초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a module (28) for a modular pressure distribution system (8) comprising a plurality of modules. The module (28) comprises a frame (60, 60′, 61, 61′) defining an outer periphery and a space defined within the outer periphery and a pressure chamber (22) for receiving a

The present invention relates to a module (28) for a modular pressure distribution system (8) comprising a plurality of modules. The module (28) comprises a frame (60, 60′, 61, 61′) defining an outer periphery and a space defined within the outer periphery and a pressure chamber (22) for receiving a beverage container (68), the pressure chamber being arranged within the space. The module further comprises a first type connector (46) and a second type connector (48) positioned at the outer periphery. A fluid path (47) establishes fluid communication from the first type connector to the second type connector. The first type connector (46) is connectable to a connector of the second type connector (48) of a neighbouring module, and the first type connector is adapted to receive a pressure-fluid from a pressure-fluid source. The second type connector is adapted to transfer the pressure-fluid to a first type connector of a neighbouring module. The module still further comprises a third type connector (66) in fluid communication with the first type connector and supplying the pressure-fluid to the pressure chamber (22).

대표청구항 ▼

1. A module (28) for a modular beverage distribution system (8) comprising the module (28) and first and second neighboring modules, the module (28) comprising: a frame (60, 60′, 61, 61′) defining an outer periphery and a space defined within said outer periphery;a pressure chamber (22) for receivin

1. A module (28) for a modular beverage distribution system (8) comprising the module (28) and first and second neighboring modules, the module (28) comprising: a frame (60, 60′, 61, 61′) defining an outer periphery and a space defined within said outer periphery;a pressure chamber (22) for receiving a beverage container (68), said pressure chamber 22 arranged within said space;an inlet connector (46) of the module (28) and an outlet connector (48) of the module (28) positioned at said outer periphery, a fluid path (47) establishing fluid communication from said inlet connector (46) of the module (28) to said outlet connector (48) of the module (28), said inlet connector (46) of the module (28) connectable to a further outlet connector (48) of the first neighboring module, said inlet connector (46) of the module (28) adapted to receive a pressure-fluid from a pressure-fluid source, said outlet connector (48) of the module (28) adapted to transfer said pressure-fluid to a further first type connector (46) of the second neighboring module; anda pressure chamber connector (66) of the module (28) in fluid communication with said inlet connector (46) of the module (28) and supplying said pressure-fluid from said inlet connector (46) of the module (28) to said pressure chamber (22). 2. The module (28) according to claim 1, wherein: said frame comprises a first sidewall (60) and a parallel second sidewall (60)′ each sidewall (60, 60′) defining a top and a respective bottom;said parallel sidewalls (60, 60′) are interconnected by two parallel endwalls 61, 61′ interconnecting said top of said first sidewall (60) with said top of said second sidewall (60′) and said bottom of said first sidewall (60) with said bottom of said second sidewall (60)′ respectively, said two parallel sidewalls (60, 60′) and said two parallel endwalls 61, 61′ defining said outer periphery and a corresponding inner periphery; andsaid pressure chamber connector (66) of the module (28) is positioned at said inner periphery. 3. The module (28) according to claim 1, wherein: said frame comprises a sidewall (60) and a bottom endwall (61′) oriented perpendicular to said sidewall;said sidewall (60) defines a top and a respective bottom, said bottom endwall defining a near end and a distant end;said bottom of said sidewall (60) is connected to said near end of said bottom endwall 61;said endwall defines a near end and a distant end, said sidewall (60) and said endwall 61 defining said outer periphery and a corresponding inner periphery, said space being defined between said sidewall (60) and said bottom endwall; andsaid pressure chamber connector (66) of the module (28) is positioned at said inner periphery. 4. The module (28) according to claim 1, wherein said pressure chamber connector (66) of the module (28) further is in fluid communication with said outlet connector (48) of the module (28). 5. The module (28) according to claim 1, wherein said beverage container (68) is replaceable. 6. A modular beverage distribution system (8) comprising a plurality of modules (28, 30, 32), wherein each module (28, 30, 32) comprises: a frame (60, 60′, 61, 61′) defining an outer periphery and a space defined within said outer periphery;a pressure chamber (22) configured for receiving a beverage container (68) containing a liquid, said pressure chamber (22) arranged within said space;an inlet connector (46) and an outlet connector (48) positioned at said outer periphery, a fluid path (47) establishing fluid communication from said inlet connector (46) to said outlet connector (48), said inlet connector (46) connectable to a further outlet connector (48) of a first other module of the plurality of modules, said inlet connector (46) adapted to receive a pressure-fluid from a pressure-fluid source, said outlet connector (48) adapted to transfer said pressure-fluid to a further inlet connector (46) of a second other module of the plurality of modules, anda pressure chamber connector (66) in fluid communication with said inlet connector (46) and supplying said pressure-fluid from said inlet connector to said pressure chamber (22);wherein a pressure distribution path (47) is defined from the pressure fluid source through each of the modules of said plurality of modules (28, 30, 32);and wherein said pressure-fluid source comprises a pressure generator, said pressure generator being in fluid communication with a first module of said plurality of modules (28, 30, 32) via an inlet connector (46) of said first module, said pressure generator delivering said pressure-fluid to said first module. 7. The beverage distribution system (8) according to claim 6, wherein said frame (60, 60′, 61, 61′) comprises: a first sidewall (60) and a parallel second sidewall (60′), each sidewall (60, 60′) defining a top and a respective bottom, said parallel sidewalls (60, 60′) interconnected by two parallel endwalls (61, 61′) interconnecting said top and said bottom of said first sidewall (60) with a respective top and bottom of said second sidewall (60′), said two parallel sidewalls (60, 60′) and said two parallel endwalls (61, 61′) defining said outer periphery and a corresponding inner periphery; andsaid pressure chamber connector (66) positioned at said inner periphery. 8. The beverage distribution system (8) according to claim 6, wherein: said frame comprises a sidewall (60) and a bottom endwall (61′) oriented perpendicular to said sidewall;said sidewall (60) defines a top and a respective bottom, said bottom endwall defining a near end and a distant end;said bottom of said sidewall (60) is connected to said near end of said bottom endwall (61);said endwall defines a near end and a distant end, said sidewall (60) and said endwall 61 defining said outer periphery and a corresponding inner periphery, said space being defined between said sidewall (60) and said bottom endwall; andsaid pressure chamber connector (66) is positioned at said inner periphery. 9. The beverage distribution system (8) according to claim 6, wherein the modules (28, 30, 32) of said plurality of modules (28, 30, 32) are arranged so that the top of said outer periphery of each module of said plurality of modules (28, 30, 32) is substantially flush. 10. The beverage distribution system (8) according to claim 6, wherein said modules (28, 30, 32) are arranged so that said pressure fluid is delivered from said pressure generator to said first module at said inlet connector (46) of said first module, said pressure fluid being distributed to the second other module via said outlet connector (48) of said first module to the further inlet connector (46) in said first other module. 11. The beverage distribution system (8) according to claim 6, wherein said beverage container (68) is a flexible bag and said flexible bag is compressible by said pressure-fluid causing said liquid stored in said bag to be dispensed. 12. The beverage distribution system (8) according to claim 6, wherein said pressure-fluid is further used as a cooling agent for cooling said liquid in said beverage container (68). 13. The beverage distribution system (8) according to claim 6, wherein said beverage distribution system further comprises a dispensing line 16 in fluid communication with said beverage container (68), said dispensing line (16) being in fluid communication with a dispensing unit (10) for selectively dispensing said liquid. 14. The beverage distribution system (8) according to claim 6, wherein said beverage distribution system further comprises a dispensing line for each of said beverage containers, said dispensing line being in fluid communication with a respective beverage container, each of said dispensing lines being in fluid communication with a respective dispensing unit for selectively dispensing said liquid. 15. The beverage distribution system (8) according to claim 6, wherein said pressure chamber (22) is pivotally mounted in said frame (60, 60′, 61, 61′), said pressure chamber (22) being operable from a first state to a second state, said first state being a dispensing state where said pressure chamber is positioned substantially vertical and in fluid communication with said pressure chamber connector (66), said second state being a position where said pressure chamber is in a substantially horizontal position. 16. The beverage distribution system (8) according to claim 15, wherein said pressure chamber (22) operates a switch controlling a valve at said pressure chamber connector (66) so that when said pressure chamber (22) is in said first state said valve is open and when said pressure chamber (22) is operated away from said first state, said valve is closed. 17. The beverage distribution system (8) according to claim 6, wherein said beverage container (68) is rotatably mounted in said pressure chamber (22). 18. The beverage distribution system (8) according to claim 6, wherein said pressure chamber includes a membrane (118) positioned between the inner wall of said pressure chamber (22) and said beverage container (68), so that said pressure fluid acts on said membrane (118) and pressure is transferred onto the surface of said beverage container (68). 19. The beverage distribution system (8) according to claim 6, wherein said pressure-fluid is delivered at a pressure that is limited to a specific maximum pressure. 20. The beverage distribution system (8) according to claim 6, wherein at least one of said pressure distribution path (47) and said dispensing line (16) is defined through all of the modules (28, 30, 32) of said plurality of modules (28, 30, 32) as a coupling/connection selected from the group consisting of a series coupling/connection, a parallel coupling/connection, and a matrix coupling/ connection.