NO315511B1 - Method and apparatus for preventing accidental outflow of a fluid from a beverage container - Google Patents

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PREVENTING THE ACCIDENTAL FLOW OF A FLUID FROM A BEVERAGE CONTAINER

This invention relates to a method and a device designed to prevent the accidental outflow of a fluid from a beverage container, including a bag, a carton or a bottle. The device can, for example, be designed as a straw or as a drinking spout, and thus it will be able to easily replace the current straw in those contexts where a spill-free additional function is desired. The fluid flow is started and regulated using a suction force supplied by a user. The outflow stops when the suction power ceases. A valve then closes for flow, even if there is excess pressure in the container.

Several special devices are known from the patent literature which, in addition to ordinary straws or drinking spouts, effectively prevent liquid from flowing freely from a drinking container. Examples of such devices are shown in US 5,975,369 and US 5,465,876. These devices do not have an automatic closing mechanism, and the user must therefore perform a mechanical movement when opening and closing the devices. There are also known devices which have automatic closing functions, but these have other disadvantages, including low tolerance for pressure differences, relatively high complexity and requirements for specially designed containers. An example of such a device is shown in US 5,607,073. A device is also known which prevents liquid from leaking out even if the liquid is put under pressure. This is described in Norwegian patent no. 137258. This type of device amplifies the force from the overpressure of the liquid in order to close the valve, and the device is therefore not suitable for drinking if the liquid is under pressure. A common feature of all the above-mentioned devices is that they will have a relatively high production cost, and that the devices will therefore be unavailable for the disposable market.

The purpose of the invention is to remedy the aforementioned disadvantages of known technology. The purpose is achieved according to the features indicated in the following description of the invention.

The purpose is achieved by features as stated in the following description and subsequent patent claims.

According to the invention, the purpose is achieved by designing a straw, an enclosure or a drinking spout, hereinafter simply referred to as an outer tube, so that fluid in the drinking container cannot flow out or be pushed out of it before the user applies a suction force.

The present device comprises said outer tube as well as a

inner tube. The outer tube protects the inner tube against external physical stress and at the same time forms a surrounding anchoring object for other parts of the device which move in relation to each other when the user applies a suction force. The outer tube can also have a pointed end which is sufficiently rigid to be able to

poke a hole in a suitable drinking container.

According to the invention, said inner tube is also designed with a fastening device for attachment to the outer tube. In a longitudinal section, the inner tube is designed as a flexible bellows. If the bellows is arranged in its longitudinal direction with a spiral-shaped pattern, the bellows will, under the influence of said suction force, be supplied with a large activation force which causes a circumferential spiral-shaped and flow-opening rotation of the bellows. The pattern has an appropriate design and material properties to produce a desired activation force, a desired flow cross-section and a desired available pipe length. In this connection, for example, a bellows in a soft plastic material can be provided with external and spiral-shaped stiffening elements in a thicker and/or stiffer plastic material. Thereby, the bellows can be arranged with an appropriate flexibility or springing ability, so that a suitable length change and/or a circumferential rotation of the bellows is achieved when it is exposed to a specific pressure difference between its inside and outside. By creating a deep and dense pattern, the bellows becomes more elastic, but at the same time the flow cross-section available for fluid flow is reduced. The pitch of the helical spiral pattern largely determines the exchange ratio between power and movement. A large rise gives great power but little movement, a small rise gives the opposite relationship. It has been shown that an incline of between 30 and 60 degrees provides good power and at the same time sufficient movement. In order to achieve the desired function, said pattern can be varied to a large extent, and different directions of rotation and pattern can be combined on one and the same pipe. In some cases, it may be desirable to isolate the bellows movement so that it only takes place in the axial direction. This can be achieved by combining two or more zones on the bellows where the patterns have the opposite direction of rotation, or where a bellows provided with annular and flexible recesses is used. The latter solution gives little surplus power but a large effect in relation to the total length of the bellows. It is also possible to isolate said spiral-turning activation force by, for example, combining a spiral pattern and a bellows pattern with at least one ring-shaped recess, where this part of the bellows, due to its low rigidity in the axial direction, takes up the axial movement while the part effectively transmits said turn -Power. The movement is transferred to a part at the end of the inner tube which is arranged as a valve, and which for opening and closing moves relative to the outer tube.

The valve mechanism can, for example, be made by the pipe from which the bellows is formed, continuing a bit past the bellows and used as a valve head that seals against the outer pipe. The outer tube can be provided with one or more through holes positioned so that the valve head in its resting position closes for fluid outflow. In the case of said bellows movement, on the other hand, the valve head is displaced sufficiently so that the holes in the outer tube are not covered by the inner tube.

Alternatively, the valve can consist of a deformation valve. This valve can be made by pre-deforming during production a longitudinal part of the inner tube which is connected to the bellows part of the inner tube. This connected pipe section is deformed in such a way that the valve is closed in its rest position, and that said vacuum-activated bellows movement causes an opening of the valve (cf. fig. 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b). Inner tubes with valves of the deformation type must be attached to the outer tube at both ends.

Some deformation valves require both circumferential rotary movement and axial movement to function optimally. It is then necessary to lock both end parts of the inner tube to the outer tube, so that rotation of the inner tube's attachment points is prevented. Thereby, a sufficient seal against the outer pipe is also achieved. The locking can take place in separate tracks so that sealing and locking can be optimized independently of each other. Inclined auxiliary grooves or funnel-shaped grooves can also be made in one or both parts that correct the twisting of the valve during assembly. An inner tube can also be arranged with a spiral-shaped bellows section on each side of a rotary-activated deformation valve, each bellows section being attached to the outer tube at its free end. Windings in both spiral-shaped bellows parts also have a common direction of rotation, cf. fig. 9a, 9b. A deformation valve arranged in this way is particularly advantageous for use on containers which are occasionally exposed to internal excess pressure. Such an excess pressure can, for example, occur in a soft container that is occasionally pressed together by a user or in a container containing a carbonated drink. When the valve is placed in the rest position and thereby closed, the fluid overpressure in the container contributes to a further tightening and sealing of the deformation valve.

Another way of making the valve can be by introducing an additional valve part which seals around one end of the inner tube and which at the same time functions as a sliding seal against the inner tube (cf. fig. 12). When this valve is not in use, the bellows will have equal pressure on both sides. Thereby there is no activation force for circumferential rotation and/or length change of the bellows. The valve part then remains in the closed position even if an overpressure occurs in the connected beverage container.

A valve of the deformation type or of the latter type does not require suction of fluid from the side of the outer tube, and thereby the valve can be freely placed above or below the fluid level in the container. Such a valve also does not require closing one end of the pipe to form a functioning valve, which is preferable in some contexts.

In some cases, the outside of the inner tube can advantageously be covered with a different plastic material than the inside. The outer plastic material can, for example, consist of polyethylene, as the tube can thus be welded to an outer tube which can be part of a beverage container, for example a bag. In other cases, it may be relevant to use a softer type of plastic on the inside of the pipe, so that better sealing is achieved when the pipe is deformed. It may also be appropriate with a combination of these properties, so that the pipe can be welded and at the same time have a soft inside that ensures sufficient sealing.

In most embodiments of the invention, it is appropriate to place at least one air hole in the outer tube to thereby ensure that the space between the bellows and the outer tube is always exposed to full atmospheric pressure. The air holes can also be made so small that the user experiences a certain delay in the valve mechanism's activation time. This adaptation can also dampen any fluctuations that may occur during use.

Other special adaptations may also be appropriate, including an adapted design of one or more sealing surfaces between the inner tube and the outer tube. In some cases, it will also be advantageous to provide the bellows with one or more smaller and through holes to be able to drain fluid from the zone between the outer tube and the bellows.

Another important detail of the device is its air intake through which air flows and replaces the fluid volume consumed from a flexible container, whereby the container can maintain its external shape during consumption. Said time delay in connection with the valve's activation will allow air to enter the container and thus ensure that the container retains its shape. One or more one-way vent valves can also be provided on the outside of the part of the outer tube which is placed on the inside of the container. For example, one or more barbs that secure the device against loosening from the container during use can be provided with through-cut openings that function as one-way valves. Alternatively, the pointed end of the outer tube can be made as a one-way valve that only opens for excess pressure from the outside of the container. These adaptations are explained in more detail in the subsequent design examples with associated drawings.

An improved attachment mechanism that prevents the straw/drinking spout from loosening during use or in the event of excess pressure in the container, is achieved by providing the outer tube with a stop flange and one or more associated barbs that ensure that the straw/drinking spout is positioned and attached correctly to the container. The outer tube can also be made as part of a cork or provided with threads or other fastening mechanisms, so that this can be placed and attached to bottles or similar containers with standardized or special connections.

When using deformation valves, all or parts of the inner tube can also be encapsulated in the drink container itself, for example as part of a bag (cf. fig. 15). Alternatively, the valve part of the inner tube can be encapsulated in a separate bag or rigid capsule, while the free ends of the inner tube protrude from this and function as a straw (cf. fig. 16a, 16b).

In mass production, the straws/drinking spouts can be packed, handled and applied in the same way as existing straws

pipes/drinking spouts.

In the following, several non-limiting examples of preferred embodiments of the invention are described, and where these are visualized in the accompanying drawings, where: Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, where the device is assigned to a straw; Fig. 2 shows a section of a fastening device and details of the same device; Fig. 3a shows a section of a preferred valve which is placed in the closed position; Fig. 3b shows the same valve placed in the open position; Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of the device according to the invention; Fig. 5, 6, 7 and 8 show different designs of the bellows included in the device; Fig. 9af 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a and 12b show different versions of the valve included in the device; Fig. 13 and 14 show a schematic diagram of the method and the operation of the device; Fig. 15, 16a and 16b show an alternative embodiment of the device's outer tube; and Fig. 17a and 17b show a further embodiment of the device's outer tube. The figures are schematic and may therefore be somewhat representative of detail sizes and their relative positions in relation to each other. Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment where an outer tube 1 is provided with an inner tube 29. The tube 29 is partly designed as a bellows 4 which has a spiral pattern 33. By means of the bellows 4, the tube 29 can contract in the axial direction when a pressure P2 on the inside 22 of the inner tube 29 becomes lower than atmospheric pressure Pl at the outside 13 of the inner tube 29. At its lower end B, the tube 29 is terminated as a valve head 26, cf. fig. 3a. As a result of its design, the valve head 26 functions as a seal against the inside 21 of the outer tube 1, but also as a valve 70 which opens or closes the valve openings 36a, 36b of the outer tube 1. In the closed position, the valve 70 will be closed even if a liquid pressure P3 in an associated beverage container exceeds the atmospheric pressure Pl. During assembly of the outer tube 1 and the inner tube 29, a connecting groove 38 in the inner tube 29 at one end A will engage with a complementary designed groove 37 in the outer tube 1. The inner tube 29 is thereby pressure-tightly attached to the inside 21 of the outer tube 1. The grooves 37, 38 can optionally be shaped by heating after the parts have been assembled together in a mutually fixed position. The other end B of the outer tube 1 is also folded and clamped together to form a dense and rigid tip 35 which can be inserted

through, for example, a drink container. The outer tube 1 is also provided with a ring 39 which aims to stabilize the axial extent of the folding during the compression of the tube end at the tip 35. The device is also provided with a stop flange 31 and four barbs 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d which ensure

correct placement and fixing of this to a beverage container 61, and which prevents the device from being pushed out of the container 61 by excess pressure in it. In order to be able to vent the drinking container 61 during consumption of liquid 60 in it, the flange 31 is provided with an air hole 20, while in one of the barbs 32a-d a continuous crack 2 is cut which functions as a one-way air valve. In the position of use, the air hole 20 and the crack 2 are placed respectively on the outside and inside of the container 61. Venting thereby takes place via an annulus between the inner tube 29 and the outer tube 1, whereby atmospheric pressure Pl is supplied to the inside of the beverage container 61 during consumption. Furthermore, the outer tube 1 is designed with a flexible joint 30, so that a length part 5 of the outer tube 1 can be folded parallel to the remaining length of the outer tube 1 during packing. Fig. 2 shows a section from the device according to figure 1 after it has been inserted into the drink container 61. Fig. 3a and 3b show a section from a valve device which is similar to the device according to figure 1, but which is provided with a valve part 70 where the valve head 26 is provided with sealing rings 41a, 41b and 41c. The sealing rings 41a-c provide a good seal between the valve head 26, the outer tube 1 and the pressure Pl in said annulus between the outer tube 1 and the inner tube 29. In fig. 3a, the valve is shown closed, while fig. 3b shows the valve in the open position. Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of the device, where only the lower end of the outer tube 1 is inserted into the container 61, and where the outer tube 1 is thereby designed as a drinking spout. The bellows 4 is shorter, and the valve part 70 has been moved closer to the stop ring 31 and the barbs 32a-d. Otherwise, the valve is designed similarly to the valve according to fig. 3. Fig. 5 shows a spiral bellows 4 which in its inactive rest position has an oval cross-sectional shape 71. When the pressure P2 on the inside 22 of the inner tube 29 decreases in relation to the pressure Pl on its outside 13, the inner tube 29 is compressed its oval cross-sectional shape 71. On due to its spiral pattern 33, the bellows 4 thereby changes its shape, length and twist angle, which causes the opening or closing of the associated valve. Fig. 6 shows another type of bellows 4 which has a spiral pattern 33 formed by two partially circular bellows elements 72a, 72b in cross-section which are wound together and form a common internal flow channel. Fig. 7 shows another spiral-shaped bellows 4 which in cross-section has a circular shape 73, and which is interrupted by two diametrically positioned V-grooves 75a, 75b which project inwards into the tube 77. Fig. 8 shows another spiral-shaped bellows 4 as in cross-section has a circular shape 73, and which is interrupted by two diametrically placed V-grooves 76a, 76b which project outwards from the tube 77. Fig. 9a and 9b show a schematic section of the device according to fig. 1, but where a deformation valve 70' is used instead of a valve head 26. The deformation valve 70' works by said pre-formed strips 44a-d being folded and snarled together during production, and then that a circumferential groove 46 in the inner tube 29 is locked in an opposite groove 45 in the outer tube 1. In order to avoid relative rotation between the groove 45 and 46 during activation of the valve 70', the grooves 45, 46 are made slightly irregularly wavy to thereby provide friction between the outer tube 1 and the inner tube 29. When applying a negative pressure P2 in the inner tube 29, the bellows 4 is rotated circumferentially and moved axially. Thereby, the valve 70' opens for outflow, cf. fig. 9a where the arrow indicates the outflow direction. When the depressed P2 does not occur, the bellows 4 will due to its elastic bias caused by said spiral pattern 33, turn in the opposite direction. Thereby, the valve 70' is pulled together and closes for outflow, cf. fig. 9b. The deformation valve 70' according to fig. 9a, 9b thereby presupposes circumferential rotation of the inner tube 29. Fig. 10a and 10b show a deformation valve 70' in the form of a bellows 4 which consists of clamped zones 80a and 80b, and which is only activated by axial movement of the bellows 4. Fig. 10a shows the valve 70' in the closed position with pinched zones 80a, 80b. When a user applies a negative pressure P2 to the inner tube 29, the bellows 4 and its zones 80a, 80b are stretched axially. Thereby, the valve 70' opens for outflow, cf. fig. 10b where the arrow indicates the outflow direction. The lower part of the inner tube 29 is welded, melted or glued to an outer tube 1 in the surfaces 45' and 46'. The deformation valve 70' according to Fig. 10a, 10b thereby requires axial movement of the inner tube 29. Fig. 11a and 11b show a schematic section of the device according to Fig. 1, but where the spiral-shaped bellows 4 is provided with a free-flowing end part to which a valve 70 with valve head 26 is assigned. The end 47 of the valve head 26 is bevelled, and the end 47 is placed opposite said valve openings 36a, 36b in the outer tube 1. The valve 70 is activated by rotation and axial movement of the bellows 4. In its inactive resting position, the valve head 26 covers the valve openings 36a, 36b, cf. Fig. 1la. When a negative pressure P2 is applied in the inner tube 29, the bellows 4 and its valve head 26 are both rotated and shifted axially. Thereby the valve openings 36a, 36b are covered and closed for outflow, cf. Fig. 11b where the arrow indicates the direction of outflow. The valve 70 according to Fig. 11a, 11b thereby assumes both circumferential d cleaning and axial movement of the inner tube 29 to achieve full opening with the lowest possible suction force from the user. This valve design causes a significant increase in the degree of opening of the valve 70 compared to a valve where only vertical movement of the valve head 26 is used. Fig. 12a and 12b show a schematic section of the device according to fig. 1, but with a different type of valve 70. In this embodiment, the valve head 26 consists of an end part of the inner tube 29. The end part is designed with a reduced pipe diameter so that it fits into a valve counterpart 50 which is fitted into and held in place between two circumferential grooves 55, 56 in the outer tube 1. The valve counterpart 50 is provided with continuous opening channels 51 for fluid flow up to the valve head 26 and an intermediate valve seat 53. The valve counterpart 50 is also provided with a sealing surface 52 that closes around and seals against the valve head 26 In its inactive rest position, the valve head 26 lies shut against the valve seat 53, cf. fig. 12a. When the valve 70 is activated by suction, the valve head 26 is rotated and axially displaced away from the valve seat 53, so that the valve 70 is opened for outflow, cf. fig. 12b where the arrows indicate the outflow direction. Fig. 13 shows a principle sketch according to the method, where a differential pressure (P1-P2) between the atmospheric pressure Pl on the outside 13 of the bellows 4 and the negative pressure P2 on the inside 22 of the bellows 4 causes a relative axial movement in relation to the outer tube 1. The movement is used to to open a valve 70 which is otherwise closed even with excess pressure P3 in the connected container 61. The excess pressure P3 can occur, among other things, when the user presses on the beverage container 61, or if the beverage container 61 is lying horizontally with a liquid level above the valve device. Figure 13 shows the valve 70 in a closed state when it covers an outflow opening in the outer pipe 1. Fig. 14 shows a schematic section of the valve arrangement according to fig. 13, where the valve 70 is shown axially displaced and in an open state, so that it reveals said outflow opening. Fig. 15 shows another embodiment of the present device. The drinking container 61 is here a flexible bag made of plastic foil. The type of valve used in this example is very similar to the valve according to fig. 10a and 10b. The bellows 4 is vacuum formed from a tube 29 which is welded or glued to the bag 61 in connection surfaces 94a and 94b. The rest of the bag 61 is welded or glued together along its edge 93. The membrane 4 and the valve 70' are encapsulated in the same way, so that these lie in a separate bag part of the bag 61. This bag part corresponds to the outer tube 1 shown in fig. 10a, 10b. The bag part is also provided with an air hole 20 which leads air into the bellows 4 to thereby ensure atmospheric pressure Pl around the outside 13 of the bellows 4. In order to protect the integrated inner tube 29's outlet pipe part against dirt and bacteria, the bag 61 is provided with a surrounding protective part 92 which is torn off before use. Fig. 16a and 16b schematically show an alternative embodiment of a deformation valve 70' in an enclosing enclosure. This enclosure corresponds to the outer tube 1. The enclosure 1 consists of plastic foils which are vacuum-shaped and then welded or glued together along the surface 93, and which are connected to the inner tube 29 along the connection rafts 94a and 94b. The enclosure 1 thereby encloses, fixes and protects the bellows 4 and the valve 70'. Inside-. the tube 29 is finished with a bevelled edge. 96 that takes off

the introduction of the inner tube 29 into a drinking container 61. Fig. 16a shows the deformation valve 70' in a closed state, while fig. 16b shows the valve 70' in the open state with arrows showing the outflow direction.

Fig. 17a schematically shows an alternative embodiment of the present device, where the outer tube 1 is assigned a cap to a container 61. The bellows 4 and the valve seat 53 are of the same type and have the same function as the device shown in fig. 12a and 12b. To ensure an efficient supply of air to the container 61, the cap is provided with a device for continuous aeration via the cap's threads 11. In this example, the device consists of several radial grooves 100a-h and a gasket 101 with a circular central opening 104 which can seal against a circular connection surface 102 in the cork. The gasket 101 seals against the cork's connecting surface 102 when the pressure P3 on the inside 106 of the gasket 101 is equal to or higher than the pressure Pl on

the outside 105 of the seal 101. The seal 101 also functions as a normal seal for sealing between the cap and the container 61. When the container 61's internal pressure P3 {which acts on the inner sealing surface 106 among other things) becomes lower than the atmospheric pressure Pl (which among other things otherwise acts on the outer packing surface 105), the packing 101 will be bent inwards in the container 61, so that the surfaces 102 and 104 no longer seal against each other. Air from the surroundings can thereby continuously enter the container 61 while the user consumes its contents. Periodic interruptions in the consumption to let air into the container 61 are therefore not necessary. Both the inflow direction of the air through the grooves 100a and the outflow direction of the liquid 60 are indicated by arrows in fig. 17a, as the figure also shows the valve 70 in the closed position. Fig. 17b shows a schematic radial section through the valve device and the cap according to fig. 17a.

Claims (13)

Procedure to prevent accidental outflow of a fluid (60) from a beverage container (61), characterized in that: - an inner tube (29) is arranged with a pattern (33) which allows the tube (29) to change shape when this is supplied with an internal negative pressure (P2); - that the inner tube (29) in its one end part (A) is anchored to an outer casing (1); - that the inner tube (29) ends in its second end part (B) as a valve head (26); - that the outer enclosure (1) is provided with at least one outflow opening (36) located opposite the valve head (26); and - that the valve head (26) is placed in a closed position against the at least one outflow opening (36) when this is inactive, the valve head (26) opening for outflow when the inner pipe (29) is supplied with said negative pressure (P2). 2. Method for preventing the accidental outflow of a fluid (60) from a drinking container (61), characterized in that: - an inner tube (29) is arranged with a pattern (33) which allows the tube (29) to change its shape when this is supplied with an internal negative pressure (P2); - that the inner tube (29) in its two end parts (A, B) is attached to an outer enclosure (1); - that the inner tube (29) between its end parts (A, B) is arranged as a deformation valve (70'); and - that the deformation valve (70') is placed in a closed position when it is inactive, the valve (70') opening for outflow when the inner tube (29) is supplied with said negative pressure (P2). 3. Device for preventing the accidental outflow of a fluid (60) from a drinking container (61), where the device comprises an outer casing (1) and an inner tube (29), and where the device in the position of use is assigned to the drinking container (61), characterized in that the inner tube (29) in its one end part (A) is anchored to the outer casing (1), and that the inner tube (29) via a bellows (4) is movable in relation to the outer casing (1), and that the inner pipe (29) in its other end part (B) is provided with at least one valve head (26) which is placed opposite at least one outflow opening (36a, 36b) in the outer casing (1), and that the at least one valve head (26) in in its rest position it closes at least one opening (36a, 36b) for outflow, but where the at least one valve head (26) opens for outflow when the bellows (4) is moved as a result of the inner tube (29) being supplied with a negative pressure (P2). 4. Device for preventing the accidental outflow of a fluid (60) from a drinking container (61), where the device comprises an outer casing (1) and an inner tube (29), and where the device in the position of use is assigned to the drinking container (61), characterized in that the inner tube (29) in both its end parts (A, B) is anchored to the outer casing (1), and that the inner tube (29) via a bellows (4) is movable in relation to the outer casing (1), and that the inner pipe (29) in its movable area between its end parts (A, B) is provided with at least one deformation valve (70'), and that the at least one deformation valve (70') in its rest position is closed for outflow, but where the at least one deformation valve (70') opens for outflow when the bellows (4) is moved as a result of the inner tube (29) being supplied with a negative pressure (P2). 5. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the bellows (4) is both circumferentially rotatable and axially movable, whereby the valve head (26) is both rotated and displaced axially when the inner tube (29) is supplied with a negative pressure P2. 6. Device according to one of claims 3-5, characterized in that the outer casing (1) is provided with at least one air hole (20) for pressure equalization in the beverage container (61) during consumption of the fluid (60). 7. Device according to one of claims 3-6, characterized in that the outer casing consists of an outer tube (1) which is provided with at least one barb (32a-d), and which prevents the tube (1) and its device from to be pressed out of the container 61 by excess pressure P3 in this. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one barb (32a-d) is provided with an air opening (2). 9. Device according to one of claims 3 or 5-8, characterized in that the bellows (4) is provided with at least one type of flexible recess formed in the inner tube (29), and that at least one type of recess is shaped in a spiral pattern (33) which has at least one direction of rotation and at least one pitch ratio. 10. Device according to one of claims 3-9, characterized in that the outer enclosure (1) forms a separate part of the beverage container (61). 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the outer enclosure (1) forms an internal part of the beverage container (61). 12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the outer casing (1) is made of at least one plastic foil which encloses the bellows (4). 13. Device according to one of claims 3-6, characterized in that the outer casing (1) is part of a cork which is connected to the beverage container (61).