DEVICE FOR STORING AND POURING LIQUID PRODUCTS

摘要

The present invention can be used for storing and pouring liquid products subject to degradation when in contact with air such as wine, highly alcoholic beverages, beer, etc. This invention essentially relates to devices in the form of a cask made of oak staves and at the bottom of which a tap with a check valve is provided. The central portion (bilge) of the side part of the cask comprises an opening through which an expansible element made of food-grade polyethylene is attached into said cask. This element may expand until it reaches the volume of the cask due to atmospheric air or due to an external gas source. The width of the cask stave where the opening is formed corresponds to a value of at least 1.2 D where D is the diameter of the opening. The expansible element consists of a cylindrical packet previously folded into a roll and having a length corresponding to the distance between the cask ends while its volume exceeds by 10 to 15 % the inner volume of the cask. The expansible element is made of food-grade polyethylene and has a thickness of at least 80 mu m.