JP4098862B2 - Carbonated beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for pouring carbonated beverages such as beer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in restaurants and the like, there is an apparatus that fills and stores a carbonated beverage such as beer in a barrel and pours an appropriate amount from the barrel. As an example of such a device, as shown in FIG. 9, there is a barrel 131, a separate carbon dioxide gas tank 132, and a dispenser device 133, which are connected by a hose 135 via a manual valve 134. . That is, the carbon dioxide tank 132 and the barrel 131 are connected by the hose 135, and the valve 134 can be manually opened to introduce carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide tank 132 into the barrel 131, and the barrel 131 and the dispenser device 133 are connected to the hose 135. The beer is always in the state where the beer has flowed into the dispenser device 133, and the beer flows out from the spout by operating the cock 136 of the dispenser device 133. However, since it is necessary to prepare the carbon dioxide gas tank 132 and the dispenser device 133 as separate bodies and connect them with the hose 135, the configuration becomes large, and it is unsuitable for a small area store or a small amount of beverage storage.
[0003]
Therefore, a small carbon dioxide cylinder or carbon dioxide cartridge is built in the barrel, a detachable dispenser head is prepared in this container, and the carbon dioxide cylinder and the inside of the barrel (beer are attached via the head by attaching the head to the barrel. In which the beer in the barrel is discharged from the spout provided in the head (method 1), As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 8-337295, a carbon dioxide cartridge cylinder is provided integrally with a beer pouring device, and carbon dioxide is supplied into the barrel through a pressurizing unit and a pipe provided in the device. However, a pouring device of a method (method 2) for pouring beer in the barrel with the pressure has been commercialized.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the case where the gas tank is integrated with the barrel as in the above-described method 1 and method 2, carbon dioxide gas adjusted to an appropriate pressure is introduced into the beverage from the main body of the gas tank via the pressure regulating valve. In such a carbonated beverage pouring apparatus, if the gas tank is vertically arranged so as to be substantially upright, it is difficult to save space and is inconvenient to carry. There is a thing of the composition to put.
[0005]
By the way, the carbon dioxide gas filled in the gas tank is injected and stored in a liquefied state, and is configured to be vaporized before being introduced into the pressure regulating valve. That is, liquefied carbon dioxide gas and vaporized carbon dioxide gas are mixed in the gas tank. And if a liquid flows in into a pressure regulation valve, very high pressure will be added and there exists a possibility that a pressure regulation valve may be damaged and pressure regulation may become impossible. In particular, in the case where the gas tank is horizontally disposed as described above, there is a high possibility that liquid (liquefied carbon dioxide) flows into the pressure regulating valve. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a carbonated beverage pouring device that saves space by placing a gas tank horizontally and that does not cause damage due to liquid being mixed into the pressure regulating valve.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The carbonated beverage pouring device of the present invention comprises a container filled with a beverage, a pouring means for pouring the beverage, and a gas tank filled with a gas for pouring the beverage from the container in a liquefied state. The gas tank has a horizontally placed tank body, and a pressure regulating valve connected to the tank body and the container to introduce the gas into the beverage in the container, A relay block is provided between the tank main body and the pressure regulating valve. The relay block includes a relay flow path to which the pressure regulating valve is connected, an inlet connected to the tank main body, and an injection cylinder. And the inlet portion communicates with the relay channel portion and the mounting portion, and the relay channel portion is located above the inlet portion, and Pressure valve is more than the liquefied gas level in the tank body Is a configuration that is located towards.
Furthermore, a pouring cock provided in the pouring means and continuously movable between an initial position and a pouring position, a flow path pipe for the beverage provided in the pouring means, and the container And a connecting valve that is closed between the gas tank and the initial position, a pouring valve that is located between the container and the flow pipe and is closed at the initial position, and the pouring cock and the connection An interlocking mechanism that is located between the valve and the dispensing valve and that can be engaged with the connecting valve and the dispensing valve in conjunction with the operation of the dispensing cock, A first state in which the connecting valve is open and the pouring valve is closed at a predetermined position between the position and the pouring position; and the pouring cock is in the pouring position and the coupling valve and the pouring A configuration capable of selectively taking the second state in which both valves are open It can be.
[0009]
With this configuration , the liquid in the tank main body does not flow into the pressure regulating valve above the tank main body. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the beverage from being misinjected by constantly mixing carbon dioxide gas into the beverage or simply touching the dispensing cock.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, reference examples and embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the entirety of a carbonated beverage dispensing apparatus according to a first reference example of the present invention. This carbonated beverage pouring device includes a barrel (container) 1, an attachment 2, and a dispenser head (pouring means) 3, which are detachable.
[0012]
2 to 4 are cross-sectional views of the coupled state of the barrel 1, the attachment 2 and the dispenser head 3. As will be described later, FIG. 2 shows the state where the pouring cock 19 is in the initial position, and FIG. 3 shows the pouring cock. FIG. 4 shows a state where 4 is at a predetermined position (intermediate position), and FIG. 4 shows a state where the pouring cock 4 is at the pouring position. First, these configurations will be described.
[0013]
The barrel 1 is filled with beer (beverage) 5 inside, a base 6 is provided at the top, and a hole 6 a is provided at the center of the base 6. In the hole 6a, there is a beer valve 8 slidable up and down and biased upward by a spring 29, and a connecting valve 10 that is also slidable up and down and biased upward by a spring 9. Is provided. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the outer peripheral surface of the beer valve 8 and the inner peripheral surface of the connecting valve 10 are in close contact.
[0014]
The attachment 2 includes a gas tank 30 (illustrated schematically by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 2 to 4) 30 filled with carbon dioxide gas (gas for pouring a beverage from a container) 7, a substantially cylindrical frame 12, And a substantially cylindrical movable member 13 disposed in the frame 12 and a dispensing valve 14 disposed in the movable member 13. A gap 15 is defined between the frame 12 and the movable member 13, and seal rings 16 a and 16 b are disposed above and below the gap 15. The carbon dioxide gas in the gas tank 30 is decompressed, passes through the communication pipe 11, penetrates the frame 12, and reaches the gap 15. The movable member 13 can slide up and down, and the first pressing portion 13a can contact the upper surface of the beer valve 8 and the second pressing portion 13b can contact the upper surface of the connecting valve 10, respectively. The dispensing valve 14 can slide up and down and is biased upward by a spring 17.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 5, the gas tank 30 has a tank body 31 and a pressure regulating valve 32. The tank main body 31 is a metal elongated tube shape, and is formed in a substantially arc shape in accordance with the shape of the attachment 2. A pressure regulating valve 32 is connected to one end of the tank body 31. The pressure regulating valve 32 is attached at a position above one end of the tank main body 31 in a state where the attachment 2 is attached to the barrel 1. An injection valve 31 a is provided at the other end of the tank body 31. Before the gas tank 30 is assembled, liquefied carbon dioxide gas is injected into the tank body 31 from the injection valve 31a. The tank body 31 is in a state where liquefied carbon dioxide and gaseous carbon dioxide are mixed. However, since the pressure regulating valve 32 is located above the tank body 31, only the gaseous carbon dioxide flows from the tank body 31 into the pressure regulating valve 32, and the liquefied carbon dioxide is below the tank body 31. And does not flow into the pressure regulating valve 32 above. Therefore, there is no risk of damage due to the inflow of liquid into the pressure regulating valve 32. The pressure regulating valve 32 and the communication pipe (see FIGS. 2 to 4) 11 are connected by a flexible tube or the like, but are not illustrated here and are not shown.
[0016]
The dispenser head 3 includes a head main body 18, a pouring cock 19 that is swingably attached to the head main body 18, and a vertically slidable pressing member 25 that contacts the cam portion 19 a on the lower surface of the pouring cock 19. An interlocking member 21 that is slidable in the vertical direction and is interlocked with the pressing member 19 via a spring 20 is provided. The lower end portion of the interlocking member 21 is in contact with the upper surface of the movable member 13. Further, a spout 22 is provided at the end of the head main body 18, and the flow channel pipe 23 communicating with the spout 22 is connected via a connecting pipe 23 a fitted in the hole 21 a of the interlocking member 21. It communicates with the internal gap 24.
[0017]
Although not described in detail, the dispenser head 3 is fixed to the attachment 2 and the attachment 2 is fixed to the barrel 1. The fixing method is performed by a fixing method generally used in a beer barrel or the like, that is, by screwing a spiral thread groove portion or the like.
[0018]
Next, beer (carbonated drink) pouring operation in this reference example will be described. First, in the state of FIG. 2 in which the pouring cock 19 is not operated and is in the initial position, the members 8, 10, 13, 14, 19, 20 that can move up and down are all in the raised position. Therefore, the beer 5 is sealed in the barrel 1 by the beer valve 8 that is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the connection valve 10, and the pressure-adjusted carbon dioxide gas flowing in from the pressure regulating valve 32 (see FIG. 5) of the gas tank 30. 7 is sealed by seal rings 16 a and 16 b in the gap 15 between the frame 12 and the movable member 13, and is not introduced into the barrel 1.
[0019]
Therefore, as a first-stage operation of the pouring cock 19, when it is swung to a predetermined position shown in FIG. 3 (a predetermined position between the initial position and the pouring position), the cam portion 19a pushes down the pressing member 25. The interlocking member 21 is also lowered via the spring 20. Then, the movable member 13 is lowered by being pushed by the lower end portion of the interlocking member 21. Furthermore, the 1st press part 13a of the movable member 13 pushes down the beer valve 8, and the 2nd press part 13b presses down the connection valve 10 upper surface, respectively.
[0020]
As the movable member 13 descends, the recess 13 c faces the lower seal ring 16 b held by the frame 12, and carbon dioxide flows downward from the gap 15. Further, the carbon dioxide gas 7 is introduced into the barrel 1 and melts into the beer 5 through the gap 26 generated by the second pressing portion 13 b pushing down the connecting valve 10. The upper seal ring 16a and the outer peripheral surface of the movable member 13 are in close contact with each other, and the carbon dioxide gas 7 does not leak upward.
[0021]
Further, since the first pressing portion 13a and the second pressing portion 13b are provided with a step, the descending amounts of the beer valve 8 and the connecting valve 10 are slightly different, and thereby the two valves 8, 10 The close contact is released and a gap 27 is generated. Therefore, as described above, the pressurized beer 5 mixed with the carbon dioxide gas 7 enters the gap 27, the notch 13 d at the lower end of the movable member 13, and the movable member 13. However, since the outer peripheral surface of the pouring valve 14 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the protrusion 13e at the upper end of the movable member 13, the beer 5 is sealed here and cannot enter further upward.
[0022]
Thus, at a predetermined position of the operation cock 19 (operation first stage), the carbon dioxide gas 7 is introduced into the barrel 1 filled with the beer 5, and the beer 5 is sealed in a state where it rises to the position of the dispensing valve 14. Stopped.
[0023]
Subsequently, when the pouring cock 19 is swung to the pouring position shown in FIG. 4 as a second stage operation, the cam portion 19a further pushes down the pressing member 25. Although the interlocking member 21 also tries to descend, the flow path tube 23 fitted in the hole 21a can move only within the slit 18a of the head body 18, so that the interlocking member 21 cannot further descend and the spring 20 is compressed. Is done. Along with this, the extraction valve 14 is pushed down by the pressing member 25, but the movable member 13 does not move because the interlocking member 21 does not move, and the inner peripheral surface of the protrusion 13e of the movable member 13 and the outer peripheral surface of the extraction valve 14 A gap 28 is formed between the two. Therefore, the beer 5 pressurized by the carbon dioxide gas 7 reaches the flow path pipe 23 through the gaps 28 and 24 and the connecting pipe 23a, flows out from the spout 22 and is poured out into a mug (not shown) or the like. In addition, about the structure below the movable member 13, since it does not change with the predetermined position (operation 1st stage) of the extraction cock 19, description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0024]
Thus, the beer 5 is poured out from the spout 22 while the introduction of the carbon dioxide gas 7 into the barrel 1 is continued at the pouring position of the operation cock 19 (second stage of operation).
[0025]
A substantially conical pointed portion 14a is provided at the lower end portion of the dispensing valve 14 of the present reference example , that is, the end portion on the barrel 1 side. The flow of the beer 5 flows smoothly into the gap between the pouring valve 14 and the movable member 13 without being hindered by the pointed portion 14a. If the lower end portion of the dispensing valve is flat, the beverage may collide with the lower end portion and foam due to the impact, and the beverage may have excessive bubbles. However, in this reference example , since the lower end portion of the dispensing valve 14 is the pointed portion 14a, it flows smoothly without receiving such a large impact that the beverage is foamed.
[0026]
FIG. 6 shows a gas tank 40 of a second reference example of the present invention. In this reference example, the tank body 41 is formed in a donut shape, and the pressure regulating valve 42 is located above the tank body 41.
[0027]
Also shown is the gas tank 50 of Kazumi facilities embodiment of the present invention in FIGS. In the present embodiment, a relay block 53 including a relay flow path portion 53a to which the pressure regulating valve 52 is connected and an inlet portion 53b for injecting liquefied carbon dioxide gas into the tank main body portion 51 is disposed. In this relay block 53, the relay flow path part 53a is provided above the inlet part 53b. That is, the relay block 53 is attached to the attachment 2 in such a posture that the relay flow path portion 53a is located above the inlet portion 53b in a state where the attachment 2 is attached to the barrel 1. One end of the tank main body 51 is connected to the inlet 53b, and the pressure regulating valve 52 is connected to the relay flow path 53a. According to the present embodiment, before the attachment 2 is attached to the barrel 1, when an injection cylinder (not shown) is attached to the attachment portion 53c and liquefied carbon dioxide gas is injected from the inlet portion 53b, the injected liquefied carbon dioxide is stored in the tank body. Although the portion 51 is filled, the liquefied carbon dioxide gas does not flow up the flow path and flow into the pressure regulating valve 52. When the injection of the liquefied carbon dioxide gas is finished, a lid (not shown) is closed on the attachment portion 53c so that the liquefied carbon dioxide gas and the carbon dioxide gas do not leak. On the other hand, the carbon dioxide gas evaporated in the tank main body 51 can flow up the flow path and flow into the pressure regulating valve 52.
[0028]
The configuration of each valve other than the pressure regulating valve is not limited to the first and second reference examples and the above-described embodiment, and can be changed. For example, if the lid of the gas tank is made when the attachment is removed, it is possible to omit either one of the valve structure including the seal ring 16b and the recess 13c and the connection valve 10.
[0029]
Although the operation of the operation cock 19 is divided into two stages as described above, the user actually performs as a series of operations, and the operation is performed without being aware of the operation first stage and the second stage.
[0030]
If the dispensing cock 19 and the spout 22 are provided in the dispenser head 3 that can be attached to and detached from the barrel 1, the configuration is simple and the handling becomes easy. In addition, storage and handling when not in use is simplified. Furthermore, if the connecting valve 10 and the dispensing valve 14 are provided in the attachment 2 that can be attached to and detached from either one or both of the barrel 1 and the dispenser head 3, the handling becomes even easier.
[0031]
By the way, in the above-described conventional method 1, as long as the dispenser head is attached and fixed to the barrel, the carbon dioxide gas cylinder and the beer barrel are always connected to introduce carbon dioxide into the barrel, and the beer in the barrel is carbonated. Too much and the taste will be damaged. In addition, excessive carbonated beer tends to foam at the time of pouring, resulting in a problem that only foamy beer can be poured. Therefore, when not in use for a long time, it is necessary to remove the dispenser head from the barrel once and reattach the dispenser head to the barrel at the time of reuse, which makes the operation complicated.
[0032]
Further, in the conventional method 2, a carbon dioxide gas opening / closing knob for stopping the supply of carbon dioxide gas is provided, and there is no need to attach and detach the dispenser for each use as described above, but the carbon dioxide gas supply path is opened and closed. If the operation is required and this is neglected, the same problem as the above method 1 occurs. Furthermore, in both of the conventional methods 1 and 2, in the state where the beer pouring device (dispenser head) is attached and fixed and the carbon dioxide gas is supplied into the barrel, the beer is always near the beer pouring port of the device. There is a high risk that beer will be poured out even if it touches the pouring cock accidentally and moves slightly.
[0033]
In contrast, in the reference example and the embodiment described above, the operation of the first stage of the pouring cock introduces gas from the gas tank into the container to pressurize the beverage and seals the beverage so that it cannot be dispensed by the pouring valve. In addition, the second stage operation that is subsequently performed opens the pouring valve and pours the beverage from the spout. Thereby, when the operation cock is not operated, the carbon dioxide gas is not mixed in a beverage such as beer, so that the taste is not lowered and excessive foaming is not caused by excessive carbon dioxide gas. Therefore, it can be kept in use even when unused for a long time. In addition, in the first stage of operation of the operation cock, since beverage is not dispensed, beverage dispensing due to erroneous operation is suppressed.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
According to the above as the present invention, space saving Hakare as transversely to the tank body of the gas tank, and damage because the pressure regulating valve is no possibility that liquid in the tank body flows into the pressure regulating valve can be prevented.
[0035]
If the relay block in which the relay flow path portion to which the pressure regulating valve is connected is provided above the inlet portion connected to the tank main body portion, the effect of preventing the pressure regulating valve damage can be achieved reliably and easily.
[0036]
Further, the pouring means is provided with a pouring cock that can move between the initial position and the pouring position, and is closed when the pouring cock is in the initial position. The valve is opened when it reaches a predetermined position between the brewing position and the dispensing position, and it is opened when the dispensing cock reaches the brewing position. If it has the structure which has the extraction valve | pour which pours out from a container, mixing with the carbon dioxide gas to the drink always and the mispouring of a drink can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a first reference example of a carbonated beverage dispensing apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an initial position (unoperated stage) of the operation cock.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a predetermined position (operation first stage) of the operation cock.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a pouring position of the operation cock (operation second stage).
5A is a plan view of a gas tank of a first reference example , and FIG. 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view thereof.
6A is a plan view of a gas tank according to a second reference example of the present invention, and FIG. 6B is a schematic cross-sectional view thereof.
7A is a bottom view of a gas tank according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7B is a schematic side view thereof.
8A is a plan sectional view of the relay block of the gas tank of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8B is a side view seen from the arrow B direction, and FIG. 8C is a side view seen from the arrow C direction. It is.
FIG. 9 is a front view of a first conventional example of a carbonated beverage dispensing apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 barrel (container)
2 Attachment 3 Dispenser head (pouring means)
5 Beer (beverage)
6 Cap 6a Hole 7 Carbon dioxide (gas)
8 Beer valve 9, 17, 20, 29 Spring 10 Connection valve 11 Communication pipe 12 Frame 13 Movable member 13a 1st press part 13b 2nd press part 13c Recess 13d Notch part 13e Protrusion part 14 Extraction valve 14a Notch Portions 15, 24, 26, 27, 28 Clearances 16 a, 16 b Seal ring 18 Head body 19 Outlet cock 19 a Cam portion 21 Interlocking member 22 Spout 23 Flow channel 23 a Connection tube 25 Press members 30, 40, 50 Gas tank 31 41, 51 Tank body portion 31a Injection valve 32, 42, 52 Pressure regulating valve 53 Relay block 53a Relay flow path portion 53b Inlet portion 53c Mounting portion

Claims (2)

A container filled with a beverage; a pouring means for dispensing the beverage; and a gas tank filled with a gas in a liquefied state for dispensing the beverage from the container;
The gas tank has a horizontally placed tank body, and a pressure regulating valve connected to the tank body and the container to introduce the gas into the beverage in the container;
A relay block is provided between the tank main body and the pressure regulating valve, and the relay block includes a relay flow path to which the pressure regulating valve is connected, an inlet connected to the tank main body, and an injection. An attachment portion to which a cylinder is connected, and the inlet portion communicates with the relay flow channel portion and the attachment portion, and the relay flow channel portion is located above the inlet portion,
The carbonated beverage pouring device, wherein the pressure regulating valve is located above the liquid level of the liquefied gas in the tank body. A pouring cock provided in the pouring means and continuously movable between an initial position and a pouring position;
A channel pipe for the beverage provided in the pouring means;
A coupling valve located between the container and the gas tank and closed in the initial position;
A pouring valve located between the vessel and the channel tube and closed in the initial position;
An interlocking mechanism that is located between the pouring cock and the connecting valve and the pouring valve, and can be engaged with the connecting valve and the pouring valve in conjunction with the operation of the pouring cock;
A first state in which the dispensing cock is in a predetermined position between the initial position and the dispensing position, the connecting valve is open, and the dispensing valve is closed; and the dispensing cock is in the dispensing position A second state in which both the connection valve and the dispensing valve are open can be selectively taken;
The carbonated beverage pouring device according to claim 1 .

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