GB2371038A

GB2371038A - Dispenser for a plurality of bottles

Info

Publication number: GB2371038A
Application number: GB0122597A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Walter Holmes
Original assignee: GREAT WESTERN TRADING
Current assignee: GREAT WESTERN TRADING
Priority date: 2000-09-20
Filing date: 2001-09-19
Publication date: 2002-07-17
Also published as: GB0023127D0; AU7554501A; GB0122597D0; ZA200107751B

Abstract

A dispenser 2 which may be used to dispense liquid from a plurality of bottles 4, e.g in a bar, comprises dispenser means 6 for connection to the plurality of bottles and support means 8 for the dispenser means 6. The dispenser means 6 comprises a plurality of connector means (18, fig.3), and each connector means (18, fig.3) has a valve means 12 associated with it. The connector means (18, fig.3) are adapted to connect to the neck of a bottle 4 once it has been opened. The bottles 4 are preferably connected in a line. The bottle 4 which is furthest away from the dispensing outlet 26 preferably empties first, by virtue of the fact that the air vent (28, fig.3) is situated closest to this bottle 4. The connector portions (18, fig.3) are preferably separable from the dispenser means 6 so that they can be easily connected to a new bottle 4 when an empty one is being replaced. The bottles 4 and dispenser support means 8 may be enclosed in a lockable cabinet 32.

Description

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING A LIQUID FROM A PLURALITY OF BOTTLES This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a plurality of bottles. The liquid may be an alcoholic beverage such for example as a spirit or a liquor, a non-alcoholic beverage, or any other suitable and appropriate type of liquid requiring to be dispensed from a bottle.

It is known to have apparatus for dispensing a liquid in the form of a spirit from a single bottle. In a busy environment such for example as a bar in a public house or a hotel, it is often very inconvenient for bar staff and customers alike if a bottle becomes empty and needs changing. Customers tend to become impatient and this tends to pressurise bar staff.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a plurality of bottles, which apparatus comprises dispenser means for connection to the plurality of bottles, and support means for supporting the dispenser means, the dispenser means being such that it comprises a plurality of connector portions, a plurality of valve means, and a dispensing passage for dispensing the liquid from the plurality of bottles, the dispenser means being such that there is one of the connector portions for each one of the bottles, there is one of the valve means for each one of the connector portions, and the connector portions are connectable to neck portions of the bottles when the bottles have been opened.

The apparatus of the present invention is such that the plurality of bottles will normally all contain the same liquid to be dispensed. The bottles can then be emptied one at a time and their dispensed contents will all be dispensed via the same dispensing passage. Empty bottles can thus be replaced at convenient times, and stoppages in serving drinks due to the need to replace an empty bottle can be avoided.

Preferably, the apparatus is one in which the dispenser means is an in-line dispenser means for connecting the bottles in a line. Other arrangements may however be employed so that the bottles may be in a triangular formation or any other desired formation.

Preferably, the dispenser means is for connection to three of the bottles. If desired however the dispenser means may be connected to two of the bottles, or more than three of the bottles.

Advantageously, the apparatus of the present invention is one in which the bottle that is furthest away from a dispensing outlet will always empty first, and then the next furthest bottle, until the front bottle is reached. Thus the hydraulic characteristics used in the apparatus of the present invention can be arranged to be such that the flow of liquid from the bottles, through the valve means and the dispensing passage to the dispensing outlet is such that the bottle furthest away from the dispensing outlet, for example appropriate optics, will always empty first, and then the next bottle that is furthest away, and so on. This hydraulic characteristic may be achieved by the configuration of the apparatus and the resultant pressure distribution in the apparatus. Commercially, it is advantageous that the front bottle, which is the one that is displayed to a customer, is always full or partially full, and always empties last. If this were not the case, the front displayed bottle could be empty, while other bottles behind were still full. Whilst these bottles could still operate, they might not be visible to a customer. By allowing the full or partially full bottle always to be at the front, any brand name or other trade mark on the bottle is always able to be displayed, along with the quantity of liquid still left in the bottle. Bottles away from the front bottle can be empty or in the process of being empty.

Customers able to see the front full or partially full bottle are able not only to see the brand name but they are also able to be given the thought that they should have a drink. It is also clear to customers that the liquid being dispensed from the viewed bottles is actually that specific brand which has been requested by the customer, and that a cheaper house brand is not being dispensed from rear bottles which may be hidden from the customer's view The apparatus may be one in which the connector portions each include a threaded portion for enabling the connector portion to be connected to the neck portion of the bottles by screwing on to the neck portions of the bottles. Other types of connector portions may be employed so that, for example, the connector portions may be arranged to be push-on fits on to the neck portions of the bottles.

Where the connector portions each include a threaded portion, then the threaded portion for each one of the connector portions may be an internally threaded ring portion. The ring portion may have an uneven outer surface for facilitating gripping and rotation of the ring portion. The outer surface may be a serrated surface or a surface with any other suitable and appropriate grip-facilitating formations.

The apparatus of the present invention may be one in which the connector portions are separable from their valve means, thereby facilitating connecting the connector portions to the bottles for the purpose of replacing empty bottles with full bottles.

Any suitable and appropriate valve means may be used in the apparatus of the present invention. Thus, for example, the valve means may be ball valve means.

Other types of valve means may however be employed.

Where the valve means are ball valve means, then the ball valve means are preferably such that each ball valve means uses a ball in the form of ball bearing.

Any attempt to cheat the dispenser means by pushing a toothpick or other handy implement up into the dispenser means simply pushes the ball bearing upwards so that it sticks and stops the flow of fluid from the dispenser means.

The apparatus of the present invention may be one in which the dispensing passage comprises a tube having a plurality of upwardly extending portions with one of the upwardly extending portions being for each one of the connector portions, and a single downwardly extending portion through which the liquid flows when the liquid has been dispensed by the dispenser means.

Advantageously, the apparatus of the present invention includes an air vent in the dispensing passage. The air vent helps to ensure the even and speedy flow of dispensed fluid along the dispensing passage. Unevenness of flow caused by a partial vacuum developing in the dispensing passage can be avoided.

Advantageously, the air vent is positioned at a rear part of the dispensing passage. The air vent is then able to play a role in the distribution of pressure in the apparatus of the invention. The air vent is able to release the vacuum in the apparatus in such a way that the bottle closest to the vent always empties first, even although this bottle has a longer route to travel to the dispensing outlet. Thus, by placing the vent at a rear part of the dispensing passage, the rearmost bottle with liquid can always be arranged to empty first so that the last bottle to empty will be the front bottle. The vent can be arranged to function in this manner irrespective of the configuration of the dispensing means and the dispensing passage.

The support means may comprise a shelf.

The apparatus of the present invention may include a cabinet, the support means being such that it is secured in the cabinet. Advantageously, the support means is slidably secured in the cabinet.

The apparatus of the present invention may include at least one lock for locking the cabinet in a closed position. The provision of the lock or locks helps to avoid dispensation of the liquid by unauthorised personnel.

The apparatus of the present invention may be used singly or in plural form in the cabinet. Thus, for example, the cabinet may contain two or more of the dispenser means. Each dispenser means will then normally be for connecting to its own bank or row of bottles containing the same liquid. Where two or more of the dispenser means are employed, then they are preferably all supported on a single shared one of the support means. Separate support means for each one of the dispenser means may however be employed if desired.

The dispenser means may include an electric pump.

The electric pump may operate to enable the dispenser means to dispense a predetermined exact amount of liquid. Alternatively, if desired, the dispenser means may include an electronics unit for exact dispensation of quantities of the liquid from the bottles.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front and one side showing apparatus of the present invention ready for use and extending out of a cabinet; Figure 2 is a perspective view from the front and the opposite side to that of Figure 1, and shows the apparatus of the present invention in a storage condition in the cabinet; Figure 3 is an enlarged view of dispenser means forming part of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows the apparatus as in Figure 2 and with a front closing cover in position; and Figure 5 is a view from the front and the other side of the apparatus as shown in Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown apparatus 2 for dispensing a liquid from a plurality of bottles 4.

The apparatus 2 comprises dispenser means 6 for connection to the plurality of bottles 4, and support means 8 for supporting the dispenser means 6.

The dispenser means 6 is such that there is one of the connector portions 10 for each one of the bottles 4.

Also, there is one of the valve means 12 for each one of the connector portions 10. Further the connector portions 10 are connectable to neck portions 16 of the bottles 4 when the bottles 4 have been opened.

As can be appreciated from the drawings, the dispenser means 6 is an in-line dispenser means 6 for connecting the bottles 4 in line. As shown in Figure 1, there are four of the dispenser means 6, with each dispenser means 6 connected to three of the bottles 4.

The three bottles 4 connected to each dispenser means 6 contain the same make of liquid in the form of spirit for dispensation from the bottles 4. Thus, for any row of three bottles connected to one of the dispenser means 6, if a bottle 4 runs out of liquid, there will then be two bottles left which should be full with the liquid.

The empty bottle 4 can be replaced with a full bottle later. At times of peak demand, even two bottles 4 may be allowed to become empty before being replaced.

Interruptions in serving, with consequent customer annoyance at being caused to wait for service, can thus be avoided.

As best shown in Figure 3, the connector portions 10 each include a threaded portion 18 for enabling the connector portions 10 to be connected to the neck portions 16 of the bottles 4 by screwing on to the neck portions 16 of the bottles 4. The threaded portion 18 for each one of the connector portions 10 is in the form of an internally threaded ring portion as shown. The ring portion has an uneven outer surface provided by downwardly extending beads 20. This uneven outer surface formed by the beads 20 facilitates gripping and rotation of the threaded portion 18.

The connector portions 10 are separable from their valve means 12 in order to facilitate connecting the connector portions 10 to the bottles 4 for the purpose of replacing empty bottles with full bottles.

The valve means 12 is a ball valve means. Each ball valve means is such that it utilises a ball in the form of a ball bearing. If the ball bearing is pushed upwardly by bar staff, for example using a toothpick, in an attempt to gain more liquid than is appropriate, then the ball bearing tends to stick in the up position which stops the flow of liquid being dispensed. Thus the use of the ball bearing helps to avoid theft of spirits being dispensed in the apparatus 2 as shown in the drawings.

As best shown in Figure 3, the dispensing passage 14 comprises a tube 22 having a plurality of upwardly extending portions 24 with one of the upwardly extending portions being for each one of the connector portions 10. The tube 22 also has a single downwardly extending portion 26 through which the liquid flows when the liquid has been dispensed by the dispenser means 6.

As also shown in Figure 3, the dispensing passage 14 includes a direct air vent 28. The air vent 28 helps to stop a vacuum forming in the tube 22 during dispensation of liquid from one of the bottles 4. This in turn helps to ensure that the dispensed liquid flows evenly and continuously.

As can be seen from Figure 1, the support means 8 comprises a shelf 30. The apparatus 2 includes a cabinet 32 and the shelf 30 is such that it is slidably secured in the cabinet 32. Figure 1 shows the shelf 30 in an outward position ready for use. Figure 2 shows the shelf 30 in a retracted position ready for operation. Figures 4 and 5 show the cabinet 32 closed by a front panel 34, which is able to be locked.

As shown in Figures 1,2, 4 and 5, the downwardly extending portion 26 of the tube 22 has a dispenser 36 connected to it. The dispenser 36 comprises a clear housing 38 which may be made of glass or a transparent plastics material. The liquid being dispensed can thus be seen. Inside the housing 38 is a metal tube 40 which extends into a tube portion 42 of the housing 38. The metal tube 40 has apertures 44 at its upper end. The liquid being dispensed is thus able to escape from the tube 40 into the housing 38. Dispensation then occurs from the housing 38 via the tube portion 44, for example into a glass (not shown). The dispensation of the liquid is caused to occur using an electric pump (not shown) which operates to dispense a predetermined exact amount of liquid from the appropriate bottle 4. The dispensing means in the form of the electric pump may be replaced by any other suitable and appropriate dispensing means, including but not restricted to, a dispensing means in which an electric impulse activates a magnetic solenoid.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the shape of the cabinet 32 may be different, as may be the shape of the dispenser means 6.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a plurality of bottles, which apparatus comprises dispenser means for connection to the plurality of bottles, and support means for supporting the dispenser means, the dispenser means being such that it comprises a plurality of connector portions, a plurality of valve means, and a dispensing passage for dispensing the liquid from the plurality of bottles, the dispenser means being such that there is one of the connector portions for each one of the bottles, there is one of the valve means for each one of the connector portions, and the connector portions are connectable to neck portions of the bottles when the bottles have been opened.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the dispenser means is an in-line dispenser means for connecting the bottles in a line.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the dispenser means is for connection to three of the bottles.
4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the bottle that is furthest away from a dispensing outlet will always empty first, and then the next furthest bottle, until the front bottle is reached.
5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the connector portions each include a threaded portion for enabling the connector portion to be connected to the neck portions of the bottles by screwing on to the neck portions of the bottles.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the threaded portion for each one of the connector portions is an internally threaded ring portion.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the ring portion has an uneven outer surface for facilitating gripping and rotation of the ring portion.
8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the connector portions are separable from their valve means, thereby facilitating connecting the connector portions to the bottles for the purpose of replacing empty bottles with full bottles.
9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the dispensing passage comprises a tube having a plurality of upwardly extending portions with one of the upwardly extending portions being for each one of the connector portions, and a single downwardly extending portion through which the liquid flows when the liquid has been dispensed by the dispenser means.
10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including an air vent in the dispensing passage.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which the air vent is positioned at a rear part of the dispensing passage.
12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the support means comprises a shelf.
13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including a cabinet, the support means being such that it is secured in the cabinet.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13 in which the support means is slidably secured in the cabinet.
15. Apparatus according to claim 13 or claim 14 and including at least one lock for locking the cabinet in a closed condition.
16. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the dispenser means includes an electric pump.
17. Apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a plurality of bottles, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.