Automatic dispenser for liquid

Abstract

Automatic liquid dispenser, particularly for pressurized liquids, for example beer, and associated dispensing method. The invention relates mainly to an automatic liquid dispenser for filling a container (2) having a base (3) and a side wall (4), characterized in that it comprises: - a movable liquid pouring assembly into the container (5) having a liquid dispensing nozzle (6,6') which has a liquid flow orifice (7,7') in communication with closing means (9,9') and which alternately adopts: v) a liquid flow stop position, and vi) a liquid flow position through the flow orifice (7,7') when the liquid dispensing nozzle (6,6') is in contact with the base (3) of the container (2), - drive means (10,26,30) of the mobile liquid dispensing assembly (5) from a low position in which the liquid dispensing nozzle (6, 6') is in the liquid flow position, to a high position in which the liquid dispensing nozzle (6, 6') is at a distance from the bottom (3) of the container (2) and the means for closing (9, 9') the flow orifice (7, 7') are in the liquid flow stop position, - control means (26, 30) of the drive means (10) of the mobile liquid dispensing assembly (5), and - actuable means (10, 26, 30, 29) for controlled-speed descent of the mobile assembly (5) comprising means for applying a force (F1) opposing the weight of the mobile liquid dispensing assembly (5), the force (F1) being less than the weight of said mobile assembly (5).

Description

DOMAINE TECHNIQUE

[0001] The invention falls within the field of automatic dispensers for pressurized or unpressurized liquids, and more specifically within the case of pressurized liquid dispensers for beer, by enabling the automatic dispensing of a controlled volume of liquid into a glass. The device of the invention is particularly applicable to situations where it is required to dispense a large number of glasses, such as wine or beer, within a limited time. ART ANTERIEUR ET INCONVENIENTS DE L'ART ANTERIEUR

[0002] Certain situations require the serving of a large number of drinks within a limited time. Examples include festivals or any type of event that brings together a large number of people and includes a refreshment bar.

[0003] The invention thus aims to automate the dispensing of glasses of beverages, whether pressurized or not.

[0004] In the case of beer, it is also a matter of avoiding the production of an excessive amount of foam.

[0005] To do this, the beer must be poured either against the side of the tilted glass, or at the level of the bottom wall of the glass.

[0006] An automatic beer glass filling device is known for this purpose, which includes means for tilting the glass and dispensing the beer into the tilted glass. However, such a device is complex and expensive to manufacture due to the presence of multiple sensors and actuators. Furthermore, the filling cycle is too slow.

[0007] A device for filling a beer glass is also known, in which the glass is filled from the outside of the bottom wall, which has a valve for this purpose. However, this device requires specially designed glasses that have a limited lifespan due to the difficulty of washing these glasses equipped with such valves.

[0008] There is also a device marketed under the name Quick Tap, which fills the glass using a motorized spout that descends to the bottom of the glass. When the spout reaches a predetermined, programmed height, a valve opens at the end of the spout to dispense the specified amount of beer.

[0009] This device has several drawbacks. First, the spout is programmed to move between only two predetermined positions: an inactive high position above the glass and a low position at the bottom of the glass where the beer is dispensed. If the spout encounters an obstacle, such as a hand, a sensor detects the presence of the obstacle and triggers the spout to retract as a safety precaution. Furthermore, it is not possible to fill glasses of unusual sizes outside the standard beer glass sizes (25 centiliters and 50 centiliters) since only one type of glass can be used with this device.

[0010] Furthermore, because the spout is motorized, its volume is significant, including within the glass when it dispenses the beer. This makes it difficult for this system to dispense the required volume of beer into the glass due to the space occupied by the spout, particularly in the case of 50-centiliter glasses. Finally, the cost of this device remains too high.

[0011] Beyond the dispensing of beer, there is a need to automatically dispense a volume of liquid into a glass using a reliable and simple system to implement and use. OBJECTIF DE L'INVENTION

[0012] The invention aims to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages by offering an automatic dispenser for pressurized or unpressurized liquids, which is less complex and expensive, and which can be adapted to any type and shape of container while delivering a controlled volume of liquid, and in the case of beer without producing too much foam. EXPOSE DE L'INVENTION

[0013] To this end, the invention relates to an automatic liquid dispenser (1), intended to fill a container (2) comprising a base (3) and a side wall (4), which is characterized in that it comprises: a mobile liquid dispensing assembly into the container (5) comprising a liquid dispensing nozzle (6,6') which is in fluidic communication with a liquid reservoir, which has a liquid discharge orifice (7,7') in communication with means for closing the discharge orifice (7,7'), and which alternately adopts: i) a position of stopping liquid flow through the discharge orifice (7,7') when the liquid dispensing nozzle (6,6') is not in contact with the bottom (3) of the container (2), and ii) a position of liquid flow through the discharge orifice (7,7') when the liquid dispensing nozzle (6,6') is in contact with the bottom (3) of the container (2), drive means (10,26,30) of the mobile liquid dispensing assembly (5) from a lower position in which the liquid dispensing nozzle (6,6') is in contact with the bottom (3) of the container (2) and the sealing means (9,9') of the discharge orifice (7,7') are in the liquid discharge position, up to a high position in which the liquid delivery nozzle (6,6') is at a distance from the bottom (3) of the container (2) and the shut-off means (9,9') of the discharge orifice (7,7') are in the liquid discharge stop position, control means (26,30) of the drive means (10) of the mobile liquid dispensing assembly (5) when the shut-off means (9,9') of the discharge orifice (7,7') have remained in the liquid discharge position for a time which is determined directly or indirectly, means of holding (10) the mobile liquid dispensing assembly (5) in its high position, and actuable means (10,26,30,29) of controlled-speed descent of the mobile liquid dispensing assembly (5) to its low position, including means for applying a force (F1) opposing the weight of the moving assembly for dispensing the liquid (5),the force (F1) being less than the weight of said moving assembly (5).

[0014] The distributor of the invention may also include the following optional features, considered individually or in all possible technical combinations: The dispenser of the invention may be an automatic dispenser for pressurized liquid, for example beer, intended to fill a container (2) having a base (3) and a side wall (4), which comprises: a movable assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid into the container (5) having a spout (6,6') which is in fluidic communication with a pressurized liquid reservoir, and which has a pressurized liquid discharge orifice (7,7') and a valve (8,8') whose head (8a,8'a) is housed in the spout (6,6') having dimensions greater than the discharge orifice (7,7'), whose body (8b,8'b) projects from the spout (6,6'), which is connected to means for automatically closing the discharge orifice (7,7'), and which alternately adopts: i) a tight-closed position of the discharge orifice (7,7') in which the head (8a,8'a) of the valve (8,8') closes the discharge orifice (7,7') when the body (8b,8'b) of the valve (8,8') is not in contact with the bottom (3) of the container (2), and ii) a pressurized liquid flow position in which the head (8a,8'a) of the valve (8,8') releases the flow orifice (7,7') against the automatic closing means (9,9') of the flow orifice (7,7') when the body (8b,8'b) of the valve (8,8') is in contact with the bottom (3) of the container (2), drive means (10,26,30) of the pressurized liquid dispensing assembly (5) from a low position in which the body (8b,8'b) of the valve (8,8') of the spout (6,6') is in contact with the bottom (3) of the container (2) and the valve (8,8') is in the liquid flow position, up to a high position in which the spout (6,6') is at a distance from the bottom (3) of the container (2) and the valve (8,8') is in the position of closing the flow orifice (7,7'), control means (26,30) drive means (10) of the mobile pressurized liquid dispensing assembly (5) when the valve (8,8') of the spout (6,6') has remained in the active liquid dispensing position for a time which is determined directly or indirectly, means of maintaining (10) the mobile pressurized liquid dispensing assembly (5) in its high position, and actuable means (10,26,30,29) of controlled speed descent of the mobile pressurized liquid dispensing assembly (5) to its low position, including means of applying a force (F1) opposing the weight of the mobile pressurized liquid dispensing assembly (5), the force (F1) being less than the weight of said mobile assembly (5). the means for automatically closing (9,9') the flow orifice (7,7') can be return means (9,9') housed in the spout (6,6'), and in the position of flow of the pressurized liquid, the head (8a,8'a) of the valve (8,8') releases the discharge orifice (7,7') against the force generated by the return means (9,9') according to a first variant, the spout (6) extends to the lower end of a rod (19) which is connected with the drive means (10) of the moving assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid (5), the liquid discharge orifice (7) opens directly outside the spout (6), and the body (8b) of the valve (8) protrudes from the liquid discharge orifice (7). According to a second variant, the spout (6') comprises a liquid flow tube (19') extending from the flow orifice (7') to a free end (19'a), and the body (8'b) of the valve (8') extends into said flow tube (19') by projecting from the free end (19'a) of the liquid flow tube (19'). The drive means (10, 26,30) of the mobile liquid dispensing assembly (5) from its lower position to its upper position and the controlled-speed descent means (10, 26, 30, 29) of the mobile assembly (5) comprise: i) a cylinder (10) having a chamber (11) in fluidic communication with a pressurized fluid reservoir, and a piston (12) which is integral with a rod (13) whose end opposite (14) to the piston (12) is in contact for lifting the mobile liquid dispensing assembly, for example under pressure, in the container (5) at least when the mobile liquid dispensing assembly (2) is in the upper position, and which slides in said chamber (11) from a upper position in which the chamber (11) is filled with pressurized fluid (15) and the mobile liquid dispensing assembly (5) is in the upper position at a distance from the bottom (3) of the container (2),up to at least one lower position in which the liquid dispensing assembly (5) is in a lowered position in contact with the bottom (3) of the container (2), and ii) means for injecting the pressurized fluid (26, 30) into the chamber (11) of the cylinder (10) driving the piston (12) towards its upper position, and means for venting the pressurized fluid from the chamber under controlled fluid flow (26, 30, 29) so as to ensure that the force (F1) is maintained below the weight of the liquid dispensing assembly, for example, under pressure (5). The piston (12) slides in the chamber (11) of the cylinder (10) along an axis (X1, X1') parallel to the descent and ascent axis (X2, X2') of the liquid dispensing assembly, for example, under pressure (5). the moving assembly for pouring the liquid, for example under pressure, into the container (5) is mounted to slide along a support bar (18) which is parallel to the sliding axis (X1,X1') of the piston (12) of the cylinder (10). The moving assembly for pouring the liquid, for example under pressure, into the container (5) is attached to a support arm (20) whose end opposite its junction with said moving assembly (5) is mounted to slide along said support bar (18), the support arm (20) being in contact with the rod (13) of the cylinder (10) at least when the moving assembly for pouring the liquid (5) is in its high position away from the bottom (3) of the container (2) and the chamber (11) of the cylinder (10) is filled with pressurized fluid (15). the rod (13) of the cylinder 10 is not fixed to the support arm (20) when the rod (13) of the cylinder (10) is not fixed to the support arm (20), the support arm (20) has a magnet located opposite, along the descent and ascent axis (X2,X2'), the end (14) of the rod (13) of the cylinder (10),which rod (13) of the cylinder (10) being made of a metallic material. This configuration also applies to the liquid distributor that is not under pressure as previously stated. The distributor includes means opposing the rotation of the support arm (19) of the moving assembly (5) relative to the support bar (18). The distributor includes a pressurized fluid circulation line (26) which opens into the chamber (11) of the cylinder (10), which is selectively and fluidly connected to a pressurized fluid reservoir (27) and to an exhaust outlet (28), and which includes a variable flow regulator (29) through which the pressurized fluid flows during the exhaust phase so as to maintain the force (F1) opposing the weight of the moving liquid dispensing assembly, for example, under pressure (5).less than the weight of said moving assembly (5). The pressurized fluid circulation line (26) further includes a bypass valve (30) through which the pressurized fluid flows during the injection phase of the pressurized fluid (25) into the chamber (11) of the cylinder (10). The bypass valve is a non-return valve (30) which is mounted in parallel with the variable flow regulator consisting of a needle valve (29). The circulation of the pressurized fluid (25) by injection through the bypass valve (30) or by exhaust through the variable flow regulator (29) is controlled by a solenoid valve (31) in fluidic communication with a pressurized fluid reservoir (27) and with an exhaust outlet (28).and selectively adopting a pressurized fluid circulation position (25) from the pressurized fluid reservoir (27) to the chamber (11) of the cylinder (10) and a pressurized fluid circulation position (25) from the chamber (11) of the cylinder (10) to the exhaust outlet (28). The solenoid valve (31) is controlled by a timer. The cylinder (10) is a pneumatic cylinder.

[0015] The invention finally relates to a method for automatically distributing liquid, for example under pressure, such as beer, into a container (2) having a bottom (3) and a side wall (4), which method is implemented by a device (1) as previously stated and according to the following steps considered from the high position of the moving assembly for pouring the liquid, for example under pressure, into the container (5) in which said moving assembly () is at a distance from the bottom (3) of the container (2) and the valve (8) is in the position of sealing the flow orifice (7): reception of a control signal to fill the container (2), activation of the controlled speed descent means of the mobile assembly (5), movement of the mobile assembly (5) to its lower position followed by the movement of the valve (8) to its liquid flow position, for example under pressure, by contact of the body () of the valve () with the bottom (3) of the container (2); flow of the liquid, for example under pressure, into the container (2) for a determined time directly or indirectly; at the end of said determined time, activation of the control means () of the drive means () of the mobile assembly for pouring the liquid, for example under pressure (5), from the lower position to the upper position;movement of the valve (8) of the spout () towards its closed position simultaneously with the movement of the moving assembly (5) towards its upper position, and maintenance () of the moving assembly (5) in its upper position until a new control signal to fill the container (2) is received. ;

[0016] The method of the invention may also include the following optional features considered individually or in all possible technical combinations: the process is implemented by a device comprising a cylinder as previously described and according to the following steps considered from the high position of the moving assembly for pouring the liquid, for example under pressure into the container (5) in which said moving assembly () is at a distance from the bottom (3) of the container (2) and the valve (8) is in the closed position of the flow orifice (7): i) reception of a control signal to fill the container (2),ii) activation of the means for venting the pressurized fluid out of the chamber () under controlled fluid flow () so as to ensure that the force F1 remains less than the weight of the moving assembly for dispensing the liquid, for example, under pressure (5); iii) movement of the moving assembly (5) to its lowered position followed by movement of the valve (8) to its liquid flow position, for example, under pressure, by contact of the valve body () with the bottom (3) of the container (2); iv) flow of the liquid, for example, under pressure, into the container (2) for a predetermined time, directly or indirectly; v) at the end of said predetermined time,activation of the means for injecting the pressurized fluid () into the chamber (11) of the cylinder (10), driving the piston (12) of the cylinder (10) to its upper position and concomitantly the moving assembly for dispensing the liquid, for example, under pressure (5), to its upper position; vi) movement of the valve (8) of the spout () to its closed position concomitantly with the movement of the moving assembly (5) to its upper position, and vii) holding () the moving assembly (5) in its upper position until a new control signal to fill the container (2) is received. The process is implemented by a device comprising a cylinder and a pressurized fluid circulation (25) by injection through the bypass valve (30) or by exhaust through a variable flow regulator (29) which is controlled by a solenoid valve (31) as previously described,and according to the following steps considered from the upper position of the moving assembly for dispensing the liquid, for example under pressure, into the container (5), in which said moving assembly (5) is at a distance from the bottom (3) of the container (2) and the valve (8) is in the position of sealing the flow orifice (7): i) activation of the timer, ii) positioning of the solenoid valve in the position for circulating the fluid under pressure () from the chamber () of the cylinder () to the exhaust outlet, resulting in the movement of the moving assembly (5) to its lower position followed by the movement of the valve (8) to its position for dispensing the liquid, for example under pressure, by contacting the body () of the valve () with the bottom (3) of the container (2), iii) flow of the liquid, for example under pressure, into the container (2) for the time programmed by the timer, iv) automatic stop of the timer,(v) Positioning of the solenoid valve in the position for circulating pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid reservoir to the cylinder chamber, resulting in the movement of the moving assembly (5) to its upper position and, concomitantly, the movement of the valve (8) to its sealed closed position. PRESENTATION DES FIGURES

[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the description given below, which is by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the attached figures, among which: There figure 1 [Fig. 1 [ ] is a schematic representation of the automatic pressurized liquid dispenser of the invention equipped with a spout according to a first embodiment, in which the moving assembly for dispensing the pressurized liquid is in a raised position above the container, the spout being in a position of hermetically sealing the flow orifice, and the cylinder chamber is filled with pressurized fluid; The figure 2 [Fig. 2 [ ] is a schematic representation of the automatic pressurized liquid dispenser of the invention equipped with the spout according to the first embodiment, in which the moving assembly for dispensing the pressurized liquid is in an intermediate descending position into the container, the spout always being in the position of hermetically sealing the flow orifice, and the pressurized fluid from the cylinder chamber escapes under controlled flow; The figure 3 [Fig. 3 [ ] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the spout according to the first embodiment in its position of sealing the flow orifice; The figure 4 [Fig. 4 [ ] is a schematic representation of the automatic pressurized liquid dispenser of the invention equipped with a spout according to the first embodiment, in which the moving assembly for dispensing the pressurized liquid is in a lower position at the bottom of the container, the spout being in the liquid flow position and the piston of the cylinder is in a lower position; The figure 5 [Fig. 5 [ ] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the spout according to the first embodiment in its position for the flow of pressurized liquid when the valve body is in contact with the bottom of the container; The figure 6 [Fig. 6 [ ] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the spout according to a second embodiment in its position of sealing the flow orifice; The figure 7 [Fig. 7 [ ] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the spout according to the second embodiment in its position for the flow of pressurized liquid when the valve body is in contact with the bottom of the container; The figure 8 [Fig. 8 [ ] is a schematic representation of the pressurized fluid circulation line to or from the cylinder chamber when the solenoid valve is in the position of circulating pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid reservoir to the cylinder chamber; and The figure 9 [Fig. 9 ] is a schematic representation of the pressurized fluid circulation line to or from the cylinder chamber when the solenoid valve is in the position of circulating the pressurized fluid from the cylinder chamber to the exhaust outlet, ensuring the exhaust of the pressurized fluid under controlled flow. DESCRIPTION DETAILLEE DE L'INVENTION

[0018] It is first clarified that in the figures, the same references designate the same elements regardless of the figure in which they appear and regardless of the form in which those elements are represented. Similarly, if elements are not specifically referenced in one of the figures, their references can easily be found by referring to another figure.

[0019] It is also specified that the figures essentially represent embodiments of the object of the invention, but that there may be other embodiments which meet the definition of the invention.

[0020] The invention proposes an automatic liquid dispenser under pressure or not in which the delivery of the liquid into the container is made automatic directly or indirectly by contact pressure of a liquid delivery nozzle with the bottom of the container, and in which the descent of the liquid delivery nozzle into the glass is carried out by means of the controlled release of a pressurized fluid contained in the chamber of a cylinder.

[0021] In its preferred embodiment, the invention provides an automatic pressurized liquid dispenser in which the delivery of the pressurized liquid into the container is made automatic mechanically by contact pressure of the spout with the bottom of the container and in which the descent of the spout into the glass is achieved by means of the controlled release of a pressurized fluid contained in the chamber of a cylinder.

[0022] The description that will follow of the means of driving the moving assembly, particularly with reference to the figures 8 And 9This applies equally to the distribution of a liquid such as wine and to the distribution of a liquid under pressure, it being understood that the invention essentially relates to the fact that it comprises means for controlling the drive means of the mobile liquid dispensing assembly once the liquid has flowed for a predetermined time, and especially to actuable means for descending the mobile liquid dispensing assembly at a controlled speed to its lowest position at the bottom of the container, including means for applying a force opposing the weight of the mobile liquid dispensing assembly, this force being less than the weight of said mobile assembly. Such an arrangement allows the mobile liquid dispensing assembly to be raised and lowered automatically, regardless of the nature of the liquid.

[0023] With reference to figures 1 And 3The dispenser of the invention according to a preferred embodiment comprises a movable assembly 5 for pouring a pressurized liquid 23 into a glass 2 having a base 3 and a side wall 4, which movable assembly 5 comprises, according to a first embodiment, a spout 6 extending from the end of a rod 19 the end opposite the spout 6 of which is attached to a support arm 20 itself mounted to slide on a support bar 18 parallel to the rod 19. To prevent the movable assembly 5 from pivoting around the support bar, an anti-rotation system (not shown) may be added, or alternatively, the cross-section of the support bar 18 may be non-circular, for example square or rectangular.

[0024] Thus, the sliding of the mobile assembly 5, composed of the spout 6, the rod 19 and the support arm 20, along the support bar 18, according to the double arrow A on the figure 1 ensures the descent of the spout to the bottom of glass 2 ( figure 4 ) and its ascent above the glass ( figure 1 ).

[0025] With reference to the figure 3 The spout 6 comprises a body 21 made of a lower part 21a and an upper part 21b joined together. The body 21 of the spout 6 has a substantially hexagonal cross-section. In its upper part, the spout 6 has an inlet 22 for the pressurized liquid 23, which opens into the stem 19, thus establishing fluidic communication between the spout 6 and a pressurized liquid reservoir (beer) not shown in the figures.

[0026] In its lower part, the spout 6 has a pressurized fluid outlet 7 which opens directly to the outside of the spout 6. The spout 6 also includes a valve 7 which has a head 8a housed within the spout 6 and whose dimensions are larger than the outlet 7. More precisely, the outlet 7 is circular and the head 8a of the valve 7 is also circular with a diameter larger than the diameter of the outlet 7. The valve 7 also has a cylindrical body 8b which extends perpendicularly from the head 8a of the valve 8 through the outlet 7, projecting outwards from both the outlet 7 and the spout 6. The diameter of the body 8b is smaller than the diameter of the outlet 7.

[0027] The head 8a of the valve 8 is also secured to return means 9, here two springs mounted securely on the inner face of the upper part 21b of the body 21 of the spout 6 on either side of the rod 19.

[0028] In the position shown on the figure 3 as well as on the figures 1 And 2 The spout 6 is at a distance from the bottom 3 of the container 4, and the body 8a of the valve 8 is not subjected to any stress from outside the spout 6. The valve 8 is thus subjected to the force generated by the return means 9, the pressure of the pressurized liquid 23, and its own weight. As a result, the valve, or more precisely the head 8a of the valve 8, is in contact with the proximal walls of the discharge orifice 7, thus closing it. A circular seal 22, positioned at the point of contact between the head 8a of the valve 8 and the proximal walls of the discharge orifice 7, ensures the seal of the assembly.

[0029] Thus, in this position at a distance from the bottom 3 of the container 2, the spout 6 does not deliver the liquid under pressure.

[0030] We now refer to figure 4 et 5 on which the mobile pressurized liquid pouring assembly 5 is in the lower position in which the spout 6 is against the bottom 3 of the container 2. In this position, the free end of the body 8b of the valve 8 is also against the bottom 3 of the container 2, resulting in the valve 8 moving into the pressurized liquid flow position by the valve 8 rising in the spout 6 according to arrows B and the head 8a of the valve 8 detaching from the proximal walls of the flow orifice 7 against the force generated by the return means (9) and the pressure of the pressurized liquid 23.

[0031] In this configuration in which the spout 6 is resting against the bottom 3 of the container 2, the pressurized liquid flows into the glass.

[0032] The main advantage of this spout 6 lies in the fact that the automatic and purely mechanical triggering of the flow of pressurized liquid when the spout 6 is against the bottom 3 of the container 2 makes it possible to do without a bulky motorization system, which results in a small volume taken up by the spout 6 in the container 2 and the possibility of filling the container with a controlled volume of pressurized liquid, for example 25 or 50 centiliter glasses of beer without the volume occupied by the spout 6 being to the detriment of the required adjustment of the volume of beer to be filled in the container 2.

[0033] According to a second variant embodiment shown on the figures 6 And 7The 6' spout has a different configuration allowing for the pouring of a pressurized liquid, including beer, at a controlled temperature for the entire volume poured.

[0034] The spout 6' comprises a body 21' made of a lower part 21'a and an upper part 21'b joined together. In its upper part, the spout has an inlet 22' for the pressurized liquid in fluidic communication with a pressurized liquid reservoir (beer) not shown in the figures but which, unlike the first embodiment, is located on a lateral wall of the spout body 21', the upper part of the body 21' being completely closed for reasons that will be explained later.

[0035] As with the first embodiment, the lower part of the spout 6' has a pressurized fluid discharge orifice 7'. The spout 6' further includes a valve 8' with a head 8'a housed within the spout 6' and whose dimensions are larger than the discharge orifice 7'. More precisely, the discharge orifice 7' is circular, and the head 8'a of the valve 7 is also circular, with a diameter larger than the diameter of the head 8'a of the valve 7'.

[0036] According to this second embodiment, the spout 6' comprises a discharge tube 19' for the pressurized liquid 23, extending from the discharge orifice 7' to a free end 19'a. The valve 7', as in the first embodiment, has a cylindrical body 8'b extending perpendicularly from the head 8'a of the valve 8' through the lower orifice 7' and also within the discharge tube 19', projecting from the free end 19'a of the liquid discharge tube 19'. The diameter of the body 8'b is, of course, smaller than the diameter of the discharge orifice 7' and the diameter of the discharge tube 19' to allow the pressurized liquid to flow into the discharge tube 19'. In this variant, the free end 8'c of the body 8'b of the valve 8' is flared to increase the contact area with the bottom 3 of the container 2 and optimize the transmission of force to the head 8'a of the valve 8'.

[0037] As with the first variant, the head 8'a of the valve 8' is fixed to return means 9', here two springs mounted rigidly on the inner face of the upper part 21'b of the body 21' of the spout 6'. According to the second variant, the valve 8' has an upper pin 8'd which extends perpendicularly to the head 8'a along the axis of the body 8'b. In the closed position of the flow orifice 7' ( figure 6 ), the pin 8'd is at a distance from the inner face of the upper part 21'b of the body 21' so as to leave the necessary clearance so that in the position of flow of the pressurized liquid ( figure 7 ), the 8'd pawn comes against the inner face of the upper part 21'b of the body 21'. Preferably, the play is 2 millimeters.

[0038] In the position shown on the figure 6 The spout 6' is located at a distance from the bottom 3 of the container 2, and the body 8'a of the valve 8' is not subjected to any stress from outside the spout 6'. The valve 8' is thus subjected to the force generated by the return means 9', the pressure of the pressurized liquid, and its own weight, with the result that the valve 8', or more precisely the head 8'a of the valve 8', comes into contact with the proximal walls of the discharge orifice 7', thus closing it. A circular gasket 22' located at the point of contact between the head 8'a of the valve 8' and the proximal walls of the discharge orifice 7' ensures the seal of the assembly.

[0039] Thus, in this position at a distance from the bottom 3 of the container 2, the spout 6' does not deliver the pressurized liquid and the pressurized liquid is not present in the flow tube 19' but only in a part of the circuit which is refrigerated upstream of the spout 6'.

[0040] By referring to the figure 7 Although the moving assembly for dispensing the pressurized liquid is not shown, it is in the lowered position in which the spout 6' is against the bottom of the container. In this position, the free end 8'c of the body 8'b of the valve 8' is also against the bottom of the container, resulting in the valve 8' moving into the pressurized liquid dispensing position by the body 8'b of the valve 8' moving up into the dispensing tube 19' and the head 8'a of the valve 8' moving up into the spout 6' as indicated by arrow B, until the pin 8'd comes into contact with the inner face of the upper part 21'b of the body 21' of the spout 6'. This movement causes the head 8'a of the valve 8' to detach from the proximal walls of the flow orifice 7' by going against the force generated by the return means 9' and the pressure of the pressurized liquid not shown in these figures.

[0041] In this configuration, where the spout 6' is resting against the bottom of the container, the pressurized liquid flows through the drain orifice 7' and into the drain tube 19' into the container.

[0042] This second embodiment has the double advantage of not keeping pressurized liquid at room temperature between filling two glasses since the flow tube 19' does not contain pressurized liquid when the valve 6' is in its closing position of the flow orifice 7', and of having an even smaller volume than the first embodiment since during the filling of the glass, only the flow tube 19' is immersed in the liquid that fills the glass.

[0043] In an alternative (not shown) for dispensing a liquid that is not under pressure, the dispenser of the invention also includes a movable liquid dispensing assembly in the container. This assembly has a liquid dispensing nozzle that is in fluidic communication with a liquid reservoir and a liquid discharge orifice connected to means for closing the discharge orifice. In this alternative, the means for closing the discharge orifice may be a solenoid valve, controlled to open and close by means of a sensor located at the nozzle. This sensor sends a control signal to the solenoid valve depending on the position of the nozzle relative to the bottom of the container.When the liquid delivery nozzle is not in contact with the bottom of the container, the solenoid valve is controlled to close, and conversely when the liquid delivery nozzle is in contact with the bottom of the container, the solenoid valve is controlled to open.

[0044] The means for driving the liquid dispensing assembly 5, whether the liquid is pressurized or not, from its lower position (liquid flow) to its upper position, are now described. The means for maintaining the liquid dispensing assembly 5 in its upper position are also described, as well as the means for descending the liquid assembly from its upper position to its lower position at a controlled speed. These means apply to the dispensing spouts of both embodiments, as well as to the embodiment for dispensing a liquid that is not under pressure, for example, wine, but will be described with reference to the dispensing spout of the first embodiment.

[0045] With reference to figures 1 , 2 And 4 , these means comprising a cylinder 10 which includes a chamber 11 in fluidic communication with a pressurized fluid reservoir 27 via a fluid circulation channel ( figures 8 And 9) which will be described later, and a piston 12 which is integral with a rod 13 whose end opposite the piston 12 is in contact with the movement of the moving assembly for dispensing the pressurized liquid into the container 5. More specifically, the end 14 of the rod 13 is in contact with the movement of the support arm 20 of the moving assembly 5. By movement contact, we mean that when the moving assembly 5 is driven upward from its lower position to its upper position, the end 14 of the rod 13 located under the support arm 20 drives it upward, as well as the entire moving assembly 5, and that when the moving assembly 5 moves from its upper position to its lower position in which the pressurized liquid is delivered into the container, the support arm 20 is in contact with the end 14 of the rod during the entire controlled descent.In the lower position, the end 14 of the rod 13 can be at a distance from the support arm if the stroke of the piston 12 is greater than the stroke of the moving element 5 and the spout 6. In other words, the rod 13 is not necessarily fixed to the support arm as long as the rod 13 drives the moving element 5 in its movements from its lower position to its upper position and accompanies the descent of the moving element 5 from its upper position to its lower position.

[0046] For this purpose, it may be advantageous to install a magnet (not shown) under the support arm 20 and opposite the upper end of the rod 13 of the cylinder 10. In this configuration, during the descent of the support arm 20, if the spout 6 encounters the bottom of a container before the pressurized fluid from chamber 11 has completely escaped, the rod 13 disengages from the support arm 20, which, like the spout, stops its downward stroke. During the subsequent cycle and the filling of the piston chamber 11, the rod 13 rises, and its metallic end encounters the magnet and performs its function of driving the support arm upwards. It should also be noted that the placement of the magnet makes it possible to accelerate the descent speed, or more generally to better control it, by forcing the support arm 20 to follow the descent of the rod 13 of the cylinder 10.

[0047] To ensure the best possible transmission of force from the piston 12 to the moving assembly 5, the piston 12 slides in the chamber 11 of the cylinder 10 along an axis X1,X1' which is parallel to the descent and ascent axis X2,X2' of the moving assembly for dispensing the pressurized liquid 5 ( figure 2 ). The support bar 18 is also preferentially parallel to the sliding axis X1,X1' of the piston in order to ensure optimal coordination between the force of the piston on the support bar 20 and the stroke of the moving element 5.

[0048] The stroke of the piston 12 and thus of the moving element 5 is advantageously about 20 centimeters.

[0049] Piston 12 slides from a low position ( figure 4 ) to a high position ( figure 1 ) in chamber 11 of cylinder 10 by filling the chamber with a pressurized fluid 25, for example carbon dioxide available when the pressurized liquid to be poured into the container is beer, the cylinder therefore being a pneumatic cylinder, and from the high position to the low position of evacuation of the pressurized fluid from chamber 11.

[0050] The sliding of the piston 12 from the lower position to the upper position is achieved by filling the chamber 11 of the cylinder 10 with a pressurized fluid 25, which is introduced into the chamber through an orifice 24 provided in the lower part of the chamber 11. The filling of the chamber 11 of the cylinder 10 drives the piston 12 upwards within the chamber 11, and the rod 13 drives the moving assembly 5 to the upper position in which the spout 6 is at a distance from the bottom 3 of the container 2. Throughout the upward movement of the moving assembly, the valve 8 of the spout 6 is in the position of closing the flow orifice 7.

[0051] Once chamber 11 is filled, the moving assembly 5 is held in its upper position without the need to make any change in the device.

[0052] According to the invention, the sliding of the piston 12 in the chamber 11 from its upper position to its lower position is achieved in a controlled manner by adjusting the exhaust flow rate of the pressurized fluid from the chamber 11. The means for controlling the exhaust flow rate will be described with reference to the figures 8 And 9 The aim is to control the descent speed of the moving assembly 5 to its lowered position in order to prevent the spout 6 from reaching the bottom 3 of the container 2 at too high a speed, which could lead to its damage as well as damage to the container. To achieve this, a force F1 ( figure 2 ) opposing the weight of the descending moving element 5. This force F1 must nevertheless remain less than the weight of the moving element 5 so that the moving element 5 can move towards its lower position. Since the flow of the pressurized liquid 23 into the container is mechanically automatic when the spout 6 is at the bottom 3 of the container 2, it is therefore only a matter of controlling the descent speed of the moving element 5 towards its lower position by the controlled exhaust flow of the pressurized fluid 25 from the chamber 11 of the cylinder 10 to ensure the filling of a container 2.

[0053] With reference to figures 8 And 9 , we describe the means of injecting the pressurized fluid 25 into the chamber 11 of the cylinder 10 and the means of escaping this pressurized fluid 25 from the chamber 11.

[0054] These means include a pressurized fluid circulation line 26 which opens into the chamber 11 of the cylinder 10 via the port 24. The circulation line 26 is selectively and fluidly connected to a pressurized fluid reservoir 27 and to an exhaust outlet 28 and includes a variable flow regulator 28 through which the pressurized fluid 25 flows during the exhaust phase so as to maintain the force F1 opposing the weight of the moving assembly 5 less than the weight of the moving assembly 5. Preferably, the variable flow regulator 28 is a needle valve which is pre-set to ensure the descent of the moving assembly to its lower position at the desired speed. Preferably, the pressurized fluid reservoir 27 is a carbon dioxide reservoir at a pressure between 0.8 and 1.2 bar.

[0055] The pressurized fluid circulation line 26 further includes a bypass valve 29 through which the pressurized fluid 25 flows during the injection phase of the pressurized fluid 25 into the chamber 11 of the cylinder 10. The bypass valve is preferably a non-return valve.

[0056] The circulation of the pressurized fluid 25 in the circulation line 26, both in injection and exhaust, is controlled by a solenoid valve 31, for example, a 3 / 2-way 24-volt spool valve known to those skilled in the art, itself controlled by a timer (not shown). The solenoid valve 31 selectively adopts a position for the circulation of the pressurized fluid 25 from the pressurized fluid reservoir 27 to the chamber 11 of the cylinder 10 ( figure 8 ) and a position for circulating the pressurized fluid 25 from chamber 11 of cylinder 10 to exhaust outlet 28 ( figure 9 ).

[0057] The timer is programmed only during the exhaust phase and thus controls the duration of the exhaust phase corresponding to the descent of the moving assembly 5 into the bottom 3 of the container 2 and the filling of the container 2. Once this time has elapsed, the solenoid valve switches to its position of injecting the pressurized fluid 25 into the chamber 11 of the cylinder which does not require time control since when the chamber 11 is filled with pressurized fluid, this state ensures that the piston 12 is held in the upper position in the chamber 11 of the cylinder 10 and thus that the moving element 5 is held in its upper position.

[0058] The timer is calibrated before use of the device of the invention according to the environmental conditions (temperature, altitude, characteristics of the beer kegs used) that influence the descent speed of the piston in chamber 11 of cylinder 10. The timer is also adjusted according to the volume of pressurized liquid to be poured into the container. For this purpose, the timer can record several durations, for example, durations relating respectively to the filling of a 25 centiliter, 33 centiliter, 50 centiliter, and 1.5 liter container of beer. It will then simply be a matter of activating the corresponding control according to the size of the container to be filled.

[0059] The method of the invention is now described. Starting from the position shown on the figure 1 in which the moving element 5 is in the raised position and the valve 8 of the spout 6 is in the position of sealing the flow orifice 7 of the spout 6, the first step consists of receiving a control signal for filling a container which has been previously placed under and preferably in line with the spout 6. This control signal is generated by the triggering of the timer which controls the switching of the solenoid valve 31 to the position of circulating the pressurized fluid 25 from the chamber 11 of the cylinder 10 to the exhaust outlet 28. The pressurized fluid 25 from the chamber 11 of the cylinder 10 then escapes at a flow rate controlled by the adjustment of the needle screw 29 causing the descent of the piston 12 in the chamber 11 and the application of the force F1 which opposes the weight of the moving assembly 5, ensuring its descent at a controlled speed. The moving assembly 5 then reaches its lower position ( figure 4) in which the spout 6,6', or more precisely the body 8b,8'b of the spout 6,6', is pressed against the bottom 3 of the container 2, causing the spout 6,6' to open as previously described and the valve 8,8' to move into the position for the flow of pressurized liquid 23 into the container 2. Once the time programmed by the timer has elapsed, the solenoid valve 31 switches to its position for circulating the pressurized fluid 25 from the reservoir 27 to the chamber 11, which results in the chamber 11 being filled with pressurized fluid 25, the piston 12 rising in the chamber 11, and the moving element 5 simultaneously rising to its upper position. The valve 8,8' of the spout 6,6' then moves into the position of the leak-tight closure of the flow orifice 7,7' as soon as the spout 6.6' is no longer in contact with the bottom 3 of container 2.When the piston 12 reaches the top position in the chamber 11, the moving element 5 is also in the top position and the chamber 11 is kept under pressure until a new control signal to fill the container which triggers the timer and causes the solenoid valve to switch to the exhaust position of the pressurized fluid 25 from the chamber 11 of the cylinder 10.

Claims

1. Automatic liquid dispenser (1), intended to fill a container (2) having a base (3) and a side wall (4), characterized in thatIt comprises: - a movable liquid dispensing assembly into the container (5) having a liquid dispensing nozzle (6, 6') which is in fluidic communication with a liquid reservoir, which has a liquid discharge orifice (7, 7') in communication with means for closing the discharge orifice (7, 7'), and which alternately adopts: i) a position of stopping liquid flow through the discharge orifice (7, 7') when the liquid dispensing nozzle (6, 6') is not in contact with the bottom (3) of the container (2), and ii) a position of liquid flow through the discharge orifice (7, 7') when the liquid dispensing nozzle (6, 6') is in contact with the bottom (3) of the container (2), - means for driving the movable liquid dispensing assembly (5) from a lower position in which the liquid dispensing nozzle (6,6') is in contact with the bottom (3) of the container (2) and the sealing means (9,9') of the discharge orifice (7, 7') are in the liquid discharge position, up to a high position in which the liquid delivery nozzle (6, 6') is at a distance from the bottom (3) of the container (2) and the shut-off means (9, 9') of the discharge orifice (7, 7') are in the liquid discharge stop position, - control means (26, 30) of the drive means (10) of the mobile liquid dispensing assembly (5) when the shut-off means (9, 9') of the discharge orifice (7, 7') have remained in the liquid discharge position for a time that is determined directly or indirectly, - means for maintaining (10) the mobile liquid dispensing assembly (5) in its high position, and - actuable means (10, 26, 30, 29) for descending at controlled speed of the mobile liquid dispensing assembly (5) to its low position, including means for applying a force (F1) opposing the weight of the moving assembly for dispensing the liquid (5),the force (F1) being less than the weight of said moving assembly (5).

2. Automatic dispenser for pressurized liquid (1), for example beer, intended to fill a container (2) having a base (3) and a side wall (4), characterized in thatIt comprises: - a movable assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid into the container (5), including a spout (6, 6') which is in fluidic communication with a pressurized liquid reservoir, and which includes a pressurized liquid discharge orifice (7, 7') and a valve (8, 8') whose head (8a, 8'a) is housed in the spout (6, 6') with dimensions larger than the discharge orifice (7, 7'), whose body (8b, 8'b) projects from the spout (6, 6'), which is connected to means for automatically closing the discharge orifice (7, 7'), and which alternately adopts: iii) a leak-tight closing position of the discharge orifice (7, 7') in which the head (8a, 8'a) of the valve (8, 8') closes the discharge orifice (7, 7') when the body (8b,8'b) of the valve (8,8') is not in contact with the bottom (3) of the container (2), and iv) a pressurized liquid flow position in which the head (8a,8'a) of the valve (8,8') releases the discharge orifice (7,7') against the automatic closing means (9,9') of the discharge orifice (7,7') when the body (8b,8'b) of the valve (8,8') is in contact with the bottom (3) of the container (2), - drive means (10,26,30) of the mobile assembly for dispensing the pressurized liquid (5) from a low position in which the body (8b,8'b) of the valve (8,8') of the spout (6,6') is in contact with the bottom (3) of the container (2) and the valve (8,8') is in the liquid discharge position, to a high position in which the spout (6,6') is away from the bottom (3) of the container (2) and the valve (8,8') is in the discharge orifice closing position (7,7'), - control means (26,30) of the drive means (10) of the mobile assembly for dispensing the pressurized liquid (5) when the valve (8,8') of the spout (6,6') remained in the active liquid flow position for a time which is determined directly or indirectly, - means for maintaining (10) the mobile pressurized liquid dispensing assembly (5) in its upper position, and - actuable means (10, 26, 30, 29) for descending at controlled speed the mobile pressurized liquid dispensing assembly (5) to its lower position, including means for applying a force (F1) opposing the weight of the mobile pressurized liquid dispensing assembly (5), the force (F1) being less than the weight of said mobile assembly (5).

3. Distributor according to claim 2, characterized in that the spout (6) extends to the lower end of a rod (19) which is connected to the drive means (10) of the mobile assembly for dispensing the pressurized liquid (5), in that the liquid outlet (7) opens directly outside the spout (6), and in thatthe body (8b) of the valve (8) protrudes from the liquid outlet (7).

4. Distributor according to claim 2, characterized in that the spout (6') includes a liquid flow tube (19') extending from the flow orifice (7') to a free end (19'a), and in that the body (8'b) of the valve (8') extends into said flow tube (19') by protruding from the free end (19'a) of the liquid flow tube (19').

5. Distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatthe means for driving (10, 26, 30) the mobile liquid pouring assembly (5) from its lower position to its upper position and the means for descending at controlled speed (10, 26, 30, 29) the mobile assembly (5) comprise: - a cylinder (10) having a chamber (11) in fluidic communication with a reservoir of pressurized fluid, and a piston (12) which is integral with a rod (13) whose end opposite (14) to the piston (12) is in contact for lifting the mobile liquid pouring assembly, for example under pressure in the container (5) at least when the mobile liquid pouring assembly (2) is in the upper position, and which slides in said chamber (11) from a upper position in which the chamber (11) is filled with pressurized fluid (15) and the mobile liquid pouring assembly (5) is in the upper position at a distance from the bottom (3) of the container (2),up to at least one low position in which the liquid dispensing assembly (5) is in a low position in contact with the bottom (3) of the container (2), and - means for injecting the pressurized fluid (26, 30) into the chamber (11) of the cylinder (10) driving the piston (12) towards its high position, and means for venting the pressurized fluid from the chamber under controlled fluid flow (26, 30, 29) so as to ensure that the force (F1) is maintained below the weight of the liquid dispensing assembly, for example under pressure (5).

6. Distributor according to claim 5, characterized in that the piston (12) slides in the chamber (11) of the cylinder (10) along an axis (X1,X1') parallel to the descent and ascent axis (X2,X2') of the moving assembly for pouring the liquid, for example under pressure (5).

7. Distributor according to claim 6, characterized in thatthe mobile assembly for pouring the liquid, for example under pressure, into the container (5) is mounted to slide along a support bar (18) which is parallel to the sliding axis (X1,X1') of the piston (12) of the cylinder (10).

8. Distributor according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the mobile assembly for pouring the liquid, for example under pressure into the container (5) is attached to a support arm (20) the end of which opposite its junction with said mobile assembly (5) is mounted to slide along said support bar (18), the support arm (20) being in contact with the rod (13) of the cylinder (10) at least when the mobile assembly for pouring the liquid (5) is in its high position away from the bottom (3) of the container (2) and the chamber (11) of the cylinder (10) is filled with pressurized fluid (15).

9. Distributor according to any one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in thatit includes means opposing the rotation of the support arm (19) of the mobile assembly (5) relative to the support bar (18).

10. Distributor according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that It includes a pressurized fluid circulation line (26) which opens into the chamber (11) of the cylinder (10), which is selectively and fluidly connected to a pressurized fluid reservoir (27) and to an exhaust outlet (28), and which includes a variable flow regulator (29) through which the pressurized fluid passes during the exhaust phase so as to maintain the force (F1) opposing the weight of the moving assembly for pouring the liquid, for example, under pressure (5), less than the weight of said moving assembly (5).

11. Distributor according to claim 10, characterized in thatthe pressurized fluid circulation line (26) further includes a bypass valve (30) through which the pressurized fluid passes during the injection phase of the pressurized fluid (25) into the chamber (11) of the cylinder (10).

12. Distributor according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the bypass valve is a non-return valve (30) which is mounted in parallel with the variable flow regulator consisting of a needle valve (29).

13. Distributor according to any one of claims 11 and 12, characterized in thatthe circulation of the pressurized fluid (25) in injection through the bypass valve (30) or in exhaust through the variable flow regulator (29) is controlled by a solenoid valve (31) in fluidic communication with a pressurized fluid reservoir (27) and with an exhaust outlet (28), and selectively adopting a position of circulation of the pressurized fluid (25) from the pressurized fluid reservoir (27) to the chamber (11) of the cylinder (10) and a position of circulation of the pressurized fluid (25) from the chamber (11) of the cylinder (10) to the exhaust outlet (28).

14. Distributor according to claim 13, characterized in that The solenoid valve (31) is controlled by a timer.

15. Distributor according to any one of claims 5 to 13, characterized in that the cylinder (10) is a pneumatic cylinder.

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