Dispensing system and helix compensator for it

Abstract

Helix compensator for a dispensing system, with a dispensing line insert (1) having a longitudinally extended, cylindrical or conical basic shape, which is at least partially surrounded several times by a helically wound screw thread (2), so that the dispensing line insert (1) in a state inserted into a dispensing line extends the dispensing line helically and tapers in cross-section to the cross-section of the wound screw thread (2), characterized in that the helix compensator is designed as a dispensing line insert (1) for a tap outlet nozzle (7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a dispensing system with inline gassing for dispensing foam-forming beverages, and a suitable helix compensator for this purpose.

[0002] In beverage dispensing systems, dispensing carbonated drinks (beverages with CO2) is widespread. A distinction is made between so-called postmix and premix systems. In postmix systems, a concentrate or syrup is added to carbonated water in a specific ratio. This is state-of-the-art in the soft drink sector for beverages such as cola, lemonade, apple spritzer, etc. In premix systems, however, the beverage is not mixed with water. Therefore, no concentrates or syrups are used.

[0003] The carbonation technology used in the post-mix stage only works for non-foaming beverages – essentially water. These are so-called boiler carbonators with a CO2 atmosphere, where the water is sprayed and becomes enriched with CO2. The syrup is then added to this CO2-enriched water.

[0004] While inline carbonation systems for foaming beverages now exist in the premix sector, they have so far only achieved a very limited market penetration.

[0005] Examples of carbonated beverages include: sparkling wine, premixed soft drinks, juices, cider, beer, and alcoholic mixed drinks (vodka soda or whiskey highballs). In addition, there are many other carbonated beverages.

[0006] In the carbonation of these beverages, CO2 is incorporated into the liquid by means of an impregnating agent or carbonator. Impregnating agents for inline carbonation are known, for example, from the international patent application WO 2007 / 112892 A2 (impregnating agent with a porous solid), the German patent applications DE 101 60 397 A1 and DE 10 2004 021 823 A1 (bulk carbonate), as well as the German patent application DE 198 51 360 A1 (tube screen carbonator), the US patent US 6 712 342 B2 (hollow fiber membrane as an impregnating agent in the carbonator) and the German patent DE 103 40 024 B3 (perforated plate carbonator).

[0007] A primary purpose of inline carbonation is to optimize beverage container logistics. This concept eliminates the need for heavy kegs or other disposable and reusable pressure vessels required for transporting carbonated beverages. Instead, cost-effective and environmentally friendly non-pressurized container systems, such as bag-in-box (plastic bag inside a cardboard box), can be used. The beverage being transported does not yet contain carbon dioxide, as this is added inline during the dispensing process. Therefore, no pressure is generated, and a pressure-resistant container is not required. Since the beverage is only fully carbonated during dispensing, it can also be considered a premixed beverage product.

[0008] Dispensing frothy, carbonated beverages is typically done using dispensing systems with so-called compensator taps. These taps contain a conical compensator pin that fits into a corresponding socket. The tap operator can adjust the compensator's position using a lever. This increases or decreases the size of an annular gap around the compensator, thus controlling the flow rate of the beverage. In essence, the operator regulates the flow rate of the beverage as it enters the glass. This is necessary because carbonated beverages are dispensed at a pressure of approximately 1.5–6.0 bar. The higher the CO2 concentration, the higher the dispensing pressure. High pressure is required to prevent CO2 from escaping in the dispensing line. However, such high pressures would result in an excessively high flow rate.The compensator cone thus causes a laminar pressure reduction, resulting in little to no CO2 escape. Ultimately, the goal is to deliver the beverage into the glass with minimal CO2 loss and minimal foam formation.

[0009] Further developments in the field of inline nitrogen purification of beverage precursors have expanded the range of applications to other types of beverages and gases. For example, in addition to stout beers, cold coffee is now also being infused with nitrogen; see, for instance, European patent application EP 0 194 787 A1 (Guinness) regarding beer, and German patent application DE 10 2017 001 151 A1 regarding nitrogenated coffee.

[0010] In inline carbonation, a separation between the process steps of "gas dosing" and "binding" is also known. For example, German patent application DE 10 2008 012 486 A1 describes a dispensing system in which the CO2 is mixed into the dispensing system at a distance from a binding tube, in which the CO2 is bound into the beverage pre-product or in which the beverage pre-product is impregnated with the CO2.

[0011] German patent applications DE 10 2010 012 175 A1 and DE 10 2015 010 783 B3, on the other hand, deal with suitable gas metering devices for the separate gas injection for inline carbonation with remote gas integration into the beverage precursor. The difficulty that must be addressed here lies in the fact that dispensing systems in general, and in inline carbonation systems in particular, use special piston or diaphragm pumps to deliver the beverage through the dispensing line to the tap. However, these pumps induce pressure surges in the conveyed liquid, which then lead to undesirable leakage effects in the compensator taps used, making trouble-free dispensing operation very difficult.Furthermore, the dispensing speed can be regulated on compensator taps frequently used for dispensing, so that sometimes more, sometimes less large volume units flow per unit of time, and the proportional gas dosing necessary to maintain beverage quality is difficult and relatively complex valve controls are required.

[0012] While German utility model DE 20 2017 005 461 U1 already discloses dispensing systems for nitrogenizing (adding nitrogen) coffee, where gas dosing is achieved without complex control valves or similar devices, nitrogenizing is relatively simple compared to carbonation. This is because nitrogenizing only involves breaking down the gas bubbles as finely as possible and mixing them homogeneously with the liquid. The gas itself hardly binds to the liquid. This is due to the physical properties of nitrogen. The primary focus is on the visual effect created by the rising gas bubbles and foam in the glass (the Guinness effect). The components used in nitrogenizing, particularly the dispensing nozzle of the tap, are not suitable for carbonation.

[0013] British patent application GB 2 415 763 A shows a conventional stout tap with creamer plate, which in other stout taps has been replaced by a movable piston that can move a body with different openings between a closed position and an open position.

[0014] The international patent application WO 2012 / 045 790 A1 discloses a dispensing device with a dispensing line insert arranged on the inlet side.

[0015] Starting from this premise, the object of the present invention is to make the inline carbonation of foam-forming beverages as simple as possible, particularly on existing dispensing systems with distributed gas dosing and gas integration.

[0016] This problem is solved by a helical compensator with the features of claim 1, which can be attached to a classic stout tap with the features of claim 8, or in the form of a helical compensator which can be placed in front of a compensator tap with the features of claim 7. With regard to a dispensing system, the problem is solved by a dispensing system with the features of claim 9.

[0017] The inventor recognized that the pressure surges induced in the dispensing line during the transport of a beverage by piston, diaphragm or other pumps can be compensated for or smoothed out, thus enabling the dispensing of highly carbonated beverages such as wine carbonated to sparkling wine, carbonated alcopops, but also newer variants such as carbonated whiskey or the like using an inline carbonation process on an existing, otherwise unchanged dispensing system.

[0018] For this purpose, a helical compensator is proposed, which has a dispensing line insert having a longitudinally extended, cylindrical or conical basic shape, which is at least partially surrounded several times by a helically wound screw thread, so that the dispensing line insert, in a state inserted into a dispensing line, extends the dispensing line helically and tapers in cross-section to the cross-section of the wound screw thread, wherein the helical compensator is designed as a dispensing line insert for a tap outlet nozzle.

[0019] The invention can be further developed in such a way that, on the one hand, a simple and inexpensive gas dosing technology is used, and on the other hand, that with a more complex, quantity-proportional gas dosing technology, the dispensing result is significantly improved with the widely used compensator taps, and thus higher CO2 concentrations can be achieved.

[0020] The cross-sectional narrowing of the dispensing line created by the helical compensator over a certain length, as tests have shown, buffers the pressure surges induced by the pump. Simultaneously, effective pressure reduction occurs through corresponding friction losses and braking effects, without sharp edges disrupting the laminar flow and thus causing the beverage to foam. It has proven advantageous for the dispensing line insert to have a buffer section with a circumferential helical thread, to which a laminarization section with longitudinal grooves distributed around the circumference of the insert opens at the outlet. When installed, these longitudinal grooves act as a laminarization channel, thus focusing the flow, which is slowed down in the helical thread but stimulated to a vortex or swirl-like motion, into a stream flowing directly into the glass.The laminarization channels in turn lead into a cylindrical outlet pipe section of the outlet nozzle.

[0021] In this design, the helical compensator compensates for pressure surges from upstream pumps and, with appropriate dimensioning of the screw thread and the laminarization channels, simultaneously causes a pressure reduction with a corresponding slowing of the flow velocity to the desired level.

[0022] This design not only achieves a cost-effective construction of the helical compensator, but also allows the necessary length of cross-sectional constriction to be arranged in a small space. This is particularly advantageous for countertop dispensing systems, where all components of the dispensing system, from the pump to the tap, are housed in a single, compact, and portable unit. A helical compensator designed as a dispensing line insert can also be installed downstream of a solenoid valve, allowing the outlet nozzle to be connected directly to the beverage line without a manually operated tap.It is also conceivable to use such a helix compensator in beverage preparation machines (vending machines), where a particularly compact design of the dispensing nozzle is required, or in cream dispensers, which could also contain CO2-containing beverages, which could then be dispensed in a controlled manner via a dispensing nozzle with a helix compensator incorporated within it.

[0023] The advantages of this design as a tap spout with a helical compensator insert lie particularly in its ease of replacement and simple installation and removal for cleaning purposes. A further advantage is the internal thread on the inlet side of the tap spout, which allows it to be screwed onto the desired location. For assembly and stability, it is especially beneficial that the inner section of the tap spout and the helical compensator insert taper conically in the direction of flow, so that the helical compensator insert simply needs to be inserted into the tap spout for assembly and is then secured by gravity and flow once screwed on.Furthermore, the helical compensator insert is advantageously designed on the inlet side in such a way that it supports the entry of the liquid flow into the screw thread and prevents or at least reduces turbulence of the liquid flow upon impact with the inlet side of the helical compensator insert. A spherical or bulbous surface tapering to a point on the inlet side of the dispensing line insert could contribute to this. It would also be advantageous to have several, e.g., radially extending transverse grooves that open into the screw thread and thus guide the flow into it.

[0024] According to a first aspect of the invention, a stout tap is proposed, comprising a dispensing spout and a helical compensator designed as a dispensing line insert and integrated into the tap spout. Stout taps are not normally used for dispensing beverages with a higher carbonation level because their design is not geared towards laminar pressure reduction, as with a compensator tap. Rather, in the conventional dispensing spout of a stout tap, the beverage is forced through a perforated plate, resulting in the release of already dissolved CO2. Depending on the CO2 content, this produces varying degrees of foam, which is intentional. By using a dispensing spout equipped with the helical compensator instead of a conventional perforated plate spout, beverages with a higher carbonation level can now also be dispensed from a stout tap.

[0025] The outlet nozzle is a flow-through component that can be screwed onto the tap outlet, with a conical flow-through pipe section in which the helical compensator is housed.

[0026] Therefore, in accordance with the first aspect, a helical compensator in the form of an insert for a tap spout is proposed, which fits into a tap spout. The helical compensator can also encompass the tap spout itself and then, for example, be designed to screw onto the tap outlet. The conical taper of the insert and the inner wall of the spout advantageously run parallel, so that the insert, with its helical threads, is flush with the inner wall of the spout. The outlet of the stout tap thus tapers to the cross-section of the helical thread.

[0027] The flow rate on the stout tap is not adjustable, but rather results from the geometry of the helical compensator, the properties of the beverage (viscosity), and the pump pressure. It therefore allows for the dispensing of carbonated beverages at a constant rate, without the adjustable dispensing speed found in previously used compensator taps.

[0028] A stout tap according to the invention, with a dispensing nozzle designed as a whole as a helical compensator or with a helical compensator included in the dispensing nozzle instead of the perforated plates usually provided, thus now enables the dispensing of CO2-containing, foam-forming beverages with a constant, unchanging flow rate as explained above.

[0029] The advantages of such a stout tap with a helical compensator outlet nozzle according to the invention are particularly evident in operation with countertop dispensing systems with inline carbonation. The constant flow rate of the beverage (volume per unit of time) allows for simple gas dosing without having to regulate the amount of gas dispensed depending on a changing beverage flow rate, as would otherwise be the case with compensator taps. The CO2 dosing occurs in parallel with the activity of the beverage pump. The CO2 gas flow rate is limited to a suitable level by a throttle or nozzle. The liquid and gas flow rates are coordinated. Ultimately, the pressure of the gas is higher than the pressure of the liquid. This is a prerequisite for combining the two flow rates.Due to the pressure pulsation of the pump, the differential pressure between gas and liquid fluctuates slightly, meaning the gas metering is not perfectly constant. However, on average over one or more pump cycles (e.g., 45 ml with a standard double diaphragm pump), the gas quantity remains constant. The mixing geometry following the gas metering process averages out this localized over- or under-dosing of CO2, resulting in a homogeneous dispensing event at the tap and a constant CO2 content in the glass.

[0030] The lack of adjustability of the beverage flow rate and the resulting fixed dispensing speed, combined with pressure surge compensation by the helix compensator, makes a fixed preset gas dosage during carbonation possible in the first place.

[0031] By installing such a stout tap or another beverage dispensing device equipped with a helix compensator according to the invention in the dispensing nozzle, a dispensing system according to the invention, or a countertop dispensing device with inline gassing (in particular carbonation) for dispensing CO2-containing (or other gases) beverages, can be created which has a simple, cost-effective and robust design.

[0032] The dispensing system according to the invention, in particular a countertop dispenser, comprises a hose connectable to a non-pressurized beverage pre-product source, which leads from there to the countertop dispenser, and furthermore a pressurized gas-operated or electric piston, oscillating armature, or diaphragm pump to draw a beverage pre-product from the non-pressurized beverage pre-product source and generate a volume flow through the hose to the countertop dispenser. Downstream of the pump, the countertop dispenser also has a gas connection device to connect a gas source, for example in the form of a pressurized gas cylinder, to the beverage line.Downstream of the gas connection device, a connecting pipe designed as a section of the beverage line is provided, for example as described in German patent application DE 10 2008 012 486 A1, which has a flow-through pipe section between its inlet and outlet sides. This flow-through pipe section contains a mixing arrangement suitable for being flowed through by the mixture of the beverage precursor and the gas bubbles contained therein, thereby breaking up the gas bubbles and incorporating the gas into the beverage precursor. The mixing arrangement can, for example, comprise a plurality of flow-wise arranged in series within the flow-through pipe section, as described in German utility model DE 20 2017 005 461 U1.

[0033] Furthermore, the countertop dispensing device according to the invention advantageously has a cooling unit, for example designed as a flow-through cooler, which is passed through by the beverage line downstream of the binding pipe.

[0034] Due to the classic stout tap with outlet nozzle and integrated helix compensator or other beverage dispensing device with pressure reducing arrangement and pressure surge buffer provided here, the gas connection device can be designed without complex control technology, for example as a gas connection line leading into the beverage line via a pre-adjustable needle valve.The gas connection line can be equipped with a suitable check valve to connect the CO2 source to the beverage line with gas overpressure and with a preset but without regulation of a constant gas to liquid flow rate ratio, as well as with a solenoid valve to switch the gas connection line ON and OFF in response to a corresponding control signal, which can be controlled, for example, by the activation of the feed pump or a pressure drop in the beverage line or a compressed air line, which in turn are activated by the control system when the pressure drops, i.e., when the tap is opened.

[0035] According to another aspect of the invention, the helical compensator is used purely as a pressure surge buffer element. Unlike the helical compensator according to the first aspect of the invention, this component is intended solely to buffer pressure surges in beverage lines emitted by pumps of all kinds, without significantly impeding or slowing down the actual flow of beverages.

[0036] When using diaphragm, piston, vibrating armature, or peristaltic pumps, or other pump types, in beverage lines for conveying premixed drinks or concentrates, pressure surges are regularly emitted. These can cause problems at the tap, especially with carbonated beverages, as such pressure surges can cause sputtering or excessive foaming. They also pose problems for pressure or flow sensors located downstream of the pump. The pressure surges can disrupt the signal, resulting in inaccurate pressure or flow rate readings. This presents a significant issue in beverage or gas dosing systems.

[0037] These pump types are also used in inline carbonation systems with proportional CO2 gas dosing, and consequently, corresponding pressure surge disturbances can also be observed at the tap outlet, especially with highly carbonated beverages.

[0038] The inventor recognized that by using a helical compensator as a pure pressure buffer in dispensing systems with inline carbonation systems, the pressure surges of the piston or diaphragm pumps can be compensated for or smoothed out, so that now more highly carbonated beverages such as wine carbonated to sparkling wine, carbonated alcopops, but also newer variants such as carbonated whiskey (highball whiskey) or the like can be dispensed in the inline carbonation process without overflowing in the glass during the dispensing process.

[0039] According to a further development of the invention, it would also be conceivable to combine the stout tap with helix compensator outlet nozzle with an additional, upstream helix compensator.

[0040] According to this further development of the invention, an additional, upstream helical compensator is therefore proposed, which is inserted into the beverage line downstream of the pump, but upstream of the tap.

[0041] The upstream helix compensator would then represent a kind of pre-buffer for the downstream helix compensator in the outlet nozzle.

[0042] For inline carbonation systems, it is recommended to place the additional helix compensator after the flow-through cooler (cold block), as the CO2 only dissolves completely in the beverage at this point.

[0043] The additional helical compensator according to this further development of the invention has or consists of a dispensing line insert which resembles a headless screw in appearance. The basic shape is cylindrical and is surrounded by a helically wound thread. The diameter of the helix is ​​dimensioned such that the dispensing line insert can be inserted flush into a corresponding beverage hose or pipe, which forms a section of the dispensing line.

[0044] The cross-section of the helical thread is designed to minimize braking effects while still achieving the desired pressure surge buffering effect. Incoming pressure surges in the beverage are redirected into the hose or pipe wall within the helical thread. The laminar flow of the beverage is hardly disturbed. Although the beverage is set into rotation as it flows through the helix, this rotation is not disruptive. After a certain distance, this rotation ceases on its own, or it is completely stopped in the annular gap upon contact with the compensator tap.

[0045] Furthermore, it would be conceivable to equip the additional helical compensator with a flow-through pipe section in which the dispensing line insert is housed. The component containing the flow-through pipe section can then be connected to corresponding dispensing line sections on the inlet and outlet sides. For example, on the inlet side to the beverage line upstream of the tap inlet and on the outlet side to the tap inlet itself.

[0046] By appropriately selecting the geometry of the helical compensator (cross-sectional area and length of the screw thread), beverage flow rates of 0.5 - 2.0 l / min can be set.

[0047] All food-grade materials are suitable as materials for the helix compensator in accordance with both aspects, for example metallic materials such as those used for taps or plastics, in order to be able to produce particularly inexpensive pressure shock buffer components.

[0048] The use of the helix compensator in dosing or mixing systems with the corresponding pressure surge-emitting pumps is also conceivable.

[0049] Further features and advantages are explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying illustrations. These show: Fig. Figure 1 shows a dispensing system designed as a countertop dispensing device with inline carbonation according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the [unclear] at the [unclear] in Fig. 1. The stout tap with helix compensator in the outlet spout is used in the countertop dispensing device shown; Fig. 3 the in Fig. 2 shown outlet nozzle with helical compensator in longitudinal section; Fig. 4a to 4c the in the Fig. 3 helix compensator shown in several views; Fig. 5 Detail V in Fig. 3; Fig. 6 a compensator tap with upstream helical compensator according to the state of the art; Fig. 7 a helix compensator, suitable for upstream connection at the in Fig. 6 compensator tap shown; Fig. 8 a bar management deployment of the in Fig. 7 helix compensators shown; Fig. 9a and Fig. 9b Views of one at the in the Fig. 1 shown dispensing system with installed binding pipe.

[0050] First, reference is made to the Fig. Figure 1 shows a compact dispensing system with inline carbonation housed in a single suitcase-sized enclosure. In principle, other gases (e.g., nitrogen) can be used instead of CO2.

[0051] This tabletop dispensing device features a feed pump 16, in particular a diaphragm feed pump, which is connected via a suction line to a non-pressurized beverage container 10 containing a non-carbonated or low-carbonation beverage pre-product. A suitable, well-known coupling can be provided on the beverage container 10, and a corresponding counterpart at the free end of the suction line to connect and disconnect the dispensing device from the beverage container 10. An air compressor 17 is provided to operate the diaphragm feed pump, supplying the compressed air required for its operation. However, the feed pump 16 could also be used in an electric version without compressed air.

[0052] Downstream of the diaphragm pump, a gas supply line 12 opens into the dispensing line section 14. The gas supply line 12 is equipped at its free end with coupling devices known in the trade for connection to a CO2 source, in particular a pressurized gas cylinder, and leads through a pre-adjustable needle valve 20 or a correspondingly dimensioned fixed nozzle, an electrically actuated shut-off valve, and a check valve at 14 into the dispensing line, which is designated as 13, 14, and 15. The CO2 required for carbonating the beverage product is injected under overpressure and via the pre-adjusted needle valve 20 to a predetermined quantity of gas per quantity of liquid, without taking into account pressure surges induced by the diaphragm pump 16 in the beverage product flow. At the end of the dispensing line 13, 14, 15 there is a stout tap labeled 11 with a tap outlet nozzle 7.In the tap outlet nozzle 7, the flow rate is reduced and at the same time the pressure surges generated by the feed pump 16 are buffered away.

[0053] Downstream and separate from the gas metering point, a binding tube 19 is integrated into the dispensing line 13, 14, 15, in which the CO2 is incorporated into the beverage pre-product. To dissolve the gas, the largest possible surface area must be provided, as is the case with the [unclear text] in the Fig. 9a and Fig. 9b, the binding tube 19 shown in detail is realized by means of several aerators 30 connected in series, as are known on household taps under the name aerators.

[0054] The binding tube 19 has an inlet at one open end for the beverage precursor and the CO2 to be impregnated or incorporated, and an outlet at the other end for the beverage produced from the beverage precursor and the incorporated CO2. Several water jet aerator inserts 30, arranged in series in a flow section 31, are positioned between the inlet and the outlet such that the flow from the inlet to the outlet is forced to pass through the aerator inserts 30. For this purpose, the aerator inserts 30, each with a circular cylindrical outer circumferential section, are pressed into an O-ring 32, which in turn is also inserted into a corresponding annular groove 33 on the circular cylindrical inner circumference of the flow section 31.For mounting the binding tube 19 into the dispensing line, a connection section 34 with a groove for a quick-release coupling is provided on the inlet side, and a connection section 35 with an internal thread is provided on the outlet side. Other connections would also be conceivable. The housing of the binding tube 19 can be manufactured as a single, one-piece plastic component into which only the O-rings 32 and the aerator inserts 30 need to be inserted.

[0055] Downstream of the binding pipe 19, a cooling unit, indicated by 23, is provided. In practice, this can be designed as a flow-through cooler with a cooling line several meters long, through which the dispensing line 13, 14, 15 is routed to cool the now carbonated beverage down to dispensing temperature. Simultaneously with the cooling process, CO2 is also absorbed. A dispensing line section 15, connected to the cooling unit 23, leads to the stout tap 11, whose tap outlet nozzle 7 forms the termination of the dispensing line 13, 14, 15.

[0056] As a rule, only a preliminary binding of the CO2 and a corresponding fragmentation of the gas bubbles take place in the binding tube 19. Post-binding, i.e., the dissolution of the remaining unbound CO2 bubbles in the beverage, then occurs in the cooling lines of the flow-through cooler. Due to the pressure surges of the feed pump 16, the differential pressure fluctuates between the pressure of the liquid in the dispensing line section 14 after the feed pump 16 and the gas pressure of the gas supply line 12. It can therefore be assumed that the supplied gas flow rate is also subject to a certain fluctuation relative to the liquid flow rate. Here, mixing and equalization of the mixing ratios also take place in the binding tube 19.

[0057] Fig. Figure 2 shows the stout tap 11 with the tap outlet nozzle 7, which has an internal threaded section 25 at the inlet end, with which it is screwed onto an external thread 24 on the outlet of the tap. Depending on the tap, other fastening options would also be conceivable.

[0058] Fig. Figure 3 shows the tap outlet nozzle 7 in detail. A flow pipe section 8 is provided downstream of the internal thread or the threaded pipe section 25. This flow pipe section tapers conically towards the outlet and connects to an outlet pipe section 9 with an internal cylindrical cross-section. A dispensing line insert 1, which also tapers conically, is housed within the flow pipe section 8. Fig. 4a to 4c are shown in detail.

[0059] It can be seen that the dispensing line insert 1 of the tap outlet nozzle 7 has a longitudinally extended, conical basic shape and is circumferentially surrounded several times by a helically wound thread 2 on the side facing the inlet of the outlet nozzle 7 within a circumferential buffer section. On the side facing the outlet of the tap outlet nozzle 7, a laminarization section adjoins the buffer section, in which several longitudinal grooves 3 are formed in the circumferential surface, which open at one end into the helical thread and at the other end lead to the lower end of the dispensing line insert 1. On the upper side, i.e., the side facing the tap, of the dispensing line insert 1, a radially extending transverse groove 4 is formed in the surface running perpendicular to the flow direction, which leads into the helical thread 2.

[0060] This can be seen particularly from the Fig. 4b in conjunction with the Fig. 5, that the flow passage limited by the screw thread 2 on the one hand and the inner wall of the flow pipe section 8 on the other hand in the area of ​​the dispensing line insert 1 in the dispensing line section formed by the tap outlet nozzle 7 is very small compared to the diameter Q, which corresponds to the diameter of the tap outlet, as is also the case in the area of ​​the longitudinal grooves 3.

[0061] When the stout tap 11 is opened, the pressurized flow in the dispensing line 13, 14, 15 encounters the helical compensator formed by the outlet nozzle 7 and the dispensing line insert 1. There, it is forced into the very narrow turns of the screw thread 2, which is relatively close to the tap outlet. This causes a loss of pressure due to frictional losses that accumulate over the relatively long length of the screw thread, which extends helically around the base of the helical compensator. At the same time, the pressure fluctuations induced in the beverage flow by the pressure surges of the pump 16 are smoothed out. Because of the helical shape of the screw thread 2, a similarly helical or...To prevent a swirling flow, longitudinal grooves 3 are provided downstream of the screw thread 2 to guide the beverage flow back into a perpendicular path towards the outlet of the tap outlet nozzle 7, which is achieved by the outlet pipe section 9 (. Fig. 3) is still supported.

[0062] The Fig. Figure 6 shows a pressure surge buffer helix compensator with a dispensing line insert 101, which is installed in the inlet of a conventional compensator tap 111 with variable flow rate. In the figure, the dispensing line insert 101 of the helix compensator is attached in a hose section 107 upstream of the inlet of the compensator tap 111. It would also be conceivable to place it directly in an inlet-side nozzle or on an adapter between the tap and the hose. The hose section 107 is attached at its outlet to the inlet-side nozzle of a tap 111 and can be secured there, for example, with a hose clamp or in another commonly known manner, as is also the case for the connection of its inlet-side end to the adjoining dispensing line section.

[0063] The compensator tap 111 features a compensator pin 103, which projects conically with a rounded end into an internally conical section of the tap inlet, the tip of which faces the tap inlet. The side of the compensator pin facing the tap outlet is mounted within the tap inlet. The position of the compensator pin can be adjusted by the user, thereby increasing or decreasing the annular gap. Increasing the annular gap increases the dispensing speed, while decreasing it decreases it.

[0064] The dispensing line insert 101 of the helix compensator, which is included in hose section 107, buffers pressure surges without significantly slowing down the flow of beverages.

[0065] The helix compensator is in the Fig. Figure 7 shows in detail. The hose section 107 can be seen, in which the dispensing line insert 101 is received in such a way that a flow channel smaller than the inner cross-section of the flow hose section 107 is formed between the inner wall of the hose section 107 and the circumferential surface of the dispensing line insert 101, which is provided with the screw thread 102.

[0066] The elongated basic shape of the dispensing line insert 101 of the helical compensator, which is encircled several times along its entire length by the helically wound screw thread 102, is particularly well suited in Fig. 8 can be seen. The dispensing line insert 101 may be a plastic component.

[0067] Variations and modifications of the illustrated embodiments are possible without leaving the scope of the invention.

[0068] For example, it would be conceivable to use the one in the Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. 8 shown helix compensator with a stout tap, as in Fig. 2 to combine.

Claims

[1] Helix compensator for a dispensing system, with a dispensing line insert (1) having a longitudinally extended, cylindrical or conical basic shape, which is at least partially surrounded several times by a helically wound screw thread (2), so that the dispensing line insert (1) in a state inserted into a dispensing line extends the dispensing line helically and tapers in cross-section to the cross-section of the wound screw thread (2), characterized by , that the helix compensator is designed as a dispensing line insert (1) for a tap outlet nozzle (7). [2] Helix compensator according to claim 1, characterized by, that the dispensing line insert (1) has a buffer section with the circumferentially circumferential screw thread (2) and a laminarization section located downstream of the buffer section in the installed state, which has a number of longitudinal grooves (3) distributed around the circumference, into which the screw thread (2) opens on the outlet side and which, in the installed state, lead into a section of the dispensing line located downstream of the dispensing line insert (1). [3] Helix compensator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the dispensing line insert (1) has a radially extending transverse groove (4) on a transverse side located upstream in the inserted state and facing a dispensing line flow, which opens into the screw thread (2). [4] Helix compensator according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by, that the helix compensator includes the tap outlet nozzle (7) which has a flow pipe section (8) in which the dispensing line insert (1) is received. [5] Helix compensator according to claim 4, characterized by , that the flow pipe section (8) and the dispensing line insert (1) contained therein tap conically away from a tap towards an outlet of the tap outlet nozzle (7). [6] Helix compensator according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by , that a straight outlet pipe section (9) with an internal cylindrical cross-section is connected to the outlet side of the flow pipe section (8). [7] Compensator tap (111) with a throttle element integrated in a supply line, with which the flow rate of the beverage can be regulated, characterized by , that the compensator tap (111) downstream of the throttle body is provided with a helical compensator according to one of claims 1 to 6. [8] Stout tap (11) with a tap outlet nozzle (7) screwed or otherwise attached to the outlet side, characterized by that a helix compensator according to one of claims 1 to 6 is incorporated in the tap outlet nozzle (7), wherein the tap outlet nozzle (7) and the helix compensator taper towards their outlet and wherein the stout tap (11) has no adjustment option for the beverage flow rate. [9] Dispensing system with inline gassing for dispensing foaming beverages, with: a dispensing line (13, 14, 15) connectable to a non-pressurized beverage container (10), which leads from there to a beverage dispensing device, a feed pump (16) to draw a beverage pre-product from the unpressurized beverage container (10) and to deliver a volume flow through the dispensing line (13, 14, 15) to the beverage dispensing device at a suitable pressure level of 3.5 - 7.0 bar, wherein the dispensing system may include a compressed air compressor (17) if the feed pump (16) is a pneumatic diaphragm feed pump, a gas supply line (12) leading downstream of the feed pump (16) into a dispensing line section (14), in which a check valve, a solenoid valve (21) and a needle valve (20) or a nozzle are located, and which is connected to a pressurized gas cylinder and through which a constant gas volume flow set via the needle valve (20) is metered into dispensing lines (13, 14, 15) by means of overpressure, a connecting pipe (19) located downstream of a gas connection device, designed as a section of the dispensing line (13, 14, 15), which has a flow pipe section (8) between its inlet side and its outlet side features a mixing arrangement which is suitable for being flowed through by the mixture of the beverage pre-product and the gas bubbles contained therein, thereby breaking up the gas bubbles and incorporating the gas into the beverage pre-product, characterized by , that the dispensing system either includes a stout tap (11) according to claim 8 or a compensator tap (111) according to claim 7 as a beverage dispensing device, or another beverage dispensing device equipped with a tap-side helix compensator according to one of claims 1 to 6. [10] Dispensing system according to claim 9, characterized by, that the mixing arrangement comprises a plurality of flow-wise arranged in series in the flow pipe section (8).

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