GB2287239A - Device for conserving liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device for conserving liquids in drinks dispensers. An air vent valve for a liquid supply pipeline to a drinks dispenser comprises a body (1) fittable to a pipeline (20), an air vent (9) connecting a region exterior of the body with an internal passageway (2) of the body; and a means for controlling a passage of air through the air vent (6). The control means 6 comprises a threaded plug which obscures the air vent 9 when screwed in. The disclosed apparatus may allow a slow return of liquid in a pipeline to a storage container, in such a way as to avoid disturbing the contents of the liquid storage container. <IMAGE>

Description

DEVICE FOR CONSERVING LIOUID8 The present invention relates to drinks dispensers, and particularly although not exclusively, to a device for conserving liquids in drinks dispensers.

In conventional drinks dispensers, for example of the type where a drink is stored at a site remote from a bar, or in a bar area, the liquid drink being supplied to a dispenser on the bar via a supply line, when the dispenser is in continual or regular use the supply line is kept full of the drinks liquid. This causes a problem when the dispenser is subsequently left un-used for a significant period, in that the quantity of drink remaining in the pipe can deteriorate.

For example where the dispenser comprises a beer pump, the beer can go stale if left over night in the pipe. The beer subsequently needs to be drawn out of the pipe, filtered and returned to the barrel, which may introduce oxidation of or contamination into the beer.

Specific embodiments to the present invention aim to alleviate the above problem.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a means of slowly returning a liquid in a pipeline to a liquid storage container in such a way as to avoid disturbing the contents of the liquid storage container.

Preferably the means of returning the liquid to the container is sited adjacent an outlet of the liquid supply pipeline.

The means may be inserted in the pipeline, eg. inline with the pipeline.

The means may be positioned close to one end of the pipeline, and/or between the pipeline and the outlet.

Preferably the means for returning the liquid is adapted for breaking a vacuum in the pipeline, to allow the liquid to slowly return to the container.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided, an air vent valve for a liquid supply pipeline, the valve comprising: a body fittable to the pipeline; an air vent connecting a region exterior of the body with the internal passageway; and a means for controlling the passage of air through the air vent.

Preferably, the liquid is a drinks liquid.

Preferably, the body is substantially tubular, and has an internal passageway through which the liquid may flow.

Preferably the air control means is capable of fully and/or partially opening or closing the air vent.

Preferably the air control means comprises a plug.

Preferably the plug passes along a bore formed in the body, in a direction transverse to a main length of the central passage. Preferably, the plug is rotatable.

Preferably a first end of the air vent opens to an exterior of the body, and a second end of the air vent connects to the bore.

Preferably the plug and bore is screw threaded.

Preferably the bore connects with said central passageway. The bore may have a lip adjacent said central passageway for restriction of the area of connection between the bore and the passageway.

The bore may be formed in a tubular liner having the central bore therethrough, the tubular liner being arranged to fit to the body in a direction substantially perpendicular to a main length of the central passageway.

The air vent may connect the exterior of the liner with the central bore of the liner. The central bore of the liner preferably connects with the central passageway of the body.

Preferably the body comprises a tube connectable in line with the liquid pipeline. The tube may be substantially cylindrical.

The body may have a first end connectable to a beer pump.

The body may have upper and lower threaded parts respectively at each of upper and lower ends of the tube, for connection to respective upper and lower tubular pipe connectors.

Preferably, upper and lower ends of the body comprise male portions and the upper and lower pipe connectors have corresponding female portions for location with said male portions.

An upper part of the body may be provided with an upper thread and a lower end of the body may comprise a lower thread.

Preferably said upper and lower threads are of an opposite sense to each other.

The arrangement of upper and lower threads of the body may be to allow connection of the body in line with the pipe, by engagement with the upper and lower pipe connectors, the upper and lower pipe connectors being retained to respective upper and lower sections of the pipeline, such that a clockwise or anti clockwise rotation connects both upper and lower ends of the body to corresponding upper and lower sections of the pipe at the same time.

The body may be of metal or a plastics material.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a first fluid release valve according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 shows a second fluid release valve according to a second specific embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, the first liquid release valve comprises a tubular chamber body 1 having a central passage 2 therethrough, the tubular passage being formed inside a substantially cylindrical tubular wall, the tubular wall being provided with a threaded bore 5 having a main axis in a direction transverse to the main axis of the central passageway 2 the bore extending between an outer surface of the body, and the central passage 2; a screw threaded plug 6 comprising a threaded shaft 7 and a means of turning, eg.

a thumb wheel knob 8 at one end thereof, the threaded plug being insertable and removable from the threaded bore 5; the side wall of the chamber 1 being provided with a vent passage 9 extending between an outer surface 10 of the body and the threaded bore 5; a first end of the vent opening out onto the outer surface 10 of the body and a second end of the vent opening out onto an interior surface of the threaded bore 5 for connecting the threaded bore 5 with the external atmosphere outside the chamber body wall. The tubular chamber is provided with a threaded portion at each of upper and lower ends of the chamber 11,12 respectively for connection to tubular pipeline connectors 13,14 one provided at each of the first and second ends of the tubular passage for connecting the release valve with a fluid carrying pipe 20.Each of the first and second connectors may be fitted to the tubular passage by screwing it onto a respective upper or lower end thereof. Each connector comprises a threaded cap portion 21 for fitting to a respective threaded end of the tubular chamber body, and a tubular connection portion 22 for insertion into an inner circumference of the fluid pipe 20. The connecting portion 22 is fixed to the fluid pipe 20, by friction, and by tightening a fastening device, eg. a hose clip around the pipe and connecting portion 22.

Alternatively, the upper and/or lower ends of the chamber may be connectable to the pipeline connectors by a "snap link" type fastener, or a fastening means which operates by clipping the connector and body together. The connectors may alternatively fit over an external surface of the pipeline, around an external circumference thereof.

Preferably, the upper pipe connector has a thread which is directed in an opposite sense to the lower connector. Thus, when the upper and lower connectors are insitu in the pipe, the tubular chamber body 1 may be rotated in, for example an anti clockwise direction, in order to remove the body from the pipe, both the upper and lower pipeline connectors being disconnected by anti clockwise rotation of the tubular chamber body.

Conversely, clockwise rotation of the tubular chamber body may tighten the first and second connectors to the body.

For example, where the upper connector has a right handed thread, the lower connector may have a left handed thread, or vice versa in order to enable such removal and fitting of the tubular chamber body.

The valve body may alternatively be connected to the pipeline connectors by use of a loose nut, which may avoid twisting the pipeline.

In use, the tubular chamber body is fitted in line with a drinks liquid pipeline between a drinks dispenser outlet, and a liquid container, and the liquid, preferably a drinks liquid, passes though the passage without obstruction. The threaded plug 11 is inserted fully in the side wall of the tubular chamber body, so as to reach the end of the threaded bore 5 which opens out onto the passage 2. In this position, the second end of the air vent is blocked by the threaded plug 11, and air cannot pass from outside of the air vent into the threaded bore.

This is a normal mode of operation of the vent, when the liquid pipe is in use carrying a drinks liquid. The end of the bore may be provided with a sealing washer, and the plug may seat on the sealing washer.

When the liquid dispenser is not to be used for a significant period, and it is required to remove the liquid from the pipe, the threaded plug 11 is un-screwed and partially withdrawn from the bore 5, such that an end of the plug withdraws to a position in the bore beyond the second end of the air vent 9, enabling the air vent 9 to connect the external atmosphere outside the body with the bore 5, and as the bore 5 connects with the tubular passage 2, to connect the external atmosphere with the tubular passage 2, allowing air to flow into the tubular passage 2 via the air vent 9. The rate at which air flows through the air vent 9 can be controlled by turning the threaded plug 11.

When the air vent 9 is opened by turning a thumb screw 11, the introduction of air into the tubular passage 2, and consequent release of liquid pressure in the central passageway 2, allows the liquid to fall under the force of gravity and slowly flow down the pipe 20 back towards the liquid container, which may be a soft drinks container, mineral water container or beer barrel for example.

As the rate of flow of air through the air vent may be controlled by turning the threaded plug 11, the rate at which the liquid withdraws down the pipe 20 may be controlled, and hence disturbance of the volume of liquid in the container may be minimised by controlling the rate of return of fluid. Thus, for example when used in a beer dispensing apparatus, disturbance of the remaining volume of beer in the beer barrel connected to the lower end of the pipe may be minimised by slow return of the beer in the pipe 20 back into the barrel.

Referring to figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, a second embodiment release valve is shown. The principle of operation of the second embodiment is similar to that of the above described first embodiment, but the second embodiment differs in the fitment of the upper end of the tubular chamber body.

In the second embodiment, an upper end of the tubular chamber body 30 comprises a collar 30 of diameter wider than the outside diameter of the body 30, the collar having an internal thread 41 for screw fitting to a base of a beer pump 50. A sealing ring (not shown) may be provided between the collar and the base of the beer pump for ensuring a liquid tight seal.

The second embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in the arrangement of air vent. The second embodiment is fitted with a tubular liner 51, preferably cylindrical, extending in a direction transverse to a main length of the central passage 52 of the chamber. The liner fits into a cylindrical aperture in a side wall of the body, and may be removable and/or replaceable. The liner has a threaded bore 55, one end of which opens out into the passageway 52. Into a second end of the threaded bore is inserted a threaded plug 57 comprising a threaded rod having a thumb wheel 59 at one end thereof. An air vent 60 connects the atmosphere outside the liner with the interior of the threaded bore 55.A first end of the air vent opens out onto an outer surface of the liner 51, and a second end of the air vent opens out to the interior of the threaded bore 55, such that, when the plug 57 is withdrawn sufficiently from the threaded bore 55, past the second end of the air vent 60 in order to leave the second end of the air vent 60 clear, air may flow from outside the release valve body, via the threaded bore 55, into the central passageway 52.

The rate of flow of air via the air vent, threaded bore and into the passage may be controlled by screwing inwardly or outwardly the threaded plug 57.

Preferably the above mentioned first and/or second embodiments are manufactured from a plastics material, for example PTFE, UPVC or similar, and preferably a material selected to comply with appropriate National and/or International food hygiene regulations. The plastics material may be darkened in order to prevent the growth of algae, etc. on parts of the valve.

The above first and second embodiments are preferably fitted in a drinks pipeline at a position as near as possible to the dispenser outlet of the pipeline, for example close to the top of the pipeline, or between the pipeline and the final outlet of the drinks dispenser.

In a further modification to the above embodiments, an in-line filter may be inserted into the threaded bore 5 or 55 as appropriate in order to filter the air passing from outside of the valve into the central passageway of the chamber. This may have an advantage of preventing ingress of dirt into the pipeline.

In other embodiments, the body may be injection moulded and manufactured in a non-tubular shape.

The bore and plug may comprise a spring loaded plunger arrangement, which need not be threaded.

The main axis of the threaded bore is not necessarily transverse to the main axis of the central passageway, and the threaded plug may be retained in the bore.

The above specific embodiments may have a further advantage of, when the drinks pipe is cleaned, reducing the wastage of residue due to contamination with cleaning fluid.

The specific embodiments may provide a means of slowly returning a liquid to a liquid container in such a way as to avoid disturbing the liquid contents of the container, which would otherwise render the contents unsaleable.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (23)

1. An air vent valve for a liquid supply pipe line to a drinks dispenser, the valve comprising: a body fittable to the pipeline, the body having an internal passageway through which the liquid may flow; an air vent connecting a region exterior of the body with the internal passageway in the body; and a means for controlling the passage of air through the air vent.

2. An air vent valve according to claim 1, in which the body is substantially tubular.

3. An air vent valve according to claim 1 or 2, in which the air control means is capable of fully and/or partially opening or closing the air vent.

4. An air vent valve according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the air control means comprises a plug.

5. An air vent valve according to claim 4, in which the plug is rotatable.

6. An air vent valve according to any oe of the preceding claims, in which the air control means passes along a bore formed in the body, in a direction transverse to a main length of the passageway.

7. An air vent valve according to claim 6, in which a first end of the air vent opens to an exterior of the body, and a second end of the air vent connects to the bore.

8. An air vent according to claim 6 or 7, in which the bore is screw threaded.

9. An air vent valve according to any one of claims 6 to 8, in which the bore connects with said central passageway.

10. An air vent valve according to any one of claims 6 to 9, in which the bore comprises a lip adjacent said central passageway for restriction of the area of connection between the bore and the passageway.

11. An air vent valve according to any one of claims 5 to 11, in which the bore is formed in a tubular liner the tubular liner being arranged to fit to the body in a direction substantially perpendicular to a main length of the central passageway.

12. An air vent valve according to claim 11, in which the air vent connects the exterior of the liner with the bore of the liner.

13. An air vent valve according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the central bore of the liner connects with the central passageway of the body.

14. An air vent valve according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the body comprises a tube connectable in line with the liquid pipeline.

15. An air vent valve according to claim 14, in which the tube is substantially cylindrical.

16. An air vent valve according to any one of the preceding claims, having a first end connectable to a beer pump.

17. An air vent valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said body comprises upper and lower threaded parts respectively at each of upper and lower ends of the body, for connection to respective upper and lower tubular pipe connectors.

18. An air vent valve according to claim 17, wherein upper and lower ends of the body comprise male portions and the upper and lower pipe connectors have corresponding female portions for location with said male portions.

19. An air vent valve according to any one of the preceding claims, in which an upper end of the body is provided with an upper thread and a lower end of the body comprises a lower thread.

20. An air vent valve according to claim 19, wherein said upper and lower threads are of an opposite sense to each other.

21. An air vent valve appendant to claim 17, in which an arrangement of said upper and lower threads of the body allows connection of the body in line with the pipe, by engagement with the upper and lower pipe connectors, the upper and lower pipe connectors being retained to respective upper and lower sections of the pipeline, such that a clockwise or anti clockwise rotation connects both upper and lower ends of the body to corresponding upper and lower sections of the pipe at the same time.

22. An air vent valve according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a metal or a plastics material.

23. A device for conserving liquid in a drinks dispenser substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.