ES2247000T5 - Beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

Beverage vending set, composed of an outer housing (1), equipped with a tap (6) and a pressure means (19), and a container (5) that can be placed in the outer housing (1). Said container (5) consists of a drink containing CO2 and a portion of a deformable wall, compressible by means of pressure (19), an outlet (8) and a flexible tube (34), connected to the outlet (8) to dose beverage from the container (5) by deforming the portion of the flexible wall by the pressure means (19), said tube (34) composed of a means for positioning an outlet end (46, 46a, 48) to engage removably with the tap (6).

Description

The present invention relates to a beverage dispensing apparatus consisting of:

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a housing that includes a chamber formed with an opening through which a beverage container can be inserted into the chamber, said container incorporating at least a deformable wall portion and an outlet with which a supply pipe of drink that leads to a tap;

-a cover to close the chamber opening;

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a blocking and sealing means for sealing the chamber in order to establish a pressurized area between the deformable wall portion of the beverage container and an interior wall of the chamber and a pressurizing means for pressurizing the pressurized area in order to expel the Drink from the container by the exit.

Said device, known from WO-A-95/20540, is intended to distribute beverages, gasified or not, especially beer. In this known apparatus, a flexible bag containing a beverage is housed in the chamber of a container, after which the chamber is sealed by a lid. The space between the camera and the bag is pressurized. A flexible hose connects a bag outlet with a beverage supply tap. To this end, the hose is passed through a hole in the lid. It is a disadvantage of this construction that the hose has to be sealed very effectively in this opening because the hose is at least partially located in the pressurized space.

An object of the invention is to improve a beverage dispensing apparatus of the type defined in the first paragraph so as to avoid the indicated disadvantage and, in addition, to make the apparatus easier to use.

To this end, the beverage dispensing apparatus is characterized in that the blocking and sealing means are arranged between the beverage container and the chamber, so that a pressurized area between an interior wall of the chamber and at least the portion is formed deformable from the wall of the container, the outlet of the container being located outside the pressurized area.

In this case the pressurized area is no longer limited by the lid. The pipe or hose coupled with the outlet is located completely outside the pressurized area. The sealing problem no longer exists as mentioned above in relation to the apparatus according to WO-A-95/20540. An additional advantage is that, due to the position of the blocking and sealing means, it is now possible and very simple to automatically create a pressurized area when the beverage container is introduced into the housing chamber. Its operation becomes easier for the user.

A preferred embodiment of the apparatus is characterized by the fact that the locking means consists of spring-loaded immobilizing trolleys that collaborate with a flange of the container to block the container in the chamber. When a beverage container is introduced into the chamber, the outer wall of the container pushes the immobilizing cars against the pressure of the springs until a flange of the container exceeds the immobilizing cars, after which said immobilizing cars jump and close the container.

An embodiment that includes a variant of said locking means is characterized by the fact that an annular part in which the immobilizing carriages are mounted so that they can move elastically in directions is incorporated into a flange of the chamber opening Radial

A preferred embodiment is characterized by the fact that the apparatus includes an annular collar mounted on a neck with the outlet opening of the container, the collar being provided with a flange for collaboration with the immobilizing carts in order to block the container in the camera. Said collar can be connected in solidarity with the container or can be constructed as a removable and independent piece. The sealing means consists of sealing rings between the inner wall of the chamber and an outer flange of the collar and in the case of being a removable and independent collar, an additional sealing ring between the neck of the container and an inner flange of the necklace.

The device also includes an unlocking mechanism to release the container. Additional details thereof are provided in the description of an embodiment in relation to the Figures.

Another embodiment of the apparatus is characterized in that the pressurizing means includes a pump that can be connected and disconnected by a switch that can be operated by the lid. In addition, to relieve pressure in the pressurized area, the device has a safety valve, which can be operated by the lid. When the lid is closed, the safety valve is closed and the pump is started. When the lid is opened, the pump is disconnected and the safety valve of the pressurized area is opened, after which the beverage container can be removed from the chamber after releasing said container.

For reasons of hygiene, the exit of a new container full of beverage is closed by means of a sealing membrane that can be perforated. To perforate said membrane, the package consists of a perforating mechanism, connected with a beverage supply hose, which automatically perforates the sealing diaphragm as soon as the pressurized area is pressurized for the first time. To this end, the apparatus is characterized by the fact that, when a beverage container is arranged and locked in the chamber, there is a certain distance between the flange of the container and the immobilizing carts, which allows the container to rise along said distance when it is pressurizes the pressurization zone and thus perforates the membrane. A construction by which a sealing membrane can be perforated is known per se from WO-A-95/20540. However, in such construction the drilling must be done by hand.

The beverage dispenser assembly according to the invention comprises the features of claim 1. It incorporates a mechanism, simple to use by the user, for installing the beverage supply hose to the point where the beverage is to be dosed. After attaching the beverage delivery hose to the lower part, the upper part joins the lower part, managing to hold the hose in position while clamping to seal it. When the actuation lever is opened, the hose stops being clamped and the drink comes out of the hose due to the effect of pressure on the pressurized area.

The apparatus also has a series of safety aspects designed to prevent unwanted activation of pressure and unwanted discharge of beverage.

Due to the constructive measures that have been taken, the operation of the device is very simple as well as safe for the user.

The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, in relation to an embodiment shown in the drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a beverage dispensing apparatus according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows the closing mechanism and the sealing means of the beverage container in the apparatus in a cross-sectional view taken on line III-III of Figure 4.

Figure 4 shows the locking and unlocking mechanism of the beverage container.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism and the sealing means of the beverage container of the apparatus according to an embodiment other than that shown in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus for illustrating the perforation of the sealing membrane of the beverage container;

Figure 7 is a side view of the tap.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the tap.

Figure 9 is a front view of the tap and

Figure 10 is a front view of an open tap of Figure 9.

The beverage dispensing apparatus shown in Figure 1 consists of a housing 1 with an opening 2 that facilitates access to a chamber 3. A lid 4 is connected in an articulated manner with the housing 1 to open and close the chamber. A beverage container, for example a beer container, can be placed in the chamber 2. The housing further incorporates a tap 6. A beverage supply line 7 has one end connected to an outlet 8 of the beverage container and the other end to the tap 6.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the beverage dispensing apparatus in which a beverage container 5 has been placed. An annular piece 9, mounted on the upper part of the housing 1 around the opening 2, incorporates the locking and sealing means of the beverage container 5. The blocking means whose function is to immobilize the beverage container in the chamber 3 consists of a plurality of immobilizing carts under the pressure of springs 10 capable of moving in radial directions. The beverage container has a collar 11, joined in solidarity with a wall of the container and having a flange 12 for collaboration with the immobilizing carts 10. A sealing ring 13 is attached to the annular part 9 in order to close the container in the camera. When a beverage container is placed in the chamber, the flange of the container 10 presses the immobilizing carriages out against the force of the springs 14. Once the flange has passed the carriages, the carriages move radially inwards by the effect of the springs, holding the container in the chamber in this way. In this situation, the sealing ring 13 is adjacent to the inner wall 15 of the chamber and against the flange 12 of the container (see also Figure 3). By means of this seal, an airtight space 17 is formed between the inner wall 15 of the chamber and the outer wall 16 of the container. Said space 17 is connected to a pump 19 by a pipe

18. The pump makes it possible to increase the pressure in space 17. The pressure medium is air, preferably. Increasing the pressure in this pressurized area causes external pressure in the deformable wall 16 of the beverage container and, consequently, in the beverage. When tap 6 is opened, the drink is forced out of the drink delivery hose and can be collected in a glass or cup.

Next, the sealing and locking (as well as the unlocking) will be described in more detail in relation to the detailed drawings of Figures 3 and 4. The annular part 9 with the locking mechanism and the sealing is mounted on the upper flange 20 of the housing 1. Said annular part 9 consists of a lower ring 9a and, spaced therefrom, an upper ring 9b, between which the immobilizing carriages are arranged. For this purpose, the lower ring 9a has pivots 21, which are engaged in openings 22 of the immobilizing carriages (Fig. 4). The immobilizing cars are pressed inwards by the force of a coil spring 14. The inner ends of the immobilizing cars are in the form of a "nose", so that both the upper surface 23 and a lower surface 24 thereof are inclined towards down in directions radially inwards. During the placement of the container in the chamber the oblique upper surface 23 helps to move the carriages 10 by means of the flange 12 of the collar 11 of the container 5. The bevel 37 of the flange also collaborates in achieving this effect.

The sealing ring 13 is held between a part of the upper flange 20 of the housing and the lower ring 9a. The sealing ring has a flexible lip directed inwardly 25, which also tilts down. The flexible sealing lip is arranged in a sealing relationship with the flange 12 of the container disposed in the chamber. The pressurized zone 17 can be pressurized by the pump 19. Air is preferably used for this purpose. The air pressure ensures that the sealing lip 25 is pressed even more firmly against the flange and the pressurized space 17 closes even more effectively. The pressure in the pressurized area exerts an effort on the container, which consequently tends to move upwards. The immobilizing cars 10 prevent the container 5 from moving upwards.

If an empty container is to be removed from the chamber, the first necessary step is to relieve the pressure in the pressurized area. Once the pressure is relieved, the immobilizing cars 10 can be pushed back against the effort of the spring 14, that is, they are pushed or stretched out. For this purpose, an unlocking mechanism composed of an unlocking ring 25 provided with oblique cam surfaces 27 has been incorporated. The ring 26 can be rotated around the axis 28. Each of the carriages 10 is provided with an unlocking pivot. 29, and said pivots collaborate with the oblique surfaces 27 of the unlocking ring 26. To rotate the unlocking ring, this ring has a small lever 30, which projects through an opening 31 in the upper ring 9b (the upper ring 9b does not It is shown in Figure 4). The upper ring also has another small lever 32. By mutually approaching the two levers 30 and 32, the unlocking ring 26 is turned counterclockwise. Consequently, the oblique cam surfaces 27 act on the unlocking pivots 29 and therefore on the immobilizing carriages 10 to move them outward, so that the flange 12 is no longer blocked and an empty container 5 can be removed. It is not It is possible to remove a container from the chamber when the pressurized area 17 is under pressure. While zone 17 is pressurized, flange 12 is forced to press against inclined lower surfaces 24 of carriages 10.

The inclined lower surfaces 24 mean that it is virtually impossible to reverse the carriages

10.

Instead of a collar 11 connected in solidarity with the wall of the container, it is possible to use an "independent removable collar" in the manner indicated in Figure 5. After placing a container 5 in the chamber 3 of the apparatus, a collar 11 ' it is placed on neck 88 with the outlet opening 8 of the container. An outer flange 12 "has a sealing ring 13" for sealing with respect to the neck 88 of the container. In the same way as in the example of Figure 3, the flange 12 ’collaborates with the immobilizer carriages 10 to hold the container in the chamber of the apparatus.

For hygiene reasons the beverage container is kept tightly closed until the moment of use. For this purpose, a sealing membrane 33 is placed over the outlet opening 8 and joins the flange of the opening (see Figure 6). The beverage supply line 7 consists of a hose 34 with a perpendicular inlet pipe 35 at its inlet end. Said inlet tube extends to a joint 36 of the collar to a location slightly above the membrane 33. When the container 5 is placed in the chamber 3, the bottom surface 37 of the flange 12 rests on a portion of the flange 38 of the inner wall 15 of the chamber. The upper surface of the flange 12 is located at a distance A below the locking carriage 10. When the cover 4 is closed, the upper end 39 of the perpendicular inlet pipe is arranged just below the closed cover 4. After starting the pump 19 the air is pumped to the pressurized area and the pressure gradually increases. Consequently, the container 5 moves slowly upwards until the flange 12 is adjacent to the locking carriage 10. During this upward movement the end 40 of the inlet tube 35 perforates the membrane 33, following which the beverage is forced to leave the container and enter hose 34 towards tap 6.

Tap 6 is shown in detail in Figures 7-10. The faucet consists of a lower part 41, joined in solidarity with the housing 1 and an upper part 42, connected in an articulated manner with the lower part by means of a hinge 43 (Figures 8 and 10). Both parts have a slot 44 and 45, respectively (Fig. 10) in which the beverage supply hose 34 can be arranged. The outlet end of the hose has a tube

perpendicular outlet 46. The bottom of the tap has a vertical duct 47 through which the outlet tube can be passed. For hygiene reasons the final portion 46a of the outlet tube projects completely from the conduit 47, so that the beverage cannot come into contact with the bottom part 41 of the tap. To facilitate operation, the outlet tube 46 has a lever 48 that can carry the indication of the type of beverage. The faucet also has a sealing mechanism through which the flexible hose can be clamped or opened. This sealing mechanism consists of a clamping block 49, capable of moving vertically against the force of a spring 50. The clamping block has two vertical pressure pivots 51 between which a hose clamp 52 is interposed formed by an element of V-pressure. The hose 34 extends over said V-shaped pressure element. The sealing mechanism further comprises a lever 53, located at the top 42 of the tap, capable of pivoting on a pivot 54. On one side of the pivot this lever has a fork arm 55 whose ends 56 collaborate with the pressure pivots 51 of the clamping block 49. On the other side of the pivot 54 the lever 53 has an arm 60. The upper part 42 of the tap consists of a lever actuator or tap 57, capable of pivoting on a tap spindle 58. The tap spindle 58 incorporates an eccentric cam 59, which collaborates with the arm 60 of the lever. Figure 7 shows in continuous lines the situation in which the ends 56 of the fork arms 55 have just been free of the pressure pivots 51, so that the spring 50 forces the holding block 49 to go up, with the hose clamp 52 completely clamping the hose 34. When the tap 57 is rotated according to the hands of the watch the eccentric cam 59 is pressed against the arm 60 and the lever 53 is pivoted counterclockwise. The ends 56 of the arm 55 press down the pressure pivots 51 and consequently the hose. Therefore, the hose 34 is opened and the beverage can flow through the hose to the outlet tube 46. When the tap is turned back the hose is immediately clamped and the outflow stops.

The upper part 42 of the tap can be attached to the lower part 41 by a locking mechanism 61.

The housing 1 of the apparatus has a double wall, with an insulation material 63 sandwiched between the outer wall 62 and the inner wall 15, which forms the wall of the chamber 3 (Fig. 2). Housing 1 also houses the following parts:

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a cooling device 64, for example a Peltier element for cooling the container 5. The cooling device has a cooling surface 65, in direct thermal conductive contact with the inner wall 15 of the chamber, the pump indicated above 19.

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a cooling fan 66 for cooling the heatsink of the cooling device and other electrical parts, such as a printed circuit board 67;

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a pressure controller to control the pressure in the pressurized zone 17;

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a temperature controller 69 for controlling the temperature of the cooling device;

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a pump switch 70 to turn the pump 19 on and off and;

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a pressure relief valve 71 to discharge the pressure in the pressurized zone 17;

The device also has a tray to collect the spilled drink.

The operation of both the pump switch 70 and the pressure relief valve 71 is a function of the opening and closing of the cover 4 in the housing 1. A line 73 connects the pressure controller 68 with the line 18 between the pump 19 and the pressurized zone 17. A line 74 extends from the pressure controller 68 to the discharge valve 71. As soon as the cover 4 opens, the discharge valve opens and the pressurized zone 17 communicates with the outside (atmosphere) through lines 18, 73 and 74. Pressure is discharged in the pressurized area. Pump switch 70 turns off pump 19 as soon as lid 4 opens and turns on the pump when the lid is closed.

As we have already indicated, the upper part 42 of the tap 6 is connected in an articulated manner with the lower part 41 and can be attached to said lower part by means of the locking mechanism 61. When the beverage dispensing apparatus is in use, ie When beverages can be dosed, the upper part 42 of the lower part 41 cannot be moved away because otherwise the beverage supply hose 34 would no longer be pinched and the beverage could leave. The upper part is prevented from rising because a flange 75 of the cover 4 remains on the upper part in the closed condition. The flange 75 has a notch 76, which engages at the top (see Figure 1). The upper part 42 cannot be lifted until the lid has been opened, after unlocking it. Conversely, the cover 4 cannot be closed if the upper part 42 has not come down on the lower part 41. This possibility is prevented because a side wall 77 of the upper part, in its raised position, abuts against the flange 75 of the lid.

Another safety measure is the fact that, when no beverage container 5 with its supply line 7 has been placed in the apparatus, the pump switch 70 is not activated. To this end, a detection mechanism 78 for detecting the presence of a package is arranged inside the lid 4. Said mechanism consists of a "L" shaped detection rod 79. A spindle 80 is mounted so

transverse to said rod 79. The spindle is rotatably mounted on the cover 4. The detection rod 79 can perform a small pivotal movement on the spindle 80. To this end, a support 81 extends on the detection rod 79 with wide clearance and is secured to the inside of the cover 4. The clearance between the support and the detection rod limits the pivotal displacement of the rod. The end of the spindle 80 carries an actuator pivot 82. Said actuator pivot activates the pump switch 70. When a container 5 with a beverage supply line 7 is in the apparatus and the lid is closed, the shortest arm of the detection rod 79 is adjacent to the beverage supply line 7 and consequently spindle rotation is inhibited, the actuator pivot 82 acts on the pump switch 70 and the pump is connected. However, when no container with a beverage supply line has been placed or when a container without supply line is placed in the apparatus, the spindle 80 with the detection rod 79 can lower, and as a result the actuator pivot 81 does not act on pump switch 69 and said switch is not activated.

The beverage dispenser operates as follows. It is assumed that there is no container present in the apparatus. The lid 4 is opened and a container full of drink is placed in the chamber 3. The immobilizer cars 10 move away. When the container has been completely lowered into the chamber, the carriages 10 move inwards again and immobilize the container. The upper part 42 of the tap 6 is lifted and the hose 34 is placed in the lower part 41 on the hose clamp 52 and the outlet pipe 46 is inserted into the tap 47 of the tap. The upper part 42 falls on the lower part and is hooked thereto by the locking mechanism 61. The hose 34 is clamped and closed. The lid can be closed and the pump switch 69 is automatically switched on. The cooling device 64 and the cooling fan 66 are also connected. The pressure zone 17 is gradually pressurized and causes the container 5 to move upwards. The sealing membrane is perforated and the beverage is forced into the supply pipe (hose) of the beverage. The beverage can be dosed after opening tap 57. When all the beverage has been removed from the container and it is empty, the lid is opened. The pump switch immediately shuts off the pump, the pressure relief valve 71 is opened and therefore the pressure inside the pressurized zone 17 is lowering. Using the levers 30, 31, the immobilizer cars 10 can be released and the empty container can be removed from the apparatus.

The embodiment described in this report uses air as a means of pressure to pressurize the container. Alternatively it is possible to use, for example, a liquid pressure medium. In addition, the flange 12 of the above-described package is mounted on a collar 11, jointly and severally connected with the package. It is evident that said flange can be a direct part of the wall of the container, that is, it can be integral with it. In the present example, the sealing by means of the sealing ring 13 is carried out in the flange 12. However, it is also possible to make the sealing directly on the same wall of the container. Instead of a bottle-shaped beverage container with compressible walls it is also possible to use other types of beverage containers in the apparatus according to the invention, provided that they have at least one deformable and flexible wall. For this purpose, a type of membrane wall could be considered.

Claims (8)

one.

 Beverage vending set, consisting of an outer housing (1), equipped with a chamber (3) and a tap (6) jointly and severally connected with the housing. The tap (6) has a substantially vertical duct (47) and a container (5) can be placed in the chamber (3). Said container (5) consists of a beverage containing CO2 and a portion of a deformable wall, incorporating a pressurized zone (17) between the deformable part of the container wall and an inner wall of the chamber (3) and a means of pressure (19), to pressurize the pressurized area (17), said part of the deformable wall being capable of being compressed by means of pressure (19), an outlet (8) and a flexible tube (34), connected to the outlet (8) to dose beverage from the container (5) when the flexible wall portion is deformed by the pressure means (19). Said tube (34) incorporates an outlet conduit (46) to be removably coupled to the conduit (6) of the tap (6) when a container is placed in the outer housing and said container is removed therefrom.

2.

 Drink dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the positioning means consists of a lever (48).

3.

 Drink dispenser assembly according to claim 2, wherein the lever (48) contains visual indications.

Four.

 Drink dispensing assembly according to claim 1, whose tube (34) is connected to an upper surface (11) of the container (5) and extends generally transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container (5).

5.

 Drink dispensing assembly according to claim 4, the tube (34) having a length not more than twice the diameter of the container (5).

6.

 Drink dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the outlet end (46, 46a) of the tube generally extends in the direction of the longitudinal centerline of the container (5).

7.

 Drink dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tap (6) consists of two pieces (41, 42) connected in an articulated manner and defining a duct (47) to accommodate the tube (34). One of said parts (41, 42) consists of a lever (57) and a coupling means (51, 52, 53) connected with said lever (57) to couple the tube section located in the conduit (47) in order of opening and closing said tube section.

8. Drink dispensing set consisting of an outer housing (1) equipped with a chamber (3) to accommodate a container (5) that incorporates a part of a flexible wall, and a tap (6), in which the tap (6) consists of two parts (41, 42) connected in an articulated manner, each of which it has a slot (44) (45) to receive a flexible tube (34), composed of one of the parts (41, 42) of a lever (57) and a coupling means (51, 52, 53) connected with said lever (57) to engage with the tube section located in the conduit (47) in order to open and close said tube section.