METHOD AND APPARATUS OF DISPENSING CARBONATED DRINK WHICH PREVENTS EXCESSIVE SUPPLY OF CARBON DIOXIDE GAS

Abstract: In a first stage operation of swinging a dispensing cock (4) from an initial position to a predetermined position, a connection valve (10) is opened to introduce carbon dioxide gas (7) from gas tank (30) into barrel (1) while dispensing valve (14) is closed to seal beer (5) without being dispensed. In a second stage operation of swinging the dispensing cock (4) from the predetermined position to a dispensing position which is performed next after the first stage operation, the dispensing valve (14) is opened while the connection valve (10) remains open. Consequently, the beer (5) pressurized by carbon dioxide gas (7) mixed into it is dispensed through a spout (22).

Description: ES^k' P Tl N METHOD AND APPARATUS OF DISPENSING CARBONATED DRINK WHICH PREVENTS EXCESSIVE SUPPLY OF CARBON DIOXIDE GAS Technical Field This invention relates to a method and an apparatus of dispensing carbonated drinks such as beer. Background Art Conventionally, an apparatus wherein a carbonated drink such as beer is filled and preserved in a barrel and dispensed in a suitable quantity from the barrel is used in eating houses and the like. An example of such an apparatus includes, as shown in Fig. 1, a barrel 31, a carbon dioxide gas tank 32 separated from barrel 31. Barrel 31 is connected to carbon dioxide gas tank 32 through hose 35 and a manual valve. When valve 34 is manually opened, carbon dioxide gas can be introduced into barrel 31 from the carbon dioxide gas tank 32. Further, dispenser unit 33 is connected to barrel 31 through hose 35 and beer has always been flown into dispenser unit 33, so that, when cock 36 of dispenser unit 33 is operated, beer flows out through a spout. The aforementioned apparatus has a large- scale construction and is therefore not suitable for use in stores of small areas or for preservation of a small quantity of drink, because it includes carbon dioxide gas tank 32 and dispenser unit 33 which are connected to each other through hose 35. Another barrel is commercially available wherein a small carbon dioxide gas cylinder or carbon dioxide gas cartridge is built integrally and a removable dispenser head is provided. In the barrel, when the dispenser head is attached to the barrel, the carbon dioxide gas cylinder is connected to the barrel (in which beer is filled) through the dispenser head, so that carbon dioxide gas is supplied into the barrel through the head and the beer in the barrel can be dispensed through a spout on the head (hereinafter referred to as "conventional example 1"). A barrel wherein a carbon dioxide gas cartridge cylinder is provided integrally with a beer dispensing apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.337285/96 and is commercially available (hereinafter referred to as "conventional example 2") In the barrel, carbon dioxide gas is supplied into the barrel through a pressurization unit and a tube in such a manner that beer in the barrel is dispensed by the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas . In the conventional example 1, as long as the dispenser head is attached fixedly to the barrel, the carbon dioxide gas cylinder and the beer barrel are always communicated with each other to allow carbon dioxide gas to be introduced into the barrel. Consequently, the beer in the barrel may contain an excessive amount of carbon dioxide gas, worsening the taste of beer, and producing bubbles when it is dispensed, causing a disadvantage that the beer dispensed is full of bubbles. Accordingly, when the apparatus is not used for a long time, the dispenser head must be removed temporarily from the barrel, and then when the apparatus is to be used next time, the dispenser head must be attached to the barrel again, which are cumbersome operations . Meanwhile, in the conventional example 2, since the apparatus includes a carbon dioxide gas opening/closing knob for stopping supply of carbon dioxide gas, it is not necessary to attach the dispensing unit each time the apparatus is used. Instead an operation is required for opening and closing the carbon dioxide gas supply path. The failure of the operation may lead to the same disadvantage as that of the aforementioned conventional example 1. In addition, in both of the conventional examples, when the beer dispensing means (dispenser head) is attached fixedly to the barrel to allow a supply of carbon dioxide gas into the barrel, beer has always reached near the spout of the apparatus. Accordingly, should the dispensing cock be touched and slightly moved by accident, there is fear that beer may be dispensed. Disclosure of Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide method and apparatus of dispensing carbonated drinks which prevent excessive supply of carbon dioxide gas into a drink in a barrel and prevent dispensing in error. According to the present invention, in a first stage operation of the dispensing cock, carbon dioxide gas is introduced into the vessel to pressurize the drink in the vessel and the drink is sealed by the dispensing valve. After that, in a second stage operation of the dispensing cock, the dispensing valve is opened to dispense the pressurized drink through the spout. The dispensing cock is swingably mounted to be able to perform the first and second stage operation. With the method and the apparatus of dispensing carbonated drink, mixture of carbon dioxide gas into the drink can be prevented when the dispensing cock is not operated, the drink suffers neither from worsening of the taste nor excessive production of bubbles caused by excessive supply of carbon dioxide gas. Accordingly, even when the apparatus is not used for a long time, it can be maintained in the same condition as when in use. Further, with the method and the apparatus of dispensing carbonated drink, since the drink is not dispensed by the first stage operation of the dispensing cock, inadvertent dispensing of the drink by slightly moving of the dispensing cock by accident can be prevented. Brief Description of Drawings Fig. 1 is a front view of a conventional apparatus for dispensing a carbonated drink; Fig. 2 is a front view of an apparatus for dispensing a carbonated drink according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing an initial position (non-operation stage) of a dispensing cock; Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing a predetermined position (first operation stage) of the dispensing cock; and Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing a dispensing position (second operation stage) of the dispensing cock. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Referring now to Fig. 2, there is shown an apparatus for dispensing a carbonated drink according to the present invention. The apparatus for dispensing a carbonated drink comprises a barrel (vessel) 1, an attachment 2, and a dispenser head (dispensing means) 3, which are removable from each other. Barrel 1 filled with beer 5 has a cap 6 at an upper portion thereof, on the central portion of with a hole 6a is formed. Provided in hole 6a is a beer valve 8 which is slidable in upward and downward directions and is biased upwardly by spring 29. Similarly provided in hole 6a is a connection valve 10 which is slidable in upward and downward directions and biased upwardly by spring 9. In the state shown in Fig. 3, the outer periphery of beer valve 8 and the inner periphery of connection valve 10 closely contact with each other. Attachment 2 includes a gas tank 30 into which carbon dioxide gas 7 (gas for dispensing the drink from the vessel) is filled, a substantially cylindrical frame 12, a substantially cylindrical movable member 13 disposed in frame 12, and dispensing valve 14 disposed in the movable member 13. Defined between frame 12 and movable member 13 is a gap 15, at upper and lower portions of which seal rings 16a, 16b are disposed. The carbon dioxide gas from gas tank 30 is decompressed by a pressure regulating valve (not shown), and then passes through a communicating tube 11 and a frame 12, and reaches gap 15. Movable member 13 is slidable in upward and downward directions, and its first pressing portion 13a can contact with the top surface of beer valve 8 and its second pressing portion 13b can contact with the top surface of connection valve 10. Dispensing valve 14 has a recess 14a, and is slidable in upward and downward directions and biased upwardly by a spring 17. Gas tank 30 is built in attachment 2 and maybe configured in a detachable manner. In addition, gas tank 30 may be formed of either any type which can be recycled and allows re-filling of gas or the non-returnable cartridge type. In addition to carbon dioxide gas, an inert gas such as nitrogen gas may be used as gas to be filled in gas tank 30. Dispenser head 3 includes a head body 18, a dispensing cock 19, a pressing member 25 and an interlocking member 21. Dispensing cock 19 is swingably mounted on head body 18. Pressing member 25 comes into contact with cam portion 19a on the lower surface of dispensing cock 19 and is slidable in upward and downward directions. Interlocking member 21 is operatively associated with pressing member 19 through a spring 20 and is slidable in upward and downward directions. The lower end of interlocking member 21 contacts with the top surface of movable member 13. A spout 22 is provided at an end portion of head body 18. Passage tube 23 which is communicated with spout 22 is fitted in hole 21a of interlocking member 21 and extends to gap 24 in interlocking member 21. Though the details are omitted, dispenser head 3 is secured to attachment 2, which in turn is secured to barrel 1. The securing may be performed with a method commonly used for a beer barrel or the like, that is, screwing of a spirally threaded portion. Now, a dispensing operation of beer in the present embodiment will be described. First, as shown in Fig. 3, in a state in which dispensing cock 19 is not yet operated and is in its initial position, upwardly and downwardly movable members 8, 10, 13, 14, 19 and 20 are all in their respective upper most positions. Accordingly, barrel 1 filled with beer is sealed up with beer valve 8 which comes into contact closely with the inner periphery of connection valve 10. Further, carbon dioxide gas 7 is sealed in gap 15 between frame 12 and movable member 13 with seal rings 16a, 16b and is therefore not introduced into barrel 1. When dispensing cock 19 is swingable rotated to a predetermined position shown in Fig. 4 (a predetermined position between the initial position and a dispensing position) as a first stage operation of dispensing cock 19, cam portion 19a pushes down pressing member 25, causing a spring to descend interlocking member 21. Consequently, movable member 13 is pushed and moved downwardly by the lower end of interlocking member 21. Further, first pressing portion 13a of movable member 13 pushes down beer valve 8, and second pressing portion 13b pushes down the top surface of connection valve 10. Due to the descendant of movable member 13, concave portion 13c is made to face to lower seal ring 16b supported on frame 12, permitting the carbon dioxide gas to flow downwardly through gap 15. Further, through a gap 26 which is produced when second pressing portion 13b pushes down connection valve 10, carbon dioxide gas 7 is introduced into barrel 1 and dissolves in beer 5. It is to be noted that since upper seal ring 16a is tightly fitted in the outer periphery of movable member 13, no leakage of carbon dioxide gas 7 from between them is occurred. Since first pressing portion 13a and second pressing portion 13b have different heights, beer valve 8 and connection valve 10 differ from each other slightly in the amounts of the downward movements. Consequently, the close contact between valves 8 and 10 is released to produce gap 27. Beer 5 dissolved and pressurized by carbon dioxide gas 7 in the aforementioned manner flows into recess 13d at the lower end of movable member 13, the inside of movable member 13, into recess 14a on dispensing valve 14 and the inside of dispensing valve 14. However, since the outer periphery of dispensing valve 14 is tightly fitted with the inner periphery of movable member projection 13e at the top end of movable member 13, beer 5 is stopped and cannot advance upwardly any more . In this manner, when dispensing cock 19 is in the predetermined position (first operation stage), carbon dioxide gas 7 is introduced into barrel 1 in which beer 5 is filled, and beer 5 is sealed in a condition wherein it comes up to the position of dispensing valve 14. Then, when dispensing cock 19 is swung to its dispensing position shown in Fig. 5 as a second stage operation, cam portion 19a further pushes down pressing member 25. Since passage tube 23 fitted in hole 21a is allowed to move only within slit 18a of head body 18, interlocking member 21 cannot move down any more and spring 20 is therefore compressed. Thereupon, dispensing valve 14 is pushed down by pressing member 25. However, since interlocking member 21 cannot move any more, movable member 13 also can not move, so that gap 28 is produced between the inner periphery of projection 13e of movable member 13 and the outer periphery of dispensing valve 14. Consequently, beer 5 pressurized by carbon dioxide gas 7 flows through gaps 28, 24 into passage tube 23 and then flows out from spout 22, from which it is dispensed into a mug or a like vessel (not shown). The descriptions of construction of movable member 13 and the components below it are omitted because it is similar as in the case wherein dispensing cock 19 is in the predetermined position (first operation stage) . When dispensing cock 19 is in its dispensing position (second operation stage), beer 5 is dispensed from spout 22 while introduction of carbon dioxide gas 7 into barrel 1 is continued in this manner. It is to be noted that the configuration of each valve or any element is not limited to that of the present embodiment and can be modified. For example, if gas tank 30 has such a construction that is it closed when the attachment is removed, either one of the valve structure composed of seal ring 16b and concave portion 13c or connection valve 10 may be omitted. While dispensing cock 19 operates in two successive stages as mentioned above, the user can actually performs the two-stage operations as a single series of operations without being aware of the first operation stage and the second operation stage. If dispensing cock 19 and spout 22 are provided on dispenser head 3 which is removably attached to barrel 1, the apparatus is simplified in construction and easier to handle. Also preservation and handling are simplified when the apparatus is not used. Further, if connection valve 10 and dispensing valve 14 are provided on attachment 2 which is removably attached to barrel 1 and/or dispenser head 3, then the apparatus becomes more easier to handle.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method of dispensing carbonated drink in a vessel from a spout by an operation of a dispensing cock, comprising the steps of: providing said vessel, said spout, said dispensing cock, a gas tank and a dispensing valve; introducing carbon dioxide gas from said gas tank into said vessel to pressurize the drink in said vessel and sealing the drink by means of a dispensing valve without being dispensed; and opening said dispensing valve to dispense the pressurized drink through said spout. 2. An apparatus for dispensing carbonated drink, comprising: a vessel in which drink is filled; a gas tank in which gas for dispensing the drink from said vessel is filled; a dispensing cock which is movable between an initial position and a dispensing position; a connection valve for being opened or closed in conjunction with the operation of said dispensing cock in such a way that said connection valve is closed when said dispensing cock is in the initial position, while said connection valve is opened to introduce the gas from said gas tank into said vessel when said dispensing cock is moved to a predetermined position between the initial position and the dispensing position; and a dispensing valve for being opened and closed due to the operation of said dispensing cock in such a way that said dispensing valve is opened to dispense the drink from said vessel when said dispensing cock moves from the predetermined position to the dispensing position.

Inventors: ISHIBASHI SHURO, ISHII HIDEFUMI, KAWANISHI KATSUOKI, MONNA TETSUYA, UENO YASUMASA, USUI SHINICHI, ISHIBASHI, SHURO, ISHII, HIDEFUMI, KAWANISHI, KATSUOKI, MONNA, TETSUYA, UENO, YASUMASA, USUI, SHINICHI
Applicants: ISHIBASHI IND CO LTD, ISHIBASHI SHURO, ISHII HIDEFUMI, KAWANISHI KATSUOKI, MONNA TETSUYA, SAPPORO BREWERIES, UENO YASUMASA, USUI SHINICHI, ISHIBASHI INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., ISHIBASHI, SHURO, ISHII, HIDEFUMI, KAWANISHI, KATSUOKI, MONNA, TETSUYA, SAPPORO BREWERIES LTD., UENO, YASUMASA, USUI, SHINICHI
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B67D1
IPC codes: B67D1