System and method for distribution and dispensing of beverages

Abstract

In a method for distribution and dispensing of beverages, a one-way system is used including a disposable and freestanding container blow moulded in one piece from a preform of plastics, and a tube structure having a tube to be inserted in the container and a closure cap. The thin-walled container is filled with beverage by means of the tube and then closed by the closure cap. This filled unit is distributed to the end user and connected to standard beverage dispensing means. After use, the empty container is collapsed and discarded along with the tube structure which also is made of plastics.

1 . A system for distribution and dispensing of beverages, comprising:
 a container for beverage blow moulded from a preform of plastics, said container having a mouth portion, a shoulder portion, a base portion and a body portion extending between the shoulder portion and the base portion, said container being freestanding, formed in one piece and disposable; and   a tube structure comprising an elongate tube to be inserted in the container and having an inner conduit for beverage, and a closure element to be connected to the mouth portion of the container, wherein—in use—an inner end of the tube is located adjacent to the base portion of the container for passing beverage from said inner end, through said conduit and to the closure element for dispensing.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container is made from at least one of the group consisting of polyesters, such as polyethylene terephtalate, polyethylene naphtalate and others; polyolefin; polyamide; polylactide or any combination of these. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall thickness of the container body portion is approximately 0.2-0.6 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the sidewall thickness of the container body portion is approximately 0.35-0.40 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container base portion is a petaloid base. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container base portion is a champagne-type base. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container wall has a barrier against oxygen and carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said barrier is achieved by multilayer technique or blend technique. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said barrier is achieved by application of a coating. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said barrier is achieved by a metal ion doping. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the tube structure is provided with a scavenger or coating. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container body portion is essentially cylindrical. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the closure element comprises a check valve. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the closure element comprises a cap having pierceable portions. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a dispense head provided with at least one cap piercing means. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container has a capacity of 10-40 litres, preferably 15-30 litres and more preferably 20-25 litres. 
     
     
         17 . A method for distribution and dispensing of beverages, comprising the steps of:
 providing a preform of plastics;   blow moulding said preform into a container for beverage having a mouth portion, a shoulder portion, a base portion and a body portion extending between the shoulder portion and the base portion, said container being freestanding, formed in one piece and disposable;   filling said container with a beverage;   providing the container with a tube structure comprising an elongate tube to be inserted in the container and having an inner conduit for beverage, and a closure element to be connected to the mouth portion of the container, wherein—in use—an inner end of the tube is located adjacent to the base portion of the container and beverage is passed from said inner end, through said conduit and to the closure element for dispensing; and   closing the filled container by means of the closure element which is connected to the mouth portion, said closure element acting as a closure cap,   wherein said filled and capped container forms a unit for distribution.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of:
 sealing the mouth portion of the container with a tamper and/or dust seal applied to the valve element.   
     
     
         19 . A container for a system according to  claim 1 , said container for beverage being blow moulded from a preform of plastics and having a mouth portion, a shoulder portion, a base portion and a body portion extending between the shoulder portion and the base portion, said container being freestanding, formed in one piece and disposable. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the container is made from at least one in the group consisting of polyesters, such as polyethylene terephtalate, polyethylene naphtalate and others; polyolefin; polyamide; polylactide or any combination of these. 
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the wall thickness of the body portion is approximately 0.2-0.6 mm. 
     
     
         22 . The container of  claim 21 , wherein the sidewall thickness of the body portion is approximately 0.35-0.40 mm. 
     
     
         23 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the container base portion has a petaloid base. 
     
     
         24 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the container base portion has a champagne-type base. 
     
     
         25 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the container wall has a barrier against oxygen and carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         26 . The container of  claim 25 , wherein said barrier is achieved by multilayer technique or blend technique. 
     
     
         27 . The container of  claim 25 , wherein said barrier is achieved by application of a coating. 
     
     
         28 . The container of  claim 25 , wherein said barrier is achieved by a metal ion doping. 
     
     
         29 . The container of  claim 25 , wherein said barrier is achieved by colouring of the container. 
     
     
         30 . The container system of  claim 19 , wherein the container body portion is essentially cylindrical. 
     
     
         31 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the container has a capacity of 4-40 litres, preferably 15-30 litres and more preferably 20-25 litres. 
     
     
         32 . A system for distribution and dispensing of draught beer beverages, comprising:
 a container configured for draught beer beverage and blow moulded from a preform of plastics, said container having a capacity of 10-40 litres, a container wall of the container having a barrier against oxygen and carbon dioxide, said container having a mouth portion, a shoulder portion, a base portion and a body portion extending between the shoulder portion and the base portion, said container being freestanding on a plurality of support legs which form part of the base portion, said container being freestanding without the provision of an outer supporting structure on the plurality of supporting legs, said container comprising a one piece construction and being disposable; and   a tube structure comprising an elongate tube to be inserted in the container and having an inner conduit for beverage, and a closure element to be connected to the mouth portion of the container, wherein—in use—an inner end of the tube is located adjacent to the base portion of the container for passing beverage from said inner end, through said conduit and to the closure element for dispensing.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a sidewall thickness of the container body portion is approximately 0.2-0.6 mm.