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
  • B67D1/08—Details
  • B67D1/0872—Aesthetics, advertising
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
  • G09F13/24—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising using tubes or the like filled with liquid, e.g. bubbling liquid
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F23/00—Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes
  • G09F23/06—Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes the advertising matter being combined with articles for restaurants, shops or offices
• • 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
  • B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
  • B67D2210/00028—Constructional details
  • B67D2210/00141—Other parts
  • B67D2210/00144—Magnets, e.g. used in valves or for stirring

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the dispensing of beverages in public houses, restaurants, cafes, and similar establishments.
• the present invention particularly relates to beverage dispense founts, such as those that might dispense beer, cider, non-alcoholic or other similar beverages at a bar.
• beverage dispensers including, but not limited to, beers, ciders, soft drinks, pre-mixed drinks, wines, and water.
• beverage dispensers including, but not limited to, beers, ciders, soft drinks, pre-mixed drinks, wines, and water.
• Different brands of beverages will often have different distinctively decorated beverage dispensers in order to attract a customer’s attention and to entice a customer to order the beverage dispensed from that dispenser.
• beverage dispense founts In light of the above, there is a desire for beverage dispense founts to be visually attractive and even provide customer interaction when in use. Attractive and/or interactive beverage dispense founts are more likely to be selected by a customer approaching a bar and thus can result in improved sales of the beverage. Beverage dispense founts according to the prior art are often illuminated and/or have distinctive upper ends. There are beverage dispense founts according to the prior art that are deliberately covered in ice crystals or condensation droplets to provide a distinctive and striking appearance. Summary of Invention
• the present invention provides a beverage dispense fount apparatus comprising: a beverage inlet connectable to a beverage supply; a beverage outlet configured to dispense beverage from the beverage inlet into a beverage container; an actuating member operable by a user to dispense beverage from the beverage outlet; a compartment containing a liquid and having a transparent window formed therein; a mechanism comprising an aerator located within the compartment that is controllable to alter the liquid within the compartment between a first visible state and a second visible state; a controller for operating the mechanism; wherein upon user operation of the actuating member to dispense beverage from the beverage outlet the controller operates the mechanism to put the liquid in the second visible state.
• the beverage dispense fount of the present invention is advantageous in that it provides a visual effect when a beverage is dispensed.
• the visual effect is achieved by controlling a liquid within a compartment to alter between a first visible state and a second visible state.
• the liquid within the compartment is visible to a user through a transparent window.
• the compartment of the present invention may be separate from the beverage inlet and outlet and not connected thereto.
• the compartment may be substantially sealed and contain a liquid that is separate from the beverage.
• the compartment may be substantially sealed and contain a constant volume of the liquid.
• the first visible state of the liquid is a state in which the liquid has a first visual appearance and the second visible state of the liquid is a state in which the liquid has a second visual appearance.
• the visual appearance of a liquid is an appearance dependent on the motion and conditions of the liquid and any inclusions or additives within the liquid, independent of external lighting.
• At least one of the first visible state of the liquid and the second visible according to the present invention includes the presence or absence of bubbles in the liquid and the size, number and distribution thereof.
• first visible state of the liquid and the second visible state of the liquid may further include the presence or absence of vortices in the liquid and the size thereof and/or a variation in the colour and/or opacity' of the liquid wherein the colour and/or opacity of the liquid can be reversibly changed by, for example, addition of suitable additive(s) and/or by changing the temperature of the liquid.
• the apparatus may additionally comprise a mechanism for altering the visible state of the liquid by producing a vortex, and/or vary ing the colour and/or opacity' of the liquid.
• the mechanism of the present invention comprises an aerator for introducing bubbles into the liquid.
• the first visual state comprises a first density and distribution of bubbles and the second visual state comprises a second density and distribution of bubbles, visually distinct from the first density'.
• Either the first visual state or the second visual state may comprise the absence of bubbles such that there are no bubbles present in one of the first visual state and the second visual state.
• Suitable aerators for introducing bubbles into a liquid will be immediately apparent to the skilled person.
• aeration stones as commonly used in aquariums, are suitable, as may be stainless steel aerators, as commonly used in brewing.
• Aerators comprising tubing, having a plurality' of holes formed therein for producing bubbles are also suitable.
• an aerator is any device capable or introducing bubbles into a liquid.
• Aerators work by providing a flow of gas through the liquid in the compartment.
• gas may be recirculated about the compartment for aeration of the liquid. That is, gas may be introduced into the liquid by the aerator to form bubbles, collected from the liquid w'hen the bubbles reach an upper surface of the liquid, and then recirculated through the liquid i.e. the aeration may be a substantially closed-loop process.
• the aerator may be an open-loop system wfierein gas is introduced into the liquid in the form of bubbles and allowed to escape from the upper surface of the liquid to the surrounding environment. This can be achieved by suitably venting an upper end of the compartment.
• the mechanism of the present invention may further comprise a bubble distribution means located above the aerator to provide a suitable bubble distribution within the liquid.
• the suitable bubble distribution may be a substantially uniform distribution of bubbles within the liquid or any other appropriate distribution.
• An aerator and/or a bubble distribution means may be controllable such that the distribution of bubbles in the liquid may be controlled.
• the first visible state may comprise a first distribution of bubbles within the liquid and the second visible state may comprise a second, different, distribution of bubbles within the liquid.
• a bubble distribution means may comprise a sheet of material positioned immediately above the aerator and shaped to provide a suitable bubble distribution.
• the aerator may comprise tubing having a plurality of apertures formed therein for producing bubbles.
• the aerator may comprise a length of tubing sealed at at least one end, have a plurality of apertures formed along its length, and have a supply of gas such that gas entering the tubing exits via the plurality of apertures to produce bubbles.
• the tubing is formed of plastic it may be sealed at one or both ends by welding. Suitable tubing may be flexible or rigid.
• the tubing may be substantially T-shaped having a vertical gas supply portion and a horizontally extending bubble producing length in which the plurality of apertures are formed.
• the horizontally extending bubble producing length may be sealed at both ends.
• the vertical gas supply portion may be formed at any point between ends of the horizontally extending bubble producing length.
• the vertical gas supply portion is formed centrally with respect to the horizontal bubble producing portion.
• the plurality of apertures may be formed in the tubing in any distribution. They may be formed in a random manner to produce a similarly random bubble distribution. Alternatively, in order to provide a more even bubble distribution the apertures may be substantially equally spaced along a bubble producing length of the tubing.
• the apertures may be formed in any appropriate manner.
• the apertures may be formed in the tubing by piercing the inflated tubing at an angle using equi-spaced needles.
• the tubing is preferably pierced when inflated as it is easier to form small, regularly sized apertures. If correctly sized and shaped needles are utilised then the apertures may be a series of slits, which can function as valves and emit very small bubbles similar to those found in carbonated drinks, such as beer, when the tubing is inflated.
• the tubing may be pierced when deflated. However, this often produces apertures that are too large, producing large bubbles that often conglomerate.
• the compartment comprises an internal mirrored surface located opposite the transparent window, such that when the compartment is viewed through the transparent window the liquid within the compartment is reflected back to a viewer. This can enhance the visual effect of the present invention.
• the liquid in the compartment of the present invention will not be the same liquid as the beverage that is being dispensed by the beverage dispenser. Rather, the liquid in the compartment may be selected to be a liquid that provides the best visual appearance when viewed through the transparent window of the compartment.
• many beverages that may be dispensed by a beverage dispenser are generally unsuitable for controlling between a first visible state and a second visible state. For example, aerated beverages may form scum and become opaque and/or beverages may not have suitable viscosity for forming stable vortices. Water may also not be preferred as, over time, unless replaced, algae can form, resulting in discolouration.
• the liquid is a liquid that can be easily controlled between a first visible state and a second visible state and that is stable for long term use.
• the liquid comprises a mix of water and propylene glycol.
• the liquid may comprise 45 to 60% of water and 40 to 55% of propylene glycol.
• the liquid may comprise water containing 20% to 50% alcohol by volume, wherein the alcohol may be methanol, ethanol, or any other suitable alcohol.
• Such liquids have been found to produce stable and highly visible bubble distributions.
• the liquid may comprise a colourant such that the colour of the liquid matches the colour of the beverage. This may be done to give the impression that the liquid within the container is the same as the beverage being dispensed, without necessitating the use of the beverage as the liquid within the container.
• Figure 1 is an exploded diagram of a first embodiment of a beverage dispenser according to the present invention
• Figure 2 is a schematic of a portion of the first embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 3 shows the tubing of the first embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 4 shows the bubble distributor first embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 5 is a schematic of a portion of a second embodiment of a beverage dispenser according to the present invention
• Figure 6 is an exploded diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 7 shows the bubble distributer of the second embodiment of the present invention. Details of a first embodiment of a beverage dispenser 20 according to the present invention are shown in Figures 1 to 4.
• the beverage dispenser 20 comprises a compartment 21 containing a liquid 22.
• the compartment 21 is formed of a transparent material and has a window 23 at a first vertical side and a mirror 24 located at the opposing vertical side.
• An aerator 25 is located at a lower end of the compartment 21.
• the aerator 25 has a bubble distributor 26 located above the aerator 25 for distributing bubbles within the liquid 22.
• the dispenser 20 has a gas recirculation system that allows gas to be recirculated from the upper end of the compartment 21 to the aerator 25 when the beverage dispenser 20 is in use.
• the beverage dispenser 20 further comprises a pump 31 that acts to pressure the gas recirculation system.
• the beverage dispenser 20 comprises a beverage supply tube (not shown) connected to a beverage supply at a first end and having a beverage outlet configured to dispense beverage at a second end.
• the beverage dispenser 20 also comprises an actuator (not shown) for dispensing beverages via the beverage supply tube.
• the compartment 21 is separate from, and not connected to, the beverage supply tube.
• the liquid in the compartment 21 is a mix of 45-60% distilled water and 40-55% propylene glycol or water containing 20% to 50% ethanol by volume.
• the liquid may contain a colourant to match the colour of the beverage.
• the pump 31 has a default idle pressure of 7 psi.
• the pump 31 is operated utilising pulse width modulation to reduce the pressure to around 10-20% of the idle pressure effectively pulsing the flow of air, in order to provide a first visible bubble distribution.
• the actuator is operated to dispense a beverage pulse width modulation is utilised to control the pump 31 to increase the pressure to approximately 70-80% of the idle pressure in order to increase the airflow and the production of bubbles.
• the first bubble distribution is the first visible state of the liquid and the second bubble distribution is the second visible state of the liquid.
• the aerator 25 comprises flexible plastic tubing 1 welded into a T-shape.
• the tubing 1 is substantially T-shaped having a vertical gas supply portion 2 and a horizontally extending bubble producing length 3.
• the bubble producing length 3 is welded shut at welded portions 6 formed at each end.
• the welded portions 6 act to seal each end of the buble producing length 3 and provide a means for mounting the aerator in cooperatively shaped slots 7 formed in the mirror 24.
• a plurality of apertures 4 are formed in the bubble producing length 3.
• the apertures 4 are equally spaced along the length of the bubble producing length 3.
• the apertures 4 are formed by inflating the tubing 1 to a rigid form and then piercing the tubing 1 at an angle of between 15° and 25° from the horizontal. This produces apertures 4 in the form of a series of slits which function as small valves and emit very small bubbles, similar in appearance to those found in carbonated drinks.
• the aerator 25 is t-shaped as this provides a substantially even distribution of bubbles along the bubble producing length 3.
• the aerator 25 is t-shaped as this provides a substantially even distribution of bubbles along the bubble producing length 3.
• the vertical gas supply portion 2 centrally with respect to the bubble producing length 3 an even distribution of bubbles is achieved.
• Forming the gas supply portion 2 at or adjacent to an end of the bubble producing length 3 results in an uneven bubble distribution along the aerator 25 with a high concentration of bubbles at an end of the bubble producing length adjacent the gas supply portion 2 and much fewer bubbles at an opposing end.
• Bubbles produced utilising the T-shaped aerator 25 emit from the apertures fairly evenly, i.e. with little variation and in regular lines of bubbles.
• the bubble distributor 26 comprises a convex sheet 10 mounted in the mirror 24 to extend over the aerator 25 such that bubbles produced by the aerator 25 hit a lower side of the convex sheet 10 and are directed to a front edge of the convex sheet 10 as they rise. This creates a substantially random pattern and distribution of bubbles as they escape the front edge of the convex sheet 10 and rise in the liquid 22 in the compartment 21. A random distribution of bubbles are formed w hen the aerator 25 is at high and low- pressures.
• Components of a second embodiment of a beverage dispenser 20 according to the present invention is shown in Figures 5 to 7.
• the beverage dispenser 20 comprises a compartment 21 containing a liquid 22.
• the compartment 21 is formed of a transparent material and has a window 23 at a first vertical side and a mirror 24 located at the opposing vertical side.
• An aerator 25 is located at a lower end of the compartment 21.
• the aerator 25 has a bubble distributor 26 located at its upper surface for distributing bubbles within the liquid 22.
• the dispenser 20 has a gas recirculation system 27 that allows gas to be recirculated from the upper end of the compartment 21 to the aerator 25 when the beverage dispenser 20 is in use.
• the beverage dispenser 20 further comprises a pump 31 that acts to pressure the gas recirculation system 27.
• the beverage dispenser 20 also comprises a beverage supply tube (not shown) connected to a beverage supply at a first end and having a beverage outlet configured to dispense beverage at a second end.
• the beverage dispenser 20 also comprises an actuator (not shown) for dispensing beverages via the beverage supply tube.
• the compartment 21 is separate from, and not connected to, the beverage supply tube.
• the liquid 22 in the compartment 21 is a mix of 45-60% distilled water and 40-55% propylene glycol or water containing 20% to 50% ethanol by volume.
• the liquid may contain a colourant to match the colour of the beverage.
• the pump 31 has a default idle pressure of 7 psi.
• the pump 31 is operated utilising pulse width modulation to reduce the pressure to around 10- 20% of the idle pressure effectively pulsing the flow of air, in order to provide a first visible bubble distribution.
• the actuator is operated to dispense a beverage pulse width modulation is utilised to control the pump 31 to increase the pressure to approximately 70-80% of the idle pressure in order to increase the airflow and the production of bubbles.
• the first bubble distribution is the first visible state of the liquid and the second bubble distribution is the second visible state of the liquid.
• the pump 31 is again operated utilising pulse width modulation to reduce the pressure to around 10-20% of the idle pressure, in order to provide the first visible bubble distribution. This has the effect that it appears that dispensing of the beverage by the beverage dispenser causes an increase in bubble density within the liquid 22.
• Bubbles are collected on a lower side 29 of the bubble distributer 26 and directed by channels 28 formed in the low er side to apertures 30 formed through the bubble distributor such that the bubbles are released into the liquid 22 in appropriate positions.
• Small bubbles are preferred for visual impact, so bubbles that are produced by the aerator that are too large to pass through the apertures 30 located at the end of the channels are guided to the rear of the distribution means through larger apertures to facilitate their escape outside of a view able display area, in this example the bubbles escape behind the mirror 24.
• apertures 30 are uniformly spaced along an edge of the bubble distributer 26 adjacent the window- 23 of the compartment 21.
• alternative bubble distributers 26 can be provided to provide alternative bubble distributions.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=69062175

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (7)

• 2019
  • 2019-11-13 GB GB1916512.5A patent/GB2588914A/en not_active Withdrawn
• 2020
  • 2020-11-13 EP EP20820790.2A patent/EP4058398A1/de active Pending
  • 2020-11-13 WO PCT/EP2020/082145 patent/WO2021094590A1/en unknown
  • 2020-11-13 WO PCT/EP2020/082096 patent/WO2021094559A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2020-11-13 GB GB2208428.9A patent/GB2605088B/en active Active
  • 2020-12-09 WO PCT/EP2020/085367 patent/WO2022100874A1/en active Application Filing

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