Abstract:
A container of draft beer is substantially filled with beer having a volume of dissolved carbon dioxide greater than 2.6 and not more than 3.1 times the volume of beer. The beer is packaged in a plastic container that is slightly permeable to carbon dioxide, but retains a satisfactory dissolved carbon dioxide content even after a normal shelf life. Beer is dispensed by gravity, without use of external pressure source, after release of head space pressure. Moreover, when the container contents are partially dispensed by the consumer and then maintained at appropriate low temperature for several days, the remaining beer still retains a satisfactory volume of dissolved carbon dioxide. A spigot on the container employs a barrell valve closure member that seals the pressurized container and is movable to a pressure relase position in which pressurized gas within the container is slowly released without forcibly projecting container contents. The barrel valve closure is movable to a dispensing position in which the contents of the container are smoothly dispensed while air is admitted to avoid a blocking vacuum.
Abstract:
A spigot for dispensing viscous contents of a container having a filling and dispensing spout comprises an integral elastomeric member having a recessed, transverse diaphragmic wall adapted to fit within the spout and form a seal therewith; an annular radial flange at the outer end of the transverse wall having an arcuate slit therethrough extending a significant angle therearound; and a manipulatable lever on the transverse wall for flexing portions of the wall and the slit portions of the flange to move said portions away from the spout to open the slit and provide a large area dispensing opening through the spigot, the tranverse wall and flange automatically and resiliently snapping back toward spout sealing position upon release of the manipulatable lever. To ensure the integrity, or if sterile, the sterility of the contents until such time as they are to be dispensed, an overlay of thermoplastic or other material may be sealed across and to the flange to cover over and close the slit and facilitate use of the spigot as a drip free shipping cap for a filled container. To minimize passage of atmospheric gases through the spigot, or through any elastomeric closure for the spout, whereby to prevent oxidation of packaged product, an overlay may be provided of gas barrier material and the recess or hollow defined by the transverse wall may be filled with a gas scavenger material or inert gas; or gas barrier material may be placed around the entirety of the spout and closure and sealed to the container.
Abstract:
Multiple ply packaging materials formed of an inner ply of substrate material superimposed between outer plies of thermoplastic films exhibit excellent gas barrier properties. The inner ply may comprise any suitable material such as nylon, but for significantly improved gas barrier properties preferably comprises either a plastic film having a metal coating on one or both surfaces thereof, or a metal foil. The inner ply is encapsulated between the outer thermoplastic plies to isolate the inner ply from the contents of the package, especially when the material is exposed to or is employed to package liquids, the outer plies of thermoplastic film being sealed about their edges outwardly from the edges of the inner ply.
Abstract:
A device for filling a container through a spout extending from the container includes a sterile chamber having a wall opening therethrough for inserting the spout into the chamber. A cover inside the chamber is positioned over a base plate which encloses the wall opening to prevent the escape of sterile gas from the chamber when the spout is being inserted into and removed from the wall opening. A pair of jaws fit around the spout when the spout is in the opening to hold the spout in position for filling and to prevent contamination of the sterile chamber during the filling operation.
Abstract:
Relates to battery grids for storage battery plates of the accumulator type, wherein the grids are initially die cast-injection molded in joined pairs of lead and plastic in a single mold. Each grid of the pair includes a plastic latticework with a lead conductor embedded therein, and a common lead lug extends between the grids and is connected at its ends with the conductors. Plastic lugs extend outward from opposite sides of the pair of grids to facilitate support of the grids during transport through subsequent manufacturing (pasting, drying, etc.) to form battery plates. The plastic lugs are later severed from the grids, and the lead lugs are cut in half between each pair of grids to form two separate battery plates, with each half of the severed lead lug providing a separate lug for each plate.
Abstract:
Storage battery plates of the accumulator type comprising in principal part plastic material, and consisting essentially of a rigid polymer plastic frame having an open window therein, a grid in said window comprising a plurality of intersecting horizontal and vertical non-conductive members connected to said frame, a strand of lead disposed in said window and supported by said grid in a non-intersecting pattern, a terminal connected to said strand, and battery paste covering said grid and strand.
Abstract:
A container of draft beer is substantially filled with beer having a volume of dissolved carbon dioxide greater than 2.6 and not more than 3.1 times the volume of beer. The beer is packaged in a plastic container that is slightly permeable to carbon dioxide, but retains a satisfactory dissolved carbon dioxide content even after a normal shelf life. Beer is dispensed by gravity, without use of external pressure source, after release of head space pressure. Moreover, when the container contents are partially dispensed by the consumer and then maintained at appropriate low temperature for several days, the remaining beer still retains a satisfactory volume of dissolved carbon dioxide. A spigot on the container employs a barrel valve closure member that seals the pressurized container and is movable to a pressure release position in which pressurized gas within the container is slowly released without forcibly projecting container contents. The barrel valve closure is movable to a dispensing position in which the contents of the container are smoothly dispensed while air is admitted to avoid a blocking vacuum.
Abstract:
This invention provides a dispenser for a beverage, such as beer, in which the contents of the container are pressurized by gas from a cartridge in the container. A pressure responsive member in the container is movable in response to differences in pressure between that of the atmosphere and of the inside of the container. A valve member is carried by the pressure responsive member and includes a tapered pin for forming an opening through a diaphragm over the cartridge outlet and metering the discharge of gas from the cartridge in response to movements of the pressure responsive member.
Abstract:
A spigot for dispensing the liquid contents of a container having a filling and dispensing spout adjacent the bottom thereof comprising an integral elastomeric member of generally cup shape having a peripheral wall complementary to and adapted to fit within and seal against the inner surface of the spout axially inwardly of the lip of the spout, a transverse wall at the inner end of said peripheral wall for closing off the spigot and the spout, and a manipulatable lever on said transverse wall for flexing said transverse wall and a portion of said peripheral wall to move said portion of said peripheral wall radially inwardly away from the spout to permit the dispensing of the contents of the container, said walls automatically and resiliently snapping back into their spout sealing positions upon release of said manipulatable means.