GB2331294A

GB2331294A - Seal carrying plate for a keg valve fitting

Info

Publication number: GB2331294A
Application number: GB9824832A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Helmut Wilhelm Skerra
Original assignee: SKERRA Pty Ltd
Current assignee: SKERRA Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1997-11-18
Filing date: 1998-11-13
Publication date: 1999-05-19
Also published as: GB9724224D0; WO1999025642A1; AU1050199A; GB9824832D0

Abstract

A plate (22, fig 3) for carrying a seal 14 for a keg valve fitting F has means for cooperating with a biasing device, such as a spring 10, in order to press the seal against a seating 16 around an aperture A, and means for inhibiting accidental removal of the plate from the fitting. The inhibiting means may be one or more radially protruding lugs (26, fig 3) carried by axially depending legs 20, which prevent the plate passing through the aperture.

Description

1 SAFETY PLATE 2331294 The invention relates to a safety device for

preventing ejection of components such as a spring and sealing plate which are operably housed under 0 force in a beer barrel. In particular, the invention relates to a safety plate for use with a housing which is welded to the flat top of a beer barrel.

Beer and other liquids are generally stored under pressure in barrels having a fitting with a valve for release or input of the liquid. The valve comprises a biasing b 0 means such as a coiled spring under compression which acts to close the valve. It is 0 known however, for example due to tampering with the valve, for components to be ejected from the barrel.

The invention seeks to provide a safety feature which prevents accidental ejection of components such as a spring especially from a flat fitting housing which is disclosed in co-pending British patent application to the present applicant and inventor.

Accordina to one aspect of the invention there is provided a plate for carrying a seal for a beer barrel housing which plate comprises means for co- operating with a biasing device such as a spring, in order to press the seal against a seating having an aperture or a through-bore, wherein the plate comprises means such as a radially protruding lug which inhibits accidental removal of the plate from the fitting. Beneficially the plate can be substantially annular and substantially of a diameter sufficient to pass through the aperture whereas the means or lug provides the plate with a greater diameter which in certain orientations with respect of the aperture, is sufficiently great to prevent removal of the plate through the aperture. The annular 0 0 2 shape is preferably apparent when the plate is viewed along its central axis along which it operably moves.

Preferably the plate comprises two or more radially protruding lugs and can for example comprise three such lugs.

In a particular form, the plate carries one or more axially depending legs each having a radially protruding foot; Z:> Further aspects of the invention relate to a beer barrel, and independently thereof, a fitting for a beer barrel, comprising a plate according to the first aspect of the invention.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

0 c figure 1 shows a schematic side elevation view of a beer barrel accordin. to the invention:

invention: and figure 2 is a partial sectional, side elevation view of a fitting according to the 1 0 C fi-ures 3 and 4 are schematic side and plan elevation views respectively of a 0 plate according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a key or barrel B for fluids such as beer comprising a fitting F to which a connector is attached in use in order to draw 0 C1 off fluid from the barrel and/or to load the barrel with fluid. Fluid is loaded into barrels under pressure, and the barrel B is sealed by a valve described below. A down-tube T is provided for drawing liquid off through the valve.

t> c 3 Fitting F is attached to barrel B for example by welding. the fitting F comprises an aperture A defined by a flange or annulus 16. The fitting is further provided with a spring 10 which acts, via lugs 30 on centre-tube 32, against a bottom plate 12 of fitting F to press the seal 14 against flange 16. The seal 14 can for example be made of an elastomeric material. Spring 10 can itself comprise a safety feature in the form of a radially protruding lug 18.

Referring to figures 3 and 4 there is shown greater detail of the safety plate 20 according to the invention which plate comprises an annulus 22 having a recess shaped to carry seal 14 and to be carried by the upper end of spring 10. In this embodiment, three legs 24 are spaced 120' apart around the circumference of annulus 22. Legs 24 depend axially from annulus 22 and each carry a radially protruding lug or feet 26 at its bottom end. Lug 26 can for example be formed by bending over the bottom end of feet 24 to form the end.

The diameter of the upper or annular part of plate 20 is less than aperture A whilst the diameter with the seal is clearly greater in order to effect a seal in use. However the diameter at a foot 26 is areater than the aperture thus requiring 0 0 controlled manipulation to pass the plate 20 into fitting F but preventing, accidental removal.

Beneficially, the legs 24 co-operates with annulus 22 to enable plate 20 to be carried on spring, 10. The legs 24 can be curved circumferentially to contour the spring. Preferably, plate 20 is made from a ridged material such as steel and formed from a single pressing. Preferably legs 24 are thus resilient and can be bent slightly inwardly in order to enable feet 26 to pass through aperture A when inserting plate 20 into fitting F.

C 4 In the event that seal 14 is caused to pass upwardly through aperture A, safety plate 20 prevents removal of plate 20 and spring 10 from fitting F since feet 26 0 c catch against flange 16, the seal seating. Beneficially the feet are curved and thus do minimal or no damage to the seat on flange 16 when contacting it.

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Claims

Claims

A plate for carrying a seal for a valve housing on a barrel which plate comprises Z:> means for co-operating with a biasing device, such as a spring, in order to press 0 0 0 the seal against a seating around an aperture or a through-bore, wherein the plate comprises means which inhibits accidental removal of the plate from the fitting.
2. A plate according to Claim 1 wherein the plate operably moves along a central axis and is substantially annular when viewed along said central axis, the plate havina for the most part a diameter sufficient to pass through the aperture z> b whereas the means provides the plate with a greater diameter which in certain orientations with respect to the aperture, is sufficiently great to prevent removal of the plate through the aperture.
3. A plate according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the inhibiting means comprises a radially protmdlnc, lucr
4. A plate according to Claim 3 wherein the plate comprises two or more radially t> protruding lugs and can for example comprise three such lugs.

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5. A plate according to any preceding claims wherein the plate carries one or more axially depending legs each having a radially protruding foot.

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6. A barrel having a fitting comprising a plate according to any of Claims 1 to 5.

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7. A valve fitting for a barrel comprising a plate according to any of Claims 1 to 5.

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