IE84486B1 - Font - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT A font for using dispensing of beverages is described. The font is substantially composed of a foam material, preferably having an inner layer and an outer layer, the outer layer being a coating layer of a harder composition than the inner layer. The foam material is designed so that the inner portion can accommodate the tubing for conducting the flow of the beverage to be dispensed and further to exhibit an attractive outer appearance and shape. Preferably, the font may include a mounting for detachably mounting decoration or display material thereon.

Description

The present invention provides an improved font for use in the dispensing of beverages. More specifically, the present invention provides a font for use particularly, but not exclusively, in the dispensing of alcoholic drinks and soft drinks through multi—tap dispensing apparatus.

Fonts for use in the dispensing of alcoholic drinks have been traditionally used in public houses and other establishments to dispense beverages such as beer and lager for sale. Such fonts are generally mounted on bar tops and contain a tap, or a plurality of taps, which are used to dispense the beverage.

The font not only serves as a mounting for the tap, but also conceals the tubing used to deliver the beverage from its storage location, such as a barrel or keg, to the tap.

Traditionally such fonts assume two main forms, that of a metal construction and those of a plastic form.

Fonts of metal construction are generally constructed of brass or the like, with the metal finish giving the font a traditional aesthetic appearance. Such metal fonts usually form a "T—bar" shape which allows multiple dispensing taps to be mounted onto the font, these taps being used to dispense a range of products.

Plastics fonts are used where a more eye catching and less traditional presentation of the product is required, for example such plastic fonts often incorporate a sign plate which can be illuminated, the sign plate exhibiting a branding or logo.

Although such fonts can be used for multi—tap dispensing, generally an individual font is used for each individual product to be dispensed.

Such fonts as described have the disadvantage that their design and manufacture inevitably results in the shape and aesthetics of the font being initially designed this resulting in the internal workings and components of the font having to effectively be retro-fitted during a secondary design stage.

Such "post design" modifications include in particular the incorporation into the internal body of the font of the tubing used to deliver the liquid to be dispensed to the tap.

The tubing used to conduct the beverage flow has an important role in the delivery of the product to the tap from where it is to be dispersed. The external environmental conditions which the tubing is exposed to has a direct effect on the quality of the product which is served to the consumer.

In particular, the temperature at which the beverage is served should be carefully controlled. It is typically desirable to keep the beverage at a cool temperature prior to serving, and in particular at a temperature which is less than the ambient temperature of the room where it is to be served.

Accordingly, it is know in the art to provide insulation about the beverage conduction tubing in order to reduce temperature changes of the beverage whilst it is contained within the tubing.

However, the fitting of tubing into fonts where the external appearance and aesthetics have already been designed can serve to compromise the insulation fitted about the tubing. This in turn can have an adverse effect on the temperature and therefore the quality of the beverage when it is dispensed.

Further, in fonts used to facilitate multi—tap dispensing of beverages, there may be several lengths of tubing required to be contained within the font. Restrictions in the internal capacity within the inner body of the font can again therefore compromise the insulation and path of the tubing within the font.

Frequently the tubing is insulated by a foam which assists in preventing temperature changes in the beverage prior to it being dispensed.

Alternatively, a central manifold constructed of foam can be used as a filling within the internal cavity of the font. Such a structure mitigates the requirement for each tube within the font to be individually insulated. The foam manifold can also act as a skeleton to which an outer cladding can be attached, this cladding being of metal or plastic construction. In such instances however, the manifold is designed to be accommodated within the outer cladding or font unit.

There is now provided an improved font for use in the dispensing of beverages, the font being substantially composed of a foam material. The foam material is designed such that it has an inner portion which accommodates the tubing for conducting the flow of the beverage to be dispensed and further exhibits an attractive outer appearance and shape.

According to the present invention there is provided a font for use in the dispensing of beverages, the font being substantially composed of a first inner layer, which is substantially comprised of a foam material, and a second outer coating layer applied to the outer surface of the inner layer, the outer coating layer being of a harder composition than the inner layer and forming a protective coating on said inner layer.

Optionally, the font may include a sign plate which can be illuminated by light source contained within the font.

Preferably the font is adapted to receive at least one tap for dispensing a beverage therefrom.

Alternatively the font is adapted to receive a plurality of taps for dispensing a beverage therefrom.

Preferably the inner foam layer is polyurethane foam.

Alternatively the inner foam layer is any foam which confers an insulating function on the beverage containing tubing.

Preferably the outer protective layer is comprised of any substance selected from the group including, but not limited to; a vacuum formed sheet, fibreglass, epoxy, composites or the like.

Alternatively the outer protective layer comprises a spray coated or painted layer.

Alternatively the outer protective layer is dip coated onto the inner surface layer.

A yet further example of the present invention provides a process of making a drinks font composed of an insulating material, said process comprising the steps of; - casting a foam material, the foam material being adapted to have beverage containing tubing contained therein and at least one beverage dispensing tap to be disposed thereon - applying a coating to the outer surface of the foam material, the coating being of a harder composition than the foam material and forming a protective coating on said foam material.

Preferably the foam layer is polyurethane foam.

Alternatively the foam layer is any foam which confers an insulating function on the beverage containing tubing.

Preferably the outer coating layer is comprised of any substance selected from the group containing, but not limited to; a vacuum formed sheet, fibreglass, epoxy, composites or the like.

Alternatively the outer coating layer comprises a spray coated or painted layer.

Alternatively the outer coating layer is dip coated onto the inner layer.

Preferably the font is adapted to receive at least one tap for use in dispensing beverages.

Alternatively the font is adapted to receive multiple taps for use in dispensing beverages.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective View of a font for use in the multi—tap dispense of beverages; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a font for use in the single tap dispense of beverages; and Figure 3 shows a cover suitable for attachment to a font of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a font which is adapted to receive a plurality of taps for dispensing beverages. The font (10) is constructed of an inner foam layer and an outer protective coating, which serves to impart a robust and impact resistant finish onto the foam.

The font assumes a substantially "T" shape, it should be noted however that the foam material used to construct the font would not limit the font to such a shape and in fact, almost any desired shape could be formed by the foam. Dispensing taps (12) are distributed evenly along the horizontal portion of the "T" font. The tubing for use in directing the flow of the beverage to the tap enters the font at the bottom on the vertical portion of the font and is directed up through specific internal channels (14) to a particular tap. As the font is composed of a foam material, no further insulation is required about the tubing.

In use, the front facing and rear facing faces of the font serve different roles. The rear facing surfaces (16) have the beverage dispensing taps fitted thereto. This face is not generally viewable by the consumer and is seen by the operator of the font while beverage is dispensed from the tap. A drip tray to similar may be attached or associated with a lower portion of the rear facing surface.

The front facing surface is directly exposed to the consumer. This surface is of particular visual importance as the aesthetics applied thereto will be directly visible to the consumer due to the orientation and fixing of a font to the bar.

In fonts, where generally shape of the font does not lend to the depiction of front and rear faces, an approximation of the surface area which forms the front (consumer) facing and rear (operator) facing surface can be made.

The front (consumer) facing part of the font is, as discussed above, of particular importance in that the colouring, decoration or aesthetics applied thereon are seen by the consumer. The present invention has the advantage that a large number of visual effects can be created upon the surface of the foam or the foam coating layer.

The flexibility accorded by the foam or coating surface due to it being so receptive to different types of finishes allows almost any visual effect to be produced on the font. This would include, but not be limited to; a painted effect, a marble effect, a polished metal effect such as brass, a matt metal effect such as brushed aluminium and a fluorescent painted effect.

Where the surface is painted, this allows any form of colouring, writing, logo or branding to be applied to the surface of the font.

Alternatively where the finish is for example, a metallic effect, this can be used to co—ordinate the colouring and design of the font with the rest of the design "theme" of the bar or restaurant where it is installed.

Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of a font, which exhibits only a single beverage dispensing tap (20).

In this embodiment, the font is comprised of a foam construction. A beverage dispensing tap (22) is fitted to an upper portion of the font, and the tubing which conducts beverage to the tap is located within the body of the font, and is insulated by the foam, of which the font is constructed.

A paint coating is applied directly to the foam to provide an attractive visual appearance to the font.

In embodiments of the present invention, where the font is constructed solely of a foam material, or optionally where the foam material is covered only by a coating, a removable cover or the like could be applied to the font.

The application of such a removable cover allows the aesthetic appearance of the font to be dictated by the pattern, colour or information which is present on the surface of the cover. An example of such a cover is shown in Figure 3, where a cover (30) suitable for attaching to the font of Figure 2 is shown.

The cover would generally be of a plastics material and would be capable of being removably attached to the font. The cover could be applied to the whole, or a specific part of the font.

The ability to remove and change covers allows a wide range of visual and aesthetic effects to be exhibited by the font. For example, a cover may bear writing or logos which serve to advertise and promote a particular brand of beverage on sale on the premises. Alternatively the cover may bear information regarding event or consumer offers, or may be coloured or styled to blend in with a particular theme being created within the bar, restaurant or other site of font installation.

In each case above, the location and prominence afforded by the covers, particularly as they are fitted to the fonts, results in maximum visual impact on the consumer who would see the font and the information communicated by the cover fitted thereto when in proximity to the bar, or beverage serving area.

The fonts described may be further modified to enhance the aesthetic appearance of them through the incorporation into the font of an integral illuminated fascia, which will serve as a display portion. This display portion can further display information to be depicted to the consumer, such as a brand name of logo. Further the illumination provided by such an element could also be used to enhance the visual effect produced when a temporary cover is applied to the font.

Further, it may also be desirable to incorporate within the font a plastics or other type of sign plate which could be illuminated by a light source such as a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL).

Although the font has been substantially described with reference to the dispensing of alcoholic beverages such as lager and beer, the font of the present invention could also be used in the dispensing of soft drinks and in particular carbonated soft drinks, where the insulation provided by the foam construction of the font will again result in a dispensed product of improved quality.

Further, the font of the present invention could also be used not just in the dispensing of beverages, but in the dispensing of any liquid or flowable preparation, for example, liquid soaps, food sauces and the like. Where the font of the present invention is to dispense a food sauce, the font may be shaped into for example, a tomato shape and would be used to dispense tomato ketchup.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art once given this disclosure that various modifications, changes, improvements and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (1)

Claims

1. A font for use in the dispensing of beverages, the font being substantially composed of a first inner layer, which is substantially comprised of a foam material, and a second outer coating layer applied to the outer surface of the inner layer, the outer coating layer being of a harder composition than the inner layer and forming a protective coating on said inner layer. A font as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the inner foam layer is an insulating foam. A font as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the inner foam layer is polyurethane foam. A font as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the font includes a mounting for detachably mounting decorating or display information thereon. A font as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the font has at least one beverage dispensing tap disposed thereon. A font as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the font has a plurality of beverage dispensing taps disposed thereon. A font as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the font is adapted to receive at least one tap for dispensing a beverage therefrom. A font as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the font is adapted to receive a plurality of taps for dispensing a beverage therefrom. A font as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the outer protective layer is comprised of any substance selected from the group containing: fibreglass, epoxy, composites or the like. A font as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the outer protective layer comprises a spray coated or painted layer. A font as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the outer protective layer is dip coated onto the inner layer. A process of making a drinks font composed of an insulating material, said process comprising the steps of; - casting a foam material, the foam material being adapted to have beverage containing tubing contained therein and at least one beverage dispensing tap to be disposed thereon; and — applying an outer coating layer to the foam, the outer coating layer being of a harder composition than the foam and forming a protective coating on said foam.