GB2422366A - Beverage dispensing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A beverage dispensing system (2) comprising: a plurality of beverage supply lines (8) for connection to a plurality of beverage containers (3); a mix chamber (15) in fluid communication with each of the beverage supply lines (8); and a beverage dispensing line (26), having at least one beverage dispense point (27), in fluid communication with the mix chamber (15).

Description

BeveraEe Dispensing System The present invention relates to a beverage

dispensing system. In particular, hut not exclusively, the present invention relates to a beverage dispensing system capable of dispensing beverages to a plurality of beverage dispense points, for example, located at (hfferent points in a drinking establishment. The invention relates particularly, though not exclusively, to beer and other alcoholic beverages.

Drinks served in establishments such as bars and public houses are typically served to the end consumer (customer) by a bartender operating behind a defined bar area Drinks such as lagers, bitters and ciclers are typically served on tap, using a pressurised barrel or keg connected by a line flooded with product, to a single dispense point which is operated via an on/off system by the bartender. Other beverages such as wines and spirits are often measured and poured by hand by the bartender.

These processes ensure that there are several significant limitations to the operational efficiency and productivity olsaid establishments, In the case of products such as lagers, bitters and ciders, the availability of the given dispense Point for any particular brand of product can result in a delay in the provision of the product to the customer. Inaccuracies in the pouring of measures and susceptibility to fraudulent practices by staff members (and sometimes customers) negatively affect all beverage types in terms of losses in stock.

Additionally, in the case of products such as lager, bitter and cider, where a flooded delivery line exists between the pressurised barrel or keg and the dispense point, said line must be cleaned regularly due to the build up of contaminants such as yeast cultures. Without regular cleaning the quality oltlie product served is compromised, however the cleaning process itself takes time, and is yet another source ofprodLict loss for the establishment. In a typical set-up the delivery line may hold approximately 3-4 pints of product, all of which is lost when the line is cleaned.

The most significant limiting factor of afl however, is the availability of bartender staff to customers during busy periods; this smgle factor alone presents the greatest likely losses in potential sales br any given establishment.

It is the object of the present invention to seek to overcome these outlined limitations, or at least to provide alternative to the existing systems, thereby providing significant improvements in operational efficiency. To achieve this goal, the present invention OOSCS a system capable of allowing delivery of a plurality of consumable product types, to any single given dispense point in an infinite range of (liSpense points.

According to the present invention there is provided a beverage dispensing system comprismg: a plurality of beverage supply lines for connection to a plurality of beverage containers; a mix chamber in fluid communication with each of the beverage supply lmes; and a beverage dispensing line, having at least one beverage dispense point, in fluid communication with the mix chamber.

The beverage dispensing system enables a plurality oF beverages to be mixed in the mix chamber befbrc being dispensed at the beverage dispense point. Pressurised beverage containers such as, hut not limited to, kegs or barrels arc connected by means of the beverage supply lines to the mix chamber Ii an order is placed for a pint of lager then the system will deliver the appropriate quantity of lager to the mix chamber via the beverage supply line and the mix chamber will then dispense the lager to the beverage dispense point:, along the beverage dispense line The system renioves the need to have a line flooded with product extending between the beverage container and the beverage dispense point, and so greatly reduces product loss associated with cleaning the lines. Only the beverage supply lines are flooded with product However, the beverage supply lines may be much shorter than conventional product delivery lines since they only need to extend as far as the mix chamber, which may be located next to the beverage containers, for example, in a cellar. Furthermore, as will be described ni more detail below, product in the beverage supply lines is emptied hack into the beverage containers when the beverage supply lines are cleaned. This ensures that product loss is kept to a inininluill.

The beverage dispensing line is a so-called "dry line". The term "dry line", used herein, means that the beverage dispensing line is empty of product when the system is idle. Product only passcs along the beverage dispensing line when it is being dispensed from the mix chamber to the beverage dispense point. This represents a significant advantage over conventional systems in terms of reduced product loss.

It is preferred that the beverage dispense line comprises a plurality of beverage dispense points. This enables the system to dispense beverages from a single beverage container to different dispense points which may be located, for example, at different points in a drinking establishment. This results in a significant reduction in customer waiting time, in particular, dui-ing peak customer traffic periods \VhCfl it is iS common for customers to have to wait to be served.

in a drinking establishment having a conventional beverage dispensing system the physical size of the serving area dictates the number of customers who are given the ability to be served by a bar tender at any one time. Bartender availability, affected not only by the number of bartenders, but also their additional working requirements in the establishment (such as collecting or cleaning glasses), may also dictate how many customers can be served at any given time. The present invention overcomes some ofthese problems by providing beverage dispense points at a plurality of locations throughout the establishment, for example, the dispense points may he located at each table in the establishment. In addition to offering advantages for the customer the system presents the establishment with the opportunity of increasing sales by ensuring that availability of supply is equal to demand.

The beverage dispensing hue is preferably provided with a dispensing control valve corresponding to each of the beverage dispense points. File dispensing control valves may conveniently be electrically actuated. When a beverage order is dispensed from the mix chamber the appropriate diSpenSe valve may be actuated to ensure that the beverage is dispensed to the correct beverage dispense point In their normal condition each dispensing control valve will be open to allow the beverage to pass through and continue along the beverage dispensing line However, when an order is placed the appropriate dispensing valve is actuated to divert the beverage to the beverage dispense point The system is preferably provided with a drainage point at the end of the beverage supply line. If none of the dispensing control valves is actuated the beverage or cleaning product (see below) will pass along the length of the beverage dispensing line and exit at the drainage point.

The beverage dispensing system is preferably provided with a plurality of mix chambers, each mix chamber comprising a beverage dispensing line having at least one beverage dispensing point This cnablcs the capacity and efficiency of the system to be greatly mereased In normal use of the system it is envisaged that each mix chamber will be connected to four beverage dispense points. It is possible to provide more than four dispense points but this will tend to slow the system down. By providing the system with a plurality of mix chambers it enables the system to be provided with an unlimited number of beverage dispense points to suit the needs of the establishment.

It is preferred that each beverage supply line is connected to more than one mix chamber. This may be achieved by providing one or more spurs on each beverage supply line which are connected to each mix chamber. Alternatively, a single supply line from the beverage container may feed into a beverage supply nng, from which one or more spun may be connected to each mix chamber. The term "beverage supply nng", as used herein, refers to any ccntrahsed beverage supply means from which one or more spun are provided. The beverage supply nng does not need to in the form ofa complete ring.

The mix chambers are preferably connected to a gas source such that the mix chamber may be pressunscd in order to control the flow of product from the mix chamber. The gas source may suitably be a source of nitrogen The mix chamber may conveniently be provided with venting means, such as an electrically actuated exhaust port, for venting gas from the mix chamber.

Each beverage supp]y line is preferably provided with a flow meter The flow meter may suitably be provided on a spur The flow meter is preferably connected to a flow control valve, such as an electrically actuated flow control valve The flow meter measures the quantity of beverage delivered to the mix chamber and sends a signal to the flow control valve, for examp]e, via a programmable logic control, which closes when the appropriate volume of beverage, as determined by the user, has been supplied to the mix chamber.

The beverage dispensing line preferably comprises a delivery control valve, which may be an electrically actuated control valve in its normal condition the delivery control valve is closed to prevent beverage from exiting the mix chamber. When the appropriate beverage or combination olbeverages has been delivered to the mix chamber the delivery control valve is actuated to allow the beverage to pass along the beverage dispensing line.

It is preferred that the system is provided with a first cleaning means which may be connected to one or more of the beverage supply lines in place of the or each beverage container. The first cleaning means may be used to clean the beverage supply lines in a first clcamng operation, as will be described in more detail below.

The first cleaning operation may typically he implemented on a weekly basis.

It is preferred that the system is provided wmth a second cleaning means connected to the or each mix chamber. The second cleaning means preferably comprises a source of cleaning fluid, such as water, which may be used to clean the or each mix chamber and its associated beverage dispensing line in a second cleaning operation, as will be described in more detail below The second cleaning operation may be implemented afier the dispensing of each different beverage from the mix chamber, in order to avoid the cross-contamination of product The or each beverage dispensing line is preferably provided with temperature control means to ensure that the beverages are dispensed to the customer at the appropriate temperature.

The system preferably comprises order input means and, more preferably, the system preferably comprises order input means corresponding to each beverage dispense point The order input means may be in the ftrm of a pressure sensitive screen or a keypad via which a user, such as a customer or bartender, may input a beverage order. The system preferably compnses authentication means associated with each order mput means which may be used, for example, to check the age of a customer or to ensure that alcoholic beverage are dispensed at the correct time according to the appropriate licensing laws. The system may also comprise payment means, preferably associated with each order input means According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of dispensing beverages comprising a first step of supplying one or more beverages into a mix chamber and a second step of delivering the contents of the mix chamber to a beverage dispense point In any form of the present invention (preferred or otherwise), when compared to traditional and current dispense systems used in establishments, there are offered numerous additional advantages to both the establishment and the brewery supplying the establishment Through implementation of the present invention, the control system used to manage the processes previously outlined may furthermore be used to monitor usage and provide real time reporting on stock lcvcls, ensuring accuracy of inventory management (such as ibrecasting and trend analysis, to allow more profitable decisions on stocking and promotions) and ehminatmg the possibility of fraudulent practices by staft Furthermore, the control system may also be used to set rules of purchasing; ensuring, for example, that products cannot be served at certain times in accordance with the appropriate alcohol licensing regulations for a given establishment Operational efficiencies can be improved by the elimination of the need for cleaning methods required by traditional beer cli spensing systems Such methods require that the delivery line is emptied of product and chemically cleaned, resulting in product loss, use of staff time to complete the required process, and potentially a block in supply to customers of the given product. Due to the single, dry' delivery line utilised by the present invention, such cleaning methods and their inherent (lisadvantages are not required for any given establishment.

Furthermore, the present invention provides additional improvements in operational efficiency by eliminating the possibility of staff errors in the dispense of products, ensuring that waste of product is minimised due to accurate measurements and no exposure to inexperienced staff who may waste product through poor di SCfl5C practices For a belier undeistanding of the present invention reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing showing, solely by way of example, an embodiment of the invention and, in which: Fig. I shows a schematic representation of a beverage dispensing system.

Figure 1 shows a beverage dispensing systeni 2. The system comprises a plurality of beverage containers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, such as, but not limited to a metal keg, which are kept at an elevated pressure by a compressed gas supply 4 suitable for the liquid contained in the beverage containers 3. The gas supply 4 consists ola pressure regulator 5, pressure gauge 6 and actuated valve 7 to control the gas flow and subsequently the pressure in the beverage containers 3. The beverage containers 3 arc kept at the coiTect temperature by a cooling or heating system suitable for the embodiment of the invention and liquids in use.

The beverage containers 3 are connected to beverage supply lines 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d by means of couplings 9 suitable for the type of beverage container 3. This enables the beverage containers 3 to be changed easily when needed. The couplings 9 may be removed from the storage vessels 3 and connected to a cleaning ring 1 0 to allow a first cleaning operation to be undertaken, as will be described in more detail below The cleaning ring 1 0 utilises the same methodology to transport the cleaning agents through the system as the beverage containers 3 (10.

Connected to the beverage supply lines Sa, Sb, 8c is a pump 11 swtable for feeding the contents of the beverage container 3a, 3h, 3c to a beverage supply ring 12a, 12h, 12c, In the event that the liquid contained in ary one of the beverage contamers 3 is not suitable for use with a pump or a pump is not required, the contents of the 1 0 beverage container 3 may be delivered to the beverage supply ring 12 by gas pressLire alone, as shown for beverage container 3d, beverage supply line 8d and beverage supply ring I 2d. l'he pressure required to perfonii this operation is maintained by a gas supply 13 Each beverage container 3 delivers its contents, a liciuid, via this route to a beverage supply ring 12. From each beverage supply 1-lug 12 a spur l4a, 141, 14c, 14d can he taken from any point allowing the aforementioned liquid to be distributed to a mix chamber 15. Only one mix chamber 15 is shown in Figure 1, however, this IS merely exemplary and it is to be understood that in practice there may be moie than one mix chamber 1 5. The number of mix chambers 1 5 may be determined by the size of the establishment in which the beverage dispensing system 2 is installed.

When creating a spur 14 from the bevet-age supply ring 12 a connector is adjoined to the hevei-age supply ring 12 in the form of a T-junction which embodies an inline 2-way valve allowing the spur to be isolated in the event of servicing or emergency.

Connected to the spur 14 via the appropriate pipuig is a flow meter 1 6 In a typical embodiment of the invention the flow meter 1 6 provides an electrical output of digital pulses whose fi-equency is in accurate proportion to the rate of flow of the liquid. The flow meter 1 6 is connected to a programmable logic control (PLC) (not shown) which reads the pulses generated by the flow meter 16 and controls an electrically actuated liquid control valve 1 7 accordingly These two devices used together allow the system to accurately dispense any given volume of liquid from any spur 14 to the mix chamber 15. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the flow meter 16 may be provided on the beverage supply lines 8 prior to the beverage supply rings 12. This has the advantage of reducing the number of flow meters required for a given system.

In a typical embodiment of the invention the flow meter 16 and control valve 17 would be controlled by an electrical circuit (not shown), such as but not limited to a micro processor or computer.

In this example embodiment, the mix chamber ISis connected to four beverage supply rings 1 2a, 1 2b, I 2c, I 2d via their respective junctions and spurs I 4a, 1 4b, I 4c, I 4d Also connected to the mix chamber 15 isa pressunsed water feed 18 and a gas supply 19 The gas supply 19 consists of a pressure regulator 20, pressure gauge 21 and actuated valve 22 to control the gas flow and subsequently the pressure in the mix chamber 15 In order to allow the mix chamber 15 to vent any pressunsed gases an electneally actuated exhaust port 23 is utilised.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the mix chamber 15 has four spurs 14 connected to it However, in practice the mix chamber 15 would have many more spurs 14 connected to it. The number of spurs 14 is only dependent on the number of beverages which are offered for sale by the establishment The mix chamber 15 is provided with an outlet port 24, which is provided with an electncally actuated delivery control valve 25. The default position of the delivery control valve 25 is closed, to prevent beverages from exiling the mix chamber 15. Once the required liquid(s) have entered the mix chamber 15, the pressure within the mix chamber 15 is brought to an appropriate level, determined by the type of liquid(s), using the gas supply 19 Once the required pressure has been reached the electrically actuated delivery control valve 25is opened allowing the contents of the mix chamber IS to flow freely through the outlet port 24 and into a beverage dispensing line 26. In order to maintain the flow the pressure within the mix chamber 15, and subsequently the beverage dispensing line 26 is kept constant by the gas supply 19.

The internal surfaces (not shown) of the mix chamber 15 are configured to direct liquid towards the outlet port 24. Typically, the internal surfaces of the mix chamber 15 may comprise sloping surfaces which direct the flow of liquid towards the outlet port 24 to ensure that all of thc liquid is dispensed in the dispensing step. In a preferred embodiment the mix chamber 15 may suitably be in the form of a generally cylindrical chamber havmg a conical portion at its bottom end, terminating in the outlet port 24 In a typical embodiment of the invention the temperature surrounding beverage dispensing line 26is maintained by an appropnate cooling or heating system At any given location along the beverage dispensing line 26 a plurality of beverage dispense points 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d are installed. In a typical embodiment of the invention the beverage dispense points consist of an eleetneally actuated dispensing control valve 28 and a release point 29. In order to deliver the contents of the beverage dispensing line 26 the electrically actuated dispensing control valve 28 directs the flow to its corresponding release point 29 By default the electrically actuated dispensing control valve 28 will allow the flow to continue along the beverage dispensing line 26. In the event that the eleetncally actuated dispensing control valves 28 were to fail then the contents of the beverage dispensing line 26 will continue on to a drainage point 30.

Once the process of delivering the contents of the beverage dispensing line 26 is complete the eleetneally actuated delivery control valve 25 is reset to its default position, closed. Any residual pressure within the mix chamber 15 is vented through the electncally actuated exhaust port 23 and the pressure in the beverage dispensing line 26 returns to atmospheric pressure via venting through the drainage point 30 The operation of the beverage dispensing system 2 will now be described by way of

example

On receipt of a signal a pre-determrncd quantity of beverage or beverages will he delivered from their respective beverage supply ring 12 to the mix chamber 15. If required the beverage is pumped by its respective pump 11. The quantity olbeverage is measured by the flow meter 1 6. This process allows multiple beverage product to he mixed together as required in the i-nix chamber 15 and will be referred to as "Delivery Stage 1".

Subsequently, the mix chamber 15 is pressurised in order that the mixed (or individual) product may be delivered to any one oF a plurality of dispense points 27 along the beverage dispensing line 26 This process shall hereby be named as Delivery Stage 2', In order to ensure the cleanliness of the apparatus utilised in Delivery Stage I,the mix chamber 1 5 is charged to a greater gas pressure than the pressurised beverage container 3 with a gas such as, but not limited to, nitrogen The control valve 17 linking the beverage supply line 8 to the mix chamber 1 5 is then opened to allow the product to flow back into the pressurised beverage container 3. After the beverage supply line S has been drained the coupling 9 linking the beverage supply line 8 to the pressurised beverage container 3 is removed and fitted to the cleaning line 1 0. From said cleaning line 10 a liquid such as, but not limited to, water is passed through the apparatus. This process shall hereby be named Cleaning Stage I'.

In order to ensure there is no cross-contamination of the various beverage products provided to any given dispense point 27 by method of Delivery Stage 2', a cleaning liquid such as, but not limited to, water is provided into the mix chamber 15 used in Delivery Stage 2' via the water feed 18. Said liquid is then passed through the beverage dispensing line 26 and dispense point 27 and exits via the drainage point 30 This process shall hereby be named Cleaning Stage 2'.

The respective frequencies of Cleaning Stage 1' and Cleaning Stage 2' are suggested as follows: Cleaning Stage I may he implemented on a weekly basis to ensure cjual ity and cleanliness of the apparatus. Cleanmg Stage 2' may be implemented after every execution of Delivery Stage 2', and before the next execution of Delivery Stage 2'.

However, if the following execution of Delivery Stage 2' requires the provision ofthe same product again, Cleaning Stage 2' is not required as there is nO risk of cross- product contamination.

The beverage dispensing system 2 further comprises a multitude of order input devices (not shown) for receiving an order, indicating the product te(s) and quantity/quantities of said order, along with the appropriate point of dispense for the order. On the input of 1 0 such data, the system is alTanged to send predetermined control signals that should effect Delivery Stage 1' under tile conditions ofthe order - namely tile appropriate product(s) and quantity/quantities On completion of Deh very Stage I' a predeterniincd control signal is sent, effecting Dehvciy Stage 2' under the conditions of the order-- namely the appropriate dispense poi ilt.

On receipt of the selected drink at tile dispense point, a predeterniined control signal is sent to confirm delivery of tile selected product(s). Based Oil this conflimlation, and data on tile selected drink, tile dispense system may he prepared for Cleaning Stage 2', dependant upon tile following order placed via any of tile input devices.

In tile preferred Ibi-in ofthe invention, it would be Possible for the customer to input an order themselves, usmg an appropriate order input device such as, but not limited to, a pressure sensitive screen or a keyboard Furthci-illorc, m the preferred form of the Invention it silould also be possible for the dell\'eiy of the selected order to he provided directly to the customer, for example via a dispense point at the customer's table or at designated dispense points within the estabii Silillent.

Authentication of tile requested order could he carried out using techilologles such as, hut not liillited to, SIllart card readers, biometrics or simple user-assigned security pin codes. Payment of the requested order could by camed out using methods such as, but not limited to, credit cards, debit cards, or coin operated systems.

In an alternative form of the invention, it would be possible to utilise the dispense system in the more traditional pub or bar environment, with ordering and delivery of dnnks remaining the responsibility of the bartender

Claims (1)

1. Claims 1. A beverage dispensing system comprising: a plurality of beverage

   supply lines fir connection to a plurality of beverage containers; a mix chamber in fluid communication with each of the beverage supply lines; and a beverage dispensing line, having at least one beverage dispense point, in fluid communication with the mix chamber.

   2. A beverage dispensing system according to claim I, wherein the beverage dispensing line comprises a plurality of beverage dispense points 3. A beverage dispensing system according to claim 2, wherein the beverage dispensing line is provided with a dispensing control valve corresponding to each of the beverage dispense points.

   4. A beverage dispensing system according to claim 3, wherein the dispensing control valves are eleetncally actuated.

   5. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system is provided with a plurality of mix chambers, each mix chamber comprising a beverage dispensing line having at least one beverage dispense point 6 A beverage dispensing system according to claim 5, wherein each beverage supply line is connected to more than one mix chamber.

   7 A beverage dispensing system according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the beverage supply lines are connected to a beverage supply ring.

   8 A beverage dispensing system according to claim 7, wherein the beverage supply nng comprises a plurality of spurs, each spur connected to a different mix chamber 9. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each mix chamber is connected to a gas source such that the mix chamber may be pressuri sed.

   1 0. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each mix chamber is provided with venting means.

   II. A beverage dispei.ising system according to claim 1 0, wherein the venting means comprises an electrically actuated exhaust port 1 0 12. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein each beverage supply line is provided with a flow meter.

   13 A beverage dispensing system according to clanu 1 2, as dependent on claim 8, wherein each flow meter is provided on a spur 14 A beverage dispensing system according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the flow meter generates a signal which controls a flow control valve 15. A beverage dispensing system according to claim 14, wherein the flow control valve is electrically actuated.

   1 6. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system comprises first cleaning means which may be connected to one or more olihe beverage supply lincs in place of the or each beverage container.

   17. A beverage dispensing system according to rny preceding claim, wherein the beverage dispensing line comprises a delivery control valve.

   18. A beverage dispensmg system according to claim 14, wherein the delivery control valve is an electrically actuated control valve 19. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein thc beverage dispensing line is connected to a drainage point A bevcrage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system comprises second cleaning means connected to the or each mix chamber.

   21. A beverage dispensing system according to claim 20, wherein the second cleaning means comprises a source of cleaning fluid which maybe used to clean the or each mix chamber and its associated beverage dispensing line 22. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each beverage dispensing line comprises temperature control means 23. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system comprises order input means corresponding to each beverage dispense point.

   24 A beverage dispensing system according to claim 23, wherein the order input means comprises a pressure sensitive scrcen.

   25. A beverage dispensing system according to claim 23, wherein the order input means comprises a keypad.

   26. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system comprises authentication means corresponding to each beverage dispense point 27. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system comprises payment means corresponding to each beverage dispense point 28. A method of dispensing beverages comprising a first step of supplying one or more beverages into a mix chamber and a second step of delivering the contents of the mix chamber to a beverage dispense point.

   29. A method of dispensing beverages according to claim 23, wherein the method uses a beverage dispensing system according to any one of claims I - 22.

   30. A beverage dispensing system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying Figure.

   31. A method of dispensing beverages substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying Figure. l0