GB2304700A

GB2304700A - Cleaning ducting or pipes in eg a beer dispensing system

Info

Publication number: GB2304700A
Application number: GB9517277A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Luke Paulger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-08-26
Filing date: 1995-08-26
Publication date: 1997-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2015-08-26
Also published as: GB9517277D0; GB2304700B; GB2304700A8

Abstract

A system for delivering a fluid such as beer from a source [barrel] to an outlet [tap] is arranged to allow ease of cleaning of the ducting connecting the source and outlet. In one embodiment a first duct 4 runs from the barrel 2 to the dispensing tap 3. Branching off from this duct at or near the barrel is a second duct 6, which re-joins the first duct at or near the tap. Valves 5,7 are provided where the ducts join so that if say duct 4 needs cleaning the valves 5,7 are operated to close of duct 4 and open duct 6. Thus continuity of delivery of the fluid is maintained during cleaning whilst maximising the length of the other duct which can be cleaned. In another embodiment each duct is separately connected to the tap and the barrel by valves so that either can be isolated. In yet a further embodiment the ducts come from two different sources [barrels] but unite into a single duct via a valve at or near the tap.

Description

DUCTID FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEM The present invention relates to a ducted fluid delivery system, in particular for delivery of a consumable liquid such as beer from a source to a delivery outlet.

Fluid delivery systems, particularly for the delivery of consumable liquids such as beer, are known and widely used in public houses, hotels and other licensed premises. Known such delivery systems use a single duct for passage of the beer to be delivered from the container in which it is stored, such as a barrel, to the delivery outlet, usually a tap.

Such systems typically require the regular cleaning of the delivery apparatus, the cleaning operation itself necessitating the emptying of the system of all fluid contained therein, followed by the flushing through of the system with an appropriate cleansing fluid thereby removing all traces of the fluid delivered by the system, together with any contaminants and impurities. Such systems, although adequate in terms of their ability to deliver the fluid from the source to the delivery outlet are less than satisfactory due to the above-mentioned cleaning operations which inevitably lead to tte wasting of that fluid in the delivery duct at the time of initiating the cleaning process. This btastage is economically disadvantageous, and can amount to a significant volume and therefore significant cost over time.

The present invention overcomes the aforesaid disadvantage by means of an dual ducted system which enables the continuous supply of the fluid from its source to the delivery outlet.

According to the present invention therefore, there is provided an apparatus for delivering a fluid to a delivery outlet from a source along a duct, in which there are provided means for maintaining uninterrupted communication from the source to the delivery outlet when a portion of the delivery outlet is closed against the flow of the fluid, comprising a further duct extending from a point along the length of the duct at or adjacent the source to a point along the duct at or adjacent the delivery outlet, means for selectively connecting the end of the further duct to the source, means for selectively connecting the other end of the further duct to the delivery outlet, the arrangement being such that the duct is isolated or isolatable upon connecting the further duct so that there is no supply from the duct to the delivery outlet, there being means by which the thusisolated part of the duct or the further duct may be traversed by a fluid.

In the specific (but non-limitative) example af a fluid delivery system, the fluid is a consumable liquid such as beer, and the apparatus is one in respect of which certain operations are necessary, which necessitate accessing the interiors of the delivery pipes and which in the particular embodiment include the regular cleaning of the apparatus for reasons of hygiene and maintenance, thereby ensuring that the product to be delivered will be in a state suitable for consumption.

Such a cleaning operation might involve the disconnecting of the delivery pipes and flushing through with an appropriate cleansing fluid to remove all traces of the fluid delivered in the apparatus plus all impurities and contaminants.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the means for the selective connection of the source to the further duct is a diverting valve which allows the fluid for delivery to pass along either the duct or the further duct as required. Once a particular delivery pathway is selected, the duct or further duct which is not being used can be disconnected, thereby allowing the cleaning or similar operations to be performed without disrupting fluid flow.

The means for selectively connecting the duct or further duct to the delivery outlet is preferably also a diverting valve. The valves work together or are operated such that fluid which is selectively diverted into the further duct from the source will then be allowed by the deviating valve downstream to flow to the delivery outlet.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention; and Figure 3 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention.

With reference to the drawings, the numeral 1 generally indicates one embodiment of the fluid delivery system for delivering fluid from a source 2, which may be a consumable product such as beer, to a delivery outlet 3.

The source of fluid 2 is typically a barrel and the delivery outlet 3 is typically a tap.

A duct 4 which leads from the source 2 to the outlet 3 has at a point along its length a changeover or diverting valve 5 for selectively connecting a further duct 6 to the delivery source 2. Downstream of the said valve 5 is a further changeover or diverting valve 7 for selectively connecting the further duct 6 to the delivery outlet 3.

The diverting valve 5 operates such that the fluid to be delivered passes either along the duct 4 or the further duct 6 as required.

The duct 4 is connected to the delivery source 2 by means of a releasable connector 8, the function of which is to allow disconnection of the delivery source 2 when exhausted and subsequent replacement with a fresh source 2 without loss of beer from the system.

The diverting valves 5 and 7 are preferably positioned close to the delivery source 2 and tap 3 respectively.

The advantage of this is that when the duct 4 or further duct 6 is to be cleaned, the maximum length possible can be cleaned. Failure to clean the system thoroughly can lead to contamination of the beer due to a build up of yeast in the system which causes a secondary fermentation.

In use of the sysem beer flows from the source 2 and through the diverting valve 5 which diverts the beer along either the duct 4 or the further duct 6 as required.

The diverting valves 5 and 7 can be such that their operation is linked together, for example so that setting diverting valve 5 to divert the beer along, for example, the duct 4 will lead automatically to the diverting valve 7 being commuted so as to allow the unobstructed flow of beer along the duct 4 to the tap 3.

Alternatively the diverting valves 5 and 7 may be operated by means of separate external, manually operated control means such as a wheel or switch. The operator sets the valve 5 to the desired position to allow beer to flow along, for example, the further duct 6. Diverting valve 7 must also be set so that beer flowing from the delivery source 2 along the further duct 6 is able to flow to the tap 3. Failure correctly to set both valves 5 and 7 will lead to beer flow into a closed-end route with subsequent failure to deliver the beer.

Upon exhausting the delivery source 2, a fresh source 2 is connected. At this point, the diverting valves 5 and 7 can be set such that if the beer flow was previously along the duct 4, it will now be along the further duct 6, the duct 4 being out-of-commission. The cleaning of the interior of the out-of-commission and empty duct 4 may now take place without loss of fluid.

It is not necessary for the diverting valves 5 and 7 to be re-set as described above each time that a new delivery source 2 is connected, although they are re-set only on connection of a new such source 2. Each installation will determine the frequency at which the valves 5 and 7 are re-set, depending upon the overall rate of consumption of beer. It is desirable, however, for reasons of avoiding contamination of the system by secondary fermentation as described above, that delivery is re-routed at least every 10 days to allow cleaning of the most recently used duct 4 or further duct 6.

Figure 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the beer pipe system in which both the duct 4 and the further duct 5 are connected to the delivery source 2 by means of diverting or changeover valves 10 which also function to connect the duct 4 and further duct 6 to the delivery source 2. In this embodiment, the delivery source 2 requires two connection points to allow direct delivery along the duct 4 or further duct 6 as desired.

In this embodiment both the duct 4 and further duct 6 are connected directly to the tap 3 by means of diverting or changeover valves 11, which also function as connection points to the tap 3.

In this embodiment, if beer is required to be delivered along the duct 4, then the valves 10 and 11 must be set such that those valves corresponding to the duct 4 are in the 'OPEN" or iON position, while the valves corresponding to the further duct 6 are set to INCLOSED or "OFF'. This ensures an open passage for delivery from the source 2 to the tap 3 along the duct 4. If beer delivery through the further duct 6 is desired, then the valves 10 and 11 must be set such that those corresponding to the duct 4 are in the CLOSED or "OFF' position, while those corresponding to the further duct 6 are set to ZOPEN or zON".

The out-of-commission duct 4 or further duct 6 can then be disconnected and cleaned in the normal way ready for reconnection and beer delivery. It can be seen that Figure 2 includes a schematic representation of a cooling system, illustrated in broken outline, through which the duct 4 and further duct 6 pass before arriving at the tap 3.

Figure 3 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the delivery system according to the invention, in which the possibility of simultaneously connecting two delivery sources 2 to the system is shown. Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous if, for example, the anticipated demand for beer is such that replacing the source 2 would be inconvenient, whereas re-routing the beer is not. In this embodiment, the duct 4 and further duct 6 are each connected to a separate delivery source 2 by means of releasable connection means 10 which also function as diverting valves as described above.

The diverting valves 11 must be set by the operator such that if beer flow is desired along the duct 4, the valve 11 corresponding to the duct 4 must be set to the "OPEN" or SONX position. The valve 11 corresponding to the further duct 6 must be set to the zOFF or "CLOSED" position to ensure that beer flows from only one of the connected delivery sources 2 at any one time.

Both the duct 4 and further duct 6 are connected to a diverting valve 7 towards the tap 3, which is as close to the tap 3 as possible so that the maximum possible length of the duct 4 or further duct 6 is available for cleaning. The diverting valve 7 communicates with the tap 3 by means of a continuation of either the duct 4 or of the further duct 6.

The main advantage of the delivery system according to the invention in any of its embodiments is therefore that cleaning may be routinely performed on the duct 4 or further duct 6 alternatively. The cleaning process ensures that if the duct 4 is out-of-commission at the time cleaning is to be performed, it will be cleaned, while beer continues to be delivered through the further duct 6.

Following cleaning and on exhaustion of the then-current source 2, the new source 2 may be connected to the freshly cleaned duct 4, leaving the further duct 6 unused. The further duct 6 will be cleaned on the next cleaning day and be ready for connection to the next fresh delivery source 2.

It is therefore apparent that the system utilise regularly cleaned pipes for the fluid delivery, a regular cleaning process ensuring that neither the duct 4 nor the further duct 6 is used for an inordinate period of time and, in particular, avoiding the need deliberately to empty the duct to be cleaned, therefore avoiding what is in conventional systems, an expensive waste of beer. The dual duct system minimises loss of fluid from the system by allowing an advantageous and convenient cleaning routine to be established which is economically beneficial to the user.

Claims

1. Apparatus for delivering a fluid to a delivery outlet from a source along a duct, in which there are provided means for maintaining uninterrupted communication from the source to the delivery outlet when a portion of the delivery outlet is closed against the flow of the fluid, comprising a further duct extending from a point along the length of the duct at or adjacent the source to a point along the duct at or adjacent the delivery outlet, means for selectively connecting the end of the further duct to the source, and means for selectively connecting the other end of the further duct to the delivery outlet, the arrangement being such that the duct is isolated or isolatable upon connecting the further duct so that in use there is no supply from the duct to the delivery outlet, there being means by which the thus-isolated part of the duct or the further duct may be traversed by a fluid.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, adapted to convey fluid in conjunction with which operations need to be performed within the duct and further duct.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, so adapted as to permit the regular cleaning of the interiors of the duct and further duct.

4. Apparatus as in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the said means for selectively connecting the end of the further duct to the source is also operable respectively to disconnect or connect the duct and the source.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which there are provided further means for selectively connecting the said duct to the source.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the said means for selectively connecting the end of the further duct to the delivery outlet is also operable respectively to disconnect or connect the duct and the delivery outlet.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which there are provided further means for selectively connecting the said duct to the delivery outlet.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, in which the means for selectively connecting the end of the further duct to the source is a diverting valve.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, in which the means for selectively connecting the end of the further duct to the delivery outlet is a diverting valve.

10. A method of performing operations on the interior of the duct or the further duct, such as cleaning, without loss of fluid in which cleaning means may be introduced into either the duct or further duct when out-ofcommission (due to exhaustion of the consumable source) so as to effect the cleaning of the said duct or further duct, the said duct or further duct which is not involved in the said operations being selectively connected to a fresh source of fluid and to the delivery outlet.

Amendments to the claims have been tiled as follows 1. Apparatus for delivering a fluid to a delivery outlet from a source along a duct, in which there are provided means for maintaining uninterrupted communication from the source to the delivery outlet when a portion of the delivery outlet is closed against the flow of the fluid, comprising a further duct extending from a point along the length of the duct towards the source to a point along the duct towards the delivery outlet, means for selectively connecting the end of the further duct to the source, and means for selectively connecting the other end of the further duct to the delivery outlet, the arrangement being such that at least a part of the duct is isolated or isolatable upon connecting the further duct so that in use there is no supply from the duct to the delivery outlet, there being means by which the thus-isolated part of the duct or the further duct may be traversed by a fluid.

10. Apparatus for delivering a fluid to a delivery outlet from a source along a duct, substantially as described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A method of performing operations on the interior of a duct or a further duct, such as cleaning, without loss of fluid, in which cleaning means may be introduced into -either the duct or further duct when out-of-commission (due to exhaustion of the consumable source) so as to effect the cleaning of the said duct or further duct, the said duct or further duct which is not involved in the said operations being selectively connected to a fresh source of fluid and to the delivery outlet.

12. A method of performing operations on the interior of a duct of a further duct, such as cleaning, without loss of fluid, substantially as described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.