GB2031379A - Dispenser for Beverages - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser for beverages comprises a portioning device (7) having a measuring vessel (20) which is adapted to be alternatively connected by a dual shut-off valve to an inlet and an outlet of the portioning device, and a supply vessel (11), which is connected to the inlet of the portioning device (7) and adapted to hold a beverage supply and provided with a socket fitting for connection to a bottle 36. To permit a dispensing of relatively large beverage portions in short times while avoiding unnecessary losses caused by a spilling of the beverage or by a degradation of susceptible beverages, each bottle 36 is provided with a tap valve and a corresponding socket fitting is provided at the inlet of the supply vessel. The measuring vessel is disposed under the bottom of the supply vessel. The uppermost portion of the measuring vessel is connected by an air duct (25) to the air space (27) disposed in the supply vessel above the liquid level (29) therein. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dispenser for Beverages This invention relates to a dispenser for beverages, comprising a portioning device including a measuring vessel, which is adapted to be alternatively connected to an inlet and an outlet of the portioning device by a dual shut-off valve, and a supply vessel, which has a volume that is a multiple of the volume of the measuring vessel and is connected to the inlet of the portioning device and provided at its top with a socket fitting for connection to a bottle having a depending neck which protrudes into the supply vessel and has an outlet opening that defines an upper limit, spaced from the top of the supply vessel, for the liquid level in the supply vessel.

Such dispensers afford the basic advantage that no pressure is required for their operation but the beverage is transferred from the supply vessel to the portioning device and from the latter to the drinking vessel only by gravity so that the beverage need not be pressurized.

In a known dispenser, which is intended mainly for cream, the measuring vessel is disposed beside the supply vessel and in its lower portion is provided with the inlet, which in alternation can be shut off or connected to the outlet, which leads to a pouring spout. In a modified dispenser, the shut-off valve which is operated by a pushbutton and in alternation opens and closes the separately provided inlet and outlet openings of the measuring vessel. As the supply vessel and the measuring vessel communicate with each other, the measuring vessel will be filled to the same level as the supply vessel, in which the liquid level is defined by the lower rim of the bottleneck in accordance with the principle of Mariott's bottle.

As a result, the measuring vessel is never filled entirely and its top portion must communicate with the ambient air. That dispenser has the decisive disadvantages that both hands are required for its operation, one hand for holding the drinking vessel under the outlet and the other for operating the shut-off valve. As there is no gradient between the supply vessel and the measuring vessel, the latter is filled only slowly.

Because the measuring vessel is disposed beside the supply vessel, the dispenser has a considerable overall depth and any cooling which may be required can be effected only with difficulty. The depending neck of the bottle is forced through a sealing ring provided on the supply vessel. Owing to the manufacturing tolerances of the bottle, the depth of penetration of the bottle into the supply vessel and the filling level, which is important for the metering, are not clearly defined but may vary. Before the bottle can be inserted, it must be opened, e.g., in that its stopper is removed. The bottle must then be inserted with its neck depending so that liquid will inevitably be spilled. Susceptible beverages are always exposed to the air in the measuring vessel and also in the supply vessel and for this reason will deteriorate even when the dispenser is not operated even for a short time.

For other purposes it is known to provide tap valves adapted to be mounted on the neck of the bottle. In such an arrangement, a valve is mounted on the bottleneck and a holder is provided which permits of mounting the bottle with the valve depending so that the bottle itself is then used as the supply vessel of a wine syphon. A tap valve is known to which a metering pump, which constitutes a separate unit, can be connected. Finally, liquid-portioning devices are known which can be connected directly to the neck of a bottle and are also provided with a dual shut-off valve, which by means of a plate mounted on the outlet tube or by an actuating spider can be operated directly by the drinking vessel as it is lifted when the bottleneck depends from the bottle in use.In order to permit in such an arrangement a relatively rapid emptying of the measuring vessel of the portioning device, it is known to provide air inlet valves, which are operable jointly with the dual shut-off valve to open as the beverage is taken. In order to ensure a reliable seal, the cross-section which is opened by said air inlet valves is small so that the liquid flows out only slowly in spite of the air supply.

When the beverage has been dispensed and the measuring vessel is refilled, the air is being displaced and bubbles into the bottle opposite to the beverage flowing out of the bottle. This will retard the refilling of the measuring vessel.

None of the known dispensers has actually proved satisfactory for dispensing wine and similar susceptible beverages. Wine is known to be dispensed in larger portions than alcoholic liquors so that when used to dispense wine the known dispensers would require large measuring vessels, which in all known dispensers involve long filling and emptying times. As a result, the rate at which portions can be dispensed is much lower than when the beverage is dispensed directly from the bottle. In connection with wine, an additional problem resides in that a sudden flow cooling, an unnecessary access of air and even a strong agitation of the liquid must be avoided unless the taste and quality are highly adversely affected. It is also not permissible to pressurize wine in order to accelerate its flow.

It is an object of the invention to provide a dispenser which is of the kind described and can be closely adapted to the requirements of a given dispensing service and can be altered as regards the nature and number of the beverages to be dispensed and which enables an efficient dispensing of wine and other susceptible beverages in relatively large portions substantially without adversely affecting their quality.

A dispenser according to the invention is characterized in that the supply vessel is provided at its top with a socket fitting for a tap valve, which is adapted to be connected to the bottleneck, the measuring vessel is disposed below the bottom of the supply vessel and is connected to the lower portion thereof, an air duct connects the uppermost portion of the measuring vessel to the air space disposed in the supply vessel over the liquid level therein and said air space communicates with the outside air.

In practice, the volume of the air space in the supply vessel exceeds the volume of the measuring vessel. As the measuring vessel is emptied, the liquid flowing out of the measuring vessel is replaced by air which is sucked from the air space of the supply vessel so that air enters the entire dispenser only in a volume which corresponds to the liquid volume being dispensed and fresh air enters the dispenser only in the quantity which is required. The air duct may be large in cross-section so that the measuring vessel can be emptied or refilled rapidly. The air which is displaced during the filling operation returns to the air space of the supply vessel and air in a corresponding volume enters the bottle mounted on top and replaces the liquid volume which has been taken from the bottle.The time available for the flow of additional liquid from the bottle into the supply vessel is at least as long as the time required to completely fill and completely empty the measuring vessel. Because the tap valve is provided on the bottle and the corresponding socket fitting is provided on the supply vessel, no liquid will be spilled as the inverted bottle is fitted. Owing to the provision of the air duct and the gradient which is due to the mounting of the measuring vessel below the suppiy vessel, the measuring vessel can be filled and emptied in short times so that even relatively large beverage portions can be efficiently dispensed. In most cases the air duct consists of a tube or hose which extends through the connecting passage between the supply vessel and measuring vessel. Obviously that passage will be larger in cross-section than the air duct.In special cases, e.g., when a portioning device is mounted on the outlet of a machine for vending citrus fruit juice which is constantly circulated in a supply vessel, an air hose may be disposed outside the supply vessel and may be immersed into the latter only from above. Because the air in the measuring and supply vessels does not contact the beverage through-which the air flows and only the portion of liquid which has been taken is replaced by air, the quality of the beverage will be highly preserved. If the beverage is cooled adjacent to the supply vessel, such cooling will require only a relatively small refrigerating power. The additional beverage flowing out of the bottle will be at a slightly higher temperature than the beverage contained in the supply vessel. As a result, the beverage at the outlet of the supply vessel will be sufficiently cooled.Cooled air is pumped to and fro during the portioning operation so that there are virtually no unnecessary heat losses.

In a preferred embodiment, the supply vessel comprises a removable cover, which includes a cuplike insert that constitutes a socket fitting for receiving a tap valve adapted to be fitted on the bottle. Because the cover is removable, the interior of the supply vessel is readily accessible for cleaning when this is required. When the dispensing service has been terminated, susceptible beverages, such as wine, are preferably filled back into bottles by way of the portioning devices. It has been mentioned before that supply vessels differing in size may be used for different beverages, as required. Alternatively, measures may be adopted which permit the supply vessels to be filled entirely (except for the above-mentioned minimum air space) or only in part, depending on the expected consumption of beverages.In that case the cuplike insert which constitutes the socket fitting may be mounted in the supply vessel to be adjustable in height or may be replaceable by an insert which is inserted into the cover to a larger depth or defines a larger depth of penetration.

Particularly for beverages to be dispensed in smaller portions, an embodiment may be used in which a tap valve adapted to be secured to the bottleneck carries a shallow dish, which faces downwardly and outside the supply vessel and the cooling chamber constitutes a support for the bottle and when applied to the supply vessel constitutes a cover for the supply vessel, which in that case is cylindrical, and said dish is provided with an air inlet opening above the outlet of the tap valve. Where such an arrangement is used, a plurality of bottles holding alcoholic liquors may be prepared for use by providing them with respective tap valves and may be placed beside or on the refrigerating furniture and may be quickly replaced for emptied bottles when this is required.

In order to ensure a reliable function, a strainer for retaining tartar, residual cork etc. may be provided at the outlet of the tap valve and/or the inlet of the supply vessel. This will prevent an access of such impurities to the dual shut-off valve of the portioning device or other delicate areas where the impurities might cause the portioning device to ieak.

The tap valve which can be fitted on a bottle consists preferably of a disc valve, which has a valve disc and a spring for urging said valve disc from the inside against a valve seat, which consists of an inturned rim of an outlet opening and from which the valve disc can be raised by a pin or other projection provided on the socket fitting of the supply vessel. Such valve is simple and is reliable in function. Where it is used, the bottle can be supported with its neck depending and can be inserted into the dispenser with the same orientation and will dispense no liquid before the valve has snapped into the socket fitting. In one embodiment the tap valve is disposed outside the bottle and fitted in a permanent stopper. Where this embodiment is used, bottles usually provided with a different closure will be fitted shortly before their use with the permanent stopper, which contains the tap valve. In many cases, the tap valve will desirably be fitted in an insert disposed in the bottleneck. In that case the tap valve will constitute the only or an additional bottle closure, which may be protected in transit by a screw cap or tear-off cap.

Also in that case a detachable pouring spout which lifts the tap valve may be detachably fitted on the bottle for dispensing directly from the bottle.

In order to permit of closely adapting the dispenser to different requirements, a chestlike cooling chamber preferably contains replaceable supply vessels, which differ in size and are connected through apertures in the bottom of the cooling chamber to the portioning device disposed below the bottom, and the socket fittings for connection to the bottles are preferably disposed at least in part in the cooling sump so that at least part of the contents of the bottles is precooled.

The cooling chamber may consist of a superstructure, which is mounted on and protrudes at least on one side from a column, which contains the refrigerating machine, and the evaporator of the cooling machine may be accommodated in the shell of the cooling chamber. In such an arrangement, supply vessels for beverages to be relatively strongly cooled can be mounted near the corners and supply vessels for beverages which are to be cooled less can be mounted in the middle portion of the cooling chamber. Beverages which are to be relatively strongly cooled are preferably delivered only from the bottle into small supply vessels so that the bottle is also disposed in the cooling chamber.By the use of supply vessels differing in size and in different arrangements, one and the same refrigerating machine may be used to produce different cooling effects so that different beverages may be cooled in practice to different desired temperatures.

Known tap valves which constitute permanent stoppers and serve as the only means for holding the bottles must be very strong structures and must be connected to the dispenser by fittings which are very strong too because when the bottles are being fitted or even when they are merely engaged the tap valves may be subjected to large swinging moments as the bottle constitutes a large lever arm. In accordance with the invention, the supply vessel and/or the cooling chest may be provided for each socket fitting for a tap valve with a bottle holder, which is spaced above the socket fitting and relieves the tap valve from said moments so that it need not be so strong in structure. The additional support will also prevent excessively strong forces from acting on the bottleneck.

The supply vessels for beverages which are to be cooled to a relatively small extent may consist of rectangular prismatic tanks, which occupy the entire width and depth of the cooling chamber and in which the socket fittings for the tap valves of the bottles are disposed in the cover and spaced from the longitudinal center line. In such an arrangement, the socket fittings for the tap valves of the bottles may be provided on adjacent supply vessels on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the cooling chamber. That arrangement has the advantage that supply vessels may be used which have a width that is somewhat smaller than the diameter of bottles which are to be connected, particularly of the conventional 2-litre bottles for wine. In such an arrangement the bottles are fitted in a staggered arrangement but may support each other.

To provide for intervals in the dispensing service, the shut-off valves of the portioning devices may be adapted to be fixed in the position in which the inlet is blocked so that only cooled beverages will be dispensed when the dispensing is renewed. Particularly where large beverage portions are dispensed or when beverages are dispensed at a high rate, the walls of the measuring vessels of the portioning devices, which walls consist in most cases of sight glasses, will be misted. Condensate collectors consisting preferably of collecting troughs provided with vacuum inserts may be provided under the sight glasses in order to avoid a draining of the condensate into the drinking vessels.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example on the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1 and 2 are a front elevation and a top plan view, respectively, showing in a highly diagrammatic, simplified form a dispenser according to the invention, Figure 3 is an enlarged view showing partly in section a supply vessel to which a tap valve and a portioning device are connected, Figure 4 is a corresponding partly sectional view showing a smaller supply vessel, such as is used for alcoholic liquors, and Figure 5 is a corresponding partly sectional view showing a dispenser having a modified tap valve and supply vessel.

The dispenser shown in Figures 1 to 4 constitutes a cooling unit, which can be mounted on a suitable support, e.g., the top 1 of a counter.

The counter top is carried by a column 2, which accommodates a refrigerating machine, which is adapted to be turned on and off by a switch 3. A fan, not shown, is disposed within the column 2 and generates a transverse air stream and serves to dissipate heat from said refrigerating machine.

The evaporator of the refrigerating machine is angled several times and constitutes a shell of a chest 4 mounted on and protruding from the column 2 forwardly and to the left and right. The shell is covered on the outside by insulation and on the inside by a coating which can easily be cleaned. The bottom 5 of the chest consists of insulating material and has a plurality of bores 6, which serve to receive fittings or conduits for connection to portioning devices, 7, 8, 9; which are adapted to be mounted below the bottom in the area in which the chest 4 protrudes from the column, and to supply vessels 11, 12, 13, which are to be mounted in the cooling chamber 10 of the chest 4. A tube 14 is inserted in each bore.In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the supply vessels 11 and 12 are provided with connecting pipes 1 5 and 16, respectively, which are adapted to be fitted into the tubes 6. In the embodiment of Figure 1, only one connecting pipe 17 extends from the vessel 13 into the tube and the vessel 13 is sealed from the tube by a sealing ring 1 8.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the portioning device 7 has an upstanding connecting pipe 19, which is adapted to be detachably and liquid tightly connected to the connecting pipe 1 5 by a tubular nut.

Each of the portioning devices 7, 8 and 9 comprises a measuring vessel 20, 21,22, which can be operated by means of a dual shut-off valve, particularly by a dual piston, which can be forced upwardly by a glass through the intermediary of a spider. A return spring urges the piston to its lowermost position. When operated by the spider 23, the lower piston opens the outlet of the portioning device 7, 8 or 9 and at the same time closes the inlet disposed above the measuring vessel. The outlet is connected to a discharge pipe 24. In the other position, the inlet is open and the outlet closed.

An air duct 25, 26 extends from the uppermost portion of each measuring vessel 20, 21, 22 through the connecting passage into the supply vessel 11, 12 or 13. That air duct is not shown in Figure 5 and opens in an air chamber 27, 28 above the highest possible level (29 in Figure 3) to which the supply vessel 11, 12 or 13 can be filled.

The supply vessel 11 in Figure 3 is covered at its top by a cover 30, which does not provide an airtight seal. As is apparent from Figure 2, the supply vessels 11 occupy the entire width and depth of the cooling chamber 10 in the region in which they are mounted. The cover 30 is provided with circular holes 31, which are disposed off centre and receive respective cuplike inserts 32, which are open-bottomed and at their outlet opening accommodate a supporting spider or a grid 33 and a strainer 34 for retaining tartar or residual cork. A pin 35 rises from the supporting spider 33 and serves to operate a tap valve, which constitutes a permanent stopper that is adapted to be fitted in a bottle 36, which is indicated by dash-dot lines in Figure 3.The tap valve consists of a housing 37, a permanent stopper 38 having a partition 39 for separating the liquid stream and the air stream, a two-part valve housing 40, 41, which is secured to the housing 37, and a valve disc 45, which in position of rest is urged by a spring 42 against an inturned rim 43 of the outlet opening 44 of the housing part 41. As the bottle provided with the tap valve is inserted, the pin 35 opens the valve and a shoulder of the portion 40 bears on a mating shoulder 46 of the cuplike insert. The cover 30 is provided with supports 47, each of which has a ring 48 for retaining a bottle 36 so that a tipping of the latter is prevented.

Because the openings 31 are disposed in the covers 30 off centre, the bottles 36 may be staggered, as is shown in Figure 2.

The portioning devices 20 shown in Figure 1 serve to dispense beverage from the wine bottles 36. The supply vessels 11 serve for intermediate storage and cooling. When it is desired to fill the supply vessels 11, a single bottle may be used first and may simply be emptied through the insert 32, which then forms a funnel. Only when the filling level 29 has been reached must a bottle provided with a tap valve be used. The supply vessel may be filled to different levels by the use of cuplike inserts 32 having different depths. One of said inserts 32a is indicated by dash-dot lines.

The openings 6 provided near the corners of the cooling chamber 11 may be used for the connection of smaller portioning devices and supply vessels, as is shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The bottles 49, 50 to be connected to small supply vessels 12 and 13 may be accommodated at least in part in the cooling chamber 10. Owing to this arrangement of the bottles and to the fact that a stronger cooling will be effected near the corners, the beverages dispensed here will be at a lower temperature than at the portioning devices 20 during a continual dispensing service.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the bottle 49 is provided with a valve which corresponds to the tap valve 37 to 45 of Figure 3 but in which the part 40 is replaced by an enlarged platelike valve body 40a. The platelike valve body 40a constitutes a cover for the small supply vessel 12, in which the tubes 1 6 opens eccentrically so that the air duct 26 can be vertically disposed. Because the rim 51 of the plate 40a protrudes below the portion 43, that plate can readily be used as a support and the stand 49 can be supported so that its opening faces downwardly and is closed by the valve disc 45. When this is desired, the pin 35 is longer and protrudes from the bottom of the vessel 12. An air inlet opening 52 is provided in the plate 40a.

The supply vessel 13 shown in Figure 5 is very small but larger than the measuring vessel and has a connecting pipe 53 to be inserted into the neck of the bottle 50. In use, the bottle 50 rests on a supporting flange 44. The bottle 50 may be additionally supported by the cover 55, which is shown in Figure 2 and provided with openings 56 for two bottles.

There is also a pin 57 for operating a valve disc 58. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the tap valve constitutes an insert, which is fitted in the bottleneck and comprises a two-part housing 59, 60 having flow passage openings 61, 62 and containing a seating spring 63 and the valve disc 58. This tap valve may be protected by a cap, which is screwed on the bottle 50.

The measuring vessel consists of a sight glass 22, which is held between an upper part 9 and a lower part 64. As is indicated by dash-dot lines, the lower part 64 may carry a trough 65 for collecting condensate. The trough 65 may contain a vacuum insert, if desired.

Figures 1 and 2 show in dash-dot lines a Ushaped retaining member 66, which can be locked, if desired, or be secured with screws and by which the covers 30, 55 can be held down against the chest 4 in order to increase the stability when the bottles 36, 49 have been fitted.

The supply vessels 11 may be provided with liquid level indicators, such as floats, which carry indicating rods guided through the respective cover 30. When a fitted bottle 36 has been emptied and the immediate renewal of such bottle is not desired because, e.g., beverage is required only at a low rate, beverage may be dispensed only from the supply in the supply vessel and the need for renewing that supply will be indicated in time by such liquid level indicator.

Claims (14)

Claims

1. A dispenser for beverages, comprising a portioning device including a measuring vessel, which is adapted to be alternatively connected to an inlet and an outlet of the portioning device by a dual shut-off valve, and a supply vessel, which has a volume that is a multiple of the volume of the measuring vessel and is connected to the inlet of the portioning.device and provided at its top with a socket fitting for connection to a bottle having a depending neck which protrudes into the supply vessel and has an outlet opening that defines an upper limit, spaced from the top of the supply vessel, for the liquid level in the supply vessel, characterized in that the supply vessel is provided at its top with a socket fitting for a tap valve, which is adapted to be connected to the bottleneck, the measuring vessel is disposed below the bottom of the supply vessel and is connected to the lower portion thereof, an air duct connects the uppermost portion of the measuring vessel to the air space disposed in the supply vessel over the liquid level therein and said air space communicates with the outside air.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply vessel comprises a removable cover, which includes a cuplike insert that constitutes a socket fitting for receiving a tap valve adapted to be fitted on the bottle.

3. A dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that the liquid level in the supply vessel can be adjusted in that the cup-like insert which constitutes the socket fitting and is mounted in the cover is adapted to be replaced by inserts which penetrate through the cover to a larger depth.

4. A dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the tap valve secured to the bottleneck carries a shallow dish, which faces downwardly and when the bottle has been removed from the supply vessel is adapted to support the bottle and when the bottle is mounted on the supply vessel constitutes a cover for the latter and which is formed with the air inlet above the outlet of the tap valve.

5. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a strainer for solids contained in the beverage is provided between the tap valve and the outlet.

6. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the tap valve which is adapted to be fitted on a bottle consists of a disc valve, which has a valve disc and a spring for urging said valve disc from the inside against a valve seat, which consists of an inturned rim of an outlet opening and from which the valve disc can be raised by a pin or other projection provided on the socket fitting of the supply vessel.

7. A dispenser according to claim 6, characterized in that the tap valve is fitted outside the bottle in a permanent stopper.

8. A dispenser according to claim 6, characterized in that the tap valve is fitted in an insert in the bottleneck.

9. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that supply vessels are mounted as replaceable inserts in a chestlike cooling chamber and by openings in the bottom of the cooling chamber are connected to the portioning devices disposed below the bottom and the socket fittings for the bottles are disposed at least in part in the cooling sump.

10. A dispenser according to claim 9, characterized in that the cooling chamber is mounted in a superstructure which is mounted on and protrudes at least on one side of a column, which contains the refrigerating machine, the evaporator of the refrigerating machine is accommodated in the shell of the superstructure and supply vessels for beverages to be relatively strongly cooled are adapted to be mounted near the corners of the cooling chamber and those for beverages to be cooled less are adapted to be mounted in the middle portion of the cooling chamber.

11. A dispenser according to claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the supply vessel is provided with a bottle holder spaced above each socket fitting for a tap valve.

12. A dispenser according to any of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the supply vessels for beverages to be cooled to a smaller extent consist of rectangular prismatic tanks, which occupy the entire width and depth of the cooling chamber, and their socket fittings for the tap valves of the bottles are provided in the cover and spaced from the longitudinal center line.

13. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that condensate collecting means are associated with the measuring vessels of the portioning devices, which measuring vessels consist of sight glasses.

14. A dispenser constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in the figures of the accompanying drawings.