WO2006131431A1

WO2006131431A1 - Automatic cocktail-bar

Info

Publication number: WO2006131431A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/062163
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimo Baldin; Luca Cornolo'; Michele Gasparoni
Original assignee: Massimo Baldin; Luca Cornolo'; Michele Gasparoni
Priority date: 2005-06-08
Filing date: 2006-05-09
Publication date: 2006-12-14
Also published as: ITPD20050175A1

Abstract

A beverage dispenser comprising, in association with beverage containers (12), means (14) for discharging the beverage from each container (12) to a filling area (15) for at least one glass (16); liquid flow control valves (24) being associated with the beverage discharge means (14). The beverage dispenser (10) also comprises means (28) for measuring the amount of beverage dispensed by way of the discharge means (14) and an electronic control unit (27), which is provided with a user interface (37) and is functionally connected to the liquid flow control valves (24) and to the measurement means (28); the electronic control unit (27) is adapted to manage the flows of dispensed beverage, accordingly allowing to make cocktails and monitor the quantities of beverages and types of cocktail that are dispensed.

Description

AUTOMATIC COCKTAIL-BAR

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser, useful particularly but not exclusively for dispensing cocktails and pure beverages in bars, discos and the like. Background Art

As it is known, in bars, pubs, discos et cetera, the dispensing of beverages is one of the main activities.

The bartender, i.e., the person who serves patrons at the counter, at times of maximum crowding of the place is often overwhelmed by orders and therefore the waiting times for serving a patron can be long.

In order to facilitate the work of bartenders, dispensers which allow to speed up the step of dispensing the beverages into glasses have been known for many years. These dispensers are constituted generally by a plurality of reservoirs of beverages (typically soft drinks, but not only), each of which has discharge ducts which end above a glass filling area.

In practice, each duct ends below its own reservoir in a region where it is possible to arrange a glass; a region for positioning a corresponding glass is associated with each reservoir.

The beverage that can be dispensed in that position is typically indicated at each region.

Valves for controlling the flow of the beverage that flows down from the reservoir are associated with the ducts. Each valve can be opened by actuating a control; typically, such control consists of a lever which can be moved by placing the glass in the corresponding dispensing area.

This kind of dispenser has certainly increased the speed with which bartenders dispense beverages, but it has not solved other problems linked to the dispensing. For example, the described type of dispenser does not solve the problem related to the time required to provide cocktails.

The described dispenser in fact allows to dispense one beverage at a time, whereas making a cocktail requires mixing several beverages together; moreover, said dispenser can be used typically for soft drinks or wine but not for strong drinks.

Another problem related to the dispensing of beverages is linked to monitoring the quantity of dispensed product.

It is in fact important, for the manager of the premises, to know the exact quantity of beverages or cocktails dispensed in a particular day, in order to be able to monitor costs adequately but also in order to optimize the store reserves of beverages.

Another problem related to the dispensing of cocktails and beverages arises from the large number of drinks that many bartenders offer for free to patrons without reporting them to the premises manager.

This "under-the-counter" serving of beverages does not allow to monitor adequately the expense that the premises must bear for such beverages.

Disclosure of the Invention The aim of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispenser which solves the above-mentioned drawbacks linked to the dispensing of beverages.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispenser which allows to monitor the amount of beverage that is distributed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispenser which allows to speed up the operations for making a cocktail.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispenser which can be manufactured with known systems and technologies. This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a beverage dispenser, which comprises a plurality of beverage reservoirs and means for discharging the beverage from each of said reservoirs to a filling area for at least one glass, liquid flow control valves being associated with said beverage discharge means, characterized in that it comprises means for measuring the amount of beverage dispensed by way of said discharge means and an electronic control unit, which is provided with a user interface and is functionally connected to said liquid flow control valves and to said measurement means, said electronic control unit being adapted to manage the flows of dispensed beverage. Brief description of the Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a beverage dispenser according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a facing rear view of the beverage dispenser of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic view of the beverage dispensing system of the dispenser of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view of a bottle holder of the dispenser of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a sectional enlarged-scale view of the bottle holder of Figure 4. Ways of carrying out the Invention

With reference to the figures, a beverage dispenser according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

The beverage dispenser 10 is constituted externally by a shell 11 which substantially contains the main components of the dispenser. The beverage dispenser 10 comprises, in association with beverage containers 12, which in this embodiment are constituted by bottles 13, means 14 for discharging a beverage from each container 12 to a filling area 15 for a glass, designated by the reference numeral 16 in Figures 2 and 3.

The filling area 15 is formed by a compartment 17, which is open for the insertion of the glass 16 and is provided on the front lower portion of the shell 11.

The beverage discharge means 14 comprise an assembly 18 for drawing liquid from the bottle 13, which is functionally connected to an accumulation reservoir 21 by means of a first portion 19 of a duct 20. The accumulation reservoir 21 has a duct 22 for venting to the environment, which runs along the sides of the shell 11, substantially up to the upper part of the shell 11, where there are venting ports 23 for the duct 22 and for ventilating the inside of the shell 11.

The beverage discharge means 14 further comprise liquid flow control valves 24, which in this embodiment are constituted by electric valves 25.

The accumulation reservoirs 21 are arranged upstream of the respective electric valves 25.

In particular, said electric valves are arranged on the outlet of the corresponding accumulation reservoir 21.

A second portion 26 of a corresponding discharge duct 20 runs from each electric valve 25.

The dispenser 10 comprises an electronic control unit 27, for example a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), to which the electric valves 25 are connected electrically.

Advantageously, means 28 for measuring the amount of beverage dispensed by way of the beverage discharge means 14 are connected to the electronic control unit 27.

In this embodiment, the measurement means 28 are constituted by a device for measuring the opening time of each electric valve 25, which is integrated in the electronic control unit 27 and therefore is shown schematically in broken lines in Figure 2.

From the opening time of the electric valves 25, and knowing the dimensions of the discharge duct 19, the electronic control unit 27 calculates the quantity of each dispensed beverage.

In practice, the electronic control unit 27 is adapted to manage the flows of dispensed beverage as described in greater detail hereinafter.

The outlets 29 of the discharge ducts 20 (in practice of the second portion 26) are grouped close together for dispensing into a single glass 16, which is arranged below them in the filling region 15.

In practice, in this embodiment, the outlet of each discharge duct 20 is directed, during dispensing, above the region 15 that can be occupied by the glass 16, in order to fill the glass 16 in the mode for dispensing an individual beverage or in the mode for the coordinated dispensing of beverages from a plurality of reservoirs in order to compose cocktails, as described in greater detail hereinafter.

On the side of the shell 11 there are inlets 30 for auxiliary ducts (not shown in the figures), the discharge outlets of which are located at the outlets 29 of the discharge ducts 20. In practice, the auxiliary ducts can be accessed from the outside of the dispenser for connection to auxiliary dispensers of beverages, such as for example soft drinks.

Each withdrawal assembly 18 comprises a cup-shaped support 31 for a bottle 13, which is pivoted to the shell 11 of the dispenser 10. The first portion 19 of the discharge duct 20, which connects it to the accumulation reservoir 21, is connected at the bottom of the cup-shaped support 31.

The cup-shaped support 31 is provided internally with a receptacle 32 for the head of the bottle 13, which can be arranged therein substantially vertically. The beverage contained in the bottle 13 flows out by gravity from the inside of the bottle 13 toward the bottom of the cup-shaped support 31.

At the bottom there is also a path 33 for venting into the environment, in order to allow the beverage to flow out of the bottle 13. In particular, the cup-shaped support 31 has a series of shoulders 34, which are substantially circular and have different diameters and are arranged, from the widest to the narrowest, respectively from the outside toward the inside of the receptacle 32.

The shoulders 34 act as a support for bottles with heads having different diameters, allowing great flexibility in the use of bottles of different sizes.

Below the innermost shoulder 34, at the bottom of the cup-shaped support, there is a space 35, which is connected to the venting path 33; in particular, said path is constituted by a vertical channel, which is formed longitudinally on the side of the shoulders 34 and ends at the upper edge of the cup-shaped support 31.

In this embodiment, the withdrawal assemblies are arranged on spaces 36 formed above the compartment 17.

The electronic control unit 27 is provided with an user interface 37, which in this embodiment comprises a touchscreen 38 and a printer 39.

The electronic control unit 27 comprises, for example, memory means, shown in broken lines schematically in the figure and designated by the reference numeral 40, for example for the quantities of each dispensed beverage; a program for managing the dispenser which comprises preset dispensing cycles for making cocktails is loaded for example into the memory means 40.

A device for introducing money and/or credit cards and the like, associated with the electronic control unit 27, for withdrawing beverages and/or cocktails preset by patrons of the premises in which the dispenser is arranged, can also be associated with the beverage dispenser 10; said input device is not shown in the figures.

Another associable auxiliary unit, not shown in the figures, is a device for dispensing ice into a glass.

The operation of the beverage dispenser is as follows. The bottles 13 are arranged, in a preset order, on the supporting assemblies 18.

Preset cocktail cycles are stored in the electronic control unit 27, so that when a patron requests a stored cocktail, the bartender merely has to press the matching button on the touchscreen. By doing so, the electric valves associated with each beverage are opened in a coordinated manner for such times as to dispense the amount required to make the cocktail.

It is evident that it is possible to also select dispensings of similar beverages. Is also possible to select cocktails which are not stored, simply by composing the requested cocktail on the spot, in a simple manner.

It is also possible to make cocktails by means of beverages contained in vessels which are external with respect to the dispenser and are connected to it by means of the auxiliary inlets 30. Advantageously, the electronic control unit stores the opening times of the electric valves and therefore the quantities of each beverage that is dispensed.

In this manner, it is possible to monitor effectively the amount of products sold in one night. It is also possible to store, for example, the various types of selected cocktail, thus monitoring also the particular products that are sold, in order to monitor effectively the work of the bartenders and study the most requested type of product.

It is evident that it is possible to associate a price with a product (single beverage or cocktail), thus allowing to check the actual match between the receipts and the dispensed product.

The printer 39 allows to print, at the end of the night, all the possible queries regarding the dispensed products.

In practice it has been found that the invention thus described solves the problems related to the distribution of beverages in public premises.

In particular, the present invention provides a beverage dispenser which allows to dispense rapidly and automatically both beverages and cocktails.

At the same time, the present invention provides a beverage dispenser which allows to monitor easily the quantity and type of the dispensed beverages and products, thus allowing optimum management of the beverage store, marketing strategies related to the types of product to be dispensed depending on the nights, and monitoring of sales or of "under the counter" offerings of products during nights. It is evident that the embodiments that can derive from said beverage dispenser are many.

For example, one possible embodiment, not shown in the figures, can relate to the manner of dispensing beverages into the glasses; for example, it is possible to conceive a system for dispensing to several glasses, for example by means of a carousel connected to the reservoirs, which moves the glasses or the dispensing nozzles according to a programmed cycle.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. PD2005A000175 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A beverage dispenser, of the type that comprises, in association with beverage containers (12), means (14) for discharging the beverage from each of said containers (12) to a filling area (15) for at least one glass (16), liquid flow control valves (24) being associated with said beverage discharge means (14), characterized in that it comprises means (28) for measuring the amount of beverage dispensed by way of said discharge means (14) and an electronic control unit (27), which is provided with a user interface (37) and is functionally connected to said liquid flow control valves (24) and to said measurement means (28), said electronic control unit (27) being adapted to manage the flows of dispensed beverage.

2. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that said beverage discharge means (14) comprise a discharge duct (20) for each one of said containers (12), the outlet of each one of said discharge ducts (20) being directed, during dispensing, above the region (15) that can be occupied by a glass (16), in order to fill said glass (16) in the mode for dispensing a single beverage or in the mode for the coordinated dispensing of beverages from several containers (12) in order to compose cocktails.

3. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said beverage discharge means (14) comprise an assembly (18) for drawing liquid from a bottle (13), which is functionally connected, by means of a first portion (19) of a respective said discharge duct (20), to an accumulation reservoir (21), which is arranged upstream of a corresponding said liquid flow control valve (24).

4. The beverage dispenser according to claim 3, characterized in that said accumulation reservoir (21) comprises a duct (22) for venting into the environment.

5. The beverage dispenser according to claim 3, characterized in that each one of said withdrawal assemblies (18) comprises a cup-shaped support (31) for a bottle (13), which is pivoted to the shell (11) of the dispenser (10), said first portion (19) of the discharge duct (20) being connected at the bottom of said cup-shaped support (31) to said accumulation reservoir (21), said cup-shaped support (31) being provided internally with a receptacle (32) for the head of the bottle (13), which can be arranged therein with a substantially vertical orientation, the beverage contained in said bottle (13) flowing by gravity out of said bottle onto the bottom of said cup-shaped support (31), a venting path (33) being also provided at said bottom in order to allow the beverage to flow out of the bottle (13).

6. The beverage dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that said cup-shaped support (31) has a series of substantially circular shoulders (34) having different diameters, which are arranged from the widest to the narrowest respectively from the outside toward the inside of the receptacle (32), said shoulders (34) acting as a support for bottles (13) with heads having different diameters, a space (35) connected to said venting path (33) being provided below the innermost shoulder (34), at the bottom of said cup-shaped support (31), said venting path (33) being constituted by a vertical channel, which is formed longitudinally on the side of said shoulders (34) and ends at the upper edge of said cup-shaped support (31).

7. The beverage dispenser according to one or more of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that each one of said liquid flow control valves (24) is arranged below the outlet of the corresponding said accumulation reservoir (21) and is constituted by an electric valve (25), which is connected electrically to said electronic control unit (27), a second portion (26) of a said corresponding discharge duct (20) extending from said electric valve (25).

8. The beverage dispenser according to claim 7, characterized in that said means (28) for measuring the amount of dispensed beverage are constituted by a device for measuring the opening time of each one of said electric valves (25), said device being integrated in said electronic control unit (27).

9. The beverage dispenser according to one or more of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the outlets (29) of said discharge ducts (20) are grouped next to each other in order to dispense into a single glass (16) which is arranged below said outlets (29) in said filling area (15).

10. The beverage dispenser according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises auxiliary ducts, in which the outlet is located at the outlets (29) of said discharge ducts (20), the inlets (30) of said auxiliary ducts being accessible from the outside of the dispenser (10) for connection to auxiliary beverage dispensers.

11. The beverage dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an outer shell which encloses said electronic control unit (27), said accumulation reservoirs (21), said discharge ducts (20), and said electric valves (25), said shell (11) being provided at the front, on the lower part, with a compartment (17), which is open for the insertion of a glass (16), said compartment (17) forming said filling area (15) for a glass, above said compartment (17) there being spaces (36) on which a plurality of said withdrawal assemblies (18) is pivoted, a screen (38) for interaction with the user being arranged on said shell (11).

12. The beverage dispenser according to claims 4 and 11, characterized in that each duct (22) for venting into the environment is arranged on the sides of said shell (11), venting and ventilation ports (23) being provided on the upper part of said shell.

13. The beverage dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electronic control unit (27) comprises means (40) for storing the quantities of each individual dispensed beverage, a program for managing the dispenser being loaded in said storage means (40) and comprising preset dispensing cycles for providing cocktails.

14. The beverage dispenser according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises a device for introducing money and/or credit cards and the like, which is associated with said electronic control unit, for withdrawing preset cocktails and/or beverages.

15. The beverage dispenser according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the user interface (37) of said electronic control unit (27) comprises a touchscreen (38) and a printer (39).

16. The beverage dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electronic control unit (27) is a PLC.

17. The beverage dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a device for dispensing ice into a glass.