GB2252098A

GB2252098A - Dispensing nozzle with cut-off valve

Info

Publication number: GB2252098A
Application number: GB9027223A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eric Dryden; John Stewart Hartshorne
Original assignee: Whitbread PLC
Current assignee: Whitbread PLC
Priority date: 1990-12-15
Filing date: 1990-12-15
Publication date: 1992-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 2010-12-15
Also published as: GB9027223D0; GB2252098B

Abstract

A dispensing nozzle assembly suitable for dispensing an alcoholic beverage, eg beer into a glass, includes a valve 20 which is held clear of the valve aperture 18, when the dispensing nozzle 11 is mounted in its operative position, but which closes onto the valve aperture when the nozzle is dismounted, eg for cleaning purposes. The nozzle may be screwed onto a member 12 which includes the valve aperture 18 and is itself tightly screwed onto conduit 10. A projection 17 for holding the valve open may be integrally formed with the nozzle, or may be part of a transverse member supported by the nozzle (Figure 3), or may be integrally formed with the valve (Figure 2). Alternatively the valve may have transverse projections which pass through apertures in the member 12 such that when the nozzle is fully screwed into the operative position a shoulder of the nozzle supports the projections such that the valve closes the aperture (Figure 5). The member 12 is preferably of metal and the nozzle of plastics material. <IMAGE>

Description

DISPENSING NOZZLE WITH CUT-OFF VALVE This invention relates to a dispensing nozzle for use in dispensing an alcoholic beverage such as beer.

It is known to dispense beer through a dispensing nozzle which in use is located within the bottom end of a receptacle, such as a glass, the dispensing nozzle having a plurality of discharge openings through which the beer flows into the receptacle. By dispensing the beer at the bottom end of the receptacle, the gas contained within the beer migrates upwardly through the dispensed beer within the receptacle to form a layer of froth on the upper surface of the beer within the receptacle and such layer of froth is usually referred to as a "head".

Such a dispensing nozzle is removable from the end of the conduit through which the beer flows to the dispensing nozzle to enable the nozzle to be cleaned and sterilized. It is desirable that when the nozzle has been removed, the operator is not able to dispense beer from the conduit. With the known dispensing nozzle it is possible to dispense beer through the conduit with the nozzle removed.

According to the present invention there is provided a dispensing nozzle for use in dispensing an alcoholic beverage, said nozzle being provided with means for holding in an open position a valve member located upstream of the nozzle outlet when the dispensing nozzle is mounted in an operative position, said valve member being movable to a closed position if the dispensing nozzle is removed from its mounted operative position.

The means for holding the valve member open may comprise a pin or stem extending between the nozzle and the valve member. The pin or stem may be fixed to, or integral with, the nozzle or it may be fixed to, or integral with, the valve member. The pin or stem may be provided on a member supported by the nozzle.

Alternatively, the means for holding the valve member in an open position may comprise outwardly extending projections provided on the valve member, said projections being contacted by the nozzle when in the operative position to hold the valve member in an open position.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a first embodiment of a dispensing nozzle embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a transverse section taken along the line II-II indicated on Figure 1; Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through a second embodiment of a dispensing nozzle embodying the present invention; Figure 4 is a side elevation of a modified valve member; and Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through a third embodiment of a dispensing nozzle embodying the present invention.

Figure 1 discloses a discharge conduit 10 through which an alcoholic beverage, such as beer, is caused to flow by a beer pump or the like to a dispensing nozzle 11 which is mounted on a member 12 secured to the end of the discharge conduit 10.

The dispensing nozzle 11 is substantially cupshaped and has a screw-threaded portion 13 by which it is connected to the member 12. The bottom end wall 14 of the nozzle 11 is provided on its underside with a central downwardly extending projection 15 which is of a predetermined length. Surrounding the projection 15 is a circular array of discharge apertures 16.

Upstanding from the centre of the end wall 14 is a pin or stem 17 which extends through an aperture 18 provided in a transverse wall 19 of the member 12.

Located above the pin or stem 17 and in contact therewith is a valve member 20 which is rectangular in plan view.

With the components positioned in the position shown in Figure 1, a receptacle 21, such as a glass, into which beer is to be dispensed is positioned such that the dispensing nozzle 11 is located within the receptacle 21 with the bottom end of the projection 15 in contact with the bottom wall of the receptacle 21.

The projection 15 thus spaces the bottom wall 14 of the dispensing nozzle 11 at a predetermined distance from the bottom wall of the receptacle 21. The beer flows along the conduit 10, passes through the aperture 18, which is open due to the valve member 20 being held open by the pin or stem 17 in an open position, and flows into the receptacle 21 through the apertures 16. The receptacle 21 is thus filled from the bottom end and this causes a layer of froth to form on the beer and the dispensed beer thus has a "head" on it.

If the dispensing nozzle 11 is removed by being unscrewed from the member 12, the valve member 20 is lowered onto the transverse wall 19 and prevents, or substantially restricts, flow through the aperture 18.

If an attempt is made to dispense beer without the nozzle 11 being position on the member 12, then flow is stopped or restricted and any beer which enters the receptacle 21 is unusable.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment in which the pin or stem 17 is provided on a separate transverse member 22 which rests on a shoulder provided on the nozzle 11 and which has apertures 23.

The pin or stem 17 may be joined to or integral with the valve member 20, as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment in which the valve member 20 is provided with outwardly extending projections 22 which extend through longitudinal slots 23 provided in the member 12. When the nozzle 11 is removed, as shown in the drawing, the valve member 20 closes off or restricts the aperture 18. When the nozzle 11 is fully screwed into its operative position, the projections 22 contact a shoulder 24 provided on the nozzle 11 and they are forced to move up the slots 23 thus lifting the valve member 20 and allowing beer to flow through the aperture 18.

An air-tight seal is achieved by the upper face 25 of the nozzle 11 being in sealing contact with a lower face 26 of the member 12. Alternatively, a sealing ring or washer can be provided between the two faces 25, 26.

Preferably the member 12 is formed of metal, such as stainless steel, and the nozzle 11 is formed of a plastics material. The nozzle 11 is only screwed finger tight onto the member 12 so as to be readily removable for cleaning and sterilization. The member 12 is tightly screwed onto the conduit 10 and is not readily removable.

Claims

1. A dispensing nozzle assembly suitable for use in dispensing an alcoholic beverage into a glass comprising a dispensing nozzle, a valve member located upstream of the nozzle outlet, means for holding the valve member in an open position when the dispensing nozzle is mounted in an operative position, said valve member being movable to a closed position if the dispensing nozzle is removed from the mounted operative position.

2. A dispensing nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the means for holding the valve member in the open position comprises a pin or stem extending between the nozzle and the valve member in the open position.

3. A dispensing nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 2, in which the pin or stem is fixed to or integral with the nozzle.

4. A dispensing nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 2, in which the pin or stem is fixed to or integral with the valve member.

5. A dispensing nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the means for holding the valve member in an open position comprises a pin or stem extending between the valve and a transverse member supported by the nozzle.

6. A dispensing nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the means for holding the valve member in an open position comprises projections provided on the valve member which in the open position extend between the nozzle and the valve member in a direction transverse to the nozzle.

7. A dispensing nozzle assembly substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A dispensing nozzle assembly substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A dispensing nozzle assembly substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.