PT82284B - EQUIPMENT FOR DISTRIBUTION AND STORAGE OF BEVERAGES - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus (2) for dispensing drinks comprises a closed vessel (7) which is of transparent material, and formed decoratively in the form of a glass. Fresh orange juice is chilled and circulated continuously through the vessel (7), from which it may be drawn off as desired, via a tap (12). With the apparatus (2) on a bar, customers see a glass full of orange juice and, because the juice is chilled, condensation forms on the outside of the glass and falls into a drip tray (9). The specification also discloses a novel apparatus for the bulk storage of a drink, wherein continuously circulating drink is returned to the bottom of a large reservoir, at an inlet point which is immediately adjacent a refrigerating coil at the base of the reservoir.

Description

The present invention relates to an equipment that includes an apparatus 2 for dispensing beverages, includes a closed vessel 7, which is of transparent material and formed decoratively in the form of a cup. Fresh orange juice is cooled and circulated continuously through vessel 7, from which it can be taken as desired by tap 12. With appliance 2 in a bar, customers see a glass filled with orange juice and how the juice is cooled , condensation forms on the outside of the glass that falls into a drip tray 9.

The equipment also includes an apparatus for storing a quantity of a drink, in which the continuously circulating drink is returned to the bottom of a large reservoir at an entry point that is immediately adjacent to a cooling coil at the base of the reservoir.

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DESCRIPTIVE MEMORY

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This invention relates to equipment for the distribution and storage of drinks and deals in particular, but not exclusively, with equipment for dispensing drinks which are particularly susceptible to deterioration - for example fresh orange juice. Natural fruit juices are becoming more and more bread. skip. Many bars, cafes and restaurants have appliances for the dis. distribution and storage of natural fruit juices. However, sometimes, it is necessary that these equipments are placed in high places of the bar, where they can occupy relatively large useful spaces. Alternatively, if the juice is dispensed through a tap that is located away from the storage container in quantity, the drink is barely in evidence to capture the potential customer's attention and thus attract it.

The object of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is to provide equipment for the distribution and storage of natural fruit juices and other drinks and which can be improved in the aspects already mentioned.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, an equipment for dispensing and storing beverages is provided including a dispensing apparatus comprising a closed vessel, an inlet and an outlet arranged so that a beverage can be circulated continuously through the vessel, via inlet and outlet, with the vessel substantially filled with drink, and a dispensing valve for dispensing the drink when the vessel contains it.

said vessel is preferably translucent or transparent.

Said valve may include a tap arranged for dispensing. pour a drink from the vase.

Said inlet and outlet may include an inlet and an outlet conduit respectively, the outlet conduit being formed or communicating with a portion that restricts the flow of drink downwardly from the vessel. The internal diameter of the outlet conduit may be smaller than that of the inlet conduit.

exit duct may have a mouth that is located adja64 741

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near the top of said vessel. Our disposition, the exit duct po. of including a tube, the mouth of which is located at a certain distance from the face of the inner top of the vessel, a distance which is equal to or less than the internal diameter of the outlet tube in its mouth.

said vessel may be a single coated vessel and, in a re. preferred presentation, it is shaped like a drink glass.

The apparatus may include a drip tray arranged to collect water drips which form as condensation on the outer face of said vessel, in use.

The equipment may include cooling means adapted to cool / drink which is circulated through the vessel when in use. The equipment may include devices for circulating the drink through the vessel.

Preferably, the equipment comprises a reservoir for storage in quantity of the beverage and connection devices for connecting the reservoir to said vessel, that is, when in use the drink, it can be circulated continuously both through the reservoir and said vessel.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, it is proposed to provide an apparatus for storing a quantity of drink, including a reservoir for a quantity drink, a cooling element adjacent to the base of the reservoir, an outlet for the discharge of drink from the reservoir, and an entrance for the return of the drink, to the reservoir, the entrance being located adjacent to said element so that, when in use, the element serves as a deflector to originate a turbulent mixture of the return drink with the I counted the reservoir.

Preferably, the base of the reservoir is concave. Said I left. da can be in said base or be adjacent to it.

The apparatus may include means for continuously circulating a drink through the reservoir. The apparatus may include cooling means for cooling said cooling air element.

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According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for storing the quantity of a drink, including a reservoir for a quantity drink, an outlet for discharging the drink from the reservoir, pump means for pumping drink to out of the reservoir via an outlet, diversion means for diverting the flow of drink from said outlet selectively to a first and a second flow line, a flexible tube providing at least part of said second flow line, and means injectors at a free end of said tube, the arrangement being such that the drink or a cleaning fluid can be discharged under pressure through the injector means and directed by an operator on the inner walls of the reservoir to facilitate its cleaning.

said tube can be of reduced diameter in relation to said inlet. In that case, the injector means can be defined by an open end of said tube.

The invention also extends to equipment that is in accordance with both the first and second aspects of the invention, both with the second and third aspects of the invention, and with the first, second and third aspects of the invention.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it can be realized, reference will now be made to the drawings in the diagram together, as an example, and in which:

Figure 1 shows an equipment for dispensing and storing drinks representing the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of part of the equipment in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus for storage in quantity of drink, taken on line III-III of Figure 4, and:

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the apparatus of Figure? taken on line IV-IV.

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DWS / AJC equipment indicated in Figures 1 and 2 includes a storage part in quantity 1 and a dispensing part 2. The storage part in quantity 1 includes a reservoir 3, for storage in quantity of natural orange juice. For example, reservoir 3 can have a capacity of the order of 20 to 30 liters. Associated with reservoir 3 is a cooling unit 4, which unit is adapted to cool orange juice in reservoir 3. Refrigeration unit 4 includes a pump to circulate orange juice continuously throughout reservoir 3 and a distributor part 2, via tubes 5 and 6. The reservoir 3 and the cooling unit.

generation 4 can be of conventional construction or of the new construction shown in figures 3 and 4.

The dispensing part 2 includes a closed transparent vessel 7 (for example plastic or glass) that is in the form of a drink glass, and is mounted on a support block 8, the upper face of which communicates with the interior of the vessel 7. 0 flange of the vessel 7 provides a seal with the upper surface of the support block 8, in a liquid-tight manner. For example, vessel 7 fits the holding block 8 in a threaded manner. The support block 8 is, in itself, mounted inside a first drip tray 9, able to be attached, for example, to the top surface of a counter. A second drip tray 10 is connected to the first drip tray 9 by an element 11, and is located below a dispensing tap 12 which is mounted on the support block 8.

support block 8 is drilled to define an inlet conduit 13, an outflow conduit 14 and a distribution conduit 15, and each of these conduits ends in a respective hole 16, 17 and 18, on the upper surface of the support block 8. A tube 19 communicates with the outlet orifice 17 in a substantially liquid-tight manner and extends upwardly into the vessel 7. The mouth 20 of the pipe 19 is located just below the inner top face 21 of the vessel 7 The inner diameters of tube 5, inlet conduit 13 and inlet orifice 16 are somewhat larger than the inner diameters of tube 19, outlet orifice 17, outlet conduit 14 and tube 6.

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DWS / AJC equipment of figures 1 and 2 works as follows:

The pump in the refrigeration unit 4 circulates orange juice continuously throughout the circuit including reservoir 3, tubes 5 and 6 and vessel 7 · The refrigeration unit 4 under control ter. appropriate, operates in order to keep orange juice within the desired temperature range. For example, the thermostat can have a connection point at about 6 ° C and a cut-off point at about 2 ° C. It is essential to circulate the orange juice continuously to prevent it from deteriorating.

It will be noted that, as orange juice is circulated, it fills vessel 7. This is partly due to the existence of tube 19, whose mouth 20 is the effective outlet for orange juice inside vessel 7 Also, since the diameters of parts 5, 13 θ 8 are larger than those of parts 19, 14 and 6, there is a tendency to keep the orange juice inside the vessel 7 under pressure. As the vessel 7 is kept full of orange juice, the circulation path for the juice can be completely loaded. This means that the associated pump of the refrigeration unit 4 does not need to develop a significant load and can therefore be of relatively small capacity, even if the quantity storage part 1 is located at a relatively large distance from the dispensing part 2.

As the continuously circulating orange juice is kept at a low temperature, there will be a tendency for moisture to condense on the outside of vessel 7. This moisture runs down into the drip tray 9, which in turn pours out onto the second tray trims drips 10, in a convenient arrangement - for example, via the drain pipe, or via element 11, if done properly.

orange juice is distributed from the pot 7 simply by operating the tap 12 which, when opened, allows the orange juice from inside the pot 7 to escape through the distribution duct 15, via hole 18. The second drip tray 10 picks up the drops from the tap 12 in the conventional manner.

It can therefore be noted that when the distributor part 2 is

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DWS / AJC is mounted on a counter, and the cooled orange juice is circulated continuously throughout the pot 7, the product is exposed to potential customers as a chorus of orange juice. The formation of the condensation on the outside of the vessel 7 makes the impression much more real and makes an embodiment in general as illustrated, which in principle. At first glance, it is very similar to a glass of cold orange juice placed on the counter. As shown in figure 1, vessel 7 can be guar. provided with appropriate decorations 22 such as straw imitations, orange slices, cherries etc. The first drip tray 9 can be contoured to look like a drink protector, in order to add a touch of realism. In this regard, it should be noted that the drip tray 9 may have an upper surface that goes almost to the sides of the vessel 7 and / or support block 8.

Thus, an apparatus for dispensing orange juice is provided in a very convenient and attractive manner. The quantity storage part 1 can be located away from the counter, while the dispensing part 2 provides the most attractive presentation of the product at the distribution point.

Although the representation of figures 1 and 2 is described as an orange juice dispenser, it will be noted that it can also be used and / or adapted for the distribution of other fruit juices or any other drinks in particular but not exclusively those with a tendency to deteriorate unless they are circulated continuously.

Although vessel 7 is in the form of a cup, it can be any other desired shape, preferably translucent or transparent.

Figures 1 and 2 show a single distribution part 2 connected to a storage part 1. However, a plurality of distribution parts such as 2, can be connected in series (or, optionally, in parallel) with the common storage part 1.

As an alternative to the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2, the inlet and outlet ducts 1> and 14 as well as the tube 19, can have the same internal diameter. A constraint is then located in line with the

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- 8 outlet pipe 6, in the downward direction of the dispensing part 2, to create the desired back pressure.

As stated above, the apparatus 30 of figures 3 and 4 is of new construction and can be used as storage part 1 of figure 1.

apparatus 30 includes a reservoir 32 and a circulation and cooling unit 3 ^ · The reservoir 32 is of relatively large capacity - for example 20 to 30 liters and contains, for example, natural orange juice 35 · θ reservoir 32 has a removable top 36 whereby the reservoir can be topped as desired.

The base 35 of the reservoir 32 is slightly concave and at its lowest point an outlet .37 4 has been provided ^and leads via the outlet tube, from 38 to a circulation pump 39. The pump 39 in turn provides an outlet tube 40 of the 3θ device ·

A cooling coil 41 is located adjacent to the reservoir's ha 33 and is connected via cooling pipes 42 to a cooling unit (not shown) at the bottom 34 of appliance 30. An inlet 43 is located on the side wall of the reservoir. . river 32, immediately adjacent to a respective side of the cooling coil 41.

In use, outlet 40 and inlet 4p of apparatus 3θ, for example, are connected to the inlet and outlet tubes 5, 6 of the dispensing part 2 of Figures 1 and 2. The pump 39 operates to continuously circulate the juice of orange both through vessel 7 of the dispenser and reservoir 32.

A general design drawback of beverage dispensers, in quantity, is the return of the warm beverage to the top of the reservoir. This is because the outlet is generally located at the base of the reservoir which, if the drink is properly kept below 4 C (i.e., point of maximum water density) is in theory the warmest part of the reservoir under static conditions. Thus, it seems an obvious choice to return the juice relatively warm at a point that is as far away from the exit as possible.

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However, we found quite surprisingly that the return of the somewhat warm orange juice through an inlet like 43, immediately adjacent to the cooling coil 41 is actually most effective. This is because the cooling coil 41 serves as the deflector for the incoming juice, thus causing its turbulent mixing with the juice that is already in the reservoir. Consequently, the juice in the reservoir 32 is completely mixed and prevents the appearance of any somewhat warm or cold places. In fact, adopting an arrangement as shown in figures 3 and 4, we have verified that it is possible to distribute perfectly with any separate stirring devices in the reservoir 32, which stirring devices are sometimes provided in conventionally constructed beverage tanks. .

It is preferable that the pump 39 is a vane pump which will cause a greater agitation of the juice as it passes through the pump. The total circulation of the pump is preferably adjusted to circulate the orange juice at a speed that prevents the juice from freezing or separating during circulation.

In addition to outlet 37, another outlet may be provided. adjacent to it to drain reservoir 32.

Figure 4 is slightly modified compared to Figure 3, as it shows the outlet 40 connected to a two-way valve 50, where a first outlet is connected to the inlet pipe 5 to the distributor part 1 of Figures 1 and 2, and the second outlet of which is connected to a flexible hose 52.

Normally, valve 50 is in the position shown in figure 4 so that the flow of orange juice is directed through the inlet tube 5 to the dispenser or to each dispenser.

However, when you want to clean the entire appliance you can use the following process:

First, the 5θ ® valve connected to its second position and the pump 39 is activated, to discharge the contents of the reservoir 32, via flexible hose 52. The pump 39 is then switched off and one or

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each vessel 7 (of figure 1) is drained via the outlet tap 12, under the influence of gravity. Depending on the relative heights of the storage part 1 and the distribution part 2, the inlet and outlet tubes 5 θ 6 will normally be dumped with one or the other of the respective parts. In practice, it is generally seen that the storage part 1 is located below the level of the distribution part 2.

reservoir 32 is then partially filled with water, and a good one. ba 39 switched on again. Since hose 52 is relatively small in diameter, water is forced into its open end 53 as a jet - that is, the open end 53 serves as an injector. This jet of cleaning water is then directed by the operator over the interior walls of the reservoir 32 to facilitate its cleaning.

When the reservoir 32 is sufficiently clean, the water is then discharged via hose 52 to a convenient receptacle. The entire system can then be loaded with clean water, the 5θ valve returns to its first position and the clean water is circulated in the entire system to wash it. Subsequently, the valve is returned to its second position, the system is emptied of water via hose 52 under the action of pump 39, θ the vessel or each vessel 7 is drained via the respective tap 12.

Then the system can be loaded again with natural orange juice (or any other drink you want) being clean and ready for new use.

Thus, it will be noted that the equipment described above allows for a particularly simple but effective process of cleaning the entire system. This can be of particular importance with perishable drinks such as natural orange juice which is very susceptible to bacteriological action.

It is advisable that the valve 50 has few moving parts in order to minimize the risk of the juice becoming trapped in it. As an alternative to valve 50, an ordinary open / close tap can be used, above which a T-piece is used, which is li64 741

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The hose 52 is connected via a spring connection device, having a one-way valve action.

The invention is not limited to the details of the mentioned embodiments. It encompasses any other, or any new combination of steps in any method or process described here

Claims (4)

I 1. Equipment for dispensing and storing drinks including an apparatus for dispensing a beverage with a closed vessel, an inlet and an outlet to and from the vessel, arranged in such a way that a beverage can be circulated through the vessel via inlet and outlet, with the vessel substantially filled with drink, and a dispensing valve for dispensing a drink when the vessel contains the drink. Equipment according to claim 1, wherein said vessel is translucent or transparent. J. Equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said valve includes a tap arranged to dispense a drink from the vessel. Equipment according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said inlet and outlet include an inlet and an outlet conduit respectively, the outlet conduit being formed with or communicating with a part that restricts the flow of the drink downward from the vessel. Equipment according to claim 4, wherein the internal diameter of the outlet duct is smaller than that of the inlet duct.