US 5,636,763 A · Gas pressurized liquid delivery system

Abstract

A gas pressurized liquid delivery system. In particular but not solely for the dispensing of beverages such as beer, cider or stout. A logic circuit whether hard wired or computer or PLC controlled and whether centralized or distributed provides for the operation of the system. The run-out of an individual container in a series of containers is detected by way of a flow indicating device within a fluid pathway. The logic circuit then switches in another container in the series. The switching can be in order of connection to the circuit or an inputed manufactured date. Various cycles are provided by the logic circuit, for example, a cleaning cycle, sterilizing cycle and a purge cycle. These cycles are able to be enacted substantially automatically. A container eg. keg connector is also provided. In at least a preferred form of the invention the container connector contains a microprocessor forming or containing part of the above mentioned logic circuit.

In a gasified liquid dispensing system having a valved outlet, for dispensing via said valved outlet liquid from one of a plurality of kegs connected into the system, the system being of a kind where for each keg there is a dedicated keg connection means for selectively establishing a pressurized liquid flow path to said valved outlet via said keg connection means of the liquid content of said keg, the arrangement whereby

(i) each said keg connection means defines
a gas inlet for a pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas connected thereto,
a gas passageway for pressurized gas from said gas inlet,
a gas outlet for pressurized gas from said gas passageway,
a liquid inlet for liquid being displaced from the keg,
a liquid passageway for liquid received via said liquid inlet,
a liquid outlet from said liquid passageway adapted to engage means providing said pressurized liquid flow path to said valved outlet,
said gas outlet and said liquid inlet being communicable with the interior of one of said kegs when said keg connection means is engaged to said one of said kegs by its said keg engaging means, so that when in use gas issuing into said one of said kegs from said gas outlet of its keg connection means can displace liquid from said keg through said keg connection means into said liquid flow path via said liquid inlet, said liquid passageway and said liquid outlet,
(ii) the liquid flow path of each keg is distinct from keg connection means of any other keg in the system,
(iii) a signal actuable valve is located in one of:
said liquid inlet,
said liquid passageway,
said liquid outlet, and
said liquid flow path adjacent the keg connection means,
for opening and closing said one of said liquid inlet, said liquid passageway, said liquid outlet and said liquid flow path,
(iv) a liquid flow sensor capable of generating a signal indicative of the flow of fluid past said sensor changing from liquid to gas, is arranged in one of:
said liquid inlet,
said liquid passageway,
said liquid outlet, and
said liquid flow path adjacent said keg connection means,
(v) dedicated logic means at each said keg connection means to provide output signals to said signal actuable valve of its keg connection means directing said signal actuable valve to open on receipt by such a dedicated logic means of an "open command" signal and to close on receipt by such a dedicated logic means of a "close command" signal and on receipt by such a dedicated logic means of a liquid flow to gas flow indicative signal from its liquid flow sensor,
(vi) each of said dedicated logic means provides at least one output signal to a system control computer remote from each said dedicated logic means;
(vii) each liquid flow sensor for detecting a change of liquid flow to gas flow from its keg being adapted to instruct its dedicated logic means to close its signal actuable valve unless overridden by a control signal from said system control computer, and
(viii) the system control computer is adapted to recognize from said at least one output signal from each dedicated logic means which keg connection means connected to a keg has its signal actuable valve open and which keg connection means connected to a keg has its signal actuable valve closed and is further adapted to generate in a dispense mode at least an open command signal to the dedicated logic means of a keg connection means connected to a liquid containing keg, such an open command signal being provided so as to cause the dedicated logic means to signal its signal actuable valve to open thereby to rapidly substitute its chosen liquid into a pressurized liquid flow path to a valved outlet for the previously flowing liquid from a keg just closed from such a pressurized liquid flow path by its own dedicated logic means and associated signal actuable valve.

21 more elements

Gas pressurized liquid delivery system

Life of this patent

Gas pressurized liquid delivery system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26