JP2010519143A - Barrel connecting part - Google Patents

Abstract

  The present invention relates to a dispensing device for a dispensing system used in connection with beverage dispensing. The dispensing system includes a beverage container having a beverage outlet and a pressurized medium such as CO2 that pushes the beverage from the beverage container through the beverage outlet. The dispensing device has a connecting member, the communication of the beverage dispensing and the communication of the flow of the pressurized medium to the beverage container (4) is made by an essentially linear operation of the connecting member, The blocking of the dispensing and the blocking of the flow of the pressurized medium to the beverage container is done by an essentially linear operation of the connecting member. The invention further relates to a method for dispensing a beverage from a dispensing system comprising a dispensing device.

Description

  The present invention relates to a dispensing device for a dispensing system used in connection with beverage dispensing. The dispensing system includes a beverage container having a beverage outlet and a pressurized medium such as carbon dioxide (CO2) used to cause the beverage to flow out of the beverage container via the beverage outlet. The present invention further relates to a method for dispensing a beverage from a dispensing system comprising a dispensing device.

  Many systems and devices are known in the art of beverage dispensing. Generally, beverages are stored in containers such as beer kegs that are connected to a dispensing system in use. The beverage is drained from the container via the dispensing line, which is usually secured in some tapping tap when the beverage is dispensed. The beverage may be flowed by a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure in the container that pushes the beer into the dispensing line, for example. During use of the dispensing system, the interior of the container is generally continuously pressurized using a pressurized medium. Usually, CO2 is used as the pressurizing medium.

  The pressurized medium is typically supplied from the gas cylinder to the beverage container via some type of coupling device. It is also common to connect a coupling device, for example to a beverage outlet of a beer keg so that a pressurized medium such as CO2 is supplied to the beverage container and the beverage is supplied to the dispensing system. Become.

  When a beverage container such as a beer keg is connected to the dispensing system by means of a coupling device, it is preferred if this can be done without leakage of the pressurized medium (i.e. CO2) to the surroundings. In current technology, this is done by incorporating elaborate coupling means into the coupling device. This measure tends to be somewhat complicated and expensive and in many cases leakage of the pressurized medium during the connection of the beverage container is only limited and has not been solved. In some examples of the prior art, first, a flow of pressurized medium is connected to the dispensing device, followed by a flow of beer. One drawback to this is that once the flow of beer is communicated in a very troublesome and most dangerous state for the user, if the pressure is high enough to cause damage to the device, The possibility of doing is mentioned. Therefore, there is a need for a coupling device that is simple and inexpensive, yet sufficiently prevents pressurized medium leakage and foaming.

  Another disadvantage of current dispensing devices is that they are difficult to clean and costly. In order to ensure proper cleaning, many components, such as valves and pipes, need to be disassembled, and the procedure is time consuming and costly. Furthermore, hygiene is very important when it comes to handling beverages, but due to the time spent in dismantling the device and cleaning all the grooves and notches of the components of the dispensing device Inappropriate cleaning of the dispensing device may occur. In one example of the prior art, the cleaning procedure is simplified by pumping a small sponge ball through the dispensing device. This is an advantage as a time saver, but unfortunately the dispensing device has a valve built in to ensure a satisfactory function because the valve prevents the passage of sponge balls. Is not used.

  Prior art dispensing devices are primarily formed from stainless steel or other materials that do not contaminate the beverage to be dispensed. Due to the rising price of raw materials, the need for a dispensing device that uses a smaller amount of material has become more important for the manufacture of dispensing devices. In addition, the complexity of prior art dispensing devices requires extensive machining during manufacturing, which is very costly, especially when using stainless steel. Therefore, there is a need to provide a lower manufacturing cost dispensing device, for example by minimizing the amount of expensive material required per device.

  The coupling of the beverage container to the dispensing system is required to be as simple and quick as possible. In certain examples of the prior art, the beverage container needs to be rotated into the coupling device, so that the communication between the beverage flow and the pressurized medium flow may be caused by rotation or additional user interference (e.g. By releasing the valve). Regardless, this method has the obvious disadvantage that the beverage container is generally quite heavy, which makes the connecting operation difficult and dangerous. Also, the cumbersome coupling action creates a greater possibility that the beverage flow or pressurized media flow leading to leakage to the surrounding will be incomplete communication. Therefore, there is a need for a coupling device that provides a simple and safe coupling operation.

  When prior art dispensing devices are removed from the beverage container after the beverage container has been emptied, the user must ensure that the CO2 flow is interrupted prior to removal. If this step is forgotten, the pressurized medium will flow out to the environment during removal of the dispensing device, and this is inconvenient, dangerous and costly. Accordingly, there is a need for a dispensing device that can be removed from a beverage container without stopping the flow of the pressurized medium.

  The object of the present invention is to solve, in whole or in part, the disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art described above. More particularly, a dispensing device for a dispensing system used in connection with dispensing of a beverage, the system comprising a beverage container having an outlet and a pressurized medium such as CO2. It is configured to push the beverage out of the beverage container via an outlet, wherein the dispensing device comprises a coupling member and the connection of the beverage dispensing and the pressurized medium to the container The flow communication is achieved by an essentially linear operation of the connecting member, and the blocking of the beverage dispensing and the blocking of the flow of the pressurized medium to the container are essentially linear of the connecting member. It is an object to provide a dispensing device that is adapted to be realized by operation.

  An advantage of being able to communicate and block the flow of beverage and pressurized medium in the same operation is that the coupling member is configured so that the beverage inlet and the pressurized medium outlet are simultaneously opened and closed respectively. Thus, it is possible to minimize or eliminate the leakage of the pressurized medium to the surroundings. Eliminating leakage is facilitated by the essentially linear actuation of the connecting member. A further advantage is that it is not necessary to rotate or otherwise move the beverage container to communicate and block the flow of beverage and pressurized medium.

  The dispensing device of the present invention may be configured to communicate the dispensing of the beverage from the container and the flow of the pressurized medium into the container at essentially the same time. The dispensing device of the present invention may also be configured to block the dispensing of beverage from the container and the flow of pressurized medium into the container at essentially the same time. This advantage is that the pressurized medium outlet and the beverage inlet are simultaneously opened and closed, respectively, so that leakage of the pressurized medium to the surroundings can be minimized or even eliminated. It is.

  The dispensing device of the present invention has a handle member having a first end portion, a first end portion having a slide member extending therefrom, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion is attached to the connecting member at a rotatable joint. This is advantageous because the operation of the handle member can be converted to the operation of the connecting member. Furthermore, it can change the operation of the handle member so as to be a rotational operation of the component constituted by the connecting member.

  The dispensing device of the present invention may be mounted within a housing, the housing comprising a first end and a second end, the second end being for a beverage container Has a holder. The housing functions to hold the dispensing device components in place. The holder allows the dispensing device to be connected to the beverage container and can further steer the operation of the components of the dispensing device relative to the beverage container.

  The housing may further comprise a groove that allows the connecting member to operate in an essentially linear manner. This is advantageous when the operation of the connecting member relative to the housing can be steered.

  The first end of the housing may be provided with a closed track, in which the slide member is slidable in an essentially linear motion between the first end and the second end. Become. This is advantageous when cooperating with a rotatable joint that allows the rotational movement of the handle member to be diverted so that it is a linear movement of the connecting member.

  The dispensing device of the present invention allows the dispensing of the beverage and the flow of the pressurized medium to the beverage container to communicate when the slide member moves from the first end to the second end. It may be. The dispensing device of the present invention may be configured such that when the slide member moves from the second end portion to the first end portion, the dispensing of the beverage and the flow of the pressurized medium are interrupted. . The slide member may move toward the second end by rotating the handle member about a joint rotatable in the first direction, and the slide member is rotatable in the second direction The handle member may be moved toward the second end by rotating the handle member about the joint. This is advantageous when it is possible to communicate or block two flows realized by rotation of the handle member by turning it into a linear operation of the connecting member. Therefore, the cooperation of the handle member, the rotatable joint, the slide member, and the connecting member enables the communication and blocking of the two flows by simple user interference (ie by pushing the handle member). become able to.

  The dispensing device of the present invention may comprise a compressible seal member, a tube member having a pressurized media duct, a first end and a second end, and the dispensing device The connecting member provided in the device may be constituted by a beverage duct, a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, and the second end of the tube member is engaged. The intermediate member may be attached to the intermediate portion, and the seal member may be disposed at the second end of the connecting member. The advantage of the compressible seal member is that it can be activated and deactivated by linear interference using another member such as a connecting member. As an advantage of the tube member, it is possible to easily communicate the flow of the pressurized medium to the dispensing device. The advantage of the beverage duct is that the beverage can flow out through the connecting member, which is advantageous when the flow of beer can be communicated and / or blocked by the linear actuation of the connecting member.

  The dispensing device of the present invention may comprise a beverage duct extending from a beverage outlet at the first end of the connecting member to a beverage inlet at the second end of the connecting member, and the beverage duct Has a beverage valve. The beverage valve may be essentially cylindrical in shape and may comprise a circular cross-section and a duct extending through this circular cross section. The beverage valve is rotatable about an axis essentially orthogonal to the circular cross section of the beverage valve. Furthermore, the beverage valve may be constituted by a rotatable joint. The advantage of a beer valve that is cylindrical in shape and includes a beverage duct is that it can function as a rotatable joint, whereby the rotation of the handle member causes a linear movement of the connecting member, while at the same time the handle member The rotation of the beer valve can realize the opening or closing of the beer valve.

  The pressurized medium duct constituted by the dispensing device may start at the first end of the tube member and pass through the attachment of the second end of the tube member and the intermediate portion of the connecting member. And may terminate at the pressurized medium outlet at the second end of the connecting member. The compressible seal member constituted by the dispensing device may close the pressurized medium outlet in the uncompressed state, and it may not close the pressurized medium outlet in the compressed state. This is advantageous because the linear actuation of the connecting member makes it easier to achieve communication or blocking of the flow of pressurized medium from the dispensing device to the beverage container.

  A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for dispensing a beverage from a dispensing system comprising a dispensing device according to the present invention. The method includes connecting a pressurized medium nozzle to the dispensing device, connecting the dispensing device to the beverage container, and moving the coupling member in an essentially linear motion. Including. This method is advantageous when it does not require any movement of the beverage container and is used to achieve linear actuation of the connecting member when all users need to start dispensing the beverage. The law is very simple. Furthermore, the simplicity of this method has the advantage of making the dispensing device design easier and thereby cheaper.

  The method of the present invention provides for essentially linear actuation of the connecting member by rotation of the handle member, allowing the beverage valve to be opened by essentially linear actuation of the connecting member; Ensuring that the beverage valve is closed by an essentially linear actuation of the connecting member, allowing the pressurized medium outlet to be opened by an essentially linear actuation of the connecting member; Further comprising closing the pressurized medium outlet by an essentially linear actuation of the member.

  In the following, the invention and its many advantages will be explained in more detail using schematic diagrams intended to illustrate non-limiting embodiments.

1 is a schematic side view of a dispensing system including a dispensing device of the present invention. 1 is a schematic side view of a dispensing system including a dispensing device of the present invention. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a dispensing device of the present invention. 1 is a schematic side view of a preferred embodiment of the dispensing device of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a dispensing device in an engaged state. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a dispensing device in a disengaged state. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a dispensing device in a disengaged state. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing device of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing device of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the components of a preferred embodiment of the dispensing device of the present invention.

  All figures are very schematic and are not necessarily to scale, and only the parts necessary to explain the invention are shown in the figures, and other parts are omitted. Or shown formally.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a dispensing system 2 with a preferred embodiment of a dispensing device 1 according to the present invention. The dispensing device 1 is connected to a supply source of the pressurized medium 5. In the section (a) of FIG. 1, the dispensing device 1 is in a state immediately before being connected to the beverage outlet 6 of the beverage container 4 via the holder 17 composed of the dispensing device 1. Communication of the flow of the beverage 3 from the container 4 to the dispensing device 1 is established by an essentially linear operation of the connecting member 7 comprising the dispensing device 1. In section (a) of FIG. 1, the connecting member 7 is in a state just before this essentially linear operation is performed, and in section (b) of FIG. The linear operation has already been performed. At some point during the linear operation of the connecting member 7, the flow of the beverage from the container 4 via the dispensing device 1 is started, and at the same point of this operation, the pressurized medium 5 to the beverage container 4 is moved. Flow also begins. Dispensing device by reversing the linear operation of the connecting member, ie from the state shown in section (b) of FIG. 1 to the state shown in section (a) of FIG. The flow of the beverage from the container 4 through 1 is stopped at a certain point of operation and at the same point the flow of the pressurized medium 5 to the beverage container 4 is also stopped. In other embodiments, the operation of the connecting member 7 can be made strictly linear, but the operation of the connecting member 7 can also follow an arc or a curve. In the preferred embodiment of the dispensing device 1 shown in FIG. 1, the rotation movement is constrained by a slide member 12 at the end of the handle member 8 that is constrained to be a linear movement in a track 19 comprising a housing 14. When converted to a normal operation, the essentially linear actuation of the connecting member 7 is achieved by rotating the handle member 8 about the rotatable joint 13. Note that a linear actuation of the connecting member 7 can be achieved in several other ways, for example by being pushed from above by the user. In other preferred embodiments, the track 19 may be arcuate or curvilinear instead of being rectilinear, thereby turning the rotational movement of the handle member 8 to the linear movement of the connecting member 7. The conversion is geared so that the relative speed of movement of the connecting member 7 with respect to the housing 14 changes depending on how much the hurdle member 8 rotates around the rotatable joint 13. Good.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a dispensing device 1 according to the present invention in section (a) and a schematic side view in section (b). The dispensing device 1 includes a connecting member 7 having a beverage duct 27, a first end portion 28, a second end portion 29, and an intermediate portion 30. Furthermore, the dispensing device 1 is mounted in a housing 14, which comprises a first end 15 and a second end 16. A holder 17 for the beverage container 4 (not shown) is located at the second end 16. The housing 14 further includes a groove 18 in which the connecting member 7 is slidable back and forth with an essentially linear operation.

  The dispensing device 1 according to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2 comprises a tube member 22 with a pressurized medium duct 23. The tube member 22 is attached to the intermediate portion of the connecting member 7 at the second end portion 25 thereof. The pressurized medium duct 23 extends from the first end 24 of the tube member 22 and further extends from the second end 25 of the tube member 22 into the connecting member 7, thereby The pressurized medium duct 23 extends to the pressurized medium outlet 34 at the second end 29 of the connecting member 7. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the position of the duct 23 extending through the tube member 22 has a larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the position of the pressurized medium duct 23 extending through the connecting member 7. In that sense, the pressurized medium duct 23 is adapted to fit the nozzle of the pressurized medium hose. A pressurized medium inlet 36 is provided at a point where the cross-sectional area changes. Pressurized media duct 23 may be used in other preferred embodiments, for example when it is preferred that the nozzle of the pressurized media hose be connected at another part of dispensing device 1. Can extend through the part. Also, the cross-sectional areas at various locations of the pressurized medium duct may be different in other embodiments.

  In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the pressurized medium outlet 34 is covered by a compressible seal member 26 disposed at the second end 29 of the connecting member 7, whereby the pressurized medium duct 23. Is sealed in a sealed state when the compressible seal member 26 is in an uncompressed state. When the compressible seal member is compressed, it does not cover the pressurized medium outlet, so that the pressurized medium can flow out of the dispensing device, for example into the beverage container 4 (not shown). Become. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the compressible seal member 26 is shaped like an annular pipe element that surrounds the second end 29 of the connecting member 7 so that the compressible seal member 26 is Then, it moves together with the connecting member 7. This is because the compressible seal member 26 is compressed or uncompressed when movement of the connecting member causes compression or non-compression of the compressible seal member 26 so as to impact an outer element such as a beverage container (not shown). It has the effect that it can be in a compressed state. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the compressible seal member enables a direct link between movement of the connecting member and opening or closing of the pressurized medium outlet 34.

  In the preferred embodiment of the dispensing device 1 shown in FIG. 2, the dispensing device 1 is a two-leg fork that is formed to be a two-leg fork with a slide member 12 extending from each leg of the fork. And a handle member 8 having a first end 9. In a preferred embodiment, the slide member 12 is cylindrical and extends orthogonally from each of the forks of the first end 9. Each of the slide members 12 is engaged with a track 19 formed by the intermediate portion 40 of the housing 14. The track 19 is essentially linear so that the slide member 12 is slidable essentially linearly between the first end 20 and the second end 21 of the track 19. It has become. In a preferred embodiment, the tracks 19 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction in which the connecting member 7 is slidable within the groove 18 of the housing 14. In other preferred embodiments, the track 19 is arcuate, curved or bent, and it may not be parallel to each other and to the groove 18 It doesn't have to go straight. In other preferred embodiments, the first end 9 may be a single rod or fork with two or more legs.

  The handle member 8 further includes an intermediate portion 11 attached to the connecting member 7 at a rotatable joint 13. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate part 11 is composed of two fork feet at the first end 9. In a preferred embodiment, the pivotable joint 13 is a cylinder-shaped element that extends from one of the fork feet of the intermediate part 11 through the connecting member 7 to the other of the fork legs of the intermediate part 11. In other preferred embodiments, the intermediate section 11 may be a single rod or may include two or more fork legs. Also, in other preferred embodiments, the pivotable joint 13 may be another type of pivotable joint such as a ball bearing or other suitable joint. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the handle member 8 includes a second end 10 that extends from the intermediate portion 11 at an angle with respect to the first end 9. The second end 10 is formed in a preferred embodiment to provide a convenient handle for the user to pull.

  In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the connecting member 7 extends from a beverage outlet 35 at the first end 28 of the connecting member 7 to a beverage inlet 37 at the second end 29 of the connecting member 7. A beverage duct 27 is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the beverage outlet 35 is adapted to a dispensing line from a beverage 3 (not shown) that can be poured into a glass or the like. The beverage inlet 37 is adapted in the preferred embodiment to the beverage outlet 6 of the beverage container 4 (not shown). In other preferred embodiments, the beverage outlet 35 and / or the beverage inlet 37 are adaptable to other types of beverage containers and / or other types of dispensing lines. In a preferred embodiment, the beverage duct 27 has a beverage valve 31 that is cylindrical in shape with a duct 32 that passes through its circular cross section 32. If the rotation around the axis 34 is essentially perpendicular to the circular cross section 32, the beverage valve 31 will be in a state where it does not block the beverage duct 27 from a state where the beverage valve 31 blocks the beverage duct 27. The beverage valve 31 is configured to be changeable. In the case where the valve 31 does not block the beverage duct 27, the duct 33 is aligned with the beverage duct 27, thereby forming a passage for the beverage 3 through the connecting member 7. In other preferred embodiments, the beverage valve 31 may be other than a cylinder shape, such as a conical or spherical shape. The beverage valve 31 includes a seal member 41 (not shown) in order to ensure proper blocking of the beverage duct 27.

  In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the beverage valve 31 and the pivotable joint 13 are the same component. This is very advantageous as it forms a direct link between the opening and closing of the beverage valve and the linear actuation of the connecting member.

  In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, the rotary valve 31 can be replaced with other types of valves, such as compressible valves, electromagnetic valves, or other suitable types of valves. In addition, in other types of preferred embodiments, valves may be provided that can be blocked or opened as a result of activation or deactivation of the pressurized medium, respectively.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the dispensing device 1 according to FIG. 2 in three different states. In section (a) of FIG. 3, the dispensing device 1 is shown in the upper part not engaged with the handle member, so that the beverage valve 31 prevents the beverage 3 from passing through the beverage duct 27. Closed. Further, the compressible seal member 26 is in an uncompressed state, whereby the pressurized medium outlet 34 is closed.

  In section (b) of FIG. 3, a preferred embodiment of the dispensing device 1 is shown connected to the beverage container 4. Prior to the dispensing device 1 being connected to the beverage container 4, a hose nozzle 42 that supplies the pressurized medium 5 to the dispensing system 2 is connected to the pressurized medium inlet 36 comprising the pressurized medium duct 23. Connected. Thus, when the dispensing device is not connected to the beverage container 4, the pressurized medium 5 flows out through the pressurized medium duct 23 to the pressurized medium outlet 34 sealed by the compressible seal member 26. It becomes possible. During the connection of the nozzle 42, the holder 17 of the housing 14 is slid onto the connection piece 43 constituted by the beverage container 4, whereby a secure connection is realized. Thereafter, the handle member 8 is rotated around the pivotable joint 13 so that the slide member 12 (not shown) can be moved from the end 20 to the end 20 which are both constituted by a track 19 (not shown). It moves in the direction of 21. As described above, the orthogonality between the track 19 (not shown) and the groove 18 is obtained by cooperating the slide member 12 (not shown), the rotary joint 13, the track 19 and the groove 18 with the handle member 8. It is possible to convert the rotational operation into a linear operation of the connecting member 7. Hence, rotation of the handle member results in an essentially linear actuation of the connecting member 7. In other preferred embodiments, the user can use a method other than rotating the handle member 8, for example, by directly pushing the connecting member, activating the automation means, or other than the manual handle member 8. By pulling the middle part of the connecting member 7, a linear operation of the connecting member 7 can be generated. In yet another preferred embodiment, the track 19 is curved to achieve adjustment of the conversion of the rotational movement of the handle member 8 to the essentially linear movement of the connecting member 7.

  During the essentially linear operation of the connecting member in the direction of the beverage container 4, the compressible seal member 26 is engaged with the connecting piece of the beverage container 4, whereby the compressible seal member 26 is The pressurized medium outlet 34 is compressed so as to be opened. At this point of linear actuation of the connecting member 7, the pressurized medium outlet 34 is present inside the beverage container 4, so that only the pressurized medium 5 flows out into the beverage container 4, not around it. It becomes like this. When the pressurized medium 5 flows into the beverage container 4, the applied pressure presses the beverage toward the beverage outlet 6. At the same point of operation of the connecting member 7, the beverage outlet 6 is inside a part of the beverage duct 27 arranged adjacent to the second end 29 of the connecting member 7 and of the beverage container 4. The beverage that immediately flows out from the inside flows into the beverage duct 27 instead of the surroundings. At the point where the linear actuation of the connecting member 7 has progressed a little further, the beverage valve 31 is opened as an additional result of the rotation of the handle member 8, so that the beverage 3 (not shown) can be allowed It flows out from the beverage outlet 35 through the whole to a dispensing line (not shown). When the pressurized medium valve 34 is strictly opened, when the beverage valve 31 is strictly opened, when contact with various parts of the beverage container 4 is realized strictly, and with various parts of the beverage container 4 It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the coherence as to how is done can be varied in other preferred embodiments that do not depart from the invention.

  Reversing the rotation of the handle member 8 acts to reverse the linear actuation of the connecting member 7, and furthermore, the rotation closes the beverage valve 31. When the connecting member 7 moves away from the connecting piece 43, the compressible seal member 26 returns to its uncompressed state, whereby the pressurized medium outlet 34 is again covered by the compressible seal member. It becomes like this.

  Opening and closing of the pressurized medium outlet 34 is realized by linear operation of the connecting member 7 and contact with the connection piece 43 of the beverage container. Therefore, when the dispensing device 1 is not connected to the beverage container 4, the handle member 8 or the connecting member 7 can operate without causing an undesirable opening of the pressurized medium outlet 34, and thus the book The dispensing device 1 of the invention prevents the leakage of pressurized medium from the beverage container to the surroundings caused by, for example, incomplete separation. Section (c) of FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the dispensing device 1 of the present invention without being connected to a beverage container, but the handle member 8 is not opened with the pressurized medium outlet 34. The state is being rotated.

  It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the other preferred embodiments described above function in the same manner as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows two perspective views of a preferred embodiment according to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the dispensing device of the present invention. In section (a) of FIG. 4, the dispensing device 1 is shown without the housing 14 in order to make the handle member 8 and the connecting member 7 clearer.

  FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the components of a preferred embodiment of the dispensing device of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the component seen from the side surface orthogonal to the component in FIGS. 1-4 is shown. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compressible seal member 26 includes a helical spring, a ring made of a flexible material, and a ring made of a rigid material. This combination is suitable for the connecting member 7 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the handle member 8 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes two fork feet and a handle. The beverage valve 31 of the preferred embodiment comprises a cylinder-shaped piece, which comprises a duct through its circular cross section. The cylinder-shaped piece is surrounded by a seal member that can be formed from a modified O-ring formed from a flexible material.

  One skilled in the art will be able to dispose of the dispensation of the present invention by, for example, activating the beverage inlet 37 and / or the pressurized medium outlet 34 to match the beverage outlet and / or pressurized medium inlet of a particular container. It will be appreciated that the sensing device can be easily used with or adapted to other types of beverage containers 4 other than those shown in FIGS. Also, those skilled in the art can easily fit the compressible seal member 26 and / or the housing 14 and / or the connecting member 7 with other types of beverage containers used in the description of FIGS. You will also understand that it can be configured.

  The materials used for the various components of the dispensing device of the present invention can be readily selected by those skilled in the art. In many cases, for example, stainless steel is used for the rigid component and rubber is used for the flexible component.

  While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that several modifications can be made without departing from the scope defined by the claims.

1 Dispensing Device 2 Dispensing System 3 Beverage 4 Beverage Container 5 Pressurized Medium 6 Beverage Outlet 7 Connecting Member 8 Handle Member 9 First End 10 Second End 11 Intermediate Part 12 Slide Member 13 Joint 14 Housing 15 Housing first end 16 housing second end 17 holder 18 groove 19 track 20 track first end 21 track second end 22 tube member 23 pressurized medium duct 24 tube member first 1 end portion 25 second end portion of tube member 26 compressible seal member 27 beverage duct 28 first end portion of connecting member 29 second end portion of connecting member 30 middle portion 31 beverage valve 32 circular section 33 duct 34 Pressurized medium outlet 35 Beverage outlet 36 Pressurized medium inlet 37 Beverage inlet 40 Medium Part 42 nozzle 43 connection piece

Claims (18)

A dispensing device (1) for a dispensing system (2) used in connection with dispensing of a beverage (3) comprising:
The dispensing system (2) pushes the beverage (3) from the beverage container (4) through the beverage outlet (6), and the beverage container (4) having a beverage outlet (6). A pressure medium (5) such as CO2 used as described above,
The dispensing device (1) comprises a connecting member (7),
Communication of the dispensing of the beverage (3) and communication of the flow of the pressurized medium (5) to the beverage container (4) are achieved by an essentially linear operation of the connecting member (7). ,
The interruption of the dispensing of the beverage (3) and the interruption of the flow of the pressurized medium (5) to the beverage container (4) are achieved by an essentially linear operation of the connecting member (7). ,
The dispensing device (1)
A handle member (8) comprising a first end (9) having a slide member (12) extending therefrom, a second end (10), and an intermediate portion (11) is provided. And
The intermediate portion (11) is attached to the connecting member (7) in a rotatable joint (13),
The dispensing joint (1), wherein the rotatable joint (13) comprises a beverage valve (31).   The dispensing device (1) essentially simultaneously dispenses the beverage (3) from the beverage container (4) and the flow of the pressurized medium (5) to the beverage container (4). Dispensing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to communicate.   The dispensing device (1) is configured to substantially simultaneously block the dispensing of the beverage (3) and the flow of the pressurized medium (5) to the beverage container (4). Dispensing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that   The dispensing device (1) is mounted in a housing (14), and the housing (14) comprises a first end (15) and a second end (16). The second end (16) comprises a holder (17) for the beverage container (4), according to any one of the preceding claims. Dispensing device (1).   The housing (14) further comprises a groove (18), in which the connecting member (7) can perform the essentially linear operation. Dispensing device (1) according to claim 4.   The first end (15) of the housing (14) comprises a closed track (19), in which the slide member (12) is connected to the first end (20) and the first end (20). 5. Dispensing device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that it is slidable in an essentially linear motion between the two end portions (21).   The dispensing of the beverage (3) and the flow of the pressurized medium (5) to the beverage container (4) are such that the slide member (12) is moved from the first end (20) to the second end. Dispensing device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that it communicates when moving to the end (21).   The dispensing of the beverage (3) and the flow of the pressurized medium (5) are such that the slide member (12) moves from the second end (21) to the first end (20). Dispensing device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that it is shut off when doing so.   The slide member (12) moves toward the second end (21) by rotation of the handle member (8) around the pivotable joint (13) in a first direction. And the slide member (12) is moved away from the second end portion (21) by the rotation of the handle member (8) around the rotatable joint (13) in the second direction. 9. Dispensing device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that it moves towards the direction. The dispensing device (1)
A compressible seal member (26);
A tube member (22) comprising a pressurized medium duct (23), a first end (24), and a second end (25);
Comprising
The connecting member (7) comprises a beverage duct (27), a first end (28), a second end (29), and an intermediate part (30),
The second end portion (25) of the tube member (22) is attached to the intermediate portion (30) of the connecting member (7), and
10. The compressible sealing member (26) is arranged at the second end (29) of the connecting member (7), according to any one of the preceding claims. Dispensing device (1) as described.   The connecting member (7) is a beverage at the second end (29) of the connecting member (7) from the beverage outlet (35) at the first end (28) of the connecting member (7). 11. The beverage duct (27) extending to the inlet (37), the beverage duct (27) comprising a beverage valve (31). Dispensing device (1).   The beverage valve (31) is essentially cylindrical, comprising a circular cross section (32) and a duct (33) extending through the circular cross section (32). Dispensing device (1) according to claim 11.   13. The beverage valve (31) is rotatable around an axis (34) essentially perpendicular to the circular cross section (32) of the beverage valve (31). Dispensing device according to (1). The pressurized medium duct (23)
At the first end (24) of the tube member (22),
Passing through an attachment portion between the second end (25) of the tube member (22) and the intermediate portion (30) of the connecting member (7),
Dispensing device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that it terminates at a pressurized medium outlet (34) at the second end (29) of the connecting member (7).   The compressible seal member (26) closes the pressurized medium outlet (34) in an uncompressed state, and the compressible seal member (26) Dispensing device (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the outlet (34) is open. A method for dispensing a beverage from a dispensing system (2) comprising the dispensing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising:
Connecting a pressurized medium nozzle (42) to the dispensing device (1);
Connecting said dispensing device (1) to a beverage container (4);
Actuating said connecting member (7) in an essentially linear motion;
A method comprising the steps of: Realizing an essentially linear operation of the connecting member (7) by rotating the handle member (8);
The beverage valve (31) is opened by the essentially linear actuation of the connecting member (7);
The beverage valve (31) is shut off by the essentially linear actuation of the connecting member (7);
The pressurized medium outlet (34) is opened by the essentially linear actuation of the connecting member (7);
The pressurized medium outlet (34) is blocked by the essentially linear actuation of the connecting member (7);
The method of claim 16, further comprising:   18. Use of a dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 17 for dispensing other fluids such as chemicals, foodstuffs, oils and the like.

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