JP3454344B2 - Dispenser cleaning adapter - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dispenser cleaning adapter, and more particularly to a dispenser cleaning adapter used for extracting beer from a beer barrel, for example.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a dispenser of this type is attached to the mouth of a beer barrel and is connected to a cylinder of pressure-fed gas such as carbon dioxide gas. In this state, a valve provided on a dispense head of the dispenser is operated. By pressurizing carbon dioxide into the beer in the beer barrel,
It is used to supply beer to a predetermined place such as a cooling tank via a beer hose. The dispenser used in this way needs to be appropriately washed in order to maintain the quality of beer as well as hygiene.

Therefore, conventionally, the dispenser head of a dispenser removed from a beer barrel is attached to a cleaning container, for example, a washing barrel having the same mouth as a beer barrel containing water, and then the dispensing head By operating the valve, pressurizing carbon dioxide into the water in the washing barrel, as in the case of beer, the washing water is washed with beer hose,
The inside of the cooling tank and beer supply tap (tap) is flushed for cleaning. Then, after stopping the feeding of carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide cylinder, the tap is opened to remove the carbon dioxide gas remaining in the washing barrel, and then the dispensing head is removed from the washing barrel.

However, especially when the cleaning time is shorter, the gas may not be sufficiently discharged, and when the dispensing head is removed from the cleaning barrel with the carbon dioxide gas remaining in the cleaning barrel as described above, The pressure of carbon dioxide gas may cause the cleaning barrel to fly or the cleaning water to be spattered vigorously, which may result in injury to the worker.

Therefore, conventionally, as shown in FIG.
A cleaning barrel main body 1 provided with an exhaust valve 3 near the dispenser mounting opening 2 is used. When cleaning the dispenser with such a structure, the cleaning barrel main body 1 is filled with water, and the dispense head is removed from the beer barrel while being connected to the carbon dioxide gas cylinder and the dispenser, and the dispense head is used for cleaning. It is attached to the mouth 2 of the barrel main body 1, the exhaust valve 3 is closed, and carbon dioxide is fed from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder into the cleaning barrel main body 1 by the presence head, so that the water in the cleaning barrel main body 1 is removed. Clean by pumping. In this way, after the cleaning work is finished, the supply of carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder is stopped, the exhaust valve 3 is opened to exhaust the carbon dioxide gas remaining in the cleaning barrel body 1, and the cleaning barrel is cleaned. The dispensing head is removed from the main body 1.

[0006]

However, in the case where the exhaust valve 3 is attached to the cleaning barrel main body 1, there is a problem that it is difficult to attach the exhaust valve 3 to the thin cleaning barrel main body 1, and the dispense head. There is a problem that the exhaust valve 3 interferes with the installation and removal of the cleaning barrel body 1 when the cleaning barrel body 1 is installed or removed, and the removal is troublesome.

Further, there is a problem in that the safety is not sufficient because the exhaust valve 3 may forget to release the gas before removing the dispense head.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a highly safe dispenser cleaning adapter which has a simple structure and is capable of simultaneously venting gas when removing a dispensing head. .

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a dispenser cleaning adapter of the present invention has a connecting portion to be attached to the mouth of a dispenser cleaning container and a concave shape for detachably mounting a dispense head. A mounting portion, a liquid flow passage provided at the center of the bottom of the mounting portion, and a pressure-feeding gas flow passage provided near the outer periphery of the liquid flow passage,
In the dispenser cleaning adapter, the mounting portion includes a stepped bottom portion that accommodates a ring-shaped packing that is inserted leaving the openings of the liquid flow passage and the pressure-feeding gas flow passage, and the stepped bottom portion. At an appropriate position on the peripheral wall of
The stepped bottom portion is formed with a notch groove penetrating from the top surface to the bottom surface of the stepped bottom portion, and when the dispensing head is mounted on the mounting portion by the fastening means, the packing is compressed and deformed to form the stepped bottom portion. And the cutout groove can be communicated with each other when the dispense head is released from mounting (claim 1).

In the present invention, the fastening means has a structure of, for example, a screw-in type or a snap-fitting type as long as it holds the mounting portion of the dispense head between the stepped bottom portion and the stepped bottom portion through the packing. However, preferably, the fastening means includes a locking protrusion that protrudes inward of the opening of the stepped bottom so as to hold the mounting portion of the dispensing head between the stepped bottom and the stepped bottom via packing. A bayonet type is preferable (Claim 2).

According to the dispenser cleaning adapter of the present invention configured as described above, when the dispense head is mounted on the mounting portion, the packing interposed between the dispense head and the bottom of the mounting portion is compressed and deformed. Since the notch groove is closed, the pumping gas does not leak to the outside, and the cleaning water in the cleaning container can be pressurized to pump the cleaning water for cleaning. Further, when the dispense head is removed from the mounting portion, the compression of the packing is released, so that the notch groove communicates with the pressure-feeding gas flow passage to discharge the pressure-feeding gas remaining in the cleaning container to the outside (gas Can be omitted. Therefore, since the gas can be vented at the same time as the removal of the dispense head, the gas can be vented safely without requiring any trouble.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a half sectional view showing a state in which a dispenser cleaning adapter according to the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as an adapter) is attached to a cleaning container, for example, a cleaning barrel, FIG. 2 (a).
2A is a plan view of the adapter, FIG. 2B is a half sectional view of the adapter, and FIG. 2C is a main portion sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2B.

The adapter 10 has a connecting portion 13 for connecting to a base 12 attached to a mouth portion of a washing barrel 11 and a concave mounting portion for detachably mounting a dispensing head 14 via a fastening means 20A described later. 15, a liquid flow passage 16 provided at the center of the bottom of the mounting portion 15, and a plurality of, for example, four compressed gas flow passages 17 provided near the outer periphery of the liquid flow passage 16. The adapter 10 thus configured is formed of a plastic member.

The mounting portion 15 has a stepped bottom portion 19 for accommodating a ring-shaped packing 18 inserted while leaving the openings 16a, 17a of the liquid flow passage 16 and the compressed gas flow passage 17.
And a bottom portion, the fastening means 20 is provided with locking projections 20 projecting at two opposing locations on the inner side of the opening so as to hold the attachment portion of the dispense head 14, for example, the outward flange portion 14a.
It is mainly composed of A and.

In this case, the outward flange 14a may have at least a notch larger than the locking projection 20. When the dispense head 14 is mounted on the mounting portion 15, after the locking protrusion 20 is avoided and the outward flange 14a is inserted into the concave mounting portion 15, the outward flange 14a is rotated horizontally. The outward flange 14a and the locking projection 20 are engaged with each other by a so-called bayonet method. In this case, the lower surface of the locking projection 20, that is, the outward flange portion 14
It is preferable to provide a taper 21 at the corner of the surface that presses the upper surface of a (see FIG. 2C). The reason is that the dispensing head 14 {specifically, the outward flange 14a}
This is because it can be easily attached and detached.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 3,
The stepped top surface 19 of the stepped bottom portion 19 is provided at an appropriate position on the peripheral wall 19a of the stepped bottom portion 19 (four cases are shown in the drawing).
A cutout groove 22 penetrating from b to the bottom surface 19c is formed. The cutout groove 22 is cut off from the pressure-feeding gas flow passage 17 in a state in which the mounting portion 15 is mounted with the mounting portion of the dispense head 14, for example, the outward flange portion 14a. That is, the outward flange 14 is provided between the bottom of the mounting portion 15 and the locking projection 20.
When a is mounted while being sandwiched, the packing 18 is compressed and deformed and comes into close contact with the bottom surface 19c and the peripheral wall 19a, so that the communication between the notch groove 22 and the pressure-feeding gas flow passage 17 is blocked (see FIG. 4 (a)). . Further, when the dispensing head 14 is removed from the mounting portion 15, the compressed state of the packing 18 is released, and the pressure of carbon dioxide gas remaining in the cleaning barrel 11 causes a gap 23 between the bottom surface 19c of the mounting portion 15 and the peripheral wall 19a. Occurs, the notch groove 22 and the pressure-feeding gas flow passage 17
And are in communication. Therefore, the carbon dioxide gas remaining in the cleaning barrel 11 can be exhausted (vented) to the outside through the gap 23 between the pressure-feeding gas flow passage 17 and the packing 18, and the bottom surface 19c of the mounting portion 15 and the peripheral wall 19a. It is possible (see FIG. 4 (b)).

The dispensing head 14 has a gas inlet 14b connected to a pressure-feeding gas supply source (not shown), such as a carbon dioxide gas cylinder, and a control lever 1 for a valve (not shown).
4c is provided, and by opening the valve with the operation lever 14c, the carbon dioxide gas fed from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder pressurizes the washing water, that is, the water filled in the washing barrel 11, and the water is circulated. The tap can be evacuated via a beer hose (not shown) through the passage 16 to perform a cleaning operation. Further, the seal member 2 is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the liquid flow tube portion 14d of the dispense head 14 and the inner peripheral surface of the liquid flow passage 16 of the adapter 10.
5, the dispense head 14 and the base 12 are also interposed.
An O-ring 24 is interposed between and to maintain the sealing property.

When the dispenser is cleaned using the adapter 10 configured as described above, the cleaning barrel 11 is filled with cleaning water, and the dispense head together with the adapter 10 is connected to a carbon dioxide gas cylinder from a beer barrel (not shown). And remove it while connected to the dispenser.
0 is connected to the mouthpiece 12 attached to the mouth of the washing barrel 11, and carbon dioxide gas is fed from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder into the washing barrel 11 by the dispens head to pump the water in the washing barrel 11 under pressure. And wash. After the cleaning work is completed in this manner, the feeding of carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder is stopped, and the outward flange 14a of the dispensing head 14 is removed from the adapter 10. As described above, the packing 18 is compressed. Since the state is released and the cutout groove 22 and the pressure-feeding gas flow passage 17 are brought into communication with each other, carbon dioxide gas remaining in the cleaning barrel 11 is exhausted (degassed) to the outside. Therefore, since the carbon dioxide gas remaining in the cleaning barrel 11 can be exhausted (degassed) at the same time as the removal of the dispensing head 14, there is no need to degas after cleaning as in the conventional case, and it is easy and reliable. It can be degassed.

In the above embodiment, the case where the liquid flow passage 16 is provided at the center position and the pressure-feeding gas flow passage 17 is provided around the liquid flow passage 16 has been described. However, such a structure is not always necessary. For example, the liquid flow passage 16 may be provided at a position deviated from the center, and the pressure-feed gas flow passage 17 may be provided at a position other than the center, or a double pipe structure may be provided.
The liquid flow passage 16 and the pressure-feeding gas flow passage 17 may be partitioned and formed. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the adapter 10 is of a screw type is described, but a bayonet type coupling structure may be used instead of the screw type.

[0021]

EXAMPLES Next, the results of experiments of airtightness and safety by appropriately changing the depth of the stepped bottom portion 19 of the adapter 10 will be described.

◎ Experimental condition ・ Depth of stepped bottom without notch groove: 5.5 mm, 6.0 mm, 6.5 m
m, 6.7 mm With notch groove: 5.5 mm, 6.0 mm, 6.5 m
m ・ Notched groove Notched groove width: 8 to 10 mm Number of notched grooves: 4 ・ Pressurized gas: compressed air ・ Test pressure: 2.0 Kgf / cm ² , 2.5 Kgf / c
m ² , 3.0 Kgf / cm ² , 3.5 Kgf / cm ²・ Test method: A state in which a fitting valve (dispensing head) having a diameter of 33 mm was sealed at each of the above pressures,
The removed state was repeated 10 times for each check {the removal rate of the fitting valve was intentionally made a little faster}.

Based on the above experimental conditions, the airtightness and safety of Comparative Examples 1 to 4 of each dimension in which the stepped bottom is not provided with the notched groove and Examples 1 to 3 of each dimension in which the stepped bottom is provided with the notched groove When the sex was evaluated, the results shown in Table 1 were obtained.
In this case, the airtightness was evaluated with or without air leak at a pressure of 3.5 Kgf / cm ² with the fitting valve attached. The safety was evaluated by the presence / absence of a pop noise when the fitting valve was removed.

[0024]

[Table 1]

As a result of the above experiment, the air leaks of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 did not occur, but when the fitting valve (dispensing head) was removed, there was a plosive sound. Further, in Comparative Example 4, air leak was observed. On the other hand, in the case of Example 1, a slight plosive sound was generated when the fitting valve (dispensing head) was removed,
There was no air leak. In addition, in Examples 2 and 3, there was no air leak, and there was no plosive sound when the fitting valve (dispensing head) was removed.

Therefore, the stepped bottom portion 19 of the adapter 10 is
It has been found that sufficient safety can be ensured by appropriately setting the depth of, for example, 6.0 mm, 6.5 mm, etc., and providing the notch groove 22 in the peripheral wall 19a of the stepped bottom portion 19.

[0027]

As described above, according to the dispenser cleaning adapter of the present invention, when the dispense head is mounted on the mounting portion, the packing interposed between the dispense head and the bottom of the mounting portion is provided. Since the notch groove is compressed and deformed, the pressure-fed gas does not leak to the outside, and the cleaning water in the cleaning container can be pressurized and the cleaning water can be pressure-fed for cleaning. Further, when the dispense head is removed from the mounting portion, the compression of the packing is released, so that the notch groove communicates with the pressure-feeding gas flow passage to discharge the pressure-feeding gas remaining in the cleaning container to the outside (gas Can be omitted. Therefore, the gas can be vented at the same time as when the dispense head is removed without opening the tap, so that the gas can be vented safely without trouble.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a half sectional view showing a state in which a dispenser cleaning adapter according to the present invention is attached to a cleaning container.

2A is a plan view of the adapter, FIG. 2B is a half sectional view of the adapter, and FIG. 2B is a main portion sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 3 is a sectional perspective view showing a mounting portion, a stepped bottom portion, and a cutout groove in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view (a) of a main part in a state where the dispense head is attached to the adapter and a cross-sectional view (b) of the main part illustrating a state in which the dispense head is removed from the adapter.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a conventional cleaning barrel.

[Explanation of symbols]

13 Connection 15 Mounting part 16 Liquid flow passage 16a opening 17 Compressed gas flow passage 17a opening 18 packing 19 stepped bottom 19a Perimeter wall 19b Step top 19c bottom 20A fastening means 20 Locking protrusion 22 Notch groove

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A connection part attached to the mouth of a dispenser cleaning container, a concave attachment part for detachably attaching a dispense head via fastening means, and a liquid flow passage provided at the center of the bottom of the attachment part. And a pressure-feed gas flow passage provided in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the liquid flow passage, wherein the mounting portion is a ring inserted while leaving the openings of the liquid flow passage and the pressure-feed gas flow passage. A stepped bottom portion for accommodating a ring-shaped packing, and a notch groove penetrating from the step top surface to the bottom surface of the stepped bottom portion is formed at an appropriate position on the peripheral wall of the stepped bottom portion. When the dispensing head is mounted on the mounting portion by means of the means, the packing is compressed and deformed so as to be in close contact with the stepped bottom portion, and when the mounting of the dispensing head is released, the pressure feeding gas is released. The flow passage and the notched groove allows communication, dispenser cleaning adapter, characterized in that. 2. The dispenser cleaning adapter according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means is located inward of an opening side of the stepped bottom portion so as to sandwich the mounting portion of the dispense head between the fastening means and the stepped bottom portion via packing. A dispenser cleaning adapter, characterized in that it comprises a locking projection that projects.