Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 03058734 2019-10-01
WO 2018/190925
PCT/US2018/013415
- 1 -
TOUCHLESS TAP HANDLE FOR BEVERAGE DISPENSING
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates generally to an improved
operation of the Beverage Dispensing System for dispensing of beers or
wines in an automated manner and, more particularly, to an improved tap
handle for use therewith.
2. Background of the Related Art
[0002] In the automation of beverage dispensing systems, the
metering, tracking, controlling and continuous dispensing of volumes can be
achieved in a manner that attempts to maximize throughput and optimize
repeatability of beverage dispensing. Attaining such improvements is valuable
in many situations, especially in high volume venues where faster and more
accurate delivery of concessions both improves financial performance as well
as minimizes disruption in the enjoyment of the main entertainment event. In
implementing such beverage automation, various problems have been
identified that would otherwise not be perceivable. In particular, the use of
conventional tap handles has proven to pose operational problems that could
lead to inefficiencies.
[0003] Traditional "beer taps" are valves or spigots for
controlling the
release of beer, a carbonated beverage stored under pressure. The taps
CA 03058734 2019-10-01
WO 2018/190925
PCT/US2018/013415
- 2 -
generally include manually actuated ball valves of a standardized connection,
in which a male threaded connection affixes to a beer line and the valving
mechanism is controlled by a vertically extended tap handle. Typical tap
handles are between 9-13" tall and provided support for brand identifying
designs. A typical pour is thereby actuated manually by serve staff, resulting
in manually implemented portion control.
[0004] In the implementation of non-beer beverages dispensers
for
wine, mixed cocktails or the like, otherwise conventional tap handles of the
type used for beer dispensing have been initially utilized and found lacking.
Problems include interference with the automation cycle due to manual
actuation or attempted manual actuation during an automated pour cycle.
Further, conventional beer taps do not include any check-valve feature to
prevent dripping between pours or oxidation of beverage in line. Further
still,
a need has been found to allow for calibration by system control staff while
preventing interference with systems settings, either inadvertently or
intentionally, by serve staff, wait staff or others.
[0005] Consequently, a need exists for an improved tap
dispensing
valve system for use with improved systems for and methods of operating
beverage dispensing systems having metered, tracked, controlled and
continuous dispensing volumes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is a specific object of the present invention to
provide an
CA 03058734 2019-10-01
WO 2018/190925
PCT/US2018/013415
- 3 -
improved dispensing tap valve system for use with method an automated
beverage dispensing system.
[0007] It is a broad object of the present invention to provide
broadly or
equivalently an improved touchless dispensing tap that allows for optimal
system performance with automated beverage dispensing, metering and
tracking systems.
[0008] Briefly according to a preferred aspect of the present
invention,
a touchless tap handle for beverage dispensing is provided that incorporates
a spring and ball check valve within a spigot housing. The check valve may
be adjustable to provide for differences is opening or closing pressures. The
spigot housing as a male threaded end for connection to a beverage
dispensing line. Between the beverage connection and the check valve is a
flow control valve having a detachable control mechanism. A system
operator can use the control mechanism to calibrate fluid flow. The control
mechanism may thereby be keyed and can be removed after field installation
to prevent bartenders from inadvertently or otherwise modifying system flow
parameters. A tap handle extension is further provided that can be
threadingly affixed to the spigot housing. The tap handle extension
specifically does not control operational parameters, which are intended to be
initiated through pushbutton control of a pour control system. While the tap
handle extension can provide an overall form factor similar to an otherwise
conventional tap spigot and can be used for affixing branded or designed
handles, no manual opening or closing of the valve can be initiated form the
CA 03058734 2019-10-01
WO 2018/190925
PCT/US2018/013415
- 4 -
tap handle extension.
[0009] According to an alternate aspect of the present
invention, the
flow control valve may be provided in the form of a solenoid control valve, or
a
pneumatic control valve.
[0010] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a
pneumatic control valve variant may further benefit by using the same
pneumatic pressure source that is generally provided to supply the beverage
urging force for automated beverage control systems.
[0011] In any aspect provided, the control valve may be
positioned
within said discharge spout in lieu of the spring activated check valve, or
may
be positioned within the spigot housing in the fluid line prior to the check
valve
mechanism.
[0012] It is an advantage of the present invention to prevent
bartender
interference with the operation of the flow of beverage during an automated
dispensing cycle.
[0013] It is another advantage of the present invention to
provide a
check valve incorporated into a tap spigot. Such an advantage can prevent
dripping at the end of a dispense cycle, as well as preventing air contact
with
any in-line beverage.
[0014] It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide a
flow control valve that is made removable, thereby making it available only
during services or as otherwise provided by authorized personnel.
[0015] Still another advantage of the present flow control valve
is to
CA 03058734 2019-10-01
WO 2018/190925
PCT/US2018/013415
- 5 -
provide a full shutoff of the beverage flow when servicing the system.
[0016] Further advantages of the present invention provide
improved
accuracy and repeatability, and decrease variability of volumes for dispensed
beverages during operation of automated pour control systems.
[0017] Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will
become apparent in the course of the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The advantages and features of the present invention will
become better understood with reference to the following more detailed
description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective schematic view
of a
touchless tap handle for use with a beverage dispensing and pour control
systems according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side elevational view
thereof;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tap handle according
to the
preferred embodiment of the present invention shown having the handle 24
attached; and
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tap handle if FIG. 3 shown
having the handle 24 removed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
CA 03058734 2019-10-01
WO 2018/190925
PCT/US2018/013415
- 6 -
[0023] The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented
in
terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures.
1. Detailed Description of the Figures
[0024] Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is
important
to understand that the invention is not limited in its application to the
details of
the construction illustrated and the steps described herein. The proposed
systems and methods, in the present enablem ent of the preferred
embodiment, is intended to ensure precision volumetric control of an
automated beverage dispensing system, and specifically those automated
beverage dispensing systems as have been previously described in the
patent application filed as PCT/US2016/27175, or the broad equivalent
thereof. As will be shown and described herein below, such improved and
precise operation of controlling dispensed beverages may be accomplished
through anticipatory control of alternating reversing actions of a dispensing
piston such as to allow for repeatability and control at various pressures and
in the face of operational anomalies that invariably occur in various real
world
operational theaters. It is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of
limitation, and should be broadly construed for the intended purpose.
[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
tap spigot system is provided that allows for the realization of efficiency
and
repeatability off operation in the use of an automated Beverage Dispensing
System. Referring now to FIG. 1-3, a touchless tap handle, generally noted
CA 03058734 2019-10-01
WO 2018/190925
PCT/US2018/013415
- 7 -
as 10, is provided for beverage dispensing, The touchless tap handle 10
includes a spigot housing 20, a check valve mechanism 30, and a discharge
spout 40, and a flow control adjustment mechanism 50.
[0026] The spigot housing 20 can provide any form factor that
emulates existing tap spigots; however, while such a form factor may be
preferable it should be apparent that the overall form factor should not be
limiting to the features or operation of the present invention. The housing 20
should include a threaded connection 22 to allow for connection with both
conventional beverage dispensing systems as well as those automated
Beverage Dispensing System of the type described, taught or anticipated by
or within the patent application filed as PCT/U52016/27175 or their
equivalents. A tap handle extension 24 is further provided that can be
threadingly affixed 26 to the spigot housing 20. The tap handle extension 24
specifically does not control operational parameters, which are intended to be
initiated through pushbutton control of a pour control system (not shown).
While the tap handle extension 24 may provide an overall form factor similar
to an otherwise conventional tap spigot and can be used for affixing branded
or designed handles, no manual opening or closing can be initiated from the
tap handle extension 24.
[0027] The check valve mechanism 30 is provided between the flow
control adjustment mechanism 50 and the discharge spout 40. According to
one aspect of the present invention, the check valve mechanism 30 may
include a spring 32 and ball 34 construction for providing opening or closing
CA 03058734 2019-10-01
WO 2018/190925
PCT/US2018/013415
- 8 -
at a desired system pressure. According to another aspect of the present
invention, the check valve mechanism 30 may be adjustable to provide for
differences is opening or closing pressures. One such mechanism for
adjusting such operational pressures of the check valve 30 is to provide
interchangeable springs 32 with desired spring constants that may be
installed within a check valve housing 36.
[0028] Between the beverage connection 22 and the check valve
housing 36 is the flow control adjustment mechanism 50. The flow control
adjustment mechanism 50 may include a valve mechanism 52 having a
detachable control mechanism 54. The flow control valve 52 may be used to
as a control mechanism to calibrate fluid flow through the discharge spout 40.
The detachable control mechanism 54 may be keyed or fastened in a manner
as to be capable of removal after field installation. By making the handle 54
removable, bartenders or other staff from inadvertently or otherwise modifying
system flow parameters.
[0029] According to a functionally equivalent aspect of the
present
invention, the flow control valve 52 may be provided in the form of a solenoid
control valve, or a pneumatic control valve. It has been determined that the
use of a solenoid control valve is not operationally compatible when used in
conjunction with an automated beverage control system for dispensing of
beverages having carbonation, such as beer or sparkling wines, in that the
configuration of such valves appear to facilitate a turbulence that makes a
dispensed beverage discharge to be commercially unacceptable. As such,
CA 03058734 2019-10-01
WO 2018/190925
PCT/US2018/013415
- 9 -
the use of solenoid control valves is envisioned to be limited for use with
the
dispensing of noncarbonated beverages, such as non-sparkling wines, mixed
alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, flavored waters, energy drinks, or
similar or equivalent beverages.
[0030] Alternately, the use of a pneumatic control valve variant appears
to be acceptable for the automated dispensing of most beverage options. . It
has been determined that the use of a pneumatic control valves in such an
operation would further benefit by using the same pneumatic pressure source
that is generally provided to supply the beverage urging force for automated
beverage control systems.
[0031] In either variant, the control valve may be positioned
within said
discharge spout in lieu of the spring activated check valve, or may be
positioned within the spigot housing 20 in the fluid line prior to the check
valve
mechanism 30.
2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment
[0032] The present invention is intended to be used in
conjunction with
an automated beverage dispensing system. More specifically, it is felt that
the present invention may be used in conjunction with an improved operation
of the Beverage Dispensing System of the type described, taught or
anticipated by or within the patent application filed as PCT/U52016/27175 or
their equivalents. The use of such an improved tap handle can allow for
optimum operation of such a Beverage Dispensing System without interfering
CA 03058734 2019-10-01
WO 2018/190925
PCT/US2018/013415
- 10 -
with the improvements achieved by such a Beverage Dispensing System,
namely, such maximized throughput and optimized efficiency in the
implementation of non-beer beverages dispensers for wine, mixed cocktails
or the like. Once affixed to a discharge conduit of such a system, the flow
control adjustment mechanism 50 is positioned to provide desired fluid flow
rates. Similarly, the check valve mechanism 30 may be adjusted to provide
for a desired pressure at shutoff. At this point the Beverage Control System
can thereby be utilized according to its anticipated functionality without the
problems and disadvantages identified by the use of otherwise conventionally
available tap spigot mechanisms.
[0033] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the
present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention
to
the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations
are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen
and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its
practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best
utilize
the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are
suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of
the
invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following
claims.
