EP2614032B1 - Tapping device for at least one bag-in-box packaging - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dispensing device for at least one equipped with a nozzle "bag-in-box" packaging, with at least one receiving area for the "bag-in-box" packaging, wherein the receiving area has at least one feed opening, with at least a device door closing the feed opening of the receiving area, which has at least one trigger of an actuating device corresponding to the dispensing valve, and with at least one beverage outlet associated with the dispensing valve.

Dispensers of prior art are also referred to as dispensers and are particularly useful for providing chilled and uncooled beverages to breakfast buffets and self service counters. With the help of the known dispensing devices, the beverages contained in the "bag-in-box" packages can be conveniently taped as required.

In the DE 20 2007 002 623 U1 For example, a dispensing device of prior art type is described, which has a receiving area for the "bag-in-box" packaging, which has at least one charging opening. The loading opening is closed in particular by a door. The dispensing device further has in the region of its appliance door to actuate a tap button, by means of which the dispensing valve of the "bag-in-box" packaging is actuated by means of an actuating device coupled to the dispensing button. In this case, an actuation of the dispensing valve of below, in which the projecting on both sides of the valve housing parts of the valve piston are moved approximately vertically upwards. By raising or lowering the valve piston, the tapping process can be started and stopped again. The actuating device used here has the disadvantage that only Vitop dispenser valves can be actuated.

From the EP 1 201 601 B1 In contrast, an actuator for nozzles is known, wherein the cylindrical connection piece of the nozzle is held in a valve receiving bearing. At the valve receiving bearing corresponding to the dispensing valve actuator is arranged, which is formed of a lever mechanism with two levers. The levers are held movable relative to one another in such a way that an adjusting movement is produced with one of the levers and the actuation of the dispensing valve takes place with the other lever. However, such actuators can not meet today's, set to vorbeabe dispensing devices hygienic requirements.

Out WO 2008/009 438 A1 For example, there is known a cell or tap with insulating connectors for dispensing refrigerated beverages in interchangeable and tap packaged packages. A beverage outlet is led from the tap through the Isolierverbinder. Furthermore, the actuation of the tap takes place from below through the Isolierverbinder.

WO 97/34826 A1 discloses another dispenser or dispensing device for a liquid, which is accommodated in a soft container with a dispensing valve, according to the preamble of claim 1. The dispensing valve can be actuated by a lever and an actuator from above. The nozzle is located with cantilevered wings on a valve receiving bearing in the form of a stop.

The invention is based on the object, a dispensing device according to WO 97/34826 A2 be improved so that a simplified operation of "bag-in-box" packages with different nozzles is possible.

The object is achieved by a dispensing device with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments and refinements of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 10.

In a dispensing device for at least one "bag-in-box" package equipped with a dispensing valve, having at least one receiving area for the "bag-in-box" packaging, the receiving area having at least one feed opening with at least one of the feed opening of the A receiving area closing device door, which has at least one trigger of an actuator corresponding to the dispensing valve, and with at least one dispensing valve associated beverage outlet is according to the invention provided that the actuating device has at least one acting from above on certain parts of the dispensing valve actuating means for actuating the dispensing valve, and that in the region of the feed opening at least one valve receiving bearing is provided which has bearing surfaces for at least on both sides of the valve housing projecting wings of the dispensing valve.

Such a dispensing device designed in accordance with the invention, the actuating device of which has an actuating means, in particular arranged above the dispensing valve, which thus acts from above onto the corresponding dispensing valve parts, can be used in an advantageous manner for dispensing drinks from "bag-in-box" packages with different dispensing valve types , Thus, "bag-in-box" packages, which are equipped either with a Vitop Dispenserventil or with a likewise commercially available Rapak Dispenserventil, combine with only one dispensing device. In the case of a Vitop dispenser valve, an actuating movement of the dispensing valve housing takes place when the trigger is actuated, whereby the usually movable valve piston is fixed. In the case of a Rapak dispensing valve, on the other hand, the piston of the dispensing valve, which is accessible from above, is actuated by the actuating means and carries out a relative movement relative to the still stationary dispensing valve housing. The actuating means of the actuating device arranged above the dispensing valve may for example be an adjusting cam, which can be adjusted by means of a servomotor. The electrical control of the servomotor is done by the operation of the trigger on the door, which represents an advantageous possibility of actuation.

In this case, a position-safe and thus advantageous possibility for receiving the dispensing valve of the so-equipped "bag-in-box" packaging is ensured via the valve receiving bearing according to the invention. The bearing surfaces of the valve receiving bearing form an abutment for the side of the valve housing projecting or outstanding wing of the dispensing valve. The vanes of the valve piston normally used for actuation with a Vitop Dispenserventil or the fixed wings on Valve housing of a Rapak dispensing valve are accordingly locked at a predetermined height. By means of the valve receiving bearing takes place at the same time in addition to the locking of the wings at a predetermined height, an advantageous orientation of the valve outlet of the dispensing valve to the beverage outlet of the dispensing device. Of course, the dispensing device may also have a plurality of valve receiving bearing in the region of a feed opening, so that the dispensing device is designed for simultaneous dispensing of drinks from several "bag-in-box" packages.

Further, it is provided according to the invention that the valve receiving bearing is formed as an exchangeable in a holder on the device housing recorded insert. With the use of an exchangeable insert, which can be inserted or inserted, for example, into a receptacle of a holder on the device housing, an optimal possibility is created to advantageously accommodate different types of dispensing valves, such as Vitop or Rapak valve. Accordingly, the dispensing device can be easily converted for the use of various "bag-in-box" packages. The replaceable insert can be made of a plastic material, which is an advantageously simple and inexpensive way of manufacturing.

The actuating means acting on the dispensing valve is preferably arranged on the valve receiving bearing designed as an exchangeable insert. By arranging the actuating means directly on the exchangeable insert, it is ensured that for each dispensing valve type which is firmly locked in the dispensing device via the valve receiving bearing designed as an insert, the actuating means are in terms of positioning and configuration, optionally on the geometry of the dispensing valve and its dispensing mechanism is tuned. This ensures an always reliable operation of the dispensing valve on the dispensing device. The actuating means is in particular designed to be movable relative to certain stationary parts of the valve receiving bearing.

Preferably, the valve receiving bearing has at least over a predetermined portion perpendicularly extending guide surfaces for the down during the pin by the actuating means down to the dispensing valve housing. This results in the advantage that during the spigot, the distance between the outlet of the dispensing valve and the beverage outlet at the dispensing device is shortened in an advantageous manner. Thus, the risk of contamination by beverage splashes around the beverage outlet of the dispensing device is minimized so that the dimensions of the beverage outlet on the dispensing device can be advantageously reduced. Especially with the use of Vitop Dispenserventilen whose cantilevered wings of the valve piston are locked via the valve receiving bearing, a trouble-free lowering movement of the valve housing is ensured by means of the guide surfaces. This type of operation represents a departure from its usual handling. In conjunction with a trained as an insert valve seat bearing in particular plastic material also an advantageously trouble-free sliding of the dispensing valve is ensured during the lowering process on the guide surfaces of the valve receiving bearing.

The actuating device has at least one valve actuating mechanism which passes through the appliance door, which represents a structurally simple possibility for actuating the dispensing valve and thus for dispensing drinks at the dispensing device according to the invention. The actuating device has a trigger designed as a tap on the outside of the appliance door, which is coupled to the valve actuation mechanism or is a part of it. The actuating means according to the invention acting from above on a respective dispensing valve can likewise be part of the valve actuation mechanism, which preferably has two lever arms extending at a predetermined angle to one another. Preferably, the tap is one of the rotatably mounted in the appliance door lever arms, wherein the tap button extends vertically upwards. The other lever arm forms the actuating means for the dispensing valve. The lever arms have a common pivot point, which makes the advantageous Actuation of the dispensing valve is given. In addition, an advantageous force transmission ratio is generated by means of mutually fixed lever arms, so that the ease of use of the device according to the invention is further improved. The valve receiving bearing and the valve actuation mechanism are forcibly moved relative to each other in particular via the articulation of the appliance door, the separation of the valve receiving bearing and the valve actuation mechanism, which is regularly required for replacing empty "bag-in-box" packs, by simply opening the door.

The beverage outlet is arranged in particular in the appliance door, so that by simply opening the appliance door with advantage the dispensing valve and the beverage outlet are separated from each other. Thus, the areas around the beverage outlet are completely exposed on the inside of the appliance door, whereby any cleaning measures to be carried out can be made substantially simplified. By opening the door, in particular the complete inside of the door is accessible for a necessary cleaning.

According to a development of the invention it is provided that the beverage outlet is designed as a contact opening surrounding a beverage jet contactless. Thus, possible microorganisms or bacteria transmitted to the housing opening can not reach the outlet of the dispensing valve and thus the inside of the "bag-in-box" package, for example by direct contact by hand or with a drink cup already used once. The shelf life of the drinks contained in the "bag-in-box" packs has been significantly extended. Thus, the dispensing device according to the invention advantageously fulfills the strict hygiene standard "Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point" HACCP known in Europe. Furthermore, direct contact of the beverage emerging from the "bag-in-box" packaging with any conduit parts which may possibly be contaminated by residues of a previously tapped beverage remaining therein is always advantageously avoided.

The contact opening surrounding the beverage jet is equipped in particular with an insert which extends the outlet opening into the interior of the housing. By the use of a projecting into the interior of the housing insert into which protrudes during the actuation of the dispensing valve, the outlet of the dispensing valve itself, the hygiene in the dispensing operation on the dispensing device according to the invention is further improved. If necessary, instead of the inside of the appliance door, beverage splashes thus come into contact only with the surface of the insert facing the dispensing valve. The insert is particularly tubular or funnel-shaped, wherein the inner diameter is chosen so large that a contact of the insert by the beverage jet is almost impossible. The outer circumference of the insert and the housing opening form, for example, a releasable positive connection with one another. Thus, an optimal interchangeability of the use of the door is given.

It is further within the scope of the invention that the appliance door has at least one dispensing bay, in which the beverage outlet is arranged. The appliance door preferably forms the entire front of the dispensing device, creating a self-contained front without adverse gaps. In the Zapfbucht the stopping of a drinking vessel is possible, whereby the handling during the pin is further improved. The footprint for the drinking vessel may be formed as a draining surface with elevations and depressions. The beverage outlet is preferably arranged in the upper, horizontal boundary surface of the dispensing bay, so that a beverage jet passing through the beverage outlet emerges in the vertical direction. It is of course also conceivable that the Zapfbucht is arranged separately below a only areas of the front of the dispensing device forming appliance door.

The actuating means of the valve actuating mechanism is a lever arm corresponding to the valve piston or valve head of the dispensing valve, whereby a structurally simple way of actuating the dispensing valve is provided. The lever arm is in particular via a pivot point firmly connected to the release provided in the door. Upon actuation of the trigger perpendicular to the surface of the door of the lever arm is pivoted from its approximately horizontal position down and thereby actuates the designated part of the nozzle of the "bag-in-box" package. The lever arm or the trigger can be assigned at least one return spring, by means of which a reset function of the dispensing valve and thus the automatic closing of the dispensing valve can be reliably ensured. The return spring is formed, for example, as a leaf spring supported on the appliance door. In addition, the actuating means designed as a lever arm can be equipped with a thorn-like extension, which in particular simplifies the actuation of the valve piston on a Rapak valve.

According to another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the receiving area for the "bag-in-box" packaging is associated with a cooling unit. The use or the arrangement of a cooling unit in the receiving area for a respective "bag-in-box" pack placed in its dispensing position makes it possible to advantageously cool the beverage received in the pack. On the one hand, the drinks are given a particularly constant drinking temperature and, on the other hand, the shelf life of an opened "bag-in-box" packaging can be further extended by the cooling. The refrigeration unit is arranged in particular in a wall of the receiving area for the "bag-in-box" packaging, wherein the "bag-in-box" packaging can have both immediate contact with the refrigeration unit and indirect cooling over that in the receiving area located air takes place. Furthermore, the receiving area for the "bag-in-box" packaging may have an inclined direction in the direction of the valve receiving bearing, whereby their automatic emptying is improved.

Fig. 1:

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer ersten erfindungsgemäßen Zapfvorrichtung im Schnitt;

Fig. 2:

eine Detailansicht des Zapfbereiches einer zweiten erfindungsgemäßen Zapfvorrichtung bei nicht betätigter Zapftaste, und

Fig. 3:

eine Detailansicht der Zapfvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 bei betätigter Zapftaste.

Embodiments of the invention, from which further inventive features result, are shown in the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1:

a perspective view of a first dispensing device according to the invention in section;

Fig. 2:

a detailed view of the tap area of a second dispensing device according to the invention with non-actuated tap button, and

3:

a detailed view of the dispensing device according to Fig. 2 with the push button pressed.

1 designates a first embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention for at least one "bag-in-box" package 2, which has a device housing 3 which completely surrounds the "bag-in-box" package 2. The device housing 3 has a feed opening 4, via which an access to the receiving area 5 for the "bag-in-box" packaging 2 is given. The loading opening 4 is closed by a door 6 of the device housing 3, wherein the door 6 is pivotally received via a hinge pivotally mounted on the fixed part of the device housing 3. The receiving region 5 has a receiving surface inclined downwards in the direction of the charging opening 4. The dispensing device 1 is further equipped with a valve receiving bearing 7 for a dispensing valve 8 of the "bag-in-box" packaging 2, in which the dispensing valve 8 is received in a predetermined position to a dispensing valve associated beverage outlet 9. The valve receiving bearing 7 has at least one bearing surface 10 for on both sides of the valve housing 11 projecting parts of the nozzle valve 8. In the appliance door 6, an actuating device 12 is further arranged with a tap button 13 and with an actuating means 14 acting from above on the dispensing valve 8. The actuating device 12 has a valve actuating mechanism 15. To actuate the dispensing valve designed as a lever arm push button 13 is to press or move in the direction of the device door surface, so that also designed as a lever arm actuating means 14, which is rigidly connected to the tap, moves with its free Hebelarmende approximately vertically downwards and thus acts on the nozzle 8. ever according to which valve type, such as Vitop or Rapak dispensing valves, the actuating means acts on different areas of the dispensing valve. When the dispensing valve 8 is actuated, the beverage stored in the "bag-in-box" packaging 2 flows out of the valve outlet 16 through the underlying beverage outlet 9 of the appliance housing 3, wherein the beverage outlet is designed as a housing opening surrounding the beverage jet without contact. The beverage outlet 9 is arranged at the top of a provided on the door Zapfbucht 17. The dispensing device 1 furthermore has a cooling unit, by means of which the beverage stored in the "bag-in-box" packaging can be cooled down to a desired drinking temperature.

The Fig. 2 and 3 show a further embodiment of a dispensing device 20, the appliance door 21 is equipped with a further possible embodiment of an actuator 22. Their tap button 23 is fully integrated into the front 24 of the door 21. Fig. 2 shows the unactuated toggle button, which is designed as a lever arm and assumes a vertical orientation in the unactuated state. By pressing the tap button 23 ( Fig. 3 ) perpendicular to the front 24 of the door 21 pivots the tap button 23 about its fulcrum, thereby simultaneously acting through the door 21 valve operating mechanism 25 acts with its actuating means 26 on the housing head 27 of the valve housing 28. As a result, in the Vitop dispensing valve shown here, its valve housing 28 is moved vertically downward, as a result of which its valve outlet 29 is displaced in the direction of the beverage outlet 30. The valve piston 31 with its non-visible cantilevered wings is on the support surface 10 ( Fig. 1 ) of the valve receiving bearing 32 is locked at a predetermined height. The offset movement is possible by means of the valve receiving bearing 32 formed perpendicular guide surfaces 33 for the nozzle 8. In addition, the beverage outlet 30 is equipped with an inwardly projecting, replaceable insert 34, by means of which impurities are avoided by possible beverage splashes on the inside of the door 21. Identical components are designated by the same reference numerals.

Claims (10)

1. A tapping device for at least one bag-in-box packaging equipped with a tap valve, comprising at least one accommodating area (5) for the bag-in-box packaging, wherein the accommodating area (5) has at least one loading opening (4), at least one device door (6, 21) that closes the loading opening (4) of the accommodating area (5), which device door has at least one trigger of an operating apparatus (12, 22) that corresponds to the tap valve (8), and at least one beverage outlet (9, 30) associated with the tap valve (8), wherein the operating apparatus (12, 22) has at least one operating element (14, 26) that acts from above on certain parts of the tap valve (8) in order to operate the tap valve (8), and wherein at least one valve accommodating bearing (7, 32) is provided in the area of the loading opening (4), which at least one valve accommodating bearing has bearing surfaces (10) for wings of the tap valve (8) protruding at least on both sides of the valve housing (11, 28),
   characterized in
   that the valve accommodating bearing (7, 32) is formed as an insert which is accommodated in a holder on the device housing (3) in a replaceable manner.
2. The tapping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating element acting on the tap valve (8) is arranged on the valve accommodating bearing (7, 32) that is formed as a replaceable insert.
3. The tapping device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the valve accommodating bearing (32) has at least vertically running guide surfaces (33) for the tap valve housing (28) which lowers downwardly during tapping due to the operating element (26).
4. The tapping device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the operating apparatus (12, 22) has at least one valve operating mechanism (15, 25) which passes through the device door (6, 21).
5. The tapping device according to claim 4, characterized in that when the device door (6, 21) is closed, the operating element (14, 26) of the valve operating mechanism (15, 25) is a lever arm which corresponds to the valve piston or to the housing head (27) of the tap valve (8).
6. The tapping device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the beverage outlet (9, 30) is arranged in the device door (6, 21).
7. The tapping device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the beverage outlet (9, 30) is formed as a housing opening which surrounds the beverage stream in a contact-free manner.
8. The tapping device according to claim 7, characterized in that the housing opening is equipped with an insert (34) which elongates the outlet opening into the interior of the device housing (3).
9. The tapping device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the device door (6, 21) has at least one tap inlet (17) in which the beverage outlet (9, 30) is arranged.
10. The tapping device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a cooling aggregate is associated with the accommodating area (5) for the bag-in-box packaging (2).

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