DRINK TAPPING DEVICE FOR A KEG AND DISPENSING DEVICE COMPRISING THE TAPPING DEVICE AND A KEG

Abstract

A device for tapping a drink from a container (100) comprises: —a tapping head (10) comprising a body (12) and a piston (11) that is mobile relative to the body (12) along guide means (5); —a tapping duct (60) comprising a tube (13) to one end of which a pusher (14) actuated by the piston (11) is connected. Characteristically, the tapping device (1) comprises means (6) for irremovably connecting the tapping duct (60) to the container (100).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a tapping device and to a drink dispensing device comprising said tapping device.

The term “tapping device” is used to denote means for dispensing a drink from a container. The term “dispensing device” is used to denote a device comprising at least the tapping device and the container.

Devices of this kind are designed to draw drinks from respective containers and to allow the drinks to be dispensed to individual users. They are normally used in bars, restaurants, cafeterias and other establishments authorised to serve drinks to the public, and also in the home.

BACKGROUND ART

Devices for tapping drinks from containers are well known. The containers are connected to a dispensing tap at one end and to a pressurized gas-tank at the other. The pressure of the gas increases the pressure inside the container in such a way as to force the drink out through a channelling system to a line that connects the container to the tap. To achieve this double connection of the container to the pressurized gas line and to the dispensing tap, prior art teaches the use of tapping heads connected by fittings of various kinds (for example of the sliding, triangular of bayonet type) to the top face of the container where there is a shutter. The tapping head comprises an element that can be coupled to the container and a piston that moves relative to said element and relative to the container. When the shutter is in a rest configuration, a spring keeps it pressed against a fixed part of the container, thereby preventing the drink from flowing out. When the shutter is in a working configuration, on the other hand, the piston is placed in direct contact with the shutter and overcomes the elastic force of the spring, thus allowing the drink to flow out of the container. The piston is hollow to enable the drink to flow out through it. The end of the piston opposite the end that interacts with the shutter has connected to it a plastic tube that conveys the drink to the dispensing point.

Tapping devices of the kind described above are not free of disadvantages. In particular, the inside walls of the piston come into direct contact with the drink. As a result, the piston must be periodically sanitized. In particular, sanitization of the piston is performed directly at the place where the device is used, which involves the use of specialised personnel at the place of use. This in turn involves additional costs.

The container, on the other hand, is normally sent to the manufacturer to be sanitized, filled and then sent back to the place of use. This results in further costs.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore has for an aim to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages by providing a tapping device and a drink dispensing device comprising said tapping device allowing the maximum level of hygiene to be achieved.

These and other aims, which will become more apparent in the description which follows, are achieved in accordance with the invention by a tapping device and a dispensing device comprising said tapping device, both having the structural and functional characteristics described in the appended independent claims, while other embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, listed below, which illustrate a non-limiting preferred embodiment of it.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tapping device according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below of a device according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a dispensing device according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a broken cross section of a dispensing device according to the invention in a first configuration.

FIG. 5 is a broken cross section of a dispensing device according to the invention in a second configuration.

FIG. 6 is a cross section of a detail of the tapping device according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a dispensing device according to the invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross section of a part of a dispensing device according to the invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are a perspective view and a plan view of a detail from FIG. 8.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are a front view and a perspective view of a variant of the detail of FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are a cross section and a perspective view of a variant of the detail illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show another embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention in two different working configurations.

FIGS. 17a to 17e are orthogonal views of one of the components of a dispensing device according to the invention.

FIG. 18 shows a detail of a component illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The numeral 1 in FIG. 1 denotes a device for tapping a drink from a container 100. The tapping device 1 is of the type comprising:

• • a tapping head 10 comprising a body 12 and a piston 11 that is mobile relative to the body 12 along guide means 5;
  • a tapping duct 60 comprising a tube 13 to one end of which a pusher 14 actuated by the piston 11 is connected.

Characteristically, the tapping device 1 comprises means 6 for irremovably connecting the tapping duct 60 to the container 100.

Advantageously, the pusher 14 is rigid. In particular, it is made of plastic having predetermined rigidity.

The pusher 14 is designed to have the drink passing through it.

The pusher 14 extends, in a direction of drink outflow, between a first and a second end of it 51 and 52.

Advantageously, the first end 51 of the pusher 14 is irremovably connected to the tube 13. The pusher 14 comprises an internal central hole 140 extending from the first end 51. Advantageously, the drink is made to flow through the internal hole 140.

The second end 52 of the pusher 14 comprises preferably at least one lateral through opening 54 that places the outside of the pusher 14 in fluid communication with the central hole 140.

As shown by way of non-limiting example in FIG. 4 or 5, the central hole 140 extends from the first end 51 to the second end 52 of the pusher 14, passing all the way through the latter.

The pusher 14 is physically separate from the piston 11.

In an embodiment that is not illustrated, the pusher 14 is preferably made as a single part with the tube 13.

The pusher 14 at least partly comprises the irremovable connecting means 6.

The irremovable connecting means 6 comprise elastically deformable means 225 that can be slotted into suitable seats 61 in the container 100.

The tube 13 passes through a housing 113 inside the piston 11. The internal housing 113 runs right through the piston 11 in the direction in which the piston 11 is moved relative to the body 12.

A side portion of the piston 11 comprises a first slot 111.

A side portion of the body 12 comprises a second slot 112.

The first and the second slots 111, 112 are aligned and in contact with each other to enable the tube 13 to be inserted and removed from the side, between the internal housing 113 of the piston 11 and the outside of the of the body 12. For example, when there is no more drink in the container 100, the tapping head 10 is released from the drink container 100. Thanks to the first and second slots 111, 112, the tapping head 10 can be pulled out from the side relative to the tube 13 which remains irremovably connected to the container 100. The piston 11 and the remaining parts of the tapping head 10 can be re-used without being sanitized since they do not come into contact with the drink. The tube 13 and the container 100 are disposable. The cost of the tapping head 10 is much higher than that of the tube 13.

Inside it, the body 12 comprises a conduit 15 for feeding an operating fluid under pressure. The feed conduit 15 comprises a first end 151 that can be operatively connected to a source of operating fluid under pressure, and a second end 152 that can be operatively connected to the drink container 100. Advantageously, but not necessarily, the operating fluid under pressure is a gas. The source of the operating fluid under pressure might, for example, consist of an air compressor or a gas tank under pressure.

The tapping device 1 comprises a flow shutoff switch 16 for the conduit 15 that feeds the operating fluid under pressure.

The piston 11 and the flow shutoff switch 16 are operated simultaneously by the user with a single lever 101 on the tapping head 10.

Advantageously, the lever 101 is hinged to the body 12 of the tapping head 10. Along the bottom portion of the lever 101 there are protrusions 102 that push the piston 11 downwards when the user lowers the lever 101.

A part of these protrusions 102 slots into a groove 103 in the piston 11 to allow the piston 11 to be raised when the lever 101 is lifted again. During the lifting action, the parts of the protrusions 102 that slot into the groove 103 in the piston 11 come into contact with the groove 103 itself, thus allowing the piston 11 to be lifted.

The switch 16 can move inside the feed conduit 15 and comprises an inlet section 162, an outlet section 163 and an internal cavity 161 extending between the inlet section 162 and the outlet section 163 of the switch 16.

The switch 16 moves between an open configuration where it enables the operating fluid to pass and a shutoff configuration where it prevents the pressurized operating fluid from passing. In the open configuration, the first end 151 of the feed conduit 15 is in fluid communication with the inlet section 162 of the switch 16; in the shutoff configuration, a side wall 164 of the switch 16 occludes the first end 151 of the feed conduit 15.

Advantageously, the tapping device 1 comprises means 4 for hooking the body 12 to the container 100. Preferably, the hooking means 4 create a removable connection.

The hooking means 4 comprise means 40 for placing the body 12 in a fixed position relative to the container 100.

As illustrated by way of non-limiting example in FIG. 1, the positioning means 40 comprise a guide 41 made on the container 100. The guide 41 is removably connected to a shoe 42 formed on the tapping head 10. The guide 41 comprises a limit stop consisting of a stop tooth 43 enabling the shoe 42 to engage the guide 41 according to a single, predetermined orientation.

Advantageously, the tapping duct 60 comprises at least one portion 63 whose cross section is totally deformable.

Preferably, the tapping device 1 comprises a dispensing tap 7 connected to the outlet end 62 of the tapping duct 60.

Advantageously, the dispensing tap 7 comprises at least:

• • an uninterrupted internal passage that runs through it from the upstream end to the downstream end, allowing the tapping duct 60 to slide through it freely and easily, the tapping duct 60 occupying and passing right through the uninterrupted internal passage;
  • actuating means 70 for opening and closing the tapping duct 60 portion 63 with the totally deformable cross section by simply pressing it at a certain section of it along the uninterrupted internal passage.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the actuating means 70 comprise a handle 700 connected to an eccentric cam 701 that squeezes the totally deformable portion 63 of the tapping duct 60.

The dispensing tap 7 does not come into contact with the tapped drink and can therefore be re-used without being sanitized.

Advantageously, the tapping duct 60 comprises a single tube 13 extending from the container 100 to the outlet of the tap 7. The tube 13, when not squeezed under the action of the actuating means 70, can be pulled out of the dispensing tap 7 to enable the tap 7 to be re-used with a new tube 13. This may occur when the drink container 100, to which the tube 13 is irremovably connected, is substituted.

In an embodiment that is not illustrated, the actuating means 70 are of the electromagnetic or electromechanical type. In one particular configuration, the actuating means 70 comprise a guillotine held in position by elastic means that squeeze the tapping duct 60 when the dispensing tap 7 is closed. When the user acts on a suitable control, such as a pushbutton for example, an electromagnet or a gear motor (in the case of electromechanical actuation) overcomes the elastic force in such a way as to pull the guillotine away so it no longer squeezes the tapping duct 60.

The tapping device 1 comprises a relief valve to reduce the pressure inside the container 100 to atmospheric pressure so that the tapping head 10 can be removed safely from the container 100. The relief valve is actuated by the user pulling a ring on the tapping head 10.

This invention also relates to a drink dispensing device 300 comprising:

• • a tapping device 1 of the type described above;
  • a container 100 comprising an outer containment structure 2 which in turn comprises an inner compartment 200 for containing the drink and means 22 for putting the inside and the outside of the container 100 in fluid communication with each other; said fluid communication means 22 between the inside and the outside comprising a first outlet opening 221 for the drink and a second outlet opening 222 for a pressurized operating fluid. The first opening 221 can be occluded by a shutter 20.

Reference is made to the non-limiting embodiment illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 15 to 18.

Advantageously, the pusher 14 is irremovably connected to the duct 60. The irremovable connecting means 6 connect the pusher 14 and the shutter 20. The irremovable connecting means 6 are actuated when the pusher 14 and the shutter 20 enter into contact. For example, the irremovable connecting means 6 that connect the pusher 14 and the shutter 20 comprise a first part 91 that is integral with the pusher 14 and a second part 92 that is integral with the shutter 20, the first and second parts 91, 92 of the irremovable connecting means 6 being snap fastenable to each other by elastic deformation of at least one of the two parts 91, 92.

The pusher 14 remains irremovably connected to the shutter 20 both during and after use. The shutter 20 is reversibly mobile between a first configuration in which it occludes the first opening 221 and a second configuration in which it enables the drink to flow through the first opening 221. In this embodiment, the pusher 14 not only pushes the shutter 20 into the inner compartment 200 but also pulls it out of the inner compartment 200.

Advantageously, in the second configuration, the shutter 20 is inside the inner compartment 200.

Initially, the pusher 14 and the shutter 20 are disconnected and are then connected to enable the drink to be dispensed. Once connected, the pusher 14 and the shutter 20 cannot be separated. In particular, the shutter 20 comprises a cavity 201 that irremovably engages the pusher 14.

The pusher 14 is made preferably of plastic. It is nevertheless rigid enough to move the shutter 20 between the first and second configurations.

When the shutter 20 is in the second configuration, the outside lateral surface 141 of the pusher 14 and the lateral surface 142 that delimits the first opening 221 form a fluid seal between them.

The second end 52 of the pusher 14 comprises the first part 91 of the irremovable connecting means 6. The first part 91 of the irremovable connecting means 6 comprises an elastically deformable tongue 400 that is compressed by a side wall 401 of the cavity 201 when the pusher 14 is inserted into the cavity 201 of the shutter 20. The tongue 400 is an example embodiment of the aforementioned elastically deformable means 225 forming part of the irremovable connecting means 6. The side wall 401 of the cavity 201 in the shutter 20 comprises the second part 92 of the irremovable connecting means 6. The second part 92 of the irremovable connecting means 6 comprises a perimetric groove 402. The perimetric groove 402 is an example embodiment of the aforementioned suitable seats of the container 100 into which the elastically deformable means 225 can be slotted. When the pusher 14 is inserted into the cavity 201 in the shutter 20, the deformable tongue 400, on reaching the groove 402, returns to its original non-deformed state and is irreversibly engaged in the groove 402. The irreversibility of the connection is accomplished by the shape of the tongue 400 and groove 402 which, during extraction of the shutter 20 from the container 100, do not afford any guiding surface that facilitates extraction of the tongue 400 from the groove 402. Advantageously, the tongue 400 is shaped to fit snugly into the groove 402.

The absence of an extraction guiding surface prevents the pusher 14 from being pulled out of the container 100.

The pusher 14 is removably coupled to the piston 11 in such a way as to make the pusher 14 move as one with the piston 11.

FIG. 16 shows by way of example the housing 113 made inside the piston 11 and into which the duct 60 can be inserted. A surface 404 of the piston 11 delimiting the internal housing 113 comprises a perimetric groove 405. The perimetric groove 405 in the surface 404 that delimits the housing 113 extends in a plane at right angles to the direction in which the piston 11 moves. During use, at least one protrusion 406 on the pusher 14 slots into the perimetric groove 405 in the surface 404 that delimits the housing 113. Thus, in the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 18, the piston 11 is removably coupled to the pusher 14.

Advantageously, the container 100 comprises shutter 20 anti-extraction means 407 which prevent the shutter 20 from coming free of the outer containment structure 2.

The anti-extraction means 407 come into operation at the end of the movement of the shutter 20 from the second to the first configuration.

Reference is made to the non-limiting embodiment illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1 to 14.

The shutter 20 is mobile between a first configuration in which it occludes the first opening 221 and a second configuration in which it enables the drink to flow freely through the first opening 221. In the second configuration, the shutter 20 is totally free of the first opening 221 and is irreversibly inside the inner compartment 200.

The pusher 14 is mobile from the first configuration in which it is away from the first opening 221 to a second configuration in which, after having pushed the shutter 20 into the container 100, it irremovably engages the container 100 at the first opening 221.

Reference is made to the non-limiting embodiments illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1 to 18.

Advantageously, the first configuration also corresponds to the configuration in which the switch 16 prevents the passage of the operating fluid, whilst the second configuration corresponds to the configuration in which the switch 16 allows the passage of the operating fluid.

Advantageously, the first and second openings 221 and 222 are separate.

Advantageously, the inner compartment 200 containing the drink comprises a flexible bag 21.

The flexible bag 21 is in fluid communication with the first opening 221. The second opening 222 is outside the bag 21.

In this case, the pressurized operating fluid fed into the container 100 through the second opening 222 presses against the outside walls of the bag 21. In another embodiment that is not illustrated, the pressurized operating fluid might be used to inflate a second bag which, by expanding, would in turn exert pressure on the bag 21 containing the drink.

If the bag 21 is not provided, the outer containment structure 2 itself defines the inner compartment 200 for the drink. In this case, the pressurized operating fluid exerts pressure directly on the surface of the drink. If the drink is contained in the bag 21, the operating fluid might be a liquid.

Advantageously, the shutter 20 and/or the inside wall 223 of the first opening 221 comprise elastically deformable retaining means 224 enabling the shutter 20 to engage the first opening 221. Preferably, the shutter 20 comprises a weight so that in the second configuration the shutter 20 does not float in the inner compartment 200 at the first opening 221. In this way, the shutter 20 cannot obstruct or hinder the flow of drink out of the container 100. The shutter 20 is applied to the container 100 from the outside after the latter has been filled with the drink. The elastically deformable retaining means 224 may, for example, comprise protrusions which are deformed by the force applied to them during engagement or disengagement of the shutter 20, thus enabling the latter to slide relative to the first opening 221. After filling, these protrusions slot into respective sockets which keep the shutter 20 against the first opening 221.

The container 100 comprises suitable means 3 for extracting the drink.

The drink extracting means 3 comprise a channelling element 30 which extends from the first opening 221 into the inner compartment 200 to facilitate the outflow of the drink.

The channelling element 30 enables all the drink to be emptied from the inner compartment 200. Advantageously, the channelling element 30 is irremovably connected to the bag 21. The bag 21 is irremovably connected to the container 100.

As illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 9 to 12, the cross section of the channelling element 30 transversal to its main direction of extension has a comb-like shape.

The comb-like cross section comprises a plurality of arms 301 extending from a common base 302 transversally to the common base 302 and on the same side of the common base 302. The comb-like section enables the bag 21 to be properly emptied by preventing the bag 21 from completely blocking the channelling element 30.

As illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 13 and 14, the channelling element 30 comprises a tubular element.

As illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 11 to 14, a lateral surface 31 of the channelling element 30 advantageously comprises at least one hole 32 located at the first opening 221.

In the case of a channelling element 30 with a comb-like section, the lateral surface 31 of the channelling element 30 may coincide with the common base 302.

In an embodiment that is not illustrated, the lateral surface 31 of the channelling element 30 might comprise a plurality of holes distributed along the full length of the channelling element 30.

With a tubular channelling element 30 like the one illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the shutter 20 might get caught along the channelling element 30 even in the second configuration, thus preventing proper outflow of the drink. This is more likely to happen if the shutter 20 is not weighted. To avoid this possible problem, the side openings 54 of the pusher 14, in the second configuration, extend inside the container 100. The presence of holes at the first opening 221, in combination with these side openings 54, guarantees the fluid communication between the first opening 221 and the drink located inside the inner compartment 200.

As illustrated for example in FIG. 5, the shutter 20 is advantageously mushroom shaped, narrower above and wider below; this is due to the presence, in the lower portion, of the connecting means which, in the first configuration, connect it to the opening 221 so that it cannot be pulled out of the container 100. The smaller section of the shutter 20 at the top of the shutter 20 facilitates entry of the drink through the holes 32 located on the lateral surface 31 of the channelling element 30 in the vicinity of the first opening 221.

In an embodiment that is hot illustrated, the top portion of the channelling element 30 comprises means for locking the shutter 20 in the second configuration. The pusher 14 pushes the shutter 20 from the first to the second configuration and causes it to engage the locking means. The locking means define a seat in the channelling element 30 for accommodating and retaining the shutter 20. Advantageously, the locking means comprise elastically deformable tabs; these are located on the shutter 20 and engage matching recesses in the channelling element 30; alternatively, the tabs are located on the channelling element 30 and are locked to the shutter 20. A similar embodiment can be advantageously used on a channelling element 30 shaped like a tubular element. The outer containment structure 2 is rigid.

Advantageously, the container 100 is of the single-use type. It is therefore disposable. This guarantees maximum hygiene coupled with low costs.

The outer containment structure 2 is preferably made of a plastic material.

Alternatively, it might be made of metal.

The dispensing device preferably comprises a protective cap that covers the first opening 221. The protective cap can be removed before use and is designed to guarantee maximum hygiene ant to prevent the shutter 20 from being contaminated by extraneous elements.

Advantageously, the outer containment structure 2 comprises:

• • a neck 408 extending outwards to an end 409 of the neck 408, the end 409 of the neck 408 defining an inlet surface 410 of the outer containment structure 2;
  • a plug 411 for the inlet surface 410, said plug 411 being applied to the neck 408 and comprising the first and second openings 221, 222;
  • means 412 for irremovably joining the plug 411 to the neck 408, the irremovable joining means 412 being located outside the neck 408.

The plug 411 abuts against the neck 408.

Advantageously, the plug 411 comprises an edge 413 that projects outwards relative to a lateral surface 414 of the neck 408. Advantageously, the edge 413 abuts against the end 409 of the neck 408.

The means 412 for irremovably joining the plug 411 to the neck 408 comprise at least one fastening device 415 comprising a first portion 416 and a second portion 417 that can be irreversibly snap fastened to each other. The first and second portions 416, 417 of the fastening device 415 are integral with a lateral surface 414 of the neck 408 and with the edge 413 of the plug 411, respectively. When the first portion 416 and the second portion 417 of the fastening device 415 are connected to one another, at least one of the two portions 416, 417 of the fastening device 415 is elastically deformed.

The irreversible joining means 412 also comprise a first and a second fastening device 415; the first and second fastening devices 415 are positioned, during use, at two separate points of the perimeter of the neck 408.

Advantageously, the neck 408 is circular and the two separate points where the first and second fastening devices 415 are located are diametrically opposite each other relative to the centre of the inlet surface 410.

The first portion 416 of the at least one fastening device 415 comprises a hooked body 418 formed as a single part with the edge 413 of the plug 411, the hooked body 418 projecting away from the edge 413 of the plug 411 and along the neck 408, the hooked body 418 comprising a concavity 419 facing the edge 413 of the plug 411.

The second portion 417 of the at least one fastening device 415 comprises a protrusion 420 which extends on the outer lateral surface 414 of the neck 408 and which snaps irreversibly into the concavity 419 of the hooked body 418.

The end of the hooked body 418 comprises a wedge shaped part 421a comprising a sliding surface 422a that facilitates the elastic deformation of the hooked body 418 during the snap fastening action.

The second portion 417 of the at least one fastening device 415 comprises a wedge shaped part 421b comprising a sliding surface 422b that facilitates the elastic deformation of the hooked body 418 during the snap fastening action.

Advantageously, the irremovable joining means 412 move from a first position to a second position during the joining action. In the first position, the edge 413 of the plug 411 abuts against the inlet surface 410 of the container 100 and the first and second portions 416, 417 of the at least one fastening device 415 are free of each other; in the second position, the edge 413 of the plug 411 abuts against the inlet surface 410 of the container 100 and the first and second portions 416, 417 of the at least one fastening device 415 are irremovably constrained to each other; the second position is rotated relative to the first position, the rotation occurring along an axis at right angles to the inlet surface 410.

Advantageously, the plug 411 is made as a single part with the channelling element 30.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 18, the plug 411 comprises a shell 423 that is physically separate and irremovably connectable to parts 424 of the plug 411 surrounding the shell 423. When the shutter 20 is in the first configuration, the shell 423 laterally encompasses the shutter 20 itself. The shell 423 facilitates filling of the drink bag 21 as described below. The bag 21 is still empty when it is placed inside the outer containment structure 2. The plug 411 is then applied to the neck 408. The drink is then poured into the bag 21 through the opening 221. Next, the first opening 221 is closed by inserting the shutter 20 together with and surrounded by the shell 423.

The anti-extraction means 407 comprise a lateral protuberance 425 of the shutter 20, said lateral protuberance 425 of the shutter 20 abutting against the plug 411 when the shutter 20 is in the first configuration. More specifically, in the first configuration, the lateral protuberance 425 of the shutter 20 abuts against the shell 423 which comprises a stop element that prevents extraction.

Advantageously, the positioning means 40 enable the placement of the first opening 221 in a fixed position at the piston 11 housing 113, ready to receive the tapping duct 60, and the second opening 222 in a fixed position at the flow shutoff switch 16 on the tapping head 10.

The guide 41 of the positioning means 40 comprises a first part 426 of the edge 413 of the plug 411. The shoe 42 of the positioning means 40 comprises a groove 427 made in the tapping head 10. In particular, the groove 427 in the shoe 42 is located in the bottom portion of the tapping head 10. The groove 427 in the shoe 42 is shaped to match the first part 426 of the edge 413 of the plug 411. A second part 428 of the edge 413 of the plug 411, complementing the first part 426, is larger than the first part 426 of the edge 413 so that the second part 428′ of the edge 413 is prevented from engaging with the groove 427 in the shoe 42. The connection of the tapping head 10 to the plug 411 of the container 100 is possible only if the head 10 is connected to the plug 411 by a translational movement along a single and predetermined direction in space.

Usually, during use, the tapping head 10 is connected to the container 100 by the hooking means 4. The tapping duct 60 is inserted into the housing 113 in the piston 11 through the slots 111, 112 in the side waif of the piston 11 and in the body 12. At the end of the tapping duct 60 there is a pusher 14. Lowering the lever 101 of the tapping head 10 causes the pusher 14 to be inserted into the container 100, thereby making the shutter 20 fall into the container 100. Lowering the lever 101 places the inside of the container 100 in fluid communication with a source of operating fluid under pressure. In this configuration the drink can be tapped. When all the drink has been tapped, the tapping head 10 can be removed from the container 100 and reused on a new container 100. Since the head has not come into direct contact with the drink, it need not be sanitized. The tapping duct 60 and the pusher 14, on the other hand, remain irremovably connected to the container 100 and all three parts are disposable.

The invention achieves important advantages.

First of all, it ensures hygienic operation.

Secondly, it allows significant savings on sanitizing costs.

Another important advantage is that it allows the use of containers that can be filled with the drink quickly and easily without using especially designed equipment.

It will be understood that the invention can be adapted and modified in several ways without thereby departing from the spirit of the invention.

Moreover, all of the details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the embodiments of the invention may be made from any material, and in any size, depending on requirements.

Claims

1-46. (canceled)

47. A device for tapping a drink from a container (100) of the type comprising: the tapping device (1) being characterised in that it comprises means (6) for irremovably connecting the tapping duct (60) to the container (100).

a tapping head (10) comprising a body (12) and a piston (11) that is mobile relative to the body (12) along guide means (5);

a tapping duct (60) comprising a tube (13) to one end of which a pusher (14) actuated by the piston (11) is connected;

48. The tapping device according to claim 47, characterised in that the pusher (14) is rigid.

49. The tapping device according to claim 47, characterised in that the pusher (14) is designed to have the drink passing through it and extends in a direction of drink outflow, between a first and a second end of it (51, 52).

50. The tapping device according to claim 49, characterised in that the first end (51) of the pusher (14) is irremovably connected to the tube (13).

51. The tapping device according to claim 49, characterised in that the pusher (14) comprises an internal central hole (140) extending from the first end (51).

52. The tapping device according to claim 51, characterised in that the second end (52) of the pusher (14) comprises at least one lateral through opening (54) that places the outside of the pusher (14) in fluid communication with the central hole (140).

53. The tapping device according to claim 51, characterised in that the central hole (140) extends between the first and the second end (51, 52) of the pusher (14) passing right through the latter.

54. The tapping device according to claim 47, characterised in that the pusher (14) is physically separate from the piston (11).

55. The tapping device according to claim 47, characterised in that the pusher (14) is made as a single part with the tube (13).

56. The tapping device according to claim 47, characterised in that the pusher (14) at least partly comprises the irremovable connecting means (6).

57. The tapping device according to claim 56, characterised in that the irremovable connecting means (6) comprise elastically deformable means (225) that can be slotted into suitable seats in the container (100).

58. The tapping device according to claim 47, characterised in that the tube (13) passes through a housing (113) inside the piston (11).

59. The tapping device according to claim 58, characterised in that the internal housing (113) runs right through the piston (11) in the direction in which the piston (11) is moved relative to the body (12).

60. The tapping device according to claim 47, characterised in that a side portion of the piston (11) comprises a first slot (111).

61. The tapping device according to claim 60, characterised in that a side portion of the body (12) comprises a second slot (112).

62. The tapping device according to claim 47, characterised in that:

the tube (13) passes through a housing (113) inside the piston (11);

a side portion of the piston (11) comprises a first slot (111);

a side portion of the body (12) comprises a second slot (112);

the first and the second slots (111, 112) are aligned and in contact with each other to enable the tube (13) to be inserted and removed from the side, between the internal housing (113) of the piston (11) and the outside of the body (12).

63. The tapping device according to claim 47, characterised in that inside the body (12) there is a conduit (15) for feeding an operating fluid under pressure, said feed conduit (15) comprising a first end (151) that can be operatively connected to a source of operating fluid under pressure, and a second end (152) that can be operatively connected to the drink container (100).

64. The tapping device according to claim 63, characterised in that it comprises a flow shutoff switch (16) for the conduit (15) that feeds the operating fluid under pressure.

65. The tapping device according to claim 64, characterised in that the piston (11) and the flow shutoff switch (16) are operated simultaneously by the user with a single lever (101) on the tapping head (10).

66. The tapping device according to claim 64, characterised in that the switch (16) can move inside the feed conduit (15) and comprises an inlet section (162), an outlet section (163) and an internal cavity (161) extending between the inlet section (162) and the outlet section (163) of the switch (16).

67. The tapping device according to claim 66, characterised in that the switch (16) can move between an open configuration where it enables the operating fluid to pass and where the first end (151) of the feed conduit (15) is in fluid communication with the inlet section (162) of the switch (16), and a shutoff configuration where it prevents the pressurized operating fluid from passing and where a side wall (164) of the switch (16) occludes the first end (151) of the feed conduit (15).

68. The tapping device according to claim 47, characterised in that it comprises means (4) for hooking the body (12) to the container (100).

69. The tapping device according to claim 68, characterised in that the hooking means (4) comprise means (40) for placing the body (12) in a fixed position relative to the container (100).

70. The tapping device according to claim 47, characterised in that the tapping duct (60) comprises at least one portion (63) whose cross section is totally deformable.

71. The tapping device according to claim 70, characterised in that it comprises a dispensing tap (7) connected to the outlet end (62) of the tapping duct (60).

72. The tapping device according to claim 71, characterised in that the dispensing tap (7) comprises at least the following:

an uninterrupted internal passage that runs through it from the upstream end to the downstream end, allowing the tapping duct (60) to slide through it freely and easily, the tapping duct (60) occupying and passing right through the uninterrupted internal passage;

actuating means (70) for opening and closing the tapping duct (60) portion (63) with the totally deformable cross section by simply pressing it at a certain section of it along the uninterrupted internal passage.

73. A drink dispensing device characterised in that it comprises:

a tapping device (1) according to claim 47;

a container (100) comprising an outer containment structure (2) which in turn comprises an inner compartment (200) for containing the drink and means (22) for putting the inside and the outside of the container (100) in fluid communication with each other; said fluid communication means (22) between the inside and the outside comprising a first opening (221) for the passage of the drink and a second outlet opening (222) for a pressurized operating fluid, a shutter (20) being provided for occluding the first opening (221).

74. The dispensing device according to claim 73, characterised in that the irremovable connecting means (6) connect the pusher (14) and the shutter (20), said irremovable connecting means (6) being actuated when the pusher (14) and the shutter (20) enter into contact; the shutter (20) being reversibly mobile between a first configuration in which it occludes the first opening (221) and a second configuration in which it enables the drink to flow through the first opening (221).

75. The dispensing device according to claim 73, characterised in that the pusher (14) is removably coupled to the piston (11) in such a way as to move as one with the piston (11).

76. The dispensing device according to claim 73, characterised in that the container (100) comprises shutter (20) anti-extraction means (407) which prevent the shutter (20) from coming free of the outer containment structure (2).

77. The dispensing device according to claim 73, characterised in that the shutter (20) is mobile between a first configuration in which it occludes the first opening (221) and a second configuration in which it enables the drink to flow freely through the first opening (221), the shutter (20), in the second configuration, being totally free of the first opening (221) and being irreversibly inside the inner compartment (200).

78. The dispensing device according to claim 77, characterised in that the pusher (14) is mobile from the first configuration in which it is away from the first opening (221) to a second configuration in which, after having pushed the shutter (20) into the container (100), it irremovably engages the container (100) at the first opening (221).

79. The dispensing device according to claim 77, characterised in that the shutter (20) comprises a weight so that in the second configuration the shutter (20) does not float in the inner compartment (200) at the first opening (221).

80. The dispensing device according to claim 73, characterised in that the first and the second opening (221, 222) are separate.

81. The dispensing device according to claim 73, characterised in that the inner compartment (200) containing a drink comprises a flexible bag (21).

82. The dispensing device according to claim 81, characterised in that the flexible bag (21) is in fluid communication with the first opening (221), the second opening (222) being outside the bag (21).

83. The dispensing device according to claim 73, characterised in that the outer containment structure (2) itself defines the inner compartment (200) for the drink.

84. The dispensing device according to claim 73, characterised in that the container (100) comprises means (3) for extracting the drink.

85. The dispensing device according to claim 84, characterised in that the drink extracting means (3) comprise a channelling element (30) which extends from the first opening (221) into the inner compartment (200) to facilitate the outflow of the drink.

86. The dispensing device according to claim 85, characterised in that the cross section of the channelling element (30) transversal to its main direction of extension has a comb-like shape.

87. The dispensing device according to claim 85, characterised in that the channelling element (30) comprises a tubular element.

88. The dispensing device according to claim 85, characterised in that a lateral surface (31) of the channelling element (30) comprises at least one hole (32) located at the first opening (221).

89. The dispensing device according to claim 85, characterised in that:

the shutter (20) is mobile between a first configuration in which it occludes the first opening (221) and a second configuration in which it enables the drink to flow freely through the first opening (221), the shutter (20), in the second configuration, being totally free of the first opening (221) and being irreversibly inside the inner compartment (200);

the channelling element (30) comprises means for locking the shutter (20) in the second configuration.

90. The dispensing device according to claim 73, characterised in that the outer containment structure (2) is rigid.

91. The dispensing device according to claim 73, characterised in that it comprises a protective cap which can be removed before use and which covers the first opening (221) in order to guarantee maximum hygiene an to prevent the shutter (20) from being contaminated by extraneous elements.

92. The dispensing device according to claim 73, characterised in that the outer containment structure (2) comprises:

a neck 408 extending outwards to an end (409) of the neck (408), the end (409) defining an inlet surface (410) of the outer containment structure (2);

a plug (411) for the inlet surface (410), said plug (411) being applied to the neck (408) and comprising the first and second openings (221, 222);

means (412) for irremovably joining the plug (411) to the neck (408), said irremovable joining means (412) being located outside the neck (408).