AU668285B2 - System for temperature regulation and supply of beverage - Google Patents

Description

-2- The present invention relates to a system for' supplying temperature regulated beverage through delivery tubes to a plurality of dispense points and, In particular, to a means for regulating -the temperature of the beverage in its passage through the delivery tubes, Thermally insulated beverage supply and coolant lines, commonly referred to as pythons, have found widespread use In alcohol licensed establishments as generally efficient and reliable means for supplying temperature regulated beverage to a dispense point located remotely from a source of the beverage.

***The particular configuration of beverage supply and coolant lines within the python is critical to the performance of the python as a means for regulating the :16 beverage temperature and ensuring that a sufficiently cooled drink is served to the customer.

To date, the Internal 1ino configuration of pythons has varied from manufacturer to manutacturer. One form of python presently In use Includes a central beverage line, comprising one or more parallel arranged beverage supply tnbeo, surrounded by a plurality 'larranged coolant tubes In mutual contact about and In thermal contact with the central beverage line. Insulator tubling compressibly encloses all the tubes of the python.

Where it is necessary for such a python to carry a large number of beverage supply tubec, for instance where a similarly large number oV dispense points or taps receive their beverage soupply fromi the one python, the beverage -3supply tubes may be located in such a way that there is one central or core beverage tube in contact with a larger number of parallel or concentrically arranged beverage tubes that, advantageously, should be in mutual contact together. In such a configuration, only the outer, concentrically arranged beverage tubes will be in thermal or heat exchange contact with the more outerlying coolant tubes, which are themselves In mutual contact. The central or core beverage tube is not e*e *in direct thermal contact with the coolant tubes and so beverage supplied through that central tube may not experience the same temperature regulation as beverage *..*supplied through the outer concentrically arranged beverage tubes that are In thermal or heat exchange contact with the coolant tubes. The central beverage tube will, therefore, 15 rely for its cooling on the thermal behaviour of the beverage supply tubas which surround it, Any thermal defects or sees misalignment In the surrounding beverage supply tubes may adversely affect the temperature of beverage passing through :the central beverage supply tube.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an Improved python which will substantially overcome or ameliorate the abovementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

It Is a further object of the present invention to provide a system for supplying temperature regulated beverage to a plurality of dispense points, the system including an improved python operating In conjunction with a recirculating coolant flow circuit.

it is a still further object of the present invention -4to provide an improved return chiller unit for use in the recirculating coolant flow circuit.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a python for conveying temperature regulated beverage through tubes located therewithin, said python comprising:a central coolant tube adapted for allowing coolant to flow therethrough in a first direction, (ii) a plurality of beverage supply tubes located 10 around and in parallel with the central coolant tube and in heat exchange contact therewith, (ili) a plurality of outer coolant tubes adapted for allowing coolant to flow therethrough in a second direction opposite to the said first direction, each of the said outer 15 coolant tubes being in heat exchange contact with at least one of the beverage supply tubes, and being spaced apart from each of the other outer coolant tubes, and (iv) insulator tubing enclosing all the coolant 99 9 tubes and beverage supply tubes.

Preferably, the central coolant tube has an outer wall having a plurality of outwardly extending wall portions, each outwardly extending wall portion being separated from its adjacent outwardly extending wall portion by a contoured wall portion adapted to receive a surface of a beverage supply tube.

The plurality of outwardly extending wall portions are preferably ridges and the external shape of each of the contoured wall portions separating the outwardly extending wall portions is preferably concave.

Preferably, each concave shaped wall portion receives snugly an outer surface portion of a beverage supply tube.

It is not necessary for the beverage supply tubes to be in mutual contact about the central coolant tube. In the preferred arrangement, the ridges and concave shaped wall portions of the central coolant tube outer wall have a shape and configuration that cause the beverage supply tubes to be *c.

10 mutually spaced apart.

tue sIt is also preferred that each of the outer coolant S. tubes is in heat exchange contact with two of the beverage supply tubes, but remain mutually spaced apart.

Preferably, each of the outer coolant tubes is spaced 15 apart from the central coolant tube.

In another preferred form, each beverage supply tube is in heat exchange contact with two outer coolant tubes as well as being in heat exchange contact with the central coolant tube.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a system for supplying temperature regulated beverage to a plurality of dispense points, the system including the aforementioned python and a recirculating coolant flow circuit supplying coolant to flow in a first direction through the central coolant tube of the said python and in a second direction through the outer coolant tubes of the said python.

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Preferably, the recirculating coolant flow circuit includes a return chiller unit comprising an enclosed vessel having coolant entry port means for releasing coolant supplied from the central coolant tube of the aforementioned python into the vessel, coolant exit port means for drawing coolant from the vessel to flow through the outer coolant tubes of the aforementioned python, and a plurality of beverage heat exchange tube elements surrounded by coolant IS: located within the vessel. The beverage heat exchange tube elements receive beverage carried through the beverage supply tubes of the aforementioned python and feed beverage to the toSo .11. dispense points, Preferably, the recirculating coolant flow circuit OS supplies flow of coolant by means of a refrigerated pump is1 unit.

It is preferred that the refrigerated pump unit pumps refrigerated coolant through the central coolant tube of the python into the vessel of the return chiller unit, from where the coolant returns through the outer coolant tubes of the python to the pump unit.

The refrigerated pump unit supplies coolant at a predetermined temperztture so that the beverage flowing through the beverage supply tubes in the python and through the beverage heat exchange tube elements in the return 23 chiller unit Is maintained at a regulated temperature desired for serving from the dispense pointo.

Preferably, the beverage, which is normally sourced from kegs and the like, passes through tubes located in the -7refrigerated pump unit for primary cooling of the beverage before It passes through the python.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put Into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a out-away perspective view of a beverage conveying python according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, *Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the python of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a system for supplying temperature regulated beverage to a plurality of dispense points, the system including the python of Figs. I and 2, and a 15 return chiller unit connected to a recirculating coolant flow circuit, and Fig. 4 is a partly cut-away perspective view of the return chiller unit shown In Fig. 3.

060 The python 11 of Figs. 1 and 2 has a plurality of parallel tubing 12 extending longitudinally within an insulator tube 13. The insulator tube 13, which is preferably made of a flexible rubber foam material, compressibly encloses the tubing 12, which are preferably fabricated of a plastic material such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

The parallel tubing 12 consist of a central coolant tube 14, eight identical parallel arranged beverage supply tubes 15 located around or concentrically about the central -8as..

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*5 S S *5 S S ~4 5 coolant tube 14 and In heat exchange or thermal contact therewith, and eight identical parallel. arranged outer coolant tubes 16 which are spaced apart from each other but each of which is in heat exchange or thermal contact with two adjacent beverage supply tubes In use, coolant, which is typically a cooled liquid, flows in a first direction through the central coolant tube 14 The same coolant Is recirculated so as to flow in a second direction opposite to the first direction through the 10 outer coolant tubes 16. Bleverage conveyed in a uniform direction through the supply tubes 15 has Its temperature regulated by the arrangement of coolant tubes 14 and 16 with which the beverage supply tubes 15 are in hoat exchange contact.

15 The central coolant tube 14 has an outer star shape appearance which enables a greater degree of contact and, therefore, heat exchange between the central coolant tube 14 and the beverage supply tubes 15. The star shape of the outer wall of the central coolant tube 14 is the result of having eight outwardly or' radially extending wall portions 1.7 separated from each other by contoured wall portiono 18 that are adapted to receive a surface of a beverage supply tubo The outwardly extending wall portions 17 are in the form of ridges and any two adjacent beverage supply tubeo are held stably in their respective positions by a single ridge 17.

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-9- The exter'nal shape of the contoured wall portions 18 between each ridge 17 Is concave. The concave profile of each contoured wall portion 18 corresponds to the convex profile of the abutting beverage supply tube 15, so that each concave shaped wall portion 18 receives snugly an outer surface portion of a beverage supply tube In the embodiment of the python shown in 1Figs. 1 and 2, most of the beverage supply tubes 15 are mutually spaced 000:00apart by the effect of the ridges 17 and concave shaped wall so- 10 portions 18. Where necessary, the shape and configuration of the outer wall of the central coolant tube may be such as to .**accommnodate a greater number of beverage supply tubes than that shown in. Fitgs. 1 and 2 and in these circumstances, all 6 the beverage supply tubes may be In mutual contact.

is 1 The python 11 is shown schematically In Flyg. 3 as part of a system for supplying temperature regulated beverage to a plurality of dispensing taps (not shown.). The system also includes a recirculating coolant flow circuit 4omprising a return chiller unit 20, a refrigerated pump unit 21 and coolant tubes continuous with those In the python 11 that connect with the return chiller unit 20 and refrigerated pump unit 21. Also included in the systemn are kegs 22 which otore beverage, ouch as beer, and pass the beverage through keg supply tubes 23, to the supply tubes 15 housed in the python 11. The refrigerated pump unit 21 cauoe coolant to be pumped through the coolant tubes of the recirculating coolant flow circuit.

Although not shown, the keg supply tubes 23 that rise from the kegs 22 pass through the refrigerated pump unit 21 whiere the beverage is initially cooled to a temperature that will be maintained or regulated when the oame beverage passes through the python 11 in the beverage supply tubes The return chiller unit 20 shown in detail In Fig. 4 comprises an enclosed or sealed vessel 25 preferably made of stainless steel, that Is adapted to contain coolant, such as water at 000 for flow through the recirculating coolant 9 10 flow circuit. The return chiller unit 20 has a coolant entry *4 port 26, eight coolant exit ports 27 and eight beverage heat Sa* exchange tube elements 28, all preferably made of stainloss steel.

When the vessel 25 contains the required volume of 15 coolant, the beverage heat exchange tube elemento 26 are surrounded by and in heat exchange contact with coolant.

The coolant entry port 26 releases coolant N \pplied from the central coolant tube 14 of the python 11 into the vessel 25 to maintain the required volume of coolant therein.

The coolant entry port 20 is in the form of a tube that extends upwardly from the floor 30 of the vessel 28. The tube of the coolant entry port 20 has an entry tube portion 31, also preferably nade of stainloes oteel, e:tending below the floor 30 of the vessel 25. The plastic central coolant tube 14 is fitted with a tight seal onto the entry tube portion 31 of the coolaut entry port 26.

ThQ coolant exit porto 27 draw or drain coolant froi the vessel 25 to flow through the eight o ter coolant tubes 16 of the python 11. The return chiller unit 20 tnerefore serves as a means for redirecting the flow Of coolant In the recirculating coolanjrt flow cirouit. The c.oola exilt ports, 27 are preferably in the form of stainles- steel nipples exttending below the vessel and the plastic outer coolant tubes 16 are fitted thereon with a tight seal.

The beverage heat eizchanje tube elermento 28), each of which are substantially S-shaped, have entry tube portion,, 24 extendtna below the vessel 25 and exit tube portlins 29 e* 10 extending abouve the vessel 25. The entry and exit tube portions, 24 and 29 are continuous, with their rermpect 17vc-t beverage heat exohanqe tube element 26. Vle::ible V ee 2 (oee Fiu. 3) are fitted with a tight oeal onto theo enit tu'be portions-: 29 >o as t-o convey cooled beverage to di1spensing .515 tapst for serving. T1he plastic beveriage oupply titeo fitted with a tight oeal onto tha entry tube portions 24.

Pig. 3 shows the passage of co)olant throi.gh1 the tubes of tha recirculating coolant flow circuit. The coolant is 5 pumped from. the refrigerated pump unit 21, which initially Greates the required coolant temporax,uare, through a pump eoit tube 35 that ic. cont Inuous with the veritral coolant tube 44 of the python 11. The coolant passes through the central coolant tube 14, which ivs In heat enchange contact with the beverage supply tubecs ii, and Into the return chiller tit 2 F where it bathes, the beverage heat e.::change tu be elenmento Co1olant is theni returnod through the outer coolant tuboo i6 cof the python 11 to the refrigerated puj~nr-. unit 21. The QffE(ct of the python 11 and return chiller, uiiLt 20 ato V -12regulate the predetermined temperature of the coolant supplied from the refrigerated pump unit 21 at a desired temperature or temperaturen through the flow circuit for regulating the temperature of the beverage flowing in tubes with which the coolant is in heat exchange contact.

Various modifications may be made in details of design and construction without departing from the coope and ambit of the invention.-- 6 04

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Claims (10)

1. A python fcr conveying temperature regulated beverage through tubes lo ted '.nerewithin, said python comprising:- a central coolant tube adapted for allowing coolant to flow therethrough in a first direction, (ii) a plurality of beverage supply tubes located arounu and in parallel with the central coolant tube and in heat exchange contact therewith, (ill) a plurality of outer coolant tubes adapted for 0allowing cL- lant to flow therethrough in a second direction opposite to the said first direction, each of the said outer 0 S. coolant tuhe being in heat exchange contact with at least one of the beverage supply tubes, and being spaced apart from each of the other outer coolant tubes, and (iv) insulator tubing enclosing all the coolant tubes anI beverage supply tubes.

2. The python of claim 1 wherein the central coolant tube oeo has an outer wall having a plurality of outwardly extending wall portions, each outwardly extending wall portion being S oeparated from 4ts adjacent outwardly extending wall portion by a contoured wall portion adapted to receive a ourface of a beverage supply tube.

3. The python of claim 2 wherein the plurality of outwardly extending wall portions are ridges and tae external ohaye of each of the contoured wall portiono oeparating the outwardly extending wall portions iu concave.

4. The python of claim 3 whreain each concave shape wall portion receives snugly an outer burface portion of a beverage supply tube. The python of claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the shape and configuration of the ridges and the concave wall portions of the central coolant tube outer wall are such as to cause the beverage supply tubes to be mutually spaced apart.

6. The python of any one of claims 1 to 5 wher.Jn each of the outer coolant tubes is in heat exchange contact with two of the beverage supply tubes and adjacent outer coolant tubes are spaced apart from one anothe., ae 4* 7. The python of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein each of the ou'er coolant tubes is spaced apart from the central 4 coolant tube.

8. The python of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein each beverage supply tube is in heat exchange contact with two a• outer coolant tubes as well as being in heat exchange contact with the central coolant tube. qaSO 4. The python of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein all the a*.a coolant tubes and beverage supply tubes are compressed together by the insulator tubing. a A system for supplying tomeraturoe regulated beverage to a plurality of dispense points, the system including the python of any one of claims 1 to 9 and a recirculating coolant flow circult supplying coolant to flow in a firot direction through the central coolant tube of the oaid python and in a second dareetion through the outer coolant tuhec of the said python.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the reci3culating coolant flow circuit includes a return chiller unit comprising an enclosed vessel having coolant entry port means for releasing coolant supplied from the central coolant 'tube into the vessel, coolant exit port means for drawing coolant from the vessel to flow through the outer coolant tubes, and a plurality of beverage heat exchange tube elements surrounded by coolant located within the vessel that receive beverag carried through the ,,everage supply tubes of the said python and feed beverage to the dispense points. 66VO 12. The system of claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the 4# a 4 recirculating coolant flow circuit supplies flow of coolant by means of a refrigerated pump unit.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the refrigerated pump unit pumps refrigerated coolant through the centrEQl coolant tube of the python into the vessel of the return chiller unit, from where the coolant teturns through the outer coolant tubes of the python to the pump unit.

14. The system of claimn 13 wherein the refrigerated pump unit supplies coolant at a predetermined temperature so that the beverage flowing through the beverage supply tubes in the python and through the beverage heat exchange tube elements In the return chiller unit is main~tained att a regulated temperature desired for serving from the dispense points. IS. The system of claim 14 wherein the beverage pas4ae8 through tubes located In the rofrigerated pump unit for primary cooling of the beverage before It passes through the python.

16. A python for conveying tem))erature regulated beverage through tubes located therewithin, said python being -16- substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings, Dated this 15th day of April, 1994. MULTIMIN BEW-99AGERS L~MITmv Patent Attorneys for the Applicant PETER MAXWELL &ASSOCIATES see$ 5. *0 0 ABSTRACT A python (11) for conveying temperature regulated beverage through tubes located therewithin has a central coolant tube beverage supply tubes (15) and outer coolant tubes (16) all enclosed by insulator tubing (13), The beverage supply tubes (15) are located around and in parallel with the central coolant tube (14) and are in thermal or h-t exchange contact therewith. The outer "coolant tubes (16) are generally located around and in o..o parallel with the ring of beverage supply tubes (15) but are 0• spaced apart from each other so as not to be in mutual heat eee* S. exchange contact. Each one of the outer coolant tubes (13) is in heat exchange contact with at least one of the beverage supply tubes Coolant, such as water maintained at *Got 0°C, is pumped from a refrigerated pump unit (21) through the central coolant tube (14) located in the python (11) and test *oo is returned via a return chiller unit (20) through the outer coolant tubes (16) of thp python (11) to the refrigerated S pump unit (21). 4