US 7,475,798 B2
Device and method for connecting a pressure source to a container
Guido Petrus Johannes van der Klaauw, Hilversum (Netherlands); Bart Jan Bax, The Hague (Netherlands); Marius Corstiaan van Duuren, Poortugaal (Netherlands); and Arie-Maarten Paauwe, De Lier (Netherlands)
Assigned to Heineken Technical Services B.V., Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Appl. No. 10/473,384
PCT Filed Apr. 02, 2002, PCT No. PCT/NL02/00213
§ 371(c)(1), (2), (4) Date Mar. 01, 2004,
PCT Pub. No. WO02/079075, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 10, 2002.
Claims priority of application No. 1017742 (NL), filed on Mar. 30, 2001.
Prior Publication US 2004/0134939 A1, Jul. 15, 2004
Int. Cl. B65D 83/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 222—400.7  [222/1; 222/153.14; 222/399; 222/509; 137/212] 29 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An assembly of a container and a connecting device for connecting the container to a pressure source for a pressure medium, wherein the container is provided with a tapping rod having therein at least one valve for releasing an input and/or output opening of the container, wherein the connecting device is provided with a housing with first coupling means and the container is provided with a casing with a cylindrical neck having a first end and an opposite second end, said neck is secured by the first end on the casing and adjacent the opposite second end is provided with an outwardly extending flange having an underside and a maximum diameter, which defines second coupling means for cooperation with the first coupling means, wherein the tapping rod is secured in the neck and wherein the neck, between the neck flange and the first end of the neck, is smoothly finished on the outside of the neck so as to be readily cleanable, the neck having a diameter at least adjacent the outwardly extending flange that is smaller than the maximum diameter of the outwardly extending flange, the assembly of the container and the connecting device being such that when the connecting device and the container are coupled by the first coupling means and the second coupling means, the first coupling means are at least supported against the underside of the flange proximal to the second end of the neck, and the tapping rod is locked in the neck by at least the connecting device, and wherein means are provided for pressing open a valve of the tapping rod, said means for pressing open comprising a piston which is controllable to a first, second and third position, wherein in the first and third position input means for a pressure medium are closed off and in the second position the input means are open, and wherein the third position is situated on a side of the second position remote from the first position.