the gas pressure limits automatically maintained by said pressure-reducing valve means in said first container.

Claim 29

A device for dispensing beverages containing carbonic acid gas, more particularly beer, comprising in combination: a first container wherein said beer is adapted to be stored, said first container having an opening; a tapping assembly operatively mounted on said first container and extending through said opening of said first container, said tapping assembly comprising: a first immersion pipe having an inlet opening adjacent to the bottom of said first container and extending upwardly through said opening of said first container and having an outlet opening at its upper end; tapping cock means operatively mounted on said first pipe outside of said first container; valve body means operatively connected to said first pipe outside of said first container; and a second container adapted to hold a predetermined quantity of pressurized carbonic acid gas operatively mounted in said valve body means for selectively supplying pressurized carbonic acid gas into said first container; an automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means disposed in said valve body, said pressure-reducing valve means having a high-pressure inlet and a low-pressure outlet, said high-pressure inlet being in communication with said second container and said low-pressure outlet being in communication with said first immersion pipe; a second pipe having an upper inlet opening in communication with said first low-pressure outlet and a lower outlet opening extending to a limited degree into said first container; and valve pressure-adjusting means operatively connected to said automatic pressure-controlling, single stage, pressure-reducing valve means for adjusting the gas pressure limits automatically maintained by said pressure-reducing valve means in said first container.