Patent Publication Number: US-2013233895-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for dispensing beverages, especially carbonated beverages

Description:
The invention relates to a dispensing unit and a method for dispensing a liquid under pressure. 
     The document EP 1064221 discloses a device for dispensing a liquid, wherein the device comprises a container having a first compartment, and a second compartment, the first compartment being arranged for receiving the liquid to be dispensed, and the second compartment being arranged for receiving a propellant gas, wherein, at least during use, an opening is provided between the first and the second compartment. The device further comprises a pressure control means arranged for controlling, during use, the pressure of the propellant gas flowing from the second compartment into the first compartment. The pressure control means are provided within the first compartment. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide for a container unit or pressure control device in an alternative manner. Another object is to provide a container unit in which a pressure control device can easily be provided for, especially easily be mounted. A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a dispensing unit that can easily be mounted to a beverage container. Another object can be to provide a pressure control device with which pressure can be regulated by an operating device. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide for a method for forming and/or filling a beverage container, especially a self pressurising beverage container and for a method for pressurising and/or dispensing beverages. 
     One or more of these and other objects can be obtained, individually or in combination, by the present invention. 
     In a first aspect a beverage pressure control device according to the present disclosure can be characterised by a pressure regulating chamber and a pressure sensing chamber, separated by a movable or deformable wall part. At least one gas inlet channel is provided for feeding gas under pressure into the pressure sensing chamber and at least one gas outlet channel for feeding gas from the gas sensing chamber. The gas inlet channel can be closed by a valve operated by the movable or deformable wall part, depending on a pressure difference over said movable or deformable wall part. An operating device is provided for regulating the flow through the at least one outlet channel. 
     In a second aspect a method for dispensing a liquid under pressure according to the present disclosure can be characterised by the liquid being stored in a liquid container with a propellant gas at a first regulated pressure, and additional propellant gas is stored in a gas container at a second pressure substantially higher than the first pressure, and the liquid is dispensed by means of a dispensing unit coupled to said liquid container and said gas container, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
     a) reducing the first pressure of the liquid container to a third pressure, wherein the third pressure is at least the ambient pressure,   b) opening a liquid dispensing path of the dispensing unit and settling the flow area of said liquid dispensing path, and   c) while keeping the adjusted flow area of the liquid dispensing path unchanged, controlling the dispensing pressure of the propellant gas in the liquid container within a pressure range defined by the first pressure and the ambient pressure, thereby dispensing a first amount of liquid.   

     In a third and fourth aspect of the present disclosure a beverage container and a dispensing unit are disclosed. 
    
    
     
       Embodiments of the present invention shall be described, with reference to the drawings, for elucidation of the invention. These embodiments should by no means be understood as limiting the scope of the invention in any way or form. In these drawings: 
         FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the dispensing unit according to the invention in its initial state; 
         FIGS. 1   b,    1   c  and  1   d  are a top plan view, a side view and a bottom plan view of the dispensing unit shown in  FIG. 1   a, l respectively, in an unfolded state;    
         FIG. 2  is top plan view of the dispensing unit shown in  FIG. 1  in its initial state; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the dispensing unit shown in  FIG. 1  taken along the line A-A; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the dispensing unit shown in  FIG. 1  taken along the line B-B; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the dispensing unit shown in  FIG. 1  taken along the line C-C; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the dispensing unit shown in  FIG. 1  taken along the line D-D; 
         FIG. 7  is perspective view of a dispensing device comprising the dispensing unit shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing device shown in  FIG. 7  taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 2 , with the operating lever being in its initial position; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device shown in  FIG. 7  taken along a the line D-D in  FIG. 2 , with the operating lever being in its initial position; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device shown in  FIG. 7  taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 2 , with the operating lever being in a first operating position; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device shown in  FIG. 7  taken along the line D-D of  FIG. 2 , with the operating lever being in the first operating position; 
         FIG. 12  is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device shown in  FIG. 7  taken along the line B-B of  FIG. 2 , with the operating lever being in the first operating position; 
         FIG. 13  is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device shown in  FIG. 7  taken along the line D-D of  FIG. 2 , with the operating lever being in a second operating position; 
         FIG. 14  is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device shown in  FIG. 7  taken along the line D-D of  FIG. 2 , showing a second embodiment of the dispensing unit with the operating lever being in the initial position; 
         FIG. 15  is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device shown in  FIG. 7  taken along the line D-D of  FIG. 2 , showing the second embodiment of the dispensing unit with the operating lever being in its first operational position; 
         FIG. 16  is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device shown in  FIG. 7  taken along the line D-D of  FIG. 2 , showing the second embodiment of the dispensing unit with the operating lever being in its second operating position; 
         FIG. 17  schematically a dispensing unit according to the description, from a side facing the beverage container; 
         FIG. 18  schematically a third embodiment of a container unit; 
         FIG. 19  schematically a fourth embodiment of a container unit; 
         FIG. 20  schematically a fifth embodiment of a container unit; and 
         FIG. 21  schematically a sixth embodiment of a container unit. 
     
    
    
     In this description and the drawings the same or similar elements have the same or similar reference signs. In this description the invention shall specifically be described with reference to. 
     In this description by way of example container units and pressurising units, as well as methods are described with reference to carbonated beverages, especially beer. 
     In this description a pressure regulating means or pressure control device has to be understood as at least including a device or assembly for controlling pressure inside a beverage container, based on a pressure prevailing in a first compartment comprising the beverage to be dispensed, by feeding gas from a high pressure propellant gas container or second compartment. In this description embodiments are described in which the beverage container is made of plastic, for example blow moulded, especially stretch blow moulded from a preform, in any suitable manner, such as known in the art. However, similarly beverage containers can be used made partly or entirely of metal. In the embodiments described and shown specifically, a gas container is described made of plastic, for example PET or PEN or blends thereof, or another thermoplastic material. The gas container can be made by injection moulding and/or blow moulding, for example similar to blow moulding of a beverage container, and can have a basic shape of a blow mould perform for forming a bottle, and can also be made of PET, PEN or blends thereof or another thermoplastic material. However, such gas container can also be made differently and/or of different materials, for example metal. 
     In embodiments of the present invention an aspect can be that a dispensing unit is used, comprising dispensing means and pressure regulating means, with which both a gas container comprising high pressure propellant gas and the beverage container can be closed. 
     In embodiments of the present disclosure an aspect of the present invention can be based on the idea that during dispensing, instead of maintaining a regulated constant pressure in the liquid container and controlling the flow rate of the liquid by controlling the flow area of the dispensing channel or dispensing outlet for the liquid, the flow area of the dispensing channel or outlet is rather maintained at a constant value, preferably at a maximum value, and the pressure in the liquid container is controlled within a predetermined pressure range so as to control the flow rate of the liquid being dispensed. This allows to apply a relatively low pressure at dispensing for any kind of liquid, including both gaseous and non-gaseous beverages, while keeping the possibility to adjust the flow rate of the liquid by simply adjusting or even varying the desired pressure of the propellant gas in the liquid container. A further advantage of this solution can be that by controlling the pressure prevailing in the liquid container during dispensing, the flow path of the liquid from the liquid container through the dispensing unit may be formed free of any obstacle of flow, thus allowing to avoid the development of undesired turbulences in the liquid during dispensing. 
     In a container unit according to the present disclosure a beverage container  36  can be provided, with a body  50  and a neck portion  51 , wherein at least the body portion  50  forms a first compartment for beverage. A pressure control device  53  is provided, for pressurising a beverage in the beverage container  36 , which pressure control device  53  comprises or can be connected to a gas container  33  forming a second compartment for containing a propellant under pressure. A dispensing unit  10  can be provided in and/or on the neck portion  51  and the gas container  33  can be supported by the neck portion  51  and/or the dispensing unit  10 , wherein pressure regulating means  54  of the pressure control device  53  are provided in the dispensing unit  10 . In general the pressure control device therefore comprises at least the pressure regulating means  54  and the gas container  33  or a connecting means therefore. The gas container  33  preferably extends at least partly in the beverage container  36 , preferably suspended in the neck portion  51  of the container  36  and extending at least partly into the inner space comprised in the body portion  52 . The dispensing unit  10  can close off both the beverage container  36  and the gas container  33 . 
     When the gas container  33  is injection moulded, it can have a gas container body portion  55  with a peripheral wall portion  56  which is radially expandable within the first compartment by the propellant gas, for example under internal gas pressure between 4 and 20 bar absolute. This can be advantageous in that it can secure the dispensing unit  10  with the gas container  33  even better inside the beverage container  36 . In embodiments the gas container  33  can be inserted into and at least partly through the neck portion  51  of the beverage container  36 , wherein the neck portion  51  encloses an upper part of the gas container  33 , providing for a passage  57  for gas between an inner surface of the neck portion  51  and an outer portion of the gas container  33 , wherein preferably a dip tube  35  extends through said passage from the first compartment into the dispensing unit  10 . 
     The dispensing unit  10  can comprise a first coupling means  40  and the neck portion  51  of the beverage container  36  can be provided with at least one coupling means for coupling to the first coupling means  40 , preferably sealingly. Similarly the dispensing unit  10  can have at least one second coupling means  42  and the gas container  33  can have a neck portion comprising coupling means for cooperating with the second coupling means  42 , preferably sealingly. 
     The beverage container can have a first, internal axial length, measured between an outer end of the neck portion  51  and an opposite end of the beverage container  36 , and the gas container  33  can have a second, outer axial length measured between the dispensing unit  10  to which the gas container  33  is attached and an opposite end of the gas container  33 , wherein the first axial length is slightly larger than the second axial length. Preferably the first axial length is between 1 and 1.2 times the second axial length, more preferably between 1 and 1.1 times the second axial length. This can provide for a relatively slim gas container, suitable to be inserted through the neck  51  or filling opening of a beverage container  36 , having nevertheless a relatively large internal volume. This enables storage of a sufficient amount of propellant gas inside the gas container  33 . 
     The dispensing unit  10  can comprise at least one passage  30 ,  25   a  through the pressure regulating means  53  to the first compartment, forming part of a gas passage between the first compartment and the second compartment, i.e. between the inner space of the beverage container  36  and the inner space of the gas container  33 . The pressure regulating means  53  can further comprise at least one valve assembly for opening and closing said gas passage  30 ,  25   a,  based on pressure prevailing in the first compartment. 
     In a dispensing unit  10  for a beverage container  36 , a pressure regulating means  54  and dispensing means can be comprised, wherein at a first side of the dispensing unit a first coupling means  40  and a second coupling means  42  are provided. The first coupling means can surround the second coupling means, which has to be understood as meaning at least but not limited to surrounding seen in a view substantially perpendicular to said first side of the dispensing means, as for example shown specifically in  FIG. 17 . Within the second coupling means  42  at least one first gas passage  25   a,  which in all embodiments can also be referred to as a gas inlet channel, opens, said first passage  25   a  extending into a chamber  58  of the pressure regulating means  54 , which in all embodiments can be referred to as a pressure sensing chamber, wherein between the first  40  and second coupling means  42  at least one second passage  25   b  opens, said second passage  25   b  extending into said chamber  58 . The second passage can also be referred to in the embodiments disclosed as a gas outlet channel. A gas container  33  can be mounted to the second coupling means  42 , which gas container  33  has an axial length L gas  and extends within the second coupling means  41 , seen in a direction of its axial length L gas , which can be understood as meaning that seen in said axial direction, which can be substantially perpendicular to said first side of the dispensing unit, the gas container  33  has no part that extends beyond the first coupling means, as can be seen in  FIG. 17 . 
     A valve stem  23  can extend through the first channel  25   a  and be connected to or part of a movable and/or flexible wall part  22  of said chamber  58 , which valve stem  23  can close off and open the first passage  25   a,  for example by a widening  24  of the stem  23 , depending at least on a position of said wall part  22  of the chamber  58 . Embodiments thereof shall be further elucidated. The wall part  22  can for example be a flexible membrane  22 , as for example disclosed in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-16 , or a piston, as is for example discloses as such in EP1064221 and referred to in the embodiment of  FIG. 18 . All combinations thereof should also be considered having been disclosed herein. 
     In  FIG. 1   a,  a first preferred embodiment of the dispensing unit  10  is illustrated in a perspective view. Although the dispensing unit  10  in  FIG. 1  is shown as a cap for a bottle, the dispensing unit may be designed in any other way, for example as a taping unit for a beer keg. The illustrated first embodiment of the dispensing unit  10  comprises a lower mounting part  11  and an upper covering part  12 . The lower mounting part  11  and the upper covering part  12  are connected via a flexible hinge  13 . The upper covering part  12  comprises a pivotable operating lever  14  used to control the flow rate of the liquid during dispensing. The operating lever  14  is provided with several once breakable joints  15  for fixing the operating lever  14  to an adjacent portion of the upper covering part  12 . These joints  15  also have the function to demonstrate that the dispensing unit  10  has not been tampered with. Before the first use of the dispensing unit  10 , these joints  15  are to be broken so that the operating lever  14  can be moved. 
     In  FIGS. 1   a,    1   b  an  1   c,  the lower mounting part  11 , the upper covering part  12 , the operating lever  14  and the once breakable joint  15  of the dispensing unit  10  can be seen in different views of an unfolded state. In  FIG. 1   d,  a flexible dispensing tube  16  and a membrane  22  of a pressure regulating means are also shown, although these elements are arranged inside the dispensing unit  10 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , the dispensing unit  10  can be seen in a plan view using the same reference numbers as in  FIGS. 1   a  to  1   d.  This figure also indicates sectioning lines A-A, B-B, C-C and D-D along which cross-sectional views are taken and illustrated in at least the following  FIGS. 3 to 6 , in which the dispensing unit  10  is shown in its initial state, i.e. in the storage state, when the operating lever is in its initial position. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the dispensing unit  10  in a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A indicated in  FIG. 2 . Inside the dispensing unit  10 , a dispensing tube  16  is arranged under the operating lever  14 . The dispensing tube  16  is secured to the lower mounting part  11  and comprises an opening  17  that establishes a fluid communication with the internal space of the liquid container (not shown) to which the dispensing unit  10  is coupled. The dispensing tube  16  has an outer end portion  19  provided with an opening  19 ′ to allow the liquid to flow out from the liquid container during dispensing. In  FIG. 3 , the outer end portion  19  of the dispensing tube  16  is entirely compressed by an eccentric front projection  18  of the operating lever  14 , whereby the flow path of the liquid is closed. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the upper covering part  12  of the dispensing unit  10  is secured to the lower mounting part  11 , for example, by snap fitting between a downward projection  20  of the upper covering part  12  and the rim  21  of a corresponding through-hole of the lower mounting part  11  adapted to receive said projection  20 . 
     The dispensing unit  10  also comprises a pressure regulating means  54  to generate a constant regulated pressure for propellant gas in the liquid container. The pressure regulating means can also be referred to as pressure control device  54 . In the illustrated preferred embodiments of the dispensing unit  10 , the pressure regulating means  54  comprises a resilient membrane  22 , preferably made of rubber, a valve stem  23  joined to a central portion of the membrane  22  at is one end, a valve head  24  formed at the other end of the valve stem  23  and a fluid communicating path for the propellant gas, said fluid communicating path connecting the internal space of the gas container  33  and the internal gas space of the liquid container  36  (partly also referred to as head space) through the pressure regulating means  54 . In the illustrated embodiments of the dispensing unit  10 , the fluid communicating path includes a first gas channel  25   a  in which the valve stem  23  is guided, and a second gas channel  25   b  or outlet channel (shown in  FIG. 6 ) and the chamber  58 . The operation of the pressure regulating means  54  of the dispensing unit  10  will be described later. They form part of pressure control device  53 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the operating lever  14  has two coaxial pivots  26   a  and  26   b  serving as a shaft for the operating lever  14  around which it can be pivoted. On the lateral surface of the inner pivot  26   a,  there is a stud  27  arranged extending into a guiding hole  29  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) of a slide  28 . The slide  28  is guided so that it can move horizontally between two end positions defined by the two end positions of the operating lever  14 . When the operating lever  14  is pivoted, the stud  27 , which is arranged eccentrically with respect to the rotational axis of the pivots  26   a,    26   b,  moves along a circular path, thus forcing the slide  28  to move toward the central portion of the dispensing unit  10  or in the opposite direction, while the stud  27  moves up or down in the guiding hole  29 . The slide is an embodiment of an operating device, or part thereof. 
     As clearly shown in  FIG. 6 , the slide  28  partly covers the membrane  22 , the extent of coverage depending on the position of the operating lever. Under the coverage area of the membrane  22 , there is a third gas channel  30  formed to connect the internal space of the gas container with the head space of the liquid container through the pressure regulating means, through a chamber  58 . The slide  28  is formed so as to be capable of varying the area of an upper aperture  31  of the third gas channel  30 , which is also an outlet channel, thereby adjusting the amount of the propellant gas flowing from the gas container into the liquid container. By adjusting the flow rate of the gas flowing through the third gas channel  30 , the pressure of the propellant gas can be varied in the liquid container during dispensing. Since the pressure regulating means  54  of pressure control device  53 , as integrated in the dispensing unit  10  is adapted to generate a predetermined pressure in the beverage container  36 , also referred to as liquid container  36 , the variable pressure range has an upper limit defined by said preset pressure of the pressure regulating means  53 . On the other hand, the lower limit value of the variable pressure range can not decrease below the ambient pressure since the closure of the third gas channel  30  will terminate the outflow of the liquid and also prevent the ambient air from entering the liquid container  36 . 
     The mechanism including the operating lever, the slide, the third channel and pressure regulating means can together constitute or at least form part of a means for adjusting the flow rate of the propellant gas flowing from the gas container  33  into the liquid container  36 , and can be referred to as flow regulating means or operating device or parts thereof. By varying the flow area of the third gas channel  30  by said mechanism, the pressure may be adjusted in the liquid container  36 , and thereby the flow rate of the liquid may also be set during dispensing. 
       FIG. 7  schematically illustrates an assembled dispensing device or container unit  70  comprising the liquid or beverage container  36  (indicated by dashed line), for example, a bottle containing a beverage, for example a carbonated beverage such as beer, a gas container  33  containing a propellant gas, for example carbon dioxide or nitrogen, at a high pressure, for example between 2 and 20, more preferably between 4 and 14 bar, a dispensing unit, such as the dispensing unit  10  according to the present invention, and preferably a dip tube  35 . The dispensing unit  10  is coupled to the liquid container  36  and the gas container  33  in a gas-tight sealed manner. Although in  FIG. 7 , the gas container  33  is shown inside the liquid container  36 , the gas container  33  may equally be arranged externally to the liquid container  36 . The dip tube  35  is arranged inside the liquid container  36  and connected to a corresponding dispensing channel of the dispensing unit  10 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , a cross-sectional view of the dispensing device  70  shown in  FIG. 7  is illustrated with the operating lever  14  of the dispensing unit  10  being in its initial position. The cross-section is taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 2 . In the dispensing device  70 , the operating lever  14 , which can also e referred to as operating means of the dispensing unit, is in its initial position that is normally applied during storage of the dispensing device  70 . In this case, the front projection  18  of the operating lever  14  closes the outer end portion  19  of the dispensing tube  16 , thereby preventing the dispensing of the liquid  32  from the liquid container  36 . Due to the overpressure of the propellant gas  34  prevailing in the head space of the liquid container  36 , the dispensing tube  16  also contains liquid  32  under pressure. The liquid  32  can enter the dispensing tube  16  through the opening  17  of the dispensing channel (not shown) formed within the dispensing unit  10 . 
     In the partial cross-sectional view of  FIG. 9 , an exemplary way of coupling the dispensing unit  10  to the liquid container  36  and the gas container  33  can be seen in more detail. According the present invention, the dispensing unit  10  has a first coupling means for coupling to the liquid container  36 . As illustrated in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the first coupling means may comprise a snap fitting portion  40  formed in the lower mounting part  11  of the dispensing unit  10 , said snap fitting portion  40  being adapted to be sealingly attached to a corresponding coupling part of the liquid container  36 . To this end, the first coupling means may comprise an elastic sealing ring  38  against which the corresponding coupling portion of the liquid container  36  bears after mounting the dispensing unit  10  onto the liquid container  36 . Although in  FIG. 9 , only a preferred embodiment of said first coupling means is illustrated, the dispensing unit  10  may according to the present invention be coupled to the liquid container  36  in other ways as well, for example by threaded fitting or gluing, the implementation of which alternative coupling modes is obvious for those skilled in the art. 
     According the present invention, the dispensing unit  10  further comprises a second coupling means for coupling to the gas container  33 . As illustrated in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the second coupling means may comprise a snap fitting portion  42  formed also in the lower mounting part  11  of the dispensing unit  10 , said snap fitting portion  42  being adapted to be sealingly attached to a corresponding coupling part of the gas container  33 . It is preferred that the second coupling means comprises an elastic sealing ring  43  against which a corresponding coupling portion of the gas container  33  bears after attaching the gas container  33  to the dispensing unit  10 . Although in  FIG. 9 , only a preferred embodiment of said second coupling means is illustrated, the dispensing unit may be coupled to the gas container in other ways as well, for example by threaded fitting or gluing, the implementation of which alternative coupling modes is obvious for those skilled in the art. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 17  the first and second coupling means can both be substantially circular, provided in a first side  60  of the dispensing device  10 . The first coupling means can surround the second coupling means, spaced apart there from, seen the view as presented in  FIG. 17 . This view is substantially perpendicular to the said side  60 , or along the axis Lgas of the gas container  33 . As can be seen in  FIG. 17  the contour  33 A of the gas container  33  extends, in the view of  FIG. 17 , within the first coupling means. This provided for the possibility of inserting the gas container  33  into the beverage container  36  via the neck portion  51 , through the coupling means provided thereupon. 
       FIG. 9  shows the dispensing unit  10  in its storage state when the operating lever (not shown) is in its initial position. The slide  28  is now in its inner end position where it presses the whole coverage area of the membrane  22  onto an upper surface of the lower mounting part  11 , thereby entirely closing the upper aperture  31  of the third gas channel  30 . Under this condition, the membrane  22  takes the form like a dome, and the valve head  24  closes the lower aperture of the first gas channel  25   a.  The pressure of the propellant gas  34  acting to the bottom surface of the valve head  24  is compensated by the counteracting resilient force of the elevated membrane  22 . In the gas space  58  defined by the membrane  22  and the upper surface of the lower mounting part  11  of the dispensing unit  10 , the pressure is equal to the pressure of the gas container  33 , and due to the fluid communication path between the gas container  33  and the head space of the liquid container  36  through the second gas channel  25   b,  this pressure is also equal to the pressure prevailing in the liquid container  36 , also referred to as a first pressure. 
     After finishing the dispensing of the liquid, the operating lever is moved again into its initial position, resulting in the same arrangement of the parts within the dispensing unit as shown in  FIG. 9 . If the dispensing pressure was lower than said first pressure when the dispensing was terminated, the propellant gas tends to flow from the gas container  33  into the liquid container  36  through the second gas channel  25   b  until the first pressure is reached and set in the liquid container  36  by the pressure regulating means of the dispensing unit  10 . 
     In  FIG. 10 , the dispensing unit  10  can be seen with its operating lever  14  being in a vertical position wherein the dispensing tube  16  is open to the maximum extent, i.e. the outer end portion  19  of the dispensing tube  16  presents the largest possible flow area for the liquid. In this case, however, the third gas channel (not shown) is still closed. The liquid flows out from the liquid container  36  through the dispensing channel (not shown), then via the opening  17  and finally through the dispensing tube  16 . If a dip tube  35  is also used (as shown in  FIG. 10 ), the liquid  32  is driven into the dispensing channel through the dip tube  35 . 
       FIG. 11  shows the same state of the dispensing unit  10  as shown  FIG. 10 . The pressure regulating means is still under the same condition as described for the initial state of the dispensing unit  10 , that is, the membrane  22  is elevated and the third gas channel  30  is closed. In the first preferred embodiment of the dispensing unit  10 , this vertical operating position of the operating lever  14  shown in  FIGS. 10 to 12  (also referred to as a first operating position) defines a boundary position between a first operating range of the operating lever  14  and a second operating range thereof, wherein the first operating range is associated with the control of the flow area of the dispensing channel or outlet for the liquid (i.e. the dispensing tube  16 , in the first embodiment), whereas the second operating range is associated with the control of the flow area of the third gas channel  30  for the propellant gas. By continuing to pivot the operating lever  14  counter-clockwise in  FIG. 11 , the upper aperture  31  of the third gas channel  30  becomes gradually opened as the slide  28  moves toward the periphery of the lower mounting part  11 . 
     As can be seen in the cross-sectional view of the dispensing device illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the dispensing channel  44  establishes a fluid communication path for the liquid  32  between the internal space of the liquid container  36  and the flexible tube  16 . To the lower end of the dispensing channel  44 , a dip tube  35  may optionally be connected. 
     In  FIG. 13 , the dispensing device  70  is shown in a partial cross-sectional view, wherein the operating lever  14  is moved to a second operating position to at least partially open the upper aperture  31  of the third gas channel  30 . In the illustrated embodiment of the dispensing unit  10 , this position of the operating lever  14  belongs to the second operating range of the operating lever  14 , wherein the flow rate of the liquid  32  is controlled during dispensing by controlling the pressure of the propellant gas  34  in the liquid container  36 . The more downward the operating lever  14  is pushed in the direction F indicated by an arrow in  FIG. 13 , the larger area of the upper aperture  31  of the third gas channel  30  is released by the displacement of the slide  28 , thus causing the elevation of an increasing area of the coverage portion of the membrane  22  above the aperture  31 . Hence, by varying the opened area of the aperture  31 , the amount of gas flowing from the gas container  33  into the liquid container  36  through the third gas channel  30  and, consequently, the driving force for the liquid  32  may be varied. 
     In order to minimize or even entirely to terminate the gas flow through the second gas channel  25   b  during dispensing, the second gas channel  25   b  is to be closed or alternatively, it is to be restricted so that a substantial delay be presented at the generation of the first pressure in the liquid container  36  by the pressure regulating means. To this end, in a first embodiment of the dispensing unit  10 , the second gas channel  25   b  has a restricted section  25   c  in which the gas flow rate, under normal operating conditions, is so small that only a negligible amount of propellant gas can flow there through into the liquid container  36  per time unit, and therefore the regulated first pressure can be generated by the pressure regulating means within a relatively long time with respect to the time period normally needed to dispense the desired amount of liquid. For example, if the first regulated pressure is 1.7-2 bars absolute, a diameter of approximately 100 μm for the restricted section  25   c  allows a regulation delay of approx. 5 to 15 minutes, which is a much longer time than the usual duration of filling a glass. After finishing the dispensing of the liquid, however, such a delay has no significance if the next dispensing action starts even later. Moreover, the regulated first pressure is in the liquid container  36  is greater than the equilibrium pressure of the liquid  32  stored in the liquid container  36 , preferably only by a few tenths bar, thus providing an appropriate long term storage pressure for the liquid in the liquid container during storage. 
     On the other hand, the pressure regulating means  54  of the first embodiment of the dispensing unit  10  also limits the maximum pressure of the pressure range associated with the second operating range of the operating lever. When the third gas channel  30  is entirely opened, the pressure in the liquid container  36  increases quickly due to the large flow are of the aperture  31 , but the pressure can rise only up to the first pressure since the pressure regulating means  54  prevents the pressure of the head space of the liquid container  36  from increasing further. In fact, upon reaching the first pressure in the liquid container  36 , the valve head  24  will close the first gas channel  25   a,  thereby blocking the flow of any more propellant gas  34  from the gas container  33  into the liquid container  36 . 
     In  FIG. 14 , a partial cross-sectional view of a dispensing device  70 ′ is illustrated with a second embodiment of the dispensing unit  110  according to the present invention. In this example, the operating lever  114  (indicated by dashed line) of the dispensing unit  110  is in its initial position used for storage of the liquid container  136 . This second embodiment of the dispensing unit  110  comprises a common gas outlet channel  130  providing the function of both the first gas outlet channel and the second gas outlet channel used in the first embodiment of the dispensing unit. In order to properly control the gas flow through this common gas channel  130 , the slide  128  as operating device or part thereof, is designed to have a recess  129  on its bottom sliding surface which allows the membrane  122  to have a local elevation  123  above the upper aperture  131  of the common gas channel  130 . Under this local elevation  123 , a limited flow rate for the propellant gas  134  is allowed, thus providing a substantial delay in the development of the first pressure in the liquid container  136 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 15 , which illustrates the second embodiment of the dispensing unit  110  with the operating lever  114  being in its first operating position, the slide  128  is moved to a position where it entirely closes the common gas channel  130 . Similarly to the first embodiment of the dispensing unit (but not shown in  FIG. 15 ), in this position the operating lever  114  entirely opens the flexible dispensing tube of the dispensing unit  110 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates the further embodiment of the dispensing unit  110  with the operating lever  114  being in a second operating position during dispensing where the inner end portion of the slide  128  at least partly opens the common gas channel  130  by allowing the main part of the membrane  122  to elevate above the upper aperture  131  of the common gas channel  130 . In the second operating range of the operating lever  114 , the common gas channel  130  is used only for controlling the pressure of the propellant gas in the liquid container  136  and thus also the flow rate of the liquid being dispensed. 
     As this embodiment of the dispensing unit  110  has no separate gas channel with a restricted section to feed propellant gas  134  from the gas container  133  into the liquid container  136 , the relatively large flow area of the common gas channel  130  allows a rather quick development of the regulated first pressure in the liquid container  136  after finishing the dispensing of the liquid. 
       FIG. 18  shows an alternative embodiment of a beverage container  36 , wherein the pressure regulating device  53  is suspended in the neck  51  of the container  36 , part of the gas container  33  extending into the inner space of the body  52  of the beverage container  36 . In this embodiment the pressure regulating device  53  is integrated with the dispensing device  10 . The gas container  33  can rest on the free end  69  of the neck  51  by a flange  61 . The dispensing device  10  is mounted on the neck  51 , for example by press fitting or click means  40 , such that the dispensing device  10  is pressed against the flange  61 , thus pressing the flange  61  against the neck  51  and the gas container  33  is closed gas tightly. Suitable seals  38 ,  43  can be provided, if necessary. 
     A valve  62 , for example an aerosol valve as described in EP1064221 is provided in a bottom  71  of the dispensing device  10 , forming a connection between the inner space of the gas container  33  and the space  58  above the bottom  71 , below the wall part  22 , at which other side a pressure regulating chamber  63  is provided. The bottom  71  can be an integral part of the dispensing unit  10  or can be a separate part, which can for example be provided on the flange  61 , for example by click means, gluing, welding, press fit or the like. At an opposite side of the space  58  a flexible wall part  22  of a pressure regulating means  54  is provided, resting against the valve  62 , forming part of the wall of the pressure regulating chamber  63 . If the pressure in the space  58  drops below a regulating pressure, the wall part  22  will be forced, by pressure in a pressure regulating chamber  63  above the wall  22 , against the valve  62 , opening the valve  62  and allowing gas to flow from the gas container  33  into the space  58 . At least one passage  25   b  is provided through the bottom  71  and the flange  61 , into the inner space of the beverage container  36 . Thus pressure equilibrium will exist substantially between the space  58  and the inner space of the beverage container  36 . When the pressure in the beverage container  36  is back at the desired pressure, such as the equilibrium pressure, the wall part  22  will be pushed back and the valve  62  will close. The pressure regulating or control device  53  of all embodiments can be provided with a similar arrangement of chambers  58  and  63  and the intermediate wall part  22  for opening and/or closing the inlet channel  25   a.    
     A dip tube  35  extends from the inner space of the beverage container  33  past the gas container  33  and through the flange  61  into the dispensing device  10 . A dispense tube  63  is connected to the dip tube  35  by a valve  64 , which in the embodiment shown can be a hose type valve, operatable by an arm  14  connected to an excenter  66 . In  FIG. 18  the valve  64  is shown in closed position. By moving the arm  14  in the direction of the arrow  67  the valve  64  is opened and beverage can be expelled from the beverage container  36  through the dip tube  35  and the dispense tube  63 . Pressure in the beverage container  36  will be regulated by the pressure regulating device  53 , especially the means  54 . Moving the arm  14  back then the valve  64  is closed again. Clearly other types of valves  64  can be provided, for example an in line valve. Other means for operating the valve  64  can be provided. In other embodiments the valve  64  can be dispensed with, where the dispense tube can be provided with or connected to a dispense unit or valve to cooperate with a valve unit of a dispense unit, as for example described in EP1289874. 
     In  FIG. 19  a further embodiment is shown of a beverage container  36 , of which only an upper portion is shown, comprising a neck  51 , on which a unit  10  is provided. A gas container  33  is provided outside the container  36 , for example in a dent in the outer wall thereof, such that the longitudinal axis L gas  and L bottle  extend substantially parallel to each other. The gas container  33  is mounted in the unit  10 , in any suitable manner, for example as disclosed before in the other embodiments. Within the unit  10  a gas sensing chamber  58  and a gas regulating chamber  63  are again provided, as described before, separated by a deformable and/or displaceable wall or wall part  22 . A gas inlet channel  25   a  extends from the gas container  33  into the pressure sensing chamber  58 , through which a stem  23  extends, carrying a head  24  for closing off the channel  25   a.  The stem is connected to the wall part  22 . In the unit  10  furthermore a dispense tube  16  is provided, extending from a dip tube  35  to an outlet end  19 . The tube  16  is at least partly flexible, such that it can be closed by an excenter  66 , as discussed with reference to  FIG. 18 . A gas outlet channel  25   b,    30  extends from the gas sensing chamber  58  to the inner space of the beverage container  36 . This channel  25   b,    30  has a relatively large cross section, preferably sufficient to allow, when fully open, an amount of gas to flow from the gas container and/or the gas sensing chamber  58  into the beverage container sufficient to restore substantially instantly a desired pressure inside the beverage container for dispensing beverage, during dispensing of the beverage at maximum flow. The channel  25   b,    30  can have a cross section of for example half a square mm or more. 
     In the unit  10  an operating device  28  is provided, slidable in a channel  80  extending substantially perpendicular to the channel  25   b,    30 . A spring  81  is provided between a bottom  82  of the channel  80  and the device  28 , biasing the device  28  in a direction outward from the channel  80 . An opening  83  is provided in the device  28 , substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement F, having a cross section similar to that of the channel  25   b,    30 . In a first position, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the opening  83  will be open to the channel  25   b,    30  only for a small part, preferably a very small part, for example such that the remaining passage through the channel  25   b,    30  and opening  83  will be very small, for example well below 0.5 square mm, such that in this position a limited flow is possible from the chamber  58  to the beverage container  36 , delaying pressure equilibrium during and/or after tapping beverage. By pushing the device  28  towards the closed end of the channel  80  the opening  83  will become more open to the channel  25   b,    30 , allowing for a greater flow of gas and thus a faster pressure raise in the beverage container  36 . 
     In an alternative embodiment the operating device  28  and the operating means  14  for the beverage dispensing can again be integrated as shown before with for example reference to  FIGS. 1-16 , the gas container being positioned at least partly outside the container  36 , as shown in  FIG. 19 . Alternatively in all embodiments the gas container can be shaped and/or dimensioned differently and can for example be provided as a collar around the neck of the container, for example such that an outer side thereof will be about flush with or within the perimeter defined by the body of the beverage container. 
     In  FIG. 20  a further embodiment is schematically shown, wherein a beverage pressure control device is provided on a gas container  33 , both of which are confined within the inner space of the beverage container  36 , which is here shown as a keg or barrel type container, by way of example only. The pressure control device is mounted against an inner side of a lid  84  of the beverage container  36 , the operating device  28  extending through the lid  84 , such that it can be operated from outside the beverage container  36 . The device  28  can for example be arranged similar to the device of  FIG. 19 . A dispensing unit can be provided in the lid or in another position, and can for example comprise a valve, such as an aerosol valve as discussed before, provided in the lid  84  between a dip tube  35  and a dispensing channel  16 . 
       FIG. 21  further discloses schematically an embodiment similar to the embodiment of e.g.  FIG. 9 , wherein the gas container  33  is however of a different shape. In this embodiment the gas container  33  is provided at an upper portion of the beverage container  36 , and is for example substantially ball shaped, donut shaped, dome shaped or the like, having a cross section Dg substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L gas  and an axial length Z parallel to said axis L gas . In embodiments the cross section Dg can be larger than an internal cross section D neck  of the neck of the beverage container  36 , such that the gas container  33  cannot be pulled out of the beverage container  36  through the neck  51 . In embodiments as disclosed a gas container  33  as shown in  FIG. 21  can be used having a cross section Dg substantially equal to for example at least half of the internal cross section Db body of the beverage container  36 , preferably at least ¾ th  of said cross section Db and for example about the same cross section Db, such that the gas container  33  abuts the inside of the wall of the body and/or of a shoulder portion of the beverage container, for example directly below the neck  51 . In embodiments the length Z of the gas container  33  can be less than half of the axial length L of the beverage container  36 , preferably less than ¼ th  of said axial length L, for example about ⅕ th  of said axial length. In embodiments the length Z is about minimal for providing sufficient volume in said gas container  33  for holding sufficient amounts of gas for dispensing the entire volume of beverage from the beverage container, at a desired maximum pressure of said gas in said gas container. 
     In embodiments of the present disclosure, for example with a gas container  33  as shown in  FIG. 21 , the gas container can be a plastic container, which is injection moulded or otherwise formed as a preform, which is blown into a desired final shape at least partly within the beverage container, after at least partial insertion of the gas container into the container in the said form of a preform. The preform can be blow moulded at least partly prior to insertion into the beverage container, or can be blow moulded completely inside the beverage container. The blow moulding can be achieved at least partly by the pressure of the gas introduced into or formed inside the gas container  33 . Especially when, as will be described hereafter, dry ice is used for providing at least part of the desired amount of pressure gas inside the gas container  33 , this can be advantageous. 
     In embodiments of the present description the gas container  33  can be provided in a top half portion of the beverage container  36  when position with the neck  51  or at least the dispensing unit  10  at a top thereof. Preferably the gas container  33  is provided about directly below the neck  51  and/or dispensing unit  10 , in for example within an upper quart or upper fifth of the internal volume of the beverage container  36 . This means that the volume of beverage comprised with the beverage container will be in the lower portion of the gas container, substantially or, preferably, about entirely below the gas container  33 . This means that the centre of gravity G of the entire assembly, comprising the unit  10 , the beverage container  36  with beverage and the gas container  33  will be shifted downward compared to its position when the gas container  33  is provided as shown in for example  FIG. 9 , having a larger length and smaller cross section. This increases the stability of the assembly. 
     According to an aspect a method for providing a beverage container unit is described, wherein a beverage container  36  is filled with a beverage trough a filling opening, for example a neck portion  51 . A gas container  33  is furthermore provided, comprising a predetermined amount of gas or gas generating means. This can for example be CO2 gas or dry ice, and is predetermined such that a pressure is build up in the gas container well above the dispensing pressure for the beverage, for example well above 2 bar, preferably above 4 bar absolute, such as for example but not limited to between 4 and 15 bar. The gas container can be mounted in the dispensing opening or neck portion  51  such that it extends into and through the filling opening into the inner space of the beverage container  36 . This is preferably done after filling the beverage container with the beverage. A dispensing unit  10  is provided, comprising pressure regulating means  54 , which dispensing unit  10  is mounted in and/or over the filling opening and is connected to the gas container  33 . 
     In an embodiment the dispensing unit  10  can for example be any one the previously disclosed embodiments. It can be mounted after filling of the beverage container, wherein propellant gas under pressure is provided in the gas container. In an embodiment the gas container  33  can be mounted to the dispensing unit  10  separate from the beverage container  36  and placed on the beverage container  36  as one unit. Alternatively the gas container can be suspended in or on the beverage container  36 , for example but not limited to by said flange  61 , where after the dispensing unit can be placed and coupled to the first and second coupling means. In such embodiment the gas can be fed into the gas container after placing in or on the beverage container  36 . 
     In an aspect, the present invention also relates to a novel method of dispensing a liquid under pressure from a liquid container in which the liquid is stored under pressure by a propellant gas at a first regulated pressure. Preferably, in such method the first pressure exceeds the equilibrium pressure of the liquid, for example but not limited to by a few tenths bar. So as to provide the first regulated pressure in the liquid container, additional propellant gas is stored in a gas container at a second pressure substantially higher than the first pressure. The propellant gas stored in the second gas container is also used for controlling the flow rate of the liquid during dispensing. 
     In a method according to the invention, the dispensing can started by reducing the first pressure of the liquid container to a third pressure, wherein the third pressure is at least the ambient pressure. Depending on the design of the particular dispensing apparatus used for dispensing, the third pressure may be higher than the ambient pressure. After the overpressure of the liquid container is partly or wholly released, the dispensing path for the liquid is opened and the flow area of the entire dispensing path is settled. Opening of the dispensing path of the liquid may be carried out along an internal dispensing duct or at a dispensing outlet. 
     Finally, while keeping the settled flow area of the dispensing path for the liquid unchanged, the pressure of the propellant gas in the liquid container can be controlled within a pressure range defined by the first pressure and the ambient pressure, thereby dispensing a first amount of liquid. This first amount preferably corresponds to the entire dose of the liquid to be dispensed at one run. It is preferred that the overpressure prevailing in the liquid container during dispensing does not exceed the ambient pressure by a few tenths bar, e.g. 0.1-0.2 bar, in order keep the flowing rate of the liquid at a rather low level and thereby not to allow excess frothing of the liquid. 
     Alternatively, the step of reducing the overpressure in the liquid container and the step of opening and settling the flow area of the dispensing path for the liquid may be executed simultaneously. In this case a second amount of liquid may additionally be dispensed in this step, but this second dispensed amount of liquid preferably is very limited. It is preferred that the second amount is smaller than 10 to 15% of the entire amount of liquid to be dispensed in one dose. 
     During dispensing, the dispensing pressure of the propellant gas in the liquid container can in embodiments of the invention preferably be controlled by controlling the flow rate of the propellant gas flowing from the gas container into the liquid container. For controlling the pressure in the liquid container during dispensing may, however, be carried out in other ways as well, for example by using an additional gas supply, optionally an external gas container, to provide the necessary amount of gas for this purpose. 
     Although in the foregoing, several preferred embodiments of the dispensing unit and the dispensing method according to the invention have been illustrated, the present invention is not in any way limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the description and the drawings and many variations thereof are possible within the scope of the invention defined by the attached claims. 
     In particular, the single operating lever of the dispensing unit may be carried out by providing two independent operating levers or other operating means for each operating range mentioned above, i.e. a first operating lever for controlling the flow area of the dispensing path for the liquid and a second operating lever for controlling the flow are of the third gas channel (or the common gas channel) for the propellant gas. Moreover, instead of levers, any other kind of tool, such as a push button, a rotatable knob, etc. may be used as an operating means for controlling the flow rate of the liquid. The slider element  28  can be simplified, for example be replaced by a resilient piece of plastic, which can be forced onto and/or from the membrane by the lever  14  for opening and/or closing the relevant channel(s), such as channel  30 . 
     The pressure regulating means may also be designed differently from the exemplary pressure regulator described above with reference to the drawings, while providing the same function of generating a regulated first pressure in the liquid container. Such pressure regulating means are well-known in the art. 
     The dispensing unit  10  could be designed to fit within a neck portion of a beverage container, or could at least partly be integrated with a beverage container. The beverage container could be of a bag in container design, wherein the beverage can be contained within a flexible bag suspended in the beverage container, for example connected to the dispensing device  10 , surrounding the second mounting means, which can contain the gas container  33 , wherein the second channel  25   b,    30 ,  130  opens into a space between the bag and the beverage container. The dispense tube  64  or  19  can be elongated and extended well beyond the periphery of the beverage container, and can be provided with an in line valve or the like. 
     These and many other variants, including but not limited to all combinations of parts of embodiments described and discussed, are considered to have been disclosed herein and fall within the scope of the present disclosure and/or claims as appending to this description.