A BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM, A BEVERAGE DISPENSING ASSEMBLY, A METHOD OF OPERATING A BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM AND A PRESSURE HOUSING

Abstract

Beverage dispensing system comprising a pressure housing comprising a first housing part 12, 12′ having a connector aperture 22, and a second housing part 14, 14′. The system further comprises a pair of connectors 24, 24′ connectable to the connector aperture in a pressure-tight sealing connection. The pair of connectors 24, 24′ comprises a first connector 24 having a through-going hole for allowing guiding a first tapping line 20 through the through-going hole and a second connector 24′ being connectable to a second tapping line. The system further comprises a pair of beverage containers 16, 16′, both accommodating a carbonated beverage and having a beverage outlet. A first beverage container 16 of the pair of beverage containers comprises the first tapping line 20 communicating with the beverage outlet. A second beverage container 16′ of the pair of beverage containers has an openable seal for establishing connection from the beverage outlet to the second connector 24′. The system further comprises a pressure inlet.

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing system comprising: a pressure housing comprising a first housing part and a second housing part being connected to or being connectable to said first housing part for establishing an inner chamber when said first housing part and said second housing part are being connected together, said first housing part having a connector aperture, a pair of connectors, both being connectable to said connector aperture of said first housing part in a pressure-tight sealing connection, said pair of connectors comprising a first connector having a through-going hole for allowing guiding a first tapping line from within said inner chamber and through said through-going hole leading externally from said pressure chamber, and a second connector being connected to or being connectable to a second tapping line leading externally from said pressure chamber, and a pair of beverage containers, both having a body part for accommodating a beverage and a beverage outlet for allowing extraction of said beverage from said beverage container, both beverage containers having a closure for closing off said beverage outlet and for sealing against a sealing element of said pressure chamber or one of said pair of connectors for establishing an interspace between the outer wall of said body part and the inner wall of said inner chamber, a first beverage container of said pair of beverage containers comprising said first tapping line communicating with said beverage outlet via said closure and a second beverage container of said pair of beverage containers having an openable seal at said closure for establishing connection from said beverage outlet to said second connector, and, a pressure inlet communicating with said interspace for allowing admission of a pressure medium thereto.

2. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said first housing part and a second housing part are separable for inserting and removing said beverage containers.

3. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said first housing part and a second housing part are permanently connected, one of said first and second housing parts comprises a lid for inserting and removing said beverage containers.

4. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said beverage dispensing system comprises a third housing part acting as a replacement of said second housing part, having a different volume than said second housing and being connectable to said first housing part for establishing said inner chamber.

5. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said inner chamber defines between 2 and 100 litres, preferably between 5 and 50 litres, more preferably between 10 and 25 litres.

6. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said beverage dispensing system further comprises a compressor and a gas cylinder selectively connectable to said pressure inlet for providing said pressure medium to said interspace.

7. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said beverage dispensing system further comprises a pass through cooler for cooling said first tapping line or said second tapping line, a cooling housing for accommodating or being integrated with said pressure housing, and an ice container for accommodating a solid cooling block including e.g. ice, dry ice, glycol, liquid nitrogen etc.

8. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said pressure housing is thermally insulated.

9. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said beverage dispensing system further comprises a first electric power unit including a mains supply and a second power unit including a battery supply, and, optionally, a third power supply including a solar power supply.

10. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said second connector includes a three-way valve connected to said second beverage container and a cleaning unit including a cleaning fluid, said three-way valve defining a first position allowing extraction of said beverage from said beverage container while preventing extraction of said cleaning fluid from said cleaning unit, and, a second position allowing extraction of said cleaning fluid from said cleaning unit while preventing extraction of said beverage from said beverage container.

11. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said beverage dispensing system comprises wheels, a bar counter and a tapping device connected to said tapping line and positioned on said bar counter, or alternatively, wherein said beverage dispensing system comprises an integrated tapping device connected to said tapping line.

12. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said beverage dispensing system comprises carrying straps for being carried around by a user, and a hand held tapping device connected to said tapping line.

13. A beverage dispensing assembly comprising a plurality of beverage dispensing systems as defined in claim 1, all tapping lines being lead in a common python to a common dispensing location and connected to a respective tapping device at said common dispensing location, said common dispensing location preferably constituting a common font.

14. A method of operating a beverage dispensing system, said method comprising the steps of: providing a pressure housing comprising a first housing part and a second housing part being connected to or being connectable to said first housing part for establishing an inner chamber when said first housing part and said second housing part are being connected together, said first housing part having a connector aperture, providing a pair of connectors comprising a first connector having a through-going hole and a second connector, providing a pair of beverage containers, both having a body part accommodating a beverage, a beverage outlet and a closure closing off said beverage outlet, a first beverage container of said pair of beverage containers comprising a first tapping line communicating with said beverage outlet via said closure and a second beverage container of said pair of beverage containers having an openable seal at said closure, and establishing a first operational mode by connecting said first connector to said connector aperture of said first housing part in a pressure-tight sealing connection, accommodating said first beverage container within said inner space, sealing said closure of said first beverage container against a sealing element of said pressure chamber or said first connector for establishing an interspace communicating with said pressure inlet between the outer wall of said body part of said first beverage container and the inner wall of said inner chamber, guiding said first tapping line from within said inner chamber and through said through-going hole leading externally from said pressure chamber, admitting a pressure medium into said interspace via said pressure inlet, and, extracting said beverage from said beverage container via said beverage outlet, or establishing a second operational mode by connecting said second connector to said connector aperture of said first housing part in a pressure-tight sealing connection, accommodating said second beverage container within said inner space, sealing said closure of said second beverage container against a sealing element of said pressure chamber or said second connector for establishing an interspace between the outer wall of said body part of said second beverage container and the inner wall of said inner chamber, connecting said second connector to said openable seal and to a second tapping line leading externally from said pressure chamber, admitting a pressure medium into said interspace via a pressure inlet, and, extracting said beverage from said beverage container via said beverage outlet.

15. A pressure housing comprising a first housing part and a second housing part being connected to or being connectable to said first housing part for establishing an inner chamber when said first housing part and said second housing part are being connected together, said first housing part having a connector aperture, said pressure housing being compatible with a pair of connectors, both being connectable to said connector aperture of said first housing part in a pressure-tight sealing connection, said pair of connectors comprising a first connector having a through-going hole for allowing guiding a first tapping line from within said inner chamber and through said through-going hole leading externally from said pressure chamber, and a second connector being connected to or being connectable to a second tapping line leading externally from said pressure chamber, said pressure housing being further compatible with a pair of beverage containers, both having a body part for accommodating a beverage and a beverage outlet for allowing extraction of said beverage from said beverage container, both beverage containers having a closure for closing off said beverage outlet and for sealing against a sealing element of said pressure chamber or one of said pair of connectors for establishing an interspace between the outer wall of said body part and the inner wall of said inner chamber, said interspace communicating with a pressure inlet for allowing admission of a pressure medium to said interspace, a first beverage container of said pair of beverage containers comprising said first tapping line communicating with said beverage outlet via said closure and a second beverage container of said pair of beverage containers having an openable seal at said closure for establishing connection from said beverage outlet to said second connector.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] FIG. 1 is an overview of systems and modules for a modular beverage dispensing system.

[0049] FIG. 2A is a multi chamber beverage dispensing system including cooling and cleaning units.

[0050] FIG. 2B is a stationary beverage dispensing system included in a refrigerator.

[0051] FIG. 2C is a mobile beverage dispensing system having a gas cylinder and an ice container.

[0052] FIG. 2D is a mobile beverage dispensing system having a compressor and solar cells.

[0053] FIG. 2E is a is a carry-on beverage dispensing system having straps

[0054] FIG. 2F is a tabletop beverage dispensing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] FIG. 1 shows an overview of some modules for a modular beverage dispensing system 10a-f. Each of the beverage dispensing systems 10a-f comprises a pressure housing having a first part 12 12′ and a second part 14 14′. The first part 12 12′ and the second part 14 14′ are connectable for establishing an inner space (inner chamber) for accommodating a beverage container 16 16′. The first part 12 12′ and the second part 14 14′ are provided in different sizes in order to be able to establish inner spaces of different sizes for being able to accommodate beverage containers 16 16′ of corresponding sizes. The first part 12 12′ and the second part 14 14′ may be separated, e.g. via a screw coupling, for removing the empty beverage container 16 16′, or alternatively another form of lid is provided. The pressure housing is made of a rigid and pressure-tight material such as metal or plastic.

[0056] The beverage container 16 16′ is collapsible and comprises a pressurized beverage, such as beer. The beverage container 16 16′ exists in different sizes of which two versions, a large 16′ and a small 16, have been shown here, representing e.g. a 10 liters and 20 liters container. The beverage container 16 16′ is closed off by a closure 18 18′. The closure exists in two versions, first closure 18 having an integrated, disposable tapping line 20 and a second closure 18′ excluding a tapping line but having an openable seal. Both closures 18 18′ are compatible with any beverage container 16 16′. Both closure 18 18′ and beverage container 16 16′ are disposable and typically made of a polymeric material.

[0057] The first part 12 12′ of the pressure housing comprises an aperture 22 for accommodating a connector 24 24′ 24″. The connector 24 24′ 24″ comes in three variants, all of which may be accommodated in the aperture 22 of any of the pressure housings. The first connector variant 24 is compatible with the first closure variant 18 and provides a conduit for the tapping line 20. The second connector variant 24′ and the third connector variant 24″ are compatible with the second closure variant 18′ and provide an interface between the openable seal of the closure 18′ and an external tapping line (not shown). The second connector variant 24′ and the third connector variant 24″ are identical except that the third connector variant 24″ includes a three-way valve and a cleaning inlet 26 for connecting an external cleaning unit (not shown) for circulating a cleaning fluid through the external tapping line. All of the connectors 24 24′ 24″ seal against the first part of the pressure housing 12 12′ 14 14′. All of the closures 18 18′ seal against either the connector 24 24′ 24″ or the first part of the pressure housing 12 12′, or both.

[0058] The resulting beverage dispensing system 10a-f composed of the above described modules forms six distinct embodiments a-f of the beverage dispensing system: a. small pressure housing for beverage containers with integrated tapping line, b. large pressure housing for beverage containers using an external tapping line, c. large pressure housing for beverage containers using an external tapping line and having external cleaning, d. small pressure housing for beverage containers using an external tapping line, e. small pressure housing for beverage containers using an external tapping line and external cleaning, f. large pressure housing for beverage containers with integrated tapping line.

[0059] FIGS. 2A-F show further modules, which can be used for composing a dedicated beverage dispensing system fulfilling the need of the user. All of the modules described below are generally combinable with any of the systems described above in order to establish extended modular beverage dispensing systems or beverage dispensing assemblies. The beverage dispensing system is considered to encompass a pressure housing, a pressure inlet, a connector and a beverage container adapted for the specific connector and housing. The word “module” is used herein for describing a distinct part included in the system, such as a pressure housing alone or a connector alone, and also parts that are used together with the beverage dispensing system to extend the system or to form a beverage dispensing assembly. The expression “beverage dispensing assembly” is used for the combination of one or more pressure housings with associated connectors and further modules for being able to dispense beverage.

[0060] The first line in the FIGS. 2A-F show the resulting beverage dispensing system 10a-f composed of the pressure housings and connectors presented in FIG. 1. The second line shows pressurization modules providing a selection of an air compressor 28 or a pre-pressurized external gas cylinder 30. The third line shows cooling modules providing a selection of a refrigerator 32, a pass through cooler 34, a pre-cooler together with insulation 36 for the pressure housing, and ice blocks such as dry ice. The fourth line shows tapping modules providing a selection of a portable tapping unit 40, an integrated tapping unit 42, a separate tapping unit 44, also known as a tapping rod, and a multiple tapping unit 46 including several taps on the same rod. The fifth line shows power modules providing a selection of no power 48, i.e. a completely passive unit, battery power 50, e.g. lithium batteries, AC mains power 52, typically 115V or 230, 50 Hz or 60 Hz household power or solar power 54.

[0061] FIG. 2A shows a large beverage dispensing assembly 56 comprising multiple large beverage dispensing systems 10c for use in a large establishment, each connected to a fixedly installed tapping line 58. The beverage dispensing assembly 56 including an air compressor 28 for providing pressurization to the pressure housings and pass through cooling unit 34 through which all of the tapping lines 58 are connected to said cooling unit 34, and a cleaning unit 60 which is connected to the cleaning inlet 26 of the connector 24″. It further comprises a multiple tapping unit 46 for dispensing from each of the beverage dispensing systems 10c. The assembly is connected to the AC mains 52.

[0062] FIG. 2B shows a small stationary beverage dispensing assembly 62 for use e.g. in a smaller establishment. The assembly 62 includes a pair of large beverage dispensing systems 10b included in a refrigerator 32. The assembly includes an air compressor 28 for providing pressurization to the pressure housings, and a common tapping line 58 leading to a common tapping rod 44. The assembly is connected to the AC mains 52. Cleaning of the tapping line 58 may be performed by using a cleaning container (not shown).

[0063] FIG. 2C is an airplane trolley beverage dispensing assembly 64, preferably for use in airplanes and other means of transport. The beverage dispensing assembly 64 comprises one small beverage dispensing system 10d. The beverage dispensing assembly 64 uses no electrical power 48 but instead uses a gas cylinder 30 for providing the dispensing pressure, and an ice container 38, preferably filled with dry ice, for providing cooling. The tapping line 58 may be cleaned by using a cleaning container (not shown).

[0064] FIG. 2D is a small mobile beverage dispensing assembly 66 for use at e.g. sporting events, parties and similar social happenings. The beverage dispensing assembly 66 comprises one small beverage dispensing system 10d and has a compressor 28 and a refrigerator 32. It further comprises a tapping unit 44 and is powered by batteries 50 in combination with solar cells 54.

[0065] FIG. 2E is a carry-on beverage dispensing assembly 68 having carry-on straps for being used at similar events as the system described above. It comprises one small beverage dispensing system 10a having an integrated tapping line. The beverage dispensing assembly 68 uses no electrical power 48 but instead uses a gas cylinder 30 for providing the dispensing pressure, and a pre-cooled beverage container in combination with an insulated pressure housing in order to keep the beverage cool, while reducing the weight of the assembly sufficiently for allowing it to be carried by a person.

[0066] FIG. 2F is a tabletop beverage dispensing assembly 70, for use in private homes and in small establishments wishing a flexible dispensing solution. The beverage dispensing assembly 70 comprises one small beverage dispensing system 10a having an integrated tapping line. The beverage dispensing assembly 70 further has a compressor 28 and a refrigerator 32, powered by AC mains power 52. It further comprises an integrated tapping unit 42.

[0067] The specific embodiments shown in connection with FIGS. 2A-F are construed to be examples of combinations of systems and modules, and it is understood that a skillful individual would be able to derive numerous further combinations of the above system and modules in order to realize further systems and assemblies.

LIST OF PARTS WITH REFERENCE TO THE FIGURES

[0068] 10. Beverage dispensing system [0069] 12. First part of pressure housing [0070] 14. Second part of pressure housing [0071] 16. Beverage container [0072] 18. Closure [0073] 20. Tapping line [0074] 22. Aperture [0075] 24. Connector [0076] 26. Cleaning unit inlet [0077] 28. Compressor [0078] 30. Gas cylinder [0079] 32. Refrigerator [0080] 34. Pass through cooling [0081] 36. Pre-cooling and insulation [0082] 38. Ice cooling [0083] 40. Portable tapping unit [0084] 42. Integrated tapping unit [0085] 44. Separate tapping unit [0086] 46. Multiple tapping unit [0087] 48. No power [0088] 50. Battery [0089] 52. AC mains [0090] 54. Solar power [0091] 56. Large beverage dispensing assembly [0092] 58. Fixed tapping line [0093] 60. Cleaning unit [0094] 62. Small stationary beverage dispensing assembly [0095] 64. Airplane trolley beverage dispensing assembly [0096] 66. Small mobile beverage dispensing assembly [0097] 68. Carry-on beverage dispensing assembly [0098] 70. Table-top beverage dispensing assembly