CN110461762B

CN110461762B - Beverage dispensing system for dispensing carbonated beverages and method of dispensing carbonated beverages

Info

Publication number: CN110461762B
Application number: CN201880021822.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·克里斯蒂安森; K·雷伯恩
Original assignee: Carlsberg Breweries AS
Current assignee: Carlsberg Breweries AS
Priority date: 2017-03-27
Filing date: 2018-03-23
Publication date: 2021-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 2038-03-23
Also published as: EP3601148A1; ES2899221T3; HUE057036T2; PL3601148T3; CN110461762A; DK3601148T3; WO2018177931A1; EP3601148B1; PT3601148T

Abstract

The beverage dispensing system comprises a tapping rod (10). The tapping rod (10) comprises a first elongated portion (10a), a second elongated portion (10b) and a third elongated portion (10 c). The first elongate portion (10a) extends vertically from the bar counter (12) above the bar counter and includes a first guide tube. The second elongated portion (10b) extends parallel to the bar counter (12) and includes a second guide tube interconnected with the first guide tube. The third elongated portion (10c) extends perpendicular to the bar counter (12) towards the operator side and is connected to a tapping cock (14). The third elongated portion (10c) comprises a fixed portion (28) and a horizontally openable cover (18) facing the fixed portion. The fixing portion (28) and/or the cover (18) comprise a catch element (30) for gripping the dip line (24). The cover (18) defines an open state in which the catch element (30) is accessible and a closed state in which the catch element (30) is concealed.

Description

Beverage dispensing system for dispensing carbonated beverages and method of dispensing carbonated beverages

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a beverage dispensing system for dispensing carbonated beverages and a method of dispensing carbonated beverages.

Background

The applicant is a producer of beverage dispensing systems in which a collapsible beverage container is placed in a pressure chamber. Collapsible beverage containers include, for example, bottles, packages or bags of flexible material (typically a polymer) that contain a carbonated beverage (typically beer) and are sealed by a lid. The beverage container has an integrally formed dip line attached to the lid. The beverage container is placed in a pressure chamber of the beverage dispensing system and the dip line is led outside the pressure chamber. During dispensing of the beverage, pressure is applied to the exterior of the flexible container and the beverage container collapses and collapses when exposed to high pressure as the beverage is forced out of the beverage container via the dispensing line.

The dispensing of the beverage is controlled by a tapping cock mounted on the hollow tapping rod. In operation, the dispensing line extends through the dip rod into the dip tap. Typically, the tapping rod extends vertically from the bar counter to a raised position corresponding to the shoulder or chest height of an average person, and also extends towards the operator so that the tapping cock is located above the drip tray. A typical dip rod includes a vertical cylindrical portion extending from a bar counter, and other expressions considered synonymous with dip rod are dip column, rod, post, tower, or similar expressions derived from dip rod shape. The tap cock, in turn, includes a tap handle, a tap valve, and a spout. The dip valve and spout are typically integrally formed with the dip line. The tapping valve may be formed by a valve element which is acted upon by the tapping cock to open and close the valve, respectively allowing and preventing beverage to flow through the tapping valve.

Preferably, the dip valve and spout form an integral part of the dip line and are discarded after use together with the dip line and collapsible beverage container. Thus, the tap only stops the tap and includes means (such as a handle) for opening and closing the tap. In this way, a hygienic beverage dispensing system is achieved, wherein the dip valve is replaced together with the beverage container. For dispensing the beverage, the handle is swung towards the user, which causes a linkage in the tapping cock to act on a valve placed in the tapping cock. Thus, any contact between the beverage and the tapping rod/tap is eliminated. The tapping handle is the most common actuator for tapping cocks, however, other devices may be used, including electrical devices such as electrical actuators.

When a new beverage container has been placed in the pressure chamber, the dispensing line is led through the tapping rod into the tapping cock, and the tapping line and the tapping valve are properly held within the tapping cock. The tapping rod as well as the pressure chamber may be provided with active cooling so that the beverage remains fresh for weeks or even months.

There are several prior art related to beverage dispensing systems comprising a disposable dip-line within a dip stick as described above. Some examples of the above-mentioned techniques include WO 07/019848, WO07/019849, WO 07/019850, WO 07/019851 and WO 07/019853, all of which are of the applicant company, which disclose a dip line connected to an outlet of a beverage container and extending therefrom through an opening in a lid of a pressure chamber to a dispensing tap. The dispensing of the beverage is performed by providing a predetermined pressure to the pressure chamber, and when the dispensing line is opened at the dispensing tap, the pressure will apply a pressure to the outside of the beverage container, which will start to collapse, whereby the beverage will be forced out of the beverage container into the dispensing line and out at the dispensing tap, without the beverage itself being supplied with or in contact with any gas during dispensing.

Other examples of the above technology include WO 01/92142, WO 01/92144 and WO01/92145, which relate to a tapping device for beverages comprising a cooling device and a tapping rod with a tapping cock. The dip rod includes channels that are in fluid communication with each other near the dip tap. A dip line extends through one of the channels and is coupled at one end with a container for beverage and is matable at the other end with a dip tap.

Since the dip line must be guided through the dip rod and must be easily removable from the dip rod, the dip rod and the channel should be tubular, elongated and exhibit as little bending as possible, and the bending must be soft or blunt. Sharp bends may not be used or at least should be avoided as they can cause the dip line to jam. Nevertheless, even with a soft or blunt bend, the use of a dip rod with more than one bend has the disadvantage of risking the dip line to get stuck in the dip rod.

This problem can be solved by allowing the dip rod to be openable and thus avoiding channel/tube guidance and dip line guidance together. One notable example of such a technique is international application WO 2008/125113 of the applicant company, which discloses a beverage dispensing system having a tapping rod formed by two housing parts that are guidable relative to each other. When the housing part is in the open position, access to a recess for positioning the dispensing line into the housing and in the recess is allowed and the recess is allowed to receive and retain the dispensing line. The recess is hidden when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are in the closed position.

However, allowing the tapping rod to be fully open also has some disadvantages. First, because the dip rod is openable, the structural stability of the dip rod will be reduced, and thus it will be more difficult to place a plate on the rod itself, including product branding, advertising, commercial messages, and the like. The space available for such plates will be limited and they will impose structural loads on the rods, which may not be sustainable.

Secondly, although in principle an openable tapping rod will allow an unlimited amount of bending and an unlimited amount of tapping cock, since there is no risk of the tapping line getting stuck, a tapping rod with more than one bending and more than one tapping cock will in practice be difficult to implement. So-called multi-tap towers would be difficult to implement. Thus, in practice, it is common to include only a single tapping cock on a tapping rod having one bend, thus at least partially losing the advantage of an openable tapping rod.

Disclosure of Invention

Thus, the object according to the invention is twofold, firstly how to provide mounting points for the advertising board, and secondly how to allow mounting of the dip-line in a dip-stick having a plurality of bends.

The above objects, together with numerous other objects, features, and advantages, which will become evident from the below description of the present invention, are accomplished according to a first aspect of the present invention by a beverage dispensing system for dispensing a carbonated beverage, comprising a pressure chamber for accommodating a collapsible beverage container, and a bar defining a customer side, an oppositely positioned operator side extending substantially parallel to the customer side, and a substantially horizontal surface extending between the customer side and the operator side, the beverage dispensing system further comprising a dip rod comprising a dip line, the dip rod further comprising:

a first elongated portion defining a first end and an opposite second end, the first elongated portion extending substantially vertically from a first end at a substantially horizontal surface of the bar counter to a second end located above the substantially horizontal surface of the bar counter, the first elongated portion further including a first guide tube for receiving a dip line between the first end and the second end,

a second elongated portion defining a third end and an opposite fourth end, the third end being connected to the second end of the first elongated portion, the second elongated portion extending from the third end to the fourth end substantially parallel to a customer side and an operator side of the bar counter, the second elongated portion further including a second guide tube interconnected with the first guide tube, the second guide tube for receiving a dip line between the third end and the fourth end,

a third elongated portion defining a fifth end and an opposite sixth end, the fifth end being connected to the fourth end of the second elongated portion, the sixth end of the third elongated portion being connected to a tapping cock for receiving a valve element of a tapping line, the third elongated portion extending from the fifth end to the sixth end substantially perpendicular to and towards a customer side and an operator side of the bar counter and comprising a fixation portion and a horizontally openable cover facing the fixation portion, the fixation portion and/or the horizontally openable cover comprising one or more catch elements for clamping the tapping line between the fifth end and the sixth end, the horizontally openable cover defining an open state in which the catch elements are accessible between the fifth end and the sixth end and a closed state in which the catch elements are concealed.

The pressure chamber should be substantially pressure-tight and be connected to a compressor or the like in order to be able to increase the pressure in the pressure chamber. A collapsible beverage container, preferably made of a polymeric material, is preferably arranged within the pressure chamber by a tight fit. The pressure chamber is closed by a pressure-tight lid and the dispensing line is allowed to extend outside the pressure chamber. The pressure chamber is typically located below the bar counter and may be cooled by, for example, being located in a refrigerator or passing the dip-line through a pass-through cooler. Alternatively, the pressure chamber may be located in a cellar, for example, below a building/bar counter.

Whereby the bar counter forms a horizontal surface for receiving beverage cups or the like. The bar counter typically extends along a portion of a bar or restaurant or similar building, and in many cases may separate a publicly accessible portion of the building on the customer side from a staff-only area on the operator side. However, the bar counter may also be formed by a moving device having wheels, a refrigerator for accommodating the pressure chamber, a compressor, and a horizontal surface located above the refrigerator. The customer and operator sides of the bar are typically linear and parallel, such that the bar resembles a cube or cuboid; however, curved bars and even circular bars are equally feasible. Furthermore, the horizontal surface is preferably mostly horizontal to accommodate a beer glass, but may comprise protrusions and recesses in the form of drip trays or the like.

The dip rod is hollow and extends from a horizontal surface. The first end is open and is typically accessible from the operator side from below the horizontal surface. The operator inserts the dispensing line (dip line) from a nearby pressure chamber into the opening of the first guide tube at the first end of the first elongated portion of the dip rod, which extends vertically to the second end. The engagement between this second end and the third end of the second elongated portion of the dip rod forms a transition of the dip rod from purely vertical to extending parallel to the customer side to the fourth end, also in the horizontal direction. The dip line is led from the first guide tube to the second guide tube, which may in fact constitute a single curved guide tube.

Whereby the first elongated portion and the second elongated portion form fastening points for placing a board comprising a brand of a product, an advertisement, a commercial message or the like, which board may extend in the space defined between the first and second elongated portions and the horizontal surface. Such a plate will thereby be fixed to the very rigid first and second elongated portions and will allow a large surface to be seen by the customer, since the plate extends parallel to the customer side.

The fourth end of the second elongated portion also defines the end of the guide tube and thus the dip line will not be guided into the third elongated portion, which extends parallel to the customer side and the operator side, but will actually stop at the junction between the second elongated portion and the third elongated portion, which runs perpendicular to the second elongated portion and towards the operator side of the bar counter. Due to the risk of the dip line getting stuck and due to the necessity of making the transition from the second elongated portion to the third elongated portion very soft in this case, it is not appropriate to continue the guide tube through the second bend into the third elongated portion.

By opening the openable lid, the dip line can be withdrawn at the end of the guide tube at the transition between the second elongated portion and the third elongated portion. The dip line is then manually received in a catch element (e.g., score, ridge, clip, etc. on the fixed portion of the third elongated portion or the openable lid of the third elongated portion or both). The dip valve of the dip line is secured into the dip tap so that the valve element can be opened and closed by the dip tap. The openable lid is then closed and the beverage dispensing system is ready for operation.

The beverage dispensing system described above thus uses a guide tube for a first part of the distance between the first end of the tapping rod and the tapping cock, while the rest of the tapping rod is openable. This allows a very stable base of the tapping rod, while allowing a very high flexibility in terms of the appearance of the tapping rod. Thus, the present invention has the advantage of allowing the dip rod to have multiple bends and sharp bends, which is not feasible using any of the prior art techniques. Another advantage is that a complex multi-tap tower would be feasible. Yet another advantage is that the installation and removal of the dip line in the dip rod and the dip tap will be very ergonomic.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the openable cover is spring loaded towards the closed state. In this way, the lid will close automatically, ensuring that the dispensing line is protected and avoiding dirt from possibly entering the tapping rod.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the distance between the first end and the second end is 200-. This distance is suitable in order to obtain a sufficiently high tapping rod (first end to second end), to have a sufficiently large area for the advertising panel (third end to fourth end), and to allow a drip tray or the like (fifth end to sixth end) to be placed under the spout.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the second elongated portion forms a smooth transition from vertical to horizontal, and/or wherein the fourth end of the second elongated portion is connected to the fifth end of the third elongated portion at substantially right angles. This would provide a very rigid dip-line with a large area that could be used for billboards.

According to another embodiment of the first aspect, the tapping rod further comprises a plate connected to the first elongated portion and the second elongated portion and optionally to the substantially horizontal surface, the plate preferably comprising an advertisement (e.g. a commercial message for promoting the sale of a beverage), and optionally comprising a light and/or sound effect. The board has been described as an option above. By including a waterproof electrical arrangement in the tapping rod, light and sound effects may be provided.

According to another embodiment of the first aspect, the plate is removable/replaceable. In this way, the brand name of the beverage may be changed when the corresponding beverage container is changed. A guide rail may be used in order to allow removability while keeping the plate firmly fixed to the rod. Other means such as clips, screws, etc. are also possible.

According to another embodiment of the first aspect, the fixation portion of the third elongated portion comprises:

a bottom wall facing the substantially horizontal surface and extending between a fifth end and a sixth end,

a top wall facing away from the substantially horizontal surface and extending between a fifth end and a sixth end,

a fixed side wall interconnecting the bottom wall and the top wall and positioned opposite the openable lid and extending between a fifth end and a sixth end. The openable lid is preferably swung open in the horizontal direction. This allows for very ergonomic access to the dip rod and ease of securing the dip line to the dip rod. Furthermore, the lateral opening of the lid with the fixed top and bottom allows the constructional structure of the third elongated portion of the tapping rod to be more stable.

According to another embodiment of the first aspect, the first elongated portion further comprises: a first cooling tube for containing a cooling fluid between a first end and a second end; a second cooling tube interconnected with the first cooling tube for containing a cooling fluid between a third end and a fourth end. The cooling of the dip rod and dip line prevents beverage within the dip rod from spoiling (foul). Cooling may be provided by allowing a flow of cold air to circulate in the guide tube and the cooling tube. The air may be provided from a refrigerator or cellar, preferably the same as where the pressure chamber is stored, if applicable.

According to another embodiment of the first aspect, the horizontally openable lid is hingedly connected at a hinge point at or near the fifth end and is provided with a locking member at the sixth end. Thus, the openable lid swings open in a direction away from the operator, allowing the operator to draw without restriction.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the hinge point is located opposite the second elongated portion. In this way, the openable lid swings open in a direction away from the tapping cock, allowing easy access to the tapping cock.

According to another embodiment of the first aspect, the tapping cock comprises: a tapping handle extending vertically from a position directly above the tapping cock and connected to the tapping cock, opposite the horizontally openable lid. In this way, the connection of the tapping handle and the tapping cock cannot block the opening of the openable lid, since the connection of the handle and the tapping cock is positioned opposite the openable lid. Preferably, the tapping handle extends directly above the tapping cock to create an intuitive means in which the handle is in the intended and most convenient position.

According to another embodiment of the first aspect, the tapping rod is made of metal, such as aluminium, copper or steel. So that it will be very durable, stable and qualitative.

According to another embodiment of the first aspect, the system further comprises a beverage container comprising a carbonated beverage, and the system further comprises a tapping line extending between the beverage container and the tapping cock via a tapping rod.

According to another embodiment of the first aspect, the tapping rod further comprises:

a fourth elongated portion defining a seventh end and an opposite eighth end, the seventh end being connected to the second end of the first elongated portion, the second elongated portion being substantially parallel to the customer side and the operator side of the bar and extending from the seventh end to the eighth end in an opposite direction relative to the second elongated portion, the first elongated portion including a third guide tube for receiving another dip-line between the first end and the seventh end, the second elongated portion including a fourth guide tube interconnected with the third guide tube for receiving the other dip-line between the seventh end and the eighth end, and

a fifth elongated portion defining a ninth end and an opposite tenth end, the ninth end being connected to the eighth end of the fourth elongated portion, the tenth end of the fifth elongated portion being connected to a further tapping cock for receiving a further valve element of the further tapping line, the fifth elongated portion extending from the ninth end to the tenth end substantially perpendicular to and towards the customer side and the operator side of the bar counter and comprising a further fixed portion and a further horizontally openable cover facing the further fixed portion, the further fixed portion and/or the further horizontally openable cover comprising one or more further catch elements for clamping the further tapping line between the ninth end and the tenth end, the further horizontally openable cover defining an open state in which the further catch elements are accessible between the ninth end and the tenth end, in the closed state the further capture element is hidden.

The above system is a particularly advantageous tapping tower having two taps to be able to be used for dispensing two types of beverages. It consists of a single first elongated portion connected to a plurality of second elongated portions and a corresponding number of third elongated portions and to a tapping cock. This number is considered to be at least two, but higher numbers are of course possible, such as three, four or five or more.

The above objects, together with numerous other objects, features, and advantages, which will become evident from the below description of the present invention, are according to a second aspect of the present invention obtained by a method of dispensing a carbonated beverage, the method comprising providing a beverage dispensing system for dispensing a carbonated beverage, the beverage dispensing system comprising a pressure chamber and a bar defining a customer side, an oppositely positioned operator side extending substantially parallel to the customer side, and a substantially horizontal surface extending between the customer side and the operator side, the beverage dispensing system further comprising a tapping rod comprising:

a first elongated portion defining a first end and an opposite second end, the first elongated portion extending substantially vertically from the first end at the substantially horizontal surface of the bar counter to the second end located above the substantially horizontal surface of the bar counter, the first elongated portion further comprising a first guide tube,

a second elongated portion defining a third end and an opposite fourth end, the third end being connected to the second end of the first elongated portion, the second elongated portion extending from the third end to the fourth end substantially parallel to a customer side and an operator side of the bar counter, the second elongated portion further including a second guide tube interconnected with the first guide tube,

a third elongated portion defining a fifth end and an opposite sixth end, the fifth end being connected to the fourth end of the second elongated portion, the sixth end of the third elongated portion being connected to the tapping cock, the third elongated portion extending from the fifth end to the sixth end substantially perpendicular to and towards the customer side and the operator side of the bar counter and comprising a fixed portion and a horizontally openable cover facing the fixed portion, the fixed portion and/or the horizontally openable cover comprising one or more capture elements,

the method further comprises the steps of:

placing a collapsible beverage container in the pressure chamber, the beverage container comprising a carbonated beverage,

a dip line of the collapsible beverage container is guided within the first guide tube between the first end and the second end,

the dip line is guided within a second guide tube between a third end and a fourth end,

opening the horizontally openable lid and clamping the dip line between the fifth end and the sixth end using the catch element,

the horizontally openable cover is closed and the lid is opened,

the tapping cock is operated to dispense the beverage.

The above-described method may preferably be used with any of the above-described systems, including all embodiments. According to the method, the dip line is guided in the dip rod the distance between the pressure chamber and the engagement between the second elongated portion and the third elongated portion, while the remaining distance (i.e. the remaining part of the distance) from the dip tap in the third elongated portion 10c, the dip line is clamped. This allows for safe guidance and securing of the dip line.

Drawings

FIG. 1A is a dip rod according to the present invention that includes three elongated sections.

Fig. 1B shows the tapping rod when the openable lid has been opened.

FIG. 1C shows the dip rod when a dip line has been introduced.

Figure 1D illustrates the clamping of the dip line in the openable lid.

Fig. 1E shows the closing of the openable lid of the tapping rod.

Figure 1F shows the dip line when clamped and the openable lid when closed.

FIG. 2 is a dip rod with a plate for displaying commercial messages.

Figure 3 is a tapping rod with a double tap allowing two different beers to be dispensed.

Figure 4 is a beverage dispensing system according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1A shows a dip rod 10 according to the present invention. The tapping rod comprises a first elongated portion 10a, a second elongated portion 10b and a third elongated portion 10c. The first elongated portion 10a extends substantially vertically from the bar counter 12. The bar counter 12 defines a horizontal surface bounded by an operator side and a customer side opposite the operator side. The second elongated portion 10b extends from the first elongated portion 10a in a direction substantially parallel to the bar counter (i.e., parallel to the operator side and the customer side of the bar counter). The third elongated portion 10c extends from the second elongated portion 10b substantially perpendicular to and toward the operator side and the customer side of the bar counter 12.

The third elongate portion 10c includes a tapping tap 14 mounted opposite the second elongate portion 10b. The tapping cock 14 comprises a tapping handle 16 for controlling the dispensing of the beverage. The third elongated portion 10c further comprises an openable lid 18, which is presently shown in its closed state. An openable lid 18 is hinged by a hinge 20 adjacent the second elongate portion 10b and extends to a tapping tap 14 where it is locked in place by a click mechanism 22. The hinge 20 is preferably spring loaded. As indicated by the arrows, dip line 24, including dip valve 26, is fed to first elongated portion 10a from below dip rod 10.

FIG. 1B shows the tapping rod 10 when the openable lid 18 has been opened by releasing the click mechanism 22. The openable lid swings outwards in a horizontal direction about the hinge 20 and effectively divides the third elongated portion 10c into two parts: an openable cover 18 and a fixed portion 28. The dip handle 16 is secured to the securing portion 28. In this way, the interior of the third elongate portion 10c, the tapping cock 14 and a portion of the second elongate portion 10b are exposed.

The dip line 24 is fed through the first and second

elongated portions

10a, 10b together with a dip valve 26 and is accessible through the openable lid 18. The first and second

elongated portions

10a, 10b may each include a guide tube (not shown) for receiving and guiding the dip line 24 along with the dip valve 26 through the first and second

elongated portions

10a, 10b.

FIG. 1C shows dip rod 10 when dip line 24, along with dip valve 26, has been introduced and directed through first elongated portion 10a and second elongated portion 10b. Whereby a dip line 24 and a dip valve 26 are present at the junction between the second elongated portion 10b and the third elongated portion 10c and are accessible through the openable cover 18. Cooling of the dip rod may be provided, for example, by cooling fluid tubes or by simply letting cold air into the dip rod. The guide tube for the dip line may also be used to replace air in the dip rod, for example by providing cooled air or sucking out warmer air.

The operator receives the dip line 24 at the junction between the second elongated portion 10b and the third elongated portion 10c and places it into the dip tap 14, as indicated by the arrow. Furthermore, the openable lid 18 comprises an inwardly facing catch element 30 in which the dip-line 24 can be clipped in order to securely fix the dip-line 24, as indicated by the arrow. The fixed portion 28 of the third elongated portion 10 includes a retaining member 32 positioned opposite the capture element 30. Alternatively, the fixed portion 28 of the third elongated portion 10c may comprise the catch element 30 and the openable cover 18 may comprise the retaining member 32.

Fig. 1D shows the clamping of the dip line 24 in the openable lid 18. Clamping is achieved by pinching the dip line 24 between the flexible arms of the capture element 30. In the present embodiment, two capture elements 30 and corresponding retaining members 32 are used, however, other numbers greater than zero (such as one, three, etc.) are possible.

Fig. 1E shows the closing of the openable lid 18 of the tapping rod 10. When openable lid 18 is closed as shown by the arrow and locked in place, dip line 24 is securely secured in third elongated portion 10c and dip valve 26 is securely secured in dip tap 14. Dip rod 10 is now ready for dispensing, which is performed by operating dip handle 16. The tapping handle 16 is connected to a tapping cock 14, which in turn acts on the tapping valve 26 to open and close the tapping valve, thereby respectively allowing and preventing beverage dispensing.

Figure 1F shows the dip line 24 when clamped and the openable lid 18 when closed. In addition to being gripped by the catch element 30, the dip line 24 is also held on the opposite side by a holding member 32 adapted to abut the dip line and prevent the dip line 24 from escaping from the catch element 30 when the openable lid 18 is closed. Retaining member 32 has an arcuate shape corresponding to dip-line 24 and pushes dip-line 24 into corresponding capture element 30.

Fig. 2 shows that the tapping rod has a plate 34, for example for displaying a commercial message to a customer. The plate 34 is fixedly secured to the first and second

elongated portions

10a, 10b and is also optionally secured to a horizontal surface of the bar counter 12. Because the plate 34 extends along the customer side of the bar, it will be visible to the customer, and because the plate 34 is secured to the dip rod on at least two of its four sides, it will be securely mounted. Optionally and preferably, the plate 34 is also secured to the bar counter, providing support on three sides. Optionally, the plate 34 is removable, for example by providing rails or other suitable fastening means. The board may be connected to electricity or powered to allow light and sound effects.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative tapping rod 10 "with two tapping cocks 14 ', 14" with tapping handles 16', 16 ", respectively. Similar to the previous embodiment, dip rod 10 "includes a first elongated portion 10 a' extending vertically from bar 12. Unlike the previous embodiment, the present alternative tapping rod 10 "comprises two second elongated portions 10b ', 10 b" extending in opposite directions, and two third elongated portions 10 c', 10c "extending towards the operator.

The third elongated portions 10c ' are each connected to a tapping tap 14 ', 14 "and each comprise an openable cover 18 ', 18". Two separate guide tubes (not shown) may be provided, each being guided into one of the tapping cocks 14', 14 ". Two tapping lines 24 ', 24 ", having respective tapping valves 26', 26", are inserted into respective guide tubes (not shown) and are seated into respective third elongated portions 10c ', 10c "and tapping cocks 14', 14", as described above. In this manner, the same tapping rod 10 "can be used to dispense two different beverages. It is contemplated that more than two tapping cocks may be possible. In addition, a plate as described above may be fitted to the present dip rod 10 "in a similar manner as described above. Fig. 3 also shows a click mechanism 22', 22 "that functions similarly to the click mechanism 22 described above.

Fig. 4 is a beverage dispensing system 36 according to the present invention. The beverage dispensing system 36 includes a bar counter in the form of a refrigerator that includes a pressurization system 38 and a cooling system 40. The bar 12 also includes a pressure chamber 42. The pressure chamber 42 is openable and includes a replaceable and collapsible beverage container 44. A spare beverage container 44' is optionally provided. The beverage container 44 has a dip-line 24 that is directed through a dip-stick 10' that is mounted on a horizontal surface of the bar 12 that constitutes an upper horizontal surface of the refrigerator. The bar counter defines a customer side 12a, an opposite operator side 12b, and a horizontal surface extending therebetween. The third elongated portion 10c is positioned toward the operator side 12b as discussed above for easy access by the operator to the tapping cock 14 and the tapping handle 16.

The above embodiments are to be construed as examples only, as the refrigerator does not necessarily have to be part of a bar, as the pressure chamber may be located at a remote location (e.g., in a cellar). Furthermore, it is not necessary that a refrigerator always be present, as other cooling means (such as a pass-through cooler) may be applied.

While the above description describes in more detail specific and presently preferred embodiments of the beverage dispensing system, assembly, tapping rod and associated method according to the present invention, alternative materials and designs other than those described above, different embodiments, and combinations of the above embodiments are contemplated and covered by the appended claims.

Any such embodiments, which can be easily derived by the skilled person, are considered to be comprised by the appended claims.

Reference numerals referring to the drawings

10. Drawing rod

10a. first elongated portion

10b. second elongated portion

10c. third elongated portion

12. Bar counter

12a. customer side

12b. operator side

14. Tapping cock

16. Drawing handle

18. Openable lid

20. Hinge assembly

22. Click mechanism

24. Draw line

26. Drawing valve

28. Fixed part

30. Capturing element

32. Holding member

34. Board

36. Beverage dispensing system

38. Refrigerator with a door

40. Cooling system

42. Pressure chamber

44. Beverage container

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing system for dispensing a carbonated beverage, the beverage dispensing system comprising a pressure chamber for containing a collapsible beverage container and a bar defining a customer side, an oppositely positioned operator side extending substantially parallel to the customer side, and a substantially horizontal surface extending between the customer side and the operator side, the beverage dispensing system further comprising a dip rod comprising a dip line, the dip rod further comprising:

a first elongated portion defining a first end and an opposite second end, the first elongated portion extending substantially vertically from the first end at the substantially horizontal surface of the bar counter to the second end located above the substantially horizontal surface of the bar counter, the first elongated portion further comprising a first guide tube for receiving the dip line between the first end and the second end,

a second elongated portion defining a third end and an opposite fourth end, the third end connected to the second end of the first elongated portion, the second elongated portion extending substantially parallel to the customer side and the operator side of the bar counter from the third end to the fourth end, the second elongated portion further including a second guide tube interconnected with the first guide tube for receiving the dip line between the third end and the fourth end,

a third elongate portion defining a fifth end and an opposite sixth end, the fifth end being connected to the fourth end of the second elongate portion, the sixth end of the third elongate portion being connected to a tapping cock for receiving a valve element of the tapping line, the third elongate portion extending from the fifth end to the sixth end substantially perpendicular to and towards the customer side and the operator side of the bar counter and comprising a securing portion and a horizontally openable cover facing the securing portion, the securing portion and/or the horizontally openable cover comprising one or more capture elements for clamping the tapping line between the fifth end and the sixth end, the horizontally openable cover defining an open state in which the capture elements are accessible between the fifth end and the sixth end, in the closed state the capture element is hidden.

2. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the horizontally openable lid is spring-loaded towards the closed state.

3. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the first end and the second end is 200-600mm, and/or the distance between the third end and the fourth end is 50-300mm, and/or the distance between the fifth end and the sixth end is 50-400 mm.

4. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the first end and the second end is 300-.

5. Beverage dispensing system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the second elongated portion forms a smooth transition from vertical to horizontal and/or wherein the fourth end of the second elongated portion is connected to the fifth end of the third elongated portion at substantially right angles.

6. The beverage dispensing system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the dip rod further comprises a plate connected to the first elongated portion and the second elongated portion.

7. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 6, wherein the plate is connected to the substantially horizontal surface.

8. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 6, wherein the plate comprises an advertisement.

9. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 8, wherein the advertisement is a commercial message for promoting the sale of a beverage.

10. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 8, wherein the advertisement comprises light and/or sound effects.

11. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 6, wherein the plate is removable/replaceable.

12. The beverage dispensing system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the fixed portion of the third elongated portion comprises:

a bottom wall facing the substantially horizontal surface and extending between the fifth end and the sixth end,

a top wall facing away from the substantially horizontal surface and extending between the fifth end and the sixth end,

a fixed side wall interconnecting the bottom wall and the top wall and positioned opposite the horizontally openable lid and extending between the fifth end and the sixth end.

13. The beverage dispensing system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the first elongated portion further comprises: a first cooling tube for containing a cooling fluid between the first end and the second end; and a second cooling tube interconnected with the first cooling tube for containing a cooling fluid between the third end and the fourth end.

14. Beverage dispensing system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the horizontally openable lid is hingedly connected at a hinge point at or near the fifth end and a locking member is provided at the sixth end.

15. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 14, wherein the hinge point is located opposite the second elongated portion.

16. The beverage dispensing system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the tapping cock comprises: a tapping handle extending vertically from a position directly above the tapping cock and connected to the tapping cock, opposite the horizontally openable lid.

17. The beverage dispensing system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the tapping rod is made of metal.

18. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 17, wherein the dip rod is made of aluminum, copper, or steel.

19. The beverage dispensing system according to any one of claims 1-4, further comprising: the beverage container includes a carbonated beverage and further includes the dip line extending between the beverage container and the dip tap via the dip rod.

20. The beverage dispensing system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the dip rod further comprises:

a fourth elongated portion defining a seventh end and an opposite eighth end, the seventh end being connected to the second end of the first elongated portion, the second elongated portion being substantially parallel to the customer side and the operator side of the bar and extending from the seventh end to the eighth end in an opposite direction relative to the second elongated portion, the first elongated portion including a third guide tube for receiving another dip line between the first end and the seventh end, the second elongated portion including a fourth guide tube interconnected with the third guide tube for receiving the other dip line between the seventh end and the eighth end,

a fifth elongated portion defining a ninth end and an opposite tenth end, the ninth end being connected to the eighth end of the fourth elongated portion, the tenth end of the fifth elongated portion being connected to a further tapping cock for receiving a further valve element of the further tapping line, the fifth elongated portion extending from the ninth end to the tenth end substantially perpendicular to and towards the customer side and the operator side of the bar counter and comprising a further fixed portion and a further horizontally openable cover facing the further fixed portion, the further fixed portion and/or the further horizontally openable cover comprising one or more further catch elements for clamping the further tapping line between the ninth end and the tenth end, the further horizontally openable cover defining an open state and a closed state, the further capture element is accessible between the ninth end and the tenth end in the open state and hidden in the closed state.

21. A method of dispensing a carbonated beverage, the method comprising providing a beverage dispensing system for dispensing a carbonated beverage, the beverage dispensing system comprising a pressure chamber and a bar defining a customer side, an oppositely positioned operator side extending substantially parallel to the customer side, and a substantially horizontal surface extending between the customer side and the operator side, the beverage dispensing system further comprising a dip rod comprising:

a second elongated portion defining a third end and an opposite fourth end, the third end connected to the second end of the first elongated portion, the second elongated portion extending substantially parallel to the customer side and the operator side of the bar counter from the third end to the fourth end, the second elongated portion further comprising a second guide tube interconnected with the first guide tube,

a third elongated portion defining a fifth end and an opposite sixth end, the fifth end being connected to the fourth end of the second elongated portion, the sixth end of the third elongated portion being connected to a tapping cock, the third elongated portion extending from the fifth end to the sixth end substantially perpendicular to and towards the customer side and the operator side of the bar counter and comprising a fixed portion and a horizontally openable cover facing the fixed portion, the fixed portion and/or the horizontally openable cover comprising one or more capture elements,

the method further comprises the steps of:

positioning a collapsible beverage container in the pressure chamber, the beverage container comprising the carbonated beverage,

a dip line guiding the collapsible beverage container within the first guide tube between the first end and the second end,

directing the dip line within the second guide tube between the third end and the fourth end,

closing the horizontally openable lid, an

Operating the tapping cock to dispense the beverage.