Classifications

• • 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
  • B67D1/04—Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers
  • B67D1/0412—Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers the whole dispensing unit being fixed to the container
• • 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
  • B67D1/04—Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers
  • B67D1/0412—Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers the whole dispensing unit being fixed to the container
  • B67D1/0425—Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers the whole dispensing unit being fixed to the container comprising an air pump system
• • 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
• • 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
  • B67D1/0858—Cooling arrangements using compression systems
  • B67D1/0861—Cooling arrangements using compression systems the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means
• • 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
  • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
  • B67D1/1252—Gas pressure control means, e.g. for maintaining proper carbonation

Definitions

• the invention relates to an apparatus for cooling a liquid, comprising a housing with: a compressor-type cooler with a compressor, an evaporator and a pump, which are connected with each other via pipes; a container for a liquid vessel that is in thermal contact with the evaporator; and a draw-off pipe for the outlet of liquid from the liquid vessel .
• Such an apparatus is known in the art and is frequently used.
• the manufacturer embodies such appa- ratuses for a vessel to be put on the market by that manufacturer.
• such apparatuses are put on the market to allow people to draw beer at home.
• the object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus.
• the object of the invention is in particular to provide an apparatus allowing the user a large degree of freedom when choosing the liquid vessels to be used in the apparatus .
• the object of the invention is especially to allow the user to choose for himself what liquid is cooled in the apparatus .
• the invention provides an apparatus as mentioned in the preamble, characterized in that the draw-off pipe for liquid outlet comprises a coupling means for connecting it with a liquid outlet pipe of the liquid vessel, and in that the apparatus comprises a gas tube for connecting to the liquid vessel.
• the pipe for liquid outlet and the gas tube be connected with an adapter that can be connected with a liquid vessel.
• an adapter may very conveniently form a lid for the liquid vessel .
• the draw-off pipe and the gas tube of the apparatus for cooling the liquid can be detach- ably connected with the liquid vessel in a very simple manner.
• a liquid vessel may be removed from the apparatus and then stored even when it is not completely empty. Depending on the storage life of the liquid in the vessel, the vessel may be put back after a shorter or longer time. In this way it is quite simple to regularly replace the liquid vessels with different ones.
• the gas tube is connected with a pump for creating a pressure in the liquid vessel.
• This pump is conveniently provided in the apparatus for cooling the liquid.
• the gas tube at a position that is in fluid communication with the liquid vessel, is provided with a pressure sensor that transmits a pressure- related signal to a processing unit, so that at a pressure that is lower than a predetermined pressure, the processing unit activates the pump and at a pressure that is higher than a predetermined pressure, it deactivates the pump.
• the pressure in the liquid vessel can easily be maintained at a suitable value, or within a range of suitable values.
• the pressure will drop but will be elevated again by the pump.
• the adapter mentioned above preferably comprises means for attaching it to the liquid vessel, whereby these means cooperate with complementary connecting means provided on the liquid vessel, preferably selected from a threaded or a bayonet coupling.
• connection means are of course also suitable. It is preferred that they be easily detachable. It is further preferred that in such an embodiment the adapter be connected with the draw-off pipe. This will preferably be a detachable connection, which affords the advantage that the liquid vessel with adapter can be removed, to be replaced by another liquid vessel with its own adapter, to which the draw-off pipe can subsequently be connected. In a similar manner, the adapter is of course also connected with the gas tube. The gas tube will also be easily detach- able from the adapter and in a correspondingly simple manner be connectable again with another adapter.
• the invention also relates to a liquid vessel for use in an apparatus according to the invention described above.
• the shape of the liquid vessel will substantially correspond with the shape of the container for the liquid vessel in the apparatus for cooling a liquid.
• the liquid vessel is preferably a cylindrical housing having a sealed bottom and an opening at the side facing away from the bottom. This opening is preferably provided with attaching means for removably attaching a lid.
• This lid is preferably embodied as adapter for connecting a gas tube of the apparatus for cooling a liquid and the draw-off pipe for the outlet of liquid.
• the draw-off pipe for the liquid outlet is connected with a coupling piece provided on the adapter and is in fluid communication with a riser pipe provided in the vessel. This riser pipe runs from a position at the bottom of the vessel to the adapter, where it passes into the coupling piece for coupling to the draw-off pipe.
• a coupling piece for coupling to the gas tube In the adapter there is also a coupling piece for coupling to the gas tube.
• This may be a simple tubular feature with a coupling means at an end facing away from the adapter, via which the gas tube is brought into fluid communication with the interior of the vessel.
• This gas inlet pipe debouches at a position at the underside of the adapter and is in fluid communication with the vessel. There iis no need for a separate pipe to project from the bottom side of the adapter into the vessel.
• the liquid vessel is preferably made from a plastic, for example, polycarbonate. It is especially preferred for the vessel to be made of a clear polycarbonate.
• At least one of the liquid outlet pipe and the gas inlet pipe comprise a sealing means that can be placed in an open and a closed position so that if desired, the pipe can be opened or closed. This avoids unintentional flow of liquid from the vessel, especially when removing the adapter from and attaching it on the liquid vessel.
• a sealing means that can be placed in an open and a closed position so that if desired, the pipe can be opened or closed.
• the invention has a considerable advantage.
• the apparatus according to the invention is suitable for cooling and serving vessels that can be filled with a liquid by the user himself and that are already filled. This not only affords the possibility of drawing beer, but also of cooling and drawing wine, such as rose wine, fruit juices, and other soft drinks, even mixed drinks.
• the invention will be further elucidated by way of a drawing.
• Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an apparatus according to the invention.
• Fig. 2 shows a liquid vessel and an adapter for use in the apparatus according to the invention.
• Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the liquid vessel and an adapter according to fig. 2.
• FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 1 for cooling and withdrawing liquid.
• the apparatus 1 comprises a liquid vessel 2 accommodated in a container 3 that is provided in the housing 4 of the apparatus 1.
• the apparatus 1 further comprises a valve 5. This is embodied in the usual manner and requires no further description.
• the ability to draw liquid from the liquid vessel 2 results from applying an overpressure above the liquid phase in the vessel 2.
• the pressure is applied by supplying a gas through a gas tube 6.
• the gas tube 6 is connected via a coupling means 7 with an adapter 8 provided on the vessel 2.
• the gas inlet pipe 9 on the adapter 8 leads to the bottom side of the adapter 8 and into the vessel 2.
• the apparatus 1 is provided with a pump supplying gas through the gas tube 6 into the vessel 2.
• a pressure sensor In order to reach and maintain a correct and suitable gas pressure in the vessel 2, a pressure sensor is provided, which should be positioned such that it is in continuous fluid communication with the interior of the vessel 2. If there are no sealing means in the adapter 8 and the coupling means 7, the sensor may, for example, be pro- ' vided in the tube 6. In that case, the pressure in the tube 6 will be the same as the pressure in the vessel 2. This has the advantage that the liquid vessel 2 may be of a very simple design. According to another embodiment, the sensor may be provided on the adapter 8.
• the sensor may send a signal to a central processing unit capable of activating and inactivating the pump. If the pressure measured by the sensor is lower than a preset value, the pump can be activated. When subsequently the pressure is the same as or higher than a preset value, the pump can be deactivated again.
• the sensor is able to measure the pressure in a complete and continuous manner. In order to save electricity, the sensor may operate intermittently and may, for example, measure the pressure every five seconds. Likewise, it is possible that the sensor measures the pressure continuously, while the central processing unit registers and processes the supplied signals only intermittently.
• Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the liquid vessel 2 according to the invention.
• the liquid vessel 2 is embodied in an inventive manner.
• the liquid vessel 2 comprises a lid 8 simultaneously serving as adapter for connecting to the apparatus 1 for cooling the liquid.
• the adapter seals the only opening in the liquid vessel 2.
• a bayonet or threaded coupling may be provided to removably connect the adapter 8 with the liquid vessel 2.
• the liquid vessel 2 is transparent. This has the advantage that a user can easily see whether the vessel 2 contains any liquid and, if so, how much.
• a gas cartridge may be provided in the usual manner to produce the desired froth.
• a carbon dioxide cartridge may be used to provide a convenient manner of drawing carbonated drinks.
• Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the liquid vessel represented in Fig. 2.
• the liquid vessel 2 has a wall 10 made in a thickness and of a material chosen such that when the user, by means of the pump in the apparatus 1, applies a pressure in the apparatus, no damages will ensue.
• This preset pressure should be lower than the failure pressure of the liquid vessel 2.
• Such a provision is especially important when fruit juices or other fermenting liquids are kept in the vessel .
• the adapter 8 comprises a riser pipe 12 for discharging liquid from the liquid vessel 2, from the bottom side 13 of the riser pipe 12 in the direction of the arrow 14 and via the liquid outlet pipe 15 on the adapter 8.
• the end of the pipe 15 comprises, for example, a coupling means for connecting to the draw-off pipe for liquid outlet.
• a connection is preferably detachable. It is possible to use, for example, a screw connection but any other connection that ensures a suitable coupling of the draw-off pipe for liquid outlet to the pipe 15 is suitable for use.
• the riser pipe 12 is de- tachably connected with the adapter 8 by means of a threaded coupling 16. This makes it convenient to clean the riser pipe 12 and to remove the liquid vessel sealed by means of the adapter 8 and possibly still containing liquid left in the vessel, from the apparatus 1 and to store it. The riser pipe 12 may then be used for another vessel with adapter. The riser pipe 12 can be cleaned very easily.
• the gas tube of the apparatus 1 is connected with the gas inlet pipe 17 on the adapter 8. In the embodiment shown, the gas inlet pipe 17 forms an integral part with the adapter 8.
• the gas tube of the apparatus 1 is removably connected at the end 18 of the gas inlet pipe 17. This may be the same provision as the coupling device of the draw-off pipe for liquid outlet.
• the gas inlet pipe 17 is in fluid communication with the interior of the vessel 2. Gas supplied via the pipe 17 enters the vessel at the gas opening 19.
• the liquid vessel 2 has wider portions 20 at the top and at the bottom side of the liquid vessel 2. These wider portions are not obligatory.
• the liquid vessel 2 must at all times be in thermal contact with the evaporator of the cooler in the apparatus 1. If the thermal contact takes place chiefly at the bottom 21 of the vessel 2, the shape of the circumferential surface of the vessel is of minor importance. However, if the thermal contact occurs mainly at the sides, it will be preferable for the liquid vessel 2 to have a straight circumferential surface (radial wall) .
• Fig. 4 and Fig. 4A schematically show an embodiment of a pipe 24 (partly cut away) , which may be formed by the pipes 15 and 17 attached to the adapter (see Fig. 3) .
• the pipe 24 is provided with an opening 27 extending therethrough.
• a receiving portion 25 is formed in the pipe consisting substantially of a widening of the pipe 24.
• an opening 26 is provided into which a valve 22 can be introduced in the direction of arrow B.
• the valve is provided with a through-passage 23 which, when the valve is positioned in the receiving portion, can be aligned with the opening 27 in the pipe 24.
• Fig. 4A shows a cross-section along the line A-A according to Fig. 4 through the valve 22, clearly showing the through-passage 23.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=35840211

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 2005
  • 2005-08-26 WO PCT/NL2005/000618 patent/WO2007024129A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2005-08-26 EP EP05775159A patent/EP1948553A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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