Patent EA-002334-B1 (EA)
Title: Device for dispensing a liquid under pressure
Inventor: VLOOSWIJK JOHANNES JACOBUS THO
IPC: B67D7/72
Filed: 1999-03-16
Abstract: 1. A device (1, 101, 201, 301) for dispensing a fluid, comprising a container having a first compartment (4, 104, 204, 304), an a second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316), the first compartment (4, 104, 204, 304) being arranged for receiving the fluid (3) to be dispensed, and the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) being arranged for receiving a propellant, while, at least during use, an opening (19) is provided between the first (4, 104, 204, 304) and the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316), pressure control means (8; 17, 117, 217, 317) being arranged for controlling during use the pressure of propellant flowing from the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) into the first compartment (4, 104, 204, 304), while in the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) fillers (20) are provided for absorbing and/or adsorbing at least part of the propellant. 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the propellant contains at least carbon dioxide (CO2), while the fillers (20) comprise at least activated carbon. 3. A device according to anyone of claims 1 or 2, wherein the propellant is relatively pure CO2 gas and the fillers (20) are formed at least substantially by activated carbon fibers. 4. A device according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fluid (3) to be dispensed is a carbonated beverage, in particular beer, the pressure control means (B; 17, 117, 217, 317) being set for providing and maintaining in the first compartment (4, 104, 204, 304) an excess pressure between 10<4> Pa and 2 x 10<5> Pa, more particularly between 2 x 10<4> Pa and 10<5> Pa, and preferably about 0,7 x 10<5> Pa relative to the surroundings. 5. A device according to any one on the preceding claims, wherein per liter of carbonated beverage (3), between 2 and 20 grams, in particular between 6 and 18 grams, of activated carbon (20) are provided. 6. A device according to any one on the preceding claims, wherein per liter of carbonated beverage (3), between 1 and 10 grams, in particular between 2 and 8 grams, of CO2 are included, associated to the fillers (20). 7. A device according to any one on the preceding claims, wherein the ratio between the volume of the first compartment (4, 104, 204, 304) and the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) is greater than 5.5/1, more particularly greater than 15/1, preferably greater than 50/1. 8. A device according to any one on the preceding claims, wherein the pressure in the second compartment, at least before use, is between 4 x 10<5> Pa and 16 x 10<5> Pa, more particularly between 5 x 10<5> Pa and 12 x 10<5> Pa, and preferably about 10<6> Pa, measured at application temperature. 9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first (4, 104, 204, 304) and/or the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) are provided with excess pressure relief means for letting off in a controlled manner, at a pressure higher than a pre-selected maximum pressure, at least a part of the pressure fluid, while preferably a maximum pressure of less than 16 x 10<5>, in particular less than 12 x 10<5>, in the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) is set. 10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure control means comprises a self-regulating valve. 11. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and the second compartments are rigidly fixed in the container, wherein a means is provided to fill the second compartment with a propellant from outside prior to use. 12. A device according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) is designed as a container, preferably cartridge-like, comprising at least a part of the pressure control means (8; 17, 117, 217, 317), while means are provided for coupling the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) with the first compartment (4, 104, 204, 304), prior to use. 13. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a dip tube (10) is secured to the second compartment (16, 116, 216, 316), which dip tube (16) has a first end terminating adjacent the bottom of the first compartment (4, 104, 204, 304), and via its second, opposite end can be brought into fluid communication with dispensing means (7; 107, 307; 234, 235) for the fluid to be dispensed. 14. An assembly of a second compartment, a dip tube and dispensing means for use in a device according to claim 13. 15. A method for keeping fluid under pressure and dispensing said fluid, wherein the fluid is included in a container (2, 102, 202, 302), wherein a propellant is stored under relatively high pressure in a compartment (16, 116, 216, 316), wherein the compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) is brought into communication with the container (2, 102, 202, 302), such that with the aid of the propellant the fluid is pressurized and so maintained and can be dispensed via dispensing means (7; 107, 307; 234, 235), wherein prior to the introduction of the propellant into the compartment a filler (20) is introduced into the compartment which filler (20) can absorb and/or adsorb at least part of the propellant, such that an amount of propellant is introduced into the compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) at a pressure which is considerably lower than the pressure that would arise in the same compartment with the same amount of propellant and under the same external conditions if the filler (20) had not been included therein. 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the propellant is introduced into the compartment (16, 116, 216, 316) under a pressure of between 4 x 10<5>  Pa and 14 x 10<5> Pa, more particularly between 5 x 10<5> and 12 x 10<5> Pa, and preferably about 10<6> Pa, measured at application temperature, while using pressure control means (8; 17, 117, 217, 317) the propellant, as the fluid is dispensed via the dispensing means, is dispensed at a pressure such that in the container (2, 102, 202, 302) an excess pressure is maintained between 10<4> Pa and 1.5 x 10<5> Pa, more particularly 0.2 x 10<5> and 10<5> Pa, and preferably about 0.7 x 10<5> Pa relative to the surroundings. 17. A pressure cartridge, comprising a filler (20), in particular activated carbon fibers, capable of adsorbing and/or absorbing a propellant, in particular pure carbon dioxide, and comprising connecting means for bringing the pressure cartridge into fluid communication with a compartment in a container, for passing a least a part of the propellant into a fluid present in the container. 18. A. pressure cartridge according to claim 17, wherein pressure control means is provided for maintaining, during use, a relatively constant excess pressure in a container. 19. Use of a pressure cartridge according to claim 17 or 18 in dispensing a carbonated beverage, in particular beer.