EA007751B1 - Sanitary faucet with flow restriction and foam control - Google Patents

Abstract

A sanitary faucet with a foam control feature adaptable for dispensing pressurized fluids. The sanitary faucet includes a valve body, a plunger assembly, a flow restrictor assembly and an adjusting screw assembly. Also disclosed is a method of variably regulating fluid flow pressure and the production of foam in the sanitary faucet.

Description

Cross references to related applications

The priority of this application is claimed by provisional application for US patent No. 60/425528, which was filed November 12, 2002 and the description of which is fully incorporated into this application by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to taps used in beer kegs and other pressurized dispensers, and in particular to hygienic taps with flow control designed for controlled distribution of substances, and with regulation of foaming.

Dispensing taps are used in many applications when the substance is poured from pressure vessels or from other sources under pressure. Dispensing taps of this type are widely used in bottling, when beer, soda water or other drinks are dispensed from pressure vessels such as kegs (about 38 l keg). They are also sometimes used to pour seasonings, such as sauce or mustard, from pressure vessels. Indeed, such cranes are widely used, and their application can vary significantly.

Typical known cranes comprise a valve actuated by a pivot arm. More precisely, the valve element is mounted on a piston made with the possibility of sliding longitudinal movement in the channel. When the lever is turned forward, towards the user, to open the valve element, the latter moves along the channel backwards, thus providing the possibility of the distribution of the distributed substance from the valve inlet to the outlet. The entire valve is completely exposed to the fluid flow during dispensing, but when the valve is not dispensing, the main parts of the wet valve element are exposed to air. The stationary fluid in the valve and the air availability of the wet valve element can increase the growth of unwanted bacteria inside the valve. In some known taps, unwanted bacterial growth is overcome by positioning the piston substantially at the outlet of the tap, so that most of the wet valve parts are not exposed to air at all times.

Foam is created during the distribution of some pressurized fluids through such taps. However, the formation of foam sometimes changes the taste and appearance of certain fluids, such as beer. In addition, foaming may not be desirable when dispensing a fluid, but it may be desirable when the fluid is to be spilled from a barrel into a vessel such as a mug. Therefore, there was a need to improve the design of the valve in order to carry out controlled foaming in the distributed fluid and at the same time not to expose the wet parts of the valve to air to prevent the growth of bacteria.

The fluid to be dispensed, for example various types of beer, is stored in sealed barrels for the time being, that is, under conditions that can lead to a change in pressure. In fact, many barrels in which pressure was applied when filling with selected beer are stored in rooms with frequent temperature changes. Temperature changes cause pressure changes inside these barrels. To restore the initial balance of pressures from the outside and from the inside and adjust the fluid flow during distribution, some known dispensing taps have expansion blocks. However, these units have limited balancing and control capabilities for pressurized, distributed fluids. The unregulated or insufficiently regulated pressure caused by these fluids ultimately leads to increased wear and destruction of the valve fittings. In addition, pressure control using compensators is ineffective because these regulators can be installed in limited places, which leads to restrictions in pressure control. In this regard, there is a need to improve the design of the crane to provide improved pressure control.

Traditional taps also require a carefully designed method for cleaning valve parts, including removing them from the valve body and flushing them elsewhere. In this regard, there is a need to create valve elements that not only remain clean, but can also be effectively cleaned without disassembling the valve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a hygienic dispensing tap having several advantages. One advantage of the invention is that during normal use, the internal parts of the valve do not contain a significant amount of air, thereby limiting the growth of bacteria inside the valve.

Another advantage of one embodiment of the invention is the presence of a pressurizing foaming agent, so that, if necessary or if desired, an adjustable amount of foam can be created.

Another advantage of the present invention is a flow limiter with an adjusting screw for regulating the flow, so that the pressure created by the contained fluid can be gradually changed and adjusted to provide a large number of its values.

Another advantage of the invention is that valve parts can be effectively cleaned without significant disassembly of the valve.

- 1 007751

In general, a hygienic tap contains (a) a valve body having a valve channel that has inlet and outlet openings coaxially located on the same line, (b) a piston assembly located essentially in the valve body between the inlet and outlet openings, (c ) flow restriction assembly and (ά) adjusting screw assembly.

In one embodiment, the flow restriction assembly comprises a tube that has first and second ends. The first end of the tube is detachably attached to the inlet of the valve body, while the second end of the tube is detachably attached to a source of fluid being dispensed. The flow restriction assembly further comprises a flow restrictor disposed in the tube for movement. The flow restriction has a funnel-shaped head, which is adjacent to the piston assembly, and a shank provided with grooves having at least one groove or channel to allow fluid flowing from the specified source. In a preferred embodiment, the adjusting screw assembly controls the movement of the flow restriction assembly in the tube.

Another aspect of the invention includes a method of reducing foaming in a dispensed liquid. The method is carried out by first attaching a source of distributable fluid to the inlet of the valve body. The adjusting screw assembly is then rotated so that the flow restrictor moves so that the fluid entering the valve body has a desired pressure value. The fluid is then allowed to pass at the desired pressure into the piston assembly. Finally, the handle assembly is moved to open and close the valve as desired. When the handle assembly moves forward, the piston assembly, in turn, moves backward. This movement opens the valve by opening a passage for fluid that flows through at least one groove or channel of the grooved shank, on top of the funnel-shaped head, around the piston assembly, toward the outlet and out through the nozzle attached to the outlet. The fluid dispensed by this method has a strictly controlled pressure, and as a result, the fluid dispensed is essentially free of foam.

Another embodiment of the method, which is an important aspect of the present invention, is a method of creating foam in a dispensable liquid capable of forming a foam, such as beer. In accordance with this method, the source of the distributed fluid is attached to the inlet of the valve body. Provide fluid to the tap at the desired pressure. Then, the handle assembly is moved backward, which causes the piston assembly to move forward, so that the larger fluid passage is closed. Then the handle assembly is additionally moved backward, overcoming the resistance of the spring, as a result of which the transverse hole in the retaining screw opens behind the valve seat. Beer pushed through a small hole begins to foam.

These and other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to a person skilled in the art from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and accompanying drawings, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration, but not limitation. Numerous changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention without departing from its spirit, so that the invention includes all such modifications.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a faucet according to one embodiment of the invention, showing a flow restrictor with an adjusting screw and a pressurizing blowing agent.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the valve body of the valve of FIG. one.

FIG. 3 (a) is a top sectional view of the crane shown in FIG. 1, in which the adjusting screw is shown in a certain position, and the pressing foaming means is in the activated position.

FIG. 3 (b) is a top sectional view of the crane shown in FIG. 1, wherein the adjusting screw is shown in a position different from that in FIG. 3 (a), and the tap is in the closed position.

FIG. 4 (a) is a sectional view of the tap shown in FIG. 1, in which the faucet is shown in foam formation mode.

FIG. 4 (b) is a sectional view of the tap shown in FIG. 1, in which the tap is shown in the closed position.

FIG. 4 (c) is a sectional view of the tap of FIG. 1, in which the crane is shown in the open position.

Detailed description

The proposed dispensing tap can be used in any systems in which it is selectively actuated to spill material from pressurized sources. For example, it can be used as a crane operating in key mode and designed to spill beer or other liquid under pressure from a barrel or other container under pressure. It is also suitable as a seasoning tap used to dispense ketchup, mustard or sauce from a container. For the description of this invention, fluids or liquids are considered as not

- 2 007751 viscous as well as viscous materials such as beer and hot dog sauce.

The crane contains a valve body and a piston, which is installed in the channel in the specified body to ensure that it moves forward and backward. The channel has an inlet that extends into a passage connected to a container under pressure or with another source of pressurized fluid, and an outlet that exits into a distribution nozzle for discharging fluid from the valve. Partially inside the valve body there is a handle provided with a pivoting arm and terminating in a socket intended for this purpose in the piston. The lever, therefore, is in cooperation with the piston to ensure that the latter is set in motion for moving forward and backward along the channel. A plug on the piston interacts with the valve seat inside the valve body to control fluid flow through the valve.

As shown in FIG. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the valve 10, made in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, comprises a valve body 12 having an inside channel 14, a spout 16 mounted on the body 12, and a handle 18, which the user can act to move the piston 20 in the channel 14 for opening the valve 10 and spilling fluids through the nozzle 16.

The housing 12 may be made of materials capable of withstanding the applied pressure and such that the piston assembly 20 can be inserted into it with sliding and the handle 18 is rotatably held. Preferably, the faucet is made of stainless steel, plastic, intended for products in contact with food, or other moldable materials. Channel 14, the most preferred cross-sectional shape of which is a circle, is formed along the axis of the valve body. In one embodiment of the invention, the coaxial end of the channel 14 directed towards the flow forms an inlet 22 and is designed to connect the valve 10 to a container with pressurized fluid (not shown in the drawings). The opposite end of the channel 14 forms an outlet 24 and is designed to deliver fluid to the nozzle 16. In the part of the channel 14 with a reduced diameter there is a valve seat 26 located near or at the outlet 24. In the radial direction from the channel 14 through the tide 30 located on the upper surface of the housing 12, to the upper surface of the latter passes the lid channel 28 to accommodate the handle 18.

The lower end of the handle 18 forms a pivot arm 32, which has a ball-shaped part 34 in communication with a corresponding socket 36 of the piston assembly 20. The lever 32 is rotatably mounted in the channel 28 using a pivot bearing, preferably formed by a second ball part 38 and lid 40. Both ball parts 34 and 38 are preferably molded integrally with the lever 32. The nest 36 is preferably molded as a groove in the piston 20. The nest 40 is formed by the lid washer 42, the upper support collar 44, the lower supports cuff 46 and at least one o-ring 48. The assembly is held in place by the pressure cap 47 screwed onto the tide 30 so that it covers the washer 42, the support collars 44, 46 and the ring 48 underneath and inside the channel 28. described in more detail in the description of the application No. 10/142751, which was filed on May 9, 2002 and the description of which is fully incorporated into the present application by reference.

The piston assembly 20 comprises a piston element 60 mounted for sliding movement in the channel 14. The piston element 60 is generally made in the form of a continuous geometric body, the cross section of which differs from the cross section of the channel 14, so that holes are formed due to the difference in cross sections. providing the passage of fluid. The piston element 60 has an outer surface 54 and axial ends 56, 58 directed respectively towards the flow and in the direction of flow. The above-described groove or seat 36 extends radially in the piston 20 between the ends 56 and 58. The entire piston is entirely located inside the channel 14 so that almost the entire piston 20 is always immersed in the discharged fluid, even when the valve 10 is not used. This is an advantage because in the channel 14 there are no parts that would be exposed to air outside the valve, and all its parts are constantly surrounded by liquid and enclosed inside the housing 12.

The piston assembly 20 in this embodiment is intended for use with non-viscous fluids such as beer or other beverages. The assembly 20 therefore has a shape that facilitates the flow of fluid through and after the piston assembly and the relationship between the element 60 and the lever 32, so that the piston assembly is cleanly rinsed away from any particles of the material during dispensing. More preferably, the cross section of the element 60 is substantially square in shape so that four gaps are formed between it and the circular inner cross section of the channel 14. These gaps act as four passageways for fluid flow. These two elements may have a different shape, provided that they form sufficiently substantial passage channels.

One embodiment of the invention includes a foam control assembly used with taps for dispensing beer in cases where foam is desired. The foam control means provides only foam in cases such as, for example, when a consumer wants to receive an attractive

- 3 007751 foam hat for a glass of beer. In this embodiment, the piston 20 consists of a valve stem 60 and a return device that includes a seal 62, a seal holding screw 64, which extends through the seal, a pressure spring plate 66 and a coil spring 68. The screw 64 is screwed into the axial boss 70 on the end of the valve stem facing toward the valve seat 26 inside the housing 12. The boss 70 has an axial hole 71 formed therein, which is in line with the axial hole 64a formed in the screw 64. The hole 64a enters the screw 64 at the end, sleep not threaded to the screw head 64. Directly under the screw head 64 a transverse hole 64b is formed, intersecting with the hole 64a and forming an exit from it.

Screw 64 and seal 62 are used to close the valve. The seal 62 is installed on the upstream end portion of the element 60 for sealing the valve seat 26 in the housing 12 when the piston element is in the position when the dispensing is not carried out and the valve is closed. In the most preferred embodiment, the seal 62 is an elastically deformable elastomeric seal ring (of the order of 70-90 hardness testers) of such a size that it mates with the valve seat 26.

Screw 64 and seal 62 may be made of any food-grade material. In one preferred embodiment, the screw 64 is made of stainless steel and the seal is made of any food grade polymer. The piston return system operates when the seal 62 and its retaining screw 64 are inserted into the axial boss 70, as described above, through the disk 66 and spring 68. The spring 68 is selected so that it can be compressed and expanded between the plate 66 and facing down upstream end of valve stem 58. As shown in FIG. 4 (c), in a preferred embodiment, when the handle 18 is moved to the front position by the pivot arm 32 located inside the socket 36 of the element 60, that is, the position when the dispensing occurs, the piston assembly 20 moves away from the valve seat 26, making it possible giveaway without the formation of foam. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), when the handle 18 is pushed back to a position in which dispensing is not performed, the assembly 20 moves forward with engagement with the valve seat 26 and substantially closes the valve 10, thereby preventing the flow of fluid. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the handle 18 may also be located in an even more retracted position. When the handle 18 is set to this more retracted position, the reverse system is engaged and the spring 68 is compressed axially between the disc 66 and the downstream end 58 of the valve. This action opens the transverse hole 64b in the retaining screw 64 behind the valve seat 26, as shown in FIG. 3 (a) and 4 (a). Beer pushed through openings 71, 64a and 64b of small cross section begins to foam. At the same time, the consumer has the opportunity to get the foam covering the top of the glass with beer with a great hat, without which the glass cannot be so attractive. Each of the openings 71, 64a and 64b has a diameter of such a size as to create a very pleasant foam for each beer dispensed. In the experience of the inventors, diameters of the order of 0.13 mm (0.005 in) to about 2.30 mm (0.09 in) provide the best performance, but other diameters are also functional.

A removable spout 16 is mounted on the downstream end of the housing 12, preferably by screwing into a threaded protrusion 76 extending downstream from the downstream end of the housing 12. Between the spout 16 and the housing 12 there is a seal in the form of an o-ring 78, placed in a groove 80 at the axial end of the nozzle 16, upstream. Due to such a threaded connection, the removal of the nozzle 16 makes it possible for easy cleaning with a simple brush or spray gun (not shown) all parts of the valve 10 that are exposed to the fluid but are not immersed in it constantly (namely, valve seat 26, screw end 64 and the inner surface of the protrusion 76).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the valve 10 further comprises a flow control mechanism for carefully adjusting the flow of the fluid being dispensed. As shown in FIG. 1, 3 (a) and 3 (b), the flow control mechanism comprises a flow control tube 82 having a channel 84 formed therein, which can be connected to a fluid container under pressure (not shown) through a protrusion 85. Preferably, the protrusion 85 is attached to the container under pressure using a threaded connection. The inner surface of the channel 82, essentially, has the shape of a funnel and is made essentially in accordance with the flow restrictor 86, which has a thin continuous funnel-shaped head 88 and a solid shank 90 provided with grooves. Both parts — tube 82 and restrictor 86 — are preferably made of stainless steel. The stopper 88 of the stop 86 additionally has at least one opening 92 that provides a passage through the head 88 and leads to its central chamber 94. Preferably, the head 88 further has at least four evenly spaced openings 92, which are all in fluid communication with the central chamber 94.

The tube 82, having a stopper 86, with respect to the channel 14 is located in the upstream end of the inlet 22 by means of a retaining spring 96, a retaining ring 102 and about

- 4 007751 of the compression ring 100. The compression ring 100 is preferably connected to the inlet 22 by some suitable removable connection, for example a thread, thereby holding the stopper head 86 inside the housing 12.

The inlet of the valve 22 further has an inclined channel 105 for accommodating the flow control screw 106. The channel 105 is arranged in such a way that the screw 106 is dimensioned so that the end of the screw can touch the head of the stop 86. Thus, the rotation of the screw 106 controls the axial movement of the stop 86 a high degree of control accuracy, providing very precisely controlled flow control.

The screw 106 may be of the conventional type with a knurled head, or, in another embodiment, may be provided with an anti-misuse head 108 and an adjustment key 112, which are axially connected to each other. An o-ring 110 may also be provided to reduce leakage through the screw 106. Preferably, the end 108 of the screw and the adjusting key are made of stainless steel and the o-ring is made of elastomeric material. The inclined channel 105 at the inlet of the valve 22 is located with respect to the inlet of the valve at an oblique angle, preferably of 45 °. When the key 112 or knurled head is rotated clockwise, the end 108 of the screw goes deeper into the channel 14 at the valve inlet 22.

As shown in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, 3 (a) and 3 (b), in operation, when the tube 82 containing the stopper 86 is connected to the valve inlet 22, the stopper 86 is positioned so that it can partially slide inside the channel 14 in the valve. When the key 112 is rotated, the screw 106 enters further into the channel 14 at the valve inlet 22 through the inclined channel 105. The screw 106 restricts the movement of the stop 86 inside the channel 14. When the screw 106 is gradually turned clockwise, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the movement of the stop 86 is gradually limited. The screw 106 can be rotated at least 360 °, while providing the possibility of very finely adjustable movement of the limiter 86.

When the pressurized fluid flowing upstream of the inlet 22 has a higher pressure than desired, the screw 106 is turned clockwise to limit the movement of the restrictor 86, which in turn restricts the flow of fluid. On the other hand, if the fluid pressure is lower than required, then more fluid can be passed through the valve 10 simply by gradually turning the screw 106 counterclockwise to achieve the required fluid flow pressure, as shown in FIG. 3 (b).

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1 and 4, the fluid enters the pipe 82, extends along the grooved shaft 90, enters the central chamber 94 of the head 88 through the openings 92, and then passes through the channel 14 into the passageways surrounding the assembly 20. If the assembly 20 is in the dispensing position, the valve 10 will be opened, and the fluid with the necessary pressure and purity will be spilled, as shown in FIG. 4 (s). If the assembly 20 is in a position where there is no dispensing, then the fluid will fill the channel 14, and the piston assembly, including parts thereof, as described above, will be immersed in the fluid, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), so that it will not be open to air and there will be no threat of bacterial growth. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the fluid entering the tube 82 may be expelled through the assembly 20 in a partially open position in which foam is formed. Putting the handle 18 in a position where it is pressed back to form a foam provides a foam that covers the fluid from above, for example, a beer cap that covers the beer.

Thus, although the invention is depicted and described here in an example that is perceived as the most practical and preferred embodiment, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments presented above. Moreover, it is obvious that a specialist in the field to which the invention relates, modifications can be made without departing from the essence and purpose of the invention and therefore the invention should be taken as including all reasonable equivalents of its object.

Claims (18)

CLAIM 1. Hygienic valve for pouring fluid containing: (a) a valve body having a valve channel and an inlet; (b) a piston assembly (20) located substantially in the valve channel; (c) a flow restriction node containing: (ί) a tube (84), the first end of which is detachably connected to the inlet of the valve body, and the second end is detachably attached to the source of the spill fluid; (ίί) a flow restrictor (86) located in the tube and having a head (88) which is located adjacent to the piston unit; and (s) a knob (106, 108, 110, 112) of the adjusting screw, which regulates the movement of the stopper along - 5 007751 current in the tube. 2. Hygienic valve according to claim 1, in which the valve channel is oriented in the axial direction, and additionally there is a radial channel communicating with the specified axially oriented valve channel. 3. Hygienic valve according to claim 1, which further comprises a knot knot connected by a thread with said radial channel of the valve body. 4. Hygienic valve according to claim 1, wherein the handle assembly comprises a pivot arm in cooperation with the piston assembly, whereby the latter is moved forward when the handle assembly is moved back and back when the handle assembly is moved forward. 5. Hygienic valve of claim 1, wherein the piston assembly further comprises: (ί) a piston element having a socket on its upper surface for accommodating a handle assembly; (ίί) axial protrusion with an axial bore located at the front end of the piston element; (ΐϊϊ) biasing element; and (ίν) a seal holder secured through the biasing element in the indicated axial bore of the valve stem. 6. Hygienic valve according to claim 1, which further comprises a spout attached with the possibility of disconnection to the outlet of the valve body. 7. Hygienic tap of claim 1, wherein the adjusting screw assembly further comprises: (ί) an obliquely arranged channel for the adjustment screw communicating with the valve channel; and (ίί) an adjustment key, installed with the possibility of making at least one 360 ° rotation. 8. Hygienic valve according to claim 7, in which the angle between the channel for the screw and the valve channel is about 45 °. 9. Hygienic valve according to claim 5, in which the seal holder additionally has at least one hole located adjacent to the head of the specified holder. 10. Hygienic faucet according to claim 9, in which the diameter of the specified hole is from about 0.13 mm (0.005 inch) to 2.30 mm (0.09 inch). 11. Hygienic valve according to claim 1, in which the valve body, the piston assembly, the flow restriction assembly and the adjustment screw assembly, or parts thereof, are made of stainless steel. 12. Hygienic valve of claim 1, wherein the valve body, the piston assembly, the flow restriction assembly and the adjustment screw assembly, or parts thereof, are made of plastic suitable for food products. 13. Hygienic valve of claim 1, wherein the adjustment screw assembly is rotated clockwise to limit movement of the flow restrictor when the source of the fluid being distributed has an increased pressure. 14. Hygienic valve of claim 1, wherein the adjustment screw assembly is rotated counterclockwise to allow for increased movement of the flow restrictor when the source of the fluid to be distributed has reduced pressure. 15. The method of distribution of fluid capable of forming a foam, including: (I) the use of a crane having: (a) valve housing having a valve channel; (b) a piston assembly located substantially in the valve housing; (c) a flow restriction node containing: (ί) a tube, the first end of which is detachably attached to the inlet of the valve body, and the second end is detachably attached to the source of the spill fluid; (ίί) a flow restrictor located in the tube and having a head that is located adjacent to the piston unit; and (d) an adjustment screw assembly that controls the movement of the flow restriction assembly in the tube; (Ii) connecting the valve body to the source of the fluid to be poured in to flow; (Iii) turning the adjustment screw assembly, and the movement of the flow limiter is controlled in such a way that the fluid entering the valve body has a required pressure low enough to avoid the formation of foam in the liquid; (Iv) ensuring the flow of fluid at the required pressure into the valve body, thereby ensuring that the piston assembly is surrounded by the fluid; (V) moving the handle assembly forward, causing the piston assembly to move backward, thus opening a passage for fluid flow over the head, around the piston assembly and out of the valve body, with the fluid being delivered essentially without foam. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the adjustment screw assembly is rotated clockwise for - 6 007751 restriction of movement of the flow limiter when the source of the distributed fluid has an increased pressure. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the adjustment screw assembly is rotated counterclockwise to allow for increased movement of the flow limiter when the source of the fluid being distributed has a reduced pressure. 18. The way to create foam hygienic faucet, designed for distribution of fluid, including: (I) the use of a crane that contains: (a) a valve body having a valve channel and an inlet; (b) a piston unit located essentially in the valve body and having: (I) a piston element having a socket on its upper surface for accommodating a handle assembly; (ίί) axial protrusion with an axial bore located at the front end of the piston element; (w) a bias element; and (ιν) a seal holder connected through a displacing element to the specified axial bore of the valve stem and having a transverse bore communicating with this axial bore; (Ii) attaching a source of distributable fluid to the inlet of the valve body; (Iii) encircling the piston assembly with a fluid under the desired pressure; (Iv) moving the handle assembly backward, whereby the piston assembly moves forward, thereby substantially closing the fluid passage, causing the fluid to be displaced through the specified axial and transverse holes of the seal holder towards the outlet and outward from attached to the outlet of the spout, while the fluid is issued with foam.