GB2178003A - Dispensing foamed and unfoamed beer from bottom of glass upwards - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of dispensing beer having a foam head in which the beer is dispensed in two stages partly as unfoamed beer and partly as foam with dispensing commencing on the bottom of a glass, and apparatus for carrying out the method in which there is a nozzle adapted to reach the bottom of the glass and capable of releasing foamed or unfoamed beer. The nozzle may begin at the bottom of the glass as shown and the glass be lowered manually; or rack-and-pinion or lever arrangements may either raise the nozzle or lower the glass. Either separate conduits may be used for warm foamed beer and cooled unfoamed beer, or a single conduit may have a nozzle whose aperture may be varied to cause the beer either to foam or not to. Generally foamed beer is delivered first, followed by unfoamed beer dispensed below the head. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dispensing beverages This invention relates to methods of dispensing beverages and has particular reference to methods of dispensing beer and further has specific reference to methods of dispensing beer containing entrained and dissolved carbon dioxide.

It is well known that beer containing dissolved carbon dioxide has a tendency to foam or fob. The foaming occurs when the carbon dioxide is released from the solution rapidly. Foaming can occur either when the beer is heated or when it is forced under pressure through a narrow aperture or other source ofturbu- lance or when it comes into contact with beer which is already foaming. There is a desire to dispense beer such that it is visually attractive with a creamy uniform head offoam on top of a volume of beer. This is however difficult task to do reliably and repetitively.

Although existing apparatus can be used to produce a drawn glass of beer in the hands of skilled operators there isa needforapparatusto producea uniform foam headed beer rapidly in the hands of unskilled operators. There is also a need for a method of dispensing beerwhich may be carried out by unskilled operators so asto produce uniform and highlydesirable presentation of beerforthe customer.

By the present invention there is provided appar atus for dispensing beerwhich includes at a dispensing station, a nozzle of length sufficientto reach to the bottomofastandard measureglassforbeer,the nozzle being adapted at its lower end to release foamed or unfoamed beer. The nozzle may have a length of 20cm and may comprise a pair of tubes terminating atthe lower end, onetubeforfoamed beer the other tu be for u nfoamed beer. The tubers may be concentricwith the innertubeforthefoamed beer. The innertube may be provided with a seal around its periphery to blockthe outertube at the nozzle. The innertube may extend beyond the seal.

The outertube for unfoamed beer may be unsealed by lifting the inner tube or lowering the outertubeto release the seal.

Alternatively, the nozzle may comprise a single tubular membercapable of extending tothe bottom of a standard glass, which may be a pint glass, a half pint glass, a litre glass, a one half litre glass, a one third litre glass or a 250ml glass, with a valve member at the bottom ofthe nozzle. Thevalve member may be provided with at least three positions. Afirst position at which the nozzle is closed, a second position of restricted aperture such that the beer passing through the nozzle will foam and a third position providing relatively unrestricted flow through the nozzle to permit beer to pass through without foaming.

The position ofthe valve may be controlled by means of a solenoid operative to move the valve through three positions. The solenoid may be operated so that on dispensing, a small portion of beer is released in the foamed condition, with the unfoamed beer being fed into the glass beneath the level of foam.

There may be provided a glass supporttray in which the position of the glass supporttray and the nozzle are relatively movable. The glasssupporttray can be lowered away from the nozzle, alternatively the nozzle can be moved vertically away from the tray. The vertical upwards movement may be carried out by arcuately moving the nozzle upwardly. The nozzle may be moved vertically by means of parallel pivoted lines. The alternative position may be altered by means of a rack and pinion assembly.

In the arrangement in which there are two concentrictubes or two separate tubes for the supply of foamed and unfoamed beerto the bottom of the glass the unfoamed beer may be passed through a suitable chillerwhereas the foamed beer may be uncooled to enhance foaming.

The present invention further provides a dispensing system incorporating; a beer keg or barrel, with a supply of carbon dioxide to pressurise the beer, a means to control the supply of beer to a dispense station, a means to cool part at least of the beer, apparatus atthe dispense station for dispensing the beer, which apparatus includes some or all ofthe features set out above.

The present invention further provides a method of dispensing beer into a glass or receptacle for beer, in which unfoamed beer and foamed beer are separately dispensed, characterised in that the beer is, during at leastthe initial stages of dispensing, allowedto flow from the dispense nozzle located adjacent to the bottom of the glass or receptacle, in that unfoamed beer is dispensed below the level of the foam, and in that foamed beer is dispensed into the glass or receptacle at some stage during the filling ofthe glass or receptacle.

Preferably the method provides for the dispensing offoamed beer into the bottom of a glass and the dispensing ofthe unfoamed beer beneath the foamed beer to fill the glass. Further preferably the method utilises chilled beerforthe unfoamed beer and may use unchilled beerforthefoamed beer. The method may utilise apparatus as set out above.

The nozzle may be withdrawn from the glass during dispensing ofthe beer, the nozzle may be withdrawn automatically from the glass. The nozzle may be with drawn manuallyfrom the glass. The glass rest may be movable relative to the nozzle.

Byway of example embodiments ofthe present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure lisa general view of a dispensing system; Figure2 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a dispense nozzle, Figure 3 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of an alternate design of dispense nozzle located in a glass, Figure4 is a cross sectional view of a tap in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 5a and 5b are sectional views of one embo dimentofthe invention.

Figures 6a and 6b are cross sectional views of a second embodiment of the invention.

Figures 7a and 7b are cross sectional views of a third embodimentofthe invention.

Figures 8a and 8b are cross sectional views of a fourth embodiment of the invention and, Figures 9a and 9b are cross sectional views of the invention utilising the tap of Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 1 this shows a dispense station generally indicated by 1 connected via a pipework 2 to a cellar3. Located in the cellar3 is a keg of beer4 connected by a suitable pipe to a carbon dioxide supply 5. The pressure of the carbon dioxide is regulated by means of regulators 6. Carbon dioxide is fed into the keg along line 7 and connector8. Beeris pumped from keg 4 along line 9 by means of an electric pump 10. The beer is cooled by means of a remote ice-bank cooler 12 which has a series of water pipes 13 located inside the pipework2.Apressure switch 14 is located in line 9 to detect pressure and control pump 10. The dispense station 1 provides a conventional drip tray 15 and a special nozzle assembly 16 mounted on a suitable font 17 located on a bar 18.

Referring to Figure 2 this shows in more detail a dispense nozzle. The dispense nozzle essentially comprises a pair of concentric tubes 19,20 which extend to the bottom of a standard beer glass. The two tubes 19 and 20 define a pair of concentric beer flow paths 21,22 through which beer can pass. Flow path 21 is connected tothe main beer line 23through which chilled beer is supplied. Flow path 22 is con necked to a flexible beer line 24through which unchilled beer is passed. The flow of beerthrough flow paths 21 and 22 is controlled by seal 25 and solenoid valve 26. Seal 25 is in the form of an O-ring 27 located at a stop valve 28. It can be seen thatthe seal 25 is located at the end oftube 20 which can reciprocate within concentric tube 19.The reciprocation is controlled by means of solenoid 29 which operates pivoting lever 30 to raise and lower, member 31 attachmentto the top of concentrictu be 20. With the valve shown in the position illustrated in Figure 2 no beer can flow out of the main beer line. The flow of beer through the flow path 22 is controlled by solenoid valve 26 and operates independently of the position of seal 25.

To operate the system illustrated in Figure 2the nozzle is inserted into the bottom of a glass, solenoid valve 26 is opened to permit warm beer to pass throughflexible pipe 24and down theflow path 22to exit through foam outlet 32. After a predetermined amount of foam has been released solenoid valve 26 is automatically closed and solenoid 29 is actuated to lift member 31 and open the main valve 25. This permits unfoamed beerto flow th rough line 23 down flow path 21 and into the glass. Because the beer flows beneath the foam in the glass and is dispensed belowthe level ofthefoam it has been found thatthe beer may be poured very rapidly into the glass.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 there is provided only a single source of beerwhich passes along flow path 33 and down through nozzle 34tothe outlet 35. There is provided a single stop valve 36 at the bottom ofthe nozzle 34 which is controlled by solenoid 37 operating the push and pull rod 38.

To operate the nozzle a beer glass 39 is placed as shown in Figure 3 with the outlet 35 at the bottom of the glass. The solenoid 37 is then operated to move valve 36 to a first position at which a small gap develops between the inner wall of the tube and the stop member.Thisenablesbeertoflowthrough ares- tricted hole causing it to foam.

The solenoid is then sequentially operated to the second position at which the stop valve 36 is lifted to such an extent that there is almost unrestricted flow of beerthrough the outlet 35 which permits unfoamed beer to be fed into the glass below the level of the foam. As long as the outlet is retained belowthe level ofthe foam the glass can be lowered as beer is poured into it.This may be done manuallyorautomatically or alternatively the nozzle can be kept fully immersed in the glass during dispensing.

The dispense station may be provided with means to detectthe presence of a glass and presence ofthe bottom of a glass adjacent the nozzle end. The means may comprise an optical sensor or a suitable microswitch.

Referring to Figure 4this shows a tap generally indicated by40formanualdispensingofbeerin accordance with the present invention. The tap is connected to a source of beer 41 by means of a com pensator unitorflow adjuster generally indicated by 42. Within the body of the tap 43 there is provided a piston 44 carrying a sealing "0" ring 45 the piston is moved vertically by means of a manually operable handle 46 which can be pivotted about pivot point 47 so thatthe rocker member48 causes the piston rod 49 to rise when the handle is moved in the direction of arrow 50.

Vertical movement of piston 44 raises extension rod 51 which lift sealing member 52from the annular seat 53.

The length ofthe nozzle 54 is so chosed asto be capable of reaching to the bottom of a standard beer glass.

Operation of a similartype oftap is disclosed more clearly in Figures 9a and 9b which will be described below.

Referring to Figures 5a and 5b these show an automatic dispensing mechanism in which there is pro vided a glass support or drip tray 55 which is mounted on apparatus 56 which is in turn bolted to a bar 57.

The beverage dispensing nozzle 58 is carried out by a head 59 which is moved vertically away from the drip tray by means of a rack and pinion mechanism 60. To operate the device and dispense beer from a barrel through a flexible hose 61 into a glass 62 the glass is simply positioned on the drip tray and the nozzle is then automatically lowered into the glass and oper- ated to dispense foamed beer followed by the dispensing of unfoamed beer. The nozzle is then moved vertically during dispensing to reach the figure shown in 5b at which position the glass is full and can be moved from the drip tray. Suitable advertising can be applied to stand 63 and if necessary to the head 59.

The dispensing unit is provided with a cooling module 64 and a cooling medium is fed into the cooling modulefrom a remote cooling system along lines 65, 66.

The movement of the dispensing apparatus is underthe control of an automatic sequency system and the unit wound clearly stay as shown in Figure 5b until a glass was located on the drip tray and the mechanism acuated. This would cause the head 59to be lowered,foam and then beer to be dispensed and, during dispensing, the head rises taking with it the nozzle 58.

Ratherthan using a rising head arrangement the drip tray may be arranged to be lowered away from the nozzle as is shown in the embodiment in Figures 6A and 6B. In this embodimentthe drip tray 67 is connected to the apparatus 56 by means of a rackand pinion mechanism 68 which lowers the drip tray from the position shown in Figure 6A to the position shown in Figure 6B.

The normal rest position of the drip tray would be that shown in Figure 6b. To operate the system a glass would be located on the drip tray and the mechanism started causing the driptrayto raise foam and then beer to be dispensed during vertical movement downwards of the drip tray to arrive at the position shown in Figure 6b with afull glass. In place ofthe rack and pinion unit, a gas powered piston could be used.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig u res 7A and 7B a manually operated lever 69 is connected to an apparatus 70 (which is secured to the bar71) by means of a pair of parallel pivoting arms 7273. In this arrangement the rest position ofthe mechanism as shown in Figure 7b and the arm is then moved manuallyfrom the position shown in 7b to that shown in Figure 7A. Once the arm has been located in the glass such that the nozzle 74 is close to the bottom ofthe glass, the mechanism is operated to dispense foam and then beer. The handle may be moved vertically manually or may be underthe control ofthemecha- nical mechanism to liftthe handletothe position shown in Figure 7b. Spring assistance may be provided in the parallel linkages.Micro switches 75, 76 may be provided to control beer dispensing.

In a further development of the invention illustrated in Figures 7a and 7b the arm can simply be pivoted about a pivot point 77 as shown in Figures 8a and 8b.

In this arrangement the arm moves in an arc, such that the nozzle moves in an arc as is shown clearly in the drawings. The mechanism is otherwise similarto that illustrated in Figures 7a and 7b.

The manually operated system illustrated in Figures 9a and 9b is the simplest mechanism although it does require operation by the bar staff dispensing beer. In the embodiment illustrated in these two drawingsthetap is shown in Figure4 could usefully be used. To dispense beerthe glass 78 is simply located with the nozzle 79 at the bottom ofthe glass and the tap is then switched on by a suitable lever such as lever 80. This causes beer to flow in the bottom of the glass and an initial amount offoam is first dispensed and then subsequently unfoamed beer is dispensed. It is envisaged that the control of the foamed and unfoamed beer could be underthe control ofthe bar staff, in which case a simplevalve as shown in Figure 4would be suitable.Alternatively there could be some form of automatic control such as operation ofthe dispensing lever causing only an initial small opening ofthe dispensing valve atthe bottom oftheglasswith a lost action movement resulting in full opening afterfoam had been dis pensed in the bottom of the glass.

It is preferred that the dispensing tube be with- drawn from the glass during filling of the glass as this gives the most attractive appearance to the foam and subsequent presentation. To preventtheformation of excessive amounts of foam which can occur if the glass is filled completely with the nozzle adjacent to the bottom of the glass it is necessary to slow down the filling rate but this is undesirable. There are also problems associated with leaving the dispensing tube in the glass in so far as the volume of the tube displaces beer from the glass resulting in the need for use of oversize glasses or manuallytopping up if pint sized glasses are used. Beer should not be dispensed above the head as this would spoil the presentation of the beer.

The concept of utilising a separate beer and foam dispensing system is described in British PatentApplication 2 147274. The concept of separating foam and main beer supply is also described in British Patent Specification 1168987. However in all of these arrangements the beer is dispensed from the top of the glass and it is essential that dispensed unfoamed beer be dispensed from the bottom ofthe glass, so that beer is not dispensed in an unfoamed condition through the head of foam. If the latter happens it has been found that excessive foaming ofthe beer can occurand large bubbles can beformedwhichdestroy the appearance of the head.

Claims (22)

1. Apparatus for dispensing beer which includes art a dispensing station a nozzle of a length sufficient to reach to the bottom of a standard measure glass for beer, the nozzle being adapted at its lower end to release foamed or unfoamed beer.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 inwhichthe nozzle has a length of approximately 20 centimetres and comprises a pair of tubes terminating at the lower end, onetubeforfoamed beerthe othertubefor unfoamed beer.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 in which the tubes are concentric with the inner tube for the foamed beer.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 in which the innertube is provided with a seal around its periphery to blockthe outertube at the nozzle.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 in which the innertube may extend beyond the seal.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the nozzle comprises a singlulartubular memberfor beer with a valve member at the bottom of the nozzle.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 in which the valve member can move to at leastthree positions, the first position at which the nozzle is closed, the second position to restrict the aperture size such that the beer passing through the nozzlewill foam andthe third position providing relatively unrestricted flow through the nozzle to permit beerto pass through without foaming.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 or7 in which the position of the valve is controlled manually.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 or7 in which the position ofthevalve is controlled by means of a solenoid operable to move the valve.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 or7 in which the position of the valve is moved pneumatically.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1-10 in which there is provided a glass supporttray and in which the position of the glass supporttray and the nozzle are relatively movable.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which the glass support tray can be lowered away from the nozzle.

13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11 in which the nozzle can be moved vertically away from the tray.

14. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13 in which the vertical movement is carried out by arcuately moving the nozzle upwardly.

15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13 in which the nozzle is moved vertically be means of parallel pivotted links.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 11-13 in which the relevant positions are altered by means of a rack and pinion assembly.

17. Amethodofdispensing beerintoaglassor recepticlefor beer in which unfoamed beer and foamed beer are separately dispensed characterised in that the beer is, during at least the initial stages of dispensing, allowed to flow from the dispense nozzle adjacentto the bottom ofthe glass or receptacle, in that unfoamed beer is dispensed below the level of the foam and in that foamed beer is dispensed in the glass or receptable atsomestage during thefilling of the glass or receptacle.

18. A method as claimed in Claim 17 in which foamed beer is dispensed in the bottom ofthe glass and unfoamed beer is dispensed belowthefoamed beerto fill the glass.

19. A method as claimed in Claim 18 in which the nozzle is withdrawn from the glass during dispensing ofthe beer.

20. A method as claimed in Claim 19 in which the nozzle is withdrawn automatically from the glass.

21. A method as claimed in Claim 20 in which there is provided a glass restforthe glass and in which the glass rest and nozzle are moved relatively apart during dispensing ofthe beer.

22. Apparatus and/or method as herein described with referenceto Figures 1 and 2; Figure 3, Figure 4, Figures 5a and 5b, Figures 6a and 6b, Figures 7a and 7b, Figures8a and 8b or Figures 9a and 9b.