Pressure top for beverage-containing vessels and method for its operation

Abstract

This invention relates to a pressure top ( 1 ) which is suitable to be placed on beverage-containing vessels for pressurizing. The pressure top solves the problem of making available an improved device for providing pressure for beverage-containing vessels. It comprises a extractor blade ( 2 ) which is in operative connection with a gas cartridge via a valve arrangement, wherein the gas cartridge is displaceably provided by means of a lever arrangement ( 4 ) against a spike ( 5 ) which in turn is provided on a carriage ( 6 ): It rests against a plunger ( 8 ) which is displaceable in a recess ( 7 ). A sealing element is on one end of the plunger ( 8 ) facing the spike ( 5 ). The plunger ( 8 ) is displaceably provided in a bearing shell ( 10 ) and is in operative connection with a first end of an actuating lever ( 11 ). The carriage ( 6 ) has a bore ( 12 ) on which a first channel ( 14 ) provided in a bridge part ( 13 ) is bordering and which creates a fluidic connection between a piston ( 16 ) and the bore ( 12 ). The piston ( 16 ) rests against a second end of the actuating lever ( 11 ) tiltably supported in the cap; said lever encloses the space ( 17 ) which is in fluidic connection with the extractor blade ( 2 ) via a second channel ( 18 ).

1 . Pressure top suitable to be placed on beverage-containing vessels for pressurizing, the pressure top comprising:
 a extractor blade which is in operative connection with a gas cartridge via a valve arrangement,   wherein   the gas cartridge is displaceably arranged by a lever arrangement against a spike;   the spike is arranged on a carriage which is located in a recess displaceable against a plunger;   a sealing element is arranged at one end of the plunger facing the spike;   the plunger is displaceably provided in a bearing shell and is in operative connection with a first end of an actuating lever;   the carriage has a bore along an axis (A-A) extending through the carriage;   a bridge part with a first channel providing a fluidic connection between a piston and the bore;   the piston resting against a second end of the actuating lever tiltably supported in the pressure top;   
     wherein a space enclosed by the piston is in fluidic connection with the extractor blade via a second channel. 
   
   
       2 . Pressure top according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas cartridge is a carbon dioxide cartridge or an oxygen cartridge. 
   
   
       3 . Pressure top according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure top has a cap with a cap rim, and the valve arrangement is fastened in the cap, and at least the gas cartridge is detachably positioned in a recess in the cap. 
   
   
       4 . Pressure top according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface of the piston is larger than the bottom surface of the plunger provided by the sealing element. 
   
   
       5 . Pressure top according to  claim 1 , wherein the lever arrangement is provided on an outer side of the cap. 
   
   
       6 . Pressure top according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing element is in the form of a disk, ring or cylinder. 
   
   
       7 . Pressure top according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing element is made of rubber, Teflon, an elastic plastic, or another suitable material. 
   
   
       8 . Pressure top according to  claim 1 , wherein the bridge part has a pressure relief valve. 
   
   
       9 . Pressure top according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure relief valve is arranged on one end of the bridge part facing away from the sealing element. 
   
   
       10 . Pressure top according to the  claim 8 , wherein the pressure relief valve opens at an excess pressure starting at 2 bar. 
   
   
       11 . Pressure top according to  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is a keg or a can, preferably with a volume of up to 10 liters, more preferably with a volume of up to 5 liters. 
   
   
       12 . Pressure top according to  claim 1 , wherein a rounding of the actuating lever provides a support at a contact surface of the cap rim. 
   
   
       13 . Pressure top according to  claim 1 , wherein the support of the actuating lever is eccentrically designed. 
   
   
       14 . Pressure top according to  claim 1 , wherein a non-return valve is provided in the extractor blade. 
   
   
       15 . Pressure top according to  claim 11 , wherein the cap rim is designed to engage with the upper rim of the keg or the can. 
   
   
       16 . Pressure top according to  claim 11 , wherein the cap rim has recesses facing away from each other and acting as springs. 
   
   
       17 . Pressure top according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas cartridge is supported on a displaceable foot rest which is connected via a joint with the lever arrangement. 
   
   
       18 . Pressure top according to  claim 1 , wherein the lever arrangement has a clip embedded in the cap. 
   
   
       19 . Pressure top according to  claim 1 , wherein the clip is covered at least partly by a web which is suitable to tear off when the actuating lever is operated. 
   
   
       20 . Pressure top according to  claim 1 , wherein the extractor blade is suitable to be enclosed by a riser tube which is connected with a spigot. 
   
   
       21 . Method for pressurizing vessels containing beverages, using a pressure top according to  claim 1 , wherein a extractor blade is in operative connection with a gas cartridge via a valve arrangement, comprising:
 operation of the lever arrangement;   the gas cartridge is displaced against a spike which is arranged on a carriage with gas flowing into a bore provided in the carriage;   displacing the carriage located in a recess against a plunger, whereby gas flows into a channel provided in the bridge part and further into a space enclosed by the piston; and whereby   the plunger is displaced which is provided in the bearing shell;   connecting the plunger with a first end of the actuating lever, whereby the actuating lever tilts;   bringing the second end of the actuating lever into contact with the piston so that the space enclosed by the piston is in fluidic connection with the extractor blade via the second channel, and the gas contained in the space flowing via the extractor blade into the vessel.