Abstract:
A measuring device for beverage dispenser lines comprises a housing with inlet and discharge ports, first and second attachments, and first and second couplings. The attachments have connectors for securing the attachments to ends of fluid conveying conduits. The first and second couplings are mounted on the first and second attachments, respectively, and the housing, and releasably couple the attachments with the ports of the housing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a measuring device to be built into beverage dispenser lines, especially for beer, with a measuring device housing and couplings for lines. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Lines used for wine, mineral water and even for beer, include measuring or metering devices, for example flowthrough meters or the like. Generally, the lines and measuring devices must be cleansed at regular intervals. For many beverages, the lines and measuring devices can be simply and quickly cleaned by forcing a cleaning liquid through the lines and measuring devices while they are connected. Thus, the measuring devices need not be disassembled from the lines for such beverages. 
     Sediments, such as beer yeast sediments, exist in other drinks, especially beer. These sediments must be removed mechanically. For this purpose, small foam pellets must be forced through the line. Such pellets cannot be forced through the measuring device since they are blocked in the device and clog the device. The measuring device must be disassembled to clean the sediments. Disassembly of conventional measuring devices for cleaning is a complicated and costly procedure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Objects of the present invention involve providing a measuring device for a beverage dispenser line which can be quickly and simply assembled and disassembled. 
     The foregoing objects are obtained by a measuring device for beverage dispenser lines, comprising a housing with inlet and discharge ports, first and second attachments, and first and second couplings. The attachments have connectors for securing the attachments to ends of fluid conveying conduits. The first and second couplings are mounted on the first and second attachments, respectively, and the housing, and releasably couple the attachments with the ports of the housing. 
     The measuring device according to the present invention can be disassembled and reassembled out of the line system in a few seconds. 
     Preferably, the couplings are complementary. This permits the two lines to be connected rapidly with each other following rapid disassembly of the measuring device housing from the lines for cleaning. Without having the smaller section through the measuring device housing, cleaning can be accomplished by forcing foam pellets through the lines. The couplings can be plug connections or bayonet fasteners. 
     Connectors are preferably threaded into the measuring device housing. Following removal of the housing from the lines, the housing can be opened in a simple and convenient manner and be cleaned. The reassembly of the housing is simplified and expedited. The measuring device housing has a top part and a bottom part which can be coupled by a bayonet connection. 
     Other objects, advantages and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The sole drawing FIGURE which forms a part of this disclosure is an exploded side elevational view of a measuring device according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The measuring device according to the present invention has a measuring device housing comprising a top part 1 and a bottom part 2. A full floating measuring vane 3 is rotatably mounted in the housing, which vane is displaced and rotated by the liquid flowing through bottom part 2 of the measuring device housing. The rotation of measuring vane 3 provides the measurement through an electronic measuring mechanism. Vane 3 is free floating in that it is not mounted on a through shaft. 
     A diamond point bearing 3&#39;&#34; (illustrated graphically, not shown in detail) on bottom part 2 mates with bearing 3&#34; on measuring vane 3 and loosely mounts the measuring vane 3 in the bottom part of the measuring device housing. The vane is centered and held in place by the superposed top part 1. Top part 1 has impact fins 1&#39; with inwardly facings bevels 1&#34; which center and position measuring vane 3 when top part 1 is superposed on bottom part 2. Additionally, vane bearing point 3&#39; is guided into the top diamond bearing 3&#39;&#34;. 
     Bottom part 2 has hooks 2&#39; adjacent its peripheral edge to lock it securely to top part 1. Hooks 2&#39; have bevels 2&#34;, projecting axially and facing outwardly. Top part 1 is guided by bevels 2&#34; as hooks 2&#39; enter hollow annular flange 1.1 to center the top part over the hooks, such that top part 1 can be safely and firmly held by rotation of the top part through a small angle relative to hooks 2&#39;. The inner surface of flange 1.1 has correspondingly configured and associated fixation elements to form a bayonet connection with hooks 2&#39;. Top and bottom parts 1, 2 can have an annular packing and a lining on the inside chamber of the housing. 
     Bottom part 2 of the measuring device housing has an inlet opening or port 2.1 and a discharge opening or port 2.2. The ports are coaxially aligned with each other along an axis perpendicular to the superpositioning of top part 1 on bottom part 2. A transition member 4 with a nozzle nipple 4&#39; is threadedly connected to the inlet opening. Nipple 4&#39; is threaded into the inlet opening with nipple 4&#39; arranged in front of measuring vane 3. A coupling 6 is superposed over an end 4&#34; of transition member 4 opposite nozzle nipple 4&#39;. Coupling 6 is detachably coupled to transition member 4 by a plug connection at one end of the coupling. At the opposite end of coupling 6, coupling 6 is tightly connected by a tubing member 9 to a tube. The tube is forced onto tubing member 9. An internally threaded cap 10 presses the tubing member and tube together by screwing cap 10 tightly against coupling 6, tightly connecting the tube to the coupling. The plug connection between transition member 4 and coupling 6 permits these parts to be detached rapidly and conveniently. Alternatively, a bayonet connection can be provided between transition member 4 and coupling 6. 
     Another transition member 5 is threaded in a corresponding manner into the discharge port 2.2 of housing bottom part 2, and is connected with another coupling 6&#39;, identical to the coupling 6. Coupling 6&#39; is similarly connected by a &#34;quick disconnect&#34; connection with an attachment member 8, e.g. by a plug connection or a bayonet connection, and is simply detachable. Attachment member 8 can be attached by a clamping nut 7 to a keg of draft beer or to corresponding connection members of a keg of draft beer. The plug connections between transition member 4 and coupling 6, and between coupling 6&#39; and attachment member 8 are known. Couplings 6 and 6&#39; have balls biased by springs. The balls are forced into and retained in conical grooves 4.1 and 8.1 of members 4 and 8, respectively. The grooves are conical in section. The conical configuration of the grooves presses couplings 6 and 6&#39; tightly against O-rings 11 mounted on members 4 and 8 forming a reliable, sealed connection therebetween. The O-rings 11 are mounted on the outer periphery of members 4 and 8, not inside couplings 6 and 6&#39;, such that the rings can be easily removed and cleaned. 
     The lines, formed at least in part by the tube coupled to tubing member 9, are to be cleaned by disconnecting the plug connections between transition member 4 and coupling 6 and between attachment member 8 and coupling 6&#39;, and then removing the measuring device housing from the dispenser line. Coupling 6, connected through tubing member 9 and cap 10 with the tube, is then superposed and coupled directly on attachment member 8, such that the line can be cleaned directly by mechanical penetration of foam pellets. The inside of measuring device housing 1 and 2 can be cleaned by separating housing parts 1 and 2, cleaning the various measuring device parts separately and then reassembling the measuring device as described above. After the line is cleaned, coupling 6 is detached from attachment member 8, and the measuring device housing is reinserted into the line with coupling 6 connected to transition member 4 and coupling 6&#39;, mounted on measuring device housing 1 and 2, again connected to attachment member 8. 
     While various embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.