GB2458929A

GB2458929A - Self-service beer dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2458929A
Application number: GB0805982A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gareth Thompson; Christopher Foster
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-03
Filing date: 2008-04-03
Publication date: 2009-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 2028-04-03
Also published as: GB0805982D0; GB2458929B

Abstract

Self-service beer dispensing apparatus 10 comprises a housing 12 for a beer line 46, and a user operable dispensing valve 14 which extends from the housing 12 and which is connectable to the beer line 46. A spillage tray 16 is provided below an outlet 18 of the valve 14. A control unit 20 controls a supply of liquid to the dispensing valve 14. The control unit 20 includes an electronic payment module 28 for accepting electronic user payment, and an 10 electronic flow control device 30 inline with the dispensing valve 14. A controller processes payment and controls the electronic flow control device 30 to supply beer to the dispensing valve 14 following payment. The housing 12 is preferably a tower which is rotatable through at least 180{ to change the direction of the dispensing valve.

Description

SELF-SERVICE BEER DISPENSING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to self-service beer dispensing apparatus, particularly for commercial premises.

Beer dispensing apparatus is known and widely used in pubs, clubs and restaurants.

However, in all cases, the apparatus requires an employee or member of staff to dispense the beverage for the customer, and to then take payment. This leads to delays, especially when short-staffed, or requires the employment of more staff than might otherwise be necessary.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

According to the present invention, there is provided self-service beer dispensing apparatus comprising a housing for a beer line, a user-operable dispensing valve which extends from the housing and which is connectable to the beer line, a spillage tray provided below an outlet of the valve, and a control unit which controls a supply of liquid to the dispensing valve, the control unit including an electronic payment module for accepting electronic user payment, an electronic flow control device inline with the dispensing valve, and a controller for processing payment and for controlling the electronic flow control device to supply beer to the dispensing valve following payment.

Preferable and/or optional features of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 9, inclusive.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a self-service beer dispensing apparatus, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows the interior of the beer dispensing apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a self-service beer dispensing apparatus 10 which comprises a tower-shaped housing 12, a dispensing valve 14 or tap which extends from a side of the housing 12 partway thereup, a spillage tray 16 at the base of the tower housing 12 and below an outlet of the dispensing valve 14, and an electronic control unit 20 for customer payment and for controlling a supply of liquid to the dispensing valve 14.

The housing 12 itself is rotatable, and as such has a body 22 mounted on a swivelable base 24. Preferably, the housing 12 is rotatable through at least 180 degrees. However, the housing 12 may be rotatable further, for example, through 360 degrees.

The dispensing valve 14 has a discharge nozzle or outlet 18 which overhangs the spillage tray 16, and a user-operable lever 26 which projects upwardly. The spillage tray 16 is, typically releasably, fixed to the housing 12, and as such will rotate with the housing 12.

The spillage tray 16 may be connected to a drain. However, for ease of installation of the apparatus 10, the spillage tray 16 is unconnected to a drain and is manually emptied.

The control unit 20 includes an electronic payment module 28 attached to a side of the housing body 22, offset to one side of the dispensing valve 14, a flow control device 30 inline with the dispensing valve 14, a receipt printer 32, a display 34, and control circuitry 36. The flow control device 30, printer 32, display 34 and control circuitry 36 are all housed within the housing body 22, and the display 34 is viewable from an aperture 38 in a wall of the housing body 22, typically above the dispensing valve 14.

The payment module 28 is a standard unit for accepting a payment card, such as a credit or debit card, and includes a slot 40 for the card, a reader for reading data from the card, a user interface 42 for accepting card-specific identification, and a secure connection 44 to the credit or debit card service provider, such as Visa RTM or MasterCard RTM. Since this type of payment module 28 is well known, further detailed description is omitted.

A beer line 46 is provided from a beer supply, such as a keg, and is positioned in the housing body 22. The outlet 48 of the beer line 46 is connected to an inlet of the flow control device 30, which includes a volume flow meter 52 and shut off valve 54, both of which are also housed in the housing body 22. An outlet 56 of the flow control device 30 is in liquid communication with the dispensing valve 14.

The printer 32, which is optional, is a standard device for providing a receipt to the customer once a payment transaction has been completed. Further specific details are again omitted. The printer 32 is housed in the housing body 22, and the body 22 is provided with a slot 58 through which the receipt can be fed.

The control circuitry 36 controls the functions of the dispensing apparatus 10. As such, the payment module 28, flow control device 30, printer 32 and display 34 are all electronically connected to the control circuitry 36. A controller, provided as part of the control circuitry 36, processes the payment-card and controls the flow control device 30 once it is confirmed that payment has cleared.

The control circuitry 36 also allows bar or serving staff to override the payment module 28, allowing the dispensing apparatus to be utilised as a traditional beer dispenser. The override may be activated manually by, for example, a key held by the staff, a code typed into the payment module 28, or even a biometric scanner which recognises biometric data of certain staff. Once activated, the shut off valve 54 is permanently opened, allowing sole flow control via the lever 26.

In use, the display 34, and preferably also a screen on the payment module 28, prompts a customer to insert their payment-card into the slot 40 of the payment module 28, and input their identification, for example, a pin number. Once the controller confirms from the payment module 28 or service provider that payment has cleared, the controller opens the shut off valve 54 of the flow control device 30, allowing beer to flow to the dispensing valve 14. The control circuitry 36 outputs a message to the display 34 prompting the customer to place their glass on the spillage tray 16 beneath the outlet 18 of the dispensing valve 14, and then to operate the lever 26 of the dispensing valve 14.

Preferably, during dispensing, and based on the flow rate monitored by the flow meter 52, the control circuitry 36 outputs information to the display 34 which indicates to the customer the remaining time and/or the percentage of the dispensing operation that is complete or remains.

Once the flow meter 52 determines that a total volume of beer or beverage dispensed matches the volume purchased, which is pre-stored in a data table provided on data storage device provided in the controller, the controller operates the shut off valve 54, preventing further discharge from the dispensing valve 14.

As a modification, since the housing is rotatable, the payment module and the valve dispenser may be independently positionable or rotatable relative to each other. This conveniently allows an operator or customer to position both the payment module and valve dispenser at preferred locations.

Although the payment module is described as accepting a card, it may be a swipe or smart card payment module, such as for use with Oyster RTM, Suica RTM and Pasmo RTM.

Although the above apparatus is shown with only one beer dispensing valve, a plurality of dispensing valves and/or payment modules can be provided on one housing.

A tower housing is preferable, but the housing can be any shape.

Although a lever operated dispensing valve is suggested, the dispensing valve may be automatically operable upon registering the presence of a glass or container.

The housing may have support means for support a beer label or sign in projecting fashion thereon, but also the housing body may be formed integrally with the beer or beverage name, logo or design.

It is thus possible to provide self-service beer dispensing apparatus which can be used solely by a paying customer without the need for a member of staff necessarily being present. This allows a reduction in staff, or allows existing staff to undertake other duties.

The beer dispensing apparatus can also be selectively positioned without disconnection of the beer line to enable use in different orientations or directions.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Self-service beer dispensing apparatus comprising a housing for a beer line, a user-operable dispensing valve which extends from the housing and which is connectable to the beer line, a spillage tray provided below an outlet of the valve, and a control unit which controls a supply of liquid to the dispensing valve, the control unit including an electronic payment module for accepting electronic user payment, an electronic flow control device inline with the dispensing valve, and a controller for processing payment and for controlling the electronic flow control device to supply beer to the dispensing valve following payment.
2. Self-service beer dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing is a tower, and the dispensing valve is provided partway thereup.
3. Self-service beer dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a body of the housing is rotatable to change the direction of orientation of at least the dispensing valve.
4. Self-service beer dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the spillage tray is rotatable with the dispensing valve.
5. Self-service beer dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the housing is rotatable through at least 180 degrees.
6. Self-service beer dispensing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the payment module extends from the housing.
7. Self-service beer dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the positions of the dispensing valve and the payment module are independently positionable.
8. Self-service beer dispensing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device further includes a receipt printer in the housing.
9. Self service beer dispensing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an override which bypasses the payment module.
10. Self-service beer dispensing apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.