Abstract:
A method of dispensing a draught beverage which may be alcoholic, for example a lager, and having a water content and a dissolved gas content in which the beverage which may be prior chilled, issues into a glass  2  from a nozzle  3  supplied by beverage supply line  4.  Mechanical shear is induced in the beverage in the glass  2  by rotating paddles  23  of a stirring device  21  driven by a motor  24.  The occurrence of shear can cause nucleation sites to develop in the glass at which sites gas bubbles can form and encourage the formation of ice in the beverage.

Description:
RELATED INVENTIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of patent application serial number 700512 which is the derived from international patent application number PCT/GB99/01551 filed May 14, 1999 and a continuation-in-part of patent application serial number 150463 which is derived from international patent application PCT/GB99/03824) filed Nov. 17, 1999. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention concerns a method for dispensing a draught beverage, more particularly for dispensing a cooled draught beverage, apparatus for use in dispensing the beverage and the dispensed beverage.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention provides a method of dispensing a beverage, said method comprising providing a vessel, cooling the beverage, delivering the beverage into the vessel and transmitting energy into the beverage so as to provide nucleation sites in the beverage where ice forms. The beverage may be cooled prior to being delivered into the vessel, after being delivered into the vessel. The energy may be transmitted into the beverage after it has been delivered into the vessel or while it is being delivered into the vessel, or before it is transmitted into the vessel.  
           [0004]    The energy may be transmitted into the beverage by means of a stirrer, which is preferably driven. Alternatively the energy may be transmitted into the beverage by means of shaking the beverage. Preferably the shaking is arranged to produce mechanical shear in the beverage. Preferably a lid is placed over the vessel to retain the beverage in the vessel during the shaking.  
           [0005]    The energy may be transmitted into the beverage by rotating the vessel. Preferably the vessel is rotated about an axis in a direction which is reversed so as to produce oscillation of the vessel about the axis. Preferably the oscillation is through an angle of from substantially 5 0  to substantially 720 0 . Preferably the vessel is rotated about an axis which is substantially vertical. Preferably the vessel has a central axis and the rotation is about said axis. Alternatively the rotation may be about an axis of rotation which is not coincident with said central axis, in which case said axes are preferably both substantially vertical.  
           [0006]    In one embodiment the vessel is rotated about an axis of rotation and the beverage is delivered into the vessel by means of a nozzle which is located on said axis of rotation. Alternatively the nozzle may be rotated about the axis of rotation with the vessel.  
           [0007]    The energy may be transmitted into the beverage by means of sonic vibration. Preferably said vibration is at ultrasound frequencies. Preferably said vibration has a frequency of at least 20 kHz. Alternatively said vibration may be at audible frequencies.  
           [0008]    Preferably the vibration is transmitted to the vessel via a coupling medium, which may be placed in contact with the base of the vessel.  
           [0009]    Preferably the energy is transmitted into the beverage by means of movement of the vessel which is arranged to produce mechanical shear of the beverage.  
           [0010]    Preferably the beverage includes a water content and the ice forms from said water content. Preferably the beverage contains a dissolved gas content and the transmission of energy into the beverage is arranged to promote the formation of bubbles of said gas in the beverage which form the nucleation sites. Said gas may be carbon dioxide, or nitrogen.  
           [0011]    Preferably the beverage is alcoholic, more preferably selected from the group consisting of beer and cider.  
           [0012]    The energy may be transmitted into the beverage by means of light, for example laser light. Alternatively the energy may be transmitted into the beverage by vibrating the vessel, for example by striking the vessel or by placing the vessel down on a solid surface. Alternatively the energy may be transmitted into the beverage by heating the beverage, for example by means of a heater which is inserted into the beverage.  
           [0013]    The present invention further provides apparatus for dispensing a beverage, the apparatus comprising cooling means for cooling the beverage, a nozzle for delivering the beverage into a vessel and an energy source arranged to transmit energy into the beverage so as to provide nucleation sites in the beverage where ice can form.  
           [0014]    The energy source may comprise a stirrer arranged to transmit the energy into the beverage by stirring the beverage. Preferably the apparatus further comprises driving means for driving the stirrer.  
           [0015]    The energy source may comprise shaking means arranged to transmit the energy into the beverage by means of shaking the beverage. Preferably the shaking is arranged to produce mechanical shear in the beverage. the energy source comprises a stirrer arranged to transmit the energy into the beverage by stirring the beverage. Preferably the apparatus comprises a lid arranged to be placed over the vessel to retain the beverage in the vessel during the shaking.  
           [0016]    The energy source may comprise rotating means arranged to transmit energy into the beverage by rotating the vessel. Preferably the rotating means defines an axis and is arranged to rotate the vessel about the axis in a direction which is reversed so as to produce oscillation of the vessel about the axis. The rotating means may be arranged to rotate the vessel about an axis of rotation which is not coincident with, or which is coincident with, said central axis. Preferably said axes are both substantially vertical. Preferably the rotating means is arranged to rotate the vessel about an axis of rotation and the nozzle is located on said axis of rotation. Alternatively the nozzle may be arranged to rotate about the axis of rotation. Preferably the rotating means is further arranged to rotate the vessel about said central axis.  
           [0017]    The energy source may be arranged to transmit the energy into the beverage by means of sonic vibration. Said vibration is preferably at ultrasound frequencies, more preferably at a frequency of at least 20 kHz. Alternatively said vibration may be at audible frequencies. The apparatus may further comprise a coupling medium arranged to transmit the vibration to the vessel. Preferably the vessel has a base and the coupling medium is arranged to be in contact with the base.  
           [0018]    The energy source may be arranged to transmit the energy into the beverage by means of movement of the vessel which is arranged to produce mechanical shear of the beverage.  
           [0019]    The energy source may comprise a light source arranged to transmit the energy into the beverage by means of light. Preferably the light is laser light. Alternatively the energy source may comprise a vibrator arranged to transmit the energy into the beverage by vibrating the vessel. Alternatively the energy source may comprise a heater arranged to transmit the energy into the beverage by heating the beverage. Preferably the heater is arranged to be inserted into the beverage.  
           [0020]    Attention is drawn to two International patent applications, namely International Application No. PCT/GB99/03824 (published under No. WO 01/36582) and International Application No. PCT/GB99/01551 (published under No.WO 99/60092). Any individual feature or any combination of such features of any beverage disclosed in either of those International applications, and any method or apparatus or part of any method or apparatus disclosed in either of those International applications, may be utilised in the dispense of beverage which is the subject of this current application.  
           [0021]    Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side view of an apparatus according to the second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic side view of an apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic side view of an apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic side view of an apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side view of an apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic side view of an apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0029]    [0029]FIG. 1 shows an apparatus  1  suitable for filling a drinking vessel in the form of a glass  2  with a draught beverage. The apparatus  1  comprises a beverage delivery or dispense nozzle  3  which is connected to a draught beverage supply line  4 . The apparatus further comprises a driven device  5  for shaking the glass  2 . The device  5  comprises an arm  6  which securely holds the base of the glass  2  by means of lip  7 . The device  5  further comprises a lid  8  which defines a channel  9  through which the beverage may flow from the nozzle  3  into the glass  2 . If desired, the channel  9  may be selectively closeable and openable. The lid  8  is provided with a hinge  10  to enable the glass  2  to be inserted into the device  5 . The arm  6  is connected via a link  11  to a motor  12  which is arranged to shake the glass.  
         [0030]    The beverage supply line  6  is connected to a source  13  of draught beverage via a cooler unit  14  which is arranged to supercool the beverage to below the freezing point of water. The beverage contains a dissolved gas content and, in this case, is lager.  
         [0031]    In order to dispense a beverage, the glass  2  is placed on the arm  6 , and the required volume of beverage is dispensed into the glass. The glass is then shaken by the motor  12  in such a manner as to induce mechanical shear in the beverage. The mechanical shear creates nucleation sites wherein the dissolved gas content forms bubbles in the beverage. These bubbles promote the formation of free-floating ice crystals out of the water content of the beverage, which both serve to keep the beverage cool and provide an attractive visual effect.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 2 shows an apparatus  20  according to a second embodiment of the invention suitable for filling the glass  2  with draught beverage using the beverage nozzle  3  connected to the draught beverage supply line  4  as described with reference to FIG. 1. The apparatus  20  further comprises a stirring system  21  for inducing mechanical shear in the beverage. The stirring system  21  comprises a stirring device  22  which is provided with two paddles  23 . The stirring system  21  further comprises a motor  24  which propels the stirring device in such a manner as to stir the beverage in the vessel thereby to induce mechanical shear in the beverage. The mechanical shear has the effect of promoting the formation of bubbles and ice crystals as in the first embodiment.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 3 shows an apparatus  30  according to a third embodiment of the invention suitable for filling the glass  2  with draught beverage using the beverage nozzle  3  connected to the beverage supply line  4  as described with reference to FIG. 1. The apparatus  30  further comprises a platform  31  for having an upper surface  32  on which the base of the glass  2  rests. The platform  31  is provided with a motor  33  which is arranged to cause the platform  31  to oscillate in rotation about an axis  34  which is perpendicular to the surface  32  of the platform  31 . A securing mechanism can be provided to detachably secure the glass  2  to the platform  31 . The oscillation of the platform  31  is arranged to agitate the beverage in the glass  2  and induce mechanical shear in it. If desired, the platform  31  may be provided with a recessed surface in which recess the glass  2  may sit securely.  
         [0034]    The platform  31  may oscillate through any desired angle, for example an angle of oscillation may be in the range of substantially 5° to substantially 720°.  
         [0035]    With reference to FIG. 4 there is shown an apparatus  40  according to a fourth embodiment of the invention suitable for filling the glass  2  with draught beverage using the beverage nozzle  3  connected to the beverage supply line  4  as described with reference to FIG. 1. The apparatus  40  further comprises a font  41  which includes an arm  42  which supports a platform  43  on which the glass rests. The font  41  further comprises the beverage nozzle  3  which is supported over the platform  43 . The arm  42  and nozzle  3  are supported on a support pillar  45  which is connected to a drive motor  44 . The drive motor  44  rotates the entire font  41  about a vertical axis A-A′ such that the platform  42  and the nozzle  3  rotate about the same axis A-A 1 . A securing mechanism can be provided to detachably secure the glass  2  to the platform  42 . The rotation of the platform  43  is transmitted to the beverage in the vessel, causing agitation and rotation thereof, and can induce mechanical shear in the beverage in the glass  2 . If desired, the driving means  44  may be arranged to be above the glass  2 . Also platform  42  may be arranged to rotate about a central vertical axis B-B′ thereof parallel to axis A-A′.  
         [0036]    The rotation of the font  41  and of the platform  43  can be continuous, or they can be oscillatory as described above with reference to FIG. 3.  
         [0037]    Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown an apparatus  50  according to a fifth embodiment of the invention suitable for filling the glass  2  with draught beverage using the beverage nozzle  3  connected to the draught beverage supply line  4  described above with reference to FIG. 1. The apparatus  50  further comprises a rotatable platform  51  which supports the glass  2 . Platform  51  comprises a lip  52  which forms a recess  53  in which water  56  is present. Platform  51  is rotated by means of a motor  54 . The platform  51  is further provided with an ultrasound generator  55 . The water  56  in recess  53  provides an ultrasound coupling to the glass  2 .  
         [0038]    In use the beverage is dispensed into the glass  2  while the platform  51  is rotated. Then after the beverage has been dispensed and while the platform is still rotating, the ultrasound generator  55  is activated and ultrasound vibrations are transmitted up through the platform  51  and the water  56  into the glass and from there into the beverage. The rotation of the platform  51  (which may be about a central vertical axis thereof) together with the effect of the ultrasound on the beverage in the glass  2  can induce mechanical shear in the beverage.  
         [0039]    If desired, recess  53  may contain a gel instead of water. Also motor  52  need not be arranged so that the axis of rotation of the platform  51  is coincident with the centre of the glass  2 .  
         [0040]    Whilst the ultrasound generator  55  may emit ultrasound at any desired frequency, preferably it is at least substantially 20 kHz.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 6 shows an apparatus  60  according to a sixth embodiment of the invention, suitable for filling a drinking vessel or glass  62  with a draught beverage. The apparatus  60  possesses a beverage nozzle  63  which is connected to a draught beverage supply line  64  similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 1. The apparatus is also provided with a laser light source  65  which is connected to a power supply  66 . The light from light source  65  transmits laser light which irradiates the beverage in the glass  62  both while it is being dispensed and after it has been dispensed, and promotes nucleation within that beverage.  
         [0042]    The light source  65  need not be provided vertically above the glass  62  but may optionally be provided at one side or below.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 8 shows an apparatus  120  according to a eighth embodiment of the invention, suitable for filling a drinking vessel or glass  122  with a draught beverage. The apparatus  120  comprises a beverage nozzle  123  which is connected to a beverage supply line  124  similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 1. The apparatus further comprises sound generation means  125  which is connected to a power supply  126  and comprises a loudspeaker  127  arranged to transmit sound downwards into the beverage. The sound is at the high end of the audible frequency range. The beverage is cooled to a desired temperature just before it issues from the nozzle  123 .  
         [0044]    If desired the sound generation means  125  can be deployed at the side of the glass  122  or below it.  
         [0045]    Subjecting the beverage to audible sound encourages gas bubbles to appear in the beverage in the vessel  122  and provide nucleation sites encouraging formation of ice at the sites in the beverage in the vessel.