GB2457434A

GB2457434A - Beverage dispense tap with two valves

Info

Publication number: GB2457434A
Application number: GB0801869A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Peter Carter; Gary Underwood
Original assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc
Current assignee: Cornelius Inc
Priority date: 2008-02-01
Filing date: 2008-02-01
Publication date: 2009-08-19
Also published as: GB0801869D0

Abstract

A beverage dispense tap 2 has separate inlets 30, 32 for connection to product lines and associated valves 4, 6 arranged coaxially for controlling flow of fluid from each inlet 30, 32 to an outlet 34. A manually operable handle 8 is provided for operating the valves 4, 6 separately or in combination. Movement of the handle in one direction may open the first valve 4, and movement of the handle in the other direction may open the second valve 6. Alternatively, movement of the handle in one direction from a rest position may open both valves 4, 6 simultaneously. The inlets may be connected to supplies of the same or different fluids. The valve members may comprise concentric outer and inner piston members 38, 46, one of which is slidably mounted inside the other.

Description

BEVERAGE DISPENSE

This invention relates to beverage dispense. The invention has particular application to beverage dispensing taps, especially but not exclusively, manually operable taps suitable for dispensing beverage products individually or as a mixture.

In our European patent application EP-A-1669322 we describe a beverage dispensing tap having two valves and a manually operable handle for operating the valves whereby each valve can be operated separately or in combination for dispensing beverage products individually or as a mixture. in the tap of this earlier application, the valves are arranged side-by-side which increases the size and complexity of the tap. This can detract from the appearance of the tap and may add to manufacturing costs.

It is an object of the present invention in which at least some of the aforementioned problems are reduced or mitigated. Thus, it is a desired aim of the present invention to provide a beverage dispensing tap having a slimmer profile than the tap disclosed in EP-A-1669332 and which may be simpler to manufacture, especially by plastic moulding.

Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage dispensing tap having first and second fluid inlets, a first valve for controlling flow of fluid from the first inlet to an outlet, a second valve for controlling flow of fluid from the second inlet to the outlet, and a manually operable handle for operating the first and second valves, wherein the first and second valves are arranged concentrically.

In one preferred arrangement, movement of the handle in one direction from a rest position opens the first valve while the second valve remains closed and movement of the handle in the opposite direction from the rest position opens the second valve while the first valve remains closed. In this way the tap can be operated to dispense fluid from each valve individually whereby a beverage may be dispensed comprising either fluid alone or a mixture of both fluids.

In another preferred arrangement, both valves open simultaneously or in a pre-determined sequence on movement of the handle in one direction from a rest position in which both valves are closed. In this way, the tap can be operated to dispense fluid from both valves for dispensing beverages comprising a mixture of both fluids.

In both arrangements, the inlets may be connected to supplies of the same or different fluids. For example, the inlets may be connected to supplies of the same product in different forms or having a different temperature or strength. For example, one inlet may be connected to a supply of liquid beverage and the other inlet may be connected to a supply of frozen (slush) beverage. By frozen (slush) beverage we mean a beverage produced by freezing the beverage to produce an ice content within the beverage while still permitting the beverage to flow. Alternatively, the inlets may be connected to supplies of different products. For example, one inlet may be connected to a supply of liquid or frozen beverage and the other inlet may be connected to a supply of an additive such as a syrup, flavour or essence for optionally modifying the taste, appearance of the beverage.

Preferably, each valve comprises a valve member co-operable with a valve seat to open and close the valve.

In one embodiment, the valve members comprise concentric outer and inner piston members that are axially slidable to open and close the respective valves. Preferably, the piston member of one valve is slidably mounted inside the piston member of the other valve. Preferably, the piston members are biased towards the respective valve seats.

In one arrangement according to this embodiment, the piston members may be operable to open and close each valve independently of the other valve. For example, both piston members may be lifted as a unit to open only the valve controlled by the outer piston member, and the inner piston member may be lifted independently of the outer piston member to open only the valve controlled by the inner piston member. Preferably, lifting movement is controlled by cam members in response to movement of the handle.

In another embodiment, the valve members comprise a common piston member that is axially slidable to open and close both valves.

Preferably, the valve seats are arranged concentrically and the piston member is biased towards the valve seats. Preferably, the valve seat of the inner valve comprises a valve plug received in a bore of the piston member.

In one arrangement according to this embodiment, the piston member may be operable to open and close both valves simultaneously. Alternatively, the piston member may be operable to open the valves in sequence.

Thus, the piston member may disengage the valve seat of the outer valve before the valve plug of the inner valve and/or re-engage the valve seat of the outer valve after the valve plug of the inner valve.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage dispensing tap having first and second fluid inlets, a first valve for controlling flow of fluid from the first inlet to an outlet, a second valve for controlling flow of fluid from the second inlet to the outlet, a manually operable handle for operating the first and second valves, wherein the first and second valves are arranged co-axially.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage dispensing tap having first and second fluid inlets, a first valve for controlling flow of fluid from the first inlet to an outlet, a second valve for controlling flow of fluid from the second inlet to the outlet, a manually operable handle for operating the first and second valves wherein the first valve has a valve member that is movable towards and away from a valve seat to close and open the first valve, and said valve member is provided with an internal fluid flow path that opens downstream of the valve seat, wherein the second valve controls flow of fluid through the internal fluid flow path.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a vertical section through a tap embodying the invention in the closed position: Figure 2 is a vertical section, similar to Figure 1, showing the tap in a first open position; Figure 3 is a vertical, section, similar to Figure 1, showing the tap in a second open position; Figure 4 shows a modification of the tap shown in Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of the valve member shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a plan view of the middle diffuser shown in Figure 4; and Figure 8 is a plan view of the outlet diffuser shown in Figure 4.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a beverage dispense tap 2 having two valves 4, 6 arranged concentrically one within the other and referred to hereinafter for convenience as the outer valve 4 and inner älve 6. The ãls4 6e äul13' operable by a common handle 8 (part only shown) via a coupling 10 at the upper end of the tap body 12 as described in more detail later.

The tap 2 is fed by two separate product lines 14, 16 through a detachable inlet manifold 18 having an external screw thread 20 at one end for releasable connection to a tap bracket (not shown) for a dispense head (not shown) such as font. A boss 24 on the side of the tap body 12 is a push-fit in the other end of the inlet manifold 18 for releasable connection to the manifold by a cross pin 26 that extends through a cross-bore 28 in the boss 24 and engages aligned holes (not shown) in the manifold 18 at each end of the cross-bore 28. The product lines 14, 16 are connected to separate inlets 30, 32 respectively in the boss 24 by any suitable means (not shown), for example mating spigots or push fit connectors, so that the product lines 14, 16 can be connected directly to the inlets 30, 32.

Figure 1 shows the tap with both valves 4, 6 closed to prevent flow of product from inlets 30, 32 through the tap 2 to a dispense nozzle 34 releasably connected to the tap body 12 via a connector 36. In this position, piston member 38 of the outer valve 4 is biased by a spring 40 and engages a conical valve seat 42 in the connector 36 with an 0-ring 44 to provide a fluid-tight seal. Piston member 46 of the inner valve 6 is biased by a spring 48 and engages a conical valve seat 50 in an internal bore 52 of the piston member 38 with an 0-ring 54 to provide a fluid-tight seal. Downstream of the valve seat 50, the bore 52 opens to the connector 36 downstream of the outer valve 4 The piston member 38 carries two further 0-rings 56, 58 axially spaced from the 0-ring 44. The 0-ring 56 slidably engages an internal bore 60 of the tap body 12 between the inlet 30 and the inlet 32 to isolate the inlets 30, 32 and prevent crossflow of product. The 0-ring 58 slidably engages the internal bore 60 on the other side of the inlet 32 to prevent leakage of product between the piston member 38 and the tap body 12.

The piston member 46 carries a further 0-ring 62 axially spaced from the 0-ring 54. The 0-ring 62 slidably engages the internal bore 52 within the piston member 38 to prevent leakage of product between the piston member 46 and the piston member 38. The inlet 32 communicates with the internal bore 52 between the 0-rings 54, 62 via a series of circumferentially spaced apart holes 64 in the piston member 38.

In operation, starting from the position shown in Figure 1 in which the tap 2 is closed, coupling 10 has a cam 68 arranged so that moving the handle 8 from the mid-position (Figure 1) in the direction of arrow X (Figure 2) lifts the piston member 38 of the outer valve 4 and the piston member 46 of the inner valve 6 as a complete unit by engagement of a cam surface 68a with a cap 70 at the upper end of the tap body 12. As a result, the inner valve 6 remains closed while the outer valve 4 is opened to allow product in line 14 to flow through the tap 2 for dispense via nozzle 34 into a glass or similar receptacle (not shown) placed under the nozzle 34. Return movement of the handle 8 to the position shown in Figure 1 lowers the piston member 38 of the outer valve 4 and the piston member 46 of the inner valve as a complete unit under the biasing of springs 40, 48 respectively. As a result, the inner valve 6 remains closed while the outer valve 4 is closed.

Again, starting from the position shown in Figure 1 in which the tap 2 is closed, coupling 10 has another cam 76 arranged so that moving the handle 8 from the mid-position (Figure 1) in the direction of arrow Y (Figure 3) lifts the piston member 46 of the inner valve 6 only by engagement of a cam surface 76a with upper end of the piston member 38. As a result, the outer valve 4 remains closed while the inner valve 6 is opened to allow product in line 16 to flow through the tap 2 for dispense via nozzle 34 into a glass or similar receptacle (not shown) placed under the nozzle 34. Return movement of the handle 8 to the position shown in Figure 1 lowers the piston member 46 of the inner valve 6 under the biasing of spring 48 respectively to close the inner valve 6 while the outer valve 4 remains closed. The cams 68, 76 may be configured so that, if the handle 8 is released when the tap is open, the handle returns automatically to the mid-position under the biasing of the springs 40, 48 to close the tap. Alternatively, the cams 68,76 may be configured so that, if the handle 8 is released when the tap is open, the handle 8 remains in position until moved manually to return to the mid-position, possibly assisted by the springs 40, 48 during the return movement.

As will be appreciated, the arrangement of the valves 4, 6 and coupling 10 is such that the tap 2 can be operated to dispense either product from line 14 or product from line 16. In this way, the tap 2 can be employed to dispense beverages consisting of product from line 14 only, product from line 16 only or a mixture of product from both lines 14, 16 by opening the valves 4, 6 in sequence. As a result, the options for dispense of beverages from one tap are increased. For example, the lines may contain the same or different forms of the same or different products for dispense of a wide range of beverages according to the chosen dispense option. The products may be alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages and may be still or carbonated.

In one option, one line may contain a liquid beverage and the other line may contain a frozen (slush) form of the same beverage whereby the same beverage can be dispensed in liquid or frozen forms only or as a mixture of both forms. This may be suitable for dispense of both alcoholic beverages such as beer, lager, cider in liquid and/or frozen forms and non-alcoholic beverages such as fruit juices in liquid and/or frozen forms.

In another option, one line may contain a liquid or frozen beverage and the other line may contain a flavour, concentrate, or other additive for modifying the characteristic of the beverage whereby beverage can be dispensed with or without an additive. This may also be suitable for dispense of both alcoholic beverages such as beer, lager, cider and non-alcoholic beverages such as fruit juices or colas with or without an additive. In another option, both lines may contain different liquid beverages for dispense individually or as a mixture. For example one line may contain an alcoholic beverage such as beer, lager, cider and the other line may contain a non-alcoholic beverage such as lemonade for dispense of each beverage individually or as a mixture. In yet another option, both lines may contain the same beverage. In one arrangement, the tap may be configured so that movement of the handle in one direction opens both valves whereby throughput of beverage can be increased to reduce the time required to dispense a given volume of the beverage.

Movement of the tap handle in the other direction may open one valve to provide a reduced throughput of beverage such as may be desirable at the end of dispense for topping up. In another arrangement, the tap may be configured to dispense different forms of the beverage, for example movement of the tap handle in one direction may dispense liquid beverage and movement in the other direction may dispense a froth such as may be used to create a foam head on beer. In this option, one product line may be provided from the beverage source to the tap with the line being split into two within the manifold for connection to the tap inlets.

Alternatively, two product lines may be provided from the same or different beverage sources. Other options and arrangements for dispense of beverages will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are deemed within the scope of this invention.

In a modification (not shown) to the above-described embodiment, the coupling 10 is provided with cams arranged so that movement of the handle in one direction (X or Y) from the mid-position shown in Figure 1, opens both valves together or in a pre-determined sequence.

Where the valves open in a pre-determined sequence, one valve may open before and close before the other valve. Alternatively, one valve may open before and close after the other valve. Alternatively, one valve may open before the other valve and both valves close together. Alternatively, both valves may open together and one valve close before the other valve.

All combinations and timings of opening/closing of the valves are within the scope of the invention.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 8, there is shown a modification to the tap above-described that is particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for use with viscous products such as post-mix juices where thorough mixing of the beverage components is required and/or which provides a means of pre and/or post rinsing of the tap to improve hygiene. Where convenient like reference numerals in the series 100 are used to indicate parts corresponding to Figures 1 to 3.

In this modification, the sliding piston member of the inner valve is omitted and replaced by a fixed valve member 178 having an annular diffuser plate 180 that is seated in a counterbore 182 in the connector 136 downstream of the valve seat 142 and a valve plug 184 that is received in the hollow bore 152 of the piston member 138. As shown the plate 180 has a_plurality of circumferentially spaced through holes 186 through which liquid can flow and the valve plug 184 has a cylindrical first portion 184a adjacent to the plate 180 that leads to and terminates in a tapered end portion 184b. In this embodiment, the tapered end portion 184b of the valve plug 184 has a taper angle of 8°. It will be understood that this is not essential and that the taper angle may be larger or smaller than 8°.

In the closed position of the tap shown in Figure 4, 0-ring 144 on the piston member 138 engages the tapered valve seat 142 to close the outer valve and prevent flow of product from the inlet 30 (Figure 1) through the tap. The cylindrical portion 184a of the valve plug 184 is received in the bore 152 of the piston member 138 which is provided with an 0-ring 188 that provides a fluid-tight seal to close the inner valve and prevent flow of product from the inlet 32 (Figure 1) through the tap 2.

In operation, starting from the position in which the tap is closed and moving the tap handle to lift the piston member 138 allows flow of product from inlet 30 (Figure 1) to the nozzle 134 for dispense into a glass or receptacle placed under the nozzle 134. Downstream of the valve seat 142, the product flows through the holes 186 in the diffuser plate 180 of the valve member 178, then through a further set of holes 188 in a second diffuser plate 190 located on a step in a tubular extension of the connector 136, and finally through another set of holes 192 in a third diffuser plate 194 seated on a step in the nozzle 134 and retained between the nozzle and the lower end of the connector 136. In this embodiment, the diffuser plate 180 has eight holes in an annular array, the diffuser plate 190 has seven holes in an annular array and one central hole, and the diffuser plate 192 has ten holes in annular outer array and five holes in an annular inner array. It will be understood that the number of holes in each diffuser plate and/or the arrangement of the holes and/or the size of the holes can be altered from that shown.

During initial movement of the tap handle to lift the piston member 138, the 0-ring 188 maintains engagement with the cylindrical portion 184a of the plug 184 to prevent flow of product from inlet 32 to the nozzle. As the tap handle is moved further in the same direction, the piston member 138 is lifted until the 0-ring 188 clears the cylindrical portion 184a creating a gap between the 0-ring 188 and the tapered end portion 184b of the plug that allows product to flow from the inlet 32 (Figure 1) to the dispense nozzle through the sets of holes in the diffuser plates 180, 190, 194. On returning the tap handle to its original position to close the tap, the piston member 138 is lowered and the 0-ring 188 engages the cylindrical portion 184a of the plug to prevent flow of product from the inlet 32 to the nozzle before the piston member 138 engages the valve seat 142 to prevent flow of product from the inlet 30 to the nozzle.

As will be understood the arrangement of the piston member 138 and plug is such that, when opening the tap, flow of product from the inlet 30 to the nozzle starts before flow of product from the inlet 32 and, when closing the tap, flow of product from inlet 30 to the nozzle finishes after flow of product from inlet 32. This has advantages particularly, but not exclusively, for dispense of post mix soft drinks where a diluent such as still or carbonated water is mixed with a concentrate such as a flavoured syrup, essence or the like to produce a desired beverage, for example colas or fruit juices. For such application, the diluent is supplied to inlet 30 and the concentrate is supplied to inlet 32 so that diluent flow starts before and finishes after concentrate flow during operation of the valve. By introducing the concentrate flow into a flow of diluent on opening the tap and stopping the concentrate flow before the diluent flow on closing the valve, contact between the concentrate and internal surfaces of the tap downstream of the valve member 178 is reduced and possibly eliminated thereby improving hygiene. More specifically, the internal surfaces are rinsed with diluent at the start and end of each dispense to reduce and possibly prevent adhesion of the more viscous concentrate to the internal surfaces. As a result, the tap may require less frequent cleaning to maintain acceptable hygiene levels. Furthermore, the arrangement of three diffuser plates with sets of holes arrayed to split the flow of diluent and concentrate into several streams or jets promotes thorough mixing of the diluent and concentrate before emerging from the outlet end of the nozzle 134 into a glass or similar receptacle placed under the nozzle.

The above operation may be achieved by configuring the coupling so that moving the handle to one side of the upright closed position opens and closes the tap. In this way, the coupling may only employ one cam to operate the tap. In a modification, however, the coupling may employ two cams as described previously and second cam may be configured such that by moving the tap handle to the other side of the upright closed position, the piston member can be lifted to provide a flow of diluent only and cannot be lifted sufficiently to provide a flow of concentrate. This may be achieved by blocking pivotal movement of the tap handle to allow flow of concentrate. Alternatively, this mode of operation may rely on operator skill. By allowing flow of diluent only in this mode of operation, the operator can provide an additional flow of diluent at the start or end-of dispense to rinse the tap and/or to provide a top-up facility.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described and that any features of each embodiment may be employed separately or in combination with any feature of another embodiment.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A beverage dispensing tap having first and second fluid inlets, a first valve for controlling flow of fluid from the first inlet to an outlet, a second valve for controlling flow of fluid from the second inlet to the outlet, a manually operable handle for operating the first and second valves, wherein the first and second valves are arranged co-axially.
2. A beverage dispensing tap according to claim 1 wherein, movement of the handle in one direction from a rest position opens the first valve while the second valve remains closed and movement of the handle in the opposite direction from the rest position opens the second valve while the first valve remains closed.
3. A beverage dispensing tap according to claim 1 wherein, movement of the handle in one direction from a rest position in which both valves are closed opens both valves simultaneously or in a pre-determined sequence.
4. A beverage dispensing tap according to any preceding claim wherein the inlets are connected to supplies of the same or different fluids.
5. A beverage dispensing tap according to any preceding claim wherein, each valve comprises a valve member co-operable with a valve seat to open and close the valve.
6. A beverage dispensing tap according to claim 5 wherein, the valve members comprise concentric outer and inner piston members that are axially slidable to open and close the respective valves.
7. A beverage dispensing tap according to claim 6 wherein, the piston member of one valve is slidably mounted inside the piston member of the other valve.
8. A beverage dispensing tap according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein, the piston members are biased towards the respective valve seats.
9. A beverage dispensing tap according to any of claims 6 to 8 wherein, the piston members are operable to open and close each valve independently of the other valve.
10. A beverage dispensing tap according to claim 9 wherein, both piston members can be lifted as a unit to open only the valve controlled by the outer piston member, and the inner piston member can be lifted independently of the outer piston member to open only the valve controlled by the inner piston member.
11. A beverage dispensing tap according to claim 10 wherein, lifting movement is controlled by cam members in response to movement of the handle.
12. A beverage dispensing tap according to claim 5 wherein, the valve members comprise a common piston member that is axially slidable to open and close both valves.
13. A beverage dispensing tap according to claim 12 wherein, the valve seats are arranged concentrically and the piston member is biased towards the valve seats.
14. A beverage dispensing tap according to claim 13 wherein, the valve seat of the inner valve comprises a valve plug received in a bore of the piston member.
15. A beverage dispensing tap according to claim 14 wherein, the piston member is operable to open and close both valves simultaneously.
16. A beverage dispensing tap according to claim 14 wherein, the piston member is operable to open the valves in sequence.
17. A beverage dispensing tap according to claim 16 wherein, the piston member disengages the valve seat of the outer valve before the valve plug of the inner valve and/or re-engages the valve seat of the outer valve after the valve plug of the inner valve.
18. A beverage dispensing tap according to claim 17 wherein, the inner valve delivers fluid downstream of the valve seat of the outer valve.
19. A beverage dispensing tap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.
20. A beverage dispensing tap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.