EP1172329A1 - Drink-retailing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A bar/saloon-installation for dispensing various beverages has a carrier (2) supporting several outlets (3) for various beverages. Bar modules (5) are fixed next to one another on the carrier (2), in which each module (5) has beverage outlet (3) with at least one switch-off mechanism connected to the feed line for the respective beverage, in front of the beverage outlet (3), and a manually actuated control device for the switch-off mechanism.

Description

The invention relates to a dispensing system according to the Preamble of claim 1.

Dispensing systems of this type are known. You can at that Stand have cantilevers on both sides where the beverage outlets are arranged. The known Dispensing systems are based on the number of beverage outlets made in different sizes, for example with 8, 10 or 13 spouts. The number of such dispensing systems are not very big. By making Dispensing systems of different sizes become the manufacturing effort but still significantly increased. In addition, the well-known Dispensing systems a central electronics unit, so that in The entire system can fail.

The object of the invention is therefore a with little effort Functionally reliable, adapted to the respective catering business Provide dispensing system.

According to the invention, this is characterized by that in claim 1 Dispensing system reached.

The modular structure of the carrier allows the invention one to the requirements of the respective gastronomic Implement the customized dispensing system without any problems.

The manually operable control device is preferred the dispensing module by an electronics module, for example a circuit board, formed, which has a processor, further Buttons to select the amount of drink, at least one Relay output to control the shut-off device and one Connection for a bus system that the electronic modules of the Dispensing modules networked with each other and with the cash register system. The power supply of the Dispensing modules take place.

This not only shows every dispensing module, but also every one Electronics module on the same structure, so that the manufacturing cost through appropriate series production can be reduced. Since each dispensing module has its own electronics module owns remains in the event of failure of a dispensing module the functionality of the other dispensing modules in the system receive. In addition, the system can be expanded by additional dispensing modules be supplemented or converted. Furthermore, during a repair dispensing or electronic modules that are no longer functional be replaced.

The shut-off device can be an electrically operated tap or a valve, for example a solenoid valve. The supply lines are preferably made of plastic. Prefers becomes a heat insulated bundle of supply lines down in inserted the base and then with the shut-off devices respective dispenser modules connected.

The stand is preferably provided with a waiter lock. With the key or the key number the Waiters legitimized to serve with the dispensing system.

Instead of or in addition to the waiter lock the carrier included a billing module that has a keyboard with which the waiter, for example, the table number, the number of the respective drink and, if applicable, a PIN number can enter. The accounting module detects which one Waiters from which drink how many servings in which size served. The keyboard of the accounting module can a keyboard with 10 decimal numbers plus a delete and a confirmation button. If a billing module is provided the system preferably has a serial bus system on. The waiter lock and the billing module are via the bus line with the bar modules and the cash register system networked. So the accounting module has an interface to the data bus lines to the bar modules and one Interface for connection to the cash register system. The Billing module can also be a serial or parallel Have an interface for a printer.

An operating lock provided on the base is also attached to the bus system connected, that for switching the Dispensing system is used, as well as for setting the reading mode, so the normal operating mode, or the delete mode, that is to say Deletion of the data of the dispensing modules. Through the company lock a debit or credit mode can also be set. With the service lock, the bar modules become the respective one Mode communicated. The software of the electronic modules the bar module is programmed accordingly.

In debit mode, after which the waiter with his Keys on the waiter lock and / or on the accounting module has identified the data from the dispensing system to the cash register system of the company. Awarded in credit mode the waiter the respective drink with the checkout system, whereupon the cash register system of the dispensing system notifies the device that has been assigned a rating and thus the dispensing module for the beverage in question releases for serving.

In the processor of the electronics module of the dispenser modules the waiter and beverage data is saved. The electronics module the dispensing module can have several, for example three Relay outputs have several, for example three Solenoid valves or similar shut-off devices to operate. The buttons, for example six, of the electronics module Choosing the type and amount of drink can use the shut-off devices of the relevant bar module can be freely assigned. Several shut-off devices can also be operated simultaneously with one button be controllable, for example in the case of mixed drinks whose Components fed to the outlet via several supply lines become.

The electronics module also preferably has a display, the number entered when placing an order, for example the portions of the drink and / or the one already served Displays the number of portions entered. at the same time can monitor the function of the or of the volume measuring devices of the relevant bar module e.g. by flashing the decimal points between the portion numbers.

The poured volume can be measured by a volume measuring device, for example, a turbine impeller, determined in the feed line or by timing with a timer. For example, the electronics module of the dispensing module have three inputs for volumetric instruments. It is Determination of the poured beverage volume with a volume measuring device generally more accurate than timing. For hygienic reasons, however, timing can be more advantageous and in the circuit to a dispensing module a time control is essential.

The waiter lock can be used to program the electronic modules be used. This can be done by a service technician or the like authorized person the waiter lock actuated with a separate service key and then programmed e.g. which key is assigned to which shut-off device is which valves are time and which volume controlled are, etc.

The electronic module can also be programmed so that if the entered volume is not fully poured the remaining amount after a certain time, e.g. after five minutes, expires, so that manipulation of one Waiters with remaining quantities is difficult.

Some beverages, such as beer, are traditionally made manually with one actuated tap, so that opposite a beer that is served at the touch of a button, prejudices can exist. To avoid such disturbances, they are Dispensing modules e.g. for beer preferably with one Manually operable tap provided with the electronic module actuatable shut-off device is connected downstream.

The data transmission from the bar modules to the cash register system can also be done without a billing module, e.g. if just a waiter authorized to serve with the dispensing system is. In this case the bus system of the dispensing system can also be used be connected to the POS system via a CDI interface an internal data bus with one interface and one Processor for transmitting the data in log form to the Has cash register system.

The housings of the dispensing modules and the accounting modules are the same, and preferably essentially cuboid educated. This means that each housing consists of two parallel ones Sidewalls, a floor and a top wall and one Front and a back wall.

The top wall is attached to the front wall, so forms with the front wall is a part that is one in the lower area of the Front wall extending axis to open the housing is foldable at the top.

So that the shut-off devices of the dispensing modules are not unauthorized manually operated or other manipulation on the bar modules can be made is a mechanical lock of the top wall that can be folded up.

There is a wall for this, for example the front panel of the base provided with a lock so that in the release position of the lock, the front panel can be detached from the base can. This is a locking bar inside the base accessible.

The locking bar has hooks or similar projections, while the top walls with a hook, a tab, eyelet or the same hold-downs are provided on which the hook or The locking bar protrudes when the rotating wall is locked attacks. By pulling the control rod, the hooks the locking bar and the hold-down device disengaged and thus the top walls are released for folding up.

If the dispensing system according to the invention by further dispensing or billing modules is expanded, only needs the Locking bar to be replaced by a longer locking bar.

The dispensing system according to the invention can be equipped with a dispensing device for spirits are connected at the liquor bottles are used, which are facing downwards Bottle opening a bottle portioning device exhibit. The bottle portioning device of the liquor dispenser are connected to a liquor module, which is a relay for activating the bottle portioning devices having. The spirits module can, for example have sixteen inputs through through matrix wiring Check 64 bottle portioning devices to be able to. In addition, a coffee module for connection the dispensing system can be provided to a coffee machine.

Fig. 1

eine Vorderansicht einer Schankanlage mit Anschluss an ein Kassensystem;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Standfußes ohne Module;

Fig. 3

ein Schankmodul in perspektivischer Wiedergabe;

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht mehrerer am Standfuß befestigter Schank- und Abrechnungsmodule;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht auf mehrere Schankmodule ohne Deckwand;

Fig. 6

eine Draufsicht auf eine Seitenwand des Schank- oder Abrechnungsmoduls; und

Fig. 7

eine Ansicht eine mit einer Riegelstange verriegelten Deckwand.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. In it show:

Fig. 1

a front view of a dispensing system with connection to a cash register system;

Fig. 2

a perspective view of the base without modules;

Fig. 3

a dispensing module in perspective reproduction;

Fig. 4

a perspective view of several dispensing and accounting modules attached to the base;

Fig. 5

a perspective view of several dispensing modules without a top wall;

Fig. 6

a plan view of a side wall of the dispensing or billing module; and

Fig. 7

a view of a top wall locked with a locking bar.

According to FIG. 1, the dispensing system does not have one The counter shown is arranged on a base 1 of which laterally extends a carrier 2, the bottom is provided with several beverage outlets 3. The other end of the support 2 is supported on a support 4 the counter.

The carrier 2 is formed by several dispensing modules 5. each Dispensing module 5 has a beverage outlet 3, the one Shut-off device 6 is connected upstream in the form of a solenoid valve (Figure 5) to which one of the beverage supply lines 10 is connected is.

The shut-off device 6 is on the inside of the front wall 7 of the housing 8 of the dispensing module 3 Electronics module 9 driven in the form of a circuit board, which at the same time an input for a volume measuring device, not shown has in the supply line. The electronics module 9 also has keys 11 for entering the portions and size of the drinks when ordering (e.g. 0.2 l, 0.25 l, 0.5 l).

The electronics module 9 is also provided with a display 12, that the number of entered and already served Portions of an order. To store the waiter and beverage data has the electronics module 9 not shown processor, also a not shown Data bus connection to the electronics module 9 of the Dispensing system with the cash desk 13 of the catering business to network via line 14 (Figure 1).

The connection to the cash register 13 is made via a credit debit or CD interface 15, which has an internal data bus a standard interface and processors to Line 14 data in log form to the cash register 13 to transfer.

In addition to the bar modules 5, a billing module 16 can be used in the Carrier 2 may be provided. The billing module 16 has one Interface for connection to the cash register 13. The CDI interface 15 in line 14 can then be omitted. The billing module 16 also has an interface for the data bus of the dispensing module 5. Furthermore, it is with one Keyboard 17 provided with twelve keys for the numbers 0 to 9 as well as a confirmation and a delete key. The Housing 8 of the bar modules 5 and the accounting modules 16 constructed the same way, so that only the housing 8 of the Dispensing module 5 is described in more detail.

The housing 8 is essentially cuboid. The that is, it consists of two plane-parallel side walls 18, 19 (Figure 3). Each side wall 18, 19 is, as shown in Figure 6, formed by a sheet metal part that has a recess 21st through which the feed lines 10 from the base 1 run to the bar modules 5.

Furthermore, in the upper, front and rear area and on rear lower area of the side plates 18, 19 circular Recesses 22, 23, 24 are provided, as well as a recess 25 on the front edge to accommodate the bus line on which the Electronics modules 9 are connected. In another angular one Recess 26 in the rear upper area of the side plates 18, 19 a locking bar 27 is guided, on the In connection with Figure 7 is discussed in more detail.

In a bore 28 in the lower front area of the side walls 18, 19, a hinge axis 29 is provided around which Folding up the top wall 31 of the housing 8, which with the front wall 7 is connected in one piece. To form the hinge axis 29 and for connecting the front wall 7 and the top wall 31 with the side walls 18, 19 are in the bores 28 and the bores in flanges which are not shown in alignment therewith 7 pins stuck to the front wall.

The bottom wall 32, which is integrally connected to the rear wall 33 is, is provided with tabs for fastening in slots 34 inserted in the side wall 18, 19 and then bent become. Further slots 34a and 34b in the side wall 18, 19 can be used to fasten the outlet 3 or the shut-off device 6 may be provided.

On the base 1 there are three horizontal parallel support rods 35, 36, 37 attached by the recesses 22, 23, 24th of the side plates 18, 19 are inserted around the modules 5, 16 to attach to the stand 1. With spacers 38 will the distance between the side plates 18, 19 fixed from each other.

To lock the top walls 31, as shown in FIG. the locking bar 27 is provided, which are provided with hooks 40 is a hold-down device 41 in the locked state in the form of a hook-shaped flap on the inside reach over the rear edge of the top wall 31.

To access the locking bar 27 is the front wall 43 of the Stand 1 can be removed using a lock 44 in the front wall 43. In the front wall 43 of the base 1 is an operating lock 45 and a waiter lock 46 are also provided, that to the bus system to the bar and billing modules 5, 16 is connected. The one shown in Figure 4 on the right Dispensing module 3 is also with a manual Tap 47 provided.

The dispensing system has a dispensing device 48 for spirits connected where used liquor bottles at their bottle opening facing down are provided with a bottle portioning device 49. On Spirits module 50 is used to unlock the dispenser 48. There is also a coffee module 51 for connecting the Provide dispensing system on a coffee machine 52.

The stand 1 in Figure 1 can of course also on the left side, or in the middle. Then are the support rods 35, 36, 37 on the other side of the stand 1 or provided on both sides of the base 1.

Claims (11)

Dispensing system with at least one stand (1), on which a support (2) is arranged on at least one side, on which several beverage outlets (3) are provided, characterized in that the support (2) has dispensing modules (5) attached to one another, Each dispensing module (5) has a beverage outlet (3), at least one shut-off device (6) connected upstream of the beverage outlet (3) and connected to the supply line (10) of the respective beverage, and a manually operable control device for the shut-off device (6). Dispensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the manually operable control device of the dispensing module (3) is formed by an electronic module (9) which has a processor, a keyboard (16) for selecting the amount of the drink, at least one relay output for controlling the shut-off device (6) and has a connection for a bus system that networks the electronic modules (9) of the dispensing modules (5) with one another and with a cash register (13). Dispensing system according to claim 2, characterized in that the electronics module (9) has a display (12) for the entered number of portions of the beverage. Dispensing system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the electronics module (9) has at least one input for a volume measuring device and / or a time control. Dispensing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier (2) has at least one accounting module (16) with a keyboard (17), an interface for the bus system to dispensing modules (3) and an interface for connection to the cash register (13) having. Dispensing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two supporting rods (35, 36, 37) are fastened to the base (1) and each dispensing and billing module (5, 16) has a housing (8) whose side walls ( 18, 19) with recesses (22, 23, 24) for attaching the dispensing or billing module (5, 16) to the support rods (35, 36, 37). Dispensing system according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the electronics module (9) is arranged on the front wall (7) of the housing (8). Dispensing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the top wall (31) is fastened to the front wall (7) of the housing (8) and to open the housing (8) together with the front wall (7) in the lower region of the front wall (7) extending axis (29) can be folded upwards. Dispensing system according to claim 8, characterized in that for locking the top walls (31) of the dispensing and accounting modules (5, 16) a locking bar (27) is provided which is provided with hooks (40) which, in the locked state, are held down on hold-down devices ( 41) engage on the top walls (31), the locking bar (27) being operable from the inside of the base (1) after removal of a wall (43) of the base housing which can be locked with a lock (44). Dispensing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an operating lock (45) and / or a waiter's lock (46) is provided on the base (1) and is connected to the bus system of the dispensing and accounting modules (5, 16). is or are connected. Dispensing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one dispensing module (5) has a manually operable tap (47) connected downstream of the shut-off device (6).

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