JP7263395B2 - Dispensing equipment for sparkling beverages - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dispensing device for sparkling beverages.

Conventionally, effervescent beverages (e.g., beer) have been used in order to improve flavor, mouthfeel, throat feel, and appearance when poured into a container such as a mug or glass. It is often preferred to have as much as a 30% foam layer on top of the beverage layer. The bubbles are preferably fine to retard decarbonation and oxidation of the beverage. In addition, fine bubbles can prolong the taste of the beverage.

For example, in stores such as beer halls, beer gardens, and pubs, barreled beer is poured into containers by a dedicated server and served to customers. At this time, in order to form a layer of fine bubbles on the layer of beer, various operations such as adjustment of the angle of the container when pouring beer, cock operation, pouring amount and / or gas pressure are performed. Skill is required.

Therefore, various proposals have been disclosed for generating fine bubbles without requiring skill. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a tap for pouring sparkling beverages in which an ultrasonic wave generating element is embedded in the outlet. Further, Patent Literature 2 discloses a beer pouring device that is used by being attached to a pitcher. This device has an ultrasonic element placed under the cross-section of the nozzle. Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a pouring device for sparkling beverages that is used by being attached to a portable container such as a pitcher. The apparatus includes a vibrating device for imparting vibrations to the beverage flowing through the path within the apparatus.

JP-A-2000-327096 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-216080 Patent No. 6227433

When foaming a sparkling beverage with an element that generates ultrasound, for example, if the ultrasound hits the beverage for a short time (e.g., if the beverage has a high flow velocity), fine bubbles may not be generated sufficiently. Therefore, when the ultrasonic wave generating element is used in a portable container such as a pitcher, can or bottle into which the beverage is poured at a low flow rate, mainly due to gravity, fine bubbles are sufficiently generated, but the beverage is at a high flow rate. If an ultrasonic generating element is used in a flow rate pouring beverage server, fine bubbles may not be sufficiently generated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing device for sparkling beverages capable of producing fine bubbles.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a dispensing device for sparkling beverages, comprising: a first tube for delivering the sparkling beverage; and a second tube stiffer than the first tube and inserted inside the first tube. and an element for applying ultrasonic waves to the first tube at a position where the first tube and the second tube overlap.

The present inventors have found that by inserting a second tube into a first tube to form a constricted portion with a small cross-sectional area of the flow channel, and applying ultrasonic waves to the constricted portion, the ultrasonic wave reaches the entire flow channel. It has been found that fine bubbles can be generated by this. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, ultrasonic waves are applied to the narrowed portion where the first tube and the second tube as described above are combined. In addition, the present inventors found that when transmitting vibration to a beverage (i.e. liquid), by transmitting vibration from a second tube that is harder than the first tube, compared to transmitting vibration from the first tube , it was found that the vibration can be efficiently transmitted to the beverage without absorbing the vibration. Therefore, fine bubbles can be generated.

The dispensing device may be configured to be incorporated into a beverage server for dispensing a sparkling beverage stored in the beverage container, wherein the first tube connects the beverage container and the dispensing portion of the beverage server. It may be constituted by a hose that In this aspect, the dispensing device is configured to be incorporated into a beverage server. As described above, in the beverage server, the beverage is poured at a high flow rate, so the ultrasonic waves hit the beverage for a short time. According to this aspect, fine bubbles can be generated even in such a beverage server.

The second tube may be constituted by a connector connecting the hose and the outlet of the beverage server. In this case, the position where ultrasonic waves are applied is close to the outlet of the sparkling beverage. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of bubbles remaining in the channel when the generation of bubbles is stopped. Therefore, generation of extra bubbles can be prevented.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, fine bubbles can be generated.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the beverage server containing the pouring apparatus which concerns on embodiment. Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the hose unit removed from the beverage server; It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows a tap nozzle.

Hereinafter, a pouring device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Similar or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted. Figures may be scaled for ease of understanding.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a beverage server 10 including a dispensing device according to an embodiment. In this embodiment the dispensing device is contained in a hose unit 5 which is incorporated into the beverage server 10 . The beverage server 10 includes, for example, a refrigerator 1, a tower 2, a control device 3, and a gas cylinder 4. Beverage server 10 may further include other components.

Refrigerator 1 is configured to accommodate and cool beverage container B. The beverage server 10 is a so-called air-cooled type, and the refrigerator 1 is configured to cool the beverage together with the beverage container B. The refrigerator 1 may, for example, be configured to accommodate a beverage container B that is in use and one or more spare beverage containers B. The refrigerator 1 can have a door (not shown) that allows the beverage container B to be taken in and out.

Beverage container B can be, for example, a beer keg. Beverage container B can be used for various sparkling beverages (e.g., beer, alcoholic carbonated beverages other than beer (e.g., low-malt beer, beer-flavored sparkling alcoholic beverages made from raw materials other than malt and mixed with other alcoholic beverages). (so-called third beer), chuhai or highball) or non-alcoholic carbonated beverages (non-alcoholic beer or carbonated juice), etc.). Beverages to which the pouring device of the present disclosure is applied are not limited to beer-taste beverages, and can be any sparkling beverage that is desired to have bubbles when drunk.

A dispense head H is attached to the beverage container B in use. A gas cylinder 4 and a probe 52 of a hose unit 5 are attached to the dispense head H. The beverage inside the beverage container B is pushed out to the hose 51 of the hose unit 5 through the dispense head H and the probe 52 by the gas supplied from the gas cylinder 4 .

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the hose unit 5 removed from the beverage server 10. FIG. The hose unit 5 may be intended to be replaced periodically, at predetermined times, or at any time. The hose unit 5 may be disposable. The hose unit 5 has, for example, a hose (first tube) 51, a probe 52, a tap nozzle 53, and an element 54 (FIG. 3) for applying ultrasonic waves. The hose unit 5 may further have other components.

Referring to FIG. 1, hose 51 can be made of various flexible synthetic resins, for example polyethylene. One end of the hose 51 on the probe 52 side is connected to the beverage container B, and the other end on the tap nozzle 53 side is connected to the discharge part 22 of the tower 2 .

The probe 52 is connected to one end of the hose 51 and configured to connect the end to the beverage container B (specifically, the dispense head H). More specifically, the probe 52 may be configured to fit into the dispense head H, for example. Probe 52 may be made of a variety of materials, such as synthetic resin or metal.

The tap nozzle 53 is connected to the other end of the hose 51 and configured to connect the end to the outlet 22 of the tower 2 . Specifically, the tap nozzle 53 may be configured to be fitted into the ejection portion 22 so that the nozzle portion 53e protrudes from the ejection portion 22 (that is, the tap nozzle 53 is installed in the beverage server 10 to ). The tap nozzle 53 may be made of various materials such as synthetic resin or metal.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the tap nozzle 53. As shown in FIG. The tap nozzle 53 includes, for example, a main body 53a, a connector (second tube) 53b, a valve 53c, and a valve lid 53d. The tap nozzle 53 may further include other components.

The main body 53 a includes a nozzle portion 53 e and is configured to fit into the discharge portion 22 of the tower 2 .

The connector 53b is configured to connect the hose 51 and the discharge portion 22 (specifically, the main body 53a fitted into the discharge portion 22). More specifically, the first end of connector 53 b (right end in FIG. 3 ) is configured to be inserted into the end of hose 51 . For example, the outer surface of the first end of connector 53b may be provided with a taper 53f to facilitate insertion into hose 51 . The taper 53f may be provided with a raised portion 53g to prevent the hose 51 from being easily removed from the connector 53b. A second end (left end in FIG. 3) of connector 53b includes external threads for engaging body 53a. Connector 53b can be made of a harder material than hose 51 . For example, the connector 53b can be made of various non-flexible synthetic resins, such as polypropylene.

The inner diameter and thickness of hose 51 and connector 53b can be selected such that the ultrasonic waves from element 54 generate the desired foam in the beverage. For example, in one embodiment, hose 51 can have an inner diameter of about 3 mm and a thickness of about 1.25 mm, and connector 53b can have an inner diameter of about 2.5 mm. The inner diameter and thickness of hose 51 may vary depending on various factors such as, for example, the intensity of the ultrasonic waves from element 54 .

The valve 53c is configured to close or open the flow path of the sparkling beverage. Valve 53c is configured to be inserted into body 53a. For example, tap nozzle 53 may include a resilient element (not shown) such as a spring to bias valve 53c to an open position (the position shown in FIG. 3). The upper surface of the valve 53c is provided with a projection 53h for engaging with the cock 23c of the tower 2 (details will be described later). By operating cock 23c, valve 53c can be moved to a closed position lower than that shown in FIG. The valve 53c may include a sealing member (not shown) such as an O-ring to block the beverage flow path in the closed position. The valve cover 53d is attached to the main body 53a so as to cover the valve 53c.

The element 54 can be a piezoelectric element and can be connected to an oscillator (not shown). The element 54 is configured to apply ultrasonic waves to the hose 51 at the portion where the hose 51 and the connector 53b overlap. Element 54 can be secured to the outer surface of hose 51 in a variety of ways. For example, element 54 may be secured to the outer surface of hose 51 by an adhesive. Also, for example, the hose 51 may include a protrusion for mounting the element 54, and the protrusion may be configured such that the element 54 can be fitted. In this case, the element 54 can be removed from the used hose unit 5 when replacing the hose unit 5 and can be easily reattached to a new hose unit 5 . As another fixing method, for example, an elastic material such as a spring may be attached to the element 54, and the element 54 may be fixed to the hose by the elastic force of the elastic material.

As can be understood from FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, downstream of the dispense head H, all of the beverage flow paths are configured by the replaceable hose unit 5 . Therefore, the beverage flow path can be kept clean without cleaning the beverage flow path. Therefore, the operator's burden can be reduced.

The tower 2 protrudes upward from the refrigerator 1 (specifically, the ceiling wall of the refrigerator 1). The tower 2 is hollow, and the interior of the tower 2 and the interior of the refrigerator 1 communicate with each other. The tower 2 has, for example, a main body 21, a discharge part 22 and a lid 23. The tower 2 may also have other components.

The main body 21 is a tubular (for example, hollow cylindrical or prismatic) member. The hose unit 5 is passed through the inside of the main body 21 and the hose 51 is arranged inside the main body 21 . The upper end of body 21 is open and has opening 24 . The opening 24 is configured so that the hose unit 5 can be taken out. The lower end of main body 21 is open and communicates with the interior of refrigerator 1 .

Referring to FIG. 2, discharge portion 22 extends horizontally from the upper end of main body 21 . In this embodiment, the discharge portion 22 has an arc-shaped cross section that opens upward, and the tap nozzle 53 of the hose unit 5 can be fitted into the discharge portion 22 from above. The discharge part 22 has a through hole for passing the nozzle part 53e of the tap nozzle 53 therethrough. The nozzle portion 53 e is configured to be exposed to the outside of the ejection portion 22 .

The lid 23 is configured to cover the opening 24 of the main body 21 and the opening of the discharge section 22 . The lid 23 is removable from the main body 21 and the discharge section 22 . Referring to FIG. 1, lid 23 may be rotatably attached to body 21, for example via a rotatable element such as hinge 23a. With reference to FIG. 2, such a configuration allows the lid 23 to be opened so that the hose unit 5 can be taken out.

The lid 23 may be provided with a button 23b for preventing the lid 23 from being opened carelessly. Lid 23 can be opened only when button 23b is pressed. A cock 23 c for opening and closing a valve 53 c of the tap nozzle 53 is attached to the lid 23 . The cock 23c is configured to engage with the projection 53h of the valve 53c.

For example, cock 23c can have a first position for opening valve 53c, a second position for closing valve 53c, and a third position for generating foam. In the third position, cock 23c adjusts the position of valve 53c to narrow the flow path of the beverage, thereby generating froth. The beverage server 10 may also be configured such that the element 54 generates ultrasonic waves when the cock 23c is in the third position. For example, the cock 23c may be provided with a cock sensor for detecting the position of the cock 23c.

With reference to FIG. 1 , the control device 3 is configured to monitor the beverage server 10 . For example, the control device 3 may be configured to control the element 54 such that the element 54 generates ultrasonic waves when the cock 23c is in the third position. For example, the control device 3 may send a signal to the element 54 to emit an ultrasonic wave when the cock sensor detects that the cock 23c is in the third position. The controller 3 may be connected wirelessly or by wire to the element 54 and the cock sensor.

Controller 3 may include components such as a processor, memory, and/or controls, for example. Controller 3 may include other components. The processor can include, for example, one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units). A separate integrated circuit, microprocessor, and/or firmware may be used in place of the processor. The memory can include, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) such as a flash memory, and a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory can store various programs that the processor executes. The program is installed in memory using a known setup program or the like from a computer-readable portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) or a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory). may The operation unit can have an input function and a display function, and can include a touch panel, for example. Alternatively or additionally, the operating unit may include other components (eg, liquid crystal display, mouse and/or keyboard, etc.).

The gas cylinder 4 is connected to a dispense head H through which a gas such as carbon dioxide gas, nitrogen gas or a mixture thereof can be supplied to the beverage container B.

Next, operation of the beverage server 10 will be described.

When pouring a sparkling beverage into a container such as a glass or mug, the operator moves the cock 23c from the second position for closing the valve 53c to the first position for opening the valve 53c. By this operation, the valve 53c is opened and the sparkling beverage is supplied from the nozzle portion 53e. When the sparkling beverage has been poured to the desired height in the container, the operator moves the cock 23c from the first position to the third position for generating foam. By this operation, the flow path of the beverage is narrowed by the valve 53c, and foam is supplied from the nozzle portion 53e.

In the beverage server 10 of the present disclosure, ultrasonic waves are applied to the beverage from the element 54 when dispensing foam. For example, in one embodiment, the cock sensor sends a signal to the controller 3 when the cock 23c is moved to the third position. The control device 3 sends a signal to the element 54 from which ultrasonic waves are applied to the sparkling beverage. This creates finer foam in the beverage.

When the foam has been poured to the desired height in the container, the operator returns the cock 23c to the second position. This operation closes the valve 53c and completes a series of operations.

In the beverage server 10 as described above, ultrasonic waves are applied to the effervescent beverage at the constricted portion where the hose 51 and the connector 53b overlap. As will be described in detail below, the present inventors formed a constricted portion with a small flow passage cross-sectional area by inserting a connector 53b into the hose 51, and applied ultrasonic waves to the constricted portion to generate an ultrasonic wave. can be transmitted to the entire channel, and it was found that fine bubbles can be generated. When transmitting vibration to a beverage (that is, a liquid), by transmitting the vibration from the connector 53b which is harder than the hose 51, the vibration is efficiently transmitted from the hose 51 without absorbing the vibration. It is presumed that vibration can be transmitted to Therefore, the beverage server 10 can generate fine bubbles.

Also, in this embodiment, the dispensing device is configured to be incorporated into a beverage server 10 for dispensing a sparkling beverage stored in a beverage container B, and the first tube is connected to the beverage container B. It is composed of a hose 51 that connects with the discharge part 22 of the beverage server 10 . Generally, in a beverage server, the beverage is dispensed at a high flow rate, so the ultrasonic waves hit the beverage for a short time. However, according to this embodiment, fine bubbles can be generated even in such a beverage server 10 .

In addition, in this embodiment, the second tube is configured by a connector 53 b that connects the hose 51 and the discharge section 22 of the beverage server 10 . Therefore, the position where ultrasonic waves are applied is close to the outlet of the sparkling beverage. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of bubbles remaining in the channel when the generation of bubbles is stopped. Therefore, generation of extra bubbles can be prevented.

Although embodiments of dispensing devices have been described, the invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations of the above-described embodiments are possible.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the second tube is constituted by the connector 53b of the tap nozzle 53 and inserted into the end of the hose 51 . However, in other embodiments, the second tube may be formed as a separate member from the connector 53b and positioned at a location other than the end of the hose 51 (eg, at a predetermined distance from the end). may be inserted. Therefore, the element 54 may also be fixed at a position other than the end on the hose 51, depending on the position of the second tube.

Also, in the above embodiments, the dispensing device is applied to a beverage server. However, in other embodiments the dispensing device may be configured to be attached to a portable container such as a pitcher. In this case, for example, the dispensing device may comprise a nozzle configured to be attached to the transportable container, the first tube configured to deliver the sparkling beverage within the transportable container to the nozzle. may be The second tube can be a connector provided on the nozzle for attaching the first tube. Alternatively, the second tube may be formed as a separate member from the connector and inserted into the first tube at a position other than the end (e.g., at a predetermined distance from the end). good too.

Also, in the above embodiments, the dispensing device is applied to an air-cooled beverage server. However, in other embodiments, the dispensing device may be applied to a so-called instant cooling beverage server that cools the beverage flowing through the flow path without cooling the beverage container.

The average particle size of foam generated under the following conditions was measured. For the measurement, a digital microscope VHX-6000 manufactured by Keyence Corporation and an ultra-compact high-performance zoom lens VH-Z20R/Z20T manufactured by Keyence Corporation were used.

Example 1: An air-cooled beverage server similar to the beverage server 10 of the above embodiment was used. An element for applying ultrasonic waves was attached to the hose at the narrowed portion where the hose and the connector of the tap nozzle overlapped. The hoses were made of polyethylene and the connectors were made of polypropylene. The inside diameter of the hose was about 3 mm and the inside diameter of the connector was about 2.5 mm. The cock was set to the third position to generate foam. The average particle size of the foam obtained from the tap nozzle was measured.

Example 2: In the beverage server of Example 1, the tap was set to the first position to open the valve instead of the third position to generate foam. The average particle size of the foam obtained from the tap nozzle was measured.

Comparative Example 1: In the beverage server of Example 1, the tap nozzle was removed (ie no cock) and the sparkling beverage flowed directly from the hose. In this state, ultrasonic waves were applied to the beverage. The average particle size of the foam obtained from the hose was measured.

Comparative Example 2: In the beverage server of Comparative Example 1, the hose was replaced with another hose with an inner diameter of about 2 mm. The hose after replacement was also made of polyethylene. The fizzy drink flowed directly from the hose. In this state, ultrasonic waves were applied to the beverage. The average particle size of the foam obtained from the hose was measured.

Comparative Example 3: In the beverage server of Example 1, ultrasonic waves were not applied to the beverage. The average particle size of the foam obtained from the tap nozzle was measured.

Comparative Example 4: Using a generally available instant cooling type beverage server, bubbles were generated by manipulating the cock without applying ultrasonic waves to the beverage. The average particle size of the resulting foam was measured.

The measurement results are shown in Table 1 below.

Referring to Example 1 and Comparative Example 3, it can be seen that the average particle size of the bubbles was reduced from 115.1 μm to 74.1 μm by applying ultrasonic waves. Also, referring to Comparative Examples 3 and 4, the air-cooled beverage server of Comparative Example 3 (average particle size: 115.1 μm) produces fine bubbles, compared to the instantaneous cooling type of Comparative Example 4. Although it is inferior to the beverage server (average particle size: 97.3 μm), it can be seen that this point can be improved by applying ultrasonic waves (Example 1).

Further, referring to Example 2 and Comparative Example 1, it can be seen that the average particle size of the bubbles was reduced from 89.3 μm to 84.0 μm by inserting the second tube into the first tube. Recognize.

Further, referring to Example 2, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 2, in the case of inserting a hard second tube into the first tube (Example 1), the inner diameter of the first tube was set to 3 mm (Comparative Example 1). ) to 2 mm (Comparative Example 2), the fineness of the foam can be improved.

10 beverage server 22 discharge part 51 hose (first tube)
53b connector (second tube)
54 Element for applying ultrasonic waves B Beverage container

Claims (3)

A dispensing device for sparkling beverages, comprising:
a first tube for delivering the sparkling beverage;
a second tube that is stiffer than the first tube and inserted inside the first tube;
an element for applying ultrasonic waves to the first tube at a position where the first tube and the second tube overlap;
A pouring device, comprising: The dispensing device is configured to be incorporated into a beverage server for dispensing sparkling beverages stored in beverage containers,
2. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said first tube comprises a hose connecting said beverage container and a discharge portion of said beverage server. 3. The pouring device according to claim 2, wherein said second tube is constituted by a connector connecting said first tube and said discharge part of said beverage server.

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