GB2388586A

GB2388586A - Illuminated dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2388586A
Application number: GB0228854A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Peter Carter
Original assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc
Current assignee: Cornelius Inc
Priority date: 2001-12-11
Filing date: 2002-12-11
Publication date: 2003-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 2022-12-11
Also published as: GB0228854D0; GB0129565D0; GB2388586B

Abstract

Beverage dispense apparatus comprises a tap 1, a connector 2 and an illumination device 3. The connector 2 comprises an inlet adaptor 13 and an entry component 14. The tap 1 is releasably secured to the inlet adaptor 13 in a desired angular position by a locking nut 21 and a locking clip 22. The illumination device 3 includes a support bracket 27 mounted on the entry component 14 and a light housing 28 containing a light source such as light emitting diodes. The inlet adaptor 13 is releasably secured to entry component 14 in a desired angular position by the support bracket 27 and a locking clip 36. The power supply and beverage supply line are introduced through the inlet adaptor and the power supply is passed through the support bracket 27 to the light source.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING A BEVERAGE

This invention concerns improvements in or relating apparatus for 5 dispensing a beverage. The invention has particular application to apparatus for dispensing a beverage which is provided with an illumination device whereby connections to a beverage supply line and to a power supply for the illumination device can be made in a simple manner. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for dispensing a beverage comprising a tap having an inlet and an outlet, a connector for connecting the inlet to a source of beverage, and an illumination device mounted on the connector wherein the 15 connector is adapted to allow entry of a power supply to the illumination device and a beverage supply line to the tap.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector assembly for a beverage dispenser, the connector assembly 20 comprising an entry component for a beverage supply line and a power supply, an inlet adaptor connected to the entry component for connecting the beverage supply line to an inlet of the beverage dispenser, and an illumination device mounted on the entry component and having a light source connectable to the power supply.

By this invention, both the beverage supply line and power supply are introduced through the connector. In this way, concealed connections can be made in a simple manner.

( Features, benefits and advantages of the invention will be understood from the following description of an exemplary embodiment with

reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 5 FIGURE 1 is a front view of apparatus for dispensing a beverage according to the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a section, to an enlarged scale, on the line X-X of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a perspective view, partly exploded, of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the entry component of the 15 connector; and FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the inlet adaptor of the connector. 20 Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is shown apparatus for dispensing a beverage comprising a tap 1, a connector 2 and an illumination device 3.

The tap 1 has an inlet 4 and an outlet 5. The connector 2 is attached to 25 the inlet 4 and connects the inlet 4 to a beverage supply line 6. The outlet 5 is connected to a nozzle 7 for dispensing the beverage into a suitable container such as a glass (not shown).

The inlet 4 and outlet 5 are arranged at right angles to each other and a 30 valve 8 between the inlet 4 and outlet 5 is operable by a handle 9 to control the dispense of fluid from the nozzle 7.

The valve 8 includes a valve member 10 slidably mounted in body 11 of the tap 1 and connected at its upper end to the handle 9 by a coupling 12.

The handle 9 is pivotal away from the upright position shown in the 5 drawings to raise the valve member 10 to open the valve 8, and the valve member 10 is lowered to close the valve 8 when the handle 9 is returned to the upright position. The valve member 10 can be moved between closed and fully open positions to control the flow of beverage for dispense from the nozzle 7.

The connector 2 has an inlet adaptor 13 and an entry component 14. The inlet adaptor 13 has an internal screw thread 15 at one end and an external screw thread 16 at the other end. The internal screw thread 15 is engageable with an external screw thread 17 on the inlet 4. The external 15 screw thread 16 is engageable with an internal screw thread 18 at one end of the entry component 14.

The other end of the entry component 14 is a clearance fit through an opening (not shown) of a fitting (not shown) and has an external screw 20 thread 19 engaged by a tail nut 20 for securing the connector 2 to the fitting. The tap 1 is fixed in a desired angular position relative to the inlet adaptor 13 by an annular locking nut 21 and a locking clip 22. The 25 locking nut 21 is prevented from rotating relative to the inlet adaptor 13 by engagement of axial ribs 23 on the inlet adaptor 13 with axial slots 24 in the locking nut 21.

The engagement of the ribs 23 and slots 24 allow the locking nut 21 to 30 slide axially between a locking position and an unlocking position. The tap 1 is prevented from being unscrewed in the locking position by

r engagement of axial ribs 25 on a trim cover 26 for the inlet 4 with the slots 24 in the locking nut 21.

The locking clip 22 is a snap fit on the inlet adaptor 13 behind the locking 5 nut 21 so as to retain the locking nut 21 in the locking position. If it is desired to remove the tap 1, for example for servicing' repair or replacement, the locking clip 22 is removed allowing the locking nut 21 to be axially withdrawn to the unlocking position in which the ribs 25 are clear of the slots 24 to allow the tap 1 to be unscrewed from the inlet 10 adaptor 13.

The illumination device 3 comprises a support bracket 27 and a light housing 28. The bracket 27 has an annular base ring 29 mounted on a cylindrical end portion 30 of the entry component 14. The base ring 29 is 15 located against rotation by engagement of an internal axial rib 31 in an axial slot 32 in the end portion 30.

The end portion 30 is coaxial with a cylindrical portion 33 of the inlet adaptor 13 and the base ring 29 is axially slidable to engage an axial rib 20 34 on the portion 33 in a recess 35 in the base ring 29. The base ring 29 is retained in this position to prevent the inlet adaptor 13 being unscrewed from the entry component 14 by a locking clip 36.

The locking clip 36 is a snap fit on the entry component 14 between the 25 base ring 29 and an external collar 37 of the entry component. If it is desired to separate the inlet adaptor 13 from the entry component, the locking clip 36 is removed allowing the base ring 29 to be pulled back to release the engagement of the rib 34 in the recess 35 and permit the inlet adaptor 13 to be unscrewed,

The light housing 28 comprises a base member 38 of channel section closed at each end and a cover member 39 that closes the channel section.

The light housing 28 has a part circular, part spiral shape and is provided with a light source (not shown) at each end comprising a plurality of light 5 emitting diodes (LED's).

In this embodiment, the base member 38 is made of an opaque plastics and the cover member 39 is made of clear or translucent plastics for transmitting light emitted by the LED's. It will be appreciated however 10 that the shape and/or materials of the housing 28 could be altered and/or that any suitable light source could be employed for illuminating the housing 28.

The bracket 27 has an arm 40 extending from the base ring 29 and the 15 light housing 28 is secured to the free end of the arm 38 by any suitable means such as screws (not shown). The arm 40 is formed internally with a through bore 41 extending from the base ring 29 to the free end and the light housing 28 has a hole 42 aligned with the upper end of the bore 41.

The other end of the bore 41 communicates with the slot 32 in the 20 cylindrical portion 30 of the entry component 14.

In use of the apparatus, the beverage supply line 6 for connection to the tap 1 and a power supply 44 for connection to the illumination device 3 are introduced through the entry component 14 of the connector 2.

The beverage supply line 6 locates against an internal abutment shoulder 45 of a stepped bore 46 of the inlet adaptor 13. The shoulder 45 leads to a spigot 47 that extends into and locates against an internal abutment shoulder 48 of a stepped bore 49 of the inlet 4.

f Wiring for the power supply 44 passes through the slot 32 into the bore 41 within the arm 40 of the bracket 27 from where it enters the housing 28 and is connected to the light source within the housing 28.

5 As will now be appreciated, the connector 2 provides a common entry for the beverage supply line 6 to the tap 1 and the power supply 44 to the illumination device 3. Moreover, the wiring of the power supply 44 is concealed by passage from the connector 2 through the arm 40 of bracket 27 to the housing 28 where is connected to the light source. In this way, 10 the invention provides a simple method of incorporating an illumination device in an apparatus for dispensing a beverage. The illumination device may be of any type and may provide an illuminated display for advertising or any other purpose.

15 A further advantage of the invention is the way in which the tap 1 and illumination device 3 are located against rotation relative to the connector 2 when assembled. In this way, the tap 1 and illumination device 3 are secured in a pre-determined orientation when assembled. As a result, the positions of the tap 1 and illumination device 3 are fixed 20 which prevents misalignment in the assembled condition.

It will be understood the invention is not limited to the embodiment above-described and that various modifications can be made without departing from the concept of introducing the beverage supply line and 25 power supply through the connector for the tap.

Claims

lo CLAIMS

1. Apparatus for dispensing a beverage comprising a tap having an inlet and an outlet, a connector for connecting the inlet to a source of 5 beverage, and an illumination device mounted on the connector wherein the connector is adapted to allow entry of a power supply to the illumination device and a beverage supply line to the tap.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the connector comprises an 10 inlet adaptor connected to the inlet of the tap and an entry component for the power supply and the beverage supply line connected to the inlet adaptor. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the inlet of the tap is 15 releasably connected to the inlet adaptor and the tap is fixed in a desired angular position relative to the inlet adaptor by a locking nut.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the locking nut is movable between an operative position in which the tap is fixed in the desired 20 angular position preventing release of the tap from the inlet adaptor and an inoperative position in which the tap can be released from the inlet adaptor. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the locking nut is 25 releasably held in the operative position by a locking clip.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the locking clip is detachably mounted on the inlet adaptor, 30 7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein the inlet of the tap has a screw thread engageable with a complementary screw

thread on the inlet adaptor to secure the tap to the inlet adaptor, and the tap is fixed in the desired angular position by engagement of the inlet adaptor and tap with the locking nut to prevent rotation of the tap relative to the inlet adaptor.

8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein the entry component is releasably connected to the inlet adaptor and the illumination device is mounted on the entry component in a desired angular position and is engageable with the inlet adaptor in an operative 10 position to prevent release of the inlet adaptor.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the inlet adaptor has a screw thread engageable with a complementary screw thread on the entry component to secure the inlet adaptor to the entry component and the 15 illumination device is movable between the operative position preventing release of the inlet adaptor and an inoperative position in which the inlet adaptor can be released from the entry component.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the illumination device is 20 releasably held in the operative position by a further locking clip.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the further locking clip is detachably mounted on the entry component.

25 12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the illumination device comprises a support bracket mounted on the entry component and a light housing containing a light source connectable to the power supply.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the light source is connectable to the power supply through the support bracket and the entry component whereby the power supply is concealed.

5 14 Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the entry component is adapted for connection to a fitting from where the beverage supply line and power supply are introduced to the entry component.

15, Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the 10 support bracket comprises a base ring located on the entry component and an arm extending from the base ring to which the light housing is secured. 16. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein the ' 15 light housing has a removable cover for access to the light source.: 17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the cover is made of clear or translucent plastics for transmitting light emitted by the light source.

20 18. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 17 wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

19. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the tap and illumination device are secured in a pre-determined 25 orientation. 20. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the tap includes a manually operable handle for actuating a valve for controlling dispense of beverage.

/ 21. Apparatus for dispensing a beverage substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. A connector assembly for a beverage dispenser, the connector 5 assembly comprising an entry component for a beverage supply line and a power supply, an inlet adaptor connected to the entry component for connecting the beverage supply line to an inlet of the beverage dispenser, and an illumination device mounted on the entry component and having a light source connectable to the power supply.

23. A connector assembly according to claim 22 wherein the inlet connector is releasably secured to the entry component and the illumination device includes a support bracket mounted on the entry I component and co-operable with the inlet adaptor in an operative position 15 to prevent release of the inlet adaptor.

24. A connector assembly according to claim 23 wherein the inlet adaptor has a screw thread engageable with a screw thread on the entry component and the support bracket is arranged to prevent relative rotation 20 of the entry component and inlet adaptor to release the inlet adaptor in the operative position.

25. A connector assembly according to claim 23 or claim 24 wherein the illumination device includes a light housing mounted on the support 25 bracket and containing the light source.

26. A connector assembly according to claim 25 wherein the light source is connectable to the power supply through the support bracket and entry component.

27. A connector assembly according to any one of claims 22 to 26 wherein the inlet adaptor is connectable to a dispense tap and lock means is provided for securing the tap in a desired angular position and preventing release of the tap.

28. A connector assembly according to claim 27 wherein the lock means includes a locking ring movable between an operative position securing the tap in the desired angular position and preventing release of : the tap and an inoperative position in which the tap can be released from 10 the inlet adaptor.

29. A connector assembly according to claim 28 wherein the lock means further includes a releasable locking clip to secure the locking ring in the operative position.

30. A connector assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.