DE202024100500U1 - Dispenser for beer or other cold drinks with interchangeable outlet for one or more taps - Google Patents

Abstract

Dispensing pump for beer or other cold drinks with an interchangeable outlet for one or more taps, comprising a vertical body (2) which is hollow on the inside and which in turn consists of an inner structure (20) and an outer housing (22) through which one or more lines a supply circuit of the drink, fastening means (3) for attaching it to a surface at the lower part, and a support for the connection (4) to the lines of the circuit with at least one tap (5) for dispensing the product, characterized in that that:
- said internal structure (20) is a fixed element, integrally connected at its base to the fastening means (3), which is hollow on the inside so that through its interior pass the lines of the supply circuit of the product, which is in the form of a guide is designed, at least at its upper part, and which has a hole (25) to be connected to the support of the connector (4), being at least at said guide portion a C-shaped cross-section with a front opening (24) has, on the side opposite the position of the tap or taps (5), allowing access to the support (4) to enable its assembly and disassembly;
- said outer housing (22) is a removable element designed as a complementary guide so that it is connected to the fixed inner structure (20) which is inserted into said C-shaped at least upper portion of the guide and this front covering so that it hides its front opening (24); and
- said support of the connection (4) is an element which can be assembled and dismantled interchangeably and which in turn comprises:
- an inner end (40) which can be removably fixed via the lock (25) of the upper portion of the fixed inner structure (20) in the form of a guide, being from the front opening (24) of said inner structure (20) is accessible from, and
- an outer end (41), which can be designed in different ways, which has one, two, three or even four taps (5) for the product.

Description

SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen from the wording of the present description, the invention concerns a dispenser for beer or other cold drinks with an interchangeable outlet for one or more taps.

More specifically, the subject matter of the invention is a column or a tap handle for cold drinks, in particular beer, but without this representing a limitation, which is essentially characterized by the fact that it has a partially removable structure that allows it to be quickly and simply replace the connector for the circuit for the outlet of the product and install one that has either only one tap, or two taps for two different types of drinks, or three taps for three types of drinks, or even four taps, this making it possible to save manufacturing costs, since a single structure is suitable for any of the different options to dispense the products or types of drinks to be served without the need to replace the entire installation.

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The field of application of the present invention belongs to the sector of the industry active in the manufacture of beverage dispensing devices, with a particular focus on the area of tap handles for beer and other cold drinks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, the tap handles for beer or other cold drinks in the form of columns are usually manufactured as an inseparable unit, which has a specific shape and design for each brand or type of drink and has a certain number of taps to dispense one or more products, so that, For example, if the column is designed with a single outlet tap and it is desired to install another tap for another product, either another column with another single tap must be installed or the entire column must be replaced by a new one with two outlet taps for two Products need to be replaced. Likewise, if you want to switch to three different products, you will either have to install two more columns or you will have to replace the entire column with one with an outlet for three taps. If the dealer, for his part, decides to install a column with two or three taps, but only uses one of them, he must deactivate the other tap or taps, for example by plugging them. However, this solution is not only unaesthetic, but also impractical, since he presumably paid higher costs and the column takes up more space than necessary.

So it would be desirable to avoid both the need to add new columns, as this means having more space available at the counter or surface where the columns are installed, which is usually a problem, and the requirement , to change the entire installation, with the associated economic costs or even the need to close with a plug taps that cannot be used.

The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide the market with a new type of column that makes it possible to avoid the problem mentioned and to use the same structure and functional elements to connect different models of supports for taps, one, two or three to tap different products, according to the respective needs, without having to dismantle the entire installation.

Regarding the state of the art, it should be said that some manufacturers of columns include removable parts, the assembly and disassembly of which is often complicated and, although in some cases it is possible to replace the taps, the existing solutions are clearly different executed.

This is what the patent specification describes, for example US6502724B1 a modular structure for use in conjunction with a beverage dispensing system comprising a dispensing tower installed on a surface and to which one or more dispensing taps are connected. The connection module can be inserted directly into the dispensing tower and replace the existing supply lines and coolant. In addition, the connection module, which can be brought into operative connection with the taps, includes a component for cooling, which can be connected to the supply line and to the cooling line to cool the supply line so as to ensure that the beverage dispensed from the tap is cooled appropriately. Although the said system includes an outer and an inner body, it is the inner body which can be inserted into the outer and which forms the module with two or more taps, the inner pipe being bent to reach all the taps reach. However, the outer casing does not appear to be a replaceable element that would allow a easy to access the connection of the taps in order to remove it or to change the number of taps, as is the case with the column which is the subject of the present invention.

And from the patent specification WO2023066905A1 a column for dispensing drinks is known, with a removable tap and a housing, consisting of a system for supplying the drinks, which comprises a dispenser and a tap unit with a spout, and in which said tap unit is separably connected to said dispenser can. The fuel dispenser includes an elongated stand and a first elongated removable panel member, said first vertical panel member receiving the vertical body by connecting the faucet unit to that body and securing the panel member to the body; When loosening and removing the tap unit from the body, it is possible to remove the first cladding component of the body. However, in contrast to the column according to the invention, the connection of the tap is not easily accessible thanks to the open design of the inner and outer components of said column.

DECLARATION OF THE INVENTION

The dispenser for beer or other cold drinks proposed by the invention, with an interchangeable outlet for one or more taps, makes it possible to achieve in a satisfactory manner the above-mentioned objectives, the characterizing features which make this possible and which characterize it being contained in the claims contained at the end are attached to this description.

• - Eine feste innere Struktur, die an ihrer Basis einstückig mit den Befestigungsmitteln der Säule verbunden wird, welche innen hohl ist und durch deren Inneres ein Schlauch verläuft mit den Leitungen des Kreislaufs zum Ausschank des Produkts, wobei dieser in Form einer Führung ausgestaltet ist, zumindest an seinem oberen Teil, und der ein Loch aufweist, an dem er mit einem Träger des Anschlusses an den Kreislauf mit dem Hahn oder den Hähnen zum Ausschank des Produkts verbunden wird, wobei dieser Führungsabschnitt einen vorne offenen C-förmigen Querschnitt aufweist, das heißt, an der Seite, die der Position des Hahns oder der Hähne gegenüberliegt, was den Zugang zu diesem Träger für die Montage und Demontage ermöglicht.
• - Ein entnehmbares Gehäuse, das als komplementäre Führung ausgestaltet ist und mit der festen inneren Struktur verbunden wird, die in den genannten oberen C-förmigen Führungsabschnitt eingeführt ist, und zumindest den genannten oberen Abschnitt vorne abdeckt.
• - Und ein Träger des Anschlusses an den Kreislauf der Leitungen zum Auslass des Produkts, der austauschbar ist, wofür er ein inneres Ende aufweist, das über das Loch des oberen Abschnitts der festen inneren Struktur in Form einer Führung abnehmbar befestigt werden kann, und das über die vorne offenen Bereich der genannten inneren Struktur zugänglich ist, und ein äußeres gegenüberliegendes Ende, das verschieden ausgestaltet sein kann, das einen, zwei, drei oder sogar vier Zapfhähne aufweisen kann.

What the invention specifically proposes is, as already mentioned, a column or a tap handle for cold drinks, in particular beer, without however representing a limitation, which is essentially characterized by the fact that it comprises the following elements:

• - A solid internal structure, integrally connected at its base to the fastening means of the column, which is hollow on the inside and through whose interior runs a hose with the lines of the circuit for dispensing the product, this being designed in the form of a guide, at least on its upper part, and which has a hole at which it is connected to a support of the connection to the circuit with the tap or taps for dispensing the product, this guide section having a C-shaped cross-section open at the front, that is, on the side opposite the position of the tap or taps, which allows access to this support for assembly and disassembly.
• - A removable housing designed as a complementary guide and connected to the fixed internal structure inserted into said upper C-shaped guide section and covering at least said upper section at the front.
• - And a support of the connection to the circuit of the ducts to the outlet of the product, which is replaceable, for which it has an internal end which can be removably fixed via the hole of the upper portion of the fixed internal structure in the form of a guide, and the above the front open area of said internal structure is accessible, and an external opposite end, which can be variously designed, which can have one, two, three or even four taps.

Thus, by simply sliding the removable housing to remove it, the column allows access to the upper part of the fixed internal structure in order to remove the support of the connection to the circuit, preferably by means of screws on a dedicated for this purpose Plate is fixed and this support to be replaced by another, with a different number of taps, without the need to remove any element of the installation of the column. And after attaching the new support of the connector, the removable housing is reinserted.

Preferably, the lines are pre-installed so that the column can be used with multiple taps for different products or drinks. However, this installation can be easily modified by passing the hose with the necessary pipes through the internal cavity of the fixed internal structure of the column, without the need to dismantle it, simply by removing the removable housing.

Preferably the entire solid internal structure consists of an extruded profile, preferably an aluminum profile.

Preferably, the removable housing is also made of an extruded profile, preferably of aluminum, which can be provided with various surface treatments, in each case being of different configurations, provided that it is provided with the complementary guides to fit into the guide profile of the fixed internal structure to be introduced, and can be easily removed by sliding them on each other.

The carrier of the connection to the circuit for the outlet of the product can in turn also be designed differently at its outer end.

Finally, it should be noted that the upper end of the column preferably includes a closure cover that covers both profiles.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

• Die Figur Nummer 1.- Zeigt eine perspektivische Vorderansicht eines Beispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Zapfsäule für Bier oder andere Kaltgetränke mit austauschbarem Auslass für einen oder mehrere Hähne, konkret ein Beispiel mit nur einem Hahn, wobei die allgemeine äußere Ausgestaltung zu sehen ist.
• Die Figur Nummer 2.- Zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht des hinteren Teils der erfindungsgemäßen Säule nach dem in der 1 gezeigten Beispiel, in diesem Fall ist sie ohne das entnehmbare Gehäuse oder die Befestigungsmittel dargestellt, wobei die Ausgestaltung der festen inneren Struktur zu sehen ist.
• Die Figur Nummer 3.- Zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht des oberen Teils der erfindungsgemäßen Säule, in diesem Fall ist sie dargestellt mit einem Träger für drei Zapfhähne für das Produkt, wobei die Verbindung zwischen der festen inneren Struktur und dem entnehmbaren Gehäuse genauer zu sehen ist.
• Die Figur Nummer 4.- Zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht des inneren Teils der festen inneren Struktur, wobei die Art der Befestigung des in der 3 gezeigten Trägers mit drei Hähnen dargestellt ist.
• Und die Figur Nummer 5.- Zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines weiteren Beispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Säule, in diesem Fall mit einem Träger mit vier Zapfhähnen.

To supplement the description presented here and for a better understanding of the features of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to this description as part of it, in which the following is shown clearly and non-restrictively:

• Figure number 1.- Shows a perspective front view of an example of the dispenser according to the invention for beer or other cold drinks with an interchangeable outlet for one or more taps, specifically an example with only one tap, where the general external design can be seen.
• Figure number 2.- Shows a perspective view of the rear part of the column according to the invention according to that in the 1 Example shown, in this case it is shown without the removable housing or fasteners, showing the configuration of the fixed internal structure.
• Figure number 3.- Shows a perspective view of the upper part of the column according to the invention, in this case it is shown with a support for three taps for the product, showing in more detail the connection between the fixed internal structure and the removable housing.
• The figure number 4.- Shows a perspective view of the inner part of the fixed internal structure, showing the method of attachment of the in the 3 shown carrier is shown with three taps.
• And the figure number 5.- Shows a perspective view of another example of the column according to the invention, in this case with a support with four taps.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the figures mentioned and according to the numbering used, there can be seen in them non-limiting embodiments of the dispenser for beer or other cold drinks according to the invention with an interchangeable outlet for one or more taps, comprising the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

When looking at the figures mentioned, it can be seen that the column (1) in question is of the type which, in a known manner, comprises a vertical body (2) which is hollow on the inside and which in turn consists of an internal structure (20) and a outer housing (22), through which a hose (not shown) runs, with one or more lines of a supply circuit of the drink, fastening means (3) to the lower base of the column (1) in order to fasten it to the surface in which it is installed and with an upper support of the connection (4) to the lines of the supply circuit of the product with at least one tap (5) for dispensing the product.

• - die genannte innere Struktur (20) ein festes Element ist, das an seiner Basis einstückig mit den Befestigungsmitteln (3) verbunden ist, das innen hohl ist, so dass durch sein Inneres die Leitungen des Zufuhrkreislaufs des Produkts verlaufen, das in Form einer Führung ausgestaltet ist, zumindest an seinem oberen Teil, und das ein Loch (25) aufweist, um mit dem Träger des Anschlusses (4) verbunden zu werden, wobei es zumindest an dem genannten Führungsabschnitt einen C-förmigen Querschnitt mit einer vorderen Öffnung (24) aufweist, auf der Seite, die der Position des Hahns oder der Hähne (5) gegenüberliegt, so dass der Zugang zum Träger (4) möglich ist, um dessen Montage und Demontage zu ermöglichen;
• - das genannte äußere Gehäuse (22) ein entnehmbares Element ist, das als komplementäre Führung ausgestaltet ist, so dass es mit der festen inneren Struktur (20) verbunden wird, die in den genannten C-förmigen zumindest oberen Abschnitt der Führung eingeführt wird und diesen vorne abdeckt, so dass es dessen vordere Öffnung (24) verbirgt; und
• - der genannte Träger des Anschlusses (4) zum Kreislauf der Leitungen für den Auslass des Produkts seinerseits ein Element ist, das austauschbar montiert und demontiert werden kann und folgendes umfasst:
  • - ein inneres Ende (40), das über das Lock (25) des oberen Abschnitts der festen inneren Struktur (20) in Form einer Führung abnehmbar befestigt werden kann, wobei es von der vorderen Öffnung (24) der genannten inneren Struktur (20) aus zugänglich ist, und
  • - ein äußeres Ende (41), das verschieden ausgestaltet sein kann, das einen, zwei, drei oder sogar vier Zapfhähne (5) für das Produkt aufweist.

And based on this already known embodiment, the column (1) is essentially characterized in that

• - said internal structure (20) is a fixed element, integrally connected at its base to the fastening means (3), which is hollow on the inside so that through its interior pass the lines of the supply circuit of the product, which is in the form of a guide is designed, at least at its upper part, and which has a hole (25) to be connected to the support of the connector (4), being at least at said guide portion a C-shaped cross-section with a front opening (24) has, on the side opposite the position of the tap or taps (5), allowing access to the support (4) to enable its assembly and disassembly;
• - said outer housing (22) is a removable element designed as a complementary guide so that it is connected to the fixed inner structure (20) which is inserted into said C-shaped at least upper portion of the guide and this front covering so that it hides its front opening (24); and
• - said support of the connection (4) to the circuit of ducts for the outlet of the product is itself an element which can be assembled and dismantled interchangeably and comprises:
  • - an inner end (40) which can be removably fixed via the lock (25) of the upper portion of the fixed inner structure (20) in the form of a guide, being from the front opening (24) of said inner structure (20) is accessible from, and
  • - an outer end (41), which can be designed in different ways, which has one, two, three or even four taps (5) for the product.

Preferably, the inner end (40) of the support of the connector (4), after insertion via the hole (25) of the fixed internal structure (20), is fixed by means of screws (6), preferably four screws (6) which are attached to a plate (42 ), which is provided for this purpose at the said inner end (40), as in the 4 you can see.

Preferably, the solid internal structure (20) consists of an extruded profile, preferably an aluminum profile, with side channels (21) which act as guides.

Preferably, the removable housing (22) consists of an extruded profile, preferably of aluminum, with various surface treatments and in various configurations, with a rear longitudinal opening, the edges of which form guides (23) which are in the side channels (21) of the profile snap into place, which represents the solid internal structure (20).

Preferably, the upper end of the column (1) comprises an upper closure cover (8).

Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner in which the same may be implemented, it is not deemed necessary to further elaborate the explanations in order that any person skilled in the art may understand its scope and advantages, it being noted provided that the essence is retained, this can be implemented in other embodiments, which may differ in detail from the one exemplified here and which also fall under the protection of this invention, provided that the underlying essence is not modified, changed or replaced .

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 6502724 B1 [0008]
• WO 2023066905 A1 [0009]

Claims (5)

Dispensing pump for beer or other cold drinks with an interchangeable outlet for one or more taps, comprising a vertical body (2) which is hollow on the inside and which in turn consists of an inner structure (20) and an outer housing (22) through which one or more lines a supply circuit of the drink, fastening means (3) for attaching it to a surface at the lower part, and a support for the connection (4) to the lines of the circuit with at least one tap (5) for dispensing the product, characterized in that that: - said internal structure (20) is a solid element, integrally connected at its base to the fastening means (3), which is hollow inside so that through its interior pass the ducts of the supply circuit of the product, which is in shape a guide, at least at its upper part, and which has a hole (25) to be connected to the support of the connector (4), having, at least on said guide portion, a C-shaped cross-section with a front opening ( 24), on the side opposite the position of the tap or taps (5), allowing access to the support (4) to enable its assembly and disassembly; - said outer housing (22) is a removable element designed as a complementary guide so that it is connected to the fixed inner structure (20) which is inserted into said C-shaped at least upper portion of the guide and this front covering so that it hides its front opening (24); and - said support of the connection (4) is an element which can be assembled and dismantled interchangeably and which in turn comprises: - an inner end (40) which passes over the lock (25) of the upper portion of the fixed internal structure ( 20) can be removably fixed in the form of a guide, being accessible from the front opening (24) of said internal structure (20), and - an outer end (41), which can be designed in various ways, the one, two , three or even four taps (5) for the product. Dispenser for beer or other cold drinks with an interchangeable outlet for one or more taps Claim 1 , characterized in that the inner end (40) of the support of the connector (4) is fixed after insertion through the hole (25) of the fixed internal structure (20) by means of screws (6), the latter being fixed to a plate (42). which is provided for this purpose at the said inner end (40). Dispenser for beer or other cold drinks with an interchangeable outlet for one or more taps Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the fixed internal structure (20) consists of an extruded profile, with lateral channels (21) acting as a guide. Dispenser for beer or other cold drinks with an interchangeable outlet for one or more taps Claim 3 , characterized in that the removable housing (22) consists of an extruded profile with a rear longitudinal opening, the edges of which form guides (23) which engage in the lateral channels (21) of the profile forming the fixed internal structure ( 20). Dispensing pump for beer or other cold drinks with an interchangeable outlet for one or more taps according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper end of the column (1) comprises an upper closure lid (8).

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