GB2456324A

GB2456324A - Dispense tap with two valves operated by one actuator

Info

Publication number: GB2456324A
Application number: GB0800460A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Peter Carter
Original assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc
Current assignee: Cornelius Inc
Priority date: 2008-01-11
Filing date: 2008-01-11
Publication date: 2009-07-15
Also published as: GB0800460D0

Abstract

A beverage dispensing tap 1 has an inlet 9 for a first beverage component, such as a diluent, and an inlet 11 for a second beverage component, such as a concentrate, and an outlet 7 for a mixture of the first and second beverage components. The inlet 11 for the second beverage component is downstream of the inlet 9 for the first beverage component and each inlet 9,11 has an associated valve 13, 17 operable by a common actuator (not shown). The valve associated with the second inlet 11 has a valve member 17 arranged so that the second beverage component is added to a stream of the first beverage component passing through the valve member 17. When the first component is a diluent such as carbonated water, it is retained under a back pressure which reduces breakout. It also forms a barrier between the walls of the nozzle and any syrup dispensed as a second component, thus creating a more hygienic environment. The tap has the appearance of a dispense tap for alcoholic beverages.

Description

1 2456324

BEVERAGE DISPENSE

This invention relates to beverage dispense and has particular, but not exclusive, application to dispense of post-mix beverages. More especially, the invention concerns a tap for dispensing a post-mix beverage in -which a base liquid is modified by the addition of a component to alter one or more characteristics of the base liquid such as taste, flavour, smell, strength or the like to produce a desired beverage.

In the application of the invention to non-alcoholic soft drinks, the base liquid may be still or carbonated water, commonly referred to as diluent, to which a concentrate such as a syrup, flavour or essence is added to produce a desired beverage, for example fruit juices, colas etc. Often, the dispensers for post-mix soft drinks employed in bars are located separately from the dispensers for alcoholic beverages such as beer, lager, cider which is inconvenient for bar staff. Also some consumers may be reluctant to order a soft drink when it is obvious to others that they are not being served with an alcoholic beverage. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a tap for dispensing soft drinks that has the appearance of and can be used alongside a tap for dispensing alcoholic beverages on the same or similar fonts.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage dispensing tap, the tap comprising first and second valves for controlling flow of first and second beverage components to a common outlet, the valves being arranged for operation by a common actuator wherein the second valve is arranged to add the second beverage component to the first beverage component between the first valve and the outlet.

Preferably, the first and second valves comprise a respective valve member movable in an axial direction towards and away from a closed position to control flow of the first and second beverage components.

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Preferably, the valve members are coupled for movement towards and away from the closed position in response to operation of the common actuator.

In one arrangement, the valve member of the first valve is operatively connected to the common actuator and the valve member of the second valve is coupled to the valve member of the first valve.

Preferably, the valve members are arranged coaxially with the valve member of the second valve in a flowpath of the first beverage component downstream of the valve member of the first valve.

In one arrangement, the valve of the second valve is provided with a plurality of holes for passage of the first beverage component and has at least one nipple for adding the second beverage component to the first beverage component emerging from the holes.

Preferably, the holes are circumferentially spaced apart and the at least one nipple is positioned inboard of the holes. In one arrangement, the holes are uniformly spaced apart in an annular ring and the at least one nipple is located at or adjacent to the centre of the ring.

Preferably, the holes extend in an axial direction from which the first beverage component emerges to form a tubular stream surrounding the at least one nipple.

Preferably, the first valve member is configured to restrict flow of the first beverage component in the open position to create a backpressure for maintaining dissolved gas in the first beverage component in solution.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a beverage dispensing tap having a flowpath having an inlet for a first beverage component, an inlet for a second beverage component and an outlet for a mixture of the first and second beverage components, the inlet for the second beverage component being downstream of the inlet for the first beverage component, wherein each inlet has an associated valve operable by a common actuator and the valve associated with the second inlet has a valve member arranged in the flowpath configured so that the second beverage component is added to a stream of the first beverage component passing through the valve member.

Preferably, the stream of the first beverage component is created by a series of holes extending through the valve member and the second beverage component is added to the stream emerging from the holes on the downstream side of the valve member.

Preferably, the holes are arranged in an annular ring and the valve member has at least one nipple inboard of the holes on the downstream side of the valve member for adding the second beverage component to the stream.

Preferably, the outlet is provided by a nozzle on the downstream side of the valve member.

Preferably, the valve associated with the first inlet has a valve member operatively connected to the actuator and coupled to the valve member of the valve associated with the second inlet such that both valve members are responsive to actuation of the actuator.

In one arrangement, both valves open and close at the same time. In another arrangement, the valve of the first beverage component opens before and/or closes after the valve of the second beverage component.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a beverage dispensing tap for first and second beverage components in which the second beverage component is added to a stream of the first beverage component on a downstream side of a valve member controlling flow of the second beverage component.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of dispensing a post-mix beverage by providing a stream of a first beverage component and adding a second beverage component to the stream, the method including arranging a valve member controlling flow of the second beverage component in a flowpath of the first beverage component so that second beverage component is added to the stream on a downstream side of the valve member.

An embodimnt of the invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a beverage dispense tap according to the invention; -5 Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the beverage dispense tap at right angles to the side view of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a side view of the beverage dispense tap in the open position; Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a side view of the beverage dispense tap at right angles to the side view of Figure 5; and Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a beverage dispense tap 1 for dispense of post-mix soft drinks produced by mixing a diluent and a concentrate in a pre-determined ratio. The diluent may be still water or carbonated water and the concentrate may be a syrup, flavour or essence.

The tap 1 is configured to create the appearance of a conventional tap for dispense of alcoholic beverages such as beer, lager and cider and may be mounted on fonts similar to those used for such beverages, for example so-called "T-bar" fonts, "swan-neck" fonts and the like. With increasing demand for soft-drinks, the ability to convert and adapt fonts for dispense of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages is desirable to create an acceptable image to the consumer for the purchase, dispense and consumption if soft drinks.

The tap 1 has a composite body including an upper body member 3, a lower body member 5 and a nozzle 7. The upper body member 3 has an inlet port 9 for connection to a pressurised source (not shown) of diluent and the lower body member 5 has an inlet port 11 for connection to a pressurised source (not shown) of concentrate.

In this embodiment, the ports 9,11 are shown spaced apart 1800 in the circumferential direction but it will be understood this is not essential and the position of the ports 9,11 may be varied from that shown. In a preferred arrangement (not shown) the ports 9,11 are arranged one above the other in the same vertical plane.

The tap 1 also has a composite valve stem 13 including an upper valve member 15 for controlling flow of diluent and a lower valve member 17 for controlling flow of concentrate arranged in tandem. The valve stem 13 is configured at the upper end for connection to an actuator (not shown) such as a tap handle operable to move the valve stem 13 between a closed posiion shown in Figures 1 to 4 and an open position shown in Figures 5 to 8.

Diluent flow is prevented in the closed position by an 0-ring seal 21 on a head 23 of the upper valve member 15 that engages a tapered valve seat 19 such that the diluent is confined to an inlet chamber 25 between the 0-ring seal 21 and a further 0-ring seal 27 mounted on the upper valve member 13 that engages the upper body member 3.

Concentrate flow is prevented in the closed position by a pair of 0-ring seals 29,31 mounted on a head 33 of the lower valve member 17 that engage the lower body member 5 either side of the inlet port 11 such that the concentrate is confined within the inlet port 11.

The tap 1 is opened by operating the tap handle to lift the valve stem 13 from the closed position. As a result, the 0-ring seal 21 disengages the valve seat 19 allowing diluent to flow from the inlet chamber 25 past the 0-ring seal 21 through an annular space formed between the upper body member 3 and the head 23 of the upper valve member 13 into a chamber 35 upstream of the head 33 of the lower valve member 17.

The annular space is configured to restrict the flow of diluent and maintain a back pressure upstream of the head 23 of the upper valve member 13. In this way, when the diluent is carbonated water, the carbonating gas, typically carbon dioxide although other gases such as nitrogen may be employed, is maintained in solution by the back pressure thereby reducing or preventing the occurrence of "break-out".

The chamber 35 is separated from the inlet port 11 by the 0-ring seal 29 and the head 33 of the lower valve member 17 is provided with a plurality of axially extending holes 37. The holes 37 are arranged in a ring and extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve stem 13 to connect the chamber 35 to a chamber 39 defined by a skirt 41 on the downstream side of the head 33.

In this way, the diluent passes through the head 33 of the lower valve member 15 and emerges in a series of jets circumferentially spaced apart around the outer edge of the chamber 39. The jets re-combine and form a tubular stream of diluent around the outer edge of the chamber 39 that passes into the nozzle 7 from where it is dispensed into a glass or similar receptacle (not shown) positioned under the nozzle 7.

Simultaneously with the upward movement of the valve stem 13, the 0-ring seal 31 1ides past the inlet port 11 to align the inlet port 11 with an annular groove 43 provided in the outer surface of the head 33 of the lower valve member 17 between the 0-ring seal 31 and a further 0-ring seal 45.

The annular groove 43 communicates with two axially extending nipples 47 that depend from the underside of the head 33 via a cross-drilled hole 49 in the head 33. The nipples 47 are located towards the centre of the chamber 39 such that the concentrate emerges into the chamber 39 within the tubular stream of diluent.

In this way, the diluent stream forms a barrier between the concentrate and the internal surface of the skirt 41 and nozzle 7 that inhibits or prevents undiluted concentrate that is injected into the centre of the stream from the nipples 47 contacting and adhering to the internal surface of the skirt 41 and nozzle 7. This helps to keep the internal surface clean which is an aid to hygiene and also helps to ensure the diluent and concentrate are provided in the correct ratio for the dispensed beverage.

During dispense, mixing of the diluent and concentrate takes place in the combined stream before reaching the glass or similar receptacle. The tap 1 is closed by a reverse of the above operation in which the tap handle is operated to lower the valve stem 13 to re-engage 0-ring seal 21 with valve seat 19 to stop diluent flow and to position inlet port 11 between 0-ring seals 29,31 to stop concentrate flow.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment above-described. For example, any number of the holes 37 may be provided for diluent flow and the holes may be spaced uniformly or non-uniformly to achieve any desired flow emerging from the holes. In some embodiments, some or all of the holes 37 may extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the valve stem. For example, some or all of the holes 37 may be inclined so that the jets emerging from the holes are directed towards the internal surface of the skirt 41. This may assist in keeping the internal surface clean.

Any number of nipples 47 may be provided for concentrate flow and the nipples may be spaced uniformly or non-uniformly to achieve any desired injection of concentrate into the diluent flow. In some embodiments one or more nipples may 47 may extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the valve stem 13 so that the concentrate emerging from the nipple(s) is directed towards the diluent stream. This may assist mixing of the diluent and concentrate.

In the above-described embodiment, the upper valve member 15 and lower valve member 17 are rigidly connected and move together in response to actuation of the valve stem 13 by the tap handle so that the diluent valve and concentrate valve open and close at the same time. This is not essential, however, and it would be possible to incorporate adjustment or "lost motion" to vary the timing of the opening and closing of the diluent valve and concentrate valve.

For example, we may arrange that the diluent valve opens before and closes after the concentrate valve. In this way, the diluent stream covers the internal surface of the skirt 41 and nozzle 7 before the concentrate is injected at the start of dispense and cleans the nipples 47 and internal surface at the end of dispense.

In other embodiments, we may arrange that the diluent valve and concentrate valve open at the same time with the diluent valve closing after the concentrate valve. Alternatively, we may arrange that the diluent valve and concentrate valve close at the same time with the diluent valve opening before the concentrate valve. All combinations and timings for opening and closing the diluent valve and concentrate valve are possible.

While the invention has been described with particular application to dispense of post-mix soft drinks it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto and that the tap can be used to mix two beverage components for dispense of any type of alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks.

For example, the tap may be employed to add a component to a carbonated alcoholic beverage such as beer, lager, cider to alter the flavour, taste, smell, strength or other property of the alcoholic beverage.

Alternatively or additionally, the tap can be used to dispense alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages in liquid and frozen forms to produce a semi-frozen beverage.

Other applications and uses will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing tap, the tap comprising first and second valves for controlling flow of first and second beverage components to a common outlet, the valves being arranged for operation by a common actuator wherein the second valve is arranged to add the second beverage component to the first beverage component between the first valve and the outlet.

2. A tap according to claim 1 wherein, the first and second valves comprise a respective valve member movable in an axial direction towards and away from a closed position to control flow of the first and second beverage components.

3. A tap according to claim 2 wherein, the valve members are coupled for movement towards and away from the closed position in response to operation of the common actuator.

4. A tap according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein, the valve member of the first valve is operatively connected to the common actuator and the valve member of the second valve is coupled to the valve member of the first valve.

5. A tap according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein, the valve members are arranged coaxially with the valve member of the second valve in a flowpath of the first beverage component downstream of the valve member of the first valve.

6. A tap according to claim 5 wherein, the valve member of the second valve is provided with a plurality of holes for passage of the first beverage component and is configured for adding the second beverage component to the first beverage component emerging from the holes.

7. A tap according to claim 6 wherein, the holes are circumferentially spaced apart in an annular ring and the valve member of the second valve is configured for adding the second beverage component inboard of the holes.

8. A tap according to claim 7 wherein, the valve member of the second valve has at least one nipple located at or adjacent to the centre of the ring.

9. A tap according to any of claims 5 to 7 wherein, the holes extend in an axial direction from which the first beverage component emerges to form a tubular stream.

10. A tap according to any of claims 2 to 9 wherein, the first valve member is configured to restrict flow of the first beverage component in the open position to create a backpressure for maintaining dissolved gas in the first beverage component in solution.

11. A beverage dispensing tap having a flowpath having an inlet for a first beverage component, an inlet for a second beverage component and an outlet for a mixture of the first and second beverage components, the inlet for the second beverage component being downstream of the inlet for the first beverage component, wherein each inlet has an associated valve operable by a common actuator and the valve associated with the second inlet has a valve member arranged in the flowpath configured so that the second beverage component is added to a stream of the first beverage component passing through the valve member.

12. A tap according to claim 11 wherein, the stream of the first beverage component is created by a series of holes extending through the valve member and the second beverage component is added to the stream emerging from the holes on the downstream side of the valve member.

13. A tap according to claim 12 wherein, the holes are arranged in an annular ring and the valve member has at least one opening inboard of the holes on the downstream side of the valve member for adding the second beverage component to the stream.

14. A tap according to any of claims 11 to 13 wherein, the outlet is provided by a nozzle on the downstream side of the valve member.

15. A tap according to any of claims 11 to 14 wherein, the valve associated with the first inlet has a valve member operatively connected to the actuator and coupled to the valve member of the valve associated with the second inlet such that both valve members are responsive to actuation of the actuator.

16. A tap according to any preceding claim wherein, both valves open and close at the same time.

17. A tap according to any of claims 1 to 15 wherein, the valve of the first beverage component opens before and/or closes after the valve of the second beverage component.

18. A beverage dispensing tap for first and second beverage components in which the second beverage component is added to a stream of the first beverage component on a downstream side of a valve member controlling flow of the second beverage component.

19. A method of dispensing a post-mix beverage by providing a stream of a first beverage component and adding a second beverage component to the stream, the method including arranging a valve member controlling flow of the second beverage component in a flowpath of the first beverage component so that second beverage component is added to the stream on a downstream side of the valve member.

20. A beverage dispensing tap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. A method of dispensing a post-mix beverage substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.