Keg Coupling

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a dispensing device for a dispensing system to be used in connection with dispensing of a beverage. The dispensing system comprises a beverage container comprising a beverage outlet, and a pressure medium, such as CO2, which is adapted to force the beverage via the beverage outlet out of said beverage container. The dispensing device comprises a coupling member, and the connection of dispensing of beverage and the connection of the flow of the pressure medium to the beverage container are effected by an essentially linear movement of the coupling member, and the disconnection of dispensing of beverage and the disconnection of the flow of the pressure medium to the beverage container is effected by an essentially linear movement of the coupling member. The disclosure further relates to a method for dispensing beverage from a dispensing system comprising a dispensing device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dispensing device for a dispensing system to be used in connection with dispensing of a beverage. The dispensing system comprises a beverage container comprising a beverage outlet, a pressure medium, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), which is adapted to force the beverage via the beverage outlet out of said beverage container. The present invention further relates to a method for dispensing beverage from a dispensing system comprising a dispensing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A large number of systems and devices are known within the field of beverage dispensing. Typically, the beverage is stored in a container, such as a beer keg, which during use is connected to a dispensing system. The beverage flows from the container through a dispensing line, which is typically fastened at some sort of tapping cock where the beverage is dispensed. The flow of beverage may for instance be achieved by a higher than atmospheric pressure inside the container, forcing beer into the dispensing line. During use of the dispensing system, pressure is usually continuously applied to the inside of the container by means of a pressure medium. It is common to use CO2 as the pressure medium.

The pressure medium is usually supplied to the beverage container from a gas cylinder via some sort of coupling device. Also, it is common that the coupling device connects to the beverage outlet of for instance a beer keg, whereby it serves to supply pressure medium such as CO2 to the beverage container and beverage to the dispensing system.

When a beverage container such as a beer keg is connected to a dispensing system by means of a coupling device, it is preferable if this can be carried out without leakage of pressure medium (i.e. CO2) to the surroundings. In the current art, this is done by integrating sophisticated connection means in the coupling device. These connection means tend to be rather complex and expensive, and in most cases the pressure medium leakage during connection of the beverage container is merely limited, but not eliminated. In some examples of prior art, the pressure medium flow is connected to the dispensing device first, and subsequently the beer flow is connected. One drawback of this is that it entails a risk of foaming once the beer flow is connected, which is at best messy and at worst dangerous for the user in case the pressure is high enough to cause equipment failure. Hence, there is a need for a coupling device that is cheap and simple yet provides a satisfactory prevention of pressure medium leakage and foaming.

Another drawback of the current dispensing devices is that they are difficult and expensive to clean. The many components, such as valves and piping, must be disassembled to ensure a proper cleaning, making the procedure long and expensive. Also, since the hygiene is of high importance when it comes to handling of beverages, the risk of improper cleaning of the dispensing device due to the time consuming procedure of disassembling the device and cleaning all the grooves and notches of the dispensing device's components. In some examples of the current prior art, the cleaning procedure is sought simplified by pumping small sponge balls through the dispensing device. This is advantageous as it saves time, but unfortunately it does not work with those dispensing devices having valves incorporated to ensure a satisfactory functionality, as the valves block the passage of the sponge balls.

The dispensing devices of the current prior art are primarily made from stainless steel or other materials which do not contaminate the beverage to be dispensed. With the rising prices of raw materials, a need for dispensing equipment using less material is becoming even more important to manufacturers of dispensing devices. Additionally, the complexity of the dispensing devices of the current art requires extensive machining during manufacturing, which is very costly—especially when using stainless steel. Hence, there is a need to provide a dispensing device with lower manufacturing costs, for instance by minimising the necessary amount of expensive materials per device.

It is a requirement that the coupling of the beverage container to the dispensing system is as simple and fast as possible. In some examples of the current art, the beverage container must be rotated into the coupling device, whereby the connection of beverage flow and pressure medium flow can be established either as a result of the rotation or by an additional user interaction, for instance by the opening of valves. Regardless, this method has the clear disadvantage that the beverage containers are usually quite heavy, making the coupling operation difficult and hazardous. Also, the troublesome coupling operation entails a larger risk of faulty connection of the beverage flow or the pressure medium flow, resulting in leakages to the surroundings. Hence, there is a need for a coupling device that provides an easy and safe coupling operation.

When the dispensing devices of the current art are detached from the beverage container after this is emptied, the user must ensure that the flow of CO2 is disconnected prior to the detachment. If this step is forgotten, the pressure medium will flow to the surroundings upon detachment of the dispensing device, which is inconvenient, dangerous and costly. Hence, there is a need for a dispensing device which can not be detached from the beverage container without the flow of pressure medium being stopped.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to wholly or partly overcome the above disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, it is an object to provide a dispensing device for a dispensing system to be used in connection with dispensing of a beverage, said system comprising a beverage container comprising an outlet, a pressure medium, such as CO2, which is adapted to force the beverage via the outlet out of said beverage container, in which said dispensing device comprises a coupling member, and said connection of dispensing of beverage and said connection of said flow of said pressure medium to said container is effected by an essentially linear movement of said coupling member, and in which said disconnection of dispensing of beverage and said disconnection of said flow of said pressure medium to said container is effected by an essentially linear movement of said coupling member.

An advantage of being able to connect and disconnect the flow of beverage and pressure medium in the same movement is that it makes it possible to minimise or even eliminate the leakage of pressure medium to the surroundings by designing the coupling member so that the beverage inlet and the pressure medium outlet are opened respectively closed simultaneously. The latter is facilitated by the essentially linear movement of the coupling member. A further advantage is that the need to rotate or in other ways move the beverage container to connect and disconnect the flows of beverage and pressure medium is eliminated.

The dispensing device according to the invention may be adapted to connect the dispensing of beverage from said container and the flow of said pressure medium to said container at essentially the same time. Also, the dispensing device according to the invention may be adapted to disconnect the dispensing of beverage from said container and the flow of said pressure medium to said container at essentially the same time. An advantage of this is that it makes it possible to minimise or even eliminate the leakage of pressure medium to the surroundings by the pressure medium outlet and the beverage inlet being opened respectively closed simultaneously.

The dispensing device according to the invention may comprise a handle member comprising a first end with a slide member extending from it, a second end, and a midsection, wherein said midsection is attached to said coupling member in a rotatable joint. This is advantageous, as it makes it possible to convert movement of the handle member into movement of the coupling member. Furthermore, it enables conversion of the movement of the handle member into rotational movement of components comprised by the coupling member.

The dispensing device according to the invention may be mounted in a housing, said housing comprising a first end and a second end, wherein said second end comprises a holder for said beverage container. The housing serves to hold the components of the dispensing device in place. The holder makes it possible to connect the dispensing device to a beverage container and it also makes it possible to steer movement of the components of the dispensing device relative to the beverage container.

The housing may further comprise a groove in which said coupling member can carry out said essentially linear movement. This is advantageous, as it makes it possible to steer the movement of the coupling member relative to the housing.

The first end of said housing may comprise a closed track in which said slide member can slide in an essentially linear movement between a first extreme and a second extreme. This is advantageous, as it in cooperation with said rotational joint makes it possible to convert rotational movement of said handle member into linear movement of said coupling member.

The dispensing device according to the invention may be so that said dispensing of beverage and said flow of said pressure medium to said beverage container is connected when said slide member moves from said first extreme to said second extreme. The dispensing device according to the invention may be so that said dispensing of beverage and said flow of said pressure medium is disconnected when said slide member moves from said second extreme to said first extreme. The slide member may move towards said second extreme by rotation of said handle member around said rotatable joint in a first direction and wherein said slide member moves away from said second extreme by rotation of said handle member around said rotatable joint in a second direction. This is advantageous, as it enables the connection and disconnection of the two flows to be effected by rotation of the handle member via the conversion into linear movement of the coupling member. Hence, the cooperation of handle member, the rotational joint, the slide member and the coupling member makes it possible to achieve connection and disconnection of the two flows by a simple user interaction, i.e. by pressing a handle member.

The dispensing device according to the invention may comprise a compressible seal member and a tube member comprising a pressure medium duct, a first end, and a second end, and the coupling member comprised by the dispensing device may comprise a beverage duct, a first end, a second end and a mid section, and said second end of said tube member may be attached to said mid section of said engagement member, and said seal member may be located at said second end of said coupling member. An advantage of the compressible seal member is that it can be activated and deactivated by a linear interaction with another member, such as the coupling member. An advantage of the tube member is that it enables an easy connection of the flow of pressure medium to the dispensing device. An advantage of the beverage duct is that it enables flow of beverage through the coupling member, which is advantageous when the flow of beer can be connected and/or disconnected by a linear movement of the coupling member.

The dispensing device according to the invention may comprise a beverage duct extending from a beverage outlet at said first end of said coupling member to a beverage inlet at said second end of said coupling member, and wherein said beverage duct comprises a beverage valve. The beverage valve may be essentially cylindrical and comprise a circular cross-section and a duct extending through said circular cross-section. The beverage valve may be rotatable around an axis being essentially orthogonal to said circular cross-section of said beverage valve. Furthermore, the beverage valve may be comprised by said rotatable joint. An advantage of the beer valve being cylindrical and comprising a beverage duct is that it makes it possible to act as the rotational joint, whereby rotation of the handle member can effect opening or closing of the beer valve at the same time as the rotation of the handle member effects a linear movement of the coupling member.

The pressure medium duct comprised by the dispensing device may start at said first end of said tube member, it may pass through the attachment of said second end of said tube member and said midsection of said coupling member, and it may end in a pressure medium outlet at said second end of said coupling member. The compressible seal member comprised by the dispensing device may in a non-compressed state close said pressure medium outlet and it may in a compressed state not close said pressure medium outlet. This is advantageous, as it makes it easier to make the linear movement of the coupling member effect connection or disconnection of the pressure medium flow from the dispensing device to the beverage container.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for dispensing beverage from a dispensing system comprising a dispensing device according to the invention. Said method comprises connecting a pressure medium nozzle to said dispensing device, connecting said dispensing device to a beverage container, and moving said coupling member in an essentially linear movement. This method is advantageous, as it does not require any movement of the beverage container, and it is very simple to use, as all the user has to do to start the beverage dispensing is to effect a linear movement of the coupling. The simplicity of the method also has the advantage that it enables a simpler and thus cheaper design of the dispensing device.

The method according to the invention may further comprise any of: effecting said essentially linear movement of said coupling member by rotating a handle member, effecting a beverage valve to open by said essentially linear movement of said coupling member, effecting a beverage valve to close by said essentially linear movement of said coupling member, effecting a pressure medium outlet to open by said essentially linear movement of said coupling member, effecting a pressure medium outlet to close by said essentially linear movement of said coupling member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its many advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which for the purpose of illustration show some non-limiting embodiments and in which

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a dispensing system comprising a dispensing device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view and a schematic cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention,

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a dispensing device in an engaged state and in two disengaged states,

FIG. 4 shows two perspective views of a dispensing device according to the invention, and

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the components of a preferred embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention.

All the figures are highly schematic, not necessarily to scale, and they show only parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a dispensing system 2 comprising a preferred embodiment of a dispensing device 1 according to the invention. The dispensing device 1 is connected to a source of pressure medium 5. In section (a) of FIG. 1, the dispensing device 1 is about to be connected to the beverage outlet 6 of a beverage container 4 via a holder 17 comprised by the dispensing device 1. The connection of flow of beverage 3 from the container 4 to the dispensing device 1 is established by an essentially linear movement of the coupling member 7 comprised by the dispensing device 1. In section (a) of FIG. 1, the coupling member 7 is about to carry out this essentially linear movement, and in section (b) of FIG. 1, the coupling member 7 has completed the essentially linear movement. At some point during the linear movement of the coupling member 7, the flow of beverage from the container 4 through the dispensing device 1 is initiated, and at the same point of the movement, the flow of pressure medium 5 to the beverage container 4 is also initiated. By reversing the linear movement of the coupling member, i.e. by moving from the state shown in section (b) of FIG. 1 to the state shown in section (a) of FIG. 1, the flow of beverage from the container 4 through the dispensing device 1 is discontinued at some point of the movement, and at the same point of the movement, the flow of pressure medium 5 to the beverage container 4 is also discontinued. The movement of the coupling member 7 can also, in other preferred embodiments, be exactly linear, or it can even follow an arc or a curve. In the preferred embodiment of the dispensing device 1 shown in FIG. 1, the essentially linear movement of the coupling member 7 is effected by the rotation of a handle member 8 around a rotatable joint 13, where the rotational movement is converted to linear movement by means of a slide member 12 in the end of the handle member 8, which is constrained to a linear movement in a track 19 comprised by the housing 14. It is important to notice that the linear movement of the coupling member 7 can be effected in several other ways, for instance by being pushed from the above by a user. In another preferred embodiment, the track 19 can be arched or curved instead of being linear, whereby the conversion of the rotational movement of the handle member 8 into linear movement of the coupling member 7 can be geared so that the velocity of the coupling member's 7 movement relative to the housing 14 varies as a function of how far the handle member 8 has been rotated around the rotational joint 13.

FIG. 2 shows in section (a) a schematic cross-sectional view and in section (b) a schematic side view of a preferred embodiment of a dispensing device 1 according to the invention. The dispensing device 1 comprises a coupling member 7 which comprises a beverage duct 27, a first end 28, a second end 29 and a mid section 30. Furthermore, the dispensing device 1 is mounted in a housing 14, which comprises a first end 15 and a second end 16. The holder 17 for the beverage container 4 (not shown) is situated in the second end 16. The housing 14 also comprises a groove 18 in which the coupling member 7 can slide back and forth in an essentially linear movement.

The dispensing device 1 according to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2 comprises a tube member 22 comprising a pressure medium duct 23. The tube member 22 is at its second end 25 attached to the midsection 30 of the coupling member 7. The pressure medium duct 23 extends from the first end 24 of the tube member 22, extends further to the second end 25 of the tube member 22 and into the coupling member 7, through which it extends to a pressure medium outlet 34 at said second end 29 of the coupling member 7. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the pressure medium duct 23 is adapted to fit the nozzle of a pressure medium hose in the sense that the portion of the duct 23 that extends through the tube member 22 has a larger cross-sectional area than that of the portion of the pressure medium duct 23 that extends through the coupling member 7. At the point where the cross-sectional area changes is a pressure medium inlet 36. The pressure medium duct 23 can in other preferred embodiments also extend through other parts of the dispensing device 1, if for instance it is preferred to connect a nozzle of a pressure medium hose in a different part of the dispensing device 1. Also, the cross-sectional areas of the different portions of the pressure medium duct can in other preferred embodiments be different.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the pressure medium outlet 34 is covered by a compressible seal member 26 located at the second end 29 of the coupling member 7, so that the pressure medium duct 23 is hermetically sealed when the compressible seal member 26 is in a non-compressed state. When the compressible seal member is compressed, it does not cover the pressure medium outlet, thus making it possible for pressure medium to flow from the dispensing device to for instance a beverage container 4 (not shown). In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the compressible seal member 26 is shaped as a torus-like pipe element circling the second end 29 of the coupling member 7, so that the compressible seal member 26 moves along with the coupling member 7. This has the effect that the compressible seal member 26 can be compressed or decompressed if the movement of the coupling member causes it to impact an outside element, such as a beverage container 4 (not shown). Hence, in the preferred embodiment, the compressible seal member enables a direct link between movement of the coupling member and the opening or shutting of the pressure medium outlet 34.

In the preferred embodiment of the dispensing device 1 shown in FIG. 2, the dispensing device 1 comprises a handle member 8 comprising a first end 9 shaped as a two-legged fork with a slide member 12 extending from each leg of the fork. The slide members 12 are in the preferred embodiment cylindrical and extend orthogonally from each of the legs of the fork of the first end 9. The slide members 12 each engage tracks 19 comprised by the midsection 40 of the housing 14. The tracks 19 are essentially linear, so that the slide members 12 can slide in essentially linear movements between first extremes 20 and second extremes 21 of the tracks 19. In the preferred embodiment, the tracks 19 are parallel with each other and orthogonal to the directions in which the coupling member 7 can slide in the groove 18 of the housing 14. In another preferred embodiment, the tracks 19 can be arched, curved or angled, and they can also be unparallel with each other, and they can even not be orthogonal to the groove 18. Also, in another preferred embodiment the first end 9 can be a simple rod or a fork with more than two legs.

The handle member 8 further comprises a midsection 11 which is attached to the coupling member 7 in a rotatable joint 13. In the preferred embodiment, the midsection 11 is comprised by the two fork-legs of the first end 9. The rotatable joint 13 is in a preferred embodiment a cylindrical element which extends from a first of the fork-legs of the midsection 11, through the coupling member 7, to a second of the fork-legs of the midsection 11. In another preferred embodiment, the midsection 11 can be a simple rod or comprise more than two fork legs. Also, in another preferred embodiment, the rotational joint 13 can be another type of rotational joint, such as a ball bearing or any other suitable joint. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the handle member 8 comprises a second end 10, extending from the midsection 11 in an angle relative to the first end 9. The second end 10 is in the preferred embodiment shaped as a handle which is convenient for a user to pull.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the coupling member 7 comprises a beverage duct 27 extending from a beverage outlet 35 at the first end 28 of the coupling member 7 to a beverage inlet 37 at the second end 29 of said coupling member 7. In the preferred embodiment, the beverage outlet 35 is adapted to a dispensing line from which the beverage 3 (not shown) can poured into for instance a glass. The beverage inlet 37 is in the preferred embodiment adapted to the beverage outlet 6 of the beverage container 4 (not shown). In other preferred embodiments, the beverage outlet 35 and/or the beverage inlet 37 can be adapted to other types of beverage containers and/or other types of dispensing lines. In the preferred embodiment, the beverage duct 27 comprises a beverage valve 31 which is cylindrical with a duct 33 through its circular cross-section 32. The beverage valve 31 is arranged so that it, upon rotation around an axis 34 being essentially orthogonal to the circular cross-section 32, can change from a state where it blocks the beverage duct 27 to a state where it does not block the beverage duct 27. In the latter, the duct 33 is aligned with the beverage duct 27, so that a passage of beverage 3 (not shown) through the coupling member 7 is possible. In other preferred embodiments, the beverage valve 31 can be of a shape different from cylindrical, such as conical or spherical. The beverage valve 31 comprises a sealing member 41 (not shown) in order to ensure a proper blocking of the beverage duct 27.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the beverage valve 31 and the rotational joint 13 is the same component. This is very advantageous, as it creates a direct link between the opening and shutting of the beverage valve and the linear movement of the coupling member.

In other preferred embodiments of the invention, the rotational valve 31 can be replaced by other valve types, such as a compressible hose, a magnetic valve or any other suitable valve type. Additionally, other preferred embodiments can comprise a valve that can be shut or opened as a result of activated respectively deactivated flow of pressure medium.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of a dispensing device 1 from FIG. 2 in three different states. In section (a) of FIG. 3, the dispensing device 1 is shown in a disengaged state with the handle member in a top position, whereby the beverage valve 31 is closed so that beverage 3 (not shown) can not pass through the beverage duct 27. Also, the compressible seal member 26 is in a non-compressed state, whereby the pressure medium outlet 34 is closed.

In section (b) of FIG. 3, the preferred embodiment of the dispensing device 1 is shown in a state where it is connected to a beverage container 4. Prior to connecting the dispensing device 1 to the beverage container 4, a nozzle 42 of a hose supplying pressure medium 5 to the dispensing system 2 is connected to the pressure medium inlet 36 comprised by the pressure medium duct 23. This enables flow of pressure medium 5 through the pressure medium duct 23 all the way to the pressure medium outlet 34, which is sealed by the compressible seal member 26 as the dispensing device is not connected to the beverage container 4. Upon connecting the nozzle 42, the holder 17 of the housing 14 is slid onto a connection piece 43 comprised by the beverage container 4 so that a firm connection is established. Thereafter, the handle member 8 is rotated around the rotatable joint 13, whereby the slide members 12 (not shown) move from the extremes 20 towards the extremes 21, both comprised by the track 19 (not shown). As explained in the above, the orthogonality between the track 19 (not shown) and the groove 18 makes it possible to convert the rotational movement of the handle member 8 into a linear movement of the coupling member 7 by means of the cooperation of the slide members 12 (not shown), the rotational joint 13, and the track 19 and the groove 18. Hence, the rotation of the handle member effects an essentially linear movement of the coupling member 7. In other preferred embodiments, a user can effect the linear movement of the coupling member 7 in other ways than by rotating a handle member 8, for instance by directly pushing the coupling member, by activating an automated means or by pulling another intermediate part than a manual handle member 8. In yet other preferred embodiments, the track 19 can be curved to achieve a gearing of the conversion of the rotational movement of the handle member 8 into essentially linear movement of the coupling member 7.

During the essentially linear movement of the coupling member towards the beverage container 4, the compressible sealing member 26 engages the connection piece of the beverage container 4, whereby the compressible seal member 26 is compressed causing the pressure medium outlet 34 to be opened. At this point of the linear movement of the coupling member 7, the pressure medium outlet 34 is inside the beverage container 4 and the pressure medium 5 thus only flows to the inside of the beverage container 4 and not to the surroundings. When pressure medium 5 is flowing into the beverage container 4, the added pressure pushes beverage towards the beverage outlet 6. At the same point of the movement of the coupling member 7, the beverage outlet 6 is inside part of the beverage duct 27 located near the second end 29 of the coupling member 7, and the beverage now flowing from the inside of the beverage container 4 flows into the beverage duct 27 and not to the surroundings. At a point a bit further of the linear movement of the coupling member 7, the beverage valve 31 is opened as an additional result of the rotation of the handle member 8, whereby the beverage 3 (not shown) can flow through the entire beverage duct 27, out of the beverage outlet 35 and into a dispensing line (not shown). It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the coherence of when exactly the pressure medium valve 34 is opened, exactly when the beverage valve 31 is opened, exactly when and how contact with the various parts of the beverage container 4 is achieved, can be altered in other preferred embodiments without deviating from the present invention.

Reversing the rotation of the handle member 8 effects a reversion of the linear movement of the coupling member 7 and the rotation also shuts the beverage valve 31. As the coupling member 7 moves away from the connection piece 43, the compressible seal member 26 moves back to its non-compressed state, whereby the pressure medium outlet 34 is covered by the compressible seal member again.

The opening and shutting of the pressure medium outlet 34 is effected by the linear movement of the coupling member 7 and the contact with the connection piece 43 of the beverage container. Hence, if the dispensing device 1 is not connected to the beverage container 4, the handle member 8 or the coupling member 7 can be moved without it resulting in undesired opening of the pressure medium outlet 34, and the dispensing device 1 according to the invention thus prevents leakage of pressure medium to the surroundings caused for instance by faulty disconnection from a beverage container. In section (c) of FIG. 3 is shown the preferred embodiment of the dispensing device 1 according to the invention in a state where it is not connected to a beverage container, but where the handle member 8 is rotated without the pressure medium outlet 34 being opened.

It is clear for the person skilled in the art that the other preferred embodiments mentioned in the above can function in the same way as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows two perspective views of the preferred embodiment from FIGS. 2 and 3 of a dispensing device 1 according to the invention. In section (a) of FIG. 4, the dispensing device 1 is shown in a rear perspective, and in section (b) of FIG. 4, the dispensing device 1 is shown in a front perspective without the housing 14 in order to better visualise the handle member 8 and the coupling member 7.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of components of the preferred embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention. In FIG. 5, the components are shown from side view perpendicular to that in FIGS. 1-4. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the compressible seal member 26 comprises a helical spring, a ring of a flexible material and a ring of a rigid material. This combination is suitable for the coupling member 7 of the preferred embodiment of the invention. The handle member 8 of the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises two fork legs and a handle, as shown in FIG. 5. The beverage valve 31 of the preferred embodiment comprises a cylindrical piece with a duct through its cross-section. The cylindrical piece is enclosed in a seal member which can be a modified O-ring made from a flexible material.

The person skilled in the art will see that a dispensing device according to the invention can easily be used with or adapted to other types of beverage containers 4 than that shown in FIGS. 1-4, by for instance moving the beverage inlet 37 and/or the pressure outlet 34 to match the beverage outlet and/or the pressure medium inlet of a specific container. Also, the person skilled in the art can easily adapt the compressible seal member 26 and/or the housing 14 and/or the coupling member 7 to fit other types of beverage containers that used as example in FIGS. 1-4.

The materials to be used for the various components of the dispensing device according to the invention can easily be picked by the person skilled in the art. In most cases, applying stainless steel for rigid components and rubber for flexible components is one example.

Although the invention above has been described in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A dispensing device for a dispensing system to be used in connection with dispensing of a beverage, the dispensing system comprising a beverage container comprising a beverage outlet, a pressure medium, such as CO2, which is adapted to force the beverage via the beverage outlet out of the beverage container, wherein aid dispensing device comprises a coupling member, the connection of dispensing of beverage and the connection of the flow of said pressure medium to said beverage container are effected by an essentially linear movement of said coupling member, wherein the disconnection of dispensing of beverage and the disconnection of the flow of said pressure medium to said beverage container are effected by an essentially linear movement of said coupling member, wherein said dispensing device comprises a handle member comprising a first end with a slide member extending from it, a second end, and a midsection, wherein the midsection is attached to the coupling member in a rotatable joint, said rotatable joint comprising a beverage valve.

2. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing device is adapted to connect the dispensing of beverage from the beverage container and the flow of the pressure medium to the beverage container at essentially the same time.

3. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing device is adapted to disconnect the dispensing of beverage and the flow of the pressure medium to the beverage container at essentially the same time.

4. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing device is mounted in a housing, the housing comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the second end comprises a holder for the beverage container.

5. The dispensing device according to claim 4, wherein the housing further comprises a groove in which said coupling member can carry out said essentially linear movement.

6. The dispensing device according to claim 4, wherein the first end of the housing comprises a closed track in which said slide member can slide in an essentially linear movement between a first extreme and a second extreme.

7. The dispensing device according to claim 6, wherein the dispensing of beverage and the flow of the pressure medium to the beverage container are, connected when the slide member moves from the first extreme to the second extreme.

8. The dispensing device according to claim 6, in which the dispensing of beverage and the flow of the pressure medium is disconnected when the slide member moves from the second extreme to the first extreme.

9. The dispensing device according to claim 6, wherein the slide member moves towards the second extreme by rotation of the handle member around the rotatable joint in a first direction, and wherein the slide member moves away from the second extreme by rotation of the handle member (8) around the rotatable joint in a second direction.

10. The dispensing device according to claim 1, comprising a compressible seal member, and a tube member, comprising a pressure medium duct, a first end, and a second end, wherein the coupling member comprises a beverage duct, a first end, a second end and a mid section, and the second end of the tube member is attached to the mid section of the coupling member, and the compressible seal member is located at the second end of the coupling member.

11. The dispensing device according to claim 10, wherein the coupling member comprises a beverage duct extending from a beverage outlet at the first end of the coupling member to a beverage inlet at the second end of the coupling member, and wherein the beverage duct comprises a beverage valve.

12. The dispensing device according to claim 11, wherein the beverage valve is essentially cylindrical comprising a circular cross-section and a duct extending through the circular cross-section.

13. The dispensing device according to claim 12, wherein the beverage valve can rotate around an axis being essentially orthogonal to the circular cross-section of the beverage valve.

14. The dispensing device according to claim 10, wherein the pressure medium duct starts at the first end of the tube member, passes through the attachment of the second end of the tube member and the midsection of the coupling member, and ends in a pressure medium outlet at the second end of the coupling member.

15. The dispensing device according to claim 14, wherein the compressible seal member in a non-compressed state closes the pressure medium outlet, and wherein the compressible seal member in a compressed state does not close said pressure medium outlet.

16. A method for dispensing beverage from a dispensing system comprising the dispensing device according to claim 1, the method comprising:

connecting a pressure medium nozzle to the dispensing device;

connecting the dispensing device to the beverage container; and

moving the coupling member in an essentially linear movement.

17. The method according to claim 16 further comprising any of:

effecting essentially linear movement of the coupling member by rotating the handle member;

effecting a beverage valve to open by said essentially linear movement of the coupling member;

effecting a beverage valve to close by said essentially linear movement of the coupling member;

effecting a pressure medium outlet to open by said essentially linear movement of the coupling member; and

effecting a pressure medium outlet to close by the essentially linear movement of the coupling member.

18. The dispensing device according to claim 1, dispensing other fluids such as chemicals, foodstuffs, oils etc.