Patent Description:
Beer dispensing systems are used in the commercial food and beverage industry to provide on-demand dispensing of beer. One known FOB detector is described in document <CIT>, which relates to an automatic cleaning arrangement for beer dispensing systems. One known beer dispensing system includes a tap, a beer line, and a bulk container of beer which is known in the art as a keg. In this known beer dispensing system, a user becomes aware that the keg is almost empty when, upon moving the tap to an open position, beer foam is dispensed from the tap instead of beer. At this point, the keg will need to be replaced, the tap will need to be opened and the foam in the line will need to be replaced by beer before beer can then be dispensed from the tap instead of foam. Replacing foam in the beer line with beer can take time, and can result in beer being wasted.

Foam on beer ("FOB") detectors have been developed in the past to overcome this problem of replacing foam in the beer line. A FOB detector is inserted into the line between the keg and the tap in a further known beer dispensing system. The FOB detector acts as a valve to stop fluid passing from the keg to the tap when foam reaches the FOB detector. With a FOB detector installed in the system, the user becomes aware that the keg is almost empty when foam reaches the FOB, and the line does not fill with foam because the FOB detector closes the line and prevents further flow through the line until the operator has replaced the keg and re-set the FOB detector.

A drawback of both of these known beer dispensing systems is that all equipment in contact with the beer (e.g. beer lines; FOB detector) requires regular cleaning to prevent microbial growth and avoid contamination. Regular cleaning can take time and can result in the beer dispensing system being out of use for significant periods of time. This operation also takes up time and related human and chemical resources in the cleaning operation. There is therefore a need for improvement in beverage dispensing systems.

A further known FOB detector is described in the inventor's own earlier patent application <CIT>, which describes a cooled FOB detector which addresses the problem of microbial growth. In addition international application publication <CIT> describes a FOB detector with a fluid flow path making turns.

However, the inventor has identified the opportunity for further improvement in such beverage dispensing systems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a foam detection device for a beverage dispensing system comprising:.

This has the advantage of providing a foam detection device which is easier to install, as will be explained further in relation to the figures, and wherein the foam detection device is configured such that the fluid flow path exits the cavity at the first end of the chamber body, and turns back on itself at the first end of the chamber body to guide flow back towards the cavity at the first end of the chamber body.

The fluid flow path when exiting the cavity may be substantially or wholly parallel to the fluid flow path flowing back towards the cavity.

The foam detection device may be configured or operable such that the fluid flow path exits the cavity at the first end of the chamber body, and turns back on itself to guide flow back towards the cavity at the first end of the chamber body, and to guide flow back through the cavity.

The fluid flow path may define a U-shape at the first end of the chamber body.

The fluid flow path may enter the cavity at the first end of the chamber body, exit the cavity at the first end of the chamber body, and further exit the cavity at the second end of the chamber body. Preferably, the fluid flow path is configured for, or operable such that these steps to occur in the order described.

The fluid flow path may turn back on itself after exiting the cavity at the first end of the chamber body, to guide flow towards and then through the cavity, following which it may exit the cavity at the second end of the chamber body.

The foam detection device may be configured or operable such that the fluid flow path through the device substantially defines an S-shape.

The foam detection device may comprise at least one cooling fluid flow path. The at least one cooling fluid flow path may pass through the cavity between the first end of the chamber body and the second end of the chamber body.

The cooling fluid flow path may comprise a cooling inlet at the first end of the chamber body. The cooling fluid flow path may comprise a cooling outlet at the second end of the chamber body. The cooling fluid flow path may pass through the chamber body in an axial direction.

The foam detection device may comprise at least two cooling fluid flow paths. Each cooling fluid flow path may pass through the chamber body between the first end of the chamber body and the second end of the chamber body.

The or each cooling fluid flow path may be defined by a cooling flow pipe. The or each cooling fluid flow path may be substantially straight.

The chamber body may comprise a first end wall at the first end of the chamber body, and/or a second end wall at the second end of the chamber body, and/or at least one side wall. The side wall may extend between the first and second end walls. The end walls and at least one side wall may define the cavity therebetween.

The cooling fluid flow path may have a lateral dimension, i.e. diameter, of less than <NUM> (an inch), preferably <NUM> (a half inch), or less. The cooling fluid flow path may have a lateral dimension of more than <NUM>/<NUM>, preferably more than <NUM>/<NUM> the diameter of the chamber body.

The fluid flow path may have a lateral dimension of approximately <NUM> (<NUM> inches), or <NUM> (<NUM> inches), or <NUM> (<NUM> inches).

The foam detection device may be configured or operable such that in use, the first end of the chamber body is disposed below the second end of the chamber body.

The foam detection device may be provided as part of a beverage dispensing system, the system comprising:.

The beverage dispensing system may comprise a cooling system. The cooling system may comprise a cooling fluid flow path. The cooling fluid flow path may enter the cavity at the first end of the chamber body. The cooling fluid flow path may exit the cavity at the second end of the chamber body, turn back on itself and re-enter the cavity at the second end of the chamber body, and then exit the cavity at the first end of the chamber body.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for the foam detection device as described above, comprising at least:.

Further details of specific embodiments will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, in which:.

<FIG> shows a known beer dispensing system <NUM> comprising a known FOB detector <NUM>. The known beer dispensing system <NUM> comprises a tap <NUM> for dispensing beer into a drinking vessel such as a glass. A tap <NUM> is commonly disposed at a delivery position such as on a bar <NUM>. The tap <NUM> is fluidly connected to other parts of the beer dispensing system <NUM> via a fluid delivery line <NUM>.

The fluid delivery line <NUM> of this known system, as shown in <FIG>, comprises a first part <NUM>, a second part <NUM> and a third part <NUM>. The first part <NUM> is disposed between a keg <NUM> and a coolant means <NUM>. The second part <NUM> is disposed between the coolant means <NUM> and a lower part of the FOB detector <NUM>. The third part of the fluid line <NUM> is disposed between the FOB detector <NUM> and the tap <NUM>. This enables fluid such as a beverage in particular beer, to flow from the keg <NUM>, into the first part <NUM> of the fluid delivery line <NUM>, into the coolant means <NUM>, then into the second part <NUM> of the fluid delivery line <NUM>, into the FOB detector <NUM>, then into the third part <NUM> of the fluid delivery line <NUM>, then to the tap <NUM>. The known FOB detector <NUM> is equipped with a flow interruption means <NUM> which is configured to interrupt the flow of beer through the FOB detector <NUM> when the FOB detector <NUM> detects foam in the beverage flowing through it. This can be achieved using a float <NUM> configured to drop when the density of fluid in the FOB detector <NUM> is sufficiently reduced by the presence of bubbles or gas in the fluid. This dropping of the float <NUM> then blocks an exit chamber of the FOB detector <NUM> preventing further flow through the system, until the keg <NUM> is changed, and the FOB detector is refilled with liquid beverage without foam by an operator.

Actuation of this known FOB detector <NUM> may be best seen in <FIG>, which shows the prior art FOB detector <NUM> of <FIG>. As can be seen in <FIG>, the beverage, such as beer, flows up and into the FOB detector from the second part of the fluid line <NUM>, and then is caused by gravity to flow down through and then out of the FOB detector <NUM>, at which point it enters the third part <NUM> of the fluid line <NUM> beneath the FOB detector <NUM>. In this known FOB detector <NUM>, there is also provided a coolant line <NUM>. This coolant line <NUM> passes through the FOB detector <NUM> by passing from a lower end of the FOB detector <NUM>, up into, and then down and out through the bottom of the FOB detector <NUM>.

The known FOB detector <NUM> and fluid dispensing system <NUM> which are described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> correspond to the known embodiment described in published GB patent application <CIT> ("GB'<NUM>"). The flow dispensing system in GB'<NUM> is best seen in <FIG> of this document, in which the FOB detector <NUM> is shown between fluid lines <NUM> and <NUM>. As can be seen from <FIG> and <FIG> of GB'<NUM>, the beverage flows into the FOB detector chamber <NUM> by means of an inlet which enters the FOB detector from a lower end. The beverage inlet is not shown in <FIG> of GB'<NUM>, however, as the description states, the beer flows into the FOB detector by a known fluid inlet (not shown) in <FIG>, and flows out of the FOB detector through a fluid outlet <NUM>. The inlet and outlet <NUM> of FOB detector <NUM> of GB'<NUM> are both disposed at the lower, flow interrupting, end <NUM> of the FOB detector <NUM>.

Although the known FOB detector is adequate for its intended purpose, the inventor of the present application has identified that various improvements can be made to the known FOB detector described in GB'<NUM> and described above in relation to <FIG> and <FIG> of the present application.

One identified improvement to the known FOB detector is that it can be made easier to install. In the known FOB detector, pipes used to define the fluid inlet and fluid outlet of the FOB detector in practice are quite similar in appearance, meaning that at the point of installation by an operator, the inlet and outlet pipes (i.e. the second and third parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the fluid line <NUM> in <FIG>) could be confused with each other.

A second improvement to the known FOB detector is that the third part of the fluid line <NUM> from the FOB detector <NUM> would need to be bent back upwards towards the tap <NUM> when installed. In terms of practical installation this leaves several options open to the operator when installing the FOB detector, as the required flexibility of the third part <NUM> of the fluid line <NUM> provides several options for the location of the fluid line <NUM>, i.e. whether it passes behind, in front of, or to the sides of the FOB detector <NUM>. This in practice could complicate installation of the FOB detector <NUM>.

The inventor has also identified a further improvement to the known system <NUM> and known FOB detector <NUM>. In the known system <NUM>, there is a cooling flow pipe <NUM> which can advantageously cool the beverage inside the FOB detector <NUM>. However, the cooling flow pipe <NUM> can limit the movement of the float <NUM> within the FOB detector <NUM>. This means that for any given required length of movement of the float <NUM>, the FOB detector <NUM> has to be made longer to accommodate the cooling flow pipe <NUM> within the chamber above the float <NUM>.

When making these improvements, the inventor created the device shown in <FIG>, which is shown in an installed state as part of a fluid dispensing system in <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, there is provided a foam detection device <NUM> (i.e. a "FOB detector") for a beverage dispensing system <NUM> comprising a chamber body <NUM>. The chamber body <NUM> has a first end <NUM>, a second end <NUM> and a cavity <NUM> disposed between the first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM>. The foam detection device <NUM> also comprises a fluid inlet <NUM>, a fluid outlet <NUM> and a fluid flow path (represented by arrows in <FIG>) passing from the fluid inlet <NUM> into and through the cavity <NUM> and out of the fluid outlet <NUM>. The foam detection device <NUM> also comprises a flow path interrupter <NUM> disposed in the fluid flow path within the chamber <NUM>. The flow path interrupter <NUM> is configured to interrupt the flow path from the fluid inlet <NUM> to the fluid outlet <NUM> of the chamber <NUM> upon detection of foam in the chamber of form the chamber <NUM>. The fluid inlet <NUM> is disposed at the first end <NUM> of the chamber body <NUM>, and is arranged so as to guide flow into the chamber body <NUM> in an axial direction <NUM>. The fluid outlet <NUM> is disposed at the second end <NUM> of the chamber body <NUM> and configured to guide flow out of the chamber body <NUM> in the axial direction <NUM>.

Compared to the known FOB detector of <FIG> and <FIG>, the foam detection device of <FIG> and <FIG> comprises a fluid inlet <NUM> on one side of the chamber <NUM> and a fluid outlet <NUM> on the other side of the chamber <NUM>.

This provides a foam detection device <NUM> in which a beverage (in particular beer) can pass into one end of the device (i.e. the first end <NUM>) and flow out of the other end of the device (i.e. the second end <NUM>). In practice, this makes the FOB detector <NUM> much easier to install. Compared to the known FOB detector <NUM> described in relation to <FIG> and <FIG>, the FOB detector <NUM> of the present invention provides a reduced likelihood of confusion between the fluid inlet <NUM> and the fluid outlet <NUM>, and between the corresponding second and third parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the fluid line <NUM>. Compared to the known FOB detector <NUM> described in relation to <FIG> and <FIG>, the FOB detector <NUM> of the present invention provides a reduced number of possible installation positions of the third part <NUM> of the fluid line <NUM>.

An additional advantage provided by the FOB detector <NUM> is that the fluid inlet <NUM> and the fluid outlet <NUM> of the FOB detector can be arranged closer the means to which they should be connected.

For example, a fluid inlet <NUM> can be provided at an end of the FOB detector which is proximate to a coolant means <NUM>, as best seen in <FIG>. As a result of the second part <NUM> of the fluid line <NUM> being provided directly between the coolant means <NUM> and the fluid inlet <NUM> of the foam detection device <NUM>, the second part of the fluid line <NUM> can be shorter than if the fluid inlet <NUM> were provided at a different position on the FOB detector <NUM>. Equally, the fluid outlet <NUM> is provided on an opposite side of the foam detection device <NUM> to the fluid inlet <NUM>, such that it is on a side of the foam detection device <NUM> which is close to the tap <NUM>. This reduces the need for any additional, and potentially unsecured, tubing which would otherwise be required to connect the bottom of the foam detection device <NUM> to a tap <NUM> provided above the FOB detector, as is the case with the known FOB detector <NUM> of <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG> in combination with <FIG>, the first end <NUM> of the foam detection device <NUM> may be a lower end. The second end <NUM> may be an upper end. The foam detection device <NUM> may be configured for installation such that the first end <NUM> is a lower end and the second end <NUM> is an upper end. The foam detection device <NUM> may be configured such than when installed and/or when in use, the first end <NUM> is directly below the second end <NUM>. The first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM> may define between them an axial direction through the chamber <NUM>, and the foam detection device may be installed such that the axial direction is substantially or wholly vertical. This orientation is particularly advantageous when the foam detection device <NUM> is a gravitationally actuated device. However, a skilled person would appreciate that the foam detection device <NUM> could be actuated by a means other than gravity. It could for example be electronically actuated in response to an output from an electronic foam sensor.

With reference to <FIG>, the fluid inlet <NUM> may be provided as an inlet opening <NUM> and an inlet pipe <NUM>. The inlet opening <NUM> may be an aperture in an outer surface of the foam detection device <NUM>. The inlet pipe <NUM> may extend from the inlet opening <NUM>. The inlet pipe <NUM> may extend from the first end <NUM> of the FOB detector into the fluid cavity <NUM>, towards the second end <NUM>. As a skilled person would appreciate, the inlet pipe <NUM> may have any suitable shape or configuration. The inlet pipe <NUM> be any means configured to guide flow towards the first end <NUM> of the cavity <NUM>. Although the inlet pipe <NUM> is shown as surrounded by a space within the fluid cavity <NUM>, the inlet pipe <NUM> could be provided as an integral part of one or more foam detection device outer walls. Equally, the inlet pipe <NUM> could be disposed in contact with and/or proximate to a foam detection device outer wall. The inlet pipe <NUM> may be configured to extend through at least a half, or at least over two thirds, or at least over three quarters of the fluid cavity <NUM>.

The fluid interruption means <NUM> may be provided so as to interrupt fluid flow through the foam detection device <NUM>. Optionally, the fluid interruption means <NUM> is configured to interrupt fluid flow at or proximate a lower end of the cavity <NUM>. Optionally, the fluid interruption means <NUM> is configured to fully close and open the fluid flow path through the foam detection device. The fluid interruption means <NUM> may be a float, such as the float <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The fluid interruption means <NUM> may operate as a float by having a density lower than a typical density of a beverage such as beer, such that it may float on top of such a liquid in the chamber, but a density higher than a foamed beverage, such as foamed beer, so that it may sink when the chamber contains foam. The fluid interruption means <NUM> may have a dimension in an axial direction <NUM> of at least half of the fluid cavity <NUM> dimension in the axial direction <NUM>. A skilled person would appreciate that various shapes, sizes and configurations of fluid interruption means could be utilised with the foam detection device <NUM> of the present disclosure.

Also shown in <FIG> is the fluid outlet <NUM>. The fluid outlet <NUM> may provide a flow path, and/or may be configured to guide beverage flow, from the cavity <NUM> to the outside of the foam detection device <NUM>. The fluid outlet <NUM> may comprise an outlet opening <NUM> and an outlet pipe <NUM>.

The outlet opening <NUM> may be configured for connection to a fluid line <NUM>, such as fluid line <NUM>. The outlet opening <NUM> may be disposed in the second end <NUM> of the foam detection device <NUM>. The outlet opening <NUM> may be disposed in the second end <NUM> of the foam detection device such that when installed and/or in use, the outlet opening <NUM> is on a side of the cavity closest to the bar <NUM> and/or the tap <NUM>. The outlet opening <NUM> may be disposed on the upper end of the foam detection device, such that it faces upwardly when the foam detection device is installed and/or in use.

The outlet pipe <NUM> may be configured to guide flow from the first end <NUM> of the foam detection device <NUM> towards the outlet opening <NUM>. The outlet pipe <NUM> may be elongate, straight, hollow and/or cylindrical, however the skilled person would appreciate that various suitable shapes and configurations could be used. The outlet pipe <NUM> may be disposed in contact with and/or proximate to a foam detection device outer wall. The outlet pipe <NUM> may be configured to extend along the entire length of the fluid cavity <NUM>. The outlet pipe <NUM> may be configured to extend along the entire length of the cavity <NUM> from the first end <NUM> to the second end <NUM>. The outlet pipe <NUM> may be connected or connectable to the outlet opening <NUM>. The outlet pipe <NUM> may not be in direct fluid communication with the fluid cavity <NUM>. As a skilled person will appreciate, the phrase "not in direct fluid communication" in this context means that when flowing from the cavity <NUM> into the fluid outlet pipe <NUM>, fluid must first pass out of the cavity <NUM> through another component, such as an end wall <NUM> of the foam detection device <NUM>.

The chamber body <NUM> of the foam detection device <NUM> may comprise a first end wall <NUM> at the first end <NUM>, and/or a second end wall <NUM> at the second end <NUM>, and/or at least one side wall <NUM>. The side wall <NUM> may extend between the first and second end walls <NUM>, <NUM>. The end walls <NUM>, <NUM> and at least one side wall <NUM> may define the cavity <NUM> therebetween. The foam detection device <NUM> may comprise one or more tie bars <NUM>. The end walls <NUM>, <NUM> may be attached to one another by means of the one or more tie bars <NUM>. The one or more tie bars <NUM> may extend through the cavity <NUM>, and/or hold the end walls <NUM>, <NUM> and the side wall <NUM> together in compression. The one or more tie bars <NUM> may exert a clamping force on the end walls <NUM>, <NUM> and the side wall <NUM>. There may be provided two tie bars <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The one or more tie bars <NUM> may be configured as described in GB patent application <CIT>.

There may be provided an inner wall <NUM>, disposed proximate and inside the side wall <NUM>, which may form a double-walled device <NUM>. The inner wall <NUM> and side wall <NUM> may be located so as to define an air cavity therebetween, which may be configured to act as an insulating jacket for the cavity <NUM>. The foam detection device <NUM> may be configured so that the air cavity is not fluidly connected to the cavity <NUM> and/or an area outside the foam detection device <NUM>. The inner wall <NUM> and side wall <NUM> may be configured as described in GB patent application <CIT>.

The foam detection device <NUM> may be configured such that a beverage can flow from the fluid inlet <NUM> up into the fluid cavity <NUM>, then down through the fluid cavity <NUM>, and then turn back on itself to flow back towards the cavity <NUM> at the first end <NUM>, following which it may flow back up through the fluid cavity <NUM> within the outlet pipe <NUM>. The outlet pipe <NUM> may guide flow out of the cavity <NUM>. When fluid passes back up through the fluid cavity <NUM>, it may be separated from fluid within the fluid cavity <NUM>, by means of the outlet pipe <NUM>. The direction of fluid flow out of cavity <NUM> and back up through the cavity <NUM> by means of the fluid outlet pipe <NUM> may be facilitated by means of an inner outlet <NUM>.

The inner outlet <NUM> may be configured to contact the fluid interrupting means <NUM>. The inner outlet <NUM> may be configured to act as a valve seat, against which the fluid interrupting means <NUM> may abut so as to interrupt, and optionally block, fluid flow through the foam detection device <NUM>. The inner outlet <NUM> may be configured to receive at least part of the fluid interrupting means <NUM> so as to block the fluid flow path through the foam detection device <NUM>. The inner outlet <NUM> maybe fluidly connected to the fluid outlet pipe <NUM> by means of an inner fluid connection <NUM>.

The inner fluid connection <NUM> maybe configured to guide flow from the inner outlet <NUM> to the fluid outlet pipe <NUM>. The inner connection <NUM> may be provided as a fluid guiding means such as a pipe, through part of the chamber body of the foam detection device <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the inner connection <NUM> may be provided as a flow path through an end piece <NUM> of the device. The inner fluid connection <NUM> may be configured to define a fluid flow path in which a portion exiting the cavity <NUM> is substantially or wholly parallel to the fluid flow path flowing back towards the cavity <NUM>. The inner fluid connection <NUM> may define a substantially U-shaped fluid flow path.

The fluid flow path through the foam detection device <NUM> may define a substantially S-shaped fluid flow path. The fluid flow path through the foam detection device <NUM> may be at least partially defined by the inlet pipe <NUM>, the cavity <NUM>, the inner fluid connection <NUM> and the outlet pipe <NUM>.

When devising the present invention, the inventor established that an advantageous coolant system can be provided with the foam detection device <NUM> described herein. The improved coolant system can be best seen in <FIG>.

The foam detection device <NUM> may comprise at least one cooling fluid flow path <NUM>, <NUM>. The cooling fluid flow path <NUM>, <NUM> may pass through the cavity <NUM> between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>, and may pass through the chamber body in an axial direction <NUM>. The cooling fluid flow path <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to guide coolant through the foam detection device <NUM>. The term coolant may refer to any appropriate cooling fluid. The at least one cooling fluid flow path <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to pass through the cavity <NUM> between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the foam detection device <NUM>. The at least one cooling fluid flow path <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise a coolant inlet <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or a coolant outlet <NUM>, <NUM>. The at least one cooling fluid flow path <NUM>, <NUM> may have a lateral dimension of more than ¼ of the diameter of the chamber body <NUM>.

The at least one cooling fluid flow path may be provided as a cooling flow pipe, having an elongate, hollow, straight and/or cylindrical shape. The at least one cooling flow pipe <NUM>, <NUM> may be arranged within the foam detection device <NUM> in an axially-extending direction. A skilled person will appreciate that various different shapes and configurations of cooling flow pipe <NUM>, <NUM> could be used. The at least one cooling flow pipe <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise or be composed of a substantially or wholly impermeable and/or heat conductive material such as a metal or alloy. The at least one cooling flow pipe may comprise or be composed of stainless steel.

There may be provided a first cooling fluid flow path <NUM> and a second cooling fluid flow path <NUM>, each having a coolant inlet <NUM>, <NUM> and a coolant outlet <NUM>, <NUM>.

The first cooling fluid flow path <NUM> may comprise an inlet <NUM> disposed at the first end <NUM> of the foam detection device <NUM> and/or an outlet <NUM> disposed at the second end <NUM> of the foam detection device <NUM>.

The second cooling fluid flow path <NUM> may comprise an inlet <NUM> at the first end of the foam detection device <NUM> and/or an outlet <NUM> at the first end <NUM> of the foam detection device <NUM>.

The outlet <NUM> of the first cooling fluid flow path <NUM> may be fluidly connected with the inlet <NUM> of the second cooling fluid flow path <NUM>. This maybe be facilitated by means of a connecting piece <NUM>, such as the connecting piece <NUM> schematically represented in <FIG>.

The connecting piece <NUM> may be configured for connection to each cooling fluid flow path <NUM>, <NUM>. The connecting piece may be connected to the outlet <NUM> of the first cooling fluid flow path <NUM>, and to the inlet <NUM> of the second cooling fluid flow path. The connecting piece may be hollow, and/or have a curved shape. The connecting piece may be substantially arc-shaped.

As a skilled person will appreciate, although the terms inlet <NUM>, <NUM> and outlet <NUM>, <NUM> have been described in relation to the cooling fluid flow path, the direction of coolant flow could be reversed, and as such the terms inlet and outlet in relation to the cooling fluid flow path could be reversed.

In contrast to the U-shaped cooling flow pipe described in relation to the known device of <FIG> and <FIG>, provision the cooling fluid flow path system of <FIG> allows for there to be more efficient use of the fluid cavity <NUM>. This enables movement of the fluid interrupting means <NUM>. Provision of a connecting piece <NUM> outside of the cavity <NUM>, and even outside of the foam detection device chamber body as shown schematically in <FIG>, allows for an improved use of space in and around the foam detection device <NUM>.

By using the improved beverage flow path described in relation to <FIG> and the improved cooling fluid flow path configuration described in relation to <FIG>, a foam detection device which benefits from a synergistic effect from improvements of both of these systems is provided. The space saving of the coolant system and the improved flow configuration provided by an outlet at the second end <NUM> complement each other by providing a system which is not only easier to install, but also provides improved cooling, by having an arrangement in which the length of flow path of beverage proximate to a cooling fluid is increased.

Each component described above may be suitable for contacting a food or beverage for human consumption. Alternatively, only components or parts of components which come into contact with the beverage in use may be suitable for contacting a food or beverage for human consumption.

Claim 1:
A foam detection device (<NUM>) for a beverage dispensing system (<NUM>) comprising:
a chamber body (<NUM>) having a first end (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>), and a cavity (<NUM>) disposed between the first and second ends (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a fluid inlet (<NUM>), a fluid outlet (<NUM>), and a fluid flow path passing from the fluid inlet (<NUM>), into and through the cavity (<NUM>), and out of the fluid outlet (<NUM>);
a flow path interrupter (<NUM>) disposed in the fluid flow path within the chamber body (<NUM>) and configured to interrupt the fluid flow path from the fluid inlet (<NUM>) to the fluid outlet (<NUM>) of the chamber upon detection of foam in the chamber;
wherein the fluid inlet (<NUM>) is disposed at the first end (<NUM>) of the chamber body (<NUM>), and is arranged so as to guide flow into the chamber body (<NUM>) in an axial direction (<NUM>),
wherein the fluid outlet (<NUM>) is disposed at the second end (<NUM>) of the chamber body (<NUM>), and is configured to guide flow out of the chamber body (<NUM>) in the axial direction (<NUM>), characterised in that
the foam detection device (<NUM>) is configured such that the fluid flow path exits the cavity (<NUM>) at the first end (<NUM>) of the chamber body (<NUM>), and turns back on itself at the first end (<NUM>) of the chamber body (<NUM>) to guide flow back towards the cavity (<NUM>) at the first end (<NUM>) of the chamber body (<NUM>).