GB2320072A - A connecting panel and a method for selectively connecting one or more storage tanks to one or more dispensing lines - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus (1) comprises a connecting panel (25) for connecting a plurality of pipelines of a pipeline network (20) in pairs. Typically, the pipelines connect storage tanks (7), (8) and (9) to bottle fillers (11) and (12) on a bottling line for bottling soft drinks. Holding tanks (34), (35) and (36), a pasteuriser (30) and proportioning mixer pumps (14) and (15) are interconnected with the storage tanks (7), (8) and (9) and the bottle fillers (11) and (12) by pipelines of the pipeline network (20). The connecting panel (25) comprises a plurality of communicating pipes (48) in which the respective pipelines of the pipeline network (20) terminate. Connectors (55) are provided for selectively connecting pairs of the communicating pipes (48) of the connecting panel (25) for in turn selectively connecting pairs of the pipelines of the pipeline network (20), for connecting for example a storage tank (7), (8) or (9) through a temporary holding tank (34), (35) or (36), and in turn through the pasteuriser (30) to the proportioning mixer pump (15).

Description

"A connecting panel and a method for selectively connecting one or more storage tanks to one or more dispensing lines" The present invention relates to a connecting panel for terminating a plurality of pipelines and for selectively interconnecting pairs of the pipelines.

The invention also relates to apparatus which incorporates the connecting panel for use in the preparation of a beverage, and the invention relates to a method for connecting a plurality of pipelines which are terminated in the connecting panel, and for preparing a beverage using the method, and the invention also relates to a beverage prepared using the method and the apparatus.

In the preparation of beverages, and in particular nonalcoholic beverages such as soft drinks, in general, a syrup is prepared and stored in a storage tank. The syrup is then pumped from the storage tank through a pipeline to a proportioning mixer pump where the syrup is diluted with water. The diluted syrup is then fed through a further pipeline from the proportioning mixer pump to a filler apparatus for filling into bottles, cartons, and the like.

In general, such filler apparatus, tend to be relatively expensive equipment, and it is normal to use the same filler apparatus for different types and flavours of beverages, for example, soft drinks of different flavours, such as, orange, lemon, pineapple, lime and the like, and also for different beverages, for example, carbonated soft drinks, fruit juices, fruit drinks, still and carbonated natural water.

So that the filler apparatus can be rapidly switched over from one type of flavour to another, it is normal to provide a number of storage tanks for storing supplies of syrups of different flavours. It is also quite common to provide temporary holding tanks for holding a supply of syrup, which is normally received from the storage tanks. This provides a buffer supply of the syrup which facilitates in the efficient use of the filler apparatus. Some beverages require pasteurisation, in particular, beverages, the syrups of which are prepared from concentrated fruit juices, and this thus requires passing the syrup through a pasteuriser prior to the syrup being fed to the filler apparatus.

In order to provide for the various combinations of storage tanks, temporary holding tanks, pasteuriser and filler apparatus, all storage tanks, temporary holding tanks, the pasteuriser and the one or more filler apparatus are interconnected through a pipeline network, and valves are located in the pipelines of the network at appropriate locations so that each storage tank, each temporary holding tank, the pasteuriser and one or more of the filler apparatus can be isolated from the network.

While, in general, such pipeline networks are adequate for selectively connecting one of the storage tanks with the pasteuriser, a temporary holding tank and a filler apparatus, they suffer from a number of serious disadvantages. Firstly, if the wrong valve is opened, the wrong syrup will be supplied into the pipeline network for delivery to the filler apparatus.

Additionally, if a valve in the pipeline network which should be closed is inadvertently left open, then the beverage may comprise two syrups mixed together, which is unacceptable. A more serious problem can arise where a cleaning detergent which may be in one of the storage tanks, or indeed a temporary holding tank could be introduced into the filler apparatus if a valve which should be closed is inadvertently left open during operation of the filling apparatus. A further difficulty can arise if a syrup which should be passed through the pasteuriser, inadvertently by-passes the pasteuriser due to the incorrect combination of valves being opened and closed. Thus, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that known pipeline networks are unsatisfactory.

There is therefore a need for an apparatus to overcome these problems. There is also a need for a method for interconnecting a pair of pipelines of a plurality of pipelines.

The present invention is directed towards providing such an apparatus, a method, a connecting panel, and a beverage prepared using the method and the apparatus.

According to the invention there is provided a connecting panel for terminating a plurality of pipelines and for selectively interconnecting pairs of the pipelines, the connecting panel comprising a plurality of first receiving means located on the panel for receiving and terminating the respective pipelines, a plurality of second receiving means located on the panel for coupling to a connecting means so that each second receiving means can be connected to another of the second receiving means for selectively connecting a pair of the pipelines, each second receiving means communicating with a corresponding one of the first receiving means.

In one aspect of the invention the respective corresponding first and second receiving means communicate through the panel.

In one aspect of the invention the first receiving means are located on one side of the panel, and the second receiving means are located on the other side of the panel.

Preferably the panel comprises a plate member having a plurality of holes extending therethrough for facilitating accommodating communication between the corresponding first and second receiving means.

In one aspect of the invention the second receiving means are arranged on the panel in a plurality of rows, the rows of the second receiving means being equispaced apart. Preferably, the second receiving means are arranged on the panel in a plurality of columns, the columns of the second receiving means being equispaced apart.

Advantageously, the spacing between the columns of the second receiving means is similar to the spacing between the rows of the second receiving means.

In another aspect of the invention each second receiving means comprises one part of a union pipe connection for releasable coupling to a corresponding part of a union pipe connection on each connecting means.

In another aspect of the invention at least one connecting means is provided for releasably connecting a pair of the second receiving means. Preferably a plurality of connecting means are provided.

In one aspect of the invention each connecting means terminates at respective opposite ends in respective parts of union pipe connections, for releasable coupling to the parts of the union pipe connections of the second receiving means. Preferably each connecting means comprises an elongated connecting pipe bent to form a U having a pair of spaced apart side legs connected by a main leg, the side legs terminating in the respective parts of the union pipe connections. t In one aspect of the invention the main leg of at least one of the connecting means is of length so that the centre to centre distance between the parts of the union pipe connections of the connecting means is similar to the spacing between a pair of adjacent rows of the second receiving means.

In another aspect of the invention the main leg of at least one of the connecting means is of length so that the centre to centre distance between the parts of the union pipe connections of the connecting means is similar to twice the spacing between a pair of adjacent rows of the second receiving means.

In a further aspect of the invention the main leg of at least one of the connecting means is of length so that the centre to centre distance between the parts of the union pipe connections of the connecting means is similar to three times the spacing between a pair of adjacent rows of the second receiving means.

In another aspect of the invention the main leg of at least one of the connecting means is of length so that the centre to centre distance between the parts of the union pipe connections of the connecting means is similar to the square root of twice the square of the spacing between a pair of adjacent rows of the second receiving means.

In a further aspect of the invention the main leg of at least one of the connecting means is of length so that the centre to centre distance between the parts of the union pipe connections of the connecting means is similar to the square root of the sum of the square of the spacing between a pair of adjacent rows of the second receiving means and the square of twice the spacing between a pair of adjacent rows of the second receiving means.

In a still further aspect of the invention the main leg of at least one of the connecting means is of length, so that the centre to centre distance between the parts of the union pipe connections is similar to the square root of the sum of the square of the spacing between a pair of adjacent rows of the second receiving means and the square of three times the spacing between a pair of adjacent rows of the second receiving means.

Ideally, a sufficient number of connecting means of different lengths of the main leg are provided so that each second receiving means on the panel can be selectively connected to each of the other second receiving means.

In one aspect of the invention one of the first receiving means is provided for terminating a pipeline from a storage tank.

In another aspect of the invention a plurality of the first receiving means are provided for terminating a corresponding plurality of pipelines from respective storage tanks.

In another aspect of the invention one of the first receiving means is provided for terminating a pipeline from an inlet of a temporary holding tank.

In another aspect of the invention one of the first receiving means is provided for terminating a pipeline from an outlet of the temporary holding tank.

In a further aspect of the invention a plurality of the first receiving means are provided for terminating a corresponding plurality of pipelines from respective inlets of the temporary holdings tanks.

In a still further aspect of the invention a plurality of the first receiving means are provided for terminating a corresponding plurality of pipelines from respective outlets of the temporary holding tanks.

Additionally, the invention provides a method for connecting one of a plurality of storage tanks which are individually connected to respective first receiving means of the connecting panel according to the invention to a dispensing line connected to another one of the first receiving means of the connecting panel, the method comprising the step of connecting the second receiving means which corresponds to the first receiving means of the storage tank to the second receiving means which corresponds to the first receiving means of the dispensing line with one of the connecting means.

In another aspect of the invention the method further comprises the step of connecting the storage tank to the dispensing line through a pasteuriser which is also connected to a pair of first receiving means of the connecting panel, the method comprising the steps of connecting the second receiving means corresponding to one of the first receiving means of the pasteuriser to one of the second receiving means corresponding to the first receiving means of the storage tank or the dispensing line with one of the connecting means, and connecting the other of the second receiving means corresponding to the other of the first receiving means of the pasteuriser to the other of the second receiving means corresponding to the other of the first receiving means of the storage tank or the dispensing line with one of the connecting means.

In a still further aspect of the invention the storage tank is connected to the dispensing line through a temporary holding tank, the second receiving means corresponding to the first receiving means of the inlet to the temporary holding tank being connected to the second receiving means corresponding to the first receiving means of the storage tank with one of the connecting means, and the second receiving means corresponding to the first receiving means of the outlet of the temporary holding tank being connected to the second receiving means corresponding to the first receiving means of the dispensing line with one of the connecting means.

In a further aspect of the invention the storage tank is connected to the dispensing line through the pasteuriser and the temporary holding tank.

In one embodiment of the invention each storage tank is a storage tank for storing syrup for use in the preparation of a beverage.

Further, the invention provides apparatus for use in the preparation of a beverage, the apparatus comprising a plurality of storage tanks for storing syrup for use in the preparation of the beverage, a pasteuriser, a plurality of dispensing lines, the storage tanks, the pasteuriser and the dispensing lines being connected by a plurality of pipelines which terminate in the connecting panel according to the invention.

Preferably, a plurality of temporary holding tanks are provided, the temporary holding tanks being connected by pipelines which terminate in the connecting panel.

Further, the invention provides a beverage prepared from a syrup stored in a storage tank and delivered to the dispensing line using the method according to the invention Additionally, the invention provides a beverage prepared from a syrup stored in a storage tank of the apparatus according to the invention and delivered to a dispensing line using the method according to the invention.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram of apparatus according to the invention for use in the preparation of a beverage, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a connecting panel also according to the invention for use in the apparatus in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is another perspective view of the connecting panel of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the connecting panel of Fig. 2, Fig. 5 is a sectional end elevational view of the connecting panel of Fig. 2 on the line V - V of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional end elevational view of a detail of the connecting panel of Fig.

2, and Fig. 7(a) to (e) are a perspective views of a plurality of connectors for use with the connecting panel of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1 there is illustrated a circuit diagram of apparatus according to the invention indicated generally by the reference number 1 for use in the preparation of beverages, typically soft drinks, still and carbonated, as well as still and carbonated water. The apparatus 1 comprises a pair of dissolving tanks 2 and 3 in which sweetener syrups for the beverages are prepared.

Typically, the dissolving tanks 2 and 3 are of capacity of approximately 5,000 litres. The ingredients for making up the syrups are dissolved and mixed in the dissolving tanks 2 and 3. Typically, the ingredients are sugar, saccharin, citric acid and sodium benzoate.

A pipeline 4 connects the two dissolving tanks 2 and 3 to a dispensing head 5 from which the prepared syrup is delivered into any one of three storage tanks 7, 8 and 9. Flavourings and/or concentrated juices and colourings for the beverages are blended with the syrup in the storage tanks 7, 8 and 9. The storage tanks 7, 8 and 9 are open at their respective tops, and a pipe 10 connected to the dispensing head 5 by a hinged joint 13 is manually moveable between the three storage tanks 7, 8 and 9 for delivering the syrup from one or both of the dissolving tanks 2 and 3 into a selected one of the storage tanks 7, 8 and 9. Valves 6 allow the dissolving tanks 2 and 3 to be selectively isolated from the pipeline 4.

Filler apparatus, in this embodiment of the invention two bottle fillers 11 and 12 are provided for filling beverage into bottles on a conveyor line (not shown).

Such bottle fillers 11 and 12 will be well known to those skilled in the art, and it is not intended to describe them further. The bottle fillers 11 and 12 are suitable for filling the beverage into bottles of a range of sizes, from 150ml to 3 Litres. Beverage is delivered to the bottle fillers 11 and 12 from respective proportioning mixer pumps 14 and 15 where the blended syrup from any one or more of the storage tanks 7, 8 and 9 is mixed with a diluent, in this embodiment of the invention, water. Pipelines 16 deliver water to the proportioning mixer pumps 14 and 15. Typically, the blended syrup from the storage tanks 7, 8 or 9 is mixed in the ratio of from 4:1 to 6:1 parts water to blended syrup. Although, needless to say the ratio of mixing will depend on the concentration of the blended syrup. The blended syrup from the storage tanks 7, 8 and 9 is fed to the mixer pumps 14 and 15 through a pipeline network 20, which includes dispensing pipeline 18 and 19 which are connected to the mixer pumps 14 and 15 and to other pipelines (described below) of the pipeline network 20 by a connecting panel 25 also according to the invention, and which is described in detail below.

Three pipelines 26, 27 and 28 of the network 20 connect the storage tanks 7, 8 and 9, respectively, to the connecting panel 25. A pasteuriser 30 for pasteurising the blended syrup from the storage tanks 7, 8 and 9 prior to bottling is connected to the connecting panel 25 by a pair of pipelines 31 and 32 of the network 20.

Three temporary holding tanks 34, 35 and 36 for holding the blended syrups from the storage tanks 7, 8 and 9 prior to or during bottling are connected to the connecting panel 25 by pipelines of the network 20.

Inlets 38 of the temporary holding tanks 34 and 35 are connected by a single pipeline 39 to the connecting panel 25. A pipeline 40 connects the inlet 38 of the temporary holding tank 36 to the connecting panel 25.

Outlets 42 of the temporary holding tank 34, 35 and 36 are connected to the connecting panel 25 by pipelines 43, 44 and 45, respectively.

Turning now to the connecting panel 25, the connecting panel 25 comprises a plate member 47 of stainless steel material. A plurality of short communicating pipes 48 extend through holes 49 in the plate member 47 and are secured in the plate member 47. The communicating pipes 48 terminate in one side of the plate member 47 in first receiving means, namely, parts 50 of first pipe unions for connecting to the respective pipelines of the pipeline network 20. The communicating pipes 48 terminate in their other ends at the opposite side of the plate member 47 in parts 52 of second pipe unions for releasably receiving any one or more of a plurality of connecting means, in this case, U-shaped connectors 55 for selectively connecting two or more pairs of pipelines of the pipeline network 20 for connecting the relevant storage tank 7, 8 or 9 to the relevant mixer pump 14 or 15, and also for connecting the relevant storage tank 7, 8 or 9 to the relevant mixer pump 14 or 15 through the pasteuriser 30 and/or through one of the temporary holding tanks 34, 35 or 36.

Each connector 55 comprises a connecting pipe 53 which is bent at 54 to form a pair of side legs 56 joined by a main leg 57. The side legs 56 terminate in parts 59 which are complimentary to the parts 52 of the second pipe unions for releasable coupling to the parts 52 of the connecting panel 25 so that selected pairs of pipelines of the pipeline network 20 can be connected together. In this embodiment of the invention, the communicating pipes 48 and in turn, the parts 52 are arranged in three rows 60 and four columns 61. The rows 60 are equally spaced apart from each other as are the columns 61. Additionally, the spacing between the columns 61 is identical to the spacing between the rows 60. Accordingly, the number of sizes of connectors 55 which are required in order that the part 52 of each communicating pipe 48 can be selectively connected to each of the other parts 52 of the other communicating pipes 48 is minimised. In this embodiment of the invention seven different sizes of connectors 55 are required. Three different sizes of connectors 55 are required for connecting the part 52 of any communicating pipe 48 in any one row 60 to the part 52 of any other communicating pipe 48 in that row. Two different sizes of the connectors 55 are required for connecting the part 52 of any one of the communicating pipes 48 in any column 61 to the part 52 any other communicating pipe 48 in that column. These are of similar size to those for connecting the parts 52 in the rows 60. Three different sizes of connectors 55 are required for connecting the parts 52 of any communicating pipe 48 in any row or any column with the parts 52 of any communicating pipe 48 in any adjacent column or row. One size of connector is required for connecting the diagonally opposite parts 52 on the plate member 47.

The sizes of connectors 55 are as follows. Where x is the centre to centre distance between the respective rows 60 and the respective columns 61, the smallest connector 55 for connecting the parts 52 of adjacent communicating pipes 48 in any row or any column is of size so that the distance centre to centre between the parts 59 of the second pipe unions is equal to lx. The next size of connector 55 requires the distance centre to centre between the parts 59 to be 2x. In the third size the distance centre to centre between the parts 59 is equal to 3x. In order that the communicating pipe 48 in one row 60 can be connected to a diagonally opposite communicating pipe 48 in another row and another column connectors 55 of three further sizes are required with centre to centre distances between the parts 59 as follows: 2x2 v 2x2 ((2x)2+x2) J((3x)2+X2) In order that the parts 52 of diagonally opposite communicating pipes 48 on the plate member 47 may be connected, one further size of connector 55 is required, the centre to centre distance between the parts 59 of which is: ( (2x)2+(3x)2) The pipelines of the network 20 terminate adjacent to the connecting panel 25 in parts 66 of first pipe unions for connecting to the parts 50 of the first pipe union which are located on the communicating pipes 48 for connecting the pipelines of the network 20 to the corresponding communicating pipes 48 of the connecting panel 25.

Isolating valves 62 are provided in each of the pipelines of the network 20 adjacent the connecting panel 25 for isolating the various tanks, pasteuriser and the mixer pumps 14 and 15 from the connecting panel 25 during the making and breaking of connections between the pipelines at the connecting panel 25 by the connectors 55. Valves 64 and 65 permit the temporary holding tanks 34 and 35 to be isolated from the pipeline 39.

Labels (not shown) on the plate 47 of the connecting panel 25 adjacent the communicating pipes 48 provide an identification of the source from which the pipeline of the network 20 connected to the communicating pipe 48 originates.

In use, the sweetener syrups are prepared in the dissolving tanks 2 and 3, and are fed to the desired appropriate storage tank 7, 8 or 9 through the dispensing head 5. The appropriate colouring and flavouring and/or concentrated juice are blended with the syrup in the storage tanks 7, 8 or 9. Prior to commencing filling, in certain cases, it is desirable to temporarily store the syrup from a storage tank 7, 8 or 9 in one of the temporary holding tanks 34, 35 and 36. This enables filling of bottles by the bottle fillers 11 and 12 to proceed, while a further batch of syrup is being blended in the just emptied storage tanks 7, 8 or 9. In order to transfer syrup from a storage tank 7, 8 or 9, for example, the storage tank 7 to the temporary holding tank 34, the communicating pipes 48A and 48H are connected by an appropriately sized connector 55. Additionally, the valve 65 is closed and the valve 64 is opened for communicating the temporary holding tank 34, with the storage tank 7 through the connecting panel 25. The two parts 52 and 59 of the second pipe unions are sealably secured, thus, sealably connecting the communicating pipes 48A and 48H. In this way the storage tank 7 is connected to the inlet 38 of the temporary holding tank 34. The valves 62 in the pipelines 26 and 39 are opened thereby permitting syrup to flow from the storage tank 7 into the temporary holding tank 34. When all the syrup from the storage tank 7 has been transferred into the temporary holding tank 4, the valves 62 in the pipelines 26 and 39 are closed and the connector 55 is removed. Should it be desired to pasteurise the syrup as it is being delivered to the temporary holding tank 34, the storage tank 7 is connected through the connecting panel 25 to the pasteuriser 30, which is in turn, connected through the connecting panel 25 to the temporary holding tank 34.

In this embodiment of the invention it is desired to use the bottle filler 12 for filling of beverage derived from the blended syrup in the temporary holding tank 34, and it is also desired to pasteurise the blended syrup as it is being delivered from the storage tank 7 to the temporary holding tank 34. Accordingly, the communicating pipes 48 on the connecting panel 25 are connected as illustrated in Fig. 1. The storage tank 7 is connected through the connecting panel 25 to the pasteuriser 30, and the pasteuriser 30 is in turn connected through the connecting panel 25 to the temporary holding tank 34. The temporary holding tank 34 is then connected through the connecting panel 25 to the mixer pump 15. This is achieved as follows. The communicating pipe 48A which is connected to the pipeline 26 from the storage tank 7 is connected by an appropriately sized connector 55 to the communicating pipe 48F, which in turn is connected to the pipeline 31 of the pasteuriser 30. The communicating pipe 48G which is connected to the pipeline 32 of the pasteuriser 30 is connected by an appropriately sized connector 55 to the communicating pipe 48H, which in turn is connected to the pipeline 39. The communicating pipe 48K which is connected to the pipeline 43 from the temporary holding tank 34 is connected by an appropriately sized connector 55 to the communicating pipe 48I, which in turn is connected to the pipeline 19 to the mixer pump 15. Initially, the valves 62 in the pipelines 26, 31, 32 and 39 are opened, as is the valve 64 in the pipeline 38. In this way, blended syrup from the storage tank 7 is pasteurised in the pasteuriser 30 as it is being delivered to the temporary holding tank 34. When it is ready to fill the pasteurised blended syrup in the temporary holding tank 34 into bottles, the valves 62 in the pipelines 19 and 43 are opened for feeding the pasteurised blended syrup from the temporary holding tank 34 to the mixer pump 15.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that by appropriately connecting the communicating pipes 48A to 48L with the appropriate other connecting pipes 48A to 48L any temporary holding tank, and/or storage tank and/or mixer pump as well as the pasteuriser can be connected together.

Additionally, in order to minimise the number of different sizes of connectors 55 required, the communicating pipes 48A, 48B and 48C which are connected to the pipelines 26, to 28 respectively, from the storage tanks 7, 8 and 9 are grouped together.

Likewise, the communicating pipes 48E and 48I to the mixer pumps 14 and 15 are also grouped together, as are the communicating pipes 48F and 48G which are connected to the pipelines 31 and 32 of the pasteuriser 30. The communicating pipes 48D and 48H which are connected to the pipelines 39 and 40 to the inlets 38 of the temporary holding tanks 34, 35 and 36 are also grouped together as are the three communicating pipes 48J, 48K and 48L which communicate with the pipelines 43, 44 and 45 from the outlets 42 of the temporary holding tanks, 34, 35 and 36.

The advantages of the invention are many by virtue of the fact that the pipelines of the network 20 terminate in the connecting panel 25, the appropriate pairs of pipelines can only be connected using the connectors 55 which minimises any danger of a wrong tank or tanks being connected to one of the mixer pump. This is particularly so since each of the communicating pipes 48 on the connecting panel 25 are clearly labelled.

Other advantages of the connecting panel 25 and apparatus 1 are that firstly, various storage tanks may be connected to various temporary holding tanks while other storage tanks and/or temporary holding tanks are connected to the mixer pumps 14 and 15, and in turn to the bottle fillers 11 and 12. Thus, it is possible to empty a storage tank into a temporary holding tank while both bottle fillers 11 and 12 are operating and receiving syrup from another one of the storage tanks or temporary holding tanks. Secondly, it is also possible to flush out parts of the pipeline network 20 which are not in use while beverage is being filled into bottles by the bottler fillers 11 and 12.

While the connecting panel has been described as comprising three rows and four columns of communicating pipes it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the connecting panel may be provided with any number of rows and columns of communicating pipes.

It will also be appreciated that the communicating pipes may be secured to the pipelines by means other than pipe unions, for example, the communication pipes 48 may be connected to the pipelines by a welded joint.

It will also be appreciated that other suitable releasable couplings may be used for coupling the connectors to the communicating pipes besides pipe unions.

Claims (39)

1. A connecting panel for terminating a plurality of pipelines and for selectively interconnecting pairs of the pipelines, the connecting panel comprising a plurality of first receiving means located on the panel for receiving and terminating the respective pipelines, a plurality of second receiving means located on the panel for coupling to a connecting means so that each second receiving means can be connected to another of the second receiving means for selectively connecting a pair of the pipelines, each second receiving means communicating with a corresponding one of the first receiving means.

2. A connecting panel as claimed in Claim 1 in which the respective corresponding first and second receiving means communicate through the panel.

3. A connecting panel as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the first receiving means are located on one side of the panel, and the second receiving means are located on the other side of the panel.

4. A connecting panel as claimed in any preceding claim in which the panel comprises a plate member having a plurality of holes extending therethrough for facilitating communication between the corresponding first and second receiving means.

5. A connecting panel as claimed in any preceding claim in which the second receiving means are arranged on the panel in a plurality of rows, the rows of the second receiving means being equi-spaced apart.

6. A connecting panel as claimed in any preceding claim in which the second receiving means are arranged on the panel in a plurality of columns, the columns of the second receiving means being equi-spaced apart.

7. A connecting panel as claimed in Claim 6 in which the spacing between the columns of the second receiving means is similar to the spacing between the rows of the second receiving means.

8. A connecting panel as claimed in any preceding claim in which each second receiving means comprises one part of a union pipe connection for releasable coupling to a corresponding part of a union pipe connection on each connecting means.

9. A connecting panel as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least one connecting means is provided for releasably connecting a pair of the second receiving means.

10. A connecting panel as claimed in Claim 9 in which a plurality of connecting means are provided.

11. A connecting panel as claimed in Claim 9 or 10 in which each connecting means terminates at respective opposite ends in respective parts of union pipe connections for releasable coupling to the parts of the union pipe connections of the second receiving means.

12. A connecting panel as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 11 in which each connecting means comprises an elongated connecting pipe bent to form a U having a pair of spaced apart side legs connected by a main leg, the side legs terminating in the respective parts of the union pipe connections.

13. A connecting panel as claimed in Claim 12 in which the main leg of at least one of the connecting means is of length so that the centre to centre distance between the parts of the union pipe connections of the connecting means is similar to the spacing between a pair of adjacent rows of the second receiving means.

14. A connecting panel as claimed in Claim 12 or 13 in which the main leg of at least one of the connecting means is of length so that the centre to centre distance between the parts of the union pipe connections of the connecting means is similar to twice the spacing between a pair of adjacent rows of the second receiving means.

15. A connecting panel as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 14 in which the main leg of at least one of the connecting means is of length so that the centre to centre distance between the parts of the union pipe connections of the connecting means is similar to three times the spacing between a pair of adjacent rows of the second receiving means.

16. A connecting panel as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 15 in which the main leg of at least one of the connecting means is of length so that the centre to centre distance between the parts of the union pipe connections of the connecting means is similar to the square root of twice the square of the spacing between a pair of adjacent rows of the second receiving means.

17. A connecting panel as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 16 in which the main leg of at least one of the connecting means is of length so that the centre to centre distance between the parts of the union pipe connections of the connecting means is similar to the square root of the sum of the square of the spacing between a pair of adjacent rows of the second receiving means and the square of twice the spacing between a pair of adjacent rows of the second receiving means.

18. A connecting panel as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 17 in which the main leg of at least one of the connecting means is of length, so that the centre to centre distance between the parts of the union pipe connections is similar to the square root of the sum of the square of the spacing between a pair of adjacent rows of the second receiving means and the square of three times the spacing between a pair of adjacent rows of the second receiving means.

19. A connecting panel as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 18 in which a sufficient number of connecting means of different lengths of the main leg are provided so that each second receiving means on the panel can be selectively connected to each of the other second receiving means.

20. A connecting panel as claimed in any preceding claim in which one of the first receiving means is provided for terminating a pipeline from a storage tank.

21. A connecting panel as claimed in Claim 20 in which a plurality of the first receiving means are provided for terminating a corresponding plurality of pipelines from respective storage tanks.

22. A connecting panel as claimed in any preceding claim in which one of the first receiving means is provided for terminating a pipeline from an inlet of a temporary holding tank.

23. A connecting panel as claimed in Claim 22 in which one of the first receiving means is provided for terminating a pipeline from an outlet of the temporary holding tank.

24. A connecting panel as claimed in Claim 22 or 23 in which a plurality of the first receiving means are provided for terminating a corresponding plurality of pipelines from respective inlets of the temporary holdings tanks.

25. A connecting panel as claimed in any of Claims 22 to 24 in which a plurality of the first receiving means are provided for terminating a corresponding plurality of pipelines from respective outlets of the temporary holding tanks.

26. A connecting panel for terminating a plurality of pipelines and for selectively interconnecting pairs of the pipelines, the connecting panel being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

27. A method for connecting one of a plurality of storage tanks which are individually connected to respective first receiving means of the connecting panel as claimed in any preceding claim to a dispensing line connected to another one of the first receiving means of the connecting panel, the method comprising the step of connecting the second receiving means which corresponds to the first receiving means of the storage tank to the second receiving means which corresponds to the first receiving means of the dispensing line with one of the connecting means.

28. A method as claimed in Claim 27, in which the method further comprises the step of connecting the storage tank to the dispensing line through a pasteuriser which is also connected to a pair of first receiving means of the connecting panel, the method comprising the steps of connecting the second receiving means corresponding to one of the first receiving means of the pasteuriser to one of the second receiving means corresponding to the first receiving means of the storage tank or the dispensing line with one of the connecting means, and connecting the other of the second receiving means corresponding to the other of the first receiving means of the pasteuriser to the other of the second receiving means corresponding to the other of the first receiving means of the storage tank or the dispensing line with one of the connecting means.

29. A method as claimed in Claim 27 or 28 in which the storage tank is connected to the dispensing line through a temporary holding tank, the second receiving means corresponding to the first receiving means of the inlet to the temporary holding tank being connected to the second receiving means corresponding to the first receiving means of the storage tank with one of the connecting means, and the second receiving means corresponding to the first receiving means of the outlet of the temporary holding tank being connected to the second receiving means corresponding to the first receiving means of the dispensing line with one of the connecting means.

30. A method as claimed in any of Claims 27 to 29 in which the storage tank is connected to the dispensing line through the pasteuriser and the temporary holding tank.

31. A method as claimed in any of Claims 27 to 30 in which each storage tank is a storage tank for storing syrup for use in the preparation of a beverage.

32. A method as claimed in Claims 31 in which the dispensing line delivers the syrup to a proportioning mixer pump for dilution with a diluent for preparing the beverage.

33. A method a claims in any of Claims 27 to 32 in which the beverage is a soft drink.

34. A method for connecting one of a plurality of storage tanks which are individually connected to respective first receiving means of the connecting panel as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 26 to a dispensing line connected to a first receiving means of the connecting panel, the method being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

35. Apparatus for use in the preparation of a beverage, the apparatus comprising a plurality of storage tanks for storing syrup for use in the preparation of the beverage, a pasteuriser, a plurality of dispensing lines, the storage tanks, the pasteuriser and the dispensing lines being connected by a plurality of pipelines which terminate in the connecting panel as claimed in any Claims 1 to 26.

36. Apparatus is claimed in Claim 35 in which a plurality of temporary holding tanks are provided, the temporary holding tanks being connected by pipelines which terminate in the connecting panel.

37. Apparatus for use in the preparation of a beverage, the apparatus being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

38. A beverage prepared from a syrup stored in a storage tank and delivered to a dispensing line using the method of any Claims 27 to 34.

39. A beverage prepared from a syrup stored in a storage tank of the apparatus of any of Claims 35 to 37 and delivered to a dispensing line using the method of any Claims 27 to 34.