GB2236842A

GB2236842A - Beer keg coolers

Info

Publication number: GB2236842A
Application number: GB8922101A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David John Miller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-09-30
Filing date: 1989-09-30
Publication date: 1991-04-17
Also published as: GB8922101D0

Abstract

Apparatus for cooling a beer keg includes a cooling device comprising a jacket of thermally insulating material shaped and dimensioned to fit over or wrap around a beer keg and having coolant liquid ducting means on its inner surface such that when the jacket is located in position on a keg the liquid ducting means abut the surface of the keg to enable cooling thereof, and flexible inlet and outlet pipes connected to the inlet and outlet of said ducting means and loading to the outlet and inlet of a circulating cooling liquid circuit of a cooling apparatus; said jacket having a thermally insulating end closure or cover at its normally upper end with an aperture for connection of the known pressurization and/or keg contents removal - duct device.

Description

COOLING DEVICE The present invention relates to a cooling device for normally cooling containers of beverages and particularly for kegs (normally upright barrels) of beer or lager or other beverages but may also be used on casks (normally horizontal barrels) for beer or lager or on other containers for beverage or other liquid.

In the drinks industry kegs of beer or lager are preferably kept chilled in specially set aside conditioning rooms or cellars wherein the temperature of the whole room is controlled and normally chilled by an air conditioning system. However, there are many locations, such as in restaurants, guest houses, small hotels, outside venues in marquees or wine bars, where it is not practical or economic to set aside a special room for cooling kegs and this is especially so where there is a small turnover of the beverage concerned. It is known to provide a so called "flash cooler-" through which beer passes from the keg so as to produce a pre-chilled beer at the dispenser but the keg itself and contents remain warm and such can have a disadvantageous effect on the contents and the quality and life thereof.

The device of the present invention is intended to provide a stable temperature controlled environment for beverages such as for draught beer kegs and casks where normal temperature controlled beer cellar conditions cannot be achieved or maintained and such will normally act to cool the keg or cask but such will depend on the ambient temperature and may act otherwise.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooling device for containers of beverage which may be applied to a container to cool such in situ, e.g.

in an underbar situation, thus enabling the contents to be cooled and/or kept at a stable temperature without the provision of a dedicated conditioning room.

According to the broadest aspect of the present invention a cooling device for normally cooling containers of beverages comprises a heat exchange means capable of being juxtaposed a beverage container in heat exchanging relationship and having at least one duct through which a cooling fluid may flow with said duct being connectable via a flexible connection means to flow and return ducts of a cooling apparatus having circulation means for circulating cooling fluid through said heat exchanging means. Normally the cooling device will be in combination with the cooling apparatus and preferably with readily detachable connection means.

Preferably the heat exchange means will comprise one or more flexible pipes or passages preferably of plastics material and such will be adapted to preferably completely wrap around a keg or wrap around a significant portion of a cask. The heat exchange means may alternatively be provided in the form of at least one pre-welded plastics channel in strip or sheet form.

Preferably the heat exchange means will be provided on its normally exterior side with a sheet of protective material and/or thermal insulation material or such will be integrally combined. The preferred provision of an outer insulation layer avoids or minimizes heat losses and/or condensation on the exterior.

Preferably the heat exchange means with duct and preferably outer insulation layer may be provided as a cylindrical sleeve for fitting over a keg or may be shaped and dimensioned so as to completely wrap around the side cylindrical walls of the keg with which it is to be used and will preferably have securing means, such as flaps with Velcro (RTM) or like hook and loop fastening devices.

Where a sleeve jacket is provided the duct may be spiral.

In such arrangement, the bottom of the jacket will be open whilst the top will preferably have a cover, preferably of thermally insulating material, which may comprise a part circular portion secured to the top of the side jacket with heat exchange means, with said portion having a freely displaceable part circular extension flap extending therefrom to facilitate installation on the keg and being securable to cover the top thereof suitable apertures preferably with abutting cuff means being provided for coupling of the known beverage dispensing pipes etc. An additional apertured heat insulating top disc may be provided locatable under the cover.

As regards the cooling apparatus such may be known and likely modified to provide the requisite flow and temperature control ranges to store beer at "Ideal Beer Cellar" temperatures. For example, a thermostatically controlled Ice Bank Water Cooler with integral water recirculation pump may be used. It is even envisaged the cooling apparatus may in some circumstances be used to provide heat to the beverage container.

A thermometer or temperature gauge or other temperature indicating means may be provided, possibly with audible and/or visible alarm means, to indicate the temperature of the keg or cask or the contents thereof.

Preferably, a stand or support base of thermally insulating material such as plastics material will be provided for the keg to rest on and, if desired, a condensation collecting channel may be provided therein.

Also according to the present invention apparatus for cooling a beer keg comprises a jacket of thermally insulating material shaped and dimensioned to fit over or wrap around a beer keg and having coolant liquid ducting means on its inner surface such that when the jacket is located in position on a keg the liquid ducting means abut the surface of the keg to enable cooling thereof, flexible inlet and outlet pipes connected to the inlet and outlet of said ducting means and leading to the outlet and inlet of a circulating cooling liquid circuit of a cooling apparatus; said jacket having a thermally insulating end closure or cover at its normally upper end with an aperture for connection of the known pressurization and/or keg contents removal duct device.

Preferably a thermally insulating support base will be provided for the keg and an outer protective cover will be incorporated in the jacket. A temperature indicator will also preferably be provided.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cooling device according to a first embodiment of the invention partly located wrapped around a beer keg; Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of apparatus for cooling a beer keg forming a second embodiment and illustrating two cooling devices or jackets similar to that of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a jacket of the cooling device showing one arrangement of ducting means; Fig 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional detail through a jacket and ducting means illustrating the construction of an embodiment of a cooling device; Fig 5 is a fragmentary detail of a modification illustrating the construction of the upper part of a cooling device similar to that of Fig. 1; ; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detailed section illustrating a closure cuff at the top of the device of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a schematic side elevation of an alternative embodiment of cooling device installed over a cask (horizontal barrel) but with the cooling apparatus not being shown; Fig. 8 is an end view of the device and cask of Fig. 7; and Fig. 9 is a schematic plan view of the opened out cooling device jacket of Figs. 7 and 8 illustrating the duct arrangement and insulating end flaps etc.

A cooling device (1) for cooling a pressurised beer keg 2 is illustrated and comprises a wrap-around thermally insulated flexible jacket 3 with a coolant fluid duct 4 as heat exchange means on its inner surface for abutting the keg 2. The inlet end 5 and outlet end 6 of the duct 4 have quick disconnection/connection coupling devices 7 of known kind preferably self closing for connection of plastics material flexible supply and return pipes 8, 9 which are insulated and lead to a coolant liquid recirculation circuit of a cooling apparatus 10 which may be of known type such as an Ice Bank- Water Cooler with integral coolant water recirculation pump and circuit modified as necessary for the particular use and which provides a stable output temperature such as to achieve a keg temperature within the range of for example, OOC to 130C and maintain such temperature constant.

Preferably the Ice Bank Water Cooler is thermostatically controlled to provide a reservoir of water at OOC. The integral water recirculation pump (not shown) is fitted to the cooler which is also thermostatically controlled.

The jacket 3 has securing means in the form of Velcro (RTM) strips 11 (hook and loop fastening means) which cooperate to hold the jacket 3 in position on the keg 2. The structure of jacket 3 is illustrated in more detail in Fig. 4 and comprises two inner lining layers 12, 13 between which the circuit of flexible tubing or duct 4 is located and held in position. A thermally insulating layer 14 of e.g. flexible foam plastics material or neoprene, is provided outwardly of layer 13 and has an outer protective cover 15 of hard wearing water proof Terylene (RTM) from which material liner layer 12 may be formed. The jacket 3 is joined or bonded together.

A PVC insulating support base 16 is provided for the keg 2 and has downwardly sloping edges and may have a condensation collecting channel (not shown).

The top of the cooling device 1 has a circular fabric cover 17 which may be split at 17' on opposite sides to facilitate fitting. The cover 17 has part circular edge flange parts 18, 19 extending downwardly therefrom and has part of a Velcro (RTM) fastener 11 on its inner surface engageable with another Velcro part 11 around the upper outer edge of the jacket 3. The part 18 remote from the vertical opening edges 3 ' of jacket 3 may, alternatively be secured by stitching or bonding or the like instead. A hole 18 is provided for viewing a temperature indicator. The centre of cover 17 has a hole 17' to provide access to the keg valve 2' and coupling portion and has a rubberised or like elastic cuff means 20 to engage around the coupling device (not shown) for removal of the keg contents.A disc 21 of insulating material and'with central aperture 22 is provided under cover 17 and fits the top of the keg 2 and may be attached at 21' at its rear to the top of jacket 3. A temperature indicator such as in the form of a direct contact thermometer pad 23 is located in an aperture in disc 21 to indicate the temperature of the keg 2 and may be viewed through a further aperture in cover 17. Instead of wrap around jacket 3, a sleeve jacket (not shown) might be provided and slidable over the keg. Similar end cover means as described may be provided but secured in position.

An alternative embodiment is illustrated in Figs. 7-9 wherein the cooling device is provided to fit over non-pressurised cask 24 (horizontally disposed barrel) supported on a stillion 25 in known manner. The cross-sectional construction of the jacket 26 may be the same as in Figs. 1 to 6 as may the cooling apparatus etc and the embodiment of Figs. 7 to 9 only differs in the shaping of the jacket 26 to suit the cask disposition.

Accordingly only the shape construction of jacket 26 will be described - the other features being as in Figs. 1 to 6.

The jacket 26 is of rectangular shape to wrap over cask 24 and has a central hole 27 to provide access at the top for the top bung (not shown) of the cask 24.

Two part circular end flaps 28 of insulating material extend from opposite sides of jacket 26 and cover a substantial portion of the ends 24' of the cask 24 when in position.

The corners of jacket 26 have Velcro strips 11 which cooperate with Velcro strips on the flaps 28 to hold the jacket 26 in position.

The jacket 3/26 may be made in various sizes to comply with current keg and cask designs.

These are: - 5i gallon, 10 gallon, 11 gallon, 18 gallon, 22 gallon, 36 gallon.

The jackets 3/26 may be designed and/or arranged to be used in single or multiple situations.

OPERATION The cooling apparatus or cooler 10 is switched on and allowed to come down to temperature. The kegs to be cooled are placed on the plastic base 16. The jackets 3/26 are then fitted around the kegs/casks and connected to the water re-circulation circuit. The action of the pumped cooled water, within the jacket 3/26, in proximity to the keg/cask causes the beer inside to become chilled.

The temperature within the keg is controlled by the variable thermostat on the water re-circulation pump return.

Claims

1. A cooling device for normally cooling containers of beverages comprises a heat exchange means capable of being juxtaposed a beverage container in heat exchanging relationship and having at least one duct through which a cooling fluid may flow with said duct being connectable via a flexible connection means to flow and return ducts of a cooling apparatus having circulation means for circulating cooling fluid through said heat exchanging means.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the heat exchange means comprises one or more flexible pipes or passages.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 in which said pipes are of plastics material.

4. A device as claimed in claims 2 or 3, in which the pipes are adapted to wrap around a keg or wrap around at least a significant portion of a cask.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the heat exchange means is provided in the form of at least one pre-welded plastics channel in strip or sheet form.

6. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, in which the heat exchange means are provided on its normally exterior side with a sheet of protective material and/or thermal insulation material or such latter is integrally combined with said provision of an outer insulation layer being to avoid or minimize heat losses and/or condensation on the exterior.

7. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, in which the heat exchange means with duct, and preferably outer insulation layer, is provided as a cylindrical sleeve for fitting over a keg or may be shaped and dimensioned so as to completely wrap around the side cylindrical walls of the keg with which it is to be used.

8. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 in which the heat exchange means with at least one duct has releaseable securing means, such as flaps with Velcro (RTM) or like hook and loop fastening devices.

9. A device as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 when dependent on claim 7 in which the sleeve jacket is provided with a spiral duct.

10. A device as claimed in claims 7, 8 or 9, in which the bottom of the jacket is open.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10, in which the top of the jacket has a cover, preferably of thermally insulating material.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, in which the cover comprises a part circular portion secured to the top of the side jacket provided with heat exchange means, with said portion having a freely displaceable part circular extension flap extending therefrom to facilitate installation on the keg and being securable to cover the top thereof suitable apertures preferably with abutting cuff means being provided for coupling of the known beverage dispensing pipes etc.

13. A device as claimed in claim 11 or 12, in which an additional, apertured heat insulating upper or top disc is provided locatable under the cover.

14. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13 in combination with cooling or heating apparatus of known type and preferably modified to provide the requisite flow and temperature control ranges to store beer at "Ideal Beer Cellar" temperatures.

15. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, in which a thermometer or temperature gauge, or other temperature indicating means is incorporated in the device or apparatus to indicate the temperature of the keg or cask or the contents thereof.

16. A device as claimed in claims 14 or 15, in which the temperature indicating means has an audible and/or visible alarm means.

17. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16, in which a stand or support base fo thermally insulating material (such as plastics material) is provided for the keg to rest on.

18. A device as claimed 17 in combination with a support base having a condensation collecting channel provided therein.

19. A cooling device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 18 in operative combination with the cooling apparatus.

20. A device as claimed in the previous claim being connected preferably to said cooling apparatus by detachable connection means.

21. Apparatus for cooling a beer keg including a cooling device comprising a jacket of thermally insulating material shaped and dimensioned to fit over or wrap around a beer keg and having coolant liquid ducting means on its inner surface such that when the jacket is located in position on a keg the liquid ducting means abut the and surface of the keg to enable cooling thereof,lflexible inlet and outlet pipes connected to the inlet and outlet of said ducting means and leading to the outlet and inlet of a circulating cooling liquid circuit of a cooling apparatus; said jacket having a thermally insulating end closure or cover at its normally upper end with an aperture for connection of the known pressurization and/or keg contents removal - duct device.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, in which a thermally insulating support base is provided for the keg.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claims 21 or 22, in which an outer protective cover is incorporated in the jacket.

24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21 in which a temperature indicator is incorporated.

25. A cooling device or apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.