Method of dispensing carbonated beverage, a beverage dispensing system and a collapsible container

摘要

A method of dispensing carbonated beverage comprises the step of providing a beverage dispensing system (12) comprises a pressure chamber (24), which chamber accommodates a collapsible beverage container (48) made of a flexible material. The collapsible beverage container includes a beverage space, a head space, a dispensing device (76), a tapping line (18), and an interruption valve (40). The method further comprises the step of maintaining a first elevated pressure within the pressure chamber (24), which acts on the collapsible beverage container (48) for crumpling the collapsible beverage container (48) at a container crumpling pressure and establishing a second elevated pressure, the first elevated pressure being equal to the sum of the second elevated pressure and the container crumpling pressure. The method still further comprises the step of operating the dispensing device (76) from the non-beverage dispensing position to the beverage dispensing position.

主权项

1. A method of dispensing carbonated beverage, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a beverage dispensing system, said beverage dispensing system comprising a pressure chamber, said pressure chamber accommodating a collapsible beverage container made of a flexible material, said collapsible beverage container including a beverage space containing carbonated beverage and a head space containing gas; a dispensing device including a tapping valve and defining a beverage dispensing position and a non-beverage dispensing position; a tapping line interconnecting said collapsible beverage container within said pressure chamber and said dispensing device; and an interruption valve defining an open position and a closed position, said open position allowing carbonated beverage to flow from said beverage space to said dispensing device when said pressure chamber is pressurized, said closed position preventing carbonated beverage from flowing from said beverage space to said dispensing device; (b) maintaining a first elevated pressure within said pressure chamber, said first elevated pressure acting on said collapsible beverage container for crumpling said collapsible beverage container at a container crumpling pressure and establishing a second elevated pressure within said collapsible beverage container, said first elevated pressure being equal to said second elevated pressure added to said container crumpling pressure, said interruption valve assuming said open position when said second elevated pressure exceeds a specific non-zero pressure reference, said interruption valve assuming said closed position when said second elevated pressure falls below said specific non-zero pressure reference, wherein said interruption valve includes a pressure probe for determining said second elevated pressure and an electromagnetic actuator operable to switch said interruption valve between said open and closed positions, respectively, dependent on said second elevated pressure determined by said pressure probe: and (c) operating said dispensing device from said non-beverage dispensing position to said beverage dispensing position for causing said carbonated beverage to be dispensed at said dispensing device and said collapsible beverage container to crumple, if said interruption valve is assuming said open position.