WO2017081002A1

WO2017081002A1 - A beverage container handling unit

Info

Publication number: WO2017081002A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/076974
Authority: WO
Inventors: Klaus KAACK PEULICKE
Original assignee: Micro Matic A/S
Priority date: 2015-11-09
Filing date: 2016-11-08
Publication date: 2017-05-18
Also published as: CN108349722B; EP3165501A1; EP3374313A1; CN205300109U; RU2723234C2; RU2018119364A; RU2018119364A3; CN108349722A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beverage container handling unit for a refrigerator of a beverage dispensing system, the refrigerator having a space defined by side walls, an end wall, a top face, a bottom face and a door, wherein the beverage container handling unit comprises a base part having a first face and a second face, the base part being movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being within the refrigerator and the second position being partly outside the refrigerator, and a supporting part comprising at least one longitudinal element having a first end and a second end, and a leg element being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal element in a supporting position of the supporting part, the supporting part being configured to support the base part when it is moved from the first position along the longitudinal element to the second position. Further, the present invention relates to a refrigerator for a beverage dispensing system according to the present invention and to a beverage dispensing system comprising a refrigerator and a beverage container handling unit according to the present invention.

Description

A BEVERAGE CONTAINER HANDLING UNIT

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a beverage container handling unit for a refrigerator of a beverage dispensing system. Further, the present invention relates to a refrigerator for a beverage dispensing system according to the present invention and to a beverage dispensing system comprising a refrigerator and a beverage container handling unit according to the present invention.

Background art

Beverage containers are made of metal and when filled with beverage, they are heavy and thereby difficult to handle for bar staff. Especially, it is difficult to insert one or more filled beverage containers into refrigerators for cooling them before dispensing, since refrigerators often have limited heights.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to wholly or partly overcome the above disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, it is an object to provide an improved way of handling heavy equipment, such as beverage containers, when they are being inserted into refrigerators and removed therefrom.

The above objects, together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will become evident from the below description, are accomplished by a solution in accordance with the present invention by a beverage container handling unit for a refrigerator of a beverage dispensing system, the refrigerator having a space defined by side walls, an end wall, a top face, a bottom face and a door,

wherein the beverage container handling unit comprises:

- a base part having a first face and a second face, the base part being movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being within the refrigerator and the second position being partly outside the refrigerator, and

- a supporting part comprising at least one longitudinal element having a first end and a second end, and a leg element being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal element in a supporting position of the supporting part, the supporting part being configured to support the base part when it is moved from the first position along the longitudinal element to the second position. In addition, the supporting part may be configured to move automatically to support the base part when the supporting part is moved from the first position along the longitudinal element to the second position.

The first face of the base part may be configured to support one or more beverage containers, and the second face may be configured to be moved along the longitudinal element.

Moreover, the second face may comprise wheels. Further, the second face may be configured to slide on the longitudinal element.

Also, the first face may comprise guiding elements for assisting in positioning the one or more beverage containers on the first face of the base part. Additionally, the supporting part may be made of metal.

The supporting part may comprise a first longitudinal element and a second longitudinal element, the first and second longitudinal elements extending in parallel and being connected at the first end to each other by a transverse element, thereby defining a frame structure.

Moreover, the longitudinal elements may be L-profiles or U-profiles.

Also, the beverage container handling unit may furthermore comprise two longitudinal second elements configured to be mounted inside the refrigerator and support the base part when present in the first position.

Furthermore, supporting part may comprise a first turning axis at the second end, so that the supporting part can pivot in relation to the base part and/or the two longitudinal second elements in a parking position of the supporting part. The supporting part and the longitudinal second element(s) may be connected via the second turning axis arranged at the first end of the supporting part.

The supporting and longitudinal part may be connected to move together, so that the supporting part is moved automatically to a parking position.

The longitudinal element(s) and the leg element may be connected via a second turning axis arranged at the first end, so that the leg element can pivot in relation to the longitudinal elements(s) in a parking position of the supporting part.

Also, the supporting part may be movably arranged in relation to the base part.

Further, a handle may be arranged in connection with the supporting part for facilitating movement of the supporting part.

In addition, a first locking mechanism may be arranged in connection with the leg element, the first locking mechanism being configured to maintain the leg element in locked position in relation to the longitudinal element(s) when the supporting part is in the supporting position.

A second locking mechanism may be arranged at the second end of the longitudinal element(s), the second locking element being configured to maintain the supporting part in locked position when the supporting element is in a parking position.

Moreover, the supporting part may be configured to be within the refrigerator in a parking position. Furthermore, the supporting part may be configured to be outside the refrigerator in the parking position.

The present invention also relates to a refrigerator for a beverage dispensing system, comprising a space defined by side walls, an end wall, a top face, a bottom face and a door, and a cooling device for cooling the space to a predetermined temperature, the refrigerator further comprising a beverage container handling unit according to any of the preceding claims. Further, the base part may be configured to be moved on the bottom face when being within the space.

Additionally, the supporting part may be aligned with the bottom face, so that the base part can be moved from the bottom face to the supporting part, and vice versa.

Moreover, the base part may be configured to be moved on the longitudinal second elements when being within the space.

The supporting part may be aligned with the longitudinal second elements, so that the base part can be moved from the longitudinal second elements to the supporting part, and vice versa. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a beverage dispensing system comprising a refrigerator and a beverage container handling unit as described above, the beverage dispensing system further comprising one or more beverage containers having extractor tubes, and a gas source connected to the beverage container via a dispense head, the dispense head being mounted on the extractor tube of the beverage container, a dispensing line extending from the dispense head to a tapping head, from which beverage can be tapped.

Brief description of the drawings The invention and its many advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which for the purpose of illustration show some non-limiting embodiments and in which

Figs. 1-2 show a beverage container handling unit in a side view and top view, respectively,

Fig. 3 shows a base part of the beverage container handling unit,

Fig. 4 shows a refrigerator,

Fig. 5 shows a beverage dispensing system, Figs. 6-9 show a sequence of the operation of the beverage container handling unit in the beverage dispensing system of Fig. 5,

Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of the supporting part,

Figs. 11-14 show another beverage container handling unit,

Fig. 15 shows another base part, Figs. 16-19 show a sequence of the operation of the beverage container handling unit of Figs. 11-14, and

Figs. 20-24 show another beverage dispensing system with the beverage container handling unit of Figs. 11-14.

All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, and they show only those parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested. Detailed description of the invention

Fig. 1 shows a beverage container handling unit 1 configured to be mounted in a refrigerator of a beverage dispensing system. The beverage container handling unit 1 comprises a base part 2 having a first face 6 and a second face 7, the base part 2 being movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being within the refrigerator and the second position being partly outside the refrigerator, which will be described further below.

The beverage container handling unit 1 further comprises a supporting part 3 having at least one longitudinal element 4 with a first end 25 and a second end 26, and a leg element 5 being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal element 4 in a supporting position of the supporting part 3. Thus, the supporting part 3 is configured to support the base part 2 when the base part 2 is moved from the first position, i.e. within the refrigerator, along the longitudinal element to the second position, i.e. partly outside the refrigerator. Hereby a solution is obtained which facilitates the handling of the heavy beverage containers in a more ergonomic manner when the beverage containers are to be inserted into the refrigerator for cooling and/or dispensing, and when they are to be removed from the refrigerator.

As mentioned above, the first face 6 of the base part 2 is configured to support one or more beverage containers (not shown in Figs. 1-2), and the second face 7 is configured to be moved along the longitudinal element 4. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the second face 7 comprises wheels 11 which assist in moving the base part 2 in relation to a bottom face of a refrigerator and the longitudinal element 4.

In addition, the supporting part 3 comprises a first turning axis 10 at the second end 26, so that the supporting part 3 can pivot in relation to the base part 2 in a parking position of the supporting part 3. The parking position of the supporting part 3 is when the supporting part 3 not is in use and ready to receive and support the base part 2.

The longitudinal element 4 and the leg element 5 are connected via a second turning axis 9 arranged at the first end 25, so that the leg element 5 can pivot in relation to the longitudinal elements 4 in a parking position of the supporting part 3. Thus, the supporting part 3 is movably arranged in relation to the base part 2 when the base part 2 is in the first position within the refrigerator. Moreover, a handle 8 is arranged in connection with the supporting part 3 for facilitating movement of the supporting part 3.

Since the beverage containers to be handled are heavy, it is expedient that the supporting part is made of rigid material, such as metal.

In Fig. 2, the beverage container handling unit 1 is shown in a top view. The supporting part 3 comprises a first longitudinal element 4 and a second longitudinal element 12, the first and second longitudinal elements 4, 12 extending in parallel and being connected at the first end 25 to each other by a transverse element 13, thereby defining a frame structure. In a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal elements 4, 12 are L-profiles or U-profiles. The transverse element 13 may also be an L-profile. The base part 2 may then be moved onto the L-profiles and be guided along these.

The beverage container handling unit 1 may advantageously be retro-fitted into existing refrigerators for improving the ergonomic handling of the beverage containers.

In Fig. 3, an embodiment of base part 2 is shown. The first face 6 comprises guiding elements 14 for assisting in positioning the one or more beverage containers on the first face 6 of the base part 2. The guiding elements 14 of the base part 2 in Fig. 3 are configured to either position four 20-litre beverage containers or two 30-litre beverage containers. The two beverage containers are intended to be stacked on top of each other, the four 20-litre beverage containers being placed side by side in a square configuration.

In Fig. 4, a refrigerator 50 is shown having a door 51 which opens into the cooling space inside the refrigerator 50. The refrigerator 50 has wheels 52 making the refrigerator 50 mobile. The refrigerator 50 may be a stand-alone refrigerator and be configured to cool, inter alia, beverage containers before they are being connected with a beverage dispensing system. The refrigerator 50 may also be placed in a bar, for instance under a bar counter.

In Fig. 5, a beverage dispensing system 100 is shown. The beverage dispensing system 100 shown in Figs. 5-9 is a stand-alone system. However, the present invention may also be used in connection with dispensing systems which are installed in a stationary manner in bars and restaurants.

The beverage dispensing system 100 comprises the refrigerator 50 with wheels 52. The refrigerator 50 is adapted to house one or more beverage container(s) to be dispensed from. The refrigerator 50 is provided with a cooling device for cooling the beverage to a predetermined temperature and may further be provided with circulating means for circulating the cool air in the refrigerator 50. The refrigerator 50 may also comprise a gas source. The gas source may be connected to a source pressure regulator and may be connected via a gas line to a pressure regulator. The pressure regulator may then be connected to a dispense head, which is coupled to an extractor tube of the beverage container. A dispensing line may extend from the beverage container up through a font or tower 20 arranged on top of the refrigerator 50 to the tapping head 21. The tower 20 extends upwards from an upper face 22 of the refrigerator 50. The tapping head 21 furthermore comprises a tapping handle. At the end of the dispensing line, a dispensing valve is arranged which may be opened and closed by the tapping handle.

The dispensing line may be made of a non-rigid material to facilitate handling and guiding. The dispensing line may comprise a valve at the outlet end, which valve is adapted to be opened and closed by the tapping handle when the dispensing line and valve are positioned in the tapping head. Instead of a valve, the dispensing valve may comprise a section made of a flexible material, such as rubber or silicone. The section is positioned opposite a pinch device arranged in a second part of the tapping head in connection with the tapping handle. The pinch device is adapted to pinch the section of the dispensing line and thereby close off the dispensing line.

In Fig. 6, the door 51 is opened, providing access to the cooling space 15 inside the refrigerator 50. Inside the cooling space 15, the beverage container handling unit 1 is shown. The cooling space 15 is inter alia defined by side walls 17 and bottom face 18. Further, inside the cooling space 15, two beverage containers 16 are stacked on top of each other on the base part 2. In Fig. 6, the base part 2 is within the refrigerator 50 in the first position. In front of the beverage containers 16, the supporting part 3 is shown in the parking position. The first and second longitudinal elements 4, 12 are moved to a vertical position by pivoting them around the turning axis 10. The longitudinal elements 4, 12 are connected by the transverse element 13. In addition, the leg element 5 extends from the longitudinal elements 4, 12 in an upwards direction, whereby the supporting part 3 occupies as little space as possible. By having the supporting part 3 in front of the beverage containers 16 in its parking position, it is obtained that the operator is forced to use the beverage container handling unit 1 when he or she is inserting or removing beverage containers from the refrigerator 50. The operator will consequently experience more ergonomic working positions than when using the prior art solutions.

Moreover a second locking mechanism may be arranged at the second end of the longitudinal element(s) 4, 12, the second locking element being configured to maintain the supporting part 3 in locked position when the supporting part 3 is in a parking position as shown in Fig. 7.

In Fig. 7, the supporting part 3 of the beverage container handling unit 1 has been moved from the parking position to the supporting position. The first and second longitudinal elements 4, 12 are now in a horizontal extension and are, in the second end, supported by the refrigerator and, in the first end, by the leg element 5. The leg element 5 is supported by the floor. The longitudinal elements 4, 12 are then aligned with the bottom face of the refrigerator 50, so that the base part 2 with the beverage containers 16 may be moved from the inside of the refrigerator 50 out on the supporting part 3 as shown in Fig. 8.

In Fig. 8, the base part 2 is moved out in the second position in which it is outside the refrigerator 50 and fully supported by the supporting part. The beverage containers may then easily be removed from the base part 2 as shown in Fig. 9.

In addition, a first locking mechanism may be arranged in connection with the leg element 5, the first locking mechanism being configured to maintain the leg element 5 in locked position in relation to the longitudinal elements 12 when the supporting part is in the supporting position as shown in Fig. 8.

In Fig. 9, the beverage dispensing system 100 is ready to be loaded with new beverage containers by the beverage containers being positioned on the base part 2 before being moved into the cooling space 15 by moving the base part 2 along the longitudinal elements 12 onto the bottom face 18 of the refrigerator 50.

In another embodiment, the supporting part may be configured to be outside the refrigerator in the parking position. For instance, as shown in Fig. 10, rails 40 may be arranged under the refrigerator. The rails 40 have a groove 41 extending along the rails. The turning axis 10 may have a pin configured to be led in the groove when the supporting part 3 is being placed in the supporting position as shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 11 shows another beverage container handling unit 1 configured to be mounted in a refrigerator of a beverage dispensing system. The beverage container handling unit 1 is in Fig. 11 shown in a side view and comprises a base part 2 having a first face 6 and a second face 7, the base part 2 being movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being within the refrigerator and the second position being partly outside the refrigerator, which will be described further below.

The beverage container handling unit 1 further comprises a supporting part 3 having two longitudinal elements 4, 12 with a first end 25 and a second end 26, and a leg element 5 being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal elements 4, 12 in a supporting position of the supporting part 3. Thus, the supporting part 3 is configured to support the base part 2 when the base part 2 is moved from the first position, i.e. within the refrigerator, along the longitudinal element to the second position, i.e. partly outside the refrigerator. In the present embodiment of Fig. 11, the beverage container handling unit 1 furthermore comprises two longitudinal second elements 30 configured to be mounted in the refrigerator and support the base part 2 when present in the first position. The two longitudinal second elements 30 are connected with the longitudinal elements 4, 12 at their second end 26 via the turning axis 10. Hence, the longitudinal elements 4, 12 are configured to rotate in relation the two longitudinal second elements 30 since the two longitudinal second elements 30 are configured to be securely mounted in the refrigerator. In this embodiment, the base part 2 is arranged on top of the two longitudinal second elements 30 when the base part 2 is in the first position, and may move or slide along the two longitudinal second elements 30 when the base part 2 is to be positioned in the second position. The supporting part 3 is aligned with the longitudinal second elements 30, so that the base part 2 can be moved from the longitudinal second elements 30 to the supporting part 3, and vice versa. The longitudinal elements 4, 12 and the leg element 5 are connected via a second turning axis 9 arranged at the first end 25, so that the leg element 5 can pivot in relation to the longitudinal elements 4 in a parking position of the supporting part 3. Thus, the supporting part 3 is movably arranged in relation to the base part 2 when the base part 2 is in the first position within the refrigerator. In Fig. 12, the beverage container handling unit 1 is shown in a side view wherein the supporting part 3 is moved into a position substantially perpendicular to the base part 2 and the two longitudinal second elements 30 in that the supporting part 3 is rotated around the turning axis 10. The supporting part 3 is in Fig. 12 shown in the parking position. In addition, the leg element 5 is also rotated via the second turning axis 9, so that the leg element 5 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal elements 4, 12 as seen in Fig. 12.

In Fig. 13, the beverage container handling unit 1 is shown in a front view wherein the supporting part 3 is moved into the position substantially perpendicular to the base part 2 and the two longitudinal second elements 30 in that the supporting part 3 is rotated around the turning axis 10. The supporting part 3 is in Fig. 12 shown in the parking position. In addition, the leg element 5 is also rotated via the second turning axis 9, so that the leg element 5 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal elements 4, 12 as seen in Fig. 12. Furthermore, the handle 8 is arranged in connection with the leg element 5.

In Fig. 14, part of the beverage container handling unit 1 of Figs. 11-13 is shown in an exploded view, whereby the different components are shown separate from each other. From Fig. 14 it is easily deduced how the different components interact in relation to each other. For instance the components of the first turning axis 10 between the two longitudinal second elements 30 and the longitudinal elements 4, 12 are shown. In the same manner, the components of the second turning axis 9 between the longitudinal elements 4, 12 and the leg element 5 are shown. The handle 8 on the leg element 5 is also shown. Furthermore, two stops 32 are shown, which stops 32 are to be mounted on the opposite end of the longitudinal second elements 30 in relation to the turning axis 10. The stops 32 are configured to stop the base part 2 from moving past the longitudinal second elements 30. In the present embodiment, the longitudinal elements 4, 12 and the longitudinal second elements 30 are shown as U-profiles. The base part 2 may comprise two grooves (not shown) substantially having the same width as the width of the U-profiles, whereby the grooves of the base part may interact with the U-profiles. In Fig. 15, another base part 2 is shown. The first face 6 comprises guiding elements 14 for assisting in positioning the one or more beverage containers on the first face 6 of the base part 2. In Figs. 16-19, a sequence of the operation of the beverage container handling unit 1 of Figs. 11-14 is shown. In Fig. 16, the beverage container handling unit 1 is in the parking position in which the supporting part 2 is raised to a position which is substantially perpendicular to the base part 2. In Fig. 17, the supporting part 3 is moved from the parking position of Fig. 16 in that it rotates around the turning axis 10. In Fig. 18, the supporting part 3 is moved even further towards the supporting position shown in Fig. 19. The leg element 5 is also being rotated in relation to the supporting part 3. In Fig. 19, the beverage container handling unit 1 is shown in the supporting position of the supporting part 3. The longitudinal elements 4, 12 of the supporting part 3 are now aligned with the base part 2, so that it may be moved onto the longitudinal elements 4, 12. The leg element 5 is perpendicular to the longitudinal elements 4, 12 and thereby supports the supporting part 3 when the base part 2 is moved along the supporting part 3. The leg element 5 has been rotated around the turning axis 9. In addition, the handle 8 is arranged for facilitating the movement of the beverage container handling unit 1 from its parking position to its supporting position and back again.

Figs. 20-24 show another beverage dispensing system 100 with the beverage container handling unit 1 of Figs. 11-14. In Fig. 20, a refrigerator 50 is shown having a door 51 which opens into the cooling space inside the refrigerator 50. The beverage container handling unit 1 is arranged inside the refrigerator 50 in the parking position. In Fig. 21, the beverage container handling unit 1 is in its supporting position in which the supporting part 3 is moved outside the refrigerator 50, so that the base part 2 may be moved out from refrigerator 50.

In Fig. 22, the refrigerator 50 is shown in a front view with the door 51 open. The beverage container handling unit 1 is in its parking position as shown in Fig. 20. In Fig. 23, the refrigerator 50 is shown in a side view with door 51 open. As in Fig. 21, the beverage container handling unit 1 is in the supporting position in which the supporting part 3 is moved outside the refrigerator 50 and is carried by the refrigerator 50 in one end and by the leg element 5 in the other end. The base part 2 is also moved out from the refrigerator 50 to be supported by the supporting part 3, facilitating handling of containers to be placed inside the refrigerator 50. In Fig. 24, the refrigerator 50 of the beverage dispensing system 100 is shown in a cross-sectional side view, wherein the door 51 is closed. Inside the refrigerator 50, the beverage container handling unit 1 is shown in its parking position in which the supporting part 3 is arranged in a position substantially perpendicular to the base part 2.

Although the invention has been described in the above in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A beverage container handling unit (1) for a refrigerator (50) of a beverage dispensing system (100), the refrigerator having a space (15) defined by side walls (17), an end wall, a top face, a bottom face (18) and a door (51), wherein the beverage container handling unit comprises:

- a base part (2) having a first face (6) and a second face (7), the base part being movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being within the refrigerator and the second position being partly outside the refrigerator, and

- a supporting part (3) comprising at least one longitudinal element (4) having a first (25) end and a second end (26), and a leg element (5) being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal element in a supporting position of the supporting part, the supporting part being configured to support the base part when it is moved from the first position along the longitudinal element to the second position.

2. A beverage container handling unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first face (6) of the base part (2) is configured to support one or more beverage containers, and the second face (7) is configured to be moved along the longitudinal element.

3. A beverage container handling unit (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first face comprises guiding elements (14) for assisting in positioning the one or more beverage containers on the first face (6) of the base part (2).

4. A beverage container handling unit (1) according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the supporting part (3) comprises a first longitudinal element (4) and a second longitudinal element (12), the first and second longitudinal elements extending in parallel and being connected at the first end to each other by a transverse element (13), thereby defining a frame structure.

5. A beverage container handling unit (1) according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the beverage container handling unit (1) furthermore comprises two longitudinal second elements (30) configured to be mounted inside the refrigerator and support the base part (2) when present in the first position.

6. A beverage container handling unit (1) according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the supporting part (3) comprises a first turning axis (10) at the second end, so that the supporting part can pivot in relation to the base part and/or the two longitudinal second elements in a parking position of the supporting part.

7. A beverage container handling unit (1) according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the longitudinal element(s) (4, 12) and the leg element (5) are connected via a second turning axis (9) arranged at the first end (25), so that the leg element (5) can pivot in relation to the longitudinal elements(s) in a parking position of the supporting part.

8. A beverage container handling unit (1) according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the supporting part (3) is movably arranged in relation to the base part (2).

9. A beverage container handling unit (1) according to any of claims 1-8, wherein a handle (8) is arranged in connection with the supporting part (3) for facilitating movement of the supporting part.

10. A beverage container handling unit (1) according to any of claims 1-9, wherein a first locking mechanism is arranged in connection with the leg element (5), the first locking mechanism being configured to maintain the leg element (5) in locked position in relation to the longitudinal element(s) when the supporting part (3) is in the supporting position.

11. A beverage container handling unit (1) according to any of claims 1-10, wherein a second locking mechanism is arranged at the second end of the longitudinal element(s) (4, 12), the second locking element being configured to maintain the supporting part (3) in locked position when the supporting element is in a parking position.

12. A beverage container handling unit (1) according to any of claims 1-11, wherein the supporting part (3) is configured to be within the refrigerator (50) in a parking position.

13. A refrigerator (50) for a beverage dispensing system (100), comprising a space (15) defined by side walls (17), an end wall, a top face, a bottom face (18) and a door (51), and a cooling device for cooling the space to a predetermined temperature, the refrigerator further comprising a beverage container handling unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

14. A refrigerator (50) according to claim 13, wherein the base part (2) is configured to be moved on the bottom face when being within the space (15), or the base part (2) is configured to be moved on the longitudinal second elements (30) when being within the space (15).

15. A refrigerator (50) according to any of claims 13-14, wherein the supporting part (3) is aligned with the bottom face, so that the base part can be moved from the bottom face to the supporting part, and vice versa, or the supporting part (3) is aligned with the longitudinal second elements (30), so that the base part (2) can be moved from the longitudinal second elements (30) to the supporting part (3), and vice versa.

16. A beverage dispensing system (100) comprising a refrigerator according to any of claims 13-15 and a beverage container handling unit (1) according to any of claims 1-12, the beverage dispensing system further comprising one or more beverage containers having extractor tubes, and a gas source connected to the beverage container via a dispense head, the dispense head being mounted on the extractor tube of the beverage container, a dispensing line extending from the dispense head to a tapping head (21) from which beverage can be tapped.