REMOTE CONTROLLED BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beverage dispensing system (10) comprising a beverage dispensing region (2) for a drinking establishment, said beverage dispensing region (12) including a plurality of beverage containers (20a, 20b, 20c, 22a, 22b, 22c) and one or more tapping heads (34) for dispensing beverage, the one or more tapping heads (34) having a beverage dispensing control means and a spout for dispensing beverage into a beverage recipient, wherein each of said plurality of beverage containers includes a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage, in which the beverage dispensing system further comprises a remote control means (16) being connected to a valve (18), said valve (18) being connected to a plurality of said beverage outlets for switching the dispensing of beverage from a first beverage container to a second beverage container and wherein said remote control means (16) and said valve (18) are located in the near vicinity of said one or more tapping heads (34).

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing system comprising a beverage dispensing region for a drinking establishment, said beverage dispensing region including a plurality of beverage containers and one or more tapping heads for dispensing beverage, the one or more tapping heads having a beverage dispensing control means and a spout for dispensing beverage into a beverage recipient, wherein each of said plurality of beverage containers includes a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage, in which the beverage dispensing system further comprises a remote control means being connected to a valve, said valve being connected to a plurality of said beverage outlets and configured for: switching the dispensing of beverage from a first of said beverage containers to at least a second of said beverage containers, and/or connecting two beverage outlets such that fluid coming through a first beverage outlet originating from a first beverage container, at the location of the valve can be led into a second beverage outlet originating from a second beverage container, and wherein said remote control means and said valve are located in the near vicinity of said one or more tapping heads.

2. A beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said remote control means comprises a remote control button or a switch.

3. A beverage dispensing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said remote control means is part of a touch screen and said touch screen provides a visual display of the content of beverage within a particular beverage container.

4. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the first beverage container is an empty beverage container and the second beverage container is a full beverage container.

5. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the first beverage container contains a first type of beverage and the least second beverage container contains at least a second and different type of beverage.

6. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the first beverage container contains alcohol free beer and the second beverage container contains beer with alcohol.

7. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the first beverage container contains a beverage and the second beverage container contains a cleaning fluid and/or flushing fluid for cleaning said system.

8. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein said fluid is cleaning fluid and/or flushing fluid.

9. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein said one or more tapping heads are mounted on a beverage counter, said beverage counter defining at least an operator side and a beverage side, said beverage side comprising at least one face, said one or more tapping heads protruding from the at least one face of said beverage side of said beverage counter, said one or more tapping heads being connectable to a tapping line comprising one or more beverage lines, said tapping line extending through said beverage side to any of said plurality of beverage containers, in which said beverage may flow from any of said plurality of beverage containers via said tapping line and said one or more tapping heads to said spout and from said spout to the beverage recipient, in which the at least one face is a vertical face and said one or more tapping heads are part of an assembly of tapping heads arranged along the horizontal direction of said vertical face.

10. A beverage dispensing system according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein said one or more tapping heads are part of a beverage font in a beverage font assembly, said beverage font assembly comprising a bar counter, said beverage font being mounted in said bar counter, said bar counter defining an operator side and a customer side opposite said operator side, said one or more tapping heads having a spout and a beverage dispensing control means and being connectable to a tapping line comprising one or more beverage lines, said tapping line extending through said beverage font to any of said plurality of beverage containers, in which said beverage may flow from any of said plurality of beverage containers via said tapping line and said one or more tapping heads to said spout and from said spout to the beverage recipient.

11. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein said beverage containers are collapsible beverage containers, preferably single use collapsible beverage containers.

12. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the beverage dispensing system comprises between 3 and 50 beverage containers.

13. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein said plurality of beverage containers including a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage is part of a first and second set of beverage containers, each set comprising one or more beverage containers.

14. A beverage dispensing system according to claim 13, further comprising at least a third set and fourth set of beverage containers, each set comprising one or more beverage containers.

15. A beverage dispensing system according to any of claims 13-14, wherein each set of beverage containers comprises two or more beverage containers arranged in a staggered manner.

16. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein said valve is electrically connected to said remote control means.

17. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein said valve is mechanically connected to said remote control means.

18. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein said remote control means and said valve are located in any of: said beverage side of the beverage counter, said bar counter, or said beverage font assembly.

19. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the beverage container is located at a remote location, such as at a different room within the drinking establishment, in particular a basement.

20. A method of constructing a beverage dispensing system comprising a beverage dispensing region for a drinking establishment, by providing a plurality of beverage containers and one or more tapping heads for dispensing beverage in said beverage dispensing region, the one or more tapping heads having a beverage dispensing control means and a spout for dispensing beverage into a beverage recipient, each of said plurality of beverage containers including a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage, said method further comprising the steps of: installing a remote control means being connected to a valve, connecting said valve to a plurality of said beverage outlets for switching the dispensing of beverage from a first of said beverage containers to at least a second of said beverage containers, and/or connecting two beverage outlets such that fluid coming through a first beverage outlet originating from a first beverage container, at the location of the valve can be led into a second beverage outlet originating from a second beverage container, and installing said remote control means and said valve in the near vicinity of said one or more tapping heads.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0080] The accompanying FIGURE is a perspective view of a beverage dispensing system according to the present disclosure including a beverage dispensing region comprising multiple tapping heads mounted on a beverage counter and a beverage font assembly comprising a font with multiple tapping heads mounted on a bar counter, and incorporating remote control means and connected valve(s), as well as a first set of collapsible beverage containers, in which two of the collapsible beverage containers are empty and one is nearly empty.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0081] The sole FIGURE shows a perspective view of a beverage dispensing system 10 including beverage dispensing region 12 and beverage font assembly 14 at a point of sales of a drinking establishment. The beverage system incorporates remote control means 16 and connected valve(s) 18′ 18″ 18′″, as well as a first 20 and second set 22 of collapsible beverage containers 20a 20b 20c and 22a 22b 22c, respectively. In the first set 20, two of the collapsible beverage containers 20a 20b are empty and one 20c is nearly empty. In the second set 22, all three collapsible beverage containers 22a 22b 22c are full with beverage.

[0082] The point of sales represents the interface between operator side 26 at one side of bar counter 28 and a customer side 30 on the opposite side, with the font 32 comprising multiple tapping heads 34, here three. The point of sales includes also the beverage counter 36 which defines operator side 26 and beverage side 38. The beverage side 38 comprises a flat horizontal face 40 and flat vertical face 42, which may be a wall or a face embedded in a wall. A tapping head 44 as described above protrudes from vertical face and is in operation here as an operator (not shown) standing on the operator side 26 moves the tap handle into the beverage dispensing position so a beverage stream fills the beverage glass 46. A plurality of tapping heads 44 may be arranged along the horizontal direction of the vertical face to form an assembly. The tapping heads may also be arranged in vertical direction to form a suitable formation, such as a staggered formation as illustrated here. The beverage counter 36 may be significantly longer than schematically shown here and may comprise even 50 or 60 tapping heads protruding from the vertical face 42. The operator upon serving stands in the operator side 26 at any location along the edge 48 of the bar counter 28 or along the edge 50 of the beverage counter 36, while the customer stands in the customer side 30 at any location along the opposite edge (not shown) of the bar counter 28.

[0083] A remote control means 16, here simply exemplified as a remote control device comprising buttons is integrated in the beverage side 38 of beverage counter 36, here illustrated in the vertical face 42 and is readily accessible to the operator. An alternative location of the remote control means 16 is in the bar counter 28 as also shown in the FIGURE. A valve or set of valves 18′ 18″ 18′″, suitably 3-way valves, each associated to a tapping head 34′ 34″ 34′″ and each connected to the remote control means 16 as illustrated by electric cables 52, is integrated in the bar counter 28 and will be able to be separately actuated by the remote control means 16 to open a tapping line 54 56 corresponding to a specific set 20 22 of one or more collapsible beverage containers. Thus, the remote control means 16 and valve or set of valves 18′ 18″ 18′″ are located on or in the near vicinity of said one or more tapping heads 34 44, and readily accessible to an operator located at a reaching distance of said one or more of said tapping heads 34 44, e.g. by the remote control means 16 and valve or set of valves 18′ 18″ 18′″ being integrated in the beverage side 38 of the beverage counter 36, or in the bar counter 28, or in the beverage font assembly such as in the beverage font 32. Specifically in the embodiment of the FIGURE, the remote control means 16 are integrated in the beverage side 38 of the beverage counter 36, and the valve or set of valves 18′ 18″ 18′″ is integrated in the bar counter 28.

[0084] A first set 20 of collapsible beverage containers as a part of a beverage dispensing system 10 is shown in which two of the collapsible beverage containers 20a 20b are empty and the third and last one 20c is nearly empty. The collapsible beverage containers are encapsulated in respective pressure chambers 58a 58b 58c. Each of the beverage containers has a corresponding beverage outlet 60a 60b 60c at the bottom. Each of the pressure chambers 58a 58b 58c is also connected to a pressure line 62 which supplies compressed air to each of the pressure chambers. The pressure chambers are staggered with respect to each other such that the first collapsible beverage container 20a and the first outlet 60a at the bottom of this collapsible container 20a is located at a higher level than the second collapsible beverage container 20b encapsulated in the second pressure chamber 58b and its second outlet 60b, which in turn is located at a higher level than the third collapsible beverage container 20c and its third outlet 60c. Correspondingly, the first collapsible beverage container 20a is located at a higher level than the second collapsible beverage container 20b, which in turn is located at a higher level than the third collapsible beverage container 20c.

[0085] During dispensing, the first 20a and second beverage containers 20b already have crumpled or collapsed to their most crumpled state, i.e. the force applied by the pressure in the pressure space cannot crumple the beverage container any further. The beverage of the beverage containers has been dispensed through the first tapping line, which for illustration purposes corresponds to a tapping line 54 that continues to the associated first valve 18′ and then as first common tapping line 64 to the first tapping head 34′ in font 32, as it is explained below. The gas of the head space 66a 66b is located partially in the crumpled beverage container, a first portion of the tapping line 54 connected to beverage container 20a and partly also in the second portion of tapping line 54 connected to beverage container 20b, as illustrated in the FIGURE by the empty portion of tapping line 54 immediately after the junction below collapsible beverage container 20b. The gas in the head space 66a 66b does not reach a junction 68 below collapsible beverage container 20c since the volume of the above empty portion of the tapping line part is greater than the volume of the head space 66b. Thus, a small amount of beverage from the beverage space remains in the second portion of the tapping line 54 adjacent the junction 68; no gas enters the tapping head and no foam is generated. Dispensing can continue without interruption from beverage container 20c. No gas can enter the third tapping line part until the third container 20c is empty and the gas from the head space 66c enters the third tapping line part that combines into single tapping line 54.

[0086] A first tapping head 34′ may be associated via a first common tapping line 64 with a first 20 and second set 22 of collapsible beverage containers, each set having e.g. one to three collapsible beverage containers, all containing a first type of beverage, such as a first type of beer 70 which is dispensed from the first tapping head 34′. From the first set 20 of collapsible beverage containers, the first tapping line 54 of the first set 20 extends to a first valve 18′ connected to the remote control means 16 and adjacent to the first tapping head 34′, for instance integrated in the bar counter 28. The valve(s) 18 may also be integrated in the beverage counter 36. From the second set 22 of collapsible beverage containers, a second tapping line 56 of the second set extends to the same first valve 18′. From the first valve 18′, the above mentioned first common tapping line 64 extends into the first tapping head 18′ and is dispensed to the customer located in customer side 30. When the last of the collapsible beverage containers 20c of the first set 20 is empty, the operator standing in operator side 26 via the remote control means 16, or even directly by manual operation, actuates the first valve 18′ to open the second tapping line 56 of the second set 22.

[0087] A second tapping head 34″ may be associated via a second common tapping line 72 with a third and fourth set of collapsible beverage containers, e.g. one to three collapsible beverage containers (not shown), all containing a second type of beer which is dispensed from the second tapping head 34″. A second valve 18″ switches between a third tapping line 74 and a fourth tapping line 76 and from this second valve 18″, the above second common tapping line 72 extends into the second tapping head 34″ and the second type of beer is dispensed to the customer.

[0088] A third tapping head may be associated via a third common tapping line with a fifth and sixth set of collapsible beverage containers, e.g. one to three collapsible beverage containers, all containing a third type of beer which is dispensed from the third tapping head, and so forth.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0089] 10. Beverage dispensing system

[0090] 12. Beverage dispensing region

[0091] 14. Beverage font assembly

[0092] 16. Remote control means

[0093] 18. Valve(s)

[0094] 20. First set of collapsible beverage containers

[0095] 22. Second set of collapsible beverage containers

[0096] 26. Operator side

[0097] 28. Bar counter

[0098] 30. Customer side

[0099] 32. Beverage font

[0100] 34. Tapping head(s)

[0101] 36. Beverage counter

[0102] 38. Beverage side

[0103] 40. Flat horizontal face

[0104] 42. Flat vertical face

[0105] 44. Tapping head(s)

[0106] 46. Beverage glass

[0107] 48. Edge of bar counter

[0108] 50. Edge of beverage counter

[0109] 52. Electric cables

[0110] 54. Tapping line for first set of collapsible beverage containers

[0111] 56. Tapping line for second set of collapsible beverage containers

[0112] 58. Pressure chamber(s)

[0113] 60. Beverage outlet(s)

[0114] 62. Pressure line

[0115] 64. First common tapping line

[0116] 66. Head space

[0117] 68. Junction

[0118] 70. First type of beverage

[0119] 72. Second common tapping line

[0120] 74. Tapping line for third set of collapsible beverage containers

[0121] 76. Tapping line for fourth set of collapsible beverage containers

POINTS OF THE INVENTION

[0122] 1. A beverage dispensing system comprising a beverage dispensing region for a drinking establishment, said beverage dispensing region including a plurality of beverage containers and one or more tapping heads for dispensing beverage, the one or more tapping heads having a beverage dispensing control means and a spout for dispensing beverage into a beverage recipient, wherein each of said plurality of beverage containers includes a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage, in which the beverage dispensing system further comprises a remote control means being connected to a valve, said valve being connected to a plurality of said beverage outlets for switching the dispensing of beverage from an empty beverage container to a full beverage container, and wherein said remote control means and said valve are located in the near vicinity of said one or more tapping heads.

[0123] 2. A beverage dispensing system according to point 1, wherein said remote control means comprises a remote control button or a switch.

[0124] 3. A beverage dispensing system according to point 1 or 2, wherein said remote control means is part of a touch screen and said touch screen provides a visual display of the content of beverage within a particular beverage container.

[0125] 4. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding point, wherein said one or more tapping heads are mounted on a beverage counter, said beverage counter defining at least an operator side and a beverage side, said beverage side comprising at least one face, said one or more tapping heads protruding from the at least one face of said beverage side of said beverage counter, said one or more tapping heads being connectable to a tapping line comprising one or more beverage lines, said tapping line extending through said beverage side to any of said plurality of beverage containers, in which said beverage may flow from any of said plurality of beverage containers via said tapping line and said one or more tapping heads to said spout and from said spout to the beverage recipient, in which the at least one face is a vertical face and said one or more tapping heads are part of an assembly of tapping heads arranged along the horizontal direction of said vertical face.

[0126] 5. A beverage dispensing system according to any of points 1 to 3, wherein said one or more tapping heads are part of a beverage font in a beverage font assembly, said beverage font assembly comprising a bar counter, said beverage font being mounted in said bar counter, said bar counter defining an operator side and a customer side opposite said operator side, said one or more tapping heads having a spout and a beverage dispensing control means and being connectable to a tapping line comprising one or more beverage lines, said tapping line extending through said beverage font to any of said plurality of beverage containers, in which said beverage may flow from any of said plurality of beverage containers via said tapping line and said one or more tapping heads to said spout and from said spout to the beverage recipient.

[0127] 6. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding point, wherein said beverage containers are collapsible beverage containers, preferably single use collapsible beverage containers.

[0128] 7. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding point, wherein the beverage dispensing system comprises between 3 and 50 beverage containers.

[0129] 8. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding point, wherein said plurality of beverage containers including a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage is part of a first and second set of beverage containers, each set comprising one or more beverage containers.

[0130] 9. A beverage dispensing system according to point 8, further comprising at least a third set and fourth set of beverage containers, each set comprising one or more beverage containers.

[0131] 10. A beverage dispensing system according to any of points 8-9, wherein each set of beverage containers comprises two or more beverage containers arranged in a staggered manner.

[0132] 11. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding point, wherein said valve is electrically connected to said remote control means.

[0133] 12. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding point, wherein said valve is mechanically connected to said remote control means.

[0134] 13. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding point, wherein said remote control means and said valve are located in any of: said beverage side of the beverage counter, said bar counter, or said beverage font assembly.

[0135] 14. A beverage dispensing system according to any preceding point, wherein the beverage container is located at a remote location, such as at a different room within the drinking establishment, in particular a basement.

[0136] 15. A method of constructing a beverage dispensing system comprising a beverage dispensing region for a drinking establishment, by providing a plurality of beverage containers and one or more tapping heads for dispensing beverage in said beverage dispensing region, the one or more tapping heads having a beverage dispensing control means and a spout for dispensing beverage into a beverage recipient, each of said plurality of beverage containers including a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage, said method further comprising the steps of: [0137] installing a remote control means being connected to a valve, [0138] connecting said valve to a plurality of said beverage outlets for switching the dispensing of beverage from an empty beverage container to a full beverage container, and [0139] installing said remote control means and said valve in the near vicinity of said one or more tapping heads.

[0140] 16. A beverage dispensing system in which there is no remote control means being connected to a valve. Accordingly, there is provided a beverage dispensing system comprising a beverage dispensing region for a drinking establishment, said beverage dispensing region including a plurality of beverage containers and one or more tapping heads for dispensing beverage, the one or more tapping heads having a beverage dispensing control means and a spout for dispensing beverage into a beverage recipient, wherein each of said plurality of beverage containers includes a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage, in which the beverage dispensing system further comprises a valve, said valve being connected to a plurality of said beverage outlets for switching the dispensing of beverage from an empty beverage container to a full beverage container, and wherein said valve are located in the near vicinity of said one or more tapping heads.

[0141] 17. A beverage dispensing system according to point 16, wherein said one or more tapping heads are mounted on a beverage counter, said beverage counter defining at least an operator side and a beverage side, said beverage side comprising at least one face, said one or more tapping heads protruding from the at least one face of said beverage side of said beverage counter, said one or more tapping heads being connectable to a tapping line comprising one or more beverage lines, said tapping line extending through said beverage side to any of said plurality of beverage containers, in which said beverage may flow from any of said plurality of beverage containers via said tapping line and said one or more tapping heads to said spout and from said spout to the beverage recipient, in which the at least one face is a vertical face and said one or more tapping heads are part of an assembly of tapping heads arranged along the horizontal direction of said vertical face.

[0142] 18. A beverage dispensing system according to point 16, wherein said one or more tapping heads are part of a beverage font in a beverage font assembly, said beverage font assembly comprising a bar counter, said beverage font being mounted in said bar counter, said bar counter defining an operator side and a customer side opposite said operator side, said one or more tapping heads having a spout and a beverage dispensing control means and being connectable to a tapping line comprising one or more beverage lines, said tapping line extending through said beverage font to any of said plurality of beverage containers, in which said beverage may flow from any of said plurality of beverage containers via said tapping line and said one or more tapping heads to said spout and from said spout to the beverage recipient.

[0143] 19. A beverage dispensing system according to any of points 16-18, wherein said beverage containers are collapsible beverage containers, preferably single use collapsible beverage containers.

[0144] 20. A beverage dispensing system according to any of points 16-19, wherein the beverage dispensing system comprises between 3 and 50 beverage containers.

[0145] 21. A beverage dispensing system according to any of points 16-20, wherein said plurality of beverage containers including a beverage outlet in communication with said beverage is part of a first and second set of beverage containers, each set comprising one or more beverage containers.

[0146] 22. A beverage dispensing system according to point 21, further comprising at least a third set and fourth set of beverage containers, each set comprising one or more beverage containers.

[0147] 23. A beverage dispensing system according to any of points 21-22, wherein each set of beverage containers comprises two or more beverage containers arranged in a staggered manner.

[0148] 24. A beverage dispensing system according to any of points 16-23, wherein said remote control means and said valve are located in any of: said beverage side of the beverage counter, said bar counter, or said beverage font assembly.

[0149] 25. A beverage dispensing system according to any of points 16-24, wherein the beverage container is located at a remote location, such as at a different room within the drinking establishment, in particular a basement.