GB2185962A - Keg transfer unit - Google Patents

Abstract

There is described apparatus for automatic changing of kegs 1, 2 which supply beer to a single outlet tap 5. The apparatus comprises an input pipe 1a, 2a associated with each keg and a valve system 3 which selectively connects each input pipe to an output pipe 4 which is connected to the output tap 5. The apparatus includes a control circuit and also means 7, 6 for selectively supplying pressurised CO2 to the selected keg. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Keg transfer unit This invention relates two apparatus for the automatic changing of beer kegs.

Hitherto, it has been the case, in bars, that when a beer keg becomes empty beer has been temporarily unavailablewhilethestaffchangeto a full keg. This causes disatisfaction amongst the customers, who consequently have to wait for their beer.

Furthermore, the time used by the staff in changing the keg, especially at peak times, could be better used.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatusforthe automatic changing of kegs comprising a number of input pipes each adapted for connection to a corresponding keg, a valve system to connect any one of said input pipes to an output pipe and a control circuit to operate said valve system.

Preferably,there is included avalve system to connect a CO2 gas supply to the keg which is connected to the outlet pipe.

Preferably also, said control circuit operates a system of warning lights, which give a visual representation of which keg is connected to the output pipe, and also show when the lastfull keg is being used and the system requires to be reset.

Preferably also, said control circuitforthe operation of said valve system is controlled by a push button switch.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a line diagram of one embodiment of a keg transfer system in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawings, apparatus for automatic keg transfer comprises a pair of kegs 1,2 connected by pipes 1 a, 2a to solenoid operated control valves 1 b, 2b. AY-shaped three-wayjunction 3 connects the control valves 1 b, 2bvia a pipe4to a beer tap 5.A pair of non-returnvalves 10 and 20 are positioned intermediate the control valve 1 band the junction 3 and control valve 2b and the junction 3 respectively.

In use, one of the kegs is "on-line",forexample keg 1. In this situation, the control valve 1 b is open and the control valve 2b is closed. Athree-wayvalve 6 is setto connect a CO2supply7via a pipe icto pressurisethe keg 1. Alight id is lit on the control panel to show that the keg 1 is pressurised and connected to the tap 5. Thus, when the bar person operates the beertap 5 beerwill be drawn from the keg1.

When the bar person sees that the keg is "going-off", that is, the keg is nearly empty, the bar person presses a push button 8 mounted in a convenient place behind the bar. The push button 8 operates a control circuit which actuates the control valve 1 b, 2b and three-wayvalve 6through respective relays so that valve Ibis now shut, valve 2b is now open and the CO2 supply 7 is connected to keg 2 via pipe 2c. Thus, the keg 2 is now connected into the system and the bar person may continueto draw beer. At the same time the control circuit extinguishes the light id and illuminates the light2d to show that it is keg 2 that is now connected to the beer tap 5.As a new keg is now required, to replace the empty keg ira reset button 9 is nowilluminated to show a cellar-man that a keg needs to be replaced.

The push button 8 is also illuminated to show the bar person that there is no more full kegs available.

When the empty keg 1 has been replaced with a full one the reset button 9 is pressed. This extinguishes the lights on the reset button 9 and push button 8. At this point keg 2 is now in operation and keg 1 is sitting full, ready to be put in use. When keg 2 is empty the bar person once again presses the push button 8 and the system now connects keg 1 and disconnects keg 2 in a manner as described above.

The non-return valves 10 and 20 allow either ofthe kegs 1,2to be changed whilethe system isin operation.

If necessary, the system can be extended by including logic circuitry to operate a larger number of kegs and also to change the 002 supply to the kegs. It is also possible to adapt the system for pipe cleaning. This could be done by replacing one ofthe kegs with a cleaning agent. This could be switched into the system and drawn up through the pipes for example in the evening and left overnight, then flushedthroughthefollowing morning.

There are a number of other advantages ofthis system. For example, the kegs can be changed atthe most convenient time, such as early in the morning before the bar opens. Thus, when a keg runs out during the course of business it is only necessaryfor a member of staff to press the button and no time is lost. Furthermore, using this system the management can stock up the spirit, cigarettes and soft drinks,then as the kegs are alreadysetthe cellar can be locked. Thiswould givethe management greater control of the stock.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. Apparatus for the automatic changing of kegs comprising a number of input pipes each adapted for connection to a corresponding keg, a valve system to connect any one of said input pipes to an output pipe and a control circuit to operate said valve system.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 and including a valve system to connect a C02 gas supply to the keg which is connected to the outlet pipe.

3. Apparatus as claimed in either preceding claim, wherein said control circuit operates a system of warning lights, which give visual representation of which keg is connected to the output pipe, and also indicates when the last full keg is being used and the system requires to be reset.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said control circuitforthe operation of said valve system is controlled by a push button switch.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said valve system includes a Y-shaped three-way junction.

6. Apparatus for the automatic changing of kegs

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Keg transfer unit This invention relates two apparatus for the automatic changing of beer kegs. Hitherto, it has been the case, in bars, that when a beer keg becomes empty beer has been temporarily unavailablewhilethestaffchangeto a full keg. This causes disatisfaction amongst the customers, who consequently have to wait for their beer. Furthermore, the time used by the staff in changing the keg, especially at peak times, could be better used. According to the present invention there is provided apparatusforthe automatic changing of kegs comprising a number of input pipes each adapted for connection to a corresponding keg, a valve system to connect any one of said input pipes to an output pipe and a control circuit to operate said valve system. Preferably,there is included avalve system to connect a CO2 gas supply to the keg which is connected to the outlet pipe. Preferably also, said control circuit operates a system of warning lights, which give a visual representation of which keg is connected to the output pipe, and also show when the lastfull keg is being used and the system requires to be reset. Preferably also, said control circuitforthe operation of said valve system is controlled by a push button switch. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a line diagram of one embodiment of a keg transfer system in accordance with the invention. Referring to the drawings, apparatus for automatic keg transfer comprises a pair of kegs 1,2 connected by pipes 1 a, 2a to solenoid operated control valves 1 b, 2b. AY-shaped three-wayjunction 3 connects the control valves 1 b, 2bvia a pipe4to a beer tap 5.A pair of non-returnvalves 10 and 20 are positioned intermediate the control valve 1 band the junction 3 and control valve 2b and the junction 3 respectively. In use, one of the kegs is "on-line",forexample keg 1. In this situation, the control valve 1 b is open and the control valve 2b is closed. Athree-wayvalve 6 is setto connect a CO2supply7via a pipe icto pressurisethe keg 1. Alight id is lit on the control panel to show that the keg 1 is pressurised and connected to the tap 5. Thus, when the bar person operates the beertap 5 beerwill be drawn from the keg1. When the bar person sees that the keg is "going-off", that is, the keg is nearly empty, the bar person presses a push button 8 mounted in a convenient place behind the bar. The push button 8 operates a control circuit which actuates the control valve 1 b, 2b and three-wayvalve 6through respective relays so that valve Ibis now shut, valve 2b is now open and the CO2 supply 7 is connected to keg 2 via pipe 2c. Thus, the keg 2 is now connected into the system and the bar person may continueto draw beer. At the same time the control circuit extinguishes the light id and illuminates the light2d to show that it is keg 2 that is now connected to the beer tap 5.As a new keg is now required, to replace the empty keg ira reset button 9 is nowilluminated to show a cellar-man that a keg needs to be replaced. The push button 8 is also illuminated to show the bar person that there is no more full kegs available. When the empty keg 1 has been replaced with a full one the reset button 9 is pressed. This extinguishes the lights on the reset button 9 and push button 8. At this point keg 2 is now in operation and keg 1 is sitting full, ready to be put in use. When keg 2 is empty the bar person once again presses the push button 8 and the system now connects keg 1 and disconnects keg 2 in a manner as described above. The non-return valves 10 and 20 allow either ofthe kegs 1,2to be changed whilethe system isin operation. If necessary, the system can be extended by including logic circuitry to operate a larger number of kegs and also to change the 002 supply to the kegs. It is also possible to adapt the system for pipe cleaning. This could be done by replacing one ofthe kegs with a cleaning agent. This could be switched into the system and drawn up through the pipes for example in the evening and left overnight, then flushedthroughthefollowing morning. There are a number of other advantages ofthis system. For example, the kegs can be changed atthe most convenient time, such as early in the morning before the bar opens. Thus, when a keg runs out during the course of business it is only necessaryfor a member of staff to press the button and no time is lost. Furthermore, using this system the management can stock up the spirit, cigarettes and soft drinks,then as the kegs are alreadysetthe cellar can be locked. Thiswould givethe management greater control of the stock. Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

1. Apparatus for the automatic changing of kegs comprising a number of input pipes each adapted for connection to a corresponding keg, a valve system to connect any one of said input pipes to an output pipe and a control circuit to operate said valve system.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 and including a valve system to connect a C02 gas supply to the keg which is connected to the outlet pipe.

3. Apparatus as claimed in either preceding claim, wherein said control circuit operates a system of warning lights, which give visual representation of which keg is connected to the output pipe, and also indicates when the last full keg is being used and the system requires to be reset.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said control circuitforthe operation of said valve system is controlled by a push button switch.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said valve system includes a Y-shaped three-way junction.

6. Apparatus for the automatic changing of kegs substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.