ES2881808B2 - Packaged beverage dispensing device and associated dispensing procedure - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Packaged beverage dispensing device and associated dispensing procedure

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention falls within the technical field of devices for dispensing pressurized beverages, more specifically those that use compressed air or another gas that acts directly or indirectly on the beverages in the storage containers, and refers in particular to a dispensing device for packaged beverages, and to the dispensing procedure associated with said device.

Said device is configured for the dispensing of carbonated beverages packaged in cans, especially beer, by means of a tap similar to those used in industrial systems installed in the hotel industry. The device comprises, among other elements, a refrigerated chamber for storage and cooling of the cans, whose temperature is adjustable, reaching values below -2°C. The functions of adjusting and monitoring the temperature and content of cans can be carried out remotely through a mobile application, as well as functions such as the activation and deactivation of the equipment. The communications between the device and the mobile application are based on IOT standards, being able to offer commercial services, control and updates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the current state of the art, a large number of systems, methods and devices are known which, being made up of a dispensing tap and a refrigeration and pressurization system, allow the dispensing of liquids from inside a beverage container. All these taps, for the most part, are oriented towards domestic and non-commercial use, although they are based on the same principles of use.

For example, the Spanish patent with publication number ES2737548, owned by the same applicant, describes a beverage dispensing device that is configured for the extraction of the beverage from different container models and different volumes that includes a tap, which is the means essential for dispensing the drink and a body that houses means for extracting the drink, means for cooling and means for controlling the device. The drink extraction means comprise a movable head vertically with respect to vertical displacement means; and where said head is a sealed element that comprises, in its lower part, a piece of elastomeric material configured to close the mouth of the container or container by pressure, in such a way that the liquid or beverage rises through a tube associated with the head due to a pressure change.

European patent document with publication number EP2889262 discloses a beverage dispenser comprising at least one dispensing beverage inlet connectable to a beverage source; at least one carbonated liquid inlet dispenser connectable to a source of a carbonated liquid; mixing means for mixing one or more beverage components with at least one carbonated liquid into a final beverage; a dispenser outlet for dispensing the final beverage; and mixing means comprising one or more dual jet mixers.

British patent number GB2415952 describes a switching system for automatically switching a liquid outlet line between several inlet lines connected to kegs of beer. A control system automatically detects when it is necessary to change from one barrel to another. When an empty barrel is replaced, a new barrel is connected to the system. A gas valve is automatically controlled so that after the new keg and inlet line have been primed, the gas supply to the new keg is terminated, and so that when there is a subsequent switch for the keg to be connected to the outlet line the gas supply to the new container is started again. An optional logger module can communicate with a logger attached to a barrel.

PCT international application with publication number WO2015036535 describes a beverage dispensing device comprising a receptacle for a beverage container made of deformable material, said container being defined by means for deforming the beverage container in order to expel the beverage stored in the container. same ; a distribution line fluidly connecting the beverage container and an outlet, the distribution line having a first internal diameter; an actuator disposed at the outlet in connection with the dispensing line adapted to open and close the fluid connection between the beverage container and the outlet. The means for measuring the pressure of the beverage in the beverage container and/or the dispensing line are arranged in connection with the beverage container and/or the dispensing line, the measured pressure being used to control the means for deforming the beverage container, so that a predetermined beverage pressure is reached at the outlet.

Therefore, the possibility of dispensing beverages -mainly carbonated beverages and more preferably beer- through a tap, starting from different types of containers, is a need detected in the market, especially in domestic consumption, where it is interesting to make available to consumers an apparatus and method of dispensing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The first object of the invention consists of a dispenser device for packaged beverages, specially conceived for use in the domestic sphere, which allows the beverage to be served in a consumption container through a tap, extracting it from the container in a manner similar to that of barrel taps for industrial use used in the hotel industry. Domestic taps of this type are known in the state of the art and on the market, but they are limited to the use of five-liter barrels or the like. However, these containers are not the most manageable in domestic use due to factors such as their volume, which makes their storage in domestic refrigerators difficult, or because they cannot always be rushed, since their pressurization is affected by the The time that elapses between the opening of the barrel and the consumption of its contents.

The device is made up of a cabinet-type container casing, on one of whose external faces there is a dispensing tap and a base, located below the tap, to support the consumption container. The interior of the casing houses the following elements:

- A control element, preferably of an electronic type, for monitoring and controlling a plurality of parameters of the device and the associated procedure. In a preferred embodiment of the device, the system is remotely controllable, by means of an application that can be installed on a mobile device.

- A refrigerator for refrigerated storage of beverage containers, preferably canned beers. The refrigerator is provided with access doors to the interior, defined in the casing, and comprises a plurality of sensor and regulator elements, linked to the control element for monitoring and control of temperature parameters and container content.

- An extraction chamber for the contents of the container. Said chamber comprises a main access door for inserting a container, previously removed from the refrigerator and opened. Inside the chamber there is a lower rotating plate on which the container is placed for its correct positioning, as well as an extraction and pumping assembly, which extracts the liquid housed in the container for its pumping to the tap through a internal circuit, which It drives the liquid from the container to the dispensing tap. The camera also comprises corresponding sensor elements linked to the control element, for determining parameters such as the content of the container (by reading a bar code) or the location of the opening of the container, among others.

The extraction and pumping assembly comprises a compression element, a cannula insertable inside the container and a pumping element.

The device also comprises corresponding blocking elements for the access doors to the refrigerator and the extraction chamber, linked to the control element, as well as warning and information display elements, such as a small screen located on one of the sides. of the container casing.

The second object of the invention consists of a method for dispensing packaged beverages associated with the device described above. Said procedure comprises the following stages:

- Extraction of a beverage container from inside the refrigerator, manual opening and introduction inside the extraction chamber, by a user.

- Identification of the product, preferably by means of a barcode reader. In the event that the code is identified as invalid, the closing of the main access door is unlocked, at the same time that the control element sends the order to issue a warning, with which the procedure ends. If the code is identified as valid, the procedure continues to the next stage.

- Detection of the opening and positioning of the container, by means of successive vertical displacements of a rigid cannula that performs corresponding pulsations on the upper face of the container, controlling its movement, and combined with partial turns of the plate on which the container rests. The objective of this stage is to position the container correctly with respect to the extraction and pumping assembly.

In the event that no opening is detected, which happens if an unopened container is introduced into the chamber, the closing of the main access door is unlocked, at the same time that the control element sends an order to issue a warning, with which the procedure ends. - Closing and compression of the container, by means of which the opening and the upper part of the container are closed so that it supports the air pressure required for the extraction of the liquid. The compression process, carried out by means of the compression element, is controlled by means of a load cell and some position sensors of the assembly.

When the closure has been achieved, the control element sends an order to issue a warning to the user with the indication that he proceeds to manipulate the tap to start the draw of the liquid in the consumption container.

- Discharge of liquid in the consumption container, carried out by the user by manipulating the tap, connected in turn to the extraction and pumping assembly and to the control element. The draw ends when a corresponding flow sensor detects the absence of liquid in the internal circuit.

- Emptying of the internal circuit, to eliminate possible volumes of liquid retained in the circuit ducts. The control element activates the pumping element and some valves until a sensor detects the absence of liquid.

Periodically it is necessary to proceed to a final stage of cleaning the internal circuit, to ensure proper sanitation. To do this, a container with hot water and labeled with its own special code is inserted into the dispensing chamber. A print run similar to that carried out in the usual dispensing procedure will be carried out, so that the control element, after reading the code, identifies that it is a cleaning procedure. Said control element is configured to show, through the display screen, instructions for handling the tap for the user.

This dispensing device for packaged beverages, and the dispensing procedure associated with it, represent a simple, economical and versatile solution for dispensing similar to that of bars and restaurants in domestic environments, without the need to use special containers and different from those that can be purchased at any establishment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of its practical embodiment, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description. where, by way of illustration and not limitation, the following has been represented:

Figure 1.- Shows a perspective view of the dispensing device.

Figure 2.- Shows a first partial exploded view of the device.

Figure 3.- Shows a second partial exploded view of the device.

Figure 4.- Shows a side view of a cross section of the device.

Figure 5.- Shows a front perspective view of the refrigerator.

Figure 6.- Shows a rear perspective view of the refrigerator.

Figure 7.- Shows a perspective view of the positioning assembly.

Figure 8.- Shows a side view of a cross section of the device, in which the extraction and pumping assembly can be partially seen acting on a container.

Figure 9.- Shows a rear perspective view of the extraction and pumping assembly acting on a container.

Figure 10.- Shows a perspective view of the cannula.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A detailed explanation of a preferred embodiment of the object of the present invention is provided below, with the aid of the aforementioned figures.

The packaged beverage dispensing device described, shown in Figure 1, is made up of a container casing, on one of whose external faces there is a manually operable dispensing tap (1) and a base (2), located below the tap (1), to support a consumption container while dispensing.

Inside the casing there is located at least one control element, a refrigerator (3) for refrigerated accommodation of a plurality of pressurized carbonated beverage containers, preferably beer, an extraction chamber (4) for the content of a container ( 5), and an extraction and pumping head (6), for extraction of the liquid contained in the container (5) and subsequent pumping to the outlet tap (1) through an internal circuit, as shown in figure 4 .

The control element, not represented in the attached figures, is made up of a electronic device configured to monitor and control a plurality of parameters of the dispensing device and the associated procedure, which are determined by a corresponding plurality of sensors. In this preferred embodiment, the control element is remotely controllable, by means of an application that can be installed on a mobile device.

The refrigerator (3), shown in detail in figures 5 and 6, is located in this preferred embodiment at a rear end of the casing opposite to the place where the tap (1) is located. Said refrigerator (3) comprises a refrigeration chamber (7), a loading door (8), an unloading door (9), at least one Peltier cell for cooling and at least one temperature sensor (10) linked to the Peltier cell and the control element.

In this way, by means of the loading door (8), located on an upper face of the casing, the manual introduction of a plurality of containers (5) inside the refrigeration chamber (7) is allowed, while by means of the unloading door (9) allows the extraction of said packages (5) already refrigerated.

Each Peltier cell, whose operation is governed from the control element, comprises a radiator (11), two fans (12) and an additional temperature sensor for maintenance and control of thermal dissipation. In the embodiment shown in these figures, the refrigerator (3) comprises two Peltier cells.

The incorporation of additional sensors, such as presence sensors and container detection (5), is also envisaged. These additional sensors, also linked to the control element, are of the optical type by reflection and are located inside the refrigeration chamber, arranged to face a horizontal axis of each container (5) to indicate the presence or absence of container (5).

The incorporation of sensors for detecting the opening of the loading (8) and unloading (9) doors is also contemplated.

The extraction chamber (4), partially shown in figure 7, comprises an access door (13), located on the face of the casing where the tap (1) is located, a positioning assembly (14) for support and positioning of the container (5) previously opened by the user, and an identification element (15) of the container (5), which in this preferred embodiment consists of a barcode reader.

The access door (13) comprises an electromechanical locking system, linked to the control element, which can be activated automatically after said access door (13) is opened. A motor, governed by the control element, activates a cam, turning it 90 degrees counterclockwise and thus allowing a closing plate to move to the locking position. When the access door (13) is closed, the closing plate moves back momentarily assisted by a spring and is housed in a cavity located on the edge of the access door (13), blocking it. The access door (13) remains locked until the process of detecting and pulling a container (5) is finished.

The positioning assembly (14), shown in figures 2, 8 and 9, comprises an upper turntable (16), a lower axial bearing, and a first drive motor (18), governed by the control element.

The turntable (16), on which the open container (5) rests and inserted into the extraction chamber (4), has a plurality of perimeter notches that contribute to a correct positioning and fastening of said container (5), for prevent it from tipping over during the turn. The rotation of the turntable (16) is produced by the first drive motor (18), which in this preferred embodiment is of the DC type and incorporates a reducer and incremental encoder (19), and a Hall effect sensor (20).

The extraction and pumping head (6), shown in figures 8 and 9, is movable vertically up and down on some columns (21) to act superiorly to the open container (5) and located in the extraction chamber (4). ). Said extraction and pumping head (6) comprises a compression element (22), a cannula (23) for extracting the liquid from inside the container (5) connected to the compression element (22), a pumping element and a conduit that runs between the cannula (23) and the tap (1) for conduction of the liquid extracted from the container (5).

The compression element (22) comprises a press (24) that acts on the upper face of the container (5), equipped with a food rubber seal, which is movable along the columns (21) by means of a second motor. drive (25), DC type and linked to the control element.

The compression element (22) also comprises, located at different points of the columns (21) and linked to the control element:

- An upper limit switch microswitch (26), to stop the displacement of the press (24) vertically upwards.

- A detection zone microswitch (27), to stop the press (24) at a point immediately above the upper edge of the container (5), allowing its rotary movement while the identification element (15) acts.

- A compression zone microswitch (28), to reduce the speed of displacement of the press (24) before contacting the container (5). From this point the speed is reduced until the required compression is reached, which optimizes the execution time and eliminates possible overexertion in the container (5).

- A lower limit switch microswitch (29), to stop the movement of the press (24) in a downward vertical direction.

Finally, the press (24) has three holes on its upper face:

- A first hole (30) for connecting an air inlet tube from the pump. - A second hole (31) for connecting a decompression tube.

- A third hole for insertion of the cannula (23), which incorporates a food v-ring retainer to guarantee sealing.

The extraction cannula (23) is made up of a rigid tubular body of stainless steel, it is connected at the top to the press (24), with which it moves jointly, and comprises its own movement mechanism that contributes to its longitudinal movement in the upward direction. and descending inside the third hole of the press (24) until penetrating inside the container (5) through the opening.

This self-displacement mechanism, shown in Figure 10, comprises a toothed belt (32) for driving the cannula (23), which is driven by a third DC-type motor (33) with reducer. The position of the cannula (23) is controlled by means of a sensor for the initial rest position and an incremental encoder located on the third motor (33).

Another function performed by the cannula (23) is to contribute to the detection of the opening of the container (5) when it is introduced into the extraction chamber. To do this, its displacement mechanism performs successive descending longitudinal movements on the upper face of the container (5), which are monitored by the control element, which analyzes the changes in the rate of descent. If the cannula (23) coincides with the orifice of the container (5), its rate of descent is not altered and it will continue to the bottom, concluding the location of the orifice. If, on the other hand, the cannula (23) collides with the upper face of the container (5), it is retracted so that the positioning assembly (14) performs a rotation of said container (5), specifically by 72°, at which time the cannula (23) is lowered towards the container (5).

This process is repeated a maximum of 5 times. If this limit is exceeded, the control element determines that the container is closed, sending an order to its movement mechanism to retract it and to the second drive motor (25) to keep the press (24) in the rest position. . If the orifice is located, the container (5) is compressed.

The pump element is governed by the tap (1), which has three positions: closed, open and cream. In the closed position, the pump (1) is inactive, while in the open position the pump is activated to introduce air into the interior of the container with an approximate pressure of 0.5 bar through the passage through the first hole (30) of the press (24). Due to the pressure introduced, the liquid contained in the container (5) rises through the cannula (23) and reaches the tap (1) through the conduit, passing through a passage hole with a diameter in the range 4- 6 mm, to be finally dispensed

In the cream position, the pump is also activated, but with a pressure of up to 2 bars, so that the liquid follows the same route as in the previous case, except that when it reaches the tap (1) it passes through a a diameter comprised in the range 0.7 1 mm.

The second procedure for dispensing packaged beverages associated with the device described above comprises the following steps:

- Extraction of a container (5) from inside the refrigerator (3), manual opening and introduction inside the extraction chamber (4) through the access door (13).

- Positioning of the container (5) by means of the positioning assembly (14) and identification of the product by means of the identification element (15)

- Detection of the opening and positioning of the container (5), by means of successive pulsations of the cannula (23) on the upper face of the container (5) until it is inserted inside through the opening, container (5) which in turn turn is rotatably moved by the positioning assembly (14).

- Closure and compression of the container (5), by the compression element (22).

- Dispensing of liquid in the consumption container, carried out by the user by manipulating the tap (1), connected in turn to the pumping element.

- Emptying of the internal circuit, to eliminate possible volumes of liquid retained in the circuit ducts. The control element activates the pumping element and some valves until a sensor detects the absence of liquid.

Claims (8)

1 Beverage dispensing device, for dispensing carbonated beverages housed under pressure inside a container (5) provided with a practicable opening, in which the device is made up of a container casing on one of whose external faces there is a tap (1) manually operable dispensing and in which the casing comprises inside at least: - a control element; - a refrigerator (3) for refrigerated accommodation of a plurality of containers (5); - an extraction chamber (4) for the contents of a container (5), which in turn comprises: - an access door (13); - a positioning assembly (14) of the container (5) previously opened by the user; Y - an identification element (15) of the container (5), and - an extraction and pumping head (6), movable vertically up and down on columns (21) for extraction by suction of the liquid contained in the container (5) located in the extraction chamber (4) and its subsequent pumping to the outlet tap (1) through an internal circuit, wherein the positioning assembly (14) comprises: - an upper rotating plate (16) to support the container, - a lower thrust bearing, and - a first drive motor (18), governed by the control element, for moving the turntable (16), the identification element (15), linked to the control element, is a barcode reader for the container (5), where the extraction and pumping head (6) comprises: - a pumping element; - a compression element (22), which in turn comprises a press (24) movable along the columns (21) by means of a second drive motor (25) governed by the control element; - a cannula (23) insertable inside the container (5) through the opening for extraction of the liquid, linked to the press (24) and which in turn comprises a displacement mechanism for longitudinal displacement in the ascending and descending directions by the inside of the container (5) through the opening, the device being characterized in that the compression element (22) comprises, linked to the columns (21) and to the control element: - an upper limit switch microswitch (26), to stop the movement of the press (24) in the upward vertical direction, - a detection zone microswitch (27), to stop the press (24) at a point immediately above the upper edge of the container (5), - a compression zone microswitch (28), to reduce the speed of movement of the press (24) before contacting the container (5), and - a lower limit switch microswitch (29), to stop the movement of the press (24) in the downward vertical direction. 2. Beverage dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the refrigerator (3) comprises: - a cooling chamber (7), - a loading door (8), - a discharge door (9), - at least one Peltier cell for cooling, linked to the control element, and - at least one temperature sensor (10) linked to the Peltier cell and to the control element. 3. Beverage dispensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one Peltier cell comprises a radiator (11), two fans (12) and an additional temperature sensor for maintenance and control of heat dissipation. 4. Beverage dispensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the refrigerator (3) additionally comprises sensors for the presence and detection of containers (5) and/or sensors for detecting the opening of the loading and unloading doors (8). (9). 5. Beverage dispensing device according to claim 4, characterized in that the container presence and detection sensors (5) are of the reflection optical type and are located inside the refrigeration chamber (7). 6. Beverage dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the press (24) has: - a first hole (30) for connecting an air inlet tube from the pump, - a second hole (31) for connecting a decompression tube, and - a third hole for inserting the cannula (23), which incorporates a food v-ring retainer to guarantee sealing. 7. Beverage dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the displacement mechanism of the cannula (23) comprises: - a toothed belt (32) for driving the cannula (23), - a third drive motor (33) for the toothed belt (32), and - a sensor for detecting the position of the cannula (23), linked to the control element. 8. Procedure for dispensing packaged beverages that makes use of the device described in any of claims 1-7, characterized in that it comprises the following action sequence: - Extraction of a container (5) from inside the refrigerator (3) by a user, manual opening thereof and insertion inside the extraction chamber (4) through the access door (13); - positioning of the container (5) by means of the positioning assembly (14) and identification of the product by means of the identification element (15); - detection of the opening and positioning of the container (5), by means of successive pulsations of the cannula (23) on the upper face of the container (5) until it is introduced inside through the opening, container (5) which in turn turn is rotatably moved by the positioning assembly (14); - closure and compression of the container (5), by the compression element (22); - liquid dispensing in the consumption container, performed by the user by manipulating the tap (1), connected in turn to the pumping element; Y - emptying of the internal circuit, to eliminate possible volumes of liquid retained in the circuit ducts.