GB2449698A

GB2449698A - A beverage dispense tap assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2449698A
Application number: GB0710495A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Cook
Original assignee: Universal Dispense Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Universal Dispense Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-01
Filing date: 2007-06-01
Publication date: 2008-12-03
Also published as: GB0710495D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beverage dispense tap 10 for dispensing and foaming a beer. The beverage dispense tap 10 comprises a valve 16 and a valve seat 44. The valve has a closed position, in which the valve abuts the valve seat to close the beverage dispense tap. The valve 16 is movable to a first open position (Figure 2), so as to open a first fluid flow path through the beverage dispense tap. The valve 16 is also movable to a second open position (Figure 3), in which the first fluid flow path is closed and in which a second fluid flow path opens through the tap, the second fluid flow path being of smaller cross section than the first fluid flow path. The valve seat may be provided by an insert or bush 44, which may be provided with a plurality of recesses or grooves 48. The valve 16 may be provided with a channel enclosed by valve material. The tap may be provided with a handle 19, which may be movable between predetermined positions.

Description

* 1 2449698

A BEVERAGE DISPENSE TAP ASSEMBLY

The present invention relates to a beverage dispense tap assembly.

Some lager beers are served with a foam head on top of the liquid beer.

A known beverage dispense tap assembly is arranged to form a "foam" head by lifting a valve a small distance from its seat, sufficient enough to open a beer path defined by the valve and the valve seat, yet little enough that the beer path is still very small. The valve is manually moved by the beverage dispense tap assembly operator, using a handle, which is moved by trial and error so as to lift the valve by a small distance from its seat.

The pressurised beer is forced through the gap between the valve and the valve seat and gas breaks out of the beer, causing foam.

A disadvantage of the known beverage dispense tap assembly is that the optimum position for good quality foam to occur is unpredictable and so although the handle is generally held in position whilst the foam is dispensed, the operator will examine the froth consistency, and may have to move the handle by trial and error to find the optimum position for good quality foam. The optimum position can be different for different beers, and so the process will need to be repeated when a different beer is passed though the tap assembly. The optimum position may also change as the quantity of beer in the keg, and its pressure, varies.

An aim of the invention is to provide a beverage dispense tap assembly with an improved and/or alternative means of serving a foam head.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a beverage dispense tap assembly in accordance with Claim 1. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a beverage dispense tap valve assembly in accordance with Claim 34.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a beverage dispense tap valve assembly in accordance with Claim 35. Certain preferred and optional features of the beverage dispense tap assembly are set out in the dependent claims.

An advantage of the beverage dispense tap assembly in accordance with the invention is that the second fluid flow path is engineered so that it is predetermined, rather than found by trial and error. The valve can be moved by a handle and the handle is arranged to have limited movement in the position in which the beverage dispense tap assembly is arranged to dispense foam so the user does not need to think about if the foam is acceptable quality. Another advantage of the beverage dispense tap assembly in accordance with the invention is that the foam flow rate can be predictable and constant.

A beverage dispense tap assembly in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic cross section showing a beverage dispense tap assembly in accordance with the invention in a closed position, Figure 2 is a cross section of part of a beverage dispense tap assembly in accordance with the invention, showing amongst other things, an insert, Figure 3 is a plan view of the insert of Figure 2, Figure 4a is an exploded view of the insert in the beverage dispense tap assembly of Figure 2, Figure 4b is an exploded view of the insert in the beverage dispense tap assembly of Figure 2, with the valve in a different position to Figure 2, in particular with the assembly in a partially open position, suitable for creaming beer, Figure 5 is the beverage dispense tap assembly of Figure 1 in a fully open position, Figure 6 is the beverage dispense tap assembly of Figure 1 in a partially open position, suitable for creaming beer, Figure 7 is a section of the valve and insert in a fully open valve position, Figure 8is a section of the valve and insert in a foaming position, Figure 9 is a section of a valve and an insert of a further beverage dispense tap assembly in a foaming position, and Figure 10 is a section of a valve and an insert of a still further beverage dispense tap assembly in a foaming position.

Referring to Figure 1, a beverage dispense tap assembly 10 comprises a tap body 12 and tap spout 14, a valve 16 inside the body, and a handle 19, for moving the valve 16, via a spindle 20.

Body parts 12A, 12B and 12C combine to form the body 12.

The body 12 defines an inner chamber 22 therein.

A cylindrical cavity 23 is defined by the body 12 towards the lower end of the chamber 22.

The body 12 also defmes a (beer) inlet 24 at the side of the chamber, an outlet 26 for beer at a lower end of chamber 20, and an opening 28 at an upper end of the chamber for a spindle 20.

The valve head 16 comprises a first radial shoulder 17 of a first radius, and a second radial shoulder 18, of a second radius, less than the first radius. The valve head 16 is made of elastomeric material. The valve 16 is mounted on a lower end of the spindle 20. A spring 30 is arranged in the chamber 22 between an upper inside surface of the body 12 and the valve head 16. An upper end of the spindle 20 (bearing the valve) passes through the opening 28 and a spindle seal 32 is designed to seal between the upper body opening and the spindle. The handle 19 is pivotally attached at pivot 34 to the spindle 20.

The tap spout 14 is attached to the body 12, so that beer can flow from the chamber 22, through the outlet 26, to the spout, and along the spout so as to discharge at the bottom of the spout.

An upper surface of the body 12 comprises a first, rear, body abutment surface 36 and a second, front, body abutment surface 38.

The handle 19 comprises a first (lower), rear, abutment surface 40 and a second (lower), front, abutment surface 42, arranged to co-operate with the first rear body abutment surface 36 and the second front body abutment surface 38.

Referring to any of Figures 1 to 6, and in accordance with the invention, the tap assembly 10 comprises an insert 44 in the form of a bush. The insert 44 is approximately annular, as shown in Figure 3. Still referring to Figure 3, the insert 44 comprises a generally circular inside surface 46 interrupted by one or a plurality of grooves 48 (four shown in figures) around the periphery (preferably approximately equal spacing, e.g. 90 degree spacing to one another where there are four grooves). The grooves 48 run longitudinally along the length of the insert 44 as shown in Figures 2 and 4. *,

The insert 44 is secured, e.g. glued, in place in the cavity 23 towards the lower end of the chamber 22.

The insert 44 also comprises an inclined upper surface 50 and a flat lower surface 52.

The inclined upper surface defines the valve seat 24. The grooves 48 run from the inclined upper surface 50 to the lower surface 52.

Referring to Figure 1, in use in the closed position, the first radial shoulder 17 of the valve head 16 sealingly abuts against the 45 degrees inclined upper surface 50 of the insert 44 under pressure from spring 32, preventing any flow whatsoever through the valve. The second radial shoulder 18 sits within the inside of the insert 44.

Refening to Figure 5, in use in the fully open position, the movement of the handle 28 in the direction of the arrow until the abutment surfaces 36 and 40 meet causes the valve head 16 to move upwardly, in particular the first radial shoulder 17 away from the inclined upper surface of the insert 44. The foremost part of the valve head moves upwardly, preferably by about 4.5 mm, until the outer surface of the second radial shoulder 18 of the valve head 16 is (wholly) out of contact with the inner wall 46 of the insert as shown in Figure 7. The inner roughly circular wall 46 and/or inclined upper surface 50 of the insert 44 co-operate(s) with the valve head 16 to define a first fluid flow path, and the beer is suitably pressurised, for beer to flow normally through the valve.

Referring to Figure 6, in use in the part open state to allow for foaming of beer, the valve head 16 is moved upwardly by a small distance, preferably by about 1.5 mm, within the insert 44 until the first radial shoulder 17 of the valve head is spaced away from the inclined upper surface 50 of the insert 44. Whilst the valve head 16 is moved upwardly by only a small distance, the inside surface 46 of insert 44 stays in contact with the second radial shoulder 18 of the valve head 16. Figure 4b shows this arrangement in more detail. The four flow channels defined between the second radial shoulder 18 of the valve head 16 and the grooves 48 in the insert 46 are opened at their upper ends, to provide a second fluid flow path which allows beer to flow therethrough, as shown in Figure 8. Apart from these flow channels, the valve hand 16 is in sealing abutment with the inside surface 46 of the insert 44. Since the flow channels 48 are of small cross section between 0.45 mm squared (for lager) and 2.28 mm squared (for stout), with beer applied at suitable pressure, gas breaks out of the beer to make foam.

The beverage dispense tap assembly in accordance with the invention allows the beer tap valve to being movable between two "open" positions, a first position in which the main "beer path" is open, and a second intermediate position, in which the main beer path closes and a second, smaller cross section, "froth path" opens.

The beverage dispense tap assembly allows a user to simply flick the handle forward until it abuts the housing in the knowledge that, due to the valve arrangement, the optimum frothing will occur in this position. Since the valve head 16 is radially fixed, i.e.it does not move radially outward towards the body, the size of the foaming apertures and flow path remain constant througirnut operation.

Approximate beer flows, for lager, are: Normal full flow when the "beer path" is open I pint/18 seconds, and Head form flow when "froth path" opens is 1/8 pint/i 8 seconds.

Referring to Figure 9, a further beverage dispense tap assembly comprises a valve 56 and an insert 58. The outside surface of the valve 56 is generally circular cross section, and the inside surface of the insert 58 is corresponding circular cross section. The outside surface of the valve 56 is interrupted by a plurality of grooves 60, for example four, arranged at approximately 90 degree spacing to one another. The grooves 60 of the valve 56 and the inside surface of the insert 58 define a second fluid flow path, i.e. a foam flow path. This has the advantage that the insert 58 is a simpler shape. The insert 58 can be removed and the function performed by the inside surface of the insert 58 can be performed instead by an inside surface of the body 12.

Referring to Figure 10, a still further beverage dispense tap assembly comprises a valve 76 and an insert 78. The outside surface of the valve 76 and the inside surface of the insert 78 are each of circular cross section and designed to sealingly abut against one another. The valve 76 comprises a plurality of flow channels 80, for example four, spaced away from the outside surface of the valve at at least one point along the length of the channels. The flow channels 80 can be drilled or lasered. The flow channels 80 are of cross section between 0.5 mm squared (for lager) and 2.28 mm squared (for stout).

The beverage dispense tap assembly can comprise a combination of grooves on the inside surface of the insert and grooves on the outside surface of the valve.

Claims

Claims 1. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly for dispensing beer,

the beverage dispense tap valve assembly comprises a valve and a valve seat, the valve is movable to a first, fWly, open position, in which the valve is spaced from a sealing surface of the valve seat, so as to open a first fluid flow path through the beverage dispense tap valve assembly, the valve is movable to a closed position, in which the valve abuts the sealing surface of the valve seat to close the first fluid flow path, wherein the valve is movable to a second open position, in which the valve is spaced from the sealing surface of the valve seat, and a second fluid flow path through the beverage dispense tap valve assembly is defined, and the second fluid flow path has a predetermined cross sectional area, smaller than the cross sectional area of the first fluid flow path, so as to promote foaming of a beverage dispensed through the second fluid flow path.
2. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the valve is movable to a third open position, in which the valve is spaced from the sealing surface of the valve seat, and in a different position to the second position, wherein the second fluid flow path through the beverage dispense tap valve assembly is defined, by the valve and valve seat in the third position.
3. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to Claim 2, wherein the beverage dispense tap valve assembly is arranged so that the second open position is a different distance from the closed position than the third open position.
4. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to Claim 3, wherein the valve is movable linearly from the second open position to the third open position.
5. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to Claim 4, wherein the valve is movable in the same direction from the closed position to reach both the second open position and the third open position.
6. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the beverage dispense tap valve assembly is arranged so that the valve is in contact with part of the valve seat when a second fluid flow path is defined through the beverage dispense tap valve assembly.
7. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to Claim 6, wherein the second fluid flow path is defined between the valve and part of the valve seat.
8. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to Claim 7, wherein the valve seat part surface has at least one recess thereon, and the or each recess and the valve surface define at least part of the second fluid flow path.
9. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to Claim 8, wherein the valve seat part surface has a plurality of recesses, the recesses and the valve surface wholly define the second fluid flow path.
10. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the valve has at least one recess thereon, and the or each recess and the valve seat part surface defines at least part of the second fluid flow path.
11. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to Claim 10, wherein the valve has a plurality of recesses, the recesses and the valve seat part surface define at least part of the second fluid flow path.
12. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to Claim 8, 9, or 10, wherein the recesses are spaced about the valve seat part surface or valve surface.
13. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to Claim 10, wherein the recesses are spaced at approximately equal intervals.
14. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to Claim 7, wherein the second fluid flow path is defined by at least part of an inner surface of the valve and at least part of an outer surface of the valve seat part.
15. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to Claim 6, wherein the second fluid flow path is arranged to pass at least partly through the valve.
16. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to Claim 15, wherein the valve outer surface and the valve seat part inner surface are the same shape and in sealing abutment, and the valve comprises at least one channel through the valve, enclosed by the valve material.
17. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to Claim 16, wherein the valve comprises a plurality of channels through the valve, enclosed by the valve material.
18. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the beverage dispense tap valve assembly comprises a body which houses the valve and part of the valve seat is defined by an insert positioned in the body.
19. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the second open position of the valve is predetennined.
20. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to Claim 19, wherein the beverage dispense tap valve assembly comprises a handle, and the handle comprises a predetermined position which the handle is arranged to move into, to cause the valve to move to its second open position of a second fluid flow path is of a predetermined cross section.
21. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to Claim 20, wherein the beverage dispense tap valve assembly comprises a valve body and the valve body is arranged to limit (pivotable) handle movement in at least one direction in the predetermined handle position.
22. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly according to Claim 20 or 21, wherein the handle is movable to move the valve to its first open position, and the handle is movable in a different direction to move the valve to its predetermined second open position.
23. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
24. A method of dispensing a beverage comprising the steps of providing a beverage dispense tap valve assembly in accordance with any of Claims I to 23, moving the valve to a first fully open position, in which the valve is spaced from a sealing surface of the valve seat, so as to open a first fluid flow path through the beverage dispense tap valve assembly, moving the valve to a closed position, in which the valve abuts the sealing surface of the valve seat to close the first fluid flow path, and moving the valve to a second open position, in which the valve is spaced from the sealing surface of the valve, to allow foaming of a beer dispensed through a second fluid flow path.
25. A method of dispensing a beverage according to Claim 24, wherein the method also comprises moving the valve to a third open position, different to the second position, to allow foaming of a beer dispensed through the second fluid flow path.
26. A method of dispensing a beverage according to Claim 25, wherein the method comprises moving the valve a different distance from the closed position to reach the second open position than the valve is moved from the closed position to reach the third open position.
27. A method of dispensing a beverage according to Claim 26, wherein the method comprises moving the valve in the same direction to reach the second open position and the third open position.
28. A method of dispensing a beverage according to Claim 27, wherein the method comprises moving the valve linearly.
29. A method of dispensing a beverage according to any of Claims 24 to 28, wherein the method comprises providing the beverage dispense tap valve assembly with a handle, moving the handle to a predetermined position so as to move the valve to its second open position of a second fluid flow path of a predetermined cross section.
30. A method of dispensing a beverage according to Claim 29, wherein the method comprises providing the beverage dispense tap valve assembly with a valve body and moving the handle until the valve body limits handle movement in at least one direction in the predetermined handle position.
31. A method of dispensing a beverage according to Claim 30, wherein the method comprises moving the handle in a direction to its first open position, and moving the handle in a different direction to move the valve to its predetermined second open position.
32. A method of dispensing a beverage according to any of Claims 24 to 31, wherein the method comprises pressurising the beverage and dispensing the beverage through the second path at a flow rate of 1/8 pint in between 15 and 20 seconds.
33. A method of dispensing a beverage according to Claim 32, wherein the method comprises dispensing beverage through the second path at a flow rate of approximately 1/8 pint in 18 seconds.
34. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly for foaming a beer, the beverage dispense tap valve assembly comprising a movable valve and a part which cooperates with the valve so as to regulate flow of fluid through the valve assembly, wherein the part which cooperates with the valve defines a plurality of grooves which are arranged to cooperate with the movable valve so as to create a foam flow path.
35. A beverage dispense tap valve assembly for foaming a beer, the beverage dispense tap valve assembly comprising a movable valve and a handle arranged to move the valve, wherein the movement of the (pivotable) handle is arranged to be at least partly restricted when the valve is in a position to allow foaming of beer passing through the valve assembly.