Patent Description:
Beverage dispensing appliances, for example in beer dispensing appliances, typically comprise a fluid conduit for guiding the beverage from a beverage container to a dispensing outlet of the appliance. The dispensing appliance may be operated by a dispenser, e.g. a faucet, which regulates a flow of beverage from the container through the dispensing outlet, to dispense the beverage into a suitable receptacle. The beverage container is usually detachably coupled to the fluid conduit for enabling exchange of beverage containers, for example to exchange an empty beverage container with a full one.

Furthermore, the fluid conduit may be detachably connected to the dispenser at an end portion of the fluid conduit. Hereto the fluid conduit is provided with a connection hub, wherein an interaction between the connection hub and the dispenser provide a secure connection between the fluid conduit and the dispenser.

<CIT> discloses a component of a fluid handling system that has a wall that separates an interior of the component from an exterior of the component. A channel passes completely through the wall for receiving a conduit therein. A trough is formed on an exterior of the component. A sidewall of the trough has an opening that aligns with the channel. The opening is for receiving the conduit therethrough before the channel receives the conduit.

To prevent leakage, it is crucial that the fluid conduit and the connection hub are coupled together in a fluid tight manner. Accordingly, it is an aim to provide a fluid tight coupling between the fluid conduit and the connection hub. Additionally, it is an aim to provide an efficient and cost-effective method for coupling the fluid conduit and the connection hub together, in particular suitable for mass production.

Accordingly, there is provided a method for joining a fluid conduit and a connection hub, wherein a fluid conduit is provided having an at least partially transparent end section. Also provided is a connection hub comprising a hub cavity having a shape complementary to a shape of the end section of the fluid conduit. The end section of the fluid conduit is at least partly introduced into the hub cavity through an opening in the hub, wherein a contact interface between at least a lateral wall part of the end section of the fluid conduit and a hub cavity wall is established. The method includes heating a target zone in the contact interface, for joining the fluid conduit and the connection hub at the target zone, by directing a light beam across the at least partially transparent end section of the fluid conduit from a side of the fluid conduit which is opposite a side of the target zone. Accordingly, the light beam is transmitted through the at least partially transparent end section in a substantially transversal direction with respect to a central conduit axis of the end section, to target the target zone. For instance, the light beam is directed at an angle with respect to the central conduit axis of the fluid conduit, to be transmitted across the at least partially transparent end section. The end section of the fluid conduit for example comprises a substantially tubular lateral wall extending circumferentially around the central conduit axis, wherein the central conduit axis may align with a general flow path direction of the fluid conduit. The light of the light beam is converted into heat at the target zone to induce a temporal and local melting of material of the lateral wall of the end section and/or the connection hub cavity wall, at the contact interface. Furthermore, according to the method, a plurality of light beams are directed across the at least partially transparent end section of the fluid conduit for heating a plurality of respective target zones, each light beam of the plurality of light beams being directed to an associated target zone and being directed across the end section from a side of the fluid conduit which is opposite a side of the associated target zone; and the plurality of light beams extend in a biconical plane.

This way, a weld is created that joins the connection hub and the end section of the fluid conduit. Furthermore, the fluid conduit and the connection hub can be efficiently joined at the target zones circumferentially around the end section of the fluid conduit, with an evenly distributed and secure bond. The plurality of waveguides may guide light from a single light source, or alternatively may guide light from a, e.g. respective, number of light sources. For example, <NUM> to <NUM> light beams, such as <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> light beams may be directed across the at least partially transparent end section of the fluid conduit for heating a plurality of respective target zones.

The plurality of target zones may at least partly overlap such that the union of the plurality of target zones forms an extended target zone.

The overlapping target zones may form a ring-shaped extended target zone that extends circumferentially around the end section of the fluid conduit. Thus, the plurality of light beams aimed at the extended target zone extend in a biconical plane.

The end section of the fluid conduit may be press-fitted into the cavity of the connection hub for at least contributing to a fluid seal between the end section and the hub.

The light beam may be guided by means of an optical wave guide from a proximal end of the optical wave guide proximate a light source to a distal end of the optical wave guide near the side of the fluid conduit which is opposite a side of the target zone. The optical wave guide allows positioning of the light source a distance away from the target zone where it is convenient to maintain or replace. The optical wave guide may be substantially flexible, e.g. the optical wave guide may comprise an optical fibre, or a bundle of optical fibres.

The distal end of the optical waveguide may be revolved around the central conduit axis, to provide a circumferential bond between the end section of the fluid conduit.

The connection hub cavity may include, or be formed by, a cavity wall of a light beam absorbent material. For example, at the contact interface, the hub may comprise an opaque material, such as an opaque thermoplastic material. The end section of the fluid conduit may comprise an at least partially transparent thermoplastic material. Light of the light beam may be absorbed by the material of the connection hub at the target zone in the contact interface. Light of the light beam travelling across the at least partially transparent end section of the fluid conduit can be absorbed and converted into heat by the material of the connection hub.

The light beam may be a coherent light beam, such as a laser beam.

Further provided is a device for joining a fluid conduit and a connection hub, for instance according to a method as described above. The device comprises a chamber for receiving the connection hub and/or an at least partially transparent end section of the fluid conduit. In use of the device, the end section of the fluid conduit is, at least partly, positioned in a hub cavity of the connection hub. The device further comprising a light source arranged for transmitting a light beam. The device is arranged for, in use, directing the light beam across the at least partially transparent end section of the fluid conduit from a side of the fluid conduit which is opposite a side of the target zone for joining the fluid conduit and the connection hub at the target zone, wherein the device is configured to direct a plurality of light beams across the at least partially transparent end section of the fluid conduit for heating a plurality of respective target zones, each light beam of the plurality of light beams being directed to an associated target zone and being directed across the end section from a side of the fluid conduit which is opposite a side of the associated target zone; and the plurality of light beams extend in a biconical plane.

The device may comprise an optical wave guide for guiding the light beam from the light source to the side of the fluid conduit which is opposite a side of the target zone. The wave guide may for example comprise an optical fibre, or a bundle of optical fibres.

The device may be arranged for, in use, directing a plurality of light beams across the at least partially transparent end section of the fluid conduit for heating a plurality of respective target zones. Each light beam of the plurality of light beams can be directed to an associated target zone and can be directed across the end section from a side of the fluid conduit which is opposite a side of the associated target zone.

The device may comprise a plurality of optical wave guides, each optical wave guide of the plurality of optical wave guides being arranged for guiding a light beam of the plurality of light beams from the light source to the side of the fluid conduit which is opposite a side of the associated target zone. For example, <NUM> to <NUM> optical waveguides may be provided, such as <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> optical waveguides, each being arranged for guiding a respective light beam from a light source to the side of the fluid conduit which is opposite a side of the associated target zone.

The plurality of optical wave guides may be positioned circumferentially around the chamber, e.g. at regular intervals, and arranged for directing the plurality of light beams in a radial direction towards the chamber. Hence, the plurality of light beams extend in a biconical plane. The plurality of optical wave guides extend in a conical plane.

The device may comprise securing means for securing the connection hub relative to the chamber, for example in the chamber.

The device may comprise a flange having a central opening for allowing insertion of the end section of the fluid conduit. The central opening can provide access to the chamber of the device. Around the central opening, the flange may comprise a reflective surface shaped for reflecting light towards the target zone. The flange may for example comprise two or more flange parts that can be separated from each other to facilitate insertion into the chamber and/or withdrawal from the chamber of the connection hub and/or the fluid conduit.

It will be appreciated that all features and options mentioned in view of the method apply equally to the device, and vice versa. It will also be clear that any one or more of the above aspects, features and options can be combined.

The various aspects and embodiments will be elaborated on in conjunction with figures. In the figures,.

<FIG> shows a fluid conduit <NUM> having an at least partially transparent end section <NUM>. The fluid conduit <NUM> has a tubular conduit wall <NUM>. The tubular conduit wall <NUM> extends around a central axis <NUM>. The fluid conduit <NUM> forms a fluid flow path for a fluid, e.g. a beverage such as a beer beverage, from a beverage container, e.g. a beer keg, to a dispenser. For connection to the dispenser, the end section <NUM> of the fluid conduit <NUM> is coupled with a connection hub <NUM>. In particular, the fluid conduit <NUM> and the connection hub <NUM> are joined in a fluid tight manner to prevent leakage. The connection hub <NUM> comprises a cavity <NUM>, here formed by a tubular connection hub body <NUM>, wherein the cavity <NUM> opens at a first end <NUM> and an opposite second end <NUM> to allow fluid to flow through the connection hub <NUM>. The connection hub <NUM> may cooperate with the dispenser to controllably dispense an amount of beverage into a receptacle, e.g. a cup or glass. Alternatively, the connection hub <NUM> may cooperate with a keg connector to establish a fluid flow path between an inner volume of the container and the dispenser.

<FIG> shows a schematic close-up view of part of <FIG>.

The cavity <NUM> at the first end <NUM> has a shape that is complementary to a shape of the end section of the fluid conduit <NUM>. The connection hub <NUM> comprises coupling means <NUM> that, in this example, are arranged to cooperate with complementary coupling means of the dispenser, for securely coupling the hub <NUM> and the dispenser.

A part of the end section <NUM> of the fluid conduit <NUM> is introduced into the cavity <NUM> of the connection hub <NUM>, such that the tubular conduit wall <NUM> and the connection hub body <NUM> establish a contact interface <NUM> between one another, i.e. a surface of the conduit wall <NUM> and a surface of the hub body <NUM> touch. Here, the fluid conduit <NUM> and the connection hub <NUM> are dimensioned such as to establish an interference fit between the conduit wall <NUM> and the hub body <NUM>. For example, a cross section of the end portion of the fluid conduit is slightly larger than a cross section of the cavity <NUM> of the connection hub <NUM>. The fluid conduit wall <NUM> may have elastic properties to be pressed into the hub cavity <NUM>. In an assembled state of the connection hub <NUM> and the fluid conduit <NUM>, the hub body <NUM> and the conduit wall <NUM> both extend around the central axis <NUM>.

Further shown in <FIG> is a device <NUM> for joining the end portion <NUM> of the fluid conduit <NUM> and the connection hub <NUM> together. In this example, the device <NUM> comprises a flange <NUM> which extends outwardly from the central axis <NUM>, i.e. in a plane transverse to the central axis. The device <NUM> further comprises a chamber <NUM> for receiving the connection hub <NUM> and the at least partially transparent end section <NUM> of the fluid conduit <NUM>. The chamber <NUM> is partly formed by a through opening in the flange <NUM>, and is here circularly symmetric around the central axis <NUM>. The chamber <NUM> can be tapered to allow easy centring and inserting of the at least partially transparent end section <NUM> of the fluid conduit <NUM>. In use, the connection hub <NUM> is secured relative to the chamber <NUM> such that the cavity <NUM> is aligned with the central axis for receiving the end portion of the fluid conduit <NUM>. Here, the first end <NUM> of the hub body <NUM> abuts the flange <NUM>.

The device <NUM> further comprises a light source <NUM> for example a laser light source, e.g. a laser diode. Here, two light sources <NUM> are shown. The light sources <NUM> may e.g. transmit light in the infrared spectrum. The device <NUM> further comprises one or more optical wave guides <NUM> such as one or more optical fibres, or one or more bundles of optical fibres, for guiding light from the light source <NUM> to a relative proximity of the contact interface <NUM>. Here, each of the optical wave guides <NUM> is associated with a respective light source <NUM>. The device may for example comprise between <NUM> and <NUM> optical wave guides, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> optical wave guides, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> optical wave guides, such as <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> optical wave guides. The one or more optical wave guides <NUM> are arranged to direct one or more respective light beams <NUM> to a target zone <NUM> in the contact interface <NUM>, to locally and temporarily heat the target zone <NUM> such as to join the connection hub body <NUM> and the conduit wall <NUM> of the end section of the fluid conduit <NUM>.

Each light beam <NUM> has a respective target zone <NUM> which is defined by a spot size of the light beam <NUM> at the contact interface <NUM>. The target zone <NUM> of each light beam <NUM> is indicated in <FIG> to be in the contact interface <NUM> between the two dashed lines. The target zones <NUM> of multiple light beams combined, i.e. the union of their spot sizes, may form an extended target zone, for example forming a ring-shaped target zone that extends around the central axis. Hence, the multiple light beams extend in a biconical plane. The biconical plane intersects the connection hub body <NUM> and the conduit wall <NUM> at the ring-shaped target zone.

To reach the target zone in the contact interface <NUM>, a light beam is directed at an angle θ with respect to a plane perpendicular to the central axis <NUM>. <FIG> shows two light beams <NUM>, each being directed across the at least partially transparent end section of the fluid conduit <NUM> to a respective target zone <NUM> from a side opposite of the target zone. In other words, each light beam is transmitted through the at least partially transparent end section <NUM> in a substantially transversal direction with respect to the central axis <NUM>. The angle θ may for example be between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, more preferably about <NUM> degrees. Hence the biconical plane can have an apex angle of between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, more preferably about <NUM> degrees.

To minimise absorption of light by the conduit wall <NUM>, the end section of the fluid conduit <NUM> is at least transparent at those locations where the light beams <NUM> need to be transmitted through the end section of the fluid conduit <NUM> to be submitted to the target zone <NUM> on the opposite side of the fluid conduit <NUM>. In this example, the entire end section of the fluid conduit <NUM> is transparent. However, the end section <NUM> may be provided locally with one or more transparent windows for locally transmitting light there through. An annular transparent window may for example be provided at the end portion <NUM> of the fluid conduit <NUM>. The conduit wall <NUM> of the end section of the fluid conduit <NUM>, or the one or more transparent windows, may be made of a transparent material, such as a transparent plastic material. The one or more windows can also be at least partially transparent.

At the target zone <NUM>, the connection hub body <NUM> may absorb the light of the light beams <NUM>, such that the contact interface <NUM> is locally and temporarily heated in the target zone <NUM>. This way, the material of the hub body <NUM> and/or the end section <NUM> of the fluid conduit <NUM> may be locally and temporarily melted to establish a bonding between the hub body <NUM> and the end section <NUM>. This way, the connecting hub <NUM> and the end section of the fluid conduit <NUM> are welded together, by means of laser welding.

In this example, the device <NUM> further comprises a reflective surface <NUM> shaped for reflecting light towards the target zone <NUM>. The reflective surface <NUM> may be angled with respect to the central axis <NUM>. In particular, the reflective surface <NUM> extends in a direction that substantially coincides with a direction in which the light beams <NUM> are directed. This way, minor discrepancies in direction of the light beams <NUM>, diffusion of the light beams <NUM>, and/or scattering of the light beams <NUM>, may be compensated for by reflecting the light to the target zone <NUM>. The reflective surface <NUM> can be formed by a surface of the flange <NUM>, which surface may be coated with a reflective coating, e.g. a gold-coated surface. The reflective surface may have a generally conical shape.

The device <NUM> may further comprise a complementary reflective surface <NUM>, for example formed by a complementary body <NUM>, here a conically shaped body. The chamber <NUM> is here partly formed by the complementary body <NUM>, as a through hole through the conically shaped complementary body <NUM>. The reflective surface <NUM> of the flange and the complementary reflective surface <NUM> of the complementary body <NUM> may define an interstice <NUM> between one another, i.e. forming a planar waveguide, for guiding light from the light source <NUM> or from the one or more waveguides <NUM> to the end section of the fluid conduit towards the target zone. The interstice extends around the central axis <NUM>. This way the light is evenly distributed over an annular target zone <NUM> in the contact interface <NUM>. The one or more optical wave guides <NUM> may be provided through holes in the flange <NUM> or in the complementary body <NUM>. Alternatively the one or more optical wave guides <NUM> may be provided, e.g. clamped, between the complementary body <NUM> and the flange <NUM>. The complementary body <NUM> may comprise two or more body parts that are separable from each other so as to facilitate insertion into the chamber <NUM> and/or withdrawal from the chamber <NUM> of the fluid conduit. Further, the flange <NUM> and the complementary body <NUM> may be separable from one another to allow for facilitating insertion into the chamber <NUM> and/or withdrawal from the chamber <NUM> of the fluid conduit.

Herein, the invention is described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein, without departing from the essence of the invention. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, alternative embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described in these separate embodiments are also envisaged.

In the examples, the material of the hub body absorbs energy of the light beams, such that the hub body is locally and temporarily heated in the target zone. The heat at the hub body can be conducted to the end section of the fluid conduit. Hence, both the hub body and the end section of the fluid conduit can be locally and temporarily melted to establish a bonding between the hub body and the end section.

It is also possible that the end section of the fluid conduit includes a material arranged for absorbing energy of the light beams in the target zone. This can e.g. be used when the end section includes the or the one or more, e.g. annular, at least partially transparent windows for allowing the light beams to pass to the target zone.

However, other modifications, variations, and alternatives are also possible. The specifications, drawings and examples are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than in a restrictive sense.

For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

Claim 1:
Method for joining a fluid conduit and a connection hub, comprising:
providing a fluid conduit (<NUM>) having an at least partially transparent end section (<NUM>),
providing a connection hub (<NUM>) comprising a hub cavity (<NUM>) having a shape complementary to a shape of the end section of the fluid conduit, and
introducing the end section of the fluid conduit at least partly into the hub cavity through an opening in the hub and establishing a contact interface between at least a lateral wall part of the end section and a hub cavity wall,
and
heating a target zone (<NUM>) in the contact interface (<NUM>), for joining the fluid conduit and the connection hub at the target zone, by directing a light beam (<NUM>) to the target zone, through a side of the fluid conduit which is opposite a side of the target zone, across the at least partially transparent end section of the fluid conduit at the target zone;
characterised in that:
a plurality of light beams are directed across the at least partially transparent end section of the fluid conduit for heating a plurality of respective target zones, each light beam of the plurality of light beams being directed to an associated target zone and being directed across the end section from a side of the fluid conduit which is opposite a side of the associated target zone; and
the plurality of light beams extend in a biconical plane.