The disclosure herein generally relates to a tap for dispensing a beverage, and specifically but not exclusively to a tap for dispensing a carbonated beverage.
Beer, for example, may be carbonated and stored in a keg. A gas conduit (“gas line”) may communicate gas from a pressurised cylinder of carbon dioxide to the keg. A fluid line (“beer line”) may communicate beer from the keg to a tap (“beer tap” or “dispensing tap”) for dispensing the beer. Similar systems may be used for dispensing fizzy soft drinks, sparking wine, sparkling mineral water or generally any carbonated beverage.
Taps for dispensing carbonated beverages, however, may cause excess foaming of the carbonated beverage when dispensed thereby. Apart from a naturally developing beer head, for example, foaming is generally regarded as a dispensing fault, and in the worst case can result in a glass full of undrinkable foam or a flat beverage. While some users may wish to control the rate at which a beverage flows from a tap, some taps are designed to only be fully on or fully off, and when operated intermediate these two positions may result in excessive foaming.
Disclosed herein is a beverage tap. The beverage tap comprises a tap body defining a beverage outlet and comprising a closure member seat. The beverage tap comprises a closure member movably disposed within the tap body and comprising a head movable into sealing engagement with the closure member seat. The head has a streamlined configuration and the closure member seat is intermediate the closure member and the beverage outlet. The beverage tap comprises an externally operable actuator operationally coupled to the closure member.
In an embodiment, the head comprises a rounded portion.
In an embodiment, the head comprises a tip having a nipple configuration.
In an embodiment, the head is smooth.
In an embodiment, the head is fissure free.
In an embodiment, the closure member comprises a tail having a streamlined configuration.
In an embodiment, the tail comprises a rounded portion.
In an embodiment, the tail is smooth.
In an embodiment, the tail is fissure free.
In an embodiment, the closure member comprises a plurality of laterally disposed alignment elements aft of the head.
In an embodiment, each of the plurality of laterally disposed alignment elements has a streamlined configuration.
In an embodiment, each of the laterally disposed alignment elements comprises a tapered forward end directed towards the outlet and rounded aft end.
In an embodiment, the externally operable actuator is received within a cavity defined by the closure member.
In an embodiment, the closure member comprises polymer.
In an embodiment, the closure member comprises a skeleton overmolded with a polymer overmold. The skeleton may be internal.
In an embodiment, the tap body defines a beverage passageway in which is disposed an externally adjustable passageway constrictor for adjusting a flow rate of the beverage through the beverage passageway.
In an embodiment, the externally adjustable passageway constrictor comprises an insert comprising a tapered end inserted within a sleeve defining a tapered end receiver that is correspondingly tapered.
In an embodiment, the sleeve is movably mounted within the beverage passageway. Another externally operable actuator may be operationally coupled to the sleeve.
An embodiment comprises a closure member biasing element intermediate of the closure member and the insert.
Any of the various features of each of the above disclosures, and of the various features of the embodiments described below, can be combined as suitable and desired.
Embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures in which:
The closure member 24 comprises a head 32 movable into sealing engagement with the closure member seat 22. The externally operable actuator 18 is operationally coupled to the closure member 24 to move the closure member 24 and so the head 32 into sealing engagement with the closure member seat 22.
The closure member 24 comprises a plurality of laterally disposed alignment elements 40,42,44 in the form of longitudinally orientated ribs that are aft of the head 32. The alignment elements 40,42,44 extend radially outward to the maximum radius of the head 32. The alignment elements 40,42,44 engage the passageway wall 25 of passageway 26, centering the head 32 therein and aligning the head 32 with the closure member seat 22. Each of the plurality of laterally disposed alignment elements have a streamlined configuration and comprise a tapered forward end 46 directed towards the outlet 14 and rounded aft end 38. Interior end 50 of actuator 18 is received within a cavity 52 defined by the closure member 24. Interior end 50 terminates in a round bearing for smooth operation.
An externally adjustable passageway constrictor 54—for adjusting a flow rate of the beverage through the beverage passageway—is disposed in the beverage passageway 26. The externally adjustable passageway constrictor 54 comprises an insert 56, various views of which are shown in
The other externally operable actuator 64 comprises seals 71, 73, 75 and 77. The tap 10 comprises an optional detachable spout 15 that is threadingly engaged with the tab body 12. A washer 17 is intermediate the spout 15 and the tap body 12. The spindle 70 is fixed to the tap body 12 by threadingly engaged bonnet 79.
Associated with the actuator 18 is bonnet 90, handle collar 92, rubber compound cushion 94, and high density polyethylene bushings 96 and 98.
Sleeve 58 comprises optional exterior locating legs 63 in the form of ribs that in use simultaneously contact the tap body 12 for locating the sleeve 58 centrally within the beverage passageway 26. Optional O-ring seal 65 is seated in circumferential groove 67.
The tap 10 comprises an optional closure member biasing element 78 in the form of a compression spring that is disposed within the cavity 69 defined by sleeve 58. One end of the biasing member 78 engages the closure member 24 and at the other end of the biasing member engages the insert 56. A boss 97 of the insert 56 and the aft end 38 of the closure member 24 are disposed within the spring 78 such that the spring is located thereby within the passageway, in this embodiment at the centre of the passageway 26. The closure member biasing element 58 biases the closure member 24 into engagement with the closure member seat 22. The tap 10 may consequently be self-closing, specifically a self forward closing beverage tap. The tap 10 functions with the biasing element removed, but is no longer self-closing. Consequently, a user can determine whether the tap is self-closing or not by including or omitting the biasing element 78.
The tap 10 comprises polymer, specifically the closure member 24, and the externally adjustable passageway constrictor 56. The polymer has a lower specific heat than the metal tap body comprising brass, for example, which reduces the amount of heat transferred from the tap 10 to the beverage. This may result in a colder dispensed beverage with less foaming. The closure member 24 comprises a skeleton comprising polypropylene over molded with thermoplastic vulcanizates. Generally, the over mold may comprise any suitable thermoplastic elastomer, injection moldable elastomer, or polymer.
Now that embodiments have been described, it will be appreciated that some embodiments may have at least some of the following advantages:
Variations and/or modifications may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention. For example:
The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Reference to a feature disclosed herein does not mean that all embodiments must include the feature.
Prior art, if any, described herein is not to be taken as an admission that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction.
In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, that is to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/085,067, filed Sep. 29, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20220098023 A1 | Mar 2022 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63085067 | Sep 2020 | US |