EP1403206A1 - Tap - Google Patents

Abstract

The fluid release valve is especially for a beer barrel. It has a knob which may be turned and pushed inward to shut off the flow of beer. An outer cylinder (2) is sealed into the wall of the container (1). It projects into the container and may be sealed at the inner end. It has inner ribs (7) which engage with springs (6) on the inner body (49). When the knob (50) is pulled out and turned, beer may flow through a slit (48) in the outer cylinder, through a slit (51) in the inner cylinder and through an expanding bore (52) to the outlet (53).

Description

13. The invention relates to a dispensing device, in particular for a beer keg, according to the preamble of claims 1 and 13 respectively.

DE 195 40 542 A1 discloses a beer keg with an integrated dispensing device which is arranged in the outer surface of the beer keg in the lower region of the keg. The dispensing device essentially consists of a hollow cylindrical outer part and a hollow cylindrical inner part which is axially displaceable in the outer part, the outer part protruding through an opening in the outer surface of the beer barrel into the beer barrel and being firmly connected to the wall of the beer barrel at the peripheral edges of the hole to seal the hole. The hollow cylindrical outer part of the dispensing device has an opening in its outer surface through which beer can enter the interior of the outer part. The inner part, which is also hollow cylindrical, on the other hand, has an outlet opening at its outer end in the area of the lateral surface through which beer can be tapped, the inner end face of the hollow cylindrical inner part being free to allow beer to enter the inner part from the hollow cylindrical outer part , When storing and transporting this beer barrel, the inner part is completely pushed into the outer part. On the one hand, the dispensing device closes on its outside almost flush with the outer surface of the beer keg, so that damage to the dispensing device during transport is largely excluded. On the other hand, the opening in the outer surface of the hollow cylindrical outer part is covered in this state by the outer surface of the hollow cylindrical inner part, so that no beer can escape from the keg. The hollow cylindrical inner part is then pulled out axially by means of a handle formed on the outer end face of the inner part, until the two openings in the lateral surfaces of the inner part and outer part lie on top of one another. The beer flows through the opening in the outer surface of the outer part, then through the open inner end face of the inner part and is then discharged through the outlet opening in the outer surface of the inner part.

The known beer keg described above with the integrated dispensing device enables an immediate dispensing start without a previous manual installation, but a disadvantage of the known dispensing device is that the inner part and the outer part form an interference fit in order to achieve a sufficient sealing effect, as a result of which the axial displacement of the inner part is only possible with a relatively large amount of force. Particularly in the case of a largely empty and correspondingly light beer keg, this can lead to the beer keg tipping over or making it necessary to hold the beer keg in place.

Another disadvantage of the known dispensing device can be seen in the fact that the liquid flow is very difficult to meter due to the axial displacement of the inner part. The invention has for its object to provide a dispensing device of the type described above, in which the stability of the liquid container is not endangered even in the largely empty state. In addition, the invention has for its object to provide a tap with better handling.

The problem is solved - starting from the known dispensing device according to the preamble of claim 1 - by the characterizing features of claim 1 or - in terms of better handling - by the features of claim 13.

The invention includes the technical teaching of designing the dispensing device essentially in three parts by inserting a valve into the hollow cylindrical inner part which is movable relative to the inner part and releases or closes the outlet opening in the inner part depending on the valve position for dispensing liquid.

In an advantageous variant of the invention, the valve is designed as a rotary valve, the axis of rotation of the rotary valve preferably running essentially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the inner part and a pivotable valve being provided for manual actuation of the rotary valve. It is advantageous to design the tap or the inner part so that it fits into the outer contour of the inner part so that the inner part can be inserted into the outer part without dismantling the tap.

According to another variant of the invention, the rotary valve consists of a hollow cylindrical sleeve which is arranged axially rotatable in the inner part. Both the inner part and the sleeve have at their outer end in the lateral surface each have an opening, wherein the openings in the sleeve and inner part can be made more or less coincident by rotating the sleeve about its longitudinal axis in order to control the flow of liquid. For example, the liquid flow is at a maximum when the two openings in the sleeve and the inner part lie completely one above the other, whereas no liquid is dispensed if the two openings in the sleeve and inner part do not overlap. It is advantageous over the known arrangement described at the outset that the inner part is not rotated, so that the outlet opening located in the outer surface of the inner part always points downward, which considerably facilitates handling when tapping.

In a further variant of the invention, on the other hand, the valve has a piston which is arranged to be axially displaceable in the inner part in order to control the delivery of liquid. The piston is preferably designed as a hollow cylindrical sleeve which has an opening in its outer surface which can be brought into alignment with the outlet opening into the inner part by axial displacement of the piston, whereupon liquid is dispensed. In this variant, the liquid thus enters the hollow cylindrical inner part through the hollow cylindrical outer part and then into the piston, in order then to be dispensed through the opening in the outer surface of the piston and the outlet opening in the outer surface of the inner part. Preferably, the piston is preloaded in the hollow cylindrical inner part by a spring which ensures that the opening in the outer surface of the piston does not lie in register with the outlet opening in the hollow cylindrical inner part without external influences, so that no liquid is dispensed when the piston is at rest , To dispense liquid, the piston must be axially displaced against the spring force until the two openings are aligned.

Preferably, the inner part can have laterally projecting grips at its outer end. This also enables one-handed operation of the piston. For example, the user reaches with his index and middle fingers behind the grips and presses the piston axially into the hollow cylindrical inner part with his thumb until the two openings in the piston and inner part lie one above the other and liquid is dispensed accordingly. It is particularly advantageous to provide a hollow channel in a grip piece projecting downwards, through which the liquid is dispensed.

In another variant of the invention, the dispensing device is only constructed in two parts with a hollow cylindrical outer part and a hollow cylindrical inner part, wherein the hollow cylindrical inner part can be rotated about its longitudinal axis in order to more or less overlap corresponding openings in the lateral surfaces of the inner part and the outer part and thus to control the liquid flow. The openings in the outer part and inner part each have a special shape, in order to enable sensitive metering of the liquid flow when twisted. At least one of the two openings in the outer part and inner part has a width that decreases in the direction of the respective other opening in order to achieve a uniform increase in the liquid flow when opening, since the liquid flow depends on the size of the opening areas lying one above the other in cover. For example, the openings can be triangular, the tips of the triangles each facing the other opening.

In an advantageous embodiment, at least one seal can be arranged between the inner part and the outer part. It is advantageous if the at least one seal is formed in the area of the flow opening of the outer part.

In a variant of the embodiments, it may be advantageous for a sealing ring to be arranged in front of and / or behind the respective flow opening around the inner part. This prevents liquid from entering the gap between the inner part and the outer part and being able to reach the valve through the flow opening, in particular when the sealing rings are fixed in an annular groove in the outer part in front of and behind the flow opening of the outer part.

It can be advantageous that the seal is designed as a sleeve surrounding the flow opening in the wall of the outer part, which has a sealing bead along the outer circumference of the flow opening in the gap between the inner and the outer part. As a result, in an embodiment in which the outer part is closed at its end projecting into the barrel, the seal against the entry of liquid into the inner channel of the inner part can be reliably ensured when the inner part is pushed in.

It may be advantageous for the sealing bead to be designed as a sealing surface in the direction of the interior of the barrel, the opening for the flow in the outer tube advantageously being designed as an elongated hole in which the sealing bead is injected. In such an embodiment, the sealing material has the actual flow opening through the outer part. It makes sense that the areal expansion is slightly more than the clear width of the flow opening of the inner part. This ensures that even with partial or beginning overlap of the respective Flow openings a seal against the intermediate gap between the inner and outer part is guaranteed.

The seal advantageously consists of elastic, sprayable material. It can be particularly favorable that the seal for the flow opening in the outer part is formed in one piece with the end seal between the tapper and the barrel, the end seal being molded onto the outer part.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, means are provided for releasably fixing the inner part in the operating position, i.e. in the position in which the flow openings of the inner and outer parts are substantially aligned.

The limiting means can advantageously be designed as a means for releasable fixing. It is advantageous here if a latching recess is formed on the inner part, in which a resilient latching lug arranged on the outer part releasably engages. By using the limiting device as a means for fixing, special locking means can be saved, which are required to hold the inner part in the operating position in which the flow openings are covered. The locking lug is advantageously formed on a resilient element which is integrally formed on the outer part. Here, the resilient element can be pushed into the operating position under pressure of the rubber seal surrounding the outer part, so that the spring force arises both from the material from which the resilient element is made and from the flexibility of the sealing material.

The dispensing device according to the invention is not limited to use in beer kegs, but can also be used with other liquid containers. The only decisive factor is that the dispensing device is pre-assembled in the wall of the liquid container, so that liquid can be drawn off without prior installation work.

It should also be noted that the outer part and the inner part do not necessarily have to be cylindrical. For example, these components can also have a rectangular cross section or be triangular, which also prevents the inner part from twisting in the outer part.

Fig. 1a

eine Zapfvorrichtung für ein Bierfaß mit einem hohlzylindrischen Außenteil, einem darin axial verschiebbaren Innenteil sowie einem in das Innenteil eingesetzten drehbaren Zapfhahn in der Betriebsstellung;

Fig. 1b

die Zapfvorrichtung aus Fig. 1a in der Transportstellung mit eingeschobenem Innenteil;

Fig. 1c

den Zapfhahn der in Fig. 1a und 1b dargestellten Zapfvorrichtung;

Fig. 1d

eine Zapfvorrichtung mit einem besonderen Griff zum Herausziehen des Innenteils aus der Transportstellung in die Betriebsstellung;

Fig. 2

eine Zapfvorrichtung mit einem hohlzylindrischen Außenteil, einem darin axial verschiebbaren hohlzylindrischen Innenteil und einem in dem Innenteil axial verschiebbaren Kolben zur Steuerung der Flüssigkeitsabgabe, wobei der Kolben durch eine Spriaifeder vorgespannt wird;

Fig. 3

die Wandung des Außenteils bei der in Fig. 2 dargestellten Zapfvorrichtung mit einer Nut, die zusammen mit einer Feder in dem Innenteil einen Bajonettverschluß bildet;

Fig. 4a-4c

verschiedene Ausführungsformen von Bruchsiegeln für die Zapfvorrichtung;

Fig. 5

eine Zapfvorrichtung ähnlich der in Fig. 2 gezeigten Zapfvorrichtung, bei welcher der Kolben durch eine an das Innenteil angeformte Feder vorgespannt wird;

Fig. 6a, 6b

andere Ausführungsformen von Federn zur Vorspannung des Kolbens bei der Zapfvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 bzw. 5;

Fig. 7a

eine Zapfvorrichtung mit einem hohlzylindrischen Außenteil und einem axial verschiebbaren hohlzylindrischen Innenteil, wobei das Innenteil zur Steuerung der Flüssigkeitsabgabe um seine Längsachse drehbar ist;

Fig. 7b

eine Zapfvorrichtung ähnlich der in Fig. 7a gezeigten Zapfvorrichtung mit einem Quetschverschluß;

Fig. 8

eine Zapfvorrichtung ähnlich der in Fig. 2 gezeigten Zapfvorrichtung,
   wobei der Kolben senkrecht verschiebbar ist;

Fig. 9

eine Zapfvorrichtung mit einem hohlzylindrischen Außenteil, einem darin axial verschiebbaren hohlzylindrischen Innenteil und einer hohlzylindrischen Hülse, die in dem Innenteil um ihre Längsachse drehbar ist, um den Flüssigkeitsstrom zu steuern;

Fig. 10a

eine Zapfvorrichtung ähnlich der in Fig. 2 gezeigten Zapfvorrichtung, wobei der Kolben durch ein am Boden des Innenteils angeformtes Federelement vorgespannt wird;

Fig. 10b

die Anordnung des Federelements bei der in Fig. 10a gezeigten Zapfvorrichtung;

Fig. 11

eine Darstellung einer Zapfvorrichtung, teilweise im Längsschnitt, mit Dichtung zwischen Innenteil und Außenteil sowie Mitteln zum lösbaren Festsetzen des Innenteils in Betriebsstellung, wobei das Innenteil sich in Betriebsstellung befindet;

Fig. 12

eine alternative Ausführungsform sowohl der Dichtung als auch der Mittel zum Festsetzen im Längsschnitt entsprechend der Darstellung in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13

eine Draufsicht auf die Dichtung zwischen dem Innenteil und dem Außenteil, und

Fig. 14

eine Ansicht auf den Schnitt entlang der Linie A-A in Fig. 13.

Other advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are shown below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1a

a dispensing device for a beer keg with a hollow cylindrical outer part, an inner part which is axially displaceable therein and a rotatable tap which is inserted into the inner part in the operating position;

Fig. 1b

the dispensing device of Figure 1a in the transport position with inserted inner part.

Fig. 1c

the tap of the tap shown in Figures 1a and 1b.

Fig. 1d

a dispensing device with a special handle for pulling the inner part out of the transport position into the operating position;

Fig. 2

a dispensing device with a hollow cylindrical outer part, a hollow cylindrical inner part axially displaceable therein and a piston axially displaceable in the inner part for controlling the dispensing of liquid, the piston being pretensioned by a spiral spring;

Fig. 3

the wall of the outer part in the tapping device shown in Figure 2 with a groove which, together with a spring in the inner part forms a bayonet lock;

4a-4c

different embodiments of break seals for the dispensing device;

Fig. 5

a dispensing device similar to the dispensing device shown in Figure 2, in which the piston is biased by a spring formed on the inner part.

6a, 6b

other embodiments of springs for prestressing the piston in the dispensing device according to FIGS. 2 and 5;

Fig. 7a

a dispensing device with a hollow cylindrical outer part and an axially displaceable hollow cylindrical inner part, the inner part being rotatable about its longitudinal axis in order to control the dispensing of liquid;

Fig. 7b

a dispensing device similar to the dispensing device shown in FIG. 7a with a crimp closure;

Fig. 8

a dispensing device similar to the dispensing device shown in FIG. 2,
wherein the piston is vertically displaceable;

Fig. 9

a dispensing device with a hollow cylindrical outer part, a hollow cylindrical inner part axially displaceable therein and a hollow cylindrical sleeve which is rotatable in the inner part about its longitudinal axis in order to control the flow of liquid;

Fig. 10a

a dispensing device similar to the dispensing device shown in Figure 2, wherein the piston is biased by a spring element formed on the bottom of the inner part.

Fig. 10b

the arrangement of the spring element in the dispensing device shown in Fig. 10a;

Fig. 11

a representation of a tap, partially in longitudinal section, with a seal between the inner part and outer part and means for releasably fixing the inner part in the operating position, the inner part being in the operating position;

Fig. 12

an alternative embodiment of both the seal and the means for fixing in longitudinal section as shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13

a plan view of the seal between the inner part and the outer part, and

Fig. 14

a view of the section along the line AA in Fig. 13th

The tap shown in Fig. 1a and 1b is integrated into the wall 1 of a 5-liter beer keg and thus enables an immediate tap of beer without complicated installation work, which is particularly important in this keg size intended almost exclusively for private use. For factory pre-assembly of the dispensing device, a circular opening with a diameter of 2 cm is provided in the wall 1 of the beer keg in the lower region 3 cm above the keg bottom, the wall 1 being arched inward in the region of the peripheral edges of the hole to form a trough for to form the protruding parts of the dispenser and to prevent their damage during transport or storage. A hollow cylindrical outer part 2 made of plastic is pressed into this opening, which protrudes with a length of approx. 5 cm into the beer barrel and has a free end face at its inner end, so that beer can enter the outer part 2 from the interior of the barrel. A sealing element 3 is arranged between the outer part 2 and the peripheral edge of the opening in the wall 1, which prevents beer from escaping through the annular gap between the outer part 2 and the wall 1 and is connected to the outer part 2 by a tongue and groove combination. At its inner end, the sealing element 3 tapers conically to enable insertion into the opening. The outer part 2 has a continuous hollow channel 4 with a constant cylindrical cross-section over the entire length of the outer part 2, so that the hollow channel 4 forms a sliding bush. Furthermore, the dispensing device has an inner part 5 with a cylindrical outer cross section, which forms a transition fit with the hollow channel 4 in the outer part 2 and can be axially displaced in the outer part 2 with a corresponding effort. When transporting and storing the beer keg, the inner part 5 - as shown in FIG. 1b - is pushed completely into the outer part 2, so that the dispensing device is almost flush with the wall 1 of the beer keg, thereby largely preventing damage to the dispensing device during transport or storage becomes.

To guide the inner part 5 in the outer part 2, an axially extending spring 6 is formed on the outer surface of the inner part 5, which engages in a likewise axially extending groove 7 in the inner surface of the outer part 2 and thereby prevent the inner part 5 from twisting in the outer part 2 , In addition, the tongue and groove combination prevents the inner part 5 from being pulled out completely from the outer part 2, since the groove 7 in the outer part 2 does not extend to the front end of the outer part 2, so that the spring 6 is in a certain axial position of the Inner part 5 strikes at the end of the groove 7 and prevents further pulling out of the inner part 5. This is important because if the inner part 5 were completely pulled out of the outer part 2 when the beer keg was filled, the beer would emerge unhindered from the beer keg through the hollow channel 4.

In addition, the inner part 5 has, on its outer surface, circular locking projections 6 'which, in the tapping position of the inner part 5 shown in FIG. 1 a, engage in corresponding recesses in the inner surface of the outer part 2. On the one hand, these locking projections prevent the inner part 5 from being inadvertently pushed in during the dispensing process. On the other hand, when the inner part 5 is pulled out, the user feels the latching projections snap into place, which signals that the tap position has been reached.

Furthermore, the inner part 5 has a continuous hollow channel 8, which opens at the inner end of the inner part 5 in the end face of the inner part 5 and at the outer end of the inner part 5 in a vertical cylindrical bore into which a rotary valve 9 is inserted, which via a tap 10 can be rotated. To tap beer, the tap 10 is turned parallel to the inner part 5 outwards, whereupon beer from the barrel interior into the hollow channel 4 of the outer part 2 and then enters the hollow channel 8 in the inner part 5 in order to finally be discharged through a hollow channel located in the rotary valve 9.

It is particularly advantageous in the arrangement shown that the valve 10 can be folded completely onto the inner part 5, so that the inner part 5 can be folded together with the attached inner part 5, so that the inner part 5 together with the folded valve 10 into the outer part 2 can be inserted. It is therefore not necessary to first install the tap before the tap, since it forms an integral part of the tap.

The tapping process is also carried out in a conventional manner by rotating the tap 10 and not - as in the known beer keg described at the beginning with an integrated dispensing device - by a relatively unnatural sliding movement.

Another advantage of this embodiment can be seen in the fact that the rotary valve 9 projecting downward from the inner part 5 in the transport position shown in FIG. 1b disappears in a recess 11 in the outer part 2, the outlet opening of the rotary valve 9 from the wall of the outer part 2 is sealed, which prevents contamination of the outlet opening during transport or storage.

To pull the inner part 5 out of the outer part 2, an annular handle 12 is formed on the outer end face of the inner part 5, in which the user can engage with the index finger.

Fig. 1c shows an enlarged view of the tap 10, from which it can be seen that a circumferential locking projection 13 is arranged on the outer surface of the tap 10, which engages in corresponding recesses in the inner part 5 and thereby axially fixes the tap 10.

1d shows a further exemplary embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention, which largely corresponds to the dispensing device described above and shown in FIGS. 1a to 1c. To simplify matters, matching components are therefore provided with the same reference numerals, so that reference is made to the above description in this regard. The difference is, on the one hand, that a foldable handle 14 is provided for pulling the inner part 5 out of the outer part 2, which handle is molded onto the outer end face of the inner part 5. To pull out the inner part 5, the user first reaches behind the handle 14 and folds it down, in order then to insert the index finger into the handle opening. It is particularly advantageous here that the lower arms 15 of the handle 14 are pressed inwards against the outer part 2 when they are folded down, thereby pulling the inner part 5 out a little. On the other hand, the outer part 2 is closed at its barrel end. The beer flows through the opening 8 ′ into the hollow channel 4 of the outer part 2 and from there into the channel 8 of the inner part 5.

2 shows a further variant of a dispensing device according to the invention, which - like the variants already described above - is pre-assembled in the wall 1 of a beer keg in the wall 1 of the variants previously described above. For this purpose, the dispensing device has an outer part 2, which has already been described in detail above, so that reference is made in this regard to the description of the preceding figures.

In the outer part 2, a substantially hollow cylindrical inner part 16 is arranged, which is axially displaceable between a transport position and a dispensing position, the dispensing device in the transport position being almost flush with the wall 1 of the beer barrel, causing damage to the dispensing device during transport or storage of the Beer keg is largely prevented.

The beer flow is controlled here by a piston 17 which is arranged axially displaceably in a hollow channel in the inner part 16. A spring is in turn formed on the outer surface of the piston 17 and engages in a corresponding groove in the inner surface of the inner part 16. On the one hand, this prevents rotation of the piston 17 in the inner part 16. On the other hand, the axial freedom of movement of the piston 17 is fixed in the inner part 16 in this way. The piston 17 is biased by a coil spring 18 which presses the piston 17 axially outward into the rest position shown in Fig. 3, in which no beer is tapped, since the opening in the wall of the piston 17 does not coincide with the Outlet opening is in the outer surface of the inner part 16, but is sealed by the outer surface of the inner part 16. To dispense beer, the piston 17 must rather be pressed axially into the inner part 16 against the spring tension until the two openings in the wall of the piston 17 and in the outer surface of the inner part 16 lie one above the other so that the beer passes through from the interior of the keg the hollow channel 4 of the outer part 2 and the inner part 16 can exit through the outlet opening in the lateral surface of the inner part 16. The pushing in of the piston 17 into the inner part 16 is in this case facilitated by grip pieces 19a, 19b, the user reaching behind the grip piece 19a with the index finger and behind the grip piece 19b with the middle finger and pushing the piston 17 into the inner part 16 with the thumb. The arrangement shown thus advantageously enables one-handed operation without endangering the stability of the beer keg, which is particularly important in the case of a largely empty beer keg. The molded on the underside of the inner part 19b serves here in addition to the support of the middle finger also for dispensing the beer and for this purpose has a hollow channel 20.

The handle 19a formed on the upper side of the inner part 16 also serves to seal the dispensing device. For this purpose, the grip piece 19a has an axially continuous opening, through which a web 21 formed on the face of the outer part 2 protrudes in the transport position of the tap. To seal the beer keg, the web 21 is thermowelded with a sealing plate 22 made of plastic, so that pulling the inner part 16 out of the transport position always leads to the sealing plate 22 being torn off, which is clearly visible on the front of the tap.

Fig. 3 shows the course of the groove 7 in the wall of the outer part 2. From this representation it can be seen that the tongue and groove combination forms a bayonet lock, which axially fixes the inner part 16 in the outer part 2 both in the transport position and enabled in the tap position. In the transport position, the spring 6 of the inner part 16 is guided in the transverse groove piece 23 and thereby axially fixed. To pull it out, the inner part 16 must first be rotated about its longitudinal axis until the spring 6 is located in the axially extending groove piece 7. After pulling out, the inner part 16 is fixed in the tap position by rotating the inner part until the spring 6 is located in the transverse groove piece 24. The bayonet lock described above is not limited in its use to the tap device with a piston, but can also be used with the other embodiments of the tap device according to the invention.

Fig. 4a shows a variant of a break seal, which enables a sealing of the dispensing device by the manufacturer and breaks when the beer keg is opened for the first time. For this purpose, a web with a rounded, thicker head 25 is formed on the outer end face of the outer part 2. When the inner part 16 is pushed into the outer part 2 for the first time, the web with the head 25 is pressed into an opening 26 in the grip piece 19a until the head 25 finally appears in the transport position of the dispensing device on the outer side of the grip piece 19a, to which the User can recognize an unused beer keg. When the inner part 16 is pulled out, the head 25 is then torn off due to the relatively low mechanical strength of the web. Fig. 4b shows a modification of such a break seal, in which the head 27 is provided with barbs to ensure that the head is really torn off when the inner part is pulled out. In the fracture seal shown in Fig. 4c is the Opening 28 in the handle 19a is not designed as a continuous channel, but as a depression which receives the head 29 in the transport position.

FIG. 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention with a piston 17 for controlling the delivery of beer. In contrast to the dispensing device described above and shown in Fig. 4, the piston 17 is not biased by a spiral spring, but by spring arms 30 made of plastic, which are formed on the inner end of the inner part 16 and press the piston 17 axially outwards , The arrangement of the spring arms 30 can be seen in detail from FIG. 6 a, which shows an axial front view of the inner part 16. FIG. 6b shows an alternative embodiment of the inner part 16, in which the spring arms 26 are arranged in the circumferential direction and press the piston 17 axially outwards.

7a shows another exemplary embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention, in which the beer dispensing is also controlled by a rotary movement, although the axis of rotation does not run at right angles to the longitudinal axis, as in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1a, but parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outer part 2.

A hollow cylindrical inner part 32 is arranged axially displaceably in the outer part 2, an axially extending spring 6 being formed on the outer surface of the inner part 32, which engages in a likewise axially extending groove 7 in the inner surface of the outer part 2. On the one hand, the tongue and groove combination prevents the inner part 32 from being pulled out completely from the outer part 2. On the other hand, rotation of the inner part 32 in the outer part 2 is prevented. This is important because at the outer end of the inner part 32 there is an outlet opening 33 for the beer, which would rotate when the inner part 32 rotated and would therefore cause problems when tapping.

The beer dispensing is controlled by a cylindrical sleeve 34 which is rotatably arranged in the inner part 32, the sleeve being operated by a knurled wheel 35 which is formed on the free end of the sleeve 34. On the outer surface of the sleeve 34, an annular circumferential spring is formed, which engages in an annular groove in the inner surface of the inner part 32, whereby the sleeve 34 is axially fixed in the inner part 32.

To tap beer, the sleeve 34 is rotated by means of the knurled wheel 35 so that a triangular opening 36 arranged in the wall of the sleeve 34 is in register with the opening 33 in the wall of the inner part 32. The beer in the beer keg can then exit through the hollow channel 4 and the opening 33. After the spigot the sleeve 34 is then rotated so that the opening 33 is closed by the outer surface of the sleeve 34.

7b shows a further exemplary embodiment of such a dispensing device, in which the beer delivery is controlled by rotating a sleeve 38 located in the inner part 37 about its longitudinal axis by means of a knurled wheel 39. The sleeve 38 here consists of relatively soft material and has axially extending ribs 40a, 40b on its outer surface, which engage in corresponding grooves 41a, 41b in the inside of the inner part 37 and thereby seal them. The size of the ribs 40a, 40b on the outer surface of the sleeve 38 and the grooves 41a, 41b in the inside of the inner part 37 varies over the circumference, so that a large rib 40a always in a large groove 41a and a small rib 40b in one engages small groove 41b. On the other hand, when the sleeve 38 is rotated through a slot angle, a large rib 40a is pressed into a small groove 41b, while the small ribs 40b engage in the large grooves 41a, so that these are not completely sealed. In the remaining spaces between the small ribs 40b and the large grooves 41a, beer can then penetrate axially and finally be dispensed via the outlet opening 42.

FIG. 8 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention, in which the beer is dispensed by means of a sliding movement. For this purpose, a cylindrical inner part 43 with an axially continuous hollow channel 44 is arranged in the outer part 2, which has a vertical, continuous bore at its outer end, in which a piston 45 is arranged so as to be vertically displaceable. The piston 45 is biased upward by a spiral spring 46 so that the piston 45 seals the hollow channel 44 in the inner part 43 in the rest position, so that no beer flows.

The piston 45 is then pressed vertically downwards until the lateral opening in the piston 45 releases the hollow channel 44, so that the beer flows out of the keg through the hollow channels 4, 44 and is discharged through an outlet opening 47.

FIG. 9 finally shows an exemplary embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention, which is essentially of two parts. The tap shown in turn has a hollow cylindrical outer part 2, which is pressed into an opening made in the lower region of the barrel near the bottom of the barrel and then closes the opening with the sealing element 3. In contrast to the exemplary embodiments described above, however, the cylindrical outer part 2 is closed on its inner end face and only has an opening 48 on its outer surface near the wall. The dispensing of beer is done by turning a knurled wheel 50 formed on the outer end of the inner part 28, whereby an opening 51 in the outer surface of the inner part 49 can be more or less aligned with the opening 48 in the outer surface of the outer part 2. For maximum beer delivery, the inner part 49 is rotated so that the two openings 48, 51 lie one above the other. The beer in the beer keg then enters through openings 48, 51 into a hollow channel 52 into the inner part 49 in order to then be dispensed via an opening 53 made in the outer surface of the inner part 49. The hollow channel 52 in the inner part 49 has an internal cross section which widens in the direction of flow in order to prevent the beer from foaming when tapping. For this purpose, axially extending channels are also provided in the lateral surface of the opening 53. The two openings 48, 51 are slit-shaped and axially aligned so that the beer is only released when the inner part 49 is rotated so that the outlet opening 53 is directed downward.

The dispensing device shown in FIG. 10a largely corresponds to the dispensing device shown in FIG. 2, so that reference can largely be made to the associated description. The difference between the two dispensing devices is that the piston 17 in the dispensing device according to FIG. 10 a is not biased by a spiral spring, but by an elastic bellows 55, which is arranged on the bottom of the inner part 54. From Fig. 10b it can be seen that the bottom of the inner part 54 does not cover the entire inner end face of the inner part 54, but consists of four radially extending struts 56 which carry the centrally arranged bellows 56, so that beer in the beer keg when tapping between the struts 56 can enter the piston 17. The bottom of the piston 17 therefore also consists of several struts which carry a centrally arranged circular plate which serves as a counter bearing for the elastic bellows 55.

FIG. 11 shows a section of a dispensing device in a further embodiment of a dispensing device.

In this embodiment, the outer part 2 is equipped with a seal 60 in the area of the flow openings 61 and 61 'between the outer part 2 and the inner part 5. This seal is formed here in one piece with the sealing element 3, which is arranged between the outer part 2 and the peripheral edge of the opening in the wall 1 of the barrel. In this case, the sealing material consists of elastic, sprayable material.

In the alternative exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the seal 60 is designed as a separate part which is inserted into an elongated hole 70 in the outer part 2. The seal has a sealing bead 63 towards the inner part 5, which is slightly larger than the gap 64 between the inner part 5 and the outer part 2. The elongated hole extends towards the inside of the barrel, the seal 60 having a region 72 which is sufficiently large in order to completely cover the flow opening 61 'in the inner part 2 if it is on this seal during the pulling out of the inner part shortly before it overlaps with the flow opening 61 in the outer part 2. The seal 60 is designed as a sleeve 62, i.e. also on the outside of the outer part 2, a bead-starting edge is formed on the seal 60, so that the seal 60 can be buttoned into the slot 70. This configuration ensures that beer does not penetrate into the gap 64 during the beginning overlap of the two openings 61 and 61 ', so that beer does not leak between the displaceable parts 2 and 5.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the seal 60 consists of a set of sealing rings 60 'and 60 ", the sealing ring 60' being inserted in a corresponding groove 73 in the outer part 2 and the sealing ring 60" in a corresponding groove in the inner part 5 , This material can also be molded on as a separate part or during the manufacture of the respective parts. With such a sealing ring arrangement, i.e. if a sealing ring 73 'is arranged between the flow opening 61 in the inner part 5 and the barrel-side end of this inner part, the outer part 2 can remain open at the barrel-side end.

FIG. 11 also shows a further exemplary embodiment of a limiting device which limits the path of the inner part when it is pulled out. As already described in connection with FIG. 1a, a groove 7 can be formed in the inner part and a tongue 6 can be formed on the outer part. It should be pointed out that the groove 7 is not absolutely necessary if the inner part 5 has a cross section that is different from a circular cross section, so that the security against rotation is already ensured by the outer shape. In a further exemplary embodiment, instead of the groove 7, only a latching recess 66 can be provided, in which a resilient latching nose 67 arranged on the outer part releasably engages. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the resilient latching lug in the front region of the outer part 2 in the immediate vicinity of the barrel wall 1 is integrally formed on a resilient element 28, which in turn is integrally formed on the outer part. In that the resilient element 28 in the front Area of the outer part 2 is formed, the rubber seal 3 surrounding the outer part can be advanced so far that it presses the resilient element and thus the locking lug inwards and holds the locking lug in the recess 67 with additional spring force. The edges and surfaces of the locking lug 67 as well as the locking recess 66 can be designed in such a way that a clear and noticeable locking is brought about, but that even when a certain pressure is applied, the inner part again moves out of the operating position into the closed or rest position, in which no liquid is drawn, can be used.

At the barrel-side end of the inner part 5 there is a run-up ramp 69 for the inside cross section of the outer part, i.e. molded into the hollow rim 4, protruding nose 67.

The embodiment of the invention is not limited to the preferred exemplary embodiments specified above. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable which make use of the solution shown, even in the case of fundamentally different types.

Claims (29)

1. dispensing device for a liquid container, in particular for a beer barrel comprising an outer part (2) for insertion into a hole in the wall (1) of the liquid container, with a a guide bush forming hollow channel for receiving an inner part (49) in the guide bush of the outer part is movable between an inner transport position and an outer operating position and has a hollow channel (52) for the passage of liquid, which opens into an outlet opening (53) on the outside, at least one in each case in the lateral surface of the outer part (2) and the inner part (49) Opening (48, 51) is arranged and the inner part (49) at least in the operating position in the guide bush of the outer part (2) is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, around the openings (48, 51) in the outer part (2) and inner part (49) more or less to coincide and thereby control the liquid delivery, characterized in that the two openings n (48, 51) are slit-shaped and axially aligned in order to release the liquid only when the inner part (49) is rotated so that the outlet opening (53) is directed downward. 2. Dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve is designed as a rotary valve (9) and is inserted into the inner part (5) in the region of the outer end. 3. Dispensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the rotary valve (9) has a substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inner part (5) axis of rotation and is connected for manual operation with a pivotable valve (10), the valve being in the folded state inserts into the outer contour of the inner part so that the inner part can be pushed into the transport position in the outer part with the cock folded. 4. Dispensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the rotary valve has a hollow sleeve (34) axially rotatably arranged in the inner part (11), which has an opening (36) in its wall to the outlet opening (33) in the inner part (32) depending on the rotational position of the sleeve (34) to release or close. 5. dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotary valve has a coaxially arranged in the inner part (37) and rotatable about its longitudinal axis sleeve (38) made of an elastic material which forms a pinch seal with the inner part, wherein at the Shell surface of the sleeve axially extending elevations (40a, 40b) are arranged, which engage in corresponding recesses (41a, 41b) in the inside of the inner part and seal them in the closed position. 6. dispensing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the elevations (40a, 40b) and the depressions (41a, 41b) alternately have a first size and a second size over the circumference, the large elevations (40a) the large depressions ( 41a) and the small elevations (40b) fill and seal the small depressions (41b) in the closed position of the rotary valve, whereas the large depressions (41a) in the open position are not completely filled by the small elevations (40b). 7. Dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve has a piston (17, 45) which is axially displaceable between the closed position and the open position for controlling the liquid delivery in the inner part (16, 43). 8. dispenser according to claim 7, characterized in that the piston (17, 45) is biased by a spring (18, 46) and is held by the spring without external influence in the closed position. 9. dispensing device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the inner part (16) has at its outer end at least one laterally projecting handle (19a, 19b) to allow one-handed operation of the piston (17). 10. Dispensing device according to claim 9, characterized in that the handle (19b) is integrally formed on the inner part (16) projecting downward and has a continuous hollow channel (20) for dispensing liquid. 11. Dispensing device according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the piston (17) in the hollow channel of the inner part (16) is axially displaceable, the outlet opening being arranged laterally in the wall of the inner part. 12. Dispensing device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the inner part (43) has at its free end transverse to its longitudinal axis a bore in which the piston (45) is displaceable. 14. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross section of the hollow channel (52) in the inner part (49) widens in the direction of flow in order to avoid foaming of the liquid when dispensing liquid. 15. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet opening (53) has longitudinal grooves on its inner wall in the direction of flow in order to prevent foaming of the liquid when dispensing liquid. 16. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one seal (60; 60 ') is arranged between the inner part (5) and the outer part (2). 17. Dispensing device according to claim 16, characterized in that the at least one seal (60; 60 '; 60 ") is formed in the region of the flow opening (61) of the outer part (2). 18. Dispensing device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that a sealing ring (60 ', 60 ") is arranged in front of and / or behind the flow openings (61, 61') around the inner part. 19. Dispensing device according to one of claims 16 or 17, characterized in that the seal is designed as a sleeve surrounding the flow opening in the wall of the outer part (62), which has a sealing bead in the gap (44) between the inner and the outer part (63) along the outer circumference of the flow opening. 20. Dispensing device according to claim 19, characterized in that the sealing bead (63) is flat in the direction of the interior of the barrel. 21. Dispensing device according to claim 20, characterized in that the areal expansion is slightly more than the clear width of the flow opening (61 ') of the inner part (5). 22. Dispensing device according to one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that the seal (60) consists of an elastic, sprayable material. 23. Dispensing device according to one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that the seal (60 ') for the flow opening (61) in the outer part (2) is integrally formed with the end seal (3) between the tap and the barrel. 24. Dispensing device according to claim 23, characterized in that the end seal (23) is molded onto the outer part (2). 25. dispensing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a limiting device limits the path of the inner part when pulling out, characterized by means (65) for releasably fixing the inner part (5) in the operating position in which the flow openings (61 ', 61) of the inner part (5) and the outer part (2) are substantially aligned. 26. Tap arrangement according to claim 25, characterized in that the limiting means are designed as a means for releasably fixing. 27. A tap arrangement according to claim 26, characterized in that a latching recess (66) is formed on the inner part (5), in which a resilient latching lug (67) arranged on the outer part (2) engages releasably. 28. Tap arrangement according to claim 27, characterized in that the latching lug (67) is formed on a resilient element (68) which is integrally formed on the outer part. 29. A pin arrangement according to claim 28, characterized in that the resilient element (68) is pressed into the operating position under pressure of the rubber seal (3) surrounding the outer part. 30. A tap arrangement according to at least one of claims 25 to 29, characterized in that on the barrel-side end of the inner part (5) an ramp (69) for the locking lug (67) projecting into the clear cross section of the outer part is formed.

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