GB2391058A

GB2391058A - A beer dispensing tap

Info

Publication number: GB2391058A
Application number: GB0308289A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Hughes
Original assignee: FILTON BREWERY PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: FILTON BREWERY PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2002-04-10
Filing date: 2003-04-10
Publication date: 2004-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-10
Also published as: GB0208265D0; GB2391058B; GB0308289D0

Abstract

A tap 10 characterised in that it includes an outlet 21, a non-return valve 40 within a liquid flow passage intermediate a valve member 23 and an inlet 11, and also a variable volume auxiliary reservoir 50. Preferably the non-return valve is a captive valve disc (41, Fig 3) comprising a biasing element configured to bias the non-return valve in an open configuration. Also defined is a tap where a handle 31 is adapted to rotate about a first axis, comprising a domed base 32, the curvature being centred off the first axis.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO TAPS

The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to taps. In particular it relates to taps for dispensing liquids such as beers from vessels such as barrels, kegs or casks.

Drinkers of beer often have a personal preference for beer to be dispensed with a head or without a head. A head is developed by release of carbon dioxide dissolved in the beer as it is dispensed. The reader is directed to GB 2 108 638-A which provides a useful discussion of the background to the development of heads on beer.

More especially' the present invention relates to taps adapted to allow the induction of a head in the dispensed liquid Many taps adapted for this purpose are known in the art and generally work by expelling a jet of beer into the container into which the beer is dispensed.

One such tap is described in GB 2 108 638-A (Whitbread). Alternative devices are described 15 in GB 2 177 185 and GB 2 230 840 (Alumasc). The taps described therein are all complex in design and involve the tap valve assembly by means of which the beer is dispensed from the vessel also acting to trap a volume of beer in an auxiliary chamber and expel that trapped beer through an auxiliary outlet adjacent the principal outlet of the tap.

20 The present inventors have devised a greatly simplified tap.

In its broadest sense, according to the present invention, there is provided a tap comprising a tap body having an inlet and an outlet defining a liquid flow passage therebetween, wherein .. ...

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the inlet is adapted for connection to a supply of liquid; and wherein the tap includes a valve member intermediate the inlet and outlet operable by means of a handle between an open position in which a flow of liquid along the liquid flow passage is permitted and a closed position in which said flow of liquid is prevented. In a first aspect, the present invention is 5 characterized in that the tap further includes a non- return valve within the liquid flow passage intermediate the valve member and the inlet, and a variable volume auxiliary reservoir.

Preferably, the non-return valve comprises a captive valve disc within a valve chamber having a first diameter and an inlet of reduced diameter, the valve disk having a central disc 10 of slightly greater diameter to that of the inlet and a plurality of arms extending from the central disc, the dimension of said arms being such that the overall diameter of the captive valve disc is slightly less than that of the valve chamber.

Preferably, the captive valve disc further comprises a biasing element, adapted to bias the 15 non-return valve into an open configuration. More preferably, the biasing element comprises a mass, mounted off-centre on the downstream side of the disc.

Preferably, the volume of the auxiliary reservoir is variable by means of a plunger or piston-

type assembly.

Typically, the inlet is adapted for connection to a cask or similar vessel adapted to contain beer. Suitably, the inlet comprises a tubular spigot.

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Preferably, the outlet includes a valve head including a proximal portion and a distal portion of smaller diameter than the proximal portion and defining a frusto-conical surface therebetween; wherein the valve head further includes a valve disc comprising a generally circular central body having a plurality of arms extending radially therefrom, the valve disc 5 being deformable between a rest position in which a maximum outlet aperture or area is formed and a deformed position in which the valve disc is deformed to engage against the frusto-conical surface thereby providing a reduced outlet aperture or area.

As is typical with taps of this type, preferably the handle is biased into a position wherein the 10 valve member is in the closed position In a second aspect, the valve member comprises a valve body axially slidable within a principal valve chamber and including a valve plug sealing against a surface of the tap outlet.

The valve body is biased into a sealing position by means of a spring. In this aspect, the 15 present invention is characterized in that the handle is adapted for rotation about a first axis and includes a domed base which contacts a surface of the tap body, which surface is inclined to the axis of rotation of the handle, and wherein the domed base has an off- axis centre of curvature. 20 The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: ... ...

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Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a tap in accordance with the present invention in a rest configuration; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tap of Figure 1 in a dispensing configuration; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tap of Figure 1 in a jetting or head-forming configuration; and Figure 4 is a crosssectional view of a second embodiment of a tap in accordance with the 10 present invention in a rest configuration.

The main purpose of the tap of the present invention is to provide a head on beer being dispensed through the tap. This is achieved by taking some of the beer passing through the tap and forcing it through small apertures onto the surface of the already-dispensed beer. The ] 5 tap is normally fitted into the keystone of a beer cask and is used for serving beer directly into a glass. It is an embodiment for this purpose which is described. However, the tap can be adapted for pumped systems.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a first embodiment of a tap 10 having an inlet in 20 the form of a tubular spigot 11 held, by means of a keystone 12, in the outlet 13 of a cask 14 of beer 15. Tap 10 further includes an outlet body, nozzle or spout 20 including an outlet valve head 21, the details of which will be described in farther detail in due course. Tap 10 includes a tap body 22 mounting a valve member within a principal valve chamber 27. The À À -' era a À À ,, À À

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s valve member is generally conventional in construction and includes an axially slidable valve body 23 having a plug 24 sealing against an internal surface 25 of the spout 20. In the arrangement shown, plug 24 has a frusto-conical surface which seals against a corresponding surface of the spout 20. An O-ring seal 26 is provided to ensure a fluid-tight closure.

5 Alternative arrangements will be well within the capabilities of the skilled person. Axially slidable valve body 23 is biased into a sealed or closed position by means of a spring 30 and is operable between said sealed position and an open position by means of an operating handle 3 l.

10 Operating handle 31 may cause actuation, that is to say lifting, of the valve body 23 in any conventional manner. However, in the embodiment shown, the handle 31 includes a domed base 32 which is received in a correspondingly domed area 33 of the upper surface of tap body 22. The handle 31 is rotatable about the axis of the valve body 23. Domed base 32 has an off-axis centre of curvature. As will be seen by comparing Figures 1 and 2, as the handle 15 is rotated about this axis, the off-axis centre of curvature results in the valve body lifting from the closed or sealed configuration of Figure l as the handle bears against the domed surface of the tap body 22. As illustrated in Figure 4, it is not essential to provide a domed area 33 to the upper surface of the tap body 22. Rotation of the handle still results in lifting of the valve body. As will also be apparent from the figures' as is typical with taps of this nature, spigot 11 is mounted within the opening of the cask 13 at an inclined angle to directs the flow of beer towards the valve element. Preferably, handle 31 remains vertical during rotation and, as a a Àa ha $ À $ À$ a a I $ a À s. a a a a.* sea

such, whereas the upper surface of tap body is also formed with an inclined surface, the axis of rotational symmetry of domed area 33 is electively vertical.

Intermediate the spigot 11 and the valve member is a non-return valve 40 which prevents 5 flow of beer 15 back into cask 14, whilst allowing flow of beer from the cask when the valve member is in the open configuration. The purpose of this non-return valve will become apparent hereinafter. Suitably, non-return valve 40 is in the form of a simple captive valve disc 41 mounted within a chamber 42 having a diameter greater than that of the inlet to the chamber Valve disc 41 comprises a central disc 43 of slightly greater diameter to that of the 10 inlet to the chamber 42, and includes a plurality of arms 44 extending therefrom such that the overall dimension of the valve disc is generally similar to the diameter of the chamber such that the disc is retained axially within the chamber 42 but can move such that the surface of the central disc 43 bears against a surface of the inlet to the chamber if the liquid pressure downstream of the valve 40 should exceed that of the beer flowing from the cask 14.

The tap 10 of the present invention also includes an auxiliary reservoir 50 in fluid communication with principal valve chamber 27. Auxiliary reservoir is variable in volume by means of an axially slidable piston or plunger assembly 51.

20 The operation of the tap will now be described. Figure 1 shows the rest configuration of the tap. In Figure 2, the handle 31 has been rotated, thereby lining valve body 23 against the bias of spring 30, taking valve plug 24 out of contact with surface 25 of spout 20, and thereby allowing the flow of beer 15 from cask 14 through spout 20. Whilst beer is being dispensed À C C 1

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in this manner, plunger 51 is extended to increase the volume of the auxiliary reservoir SO, whereupon the reservoir 50 fills with beer. The plunger 51 is then rapidly pushed back to return the reservoir 50 to its minimum volume. The increase in liquid pressure produced by actuation of the plunger causes non-return valve 40 to close, thereby preventing flow of beer 5 back into the cask 14. Accordingly, the beer from the auxiliary reservoir will flow through the spout 20. Being under increased pressure within the tap, the beer is jetted from the tap at greater velocity. As has been discussed above, this results in the production of a head on the beer being dispensed.

10 To improve the quality of the head produced, a modification to the outlet of spout 20 has been developed. In the preferred embodiments, spout 20 includes a valve head 21 including a proximal portion 21a and a distal portion 21b of smaller diameter than the proximal portion and defining a frusto-conical surface 21c therebetween. Valve head 21 houses a valve disc 60 having a generally circular central body 61 having a plurality of arms 62 extending radially 15 therefrom. Valve disc 60 being deformable and axially moveable between a rest position in which a maximum outlet aperture or area is formed (Figure l) and a deformed position in which the valve disc 60 is deformed to engage against the frusto-conical surface 21c (Figure 3) thereby providing a reduced outlet aperture or area. The deformability of valve disc 60 is selected such that it only becomes deformed and thus engages surface 2 l c during moments of 20 increased fluid pressure, that is to say, in response to operation of the plunger to jet beer from the tap. The reduced outlet area acts to further increase the internal pressure of the beer during jetting and thus improve head production.

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A second embodiment of a tap in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in Figure 4. In this embodiment, valve disk 41 includes an off-centre weight 45 which acts to bias the non-return valve into the open position. This acts to reduce the likelihood of air becoming trapped inside the principal valve chamber 27 of the tap, thus reducing the 5 hydraulic effect required for effective jetting of beer. Any air trapped in the principal valve chamber 27 can escape back into the cask as a bubble or be forced out by gentle pushing upon plunger 5 1.

Alternative non-return valve arrangements are equally suitable for taps according to the 10 present invention. For example, a ball-valve arrangement (not shown) may be provided in which a ball is entrained within a generally cylindrical housing having a valve surface against which the ball bears to seal off the flow of fluid.

Plunger 51 can be operated a number of times during dispensing of the beer to produce the 15 desired degree of head to suit a particular customer's preferences. In addition to the simplicity of its construction in comparison with the prior art taps, the tap of the present

invention also provides an operational advantage over the prior art taps in that it becomes

easier to vary the quantity of head provided. Indeed, if no head is required, the tap can be used in a wholly conventional manner, without operation of plunger S l.

Furthermore, the simplicity of construction is advantageous in terms of cleaning the apparatus and replacement of parts.

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Claims

Claims.

1. A tap comprising a tap body having an inlet and an outlet defining a liquid flow passage therebetween; wherein the inlet is adapted for connection to a supply of liquid; and 5 wherein the tap includes a valve member intermediate the inlet and outlet operable by means of a handle between an open position in which a flow of liquid along the liquid flow passage is permitted and a closed position in which said flow of liquid is prevented; wherein the tap further includes a non-return valve within the liquid flow passage intermediate the valve member and the inlet, and a variable volume auxiliary reservoir.

2. A tap as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the non-return valve comprises a captive valve disc within a valve chamber having a first diameter and an inlet of reduced diameter, the valve disk having a central disc of slightly greater diameter to that of the inlet and a plurality of arms extending from the central disc, the dimension of said arms being such that the 15 overall diameter of the captive valve disc is slightly less than that of the valve chamber.

3. A tap as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the captive valve disc further comprises a biasing element, adapted to bias the non-return valve into an open configuration.

20

4. A tap as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the biasing element comprises a mass, mounted off-centre on the downstream side of the disc.

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5. A tap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the volume of the auxiliary reservoir is variable by means of a plunger or piston-type assembly.

6. A tap as claimed in any one of claims I to 5 wherein the inlet is adapted for 5 connection to a cask or similar vessel adapted to contain beer.

7. A tap as claimed in claim 6 wherein the inlet comprises a tubular spigot.

8. A tap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the outlet includes a valve head 10 including a proximal portion and a distal portion of smaller diameter than the proximal portion and defining a frusto-conical surface therebetween; wherein the valve head further includes a valve disc comprising a generally circular central body having a plurality of arms extending radially therefrom, the valve disc being deformable between a rest position in which a maximum outlet aperture or area is formed and a deformed position in which the 15 valve disc is deformed to engage against the frusto-conical surface thereby providing a reduced outlet aperture or area.

9. A tap comprising a tap body having an inlet and an outlet defining a liquid flow passage therebetween, wherein the inlet is adapted for connection to a supply of liquid; and 20 wherein the tap includes a valve member intermediate the inlet and outlet operable by means of a handle between an open position in which a flow of liquid along the liquid flow passage is permitted and a closed position in which said flow of liquid is prevented; wherein the valve member comprises a valve body axially slidable within a principal valve chamber and e e À À en... À.e À À À....

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including a valve plug sealing against a surface of the tap outlet; wherein the valve body is biased into a sealing position by means of a spring; and wherein the handle is adapted for rotation about a first axis and includes a domed base which contacts a surface of the tap body, which surface is inclined to the axis of rotation of the handle, and wherein the domed base 5 has an off-axis centre of curvature.

10. A tap as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the tap further includes a nonreturn valve within the liquid flow passage intermediate the valve member and the inlet, and a variable volume auxiliary reservoir.

11. A tap as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the non-return valve comprises a captive valve disc within a valve chamber having a first diameter and an inlet of reduced diameter, the valve disk having a central disc of slightly greater diameter to that of the inlet and a plurality of arms extending from the central disc, the dimension of said arms being such that the 15 overall diameter of the captive valve disc is slightly less than that of the valve chamber.

12. A tap as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the captive valve disc further comprises a biasing element, adapted to bias the non-return valve into an open configuration.

20

13. A tap as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the biasing element comprises a mass, mounted off-centre on the downstream side of the disc.

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14. A tap as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 13 wherein the volume of the auxiliary reservoir is variable by means of a plunger or piston-type assembly.

15. A tap as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein the inlet is adapted for 5 connection to a cask or similar vessel adapted to contain beer.

16. A tap as claimed in claim 15 wherein the inlet comprises a tubular spigot.

17. A tap as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 16 wherein the outlet includes a valve 10 head including a proximal portion and a distal portion of smaller diameter than the proximal portion and defining a frusto-conical surface therebetween; wherein the valve head further includes a valve disc comprising a generally circular central body having a plurality of arms extending radially therefrom, the valve disc being deformable between a rest position in which a maximum outlet aperture or area is formed and a deformed position in which the 15 valve disc is deformed to engage against the frusto-conical surface thereby providing a reduced outlet aperture or area.

18. A tap substantially as described herein with reference to Figures I to 3 or Figure 4.

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