GB2161249A - Dispenser for drinks - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser for drinks, e.g. beer, comprising a cock with a casing (1) having a passage (2) in which a cock closure spool (4) is displaceable. An actuator mechanism for the spool is connected to a control drive and has a double-acting solenoid (16) which is mounted on the outside of the casing and an actuator member (18) of which is coupled to the cock closure spool (4) via a rocking lever (11, 13). The control device for the double-acting solenoid is a time control device via which the double-acting solenoid may be shifted out of a starting position, as shown, in which the cock closure spool blocks the passage (2) in the casing, into two working positions in opposite directions, in one of which the spool connects substantially the whole cross-section of the casing inlet (2''') to the casing outlet (3) to deliver liquid only, and, in the other of which, a restricted cross-section (10) of the inlet is connected to the outlet to deliver froth. In the one working position lever knobs (11', 11'') have moved the spool (4) to the right, and sealing ring (5) moves with the spool off its seating at the inlet (2'''). In the working position, lever knobs (11''') have moved the spool (4) to the left, and sealing ring (5) firstly comes to rest on its seating at the inlet (2'''), and thereafter, the spool (4) continues to move relative to the ring (5) so that a radial mouth of a bore (10) in the spool is exposed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dispenser for drinks The invention refers to a dispenser for drinks, the dispenser comprising a cock with a casing having a passage in which a cock closure member is displacable in order to connect an inlet via the passage to an outlet; and an actuator mechanism, which is connected to a control device, and which has a solenoid drive, an actuator member of the solenoid drive being coupled to the cock closure member. Such a dispenser is hereinafter referred to as of the kind described.

In the case of a dispenser of this kind, known e.g. from DE-A-3006416, the cock closure member may be prestressed by turning an operating handle into an open position out of which, under the action of a solenoid, which responds to a predeter mined delivery of liquid and which triggers an accelerator, it may be reset into its closed position.

In that case the possibility also exists of performing by hand, by means of the operating handle, a throttling of the amount of liquid flowing out. The known cock has a plurality of moving parts and its structure is relatively complicated and troubleprone.

The aim of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the kind described, which, in a structurally simple form, enables, after presetting, a fully automatic and exact proportioning of the drink which is to be delivered as well as, at the same time, automatically succeeding phases of delivery of different durations and, if necessary, consistency, of the drinks.

In accordance with the invention, a dispenser of the kind described is characterized in that the solenoid drive includes a double-acting solenoid and is mounted on the outside of the cock casing; that the actuator member of the double-acting solenoid is coupled to the cock closure member, which is formed as a spool, via a rocking lever, which is supported on the cock casing, the rocking lever engaging a front end of the spool, which projects out of the cock casing, and also engaging at its free end the actuator member; and in that the control device for the double-acting solenoid is a time control device via which the double-acting solenoid may be shifted out of a starting position, in which the spool blocks the passage in the casing between the inlet and the outlet, into two working positions in opposite directions, such that in the first and second working positions the spool opens larger and smaller cross sectional areas, respectively, of the inlet to the outlet.

Through this construction an extremely exact and repeatable proportioning of the drink, which is to be delivered, is achieved in the successive phases, and the whole delivery process may proceed fully automatically upon pressing a button.

With small structural outlay the invention creates a dispenser which is suitable for a plurality of drinks, but in particular for the delivery of froth-forming drinks like beer, because it enables presetting of the delivery phases of liquid and froth. The inven tion moreover may provide in a very small space an adequate transmission between the solenoid drive and the cock spool.

In a preferred construction the rear end of the cock closure spool has a sealing ring which is urged against a shoulder on the spool, the sealing ring engaging a seating adjacent to the inlet in the starting position and being moveable with the spool away from the seating to the first working position; the rear end of the spool also having an axial bore with a radial mouth covered by the seal ing ring until the spool moves to the second position whereupon the spool moves through the sealing ring to uncover the mouth.

The invention is explained in greater detail be low by reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a longitudinal section through one exam ple of a dispenser in accordance with the invention shown in the closed position.

The illustrated beer dispenser comprises a casing 1, which may be fastened to a beer container (not shown), having a cylindrical axial passage 2 and a cock outlet 3 which extends downwards inclined to the casing 1, and the cylindrical bore 3' of which is connected to a rear portion 2' of the passage 2. The passage 2 has further a position 2" which extends essentially forwards from the mouth of the bore 3' and which has a rather smaller diameter than the rear portion 2' of the passage. In the portion 2", a spool 4 is slidable and forms a seal. The spool 4 has a front piston portion 4" , the diameter of which corresponds with the diameter of the portion 2" of the passage, and a rear portion 4' , the diameter of which is reduced as compared with the front portion 4" .

At the rear end of the spool 4 a sealing ring 5 of elastomeric material is provided, seated on a receiver 6 and shiftable axially on the spool. In the starting position shown the ring 5 is prestressed, by means of a compression spring 7 which is held onto the end of the spool by a nut 8 screwed onto the latter, against a shoulder 9 on the spool. The sealing ring 5 rests against a seating at an inlet 2"' to the passage 2. Further, at the rear end of the spool is drilled a blind axial hole 10 of small diameter, which is connected via an inlet in the nut 8 to the space in the liquid container and at its front end in the region of the sealing ring 5 has a radial mouth. In the position shown the sealing ring 5 resting against the shoulder 9 on the spool and its receiver 6, covers the mouth and prevents the escape of liquid into the passage 2.

The spool 4 projects at its front end from the casing 1 and by a portion 4"' of reduced diameter passes with a clearance through a lever 11 having two parallel arms. This portion of the spool is bounded by a collar on the spool and by a knurled nut 12 screwed onto the spool 4 at the side of the lever 11 remote from the casing. The lever 11 is supported to be able to pivot about a crosspin 13 on the casing 1 underneath the outlet opening from the passage 2.

Above the outlet opening from the passage 2 through the casing a crossplate 14 is also mounted on the casing 1, and is inclined from the casing 1 upwards and forwards. A driving mechanism 16 formed by a double-acting solenoid is mounted on the crossplate 14 and is likewise supported on the upper side of the casing by a rib 15, and is connected via an electrical lead 17 to a time control device which is not shown. The actuator rod 18 of the solenoid 16 passes through the crossplate 14 and lever 11. On a portion 18' of screw thread on the front end of the rod are screwed two knurled nuts 19, 20, the rear one of which has two annular collars by which the rod 18 engages with a clearance in the lever 11.From the side of the lever 11 next to the plate 14 extends downwards an elastically deformable rib 21 which connects the two arms of the lever and by which the lever, in the starting position as shown, engages in a setting screw 22 screwed into the plate 14.

After being switched on, the electronic time control device causes the double-acting solenoid 16 to be excited and the actuator rod 18 of the solenoid 16 to be pulled in. By a knob 11' provided underneath the portion 4"' of the piston, which may be designated the opening-knob, the lever 11 presses the spool 4 through a predetermined short travel, e.g. through 0.1 m towards the rear in order to overcome the relatively high counterpressure from the liquid container, which may amount, e.g., to 5 bar. Then via a knob 11" provided above the portion 4"'of spool, which may be designated the travel knob, the lever 11 acts upon the spool 4 in order to achieve the predetermined opening stroke which amounts, e.g., to 1 mm. In this first phase of delivery only liquid is delivered via the cock outlet 3, because substantially the whole cross-section of the passage is available for fluid flow.The knobs 11', 11" are made on crossbars which connect the arms of the 11 together.

After a present interval of time has elapsed, the solenoid 16 is excited again by the time control device in order to swing the lever 11 via the rod 18 in the opposite direction so that the cock spool 4 gets pressed forwards, via lateral knobs 11"' provided on the inside of the lever arms. The sealing ring 5 thereby comes first of all to rest against the inlet 2"' to the passage 2 and, upon the motion of the spool continuing, the shoulder 9 on the spool 4 next to the sealing ring gets pulled away from the sealing ring so that the radial mouth of the bore 10 in the spool is exposed. The liquid which is now compelled to leave via the small diameter bore is thereby converted into froth. After the interval of time predetermined for the formation of froth has elapsed, the spool 4 returns to the starting position and closes the passage 2 again. The durations of the respective delivery phases following one another automatically are preset on the electronic time control device.

The setting screw 22 against which the rib 21 on the lever 11 engages is set so that the lever, after each cycle of actuation, returns completely into the starting position.

This construction fulfills all hygienic requirements which are imposed upon cock mechanisms, because it can easily be taken apart and cleaned.

Claims (3)

1. A dispenser for drinks, the dispenser comprising a cock with a casing having a passage in which a cock closure member is displaceable in order to connect an inlet via the passage to an outlet; and an actuator mechanism, which is connected to a control device, and which has a solenoid drive, an actuator member of the solenoid drive being coupled to the cock closure member, characterised in that the solenoid drive includes a double-acting solenoid and is mounted on the outside of the cock casing; in that the actuator member of the double-acting solenoid is coupled to the cock closure member, which is formed as a spool, via a rocking lever, which is supported on the cock casing, the rocking lever engaging a front end of the spool which projects out of the cock casing and also engaging at its free end the actuator member; and in that the control device for the double-acting solenoid is a time control device via which the double-acting solenoid may be shifted out of a starting position, in which the spool blocks the passage in the casing between the inlet and the outlet, into two working positions in opposite directions, such that in the first and second working positions the spool opens larger and smaller cross sectional areas, respectively, of the inlet to the outlet.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the rear end of the cock closure spool has a sealing ring which is urged against a shoulder on the spool, the sealing ring engaging a seating adjacent to the inlet in the starting position and being movable with the spool away from the seating to the first working position; the rear end of the spool also having an axial bore with a radial mouth covered by the sealing ring until the spool moves to the second position whereupon the spool moves through the sealing ring to uncover the mouth.

3. A dispenser for drinks, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.