Abstract:
An assembly for dispensing a beverage from a beverage container includes a cooling chamber containing a pressure chamber configured to accommodate the container and having a lid with a lid opening. The assembly further includes a dispensing tower and a dispensing line channel extending between a lower opening in the cooling chamber and an upper end in the tower. The lid opening is alignable with the lower opening of the channel so that the lid opening provides a guiding element for the passage of a dispensing line between the pressure chamber and the tower through the channel. A method of guiding the dispensing line includes opening the lid of the pressure chamber; aligning the lid opening with the lower opening of the channel: and guiding the dispensing line so that it extends through the lid opening and the channel.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a method for guiding a dispensing line through a dispensing line channel in an assembly for dispensing beverage. The invention also relates to an assembly adapted for guiding a dispensing line through a dispensing line channel. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In the art of beverage dispensing devices, techniques have evolved over the years in methods for connecting equipment, such as pressurized chambers via beverage dispensing lines through dispensing line channels to dispensing taps. The techniques involve lifting and maneuvering of heavy and bulky beverage containers and managing of parts such as lids, dispensing lines and empty containers. Recently a new kind of dispensing assembly has been introduced, some of these assemblies comprising exchangeable dispensing lines which are replaced together with the replacement of beverage container. A dispensing line connects a beverage container with a dispensing tap and is generally led through a protective shielding such as a dispensing line channel. 
         [0003]    When replacing a beverage container in a pressure chamber the process includes disconnection and removal of a used dispensing line as well as connection of a new dispensing line. The procedure further involves the introduction and leading of the dispensing line through a dispensing line channel and the connection of the dispensing line with a dispensing tap and the new beverage container. 
         [0004]    The methods used today are afflicted with installing difficulties as well as problems with cleanliness and hygiene. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, the job is often carried out in environments where stress and hastiness contribute to making errors, sometimes costly, sometimes influencing the quality of the beverage when served to customers. 
         [0006]    More specifically, the process of introducing a dispensing line into a dispensing line channel and connecting the dispensing line to a dispensing tap and a beverage container is associated with a number of drawbacks. For instance, the dispensing line is difficult to introduce in the openings of a dispensing line channel. The process of finding the entrance for the dispensing line to be guided through is further complicated by the frequently poor lighting conditions in the environments of bars and the like. Furthermore, due to the number of items to maneuver with the dispensing line easily becomes squeezed or clamped between the lid and the walls of the pressure chamber. Furthermore, after the lid has been separated from the pressure chamber it is put away and easily forgotten when assembling the system. Furthermore, the separation of the lid may cause it to end up on the floor or elsewhere where it is exposed to contamination. Furthermore, the number of loose items to manage in the process increases the risk also for the dispensing line or other parts ending up in contaminated areas. Hence, there is a need for the provision of a solution to the above stated shortcomings of the techniques used today. 
         [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to overcome drawbacks of prior art solutions, and to provide a flexible dispensing assembly which is easy to use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    According to the present invention there is provided a method for guiding a dispensing line through a dispensing line channel in an assembly for dispensing beverage. The dispensing line channel has a first end in a tower and a second end arranged in connection with a cooling chamber. The cooling chamber comprises a pressure chamber having a lid with an opening for the dispensing line. The pressure chamber is further adapted during operation to accommodate a beverage container. The method comprises the steps of: 
         [0009]    opening the lid of the pressure chamber, 
         [0010]    aligning the opening of the lid with the opening of the second end of the dispensing line channel, and 
         [0011]    guiding a dispensing line through the opening of the lid and the second end of the dispensing line channel, further through said channel and out of said first end of said channel or the reverse direction. 
         [0012]    By this procedure the dispensing line only needs guiding through one opening, namely that of the lid. 
         [0013]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the method may further comprise one or more of the following steps: 
         [0014]    loading a beverage container into the pressure chamber, 
         [0015]    leading the lid from the pressure chamber along a dispensing line set up for operation in the assembly to the opening of the second end of the dispensing line channel, 
         [0016]    attaching the lid to the second end of the dispensing line channel by having connection between complementary connecting means on said lid and said second end of the dispensing line channel, 
         [0017]    leading the lid from the alignment with the second end of the dispensing line channel along the dispensing line to the pressure chamber, closing the pressure chamber, and/or 
         [0018]    removal of a dispensing line from the dispensing line channel and/or the beverage container from the pressure chamber. 
         [0019]    Attaching the lid to the end of the dispensing line channel ending in the cooling chamber provides a natural, intermediate storage and there is no risk of forgetting to guide the dispensing line through the opening of the lid. The process of guiding the dispensing line is thus made comfortable and hassle-free with ergonomic operating positions, especially due to an elevation of the dispensing line channel above the floor. Furthermore, the risk of contamination is considerably reduced by this enhanced process. There are fewer loose parts to manage and maneuver with and the convenient multi-purpose position for the lid is at a safe distance away from contaminated environments such as a bar counter or a floor. 
         [0020]    In a further embodiment of the invention, the lid is detachable from or pivotally attached to the pressure chamber. 
         [0021]    Preferably, the connecting means are arranged for coaxial alignment of the opening of the lid with the second end of the dispensing line channel. A well-defined coaxial alignment together with correspondingly shaped and aligned cross sections of the openings in the lid and the dispensing line channel provide a connection with a smooth junction for the dispensing line to pass. 
         [0022]    According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly for dispensing beverage comprising 
         [0023]    a pressure chamber having a lid, 
         [0024]    said lid comprising an opening for a dispensing line; 
         [0025]    a dispensing line channel having a first end in a tower and a second end arranged in connection with a cooling chamber, and 
         [0026]    said pressure chamber further being adapted during operation to accommodate a beverage container, wherein the assembly comprises means for aligning the opening of the lid with the opening of the second end of the dispensing line channel so that the opening of the lid can be used as a guiding element for the dispensing line. 
         [0027]    Preferably, according to the second aspect of the invention the opening of the lid of the pressure chamber is essentially centered. 
         [0028]    The assembly according to the second aspect of the invention may comprise a lid, which is detachable from or pivotally attached to the pressure chamber. By having the lid connected to the pressure chamber in its open state, such as by hinge means, the number of individual elements to handle is restricted and as a result, the process of replacing a beverage container is thus improved. 
         [0029]    The lid and the second end of the dispensing line channel in the assembly according to the second aspect of the invention may further comprise connection means that are complementary to each other and adapted to attaching the lid to the second end of the dispensing line channel. 
         [0030]    Preferably, according to the second aspect of the invention the connection means are arranged for coaxial alignment of the opening of the lid with the second end of the dispensing line channel. 
         [0031]    The connection means of the lid and the second end of the dispensing line channel according to the second aspect of the invention may further comprise a threaded socket, snap connection, a catch, a bayonet coupling, a hook, a jig or any combination thereof. 
         [0032]    According to the invention, the lid may further comprise guiding means for guiding a beverage container into position in said pressure chamber during operation. Preferably, the opening is arranged in the guiding means and the guiding means is floating suspended. The term “floating suspended” is in this context to be construed as having the guiding means movable in a lateral and axial direction, preferably so as to enable various angular directions of the guiding means in relation to the lid. The axial direction being along the longitudinal elongation of the pressure chamber and the lateral direction in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The degree of maneuvering freedom of the guiding means may further be restricted to pre-determined distances. 
         [0033]    The guiding means provides an expedient way to secure that any misalignment, which may exist between the opening of the lid when the lid is placed and locked on the pressure chamber and the dispensing line is overcome. Thus, it is also avoided that the dispensing line will be squeezed or get caught between the lid and the beverage container. 
         [0034]    The lid in the assembly according to the second aspect of the invention may be made of a material such as metal, plastic, carbon fibre or the like. 
         [0035]    Additionally, the lid according to the second aspect of the invention may further comprise a handle. 
         [0036]    Furthermore, the lid according to the second aspect of the invention may comprise elements arranged to guide the dispensing line upon entry into the opening of the lid, such as a funnel-like portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0037]    The invention and its many advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which for the purpose of illustration show some non-limiting embodiments and in which 
           [0038]      FIG. 1  schematically depicts an assembly according to the invention in a front view; 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  depicts the assembly of  FIG. 1  in a sectional top view; 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  depicts the pressure chamber in a first, operating position a) and a second loading position b); 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  depicts a front view of the cooling chamber; 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  depicts a pressure meter and pressure release valve in connection with the pressure chamber; 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  depicts the lid of the pressure chamber; 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  depicts the removal of the lid from the pressure chamber; 
           [0045]      FIG. 8  depicts the connection of the lid with the dispensing line channel; 
           [0046]      FIG. 9  depicts the release of the dispensing line at the tower; 
           [0047]      FIG. 10  depicts the retracting of a dispensing line a) and the removal of an empty beverage container b); 
           [0048]      FIG. 11   a ) and  b ) depicts the loading of a beverage container; 
           [0049]      FIG. 11   c ) and  d ) illustrates the connection of a dispensing line according to one embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0050]      FIG. 12   a ) to  e ) illustrates a preferred way of securing the lid on the pressure chamber and the remaining steps of loading of the pressure chamber. 
           [0051]      FIG. 13  illustrates a box containing a beverage container; 
           [0052]      FIG. 14  depicts the opening of the box with a tear string; 
           [0053]      FIG. 15  depicts the removal of a top section of the box; 
           [0054]      FIG. 16  depicts the inserting of the bottom part of the box with the beverage container into the cooling chamber; and 
           [0055]      FIG. 17  depicts a cross section of the lid of the pressure chamber. 
       
    
    
       [0056]    All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, and they show only parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0057]    Throughout this description, the preferred embodiments and examples shown should be considered as examples, rather than as limitations on the present invention. 
         [0058]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of a dispensing assembly  1  comprising a cooling chamber  2 , a cooling system  3 , a pressure chamber  4 , a pressure chamber lid  5  having a handle  6 , a dispensing line channel  7  with an opening  8  and connection means  9  for connection with the lid  5 , a tower  10 , whereupon a dispensing tap  11  with a tap actuator  12  is arranged. The pressure container is adapted to hold a beverage container  14  (not shown). The placement of the tower  10  may be flexible in relation to the rest of the dispensing assembly  1 , and may very well differ from what is shown in  FIG. 1 . For instance, the tower  10  may be placed on top of a bar desk with the rest of the dispensing assembly  1  being below the bar desk or even in another room. 
         [0059]      FIG. 2  shows a cross sectional top view of the dispensing assembly  1  shown in  FIG. 1  with the pressure chamber  4  and a beverage container  14  in the cooling chamber  2 .  FIG. 2  further shows the cooling system  3  and the connection means  9  of the dispensing line channel  7 . Other configurations can be implemented and it is not a requirement for the system to have a container  14  on precooling in the cooling compartment, neither is it a requirement to have a section for pre-cooling at all. Furthermore, no restriction is made to the number of precooling containers  14  the system may comprise at any given time. 
         [0060]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of the pressure chamber  4  with lid  5 , a beverage container  14  and hinge means  15 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention the hinge means  15  comprise a spring lifting mechanism with springs  16 . 
         [0061]      FIGS. 4 to 12  shows an embodiment of the invention wherein replacement of an empty beverage container  14  is carried out. More specifically,  FIGS. 4 to 10  shows the sequence of steps carried out to remove a used beverage container  14  from the dispensing assembly  1  and  FIGS. 11 and 12  shows the loading and installing of a new beverage container  14 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 4   a  shows the removal of a beverage container  14  from a pre-cooling position to allow access to the pressure chamber  4 .  FIG. 4   b  indicates the bringing of the pressure chamber  4  from a vertical operating position to a horizontal loading position by gripping the handle  6  and lifting outwards and upwards defining a slowly rotating motion. The hinge means  15  in  FIG. 3  ensures steady and easy lifting. The configuration ensures comfortable and easy access to the pressure chamber  4  when replacing a beverage container  14 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 5  shows a pressure gauge indicating states of pressure and no pressure present in the pressure system.  FIG. 5  further shows the release of air through a pressure valve on the lid  5  of the pressure chamber  4 . The pressure system is controlled automatically, however, for safety and monitoring reasons it is provided a pressure gauge as shown in  FIG. 5  in connection with the pressure container. If there is still a pressure in the system manual release can be carried out by opening of the safety valve as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 6  shows the lid  5  of the pressure chamber  4  and illustrates the application of a slight pressure to the lid  5  to release the beverage container  14  (not shown) inside the pressure container from the lid  5 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 7  shows the lid  5  of the pressure chamber  4  and illustrates the unlocking and releasing of the lid  5  from the pressure chamber  4 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention the lid  5  is rotated counter clockwise 360 degrees. 
         [0066]      FIG. 8  shows the cooling chamber  2 , pressure chamber  4  with a used beverage container  14  inside, the dispensing line channel  7 , the lid  5  and a dispensing line  18 . The lid  5  has been detached from the pressure container and is led along the dispensing line  18  to the opening  8  of the dispensing line channel  7  where the opening  19  of the lid  5  is aligned to the opening  8  of the dispensing line channel  7 . A slight pressure applied to the lid  5  activates a snap connection attaching the lid  5  to the dispensing line channel  7 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 9  shows a view of the tower  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  with a dispensing tap  11  with a tap actuator  12  and a dispensing line  18  where the dispensing line  18  is released from the dispensing tap  11  on the tower  10 . 
         [0068]    In  FIG. 10   a  it is shown how the dispensing line  18  is retracted from the dispensing line channel  7  by gently pulling it out through the opening  19  of the lid  5 .  FIG. 10   b  then illustrates how the used beverage container  14  easily is removed from the pressure container. 
         [0069]      FIG. 11   a  shows the release of a container  14 , preferably a pre-cooled one, from its transport packaging. The container  14  is then inserted into the pressure chamber  4  as shown in  FIG. 11   b.  In  FIG. 11   c  the dispensing line  18  according to the invention is guided through the lid  5  and further through the dispensing line channel  7 . The dispensing line  18  emerges from the dispensing tap  11  and is locked into a dispensing position as shown in  FIG. 11   d.    
         [0070]    Correspondingly to  FIG. 8  the lid  5  is led from the alignment with the end of the dispensing line channel  7  along the dispensing line  18  to the pressure chamber  4 , closing the pressure chamber  4 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 12   a  illustrates the locking of the lid  5  to the pressure chamber  4  which, according to a preferred embodiment is carried out by turning the lid  5  clock wise 360 degrees. After proper locking of the lid  5  is confirmed as shown in  FIG. 12   b,  the pressure container is brought into position for operation, as shown in  FIG. 12   c.  To prevent clamping or squeezing, the dispensing line  18  is attached, preferably to the connection means  9  of the dispensing line channel  7  as shown in  FIG. 12   d.  A new container  14  is inserted in the cooling chamber  2  for pre-cooling as shown in  FIG. 12   e.  Finally, the door to the cooling chamber  2  is closed and the dispensing assembly  1  will be ready for use in a few minutes after the correct operating pressure has been obtained. 
         [0072]      FIG. 13-16  shows a sequence of unwrapping and introducing a new beverage container  14  in the pre-cooling section of the cooling chamber  2 .  FIG. 13  shows a protective box containing a beverage container  14 . The box may be made of a material such as cardboard and it may further comprise handles as illustrated in  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 14  shows how the box is conveniently opened by pulling a tearing string encircling the box. Thereby, the top part of the box is detached from the bottom part, lifted and removed, as depicted in  FIG. 15 . Hence, the top part of the beverage container  14  is revealed, thereby reducing isolating effects as well as making a subsequent loading of the beverage container  14  quicker and easier.  FIG. 16  illustrates how the beverage container  14  is introduced in the pre-cooling section of the cooling chamber  2 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 17  shows a cross sectional view of the lid  5  of the pressure chamber  4  depicting guiding means  21  for guiding a beverage container  14  (not shown) into position in the pressure chamber  4  during operation. An opening  22  is arranged in the guiding means  21  for allowing floating suspension of the connecting means  17  for attaching the lid  5  to the second end of a dispensing line channel  7  (not shown) as well as for facilitating release of the beverage container from the lid after operation. 
         [0074]    According to an alternative embodiment of the invention the dispensing line  18  is separated from the system and thereby has both of its ends free, allowing for free selection of the order in which the dispensing line  18  is connected to the dispensing tap  11  and beverage container  14  and guided through the lid  5  and the dispensing line channel  7 . For instance, it could be that the dispensing line  18  is guided from the dispensing tap  11 , through the dispensing line channel  7 , through the opening  19  of the lid  5  and to the beverage container  14  placed in the pressure chamber  4 . 
         [0075]    In a further embodiment of the invention, the dispensing line  18  remains connected to the dispensing tap  11  and the dispensing line  18  is detached from the beverage container  14  only. 
         [0076]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the lid  5  and the pressure chamber  4  are connected with hinge means  15 . The hinge means  15  are thus so arranged as to provide automatic alignment of the opening  19  of the lid  5  with the opening  8  of the dispensing line channel  7  ending in the cooling chamber  2  when the lid  5  is in its open position during replacing of a beverage container  14 . 
         [0077]    The connecting elements of the lid  5  and the end of the dispensing line channel  7  ending in the cooling chamber  2  may comprise connection means  9  such as a bushing mechanism, a bayonet coupling, a hook, a jig, an o-ring, a hitch, hook or clutch or any combination thereof. Even though the methods and assembly  1  as well as the drawings disclose a valve connected to the outlet end of the dispensing line  18  and that said valve is replaced with the dispensing line  18  it is within the inventive idea that the valve also may be a separate valve which is not replaced at the same time as the dispensing line  18 . Thus, the outlet end of the dispensing line  18  and the valve may comprise complementary connection means  9 , which easily may be separated. 
         [0078]    Furthermore, the outlet end of the dispensing line (as well as the inlet end if not mounted in the beverage container  14 ) may comprise a cap, hood or cover which easily may be removed after the guiding through the assembly  1  and just before the dispensing line  18  is mounted in the valve and beverage container  14 , respectively. Hereby, it is obtained that the interior of the dispensing line  18  is kept clean and it is thereby avoided that the part, which come in contact with the beverage, is contaminated. 
         [0079]    The valve (if placed at the dispensing line  18  before the guiding through the assembly  1 ) may also comprise a cap, hood or cover for the same reasons as mentioned above. 
         [0080]    Although the invention above has been described in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by the following claims.