Facility for storing and serving beverages

Abstract

The invention relates to an installation (1) for storing and dispensing at least two different types of beverages under pressure, comprising: - beverage storage means (30); - gas storage means (40); - beverage temperature control means (50); - beverage dispensing means (60) capable of distributing the stored beverages, which are propelled by gas; - piping networks (70) connecting the means (30, 40, 50, 60) of the installation (1). According to the invention, the gas storage means (40) comprise several types of gas (41) stored separately, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or argon, and each beverage storage means is connected to a type of gas appropriate to the beverage to be dispensed.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of installations for storing and serving beverages, and in particular wine. Prior art

[0002] Installations designed to store and serve beverages, such as wine or beer, are known from the prior art.

[0003] WO200840434 describes a multi-drink serving installation in which each container has an RFID chip indicating the appropriate serving conditions of the contained drink, so that a serving device equipped with in-line refrigeration means can be controlled so that each drink is served at the correct temperature.

[0004] WO200345818 describes a system dedicated to the storage of wine bottles under an inert atmosphere, and to their refrigeration for an optimal serving temperature.

[0005] Document FR 2 331 514 describes an installation for storing and serving at least two different types of beverages under pressure, namely beer and wine, the serving means of which are capable of dispensing the stored beverages which are propelled by gas. The gas storage means comprise several types of gases stored separately, namely carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Each beverage storage means is connected to a type of gas appropriate to the beverage.

[0006] Document DE29608397U describes a beer storage and serving facility using two types of gas, namely carbon dioxide and nitrogen, to keep the beer fresh and to propel it from the storage means to the taps. The gases are mixed in specific proportions specifically adapted to local conditions.

[0007] However, these devices are unsatisfactory in that the solutions they offer do not take into account the specific chemistry of each different beverage in the installation. Drinks may therefore be altered, or served in conditions that are not optimal. Statement of the invention

[0008] One of the aims of the invention is to provide an installation suitable for serving different types of drinks, taking into account the chemistry of each drink.

[0009] In particular, one of the aims of the invention is to provide such an installation dedicated to the storage and service of wines.

[0010] For this purpose, a storage and service facility for at least two different types of drinks under pressure has been developed, including: means for storing beverages; means for storing gas; means for regulating the temperature of beverages; means for serving beverages capable of dispensing stored beverages which are propelled by gas; piping networks connecting the means of the installation together.

[0011] According to the invention, the gas storage means comprise several types of gas stored separately, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or argon, and in that each beverage storage means is connected to a type of gas appropriate to the beverage to be propelled.

[0012] In this way, the drinks are each in contact with the appropriate gas or gas mixture, i.e. one that will not change the chemistry of the drink or alter its taste characteristics or tasting. For example, a sparkling drink such as a soda or sparkling wine will be propelled by a mixture rich in carbon dioxide or pure carbon dioxide, since these drinks naturally contain a lot of this dissolved gas. In this way, the drink is not altered during service, and the shelf life of the drinks is increased compared to a system whose gases are not adapted to each type of drink.

[0013] On the other hand, white wines do not naturally contain much carbon dioxide, so they should be propelled with a gas or gas mixture containing little carbon dioxide, and mainly nitrogen or argon.

[0014] Furthermore, in order to perfect the tasting of a drink, it is possible to adapt the gas mixture to be used. In particular, it is possible to add carbon dioxide to the gas mixture propelling this drink so that during tasting, the carbon dioxide evaporates the most volatile aromas of this drink and makes them more perceptible.

[0015] According to the invention, the installation comprises a gas mixer having several inlets, each connected to a type of gas, and the mixer is capable of producing mixtures of the gases in determined proportions and each adapted to a beverage. The mixer has several outlets each capable of delivering either a gas or a mixture of gases in the determined proportions, to propel the corresponding beverage. Thus, an installation intended to serve beverages of different chemistries can be supplied by a reduced number of basic gas containers, and the mixer produces the necessary recipes, in a number adapted for the beverage chemistries.

[0016] Preferably, the beverage temperature control means comprises a plurality of beverage temperature control devices, each controlling the beverage temperature through different piping networks. Thus, each type of beverage can be served at a temperature close to the desired serving temperature.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the beverage temperature control devices comprise temperature-controlled enclosures, in which beverage storage means are arranged. The installation thus only needs to be powered by electricity. The beverages are also permanently kept at suitable temperatures with their chemistry, so that their shelf life is significantly increased.

[0018] Advantageously, the means for regulating the temperature of the drinks further comprise means for controlling the temperature of the drinks in relation to a serving temperature setpoint for the drink, which makes it possible to best respect the desired serving temperature.

[0019] To increase the storage volume of a beverage, beverage storage systems include several containers of the same beverage, which are connected in series by a piping network. In usage contexts such as an event or festival, where the flow of beverages is high, this solution allows beverages to be served throughout the duration of the event or festival without having to replace emptied beverage containers with full ones. This system allows service employees to focus solely on serving customers.

[0020] In the preferred embodiment, the beverages are wine. Wines are beverages that are sensitive, among other things, to oxidation or gas exchange with the propellant gas, and different types of wines such as white, rosé, red, or sparkling wines have different chemistries that justify using different propellant gases. In addition, the shelf life of opened containers is optimized because the gas coverage is specific depending on the chemistry of each wine.

[0021] In a particular embodiment, the means for regulating the temperature of the beverages comprise tanks filled with a cooling material such as ice, and coils immersed in the cooling material, and through which the beverages flow. This solution is simple to implement and inexpensive.

[0022] To ensure that each drink served is at its desired serving temperature, the coils advantageously have different lengths relative to each other depending on the desired serving temperature.

[0023] The invention also relates to a trailer capable of being coupled to a motorized vehicle and containing the beverage storage and service installation according to the aforementioned characteristics. Brief description of the drawings

[0024] [ Fig. 1 ] is a diagram representing a first embodiment of the invention. [ Fig. 2 ] is a diagram representing a second embodiment of the invention. [ Fig. 3 ] is a diagram representing a third embodiment of the invention. [ Fig. 4 ] is an exterior view of a trailer containing an installation according to the invention. [ Fig. 5 ] is a partial view of the interior of such a trailer. Detailed description of the invention

[0025] In reference to the figures 1 to 3 , the invention relates to an installation (1) dedicated to the storage and service of beverages. These beverages can be of any type, such as fruit juices, sodas, beers, but they are preferably wines.

[0026] The installation (1) is dedicated to the service of drinks of different types under pressure, and includes for this purpose: means for storing beverages (30), such as bottles, or preferably barrels, possibly of different types, made of different materials such as stainless steel or plastic, and may be of different volumes, for example 10 and 50 liters; means for storing gas (40); means for regulating the temperature of the beverages (50); means for serving beverages (60), such as draw taps or service spouts; piping networks (70) connecting together the means (30, 40, 50, 60) of the installation (1).

[0027] In such an installation (1), the beverage contained in a container (31) is pushed by a pressurized gas, is conducted into its network (70) until it is drawn off by service means (60) terminating the network (70). As the service progresses, the pressurized gas replaces the beverage within the beverage container (31), so that if all the beverage in a container (31) is not consumed, said beverage will remain in contact with the pressurized gas for a period of up to several days. It is mainly during this phase that chemical reactions or gas exchanges can occur between the beverage and the pressurized gas. This is why it is important that the chemistry of the gas is adapted to the chemistry of the beverage.

[0028] According to the illustrated embodiments, the piping networks (70) firstly connect the gas storage means (40) to the beverage storage means (30). The gas storage means (40) firstly comprise gas containers (48), such as cylinders, each containing a different gas (41) such as nitrogen, argon or carbon dioxide, or containing a mixture of gases such as a mixture of 75% nitrogen and 25% carbon dioxide, or 30% nitrogen and 70% carbon dioxide.

[0029] The gas storage means (40) then comprise a gas mixer (42), receiving in its inlets (43) the gases (41) stored in the gas containers (48), and capable of mixing the gases (41) according to determined proportions, and of distributing to each of its outlets (44) a different mixture. The determined proportions, or recipes, are determined by a person skilled in the art and are set on the mixer (42), depending on the drinks to be propelled which are connected to the different outlets (44).

[0030] For example, for an installation (1) intended to serve red wine, white wine for laying down, white wine, rosé wine, light red wine and sparkling wine, it is possible to store a container of carbon dioxide gas (48) and a container of nitrogen gas (48). The recipes set on the mixer (42) can be: a first recipe comprising between 0% and 5% carbon dioxide and between 100% and 95% nitrogen, which will be distributed by a first outlet (44) in order to propel the red wine and the white wine for laying down; a second recipe comprising between 5% and 10% carbon dioxide and between 95% and 90% nitrogen, which will be distributed by a second outlet (44) in order to propel the white wine, the rosé wine and the light red wine; a third recipe comprising between 10% and 15% carbon dioxide and between 90% and 85% nitrogen, which will be distributed by a third outlet (44) in order to propel another white wine and the rosé wine which may be slightly sparkling; a fourth recipe comprising between 80% and 100% carbon dioxide and between 20% and 0% nitrogen, which will be distributed by a fourth outlet (44) in order to propel the sparkling wine.

[0031] These recipes are given as examples and the person skilled in the art will be able to adapt the recipes according to the drinks to be propelled. The recipes can therefore contain any proportion of carbon dioxide between 0% and 100%, the remainder of the mixture being nitrogen or argon. The essential thing is that each drink storage means (31) is connected to a type of gas appropriate to the drink to be propelled.

[0032] In particular, if one of the recipes chosen by the person skilled in the art corresponds to the use of a stored pure gas (41), the person skilled in the art may choose to directly connect a gas container (48) to the corresponding beverage containers (31), in order to reserve the mixer (42) for the other recipes that he needs. This may be necessary because the number of outlets (44) of the mixer is limited, which means that the number of recipes available simultaneously is limited. On a mixer (42) having only three outlets, then only three recipes are selectable.

[0033] In the case where an installation comprises several beverages which can be propelled by the same gas recipe, for example several red wines, the gas storage means (40) further comprise a distributor (47) which is capable of distributing the same gas mixture to several different beverage containers (31).

[0034] The presence of a single mixer (42) is generally sufficient for an installation (1), as this provides five possibilities of propellant gases (two gases as stored, plus three recipes). The additional cost linked to the mixer (42) is therefore acceptable.

[0035] For the purpose of regulating the gas pressure within the installation (1), the gas storage means (40) comprise primary pressure reducers (45) reducing the high pressure of the gas (41) contained in the gas containers (48), of the order of 50 to 60 bars, to an intermediate pressure of the order of 6 to 8 bars, as well as secondary pressure reducers (46) reducing the intermediate pressure of the gas to a low pressure, called the operating pressure, which is of the order of 0.5 to 3 bars. The primary pressure reducers (45) are conventionally installed as close as possible to the gas containers (48), and the secondary gas pressure reducers are installed downstream of the mixer.

[0036] In the embodiment illustrated in figure 1 , the beverage containers (31) are kegs, and several kegs of the same beverage are connected in series, which makes it possible not to have to replace each empty keg during service, for example during an evening. Empty kegs will be replaced outside of service hours.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiments, the networks (70) then connect the beverage storage means (30) to the temperature control means (50), which are preferably a tank (52) containing a cooling material, i.e. one whose temperature is lower than the temperature of the stored beverages. Advantageously, the cooling material is ice, since beverage outlets generally have an ice machine. The beverages circulate in coils (53) which are immersed in the ice, so that the beverages are cooled rapidly in line.

[0038] In order to comply with the serving temperatures adapted to the different types of beverages, the temperature regulation means (50) comprise several refrigeration devices (51), which are preferably coils (53) having different lengths.

[0039] For a drink to be served very cold, for example between 2°C and 5°C, the coil (53) is long, for example between 5 and 15 m. On the other hand, for a drink to be served at a lower temperature, for example between 10°C and 15°C, the coil (53) is short, for example less than 2 m.

[0040] There figure 1illustrates a particular case, in which certain beverages contained in their containers (31) are already at their optimal serving temperature. This occurs if the storage means (30) are arranged in a cellar whose temperature is naturally low, or if the temperature regulation means (50) additionally comprise refrigeration (54) of an enclosure of the installation (1) in which the beverage containers (31) are stored. In this case, it is possible to directly connect certain beverage containers (31) to the serving means (60), without going through the refrigeration tank (52).

[0041] In a preferred embodiment illustrated figure 2, the installation (1) comprises several temperature-regulated enclosures, in which beverage storage means (30) are arranged, so that the beverages are permanently kept at temperatures suitable for their chemistry. Their shelf life is greatly increased because it is possible to avoid possible refermentations which could occur within the containers (31).

[0042] If the installation (1) is designed so that the beverage storage means (30) are close to the service means (60), the temperature-regulated enclosures make it possible to do without the use of trays (52) and coils (53). In the case of an establishment closing every week, avoiding the use of coils greatly reduces the volume of beverages lost during emptying carried out when the establishment closes or reopens.

[0043] Each secondary regulator (46) must be adjusted according to the network (70) that it supplies downstream and its specific pressure losses. If one of the networks (70) is longer than another, a higher pressure is required to ensure good drafting of this line. In particular, networks (70) comprising a long coil (53) require a higher operating pressure than networks (70) comprising a short coil (53).

[0044] Advantageously, the beverage temperature regulation means (50) further comprise means for controlling the temperature of the beverages relative to a beverage serving temperature setpoint. This makes it possible to guarantee the correct serving temperature for each of the beverages, however the cost and difficulties of implementing such a solution are greater.

[0045] In reference to the figures 4 And 5, the invention also relates to a trailer (8), capable of being coupled to a motorized vehicle and containing the installation (1) for storing and serving beverages as described above. Such a trailer (8) is easily transportable between a place for storing beverages and gases, and a place for distributing beverages which may be temporary, such as an open-air festival, or a wedding. For ease of understanding, the installation (1) illustrated in Figure 5 is schematic and does not include all the elements that compose it.

[0046] Preferably, the trailer (8) comprises a refrigeration device (54) for cooling the drinks contained in their containers (31).

[0047] Furthermore, the installation may be shaped differently from the figures without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims.

[0048] Furthermore, the technical characteristics of the various embodiments and variants mentioned above can be combined, in whole or in part, with each other. Thus, the installation can be adapted in terms of cost, functionality and performance.

Claims

1. A storage and beverage service installation (1) for at least two different types of beverages under pressure, comprising: - beverage storage means (30); - gas storage means (40); - temperature regulation means for the beverages (50); - beverage service means (60) capable of distributing the stored beverages propelled by the gas; - piping networks (70) connecting the means (30, 40, 50, 60) of the installation (1); the gas storage means (40) comprising several types of gas (41) stored separately, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or argon, and each beverage storage means is connected to a type of gas appropriate for the beverage to be propelled, characterized in that it comprises a gas mixer (42) having several inputs (43), each connected to a type of gas (41), the mixer (42) is capable of creating gas mixtures (41) in determined proportions, each adapted to a beverage, and has several outputs (44) capable of delivering either a gas (41) or a gas mixture (41) in the determined proportions, taking into account the chemistry of each beverage, to propel the corresponding beverage.

2. A storage and beverage service installation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature regulation means for the beverages (50) comprise several temperature regulation devices for the beverages (51), each regulating the temperature of the beverages according to different piping networks (70).

3. A storage and beverage service installation (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the temperature regulation devices for the beverages (51) comprise regulated chambers, in which the beverage storage means (30) are placed.

4. A storage and beverage service installation (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the temperature regulation means for the beverages (50) further comprise means for controlling the temperature of the beverages relative to a set service temperature of the beverage.

5. A storage and beverage service installation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the beverage storage means (30) comprise several containers of the same beverage (31), and are connected in series by a piping network (70).

6. A storage and beverage service installation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the beverages are wine.

7. A storage and beverage service installation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature regulation means for the beverages (50) comprise tanks (52) filled with a refrigerant material such as ice, and coils (53) immersed in the refrigerant material, through which the beverages flow.

8. A storage and beverage service installation (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the coils (53) have different lengths relative to each other depending on the service temperature.

9. A trailer suitable for being hitched to a motorized vehicle and containing the storage and beverage service installation (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

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