Patent ID: 6516839
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: B67C,B67D,Y10T

Abstract:
A valve assembly (8, 308) for a container (1, 2, 4) for beverage, comprising a housing and a beverage channel with a valve body (20, 320), wherein operating means are provided for moving the valve body, said operating means comprising:first coupling means (100, 300) for coupling the beverage channel (50, 350) to beverage dispensing means for emptying a container through or along the valve body; and second coupling means (80, 380) for coupling the beverage channel (50, 350) to a filling device for filling a container through or along the valve body, characterized in that the first coupling means are arranged for movement of the valve body between a first and a second position and the second coupling means are arranged for movement of the valve body between a first and a third position, wherein in the first position the beverage channel is completely closed off in the second position a passage is released for a first flow rate, and in the third position a passage is released for a second flow rate, the second flow rate being considerably greater than the first flow rate, the arrangement being such that during use, a container connected to the valve assembly can be filled relatively quickly through the beverage channel when the valve body is in its third position, while beverage can be dispensed from the relevant container in a relatively calm manner when the valve assembly is in its second position.