A wine outlet tube

Abstract

The present application provides a wine outlet pipe, belonging to the technical field of machinery. It solves the problem that the existing wine outlet pipe is inconvenient to pass through the wine column. The wine outlet pipe comprises a flexible pipe body, a wine outlet nozzle connected to the wine outlet end of the pipe body for connecting with a wine outlet faucet, and a wine barrel joint connected to the wine inlet end of the pipe body. The wine outlet pipe further comprises a counterweight, which is sleeved outside the wine inlet end of the pipe body and detachably connected with the wine barrel joint. By arranging the counterweight at the wine inlet end of the pipe body, a downward pulling force is always provided for the wine inlet end of the pipe body during installation and replacement, so that the pipe body can be always pulled straight downward to prevent bending and deformation in the wine column. Meanwhile, the flexible pipe body can overcome the resistance of the heat preservation bag to ensure smooth passing through the wine column, which is simple in operation and high in efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of mechanical technology and relates to a wine dispensing tube. Background Technology

[0002] Beer is a common beverage in our lives, especially popular in summer. Currently, the main types of beer on the market are bottled beer, canned beer, and keg beer. Bottled and canned beer are portable and easy to store, commonly used in homes. Keg beer has a large capacity, consistent taste, and rich flavor, widely used in bars, parties, and other occasions. Keg beer is generally used with a draft beer dispenser. To ensure better taste, existing draft beer dispensers are equipped with a chiller. The keg is installed below the dispenser, which has a dispensing tap. The tap is connected to the keg via a dispensing hose. Specifically, the dispenser also has a beer column. The dispensing end of the hose is connected to a nozzle, which is connected to the dispensing tap. The other end passes through the beer column and connects to a keg connector, which is connected to a beer spout on the keg. The beer column contains insulation, which wraps around the dispensing hose.

[0003] Because beer tends to form material inside the dispensing pipe after flowing through it, existing dispensing pipes are typically disposable hoses, replaced periodically or when the beer keg is changed, to avoid affecting the beer's taste. For example, Chinese patent application (application number: 202120658554.6) discloses a disposable pipe comprising a hose, a dispensing nozzle connected to one end of the hose, and a dispensing top connected to the other end of the hose. The dispensing top, nozzle, and hose are all made of food-grade plastic, and this disposable pipe can be used in beer dispensing machines. When installing or replacing this disposable pipe, the nozzle at one end of the hose needs to be connected to the dispensing tap, then the other end of the hose needs to be passed through the insulation cotton inside the beer column, and then the dispensing top at the other end needs to be connected to the beer spout on the beer keg. Because this disposable pipe is a hose, and the insulation cotton inside the beer column has a certain elastic resistance, the hose is prone to bending and deformation during insertion into the beer column, making it difficult to pass through. This poses a significant challenge to installation and replacement.

[0004] To address the issue of disposable dispensing pipes being inconvenient to pass through the liquor column, the current conventional approach is to make the disposable pipe a rigid pipe. However, due to the location of the dispensing tap and the liquor barrel, the space available for installers to operate is limited. Using a rigid pipe would also cause significant inconvenience in connecting the disposable dispensing pipe to the dispensing tap and the liquor barrel. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the aforementioned problems in existing technologies by proposing a wine outlet pipe. The technical problem to be solved by this invention is: how to solve the problem that existing wine outlet pipes are inconvenient to pass through the wine column.

[0006] The objective of this invention can be achieved through the following technical solution: a wine dispensing pipe, comprising a flexible pipe body, wherein the wine dispensing end of the pipe body is connected to a wine dispensing nozzle for connection to a wine dispensing tap, and the wine inlet end is connected to a wine barrel connector, characterized in that the wine dispensing pipe further comprises a counterweight, wherein the counterweight is sleeved outside the wine inlet end of the pipe body, and the counterweight is detachably connected to the wine barrel connector.

[0007] This dispensing tube features a counterweight at its inlet end. During installation and replacement, the outlet end with the counterweight is simply inserted into the liquor column. Under the weight of the counterweight, the tube remains taut and is pulled downwards, allowing it to smoothly pass through the liquor column, overcoming the elastic resistance of the insulation material. Conventionally, counterweights are used in machinery to balance moving parts, acting as a literal counterweight. This invention overturns this conventional understanding. By installing a counterweight at the inlet end, a continuous downward force is applied during installation and replacement, keeping the tube taut and preventing bending or deformation within the liquor column. Simultaneously, the counterweight helps the flexible tube overcome the resistance of the insulation material, ensuring smooth passage through the liquor column. This method is simple and efficient. Furthermore, the installation method of the counterweight is also unique. It is sleeved on the outside of the inlet end of the pipe, meaning that most of the space is overlapped with the pipe body. This provides protection for the connection between the inlet end and the connector, while also ensuring good stability through rigid contact with the barrel connector. Additionally, the counterweight is detachable, meaning it can be replaced along with the outlet pipe or reused repeatedly without needing to be replaced with each outlet pipe, thus avoiding increased costs. This allows for selection based on actual needs.

[0008] In the aforementioned wine outlet pipe, the end of the barrel connector that connects to the pipe body has a radially protruding annular boss. This annular boss partially extends into and engages with the counterweight. In the overall structure of the wine outlet pipe, the barrel connector exhibits relatively good structural strength. The annular boss, formed by its protrusion, engages with the counterweight, ensuring good stability and installation. Furthermore, since the annular boss is only formed at the end where the barrel connector connects to the pipe body, and only partially extends into the counterweight, minimal modifications to the size and structure of the barrel connector are required.

[0009] In the aforementioned wine outlet pipe, an annular groove is formed along the circumferential direction on the annular protrusion, and a protruding annular locking block is provided on the inner wall of the counterweight. The annular locking block engages within the annular groove. The engagement of the annular locking block and the annular groove enables the counterweight to be installed and fixed, facilitating installation and replacement, and ensuring uniform overall force distribution.

[0010] In the aforementioned dispensing pipe, the bottom wall of the annular groove has several limiting planes (first type), and the annular block has corresponding limiting planes (second type). The limiting planes (first type) and their corresponding limiting planes (second type) abut each other. The cooperation between the annular block and the annular groove enables the counterweight to be axially connected and fixed to the annular boss. Through the mutual cooperation of the limiting planes (first type and second type), the counterweight can be circumferentially fixed to the annular boss, resulting in good stability and preventing any shaking between the counterweight and the entire dispensing pipe.

[0011] In the aforementioned dispensing tube, the bottom wall of the annular groove is formed by cutting several limiting planes, which are evenly distributed along the circumference of the annular groove. The outer peripheral wall of the annular block has several elongated limiting protrusions, and the surfaces of the limiting protrusions opposite to the limiting planes form the limiting planes. Forming the limiting planes by cutting on the bottom wall of the annular groove facilitates processing and also ensures that the annular block remains in close contact with the bottom wall of the annular groove.

[0012] In the aforementioned dispensing pipe, the counterweight is spherical, comprising two hemispheres. Each hemisphere has a semi-groove, and the inner wall of each semi-groove has a protruding, semi-annular ridge. The two hemispheres are detachably connected, and the two semi-grooves interlock to form a connecting hole into which the annular boss of the connecting pipe barrel connector can extend. The two ridges interlock to form the aforementioned annular locking block. The counterweight is made into two separate hemispheres, and the two hemispheres of the connecting pipe are detachably fastened to the annular boss of the pipe body and the barrel connector. Installation and disassembly are convenient, ensuring that the counterweight can be reused repeatedly without needing to be replaced with each dispensing pipe, thus avoiding increased costs.

[0013] In the aforementioned dispensing tube, both hemispheres have elastic locking feet and latches, and the elastic locking feet on one hemisphere can engage with the corresponding latches on the other hemisphere. The two hemispheres forming the counterweight are connected by these elastic locking feet and latches, making installation and disassembly convenient. This ensures the counterweight is reusable and does not require replacement with each dispensing tube, thus avoiding increased costs.

[0014] In the aforementioned wine dispensing tube, each hemisphere has elastic locking feet and latches on both sides of its semi-groove, with these locking feet and latches arranged vertically in a staggered manner. This staggered arrangement ensures that the force on both sides is relatively even after the two hemispheres interlock, avoiding one-sided force. Furthermore, this design allows the two hemispheres to form a mirror image, enabling production with only one mold.

[0015] In the aforementioned dispensing pipe, the inlet end of the pipe body is connected to the barrel connector via a flexible connector, which is located within the connection hole. The dispensing pipe also includes a connecting pipe sleeved outside the connector, with one end extending into the connection hole and abutting against the annular protrusion, and the other end extending beyond the counterweight. The connecting pipe is heat-sealed and shrink-wrapped around the connector, the inlet end of the pipe body, and the connector. The fact that one end of the connecting pipe extends beyond the counterweight reduces the impact of the counterweight installation on the pipe body at the inlet end, providing support and preventing deformation or bending of the pipe body under stress at the inlet end.

[0016] In the aforementioned wine outlet pipe, the length of the connecting pipe extending into the connecting hole is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the total length of the connecting pipe. This arrangement reduces the impact of the counterweight on the pipe body at the wine inlet end after installation, providing better support and preventing deformation or bending of the pipe body at the wine inlet end due to stress.

[0017] Compared with existing technologies, this wine dispensing tube has the following advantages:

[0018] 1. By setting a counterweight at the inlet end of the tube, a downward pulling force is provided at the inlet end of the tube during installation and replacement. This keeps the tube straight and prevents it from bending or deforming in the liquor column. At the same time, it can help the flexible tube overcome the resistance of the insulation bag and ensure that it can pass smoothly through the liquor column. The operation is simple and efficient.

[0019] 2. The design of the connecting tube can support the counterweight and isolate the counterweight from the tube body, preventing the counterweight from compressing the flexible tube body. It also has a buffering and guiding effect on the tube body, preventing local bending deformation of the tube body at the connection point near the counterweight.

[0020] 3. The counterweight is detachable and reusable, eliminating the need to replace it with each bottle outlet and preventing increased costs. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the wine outlet pipe.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the wine dispenser.

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0024] Figure 4 This is an exploded diagram of the liquor delivery station.

[0025] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Enlarged view of point B in the middle.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a partial sectional view of the wine outlet pipe.

[0027] Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a hemisphere.

[0028] In the diagram: 1. Pipe body; 2. Wine tap; 3. Wine column; 4. Wine spout; 5. Barrel connector; 5a. Annular boss; 5a1. Annular groove; 5a11. Limiting plane one; 6. Connecting pipe; 7. Counterweight; 7a. Hemisphere; 7a1. Annular block; 7a11. Protrusion; 7a2. Connecting hole; 7a21. Semi-groove; 7a3. Limiting protrusion; 7a31. Limiting plane two; 7a4. Elastic locking foot; 7a5. Locking opening. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The following are specific embodiments of the present invention, which are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings to further illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0030] like Figure 1-7 As shown, this dispensing pipe can be used in a draft beer machine, which includes a beer column 3 and a dispensing nozzle 2 installed on the beer column 3. This dispensing pipe includes a counterweight 7 and a flexible pipe body 1. The dispensing end of the pipe body 1 is connected to a dispensing nozzle 4, which is connected to the dispensing nozzle 2. The inlet end of the pipe body 1 passes through the beer column 3 and is connected to a keg connector 5.

[0031] Specifically, the barrel connector 5 has a radially protruding annular boss 5a at one end connected to the pipe body 1. An annular groove 5a1 is provided on the annular boss 5a in the circumferential direction. The inner wall of the counterweight 7 has a protruding annular block 7a1. The annular boss 5a extends into the counterweight 7 and the annular block 7a1 is engaged in the annular groove 5a1.

[0032] To go further, such as Figure 4 , 5As shown in Figure 7, the inlet end of the pipe body 1 is connected to the barrel connector 5 via a connector hose. The connector hose is located inside the connection hole 7a2. The inlet end of the pipe body 1 is fitted with a connecting pipe 6, which is wrapped around the connector hose and the inlet end of the pipe body 1 by heat-melting shrink wrapping. The counterweight 7 is spherical and includes two hemispheres 7a. Each hemisphere 7a has a semi-groove 7a21. The inner wall of each semi-groove 7a21 has a protruding semi-annular ridge 7a11. Both hemispheres 7a have elastic locking feet 7a4 and locking slots 7a5. The elastic locking foot 7a4 on one hemisphere 7a is inserted into the locking slot 7a5 on the other hemisphere 7a. The two semi-grooves 7a21 interlock to form a connection hole 7a2 into which the annular boss 5a of the connecting pipe 6 and the barrel connector 5 can extend. The two ridges 7a11 interlock to form an annular locking block 7a1. The length of the connecting pipe 6 extending into the connecting hole 7a2 is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the total length of the connecting pipe 6. In this embodiment, each hemisphere 7a has elastic locking feet 7a4 and locking slots 7a5 on both sides of the semi-groove 7a21, and the elastic locking feet 7a4 and locking slots 7a5 on both sides of the semi-groove 7a21 are arranged in a staggered manner. The hemisphere 7a also has a pressing port that communicates with the locking slot 7a5, which makes it easy for the operator to press the elastic locking feet 7a4 locked in the corresponding locking slot 7a5 to release the locking and realize the disassembly of the counterweight 7, which is simple to operate.

[0033] The bottom wall of the annular groove 5a1 is formed by cutting several limiting planes 5a11, which are evenly distributed along the circumference of the annular groove 5a1. The outer peripheral wall of the annular block 7a1 has several elongated limiting protrusions 7a3, the number of which is the same as the limiting planes 5a11. The surfaces of the limiting protrusions 7a3 and the limiting planes 5a11 opposite to the limiting planes 7a11 form limiting planes 7a31. The limiting planes 5a11 and the corresponding limiting planes 7a31 are in contact. The cooperation between the annular block 7a1 and the annular groove 5a1 enables the axial connection and fixation of the counterweight 7 and the annular boss 5a. Through the mutual cooperation of the limiting planes 5a11 and 7a31, the circumferential fixation of the counterweight 7 and the annular boss 5a is achieved, resulting in good stability and preventing the counterweight 7 from shaking with the entire dispensing tube.

[0034] When installing this beer dispensing tube on a draft beer machine, first connect the dispensing nozzle 4 to the dispensing tap 2. Then, insert the dispensing end equipped with the counterweight 7 into the beer column 3. Under the weight of the counterweight 7, the tube body 1 will always be pulled straight downwards by the counterweight 7, and the counterweight 7 can drive the tube body 1 to slide down, directly overcoming the elastic resistance of the insulation cotton in the beer column 3 and smoothly passing through the beer column 3. Then, connect the beer keg connector 5 of the dispensing end to the beer keg to complete the installation. When it is necessary to replace the beer dispensing tube, remove the dispensing nozzle 4 from the dispensing tap 2, remove the beer keg connector 5 from the beer keg, and then pull the dispensing tube out of the beer column 3. Press the elastic latch 7a5 to release the engagement between the two hemispheres 7a, remove the counterweight 7 from the dispensing tube and reinstall it on the new dispensing tube. Repeat the above installation steps on the draft beer machine to complete the replacement.

[0035] This application overturns the conventional understanding of counterweights by those skilled in the art. By setting a counterweight 7 at the inlet end of the tube 1, during installation and replacement, the counterweight 7 provides a continuous downward pulling force to the inlet end of the tube 1, thus keeping the tube 1 straight and preventing bending deformation within the liquor column 3. Simultaneously, it helps the flexible tube 1 overcome the resistance of the insulation bag, ensuring smooth passage through the liquor column 3. This design is simple and efficient. The connecting tube 6 supports the counterweight 7 and isolates it from the tube 1, preventing the counterweight 7 from compressing the flexible tube 1. It also provides a buffering and guiding effect on the tube 1, preventing local bending deformation near the connection point with the counterweight 7. Furthermore, the counterweight 7 is detachable and reusable, eliminating the need for replacement with each liquor outlet and preventing increased costs.

[0036] The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to substitute them, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope defined by the appended claims.

[0037] Although this document frequently uses terms such as pipe body 1, dispensing tap 2, dispensing column 3, dispensing spout 4, barrel connector 5, and annular boss 5a, the possibility of using other terms is not excluded. These terms are used merely for the convenience of describing and explaining the essence of this invention; interpreting them as any additional limitation would contradict the spirit of this invention.

Claims

1. A wine dispensing pipe, comprising a flexible pipe body (1), wherein the dispensing end of the pipe body (1) is connected to a wine spout (4) for connection to a wine dispensing tap (2), and the inlet end is connected to a wine barrel connector (5), characterized in that, The wine outlet pipe also includes a counterweight (7), which is sleeved on the outside of the wine inlet end of the pipe body (1) and is detachably connected to the barrel connector (5); the barrel connector (5) has a radially protruding annular boss (5a) at one end connected to the pipe body (1), and an annular groove (5a1) is provided on the annular boss (5a) along the circumference; the counterweight (7) is spherical and includes two hemispheres (7a), each hemisphere... The body (7a) is provided with a semi-groove (7a21). Each semi-groove (7a21) has a protruding semi-annular ridge (7a11) on its inner wall. The two hemispheres (7a) are detachably connected and the two semi-grooves (7a21) are interlocked to form a connection hole (7a2) into which the annular boss (5a) of the barrel connector (5) can be inserted. The two ridges (7a11) are interlocked to form an annular locking block (7a1), which is engaged in the annular locking groove (5a1).

2. The wine dispensing pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom wall of the annular slot (5a1) has several limiting planes (5a11), and the annular block (7a1) has several limiting planes (7a31) respectively. The limiting planes (5a11) are in contact with the corresponding limiting planes (7a31).

3. The wine dispensing pipe according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bottom wall of the annular groove (5a1) is formed by cutting the aforementioned limiting plane one (5a11), and the limiting plane one (5a11) is evenly distributed along the circumference of the annular groove (5a1). The outer peripheral wall of the annular block (7a1) has a number of elongated limiting protrusions (7a3), and the surface of the limiting protrusion (7a3) opposite to the limiting plane one (5a11) forms the aforementioned limiting plane two (7a31).

4. The wine dispensing pipe according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that, Both hemispheres (7a) have elastic locking feet (7a4) and locking slots (7a5), and the elastic locking feet (7a4) on one hemisphere (7a) can be locked into the corresponding locking slots (7a5) on the other hemisphere (7a).

5. The wine dispensing pipe according to claim 4, characterized in that, Each hemisphere (7a) has elastic locking feet (7a4) and locking slots (7a5) on both sides of the semi-groove (7a21), and the elastic locking feet (7a4) and locking slots (7a5) on both sides of the semi-groove (7a21) are arranged in an up-down staggered manner.

6. The wine dispensing pipe according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that, The inlet end of the pipe body (1) is connected to the barrel connector (5) via a connector hose. The connector hose is located inside the connection hole (7a2). The outlet pipe also includes a connecting pipe (6) sleeved outside the connector hose. One end of the connecting pipe (6) extends into the connection hole (7a2) and abuts against the annular boss (5a), while the other end extends out of the counterweight (7). The connecting pipe (6) is wrapped around the connector hose and the inlet end of the pipe body (1) by heat-melting shrink wrapping.

7. The wine dispensing pipe according to claim 6, characterized in that, The length of the connecting pipe (6) extending into the connecting hole (7a2) is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the total length of the connecting pipe (6).

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