FR2815024A1 - AUTONOMOUS OR NOT, MOBILE OR FIXED, REFRIGERATED BEVERAGE DISPENSER EQUIPPED WITH TWO INDIVIDUAL OR SIMULTANEOUS REFRIGERANTS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a beverage dispensing device (1) containing carbon dioxide dissolved by means of a pressurised gas, comprising a reservoir (2) containing the beverage, a pressurised gas source (3) and two means for refrigerating (4, 400) the beverage, in the form of a portable self-contained system, including a lower part (8) forming a first housing receiving the beverage reservoir (2), an upper part (10) forming a second housing receiving the pressurised gas source (3) and the refrigerating means (4), and an aerial part (38) supporting means dispensing (26) the beverage forming a top (24) for the upper part (10), the upper (10) and lower (8) parts delimiting the body (7). The cooling means (400) consists of an insulated compartment (70) containing a coil (6) arranged between the reservoir (2) and the dispensing means (26) and a refrigeration compressor (72) cooling the conduit (6) or coil and the reservoir (2).

Description

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 The technical sector of the present invention is that of beverage dispensers allowing it to be drawn from a pressurized tank.

 It is well known to draw a drink such as beer, sodas, sparkling wines, lemonades or others by planning to introduce a pressurized gas into the tank above the drink that drives this drink by a plunger to a tap. Gas expansion means are provided to regulate the operation of the apparatus. Refrigeration means can also be provided on the path of the drink between the tank and the tap to refresh it. Refrigeration systems are known which consist of a coil placed in a tank of chilled water. For more details, reference may be made to patents FR-A-2 395 942 and FR-A-2 684 088 which describe fixed installations for dispensing beverages such as beer.

 Distribution facilities are generally complex and fixed and therefore cannot be moved.

 The object of the present invention is to provide a portable device for dispensing refrigerated drinks having a compact structure, compact and which is easily movable while providing an attractive aesthetic appearance. We know indeed that with beer below a temperature of 0 Oc it freezes and above 4 Oc it froths. Thus, it can be assumed that the beer dispensed using a portable device must be operational for at least six hours.

 The invention therefore relates to a beverage dispensing device containing carbon dioxide dissolved using a pressurized gas, of the type comprising a reservoir containing the beverage, a source of pressurized gas and two simultaneous refrigeration means. or individual drinks, in the form of an autonomous system or not, autonomous

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 portable or fixed, comprising a lower part constituting a first housing receiving the beverage tank, an upper part constituting a second housing receiving the source of pressurized gas and the refrigeration means, and an aerial part supporting means for dispensing the beverage forming a cover for the upper part, the upper and lower parts (8) delimiting a body, characterized in that the cooling means consists of an insulated compartment enclosing a duct disposed between the tank and the distribution means and a refrigeration compressor ensuring the cooling of the coil and / or of the tank.

 The duct can be in the form of a coil.

 The compartment is thermally insulated using a first side wall and an insulating bottom and the lower part is thermally insulated using a second side wall, a bottom wall and an upper wall .

 The compartment includes a cone emerging in its internal space.

 The device comprises a first evaporator at the level of the compartment and a second evaporator arranged between the tank and the second side wall, the two evaporators being connected to the compressor.

 The device includes a condenser disposed between the body and the second side wall.

 The device comprises a ventilation means ensuring air circulation in the lower and upper parts and at the level of the condenser.

 The bottom wall is provided with a groove for collecting the condensation water.

 Openings are provided at the base of the body to allow the evacuation of condensed water.

 The dispenser has a thermostat for controlling the temperature of the beverage.

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 An advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the dispensing device of the invention is made autonomous and can be easily transported or brought to the places of consumption near the consumers.

 Another advantage of the invention lies in the arrangement of the various elements of the dispenser giving it a remarkable aesthetic appearance.

 Yet another advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the dispenser can be easily transformed to be made mobile, for example in a trolley, or fixed, for example in a table for consumers or in a pedestal.

- les figures 2 et 3 illustrent les moyens assurant la mobilité du distributeur, - la figure 3 illustre une variante de réalisation, - la figure 4 est une coupe longitudinale montrant un autre exemple de réalisation de l'invention, - la figure 5 est une coupe longitudinale du distributeur,

- les figures 6 et 7 sont des vues éclatées du distributeur. Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will be better understood on reading the additional description given below in relation to the drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of the dispenser,

- Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the means ensuring the mobility of the dispenser, - Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment, - Figure 4 is a longitudinal section showing another embodiment of the invention, - Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of the distributor,

- Figures 6 and 7 are exploded views of the dispenser.

 In Figure 1, there is shown a section of the device for dispensing any beverage using a pressurized gas. The drink can be of the beer, soda, sparkling wine or lemonade type, for example. The pressurized gas consists of carbon dioxide and nitrogen or air in known proportions to avoid any substantial change in the carbonation rate of the drink, for example for the

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bière qui se situe entre 4, 3 et 4, 8 g de C02 par litre selon le type de la bière.

beer that is between 4.3 and 4.8 g C02 per liter depending on the type of beer.

 The dispensing device or distributor 1 comprises a beverage reservoir 2, a source of pressurized gas 3 and a means 4 for refrigerating the beverage coming from the reservoir.

 The tank 2 is in the form of a container or a keg containing for example 30 liters of beer. The gas source 3 is constituted by a conventional bottle supporting the desired pressure with a capacity of 12 liters of carbon dioxide for example. The refrigeration means 4 consists of an enclosure 5 in which is positioned a duct 6, a coil for example. These various elements are assembled according to the invention in a compact manner to constitute a mobile and portable autonomous distributor in the following manner.

 The structure of the dispenser is produced around a hollow body 7, for example of cylindrical shape, inside which the main elements are arranged.

This body could be of another shape, for example oval, such as a barrel. The body 7 comprises a lower part 8 inside which the beverage container 2 is disposed. At the base of the lower part is formed a bottom 9 in which the tank 2 is placed, this bottom constituting a means of wedging and positioning of the tank. Of course, this bottom has a shape adapted to the external surface of the tank, cylindrical for example. Thus, the tank 2 is held in position by its weight and the more or less tight adjustment obtained in the bottom 9. The body 7 also defines an upper part 10 receiving the gas bottle 3 and the enclosure 4. This enclosure 4 is shaped to occupy the space available in this upper part 10, either partially or completely.

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 The bottle 3 is conventionally provided with a tap 11 to which a connector 12a is connected, connected to a pressure reducer 13 itself connected by the connector 12b to the tank 2 by means of a withdrawal head 14 provided with a screwing handle 15 and a withdrawal sleeve 16. The sleeve 16 plunges into the tank 2 and is extended by a pipe 17 equipped with a metering device 18 used for counting. This dispenser 18 may include a safety valve to prevent theft of drink. The pipe 17 is connected to one end of the coil 6 located in the enclosure 4. this coil 6 is immersed in the enclosure 4 in a bath of ice preferably or of ice water which can be renewed if necessary. The bottom 19 of the enclosure is drilled to receive an emptying means 20. The other end of the coil 6 is connected to a flexible connector 21 connected to a tap 22 provided with its handle 23 for maneuvering.

 According to the invention, the upper part 10 of the body 7 supports an aerial part 24 forming a cover hinged relative to the latter by means of a hinge 25. The cover 24 supports a distribution column 26 on which is fixed the tap 22. The flexible connector 21 is disposed inside a bore 27 of the column 26 and is held there by a fixing means 28. The flexible connector 21 allows the opening and closing of the cover 24 and is provided to allow a clearance of the cover such that it completely frees the opening of the upper part 10. In this way, one can easily replace the gas bottle and proceed to cleaning the cooling means. The cover 24 is provided with an additional sealing means 29 which fits into the opening of the enclosure 4.

In the figure, it can be seen that this means 29 is in the form of a bead with a beveled edge cooperating with the also beveled edge of the enclosure 4. There is also provided at the cover 24 a cutout 30 capable of covering the handle 31 of tap 11 of bottle

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 gas 3 thus constituting a means for blocking the bottle when the cover 24 is folded down.

 In the figure, it can be seen that the cover 24 is provided with a bowl 32 provided with a discharge 33 intended for recovering any excess drink.

 The body 7 is provided at its upper part 10 with a collar 34 on which a plate 35 of annular shape of variable diameter can rest to constitute an autonomous table useful for the consumer (s). This plate 35 can be fixed or removable.

 The lower part 8 of the body 7 is provided with a lateral opening 36 allowing access to the reservoir 2 for replacing it when it is empty. This opening 36 can be closed by one or two doors hinged relative to the body 7.

 The bottom 9 of the body 7 is provided with rollers 37 making it possible to move the dispensing device 1 from one place to another. Of course, these wheels are equipped with a locking means. Thus, the dispenser can be moved from one point to another towards consumers without providing it with the table 35. This dispenser can of course be used at a fixed point and be equipped with a table of sufficient diameter to accommodate several consumers. In this case, the dispenser can be fitted with skids or else be fixed to the ground to form a pedestal.

 The device 1 is used in the following manner.

After activating the valve 11 of the cylinder 3 of compressed gas, the tank 2 is pressurized.

The opening of the tap 22 makes it possible to withdraw a given quantity of drink or else a metered quantity since the gas pressure discharges the drink through the sleeve 16 which is directed by the pipe 17 towards the coil 6 where it cools before being collected.

 In Figure 2, there is shown the means ensuring the mobility of the dispenser according to the invention in a section made at its lower part. These means

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 are constituted by a substantially circular base 40 delimiting a bowl 41 whose diameter corresponds substantially to the outside diameter of the barrel 7. This bowl constitutes a receptacle in which the dispenser is kept permanently when it is moved from one point to another . On this base 40, two reinforcements 42 and 43 are fixed intended to receive the front and rear wheels respectively. In the figure, only the rear wheels 45 and 46 are shown.

They are integral with an axis 44 fixed to the reinforcement 43. The wheels 45 and 46 can be immobilized at any time by a locking means constituted by a pad 47 acting on each of the wheels. The pads are carried by a transverse shaft 48 actuated by a lever 49 by means of an axis 50. Of course, the shaft 48, the axis 50 and the lever 49 are joined by articulations which it does not have. is not necessary to detail more specifically.

 Figure 3 allows to see the detail of realization of these joints. We see the front wheel 51 mounted fixed or articulated relative to the reinforcement 42. The lever 49 is extended by a handle 52 for maneuvering. It can also be seen in the figure that the base 40 is provided on the side of the rear wheels with a reinforcement 53 allowing better positioning of the distributor. This reinforcement can also serve as a support at the foot of an umbrella sheltering consumers.

 In Figure 3, there is shown an exploded view of the dispenser where we see the beverage keg 2 extracted from its housing 8 equipped with a gas inlet 66 and a supply line 67 of the coil 6. The bottle of gas 3 is also extracted from its housing 10 and is equipped with an electronic control command 60 powered by an energy source 61, a rechargeable battery for example. A smart card reader 63 can also be provided to record the delivery of the drink. Compartment 5 containing the

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 ice can be fitted with an agitator 62 to harmonize the temperature. Finally, a turbine 65 associated with a solenoid valve can be integrated on the supply circuit of the tap 22 to improve the distribution of the doses of beverage.

 In Figure 5, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the dispenser according to the invention. In this embodiment, a means 400 has been provided for cooling the coil 6 or conduit and possibly the reservoir 2. It comprises an insulated compartment 70 closing the coil 6 and a refrigeration compressor 72. The compartment 70 is provided with a cone 73 inside which is integrated a first evaporator 74 connected to the compressor 72. The cone 73 is tightly connected to the compartment 70 so as to prevent any communication with the interior of the cone. This cone keeps intimate contact between the glass and the pipe or coil 6 when the latter melts. The compartment 70 is also thermally insulated from the rest of the dispenser by a first side wall 75 and a bottom 76. The compartment 70 is of course closed by the cover 24 not shown in this figure.

 Similarly, the lower part 8 of the dispenser is also thermally insulated using a second side wall 77, a lower wall 78 and an upper wall 79. It also includes a second evaporator 80 connected to the compressor 72 and applied against the internal face of the side wall 77. It also comprises a condenser 82 joined against the internal wall of the body 7.

 The condenser 82 is arranged in such a way that a free space is provided in the vicinity of the latter in order to ensure the circulation of the air propelled by a ventilation means 81, a fan for example. The air intake being located in the upper part of the distributor, the air passage will cool the compressor before being injected through a duct

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 85 by the fan 81 on the condenser 82 to cool it. Thus, during the same operation, the compressor 72 is first cooled and then the condenser 82. The air is taken, for example, using the duct 85 located at the fan 81 and comes out at the bottom of the distributor. through perforations 84.

 The compressor 72 sends the refrigerating fluid via conventional copper pipes, not shown, to the evaporators 74 and 80 in order to cool the coil 6 and the tank 2. This arrangement is conventional and need not be explained in more detail. .

 Thus, the dispenser according to the invention can be used by cooling the coil 6 alone by introducing a sufficiently cooled fluid into the compartment 70. This use finds its advantage when the keg is precooled or when the quantity of beer to be drawn is low. The introduction of ice for example into this compartment makes it possible to ensure, when the tank 2 has been previously cooled and, independently, a service of refrigerated drink for a time of the order of 6 hours. The planned insulation of the tank 2 keeps it at the optimum temperature of the order of 3 to 5 C for these 6 hours.

 The dispenser according to the invention can also be used in different ways.

 Thus the distributor can be used using only the compressor 72 which then cools as described above the tank and a simple conduit in place of the coil. You must first connect the distributor to a source of electrical energy for about ten hours. In this case the distributor is not completely autonomous and in the event of prolonged use it is necessary to maintain the connection with the energy source.

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In another mode of use, the distributor comprises the compressor 72 and a coil. The refrigerated cone cools the coil allowing the ideal operating temperature to drop from 0 to 5 C.

One can also use the compressor 72 to cool the tank, then maintain the temperature during the use of the dispenser by providing a supply of frigories using ice placed in the tank 70. In this case, the dispenser is completely autonomous even during prolonged use.

 It is also possible for private use to provide cooling only with ice.

Indeed, the beer in the keg can be at normal temperature and the temperature reduction around 3 Oc is ensured by the ice alone. The beer is then cooled by the coil alone and very quickly. Of course, the dispenser is completely autonomous, but the quantity of beer delivered at the right temperature is low.

 Finally, it will be noted that the dispenser according to the invention makes it possible to keep the beer fresh for approximately one month if it is not pasteurized and two months if it is by connecting the compressor permanently to an energy source. It goes without saying that the dispenser is equipped with a thermostat 85 which indicates the temperature of the assembly to avoid freezing and foaming in the beer by keeping the internal temperature between 0 and 5 degrees.

 In Figures 6 and 7, there is shown an exploded view of the dispenser, one being of generally cylindrical shape in Figure 6, and the other of ovoid shape in Figure 7. Of course, the dispenser can be of another shape.

 In Figure 6, we see the beer keg 2 out of its compartment after opening the two doors 90 and 91

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 delimiting with the rear wall 92 the lower compartment 8. We therefore see the evaporator 80, the insulating wall 77, the condenser 82, the thermostat 86 and the electrical connection cable 93 of the assembly. It can be seen that the doors are surmounted by a grid 94 by means of which the fan 81 takes the cooling air from the condenser 82 and from the waste water evaporation tube. In the upper part, there is a cover 95 coming to cap the gas bottle 3, the compressor 72 and the compartment 70. The gas bottle 3 is conventionally equipped with a pressure-reducing pressure gauge 96, with a foam tank 97. We see again the cone 73, the evaporator 74 and the coil 6.

 In the view shown, the distributor is equipped with a computer 98 powered by a battery 99 and a reader 100 making it possible to identify the consumptions taken.

 FIG. 7 illustrates the same elements arranged in an ovoid-shaped dispenser.

Claims (10)

 CLAIMS 1. Beverage dispensing device (1) containing carbon dioxide dissolved using a pressurized gas, of the type comprising a reservoir (2) containing the drink, a source (3) of pressurized gas and two simultaneous or individual means of refrigerating (4) the beverage, in the form of an autonomous or non-autonomous system, portable or fixed autonomous, comprising a lower part (8) constituting a first housing receiving the beverage reservoir (2) , an upper part (10) constituting a second housing receiving the source (3) of pressurized gas and the means (4) of refrigeration, and an aerial part (38) supporting distribution means (26) of the beverage forming a cover (24) of the upper part (10), the upper (10) and lower (8) parts delimiting a body (7), characterized in that the cooling means (4) consists of an insulated compartment (70) containing a conduit (6) disposed between the tank (2) and the distribution means (26) and a refrigeration compressor (72) ensuring the cooling of the coil (6) and / or of the tank (2).  2. Dispensing device (1) for beverage according to claim 1, characterized in that the conduit (6) is in the form of a coil.  3. Beverage dispensing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the compartment (70) is thermally insulated using a first side wall (75) and an insulating bottom (76 ) and in that the lower part (8) is thermally insulated using a second side wall (77), a lower wall (78) and an upper wall (79).  4. Dispensing device (1) for drink according to claim 1, characterized in that the compartment (70) comprises a cone (73) emerging in its internal space. <Desc / Clms Page number 13> 5. Dispensing device (1) for drink according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a first evaporator (74) at the level of the compartment (70) and a second evaporator (80) disposed between the tank (2) and the second side wall (77), the two evaporators being connected to the compressor (72).  6. Beverage dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a condenser (82) disposed between the body (8) and the second side wall (77).  7. Beverage dispensing device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a ventilation means (81) ensuring air circulation in the lower (8) and upper (10) parts and at the level of the condenser (82).  8. Dispensing device (1) for beverage according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower wall (78) is provided with a groove (83) for recovering the water of condensation.  9. Beverage dispensing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that openings (84) are provided at the base of the body (8) to allow the evacuation of the condensed water.  10. Beverage dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a thermostat (86) for controlling the temperature of the drink.