Heineken Supply Chain B.v.

Edwin Johannes Cornelis Griffioen

Johannes Adriaan Dronkert

Aleksandr Kudriavtsev

Sergei Bogdanov

Arie Maarten Paauwe

Robert Sluijter

A dispensing system for a beverage comprises in a tap system a bore for housing a duct. Along the bore, close to or on the duct, at least two electrodes are provided such that at least at some locations along the duct, the two electrodes are provided opposite to one another with the duct in between, thus constituting a capacitor. An oscillating signal is provided to one electrode and a signal is read out from the other electrode. As a beverage is drawn through the duct in a container, capacitance of the capacitor changes. The flowing beverage may have different characteristics, but capacitance may also change as the beverage in the duct is in conducting contact with a container that may be in contact with an earth contact. The change of capacitance results in a change of the amplitude of a detection circuit connected to the second electrode.

Flow detection circuit

A consumer operable retail beverage container filling arrangement for use in a retail environment is provided, comprising a housing, a beverage dispensing unit for dispensing a beverage, comprising a retail beverage container holder for receiving and holding a retail beverage container, wherein the beverage dispensing unit is at least partially provided in the housing, a consumer interaction module for receiving a consumer input and generating a consumer control signal based on the received consumer input, and a dispensing controller arranged for receiving the consumer control signal and controlling the beverage dispensing unit to dispense the beverage in accordance with the consumer control signal.

In-store beverage container filling arrangement

An arrangement for filling containers like bottles with a beverage like beer in a retail environment includes a disposable dispensing line, from keg to outlet into the container. The dispensing line includes an actuable shut-off valve. The shut-off valve may be fitted in a cartridge, including a valve seat for receiving and accommodating a first part of the shut-off valve and an actuable connector arranged to engage with the shut-off valve to close or open the dispensing line. The cartridge may be fitted with a valve driving module, including an actuator driven by a driving unit and arranged to engage with the actuable connector for operating the shut-off valve. The dispensing line may be opened or closed by squeezing the line in case of a flexible line, operating a reciprocating or rotating shut-off valve, other, or a combination thereof. The cartridge may be fitted in the filling arrangement.

Cartridge for connecting a beverage dispensing line and opening a valve; actuator for operating the cartridge

A dispensing system for a beverage comprises in a tap system a bore for housing a duct. Along the bore, close to or on the duct, at least two electrodes are provided such that at least at some locations along the duct, the two electrodes are provided opposite to one another with the duct in between, thus constituting a capacitor. An oscillating signal is provided to one electrode and a signal is read out from the other electrode. As a beverage is drawn through the duct in a container, capacitance of the capacitor changes. The flowing beverage may have different characteristics, but capacitance may also change as the beverage in the duct is in conducting contact with a container that may be in contact with a ground contact. The change of capacitance results in a change of the amplitude of a detection circuit connected to the second electrode.

A dispensing system for a beverage includes in a tap system a bore for housing a duct. Along the bore, close to or on the duct, at least two electrodes are provided such that at least at some locations along the duct, the two electrodes are provided opposite to one another with the duct in between, thus constituting a capacitor. An oscillating signal is provided to one electrode and a signal is read out from the other electrode. As a beverage is drawn through the duct in a container, capacitance of the capacitor changes. The flowing beverage may have different characteristics, but capacitance may also change as the beverage in the duct is in conducting contact with a container that may be in contact with an earth contact. The change of capacitance results in a change of the amplitude of a detection circuit connected to the second electrode.

A pressure vessel assembly is provided for use in a beverage dispensing assembly. The assembly comprises a pressure vessel comprising a housing provided by at least two shell parts, the housing comprising, a gas inlet for receiving a gas in the pressure vessel and a beverage dispensing passage, wherein the at least two shell parts are releasably connectable for forming the housing and for receiving a compressible beverage container assembly filled with a substantially non-carbonated beverage in the housing. The assembly further comprises a compressible beverage container assembly, comprising a flexible bag defining a beverage storage volume, a filling gland, connected to the flexible bag providing a gland beverage passage to the beverage storage volume, and female adapter part, connectable to the filling gland, arranged to receive at least part of a male adapter part of a dispensing line, wherein a sealing member is provided in the gland beverage passage.

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Amsterdam, Netherlands

Edwin Johannes Cornelis Griffioen