AU2019100195A4 - Dispensing of a beverage in a portable situation involving a keg holding the beverage - Google Patents

Abstract

In combination 10 a keg 11, dispenser assembly 12 and a C02 cylinder 13 centred above the keg at a suitable height for dispensing. The dispenser assembly is coupled to the keg as a rigid vertical upstand carrying a beer dispensing faucet 13 operable by handle 14 and being of the type having a flow regulator 15 operable by handle 16. A neck section 17 equipped with a collar 18 provides a threaded connection of the faucet 13 to the dispenser pipe 19 which is in turn connected to an appropriate keg coupler 20. A bracket assembly 21 has a tube clamp 22 at its lower end and a regulator mount 23 at its upper end which holds a regulator 24, pressure gauge 25 and gas bottle connector 26. A tube 27 extends from the regulator to the C02 input 28 of the keg coupler 20. 15,4 17 - 10 20

Description

Dispensing of a beverage in a portable situation involving a keg holding the beverage

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] THIS INVENTION relates to the dispensing of beer or the like beverage in a portable type situation involving a keg holding the beverage.

BACKGROUND [0002] Draught beer is usually dispensed from metal kegs. A keg may be used at a venue where a portable dispensing set up is required. It is common practice to provide a portable beer faucet and CO₂ arrangement for dispensing beer from the keg. The keg may be pregassed or it may be gassed at the time of dispensing. Keg sizes vary but the most common sizes are 20L, 30L and 50L.

[0003] There are proprietary faucet and gas beer dispenser assemblies but these often lack capacity or are not adapted for use with standard kegs. Many other arrangements are available but compared with the present invention generally speaking are inconvenient to charge with gas, assemble and use.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide in combination with a keg, a faucet and dispenser assembly that is simple to assemble, easy to fit, having the convenience of a reliable and readily available gas source as well as being convenient to use employing readily available components.

OUTLINE [0005] In one broad form there is provided in combination a keg, dispenser assembly and a CO₂ cylinder with the dispenser assembly and cylinder providing dispensing above the keg at a suitable height for dispensing.

[0006] Preferably, there is provided in a kegged beverage dispensing assembly, an upright pipe connectable to the keg via a keg coupler with a dispenser faucet adjacent an upper end of the

2019100195 22 Feb 2019 pipe at a suitable height for pouring, a gas cylinder removably fitted to a regulator adjacent the upper end of the pipe, the cylinder being refillable and having a capacity of 400 gm - 450 gms of CO₂.

[0007] Preferably, the dispenser assembly is coupled to the keg as a rigid vertical pipe carrying a beer dispensing faucet operable by a handle and being of the type having a flow regulator, the pipe communicating with a sideways projecting neck section providing a connection of the faucet to the dispenser pipe which is in turn at it opposite end connected to a keg coupler and then to the keg.

[0008] In one form there is provided a bracket assembly which is connected to the pipe adjacent a lower end of the bracket assembly and adjacent its upper end holding the regulator, pressure gauge and gas cylinder connector. Typically, a bracket assembly is connected to the pipe near the neck at its lower end and has a regulator mount at its upper end which holds the regulator, pressure gauge and gas cylinder connector. Preferably a tube extends from the regulator to to CO₂ input of the keg coupler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] In order that the present improvements may be more readily understood and put into practical effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein:Figure 1 is a drawing illustrating the dispenser assembly fitted to a keg ready to dispense;

Figure 2 is a drawing illustrating the dispenser assembly in more detail with a refillable CO₂ bottle prior to connection to the dispenser assembly; and

Figure 3 is a typical hydro-pneumatic circuit.

METHOD OF PERFORMANCE [0010] Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1 there is illustrated in Figure in combination 10 a keg 11, dispenser assembly 12 and a CO₂ cylinder 13. The dispenser assembly is coupled to the keg as a rigid vertical upstand carrying a beer dispensing faucet 13

2019100195 22 Feb 2019 operable by handle 14 and being of the type having a flow regulator 15 operable by handle 16. A neck section 17 equipped with a collar 18 provides a threaded connection of the faucet 13 to the dispenser pipe 19 which is in turn connected to an appropriate keg coupler 20.

[0011] A bracket assembly 21 has a tube clamp 22 at its lower end and a regulator mount 23 at its upper end which holds a regulator 24, pressure gauge 25 and gas bottle connector 26. A tube 27 extends from the regulator to the CO₂ input 28 of the keg coupler 20.

[0012] Referring now to Figure 3, the basic circuit 29 is illustrated. Optional variation includes the shut off valve 30. This can be incorporated into the regulator unit. A duckbill check valve 31 is used at the inlet 28 of the coupler 20 and a pressure relief valve 32 is also employed at the coupler 20. The pressure relief valve may be at the regulator end. Variations on the operable parts will be readily apparent to the skilled person. Where required sealing rings and washers are employed in the usual way. The gas cylinder may include a valve or may be of the type that automatically opens upon being screwed into the fitting.

[0013] The following is an example of use of the present invention to dispense beer from a 50L keg. The cylinder is 400 gm - 450 gm CO₂size or equivalent refillable. These are readily available as Sodastream™ or Sodastream™ compatible cylinders. The fittings are standard fittings.

[0014] Before you start, please make sure that your CO₂ regulator is firmly and properly attached to the CO₂ cylinder.

[0015] Where fitted make sure that the brass shut-off valve on the regulator is closed then open the valve on the gas cylinder completely. Where fitted loosen any regulator adjustment nut by slowly turning the nut counter-clockwise until the screw becomes loose. Now, turn the adjustment knob clockwise until the desired pressure is shown on the output pressure gauge. This may be initially set between 5-8 PSI. On regulators designed for draft beer, turning clockwise will increase the output pressure, and turning counterclockwise will decrease the output pressure. Other conditions, such as altitude or special beer styles, may require some adjustment.

2019100195 22 Feb 2019 [0016] Make sure the keg coupler is locked in the downward position. Where fitted open the shut-off valve on the regulator to allow CO₂ gas to flow from the regulator to the keg coupler.

The output needle on the regulator should drop momentarily until the pressure has equalized, then the needle will return to the previously set pressure.

[0017] The keg coupler is designed with a pressure release valve. Pull the ring on the pressure release valve briefly to allow gas to vent. This is important to do, as it will help gas flow through the regulator and help obtain a more accurate reading on the output pressure gauge.

[0018] Next, re-check the output pressure on the regulator, and if necessary re-adjust until the desired pressure is shown. It is always wise to follow up any adjustment to the regulator with a brief pull of the pressure release valve ring to help ensure an accurate pressure reading.

[0019] Check to make sure that beer pours properly out of the faucet. The beer should dispense at a normal pace. If beer is wild, cloudy, or off-tasting, check the owner’s manual for tips on how to remedy common dispensing issues. To check for CO₂ leaks, drip some soapy water on the CO₂ cylinder and regulator connection. If soapy bubbles form, you may need to tighten or re-attach the regulator nut connection to the CO₂ cylinder.

[0020] The inclusion of the readily available refillable cylinder of sufficient capacity to dispense beverage from the keg forma suitable position above the keg provides a substantial contribution to the working of the combination described and claimed. The appended claims defining the structure of the dispenser assembly above the keg provides for additional substantial contributions to the working of the combination described and claimed.

[0021] Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example many variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as herein set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (5)

1. Claims

   1. A beer dispenser assembly and a CO₂ cylinder for a keg with the dispenser assembly and cylinder providing an outlet above the keg at a suitable height for dispensing, the CO₂ cylinder being a removable and refillable.
2. 2. In the combination of claim 1 a kegged beverage dispensing assembly rigidly secured to the keg and comprising an upright pipe connectable to the keg via a keg coupler with a dispenser faucet adjacent an upper end of the pipe at said suitable height for pouring, the CO₂ cylinder being a standard type cylinder and removably fitted to a regulator adjacent an upper end of the pipe, the cylinder having a capacity of 400 gm - 450 gms of CO₂.
3. 3. In the combination of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the dispenser assembly is coupled to the keg as a rigid vertical pipe carrying a beer dispensing faucet operable by a handle and being of the type having a flow regulator, the pipe communicating with a sideways projecting neck section providing a connection of the faucet to the pipe, the pipe at its opposite end being connected to a keg coupler connected to the keg.
4. 4. In the combination of any one of the preceding claims employing a bracket assembly having a regulator mount at its upper end which holds a (or the) regulator, pressure gauge and CO₂ cylinder connector.
5. 5. In the combination of any one of the preceding claims employing a bracket assembly connected in the dispenser assembly, the bracket assembly having, in use, upper and lower ends so that the bracket assembly may hold the dispenser assembly together, a beer flow control adjacent an upper end of the dispenser assembly, the CO₂ cylinder extending substantially vertically downward and along a (or the) pipe, a CO₂ hose extending from a (or the) pressure regulator down to a (or the) keg coupler, the dispenser assembly being substantially centred above the keg, the pressure regulator in use being set initially at 5-8 PSI.