Abstract: A liquid dispensing system and a packaging apparatus which includes such a system has a chamber 6 of a chryogenic vessel 2 containing a reservoir of liquid gas 1 (such as nitrogen, oxygen or argon) which is to be dispensed in doses 26 through an outlet port 12 which is in constant communication with a sub-chamber 17. The sub-chamber 17 is part of a piston 16 and cylindr 15 device in which the piston is reciprocated by means 21 and 24 to expand and contract the sub-chamber. When the sub-chamber 17 is expanded, liquid gas enters from the reservoir 1 through flow ports 18 which are closed by the piston 16 during contraction of the sub-chamber to dispense a dose 26.Mounted beneath the outlet port 12 is a tubular skirt having internal passages 30 through which purging gas directed into the region 29 adjacent to the outlet port 12. The region 29 is purged of air to alleviate ice build-up at the outlet port 12.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system has a valve in a tap controlling dispensing of the beverage through a first passage from a second rigid or flexible container. Air, nitrogen (or other inert gas) or carbon dioxide gas from a passage is introduced into the beverage in the first passage during dispensing for development of a head of froth. The introduced gas flows under pressure (which is preferably adjustable) from the second passage and by way of a capilliary tube restrictor and a non return valve communicating with the tube into the beverage in the first passage. The non return valve has a resilient diaphragm which normally closes that valve and is displaceable under gas pressure to admit the gas to the beverage. A labyrinthine mixer is located in the first passage downstream of the position where the gas is introduced.

Abstract: A method of packaging a beverage containing gas in solution and a beverage package has a chamber 9 in a moulded open topped container 1 (of plastics or metal) in a bottom wall 8 of which is formed a restricted orifice 10. The bottom of the container 1 is received in a cup shaped closure 11 and sealed thereto at 16 to form a chamber 12 which communicates with the chamber 9 through the orifice 10. The chamber 9 is charged with beverage 17 and its headspace 21 is dosed with liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide prior to sealing with a cap 18 so that the headspace 21 is at a pressure greater than atmospheric. With the sealed package in equilibrium the chamber 12 contains beverage derived from the chamber 9 through the orifice 10 and has a headspace 22.

Abstract: Method of packaging a beverage and a package structure has a cylindrical tube 1 over an end 3 of which is located a partition 2 having restricted orifice and both are sealed, for example by crimping, to the rim of tube 1. Primary chamber 4 is formed within the tube and secondary chamber 8 is formed between the partition 2 and closure 7 which chambers communicate through orifice 6. Chamber 4 is charged with beverage 11 containing gas in solution and sealed with end wall 12 crimped to the rim 9 of the tube 1. Prior to sealing chamber 9 is dosed with liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide so that headspace 13 is pressurized. The package adjusts to a state of equilibrium in which beverage flows into the secondary chamber 8 to form headspace 14 therein.

Abstract: Method of packaging a beverage having gas in a solution in which an open topped container is charged with the beverage therethough. The container is purged of air and pressurized with gas selected from carbon dioxide, nitrogen or other inert gas and a partition having a restricted orifice is located over the beverage and sealed to the container to form a primary beverage chamber. A closure wall is located over the partition and sealed thereto and to the container to form with the partition a secondary chamber. The primary and secondary chambers communicate with each other through the restricted orifice. The assembly is inverted so that beverage from the primary chamber enters the secondary chamber and a primary headspace is formed in the primary chamber and a secondary headspace in the secondary chamber.

Abstract: A beverage package and a method of packaging a beverage having gas (preferably at least one of carbon dioxide and inert (nitrogen gases) in solution has a non-resealable container 1 within which is located a hollow pod 4 having a restricted aperture 7 in a side wall. The container is charged with the beverage 8 and sealed. Beverage from the main chamber of the container enters the pod 4 (shown at 8a) by way of the aperture 7 to provide headspaces 1a in the container and 4a in the pod 4. Gas within the headspaces 1a and 4a is at greater than atmospheric pressure. Preferably the beverage is drawn into the hollow pod by subjecting the package to a heating and cooling cycle. Upon opening the container 1 by draw ring/region 13, the headspace 1a is vented to atmosphere and the pressure differential resulting from the pressure in the pod headspace 4a causes gas/beverage to be ejected from the pod (by way of the aperture 7) into the beverage 8.

Abstract: A fluid pressure control valve and a fluid control system (such as for beverage dispensing) with such a valve has a beverage passage 3, pressure fluctuations in which are detected by a diaphragm 17 to displace a sensing member 15 axially against spring loading 23. Spring 23 reacts on thrust member 22 which is adjustable axially through a cam mechanism 25/26 to vary the biasing force of spring 23. A valve member 20 spring loaded at 21 relative to thrust member 15 normally closes an exhaust port 19 to an air or other gas passage 5 through which gas passes under pressure to be injected into the beverage from passage 3. An increase in beverage pressure in passage 3 displaces sensing member 15 to increase the spring biasing 21 on the closure member 20 and reduce the proportion of air which can escape to atmosphere from passage 5 through exhaust port 19 to provide an increase in air flow into the beverage.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system and a unified assembly for control of fluid flow in such a system has a container 1 from which liquid such as beer is drawn by an electrically controlled pump 2 to be supplied through a unified assembly 4 to a dispensing tap 5. The assembly 4 has an inlet 6 which communicates through a pressure biased non-return valve 8 with a high pressure chamber 9 and an outlet 11 to the tap 5. A piston 14 responds to high pressure in the chamber 9 to be displaced and pivot a rocking lever 26 to operate a microswitch 28 which is normally closed to operate the pump 2 but is opened in response to said displacement of the piston 14 to deactivate the pump 2. A low pressure chamber 35 communicates with the inlet passage 6 and the pressure of liquid in the system expands the chamber 35 to maintain a plunger 38 against its spring biasing.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system has a container from which beverage is to be dispensed by a gaseous mixture of air and carbon dioxide from passage 31. Air pressure for dispensing is derived from compressor 7. Carbon dioxide 11 is capable of communication with the container by way of a diaphragm valve 14 which normally closes communication between the carbon dioxide source 11 and the container. Diaphragm 16 of valve 14 is responsive to variations in pressure derived from compressor 7 so that the valve 14 opens communication between the carbon dioxide source 11 and the container when mixed gases are demanded. The diaphragm 16 controls displacement of a spool 19 which determines the opening and closing of communication between the carbon dioxide 11 and the container. A chamber 17 communicates with the air line 9 while a chamber 18 communicates with the container and is capable of communication with the carbon dioxide 11 under control of the spool 19.

Abstract: Beverages such as beer in a sealed conventional bottle or can for individual consumption are provided with a head of froth after the can or bottle is opened by subjecting the beverage to an excitation treatment that causes gases dissolved in the beverage to come out of solution and form a head of froth having small uniform bubbles throughout. The gases dissolved in the beverage are carbon dioxide and nitrogen in amounts of 0.8 to 1.8 vols./vol. and 0.015 to 0.035 vols./vol., respectively. Excitation is performed by injecting liquid and/or foam into the beverage or by passing the beverage through a bed of small discrete sharp edge polystyrene granules.