EP4151588A1

EP4151588A1 - Mobile device for beverage dispensing

Info

Publication number: EP4151588A1
Application number: EP22194673.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Massimo TODESCHINI
Original assignee: Global Fountain Srl
Current assignee: Global Fountain Srl
Priority date: 2021-09-16
Filing date: 2022-09-08
Publication date: 2023-03-22

Abstract

Device (1) for dispensing a beverage defining a main axis (1a) perpendicular to the ground (10) and comprising a compartment (2) defining one or more side walls (20), a bottom wall (21) perpendicular to the main axis (1a) resting on or facing the ground (10), an upper wall (22) perpendicular to the main axis (1a) and spaced from the bottom wall (21) by the one or more side walls (20), configured to house at least one tank containing a beverage and including a refrigeration system for controlling the internal temperature; a tap (3) attached to either the side wall (20) or the upper wall (22) and comprising at least one beverage dispensing nozzle (30), connection means configured to fluidly connect the nozzle (30) with the tank, and dispensing means configured, when actuated, to convey the beverage from the tank (3) to the nozzle (30); solar energy storage means (4) configured to power at least the refrigeration system and comprising at least one solar panel (40) and a support (41) for attaching the solar panel (40) to either the side wall (20) or the upper wall (22), said solar energy storage means being spaced from the upper wall (22) along the main axis (1a) so that the solar panel (40) can define a shadow area (11) which invests part of the device (1), or which is adjacent to said device, when positioned in front of a light source such as the sun.

Description

The present invention relates to a mobile device for beverage dispensing of the type specified in the preamble to the first claim.
More particularly, the present invention has as its object a device for beverage dispensing such as wine, beer, water or even more, likewise capable of allowing them to be stored.
Various types of devices for beverage dispensing are currently known. Essentially, such devices comprise at least one containment compartment within which may be housed a tank containing the beverage and at least one plug configured to allow the beverage to be tapped from the tank to the outside. The containment compartment generally also includes at least one refrigeration apparatus configured to maintain a low temperature within the compartment so as to keep the temperature of the beverage sufficiently reduced.
The known technique just described includes, however, some important drawbacks.
In particular, such devices require connection to an external power supply and are, therefore, unsuitable for use in remote environments in the absence of power sources. To overcome, at least in part, these drawbacks, a number of mobile devices have been developed.
A particular mobile device for beverage dispensing is described, for example, in the patent application SK-Y-8439 .
Such a device comprises a housing compartment surmounted by a plug and including means of energy accumulation, particularly photovoltaic panels, distributed on the walls of the housing compartment.
The panels are, therefore, configured to power at least partially the components of the device, e.g., the components responsible for refrigeration, allowing for good portability of the device itself.
Even the known technique just described includes, however, some important drawbacks.
In particular, the panels can be inefficient, especially when placed at a single wall. Furthermore, the panels have the sole function of storing energy and, therefore, may be completely useless and solely a source of clutter.
Another mobile device for beverage dispensing is described in the patent US-B-6263674 . In brief, the device comprises a common beverage dispenser on the upper wall of which is placed an energy accumulation panel.
Such a panel thus allows energy accumulation from a vantage point, however, even in this case, the panel's only function is to store energy from the external environment whenever possible.
In this situation, the technical task underlying the present invention is to devise a device for beverage dispensing capable of substantially obviating at least part of the aforementioned drawbacks.
In the context of said technical task, it is an important purpose of the invention to obtain a device for beverage dispensing that allows energy accumulation to make the device independent of an external energy source.
Therefore, an important task of the invention is to increase the portability of the device by maximizing energy accumulation.
Another important purpose of the invention is to make a device for beverage dispensing that allows several functions to be performed with the same component intended for energy accumulation, thereby reducing the complexity of the device, the size of the device, and increasing the cost-effectiveness of the device.
The specified technical task and purposes are achieved by a device for beverage dispensing as claimed in the attached claim 1.
Preferred technical solutions are highlighted in the dependent claims.
The features and advantages of the invention are clarified below by the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

the Fig. 1 shows a front perspective view of a device for beverage dispensing according to the invention; and
the Fig. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view a device for beverage dispensing according to the invention.

In the present document, the measurements, values, shapes and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when associated with words like "about" or other similar terms such as "approximately" or "substantially", are to be considered as except for measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and/or manufacturing errors, and, above all, except for a slight divergence from the value, measurements, shape, or geometric reference with which it is associated. For instance, these terms, if associated with a value, preferably indicate a divergence of not more than 10% of the value.
Moreover, when used, terms such as "first", "second", "higher", "lower", "main" and "secondary" do not necessarily identify an order, a priority of relationship or a relative position, but can simply be used to clearly distinguish between their different components.
Unless otherwise specified, as results in the following discussions, terms such as "treatment", "computing", "determination", "calculation", or similar, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or similar electronic calculation device that manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physical, such as electronic quantities of registers of a computer system and/or memories in, other data similarly represented as physical quantities within computer systems, registers or other storage, transmission or information displaying devices.
The measurements and data reported in this text are to be considered, unless otherwise indicated, as performed in the International Standard Atmosphere ICAO (ISO 2533:1975).
With reference to the Figures, the device for beverage dispensing according to the invention is globally referred to as number 1.
The device 1 may allow any beverage to be dispensed, whether it is a non-alcoholic beverage, such as water or other soft drink, or an alcoholic beverage such as wine, beer, or even more.
The device 1 is capable of being placed and/or moved on a ground 10.
The ground 10 may be a ground or a floor, therefore defined in an outdoor or indoor environment.
In general, the device 1 defines a main axis 1a.
The main axis 1a is transverse to the ground 10. In more detail, the main axis 1a can be just perpendicular to the ground 10.
In summary, the device 1 includes at least one compartment 2 and one plug 3.
The compartment 2 is configured to house at least one tank. Thus, the compartment may include an internal space or cavity within which the tank can be placed.
The tank preferably includes a beverage to be dispensed.
Thus, the tank may be of various types, depending on the type of beverage to be dispensed. For example, it may be a keg of beer or even a carboy of wine or something else.
The compartment 2 defines, therefore, walls. In particular, preferably, the compartment 2 defines one or more side walls 20.
The side walls 20 may be flat, or curved, depending on the shape determined by the compartment 2. Preferably, one or more of the walls 20 are expanded around the main axis 1a.
Thus, the compartment 2 also defines a bottom wall 21.
The bottom wall 21 is preferably transverse, possibly perpendicular, to the main axis 1a. In addition, the bottom wall 21 is capable of resting on or facing the ground 10.
In fact, wall 21 may be directly in contact with ground 10 and realize the constraint of resting on it. Or, the compartment 2 may include additional elements, for example, movement means 25 and/or supporting means 26.
Both the movement means 25 and the supporting means 26 are preferably placed at the bottom wall 21.
If present, the movement means 25 are configured to allow handling of the device 1 on the ground 10. Thus, for example, the movement means 25 may include wheels or other equivalent elements.
The supporting means 26 are configured to allow the device 1 to rest on the ground 10. Therefore, they may include feet, support bars, or other equivalent elements.
The movement means 26 may be present on the bottom wall together with the supporting means 26. Or, the movement means 25 or the supporting means 26 may be the only ones present.
Thus, the bottom wall 21 could define various configurations where, for example, it includes a plurality of wheels, or a plurality of feet, or wheels and feet, or even wheels and a support bar positioned spaced apart from the wheels.
The compartment 2, in general, also preferably includes an upper wall 22.
The upper wall 22 is also preferably transverse to the main axis 1a, e.g., perpendicular. In addition, the upper wall 22 is spaced from the bottom wall 21 by one or more side walls 20. Thus, the upper wall 22 substantially defines the top of the compartment 2. Preferably, the compartment also includes a refrigeration system.
Therefore, the refrigeration system is configured to control the internal temperature of the compartment 2. Therefore, the refrigeration system is configured to also control the temperature of the tank, i.e., the beverage, placed in the compartment 2.
In more detail, the compartment 2 can be divided into particular portions. For example, compartment 2 may comprise a base 2a and a cell 2b.
The base 2a is preferably adjacent to the bottom wall 21.
The cell 2b is located above the base 2b. Thus, the cell 2b is adjacent to the upper wall 22 and is, in addition, suitable for housing the tank.
Thus, the refrigeration system includes, as is well known, control and supply means and at least one evaporator. The control and supply means are preferably located within the base 2a.
The evaporator is positioned within cell 2b. The latter is thus essentially a cold room. Of course, in order to facilitate the introduction or removal of the tank, the compartment 2 may include additional elements.
For example, the compartment may include a door 24.
The door 24 defines at least part of a said side wall 20. In addition, it can be opened to allow the tank to be inserted or removed. Thus, the door 24 is preferably arranged at the cell 2b and realizes access thereto.
To improve the portability of the device 1, the compartment 2 may also include handle means 27.
If present, the handle means 27 are positioned at a side wall 20. Then, the handle means are configured to be gripped by a user to allow the user to drag the device (1) on the ground 10. For example, the handle means 27 may be made from one or more handles, or handlebars or other equivalent elements.
The plug 3 is preferably constrained to one between the side wall 20 and the upper wall 22.
Basically, the plug 3 is the element that allows the beverage to be taken out of the tank and distributed outside it.
Thus, the plug 3 preferably includes at least one nozzle 30.
The nozzle 30 is configured to dispense the beverage. Therefore, it is essentially a conduit defining a free end from which the beverage can flow outwardly.
The plug 3 includes, in addition, connection means configured to detachably constrain, in fluid passage connection, the nozzle 30 and the tank.
Such means of connection may be common fittings and tubing as commonly used below the plugs found on bar counters to connect kegs, for example of beer, to the plug.
Of course, the plug 3 also includes leaking means. The leaking means are configured to leaking, on command, the beverage from the tank. Thus, they are also configured to convey the beverage to nozzle 30.
Overall, the nozzle 30, connection means, and leaking means may be similar or equivalent to those found on an ordinary beer tapper as known in the current state of the art.
Thus, the plug 3 may include a manually operable knob or lever to open a tap located upstream of nozzle 30. In addition, the plug 3 may comprise a cylinder suitable for venting gas to push the beverage toward the nozzle as known.
Advantageously, the device 1 also includes accumulation means 4.
The accumulation means 4 are specifically suitable for storing solar energy. Thus, they are configured to power at least the refrigeration system.
In this regard, the accumulation means 4 include at least one solar panel 4.
The solar panel 4 is basically a flat or curved plate element such as a photovoltaic type. In addition, the solar panel 4 may comprise a plurality of solar cells suitable for collecting solar energy for distribution to the components of the device 1.
Advantageously, the accumulation means 4 include at least one support 41.
The support 41 is configured to bind the solar panel 40 to one between the side wall 20 and the upper wall 22.
Even more in detail, advantageously, the support 41 is configured to constrain the solar panel 40 spaced from the upper wall 22 along the main axis 1a.
In this way, solar panel 40 can define a shaded area 11.
The shaded area 11 is naturally defined by the relative position between solar panel 40 and a light source. Specifically, the shaded area 11 is defined by solar panel 40 when positioned in front of a light source.
The light source is, for example, the sun.
Advantageously, the configuration of the solar panel 40 and the support 41 allows for a shaded area 11 that either invests at least part of the device 1 or is adjacent to it. For example, the shaded area can invest at least the plug 3.
In even more detail, the accumulation means 4 further include constraint means 42. The constraint means 42 are configured to constrain in a compliant way the support 41 and the solar panel 40. Preferably, the constraint means 42 lie on a main plane 1b. The main plane 1b is parallel to the ground 10. Also, advantageously, the main plane 1b is positioned at a higher distance from the ground than the top of the plug 3.
In other words, solar panel 40 is placed above plug 3 relative to ground 10.
The term lying means that the constraint means 42 are indicatively at the height of the main plane 1b, which is to be considered merely as a virtual reference plane and not as a constraint for the constraint means 42. The latter are in fact three-dimensional elements.
In fact, preferably, the constraint means 42 are configured to constrain in a compliant way the support 41 and the solar panel 40 such that the panel 40 is tiltable between stable positions relative to the main axis 1a around at least two rotation axes 1c.
The rotation axes 1c are preferably mutually transverse. In addition, they lie in the main plane 1b.
By the terms "stable positions," it is meant that the solar panel 40, when tilted, maintains the imposed position and that therefore the stiffness of the constraint means 42 is such that the solar panel 40 can be moved relative to the support 41 by imparting a force of a predetermined value, without the solar panel 40 then being able to swing freely on its own.
The constraint means 42 may include one or more mechanical hinges.
The support 41, on the other hand, may include a rod extending, in use, parallel to the main axis 1a.
The rod may be connected to the upper wall 22 and may protrude from it. Or, the rod may be connected to a side wall 20 and protrude parallel to the main axis 2a from it. Or, support 41 can be detachably constrained to compartment 2.
In this regard, the compartment 2 may include at least one guide 23.
If present, the guide 23 is positioned in correspondence of least one side wall 20. Thus, the guide 23 may include a slot within which the support 41 is inserted, in use.
The guide 23 may be removable from or retractable into side wall 20, or concealed.
In addition, the compartment 2 may include at least two mutually spaced guides 23 parallel to the main axis 1a.
The support 41, i.e., the rod, can then be threaded into the guides 23 on command, when the latter are pulled out of compartment 2, until it rests on the floor 10, as shown in Fig. 2.
The device 1 can be configured in several different ways.
In a preferred, but not exclusive, form of implementation, the plug 3 is positioned near a side wall 20 so that it is easily accessible from it. The plug 3 can then also be provided with an outwardly protruding small plate below the nozzle 3 to catch any beverage drips. The guides 23, e.g., two in number, are positioned at a side wall 20 opposite the side wall 20 adjacent to the plug 3.
Thus, the support 41 is basically positioned at the side of the compartment 2 opposite to the plug 3.
The door 24 is preferably positioned at the side wall 20 adjacent to the plug 3, and below it, on the bottom wall 21, support means 26 are provided.
The handle means 27, on the other hand, are preferably positioned on the same side wall 20 as the guides 23 and, below being are positioned, on the bottom wall 21, handling means 25 that are therefore on the side of the compartment 2 opposite to the support means 26.
Thus, the device can be tilted to be easily moved by detaching the supporting means 26 from the ground 10.
In addition, the solar panel 40 can be tilted so that it covers the plug 3 with the shaded area.
The operation of the device for beverage dispensing 1 previously described in structural terms is as follows.
Basically, while solar energy is stored by means of the solar panel 40 useful for powering at least the refrigeration system, the solar panel 40 allows for a shaded area 11 that invests the plug 3 preventing the latter from heating up and keeping the user positioned in the tapping area sheltered from the sun.
Therefore, the device 1 for beverage dispensing according to the invention achieves important advantages.
In fact, the device for beverage dispensing 1 enables energy accumulation to make the device independent of an external energy source since the solar panel 40 is well exposed and can be rotated or the device 1 moved to bring the solar panel 40 to maximum efficiency.
In addition, the solar panel 40 further realizes the important function of shelter for both the plug 3, which is able to work at its maximum capacity, and for the user who does not suffer from excessive exposure to sunlight.
The device 1, moreover, is easily movable given the conformation of the movement means 25 and support means 26 as well as easily transportable since the guides 23 are retractable and the support 41 removable from the compartment 2.
The invention is susceptible to variations within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims.
For example, although the accumulation means 4 may be capable of infusing complete autonomy into the device 1, the compartment 1 may be provided with a connector configured to allow the refrigeration apparatus to be connected to an external power supply, such as a home power grid or otherwise.
In addition, the base 2a can include batteries that can be charged from the outside or thanks to accumulation means 4. The accumulation means 4 themselves may include batteries operatively connected to the solar panel 40 and the refrigeration apparatus. In addition, all the walls 20, 21, 22 of the compartment can be used to display information, e.g., branded, as well as the bottom wall of the solar panel 40. The latter, may also be tilted so that the shaded area 11 in vests the part of the compartment 2 opposite the plug 3 in such a way as to shield from the sun any users receiving the beverage from the user leaking the beverage.
In this area all details are replaceable by equivalent items and the materials, shapes and sizes can be any.

Claims

Device (1) for beverage dispensing defining a main axis (1a) transversal to a ground (10) and comprising:
- a compartment (2) defining one or more side walls (20) extending around said main axis (1a), a bottom wall (21) transversal to said main axis (1a) and able to rest or face on said ground (10), an upper wall (22) transversal to said main axis (1a) and spaced from said bottom wall (21) through said one or more side walls (20), configured to house at least one tank including a beverage to be dispensed and comprising a refrigeration system configured to control the internal temperature of said compartment (2);

- a plug (3) constrained to one of said side wall (20) and said upper wall (22) and comprising:
- at least one nozzle (30) configured to dispense said beverage,

- connection means configured to detachably constrain in connection with fluid passage of said nozzle (30) and said tank, and

- leaking means configured to leak, on command, said beverage from said tank and to convey said beverage to said nozzle (30); and

- solar energy accumulation means (4) configured to feed at least said refrigeration system and comprising at least one solar panel (40),
and characterised by
- said accumulation means (4) comprise at least one support (41) configured to constrain said solar panel (40) to one of said side wall (20) and said upper wall (22) spaced from said upper wall (22) along said main axis (1a) so that said solar panel (40) can define a shadow area (11) investing part of said device (1), or adjacent to it, when positioned in front of a light source, for example the sun.
Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein accumulation means (4) further comprise constraint means (42) configured to constrain in a compliant way said support (41) and said solar panel (40) and lying on a main plane (1b) parallel to said ground (10) and positioned at a distance from said ground higher than the top of said plug (3).
Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein said constraint means (42) are configured to constrain in a compliant way said support (41) and said solar panel (40) in such a way that said panel (40) is tiltable between positions stable with respect to said main axis (1a) around at least two mutually transverse rotation axes (1c) and lying on said main plane (1b).
Device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said support (41) is a rod extending, in use, parallel to said main axis (1a), said compartment (2) comprises at least one guide (23) positioned in correspondence with at least one said side wall (20) and including a slot into which said support (41) is in use, inserted.
Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the guide (23) is withdrawable from or retractable in said side wall (20).
Device (1) according to any one of claims 4-5, wherein said compartment (2) comprises at least two guides (23) mutually spaced parallel to said main axis (1a).
Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said compartment (2) comprises at least one small door (24) defining at least part of said side wall (20) and openable to allow the insertion or extraction of said tank.
Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said compartment (2) comprises movement means (25) and/or support means (26) positioned in correspondence of said bottom wall (21) and configured respectively to allow the movement of said device (1) on said ground and/or to allow the support of said device (1) on said ground (10).
Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said compartment (2) comprises handle means (27) positioned in correspondence of a said side wall (20) and configured for being gripped by a user to allow said user to drag said device (1) on said ground (10).
Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said compartment (2) comprises a base (2a) adjacent to said bottom wall (21) and a cell (2b) placed above said base (2b), adjacent to said upper wall (22) and adapted to house said tank, and said refrigeration system comprises control and supply means positioned within said base (2a) and an evaporator positioned within said cell (2b).