DIVIDING DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH A DISPOSABLE REFRIGERANT CARTRIDGE

专利摘要:
Beverage dispenser comprising a container containing a beverage, and further comprising a dispenser tube composed of three sections: (A) A cartridge (1) formed by a frame (1F) defining a perimeter of an inner area and a channel (1C) in said inner area supports forming a serpentine; (B) An upstream manifold section (3U) that fluidizes the inside of the container with an inlet of the channel; (C) A downstream manifold section (3D) which puts an outlet of the channel in fluid communication with a tap valve (9V), (D) A beverage distribution device provided with a cooling unit comprising first and second cooling plates (2P) separated by a distance that is a defines insertion slot (2S), where the distance separating the first from the second cooling plates can vary, - from a loading distance, d0, which allows the introduction of the cartridge into the slot, - to a cooling distance, dc <d0, where the first and second surfaces bring cooling plates into contact with the channel and exert a pressure on it that distorts the channel.
公开号:BE1025820B1
申请号:E2017/5351
申请日:2017-05-12
公开日:2019-08-14
发明作者:Daniel Peirsman；Stijn Vandekerckhove
申请人:Anheuser-Busch Inbev Nv；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

Distribution device provided with a disposable cooling cartridge
Technical area
The present invention relates to a dispenser of the type found in pubs and bars for dispensing a liquid, typically a beverage such as beer or other carbonated beverages to be served at a low temperature. More specifically, the dispenser of the present invention is provided with a disposable cooling cartridge that can be accommodated in a cooling unit and thus form a section of a distribution tube that is in thermal contact with cooling plates mounted in the cooling unit. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many applications require the cooling of a liquid. More specifically, drinks often have to be cooled before or during distribution. This is the case with malt-based drinks such as beer or soft drinks. There are essentially two ways to serve a beverage at a temperature substantially lower than room temperature: either the entire container containing the beverage is cooled, or only the volume of beverage that flows through the manifold from the container to the tap valve is cooled .
Many beverage dispensers include a cooled compartment for storing and cooling a container. An ordinary cooling system is based on compression expansion of a cooling gas of the type used in household refrigerators.
cooling systems that use
The Peltier effect thermoelectric
BE2017 / 5351 have also been proposed in the art for cooling a container stored in a dispenser. A disadvantage of cooling the entire container is that when an empty container has to be replaced by a new one, it takes a considerable amount of time to cool the contents of the new container to the low temperature. A solution to this problem is of course the constant storage of a full container in a cooled compartment so that it can be used immediately after loading in a dispensing device after replacement of an empty container. However, this solution requires the investment of an additional cooling compartment for storing refrigerated containers awaiting loading, and requires additional work to store a new container in the refrigerated compartment after loading a new refrigerated container on the dispenser.
Cooling only the volume of beverage that flows through the distribution tube clearly has many potential advantages: no need to pre-cool a spare container as discussed above, the liquid volume being cooled is limited to the volume to be distributed, etc. However, these advantages are difficult to achieve. through the many challenges of such a process. It must be borne in mind that the manifold must be regularly cleaned or replaced, either because the type of beverage (beer type) changes from one container to another, or because bacterial deposits can form in a manifold over time. . Another challenge is that beer with a relatively high flow must
BE2017 / 5351, typically 2 oz / s or 3.5 l / min, and it is difficult to extract all the thermal energy required at such flow rates to bring the temperature of the beverage to its desired value.
Traditionally, the manifold of a manifold that brings the inside of a container into fluid communication with a tap valve comprises a serpentine or coil immersed in a barrel of ice or other secondary refrigerant such as glycol. Although simple and efficient, this solution has several disadvantages. A barrel with ice water takes up a considerable space that is often located just behind the bar of the bar. The temperature of the ice water is limited to zero degrees Celsius (0 ° C). The ice and water content must be checked and topped up regularly. A compressor can be used to form ice, so that the vessel does not have to be refilled. Temperatures below zero can be achieved with, for example, glycol. Furthermore, the coil or serpentine is usually made of copper or other thermally conductive metal and must be cleaned regularly, which is not easy in view of the spiral geometry of the serpentine.
The distribution tube used to distribute a beverage from the container can be cooled by contacting it with cooling systems that use the Peltier effect. Although this is not as efficient as other cooling systems, thermoelectric cooling systems have the great advantage that they do not require a cooling gas, nor a source of cold coolant and only need to be plugged into a
BE2017 / 5351 power source.
comprising
Examples of beverage distribution devices and a thermoelectric cooling system are disclosed in EP1188995.
EP2103565,
DE1020060053,
US6658859,
US5634343,
WO2007076584,
WO8707361,
WO2004051163, EP1642863. For example, a distributor device comprising a Peltier or thermoelectric cooling system for cooling a section of a distributor tube is disclosed in, e.g., WO2010064191. A manifold comprises a section with deformable walls arranged in a passage that extends through a cooling block cooled by a Peltier cooling system. The deformability of the material of the disposable tube is such that the outer surface of the wall of the tube leans against the inner surface of said passage when the beverage is pressurized. This ensures better thermal contact between the cooling block and the manifold. The passage through the cooling blocks comprises successive chambers that are separated from each other by thin passages. The thermal contact area between the manifold and the cooling block is rather reduced and it seems unlikely that satisfactory results could be obtained at flow rates of the order of 3.5 l / min. This is probably the reason why this cooling system has been described with regard to domestic beverage dispensers only, which operate at a lower flow than in pubs and bars.
Other cooling solutions have been proposed in the art for cooling beer flowing through a manifold. For example, JP2002046799 discloses a household beverage dispenser
BE2017 / 5351 comprising a detachable coolant that is placed in close contact with a flexible distribution tube, so that the beer coming from the keg can be cooled and administered at an appropriate temperature. The refrigerant comprises a gelatinous cold insulating agent filled in a predetermined container. In addition, a wall surface of the cooling element is formed with a guide for placing the flexible manifold.
As a result, there remains a need for a cooling system that can be used to cool beer flowing through a distribution tube at high speed, such as in pubs and bars. The present invention provides a solution to this need, with a user-friendly system, which does not require any particular skill to install and which is easy to maintain because the elements that come into contact with the drink are disposable. These and other advantages of the present invention are further explained below.
Summary of the invention
The present invention is defined in the accompanying independent claims.
Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. More specifically, the present invention relates to a kit of parts for a beverage distribution device. The kit with parts includes the following components:
(A) A cartridge formed by a frame defining a perimeter of an inner area and supporting a channel in said inner area forming a serpentine extending into a non
BE2017 / 5351 linear path from a channel inlet to a channel outlet, wherein both the channel inlet and the channel outlet are located outside the inner region, said channel being flexible in at least a radial direction, and (B) An upstream manifold section, comprising an upstream proximal end and an upstream distal end, wherein the upstream distal end is or may be sealingly coupled to the channel inlet, and the upstream proximal end may be brought into fluid communication with the inside of a container;
(C) A downstream manifold section, comprising a downstream proximal end and a downstream distal end, wherein the downstream proximal end is or may be sealingly coupled to the channel outlet such that, (D) when the upstream distal end is in a sealing manner is coupled to the channel inlet and the downstream proximal end is sealed to the channel outlet, a continuous distribution tube is formed by the upstream distribution tube section, the channel, and the downstream distribution tube section that extends from the upstream proximal end to the downstream distal end , (E) A beverage distribution device provided with a cooling unit comprising:
(a) A first cooling plate comprising a first
BE2017 / 5351 surface and a second cooling plate comprising a second surface facing the first surface, wherein both the first and second cooling plates have a perimeter engraved in the perimeter of the inner area, and (b) a cold source that can be used for the cooling said first and second surfaces, characterized in that the distance separating the first surface and the second surface from the first and second carbon plates can be varied,
- of a loading distance, d0, greater than a thickness of the cartridge and which forms an insertion slot that allows the introduction of the cartridge between the two cooling plates,
- To a cooling distance, dc <d0, where the first and second distances come in contact with the channel and exert a pressure on it that distorts the channel in the winding direction.
In a preferred embodiment, the channel is formed by a bag that forms an interior space between two polymer or metal thin-film material that defines a sealed perimeter formed by welding or gluing plate material together, whereby the channel inlet and the channel outlet can communicate said interior space in fluid communication with an outside atmosphere, and wherein the non-linear trajectory of the channel is formed by local glue or weld sections of the two thin plates together to define a channel that forms a serpentine and is included in the sealed perimeter. If the bag is made of metal plates, the channel is at
BE2017 / 5351 is preferably formed by hydroforming. Alternatively, the plates can be made from a thermoplastic polymer.
The sealed perimeter is preferably defined by four edges, comprising a first pair of edges that are substantially parallel to each other and have a length, and a second pair of edges that are substantially parallel to each other and have a width, and wherein the serpentine portions are defined by lines comprising portions substantially parallel to the first pair of edges, each of said having a length shorter than the length of said first pair of edges, which is in contact with one edge of the second pair of edges, and which are arranged in a stacked pattern.
For hygienic reasons and to ensure that the upstream and downstream manifolds are regularly replaced, it is preferred that the upstream manifold section be permanently coupled to the channel inlet and the downstream manifold section be permanently coupled to the channel outlet.
Alternatively, both upstream and downstream manifold sections can be coupled to the cooling unit. The channel inlet and channel outlet protrude from the frame of the cartridge so that when the cartridge is inserted into the insertion slot, the channel inlet is reversibly coupled to the distal end of the upstream manifold section and, simultaneously, the channel outlet is reversibly coupled to the proximal end of the downstream
BE2017 / 5351 manifold section.
It is preferred that the first and second cooling plates are each coupled to resilient means to exert a pressure thereon that tends to separate the distance that the first surface and second surface from the first and second cooling plates.
The cartridge can be composed of: - a first half frame (1Fu) that it inner area defines, - a second half frame (1Fd) that it inner area defines, and - a disposable bag That the canal (1C)
defines, reversibly clamped in place between the first half frame (1Fu) and the second half frame (1Fd).
The kit of parts of the present invention may further comprise a tap column unit comprising a manifold that is hollow and includes a tap valve that can be used to receive the distal end of the downstream manifold section inserted through the hollow column, the cooling unit is located upstream of the hollow tap column. It may further comprise a chamber for storing a container, the cooling unit being attached to said chamber, which comprises means for passing the downstream manifold section from the inside to the outside of the chamber.
The present invention also relates to a distribution device comprising the above
BE2017 / 5351 defined components (A) to (E) and a container, so that:
a cartridge is inserted in the insertion slot of the cooling unit;
(b) the proximal end of the upstream fluid communication is with the inside of the container;
distal end of the upstream manifold section is in fluid communication with the channel inlet;
(d) the proximal end of the downstream manifold section is in fluid communication with the channel outlet; and;
distal end of the downstream manifold section (3D) is inserted into a tap valve.
Brief description of the figures
For a better understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description, in combination with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows two embodiments of the distribution devices comprising a cooling unit according to the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention (a) before insertion of the cooling cartridge into an appropriate slot, and (b) with the cooling cartridge in cooling position.
Figure 3 an alternative embodiment
BE2017 / 5351 shows a dispenser according to the present invention (a) before insertion of the cooling cartridge into an appropriate slot, and (b) with the cooling cartridge in cooling position.
Figure 4 shows the various steps for loading a cooling cartridge into a cooling unit with (a) the cooling unit with an empty slot ready to receive a cooling cartridge, (b) loading the cooling cartridge into the slot of the cooling unit, (c) pressurizing the channel and applying a pressure by moving the cooling plates, and (d) compressing the channel when the container is nearly empty.
Figure 5 shows a perspective view in section of an embodiment of the cooling cartridge.
Figure 6 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a cooling cartridge in which a disposable channel is clamped in a reusable frame, (a) before and (b) after clamping. Detailed description of the invention
As illustrated in Figure 1, the present invention relates to a beverage distribution device and a kit with parts for forming such a beverage distribution device comprising the following elements:
- a beverage distribution device provided with a cooling unit (2) comprising a slot defined by the distance separating first and second surfaces from first and second cooling plates (2P);
- a cartridge (1) formed by a frame (1F) that defines an inner area and is named in it
BE2017 / 5351
inner area one channel (1C) supports that a serpentine That herself extends from a
channel inlet (11) to a channel outlet (10), wherein said channel is flexible in at least one radial direction; the cartridge can fit snugly into the slot of the cooling unit;
an upstream manifold section (3U) coupled to or suitable for coupling to, on the one hand, a container containing a beverage and, on the other hand, the channel inlet of the cooling unit, and a downstream manifold section (3D) coupled to or suitable for coupling to, on the one hand, the channel outlet of the cooling unit and, on the other hand, a distribution valve (9V) mounted, for example, at the top of a distribution column (9) as traditionally used in pubs.
The above elements are described in more detail below.
The first and second surfaces of the cooling plates have a geometry and those dimensions that are fully described in the inner area of the cartridge. The main idea of the invention is that the first and second cooling plates can be moved to vary the distance that separates the first and second surfaces from:
- a loading distance, d0, greater than a thickness of the cartridge and which forms an insertion slot that allows the introduction of the cartridge between the two cooling plates, to a cooling distance, dc <d0, the
BE2017 / 5351 first and second surfaces come into contact with the channel and exert a pressure on it which distorts the channel in the at least one radial direction.
A channel can be defined by an axial direction, parallel to an axial axis, which defines the trajectory of the channel (which is not necessarily linear). The axial axis often corresponds to a axis of symmetry of the channel or, for non-linear channels, is often defined by the sequence of symmetry points placed side by side to follow a continuous line. A channel is also defined by radial directions, including any direction perpendicular to the axial axis. In a cylindrical channel, the axial axis is the axis of rotation of the cylinder and the radial directions are defined by each radius of a cross-section perpendicular to the axial axis. In the present case, the first and second plates can be moved toward each other so that the first and second surfaces reduce the distance they separate and thus uniaxially clamp the channel of the cartridge to improve contact and contact area between the cooling plates and the channel to increase the heat transfer. The at least one radial direction along which the channel must be flexible is therefore in use defined by the direction of movement of the first and second cooling plates towards each other.
The cooling unit comprises a cold source (2C) for cooling the first and second cooling plates. Any type of cold source known in the art can be used to cool the first and second cooling plates.
BE2017 / 5351
Typically, compressor-based cooling systems or thermoelectric cooling systems are suitable for cooling the cooling plates. However, any other method can be used without departing from the present invention. The cooling unit is preferably provided with insulating material (2i) arranged to increase heat exchange only of the first and second surfaces that face each other and are designed to come into contact with the channel of the cartridge.
As is clear in Figures and 3, a distribution tube running continuously from a beverage vessel or container (5) to a barrel is composed of three sections:
(a) an upstream manifold section (3U) comprising an upstream proximal end (3Up) that can be coupled to the container and brought into fluid communication with the inside thereof, and an upstream distal end (3Ud) that is sealed to the is or may be channel inlet (1i) of the cartridge;
(b) the channel of the cartridge forming a serpentine that extends in a non-linear path from a channel inlet coupled to or adapted to be coupled at the upstream distal end to a channel outlet, and downstream comprising a downstream proximal end (3Dp) coupled to or suitable for coupling to the and a
BE2017 / 5351 downstream distal end (3Dd), which can be coupled to the distribution valve (9V).
The terms upstream and downstream are defined herein with respect to the flow direction of the beverage from a container to a tap, i.e., from the upstream proximal end (3Up) to the downstream distal end (3Dd).
One or more valves may be provided in any of the above three sections. At least one tipping may be advantageous at the time of coupling the upstream proximal end (3Up) to the vessel before the downstream distal end (3Dd) is correctly coupled to the distribution valve (9V) and the latter is closed to prevent unwanted and uncontrolled wastage of the drink. The valve can also be mounted on the vessel itself or on the coupling ring used for coupling the manifold to the vessel. Strictly speaking, a valve is not essential because if the downstream distribution pipe section (3D) is coupled to the distribution valve (9V) before coupling the upstream distribution pipe section (3U) to the vessel, no waste can occur. However, a valve is advantageous as a connection-safe measure, taking into account the fact that barrels in a pub can be handled by inexperienced staff or in stressful conditions such as noise, crowds, haste, etc.
For reasons of hygiene, as well as for clear distinction of the flavors when the two barrels containing different drinks consecutively on the same
BE2017 / 5351 distributor device, it is preferred that the entire distributor tube composed of the three above described disposable.
Therefore, it is preferable to use materials that are inexpensive, recyclable, and preferably the same for production of the various components of the manifold: upstream and downstream manifold sections and cartridge channel.
Cartridges that can be used for the present invention are illustrated in Figures 5 can be formed by a bag that forms an inner space between two polymer or metal thin-film material that defines formed by the bonding of sheet material, whereby a sealed perimeter welds or glues together the channel inlet and the channel outlet can bring said inner space into fluid communication with an outer atmosphere. The non-linear or tortuous path of the channel is formed by locally bonding or welding sections of the two thin plates to define a channel that forms a serpentine path of the channel that extends from a channel inlet (1i) to a channel outlet ( 10). The bag is tensioned and held in a relatively rigid frame (1F) with the channel inlet and outlet protruding from the frame. The frame must provide minimal stiffness to the cartridge. When a bag, more specifically made from metal plates, is rigid enough to be inserted into a slot, the frame becomes optional.
An outer atmosphere is defined herein as any medium that is outside of the inner space. If
BE2017 / 5351 a bag is insulated, an outside atmosphere would be the ambient atmosphere.
outlet of the channel
In case the channel inlet and (1F) are coupled in a sealing manner to an upstream and downstream respective, then an outer atmosphere can be the atmosphere prevailing in the upstream and downstream manifold sections (3U, 3D). They can be filled with a drink and thus form an outside atmosphere with respect to the inside of the bag.
In a preferred embodiment, the sealed perimeter of a bag is defined by four edges, including a first pair of edges that are substantially parallel to each other and have a length, and a second pair of edges that are substantially parallel to each other, and that have a width, and are preferably substantially perpendicular to the first pair of edges, thus defining a parallelogram or, preferably, a rectangle or square.
As shown in
Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6, the serpentine serpentine may be formed by sealed lines (1W) extending substantially parallel to the first pair of edges, each of said sealed lines having a length shorter than the length of said first pair of edges, which is in contact with an edge of the second pair of edges, and which are arranged in a stacked pattern.
As previously described, the sealed lines can be formed by welding, brazing, or gluing together the two thin films that form the bag.
BE2017 / 5351
In a preferred embodiment, the bag forming the channel is disposable and the frame reusable.
After each barrel or a number of barrels has been emptied, the bag can be replaced with a new one by those between two half clamps, as shown in
Figure 6. The bag can be made from metal, such as aluminum or steel or, preferably, from a polymer such as a polyolefin (polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.) or any thermoplastic polymer that can be used for such an application.
A thermoplastic polymer such as a polyolefin is preferred in that the upstream and downstream manifold sections (3U, 3D) can be made of the same material, so that the different sections (1, 3D, 3U) of a used manifold do not have to be sorted.
A metal bag comprising a tortuous channel can be formed by hydroforming. Hydroforming is a specialized type of mold formation in which a hydraulic fluid under high pressure is used to press working material into a mold at room temperature. To hydrate malleable metals such as aluminum, brass, low-alloy steel, or stainless steel in a tortuous channel defined in a bag, a hollow metal tube is placed in a negative mold in the shape of the desired result. High-pressure hydraulic pumps then inject fluid into the metal tube at very high pressure, causing it to expand until it matches the mold. The hydroformed metal bag that one
BE2017 / 5351 defines tortuous channel is then removed from the mold.
In an alternative production method, weld seams are formed between two thin stainless steel plates (e.g., other welding technique to form a metal bag with a serpentine channel.
Alternative joining methods for forming a metal bag with a tortuous channel include roll bonding or bonding. The flat channels formed between two weld seams can be inflated either by injecting a pressurized gas, such as air, or simply by injecting beer under pressure therethrough.
A polymeric bag, on the other hand, can be continuously extruded by methods known to those skilled in the art.
In one particular embodiment, the upstream manifold section is permanently coupled to the channel inlet and, similarly, the downstream manifold section is permanently coupled to the channel outlet. In this way a user is obliged to replace the entire manifold and is not inclined to keep one or the other sections for further use, which could be harmful to a consumer for hygienic reasons.
Such an embodiment can be used in an assembly as illustrated in Figure 2.
In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in Figure 3, both upstream and downstream manifold sections are coupled to the cooling unit in a reversible manner. A cartridge is
BE2017 / 5351 provided with a channel inlet and channel outlet that protrude from the frame of the cartridge. When the cartridge is inserted into the insertion slot defined between the two cooling plates, the channel inlet (1i) is fixed in a reversible manner and coupled to the distal end of the upstream manifold section and, at the same time, the channel outlet (10o) is reversible coupled to the proximal end of the downstream manifold section. This solution makes it very simple and easy to replace a cartridge. It can be very useful to use vessels that are provided with an upstream manifold section that is permanently coupled to said vessel, as sometimes available commercially.
However, there is a risk that if a cartridge is replaced, one or both of the upstream and downstream manifold sections (3D,
3U) is not (are) replaced for a period longer than is considered reasonable for hygienic reasons.
The main idea of the present invention is that the distance separating the first surface and second surface from the first and second cooling plates can vary. This ensures good contact between the channel (1C) and the cooling plates (2P) so that the heat transfer from the drink to the cooling plates is optimized. In an embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the first and second cooling plates are each coupled to resilient means (2F) to be able to exert a pressure thereon that tends to be the distance that the first surface and second surface
BE2017 / 5351
separates from the first and second cooling plates to Reduce.Such asshown in Figure 4 (a) and (b) be, in one load configuration, the two cooling plates from separated by a loading distance, d0, greater then a thickness from the cartridge and to shape a
can be inserted into said slot as shown in
Figure 4 (b).
When a new cartridge is inserted, deflated because the distribution channel is not yet under pressure in this phase. After pressurizing a vessel or container after coupling the upstream proximal end (3Up) to the vessel, the cartridge channel is inflated and filled with fluid.
As shown in Figure 4 (c), the cold plates are then allowed to collapse from the resilient means second surfaces closer to under pressure and the first and each other are brought together until they reach a cooling distance, dc, at which they contact come with the thin films of the bag that form the tortuous channel (1C). Because both the first and second cooling plates have a perimeter that is entered in the perimeter of the inner area defined by the frame, the first and second surfaces can come into direct contact with the surface of the film of the bag without hindrance or obstruction of the frame . In a preferred embodiment, the first and second surfaces may comprise a structure that corresponds to the surface of the tortuous channel so that the contact area between the channel and the
BE2017 / 5351 cooling plates.
As shown in Figure 4 (d), as the pressure in the manifold decreases, the flexible channel deflates and the first and second surfaces maintain contact with the thin films of the bag by coming closer together according to the volume variations of the flexible channel. The pressure can decrease when the vessel is empty or, in some cases, the vessel is not constantly under pressure, but only after distribution. The advantage that the cooling plates remain in contact with the channel regardless of the volume of the channel is advantageous in that after each distribution or after a vessel is empty, the liquid remaining in the distribution tube is driven out of the channel in the direction of the downstream manifold section to the tapping valve, whereby any remaining liquid is drained from a substantial portion of the manifold.
As shown in Figure 1 (a), a cooling unit (2) as defined in the present invention allows storage of containers without chambers, cooled or not. As illustrated in Figure 1 (b), a chamber (11) can of course be used to store one or more vessels (5) coupled to a source of pressurized gas (7), but said chamber must not be cooled. The cooling unit can be attached to a wall of said chamber, which comprises means for passing the downstream manifold section from the inside to the outside of the chamber, to a tap column and a tap valve. In addition to the fact that a newly coupled barrel can be used immediately, without waiting for that
BE2017 / 5351 the full volume of beverage contained therein reaches the serving temperature, the present invention also allows a reduced investment for such applications at home and in pubs, in that no cooling chamber is required to serve a cooled beverage. As described above, a cartridge can be very inexpensive and cooling with the present invention becomes very easy and economical.
In use, all the components described above are mounted to form a beverage dispensing device comprising a container containing a beverage, and further comprising:
(A) A cartridge (1) as defined above, with (B) An upstream manifold section (3U) with its upstream distal end coupled in a sealing manner to
the channel inlet, and with it upstream proximal end thereof linked to the container in fluid connection with the inside of said container; (C) A downstream manifold section (3D) with it downstream proximal end (3Dp) of that a sealing
manner coupled to the channel outlet and having its downstream distal end (3Dd) coupled to a tap valve (9V), (D) a continuous manifold thus formed by the upstream manifold section, the channel and the downstream manifold section, and (E) A beverage distribution device provided with
BE2017 / 5351 a cooling unit as defined above, i.e., comprising two cooling plates separated by a slot (2S) for receiving a cartridge. The dispensing device preferably but not necessarily comprises one for storing one or more beverage containers and at least one source of pressurized gas.
The cartridge is inserted into the insertion slot (2S) of the cooling unit (2). A continuous distribution tube runs from the upstream proximal end (3Up) in fluid communication with the inside of the container to the downstream distal end (3Dd) coupled to the tapping valve and opening to the ambient atmosphere. The beverage to be dispensed is cooled as it flows through the tortuous channel of the cartridge by exchanging heat with the first and second surfaces of the first and second cooling plates in intimate thermal contact with the thin walls of the channel. A cold or chilled beverage can therefore be served without having to cool the entire contents of the container.
BE2017 / 5351
REF DESCRIPTION 1 Cartridge 1C Channel 1F Cartridge frame 1i Channel inlet 1o Channel outlet 1W Weld seams that define the channel 2 Cooling unit 2C Cold source 2F Resilient means for applying pressure to the cooling plates 2i Insulation of cooling unit 2P Cooling plates 2S Insertion slot 3D Downstream manifold section 3Dd Distal end of downstream manifold section 3Dp Proximal end of downstream manifold section 3P Upstream manifold section 3PD Distal end of upstream manifold section 3Pp Proximal end of upstream manifold section 5 Container or barrel 7 Source of gas under pressure 9 Distribution column 9V Distribution valve 11 Compartment for container

权利要求:
Claims (11)
[1]
CONCLUSIONS
A kit with parts for a beverage distribution device, said kit with parts comprising the following components:
a. cartridge (1) formed by a frame (1F) that defines a perimeter of an inner region and which supports a channel (1C) in said inner region forming a serpentine extending in a non-linear path of a channel inlet (1i ) to a channel outlet, wherein both the channel inlet and the channel outlet are located outside the inner region, said channel being flexible in at least one radial direction, and
b. an upstream manifold section (3U) comprising an upstream proximal end (3Up) and an upstream distal end (3Ud), wherein the upstream distal end is or may be sealingly coupled to the channel inlet, and the upstream proximal end is in fluid communication with the inside of a container can be brought;
c. a downstream manifold section (3D) comprising a downstream proximal end (3Dp) and a downstream distal end (3Dd), wherein the downstream proximal end is or may be sealingly coupled to the channel outlet so that,
d. when the upstream distal end is sealed to the channel inlet and the downstream proximal end is sealed to the channel outlet, a continuous distribution tube is formed by the upstream distribution tube section, the channel, and the downstream distribution tube section extending from the upstream proximal end to the downstream distal end;
e. a beverage distribution device provided with a cooling unit comprising:
i. a first cooling plate (2P) comprising a first surface and a second cooling plate comprising a second surface facing the first surface, wherein both the first and second cooling plates have a perimeter engraved in the perimeter of the inner area, and ii. a cold source that can be used to cool said first and second surfaces, characterized in that the
BE2017 / 5351 distance that separates the first surface and the second surface from the first and second carbon plates can be varied,
- of a loading distance, d0, greater than a thickness of the cartridge and which forms an insertion slot (2S) that allows the introduction of the cartridge between the two cooling plates,
- to a cooling distance, dc <d0, wherein the first and second surfaces come into contact with the channel and exert a pressure thereon that distorts the channel in the winding direction.
[2]
The kit of parts according to claim 1, wherein the channel is formed by a bag forming an inner space between two polymer or metal thin film material defining a sealed perimeter formed by welding or gluing together sheet material, whereby the channel inlet and the channel outlet said interior space can be brought into fluid communication with an outside atmosphere, and wherein the non-linear path of the channel is formed by local glue or weld sections of the two thin plates together to define a channel that forms a serpentine and is included in the sealed perimeter.
[3]
The kit of parts according to claim 2, wherein the plate layers are made of metal and the channel is formed by hydroforming, or are made from a thermoplastic polymer.
[4]
A kit of parts according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealed perimeter is defined by four edges, comprising a first pair of edges that are substantially parallel to each other and have a length, and a second pair of edges that are substantially parallel to each other and have a width, and wherein the serpentine portions are defined by lines comprising portions that are substantially parallel to the first pair of edges, each of said having a length shorter than the length of said first pair of edges that is in contact with one edge of the second pair of edges, and which are arranged in a stacked pattern.
[5]
The kit of parts according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upstream manifold section is permanently coupled to the channel inlet and the downstream manifold section is permanently coupled to the channel outlet.
BE2017 / 5351
[6]
The kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein both upstream and downstream manifold sections are coupled to the cooling unit. The channel inlet and channel outlet protrude from the frame of the cartridge so that when the cartridge is inserted into the insertion slot, the channel inlet is reversibly coupled to the distal end of the upstream manifold section and, simultaneously, the channel outlet is reversibly coupled to the proximal end of the downstream manifold section.
[7]
The kit of parts according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second cooling plates (2P) are each coupled to resilient means (2F) to exert a pressure thereon that tends to be the distance that the first surface and second surface of separates the first and second cooling plates.
[8]
A kit of parts according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a tap column unit, comprising a manifold (9) which is hollow and has a tap valve (9V) that can be used to receive the distal end of the downstream manifold section which is inserted through the hollow column, the cooling unit being located upstream of the hollow tapping column.
[9]
Kit with parts according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge is composed of:
a. a first half frame (1Fu) that defines the inner area,
b. a second half frame (1Fd) defining the inner area, and
c. a disposable bag defining the channel (1C), reversibly clamped in place between the first half frame (1Fu) and the second half frame (1Fd).
[10]
The kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a chamber (11) for storing a container, the cooling unit being attached to said chamber, which comprises means for passing the downstream manifold section from the inside to the outside of the room.
[11]
A beverage dispenser comprising the components (A) to (E) according to claim 1 and a container (5), such that:
a. a cartridge (1) is inserted in the insertion slot (2S) of the cooling unit (2);
BE2017 / 5351
b. the proximal end (3Up) of the upstream manifold section (3U) is in fluid communication with the inside of the container;
c. the distal end (3Ud) of the upstream manifold section is in fluid communication with the channel inlet (1i);
d. the proximal end (3Dp) of the downstream manifold section (3D) is in fluid communication with the channel outlet (10o); and;
e. the distal end of the downstream manifold section (3D) is inserted into a tap valve (9V).

类似技术:

---

公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题

---

BE1025820B1|2019-08-14|DIVIDING DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH A DISPOSABLE REFRIGERANT CARTRIDGE

---

US7571621B2|2009-08-11|Fluid cooling system, cooled fluid dispenser comprising the later, and methods for sterilization thereof

---

JP2000142892A|2000-05-23|Cooling head system of liquid dispenser

---

US20180344078A1|2018-12-06|Replaceable heat exchange cartridge employed in a heat exchange system for temperature control of a perishable fluid

---

BE1025843B1|2019-08-14|Dispensing device that comes with a cooling unit

---

RU2504513C2|2014-01-20|Domestic drink dispenser with coolers

---

JP4021170B2|2007-12-12|Beverage cooling supply device

---

JP2006001642A|2006-01-05|Beverage dispenser

---

JPH11193096A|1999-07-21|Apparatus for cleaning beer server, etc.

---

JPH11103785A|1999-04-20|Injection structure for frozen food injector

同族专利:

---

公开号 | 公开日

---

AR108464A1|2018-08-22|

---

BR112018073272A2|2019-02-19|

---

CN109564072B|2022-01-14|

---

US10870567B2|2020-12-22|

---

EP3244157A1|2017-11-15|

---

JP6962937B2|2021-11-05|

---

KR20190012179A|2019-02-08|

---

BE1025820A1|2019-07-16|

---

CA3023396A1|2017-11-16|

---

JP2019518668A|2019-07-04|

---

EP3455572A1|2019-03-20|

---

CN109564072A|2019-04-02|

---

MX2018013691A|2019-07-18|

---

WO2017194736A1|2017-11-16|

---

AU2017263052A1|2018-11-22|

---

US20190144253A1|2019-05-16|

引用文献:

---

公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题

---

JP2002046799A|2000-08-02|2002-02-12|Namco Ltd|Beer server for household use including cooling function|

---

WO2010035302A2|2008-09-24|2010-04-01|Saeco Strategic Services Ltd|Coffee machine with system for producing cold coffee|

---

SE423150B|1978-01-24|1982-04-13|Graenges Aluminium Ab|HEAT EXCHANGER ELEMENTS INCLUDING TWO AGAINST SINGLE METAL LAYERS WITH INTERMEDIATE METAL CONDUCTORS AND PROCEDURES FOR PRODUCING THE SAME|

---

FI794087A|1979-12-28|1981-06-29|Outokumpu Oy|SAETT ATT FRAMSTAELLA EN TUNN KOPPARPLAOT MED STROEMNINGSKANALER|

---

DE3243713C2|1982-11-26|1985-05-15|Fr. Kammerer GmbH, 7530 Pforzheim|Flat heat exchanger plate and process for their manufacture|

---

US4622822A|1984-05-07|1986-11-18|Shlomo Beitner|Peltier thermoelectric element mounting|

---

US4678027A|1984-12-14|1987-07-07|Paul Mueller Company|Dual-walled coiled plate heat exchanger with vented interface|

---

US4859265A|1987-04-08|1989-08-22|Du Pont Canada Inc.|Process for manufacturing of heat exchangers from polymers|

---

US4901887A|1988-08-08|1990-02-20|Burton John W|Beverage dispensing system|

---

JPH02219789A|1989-02-13|1990-09-03|Matsushita Refrig Co Ltd|Condensed drink feeding equipment|

---

GB8910966D0|1989-05-12|1989-06-28|Du Pont Canada|Panel heat exchangers formed from thermoplastic polymers|

---

US5129552A|1991-09-06|1992-07-14|Painchaud Thomas A|Multi-purpose keg tapper|

---

US5634343A|1994-01-24|1997-06-03|Alko Group, Ltd.|Beverage cooling dispenser|

---

EP1621514B1|1997-09-04|2010-04-21|Heineken Supply Chain B.V.|Beverage dispensing apparatus|

---

AT347081T|2000-09-19|2006-12-15|Thierry Ancel|DEVICE FOR COOLING OR HEATING A CONTAINER OF LIQUID FOOD|

---

US6557369B1|2001-11-26|2003-05-06|Vin Valet, Inc.|Cooling system for wine or champagne preservation and dispensing apparatus|

---

JP2004060986A|2002-07-29|2004-02-26|Ube Ind Ltd|Flexible heat exchanger and manufacturing method for the same|

---

CA2507809A1|2002-11-29|2004-06-17|Interbrew S.A.|Alcohol beverage dispensing apparatus|

---

EP1642863A1|2004-09-29|2006-04-05|CELLI S.p.A.|A wine bottle storage and multiple dispensing apparatus|

---

WO2007070034A2|2005-12-12|2007-06-21|Carrier Corporation|Beverage dispenser with on-demand refrigeration|

---

DE102006005381B4|2005-12-31|2008-11-27|Glen Dimplex Deutschland Gmbh|Beverage dispensing equipment|

---

BE1016910A3|2006-01-03|2007-09-04|Daluwein Dirk|A HOUSEHOLD AUTOMATIC MULTI BEER DISPENSING DEVICE WITH AN AIR PRESSURE RESERVOIR AND A TILT SYSTEM THAT ADAPTS AUTOMATIC SPEED AND INCLINATION ANGLE OF THE BEER GLASS DURING TAPPING.|

---

US7861892B1|2008-03-04|2011-01-04|White Richard W|Portable draft bar|

---

FR2928907B1|2008-03-20|2013-05-31|Seb Sa|BEVERAGE DISPENSING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH A HEAT-BUILDING ELEMENT|

---

EP2194024A1|2008-12-02|2010-06-09|Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.|A domestic beverage dispensing device having cooling means|

---

GB2491623A|2011-06-09|2012-12-12|Alberto Martinez Albalat|Multilayer fluid heat exchanger comprising plastic and metal layers|

---

EP2562129A1|2011-08-23|2013-02-27|Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.|Roving beverage dispensing unit|

---

EP2660185A1|2012-05-02|2013-11-06|Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.|Compact beverage dispensing unit|

---

US10301583B2|2013-03-14|2019-05-28|Altria Client Services Llc|Flavor system and method for making beverages|

---

US10524609B2|2013-03-14|2020-01-07|Altria Client Services Llc|Disposable beverage pod and apparatus for making a beverage|

---

EP2889264A1|2013-12-27|2015-07-01|Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.|Method of dispensing a malt-based beverage, as well as device for dispensing a malt-based beverage|

---

EP2889263A1|2013-12-27|2015-07-01|Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.|Beverage dispensing device for dispensing different types of beverages or beverage components|

---

EP2889262A1|2013-12-27|2015-07-01|Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.|Beverage dispenser and method for mixing one or more beverage components with at least one carbonated liquid|

---

EP3171747A4|2014-07-22|2018-03-14|Bibo Barmaid LLC|Cold beverage dispenser|

---

EP3000778A1|2014-09-26|2016-03-30|Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.|Beverage dispenser with jet mixing means|

---

US10317134B2|2016-04-12|2019-06-11|Cornelius, Inc.|Rapid cooling systems for beverages|EP3330219A1|2016-11-30|2018-06-06|Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.|Dispensing apparatus provided with a cooling unit|

---

CA3094742A1|2018-03-22|2019-09-26|Bedford Systems Llc|Carbonation system for beverage machine|

---

WO2021107781A1|2019-11-29|2021-06-03|Heineken Supply Chain B.V.|Beverage dispensing assembly preventing micro-organism reflux|

---

CN111578754A|2020-05-25|2020-08-25|江苏赫特节能环保有限公司|Flat plate fin type heat pipe|

法律状态:
2019-08-21| FG| Patent granted|Effective date: 20190814 |

优先权:

---

申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

---

EP16169667.9A|EP3244157A1|2016-05-13|2016-05-13|Dispensing appliance provided with a disposable cooling cartridge|

---

EP16169667.9|2016-05-13|

---