GB2506987A - Dispensing tap for a beverage - Google Patents

Dispensing tap for a beverage Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2506987A
GB2506987A GB201316407A GB201316407A GB2506987A GB 2506987 A GB2506987 A GB 2506987A GB 201316407 A GB201316407 A GB 201316407A GB 201316407 A GB201316407 A GB 201316407A GB 2506987 A GB2506987 A GB 2506987A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
dispense
hole
supply
channel
tap
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB201316407A
Other versions
GB201316407D0 (en
GB2506987B (en
Inventor
Stephen Sleddon
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
INDI PARTNERS Ltd
Original Assignee
INDI PARTNERS Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by INDI PARTNERS Ltd filed Critical INDI PARTNERS Ltd
Publication of GB201316407D0 publication Critical patent/GB201316407D0/en
Publication of GB2506987A publication Critical patent/GB2506987A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2506987B publication Critical patent/GB2506987B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/14—Reducing valves or control taps
    • B67D1/1405—Control taps
    • B67D1/1438—Control taps comprising a valve shutter movable in a direction parallel to the valve seat, e.g. sliding or rotating
    • B67D1/1444—Control taps comprising a valve shutter movable in a direction parallel to the valve seat, e.g. sliding or rotating the valve shutter being rotated
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
    • B67D1/0081—Dispensing valves
    • B67D1/0082—Dispensing valves entirely mechanical
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/14—Reducing valves or control taps
    • B67D1/1405—Control taps

Abstract

The present invention provides a dispense tap for dispensing a fluid. The tap comprises a tap body 1 having a supply channel 2 connectable to a fluid (e.g. a beverage) supply and a dispense channel 4 for delivering fluid into a receptacle (e.g. a glass). The tap further comprises a valve assembly 6 between the supply channel and dispense channel. The valve assembly comprises a fixed plate 8 abutting a rotatable plate 9. The fixed plate has a supply through hole 6 and a dispense through hole 7 and said rotatable plate has a trough 10. The rotatable plate is moveable between a dispense position in which the trough overlaps the supply through hole and the dispense through hole and a non-dispense position in which the trough does not overlap both through holes. The axis of the rotation of the rotatable plate is at substantially 45 degrees to the supply channel and/or dispense channel.

Description

Dispense tap This invention relates to a dispense tap for dispensing a fluid. In particular, this invention relates to a dispense tap having a valve assembly for controlling the flow of beverage through the tap into a receptacle.
Background
It is known to dispense a fluid such as a beverage from a dispense tap e.g. in a bar or pub. Many known dispense taps include a large number of moving parts often sealed using 0-rings. The large number of moving parts and the perishable 0-rings means that the life of each tap is limited before repair or replacement is required.
In many known beverage fonts having dispense taps, the product (beverage) inlet line is substantially horizontal and the product (beverage) dispense line/nozzle is substantially vertical. This means that the beverage has to be deflected through 90 degrees during its passage through the dispense tap. Deflections in a flow path can lead to undesirable de-carbonation of carbonated beverages.
In GB2466319, a font for dispensing two or more beverages is described. The font has two valve assemblies at either end of a cylindrical manifold, each valve assembly having an actuating disc with an elongated radial channel which is moved to align with a through hole in the centre of a bearing disc and an off-set through hole to allow flow of beverage through the valve assembly. This font has a valve actuation mechanism which comprises an outer sleeve surrounding the manifold which is connected to the actuating disc and which has a lever for moving the sleeve. The flow path for each beverage through the manifold and valve assembly is rather contorted -the flow path enters the manifold radially, turns axially towards the valve assembly, does a 180 degree turn in the valve assembly exiting the valve assembly in a direction parallel to the manifold axis and the turns radially to exit the manifold. This contorted path may cause undesirable de-carbonation of carbonated beverages.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide a dispense tap which has a simple structure resulting in an extended lifetime without repair or replacement and which provides a smooth fluid flow path to minimise de-carbonation of carbonated beverages. Preferably, the dispense tap can be adapted to dispense a plurality of beverages.
Summary of the invention
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a tap for dispensing a fluid, said tap comprising a tap body having a supply channel connectable to a fluid supply and a dispense channel for delivering fluid into a receptacle, the tap further comprising a valve assembly between the supply channel and dispense channel, said valve assembly comprising a fixed plate abutting a rotatable plate, said fixed plate having a supply through hole and a dispense through hole and said rotatable plate having a trough, the rotatable plate being moveable between a dispense position in which the trough overlaps the supply through hole and the dispense through hole and a non-dispense position in which the trough does not overlap both through holes, wherein the axis of the rotation of the rotatable plate is at substantially 45 degrees to the supply channel andlor dispense channel.
The supply channel, valve assembly and dispense channel provide a fluid flow path through the tap, the valve assembly providing for fluid communication between the supply channel and dispense channel. By providing the axis of the rotation of the rotatable plate at substantially 45 degrees to the supply channel and/or dispense channel, it is possible to reduce the number of deflections in the fluid flow path thus ameliorating the undesirable de-carbonation of carbonated beverages by providing a smooth flow through the dispense tap.
Preferably, the axis of the rotation of the rotatable plate is at substantially 45 degrees to both the supply channel and dispense channel. This maximises the smooth flow through the dispense tap.
The supply and/or dispense channel(s) may have deflections within the tap body, the deflection dividing the respective channel into a major portion and a minor portion (the major portion having a greater length than the minor portion). In this case, the axis of rotation of the rotatable plate is at substantially 45 degrees to the major portion of the supply channel and/or dispense channel. The major portion of the supply channel is typically the portion extending from the inlet of the supply channel to proximal the fixed plate. The major portion of the dispense channel is typically the portion extending from proximal the fixed plate to the outlet of the dispense channel (e.g. a dispense nozzle).
The major portion of the supply channel (and, indeed, the entire of the supply channel where there are no defiections) is preferably substantially horizontal when the dispense tap is in use. The major portion of the dispense channel (and, indeed, the entire of the dispense channel where there are no deflections) is preferably substantially vertical when the dispense tap is in use.
Where the major portion or the whole of the supply channel is horizontal in use and/or the major portion or the whole of the dispense channel is vertical in use, the axis of rotation of the rotatable plate in use is at substantially 45 degrees to the horizontal/vertical.
By providing a substantially horizontal supply channel, the dispense tap of the present invention can be retro-fitted to many existing fonts as these typically have a horizontally-arranged fluid supply line.
Furthermore, most existing fonts have drip trays positioned below the tap thus accommodating vertical dispense into a receptacle from the tap and thus the vertical dispense channel also facilitates retrofitting to existing fonts.
Most preferably, the tap body is substantially Y-shaped with the supply channel extending through one branch of the body, the dispense channel extending through another branch of the body and the valve assembly being housed in the third branch of the body.
Such a Y-shaped body, which may be moulded in plastics material, provides a simple and compact dispense tap. If the tap body is formed of injection-moulded plastics material, the fixed plate may be moulded into the tap body. This eliminates the need for seals which are prone to failure.
The dispense tap preferably further comprises a valve actuation mechanism for rotating the rotatable plate. Preferably, the actuating mechanism comprises a lever which is offset from the axis of rotation of the rotatable plate such that the movement of the lever through an arc causes rotation of the rotatable plate.
Preferably, the axis of the supply through hole in the fixed plate is parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable plate i.e. the supply through hole extends through the fixed plate from a surface remote from the rotatable plate to the surface abutting the rotatable plate. In this manner, the supply through hole provides the shortest possible fluid flow path through the fixed plate. Such a supply through hole is also much more simple to form than a supply through hole that passes obliquely through the fixed plate.
Preferably, the axis of the dispense through hole in the fixed plate is parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable plate i.e. the dispense through hole extends through the fixed plate from a surface remote from the rotatable plate to the surface abutting the rotatable plate. In this manner, the dispense through hole provides the shortest possible fluid flow path through the fixed plate. Such a dispense through hole is also much more simple to form than a dispense through hole that passes obliquely through the fixed plate.
The supply through hole may have a constant diameter (which is simplest to form) or it may have a diameter that varies. For example, the supply through hole may be circular at the surface which abuts the rotatable plate and elliptical at the surface which is remote from the rotatable plate. This change in shape of the supply through hole helps minimise deflections in the fluid flow path between the supply channel and the valve assembly.
The dispense through hole may have a constant diameter (which is simplest to form) or it may have a diameter that varies. For example, the dispense through hole may be circular at the surface which abuts the rotatable plate and elliptical at the surface which is remote from the rotatable plate. This change in shape of the dispense through hole helps minimise deflections in the fluid flow path between the valve assembly and the dispense channel.
In some embodiments, the trough in the rotatable plate is radially elongated i.e. it extends from or proximal to the centre of the rotatable plate towards the circumference. In these embodiments, one of the supply through hole and the dispense through hole (preferably the dispense through hole) extends through the centre of the fixed plate i.e. along the axis of rotation of the rotatable plate. The other of the two through holes is provided offset from the centre. In the dispense position, the radially elongated trough overlaps the central through hole (preferably the dispense through hole) and the offset through hole (preferably the supply through hole). In the non-dispense position, the radially elongated trough overlaps the central through hole (preferably the dispense through hole) but not the offset through hole (preferably the supply through hole) so that no fluid can pass through the valve assembly.
Some embodiments of the present invention allow for dispense of a plurality e.g. two fluids. In these embodiments, the dispense tap further comprises a second supply channel in the tap body and a second supply through hole in the fixed plate. The rotatable plate is moveable between the dispense position in which the trough overlaps the supply through hole and the dispense through hole, a second dispense position in which the trough overlaps the second supply through hole and the dispense through hole and a non-dispense position in which the trough does not overlap any two through holes.
If the dispense through hole is central to the fixed plate and the supply through hole is offset from the centre, the second supply through hole is also preferably off-set from the centre. In the dispense position, the radially elongated trough overlaps the central dispense through hole and the offset supply through hole. In the second dispense position, the radially elongated trough overlaps the central dispense through hole and the offset second supply through hole. In the non-dispense position, the radially elongated trough overlaps the central dispense through hole but not either of the offset supply through hole or offset second supply through hole so that no fluid can pass through the valve assembly. In this manner, the dispense tap can be connected to two different fluid supplies and fluid from each supply can be dispensed sequentially through the single tap. This helps free up bar space as only a single font is required for dispense of two beverages.
In other embodiments, the trough in the rotatable plate is circumferentially elongated i.e. it extends in an arc around the circumference of a concentric circle within the rotatable plate. In these embodiments, both of the supply through hole and the dispense through hole extend through the fixed plate offset from the centre of the plate i.e. offset from the axis of rotation of the rotatable plate. In the dispense position, the circumferentially elongated trough overlaps the offset supply and dispense through holes. In the non-dispense position, the circumferentially elongated trough may overlap one of the offset through holes but not both so that no fluid can pass through the valve assembly.
As discussed above, some embodiments of the present invention allow for dispense of a plurality e.g. two fluids and in these embodiments, the dispense tap further comprises a second supply channel in the tap body and a second supply through hole in the fixed plate, the rotatable plate being moveable between the dispense position in which the trough overlaps the supply through hole and the dispense through hole, a second dispense position in which the trough overlaps the second supply through hole and the dispense through hole and a non-dispense position in which the trough does not overlap any two through holes.
In embodiments for dispensing two beverages having a rotatable plate with a circumferentially elongated trough, all three holes i.e. the supply through hole, the second supply through hole and the dispense through hole are all formed offset from the centre of the fixed plate in an arc with the dispense through hole positioned between the supply through hole and the second supply through hole. In the dispense position, the circumferentially elongated trough overlaps the dispense through hole and the supply through hole. In the second dispense position, the circumferentially elongated trough overlaps the dispense through hole and the second supply through hole. In the non-dispense position, the circumferentially elongated trough overlaps the dispense through hole but not either of the supply through hole or second supply through hole so that no fluid can pass through the valve assembly. In this manner, the dispense tap can be connected to two different fluid supplies and fluid from each supply can be dispensed sequentially through the single tap. This helps free up bar space as only a single font is required for dispense of two beverages.
In some embodiments for dispensing two beverages and having a circumferentially elongated trough in the rotatable plate, a second dispense through hole is provided in the fixed plate. All four holes i.e. the supply through hole, the second supply through hole, the dispense through hole and second dispense through hole are all formed offset from the centre of the fixed plate in an arc with the dispense through hole and second dispense through hole positioned between the supply through hole and the second supply through hole (with the dispense through hole adjacent the supply through hole and the second dispense through hole adjacent the second supply through hole). In the dispense position, the circumferentially elongated trough overlaps the dispense through hole and the supply through hole. In the second dispense position, the circumferentially elongated trough overlaps the second dispense through hole and the second supply through hole. In the non-dispense position, the circumferentially elongated trough overlaps the dispense through hole and the second dispense through hole so that no fluid can pass through the valve assembly. In this manner, the dispense tap can be connected to two different fluid supplies and fluid from each supply can be dispensed sequentially through the single tap. The provision of two dispense through holes and two dispense channels in the tap body prevents any contamination of one beverage with the other.
Preferably, the fixed plate and rotatable plate are formed of ceramics material with the abutting surfaces being highly polished. This provides for a fluid tight seal between the surfaces. The fixed plate and rotatable plates are also preferably biased towards each other by a spring.
Brief DescriQtion of the Drawings
Preferred embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a rear view of the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a cross-section view through A-A shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a rear view of the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a cross-section view through A-A shown in Figure 6; Figure 7 is a top view of the fixed plate of the first embodiment in a non-dispense position with the trough of the rotatable plate superimposed; Figure 8 is a top view of the fixed plate of the first embodiment in a dispense position with the trough of the rotatable plate superimposed; Figure 9 is a top view of the fixed plate of the first embodiment in a second dispense; Figure 10 is an alternative cross section view through A-A shown in Figure 2; position with the trough of the rotatable plate superimposed;
Detailed Description of the Drawincis
Figures 1 and 2 show a perspective view and rear view respectively of a first embodiment of the dispense tap of a present invention for dispensing a single fluid e.g. a beverage. The tap comprises a tap body 1 and a valve actuation mechanism 11 comprising a lever 12.
Figure 3 shows a cross section through the line A-A shown in Figure 2. The tap body 1 has a substantially horizontal supply channel 2 connectable to a fluid supply (not shown) and a substantially vertical dispense channel 3 for delivering fluid into a receptacle (not shown). The tap body 1 is Y-shaped with the supply channel extending through one branch of the Y, the dispense channel extending through a second branch of the Y and a valve assembly provided in the third branch. The valve assembly is between the supply channel 2 and dispense channel 3 and allows fluid communication therebetween.
The valve assembly comprises a fixed plate 4 abutting a rotatable plate 5. The tap body 1 is formed of injection moulded plastics material and the fixed plate 4 is moulded into the tap body thus obviating the need for seals. The fixed plate is formed of ceramics material and the surface in abutment with the rotatable plate is highly polished.
The axis of the rotation of the rotatable plate 5 is at substantially 45 degrees to the supply channel 2 and dispense channel 3.
The fixed plate 4 has a supply through hole 6 and a dispense through hole 7. The dispense through hole 7 is in the centre of the fixed plate whilst the supply through hole 6 is offset from the centre.
The axis of the supply through hole 6 in the fixed plate 4 is parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable plate 5 i.e. the supply through hole 6 extends through the fixed plate 4 from a surface 8 remote from the rotatable plate 5 to the surface 9 abutting the rotatable plate 5.
The axis of the dispense through hole 7 in the fixed plate 4 is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the rotatable plate 5 i.e. the dispense through hole 7 extends through the centre of the fixed plate 4 from the surface 8 remote from the rotatable plate to the surface 9 abutting the rotatable plate 5.
The rotatable plate 5 has a trough 10. The trough is radially elongated and extends from the centre of the rotatable plate out towards the circumference. The rotatable plate 5 is formed of ceramics material and the surface which is in abutment with the fixed plate 4 is highly polished.
The dispense tap preferably further comprises a valve actuation mechanism 11 for rotating the rotatable plate 5. Preferably, the actuating mechanism 11 comprises a lever 12 which is offset from the axis of rotation of the rotatable plate 5 such that the movement of the lever 12 through an arc causes rotation of the rotatable plates.
The lever 12 is connected to a threaded sleeve 13 which cooperates with a threaded section 4 on the tap body 1. The sleeve 13 is rotatable on the threads about the axis of rotation of the rotatable plate by movement of the lever 12 through an arc. The lever 12 is also connected to a rotatable block 14 which is housed within the tap body adjacent and connected to the rotatable plate 5. The surface of the rotatable plate 5 remote from the fixed plate 4 comprises an annular flange 15 which secured to the rotatable block 14. As the lever is moved through the arc, the threaded sleeve 13 and rotatable block 14 rotate and this rotation causes rotation of the rotatable plate.
The rotatable plate 5 is moveable between a dispense position as shown in Figure 3 in which the trough 10 overlaps the supply through hole 6 and the dispense through hole 7 and a non-dispense position (not shown) in which the trough 10 does not overlap both through holes.
The supply channel 2, valve assembly and dispense channel 3 provide a fluid flow path through the dispense tap.
When the rotatable plate 5 is in the dispense position with the trough 10 overlaying the supply hole 6 and the dispense through hole 7, fluid e.g. beverage flows through the supply channel 2, through the supply through hole 6, through the trough 10, through dispense through hole 7 and then out from the tap body through the dispense channel 3. The fluid flow through the tap body is smooth thus minimising de-carbonation of carbonated beverage.
Figures 4 and 5 show a perspective view and rear view respectively of a second embodiment of the dispense tap of a present invention for dispensing two fluids e.g. two beverages. The tap comprises a tap body 1 and a valve actuation mechanism 11 comprising a lever 12.
Figure 6 shows a cross section through the line A-A shown in Figure 5. The tap body 1 has a substantially horizontal supply channel 2 connectable to a fluid supply (not shown) and a substantially vertical dispense channel 3 for delivering fluid into a receptacle (not shown). The tap further comprises a second substantially horizontal supply channel 17 (not shown). The tap body 1 is Y-shaped with the supply channels 2, 17 extending through one branch of the Y, the dispense channel extending through a second branch of the Y and a valve assembly provided in the third branch. The valve assembly is between the supply channels 2, 17 and dispense channel 3 and allows fluid communication therebetween.
The valve assembly comprises a fixed plate 4 abutting a rotatable plate 5. The tap body 1 is formed of injection moulded plastics material and the fixed plate 4 is moulded into the tap body thus obviating the need for seals.
The axis of the rotation of the rotatable plate 5 is at substantially 45 degrees to the supply channels 2, 17 and dispense channel 3.
The fixed plate 4 has a supply through hole 6, a second supply through hole 18 and a dispense through hole 7. This is clearly shown in Figures 7-9.
The axes of the supply through holes 6, 18 in the fixed plate 4 are parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable plate 5 i.e. the supply through holes 6, 18 extend through the fixed plate 4 from the surface 8 remote from the rotatable plate 5 to the surface 9 abutting the rotatable plate 5.
The axis of the dispense through hole 7 in the fixed plate 4 is parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable plate 5 i.e. the dispense through hole 7 extends through the fixed plate 4 from the surface 8 remote from the rotatable plate to the surface 9 abutting the rotatable plate 5.
The rotatable plate 5 has a trough 10. The trough is radially elongated and extends from the centre of the rotatable plate out towards the circumference.
The dispense tap 1 preferably further comprises a valve actuation mechanism 11 for rotating the rotatable plate 5. Preferably, the actuating mechanism 11 comprises a lever 12 which is offset from the axis of rotation of the rotatable plate 5 such that the movement of the lever 12 through an arc causes rotation of the rotatable plates.
The lever 12 is connected to a threaded sleeve 13 which cooperates with a threaded section 4 on the tap body 1. The sleeve 13 is rotatable on the threads about the axis of rotation of the rotatable plate by movement of the lever 12 through an arc. The lever 12 is also connected to a rotatable block 14 which is housed within the tap body adjacent and connected to the rotatable plate 5. The surface 15 of the rotatable plate 5 remote from the fixed plate 4 comprises an annular flange 16 which secured to the rotatable block 14. As the lever is moved through the arc, the threaded sleeve 13 and rotatable block 14 rotate and this rotation causes rotation of the rotatable plate. Although not shown in the Figures, a spring is provided between the rotatable block 14 and the rotatable plate 5 (in the space between the annular flangel6 and the tap body 1) and this spring biases the rotatable plate 5 towards the fixed plate 4.
The rotatable plate 5 is moveable between a dispense position as shown in Figure 7 in which the trough 10 overlaps the supply through hole 6 and the dispense through hole 7, a second dispense position as shown in Figure 8 in which the trough 10 overlaps the second supply through hole 18 and a non-dispense position as shown in Figure 9 in which the trough 10 does not overlap any two holes.
The supply channel 2, valve assembly and dispense channel 3 provide a fluid flow path through the dispense tap.
When the rotatable plate 5 is in the dispense position with the trough 10 overlaying the supply hole 6 and the dispense through hole 7, fluid e.g. beverage flows through the supply channel 2, through the supply through hole 6, through the trough 10, through dispense through hole 7 and then out from the tap body through the dispense channel 3. When the rotatable plate 5 is in the second dispense position with the trough 10 overlaying the second supply hole 18 and the dispense through hole 7, a second fluid e.g. a second beverage flows through the second supply channel 17, through the second supply through hole 18, through the trough 10, through dispense through hole 7 and then out from the tap body through the dispense channel 3.
Figure 10 show a third embodiment having an alternative cross-section through line A-A shown in Figure 5.
In this embodiment, the supply and dispense channel 2, 3, have deflections 19 within the tap body, the deflection dividing the respective channel into a major portion 20, 21 and a minor portion 22, 23 (the major portion having a greater length than the minor portion). In this case, the axis of rotation of the rotatable plate 5 is at substantially 45 degrees to the major portion 20 of the supply channel 2 and dispense channel 3. The major portion of the supply channel 20 is the portion extending from the inlet of the supply channel 24 to proximal the fixed plate 4. The major portion of the dispense channel 21 is the portion extending from proximal the fixed plate 4 to the outlet 25 of the dispense channel (e.g. a dispense nozzle).
The embodiments described above are given by way of example only and various modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

Claims (11)

  1. CLAIMS1. A dispense tap for dispensing a fluid, said tap comprising a tap body having a supply channel connectable to a fluid supply and a dispense channel for delivering fluid into a receptacle, the tap further comprising a valve assembly between the supply channel and dispense channel, said valve assembly comprising a fixed plate abutting a rotatable plate, said fixed plate having a supply through hole and a dispense through hole and said rotatable plate having a trough, the rotatable plate being moveable between a dispense position in which the trough overlaps the supply through hole and the dispense through hole and a non-dispense position in which the trough does not overlap both through holes, wherein the axis of the rotation of the rotatable plate is at substantially 45 degrees to the supply channel and/or dispense channel.
  2. 2. A dispense tap according to claim 1 wherein the axis of the rotation of the rotatable plate is at substantially 45 degrees to both the supply channel and dispense channel.
  3. 3. A dispense tap according to claim 2 wherein the supply channel is substantially horizontal in use and the dispense channel is substantially vertical in use.
  4. 4. A dispense tap according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the tap body is substantially Y-shaped with the supply channel extending through one branch of the body, the dispense channel extending through another branch of the body and the valve assembly being housed in the third branch of the body.
  5. 5. A dispense tap according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the axis of the supply through hole in the fixed plate is parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable plate and the supply through hole extends through the fixed plate from a surface remote from the rotatable plate to the surface abutting the rotatable plate.
  6. 6. A dispense tap according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the axis of the dispense through hole in the fixed plate is parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable plate and the dispense through hole extends through the fixed plate from a surface remote from the rotatable plate to the surface abutting the rotatable plate.
  7. 7. A dispense tap according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the trough in the rotatable plate is radially elongated.
  8. 8. A dispense tap according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a second supply channel in the tap body and a second supply through hole in the fixed plate.
  9. 9. A dispense tap according to claim 8 further comprising a second dispense through hole in the fixed plate.
  10. 10. A dispense tap according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fixed plate and the rotatable plate are formed of ceramics material.
  11. 11. A dispense tap substantially as any one embodiment herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.
GB1316407.4A 2012-09-18 2013-09-16 Dispense tap Expired - Fee Related GB2506987B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB201216627A GB201216627D0 (en) 2012-09-18 2012-09-18 Dispense tap

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GB201316407D0 GB201316407D0 (en) 2013-10-30
GB2506987A true GB2506987A (en) 2014-04-16
GB2506987B GB2506987B (en) 2016-10-26

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GB201216627A Ceased GB201216627D0 (en) 2012-09-18 2012-09-18 Dispense tap
GB1316407.4A Expired - Fee Related GB2506987B (en) 2012-09-18 2013-09-16 Dispense tap

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GB201216627A Ceased GB201216627D0 (en) 2012-09-18 2012-09-18 Dispense tap

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Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL8901269A (en) * 1989-05-19 1990-12-17 Elbo Technics B V Beer dispenser tap construction - has distribution ducts, disc, spindle and operating knob

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL8901269A (en) * 1989-05-19 1990-12-17 Elbo Technics B V Beer dispenser tap construction - has distribution ducts, disc, spindle and operating knob

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Publication number Publication date
GB201216627D0 (en) 2012-10-31
GB201316407D0 (en) 2013-10-30
GB2506987B (en) 2016-10-26

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