RU209932U1 - KEGERATOR - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to devices for cooling and bottling drinks, namely kegerators, and can be used in cafes, shops, offices, private homes for cooling and bottling beer, kvass, lemonade and other drinks stored in containers, such as kegs. The kegerator includes a refrigerating chamber equipped with a door, a means for pouring drinks fixed on the outside of the chamber, while the chamber is configured to accommodate a container with a drink inside it, a compressed gas cylinder with a gas reducer fixed to it, and pipelines for connecting the cylinder and means for pouring with a container for drinks, according to the utility model, the chamber contains a removable shelf for installing a container for drinks, made with the possibility of installation in two positions inside the refrigerating chamber - at the bottom of the chamber and at a height that ensures the placement of a gas cylinder in a niche between the shelf and the bottom of the chamber, at the same time, the bottom of the chamber is equipped with limiters to prevent displacement of the removable shelf when it is placed on the bottom of the chamber; the shelf is provided with a cutout to prevent the beverage container from moving when it is placed on the shelf at the bottom of the chamber in an inclined position. The device for cooling and pouring drinks is compact, characterized by the ability to be built into standard kitchen furniture with a tabletop width of 60 cm, implemented on the basis of a standard cold store and provides accommodation for containers of various sizes - both metal and plastic kegs up to 30 liters.

Description

Technical field

The utility model relates to devices for cooling and bottling drinks, namely, kegerators, and can be used in cafes, shops, offices, private homes, for cooling and bottling beer, kvass, lemonade and other drinks stored in containers, such as kegs .

State of the art

Various devices for cooling and dispensing beverages, in particular beer, are known from the prior art.

As a rule, beer stored in kegs is cooled in refrigeration devices and bottled under pressure using compressed gas cylinders containing nitrogen or carbon dioxide.

From patent RU29455, a small-sized, easily movable bar is known, which is a table-cabinet with a refrigeration unit, a cylinder of carbon dioxide, and a set of equipment for bottling drinks. The refrigerating chamber occupies the upper part of the cabinet-table volume, the refrigerator compressor is fixed in the lower part of the cabinet-table, and the carbon dioxide cylinder, thanks to two shelves fixed at different heights, is placed in an inclined position under the refrigerating chamber, i.e. also at the bottom of the table-curbstones. The dispenser is fixed on the top surface of the cabinet in such a way that the supply hose from the refrigerator gets directly into the dispenser. In this case, the rear part of the cylinder rests on the lower shelf of the table-cabinet and is held in the installed position by a stop bar, and the upper part of the cylinder with the gearbox rests on the upper shelf.

However, the known device provides for the placement of containers (kegs) in the refrigerating chamber, designed for only 10 liters, and does not allow increasing the useful volume of the refrigerating chamber to accommodate large volumes of containers by changing the dimensions of the table-cabinet. In addition, the refrigerator has a separate door, which is not connected with the door of the table-cabinet, which complicates access to the keg during the operation of the device.

In order to accommodate larger kegs, it is known to use a cold chamber body with a curved door (US2008302124A1) corresponding to the shape of a standard cylindrical keg (keg) that can fit snugly against the body of the refrigerator.

However, the manufacture of a curved element is a technically difficult task and leads to an increase in the cost of the device. In addition, the known device does not allow to place a cylinder with compressed gas in its body.

Often in the cold rooms used to cool overall containers with drinks (kegs) there is not enough space to accommodate the entire set of equipment necessary for distributing chilled drinks, in particular, gas cylinders, connecting pipelines, and refrigeration equipment.

In particular, a carbonated liquid dispenser is known (application IE20000873), in which the need for compressed gas cylinders is eliminated by the presence of a hand pump mounted on the keg.

However, the lack of the possibility of placing a cylinder with compressed gas in the device does not allow it to be used for cooling and dispensing beer, because the quality of draft beer is provided by food carbonic acid.

The closest to the proposed solution is the AMED beer dispenser (model AM01-170A, Shandong, China), which has a useful capacity of 170 liters. The dispenser includes a keg cooler, swivel casters and adjustable feet, a removable drip tray, a pouring tap, a CO2 gas cylinder with a gas pressure regulator, and connecting pipes located inside the refrigerator body. At the same time, the dispenser has dimensions that ensure the placement of a gas cylinder behind the keg in the corner of the refrigerating chamber.

However, this device is characterized by significant overall dimensions, which do not allow it to be built into standard kitchens with a worktop width of 60 cm.

The technical problem to be solved by the claimed technical solution is the creation of a mobile compact device for cooling and dispensing beverages under pressure (kegerator), made with the possibility of installing in a small volume of a refrigerating chamber corresponding to a standard refrigerator, the entire set of equipment necessary for cooling and dispensing drinks under pressure, while simplifying the manufacturing process and operation of the device.

Utility Model Disclosure

The technical result, to which the utility model is directed, is the creation of a compact device for cooling and dispensing beverages based on a standard refrigerating chamber, which provides placement in the refrigerating chamber of containers of various sizes - both metal and plastic kegs up to 30 liters with the possibility of being built into a standard kitchen furniture with a tabletop width of 60 cm. Thus, the proposed device can be ergonomically integrated into the kitchen interior while simplifying the operation and assembly of the device (increasing the operational capabilities of the device).

The technical result is achieved by creating a kegerator, including a refrigerating chamber equipped with a door, a means for dispensing drinks fixed on the outside of the chamber, while the chamber is made with the possibility of placing a container with a drink inside it, a compressed gas cylinder with a gas reducer fixed on it, and pipelines for connecting the cylinder and the means for filling with a container for drinks, while according to the proposed technical solution, the kegerator additionally contains a removable shelf for accommodating a container for drinks, made with the possibility of installation in two positions inside the refrigeration chamber - at the bottom of the chamber and at a height that provides placement gas cylinder in a niche between the shelf and the bottom of the chamber, while the bottom of the chamber is equipped with limiters to prevent displacement of the removable shelf when it is placed on the bottom of the chamber. At the same time, the shelf is equipped with a cut-out - stop, which prevents the beverage container from shifting when it is installed on the shelf at the bottom of the chamber in an inclined position.

The shelf can be made of a rectangular shape with chamfered corners on the side of the limiters, the cutout in the shelf can also be made of a rectangular shape and located in the central part of the shelf.

The limiters can be made in the form of triangular plates.

The removable shelf and limiters can be made of wood, plastic, chipboard, MDF, OSB (oriented strand board), at least 0.8 cm thick.

The mounting height of the removable shelf in one of the embodiments of the utility model is 15 - 16 cm.

The refrigerating chamber has a depth of not more than 60 cm, for example, it may have dimensions (H×W×D) (cm): 88×48×60.

The refrigerating chamber has dimensions that allow placing containers for drinks in it - metal or plastic kegs, with a volume of not more than 30 liters, as well as a gas cylinder with a volume of 2 - 3 liters.

In a specific embodiment of the utility model, the refrigerating chamber can be made on the basis of the Saratov-550 refrigerator.

The claimed utility model includes a 60 cm deep refrigerating chamber, which corresponds to a standard kitchen worktop and allows you to ergonomically integrate a kegerator into kitchen furniture, while optimizing the assembly and operation of the kegerator, simplifying the process of placing a container filled with a drink up to 30 liters, storing it, replacing a used one. containers and a gas cylinder inside the refrigerating chamber, regardless of the dimensions and type of container.

Brief description of the drawings

The utility model is illustrated by drawings, where in Fig. 1 shows a general view of the proposed device, figure 2 - an embodiment of a removable shelf with bevelled corners, figure 3 - an example of the implementation and operation of the device when placing a metal keg on a removable shelf and a compressed gas cylinder at the bottom of the chamber under the shelf, in Fig. .4 - an example of the implementation and operation of the device when placing a plastic keg at the bottom of the refrigerating chamber on a removable shelf and a gas cylinder behind the keg in the corner of the refrigerating chamber.

Positions in the drawings indicate:

1 - refrigerating chamber; 2 - the door of the refrigerating chamber; 3 - means for pouring drinks; 4 - a container with a drink; 5 - gas cylinder; 6 - removable shelf; 7 - limiter; 8 - cutout in a removable shelf.

Implementation of the utility model

The device for cooling and dispensing drinks is a refrigerating chamber 1 with a door 2, made in the form of a standard single-chamber refrigerator with a compressor, evaporator and condenser, for example, Saratov-550 (without internal shelves and drawers), on the upper wall (ceiling) of which, from the outside a beverage dispenser 3 is installed on the side, for example, a stand with a tap (beer tower). At the same time, the refrigerating chamber 1 is configured to place inside it a container 4 with a drink up to 30 liters (for example, a metal or plastic keg), a gas cylinder 5 with a compressed gas up to 3 liters (in particular, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen), equipped with a gearbox that supplies the drink under pressure to the filling facility, as well as connecting pipelines that connect the cylinder 5 and the filling facility 3 with the beverage container 4.

The refrigerating chamber is also equipped with a removable shelf 6 for installing a container for drinks (keg holder), while the removable shelf can be removed and placed on the bottom of the refrigerating chamber 1, which is equipped with limiters 7 (support bars) that ensure the shelf is fixed and prevents it from offset when placed on the bottom of the chamber. The shelf 6 can be fixed on the side walls of the refrigerating chamber 1, for example, using corners, brackets, stops or any other method known from the prior art. At the same time, the height of the shelf fastening should ensure the placement of a gas cylinder with a reducer at the bottom of chamber 1 under the shelf, and the shape and size of the shelf should ensure reliable installation and storage of a heavy container with a drink (up to 30 liters).

The removable shelf 6 is provided with a cutout 8 (Figure 2), which prevents the beverage container from moving when it is installed on the shelf at the bottom of the chamber in an inclined position. When installing a container, for example, a plastic keg (PET keg) in a refrigerating chamber in an inclined position, the legs of the keg rest against the end of the cutout 8, thereby preventing the container from “slipping”.

In the preferred embodiment of the device, the shelf 6 is rectangular in shape with two bevelled outer corners (on the side of the limiters), and the limiters 7 are two strips (plates) in the form of a right-angled triangle, fixed on the bottom of the refrigerating chamber in such a way that the ends of the beveled corners of the removable shelf when it is placed at the bottom of the chamber, they rest against the triangular strips on their long side. The cut-out 8 in the shelf is also preferably rectangular in shape and located in the central part of the shelf. The dimensions of the cutout may correspond to the proportions shown in Fig.2.

At the same time, any other configurations of the removable shelf, limiters and cutout shape are possible, obvious to a person skilled in the art, and ensuring the above-described functions of these structural elements.

The thickness of the removable shelf and limiters is at least 0.8 cm, preferably, while in the preferred embodiment of the utility model, the thickness of the removable shelf is 3 cm, the limiters are 1.5 cm, which provides a reliable stop for the container, preventing it from slipping, and, at the same time, eliminating its deflection when placing a container on it in the variant of the shelf location on stops fixed on the side walls of the chamber. The refrigerator compartment preferably has dimensions (H×W×D) (cm): 88×48×60. The shelf can be made of wood, plastic, chipboard, MDF, OSB (Oriented Strand Board) or any other material.

A hole is made in the ceiling of the refrigerating chamber 1, through which a pipeline (hose) passes, connecting the container with the drink to the pouring agent (faucet). The length of the pipeline connecting the container with the drink with the filling agent and the pipeline connecting the gas cylinder with the container can be 90-100 cm.

On the ceiling of the refrigerating chamber from the outside, a tray with a grate can be installed to place dishes (mugs, glasses, glasses) and collect drops when dispensing drinks.

The refrigerator compartment is a standard refrigerator with a condenser or other known cooling device for cooling the inside of the refrigerator compartment. Outside, the refrigerator compartment can be covered with a decorative film, drawings, logos or any other distinctive means can be placed on its surface.

The refrigerating chamber is equipped with four wheel supports with locks, fixed on the base of the chamber, ensuring the mobility of the device. Instead of two castors, screw supports attached to the base at the rear of the camera can be used. With the help of these supports, you can adjust the amount of longitudinal inclination of the refrigerating chamber.

On the upper wall of the refrigerating chamber, a tabletop can be fixed, provided with a cutout for placing a means for dispensing drinks and a cutout for placing a tray with a grate.

The device works as follows.

A reducer is attached to the compressed gas cylinder, a bottling (intake) head (lock) is installed on the container with a drink, and the cylinder with the reducer is connected to the drink container using a pipeline (to create pressure, carbon dioxide is supplied to the container from the cylinder). Adjusting valves of the reducer set the working pressure in the tank (2-2.5 bar). Another pipeline connects the beverage container to the filling facility. The container is installed in the refrigerating chamber on a removable shelf fixed on the side walls of the chamber or located at the bottom of the chamber. The cylinder is installed in the refrigerating chamber under a removable shelf at the bottom of the refrigerating chamber (in a horizontal position) or behind a container at the rear wall of the refrigerating chamber (in a vertical position). The means for filling (for example, using a flag on the tap) regulate the supply of drink (jet pressure) from the container through the pouring tap. The container is replaced after closing the compressed gas supply valve on the cylinder. Excess (drops) of beer or other drink are collected in the drip tray.

An example of a specific implementation.

Devices for cooling and bottling of drinks were made, which ensure the possibility of their integration into standard kitchen furniture, which is a refrigerating chamber - a Saratov-550 refrigerator without internal shelves and drawers, having dimensions (H × W × D) (cm): 88 × 48 × 60. Inside the refrigerating chamber, with the help of corners, a removable shelf was installed at a height of 15 to 16 cm. The removable shelf was made of OSB (oriented strand board), rectangular in shape with bevelled corners (Fig. 2), the dimensions of the shelf were: maximum width of the shelf (L1) - 33 cm, minimum shelf width on the chamfered side (L2) - 17.5 cm, minimum shelf depth (L3) on the chamfered corners - 17.5 cm, bevel length (L6) - 14.5 cm, shelf thickness (H1) - 3 cm. In the central part of the shelf, a rectangular cutout is made with a length (L4) of 24 cm and a width (L5) of 15 cm. At the bottom of the refrigerating chamber, limiters were fixed in the form of triangular plates with a thickness of 0.8 to 1.5 see Outside the refrigerator compartment, a tabletop and a beer tower (like a “cobra”) with a pallet are fixed.

The manufactured device was used for cooling and bottling beer stored in kegs with a volume of 30 liters. A metal keg of EURO type 365 mm high and 408 mm in diameter was installed in the device on a removable shelf with a pouring head installed (lock on keg type A), connected with a flexible hose 90 cm long to a 3 l carbon dioxide cylinder equipped with a reducer, and also with the help of a second flexible hose 100 cm long - to the beer tower. At the same time, the carbon dioxide cylinder was installed in a lying position in a niche between the shelf and the bottom of the refrigerating chamber. The optimal pressure in the keg was maintained at the level of 2-2.5 bar with the help of a reducer, the temperature in the refrigerating chamber was at +4 ⁰ C. Due to the pressure created by the cylinder, the beer from the keg passed through the flexible hose through the refrigerator to the tower, from which it was supplied to the tank . 5 kegs were used, after which the gas cylinder was replaced and the metal keg was replaced with a plastic type H keg with a volume of 30 liters, a height of 553 mm and a diameter of 298 mm. The pouring head, after removing the metal keg, was installed on a plastic keg. The removable shelf is installed at the bottom of the refrigerating chamber, where it was fixed with limiters to prevent displacement. A plastic keg was installed on the shelf at an angle, with its legs resting against the end of the cutout made in the shelf. The carbon dioxide cylinder was placed at the back wall of the refrigerator compartment behind the plastic keg. There was no displacement of the keg during the operation of the device.

Also, during the operation of the device, other metal kegs such as DIN, FINN KEG, plastic kegs T-Type, BT-Type with a volume of 20 and 30 liters were used.

Thus, the use of the proposed device made it possible to place it in standard kitchen furniture, to place containers of various sizes in the refrigerator compartment - both metal and plastic kegs up to 30 l with various overall dimensions, the operation of the device was characterized by ease of installation, removal and replacement keg and gas bottle.

It should be noted that in addition to beer, the device can equally be applied to any draft drink.

Claims (7)

1. Kegerator, including a refrigerating chamber equipped with a door, a means for pouring drinks, fixed on the outside of the chamber, while the chamber is configured to accommodate a container with a drink inside it, a compressed gas cylinder with a gas reducer fixed to it, and pipelines for connecting the cylinder and means for filling with a container for drinks, characterized in that it contains a removable shelf for installing a container for drinks, made with the possibility of installation in two positions inside the refrigerating chamber - at the bottom of the chamber and at a height that ensures the placement of a gas cylinder in a niche between the shelf and the bottom chamber, while the bottom of the chamber is equipped with limiters to prevent displacement of the removable shelf when it is placed on the bottom of the chamber; the shelf is provided with a cutout to prevent displacement of the beverage container when it is installed on the shelf at the bottom of the chamber in an inclined position. 2. Kegerator according to claim 1, characterized in that the shelf is made of a rectangular shape with beveled corners on the side of the limiters. 3. Kegerator according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutout is rectangular and located in the central part of the shelf. 4. Kegerator according to claim 1, characterized in that the limiters are made in the form of triangular plates. 5. Kegerator according to claim 1, characterized in that the refrigerating chamber has a depth of not more than 60 cm. 6. Kegerator according to claim 1, characterized in that the refrigerating chamber has dimensions (H×W×D) (cm): 88×48×60, with the possibility of placing a container for drinks - a metal or plastic keg with a volume of not more than 30 liters. 7. Kegerator according to claim 1, characterized in that the mounting height of the removable shelf is at least 15 cm.

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