FR3098808A1 - Glass beverage dispenser comprising in-line cooling and / or heating system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a drink dispenser by the glass comprising a heat exchanger (5) configured to modify the temperature of the drink during its delivery to a distribution outlet (3). In a preferred embodiment, the distributor comprises a distribution circuit (2) having a first branch (2A) connected to the heat exchanger (5) and a second branch (2B) bypassing this heat exchanger (5). The second branch (2B) may or may not be connected to another heat exchanger. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Drink-by-the-glass dispenser comprising an in-line cooling and/or heating system

The invention relates to the field of dispensers for drinks by the glass, in particular for a drink such as wine.

State of the prior art

In the restaurant and wine bar sector, it is known to dispense wine by the glass from bottles held in an air-conditioned chamber of a dispensing device. The apparatus is for this purpose equipped with dispensing taps connected to the bottles by means of ducts, each duct having one end mounted on one of the taps and the other end inserted into one of the bottles. The flow of wine from a bottle to a tap is obtained by pressurizing the corresponding conduit using a neutral gas.

The wine dispensed by such a device arrives in the glass at a temperature substantially identical to the temperature of the air-conditioned room. However, this temperature does not necessarily correspond to the desired tasting temperature.

The invention aims to provide a dispenser capable of serving a chosen volume of drink at a chosen temperature, in particular at a set temperature different from that of the drink stored in the device.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a beverage dispenser, this dispenser comprising a reservoir for storing a beverage, a dispensing outlet suitable for causing the beverage to flow into a container such as a glass, and a circuit for dispense configured to deliver beverage from the reservoir to the dispense outlet. According to the invention, the distribution circuit comprises a first branch and a second branch configured to convey respectively a first and a second part of the drink between the reservoir and the distribution outlet, the distributor comprising a transfer circuit, capable of channeling a heat transfer fluid, and a heat exchanger configured to be traversed by the heat transfer fluid and by said first portion of beverage so as to transfer thermal energy between the heat transfer fluid and this first portion of beverage, to adjust the temperature of the beverage delivered into the container relative to a set temperature.

Such a dispenser makes it possible to modify the temperature of the drink in line, that is to say during its transport to the dispensing outlet, and consequently to dispense very quickly a volume of drink having on arrival a temperature different from its temperature in the tank.

The invention makes it possible more particularly to bring the temperature of the drink thus served towards a so-called setpoint temperature, which can typically be identical to or close to the desired tasting temperature, without it being necessary to store the drink in a air-conditioned chamber or to carry out subsequent cooling or heating steps.

To do this, the dispenser can be implemented in such a way as to dispense a respective quantity of said first and second portions of beverage, so that the barycentric mean of the temperature of the first portion of beverage dispensed, the temperature of which is modified by the 'exchanger, and the temperature of the second portion of beverage dispensed is identical or close to the set temperature.

Preferably, the drink can be wine or any other type of non-carbonated drink.

As an indication, the set temperature may be between 7°C and 18°C, and the drink contained in the tank may have a temperature which corresponds substantially to the ambient temperature and/or to a temperature between 5°C and 25°C. These temperature ranges are in no way limiting.

In conditions of use in which the setpoint temperature is generally lower than the temperature of the drink in the tank, the distributor should be configured at least to allow a transfer of thermal energy from the drink to the heat transfer fluid so as to decrease the temperature of a portion of beverage. To do this, it suffices to circulate, in the transfer circuit, a relatively cold heat transfer fluid, the temperature of which may be between 4° C. and 6° C. for example.

In conditions of use in which the setpoint temperature is generally higher than the temperature of the drink in the tank, the distributor should be configured at least to allow a transfer of thermal energy from the heat transfer fluid to the drink so as to increase the temperature of a portion of beverage. To do this, it suffices to circulate, in the transfer circuit, a relatively hot heat transfer fluid, the temperature of which may be between 19° C. and 25° C. for example.

In a first variant embodiment, the second branch can form a conduit bypassing the heat exchanger. In other words, according to this first variant, the second branch can be configured so that said second portion of drink does not pass through any heat exchanger. The temperature of the second portion of drink should therefore remain substantially constant during its delivery to the dispensing outlet through the second branch.

In a second variant embodiment, the distributor may comprise a second transfer circuit, capable of channeling a second heat transfer fluid, and a second heat exchanger configured to be traversed by the second heat transfer fluid and by said second portion of drink so as to transferring thermal energy between the second heat transfer fluid and this second beverage part.

This second variant allows the first part of the drink to be cooled and the second part of the drink to be heated, or vice versa, which makes it possible to adjust more precisely the average temperature of the drink arriving in the glass and to reach a set temperature located over a wider temperature range than with a distributor using a single heat exchanger.

In one embodiment, the distributor can comprise one or more valves configured to authorize or prohibit the delivery of the drink to the distribution outlet by the first and/or the second branch of the distribution circuit.

Such valves make it possible in particular to adjust the volume of drink dispensed.

In an embodiment in which the dispenser comprises such valves, one of said valves can be configured to authorize or prohibit the delivery of the beverage to the dispensing outlet via the first branch and another of said valves can be configured to authorize or prohibit the delivery of the drink to the distribution outlet by the second branch of the distribution circuit.

By managing the opening and closing time of the valves, it is thus possible to dispense precise respective volumes of each of the first and second portions of drink and thus to adjust more precisely the temperature of the total volume of drink dispensed.

Preferably, the dispenser may include a controller configured to control said valves.

Such a control device makes it possible to automate the control of the valves and to better control the quantity and temperature of beverage dispensed.

Preferably, the dispenser may include a pump configured to circulate the drink in the dispensing circuit.

In one embodiment, this pump can be a peristaltic pump.

A peristaltic pump reduces or eliminates the risk of contamination of the drink.

A peristaltic pump can operate in both directions of rotation, so that it can be implemented to circulate the drink in the dispensing circuit either towards the dispensing outlet or towards the reservoir. This last direction of circulation, towards the reservoir, makes it possible in particular to bring the residual beverage present in the distribution circuit after serving upstream of the valve(s), which makes it possible to protect the beverage against oxidation.

In one embodiment, the heat exchanger(s) may each be a plate heat exchanger.

A plate heat exchanger has an extended exchange surface in a reduced volume, which in particular makes it possible to reduce the surface powers as well as the thermal stress on the drink.

More generally, a plate heat exchanger provides very good performance allowing rapid heat transfer.

In one embodiment, the reservoir may include a chip configured to exchange data with a remote device.

Such a chip makes it possible to control various parameters such as the quantity of drink in the tank and, on the basis of such parameters, to trigger, for example, alerts and thus improve stock management.

In one embodiment, the distributor may comprise at least one temperature regulating device configured to regulate the temperature of the heat transfer fluid or of at least one of the heat transfer fluids in the event of a plurality of transfer circuits each conveying a respective heat transfer fluid .

The temperature regulating device can be a device for cooling or heating the heat transfer fluid.

In one embodiment, the distributor may comprise several distribution modules, each distribution module preferably being formed by a combination of said reservoir, distribution circuit and heat exchanger(s).

The presence of several dispensing modules makes it possible to dispense a beverage chosen from among several beverages respectively contained in the reservoir of the various dispensing modules, or to dispense a combination of these various beverages.

The invention also relates to a method for controlling a distributor comprising valves as described above, this method comprising a valve control step.

In a mode of controlling a dispenser comprising dispensing modules as described above, said step of controlling the valves can comprise controlling the valves of at least two of said dispensing modules so as to cause the container to flow a respective portion of beverage from the reservoir of each of said at least two dispensing modules.

Such a method makes it possible, for example, to distribute a blend of grape varieties on demand, each grape variety being able to be contained in the reservoir of a respective one of the distribution modules.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the detailed, non-limiting description which follows.

The following detailed description refers to the attached drawings in which:

is a schematic view of a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the invention;

is a schematic view of a dispenser according to a second embodiment of the invention;

is a schematic view of a dispenser according to a third embodiment of the invention;

is a schematic view of a reservoir support of a dispenser according to the invention.

Detailed description of embodiments

Figure 1 shows a distributor according to the invention, this distributor comprising a tank 1 for storing a liquid and a distribution circuit 2 connecting the tank 1 to a distribution outlet 3.

In a preferred application of the invention, the liquid is a non-carbonated drink such as wine.

Reservoir 1 is in this example a flexible and sealed removable bag provided with a tap (not shown) for connection to distribution circuit 2.

Such a bag can be made by assembling different layers of materials including polyethylene, aluminum to form an oxygen barrier and nylon to improve its resistance and its behavior. Such a bag is known as a "BAG'INNOV" (registered trademark).

The advantages of such a pouch are numerous, especially in terms of keeping the drink. Indeed, such a pocket typically makes it possible to preserve the qualities of a drink such as wine for eight weeks after opening. Such a pouch is furthermore resistant, light, easy to transport, and compact when empty.

By way of example, tank 1 can have a capacity of three liters.

It is considered in the following description that the tank 1 is exposed to the ambient air so that the temperature of the drink contained in the tank 1 is substantially identical to the ambient temperature. Of course, the invention also covers the case in which the reservoir 1 has previously been maintained at a temperature different from the ambient temperature, for example in order to improve the conditions for preserving the drink.

The dispensing outlet 3 is configured to cause the drink to flow from the tank 1 into a container 6 such as a glass.

In this example, the dispensing outlet 3 includes a spout. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the distribution outlet 3 is simply formed by one end of a duct or pipe of the distribution circuit 2.

The dispensing circuit 2 comprises a first branch 2A and a second branch 2B configured to convey respectively a first and a second portion of drink between the reservoir 1 and the dispensing outlet 3.

In the example of FIG. 1, the distributor comprises two heat transfer circuits 4A and 4B as well as two plate heat exchangers 5A and 5B configured to modify the temperature of the different parts of the drink circulating respectively in the branches 2A or 2B of the distribution channel 2.

The first transfer circuit 4A is configured to channel a first heat transfer fluid, in this example a fluid approved for food applications, at a relatively low temperature, for example between 4°C and 6°C.

In order to regulate the temperature of this first heat transfer fluid, the distributor comprises in this example a cooling device 7A, or cooler.

Chiller 7A may typically include a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser and an expander.

The cooler 7A and the first transfer circuit 4A thus form a cold unit making it possible to maintain the first heat transfer fluid at a temperature lower than the temperature of the drink contained in the tank 1, at least at the inlet of the exchanger 5A, so as to to cause within the exchanger 5A a transfer of thermal energy between the first heat transfer fluid and the first part of drink when the latter is conveyed into the branch 2A, causing a decrease in the temperature of this first part of drink.

The second transfer circuit 4B is configured to channel a second heat transfer fluid, in this example water, at a relatively high temperature, for example between 19° C. and 25° C.

In order to regulate the temperature of the second heat transfer fluid, the distributor comprises in this example a heating device 7B, or heater.

By way of non-limiting example, the heater 7B can comprise a basin and an immersion heater heating the second heat transfer fluid in the basin. For another example, the heater 7B can be configured to heat the second heat transfer fluid by induction, for example using a coil of copper wire wound around a stainless steel conduit of the transfer circuit 4B.

The heater 7B makes it possible to maintain the second heat transfer fluid at a temperature higher than the temperature of the drink contained in the reservoir 1, at least at the inlet of the exchanger 5B so as to cause within the exchanger 5B a transfer of thermal energy between the second heat transfer fluid and the second portion of beverage when the latter is conveyed into the branch 2B, resulting in an increase in the temperature of this second portion of beverage.

In this example, the circulation of the heat transfer fluids in the transfer circuits 4A and 4B is carried out by pumps 71A and 71B respectively.

To move the drink in the dispensing circuit 2, the dispenser of FIG. 1 comprises a peristaltic pump 8. In a variant embodiment, not shown, the drink can however be routed to the dispensing outlet 3 under the action of the gravity.

The dispenser of FIG. 1 also comprises a first valve 9A on branch 2A and a second valve 9B on branch 2B, both configured to authorize or prohibit the delivery of the drink to the dispensing outlet 3 respectively via the first branch 2A and the second branch 2B.

In this example, each of the valves 9A and 9B is of the “all or nothing” type, that is to say able to assume either a completely open position or a completely closed position.

In the open position, the valve 9A does not impede the circulation of drink in the branch 2A, so that said first portion of drink can be dispensed into the glass 6 through this branch 2A. Similarly, the valve 9B in the open position does not hinder the circulation of drink in the branch 2B, so that said second portion of drink can be dispensed into the glass 6 through this branch 2B.

In the closed position, the valve 9A prohibits the distribution of said first portion of drink via the branch 2A. Similarly, the valve 9B in the closed position prohibits the distribution of said second portion of drink via the branch 2B.

The valves 9A and 9B of FIG. 1 can be manual or be connected to a control device (not shown in this figure) capable of controlling the respective position of these valves 9A and 9B. An example of position control of such valves by such a control device is described below with reference to Figure 2.

An example of a method for dispensing a volume of drink using the dispenser of FIG. 1 is described below, considering that the first and second heat transfer fluids circulate continuously in the first and second transfer 4A and 4B, under the action of pumps 71A and 71B, respectively.

In this example, the dispensing of a volume of drink comprises opening valve 9A and starting pump 8. Valve 9A is kept open for a first period after which valve 9A is closed. and valve 9B open for a second predetermined time.

Typically, the greater the need for cooling the beverage, the higher the ratio of the first duration of opening of the valve 9A to the second duration of opening of the valve 9B. Conversely, the less the need for cooling the drink, the lower the ratio of the first duration of opening of the valve 9A to the second duration of opening of the valve 9B.

Similarly, the greater the need for heating the beverage, the lower the ratio of the first duration of opening of the valve 9A to the second duration of opening of the valve 9B. Conversely, the less the need for heating the beverage, the higher the ratio of the first duration of opening of the valve 9A to the second duration of opening of the valve 9B.

More generally, to adjust the temperature of the drink in relation to the setpoint temperature, it suffices to play on the respective opening time of the valves 9A and 9B, which is facilitated by the fact that the pump 8 is, in this example, of the volumetric type, that is to say at almost constant flow.

In general, it is preferable to start the pump 8 after opening the first valve 9A or 9B.

To avoid a residual presence of drink in the part of the distribution circuit 2 located between the valve 9A/9B and the distribution outlet 3, it is preferable to make the pump 8 turn in the opposite direction before closing the valves 9A and 9B in order to raise this residual drink upstream of the valves 9A and 9B and thus avoid its oxidation.

The total opening time of the valves 9A and 9B obviously depends on the total volume of drink to be dispensed.

Figure 2 shows another type of distributor according to the invention, which differs essentially from that of Figure 1 in that the second branch 2B of the distribution circuit 2 forms a bypass duct so that said second portion of drink does not pass through any heat exchanger.

According to a first variant of Figure 2, the branch 2A is connected to a heat exchanger 5 and to a cooler 7 according to the same principle as the branch 2A of the distribution circuit 2 of Figure 1. Thus, the exchanger 5 is traversed by a heat transfer fluid circulated in a transfer circuit 4 under the action of a pump 71, this heat transfer fluid being maintained at a relatively low temperature by the cooler 7.

Figure 2 is hereafter described only by its differences with the distributor of figure 1.

The distributor of Figure 2 includes a controller 10 configured to control valves 9A and 9B as well as pumps 8 and 71.

Such a distributor makes it possible to cool the drink by controlling the opening of the valves 9A and 9B for a respective opening time, according to the same principles as those described above with reference to FIG. 1.

Unlike the distributor of Figure 1, the second portion of drink is not heated in the second branch 2B. Consequently, the dispensing of a volume of beverage at a set temperature lower than the temperature of the beverage in the tank 1 typically supposes a relatively shorter opening time of the valve 9A and relatively longer of the valve 9B compared to compared to the distributor of figure 1.

To more precisely adjust the temperature of the drink in relation to the setpoint temperature, the distributor can comprise a series of sensors comprising, in this non-limiting example, an ambient temperature sensor 11, a sensor 12 of the temperature of the drink in the tank 1 , a temperature sensor 13 of the heat transfer fluid, and a temperature sensor 14 of the beverage leaving the exchanger 5. Other measuring devices not shown can be used in a complementary or alternative manner, for example a flow meter measuring the flow of heat transfer fluid circulating in the transfer circuit 4.

The respective opening duration of the valves 9A and 9B can be determined according to temperature measurements provided by such sensors 11-14 or any other measurement of physical parameters.

According to a second variant of FIG. 2, device 7 is a heater. What has just been described concerning the first variant of FIG. 2 applies by analogy to this second variant.

Figure 3 shows a distributor comprising in parallel several distribution modules M1, M2 and M3 each operating according to the principle of the distributor of figure 2.

In this example, a single transfer circuit 4 is connected to the exchanger 5 of each of the modules M1, M2 and M3 and the branches 2A and 2B of the distribution circuit 2 of each of these modules are connected to a distribution output 3 common.

In this example, the control device 10 is configured to control the modules M1, M2 and M3 separately or simultaneously.

Such a distributor makes it possible to distribute a blend of grape varieties on demand. To this end, the reservoir 1 of each of the modules M1, M2 and M3 can contain a different grape variety, the control device 10 being configured to control the valves 9A and 9B of several of these modules so as to obtain the desired blend, at the set temperature.

In the examples of Figures 2 and 3, each tank 1 is equipped with a chip 20 configured to exchange data with a remote computing device (not shown).

In one embodiment, the chip 20 is a wireless communication device of the “near field communication” type containing, for example, identification data, the level of filling of the tank 1, the color of wine, or even the temperature recommended set point.

By way of non-limiting example, such a chip 20 makes it possible to trigger an alert, for example on the remote device which can be a smartphone, when the tank 1 is empty or almost empty, and more generally makes it possible to improve the management inventory and track data in real time.

The distributor can of course operate offline, using for example data contained in the chip(s) 20.

In an embodiment in which the reservoir 1 is removable and provided with a connection valve (not shown), the dispenser comprises a support 30 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The support 30 is configured to receive and hold a fastening element of the connection valve in a dispensing configuration in which the drink contained in the reservoir 1 can be introduced into the dispensing circuit 2.

Referring to Figure 4, the support 30 comprises a fixed part 31 secured to a support element (not shown) of the dispenser and a removable part 32 for holding the reservoir 1 in said dispensing configuration.

The fixed part 31 of the support comprises a stirrup 33 configured to receive said fixing element of the connection valve by translation of this fixing element along a direction X2 when the removable part 32 is removed from the fixed part 31.

The fixed 31 and removable 32 parts are configured to cooperate with each other so as to hold the fixing element of the connection valve in the bracket 33. These parts 31 and 32 comprise for this purpose elements 34 and 35 assembly by shape cooperation, configured in this example to assemble these parts with each other by translation of the removable part 32 along a direction X1 perpendicular to the direction X2.

The assembly of the fixed 31 and removable 32 parts of the support 30 thus makes it possible to maintain the reservoir 1 in said dispensing configuration.

The flow of beverage contained in tank 1 to distribution circuit 2 is in this example produced via channels 36 and a member 37 for receiving an outlet (not shown) from the connection valve. The member 37 here comprises an orifice designed to receive the outlet of the connection valve in a sealed manner when the fastening element of this valve is inserted in the bracket 33.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

For example, the distributor can include an aerator (not shown) upstream of the distribution outlet 3.

In an embodiment not shown, the reservoir(s) 1 may be rigid and/or non-removable.

In another embodiment not shown, the pump 8 can be mounted between the heat exchanger(s) and the distribution outlet 3, and the valves 9A and 9B can be replaced by a three-way valve mounted for example between the tank 1 and the heat exchanger(s).

In the examples of Figures 1 to 3, each exchanger 5, 5A, 5B is crossed by a drink and a heat transfer fluid circulating in counter-current relative to each other. The invention of course covers a distributor having one or more co-current exchangers.

In each embodiment, for example that of Figure 1, the dispenser may comprise a control device and sensors or measurement devices as described above with reference to Figure 2.

Claims (10)

Beverage dispenser, this dispenser comprising a reservoir (1) for storing a drink, a dispensing outlet (3) suitable for causing the drink to flow into a container (6) such as a glass, and a dispensing circuit ( 2) configured to convey the beverage from the reservoir (1) to the dispensing outlet (3), this dispenser being characterized in that the dispensing circuit (2) comprises a first branch (2A) and a second branch (2B) configured to convey respectively a first and a second part of the beverage between the reservoir (1) and the dispensing outlet (3), the dispenser comprising a transfer circuit (4, 4A), capable of channeling a heat transfer fluid, and an exchanger (5, 5A) configured to be traversed by the heat-transfer fluid and by said first portion of beverage so as to transfer thermal energy between the heat-transfer fluid and this first portion of beverage, to adjust the temperature of the beverage delivered in the container (6) relative to a set temperature. Distributor according to claim 1, this distributor comprising a second transfer circuit (4B), capable of channeling a second heat transfer fluid, and a second heat exchanger (5B) configured to be traversed by the second heat transfer fluid and by said second part of beverage so as to transfer thermal energy between the second heat transfer fluid and this second portion of beverage. Dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, this dispenser comprising one or more valves (9A, 9B) configured to authorize or prohibit the delivery of the beverage to the dispensing outlet (3) by the first (2A) and/or the second branch (2B) of the distribution circuit (2). Dispenser according to Claim 3, in which one (9A) of the said valves is configured to authorize or prohibit the delivery of the beverage to the dispensing outlet (3) by the first branch (2A) and another (9B) of the said valves is configured to authorize or prohibit the delivery of the beverage to the dispensing outlet (3) by the second branch (2B) of the dispensing circuit (2). Distributor according to claim 3 or 4, this distributor comprising a control device (10) configured to control said valves (9A, 9B). Dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 5, this dispenser comprising a pump (8), preferably peristaltic, configured to circulate the beverage in the dispensing circuit (2). Distributor according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the heat exchanger(s) (5, 5A, 5B) are each a plate exchanger. Distributor according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, the said reservoir (1), distribution circuit (2) and heat exchanger (5, 5A, 5B) forming a distribution module, the distributor comprising several distribution modules (M1 , M2, M3). Method for controlling a distributor according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 including the characteristics of Claim 5, this method comprising a step of controlling the valves (9A, 9B). A method according to claim 9, of controlling a valve according to claim 8 including the features of claim 5, wherein said step of controlling the valves (9A, 9B) comprises controlling the valves (9A, 9B) of at at least two of said dispensing modules (M1, M2, M3) so as to cause a respective portion of beverage to flow into the container (6) from the reservoir (1) of each of said at least two dispensing modules (M1, M2, M3).