EP1789358A2

EP1789358A2 - Method and apparatus for cleaning a beverage dispensing line

Info

Publication number: EP1789358A2
Application number: EP05770628A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Robinson
Original assignee: Scottish and Newcastle Ltd
Current assignee: Heineken UK Ltd
Priority date: 2004-08-13
Filing date: 2005-08-12
Publication date: 2007-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 2025-08-12
Also published as: PT1789358E; DK1789358T3; GB0418143D0; CY1110396T1; PL1789358T3; SI1789358T1; ES2309780T3; GB2417061B; ATE399144T1; EP1789358B1; GB2417061A; WO2006016180A3; AU2005271002B2; DE602005007756D1; WO2006016180A8; AU2005271002A1; GB2417061C; WO2006016180A2

Abstract

A method of cleaning a beverage line (13) of a beverage dispense font, the font being of a type comprising condensation means (6) in thermal contact with the housing (4) through which, in use, a first cooling medium can flow, and further comprising a cooling loop (5) in thermal contact with the beverage line (3) through which, in use, a second cooling medium e.g water can flow. The method comprises the steps of: ```passing the first cooling medium through the condensation means to form condensation, frosting or ice on an exterior of the housing; ```at the same time passing the second cooling medium through the cooling line; ```at the same time passing a cleaning medium through the beverage line; ```whereby heat transfer between the cleaning medium and the first cooling medium is moderated by heat transfer between the second cooling medium and the cleaning medium. The condensation means (6) comprises a condensation plate (50) having pipework (88) thermally connected to a secondary cooling circuit comprising a cooler (90) for cooling a glycol cooling medium. The beverage font further comprises an illumination source mounted within the housing (4) for illuminating a panel or panels of the beverage font.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING BEVERAGES

The present invention relates to a method of cleaning apparatus for dispensing beverages and to an apparatus for dispensing beverages. In particular, to apparatus useful for dispensing beverages at low temperatures.

Many beverages, including beers, lagers, soft drinks, milk shakes, wines and spirits are beneficially served at low temperatures. If the temperature of the beverage is too high, the quality and taste of the beverage may be affected adversely. In addition, recent consumer trends have increased the demand for beverages to be served at lower temperatures of, for example, around 3 degrees Celsius. In order to meet consumer expectations, it is desirable to dispense beverages at consistent temperatures. A particular problem has been found in dispensing draft beverages at low and consistent temperatures. By draft beverages is meant beverages which are stored at a point remote from the point of dispensation and transferred on demand to the point of dispensation through a beverage line. Typically the transfer is achieved using pumping mechanisms. For instance, it is common in public houses and bars for beverages to be stored in a cellar or a separate room and transferred to the bar area where dispensation occurs using a mechanical pump or gas pressurised system. There are particular problems in dispensing beverages in these conditions. Firstly, the length of the beverage lines between the cellar and the dispensation site may be many metres and there is a tendency for beverage in the beverage lines to increase in temperature during transit. Attempts have been made to overcome this problem. It has previously been attempted to solve this problem by providing a cooler in the cellar to cool the beverage at the remote location and then transport the beverage in an insulated and cooled conduit known as a "python" to the dispensation site. The python comprises one or more beverage lines running in parallel with a cooling circuit comprising one or more cooling lines through which cooling water flows. The cooling water is typically supplied by the cooler. The cooling circuit comprises an outward leg flowing from the cooler to the dispensation site and a return leg flowing from the dispensation site to the cooler. A problem found with this attempted solution is that variation in the temperature of the beverage when it reaches the dispensation site can still occur due to changes in demand on the separate beverage flow lines and in particular occurs where beverage is left standing in the beverage line between dispensing of beverages or where a large number of beverages are dispensed in a short period.

In addition, it has been found that such standard pythons used with a cooler in a cellar are unable to meet the present demands for colder beverages without marked increases in power demands which have a detrimental affect on the operation of the cooler. In a typical remote cooler used for cooling a number of beverage lines, the cooler comprises a water bath and an ice bank. The ice bank serves to cool the water bath and the water bath cools in turn the beverage lines that pass therethrough. In addition, the water bath of the cooler supplies the cooling water which flows in the cooling circuit of the python. It will be apparent that the cooling water returning from the dispensation site to the cooler will be at a higher temperature than the cooling water in the water bath. If the temperature of the returning cooling water is too high, the cooler becomes unable to maintain the temperature of the cooling bath without the ice bank melting. Eventually, this leads to the cooler being unable to cool the beverage lines sufficiently to meet the specified dispense temperatures. For this reason, it is common practice to limit the additional thermal loading applied to the cooling circuit of the cooler by items connected to the cooling circuit. For example, it is known to provide dispense fonts at the dispensation site with a feature known as a cooling loop wherein a portion of the cooling water flowing in the python is diverted through pipework in the dispense font to cool the beverage flow lines in the locality of the dispense tap. Each dispense font of this type connected to the cooling circuit of the python adds a thermal load to the cooling circuit. A typical known cooling loop in a dispense font adds 10 watts equivalent heating to the cooling circuit.

An alternative method of attempting to cool the beverage in the font and also to provide condensation on the outer surfaces of a font is to flood the font housing with a cooling medium such as water. However, such flooded fonts typically add around 140 Watts of heating to the cooling circuit. It will be apparent that use of a number of these fonts can quickly overload the cooling capacity of the remote cooler. It is also difficult to provide illumination in condensating fonts due to the close proximity of moisture and electricity.

A further problem in controlling dispensation temperatures of beverages on draft is that in many public houses or bars the cooling circuit is used to cool beverages from more than one supplier who may have different dispense specifications or requirements. For this reason, it is common practice to require the total additional thermal loading to be applied to the cooling circuit and hence the cooler to be less than 100 watts equivalent heating to ensure that the ice bank of the cooler is not melted in use. In addition, it is a common requirement that the minimum flow rate of cooling water through the python and remote cooler is 4 litres/minute. In practice this limits the number and type of dispense fonts that can be connected to the cooling circuit and the temperatures of beverages dispensed from those dispense fonts. Typical achievable dispense temperatures range from 6 to 10 degrees Celsius.

It has also previously been proposed to solve this problem by transporting the beverage from the cellar to the dispensation site and then cooling the beverage locally at the dispensation site using a cooler known as a flash cooler. This arrangement does allow colder beverages to be dispensed down to around 3 degrees Celsius. However, it is necessary to provide a flash cooler at the dispensation site. If the bar or other dispensation site has a number of beverage lines then a number of flash coolers are required.

This leads to increased expense in providing the flash coolers in the first place and in maintaining and repairing the coolers. Further, locating the flash coolers at the dispensation site leads to a lack of storage space for other items such as bottled beverages, glassware etc. Further, the flash coolers output a considerable amount of heat which can result in unpleasant working conditions for bar staff leading to the need for further air conditioning.

It has also been proposed to impart a higher degree of cooling to beverages or to the housing to form ice and frost effects on the exterior of the font for aesthetic reasons by the use of a cooling medium such as glycol. However, such prior proposals suffer from the drawback that the presence of the glycol can lead to freezing of the beverage and also particularly freezing of the beverage line when it undergoes cleaning. During cleaning, water is pumped through the line. Since the freezing point of water is higher than the freezing point of alcohol-containing beverages the water is more prone to this problem. As a result it is necessary to switch off circulation of the glycol cooling flow when the line is to be cleaned. This result s in additional time and effect and to a loss of visual appeal of the font during cleaning since the ice or frost effect cannot be maintained until circulation restarts.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of cleaning a beverage line of a beverage dispense font, the font being of a type comprising condensation means in thermal contact with the housing through which, in use, a first cooling medium can flow, and further comprising a cooling line in thermal contact with the beverage line through which, in use, a second cooling medium can flow; the method comprising the steps of: passing the first cooling medium through the condensation means to form condensation, frosting or ice on an exterior of the housing; at the same time passing the second cooling medium through the cooling line; at the same time passing a cleaning medium through the beverage line; whereby heat transfer between the cleaning medium and the first cooling medium is moderated by heat transfer between the second cooling medium and the cleaning medium.

Advantageously, with the system of the present invention there is no need to switch off circulation of the first cooling medium when cleaning the beverage line since the heat transfer of the secondary cooling medium maintains the cleaning medium at above its freezing point.

Preferably, the first cooling medium is at a sub-zero temperature.

Preferably the second cooling medium is at a temperature of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius.

Preferably the first cooling medium is glycol.

Preferably the second cooling medium is water. Typically the cleaning medium is water.

The present invention also provides a beverage font suitable for cleaning according to the method described above.

The present invention also provides a beverage font comprising a housing for mounting to a bar or similar surface, one or more taps for dispensing beverage, one or more beverage lines routed through said housing for supplying said taps with beverage, and a cooling line located in thermal contact with the housing through which, in use, a cooling medium can flow so as to cool the housing so as to form condensation, frost or ice on at least a portion of an exterior of the housing, wherein the beverage font further comprises an illumination source mounted within the housing for illuminating a branding panel or panels of the beverage font, the illumination source being connected to a source of electrical power via an electronic control module wherein the electronic control module is located outside the beverage font housing.

Preferably the illumination source is connected to the electronic control module by waterproofed, insulated wiring.

Preferably the illumination source is a cold cathode lamp. Preferably the electronic control module is located in a waterproof housing.

Optionally the illumination source is a primary illumination source and the font further comprises a secondary illumination source located within the beverage font housing and connected to the electronic control module.

The secondary illumination source may be one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) .

The primary illumination source may be located in an upper portion of the housing and the secondary illumination source may be located in a lower portion of the housing.

Preferably the illumination source is at least partially enclosed within a block of plastics material, such as acrylic. Thermal contact between the cooling line and the housing may be provided by a plurality of structural bridges between the cooling line and the housing.

The cooling line may be in thermal contact with only one face of the housing to provide only one cooled face such that, in use, condensation, frost or ice is formed substantially only on said cooled face.

Preferably the cooled face of the housing is made of metal .

Preferably insulating means is provided to thermally insulate the cooling line from other faces of the housing.

The insulating means may be in the form of solid insulation substantially surrounding the cooling line except for areas of thermal contact between the cooling line and the cooled face. The solid insulation is preferably expanded foam insulation. At least a portion of the cooling line may be in thermal contact with the one or more beverage lines so as to cool beverage in the one or more beverage lines.

Alternatively, a separate cooling line may be in thermal contact with the one or more beverage lines and through which a cooling medium can flow so as to cool beverage in the one or more beverage lines .

Optionally the one or more taps are adapted for dispensing beverages with foamed heads by means of utilising separate flow paths for a bulk portion of the beverage to be dispensed and a foamed portion of the beverage to be dispensed, wherein the tap defines two beverage flow paths, wherein one of the beverage flow paths is provided with a flow restriction for inducing turbulence in the beverage flow for producing foam and comprises an outlet angled at between 0 and 60 degrees to the horizontal so that foam dispensed from the outlet does not fob an already dispensed bulk portion of the beverage.

The one or more taps may be adapted for dispensing beverages with foamed heads by means of utilising separate flow paths for a bulk portion of the beverage to be dispensed and a foamed portion of the beverage to be dispensed, wherein the tap defines two beverage flow paths, wherein one of the beverage flow paths is provided with a flow restriction for inducing turbulence in the beverage flow for producing foam and comprises an outlet angled at between 0 and 60 degrees to the horizontal so that foam dispensed from the outlet does not fob an already dispensed bulk portion of the beverage. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a beverage dispensing apparatus;

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a cooling pod for use in the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective representation of a dispense font for use in the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view through a python of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a beverage dispensing apparatus;

Figure 6 is a graph of dispensation temperature versus drink number in a dispensation test;

Figure 7 is a graph of dispensation temperature versus dispense point in a comparative test;

Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a beverage dispensing apparatus;

Figure 9 is a schematic representation of an apparatus embodying the present invention; - Figures 10a and 10b are partial perspective views of an apparatus of the present invention with some hidden details shown;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figures 10a and 10b from another angle; and Figures 12 to 14 are perspective views of components of the apparatus of Figures 10a and 10b.

Technical background to the invention will firstly be illustrated, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, in a system comprising a single dispense font 1, a cooling pod 10, a python 20, a remote primary cooler 23 and a secondary cooler 24. The font 1 is located at a dispensation site, such as a bar area of a public house. The primary cooler 23 is located at a remote site separated from the bar area, such as a cellar. The python 20 extends between the dispensation site and the remote site. The location of the cooling pod 10 and secondary cooler 24 will be described below.

The remote primary cooler 23 comprises a housing 40 in which are located a cooling mechanism and a pumping mechanism. The cooling mechanism comprises a water bath 41 through which one or more beverage supply line 33 passes. Preferably, the beverage supply lines are formed into a coiled configuration 42 within the water bath 41 to improve heat transfer between the water in the water bath and the beverage in the beverage supply lines. The water bath 41 is itself cooled by an ice bank (not shown) which is formed by a refrigeration mechanism of known type. Typically, the remote primary cooler 23 is sited in a cellar or back room.

The dispense font 1 comprises a housing 4 which is mountable to a bar or similar surface visible to the customer and on which is mounted a tap 2 of a type for dispensing draft beverages. The tap 2 is connected to a beverage line 3 which runs through an interior of the housing 4 and extends from the housing 4 for connection to an external supply.

The cooling pod 10, as shown in Figure 2, comprises a housing 11 defining a cooling chamber 18. The cooling chamber 18 is provided with a water inlet 16 and a water outlet 17 for accommodating flow of water (or other cooling medium) through the cooling chamber 18. A cooling coil 12 is provided within the cooling chamber 18 and connects between a beverage inlet 14 and a beverage outlet 15. The beverage line 3 of the dispense font 1 connects to the beverage outlet 15 of the cooling pod 10. The cooling pod 10 includes an elongated pipe 60 connected to the water inlet 16. The pipe 60 has a closed end 63 at a distal end from the water inlet 16 and a number of holes 62 spaced along the length and around the circumference of the pipe 60. The pipe 60 is located within the cooling coil 12 such that water exiting the holes 62 impacts as a spray on the inside surface of the coil 12. The housing 11 is surrounded by insulation 19 to minimise heat transfer between the cooling pod 10 and the surroundings. The insulation 19 is an expanded foam insulation.

The cooling pod 10 is located at the dispensation site. It may be located above or below bar level and may optionally be incorporated into the housing 4 of the dispense font 1. The python 20, as shown in Figure 4, comprises a conduit in which runs the one or more beverage supply lines 33 and cooling lines 21, 22. The cooling lines comprise an outward cooling line 21 and a return cooling line 22. An insulated sheath 25 of the python provides the python with structural integrity and also helps prevent heat transfer between the interior of the python 20 and the surroundings. As shown in Figure 4, the python 20 contains sixteen beverage supply lines 33. The number of beverage supply lines 33 within the python 20 can be varied depending on the number of dispense fonts 1 that require connection. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, for the sake of clarity, only a single beverage supply line 33 is shown.

As shown in Figure 1, the python 20 extends from the remote primary cooler 23 to the dispensation site. The outward cooling line 21 extends from the water bath 41 and connects to the water inlet 16 of the cooling pod 10. The beverage supply line 33 runs from the primary cooler 23 and connects to the beverage inlet 14 of the cooling pod 10.

Traditionally, the beverage supply lines 33 of pythons are 3/8" pipes. In addition, in previous cooling loop design it is usual to use 3/8" pipes. The standard cooling line pipe in a python is 15mm diameter. The cooling coil 12 of the cooling pod 10 is a 5/16" pipe which is connected to the 3/8" beverage supply line 33 at the beverage inlet 14 by means of a coupling 13. The cooling lines 21, 22 of the python 20 and the cooling pod 10 together form a cooling circuit through which the cooling water flows continuously.

The dispense font 1, as shown in Figure 3, is further provided with a cooling loop 5 which comprises a font cooling line 9 which is connected to the water outlet 17 of the cooling pod 10. The font cooling line 9 runs within the font housing 4 in close proximity to the beverage line 3. As shown in Figure 1, the cooling loop further comprises a condensation mechanism 6 located at or near a front face of the housing 4. By 'front face¹ is meant the face of the dispense font 1 facing the customer in use.

The condensation mechanism 6, as shown in Figure 3, comprises a portion 8 of the cooling loop 5 and a condensation plate 50 in thermal contact with one another. The thermal contact is achieved by the provision of bridge structures (not shown) spanning between the portion 8 of the cooling loop 5 and a rearward, interior surface of the condensation plate 50. Preferably, the bridge structures comprise raised portions of the rear face of the condensation plate which rest against the cooling loop portion 8. The raised portions are shaped with a dished semi-circular cross-section to form a close interface with the rounded portion 8 of the cooling loop pipework. The bridge structures, like the condensation plate are formed from a thermally conductive material, such as metal. Preferably the bridge structures are formed as a single piece with the rest of the condensation plate 50 by means of, for example, a casting process. The portion 8 of the cooling loop 5 is encompassed in an insulator 52 such as expanded polyurethane foam. The insulator 52 is also formed in contact with the interior surface of the condensation plate 50 except for the locations of the bridge structures. The insulator 52 also acts to compress the bridge structures of the condensation plate 50 and the portion 8 of the cooling loop 5 together to maintain a good thermal contact. Optionally, the insulator 52 can fill the entire void space of the housing 4 of the dispense font 1.

The cooling loop 5, comprising the font cooling line 9 and the portion 8 of the cooling loop 5 in thermal contact with the condensation plate 50, is preferably a single length of pipework such that a single continuous flow of water passes through the cooling loop 5 to effect cooling of the beverage line 3 and condensation on the condensation plate 50. In other words, the font cooling line 9 and the condensation mechanism 6 are cooled in series by the same cooling water. Optionally, as shown in Figure 3, the font cooling line 9 may also form a portion, or the whole of, the portion 8 in thermal contact with the condensation plate 50. Also, optionally, the beverage line 3 may be cooled by more than one length of the cooling loop 5. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the beverage line 3 is cooled by inward and outward legs of the cooling loop 5.

The cooling loop 5 is preferably formed from 15mm pipes which are the same diameter as the cooling lines 21, 22 of the python 20. The use of 15mm lines in the font 1 maximises the cooling effect of the cooling loop 5 and minimises flow restrictions, thus helping to ensure that the overall flow rate of cooling water through the cooling circuit is maintained above the required minimum level of 4 litres/minute.

The cooling loop 5 forms a part of the cooling circuit and is connected in series with the outward cooling line 21 and the return cooling line 22. The cooling loop pipework extends from the dispense font 1 and connects to the return cooling line 22 of the python 20. The entire flow of cooling water in the cooling circuit passes sequentially through the outward cooling line 21, cooling pod 10, cooling loop 5 and return cooling line 22. The secondary cooler 24 is preferably a flash cooler as known in the art. However, the secondary cooler 24 in the present apparatus is used to cool the return cooling line 22 rather that the beverage supply line 33. As shown in Figure 1, the return cooling line 22 passes through the secondary cooler 24 before reaching the primary cooler 23. The secondary cooler 24 is a flash cooler type comprising a 15cc compressor and a 10 kg ice bank to ensure that it has sufficient capacity to cool the water in the return cooling line 22. The cooling coil in the secondary cooler 24 is preferably 6 metres in length and % inch diameter.

It should be noted that for clarity, the structure of the python 20 is not shown in Figure 1 as extending the entire way between the primary cooler 23 and the dispensation site. In practice, the python 20 would extend for the whole distance between the primary cooler and the dispensation site. In addition, the overall python 20 may comprise separate lengths spanning between components of the apparatus. For example, one length of the python 20 could extend from the primary cooler 23 to the cooling pod 10. A separate length of python may be utilised to span any gap between the dispense font 1 and the secondary cooler 24. Either a portion of the python, or separate insulation may be used to insulate the lines as they extend from the cooling pod 10 to the dispense font 1. As will be understood, a single length of python is preferably to cover the distance between the remote location and the dispensation site. However, one or more sections of python may be required at the dispensation site to properly insulate individual lines and connections.

In use, operation of the tap 2 causes beverage to be dispensed. The beverage is dispensed by means of a gas- pressurised system (not shown) or alternatively by a pumping mechanism located in the cellar. Beverage is passed from a storage keg (or similar container) in the cellar along the beverage supply line 33. The beverage passes through the cooling coil 42 in primary cooler 23 where it is cooled by action of the water bath. Typically, beverage entering the primary cooler will be at a temperature or around 12 degrees Celsius. On leaving the primary cooler 23 the temperature will typically be between 5 and 7 degrees Celsius. . The beverage flows through the python 20 to the dispensation site and is fed into the cooling pod 10 via coupling 13. At the point of reaching the cooling pod the beverage will typically have risen in temperature by around 1 to 2 degrees Celsius or so - and as a result be at a temperature of between 6 and 10 degrees Celsius. The beverage flows through the cooling coil 12 where it is cooled by the cooling water in the surrounding cooling chamber 18. On leaving .the beverage outlet 15 of the cooling pod 10 the beverage temperature of between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius dependant on the entry temperature of the beverage, the flow rate of the beverage and the dispense rate of beverage (i.e. the number of beverages dispensed in a set time period) .

The beverage then flows through the beverage line 3 to the tap 2 where it is dispensed. Between the cooling pod 10 and the tap 2 the beverage temperature is maintained by thermal contact with the font cooling line 9 of the cooling loop 5.

As a result, the temperature of the beverage when dispensed from the tap 2 is typically between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius. Advantageously, as can be seen, the temperature of the beverage between the cooling pod 10 and the tap 2 is substantially unchanged.

The pumping mechanism of the remote cooler 23 operates to pump cooling water from the water bath 41 of the primary cooler 23 through the cooling circuit of the outward cooling line 21, cooling chamber 18 of the cooling pod 10, cooling loop 5, and return cooling line 22. All of the cooling water in the outward cooling line 21 passes through the cooling chamber 18 of the cooling pod 10 and is then diverted through the cooling loop 5 before returning to the primary cooler 23 via the return cooling line 22. The cooling water enters the cooling pod 10 via the elongate pipe 60. Since the pipe is closed at the distal end 63 the water is forced out radially in the form of a spray through holes 62 onto the cooling coil 12. Forming the cooling water into a spray in this way helps to minimise the pressure drop in the cooling circuit whilst maximising the cooling effect of the water. In addition, the use of a spray minimises the effect of the cooling pod's presence on the overall flow rate in the cooling circuit. Finally, the use of a spray- invokes turbulence in the water within the cooling chamber 18 which prevents the formation of air locks or temperature layers within the chamber which would impair the cooling effect.

As indicated above, the cooling loop 5 serves the purpose of maintaining the temperature of the beverage in the beverage line 3 whilst in the dispense font 1 and before being dispensed by tap 2. In addition, the cooling loop 5 comprises the condensation mechanism 6. Flow of the cooling water through the pipework 8 of the condensation mechanism 6 cools the pipework 8 and in turn the condensation plate 50 via the thermal contact between the pipework 8 and the condensation plate 50 by means of the bridge structures. Cooling of the condensation plate 50 causes condensation to form on the exterior face of the condensation plate 50 where water vapour in the atmosphere at the dispensation site condenses on the relatively cold surface of the condensation plate 50. The return cooling line 22 is passed via the secondary cooler 24 on its way to the primary cooler 23. The temperature of the cooling water in the return cooling line 22 is reduced from between 4 and 2 degrees Celsius to between 2 and 1 degrees Celsius. An example of the results of using the present apparatus are shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 shows a graph of dispensation temperature in degrees Celsius versus the number of beverages dispensed. In the illustrated test, beverage at an initial temperature of 8 degrees Celsius on entering the cooling pod 10 was dispensed at a volume flow rate of 15 seconds per pint. Drink numbers 1 to 9 were dispensed at an interval rate of one pint per minute. Drink numbers 10 to 19 were dispensed at an interval rate of two pints per minute. Cooling water was pumped through the cooling circuit at a flow rate of 5 litres per minute. As can be seen, the dispensation temperature of the first nine beverages was between 4.5 and 4.3 degrees Celsius. The dispensation temperature of the second nine beverages was between 4.3 and 4.7 degrees Celsius.

Figure 5 illustrates a second embodiment of apparatus in which a plurality of dispense fonts 1 are connected to the primary cooler and the secondary cooler 24. In the illustrated embodiment three dispense fonts Ia, Ib and Ic are connected. However, the apparatus may be used for two, three or more dispense fonts.

Like components in the second embodiment to those described above in respect of the first embodiment have been referenced by like numerals. The python 20 comprises an outward cooling line 21 and a return cooling line 22 as in the first embodiment and also a plurality of beverage supply lines 33a, 33b, 33c. Each beverage supply line 33 feeds an individual cooling pod 10a, 10b, 10c, each of which are connected to a respective dispense font. As will be seen from Figure^' 5, the outward cooling line 21 feeds the first cooling pod 10a to supply cooling water in the manner described above. Cooling water leaving the cooling pod 10a passes via the cooling loop 5a and passes back to the python 20. Thereafter, the same cooling water is passed to the second cooling pod 10b and then through the second cooling loop 5b and so on down the line of dispense fonts. After leaving the terminal dispense font Ic, the cooling water flows via the return cooling line 22 to the primary cooler via the secondary cooler 24 in the manner described above with reference to the first embodiment. It will be apparent that the cooling pods 10a, 10b and 10c and the cooling loops 5a, 5b and 5c are connected in series such that the entire flow of cooling water in the outward cooling line 29 passes through the cooling pods and cooling loops in turn before being returned to the primary cooler via the return cooling line 22.

Figure 7 shows a comparative test of dispense temperatures from ten dispense fonts connected and supplied by a single python. In the test illustrated each dispense font in test A comprised a cooling pod 10 and cooling loop 5 as described above. In test B the dispense fonts at positions 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 have no cooling mechanism and the dispense fonts at positions 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 are provided with a cooling loop as known in the art. As can be clearly seen the apparatus is able to maintain a higher uniformity and overall lower dispense temperatures than prior systems.

Figure 8 illustrates another apparatus. Like components to those described above in respect of the above embodiments have been referenced by like numerals. The third apparatus differs from the previous apparatus in that the cooling loop 5 is not formed in series with the cooling pod 10 and condensation mechanism 6. Instead the cooling loop 5 is formed as a branch off the cooling circuit of the python 20. As shown, the cooling loop branch-off point is located downstream of the cooling pod 10 and the condensation mechanism 6. In use, the cooling medium, typically water, flows through the cooling circuit of the python with the entire flow first passing through the cooling pod 10 and then the condensation mechanism 6. The cooling medium then returns to the python. At least a portion, but not necessarily all, of the cooling medium is subsequently diverted off into the cooling loop 5 where it aids maintenance of the beverage temperature in the beverage line 3.

Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment of apparatus embodying the present invention. Like components in the embodiment to those described above in respect of the above apparatus have been referenced by like numerals.

As with the apparatus described above with reference to Figure 8, the cooling loop 5 of the embodiment is formed as a branch. In addition, the embodiment differs from the other apparatus in that the condensation mechanism 6 is separate from the primary cooling circuit of the python. As shown, the condensation mechanism comprises pipework 88 connected to a secondary cooling circuit comprising a dedicated cooler 90 for cooling a glycol cooling medium. The outlet from the cooling pod 10 is directed immediately back to the python rather than entering the font housing 4.

In use glycol from the cooler 90 at a temperature of around -7 degrees Celsius is pumped through the pipework 88 and consequently the condensation plate 50 is subject to a high degree of cooling which results in the formation of ice and/or a frosting effect on the exterior of the plate 50.

A potential disadvantage of using glycol in a beverage font is that the low temperature of the glycol can lead to freezing of liquids in the beverage line 3. This is particularly the case when the beverage line is subjected to cleaning cycles using water. Advantageously, the present font provides insulation between the cooling circuit used for the glycol, and the beverage line 3. Within the font housing the insulation 52 surrounding the condensation pipework 88 helps to prevent heat transfer from the beverage line 3. In addition, advantageously, the cooling water is • circulated within the cooling loop 5 at the same time as glycol is circulated in the secondary cooling circuit. The cooling water, typically at around 2 degrees Celsius helps to maintain the cleaning water in the beverage line 3 at above its freezing point . As a result it is possible to clean the beverage line 3 without having to first switch off the glycol circulation or the cooling water circulation. This allows the ice or frost effect on the exterior of the font housing to be maintained even while cleaning the beverage line or lines. Advantageously, it will be understood that the same beverage font housing 4 and internal pipework may be utilised for carrying out the modes of operation described with reference to Figures 8 and 9 simply by altering the external connections. In particular, the condensation plate 50, pipework 8/88, insulation 52, cooling loop 5 and tap 2 may be unchanged. By suitably altering the external connections the font may quickly and easily be turned from a condensating font into a font which produces a frozen ice effect. In addition, the font may work as a standard non- condensing font wherein the cooling loop 5 and pipework 8/88 are not connected to external sources of cooling medium. Thus, a single design of font can readily achieve a number of desired dispense effects and temperature profiles .

Figures 10a to 14 illustrate another aspect of the present invention. In this aspect like reference numerals have been used for like components to those described above. The font housing 4 is provided with a primary illumination source 103 at or near an upper region for illuminating a translucent branding panel . The illumination source is a cold cathode tube running off a voltage of 400V RMS and drawing a current of 4mA. The cold cathode tube 103 is connected to an electronic control module 105 by means of wiring 114. The wiring 114 is water-proofed by the provision of plastic sheathing 104 and heat shrink water proof joints 115 where the wiring 114 connects to the tube 103. The electronic control module 105 comprises an ABS housing 110 and base 112 as well as an electronics package 111 which controls operation of the tube 103 and transforms the incoming voltage from an external supply 106. The housing of the control module 105 is moisture resistant and is located outside the housing 104. Preferably, as shown in Figure 11, the module 105 is located within the confines of the font mounting stanchion 101 and is protected from physical impacts by the legs of the mounting bracket 102. The cold cathode tube 103 may be located within an acrylic block to improve its moisture resistance. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the font 1 is also provided with a secondary illumination source in the form of a LED panel 107 in a lower region of the font housing 104. The LED panel 107 comprises a number of individual LEDs of known design mounted to a PCB 113. The LED panel 107 is connected to the control module 105 by means of a water¬ proofed wiring connection 108. In use the primary and secondary illumination sources can be used in combination or individually to create a range of visual effects. In particular the water resistant nature of the illumination sources and control module make the apparatus suitable for use with condensating fonts as described above (the condensation mechanism being omitted from Figures 10 to 14 for clarity) since, in general, moisture will be present within the font housing 4. The embodiments described above have been given as examples only of the present invention. Variations may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims. For example, the taps 2 mounted to the dispense fonts 1 may be any suitable tap for dispensing draft beverage. In particular, the taps 2 may be of the type described in the applicant's European patent EP 1138628 which are particularly suitable for dispensing beverages with foamed heads by means of utilising separate flow paths for the bulk portion of the beverage to be dispensed and the foamed portion of the beverage to be dispensed. The tap defines two beverage flow paths, wherein one of the beverage flow paths is provided with a flow restriction for inducing turbulence in the beverage flow for producing foam and comprises an outlet angled at between 0 and 60 degrees to the horizontal so that foam dispensed from the outlet does not fob an already dispensed bulk portion of the beverage. Optionally the beverage flow path direction at the outlet may be substantially horizontal .

Two taps may be provided, each defining one of the beverage flow paths. Alternatively, a single tap may be provided comprising a housing comprising two chambers defining the two beverage flow paths.

A valve may be provided upstream of the chambers movable from a first position in which an inlet to the chamber containing the flow restriction is closed and an inlet to the other chamber is open, to a second position in which the inlet to the chamber containing the flow restriction is open and the inlet to the other chamber is closed.

The flow restriction may be an orifice plate.

Advantageously, this tap is particularly suitable for use with the cooling systems of the present invention since it is able to dispense good quality, stable heads on beverages at low temperatures. Previously, formation of heads on cold beverages has been difficult.

The fonts 1 may also be provided with means for illuminating the electrical supply for illuminating fonts may be incorporated into the python 20 or may be provided by separate electrical supply provided locally at the dispensation site.

The fonts 1 may be provided each with a single dispense tap 2 or may have multiple dispense taps 2 provided. For example, a dispense font 1 may be in the form of a T-bar font known in the art . The fonts 1 may be free flow fonts where control of the quantity dispensed is determined by the length of time that the tap 2 is opened or alternatively the fonts may be metered fonts whereby control of the volume of beverage dispensed is controlled by electronic means to allow for semi-automatic operation of dispensing.

The secondary cooler 24 may be located at the dispensation site or alternatively may be located at the remote site such that the return cooling line 23 is cooled immediately prior to the line connecting to the primary cooler 23. Where the secondary cooler 24 is located at the dispensation site, the secondary cooler 24 may be located after the terminal dispense font in the run of dispense fonts or may be positioned part way along the run of the dispense fonts, for example between fonts Ib and Ic as shown in Figure 5.

The present invention has been described by way of example with the cooling medium passing through the primary cooling circuit of the python 20 being water. However other cooling mediums may be used.

Claims

Claims :

1. A method of cleaning a beverage line of a beverage dispense font, the font being of a type comprising condensation means in thermal contact with the housing through which, in use, a first cooling medium can flow, and further comprising a cooling line in thermal contact with the beverage line through which, in use, a second cooling medium can flow,- the method comprising the steps of: passing the first cooling medium through the condensation means to form condensation, frosting or ice on an exterior of the housing; at the same time passing the second cooling medium through the cooling line; at the same time passing a cleaning medium through the beverage line,- whereby heat transfer between the cleaning medium and the first cooling medium is moderated by heat transfer between the second cooling medium and the cleaning medium.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first cooling medium is at a sub-zero temperature.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the second cooling medium is at a temperature of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius.

4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first cooling medium is glycol.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second cooling medium is water.

6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cleaning medium is water.

7. A beverage font suitable for cleaning according to the method of any preceding claim.

8. A beverage font comprising a housing for mounting to a bar or similar surface, one or more taps for dispensing beverage, one or more beverage lines routed through said housing for supplying said taps with beverage, and a cooling line located in thermal contact with the housing through which, in use, a cooling medium can flow so as to cool the housing so as to form condensation, frost or ice on at least a portion of an exterior of the housing, wherein the beverage font further comprises an illumination source mounted within the housing for illuminating a branding panel or panels of the beverage font, the illumination source being connected to a source of electrical power via an electronic control module wherein the electronic control module is located outside the beverage font housing.

9. A beverage font as claimed in claim 8 wherein the illumination source is connected to the electronic control module by waterproofed, insulated wiring.

10. A beverage font as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the illumination source is a cold cathode lamp.

11. A beverage font as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10 wherein the electronic control module is located in a waterproof housing.

12. A beverage font as claimed in any of claims 8 to 12 wherein the illumination source is a primary illumination source and the font further comprises a secondary illumination source located within the beverage font housing and connected to the electronic control module.

13. A beverage font as claimed in claim 12 wherein the secondary illumination source is one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) .

14. A beverage font as claimed in claim 13 wherein the primary illumination source is located in an upper portion of the housing and the secondary illumination source is located in a lower portion of the housing.

15. A beverage font as claimed in any of claims 8 to 14 wherein the illumination source is at least partially enclosed within a block of plastics material, such as acrylic.

16. A beverage font as claimed in any of claims 8 to 15 wherein thermal contact between the cooling line and the housing is provided by a plurality of structural bridges between the cooling line and the housing.

17. A beverage font as claimed in any of claims 8 to 16 wherein the cooling line is in thermal contact with only one face of the housing to provide only one cooled face such that, in use, condensation, frost or ice is formed substantially only on said cooled face.

18. A beverage font as claimed in claim 17 wherein the cooled face of the housing is made of metal.

19. A beverage font as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18 wherein insulating means is provided to thermally insulate the cooling line from other faces of the housing.

20. A beverage font as claimed in claim 19 wherein the insulating means is in the form of solid insulation substantially surrounding the cooling line except for areas of thermal contact between the cooling line and the cooled face.

21. A beverage font as claimed in claim 20 wherein the solid insulation is expanded foam insulation.

22. A beverage font as claimed in any of claims 8 to 21 wherein at least a portion of the cooling line is in thermal contact with the one or more beverage lines so as to cool beverage in the one or more beverage lines.

23. A beverage font as claimed in any of claims 8 to 21 comprising a separate cooling line in thermal contact with the one or more beverage lines and through which a cooling medium can flow so as to cool beverage in the one or more beverage lines.

24. A beverage font as claimed in any of claims 8 to 23 wherein the one or more taps are adapted for dispensing beverages with foamed heads by means of utilising separate flow paths for a bulk portion of the beverage to be dispensed and a foamed portion of the beverage to be dispensed, wherein the tap defines two beverage flow paths, wherein one of the beverage flow paths is provided with a flow restriction for inducing turbulence in the beverage flow for producing foam and comprises an outlet angled at between 0 and 60 degrees to the horizontal so that foam dispensed from the outlet does not fob an already dispensed bulk portion of the beverage.

25. A beverage font substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in Figures 10 to 14 of the accompanying drawings.