[0001] This invention relates to beverage dispense apparatus, in particular, but not exclusively
for dispensing beer, lager, cider and like beverages. More especially, the invention
relates to counter-top fittings for dispensing such beverages. For convenience, where
the term "beer" is used hereinafter to describe the invention it will be understood
that the invention applies equally to lager, cider and like beverages.
[0002] Counter top fittings for dispensing beer typically employ a valve that can be operated
manually or electrically to dispense the beer into a container placed under an outlet
from the valve. Recently there has been a trend to dispense beer at low temperature
and to provide counter-top fittings in which ice and/or condensation is formed on
an outer surface of the fitting by circulating a coolant within the fitting. The coolant
helps to prevent the beer warming up, especially between dispenses, and the formation
of ice/condensation gives the impression to the customer that the beer is being dispensed
at a low temperature.
[0003] For some designs of counter-top fittings, the formation of ice/condensation can create
a problem if water formed by the ice melting or from condensation formed on the fitting
can drip into a container placed under the outlet from the valve and contaminate beer
dispensed from the fitting into the container.
[0004] Also, there is an increasing trend for retailers to provide greater choice to customers
by introducing different beers - so called "guest beers" - on a regular basis. As
a result, there is a need to adapt the counter-top fitting to change the branding
when a different beer is to be dispensed.
[0005] The present invention has been made for a consideration of the foregoing and seeks
to provide an improved counter-top fitting for dispensing beverages such as beer,
lager, cider in which ice/condensation can form on part of the fitting.
[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a counter-top
fitting for dispensing a beverage comprising a first section provided with a dispense
valve, a second section provided with a coolant chamber for circulating coolant such
that ice/condensation can form on an outer surface of the second section, wherein
a thermal break is provided to inhibit formation of ice/condensation on the first
section.
[0007] By this first aspect of the invention, formation of ice/condensation on the outer
surface of the fitting is restricted to an area separated from the dispense valve
such that water produced when the ice melts and/or from the condensation cannot contaminate
beverage dispensed from the fitting.
[0008] Preferably, the thermal break comprises a collar of low thermal conductivity material
provided between the first section and the second section.
[0009] Preferably, the first and second sections are releasably connected to each other
by a lock nut that fits over the collar.
[0010] Preferably, the second section is provided between the first section and a third
section of the fitting providing a base for mounting the fitting on a support surface,
wherein a thermal break is provided between the second section and the third section.
[0011] Preferably, the thermal break comprises a sealing gasket of low thermal conductivity
material provided between the second section and the third section.
[0012] Preferably, the second section comprises an outer member, an inner member received
within the outer member and sealed relative to the outer member at each end to define
therewith the coolant chamber, wherein the outer member is removable and comprises
a substantially cylindrical sleeve of high thermal conductivity material
[0013] Preferably, an inlet and an outlet for circulating coolant through the chamber are
provided at opposite ends of the chamber and wherein, in use, the outlet is arranged
at an upper end of the chamber and the inlet is arranged at a lower end.
[0014] Preferably, the inner member has one or more through bores for passage of one or
more of a product line and a power supply line.
[0015] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method
of producing ice/condensation on a counter-top fitting for dispensing a beverage comprising
the steps of circulating coolant through a chamber in a first section of the fitting
to form ice/condensation on an outer surface of the first section, and providing a
thermal break between the first section and at least one further section of the fitting.
[0016] By this second aspect of the invention, formation of ice/condensation is restricted
to the outer surface of the first section.
[0017] Preferably, the thermal break is provided between the first section and a second
section having a dispense valve for dispensing beverage such that ice/condensation
is restricted to an area of the fitting separate from the dispense valve.
[0018] In this way, water produced when the ice melts and/or from the condensation cannot
contaminate beverage dispensed from the fitting.
[0019] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a font having
a dispense valve for dispensing a beverage on a first part of the font, and a coolant
chamber for circulating coolant to form ice/condensation on an outer surface of a
second part of the font and a thermal break between the first and second parts.
[0020] Preferably, the second part is provided between the first part and a third part of
the font providing a base for mounting the font on a support surface with a thermal
break between the second and third parts.
[0021] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method
of controlling formation of ice/condensation on an outer surface of a beverage dispense
font by providing the font with a thermal break.
[0022] Preferably, the thermal break is arranged to confine ice/condensation to an area
of the outer surface of the font separate from a dispense valve for dispending the
beverage.
[0023] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a counter-top
fitting for dispensing a beverage comprising a dispense valve, a coolant chamber defined
between a tubular outer member and an inner member extending lengthwise of the outer
member, means for circulating coolant in the chamber such that ice/condensation can
form on an outer surface of the outer member, and the inner member having a through
bore for passage of a product line to the dispense valve, wherein the outer member
is removable.
[0024] By this fifth aspect of the invention, ice/condensation forms on a removable part
of the fitting whereby the fitting can be adapted for dispensing different beverages
by removing the outer member and replacing it with another member appropriate to the
beverage to be dispensed.
[0025] Furthermore, by circulating coolant through a chamber between the outer member and
the inner member, cooling of the outer member and hence formation of ice/condensation
thereon is improved by direct contact between the coolant and the outer member.
[0026] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method
of producing ice/condensation on a counter-top fitting for dispensing a beverage comprising
the steps of circulating coolant through a chamber defined between an outer member
and an inner member such that the coolant directly contacts the outer member to form
ice/condensation on an outer surface of the outer member which itself forms an outer
surface of the fitting, and passing a product line through the inner member so that
the coolant does not directly contact the product line, wherein the outer member is
removable.
[0027] The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a counter-top fitting embodying the invention;
Figure 2 is a side view of component parts of the fitting shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an end view of the parts shown in Figure 2;
Figure 4 shows details of the area A of Figure 1;
Figures 5,6 and 7 show details of the area B of Figure 1; and
Figure 8 is a sectional view of the area B of Figure 1.
[0028] Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is shown a counter-top fitting 1 according
to the invention in the form of a swan-neck font for dispensing beer. The fitting
1 has a mounting base 2 with a counter bore 2a in the upper surface to receive a sealing
gasket 3 and the lower end of a tube-in-tube assembly 4.
[0029] The tube-in-tube assembly 4 comprises a tubular outer sleeve 5 and tubular inner
component 6 that fits within the outer sleeve 5 and defines therein a coolant chamber
7. In this embodiment, the outer sleeve 5 is made of a material having a high thermal
conductivity, for example metals/alloys such as stainless steel, to improve heat transfer.
The inner component 6 may be made of similar materials but this is not essential and
the inner component 6 may be made of materials having a low thermal conductivity.
For example, the inner component 6 may be made of plastics.
[0030] As shown, the outer sleeve 5 is cylindrical with a flared lower end 5a. The inner
component 6 has a flared lower end 6a that is received within the flared lower end
5a of the outer sleeve. An O-ring 8 seated in an external annular groove 9 in the
outer surface of the lower end 6a of the inner component 6 provides a fluid-tight
seal between the inner component 6 and the outer sleeve 5 at the lower end of the
assembly 4.
[0031] The inner component 6 has a cylindrical upper end 6b that is received within the
upper end of the outer sleeve 5. An O-ring 10 seated in an annular recess 11 in the
upper end 6b of the inner component 6 provides a fluid-tight seal between the inner
component 6 and outer sleeve 5 at the upper end of the assembly 4.
[0032] Between the lower end 6a and the upper end 6b, the inner component 6 has a centre
section 6c of reduced cross-section and the coolant chamber 7 is defined between the
centre section 6c and the outer sleeve 5.
[0033] In this embodiment, the inner component 6 has three longitudinally extending through
bores 6d, 6e, 6f that are aligned with holes 3a, 3b, 3c in the sealing gasket 3 for
passage of one or more lines (not shown) such as a product line and a power supply
line such that coolant in the chamber 7 does not directly contact the lines. It will
be understood that the number and configuration of the bores may be altered according
to the requirements of a particular fitting.
[0034] The lower end 6a of the inner component 6 has two holes 6g, 6h that align with holes
3d, 3e in the sealing gasket 3 and open to the coolant chamber 7 for passage of inlet
and outlet tubes (not shown) for circulating coolant through the coolant chamber 7.
The inlet tube terminates at the lower end of the chamber 7 and the outlet tube extends
to the upper end of the chamber 7 so that, in use, the chamber 7 is filled with coolant.
The tubes are sealed in the holes 6g, 6h by O-rings (not shown) or other suitable
seals.
[0035] The lower end 6a of the inner component 6 is also provided with three internally
threaded blind bores 6i, 6j, 6k that align with holes 3f, 3g, 3h in the sealing gasket
3 by means of which the inner component 6 is secured to the base 2 by screws (not
shown) inserted into the bores 6i, 6j, 6k through aligned holes (not shown) in the
base 2.
[0036] The upper end of the tube-in-tube assembly 4 is releasably connected to one end of
an L-shaped tubular sleeve 12 that forms the swan-neck. The other end of the sleeve
12 is connected to a manually operable dispense tap 13 provided with a valve (not
shown) for controlling dispense of beverage through an outlet nozzle 14 into a glass
or other container placed under the nozzle 14.
[0037] A collar 15 secured to the end of the sleeve 12 by pins 16 is a clearance fit in
a counterbore 61 in the upper end 6b of the inner component 6 and is secured by a
lock nut 17 that fits over the collar 15 and has an external screw thread 17a engageable
with an internal screw thread 6m in the counterbore 61. On tightening the lock nut
17, an internal tapered portion of the locknut 17 engages an external tapered portion
of the collar 15 to secure the sleeve 12. The locknut 17 also locates and retains
the outer sleeve 5 on the inner component 6.
[0038] In this embodiment, the locknut 17 is provided with circumferentially spaced holes
17b for engagement with a tool (not shown) to fasten/release the locknut 17 and the
holes 17b are concealed by a split ring 18 that fits around the locknut 17. In this
way, accidental or unauthorised release of the locknut 17 is prevented.
[0039] The lines that pass through the inner component 6 are concealed within the L-shaped
sleeve 12 for connecting a product line to the dispense tap 13 and a power supply
line to illuminate a badge 19 displaying advertising or branding for the product.
[0040] In use, coolant circulated through the chamber 7 cools the outer sleeve 5 and causes
ice and/or condensation to form on the outer surface of the outer sleeve 5. Any suitable
coolant may be employed such as chilled water or an aqueous water/glycol mixture.
Circulation of coolant may also provide cooling for beer in the product line passing
through the inner component 6 where this is made of a high thermal conductivity material
to prevent beer remaining in the product line between dispenses warming up to any
appreciable extent.
[0041] In a modification (not shown), the chamber 7 is provided with one or more baffles
or similar means that create turbulent flow within the chamber 7 to provide more uniform
heat transfer through the outer sleeve 5.
[0042] The collar 15 is made of plastic and has low thermal conductivity that provides a
thermal break between the tube-in-tube assembly 4 and the L-shaped sleeve 12 that
prevents ice/condensation forming on the outer surface of the L-shaped sleeve 12 which
could run down into a glass or similar container placed under the dispense tap 13.
[0043] Likewise, the sealing gasket 3 is made of rubber and has a low thermal conductivity
that provides a thermal break between the tube-in-tube assembly 4 and the base 2 that
inhibits ice/condensation forming on the base 2 and also prevents water penetrating
between the base 2 and the tube-in-tube assembly 4.
[0044] In addition to the badge 19, the outer sleeve 5 of the tube-in-tube assembly 4 may
carry advertising or branding relating to the product being dispensed. If the product
is changed, the outer sleeve 5 can be removed and replaced by a different sleeve 5
carrying advertising/branding appropriate to the product.
[0045] To replace the outer sleeve 5, the circulation of coolant is stopped before disconnecting
the L-shaped sleeve 12 by releasing the locknut 17 and disconnecting the product line
and power line, for example by employing self-sealing quick release connectors (not
shown) that engage/disengage automatically when the L-shaped sleeve 12 is connected/disconnected.
The outer sleeve 5 can then be slid up and lifted off the inner component 6.
[0046] A new outer sleeve 5 can then be fitted over and slid down onto the inner component
6. The L-shaped sleeve 12 can then be re-connected and the locknut 17 tightened to
effect a fluid-tight seal between the outer sleeve 5 and inner component 6 at the
top and bottom of the tube-in-tube assembly 4 before re-starting circulation of coolant
through the chamber 7.
[0047] As will be understood from the foregoing description of an exemplary embodiment,
the present invention provides a counter-top fitting for dispensing a beverage in
which ice/condensation forms on an outer surface of a part of the fitting that can
be removed and replaced when changing the beverage to be dispensed and is separated
from a part of the fitting on which the dispense tap is mounted by a thermal break
that prevents ice/condensation forming on a part of the outer surface of the fitting
where it could drip into a glass placed under the dispense tap.
[0048] Although the invention has been described with particular reference to a counter-top
fitting for dispensing beverages in the form of a swan neck font, it will be understood
that the invention is not limited to such fittings and that any of the features described
herein could be employed in other dispense equipment and fittings where it is desired
to provide a coolant chamber and/or to restrict the area over which ice/condensation
may form.
[0049] It will also be understood that the invention is not limited to fittings for the
dispense of alcoholic beverages such as beer, lager cider and the like and features
of the invention may also be employed in fittings for the dispense of non-alcoholic
beverages.
[0050] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment
above-described and that various changes may be made. For example, the outer sleeve
may be of cylindrical shape as described or any other shape that allows the outer
sleeve to be detached from the inner component to change the outer sleeve.
[0051] The outer sleeve may incorporate one or more windows that may be illuminated to produce
different visual effects for the customer. Where provided a window may be in the form
of a logo or brand name.
[0052] Other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The fitting may
be provided with more than one dispense tap for dispensing the same or different product.
Other changes that can be made will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
1. A counter-top fitting (1) for dispensing a beverage comprising a first section (12)
provided with a dispense valve (13), a second section (5) provided with a coolant
chamber (7) for circulating coolant such that ice/condensation can form on an outer
surface of the second section (5), wherein a thermal break (15) is provided to inhibit
formation of ice/condensation on the first section (12).
2. A counter-top fitting according to claim 1 characterised in that the thermal break (15) comprises a collar of low thermal conductivity material provided
between the first section (12) and the second section (5).
3. A counter-top fitting according to claim 2 characterised in that the first and second sections (12;5) are releasably connected to each other by a
lock nut (17) that fits over the collar (15).
4. A counter-top fitting according to any preceding claim characterised in that the second section (12) is provided between the first section (12) and a third section
(2) of the fitting providing a base for mounting the fitting (1) on a support surface,
wherein a thermal break (3) is provided between the second section (5) and the third
section (2).
5. A counter-top fitting according to claim 4 characterised in that the thermal break (3) comprises a sealing gasket (3) of low thermal conductivity
material provided between the second section (5) and the third section (2).
6. A counter-top fitting according to any preceding claim characterised in that the second section (5) comprises an outer member (5), an inner member (6) received
within the outer member (5) and sealed relative to the outer member (5) at each end
to define therewith the coolant chamber (7), wherein the outer member (5) is removable
and comprises a substantially cylindrical sleeve of high thermal conductivity material
7. A counter-top fitting according to claim 6 characterised in that, an inlet and an outlet for circulating coolant through the chamber (7) are provided
at opposite ends of the chamber (7) and wherein, in use, the outlet is arranged at
an upper end of the chamber (7) and the inlet is arranged at a lower end.
8. A counter-top fitting according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that, the inner member (6) has one or more through bores (6d,6e,6f) for passage of one
or more of a product line and a power supply line.
9. A method of providing ice/condensation on a counter-top fitting (1) for dispensing
a beverage comprising the steps of circulating coolant through a chamber (7) in a
first section (5) of the fitting (1) to form ice/condensation on an outer surface
of the first section (5), and providing a thermal break (3; 15) between the first
section (5) and at least one further section (2;12) of the fitting (1).
10. A method according to claim 9 characterised in that, the thermal break (15) is provided between the first section (5) and a second section
(12) having a dispense valve (13) for dispensing beverage such that ice/condensation
is restricted to an area of the fitting (1) separate from the dispense valve (13).