Case Studies: Functional Packaging

5 Liter Keg Heineken

A multi-part beer-tap system, injection-molded by Quadrant CMS (Creative Molding & Systems) from polypropylene, is a critical, consumer-interfacing component on the new 5-litre, single-use Draught Keg from Heineken Beer Systems.

The easy-to-install tap system consists of five injection-molded parts and a small extruded tube, all made of polypropylene, which is delivered in a blister packaging together with a protective plastic ring that doubles as a carrier-grip. All the components of the tap system are required to be robust and leak-free, withstanding the pressurized beer as well as fluctuations in temperature as the keg is moved in and out of refrigeration units.The injection-molded and extruded parts are produced and assembled at Quadrant CMS’ cleanroom production facilities in Tielt, Belgium, in compliance with Heineken’s quality standards. Molded in a multi-cavity system due to the number of parts required, Quadrant CMS employed high-precision tools to maintain the high tolerance of the parts during serial production.

smartDRAFT™

As a supplier for the company Micro-Matic (Denmark) Quadrant CMS is producing a set of 9 injection moulded parts, which are then together with a PE tube, assembled into a disposable beerline. This beerline, of which a new one is supplied with every keg, makes the connection between the smartDRAFT™ Tap and the Keg.
The use of smaller volume packaging in the beer industry is appearing in public life through Mobile bars that are more and more used. You notice them at indoor or outdoor events but also in restaurants and bars in case weekly dispensing volume remains under 70 liters, which is about the minimum beer consumption needed for the use of the traditional large installations. One of the leading applications in this segment is the system called smartDRAFT™.
Key characteristics for a successful application can be summarized as follows : - optimized part geometry, combining thin walls and robustness - molding accuracy, making components from multi-cavity tools fitting leaking-free together. - appropriate material selection, facilitating valve operations with smooth friction characteristics.

Innovative Cap Applications

Quadrant CMS has a collaboration with the Hungarian company “Mayex”, which is an engineering office and holder of a number of patents for dispensing applications. Through this joint activity Quadrant has been adding a range of innovative cap and dispensing systems to its portfolio.

The dispensing cap is at the same time the PET bottle closure. By making use of a patented valve system in the cap, with a straw attached to it, it allows by simple pressure on its top to dispense the content of the bottle by a continuous jet.

This innovative cap application is suitable for carbonized and non-carbonized drinks. For the use with non carbonized drinks, an additional dose of nitrogen is added to the bottle content during the filling of the liquid. There are also opportunities for substances with higher viscosity such as sauces like Ketchup.