WO2010149402A1

WO2010149402A1 - Dispensing apparatus and methods

Info

Publication number: WO2010149402A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/054767
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Roger Cane; David John Foster
Original assignee: Cambridge Design Research Llp
Priority date: 2009-06-25
Filing date: 2010-04-12
Publication date: 2010-12-29
Also published as: EP2446424A1

Abstract

We describe a chilled beverage or glass dispenser, the dispenser comprising: an input port to receive a beverage bottle or glass to be chilled: an outlet port to provide a chilled beverage bottle or glass; a first, chilling region located on a path for a said bottle or glass between said input port and said output port; a blast chiller configured to chill a said bottle or glass in said chilling region; a second, refrigerated region located after said chilling region in said path, to maintain said bottle or glass in a chilled condition; and wherein said dispenser is configured such that, in use, a said path from said input port, through said chilling region, through said refrigerated region to said output port maintains a first-in first-out order of said beverage bottles or glasses.

Description

Dispensing Apparatus and Methods

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for dispensing a chilled beverage or glass. Thus we will describe a device for chilling containers of beverage and/or drinking receptacles. The beverage may be alcoholic or non-alcoholic, and contained in a bottle, can, flexible packaging or stored in any form and served in a drinking receptacle such as a glass, cup or mug.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Beverages sold in bars or shops are commonly supplied in bottles or cans being served at too high a temperature, because of lack of cooling time spent in the refrigerator and the refrigerator being too warm caused by the frequent opening of the door. Non-adherence of first-in/first-out beverage container rotation and the practice of loading multiple warm bottles or cans simultaneously further exacerbate this problem.

A further disadvantage of conventional refrigerators is they are commonly placed allow at the back and sides of the bar where they are less conspicuous than bar - top fonts and brand advertising is obscured. Market research has demonstrated clear advantages in sales in having a product for sale on the bar, and this is an option not easily possible for beverages supplied in bottles or cans.

Background prior art can be found in WO2004017268 and also in:

US2007017246; WO2005003655; GB2393715; AU2003255813; TW595432Y; GB2390418/WO03083390; EP1488178 US2005166605 EP1488178 CN1643318

CA2480851 AU2003215765; IE980068/IE80481 ; WO9735155 EP0886750

IE970198 ; IE75685; GB2301172; US5237835; EP0451063; FR2660738; JP4116367;

US5005378; US3434302; DE4124854; GB2190906; IE861374L; IE57269;

US2006196882; WO2004045961 ; AU2003297290; US2003146227; US7118005; US2004172921; SI9600257; US5462198; GB505807; ES2222821 ; ES2238176; EP0903550; EP0903550; SE9703391L; E9703391 SE510526; EP1821053;

WO2007088153; US2007101734; WO9319334; GB2280016; US2006090480;

WO2004017001; WO2004017001; GB2394030; AU2003255817; EP0174170;

ES8705615; EP0174170; BR8504334; US4164851; US2439261; US2250557; US2245234; GB489277; FR2258672; US2496304; US2711241; ;US4411351;

US2260643; US4429778; US3888092; EP0410408; EP0347286; DE2939122;

US2418300; FR1014754; EP0491671; US4549409; FR2305935; US4920763;

EP0174170; US4164851; CH281565; GB606184; US2002232; DE3936017;

EP0651214; US4358932; US5168714; JP2002128196; JP2002081848; GB1283073; GB1494104; US3027728; US3455120; US3315480; US4479776; GB762677;

US2237257; GB1150351; US3393532; US4389853; US4358932; US2013264;

US6018961; US2439261; AT292754B; US2655007;GB1396379; GB1481537;

FR138143; BR2441345; GB1537821; US2342706; US2427869; US2080103;

US2876558; US3888092; US2496304; CA1081486; US2059970; US4245483; US2005166605; WO03083390; EP1488178; GB2390418; EP1488178; CN1643318;

CA2480851; US2003215765; JP3177772; JP2004212029; US2252979; US2160760;

US5689967; WO9521560; EP0744910; EP0744910; EP0744910; NGi7851OB;

US2442882; US2241023; US2273233; US2204804; US2240528; EP1701120;

WO2005015098.

SUMMARY OFTHE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is therefore provided we describe a chilled beverage or glass dispenser, the dispenser comprising: an input port to receive a beverage bottle or glass to be chilled; an outlet port to provide a chilled beverage bottle or glass; a first, chilling region located on a path for a said bottle or glass between said input port and said output port; a blast chiller configured to chill a said bottle or glass in said chilling region; a second, refrigerated region located after said chilling region in said path, to maintain said bottle or glass in a chilled condition; and wherein said dispenser is configured such that, in use, a said path from said input port, through said chilling region, through said fridge region to said output port maintains a first-in first-out order of said beverage bottles or glasses. In some preferred embodiments there is a thermally insulating barrier between the chilling region and the refrigerated region and, preferably, between chilling region and one or both of the input port and output port. This facilitates maintenance of the two regions or chambers at differing temperatures of operation according to their differing purposes - a lower temperature for the chilling region than for the refrigerated region.

The blast chillier in embodiments comprises a refrigeration device in combination with a fan to blow air onto the bottle or glass to be chilled. The refrigeration device is typically maintained at a temperature well below zero, for example less than -5, -10, -15, -20 or -25 or -30 degrees C, for rapid chilling.

In one preferred embodiment of the apparatus the chilling region is provided with a pair of belts disposed opposite one another to either side of the path along which a bottle/glass moves through the chilling region. Means are provided for moving the surfaces of the belts facing one another across the path in opposite directions so that a bottle/glass moving along the path through the chilling region is rotated for faster, more uniform chilling.

The refrigerated region preferably comprises an active cooling system for maintaining the temperature of a chilled bottle or glass below the ambient temperature more particularly at a desired target temperature for the beverage concerned. For example, some beers may be held at say, -2⁰C whilst a cola-type drink may be maintained at a around +4⁰C. In embodiments one or both of the refrigerated region and chilling region have an associated temperature control loop to control the temperature of the air provided by the blast chiller and to control the temperature of the refrigerated region. The skilled person will appreciate that the temperature may be monitored at a number of different points, for example on a refrigerating element and/or in the vicinity of a bottle or glass to be chilled.

Some preferred embodiments of the dispenser maintain a relatively small stock of bottles or glasses internally, for example less than 20, 15 or 10 bottles/glasses. Thus one or both of the refrigerated region or chilling region may hold less than 10 bottles; the chilling region may chill one bottle/ glass at a time or several. Thus in some preferred embodiments a plurality, for example 2 to 4 chilling stations may be arranged in a single chilling region. Some preferred embodiments of the dispenser include a buffer stock region, preferably spatially or thermally separated from the chilling region. For example one bottle of stock region may be provided between the input port and the chilling region, and a second between the chilling or refrigerated region and the outward port. This facilitates the rapid provision of multiple chilled bottles/glasses: since it can take a minute or more to chill a bottle providing a buffer stock facilitates, say, putting 3 bottles in and immediately receiving, say, 3 bottles out, in particular in the context of a dispenser which enforces a 1-in, 1-out dispensing. In embodiments a sensor may be provided to sense an occupancy condition of a buffer stock region for example, prior to the chilling region and an electronic controller to control or allow motion of a bottle/glass through the chilling region in response to the sensing. Thus for example the controller may be configured to sense a stock level and to control a flap or finger to release bottles/ glasses to be chilled into the chilling region; a similar region may be employed on the output side of the chilling region.

Preferred embodiments of the dispensary include means for moving the bottles/glasses along the path from the input port to the output port. In some embodiments this may comprise a gravity feed, for example, by arranging for the path from the input port through the chilling region and refrigerated region to the output port to define a continuously descending path. In other arrangements a conveyor belt or track may be employed, optionally with means such as flaps, stops or the like to define bottle positions on the belt/track for ease of indexing the belt/track by one bottle/glass at a time. In embodiments the belt/track defines a loop or carousel and the dispensary includes indexing means for moving bottles/ glasses step wise along the path one at a time so that one bottle/glass is provided at the output port for each bottle/ glass accepted at the input port, The indexing means may comprise a manual drive, for example a lever, or a motor drive. In one arrangement, for example, a manually operated lever is employed to draw one bottle/glass into the input port when the lever is operated at the same time as delivering a chilled bottle/glass at the output port.

Thus in some preferred embodiments the dispenser comprises a mechanism to enforce one-in one-out use of the dispenser for chilling a beverage bottle or glass. The skilled person will appreciate that this may be achieved in many ways. In one approach the dispenser comprises a mechanism to provide a chilled bottle/glass the output responsive to insertion of a bottle/glass at the input port and moving the bottle/glass along the path from the input port. Additionally or alternatively a mechanism may be provided to inhibit provision of a chilled bottle/glass at the output port if no new bottles/glass is provided at the input port. In embodiments of the dispenser the input port and the output port comprise a single port for receiving and dispensing bottles/glasses.

Some preferred implementations of the apparatus include a system, for example an electronic controller to cycle the bottles/glasses within the dispenser through the chilling region at switch on in order to provide a stock of chilled bottles/glasses ready for initial use.

Preferred implementations of the dispenser are configured for mounting beneath a bar or similar surface and, in particular, are configured so that when so mounted one or both of the input and output ports stand proud of the bar or surface. This saves space and is convenient as well as providing a region of the dispenser visible above the bar which may be employed for displaying information to a customer for example on the type of beer dispensed.

In a related aspect the invention provides a method of providing a chilled beverage bottle or glass, the method comprising: accepting a beverage bottle or glass for chilling at an input port of dispensing apparatus; moving an internal stock of beverage bottles or glasses along a path within the apparatus from said input port to an output port through a first, chilling region for chilling said beverage and then a second, refrigerated region for storage of an internal stock of said beverage bottles or glasses; and providing a chilled beverage bottle or glass from said second refrigerated region at said output port of said apparatus responsive to said accepting; such that a said chilled beverage bottle or glass is provided in response to each said accepting of a beverage bottle or glass at said input port.

In some embodiments a chilled beverage bottle or glass is provided substantially instantly in response to accepting a warm beverage bottle or glass; in other embodiments a time delay in deliberately introduced to give the illusion of a surprisingly rapid bottle chilling process. In a further related aspect the invention provides a bar-mounted bottle or glass chiller comprising: means for accepting a beverage bottle or glass for chilling at an input port of dispensing apparatus; means for moving an internal stock of beverage bottles or glasses along a path within the apparatus from said input port to an output port through a first, chilling region for chilling said beverage and then a second, refrigerated region for storage of an internal stock of said beverage bottles or glasses; and means for providing a chilled beverage bottle or glass from said second refrigerated region at said output port of said apparatus responsive to said accepting; such that a said chilled beverage bottle or glass is provided in response to each said accepting of a beverage bottle or glass at said input port.

In embodiments the first, chilling region is thermally insulated from the second, refrigerated region such that, in operation, the chilling region is enabled (facilitated) to operate at a lower temperature than said refrigerated region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 shows schematically, a fast chilling station for a beverage container or drinking receptacle, for use with a dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a vertical cross section through an example blast chilling region incorporating two chilling stations for chilling, as illustrated, horizontally arranged beverage containers or drinking receptacles, for use with a remote refrigeration compressor/condenser;

Figure 3 shows a chiller with a buffer stock of warm beverage containers or drinking receptacles on the inlet and a buffer stock of chilled beverage containers or drinking receptacles on the outlet; Figure 4 shows an example of a bar-top dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention, having a one-for-one mechanism, and for use with the chiller of Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a layout with a refrigerant compressor and condenser located separately from the dispenser;

Figure 6 shows a layout with an integral refrigerant compressor and condenser;

Figure 7 shows an alternative layout with an integrated refrigerant compressor and heat exchanger;

Figure 8 shows an alternative layout with several chilling stations for vertical beverage containers or drinking receptacles;

Figure 9 shows an alternative layout with several chilling stations for horizontal beverage containers or drinking receptacles; and

Figure 10 shows a cross sectional view of an example of a lever mechanism to enforce one-in one-out use of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

To address the problems mentioned in the introduction we will describe a device that rapidly cools containers of beverage to the desired temperature for best enjoyment, that is compact enough to be mounted in the bar top, and that presents chilled containers from a bar-top dispenser that can be branded for advertising. It comprises an insulated chest configured to mount under a bar top containing a number of beverage containers, a chamber for introducing a beverage container into the device, a second chamber from where a second beverage container at a reduced temperature is dispensed immediately following insertion of the first beverage container into the first chamber, a mechanism to store a number of beverage containers inside the chest such that the beverage containers can move from the first chamber to the second chamber in order inside the chest, a means of removing heat from the chest, a fan system within the chest which directs chilled air at one or more beverage containers stored inside the chest and a part of the chest that embodies a display of a brand or logo or advertising message so that it is visible to the customer in front of the bar. The device can be mounted on the bar front or back, and can be made larger to increase the buffer stock of chilled containers or receptacles or to increase throughput.

A related problem pertains to beverages sold in bars or shops which are chilled to below room temperature to make consuming the beverage more enjoyable and which are poured into a drinking receptacle such as a glass or cup during the serve. Sometimes this receptacle is at room temperature which through warming the beverage during the serve leads to the latter no longer being at the ideal temperature. This problem is made worse if the receptacle is initially warmer than room temperature, for example if it has been recently washed or dried. Sometimes the receptacles are chilled prior to the start of serve by the use of conventional refrigeration technology, but the slow chill time and non-adherence to first-in/first-out receptacle rotation then often leads to the use of warm receptacles and the serving of beverage at non-optimal temperatures.

To address these problems the device we describe rapidly cools empty receptacles to the chosen temperature to deliver the served beverage at the ideal temperature. It is compact enough to be mounted in the front bar top, and presents chilled receptacles from a bar-top dispenser that can be branded for advertising.

Significant preferred features of the device are described below:

The dispenser is positioned on the bar top and has a part that embodies a display of the brand or logo or advertising message so that it is visible to the customer in front of the bar.

A chilled container of beverage is dispensed on demand at the desired temperature for enjoyment, or a chilled drinking receptacle is dispensed on demand at the ideal temperature for enjoyment of the beverage subsequently served into it.

The beverage container remains sealed until the point of dispense so that no impairment of beverage quality takes place. The dispenser has small apertures to minimise the ingress of warm air to the cold compartment.

A small stock of chilled beverage containers or drinking receptacles at the desired temperature is held to be able to dispense several containers or receptacles in quick succession.

The small stock of chilled beverage containers or drinking receptacles is replenished by the fast chilling of warm beverage containers or drinking receptacles.

Fast chilling is achieved through the use of fans to blast chilled air at high speed onto a container or receptacle.

The chilled air may be at temperatures much lower than the dispense temperature to reduce chilling time.

The beverage containers or drinking receptacles may be agitated or rotated during chilling to reduce the chilling time.

Multiple containers or receptacles may be chilled simultaneously to increase throughput.

Beverage containers or drinking receptacles are prevented from going below the ideal dispense temperature or from freezing by the use of a timer or a thermostat or by partitioning the chest to restrict airflow.

The dispenser throughput may be temporarily increased to meet peak demand, at the expense of slightly higher dispense temperatures, by reducing chilling time.

Replenishment of the device with beverage containers or drinking receptacles may be enforced by adding a one-for-one mechanism: unless a warm container or receptacle is loaded into the device, a chilled container or receptacle cannot be dispensed. A small stock of warm containers or receptacles waiting for a chilling space may be provided by using a finger or door or physical geometry so that replenishment of the chilled stock may take place whenever there is a chilling space free rather than rely on specific action from serving staff.

Movement of the containers or receptacles through the device may be by motor, gravity or hand operation, or by a combination. Containers or receptacles may be indexed or allowed to move autonomously.

Conventional and readily available refrigeration technology and components is used.

The device is compact enough to be mounted under the majority of bar tops.

Larger embodiments can store more containers or receptacles to have an increased buffer stock of chilled containers or receptacles or to increase throughput.

The compact size (low thermal mass), good insulation and absence of large doors coupled with a high refrigeration power means that the device may be turned off when the bar is closed to reduce energy consumption.

Further installation flexibility is offered by options for integrating the refrigerant compressor and condenser into the device, for mounting them remotely, or for using a heat exchanger to reject heat to the liquid coolant commonly present in bars.

Embodiments with horizontal and vertically arranged containers of beverage or drinking receptacles are possible.

To address the problems mentioned in the introduction we will describe a device that rapidly cools containers of beverage To overcome these problems the present invention proposes a device that rapidly cools containers of beverage to the desired temperature for best enjoyment, that is compact enough to be mounted in the bar top, and that presents chilled containers from a bar-top dispenser that can be branded for advertising. It comprises an insulated chest configured to mount under a bar top containing a number of beverage containers, a chamber for introducing a beverage container into the device, a second chamber from where a second beverage container at a reduced temperature is dispensed immediately following insertion of the first beverage container into the first chamber, a mechanism to store a number of beverage containers inside the chest such that the beverage containers can move from the first chamber to the second chamber in order inside the chest, a means of removing heat from the chest, a fan system within the chest which directs chilled air at one or more beverage containers stored inside the chest and a part of the chest that embodies a display of a brand or logo or advertising message so that it is visible to the customer in front of the bar. The device can be mounted on the bar front or back, and can be made larger to increase the buffer stock of chilled containers or receptacles or to increase throughput.

The essential and important features of the proposed device are now described.

The dispenser is positioned on the bar top and has a part that embodies a display of the brand or logo or advertising message so that it is visible to the customer in front of the bar. A chilled container of beverage is dispensed on demand at the desired temperature for enjoyment, or a chilled drinking receptacle is dispensed on demand at the ideal temperature for enjoyment of the beverage subsequently served into it.

The beverage container remains sealed until the point of dispense so that no impairment of beverage quality takes place.

The dispenser has small apertures to minimise the ingress of warm air to the cold compartment.

A small stock of chilled beverage containers or drinking receptacles at the ideal temperature is held to be able to dispense several containers or receptacles in quick succession.

The dispenser throughput may be temporarily increased to meet peak demand, at the expense of slightly higher dispense temperatures, by reducing chilling time. Replenishment of the device with beverage containers or drinking receptacles may be enforced by adding a one-for-one mechanism: unless a warm container or receptacle is loaded into the device, a chilled container or receptacle cannot be dispensed.

A small stock of warm containers or receptacles waiting for a chilling space may be provided by using a finger or door or physical geometry so that replenishment of the chilled stock may take place whenever there is a chilling space free rather than rely on specific action from serving staff.

The device is compact enough to be mounted under the majority of bar tops.

Embodiments with horizontal and vertically arranged containers of beverage or drinking receptacles are possible. Detailed Examples

In a preferred embodiment the device comprises of one or more fast chilling stations shown in figure 1. The station consists of fans 3 blasting chilled gas 4 at high speed at or towards a beverage container or drinking receptacle 1. The fans may be cross flow, radial, axial or other type of fan, may be multiple or single, and may driven by electric motors or mechanical means. In the preferred embodiment, the chilling gas 4 is air, but other gases could be used. In the preferred embodiment, the gas is directed at the side of the beverage container or drinking receptacle, but alternative embodiments direct the gas at the base, the top, or axially along the sides. Ducting 5 may be used to direct the gas. The chilled gas of appropriate temperature but advantageously between 4⁰C and -4O⁰C typically -20⁰C cools the drinking receptacle or beverage container and the beverage 2 by forced convection using an appropriate wind-speed but advantageously between 1ms^"1 and 40ms^'1 typically 20ms^"1. Agitating the receptacle or container and beverage, by shaking or rotating the container in full or in part, aids heat transfer from the beverage through the container and into the air, In this way, experiments have shown the beverage and container can be chilled to the chosen temperature ideal for drinking typically 4⁰C in a time of 1 to 6 minutes, typically 4 minutes, and a drinking receptacle can be chilled to a temperature ideal for serving typically -10⁰C in a time of 1 to 4 minutes typically 2 minutes. The warmed gas 6 is re-circulated to be chilled again in a refrigeration heat exchanger 7. In some embodiments additional fans 8 may be used before the heat exchanger to improve air flow and direction.

The heat exchanger 7 is conventional refrigeration technology (an evaporator), whereby pressurised refrigerant fluid 9 is introduced into an expansion device 10 which reduces its pressure and temperature so that in passing through the heat exchanger it extracts heat from the warmed air and leaves as warmed low pressure refrigerant gas 11.

Figure 2 shows a cross-section through a simple device. The device is contained within insulation 12. A beverage container or drinking receptacle at non-optimal drinking temperature or drinking receptacle is introduced into the device at aperture 13. This container or receptacle passes directly into the fast chilling station 50 shown in figure 1 , where it is held between two driven belts 14 and 15. The belts may move in the same direction or opposite directions at the same or different speeds, driven by electric motors or gravity or manual means. The combined movement of the belts controls the speed of passage of the beverage container or drinking receptacle in front of one or two or more chilling stations, and their relative movement controls the agitation by rotation of the containers or receptacles to improve chilling efficiency. One or more beverage containers or drinking receptacles may be present in the chilling stations at any one time. The time a beverage container or drinking receptacle spends in the chilling station may be of pre-set duration or be controlled by a controller 16 responding to thermostat 17 or user demand. On exiting the chilling station, the beverage container or drinking receptacle is presented directly to the device operator through a door 18 which prevents loss of cold air.

Alternative versions of this can add a small stock of warm beverage containers or drinking receptacles to the inlet or chilled beverage containers or drinking receptacles at the outlet of the chilling station, or to both as shown in Figure 3. Figure 3 shows a cross-section through an example dispenser 100 comprising a chilling region 50 followed by a refrigerated region 60. A beverage container or drinking receptacle entering at aperture 13 joins a small stock 19 of between two and ten other beverage containers or drinking receptacles, held back by a door or finger 20 or by physical geometry. When a space is available in the first chilling station, the next waiting beverage container or drinking receptacle is allowed to move into it. On exiting the chilling station, the beverage container or drinking receptacle joins a small stock 21 of chilled beverage containers or drinking receptacles awaiting withdrawal from aperture 22. When the stock spaces are full, a switch 23 is activated that stops the mechanism and chilling until a beverage container or drinking receptacle has been removed. To avoid the containers or receptacles in stock 19 or 21 becoming excessively cold through prolonged exposure to the temperatures of typically -20⁰C in the chilling station, partitions 38 and 39 can be arranged to insulate them. Finger 20 and switch 23 may be coupled to an electronic controller (not shown) for the dispenser.

Figure 4 shows a further refinement in which a warm beverage container or drinking receptacle cannot be inserted unless a chilled beverage container or drinking receptacle is simultaneously removed - a "one-for-on" mechanism. In Figure 4 like elements to those of Figure 3 are indicated by like reference numerals. In the preferred embodiment sketched, a toothed belt 24 is arranged over two sprockets 25. The casing has an aperture 26 such that a warm beverage container or drinking receptacle can be inserted through it into the empty pocket 27 formed between two neighbouring teeth. Indexing the belt by one pocket moves the warm beverage container or drinking receptacle into the device and simultaneously moves a chilled beverage container or drinking receptacle from the chilled stock 28 held in the belt teeth and presents it in pocket 27 for removal via aperture 26. Movement of the belt can be done by electrical or manual means. The motion of the belt causes the warm container of beverage or drinking receptacle to be inserted into aperture 13 for chilling when appropriate, and collects chilled beverage containers or drinking receptacles from aperture 22 after chilling.

The device as described chills the containers of beverage or drinking receptacles by taking in pressurised refrigerant fluid 9 and returning warmed low pressure refrigerant gas 11. Figure 5 shows the preferred embodiment positioned under the bar top 29 where the refrigerant compressor and condenser and ensuing heat rejection are located separately from the device. Typically the compressor and condenser would be located in the cellar and used to supply several such devices.

Figure 6 shows an alternative configuration for compressing the refrigerant gas and rejecting heat, whereby the refrigerant compressor 30 and condenser 31 are integrated into the device, This arrangement removes the need for plumbing pressurised coolant lines to the device, but means that heat is rejected into the ambient air 32 by the device.

Figure 7 shows an alternative configuration for compressing the refrigerant gas and rejecting heat, whereby the refrigerant compressor 30 and condenser 31 are integrated into the device, but heat is rejected into a coolant fluid 33 thus preventing heat build-up by the device. Existing bar cellar equipment can be used to supply the coolant fluid and remove the heat.

Figure 8 shows an alternative layout with beverage containers or drinking receptacles arranged vertically in the chilling stations. In this embodiment they are mounted on platens mounted on a circular or race track-shaped track 34. In other embodiments they could be gripped around the neck or waist from a track above, below or to the side of the beverage containers or drinking receptacles, A warm container of beverage or a drinking receptacle is introduced from the front or from above through aperture 26, and indexed into a small stock 19 of warm beverage containers or drinking receptacles. One of the stock of warm beverage containers or drinking receptacles is indexed into a chilling station according to Figure 1. One or more chilling stations may be provisioned in the device. A chilled beverage container or drinking receptacle is indexed out of the last chilling station into a small stock of chilled beverage containers or drinking receptacles 21. A chilled beverage container or drinking receptacle is indexed out of the stock and presented into aperture 26 for removal. A thermal barrier is preferably provided between the chilling and refrigerated regions, for example bushes, doors or gates, and optionally between the input and output paths.

Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment with beverage containers or drinking receptacles arranged horizontally in the chilling stations. In this embodiment two tracks 35 and 36 are mounted at slight inclines such that the beverage containers or drinking receptacles move axially along them under the action of gravity. Alternatively the tracks may be at any angle (including for example horizontal or vertical) and the beverage containers or drinking receptacles moved under power by a belt or similar. A warm beverage container or drinking receptacle is introduced from the front or from above through aperture 26, and indexed into a small stock 19 of warm beverage containers or drinking receptacles. One of the stock of warm beverage containers or drinking receptacles is indexed into a chilling station according to Figure 1. One or more chilling stations may be provisioned in the device. The beverage containers or drinking receptacles are held at the end of the first track by a door or finger 20. When a space is available on the second track, the waiting beverage container or drinking receptacle is allowed to transfer into it under the action of gravity. A chilled beverage container or drinking receptacle is indexed out of the last chilling station into a small stock of chilled beverage containers or drinking receptacles 21. A chilled beverage container or drinking receptacle is indexed out of the stock and presented into aperture 37 for removal. A thermal barrier is preferably provided between the chilling and refrigerated regions, for example bushes or doors, and optionally between the input and output paths.

Figure 10 shows a cross sectional view of an example of a lever mechanism 40 enforcing one-in one-out use of a dispenser as described above. In the illustrated example the lever 46 operates a reciprocal mechanism which accepts one bottle into the input port 42, with the same action providing a bottle at the output port 44. No doubt many other effective alternatives will occur to the skilled person. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and encompasses modifications apparent to those skilled in the art lying within the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A chilled beverage or glass dispenser, the dispenser comprising: an input port to receive a beverage bottle or glass to be chilled: an outlet port to provide a chilled beverage bottle or glass; a first, chilling region located on a path for a said bottle or glass between said input port and said output port; a blast chiller configured to chill a said bottle or glass in said chilling region; a second, refrigerated region located after said chilling region in said path, to maintain said bottle or glass in a chilled condition; a thermally insulating barrier between said chilling region and said refrigerated region; and wherein said dispenser is configured such that, in use, a said path from said input port, through said chilling region, through said refrigerated region, to said output port maintains a first-in first-out order of said beverage bottles or glasses.

2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein said chilling region and said refrigerated region comprise separate chambers of said dispenser.

3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or 2 further comprising a thermally insulating barrier between said chilling region and one or both of said input port and said chilling region and said output port.

4. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a buffer stock region between one or both of said input port and said chilling region and said output port.

5. A dispenser as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a sensor to sense an occupancy condition of a said buffer stock region and a controller to control motion of a said bottle or glass through said chilling region responsive to said sensing.

6. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising means for moving said beverage bottles or glasses along said path from said input port to said output port.

7. A dispenser as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for moving said beverage bottles or glasses comprises a track or conveyor belt, and wherein the dispenser further comprises indexing means for moving said beverage bottles or glasses stepwise along said path such that one bottle or glass is provided by said output port for each bottle or glass accepted at said input port.

8. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said input port and said output port comprise a single, common port of said dispenser.

9. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a mechanism to enforce one-in one-out use of said dispenser for chilling a said beverage bottle or glass.

10. A dispenser as claimed in claim 9 wherein said mechanism comprises a mechanism to provide a chilled bottle or glass at said output port responsive to moving a said bottle or glass from said input port along said path.

11. A dispenser as claimed in claim 9 or 10 wherein said mechanism comprises a mechanism to inhibit provision of a chilled bottle or glass at said output port absent a bottle or glass at said input port.

12. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said chilling region has an associated first temperature control loop to control a temperature of air provided by said blast chiller to a first temperature, and wherein said refrigerated region has a second temperature control loop to control a temperature of said refrigerated region at a second, higher temperature than said first region.

13. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a pair of belts having surfaces adjacent a portion of said path through said chilling region, said belts being mounted to permit motion of said belt surfaces in opposite directions for rotation of a said beverage bottle or glass passing through said chilling region.

14. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising means to cycle bottles or glasses within said dispenser through said chilling region at switch-on for chilling a stock of said bottles or glasses within said dispenser.

15. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim configured for mounting beneath a bar or similar surface and wherein, when mounted, one or both of said input and output ports stand proud of said bar or surface.

16. A method of providing a chilled beverage bottle or glass, the method comprising: accepting a beverage bottle or glass for chilling at an input port of dispensing apparatus; moving an internal stock of beverage bottles or glasses along a path within the apparatus from said input port to an output port through a first, chilling region for chilling said beverage and then a second, refrigerated region for storage of an internal stock of said beverage bottles or glasses; and providing a chilled beverage bottle or glass from said second refrigerated region at said output port of said apparatus responsive to said accepting; such that a said chilled beverage bottle or glass is provided in response to each said accepting of a beverage bottle or glass at said input port.

17. A bar-mounted bottle or glass chiller comprising: means for accepting a beverage bottle or glass for chilling at an input port of dispensing apparatus; means for moving an internal stock of beverage bottles or glasses along a path within the apparatus from said input port to an output port through a first, chilling region for chilling said beverage and then a second, refrigerated region for storage of an internal stock of said beverage bottles or glasses; and means for providing a chilled beverage bottle or glass from said second refrigerated region at said output port of said apparatus responsive to said accepting; such that a said chilled beverage bottle or glass is provided in response to each said accepting of a beverage bottle or glass at said input port.

18. A method or apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or 17 wherein said first, chilling region is thermally insulated from said second, refrigerated region such that said chilling region is enabled to operate at a lower temperature than said refrigerated region.