Automatic dispenser of pressurized liquids, for example beer, and associated dispensing method
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NATURE POWER
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing beer dispensing technologies are complex, expensive, and inefficient, unable to handle non-standard glass sizes, and produce excessive foam, with motorized spouts occupying volume and requiring specially designed glasses.
A mechanical dispenser with a spout that automatically pours beer by contacting the glass bottom, using a valve mechanism and pneumatic cylinder to control liquid flow, allowing adaptation to various glass sizes without foam and minimizing spout volume.
The dispenser provides efficient, cost-effective beer dispensing into any glass shape without excessive foam, using a mechanical system that reduces spout volume and simplifies glass design, enabling rapid filling of multiple glasses.
Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Automatic dispenser for pressurized liquids, for example beer, and associated dispensing method technical field
[0001] The invention relates to the field of automatic dispensers for pressurized liquids, and more particularly for beer, enabling the automatic dispensing of a controlled volume of beer into a glass. The device of the invention is particularly applicable to situations where it is required to supply a large number of glasses of beer within a limited time. PRIOR ART AND DISADVANTAGES OF PRIOR ART
[0002] Certain situations require the serving of a large number of beers in a limited time. These include, for example, festivals or any type of event bringing together a large number of people and featuring a refreshment bar.
[0003] The invention thus aims to automate the dispensing of glasses of fresh beer. It also aims to prevent the production of excessive foam.
[0004] To do this, the beer must be poured either against the side of the inclined glass, or at the level of the bottom wall of the glass.
[0005] 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.
[0006] A device for filling a beer glass is also known in which the filling is carried out from the outer face of the bottom wall of the glass, which has a valve for this purpose. However, this device uses specially designed glasses that have a limited lifespan due to the difficulty of washing these glasses equipped with such valves.
[0007] A device marketed under the name Quick Tap is also known, which provides for filling the glass by means of a motorized spout that is driven downwards to the bottom of the glass. When the spout reaches a predetermined and programmed height, a valve opens at the end of the spout to dispense the specified quantity of beer.
[0008] This device has several drawbacks. First, the spout is programmed to move between only two predetermined positions: a The dispenser has an inactive high position above the glass and a low position at the bottom of the glass for dispensing the beer. If the spout encounters an obstacle, such as a hand, a sensor detects the presence of the obstacle and triggers the spout to retract for safety. 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.
[0009] Furthermore, since the spout is motorized, its volume is significant, including within the glass when it dispenses the beer. This results in difficulty with this system in dispensing the required volume of beer into the glass due to the volume occupied by the spout, particularly in the case of 50-centiliter glasses.
[0010] Finally, the cost of this device remains too high. OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The invention aims to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages by providing a less complex and costly automatic pressurized liquid dispenser, which can be adapted to any type and shape of container while delivering a controlled volume of beer without producing too much foam. Description of the invention
[0012] To this end, the invention relates to an automatic dispenser for pressurized liquid, for example beer, intended to fill a container (2) comprising a base (3) and a side wall (4), which is characterized in that it comprises: - a mobile assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid into the container (5) comprising 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 greater than the discharge orifice (7,7'), whose body (8b,8'b) protrudes from the spout (6,6'), which is secured to return means (9,9') also housed in the spout (6,6'), and which alternately adopts: (i) a leak-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 force generated by the return means (9,9') 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 pressurized liquid pouring assembly (5) from a low position in which the body (8b,8'b) of the valve (8,8') of the pouring 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, to a high position in which the pouring spout (6,6') is away 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) 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') has remained in the active liquid flow position for a time which is determined directly or indirectly, - means for maintaining (10) the mobile assembly for dispensing the pressurized liquid (5) in its raised position, and - actionable means (10,26,30,29) for controlled speed descent of the pressurized liquid pouring mobile assembly (5) to its lower position, including means for applying a force (Fl) opposing the weight of the pressurized liquid pouring mobile assembly (5), the force (Fl) being less than the weight of said mobile assembly (5).
[0013] The distributor of the invention may also include the following optional features considered individually or according to all possible technical combinations: - according to a first variant, the spout (6) extends to the lower end of a rod (19) which is connected to the drive means (10) of the moving assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid (5), the liquid outlet (7) opens directly outside the spout (6), and the body (8b) of the valve (8) protrudes from the liquid outlet (7). - According to a second variant, the spout (6') includes a liquid flow tube (19') which extends 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 protruding from the free end (19'a) of the liquid flow tube (19'). - The means for driving (10, 26, 30) the mobile liquid dispensing 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) include: (i) a cylinder (10) comprising 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 with the lifting mechanism of the moving assembly for discharging the pressurized liquid into the container (5) at least when the moving assembly for discharging the liquid (2) is in the raised position, and which slides in said chamber (11) from a raised position in which the chamber (11) is filled with pressurized fluid (15) and the liquid pouring mobile assembly (5) is in a high position away from the bottom (3) of the container (2), up to at least one low position in which the liquid pouring mobile assembly (5) is in a low 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 high position, and means for venting the pressurized fluid out of the chamber under controlled fluid flow (26,30,29) so as to ensure that the force (Fl) is less than the weight of the pressurized liquid pouring mobile assembly (5). - the piston (12) slides in the chamber (11) of the cylinder (10) along an axis (XI,XI') parallel to the descent and ascent axis (X2,X2') of the mobile assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid (5). - the mobile assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid into the container (5) is mounted to slide along a support bar (18) which is parallel to the sliding axis (X1,XF) of the piston (12) of the cylinder (10). - the mobile assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid 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). - the distributor includes means opposing the rotation of the support arm (19) of the mobile 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 passes during the exhaust phase so as to maintain the force (Fl) opposing the weight of the moving assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid (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 passes 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) is controlled by injection through the bypass valve (30) or by exhaust through the variable flow regulator (29) 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). - the solenoid valve (31) is controlled by a timer. - the cylinder (10) is a pneumatic cylinder.
[0014] The invention finally relates to a method for automatically distributing pressurized liquid, for example 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 pressurized liquid 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 command signal to fill the container (2), • activation of the controlled-speed descent means for the mobile assembly (5); • movement of the moving assembly (5) to its lower position followed by the movement of the valve (8) to its position of flow of the liquid under pressure by contact of the body () of the valve () with the bottom (3) of the container (2); • flow of pressurized liquid into the container (2) for a determined time, directly or indirectly; • at the end of the said determined time, activation of the control means () of the drive means () of the mobile assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid (5) from the lower position to the upper position; • movement of the spout flap (8) towards its closed position simultaneously with the movement of the moving assembly (5) towards its upper position, and • maintaining the moving assembly (5) in its raised position until a new control signal to fill the container (2) is received.
[0015] 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 mobile assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid 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) receipt of a control signal to fill the container (2), ii) activation of the means of escaping the pressurized fluid out of the chamber () under controlled fluid flow () so as to ensure that the force Fl is kept lower than the weight of the moving assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid (5); iii) movement of the moving assembly (5) to its lower position followed by movement of the valve (8) to its position for the flow of the pressurized liquid by contact of the body () of the valve () with the bottom (3) of the container (2); (iv) flow of the pressurized liquid into the container (2) for a specified time, directly or indirectly; (v) at the end of the said determined 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) towards its upper position and concomitantly the moving assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid (5) towards its upper position; vi) movement of the valve (8) of the spout () towards its closed position concurrently with the movement of the moving assembly (5) towards its high position, and vii) maintenance () of the moving assembly (5) in its high 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 circulation of the pressurized fluid (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 high position of the mobile assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid into the container (5) in which said mobile 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) timer activation, ii) positioning of the solenoid valve in the position of circulation of the pressurized fluid () 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 of flow of the pressurized liquid by contact of the body () of the valve () with the bottom (3) of the container (2), iii) flow of the pressurized liquid into the container (2) for the time programmed by the timer, iv) automatic timer shut-off, (v) Positioning of the solenoid valve in the position for circulating pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid reservoir () to the chamber () of the cylinder () This results 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 OF FIGURES
[0016] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the description given below, by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying figures, among which:
[0017] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the automatic pressurized liquid dispenser of the invention equipped with a spout according to a first embodiment and in which the moving assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid is in a high position above the container, the spout being in a position of sealing the flow orifice, and the cylinder chamber is filled with pressurized fluid;
[0018] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the automatic pressurized liquid dispenser of the invention equipped with the spout according to the first embodiment and in which the moving assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid is in an intermediate position of descent into the container, the spout always being in the position of sealing the flow orifice, and the pressurized fluid from the cylinder chamber escapes under controlled flow;
[0019] Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the spout according to the first embodiment in its position of sealing the flow orifice;
[0020] Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the automatic pressurized liquid dispenser of the invention equipped with a spout according to the first embodiment and in which the moving assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid is in a low position at the bottom of the container, the spout being in the liquid flow position and the piston of the cylinder is in a low position;
[0021] 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;
[0022] Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the spout according to a second embodiment in its position of sealing the flow orifice;
[0023] 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;
[0024] 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 for circulating pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid reservoir to the cylinder chamber; and
[0025] 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. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] It is first specified that in the figures, the same references designate the same elements regardless of the figure in which they appear and regardless of the form of representation of these elements. Similarly, if elements are not specifically referenced in one of the figures, their references can easily be found by referring to another figure.
[0027] 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.
[0028] The invention proposes 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.
[0029] With reference to Figures 1 and 3, the dispenser of the invention comprises a movable assembly 5 for pouring the 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 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.
[0030] Thus, the sliding of the mobile assembly 5 consisting 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 [Fig.1] ensures the descent of the spout to the bottom 3 of the glass 2 ([Fig.4]) and its ascent above the glass ([Fig.1]).
[0031] With reference to [Fig. 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 shape in cross-section. Partly upper, the spout 6 has an orifice 22 for the inlet of the pressurized liquid 23 and opening into the stem 19 making the spout 6 in fluidic communication with a reservoir of pressurized liquid (beer) not shown in the figures.
[0032] In its lower part, the spout 6 has a pressurized fluid discharge orifice 7 which opens directly to the outside of the spout 6. The spout 6 further includes a valve 7 which has a head 8a 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 8a of the valve 7 is also circular with a diameter larger than the diameter of the discharge orifice 7. The valve 7 also has a cylindrical body 8b which extends perpendicularly from the head 8a of the valve 8 through the discharge orifice 7, projecting outwards from the orifice 7 and the spout 6. The diameter of the body 8b is smaller than the diameter of the discharge orifice 7.
[0033] The head 8a of the valve 8 is further 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.
[0034] In the position shown in [Fig. 3] and in 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 action of the force generated by the return means 9, the pressure of the pressurized liquid 23, and its own weight, with the result that the valve, or more precisely the head 8a of the valve 8, is in contact with the proximal walls of the flow orifice 7, thus closing it. A circular seal 22 located at the point of contact between the head 8a of the valve 8 and the proximal walls of the flow orifice 7 ensures the sealing of the assembly.
[0035] 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.
[0036] Reference is now made to [Fig.4] and [Fig.5] in 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.
[0037] In this configuration in which the spout 6 is against the bottom 3 of the container 2, the pressurized liquid flows into the glass.
[0038] The main advantage of this spout 6 lies in the fact that the automatic and purely mechanical triggering of the flow of the 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.
[0039] According to a second embodiment shown in figures 6 and 7, the spout 6' has a different configuration allowing the pouring of a pressurized liquid, in particular beer, at a controlled temperature for the entire volume poured.
[0040] 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 which will be explained later.
[0041] 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' which has 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'.
[0042] 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' has, as in the first embodiment, 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'.
[0043] As with the first variant, the head 8'a of the valve 8' is secured 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 that extends perpendicularly to the head 8'a along the axis of the body 8'b. In the closed position of the flow orifice 7' ([Fig. 6]), the pin 8'd is positioned away from the inner face of the upper part 21'b of the body 21' so as to leave a clearance necessary so that, in the pressurized liquid flow position ([Fig. 7]), the pin 8'd comes against the inner face of the upper part 21'b of the body 21'. Preferably, the clearance is 2 millimeters.
[0044] In the position shown in [Fig. 6], the spout 6' is 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 action of 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 seal 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 sealing of the assembly.
[0045] 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'.
[0046] Referring to [Fig. 7], although the moving assembly for dispensing the pressurized liquid is not shown there, 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 upward movement of the body 8'b of the valve 8' in the flow tube 19' and of the head 8'a of the valve 8' in the spout 6' along 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.
[0047] In this configuration in which the spout 6' is against the bottom of the container, the pressurized liquid flows through the drain orifice 7' and into the drain tube 19' to the container.
[0048] This second embodiment has the dual advantage of not retaining pressurized liquid at ambient temperature between the filling of two glasses, since the drain tube 19' does not contain pressurized liquid when the valve 6' is in its closed position of the drain orifice 7', and of presenting an even smaller volume than for the first variant embodiment since during the filling of the glass, only the flow tube 19' is immersed in the liquid which fills the glass.
[0049] The means for driving the mobile assembly for dispensing the pressurized liquid 5 from its lower position (flow of pressurized liquid) to its upper position are now described, as well as the means for maintaining the mobile assembly 5 in its upper position, and the means for descending the mobile assembly at a controlled speed from its upper position to its lower position. These means apply to the dispensing spouts of both embodiments but will be described with reference to the dispensing spout of the first embodiment.
[0050] With reference to figures 1, 2 and 4, these means comprise a cylinder 10 which has a chamber 11 in fluidic communication with a pressurized fluid reservoir 27 by a fluid circulation path (figures 8 and 9) which will be described later, and a piston 12 which is integral with a rod 13 whose end opposite 14 to the piston 12 is in contact with the movement of the mobile assembly for pouring 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 mobile assembly 5.The term "displacement contact support" refers to the fact that when the moving assembly 5 is raised from its lower position to its upper position, the end 14 of the rod 13 located under the support arm 20 raises it, along with the entire moving assembly 5. Furthermore, 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 bears against the end 14 of the rod throughout the controlled descent. In the lowered position, the end 14 of the rod 13 may be some 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.
[0051] To ensure optimal 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 XI, XI' which is parallel to the descent and ascent axis X2, X2' of the moving assembly for dispensing the pressurized liquid 5 ([Fig. 2]). The support bar 18 is also preferably parallel to the sliding axis X1, X1' of the piston in order to ensure optimal coordination between the force exerted by the piston on the support bar 20 and the stroke of the moving element 5.
[0052] The stroke of the piston 12 and thus of the moving element 5 is advantageously about 20 centimeters.
[0053] The piston 12 slides from a low position ([Fig. 4]) to a high position ([Fig. 1]) in the chamber 11 of the cylinder 10 by filling the chamber with a pressurized fluid 25, for example, carbon dioxide when the pressurized liquid to be poured into the container is beer, the cylinder thus being a pneumatic cylinder, and from the high position to the low position for evacuating the pressurized fluid from the chamber 11
[0054] 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 in 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. During the entire upward movement of the moving assembly, the valve 8 of the spout 6 is in the position of closing the flow orifice 7.
[0055] 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.
[0056] According to the invention, the sliding of the piston 12 in the chamber 11 from its upper 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 Figures 8 and 9. The aim is to control the descent speed of the moving assembly 5 to its lower position in order to prevent the spout 6 from reaching the bottom 3 of the container 2 at an excessive speed, which could lead to its damage as well as damage to the container. To this end, by adjusting the exhaust flow rate of the pressurized fluid 25 from the chamber 11, a force Fl ([Fig. 2]) is generated that opposes the weight of the descending moving element 5. This force Fl must nevertheless remain less than the weight of the moving element 5 so that the moving element 5 can move to 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 speed of descent 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. .
[0057] With reference to figures 8 and 9, the means for injecting the pressurized fluid 25 into the chamber 11 of the cylinder 10 and the means for escaping this pressurized fluid 25 from the chamber 11 are described.
[0058] 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 Fl 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.
[0059] 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.
[0060] The circulation of the pressurized fluid 25 in the circulation line 26 in injection and exhaust is controlled by a solenoid valve 31, for example a 3 / 2 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 circulating the pressurized fluid 25 from the pressurized fluid reservoir 27 to the chamber 11 of the cylinder 10 ([Fig.8]) and a position for circulating the pressurized fluid 25 from the chamber 11 of the cylinder 10 to the exhaust outlet 28 ([Fig.9]).
[0061] 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.
[0062] 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 may include a recording of several durations, for example, durations relating respectively to the filling of a container of 25 centiliters, 33 centiliters, 50 centiliters, and 1.5 liters of beer. It will then suffice to activate the corresponding control according to the size of the container to be filled.
[0063] The process of the invention is now described. Starting from the position shown in [Fig. 1] in which the moving element 5 is in the raised position and the valve 8 of the spout 6 is in the closed position of the flow orifice 7 of the spout 6, the first step consists of receiving a control signal to fill a container which has been previously placed under and preferably in line with the axis of 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 Fl 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 ([Fig. 4]) in which the spout 6,6', or more precisely the body 8b,8'b of the spout 6,6', rests against the bottom 3 of the container 2. This causes 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. This 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 sealed closed position. the flow orifice 7.7' as soon as the spout 6.6' is no longer in contact with the bottom 3 of the 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. Demands Automatic dispenser of pressurized liquid (1), for example beer, intended to fill a container (2) having a base (3) and a side wall (4), characterized in that it comprises: - a mobile assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid into the container (5) comprising 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 greater than the discharge orifice (7,7'), whose body (8b,8'b) protrudes from the spout (6,6'), which is secured to return means (9,9') also housed in the spout (6,6'), and which alternately adopts: i. a leak-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 force generated by the return means (9,9') 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 pressurized liquid pouring assembly (5) from a low position in which the body (8b,8'b) of the valve (8,8') of the pouring 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, to a high position in which the pouring spout (6,6') is away 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) 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') has remained in the position active flow of the liquid for a time which is determined directly or indirectly, - means of maintaining (10) the mobile pressurized liquid pouring assembly (5) in its high position, and - actuable means (10,26,30,29) of controlled speed descent of the mobile pressurized liquid pouring assembly (5) to its low position, including means of applying a force (Fl) opposing the weight of the mobile pressurized liquid pouring assembly (5), the force (Fl) being less than the weight of said mobile assembly (5).
2. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that 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 dispensing the pressurized liquid (5), in that the liquid discharge orifice (7) opens directly outside the spout (6), and in that the body (8b) of the valve (8) protrudes from the liquid discharge orifice (7).
3. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the spout (6') comprises a liquid flow tube (19') which extends from the flow orifice (7') to a free end (19'a), and in that the body (8'b) of the valve (8') extends in said flow tube (19') by protruding from the free end (19'a) of the liquid flow tube (19').
4. Distributor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 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: - 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) the end opposite (14) to the piston (12) of which is in contact for lifting the mobile liquid dispensing assembly under pressure into 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 high position in which the chamber (11) is filled with pressurized fluid (15) and the mobile liquid dispensing assembly (5) is in a high position at a distance from the bottom (3) of the container (2), until, at least one low position in which the mobile liquid pouring 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 out of the chamber under controlled fluid flow (26,30,29) so as to ensure that the force (Fl) is less than the weight of the mobile liquid pouring assembly (5).
5. Distributor according to claim 4, 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 mobile assembly for dispensing the pressurized liquid (5).
6. Distributor according to claim 5, characterized in that the moving assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid 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).
7. Distributor according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the moving assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid into the container (5) is integral with a support arm (20) the end of which opposite its junction with said moving assembly (5) is mounted to slide along said support bar (18), the support arm (20) being in displacement contact support 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).
8. Distributor according to any one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that it comprises means opposing the rotation of the support arm (19) of the moving assembly (5) relative to the support bar (18).
9. Distributor according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a pressurized fluid circulation line (26) opening into the chamber (11) of the cylinder (10), which is selectively and fluidly connected to a pressurized fluid reservoir (27) and an exhaust outlet (28), and which comprises a variable flow regulator (29) through which the fluid flows under pressure during the escape phase so as to maintain the force (Fl) opposing the weight of the moving assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid (5), less than the weight of said moving assembly (5).
10. Distributor according to claim 9, characterized in that the pressurized fluid circulation line (26) further comprises 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).
11. 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).
12. Distributor according to any one of claims 10 and 11, characterized in that the 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).
13. Distributor according to claim 12, characterized in that the solenoid valve (31) is controlled by a timer.
14. Distributor according to any one of claims 4 to 12, characterized in that the cylinder (10) is a pneumatic cylinder.
15. A method for automatically dispensing pressurized liquid, for example beer, into a container (2) having a base (3) and a side wall (4), which method is implemented by a device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and according to the following steps considered from the upper position of the moving assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid into the container (5) in which said moving assembly () is at a distance from the base (3) of the container (2) and the valve (8) is in the position of tightly closing the outlet (7): - receiving a control signal to fill the container (2),
16. - activation of the controlled speed descent means of the mobile assembly (5); - movement of the moving assembly (5) to its lower position followed by the movement of the valve (8) to its position of flow of the liquid under pressure by contact of the body () of the valve () with the bottom (3) of the container (2); - flow of pressurized liquid into the container (2) for a determined time, directly or indirectly; - at the end of the said determined time, activation of the control means () of the drive means () of the mobile assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid (5) from the lower position to the upper position; - movement of the spout flap (8) towards its closed position simultaneously with the movement of the moving assembly (5) towards its upper position, and - maintaining () the moving assembly (5) in its upper position until a new control signal to fill the container (2) is received. Method according to the preceding claim, which method is implemented by a device according to any one of claims 4 to 14 and according to the following steps considered from the high position of the moving assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid 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 means of escaping the pressurized fluid out of the chamber () under controlled fluid flow () so as to ensure that the force Fl is kept lower than the weight of the moving assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid (5); - movement of the moving assembly (5) to its lower position followed by the movement of the valve (8) to its position of flow of the liquid under pressure by contact of the body () of the valve () with the bottom (3) of the container (2); - flow of pressurized liquid into the container (2) for a determined time, directly or indirectly; - at the end of the said determined 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) towards its high position and simultaneously moving the pressurized liquid pouring assembly (5) towards its high position; - moving the valve (8) of the pouring spout () towards its closed position simultaneously with the movement of the moving assembly (5) towards its high position, and - maintaining () the moving assembly (5) in its high position until a new control signal to fill the container (2) is received.
17. A method according to the preceding claim, which method is implemented by a device according to claim 13 and according to the following steps considered from the upper position of the moving assembly for pouring the pressurized liquid 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): - triggering of the timer, - positioning of the solenoid valve in the position of circulating the pressurized fluid () 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 of pouring the pressurized liquid by contact of the body () of the valve () with the bottom (3) of the container (2),- flow of pressurized liquid into the container (2) for the time programmed by the timer, - automatic stop of the timer, - positioning of the solenoid valve in the position for circulating pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid reservoir () to the chamber () of the cylinder () which results 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.