Description

The present invention relates to a dispensing font device for a beverage dispensing system .

When dispensing beverage, such as draft beer, it may be desirable to dispense the beer with some degree of foam on top of the beer to indicate the freshness of the beer and to provide a certain texture to the beer, simply to enhance the experience for the person drinking the beer.

In the known dispensing systems, this may be performed in numerous ways, however, since many beverage systems more often use disposable items, such as dispensing lines and valves, difficulties have been experienced in controlling the foam generation to the desired extent while using these disposable items.

Hence, there is a need for providing a solution wherein proper foam generation to the beer is provided .

It is an object of the present invention to wholly or partly overcome the above disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, it is an object to provide an improved dispensing font device facilitating foam generation to the beverage being dispensed while using disposable items.

The above objects, together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will become evident from the below description, are accomplished by a solution in accordance with the present invention by a dispensing font device for a beverage dispensing system, comprising :

- a first font part having a first upper end and a second lower end,

- a substantially horizontal second font part connected with the first font part at the first upper end, the second font part comprising a tapping handle being configured to open and close an outlet of a dispensing line extending through the dispensing font device during use,

the tapping handle is connected with the outlet via an actuation part, the tapping handle is configured to have - a first position in which the outlet is closed, in the first position the tapping handle is substantially vertical,

- a second position in which the outlet is open, in the second position the tapping handle is moved in a first direction,

- a third position in which the outlet is partly open for creating foam to the beverage, in the third position the tapping handle is moved in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction,

wherein the actuation part comprises a first member being rotably connected with the second font part and having a first member end being connected with the outlet and a second member end being connected with a second member, the second member being connected with the tapping handle so that by moving the tapping handle the outlet may be opened, closed or partly opened,

wherein the second member is configured to be movable between a first member position and a second member position when the tapping handle is moved in the second direction .

The second member may be rotably connected with the first member.

Moreover, the first member may comprise a first stop element, the stop element being configured to ensure that the second member is able to move between the first member position and the second member position when the tapping handle is moved in the second direction, and that the first member and the second member are moved together when the tapping handle is moved in the first direction . Furthermore, the first member may be moved together with the second member at least when the second member is in the second member position.

In addition, the second member may comprise a first projection, the first projection being configured to abut the first stop element in the second member position .

Also, the second member end of the first member may be moved slightly downwards by the first projection, while the tapping handle is moved towards the second member position so that the outlet is partly opened for creating foam. Further, the second member may comprise a second projection, the second projection being configured to abut a second stop arranged on the second font part, so that the tapping handle is hindered in moving further in the second direction whereby the partial opening of the outlet is controlled.

Moreover, a first spring may be arranged between the second font part and the first member, so that when the tapping handle is moved in the first direction and/or the second direction, the first spring is compressed enabling the first member and second member to return to the first position of the tapping handle when the tapping handle is released. Additionally, a second spring may be arranged between the second font part and the second member, so that the tapping handle is configured to be held in the first position when not activated .

Furthermore, the first member may be rotably connected with the second font part by arranging a first pivot joint between the first member end and the second member end .

Also, the first member may comprise a connection configured to interact with a valve of the dispensing line.

In addition, the present invention relates to a beverage dispensing system comprising :

- a dispensing font device as described above,

- a beverage container,

- a dispense head to be coupled to the beverage container,

- a dispensing line extending from the dispense head to the second part opposite the tapping handle so that beverage from the beverage container may be dispensed via the dispensing line. Further, the dispensing line may comprise a valve.

Moreover, the dispensing line may comprise a connection unit, the connection unit comprising :

- a hollow piston member defining a fluid channel extending between a first unit end and a second unit end of the hollow piston member,

the dispensing line connected with the second unit end of the hollow piston member and in fluid communication with the fluid channel. Additionally, the connecting unit may comprise a mechanism preventing reuse of the connection unit by blocking the fluid channel and/or changing the geometry of the hollow piston member.

Finally, the dispense head may comprise :

- a housing having a through-going bore,

- an activation handle pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between at least a deactivated position and an activated position, and

wherein the connection unit is configured to be inserted from a top end of the dispense head into the through-going bore.

The invention and its many advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which for the purpose of illustration show some non-limiting embodiments and in which :

Figs. 1 and 2 show a dispensing font device according to the invention,

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of the second font part of the dispensing font device,

Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of the second font part wherein the tapping handle is in its third position, Figs. 5 and 6 show in cross-sectional views a part of the second font part wherein a valve is positioned in the second font part, in a second position of the tapping handle and a third position of the tapping handle, respectively,

Fig. 7 shows a dispense head arranged on a beverage container,

Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a dispense head, and

Fig. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a beverage dispensing system. All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, and they show only those parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested. Figs. 1 and 2 show a dispensing font device 1 for a beverage dispensing system according to the invention . The dispensing font device 1 comprises a first font part 2 having a first upper end 3 and a second lower end 4, and a substantially horizontal second font part 5 connected with the first font part at the first upper end 3, the second font part 5 comprising a tapping handle 6 being configured to open and close an outlet of a dispensing line (not shown) extending through the dispensing font device during use. Fig. 3 shows in a cross-sectional view a part of the second font part 5. The tapping handle 6 is connected with the outlet via an actuation part 7, the tapping handle 6 being configured to have

- a first position in which the outlet is closed, in the first position the tapping handle is substantially vertical as shown in Fig. 6,

- a second position in which the outlet is open, in the second position the tapping handle 6 is moved in a first direction, and

- a third position in which the outlet is partly open for creating foam to the beverage, in the third position the tapping handle is moved in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction .

The actuation part 7 comprises a first member 8 being rotably connected with the second font part 5 and having a first member end 9 connected with the outlet (not shown) and a second member end 10 connected with a second member 11, the second member 11 being connected with the tapping handle 6 so that by moving the tapping handle 6 the outlet may be opened, closed or partly opened.

The second member 11 is configured to be movable between a first member position and a second member position when the tapping handle 6 is moved in the second direction .

The second member 11 is rotably connected with the first member 8. In the present embodiment, the second member 11 and the first member 8 are connected via a pivot point 12. In addition, the first member 8 is rotably connected with the second font part 5 by arranging a second pivot point 13 between the first member end 9 and the second member end 10. In the present embodiment, the first member 8 has a form as a T. A first spring 14 is arranged between the second font part 5 and the first member 8, so that the when the tapping handle 6 is moved in the first direction and/or the second direction, the first spring 14 is compressed enabling the first member 8 and second member 11 to return to the first position of the tapping handle 6 when the tapping handle is released.

Furthermore, a second spring 15 is arranged between the second font part 5 and the second member 11, so that the tapping handle 6 is configured to be held in the first position when not activated.

The first member 8 comprises a first stop element 16, the stop element 16 being configured to ensure that the second member 11 is able to move between the first member position and the second member position when the tapping handle 6 is moved in the second direction, and that the first member 8 and the second member 11 are moved together when the tapping handle 6 is moved in the first direction .

In addition, the first member 8 may be moved together with the second member 11 at least when the second member 11 is in the second member position.

Furthermore, the second member 11 comprises a first projection 17, the first projection 17 being configured to abut the first stop element 16 in the second member position as shown in Fig. 4. The second member 11 also comprises a second projection 18, the second projection 18 being configured to abut a second stop 19 arranged on the second font part 5, so that the tapping handle 6 is hindered in moving further in the second direction whereby the partial opening of the outlet is controlled to the intended level.

In Fig. 4, the tapping handle 6 is moved in the second direction whereby the beverage flowing in the dispensing line creates foam since the outlet is only partly open. As shown in Fig. 4, the first projection 17 abuts the first stop element 16 in the second member position and the second projection 18 abuts the second stop 19 arranged on the second font part 5, so that the tapping handle 6 is hindered in moving further in the second direction, whereby the partial opening of the outlet is controlled to the intended level, irrespective of whether the outlet is made of a polymeric material . Furthermore, the second member end 10 of the first member 8 is moved slightly downwards by the first projection 17 while the tapping handle 8 is moved towards the second member position, so that the outlet is partly opened for creating foam. In Figs. 5 and 6, cross-sectional views of the second font part 5 are shown wherein a valve 20 is arranged . The first member 8 comprises a connection 21 being configured to interact with the valve 20 of the dispensing line. Flence, the first member 8 is configured to open and close the valve and to activate the valve, i.e. partly open the valve, to create foam.

In Fig. 5, the tapping handle 6 is moved in the first direction, which is normally in the direction away from the dispensing font device 1. When the tapping handle 6 is moved in the first direction, it is positioned in the second position in which the valve is open and fully dispensing beverage. When the tapping handle 6 is moved in the first direction, the second member 11 abuts the first stop element 16, whereby the first member 8 is rotated around the second pivot joint 13, so that the first member end 9 is moved upwards whereby the valve 20 is being opened. A valve piston 22 of the valve 20 is moved upwards in a valve housing 23, so that the beverage may flow out of the outlet 24.

In Fig. 6, the tapping handle 6 is moved in the second direction, which is normally in the direction towards the dispensing font device 1. When the tapping handle 6 is moved in the second direction, it is positioned in the third position in which the valve 20 is partly opened, so that foam may be created by the pressure lost over the valve 20. When tapping handle 6 is moved in the second direction, the first projection 17 of the second member 11 abuts the first stop element 16, whereby the first member 8 is rotated around the second pivot joint 13, so that the first member end 9 is moved slightly upwards whereby the valve 20 is being partly opened. In addition, the second projection 18 of the second member 11 abuts the second stop 19 of the second font part 5 whereby it is ensured that the tapping handle 6 is hindered in moving further in the second direction than intended. Flereby, it is obtained that the opening of the valve to create foam is well-defined and may be controlled to a higher degree than before, irrespective of the material of the valve.

The beverage may advantageously be beer. In Fig. 7, a beverage container 25 is shown in a cross-sectional view. In the present embodiment, the beverage container 25 comprises an extractor tube 26 having a double valve 27. On the double valve, a dispense head 30 is arranged so that the dispense head 30 may open the double valve 27 when the dispense head is being activated, so that gas via the gas inlet 31 in the dispense head 30 may propel the beverage in the beverage container 25 via the dispense head 30 into the dispensing line 32. The dispensing line 32 extends from the dispense head 30 up through the dispensing font device according to the invention. In Fig. 8, a dispense head 30 is shown in a cross-sectional view. The dispense head 30 comprises an activation handle 35 pivotally mounted at a third pivot point 36 at an upper part of the dispense head housing. The activation handle 35 is movable between a first position wherein the activation handle is activated and a second position, as shown in Fig. 8, wherein the dispense head 30 is deactivated.

Furthermore, the dispense head comprises a gas inlet 31 and a gas valve. The gas inlet is a conventional gas inlet for supplying pressurised gas, such as CO2 or other suitable gases, to the beverage dispensing system . The gas inlet and the gas valve are fluidly connected by a gas bore extending from the gas inlet to a space 37 provided between the dispense head housing and an outer periphery of a hollow piston member 40. The gas valve is arranged in the dispense head housing in a valve bore 38. The gas valve comprises a nut 39 arranged around a valve piston 41 movable in an axial direction, a spring member 42 arranged around the valve piston and extending between a projection 43 in a bottom part of the valve piston and the nut, and a valve gasket 44 arranged around a lower part of the valve piston . The valve gasket 44 may for instance be a bellow gasket or other kind of seal known to the person skilled in the art. The valve gasket 44 is configured to surround the lower part of the valve piston and the spring member 42, thereby sealing the movable parts of the gas valve, so that only the gasket is in direct contact with the gas flow. Flereby, a hygienic solution of a gas valve is obtained. The end of the valve piston, opposite to where the gasket is arranged, is pivotally connected with the activation handle, whereby the valve piston can be axially displaced by the activation handle. The valve piston is pushed towards a bottom of the valve bore by the spring member 42 to block the gas bore and provide a gas- tight seal. The gas valve acts as a control valve regulating the fluid communication between the gas inlet and the space 37. When in closed position, the fluid communication between the gas inlet and the space 37 is blocked by the gas valve. In use, the hollow piston member of the replaceable connection unit is inserted into a bore in the dispense head housing . The bore has a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the guiding surfaces of the hollow piston member 40. When arranged in the bore, the hollow piston member is movable in an axial direction, and a space is defined between the dispense head housing and the hollow piston member. The seal provides a fluid-tight connection between the dispense head housing and the hollow piston member and seals off the space in the upwards direction .

The hollow piston member 40 may advantageously be inserted into a through-bore in the dispense head . The hollow piston member is connected with the dispensing line 32. Advantageously, the hollow piston member may be inserted into the dispense head from above and the hollow piston member may be replaced each time a beverage container is replaced .

In Fig. 9, a beverage dispensing system 100 is shown in a cross-sectional side view. The beverage dispensing system 100 comprises a housing 60 configured to house a beverage container 25. The housing 60 is provided with a cooling unit 62 for keeping the beverage at a predetermined temperature and is further provided with circulating means for circulating the cool air in the housing 60. The housing 60 may also comprise propelling means, or propelling means may be connected to the beverage container 25 in the housing . The propelling means may be a gas, such as CO2, or it may be a pressure chamber utilising a pneumatic or mechanical pressure means to force the beverage out of the beverage container 25. In the shown embodiment, the propelling means is a gas contained in a gas cylinder 63, which is connected via a gas line 64 to a dispense head 30 to be connected with the beverage container 25. The dispensing line 32 extends from the beverage container 25 up through the guide channel 66 of the dispensing font device 1. The second font part 5 comprises the tapping handle 6 configured to open and close the valve 20 when correctly positioned in the second font part 1.

The dispensing line 32 may be made of a non-rigid material to facilitate handling and guiding. The dispensing line 32, as well as the valve 20, is preferably made of a polymeric material . Although the invention has been described in the above in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by the following claims.