GB2176766A

GB2176766A - Apparatus for use in dispensing beer and a method of dispensing beer using that apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2176766A
Application number: GB08615715A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Duckworth; Peter Thomas Foster; Kenneth William Moore; John Desmond Newton
Original assignee: Bass PLC
Current assignee: Bass PLC
Priority date: 1983-08-10
Filing date: 1986-06-27
Publication date: 1987-01-07
Also published as: GB2176766B; GB8615715D0

Abstract

Apparatus for use in dispensing beer from a supply into a glass or other vessel at a dispense station, comprises master measuring means (27) for dispensing a predetermined volume of beer in two portions, one of which is more disturbed than the other so as to help in the formation of a head. The master measuring means (27) may comprise a cylinder containing a piston which, on one stroke, allows a predetermined volume of beer to enter the cylinder, and, on a subsequent stroke, discharges that volume of beer. A first portion of the beer may be metered out under the control of a flow meter (13). The first and second portions of beer may flow along different paths (11 and 12) or along the same path (30), (Figs. 5, 6) <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for use in dispensing beer and a method of dispensing beer using that apparatus This invention relates to apparatus for use in dispensing beer and a method of dispensing beer using that apparatus, the term beer being used herein in a broad sense to include ale and any other fermented product of hopped wort.

At present beer is usually dispensed into glasses of a standard capacity, that capacity being either a pint or half a pint. It is a requirement that when beer is dispensed in such a glass the glass should be full to the brim or to a line marked on the glass, but it has also been established that if the beer has a head of foam or froth on the top, the level of the interface between the head and the liquid below the head may be slightly below the brim of the glass or the line on the glass, as the case may be. Skill is required to dispense a glass of beer having the desired volumes of liquid and head, without undue wastage of beer, particularly when there is pressure to fulfil orders rapidly.

Traditionally beer is dispensed from a dispense head having a manually controlled valve, the beer sometimes being dispensed in two stages. In the first stage, the valve is opened relatively widely in order to allow beer to flow into a glass with relatively little disturbance so that there is no great tendency for froth to form. In the second stage, which is initiated when the glass is nearly full, the valve is nearly closed so that the beer has then to flow through a constricted passageway. This causes considerably increased disturbance in the flow which in turn leads to a tendency for gases dissolved in the beer to form bubbles and to yield froth for the formation of the required head.If the beer is relatively "gassy" the second stage may be unnecessary as there may be sufficient gas released, when the beer enters the glass after unrestricted flow through the valve, to yield a satisfactory head.

To reduce the need for the twostage process to be used, even with beers that are not particularly "gassy", it is sometimes the practice to fit a "sparkler" to the outlet of the dispense head. This may comprise a disc with a plurality of holes extending through it or it may comprise a disc of which the central part is provided with a conical projection, the po- inted end of the projection being upstream of the disc and arcuate slots being provided in the disc around the base of the conical projection. The "sparkler" breaks up the smooth flow of beer and encourages the release of carbon dioxide from it, and the release of any other gas such as nitrogen that may have been introduced into the beer. Bubbles of gas are thus formed in the liquid, rise to the top and assist in the formation of a head.This method is often satisfactory but is somewhat inflexible and tends to reduce the rate at which glasses of beer can be dispensed.

An object of the present invention is to provide apparatus enabling at least some of the problems outlined above to overcome or at least reduced.

From a first aspect the present invention consists in apparatus for use in dispensing beer from a supply into a glass or other vessel, comprising a dispense station, ducting leading from the dispense station and connected or connectable to a supply of beer, and master measuring means operative to dispense a predetermined volume of beer in at least two portions one of which is more disturbed than the other.

For convenience of description the term glass is often used in this specification to denote any vessel into which beer is dispensed.

Such a vessel would normally be a drinking vessel. It is to be understood, however, that the term is intended to be construed very broadly to include any appropriate vessel, such for example as a beer "stein", even though that vessel may not be made from glass.

Either the first portion or the second portion may be rendered frothy or foamy to produce or help in producing a head, while the other portion produces little or no froth or foam.

While it is possible for the froth or foam to be introduced first into glass it is in fact preferred to introduce it into the glass after the less disturbed beer. The apparatus is preferably such that the second portion is more disturbed than the first portion.

In addition to the master measuring means the apparatus preferably includes metering means operative to meter out the first portion of beer, that metering means preferably comprising a flow meter. The metering means is preferably such that it can be adjusted to enable the volume of the first portion of beer to be varied, and there is preferably display means operative to indicate the state of adjustment of the metering means. Preferably the range of adjustment is no greater than to enable the volume of the first portion of beer to be from 80% to 100% of the capacity of a glass of standard capacity.

The apparatus is preferably such as to dispense said predetermined volume of beer automatically when dispense has been initiated by the user.

The master measuring means is preferably such as to satisfy Customs and Excise requirements. In fact the master measuring means preferably comprises a positive displacement meter. It may for example be of the known kind comprising a cylinder containing a piston which, on one stroke allows beer to enter the cylinder, and on a subsequent stroke discharges a predetermined volume of beer from the cylinder.

The ducting may comprise a first flow path and a second flow path parallel with the first flow path, the apparatus also including first dispense means operative to cause a first portion of beer to be dispensed at the dispense station by way of the first flow path, and second dispense means operative to cause a second portion of beer to be dispensed at the dispense station by way of the second flow path.

In general it is intended that at least part if not all of the first portion of beer should be dispensed before the dispensing of the second portion of beer starts. Nevertheless it would in some circumstances be possible to arrange for some overlap to occur or for the portions to be dispensed at the same time.

The first and second flow paths may join up again before the ducting reaches a common dispense outlet, but preferably the first flow path terminates at a first outlet at the dispense station and the second flow path terminates at a second outlet at the dispense station. The first and second outlets would normally be close together to enable both portions to be dispensed into a glass without it being necessary to move the glass during dispense.

Preferably there is a first valve means operative to control the flow of beer along the first flow path and second valve means operative to control the flow of beer along the second flow path.

Each of the valve means may be electrically actuated or manually actuated. Where the valves or one of them is electrically actuated the actuation may be under manual control.

Where there are first and second valve means of the kind outlined above the metering means is preferably arranged to close the first valve means when the first portion of beer has been metered out.

The initiation of operation of the second dispense means may be an automatic consequence of the operation of the first dispense means or the arrangement may be such that the operation of the second dispense means can be initiated by the user.

The master measuring means this may serve to determine the volume of the second portion of beer after the first portion has been measured out by the metering means. The master measuring means is preferably disposed upstream of the first and second flow paths.

The flow meter may well be such as to give rise to minor fluctuations in the quantity of beer dispensed by the first dispense means on different occasions. Nevertheless the fluctuations would not normally be likely to be such as to cause a variation- of more than a few percent in the volume of the first portion of beer. However a flow meter is not normally sufficiently accurate to satisfy Customs and Excise requirements.

From a second aspect the present invention consists in a method of dispensing a predetermined volume of beer in which the beer is measured out automatically by master measuring means, and one portion of the volume is more disturbed than another portion or the other portion thereof.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of one form of apparatus for dispensing beer and which resembles apparatus that can be incorporated in apparatus embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the main features of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a form of apparatus embodying the present invention; Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating another form of apparatus embodying the present invention; Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating another form of apparatus embodying the present invention, and Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating yet another form of apparatus embodying the present invention.

The apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 is intended for use in dispensing beer from a keg, or other container of beer in bulk, into a glass. The apparatus may be considered as defining a dispense station. The apparatus comprises a stand 1 comprising an upright body 2 with a foot 3 projecting from it on one side, at the bottom of the body, and an upwardly inclined arm 4, projecting from it on the same side, at the top of the body. Upper and lower brackets 5 and 6 respectiveiy project from the other side of the body. The lower bracket 6 carries a screw clamp 7. In use the apparatus is secured to a bar counter (not shown), with the upper bracket 5 resting on top of the counter and the screw clamp being tightened against the underside of the counter.

Ducts for beer extend inside the stand (though in the accompanying drawing they are shown for clarity of illustration in full lines rather than in dotted lines). A beer inlet 8 near the bottom of the body leads to an inlet duct 9 which extends upwards to a Y-junction 10 connected to a first duct 11 and a second duct 12. The first and second ducts 11, 12 define first and second flow paths which are in parallel with each other. In the first duct 11 there is metering means comprising a flow measuring device or flow meter 13 which comprises a turbine with a rotor (not shown) which rotates when beer flows through the device. One of the blades of the rotor carries a magnet. A reed switch (not shown) is mounted in the body 2 adjacent to the turbine and the arrangement is such that it closes momentarily each time the rotor makes one complete revolution.The first duct extends upwards from the flow measuring device 13 into the arm 4 and by way of a first valve 14 to a discharge nozzle 15, the duct extending to and terminating at a first outlet at the tip of the nozzle. The first valve 14 is operated by a first actuator 16 which comprises a solenoid with a movable armature. First dispense means comprises the flow measuring device 13 and the first valve 14. The second duct 12 also extends upwards from the Y-junction 10 into the arm 4, and extends into the discharge nozzle 15 by way of a second valve 17 which is operated by a second actuator 18 similar to the first actuator 16. Second discharge means comprises the second valve 17.

The second duct 12 extends alongside the first duct and terminates at a second outlet adjacent to the first outlet at the tip of the discharge nozzle 15. A short distance upstream from the second valve 17 there is a restrictor 19 in the second duct 12, the restrictor comprising a plate with one or more relatively small orifices in it through which beer can pass.

A drip tray 20 stands on the foot 3. Inside the foot is electronic control means including a revolution counter operative to count the number of times the reed switch associated with the flow measuring device 13 closes.

The electronic control means is also connected to the first and second valve actuators 16 and 18 and to manually operable switches 22 and 23 on the side of the body 2. The switch 22, or first switch, can be closed by depression of a push-button but opens automatically when the button is released. The switch 23, or second switch, can be closed by manipulation of a projecting dolly but opens automatically when the dolly is released.

In use the apparatus is mounted on a bar counter and the beer inlet 8 is connected to a pipe through which beer is supplied under pressure. Initially the valves 14 and 17 are closed and the revolution counter is set to zero. When beer is to be dispensed a glass 24 is held beneath the discharge nozzle 15.

The button of the first switch 22 is then depressed and quickly released. This causes the first valve 14 to open with the result that beer flows through the first duct 11 and is discharged through the first outlet into the glass. The design of the first duct 11 is such that when beer flows through it the beer is disturbed to as small an extent as possible so that as it flows into the glass there is usually little or no tendency for a head to form on it.

As beer flows through the first duct 11 it passes through the flow measuring device 13 with the result that the rotor of that device revolves and the revolution counter counts the number of revolutions. When a predetermined total has been counted the first valve 14 is caused to close and the revolution counter is reset to zero.

The predetermined total of revolutions is so chosen as to correspond as closely as possible to a flow through the first duct of a quantity of beer slightly less than a predetermined standard volume of beer such as half a pint of beer. This quantity can be expressed as a percentage of that standard volume. The percentage is displayed on a digital display 21 which may comprise arrays of led's or a liquid crystal display. As illustrated the display indicates that the volume of beer dispensed will be 97% of a half pint. It is found in practice that when successive portions of beer are dispensed in this way the volume of beer actually dispensed may vary slightly from the desired volume, that is the percentage of the standard volume shown on the display 21.

The variation does not normally exceed 2% of the desired volume. The electronic control means is preferably adjustable so that the total number of revolutions that occurs before closure of the first valve, and thus the desired volume, is varied. The arrangement is such that the adjustment can only be carried out, however, by an authorised person.

The quantity of beer discharged from the nozzle before the first valve closes may constitute a first, metered portion of beer as referred to above.

When the metered portion of beer has been dispensed and the first valve 14 has closed, the operator depresses the dolly of the switch 23. The second valve 17 opens and an additional portion of beer is dispensed through the second outlet. On its way to the second outlet the beer is highly disturbed by its passage through the restrictor 19. This causes the gas in the beer to be released and the emerging beer to form a foam or froth. At an appropriate moment the operator releases the dolly of the switch 23 whereupon the second valve 1 7 closes and the flow of additional beer ceases.

The apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 is also shown in diagrammatic form in Figure 2. An inlet duct 25 is connected to a supply of beer (not shown) and to the Y-junction 10, which is in turn connected to the first duct 11 and the second duct 12. The first duct 11 contains the flow meter 13 and the first valve 14 which are interconnected electrically as indicated by the line 26. The second duct 12 contains the second valve 17.

The apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and described above, is the subject of patent application No. 8420332, from which the present application is divided.

A form of apparatus embodying the present invention is shown in similar diagrammatic form in Figure 3. This form of apparatus is largely similar to that illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and therefore similar parts have been given the same reference numerals. The main differences are the addition of master measuring means 27, disposed in the inlet duct 25 and connected to the second valve 17, and the omission of the manually operable switch 23. The master measuring means 27 comprises a positive displacement meter of the known kind comprising a cylinder containing a piston which on one stroke allows beer to enter the cylinder and on a subsequent stroke discharges a predetermined volume of beer from the cylinder. This form of meter is in general considerably more accurate than a flow meter. As indicated, the master measuring means is connected to the second valve 17 by a line 28.When this form of apparatus is used, the operation is initiated by depression of the button of the switch 22. This causes the master measuring means to dispense a predetermined volume of beer. A first portion of the beer passes along the first flow path and is metered out by the flow meter 13. When the first portion has been dispensed the flow meter causes the first valve 14 to be closed and the second valve 17 to be automatically opened. A second portion of beer is then dispensed through the second flow path. When the master measuring means has measured out the total predetermined volume it causes the second valve 17 to be closed. Thus the total predetermined volume is equal to the sum of the volumes of the first and second portions of beer.

The form of apparatus illustrated in Figure 4 is similar to that shown in Figure 3 except four the fact that the flow meter 13 is omitted, and the first valve 14 is controlled by the master measuring means 27 as indicated by the line 29. The master measuring means 27 is also modified in that it is arranged to close the first valve 14 and to open the second valve 17 automatically when a first portion of beer has been dispensed. To this end the movement of the piston in the measuring means 27 to a predetermined position may be caused to give rise to electrical signals for closing the valve 14 and opening the valve 17.

Figure 5 illustrates a further modified form of apparatus. Here the first and second ducts 11 and 12 are replaced by a common outlet duct 30 which leads from master measuring means 27 to a common outlet nozzle 31. The outlet duct 30 contains electrically actuated valve means 32 capable of assuming two different on states in addition to an off state.

The valve is under the control of the master measuring means, as indicated by the line 33.

In a first on state beer can pass through the valve relatively undisturbed but in a second on state beer passing through it is more highly disturbed. The operation of the apparatus is initiated by the depression of a push-button switch which causes the valve means to be moved from its off state and causes the master measuring means to dispense a first portion of beer while the valve means 32 is in its first on state and a second portion of beer while the valve means is in its second on state. The valve means 32 is changed from one state to the other in response to the piston of the measuring means 28 reaching a predetermined position in the cylinder. When the total volume has been dispensed the valve means is returned to its initial off state.

Finally Figure 6 illustrates a modified form of the apparatus shown in Figure 5. Here the outlet duct 30 contains a flow meter 34 similar to the flow meter 13 and is connected to the valve means 32 as indicated by line 35.

The arrangement is such that in use the valve means 32 is initially in its off state. When operation of the apparatus is initiated the valve means 32 is moved to its first state and the master measuring means 27 dispenses a first portion of beer. The first portion of beer is metered out by the flow meter 34, and when the flow meter 34 has sensed the passage of the first portion it operates by way of line 35 to move the valve means 32 to its second on state. The master measuring means continues to operate and in so doing causes a second portion of beer to be dispensed. When the total volume of beer, as determined by the master measuring means, has been dispensed, the valve 32 is returned to its off state.

It will be appreciated that the operation of each of the forms of apparatus can be modified in such a manner that froth or foam is dispensed first and that the main volume of relatively undisturbed beer is dispensed subsequently.

It will also be appreciated that in each of the forms of apparatus illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 the opening of the second valve 17 could be under the control of the user. Similarly in the forms of apparatus shown in Figures 5 and 6 the movement of the valve means 32 to its second position could be under the control of the user, provided that operation of the master measuring means was temporarily stopped, as by movement of the valve means to its off state, when the first portion of beer has been fully dispensed.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in dispensing beer from a supply into a glass or other vessel, comprising a dispense station, ducting leading from the dispense station and connected or connectable to a supply of beer, and master measuring means operative to dispense a predetermined volume of beer in at least two portions one of which is more disturbed than the other.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 such that the second portion is more disturbed than the first portion.

3. Apparatus according to either of claims 1 and 2 in which there is also metering means operative to meter out the first portion of beer.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the metering means comprises a flow meter.

5. Apparatus according to either of claims 3 and 4 in which the metering means can be adjusted to enable the volume of the first portion of beer to be varied.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which there is display means operative to indicate the state of adjustment of the metering means.

7. Apparatus according to either of claims 5 and 6 in which the range of adjustment is no greater than to enable the volume of the first portion of beer to be from 80% to 100% of the capacity of a glass of standard capacity.

8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 which is such as to dispense said predetermined volume of beer automatically when dispense has been initiated by the user.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the master measuring means comprises a positive displacement meter.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which the measuring means comprises a cylinder containing a piston which, on one stroke allows beer to enter the cylinder, and on a subsequent stroke discharges a predetermined volume of beer from the cylinder.

11. A method of dispensing a predetermined volume of beer in which the beer is measured out automatically by master measuring means, and one portion of the volume is more disturbed than another portion or the other portion thereof.

12. Apparatus for use in dispensing beer and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, but incorporating modifications substantially as hereinbefore described with referecne to any of Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A method according to claim 11 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to either of Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.