Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
  • B67D1/08—Details
  • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
  • B67D1/14—Reducing valves or control taps
  • B67D1/1405—Control taps
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
  • B67D1/04—Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
  • B67D1/06—Mountings or arrangements of dispensing apparatus in or on shop or bar counters
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
  • B67D1/08—Details
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
  • B67D1/08—Details
  • B67D1/0888—Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
  • B67D1/08—Details
  • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
  • B67D1/08—Details
  • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
  • B67D1/1256—Anti-dripping devices
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
  • B67D1/08—Details
  • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
  • B67D1/14—Reducing valves or control taps
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
  • B67D1/08—Details
  • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
  • B67D1/14—Reducing valves or control taps
  • B67D1/1405—Control taps
  • B67D1/1477—Devices for assisting tap handling, e.g. levers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
  • B67D1/08—Details
  • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
  • B67D1/14—Reducing valves or control taps
  • B67D2001/1483—Reducing valves or control taps electrically or electro-mechanically operated
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
  • B67D1/08—Details
  • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
  • B67D1/14—Reducing valves or control taps
  • B67D2001/1488—Reducing valves or control taps pneumatically operated

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to an improved operation of the Beverage Dispensing System for dispensing of beers or wines in an automated manner and, more particularly, to an improved tap handle for use therewith.
• taps are valves or spigots for controlling the release of beer, a carbonated beverage stored under pressure.
• the taps generally include manually actuated ball valves of a standardized connection, in which a male threaded connection affixes to a beer line and the valving mechanism is controlled by a vertically extended tap handle.
• Typical tap handles are between 9-13" tall and provided support for brand identifying designs. A typical pour is thereby actuated manually by serve staff, resulting in manually implemented portion control.
• a touchless tap handle for beverage dispensing incorporates a spring and ball check valve within a spigot housing.
• the check valve may be adjustable to provide for differences is opening or closing pressures.
• the spigot housing as a male threaded end for connection to a beverage dispensing line.
• a flow control valve having a detachable control mechanism.
• a system operator can use the control mechanism to calibrate fluid flow.
• the control mechanism may thereby be keyed and can be removed after field installation to prevent bartenders from inadvertently or otherwise modifying system flow parameters.
• a tap handle extension is further provided that can be
• the tap handle extension specifically does not control operational parameters, which are intended to be initiated through pushbutton control of a pour control system. While the tap handle extension can provide an overall form factor similar to an otherwise conventional tap spigot and can be used for affixing branded or designed handles, no manual opening or closing of the valve can be initiated form the tap handle extension.
• the flow control valve may be provided in the form of a solenoid control valve, or a pneumatic control valve.
• a pneumatic control valve variant may further benefit by using the same pneumatic pressure source that is generally provided to supply the beverage urging force for automated beverage control systems.
• control valve may be positioned within said discharge spout in lieu of the spring activated check valve, or may be positioned within the spigot housing in the fluid line prior to the check valve mechanism.
• Still another advantage of the present flow control valve is to provide a full shutoff of the beverage flow when servicing the system.
• FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective schematic view of a touchless tap handle for use with a beverage dispensing and pour control systems according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side elevational view thereof
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tap handle according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown having the handle 24 attached;
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tap handle if FIG. 3 shown having the handle 24 removed.
• a tap spigot system that allows for the realization of efficiency and repeatability off operation in the use of an automated Beverage Dispensing System.
• a touchless tap handle generally noted as 10 is provided for beverage dispensing,
• the touchless tap handle 10 includes a spigot housing 20, a check valve mechanism 30, and a discharge spout 40, and a flow control adjustment mechanism 50.
• the spigot housing 20 can provide any form factor that emulates existing tap spigots; however, while such a form factor may be preferable it should be apparent that the overall form factor should not be limiting to the features or operation of the present invention.
• the housing 20 should include a threaded connection 22 to allow for connection with both conventional beverage dispensing systems as well as those automated Beverage Dispensing System of the type described, taught or anticipated by or within the patent application filed as PCT/US2016/27175 or their equivalents.
• a tap handle extension 24 is further provided that can be threadingly affixed 26 to the spigot housing 20.
• the tap handle extension 24 specifically does not control operational parameters, which are intended to be initiated through pushbutton control of a pour control system (not shown). While the tap handle extension 24 may provide an overall form factor similar to an otherwise conventional tap spigot and can be used for affixing branded or designed handles, no manual opening or closing can be initiated from the tap handle extension 24.
• the check valve mechanism 30 is provided between the flow control adjustment mechanism 50 and the discharge spout 40.
• the check valve mechanism 30 may include a spring 32 and ball 34 construction for providing opening or closing at a desired system pressure.
• the check valve mechanism 30 may be adjustable to provide for differences is opening or closing pressures.
• One such mechanism for adjusting such operational pressures of the check valve 30 is to provide interchangeable springs 32 with desired spring constants that may be installed within a check valve housing 36.
• the flow control adjustment mechanism 50 may include a valve mechanism 52 having a detachable control mechanism 54.
• the flow control valve 52 may be used to as a control mechanism to calibrate fluid flow through the discharge spout 40.
• the detachable control mechanism 54 may be keyed or fastened in a manner as to be capable of removal after field installation. By making the handle 54 removable, bartenders or other staff from inadvertently or otherwise modifying system flow parameters.
• the flow control valve 52 may be provided in the form of a solenoid control valve, or a pneumatic control valve. It has been determined that the use of a solenoid control valve is not operationally compatible when used in conjunction with an automated beverage control system for dispensing of beverages having carbonation, such as beer or sparkling wines, in that the configuration of such valves appear to facilitate a turbulence that makes a dispensed beverage discharge to be commercially unacceptable. As such, the use of solenoid control valves is envisioned to be limited for use with the dispensing of noncarbonated beverages, such as non-sparkling wines, mixed alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, flavored waters, energy drinks, or similar or equivalent beverages.
• noncarbonated beverages such as non-sparkling wines, mixed alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, flavored waters, energy drinks, or similar or equivalent beverages.
• control valve may be positioned within said discharge spout in lieu of the spring activated check valve, or may be positioned within the spigot housing 20 in the fluid line prior to the check valve mechanism 30.
• the present invention is intended to be used in conjunction with an automated beverage dispensing system. More specifically, it is felt that the present invention may be used in conjunction with an improved operation of the Beverage Dispensing System of the type described, taught or anticipated by or within the patent application filed as PCT/US2016/27175 or their equivalents.
• the use of such an improved tap handle can allow for optimum operation of such a Beverage Dispensing System without interfering with the improvements achieved by such a Beverage Dispensing System, namely, such maximized throughput and optimized efficiency in the implementation of non-beer beverages dispensers for wine, mixed cocktails or the like.
• the flow control adjustment mechanism 50 Once affixed to a discharge conduit of such a system, the flow control adjustment mechanism 50 is positioned to provide desired fluid flow rates. Similarly, the check valve mechanism 30 may be adjusted to provide for a desired pressure at shutoff. At this point the Beverage Control System can thereby be utilized according to its anticipated functionality without the problems and disadvantages identified by the use of otherwise conventionally available tap spigot

Landscapes

• Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
• Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
• Check Valves (AREA)
• Preventing Unauthorised Actuation Of Valves (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=63793545

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (13)

Family Cites Families (13)

• 2018
  • 2018-01-11 SG SG11201909198Y patent/SG11201909198YA/en unknown
  • 2018-01-11 WO PCT/US2018/013415 patent/WO2018190925A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2018-01-11 AU AU2018102144A patent/AU2018102144A4/en not_active Ceased
  • 2018-01-11 CA CA3058734A patent/CA3058734A1/en active Pending
  • 2018-01-11 CN CN201890000691.7U patent/CN211920856U/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2018-01-11 UA UAU201911111U patent/UA148877U/uk unknown
  • 2018-01-11 EP EP18784474.1A patent/EP3609836A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2018-01-11 BR BR112019019351A patent/BR112019019351A2/pt active Search and Examination
  • 2018-01-11 JP JP2019600041U patent/JP3227935U/ja active Active
  • 2018-01-11 HU HUU1900204U patent/HU5317U/hu unknown
  • 2018-01-11 RS RSP20190325 patent/RS20190325A1/sr unknown
  • 2018-01-11 AU AU2018252938A patent/AU2018252938A1/en active Pending
• 2019
  • 2019-09-24 CL CL2019002719U patent/CL2019002719U1/es unknown
  • 2019-09-25 ZA ZA2019/06312A patent/ZA201906312B/en unknown

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