JP2011515284A - Beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to facilitate the insertion of the beverage and beverage delivery pipe (4) into the faucet casing (20), the faucet casing is accessible between the opening of the font housing (1) and the opening of the faucet casing (20). A beverage dispensing device is provided in which (20) is movably attached to the font housing (1).
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention is particularly, but not necessarily, related to beverage dispense for hotels, restaurants, and restaurants.

  Typically, in beverage dispensers for hotels, restaurants, and restaurants, beverage reservoirs, such as barrels, are fonted by consumers or installation technicians using a beverage delivery line. Connected to. The font consists of a housing with an internal chamber and a tap assembly with an internal conduit. The beverage delivery tube comprises a coupler having a keg connected at one end and a flexible pipe having a nozzle at the other end. When the beverage delivery tube is connected, the chamber of the font housing and the faucet assembly. Is extended through the conduit. The arrangement is such that the beverage can pass through the beverage delivery tube from the reservoir to the dispensing point (ie, the nozzle in the faucet assembly) without contacting any other parts of the device. However, with known devices, the operation of guiding the beverage delivery tube between the font housing and the faucet assembly during connection has proven difficult.

  It is known to use disposable beverage delivery tubes for hygiene reasons. After use with one barrel, the beverage delivery tube can simply be discarded and replaced with a new beverage delivery tube for use with another barrel. In order to keep the beverage path sterile, costly disposal and careful cleaning of the font housing and faucet assembly is not required.

  However, intentional or accidental reuse of the beverage delivery tube may occur with known beverage dispensing devices. Such reuse of the beverage delivery tube can significantly impair the cleanliness of the device and can lead to beverage contamination.

  The barrel is typically positioned in the refrigerated housing to cool the beverage before being dispensed via the beverage delivery tube. The font can be located on the refrigerated housing. To maintain the temperature of the beverage delivery tube outside the refrigerated housing, for example, to cool the beverage delivery tube when the beverage delivery tube extends through the font housing and / or faucet assembly, the outside of the refrigerated housing It is desirable to cool the beverage delivery tube. In some systems, this is accomplished by blowing cool air from the refrigerated housing into the font housing and faucet assembly. However, this arrangement is expensive and can be complicated to implement.

  During the use of known beverage dispensing devices, the beverage delivery tube nozzle may create a beverage coating. Problems can arise due to insects such as fruit flies that are attracted to beverages. After a while, insects may start to gather at the nozzle.

  Most generally, the following aspects of the present invention include a faucet casing movably attached to a font housing for easier insertion of a beverage delivery tube into the faucet casing, A beverage dispensing device is provided that allows access to and from an opening in a casing.

  In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a font housing surrounds the font chamber and an input opening in the font housing enters a flexible beverage delivery line into the font chamber. And a beverage dispensing device having an output opening through which the beverage delivery tube can exit the font chamber. In this beverage dispensing device, the faucet assembly comprises a faucet casing that surrounds the faucet conduit, the faucet casing having an inlet opening for inserting the beverage delivery tube into the faucet conduit and an outlet opening through which the beverage delivery tube can be exited from the faucet conduit. And the faucet casing has a gap between (i) a dispensing position where the inlet opening of the faucet casing is connected to the outlet opening of the font housing, and (ii) a gap between the inlet opening of the faucet casing and the outlet opening of the font housing. It is movably attached to the font housing so that it can be pivoted between a designated access position.

  Since the faucet casing is movable between a dispensing position and an access position, it can facilitate the insertion of a beverage delivery tube through the device, as will be described below.

  To deploy a beverage delivery tube to the device, the beverage delivery tube must be extended through the font housing chamber and through the conduit of the faucet assembly. The general direction that the beverage delivery tube passes through the chamber of the font housing may be substantially different from the general direction that passes through the faucet conduit (eg, differs by 90 °), and the direction change is primarily At the transition between the font housing outlet opening and the faucet casing inlet opening. Thus, when a beverage delivery tube is deployed, it may require careful manipulation of the beverage delivery tube to extend the beverage delivery tube between the font housing chamber and the faucet conduit.

  When the faucet casing is in the dispensing position, access to the beverage delivery tube between the font housing outlet opening and the faucet casing inlet opening is restricted or not gained. Therefore, it may be possible to operate the beverage delivery tube only at a location that is relatively far from the two openings, and thus away from the location where the direction of the beverage delivery tube should change. This will make it difficult or impossible to operate the beverage delivery tube to guide the beverage delivery tube between the font housing and the faucet assembly.

  However, according to the present invention, the faucet casing can be pivoted to the access position, so that access to the beverage delivery tube between the font housing outlet opening and the faucet casing inlet opening is a gap between the two openings. Is possible. This makes it easier for a person to operate the beverage delivery tube between the font housing and the faucet assembly.

  The faucet casing is preferably pivotable between the dispensing position and the access position. This can be accomplished, for example, by providing a joint / attachment element, such as a hinge, that secures between the faucet casing and the font housing. The coupling / mounting element may be provided on the faucet assembly.

  Preferably, the font housing has an input end, an output end, and a sidewall extending between the input and output ends. The inlet opening and the outlet opening are located adjacent to the input end and the output end of the font housing, respectively. The side wall may be a cylindrical side wall that forms a cylindrical font housing. Preferably, in the dispensing position, the faucet assembly projects from the side wall of the casing. The faucet assembly can be movably (eg, pivotably) attached to the sidewall.

  The outlet opening of the font housing may be partly or wholly formed by a side wall opening (“side opening”) adjacent to the output end of the housing.

  Preferably, the outlet opening of the font housing is formed partly by a side opening and partly by an opening at the output end of the housing (“end opening”). This arrangement can be achieved, for example, by extending the side walls to the periphery at the output end of the font housing. The peripheral edge defines the edge of the end opening, and the side opening is formed by a notch or slot in the edge. The peripheral edge adjacent to the notch or slot may be a raised peripheral portion. Basically, the side opening and the end opening may be one together to create a larger opening, the larger opening extending across two planes. Preferably, in the dispensing position, the inlet opening of the faucet casing is arranged to connect with the side opening.

  This arrangement can further improve the ease with which a beverage delivery tube can be extended between the font housing and the faucet assembly, as described below.

  When the beverage delivery tube is fed into the inlet opening of the font housing, the beverage delivery tube is tilted and advances through the font chamber toward the output end of the font housing. This causes the beverage delivery tube to be operated so that the beverage delivery tube projects straight out of the font chamber through the end opening. In particular, this would make it more straightforward than operating a beverage delivery tube that extends from the font chamber through a side opening. Subsequently, the human grasps the beverage delivery tube protruding from the font chamber and with the faucet assembly in the access position, the end of the beverage delivery tube (eg, nozzle) directly into the inlet opening of the faucet casing. Can be sent. This may be done before or after pushing the beverage delivery tube into the side opening. The beverage delivery tube is pushed into the side opening so that the faucet assembly can be rotated to a ready dispensing position, the inlet opening of the faucet casing is aligned with the side opening of the font housing, and the beverage delivery tube is neat Extends through the side opening.

  Most preferably, a cap is provided that closes the end opening in the dispensing position. The cap can be pivotally attached to the periphery at the output end of the font housing.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a font housing for a beverage dispensing device is provided. The font housing surrounds the font chamber and has an inlet opening at the input end through which the flexible beverage delivery tube can enter the font chamber and an outlet at the output end through which the beverage delivery tube can exit the font chamber. And the outlet opening includes an end opening and a side opening.

  This arrangement of end openings and side openings improves the ease with which the beverage delivery tube can be extended through the font housing, as described above for the first embodiment. Preferably, the font housing has a side wall extending between the input end and the output end. The side wall may be a cylindrical side wall that forms a cylindrical font housing.

  The outlet opening of the font housing is formed partly by a side opening and partly by an opening at the output end of the housing. This arrangement can be achieved, for example, by extending the side walls to the periphery at the output end of the font housing. The peripheral edge defines the edge of the end opening and the side opening is formed by a notch or slot in the edge. The peripheral edge adjacent to the notch or slot may be a raised peripheral portion. Basically, the side opening and the end opening may be one together to create a larger opening, the larger opening extending across two planes.

  Most preferably, a cap is provided that closes the end opening of the font housing. The cap can be pivotally attached to the periphery at the output end of the font housing.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, a faucet assembly for a beverage dispensing device is provided. The faucet assembly comprises a faucet casing that surrounds the faucet conduit, an inlet opening in the faucet casing that allows the beverage delivery tube to enter the faucet conduit, and an outlet opening in the faucet casing that allows the beverage delivery tube to exit the faucet conduit; The faucet assembly includes a fitting that movably attaches the faucet casing to the font housing of the beverage dispenser.

  The connection fitting includes a faucet casing, (iii) a dispensing position where the inlet opening of the faucet casing is connected to the outlet opening of the font housing, and (iv) between the inlet opening of the faucet casing and the outlet opening of the font housing, The faucet casing can be movably attached to the font housing so that it can rotate between access positions provided with a gap.

  Because the faucet casing is movable between the dispensing position and the access position, the beverage delivery tube can be easily inserted into the faucet assembly as described above for the first aspect.

  Preferably, the faucet assembly includes a fitting that pivotally attaches the faucet casing to the font housing of the beverage dispenser. Preferably, the faucet assembly includes a coupling / attachment element, such as a hinge, that secures between the faucet casing and the font housing. The faucet assembly of the third aspect may be combined with the font housing of the second aspect.

  The devices, font housings, and faucet assemblies described above are not necessarily limited, but are specifically designed for use with flexible, disposable beverage delivery tubes. Typically, such beverage delivery tubes have one end connected to a beverage reservoir such as a barrel and the other end with a nozzle with a nozzle hole that can dispense the beverage. The arrangement is such that the beverage passes through the beverage delivery tube from the reservoir to the dispensing point (ie, the nozzle) without contact with any other device. Typically, the beverage delivery tube nozzle is elastically deformable. Therefore, the beverage delivery tube can be closed to squeeze or tighten the nozzle to prevent the dispensing of the beverage so that the pressure on the beverage delivery tube can be released and dispensed. A beverage delivery tube can be opened.

  Preferably, the faucet assembly described above for the first and third aspects includes a handle mechanism for clamping the nozzle. Basically, this can provide a “pinch valve” device. By using the pinch valve device, there is no need for contact between the handle mechanism and the beverage itself and the cleanliness of the faucet assembly is improved. Preferably, the handle mechanism includes an overcentre mechanism and / or a snap mechanism.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a faucet assembly for a beverage device is provided. The faucet assembly includes a faucet casing that surrounds a faucet conduit and a handle mechanism that releasably tightens a beverage delivery tube nozzle to prevent dispensing of beverage through the beverage delivery tube, the handle mechanism comprising an over-center mechanism and / or Or a snap mechanism is included.

  By providing a handle mechanism with an over-center mechanism and / or a snap mechanism, the handle mechanism can be quickly pivoted between a position for tightly gripping or tightening the beverage delivery tube and a position for releasing the pressure on the beverage delivery tube. can do. Therefore, reducing the significant driving force of the beverage along the beverage delivery tube that may occur when gradually grasping or tightening the nozzle beverage delivery tube and may cause unnecessary dispensing of the beverage Can do. The faucet assembly of the fourth aspect may be combined with the font housing of the second aspect.

  In a typical beverage dispenser, the beverage delivery tube is arranged to connect to a beverage reservoir, for example a barrel, located in the refrigerated compartment of the refrigerated housing. The refrigerated housing keeps the reservoir and hence the beverage located there cold.

  In the beverage dispensing device of the first aspect and the font housing of the second aspect, the font housing can be attached to the upper surface of the refrigeration housing surrounding the refrigeration chamber. An opening can be formed in the upper surface of the refrigerated housing, which allows a beverage delivery tube to be fed from the refrigerated chamber into the font chamber via the font housing inlet opening.

  Preferably, the thermally conductive element is arranged to extend between the refrigerator compartment and the font chamber, the thermally conductive element being partly located in the refrigerator compartment and partly in order to cool the font chamber. Located in the font chamber. A part of the heat conductive element located in the refrigerator compartment is cooled to the temperature of the refrigerator compartment. Due to the thermal conductivity of the element, this also cools a part of the thermally conductive element located within the font chamber, which in turn cools the surroundings of the font chamber and thus through the font chamber. The beverage delivery tube that extends and any beverage that is placed in the beverage delivery tube is cooled.

  Preferably, the thermally conductive element extends from the refrigerator compartment through the font chamber and connects to the faucet assembly of the first aspect. Thus, in addition to the font chamber cooling described above, the thermally conductive element also cools the faucet conduit of the faucet assembly. The thermally conductive element may be composed of a thermally conductive tube, such as a metal tube, extending between the refrigerator compartment and the font chamber. The beverage delivery tube can extend through this tube. Thermal insulation surrounding the tubes in the font chamber may be provided.

  A thermally conductive element can be connected to a heat sink located in the refrigerator compartment to increase or accelerate cooling of the thermally conductive element. The refrigeration housing can include a fan that blows cool air around the refrigeration chamber. Preferably, the heat sink is located adjacent to the fan so that the cool air blown from the fan reaches the heat sink directly. The heat sink can be composed of a plurality of fins or thin-walled tubes that increase the surface area.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a font housing that surrounds the font chamber, a refrigeration housing that surrounds the refrigeration chamber, and a thermally conductive element that is partially located within the font chamber and partially within the refrigeration chamber. A beverage dispensing device is provided.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a font housing is provided that encloses the font chamber and the thermally conductive element. The thermally conductive element is partially located in the font chamber, and a part of the thermally conductive element protrudes outside the font chamber and is located in the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator housing.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a refrigerated housing for a beverage dispensing device is provided. The refrigeration housing surrounds the refrigeration chamber and includes a heat conductive element. The heat conductive element is partially located in the refrigeration chamber, and a part of the refrigeration housing protrudes outside the chamber (refrigeration chamber). • Located in the chamber.

  A portion of the thermally conductive element located / installable in the refrigerator compartment is cooled to the temperature of the refrigerator compartment. Due to the thermal conductivity of the element, this also cools a part of the thermally conductive element located / installable in the font chamber, which in turn cools the surroundings of the font chamber and thus the font The beverage delivery tube extending through the chamber and any beverage placed in the beverage delivery tube is cooled.

  Preferably, the thermally conductive element extends from the refrigerator compartment through the font chamber and connects to a faucet assembly formed in the font housing. Thus, in addition to the font chamber cooling described above, the thermally conductive element also cools the faucet conduit of the faucet assembly. The faucet assembly may be the same as described for the third and fourth aspects. The thermally conductive element may be composed of a thermally conductive tube, such as a metal tube, extending between the refrigerator compartment and the font chamber. The beverage delivery tube can extend through this tube. Thermal insulation surrounding the tubes in the font chamber may be provided.

  A thermally conductive element can be connected to a heat sink located in the refrigerator compartment to increase or accelerate cooling of the thermally conductive element. The refrigeration housing can include a fan that blows cool air around the refrigeration chamber. Preferably, the heat sink is located adjacent to the fan so that the cool air blown from the fan reaches the heat sink directly. The heat sink can be composed of a plurality of fins or thin-walled tubes that increase the surface area.

  Preferably, the font housing or faucet assembly described in any of the first to sixth aspects includes an exhaust vent that exhausts cool air from the font chamber and / or faucet conduit. This may continuously circulate cool air through the font chamber and / or faucet conduit to ensure that the air in them does not stagnate or warm to ambient temperature. Preferably, the outlet is arranged such that, in use, the discharged air flow is directed to a beverage delivery tube nozzle extending through the faucet conduit.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage dispensing device having an outlet through which beverage is dispensed and means for directing air flow to the outlet.

  In use, at the outlet where the beverage delivery tube nozzle is positioned (e.g., the outlet opening of the faucet casing in the faucet assembly as described in any one of the first, third and fourth aspects), By directing a flow of air (preferably a cold air jet), the possibility of insects entering the nozzle can be prevented. Airflow can keep insects away from the nozzle and prevent intrusion. Further, the air flow can actually prevent the beverage from covering the nozzle, eliminating insect attraction and preventing intrusion.

  The present invention also relates to a coupler for connecting a beverage delivery pipe to a valve mechanism of a beverage storage tank such as a barrel. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a coupler for connecting a beverage delivery tube to a beverage storage tank is provided. The coupler includes a barrel adapter that is fixed to the valve mechanism of the beverage storage tank, and a tube adapter that is integrated with the beverage delivery pipe and is connected to the barrel adapter and operates the valve mechanism.

  Preferably, the tube adapter can be connected to the barrel adapter, and the barrel adapter and the tube adapter can be linked to each other. Thus, when the barrel adapter is secured to the valve mechanism, the tube adapter can move relative to the valve mechanism to actuate the valve mechanism (ie, open the valve mechanism to dispense beverage from the valve mechanism). ).

  Preferably, the tube adapter has a pressing surface for pressing the valve mechanism in order to operate the valve mechanism. Preferably, the tube adapter is disposable. Preferably, the barrel adapter and tube adapter are disposable. The barrel adapter and / or tube adapter is preferably constructed from plastic. Preferably, the barrel adapter and the tube adapter are each an integral part.

  Preferably, the barrel adapter is securable to the valve mechanism so that the consumer cannot remove the barrel adapter from the valve mechanism. In order to achieve this, the barrel adapter can be fixed to the valve mechanism via a snap-type fitting. The barrel adapter can be secured to the valve mechanism so that a specially tailored tool is required to remove the barrel adapter. Custom tailored tools are managed only by beverage reservoir suppliers and / or manufacturers (eg, brewing companies).

  Preferably, the tube adapter is connectable to the barrel adapter so that it cannot be disconnected from the barrel adapter by the consumer. In order to realize this, the tube adapter can be fixed to the barrel adapter via a snap-type connection fitting.

  Preferably, in order to connect the barrel adapter and the tube adapter together, the barrel adapter has an opening for receiving the tube adapter, the opening being specially designed for the shape of the tube adapter. Thus, the consumer cannot use other tube adapters, i.e., cannot use other tube adapters where the beverage reservoir has a barrel adapter secured to the valve mechanism.

  Generally, in order to prevent reuse of the tube adapter, the above-described coupler method can be employed. This scheme can be utilized to ensure that only one type of tube adapter can be used with the beverage reservoir.

  More specifically, the beverage reservoir supplier, along with a separate tube adapter integrated with the beverage delivery tube, will bring the reservoir to the consumer with the coupler barrel adapter secured to the valve mechanism. Can be provided. Because the keg adapter and tube adapter are tailored to each other, the user can only use the supplied tube adapter with the keg adapter to dispense beverage. This makes the consumer unable to use another (potentially contaminated) tube adapter. The person who assembles the system, such as a consumer or installation technician, can then connect the tube adapter to the barrel adapter. However, since the tube adapter cannot be removed from the barrel adapter after connection, and the barrel adapter cannot be removed from the valve mechanism without a specially tailored tool, the consumer can then remove the beverage delivery tube and coupler from the beverage reservoir. Cannot be removed and reused with another beverage reservoir.

  The beverage reservoir can be supplied with a barrel adapter disconnected from the valve mechanism to allow the consumer or installation technician to connect the barrel adapter to the valve mechanism and / or the beverage reservoir is already connected together. It is contemplated that it may be supplied with a barrel adapter and a tube adapter.

  The above-described connectors with barrel adapters and tube adapters are considered particularly suitable for use with barrel standard valve devices. Normally, barrels employ standard valve mechanisms such as “A-system”, “D-system”, “G-system”, “U-system”, and “S-system”. By disconnecting the barrel adapter of the coupler fixed to the valve mechanism from the pipe adapter of the coupler configured to actuate the valve mechanism, the coupler is not necessarily limited, but particularly “A-System And “G-System”.

  These two systems use a metal annular disc and a pushable valve plate surrounded by the annular disc. The outer edge of the metal annular disc sits on the peripheral surface of the barrel. In the unpressed state, the valve plate remains almost flush with the annular disc. Thus, to obtain a good connection, it is desirable that the barrel adapter fits around the upper outer edge of the annular disk. By separating the two members while the barrel adapter is connected to the outer edge of the annular disc, the tube adapter can be easily positioned to be positioned on the pushable valve plate and the valve plate is It can be easily arranged to move with respect to the barrel adapter to press and dispense the beverage from the barrel.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a barrel adapter used as the barrel adapter described above for the ninth aspect of the present invention. According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a tube adapter for use as the tube adapter described above for the ninth aspect of the present invention. In connection with any of the previously described aspects of the present invention, a connector, i.e., a tube adapter and barrel adapter as described above, can be used. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The perspective view of the drink dispensing apparatus of one Example of this invention. The side view of the drink delivery pipe | tube used for the apparatus of FIG. 3a and 3b are enlarged perspective and side views, respectively, of the font housing and faucet assembly of the apparatus of FIG. 2 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 with a faucet assembly in the access position. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the faucet assembly and font housing of FIG. 4. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the faucet assembly of FIG. 1 in an access position. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the faucet assembly of FIG. 1 in an access position. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a cross section of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with a beverage delivery tube inserted. FIG. 7b is an enlarged view of the font housing and faucet assembly of FIG. 7a. The top view of the “A-system” valve mechanism located on the top of the barrel.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the barrel adapter of the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the barrel adapter of the apparatus of FIG. 1. The bottom perspective view of the barrel adapter of the apparatus of FIG. The bottom perspective view of the barrel adapter of the apparatus of FIG. The side view of the barrel adapter of the apparatus of FIG. The side view of the barrel adapter of the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a top view of the barrel adapter of the apparatus of FIG. 1. 9g is a side sectional view of the barrel adapter taken along line AA in FIG. 9g. FIG. FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the tube adapter of the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the tube adapter of the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the tube adapter of the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the tube adapter of the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a side view of the tube adapter of the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the tube adapter of the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the tube adapter of the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. _{2 is} a side view of the CO ₂ adapter, tube adapter, and barrel adapter of the apparatus of FIG. 1 connected to a barrel valve mechanism. FIG. _{2 is} a cross-sectional perspective view of the CO ₂ adapter, tube adapter, and barrel adapter of the apparatus of FIG. 1 connected to the barrel valve mechanism. FIG. ₂ is a cross-sectional side view of the CO ₂ adapter, tube adapter, and barrel adapter of the apparatus of FIG. 1 connected to a barrel valve mechanism.

  A beverage dispensing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. The beverage dispensing device includes a font housing 1, a faucet assembly 2 attached to the font housing 1, and a refrigerated housing 3. Beverages are fed from the beverage storage tank (barrel (not shown) in the present embodiment) to the faucet assembly 2 via the beverage delivery pipe 4 (see FIG. 2). The beverage delivery tube has a nozzle 41 at one end and a tube adapter 7 at the other end connected to the barrel valve mechanism 5.

  In the following description, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “upward”, “downward”, etc. are intended to refer to the relative position and movement of the components of the dispensing device in normal use. is there.

  An enlarged view of the font housing 1 and faucet assembly 2 is shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. The font housing 1 has an elongated font casing 10, and the casing 10 has a side wall 11 extending between an upper end surface 10a and a lower end surface 10b thereof. The font casing surrounds the font chamber 12 seen in FIG. The font casing 10 has an upper surface opening 13 and a lower surface opening 131 on the upper end surface 10a and the lower end surface 10b, respectively, so that the beverage / beverage delivery pipe 4 can enter and exit from the font chamber 12, respectively. The lower end surface 10 b of the font casing is attached to the upper surface 31 of the refrigerated housing 3.

  The size of the upper surface opening 13 of the font casing 10 can be adjusted. In order to adjust the size, a rotatable font cap 14 is provided on the upper end surface of the font housing 1. In the closed “dispensing” position (as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 a, 3 b), the font cap 14 is arranged to lie on the periphery 15 in the upper end surface 10 a of the font casing 10, thereby The upper end surface 10a of the font casing 10 is covered. When in this dispensing position, the slot in the side wall 11 of the font casing 10 at the raised portion of the peripheral edge 15 provides a side opening 13a and forms only part of the upper end opening 13.

  However, the font cap 14 can be pivoted to an open “approach” position (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) away from the periphery 15, leaving the entire upper surface of the font casing 10 open. Providing an end opening 13b in the font casing and increasing the size of the upper end opening 13 so that the beverage delivery tube 4 advances, particularly when the beverage delivery tube is inserted through the font casing 10. An area is provided at the top opening 13 that extends generally perpendicular to the path.

  The faucet assembly 2 is best seen in FIGS. 6a and 6b. The faucet assembly 2 includes a faucet casing 20 with side walls 21 extending between the proximal end 20a and the distal end 20b of the faucet casing. The faucet casing 20 has a proximal opening 23a and a distal opening 23b at its proximal end 20a and distal end 20b, respectively, so that the beverage delivery tube 4 can enter and exit from the faucet conduit 22, respectively. . The proximal end 20 a of the faucet casing is attached to the side wall of the font casing 10 by the faucet mounting plate 24 at a position adjacent to the upper end surface 10 a of the font casing 10.

  The faucet mounting plate 24 is connected to the faucet casing 20 via a hinge 25. Accordingly, the faucet casing 20 can be rotated with respect to the faucet mounting plate 24 and thus with respect to the font casing 10. In particular, the faucet casing 20 can pivot between a dispensing position (as shown in FIGS. 1, 3a, 3b) and an access position (as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6a, 6b). In the dispensing position, the proximal opening 23 a is brought together with the side opening 13 a of the top opening 13 in the font casing 10 via a faucet mounting plate 24 having a hole 241. In the access position, the proximal opening 23a is no longer associated with the side opening 13a of the font casing 10 via the faucet mounting plate 24, but rather away from the side opening 13a and the mounting plate 24 of the font casing 10, while A gap is formed.

  To deploy the beverage delivery tube 4 to the device, the beverage delivery tube must be extended through the font chamber 12 and through the faucet conduit 22. A beverage delivery tube connected to the keg and extended through the font chamber is shown very schematically in FIGS. 7a, 7b. However, in order for the beverage delivery tube to extend from the font chamber 12 to the faucet conduit 22, it requires a significant change in direction in which the beverage delivery tube 4 travels. This is because the extension directions of these two parts are substantially perpendicular to each other. In view of such circumstances, in this embodiment, the font cap 14 and the faucet casing 20 are placed in their respective access positions in order to insert the beverage delivery tube 4 through the font chamber 12 and into the faucet conduit 22. .

  Subsequently, the nozzle 41 of the beverage delivery tube is fed into the font chamber 12 through the bottom opening 131 and pushes the nozzle into the font chamber 12, causing the nozzle to protrude from the end opening 13 a of the font casing 10. At that time, it becomes possible for a person to hold the nozzle 41 and insert it into the faucet conduit 22 through the exposed proximal opening 23 a of the faucet casing 20. When inserted into the faucet conduit 22, the beverage delivery tube 4 can be guided into the side opening 13a of the font casing 10, and then the font cap 14 and the faucet casing 20 can be placed in their respective dispensing positions. .

  By using the beverage delivery tube 4 as described above, the beverage can be dispensed from the barrel (ie, the end of the nozzle 41) without contacting any other device such as the font housing 1 or the faucet assembly 2. Part). By using the disposable beverage delivery tube 4, after using one barrel, the beverage delivery tube 4 can simply be discarded and replaced with a new beverage delivery tube used with another barrel, Beverage dispensing will be even more hygienic. For example, the dispensing system can be kept sterile without requiring costly disposal of the font housing or faucet assembly or careful cleaning.

  The refrigerated housing 3 includes a refrigeration chamber accessible through a door 32 in which barrels can be present. The temperature of the refrigerator compartment is kept cold by a refrigeration unit (not shown). This also keeps the beverage in the barrel cool. The refrigerated housing 3 is attached to the wheels 33 so that it can be easily transported. The temperature of the refrigerator compartment can be manually adjusted by a lever 34 located directly under the door 32 and adjacent to the hot air exhaust port 35.

  The faucet assembly 2 includes a handle mechanism 26 that can start and stop the dispensing of beverage. In this embodiment, the handle mechanism 26 is arranged so as to be able to tighten the nozzle 41 of the beverage delivery tube inserted into the faucet conduit 22, and the nozzle 41 is made of an elastic and flexible material. The handle mechanism (best seen in FIG. 6b) includes a handle 261, an overcenter snap mechanism 262, and a piston 263.

  When the handle 261 is pushed or pulled, the over-center snap mechanism 262 forces the piston 263 to press the nozzle 41 to close the nozzle 41, and the position where the beverage does not flow from the nozzle 41 and the nozzle 41 The pushing force of the piston 263 is released, the nozzle 41 is opened, and it is ensured that the handle 261 moves quickly to a position where a beverage can flow through the nozzle 41. Since the piston 263 can quickly move to the position where the nozzle 41 is closed, the beverage can flow out of the end opening 411 of the nozzle 41 during the closing process, and therefore the possibility of unnecessary leakage from the nozzle 41 is reduced. Can be reduced.

  The nozzle 41 is composed of a laminar flow nozzle, and the diameter cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the nozzle increases toward the end opening 411 of the nozzle 41. This arrangement means that as the beverage approaches the nozzle opening 411, the speed of the beverage passing through the nozzle 41 decreases, reducing the possibility of the beverage foaming.

The beverage delivery tube is connected to the barrel valve mechanism via a coupler. In this embodiment, the valve mechanism is an “A-system” mechanism 5, as shown in FIG. The A-system mechanism 5 includes a metal annular disk 51 and a pressable valve plate 52 surrounded by the annular disk 51. The outer edge 521 of the metal annular disc sits on the peripheral upper surface 53 of the barrel. In the unpressed state, the annular valve plate 52 remains substantially flush with the annular disk 51. In a state where the valve plate 52 is pressed is accessible inside the barrel, CO ₂ and may be passed to force inside the barrel, beverage can forcibly push it from barrel for dispensing , That means. The valve mechanism 5 is shown in FIGS. 11a-11c connected to a trough extending to the bottom of the barrel.

The coupler includes a barrel adapter 6 arranged to secure it to the annular disk 51 of the valve mechanism 5. With reference to FIGS. 9 a-9 h, the barrel adapter 6 includes a ring-shaped body 61 having a circular central opening 62. A plurality of inward projections 63 (eight in this embodiment) extend from the periphery of the central opening 62. A circumferential CO ₂ seal 611 is provided on the bottom surface of the ring-shaped main body 61 around the central opening 62. A downward flange 64 extends from the periphery of the ring-shaped main body 61. A plurality of inward projections 65 (five in this embodiment) extend from the flange 64. The barrel adapter 6 is arranged so as to be pressed against the annular disk 51 of the valve mechanism 5, whereby the protrusion 65 is snapped onto the lower edge of the annular disk 51, and the CO ₂ seal 611 is placed on the upper surface of the annular disk 51. , And the center opening 62 of the ring-shaped main body 61 exactly matches the pressable annular valve plate 52 of the valve mechanism 5.

  The snap connection is such that the consumer cannot disconnect the barrel adapter 6 from the valve mechanism 5. Nevertheless, the plurality of projection openings 66 are formed in the ring-shaped main body 61, and the projection 65 can be accessed from the upper surface of the ring-shaped main body 61. In order to separate the barrel adapter 6 and the annular disc 51, a finger of a specially tailored tool (not shown) can extend through the projection opening 66 to contact the projection 65 and push it away from the annular disc 51. . This is intended to ensure that tailor-made tools are managed only by the barrel manufacturer and / or supplier so that the consumer cannot disconnect the barrel adapter 6 from the valve mechanism 5.

The coupler includes a tube adapter 7 that is integral with the beverage delivery tube 4 (ie, secured to the beverage delivery tube so that it cannot be removed). Referring to FIGS. 10 a-10 g, the tube adapter 7 includes a substantially cylindrical component 71 whose cylindrical side wall 711 extends between the top opening 72 a and the bottom opening 72 b in the extending direction of the cylindrical component 71. Extend between. The upper surface opening 72a and the bottom surface opening 72b are surrounded by the upper surface periphery 73a and the bottom surface periphery 73b. The main purpose of the tube adapter 7, the beverage flowing from barrel is to separate the CO ₂ flowing through the barrel.

  The cylindrical component 71 is substantially hollow inside. A central wall 74 extends inward of the cylindrical component and is positioned between the top surface opening 72a and the bottom surface opening 72b of the cylindrical component 71 across a plane perpendicular to the extending direction. The central wall 74 blocks the flow of fluid between the upper surface opening 72a and the bottom surface opening 72b in the cylindrical component, and divides the hollow interior into an upper hollow portion 75a and a lower hollow portion 75b.

  The lower end surface of the cylindrical component 71 has a circumferential bottom flange 76a, and this flange 76a protrudes outward from the side wall 711 of the cylindrical component in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the cylindrical component 71. To do. The bottom flange 76a has a bottom surface that provides a bottom peripheral edge 73b of the cylindrical component and engages and seals the pushable annular valve plate 52 of the valve mechanism 5.

The upper end surface of the cylindrical component 71 has a circumferential upper flange 76 b, and this flange 76 b extends outward from the side wall 711 of the cylindrical component 71 in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the cylindrical component 71. Protruding. The upper surface of the upper flange 76 b provides the upper surface periphery 73 a of the cylindrical component 71. A circumferential CO ₂ seal element 761 is located at the upper surface periphery.

A circumferential intermediate flange 76 c configured similarly to the upper flange 76 b is provided between the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the cylindrical component 71. A circumferential CO ₂ seal element 762 is provided on the bottom surface of the intermediate flange 76c. Referring to FIG. 10e, an upper cavity 77a is formed between the upper flange 76b and the intermediate flange 76c, and a portion of the side wall 711 extends therebetween. A lower cavity 77b is formed between the bottom flange 76a and the intermediate flange 76c, and a side wall 711 extends therebetween.

The bottom peripheral edge 73b of the cylindrical component 71 is arranged so as to be pushed into the central opening 62 of the barrel adapter 6, whereby the protrusion 63 of the central opening 62 is snapped into the lower cavity 77b, and the tube adapter 7 connects to the barrel adapter 6. The size and shape of the central opening 62 are specially specified with respect to the size and shape of the tube adapter 7. The relative movement of the tube adapter 7 and the barrel adapter 6 is limited by the distance between the bottom flange 76a and the intermediate flange 76c. The pipe adapter 7 is pressed downward to the dispensing position with respect to the barrel adapter 6, whereby the barrel adapter presses the valve plate 52 of the valve mechanism 5, shifts CO ₂ to the barrel, and moves the beverage from the barrel. Can be made. The snap fit is such that the consumer cannot cut the tube adapter 7 from the barrel adapter 6.

  A first beverage pipe opening 78 a is formed on the bottom side of the central wall 74. The first tube opening 78a provides one end opening for the beverage tube 78, the beverage tube extends through the central wall 74, and through the upper hollow portion 75a of the cylindrical component 71, the upper flange 76b and the intermediate flange. Extends to the second tube opening 78b in the side wall 711 of the cylindrical component 71 between 76c. The beverage delivery tube 4 (as shown in FIG. 2) is connected to the second tube opening 78b. The arrangement is such that when the tube adapter 7 is moved to the dispensing position, the beverage is transferred to the lower hollow portion 75b of the cylindrical component 71 for dispensing, and is transferred to the beverage delivery tube 4 through the beverage tube 78. It is like doing.

A first conduit port 79 a is formed on the upper surface of the central wall 74. The first conduit port 79 a provides one end to the CO ₂ conduit 79. The CO ₂ conduit 79 extends through the central wall 74 and the intermediate flange 76c to the second conduit port 79b on the side of the intermediate flange 76c facing the lower cavity 77b. The arrangement is such that when the tube adapter 7 is moved to the dispensing position, CO ₂ is pumped into the upper hollow portion 75a of the cylindrical component, passes through the first conduit port 79a and the CO ₂ conduit 79, and the second conduit. It can be fed into the lower cavity 77b through the mouth 79b.

The CO ₂ can then flow between the CO ₂ seal 611 of the barrel adapter 6 and the bottom peripheral edge 73b of the cylindrical component 71 and flow into the barrel. A CO ₂ seal 762 on the bottom surface of the intermediate flange 76c prevents CO ₂ from flowing upward through the central opening 62 of the barrel adapter 6 and when the tube adapter 7 is in the dispensing position, the CO ₂ seal is Seal around the periphery of the six central openings 62.

To feed the CO ₂ to the upper hollow portion 75a of the cylindrical component 71, coupler includes a CO ₂ adapter 8. Referring to FIG. 11 a to 11 c, CO ₂ adapter 8 includes an adapter housing 81 having a bottom surface opening amount 81a and a side opening component 81b. These openings 81 a and 81 b allow the adapter housing 81 to pass through the barrel adapter 6 and the pipe adapter 7, so that the barrel adapter 6 and the pipe adapter 7 are inside the internal cavity of the adapter housing 81. The bottom lip 811 of the adapter housing 81 engages under the edge of the barrel adapter 6.

The CO ₂ adapter 8 includes a piston 82 having an internal piston cavity 821. The piston cavity 821 extends in the extending direction of the piston 82. A lower piston cavity hole 822 is formed in the lower end surface of the piston 82. A seal 823 is provided on the periphery of the bottom surface of the piston surrounding the lower piston hole 822, and seals the periphery of the upper surface 73 a of the cylindrical component 71. The piston 82 can move in the vertical direction within the vertical piston chamber 83 of the CO ₂ adapter housing 81. The piston 82 moves downward to push the tube adapter 7 into the dispensing position.

When in this dispensing position, the piston wall holes 824 surrounding the piston cavity 821 are aligned with the wall holes 831 of the CO ₂ adapter housing 81. CO ₂ is supplied to the hole 831 via the CO ₂ inlet 84 of the adapter housing 81. In the aligned state, CO ₂ flows into the piston cavity 821 through the two sets of holes 824 and 831, and then flows into the upper hollow portion 75 a of the cylindrical component 71 of the tube adapter 7. The CO ₂ is then transferred to the barrel as described above.

  The piston moves up and down by a handle (not shown) attached to the pivot 85 of the adapter housing 81. The handle locks into a handle slot 851 adjacent to the upper end surface of the piston 82.

  In general, the arrangement of the barrel adapter 6 and the tube adapter 7 described above can be employed so that the beverage delivery tube cannot be reused with a plurality of barrels, and only one type of tube adapter 7 is attached with the barrel. The above sequence can be used to ensure that it can be used.

  More specifically, the beverage reservoir supplier will provide the barrel to the consumer with a barrel adapter 6 secured to the valve mechanism 5 along with a tube adapter 7 integrated with the beverage delivery tube 4. Since the barrel adapter 6 and the tube adapter 7 can be tailored to each other, the user will only be able to use the tube adapter 7 that is supplied integrally with the beverage delivery tube 4 to dispense the beverage. This will make the consumer unable to use another (potentially contaminated) beverage delivery tube. The person who assembles the system, for example a consumer or installation technician, can then connect the tube adapter 7 to the barrel adapter 6. However, after the connection, the consumer cannot remove the tube adapter 7 from the barrel adapter 6 and the consumer cannot remove the barrel adapter from the barrel valve mechanism 5 without using a specially tailored tool. Cannot then remove the tube adapter 7 and the barrel adapter 6 from the barrel and reuse them with another barrel.

Claims (31)

  Featuring a faucet casing movably attached to the font housing, allowing access between the opening of the font housing and the faucet casing and facilitating insertion of the beverage delivery tube into the faucet casing Beverage dispensing device. The font housing surrounds the font chamber and has an inlet opening in the font housing through which a flexible beverage delivery tube can enter the font chamber and an outlet opening through which the beverage delivery tube can exit the font chamber. Have
The faucet assembly comprises a faucet casing that surrounds the faucet conduit, the faucet casing having an inlet opening that allows the beverage delivery tube to enter the faucet conduit and an outlet opening that allows the beverage delivery tube to exit the faucet conduit;
The faucet casing is provided with a gap between (v) a dispensing position where the inlet opening of the faucet casing is connected to the outlet opening of the font housing, and (vi) a gap between the inlet opening of the faucet casing and the outlet opening of the font housing. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is movably attached to the font housing so as to be pivotable between access positions.   The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the faucet casing is pivotally attached to a font housing. A font housing for a beverage dispensing device,
The font housing surrounds the font chamber and has an inlet opening at the input end and an outlet opening at the output end, which allows the flexible beverage delivery tube to enter the font chamber; The font housing, wherein the opening allows the beverage delivery tube to exit the font chamber and the outlet opening includes an end opening and a side opening.   5. A font according to claim 4, wherein a side wall extends around the periphery at the output end of the font housing, the periphery defines an edge of an end opening, and the side opening is formed by a notch or slot in the periphery. ·housing.   6. The font housing of claim 4 or 5, further comprising a pivotally attached cap that closes an end opening of the font housing.   Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a font housing according to any one of claims 4 to 6.   A faucet assembly for a beverage dispenser comprising a faucet casing surrounding a faucet conduit, an inlet opening in the faucet casing that allows the beverage delivery tube to enter the faucet conduit, and a faucet casing that allows the beverage delivery tube to exit the faucet conduit Said faucet assembly, wherein the faucet assembly includes a fitting that movably attaches the faucet casing to the font housing of the beverage dispenser.   9. A faucet assembly according to claim 8, comprising a fitting for pivotally attaching a faucet casing to the font housing of the beverage dispenser.   A faucet assembly for a beverage device comprising a faucet casing surrounding a faucet conduit and a handle mechanism for releasably clamping a beverage delivery tube nozzle to prevent dispensing of beverage through the beverage delivery tube The faucet assembly, wherein the mechanism includes an over center mechanism and / or a snap mechanism.   The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or claim 7, comprising the faucet assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 10.   The font housing is attached to the upper surface of the refrigeration housing surrounding the refrigeration chamber, and the heat conductive element is disposed to extend between the refrigeration chamber and the font chamber, and the heat conductive element is used to cool the font chamber. 12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, or 7 or 11, wherein a part is located in the refrigerator compartment and a part in the font chamber.   The font housing is attached to the upper surface of the refrigeration housing surrounding the refrigeration chamber, and the heat conductive element is disposed to extend between the refrigeration chamber and the font chamber, and the heat conductive element is used to cool the font chamber. A font housing according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a part of the font housing is located in the refrigerator compartment and partly in the font chamber.   A beverage dispensing device comprising: a font housing surrounding a font chamber; a refrigerated housing surrounding a refrigeration chamber; and a thermally conductive element partially located within the font chamber and partially within the refrigeration chamber. A font housing surrounding the font chamber and the thermally conductive element,
The font housing, wherein the thermally conductive element is partially located in the font chamber, and a part of the thermally conductive element protrudes outside the font chamber and is located in the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator housing. A refrigerated housing for a beverage dispensing device,
Beverage that surrounds the refrigerator compartment and includes a thermally conductive element, the thermally conductive element partially located in the refrigerator compartment, a part of which protrudes outside the chamber and is located in the font chamber of the font housing Refrigerated housing for dispensing device.   16. The device according to claim 12 or 14, the font housing according to claim 13 or 15, or the claim 16, wherein the thermally conductive element comprises a thermally conductive tube extending between a refrigerator compartment and a font chamber. The refrigerated housing described in 1.   18. A device according to claim 12, 14 or 17, a font housing according to claim 13, 15 or 17, wherein the thermally conductive element is connected / connectable to a heat sink located in a refrigerator compartment, or The refrigerated housing according to claim 16 or 17.   19. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12, 14, 17 or 18, wherein the thermally conductive element extends from a refrigerator compartment through a font chamber and is connected to a faucet assembly.   20. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 7, 11, 12, 14 or 17 to 19, comprising an exhaust vent for exhausting cold air from the font chamber and / or faucet conduit. 11. A font housing according to any one of claims 6, 13, 15, 17 or 18, or a faucet assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 10.   21. The device, font housing, or faucet assembly of claim 20, wherein the vent is arranged such that, in use, the discharged air flow is directed to a beverage delivery tube nozzle.   A beverage dispensing device having an outlet through which beverage is dispensed and means for directing air flow to the outlet.   A coupler for connecting a beverage delivery pipe to a beverage storage tank, a barrel adapter that is fixed to the valve mechanism of the beverage storage tank, and a tube adapter that is integrated with the beverage delivery pipe and is connected to the barrel adapter and operates the valve mechanism The coupler.   24. The barrel adapter and the tube adapter can be interlocked with each other so that the tube adapter can be connected to the barrel adapter and the tube adapter can move relative to the barrel adapter to operate the valve mechanism. Coupler.   25. A coupler according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the barrel adapter includes a snap-on fitting that connects to a valve mechanism.   26. A coupler according to any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein the tube adapter is connectable to a barrel adapter so that the consumer cannot be disconnected from the barrel adapter.   27. The coupler of claim 26, wherein the tube adapter is connectable to a barrel adapter by a snap-type fitting.   Apparatus substantially the same as any one embodiment described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.   A font housing substantially identical to any one of the embodiments described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.   A faucet assembly substantially the same as any one embodiment described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.   A coupler substantially identical to any one embodiment described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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