U.S. patent application number 10/576821 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-05 for alcoholic beverage dispensing appliance with gas connection.
Invention is credited to Stephen J. Grimwade, Andrew R.B. Halket.
Application Number | 20080128456 10/576821 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29595804 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080128456 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grimwade; Stephen J. ; et
al. |
June 5, 2008 |
Alcoholic Beverage Dispensing Appliance With Gas Connection
Abstract
An alcohol beverage dispensing appliance has a container housed
in the appliance and a tap adapter mounted to the container for
dispensing beverage from the container. The tap adapter has a first
gas connector and a gas line adapted for connection with the
container for charging the container with pressurized gas to
facilitate beverage dispensing. The tap adapter has at least one
gas connecting locating member. The appliance has a gas supply line
housed in the container that has a second gas connector adapted for
sealing engagement with the first gas connector. The appliance has
a guideway for locating the second gas connector that is adapted
for receiving the gas connecting locating member of the tap adapter
in sliding and guiding relation to permit movement of the first gas
connector into sealing relation with the second gas connector. The
appliance has a locking member moveable in the guideway between an
unlocked position permitting movement of the locating member along
the guideway and a locked position engaging the locating member to
prevent reversing movement of the gas connecting locating member
out of the guideway.
Inventors: |
Grimwade; Stephen J.;
(Cambs, GB) ; Halket; Andrew R.B.; (Cambridge,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James W. Kerr;InBev S.A.
303 Richmond Street
London
ON
N6B2H8
omitted
|
Family ID: |
29595804 |
Appl. No.: |
10/576821 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
October 22, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB04/03476 |
371 Date: |
August 23, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/399 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D 2001/0828 20130101;
F16L 2201/10 20130101; B67D 1/0462 20130101; B67D 1/0412 20130101;
B67D 1/0829 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/399 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/00 20060101
B65D083/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 24, 2003 |
GB |
0324905.9 |
Claims
1. An alcohol beverage dispensing appliance comprising: a beverage
container housed in the appliance; a tap adapter for mounting to
the container for dispensing the beverage from the container, the
tap adapter having a first gas connector and a gas line adapted for
connection with the container for charging the container with
pressurized gas to facilitate beverage dispensing, and the tap
adapter having at least one gas connecting locating member; a gas
supply line housed in the container having a second gas connector
adapted for sealing engagement with the first gas connector; a
guideway for locating the second gas connector therein and adapted
for receiving the gas connecting locating member of the tap adapter
in sliding and guiding relation to permit movement of the first gas
connector into sealing relation with the second gas connector; and,
a locking member moveable in the guideway between an unlocked
position permitting movement of the gas connecting locating member
along the guideway and a locked position engaging the gas
connecting locating member preventing reversing movement of the gas
connecting locating member out of the guideway.
2. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the first gas connector is a
male connector and the second gas connector is a female connector
and the first and second gas connectors matingly sealingly
engage.
3. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the locking member includes a
lever arm pivotally attached to the appliance adjacent the
guideway, the lever arm supporting a first locking finger extending
into the guideway and moveable between the unlocked position and
the locked position to engage the gas connecting locating
member.
4. The appliance of claim 3 wherein the lever arm further includes
a second finger rotatable in the guideway, the second finger being
spaced from the first locking finger whereby the gas connecting
locating member passes between the first and second fingers and is
locked therebetween as the first and second fingers are rotated in
the guideway.
5. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the guideway includes a stop
limiting rotation of the first locking finger as the first locating
finger is moved into the locked position and limiting rotation of
the second finger as the second finger is moved into the unlocked
position.
6. The appliance of claim 3 further including appliance doors that
are closeable once the lever arm is moved into the locked
position.
7. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the guideway comprises a pair
of spaced apart tracks and the gas connecting locating member
comprises a bar having opposing end portions moveable along the
spaced apart tracks.
8. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the second gas connector is
pivotally mounted in the guideway.
9. The appliance of claim 4 wherein the lever arm is depressed
towards the tap adapter to move the first locking finger into the
locked position and the lever arm is raised to move the second
finger against the gas connecting locating member to disconnect the
first gas connector from the second gas connector.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an alcohol beverage
dispensing appliance and, in particular, relates to a gas
connection to a tap adapter mounted within the appliance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known to contain alcohol, such as wine, in bags
contained in a cardboard type container where the wine feeds by
gravity through a shut off tap mounted outside the container.
Further, it is known to fill a bag with beer in a keg housed in a
beverage dispensing appliance. In the case of a beer keg, gas
pressure is applied to the bag to dispense the beer from the bag
and out of the keg. Further, the bag is inserted into the keg
container prior to the beer being filled into the bag through a
valve assembly. A tap adapter is connected to the keg for
dispensing the beer from the keg. The tap adapter is connected to a
valve assembly that permits dispensing of the beverage and gas
pressurization of the bag within the container. Because the keg and
the tap adapter are removable parts from the appliance, it is
necessary to provide a gas connection from the appliance to the tap
adapter that may be readily connected and disconnected by a
consumer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a gas connection between an
alcohol beverage dispensing appliance and a tap adapter which may
be connected and disconnected by a consumer.
[0004] The alcohol beverage dispensing appliance has a beverage
container housed in the appliance. Preferably this beverage
container is a beer keg. A tap adapter is mounted to the container
for dispensing the beverage from the container. The tap adapter has
a first gas connector and a gas line adapted for connection with
the container for charging the container with pressurized gas to
facilitate beverage dispensing. The tap adapter has at least one
gas connecting locating member. The appliance includes a gas supply
line housed in the container having a second gas connector adapted
for sealing engagement with the first gas connector. The appliance
has a guideway for locating the second gas connector therein and
adapted for receiving the gas connecting locating member of the tap
adapter in sliding in guiding relationship therewith to permit
movement of the first gas connector into sealing relation with the
second gas connector. The appliance further includes a locking
member moveable in the guideway between an unlocked position
permitting movement of the locating member along the guideway and a
locked position engaging the locating member to prevent reversing
movement of the locating member out of the guideway.
[0005] Preferably the locking member includes a lever arm pivotally
attached to the appliance adjacent the guideway. The lever arm
supports a first locking finger extending into the guideway and
moveable between the unlocked position and the locked position to
engage the locating member. Further, the lever has a second finger.
As the lever is moved into an unlocked position, the second finger
rotates to push the gas connecting locating member rearwardly out
of the guideway and thereby disconnect the first and second gas
connectors.
[0006] Preferably, the lever is in a depressed position extending
adjacent to the tap adapter when in the locked position.
Preferably, the lever in the depressed position permits the
appliance doors to close thereby confirming to the consumer that
the air connection has been properly made.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the
present invention reference may be had to the accompanying
diagrammatic drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a home beer dispensing
appliance in accordance with the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the home beer dispensing
appliance;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the tap adapter mounted
to the keg inside the dispensing appliance;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the gas connection to the tap
adapter of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the locking member of the
present invention in an unlocked position; and,
[0013] FIG. 6 is a side view of the locking member of the present
invention in the locked position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a home beer
dispensing appliance 10. The dispensing appliance 10 is primarily
intended for use in domestic kitchens but may also be used in
utility rooms, garages, domestic bars, caravans etc. While the
preferred embodiment relates to dispensing beer, alternatively
carbonated solutions or other alcohol beverages may be dispensed by
appliance 10.
[0015] The home beer dispensing appliance 10 has a front wall 12
and a dispensing tap 14 protruding forward of the front wall 12. A
drip tray 16 also protrudes forward of the front wall 12 and is
adapted to support an open glass container 18 below the dispensing
tap 14. The home beer dispensing appliance 10 further has a base 21
adapted to rest on a counter top. The front wall 12 is an extension
of two pivoting side walls or doors 20 which may be moved between
closed and open positions to allow the keg container 22 (see FIG. 2
in broken lines) to be inserted into the housing 17 of the home
beer dispensing appliance 10.
[0016] The housing 17 of the home beer dispensing appliance 10
further includes a top wall 24 and a rear wall 26. The rear wall 26
has a grill 30 that permits for air circulation within the home
beer dispensing appliance 10. An electrical cord 32 extends through
the rear wall 26 of the appliance 10 to provide a connection into a
main electrical supply to supply electrical power to the electrical
components housed within the appliance 10. Alternatively, a 12 Volt
DC supply input may be used.
[0017] The dispensing appliance 10 has a cooling system 34 located
behind and below keg 22 that is adapted to cool beer in keg 22 when
keg 22 is placed into the dispensing appliance 10.
[0018] The appliance 10 further has an air pump 36 which is
utilized to supply a pressurized gas, preferably air, to the keg
container 22.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 3, the appliance 10 has a tap adapter 38.
The tap adapter 38 carries the tap 14 which permits beverage to be
dispensed through tube 40 and out the spout 42. Tube 40 extends
through the internal part of tap adapter 38 for connection with
valve system 44. The valve system 44 includes a central valve 46
which is attached through to a spear 48. Spear 48 extends into the
bag 50 located in the keg container 22. The spear 48 extends toward
the bottom of the container 22 and the bag so as to draw beverage
from the bottom portion (not shown) of the bag 50 out through the
central valve 46 along tube 40 and out spout 42 when tap 14 is in
the open position.
[0020] Between the bag 50 and the interior wall of the keg
container 22 is an air space 52. Air space 52 is typically
maintained under air pressure so as to place pressure on the bag 50
to push the beverage up the spear 48 and out through the tap
adapter 38. Air pressure is introduced into the air space 52
through air valve 54 of valve system 44. The tap adapter 38 has a
gas or air line 56 which is connected to an appliance gas line 58.
Gas line 58 is connected to air pump 36 (FIG. 2).
[0021] The adapter 38 is connected to the valve system 44 of the
container 22 and to the appliance air line supply at 58 so as to
permit the doors 20 of the appliance 10 to be closed as shown in
FIG. 3. The appliance 10 further includes a lever 60 (see FIGS. 4
through 6) which is depressed adjacent the tap adapter 38 to permit
the doors 20 to be closed.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the component parts are shown for
making the air connection between the air line supply 56 of the
adapter 38 and the air supply line 58 of the appliance 10. In FIG.
4, an exploded view of the air line connection component parts is
shown with the connection not having been made. FIG. 5 shows a side
elevational view of the air line connection component parts without
the adapter 38 having been connected to the air line supply, 58 of
the appliance 10. FIG. 6 shows a side elevational view of the air
line connection component parts wherein the adapter 38 has been
connected with the air line supply 58 of the appliance 10.
[0023] The appliance 10 includes a guideway 64 shown as a generally
U-shaped bracket 66 in FIG. 4 having two U-shaped tracks 68a and
68b. The track 68b shown in broken lines is similar to track 68a
shown in solid view except for the opening 70 shown in track 68a is
not present in track 68b. The tracks 68a and 68b of the guideway 64
include a first entry track portion 72 which comprises two opposing
walls 74 and 76 having a relatively constant spaced apart distance.
The lower wall 76 diverges downwardly at curved wall 78 as lower
wall 76 extends inwardly. This curved wall 78 extends to a stop 80
which protrudes into the track and then is followed downstream by a
curving wall 82. Curved walls 78 and 82 provide sliding, guiding,
and bearing surfaces for the lever 60.
[0024] The appliance air supply line 58 terminates in a female
connecting member 86. Female connecting member 86 has a shut off
valve (not shown) that closes air supply line 58 when there is no
connection to the female connecting member 86. The connecting
member 86 is adapted to receive male connecting member 88 of the
adapter 38. The male connecting member 88 matingly and sealingly
engages with the female connecting member 86 to open the shut off
valve and permit air flow through the adapter 38. The adapter 38
further has a cross bar gas connecting locating member 90 which has
two opposing end portions 92 and 94 that are adapted to be received
in the tracks 68a and 68b, respectively of the appliance guideway
64.
[0025] Lever arm 60 has a locking member 96 in the form of a first
locking finger 98 and a second finger 100. The locking fingers 98
and 100 are adapted to pass through the opening 70 in the bracket
66. Fingers 98 and 100 slide respectively over curved walls 78 and
82. The lever arm 60 is mounted by shaft 102 to the bracket 64 so
as to be rotatable and pivotable about pivot the point of the shaft
102. In FIG. 5, the lever 60 is shown in a raised open position and
in FIG. 6 the lever 60 is shown in a depressed position which is
also the locking position.
[0026] During the connection of the male gas connector 88 into the
female gas connector 86, the adapter 38 is moved so that the
locating member 90 extends into the tracks 68a and 68b and follows
track 68a substantially as shown by the broken line versions of
locating member 90 shown in FIG. 5. Eventually, as the locating
member 90 is moved inwardly along the guideway 64, the locating
member 90 passes through the space between the locking finger 98
and the second finger 90 of the lever 60. At this time, the lever
60 can be depressed into the position shown in FIG. 6 and the
locking finger 98 comes into engagement with the locking member 90.
This also results in the finger 100 being rotated along the curved
guide wall 82 of the guideway 64 to receive a portion of the
locating member 90. The rotation of the lever 90 in the downward
position to lock the locating member 90 in place is limited by stop
80 engaging locking finger 98. Further, movement of locking finger
98 follows along a guide surface 110 of the curved wall 78. During
this locking of the locating member 90 in place, the connector 88
matingly engages with connector 86 thereby providing an air supply
from air line 58 of the appliance 10 to air line 56 of the adapter
38. An O-ring seal 112 (FIG. 4) on the connector 88 is adapted to
sealingly engage the connectors 86 and 88.
[0027] To disconnect the connectors 86 and 88, lever arm 60 is
raised by the consumer into the position shown in FIG. 5. As a
result, the finger member 100 of the lever 60 is rotated along
guide surface 82 in a counter clockwise direction until it comes
into contact with stop member 80. Finger member 100 effectively
pushes the locating member or locating bar 90 out of the locked
position and allows the locating bar 90 to be moved backwards or in
a reverse direction along the track 68a.
* * * * *