A beverage dispensing apparatus

Abstract

A beverage dispensing apparatus (10) has a vessel (11), the vessel (11) having an outer wall (12), a sealable opening (13) located in the outer wall (12) and an air inlet port (14) located in the outer wall (12) at position (15). The beverage dispensing apparatus (10) also includes an air pump (16) connectable to the air inlet port (14). A lid (23) is sized to cover the sealable opening (13) in the outer wall (12) of the vessel (11). A beverage outlet port (25) is located in lid (23). A conduit (27) locatable in the vessel (11), in use, passing out of the lid (23) through an outlet port (25). In use, a supply of beverage is introduced into the vessel (11) through the sealable opening (13), and the air pump (16) is activated so as to raise the pressure in the vessel (11) to above the ambient air pressure, resulting in the dispensing of an aliquot of the beverage through the beverage conduit (27) by positive air displacement.

Description

- A beverage dispensing apparatus

[0001] This invention relates to a beverage dispensing apparatus and, in particular, to a beverage dispensing apparatus for the dispensing a perishable beverage for consumption, as dispensed, or for mixing with other beverage components before consumption.

[0002] Beverage dispensing apparatus are commonly used in the hospitality industry for producing beverages either by dedicated staff or in a self-service mode. One type of dispenser is a juice dispenser, which comprises a transparent tank for holding the juice, which tank is supported on a base containing chilling components. The chilled juice is delivered from the tank by gravity feed through a tap in the bottom of the tank. An example of this type of juice dispenser is the Promek VL 112 Juice dispenser, manufactured by Promek srl, of Via Petrarca, 21, 22070 Rovello Porro (CO), Italy. To clean this dispenser the tap has to be removed from the tank and taken apart, and the tank also needs to be cleaned.

[0003] Where the beverage to be dispensed is milk, a basic dispenser is known as a pergal milk dispenser. An example of such a dispenser is the Autonumis UG00001 White Pergal Milk Dispenser 3, which is manufactured by Autonumis Ltd., of Aston Down Business Park, Minchinhampton, Stroud, Glos GL6 8GA, United Kingdom. The Autonumis UG00001, is a bag-in-box dispenser, which accommodates a 13.5l milk, bag-in-box, in a refrigerated cabinet, with the milk being dispensed from a tap at the bottom of the box. To clean the dispenser the tap is removed, as is a milk tray below the tap.

[0004] Some dispensers use a pump for delivering the beverage. An example of such a dispenser is described in US Patent Publication No. 2017 / 0240399 A1, in the name of Milkit Israel Ltd. The dispenser described is designed for dispensing milk from a bulk container. The dispenser is mounted outside of a refrigerator and the bulk container is stored within the refrigerator. The bulk container holds 17l of milk and two containers may be connected together to give a capacity of 34l.

[0005] The milk is conveyed from the bulk container to a pouring spout by a pump mounted within the dispenser. The pump includes an electric motor, which drives a centrifugal impeller, which is located between the bulk container and the pouring spout, and which impeller pumps milk therethrough, in use. As with all catering dispensers, it is necessary to carry out regular cleaning thereof, which in this case, would include a cleaning procedure for the pump impeller and the line from the bulk container to the pouting spout, and the spout itself.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the dispensers hereinbefore described.

[0007] Thus, the invention provides a beverage dispensing apparatus, comprising a vessel for a quantity of a beverage, the vessel having an outer wall, a sealable opening located in the outer wall, an air inlet port located in the outer wall, an air pump connectable to the air inlet port, a beverage outlet port located in the outer wall, a conduit for delivering beverage from the vessel through the beverage outlet port, and means for maintaining the supply of beverage, in use, at a temperature of between 1°C and 12°C, such that, in use, a quantity of beverage is introduced into the vessel through the sealable opening, and the air pump is activated so as to raise the pressure in the vessel to above the ambient air pressure, resulting in the dispensing of an aliquot of the beverage through the beverage conduit by positive air displacement.

[0008] The beverage dispensing apparatus according to the invention can handle ready to consume beverages such as milk, milk alternatives (soy, oatetc), coffee, tea, chocolate, and still fruit juices.

[0009] An advantage of the beverage dispensing apparatus according to the invention is that, as the dispensing of the aliquot of beverage from the vessel is achieved by raising the air pressure in the vessel, the parts of the dispenser which require regular cleaning, are limited to the conduit and any surface within the vessel which may come in contact with the supply of beverage.

[0010] Preferably, in use, the supply of the beverage, within the vessel, is held in a container, into which the conduit is receivable.

[0011] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that, as the supply of beverage is held in a separate container, rather than directly in the vessel, less cleaning is required.

[0012] Further, preferably, one end of an air pipe connects to the air pump, and a connector is attached to the other end of the air pipe, which connector is adapted to reversibly mate with the air inlet port.

[0013] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the vessel can be disconnected from the air pump for cleaning or be interchanged with a replacement vessel.

[0014] Suitably, a control valve is located in the air pipe, which control valve is closed, in use, when the dispensing of an aliquot of beverage is initiated, remains closed while air is being pumped from the air pump and the aliquot of the beverage is being dispensed, and opens when dispensing of the aliquot is completed and the air pump stops.

[0015] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the operation of the control valve facilitates the delivery of a precise volume of an aliquot of beverage.

[0016] Preferably, when the control valve opens, air is released from a vent in the air valve until the air pressure in the vessel has returned to the ambient pressure.

[0017] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that once the air pressure in the vessel returns to ambient pressure some or all of the beverage remaining in the conduit will return to the supply of beverage.

[0018] Further, preferably, a section of the outer wall of the vessel is in the form of a lid, which lid is sized to cover the sealable opening in the outer wall of the vessel and wherein a gasket is adapted to fit between the lid and the sealable opening to create an airtight seal.

[0019] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the creation of an airtight seal is necessary for the beverage dispensing apparatus to function efficiently. If the seal is not airtight then the air pump will continue to run in an attempt to reach a target pressure in the vessel.

[0020] Suitably, formations on the lid cooperate with formations on the vessel to fix the lid in place over the sealable opening.

[0021] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the possibility of air leakage from the vessel is avoided by ensuring that the lid is properly positioned.

[0022] Preferably, the beverage outlet port is located in the lid and a grommet located around the beverage conduit creates an airtight seal between the beverage conduit and the lid.

[0023] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that careful positioning of the grommet will result in the maintenance of the airtightness of the vessel and ensure the efficient dispensing of the beverage.

[0024] Further, preferably, the conduit is split into connectable sections.

[0025] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that by splitting the conduit into connectable sections the assembly and disassembly of the beverage apparatus is simplified.

[0026] Suitably, the operation of the apparatus is controlled by a microprocessor, and the volume of the aliquot to be dispensed is calculated, based on the flow rate of the beverage in the conduit.

[0027] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the microprocessor can be calibrated to deliver the required volume of an aliquot of beverage. The flow rate may be measured using a pressure sensor housed in the connector.

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is mountable above a countertop, with the beverage being dispensed, in use, directly into a suitable container.

[0029] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the beverage may be dispensed and served to a customer or the customer may serve himself.

[0030] In a further embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is locatable under a countertop, and wherein a beverage dispense font, is locatable on the countertop, which beverage dispense font is connected to the conduit.

[0031] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that a beverage may dispensed and served to a customer from the beverage dispense font or the customer may serve himself. While the remainder of the beverage dispensing apparatus is hidden from view below the countertop.

[0032] Preferably, the apparatus is contained in a housing, which housing has an exterior door for giving access to the apparatus therein.

[0033] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the apparatus is protected within the housing.

[0034] Further, preferably, the temperature maintaining means is a refrigeration unit, which refrigeration unit maintains the supply of a beverage within the housing, in use, at a preferred temperature.

[0035] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that, where the beverage is perishable, such as milk, it will be maintained at the preferred temperature within the housing.

[0036] A further advantage is that the vessel may be removed from the housing, for replacement of the beverage supply or for cleaning, by decoupling the air inlet port from the connector.

[0037] The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:Fig.1

[0038] is an exploded view of a beverage dispensing apparatus in accordance with the invention; andFig.2

[0039] is a representation of the vessel of, as assembled.

[0040] Referring to, there is illustrated generally at 10, an exploded view of a beverage dispensing apparatus in accordance with the invention. The beverage dispensing apparatus 10 has a vessel 11, the vessel 11 having an outer wall 12, a sealable opening 13 located in the outer wall 12 and an air inlet port 14 located in the vessel outer wall 12 at position 15. The beverage dispensing apparatus 10 also includes an air pump 16 connectable to the air inlet port 14, with one end 17 of an air pipe 18 connectable to the air pump 16 and a connector 19 attached to the other end 20 of the air pipe18, which connector 19 is adapted to reversibly mate with the air inlet port 14. A control valve 21 is located in the air pipe 18.

[0041] A section 22 of the outer wall 12 of the vessel 11 is in the form of a lid 23, which lid 23 is sized to cover the sealable opening 13 in the outer wall 12 of the vessel 11 and wherein a gasket 24 is adapted to fit between the lid 23 and the sealable opening 13 to create an airtight seal. Formations (not shown) on the lid 23 cooperate with formations (not shown) on the vessel 11 to fix the lid 23 in place over the sealable opening 13. A beverage outlet port 25 is located in lid 23 at position 26. A conduit, shown generally at 27, is split into a first section 28, a second section 29 and a third section 30, with the first section 28 being locatable in the vessel 11 in use, and passing out of the lid 23 through the outlet port 25. A grommet 31 is locatable around first section 28, where it exits the outlet port 25, with the grommet 31 creating an airtight seal between the beverage conduit 27 and the lid 23.

[0042] The beverage dispensing apparatus 10 also includes means (not shown) for maintaining the supply of beverage, in use, at a temperature of between 1°C and 12°C, and a microprocessor (not shown) for controlling the operation of the apparatus 10, such that, in use, a supply of beverage is introduced into the vessel 11 through the sealable opening 13, and the air pump 16 is activated so as to raise the pressure in the vessel 11 to above the ambient air pressure, resulting in the dispensing of an aliquot of the beverage through the beverage conduit 27 by positive air displacement.

[0043] The control valve 21 is closed, in use, while air is being pumped from the air pump 16 and the aliquot of beverage is being dispensed, and opens when dispensing of the aliquot is completed and the air pump 16 stops. When the control valve 21 opens, air is released from a vent (not shown) in the control valve 21 until the air pressure in the vessel 11 has returned to the ambient pressure.

[0044] A pressure sensor 32 is attachable to the connector 19 by a sensor pipe 33, which sensor 32 senses the air pressure in the vessel 11, and the pressure readings are used by the microprocessor to calculate the flow rate of the beverage in the conduit 27 and the volume of the aliquot to be dispensed, based on the calculated flow rate.

[0045] Referring tothere is illustrated the vessel 11 of, as assembled. Lid 23 is placed over the sealable opening 13 to create an airtight seal. First section 28, second section 29 and a third section 30 are joined together to form conduit 27 and grommet 31, where the conduit 27 passes through the outlet port 25, creates an airtight seal between the conduit 27 and lid 23. Only a small portion 34 of section 28 of conduit 27 is visible above lid 23, with the remainder of section 28 being sized so that it reaches into the supply of beverage and terminates close to the bottom 35 of the vessel 11. In this embodiment the supply of the beverage, within the vessel 11, is held in a container (not shown), into which the section 28 is receivable, leaving room for air to pass in and out of the container, in use. The container has a capacity of 5l.

[0046] In use, by pumping air into vessel 11 through air inlet port 14, the pressure in the vessel 11 is raised to above the ambient air pressure, resulting in beverage being forced up section 28, along section 29, down through section 30 and out at end 36 thereof, into a suitable container. The dispensing of an aliquot of beverage is initiated by presenting the suitable container below end 36 of section 30 and depressing a lever tap (not shown). Section 30 is held in place by a bracket 37, attached to the outer wall 12 at position 38, with section 28 being threaded through a ring 39 mounted on the bracket 37.

Claims

A beverage dispensing apparatus, comprising a vessel for a quantity of a beverage, the vessel having an outer wall, a sealable opening located in the outer wall, an air inlet port located in the outer wall, an air pump connectable to the air inlet port, a beverage outlet port located in the outer wall, a conduit for delivering beverage from the vessel through the beverage outlet port, and means for maintaining the supply of beverage, in use, at a temperature of between 1°C and 12°C, such that, in use, a quantity of beverage is introduced into the vessel through the sealable opening, and the air pump is activated so as to raise the pressure in the vessel to above the ambient air pressure, resulting in the dispensing of an aliquot of the beverage through the beverage conduit by positive air displacement.A beverage dispensing apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein, in use, the supply of the beverage, within the vessel, is held in a container, into which the conduit is receivable.A beverage dispensing apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein one end of an air pipe connects to the air pump, and a connector is attached to the other end of the air pipe, which connector is adapted to reversibly mate with the air inlet port.A beverage dispensing apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein a control valve is located in the air pipe, which control valve is closed, in use, when the dispensing of an aliquot of beverage is initiated, remains closed while air is being pumped from the air pump and the aliquot of the beverage is being dispensed, and opens when dispensing of the aliquot is completed and the air pump stops.A beverage dispensing apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein, when the control valve opens, air is released from a vent in the control valve until the air pressure in the vessel has returned to the ambient pressure.A beverage dispensing apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a section of the outer wall of the vessel is in the form of a lid, which lid is sized to cover the sealable opening in the outer wall and wherein a gasket is adapted to fit between the lid and the sealable opening to create an airtight seal.A beverage dispensing apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein formations on the lid cooperate with formations on the vessel to fix the lid in place over the sealable opening.A beverage dispensing apparatus according to Claim 6 or 7, wherein the beverage outlet port is located in the lid and a grommet located around the beverage conduit creates an airtight seal between the beverage conduit and the lid.A beverage dispensing apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the conduit is split into connectable sections.A beverage dispensing apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the operation of the apparatus is controlled by a microprocessor, and wherein the volume of the aliquot to be dispensed is calculated, based on the flow rate of the beverage in the conduit.A beverage dispensing apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is mountable above a countertop, with the beverage being dispensed, in use, directly into a suitable container.A beverage dispensing apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the apparatus is locatable under a countertop, and wherein a beverage dispense font, is locatable on the countertop, which beverage dispense font is connected to the conduit.A beverage dispensing apparatus according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein the apparatus is contained in a housing, which housing has an exterior door for giving access to the apparatus therein.A beverage dispensing apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein, the temperature maintaining means is a refrigeration unit, which refrigeration unit maintains the supply of a beverage within the housing, in use, at a preferred temperature.

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