DISPENSER HEAD FOR CONNECTION WITH AN EXTRACTOR DEVICE MOUNTED IN A BEVERAGE CONTAINER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispenser head for connection with an extractor device mounted in a beverage container, such as a beer keg, in which the beverage may be pressurized, the dispenser head comprising a pressure medium inlet communicating with a pressure medium passage for supply of a pressure medium, such as CO₂, to the beverage container, a pressure medium valve being adapted to open and close the beverage passage, a beverage outlet for delivery of beverage from the beverage container to a tapping device, and a hollow beverage piston arranged to, in the connected state of the dispenser head and the extractor device, be axially displaceable between an open position, in which it may convey beverage from a down tube of the extractor device to the beverage outlet, and a closed position, in which a beverage extractor valve of the extractor device closes an outlet of the down tube.

[0002] WO 93/17954 (Micro Matic A/S) discloses a dispenser head adapted to be coupled to an extractor device mounted in a beer keg. After mounting the dispenser head on the beer keg, a handle of the dispenser head is operated, whereby a hollow beer piston is displaced into the extractor device, thereby opening a beer valve and a CO₂ valve located in the extractor device. Simultaneously, the hollow beer piston opens a CO₂ valve in the dispenser head, so that CO₂ is supplied to the beer keg in order to press beer up through the extractor device to the dispenser head. However, if the handle of the dispenser head is inadvertently operated in the disconnected state of the dispenser head and the extractor device, CO₂ will escape to the surroundings through the CO₂ valve that is opened simultaneously with the operation of the handle. If the mistake is not discovered in time, an entire CO₂ cylinder may be emptied in this way.

[0003] A dispenser head according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in WO 99/15457.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a more user friendly dispenser head.

[0005] In view of this object, the dispenser head is adapted to maintain the closed position of the pressure medium valve in the disconnected state of the dispenser head and the extractor device.

[0006] By adapting the dispenser head to maintain the closed position of the pressure medium valve in the disconnected state of the dispenser head and the extractor device, it may be avoided that the user unintentionally opens the pressure medium valve in the disconnected state, and thereby unnecessary waste of pressure medium may be avoided.

[0007] In an embodiment, the pressure medium valve has a valve element displaceable between an open position and a closed position, the valve element is biased against its closed position, and the valve element is adapted to, at connection of the dispenser head with the extractor device, be displaced to its open position by abutment of the valve element against the extractor device. Thereby, the pressure medium valve may act independently of the operation of the hollow beverage piston, and consequently, operation of the hollow beverage piston in the disconnected state of the dispenser head will not result in leakage of pressure medium.

[0008] In an embodiment, the valve element of the pressure medium valve surrounds the hollow beverage piston and has an annular abutment surface adapted to abut the extractor device and an annular sealing surface that, in the closed position of the valve element, abuts an annular seat in the dispenser head. Thereby, a well-balanced operation of the valve element may be achieved, because the valve element in this way may be arranged symmetrically in relation to the beverage and pressure medium coupling between the dispenser head and the extractor device, so that forces at the connection may be evenly distributed.

[0009] In an embodiment, the valve element of the pressure medium valve is adapted to be biased towards its closed position at least partly by means of the pressure medium. Thereby, a sufficient force for closing the valve element may be obtained.

[0010] In a structurally advantageous embodiment, the valve element of the pressure medium valve has the form of at least a first annular part of a sealing ring, and the valve element is biased towards its closed position by means of at least a second annular and elastic part of the sealing ring. Thereby, the valve element may be formed integrally with a sealing ring sealing the connection between the dispenser head and the extractor device, and consequently a separate valve element and a separate sealing ring are not needed.

[0011] In an embodiment, the sealing ring forms a first tubular part and a second tubular part having a greater inner diameter than an inner diameter of the first tubular part, in that the annular abutment surface of the valve element of the pressure medium valve forms a first end face of the second tubular part, in that the annular sealing surface of the valve element of the pressure medium valve forms a first end face of the first tubular part, in that the first tubular part has a second end face being opposed to its first end face and abutting an inner surface of the dispenser head, and in that the first end face of the second tubular part is displaced in axial direction away from the first tubular part. Thereby, the first tubular part may bias the valve element, which also forms part of the first tubular part, towards its closed position, and the second tubular part may act to displace the valve element by elastic compression of the first tubular part, when the second tubular part abuts the extractor device.

[0012] In an embodiment, the first tubular part has radially extending slots formed in its second end face and communicating with axially extending slots in an inner wall of the first tubular part, the radially and axially extending slots thereby forming part of the pressure medium passage. Thereby, a passageway for the beverage may be formed, and at the same time, the first tubular part may result more flexible at its second end face because of the radially extending slots, so that an even more suitable bias for the valve element may be obtained. The axially extending slots makes it possible to mount the sealing ring on a bushing of the dispenser head and at the same time provide a passageway for beverage at the inner wall of the sealing ring.

[0013] In a structurally advantageous embodiment, the first tubular part of the sealing ring is provided with an outer lip adapted to seal against an inner wall of the dispenser device when a pressure medium is supplied to the pressure medium inlet, and the annular abutment surface of the valve element of the pressure medium valve is adapted to, in the connected state of the dispenser head and the extractor device, form a sealing surface against the extractor device. The outer lip may in this way form a self-increasing sealing force, as the sealing force may increase as a result of increasing pressure of the pressure medium. The sealing force of the sealing surface against the extractor device may be self-increasing in the same way, as the pressure medium may contribute to pressing the sealing ring against the extractor device.

[0014] In an embodiment, the annular sealing surface of the valve element of the pressure medium valve is provided with a rib or notch fitting a corresponding rib or notch of a bushing of the dispenser head. Thereby, the sealing effect may be improved.

[0015] In an embodiment, the annular abutment surface of the pressure medium valve is provided with a rib or notch fitting a corresponding rib or notch of the extractor device. Thereby, the sealing effect may be improved.

[0016] In an embodiment advantageous in terms of manufacture, the sealing ring is manufactured as an integral part from an elastic material. By producing the sealing ring as a single piece, it is also obtained that replacement of a worn out sealing ring by a new one is facilitated.

[0017] In an embodiment, the dispenser head is adapted so that, in the connected state of the dispenser head and the extractor device and the closed position of the hollow beverage piston, the pressure medium inlet communicates with the beverage outlet. Thereby, it is possible to empty the beverage line from the dispenser head to the tapping device by positioning the hollow beverage piston is in its closed position, in which the beverage extractor valve of the extractor device closes the beverage supply, and opening the tapping device until the pressure medium has pressed out the beverage remaining in the beverage line. This may be advantageous, for instance in the case of perishable beverages, such as beer, whereby the beverage line may then be emptied before a period during which no beverage is tapped, for instance when a bar closes down.

[0018] In a structurally advantageous embodiment, the bushing of the dispenser head is provided with at least one radially extending slot connecting the pressure medium passage and the hollow beverage piston in the closed position of the hollow beverage piston. Thereby, the communication of the pressure medium inlet with the beverage outlet is facilitated, even in the case that the bushing abuts a sealing ring or other parts of the extractor device in the connected state of the dispenser head and the extractor device.

[0019] The present invention further relates to a method of connecting a dispenser head with an extractor device mounted in a beverage container, such as a beer keg, in which the beverage may be pressurized, whereby the dispenser head is connected with the extractor device, a hollow beverage piston is displaced axially from a closed position, in which a beverage extractor valve of the extractor device closes an outlet of a down tube, to an open position, in which the hollow beverage piston may convey beverage from the down tube of the extractor device to a beverage outlet of the dispenser head, and a pressure medium is supplied to the extractor device via a chamber enclosed by the dispenser head and the extractor device. The method according to the invention is characterized by that the pressure medium is supplied to the chamber enclosed by the dispenser head and the extractor device right at the connection of the dispenser head with the extractor device and before the displacement of the hollow beverage piston to its open position. Thereby, the above-mentioned advantages may be obtained.

[0020] In an embodiment, the hollow beverage piston opens out into the chamber enclosed by the dispenser head and the extractor device in the closed position of the hollow beverage piston. Thereby, it is possible to empty the beverage line from the dispenser head to the tapping device, as discussed above.

[0021] The invention will now be explained in more detail below by means of examples of embodiments with reference to the schematic drawing, in which

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a dispenser head according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a partly cross-sectional view of the dispenser head in Fig. 1 and a beverage container with an extractor device, before connection of these, whereby the beverage container is shown only in part,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the dispenser head in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view on a larger scale of part of the dispenser head in Fig. 1, before connection with the extractor device,

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view on a larger scale of part of the dispenser head and extractor device in Fig. 2, after connection of these, in the closed position of the hollow beverage piston,

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser head and extractor device corresponding to that of Fig. 5, in the open position of the hollow beverage piston,

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a housing and bushing of the dispenser head in Fig. 1,

Fig. 8 is a top view of a sealing ring of the dispenser head in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 9 is an axial section along the line IX-IX of the sealing ring in Fig. 8.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a dispenser head 1 according to the invention for connection with an extractor device 2 mounted in a beverage container 3; see Fig. 2. The extractor device 2 may, as shown, for instance, be threaded into the beverage container 3. The beverage container 3 shown is a beer keg, in which beer may be pressurized; however, the invention is just as well applicable to a dispenser head suitable for dispensing other kinds of pressurized beverages, such as soft drinks or the like. The dispenser head 1 comprises a housing 4 having a threaded male coupling part 5 for insertion into a threaded female coupling part 6 of the extractor device 2. Other suitable kinds of couplings may also be employed. The housing 4 further comprises a pressure medium inlet 7 for connection with a not shown source of a pressure medium, such as a CO₂ cylinder, in order to pressurize the beverage container. A hollow beverage piston 9 is arranged axially displaceably in the housing 4 and has, at a first end, a beverage outlet 8 for connection with a not shown tapping device, comprising a tapping cock, in order to dispense beverage from the beverage container by means of the tapping device. The beverage outlet 8 may be connected with the tapping device by means of a not shown beverage line. In the connected state of the dispenser head and the extractor device, the hollow beverage piston 9 is displaceable between an open position, in which it may convey beverage from a down tube 10 of the extractor device 2 to the beverage outlet 8, and a closed position, in which a beverage extractor valve 11 of the extractor device closes an outlet 12 of the down tube.

[0023] The hollow beverage piston 9 is displaceable by operation of a lever arm 13 by means of a handle 14 arranged at a first end 15 of the lever arm 13. At a second end 16, the lever arm 13 is pivotally journalled in a bearing 17 of the housing 4, and a central part 18 of the lever arm 13 is engaged with a recess 19 in an outer wall of the hollow beverage piston 9, so that the piston is displaced when the lever arm is swung. The handle 14 may be locked in its lower position, whereby the hollow beverage piston 9 is in its open position, as shown in Fig. 6, by engagement of a locking tap 20 of the lever arm 13 with a recess 21 of the housing 4. The locking tap 20 is arranged axially displaceable in the lever arm 13 and biased by means of a spring 22 towards a position shown in Fig. 1. When the tap 20 is engaged in the recess 21, it may be disengaged by displacement against the spring force by operation of a button 23 arranged pivotally in the handle 14 about an axis 24, see Fig. 3, and cooperating with the locking tap 20 in any suitable manner evident to the skilled person.

[0024] The hollow beverage piston 9 is, at a centre portion, sealed against the housing by means of an O-ring 25, and, at a second end, it is guided in a bushing 26 that is fixedly mounted in the housing 4 by means of a thread connection 27 and that is sealed against the housing by means of an O-ring 28. An end of the bushing 26 projects from the housing 4 centrally in the threaded male coupling part 5 and is provided with a radially outwards projecting shoulder 29 holding a sealing ring 30 in place in an annular recess 31 that is formed in the housing 4 so that it surrounds the bushing 26. The annular recess 31 communicates with the pressure medium inlet 7 by means of a channel 36.

[0025] The sealing ring 30 is composed by a first tubular part 32 and a second tubular part 33 having a greater inner diameter than an inner diameter of the first tubular part; see Figs. 8 and 9. The first tubular part 32 of the sealing ring 30 is provided with an outer lip 34 adapted to be pressed radially outwards and seal against an inner wall 35 of the annular recess 31 in the housing 4, when the pressure medium is supplied to the annular recess 31 from the pressure medium inlet; see Fig. 4. A first end face of the first tubular part 32 of the sealing ring forms an annular sealing surface 37 of a valve element 38 of a pressure medium valve 39. In a closed position of the valve element 38 shown in Fig. 4, the annular sealing surface 37 abuts an annular seat 40 on the radially outwards projecting shoulder 29 of the bushing 26 of the dispenser head 1. The annular sealing surface 37 is provided with a rib 41 sealing against the annular seat 40, and a not shown notch corresponding to the rib 41 may be provided on the annular seat 40. The sealing ring 30 may be supported by a metal ring 42 or the like located in a recess 43 formed between the first tubular part 32 and a second tubular part 33.

[0026] The valve element 38 of the pressure medium valve 39 has the form of a first annular part of the sealing ring 30 and it is biased towards its closed position by means of a second annular and elastic part 44 of the sealing ring. This is achieved in that the first tubular part 32 of the sealing ring comprises the second annular and elastic part 44 and has a second end face 45 being opposed to its first end face and abutting an inner surface 46 of the annular recess 31. The valve element 38 is furthermore biased towards its closed position by means of the pressure medium loading the sealing ring 30 in the annular recess 31. Because the first tubular part 32 has radially extending slots 47 formed in its second end face 45 and communicating with axially extending slots 48 in an inner wall 49 of the first tubular part, the radially and axially extending slots form part of a pressure medium passage communicating with the pressure medium inlet 7 via the channel 36. In Fig. 4, showing the dispenser head 1 before connection with the extractor device 2, it is indicated by means of a fat, broken line that pressure medium is supplied through the pressure medium passage to the pressure medium valve 39 that is closed.

[0027] An annular abutment surface 50 of the valve element 38 of the pressure medium valve 39 forms a first end face of the second tubular part 33 of the sealing ring, and said first end face is positioned displaced in axial direction away from the first tubular part 32. The annular abutment surface 50 is adapted to, in the connected state of the dispenser head 1 and the extractor device 2 shown in Fig. 5, form a sealing surface against the extractor device, whereby the sealing ring 30 seals the dispenser head 1 against the extractor device 2. The annular abutment surface 50 is provided with a rib 51 sealing against the extractor device 2, and a not shown notch corresponding to the rib 51 may be provided on the extractor device 2. At the connection of the dispenser head 1 and the extractor device 2, the annular abutment surface 50 of the valve element 38 is pressed against a face of the extractor device 2, whereby the sealing ring 30 is compressed in the direction of the annular recess 31 of the housing 4 that it is located in. Especially the second annular and elastic part 44 of the sealing ring is compressed, whereby the annular sealing surface 37 of the valve element 38 is displaced away from the annular seat 40 on the radially outwards projecting shoulder 29 of the bushing 26 of the dispenser head 1, so that the pressure medium valve 39 is opened.

[0028] In Fig. 5, the hollow beverage piston 9 is in its closed position, in which the beverage extractor valve 11 of the extractor device is closed so that no beverage is supplied to the hollow beverage piston 9, and as indicated by means of a fat, broken line, the pressure medium is now supplied through the pressure medium valve 39 and through the hollow beverage piston 9 to the beverage outlet 8. If the tapping cock of the tapping device is opened, the tapping line may be emptied by the pressure medium blowing through it. It is noted that in this state, the radially outwards projecting shoulder 29 of the bushing 26 abuts a pressure medium valve element 52 of the extractor device, but nevertheless, the pressure medium is able to pass between these two elements through radially extending channels 53 formed in the radially outwards projecting shoulder 29; see Fig. 3. Furthermore, the pressure medium passes between a sealing ring 54 mounted at a second end of the hollow beverage piston 9 and the pressure medium valve element 52 of the extractor device, as the sealing ring 54 is positioned at a distance from the pressure medium valve element 52. An end face 61 of the hollow beverage piston 9 is located at the second end of the piston and abuts, in the state shown in Fig. 5, a valve element 55 of the beverage extractor valve 11 of the extractor device. However, the pressure medium passes between through the hollow beverage piston 9, because there are provided two opposed, radially open openings 56 in said end face 61 of the piston. In order to prevent bever age from leaking from the dispenser head after disconnection from the extractor device, a ball 60 is supported inside the hollow beverage piston 9 at the second end of the piston, thereby forming a non-return valve.

[0029] The valve element 55 of the beverage extractor valve 11 is biased against the pressure medium valve element 52 by means of a spring 57, thereby closing the beverage extractor valve 11 in the state shown in Fig. 5, so that no beverage may exit from the down tube 10. Furthermore, the pressure medium valve element 52 is biased against a valve seat 58 of the outlet 12 of the down tube by means of a spring 59.

[0030] In Fig. 6, the hollow beverage piston 9 has been displaced to its open position by operation of the handle 14. Thereby, the sealing ring 54 of the hollow beverage piston 9 has reached abutment against the pressure medium valve element 52 and thereby displaced the latter against its springload to its open position, in which the pressure medium may pass from the dispenser head to the beverage container, as indicated by means of the fat, broken line. The passage of pressure medium between the sealing ring 54 and the pressure medium valve element 52 has at the same time been closed, so that the pressure medium will press the beverage up through the down tube 10. As the valve element 55 of the beverage extractor valve 11 has been displaced to its open position by means of the hollow beverage piston 9, the beverage is allowed to exit from the down tube 10 and enter the hollow beverage piston 9 through the radially open openings 56 of the piston, and subsequently flow through the piston to the beverage outlet 8 and further on therefrom to the tapping device.

[0031] It should be noted that the valve element of the pressure medium valve may be composed of more parts, for instance a sealing ring and an intermediate actuation element adapted to abut the extractor device and thereby displace the sealing ring. In fact, the valve element does not have to be concentric with the hollow beverage piston 9, and it may have the form of any element suitable for opening and closing the passage of pressure medium through the dispenser head. Furthermore, according to the invention, the dispenser head may be adapted to maintain the closed position of the pressure medium valve in the disconnected state of the dispenser head and the extractor device in a different way than explained above. For instance, the pressure medium valve may be actuated by displacement of the hollow beverage piston, whereby the dispenser head may be so designed that it cannot be disconnected from the extractor device before the hollow beverage piston is displaced to its closed position, and whereby a locking element may be provided that locks the hollow beverage piston in its closed position when the dispenser head is disconnected from the extractor device. Upon displacement of the hollow beverage piston to its open position, such a force may be exerted on the coupling parts 5, 6 that they cannot be disconnected, and said locking element may be adapted to abut the extractor device in the connected state of the dispenser head and the extractor device.

Claims

1. A dispenser head (1) for connection with an extractor device (2) mounted in a beverage container (3), such as a beer keg, in which the beverage may be pressurized, the dispenser head comprising a pressure medium passage, a pressure medium inlet (7) communicating with said pressure medium passage for supply of a pressure medium, such as CO₂, to the beverage container, a pressure medium valve (39) being adapted to open and close the pressure medium passage, a beverage outlet (8) for delivery of beverage from the beverage container (3) to a tapping device, and a hollow beverage piston (9) arranged to, when the dispenser head (1) and the extractor device (2) are mutually connected, be axially displaceable between an open position, in which it may convey beverage from a down tube (10) of the extractor device (2) to the beverage outlet (8), and a closed position, in which a beverage extractor valve (11) of the extractor device (2) closes an outlet (12) of the down tube (10), the dispenser head (1) being adapted to maintain the closed position of the pressure medium valve (39) in the disconnected state of the dispenser head (1) and the extractor device (2) wherein the pressure medium valve comprise a valve element (38) which is displaceable between an open position and a closed position, and the valve element (38) is biased against its closed position, characterized in that the pressure medium valve (39) comprises a sealing ring (30) forming a first tubular part (32) and a second tubular part (33) having a greater inner diameter than an inner diameter of the first tubular part (32), and an annular abutment surface (50), the valve element (38) of the pressure medium valve (39) forms a first end face of the second tubular part (33), in that the annular sealing surface (37) of a valve element (38) of the pressure medium valve (39) forms a first end face of the first tubular part (32), in that the first tubular part (32) has a second end face (45) being opposed to its first end face and abutting an inner surface (46) of the dispenser head (1), and in that the first end face of the second tubular (33) part is displaced in axial direction away from the first tubular part (32) and in that the valve element (38) is adapted to, at connection of the dispenser head (1) with the extractor device (2), be displaced to its open position by abutment of the valve element (38) against the extractor device (2).

2. A dispenser head according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve element (38) of the pressure medium (39) valve surrounds the hollow beverage piston (9) and has the annular abutment surface (50) adapted to abut the extractor device (2) and an annular sealing surface (37) that, in the closed position of the valve element (38), abuts an annular seat (40) in the dispenser head (1).

3. A dispenser head according to claim 2, characterized in that the valve element (38) of the pressure medium valve (39) is adapted to be biased towards its closed position at least partly by means of the pressure medium.

4. A dispenser head according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the valve element (38) of the pressure medium valve (39) has the form of at least a first annular part of a sealing ring (30), and in that the valve element (38) is biased towards its closed position by means of at least a second annular and elastic part (44) of the sealing ring (30).

5. A dispenser head according to claim 1, characterized in that the first tubular part (32) has radially extending slots (47) formed in its second end face (45) and communicating with axially extending slots (48) in an inner wall (49) of the first tubular part (32), the radially and axially extending slots thereby forming part of the pressure medium passage.

6. A dispenser head according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the first tubular part (32) of the sealing ring (30) is provided with an outer lip (34) adapted to seal against an inner wall (35) of the dispenser device (1) when a pressure medium is supplied to the pressure medium inlet (7), and in that the annular abutment surface (50) of the valve element (38) of the pressure medium valve (39) is adapted to, in the connected state of the dispenser head (1) and the extractor device (2), form a sealing surface against the extractor device (2).

7. A dispenser head according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the annular sealing surface (37) of the valve element (38) of the pressure medium valve (39) is provided with a rib (41) or notch fitting a corresponding rib or notch of a bushing (26) of the dispenser head (1).

8. A dispenser head according to any one of the claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the annular abutment surface (50) of the pressure medium valve (39) is provided with a rib (51) or notch fitting a corresponding rib or notch of the extractor device (2).

9. A dispenser head according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing ring (30) is manufactured as an integral part from an elastic material.

10. A dispenser head according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispenser head (1) is adapted so that, in the connected state of the dispenser head (1) and the extractor device (2) and the closed position of the hollow beverage piston (9), the pressure medium inlet (7) communicates with the beverage outlet (8)
by the bushing (26) of the dispenser head (1) is provided with at least one radially extending slot (53) connecting the pressure medium passage and the hollow beverage piston (9) in the closed position of the hollow beverage piston.

11. A method of connecting a dispenser head (1) according to claim 1 with an extractor device (2) mounted in a beverage container (3), such as a beer keg, in which the beverage may be pressurized, whereby the dispenser head (1) is connected with the extractor device (2), a hollow beverage piston (9) is displaces axially from a closed position, in which a beverage extractor valve (11) of the extractor device (2) closes an outlet (12) of a down tube (10), to an open position, in which the hollow beverage piston (9) may convey beverage from the down tube (10) of the extractor device (2) to a beverage outlet (8) of the dispenser head (1), and a pressure medium is supplied to the extractor device (2) via a chamber enclosed by the dispenser head (1) and the extractor device (2), characterized by that the pressure medium is supplied to the chamber enclosed by the dispenser head (1) and the extractor device (2) right at the connection of the dispenser head (1) with the extractor device (2) and before the displacement of the hollow beverage piston (9) to its open position, wherein the hollow beverage piston (9) opens out into the chamber enclosed by the dispenser head (1) and the extractor device (2) in the closed position of the hollow beverage piston (9).

Ansprüche

1. Abgabekopf (1) zum Verbinden mit einer Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2), die in einem Getränkebehälter (3), wie einem Bierfass, angebracht ist, in welchem das Getränk unter Druck gesetzt werden kann,
wobei der Abgabekopf umfasst
einen Druckmitteldurchgang,
einen Druckmitteleinlass (7), der mit dem Druckmitteldurchgang zur Abgabe eines Druckmittels, wie CO₂, an den Getränkebehälter verbunden ist,
ein Druckmittel-Ventil (39), welches geeignet ist, den Druckmitteldurchgang zu öffnen und zu schließen,
einen Getränkeauslass (8) zur Abgabe des Getränks aus dem Getränkebehälter (3) an eine Anstich- bzw. Anzapfvorrichtung
und einen hohlen Getränkekolben (9), der angeordnet ist, um dann, wenn der Abgabekopf (1) und die Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) gegenseitig verbunden sind, zwischen einer offenen Position, in der er das Getränk von einem abwärts gerichteten Rohr (10) der Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) zu dem Getränkeauslass (8) hin überführen kann, und einer geschlossenen Position axial verschiebbar ist, in der ein Getränke-Entnahmeventil (11) der Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) einen Auslass (12) des abwärts gerichteten Rohres (10) schließt, wobei der Abgabekopf (1) geeignet ist, die geschlossene Position des Druckmittel-Ventils (39) in dem getrennten Zustand des Abgabekopfs (1) und der Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) aufrechtzuerhalten,
wobei das Druckmittel-Ventil ein Ventilelement (38) umfasst, welches zwischen einer offenen Position und einer geschlossenen Position verschiebbar ist,
und wobei das Ventilelement (38) gegen seine geschlossene Position vorgespannt ist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass das Druckmittel-Ventil (39) einen Dichtungsring (30), der einen ersten rohrförmigen Teil (32) und einen zweiten rohrförmigen Teil (33) bildet, welcher einen größeren Innendurchmesser aufweist als ein Innendurchmesser des ersten rohrförmigen Teiles (32), und eine ringförmige Anlagefläche (50) umfasst,
dass das Ventilelement (38) des Druckmittel-Ventils (39) eine erste End- bzw. Stirnfläche des zweiten rohrförmigen Teiles (33) bildet,
dass die ringförmige Dichtungsfläche (37) eines Ventilelements (38) des Druckmittel-Ventils (39) eine erste End- bzw. Stirnfläche des ersten rohrförmigen Teiles (32) bildet,
dass der erste rohrförmige Teil (32) eine zweite End- bzw. Stirnfläche (45) aufweist, die entgegengesetzt zu dessen ersten End- bzw. Stirnfläche vorgesehen ist und die an einer Innenfläche (46) des Abgabekopfes (1) anliegt,
dass die erste End- bzw. Stirnfläche des zweiten rohrförmigen Teiles (33) in axialer Richtung von dem ersten rohrförmigen Teil (32) weg versetzt ist und dass das Ventilelement (38) geeignet ist, bei Verbindung des Abgabekopfes (1) mit der Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) durch Anlage des Ventilelements (38) gegenüber der Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) in seine offene Position verschoben zu werden.

2. Abgabekopf nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass das Ventilelement (38) des Druckmittel-Ventils (39) den hohlen Getränkekolben (9) umgibt und die ringförmige Anlagefläche (50), die geeignet ist, an der Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) anzuliegen, und eine ringförmige Dichtungsfläche (37) aufweist, die in der geschlossenen Stellung des Ventilelements (38) an einem ringförmigen Sitz (40) in dem Abgabekopf (1) anliegt.

3. Abgabekopf nach Anspruch 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass das Ventilelement (38) des Druckmittel-Ventils (39) dazu geeignet ist, durch das Druckmittel zumindest teilweise zu seiner geschlossenen Position hin vorgespannt zu werden.

4. Abgabekopf nach Anspruch 2 oder 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass das Ventilelement (38) des Druckmittel-Ventils (39) die Form zumindest eines ersten ringförmigen Teiles eines Dichtungsrings (30) aufweist und dass das Ventilelement (38) durch zumindest einen zweiten ringförmigen und elastischen Teil (44) des Dichtungsrings (30) zu seiner geschlossenen Stellung hin vorgespannt wird bzw, ist.

5. Abgabekopf nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass der erste rohrförmige Teil (32) radial verlaufende Schlitze (47) aufweist, die in dessen zweiter End- bzw. Stirnfläche (45) gebildet sind und die mit axial verlaufenden Schlitzen (48) in einer Innenwand (49) des ersten rohrförmigen Teiles (32) in Verbindung stehen, wobei die radial und axial verlaufenden Schlitze dadurch einen Teil des Druckmittel-Durchgangs bilden.

6. Abgabekopf nach Anspruch 1 oder 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass der erste rohrförmige Teil (32) des Dichtungsrings (30) mit einer äußeren Lippe (34) versehen ist, die geeignet ist, gegenüber einer Innenwand (35) der Abgabevorrichtung (1) abzudichten, wenn dem Druckmittel-Einlass (7) ein Druckmittel zugeführt wird,
und dass die ringförmige Anlagefläche (50) des Ventilelements (38) des Druckmittel-Ventils (39) geeignet ist, im verbundenen Zustand des Abgabekopfes (1) und der Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) eine Dichtungsfläche gegenüber der Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) zu bilden.

7. Abgabekopf nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass die ringförmige Dichtungsfläche (37) des Ventilelements (38) des Druckmittel-Ventils (39) mit einer Rippe (41) oder einer Nut versehen ist, die an einer entsprechenden Rippe oder Nut einer Buchse (26) des Abgabekopfes (1) anliegt bzw. zu dieser passt.

8. Abgabekopf nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 7,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass die ringförmige Anlagefläche (50) des Druckmittel-Ventils (39) mit einer Rippe (51) oder einer Nut versehen ist, die an einer entsprechenden Rippe oder Nut der Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) anliegt bzw. zu dieser passt.

9. Abgabekopf nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass der Dichtungsring (30) als ein zusammenhängendes Teil aus einem elastischen Material hergestellt ist.

10. Abgabekopf nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass der Abgabekopf (1) derart geeignet ist, dass im verbundenen Zustand des Abgabekopfes (1) und der Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) und in der geschlossenen Stellung des hohlen Getränkekolbens (9) der Druckmittel-Einlass (7) mit dem Getränkeauslass (8) in Verbindung ist, indem die Buchse (26) des Abgabekopfes (1) mit zumindest einem radial verlaufenden Schlitz (53) versehen ist, der den Druckmittel-Durchgang und den hohlen Getränkekolben (9) in der geschlossenen Stellung des hohlen Getränkekolbens verbindet.

11. Verfahren zum Verbinden eines Abgabekopfes (1) nach Anspruch 1 mit einer Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2), die in einem Getränkebehälter (3), wie einem Bierfass, angebracht ist, in welchem das Getränk unter Druck gesetzt werden kann,
wobei der Abgabekopf (1) mit der Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) verbunden ist,
wobei ein hohler Getränkekolben (9) aus einer geschlossenen Stellung, in der ein Getränke-Entnahmeventil (11) der Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) einen Auslass (12) eines abwärts gerichteten Rohres (10) verschließt, in eine geöffnete Stellung axial verschoben wird, in der der hohle Getränkekolben (9) das Getränk aus dem abwärts gerichteten Rohr (10) der Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) zu einem Getränkeauslass (8) des Abgabekopfes (1) hin überführen kann,
und wobei der Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) ein Druckmittel mittels einer durch den Abgabekopf (1) und die Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) umschlossenen Kammer zugeführt wird,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass das Druckmittel der durch den Abgabekopf (1) und die Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) umschlossenen Kammer direkt an der Verbindung des Abgabekopfes (1) mit der Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) und vor der Verschiebung des hohlen Getränkekolbens (9) in dessen geöffnete Stellung zugeführt wird,
wobei der hohle Getränkekolben (9) in die durch den Abgabekopf (1) und die Entnahme- bzw. Abziehvorrichtung (2) umschlossene Kammer in der geschlossenen Stellung des hohlen Getränkekolbens (9) mündet.

Revendications

1. Tête de distribution (1) à relier à un dispositif extracteur (2) monté dans un conteneur de boisson (3), comme un fût de bière, dans lequel la boisson peut être sous pression, la tête de distribution comprenant un passage pour fluide sous pression, une entrée pour fluide sous pression (7) communiquant avec ledit passage pour fluide sous pression pour alimenter un fluide sous pression, comme du CO₂, vers le conteneur de boisson, une valve (39) pour fluide sous pression étant adaptée à ouvrir et à fermer le passage pour fluide sous pression, une sortie de boisson (8) pour fournir la boisson depuis le conteneur de boisson (3) vers un dispositif de débit, et un piston à boisson creux (9) agencé pour, quand la tête de distribution (1) et le dispositif extracteur (2) sont mutuellement reliés, être axialement déplaçable entre une position ouverte dans laquelle il peut convoyer de la boisson depuis un tube descendant (10) du dispositif extracteur (2) vers la sortie de boisson (8), et une position fermée dans laquelle une valve d'extraction de boisson (11) du dispositif extracteur (2) ferme une sortie (12) du tube descendant (10), la tête de distribution (1) étant adaptée à maintenir la position fermée de la valve (39) pour fluide sous pression dans l'état non relié de la tête de distribution (1) et du dispositif extracteur (2), dans laquelle la valve pour fluide sous pression comprend un élément de valve (38) qui est déplaçable entre une position ouverte et une position fermée, et l'élément de valve (38) est sollicité contre sa position fermée,
caractérisée en ce que la valve (39) pour fluide sous pression comprend une bague d'étanchéité (30) formant une première partie tubulaire (32) et une seconde partie tubulaire (33) ayant un diamètre intérieur plus grand qu'un diamètre intérieur de la première partie tubulaire (32), et une surface de butée annulaire (50), l'élément de valve (38) de la valve (39) pour fluide sous pression formant une première face terminale de la seconde partie tubulaire (33), en ce que la surface d'étanchéité annulaire (37) d'un élément de valve (38) de la valve (39) pour fluide sous pression forme une première face terminale de la première partie tubulaire (32), en ce que la première partie tubulaire (32) possède une seconde face terminale (45) opposée à sa première face terminale et en butée avec une surface intérieure (46) de la tête de distribution (1), et en ce que la première face terminale de la seconde partie tubulaire (33) est déplacée en direction axiale en éloignement de la première partie tubulaire (32), et en ce que l'élément de valve (38) est adapté et pour, lors de la liaison de la tête de distribution (1) avec le dispositif extracteur (2), être déplacé vers sa position ouverte par butée de l'élément de valve (38) contre le dispositif extracteur (2).

2. Tête de distribution selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que l'élément de valve (38) de la valve (39) pour fluide sous pression entoure le piston à boisson creux (9), et possède la surface de butée annulaire (50) adaptée à venir buter contre le dispositif extracteur (2) et une surface d'étanchéité annulaire (37) qui, dans la position fermée de l'élément de valve (38), vient buter contre un siège annulaire (40) dans la tête de distribution (1).

3. Tête de distribution selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que l'élément de valve (38) de la valve (39) pour fluide sous pression est adapté à être sollicité vers sa position fermée au moins partiellement au moyen du fluide sous pression.

4. Tête de distribution selon la revendication 2 ou 3, caractérisée en ce que l'élément de valve (38) de la valve (39) pour fluide sous pression a la forme d'au moins une première partie annulaire d'une bague d'étanchéité (30), et en ce que l'élément de valve (38) est sollicité vers sa position fermée au moyen d'au moins une seconde partie annulaire élastique (44) de la bague d'étanchéité (30).

5. Tête de distribution selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la première partie tubulaire (32) possède des fentes s'étendant radialement (47) formées dans sa seconde face terminale (45) et communiquant avec des fentes s'étendant axialement (48) dans une paroi intérieure (49) de la première partie tubulaire (32), les fentes s'étendant radialement et les fentes s'étendant axialement formant ainsi partie du passage pour fluide sous pression.

6. Tête de distribution selon la revendication 1 ou 5, caractérisée en ce que la première partie tubulaire (32) de la bague d'étanchéité (30) est pourvue d'une lèvre extérieure (34) adaptée à venir faire étanchéité contre une paroi intérieure (35) du dispositif distributeur (1) quand un fluide sous pression est fourni dans l'entrée (7) pour fluide sous pression, et en ce que la surface de butée annulaire (50) de l'élément de valve (38) de la valve (39) pour fluide sous pression est adaptée pour, dans l'état relié de la tête de distribution (1) et du dispositif extracteur (2), former une surface d'étanchéité contre le dispositif extracteur (2).

7. Tête de distribution selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisée en ce que la surface d'étanchéité annulaire (37) de l'élément de valve (38) de la valve (39) pour fluide sous pression est pourvue d'une nervure (41) ou d'une encoche engagée avec une nervure ou une encoche correspondante d'une douille (26) de la tête de distribution (1).

8. Tête de distribution selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 7, caractérisée en ce que la surface de butée annulaire (50) de la valve (39) pour fluide sous pression est pourvue d'une nervure (51) ou d'une encoche engagée avec une nervure ou une encoche correspondante du dispositif extracteur (2).

9. Tête de distribution selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la bague d'étanchéité (30) est fabriquée comme une partie intégrée à partir d'un matériau élastique.

10. Tête de distribution selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la tête de distribution (1) est adaptée de telle façon que, dans l'état relié de la tête de distribution (1) et du dispositif extracteur (2), et dans la position fermée du piston à boisson creux (9), l'entrée (7) pour fluide sous pression communique avec la sortie à boisson (8), et
la douille (26) de la tête de distribution (1) est pourvue d'au moins une fente (53) s'étendant radialement et reliant le passage pour fluide sous pression avec le piston à boisson creux (9) dans la position fermée du piston à boisson creux.

11. Procédé pour relier une tête de distribution (1) selon la revendication 1 avec un dispositif extracteur (2) monté dans un conteneur de boissons (3), comme un fût de bière, dans lequel la boisson peut être sous pression, grâce à quoi la tête de distribution (1) est reliée au dispositif extracteur (2), un piston à boisson creux (9) est déplacé axialement depuis une position fermée dans laquelle une valve d'extraction de boissons (11) du dispositif extracteur (2) ferme une sortie (12) d'un tube descendant (10), vers une position ouverte dans laquelle le piston à boisson creux (9) peut transporter de la boisson depuis le tube descendant (10) du dispositif extracteur (2) vers une sortie de boisson (8) de la tête de distribution (1), et un fluide sous pression est fourni au dispositif extracteur (2) via une chambre enfermée par la tête de distribution (1) et le dispositif extracteur (2), caractérisé en ce que le fluide sous pression est fourni à la chambre enfermée par la tête de distribution (1) et le dispositif extracteur (2) exactement au niveau de la liaison de la tête de distribution (1) avec le dispositif extracteur (2) et avant le déplacement du piston à boisson creux (9) vers sa position ouverte, dans lequel le piston à boisson creux (9) est ouvert vers la chambre enfermée par la tête de distribution (1) et le dispositif extracteur (2) dans la position fermée du piston à boisson creux (9).

Drawing