CA2375227A1 - Beer container - Google Patents

Abstract

A beer container comprises an inner hollow shell (11) of blow moulded PET to hold beer, an outer hollow shell (12) of moulded high density polyethylene enclosing and supporting the inner shell and a spear structure (13) includin g a dispenser tube (14) extending from a bottom interior region of the inner shell (11) through to a dispensing outlet (16) at the top of the outer shell (12). Spear structure (13) incorporates valves (25, 26) for supply of pressurising gas into the interior of inner shell (11) and for dispensing be er through the dispensing outlet (16), both valves being formed of PET. When th e container has been emptied of beer, the outer shell (12) can readily be separated from the inner shell (11) and spear structure (13) to allow separa te recycling of the high density polyethylene material and the PET material.</S DOAB>

Claims (15)

1. A beer container comprising:
an inner hollow shell of blow moulded PET to hold beer;
an outer hollow shell of moulded high density polyethylene enclosing and supporting the inner shell; and a spear structure including a dispenser tube extending from a bottom interior region of the inner shell through to a dispensing outlet at the top of the outer shell.

2. A beer container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spear structure is constructed of PET.

3. A beer container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spear structure incorporates a valve for supply of pressurising CO2 gas into the interior of the inner shell and a beer dispenser valve at the dispensing outlet, both valves being formed of PET.

4. A beer container as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the spear structure is fixed to the inner shell.

5. A beer container as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the outer shell is formed an separable pieces which can be separated from the inner shell for recycling of the high density polyethylene of the outer shell separately from the PET material of the inner shell and the spear.

6. A beer container as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer shell is comprised of a generally open topped tub-shaped body fitted with a releasable lid.

7. A beer container as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lid is a press fit on the tub shaped body.

8. A beer container as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the inner shell is a sliding fit within the tub shaped main body of the outer shell, whereby it can be slid from the outer shell main body when the lid is removed.

9. A beer container as claimed in claim 8, wherein the outer shell has a cylindrical peripheral surface with which the outer shell is a neat sliding fit.

10. A beer container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner shell has an upwardly projecting tubular neck which surrounds an upper part of the spear structure.

11. A beer container as claimed in claim 10, wherein the neck of the inner shell projects through opening in the outer shell.

12. A beer container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer shell has an upstanding peripheral skirt projecting upwardly about.the upper part of the spear structure.

13. A beer container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower part of the outer shell forms an upwardly dished floor support for the inner shell.

14. A beer container as claimed in claim 13, wherein the lower part of the inner shell is downwardly domed to match the dished floor support.

15. A beer container as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the lower part of the outer shell also forms a peripheral base rim disposed about the dished floor support and extending below that floor support to provide a base on which the container can be stood upright.