GB2417057A

GB2417057A - Improvements relating to pythons

Info

Publication number: GB2417057A
Application number: GB0427773A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Beckett
Original assignee: Valpar Industrial Ltd
Current assignee: Valpar Industrial Ltd
Priority date: 2004-08-14
Filing date: 2004-12-20
Publication date: 2006-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 2024-12-20
Also published as: ES2309678T3; ATE402367T1; GB2417057B; GB0418206D0; GB0427773D0; DE602005008321D1

Abstract

A python 2 has a plurality of liquid-conducting tubes, preferably beverage-conducting tubes 4 and refrigerant lines 8, surrounded by a layer of foam insulation 6, wherein at least part of its outer surface is patterned to form a segmented surface. In one embodiment, there are a number of lines of thread 10 formed in a criss-cross regular pattern around the foam insulation 6 in a manner which provides the outer surface of the foam insulation 6 in the form of a snake-skin pattern. Alternatively, the outer surface of the insulation may be embossed. A final outer layer, made from PVC or other suitable plastic tape, or a polymer coating, may be applied over the foam insulation layer 6.

Description

241 7057 1 Improvements Relating to Pythons 3 The present invention

relates to improvements 4 relating to pythons.

6 Pythons are products used in the beverage industry, 7 although not limited thereto, for transferring 8 drinks such as beers and lagers from kegs to bar 9 taps.

11 In a common layout of many licensed premises, kegs 12 of brew are stored in temperature controlled 13 conditions, such as a cellar, and the brew is 14 delivered through flexible tubes to the bar taps.

Each brew must be separately and discreetly 16 delivered to effect this, and to keep control over 17 the temperature from the keg to the tap, the liquid 18 conducting tubes can be bundled together with one or 19 more coolant or refrigerant tubes or lines, and this bundle of tubes surrounded by foam insulation. This 21 collection of tubes or foam insulation in known in 22 the art as a python. l

2 An example of forming a python is shown in UK Patent 3 No 2166833.

Around the insulation is commonly added a final 6 layer of PVC tape or PVC or other polymer coating, 7 so as to provide protection to the insulation, and 8 to provide a smooth and nicely finished product look 9 when straight.

11 This outer layer is tightly fitted. However, this 12 has led to several disadvantages, generally based on 13 how pythons are used. One issue in the use of 14 pythons is that they are located and have to be pulled through holes and ducts in the walls and 16 floors of bars and restaurants, and the stiff and 17 tight nature of the outer layer results in the 18 effort of pulling a python through these ducts and 19 around various corners and bends to be very high, often causing injury. The effort is increased where 21 a second python is intended to be located along the 22 same pathway, and thus must be pulled against the 23 surface of the first python. The nature of this 24 effort leads to increased installation time, which is not desired.

27 A further issue with current pythons is that when 28 these are bent into a tight radius, as is often 29 desired in the intended but hidden pathway of the python through a bar or restaurant, the outer layer 31 can ripple, with large ripples or folds providing 1 the opportunity for condensation to collect in the 2 fold on the python, or for heat gain.

4 One further disadvantage with current pythons is that, because of the nature of the rubber and foam 6 insulation, they can easily deform by being crushed, 7 especially if left in storage for a long time. The 8 deformation could be by their own weight if stored 9 in a coiled manner, which is naturally also the most convenient method of transporting such products.

11 Thus, a product delivered to a customer but not 12 immediately used or left in storage, can render the 13 product of bad quality.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate 16 these disadvantages.

18 Thus, according to one aspect of the present 19 invention, there is provided a liquid-conducting python having a plurality of liquid-conducting tubes 21 surrounded by foam insulation, wherein at least a 22 portion of the outer surface of the foam insulation 23 is patterned to form a segmented surface. Preferably 24 substantially the whole outer surface of the foam insulation is patterned to form a segmented surface.

27 By forming a segmented surface, there is a 28 significant reduction of friction in the passing of 29 one python over another, in a manner similar to the scales of a snake. Secondly, the segmented pattern 31 provides pre-formed crease lines, which are ready to 32 aerate the outer surface of the python when arched.

1 Thirdly, the segmented nature of the python provides 2 increased strength to the python, and thus better 3 crush resistance over time.

The pattern can be any regular or irregular shape, 6 surface or design. It can be applied by a pattern 7 forming process to the insulation, such as 8 embossing, or be formed on the insulation by one or 9 more separate means.

11 In one embodiment the segmented surface may be 12 applied to the insulation by a pattern forming 13 process to the insulation, such as embossing.

In a preferred embodiment the segmented surface is 16 formed on the surface of the foam insulation by 17 braiding. Preferably the braiding is in the form of 18 thin cord, line or thread-like material provided in 19 a crossed or weaved manner around the foam insulation.

22 The python can deliver any number or nature of 23 liquids, including but not limited to beverages such 24 as beers and lagers.

26 Preferably, the python has an outer layer such as a 27 coating formed by tape or a continuous coating 28 process. The layer could be added prior to 29 patterning of the insulation, although preferably it is added after patterning.

1 The insulation may be partly, substantially or 2 completely patterned, more preferably completely 3 patterned.

According to a second aspect of the present 6 invention there is provided a process for forming a 7 liquid-conducting python comprising the steps of 8 surrounding a plurality of liquid-conducting tubes 9 with a layer of foam insulation, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the insulation is 11 patterned to form a segmented surface. Preferably 12 substantially the whole outer surface of the layer 13 of foam insulation is patterned to form a segmented 14 surface.

16 The segmented surface may be applied to the 17 insulation layer, either before or after applying 18 the layer of insulation around the plurality of 19 liquid-conducting tubes, by a pattern forming process to the layer of insulation, such as 21 embossing.

23 Preferably the segmented surface is formed by 24 applying a braid of thin cord, line or thread-like material in a crossed or weaved manner around the 26 layer of insulation. The braiding can be applied by 27 a braiding machine, which machines are well known in 28 the art.

The process may further comprise the step of forming 31 an outer layer or covering over the layer of 32 insulation. The outer layer may comprise tape, 1 preferably formed from a suitable polymeric material 2 such as PVC, or a continuous coating of a suitable 3 polymeric material, such as PVC.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be 6 described by way of example only, and with reference 7 to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing, Figure 1, 8 which shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a 9 python according to one embodiment of the present invention.

12 Referring to the drawing, there is shown a beverage 13 conducting python 2 having a plurality of beverage 14 conducting tubes 4 surrounded by a layer of foam insulation 6. With the beverage-conducting tubes 4 16 there are two refrigerant lines 8. Refrigerant 17 passing up and down the refrigerant lines 8 provides 18 a cooling effect to the beverage-conducting tubes 4.

19 All the tubes 4, 8 can be surrounded by a first tape or coating prior to surrounding by the foam 21 insulation 6. A method and manufacture of such a 22 python is shown in UK Patent No 2166833.

24 Around the foam insulation 6, there are a number of lines of thread 10 formed in a cries-cross regular 26 pattern around the foam insulation 6 in a manner 27 which provides the outer surface of the foam 28 insulation 6 in the form of a snake-skin pattern.

29 The threads 10 can be added by a braiding machine in a manner well know in the art.

1 Around the braiding 10 and foam insulation layer 6, 2 there would be applied a final outer layer, made 3 from PCV or other suitable plastic tape, or a 4 polymer coating. This layer is not shown in Figure 1 for the purposes of illustrating the braiding.

6 This layer, being tight-fitting, would take the 7 braided-patterned shape thereunder. Thus, still 8 providing the final python product with the 9 patterned surface.

11 In use, the python 2 has a regularly patterned 12 surface in the form of a snake skin pattern. This 13 reduces the coefficient friction against other 14 surfaces, including the surfaces of other pythons, thereby making easier the installation of such 16 pythons along their pathways from a location of 17 beverages, such as kegs in a cellar, to their points 18 of delivery, such as taps at a bar. The pathway can 19 be significantly convoluted, with a number of twists and turns and bends, noting meanwhile that the 21 pythons must be continuous and can therefore only be 22 located by being fed from one end of the pathway to 23 the other. With a number of beverage-conducting 24 lines therein, and with expected thickness of the foam insulation, the pythons can be relatively 26 inflexible compared with a single piece of tubing or 27 wire. Thus, the ability to reduce friction in the 28 locating of a first or a second python significantly 29 eases their installation.

31 Secondly, the braiding provides increased strength 32 around the foam insulation by being able to transfer 1 load. Thus, the storage of a formed python where 2 weight is resting thereon, such as a coiled python, 3 does not result in crushing of the foam installation 4 and therefore reduction of quality of the python.

6 Thirdly, lines created by the braiding provide 7 initial crease or fold lines when the python is 8 arched, as well as lines for the continuous aeration 9 around the complete surface of the python over any bend or twist, thereby reducing the likelihood of a 11 concealed or trapped surfaces, which can attract 12 condensation, or not properly provide correct 13 insulation.

The braiding acts to compress the foam insulation, 16 and thus the tension with which the braiding is 17 applied to the foam insulation can be used to reduce 18 the overall diameter of the python to a required 19 size. Accordingly, the present invention enables a single size of foam insulation to be used to create 21 pythons having a variety of different overall 22 diameters.

24 The application of braiding over the foam insulation also permits the use of foam insulation in the form 26 of a flat sheet of material that can be wrapped 27 around the beverage conducting tubes, the braiding 28 holding the foam insulation in place. Such provides 29 cost savings over known pythons which lack the securing effect of the braiding and thus require the 31 use of pre-formed tubular foam insulation, such 1 material being more costly to produce than a simple 2 flat sheet.

4 The present invention provides a simple but effective improvement to pythons in a simple form of 6 manufacture thereof, which will result in a number 7 of significant advantages over existing pythons.

Claims

J 1 '>

1 Claims 3 1. A liquid-conducting python having a plurality 4 of liquid-conducting tubes surrounded by foam insulation, wherein at least a portion of the 6 outer surface of the foam insulation is 7 patterned to form a segmented surface.

9

2. A liquid-conducting python as claimed in claim 1, wherein substantially the whole outer 11 surface of the foam insulation is patterned to 12 form a segmented surface.

14

3. A liquid-conducting python as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the segmented surface is 16 applied to the insulation by a pattern forming 17 process to the insulation, such as embossing.

19

4. A liquid-conducting python as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the segmented surface is 21 formed on the surface of the foam insulation by 22 braiding.

24

5. A liquid-conducting python as claimed in claim 4, wherein the braiding is in the form of thin 26 cord, line or thread-like material provided in 27 a crossed or weaved manner around the foam 28 insulation.

6. A liquid-conducting python as claimed in any 31 preceding claim, further comprising an outer 1 layer formed by tape or a continuous coating 2 process.

4

7. A process for forming a liquid-conducting python comprising the steps of surrounding a 6 plurality of liquid-conducting tubes with a 7 layer of foam insulation, wherein at least a 8 portion of the outer surface of the insulation 9 is patterned to form a segmented surface.

11

8. A process as claimed in claim 7, wherein 12 substantially the whole outer surface of the 13 layer of foam insulation is patterned to form a 14 segmented surface.

16

9. A process as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, 17 wherein the segmented surface is applied to the 18 insulation layer, either before or after 19 applying the layer of insulation around the plurality of liquidconducting tubes, by a 21 pattern forming process to the layer of 22 insulation, such as embossing.

24

lO.A process as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the segmented surface is formed by 26 applying a braid of thin cord, line or thread 27 like material in a crossed or weaved manner 28 around the layer of insulation.

ll.A process as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, 31 further comprising the step of forming an outer 32 layer or covering over the layer of insulation.

2 12.A process as claimed in claim 11, wherein the 3 outer layer comprises tape, preferably formed 4 from a suitable polymeric material such as PVC, or a continuous coating of a suitable polymeric 6 material, such as PVC.

8 13.A liquid-conducting python substantially as 9 herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12 14.A process for forming a liquid-conducting 13 python substantially as herein described with 14 reference to the accompanying drawings.