Abstract:
A method is provided for filling a bag with an alcohol beverage inflates the bag with an inert gas prior to filing the bag with the beverage. The inert gas is vented from the bag as the bag is filled with the beverage. By initially inflating the bag with the inert gas, the bag is not inflated during the step of filling the bag with the beverage and hence, the bag is less susceptible to rupture during beverage filling the inert gas acts to purge any air trapped in the bag. During the venting step the inert gas and air mixture is vented from the bag. There is less chance for air to be trapped in the bag and spoil the beverage in the bag. In a further aspect, the bag is contained in a container and the air between the container and the bag is also evacuated. The inert gas may be CO 2  or nitrogen when the beverage is beer. Also provided is a valve and valve and spear assembly for alcohol dispensing apparatus.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a method of filling a bag with an alcohol beverage and in particular, relates to a method of filling a bag contained in a container such as a keg with beer. The present invention further relates to a valve assembly and a valve and spear unit assembly both adapted for filling a bag with an alcohol beverage when the bag is contained in a container.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     It is known to contain alcohol, such as wine in bags contained in a cardboard type container. Further, it is known to use a bag inserted into a keg for storing beer in the bag. In the case of a beer keg, pressure is applied to the bag to dispense the beer from the bag and out of the keg. Further, the bag is inserted into the keg container prior to the beer being filled into the bag.  
         [0003]     The filling of beer into the bag, has two potential problems. One problem is that the bag still may contain air that mixes with the beer and spoils the beer. Another problem is that the filling of the beer directly into the bag has been known to rupture the bag.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for filling a bag with an alcohol beverage or beer that reduces the risk of the bag retaining air when the beverage is filled into the bag.  
         [0005]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for filling a bag with an alcohol beverage or beer that reduces the chances of bag rupture during filing of the bag with the beverage.  
         [0006]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a valve assembly for use with an alcohol beverage or beer dispensing apparatus that reduces the risk of the bag retaining air when filled with beer.  
         [0007]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a single valve assembly that fits through a single opening for the container of an alcohol beverage or beer dispensing apparatus.  
         [0008]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a valve assembly for an alcohol beverage or beer dispensing apparatus which assembly is adapted to fill the bag with an alcohol beverage or beer and is adapted to supply a pressure in the container against the bag for dispensing the alcohol from the bag, and reduces the chances of the bag rupture during filing of the bag.  
         [0009]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a valve and spear unit assembly for use with an alcohol beverage or beer dispensing apparatus that reduces the risk of the bag retaining air when filled with beer, which assembly is a separate component part of the alcohol dispensing apparatus that may be cleaned and recycled.  
         [0010]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a valve and spear assembly for an alcohol beverage or beer dispensing apparatus that is adapted to fill the bag with an alcohol beverage and is adapted to supply a pressure in the container against the bag for dispensing the alcohol from the bag, and reduces the chances of the bag rupture during filing of the bag.  
         [0011]     In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for filling a bag with an alcohol beverage wherein the bag is inflated with an inert gas prior to filing the bag with the beverage and the inert gas is vented from the bag, preferably as the bag is filled with the beverage.  
         [0012]     By initially inflating the bag with the inert gas, the bag does not have to be inflated during the step of filling the bag with the beverage and hence the bag is less susceptible to rupture during beverage filling. Further the inert gas does not adversely react with the beverage to spoil the beverage. Also, inflating the bag with inert gas acts to purge or mix any air trapped against in the bag with the inert gas and during the venting step, the air is vented from the bag with the inert gas. As a consequence, there is less chance for air to be trapped in the bag and spoil the beverage in the bag. Preferably, the inert gas is vented from the bag during the step of filling the inflated bag with the beverage.  
         [0013]     In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for filling a bag contained in a container with an alcohol beverage wherein air located between the bag and container is evacuated from the container. The bag is then inflated with an inert gas prior to filling the bag with the beverage and the inert gas is vented from the bag as the bag is filled with the beverage.  
         [0014]     By initially evacuating air from the container prior to bag inflation, the present invention reduces the occurrence of air pockets being trapped between the bag and container during bag inflation. Further, the inflation of the bag requires less pressure thereby reducing stress placed on the bag during inflation and hence reducing risk of bag rupture. Alternatively, if the gas is inserted into the bag under at a non-lessened pressure, the fill rate of the bag is not slowed down by venting of air from the container because the air has already been evacuated. These advantages may be further enhanced by continuing the evacuating step during the bag inflation step.  
         [0015]     It should be understood that by evacuating air from the container it is meant to reduce the volume of air in the container outside of the bag and in effect create a vacuum in the container that facilitates the inflation of the bag with the inert gas.  
         [0016]     By inert or charging gas, it is meant a gas that has an inert chemical reaction when mixed with the alcohol beverage so as not to spoil or adversely affect the quality of the beverage. Preferably the inert gas is CO 2  or nitrogen when the beverage is beer.  
         [0017]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a valve assembly adapted for filling a bag with an alcohol beverage where the bag is contained in a container having an aperture. The valve assembly comprises a valve body adapted to be secured in the aperture. In one embodiment, the valve body has a first passageway extending through the center of the valve body. The valve body has at least one second passageway extending through the valve body radially spaced from the first passageway. The assembly has a first valve centrally seated in the valve body in releasable sealing engagement with the first passageway for controlling the flow of one of charging gas and beverage through the first passageway into and out of the bag. The assembly has a second valve seated in the valve body concentrically of the first valve in releasable sealing engagement with the at least one second passageway for controlling the flow of one of charging gas and beverage through the at least one second passageway into and out of the bag.  
         [0018]     It is envisaged that the valve body has at least one and third passageway spaced radially out from the first passageway and the assembly has a third valve seated in the valve body concentrically of the first valve for controlling the flow of gas through the at least one third passageway into and out of the container exterior of the bag. The third valve permits air to be removed from the keg container as the bag is inflated and permits for pressurized air to be forced into the container and act against the bag to facilitate beverage dispensing. This embodiment has three valves utilized in one valve body.  
         [0019]     Preferably, the second and third valves are ring valves that are concentrically spaced to provide valve actuators for opening and closing the valve that are radially spaced from each other and axially moveable independent of each other.  
         [0020]     In a second embodiment, the valve body has first, second and third spaced apart passageways extending through the valve body. The valve assembly has first, second and third valves. The first valve is seated in the first passageway for controlling the flow of one of charging gas, preferably CO 2 , and beverage through the first passageway, into and out of the bag. The second valve is seated in the second passageway for controlling the flow of one of charging gas and beverage through the second passageway, into and out of the bag. The third valve is seated in the third passageway for controlling the flow of gas through the third passageway, into and out of the container exterior of the bag.  
         [0021]     By providing an extra valve, i.e. two valves that permit for charging gas, the bag may be inflated with the charging gas prior to filling with beer. The use of the charging gas reduces the risk of bag rupture when the beverage is filled into the bag. When the alcohol beverage is filled into the inflated bag, the inert charging gas and any air mixed therewith, is forced out the valve not used to fill the bag with the beverage.  
         [0022]     Preferably, the first valve is used to fill and dispense the alcohol beverage from the bag. Preferably, the second valve is used to inflate the bag with charging gas and permit the charging gas to exit the bag as the bag is filled through the first valve with the alcohol beverage.  
         [0023]     Each valve may have a valve actuator for opening and closing the valve. Preferably, the valve actuator of each valve extends away from the valve body by a different predetermined distance. This permits for selective activation of the valves either one at a time or in set combinations during inert gas filling, alcohol filling and alcohol dispense mode of operation. Preferably, the first passageway is centrally disposed of the valve body and the other two passageways are spaced radial thereof.  
         [0024]     Therefore, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a valve assembly adapted for filling a bag with an alcohol beverage where the bag is contained in a container having an aperture. The valve assembly comprises a valve body adapted to be secured in the aperture. The valve body has a first passageway extending through the center of the valve body and at least one second passageway extending through the valve body radially spaced from the first passageway. The valve assembly has a first valve centrally seated in the valve body in releasable sealing engagement with the first passageway for controlling the flow of one of charging gas and beverage through the first passageway into and out of the bag. The valve assembly has a second valve seated in the valve body concentrically of the first valve in releasable sealing engagement with the at least one second passageway for controlling the flow of one of charging gas and beverage through the at least one second passageway into and out of the bag.  
         [0025]     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a valve and spear assembly or unit for use with a container housing a bag adapted to be filled with an alcohol beverage. The valve and spear assembly comprises a valve body having first, second and third spaced apart passageways extending through the valve body. The assembly has a first valve seated in the first passageway for controlling the flow of one of charging gas and beverage through the second passageway. The assembly has a second valve seated in the second passageway for controlling the flow of one of charging gas and beverage through the first passageway. The assembly has a third valve seated in the third passageway for controlling the flow of pressurizing gas through the third passageway. The assembly has an elongated hollow spear extending from and connected in fluid flow communication with the first passageway. The hollow spear has an open end portion spaced from the first passageway. By providing a separate component part comprising the valve and spear unit assembly, there is provided a part that may be removed from the container, cleaned and re-used.  
         [0026]     Preferably, the first passageway has a tubular extension extending from the valve body that is adapted to extend into the bag, and the hollow spear is secured to the tubular extension.  
         [0027]     Preferably, the spear has an outside diameter and the hollow tube extension has an inside diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of the spear whereby the spear is inserted into the hollow tubular extension by interference fit. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]     For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention reference may be had to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:  
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of a home beer dispensing apparatus in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the home beer dispensing apparatus;  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is broken away perspective view of the keg showing the valve and spear assembly mounted within the keg;  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a sectional side view of the valve and spear assembly as shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the valve and spear assembly outside of the keg;  
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of the valve body of the valve assembly; and,  
         [0035]      FIGS. 7, 8 ,  9 ,  9   a  and  10  are simplified sectional views of the valve body showing valve operation.  
         [0036]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the valve and spear assembly with the keg of the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 12  is a sectional side view of the valve and spear assembly as shown in  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0038]      FIG. 13  is a sectional side view of an alternative valve and spear assembly. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0039]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2  there is shown a home beer dispensing apparatus, appliance or unit  10 . The dispensing apparatus  10  is primarily intended for use in domestic kitchens but may also be used in utility rooms, garages, domestic bars, caravans etc. While the preferred embodiment relates to dispensing beer, alternatively carbonated solutions or other alcohol beverages may be dispensed by apparatus  10 .  
         [0040]     The home beer dispensing apparatus  10  has a front wall  12  and a dispensing tap  14  protruding forward of the front wall  12 . A drip tray  16  also protrudes forward of the front wall  12  and is adapted to support an open glass container  18  below the dispensing tap  14 . The home beer dispensing apparatus  10  further has a base  21  adapted to rest on a counter top. The front wall  12  is an extension of two pivoting side walls  20  which may be moved between closed and open positions to allow the keg  22  (see  FIG. 2  in broken lines) to be inserted into the housing of the home beer dispensing apparatus  10 .  
         [0041]     The housing of the home beer dispensing apparatus  10  further includes a top wall  24  and a rear wall  26 . The rear wall  26  has a grill  30  that permits for air circulation within the home beer dispensing apparatus  10 . An electrical cord  32  extends through the rear wall  26  of the apparatus  10  to provide a connection into a main electrical supply to supply electrical power to the electrical components housed within the unit  10 . Alternatively, a 12 Volt DC supply input may be used.  
         [0042]     The dispensing apparatus  10  has a cooling system  34  located behind and below keg  22  that is adapted to cool beer in keg  22  when keg  22  is placed into dispensing apparatus  10   
         [0043]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 through 6 , the valve assembly  40  and spear  102  are shown.  
         [0044]     The valve assembly  40  is adapted to fit into a raised collar aperture  42  of keg  22 . The valve assembly  40  has an annular shaped body  46  that is secured in the aperture  42 . The valve body  46  has an annular groove  47  and flange  49  that is adapted to extend above the keg  22  for mating with a tap dispensing adapter (not shown) connected to tap  14  (see FIGS.  1  and  2 ).  
         [0045]     The valve body  46  has a first passageway  48 , a second passageway  50 , and a third passageway  52  spaced apart from each other and extending through the valve body  46 . As best seen in  FIG. 6 , the first passageway  48  is centrally disposed or located within the valve body  46  and the second and third passageways  50 , and  52  are spaced radially of the first central passageway  48 .  
         [0046]     The valve assembly includes a first valve  54 , a second valve  56  and a third valve  58 . The first valve  54  is seated in the first passageway  48  for controlling the flow of the beverage or beer through the first passageway  48  into and out of the bag  44 .  
         [0047]     The second valve  56  is seated in the second passageway  50  for controlling the flow of gas such as carbon dioxide through the second passageway  50  into and out of the bag.  
         [0048]     The third valve  58  is seated in the third passageway  52  and controls the flow of gas through the third passageway  52  into and out of the keg  22  exterior to the bag  44 .  
         [0049]     Each valve,  54 ,  56 , and  58  has a valve actuator or stem  60  that effectively opens and closes the valve. The valve stem  60  extends away from the valve body  46  by a different predetermined distance for each of valves  54 ,  56  and  58 . Each of the valves  54 ,  56  and  58  further includes a valve head  70  connected to the valve stem  68 . The valve head  70  carries an O-ring  72  which is adapted to seal the valve head within the respective passageway. A spring  74  urges the valve head  70  into sealing engagement with its corresponding passageway. The valve stems  68  are accessible from outside the keg  22  for moving each valve head  70  into an open and closed position to respectively enable and inhibit fluid flow through passageways  48 ,  50  and  52 .  
         [0050]     The valve body  46  has an annular recessed groove  62  recessed in an inner wall  64  of the valve body  46 . The inner wall  64  is positioned within the keg  22 . The recessed groove  62  is adapted for receiving the neck  66  of bag  44  in press fit relation therewith. The annular recessed groove  62  has a diameter that surrounds the first and second passageways  48  and  50 . The third passageway  52  is located outside of the diameter of the recessed groove  62  and as a result, the third passageway  52  is located outside of the bag  44 .  
         [0051]     The keg  22  has a collar flange  82  which defines the raised collar aperture  42 , the valve body  46  has an outer peripheral wall  63  with a recessed groove  61  extending around the outer wall  63 . An intermediate ring or bung  80  is adapted to seat the valve body  46  within the raised collar aperture  42 . The intermediate ring  80  has inner and outer walls  84 ,  86 . The inner wall  84  has flange  88  extending inwardly thereof that is adapted to fit into the recessed groove  61  of the outer wall  63  of the valve body  46 . The outer wall  86  of the intermediate ring  80  has a resilient barb  90  and a locking flange  92  spaced from the barb  90  so as to define an outer locating groove  94  into which the collar flange  82  of the keg  22  is held. The barb  90  is adapted to pass through the aperture  42  and spring back into locking engagement with the collar flange  82  so as to lock the valve assembly  40  in place. Special tools are required to remove the valve assembly  40  and the intermediate ring  80  from the collar flange  82  of the keg  22  once the keg  22  is returned to the brewery for refilling.  
         [0052]     In order to ensure that the contents of the keg  22  have not been tampered with, the keg  22  has an anti-tamper ring  96  that overlays the intermediate ring  80 , a portion of the keg  22  and a portion of the valve body  46 . The intermediate ring  80  has an aperture  98  that passes completely through the intermediate ring  80  to provide a vent passageway. The anti-tamper ring  96  has a flange part  100  that is inserted into the vent aperture  98  of the intermediate ring  80 . In the event the anti-tamper ring  96  is removed from the keg  22 , vent aperture  98  is open and the contents or any pressure within the keg  22  exterior of the bag is released. Further, as a pressure relief feature, the anti-tamper ring  96  is designed to release from aperture  98  when pressure in keg  22  exceeds a predetermined valve to vent pressurized air through aperture  98 .  
         [0053]     The valve assembly  40  and the spear assembly  102  provide a combination that may be removed for the purposes of recycling of the valve assembly  40  and the spear assembly  102 . The bag neck  66  can be removed from the valve assembly  40  so that this valve  40  and spear  102  assembly may be cleaned and reused with a new bag  44  and bag neck  66 . The valve and spear assembly is shown as an independent assembly in  FIG. 5 . In order to accommodate the spear  102 , the first passageway  48  of the valve body  46  has a tubular extension  104  that extends downwardly or outwardly from the inner wall  64  of the valve body  46 . The spear  102  comprises an elongated hollow tube which may have rounded bottom edges or bottom and aperture end  108  that extends the spear and the first passageway  48  of the valve body  46  towards the bottom of the keg  22  and the bottom of the bag  44 . The hollow spear  22  has an outside diameter that fits inside the diameter of the tubular extension  104  of the first passageway  48  in an interference type of fit whereby the two parts may be secured together. The interference fit may be a tapering effect between the outer wall of the spear  102  and the inner wall of the tubular extension  104 . Alternatively, a snap fit may be utilized.  
         [0054]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the valve assembly  40  is shown with each of its first, second and third valves  54 ,  56  and  58  in a closed position. The valve stems  68  of each valve  54 ,  56  and  58  extends a different distance upwardly so that it may be activated in a selective manner described in relation to the method of filling the bag  66  with beer or alcohol beverage.  
         [0055]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the valve assembly  40  is shown secured to the keg  22  with the bag  44  illustratively shown in a smaller circle within the keg  22 . Initially, the bag is deflated when the valve assembly  40 , spear  102  and bag  44  are inserted into the keg  22 . Next, an engagement ring  110  engages the actuator  70  of the first valve  54  and at the same time an engagement ring  112  engages the actuator  70  of the third valve  58 . At this stage, carbon dioxide is blown in through the first valve passageway  48  because the first valve  54  is opened by the engagement ring  110 . The carbon dioxide inflates the bag  44  such that the bag is inflated to fill the volume of the keg  22 . Further, the carbon dioxide mixes with air trapped in bag  10 .  
         [0056]     As the bag  44  expands within the container  22  air trapped between the bag  44  and the keg  22  exits through the third passageway  52  because the third valve  58  is open.  
         [0057]     In an alternative embodiment prior to the carbon dioxide being blown through passageway  48 , third valve  58  is opened and third passageway  52  is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) which draws a vacuum through third passageway  52  to evacuate air trapped in the keg  22  outside of the bag and creates a partial vacuum in the keg  22 . Then, as before, the engagement ring  110  opens first valve  54  and carbon dioxide is blown under pressure in through the first valve passageway  48 . The carbon dioxide inflates the bag  44  such that the bag is inflated to fill the volume of the keg  22 . Further, the carbon dioxide mixes with air trapped in bag  10 . Due to the previous evacuation of air from the keg  22 , the bag  44  readily expands within the keg  22 . Alternatively, the step of evacuating the air from keg  22  may continue during the step of filling the bag  44  with carbon dioxide.  
         [0058]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the next step is to insert or fill the bag  44  with beer. Preferably, the larger valve or central valve is used. That is the first valve  54  is opened and at the same time the second valve  56  is opened. In this embodiment, the beer will go in through the first passageway  48  and the carbon dioxide will exit through the second passageway  50  removing any air mixed with the carbon dioxide gas.  
         [0059]     Referring to  FIG. 9A , an alternative arrangement is shown where the bag  44  is loaded with beer in an inverted position. In this position, the smaller valve or second valve  56  is used to insert the beer into the container and the first valve  54  is used to permit the carbon dioxide to exit the bag  44 .  
         [0060]     The next step is the dispensing step which is shown in  FIG. 10 . An adapter or keg adapter  114  is mounted onto the valve assembly  40  to open valves  54  and  58  such that a dispensing tube  118  is connected to the first passageway  48  whereby when dispense tap  14  opens, the beer flows up through hollow spear  102  and out the first passageway  48  to the tap  14 . At the same time, in order to facilitate this flow of beer, the exterior wall of the bag  44  is pressurized. This is done by a pressure system (not shown) which is attached to the third passageway  52  and with the third valve  58  open to permit pressurized air to enter through the third passageway  52 .  
         [0061]     The different predetermined heights or extensions of the valve actuator  60  of each of the first, second and third valves  54 ,  56  and  58  permits for different valves to be actuated or opened by the dispenser ring in a selective manner.  
         [0062]     Referring now to the embodiment of  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the valve assembly  40  and spear  102  are shown. The valve assembly  40  is adapted to fit into a raised collar aperture  42  of keg  22 . The valve assembly  40  has an annular shaped body  146  that is secured in the aperture  42  through a bung  41  and locking member  143 . The valve body  146  has an annular flange  149  (see  FIG. 11 ) that is adapted for mating with a tap dispensing adapter (not shown) connected to tap  14  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) for dispensing the beverage from keg  22 .  
         [0063]     The valve body  146  has a first centrally disposed passageway  148 . The first centrally disposed passageway  148  contains a first valve  154  in the form of a ball that is movable within the passageway  148 . The ball valve  154  is held in normally sealing engagement by spring  155 . The first passageway  48  is connected and forms part of the hollow spear  102 . The spear has a central passageway  103  along which beverage or charging gas may be moved to a remote end  105  positioned adjacent the bottom of keg  22 .  
         [0064]     The valve body  146  has a second passageway  150  that is shown readily spaced outwardly of the first passageway  148 . It should be understood from  FIG. 12 , two passageways  150  are shown diametrically opposed to each other on opposing radial sides of the central aperture  148 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , this comprises two passageways  150 . It should be understood that only one passageway is required so long as the passageway is radially spaced from the first passageway  148 . The second passageway  150  is closed by a second valve  156  which comprises a circular or annular flat ring shaped valve. The valve  156  is held in sealing engagement within the valve body  146  by means of spring  157 . Spring  157  is seated against the head  107  of spear  102  and is adapted to force the flat valve or second valve  156  into sealing engagement across its aperture  150 . The flat seal  156  provides for an actuator surface  159  that is radially spaced from the center valve  154  and is axially moveable parallel to axis  101  independent of the axial movement of the ball valve  154 .  
         [0065]     The valve body  146  further includes at least one third passageway  152 . The passageway  152  is shown to be readily spaced and disposed relative to the central passageway  103 . The radial passageway  152  is closed by a third ring valve  158 . The third ring valve  158  is held in its closed position by a spring  163  that acts against an intermediate wall between the second passageway  150  and the third passageway  152  to maintain the valve  58  in a sealing closed position. The valve  58  has a ring shaped actuator surface  161  that is spaced concentrically and radially of the first and second valves  154  and  156  so as to be independently moveable relative to these valves parallel to axis  101 .  
         [0066]     The first valve or ball valve  154  is moveable to control the flow of a charging gas or the beer beverage into and out of the bag  44 . The second valve  156  also controls the flow of either the charging gas or beverage into or out of the bag  44 . In the preferred embodiment, the charging gas is controlled by the second valve  156  and the flow of beverage is controlled by the first valve  154 .  
         [0067]     The third valve  158  is seated in the third passageway  152  and is open to permit air as shown by arrows  63  to be forced into the keg  22  exterior to the bag  44 .  
         [0068]     The valve body  146  in effect acts as the bag neck for bag  44  and comprises two parts  146   a  and  146   b  that are snap fitted together to securely locate flap valves  156  and  158  therebetween. To support the bag  44 , neck or valve body part  46   b  has an out turned annular flange  170  having a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the second passageway  150 . The bag  44  is welded to the out turned annular flange  170  whereby the bag  44 , valve assembly  40 , and spear  102  become a disposable assembly.  
         [0069]     Referring to  FIG. 13 , there is shown an embodiment similar to  FIG. 4  in that the valve assembly  40  comprises a first valve  154  and a second valve  156 . However, the difference is that the third valve is now valve  110  which is located in a top wall of the keg  22 .  
         [0070]     Referring to  FIG. 12 , during assembly and filling of the keg  22  with beer, the spear  102  and valve assembly  40  together with bag  44  are inserted through the keg aperture  42  of the keg  22 . The valve assembly  40  is mounted in place by the bung  141  and interlocking fingers  143 . Next, the bag  44  is preferably filled with carbon dioxide gas through opening of valve  156 . This inflates the bag  44  within the keg  22 . At the same time, the air valve  158  is opened to permit air to escape from the keg  22  as the bag  44  inflates to fill the space within the keg  22 .  
         [0071]     After the bag  44  has been filled with carbon dioxide gas, any air trapped within the bag should be mixed with the carbon dioxide gas. The next step is to insert beer into the inflated bag  44  along spear  102 . This is accomplished by connecting a hose to the first valve  154  so as to open the valve  54  and then insert beer in through valve  154  and spear  102  into the bag  44 . The hose also effectively opens valve  156  and allow gas to escape out through valve  156  as the beer fills the contents or the volume of the bag  44 .  
         [0072]     During beer dispensing, an adapter tap (not shown) is secured to the valve assembly  40  in a manner that will interconnect the spear  102  with the tap  14  whereby when the tap  14   FIG. 1 ) is actuated, beer is dispensed from the bag  44  along spear  102  up through valve  154  to tap  14 . At the same time, a supply of pressurized air is provided through air valve  158 . If the embodiment of  FIG. 13  is used, then the air is provided through valve  110  in a top wall of keg  22 . The pressurized air is forced against the outer surface of bag  44  to push or force beer out along spear  102  through valve  154  and out tap  14 .