GB2421562A

GB2421562A - Cooling carbonated drinks

Info

Publication number: GB2421562A
Application number: GB0428324A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Yalden
Original assignee: BARTECH SERVICES Ltd
Current assignee: BARTECH SERVICES Ltd
Priority date: 2004-12-24
Filing date: 2004-12-24
Publication date: 2006-06-28
Also published as: GB0428324D0

Abstract

A method of cooling a carbonated drink, such as keg beer or lager, includes fitting a coil (12) within the keg (10) and causing a coolant to flow through the coil (12). The coolant is supplied continuously from a cooler (14). The use of snap-on connectors (13) ensures that kegs (10) may be readily connected or disconnected from the cooler (14).

Description

METHOD AND MEANS FOR COOLING CARBONATED DRINKS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method and means for cooling carbonated drinks, such as beer or lager or soft drinks that include dissolved carbon dioxide.

There is a growing problem in connection with the achievement of quality dispensing of, in particular, beer and lager at the increasing number of small-scale licensed retail outlets that are unable or unwilling to invest in, or cannot achieve, a temperaturecofltrolled storage environment for their beers and lagers.

This is a serious problem for beer service agencies as the current methods of obtaining temperaturecontrolled storage conditions create a sizeable overhead service cost for this particular type of outlet.

The factors that have to be taken into account include the variable balance between temperature and the carbon dioxide content of the product, the challenge of cooling the product from kegs at ambient temperatures to the required service temperature and the increased risk of growth of bacteria and infection in a warm environment In order to ensure beer/lager dispense quality, it is desirable to provide a low-temperature controlled storage environment thereby:- a) reducing the workload on in-line cooling equipment, b) creating a stable carbon dioxide/temperature balance, and C) reducing the development of infection.

However, current air temperature and external keg cooling Options to ensure that enough pre-cooled kegs are available to service demand represent a relatively inefficient use of valuable space. They also involve high energy costs relative to performance as a result of the slow heat exchange characteristics of this type of cooling.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a more cost-effective method of cooling carbonated drinks such as keg beer and lager.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a more efficient means for cooling carbonated drinks such as keg beer and lager.

mmarv of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of cooling a carbonated drink contained within a container, the method including fitting a coil within the container and causing a coolant to flow through the coil.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided means for cooling a carbonated drink contained within a container, said means comprising a coil fitted within the container and connectors for connection of the coil to a coolant supply.

The coil is Preferably a twin spiral coil and the connectors for connection of the coil to the coolant supply are Preferably flexible snapon or screw-fit connectors with self-closing valves.

Brief Descriptj of the Drawig The single figure of the accompanying drawing is a diagrammatj representation of a cooling system for three kegs of beer or lager.

Pescription of the Preferred Embodjme The system shown in the drawing is for the cooling of three kegs 10 of beer or lager and each keg 10 includes a spear 11 for the discharge of the beer or lager from the keg 10. Each keg 10 contains a twin coil 12, formed of stainless steel or some other corrosionresistant material, that is provided at its upper end with flexible snap-on connectors 13. Coolant is supplied to the coils 12 from a cooler 14 and the kegs 10 are linked in series or parallel by flexible coolant supply lines 15 for multiple or sequential cooling of the contents of the kegs 10.

The coolant is supplied continuously from the cooler 14 to the coils 12 and the coils 12 act as heat exchangers. The coolant is re-circulated at the required operating temperature to ensure that the beer or lager within each keg 10 is maintained at a suitable product temperature. The use of snap-on connectors 13 ensures that the connection of a fresh keg 10 to the cooler 14, and the dis-connection of a used keg 10 from the cooler 14, can readily be effected.

Each keg 10 may be provided with a thermal indicator or display (not shown) that provides an indication as to when the contents of the keg 10 are at the required product temperature.

Each keg 10 may also be provided with an insulating jacket (not shown). The supply lines 15 may also be insulated, if required, to reduce thermal losses and pre-cooling may also be provided.

The cooling system of the present invention typically provides 24-hour cooling and permits the use of a lower capacity cooler than would be required for a comparable line cooling system.

The beer or lager in the kegs 10 is stored at a stable low temperature and the arrangement is such that a consistent low gas pressure is maintained for the dispensing of the beer or lager from the kegs 10. There are thus less frictional dispense problems and a consistent carbon dioxide content of the beer or lager is maintained.

Maintenance of the beer or lager in the kegs 10 reduces infection maturation and, at the same time, reduces the consumption of the propulsion gas. There are lower keg test pressure requirements, thereby Permitting a reduction in the keg production costs.

The number of kegs 10 that are in use can readily be varied and the invention thus provides flexible multi-keg storage options.

The method of storing the kegs 10 and maintaining effective dispensing of the beer or lager from the kegs 10 is not complex and service and maintenance costs are minimised Although the invention has been described above with reference to the storage and dispensing of beer or lager, it is to be understood that the invention is also applicable to the storage and dispensing of other carbonated drinks, for example, soft drinks stored in pressurised containers.

Claims

Claims:- 1. A method of cooling a carbonated drink contained within a

container, the method including fitting a coil within the container and causing a coolant to flow through the coil.
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, which includes the use of a plurality of containers, each containing a coil, and supplying coolant to the coils within the containers from a cooler.
3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, in which the cooler is connected to the coils within the containers through supply lines that have snap-on or screw-fit connections to the coils.
4. A method of cooling keg beer or lager substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
5. Cooling means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing. ( C C C.. C C (

C (_ ç C. C C. I C C C. C

5. Means for cooling a carbonated drink contained within a container, said means comprising a coil fitted within the container and connectors for connection of the coil to a coolant supply.

6. Cooling means as claimed in Claim 5, in which the coil is a twin spiral coil.

7. Cooling means as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, in which the connectors for connection of the coil to the coolant supply are flexible snap-on or screw-fit connectors.

8. Cooling means as claimed in Claim 5, for a plurality of containers, each containing a coil, and which includes means for Supplying coolant to the coils within the containers from a cooler.

9. Cooling means as claimed in Claim 8, in which the cooler is connected to the coils within the containers through supply lines that have snap-on or screw-fit connections to the coils.

10. Cooling means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

( Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims:- 1. A method of cooling carbonated drinks contained within a plurality of containers the method including fitting a coil within each of the containers and causing a coolant to flow through the coils, the coolant being supplied to the containers through supply lines that have snap-on or screw-fit connections to the coils 2. A method of cooling keg beer or lager substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

3. Means for cooling carbonated drinks Contained within a plurality of container said means comprising a coil fitted within each of the containers and flexible snap-on or screw-fit connectors for connection of the coils to a coolant supply.

4. Means for cooling carbonated drinks as claimed in Claim 3, in which the connectors include self-closing valves.