IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0375120
(2007-07-24)
|
등록번호 |
US-7819286
(2010-11-15)
|
국제출원번호 |
PCT/US2007/016662
(2007-07-24)
|
§371/§102 date |
20090831
(20090831)
|
국제공개번호 |
WO08/013819
(2008-01-31)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Antheil, William L.
- Bolton, Nelson
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
12 인용 특허 :
40 |
초록
▼
A container, or keg, for storing, shipping, and dispensing a bulk quantity of a fluid, for example, beer or like malt beverage, is provided. The container/keg includes a flaccid bag (56) for containing the fluid and a substantially rigid, pressure-tight, plastic vessel (10) within which the bag (56)
A container, or keg, for storing, shipping, and dispensing a bulk quantity of a fluid, for example, beer or like malt beverage, is provided. The container/keg includes a flaccid bag (56) for containing the fluid and a substantially rigid, pressure-tight, plastic vessel (10) within which the bag (56) is contained. The bag (56) has a mouth (58) secured with a locking ring or the like to an opening in the vessel (10) via which the mouth (58) is accessible externally of the vessel (10) for purposes of filling the bag (56) with the fluid and/or dispensing the fluid from the bag (56). Preferably, the shape of the vessel (10) permits it to be efficiently stacked and shipped when in a full or empty condition. Methods for assembling, filling and shipping kegs are also provided.
대표청구항
▼
The invention claimed is: 1. A knockdown container for storing, shipping, and dispensing a bulk quantity of a fluid subject to loss of quality, comprising: a flaccid multi-membrane bag (56) for containing the fluid and for inhibiting the flow of gas therethrough, said bag (56) having a rigid mouth
The invention claimed is: 1. A knockdown container for storing, shipping, and dispensing a bulk quantity of a fluid subject to loss of quality, comprising: a flaccid multi-membrane bag (56) for containing the fluid and for inhibiting the flow of gas therethrough, said bag (56) having a rigid mouth finish (58) to which a dispensing fitment (66) is secured through which the fluid is filled or dispensed; a substantially rigid pressure-tight plastic vessel (10) within which said bag (56) is contained, said vessel (10) having an opening (22) to which said mouth finish (58) is secured and from which said dispensing fitment (66) is accessible externally of said vessel (10), and said vessel (10) including a substantially rigid tub (12, 12A) having a closed end (16, 16A) and a sidewall (18, 18A) extending from said closed end (16, 16A) to a rim (20, 20A) defining an open end and a closure (14, 14A) engagable with said rim (20, 20A) for forming a fluid-tight connection therewith to seal said open end, at least portions of said sidewall (18, 18A) of said tub (12, 12A) tapering outward of said closed end (16, 16A) such that a periphery of said rim (20, 20A) is larger than a periphery of said closed end (16, 16A); a Schrader valve (76) extending through said vessel (10) and communicating with a space (78) within said pressure-tight vessel (10) external of said bag (56); at least one elastomeric gasket positioned between said tub and said closure on or adjacent said rim for forming said fluid-tight connection between said tub and said closure; and a fastener for mechanically securing said closure to said tub, said fastener being located on said vessel entirely on an external side of said gasket relative to said fluid-tight connection such that said fastener does not compromise said fluid-tight connection formed by said gasket. 2. A container according to claim 1, wherein said space (78) within said vessel (10) is pressurized above atmospheric pressure with a gas. 3. A container according to claim 1, wherein said sidewall (18, 18A) is multi-sided and includes an array of panel sections (26) interconnected by corner post structures (28) extending from said closed end (16, 16A) to said rim (20, 20A). 4. A container according to claim 1, wherein said container is a keg for a malt beverage, and wherein said dispensing fitment (66) is a concentric valve fitment which forms part of a keg tap for tapping said keg. 5. A knockdown keg for a malt beverage, comprising: a vessel (10) constructed from a single-piece, molded, plastic tub (12, 12A) and a separate, single-piece, molded plastic closure (14, 14A), said tub having a closed end and a sideway (18, 18A) extending from said closed end to a rim (20, 20A) defining an open end (22), said sidewall (18, 18A) of said tub (12, 12A) being outwardly tapered between said closed end and said open end (22) so that a plurality of like tubs (12, 12A), when empty, are stackable in a compact nested condition, said separate, single-piece, molded plastic closure (14, 14A) being securable to said rim (20, 20A) for closing said open end (22); a flaccid multi-membrane bag (56) for containing the malt beverage and for inhibiting the flow of gas therethrough, said bag (56) being locatable within said vessel and having a substantially rigid mouth finish (58) securable to an opening (42) in said vessel; a concentric valve dispensing fitment secured to said mouth finish of said bag, said concentric valve mouth finish forming part of a keg tap for tapping said keg; a Schrader valve (76) in one of said closure (14, 14A) and tub (12, 12A) for communicating with a space (78) within said vessel (10) external of said bag (56); at least one elastomeric gasket positioned on or adjacent said rim (20, 20A) for forming a fluid-tight seal between said closure (14, 14A) and said tub (12, 12A) providing said vessel (10) as a pressure-tight vessel within which said bag (56) is housed; and a fastener for mechanically securing said closure to said tub, said fastener being located on said vessel entirely on an external side of said gasket relative to said fluid-tight connection such that said fastener does not compromise said fluid-tight connection formed by said gasket; whereby the keg is provided with a knockdown configuration capable of being stacked in the compact nested condition and, when assembled, is able to prevent loss of quality to the malt beverage should the malt beverage be stored in the keg for an extended period of time. 6. A keg according to claim 5, wherein said space (78) is pressurized with a gas to a pressure above ambient pressure. 7. A keg according to claim 5, wherein said at least one gasket includes a pair of gaskets (50a, 50b), one of said gaskets (50a) engaging an upper surface of said rim (20) and another of said gaskets (50b) engaging a ledge (30b) formed by said sidewall (18) below said upper surface of said rim (20). 8. A keg according to claim 5, wherein said closure (14, 14A) is secured to said tub (12, 12A) such that said gasket (50, 50a, 50b, 98) is in a compressed condition. 9. A keg according to claim 5, wherein outer peripheries of said closed end and rim (20A) are substantially square with truncated corners. 10. A keg according to claim 9, wherein said sidewall (16, 16A) includes a plurality of tiers (32, 34, 36, 38) between said closed end and said rim (20, 20A), each of said tiers (32, 34, 36, 38) tapering upwardly and outwardly, and each adjacent pair of tiers (32, 34, 36, 38) being interconnected via a peripherally-extending ledge (30a, 30b, 30c). 11. A keg according to claim 10, wherein said closed end has a central recess (24) extending to a height of at least about 1.5 inches for accommodating a fitment (66) of a like keg on which said closed end is stacked. 12. A keg for a malt beverage, comprising: a single-piece, molded, plastic tub having a closed end with a central recess and a sidewall extending from said closed end to a rim defining an open end, said sidewall being tapered between said closed end and said open end so that a plurality of like tubs, when empty, are stackable in a compact nested condition, said sidewall including a plurality of tiers between said closed end and said rim, each of said tiers tapering outwardly and each adjacent pair of tiers being interconnected via a peripherally-extending ledge; a separate, single-piece, molded plastic closure securable to said rim for closing said open end wherein a connection between said closure and said tub is fluid-tight providing a pressure-tight vessel; a flaccid multi-membrane bag for containing the malt beverage being located within said vessel and having a substantially rigid mouth securable to an opening in said vessel; and a false bottom insert located within said tub and supported on said closed end, said insert providing a surface on which said bag is supportable, a central portion of said insert is supported on said central recess of said closed end and an outer peripheral edge section of said insert is supported on one of said ledges, said ledge on which said insert is supported extends at a higher elevation within said tub than an elevation of said central recess of said closed end. 13. A keg according to claim 5, further comprising an adaptor (80) that is secured to said mouth finish and interconnects to said dispensing fitment. 14. A keg according to claim 5, further comprising a separately manufactured collar (94) that extends about said tub (12A) and engages said tub (12A) underneath said rim (20A) and that can be mechanically secured to said lid (14A). 15. A knockdown container according to claim 1, wherein said multi-membrane bag is formed of multiple plastic or metallic layers. 16. A knockdown container according to claim 3, wherein outer peripheries of said closed end and rim are substantially square with truncated corners, and wherein said sidewall includes a plurality of tiers between said closed end and said rim, and each adjacent pair of tiers being interconnected via a peripherally-extending ledge. 17. A knockdown container according to claim 4, wherein said fastener is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical fastener, bolt, hasp, clip, clasp, clamp, and strap. 18. A knockdown keg according to claim 5, wherein said fastener is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical fastener, bolt, hasp, clip, clasp, clamp, and strap. 19. A knockdown keg according to claim 5, wherein said multi-membrane bag is formed of multiple plastic or metallic layers.
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