Abstract
The invention relates to a bar system (1) for simultaneously pouring beer (3) from a reservoir (2) into a plurality of containers such as glasses (4), comprising a supply line (5) having an adjoining distributor region (6) having a plurality of outlets (7), wherein the beer (3) can be conducted via the supply line (5) into the distributor region (6) and via the latter into the containers such as glasses (4). In order to fill the containers such as glasses (4) uniformly with beer (3) and with a head of foam of equal height, it is possible according to the invention to till the distributor region (6) completely with beer (3) when the supply line (5) is partially full. The invention further relates to a method for simultaneously pouring beer (3) into a plurality of containers such as glasses (4), the beer (3) being conducted from a reservoir (2) for the beer (3) via a supply line (5) to a distributor region (6) having a plurality of outlets (7) and the beer (3) being discharged via the outlets (7) and taps into the containers such as glasses (4). According to the invention the beer (3) is guided from a reservoir (2) via a supply line (5), partially filling said supply line, into the distributor region (6), completely tilling said distributor region, and the beer (3) is poured when the distributor region (6) is full.
Claims
1. A bar system (1) for simultaneously pouring beer (3) from a reservoir (2) into a plurality of containers such as glasses (4), comprising a supply line (5) having an adjoining distributor region (6) with a plurality of outlets (7), wherein the beer (3) can be conducted via the supply line (5) into the distributor region (6) and via said distributor region into the containers such as glasses (4), characterized in that the supply line (5) is connected to the distributor region (6) such that the distributor region (6) is completely filled with beer (3) when the supply line (5) is partially filled.
2. The bar system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at an upper part of the distributor region (6), in particular at a highest point of the distributor region (6), the supply line (5) opens into said distributor region.
3. The bar system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply line (5) is arranged in connection with the distributor region (6) above said distributor region.
4. The bar system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply line (5) is embodied with a longitudinal extension.
5. The bar system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply line (5) is embodied with a longitudinal extension which corresponds to at least a longitudinal extension of the distributor region (6).
6. The bar system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply line (5) is embodied in connection with the distributor region (6) with a part (51) connecting vertically to the distributor region (6) and a longitudinally extended part (53) connecting to said part which is preferably arranged horizontally.
7. The bar system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply line (5) and the distributor region (6) are embodied in a tubular manner.
8. The bar system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a pressure compensation vessel (9) is provided with a gas supply for applying a gas to the pressure compensation vessel (9), and the pressure compensation vessel (9) is connected to the supply line (5) with gas exchange taking place.
9. The bar system (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the pressure compensation vessel (9) is arranged above the supply line (5).
10. The bar system (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the pressure compensation vessel (9) is embodied as a tube.
11. The bar system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the distributor region (6) is equipped with a number of taps (10) equaling a number of the outlets (7).
12. The bar system (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that openings of the taps (10) are positioned above a maximum level of the beer (3) in the distributor region (6).
13. The bar system (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that switching valves (101) are provided in the taps (10) in order to rinse the taps (10) with water as needed.
14. The bar system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a rotatable and raisable lifting device (11) for the glasses (4) is provided.
15. The bar system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply line (5) and the distributor region (6) are partially or completely encased by profiles (13) of a metal, in particular hollow profiles (13).
16. A method for simultaneously pouring beer (3) into a plurality of containers such as glasses (4), wherein the beer (3) is conducted from a reservoir (2) for the beer (3) via a supply line (5) to a distributor region (6) having multiple outlets (7), and wherein the beer (3) is dispensed via the outlets (7) and taps (10) into the containers such as glasses (4), characterized in that the beer (3) is introduced into the distributor region (6), completely filling said distributor region, from a supply line (5), partially filling said supply line, and the beer (3) is poured when the distributor region (6) is full.
17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that at the highest point of the distributor region (6) the beer (3) is introduced into said distributor region.
18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the beer (3) is conducted into the distributor region (6) from above via a tubular connector while partially filling the supply line (5).
19. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the beer (3), while partially filling the supply line (5), is conducted along a preferably horizontally embodied part (53) of said supply line and subsequently conducted downwards to the distributor region (6) in another part (51).
20. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the beer (3) is conducted in a region of the supply line (5) arranged upstream of the distributor region (6) at a fill level of maximally 80%, preferably maximally 60%.
21. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that pressure fluctuations occurring during pouring are compensated by applying gas from a pressure compensation vessel (9) to the supply line (5).
22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that the gas is supplied from a pressure compensation vessel (9) arranged above the supply line (5).
23. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the containers such as glasses (4) are moved vertically and pivoted in a controlled manner during pouring.
24. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the supply line (5) and the distributor region (6) are cooled with a liquid cooling medium.
25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that the cooling medium is conducted through metal profiles (13) adjoining the supply line (5) and the distributor region (6).
Description
[0035] Additional advantages, features and effects of the invention follow from the exemplary embodiment described below. The drawings which are thereby referenced show the following:
[0036] FIG. 1 A schematic illustration of the concept according to the invention;
[0037] FIG. 2 A part of a bar system according to the invention;
[0038] FIG. 3 A tubular arrangement with a pressure compensation vessel, supply line and distributor region;
[0039] FIG. 4 A tap;
[0040] FIG. 5 A lifting device for glasses;
[0041] FIG. 6 A side view of the lifting device according to FIG. 5 in a first position;
[0042] FIG. 7 A further side view of the lifting device according to FIG. 5 in a second position;
[0043] FIG. 8 A section of an arrangement according to FIG. 3 with additional cooling profiles.
[0044] In FIG. 1, a method according to the invention using a bar system 1 according to the invention is drawn in a highly schematic manner. The bar system 1 comprises a reservoir 2 in which a supply of beer 3 is stored. The reservoir 2 can be a keg or a tank. Particularly for large events, large-volume tanks are used more frequently than kegs. It is also possible that the reservoir 2 is formed from a plurality of kegs, from which beer 3 can be withdrawn selectively. This can be achieved, for example, by the use of a plurality of switchable valves. The bar system 1 is connected to the reservoir 2 via a line 8. In the bar system 1, the line 8 opens into a wider supply line 5. This supply line 5 runs further to a distributor region 6 having a plurality of outlets 7. As illustrated, the supply line 5 is preferably arranged above the distributor region 6, so that backfed beer 3 constantly fills the distributor region 6 completely while partially filling the supply line 5. However, it is also possible that the supply line 5 is arranged at the same height as or below the distributor region 6, as long as means are provided which allow a complete filling of the distributor region 6 with a partial filling of the supply line 5, for example pumps or other means of conveyance. Furthermore, a pressure compensation vessel 9 having a plurality of connections is provided. The pressure compensation vessel 9 is connected to a gas reservoir, and a gas, particularly CO.sub.2, can be applied thereto at a predefined and controllable pressure. The pressure compensation vessel 9 can be arranged at any desired positions, but is advantageously located above the supply line 5. During operation, the beer 3 is conducted from the reservoir 2 to the supply line 5 via the line 8. In the supply line 5, which is embodied with a diameter of approximately 5 cm to 25 cm, specifically 10 cm to 20 cm, a flow rate of the beer 3 is low as a result of the large, and in particular considerably larger compared to a cross section of the line 8, cross section. The beer 3 is backfed into this region such that the region is not completely filled. Typically, fill levels in the supply line 5 of approximately 30% to 70% are present during operation. As noted, the beer 3 flows relatively slowly and smoothly along the supply line 5, which has a length of at least 40 cm, so that foam can be separated from the liquid of the beer 3 along this settling distance. In this manner, a proper separation of foam and liquid is achieved in this region, which particularly in the case of highly agitated beer is advantageous. Depending on the design of the bar system 1, however, a shorter supply line 5 can also be used, wherein minimal lengths of 20 cm or more have proven expedient. In a downward direction, the supply line 5 ends in an upper level of the distributor region 6, so that the distributor region remains completely or at least for the most part completely full during a continuous backfeed of the beer 3, even in the case of a rapid pouring via the outlets 7. By means of this backfeeding of the beer 3 via the supply line 5, which has a settling effect for the beer 3, and the subsequent conducting of the beer 3 into a full distributor region 6, a high pouring rate can be attained, wherein consistent conditions are ensured along the plurality of outlets 7. Thus, even during a use or filling of a plurality of glasses 4, a consistently high level of liquid with a head of foam of likewise consistent height can be attained at all times. In order to also keep these effects constant during fluctuations in the beer backfeed, gas from the pressure compensation vessel 9 is also applied to the supply line 5, wherein pressures of 1.2 bar to 2.0 bar are typically used. For this purpose, gas 92 can be introduced into the pressure compensation vessel 9 via an opening which can be closed off by a valve 93. Because the beer 3 is conducted while partially filling the supply line 5 and while simultaneous filling the distributor region 6, however, a relatively low pressure of approximately 1.3 bar to 1.6 bar can normally be used for operation. Since only a slight application of pressure is required, the conditions for the simultaneous formation of heads of foam in a plurality of glasses 4 is further optimized, as the foam head formation proceeds in a considerably more defined manner at lower pressure than at high pressure.
[0045] In FIG. 2, a section of a bar system according to the invention is illustrated as an exemplary embodiment. The part of the bar system 1 shown comprises a supply line 5 and a distributor region 6 arranged below said supply line and a pressure compensation vessel 9 arranged above said supply line. The indicated elements, which are illustrated separately in FIG. 3, are all embodied in a tubular manner or are formed from tube sections. The pressure compensation vessel 9 is embodied with connections 91 to be able to conduct a gas into the pressure compensation vessel 9 or to apply pressure to said vessel. At the end opposite the outlets 9, the pressure compensation vessel is sealed in a gas-tight manner. The supply line 5 positioned therebelow is embodied at one end with parts 51, 52 running upwards and downwards which connect to a horizontally positioned longitudinally extended part 53. Thus, a connection to the pressure compensation vessel 9 is produced in the upward direction. In the downward direction, the part 51 of the supply line 5 opens into the distributor region 6, which is sealed at an opposite end. A position of the inlet into the distributor region 6 is thereby chosen such that, when beer 3 is conducted in the supply line 5, the distributor region 6 is automatically filled, since a lowest level of the supply line 5 is always above an uppermost level of the distributor region 6. Thus, even in the case of a fluctuating beer backfeed or varying flow rates, there is always enough beer available in the distributor region 6 to be poured rapidly or at a high rate. The three elements operatively connected to one another, the supply line 5, distributor region 6 and pressure compensation vessel 9, are arranged one above the other on a plane, so that a compact design for a rapid pouring of beer into a plurality of glasses 4 results.
[0046] Furthermore, the bar system comprises multiple taps 10 having switching valves 101 according to FIG. 4, of which taps only one is illustrated in FIG. 2. The taps 10 are mounted on a cross brace 11. The taps 10 are connected respectively to one of the outlets 7 via lines which are not illustrated, so that the beer 3 is supplied from below when it is conveyed to the tap 10, which has also proven advantageous for a uniform filling of glasses 4.
[0047] For pouring into glasses 4, a lifting device 12 illustrated separately in FIG. 5 is also provided on which on the one hand a plurality of glasses 4 can be positioned and with which on the other hand during operation or pouring the glasses 4 can initially be raised and then, after reaching a certain fill level, tilted to form a head of foam. For this purpose, the lifting device 12 is equipped with a suitable rotation mechanism 121 and a rack and pinion 122 for a linear movement or a travel, which can be seen in detail in FIGS. 6 and 7 in two side views for a first position and a second position. The travel is set by a toothed rack 123 and a toothed wheel 124 which interacts therewith. For many applications, it is sufficient if a maximum travel is 10 cm. The toothed rack 123 runs perpendicular to a platform 125 for the glasses 4. In the first position (FIG. 6), the toothed wheel 124 is located at an uppermost point of the toothed rack 123 and is engaged therewith. If the toothed wheel 124 drives the toothed rack 123 upwards along a notch 126, the platform 125 thus also moves upwards. Furthermore, the rotating mechanism 121 is provided which can also be implemented as a rack and pinion, even if a pivot axis or other means for executing a rotational movement of the platform 125 may be provided. The rack and pinion comprises at least one toothed wheel 127 which is engaged with a leg 128 that connects to the notch 126 and has a curved toothed region 129 on the front face, and which produces a pivoting about a pivot axis 130 as a result of its curved shaping. The rotation mechanism 121 and the rack and pinion 122 can be actuated at the same time, so that lifting and pivoting can occur synchronously.
[0048] In FIG. 8, cooling elements for the supply line 5 and the distributor region 6 are illustrated. The cooling elements comprise one or more profiles 13 which are arranged around these elements. The cooling elements are normally formed from a metal, for example aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and a cooling medium can be applied thereto. An application of the cooling medium to the cooling elements or profiles 13 can, for example, occur by means of an external application of the cooling medium to the cooling elements. However, it is preferred that the profiles 13 are embodied in a hollow manner, so that a cooling medium can be conducted through the suitably thermoconducting metal profiles 13 via provided inlets and outlets. For this purpose, the profiles 13 can surround the supply line 5 and the distributor region 6 completely. However, provided that a desired cooling effect for these parts can also be achieved with a partial encasing by the profiles 13, it is sufficient that an encasing by the profiles 13 is only present in sections.
