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EP2848581A1 - Dispositif de distribution de boisson et procédé associé à ce dispositif - Google Patents

Dispositif de distribution de boisson et procédé associé à ce dispositif Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2848581A1
EP2848581A1 EP13184334.4A EP13184334A EP2848581A1 EP 2848581 A1 EP2848581 A1 EP 2848581A1 EP 13184334 A EP13184334 A EP 13184334A EP 2848581 A1 EP2848581 A1 EP 2848581A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
beverage
beverage container
pressure
dispensing device
measuring
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP13184334.4A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Morten Helvig Larsen
Benny Dahl
Henrik Michael Nielsen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Micro Matic AS
Original Assignee
Micro Matic AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Micro Matic AS filed Critical Micro Matic AS
Priority to EP13184334.4A priority Critical patent/EP2848581A1/fr
Priority to CN201320747116.2U priority patent/CN203728556U/zh
Priority to CN201480061246.8A priority patent/CN105705455B/zh
Priority to EP14765932.0A priority patent/EP3044158B1/fr
Priority to PCT/EP2014/069489 priority patent/WO2015036535A1/fr
Priority to RU2016113373A priority patent/RU2671652C2/ru
Publication of EP2848581A1 publication Critical patent/EP2848581A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0001—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught by squeezing collapsible or flexible storage containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a beverage dispensing device for dispensing beverages.
  • the beverage dispensing device comprises a receptacle for a beverage container made from deformable material, said receptacle being defined by means for deforming the beverage container in order to expel liquid stored therein.
  • the invention also relates to a method for controlling the deformation of a beverage container used with a beverage dispensing device according to the invention.
  • taps for beverages In pubs, cantinas, restaurants, and also in private homes, there are taps for beverages, especially beer, installed.
  • the taps are provided in a tower or font with one or more taps for different types of beverages.
  • a small dispensing line connects each tap to a beverage container, which is a small beverage container, most often made from steel, filled with the beverage to be tapped.
  • the beverage container is kept under a certain pressure, often by filling a space above the liquid with pressurized carbon dioxide; the pressure might be one to two bars over atmospheric pressure. This pressure serves to expel the liquid from the beverage container, through the dispensing line and to the tap once a valve situated along the dispensing line is opened.
  • a new type of deformable beverage container has been launched.
  • the pressure used to expel the liquid from the beverage container is achieved by deforming the beverage container, either by placing the beverage container in a pressure chamber that can be pressurized, or by placing the beverage container in a device that deforms the beverage container by squeezing or pressing it.
  • An example of the latter arrangement is found e.g. in WO 2009/062656 .
  • the system of WO 2009/062656 works satisfactorily, but it has been found that the pressure in the beverage container may vary depending on how full the beverage container is as well as depending on the degree of compression of a spring being situated to provide a slack between the motor and the deforming units. Another factor that may bias the pressure is the deformation of the beverage container; any force that is used to deform the beverage container will decrease the pressure in the beverage. Also, the system of WO 2009/062656 requires a spring having a relatively long stroke in order to function properly; hence, the space requirements for this system are larger than otherwise necessary.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide for a beverage dispensing device which is more compact than the prior art beverage dispensing devices.
  • a beverage dispensing device for dispensing beverage from a beverage container to an outlet, comprising:
  • the means for measuring the pressure in the beverage container may be a torque meter of a motor provided for powering the means for deforming the beverage container.
  • the means for measuring the pressure in the beverage container may also be a pressure gauge situated between the beverage container and a unit deforming the beverage container. This gives a more direct and accurate result than measuring the torque of a motor.
  • the means for measuring the pressure in the beverage container may be a gauge measuring the compression of a spring situated between the beverage container and a unit for deforming the beverage container.
  • the spring may be preferred in order to provide a slack in the connection between the motor and the deforming units.
  • the means for measuring the pressure in the beverage container may be a thin-film pressure gauge.
  • a thin-film pressure gauge is advantageous in that it is robust, low cost, and has good zero-stability.
  • the means for measuring the pressure in the beverage container may be a thin-film pressure gauge of the type sold under the trademark "Flexi-Force®.
  • the means for measuring the pressure may be a bladder filled with a liquid, said bladder being situated between the beverage container and a unit for deforming the beverage container, wherein a pressure gauge is connected to measure the pressure in the liquid of the bladder.
  • a pressure gauge is connected to measure the pressure in the liquid of the bladder.
  • the means for measuring the pressure in the beverage container may be a strain gauge measuring a strain or a torque applied to a threaded shaft comprised in the means for deforming the beverage container.
  • the threads of the threaded shaft may be trapezoidal threads.
  • the means for measuring the pressure in the beverage container may be a strain gauge measuring a strain or a torque applied to a threaded shaft comprised in the means for deforming the beverage container.
  • the means for measuring the pressure in the beverage container may be a pressure meter measuring the pressure on an outside of the dispensing line connecting the beverage container and the outlet.
  • two deformation units may be comprised in the means for deforming the beverage container, wherein one of the deformation units is bowl-shaped and the other deformation unit has a shape such that it fits into the bowl.
  • the two deformation units In order to enable the two deformation units to come as close to one another as possible, there may be a space between the two deformation units, said space being sufficient to house the thickness of the walls of the beverage container when the beverage container has been fully deformed, i.e. emptied.
  • the present invention further relates to a beverage dispensing system comprising the beverage dispensing device as described above.
  • the present invention also relates to a method for controlling the deformation of a beverage container in a beverage dispensing device according to the above and thereby the pressure of the beverage to be dispensed, the method comprising the steps of:
  • the further step of: reversing the motor if the measured pressure would exceed the first predetermined pressure could be added.
  • a prior art system 100 comprises a receptacle 110 for a deformable beverage container 1, upper and lower deformation units 120 and 130, an arrangement for bringing the upper and lower deformation units towards one another and means for connecting the internal volume of the beverage container to a tap 2 controlled by a valve 3.
  • a spring 4 is situated to transfer forces between a driving arrangement comprising a threaded shaft 150, a motor (not shown) arranged to rotate the threaded shaft 150, and a nut (not shown) connecting the lower deformation unit 130 to the threaded shaft.
  • a tell shaft 5 is arranged such that it is indicative of a pre-tension of the spring 4, and the motor is controlled by two switches 6, 7, such that the motor will start if the tell shaft 5 is engaging the switch 6 and stop if the tell shaft 5 engages the switch 7. In this way, a relatively constant force will act on the beverage container 1, and hence, the pressure in the beverage container 1 will be relatively constant.
  • a beverage dispensing device 100 according to the present invention is shown.
  • the beverage dispensing device 100 comprises a receptacle 110, which is located between an upper deformation unit 120 and a lower deformation unit 130.
  • the shapes of the deformation units are such that the upper deformation unit 120 will fit into a bowl-like opening in the lower deformation unit 130.
  • connection arrangement 125 is situated in the upper deformation unit 120 in order to allow for connection of a beverage container (not shown) to a dispensing line connecting the beverage container to an outlet (not shown). It should be noted that the connection arrangement just as well may be provided in the lower deformation unit 130.
  • a motor 140 connected to an elongate threaded shaft 150 via a gearbox 160, comprising e.g. a worm gear.
  • the motor 140 may be any kind of motor allowing for a relatively precise control, e.g. a step motor, an AC motor or a DC motor.
  • the threaded shaft 150 may comprise ordinary threads or trapezoidal threads and may be manufactured from metal or plastic.
  • the nut is an engagable/disengagable nut allowing for movement of the deformation units 120, 130 relative to one another without powering the motor and rotating the threaded shaft 150.
  • the shaft may be a spindle.
  • the lower deformation unit 130 is suspended on guides 170 via wheels 180, allowing for relative movement of the lower deformation unit 130 against the upper deformation unit 120 or vice versa.
  • a spring resembling the spring 4 of the prior art solution shown in Fig. 1 but considerably smaller, such that there will be a "slack" between the motor 140 and the force exerted for deforming the beverage container.
  • the control of the motor 140 deforming the beverage container is achieved by turning the motor 140 on if the pre-tension of the spring 4 is too low and turn it off when the desired pre-tension is reached.
  • the motor 140 is, however, controlled by the pressure in the beverage container; this offers the possibility of attaining a more even pressure, and also of reducing the space occupied by the spring 4 of the prior art solution.
  • Measuring the pressure can be achieved in many ways:
  • the pressure is attained by a torque gauge connected to the motor 140 or the threaded shaft 150.
  • the motor 140 is powered until the correct torque is achieved, after which the motor is shut off.
  • a torque applied to the threaded shaft 150 translates to a force being translated by the assembly of the threaded shaft 150, the nut and the upper and lower deformation units 120, 130. Since the area on which the deformation units 120, 130 act is constant, the force can be translated to a pressure without any complications.
  • the motor torque can be measured in a number of ways, e.g. by suspending the motor 140 in a way enabling a torque meter being directly applied to measure the torque, by attaching strain gauges to the threaded shaft, and/or by measuring the current supplied to the motor (for a permanently magnetized DC motor, the drive current is proportional to the motor torque), or measuring the rotor current if an AC motor is used to power the threaded shaft 150.
  • This embodiment is beneficial in that the number of extra components can be kept at a minimum.
  • the pressure, or rather the force exerted by the upper and lower deforming units 120, 130, of the beverage in the beverage container is measured by measuring the strain in the guides 170.
  • the pressure is measured by attaching strain gauges to the spring 4.
  • One preferred embodiment is to measure the pressure in the dispensing line.
  • the dispensing lines connecting the beverage container and the outlet should be exchanged on a regular basis in order to avoid bacterial growth and extensive cleaning. This makes the use of an ordinary pressure gauge less preferable, since the pressure gauge if in contact with the beverage also will need replacement or cleaning.
  • One possible way to measure the fluid pressure is therefore to measure the force exerted by the dispensing line if it is clamped slightly. In case of a pressure increase, the force exerted by the dispensing line in the clamp will increase.
  • One problem with such a measurement is that the dispensing line itself has a certain stiffness.
  • the dispensing line may be made from foodstuff grade silicone, which is a very flexible and agile material for a dispensing line.
  • a silicone dispensing line made from silicone is, however, not well adapted to handle the necessary pressure levels, a problem that can be overcome by providing the dispensing line within an outer hose, the inner diameter of which being slightly larger than the outer diameter of the silicone dispensing line.
  • the silicone dispensing line When the silicone dispensing line is subjected to an internal pressure, its diameter will increase so that the outer walls thereof will contact the inner walls of the hose in which it is placed, much like the inner tube of a bicycle wheel being able to hold the pressure supported by the tire. It is of course possible to use a soft hose quality on only a part of the dispensing line connecting the beverage container and the outlet.
  • a button-like device 300 is arranged on any of the deforming units 120, 130, so that the button extends slightly above a surface 310 in contact with the beverage container.
  • the button 300 may be urged against the extended position by means of e.g. an extra spring 10.
  • the button-like device 300 may be used for measuring the pressure in the beverage container.
  • the spring 10 may be pre-tensioned such that the button-like device 300 does not move until the correct pressure in the beverage container has been reached.
  • the motor 140 may be controlled in a way resembling the prior art arrangement, namely in such a way that the motor is powered to deform the beverage container when the button-like device 300 is in its position in which it extends above the surface of the deforming unit 120, 130, and in which the motor 140 is shut off when the button-like device 300 has been moved outwards by the pressure exerted by the beverage container and the liquid stored therein.
  • a bladder (not shown) filled with a preferably incompressible medium is provided under the button-like device 300 (the bladder may also entirely replace the button-like device 300).
  • the preferably incompressible medium may then be connected to a pressure gauge measuring the pressure of the incompressible medium, a pressure that roughly corresponds to the pressure in the beverage container.
  • an electronic pressure meter or force meter is provided between the beverage container and any of the deforming units.
  • the force or pressure meter may be any kind of pressure meter that fits between the beverage container and the deformation unit, but advantageous results have been achieved with a type of pressure meter sold under the trademark "Flexi-force".
  • Such pressure meters comprise a thin elongate film substrate made from e.g. polyester (Mylar®) and have a pressure sensitive area at one end and electrical connections at one end.
  • a “Flexi-force" pressure meter comprises a first elongate polyester film provided with a line of silver coating in order to provide for an electric connection between portions of the elongate polyester film. At one end, the silver is connected to an electric terminal and at the other end, it is widened or narrowed down to a size corresponding to the desired pressure sensing area. Thereafter, the desired pressure sensing area is covered with an ink whose resistance changes depending on pressure.
  • a second elongate polyester film having a corresponding silver coated area with regard to the pressure sensitive area and a line of silver coating providing for electric connection of the pressure sensitive area, and a second electric terminal is then laminated on top of the first elongate polyester film.
  • the result is a thin, flexible pressure meter, the resistance of which being such that 1/R is proportional to the pressure exerted on the pressure sensitive area.
  • Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the beverage dispensing device 100 having a beverage container 1 arranged between the upper and lower deforming units 120, 130.
  • a guide for the dispensing line is arranged, which ensures that the dispensing line is aligned with the beverage container after the beverage container has been placed in the device.
  • the dispensing line may comprise a connecting device having piercing means adapted to pierce the beverage container 1 when the upper and lower deforming units 120, 130 are moved towards each other, thereby fluidly connecting the beverage container 1 with the outlet.
  • a dispensing line 11 comprising a tube section 12 having an inlet end 13 and an outlet end 14, the inlet end 13 being connected with a connecting device 15 having the piercing means. Furthermore, the outlet end may be connected with a spout and/or a valve 16 to be operated by an actuator.
  • a beverage dispensing system 200 according to the invention is shown in a cross-sectional view.
  • the system 200 comprises a beverage container 1 having a beverage and propelling means for forcing the beverage out of the container into a dispensing line 11.
  • the dispensing line 11 and the beverage container 1 are connected via the connecting device 15.
  • the propelling means is mechanical pressure means as described above having upper and lower deforming units 120, 130.
  • the beverage container 1 comprises a cap 17 arranged in connection with an opening in the beverage container, the cap 17 comprising a membrane to be pierced by the piercing means of the connecting device.
  • the cabinet 18 may comprise cooling means for keeping the beverage in the beverage container 1 at a predetermined cold temperature.
  • a font 19 having the tapping head 20 and a guide channel 21 is arranged on top of a cabinet 18 having a chamber 22 which is in fluid communication with the guide channel 21.
  • the dispensing line (not shown) may be guided down through the font via the guide channel 21 to the chamber 22, wherein the connecting device 15 may be positioned in the guide in the upper deforming unit 120 to be connected with beverage container 1.
  • the tapping head 35 comprises an actuator 23 adapted to open and close an outlet 24. The beverage is being dispensed from said outlet 24.
  • the invention also relates to methods for controlling the motor of a beverage dispensing device according to the present invention.
  • the method may comprise the further step of reversing the motor if the measured pressure would exceed the first predetermined pressure.
  • beverage dispensing device for carbonated drinks such as beer
  • the general principle of the beverage dispensing device is applicable for various different liquids such wine, soft drinks, lemonade, etc.

Landscapes

  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
EP13184334.4A 2013-09-13 2013-09-13 Dispositif de distribution de boisson et procédé associé à ce dispositif Withdrawn EP2848581A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13184334.4A EP2848581A1 (fr) 2013-09-13 2013-09-13 Dispositif de distribution de boisson et procédé associé à ce dispositif
CN201320747116.2U CN203728556U (zh) 2013-09-13 2013-11-22 饮料分配设备和饮料分配系统
CN201480061246.8A CN105705455B (zh) 2013-09-13 2014-09-12 饮料分配设备和用于这种饮料分配设备的方法
EP14765932.0A EP3044158B1 (fr) 2013-09-13 2014-09-12 Dispositif de distribution de boisson et procédé associé à ce dispositif
PCT/EP2014/069489 WO2015036535A1 (fr) 2013-09-13 2014-09-12 Dispositif de distribution de boisson et procédé pour un tel dispositif de distribution de boisson
RU2016113373A RU2671652C2 (ru) 2013-09-13 2014-09-12 Устройство розлива напитков и способ применения данного устройства розлива напитков

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13184334.4A EP2848581A1 (fr) 2013-09-13 2013-09-13 Dispositif de distribution de boisson et procédé associé à ce dispositif

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2848581A1 true EP2848581A1 (fr) 2015-03-18

Family

ID=49209243

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13184334.4A Withdrawn EP2848581A1 (fr) 2013-09-13 2013-09-13 Dispositif de distribution de boisson et procédé associé à ce dispositif

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EP (1) EP2848581A1 (fr)
CN (1) CN203728556U (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2671652C2 (ru) * 2013-09-13 2018-11-06 Микро Матик А/С Устройство розлива напитков и способ применения данного устройства розлива напитков

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0377195A1 (fr) * 1989-01-06 1990-07-11 Joseph Feldmann Dispositif de distribution de boissons
US5240144A (en) * 1989-01-06 1993-08-31 Joseph Feldman Beverage dispensing apparatus
EP0820958A1 (fr) * 1996-07-23 1998-01-28 Luckhardt OHG Dispositif de distribution pour une pâte
US6272936B1 (en) 1998-02-20 2001-08-14 Tekscan, Inc Pressure sensor
WO2009062656A2 (fr) 2007-11-13 2009-05-22 Rupert Meinzinger Dispositif pour soutirer des liquides d'un récipient
DE102012101503A1 (de) * 2012-02-24 2013-08-29 Krones Ag Entnahmeeinrichtung zur Entnahme von Flüssigkeiten aus Behältnissen
DE102012101507A1 (de) * 2012-02-24 2013-08-29 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Zapfanlage mit gesteuerter Flüssigkeitsausgabe

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0377195A1 (fr) * 1989-01-06 1990-07-11 Joseph Feldmann Dispositif de distribution de boissons
US5240144A (en) * 1989-01-06 1993-08-31 Joseph Feldman Beverage dispensing apparatus
EP0820958A1 (fr) * 1996-07-23 1998-01-28 Luckhardt OHG Dispositif de distribution pour une pâte
US6272936B1 (en) 1998-02-20 2001-08-14 Tekscan, Inc Pressure sensor
WO2009062656A2 (fr) 2007-11-13 2009-05-22 Rupert Meinzinger Dispositif pour soutirer des liquides d'un récipient
DE102012101503A1 (de) * 2012-02-24 2013-08-29 Krones Ag Entnahmeeinrichtung zur Entnahme von Flüssigkeiten aus Behältnissen
DE102012101507A1 (de) * 2012-02-24 2013-08-29 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Zapfanlage mit gesteuerter Flüssigkeitsausgabe

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN203728556U (zh) 2014-07-23

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