Beer dispensing and monitoring method and apparatus
OwnerJohn J. Sassakinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A beer dispensing apparatus for delivering beer to a valve that is opened to dispense a predetermined weight of the beverage by monitoring the reduced weight of the supply keg. The apparatus also includes means for bypassing a portion of the beer from the cooling coils so that a part of the beer is cooled to a non-foaming temperature and a portion of the beer is at a foaming temperature. The two portions are mixed into a mixture that forms a head on the liquid received in a beer mug or pitcher.
Claims16
A method for delivering liquid beer to a container such that a head of foam is disposed in the container, comprising the steps of:
- delivering a first part of the liquid beer at a non-foaming temperature to a dispensing location;
- delivering a second part of the liquid beer at a greater, foaming temperature to the dispensing location;
- dispensing the first and second parts of the liquid beer to the container such that a head of foam forms on the liquid beer in the container.
Apparatus for delivering a liquid beverage to a container such that a head of the foamed beverage is disposed on the liquid in the container, comprising:
- means for delivering a first portion of the beverage at a non-foaming temperature to a dispensing outlet;
- and
- means for delivering a second portion of the beverage at a greater, foaming temperature to said dispensing outlet for dispensing with the first portion of the beverage.
Apparatus for dispensing a series of weights of beer from a container of the beer under pressure, the container having a predetermined weight and the beer having an initial weight, said apparatus comprising:
- a scale comprising a base and a support mounted on the base for supporting the container in a first position relative to the base depending upon the weight of the container and the initial weight of the beer therein, the support being movable with the container to a succession of different positions, each spaced from the immediately previous position by a distance corresponding to removal of one of the weights of beer from the container;
- conduit means connected to the container to receive the beer therefrom at a first temperature, the conduit means having discharge means through which the beer can pass out of the container and comprising:
- a first conduit for passing the beer to the discharge means at a non-foaming temperature, and
- a second conduit for passing the beer to the discharge means at a higher, foaming temperature, whereby a foaming mixture is dispensed from the discharge means;
- valve means for either permitting or blocking passage of the liquid through the discharge means;
- and
- adjustable actuating means connected to the valve means to actuate the same, the actuating means comprising sensing means to sense positions of the movable support corresponding to the combined weight of the container and of the liquid therein, and control means settable to selected weights of the liquid to close the valve means to stop passage of the liquid through the discharge means when the movable support has moved to a different position that differs from the previous position of the movable support by a distance that is a function of the change in the weight of the liquid in the container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.