GB2133508A

GB2133508A - Liquid dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2133508A
Application number: GB08334039A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sean Franklin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-12-23
Filing date: 1983-12-21
Publication date: 1984-07-25
Also published as: GB8334039D0

Abstract

A device (A) for shutting off the flow of liquid from a container at a predetermined height of liquid in the container, has a float chamber (14), a float (16) with closure means (17), an air inlet above the float permitting the liquid level to fall in the chamber, a liquid outlet at the lower end of the chamber surrounded by a seating onto which the closure means of the float can drop so as to close the outlet, and a liquid inlet arranged above the outlet. In use, the float chamber (14) is arranged so that the float (16) can drop to a level corresponding to the level in the container (X) at which liquid flow is to be shut off. An air inlet restriction device 23 is provided at the top. The device is useful in a system for dispensing liquid from two containers (X, Y), so as to shut-off the flow of liquid from the first container (X) at a predetermined height of liquid in that container, a normally-closed check valve (19) then opening in response to reduced pressure in a common delivery conduit (45) to allow delivery from the second container (Y). Various forms of float lifters 27 and air restriction devices 23 are described with respect to Figs. 7 to 9 (not shown). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Liquid dispensing apparatus This invention relates to shut-off device for use with a liquid dispensing system and to a system for dispensing liquid using a shut-off device, particularly although notexclusivelyfordispensing beerfrom containers.

Traditional beerisconditioned in the cask and is drawn off either under gravity or by a pump, the cask interior being open to atmospheric pressure. In the bottom of the cask there will be a sediment and whilst it is conventional that a cask is stooped (tilted) to ensure that the sediment collects below the tap so that most ofthe beer can be drawn off, it is nevertheless importantto ensure that the beer is not drawn off down to a level at which sediment will be drawn off also. In practice, this does happen,the presence of sedimentsometimesbeing used asthe only indicator for determining when a barrel needs changing.

This hasthe obvious disadvantage that some sediment may be dispensed without its being noticed particularly since when the beer is first dispensed it looks cloudy anyway because of the partly emulsified small bubbles ofgaswhich take a little while to rise to the su rfaceto produce the head with clear beer below.

If the beer is cloudy because of sediment it is soon noticed by the customer. The nuisance to the publican lies in the factthat he mustthen chase the cloudy beer outofthe pipeline with clean beer. Some publicans even clean the pipes through with waterthen clean beer. These operations require time and semi skilled attention.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for shutting off the flow of liquidfrom acontainerata predetermined height of liquid in the container, comprising afloat chamber having in it a floatwith closure means, the chamber having an airinlet or other means above the float permitting the liquid level to fall in the chamber whereby the float moves down the chamber, a liquid outletatthe lowerend ofthe chamber surrounded by a seating into or onto which the closure means of the float can drop so asto close the outlet, and a liquid inlet arranged above the chamber outlet, the device being adapted to be connected to the container so that the liquid inlet is in communication with the interior of a container and the float chamber is arranged so that thefloatcan drop to a level corresponding to the level in the container at which liquid flow is to be shut off.

The device preferably includes means for adjusting the level above the outlet at which the float is disposed when shut-off occurs. For example, the float may comprise a float body with a closure device such as a plug supported below it, for example on a stem, in a way in which the height betweenthefloat body and the closure device can be readily altered.

The float chamber may have an upward extension with an air inlet atthe top, for example a tube which preferably has a clear portion or other means acting as a sight glass indicating the corresponding level of liquid in the container.

In orderto avoid the risk of liquid being drawn off from the float chamber ratherthan from the container, which might occur depending upon the various flow cross-sections, restrictor means may be provided which permits the liquid in the cham ber to fal I at a slower rate than would be the case if it were allowed to fall freely orwhich permits the liquid in the chamberto fall only after a delay such as after a drawing off operation ends. A convenient device for this is a pressure sensitive device which closes or partly closes under the reduced pressure prevailing during drawing off butwhich opens once the drawing off reduced pressure no longer prevails.

Such a device may take the form of a spring loaded valve memberwhich restricts orpreventstheflowof liquid through the float chamber by being drawn onto a seat when the pressure below it falls. In a preferred construction, this is constituted by a ball-valve held normally above a seating by a spring, such as a leaf or filament spring, within the liquid or above it, for example abovethefloatchamberin the sight glass tubewhere it is visible, the ball being drawn onto the seating by the liquid or air pressure below it.

Alternatively, the restrictor means could be provided by the air inlet device above the float, for example a resilientflap at the top of the sight tube.

The shut-off device may be incorporated in a tap so thatwhen the tap is connected to the container the device is set at the appropriate height relative to the container.

For installation, means may be provided to ensure that the float and its closure means is able to float freelywithoutthe closure means 'sticking' againstthe outlet.

Afurtherdisadvantagewith present traditional dispensing systems is that when one barrel is finished, the pump orbeerengine has to be connected up to a fresh barrel which causes a delay in the service from the pump.

In a second aspect of the invention, therefore, there is provided a system for dispensing liquid from containers, comprising first and second discharge ducts connected orconnectible respectivelytofirst and second containers,the first and second discharge ducts being connected to a common delivery conduit leading to a dispensing pump, there being further provided a device adapted to shut-offtheflow of liquid from the first container at a predetermined height of liquid in that container and to close the first discharge duct at a point upstream of its junction with the common conduit, and in the second discharge duct upstream of its junction with the common conduit a normally-closed checkvalve which is adapted to open in response to reduced pressure in the common conduitwherebythecheckvalveopensto allow delivery from the second container upon operation of the dispensing pump when communication with the first container is closed by the shut-off device.

Such a system has the advantage that the dispensing switches overautomaticallyfrom one container to another at the correct time. The shut-offvalve is preferably but not necessarily of the form described above in relation to the first aspect ofthe invention.

In a preferred arrangement, the shut-offdevice and check valve are provided in a common housing, possibly in a tap housing.

The invention may be put into practice in many ways but certain specific embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa sectional view of a combined shut-off and switch-over device in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of such a device in use; Figure 3 is a further embodiment showing a separate shut-off device and check valve; Figure4showsan alternativecheckvalve; Figure shows diagrammatically a dispensing system with two containers; Figure 6 is a sectional view of a shut-off device incorporated in a tap; Figure 7 shows in detail views A, B, Ca flow restriction device controlling the flow of liquid from the float chamber ofthe shut-off device;; Figure 8 shows, in detail views Ato E, five different air restriction devices; and Figure 9 shows, in detail viewsAto D,four different float lifting devices.

The apparatus shown in Figure 1 comprises generallytwo parts, A and B,though in this embodiment these are incorporated in the same housing. Part A is an automatic shut-off device and Part B is a check valve.

The device is connectible to a container, e.g. a beer barrel, by a connector 10, the beer being drawn off by means of a pump, e.g. a beer engine on a bar, through an inlet 11 ofthe device and outthrough the outlet connection 12.

The inlet 11 communicates with a vertically disposed tubular chamber 14 which constitutes a float chamber with a float 16 in it having a plug-shaped closure device 17 carried adjustably below it on a stem 18. Abovethefloat 16, which as shown in a scrap view is lobe-shaped to allow liquid to pass above it, the top ofthe chamber 14 communicates with a vertically disposed sight glass 20 supported by a cap 19 and printed along its length with a volumetric scale (in, say, gallons), or with several different scales so that the same device can be used for different size casks (firkins, kilderkin, barrel, or hogshead, for example). At the top ofthe sight glass 20 is an air inlet device 22 to be explained.

At the lower end of the float chamber is a closure seat 25 defining an outlet atthe lower end of the float chamber 14, which receives the plug 17 when the float 16 falls to the appropriate level, thereby to close off communication between the inlet 11 from the container and the outlet 12 of the device. Belowthis closure seat 25 is a float lifting device 27 for lifting the plug 17 and the float 16 when setting up a new containerto ensurethatwhen there is liquid in the float chamber 14thefloat rises to its proper level in the chamber 14 and does not "stick" againstthe closure 25.

Ata level below the closure seat 25 there is a branch duct 30 containing a one-way check valve 31 and which is connectible to a second container by an adapter 33. The check-valve 31 which is like a conventional device in its construction, comprises a valve member 35 held normally in a closed position against a valve seat by a spring 36.

The pressure ofthe valvespring 36 is selected such that whilst there is liquid to be dispensed from the first container, it remains closed; that is, the spring 36 is stronger than the normal pump suction pressure when the pump is drawing off beer. However, oncethe plug 17 has fallen to shut offthe seat 25, the pump suction pressure will be greater (lower pressure) and this will then overcome the force ofthe spring 36 to drawthe valve member 35 awayfrom its seatand pump liquid from the second container.

Naturally, similar devices could connectthe system to further containers so thatthey are each emptied in turn.

The shut-off device A operates to shut-offthe flow at a predetermined level of liquid in the container. As shown in Figure 2, a traditional beer cask 38 is stooped to allowforthe sediment 39 to collect below the tap 40 towardsthefrontofthecask.

Whilst the container has beer in itto be dispensed, the level in itwill be shown by the same level of beer in the sight glass 18which is in open communication with the interior ofthe container. As beer is drawn off the level in the containerfalls as does the level in the sight glass, as will be explained, until the level reaches the float chamber 14 whereupon the float 16 will also fall until eventually the plug 17 falls into the seat 25.

The level of beer in the float chamber 14 and in the container atwhich that happens can be set byvarying the height ofthe plug 17 on the stem 18, the level being arranged so that flow is shut off before any sediment is drawn off. The plug 17 maybea push fit overthe stem 18forthis adjustment.

To avoid beer being drawn outfrom thefloat chamber 14 and sight glass 18 preferentially rather than from the cask, which could give a false operation, a ball valve 23 is provided abovethefloat, as shown in detail in Figures 7Ato C. The ball 23 sits on a seat 21 on the connector cap 19 between the float chamber 14 and the sight glass 20. The ball 23 is heavierthan the liquid (beer) and rests normally on a plastics spring filament 24. In this position it allows beer and airto pass both upwards and downwards. When a demand is placed on thefloat chamberthe ball 23 is sucked on to the seating 21. The spring filament 24 holdsthe ball in a position above the seating 21 when at rest so that the levels can equalise between the sightglass 20 and the liquid in the container. When a barrnIis nearly finished, the level of liquid will have fallen to below the ball 23 andthereafterthe ball will operate under air pressure.

The ball and seating device will keep itself clean being washed in beer when in us The filament, ball and seating have a minimum contact area and so will be less likely to blockagedueto sticking. Thefilament 24 may extend completely across the flow passage underthe ball 23 or only partway and act like a cantilever. It is secured in a hole inthe connector cap 19 and the amount of projection, and the angle, will determine the closing characteristics ofthe ball device.

When the ball 23 and filament 24 and seating 21 device is used, the airinletwill be a simple air hole and cover atthe top to the tube.

As an alternative to the ball 23 and seating 21 device, the air inlet device 22 may provide a restricted air inlet within it closed by a resilient flap or other closure when the pressu re in the float chamber 14falls momentarily as beer is being pumped. Once pumping stops the resilient closure opens automatically and allows air to leak into the top of the sight glass 20 and the float chamber 14 to allowthe beer to fall to the level ofthat in the container.

The air inlet device may comprise a rubber-like spring discwasherwhich acts like a resilient flap, the air gap being adjustable for example by turning a screw on which the washer is mounted so that it operates atjustthe correct pressure drop.

Figure 3 shows a basically similar device to that shown in Figure 1 except that here the check valve B is a separate component and is connected to the shut-off device A by an adapter 42. This enables a conventional in-line check valve to be used, such as is used with a beer pump, for example. In other respects the shut-off device A and check valve B operate in the same way as forthe apparatus shown in Figure 1.

An alternative check valve B is shown in Figure 4 with a ball valve member35A instead of the cylindrical member 35 which has holes in it (see Figure 1).

In Figure 5 the two containers X and Y are shown with the shut-off device A and the check valve B in the respective first and second ducts leading from the containers X and Y upstream ofthe junction with the common conduit 45 leading to the pump at the bar.

The main advantages ofthe system are that a publican, for example, in the case where beer is the liquid being dispensed, can drawoffthe beer from containerXwithout having to worry aboutwhether sediment is likelyto comethrough when the container gets nearto empty; the shut-off device A is setto shut offthe flow before that happens possibly with an allowance so that dispensable beer still remains in the container X after it has been shut off to ensure that sediment is not dispensed. The beer that is left in the container can be separated later.

Thecheckvalve B immediately comes into operation once the shut-offvalve A operates so that service atthe bar can continue without any delay.

Subsequently, when time permits e.g. when the bar is not open, the publican can change the containers over, and also he then has time to draw off carefully any ofthe excess drinkable beer which remains in the container X afterthe shut-offdeviceAoperated.

Figure 6 shows a similar shut-off device A incorporated in a beertap. The spigot 46 which projects into the cask has the usual holes 47 and it may also incorporate a hop filter 48. The tap may be of a straight, side orturned-down type and have threaded connection pieces for connecting itto a check-valve B and a further container, on one connection, and to a beer pump on another.

Figure 8 shows different air restriction devices: view A shows a spring-loaded cylindrical valve member 50 (not unlike the check-valve member35); view B shows a rubber disc 51; view C shows a rubber circularflap 52 with a central adjustment stud; and view D shows a cylindrical "float" 54 which is lifted normally by a dished spring 55 to leave air holes 56 uncovered except when the pressure below the spring in the container outlet is reduced during pumping when the "float" 54 will move down to coverthe air holes 56; and view E shows a "snorkel" type of restriction device comprising a cage 57 held at the end of an inverted U bend 72 at the top ofthe sight glass tube 20 with a glass ball 53 in the cage which during pumping rises about2 mm against a seal 74to blockairaccess to the tube 20 and when beer is not being pumped falls to cover a hole 73 in the cage to permit restricted air access intothetube 20.

Finally, Figure 9 shows various float lifting devices.

A is a flexible probe 58 which projects up to press upwardsagainstthe plug 17 when a button 59 is pressed againsttheforce of a return spring 60. B is a rotatable device, rotation of the knob 59B bringing a cam device 65 up against the plug. C is the device shown in Figure 1 being a straight push-rod 61 set at an inclination in the wall of the outlet 11 and which is pushed in against spring return pressure; and D has a screw-in plunger 63.

It will be appreciated that variations and modifications are possible within the general ideas of the invention. Thus, in the dispensing system, a different type of level shut-off valve could be used, even one which does not use a float. The check-valve B may also be different from that shown provided it operates to allow delivery from the subsequent container only afterthe previous container discharge duct has been shut-off.

The shut-off device ofthe invention may be useful alone with advantage even without the switch-over junction in a system as described. Also other types of air restriction device could be used possibly just a small bleed hole or even a collapsible element which does notallowairentryat all.

Whilst the invention is particu larly suitable for dealing with the problems associated with the dispensing oftraditional beer, it will be appreciated that the invention could find uses in systemsfordispens- ing other drinks or indeed of any liquids.

The flow restrictor means constituted by the ball (or in otherembodimentsa closure memberofa shape other than spherical) and the spring filament which holds it normally off the seating, may possibly also be used as a separate device in other applications where flow cut-off or restriction is required. It is sensitive and can be arranged to operate under small differences in pressure. Different sized filaments may be used to provide different closing orflow restriction characteristics.

Claims

1. A device for use with a liquid dispensing system for shutting offthe flow of liquid from a container at a predetermined height of liquid in the container, comprising a liquid inletthroughwhich liquid from the container can flow into the device and a liquid outlet through which liquid can be dispensed from the device, the device being adapted to be connected to the container so that the liquid inlet is in communication with the interior of a container, the device being further provided with shut-off means operative automatically upon thefall of liquid in the container to a pre-determined level.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, including a float chamber having in itafloatwith closure means, the chamber having an air inlet or other means above the float permitting the liquid level to fall in the chamber wherebythefloat moves down the chamber, the liquid outlet being atthe lower end ofthe chamber and surrounded by a seating into or onto which the closure means ofthe float can drop so as to close the outlet, and the liquid inlet being arranged above the chamber outlet, the device being adapted to be connected to the container so that the liquid inlet is in communication with the interior of a container and the float chamber is arranged so thatthe float can drop to a level corresponding to the level in the container at which liquid flow is to be shut-off.

3. Asystem including a shut-off device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, for dispensing liquid from containers, the system comprising first and second discharge ducts connected orconnectible respectively to first and second containers, the first and second discharge ducts being connected to a common delivery conduit leading to a dispensing pump, the shut-off device being adapted to shut-offtheflow of liquid from thefirst container art a predetermined heightofliquid in that container and to close the first discharge duct at a point upstream of its junction with the common conduit, there being provided inthe second discharge duct upstream of its junction with the common conduit a normally-closed check valve which is adapted to open in response to reduced pressure inthe common conduitwherebythecheck valve opens to allow deliveryfrom the second container upon operation ofthe dispensing pump when communication with the first container is closed by the shut-off device.

4. A device or system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3, in which the device includes means for adjusting the level above the outlet at which the float is disposed when shut-off occurs.

5. A device or system as claimed in claim 4, in which the float comprises a float body with a closure device such as a plug supported below it.

6. A device or system as claimed in claim 5, in which the plug is supported on a stem in a way in which the height between the float body and the closure device can be readily altered.

7. A device or system as claimed in any one of claims 4to 6, in which the float chamber has an upward extension with an air inlet at the top, for example a tube which preferably has a clear portion or other means acting as a sight glass indicating the corresponding level of liquid in the container.

8. A device or system as claimed in any one of claims 4to 7, in which restrictor means is provided which permits the liquid in the chamberto fall at a slower rate than would be the case if itwere allowed to fall freely orwhich permits the liquid in the chamber to fall only after a delay such as after a drawing off operationends,therebyto avoid the risk of liquid being drawnofffromthefloatchamberratherthan from the container.

9. A device or system as claimed in claim 8, in which the restrictor means comprises a pressure sensitive device which closes or partly closes under the reduced pressure prevailing during drawing off but which opens once the drawing off reduced pressure no longer prevails.

10. A device or system as claimed in claim 9, in which the pressure sensitive device takes the form of a spring loaded valve member which restricts or prevents the flow of liquid through the float chamber by being drawn onto a seatwhen the pressure below it falls.

11. A device or system as claimed in claim 10, in which the valve member is constituted by a ball-valve held normally above a seating by a spring, such as a leaf or firament spri ng, within the liquid or above it, for example abovethefloat chamber in the sight glass tube where it is visible, the ball being drawn onto the seating bythe liquid or air pressure below it.

12. A device or system as claimed in claim 9, in which the restrictor means is provided bythe air inlet device above the float, for example a moveable valve memberatthetop of the sight tube.

13. A device or system as claimed in claim 12, in which the air inlet device comprises a freely movable valve membersupported adjacent a downwardly directed end of the air inlet tube such that when the pressure in the tube falls, the valve member is drawn against the tube end to restrict or prevent air access into the tube.

14. A device or system as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims, in which the shut-off device is incorporated in a tap so that when the tap is connected to the containerthe device is set at the appropriate height relativeto the container.

15. A device or system as claimed in claim 2 orin any one of claims 3to 14when dependent on claim 2, in which means is provided to ensure that the float and its closure means is able to float freely without the closure means 'sticking' against the outlet.

16. A system as claimed in claim 3 or in any claim dependent upon claim 3, in which the shut-off device and the check valve are provided in a common housing, for example a tap housing.

17. Ashut-offdevicefora liquid dispensing system substantially as specifically described herein with referencetoanyoneoftheembodimentsshown inthe accompanying drawings.