PH12017000132A1

PH12017000132A1 - Beer dispensing installation

Info

Publication number: PH12017000132A1
Application number: PH12017000132A
Authority: PH
Inventors: Fuentes Vicente Fuentes; Gonzalez Jose Manuel Castillo
Original assignee: Mahou S A
Priority date: 2016-04-13
Filing date: 2017-04-17
Publication date: 2018-10-08
Also published as: ES2637817A1; ES2637817B2; PH12017000132B1

Abstract

A beer dispensing installation comprising several kegs (1), each one containing a specific base product (2), wherein said base products (2) are homogenous but have different compositions, also comprising a dispensing tap (3), wherein each keg (1) is connected in parallel to a mixing unit (4) suitable for mixing the base products (2) coming from the kegs (1) in a specific proportion, and suitable for obtaining a final product (5) in said mixing unit (4), which is homogenous to the base products (2), the mixing unit (4) being connected to the dispensing tap (3), the mixing unit (4) being programmable in order to modify the proportion of the different base products (2) comprised by the final product (5).

Description

: . : mn ;

PARAMETERS METHOD UNIT STANDARD om os wel -

Teras [HPLC -

Included by way of example are some examples of a composition of varieties which may be obtained as a final product (5) based on the proportion present in the combination of four base products (2), three of them being like the ones described in the three previous tables, and one, which is the base or standard, being a standard lager.

Base Base Base

Base

Alcohol product (2) | product (2) | product (2) product (2) |, . content (°) color (%) bitterness | alcohol standard

Yl % %

Segarra 0 o Jo J10

London 4.9 20 0 lo Jao

Hamburg | 5.1 40 20 lo ja

Munich [53 leo lo lo lao

Manila 0 0 Jeo ls

Dusseldorf | 66 | 40 0 leo lao

Bruges

Dorchester [94 Jo Jo leo Jao

Dehi [62 Jo Jao lao lao

Bibao [76 Jo Joo [a0 Jao

In the embodiment represented in figure 1, the installation comprises a single dispensing tap (3), a single mixing unit (4) and flushing means for eliminating the remains of the final product (5) between said mixing unit (4) and

; - said dispensing tap (3). =

Moreover, in the embodiment represented in figure 2, the installation - comprises a plurality of dispensing taps (3), each one of which is connectedtoa mixing unit (4). =

As shown in figure 2, although also applicable to figure 1, the installation comprises a cooling device (6) located between each dispensing tap (3) and each mixing unit (4). i.

Although it is not shown in the figures, also envisaged between the kegs © (1), which are preferably barrels, and the mixing unit (4) is cooling equipment so .- that the product arrives cold to said keg (1), although without said cooling equipment, considering the aforementioned cooling device (6), the product is kept cool within the mixing unit (4).

Likewise, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the installation comprises a dispensing valve (7) located between each keg (1) and each mixing unit (4), wherein each dispensing valve (7) regulates the amount of base product (2) that enters into each mixing unit (4). It therefore acts as a monitoring system for the flow of the mixing unit (4), for example by means of peristaltic pumps or by flow control valves.

Preferably, although not shown, the installation comprises a control unit, system or module that regulates the dispensing valves (7) in accordance with the predetermined proportion of each base product (2) to be mixed, in order to obtain a specific final product (5) consisting of a mixture of beers in said, at least one, mixing unit (4). Likewise, said control module is preferably wireless.

In this way, the amount of liquid that enters the mixer is telematically regulated by means of dispensing valves which, in turn, are remotely controlled, in order to enable the amount chosen for the mixture to pass through.

In accordance with the previous embodiment, the installation comprises means for measuring parameters, including: - consumption per dispensing valve (3) (flow control) - consumption of each base product (2), mixture component - outside T, - T of each base product (2), - (electric) energy consumption of the installation, - pressure in the installation, - means for detecting the lack of the base product (2) in each keg (1),

= : - o - means for automatically cutting the supply to each keg (1), = - means for detecting foam, and 4 - means for detecting defects or anomalies, —- such that these means for measuring parameters enable the operation of the ce installation to be monitored. Ln

The device is completed with flow meter devices at the outlet of the tap which allow the amount of beer dispensed to be controlled, and which, = depending on the type of beer dispensed, allows us to know which of the beers © dispensed has a greater consumer approval. o

Likewise, it is envisaged that information is gathered and sent to a central platform, comprising a warning system which generates warnings and alarms as a function of the parameters of the installations and of predetermined threshold values which notify a manager (through a text message or an e-mail) in order to fix the anomaly in the shortest amount of time possible. Through telemetry, for different magnitudes, it is possible to monitor the installation (consumption) and interact with customers and the installation on a technical level (change the configuration of the product).

Lastly, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the installation comprises a CO; line (8) which is connected to the kegs (1) and positioned to enable beer to be dispensed.

In this way, a method for obtaining a specific beer (5) starts with - four components made up of a base beer, alcohol, color (darker or blacker) and bitterness, which are mixed in defined proportions to form a mixed product. - each mixture is managed by electric valves which are remotely configurable, allowing the mixed product to be quickly modified, - the consumption of each element is controlled by controlling the flow of the product.

The mixing or dispensing unit enables a final product to be obtained based on the mixture, in variable proportions, of various components.

For merely descriptive purposes, this description uses four components to create a type of predetermined beer, without this fact limiting the number of components or the final product, which may be produced with the mixer- dispenser.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in the figures, particularly with oo po 10 o . reference to figures 3 and 4, from the point of view of managing and controlling - fluids, the elements that constitute the mixer-dispenser, as indicated in the ™ following figure, are: = - Four component inlets, called T1 to T4, in this specific case by - means of V4” standardized inlets. Each one of these product inlets is Oo monitored by means of sensors S1 to S4, respectively. The inlet i. conditions of each component may thereby be measured, being = either the temperature, pressure or simply the presence thereof, or = any other parameter recommended or required for the product created. - Four dispensing valves, one for each entry line EV1 to EV4, respectively. - A mixing channel where the components converge and are mixed, creating the final product. - A double outlet from the mixing channel, listed as A and B, in this case by means of standardized 4” outlets, which enables the mixing channel to be correctly cleaned, in addition to having the possibility of incorporating control sensors which regulate the opening of the valves (Example: Differential pressure sensor) to minimize the fatigue thereof. - A multichannel refrigeration circuit, double in this description, R1, R2,

R3 and R4. The four refrigeration circuits are not linked to the four components, but rather specified according to the characteristics of the final product and of the components, in addition to the total number thereof. According to these needs, a total, partial or immersion cooling jacket refrigeration system may also be used.

The central element of the mixer-dispenser is a block-collector in which the different inlet, mixture and outlet channels are mechanized, as well as the housings for the valves and sensors. Figure 3 shows the specific case of four valves with mounted input sensors.

The block is made of 316 stainless steel and the mechanization thereof ensures the correct operation of the assembly.

To obtain the final product, the components of which it is made up are mixed in predetermined proportions. For this purpose, the valve which controls each one of them opens to the correct percentage. The four components are

: . : 11 = taken to the mixer-dispenser from their respective kegs, driven by pressurized gas or air. =

The flow of each valve is determined by the coefficient Kv, the degree of opening and the discharge pressure. By using the same pressure for all the = components, the proportion of each one in the final mixture is determined by the relative opening of the valves. c

According to the requirements of the application, both proportional solenoid valves and valves positioned by a stepper motor or servomotor may be used. -

In this description, in the first diagram, proportional valves, which are ~~ normally closed, are shown, actuated by means of a solenoid and with spring recovery. The force exerted by the solenoid on the spring determines the degree of opening of the valve.

The constituent components driven at the same pressure through the open dispensing valves in the necessary relative proportion come together in the mixing channel. The mechanical design generates a turbulent flow which produces the mixture of the components, creating a homogenous final product.

The double outlet of the mixing channel, on the one hand, allows the product created to be delivered to the external system, and on the other hand, has an inlet point for monitoring. Thus, for example, the temperature and/or pressure conditions of the final product can be easily measured.

The proportional dispensing valves are 2 way (2/2), normally closed, direct acting solenoid valves. The solenoid creates a magnetic field which acts on a core thereby creating a force. This force opposes that of the return spring.

The balance between these two forces determines the opening position of the valve. The magnitude of the magnetic force depends on the current that passes through the solenoid. Therefore, the valve's degree of opening depends on the current applied to the solenoid.

The fluid enters the valve from below the valve seat. The pressure of the fluid, together with the force of the magnetic field, acts against the return spring.

Adjusting the tension of the return spring, the necessary minimum current to open the valve is fixed, as well as the minimum flow.

The valves are designed with a coefficient Kv between 1 and 3 liters/minute, according to the specific application, and a maximum work pressure above 2.5 bars. The assembly is done in such a way that the pressure drop of the valve is at least 50% of the total loss in the circuit. In order for the x mixer-dispenser to operate correctly, a constant pressure equal to the inlet of all = of the valves during the operation thereof must be maintained and the maximum pressure must not exceed 1.2 times the work pressure. =

All of the valves of a mixer-dispenser are relief valves for a minimum flow o at the same pressure. ol

The control of the flow is done by applying a variable current to the solenoid by means of a constant voltage signal, nominally 12 or 24 volts, © according to the application, and with a variable work cycle (P.W.M.) at 500Hz. -

When this 500 Hz signal is applied in conditions of constant AP, a response curve is obtained, the behavior of which is shown in the following figure:

Hysteresis < 5% full scale.

Repeatability < 3% full scale.

Sensitivity < 2% full scale.

The valves are designed for a working temperature between -10°C and 80°C, and the viscosity of the fluid must be less than 20 mm?/s.

In light of this description and the set of figures, a person skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments of the invention that have been described can be combined in multiple ways within the object of the invention. The invention has been described according to preferred embodiments thereof, but for the person skilled in the art, it will be evident that multiple variations can be introduced in said preferred embodiments without departing from the object of the invention as has been claimed.

o 1 -

BEER DISPENSING INSTALLATION

DESCRIPTION TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION =

The present invention relates to a beer dispensing installation which is = applicable to the beverages industry, and more specifically to the beer industry. ol

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION =

There are several different kinds of beer that are currently known, each one of which is the result of the production and evolution of the product over centuries. Each type of beer is often determined by the raw materials available in each geographic region and the particular tastes of the population in said area.

In this sense, it is possible to find beers with different degrees of intensity or alcohol content, color, degree of bitterness, body, etc. essentially different organoleptic properties.

Each beer is produced in a specific brewing facility, which also includes a bottling plant in which the beer is bottled in accordance with the different points of sale for which the beer is intended. Beer that is intended for personal consumption or retail, is bottled in bottles or canned in cans, while beer that is intended for bars and establishments is contained in barrels, from which it is served by using dispensing taps. The beer which is already bottled, canned or barreled is distributed from the brewing facility to points of sale or consumption.

Likewise, there are dispensing points which consist of establishments that dispense large quantities of beer, which have their own kegs or tanks at their installations for storing large quantities of beers and in which the beer is also served through dispensing taps. At these points the beer is delivered from the brewing facility in cisterns; it is not bottled.

In any case, at the moment of consumption, the client only has to choose a beer to consume, either in bottles, cans, or dispensed from a keg which has been filled with a specific type of beer.

Nowadays, in an establishment which has dispensing taps, it is not possible to choose between different types of beer at the moment of dispensing the beer, unless the type of beer contained in the barrels, kegs or tanks is changed.

, I.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION .

The present invention relates to a beer dispensing installation, which = enables the type of beer to be dispensed at any moment to be designed, ™ selected and obtained, without the need to change the barrels or the beer contained in the tanks, that is to say, it enables the proportions of the components to be mixed to be changed. The starting materials are beers with different characteristics which are consumable individually, as well as when mixed. -

The installation the invention proposed comprises = - at least two kegs, which may be barrels or tanks, wherein each keg + contains a specific base product, - wherein said base products are homogenous but have different compositions, and - at least one dispensing unit or tap.

In accordance with the invention, each keg is connected in parallel to at least one mixing unit which is suitable for mixing or combining the base products coming from said, at least two, kegs in a specific proportion chosen by a user, and obtaining a final mixture or product which is homogenous to the base products, said at least one mixing unit being connected to said at least one dispensing tap, the mixing unit being programmable in order to modify the proportion of the different base products comprised by the final product.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the installation, as well as the operation thereof, starts with a series of beverages available in barrels, to which a CO; line is connected, which allows the beer to be dispensed with the dissolved CO; as if it were a state of the art individual dispenser for beer or carbonated beverages.

The difference between the invention and any other similar installations of the state of the art is that it starts with a set of barrels in parallel with a series of beverages with very similar physical characteristics, for example beer with different characteristics of alcohol content, color and bitterness, individually consumable, wherein each one of these beverages has different characteristics, and these carbonated beverages then pass to a mixing group, into which they enter in a suitable proportion, the quantity of liquid which enters this chamber controlled by dispensing valves, which are remotely controlled, to allow the chosen amount chosen for the mixture to pass through.

: 5 =

According to said embodiment, once this combination of different beers o is mixed, the mixture passes through a cooler before being dispensed by the tap for the beer which is being drawn. With this procedure and installation, there are infinite possibilities for making beer in which the color, aroma, flavor, etc. all = vary, making multiple combinations of the beers to be mixed. =

For example, in order to give color to the beer, the use of black beer is envisaged, for greater aroma, the use of beer with a high aroma content is envisaged, etc. If non-alcoholic beer is desired, one may use beer with the = same aforementioned characteristics but without alcohol. =

The variations for the installation are based on two types of = embodiments, such as: - An installation with just one tap, through which any beer is dispensed, as shown in figure 1, for which, in the mixing assembly, the dispensing valves are adapted each time to supply the proportions of beer selected by each user. Between dispensing one beer and another, if the type of beer to be dispensed needs to be changed, the mixing chamber and the tubes which lead to the tap must be flushed out, thereby avoiding remains of the previous beer from entering into the next beer. This flushing of the existing beer may be done using CO». - An installation with multiple taps, as the one shown in figure 2, wherein each tap has an associated cooling device, a mixing chamber and a set of dispensing valves, each one of which is remotely controlled from a central control unit that regulates the amounts of beer dispensed, depending on the type of beer one chooses to dispense.

Another technical advantage with respect to static systems of the state of the art is that the installation of the invention allows for the complete opening of the installation in order to clean the elements thereof.

Therefore, as was being discussed, the possibility of the invention comprising a plurality of kegs, wherein each keg contains a specific base product that is different to the other kegs, is envisaged.

Likewise, the installation may comprise a single dispensing tap, a single mixing unit and flushing means that eliminates the remains of the final product between said mixing unit and said dispensing tap; or a plurality of dispensing taps, each one of which is connected to a mixing unit.

As was previously mentioned, the possibility of the installation comprising a cooling device located between each dispensing tap and each mixing unit is - envisaged. =

Likewise, the installation may comprise a dispensing valve located between each keg and each mixing unit, wherein each dispensing valve © regulates the amount of base product which enters into each mixing unit. z

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As a complement to the description provided herein, and for the purpose = of helping to make the characteristics of the invention more readily .. understandable, in accordance with a preferred practical embodiment thereof, said description is accompanied by a set of figures constituting an integral part of the same, which by way of illustration and not limitation represent the following:

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a basic embodiment of the invention, which can be used at home or in small establishments.

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of another embodiment of the installation of the invention, envisaged for larger establishments, in which, for the purposes of simpilification, only one mixing unit is shown, however, each dispensing tap has its own mixing unit, and moreover, both alternatives of the keg have been shown twice, on the left are the barrels, and on the right is one of the at least two tanks which the invention comprises, as well as the cooling system of said tanks.

Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the mixing unit which the installation of the invention comprises.

Figure 4 shows a diagram of the operation of the unit represented in figure 3.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In light of the figures discussed above, it can be seen how in one of the possible embodiments of the invention, the installation the invention proposed may be a cellar, which comprises: - four kegs (1), wherein each keg (1) contains a specific base product (2) which consists of a specific beer with characteristics which differ from the others, said characteristics being, for example, alcohol content, color and bitterness,

= - wherein said base products (2) are homogenous but have different " compositions, and ol - at least one dispensing tap (3).

Each keg (1) is connected in parallel to at least one mixing unit (4) in x 5 which the base products (2) are mixed, which come from said four kegs (1) ina - specific proportion selected by a user, obtaining a final product (5) which is homogenous to the base products (2), that is to say, it is also a beer. =

Each mixing unit (4) is connected to its respective dispensing tap (3), the — mixing unit (4) being programmable in order to modify the proportion of the o different base products (2) comprised by the final product (5). Ft

In addition to the fact that one of the base products (2) is a conventional beer, among the differentiating characteristics for each of the other three base products (2), the following densities, for example, are envisaged: - Bitter: 1.00762 kg! - Alcohol content: 1.01104 kg/ - Color: 1.01305 kg/I

The characteristics of the base product (2) intended to provide more bitterness to the final product (5) are the following:

PARAMETERS METHOD UNIT STANDARD orgnalExvect | [%wW

Alcohol ew coor | |e jn ot | 1 law sos Hoo

The characteristics of the base product (2) intended to provide more . alcohol content to the final product (5) are the following:

PARAMETERS METHOD UNIT STANDARD =

Calor IC CI or CL fa oo. | lw nbdyoor | FBC los os [ame

The characteristics of the base product (2) intended to provide more color to the final product (5) are the following:

PARAMETERS METHOD UNIT STANDARD

Alcohol how coor | [ec eo

TotalSO, Skalar Mg/l s

Claims

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1. A beer dispensing installation, which comprises - at least two kegs (1), wherein each keg (1) contains a specific base = product (2), w - wherein said base products (2) are homogenous but have different compositions, and ~ - at least one tap dispenser (3), = characterized in that = each keg (1) is connected in parallel to at least one mixing unit (4) which is suitable for mixing the base products (2) coming from said at least two kegs (1) in a specific proportion and suitable for obtaining in said at least one mixing unit (4) a final product (5) which is homogenous to the base products (2), said at least one mixing unit (4) being connected to said at least one dispensing tap (3), the mixing unit (4) being programmable in order to modify the proportion of the different base products (2) comprised by the final product (5).

2. The installation, according to claim 1, which comprises a plurality of kegs (1), wherein each keg (1) contains a specific base product (2) that is different to the other kegs (1).

3. The installation according to any of the preceding claims, which comprises a single dispensing tap (3), a single mixing unit (4) and flushing means for eliminating the remains of the final product (5) between said mixing unit (4) and said dispensing tap (3).

4. The installation according to any of the claims 1 and 2, which comprises a plurality of dispensing taps (3), each one of which is connected to a mixing unit (4).

5. The installation according to any of the preceding claims, which comprises a cooling device (6) located between each dispensing tap (3) and each mixing unit (4).

6. The installation according to any of the preceding claims, which

14 = comprises a dispensing valve (7) located between each keg (1) and each ... mixing unit (4), wherein each dispensing valve (7) regulates the amount of base ~~ product (2) which enters into each mixing unit (4). d

7. The installation according to claim 6, which comprises a control unit that regulates the dispensing valves (7) in accordance with the predetermined proportion of each base product (2) to be mixed, in order to obtain a specific final product (5) consisting of a mixture of beers in said, at least one, mixing unit -

(4). S or

8. The installation according to claim 7, wherein the control module is wireless.

9. The installation according to any of the claims 7 and 8, which comprises means for measuring parameters, selected among: - consumption per dispensing tap (3), - consumption of each base product (2), - outside T, - T of each base product (2), - energy consumption of the installation, - pressure in the installation, - means for detecting the end of the base product (2) in each keg (1), - means for automatically cutting the supply to each keg (1), - means for detecting foam, and - means for detecting malfunctioning, such that these means for measuring parameters enable the operation of the installation to be monitored.

10. The installation according to any of the preceding claims, which comprises a CO; line (8) which is connected to the kegs (1).