EP3972929B1 - Beverage dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a device and an assembly for dispensing beverages, such as beer, for example.

State of the prior art

The document WO 2016/166475 on behalf of the Applicant discloses a beverage dispensing assembly for filling a container, in particular a glass, via a nozzle passing through a sealing element housed in the bottom of the container.

The nozzle is connected to a reservoir, for example a drum, via a solenoid valve which can be controlled between an open position allowing the container to be filled, and a closed position.

Such a dispensing assembly is intended for professionals and has a relatively high cost. A beverage dispensing assembly is known from the document WO 2016/182246 A1 .

There currently exists a need to be able to offer a dispensing assembly adapted to the needs of the general public and presenting a lower cost.

Presentation of the invention

To this end, the invention relates to a beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 1.

The lever and the bearing surface thus act like a cam, the contact zone between the lever and the bearing surface moving gradually when the lever is actuated. The actuation of the lever, that is to say its rotation around the fixed axis, causes the displacement axial in translation of the nozzle and, consequently, the opening or closing of the valve with which the sampling part cooperates.

The nozzle may comprise at least a first part defining a first part of the fluid circulation channel and forming the withdrawal part, and at least a second part defining a second part of the fluid circulation channel and forming the distribution part, the first part and the second part of the nozzle being assembled in a sealed manner to one another.

The second part can be a standard element, marketed with the reservoir and reused so as to form the second part of the nozzle.

The nozzle may include at least a third part defining a third part of the circulation channel and mechanically and fluidically connecting the first and second parts. The different parts of the nozzle can be fixed relative to each other by snap-fastening.

Such a structure facilitates the manufacture, assembly and cleaning of the nozzle. It will be noted that the structure and operation of a tank equipped with a valve is known from the prior art, for example from the document EP 2 001 790 .

Such a valve, also called a valve, is movable in translation between a closed position and an open position. An elastic return means, for example a compression spring, returns the valve to the closed position.

The force exerted by the return means on the valve can also allow the return of the nozzle to a rest position of the nozzle, in which no force is exerted on the lever. As a variant, the nozzle can be returned to this rest position by a return means distinct from that associated with the valve of the reservoir.

The reservoir may conventionally comprise a dip tube extending into the reservoir between a first end connected to the orifice closed off by the valve and a second end located close to the bottom of the reservoir, opposite the valve. In this way, the drink is taken from the bottom of the reservoir then rises through the dip tube before escaping through the orifice located at the top of the reservoir, when the valve is open.

The nozzle, the base and/or the lever can be made of plastic, for example by injection. The dispensing part may include a free end of hemispherical, frustoconical or ogive shape.

• un contenant comportant un orifice équipé d'un organe d'obturation,
• un dispositif de distribution de boisson du type précité, la partie de distribution du fluide étant introduite dans le volume interne du contenant au travers de l'organe d'obturation de sorte que la seconde ouverture de la partie de distribution de la buse soit située dans le volume interne du contenant,

le contenant comportant une partie d'appui venant en appui sur la partie d'actionnement du levier de façon à permettre le pivotement du levier par déplacement en translation du contenant.According to the invention, the beverage dispensing assembly comprises

• a container comprising an orifice equipped with a closure member,
• a beverage dispensing device of the aforementioned type, the fluid dispensing part being introduced into the internal volume of the container through the closure member so that the second opening of the dispensing part of the nozzle is located in the internal volume of the container,

the container comprising a support part bearing on the actuating part of the lever so as to allow the pivoting of the lever by translational movement of the container.

When the container is moved in translation so as to actuate the lever, the point of contact between the container and the actuating part moves as the container moves, like a cam.

The actuating part of the lever may comprise a convex bearing edge.

Such a structure makes it possible to limit friction during the sliding of the fulcrum of the container on the actuating part of the lever.

The container may include a bottom and a side wall delimiting the internal volume of the container, the closure member being formed in the bottom of the container, said support part of the container being formed by the bottom.

The container may be similar to that described in the document WO 2016/0166475 on behalf of the Applicant.

The container may include axial stops located on the internal surface of the side wall of the container, so that the bottom of a first container comes to bear axially on the stops of a second container when the two containers are stacked. The stops can be formed by ribs. The ribs can be evenly distributed around the circumference of the side wall.

Each rib may extend axially from the bottom of the tank. Each rib may have a rounded section.

The lever may have a general U-shape comprising a base from which extend two support branches, the pivot axis of the lever being formed in the base, the actuating part of the lever being formed by the branches , the bearing part of the lever being formed by middle zones, located between the pivot axis and the actuating part. The assembly may comprise a tank intended to house the reservoir and a cover closing the tank, the dispensing device being mounted at the level of the cover so that the sampling part of the nozzle extends into the internal volume of the tank of so as to be able to cooperate with a valve and so that the dispensing part of the nozzle extends outside the tank so as to be able to be introduced into the container through the closure member. The valve belongs to the tank.

The side wall can be cylindrical, the bottom being circular.

The cylindrical side wall and/or the bottom may comprise a material forming a thermal insulator.

The lid may include means for centering the container, in particular means for centering the part forming the bottom of the container. Said centering means may comprise a housing or an opening formed in the cover and whose shape corresponds substantially at the bottom of the container. Such centering means facilitate the positioning of the dispensing part of the nozzle relative to the container.

The second opening of the dispensing part of the nozzle may have a determined angular orientation around an axis of the dispensing part, the nozzle and/or the lid comprising means for angular positioning of the nozzle relative to the lid. Said angular positioning means may include a projecting part extending from the nozzle or from an element coupled in rotation to the nozzle, cooperating with a recessed part of complementary shape made in the lid, or vice versa. Said protruding part and said recessed part can extend along the axis of translation of the nozzle so as to provide coupling regardless of the axial position of the nozzle relative to the lid.

The closure member can be offset relative to the axis of the container, said container comprising means for angular positioning of the container relative to the lid or relative to the nozzle.

Said angular positioning means may comprise a recessed part formed in the container and cooperating with a projecting part extending from the lid or from the nozzle, or vice versa.

Said recessed part and said protruding part can extend along the axis of movement of the container relative to the lid or relative to the base on which the lever is hinged, so as to ensure rotational coupling regardless of the position axial of the container. The tank may comprise a bottom and a side wall delimiting an internal volume intended to accommodate the tank, said side wall and/or the bottom comprising centering and positioning means capable of centering and positioning the tank in the internal volume of the tank. . The centering and positioning means may comprise ribs extending for example along the axis of the vessel and regularly distributed around this axis. The number of ribs is for example equal to three. Such ribs make it possible to center the tank on the axis of the tank, in particular when the latter has a generally cylindrical shape.

The centering and positioning means may include an annular rim formed at the bottom of the tank, the tank being intended to come to rest on said rim, along the axis of the tank. Such a rim makes it possible to position the reservoir axially, so as to adjust its axial position in particular with respect to the sampling part of the nozzle.

The lid may include at least one orifice communicating with the internal volume of the tank, located around the area intended to receive the container. Several orifices of this type can be distributed around the axis of the lid. These orifices are intended to allow the flow of the drink into the tank in the event of overflow of the container, for example.

The tank may include cooling means distributed at the level of the side wall or the bottom of the tank, housed in the internal volume of the tank.

The cooling means can be blocks filled with a heat transfer material, for example a pocket or a reservoir containing a heat transfer liquid such as water. These blocks are capable of being cooled beforehand before introduction into the tank.

A circular block can be housed in the bottom of the tank.

The block located at the bottom of the tank can form part of the means for positioning and centering the tank. In particular, part of the tank, for example the bottom of the tank, can bear axially on the block located at the bottom of the tank.

Blocks can be distributed over the inner surface of the side wall, for example between the aforementioned ribs of the centering and positioning means.

The assembly or the device may comprise means for pressurizing the reservoir, said pressurizing means comprising a reservoir of pressurized gas and a channel for supplying the pressurized gas into the reservoir.

The base can be mounted on a fixing plate intended to be mounted on the tank or on the tank. The plate can be formed by a metal sheet comprising attachment zones. The base may comprise an orifice situated at the level of the mid-plane of the base, said orifice serving for mounting a gas supply pipe connected to a pressurized gas reservoir. The pressurized gas reservoir can be formed by a commercial cartridge screwed into a connecting member connected to the pipe.

The base may comprise an extended tubular part or forming a dip tube intended to be inserted into the reservoir. The lower end of the dip tube may include one or more openings allowing the suction of the liquid contained in the reservoir.

A pressurization channel may be formed in the base, for example in the tubular part, and may open out at one or more orifices in the reservoir, said pressurization channel also possibly opening out in the aforementioned orifice of the base.

A sleeve can be mounted in a housing of the tubular part, the tapping part being engaged in leaktight manner in the upper end of the sleeve. Such sealing can be ensured by a seal, for example an O-ring.

A valve is mounted facing the sampling part. Said valve can be mounted at the lower end of the sleeve. This valve can be movable between a high closed position and a low open position. The valve can be held in the closed position by means of an elastic return member, for example a helical compression spring.

The valve may include a closure part and a guide part. The guide part can be perforated. Said perforated part can allow the introduction of fluid from the reservoir and/or the dip tube into the socket and/or into the sampling part of the nozzle.

The guide part may comprise arms, for example three arms. The arms can be regularly distributed and angularly separated from each other. Each arm can comprises a radially outer surface in the form of a portion of a cylinder, of a shape complementary to the inner surface of the sleeve or of the part in which the valve is mounted. The term axial is here defined with respect to the axis of movement of the valve.

• [Fig. 1] est une vue en perspective d'un ensemble de distribution de boisson selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention,
• [Fig. 2] est une vue éclatée, en perspective, de l'ensemble,
• [Fig. 3] est une vue en coupe axiale de l'ensemble,
• [Fig. 4] est une vue en perspective du contenant,
• [Fig. 5] est une vue de dessus du contenant,
• [Fig. 6] est une vue en perspective, de dessus, de la cuve,
• [Fig. 7] est une vue en coupe axiale illustrant le couvercle, le contenant et le dispositif de distribution,
• [Fig. 8] est une vue en perspective du dispositif de distribution,
• [Fig. 9] est une vue en perspective de la base,
• [Fig. 10] est une vue en perspective, de dessus, d'une partie de la buse formant notamment la partie de prélèvement,
• [Fig. 11] est une vue de dessous de la partie de la buse illustrée à la figure 10
• [Fig. 12] est une vue en perspective d'une partie de la buse formant notamment la partie de délivrance,
• [Fig. 13] est une vue en perspective d'une partie intermédiaire de la buse,
• [Fig. 14] est une vue en perspective illustrant l'assemblage des parties de la buse des figures 12 et 13,
• [Fig. 15] est une vue en perspective illustrant l'assemblage des parties de la buse des figures 12 et 13,
• [Fig. 16] est une vue en perspective du levier,
• [Fig. 17] est une vue de côté illustrant un contenant et le dispositif de distribution, dans une position de fermeture de la vanne,
• [Fig. 18] est une vue de côté illustrant un contenant et le dispositif de distribution, dans une position d'ouverture de la vanne,
• [Fig. 19] est une vue en perspective d'une partie du dispositif de distribution selon une autre forme de réalisation de l'invention,
• [Fig. 20] est une vue éclatée, en perspective, d'une partie du dispositif de distribution de la figure 19,
• [Fig. 21] est une vue éclatée, en perspective, de la buse du dispositif de distribution de la figure 19,
• [Fig. 22] est une vue en perspective d'une partie amont de la buse du dispositif de distribution de la figure 19
• [Fig. 23] est une vue en perspective d'une partie d'un dispositif de distribution de boisson selon une autre forme de réalisation de l'invention,
• [Fig. 24] est une vue en perspective d'une partie dudit dispositif,
• [Fig. 25] est une vue en coupe axiale d'une partie dudit dispositif,
• [Fig. 26] est une vue de détail de la figure 25,
• [Fig. 27] est une vue en perspective d'un clapet dudit dispositif.

The arms can thus make it possible to guide the valve with respect to the socket or the part on which the valve is mounted, so as to allow it to be opened in operation. Brief description of figures

• [ Fig. 1 ] is a perspective view of a beverage dispensing assembly according to one embodiment of the invention,
• [ Fig. 2 ] is an exploded view, in perspective, of the assembly,
• [ Fig. 3 ] is an axial sectional view of the assembly,
• [ Fig. 4 ] is a perspective view of the container,
• [ Fig. 5 ] is a top view of the container,
• [ Fig. 6 ] is a perspective view, from above, of the tank,
• [ Fig. 7 ] is an axial sectional view illustrating the lid, the container and the dispensing device,
• [ Fig. 8 ] is a perspective view of the dispensing device,
• [ Fig. 9 ] is a perspective view of the base,
• [ Fig. 10 ] is a perspective view, from above, of part of the nozzle forming in particular the sampling part,
• [ Fig. 11 ] is a bottom view of the part of the nozzle shown in figure 10
• [ Fig. 12 ] is a perspective view of part of the nozzle forming in particular the delivery part,
• [ Fig. 13 ] is a perspective view of an intermediate part of the nozzle,
• [ Fig. 14 ] is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of the nozzle parts of the figures 12 and 13 ,
• [ Fig. 15 ] is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of the nozzle parts of the figures 12 and 13 ,
• [ Fig. 16 ] is a perspective view of the lever,
• [ Fig. 17 ] is a side view illustrating a container and the dispensing device, in a valve closed position,
• [ Fig. 18 ] is a side view illustrating a container and the dispensing device, in an open position of the valve,
• [ Fig. 19 ] is a perspective view of part of the dispensing device according to another embodiment of the invention,
• [ Fig. 20 ] is an exploded view, in perspective, of part of the device for dispensing the figure 19 ,
• [ Fig. 21 ] is an exploded view, in perspective, of the nozzle of the dispensing device of the figure 19 ,
• [ Fig. 22 ] is a perspective view of an upstream part of the nozzle of the device for dispensing the figure 19
• [ Fig. 23 ] is a perspective view of part of a beverage dispensing device according to another embodiment of the invention,
• [ Fig. 24 ] is a perspective view of part of said device,
• [ Fig. 25 ] is an axial sectional view of part of said device,
• [ Fig. 26 ] is a detail view of the figure 25 ,
• [ Fig. 27 ] is a perspective view of a valve of said device.

Detailed description of the invention

THE figures 1 to 18 illustrate a beverage dispensing assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the invention.

Said assembly 1 comprises a tank 2 intended to house a commercial reservoir 3, for example a cylindrical barrel 3 containing beer.

The tank 2 comprises a cylindrical side wall 4 and a bottom 5. The side wall 4 and the bottom 5 comprise, in their thickness, a material forming a thermal insulator.

As is visible at the figure 6 , ribs 6 extending along the axis X of the tank 2 are formed at the inner surface of the side wall 4. The ribs 6 are here three in number and are regularly distributed over the circumference.

The terms axial, radial and circumferential are defined with respect to the X axis.

The dimensions of the ribs 6 are adapted so as to allow the reservoir 3 to be centered, the outer wall of which bears on the vertices, that is to say the radially internal parts, of the ribs 6.

Blocks of heat transfer material 7, 8, comprising an envelope or a tank containing a heat transfer liquid such as water, are housed in tank 2. Blocks 7, 8 are cooled beforehand before insertion into tank 2.

In particular, a block 7 of generally circular shape is mounted at the bottom of the tank 2, the bottom of the tank 3 bearing against the upper surface of the circular block 7.

Furthermore, peripheral blocks 8 of concave shape are mounted in the tank 2, between the side wall 4 of the tank 2 and the side wall of the tank 3. The peripheral blocks 8 are mounted circumferentially between the ribs 6.

The side wall 4 of the tank 2 is equipped with a handle 9 fixed on studs 10 of the tank 2. The handle 9 facilitates the transport of the assembly 1.

The assembly 1 also includes a lid 11 allowing the open upper end of the tank 2 to be closed. The lid 11 includes two lateral gripping zones 12 or handles, formed here by diametrically opposite recessed areas 12 of the cover 11. The cover 11 comprises a housing or a central circular opening 13 of axis X. Holes 14 are formed around the central opening 13, the holes opening 14 into the internal volume 15 of the tank 2.

The cover 11 further comprises a rib 16 extending axially and formed on the periphery of the central opening 13. The cover 11 further comprises a groove 17 extending axially and formed on the periphery of the central opening 13. The groove 17 is located for example diametrically opposite with respect to the rib 16. The assembly 1 further comprises a beverage dispensing device 18, located in the internal volume 15 of the tank 2, close to the reservoir 3.

THE
The base 19 comprises a body 20 in which is formed a central recess 21, a central hole 22 of axis X and lateral pivot zones 24, located on either side of a median plane passing through the axis X .

The device 18 also comprises a nozzle 25 composed of three distinct parts, namely an upstream part 26, a middle part 27 and a downstream part 28. The terms upstream and downstream are defined with respect to the direction of circulation of the liquid through the nozzle 25. The upstream part 26, illustrated in figures 10 and 11 comprises a body 29 in which is formed a liquid circulation channel 30. A sampling part 31 in the form of a hollow rod 31 of axis X extends from the body 29.

The free end of the rod 31 is intended to come to press on a valve or a valve, not shown, of the tank 3. When the valve is pushed downwards, against a return force exerted by a spring reminder of reservoir 3, then the valve is in the open position and the liquid contained in reservoir 3 can escape through the orifice previously closed by the valve, as is known per se. Conversely, when no force is exerted downwards by the rod 31, the valve and the upstream part 26 are biased upwards by the return spring, so as to close the opening and prevent the flow of liquid. The valve and the upstream part 26 can also be biased upwards due to the pressure of the gas contained in the reservoir 3.

The channel of the sampling part 31 opens at a first end at the level of the free end of the hollow rod, and at the other end in the channel 30 of the body 29. The body 29 comprises a flat surface 32, facing the top, extending in the radial plane. Remember that the radial plane is a plane perpendicular to the X axis.

The middle part 27, illustrated in figure 13 , comprises a body 33 comprising a channel having a first part 34 formed in a connector 35, and a second part 36 delimited by a snap-fastening rim 37. The connector 35 is engaged in leaktight manner by snap-fastening in the channel 30 of the body 29 of the upstream part 26.

The downstream part 28, illustrated in figure 14 , comprises a body 36 from which extends a hollow elongated dispensing part 37, with an axis parallel to the axis X, delimiting a first part of a channel, opening into a second part 38 of the channel, extending radially and delimited a snap-fastening rim 39 capable of cooperating with the snap-fastening rim 37 of the middle part 27, so as to ensure leaktight fixing of the downstream part 28 on the middle part 28, as illustrated in figures 14 and 15 . The distribution part 37 has an opening 40 close to its free end. The opening 40 is oriented in a radial plane and along an axis forming an angle α with the radial direction ( figure 14 ), i.e. with the straight line formed in the radial plane and passing through the center of the distribution part 37 and through the axis X.

The free end 41 of the dispensing part 37 is hemispherical, frustoconical or ogive-shaped.

An elongated rotational coupling part 42 extends axially from the body 36, on the same side as the distribution part 37, said rotational coupling part 42 being parallel to the distribution part 37.

The rotational coupling part 42 is engaged in the groove 17 of the cover 11, so as to ensure the correct angular positioning of the cover 11 with respect to the nozzle 25, as is better visible at the figure 7 .

The device 18 further comprises a lever 43 in the general shape of a U, better visible at the figure 16 , comprising a base 44 from which extend two branches 45. The base 44 comprises two coaxial side studs 46 which engage in the lateral pivot zones 24 of the base 19 so as to allow the pivoting of the lever 43 by relative to the base 19, around the axis passing through the studs 46.

The upper edges 47 of the branches 45 each have a convex rounded shape, intended to form an actuation zone. The lever 43 rests on the flat surface 32 of the upstream part 26 of the nozzle 25, in a zone of the base 44 located between the pivot axis of the studs 46 and the branches 45.

The pivoting of the lever 43 thus causes the displacement in translation along the axis X of the nozzle 25.

Set 1 also includes a container 48, better visible to figures 4 and 5 , comprising a circular bottom 49 and a side wall 50 delimiting an internal volume 51.

The bottom 49 comprises a self-sealing deformable closure member 53 made of elastomer, offset with respect to the axis of the container. The side wall 50 has axial stops formed by ribs 54 extending from the bottom 49 along the axis of the container 48, for example three ribs 54 regularly distributed over the circumference. The ends of the ribs 54 opposite the bottom 49 form axial stops making it possible, in the event of stacking of containers 48, to maintain the bottoms 49 of the containers 48 spaced from each other.

The side wall 50 further comprises an outer recessed area 55, extending parallel to the axis of the container 48 from the bottom 49. The recessed area 55 has a flared shape in the axial direction, said recessed area 55 s widening in the direction of the bottom 49. Said recessed zone 55 forms a projection in the internal volume 51 of the container 48.

The recessed area is diametrically opposed to the closure member 53. The length of the recessed or projecting area 55 is greater than the length of the grooves 54. Thus, when stacking several containers 48, those- These must be aligned and positioned angularly relative to each other so that the recessed areas 55 fit into each other, so that the bottoms 49 can come to rest on the free ends of the ribs 54.

In order to fill one of the containers 48, a user can grasp the container 48 and place the bottom 49 at the level of the central opening 13 of the lid 11 by aligning the rib 16 of the lid 11 with the recessed area 55 of the container 48 In this angular position of the container 48 with respect to the lid 11, the closure member 53 is also aligned with the dispensing part of the nozzle 25. The user can then push the container 48 into the opening 13 so as to so that the dispensing part 37 penetrates into the internal volume 51 of the container 48 through the closure member 53 which deforms to allow such an introduction. It will be noted that the closure member 53 is designed to provide a seal between the container 48 and the dispensing part 37 of the nozzle 25. When the dispensing part 37 is introduced into the internal volume 51 of the container 48 , the bottom 49 of the container 48 comes into contact with the upper edges 47 of the arms of the lever 43, as illustrated in figure 17 .

From this position, when the user continues the descent movement of the container 48, the axial force exerted on the container 48 exerts a force on the lever 43 which tends to make it pivot around its axis 46, as illustrated in there figure 18 . This causes a downward translational movement of the nozzle 25, so that the sampling rod 31 presses on the valve of the tank 3 and moves it towards its open position, against the return force exerted by the corresponding return spring and/or against the force exerted by the gas contained in tank 3.

The liquid contained in the tank 3 then rises in the channel of the nozzle 25, under the effect of a pressurized gas contained in the tank 3 or delivered using appropriate additional means, from upstream to downstream, until it opens into the internal volume 51 of the container 48 through the opening 40 of the dispensing part 37. It will be noted that, when the valve is opened, the opening 40 is entirely located in the internal volume 51 of the container 48.

In order to stop the flow of liquid, the user releases the pressure exerted axially on the container 48, so that the nozzle 25 and the lever 43 are returned to their position illustrated in figure 17 , causing the valve to close.

The full container 48 can then be removed upwards, the self-sealing element 53 sealing the bottom 49 of the container 48.

Such an assembly 1 is simple to implement and makes it possible to ensure, reliably and inexpensively, the filling of the containers 48.

THE figures 19 to 22 illustrate another embodiment, which differs from that described above in that the nozzle 25 comprises an upstream part 26 and a downstream part 28. The upstream part 26 is fixed, for example by snap-fastening, on the base 19.

The upstream part 26 comprises, as before, a body 29 in which a liquid circulation channel 30 is formed. 29. The channel 30 extends along an axis and is blind at a first end. The channel 30 is closed at a second end by a stopper 30a mounted fixedly and in leaktight manner on the body 29.

The channel of the sampling part 31 opens at a first end at the level of the free end of the hollow rod, and at the other end in the channel 30 of the body 29. The body 29 comprises, as before, a flat surface 32, facing upwards, extending in the radial plane.

The downstream part 28 comprises a body 36 forming the hollow elongated dispensing part 37, with an axis parallel to the axis X. The body 36 comprises an opening 40 close to its free end. The other end of the body 36 is fixed, for example by snap-fastening, to the upstream part 26.

As before, the opening 40 is oriented in a radial plane and along an axis forming an angle with the radial direction, that is to say with the straight line formed in the radial plane and passing through the center of the dispensing part. 37 and through the X axis.

The free end 41 of the dispensing part 37 is hemispherical, frustoconical or ogive-shaped. The other end of the body 36 opens into the channel 30 of the upstream part 26.

In operation, the liquid passes through the channel 30 of the upstream part 26, then the channel of the distribution part 37 or the body 36, before escaping through the opening 30. The general operation of the embodiment of the figures 18 to 22 is similar to that previously described with reference to figures 1 to 18 .

THE figures 23 to 27 illustrate a beverage dispensing device 18 according to another embodiment of the invention. This device 18 is in particular intended to be used with a non-pressurized tank 3.

This device 18 comprises, as previously, a base 19, a nozzle 25 and a lever 43. The same elements as those described previously have been designated by the same references to the figures 23 to 27 .

The base 19 is mounted on a fixing plate 52 intended to be mounted on the tank 3 or on the tank 2. The plate 52 is formed by a metal sheet comprising attachment zones 43 at its ends.

The body 20 of the base 19 has an orifice 54 ( figure 25 And 26 ) located at the level of the mid-plane of the body 20, said orifice 54 serving to mount a gas supply pipe 55 connected to a pressurized gas reservoir 56 formed here by a commercial cartridge screwed into a connecting member 57 connected to line 55.

The body 20 further comprises a tubular part 58 extended by a dip tube 59 intended to be inserted into the reservoir 3. The lower end of the dip tube 59 comprises one or more openings 60 allowing the suction of the liquid contained in the reservoir 3 A pressurization channel 61 is formed in the tubular part 58 and opens out at one or more orifices 62, said pressurization channel 61 also opening out in the orifice 54. The orifices 62 are intended to be housed in the reservoir 3 , so as to pressurize the internal volume of said tank 3, using the pressurized gas from the pressurized gas tank 56.

A sleeve 63 is also mounted in a housing 64 of the tubular part 58, the tapping part 61 being engaged in leaktight manner in the upper end of the sleeve 63. Such sealing is ensured by a seal 65, here a seal toric 65.

A valve 66 is mounted at the lower end of the sleeve 63, this valve 66 being movable between a high closed position of the lower end of the sleeve 63, illustrated in figure 25 And 26 , and a low open position of said end. The valve 66 is held in abutment on said end of the sleeve 63, in the closed position of said end, by means of an elastic return member 67, here a helical compression spring 67.

The valve here belongs to the device 18. It is also possible to consider that, given the position of the valve inside the tank 3, it belongs to the tank. This is only a question of definition, but it does not change the actual structure or operation of the whole.

As illustrated in the figure 27 , the valve 66 comprises a lower closing part 66a and an upper guiding part 66b. The guide part 66b is perforated to allow the introduction of fluid from the reservoir 3 and the dip tube 59 into the socket 63.

The guide part 66b comprises for example arms 67, here three arms 67, regularly distributed and angularly separated from each other. Each arm 67 comprises a radially outer surface 68 in the form of a portion of a cylinder, of a shape complementary to the surface internal of the sleeve 63. The arms 67 thus make it possible to guide the valve 66 with respect to the lower end of the sleeve 63, so as to allow its opening in operation. Thus, during the use of such a device 18, the tank 3 is pressurized using the pressurized gas contained in the tank 56, through the connector 57, the pipe 55, the orifice 54, the channel 61 and orifice(s) 62.

Furthermore, a user actuates the lever 43 using a container 48, which has the effect of moving the nozzle 25 downwards, and in particular the sampling part 31, as already described above.

The downward movement of the sampling part 31 moves the valve 66 towards its open position, against the return force exerted by the elastic return member 67. Liquid from the reservoir 33 then passes through successively the orifices 60, the internal volume of the dip tube 49, the internal volume of the tubular part 58 of the body 20, the spaces provided between the arms 67, the internal volume of the sleeve 63, then the internal channels of the different parts of the nozzle 25 before emerging into the container 48 through the orifice 40 of the nozzle 25. When the user removes the container 48, the valve 66 and the nozzle 25 are biased upwards by the elastic return member 67, closing thus the valve 66, which prevents the liquid contained in the pressurized reservoir 3 from spilling accidentally.

Claims (9)

1. Beverage dispensing unit including a container (48) including an orifice equipped with a closure member (53),

   a beverage dispensing device (18) including a base (19) intended to be fixedly mounted on a reservoir (3) containing a fluid, a fluid-dispensing nozzle (25) able to move in translation along an axis with respect to the base, the nozzle (25) including a collecting part (31) and a dispensing part (37) for the fluid, said collecting part (31) being able to actuate the opening of a valve of the reservoir (3) by moving said collecting part (31) in translation, the collecting part (31) and the dispensing part (37) being fluidity connected by a channel for circulation of the fluid emerging at the collecting part (31) and at the dispensing part (37), respectively through at least a first opening and at least a second opening, the nozzle (25) including a support surface (32), the dispensing device (18) furthermore including a lever (43) able to pivot about an axis (46) fixed with respect to the base (19), said lever (43) including an actuation part (45) and a support part (44) coming into abutment on said support surface (32) of the nozzle (25), so that the pivoting of the lever (43) actuates the translation movement of the nozzle (25), the fluid-dispensing part (37) being introduced into the internal volume (51) of the container (48) through the closure member (53) so that the second opening (40) of the dispensing part (37) of the nozzle (25) is located in the internal volume (51) of the container (48),

   the container (48) including a support part (49) coming into abutment on the actuation part (45, 47) of the lever (43) so as to allow pivoting of the lever (43) by translation movement of the container (48).
2. Unit (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the container (48) includes a bottom (49) and a side wall (50) delimiting the internal volume (51) of the container (48), the closure member (53) being formed in the bottom of the container (48), said support part (49) of the container (48) being formed by the bottom (49).
3. Unit (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the lever (43) is in the general form of a U comprising a base (44) from which two support arms (45) extend, the pivot axis (46) of the lever (43) being formed in the base (44), the actuation part (45) of the lever (43) being formed by the arms (45), the support part of the lever (43) being formed by middle zones, located between the pivot axis (46) and the actuation part (45).
4. Unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that it includes a vessel (2) intended to house the reservoir (3) and a cover (11) closing the vessel (2), the dispensing device (18) being mounted level with the cover (11) so that the collecting part (31) of the nozzle (35) extends in the internal volume (15) of the vessel (2) so as to be able to cooperate with a valve and so that the dispensing part (37) of the nozzle (25) extends outside the vessel (2) so as to be able to be introduced into the container (48) through the closure member (53).
5. Unit (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the second opening of the dispensing part (37) of the nozzle (25) has a given angular orientation around an axis of the dispensing part (37), the nozzle (25) and/or the cover (11) including means (42, 17) for angular positioning of the nozzle (25) with respect to the cover (11).
6. Unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the closure member (53) is offset with respect to the axis of the container (48), said container (48) including means (55) for angular positioning of the container (48) with respect to the cover (11) or with respect to the nozzle (25).
7. Unit (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the vessel (2) includes a bottom (5) and a side wall (4) delimiting an internal volume (15) intended to accommodate the reservoir (3), said side wall (4) and/or the bottom (5) including centring and positioning means (6) able to centre and position the reservoir (3) in the internal volume (15) of the vessel (2).
8. Unit (1) according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterised in that the vessel (2) includes cooling means (7, 8) distributed at the side wall (4) or at the bottom (5) of the vessel (2), housed in the internal volume (15) of the vessel (2).
9. Unit (1) according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterised in that it includes means (56, 57, 55, 61, 62) for pressurising the reservoir (3), said pressurisation means including a pressurised gas reservoir (56) and a channel (57, 55, 61, 62) for bringing pressurised gas into the reservoir (3).

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