DE8713372U1 - Tap for dispensing foaming drinks - Google Patents

Description

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Friedrich Feller
Hittostrasse 27
1050 Freising

Tap for dispensing foaming drinks

The innovation relates to a tap for dispensing foaming beverages according to the preamble of claim 1.

Condensers on taps for dispensing foamy drinks are well known. Due to a conically widening flow path, the drink is relaxed in the flow path and therefore tends to come out moderately foamy, especially if the flow around sharp edges and the formation of other turbulences is avoided. This speeds up the dispensing process considerably for various types of beer.
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j! The use of different driving pressures on the beverage and

different characteristics of the beverage also requires a different setting of the width of the conical gap in the compensator. For example, normal beer is served at a pressure of 0.5· 10° Pa, for pilsner, 0.8 to 1.3·10 ^s Pa is usually used and for wheat beer, 3·10 ⁵ Pa. For these different conditions, either

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different compensators are used or must the compensator be adjustable*

There are various designs known for setting the compensator, i.e. for adjusting the compensator body in the compensator housing. For example, it is known (DE-GM 83 36 796, DE-OS 35 14 172) that a longitudinal slot with a rack is formed in the compensator body and an axis runs across the compensator housing, on which a gear wheel meshing with the rack is located in the longitudinal slot and an adjusting wheel is located outside the housing. In another known design (DE-GM 85 15 761), a

1 blind hole in the compensator body a pin, which in a

I externally seated adjustment ring anchors ict and the housing in

I a diagonal slot, whereby the sealing

, this oblique slot is problematic. There are also hollow

&iacgr; Compensator bodies are known, for example those (DE- ; GM 74 38 843, DE-OS 23 55 713) in which the compensator body

in the compensator housing between two ring seals the

!: through which the drink flows via a

! Bore into the IiH"«ere of the compensator body, where

The main nozzle is then located. To adjust the j compensator body, reach outside the area of the seals

; an adjusting nut. In a different design (DE-GM

86 29 115) the compensator body is firmly screwed to the valve tube \ and the compensator housing is displaced relative to the compensator body by adjusting a union nut ^r '\i:d I.

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Edges and flow constrictions again swirl the drink that has been relaxed and calmed in the compensator.

In general, problems arise with taps when it comes to cleaning. Taps are attached to the bar counter, for example, but also directly to a barrel and should be dismantled at relatively short intervals, for example every evening, and the parts through which the beer flows should be cleaned. Even those landlords who are not inclined to be pedantic when cleaning taps should be made to decide to clean the tap easier by extremely simple, quick and foolproof handling. However, this requires that, in addition to the parts to be cleaned being easy to access, they themselves are easy to clean, i.e. not only made of smooth material that is easy to clean, but mainly free of dirty corners, grooves and machine-formed components. In this respect, the known taps with adjustable compensator gaps prove to be inadequate. Transverse axes and pins or even gears and springs, even housing shoulders, located in the flow space of the beverage run counter to the purpose of completely cleaning the tap by briefly rinsing it with lye and water.

The innovation is based on the task of creating a tap with an adjustable compensator, in which the beverage

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The measure according to claim 5 allows the tap to be easily opened for cleaning. The quick-release fastener can
for example, by a snap fastener, a
Bayonet lock or a union nut. When opening the valve tube including the
Adjustment mechanism, outlet nozzle, adjustment rod
and the compensator body removed from the capacitor housing and

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The room through which the air flows is free from dirt and the handling of the
Tap is extremely easy to clean.

This is achieved by the innovation characterized in claim 1
This design means that the adjustment mechanism is completely separated from the flow area and sealed against it, so that this flow area can be designed with perfectly smooth, edge-free parts, preferably with a highly polished surface.

The design for the adjustment mechanism is
that according to claim 2, suitably supplemented by
the measure according to claim 3, so that by adjusting a
Adjustment wheel at the end of the valve tube the required
adjustment can be carried out. The adjustment wheel can have a scale in a known manner. Claim 4 gives a
appropriate dimensioning, whereby the usual adjustment range can be achieved by no more than one turn of the adjustment wheel
can be driven through, which makes it easier to attach the scale.

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is ready for cleaning in this state, while on the other hand the bore of the compensator housing can also be easily flushed.

The additional measure according to claim 6 provides an additional seal when the main nozzle is closed, which is particularly useful when the sealing ring of the sleeve is located in the area of the mouth of the outlet nozzle in this closed state.

The measure according to claim 7 ensures that the spring is located on the side of the sleeve facing away from the flow-through space. The measures according to claims 8 and 9 relate to a practical possibility for opening and closing the main dispensing valve, which can also be remotely controlled. Remote control is possible, for example, electromagnetically, but the embodiment according to claim 10 is preferred, according to which the opening force is adapted to the driving pressure of the beverage. &Iacgr; The pneumatic control line contains a

Switching valve, which itself either directly, for example

5; by foot operation or again electrically remote controlled I

is operated.

Further details, advantages and developments of the innovation emerge from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing. They show:

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Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through a tap according to the innovation including a remote control device;

Figure 2 a top view of the tap according to Figure 1 without the remote control device;

Figure 3 is a further longitudinal sectional view of part of the tap, with some details constructed alternatively to Figure 1 and in a different operating position;

Figure 4, again in longitudinal section, a valve tube and a bushing;

Figure 5 shows a sleeve in a vertical and a horizontal cross section;

Figure 6 shows a side view of a compensation body with adjustment rod.

A tap 1 according to Fig. 1 for foaming drinks, especially beer, has an inlet opening 2 at one end and an outlet nozzle 3 in the form of a lateral branch. In between there is a flow channel 4p in which flow-influencing devices are installed.

The tap 1 has a tubular structure and its pipe consists, from the inlet opening 2 , of a compensator housing 5, into which a compensator body 6 is inserted, and a valve pipe 11, to which the lateral outlet nozzle 3 is attached. The valve pipe 11 is connected to the

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Compensator housing 5 is plugged on and connected to it by a bayonet catch 12 in the example described. In Fig. 4, the notch of the bayonet catch 12 is shown at a different location around the circumference to show that this is not important. An O-ring 13 ensures that the flow channel 4 is sealed at the plug-in joint. A shoulder 14 in the bore of the valve tube 11 limits the maximum |

Insertion depth of the compensator housing 5. |

A main tap valve 15 formed in the valve tube Ü | with a sliding sleeve 19 is used to switch the flow of beverages, which is sealed by O-rings 20 against the cylindrical surface of the | bore of the valve tube 11. At its %

At the end facing the inlet opening 2, the sleeve 19 has a

inwardly directed circumferential splash 21, onto which 1

A sealing sleeve 22 is fitted onto it. This sealing sleeve I

is provided with an external groove for inserting the flange, I

it also covers the front surfaces of the |

flange and has on its side facing the inlet opening 2 f

end of a radial flange 23 of a diameter corresponding to the J

Inner diameter of the compensator housing 5 at which the %

The inlet opening 2 is connected to the end facing away from the inlet opening 2. By means of a | compression spring 24 which is applied to the part of the sealing sleeve 22

covered splash in the axial direction of the sleeve 19 in the direction !

towards the inlet opening 2, in the resting state the ;

Sleeve 19 in contact with the front face of the compensator housing 5 i

held and the radial flange 23 creates a seal;

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- 12 against the bore of the capacitor housing^ 5.

The compensator body 6 has a conical outer surface and the compensator housing 5 has a complementary conical inner surface. Between these two surfaces, the channel 4 has the shape of a gap 29 that widens conically in the direction of flow. To adjust the width of the gap 29, the compensator body 6 can be pushed back and forth a little in the axial direction. For this purpose, the compensator body 6 is extended by an adjusting rod 30, which has a steep thread 31 at its end, the thread height of which is 5 mm in the example described (Fig. 6). In addition, part of the adjusting rod 30, in the example described, the part provided with the thread 31, also has an axially parallel longitudinal groove 32, which is not visible in Fig. 1, but can be seen in Fig. 3. j

The adjusting rod 30 runs through the sealing sleeve 22 in such a way that this sleeve 22 lies tightly against the adjusting rod around the entire rod circumference, but the adjusting rod 30 and the sealing sleeve 22 can be moved against each other in the axial direction. The adjusting rod 30 continues to run along the axis through the compression spring 24 and its end part provided with the thread 31 is mounted in an axially immovable _but rotatable bushing 33, which in the example described is mounted in the valve tube 11 with the aid of a groove 34 and a pin 35, which can be designed as a screw, for example. A

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A projection 36 adapted to the steep thread 31, which in the example shown (Fig. 1) is formed by a screw bolt, protrudes into the hole in the bushing 33 and engages in the thread of the thread 31. In the end area, the bushing 33 is expanded to form a knurled adjustment wheel 37. According to Fig. 3, a non-rotatable ring 41 inserted into the valve tube 11 engages with a projection 42 in the longitudinal groove 32 of the adjustment rod 30 and thus prevents it from rotating. A rotation of the adjustment wheel 37, which has a scale, thus causes an axial movement of the adjustment rod 30 and thus of the compensator body 6.

To adjust the sleeve 19, it has a toothing 45 on its upper side. At the location of this toothing, the

Valve tube 11 an opening 46 with side flanges 47 (Fig. i

4), on which a Zalm segment wheel meshing with the toothing 45

48 is mounted. A lever 49 is located on the toothed segment wheel, the pivoting of which causes the intended longitudinal displacement of the sleeve 19.

In Fig. 1, an automatic actuation of the lever 49 is indicated, namely with the aid of a pneumatic diaphragm motor 53, to which, in turn, compressed gas can be fed via a supply line 54, which is taken from the gas source which also supplies the compressed gas which is fed into the beverage container as a propellant gas.

The new device works as follows:

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To adjust the conical gap 29, the adjustment wheel

■ Turned until the scale of this adjustment wheel is at the

5 Type of beer to be served or other beverage suitable

^; value. The adjusting rod 30 slides tightly through

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■ the position of the compensator body 6 shown in Fig. 3.

I To dispense the beverage, swivel the lever 49 to release the

I Main nozzle valve 15 is actuated, whereby the sleeve 19 is in the

6' clockwise against the force of the compression spring 24 in the

&bull; Direction away from the inlet opening 2 in the valve tube 11

I shifts (Fig. 3); first the flange 23 of the

\ Sealing sleeve 22 from the bore of the compensator housing 5

^; and then the mouth of the outlet nozzle 3 ¹ is released. The beverage now flows through the inlet opening i into the conical gap 29, where it is

^: is relaxed, and then further through the behind the

The part of the channel 4 lying on the compensator body 6 flows into the outlet nozzle 3. The beverage only comes into contact with smooth, easily cleanable surfaces and is not swirled again by other sharp edges and obstacles.

; To clean the tap, gently press the valve tube

J Pressure is pushed inwards against the force of the spring 24 and then removed by loosening the bayonet catch 12.

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The sleeve 19 and the compensator body 6 with its adjustment rod 30 are also pulled out. The surfaces of the removed components that have come into contact with the drink can now be cleaned without difficulty. Likewise, the compensator housing 5 can easily be reassembled using the bayonet lock.

The surface parts that come into contact with the drink are highly polished and made of chrome-nickel steel or plastic that is not affected by the drink or cleaning agents. However, the choice of material for the other parts of the construction is less critical.

The tap is screwed into a bar cabinet or similar with its compensator housing 5, which has an external thread. However, it is also ideal for direct tapping, especially if a magnetic closure in accordance with DB-PS 20 33 394 is already installed in the barrels. In this case, the tap has a squeezing device on the threaded part, which is well known and commercially available. An extension is simply screwed on at the end, which opens the magnetic closure when tapping. After the party has ended or the barrels have been emptied, the tap can be easily removed again. The remaining beer stays fresh, completely empty barrels close automatically and remain protected against infection.

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Claims (9)

1. Tap for dispensing foaming drinks, with a main tap valve and a compensator located in front of the main tap valve in the direction of flow in series with the latter, consisting of a sleeve-shaped compensator housing with a conical inner surface and an axially elongated compensator body with a complementary conical outer surface which widens in the direction of flow, the compensator body being adjustable with regard to its axial position in the compensator housing by an adjustment mechanism, characterized in that the main tap valve (15) is a sleeve (19) which can be pushed back and forth in a valve tube (11) with a lateral outlet nozzle (3) over the mouth of this outlet nozzle and is sealed against the valve tube, in the &bull; * I Il 41 f * e Γ rm t Il *· &bull; · f f ■ tit * · *■·#■»&diams; in it m * An adjusting rod (30) runs through the sleeve bore, which is sealed (by 22) and axially displaceable, which on the one hand engages the compensator body (6) and on the other hand is connected to the adjustment mechanism (31, 33, 35). 2. Tap according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting rod (30) is mounted in a rotationally fixed manner and that in its end region, on which the adjusting mechanism (31, 33, 35) engages, on the one hand and in an axially immovable but rotatable bushing (33) of the adjusting mechanism, into which this end is inserted, on the other hand, there is a steep thread connection (31, 35). 3. Tap according to claim 2, characterized in that the rotatable bushing (33) is provided with an adjusting wheel (37). 4. Tap according to claim 2 or 3, characterized characterized in that the threads of the steep thread (31) have a pitch of 4 to 10 mm, preferably 5 to 6 mm. 5. Tap according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sleeve-shaped compensator housing (5) and the valve tube (11) are tightly connected to one another by a quick-release fastener (12). 6. Tap according to claim 5, characterized in that * · in» « 1141 (HI HM Il * · 4* 1t t ii1 &bull; « · · 4 4 4 I # · · t t t 4t * I * # « *·# It ti I IfII &bull; · · · ·· i it · &igr;&igr; < > &igr; * · « Hit ti &igr; -· 3 — the compensator housing (5) in the connected state into the
Valve tube (11) is inserted and up to the mouth of the
outlet nozzle (3) and a between the sleeve
(19) and the adjusting rod (30) inserted sealing sleeve (22)
axially fixed in the sleeve (19), protruding from the front
and extends with its protruding edge part (23) in the
closed state of the main tap valve (15) inside to the
Capacitor housing (5) seals* 7. Tap according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sleeve (19) is pressed into the closed position of the main tap valve (15) by a compression spring (24) arranged around the adjusting rod (30)* J 8. Tap according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sleeve (19) is provided on its outer surface in a | by a ring seal (20) from the flow area (4) of the | &Iacgr; valve tube separated area a transverse toothing J (45) and in this area the valve tube is provided with an opening (45) through which a gear wheel or Tooth segment (48) extends. | 9. Tap according to claim 8, characterized in _that the sleeve (19) has a minimum length equal to the mouth cross section of the outlet nozzle (3) plus the length of the meshing area of the gear or toothed segment (48). &bull; 4 litt f 4 « «« &bull; II · · · · tu &bull;&bull;■it ··· ·· ti I *·«*< &diams; * III t 4 * « * 4 4 10, tap according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a pneumatic linear motor (53) engages the sleeve (19) of the main tap valve (15) to move it, to which the gas also applied to the beverage container is controlled at the same pressure as the propellant gas.