Column for dispensing beverages

Abstract

 A column for the dispensing of beverages is described, of the type comprising a supporting member (10), onto which are fitted one or more dispencing devices (5), joined to a covering member (20) by means of one or more hooking means (11,21) in combination with one or more quick-release/quick-lock means (30).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing column that is generally installed on the stands of public bars for dispensing beverages.

[0002] The known type of dispensing columns comprises a supporting member essentially fixed to the stand and endowed with one or more dispensing devices, as well as at least one covering member that covers the supporting member. The two members are joined together by means of a plurality of screws or bolts, generally at least four screws or bolts.

[0003] Beyond hiding and protecting the mechanisms of the dispensing devices and the system of tubes that carry the beverages and possible refrigerant fluids up to the dispensing devices, the covering member has ornamental functions; its shape and lines are determined by the producers of the beverages dispensed, and it carries information on the same beverages dispensed.

[0004] The covering member is removed very often, not only to carry out the ordinary cleaning and maintenance operations on the dispensing column, but also to adapt the dispensing column to a change of the beverages dispensed, and also to adapt the dispensing column to the style or to the advertising messages imposed by the beverage manufacturing firms.

[0005] Each time the covering member is removed from the supporting member all the fixing screws, generally at least four or more screws, need to be unscrewed, and then subsequently replaced and tightened again when the same member is re-positioned. Apart from being difficult to do and expensive in terms of time, the unscrewing and screwing operations could strip the threads from the holes which receive the screws or bolts, jeopardising the correct fixing between the two members.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to produce a column for dispensing beverages that facilitates the removal and the repositioning of a covering member with respect to the supporting member.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to propose a column for dispensing beverages in which a firm and secure join is guaranteed between the supporting member and the covering member.

[0008] These objects are achieved by the present invention, which relates to a column for the dispensing of beverages, of the type comprising at least one supporting member onto which one or more dispensing devices are fitted, at least one covering member that partially encloses the supporting member, and means for joining the covering member in a detachable way to the supporting member, characterised in that the joining means comprise one or more hooking means in combination with one or more quick-release/quick-lock means.

[0009] The removal of the covering member therefore involves a simple opening of the quick-release/quick-lock means and the subsequent unhooking of the two members. Vice versa, when the covering member must be joined to the supporting member, it is sufficient to hook the two members together with the corresponding hooking means and bring the two members into the position in which the quick-lock means can be closed.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hooking means consist of the suitably shaped upper edges of the reciprocally joined members, while the quick-release/quick-lock means are arranged in correspondence of the lower portions of the members. That also makes production of the joining means between the two members that constitute the dispensing column particularly inexpensive.

[0011] According to a possible embodiment, the quick-release/quick-lock means comprise at least an actuating member that acts on one or more rods, these latter being mobile between a position in which the covering member can be hooked or unhooked with respect to the supporting member and a position in which the covering member remains firmly joined to the supporting member.

[0012] The rods of the quick-release/quick-lock means can comprise extremities bearing against one or more inside surfaces of the covering member, or which are engaged in corresponding seats present in the covering member.

[0013] According to the preferred embodiment, the actuating member of the quick-release/quick-lock means is mounted with possibility of rotation on the supporting member and comprises a plurality of teeth that engage in rack portions present on the rods.

[0014] The actuating member preferably comprises a seat accessible from the external side of the supporting member to receive a tool of suitable form and dimensions that allows the actuating member to be moved manually.

[0015] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be clearer from the description that follows, made by way of example with not limiting purpose, with reference to the enclosed schematic drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view in the unassembled condition of the two members that essentially compose a column for the dispensing of beverages according to the present invention;
• Figure 2 is a cross section view of an enlarged detail of a column for the dispensing of beverages with the two members in the assembled state; and
• Figure 3 is an exploded view of the quick-release/quick-lock means used in a column for the dispensing of beverages according to the present invention.

[0016] The dispensing column illustrated in Figure 1 comprises essentially a supporting member 10 onto which there are fitted one or more dispensing devices 5 of the "pre-mix" or "post-mix" type (of which only one is shown for the sake of simplicity).

[0017] A covering member 20 partially encloses the supporting member 10 to protect and hide the tubes and the related connectors that carry the beverages to the dispensing devices 5.

[0018] Quick-release/quick-lock means 30 are provided, associated with the supporting member 10 and located in proximity to the lower part of the same, to join the covering member 20 to the supporting member 10 and maintain them firmly fixed together.

[0019] In combination with the quick-release/quick-lock means, hooking means between the two members are provided, located in correspondence with their respective upper parts. According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in greater detail in Figure 2, the hooking means between the two members of the column consist of their respective upper edges 11 and 21, which are shaped in such a way that the upper edge 21 of the covering member 20 fits over the upper edge 11 of the supporting member 10.

[0020] According to a possible embodiment, the quick-release/quick-lock means shown in Figure 3 comprise at least one actuating member 31 that acts on a pair of rods 32 to move them between a position in which the covering member 20 can be hooked or unhooked with respect to the supporting member 10, and a position in which the covering member 20 remains firmly joined to the supporting member 10. In the embodiment illustrated by way of example, the quick-release/quick-lock means are realised in the form of latching means.

[0021] The extremities 33 of the rods 32 could be provided to bear simply against the inside surfaces 22 (Figure 1) of the covering member 20, or they could be provided to engage in corresponding seats, for instance blind-holes 23 or through-holes 24 (Figure 1) provided into the covering member 20.

[0022] The actuating member 31 is mounted with the possibility of rotation on the supporting member 10 and comprises a plurality of teeth 34 engaging in rack portions 35 present on the rods 32. These latter move in guide-slots 36 and in open position remain against the limit-stops 37. Possible stoppers 38, shown by dotted line, could be provided on the internal extremities of the rods 32 to prevent the rack portions 35 of the same rods disengaging from the teeth 34 of the actuating member 31 when the external extremities 33 of the rods 32 engage in through-holes 24 (Figure 1).

[0023] Preferably, the actuating member 31 comprises a seat (not shown) accessible from the external side of the supporting member 30 to receive a tool 40 having shape and dimensions exactly matching the same seat to allow the actuating member 31 to be moved manually.

Claims

1. Column for dispensing of beverages, of the type comprising at least one supporting member onto which are fitted one or more dispensing devices, at least one covering member that partially encloses said supporting member and means for joining said covering member in a detachable way to said supporting member, characterised in that said joining means comprise one or more hooking means in combination with one or more quick-release/quick-lock means.

2. A column according to Claim 1, characterised in that said hooking means are arranged in correspondence of the upper edges of said members and that said quick-release/quick-lock means are arranged in correspondence of the lower portions of said members.

3. A column according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said hooking means consist of the suitably shaped edges of said members.

4. A column according to Claim 1, characterised in that said quick-release/quick-lock means are mounted on said supporting member.

5. A column according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said quick-release/quick-lock means comprise at least an actuating member acting on one or more rods which are movable between a position in which said covering member can be hooked or unhooked with respect to said supporting member and a position in which said covering member remains firmly joined to said supporting member.

6. A column according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said one or more rods of said quick-release/quick-lock means comprise extremities acting to bear against one or more inside surfaces of said covering member.

7. A column according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said one or more rods of said quick-release/quick-lock means comprise extremities acting to engage corresponding seats present in said covering member.

8. A column according to any of Claims 5 to 7, characterised in that said actuating member is rotatably mounted on said supporting member and comprises a plurality of teeth engaged in rack portions present on said rods.

9. A column according to any of Claims 5 to 8, characterised in that said actuating member comprises a seat accessible from the external side of said supporting member to receive a tool of suitable shape and dimensions to allow the manual movement of said actuating member.

Drawing