US2241426A - Beverage cooler - Google Patents

Description

May 13, 1941. A. w; SHERWOOD BEVERAGE COOLER Filed Sept. 26, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet' 1 0 Mm M x I l u 1 W H 9 n 0/ 3 K 6 M H [J K a M 4 M 0 I l H I p 1 I r r I I z I a r r z I r I I p r a I 4 r I I a I, r

INVENTOR ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR d ATTORNEY May 13, 1941. A. w. SHERWOOD BEVERAGE COOLER Filed Sept. 26, 1938 y 1941. A. w. SHERWOOD 2,241,426

BEVERAGE COOLER Filed Sept. 26, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A h VIII/IA 4m ujNENTQR M 2r. 102244,,

AT TORNEY BEVERAGE COOLER ATTORNEY Patented May 13, 1941 2,241,426 BEVERAGE CQOLER Aaron Wiley Sherwood, Hackensack, N. J., assignor to Associated Enginee Inc., Glen Rock, -N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application September 26, 1938, Serial No. 231,635

18 Claims.

The invention relates to the cooling of brewed beverages, such as beer and ale, for storage and dispensing.

It is the custom of ship brewedbeverages,

such as draught beer and ale, from the brewery to the tavern, restaurant or other place of consumption in wooden or metal kegs and to store the beverage in and dispense it from these kegs or containers. I

' According to one form of the invention the beverage is cooled by withdrawing limited amounts from the keg, subjecting the withdrawn amounts to refrigeration and then returning them to the keg. If desired, the apparatus for performing this operation may be associated with the tapping apparatus for tapping the beverage for dispensing, and the compressed air system, normally used in maintaining dispensing pressure within 'the keg, may be utilized for withdrawing beverage from andreturning it to the keg.

Such apparatus may comprise a concentric tap rod arrangement having an inner dispensing tube leading to the dispensing faucet and an outer-transfer tube connected to a coolin chamber located above the keg. The cycle may be cont olled by a rotary valve and a diaphragm device, which alternately reduce the pressure at the top of the cooling chamber, causing thebev erage to pass through the transfer tube into the cooling chamber, and alternately apply keg pressure to the cooling chamber, causing the beverage to return to the keg through the same tube.

Both tubes of the tap rod preferably extend close ture.

' The invention also consists in certain new and original features of construction and combina tion of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the-novel features"- which are believed' to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which ,it may be carried out, may be better understooc by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1- illustrates somewhat diagrammatically a layout of the beverage cooling system according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the tap rod, cooling chamber and beer keg;

Fig. 2a, is a detail showing the position of the two-way valve during tapping;

- Fig. 3 is a detail illustrating sections through the control valve and diaphragm meter;

Figs. 4, 4a and 4b are sections on the lines 4-4, 411-411 and 4b4b of Fi 3; r

Fig. 5 is a vertical section illustrating a preferred form of cooling chamber;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the top member of the cooling chamber shown in Fig. 5

In the following description and in the claims, various details will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application as the art will permit.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, certain specific disclosure ofthe invention is made for purposes of explanation, but it will be understood that the details may be modified in various respects without departure from the broad aspect of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings and, more particularly, to Fig. 1, the general layout of the system for carrying out the invention will first be described. The reference character l0 indicates the back edge of an ordinary dispensing bar or serving counter, such as used in taverns, bar rooms and restaurants. Back of the bar is shown an insulated keg chamber or cabinet indicated by II. This cabinet II, in the form shown, is made to accommodate two conventional beer kegs, indicated by and l3. The keg [2 has the cooling system of the invention applied thereto. The

keg I3 is stored within the cabinet I 1 without any cooling or dispensing apparatus connected thereto. L,

The keg I2 sembly l6. 'Surroundingthe upper part of the tap rod I6 is a cooling chamber IE to which. the beer in the keg is periodically transferred for cooling and returned to the keg. A conventional dispensing faucet is connected to the upper end of the tap ro-l l6.

A conventional refrigerating attain, indicated has applied thereto a tap rod asin general by I6, is connected to the cooling coil '33 of the cooling chamber for cooling the beer to the desired temperature.-

A conventional air compressor 26 and compressed air storage tank 2| may also be provided for maintaining the proper pressure within the keg l2 and for operating the beer cooling system. A rotary valve 22 and a diaphragm device 23 are connected into the system by suitable piping and operate to vary the pressure at the top of the cooling chamber l5 to carry out the events of the cycle.

The above devices and their operations will be' described more in detail hereinafter.

- The cabinet comprises insulated end walls 24, insulated back wall 26 (facing the front of the bar), insulated top wall 25 and a removable insulated front panel 26. The front panel may Thus, both the keg I: being dispensed and storage keg l3 are held within an insulated compartment where they may be cooled below room temperature. Refrigeration, according to the invention, is applied directly to the beverage in the dispensing keg l2 and a part, or all, of this beverage is thereby cooled to dispensing temperature, in the case of beer, to around 40 F. As the storage temperature for the beveraged'oes not have to be so low, in the case of beer, around 50? F., the same refrigerating system used for cooling the beverage in dispensing keg I2 is used to cool storage keg |3 to proper temperature by keeping the temperature of the air within the cabinet I at a sufllciently low temperature. The

refrigeration available for coolingthe air within the cabinet II is obtained, in part, directly from the cooling chamber I6 and, in part; indirectly from the cooled beverage in keg l2.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the cooling chamber l5 and associated apparatus is suspended by one or more structural members, indicated by 3|, these members being secured to the top wall 25 of the cabinet ll. insulating walls of the cabinet vwill'be suitably reenforced or braced for mechanical strength without interfering with their heat insulating properties.

Thecooling chamber l5 comprises a lower chamber body 32 made of aluminum or similar good heat conducting material. The body 32 will have smooth inside walls to make it easy to keep clean. The body a: has welded thereto. or other- ,tion for the beer under pressure within the cooling chamber ii. A removable cover 46 for cabinet permits access to the thumb nuts 35 after removal of thetap rod l6. Thus, the cover 34 may be easily removed'for cleaning and inspection of the cooling chamber l5.

Connected to an upper edge of the body 32 is a seat 31 for a stone filter 36. A fitting 66 has a screw threaded connectionwith the seat 31 for holding the stone fllter36 in place and also for It will be understood that the providin a connection to the air pressure lines for carrying on the method of the invention as will appear hereinafter. The filter 38 may be of any material which will prevent froth from the beer passing out of the cooling chamber I5 and yet will permit 'free passage of gas. A disk of carborundum, alundum or of any other porous stone may be used.

For tapping a beer keg a tap hole is usually provided in the top wall of the keg l2, off center. This tap hole has threaded therein a metal plug 43 and it is the custom, when a keg is shipped full of beer from the brewery, for a cork (not shown) to be inserted within the hole in collar 43. This cork is pushed out of the hole in collar 43 into the keg by the insertion of the tap rod, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.-

Secured to the metal plug 43 is -a tap bush indicated in general by 4|. Tap bush 4| comprises a tap bush casing 42 having a bayonet'slot engagement 44 with the metal plug 43 to hold flange 45 tightly against the top surface of plug 43.

Within the tap bush casing42 is a, shank or sleeve 46 having projections 41 vertically slidable in slots in the casing 42. A wing nut-56 has a flange engaging in an annular groove 5| in shank 46 and has a threaded connection 52 with casing 42. Thus by screwing down the wing nut 50, washer 53 may be compressed between an annullar seat on the lower end of shank-46 and the metal plug 43 to maintain a gas-tight connection at this point.

' To maintain the keg gas-tight, it is desirable to have a tight sliding connection-between tap rod l6 and shank 46. For this reason, the upper end of shank 46 is provided with a stuflingbox 54 in which islocated a packing 55. A thumb nut and gland, indicated by 56, is threaded to stuffing box 54 for the purpose of exerting pressure on packing 55 to maintain a gas-tight seal with tap rod |6 at this point.-

The shank 46 is provided with a. branch 59 communicating with annular space 51 leading to the interior of keg l2. A fitting 66 is threaded into branch 56 and carries a seat for the stone filter 62, which may be similar to stone filter 36.

' Filter 62 is held in place by a'fitting 61 to which the position indicated in Fig. 2a. The position in Fig. 2 is the position for regular cyclic operation of the system. The position in Fig. 2a is used during tapping of the keg.

The tap rod l6 comprises an outer tube-66 and an inner tube 16. The outer tube 66 is mainly for withdrawing and returning the beer from and to the keg for cooling. Inner tube 16 is-for dispensing the brew.

Concentric tubes 66 and 16 are connected by a bottom fitting ll adapted to rest on or near the bottom wall of keg l2. Fitting 1| has holes 14 in close proximity to the bottom of the keg so as to be able to dispense substantially the entire contents of the keg. Outer tube 66 has holes 13 for withdrawing the beer to be cooled.

Between the ends of the tap rod is a collar I6 located just above .a series of holes 16 in the outer tube 66. Holes I6 are adapted to line up with holes in sleeve 66 for the purpose of communicating with the cooling chamber l6.

Connecting inner and outer tubes 66, I6 atthe .as follows (Fig. 1) x The compressed air tank 2I has a suitable contop isa top fitting 12 connected with the faucet I4. Below the top of the tap rod 16 is a sealing assembly 11 comprising a stufling box 18 holding packing 19 and screw threaded gland structure 89. By rotating the members 18 and 89 relatively, the pressure between packing 19 and tap rod I6 may be varied. The assembly just described is for the purpose of covering holes 16 in the tap rod during the tapping operation in a manner described below.

To form a tight engagement between the tap rod I6 and cooling chamber I5, a packing assembly is provided comprising sleeve 89, packing collars 86 and 81, packing box .85, gland 89 and a nut member 83 having screw threaded engagement 84 with the top 34 of the cooling chamber l5. From an examination of this construction, it will be-apparent that by rotating the hand nut 83, packing collars 86 and 81 may beclampecl tightly in place, forming tight joints above and below the holes 16 between the walls of the cover 34 and the body 32 on the one hand andthe outer tube 69 on the other hand. It will be understood that by loosening the hand nut 83, the tap rod I6 may be slid lengthwise through'the cooling chamber I5.

Referring now to vFig. 3, the diaphragm device 23 comprises a set of shells 99 and 9| clamping between them a flexible diaphragm 92. Pipe H6 is connected to one side of diaphragm 92 and pipe H1 is connected to the other side. The device 23 operates with a pressure difference on opposite sides of the diaphragm, but they high pressure side alternates. First, the pressure of one side of the diaphragm 92 is higher and then the pressure on the other side is higher, as the cycle proceeds. The diaphragm 92 alternately takes a position substantially against one shell and then against the other shell. In chang ng from one extreme position to the other, the diaphragm 92 displaces a certain volume, which volume may be substantially equal to the volume of the cooling chamber I which, in some cases, may be about a quart.

For controlling the pressure on opposite sides of diaphragm 92, a rotary valve arrangement 22 is provided comprising a casing 95 having a series way valve 63.

than in the tank 2|. When pressurein the system exceeds pressure in the tank 2|, as for example, when a new keg of comparatively warm beer is tapped, check valve II2 prevents the keg pressure from backing up into air tank 2I and from communicating with any other air lines in case other systems according to the invention are operated from the same air tank 2|.

.T-fitting-J I3 communicates with ports 91 and 98 (Fig. 3). T-fitting I I3 is also connected to pipe II4 which is connected to flexible tubing 5, which in turn is connected to branch 65 of two- It will be understood that the piping herein will be generally either of copper or of rubber. For ordinary piping which may remain in fixed position, copper will be generally used and for piping which has to be moved or bent frequently, rubber or flexible composition will be used.

Referring now also to Fig. 3, pipe -I I6 connects port 96 with shell 9I. Pipe I I1 is connected to shell 99 of device 23 and extends to T-fitting I23 which is connected by pipe I-I9 to valve I29. Valve I25 is connected in pipe II1 to control the rate of returning beverage to the keg from cooling chamber I5. Valve I29 is connected to fitting I24. Fitting I24 is connected through flexible tubing -I2'I to branch 66 of two-way valve 63.

. Fitting I24 is also connected by pipe I22 to i'ltting of ports 96, 91, 98', I95 'and I96. Within the casing is a rotor 9.9 having an arcuate port I99 adapted to register alternately with ports I95 and 91. The rotor 99 has an annular groove I9-I continually registering with port 96, this groove being connected to port I99 by groove I92. Rotor indicated by I94 which may be a small electric motor having a speed reduction unit incorporated therewith. The atmosphere port I95 is connected to a variable stop cock I91so as'to control the rate at which air is permitted to discharge. By varying cock I91, the speed at which the beer is withdrawn from the keg-can be controlled.

a connecting, at

The apparatus is connected by suitable piping trol valve H9 and pressure gauge I99 A pipe IIII connects valve II9 with a T-fltting II3. Pipe II I has a check valve l-I2 incorporated therewith 39 on the cooling chamber I5. Pipe '8 connects T-fitting'l23 with port I96.

The refrigerating apparatus is of generally conventional construction. It comprises the usual compressor I3I driven by a suitable motor I32, delivering its compressed gas to a condenser I39, thence throughpipe I26 to expansion valve I21 on. cooling coil 33. The expansion of the refrigerant absorbs heat from the beer within the cooling chamber I5. The warmed expanded gas returns through suction pipe I28 to the compressor I3I.. The compressor I 3I may have a suitable pressure control I29 controlled by the pressure in suction pipe 128 for controlling the electric motor I32. v

The expansion valve I21 may be of a conventional construction having a feeler bulb I33 connectedto the discharge end of coil33. The feeler bulb modifies the pressure regulating action of the expansion valve I21 to keep the coil 33 completelyrefrigerated when the beer is at dispensing temperature.

The temperature of the beer is controlled as follows: As comparatively warm beer enters the cooling chamber I5, it warms the refrigerant within the expansion coil 33, causing the corresponding saturation pressure of the refrigerant to rise above the setting of refrigerator pressure control I29. This starts electric motor I32 operating which causes pump I3I to supply liquid refrigerant under pressure-to expansion valve I21.

predetermined value, the corresponding decrease I in saturation pressure of the refrigerant within the expansion coil operates pressure control I29 to stop the motor I32.

Referring now t9 Figs. 5 and 6, the cooling chamber here illustrated comprises a body I34 having a cooling coil I35 cast therein. Body .I34

may bemade of cast aluminum or any other de-. siredmetal which can be cast'aro-und a cooling coil. The body I34 has a removable top I36 screw threaded to the body I34 at -I43. A gasket I42,

I flat surface of body I34.

;therefore, slowly move to the left.

seats in body I34 and has sealing engagement with the margin of top I36 when it is screwed down into place. Top I36 may be suitably webbed for strength, the webs being indicated by MI.

The cooling chamber is p. .vided with an inner space' I31 and an outer space I39 connected by a spiral chamber I38. The convolutions of the spiral chamber I38 are separated by a spiral rib I40 having a machine fit with the comparatively This cooling chamber is mounted upon the tap rod l6 and has sealing engagement therewith in a manner similar to that described in. connection with Fig. 2. To provide sealing engagement, sealing washers I46 and H1 are provided, separated by a longitudinally movable sleeve I48 having a series of holes I49 communicating with inner space I31. body I34 and upper washer I46 seats in the top I36. A gland I50 operated by hand nut II threaded onto tubular extension I54 clamps the Lower washer I41 seats in the washers I46 and I41 tightly against the inserted tap rod.

The coolingchamber may be supported in any desired way as by the flange I52 from the top' wall of the keg cabinet II. A connection I53 is provided at the top of outer space I39 for connection to a pipe similar to connection 31 in Fig. 2.

It will be understood that the cooling chamber.

above described will be used in a way similar to the cooling chamber shown in Fig. 2.

As the beverage is being withdrawn from the keg, it enters inner space I31, passes through the spiral path I38 to outer space I39; when the beverage is returned to the keg, its movement is reversed. The spiralpath I38 has the advantage of increasing the surface to volume ratio, providing increased surface contact between the beverage and the refrigerated surface of the cooling chambet; the spiral path being of restricted cross section, increases the velocity of flow, thus obtaining better heat transfer.

Operation .Referring now to Figs. 1-4,. the operation of the entire system will now be described. First, the. operation of the system will be considered flowinto the cooling chamber I5.

capacity of the device 23 will correspond to the openings 16 and through the annularspace between tubes 69 and 10 and through openings 13 to the keg by gravity. The rotation of rotary valve 22 is sufficiently slow to give ample time to empty the cooling chamber I5.

To make sure that cooling chamber I5 is completely empty, after communication between ports I00'and 91 is discontinued, equalizer port I03 connects ports I06 and 98 (Fig. 4b) whereby air pressure is directly connected through pipe I I8 to pipe II9 thus, in effect, short circuiting or shunting diaphragm device 23. The application of full air pressure above the surface of the beer in cooling chamber 15 equal to the air pressure on the surface of the beer in the keg insures complete evacuation of the beer from the coolin chamber.

Shortly after communication is discontinued between ports I00 and 91, port I00 communicates with atmosphere port I05. This permits the air pressure within the keg to return a measured portion of beer to the coolingchamber I5. The air in the cooling chamber I5 exhausts through pipes I22 and H9 and pushes diaphragm 92 from the left hand position inFig. 3 to the right. The air on the right side of diaphragm 92 exhausts through pipe II6, port 96, grooves IOI, I02, ports I08 and I05 through variable cock I01. By adjusting cock I01, the rate at which beer is withdrawn from the keg can be controlled, thus minimizing agitation of the beer and preventing foaming. Should any foaming occur, however, the

stone filter 38 at the top of the cooling chamber I5 will.prevent flow of the liquid bubbles while permittingthe air to escape.

As soon as the diaphragm 92 is forced to its farthest right hand position, no more beer can Thus, the

capacity of the cooling chamber I5 and limit the amount of beer which can flow intq cooling g chamber I5; Forexample, a displacement of one after a new keg has been connected in 'forsome time and the operation has reached a stabilized operating cycle. In the drawings, the parts are shown with the beer just-beginning to be returned back into the keg I2 from the cooling chamber I5. The port I00 (Fig.4a) in rotor 99, rotating in the direction of the arrow X, has just begun communicate with port 91 and air from air tank I passes through pipe III, check valve 2, flttin II3, port 91, port I00, grooves I02 and IN, port 96, pipe II6, putting full air pressure on the right side of diaphragm 92 in Fig. 3.

The pressureonthe left side of diaphragm 92 in Fig. 3 will be less than the pressure on the right side as the hydraulic headof the beer above the level of the beer in keg I2 reduces the pressure on the left side. The diaphragm 92 will,

This movement will force the air with which the entire meter 29 has just been filled through pipe' 1, valve I25, fitting I23, pipe II9, yalve I20, fitting I24, pipe I22 into the top of coolingchamber'l5. Since keg I2 is continuously under full air pressure (pipes II 4, H5, valve 63 and annular space quart by the movement of diaphragm 92 will result in the displacement of approximately one guailt5 of beer from thekeg to the cooling cham- The valve rotor 99 has now rotated so that ports I00 and 91 are about to register, this being the position shown in the drawings and at which the description of the cycle was started. All the while the cooling chamber I5 is filling up with beer and emptying its contents, the beer is being subjected to the cooling action of the refrigerator coils 33. g I

The operation of the system 'just after a warm keg is connected will be similar to that above described but with a slight difference. The pressure of the gas above the beer in a newly connected keg may be considerably higher than the pressure in the storage tank. The operation above described will be the same under these circumstances, except that pressure for running the system will be supplied from the keg through pipe I I4, check valve II2 thereby preventing this expressing apparatus. As soon as the excess prese sure within the beer is relieved, check valve II2 opens and air pressure from the storage tank 21 operates the system.

Provision is made to prevent loss of beverage w ile tapping a new keg. To install a new keg, first move valve 63 to the position shown in Fig. 2a and shut valve I20. This connects the top of the cooling chamber I with the top of the keg, insuring the retumof any beer in the cooling chamber to the keg. Then loosen gland nuts 83 and 56. Tap rod I6 may then be removed simply by lifting straight up and pulling it outof the keg. Wing nut 50 is then unloosened and the tap bush 4| is. also removed from the keg I2. Air pressure cannot escape through the tap bush 4| because of the position of valves 63 and I20. The empty keg I2 is then removed from the cabinet I I and storage keg I3 is lined up in the position of keg I2. A new storage keg is placed inthe'position of old storage keg I3.

The tap bush 4| isplaced in the tap plug 43 of the new keg I2 and the tap rod is inserted through the center of cooling chamber I5 after first placing the packing I9 over holes I6. Tap rod I6 is pushed down through packing 55 to push the cork out of ring 43. As soon as the tap rod touches the beer, pressure forces the beer up the tap rod between tubes 69 and I0, but it cannot escape because packing I9 is over holes 16. Keg pressure cannot escape since valve 63 communicates with cooling chamber I5 which is sealed by the position of the tap rod. As the tap rod is pushed down into the keg, packing I9 and its assembly slides upwardly and the tap rod is pushed home quickly until it hits the bottom of the keg at which time the holes I6 line up with the openings in sleeve 88. The hand nuts 83 and 56 are then tightened, valve 63 turned. to the position shown in Fig. 2,valve I20 is opened and the system is ready for operation. Since the keg I2 and cooling chamber l5 are in communication through the two-way valve '63 during tapping, the cycle always starts with cooling chamber I5 empty. I

A certain amount oftime should be allowed for the cooling system to operate on a new keg of 1 beer before dispensing. However, due to the fact that the dispensed brew is drawn from thebottom of the keg and since the cooling action is applied directly to the beer in the bottom of the keg, the beer may be dispensed after the system has been in operation'but for a very few minutes.

The invention has been illustrated as applied to a single unit using a single cabinet holding a single dispensing keg and a single storage keg; A typical job may be said to comprise two units of the type above described, thus comprising two cabinets, four kegs, two cooling chambers, two tap rods, two dispensing faucets, two rotary valves and two diaphragm meters. If desired, however, one refrigerating machine and one compressor and storage tank may be used with a two unit installation. In fact, one refrigerating machine and one compressor and storage tank may be, used with as many keg units as the machines have capacity. Also, instead of using two separate rotary valves for atwo unit installation, both rotary valvesrmay be incorporated in a single rotor and a single stator having two complete sets of ports instead of one set.

now on the market, is considered to be around 40 F. Consequently, the system -must keep the According to best practice, the beer while being stored in readiness for dispensing should be maintained at a temperature of 50 F. or less. The equilibrium pressure of ordinary brews at this temperature is about 20 to 25 lbs- In practice, however, a keg'to be tapped may have a temperature somewhat higher than 50 F. with a correspondingly higher equilibrium pressure.

After the beer is cooled down to 40 F., the pressure above the beer in the keg may not be reduced to corresponding equilibrium pressure, since upon cooling down the carbon dioxide is not reabsorbed with the beverage in quiescent state.

It is for these reasons the check valve I I2 is necessary. This valve prevents backing up of the higher keg pressure into the air tank and insures the utilization of the excess pressure to operate the system since it is desired'to maindinary barrels may be used. The beer may be quickly cooled and dispensed shortly after the new keg is connected. The present system is easy to clean. All parts in which the beer travels are easily accessible for cleaning purposes.

The parts are of simpleconstruction. There is I It is easyto install nothing to get out of order. a new keg. I

Stratified cooling is obtained.- It is possible to control the 'degree of stratification by the speed I the equilibrium pressure of the beer.

.ness of the path between keg and dispensing stratum of beer at the bottom of the keg at. about in the brew and thereby maintain itspalatability.

faucet and the concentric construction of the tap rod insures practically the same temperature of the beverage at the dispensing faucet as in the bottom of the keg.

' The installation of a standby keg in the same insulated cabinet with the dispensing keg keeps the standby keg at storage temperature without requiring special storage rooms or the application of special cooling apparatus to the standby The holes 13 communicating with the transfer tube 6.9 are located a predetermined distance above the hole 14 so as to insure leaving a predetermined amount of beverage in the bottom of the keg which cannot be withdrawn by the cooling system. The holes 14 at the bottom of the tap red are located substantially at the bottom of the keg. This arrangement insures dispensing the beer in the very bottom of the container, preventing this beer from being withdrawn. by the cooling system when it is desired to dispense While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that var-'- ious omissions, substitutions and changes may.

be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of cooling a beverage which comprises ma ntaining a gas pressure on the beverage in a container, applying a reduced pressure to a cooling chamber above the container to transfer .the beverage to said chamber, applying a coolingrmedium to said cooling chamber and then applying a pressure to said chamber at least as high as the pressure in said container to return the beverage to said container:

2. In a beverage cooling system, a transportation container, a cooling device above said container, means for applying gas pressure to said container, means for alternately applying gas pressure and a reduced pressure to said cooling device, whereby said beverage is alternately withdrawn from said container to said cooling device and returned by gravity. from said cooling device to said container.

3. In an arrangement for cooling and dispensing beer and like beverage, a keg or other container for the liquid, a tap rod comprising an outer tube passing through the walls of the container and an inner tube within said outer tubesaid top and bottom walls and having a passage adapted to communicate with the interior of said chamber, said bottom wall having a stumng box, a packing ring in said stufiing box surrounding said tube, a sleeve above said packing ring, a second packing ring above said sleeve, a gland member threaded onto said upper wall for squeezing both said packing rings, said upper packingring providing 'a seal between said upper wall and said tube, said lower packing ring providing a seal between said lower wall and said tube, whereby upon loosening said gland member said tube may be easily slid upwardlythrough said chamber. 5. In a fluid transfer system, a chamber having spaced walls with fluid space therebetween, a tube passing through said spaced walls and having a passage adapted to communicate with the interior of said chamber, one of said walls having a stufling box, a packing ring in said stufdng box surrounding said tube, a sleeve adjacent said packing ring, a second packing ring adjacent said sleeve, a gland member secured to said other wall for squeezing both said packing rings, said packing rings providing seals between saidwalls and said tube, whereby upon loosening said gland member said tube may be e'asilyslid with respect to said chamber.

6. In a heat transfer device, a chamber havin a bottom wall and an annular side wall, a cooling device associated with said chamber, a top wall and an inner annular side wall forming with said first side wall an annular space, said chamber having a central space, a tortuous conduit between the central space and annular space, said central space and said annular space having conduits communicating therewith.

"7. Id a heat transfer device, a chamber comprising a body member having a bottom wall and an annular side wall, a cooling coil embedded in said bottomwall, the upper surface of said boting a spiral conduit between the central space and annular space, a tube passing through said bottom wall and said top wall, said bottom wall having a stufling box, a packing ring in said stuffing box, a sleeve above said packing ring, a second packing ring above said sleeve, and a'second member adjustably secured to said cover whereby to seal the passage of said tube through said top and bottom walls, said annular space having a conduit communicating therewith.

8. The method of cooling and dispensing brew which comprises installing a plurality of brew containers in an insulated cabinet, dispensing brew from one of said containers, applying refrigeration from a cooling system to that container from which brew is dispensed and cooling the brew. in another container by heat flow through its walls into the air in the cabinet and thence into the same cooling system.

9. In a system for controlling the temperature of a beverage, such as beer, a container for the beverage, a dispensing arrangement for dispensing beverage directly from the container, a cooling device, means for transferring beverage from the container to said cooling device and I back to said container, a refrigeration circuit in heat exchange relation with said cooling device having a compressor and a motor drive therefor, said refrigeration circuit having a pressure control on the suction side of said compressor, said control operating to start said compressor motor when said suction pressure is above a predetermined amount corresponding to comparatively warm beverage in said cooling device and to stop ,said motor when said suction pressure falls below a predetermined amount corresponding to comparatively cold beverage in said cooling device. P

10. In a beverage cooling system, a transportation container, means for applying a higher than atmospheric pressure to said container, a

cooling device outside of said container, a power- 1 returned from said cooling device to said container, and a dispensing device for dispensing beverage direct from said container.

11.:In a beverage cooling system, a container for the beverage, a fitting secured to a top wall of said container and communicatingwith the inside of said container, -a tube passing through said top wallinto the containena cooling chamof pressure connected to said fitting, a pipe line connected to said opening for alternately apply-. ing to said cooling chamber pressure at least as high as the pressure insaid container'and pressure less than the pressure in said container, means for controlling fluid flow through said line,

means for controlling fluid flow between said source and said fltting, and means for controlling fluid flow through said conduit.

12. In a beverage cooling system, a container for'the beverage, a fitting secured to a top wall of said container, a tube passing through said fitting into the container, a cooling chamber above said container having an opening above the highest beverage level, means connecting said tube to said cooling chamber, said fitting having a two-way valve communicating with the inside of said container, said valve having two branches, a conduit connecting one of said branches and said opening, a source of pressure connected to the other branch, a pipe line connected to said conduit for alternately applying" to said cooling chamber pressure at least as high as :the pressure in said container and pressure less than the pressure in said container, and a valve between. said line and said conduit.

13. The method of cooling a beverage, such as beer, which comprises constantly repeatedly transferring the beverage from its container to a cooling device and returning the cooled beverage to said container, controlling the amount of refrigeration applied to said cooling device by the temperature of the flowing beverage, and independently dispensing said beverage direct from 'said container.

. under pressure connected to said container for maintaining pressure on the beverage, a valve arrangement connected to said source, a diaphragm device between and connected to said valve arrangement and said cooling chamber, said valve arrangement periodically communicating to'said diaphragm device pressure less than the pressure of said source and pressure at least as greatas the pressure of said source, whereby the beverage flows from said container into said cooling chamber and returns periodically, thus cooling the beverage in the container.

15. In a cooling system for beverages, such as beer and the like, a container for the'beverage;

a tap rod extending through a wall of 'said con-- tainer to the bottom thereof, a cooling chamber eating to said volume limiting device pressure less than the pressure of said source and pressure at least as great as the pressure of said source,-

whereby the beverage flows from said container into said cooling chamber and returns periodically'.

16. In a beverage cooling system, a beverage container from which beverage is dispensed, a

cooling chamber located above the level of the beverage in said container, means for transferring beverage between said beverage container and said cooling chamber, a compressed gas tank,

a check valve connected to said tank, a line connecting said check valve and the top of said container to maintain pressure en the beverage in said container, a diaphragm device connected to the upper part of said cooling chamber, a rotary valve between said check valve and said diaphragm device, said rotary valve having a pressure port connected to said check valve, an atmosphere port, a diaphragm device port connected to said diaphragm device and a by-pass port connected to said chamber, whereby. the

rotor of said control valve connects said dia-,

phragm device port alternately to said pressure port and said atmosphere port, and whereby said rotary valve connects said pressure port and said by-pass port after said pressure port is disconabove said-container, a refrigerating system for a cooling said Lchamber, a conduit connecting said container and said chamber, a dispensing valve on the end of said tap rod, a source of gas under pressure connected to said container for maintaining pressure on the beverage, a valve arnecte'd from the diaphragm device port.

17., In a beverage cooling system, a beverage container from which beverage is dispensed, a

cooling chamber located above the level of the beverage in said container, means for transferring beverage between said container and chamber, a compressed gas tank, a check valve connected to said tank, a line connecting said check valve and the top of said container to maintain pressure on the beverage in said container, a

part of said cooling chamber, a control valve between said check valve and said volumelimiting devicef said control valve having a pressure port connected to said check valve, an atmosphere port, a volume limiting device port connected to said volume limiting device, whereby said control valve connects said volume limiting device port alternately to said pressure port and said atmosphere port.

18. In a beverage cooling system, a transportation container, means for applying a higher than atmospheric pressure to said container, a cooling chamber outside of said container, said cooling chamber being of very small capacity as com-. pared to that of said container, refrigerating devices in heat transfer relation to said chamber, a power driven device for constantly, alternately applying on said cooling chamber a pressure less than the pressure in said container and a pressure at least as high as the pressure in said container, whereby small amounts of said beverage are alternately transferred from said container to said cooling chamber and returned from said cooling chamber to said container.

" AARON WILEY snnawoon.

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