Cooler and work table unit

July 15, 1941. v. rocco 2,249,299

COOLER AND WORK TABLE UNIT Filed Oct. 3. 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

<img file="US2249299A_D0001.tif" />

ATTORNEYS

July 15, 1941.

y. rocco

COOLER AND WORK TABLE UNIT Filed Oct. 3, 1938

2,249,299

Sheets-Sheet 2

<img file="US2249299A_D0002.tif" />

Patented July 15, 1941

2,249,299

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,249,299

COOLER AND WORK TABLE UNIT Victor Rocco, Newburgh, N. Y.

Application October 3, 1938, Serial No. 233,076 2 Claims. (Cl. 225—1)

My invention relates to beverage dispensing systems, and has among its objects and advantages the provision of an improved cooler and work table unit.

An object of my invention is to provide a beverage cooling and dispensing system designed to accommodate a plurality of beer barrels, as an example, in which a novel circulating system for a cooling medium is incorporated in the system and in which the unit is so designed as to provide a work table situated within reach of the dispensing taps or faucets.

Another object is to provide a cooler and dispensing system embodying a plurality of tap tubes for dispensing connection with barrels in which each tap tube is enclosed within a fluid cooling circuit and in which the cooling circuits associated with all the tap tubes are operatively connected with a single source of supply.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the work table illustrating the beverage cooling and dispensing system incorporated therein;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view;

Figure 3 is a view of the fluid circulating system associated with one of the tap tubes;

Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line 4—4 of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, but illustrating a coiled tap tube inside the fluid circulating system.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, I make use of a work table 10 provided with supporting legs 12 and a work surface or top 14. Table 10 is provided with a plurality of vertical bores 16 for accommodating a similar number of beverage cooling and dispensing columns 18. The upper ends of the columns 18 are provided with faucets 20, while the lower ends of the columns are tapped into· the beer barrels 22.

Work table i 0 is mounted on the floor 24, while the barrels 22 may be located on the cellar floor 28. Floor 24 is provided with openings for accommodating the columns 18. The columns are identical in construction so that the description of one will apply to all. Referring to Fig. 3, the column 18 illustrated therein includes a central tap tube 2S' located concentrically inside a larger diameter tube 28, the latter constituting a conduit for the circulation of a cooling fluid. Tube 28 is threaded at 30 and 32 for connection with caps 34 and 36, respectively. Cap 34 includes a threaded shank 38 provided with an opening 40 within which the lower end of the tap tube 26' is secured. Cap 36 is provided with a threaded shank 42 provided with an opening 44 within which the other end of the tap tube is secured.

To the shank 38 I threadedly secure a pipe 46 provided with a fitting 48 associated with a valve 50, which in turn is associated with the tap connections 52 tapped into one of the barrels 22., Such fittings and tap connections are old and well known in the art and need not be described in further detail.

To the shank 42 I threadedly secure the tap arm 54 to which is connected the faucet 20. Insulation 56 encloses the tube 28, which insulation is enclosed within a tube 58. The lower end of the tube 58 is provided with a closure ring 60 pressed between the shoulder 62 of a nut head 64 of the tube 46 and the cap 34. Upon the upper end of the tube 58 I position a split collar 66 provided with a closure plate 68 extending across the insulation 56. The ends of the split collar 66 are provided with flanges 70 for the reception of bolts 72 which firmly clamp the collar on the tube 58. Collar 66 is provided with a circular band 74 which removably supports a tray 76 upon which glasses rest in dispensing relation with the faucet 20.

Near the lower end of the tube 58 I position a nipple 78 which extends through an opening in the tube 28 and is welded to the tube, as at 80. A similar nipple 82 has communication with the tube 28 near its upper end. Upon the splash board 84 of the work table 10 I mount a header 86. Header 86 includes a horizontal run 88 extending substantially the full length of the splash board 84 and a vertical run 90 which extends through the floor 24 and to a cooler unit 92. Both runs of the header enclose a return pipe 94 having its lower end extending into the cooler unit 92. According to Fig. 2, the nipple 82 is connected with a flexible coupling 96 connected with a nipple 98 extending into the header 86 for connection with the return pipe 94.

The tube 28 of each column 18 is provided with a similar connection with the return pipe 94. Beneath the floor 24 I mount a horizontal header 100 which encloses a feed pipe 102 extending downwardly through the vertical run 104 of the header and into the cooling unit 92 for connection with a liquid circulating pump 106. The pump is provided with an externally located pulley 108 for connection with a suitable source of power. Cooling unit 92 is provided with a cooling coil HO which may be operatively connected with a mechanical refrigeration system (not shown). In lieu of the coil HO, the cooling

2,249,298 unit 92 may be provided with ice for cooling the fluid circulated through the cooling circuit.

According to Fig. 2, the nipple 78 is connected with a flexible coupling 79 which is connected with a nipple 81 communicating with the pipe 102 5 in the header 100. Each pipe 28 is provided with a similar nipple 78 connected in the same manner with the pipe 102. It will thus be seen that water or other cooling liquid pumped into the pipe 102 will flow into the tubes 28 and circulate about 10 the tap tubes 20'. From the tubes 28, the water passes outwardly through the nipples 82, flexible connections 96, the nipples 98 and into the tube 94 and then back to the cooling unit 92.

The horizontal run of the header 100 is bolted 15 to angle irons 112, which in turn are bolted to the floor joist (14. Angular braces 116 have their lower ends bolted to the angle irons i 12 and their upper ends bolted to the floor 24. Headers 86 and 100 insulate the enclosed pipes associated 20 therewith. All nipples and the flexible connections between the pipes 28 and the headers may be provided with suitable insulation, which is also true of the pipe 46. The draft arms 54 will, of course, be insulated in the usual manner. 25

In Fig. 5 I illustrate a tap tube 118 corresponding to the tap tube 26', with the exception that the tap tube of Fig. 5 is coiled, as at 120.

Table 10 may be provided with chambers (22 for the reception of ice and water. Each cham- 30 ber may be provided with a drainage pipe 124 connected with a drain pipe 126 which may lead to the sewer. Fig. 1 illustrates a check valve 128 in the pipe 102 for holding the cooling liquid in the system while the pump 106 is inactive. 35

My invention embodies a work table incorpo- ' ’ rated in the cooling and dispensing system. Thus work may be done on the table while remaining in reach of the faucets 20. A large number of columns (8 may be associated with one work 40 table, and the columns provide means whereby a ‘ large number of barrels may be tapped into the cooling and dispensing system. Thus the barrels 22 may be successively emptied, which eliminates the necessity for tapping a new barrel each ₄₅time one barrel is emptied. Full barrels may be ' tapped .at the convenience of the operator. The liquid cooling system comprises a closed circuit and eliminates the inconvenient necessity of supplying ice for cooling purposes. Chambers 122 provide facilities for cracked ice which may be employed in connection with the preparation of other beverages.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention, that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.