EP1642863A1 - A wine bottle storage and multiple dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

A wine bottle storage and multiple dispensing apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1642863A1
EP1642863A1 EP04425730A EP04425730A EP1642863A1 EP 1642863 A1 EP1642863 A1 EP 1642863A1 EP 04425730 A EP04425730 A EP 04425730A EP 04425730 A EP04425730 A EP 04425730A EP 1642863 A1 EP1642863 A1 EP 1642863A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wine
bottle
module
compartment
dispensing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04425730A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Goffredo Celli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Celli SpA
Original Assignee
Celli SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Celli SpA filed Critical Celli SpA
Priority to EP04425730A priority Critical patent/EP1642863A1/en
Publication of EP1642863A1 publication Critical patent/EP1642863A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67DDISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08Details
    • B67D1/0857Cooling arrangements
    • B67D1/0869Cooling arrangements using solid state elements, e.g. Peltier cells
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67DDISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/04Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers
    • B67D1/0406Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers with means for carbonating the beverage, or for maintaining its carbonation
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67DDISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08Details
    • B67D1/0871Level gauges for beverage storage containers
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67DDISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08Details
    • B67D1/12Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/1202Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed
    • B67D1/1204Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed for ratio control purposes
    • B67D1/1206Flow detectors
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67DDISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08Details
    • B67D1/12Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/1245Change-over devices, i.e. connecting a flow line from an empty container to a full one
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67DDISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/04Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers
    • B67D2001/0475Type of gas or gas mixture used, other than pure CO2
    • B67D2001/0481Single inert gas, e.g. N2
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67DDISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08Details
    • B67D1/0801Details of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs
    • B67D2001/0812Bottles, cartridges or similar containers
    • B67D2001/082Bottles, cartridges or similar containers arranged in parallel
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67DDISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D2210/00Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D2210/00028Constructional details
    • B67D2210/00031Housing
    • B67D2210/00034Modules
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67DDISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D2210/00Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D2210/00028Constructional details
    • B67D2210/00031Housing
    • B67D2210/00041Doors
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67DDISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D2210/00Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D2210/00028Constructional details
    • B67D2210/00031Housing
    • B67D2210/00044Insulation
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67DDISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D2210/00Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D2210/00028Constructional details
    • B67D2210/00047Piping
    • B67D2210/0006Manifolds
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67DDISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D2210/00Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D2210/00028Constructional details
    • B67D2210/00099Temperature control
    • B67D2210/00118Heating and cooling

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a wine storage and multiple dispensing apparatus.
  • Prior art apparatus of this type designed to hold a plurality of bottles of wine, comprises a wine tapping device which in turn comprises, at each bottle from which wine is to be dispensed, a first duct for supplying each bottle with a fluid under pressure, and a wine feeding line.
  • the fluid under pressure forces the wine out of the bottle and into the feeding line which is in communication with a dispensing tap fitted outside the apparatus.
  • prior art apparatus is designed to cool only the chamber which houses the bottles of wine, normally aligned in a single row, and only that row is used to dispense the wine from as many taps as there are aligned bottles, each tap being connected to one bottle.
  • the cooling system used always includes customary components, normally consisting of a compressor, a fan, a condenser and an evaporator.
  • the present invention therefore has for an aim to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages by providing a wine storage and multiple dispensing apparatus which is compact, simply structured and functional, especially for quality wines and which, if necessary, may also be used to warm the wine (for example, in the case of certain types of red wine and/or under certain environmental conditions) .
  • Figure 1 shows a wine storage and multiple dispensing apparatus of the type containing a plurality of bottles (3) of wine and comprising a device (4) for tapping the wine.
  • the device (4) is equipped with a first duct for supplying each bottle with a fluid under pressure used to force the wine out of the bottle and into a feeding line (41 or 42) which is in communication with a dispensing tap (5) fitted outside the apparatus (1).
  • the fluid under pressure may consist of carbon dioxide if the wine to be tapped is a sparkling wine but, especially in the case of quality wines, it preferably consists of nitrogen, which is a totally inert fluid.
  • the fluid referred in the rest of this specification, describing a preferred non-restricting embodiment, is an inert fluid.
  • the apparatus basically comprises at least one wine dispensing module (6) including a Peltier cell (2), controlled and powered by an electronic unit (7) which controls it in such a way that it absorbs or gives out heat within a bottle storage compartment (8) simply according to the direction of the current passing through the Peltier cell (2).
  • the compartment (8) within the module (6) is kept at the optimum temperature selected according to the type of wine stored in the compartment (8) and the temperature measured in the compartment (8) itself.
  • Peltier cell (2) of each module (6) is positioned above the compartment (8) where the bottles (3) of wine are stored.
  • the bottom surface of the Peltier cell (2) is advantageously in direct contact with the compartment (8), whilst its top surface is thermally insulated from the compartment (8) and in contact with elements (64) for exchanging heat with the outside environment.
  • each tap (5) of each module (6) there are at least two bottles (3) of wine, a main bottle and a stand-by bottle, both connected to the tapping device (4) through at least two respective feed lines (41, 42). Emptying of the main bottle (3) switches off the corresponding main feed line (41) and simultaneously activates one of the other stand-by feed lines (42).
  • the electronic unit (7) controls hydraulic means (16) designed to connect to the dispensing tap (5) one or the other of the two wine feed lines (41, 42), each of which is equipped with a sensor (s1, s2) for detecting the flow of wine within the feed line and to activate a suitable external indicating device (17) accordingly.
  • each tap (5) of each module (6) there is also provided at least one additional bottle of wine (3) which is not connected to the tapping device (4) but which may be connected in lieu of the main empty bottle (3) during the period of time in which the stand-by bottle (3) is being used.
  • the inert fluid needed to dispense the wine may come from a single system (23), including a customary cylinder (24) with a pressure reducer (25) and at least one micro-reducer (26) on the pressurised fluid supply line, as shown in Figure 1.
  • the inert gas generator (9) is controlled by the electronic unit (7) which switches it on and off according to the pressure measured by the gauge (91), thus producing the required fluid under pressure to be supplied to each bottle (3) for dispensing the wine.
  • each module (6) has a sloping surface (61) connecting its lateral surfaces (62) to the top horizontal surface (63) that houses the heat exchange elements (64) of the Peltier cell (2).
  • the sloping surface (61) of each module (6) forms, together with the opposite sloping surface (61) of an adjacent module (6) and the bottom surfaces (65) of one or more modules (6) above it, a respective heat dispersing duct (10) leading to the outside environment.
  • the apparatus (1) according to the invention may be easily made up of a plurality of modules (6) placed side by side and/or stacked, all fed by a single inert gas generator (9) [or by a single system (23)] and forming heat dispersing ducts (10) for exchanging heat with the outside environment.
  • each module (6) has at least one groove (66) at the back of it, preferably extending in a substantially vertical direction and housing the heat exchange elements (64) for the Peltier cell (2).
  • This groove in conjunction with a wall (11) against which the modules (6) are positioned, forms at least one respective heat dispersing duct (10).
  • the groove (66) might also be horizontal, as shown in Figure 1.
  • each module (6) there is a removable, pull-out drip tray (12).
  • Figure 2 shows a hinge-mounted door (13) of the compartment (8) turnable about either one or the other of the two opposite and parallel axes of rotation (14, 15).
  • the door (13) is made preferably of a transparent material, while a lighting system illuminates the interior of the compartment (8).
  • Figure 2 also shows schematically an outer opening (19) for inserting a means of activating the apparatus (1), such as, for example, a magnetic card, a coin or a key.
  • the control panel also mounts a thermostat (20) connected to the electronic unit (7) for controlling the temperature inside the compartment (8) and one or more display units (21) indicating the temperature and relative humidity detected by respective sensors (27) located inside the compartment (8).
  • An indicator (22) showing the pressure of the inert fluid is preferably also provided.
  • the invention provides an apparatus that minimises vibrations during normal operation, which is especially important for quality wines, and that, if necessary, can be used not only to cool the wine but also to warm it by simply reversing the heat exchange function.
  • Another advantage is the possibility of producing extremely compact modules that can be very easily adapted to suit the space requirements of different users.
  • This compactness combined with the design of the single modules, makes it easier to arrange the modules in different configurations to create modular dispensing apparatuses which allow effective ventilation and quickly disperse the heat produced without negatively affecting the operation of the adjacent modules.
  • Yet another advantage of the apparatus is the use of a single independent source of fluid under pressure which simultaneously supplies all the modules making up the apparatus and which either extracts the fluid directly from the environment or draws it from customary storage means.
  • Another no less important advantage is the long period of operation permitted by the presence of a stand-by bottle that is connected up automatically when the main bottle is empty, as well as other bottles which are not connected to the dispensing device but which can be stored at the required temperature and be ready to substitute the empty bottles.
  • the modules are self-contained units, relatively complex apparatuses can be created where the different modules can be used to store and dispense wines that differ considerably from each other not only in terms of taste and quality but also in terms of storage temperature.
  • the embodiments of the invention may be made from any material, and in any size, depending on requirements.

Abstract

A wine storage and multiple dispensing apparatus contains a plurality of bottles (3) of wine and is equipped with a tapping device (4) which, by supplying the bottles with a fluid under pressure, enables tapping and dispensing of the wine through feed lines (41, 42) alternately connected to an external dispensing tap (5). The apparatus comprises one or more dispensing modules (6), each including a Peltier cell (2) controlled by an electronic unit (7) in such a way that it can absorb or give out heat within the bottle (3) storage compartment (8) by very simply switching from one operating mode to another, thus keeping the compartment at a desired optimum temperature at all times.

Description

  • The present invention relates to a wine storage and multiple dispensing apparatus.
  • Prior art apparatus of this type, designed to hold a plurality of bottles of wine, comprises a wine tapping device which in turn comprises, at each bottle from which wine is to be dispensed, a first duct for supplying each bottle with a fluid under pressure, and a wine feeding line. The fluid under pressure forces the wine out of the bottle and into the feeding line which is in communication with a dispensing tap fitted outside the apparatus.
  • Apparatus of this kind, however, has several disadvantages.
  • More particularly, prior art apparatus is designed to cool only the chamber which houses the bottles of wine, normally aligned in a single row, and only that row is used to dispense the wine from as many taps as there are aligned bottles, each tap being connected to one bottle.
  • The cooling system used always includes customary components, normally consisting of a compressor, a fan, a condenser and an evaporator.
  • Systems of this kind, although they are very efficient in terms of cooling, occupy a great deal of space when installed. Moreover, the repeated on/off operation of the cooling system has the serious disadvantage of transmitting vibrations to the wine.
  • Further, when one of the bottles is finished, it must be replaced immediately to guarantee the continuity of the service of the dispensing apparatus.
  • The present invention therefore has for an aim to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages by providing a wine storage and multiple dispensing apparatus which is compact, simply structured and functional, especially for quality wines and which, if necessary, may also be used to warm the wine (for example, in the case of certain types of red wine and/or under certain environmental conditions) .
  • These and other aims, which will become more apparent in the description which follows, are achieved in accordance with the invention by a wine storage and multiple dispensing apparatus having the structural and functional characteristics described in the appended independent claims, while other embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention are described in the dependent claims.
  • The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting preferred embodiment of it and in which:
    • Figure 1 is a schematic side view, with some parts cut away in order to better illustrate others, of the apparatus according to the invention;
    • Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the apparatus according to the invention;
    • Figure 3 shows an apparatus according to the invention, consisting of a plurality of modules forming part of the apparatus itself;
    • Figure 4 is a plan view of a single module in an alternative embodiment, positioned against a wall and differing from the modules shown in Figure 3.
  • Figure 1 shows a wine storage and multiple dispensing apparatus of the type containing a plurality of bottles (3) of wine and comprising a device (4) for tapping the wine. At each of the bottles (3) that is required to dispense wine, the device (4) is equipped with a first duct for supplying each bottle with a fluid under pressure used to force the wine out of the bottle and into a feeding line (41 or 42) which is in communication with a dispensing tap (5) fitted outside the apparatus (1). The fluid under pressure may consist of carbon dioxide if the wine to be tapped is a sparkling wine but, especially in the case of quality wines, it preferably consists of nitrogen, which is a totally inert fluid. The fluid referred in the rest of this specification, describing a preferred non-restricting embodiment, is an inert fluid.
  • The apparatus basically comprises at least one wine dispensing module (6) including a Peltier cell (2), controlled and powered by an electronic unit (7) which controls it in such a way that it absorbs or gives out heat within a bottle storage compartment (8) simply according to the direction of the current passing through the Peltier cell (2). Thus, the compartment (8) within the module (6) is kept at the optimum temperature selected according to the type of wine stored in the compartment (8) and the temperature measured in the compartment (8) itself.
  • Further, the Peltier cell (2) of each module (6) is positioned above the compartment (8) where the bottles (3) of wine are stored.
  • More particularly, the bottom surface of the Peltier cell (2), as clearly shown in Figure 1, is advantageously in direct contact with the compartment (8), whilst its top surface is thermally insulated from the compartment (8) and in contact with elements (64) for exchanging heat with the outside environment.
  • For each tap (5) of each module (6), there are at least two bottles (3) of wine, a main bottle and a stand-by bottle, both connected to the tapping device (4) through at least two respective feed lines (41, 42). Emptying of the main bottle (3) switches off the corresponding main feed line (41) and simultaneously activates one of the other stand-by feed lines (42).
  • The electronic unit (7) controls hydraulic means (16) designed to connect to the dispensing tap (5) one or the other of the two wine feed lines (41, 42), each of which is equipped with a sensor (s1, s2) for detecting the flow of wine within the feed line and to activate a suitable external indicating device (17) accordingly.
  • For each tap (5) of each module (6) there is also provided at least one additional bottle of wine (3) which is not connected to the tapping device (4) but which may be connected in lieu of the main empty bottle (3) during the period of time in which the stand-by bottle (3) is being used.
  • The inert fluid needed to dispense the wine may come from a single system (23), including a customary cylinder (24) with a pressure reducer (25) and at least one micro-reducer (26) on the pressurised fluid supply line, as shown in Figure 1.
  • The area of Figure 1 drawn with the dashed lines represents a preferred embodiment which includes an inert gas generator (9) which extracts the gas directly from the ambient air by distillation.
  • The inert gas generator (9) is controlled by the electronic unit (7) which switches it on and off according to the pressure measured by the gauge (91), thus producing the required fluid under pressure to be supplied to each bottle (3) for dispensing the wine.
  • As shown in Figure 2, each module (6) has a sloping surface (61) connecting its lateral surfaces (62) to the top horizontal surface (63) that houses the heat exchange elements (64) of the Peltier cell (2). The sloping surface (61) of each module (6) forms, together with the opposite sloping surface (61) of an adjacent module (6) and the bottom surfaces (65) of one or more modules (6) above it, a respective heat dispersing duct (10) leading to the outside environment.
  • Thanks to its compactness owing largely to the use of the Peltier cell (2) and thanks also to its special design, as described above, the apparatus (1) according to the invention, as shown in Figure 3, may be easily made up of a plurality of modules (6) placed side by side and/or stacked, all fed by a single inert gas generator (9) [or by a single system (23)] and forming heat dispersing ducts (10) for exchanging heat with the outside environment.
  • In another embodiment of the apparatus, shown in Figure 4, each module (6) has at least one groove (66) at the back of it, preferably extending in a substantially vertical direction and housing the heat exchange elements (64) for the Peltier cell (2). This groove, in conjunction with a wall (11) against which the modules (6) are positioned, forms at least one respective heat dispersing duct (10). The groove (66) might also be horizontal, as shown in Figure 1.
  • At the bottom of each module (6) there is a removable, pull-out drip tray (12).
  • Figure 2 shows a hinge-mounted door (13) of the compartment (8) turnable about either one or the other of the two opposite and parallel axes of rotation (14, 15). The door (13) is made preferably of a transparent material, while a lighting system illuminates the interior of the compartment (8).
  • Figure 2 also shows schematically an outer opening (19) for inserting a means of activating the apparatus (1), such as, for example, a magnetic card, a coin or a key. The control panel also mounts a thermostat (20) connected to the electronic unit (7) for controlling the temperature inside the compartment (8) and one or more display units (21) indicating the temperature and relative humidity detected by respective sensors (27) located inside the compartment (8). An indicator (22) showing the pressure of the inert fluid is preferably also provided. The invention achieves important advantages in addition to the obvious structural simplicity making the apparatus very economical to produce.
  • Indeed, the invention provides an apparatus that minimises vibrations during normal operation, which is especially important for quality wines, and that, if necessary, can be used not only to cool the wine but also to warm it by simply reversing the heat exchange function.
  • Another advantage is the possibility of producing extremely compact modules that can be very easily adapted to suit the space requirements of different users. This compactness, combined with the design of the single modules, makes it easier to arrange the modules in different configurations to create modular dispensing apparatuses which allow effective ventilation and quickly disperse the heat produced without negatively affecting the operation of the adjacent modules.
  • Yet another advantage of the apparatus is the use of a single independent source of fluid under pressure which simultaneously supplies all the modules making up the apparatus and which either extracts the fluid directly from the environment or draws it from customary storage means.
  • Another no less important advantage is the long period of operation permitted by the presence of a stand-by bottle that is connected up automatically when the main bottle is empty, as well as other bottles which are not connected to the dispensing device but which can be stored at the required temperature and be ready to substitute the empty bottles.
  • Since, the modules are self-contained units, relatively complex apparatuses can be created where the different modules can be used to store and dispense wines that differ considerably from each other not only in terms of taste and quality but also in terms of storage temperature.
  • It will be understood that the invention can be adapted and modified in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept that characterise it.
  • Moreover, all of the details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.
  • In practice, the embodiments of the invention may be made from any material, and in any size, depending on requirements.

Claims (17)

  1. A wine storage and multiple dispensing apparatus of the type containing a plurality of bottles (3) of wine and comprising a wine tapping device (4) which in turn comprises, at each bottle (3) from which wine is to be dispensed, a first duct for supplying each bottle (3) with a fluid under pressure, and a wine feeding line, the fluid under pressure forcing the wine out of the bottle and into the feeding line which is in communication with a dispensing tap (5) fitted outside the apparatus (1), the apparatus being characterised in that it comprises at least one wine dispensing module (6) including a Peltier cell (2), controlled and powered by an electronic unit (7) which controls it in such a way that it absorbs or gives out heat within a bottle storage compartment (8) simply according to the direction of the current passing through the Peltier cell (2), thereby keeping the compartment (8) in the module (6) at a desired optimum temperature at all times according to the type of wine stored in the compartment (8) and the temperature measured in the compartment (8) itself.
  2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that for each tap (5) of each module (6), there are at least two bottles (3) of wine, a main bottle and a stand-by bottle, both connected to the tapping device (4) through at least two respective feed lines (41, 42), the emptying of the main bottle (3) switching off the corresponding main feed line (41) and simultaneously activating one of the other stand-by feed lines (42).
  3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that for each tap (5) of each module (6) there is also provided at least one additional bottle (3) of wine which is not connected to the tapping device (4) but which may be connected in lieu of the main empty bottle (3) during the period of time in which the stand-by bottle (3) is being used.
  4. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterised in that it comprises a system (23) including a cylinder (24) containing the fluid under pressure to be supplied to each bottle (3) for dispensing the wine, a pressure reducer (25) and at least one micro-reducer (26) on the pressurised fluid supply line.
  5. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterised in that it comprises an inert fluid generator (9) that extracts the fluid directly from the ambient air and that supplies the fluid under pressure to each bottle (3) for dispensing the wine.
  6. An apparatus characterised in that for each tap (5) of each module (6), there are at least two bottles (3) of wine, a main bottle and other stand-by bottles, all connected to the tapping device (4) through respective feed lines (41, 42), the emptying of the main bottle (3) switching off the corresponding main feed line (41) and simultaneously activating one of the other stand-by feed lines (42).
  7. An apparatus characterised in that it comprises an inert fluid generator (9) that extracts the fluid directly from the ambient air by distillation and that supplies the fluid under pressure to each bottle (3) for dispensing the wine.
  8. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the Peltier cell (2) of each module (6) is positioned above the compartment (8) where the bottles (3) of wine are stored, the bottom surface of the Peltier cell (2) being in direct contact with the compartment (8), whilst its top surface is thermally insulated from the compartment (8) and in contact with elements (64) for exchanging heat with the outside environment.
  9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that each module (6) has a sloping surface (61) connecting its lateral surfaces (62) to the top horizontal surface (63) that houses the heat exchange elements (64) of the Peltier cell (2), so as to form, together with the opposite sloping surface (61) of an adjacent module (6) and the bottom surfaces (65) of one or more modules (6) above it, a respective heat dispersing duct (10) leading to the outside environment.
  10. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that each module (6) has at least one groove (66) at the back of it housing the heat exchange elements (64) for the Peltier cell (2), so as to form, together with a back wall (11) against which the modules (6) are positioned, at least one respective heat dispersing duct (10).
  11. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises a removable, pull-out drip tray (12) at the bottom of each module (6).
  12. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the compartment (8) of each module (6) comprises a hinge-mounted door (13) turnable about either one or the other of the two opposite and parallel axes of rotation (14, 15).
  13. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 2 to 12, characterised in that the electronic unit (7) controls hydraulic means (16) designed to connect to the dispensing tap (5) one or the other of the two wine feed lines (41, 42), each of which is equipped with a sensor (s1, s2) for detecting the flow of wine within the feed line and to activate a suitable external indicating device (17) accordingly.
  14. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 5 to 13, characterised in that the electronic unit (7) can measure the pressure of the inert gas generator (9) and switches the latter on or off according to the pressure measured.
  15. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterised in that the door (13) is made of a transparent material, while a lighting system illuminates the interior of the compartment (8).
  16. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of modules (6) placed side by side and/or stacked, all fed by a single inert gas generator (9) and all forming heat dispersing ducts (10) leading to the outside environment.
  17. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises an outer opening (19) for inserting a means of activating the apparatus (1) itself.
EP04425730A 2004-09-29 2004-09-29 A wine bottle storage and multiple dispensing apparatus Withdrawn EP1642863A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP04425730A EP1642863A1 (en) 2004-09-29 2004-09-29 A wine bottle storage and multiple dispensing apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP04425730A EP1642863A1 (en) 2004-09-29 2004-09-29 A wine bottle storage and multiple dispensing apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1642863A1 true EP1642863A1 (en) 2006-04-05

Family

ID=34932794

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04425730A Withdrawn EP1642863A1 (en) 2004-09-29 2004-09-29 A wine bottle storage and multiple dispensing apparatus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1642863A1 (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009045099A2 (en) * 2007-10-04 2009-04-09 Borromaeus B.V. Tap device and method
ITMI20091896A1 (en) * 2009-10-30 2011-04-30 Pier Angelo Erli DEVICE FOR CONTAINMENT AND "DISPENSING WINE OR OTHER FOOD LIQUIDS
NL1038477C2 (en) * 2010-12-24 2012-06-27 Borromaeus B V MODULAR TAP DEVICE AND TORQUE MODULE.
ITFI20130124A1 (en) * 2013-05-28 2014-11-29 Enomatic S R L AUTOMATIC CENTERING SYSTEM FOR BOTTLES AND CONTAINERS INSIDE THE EQUIPMENT FOR DRINKING BEVERAGES.
EP2757924A4 (en) * 2011-09-24 2015-06-24 Electrical & Electronics Ltd Beverage system with aeration
ITUB20151305A1 (en) * 2015-05-29 2016-11-29 Savese F Lli Ind S R L DRINKING EQUIPMENT
EP3205956A1 (en) 2016-02-15 2017-08-16 Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A. Thermoelectric cooling apparatus
EP3244157A1 (en) 2016-05-13 2017-11-15 Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A. Dispensing appliance provided with a disposable cooling cartridge
EP3330219A1 (en) 2016-11-30 2018-06-06 Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A. Dispensing apparatus provided with a cooling unit

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1038937B (en) * 1952-05-03 1958-09-11 Dipl Br Ing Josef Krieglmeyer Fine pressure regulator for dispensing systems for serving carbonated beverages under pressure
EP0322729A1 (en) * 1987-12-31 1989-07-05 Huber, Karl Apparatus for dispensing beverages, especially beverages under pressure
WO1995012543A1 (en) * 1993-11-04 1995-05-11 Geoffrey Miles Furness Gas pressurized liquid delivery system
DE19950211A1 (en) * 1999-05-31 2000-12-14 Exima Export Imp Gmbh Drinks vending machine for beer, lemonade, fruit juices and potable water
US20030213814A1 (en) * 2001-11-26 2003-11-20 Johne Phelps Wine or champagne preservation and dispensing apparatus

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1038937B (en) * 1952-05-03 1958-09-11 Dipl Br Ing Josef Krieglmeyer Fine pressure regulator for dispensing systems for serving carbonated beverages under pressure
EP0322729A1 (en) * 1987-12-31 1989-07-05 Huber, Karl Apparatus for dispensing beverages, especially beverages under pressure
WO1995012543A1 (en) * 1993-11-04 1995-05-11 Geoffrey Miles Furness Gas pressurized liquid delivery system
DE19950211A1 (en) * 1999-05-31 2000-12-14 Exima Export Imp Gmbh Drinks vending machine for beer, lemonade, fruit juices and potable water
US20030213814A1 (en) * 2001-11-26 2003-11-20 Johne Phelps Wine or champagne preservation and dispensing apparatus

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009045099A2 (en) * 2007-10-04 2009-04-09 Borromaeus B.V. Tap device and method
WO2009045099A3 (en) * 2007-10-04 2009-10-22 Borromaeus B.V. Tap device with differently cooled compartments for beverage containers
ITMI20091896A1 (en) * 2009-10-30 2011-04-30 Pier Angelo Erli DEVICE FOR CONTAINMENT AND "DISPENSING WINE OR OTHER FOOD LIQUIDS
NL1038477C2 (en) * 2010-12-24 2012-06-27 Borromaeus B V MODULAR TAP DEVICE AND TORQUE MODULE.
EP2757924A4 (en) * 2011-09-24 2015-06-24 Electrical & Electronics Ltd Beverage system with aeration
ITFI20130124A1 (en) * 2013-05-28 2014-11-29 Enomatic S R L AUTOMATIC CENTERING SYSTEM FOR BOTTLES AND CONTAINERS INSIDE THE EQUIPMENT FOR DRINKING BEVERAGES.
WO2014191908A1 (en) * 2013-05-28 2014-12-04 Enomatic S.R.L. An automatic centering system for bottles and vessels for beverage dispensing apparatuses
WO2016193871A1 (en) * 2015-05-29 2016-12-08 Savese F.Lli Industries S.R.L. Apparatus for drawing beverages
ITUB20151305A1 (en) * 2015-05-29 2016-11-29 Savese F Lli Ind S R L DRINKING EQUIPMENT
US10173882B2 (en) 2015-05-29 2019-01-08 Savese F.Lli Industries S.R.L. Apparatus for drawing beverages
EP3205956A1 (en) 2016-02-15 2017-08-16 Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A. Thermoelectric cooling apparatus
EP3244157A1 (en) 2016-05-13 2017-11-15 Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A. Dispensing appliance provided with a disposable cooling cartridge
WO2017194736A1 (en) 2016-05-13 2017-11-16 Anheuser-Busch Inbev S.A. Dispensing appliance provided with a disposable cooling cartridge
US10870567B2 (en) 2016-05-13 2020-12-22 Anheuser-Busch Inbev S.A. Dispensing appliance provided with a disposable cooling cartridge
EP3330219A1 (en) 2016-11-30 2018-06-06 Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A. Dispensing apparatus provided with a cooling unit
WO2018099947A1 (en) 2016-11-30 2018-06-07 Anheuser-Busch Inbev S.A. Dispensing apparatus provided with a cooling unit
US11008205B2 (en) 2016-11-30 2021-05-18 Anheuser-Busch Inbev S.A. Dispensing apparatus provided with a cooling unit

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7516623B2 (en) Chilled beverage delivery system
US4960228A (en) Portable post-mix beverage dispenser unit
US5280711A (en) Low cost beverage dispensing apparatus
US4932561A (en) Beverage cooling and dispensing apparatus
EP2969899B1 (en) Beverage dispensing method indicating a sold-out condition and system therefor
US5190083A (en) Multiple fluid space dispenser and monitor
US4676400A (en) Liquid dispensing system
EP0364206B1 (en) Post-mix beverage dispenser unit
CA2375281A1 (en) Beverage dispenser with an improved cooling chamber configuration
US4308975A (en) Beverage cooling and dispensing apparatus
EP1642863A1 (en) A wine bottle storage and multiple dispensing apparatus
US20040226313A1 (en) Combined water cooler and refrigerator unit
US20070151288A1 (en) Combination refrigerating appliance and evaporators for same
CA2412060A1 (en) Carbonated beverage dispenser
US20080282705A1 (en) Chilled Beverage Storage Device
CN1735558A (en) Cooling system for a beverage dispensing apparatus
US6651852B2 (en) Beverage dispensing system
GB2538114A (en) A coolant recirculation apparatus for a beverage dispense system
CN101201213A (en) Device for cooling goods
US5556006A (en) Drink supply apparatus
US5140832A (en) Refrigeration system for a beverage dispenser
JPH0356393B2 (en)
US20060169720A1 (en) Chilled liquid dispensers
EP1580503B1 (en) Temperature control apparatus for use in a carbonator of a refrigerator
GB2227824A (en) Apparatus for dispensing drinks

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL HR LT LV MK

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20060424

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20061031