Abstract:
A drinks dispensing device ( 1, 25 ) is provided with a cooling chamber and a tap head for receiving a shut-off valve ( 32 ) of a drinks container which has been positioned in the cooling chamber. The tap head comprises a displacement member ( 45 ) and a seat ( 42 ) which is connected thereto. A handle ( 33 ) is removably connected to the seat and can be removed therefrom. Without the handle ( 33 ), it is difficult or impossible for the displacement member ( 45 ) to be moved by a user by hand, and consequently the drinks dispensing device cannot be operated by children. It is also possible for the user to exchange the handle for a handle of a specific appearance which matches the interior or is distributed by the producer of the drink which is to be dispensed in the event of promotional activities.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a drinks dispensing device provided with a cooling chamber having a wall, and on one side an opening for receiving a drinks container, a shut-off valve, which is hingedly connected to the wall, for the purpose of shutting off the opening, and a tap head, which is connected to the wall and is used to receive a shut-off valve of a drinks container which has been positioned in the cooling chamber, the tap head comprising a displacement member, a seat connected to the displacement member and a handle connected to the seat. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
   A drinks dispensing device of this type is known from PCT/NL99/00454. The known dispensing device comprises a cooling chamber in which packaging containing carbonated drink, such as beer, can be placed. The packaging containing carbonated drink comprises an outer container made from plastic and an inner, flexible bag which contains the carbonated drink. The flexible bag is connected, via a filing and dispensing head, to the neck of the outer container. The dispensing head is provided with a first, relatively wide filling passage, to which a filling head of a filling line can be connected for the purpose of filling the flexible bag. After the bag has been filled and the filling head of the filling line has been detached, the filling passage of the filling and dispensing head is closed by means of a spring-loaded valve. A second, relatively narrow dispensing channel of the filling and dispensing head is connected to a flexible hose which extends at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the container. Before the container is positioned in the cooling chamber of the drinks dispensing device, the dispensing passage is likewise closed off by means of a spring-loaded valve. A plastic outlet part which is provided with a guard bearing a brand name is attached at right angles to the end of the flexible hose, which outlet part can be positioned in a receiving part of the dispensing head of the drinks dispensing device. The dispensing head comprises two pivotable parts, which delimit a through-passage for the flexible line, and a shut-off valve connected to a tap handle. The shut-off valve comprises a spring-loaded valve mechanism which, through actuation of the tap handle, can squeeze shut the flexible hose in the through-passage and can also open this hose. 
   After the flexible hose has been positioned in the through-passage, the dispensing head is closed and the tap handle is placed in the closed position. It is then possible to close a cover of the dispensing device and pressure means, such as a compressor, can be connected to the container for supplying a pressurized medium to the space between the wall of the outermost container and the flexible bag. When the cover of the pressure chamber of the dispensing device is closed, the dispensing passage of the filling and dispensing head is opened, so that the contents of the flexible bag are forced into the flexible hose. Opening the tap handle opens the flexible hose so that it adopts its free, undeformed cross section, and the carbonated drink is dispensed from the dispensing head under pressure. The known dispensing device is also provided with a cooler, such as a Peltier element, for cooling the drink. 
   The known drinks dispensing device is intended to be positioned at an accessible location for the user so that the drink in a fitted drinks container, such as for example beer, can be kept under pressure for a period of a number of weeks at a cooled, drinkable temperature. It is in many cases desirable for the contents of the drinks dispensing device only to be accessible to some members of a family and, if the drinks container contains beer or another drink which is unsuitable for consumption by minors, for it to be easy to prevent the device from operating. 
   Furthermore, it is desirable for it to be easy to adapt the dispensing device according to the content of the dispensed drink, so that it is clear to a user what the drinks dispensing device contains. 
   A further requirement imposed on the drinks dispensing device is that its appearance can easily be adapted to the wishes of the user and for it to be possible for this appearance to be adapted to the interior of the environment in which it is used. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   For this purpose, the drinks dispensing device according to the invention is characterized in that the handle can be removed from the seat by a user, it being impossible for a user to move the displacement member without a handle. 
   After the handle has been removed from the seat, the displacement member can no longer be moved by hand, or at least not without considerable effort, so that the drinks dispensing device is deactivated for young people, in particular children. This provides a very simple and effective childlock. 
   Furthermore, the fact that the handle can be removed means that it can be exchanged for a handle with a different appearance but with the same type of connecting member, so that the drinks dispensing device can be provided with a handle which corresponds to the contents. This makes it possible to use different types of beer with a matching handle, different types of soft drinks with a matching handle, etc., so that it will immediately be clear to the user what type of drink will be dispensed. 
   It is also possible for the handles to be of various designs and styles, for example to have a chromium-plated grip and Bakelite bottom, completely chromium-plated, with a handle designed as a golf ball and other specialized designs of this type. 
   According to one embodiment, the handle is provided with a connecting member which, in the vicinity of or below the surface of the seat, on the latter. The seat may, for example, have a cylindrical bore in which the handle is secured by means of a screwthread, bayonet fitting or spring pawl. It is also possible for the seat to comprise a pin of the displacement member, with a cavity lying transversely with respect to the pin, the handle being provided with a grip, a widened holding part and a connecting part which lies transversely with respect to the grip and is secured in the cavity in the pin. 
   The connecting member of the handle is preferably designed in such a manner that it can be removed and fitted by the user without having to use a tool. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     One embodiment of a drinks dispensing device according to the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the appended drawing, in which: 
       FIG. 1  shows a longitudinal section through a drinks dispensing assembly for use at the consumer&#39;s home; 
       FIG. 2  shows a longitudinal section through an embodiment of a drinks dispensing assembly which is suitable for use at small-scale catering establishments; 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show cross sections through the dispensing head of the drinks dispensing device according to the invention; 
       FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of the dispensing head shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show an exploded perspective view and an assembled perspective view, respectively, of a further embodiment of a drinks dispensing head; and 
       FIG. 8  shows a releasable handle which can be attached by means of a screwthread. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     FIG. 1  shows a drinks dispensing assembly  1  provided with a dispensing device  2  which has a cooling chamber  3  which can be closed off by a cover  4 . A package  5  of carbonated drink is positioned in the cooling chamber  3 . In the embodiments described below, the carbonated drink is beer, which is accommodated in a flexible bag  6  of the packaging  5  at a superatmospheric pressure of between 0 and 3 bar, for example 1 to 1.5 bar (the equilibrium pressure of CO 2  above beer). However, the packaging may also contain other carbonated drinks, such as soft drinks, at pressures which generally lie between 0 and 5 bar superatmospheric pressure. 
   The flexible bag  6  is accommodated in an outer rigid container  7  of the packaging  5  and, in the vicinity of a neck, is attached in a sealed manner to a flat lip  9  of a filling and dispensing head  10 . The filling and dispensing head  10  comprises an air passage  11  which can be connected to a pressure line  12  in the cover  4 , which pressure line is connected to a compressor  13 . As an alternative to a compressor, it is also possible to use another form of pressure means, such as a precompressed gas, for example compressed air or pressurized CO 2  which is supplied from a separate cylinder. When the cover  4  is closed, a spring-loaded valve  14  of the filling and dispensing head  10  is displaced downwards, so that an outlet opening  15  is opened and an air passage in the head  10  leading to the space  16  between the flexible bag  6  and the rigid container  7  is opened, which air passage is in communication with the pressure line  12 . 
   A flexible dispensing line  17  is connected to the filling and dispensing head  10 , and, when the packaging  5  is placed in the cooling chamber  3 , is connected to a dispensing head  18 . The dispensing line  17  comprises, in the vicinity of an outlet end, a shut-off valve  19 , which is positioned releasably in the dispensing head  18  and which has a normally closed position. When the packaging  5  is placed in the dispensing device  2  and the cover  4  is closed, so that the compressor  13  is activated, the shut-off valve  19  is closed and the beer is forced out of the flexible bag into the flexible line  17 , until it reaches the shut-off valve  19 , as a result of the pressure which is built up in the intervening space  16  by the compressor  13 . By actuation of a handle  20 , the shut-off valve  19 , which forms an integral part of the dispensing line  17 , can be opened and the beer can be tapped from the bag  6 . When the packaging  5  is empty or, while the packaging is still partially full, another drinks package is placed into the dispensing device, the container  7  and the flexible dispensing line  17  connected thereto, together with the closed shut-off valve  19 , are removed from the cooling chamber  3 . The container  7  of the empty packaging  5 , which may be formed, for example, from plastic, such as PET or ABS, can be reused, while the flexible bag  6 , the filling and dispensing head  10  and the flexible line  17 , together with the shut-off valve  19 , can be designed for a single use and can be thrown away or recycled after use. For further details of the drinks dispensing device  2 , reference is made to international patent application PCT/NL99/00454, in the name of the applicant, the content of which application is incorporated in the present application by way of reference. 
     FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of a drinks dispensing device  25  which is particularly suitable for use in catering establishments. The dispensing device  25  comprises a cooled compartment, or refrigerator,  26  in which there is a container  27  holding a carbonated drink. The container  27  may comprise a double-walled package with a rigid outer enclosure in which there is a flexible bag as shown in  FIG. 1 , but may also comprise a metal container, such as a stainless-steel beer barrel which is known per se. The volume of the container  27  may vary from a few liters to 50 litres or more. A compressor or CO 2  cartridge  36  is connected to the container  27 . Furthermore, as an alternative to a compressor or CO 2  cartridge, it is possible for a cartridge containing carbon and CO 2  to be positioned in the container  27  for the purpose of generating the desired pressure, as described in international patent application PCT/NL/99/00144. The container  27  is connected, via a flexible plastic dispensing line  28 , to a dispensing head  29 . The dispensing head  29  forms part of a tap pillar  30  which is attached to the counter of a bar  31 . A shut-off valve  32  according to the present invention is fitted at the outlet end of the flexible line  28  which valve can be opened and closed by means of handle  33  at the end of the tap pillar  30 . 
   A cooling element (not shown in more detail), which cools the air which is present in the refrigerator  2 , to, for example, 5° C.–10° C., is accommodated in the interior of the refrigerator  26 . A fan  34  is used to suck warm air out of the hollow tap pillar  30  back to the refrigerator  26 . As a result of the partial vacuum which occurs as a result in the dispensing head  29 , cold air is passed from the refrigerator  26 , via a guide tube  35  in which the flexible dispensing line  28  is accommodated and which opens out in the dispensing head  29 , through the guide tube  35  and along the dispensing line  28 . As a result, the drink is cooled to, for example, 8° C. The device described above is shown in more detail in Dutch patent application 1015359, which was filed on 31 May 2000 in the name of the applicant, bearing the title “Tap device and container therefor, and method for its production”. 
     FIG. 3  shows a longitudinal section through the dispensing head  29  shown in  FIG. 2 . The handle  33  is connected to the housing  43  in such a manner that it can rotate about a pin  40 , and acts via a spring  57  and projection  57 ′ on actuating member  45  for the purpose of opening and closing the shut-off valve  32 . The free travel of the handle  33  can be set by the positioning of projection  57 ′ with respect to the actuating member  45 . In the position shown in  FIG. 3 , the projection  57 ′ acts directly on the actuating member  45 , so that the shut-off valve  32  is opened and closed with a small displacement of the handle  33 . Exchanging the projection  57 ′ for a projection  57 ′ which lies further to the right compared to the projection shown in  FIG. 3  will allow the handle  33  a longer free travel before it acts on the actuating member  45 . As a result, it is possible to achieve complete opening and closure of shut-off valve  32  with a long travel, such as 90°, of the handle  33 . By simply exchanging the projection  57 ′, it is possible to adjust the travel of the handle  33  between the relatively short travel (for example 10°), as shown in  FIG. 3 , and a relatively long travel, such as 90°. 
   The spring  57  allows a certain movement of the handle  33  without causing displacement of the actuating member  45 , and play is eliminated from the rotation of the handle about the pin  40 . 
   An outlet end  41  of the flexible dispensing line  28 , which is guided along a curved section through the dispensing head  29 , is accommodated in the seat  42  of the dispensing head. The outlet end  41 , which is made from rigid plastic, is provided with a circumferential slot  52  in which an edge  53  of the seat  42  of the dispensing head  29  engages in order to securely hold the outlet end  41 . 
   The dispensing head  29  comprises a fixed bottom part of the housing  43 , to which a cover  44  is connected so that it can execute a hinged movement between a closed position and an open position, in which the outlet end  41  and the shut-off valve  32  of the line  28  can be placed in the dispensing head  29 . 
   The actuating member  45  comprises a substantially horizontal arm  46  which, by means of a first end, is pivotably connected to a pin  48 . The flexible dispensing line  28  is positioned, via a guide  49  attached to the top side of the actuating member  45 , in a curved path against a curved end  46 ′ of the actuating member  45 . 
   Coupling means of the shut-off valve  32 , which are formed, for example, by a flange  51  on a slidable sleeve  61 , are connected to a coupling member at the end of the curved end  46 ′ of the arm  46 . The coupling member may suitably be designed as a fork  63  which engages behind the flange  51  of the shut-off valve  32 . 
     FIG. 4  shows the pin  40  attached to the handle  33  for moving the actuating member  45 . The pin  40  is provided on one side with a spring pawl  47  which, at its end, bears a tooth  38 ′ which runs at right angles to the pin  40 . The hinged cover  44  of the dispensing head  29  comprises a complementary tooth  38  which engages behind the tooth of the spring pawl  47 . In the upright position of the handle  33 , in which the shut-off valve  32  is closed, an unlocking projection  39 , which is likewise connected to the pin  40 , is positioned in such a manner that spring pawl  47  can be depressed, the tooth  38 ′ engaging in the receiving cavity in the unlocking projection  39 . This position is shown in  FIG. 4 , so that with a closed shut-off valve  32  and an upright handle  33 , the cover  44  can be released from the bottom part of the housing  43  and can hinge open about hinge pin  60 . 
   As can be seen from  FIG. 5  the grip  51 ′ of handle  33  is accommodated removably inside a cut-out in the wall of two concentric annular sleeves  55 ,  56 . As a result of the sleeve  56  being rotated about its centre axis with respect to the sleeve  55 , or as a result of the sleeve  56  being omitted altogether, it is possible to adjust the travel of the handle  33  between, for example, 90° and 10° by making the openings in the walls of the rings  55 ,  56  coincide or by positioning them in offset positions. 
   On the top side of the actuating member  45  there is a stop  58  against which, when the dispensing line  28  is being introduced into the dispensing head  29  via the guide sleeve  35  shown in  FIG. 2 , the shut-off valve  32  comes into contact, thus preventing the shut-off valve  32  from being pushed through too far until it lies outside the dispensing head  29 . 
   Furthermore,  FIG. 5  shows a spring element  51 ″ which is connected to the cover  44 , in order, in the event of actuation of the spring pawl  47  and unlocking of the cover  44 , to move the cover into the raised position. 
   It is clear from  FIG. 5  that the end  46 ′ of the actuating member  45  is in the shape of a curved saddle which guides the flexible line  28  from a horizontal position to a substantially vertical position without kinking or sharp bends, this saddle ending in a fork  63  in which the flange  51  of the inner sleeve  61  of the shut-off valve  32  can be positioned. A separate clamping spring  62  is arranged in the seat  42  as a separate component, in order to position the shut-off valve  32  so that it is clamped with respect to the seat  42  when the cover is open, so that the cover  44  can be closed. In this case, the edge  53  on the seat  42  and the circumferential slot  52  of the outlet end  41  form a relatively airtight closure, thus preventing air from being sucked past the outlet end  41  into the cooled tap pillar  30 . 
   When the dispensing line  28 , which on account of its rigidity can push the shut-off valve  32  and the outlet end  41  through the guide tube  35 , is being introduced and pulled out, the closed shut-off valve  32  prevents beer from leaking into the guide tube  35 . When the shut-off valve  32  is being introduced into, or removed from, the fork  63 , the innermost sleeve  61  is therefore positioned in its retracted position, so that the shut-off valve  32  is closed. By using the dispensing head  29  in combination with the flexible dispensing hose  28 , which is provided with shut-off valve  32  in the vicinity of the outlet end  41 , it is possible for the dispensing line  28  to be positioned quickly and easily, so that an empty container of carbonated drink can easily be replaced by a full container. Since, in the process, the entire dispensing line  28  is also replaced, it is possible to eliminate frequent cleaning of the dispensing line, which, in particular for beer taps, involves considerable time and expense. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7  show an embodiment of a dispensing head  90  and dispensing line  101  for use in a dispensing device as shown in  FIG. 1 . The dispensing head  90  comprises base part  91  with the handle  93  attached to it, together with a connecting member  91 ′ which lies transversely to the handle. The base part  91  is provided with a bore  96  and a receiving tube  92  for receiving a right-angled outlet end  103  of the flexible dispensing line  101 . The base part  91  is also provided with a receiving part  97  for receiving the flexible dispensing line  101  and the shut-off valve  102 , and with an actuating member or guide  98 , which can be moved in the axial direction along the receiving part  97  and is connected to the handle  93  for actuating the shut-off valve  102  of the dispensing line  101 . The guide  98  may be designed in the same way as the fork  63  which is shown in  FIG. 5  and acts on the flange  105  of the innermost sleeve  107  of the shut-off valve  102  in  FIG. 7 . 
   Furthermore, the dispensing head  90  is provided with a top part  95  which is connected to base part  91  in such a manner that it can execute a hinged movement about a hinge axis  96 ′. The top part  95  comprises a chamber  99  for accommodating a plate  104  at the end of dispensing line  101 . The plate  104  of a dispensing line  101  which has been placed in the dispensing head  90  is visible via an opening or window  100 , so that the contents of the drinks dispensing device can be established. The window  100  may have a curved and therefore enlarging form. 
     FIG. 7  shows the assembled dispensing head of the type shown in  FIG. 6 . The shut-off valve  102  is connected to the outlet end  103  which lies at right angles thereto and is positioned in the bore  96  in the dispensing head  90 . Furthermore, the plate  104  of the outlet end  103  is provided with visual symbols so that it is possible to establish the type of carbonated drink when the plate  104  is positioned in the chamber  99  of the dispensing head. Consequently, an accurately defined position of the outlet end  106  is ensured after the top part  95  has been hinged shut, resulting in a favourable tap performance. Furthermore, the handle  93  is provided with a socket-head screw  110  for releasable connection to the base part  91 . 
   Finally,  FIG. 8  shows an embodiment in which the handle  112  can be releasably connected, via a screwthread  113  and O-ring  114 , to a bore  115  at the end of the pin  116 . After the handle  112  has been removed, the pin  116  can no longer be rotated, or at least can only be rotated with great difficulty, by hand, so that it is no longer possible for children to get the drink dispensed. It is also possible for the handle  112  to be replaced by a similar type of handle with a different appearance, for example with a top part  117  which is made from stainless steel, chromium, plastic, wood, etc.