Keg coupler for a beverage keg

Abstract

Keg-coupler arrangement (1) for connection to a beverage keg (2), wherein a keg coupler (3) is provided and can be placed on a beverage keg (2) and wherein the keg coupler (3) contains a sensor (20) for determining the through-flow and / or a pressure sensor (21) and / or an antenna (26) for reading out data.

Description

[0001] Tap head with sensor for a beverage keg

[0002] The present invention relates to a dispensing head arrangement for connection to a beverage keg according to the features in the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a method for determining the filling state of a beverage keg.

[0004] It is well known from the state of the art to provide beverages in kegs, especially in restaurants. Common keg sizes are 10 liters, 20 liters, 25 liters, and 30 liters, as well as 50 liters. The kegs are delivered by a logistics company and are usually stored in an out-of-sight area away from the bar or dispensing point. This area usually needs to be refrigerated so that the beverage can be provided chilled. Kegs are often stored in a beverage cellar.

[0005] There is a need to know the fill level of each tapped beverage keg, especially when different kegs containing different beverages are tapped at a dispensing system.

[0006] This knowledge is essential in three respects. Especially during peak times, a keg change can take several minutes, which a single bartender, a single person operating a dispensing system, cannot afford to spare.

[0007] A second need is to know the current fill level in order to be able to order the quantities of drinks required for the next days or weeks in an ordering process.

[0008] A third possibility is to use the respective fill level tables to ultimately record the respective withdrawal quantities from a particular beverage barrel over a particular period of time.

[0009] Various inline measuring systems are known from the prior art; for example, a measuring arrangement is known from DE 20 207 334 U1. This system uses a flow meter that allows a control unit to read or reset the meter reading and thus determine the amount of beverage dispensed for specific periods. A disadvantage of this system is that such a flow sensor is operated, for example, via an impeller. The impeller engages directly in the beverage line. However, the beverage lines must be cleaned regularly, and so-called cleaning beads are also used. Measuring systems that engage in the beverage line are therefore disadvantageous and require special cleaning.

[0010] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method that requires as little maintenance and is as error-resistant as possible, enabling fill level monitoring and content information of tapped or tapped beverage kegs with minimal use of measuring technology. The aforementioned object is achieved according to the invention in the arrangement for detecting the flow rate and / or fill level of a beverage keg with the features of claim 1.

[0011] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0012] The arrangement for detecting the flow rate and / or fill level of a beverage keg comprises at least one dispensing head and one beverage keg. The dispensing head is connected or attached to the beverage keg. A sensor is assigned to the dispensing head, with the sensor detecting at least the "flow" or "no flow" state.

[0013] The sensor itself is either integrated directly into the dispensing head or attached to the dispensing head.

[0014] According to the invention, the sensor detects the "flow" or "no flow" state. With the help of a stored database, which consists either of an algorithm and / or a stored table, a conclusion can be drawn about the amount of beverage that flowed through the dispensing head or line based on the time in which flow is detected. This, in turn, can then be used to calculate the remaining fill level of the beverage keg. For this purpose, the flow rate, e.g., in liters per minute, is preferably stored in the system at each measuring / dispensing point. This is preferably done by the system operator calibrating / measuring, e.g., by measuring the time during which a specific and known amount of beverage is dispensed.Alternatively, a learning program can be implemented in the electronics software so that after startup, the times of all dispensing processes are added up and the operator can then simply enter the total amount dispensed. This then calculates the flow rate in liters per minute. With fixed control variables, this is usually constant for each beverage line / installation. The flow rate only needs to be recalculated if the operator makes changes to the installation (e.g. the delivery pressure or the compensator on the tap). This can also be done by adding up all the times for the complete dispensing of an entire keg. Since the operator selects the keg change in the software anyway by selecting the newly dispensed volume, this is also possible semi-automatically. Alternatively, the volume of the dispensed beverage for the last recorded measurement can be entered into the web app for calibration purposes.

[0015] If, for example, the system is set to a flow rate of 2.5 l / min and the dispensing process takes 12 seconds, it can be converted that a volume of 0.5 liters has been withdrawn, which is subtracted from the total fill level of the keg.

[0016] The present invention has many advantages over variants known from the prior art. Firstly, only a minimal use of sensor technology is required, which is therefore cost-effective, simple, and resistant to failure. Because the data is recorded and processed, it is stored, in particular, on an external server or in a cloud and can therefore be retrieved. This allows the operator of the dispensing system to retrieve the individual fill level of one or more beverage kegs at any time, providing advance warning of a keg change. A forecast can also be created for ordering future beverage kegs, since the withdrawal quantities are logged over time.

[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sensor is integrated directly into the dispensing head. The sensor is designed, in particular, as a reed sensor or reed switch or reed contact and / or capacitive sensor and / or inductive sensor. A dispensing head plunger is located in the dispensing head. Within the dispensing head plunger, in turn, there is usually a non-return valve. This non-return valve is designed, for example, as a magnetic bar or ball, particularly made of a metallic material. This can thus be used to switch a magnetic contact and thus detect the "flow" or "no flow" state.

[0018] According to the invention, a first sensor is thus designed such that a signaling element, in particular a magnetic rod or ball, but in other design variants, is integrated into the beverage line. This signaling element is moved to a different position as the beverage flows, in particular raised relative to the vertical direction. The signaling element thereby assumes the position of a sensor, in particular a reed sensor, which thus detects the "flow" state of beverages or fluid in the beverage line. The signaling element can be cleaned together with the dispensing head or simply removed for cleaning and then reinserted. Furthermore, such backflow preventers on dispensing heads are known.

[0019] For this purpose, the dispensing head itself can, in particular, be made of a plastic material. Such a dispensing head is known, for example, from EP 2 730 537 A2, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

[0020] In some applications, it may happen that a tap head is not stored vertically, for example, when changing kegs, but horizontally. This can inadvertently trigger the "flow" contact. To prevent this, a second sensor is preferably installed to detect that the tap head is properly attached to the keg and locked. This can be achieved, for example, by a second sensor that detects that the tap head lock is lowered and thus recognizes that the tap head is struck on the keg. This can also be achieved via a reed contact. Only when the sensor detects that the tap head is struck on the keg does the actual first sensor detect the "flow" state.

[0021] Furthermore, an inductive or capacitive sensor is conceivable, positioned in the dispensing head in such a way that it detects the metal fitting of the beverage keg as soon as the dispensing head is tapped. In a preferred design variant, the flow signal from the dispensing head is validated in the electronics or the web app with the flow signal from the dispensing tap.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, a pressure sensor is provided in the dispensing head. The pressure sensor and / or capacitive sensor and / or inductive sensor is designed, in particular, as a plug-in sensor. The pressure sensor is thus sealed fluid-tight and / or gas-tight, for example, with an O-ring. The plug-in connection allows the wired sensor to rotate completely around its own axis.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, it is also possible to determine a flow rate using two pressure sensors connected in series in the axial direction according to the Venturi principle.

[0024] The pressure sensor can be located in the dispensing head, preferably in the gas line. To determine the flow rate, two pressure sensors can be arranged in series in the gas line. If pressurized gas is introduced into the gas, this automatically means that extraction is taking place elsewhere. In the case of a flow meter, which consists of two pressure sensors, these can also be located in the beverage line of the dispensing head.

[0025] Particularly preferred is an electronics unit assigned to the dispensing head, arranged directly on the dispensing head, or integrated into the dispensing head. Especially if the dispensing head is made of a plastic material, an electronic circuit board can be arranged directly on the dispensing head. The wiring of the pressure sensor and the reed sensor can then be connected directly to the electronics unit. The electronics unit can be connected to a higher-level evaluation unit either via a cable connection or via wireless communication with a higher-level evaluation unit.

[0026] In a further, particularly preferred or supplementary embodiment, the dispensing head has an antenna for reading out information. This is integrated in particular at the base or foot of the dispensing head. In particular, this antenna is designed as an NFC antenna or RFID in any frequency range. This makes it possible to read out information that is present on a keg or in particular a fitting of a keg, and here in turn preferably on a data carrier in a fitting of a keg. For example, data on the filling date, contents, and type of beverage in the keg can be stored on such a data carrier of the fitting, which in turn is designed, for example, as NFC or RFID in any frequency range. This data could then be read out by the dispensing head's antenna and transmitted to the electronics unit, which in turn is transmitted to a higher-level evaluation unit.The electronics unit and the antenna are capable of reading and processing various NFC standards, such as ISO 14443 and ISO 15693.

[0027] The system is preferably designed in such a way that an electronic unit or an electronic evaluation system is present. This is particularly preferably connected via cable to the sensors in the dispensing heads. The sensors in the dispensing heads then transmit the "flow" or "no flow" signal to the electronic evaluation unit. The electronic evaluation unit can then directly calculate the flow rate, particularly based on the time window in which the sensor reports "flow." If necessary, an additional temperature sensor in the dispensing tap can also be used to prevent incorrect measurements when the dispensing head is in the horizontal position, validating the flow measurement by measuring the temperature drop as the beverage flows through. A pressure sensor on the so-called gas pressure reducer of the dispensing system can provide the same result, as the expected pressure drop validates the flow measurement.However, the electronic evaluation unit can also only record the raw data.

[0028] The raw data and / or the calculated flow rates are then preferably passed on to an external database. In particular, this is a cloud. The required data can then be retrieved from the cloud, for example via a mobile device, in particular a tablet or a smartphone. This can be located at the landlord's premises or near the dispensing system so that the dispensing system operator is informed of the current fill level of a keg. However, in the case of a larger catering chain with several geographically separated branches or similar, the data can also be forwarded to a central evaluation point so that a central ordering process can be carried out from there. Furthermore, the collected data is very useful for marketing purposes, for example for breweries, because it can then be seen which brands are being served well or poorly at which locations and at what times.Particularly preferably, an algorithm and / or data table or data matrix can be stored in the evaluation unit. The "flow" or "no flow" signal, as well as the respective time window, can then be readjusted if the measured values ​​deviate from the actual values. This can be the case, for example, if an existing dispensing infrastructure allows for a higher or lower flow, necessitating a respective readjustment.

[0029] In particular, the system can also be designed to be self-learning. By specifying or entering the respective fill volume of a beverage keg in the data matrix, a self-learning process can then take place. For example, when connecting any keg, the flow rate is determined by recording and summing all flow times. This is because the system assumes a nearly completely empty keg during each keg change and then correlates the measured dispensed beverage volume with the actual keg change, i.e., the consumed keg.

[0030] The sensors in the dispensing heads are typically connected to the electronic evaluation unit via a cable. However, wireless data transmission is also possible. A cable connection, however, allows the electronic evaluation unit to be centrally connected to a permanent power supply, such as an existing power grid. This, in turn, supplies the sensors in the dispensing heads with power. The sensors, preferably the NFC antenna, do not have to be connected to the electronic unit via a cable, but can also be connected to the electronic unit via a pluggable or detachable connection (pin and socket).

[0031] Furthermore, the cable connection from the electronics unit to the evaluation unit (gateway) can be implemented as an integral part of the electronics unit. Preferably, however, the electronics unit has a standard connector for data transmission, allowing any cable length to be connected. Data can be transmitted wirelessly from the evaluation unit, for example, via a Wi-Fi or GSM connection, eliminating the need for a data line to another external evaluation unit or the cloud. A wired internet connection (Ethernet) is also conceivable.

[0032] The present invention thus also relates to a method for operating the above-described arrangement. In particular, the method can be used to determine the flow rate and / or the fill level of the beverage keg.

[0033] For this purpose, the process is operated in such a way that, with the help of the previously described sensors, it is detected whether a beverage is being drawn from a respective beverage keg, thus establishing a "flow" or "no flow." Using a stored database, which can be an algorithm or a database table, the drawn volume from the beverage keg is calculated based on the time window for which the sensor sends a message indicating flow. This, in turn, can be used to determine or calculate the remaining fill level of the beverage keg.

[0034] Further advantages, features, and aspects of the present invention are the subject of the following description. Preferred embodiments are illustrated in schematic figures. These serve to facilitate understanding of the invention. They show:

[0035] Figure 1 shows a simplified representation of the arrangement and the

[0036] Procedure for operating this,

[0037] Figures 2 and 3 show a dispensing head with an integrated sensor, which signals "flow" according to Figure 2 and which signals "no flow" according to Figure 3,

[0038] Figure 4 a dispensing head with pressure sensor,

[0039] Figure 5 a dispensing head with gas adapter, attached via spring tongues,

[0040] Figure 6 shows a pressure sensor, attached via snap hooks, Figure 7a and b shows a dispensing head with antenna for reading data.

[0041] Figure 8a and b an alternative design variant of the antenna and

[0042] Figure 9a and b show another alternative design variant of the antenna.

[0043] In the figures, the same reference symbols are used for identical or similar components, even if a repeated description is omitted for reasons of simplification.

[0044] Figure 1 shows an arrangement 1 according to the invention for detecting the flow rate and / or the fill level of a beverage keg 2. For this purpose, a dispensing head 3 is arranged on the keg 2 and a sensor (not shown in detail) is integrated into the dispensing head 3. The dispensing head 3 is connected to a tap 5 via a beverage line 4. The beverage keg 2 is located, here shown, in a cellar 6 of a building 7. The tap 5 is located in a bar area 8. The cellar 6 and the bar area 8 can then be separated from one another by a floor 9. It is now desirable for the operator of the tap 5 to be aware of the respective individual fill level 10 or the fill level 10 of the beverage keg 2 shown. Several beverage kegs 2 can be arranged in order to provide different beverages at different taps 5, although this is no longer shown here.The sensor of the dispensing head 3 is now connected to an electronic evaluation unit 12. This can be done wirelessly as shown, but can also be wired 11. The electronic evaluation unit 12 in turn preferably communicates via a wireless signal with an external database, shown here in the form of a cloud 14. Either only raw data is transmitted, so that the fill level 10 is calculated using an algorithm of a web-based program within the cloud 14. However, the calculation can also already be carried out in the electronic evaluation unit 12. From there or from the cloud 14, the fill level 10 can be queried or displayed via a terminal 15, for example a tablet, a PDA, or a smartphone. This then enables the necessary information to be provided for further organizational processes, for example for reordering drinks or the imminent need for a keg change.The operator then enters the keg change request either at unit 12 or via a terminal device 15, unless the device is equipped with an NFC antenna and a keg with a tag can be read. For example, an alarm signal can also be triggered when a keg change is imminent or when the temperature sensor on the tap 5 or the pressure sensor on the pressure reducer detects a deviation. During peak times in the tap room 8, this ensures that all guests are supplied with drinks without major downtime.

[0045] The described advantage is that the measuring technology can be reduced to a minimum, so that the cleaning of beverage line 4 and the provision of food-compliant measuring technology is also optimized.

[0046] A preferred embodiment is shown in Figures 2 and 3. Here, a dispensing head 3 is shown, which is shown in the attached and locked state in Figure 2, and in the open state in Figure 3. The dispensing head 3 itself has a lever 16. If the lever 16 is pressed down and locked, a dispensing head plunger 17 is retracted axially downwards onto the image plane into a fitting (not shown in detail) of a beverage keg 2. The beverage can then be directed in the direction of arrow 18 through the beverage line 4 towards the dispensing tap 5 (not shown in detail). For this purpose, a non-return valve, in particular designed as a magnetic rod 19, or a magnetic rod 19 with a food-grade sheath, is arranged in the dispensing head plunger 17. The magnetic rod 19 is moved upwards in the axial direction, in particular due to the fluid flowing through it. A sensor 20, here in the form of a reed sensor 20, is arranged in or on the dispensing head 3.This detects the position of the magnetic rod 19 and can thus emit the "flow" sensor signal. In Figure 3, the magnetic rod 19 is positioned downwards in the vertical direction and not near the reed sensor 20. This generates the "no flow" signal. Optionally, a sensor (not shown in detail) located in the area of ​​the lever 16 or detecting the lever position can be used to ensure that, for example, a horizontal storage of the dispensing head 3 and thus an accidental upward sliding of the magnetic rod 19 still emits the "no flow" signal, since in this state, for example, no fluid flows through a keg during a keg change.

[0047] Figure 4 shows the dispensing head with a pressure sensor 21, which is arranged in a gas line 22 or the dispensing head 3 contained in the gas tap. The pressure sensor 21 is coupled via a cable 23 to an electronics unit 24 arranged on the dispensing head 3. Furthermore, the reed sensor 20 is also connected to the electronics unit 24 via a connecting cable, and the antenna 26, which is described further in the following figures, is also coupled to the electronics unit 24. The electronics unit 24 can be directly integrated into the dispensing head, particularly in the case of a plastic material dispensing head. For example, a closable cover can then simply be clipped onto the electronics unit 24, or preferably, the electronics are encapsulated in resin after assembly in order to protect the same.

[0048] Also shown are two spring tongues 27. The spring tongues 27 allow a gas adapter 28 to be attached to the dispensing head in axial direction A. Furthermore, locking hooks 29 for receiving the pressure sensor 21 are arranged on the gas adapter 28. A screw thread for attaching a receptacle for the pressure sensor 21 of a gas adapter 28 can be omitted. This allows for easier handling.

[0049] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate this again. In Figure 5, a gas adapter 28 is inserted over the spring tongues 27 on the gas side. To do this, the gas adapter 28 can simply be inserted in axial direction A and locked into place. It is then sealed gas-tight by an O-ring 30.

[0050] Figure 6 shows a pressure sensor 21. This is inserted into the gas adapter 28. Snap hooks 28 are provided for this purpose, and the pressure sensor 21 is sealed by an additional O-ring 30. The cable 23 of the pressure sensor 21 can thus rotate about its own axis, simplifying installation and preventing a pressure sensor 21 with a thread from causing the cable to twist.

[0051] Figures 7a and b show a further advantageous embodiment of the invention. Here, an antenna 26 is integrated into the tap head 2 in the area of ​​the underside of the tap head. The antenna 26 serves to read data arranged on the data carrier of a fitting (not shown in detail) or a keg. The antenna 26 is connected to the electronics unit. This allows the data from the keg's data carrier and / or the data from the fitting's data carrier to be read out, for example, the filling location, filling date, contents of the keg or keg volume, and the type of beverage contained in the keg. Figure 7b shows a detailed sectional view of Figure 7a.

[0052] Figures 8a and 8b show an alternative design variant. Here, the antenna 26 is inserted, for example, as a circumferential partial circle into a circumferential groove 31 at the bottom of the dispensing head 3, in the case of Figure 8a. Figure 8b shows an exploded view.

[0053] Figures 9a and 9b show further alternative design variants. Here, the antenna 26 is inserted not on the underside of the dispensing head 3, but in a central area, as shown in Figure 9a, relative to the vertical direction. Figure 9b, which is an exploded view, shows the antenna pulled out of a corresponding groove and is shown in a top view. The antenna 26 is not circular or ring-shaped, but rather U-shaped, for example, so the antenna can be inserted from the side.

[0054] Reference symbol:

[0055] 1 - Arrangement

[0056] 2 - Beverage keg

[0057] 3 - Dispensing head

[0058] 4 - Beverage line

[0059] 5 - Tap

[0060] 6 - Cellar

[0061] 7 - Building

[0062] 8 - Barroom

[0063] 9 - Floor ceiling

[0064] 10 - Fill level / fill level height

[0065] 11 - wired

[0066] 12 - electronic evaluation unit

[0067] 13 - wireless

[0068] 14 - Cloud

[0069] 15 - mobile device

[0070] 16 - Lever

[0071] 17 - Tappet tappet

[0072] 18 - Arrow direction

[0073] 19 - Magnetic rod

[0074] 20 - Sensor / Reed sensor

[0075] 21 - Pressure sensor

[0076] 22 - Gas line

[0077] 23 - Cable to 21

[0078] 24 - Electronics unit

[0079] 25 - Cable to 20

[0080] 26 - Antenna

[0081] 27 - Spring tongues

[0082] 28 - Gas adapter

[0083] 29 - Locking hook

[0084] 30 - O-ring

[0085] 31 - Groove A - Axial direction

Claims

A dispensing head arrangement (1) for connection to a beverage keg (2), wherein a dispensing head (3) is provided which can be placed onto a beverage keg (2), characterized in that a sensor (20) for determining the flow rate and / or a pressure sensor (21) and / or an antenna (26) for reading out data is / are arranged in the dispensing head (3). Dispensing head arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the antenna (26) is an NFC antenna and / or RFID, which is provided in particular for reading out data from a memory of a fitting of a beverage keg (2). Dispensing head arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pressure sensor (21) is integrated directly into the dispensing head (3) in the gas line or that the pressure sensor (21) is arranged in the beverage line (4) of the dispensing head (3).Dispensing head arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electronics unit is assigned to the dispensing head (3), which electronics unit is arranged directly on the dispensing head (3). Dispensing head arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (20) for determining the flow is designed as a reed sensor and / or as a capacitive sensor and / or inductive sensor (20). Dispensing head arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a check valve element is arranged in the dispensing head (3) as a magnetic rod (19), preferably a magnet with a food-safe coating, which activates the reed sensor. Dispensing head arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure sensor (21) is plugged into the dispensing head (3), preferably can be arranged by means of latching hooks. Dispensing head assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow sensor is formed by two pressure sensors (21) arranged one behind the other in series. Dispensing head assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a gas adapter (28) is connected directly to the dispensing head (3), in particular with a plug connection. Dispensing head assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing head (3) is formed at least partially from a plastic material.

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