This disclosure relates to transporting liquids, and more specifically to transporting and dispensing beverages via a keg system.
During a routine draft beer pour, a keg housing the beer typically runs out (“kicks”), and the bartender or other user is forced to stop and wait for the keg to be changed before completing the pour. This wait can take a few minutes, or, if there is no more of that particular beer available, the pour may never be completed. There may also be additional costs associated with a brand change from beer A to beer B resulting from the keg kicking. The volume of beer trapped in the beer line varies per system. A typical rule of thumb is about ½ oz per foot of ⅜ ID beer line. A 30-foot beer line (which is quite short for the industry) has the equivalent of about one 16 oz beer in its line at all times. A hundred-foot line will have as much as three 16 oz beers.
Thus, a need exists for a beverage system that that eliminates the hassle of keg kicking. The present disclosure is directed to solving these problems and addressing other needs.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system for transporting beverage includes a container, an output port, a first length of tubing, a first gas source, and a valve. The container has a volume of beverage disposed therein. The first length of tubing has a first end and a second end. The first end of the first length of tubing is fluidly coupled to the container. The second end of the first length of tubing is fluidly coupled to the output port. The first gas source is fluidly coupled to the container via a second length of tubing. The second gas source is fluidly coupled to the first length of tubing. The valve has at least a first port and a second port. The first port of the valve is fluidly coupled to the first length of tubing. The second port is fluidly coupled to a clearing fluid source. The valve is operable between a first orientation and a second orientation. The first orientation fluidly connects the container and the output port via the first length of tubing. The second orientation fluidly connects the clearing fluid source and the output port via the first length of tubing.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a method of transporting beverage includes, responsive to a first input, a first gas source fluidly connected to the container causing a beverage to flow from a container through a length of tubing and out of an output port. Responsive to a second input, a clearing fluid source fluidly connected to the length of tubing causes the beverage to flow through the length of tubing and out of the output port.
The foregoing and additional aspects and implementations of the present disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments and/or implementations, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided next.
The foregoing and other advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings.
While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
Referring generally to
The beverage system 10 also includes a first gas source 400 that aids in forcing the beverage 110 into the beverage line 300 towards the output port 200. The first gas source 400 is fluidly coupled to the beverage container 100 via a first gas tube 420. In some exemplary implementations, the first gas source 400 is a cylinder containing pressurized gaseous substance 410 (e.g., carbon dioxide).
The beverage system 10 can include a tap handle 210 at the output port 200. When the tap handle 210 is activated (e.g., pulled forward), the first gas source 400 introduces the gaseous substance 410 into the beverage container 100 from the top. The gaseous substance 410 located above the beverage 110 in the beverage container 100 pushes a portion of the beverage 110 downward into an opening of a discharge tube 120. Once the portion of the beverage 110 enters the discharge tube 120, it travels upwards into the beverage line 300, headed for the output port 200 (e.g., an open tap). When the tap handle 210 is deactivated (e.g., pushed backwards in the reverse direction), the first gas source 400 stops introducing the gaseous substance 410 into the beverage container, and therefore stops the flow of the beverage 110 to the output port.
Referring now to
Therefore, in some implementations and as best shown in
In some implementations, the waste reservoir 650 is part of a standard waste drain system. In this implementation, the third port 630 can be coupled to a floor drain, for example a floor drain located in the floor of a kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, boiler room, or other suitable room. The third port 630 can be coupled to other types of drains as well, such as sink drains or shower drains. Thus, the beverage/clearing fluid mixture can be disposed of like any other type of waste water or other waste liquid in the establishment where the beverage system 10 is located. In these implementations or others, the third port 630 can be coupled to a drain, reservoir, or other structure using an air gap valve.
In some implementations, the beverage system 10 includes a mechanical switch or knob that causes the valve 600 to alternate orientations. In some implementations, the beverage system 10 includes one or more processing devices and one or more user input devices. The one or more processing devices and the one or more user input devices are used to control the system. The user input device is configured to receive input from the user regarding which beverage container needs replacement. The user can also indicate to the system the orientations of the valve 600 if needed.
The processing devices can be a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computing, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a server, or any other suitable device. The user input device can generally be any of these devices as well, and may be the same or different from the processing device. In one example, a single computing device with a touch screen is both the processing device and the user input device. In another example, a single computing device with a keyboard and/or a mouse is both the processing device and the user input device. In yet another example, the processing device is one computing device (such as a laptop computer or a desktop computer), and the user input device is another computing device (such as a mobile telephone or a tablet computer. In still another example, the one or more processing devices that control the beverage system 10 include one or more programmable logic controllers (PLCs) that are customized to work with the beverage system 10. The one or more PLCs can be operatively connected to the valve 600 and can cause the valve 600 to move between orientations. The one or more PLCs can also be connected to the first gas source 400 and/or the second gas source 500 in order to control the flow of the gaseous substance from the first and second gas sources 400, 600, into the beverage line 300. Finally, in some implementations, the one or more PLCs can be configured to control the operation of the output port 200, for example via actuation of the tap handle 210. The one or more PLCs can control the operation of the output port 200 in other manners as well.
As best shown in
As best shown in
As best shown in
In summary regarding the valve orientations, when the valve 600 is in the first orientation, the beverage 110 flows out of the beverage container 100, through the beverage line 300, and out of the output port 200 (e.g., a nozzle). When the valve 600 is in the second orientation after the keg kicks, the beverage container 100 (e.g., keg) is interrupted from flowing beverage or water between the beverage container 100 and the output port 200 via the beverage line 300. The clearing fluid source 640 (e.g., water source) is connected instead, and the water can be forced through the beverage line 300 such that it forces the remaining beverage 110 in the beverage line 300 out of the output port 200. When the valve 600 is in the third orientation, the beverage line 300 is connected directly to the waste reservoir 650, and the second gas source 500 can be used to force the beverage/water mixture back down the beverage line 300 to the waste reservoir 650.
In response to the user input, the one or more processing devices are configured to cause the valve 600 to alternate between the first orientation, the second orientation, and the third orientation so that the remainder of the first beverage may be dispensed with the clearing fluid and the lines may be purged of the clearing fluid using the second gas source 500. In some exemplary implementations, the one or more processing devices include a micro-processor that is configured to sequence and protect events with delayed initiation, anti-tie down, and anti-repeat logic functions, thereby avoiding unintentional use. The beverage system 10 can be configured to automatically expel the remainder of the first beverage and purge the lines of the clearing fluid upon receiving input from the user indicating that the beverage container has kicked. In other implementations, the beverage system 10 changes the orientation of the valve 600 as needed, and awaits further input to initiate the dispensing of the remainder of the first beverage and the purging of the clearing fluid from the lines.
In some other implementations, the beverage system 10 is an automatic system where the valve 600 alternates its orientation without manual input. For example, instead of having a user input device, the beverage system may include one or more sensors that are configured to perform the same or similar functionalities as the user input device. In some such exemplary implementations, the beverage system 10 includes a first sensor 150 coupled to the beverage container 100 and a second sensor 350 coupled to the beverage line 300. The first sensor is configured to sense a volume of liquid in the beverage container 100 or an amount of gas in the beverage container 100. As more beverage is poured from the beverage container 100, the beverage container 100 is filled with more gas. Thus, to determine whether a volume of beverage has fallen below a threshold amount, the first sensor 150 can be configured to directly sense the volume of beverage, or to indirectly measure the volume of beverage by sensing the amount of gas. The second sensor is configured to sense a flow rate in the beverage line 300.
The beverage system 10 having sensors may have the valve defaulted to the first orientation, where the beverage 110 flows out of the beverage container 100, through the beverage line 300, and out of the output port 200 (e.g., a nozzle). When the first sensor 150 senses that the volume of beverage in the beverage container 100 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold that is indicative of the beverage container 100 being close to empty, the one or more processors cause the valve 600 to switch to the second orientation. At the second orientation, fresh water from the clearing fluid source 640 forces the remaining beverage 110 in the beverage line 300 out of the output port 200. When the second sensor 350 senses that an amount of fresh water entering the beverage line 300 exceeds a predetermined threshold that is indicative of the beverage container 100 being close to displacing the remaining beverage in the beverage line 300 with fresh water (i.e., approximately equal to the volume capacity of the beverage line 300), the one or more processors cause the valve 600 to switch to the third orientation. At the third orientation, the beverage line 300 is connected directly to the waste reservoir 650, and the beverage/water mixture is forced back down the beverage line 300 to the waste reservoir 650.
Additionally or alternatively to the second sensor, the beverage system 10 may include a third sensor for determining when the liquid flowing past the third sensor changes from a first liquid (e.g., beer) to a second liquid (e.g., water). For example, the third sensor can be coupled to the beverage line 300 approximate the output port 200. Once the keg has kicked and water is pushed into the beverage line 300 to empty out the rest of the beverage from the beverage line 300, the third sensor is configured to determine when water (or a mixture of water and beverage) is flowing past the third sensor instead of the beverage alone. As such, the beverage system is configured to stop the pour.
Additionally or alternatively, the beverage system 10 may include an LED collar 215 near or at the tap handle 210. The LED collar 215 is configured to display a first color (e.g., red) that is indicative of the beverage container 100 being empty of beverage 110 and requiring changing. For example, the LED collar 215 is communicatively coupled to a volume sensor in the beverage container 100. When the volume sensor senses a volume of beverage in the beverage container 100 being equal to or less than a predetermined threshold indicative of the beverage container 100 being close to empty, the LED collar 215 is caused to display the first color. The beverage system 10 may further include a button or a switch. When pressed, the button or switch may cause the LED collar to display a second color (e.g., green) that is indicative of the keg change being completed and that the beverage container 100 has a sufficient amount of beverage therein.
As an example, when the keg kicks, the user of the beverage system 10 is given the option of continuing the pour via an input device at the tap handle 210 or switching and connecting to a new keg. If such an option to continue the pour is selected, drinking water can be introduced at a location closest to the keg into the beverage line 300, allowing the water to lift or push the remaining beverage contained in the beverage line 300 up to the output port 200 (e.g., the tap) such that the remaining beverage can be dispensed. A red LED light may illuminate, indicating water is being introduced into the line.
A more simplified beverage system is also contemplated. The simplified beverage system is the same as, or similar to, the beverage system 10 described above, except that the valve of the simplified beverage system only has a first port and a second port. Thus, the second gas source 500 and the waste reservoir 650 are optional in the simplified beverage system. The valve of the simplified beverage system is accordingly operable between a first orientation and a second orientation.
When the valve of the simplified beverage system is in the first orientation, the beverage flows out of the beverage container, through the beverage line, and out of the output port (e.g., nozzle). When the valve of the simplified beverage system is in the second orientation after the keg kicks, the beverage container (e.g., keg) is interrupted from flowing beverage or water between the beverage container and the nozzle via the beverage line. The clearing fluid source (e.g., water source) is connected instead, and the water can be forced through the beverage line such that it forces the remaining beverage in the beverage line out of the nozzle.
Instead of having a second gas source to force the beverage/water mixture back down the beverage line to a waste reservoir, the valve of the simplified beverage system may revert back to the first orientation. A new beverage container may replace the previous beverage container. The first gas source is configured to cause at least a portion of the volume of beverage disposed within the new beverage container to flow from the new beverage container through the beverage line toward the output port, thereby forcing the remaining beverage (from the previous beverage container) and remaining water in the beverage line to flow through the beverage line, passing the first port of the valve, and out of the output port. Once the remaining beverage (from the previous beverage container) and remaining water in the beverage line are displaced by the beverage from the new beverage container, the simplified beverage system becomes ready for another pour, now with the new beverage.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments and implementations, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Each of these embodiments and implementations and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, which is set forth in the claims that follow.
This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/023,238 filed May 11, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1963784 | Freund | Jun 1934 | A |
2022951 | Cohen | Dec 1935 | A |
2030398 | Rivard | Feb 1936 | A |
2039006 | Jasper | Apr 1936 | A |
2092257 | Lewis | Sep 1937 | A |
2098525 | Smith | Nov 1937 | A |
2109896 | Anderson | Mar 1938 | A |
2167309 | Norton | Jul 1939 | A |
2175951 | Bulleri | Oct 1939 | A |
2178559 | Coben | Nov 1939 | A |
2194681 | Wheler | Mar 1940 | A |
2196176 | Brigham | Apr 1940 | A |
2237014 | Stoehrer | Apr 1941 | A |
2263922 | Guttman | Nov 1941 | A |
2331460 | Davis | Oct 1943 | A |
2371188 | Russell | Mar 1945 | A |
2443550 | Zwosta | Jun 1948 | A |
2458230 | Warcup | Jan 1949 | A |
2591985 | Warcup | Apr 1952 | A |
2619119 | Warcup | Nov 1952 | A |
2774229 | Thau | Dec 1956 | A |
2777452 | Zwosta | Jan 1957 | A |
2827070 | Gatz | Mar 1958 | A |
2917906 | Woolley | Dec 1959 | A |
3115150 | Sariotti | Dec 1963 | A |
3120326 | Hedeman | Feb 1964 | A |
3830248 | Brown | Aug 1974 | A |
4088245 | Brown | May 1978 | A |
4572230 | Mirabile | Feb 1986 | A |
4955100 | Bersch | Sep 1990 | A |
5072476 | Bersch | Dec 1991 | A |
5564602 | Cleland | Oct 1996 | A |
5601101 | Grapes | Feb 1997 | A |
5762096 | Mirabile | Jun 1998 | A |
6240952 | Schroeder | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6446659 | Schroeder | Sep 2002 | B2 |
7757908 | Buhl, Jr. | Jul 2010 | B1 |
8887961 | Bax | Nov 2014 | B2 |
9073741 | Jannatkhah | Jul 2015 | B2 |
10280059 | Peirsman | May 2019 | B2 |
10392238 | Lawler | Aug 2019 | B2 |
10464799 | Carson | Nov 2019 | B2 |
10815115 | Pickett | Oct 2020 | B2 |
20030183249 | Nissinen | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20040245281 | Oke | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20070245766 | Younkle | Oct 2007 | A1 |
20080223410 | Molloy | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20110114680 | Haskayne | May 2011 | A1 |
20180362319 | Park | Dec 2018 | A1 |
20200247657 | Christiansen | Aug 2020 | A1 |
20210347626 | Cunneen | Nov 2021 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20210347626 A1 | Nov 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
63023238 | May 2020 | US |