WO2004080883A1

WO2004080883A1 - System for drawing beer

Info

Publication number: WO2004080883A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/002374
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roland Gobert
Original assignee: Roland Gobert
Priority date: 2003-03-14
Filing date: 2004-03-05
Publication date: 2004-09-23
Also published as: BE1015415A6

Abstract

The invention relates to a system, comprising at least one inlet connection (2), for connection to a barrel of beer, a connection (4), for connection to a pressurised water supply (5), an outlet connection (6), for connection to a drawing line (7), a solenoid valve (8), provided on the inlet connection (2) and a control system (10), for said solenoid valve (8).

Description

Beer draft system

The present invention relates to a system for a draft for drafting beer on tap.

The draft of beer on tap is carried out in the traditional way as follows:

The beer keg is pressurized with C02 from a bottle via a pipe on which is mounted one or more regulators and one or more pressure gauges.

The beer from the pressurized keg then passes via a food hose to a racking head mounted on a fixed stainless steel pipe ending in a draft tap mounted on a column. The fixed pipe has a part passing through a refrigerating tank or a refrigeration unit. C02 is advantageously brought to the withdrawal head.

The fixed pipe is associated with a water supply to operate a flushing, allowing a flushing of the pipes when replacing the empty barrel with a full barrel, or at the start of the day and / or at the end of the day.

Usually in bars, several draw taps are mounted next to each other.

An existing problem with existing systems is that when a keg is empty, a server does not report it, so that the next operator receives one of the pressurized carbon dioxide mixed with leftover beer or foam. This second server must then also wash, but also clean the installation before placing a new barrel. Such an operation takes some time.

Systems have already been proposed to avoid the production of foam when the barrel comes to an end. Thus, document FR-A-2783601 teaches a device comprising an infrared diode and a photosensitive diode mounted on a transparent hose to determine a parameter which would be a function of the flow rate of foam, this device then controlling a solenoid valve mounted on the barrel. The detection of foam in a transparent conduit is random and is not a guarantee that the barrel is empty. The risk of damage to a solenoid valve mounted on a drum is significant.

In addition, the solenoid valve is only cleaned when replacing an empty barrel with a full barrel, so that when used for several days, a risk of fouling and malfunction of one solenoid valve is possible .

To avoid these problems of washing and wasting time when replacing an empty keg with another keg, the applicant sought a simple system making it possible to control the flow of beer leaving a keg and, in particular, after a step of quick cleaning of the pipes, to go to the draw of a full barrel preinstalled.

The subject of the invention is therefore a system for a draft for drafting beer into kegs, this pipe comprising an end with a beer draft valve, an end intended to be associated with a keg of beer, a part extending in a cooling system, and a connection for connecting said pipeline to a pressurized water supply

According to the invention, the system has at least:

- an input connection adapted to be connected to a pipe connected to a first keg of beer,

- a connection suitable for being connected to a pressurized water supply,

- an outlet connection adapted to be connected to a part of the pipe connected to the draw valve,

a first solenoid valve with at least one open position to allow the passage of beer from the inlet connection to the outlet connection and a closed position preventing the passage of beer from the inlet connection to the outlet connection, and

- a control system for said first solenoid valve. Such a system allows easy control of the position of the solenoid valve by an electrical signal (in particular a difference in voltage or voltage of less than 24 volts, such as for example a difference in voltage or voltage of 12 volts or less 12 Volts, but also an easy washing or rinsing operation.

According to a particular embodiment, the system has at least:

- a first connection adapted to be connected to a pipe connected to a first beer keg,

- a second connection adapted to be connected to a pipe connected to a second beer keg,

- a third connection adapted to be connected to a pressurized water supply,

a fourth connection adapted to be connected to a part of the pipe connected to the draw valve,

- a first solenoid valve with at least one open position to allow the passage of beer from the first connection to the fourth connection and a closed position preventing the passage of beer from the first connection to the fourth connection, a second solenoid valve with at least one open position to allow the passage of beer from the second connection to the fourth connection and a position closed preventing the passage of beer from the second connection to the fourth connection, and a control system of said first and second solenoid valve.

According to a particular feature, the control system receives a signal of empty beer keg to control the closing of a solenoid valve and a signal to control the opening of a solenoid valve.

Advantageously, one or more connections (in particular all) are associated with a non-return device, in particular a non-return valve. In particular at least the fourth connection is associated with a device for preventing the liquid from returning from the pipe with the draw valve to the system.

According to an advantageous detail, one or more connections are associated with an automatic closing device, when the connection is not associated with a pipe.

The solenoid valves are preferably solenoid valves controlled by an electric current with a voltage less than 24V, preferably less than or equal to 12V.

According to one feature, the control system is remotely controlled by a manually controlled device, this device being connected by one or more wires for signal transfer and / or transmitting signals capable of being received by one or more receivers mounted on or associated with a control system.

According to a characteristic of an embodiment, the control system and / or the control device and / or one or more solenoid valves comprise automatic control means, in particular one or more safety devices. Such safety systems are for example indicator lights showing the good or bad functioning of a part of the system, for example of a solenoid valve and / or of the electric current supply.

When the system has several connections for connecting the system to two or more of two different drums, it is particularly advantageous that the connections are provided or able to be associated with a removable cover or plug. This then protects one or more unused connections.

The invention also relates to the use of a system according to the invention in a draft of beer draft.

Still another object of the invention is an installation for drafting beer on tap, said installation comprising one or more systems according to the invention.

Special features and details of embodiments of the invention will emerge from the following detailed description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings,

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment, and

- Figure 2 is a schematic view of a second embodiment.

The system 1 of FIG. 1 is intended to be mounted (advantageously removably) on a draft pipe for drafting beer, this pipe comprising one end with a tap for drafting beer, one end intended to be associated with a barrel of beer, a part extending into a cooling system, and a connection for connecting said pipe to a pressurized water supply. System 1 has at least:

an inlet connection 2 adapted to be connected to a flexible pipe 3 connected to a first keg of beer,

a connection 4 adapted to be connected to a hose 5 for supplying water under pressure,

an outlet connection 6 adapted to be connected to a pipe part 7 connected to the draw valve,

a solenoid valve 8 with at least one open position to allow the passage of beer from the inlet connection to the outlet connection and a closed position preventing the passage of beer from the inlet connection to the outlet connection,

a solenoid valve 9 allowing the admission of rinsing water into the system, and

- a control system 10 for the solenoid valves 8.9.

Connections 2,4 and 6 are fitted with a non-return device so as to prevent liquid from entering the chamber interior 1A of the system 1 to pass into the pipe 3 or in the pipe 5, as well as to prevent liquid present in the pipe 7 towards the chamber 1A.

The control system receives signals from a remote control 11 and transmits such signals to this control 11. The transfer of signals between the control unit 11 and the control system is for example carried out by radio waves. Other electromagnetic waves can be used. Optionally, the control unit 11 can be connected to the control system by one or more wires or cables. The control unit includes:

- an indicator light 11A to ensure correct charging of the battery (of the rechargeable type or not);

- an indicator light 11B to check the correct operating condition of the solenoid valve 8;

- an indicator light 11C to check the correct operating condition of the solenoid valve 9;

- a control button 11D for controlling the solenoid valve 8 in the open or closed position;

a control button 11E for controlling the solenoid valve 9 in the open or closed position,

a device 11G for transmitting and receiving radio signals with the control system 10, and

- a 11F safety system preventing the simultaneous opening of the two solenoid valves.

When replacing an empty drum with a full one, or at the end of the day, it is possible to easily rinse the installation. To do this, simply order the opening of the solenoid valve 9 (the solenoid valve

8 being closed to prevent the passage of beer through the conduit 3 into the chamber 1A) and to open the draw valve to ensure the rinsing of the interior chamber 1A of the system and of the draw pipe 7 and of the draw tap.

Figure 2 shows a system for connection to two beer kegs.

The system 1 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1, except that it comprises a connection 12 and a solenoid valve 13 for controlling the entry or not of beer coming from a keg (pressurized) by the flexible 14. The control unit 11 comprises, for its part, an indicator light 11H for the correct operation of the solenoid valve 13 and a control button 111 for placing the solenoid valve in the open or closed position 13. The safety system 11F is for adapted to prevent two solenoid valves from being in the open position at the same time. According to an alternative embodiment, the security system 11F is programmed to prevent the opening of a beer supply solenoid valve after the closure of a beer supply solenoid valve in the absence of the opening of the solenoid valve 9, that is to say in the absence of rinsing of the chamber 1A and of the pipe 7.

The connection 12 is advantageously provided with a non-return valve to prevent liquid from passing from the chamber 1A to the pipe 14.

If a beer supply connection (2.12) is not used, it is advantageous to provide a protective cap or cap 15, for example connected to the system by a chain 16.

The solenoid valves are advantageously controlled by an electrical signal 12 Volts and are advantageously associated with a means which, in the absence of a signal or current, automatically closes the solenoid valve.

The control device 11 is advantageously mounted on the counter of a bar and is connected to the solenoid valves by one or more wires (for example from the telephone).

Claims

. System for a draft beer draft, this pipe comprising an end with a beer tap, an end intended to be associated with a beer barrel, a part extending advantageously in a cooling system, and a connection for connecting said pipe to a pressurized water supply, characterized in that said system has at least:

- an input connection (2) adapted to be connected to a pipe (3) connected to a first beer keg,

a connection (4) adapted to be connected to a pressurized water supply (5), an outlet connection (6) adapted to be connected to a pipe part (7) connected to the draw valve,

- a solenoid valve (8) with at least one open position to allow the passage of beer from the inlet connection (2) to the outlet connection (6) and a closed position preventing the passage of beer from the inlet connection to the output connection, and a control system (10) of said solenoid valve (8).

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection (4) adapted to be connected to a pressurized water supply (5) is associated with a solenoid valve (9) controlled between an open position and a closed position.

3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises an additional connection

(12) adapted to be connected to a pipe (14) connected to a beer keg, said connection being associated with a solenoid valve (13).

4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that said system has at least: a first connection (2) adapted to be connected to a pipe connected to a first beer keg, a second connection (12) adapted to be connected to a pipe connected to a second beer keg, a third connection (4) adapted to be connected to a pressurized water supply, a fourth connection (6) adapted to be connected to a part of pipe connected to the draw valve, a first solenoid valve (8) with at least one open position to allow the passage of beer from the first connection (2) to the fourth connection (6) and a closed position preventing the passage of beer from the first connection to the fourth connection, a second solenoid valve (13) with at least one open position to allow the passage of beer from the second connection (12) to the fourth connection (6) and a fe position rme preventing the passage of beer from the second connection to the fourth connection, and a control system (10) of said first and second solenoid valve.

5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control system (10) receives a signal of empty beer keg to control the closing of a solenoid valve (8 or 13) and a signal to control the opening of a solenoid valve (9 or 13).

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more connections (2,4,6,12) are associated with a non-return device, in particular a non-return valve.

7. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fourth connection or outlet (6) is associated with a device for preventing the return of liquid from the pipe (7) with the draw valve towards the system (1).

8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more connections are associated with an automatic closing device, when the connection is not associated with a pipe.

9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solenoid valves are solenoid valves controlled by an electric current with a voltage less than 24V, preferably less than or equal to 12V.

10. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control system is remotely controlled by a device (11) manually controlled.

11. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control system and / or the control device and / or one or more solenoid valves comprise automatic control means, in particular one or more safety devices (11A, 11C, 11B, 11F, 11H).

12. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more connections are provided with a removable cover or plug (15).

13. Use of a system according to any one of the preceding claims for drawing beer on tap.

14. Installation for drawing beer on tap, said installation comprising one or more systems according to one of claims 1 to 12.