[0001] The invention relates to a beer tapping installation comprising a first cask installation
and cooling unit adjacent a second cooling unit, a third unit supporting a tap and
a storage space accomodating a gas container, a beer line with a cask coupling at
its one end extending from the inside of the first unit to the tap and connected with
its other end to said tap arranged near the free end of said third unit which comprises
a hollow support protruding vertically from the coupled units, enveloping the beer
line adjacent the tap and being in open communication with said first unit, the beer
line with cask coupling being movable longitudinally of the hollow support, and a
gas supply line extending between the gas container and the cask compling.
[0002] Such a beer tapping installation is known from US-A 4 350 267. In coupled condition
the three units form a portable beverage dispenser for a single cask or keg, particularly
meant for use at home, as portable will say a gross weight of about 100-150 N which
means a keg of about 5-10 I. When the cask or keg is drained a fresh cask or keg has
to be installed. If the fresh cask or keg wasn't stored in a cooled space dispensing
of the beverage, especially if it is beer, has to be deferred till the cooling unit
has brought the beverage at the temperature desired.
[0003] In case this should be a problem, as it would be in a beverage selling catering establishment,
other installations are available as for instance known from US-A 2 199 718 comprising
two separated cooled cask installation spaces. When the one cask is drained tapping
can be immediately carried on using the other cask permitting the drained cask to
be replaced by a fresh one, which will be cooled to the desired temperature during
draining said other cask. Such an installation, to which mostly standard casks of
50 I. are connected, is destined for establishments having such beer sales that a
coupled cask is emptied and replaced within three days. When a cask is connected to
the system for a longer period, a loss of quality will result, after which the beer
even may go "flat". The beer still present in the cask is then no longer fit for sale,
which means a loss. Establishments having minor or strongly varying beer sales have
therefor been using beer in bottles up till now. This means carrying out many additional
and often heavy operations with bottles and crates, in addition to the fact that the
clients cannot be offered draught beer. Moreover such an installation will economically
be unattractive both from a cost and a space viewpoint for establishments, in-
! stitutions or clubs having the above mentioned minor or varying beer sales.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a beer tapping installation suitable
for commercial use, which has a relatively simple design and is relatively inexpensive
and simple in operation.
[0005] It is a further object of the invention to provide for a conception which allows
for an installation having overall sizes of a customary buffet or buffet part designed
for a single cask of 50 L, but adapted for almost continuously tapping of beer in
establishments, institutions or clubs having minor or strongly varying beer sales.
[0006] According to the present invention, this is achieved in an installation as previously
mentioned in that said three units and said storage space are all parts of one refrigerator
including a revolving platform in the first cask installation and cooling unit on
which at least two casks can be placed, and the gas container contains C0
2. These features allow to obtain a complete beer tapping installation which, when
smaller casks of e.g. 20 I. capacity are used, enable to use a refrigerator having
a depth dimension in the order of magnitude of a conventional tap.
[0007] An empty cask can be removed in a simple manner because of cask coupling, beer line
and tap can be lifted jointly, after which the empty cask can be brought into the
optimum removal position by rotation of the revolving platform. Preferably, the casks
are arranged on said platform in such a manner that this rotation brings full cask
in the coupling position with the beer line. A particularly effective arrangement
can be obtained when, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the revolving platform is adapted for the arrangement of three casks in rotational
symmetry. A new full cask to be coupled is at the proper temperature due to its being
stored in the cooling space, so that beer tapping can be continued virtually without
loss of time. The empty cask is removed and replaced by a full one, which is brought
at the desired consumption temperature by placement in the cooling space. Thus, the
revolving platform provides not only a simple method of replacement for an empty cask,
but also ensures that the full cask longest present in the cooling space is tapped.
The placement of full casks in the cooling space gives the additional advantage that
the storage of casks in stock does not require special cooling measures, since the
cooling space contains a sufficiently large cooled stock. The cooling space also ensures
a constant low temperature, which means that C0
2 consumption is minimal, while a one-off adjustment of the C0
2 pressure is sufficient. Moreover, the presence of an installation space for a C0
2 container in the refrigerator ensures a convenient method of inspection and replacement
of said container. The application of the refrigerator has the additional advantage
that the beer line can be cooled up to the tap in a simple manner, namely, through
the open communication between the hollow support and the cooling space. This means
that beer having remained in the beer line for some time has not been warmed up but
has been maintained at the desired tapping temperature and need not be discarded,
so that the loss of beer is reduced.
[0008] By means of the features according to the present invention, there is thus obtained
a relatively simple, compact and, if desired, movable beer tapping installation occupying
little space, which is simple and convenient in use and is excellently suitable for
operation with smaller casks than conventional, so that a tapped cask is empty more
quickly which, with given beer sales, mean less loss of beer and a constant good quality
of the beer.
[0009] When, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the cask
coupling is mounted for rotation relative to the beer line, beer line and tap need
be movable vertically only for the purpose of uncoupling a cask. A vertical displacement
of the tap relative to the hollow support can then be realized in a simple manner
when, in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, the hollow
support is provided with a longitudinal slot through which extends the tap attached
to the beer line. After uncoupling an empty cask, the cask coupling, for the purpose
of replacing the cask, can be maintained at a higher level in a simple manner when,
in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, the hollow support
is closed at its top with a removable cover. After removing the cover and lifting
the tap out of the longitudinal slot, the tap can be rotated and, supported on the
top of the hollow support, be positioned so that the beer line and the cask coupling
attached thereto continue to hang in a lifted position, in which they do not hinder
the replacement of the cask.
[0010] When, in accordance with a still further embodiment of the present invention, the
cask coupling is attached releasably to the beer line, there is further provided a
possibility of washing out the beer line in a rapid and simple manner. After loosening
the cask coupling, the beer line with tap can be pulled out of the hollow support
and be coupled to a source of hot water for being flushed. This can be done by the
user himself, so that no specialized company need be employed, which is a further
cost- saving factor.
[0011] The beer in a cask placed in the cooling space can be cooled within 12 hours from
ambient temperature to the ideal temperature of 5
°C when, according to a still further embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
is provided with a forced cooling element.
[0012] One embodiment of the beer tapping installation according to the present invention
will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a beer tapping installation on the line I-1 of
Fig. 2;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view on the line II-II of Fig. 1; and
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line III-III of Fig. 1.
[0013] The beer tapping installation shown in Figs. 1-3 comprises a refrigerator 1 having
a cooling space 2, a cooling element 3, a forced cooling element 4 and a storage space
5.
[0014] The cooling space 2 is accessible by means of a door 6, the storage space 5 by means
of a door 7. In cooling space 2 is arranged a revolving platform 8, whose possibility
of rotation is shown diagrammatically by an axis 9. By means of an upright peripheral
edge 10 and ribs 11 platform 8 is divided into three surfaces, each for receiving
a cask 12, 13, 14. The storage space 5 contains provisions installing and connecting
a C0
2 cylinder 15.
[0015] Formed in the upper wall of refrigerator 1 is a through opening 16 terminating in
cooling space 5 and communicating with a hollow support 17 mounted on the upper wall
of refrigerator 1. Hollow support 17 is closed at its top with a removable cover 18
and is provided with a slot 19 through which extends a beer line 20 with tap 21 mounted
thereon. Beer line 20 extends through hollow support 17 and openi 16 downwardly and
is provided at its lower end with a cask coupling 22 having a connecting socket 23
for a C0
2 line, not shown, to the C0
2 cylinder 15 in storage space 5.
[0016] Cask coupling 22 is coupled to the cask 12 by a screwing movement. To perform this
screwing movement without rotation of the beer line 20, which rotation would be prevented
by the beer line 20 with tap 21 extending through slot 19, cask coupling 22 is connected
to the beer line 20 so as to be rotatable. Said rotary connection is also releasable,
so that after removal of cover 18, the beer line 20 with tap 21 can be pulled upwardly
out of the hollow support 17. As a result, beer line and tap can be cleaned separately
and in a simple manner by connecting the cask coupling end of the beer line 20 to
a source of hot water and, after opening tap 21, flushing the line 20 for the desired
period of time.
[0017] The following procedure is followed for the replacement of a cask.
[0018] After shutting off the C0
2 supply from cylinder 15 and removing cover 18, the cask coupling 22 is loosened with
a screwing movement, which is possible because the cask coupling 22 is rotatable relative
to the beer line 20 and because the beer line 20 can be moved upwardly relative to
the cask 12 and the hollow support 17, while the tap 21 is lifted in slot 19. After
loosening cask coupling 22, this is pushed upwards together with the beer line 20
and the tap 21 to the extent that the tap 21 gets out of the slot 19, after which,
through pivotal movement of the beer line 20 and through tap 21 bearing on the upper
edge of the hollow support 17, the assembly 20-23 continues to hang in the lifted
position. It is observed that the C0
2 line should be either uncoupled or be flexible.
[0019] Subsequently, platform 8 is rotated to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, in such a
manner that cask 12 comes to be in the position formerly occupied by cask 14, while
simultaneously cask 13 comes to be in the position occupied earlier by cask 12. The
empty cask 12 can now be removed from refrigerator 1 in a simple manner and be replaced
by a new cask, while cask 13 is then in the proper position for being connected to
the beer line 20 by means of cask coupling 22, which is effected by performing the
above uncoupling operations in the reverse order.
[0020] It appears from the above procedure that cask 13 was present in the cooling space
already longer than cask 14, so that automatically the full cask that is longest present
is connected. The newly placed cask in replacement of the cask 12 will be cooled,
while the through-flow time of the installation (first, cask 13 and then cask 14 will
have to be emptied) will generally be sufficient to bring said cask in an optimally
cooled condition before it is connected.
[0021] It will also be clear from the above description that the C0
2 cylinder 15 in the storage space 5 is optimally accessible by means of door 7.
[0022] Naturally, many modifications and variants are possible without departing from the
scope of the present invention. For instance, a number of casks other than three can
be used with a corresponding adjustment of the revolving platform 8. Furthermore,
the entire beer tapping installation can be placed on wheels when a mobile use is
desired.
1. A beer tapping installation comprising a first cask installation and cooling unit
(2) adjacent a second cooling unit (3), a third unit (17) supporting a tap (21) and
a storage space (5) accomodating a gas container (15), a beer line (20) with a cask
coupling (22) at its one end extending from the inside of the first unit to the tap
(21) and connected with its other end to said tap (21) arranged near the free end
of said third unit which comprises a hollow support (17) protruding vertically from
the coupled units, enveloping the beer line (20) adjacent the tap (21) and being in
open communication with said first unit (2), the beer line (20) with cask coupling
(22) being movable longitudinally of the hollow support (17) and a gas supply line
extending between the gas container (15) and the cask coupling (22), characterized
in that said three units (2, 3, 17) and said storage space (5) are all parts of one
refrigerator (1) including a revolving platform (8) in the first cask installation
and cooling unit (2) on which at least two cask (12, 13, 14) can be placed, and the
gas container (15) contains C02.
2. A beer tapping installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the revolving
platform (8) is adapted for arrangement of three casks (12, 13, 14) in rotational
symmetry.
3. A beer tapping installation according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the
cask coupling (22) is mounted for rotation relative to the beer line (20).
4. A beer tapping installation according to claim 3, characterized in that the hollow
support (17) has a longitudinal slot (19) through which extends the tap (21) attached
to the beer line (20).
5. A beer tapping installation according to claim 4, characterized in that the hollow
support (17) is closed at its top with a removable cover (18).
6. A beer tapping installation according to claim 5, characterized in that the cask
coupling (22) is attached releasably to the beer line (20).
7. A beer tapping installation according to any of the preceding claims, characterized
in that the refrigerator (1) includes a forced cooling element (4).
1. Bierzapfanlage mit einer ersten Einheit (2) zum Anschließen und Kühlen von Fässern,
einer benachbarten zweiten Kühleinheit (3), einer dritten, einen Zapfhahn (21) tragenden
Einheit (17) und einem Speicherraum (5) zur Aufnahme eines Gasbehälters (15), wobei
eine Bierleitung (20) mit einer Faßkupplung (22) an ihrem einen Ende sich vom Inneren
der ersten Einheit bis zum Zapfhahn (21) erstreckt und mit ihrem anderen Ende mit
dem Zapfhahn (21) verbunden ist, der nahe dem freien Ende der dritten Einheit angeordnet
ist, die einen hohlen Aufsatz (17) aufweist, der sich vertikal von den miteinander
verbundenen Einheiten weg erstreckt, die Bierleitung (20) nahe dem Zapfhahn (21) umschließt
und in offener Verbindung mit der ersten Einheit (2) steht, und wobei die Bierleitung
(20) mit der Faßkupplung (22) in Längsrichtung des hohlen Aufsatzes (17) beweglich
ist und eine Gasversorgungsleitung sich zwischen dem Gasbehälter (15) und der Faßkupplung
(22) erstreckt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sowohl die drei Einheiten (2, 3, 17) als
auch der Speicherraum (5) Teile einer Kühlvorrichtung (1) sind, die mit einer drehbaren
Plattform (8) in der ersten Einheit (2) zum Anschließen und Kühlen der Fässer versehen
ist, auf der sich zumindest zwei Fässer (12, 13, 14) abstellen lassen, und daß der
Gasbehälter (15) C02 enthält.
2. Bierzapfanlage nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die drehbare Plattform
(8) zur Aufnahme einer Anordnung von drei Fässern (12, 13, 14) in Rotationssymmetrie
vorbereitet ist.
3. Bierzapfanlage nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Faßkupplung
(22) drehbar bezüglich der Bierleitung (20) befestigt ist.
4. Bierzapfanlage nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der hohle Aufsatz (17)
einen Längsschlitz (19) aufweist, durch den der an der Bierleitung (20) befestigte
Zapfhahn (21) ragt.
5. Bierzapfanlage nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der hohle Aufsatz (17)
an seinem oberen Ende geschlossen ist und eine abnehmbare Abdeckung (18) aufweist.
6. Bierzapfanlage nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Faßkupplung (22)
lösbar an der Bierleitung (20) befestigt ist.
7. Bierzapfanlage nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Kühleinrichtung (1) ein Zwangskühlelement (4) enthält.
1. Installation de soutirage de bière comportant un premier ensemble (2) d'installation
et de réfrigération de fûts, voisin d'un second ensemble (3) de réfrigération, un
troisième ensemble (17) supportant une cannelle (21) et un espace de stockage (5)
logeant une bouteille de gaz (15), une conduite de bière (20), qui présente à l'une
de ses extrémités un raccord (22) pour fût, qui s'étend depuis l'intérieur du premier
ensemble jusqu'à la cannelle (21) et qui est reliée, par son autre extrémité, à ladite
cannelle (21) disposée près de l'extrémité libre dudit troisième ensemble qui comporte
un support creux (17) qui dépasse verticalement hors des ensembles accouplés, qui
enveloppe la conduite de bière (20) près de la cannelle (21) et qui est en communication
ouverte avec ledit premier ensemble (2), la conduite de bière (20), avec son raccord
(22) pour fût, pouvant se déplacer dans la direction longitudinale du support creux
(17), et une conduite d'alimentation en gaz s'étendant entre la bouteille de gaz (15)
et le raccord (22) sur fût, caractérisée en ce que lesdits trois ensembles (2, 3,
17) et ledit espace de stockage (5) sont tous des parties d'un réfrigérateur (1) qui
contient, dans le premier ensemble (2) d'installation et de réfrigération de fûts,
une plate-forme tournante (8) sur laquelle on peut placer au moins deux fûts (12,
13, 14), et en ce que la bouteille de gaz (15) contient du C02.
2. Installation de soutirage de bière selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce
que la plate-forme tournante (8) est conçue pour que trois fûts (12, 13, 14) y soient
disposés en symétrie de rotation.
3. Installation de soutirage de bière selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisée
en ce que le raccord (22) pour fût est monté pour pouvoir tourner par rapport à la
conduite de bière (20).
4. Installation de soutirage de bière selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce
que le support creux (17) présente une fente longitudinale (19) à travers laquelle
passe la cannelle (21) fixée à la conduite de bière (20).
5. Installation de soutirage de bière selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce
que le support creux (17) est fermé, à son extrémité supérieure, par un couvercle
amovible (18).
6. Installation de soutirage de bière selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce
que le raccord (22) pour fût est fixé de façon amovible à la conduite de bière (20).
7. Installation de soutirage de bière selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisée en ce que le réfrigérateur (1) contient un organe (4) de réfrigération
forcée.