Claims
- 1. A beverage dispenser, comprising:a) a support structure; b) a first tube operatively secured to said support structure; c) a connector operatively secured to one end of said first tube; d) said connector having an opening therethrough so as to be in communication with said first tube; e) a valve operatively secured to another end of said tube; f) said connector for being secured to a beverage container so that said opening is in communication with the interior of the beverage container to allow the beverage to flow through said first tube and through said valve when said valve is open; and g) said connector including first and second inside threads to selectively connect to outside threads of a respective smaller or larger beverage container.
- 2. A beverage dispenser as in claim 1, and further comprising:a) a bleed tube disposed within said first tube having one end operably communicating to the outside and another end disposed beyond said connector so as to be disposed above the liquid level within the container when the container is secured to said connector.
- 3. A beverage dispenser as in claim 1, wherein:a) said support structure includes a cylindrical wall.
- 4. A beverage dispenser as in claim 3, wherein:a) said support structure includes a member secured to said cylindrical wall; and b) said first tube is supported by said intermediate member.
- 5. A beverage dispenser as in claim 2, wherein:a) said valve includes an air passageway selectively in communication with said bleed tube; and b) said valve includes a liquid passageway selectively in communication with said first tube.
- 6. A beverage dispenser as in claim 5, wherein:a) said valve includes a housing and a shut-off member operatively disposed within said housing; b) said housing includes an opening in communication with said first tube and said liquid passageway when said valve is in an open position; and c) said housing includes a coupling tube connected to said bleed tube and in communication with said air passageway when said valve is in an open position.
- 7. A beverage dispenser as in claim 6, wherein:a) said shut-off member includes a first opening selectively in communication with said opening of said housing when said valve is in an open position; and b) said shut-off member includes a second opening selectively in communication with said coupling tube of said housing when said valve is in an open position.
- 8. A beverage dispenser as in claim 7, wherein:a) said first opening is circumferentially offset from said second opening.
- 9. A beverage dispenser as in claim 1, wherein:a) said support structure includes an opening through said cylindrical wall; and b) said first tube extends through said opening.
- 10. A beverage dispenser as in claim 1, wherein:a) said first tube includes a 90° elbow.
- 11. A beverage dispenser as in claim 10, wherein:a) said first tube includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion; and b) said elbow is secured between said vertical portion and said horizontal portion.
- 12. A beverage dispenser as in claim 11, wherein:a) said elbow is threadedly secured to said vertical portion and said horizontal portion.
- 13. A beverage dispenser as in claim 1, wherein:a) said one end of said first tube is threadedly secured to said connector.
- 14. A beverage dispenser as in claim 1, wherein:a) said another end of said first tube includes an enlarged portion; and b) said valve includes a coupling portion received within said enlarged portion.
- 15. A beverage dispenser as in claim 1, wherein:a) said first and second inside threads are concentric.
- 16. A beverage dispenser as in claim 1, wherein:a) said connector includes outside threads; b) said first tube includes inside threads cooperating with said outside threads.
- 17. A beverage dispenser as in claim 16, wherein:a) said connector includes first and second bodies; b) said first body includes said first inside threads and said outside threads of said connector; and c) said second body includes said second inside threads.
- 18. A beverage dispenser as in claim 1, wherein:a) said connector includes first and second bodies; b) said first body is substantially cylindrical and includes an outwardly projecting radial flange disposed intermediate said first body; and c) said second body includes an inwardly projecting radial flange for engaging said outwardly projecting radial flange.
- 19. A beverage dispenser as in claim 18, wherein:a) said first and second bodies are keyed to each other such relative rotation between said bodies is prevented.
- 20. A beverage dispenser as in claim 18, wherein:a) said first body includes a portion disposed within an opening of said second body; and b) said first body includes a flat surface engaging a corresponding flat surface on said opening.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation application of application Ser. No. 09/962,223, filed Sep. 26, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,145 which is hereby incorporated by reference and claims the priority benefit.
US Referenced Citations (20)
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09/962223 |
Sep 2001 |
US |
Child |
10/335867 |
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US |