Beverage dispensing assembly with flexible valve

Abstract

Assembly comprising:a beverage dispensing line (20) defining at a dispensing end (46) thereof an inner circular flow area having a first diameter;an upstream valve part (26) connected to said dispensing end, the upstream part having an outwardly oriented snap lock member (44);a flexible downstream valve part (28) defining a beverage outlet at its downstream end, having an inwardly oriented snap lock member cooperating with the outwardly oriented snap lock member, the downstream valve part including a cylindrical plug (36) and defining a passage from the dispensing end past the plug to the beverage outlet, the plug defining a downstream section defining a second diameter larger than the first diameter, and defining an upstream section defining a third diameter equal to or smaller than the first diameter, connected to the downstream section, a tap handle (14) operating the downstream valve part between a dispensing position, an intermediate non-dispensing position and a final non-dispensing position.

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing assembly to be used in combination with a tapping head, said tapping head including a tapping head housing and a tap handle, said beverage dispensing assembly comprising: a dispensing line having a dispensing end and a keg connection end, said dispensing line being flexible and defining at said dispensing end an inner substantially circular flow area having a first diameter, an upstream valve part connected to said dispensing line adjacent said dispensing end, said upstream part having an outwardly oriented snap lock member, and a downstream valve part defining a beverage outlet at its downstream end, being flexible and having an inwardly oriented snap lock member capable of cooperating with said outwardly oriented snap lock member, said downstream valve part including a plug and defining a passage from said dispensing end past said plug to said beverage outlet, said plug defining a downstream section defining a second diameter being larger than said first diameter, said plug defining an upstream section connected to said downstream section and being substantially circular cylindrical defining a third diameter being equal to or slightly less than said first diameter, said downstream valve part being operable via said tap handle between a beverage dispensing position, an intermediate non-beverage dispensing position and a final non-beverage dispensing position, wherein when in said final non-beverage dispensing position, said outwardly oriented snap lock member engages with said inwardly oriented snap lock member and arresting said downstream valve part in relation to said upstream valve part, said upstream section of said plug being inserted into said dispensing end and said downstream section of said plug applying a sealing force onto said dispensing end, when in said intermediate non-beverage dispensing position, said outwardly oriented snap lock member disengages from said inwardly oriented snap lock member, said upstream section of said plug being inserted into said dispensing end and said downstream section of said plug being spaced apart from said dispensing end, and when in said beverage dispensing position, said outwardly oriented snap lock member disengages from said inwardly oriented snap lock member and both said upstream section of said plug and said downstream section of said plug being spaced apart from said dispensing end for allowing beverage to flow from said dispensing line to said beverage outlet.

2. The beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein said outwardly oriented snap lock member comprises a protrusion and said inwardly oriented snap lock member comprises a groove.

3. The beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein said inwardly oriented snap lock member comprises a protrusion and said outwardly oriented snap lock member comprises a groove.

4. The beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein said downstream valve part comprises an indentation for cooperating with said tapping head.

5. The beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein when in said final non-beverage dispensing position, said inwardly oriented snap lock member and said outwardly oriented snap lock member are engaged causing said downstream section of said plug to subject a sealing force onto said dispensing end corresponding to a beverage pressure of 0.1-6 bar.

6. The beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein said third diameter is between 90% and 100% of said first diameter.

7. The beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein said upstream valve part comprises a first flange, said downstream valve part comprises a second flange cooperating with said first flange for guiding said downstream valve part when moving in relation to said upstream valve part and providing a sealing force between said downstream valve part and said upstream valve part.

8. The beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 7, wherein said outwardly oriented snap lock member is located at said first flange and said inwardly oriented snap lock member is located at said second flange.

9. The beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein said downstream valve part comprises a third snap lock member and said upstream valve part comprises a fourth snap lock member, said third snap lock member and said fourth snap lock member engaging when in said beverage dispensing position, whereas said third snap lock member and said fourth snap lock member disengage when in said intermediate non-beverage dispensing position or when in said final non-beverage dispensing position.

10. The beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein said downstream valve part and said plug are integrally cast as a unitary body.

11. The beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein said downstream valve part defines a tapering from said second diameter to said third diameter.

12. The beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein said third diameter exceeds said first diameter by 1%-100%.

13. The beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein said upstream valve part is molded, welded or glued onto said dispensing line.

14. The beverage dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein said dispensing line, said downstream valve part and said upstream valve part are made of a flexible polymeric material.

15. A method of dispensing beverage by providing a beverage dispensing assembly in combination with a tapping head, said tapping head including a tapping head housing and a tap handle, said beverage dispensing assembly comprising: a dispensing line having a dispensing end and a keg connection end, said dispensing line being flexible and defining at said dispensing end an inner substantially circular flow area having a first diameter, an upstream valve part connected to said dispensing line adjacent said dispensing end, said upstream part having an outwardly oriented snap lock member, and a downstream valve part defining a beverage outlet at its downstream end, being flexible and having an inwardly oriented snap lock member capable of cooperating with said outwardly oriented snap lock member, said downstream valve part including a plug and defining a passage from said dispensing end past said plug to said beverage outlet, said plug defining a downstream section connected to said downstream valve part and defining a second diameter being larger than said first diameter, said plug defining an upstream section connected to said downstream section and being substantially circular cylindrical defining a third diameter being equal to or slightly less than said first diameter, said downstream valve part being operable via said tap handle between a beverage dispensing position, an intermediate non-beverage dispensing position and a final non-beverage dispensing position, said method comprising the following steps: operating said downstream section via said tap handle into said final non-beverage dispensing position, thereby engaging said outwardly oriented snap lock member with said inwardly oriented snap lock member and arresting said downstream valve part to said upstream valve part, inserting said upstream section of said plug into said dispensing end and causing said downstream section of said plug to apply a sealing force onto said dispensing end, operating said downstream section via said tap handle into said intermediate non-beverage dispensing position, thereby disengaging said outwardly oriented snap lock member with said inwardly oriented snap lock member, inserting said upstream section of said plug into said dispensing end and spacing said downstream section of said plug apart from said dispensing end, and operating said downstream section via said tap handle into said beverage dispensing position, thereby disengaging said outwardly oriented snap lock member with said inwardly oriented snap lock member and spacing both said upstream section of said plug and said downstream section of said plug apart from said dispensing end for allowing beverage to flow from said dispensing line to said beverage outlet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a view of a beverage dispensing system.

(2) FIG. 2A is a view of a tapping head housing in the non-beverage dispensing position.

(3) FIG. 2B is a view of a tapping head housing in the beverage dispensing position.

(4) FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the beverage dispensing assembly.

(5) FIG. 3B is a vertical sectional view of the beverage dispensing assembly in the final non-beverage dispensing position.

(6) FIG. 3C is a vertical sectional view of the beverage dispensing assembly in the intermediate beverage dispensing position.

(7) FIG. 3D is a vertical sectional view of the beverage dispensing assembly in the beverage dispensing position (semi open).

(8) FIG. 3E is a vertical sectional view of the beverage dispensing assembly in the beverage dispensing position (fully open).

(9) FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the beverage dispensing assembly in the beverage dispensing position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(10) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a beverage dispensing system 10. The beverage dispensing system comprises a bar counter comprising a number of tapping heads 12. Each tapping head 12 comprises a tapping head housing 14 and a tapping handle 16. A beverage glass 18 may be put below the tapping head housing. In order to dispense beverage, the handle 16 is to be operated. Each of the tapping heads 12 is connected by a separate dispensing line 20 to a pressure chamber 22 in which a flexible container (not shown) filled with carbonated beverage is located.

(11) FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a tapping head housing 14 when in the closed position (non-beverage dispensing position). The tapping head housing 14 includes a valve 24 which is currently closed preventing any beverage to flow. The beverage dispensing assembly comprises the valve 24 and the dispensing line 20. The valve 24 comprises an upstream valve part 26 and a downstream valve part 28. The downstream valve part 28 is fixed to the tapping head housing 14, whereas the upstream valve part 26 is connected to a member 30 which in turn is operatively connected with the handle 16.

(12) FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of a tapping head housing 14 when in the open position (beverage dispensing position). The handle 16 has been swung according to the arrow from a horizontal position to a vertical position thereby moving the member 30 upwardly according to the arrow causing the upstream valve part 26 to move in relation to the downstream valve part 28 which as will be explained below will cause the valve 24 to open allowing beverage to flow.

(13) FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a valve 24. The valve 24 comprises the upstream valve part 26 and the downstream valve part 28. The upstream valve part 26 is fixated to the dispensing line 20. The upstream valve part 26 comprises an indentation 32 for engagement with the member (not shown) of the handle (not shown), whereas the downstream valve part 26 comprises an indentation 32 for engagement with the tapping head housing (not shown). The downstream valve part 28 defines a beverage outlet 34.

(14) FIG. 3B is a vertical sectional view of the valve 24 when in the final non-beverage dispensing position, i.e. fully closed. The downstream valve part 28 comprises a plug 36 which in turn comprises an upstream section 38 and a downstream section 40. The downstream valve part 28, which is made of a flexible material, comprises a flange which is fitted with a first snap lock member 42. The upstream valve part 26 comprises a corresponding flange fitted with a second snap lock member 44 compatible with the first snap lock member 42 and together forming a snap lock mechanism. In the present final non-beverage dispensing position, the first snap lock member 42 is engaged with the second snap lock member 44.

(15) The dispensing line 20 extends into the upstream valve part 26 and defines a dispensing end 46. The dispensing end 46 constitutes the end opening of the dispensing line. The upstream section 38 of the plug 36 is circular cylindrical and has a circumference corresponding to the circumference of the dispensing end 46 and in the present final non-beverage dispensing position, the upstream section 38 has been inserted into the dispensing end 46. The downstream section 40 defines a tapering from the upstream section 38 to a circumference exceeding the circumference of the dispensing end 46. In the present final non-beverage dispensing position, the downstream section 40 of the plug 36 applies a sealing pressure onto the dispensing end 46, which sealing pressure is caused by the snap lock mechanism in combination with the flexibility of the downstream section 40.

(16) FIG. 3C a vertical sectional view of the valve 24 when in the intermediate non-beverage dispensing position, i.e. on the way between fully closed and open. The user has now operated the handle (not shown) and moved the downstream valve part 26 in relation, to the upstream valve part 28. The first snap lock member 42 has disengaged the second snap lock member 44 and the downstream section 40 of the plug 36 has moved away from the dispensing end 46. No beverage will flow from the dispensing end 46 due to the presence of the upstream section 438 in the dispensing end 46.

(17) FIG. 3C is a vertical sectional view of the valve 24 when in the intermediate non-beverage dispensing position, i.e. on the way between fully closed and open. The user has now operated the handle (not shown) and moved the downstream valve part 26 in relation to the upstream valve part 28. The first snap lock member 42 has disengaged the second snap lock member 44 and the downstream section 40 of the plug 36 has moved away from the dispensing end 46. No beverage will flow from the dispensing end 46 due to the presence of the upstream section 38 in the dispensing end 46; however, due to the lack of a sealing pressure, leakage may occur in case the present position is held for a longer time than a few seconds. Normally, the present position is held for less than a second.

(18) FIG. 3D is a vertical sectional view of the valve 24 when in the beverage dispensing position i.e. an open position, however, the present view does not illustrate the fully open position allowing the maximum beverage flow but a semi-open position yielding only a minor flow. The upstream section 38 of the plug 36 has now moved away from the dispensing end 46 forming an annular gap between the upstream section 38 and the dispensing end 46. The beverage will flow as illustrated by the arrows. A close-up view is available showing the symmetrical annular gap 48. In the present position, no significant stagnation point or flow separation point is achieved and thus the amount of turbulence is kept low.

(19) FIG. 3E is a vertical sectional view of the valve 24 when in the beverage dispensing position i.e. the fully open position when the handle is in the fully horizontal orientation and the plug 36 is spaced apart from the dispensing end 46 allowing a maximum flow. Normally, the transition between fully closed and fully open will take less than one second and dispensing at less than fully open position for a prolonged time is less favored since the beverage will be more prone to foaming due to the smaller flow area. The beverage flow is according to the arrows.

(20) FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the valve 24 when in the beverage dispensing position. The beverage flow is according to the arrows. The present view illustrates how the plug 36 is held in the downstream valve part 26 and the beverage passes through channels 50 which occupy the larger part of the annular spacing surrounding the plug 36.

(21) It is evident that although the present invention has been illustrated here with reference to particular embodiments of the beverage dispensing assembly, various modifications may be evident to the skilled person.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

(22) 10. Beverage dispensing system 12. Tapping head 14. Tapping head housing 16. Handle 18. Beverage glass 20. Dispensing line 22. Pressure chamber 24. Valve 26. Upstream valve part 28. Downstream valve part 30. Member 32. Indentation 34. Beverage outlet 36. Plug 38. Upstream section 40. Downstream section 42. First snap lock member 44. Second snap lock member 46. Dispensing end 48. Annular gap 50. Pass through channel