FR2653421A1 - Pressure-regulating device for gaseous (fizzy) beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The compressed gas pressure-regulating device according to the present invention comprises, in the form of a monoblock assembly, a pressure-regulating valve (VN2), a temperature sensor (30) and a device (35) for carrying out an arithmetic calculation, all these elements being required to regulate the pressure of a compressed gas intended for a gaseous beverage dispenser. The assembly may be manufactured rapidly, is compact, which makes it possible to save space at the location where it is fitted, and it may be easily dismantled and reassembled when it is desired to move the gaseous beverage dispenser. Moreover, the problems posed by handling the cable of the temperature detector are solved and the speed of the assembly and dismantling operation of the regulating device on the gaseous beverage reservoir is facilitated. Applications: inter alia, dispensing beer under pressure.

Description

 The present invention relates to a pressure regulating device for a compressed gas used to deliver a carbonated beverage, such as beer, to a beverage dispenser.

 A draft beer dispenser is well known as a typical device used to deliver beer at the pressure drawn from a barrel. Generally, such a pressure regulating device is arranged at the inlet of the distributor to introduce carbon dioxide under pressure from a carbon dioxide tank into the barrel which is filled with the beer to be drawn off, so that the beer to be drawn filling the barrel is discharged by the pressure of carbon dioxide through a cooling device.

 Referring now to Figure 14, we will describe an example of such a conventional device for dispensing beer on tap. In FIG. 14, it can be seen that there is shown a distributor designated generally by the reference numeral 1. The distributor 1 comprises a cooling coil 3 arranged inside a cooling device 2. A heat exchange is carried out using the cooling coil 3 to cool the beer flowing inside this coil 3. For example, a pneumatic valve 4, ball and two-way, is used as a distribution valve at the outlet end of the cooling coil 3.

 On the other hand, a barrel 5 of beer to be drawn off, which constitutes a pressurized beer tank, is disposed adjacent to the dispenser head 6 which is mounted in a separable manner on the part provided with an opening or part of beer barrel 5 bung to be racked. The distributor head comprises a dip tube 7 suspended in the barrel 5 and a pipe 8 for supplying carbon dioxide which communicates with the inner top of the barrel. The dip tube 7 communicates with the inlet portion of the cooling coil 3 by means of a flexible pipe 9 for the flow of beer. The tube 8 for supplying carbon dioxide communicates with a reservoir 13 of carbon dioxide by by means of a flexible pipe for the flow of carbon dioxide through a valve VN2 for regulating the pressure and a manual valve VN1 for reducing the pressure.

 In addition, a temperature sensor 30, serving to detect the temperature of the beer to be drawn filling the beer tank, is arranged on the side wall of the barrel 5 of beer on tap. An arithmetic calculation execution device 35 is connected to the temperature sensor 30, and the output signal from the arithmetic calculation device 35 is supplied to the pressure regulation valve VN2.

 In the case of such a pressure beer dispensing apparatus, when the beer to be drawn filling the barrel 5 with beer is dispensed, the degree of opening of the pressure regulating valve VN2 mentioned above above is controlled as a function of the value detected by the temperature sensor 30; the carbon dioxide filling the reservoir 13 with carbon dioxide is introduced under reduced pressure into the barrel 5 of beer to be drawn off; the beer at the pressure to be drawn filling the barrel 5 is discharged into the cooling coil 3 of the distributor, through the dip tube 7, under the action of the pressure of the carbon dioxide introduced, and the valve 4 of beer distribution s opens for a constant period of time, dispensing draft beer into a jar or glass 41.

 However, the system described above has the following drawbacks. In this pressure beer dispensing apparatus, the pressure regulating valve VN2, the temperature sensor 30, the arithmetic calculating device 35 and the like are interposed individually, that is to say separately, between the carbon dioxide tank 13, which constitutes the supply source of compressed gas, and the beer barrel 5, which constitutes the carbonated beverage tank. Consequently, it takes a long time to manufacture this system and the efficiency of its implementation is not satisfactory.

 In addition, in this device, because the individual parts are simply connected to each other, a large space is necessary to accommodate this device, which affects its compactness.

 In addition, when it is desired for example to change the place of the distributor, its disassembly and reassembly are long and inconvenient.

 In addition, cables are required for the temperature sensor and it is impractical to handle these cables during manufacture.

Finally, in general, it is necessary to fix the temperature sensor on the beer barrel at pressure using a fixing means, such as a strip. It follows that, when replacing the beer barrels, the evacuation and the placing of the barrels are long and inconvenient operations which complicate the replacement work.
This is why, in order to remedy the difficulties mentioned above inherent in the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a device for regulating gas pressure for a soft drink dispenser, this device being compact in the manner of a one-piece assembly and being provided with a mechanism which can easily be fixed on a manual distributor and a piping system which are conventional and which can be removed therefrom, which considerably increases the efficiency thereof, such as that of the system manufacturing operation.

 Another object of the present invention is to provide a pressure regulating device which can be easily mounted on a beer barrel at the pressure to be drawn off and which can be easily removed from it.

 To achieve the above-mentioned objects as well as other objects, a gas pressure regulating device for a soft drink dispenser interposed in a piping system comprising a source of gas has been produced in accordance with the present invention. supply of compressed gas and a container of carbonated drink intended to be pressurized by the compressed gas supplied by the power source for the purpose of dispensing this carbonated drink, the aforementioned device comprising a pressure regulating valve interposed in a system main piping connecting an inlet port and an outlet port of compressed gas to each other, a temperature detection means for measuring the temperature of the carbonated drink and the temperature of the carbonated beverage tank and a means execution of arithmetic calculation connected to the pressure regulation valve to determine, in response to the temperature side by the temperature detection means, the pressure of the carbon dioxide to be supplied to the carbonated beverage tank, so as to thus control the degree of opening of the pressure control valve, this pressure control valve, the means temperature detection and the arithmetic calculation execution means being made in the form of a unitary assembly, that is to say one piece.

 In addition, the device according to the present invention may comprise a fixing means which makes it possible to secure it to the carbonated beverage tank, in contact with the latter.

 In accordance with the present invention, since the structural elements and components necessary for effecting the regulation of the compressed gas intended for the soft drink dispenser form a one-piece assembly, it takes little time to mount the device in the system. In addition, because the device is compact, it occupies little space and can easily be mounted on the carbonated beverage tank.

 In addition, if you want to move the dispenser from one place to another, you can easily mount or dismount it.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
- Figure 1 is a schematic view showing a soft drink dispenser provided with a pressure regulator according to one of the embodiments of the present invention;
- Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a regulation device composed mainly of a single-chip computer as an example of the arithmetic calculation execution device;
- Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a pressure regulator according to the present invention;
- Figure 4 is a side elevational view showing the state in which the pressure regulator according to the present invention is fixed to the carbonated beverage tank;
- Figure 5 is a front view showing the method of fixing a temperature sensor;
- Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the sensor shown in Figure 5;
- Figure 7 is a partially sectional front view showing another method of fixing a temperature sensor;
- Figure 8 is a plan view along VIII B of Figure 7;
- Figure 9 is a side elevational view along VIIIA of Figure 7;
- Figure 10 is a schematic view showing one of the embodiments of a soft drink dispenser provided with the pressure regulator comprising the temperature sensor shown in Figure 7;
- Figure 11 is a front view showing another temperature sensor;
- Figure 12 is a partial view showing the interior of the temperature sensor shown in Figure 11 ;;
- Figure 13 is a schematic view showing yet another embodiment of the soft drink dispenser comprising the temperature sensor shown in Figure 11; and
- Figure 14 is a schematic view showing an example of a conventional soft drink dispenser.

 In the description below, it goes without saying that the drink in question is not limited to a specific type of drink, that is to say beer.

 Figure 1 shows a basic structure of a soft drink dispenser provided with a gas pressure regulating device 20 which will be called more simply hereinafter: a pressure regulator.

 In Figure 1, there is shown a distributor, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprising a cooling coil 3 disposed inside a cooling device 2 where a heat exchange is performed for cooling the beer circulating inside the coil 3. It should be noted that a refrigerator (not shown) for cooling a cooling agent, such as water being found in the cooling device 2, is installed in the distributor 1.

 A beer dispensing pipe 14 comprising a beer dispensing valve 4 is arranged at the outlet end of the cooling coil 3.

 A barrel 5 of draft beer is installed adjacent to the dispenser 1 as a pop tank. The draft beer is housed in the barrel 5. A dispenser head 6 is removably mounted on the bung portion of the barrel 5. The dispenser head 6 has a dip tube 7 suspended in the barrel 5 and a tube 8 supply of carbon dioxide, which communicates with the inner top of the barrel 5. The dip tube 7 communicates with the inlet of the cooling coil 3 via a pipe 9 for feeding beer while the pipe 8 of carbon dioxide supply is separably connected to the outlet orifice 22 of a gas pressure regulator 20 by a simple quick connector or other similar connection means, in accordance with the present invention.

 The pressure regulator 20 (framed in particular by a dashed line in FIG. 1) comprises, in accordance with the present invention, a pressure regulation valve VN2 interposed in the middle part of a main pipe 28 connecting the orifice inlet 21 and outlet 22 for the flow of compressed gas, a temperature detection means, such as a temperature sensor 30, for measuring the temperature of the barrel 5 of beer at pressure and a device 35 for performing arithmetic calculation to determine, in response to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 30, the carbon dioxide pressure applied to the carbonated beverage reservoir 5 and to adjust the degree of opening of the valve VN2 for regulating These components are enclosed together (i.e. grouped together) in a single box or case 47.

The pressure regulating valve VN2 is interposed in the middle part of the main pipe 28 connecting the outlet orifice 21 and the inlet orifice 22 of the device. A bypass pipe 29 is connected to the pipe 28 so as to be in parallel with the valve
VN2 pressure regulator and is fitted with a bypass valve VN3.

 Thanks to the presence of the bypass pipe 29, it is possible to apply an unreduced pressure avoiding the control of the regulator by performing an appropriate switching of a switching valve (not shown).

 The temperature sensor 30 is placed at a location where it is located opposite the outlet wall of the beer barrel 5, which will be described in detail below. The sensor 30 can be chosen from a thermistor, a temperature measurement resistor, a thermocouple or other similar component. The temperature of the beer at pressure is detected indirectly through the outside temperature of the barrel 5 using the sensor 30 and is transformed into an electrical signal corresponding to the detected value.

The detection signal is introduced, via a cable 33, into the device 35 for executing arithmetic calculation in which integrated circuits are incorporated.

 In the arithmetic control device 35, the analog temperature signal detected by the temperature sensor 30 is transformed into a digital signal, and a predetermined calculation is performed to determine the control pressure. Then, the signal is again transformed into an analog signal which is applied to the pressure regulating valve VN2. The degree of opening of the analog type pressure control valve VN2 is determined according to this signal. It should be noted that it is possible to use a microprocessor which is commercially available as a device for performing arithmetic calculation.

 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit provided with such an arithmetic calculation execution device which is mainly composed by a single chip microcomputer. In this block diagram, a pressure switch is shown which is connected to a test switch and to a pressure correction switch via an I / O input / output unit, a central control unit. CPU processing and another I / O input / output unit.

 Figures 3 and 4 show the external appearance of the pressure control device 20 comprising the necessary functional elements mentioned above. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the pressure regulating device 20 and Figure 4 is a side elevational view showing the state in which this pressure regulating device 20 is mounted on the barrel 5 of draft beer.

 In FIG. 3, the pressure regulation device, the arithmetic calculation execution device and other similar components fulfilling the specific functions and having the characteristics mentioned above are incorporated in a substantially parallelepipedic housing 47. The temperature sensor 30 is fixed to the rear side wall B of the housing 47 so as to be exposed to the outside environment. The temperature sensor 30 is connected to the arithmetic calculation execution device (not shown in FIG. 3) inside the housing 47 via the cable or line 33, as described above.

 As can best be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the temperature sensor 30 is fixed to the distal end of a sliding part 30a having substantially the shape of a parallelepiped. This sliding part slides inside a tubular envelope 30b. An elastic element 30c, such as for example a spring and a sponge, serving to push the sliding part 30a in the direction indicated by the arrow, is embedded in the tubular casing 30b. This structure guarantees the subject state of the temperature sensor 30 on the side wall of the beer barrel 5 under pressure. The method of mounting the temperature sensor will be described in more detail below.

 Referring again to FIG. 3, it can be seen that a pair of rear plates 31, each having a cross section of triangular shape, are fixed to the two sides of the rear surface B of the housing 47, their parts of greater width located outside. With such a structural arrangement, the housing 47 is fixed against the outer wall of the barrel 5 of draft beer generally having a cylindrical wall. The surfaces of the rear plates 31, which are in contact with the barrel 5, are preferably curved so as to match the curvature of the barrel 5.

 A pair of fastening elements, such as for example hooks 32, are provided on the upper surfaces of the plates 31 so as to extend upwards in the form of hooking parts 32a which can be hooked to a circumferential part of the upper surface of the barrel 5. A pair of fastening straps 45a and 45b (which constitute a part of the fastening elements) are mounted at the two ends of the rear surface B of the box 47. The fastening straps 45a and 45b enclose a cylindrical part of the barrel 5 for securing the housing 47 on the barrel 5. In this regard, one can use either the hook structure or the strap structure, as a fixing means. In addition, it is possible to have recourse to any other means of fixing to obtain this subjection.

 As can be seen in FIG. 3, the inlet port 21 and the outlet port 22 for the passage of compressed gas are provided in the side walls of the box 47. The pressure regulating valve, or other means similar, is arranged in the piping, halfway along the latter (inside the housing 47), to connect the inlet and outlet orifices 21, 22. The carbon dioxide coming from the carbon dioxide tank penetrates through the inlet orifice 21 and exits through the outlet orifice 22 having passed through the pressure regulation valve.

 The carbon dioxide reaching the outlet orifice 22 reaches the upper free space of the beer barrel 5 at pressure. Draft beer is forced back by gas pressure. As described above, the adjustment or control of the degree of opening of the pressure regulating valve VN2 is carried out by measuring the temperature of the beer using the sensor 30, calculation in response to this temperature and using a data table previously stored in a ROM ROM of the carbon dioxide pressure applied to the barrel 5 of beer, and adjustment of the valve VN2 as a function of the output signal representing the result of the calculation.

 It is of course possible to provide the arithmetic calculation execution device with a function for establishing the opening / closing period of the dispensing valve 4 disposed in the nozzle for dispensing beer under pressure.

 With regard to the temperature detector (temperature sensor), it is possible to use the variant represented in FIGS. 7 to 10 or that represented in FIGS. 11 to 13 in addition to the aforementioned detector described jointly with FIGS. 5 and 6.

 We will first explain the variant shown in Figures 7 to 10.

 As can be seen in FIG. 7, a temperature sensor 62 (that is to say a thermistor) is incorporated in the dispenser head 6 mounted on the bung portion of the barrel 5 of beer on pressure in order to '' be in contact with the beer supply pipe 9.

 Thanks to this arrangement of the temperature sensor 62, it is possible to regulate the pressure with a high degree of precision since the temperature of the beer in the barrel 5 is detected directly by the sensor.

 In addition, the temperature sensor 62 is fixed directly to the distributor head 6 so as to facilitate the mounting and dismounting of the sensor.

 Figure 10 is a schematic view of the system in which the temperature sensor 62 is mounted in the soft drink dispenser. In this case, the temperature sensor 62 is placed at the front end of the cable 33 connected to the housing 47. Under these conditions, the pressure control valve, the temperature detector or sensor and the arithmetic calculation execution device form a single unit.

 We will describe the alternative embodiment of the system comprising the temperature detector shown in Figures II to 13. As can be seen in Figure 11, the temperature detector is, as a whole, in the form of a clip analogous to a clothespin. The temperature detector 80 is composed of a pair of branches 81 and 91 which are mutually articulated by a hinge pin 92.

A helical spring (Figure 12) is interposed between the branches 81 and 91, so that these can be moved angularly by the arrows. As can be seen in FIG. 11, a hollowed-out part P is defined by the pair of branches 81 and 91, so that the pipe 9 for feeding beer can be placed and clamped in the hollowed-out part P.

 We will explain in detail the interior of the temperature sensor with reference to Figure 12. A plastic plate t34 is fixed in the branch 81 of the fastener. A copper plate 83 is fixed to the plastic plate t34. The t32 sensor is connected to the copper plate 83. The sensor t32 is connected to the housing 47 via a tube t36 (cable 33). A part of the copper plate 83 is uncovered by a notch made in the branch 81. The uncovered part is brought into contact with the pipe 9 for supplying beer.

 Because the temperature detector 80, which is in the form of a clip, can be fixed to the beer supply pipe 9 using a clamp, it is easy to assemble and disassemble the detector.

This is why, when replacing the beer barrel, it is possible to mount and dismount the sensor together with the dispenser head, which increases the speed of the operation.

 It should also be noted that, in this case, the pressure control valve, the temperature detector or sensor 80 and the arithmetic calculation execution device form a monobloc assembly.

 As can be seen from the above description concerning the embodiments according to the present invention, the functional elements or components necessary to effect the regulation of the pressure of the compressed gas supplied to the soft drink dispenser are grouped in the form of one and the same unitary assembly. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing time unlike the case of the prior art. In addition, the regulator is compact, which saves space, and is easy to mount on the soft drink tank. In addition, the regulator and its system can be easily mounted or removed when you want to move the dispenser. Furthermore, it is possible to eliminate the drawbacks concerning the handling of the temperature sensor cable, which increases the speed and ease of the operation.

 In addition, the dispenser can be easily assembled and disassembled when replacing the draft beer barrel, which increases the speed of execution.

 Furthermore, according to the present invention, due to the presence of the fastening elements for securing the pressure regulator, it is very easy to mount the device on the carbonated beverage tank, which guarantees the speed of the mounting operation. .

Claims (8)

1. Gas pressure regulation device for a soft drink dispenser, inserted in a piping system comprising a source (13) of compressed gas supply and a tank (5) of soft drink intended to be pressurized by the compressed gas arriving from said source for dispensing a carbonated drink, characterized in that it comprises  a pressure regulating valve VN2 interposed in a main piping system (28) for connecting to one another an inlet port (21) and a compressed gas outlet port (22);  temperature sensing means (30; 62; 82) for measuring the temperature of said soft drink or that of the soft drink tank (5); and  means (35) for performing arithmetic calculation connected to the valve Pressure regulation VN2 for determining the pressure of the carbon dioxide supplied to the carbonated beverage reservoir (5) in response to the temperature detected by the temperature detection means so as to thus control the degree of opening of the valve (vu2) pressure regulating valve, this pressure regulating valve, the temperature detection means and the arithmetic calculation execution means forming a single monobloc assembly. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (30) for temperature detection is in pressure contact with the side wall of the reservoir (5) of carbonated drink whose temperature is to be measured. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature detection means (62) is incorporated in a distributor head (6) mounted on a part, provided with an opening, of the beverage container (5) carbonated, the temperature of the carbonated beverage can be detected directly by said temperature detection means. 4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature detection means (82) comprises a pair of branches (81, 91) of fasteners which enclose in a separable way the pipe (9) for feeding beer . 5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a fixing means for securing this device on the reservoir (5) of carbonated drink, in contact with the latter. 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the fixing means comprises a pair of hooks (32, 32) intended to be hung on the upper surface of the reservoir (5) of carbonated beverage. 7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the fixing means comprises a securing strap (45) intended to be disposed around the side wall of the reservoir (5) of carbonated drink. 8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a bypass valve (VN3) interposed in a bypass pipe (29) which is adapted to be mounted in parallel on the valve (vu2) .