GB2450920A

GB2450920A - A liquid coolant beverage cooling apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2450920A
Application number: GB0713561A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Cook
Original assignee: Universal Dispense Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Universal Dispense Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2007-07-12
Filing date: 2007-07-12
Publication date: 2009-01-14
Also published as: GB0713561D0

Abstract

The invention attempts to overcome the known difficulties of branched-tube beverage heat exchangers used for cooling beverages, such as beer, and in particular the trapping of debris in the crevices of the tube branch. The invention provides a liquid beverage cooling apparatus 10, in which a liquid coolant absorbs heat from a beverage flow, and thus cools the beverage. The apparatus 10 has a housing 12, at least one liquid beverage line 26 which extends into and out of the housing, and at least one working liquid line 34 for a working liquid, such as glycol coolant, which also extends into and out of the housing. The at least one liquid beverage line and the at least one working liquid line are arranged in thermally conductive communication as they pass through the housing, so that liquid flowing through the working liquid line can cool a liquid beverage flowing through the liquid beverage line. At least one liquid beverage line and/or at least one working liquid line are branchless so as to allow liquid to run through them without the flow being divided. The invention also provides a method of making the above liquid beverage cooling apparatus, and in which a molten metal, such as aluminium, is injected into the housing to provide conductive thermal heat transfer between the beverage line and the coolant line.

Description

1 2450920

A LJOUJD BEVERAGE COOLING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a liquid beverage cooling apparatus Most beverages have an optimum temperature or range of temperatures at which they are best served With some beers, it is desirable to cool the beer to a temperature approaching zero degrees Celsius prior to serving it. Cooling systems are known which cool beer at various stages on its path from the storage keg to the dispense tap.

One known cooling apparatus is disclosed in WO 97/10171. The cooling apparatus is a solid metal block with a series of pipes arranged to pass therethrough. In use, beer is passed through some of the pipes and coolant is passed through the other pipes The flow of heat from the block to the coolant, is followed by flow of heat from the beer to the block, ensuring that the beer is cooled.

The array of pipes includes a pipe that splits (or divides) as it passes through the block, into two or more parallel pipe parts, each of which carry beer In order to get the pipes to split, pipe parts are welded together. The Applicant has run tests which show that debris, and other unhygienic substances can be trapped in the crevices and uneven surfaces of the pipe where it splits in two.

In the above mentioned cooling apparatus, the block is cast. The array of pipes is arranged inside (arid protruding from) a casting mould and molten metal is introduced to the mould and left to set the pipes in place with respect to the mould, thereby forming a generally solid block. The shock of the hot metal on the array of pipes causes, and magnifies, any failures or discontinuities therein. The solid block is arranged inside a correspondingly shaped insulated casing.

Where a pipe splits in tvo, or more, it is difficult, in the absence of a regulator, to ensure that the same volume of flow passes through each of the pipe parts.

The above mentioned arrangement also has pipes coming out of several surfaces of the block, which make it bulky.

An aim of the invention is to provide a different liquid beverage cooling apparatus.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a liquid beverage cooling apparatus comprising a housing, at least one liquid beverage line which extends into and out of the housing, and at least one working liquid line for a working liquid such as glycol coolant which extends into and out of the housing, the at least one liquid beverage line and the at least one working liquid line being arranged in thermally conductive communication as they pass through the housing, so that liquid flowing through a working liquid line can cool a liquid beverage flowing through a liquid beverage line, wherein at least one liquid beverage line and at least one working liquid line are branchiess so as to allow liquid to run through them without the flow being divided In one preferred embodiment, the liquid beverage cooling apparatus comprises a plurality of liquid beverage lines which extend into and out of the housing, and at least one working liquid line for a working liquid such as glycol coolant which extends into arid out of the housing, wherein each of the liquid beverage lines and the or each working liquid lines are branchiess so as to alJow liquid to run through them without the flow being divided.

The cooling apparatus may comprise a plurality of working liquid lines.

In one preferred embodiment, the liquid beverage cooling apparatus comprises a plurality of working liquid lines for a orking liquid such as glycol coolant which extend into and out of the housing, wherein the or each liquid beverage line and each of the working liquid lines are branchless so as to allow liquid to run through them without the flow being divided.

The cooling apparatus may comprise a plurality of liquid beverage lines.

Preferabl\'. at least one working liquid line has a substantially similar profile to at least one liquid beverage line. The liquid beverage line may be arranged in line with the similar profile working fluid lines.

The liquid beverage line preferably has a furrow like profile and the working fluid line has a furrow like profile.

The apparatus may comprise at least three liquid beverage lines. In such a case, the inlets of the liquid beverage lines are preferably arranged in a straight line. This arrangement permits a straightforward shape of, and easy fitment of, an adapter. The outlets of the liquid beverage lines are preferably arranged in a straight line.

The apparatus may comprise at least three working fluid lines. In such a case, the inlets of the working fluid lines are preferably arranged in a straight line. The outlets of the working fluid lines are preferably arranged in a straight line.

Preferably, the working fluid line(s) is or are parallel to the liquid beverage line(s). This arrangement can sae space.

The apparatus may comprise four liquid beverage lines entering and exiting the housing and four working fluid lines entering and exiling [lie housing. In one preferred embodiment, the beverage lines and working fluid lines are inierdigitated.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises a working liquid line which coils about a liquid beverage line The apparatus may comprise only one working liquid line, which coils about a liquid beverage line.

The working fluid line may be arranged to coil about a plurality of liquid beverage lines.

The or each of the liquid beverage lines may have a furrow like part. Since the lines may mimic the shape of a typical furrow ploughed in a field, as seen from above, they can be described as furrow like. The or each of the liquid beverage lines may also have a second furrow like part. The second furrow like part may return along the length of the first furrow like part. The two furrows may sit against one another along at least part of the length of the liquid beverage line.

The inlet of the liquid beverage line may be in the vicinity of the outlet. This arrangement can speed up connecting and disconnecting adapters or other peripheral devices.

The working fluid line may comprise a plurality of spaced coil like parts in fluid communication with one another. Again, this arrangement helps keep the apparatus compact.

Each of the coil like parts may surround a u-shaped part of a liquid beverage line. The coil like part may surround a u-shaped part of the first furrow like part and a u-shaped part of the second furrow like part of the liquid beverage line. The coil like form of the working fluid line is preferably arranged adjacent the liquid beverage line or lines. This arrangement improves heat transfer and helps keep the apparatus compact.

The coil like form of the working fluid line may have a rectangular cross section. At least two successive spaced coiled like parts may be in contact with one another.

Preferably. all of the lines are arranged so that all fluid entering the housing flows in and out of one surface, preferably an upper surface, of the housing According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a liquid beverage cooling apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to oiie or more of the relevant drawings.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a liquid beverage cooling apparatus junction substantially as described herein with reference to one or more of the relevant drawings.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a liquid beverage cooling apparatus distributor substantially as described herein with reference to one or more of the relevant drawings.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of making a liquid beverage cooling apparatus comprising the steps of, arranging at least one liquid beverage line and at least one working liquid line through a housing plate part, arranging the housing plate part on or adjacent a housing receptacle part such that the lines are at least partly in the housing receptacle part, injecting molten metal such as aluminium into the housing receptacle part to set the housing plate in place with respect to the housing receptacle part.

This arrangement simplifies the manufacturing process and the absence of welds or complicated branches can prevent the problem(s) mentioned above.

A liquid beverage cooling apparatus in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following description and the acconlpanyi ng drawl ngs in which: Figure 1 is a cutaway view, in elevation, of a liquid beverage cooling apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 is a plan view of the liquid beverage cooling apparatus of Figure 1, taken along Line II -II in Figure I, Figure 3 is an elevation view of a liquid beverage line, used in the cooling apparatus of Figure 1, Figure 4 is an elevation view of a working fluid line, used in the cooling apparatus in Figure 1, Figure 5 is an elevation view of a liquid beverage cooling apparatus, in accordance with the invention, Figure 6 is a cross section of a liquid beverage junction in accordance with the invention, Figure 7 is a plan view of the liquid beverage junction of Figure 6, Figure 8 is a cross-section view of a working fluid distributor, Figure 9 is a plan view from beneath the distributor of Figure 8, Figure I 0 is an end view of the distributor of Figure 8, taken in the direction of the ariow X-X in Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a cross section view of part of a liquid beverage cooling apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, Figure 12 is another elevation view, partly in cutaway, of a working fluid line of the cooling apparatus, of Figure 11, Figure 13 is a plan view from above of part of the working fluid line of Figure 12, Figure 14 is a schematic plan view showing the relationship between the working fluid line and the liquid beverage lines, and Figure 15 is an end view taken in the direction of arrow XV-XV in Figure 11 showing parts of the liquid beverage lines.

Referring to Figure 1, a liquid beverage cooling (or heating) apparatus 10, comprises a metal, for example aluminum, housing 12.

The housing 12 comprises a top wall 14, a bottom wall 16, a first side wall 18, a second side wall (not shown in Figure 1, but indicated by arrow 20 in Figure 2), a third side wall 22, and a fourth side wall (not shown in Figure 1 but indicated by arrow 24 in Figure 2).

The housing 12 defines a hollow interior cavity to be filled with molten metal such as aluminium.

The liquid beverage cooling apparatus 10 also comprises first, second, third and fourth liquid beverage lines 26, 28, 30 and 32 (only one of which is shown in Figure 1, the remaining being shown in Figure 2) and first, second, third and fourth working fluid lines 34, 36, 38 and 40 (again only one being shown in Figure 1, the remaining being shown in Figure 2).

Each liquid beverage line 26, 28, 30 and 32 has a plurality of parallel lengths A, joined by a plurality of curved lengths B Referring to Figure 3, the first and last straight length A of each liquid beverage line 26, 28, 30 and 32, comprises a length C, which deflects transversely inwardly from the axis of the length A, towards the centre of the housing 12 for a small distance. The line then deflects again along length D so as to extend in a direction parallel to the axis of length A. Referring to Figure 4, each of the working liquid lines 34, 36, 38 and 40 has the same number of straight lengths A and curved lengths B. However, each working liquid line 34, 36, 38 and 40 differs from each of the liquid beverage lines 26, 28, 30 and 32 in that the first and last straight length A of the working liquid lines do not deflect transversely inwardly.

Referring back to Figure 2, the plurality of liquid beverage lines 26, 28, 30 and 32 are arranged so that the inlets, towards the left hand side, are arranged in a straight line and the outlets, towards the right hand sidc are arranged in a straight line. Similarly, the working liquid lines 34, 36, 38 and 40 are arranged so that the inlets, towards the left hand side are arranged in a straight line, and the outlets towards the right hand side are arranged in a straight line. Due to the deflection of the first and last lengths A of the liquid beverage lines 26, 28, 30 and 32 the inlets and outlets of the liquid beverage lines lie inbound of the working liquid lines 34, 36, 38 and 40 towards the centre of the block 14 In this arrangement the inlets and the outlets of the lines can be easily connected to a distributor 50 or junction 60.

It will be noticed that all of the liquid beverage lines 26, 28, 30 and 32 and working liquid lines 34, 36, 38 and 40 enter and exit the block 14 through the top waIl 14 thereof During manufacture of the liquid beverage cooling apparatus 10, the aforementioned top wall 14 and the integral liquid beverage lines 26, 28, 30 and 32 and working liquid lines 34. 36, 38 and 40 are installed in the hollow interior cavity defined by the cup-like housing receptacle defined by the bottom wall 16 and the first, second, third and fourth side walls 18, 20, 22 and 24. In so doing, the top wall 14 can act as a jig during the manufacturing process of introducing modern molten metal into the intcrioi cavity of the housing 12.

Referring to Figure 5, a working liquid distributor 50 is connected to the inlets I and outlets 0 of the working liquid lines 34, 36, 38 and 40. A liquid beverage junction 60 is connected to the inlets I and outlets 0 of the liquid beverage lines 26, 28, 30 and 32.

Referring to Figure 6 and 7, the junction 60 has four long liquid beverage lines there through, in parallel with one another. The inlets and outlets have a stepped configuration and arc symmetrical about the middle M of the junction 60. The liquid beverage lines 26, 28, 30 and 32 can simply be pushed into the outlet side of the liquid beverage junction 60. Beverage lines from a beverage source can be similarly pushed into the inlet side of the liquid beverage junction 60.

The distributor 50 and/or the junction 60 is fastened to the block 14, for example using screw fasteners.

Referring to Figures 8-10, the working liquid distributor 50 comprises a single inlet and four outlets, which are connected by a distribution tube 52. A plug 54 is provided to close the tube 52. l'he four outlets 0 of the working liquid distributor 50 are similar to the outlets of the liquid beverage junction 60. The outlets towards the free ends of the distributor 50 can have slightly larger apertures so as to compensate for a variation in the pressure of the liquid along the length of the distribution tube 52. Alternatively, or in addition, a regulator (not shown) can be utilised on the distributor 50. Working liquid lines 34, 36, 38 and 40 can be pushed into the outlets of the distributor 50. The inlet tube has a groove 56 suitable for receiving a John Guest type fitting.

In another embodiment of the invention (which is not shown) the liquid beverage lines and working liquid lines can be connected to the distributor and/or junction 50 and 60, by way ofa nut and olive connection.

Referring to Figures 12-15, a liquid beverage cooling apparatus 100 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention comprises a metal housing 112.

The housing 112 has walls defining a hollow interior like the aforementioned housing 12.

In this embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 1 00 comprises liquid beverage lines and a single working liquid line 130 Each liquid beverage line 120 comprises a plurality of straight sections A and curved sections B. Each liquid beverage line comprises successive parallel straight lengths joined by curved, approximately semi circular, lengths. The lines mimic the shape of a typical furrow ploughed in a field, as seen froni above, and as such can be described as furrow shaped.

The last straight length A of the liquid beverage line 120 does not deflect transversely whilst within the housing block 112. Once the last straight length A of the liquid beverage line 120 has left the block 112 it returns into the housing block 112 via a loop I 22, in particular along length E, which causes the length to deflect transversely from the axis of the length A. The loop 122 then deflects again so that fluid is flowing parallel to the liquid in length A but in an opposite direction along length F. The line again deflects along length G towards the length A then the line deflects again and follows the shape of the liquid beverage line back along the entirety of the lengths A and curved lengths B (see corresponding lengths H and curved lengths I).

Once the liquid beverage line 120 has reached the first straight length A it deflects transversely away from length A along length J Then, finally, the liquid beverage line 1 20 deflects again so that it flows along length K parallel to axis of first length A of the line.

It will be noted that the straight lengths A and H are parallel to one another and sit against one another. Also, the curved lengths B are arranged to correspond in profile with curved lengths I. In this way, heat transfer efficiency is maxirnised.

The apparatus 100 comprises five liquid beverage lines 120, 122, 124, 126 and 128 (see Figure 14 and 15) and from Figure 14, it will be appreciated that the liquid beverage lincs 120, 122, 124, 126 and 128 each extend in the manner of line 120.

Referring to Figure 15, the inlets and/or outlets of the liquid beverage lines 120, 122, 124, 126 and 128 can splay outwards before the distributor 150 or junction 160.

Referring now to Figure 12, a working liquid line 130 has a plurality of coil-like lengths, in particular first, second, third, fourth and fifth coil-like lengths 132, 1 34, 136, 138 and 140 (only the last two of which are shown in Figure 12, the remaining being shown in Figure 14. Referring to Figure 13, each coil-like Section 132, 134, 136, 138 and 140 is rectangular in plan with smoothly rounded edges.

Referring back to Figure 12, it can be seen that successive coil-like sections of the working liquid line 130 are joined by loops (only two of which 142 and 144, are

II

shown). The first and last coil-like sections 132 and 140 have inlets and outlets respectively which extend from the coil-like lengths, parallel to the axis of those lengths, through the top wall 146 of the block 12.

In use. the product fluid lines and working fluid lines are arranged to allow fluid to run through them without the flow being divided.

In use. glycol flowing through working fluid line cools the housing block 12, which in turn cools the beer flowing through the liquid beverage line.

The features of the invention can be used to heat a beverage rather than cool it.

Claims

Claims A liquid beverage cooling apparatus comprising a housing, a

plurality of liquid beverage lines which extend into and out of the housing, and at least one working liquid line for a working liquid such as glycol coolant which extends into and out of the housing. at least one liquid beverage line and at least one working liquid line being arranged in thermally conductive communication as they pass through the housing, so that liquid flowing through a working liquid line can cool a liquid beverage flowing through a liquid beverage line, wherein each of the liquid beverage lines and the or each working liquid lines are branchless so as to allow liquid to run through them without the flow being divided.

2 A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the cooling apparatus comprises a plurality of working liquid lines.

3. A liquid beverage cooling apparatus comprising a housing, at least one liquid beverage line which extends into and out of the housing, and a plurality of working liquid lines for a working liquid such as glycol coolant which extend into and out of the housing, at least one liquid beverage line and at least one working liquid line being arranged in thermally conductive communication as they pass through the housing, so that liquid flowing through a working liquid line can cool a liquid beverage flowing through a liquid beverage line, wherein the or each liquid beverage line and each of the working liquid lines are branchless so as to allow liquid to run through them without the flow being divided 4 A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the cooling apparatus comprises a plurality of liquid beverage lines.

5. A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one working liquid line has a substantially similar profile to at least one liquid beverage line.

6. A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the liquid beverage line is arranged in line with the similar profile working fluid lines.

7. A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the liquid beverage line has a furrow like profile and the working fluid line has a furrow like profile.

8 A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises at least three liquid beverage lines and the inlets of the liquid beverage lines are arranged in a line.

9 A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises at least three liquid beverage lines and the outlets of the liquid beverage lines are arranged in a line.

10. A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises at least three working fluid lines and the inlets of the working fluid lines are arranged in a line.

I I. A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises at least three working fluid lines and the outlets of the working fluid lines arc arranged in a line 12. A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to Claims 8 to 11, wherein the lines are parallel 13. A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to any of Claims I to 6, wherein the apparatus comprises four liquid beverage lines entering and exiting the housing and four working fluid lines entering and exiting the housing.

14 A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein the lines arc arranged in the order liquid beverage line, working fluid line, liquid beverage line, etcetera A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to any preceding Claim, whercin the apparatus comprises a working liquid line which coils about a liquid beverage line 16. A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to Claim I or 2, wherein the apparatus comprises only one working liquid line, which coils about a liquid beverage Itne 17 A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to Claim 16, wherein the working fluid line is arranged to coil about a plurality of liquid beverage lines.

18 A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to Claim 16 or 17, wherein the ot each of the liquid beverage lines has a furrow like part.

19. A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein the or each of the liquid beverage lines also has a second furrow like part.

20. A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to Claim 19, wherein the second furrow like part returns along the length of the first furrow like part.

21. A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to Claim 20, wherein the two furrows sits against one another along at least part of the length of the liquid beverage line.

22. A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to any of Claims 15 to 21, wherein the inlet of the liquid beverage line is in the vicinity of the outlet.

23 A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to any of Claims 15 to 21, wherein the working fluid line comprises a plurality of spaced coil like paris in fluid communication with one another.

24. A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to Claim 23, wherein each of the coil like parts surround a u-shaped part of a liquid beverage line.

25. A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to Claim 24, when dependent upon Claims 1 6 and 1 7, wherein the coil like part surrounds a u-shaped part of the first furrow like part and a u-shaped part of the second furrow like part of the liquid beverage line 26 A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to any of Claims 15 to 25.

wherein the coil like form of the working fluid line is arranged adjacent the liquid beverage line or lines 27. A liqu;d beverage cooling apparatus according to any of Claims 1 5 to 26, wherein the coil like form of the working fluid line has a rectangular cross section.

28. A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to Claim 23 or any of Claims 24 to 27, when dependent on Claim 24, wherein at least two successive spaced coiled like parts are in contact with one another.

29 A liquid beverage cooling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein all of the lines arc arranged so that all fluid entering the housing flows in and out of one surface, preferably an upper surface, of the housing.

A liquid beverage cooling apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to one or more of the relevant drawings.

31 A liquid beverage cooling apparatus junction substantially as described herein with reference to one or more of the relevant drawings.

32 A liquid beverage cooling apparatus distributor substantially as described herein with reference to one or more of the relevant drawings 33 A method of making a liquid bevcrage cooling apparatus comprising the steps of, arranging at least one liquid beverage line and at least one working liquid line through a housing plate part, arranging the housing plate part on or adjacent a housing i-eccptacle part such that the lines are at least partly in the housing receptacle part, injecting molten metal such as aluminium into the housing receptacle part to set the housing plate in place with respect to the housing receptacle part 34. A liquid beverage cooling apparatus comprising a housing, at least one liquid beverage line which extends into and out of the housing, and at least one working liquid line for a working liquid such as glycol coolant which extends into and out of the housing, the at least one liquid beverage line and the at least one working liquid line being arranged in thermally conductive communication as they pass through the housing. so that liquid flowing through a working liquid line can cool a liquid beverage flowing through a liquid beverage line, wherein at least one liquid beverage line and at leasE one working liquid line are branchless so as to allow liquid to run through them without the flow being divided.