WO2025031663A1

WO2025031663A1 - Kit comprising a python and a connector for connecting a beverage barrel to a beverage cooler

Info

Publication number: WO2025031663A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/067809
Authority: WO
Inventors: Klaus Wiemer; Magnús Vilhjálmur ÁRNASON
Original assignee: Micro Matic AS
Current assignee: Micro Matic AS
Priority date: 2023-08-10
Filing date: 2024-06-25
Publication date: 2025-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 2026-02-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to a kit (1000) for connecting a beverage barrel (20) to a beverage cooler (50) by means of a python, which kit permits a plug-in type connection by the ends of the tubes of the beverage pipeline being insertable together in one operation into respective ports of a connector unit (400) connectable with the barrel (20). Provisions may be made to ensure that the various tubes can only be inserted into the correct ports, such as by the diameter of the respective ports corresponding only to the diameter of the associated tubes.

Description

KIT COMPRISING A PYTHON AND A CONNECTOR FOR CONNECTING A BEVERAGE BARREL TO A BEVERAGE COOLER

The present invention concerns a kit for connecting a beverage containing barrel or keg to a beverage cooler in a beverage dispensing system.

In the beverage dispensing industry, beverage pipelines known as “pythons” are frequently used for delivering beverages from beverage barrels to beverage dispensing taps. Such a beverage pipeline generally comprises an elongated flexible tubular sheath or sleeve of a heat insulating material, such as a foamed material, which tubular sheath encloses several beverage delivery tubes of a food compatible material, the tubes normally being bendable for easy installation of the beverage pipeline in a bar or restaurant environment. The sheath regularly also encloses a bendable forward flow cooling liquid tube running parallel with a bendable return flow cooling liquid tube, both connected to a cooler, whereby the beverage delivery tubes extend from a respective beverage barrel along the forward flow cooling liquid tube and the return flow cooling liquid tube, to provide a cooling of beverage flowing in the beverage delivery tubes. The tubes referred to are generally such that they resist a flattening when subjected to sideways forces.

GB 2 355 975, GB 2 194 840, EP2331451 , JP6-263193 and GB 2 469 878 disclose beverage dispensing systems with connectors.

An object of the present invention is to allow for a redirecting back to a cooler, at the level of a beverage barrel, of cooling liquid flowing in a beverage pipeline along a beverage delivery tube, with a minimum number of components.

In view of this object, a kit as defined in claim 1 is provided, including a connector unit to be associated with a beverage barrel to allow beverage to flow into the beverage tube, whereby the connector unit has respective ports, each receiving the end of one of the tubes of the python, and with respective sealing bodies establishing fluid seals between a tube and an associated port.

In one embodiment the connection between the beverage pipeline and the connector unit is established using a plug-in type connector mounted to the beverage pipeline whereby the ends of all of the tubes of the python/beverage pipeline are insertable together in one operation into sockets defining the respective ports of the connector unit, and with the respective sealing body arranged within the sockets to establish the fluid seal between the tube and the port. Provisions may be made to ensure that the various tubes can only be inserted into the correct ports, such as by the diameter of the respective ports corresponding only to the diameter of the associated tubes.

For this, preferably, a first end connector is secured to the tubes at one end of the python/beverage pipeline, with an end of each tube projecting from the first end connector, preferably by the first end connector including a structure having a plurality of passages from which ends of the tubes extend.

A further embodiment of the invention, whereby the sealing bodies are configured as elongated tubular inserts extending within and along a length of the sockets and configured to be lengthwise compressed as the beverage pipe- line/python is connected to the connector unit by first and second connector parts being brought into engagement with one another, allow for a reduction of the risk of growth of bacteria detriment to the taste and quality of the delivered beverage, by reliably preventing beverage flow to the outside of the end of the beverage delivery tube where it is connected to the connector unit.. The compression preferably may arise from a part of the beverage pipeline/python, in particular the aforementioned first end connector, pressing the tubular inserts against an annular face inside the respective sockets. Hence, the invention may provide an improved seal that significantly reduces the risk of bacteria growth at the points of connection, by reliably preventing beverage flow to the outside of the end of the beverage delivery tube where it is connected to the connector unit. Thus, the presence of bacteria detriment to the taste and quality of the delivered beverage may be eliminated, by reducing the number of possible bacteria traps that are not easily accessible when flushing the beverage dispensing system with a cleaning agent.

One or the other of the first and second connector parts may be formed as a rotatable ring whereby coupling of the python with the connector unit is established in a process where the tube ends are progressively drawn into the ports of the connector unit during rotation of the ring, as a user connects the beverage pipeline/python via the connector unit, to thereby compress the sealing bodies, establishing thereby very tight fluid seals. A snap engagement of the first connector part with the second connector part may also be foreseen. The engagement of the connector parts is preferably releasable, whereby the tubes of the beverage pipeline may be pulled out of the ports after release of the engagement, for change of the beverage pipeline. A snap engagement may also be foreseen.

It is noted that the python/beverage supply conduit disclosed herein may preferably also have at its other, second end an end connector identical or similar to the first end connector mentioned above, allowing it to be connected to a beverage cooler via an associated connector having ports as disclosed herein, receiving respective ends of the tubes of the python and being secured a sealed using the respective sealing bodies discussed above. An independent claim may be drawn up to such a python. First end connectors as referred to herein are preferably integrally molded, or manufactured by 3D-printing.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1a is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a beverage dispensing, Fig. 1 b is a front view of the system of fig. 1 a,

Fig. 1 c shows, schematically, a short length of an embodiment of a beverage pipeline, illustrating component parts thereof,

Fig. 1 d shows two parallel, short lengths of beverage pipelines of the type shown in fig. 1 c, each provided with an end connector,

Fig. 2a and 2b are perspective views of a cooler of the system of fig. 1 a, before and after mounting to the cooler of insulating enclosures around two connector units, and of a pressure regulator,

Fig. 3a shows an assembly including the two beverage pipelines of fig. 1 d connected to a connector unit shown in fig. 2a,

Fig. 3b is a perspective view of the connector unit of fig. 3a before connection is made to the end connector of one of the two beverage pipelines of fig. 1 d,

Fig. 3c shows an exploded view of the components of the end connectors of fig. 1 d, as well as tubular inserts for mounting into sockets of the connector unit of fig. 3a, to establish a seal with respective tubes of the beverage pipeline of figs. 1 c and 1 d,

Fig. 3d is an exploded view similar to fig. 3c, illustrating a variant using O-rings instead of the tubular inserts shown in fig. 3c,

Figs. 3e and 3f show a top view and a cross-sectional view along line H-H, respectively, of the connector unit of figs. 3a and 3b, Figs. 3g and 3h show a tubular insert of fig. 3c in a side view and a cross- sectional view along line B-B, respectively,

Figs. 3i and 3j show the tubular insert of fig. 3g in a side view and a cross- sectional view along line B-B of fig. 3i, respectively, showing the process of inserting the end of one tube of the beverage pipeline of fig. 1 c into the tubular insert,

Fig. 3k is a cross-sectional view similar to fig. 3j , showing the deformed socket insert after full insertion of the end of the tube,

Figs. 4a-4f show a side and end view of the assembly of fig. 3a, and cross- sectional views along lines A-A, B-B, C-C and D-D of figs. 4a and 4b, respectively, illustrating internal conduits of the connector unit shown in fig. 3a,

Figs. 5 shows an embodiment of an assembly using a kit of the present invention, including one of the two beverage pipelines of fig. 1d connected to an embodiment of a dedicated connector unit for use with a beverage barrel of the system of fig. 1 a,

Figs. 6a-6i show the assembly of fig. 5 and various components of the kit, including a tubular insert as shown in fig. 3g, and

Fig. 7 shows an alternative assembly of fig. 5, the kit incorporating O-rings instead of the tubular insert shown in fig. 3g.

Detailed description An embodiment of a beverage dispensing system 1 of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings. Individual inventive elements or aspects disclosed herein may also find use in combination with elements of known beverage dispensing systems.

Figs. 1 a and 1 b show the beverage dispensing system 1 as including a beverage cooler 50 and various beverage pipelines 100, 200, used in combination with two beverage dispensing taps 21 , 2T mounted onto the end of a respective column or font 20, and with two kegs or barrels 10, 10’ containing a beverage, such as beer.

As shown, the beverage dispensing system 1 is conveniently used in a bar or similar with a cabinet 5 with a counter 6 and an optional bottom 7. The counter 6 carries the two beverage dispensing taps 21 , 2T mounted onto the end of a respective column or font 20, 20’, and each dispensing tap 21 , 2T is fluidly connected by the pipelines 100, 200 to a corresponding one of the two barrels 10, 10’, for the beverage to be dispensed via the dispensing tap 21 , 2T. The cabinet 5 also houses the cooler 50 which receives and cools the beverage as it flows from the barrel 10, 10’ to the corresponding tap 21 , 2T.

As shown, the cabinet 5 preferably also has a space for accommodating the aforementioned barrels 10, 10’, in a manner allowing for easy replacement of depleted barrels 10, 10’. While a capability to accommodate the cooler 50 and/or some or all of the barrels 10, 10’ in the shown cabinet 5 is preferred, the cooler 50 and some or all of the barrels 10, 10’ may alternatively be located elsewhere, by applying appropriate lengths of the pipelines 100, 200.

For supplying the shown beverage dispensing system 1 to an end user a manufacturer may eg. choose to ship the cooler 50 in one box, some of the pipelines 100 in another box, and the remaining pipelines 200 together with their associated columns or fonts 20, 20’ in a third box. Then end user then connects the various pipelines 100, 200 to the cooler 50.

Where mention is made herein of a “python”, for convenience this refers to a length of a beverage pipeline 100, 200, of which a short length portion is shown schematically in fig. 1 c, including a single beverage delivery tube 101 , 201 , a forward flow cooling liquid tube 102, 202 and a return flow cooling liquid tube 103, 203. The two cooling liquid tubes 102, 202, 103, 203 are arranged in close proximity to the beverage delivery tube 101 , 102, preferably in contact with the latter, to provide a heat exchange function to cool the beverage flowing in the beverage delivery tube 101 , 201. The tubes referred to may be eg. polyeth- ylene-tubes, and are generally not easily flattened when subjected to sideways forces.

In fig. 1 c a portion of an enclosing insulating material sheath S of such a python 100, 200 has been cut away or lengthwise compressed to provide access to a short length of the enclosed tubes 101 , 102, 201 , 202, 301 , 302.

Shown in figs. 1 a and 1 b are two first pythons 100, 100’ of the type schematically shown in fig. 1 c, that connect the cooler 50 to a respective barrel 10, 10’, and two second pythons 200, 200’, also of the type schematically shown in fig. 1 c, that connect the cooler 50 to a respective tap 21 , 2T. In operation of the shown bar or similar, a cooling liquid, which normally is chilled water, flows from the cooler 50 into the forward flow cooling liquid tube of each python 100, 100’, 200, 200’ and is returned to the cooler 50 via the return flow cooling liquid tube of each python 100, 100’, 200, 200’. For establishing the connections to the cooler 50, a first end E1 of the shown first and second pythons 100, 100’, 200, 200’ is provided with a respective first end connector 350, 350’ shown in fig. 1 d and to be described later below. It is noted here that fig. 1 d shows the aforementioned tubes of the pythons 100, 200 as preferably being bundled closely together inside and along the length of the sheath S in the way that they contact each other for an optimum heat exchange.

On opening a tap 21 , 2T beverage is delivered to the cooler 50 via a corresponding first python 100, 100’ by a gas supplied to the associated barrel 10, 10’ from a bottle 75 or other common source 75 of gas under pressure, such as CO2, and then flows onwards from the cooler 50 via the corresponding second python 200, 200’.

In the shown embodiment, see fig. 1 b, a gas pressure regulator 76 is mounted to a housing 51 of the cooler 50 and is connected to the gas source 75 via a first length of tubing 77, and respective lengths of tubing 78, 78’ connect the pressure regulator 76 to the barrels 10, 10’ for supply of gas to the barrels 10, 10’. The pressure regulator 76 may alternatively, as is conventional, be mounted directly to the shown bottle 75, but the shown embodiment allows for easy repair and regular service in that the cooler housing 51 together with the pressure regulator 76 may be removed from the cabinet 5 as a single unit, normally after disconnection from the cooler 50 of the various tubing 77, 78, 78’ and pythons 100, 100’, 200, 200’ referred to above.

As shown in fig. 2a, the cooler 50 housing 51 has attached thereto two manifolds according to a first aspect of the invention, in the form of a first connector unit 300 and an associated second connector unit 300’. Both connector units 300, 300’ are preferably molded from a plastic material or 3D-printed, to thereby include a plurality of internal ducts or channels opening up at associated ports.

The two first pythons 100, 100’ are each connectable by the aforementioned respective first end connectors 350, 350’ (see fig. 1 d) to the first connector unit 300, and the two second pythons 200, 200’ are similarly connectable by another pair of such first end connectors 350, 350’ to the second connector unit 300’. The connection may be a releasable connection.

As will be understood, a pair of such a first and second connector unit 300, 300’ together serve to fluidly connect two barrels 10, 10’ to the cooler 50 and to fluidly connect the cooler 50 to two dispensing taps 21 , 2T associated with the two barrels 10, 10’. Fig. 2a shows schematically, by letters B and C, beverage and cooling liquid entry/exit points of the cooler 50, to which associated ports of the connector units 300, 300’ are connected, preferably at a manufacturing site under controlled conditions.

Reference may be made here to GB2194840 and GB2469878 for a description of an example of a conventional beverage dispensing system cooler, and for an illustration of the manner conventional beverage delivery tubes are connected to such coolers. In the cooler 50 used with the present beverage dispensing system 1 , beverage preferably flows in the conventional manner through the cooler 50 via respective heat exchanging coils inside the cooler 50 housing 51. Also, as previously mentioned, cooling liquid flows from the cooler 50 through the second pythons 200, 200’ and through the first pythons 100, 100’, to provide cooling of beverage sitting or flowing in the beverage delivery tube 101 , 201 of the pythons 100, 100’, 200, 200’.

Fig. 2b shows the cooler housing 51 of the dispensing system 1 after installation of an insulating material enclosure 55 for the connector units 300, 300’, and also the aforementioned pressure regulator 76. Respective enclosure 55 openings 56 allow for the pythons 100, 100’, 200, 200’ to extend from the cooler 50 with a minimum of heat loss, after the pythons 100, 100’, 200, 200’ have been connected to the associated connector unit 300, 300’ in the manner described later below. The housing 51 of the cooler 50 may have one or more additional pairs (not shown) of the aforementioned first and second connector unit 300, 300’, where more than the shown two barrels 10, 10’ are to be connected to additional dispensing taps via the cooler 50, in which case the cooler 50 would be configured to allow for cooling of beverage flowing from the additional number of barrels and to the taps through associated respective cooling coils. Hence, the combination of a first and a second connector unit 300, 300’ establishes a modularity, allowing for an easy expansion in an organised manner of the beverage dispensing system 1 by adding at the manufacturing site further pairs of such connector units to the cooler 50 and by installing further pairs of dispensing taps.

Moreover, an applied python 100, 100’, 200, 200’ visual coding, such as a color coding, may allow a user to easily identify association between the pythons and corresponding connector units and dispensing taps, to verify that beverage delivered from a given barrel 10 exits a desired tap 21 .

According to an aspect of the invention an easy installation of the beverage dispensing system 1 is made possible by the aforementioned end connectors 350, 350’ mounted to the ends of the pythons 100, 100’, 200, 200’ and permitting a plug-in type connection by the ends of the tubes of the beverage pipeline being insertable together in one operation into respective ports of a connector unit associated with the beverage cooler, and with a respective sealing body establishing a fluid seal between the tubes and the port. In one embodiment the connections are designed to significantly reduce the risk of bacteria growth at the points of connection of the beverage delivery tubes 101 , 201 to the connector units 300, 300’, to the barrel 10 and even to the dispensing columns 20 or taps 21 . Fig. 3a shows the respective first ends E1 of the two first pythons 100, 100’ shown in fig. 1 b, with their aforementioned associated respective first end connector 350, 350’ having been connected to the first connector unit 300 of the cooler 50 (not shown) to establish fluid tight connections between the tubes

101 , 102, 103 of the pythons 100, 100’ and the first connector unit 300. Respective first ends E1 of the second pythons 200, 200’ also shown in fig. 1 b are connected to the associated second connector unit 300’ of the cooler 50 in the same manner. The first connector unit 300 and the second connector unit 300’ are preferably identical or of a similar construction, such as the mirror image of one another.

Fig. 3a also shows a cooling liquid entry port 310 and a cooling liquid exit port 312 of the first connector unit 300, each port 310, 312 being fluidly connected to the cooler 50 and communicating with respective first and second internal channels within the connector unit 300, 300’. The various internal channels of the first and second connector units 300, 300’ will be described later below.

Fig. 3b again shows a first python 100 connected to a first connecting point of the first connector unit 300, with the other first python 100’ ready for connection to another connecting point of the first connector unit 300. Fig. 3b shows how short duct-shaped sockets 320 of the first connector unit 300 form respective female connectors F whereby a short length L1 (see fig. 1 c) of each tube 101 ,

102, 103 at the first end E1 of the python 100, 200 as such defines a respective male connector M configured to be inserted into a corresponding one of the female connectors F.

As shown in fig. 3b, the first end connectors 350, 350’ include a single-piece, first structure 351 fixed to of all of the tubes 101 , 102, 103 adjacent the aforementioned male connectors M defined by a free end portion of the length L1 of the tubes 101 , 102, 103. More specifically, the first structure 351 is configured to be immovably attached to each tube 101 , 102, 103 at the first end E1 of the python 100, 100’, 200, 200’, in the way that the short length L1 of each tube 101 , 102, 103 projects from the first structure 351 and in the way that the ends of the tubes 101 , 102, 103 defining the male connectors M of length L1 are secured in a fixed spaced apart position relative to one another.

An exploded view of the first end connectors 350, 350’ is shown in fig. 3c, from which it can be appreciated that the first structure 351 , 35T has three tubular parallel passages P1 , P2, P3, one for each tube 101 , 102, 103, with associated clamps 355, 355’ defined by inwardly deflectable clamping fingers at the end of each passage P1 , P2, P3. Associated tube fasteners in the form of individual rings 357 through which the individual tubes 101 , 102, 103 extend, are driven along the tubes 101 , 102, 103 to receive the clamps 355, 355’, to thereby force the clamping fingers radially inwards into local engagement with the outside of the tubes 101 , 102, 103. In this process the rings 357 may engage threaded portions (not shown) formed on the outer surface of walls defining the respective passages P1 , P2, P3. This process locks the first structure 351 , 351 ’ against sliding movement relative to the tubes 101 , 102, 103.

The passages P1 , P2, P3 are defined by respective duct walls that opposite the clamps 355, 355’ preferably each have short tubular extensions 358 having annular end faces 359. When the male connectors M, and also the tubular extensions 358, are inserted fully into the female connectors F, a flange 360 of the first structure 351 is configured for bearing against an opposite face 309 of the connector unit 300, 300’, provided a projection 353 on the flange 360 has been correctly aligned with a recess 321 formed in the face 309 such that the tubes 101 , 102, 103 are correctly aligned with an associated one of the sockets 320, i.e. such that the beverage delivery tube may be inserted only in the socket 320 of the beverage flow conduit. Other structures or features ensuring such a correct alignment may be foreseen. The pythons 100, 100’, 200, 200’ are also each provided with a first connector part 361 , in the shown embodiment being a rotatable ring 361 , that may be seen as defining a second structure of the first end connectors 350, 350’, which first connector part 361 is configured to engage a complementary, second connector part 308 on the connector unit 300, shown in the drawings as ramps 308 located adjacent the face 309 of the connector unit 300. Engagement of the two connector parts 308, 361 is preferably established as a bayonet connection, but cooperating threads arranged on the first connector part 361 and on a portion of the connector unit 300 to define the second connector part 308 may by way of example alternatively be used. The ring 361 bears against the flange 360 such that rotation of the ring 361 into full engagement with the second connector part 308 holds the male connectors M of the tubes 101 , 102, 103 against inadvertent removal inside the associated sockets 320, in contact with a sealing body, whereby a fluid seal is established.

In the fully inserted position are the tubes 101 , 102, 103 tightly connected in a leak proof manner to respective internal channels of the connector units 300, 300’, to be described later with reference to figs. 4c-4f. Specifically, the cooling liquid tubes 102, 103 are connected to respective internal cooling liquid flow channels while the beverage delivery tube 101 is connected to a corresponding internal beverage flow channel 1005 shown in fig. 3f. Each of the internal channels of the connector units 300, 300’ have one port defined by the aforementioned socket 320 that forms a respective female connector F.

To establish the tight and leak proof connection, the sockets 320 defining the female connectors F may each have a sealing body in the form of an internal sealing O-ring 322 arranged to contact an inner face portion 3020 of the sockets 320 and the outer face of a portion of the inserted end M of the respective tubes 101 , 102, 103, see fig. 3d that shows such an O-ring to be received in the socket 320, such as in an annular recess therein (not shown). Preferably, however, use is made of a sealing body in the form of an elongated tubular socket insert 310 as described below, placed at least in the one socket 320 that is configured for receiving the length L1 of the beverage tube 101 , 201 , to contact an inner face portion 3020 of the socket 320 and the outer face of the inserted end M of the respective tubes 101 , 102, 103. The tubular socket insert 310 extends along a length of the socket and serves to further reduce the risk of bacteria growth potentially damaging the beverage by avoiding traps that are difficult to reach by a cleaning liquid flushed through the beverage dispensing system 1 , and to establish a highly reliable seal. In this case, rotating the ring 361 engaged with the second connector part 308 draws the male connectors M of the tubes 101 , 102, 103 into the associated socket inserts 310, towards a fully inserted position within the sockets 320 whereby the fluid seal is established, and at the same time results in a lengthwise compression of the tubular socket insert 310, as explained below.

Figs. 3e and 3f show the connector unit 300 seen from the front and in crosssection along line H-H, respectively. Fig. 3f shows in particular the two ductshaped sockets 320, 320’ that are arranged to receive the length L1 of a beverage delivery tubes 101 , 10T of a respective python 100, 100’.

Figs. 3g and 3h show, respectively, a side view of the aforementioned tubular socket insert 310, and a cross-sectional view of the tubular socket insert 310 along line B-B of fig. 3g, before insertion of the socket insert 310 into a corresponding one of the two sockets 320 shown in fig. 3f. The socket inserts 310 are also shown in fig. 3c. Figs. 3i and 3j show the male connector M defined by a length L1 of a tube 101 partially inserted into a socket insert 310, other components of the connection not being shown.

The socket inserts 310 are of a rubber-like material, such as NBR (nitrile butadiene rubber), and are configured to deform as the male connectors M of the tubes 101 , 102, 103 are drawn, by rotating the ring 361 , into the socket inserts 310 received in the sockets 320. The socket inserts 310 are preferably of a food compatible NBR with a hardness of 80 +/- 5 IRHD M (ISO 48), a tensile strength (min.) in the range of 7-9 MPa (ISO 37), and an elongation in the range of 550%-650%.

To connect the pythons 100, 200 to the first and second connector units 300, 300’ the male connectors M of the tubes 101 , 102, 103 of the pythons 100, 200 are first inserted partially into a corresponding socket insert 310 received in a respective socket 320, and - generally - the first and second connector parts 308, 361 are then connected in a way resulting in a further displacement of the male connector M into the socket inserts 310, to thereby bring about the aforementioned lengthwise compression of the socket inserts 310. Specifically, in the shown embodiment, the rotatable ring 361 of each first end connector 350, 350’ is brought into engagement with either a corresponding threaded portion of the first connector unit 300, 300’ or with a corresponding bayonet engagement part 308 of the connector unit 300, 300’ cooperating with a complementary bayonet engagement portion of the rotatable ring 361 , i.e. by an upper surface of inwardly oriented projections 362 on the ring 361 sliding on the face 308’ of the ramps defining in the shown embodiment the second connector 308. A manual rotation of the rotatable ring 351 will then advance the tubes 101 , 102, 103 further into the respective sockets 320 and socket inserts 310, bringing about a deformation of the socket inserts 310 by the annular end face 359 of each tubular extension 358 of the first structure 350, 350’ pressing directly against an opposed end 311 (see fig. 3c) of the socket inserts 310. This process will enhance the seal between the tubes 101 , 201 , 103 and the connector unit 300 in that each socket insert 310 through its deformation gives rise to a tight grip around the respective male connector M defined by the end of the tube 101 , 102, 103.

The second connector part 308 may alternatively be a rotatable ring (not shown) mounted to the connector unit 300 and engaging a first connector part 361 , which may eg. be a threaded portion of the first structure 351 , or a bayonet type connector part.

As shown in fig. 3h, the socket inserts 310 have an upper annular face 3010 at the aforementioned end 311 , against which face 3010 the respective annular end face 359 is pressed firmly when the male connectors M have been drawn fully into the sockets 320 by completion of rotation of the ring 351 . As a result of this pressure and resulting compression of the socket inserts 310 a lower annular face 3000 of the socket inserts 310 is deformed to provide an enlarged, flat contact surface bearing against an opposed internal flat annular face 2000 (see fig. 3f) of the socket 320, and the annular end face EF of the tube 101 being pressed against a flat inner, annular face 3015 of the socket insert 310.

To allow for the socket insert 310 to deform within the socket 320 is the socket insert 310 provided with an annular recess 3025 at the lower annular face 3000. Compression by the force applied by the first structure 351 , i.e. by the end faces 359 thereof, onto the upper annular face 3010 of the socket insert 310 will, due to the hydraulic nature of rubber-like materials in general, lead to a portion of the rubber-like material at the lower annular face 3000 flowing in a controlled manner into this annular recess 3025, thus establishing a very tight and uniform seal with a high contact area between the lower annular face 3000 and the opposed annular face 2000 within the socket 320.

Preferably, the diameter of an opening 3016 in the duct insert 310 located at the bottom of the duct 320 is selected to be the same as the inner diameter of the tube 101 such that no restrictions to the flow of the beverage arise. The location of the seal obtained using the described socket insert 310 is highly advantageous in that access of any small amount of beverage into areas outside and along the length of the tube 101 is prevented, this standing in contrast to an O-ring seal such as shown in fig. 5 of GB 2355975. Any such inadvertent access may potentially give rise to growth of bacteria in such areas, which areas are potentially difficult to clean when flushing the beverage dispensing system 1 with a cleaning agent.

The aforementioned seal may be further enhanced by designing the sockets 320 and the socket inserts 310 with a slightly conical shape whereby a further deformation of the socket inserts 310 along internal portions 3020 surrounding the male connector M is achieved, and this by forming the socket inserts 310 with a peripheral external recess 3030 that provides a space into which the rubber-like material of the socket insert 310 may flow in the same manner previously explained, as the male connector M is drawn into the socket insert 310 to outwardly displace the aforementioned internal portion 3020.

Fig. 3k shows schematically the deformed socket insert 310 after full insertion of the end M of the tube 101 , 102, 103 with the two connector parts 308, 361 in full engagement, with the annular end face EF of the tube 101 contacting the inner annular face 3015 of the socket inset 320, and with an increased annular width w2, compared to the annular width w1 of the undeformed socket insert 310 shown in fig. 3h, of the lower annual face 3000 contacting the opposed annular face 2000. An annular internal recess R formed in the socket insert 310 is preferably also provided, into which recess R the material of the socket insert 310 may flow under the compression, to additionally enhance the seal between the annular end face EF and the opposed annular face 3015 of the socket insert 310, further preventing ingress of fluid along the outside of the beverage tube 101 .

A connector unit 300, 300’ will now be discussed in relation to the embodiment of fig. 3f wherein two internal beverage flow channels 1005 each connect one respective beverage delivery tube 101 , 10T to an associated cooling coil in the cooler 50, via respective beverage exit ports 314 of the connector unit 300, see fig. 4a. In a less preferred embodiment, a first internal channel 2000 of a connector unit 300 may be configured such that in operation cooling liquid pumped to the connector unit 300 by a pump in the cooler 50 flows via the first internal channel 2000 into the forward flow cooling tube 102 of one of the two first pythons 100 and into the forward flow cooling tube 102’ of the other first python 300’, returns to the first connector unit 300 via the return flow cooling tube 103 of the first python 300 and the return flow cooling tube 103’ of the other first python 300’, then is combined to flow through a further internal channel 2010 to finally exit the first connector unit 300 via the exit port 312, and then re-enter the cooler 50 via cooling liquid entry point C shown in fig. 2a.

However, preferably, as shown in fig. 4a-4d, the internal channels of the connector unit 300 are configured such that in operation, cooling liquid pumped to the connector unit 300 by the pump in the cooler 50 flows via an entry port 312 into a first internal channel 2000 and then into only the forward flow cooling liquid tube 102 of one of the first pythons 100, returns to the first connector unit 300 via the return flow cooling liquid tube 103 of that python 300, then - via a second internal channel 2005 - flows into the forward flow cooling liquid tube 102’ of the other python 300’, returns to the first connector unit 300 via the return flow cooling liquid tube 103’ of the other python 300’, and then flows through a further internal channel 2010 to finally exit the first connector unit 300 via an exit port 310, to re-enter the cooler 50. The cooling liquid tubes of the two shown pythons 100, 100’ are thereby serially connected such that the same volume of cooling liquid flows through the two pythons, irrespectively of any pressure drop resulting from eg. the pythons having different lengths or the barrels 10, 10’ being stacked one on top of the other. Note that a process of molding the connector units 300, 300 may involve a final step of blocking the channel 2005 at one end. As will be apparent, upon connecting - in the aforementioned manner - the first end connector 350 of one python 100 running from one barrel 10, and a the first end connector 350’ of the other python 100’ running from the other barrel 10’, to the first connector unit 300 of the cooler 50, beverage flowing from a barrel 10, 10’ on activation of a tap 21 , 2T is directed by the connector unit 300 into a corresponding cooling coil of the cooler 50 via respective beverage exit ports 314. Likewise, through the design of the internal channels of the first connector unit 300 cooling liquid flowing continuously from the cooler 50 to the connector unit 300 is directed to the forward flow cooling liquid tubes 102, 102’, received from the return flow cooling liquid tubes 103, 103’, and then directed back to the cooler 50.

As mentioned, the second connector unit 300’ preferably has a configuration similar to or identical to that of the first connector unit 300, such that second pythons 200, 200’ may be connected thereto to establish a flow pattern identical or similar to that discussed above, with the difference that the respective beverage ports indicated by numeral 314 of the second connector unit 300’ define beverage entry ports via which a beverage flows from the associated cooling coil into the second connector unit 300’, through the associated beverage flow channel 1005 of the second connector unit 300’, and then into the beverage delivery tube 201 of the corresponding second python 200, 200’.

Some or all of the pythons described above may preferably be part of a kit 1000, shown in figs. 5 and 6a-6i, that in a simple manner allows for a redirecting of cooling liquid back into the python 100, 200. Thus, one end E2 of a desired length of the python 100, 100’, 200, 200’ is preferably provided with a first connector part 361 as described above which in use of the kit 1000 connects to a second connector part 308 of a corresponding special or dedicated connector unit 400, which forms a further part of the kit 1000. The python 100 of the kit 1000 may thus connect the cooler 50 to a barrel 10, as shown in figs. 1 a and 5, or to a dispensing tap 21 (not shown). Again, a simple plug-in type connection is available by the ends of the tubes of the beverage pipeline being insertable together in one operation into respective ports of the connector unit 400, with a respective sealing body establishing a fluid seal between the tubes and the ports.

The special connector unit 400 is preferably integrally formed, such as by molding of a plastics material or by 3D-printing, with an internal cooling liquid conduit 1010, shown in the cross-sectional view of fig. 6d, for receiving the cooling liquid from the forward flow cooling liquid tube 102 of the python 100 and for directly returning the cooling liquid to the return flow cooling liquid tube 103 of the python 100. Similarly, an internal beverage conduit 1004, seen best in fig. 6e, has a beverage exit port 1005 and a beverage entry port 1006, and communicates with the beverage delivery tube 101 of the python 100 and with the barrel 10, 10’, preferably via a conventional coupler 1200, such as the one disclosed in WO12045676, mounted to the barrel 10, 10’ and onto which a connecting portion 1050 of the special connector unit 400 may be screwed, wherein the connecting portion 1050 may also define a swivel joint.

In fig. 5 the python or beverage-pipeline 100 includes, as shown in fig. 1 c, an elongated thermally insulating sleeve S, a beverage delivery tube 101 , a forward flow cooling liquid tube 102, a return flow cooling liquid tube 103, and the first connector part 361 at the end E2. As shown, the first connector part 361 is preferably a component of a first end connector 350 as discussed above, with a first structure 351 as shown in figs. 3c and 6b for securing the tubes 101 , 102, 103 relative to the first end connector.

The beverage exit port 1005, from which beverage flows into the beverage delivery tube 101 , is defined by a socket 320 similar to the socket 320 described above with reference to figs. 3b and 3c, preferably having the same socket insert 310 shown in fig. 3g, whereby connection of the beverage delivery tube 101 is as described above, involving the same deformation of the socket insert 310 when the two connector parts 308, 361 are in complete engagement. The cooling liquid entry and exit ports 1015, 1020 of the internal cooling liquid conduit 1010 preferably also are defined by sockets 320 similar to the sockets 320 described above with reference to figs. 3b and 3c, preferably with the same socket insert 310 shown in fig. 3g, whereby connection of the cooling liquid tubes 102, 103 is also as described above, involving the same deformation of the socket inserts 310.

Hence, the beverage exit port 1005 is configured to receive a free end M of the beverage delivery tube 101 , and the cooling liquid entry port 1015 and the cooling liquid exit port 2020 are likewise configured to receive the free end or male connector M of a corresponding one of the cooling liquid tubes 102, 103, by defining female parts F. In lieu of the socket inserts 320 O-rings as discussed above may be used, see fig. 7.

As mentioned, the shown special connector unit 400 also comprises a second connector part 308 for engaging the first connector part 361 that is a component of the python 100. The first connector part 361 may as shown be a rotatable ring operating in the manner discussed above with reference to fig. 3a-3j, or the second connector part 308 may be such a rotatable ring (not shown) mounted to the connector unit 400 and engaging the first connector part 361 , which may be a threaded portion of the end connector, with the mutual engagement thereof preferably providing the aforementioned progressive drawing of the ends M of the tubes into the aforementioned female connectors F. Preferably, the rotatable ring 361 is brought into engagement with a corresponding bayonet engagement part.

Where the kit 1000 shown in fig. 6a is to be connected to a dispensing column 20 with a tap 21 , then fluid connection between the respective tubes 101 , 102, 103 and the cooler 50 may be established in the same manner discussed above with reference to fig. 3b. A kit 1000 as shown in fig. 6a may then be connected to the dispensing column 20 or the tap 21 , with beverage then exiting the conduit 1005 at port 1006, to flow to the tap 21 .

In one embodiment (not shown) the connector unit 400 may include a further conduit for supplying pressurised gas to the beverage barrel 10 from a bottle 75. The python 100 of the kit 1000 may in such a case include the relevant tube 78.

It is noted that in a less preferred embodiment the beverage dispensing system 1 may not be configured for cooling beverage as it flows from the barrel 10 to the cooler 50, but only for cooling beverage as it flows from the cooler 50 to the dispensing tap 21. In such a case a beverage pipeline extending between the barrel 10 and the cooler 50 will include no cooling liquid tubes; the python 200, 200’ between the cooler 50 and the tap 21 is, however, in such a case connected to the cooler 50 using the second connector unit 300’ connected to the python 200, 200’ using at its first end E1 the end connector 350 discussed above, in particular using the deformable socket insert 310 which reduces the risk of bacteria growth.

Claims

1 . A kit (1000) for connecting a beverage barrel (10) to a beverage cooler (50), the kit comprising: i) a connector unit (400) to be associated with the beverage barrel (10) and ii) a beverage pipeline (100), said beverage pipeline (100) comprising:

- an elongated thermally insulating sleeve (S) enclosing a beverage delivery tube (101 ), a forward flow cooling liquid tube (102) and a return flow cooling liquid tube (103), and

- a first connector part (361 ) at one end (E2) of said beverage pipeline (100, 200), said connector unit (400) comprising:

- a beverage supply conduit (1004) with a beverage exit port (1005) configured to receive an end (M) of said beverage delivery tube (101 ), and a beverage entry port (1006) for receiving beverage from said beverage barrel (20),

- a cooling liquid conduit (1010) extending from a cooling liquid entry port (1015) of said connector unit (400) to a cooling liquid exit port (1020) of said connector unit (400), said cooling liquid entry port (1015) and said cooling liquid exit port (2020) configured to receive an end (M) of a corresponding one of said cooling liquid tubes (102, 103),

- a second connector part (308) for engaging said first connector part (361 ), and

- a respective sealing body (310, 322) configured for establishing a fluid seal between said tubes (101 , 102, 103) and said beverage exit port (1005), said cooling liquid exit port (1020) and said cooling liquid entry port (1015).

2. The kit (1000) according to claim 1 , said beverage exit port (1005), said cooling liquid entry port (1015) and said cooling liquid exit port (1020) being sockets (310) defining female connectors (F).

3. The kit (1000) of claim 1 or 2, a first end connector (350) being secured to said tubes (101 , 102, 103) at said one end (E2), with an end (M) of each tube (101 , 102, 103) projecting from said first end connector (350).

4. The kit (1000) of claim 3, said first end connector (350) including:

- a first structure (351 ) having a plurality of passages (P1 , P2, P3) arranged next to one another,

- each of said tubes (101 , 102, 103) extending through a corresponding passage (P1 , P2, P3) and being secured to said first structure (351 ) with said end (M) thereof projecting from said corresponding passage (P1 , P2, P3).

5. The kit (1000) according to claim 3 or 4, said first connector part (361 ) being a rotatable ring (361 ) bearing against said first end connector (350).

6. The kit (1000) according to any of claims 2-4, said second connector part (308) being a rotatable ring (361 ).

7. The kit (1000) according any of claims 2-6, said sockets (310) each including a tubular socket insert (310) of a rubber-like material or an O- ring (322), defining said respective sealing bodies, said sealing bodies (310, 322) establishing fluid seals between said ends (M) of said tubes (101 , 102, 103) and said sockets (310).

8. The kit (1000) according to the previous claim, said ends (M) configured for extending within said tubular socket inserts (320), said engagement establishing a compressive force on said socket inserts (310).

9. The kit according to any of claims 4-6, at least the socket (320) configured for receiving the end (M) of said beverage delivery tube (101 ) including a tubular socket insert (310) of a rubber-like material defining said sealing body (310), said first structure (351 ) having a face (359) opposing an end (311 ) of said tubular socket insert (310), wherein progressive engagement of said first connector part (361 ) with said second connector part (108) draws said end (M) of said beverage delivery tube (101 ) into said socket inset (310) for said face (359) to compress said socket insert (310).

10. The kit (1 ) according to claim 7, 8 or 9, said socket insert (310) comprising one or more of:

- an annular recess (3025) at a lower annular face (3000), opposite said end (311 ) thereof,

- a slightly conical shape, and

- an annular internal recess (R).

11 . The kit (1 ) according to any of the previous claims, said connector unit (400) being integrally molded, or being manufactured by 3D-printing.

12. The kit (1000) according to any of claims 4-6, wherein rotation of said rotatable ring (361 ) provides a progressive drawing of said ends (M) into said female connectors (F).

13. The kit (1000) according to any of the previous claims, said connector unit (400) including a portion (1050), such as a threaded portion, for releasably engaging a coupler (1020) releasably mounted to a beverage barrel (10), said coupler adapted to supply gas to said beverage barrel (10).

14. The kit (1000) according to any of claims 1 -12, said connector unit (400) including a portion (1050), such as a threaded portion, for releasably engaging a beverage barrel (10).

15. The kit (1000) according to the previous claim, said connector unit (400) including a conduit for supplying gas to said beverage barrel (10).

16. The kit according to any of the previous claims when dependent on claim 4, said first structure (351 ) being integrally molded, or manufactured by 3D-printing, to define said passages (P1 , P2, P3).