GB2131131A - Dispensing taps - Google Patents

Abstract

A tap, for use in dispensing carbonated liquids such as beer, has an inlet 11 and an outlet 12 both of which communicate with a dispense chamber 15. Flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet is controlled by a flexible membrane seal 30 movable in the dispense chamber to seal against the inner end of a conduit 121 forming part of the outlet. The conduit 121 extends into the chamber 15 to a point beyond the mouth of the inlet. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in dispense taps This invention relates to a dispense tap.

More particularly, the invention relates to a tap for dispensing carbonated liquids such as beer.

According to the present invention there is provided a dispense tap having an inlet, a dispense chamber communicating with said inlet, and an outlet, said outlet being in the form of a conduit extending into said dispense chamber, and sealing means for sealing the end of said conduit.

Preferably, said sealing means is in the form of a flat flexible membrane held against an opening in said conduit by an operating cam and lifted from said opening by the line pressure in said inlet.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional elevational view of a dispense tap made in accordance with the present invention with the tap in the closed position; Figure 2 is a sectional elevational view of a dispense tap made in accordance with the present invention with the tap in the open position; and Figure 3 shows a modification of the outlet of the tap of Fig. 1 Referring to the drawings, a dispense tap shown generally at 1 comprises a main body 10 formed of plastics material and having an inlet 11 and an outlet 1 2.

One end of the inlet 11 is provided with an end boss 1 10 which is threaded at 111 to engage a beer font 20 or the like. The other end of the inlet 11 communicates with an annular dispense chamber 1 5 which in turn communicates with the elongate outlet 1 2 by means of an outlet conduit 121. The outlet conduit 1 21 extends into the dispense chamber 1 5 above the level of the inlet 11 and is sealed by a flat flexible membrane in the form of a circular silicone rubber diaphragm 30.

The circumferential edge portion of the diaphragm 30 rests on an annular ledge 101 formed in the main body 10 at the upper zone of the dispense chamber 1 5 slightly above the open end of the outlet conduit 121.

A cam actuating device 40 having a plunger 41 is screwed to the main body 10 by means of a cap 42. The plunger 41 can be moved from a closed position as shown in Fig. 1 where the diaphragm 30 is held against the opening of the conduit 1 21 by the plunger 41 thus closing the tap. In the open position as shown in Fig. 2 the plunger 41 is moved upwardly and line pressure in the inlet 11 lifts the diaphragm 30 from the conduit 121 thus permitting liquid flow to the outlet 1 2. The diaphragm is sealingly held against the annular ledge 101 by means of a washer 43.

The dispense tap of the present invention has the advantage that the liquid being dispensed does not come in contact with any of the mechanical components of the tap, except the diaphragm 30 resulting in mitigation of microbiological traps inherent in existing taps.

Also, the present design eliminates the need for sealing rings, etc. which increases the life of the unit whilst reducing the cost of manufacture.

The dispense tap of the present invention has a further advantage in that the elongate outlet 1 2 permits more accurate regulation of flow through the tap. To prevent liquid being held in the elongate outlet 1 2 by surface tension, the end of the outlet 1 2 may be cut obiquely as illustrated in Fig. 3.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. A dispense tap having an inlet, a dispense chamber communicating with said inlet, and an outlet, said outlet being in the form of a conduit extending into said dispense chamber, and sealing means for sealing the end of said conduit.

2. A dispense tap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conduit extends into said dispense chamber above the level of said inlet.

3. A dispense tap as claimed in either preceding claim, wherein said sealing means is in the form of a flat flexible membrane held against an opening in said conduit by an operating cam and lifted from said opening by the line pressure in said inlet.

4. A dispense tap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said flexible membrane is formed of silicone rubber.

5. A dispense tap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the end of the outlet conduit remote from said chamber is cut obliquely.

6. A dispense tap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in dispense taps This invention relates to a dispense tap. More particularly, the invention relates to a tap for dispensing carbonated liquids such as beer. According to the present invention there is provided a dispense tap having an inlet, a dispense chamber communicating with said inlet, and an outlet, said outlet being in the form of a conduit extending into said dispense chamber, and sealing means for sealing the end of said conduit. Preferably, said sealing means is in the form of a flat flexible membrane held against an opening in said conduit by an operating cam and lifted from said opening by the line pressure in said inlet. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional elevational view of a dispense tap made in accordance with the present invention with the tap in the closed position; Figure 2 is a sectional elevational view of a dispense tap made in accordance with the present invention with the tap in the open position; and Figure 3 shows a modification of the outlet of the tap of Fig. 1 Referring to the drawings, a dispense tap shown generally at 1 comprises a main body 10 formed of plastics material and having an inlet 11 and an outlet 1 2. One end of the inlet 11 is provided with an end boss 1 10 which is threaded at 111 to engage a beer font 20 or the like. The other end of the inlet 11 communicates with an annular dispense chamber 1 5 which in turn communicates with the elongate outlet 1 2 by means of an outlet conduit 121. The outlet conduit 1 21 extends into the dispense chamber 1 5 above the level of the inlet 11 and is sealed by a flat flexible membrane in the form of a circular silicone rubber diaphragm 30. The circumferential edge portion of the diaphragm 30 rests on an annular ledge 101 formed in the main body 10 at the upper zone of the dispense chamber 1 5 slightly above the open end of the outlet conduit 121. A cam actuating device 40 having a plunger 41 is screwed to the main body 10 by means of a cap 42. The plunger 41 can be moved from a closed position as shown in Fig. 1 where the diaphragm 30 is held against the opening of the conduit 1 21 by the plunger 41 thus closing the tap. In the open position as shown in Fig. 2 the plunger 41 is moved upwardly and line pressure in the inlet 11 lifts the diaphragm 30 from the conduit 121 thus permitting liquid flow to the outlet 1 2. The diaphragm is sealingly held against the annular ledge 101 by means of a washer 43. The dispense tap of the present invention has the advantage that the liquid being dispensed does not come in contact with any of the mechanical components of the tap, except the diaphragm 30 resulting in mitigation of microbiological traps inherent in existing taps. Also, the present design eliminates the need for sealing rings, etc. which increases the life of the unit whilst reducing the cost of manufacture. The dispense tap of the present invention has a further advantage in that the elongate outlet 1 2 permits more accurate regulation of flow through the tap. To prevent liquid being held in the elongate outlet 1 2 by surface tension, the end of the outlet 1 2 may be cut obiquely as illustrated in Fig. 3. Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

1. A dispense tap having an inlet, a dispense chamber communicating with said inlet, and an outlet, said outlet being in the form of a conduit extending into said dispense chamber, and sealing means for sealing the end of said conduit.

2. A dispense tap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conduit extends into said dispense chamber above the level of said inlet.

3. A dispense tap as claimed in either preceding claim, wherein said sealing means is in the form of a flat flexible membrane held against an opening in said conduit by an operating cam and lifted from said opening by the line pressure in said inlet.

4. A dispense tap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said flexible membrane is formed of silicone rubber.

5. A dispense tap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the end of the outlet conduit remote from said chamber is cut obliquely.

6. A dispense tap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.