WO2003045832A1

WO2003045832A1 - Beverage dispensing system and device

Info

Publication number: WO2003045832A1
Application number: PCT/CA2002/001850
Authority: WO
Inventors: Glen Edward Tibbits; Bernard Beasley; Richard Dirstein; Rod Moore; Edward Shikatani
Original assignee: Labatt Brewing Company Limited
Priority date: 2001-11-30
Filing date: 2002-11-29
Publication date: 2003-06-05
Also published as: AU2002364775A1; DE60216502D1; ATE346822T1; EP1448472A1; DE60216502T2; EP1448472B1

Abstract

A beer dispensing tap, apparatus and system are provided which allows for dispensing of a usually pressurized beverage such as beer into a serving vessel with consistent results. The beverage passes through a novel dispensing tap having a nozzle whose bore is adapted to impart a circular or swirling motion to the beverage stream as it exits the tap. The beverage stream is projected into the vessel in a preferred embodiment directly toward the base of the vessel where, because of its motion, it swirls around the vessel whilst it fills. This provides a pleasing visual effect for the customer during the pouring operation as well as a consistent presentation of beer to the consumer.

Description

BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM AND DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the dispensing of a pressured beverage and, in particular, to a novel dispensing device and system for dispensing pressurized, or carbonated beverages, especially beer in a consistent and uniform manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various systems which have been developed for dispensing pressurized beverages and, in particular, draft beer. Such systems utilize various types of beverage storage vessels such as fixed tanks or in many instances, replaceable kegs, to hold the beer. Such storage vessels are completely sealed except for openings to accommodate the fittings, which are required to connect the vessel to a conduit or pipe system and, usually, a pressure source, which drives the beer through the conduit system to a dispensing tap having a pouring nozzle. The flow of beer through the tap to a drinking vessel or pouring jug is usually controlled by a valve assembly located in the tap assembly. The valve assembly is maintained in a closed condition, and the dispensing system sealed and, pressurized until beer is required. The valve assembly is then opened usually by simple manual lever activation, whereupon the pressure in the system results in beer flowing from the vessel to and through the tap nozzle into a drinking vessel such as a glass. One such system is shown in U.S. Patent 4,676,400. A majority of the tap nozzles in such systems extend directly downward - refer for example to U.S. Patent 4,720,076. Others are angled slightly to the vertical - refer for example to U.S. Patents 1,944,811 and 5,431,302 which also show a drinking glass located directly thereunder. In other cases, especially when the glass is held in the hand, it is usually held by the operator at an angle to prevent or control foaming by having the beer drop onto and down the glass wall - refer for example to U.S. Patent 4,676,400. The tap used in these dispensing systems can take many forms. Refer for example to U.S. Patent 295,138; U.S. Patent 4,687,123; U.S. Patent 4,720,076; U.S. Patent 5,368,205 and U.S. Patent 5,842,617. Such dispensing taps are generally carried by a tower or stanchion attached to a bar counter by brackets mounted under or clamped to the counter to which the support for the tap is attached. The location means that the dispensing arrangement is visible to customers. Often, to enhance the appearance and make it more appealing to the patrons, the actual dispensing tap is hidden behind a cowl or the like which often carries brand information etc. Refer for example to U.S. Patent Nos., 2,631,393 and 4,094,647, which describe illuminated tap handles. There is, thereof, an advantage to making the tap dispenser interesting, informative and appealing to bar customers.

The actual dispensing of beer through these systems is effected and controlled by an operator i.e. bar person or server, who usually holds the glass or jug into which beer is being poured. Consequently, the operator controls the characteristics of pouring and of the resultant beer, especially as regards the head on the beer, by adjusting the angle of the glass to the vertical. The characteristics of the beer as presented to a patron of a bar is extremely important. Too much - or too little - head or if the beer is cloudy can readily cause a customer to become upset or frustrated and not purchase further beer in that establishment. It is therefore very important that consistency of presentation of the beer be good; interesting and maintained. This can be difficult since it requires a skilled operator and there is often a large turnover of such workers and many new and unskilled entrants into the profession. Also, at times of high demand, quality of presentation can suffer in order to meet the demand in a timely manner. Moreover, bar and restaurant owners also understand the need to provide their customers with a social experience that goes beyond simple provision of food and drink. These considerations extend to offering visual interest. Each specific dispensing device is often used to advertise and promote the brand of beverage being dispensed therefrom but it could also be used to provide other features of interest to consumers. Obviously, all such presentations are visible from at least one side by seated or standing patrons. Consequently, it would be advantageous if the dispensing assembly could be involved in providing such features.

It is an object at the present invention to provide a beverage dispensing apparatus and system which can be operated by unskilled operators and which provides a beer having consistent visible characteristics, such as the head on the beer at the time of presentation to the consumer.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It has now been found, and this finding forms the basis for the present invention that the desired effect can be achieved by adapting the dispensing tap in a dispensing apparatus to import a circular or swirling motion to the beverage being dispensed as it passes through the tap nozzle and exits via the nozzle mouth into the vessel. In one aspect therefore the present invention provides a dispensing head for a device for dispensing a pressurized beverage into a vessel, comprising: a spout or nozzle having a mouth, for projecting pressurized beverage into the vessel; a conduit for providing pressurized beverage to said spout; and preferably support means for supporting said vessel and maintaining same in a fixed relationship to said mouth; said spout being adapted to project pressurized beverage downwardly into said vessel in such a manner that the beverage assumes a swirling motion around an interior of said vessel as it is being filled. At least the initial amount of the beverage preferably directly contacts a sidewall of said vessel and at an angle resulting in the liquid adapting the desired swirling motion as the vessel fills. The head may have more than one such nozzle. In a further embodiment the invention provides a system for dispensing a pressurized beverage into a vessel, the system comprising maintaining the vessel below said mouth, preferably on said support means, activating the flow of beverage through said spout or spouts thereby projecting the beverage downwardly into the vessel in a manner which causes it to swirl around the vessel as the latter fills. Preferably, the pressurized beverage is beer and the pressurizing medium is a gas such as nitrogen or especially carbon dioxide. In another embodiment, the invention provides that the bore of the nozzle has a spiral or helical groove or an elongated member such as ribbon element located in and extending around and along the bore. The characteristics of the groove or elongated member which are required to provide the desired circular or swirling motion in the beverage exiting the bore may be determined by simple experiment. For example, it was found that a nozzle having a cylindrical bore of diameter about 1 cm and a length of about 3 cm carrying a groove having a pitch of about 0.6 cm and extending for six turns along the bore length achieved the desired result. Multiple grooves, such as a double groove, may also be used. In fact, it is preferred that the groove has a pitch of from about 0.25 cm to 1.00 cm and especially a pitch of from about 0.5 cm to 0.75 cm.

Moreover, the groove is preferably a double groove which is concentric. The nozzle bore preferably has a diameter of from about 0.75 cm to 1.5 cm.

In one aspect therefore, the present invention provides a dispensing tap for a beverage dispensing head or system which tap has a nozzle provided with a bore which is adapted to impart a circular motion to a beverage passing therethrough. Preferably, the beverage is directed towards and makes initial contact with the base of the vessel. In a further aspect therefore, the present invention provides a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a beverage into a serving vessel, said apparatus including a dispensing tap having a nozzle, a conduit for supplying beverage to said nozzle, said nozzle having a bore which is adapted to impart a circular motion to beverage passing therethrough and to project said beverage into said vessel directly toward an interior surface of a base of said vessel. In yet a further embodiment, the spout is adapted to project the beverage in a generally annular stream which contacts a circumferential zone along a wall, preferably the sidewall of the vessel substantially simultaneously. In this embodiment of the invention, the pressurized beverage may be dispensed generally vertically downwardly in a simple stream where it contacts a cone-shaped member which converts the simple stream of beverage into an annular shaped stream which is arranged to fill the underlying vessel as described above. Using this device and system, the pressurized beverage, flows down substantially all of the interior wall of the vessel substantially simultaneously in contrast to the traditional method of pouring such a beverage such as beer where the stream of beverage contacts the interior wall of the vessel at only one location at a time. This even filling provides a filled vessel having, for example, consistent visual and presentation characteristics, which is an important consideration from a customer viewpoint. In an alternative embodiment, the annular stream may not be a complete annulus, but may comprise a series of spaced separate streams arranged around a 360° spread. This provides a different visual effect. Of particular importance is a modification of this embodiment where the annular stream is arranged to contact said sidewall at an angle which causes said beverage to swirl around the glass as it fills the vessel.

An important aspect of the invention is that the serving vessel or glass be maintained in a fixed position relative to the nozzle and this may be achieved by mounting the vessel on a support tray, pedestal or the like lying directly underneath the nozzle mouth. A depression or marking can be provided on the support to receive each vessel to be filled and ensure it is always in the same location. This effectively removes the possibility of variances in the manner of pouring such as inconsistent location of vessel base relative to the nozzle caused, for example, by the level of skill of the tap operator. In this specification "directly" means without first contacting another side of the serving vessel. In this case, as the vessel fills, most of the beverage entering will join the beverage already swirling in the vessel rather than contacting the base of the vessel itself since only the initial portion of beverage will actually contact the base. However, the entire beverage will not initially contact a sidewall of the vessel: in other words, incoming beverage will contact the base or swirling beverage already in the vessel.

In another embodiment, there is provided a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a beverage into a serving vessel said apparatus comprising a nozzle having a bore provided with a spiral groove for projecting pressurized beverage into the vessel and directly toward an inner surface of a base thereof, a conduit for providing said beverage to said nozzle and support means for supporting said vessel and maintaining same in a fixed relationship to said nozzle. In yet a further embodiment the invention provides a system for dispensing a preferable pressurized beverage into a serving vessel, the system comprising maintaining the vessel below a dispensing tap with a nozzle having a bore adapted to import a circular motion to the beverage and direct or project a stream of beverage downwardly into said vessel and directly toward, a preferably the central portion of, a surface of the interior base of the vessel being filled, and support means for supporting said vessel and maintaining same in a fixed relationship to said nozzle.

In a further embodiment, light is projected into the beverage, preferably from below or above and especially along the vertical axis of the vessel, as the beverage is being dispensed into the glass. This illuminates the swirling body of beverage filling the glass presenting a pleasing visual effect for the consumer.

Preferably, the pressurized beverage is beer and the pressurizing medium is a gas such as nitrogen or especially carbon dioxide or mixtures thereof such as beer gas. However, other beverages such as soft drinks may be dispensed according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention are illustrated, by way of example by reference to the various embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings in which;

FIG. 1 is a side view of part of a dispensing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a double nozzle arrangement for use in association with a tap device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an angled front view of a bar tower or stanchion carrying two taps, each of which carries a double nozzle arrangement as shown in FIG. 2 and associated drinking glass supports of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a beverage dispensing device showing in side elevation a dispensing tap device of the present invention and in cross-section, a glass on a support.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section through a nozzle of a novel dispensing tap of the present invention as shown as in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is part perspective view of a helical or spiral element which is incorporated within the bore of another alternative dispensing tap of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a part perspective view of a helical ribbon element as incorporated in the bore of a dispensing tap of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a standard dispensing tap device to which the novel nozzle may be attached.

FIG. 9 details a cross-section of an alternative embodiment of a novel tap nozzle device of the present invention and

FIG. 10 is a variation of the cone component of the device of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatical cross-section of an alternative tap dispensing nozzle device according to the present invention; FIG. 12 is a from-below plan view of the nozzle mouth of the device of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a from below plan views of the mouth of an alternative annular nozzle to that of FIG. 12, invention, this showing the extremities of the dividing walls between adjacent helical channels in the nozzle.

Referring to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1 there is shown a beer dispensing tap or faucet generally designated 10, which is usually carried by a tower or stanchion (29 in FIG. 3) in a conventional manner. The tap 10 includes a shank 14 and a conventional housing member 16. Shank 14 is connected to a beer supply conduit 12 which originates at a pressurized tank; keg or the like (not shown) containing the beer to be dispensed. Housing 16 encloses a conventional valve arrangement (not shown) but wherein a valve member is maintained against a valve seat when the valve is closed and it lifts off the valve seat when open to allow the flow of beer from conduit 12 through shank 14 to nozzle or spout 18 which has a mouth 21. The movement of the valve is effected manually via lever 20. When lever

20 is in the position shown in FIG. 1 the valve arrangement is shut and the flow of beer to nozzle 18 is prevented. When the handle 20 is raised in the direction of the arrow A (in FIG. 1) the valve arrangement is opened and beer is able to flow to the nozzle IS and out through mouth 21. Of special importance is the orientation and configuration of nozzle 18. As can be seen, it is angled downwards, at an angle of about 45° to the horizontal, and extends away from vertical axis C - C, shown as a dotted line, in an arcurate manner such that nozzle mouth

21 lies adjacent to the inner surface of wall 22 of glass 24. Consequently the pressurized beer is positively projected from the nozzle mouth 21 toward an interior surface of wall 22 of glass 24 i.e. it does not travel directly down wall 22 of the glass 24 but is at an angle to that wall resulting in the beer being urged around the wall 22 in a swirling motion as indicated by arrow B. Located below tap 10 is a glass-supporting platform or pedestal 26; Preferably the pedestal has a shallow depression 28 which effectively ensures that the glass 24 placed therein is centered directly under the tap 10 and in particular, the center axis of the glass includes the central axis C - C of the tap 10. Consequently, each similar glass placed on the pedestal 26 is located consistently in the same position relative to the tap 10 and in particular, the mouth 21 of nozzle 18. If glasses of various base diameters are to be filled, the glass- supporting surface of the tray 26 may be provided with other appropriately sized depressions or simple indicia, such as a "foot print", associated with each specific glass, serving jug or other serving vessel to be filled, the placing of each glass on its associated foot print ensuring that the nozzle mouth 21 is automatically located adjacent the interior surface of wall 22 of the glass.

Moreover, to accommodate glasses of significantly varying heights, the pedestal 26 can be adjusted in a vertical direction by, for example, a simple lever and locking arrangement (not shown). The system described above is shown filling a consumer vessel namely a beer glass 24 which has a relatively small diameter. If it is desired to fill a jug or similar relatively larger diameter vessel, the foot print on the pedestal is chosen to position the nozzle mouth 21 adjacent the inner surface wall 22 of the jug. This means that the central axis of the jug will be positioned to a side of the axis C - C. Also, if the jug is taller than the glass, the tray 26 would be adjusted to maintain the described nozzle relationship. It will be appreciated that this is a practical consideration which allows a single dispensing device 10 to be utilized with the same nozzle 18 for filling a variety of vessels. If desired however, the length of nozzle 18 could be adjusted to ensure that the nozzle mouth 21 lies proximate to the inner surface of glass wall 22 and that the desired swirling action in the beer in glass 24 is always obtained. Turning to FIG. 2 this shows a further embodiment of the invention wherein the tap has two similar nozzles 18 symmetrically located about the central axis C - C. The nozzles 18 each have an associated mouth 21 which are arranged to be positioned adjacent diametrically opposite sections of interior wall 22 of glass 24. Each is designed and configured to urge beer downwardly into the glass 24 to be filled and at an angle to the interior surface,of glass wall 22 so that of the pouring, the beer adopts a swirling path around the inside of the glass sidewall and the swirling and rotation of the beer in the glass continues at least until filling ceases.

Turning to FIG. 3, this illustrates a stanchion 2 which is adopted to carry two dispensing taps of the present invention and including, in particular, the. two-nozzle type as described with reference to FIG. 2 herein, The top valve operating levers 20 are shown in a vertical position which, in this embodiment, indicates the valve closed condition. This arrangement is intended to handle beer glasses 24 and, in this case, the required location of the glass 24 is indicated by a cross-pattern on pedestal upper surface 25. Larger diameter, but similar, height glasses would fill the depression 28 on the pedestal surface 27. The single nozzle arrangement shown in FIG. 1 more conveniently handles serving jugs and similar very large diameter vessels because of the ease of locating the jug in the position required to ensure dispensing nozzle mouth 21 is located adjacent a jug wall inner surface to import the desired swirling motion in the beer in vessel.

Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, there is shown a beer dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing tap or faucet generally designed 40, which is carried by a tower or stanchion (not shown) in a conventional manner. The tap 40 includes a connector tube 42 and a conventional valve assembly (not shown) located in housing 44. Tube 42 is connected via flange 46 to a beer supply via conduit 48 the supply being a pressurized tank, keg or the like containing the beverage, in this case beer, to be dispensed. As before the conventional valve assembly (not shown) has a valve member biased against a valve seat when the valve is closed and it lifts off the valve seat when open to allow the flow of beer from conduit 48 through connector 42 and nozzle 50 to mouth 51. The movement, of the valve is effected manually via lever 52. When lever 52 is in the position shown in solid in FIG. 4 the valve assembly is in the closed position and the flow of beer to nozzle 50 is precluded. When the handle 52 is raised in the direction of the arrow A to the position where it is shown in phantom, the valve is opened and beer is able to flow to the nozzle 50 and out through mouth 51. Of special importance in the present invention, refer especially to FIG. 5, is the design of the nozzle 50 which includes a cylindrical bore 52 and a mouth 51. (FIG. 5 is shown enlarged compared with the dispensing tap assembly described above with respect to FIG. 4). Cylindrical bore 52 has a length of about 3.2 cm and a diameter of 1 cm. Extending along the length of bore 52 for six turns is a groove or rifle 53 having a pitch of 0.625 cm and a depth of 0 007 inch (i.e. about 0.2 m). In this embodiment, the groove arrangement is a double groove configuration. The upper section 54 of nozzle 50 is provided with a thread 55 which engages an exterior threaded connector 56 (shown in part) of housing 44, section 56 being part of the beverage pathway from conduit 48, through housing 44 to nozzle 50. Section 54 ends at shelf 57 upon which is seated a sealing "O" ring 58. The nozzle 50 is secured to section 56 by engagement of threads 54 with threads 55. In the process of screwing those two parts together "O" ring 58 is compressed thereby creating a tight seal between the parts. As can be seen, the nozzle 50 is oriented vertically, along the central axis C - C and points toward the centre portion 59 of the base 60 of a serving vessel 6.1 located directly below. Consequently the pressurized beer is converted in the bore of nozzle 50 from a simple stream existing nozzle mouth 51 into a circular or swirling stream which is positively projected toward the centre portion 59 of (base 60) of glass 61 in a swirling motion which continues as the glass fills, the increasing volume of beverage in the glass being maintained in motion by the incoming swirling stream. Glass 61 is carried by supporting platform or drip tray 62. (shown in part). Preferably the tray 62 has a shallow depression 63 which effectively ensures that the glass 61 placed thereon is centered directly under the nozzle 50 and in particular, the center axis of the glass includes the central axis C - C of the nozzle 50. Consequently, each similar sized glass placed on the tray 62 is located consistently in the same position or relationship relative to the tap assembly 40 and in particular, the mouth 51 of nozzle 50. As before if glasses of various base diameters are to be filled, the glass-supporting surface of the tray may be provided with other appropriately sized depressions or simple indicia, such as a "foot print", associated with each specific glass, serving jug or other vessel to be filled, the placing of each glass or other vessel on its associated foot print ensuring that the glass or vessel is automatically correctly located. Moreover, to accommodate glasses of significantly varying heights, the tray 62 can be adjusted in a vertical direction by, for example, a simple lever and locking arrangement (not shown). Alternatively, a server could hold the glass or other serving vessel but this is less preferred since it could introduce variables into the pouring process and the characteristics of resulting poured beverage.

In an alternative embodiment the groove 53 in nozzle 50 is replaced in the bore by the springlike helical element 64 shown in FIG. 6 which has the. same swirl-producing effect. This element has an outside diameter which is approximately the same as the diameter of the bore 52 of nozzle 50 and which allows it to be inserted and engage by fit in bore 52. Its internal diameter "D" and ribbon width "W" are readily selected by simple experiments to provide the desired degree of circular motion to be imported to the beverage being dispensed to obtain the desired degree of swirl in glass 61,

A further alternative swirl-inducing element is shown in FIG. 7. This comprising a ribbon element 65 which has a fixed twist about its longitudinal axis A - A and has a width equal to the bore 52 diameter, in this specific case 1 cm. Element 65 is twisted about its central longitudinal axis C - C as shown. The number of twists required to provide the desired degree of circular motion or swirling to the beverage being dispensed might be obtained by simple experiment. hi summary, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, beer exiting the nozzle mouth 51 is provided with an angular or circular motion via the rifling groove 53 in the nozzle _;bore 52 and, as it impacts on initially directly on the interior base 59 of the glass 6\ it subsequently produces a vortex of beer swirling around the interior of the glass and provides an interesting visual a d taste sensation effect for the consumer. The embodiment of FIG. 4 also shows the support tray 62 provided with a light source, namely bulb 66, and associated reflector 67, which connects to a main electrical source (not shown) via cable 68. In this embodiment, at least that portion of tray 62 immediately beneath glass 61 is made of a transparent plastic on glass material. Consequently, a beam of light from bulb 66 is transmitted upwards through tray 62 and the glass 61 on thereon. As the glass fills, the swirling effect of the filling action is illuminated and presents a pleasing visual mobile effect for the consumer,

In operation, a. glass 61 is set in position in depression 63 on tray 62, the tap handle 52 is part rotated in the direction of arrow A to its "on" position (shown in phantom) to allow passage of beer through nozzle 50 down into the glass 61. As a consequence, beer flows vertically downward directly toward the centre portion 59 of the base 60 of glass 61. Beer, because of the swirl imported thereto by the rifling 53 in. the nozzle bore 52, upon striking the central area 59 (and, subsequently beer in that location), swirls around the interior glass in the manner indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3. This continues as the beer stream continues to enter the glass 61 until it is filled to the desired height.

According to this embodiment of the invention, the beverage is dispensed generally vertically downwardly toward the base of the vessel in a simple stream where it, initially, contacts a preferably central portion of said base. Consequently, the beverage flows down into the vessel filling same in a swirling or circular manner in contrast to a traditional method of pouring a beverage such as beer where the stream of beverage contacts and flows straight down the interior wall of the vessel,

Turning now to FIG. 8 there is shown a known beer dispensing tap or faucet generally designated 40, which is usually carried by a tower or stanchion (not shown) in a conventional manner. The tap 40 includes a shank 42 and a conventional valve housing member 44, Shank 42 is connected to a beer supply conduit 48 which originates at a pressurized tank; keg or the like containing the beverage such as beer, to be dispensed. Housing 44 encloses a conventional valve arrangement (not shown) but wherein a valve member is maintained against a valve seat when the valve is closed and it lifts off the valve seat when open to allow the flow of beer from conduit 48 through shank 42 to nozzle or spout 50. The movement of the valve is effected manually via lever 20. When lever 52 is in the position shown in FIG. 8 the valve arrangement is shut and the flow of beer to nozzle 50 is prevented. When the handle 52 is raised in the direction of the arrow, the valve arrangement is opened and beer is able to flow to the nozzle 44 and out through mouth 50. Of special importance in this embodiment of the present invention, is the configuration of the nozzle assembly which includes nozzle 50 having a mouth 51. Turning to FIG. 9. the nozzle 50 is oriented downwardly, where it connects to and carries, via spokes 70, a cone member 71 the upper surface of which is at an angle of approximately 45° to the horizontal, and extends away from vertical axis C-C (shown as a dotted line) of the nozzle 50. preferably in an arcuate manner , such that it's lower extremity 72 lies toward the inner surface 73 of the wall of glass 61. Consequently the pressurized beer is transformed from the simple stream exiting nozzle mouth 1 into a relatively thin annular layer 74 by spread over the surface of the cone and it is positively projected off the cone outer surface 75 toward an interior surface 73 of the wall of glass 61 and travels directly down the wall surface 73 of the glass 61 providing a "waterfall" effect. Located below tap 40 assembly is a glass-supporting platform or pedestal 62. As before, preferably the pedestal 62 has a shallow depression 63 which effectively ensures that the glass 61 placed therein is centered directly under the nozzle 50 and in particular, the center axis of the glass includes the central axis C - C of the nozzle 50. Consequently, each similar glass placed on the pedestal 62 is located consistently in the same position relative to the tap 40 and in particular, the mouth 51 of nozzle 50. If glasses of various base diameters are to be filled, the glass-supporting surface of the pedestal may be provided with other depressions or simple indicia, such as a "foot print" associated with each specific glass, jug or other vessel to be filled, the placing of each glass on its associated foot print ensuring that the lower edge 72 of the cone 71 is automatically located evenly adj cent the interior surface of wall 73 of the glass 61 or other serving vessel being filled. Moreover, to accommodate glasses of varying heights, the pedestal 62 can be adjusted in a vertical direction by, for example, a simple lever and locking arrangement (not shown). Alternatively, the hand of a server could hold the glass or other vessel but this is less preferred since it could introduce a variable into the pouring process and take up time.

The system described above is shown filling a beer glass, which has a relatively small diameter. It is desired to fill a jug or similar relatively larger diameter vessel, the foot print on the pedestal is chosen to position the jug so that the central axis of the jug will coincide with the axis C - C. It will be appreciated that this is a practical consideration which allows a single dispensing nozzle 40 to be utilized with the various sized vessels. In an alternative embodiment, the cone 71 is provided with a shaft 78 adapted to be rotated as indicated by the arrow via drive means (not shown). Rotation of shaft 78 and associated cone 71 results in the beer stream leaving the surface of the cone with an angular motion and contacting interior wall 73 at an angle. As a consequence, the beer swirls in a circular motion as it fills the vessel 61.

In a modification of this embodiment, the outer surface 70 is provided with a series of angled raised vanes 76 - refer to FIG. 10. Beer flows down and around the cone exiting the cone perimeter edge 72 in the direction of the arrows and is provided with an angular thrust or motion and, as it impacts on the interior wall 73 of the glass 61, it swirls around the interior of the glass which provides the interesting visual effect for the consumer. The embodiment of FIG. 9 is also provided with a- light source - namely bulb 66 and associated reflector 67 - which connects to main electrical source (not shown) via cable 68. In this embodiment, that portion 62 of pedestal 62 is made of a transparent plastic material. Consequently, activation of the bulb 66 results in a beam of light being transmitted upwards through the glass 61 on the pedestal. As the glass fills, the waterfall effect of the filling action presents a pleasing visual effect for the consumer,

Turning to FIG. 11 this shows a further embodiment of the invention wherein the tap has al alternate nozzle design, this consisting of the usual delivery nozzle portion 50 which is then converted to an annular form section 79 which terminates in an annular-shaped mouth 80. FIG. 12 shows a bottom plan view of the latter. If desired, air ducts 81 may be provided to assist air being forced upwards during the filling process to escape from the interior 82 of section 79. As described with reference to the FIG. 9 embodiment, the beer exiting the annular nozzle mouth 80 contacts the interior wall 73 of glass 61 simultaneously on a substantially full circumference basis and flows downwardly on the wall to the bottom of the glass.

In a modification of this embodiment, the interior of the annular chamber forming this nozzle 50, can be provided with a series of angular spiral vanes, the extremities 83 thereof being shown in FIG. 13, which convert the annular chamber into a series of angled channels. Beer flowing down these channels exits the annular mouth 80 of the nozzle 79 at an angle. Consequently the beer following making contact with the interior wall 73 of glass 61, descends downwardly in the glass with a swirling or circular motion around the glass. ^■ Turning again to FIG. 13, a further modification of the tap nozzle of FIG. 11. In this embodiment, the nozzle mouth 80 is further modified so as to provide a series of smaller streams of the beverage, these flowing downwardly and outwardly to contact the inner surface 73 of glass 61. In a modification, the streams could be angled as discussed above to cause a swirling motion to the beverage in the glass,

A major advantage of the present invention is that, by standardizing a significant amount of the dispensing process, especially when the glass stands on a support while being filled, it allows for the production of a visibly consistent product, a characteristic highly desired by consumers, this is achieved even with less experienced bar staff

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A dispensing device for dispensing a pressurized beverage into a vessel maintained thereunder comprising a nozzle, having a mouth, for projecting pressurized beverage into the vessels and a conduit for providing pressurized beverage to said nozzle which spout is adapted to project pressurized beverage downwardly into said vessel in such a manner that the beverage assumes a swirling motion around an interior surface of said vessel as it is being filled.

2. A dispensing device according to Claim 1 which includes support means for supporting said vessel and maintaining same in a fixed relationship to said mouth.

3. A dispensing device according to Claim 1 or 2 where said mouth is located to a side of a central longitudinal axis of the vessel whereby, whilst the vessel is being filled, the pressurized beverage is projected toward an interior sidewall of the vessel and at an angle thereto so as to cause the beverage to swirl downwardly and around said interior sidewall of the vessel whilst it is being filled.

4. A device according to Claim 2 wherein said support means comprises a platform located below said nozzle.

5. A device according to Claim 4 wherein said platform is adjustable in a vertical direction to accommodate vessels having varying heights.

6. A device according to Claim 1 wherein a cross-sectional area of the mouth of said spout is the same or more than that of the beverage delivery conduit.

7. A system for dispensing a pressurized beverage into a vessel comprising maintaining the vessel to be filled with said beverage on support means located below a dispensing device supplied with said beverage, said device including a nozzle adapted to project the beverage downwardly into said vessel in such a manner that the beverage assumes a swirling motion around an interior surface of said vessel while it is being filled.

8. A system according to Claim 7 wherein said support means is vertically adjustable.

9. A dispensing device according to Claim 1 wherein said mouth is an opening of a nozzle which is provided with a bore adapted to import a circular motion to a beverage passing therethrough.

10. A device according to Claim9 which includes support means for supporting said vessel and maintaining same in a fixed relationship to said mouth.

11. A device according to Claim 9 wherein said bore is provided with a spiral groove which imparts a circular motion to a beverage passing therethrough.

12. A device according to Claim 9 wherein said nozzle is adapted to aim beverage into said vessel directly toward an interior surface of a base of said container.

13. A device according to Claim 11 wherein said groove has a pitch of from 0.25 cm to 1.00 cm.

14. A device according to Claim 13 wherein said groove has a pitch of from 0.5 to 0.75 cm.

15. A device according to Claim 9 wherein said bore has a diameter of from about 0.75 cm to 1.5 cm.

16. A device according to Claim 10 wherem said support means is adjustable vertically relative to said mouth to provide for serving vessels of different heights.

17. A device according to Claim 1 or 10 wherein light means is provided to direct light into a vessel being fill, which vessel is translucent.

18. A device according to Claim 17 wherein said light means is located below said support means which translucent thereby allows passage of light upward through said vessel and any beverage therein.

19. A system for dispensing a beverage into a serving vessel comprising maintaining the vessel to be filled under a dispensing tap which has a nozzle which has a mouth and a bore adapted to import a circular motion to beverage passing therethrough and maintaining said vessel and mouth in a relationship such that the beverage is directly aimed toward an inner surface of abase of said container during said filling operation.

20. A system according to Claim 19 wherein said bore is provided with a helical groove adapted to impart said motion.

21. A system according to Claim 19 wherein the vessel is situated on a support member underneath said nozzle during the filling operation.

22. A system according to Claim 1 or 21 wherein the beverage is a pressurized alcoholic brewery beverage.

23. A device according to Claim 1 which includes a cone surface located beneath said mouth and on a common vertical axis therewith and adapted to convert a stream of beverage emanating from said mouth into an annular stream which is directed against an interior side wall of said vessel.

24. A device according to Claim 1 wherein said mouth has an annular form and is adapted to direct a stream of beverage exiting same toward a circumferential zone of an inner surface of said vessel.

25. A device according to Claim 23 where said cone surface is adapted to rotate which imparts angled motion to said beverage stream which contacts said inner sidewall at an angle and fills said vessel in a swirling motion.

26. A device according to Claim 23 wherein said cone surface carries at least one upstanding member adapted to direct the beverage stream around said surface as it travels down said cone causing same to contact an inner sidewall of said vessel at an angle and fill said vessel in a swirling motion.

27. A device according to Claim 25 wherein said nozzle has at least one internal vane member adapted to cause said beverage stream to exit said mouth to strike said inner sidewall at an angle and cause same to fill said vessel in a swirling motion.

28. A dispensing tap for use in a beverage dispensing system which tap is adapted to be connected to a source of pressurized beverage and which has a nozzle provided with a mouth and a bore which is adapted to import a circular motion to a beverage passing therethrough.

29. A tap according to Claim 28 wherein said bore is provided with a spiral groove which imparts the circular motion to a beverage passing therethrough.

30. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a beverage into a serving container, said apparatus including a dispensing tap having a nozzle, a conduit for supplying beverage to said nozzle which has a bore adapted to import a circular motion to beverage passing therethrough and project said beverage directly into said vessel toward an interior surface of abase of said container.

31. A dispensing apparatus according to Claim 30 wherein said groove has a pitch of from 0.25 cm to 1.00 cm and said bore has a diameter of from about 0.75 cm to 1.5 cm.

32. A dispensing apparatus according to Claim 30 wherein said groove is a double groove that is concentric.

33. A dispensing device according to Claim 30 wherein said groove has a pitch of from 0.5 to 0.75 cm.

34. A dispensing apparatus according to Claim 30 which includes support means for supporting a vessel to be filled and maintaining same in a fixed relationship with said mouth.

35. An apparatus according to Claim 30 which includes support means for supporting a vessel and maintains same in a fixed relationship with said nozzle wherein the support means is adjustable vertically relative to said mouth to provide for serving vessels of different heights.

36. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 30 wherein light means is provided to direct light into a vessel being filled.

37. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 35 wherein said light means is located below said support means which is at least translucent thereby allowing passage of light upward through said vessel.

38. A system for dispensing a beverage into a serving vessel comprising maintaining the vessel to be filled under a dispensing tap which has a nozzle with a bore provided with a helical groove to import a circular motion to beverage passing therethrough, maintaining said vessel and mouth in a relationship such that the beverage is aimed directly toward an inner surface of a base of said container during said filling operation.

39. A system according to Claim 38 wherein the vessel is situated on a support member maintained underneath said nozzle and in a constant position relative to said mouth during the filling operation.

40. A system according to Claim 39 wherein the beverage is a pressurized alcoholic brewery beverage.