BEER MIXING AND DISPENSING FACILITY

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a beer dispensing facility and a dispensation process comprising a plurality of tanks (1), wherein each tank (1) comprises a specific base product (2) with a different composition; and at least one dispensing tap (3) connected to the outlet of a mixing apparatus (4); and where, in said facility, the base product (2) of each tank (1) goes through a purge and empty barrel detection apparatus (5) to the mixing apparatus (4), such that each base component or product (2) is connected with an inlet of the mixing apparatus (4) through the purge and empty barrel detection apparatus (5).

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a beer dispensing facility, as well as to the dispensation process for dispensing beer, applicable in the beverage industry, and more specifically in the sector of beer industry.

Prior State of the Art

[0002] Different types of beer, each of which is the outcome of production and evolution over centuries, are known today. Each type of beer is usually determined by the raw materials available in each geographical area and the particular preferences of the population in said area.

[0003] In this sense, beers with different degrees of intensity or alcoholic strength, color, degree of bitterness, or body, and essentially with different organoleptic properties, can be found.

[0004] Each beer is produced in a specific brewing facility in which there is also included a bottling plant in which beer is packaged according to the different points of sale for which it is intended. Beer intended for personal consumption or retail is packaged in bottles or cans, whereas beer intended for establishments and bars is packaged in barrels from which it is served by means of using dispensing taps. From this brewing plant, the already packaged beer is distributed to the points of sale or consumption.

[0005] Similarly, there are dispensation points consisting of establishments which dispense large amounts of beer, have their own tanks in their facilities for storing large amounts of beer, and in which beer is also served by means of dispensing taps. At these points, beer is supplied from the brewing plant in vats, without bottling.

[0006] In any case, at the time of consumption, the client can only choose to consume a specific type of beer that has already been bottled, canned, or dispensed from a tank which has been filled with a specific type of beer.

[0007] Currently, in an establishment having dispensing taps, it is not possible to choose between different types of beer at the moment of dispensation, unless the type of beer which is contained in the barrels or with which the tanks have been filed is changed.

[0008] In order to solve these problems, patent document ES2637817A1 describes a beer dispensing facility which allows designing, choosing, and obtaining the type of beer to be dispensed at all times, without having to change the barrels or the beer contained in the tanks, i.e., it allows changing the proportions of the components to be mixed. The starting products are beers with different characteristics which are by themselves consumable, like the mixture or end product.

Description of the Invention

[0009] An object of the present invention is to improve the operation, control, and usability of a beer dispensing facility of the type described in patent document ES2637817A1, such that an efficient control is established over consumptions, purges, leakages, and calibrations of the different components, as well as the final mixing. The foregoing allows at the same time designing, choosing, and obtaining the type of beer to be dispensed at all times without having to change the barrels, simply changing the proportions of the components to be mixed.

[0010] In a first aspect of the invention, the indicated technical problem is solved by means of the facility of claim 1. The particular or preferred embodiments are described in the claims dependent on the claim 1.

[0011] Specifically, the beer dispensing facility of the invention comprises a plurality of tanks, wherein each tank comprises a specific base product with a different composition; and at least one dispensing tap connected to the outlet of a mixing apparatus; and where said facility is characterized in that the base product of each tank goes through a purge and empty barrel detection apparatus to the mixing apparatus, such that each base component or product is connected with an inlet of the mixing apparatus through the purge and empty barrel detection apparatus.

[0012] In a second aspect of the invention, the beer dispensing method for dispensing beer which is configured as a specific end product which, when implemented in the facility described above, comprises mixing four components formed by a base beer, alcohol, coloring, and bittering agent, which are mixed in proportions that can be regulated by a user to form an end product; and where each mixing is remotely controlled by control means, the consumption of each base product being controlled through flow rate regulation in the purge and empty barrel detection apparatus and in the mixing apparatus.

[0013] Throughout the description and the claims, the word "comprises" and variants thereof do not seek to exclude other technical features, additions, components, or steps. For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages, and characteristics of the invention will be inferred in part from the invention and in part from putting the invention into practice. The following examples and drawings are provided by way of illustration and do not seek to limit the present invention. Furthermore, the invention covers all the possible combinations of particular and preferred embodiments indicated herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] A series of drawings which help to better understand the invention and are expressly related to an embodiment of said invention, illustrated as non-limiting example thereof, is very briefly described below.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the beer dispensing facility object of the present invention

Figure 2 shows a diagram of the operation of the purge and empty barrel detection apparatus (5) integrated in the beer dispensing facility object of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a diagram of the operation of the mixing apparatus integrated in the beer dispensing facility object of the present invention.

Description of a detailed Embodiment of the Invention

[0015] In view of the described drawings, it can be seen how in one of the possible practical embodiments of the invention, the facility comprises four tanks (1), where each tank (1) contains a specific base product consisting of a specific beer with characteristics that are different from the others, said characteristics being, by way of non-limiting example, the alcoholic strength, color, bitterness, and a specific type of beer, said base products (2) being homogeneous, but with a different composition, and at least one dispensing tap (3).

[0016] Each tank (1) is connected in parallel with a mixing apparatus (4), -or simply mixer (4) in reference to the same physical element which will be described in detail below-, in which the base products (2) coming from said four tanks (1) are mixed in a specific proportion chosen by a user through control means (10), an homogeneous end product (7) with respect to the base products (2), i.e., which is also a beer, being obtained.

[0017] The mixer (4) is connected with the taps (3), the mixer (4) being programmable to modify the proportion of the different base products (2) comprising the end product. This programming is configured by the control means (10) which will be described in greater detail below.

[0018] Besides the fact that one of the base products (2) is a conventional beer, the following densities are contemplated among the differentiating characteristics for each of the remaining three base products (2), as a non-limiting example:

• Bittering agent: 1.00762 kg/I
• Alcoholic strength: 1.01104 kg/l
• Coloring: 1.01305 kg/l

[0019] The characteristics of the base product (2) intended for providing more bitterness to the end product (7) are as follows:

PARAMETERS	METHOD	UNIT	STANDARD
Original extract		% (w/w)	10.9
Alcohol		% (v/v)	4.6
Color		EBC	11
pH			4.30
CO2		g/l	4.8
Bitterness	Spectroph.	BU	125
Isos	HPLC	mg/l	121
Tetras	HPLC	mg/l	4
Total diacetyl		µg/l	<50
Dissolved oxygen		µg/l	<250

[0020] The characteristics of the base product (2) intended for providing higher alcoholic strength to the end product (7) are as follows:

PARAMETERS	METHOD	UNIT	STANDARD
Original extract		% (w/w)	24.8
Alcohol		% (v/v)	11.7
Color		EBC	19
pH			4.30
CO2		g/l	4.8
Turbidity 90°		EBC	<0.8
Bitterness	Spectroph.	BU	34
Isos	HPLC	mg/l	32
Tetras	HPLC	mg/l	4
Total diacetyl		µg/l	<50
Dissolved oxygen		µg/l	<250

[0021] The characteristics of the base product (2) intended for providing more color to the end product (7) are as follows:

PARAMETERS	METHOD	UNIT	STANDARD
Original extract		% (w/w)	13.3
Alcohol		% (v/v)	5.5
Color		EBC	90
pH			4.4
CO2		g/l	4.8
Total SO2	Skalar	Mg/l	6
Turbidity 90°		EBC	<1.3
Bitterness	Spectroph.	BU	22
Isos	HPLC	mg/l	18
Tetras	HPLC	mg/l	4
Total diacetyl		µg/l	<50
Dissolved oxygen		µg/l	<250

[0022] There are included, by way of example, some examples of the composition of the varieties which can be obtained as an end product (7) based on the proportion present in the combination of four base products (2), three of them being those described in the three preceding tables, and one being the base or standard, i.e., a light beer having standard characteristics.

	Alcohol content (°)	Base product (2) color (%)	Base product (2) bitterness (%)	Base product (2) alcohol (%)	Base product (2) standard (%)
La Segarra	4.5	0	0	0	100
London	4.9	20	40	0	40
Hamburg	5.1	40	20	0	40
Munich	5.3	60	0	0	40
Manila	6.4	0	0	20	80
Dusseldorf	6.6	40	0	20	40
Bruges	7.6	15	20	40	25
Dorchester	9.1	0	0	60	40
Delhi	6.2	0	40	20	40
Bilbao	7.6	0	20	40	40

[0023] The preceding examples of the base product (2) are, as indicated, mere illustrative example illustrating the possibilities of the facility of the invention.

[0024] In the practical embodiment shown in Figure 1, the facility comprises a plurality of dispensing taps (3) each of which is connected with an outlet of the mixer (4). The facility comprises a cooling device (6).

[0025] Though not depicted in the drawings, it is also contemplated for cooling equipment to be arranged between the tanks (1), -these preferably being barrels-, and the mixer (4), so that the product reaches said tank (1) already cold, although without said cooling equipment, in view of the cooling device (6) mentioned above, the product remains cold in the mixer (4).

[0026] Likewise, according to a preferred embodiment the base product (2) of each tank (1) goes through a purge and empty barrel detection apparatus (5), -or simply a detector apparatus (5)-, to the mixing apparatus (4), such that each base component or product (2) is connected with an inlet of the mixing apparatus (4) through the detector apparatus (5).

[0027] More specifically, the mixer (4) consists of a single device with seatings for four proportional valves (41) and a collector (42) consisting of a transverse channel with a cover at each end and housing a pressure switch (43) configured for detecting service as a result of a drop in pressure. The collector (42) also includes an outlet channel connected with a flow meter (44).

[0028] The mixer (4) has the particularity of containing four common transverse channels for distributing base components or product (2), -in the description, base component or product refers to the same physical element contained in each of the tanks (1) or barrels-, which are in turn cooled through passage of the base product (2) through the mixer (4).

[0029] The mixer (4) is made of a plastic material that is compatible with food standards, which reduces the final cost of the mixer (4). On the other hand, the proportional valves (41) are configured as normally closed valves that only open when service is detected as a result of the pressure switch (43).

[0030] Therefore, in order to obtain the end product the components forming same are mixed in proportions that can be regulated. To that end, each valve (41) regulating each base product (2) opens by the required percentage and the components are driven by pressure.

[0031] According to another preferred embodiment, the purge and empty barrel detection apparatus (5) -or simply detector apparatus (5)- is made up of four inlets -one per tank (1)- arranged after the flow meters (51) which allow detecting the input volume of the base product (2) from each tank (1). Furthermore, it comprises four fill vessels -each of them respectively connected with the inlet through each flow meter (51)- and where each vessel in turn comprises a viewing window for observing the status thereof, together with warning LEDs, a purge valve (52) to discharge the surplus base product (2), a shutoff valve (53) to discharge the base product (2) to the mixer (4), and a detection buoy (54) configured for establishing the level of the base product (2) in that vessel and is accompanied by an air sensor (55) and a product sensor (56).

[0032] The inlet flow meters (51) allow calibrating the mixtures, controlling component consumptions, and detecting leakages. On the other hand, the presence of the detection buoys (54) improves the use of optical sensors, this solution being much more efficient and fault-tolerant.

[0033] The facility preferably comprises control means (10) which are configured for controlling the mixing of the base products (2). These control means (10) comprise two individual circuits communicated through a shared communications bus. This enables the circuits of the control means (10) to communicate with one another and to allow controlling purges as a result of an excessive CO₂, as well as controlling the opening of the taps (3). In other words, information processing is generally contemplated, including a warning and alert system whereby warnings and alerts are generated depending on the parameters of the facilities and on the predetermined threshold values, alerting the person in charge -through a portable electronic user device (11)- so that he/she can correct any anomaly in the shortest possible time. By the use of telemetry, the different magnitudes (consumption) of the facility can be monitored and this allows interacting with clients and with the facility on the technical level (changing product configuration).

[0034] More specifically, the control means (10) comprise a primary control circuit and a secondary control circuit, communicated through a shared bus, wherein the secondary circuit controls the valves (41) of the mixer (4), the reading of the outlet flow meters (44), the reading of the pressure switches (43), the communication with the primary control circuit, and the visual signaling of the different statuses of the elements of the mixing apparatus (4) by means of LEDs.

[0035] On the other hand, the primary control circuit is configured for controlling the elements of the purge and empty barrel detection apparatus (5), and more specifically for the detection of the level of the base product (2) in the buoy (54), the regulation of the shutoff valves (53) and purge valves (52), the reading of the inlet flow meters (51), the LEDs indicating the status of the base products (2) in the tanks (1), the communication with the secondary control circuit, and the communication with the user device (11), as well as the reset of the entire facility.

[0036] The external communications, i.e., communications with the user device (11) are preferably wireless and allows the calibration, configuration, and reading of the facility behavior through a portable external electronic device (11), for example, through an App installed on a mobile telephone or tablet; all this as a result of a reinforced communications protocol which is configured for controlling consumptions, closing the taps (3) affected by an empty tank (1) detected by the separate detector (5), controlling LED-type warning indicators in the dispensing bar -in which the taps (3) are also placed- and performing controlled purges.

[0037] Finally, according to a preferred embodiment the facility comprises a CO₂ line (8) which is connected with the tanks (1) and is located to allow dispensing beer.

[0038] A method for obtaining a specific beer (7) is therefore based on:

• four components formed by a base beer, alcohol, (darker or black) coloring, and bittering agent, are mixed in specific proportions to form a mixed product
• each mixing is controlled by remotely configurable electric valves, allows quickly changing the mixed product,
• the consumption of each element is controlled by product flow rate control means.

[0039] The mixing or metering unit allows obtaining an end product in variables proportions of several components from the mixing.

[0040] This description uses, only for descriptive purposes, four components for generating a predetermined type of beer, without it limiting the number of components or the end product which can be produced with the mixer-metering unit.

Claims

1. Beer dispensing facility, comprising:

a plurality of tanks (1), wherein each tank (1) comprises a specific base product (2) with a different composition; and at least one dispensing tap (3) connected to the outlet of a mixing apparatus (4); and

where said facility is characterized in that the base product (2) of each tank (1) goes through a purge and empty barrel detection apparatus (5) to the mixing apparatus (4), such that each base component or product (2) is connected with an inlet of the mixing apparatus (4) through the purge and empty barrel detection apparatus (5).

2. Dispensing facility according to claim 1, where each tank (1) is connected with an inlet of a single mixing apparatus (4) which is a monobloc and is configured for mixing the base products (2) coming from at least two tanks (1) in a proportion that can be regulated by control means (10); said proportion being suitable for obtaining a homogeneous end product (7) with respect to the base products (2) mixed in the mixing apparatus (4) for obtaining said end product (7).

3. Facility according to any of claims 1 to 2, where the mixing apparatus (4) consists of a single monobloc device with seatings for four proportional valves (41) and a collector (42) consisting of a transverse channel with a cover at each end and housing a pressure switch (43) configured for detecting service as a result of a drop in pressure; and where the collector (42) also includes an outlet channel connected with an outlet flow meter (44).

4. Facility according to claim 3, where the mixing apparatus (4) comprises four common cooled, transverse channels for distributing the base product (2).

5. Facility according to any one of claims 1 to 4, where the mixing apparatus (4) is manufactured from plastic that is compatible with food standards.

6. Facility according to any one of claims 3 to 5, where the proportional valves (41) of the mixing apparatus (4) are configured as normally closed valves that only open when service is detected as a result of the pressure switch (43).

7. Facility according to any one of claims 1 to 6, where the purge and empty barrel detection apparatus (5) comprises four fill vessels each of them respectively connected with the inlet of the base product (2), and where each vessel comprises: a purge valve (52) to discharge the surplus base product (2); a shutoff valve (53) to discharge the base product (2) to the mixing apparatus (4); and a detection buoy (54) configured for establishing the level of the base product (2) in its respective vessel, and which in turn comprises an air sensor (55) and a product sensor (56).

8. Facility according to claim 7, where the purge and empty barrel detection apparatus (5) comprises four inlets, one per tank (1), arranged after the inlet flow meters (51) which allow detecting the input volume of the base product (2) from each tank (1).

9. Facility according to any one of claims 1 to 8, where the control means (10) which are configured for controlling the mixing of the base products (2) and comprise two individual circuits communicated through a shared communications bus, configured for communicating with one another and allowing controlling purges as a result of an excessive CO₂, as well as controlling the opening of the taps (3).

10. Facility according to claim 9, where the control means (10) comprise a primary control circuit and a secondary control circuit, communicated through a shared bus, wherein the secondary circuit controls the valves (41) of the mixer (4), the reading of the outlet flow meters (44), the reading of the pressure switches (43), the communication with the primary control circuit, and the visual signaling of the different statuses of the elements of the mixing apparatus (4) by means of LEDs; and where the primary control circuit is configured for controlling the elements of the purge and empty barrel detection apparatus (5), and more specifically for the detection of the level of the base product (2) in the buoy (54), the regulation of the shutoff valves (53) and purge valves (52), the reading of the inlet flow meters (51), the LEDs indicating the status of the base products (2) in the tanks (1), the communication with the secondary control circuit and external communication, as well as the reset of the entire facility.

11. Facility according to claim 10, where the external communications comprise communications with a portable electronic user device (11) which are wireless and allows the calibration, configuration, and reading of the facility behavior through the portable external electronic device (11); all this as a result of a reinforced communications protocol which is configured for controlling consumptions, closing the taps (3) affected by an empty tank (1) detected by the separate detector (5), controlling LED-type warning indicators in the dispensing bar and performing controlled purges.

12. Facility according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a CO₂ line (8) which is connected with the tanks (1).

13. Facility according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a cooling device (6) connected with the mixing apparatus (4), the taps (3), and the purge and empty barrel detection apparatus (5).

14. A beer dispensing method for dispensing beer which is configured as a specific end product (7) which, when implemented in the facility according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprises mixing four components formed by a base beer, alcohol, coloring, and bittering agent, which are mixed in proportions that can be regulated by a user to form an end product (7); and where each mixing is remotely controlled by control means (10), the consumption of each base product (2) being controlled through flow rate regulation in the purge and empty barrel detection apparatus (5) and in the mixing apparatus (4).

Drawing