EP1650157A1 - Vanne pour tube plongeur avec serpentin refroidissant - Google Patents

Vanne pour tube plongeur avec serpentin refroidissant Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1650157A1
EP1650157A1 EP05256592A EP05256592A EP1650157A1 EP 1650157 A1 EP1650157 A1 EP 1650157A1 EP 05256592 A EP05256592 A EP 05256592A EP 05256592 A EP05256592 A EP 05256592A EP 1650157 A1 EP1650157 A1 EP 1650157A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
beverage
beverage container
head unit
dispense
coolant
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Withdrawn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
EP05256592A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Rodney John Adams
David Peter Carter
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.)
Marmon Foodservice Technologies UK Ltd
Original Assignee
IMI Cornelius UK Ltd
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 IMI Cornelius UK Ltd filed Critical IMI Cornelius UK Ltd
Publication of EP1650157A1 publication Critical patent/EP1650157A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D31/00—Other cooling or freezing apparatus
    • F25D31/002—Liquid coolers, e.g. beverage cooler
    • F25D31/003—Liquid coolers, e.g. beverage cooler with immersed cooling element
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0801—Details of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs
    • B67D1/0802—Dip tubes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0829—Keg connection means
    • B67D1/0831—Keg connection means combined with valves
    • B67D1/0832—Keg connection means combined with valves with two valves disposed concentrically
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0857—Cooling arrangements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D31/00—Other cooling or freezing apparatus
    • F25D31/006—Other cooling or freezing apparatus specially adapted for cooling receptacles, e.g. tanks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2331/00—Details or arrangements of other cooling or freezing apparatus not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2331/80—Type of cooled receptacles
    • F25D2331/802—Barrels

Definitions

  • This invention concerns improvements in or relating to beverage dispense and in particular to apparatus for cooling and dispensing beverage from a storage container, especially a keg of beer.
  • Beer kegs are usually kept in a cold room, typically a cellar, to maintain the beer at low temperature.
  • the keg is connected to a flow line for delivery of the beer to a dispense head and to a source of pressurised gas, for example carbon dioxide, to propel the beer through the flow line when the dispense head is open.
  • the flow line usually passes through a cooler between the keg and the dispense head to cool the beer to the required temperature for dispense.
  • Changes in the ambient temperature in the cold room may affect the temperature of the beer in the keg and the present invention seeks to provide apparatus for cooling and dispensing beverage from a storage container such that the temperature of the beverage in the container is substantially unaffected by variations in the surrounding ambient temperature.
  • apparatus for cooling and dispensing beverage from a beverage container comprising a head unit having means extending into the beverage container for cooling beverage within the beverage container and means for dispensing beverage from the beverage container.
  • the functions of cooling and dispensing the beverage are combined through the head unit.
  • the apparatus will be described for cooling and dispensing beer from a keg but it will be understood that the apparatus could be used to cool and dispense other beverages, for example lager, cider from any suitable beverage storage container.
  • the head unit is releasably connectable to the keg.
  • the head unit may be secured in a filler opening through which the keg can be filled with beer.
  • the filler opening comprises an internally threaded boss and the head unit screws into the boss to secure the head unit to the keg.
  • the cooling means comprises a coil of tubing, for example stainless steel tube, that can be inserted into the keg through the boss when the head unit is secured to the keg.
  • the head unit is mounted at one end of the keg and the cooling coil extends between the ends of the keg so that, in use, beer remaining in the keg can be cooled.
  • the dispensing means comprises a tube that can be inserted into the keg through the boss when the head unit is secured to the keg.
  • the dispense tube is arranged inside the cooling coil and extends between the ends of the keg so that, in use, substantially all the beer can be dispensed from the keg through the dispense tube.
  • the head unit comprises an outer plug member that is secured in the boss and an inner plug member releasably secured within the outer plug member.
  • the outer plug member is provided with the cooling coil and has suitable connectors for circulating coolant through the coil
  • the inner plug member is provided with the dispense tube and a valve for connecting the keg to a source of gas under pressure to propel the beer through the dispense tube.
  • the valve is biased to a closed position and is moved to an open position when a coupling member is connected to the head unit to connect the keg to the gas source and to a flow line to deliver beer from the keg to a dispense head.
  • the coupling member may also connect the cooling coil to a source of coolant.
  • a beverage cooling and dispense system comprising a keg having an inlet for filling the keg with beverage, a detachable head unit for mounting in the inlet, the head unit having a cooling coil that extends into the keg for cooling the beverage, a dispense tube that extends into the keg for dispensing the beverage, and a valve for connecting the keg to a source of gas under pressure for dispensing beverage through the dispense tube.
  • the valve is biased to a closed position and is moved to an open position by a coupling member provided with a gas line connected to the gas source.
  • the coupling member is also provided with a beverage line connected to a dispense head and the beverage line receives beverage from the dispense tube.
  • a method of cooling and dispensing a beverage comprising providing a keg with an inlet opening, filling the keg with beverage through the inlet opening, providing a head unit with a cooling coil and a dispense tube, mounting the head unit in the inlet opening with the cooling coil and dispense tube extending into the keg, circulating coolant through the cooling coil to cool the beverage, and connecting the keg to a source of gas under pressure to dispense beverage through the tube.
  • the method may include the step of controlling circulation and/or temperature of the coolant to maintain a desired beverage temperature.
  • the method may include the step of controlling circulation and/or temperature of the coolant in response to the temperature of the beverage and/or coolant.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown apparatus for cooling and dispensing beer from a keg 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • the keg 1 is made of metal, for example food grade stainless steel, and has a tubular boss 2 at one end for filling the keg 1 with beer.
  • the boss 2 has an internal screw thread 3 for mounting a head unit 4 of the apparatus.
  • the keg 1 is arranged with the boss 2 at the upper end for connection to the head unit 4.
  • the head unit 4 has an outer plug member 5 and an inner plug member 6.
  • the outer plug member 5 has an external screw thread 7 complementary to the internal screw thread 3 of the boss 2 for securing the outer plug member 5 in the boss 2.
  • the engagement of the screw threads 3,7 may provide a fluid tight connection or additional sealing means may be provided.
  • the outer plug member 5 supports a helical cooling coil 8 and has inlet and outlet connectors 9,10 for connection to supply and return lines (not shown) for circulating a coolant through the cooling coil 8.
  • the cooling coil 8 is inserted into the keg 1 through the boss 2 when the outer plug member 5 is screwed into the boss 3 and extends to the other (lower) end of the keg 1.
  • the cooling coil 8 is made of metal tube, for example food grade stainless steel tube, and the coolant may be chilled water, a water/glycol mixture or any other suitable coolant.
  • the supply and return lines may be connected to a cooler, for example an ice bank cooler, for circulating coolant through the cooling coil 8.
  • the outer plug member 5 has a through bore 11 with an internal screw thread 12.
  • the inner plug member 6 has a tubular sleeve 13 provided with an external screw thread 14 matching the internal screw thread 12 of the outer plug member 5 for securing the inner plug member 6 in the outer plug member 5.
  • the sleeve 13 has a pair of O-rings 15,16 that provide a fluid tight seal within the bore 11 and the lower end of the sleeve 13 projects from the bore 11.
  • the inner plug member 6 has a tube 17, commonly referred to as a spear, that extends through the sleeve 13 and cooling coil 8 to the other (lower) end of the keg 1.
  • the tube 17 has a collar 19 spaced from the upper end that is seated at the lower end of the sleeve 13 below a series of circumferentially spaced holes 20 in the sleeve 13.
  • the collar 19 provides an abutment for the lower end of a compression spring 21 surrounding the upper end of the tube 17.
  • the spring 21 biases a valve member 22 to a position closing an annular gas port 23 in the inner plug member 6 and a beer port (not shown) in the tube 17.
  • the valve member 22 is depressed against the biasing of the spring 21 by a keg coupler (not shown) releasably connected to the inner plug member 6 to open the gas port 23 and beer port.
  • the keg coupler is connected via a gas line (not shown) to a source of gas (not shown), for example carbon dioxide, under pressure.
  • the keg coupler is also connected via a flow line (not shown) to a remote dispense head (not shown).
  • gas is introduced into the head unit 4 through the gas port 23 and exits the head unit via holes 20 in the sleeve 13 to pressurise the head space above the beer within the keg 1.
  • the pressure of the gas forces the beer up through the tube 17 out of the beer port and into the flow line for delivery to the dispense head.
  • the beer in the keg 1 is cooled to a desired temperature and maintained at the desired temperature (or within a desired range) by circulating coolant through the cooling coil 8.
  • the cooling coil 8 within the keg 1, the beer is cooled and maintained at the desired temperature in an efficient manner. Furthermore, by arranging the cooling coil 8 to extend between the ends of the keg 1, the cooling efficiency is maintained as beer is withdrawn from the keg 1.
  • FIG. 5 to 7 of the accompanying drawings there is shown apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention that is generally similar to the first embodiment.
  • like reference numerals in the series 100 are used to indicate parts of the second embodiment corresponding to the first embodiment and these will not be described in detail where the construction and operation will be understood from the description of the first embodiment.
  • the coolant supply and return lines are connected to respective ports 130,131 in the outer plug member 105 for circulating coolant through a helical cooling coil 108 that is inserted into the keg 101 through the boss 102 when the outer plug member 105 is screwed into the boss 102 and extends to the opposite (lower) end of the keg 101.
  • the coolant lines are provided with end fittings 132,133 connected to quick-fit couplings members 134,135 that are releasably engageable with connector members 136,137 connected to the ports 130,131 via adaptors 138,139 respectively screwed into the ports 130,131.
  • the adaptors 138,139 are omitted and the ports 130,131 are provided with threaded bosses for connecting the connector members 136,137.
  • the quick-fit coupling members 134,135 include self-closing poppet valves (not shown) that are opened when the coupling members 134,135 are connected to the connector members 136,137 and that close automatically when the coupling members 134,135 are disconnected from the connector members 136,137 to seal the coolant supply and return lines and prevent escape of coolant from the supply and return lines.
  • Each coupling member 134,135 has a removable end plug 140,141 respectively for obtaining access to the associated poppet valve for maintenance.
  • the connector members 136,137 may also be provided with self-closing poppet valves that are opened when the coupling members 134,135 are connected and that close when the coupling members 134,135 are disconnected.
  • we may provide self-closing poppet valves in the coupling member 134 connected to the supply line from the coolant supply and in the connector member 137 connected to the coupling member 135 connected to the return line to the coolant supply. In this way, escape of coolant is prevented when either coupling member 134,135 is connected/disconnected.
  • connectors 9,10 of the first embodiment may be provided with the above-described arrangements of quick-fit coupling members 134,135 for releasably connecting the coolant supply and return lines.
  • the head unit 104 further includes an inner plug member 106 that screws into the outer plug member 105 and is provided with a hollow tube (spear) 117 and spring loaded valve member 122 as described in the first embodiment.
  • a keg coupler (not shown) is releasably attached to the inner plug member 106 and is provided with a port for connection to a gas supply line (not shown) and a port for connection to a beer line.
  • the valve member 122 is depressed against the biasing of the spring 121 when the keg coupler is connected to allow gas to enter the headspace above the beer within the keg 101 and force the beer up the tube 117 into the beer supply line when a dispense tap connected to the beer supply line is opened.
  • the invention provides apparatus that combines the cooling and dispensing functions in a simple manner that can be connected to a keg via the inlet for filling the keg. In this way, the apparatus can be used with both new and existing (retro-fit) kegs.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
EP05256592A 2004-10-23 2005-10-24 Vanne pour tube plongeur avec serpentin refroidissant Withdrawn EP1650157A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0423604.8A GB0423604D0 (en) 2004-10-23 2004-10-23 Improvements in or relating to beverage dispense

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1650157A1 true EP1650157A1 (fr) 2006-04-26

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ID=33485115

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05256592A Withdrawn EP1650157A1 (fr) 2004-10-23 2005-10-24 Vanne pour tube plongeur avec serpentin refroidissant

Country Status (2)

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EP (1) EP1650157A1 (fr)
GB (2) GB0423604D0 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL2001882C2 (nl) * 2008-08-12 2010-02-15 Heineken Supply Chain Bv Tapkop, tapinrichting en werkwijze voor gebruik van een tapinrichting.
US20100176156A1 (en) * 2007-05-31 2010-07-15 Heineken Supply Chain B.V. Tapping device, connecting device for a beverage container and cooling device for such a connecting device
RU2503899C2 (ru) * 2008-09-26 2014-01-10 Электролюкс Хоум Продактс Корпорейшн Н.В. Устройство для охлаждения напитков, холодильник с таким устройством и способ охлаждения напитков

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11034569B2 (en) 2018-02-14 2021-06-15 Taphandles Llc Cooled beverage dispensing systems and associated devices

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2177207A (en) * 1937-11-18 1939-10-24 Nero Martial Del Beer cooler
US2187389A (en) * 1937-11-13 1940-01-16 Gen Motors Corp Refrigerating apparatus
US2638758A (en) * 1950-06-02 1953-05-19 Daun & Co Cooling and dispensing device

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB468291A (en) * 1936-01-07 1937-07-02 Herman Ernst Schulse Improvements in containers for dispensing brew
US2193318A (en) * 1939-02-07 1940-03-12 Charles M Hunsberger Beer cooling keg
GB1427938A (en) * 1973-07-03 1976-03-10 Phillips A J Container for consumer liquids
US4011733A (en) * 1975-07-29 1977-03-15 Dagma Gmbh & Co. Apparatus and process for carbonating liquids
JP3440133B2 (ja) * 1994-06-09 2003-08-25 サントリー株式会社 冷却機能付きディスペンスヘッド
GB0226252D0 (en) * 2002-11-11 2002-12-18 Filton Brewery Products Ltd Cooling apparatus

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2187389A (en) * 1937-11-13 1940-01-16 Gen Motors Corp Refrigerating apparatus
US2177207A (en) * 1937-11-18 1939-10-24 Nero Martial Del Beer cooler
US2638758A (en) * 1950-06-02 1953-05-19 Daun & Co Cooling and dispensing device

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100176156A1 (en) * 2007-05-31 2010-07-15 Heineken Supply Chain B.V. Tapping device, connecting device for a beverage container and cooling device for such a connecting device
US8789726B2 (en) * 2007-05-31 2014-07-29 Heineken Supply Chain B.V. Tapping device, connecting device for a beverage container and cooling device for such a connecting device
NL2001882C2 (nl) * 2008-08-12 2010-02-15 Heineken Supply Chain Bv Tapkop, tapinrichting en werkwijze voor gebruik van een tapinrichting.
WO2010019035A1 (fr) * 2008-08-12 2010-02-18 Heineken Supply Chain B.V. Tête de robinet, dispositif de robinet et procédé pour l'utilisation d'un dispositif de robinet
US8991653B2 (en) 2008-08-12 2015-03-31 Heineken Supply Chain B.V. Tapping head, tapping device and method for use of a tapping device
RU2503899C2 (ru) * 2008-09-26 2014-01-10 Электролюкс Хоум Продактс Корпорейшн Н.В. Устройство для охлаждения напитков, холодильник с таким устройством и способ охлаждения напитков

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2419352A (en) 2006-04-26
GB2419352B (en) 2008-01-09
GB0521591D0 (en) 2005-11-30
GB0423604D0 (en) 2004-11-24

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