Tapping assembly and connecting device; container and method for beverage dispensing

A connecting device for connecting a dispense line and a gas line to a bag-in-container, comprising a first part and a second part, movably connected to said first part,

• wherein at least one of the first and/or second part is provided with a coupling opening extending in a substantially axial direction, with coupling elements for connecting the device to a part of a bag-in-container extending inside said coupling opening,
• wherein the connecting device is further provided with at least one gas connecting element, movable between an extended position in which the gas connecting element extends at least partly inside said coupling opening and a retracted position in which the gas connecting element extends less or not into said coupling opening, the connecting device further comprising a mechanism for moving the at least one gas connecting element between the extended position and the retracted position by relative movement of the first and second parts,
• wherein the gas connecting element is movable from a side wall of the coupling opening, in a substantially radial direction of the coupling opening.

A bag-in-container comprising

• a neck region of the bag-in-container is provided with at least one gas inlet opening extending substantially radially there through, through a wall of a neck portion of an outer container of said bag-in-container, into a space between the outer container and an inner container adjacent thereto,
• wherein the neck portion of the inner container or the neck portion of the outer container is provided with coupling elements for coupling of a connecting device thereto,
• wherein the bag-in-container is integrally blow moulded from a preform assembly.

A method for forming a container, comprising integrally blow moulding a bag-in-container from at least two super positioned preforms or an integral, multilayer preform, wherein an outer container and an inner container or bag are formed,

• wherein prior to or after blow moulding the container a closure ring is connected to the inner and/or outer container, closing off a space between the inner and outer containers, and
• wherein at least one opening is provided in a peripheral wall of a neck portion of the outer container, opening into said space, for introducing gas under pressure into said space and compressing the inner container within the outer container,
• wherein the inner container is filled with beverage and a valve is mounted in or on an opening in said ring, opening into said inner container.