Beverage dispenser

• US 7,478,737 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2003
• Issued: 01/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Enomatic S.r.l.
• Original Assignee: Enomatic S.r.l.
• Inventors: Bencista′, Lorenzo, Torri, Guido, Gosi, Riccardo, Degl'lnnocenti, Marco
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US10/511,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20050150549A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,113 Days
• Field of Search: 222/400.7, 222129-1294, 222/152, 222/394, 222/399, 222/23, 222 25- 28, 222/30, 222 36- 39, 222/1, 222/148, 251/129.01, 251/129.04, 251/129.15, 251/129.16, 141 89- 91
• US Class Current: 222/148
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/04 Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0098 using a gas
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3115 Gas pressure storage over or displacement of liquid

Abstract

An apparatus allowing the automatic drawing out of beverages from bottles (wherein the bottles are kept in their vertical position) comprising a drawing tap (12) which permits the entering of the gas in the bottle, the drawing of the liquid and the cleaning of the spout channel (19) and allows an easy and hygienic substitution of the empty bottles.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the automatic drawing out of liquids from a bottle, by applying an inert gas to the liquid, wherein the bottle is kept in a vertical position, the apparatus comprising a housing body (10), lifting means (11) within said housing body, and a drawing tap (12), said drawing tap including:

a drawing tap body (14);

a first channel (16) connected to an inert gas circuit for receiving inert gas and for directing said gas into said bottle;

a second channel (17) for receiving said drawn liquid, said second channel having a first side and a second side;

a pipe (18) connected to said second channel at said first side for directing said drawn liquid from said bottle to said second channel;

a spout (19) connected to said second channel at said second side;

a chamber (20) into which said second channel (17) enters;

an electric valve (14) having a piston for selectively closing said chamber; and

a third channel (21) also connected to said inert gas circuit and connected to said second channel for receiving inert gas for cleaning at least said spout when said chamber is closed.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the drawing tap (12) includes a tap element (15) having a conical mouth (15′

).

3. Apparatus of claim 2 wherein the tap element (15) is connected to the body (13) by a chamber (22).

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the tap element (15) is free to move up and down in the chamber (22).

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein in the chamber (22) is present a spring (23) which pushes the tap element (15) downwards.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the channel (16) has an end which enters into the chamber (22) and which is selectively closed at said end by a needle valve (25).

7. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein operation of said apparatus is controlled by software.

8. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein activation of the apparatus is performed by introducing a magnetic or chip card in a suitable inlet thereof.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the housing body of the apparatus includes liquid crystal or luminous led-display showing the amount due for each draught.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the body (10) houses more then one bottle.

11. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said third channel (21) receives inert gas for further cleaning a portion of said second channel (17).