US3567080A

US3567080A - Tapping device for beer kegs and the like

Info

Publication number: US3567080A
Application number: US790742A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mack S Johnston
Original assignee: JOHNSTON ENTERPRISES Inc
Current assignee: CONSOLIDATED GOLD ASSETS Inc; Draft Systems Inc; JOHNSTON ENTERPRISES Inc
Priority date: 1966-10-18
Filing date: 1969-01-13
Publication date: 1971-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 1988-03-02

Abstract

The tapping device includes a keg adapter releasably connected from without the keg in the opening of the keg and having separate liquid and gas passages therethrough for the respective transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of the keg. Valves are disposed in each of the liquid and gas passages. A collar, including a threaded ring underlying the keg flange, overlies a flange on the keg adapter to clamp the latter in the keg opening. A dispensing coupler having a depending probe is releasably secured to the keg adapter with the probe opening the normally closed valve in the liquid passage when the coupler and keg adapter are assembled.

Description

I United States Patent [111 3,567,080

72 Inventor Mack s. Johnston 51] Int. Cl. B65d 83/00 6 Rolling Hills, Calif. 50 Field ofSearch 222/4001, [21] Appl. No. 790,742 464, 400.8 [22] Filed Jan. 13 1969 v Division of Ser. N0. 587,627, on. 18, 1966, 1 References C11! Patent No. 3,422,448, which is a continua- N ED TATES PATENT film f 1964! 2,041,427 /1936 Meyer (ZZZ/400.7) abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part 2,223,012 11/1940 Wanderskiet a]. 222/4007 Q 1961 abandoned Primary Examiner-Stanley 1-1. Tollberg and a contlnuatlon-ln-pal-t of Ser. No. Attorney LeBlanc and Shut 395,084, Sept. 8, 1964, Patent No. 3,231,154, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 150,982, 1961, abandoned, Whichis a comiml ABSTRACT: The tapping device includes a keg adapter -p 0f 25592, p releasably connected from without the keg in the opening of l figfigflll flr the keg and having separate liquid and gas passages Patented Mar- 2, 1971 therethl'ough for the respective transfer of liquid from the in- Assignee Johmn n p lllcside to the outside of the keg. Valves are disposed in each of East p s Montthe liquid'and gas passages. A collar, including a threaded ring underlying the keg flange, overlies a flange on the keg adapter TAPHNG DEVICE FOR BEER KEGS AND THE to clamp the latter in the keg opening. A dispensing coupler having a depending probe is releasably secured to the keg LIKE adapter with the probe opening the normally closed valve in 30 Chums 14 Drawing F185 the liquid passage when the coupler and keg adapter are as- [52] US. I 222/400.7 sembled,

l4l I44 7 l3 I36 I L 4 1 I46 -I4 "901 ll d I50 P 2 u 78d l l24d us I 23 m h 7 22 2' l 89 I 3 l 76d IOBd ' PAT NIEB A snw urs MACK S. JOHNSTON PATENT'ED m; z m

. 3567;080 SHEET 2053 INVENTOR.

MACK s. JOHNSTON 1' TAPPING DEVICE FOR BEER ass AND THE LIKE This application is a division of my copending application Ser. No. 587,627 filed Oct. 18, 1966 for Tapping Device for Beer Kegs and the Like," now US. Pat. No. 3,422,448, dated Jan. 14, 1969, which, in turn, is'a continuation of my copending application Ser. No. 406,682, filed Oct. 27, 1964 for Siphon Device for Beer Kegs and the Like, now abandoned; said application Ser. No. 406,682 is acontinuation in part of my copending application Ser. No. 150,982 filed Nov. 8, 1961, entitled Siphon Device for Beer Kegs and The Like," and also of my likewise entitled copending application Ser. No. 395,084, filed Sept. 8, 1964' as a continuation of my aforesaid application Ser. No. 150,982. Said application Ser. No. 150,982 was abandoned (after Notice of Allowance) in favor of said copending application Ser. No. 395,084, which issued as US. Pat. No. 3,231,154 on Jan. 25, 1966. Said application Ser. No. 150,982 filed Nov.8, 1961 was itself a continuation in part of my then copending application Ser. No. 25,592 entitled Beer Siphon Assembly, filed Apr. 29, 1960, which was abandoned in favor of my application Ser. No. 159,818 entitled Beer Siphon Assembly filed Dec. 8, 1961 as a continuation of and copending with said application Ser. No. 25,592; said application Ser'. No. 159,818 was issued as US. Letters Pat. No. 3,156,252 on Nov. 10, 1964.

The present invention relates to a new, improved tapping device for drawing fluid such as beer from containers such as beer kegs or barrels, using a gas to drive the fluid from the container. In particular, the invention relates to a new, improved tapping device usable with conventional beer kegs and comprising a subunit, called a keg adapter, which constantly seals the keg, and a subunit, called a coupler, which is attached to the beer dispensing apparatus in a restaurant or tavern and is readily connected to the key adapter so that the tapping device is automatically in operating condition.

Today, as in the past, the most widely prevailing practice in the beer industry is for a brewery to provide draft beer to retail outlets in conventional kegs which have a three-quarter inch opening in the top, closed with a bung in the form of a cork or plug. To dispense the beer from the keg, the bartender taps the keg by knocking in or pushing in the bung and inserting an elongated tap rod with an "associated siphon device for drawing the beer from the, keg, these being fastened to the keg by means of a bayonet or like connection. This siphon device includes means for injecting compressed air or C0,, through the tap rod into the keg to drive the beer up through the siphon, and also external valve means for respectively controlling the flow of gas into the keg and beer from the keg. A gas supply hose connects the siphon to a source of gas, and another hose connects it to the beer dispensing apparatus mounted on the counter or bar in the restaurant or tavern whereby beer may be dispensed from the keg. When the beer has been withdrawn from the keg to the extent feasible, the bartender then removes the tap and siphon device from the keg, removes the keg from the dispenser cabinet, installs a new keg, and repeats the process of knocking in or pushing in the bung and installing the tap rod and related siphon equipment, etc. The same tap rod and siphon is used for every keg, and must be washed and cleaned periodically to prevent fouling and contamination.

This prevailing practice, which has been used for 50 years, has a number of disadvantages for the brewery, the dispensing establishment, and the public. The open empty kegs often become filled with debris and trash of every sort. Not infrequently mice or other objectionable things get into the keg and swell and become difficult to remove through the bung hole. Insects which get into the keg and dry on the inside wall are very difficult to wash off. Also, old yeast and other solids from the beer inevitably accumulate within the currently used conventional tap and siphon arrangements, with resultant accumulation of destructive bacteria feeding on this material.

When a new keg is tapped and the gas pressure is applied, the fresh beer surges into unclean portions of the tap and siphon devices and this causes the accumulated residue of yeast, bacteria, etc., to be washed down into the keg, thus promptly contaminating the carefully brewed product and also destroying its brewery-fresh flavor. This problem is further aggravated by the fact that in dispensing the beer from the keg there is a tendency of the beer to surge back and forth into the tap chamber where the old yeast and destructive bacteria have accumulated as varying gas pressure is applied when the dispensing apparatus is operated. Hencewhen a keg is tapped with conventional methods, the great care in preparing pure good quality beer at the brewery promptly goes to naught at the dispensing establishment.

Further, on tapping, a substantial quantity of beer usually surges from the keg, with economic loss and a resulting mess. Then, when the bartender removes the tap rod and siphon arrangement from an empty keg, residual gas pressure in the keg will often cause the tap and siphon unit to pop out suddenly, sometimes injuring the bartender. Moreover, the beer keg is generally kept in a refrigerated unit under the bar, with limited space, as a result of which conventional tapping of the keg by the bartender is somewhat awkward, time-consuming and difficult (especially if the bartender is not too strong).

In an attempt to eliminate some of these aforementioned problems, an alternative tapping device was adopted by one of the largest breweries. However, the alternative tapping device utilizes a nonconventional keg having an opening in the top with a fitting therein for receiving gas, plus another opening in the side of the keg near the bottom with a fitting therein for dispensing the beer. This arrangement requires manufacture, installation and coupling of two fittings. Also, the barrel is usually tilted to dispense the beer to maximum extent, which makes handling more difficult and requires more space. Further, the nonconventional keg and its two fittings are not only more expensive, but also introduce problems in high speed automatic cleaning and filling of kegs if the brewery is committed to above-described conventional kegs as is usually the case. Hence, the above-described tapping arrangement is still in common use, notwithstanding its many shortcomings.

However, it should be noted that the fact that these two aforementioned tapping devices are the only ones which have had substantial commercial usage prior to this invention does not mean that others have not attempted to design and develop tapping devices that would obviate the above-mentioned problems without creating others. Numerous beer tapping devices have been proposed over the last 50-60 years. However, because of various practical shortcomings, these numerous proposed deviceshave :not gained substantial acceptance in the draft beer industry. Perhaps, the principal reason why these other devices did not replace the present commercial tapping devices is because the designers of these devices did not take into account several important facts of life in handling draft beer.

Beer, unlike many other liquids, must be handled with extreme care lest it lose those qualities, such as taste, proper head and foam, and freedom from cloudiness, which the public demands. Thus, if the flow path from the keg to the dispensing apparatus is too tortuous or contorted or if there is too large a pressure drop across the tapping device caused by a restricted flow path, the beer will become flat" or wild" (e.g., too much foam).

Also, most (millions) of beer kegs or barrels in use in the United States at the present time have a 34-inch beer dispensing opening in their top and "are designed to have the tapping unit connected to the keg by means of a bayonet-type coupling. Therefore, to gain acceptance in the industry a new draft beer tapping device must be adapted for use with this small opening, and with the aforesaid means of attachment to the kegs. However, the problem is not merely one of miniaturization; e.g., if substantial industry penetration is to be expected, an improved tapping device must be universal" for use with high and low pressure draft beer dispensing systems that are used in different parts of the United States, without adversely affecting the quality of the beer.

Still further, an improved draft beer tapping device must be rugged so as to withstand rough treatment and handling, not only during the travel to and from the breweries, but also at the dispensing establishment. In this regard, the device must not only be constructed of strong, durable nontoxic materials, but it must also be designed so that it will not project from the top of the keg, because it will commonly be knocked off the keg duringhandling.

However, even if an improved tapping device meets those above criteria and obviates the above-described problems, it must be subject to economical manufacture for sale at a competitive price in order to be successful.

My aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,23 1,154 issued from my above-identified parent application Ser. No. 395,084 which discloses a new improved beer tapping device for dispensing beer or like liquids in kegs or barrels overcomes the abovediscussed and other problems and shortcomings of beer dispensing systems heretofore available, and also provides a number of important advantages and improved results as hereinafter amplified. Particularly, the invention of my aforesaid Pat. No. 3,231,154 provides a new, improved means for packaging and dispensing beer and like liquids in kegs, utilizing an adapter subassembly installed in and sealing the keg at the brewery, with a new improved coupler subassembly which is fastened to said keg adapter by the tavern keeper or bartender, thus automatically breaking the seal and readying the keg for the dispensing of beer. Simple removal of the aforementioned coupler subassembly by the bartender causes the keg to automatically reseal, thereby positively preventing the entry of trash or other foreign objects. In addition, the beer is positively prevented from entering the gas passageway portion of the tapping device, thus preventing contamination or fouling of this portion of the device, by dried beer residue normally accumulating due to surging of the beer.

It is an object of the inventions of this application to provide further novel improved beer tapping devices, and novel improved keg adapter and coupler subassemblies, and components for the same, of the general type disclosed and claimed in my aforesaid Pat. No. 3,231,154 so as to provide additional improvements in construction, mode of operation and result, as below-amplified.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a new, improved means for packaging and dispensing beer and like liquids in kegs which comprises an adapter subassembly that is installed in the keg by the brewery and seals the keg, and a new improved coupler subassembly which is fastened to said adapter in the keg by the tavern keeper or bartender, thus automatically breaking the seal and readying the keg for the dispensing of beer. It is a related object of this invention to provide such a new, improved means for packaging beer in kegs or barrels, and dispensing therefrom, which eliminates the need of the bartender to remove a hung and insert or remove a long tap rod in the keg, obviates cleaning of such tap rods and related siphon devices, and enables the bartender to insert and secure the keg adapter hereof, carrying the long tap rod, in the tapping opening from without the keg with the tap rod extending adjacent the opposite wall of the keg and out of the way of the filling opening. it is another related object of this invention to provide a tapping device whereby simple removal of the aforementioned coupler subassembly by the bartender will cause the keg to automatically reseal, thereby positively preventing the entry of trash or other foreign objects.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new improved tapping device for packaging and dispensing of liquids which can be used with any standard type of beer keg commonly in conventional usage. Further, the keg adapter unit of this invention, which as mentioned above is semipermanently fastened in a beer keg, does not protrude from the beer keg so as to be likely to be damaged by rough handling during transit to and from breweries. A further related object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved means for securing the aforementioned keg adapter unit in a conventional keg wholly from without the keg. This securing means cooperates with the existing structure of the beer kegs to secure firmly the keg adapter unit in the beer dispensing opening of conventional kegs, and prevents any rotational or longitudinal movement of the keg adapterunit once it is in place.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide new improved means for packaging and dispensing beer or the like from a keg or like container which achieves the above discussed objects and advantages, yet can be made at a relatively low price with conventional machinery and with a minimum of tooling, whereby widespread use of the invention in its intended field is economically feasible. Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, and also the appended claims. a

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the improved tapping device of the present invention as it would be installed in a beer keg associated with a beer dispenser, and a source of gas under pressure, (the beer keg being broken away and shown in section for clarity);

FIG. 2 is avertical sectional view showing a new improved tapping device according to this invention illustrating the keg adapter hereof as secured within the keg opening and a dispenser coupler secured to the keg adapter;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2; Y

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing principal components of the tapping device of FIGS. 2 and 3, it being noted that the portion of FIG. 4 within bracket A constitutes the improved coupler unit applied by the bartender, and that the portion within bracket 8;, constitutes the improved keg adapter unit installed in the keg at the brewery;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view comprising sub- FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D and 5E showing the new improved arrangement of the present invention for securing the keg adapter to a conventional collar of a beer keg;

FIG. 6 is a n enlarged perspective exploded view showing the beer valve and related components ofthe keg adapter unit;

FIG. 7 is a perspective sectional viewof the main portion of the keg adapter unit showing in particular the air passages formed by cutting away threaded portions;

FIG. 7A is a top plan view of the main portion of the keg adapter unit shown in FIGS. 6 and 7; and

FIG. 7B is a vertical sectional view of the main portion of the keg adapter unit taken along lines 78 and 7A.

All drawings and the entire specification of my U.S. Pat. No. 3,231,154, and my said parent applications Ser. Nos. 406,682 and 587,627 from which that patent issued, are incorporated by reference as though herein fully set forth. Referring especially now to FIG. 1, there is schematically shown a conventional beer keg 20 having an opening 22 in its top end wall 24, in which opening there is received the keg adapter unit B of the present invention, this unit being semipermanently installed in the keg 20. The dispenser coupler unit A of the present invention can be readily connected with the adapter unit B to form a tapping assembly as hereinafter amplified. The dispenser coupler unit A has a gas inlet port and fitting adapted to receive a coupler 26 at the end ofa gas supply tube 28, which communicates with a gas supply tank 30. If desired, a valve 32 of suitable conventional type may be controlled at the location of the keg 20. The dispenser coupler unit A also has a beer exit fitting which is adapted to receive a suitable conventional coupler 36 at the end of flexible tube 38, through which the beer is conducted to a conventional dispenser 40. If desired, a suitable valve 42 may be associated with the coupler 36, in conventional manner for control of the beer flow at the keg 20. The arrangement of FIG. 1 is shown merely for the purpose of illustrating usage of the present invention. Since the components thereof, other than the units A and B, are conventional, and do not comprise a part of the present invention, further description thereof is believed unnecessary, as dispensing arrangements for use with the new improved tapping device of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the disclosure herein.

For clarity and to minimize duplication of description, parts of the present invention which are the same as those in the various embodiments of FIGS. 1-8 of my aforementioned Pat. No. 3,231,154 are identified by like numerals as in the drawings and disclosure of said Pat. No. 3,231,154 incorporated herein by reference; and modified parts which correspond to parts of various embodiments of FIGS. 1-8 of said Pat. No. 3,231,154 are identified in FIGS. 1-7 by like numerals plus the subscript d, to the extent that is feasible.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the improved coupler unit A includes a generally cylindrical head 44d which has a central vertically extending bore 136 of three diameters, indicated at 138, 140 and 152. A tubular arm 144, having a central bore 146, is preferably formed integrally with the head 44d and is adapted to receive the end of a piece of tubing that connects coupler unit A to a tank of pressurized gas or air, such as the tank 30 shown in FIG. 1. The coupler unit A also includes a generally tubular probe 64d which is positioned within the bore 136 and which has a central bore 66d that forms the sole liquid passageway through the coupler unit. The exterior of the probe 64d is provided with

grooves

137 and 139 for sealing rings 1 41 and 143, which may. be O-rings of neoprene rubber. The sealing rings 141 preclude the escape of gas from passageway defined by

bores

146, 136 and 142; and the unique cooperation between head 44d, probe 64d, seals 141 and 143, eliminates the necessity of drilling a separate gas passageway in the head 44d with resultant savings in manufacturing costs and easier cleaning and maintenance.

The upper end of the probe 64d has an outwardly extending flange 148 having an outer diameter and thickness substantially equal to the inner diameter and depth' of bore 138 whereby when the probe is positioned within the head 44d, the upper end of the probe 148 is aligned with the top of the head as shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 4, when dispenser coupler unit A; is used in a restaurant, a conventional cap, not herein shown but of identical construction as FIG. 3 of copending application Ser. No. 587,627 of which the present application is a division, is externally threaded about portion 150 of head 44d, and this cap, used with a sealing ring, holds the probe 64d within bore 136 in coupler head 44a, thereby forcing the lower end of the probe 64d to project sufficiently below the bottom of the coupler head portion 44d so as to open the beer valve in the keg adapter unit B when the coupler unit A is connected thereto, as hereinafter amplified.

An annular member 160 is secured about the slightly enlarged lower end of the coupler head 44d by a snapring 162 and retains collar 118d rotatably mounted on coupler head 44d. The, snapring 162 allows the member 160 to be quickly removed from the head 44d so that collar 118d can he slipped off head 44d for easy repair or replacement when necessary. The collar 118d has a plurality of handle portions 119d formed integrally therewith, is internally threaded at 124d for cooperation with the threaded portion 128d of the annular ring 126d, as shown in FIG. 2, and fits loosely on the head thereby permitting relative rotation between the collar and the head. The ring 126; forms the outer portion of the means for securing the keg adapter unit B in the standard A-inch diameter opening 22 in a conventional beer keg 20, as more fully described hereinafter. The bottom of the head 44d carries an annular seal 56d which may be of an O-ring of neoprene rubber, for providing an annular seal between the coupler unit A and the upper surface 166 of the ring 126d of adapter unit B surrounding the beer and gas passages (see FIG. 2).

The keg adapter unit B comprises a main fitting 76d which includes a generally cylindrical body section 77d having an enlarged flange 78d extending radially outwardly from the upper end thereof. The outer periphery of the flange 78d is notched, as shown at 168, and cooperates with a reversed notched portion 170 formed about the edge of the central aperture 172 in the ring 126d to prevent the fitting 76d from passing upward through the ring aperture 172. These notched portions of the flange 78d and ring 126d are arranged. so that when the keg adapter unit 8;, is positioned in a keg, the upper surface of the flange 78d lies in the same horizontal plane as the upper surface of ring 126a, whereby metal ring 126d protects the adapter fitting 7601, particularly when the latter is made of plastic.

The body section 77d of main fitting 76d has a pair of centrally disposed,

coaxial bores

82d and 84d formed therein. As shown in FIG. 7, there are four longitudinally extending seg ments 174 positioned evenly about the inner periphery of these two bores and defining betweenthem four substantially identical upper slots or grooves 176 and. lower slots or grooves 177. The upper ends of the segments 174 in the lower bore 84d protrude longitudinally, slightly above the shoulder 178 formed between the two

bores

82d and 84d thereby forming four radial grooves in the'shoulder 178 that interconnect the

slots

176 and 177 in the two

bores

82d and 84d. The upper portions of the segments 174 in the upper bore 82d are provided with interrupted threads 182 adapted to receive an externally threaded retainer ring 92d, the lower end of which tightly engages annular rubber valve seat 88d to secure valve seat 88d between the ring 92d and the upper end of a tubular member 184. Member 184 includes an upper portion which fits within the bore 82d and a lower portion 187 which fits within the bore 84d and extends beyond the lower end of the main fitting 76d. A compression spring 97 fits within the upper portion of the member 184 and its lower end rests on the shoulder 189 formed by the juncture of the two

portions

185 and 187 of member 184. The spring 97 biases a new improved form of beer valve 90d upwardlyagainst the underside of the rubber valve seat 88d. The middle part of the stem portion 98d is removed as shown in FIG. 6, so as to enlarge the beer passage space 99d when the valve 90d is displaced from seat 88 by application of the coupler (as in FIG. 2). This provides superior beer flow characteristics making the keg adapter unit B universal for low and high pressure beer systems, while avoiding making the beer wild as it is drawn form the keg.

Referring again especially to FIG. 2, a beer tap rod 106d is frictionally or otherwise secured around the lower end 187 of member 184, and extends to the bottom of the keg (similarly to FIG. 1). Tap rod 106d may be made of a suitable flexible plastic material, in which case it need not be bent like metal rod 106 in FIG. 1, to permit insertion of a rod through side opening 29 of typical beer keg 20.

A resilient gas check valve 108d is positioned with a lower portion tightly engaging a peripheral portion of tap rod 106d; and the lower end of the keg adapter fitting body section 77d is chambered at 186 to receive the upper end of the gas check valve 108d which tightly fits around part 186. A slit 109 is formed in the intermediate portion of valve 108d to permit gas or air to pass from the inside of the valve to the interior of the keg when the pressure of the gas is greater than the pressure inside the keg; whereas the ends of valve 108d and and slit 109 prevent gas orbeer from passing from the interior of the keg to the inside of valve 108d and thus preclude contamination of the gas feed portions of the tapping device comprising keg adapter B and coupler dispenser A The improved keg adapter unit B of this invention including main fitting 76d achieves an increased gas passageway through which gas or air under pressure may pass from dispenser coupler unit A to the inside of valve 108d, via

grooves

176 and 177 and radial grooves 180 formed in the interrupted threads 182 of body section 77d in cooperation with ring 92d, valve seat 88 and member 184. The outwardly extending flange 188 on the upper end of the ring 92d protects the upper end of this passageway form the entry of dirt, etc. without causing undue restriction of the gas passageway. Thus, the improved gas passageway in the adapter unit 8;, is formed through the unique utilization of existing structure of the fitting 76d and obviates the necessity of drilling an extra, separate bore for the gas passageway in the adapter unit. This not only leads to savings in the manufacturing costs; but, more importantly, given the maximum limit of a A-inch beer keg passage, it makes it possible to provide a larger beer passage in the keg adapter main fitting 76d to reduce pressure drop and enable use in both high and low pressure systems. Moreover, use of this feature in conjunction with the beer valve 90d having a cutout stem 98d in main fitting 76d has provided an unexpectedly improved keg adapter unit B It is noted, however, that this described arrangement shown in FIGS. 2-4 and 6-7 is a preferred form of the improved gas passage per this invention, but that it would be possible to form grooves like 176 and 177 on the exterior of ring 92d and in member 184 rather than in the interior of body section 77d of the fitting 76d.

As hereinbefore mentioned, the keg adapter unit B of FIGS. 2-4 and 67 is held in the standard opening 22 in a conventional beer keg 20 by means of a novel and improved securing means shown particularly in FIG. 5, as well as FIGS. 24, adapted to cooperate with the standard so-called Peerless beer keg flange or collar 23 found on conventional beer kegs in most common use. This improved securing means includes the ring 126d which, as shown in FIG. 2, has its lower end spaced slightly above the top'of the keg 20, and which is internally threaded at 190 to receivean externally threaded ring 192, as shown in FIG. D. The ring 192 includes a thin wall section 194 which has inwardly and upwardly projecting, diametrically

opposite tabs

196 and 198 formed on its inner periphery. Also formed on the upper inner periphery of the wall section 194 and spaced circumferentially from the

tabs

196 and 198 are inwardly extending, diametrically

opposite abutments

200 and 202. As shown more clearly in FIG. SE, the standard Peerless beer keg flange 23 has two diametrically opposite cutaway portions 204, and at one end of each of these cutaway portions, has a lower depending projection 208 formed integrally with the flange 23 and the short, cylindrical wall 22' of the opening 22. These two projections 208 have an outer diameter equal to the outer diameter of the flange 23 and the lower end of each is spaced above the top of the keg 20, a distance slightly greater than the height of the wall section 194 of ring 192.

To utilize this improved securing means, the ring 192 is snapped over the flange 23 so that it rests on the top of keg with the

tabs

196 and 198 extending upwardly; and the ring 192 is aligned so that the projections 208 of the flange 23 fit between

adjacent tabs

196 and 198 and

abutments

200 and 202. The keg adapter unit is checked to be sure that main fitting portion 76d is properly positioned within the keg opening 22 and that a sealing ring 116 is correctly positioned between the top of keg flange 23 and the-bottom of adapter fitting flange 78d. The ring 126d is then placed over the upper end of the adapter fitting portion 76d and aligned with the flange 78d so that the respective notched

portions

168 and 170 of each will properly fit together. Thereafter, the ring 126d is threaded on ring 192 so that the ring 192 is drawn up within the lower inside portion of ring 126d until the upper ends of the

tabs

196 and 198 contact the undersides 23' of keg flange 23 (FIG. 9 and 14). The height of the wall section 194 is such that when the ends of the

tabs

196 and 198 contact the underside 23' of keg flange 23, the entire wall section 194 is completely within and protected by the ring 126d. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the rings 126a' and 192 are assembled, they cooperate with the flange 23 to securely lock the keg adapter unit within the opening 22 to prevent any longitudinal or rotational movement of the adapter unit relative to opening.

Thus, it is readily apparent that the improved securing means of this invention provides a simple and inexpensive, yet sure way of locking the keg adapter units of this invention in the standard Ai-inch diameter openings of the conventional beer kegs without requiring any modification of the openings or flanges of the kegs.

Summarizing the mode of operation of the unit of FIGS. 2- 4 and 67, the keg adapter unit 8;, is installed in the keg 20 at the brewery as above explained. The beer valve 90d is normally biased closed against seat 88d by spring 97, thus sealing the keg 20, preventing loss of beer or ingress of foreign objects, etc., as discussed above. To tap a keg full of beer, the bartender applies to the adapter unit B the coupler unit A having a cap 162 connected to a beer outlet conduit, with gas inlet 144 connected to a gas supply. This is done by merely inserting coupler probe 64d in the aperture of ring 92d and rotating coupler collar 118d to thread'it on adapter unit collar 126d. The O-

rings

143, 141 and 56d seal off the gas passage 146-140-76-180-177 to the inside of gas check valve 108d. The probe 64d depresses the split valve stem 98d to open the beer dispensing passage through 106d-18'7-185-88d66d, while O-

rings

141 and 143 and slit valve 108d prevent beer from surging into any part of the gas passageways in either the keg adapter 3;, or the coupler unit A Removal of coupler unit A by unthreading collar 118d automatically reseals the keg adapter B and thus the keg 20.

In recapitulation, it is apparent from the foregoing that the present invention provides a new improved gas Pressure tapping device for drawing fluids such as beer from containers such as beer kegs; said tapping device utilizing a new improved keg adapter unit which remains in the beer keg at all times keeping it sealed and a new improved dispenser coupler unit which is semipermanently connected to the conventional dispensing apparatus at a tavern or restaurant and which can be readily and easily connected to the keg adapter unit by a bartender. While keeping within the ii-inch outer diameter limitation dictated by the size of beer openings in conventional beer kegs, the improved keg adapter unit of this invention has a relatively large, nontortuous and unobstructed liquid passage through which the beer is withdrawn from the keg with a minimum of expansion and contraction, thereby substantially obviating the problem of beer becoming wild" or flat during withdrawal, and making this invention universally usable with low and high pressure beer systems. Moreover, the improved keg adapter unit of this invention also includes a gas passage which is completely segregated from the liquid passage therein, and with the beer being positively prevented from entering any part of the gas passage from within the keg, thus preventing contamination of the beer. In addition, the keg adapter unit includes new improved means for securing said adapter unit within the beer opening in conventional beer kegs (e.g. so-called Peerless system kegs) without modification of the opening in such beer kegs. The new improved coupler unit of this invention can be easily and quickly attached to the keg adapter unit and permits the tapping of beer kegs without the mess and economic loss heretofore common in tapping beer kegs using the prior tapping devices. The arrangement of the dispenser coupler unit of this invention is such that it can be easily maintained and cleaned and can be manufactured competitively. Thus, the new, improved tapping device of this invention, with all its herein disclosed novel and improved features, clearly achieves the various important objects and advantages set forth above.

This invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

1. A liquid dispensing apparatus for a conventional beer keg having top, bottom and sidewalls with an unthreaded opening in at least one wall surrounded by a conventional unthreaded keg neck including a flange extending laterally therefrom and spaced from said one wall comprising: a keg adapter having a main body; a liquid passage within said main body for transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of said keg; a normally closed liquid valve in said liquid passage; siphon tube means in communication with one side of said liquid valve and normally disposed within the keg; at least one gas passage within said adapter body and bypassing said liquid passage and liquid valve, for transmission of gas from the outside to the inside of said keg; normally closed gas valve means in said gas passage for preventing the flow of liquid from the keg outwardly through the gas passage when said gas valve means is closed and permitting transmission of gas through the gas passage into the keg when said gas valve means is open; collar means releasably engageable with said adapter body for securing said keg adapter within the unthreaded'keg opening with at least a portion of each of said liquid and gas passages within said adapter body lying within the keg neck, said collar means including a laterally inwardly extending projection for underlyingthe keg flange, and sealing means about said keg opening disposed between the keg neck and said adapter body.

2. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 in combination with a liquid dispensing coupler, means for connecting said coupler to said keg adapter, said liquid valve in said adapter including a movable valve member, said coupler including a head member having a sleeve for engaging said movable valve member to open said normally closed liquid valve in said keg adapter when said dispensing coupler is connected to said keg adapter, said sleeve defining a portion of a liquid passage through the coupler head in communication with said liquid passage in said keg adapter when said coupler is connected to said keg adapter, a gas passage in said coupler head in communication with said gas passage in said adapter when said coupler is connected to said adapter, and sealing means cooperable between said coupler and said adapter for maintaining said liquid and gas passages segregated one from the other when said coupler is connected to said adapter.

3. A liquid dispensing apparatus for a conventional beer keg having top, bottom and sidewalls with an unthreaded opening in at least one wall surrounded by a conventional unthreaded keg neck and a flange extending laterally therefrom, comprising: a keg adapter receivable in the keg opening from without said keg and having a main body including an outwardly extending portion of larger transverse dimension than the keg opening; a liquid passage within said main body for transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of the keg; a normally closed liquid valve in said liquid passage; siphon tube means in communication with one side of said liquid valve and receivable through the keg opening to adjacent the opposite wall of the keg when said keg adapter lies in the keg opening; at least one gas passage within said adapter bypassing said liquid passage and liquid valve, for transmission of gas from the outside to the inside of the keg; normally closed gas valve means in said gas passage for preventing the flow of liquid from the keg outwardly through the gas passage when said gas valve means is closed and permitting the flow of gas toward the inside of the keg when said gas valve is open; said gas passage being defined at least in part by a discrete opening lying laterally offset from the axis of said adapter body, collar means for securing said keg adapter within the unthreaded keg opening with at least a portion each of said liquid and gas passages within said adapter body lying within the keg neck, said collar means being releasably coupled to said adapter portion and having an inwardly extending projection for extending below the keg flange to clamp the keg flange between said adapter portion and said collar projection thereby to retain said adapter body in the opening; and sealing means about the keg opening disposed between said adapter body and the keg neck.

4. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 3 in combination with a liquid dispensing coupler, means for connecting said coupler to said keg adapter, said liquid valve in said adapter including a movable valve member, said coupler including a head member having a sleeve for engaging said movable valve member to open said normally closed liquid valve in said keg adapter when said dispensing coupler is connected to said keg adapter, said sleeve defining a portion of a liquid passage through the coupler head in communication with said liquid passage in said keg adapter when said coupler is connected to said keg adapter, a gas passage in said coupler head in communication with said gas passage in said adapter when said coupler is connected to said adapter, and sealing means cooperable between said coupler and said adapter for maintaining said liquid and gas passages segregated one from the other when said coupler is connected to said adapter.

5. A liquid dispensing apparatus for a conventional beer keg having top, bottom and sidewalls with an unthreaded opening in at least one wall surrounded by a conventional unthreaded keg neck and a flange extending laterally therefrom comprising: a keg adapter having a main body; said main body having a laterally outwardly directed portion; a liquid passage in said main body for the transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of the keg; a normally closed liquid valve in said liquid passage; siphon tube means in communication with said liquid passage on one side of said liquid valve and normally disposed within the keg; at least one gas passage within said main body bypassing said liquid passage and liquid valve, for transmission of gas from the outside to the inside of said keg; normally closed gas valve means in said gas passage for preventing the flow of liquid from the keg outwardly through the gas passage when said gas valve means is closed and permitting the flow of gas toward the inside of the keg when said gas valve means is open; collar means for securing said keg adapter within the unthreaded keg opening with at least a portion each of said liquid and gas passages within said adapter body lying within the keg neck, said collar means including a laterally inwardly extending projection for disposition below the keg flange, said collar means being releasably coupled to said adapter body outwardly of the keg flange for clamping the keg flange between said outwardly directed body portion and said collar projection with the laterally outwardly directed body portion and the collar projection lying on opposite sides of the keg flange, and sealing means between said. adapter body and the keg opening.

6. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 5 in combination with a liquid dispensing coupler, means for connecting said coupler to said keg adapter, said liquid valve in said adapter including a movable valve member, said coupler including a head member having a sleeve for engaging said movable valve member to open said normally closed liquid valve in said keg adapter when said dispensing coupler is connected to said keg adapter, said sleeve defining a portion of a liquid passage through the coupler head in communication with said liquid passage in said keg adapter when said coupler is connected to said keg adapter, a gas passage in said coupler head in communication with said gas passage in said adapter when said coupler is connected to said adapter, and sealing means cooperable between said coupler and said adapter for maintaining said liquid and gas passages segregated one from the other when said coupler is connected to said adapter.

7. A liquid dispensing apparatus adapted for use with a keg or like container for liquids which has a top, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in one wall surrounded by a conventional unthreaded keg neck and a flange extending laterally therefrom spaced from the one wall characterized in that it comprises: a keg adapter comprising a main body adapted to be secured within the keg wall opening including a fixed shoulder portion, said main body having a central liquid passage extending through said body in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said body for transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of a keg; normally closed liquid valve means in said liquid passage including a member movable longitudinally between valve open and valve closed positions, means carried by said adapter body for retaining said liquid valve means within said body; said retaining means including a spring seating at one end against said shoulder portion and at its other end against said movable member to bias said member toward a valve closed position, a gas passage bypassing said liquid passage and liquid valve means for transmitting gas through said keg adapter from the outside to the inside of a keg, at least a portion of said gas passage including an annular passageway within said adapter body extending substantially coaxially about the longitudinal axis of said liquid passage, normally closed gas valve. means on said adapter associated with said gas passage for preventing the flow of liquid from the keg outwardly through the gas passage in a gas valve closed position and for transmitting gas through the gas passage into the keg in a gas valve open position, and collar means for securing said keg adapter within the unthreaded keg opening, said collar means including a laterally inwardly extending projection for underlying the keg flange, said adapter body having an outwardly directed portion, said collar means being releasably coupled to said adapter body portion and the collar projection with the adapter body portion and the collar projection lying on opposite sides of the keg flange.

8. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 7 in combination with a liquid dispensing coupler, means for connecting said coupler to said keg adapter, said liquid dispensing coupler comprising a head member with means for engaging said movable'member to open said normally closed liquid valve in said keg adapter when said dispensing coupler is connected to said keg adapter, said engaging means forming a portion of liquid passage through the coupler head in communication with said liquid passage in said keg adapter, a gas passage in said coupler head in communication with said gas passage in said adapter when said coupler is connected to said adapter, and sealing means cooperable between said coupler and said adapter for maintaining said liquid and gas passages segregated one from the other when said coupler is connected to said adapter.

9. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said valve means comprises a check valve.

10. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said connecting means includes an internally threaded ringlike element loosely carried by said coupler head member for rotation thereabout, means carried by said head member for retaining said element on said coupler, said collar means having an externally threaded portion for threadedly receiving the internally threaded ringlike element.

11. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said connecting means includes an internally threaded portion carried by said coupler, said collar means having an externally threaded portion for threadedly receiving the internally threaded portion carried by said coupler.

12. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said laterally outwardly directed body portion in cludes an annular surface, said head member including an annular seal located laterally outwardly of said liquid and gas passages through said coupler, said connecting means includ ing a threaded portion carried by said coupler, said collar means having a threaded portion, said threaded portions being threadedly engageable one with the other to effect connection of said coupler and said adapter with said annular seal sealingly engaging said annular surface.

13. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said connecting means includes an internally threaded ringlike element loosely carried by said coupler head member for rotation thereabout, means carried by said head member for retaining said element on said coupler, said collar means having an externally threaded portion for threadedly receiving the internally threaded ringlike element.

14. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said collar means includes a first ring having an internally threaded portion disposed outwardly of the periphery of the keg flange below the latter and a second externally threaded ring carrying said laterally inwardly extending projection and threadedly engageable with said internally threaded portion of said first ring.

15. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said second ring carries a second laterally inwardly extending projection at a circumferential position thereabout substantially diametrically opposed to said first-mentioned projection.

16. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said collar means includes a first ring having an internally threaded portion disposed outwardly of the periphery of the keg flange below the latter and a second externally threaded ring carrying said laterally inwardly extending l7. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of one of said passages extends generally parallel to the axis of said adapter body at a laterally offset position therefrom.

18. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of said passages is defined at least in part by a discrete opening lying laterally outwardly offset from the axis of said adapter body.

19. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said gas valve means includes a flexible tube having a slit through at least one wall thereof and located adjacent the lower end portion of said adapter body.

20. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said siphon tube means is formed of metal and extends from said adapter body adjacent the keg opening to adjacent the opposite wall of the keg.

21. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of said valves includes a valve member and a valve seat, means biasing said member toward said seat to normally close the associated passage; in combination with a coupler for releasable connection with said adapter, said coupler having liquid and gas passages therethrough arranged for respective communication with the liquid and gas passages associated with said adapter when said coupler is connected to said adapter, said coupler having a depending probe in communication with one of said passages therethrough and receivable in the passage of said adapter containing said valve member and seat, said probe being of such length as to displace said member from said seat when said coupler and said adapter are connected one to the other, to thereby provide free communication from the keg through said adapter and said coupler.

22. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 21 wherein one of said passages through said adapter is defined at least in part by a discrete opening lying laterally outwardly offset from the axis of said adapter body, the corresponding passage in said coupler extending generally parallel to the axis of said coupler at a laterally offset position therefrom.

23. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said keg adapter and said siphon tube means are receivable in the keg opening from without the keg with the siphon tube means extending to adjacent the opposite wall of the keg when said adapter lies in the keg opening.

24. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said gas valve means includes a flexible tube having a slit through at least one wall thereof and located adjacent the lower end portion of said adapter body.

25. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein one of said valves includes a valve member and a valve seat, means biasing said member toward said seat to normally close the associated passage; in combination with a coupler for releasable connection with said adapter, said coupler having liquid and gas passages therethrough arranged for respective communication with the liquid and gas passages associated with said adapter when said coupler is connected to said adapter, said coupler having a depending probe in communication with one of said passages therethrough and receivable in the passage of said adapter containing said valve member and seat, said probe being of such length as to displace said member from said seat when said coupler and said adapter are connected one to the other, to thereby provide free communication from the keg through said adapter and said coupler.

26. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said collar projection includes a pair of substantially diametrically opposed laterally inwardly projecting tabs.

27. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said liquid passage is arranged generally coaxially of said main body, at least a portion of said gas passage comprising an annular passage arranged substantially coaxially about a portion of said liquid passage.

28. A liquid dispensing apparatus for a conventional beer keg having a top, bottom and sidewalls with an unthreaded adapter having a main body; a liquid passage within said main body, a liquid valve in said liquid passage including a valve member movable between positions'opening and closing said liquid valve; a gas passage within said adapter body, a gas a valve in said gas passage; collar means releasably engageable with said adapter body for securing said keg adapter within the unthreaded keg opening, said collar means including a laterally inwardly extending projection for underlying the keg flange, sealing means about said keg opening disposed between the keg neck and said adapter body, a liquid dispensing coupler, means for connecting said coupler to said keg adapter, said coupler including a head member having a sleeve engageable with said valve member for moving the latter to a position opening said liquid valve in said keg adapter when said dispensing coupler is connected to said keg adapter, said sleeve defining a portion of the liquid passage through the coupler head in communication with said liquid passage in said keg adapter, a gas passage in said coupler head in communication with said gas passage in said adapter when said coupler is connected to said'adapter, and sealing means cooperable between said coupler and said adapter for maintaining said liquid and gas passages segregated one from the other when said coupler is connected to said adapter.

29. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said connecting means includes an internally threaded ringlike element loosely carried by said coupler head member for rotation thereabout, means carried by said head member for retaining said element on said coupler, said collar means having an externally threaded portion for threadedly receiving the internally threaded ringlike element.

30. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said collar means includes a riing carrying said firstmentioned inwardly extending projection, said ring carrying a second laterally inwardly extending projection at a circumferential position thereabouts substantially diametrically opposed to said first mentioned projection.

Disclaimer 3,567,080.Ma0k '5'. Johnston, Rolling Hills Calif. TAPPING DEVIC] FOR BEER KEGS AND THE LIKE. Patent dated Mar. 2, 1971 Disclaimer filed Sept. 29, 1970, by the assignee, Republic Corporation Hereby disclaims the terminal portion of the term of said patent subse quent to J an. 25, 1983.

[Ofioz'al Gazette May 25, 1.971.]

Claims

1. A liquid dispensing apparatus for a conventional beer keg having top, bottom and sidewalls with an unthreaded opening in at least one wall surrounded by a conventional unthreaded keg neck including a flange extending laterally therefrom and spaced from said one wall comprising: a keg adapter having a main body; a liquid passage within said main body for transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of said keg; a normally closed liquid valve in said liquid passage; siphon tube means in communication with one side of said liquid valve and normally disposed within the keg; at least one gas passage within said adapter body and bypassing said liquid passage and liquid valve, for transmission of gas from the outside to the inside of said keg; normally closed gas valve means in said gas passage for preventing the flow of liquid from the keg outwardly through the gas passage when said gas valve means is closed and permitting transmission of gas through the gas passage into the keg when said gas valve means is open; collar means releasably engageable with said adapter body for securing said keg adapter within the unthreaded keg opening with at least a portion of each of said liquid and gas passages within said adapter body lying within the keg neck, said collar means including a laterally inwardly extending projection for underlying the keg flange, and sealing means about said keg opening disposed between the keg neck and said adapter body.

5. A liquid dispensing apparatus for a conventional beer keg having top, bottom and sidewalls with an unthreaded opening in at least one wall surrounded by a conventional unthreaded keg neck and a flange extending laterally therefrom comprising: a keg adapter having a main body; said main body having a laterally outwardly directed portion; a liquid passage in said main body for the transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of the keg; a normally closed liquid valve in said liquid passage; siphon tube means in communication with said liquid passage on one side of said liquid valve and normally disposed within the keg; at least one gas passage within said main body bypassing said liquid passage and liquid valve, for transmission of gas from the outside to the inside of said keg; normally closed gas valve means in said gas passage for preventing the flow of liquid from the keg outwardly through the gas passage when said gas valve means is closed and permitting the flow of gas toward the inside of the keg when said gas valve means is open; collar means for securing said keg adapter within the unthreaded keg opening with at least a portion each of said liquid and gas passages within said adapter body lying within the keg neck, said collar means including a laterally inwardly extending projection for disposition below the keg flange, said collar means being releasably coupled to said adapter body outwardly of the keg flange for clamping the keg flange between said outwardly directed body portion and said collar projection with the laterally outwardly directed body portion and the collar projection lying on opposite sides of the keg flange, and sealing means between said adapter body and the keg opening.

7. A liquid dispensing apparatus adapted for use with a keg or like container for liquids which has a top, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in one wall surrounded by a conventional unthreaded keg neck and a flange extending laterally therefrom spaced from the one wall characterized in that it comprises: a keg adapter comprising a main body adapted to be secured within the keg wall opening including a fixed shoulder portion, said main body having a central liquid passage extending through said body in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said body for transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of a keg; normally closed liquid valve means in said liquid passage including a member movable longitudinally between valve open and valve closed positions, means carried by said adapter body for retaining said liquid valve means within said body; said retaining means including a spring seating at one end against said shoulder portion and at its other end against said movable member to bias said member toward a valve closed position, a gas passage bypassing said liquid passage and liquid valve means for transmitting gas through said keg adapter from the outside to the inside of a keg, at least a portion of said gas passage including an annular passageway within said adapter body extending substantially coaxially about the longitudinal axis of said liquid passage, normally closed gas valve means on said adapter associated with said gas passage for preventing the flow of liquid from the keg outwardly through the gas passage in a gas valve closed position and for transmitting gas through the gas passage into the keg in a gas valve open position, and collar means for securing said keg adapter within the unthreaded keg opening, said collar means including a laterally inwardly extending projection for underlying the keg flange, said adapter body having an outwardly directed portion, said collar means being releasably coupled to said adapter body portion and the collar projection with the adapter body portion and the collar projection lying on opposite sides of the keg flange.

8. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 7 in combination with a liquid dispensing coupler, means for connecting said coupler to said keg adapter, said liquid dispensing coupler comprising a head member with means for engaging said movable member to open said normally closed liquid valve in said keg adapter when said dispensing coupler is connected to said keg adapter, said engaging means forming a portion of liquid passage through the coupler head in communication with said liquid passage in said keg adapter, a gas passage in said coupler head in communication with said gas passage in said adapter when said coupler is connected to said adapter, and sealing means cooperable between said coupler and said adapter for maintaining said liquid and gas passages segregated one from the other when said coupler is connected to said adapter.

12. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said laterally outwardly directed body portion includes an annular surface, said head member including an annular seal located laterally outwardly of said liquid and gas passages through said coupler, said connecting means including a threaded portion carried by said coupler, said collar means having a threaded portion, said threaded portions being threadedly engageable one with the other to effect connection of said coupler and said adapter with said annular seal sealingly engaging said annular surface.

16. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said collar means includes a first ring having an internally threaded portion disposed outwardly of the periphery of the keg flange below the latter and a second externally threaded ring carrying said laterally inwardly extending

17. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of one of said passages extends generally parallel to the axis of said adapter body at a laterally offset position therefrom.

28. A liquid dispensing apparatus for a conventional beer keg having a top, bottom and sidewalls with an unthreaded opening in at least one wall surrounded by a conventional unthreaded keg neck including a flange extending laterally therefrom and spaced from said one wall comprising: a keg adapter having a main body; a liquid passage within said main body, a liquid valve in said liquid passage including a valve member movable between positions opening and closing said liquid valve; a gas passage within said adapter body, a gas valve in said gas passage; collar means releasably engageable with said adapter body for securing said keg adapter within the unthreaded keg opening, said collar means including a laterally inwardly extending projection for underlying the keg flange, sealing means about said keg opening disposed between the keg neck and said adapter body, a liquid dispensing coupler, means for connecting said coupler to said keg adapter, said coupler including a head member having a sleeve engageable with said valve member for moving the latter to a position opening said liquid valve in said keg adapter when said dispensing coupler is connected to said keg adapter, said sleeve defining a portion of the liquid passage through the coupler head in communication with said liquid passage in said keg adapter, a gas passage in said coupler head in communication with said gas passage in said adapter when said coupler is connected to said adapter, and sealing means cooperable between said coupler and said adapter for maintaining said liquid and gas passages segregated one from the other when said coupler is connected to said adapter.

30. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said collar means includes a ring carrying said First-mentioned inwardly extending projection, said ring carrying a second laterally inwardly extending projection at a circumferential position thereabouts substantially diametrically opposed to said first mentioned projection.