EP1386880A1 - Movable and autonomous beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The drink dispenser has containers (8) inside thermally-insulated cold chamber (7) connected by flexible tube (30) passing through peristaltic pump (32) to separate outlets (26,18). The pump is driven by reversible electric motor (33) linked to control unit (16). Tube (30) passes through divider (34) after pump, emerging in two sections (35d,35e) leading to outlets, controlled by selector unit (36) with rollers (52c,52d,52e) for dispensing, emptying and cleaning functions.

Description

The invention relates to a dispensing fountain of several drinks, and more particularly to a fountain intended to be placed available to consumers during a reception, with or without buffet.

The document FR 1 260 194 describes a dispenser with several tanks containing different liquids or cocktails and in which the output branch of each tank is connected to a pump, pump discharging into another branch returning to the tank but equipped with a tap. In this distributor, each centrifugal pump operates continuously. The branch of the circuit going from the tank to the pump passes through a buffer tank placed in an isolated enclosure and cooled by the evaporator of a refrigeration installation. Each pump has a third branch equipped with a tap allowing its connection to a container of drink to fill the corresponding tank.

This distributor, which is intended to be installed on a fixed station on a bar or a merchant's stall is heavy and fragile and requires connections energy. These different constraints do not allow its fairground use, that is to say to move it to different geographical places as and measurement of requests from buffet organizers. In addition, the use of centrifugal pump, easily fouled by syrupy products or loaded with pulp, limits the dispenser's application to fluid drinks.

To transfer drinks of various fluidity and loaded or not in pulp, the device described in document FR-A-2 406 604 comprises a flexible hose which goes from the beverage tank to a dispensing station where it is shaped like a pouring spout, locally forms a loop forming part of a peristaltic pump. In this pump, the hose is locally crushed by a rotary member driven by an electric motor whose power is triggered by a contactor located at the distribution station.

The document only covers the mounting of the device on the counter a bar and specifies that, for cleaning, the flexible hose is disassembled and that, to respect hygiene, it is changed daily.

To allow participants of a reception to use after having chosen a drink among several drinks offered, the depositor has inspired by this state of the art and created a dispensing fountain for caterer, movable in a vehicle and comprising, on a chassis, independent tank thermally insulated and kept low temperature by means of cold storage. Each tank is connected by a distribution circuit with electric pump to at least one station by the glass or cup and, possibly, at a post additional distribution at the pitcher. Each of the distribution stations is equipped with a container for collecting excess drink. In this fountain dispenser, the filling of the tanks is carried out after its installation at the place of reception by pouring cans into each of its tanks tanks. Distribution is ensured by means of control of the supply of the pump arranged at each of the distribution stations.

After operating for almost two years, it turns out that this dispenser fountain satisfies the organizers because it can be decorated on demand and to users who can use them, without wait for the goodwill of a server, but that it requires the caterer to meticulous and long cleaning to respect the rules of hygiene. The result that it can only be used by knowledgeable and respectful professionals food hygiene, even though its concept interests all reception organizers and that, moreover, its small footprint allows you to transport it in the trunk of a vehicle.

This is why the applicant has considered improving the structure internal fountain to facilitate cleaning, but also to improve the conditions for filling its tanks and the conditions for storage of beverages in these tanks.

Regarding cleaning, we know from the document FR-A-2 474 011 a beverage dispenser incorporating a syrup mixer and in which, at the end of distribution, a rinsing fluid is sent, by a hose permanently installed in the pump, mixer and distribution station. The again, it is a bar distributor, permanently installed and whose means implemented cannot be transferred to a dispensing fountain displaceable. In addition, the rinsing is partial and, if it is sufficient to avoid fouling of the distribution circuit with the sugar from the syrup, it is insufficient to comply with food hygiene rules, in a movable appliance and can be manipulated by several people, and in particular to remove all risk of bacterial development in the organs of the pump and mixer.

The object of the present invention is to provide a fountain autonomous and movable dispenser that can dispense, by glass or pitcher, several different drinks under strict and essential conditions food hygiene, regardless of the type of beverage dispensed, while simplifying cleaning operations and ensuring their proper execution, whatever the competence of the personnel responsible for carrying them out.

• une position dans laquelle il obture par pincement le tronçon de tuyau allant au poste de distribution au verre en permettant :
  • avec un sens de rotation de la pompe, le remplissage de l'outre-réservoir à partir d'une canne connectée au raccord du poste de distribution au pichet,
  • et avec la rotation en sens inverse de la pompe, soit l'alimentation du poste de distribution au pichet, soit la vidange du réservoir par la canne connectée au raccord du poste de distribution au pichet,
• une position dans laquelle il obture par pincement le tronçon de tuyau allant au poste de distribution au pichet en permettant le service au verre,
• et une position dans laquelle il dégage les deux tronçons de tuyau et permet la circulation vers les deux postes de distribution, respectivement au verre et au pichet, d'un fluide de nettoyage puis d'un fluide de rinçage prélevés successivement par la pompe, après connexion du raccord de tuyau déformable, jusqu'alors connecté à l'outre réservoir, avec le raccord d'un ensemble de nettoyage indépendant.

To this end, in the dispenser fountain according to the invention, each peristaltic pump is driven by an electric motor with reversible direction of rotation under the control of control means and each of the tanks is constituted by a plastic food addition, waterproof to air, equipped with a single connection member, and the latter is connected to a disconnectable connection member disposed at one end of an elastically deformable pipe, going to the peristaltic pump, while its other end is connected to a divider from which two sections of elastically deformable pipe leave, these two sections passing through a roller selector to go, one towards the fixed spout of a dispensing station by the glass, the other at a dispensing station at the pitcher, where it is provided with a pouring connector, said roller selector being able to occupy three positions:

• a position in which it pinches the section of pipe going to the glass distribution station, allowing:
  • with a direction of rotation of the pump, filling the over-reservoir from a cane connected to the connection of the distribution station to the pitcher,
  • and with the rotation in opposite direction of the pump, either the supply from the distribution station to the pitcher, or the emptying of the tank by the rod connected to the connection of the distribution station to the pitcher,
• a position in which it closes off the section of pipe going to the distribution station at the pitcher while allowing service by the glass,
• and a position in which it releases the two sections of pipe and allows the circulation towards the two distribution stations, respectively to the glass and to the pitcher, of a cleaning fluid then of a rinsing fluid successively withdrawn by the pump, after connection of the deformable hose connection, previously connected to the other tank, with the connection of an independent cleaning set.

In this fountain, each drink is stored away from the air outside in a further. After installation of the fountain, at the place of receipt, if each tank addition is not filled filled it is filled through the interior network of the fountain. The transfer of each drink, from the can in which it is transported to the other bottle in which it will be stored, is carried out without risk of pollution or contamination and using the corresponding circuit pump, pump then turning in opposite direction normal rotation for distribution.

When the fountain is in operation, the roller selector, associated with the network of each drink, allows to direct the distribution towards the dispensing station by the glass or towards the dispensing station at the pitcher, without no risk of fouling by syrupy drinks, or loaded with pulp, since, like the peristaltic pump, it acts by pressure on the outside of an elastically deformable pipe, so without any contact with the fluid flowing through it.

At the end of the service, to recover the drink it is possible either to extract the skin from its housing or to empty it. In this last case, the fitting arranged at each distribution station at the pitcher allows to connect the network of each drink with the cane previously used for filling, and, therefore, to use this rod for drain the rest of the drink into a recovery container.

For cleaning, the connection of each beverage network connected to the tank further is disconnected from the tank and connected to a cleaning set, so that with the selector in the central position total opening, starting the pump makes it possible to clean all the network of pipes, from the tank to the distributors, respectively, to the glass and the pitcher, including the recovery network associated with these two distributors. This cleaning can be carried out all the more quickly as it only concerns the pipes of each network assigned to a drink, with the exception of all mechanical organ, such as pump or selector.

In one embodiment of the invention, the roller selector comprises three rollers with parallel axes, namely two end rollers of fixed position and a central roller movable in the direction of one or other of the end rollers to pinch one of the two sections of pipe each passing in the interval between the end rollers and the central roller, said movable roller being carried by a slide actuatable by a means of control accessible from outside the chassis

• une position centrale d'ouverture, dans laquelle le galet central est au milieu de l'intervalle entre les deux galets extrêmes et libère les deux tronçons de tuyau,
• et deux positions extrêmes de pincement dans chacune desquelles le galet central pince un tronçon de tuyau, contre l'un ou l'autre des galets extrêmes.

In one embodiment, the means for controlling the slide of the roller selector comprise a lever articulated at the free end of the slide and the heel of which rests on a fixed bearing, under the action of spring means urging the slide, this support being produced by means of a cam profile defining at least three positions, namely:

• a central opening position, in which the central roller is in the middle of the interval between the two end rollers and releases the two sections of pipe,
• and two extreme pinch positions in each of which the central roller pinches a section of pipe, against one or the other of the extreme rollers.

Figure 1 est une vue de côté en coupe montrant les différents éléments de la fontaine,

Figure 2 est une vue schématique montrant tous les éléments d'un circuit de distribution d'une boisson,

Figures 3 à 7 sont des vues schématiques de côté d'un réseau de distribution de boissons, respectivement dans la phase de remplissage de l'outre-réservoir, dans la phase de service par distribution au verre, dans la phase de service par distribution au pichet, dans la phase de vidange en fin de service de l'outre réservoir, et, enfin, dans la phase de nettoyage de l'ensemble d'un réseau de distribution.

Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of example, an embodiment of this dispensing fountain.

Figure 1 is a sectional side view showing the different elements of the fountain,

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing all the elements of a distribution circuit for a drink,

Figures 3 to 7 are schematic side views of a beverage distribution network, respectively in the filling phase of the canister, in the service phase by glass distribution, in the service phase by glass distribution pitcher, in the emptying phase at the end of service of the other tank, and, finally, in the cleaning phase of an entire distribution network.

In this drawing, the reference numeral 2 designates so the fountain frame, which is divided, at least for the needs of the description, in several compartments, respectively, lower A, intermediate B and upper C closed by a horizontal plate 3. From preferably, the latter is articulated by a joint 4 on one of the sides of the frame.

The lower compartment A contains, a removable container 6 of reception of unused drinks and, for the transport of the set, is foldable relative to the chassis 2.

Compartments B and C contain an isolated enclosure 7 thermally and divided into several dwellings each suitable for receiving a in addition to reservoir 8, made of food plastic. Each addition is equipped of a single connector 9 and, preferably, is arranged in a protective drawer 10 sliding mounted on runners 12, visible in Figure 2. The enclosure 7 also contains a housing 13 which can receive means of storage at low temperature and, for example, the evaporator of a refrigeration system integrated in the fountain, this evaporator being juxtaposed with a eutectic plate charging in cold to restore it when the fountain is in autonomous operation, i.e. is disconnected from the electrical network.

The enclosure 7 opens outwards through an opening 14, visible Figures 6 and 7. When the fountain is used, this opening is closed by an insulating door 15.

The compartments B and C contain a battery 5, the means and networks ensuring the distribution of drinks, their means 16 of command and control, electrical and electronic. It's for the understanding and simplicity of the drawing, that means 16 and battery 5 are shown in the lower compartment A in Figure 1.

The plate 3 supports, projecting from its upper face, several D distribution posts by the glass or cup and, for example, four stations. Each D distribution station for glass or beaker includes a spout 26 arranged in a decorative envelope 27 also supporting a sensor 28, detecting the presence of a glass. Each of these positions is associated with a distribution station at pitcher E which, located in the intermediate compartment B of the chassis, inside the chassis, is shaped niche 17. This niche includes, in the upper part, a filling consisting of a fitting 18 and, in the lower part, a tank 19 of recovery of overflowing drinks, tray covered by a grid removable 20. The tank is connected by a discharge pipe 22 to a collector 23 the upper part of which is connected to an exhaust duct 24, coming from recovery bins 25 associated with each of the D distribution stations at glass. The lower end of the collector 23 enters the container of recovery 6.

When the fountain is in a drink distribution situation, each of the tanks 8 is connected to a glass D distribution station and to a distribution station at pitcher E via a network including, starting from from the reservoir, a pipe 30 made of food-grade plastic and, for example silicones, passing through a peristaltic pump 32 driven by a motor electric 33, visible in FIG. 2 and with two directions of rotation. Pipe 30 comprises, at its end disposed near the reservoir 8, a connector 31 connected with possibility of disconnection on connection 9 of the additional tank. This connector is fitted with sealing means preventing loss of liquid during his disconnection from the skin. The other end of this pipe 30 is connected to a divider 34, from which two sections, respectively 35d and 35e, of pipe elastically deformable and, for example into silicones. After passing in a roller selector 36, the pipe 35d extends until it connects to the spout pourer 26 of the corresponding distribution station D, while the section 35e is connected to the fitting 18 constituting the distribution member of the distribution to pitcher E.

Figure 1 clearly shows that the pipe sections 35d are arranged and fixed under the plate 3 and form, near the joint 4 of this tray, one elbow 37.

This arrangement allows, when the tray is tilted towards the top, as shown in dashed lines in Figure 1, not to change the supply structure for distribution stations, while providing access easily to the distribution and control means arranged in the upper compartment C of the chassis, and in particular, to access the means requiring a supply of electricity, such as the pumps 32. Under the plate 3, are also fixed the electrical or optical circuits 38 (FIG. 2) connecting each of the sensors 28 to the control and command box 16.

All organs requiring power supply are arranged in compartments B and C and are supplied with very low voltage, either by the network but through a rectifier transformer, or by drums.

Figure 2 shows that in the peristaltic pump 32, the hose deformable elastic 30 forms a loop 30a, in the shape of an omega, against the internal face of which presser rollers 40, free mounted rotation at the end of radial arms 42. These are integral with a shaft 43, linked in rotation to an electric motor 33. This motor is equipped with a sensor 44 which counts the number of rotations TR of rotation of the shaft and which sends, by a electrical circuit 45, this information to the housing 16 for control and ordered.

Figure 2 shows schematically the roller selector which, for drawing purposes, is arranged vertically, but which, in practical, is arranged horizontally with its lever 50 projecting from one of the side of chassis 2, as shown in figure 1. This selector is composed of a housing 51 containing three rollers with a parallel axis, namely: two extreme rollers 52d and 52e and a central roller 52c. 52d extreme rollers and 52e are mounted free in rotation on axes fixed to the housing 51, while the roller 52c is mounted to rotate freely on an axis carried by a structure movable, and for example, by a tab 53 secured to a slide 54 sliding mounted in the housing. In Figure 2, the selector is in position opening, so that the roller 52c is in the central position between the two extreme rollers 52e and 52d by providing spaces with them which pass the sections of pipe 35d, 35e, without undergoing any effect of Tightening. At its end projecting from the housing 51, the slide is connected to a external control unit. In the embodiment shown, it is provided with an axis 55 on which the control lever 50 is articulated. heel 50a of lever 50 is shaped as a cam in three positions, and for example, has three facets whose radial distances from the axis of articulation 55 are different. This heel is pressed against a stop face 56 of the body 51 by a return spring 57 interposed between a flange of the slide and the wall of the housing 51.

The heel 50a of the lever 50 has two projections 58 intended each to cooperate with a position switch, respectively, 56 and 59 connected by electrical circuits 60 to the control and command box 16.

Due to the simplicity of its construction, this selector is wear-resistant, and insensitive to breakdowns, fouling and any contamination.

It is provided on one of its sides with a control console 62, connected by a circuit 39 to the control unit 16, itself equipped with the card electronic or automated system governing the various functions of the device. The console includes, in addition to the usual keys 84 with indicator lights Commander and indicating the operating status of the common functions, such as on / off, cold, mains / battery, a digital display 47, indicating the estimated capacity of the additional tank selected by keys 48, a key 49 for emptying position, a key switch 81 for cleaning position, a button 82 for positioning filling and a button 83 for commissioning the distribution, each of these keys being associated with an indicator light.

This dispensing fountain occupies a reduced volume allowing easily transport it in the trunk of a service vehicle, such as a van. It is transported with the other tanks installed, at empty or filled. When positioned at the place of use, it is filled each of the other tanks, if this had not been done before.

The filling is carried out, as shown in Figure 3, with using a suction rod 65 which is connected, on the one hand, by a flexible hose 66 to a fitting 67 connectable to fitting 18 of each of the stations E of distribution to the pitcher and, on the other hand, by an electrical circuit 63 to a connector 64 connected to the housing 16. The rod 65 is provided, at its end, with means preventing the aspiration of air, and, for example, of a sensor 68 connected by the electrical circuit 63 to the control unit 16 of the pump 32 corresponding. The filling of each tank 8 is carried out in connecting the rod 65 to the connector 18 of the distribution station concerned and actuating a control 61 disposed on the rod 65 and allowing the supply of the electric motor 33 actuating the pump, in the direction of arrow 69. Beforehand, and as shown in FIG. 3, the roller selector 36 has been brought, by actuation of the lever 50, into a position where its roller central 52c clamp against the extreme roller 52d the section of pipe 35d, thus preventing any circulation of fluid towards the dispensing station by the glass D being part of the same network.

The drink, contained in the container 70 in which the cane 65 is immersed, is thus transferred by the pump 32 into the bottle 8, which is filled without outside air.

During this filling, the sensor 44 counts the number of turns TR performed by the pump and stores it in memory M1. This is associated with means 46 which, converting the number of revolutions into liters, are connected to a display 47.

If, during filling, the sensor 68 detects that the amount of drinks contained in the canister 70 reaches a defined threshold, for example, is 1 millimeter from the bottom of the container, it informs the control unit 16 of this situation, so that it cuts off the power to pump 32. This has as a consequence to avoid that the pump needlessly sucks air in the direction of the addition tank 8. Similarly, if the number of turns performed by the pump during filling is greater than a value stored in a M2 memory (Figure 2) and corresponding to the maximum capacity of the addition, the control unit 16 cuts the power supply to the motor 33 of the pump.

When all the bottles are filled, the fountain can be used, for example, for serving by the glass, as shown in Figure 4. To this end, the lever 50 is brought into the glass dispensing position, position in which the central roller 52c closes the section of pipe 35e by pinching this one against the 52e extreme roller, while freeing from all pinching the pipe section 35d. When a consumer brings a glass or goblet 46 under the spout 26 of the corresponding distribution station D, the sensor 28 equipping the station detects the presence of the glass and, through the control unit 16, controls the supply of the electric motor driving the pump 32 in the direction of arrow 71, i.e. in the opposite direction to that previously used for filling.

It should be noted here that, when selecting position D, one of the projections 58 of the lever 50 actuated its contactor 59, so that the housing command 16 received information indicating the distribution station D that can be used.

During this distribution the number of rotations of the pump 32 is counted by sensor 44 and transmitted to memory M1, where it is count down the number of turns TR counted during filling. Same time, the number of TD laps in the current distribution is compared to a reference value, corresponding to the dispensable dose in a glass or cup, so that the power supply to the pump is equal be cut. It can also be stopped, if the sensor 28 no longer detects the presence of glass 46, even if the full dose has not been dispensed.

If the drink spills out of the glass, the drink will fall in the tank 25 and is led, through the corresponding pipe 24, to the collector 23 which directs it to the recovery container 6.

For pitcher service, after choosing the distribution station E, corresponding to the desired drink, and set up a pitcher 72, as shown in Figure 5, simply rotate the lever 50 of the roller selector 36 corresponding to, on the one hand, close the section of pipe 35d, by pinching between the central roller 52c and the extreme roller 52d, and, on the other hand, operate the corresponding contactor 56 (Figure 2). By the control means 16 that controls the supply of motor 33 to pump 32 in the direction of arrow 71, so that the flow coming from the bottle 8 is directed, by the pipe 30 and the pipe section 35e, towards the connector 18, which then constitutes the distribution. The filling time of the pitcher is directly determined by the user, since the filling is stopped by the return of the lever 50 to its starting position, in which the switch 56 is no longer actuated.

Selection for glass or pitcher distribution is made by simple and secure means and can be provided by the consumer, so that the dispensing fountain can be left free service throughout the duration of an event.

During the distribution at the pitcher, the flow of drink supplied, analyzed in number of TS pump rotation turns, is also deducted from the number of revolutions TR memorized during filling. For each of the wineskins 8, the remaining value can be read on the display 47 by pressing the key 48 corresponding. When the memorized value reaches a threshold value close to zero, the key 48 assigned to the affected bottle flashes to prevent it must be replaced and cuts off the power to the pump motor.

If a bottle must be replaced during service, the empty one is extracted from its drawer 10 and replaced by another, which is full and fresh, because kept at low temperature. Pressing key 48 validates power to the pump motor 33. To prevent display 47 on the console 62 communicates incorrect information about the content of the new in addition, you must also press a specialized button 84 on the console which ensures the reset of the corresponding memory M1 and inserts into this memory a value corresponding to the capacity of the addition. Thanks to that, during service consumption can be monitored and emptying is carried out under the same security conditions as with the other bottles.

At the end of the service, as shown in Figure 6, the recovery of remaining drinks can be made either by extracting the bottles from their isolated enclosure, either by pumping.

The first solution simply requires switching the insulating door 15 associated with the enclosure in order to be able to access the bottles 8 in pulling, through the opening 14, the drawer 10 in which the bottle is disposed.

For pumping out the contents of each bottle tank 8, the operator must first press key 49 on the console control 62, in Figure 2, to put the control means in position emptying, which puts the detector 68 of the rod 65 out of use. Then, the lever 50, of the selector 36 of the network going to this addition, is put in the closed position of the pipe going to the glass distribution station D and, in consequently, in the open position of the part of the network going to substation E distribution at the pitcher. By this movement, the lever actuates the contactor 56 which gives information to the control means card, since the emptying mode is selected by key 49. Then the rod 65 is at again connected, by its connector 67, to connector 18 of this station. After the cane has been introduced into the canister 70 of the user, the actuation of the contactor 61 arranged on the rod 65, allows the supply of the motor 33 of the corresponding pump 32. During draining, the pump 32 turns in the direction of arrow 71 and its number of rotations of rotation TV is counted by the sensor 44, transmitted to the housing 16 and to the memory M1 where it is counting down the number of revolutions TR memorized. Like during the service, when TR approaches zero value first there is an alert by flashing of the key 48 assigned to the addition, then to zero or for a very threshold value close to zero, cut off of power to motor 33 of pump 32 concerned.

It can then be proceeded to the draining of another tank addition.

At this point, the dispensing fountain can be transferred from its use station at its storage station where it is then proceeded to its cleaning.

This cleaning operation is carried out using a cleaning assembly comprising, as shown in FIG. 7, a carriage 76, here in the shape of a devil, carrying two juxtaposed tanks 77 containing one, a cleaning product, and the other, a rinsing product. Each tank 77 is fitted with a valve 78 and a flexible conduit 79 with a fitting 80 connectable to each of the connections 31 of the distribution networks. So one after each other each of the networks is connected to the reservoir 77 containing the product cleaning, then the roller selector 36 is put in its open position total, that is to say with its roller 52c in the central position. At this stage, the operator intervenes on the console 62 and actuates the key switch 81 to put the network in a cleaning situation, that is to say in a situation supplying the corresponding motor 33. Pump 32 is still running in the direction of arrow 71 and distributes the cleaning fluid in the pipe 30, in the dividing member 34, in sections 35d and 35e and rejects it at each of the distribution posts for glass D and distribution at pitcher E, respectively. This fluid thus passes into the receiving tanks, respectively 25 and 19, and in the recovery pipes, respectively 24 and 22, before to borrow the collector 23 which is then extended by a flexible pipe 91 for sewer discharge.

The cleaning fluid cleans the entire distribution network and of the recovery network, without the need for further cleaning operations. The same operation is carried out with the product of rinsing which may, moreover, contain bactericidal or sanitizing products. These operations are carried out for each distribution network.

For safety and hygiene, each of the other tanks 8 is replaced, after each use, while the hose 30 and the sections of hose 35d and 35e are replaced, on a regular basis, with a frequency defined in relation to the use of the fountain, and for example, every six monthly or annually.

• elle est aisément transportable dans un petit véhicule,
• son installation en tous lieux s'effectue très rapidement et très aisément, tout en respectant les règles d'hygiène, quel que soit l'environnement,
• par sa batterie et ses moyens de conservation froide chargeables, elle peut être autonome pendant plusieurs heures,
• son utilisation est conviviale, par la multiplicité des postes offrant en libre service des boissons différentes et par la possibilité de personnaliser sa décoration, à chaque utilisation,
• elle permet le contrôle continu du niveau restant de chaque boisson,
• elle simplifie la vidange et le nettoyage, dans des conditions garantissant la salubrité des circuits empruntés par les boissons,
• elle facilite sa maintenance par la répartition spatiale de ses composants dans une structure ayant un encombrement réduit.

It appears from the above that the fountain according to the invention has the following advantages:

• it is easily transportable in a small vehicle,
• its installation in all places is carried out very quickly and very easily, while respecting the rules of hygiene, whatever the environment,
• by its battery and its chargeable cold storage means, it can be autonomous for several hours,
• its use is user-friendly, by the multiplicity of stations offering self-service different drinks and by the possibility of personalizing its decoration, with each use,
• it allows continuous monitoring of the remaining level of each drink,
• it simplifies emptying and cleaning, under conditions guaranteeing the wholesomeness of the circuits used by the drinks,
• it facilitates its maintenance by the spatial distribution of its components in a structure having a reduced bulk.

Claims (10)

Autonomous and movable beverage dispensing fountain comprising, carried by a frame (2): as many reservoirs (8) as there are drinks to be distributed, these reservoirs being arranged in an enclosure (7) thermally insulated and maintained at low temperature by means of cold storage, starting from each reservoir (8), an elastically deformable pipe (30) passing through a peristaltic electric pump (32) to go to a glass distribution station (D) and, possibly, to a pitcher distribution station (E), at each distribution station (D or E), a fixed pouring member (26, 18), a means reacting on control and command means (16) governing the electrical supply of the corresponding pump (32), and a recovery tank (25, 19) for spilled liquid, said tank being connected by a conduit to a collector (23), common to the various stations, characterized in that the peristaltic pump is driven by an electric motor (33), reversible direction of rotation, under the control of the control and command means (16) and each of the tanks (8) is constituted by a further material food-grade plastic, airtight, equipped with a single connecting member (9), and the latter is connected to a disconnectable connecting member (31), disposed at one end of an elastically deformable pipe ( 30), going to the peristaltic pump (32), while its other end is connected to a divider (34) from which two sections (35d, 35e) of elastically deformable pipe leave, these two sections passing through a roller selector (36 ) to go, one to the fixed spout (26) of a glass dispensing station (D), the other to a jug dispensing station (E), where it is fitted with a fitting ( 18) forming a pourer, said roller selector (36) being able to occupy three is positions: a position in which it closes the section of pipe (35d) going to the glass distribution station (D) by allowing: with a direction of rotation of the pump (32), the filling of the over-reservoir (8) from a rod (65) connected to the connector (18) of the distribution station to the pitcher, and with the rotation in opposite direction of the pump, either the supply of the distribution station to the pitcher (E), or the emptying of the tank (8) by the rod (65) connected to the fitting (18) of the distribution station to the pitcher, a position in which it closes the section (35e) of pipe going to the distribution station at the pitcher (E), by allowing glass to be served, and a position in which it releases the two sections (35d, 35e) of pipe and allows the circulation towards the two distribution stations, respectively to the glass (D) and to the pitcher (E), of a cleaning fluid then a rinsing fluid, these fluids being successively withdrawn by the pump (32), after connection of the connection (31) of deformable pipe (30), hitherto connected to the other reservoir (8), with the connection (80) an independent cleaning set. Dispensing fountain according to claim 1, characterized in that the roller selector (36) comprises three rollers with parallel axes, namely two end rollers (52d, 52e), of fixed position, and a central roller (52c) movable in direction of one or other of the end rollers to close, by pinching, one of the two sections of pipe (35d, 35e) passing, each, in the interval between the end rollers (52d, 52e) and the central roller (52c), said movable roller (52c) being carried by a slide (54) operable by a control means (50) accessible from outside the chassis (2). Dispensing fountain according to claim 2, characterized in that the means for controlling the slide (54) of the roller selector (36) comprise a lever (50) articulated at the free end of the slide and whose heel (50a) is supported, under the action of spring means (57) urging the slide, on a fixed surface (51a), this support being produced by means of a cam profile defining at least three positions: a central opening position in which the central roller (52c) is in the middle of the interval between the two end rollers (52d, 52e) and releases the two sections of pipe (35d and 35e), and two extreme pinch positions in each of which the central roller (52c) clamps a section of pipe against one or the other of the extreme rollers (52d and 52c). Dispensing fountain according to claim 3, characterized in that the lever (50) is provided with two projections (58) adapted, each and in one or the other of its extreme positions, to come to bear on a contactor (56 , 59) electrically connected to the means (16) of control and command. Dispensing fountain according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastically deformable pipe (30) and the elastically deformable pipe sections (35d, 35e) are made of food grade silicone. Dispensing fountain according to claim 1, characterized in that the insulated enclosure (7) is equipped with a door (15) releasing an opening (14) for access to the other tanks (8) and is provided with slides (12) on which are mounted sliding drawers (10), movable in the opening (14) above and each containing a further tank (8). Dispensing fountain according to claim 1, characterized in that the filling rod (65) is provided at its end with a sensor (68) which, connected to the monitoring and control means (16) of the corresponding pump ( 32), is capable of triggering the supply stop of this pump, as soon as the level of the aspirated drink reaches a threshold beyond which there is a risk of air suction. Dispensing fountain according to claim 1, characterized in that , with each motorized pump (32), there is associated a sensor (44) counting its number of rotational turns and this sensor is connected to the command and control means (16), means including: a memory (M1) recording the number of turns TR carried out by the pump, in one direction and during filling of the over-tank (8), and counting down the number of turns TS and TV, carried out in the other direction, respectively, during distribution and emptying, this memory reacting to the value zero by cutting off the supply to the pump motor concerned, a means (46) converting the number of revolutions remaining in M1 into liters and sending this information to a display (47), a memory (M2) recording a value representing the number of pump turns corresponding to the maximum capacity of the addition (8), means comparing, during filling, the values of M1 and M2 and stopping the supply of the motor (33) to the equality of M1 with M2, means comparing, during dispensing to the glass, the number of revolutions TD performed by the pump (32) with a number of memorized revolutions corresponding to a dose, and stopping the supply of the pump (32) with equal values. Dispensing fountain according to claim 1, characterized in that its frame (2) comprises: a lower compartment (A), foldable or not for transport and containing, in the unfolded state, the receptacle (6) for recovering the drinks collected in the bins (25, 19), associated with each of the distribution stations (D summer), two compartments, respectively, intermediate (B) and upper (C), containing the insulated enclosure (7), its means for maintaining at low temperature, the pipes (30) going from the tanks (8) to the roller selectors (36) , the electrical and electronic command and control means (16), the motorized pumps (32) and their supply circuits and, at the periphery, the E distribution stations at the pitcher, and a horizontal plate (3) closing the upper compartment (C), articulated on one of the sides of the frame and tiltable upwards, said plate carrying projecting from its upper face, the glass distribution stations (D), and, against its underside, pipes (24) connecting, respectively, each dispensing station to the glass (D) and each recovery tank (25) to the components arranged in the compartments (C and D), said pipes forming elbows (37) in the articulation zone of the plate (3) on the frame (2). Dispensing fountain according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning assembly comprises a carriage (76) carrying, at least, two reservoirs (77) of cleaning and rinsing products, respectively, each reservoir (77) being equipped with '' a valve (78) and a flexible pipe (79) with end fitting (80), connectable to each of the fittings (31) of the elastically deformable pipes (30), previously connected to the other tanks (8) and, in the fountain, a contactor (81) putting the control unit (16) in a cleaning state by allowing the pump (32) of each of the beverage distribution networks to successively circulate the products of the reservoirs (77) in the corresponding network .

Images