GB897128A - Improved apparatus for dispensing beer and other liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

897,128. Beer dispensing apparatus. SAUL, A. G. A., and GUNN, M. N. Sept. 8, 1958 [Sept. 9, 1957], No. 28361/57. Classes 106(5) and 143. Apparatus for dispensing a predetermined weight or volume of a froth forming liquid such as beer comprises a measuring chamber, into which the beer is fed, arranged so that its upper portion has its cross-sectional area effectively restricted whereby the froth is received in said upper portion, the lower portion of the chamber receiving the settled beer of uniform density, and there being means, including a column of matter of fixed density responsive to the quantity of beer of uniform density, to indicate when the required quantity of beer is in the chamber and to effect combined cut-off of the feed and discharge of the weighed beer from the chamber. The beer may be weighed by means of a float 4 in the chamber 1, Fig. 2, arranged to operate a switch, on reaching a predetermined height, to effect the automatic discharge and feed cut-off, the assumption being that all beer below the float is approximately of known full gravity whilst the frothy beer of unknown gravity beside the float is effectively weighed by the float according to the depth Y to which the float is submerged in the said frothy beer. The presence of the float 4 in a cylindrical chamber 1 provides the desired restriction of the chamber cross-section in that area surrounding the float, such area thereby rising with the float. Alternatively a chamber 1 may be physically shaped as in Fig. 3 to have a restricted upper portion, and the beer may be weighed against a column of liquid of known density contained in a small bore tube 3 which communicates with the base of the chamber 1 and is sealed therefrom' by a flexible diaphragm, the height to which the liquid column rises providing a measure of the weight of beer in the chamber. Fig. 4 shows an apparatus comprising cylindrical measuring and spill chambers 1, 15 respectively clamped between end plates 1a, 1b and communicating near their upper ends through a weir-controlled opening 14, 14a to permit spill over of excess froth from the chamber 1 into the chamber 15 from whence it is passed through a valve 16 to the feed pipe 17. The beer is fed into the chamber 1 through the leg 18 of a T member the arm of which comprises an electrically controlled inlet valve 7 and a similar discharge valve 8 in a tap 20. The chamber 1 contains a spun metal hollow float 4 weighted at its bottom and having a radial flange 1c therearound to damp bobbing of the float. Alternatively the chamber 1 may have an inner peripheral flange for this purpose. To provide a visual indication of the weight of beer in the chamber 1, a column of liquid of known density may be provided in a tube 3 beside the chamber 1 and communicating with the top and bottom of the chamber through flexible diaphragms 10. In use beer is pumped manually through the open inlet valve 7 into the chamber 1, causing the float to rise until its upper end moves a pivoted lever 13 to bridge electrical contacts 11, 12 thereby energizing a relay M, Fig. 5. The contacts M 1 , M 2 of the relay are thus closed, contact M 2 closing a hold-on circuit through a thermal time switch T and the contact M 1 operating the valve 8 to discharge the beer. At the same time a contact M 3 of the relay M is opened to break the circuit of the valve 7 which thereupon closes to cut off the feed. After a sufficient time for discharge of the beer, the normally closed time switch contacts open to de-energize relay M, thereby closing valve 8, and to open the circuit of the starting relay L. When the time switch contact T 1 regains its normally closed position, the cycle is restarted by a push button S which operates the relay L to close the circuit of the inlet valve 7. A solenoid operated dribble feed valve 23 is incorporated in the feed pipe 17 and is operated through a mercury switch 25 acted on by the float 4 as it approaches its upper position. In alternative arrangements the valve 7 may be actuated to close in advance of the full position and valve 23 used to by-pass a dribble feed into the top of the chamber 1. In a further arrangement the inlet and discharge valves may comprise a solenoid operated three-way cock which is controlled by the float switch 11, 12 and a discharge time switch. The number of cycles of the apparatus may be automatically counted and recorded and the apparatus may be adapted for coinfreed operation. For varying the quantity measured, the contacts operating the inlet valve may be adjustable in level or the effective weight of the float may be varied.