GB2298462A

GB2298462A - Beverage dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2298462A
Application number: GB9604204A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shaun Ian Crowley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-02-28
Filing date: 1996-02-28
Publication date: 1996-09-04
Also published as: GB9604204D0; GB9503960D0

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing beverages, such as beer, under pressure. Three barrels 1, 2, 3 of beer are connected to a pressurising gas source 4. Beer can be forced from the barrels by the pressurising gas through the pipes 5 to a dispensing outlet 6. A switch 10 is operable by a user to control solenoid valves 7a, 7b, 7c and 8a, 8b, 8c to selectively permit beer to flow from each barrel singly to the outlet 6. In this way, beer may be dispensed from each barrel in turn as the barrels empty.

Description

Beverage Dispensing Apparatus The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing beverages, and in particular to an apparatus for dispensing a beverage from a container by gas (or other fluid) pressure acting on the beverage. Thus it is especially suited to dispensing, for example, beer and like beverages from barrels in public houses and the like.

Beer and similar beverages are typically provided to a public house or other outlet in containers such as barrels or kegs. The beverage is dispensed from the container by gas pressure acting on the surface of the beverage in the container to force it out to supply it to a dispensing outlet such as a bar pump or tap. The beverage container is usually permanently pressurised when in use, and beverage is dispensed by opening an appropriate valve at the dispensing point to allow the beverage to flow from its container.

The above method of dispensing beverages has been found to be satisfactory in public houses and the like.

However, because the beverage is dispensed under pressure, it is necessary to ensure that the connections to the container, in particular from the pressurising gas source, if present, are made safely and correctly.

If incorrectly connected, the pressurising gas or the beverage may leak, thus adversely affecting beverage dispensing. Incorrect connection could also be dangerous if, for example, the container were to overpressurise because a safety release valve was incorrectly connected.

These requirements mean that in practice connecting a new barrel of beer, for example, to a dispensing outlet in a public house (and removing the old barrel) is a relatively skilled task which can only be performed by trained staff. Thus not every member of staff is capable of changing a barrel when it runs out. However, it is not always possible or even desirable for a trained member of staff to always be present in case a barrel needs changing, and in any case that member of staff may be involved in other duties at the time when a barrel needs changing. Thus in practice there will be occasions when a barrel runs out and cannot be replaced for a considerable period of time, perhaps not even until the following day.

This problem can be alleviated to a certain extent by ensuring that almost empty barrels are replaced in good time if the appropriate member of staff will not be available, but particularly at busy times, it is not possible to ensure that no barrels will need changing.

Similarly, although more than one dispensing outlet can be provided for a given beverage, the total number of dispensing outlets is in practice limited. Thus it is not generally possible to ensure that demand will always be met, particularly at busy times.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for dispensing beverages under pressure, comprising a plurality of beverage containers; a single dispensing outlet through which beverage from each container can be dispensed in use; and valve means operable selectively to permit beverage flow from each container singly to the outlet.

The present invention thus enables beverages to be dispensed in turn from at least two containers through the same outlet. Thus when one container empties, the outlet can be supplied from a second container without the need physically to replace the first container with a new container. There is no requirement therefore for skilled staff to be present to change the container supplying a given outlet when a first container runs out of beverage. The member of staff has only to operate the valve means to switch supply from the empty container to a new one. Furthermore, the changeover between containers is substantially quicker than when a container must be actually removed and a new one connected in its place.

The apparatus of the present invention is particularly suited to dispensing beer, including lager, cider and the like, which is supplied in containers such as barrels and kegs, although it is applicable to any beverage which is dispensed from its container under pressure.

The dispensing pressure may be provided by using internally pressurised containers, such that connection to an outlet forces beverage out of the container by virtue of its internal pressure, or, more usually, will be provided by an external pressurised fluid source.

This could for example comprise a CO2 cylinder at e.g.

2.4 bar. In the case of an external pressure source each container must be appropriately connected thereto before and during use.

Each container can be pressurised regardless of whether or not it is actually connected to dispense from the outlet, or further valve means could be provided in the case of an external pressure source to pressurise selectively the appropriate container. In the case of sparkling beverages, it is usual to maintain pressure on the beverage at all times to prevent loss of effervescence.

The primary object of the present invention is to avoid the need to change frequently the connected beverage containers supplying an outlet, and thus each container connected to a single outlet will usually contain the same beverage.

The valve means can selectively control beverage flow from each container singly to the dispensing outlet whilst preventing flow to the outlet from the remaining containers. Thus beverage from a selected one of the containers can be dispensed, and by operating the valve means an alternative container may be used.

The valve means could be a rotary mechanical valve for example, but in a particularly preferred embodiment, the valve means comprises a solenoid valve connected to the outlet of each container to control the beverage flow therefrom. The solenoid valves are preferably operable to open flow from a single container to the dispensing outlet, whilst preventing beverage flow from the remaining containers.

The solenoid valves can be driven by a low voltage transformer. This is particularly advantageous in the context of dispensing beverages in a public house and the like, since a beer cellar may be a relatively damp environment and thus the use of high voltage electrical sources is undesirable.

The valve means are preferably selectively operated by a break-before-make switching means which is operable by a user to select a given container. This switching means could comprise, for example, a multi-position rotary switch, which can be turned to select each container in turn. A rotary switch can also readily be arranged to prevent flow from more than one container being permitted at a given time.

When the apparatus is being used in a public house or the like, the switching means is preferably located adjacent the dispensing outlet, so that a user can select a container without needing to visit the beer cellar, for example. This facilitates quicker and easier container changeover.

It is envisaged that the apparatus of the present invention is equally applicable to fitting in existing beverage dispensing systems. Thus, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for dispensing beverages under pressure, comprising a single dispensing outlet adapted to be coupled to a plurality of beverage containers such that beverage from each container can be dispensed through the outlet in use; and valve means operable selectively to permit beverage flow from each container singly to the outlet.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows schematically an apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in the Figure, three barrels or kegs 1, 2, 3 of beer or similar beverage are appropriately connected to a pressurising gas source 4. The gas source can comprise C02 at 2.4 bar. The pressurising gas acts on the surface of the beer in the barrels, and forces it out of the barrels 1, 2, 3 through suitable pipes 5 to a dispensing outlet 6, which could comprise a valve or tap on a bar.

The flow of beverage from the barrels 1, 2, 3 through the pipes 5 is controlled by solenoid valves 7a, 7b, 7c. Each valve can be independently opened and closed so as to permit beer to flow from one of the barrels to the dispensing outlet 6. The pressurising gas flow to each barrel 1, 2, 3 is also controlled by solenoid valves 8a, 8b, 8c connected in parallel with the corresponding solenoid valves 7a, 7b, 7c.

The solenoid valves are powered by a transformer 9, which provides 12-24 volts from, for example, the mains voltage supply.

The operation of the solenoid valves 7, 8 is controlled by a multi-position rotary switch 10, which can selectively activate the solenoid valves so as to select from which barrel 1, 2, 3 the beer is to be dispensed at any given time. The switch 10 is preferably located adjacent to the dispensing outlet 6, so that the beer supply to the dispensing outlet can be readily switched. It could be located in a box with a locked lid so as to prevent accidental switching.

The switch, transformer and solenoid valves are appropriately connected, as shown schematically, to enable each switching position to activate beverage flow from one of the barrels.

In use, the switch 10 is positioned, for example, to open the solenoid valves 7a, 8a to pressurise barrel 1 and to permit beer to be dispensed from barrel 1 via the pipes 5 when the dispensing outlet 6 is activated.

Valves 7b, 7c, 8b, 8c are closed to prevent flow from the other barrels 2, 3. Once the barrel 1 is emptied, the switch 10 is turned to its next position, thereby closing valves 7a, 8a and opening valves 7b, 8b, to pressurise the next barrel 2 and dispense beer therefrom. In this way, beer may be dispensed from each barrel in turn as they empty. Thus it is unnecessary every time a single barrel empties to enter the beer cellar and remove the empty barrel and to connect the new barrel to the pressurising gas source 4 and the dispensing outlet 6.

The present embodiment controls the flow of pressurised gas to the respective barrels but this is not essential. The solenoid valve 7a, 7b, 7c and their electrical connections could be omitted and the desired number of barrels could thus be permanently pressurised.

The apparatus of the present invention can be fitted to existing beverage dispensing systems. In that case, appropriate valve means, outlet means, and a switch are fitted to the existing system.

The apparatus of the present invention will find use in particular in public houses, but is equally applicable to restaurants, hotels, night clubs, etc.

Claims

1. An apparatus for dispensing beverages under pressure, comprising a plurality of beverage containers; a single dispensing outlet through which beverage from each container can be dispensed in use; and valve means operable selectively to permit beverage flow from each container singly to the outlet.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each beverage container is permanently pressurised.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising further valve means operable selectively to pressurise each beverage container singly.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein each container coupled to the single outlet contains the same beverage.

5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the valve means operable to permit beverage flow comprises a solenoid valve coupled to the outlet of each container.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the solenoid valves are operable to open flow from a single container to the dispensing outlet, whilst preventing beverage flow from the remaining containers coupled to the dispensing outlet.

7. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the further valve means operable to pressurise each beverage container comprise a solenoid valve coupled to the pressurising fluid inlet of each container.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, 6, or 7, wherein the solenoid valves are driven by a low voltage transformer.

9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the valve means and/or the further valve means are selectively operated by a break-before-make switching means which is operable by a user to select beverage dispensing from a particular container.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said switching means comprises a multi-position rotary switch.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 or 10, wherein the switching means is located adjacent the dispensing outlet.

12. An apparatus for dispensing beverages under pressure, comprising a single dispensing outlet adapted to be coupled to a plurality of beverage containers such that beverage from each container can be dispensed through said outlet in use; and valve means operable selectively to permit beverage flow from each container singly to the outlet.

13. An apparatus for dispensing beverages under pressure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.