NL1024139C2 - Device is for regulating the degree of froth when delivering beer from a bar tap and comprises a closable reservoir with an input and an output, the input being connectable to a beer barrel and the output to a tap unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) is for regulating the degree of froth when delivering beer from a bar tap and comprises a closable reservoir with an input (9) and an output (10), the input being connected to a beer barrel (2) and the output to a tap unit (3). A valve is fitted to the input and a venting valve is connected to the reservoir. In the reservoir is a fluid level meter, which at a first predetermined fluid level, closes the valve in the input and opens the venting valve. At a second predetermined fluid level, the venting valve closes. The first fluid level is lower than the second. One or more of the two types of valves is electronic, controlled by the fluid level meter. One or more of them is a one-way valve. The fluid level meter incorporates a floater (4).

Description

Short indication: Foam regulator for a beer tap

The present invention relates to a device for regulating the amount of foam when tapping #, in particular, tapping # of beer.

The tapping of beer with the aid of a tap connected via pipes to a beer keg has been known for a long time.

A problem that occurs when tapping beer in such a way is that as soon as the beer keg is almost empty, the pipes and thus also the tap become full of foam. If the almost empty keg is subsequently disconnected and replaced with a hewed keg, the pipes must first be flushed before a normal beer can be tapped (the "tapping"). The foam can hereby come out of the tap with great force, whereby a large part of the bar is contaminated with foam flakes, which means that the bar has to be cleaned in order to avoid unsanitary conditions. In some cases, the foam or the foam flakes even ends up on the people sitting at the bar. It will be clear that this is very undesirable from the point of view of customer friendliness.

Another drawback of the known tapping method is that the beer keg must already be uncoupled, while there is still a considerable residual amount of beer in the beer keg. This residual amount can no longer be tapped since the pipe is already full of foam at that time. Such a problem is all the more pressing if relatively small beer kegs are used # for example with a capacity of about 30 or 50 liters # since in that case it is also necessary to change beer kegs more often in order to be able to tap the same amount of beer.

It is an object of the present invention to avoid one or more of the above problems.

To this end, the present invention provides a device for regulating the amount of foam during tapping, in particular the tapping of beer #, which device comprises: - a substantially closable reservoir with a supply and a drain # which supply can be connected to a beer keg and which outlet can be connected to a tapping member; 1024139 I - 2-

- a valve arranged in the feed; I

- a vent valve connected to the reservoir; I

- a liquid level meter present in the reservoir, I

I wherein the liquid level meter at a first predetermined I

The liquid level can close the valve in the supply and the I

can open the vent valve, and the liquid level meter at I

I a second, predetermined liquid level in the reservoir

I vent valve can close. I

It has been found that with the aid of the device according to I

The present invention in a very simple and efficient manner

I beer barrels can be exchanged, whereby the problem of I

Splashing foam is avoided. I

A special advantage of the device according to the present I

The invention is that more beer can be removed from a keg than before

Tapping, with only a negligible residual amount of I

remains. It goes without saying that this special economic I

I offers advantages, in particular when use is made I

of relatively small beer barrels. I

Furthermore, when using the device according to I

In accordance with the invention, the beer kegs are exchanged very quickly. I

The reservoir used according to the invention can be any container I

I that is suitable for taking up beer. Preferably it is I

I reservoir for this made from stainless steel. I

The person skilled in the art will quickly understand that the I

Tapping member can have many embodiments. Usually it will be I

I tapping member, however, are a conventional tap such as this one in cafes

I is used. I

The valve fitted in the supply and the vent valve I

I can also be designed in many ways; preferably I

The two electronically lockable valves. I

Furthermore, the person skilled in the art will also do much I

I have invented embodiments for the liquid level meter. In I

In principle, any liquid level meter is suitable, as long as I

I this but - possibly. in collaboration with another component present - I

35 can close and open the valves in the aforementioned manner. It speaks I

here for itself that the liquid level meter, instead of at the I

I two specified liquid levels, also with more than two predetermined I

I can open or close the valves at certain fluid levels. I

I 1 02 41 - 3-

In use of the device according to the invention, when it is connected to a beer keg on the one hand and a tapping member on the other - the operator of the tapping member will tap beer until the liquid level meter signals a preset, (usually relatively low) liquid level in the reservoir. After this, the liquid level meter (possibly with the intervention of an electronic controller) will close the valve in the supply and open the vent valve. As a result, the amount of foam in the reservoir will decrease and be converted into beer. This residual amount of beer present in the reservoir 10 can still be tapped after coupling a new keg, while this would otherwise no longer be usable (since it would then be present in the pipes in the form of foam). After uncoupling the empty beer keg and coupling a new beer keg, the supply can be opened and tapping can be continued immediately. The vent valve will hereby close automatically (possibly again with the intervention of an electronic controller) as soon as the liquid level meter signals that a sufficient amount of beer is present (i.e. the second predetermined liquid level) and thus the excessive amount of foam has disappeared in the reservoir.

The person skilled in the art will know in a suitable manner the values of the first (relatively lower) and second (relatively higher) liquid levels at which the liquid level meter can open and close the valves, inter alia depending on the carbonic acid content in the beer.

According to the invention, it is preferred that one or more of the valve arranged in the supply and the vent valve are electronic valves which can be controlled by the liquid level meter.

This allows the opening and closing of the valves to be controlled automatically and in an accurate manner.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is preferred that one or more of the valve disposed in the supply and the vent valve be one-way valves.

This prevents beer or gas that has passed through the valve from getting back, which reduces the risk of contamination.

According to a very elegant preferred embodiment of the invention, the liquid level meter comprises a float.

1024139

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With this the liquid levels can be set to simple -da I

be set up reliably and reliably. I

Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous if the supply to the I

reservoir can be connected to more than one keg at a time. I

This allows the disconnection of an empty beer keg and the I

Coupling a new beer keg can be carried out quickly. If I

For example, two or more (e.g., five) beer barrels can be placed via an I

control valve with the supply of device according to the invention are I

connected. The control valve is hereby set such that only beer I

10 can be tapped from one beer keg at a time. As soon as the liquid meter I

now signals that the keg is empty (because the first one I

lower liquid level is measured), the control valve becomes I

set in such a way that it is possible to tap from another, full keg. I

The actual disconnection of the empty beer barrels can be done here I

15 at a suitable time, for example after closing time of I

the cafe. I

The present invention also relates to an I

beer tap system comprising a beer keg and a tapping member which by means of I

of the device according to the invention are connected to each other. I

The beer tapping system preferably comprises at least two beer kegs I

which are connected to the device at the same time, for example to I

intervention of an I lockable at several places

control valve. I

Finally, the present invention relates to an I

Method for tapping, in particular tapping, beer under I

using the beer tap system according to the invention. The I

method comprises the steps of: I

(a) tapping beer from an I using the tapping member

first beer keg until the I present in the reservoir

30 liquid level meter a first, predetermined low liquid level I

measure in the reservoir; I

(b) closing the valve arranged in the feed; I

(c) opening the vent valve; I

(d) disconnecting the supply and the first beer keg; I

(E) connecting the supply to a second beer keg; I

(f) opening the valve arranged in the feed; I

(g) closing the vent valve when the I

liquid level meter a second, predetermined high liquid level I

measure in the reservoir; and

1 0241 33 I

5- (h) tapping beer from the second beer keg with the aid of the tapping member.

The person skilled in the art will quickly understand that - depending on the chosen embodiment of the device according to the present invention - it is already possible to start tapping beer (step (h)), while the vent valve is still open.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a non-limiting drawing. Herein: - Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a beer tap system 10 according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a beer tap system according to Figs. 1 which is provided with various beer barrels; Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the device 4 according to Figs. 1 and 2; Figures 4-6 show schematic cross-sectional views of the device according to Figs. 3 with different positions of the float.

Equal reference numbers refer to identical parts.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the beer tap system according to the present invention, which is generally indicated by reference numeral 1.

The beer tap system 1 comprises a beer keg 2 and a tap 3, which are connected to each other by means of pipes 5, 6 and the device 4 according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a beer tap system 1 which comprises six beer kegs 2.

To that end, a control valve 7 is arranged in the line 5, which control valve can be adjusted such that it is only possible to draw from a beer keg 2 at a time. As soon as the beer keg 2 in use is empty, the control valve 7 is adjusted such that it can be tapped from another beer keg 2. When using the beer tap system 1 according to FIG. 1, immediately after a beer keg 2 has been emptied, the same beer keg 2 'does not have to be disconnected; you can wait until a suitable moment is found for this (for example, after a cafe's closing time).

Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the device 4 shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The device 4 comprises a substantially closable reservoir 8 with a supply 9 (connected to the pipe 5) and a drain 10 (connected to the pipe 6), which feed 9 is connected to a beer keg 2 and which drain 10 is connected to the faucet 3. Furthermore, 1024139 '

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the device 4 comprises a tip 11 arranged in the supply 9 and an I

vent valve 12 connected to reservoir 8. Preferably, I

the valve 11 and the vent valve in the form of I

one-way valves. I

The device 4 further comprises an I present in the reservoir 8

liquid level meter 13. The liquid level meter 13 - that in the I

The embodiment shown is in the form of a float-I

is possible at a first, predetermined low liquid level below I

with the intervention of an electronic controller 14, the valve 11 in the I

10 Shut off inlet 9 and open the vent valve 12. Under I

the intervention of the same electronic controller 14, the I

liquid level meter 13 at a second, predetermined high I

liquid level in the reservoir 8 close the vent valve 12. I

Figures 4-6 show schematic cross-sectional views of the I

Device 4 according to FIG. 3 with different positions of the I

float. The first predetermined lower liquid level is I

indicated by the letter A; and the second predetermined higher I

liquid level is indicated by the letter B. I

Figure 4 shows the device 4, in which it (not in Fig. 4 I

Beer keg 2 shown in Fig. 20 has been in use for some time, but still substantially full I

is with beer in its liquid state; the I

liquid level meter 13 thus signals that the liquid level I

of the beer 15 is above the level A. After a while I

tapping using the tap 3 (not shown in Figs. 4-6) comes I

25 the liquid level of the beer 15 in the vicinity of the level A. I

As soon as the liquid level of the beer 15 falls below the value A I

touched (see Fig. 5) and the amount of foam in the reservoir 8 I

increases, this is signaled by the liquid level meter 13. If I

as a result thereof, with the intervention of the controller 14 I

The valve 11 in the supply 9 is closed and the vent valve 12 is closed

opened. The foam present in the reservoir 8 can hereby become I

regulated to beer 15. I

Now that the valve 11 in the supply 9 has been closed, the beer keg 2 can

be exchanged (possibly automatically using the I

35 control valve 7 from FIG. 2 if more beer kegs 2 are connected), and I

the valve 11 can enter the supply 9 after connecting a new I

be opened again. By opening the valve 11, the I

liquid level in the reservoir 8 again. In FIG. 6 is the I

situation where the liquid level of the beer 15 is I

102413b I

- is between levels A and B. As soon as the liquid level exceeds level B (cf. Fig. 4), this is signaled by the liquid level meter 13 and the vent valve 12 is closed again.

This will be repeated as soon as the newly connected beer keg 2 is almost empty and the liquid meter 13 signals this in the reservoir 8 because the amount of foam increases and thereby the liquid level of the beer 15 falls below the level A.

Those skilled in the art will quickly understand that the invention can be varied in many ways without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the controller 14 may possibly. also other valves, such as an optional. control the existing valve in the drain 10 to the tap 3.

1024139

Claims (9)

Device (4) for regulating the amount of foam II when tapping, in particular tapping, beer (15), which II device (4) comprises: II - a substantially closable reservoir (8) with a supply II (9) and an outlet (10), which inlet (9) can be connected to II a beer keg (2) and which outlet (10) can be connected to an II tap member (3); - a valve (11) arranged in the feed (9); - a vent valve (12) connected to the reservoir (8); II 10 a liquid level meter (13) present in the reservoir (8), II wherein the liquid level meter (13) can close the valve (11) in the supply (9) at a first, predetermined II liquid level (A) and II the vent valve (12), and wherein the II liquid level meter (13) can close the vent valve (12) at a second predetermined II level of liquid (B) in the reservoir (8). I Device (4) according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid level (Ά) is lower than the second liquid level (B). I 3. Device (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more of the valve (11) arranged in the feed (9) and the II vent valve (12) are electronic valves which are passed through the II liquid level meter (13). can be controlled. I 4. Device (4) as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein one or more of the valve (11) arranged in the feed (9) and the vent valve (12) are one-way valves Device (4) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid level meter (13) comprises a float. I Device (4) as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the supply (9) can be connected to the reservoir (8) to more than one beer keg (2) at the same time. I Beer tapping system (1) comprising a beer keg (2) and a tap member (3) which are connected to each other by means of the device (4) according to one or more of the preceding claims. I 8. Beer tap system (1) according to claim 7, wherein the beer tap system (1) comprises at least two beer kegs (2) which are simultaneously connected to the device (4). I I 102413ΰ I - 9- A method for tapping, in particular tapping, beer (15) from a beer keg (2) using the beer tapping system (1) according to claim 7 or 8, which method comprises the steps of: (a) tapping beer (15) from a first beer keg (2) using the tapping member (3) until the liquid level meter (13) contained in the reservoir (8) measures a first, predetermined liquid level (A) in the reservoir (8); (b) closing the valve 10 (11) arranged in the feed (9); (c) opening the vent valve (12); (d) disconnecting the supply (9) and the first beer keg (2); (e) connecting the supply (9) to a second beer keg 15 (2); (f) opening the valve (11) arranged in the feed (9); (g) closing the vent valve (12) when the liquid level meter (13) measures a second, predetermined liquid level (B) in the reservoir (8); and (h) tapping beer (15) from the second beer vessel (2) with the aid of the tapping member (3). 25 1024133