JP2008100738A - Spout unit for beer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide tasty draft beer by making use of a space as narrow as possible. <P>SOLUTION: A storage box 20 of a mixed gas supply unit X comprises an air compressor 2A for compressing air in the atmosphere, a nitrogen extraction means 4A for extracting nitrogen from the air compressed by the air compressor, a nitrogen storage tank 6A for storing nitrogen gas a obtained by the nitrogen extraction means 4A, and a gas mixing device 10A capable of setting the nitrogen gas a and carbon dioxide gas b supplied from a carbon dioxide gas cylinder bottle 7A at a designated ratio. The mixed gas c of the mixed gas supply unit X is pressure-fed to a spout unit body 13A which can be installed to the storage box 20 via a drink container 11A outside the storage box 20 in a spout unit for beer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a beer pouring device.

  FIG. 8 shows an embodiment described in Patent Document 1 (the terms and symbols of Document 1 are used as they are). In FIG. 8, first, 200 is a pouring device main body (commonly known as a beer server), 40 is a liquid (for example, draft beer) supply path, 230 is a beverage container (for example, a beer barrel), and 210 is a carbon dioxide gas cylinder. In the supply path between the beverage container 230 and the carbon dioxide cylinder 210, a pressure gauge 240 and a pressure regulating valve 250 having a pressure reducing function are arranged. On the liquid supply path 40 side, the compressed carbon dioxide gas in the carbon dioxide cylinder 210 is introduced into the beer barrel 230, and the beer inside the beer barrel 230 is pumped to the pouring device body 200.

  On the other hand, 30 is a compressed gas (nitrogen gas) supply path connected to the tap 1, and 260 is a nitrogen gas cylinder. The compressed gas supply path 30 is provided with an on-off valve 32, a pressure gauge 280, and a pressure regulating valve 270 having a pressure reducing function. The reason why the compressed gas supply path 30 is provided separately from the liquid supply path 40 is to form cream-like foam.

  In the above configuration, when the operation lever 10 of the tap 1 having a mixing function is manually tilted, draft beer can be poured into an unnumbered mug through the discharge port 12. At the time of manual operation, when the on-off valve 32 on the gas side for foam formation is opened, the compressed gas (nitrogen gas) from the compressed gas supply path 30 is sent into the tap 1 for beverage dispensing. In the tap 1, beer from the liquid supply path 40 side is sent to the discharge port 12 while making contact with the compressed gas (nitrogen gas) released from the surface of the porous member. Therefore, draft beer is poured into an unjugable mug in a state where fine bubbles are mixed.

  This Patent Document 1 describes a matter in which “carbon dioxide gas” supplied from a carbon dioxide gas cylinder 260 and “nitrogen gas” supplied from a nitrogen gas cylinder 260 are mixed in the tap 1 of the pouring device main body (beer server) 200. However, the matter to obtain nitrogen gas from the air in the atmosphere, the matter that the mixing ratio of carbon dioxide gas and nitrogen gas can be freely set and changed with the tap 1, the air compressor, the nitrogen extraction means, the joint for flow passage, Matters (items related to the invention of the present application) and the like in which the constituent members such as the gas mixing means are housed in a trapezoidal box separate from the pouring device main body (beer server) are not described.

  FIG. 9 is an example described in Patent Document 2. In FIG. 9, 1 is a nitrogen concentrator, and this nitrogen concentrator 1 automatically compresses air compressed in the air compressor 2 and air compressor 2 downstream. Automatic valve (solenoid valve) 3 to be sent to, PSA method (oxygen gas adsorption method) for acquiring nitrogen gas from compressed air received through this automatic valve 3, or separation membrane method (oxygen gas release) to release oxygen gas to the outside System) and a check valve 5 for flowing concentrated nitrogen gas in one direction (whether or not the nitrogen concentrator 1 is a trapezoidal storage box is unknown).

  On the other hand, independently of the nitrogen concentrator 1, a nitrogen storage tank (nitrogen gas cylinder) 6 that acquires the nitrogen gas obtained through the nitrogen concentrator 1 and a carbon dioxide gas cylinder 7 that is separate from the nitrogen storage tank 6. A gas mixer 10 that obtains nitrogen gas a and carbon dioxide gas b through the pressure regulating valves 8 and 9 provided in the respective flow paths and having a pressure reducing function, and a mixed gas from the gas mixer 10 Beverage container (for example, draft beer barrel) 11 which introduces c, and a pouring device provided with a heat exchanger 12 having a function of cooling the mixed beverage (draft beer) derived from this beverage container 11 to a cold drinking state A main body (beer server) 13 is provided. In addition, the code | symbol 14 is the tap 13 of the extraction apparatus main body, and 15 is the operation piece provided in the tap 13. FIG.

  In the above configuration, the nitrogen gas is generated by the nitrogen concentrator 1 provided with the air compressor 2 and then filled in the nitrogen storage tank 6 disposed outside the nitrogen concentrator 1. Further, the concentrated compressed gas (nitrogen gas) a stored in the nitrogen storage tank 6 is led to a gas mixer 10 disposed outside the nitrogen concentrator 1, where (in the gas mixer 10) ) It is mixed with the carbon dioxide gas b supplied from the carbon dioxide cylinder 7.

  Although this embodiment obtains nitrogen gas a from the air in the atmosphere, there is an advantage that replacement work (transportation / labor) of nitrogen gas cylinders and purchase costs related to nitrogen gas cylinders are unnecessary, but the draft beer is actually poured out. When installed in a restaurant as a device (for example, a beer server system), there is a problem that it takes up too much space.

  An example of the problem here is that, when providing food and drink using a small store of about 1 tsubos or 2 tsubos, both indoors and outdoors, of course, the space in the store is Because it is very narrow, not only when installing draft beer extraction equipment including nitrogen gas cylinders and carbon dioxide gas cylinders in the store, but also when placing it next to the store, the space on the floor surface Effective utilization is required. In particular, in a beverage supply apparatus for draft beer, it is desired to provide a draft beer that is as delicious as possible using a space as small as possible. For example, the nitrogen storage tank 6 and gas described in Patent Document 2 are provided. How to arrange the mixer 10, the pouring device main body (beer server) 13, and the like is one problem.

Incidentally, Patent Document 3 describes means (gas separation device) for acquiring nitrogen gas from air in the atmosphere. The gas separation device described in Patent Document 3 is “at least a part of a partition that separates the outside and the inside of the hermetic container includes a gas separation membrane, and the partition has an action of external force. The gas separation membrane is configured to be capable of reducing the internal volume of the hermetic container by at least partially deforming due to the decrease in volume, and when the total pressure inside the hermetic container exceeds the total pressure due to the volume reduction, It is configured so that at least part of the gas contained in the gas can be separated and discharged from the sealed gas to the outside of the hermetic container, and the gas take-off valve further reduces the volume inside the hermetic container. When the total pressure reaches a predetermined condition pressure, the inside of the hermetic container is communicated with the outside so that the gas remaining inside the hermetic container can be discharged to the outside. "
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-344296 JP-A-8-230991 Japanese Patent No. 3769601

  The intended purpose of the present invention is to provide a draft beer that is as delicious as possible using the smallest possible space. The second object is to freely change the setting of the mixing ratio of carbon dioxide gas and nitrogen gas. In addition, adjustment of carbon dioxide gas and nitrogen gas can be easily performed with the mixed gas supply device X, and installation and transportation are easy.

  The beer pouring device of the present invention includes a mixed gas supply device X, a pouring device main body 13A that can be placed on the upper wall of the trapezoidal storage box 20 of the mixed gas supply device X, and the outside of the storage box. The placed carbon dioxide cylinder 7A and the beverage container 11A are connected via a flow path, and the storage box 20 is an air compressor 2A that compresses air in the atmosphere, and nitrogen that extracts nitrogen from the air compressed by the air compressor. The extraction means 4A, the nitrogen storage tank 6A for storing the nitrogen gas a obtained from the nitrogen extraction means 4A, and the nitrogen gas a and the carbon dioxide gas b supplied from the carbon dioxide cylinder 7A are set to a desired ratio. The mixed gas c mixed with the mixed gas supply device X is pumped to the dispensing device main body 13A through the beverage container 11A.

(1) Since the main body of the pouring device can be placed on the upper wall of the trapezoidal storage box of the mixed gas supply device, in such a case, a draft beer that is as delicious as possible using the smallest possible space Can be provided.
(2) The mixing ratio of carbon dioxide gas and nitrogen gas can be freely changed. Therefore, draft beer that suits customers' preferences can be provided immediately on the spot where draft beer is provided.
(3) Carbon dioxide gas and nitrogen gas can be easily adjusted with the mixed gas supply device X.
(4) Since the storage box 20 of the mixed gas supply device is large enough to be lifted with both hands, it is easy to install and transport.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 will be described.

(1) Basic structure of the invention FIG. 1 is an explanatory view from the front showing the external structure of the beer pouring device, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view from the left side based on FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is the pouring device. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the structural member attached to the storage box of the mixed gas supply apparatus X to comprise (The position of a member is suitable except a part).

  In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, X is a trapezoidal storage box 20, means 2 </ b> A, 4 </ b> A for acquiring nitrogen gas from air in the atmosphere, means 6 </ b> A for storing nitrogen gas, nitrogen gas a and storage box 20. The gas mixer 10A including the operation means 31 that can freely set the carbon dioxide gas b pumped from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 7A disposed outside to a desired ratio is a mixed gas supply device in which each is incorporated. . Each component housed in the storage box 20 of the mixed gas supply apparatus X is connected in series through an unnumbered series flow path in which a check valve and a pressure regulating valve are arranged at necessary positions.

On the other hand, 13A is a pouring device capable of pouring draft beer fed from the mixed gas supply device X through the beverage container (draft beer barrel) 11A outside the storage box 20 into a container (a mug or a cup) in a cooled state. In the main body (beer server), the pouring device main body 13A is placed on the upper wall of the storage box 20 of the mixed gas supply device X.
Hereinafter, specific requirements of the present invention will be described in order, but detailed matters will be omitted from the drawings and the description thereof, and for the sake of convenience of explanation, the same or similar configurations as those in the embodiment shown in FIG. The redundant explanation will be omitted by using the terms and symbols.

(2) Storage box 20 of mixed gas supply device X
The mixed gas supply device X has a table-like storage box 20 on which a beer pouring device main body 13A can be placed. The storage box 20 of this embodiment is a horizontal trapezoidal box as shown in FIGS.

  Here, let the wall seen in the front of FIG. 1 be one side wall (for example, front wall) 20a. Thus, what is visible in FIG. 2 is the left side wall 20b. Thus, a rectangular opening 25 for mounting the gas mixer 10A shown in FIG. 5 is formed at the center of the front wall 20a. Two joint mounting holes 26 are formed below the rectangular opening 25 as a reference. A plurality of mounting holes 27 for mounting the pressure regulating valves 8A, 9A are formed on the left and right sides of the rectangular opening 25. Furthermore, many small holes 28 for releasing the heat in the storage box 20 to the outside are formed in the left and right portions of the front wall 20a. Note that the pouring device body 13A can be placed on the upper wall 20c of the table-like storage box 20. In addition, although not particularly illustrated, the heat release window and necessary holes are appropriately formed.

(3) Components and storage box 20
1 and 2 are schematic explanatory views showing the positional relationship between the mixed gas supply device X of the pouring device of the present invention and the pouring device main body (beer server) 13A. The pouring device of the present invention is placed outside the mixed gas supply device X, the pouring device main body 13A placed on the table-like storage box 20 of the mixed gas supply device X, and the mixed gas supply device X. The carbon dioxide gas cylinder 7A and the beverage container (draft beer barrel) 11A are combined, and the mixed gas supply device X, the pouring device main body 13A, the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 7A, and the draft beer barrel 11A are connected in series through an unnumbered channel. ing.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 3 (conceptual diagram), each constituent member that is internally or attached to the storage box 20 of the mixed gas supply apparatus X will be described. With reference to FIG. 3 as a conceptual diagram, the right side is the front wall 20a of the storage box 20, and the left side is the rear wall 20d of the storage box 20.

  As shown in FIG. 3, on the front wall 20a side, the nitrogen gas a in the storage box 20 and the carbon dioxide gas b pumped from the carbon dioxide cylinder 7A outside the storage box 20 can be set to a desired ratio. A mixer 10A including an operation means (comparison setting means) 31 that can be used is fixedly provided.

  On the other hand, a small air compressor (compressor) 2A for compressing air in the atmosphere is fixedly provided on the rear wall 20d side. An automatic flow valve (solenoid valve) 3A for automatically sending the air compressed by the air compressor 2A downstream is provided in an unnumbered flow path connecting the small air compressor 2A and the mixer 10A. Separation membrane type (oxygen gas release type) nitrogen extraction means 4A for acquiring nitrogen gas a from compressed air received through valve 3A, and a nitrogen storage tank for storing nitrogen gas a obtained through this nitrogen extraction means 4A A (nitrogen gas cylinder) 6A and a pressure regulating valve 8A for pressure-feeding the compressed gas (nitrogen gas) a in the nitrogen storage tank 6A to the mixer 10A are arranged in series.

(4) Gas mixer 10A
1 and 4 show a state in which a gas mixer (mixer) 10A is mounted on the storage box 20, while FIG. 5 shows an external configuration of the mixer 10A.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the gas mixer 10 </ b> A has an operation means 31 at the center of the front wall 10 a of a small box shape box or housing, for example. The operation means 31 of the present embodiment is a so-called dial type, and an index 31a is provided at an appropriate location on the outer surface of the peripheral wall. Therefore, the front wall 10a is appropriately provided with a scale 32 for setting the mixing ratio of the oxygen gas a and the carbon dioxide gas b. A gas ratio setting means (not shown) is built in the housing of the mixer 10A.

  Further, the gas mixer 10A having the dial type operation means 31 has a pair of mounting pieces 33 having an unnumbered mounting hole in the central portion of the left and right side walls 10b of the housing, for example. The mixer 10 </ b> A is fixed to the storage box 20 through the mounting piece 33 and the opening 25 of the storage box 20 so that at least a part (rear part) is housed in the storage box 20.

  Further, the gas mixer 10A has a plurality of joints 34 at appropriate locations (for example, the bottom wall, the rear wall, etc.) of the housing. With reference to FIG. 1 of the implementation level, one of the elbow joints 34 projecting downward from the housing and projecting from the left and right mounting holes 26 of the storage box 20 is a carbon dioxide that connects the carbon dioxide cylinder 7A and the gas mixer 10A. For the gas hose 35, the other joint 34 is used for the mixed gas hose 36 connecting the beverage container (beer barrel) 11A and the gas mixer 10A.

(5) Nitrogen extraction means 4A
An embodiment described in Patent Document 3, for example, employs a means (nitrogen extraction means) 4A for acquiring nitrogen gas from air in the atmosphere via the air compressor 2A. This embodiment is a separation membrane system (oxygen gas release system) that releases oxygen gas to the outside. Since the basic configuration is a publicly known matter, a detailed description is omitted here.

  In addition, 4 A of nitrogen extraction means of a present Example is what reduced the one Example described in patent document 3, and functions as an airtight container provided with the container inside isolated from the container exterior by the partition, and a gas extraction valve And a check valve for introducing gas from the outside to the inside of the hermetic container, and a gas separation membrane constituting a part of the partition wall. The partition wall includes a pair of opposed partition walls facing in the front-rear direction, and a bellows partition wall that is integrally formed between the front and rear facing partition walls and is formed into a cylindrical shape with a material that can be elastically displaced and elastically restored. ing.

(6) Nitrogen storage tank 6A
FIG. 7 shows an example of the nitrogen storage tank 6A. The nitrogen storage tank 6A is installed in a horizontal state in the storage box 20 as indicated by a virtual line in FIG. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a cylindrical peripheral body portion 6a and a pair of flange-shaped end plate portions 6b that are respectively fixed to openings at both ends of the peripheral body portion 6a and in which a flow path (tube) is attached to the center portion. It consists of.

(7) Pouring device body (beer server) 13A
The pouring device main body 13A is connected to a vertically long case 41, a heat exchanger 12A housed in the case 41, an unnumbered supply hose on the side of the beverage container (draft beer barrel) 11A, and a coiled portion 42a. A liquid supply path 42 that can contain a liquid, a pouring portion 43 provided on the upper portion of the case 41, a tap 14A provided on the pouring portion 43, and an operation piece 15A provided on the tap 14A. A tray portion 41 a is provided at a lower portion of 41. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the entire case 41 including the tray portion 41 a is placed on the upper wall 20 c of the storage box 20.

(8) Pressure regulating valves 8A, 9A
As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure regulating valves 8 </ b> A and 9 </ b> A are disposed so as to protrude to the outside of the front wall 20 a of the storage box 20. The pressure regulating valve 8A is disposed in the flow path on the nitrogen storage tank side, while the pressure regulating valve 9A is disposed in the flow path on the carbon dioxide gas cylinder side.

(9) Action First, the nitrogen gas a includes the air compressor 2A, the nitrogen extraction means 4A, the nitrogen storage tank 6A, and the gas mixer 10A that can set the nitrogen gas a and the carbon dioxide gas b at a desired ratio. In the mixed gas supply device X, air is generated, stored, and mixed using air in the atmosphere as a source.
Next, the concentrated mixed gas c mixed by the mixed gas supply device X is pumped to the draft beer barrel 11 </ b> A disposed outside the storage box 20.
Next, when the mixed gas c is introduced into the draft beer barrel 11A, the draft beer (liquid) in the draft beer barrel 11A is supplied to the pouring device main body 13A placed on the upper wall 20c of the storage box 20. . And if operation piece 15A is operated, draft beer will be poured from the extraction apparatus main body 13A.

  In the example shown in the embodiment of the invention, the storage box 20 may be a vertical box as long as it has the function of a support base. The nitrogen extraction means 4A may be a PSA method (oxygen gas adsorption method). In addition, one or a plurality of pressure fluctuation type cylindrical oxygen adsorbers may be used. Further, the gas mixer 10 </ b> A has the rear end portion (partly) housed in the storage box 20, but the gas mixer 10 </ b> A may be entirely housed except the operation means 31. Moreover, although the nitrogen storage tank 6A was installed in the horizontal state in the storage box, it may be arranged in the vertical state.

  Further, in the embodiment, it has been described that the gas mixer 10A has operation means that can be fixedly attached to one side wall of the storage box 20 and that can arbitrarily set the gas mixing ratio. Control means for controlling the gas mixing ratio may be provided in the housing of the vessel 10A. In addition, a pressure gauge, a dust removal filter, a check valve, a pressure reducing valve, and the like can be added as necessary.

  The present invention is used in the food and beverage industry that provides draft beer.

FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 are explanatory views showing the best embodiments of the present invention. 8 and 9 are explanatory views showing a conventional embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Schematic explanatory drawing (front view) which shows the positional relationship of the gas supply apparatus X of the extraction apparatus of this invention, and the extraction apparatus main body 13A. The schematic explanatory drawing (right side view) which shows the positional relationship of the gas supply apparatus X of the extraction apparatus of this invention, and the extraction apparatus main body 13A. The conceptual explanatory drawing of this invention. The schematic explanatory drawing from the planar view of the principal part of this invention. The schematic explanatory drawing from the perspective of the principal part (mixer) of this invention. The schematic explanatory drawing of the principal part (storage box) of this invention. The schematic explanatory drawing of the principal part (nitrogen storage tank) of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the conventional Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the conventional Example.

Explanation of symbols

X ... Mixed gas supply device, 2A ... Air compressor (compressor), 3A ... Automatic valve (solenoid valve), 4A ... Nitrogen extraction means, 6A ... Nitrogen storage tank, 6a ... Circumferential trunk portion, 6b ... Flange-shaped end plate portion , 7A ... carbon dioxide gas cylinder, 9A ... pressure regulating valve, 10A ... gas mixer, 11A ... beverage container (draft beer barrel), 13A ... pouring device body, 14A ... tap, 15A ... operation piece, 20 ... storage box, 20a ... one Side wall (for example, front wall), 20c ... upper wall, 25 ... opening on one side wall, 26 ... fitting mounting hole, 31 ... operating means, 31a ... index, 33 ... mounting piece, 34 ... joint, 35 ... carbon dioxide hose, 36 ... mixed gas hose, 41 ... case, 42 ... liquid supply path, 43 ... pouring part, a ... nitrogen gas, b ... carbon dioxide gas, c ... mixed gas.

Claims (5)

The mixed gas supply device X, the pouring device main body 13A that can be placed on the upper wall of the trapezoidal storage box 20 of the mixed gas supply device X, the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 7A and the beverage container placed outside the storage box 20 11A is connected via a flow path, and the storage box 20 includes an air compressor 2A that compresses air in the atmosphere, a nitrogen extraction means 4A that extracts nitrogen from the air compressed by the air compressor, and the nitrogen extraction means. A nitrogen storage tank 6A for storing nitrogen gas a obtained from 4A, and a gas mixer 10A capable of setting the nitrogen gas a and the carbon dioxide gas b supplied from the carbon dioxide cylinder 7A to a desired ratio, The mixed gas c mixed by the mixed gas supply device X is pressure-fed to the dispensing device main body 13A through the beverage container 11A. The gas mixer 10A according to claim 1, wherein the gas mixer 10A is fixedly attached to one side wall of the storage box 20, and has an operation means capable of arbitrarily setting a gas mixing ratio. Pouring device. In Claim 1, the air compressor 2A, the automatic valve 3A, the nitrogen extraction means 4A, the nitrogen storage tank 6A, and the pressure regulating valve 8A for pumping the compressed gas a in the nitrogen storage tank 6A to the gas mixer 10A are stored. A beer pouring device characterized by being arranged in a series manner in the box 20. In Claim 1, the pressure regulating valve 8A for feeding nitrogen gas a in the nitrogen storage tank 6A to the gas mixer 10A and the pressure regulating valve 8B for feeding carbon dioxide b in the carbon dioxide cylinder 7A to the gas mixer 10A are stored. A beer pouring device, characterized in that it is disposed outside one side wall of the box 20. The beer pouring device according to claim 1, wherein the storage box is formed in a size that can be lifted with both hands.

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