DE3311844A1 - METHOD FOR TAPING BEER, ESPECIALLY WHITE BEER, IN DRINKING VESSELS - Google Patents

Description

33118U

Bartholomäus Gmeineder March 31, 1983

Hubertusplatz 5

8024 Deisenhofen - 3 - G 4517 Bd / Sch

description

Method for drawing beer, in particular wheat beer, into drinking vessels

The invention relates to a method and a device for tapping beer, in particular wheat beer, in drinking vessels in which the beer flows out of a tank, in particular a beer keg, under gas pressure.

In a method known from DE-AS 26 58 667 for filling beer into bottles, each empty bottle is first pre-tensioned with compressed gas, this pre-tensioning being carried out in two stages. In the first stage, the Bottle from a separate source of pressurized gas, a filling that increases the pressure in the bottle to such an extent that this is slightly below the pressure in the tank from which the beer is drawn. Then in the second stage the pressure in the bottle is adapted to the pressure prevailing in the tank in that for the overflow of pressurized gas a corresponding connection is made between the tank and the bottle. The pressure in the bottle is then the same like in the tank.

DE-AS 26 58 667 does not provide any reference to the tapping of beer in drinking vessels. This creates the problem that the beer flowing from a tap, which is under gas pressure in the tank, immediately behind the tap is completely relaxed, whereby the compressed gas dissolved in the beer, in particular carbon dioxide, suddenly in Form of bubbles emerges, which manifests as profuse foaming

of beer shows. This is particularly the case with wheat beer, which is usually under particularly high carbonic acid pressure the case in which the carbonic acid pressure is normally 2.5 to 3 bar. This foaming leads to the Individual drinking vessels one after the other with smaller quantities be filled than this corresponds to the full volume of the drinking vessel. In restaurants this is the result a significant delay in serving.

The invention is therefore based on the object of accelerating the pouring of beer, in particular wheat beer and thereby to reduce the actually desired foam development so that a quick filling of the drinking vessels in a train is enabled with sufficient foam formation.

According to the invention, this is done in that the tank first to one. previously preloaded to at least the gas pressure in the tank Intermediate container is connected, the volume of which corresponds at least to that of a drinking vessel, whereupon the intermediate container is throttled and relaxed and the beer is diverted from the tank to the intermediate container, and that thereupon an outlet of the intermediate container is opened for filling the drinking vessel. When the beer is diverted from the tank to the intermediate container, it initially arises because of the prevailing in both vessels essentially no foam at essentially the same gas pressure. The beer then flows largely foam-free from the intermediate container, because the throttled discharge of the pressure gas from the intermediate container for the beer in it a gentle pressure relief results in the compressed gas dissolved in the beer, in particular carbonic acid, the There is a tendency to escape in the form of gas bubbles. So the beer stays out while the pressure gas is being discharged the intermediate container in this largely foam-free. It can then be removed from the intermediate container by opening the outlet

33118AA

let be passed into the drinking vessel, with the desired foam layer then on the surface of the beer forms without this, however, filling a substantial part of the drinking vessel. During this filling process, air flows from the outside into the intermediate container, namely on the way on which the throttled relaxation of the Intermediate container has taken place.

If the air cannot flow into the intermediate container quickly enough on this latter route, then it is advisable Air admitted into the intermediate container via a separate open inlet during the filling of the drinking vessel.

It has been found to be advantageous to additionally apply a pressure to the beer in the intermediate container Exercise float plate, which covers most of the liquid level of the beer. This float plate is carried by the beer and also ensures during the restricted relaxation of the intermediate container, that little foam arises in the intermediate container during this process.

The device for carrying out the method is based on a tank connected to a pressurized gas source. This source of pressurized gas is usually a carbon dioxide bottle. This device is characterized by that the intermediate container is connected to the tank via a pipeline provided with a valve is the one with valves for the supply of pressurized gas, for the throttled discharge of the pressurized gas and the introduction is provided of air and which also has a nozzle on its underside.

Due to the existing connections and the valves, the filling process for the intermediate container and the Control the filling of the drinking vessel in such a way that the intermediate container is filled one after the other largely foam-free, whereupon a drinking vessel is filled from the intermediate container and so on. The intermediate container be matched in terms of its volume to that of a drinking vessel. In this case must be done before filling of each drinking vessel and the intermediate container are filled. On the other hand, it is also possible to use the Make intermediate containers larger and give this the volume of some drinking vessels, so that then from the intermediate container several drinking vessels can be filled in succession without the intermediate container having to be refilled in between necessary is.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the figures. Show it:

1 shows the overall arrangement of the device, FIG. 2 shows the intermediate container alone.

Fig. 1 shows serving as a tank barrel 1, which is shown in the Embodiment can be filled with wheat beer. The connector 2 leading into the barrel 1 is on the one hand via the inlet 3 with shut-off valve 4 and the pressure hose 5 to the Kphlensäure bottle 6 and on the other hand Connected via the outlet 7 to the shut-off valve 8 and the beer hose 9 to the inlet 10 of the intermediate container 11. The carbon dioxide contained in the carbon dioxide bottle 6 reaches the outside via the pressure reducer 12, as in the Carbon dioxide bottle 6 normally has a pressure of around 110 bar prevails, whereas for the carbonic acid pressure in the barrel 1 only one of about 3 bar in the case of a filling with

Wheat beer is needed. The connection of the pressure hose 5 to the pressure reducer 12 takes place via the shut-off valve 13.

To fill the intermediate container 11 with beer 34 is through The shut-off valves 13 and 4 are opened via the pressure hose 5 and the inlet 3 in a known manner carbonic acid introduced into the barrel 1, which above the beer level in barrel 1 Fills contained cavity and due to its pressure beer over that reaching to its bottom in the barrel 1 Tube 14 pushes. The pipe 14 leads directly to the outlet 7, so that when the shut-off valve 8 is opened, beer enters the beer hose 9 is pressed and thus flows into the intermediate container 11.

The intermediate container 11 was before this process with a Carbon dioxide filling has been provided, namely via the pressure line 15, shown in dashed lines, from the pressure reducer 12 receives carbonic acid via the shut-off valve 16 and this via the shut-off valve 20 on the connector 17 supplies the intermediate container 11. With regard to the design of the connecting piece 17, reference is made to FIG referenced. . In the intermediate container 11 there is then the same gas pressure as in the barrel 1 above its Liquid play gels.

So that the carbonic acid pressure effective in the barrel 1 now has an effect on the filling of the intermediate container 11 with beer 34 can, the shut-off valve 20 for the supply of carbonic acid is closed and the shut-off valve 18 is opened that the throttle 19 is connected, so that now the gas contained in the intermediate container 11 slowly over the shut-off valve 18 and the throttle 19 can escape. The consequence of this is a slow filling of the intermediate container 11 with Beer 34, the flowing into the intermediate container 11

Beer 34 is always kept under a pressure that corresponds to the carbonic acid pressure in the barrel 1 comes very close, since gas escaping from the intermediate container 11 in terms of its volume immediately is replaced by a corresponding volume of beer. As a result, this operation is practical no carbon dioxide can escape from the beer 34 in the form of bubbles, so that above all the interior of the intermediate container 11 remains practically foam-free. The filling of the intermediate container 11 can be observed at its sight glass 21 will. In the case of a filling that is sufficient for later decanting into a drinking vessel, it will be transferred to the Inlet 10 inserted shut-off valve 22 closed, whereby the filling process of the intermediate container 11 is ended. With the closure of the shut-off valve 22, the shut-off valve 18 is closed at the same time, so that the carbonic acid pressure is retained in the intermediate container 11, which practically corresponds to that in the barrel 1.

Now the pin contained in the intermediate container 11 can Beer 34 in a drinking vessel, in particular a beer glass 23, take place, for which purpose the shut-off valve 26 first slowly is opened, which results in a gentle pressure reduction in the interior of the intermediate container 11. The in Carbon dioxide contained in the intermediate container 11 escapes via the shut-off valve 26 and the throttle 27, wherein the speed of the gas escaping in this way increases slowly. The carbon dioxide dissolved in beer 34 is therefore not stimulated to leak out of its solution in beer 34 to free from gas bubbles, which is the case with a sudden reduction in the pressure acting on the beer 34 were. As a result, with this gradual pressure reduction in the intermediate container 11 there is practically no result Foaming. When the overpressure contained in the intermediate container 11 is largely or completely via the shut-off valve

26 has equalized with respect to the surrounding atmosphere, the shut-off valve 24 contained in the outlet pipe 25 opened, so that now contained in the intermediate container 11 Beer 34 under the action of gravity in a drinking vessel standing under the outlet pipe 25, in particular in the beer glass 23 shown in Fig. 1, can flow. Due to previous filling of the Intermediate container 11 results in a complete Filling of the beer glass 23, whereby the beer 34 foams only as far in the beer glass 23 as it is for an appealing Impression of a fully poured beer glass is required. In this case, the beer 34 flows out of the intermediate container 11, the increasing volume above its liquid level is filled by air, which is released from outside through the throttle 27 and the shut-off valve 26, which is still open, via the connecting piece 17 in flows into the interior of the intermediate container 11. The inflow speed is regulated by the throttle 27, which can be adjusted in a known manner so that the desired flow rate in the outlet pipe 25 results. The throttle 27 can of course also be used to prevent the previous outflow of the To enable carbon dioxide from the intermediate container 11 in the sense of a gentle pressure drop in the intermediate container 11.

With reference to FIG. 2, it should be explained that the illustrated construction of the intermediate container 11 comprises the lid 28, which on the screws 29 on Flange 30 is attached. The seal between the cover 28 and the flange 30 takes place via the interposed O-ring 31. The manometer 32 is attached to the cover 28, with which the prevailing in the intermediate container 11 at any time Pressure can be read.

According to FIG. 2, the connecting piece 17 contains the shut-off valve 18 with a throttle 19 for diverting the pressure in the intermediate container 11 when it is filled and the shut-off valve 26 with throttle 27 for slowly releasing the carbon dioxide when the intermediate container 11 is filled as well for sucking in air as the beer 34 contained in the intermediate container 11 flows out into a drinking vessel. Be it now pointed out that the shut-off valves 18 and 26 with their connected throttles 19 and 27 with each other can be combined, since they are only to be designed for the flow of gas, although the Throttles each have a different throttling function. In the case of a combination of the named bodies To a shut-off valve with a connected throttle, it is only necessary to ensure that the throttle is on gently increasing discharge of the pressurized carbon dioxide from the intermediate container 11 and suction of air has to make possible, the latter in terms of flow velocity to the desired one Speed of filling a drinking vessel is to be adjusted. In this case, the throttle must therefore have a different throttling effect depending on the direction of flow of the gas have what can be achieved with known means. Direction-sensitive valves, for example, can be used for this purpose Provide which are connected to the corresponding throttle openings depending on the direction of flow.

It is of course also possible to make the throttle 27 adjustable in such a way that it depends on the V _; Ahl the type of beer allows air to flow into the intermediate container 11 at different speeds. If it is a type of beer that does not tend to foam as much as wheat beer, for example light beer (full beer), the flow speed of the air through the throttle 27 can be increased.

In Fig. 2, the float plate 33 is shown, which is on the liquid level in the intermediate container contained beer 34 floats. It is a plate that has the cross-section of the interior of the intermediate container 11 essentially fills out. It consists of a durable, especially acid-resistant plastic. But it can also consist of a sealed stainless steel sleeve so that it has swimming properties. The intermediate container 11 and the lid 28 are also made of stainless steel. The float plate 33 acts especially when the carbon dioxide contained in the intermediate container is released as a result of opening the shut-off valve 26 off. During this relaxation process, the tendency for the carbon dioxide dissolved in the beer to act in the form of gas bubbles stepping out of the beer is the most powerful. The float plate resting on the liquid level 33 helps to slow down the relaxation affecting the beer 34 contained in the intermediate container 11, see above that there is a particularly smooth transition from the tensioned to the relaxed state.

In the method described above, the intermediate container 11, before being filled with beer 34, pressurized with carbonic acid, which was taken from the carbonic acid bottle 6 will. A separate carbonic acid filling is therefore required for each filling process of the intermediate container 11, which leads to a corresponding consumption of carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide consumption can be saved by that compressed air is used to bias the intermediate container 11 before it is filled. In Fig. 1 is a corresponding compressed air source in the form of the compressor shown. The compressor 39 supplies compressed air to the compressed air hose via the pressure reducer 35 and the shut-off valve 36 37, in which the air filter 38 is switched on. The air filter 38 ensures that no contaminants whatsoever

can be forwarded. The compressed air then reaches the connector 17, specifically here to the shut-off valve 20 (see Fig. 2), where compressed air is then supplied in place of the carbonic acid, which according to the above Embodiment was used. When using compressed air, make sure that the with preload of the intermediate container 11 in this reached pressure does not exceed that pressure in the barrel 1 on the therein contained beer works. This is achieved here by means of the manometer shown in Fig. 2 that when reached a pressure which is just below the pressure in the drum, the shut-off valve 20 is closed.

In the case of using compressed air to preload the Intermediate container 11, the float plate has a particularly favorable effect. It practically prevents completely a contact between the air contained in the intermediate container 11 and the beer that has flowed in. However, this is only important if beer is in the intermediate container 11 without being filled into a drinking vessel is kept for a long time. Normally, however, the intermediate container 11 is only used to fill step by step and then to be used to pour beer into a drinking vessel.

It should be noted that the intermediate container 11 both for the filling of a single or several drinking vessels can be measured one after the other. To keep the beer fresh, the size of the However, the intermediate container 11 should only be dimensioned so that it is emptied again in quick succession after it has been filled will. Larger intermediate containers can therefore be used at tapping points with a large beer throughput, whereas in cases in which the filling of the intermediate container 11 and the subsequent one without unreasonable delay Pouring into a drinking vessel is possible,

It is advisable to use an intermediate container with a size that corresponds to the volume of a drinking vessel *

The shut-off valves shown in the figures can be manually operated or automatically controlled Acting valves. In the case of automatic control, solenoid valves are expediently used, which are known in the art Way to be activated by a sequence control. A relay circuit can be used as a sequence control in a known manner or programmed electronic circuit can be used.

Claims (5)

- ~ -: PATENT-.Ui * p RECHTSANWÄLTE 331 18 BARDEHLE, PAG ^ NBtF? ^ I: D (^ OT.ALTENBURG & PARTNER LAWYERS PATENTANWÄLTE - EUROPEAN PATENT ATTORNEYS JOCHEN PAGENBERG or JUR. LU μ HAHVARD-- HEINZ BARDEHLE d.pl -ing BERNHARD FROHWITTER dipl -ing - WOLFGANG A. DOST dr .. dipl -chem. GÜNTER FRHR. v. GRAVENREUTH dipl -ing. <i = h> - UDO W. ALTENBURG dipl.-phys. POST BOX 86O62O. 8OOO MUNICH TELEPHONE (089) 980361 TELEX 522 791 pad d CABLE: PADBÜRO MUNICH OFFICE: GALILEIPLATZ 1. 8 MUNICH Date March 31, 1983 G 4517 Bd / Sch Claims Method for tapping beer, in particular wheat beer, into drinking vessels, in which the beer is made under gas pressure a tank, in particular a beer keg, flows out, characterized in that the tank (1) first of all to an intermediate container which has been pretensioned to at least the gas pressure in the tank (1) (11) is connected, its volume corresponds to at least that of a drinking vessel (23), whereupon the intermediate container (11) throttled relaxed and thereby diverted the beer (34) from the tank (1) into the intermediate container (11) is, and that thereupon an outlet (25) of the intermediate container (11) for filling the drinking vessel (23) is opened. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that while the drinking vessel (23) is being filled into the intermediate container (11) via an open inlet (26) Air is admitted. - ρ _ 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that a pressure is exerted on the beer (34) in the intermediate container (11) by a float plate (33) which covers the essential part of the liquid level of the beer (34). 4. Device for performing the method according to one of claims 1 to 3 with a tank connected to a pressurized gas source, in particular a beer keg, characterized in that the tank (1) is connected to a pipeline provided with a valve (8, 22) Intermediate container (11) is connected, which is equipped with valves (20, 18, 26) for the supply of pressurized gas, for the throttled discharge of the compressed gas and the introduction of air is provided and also on has a nozzle (25) on its underside. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that that in the intermediate container (11) a cross-section thereof essentially filling float plate (33) is placed.