US3608790A

US3608790A - Tapping device for beer kegs and the like

Info

Publication number: US3608790A
Application number: US889485A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mack S Johnston
Original assignee: Republic Corp
Current assignee: CONSOLIDATED GOLD ASSETS Inc; Draft Systems Inc; Republic Corp
Priority date: 1969-12-31
Filing date: 1969-12-31
Publication date: 1971-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 1988-09-28

Abstract

Disclosed is a tapping device for beer kegs and the like including a cup-shaped keg adapter mounted in the keg opening at the brewery and a probe type coupler secured to the keg adapter at the dispensing establishment for dispensing beer. The adapter includes a pair of offset openings through its lower end wall which respectively define in part beer and gas passages through the adapter. A valve body is disposed in the adapter body and has beer and gas passageways, the body being rotatable between a position sealing about the openings and a position permitting flow of gas and beer through the valve body, respectively and into and out of the keg. The coupler includes a member engageable with the valve body to rotate the latter to the valve open and closed positions. A positive gas check valve is also provided in the keg adapter body. A beer shutoff valve is provided on the coupler.

Description

United States Patent 72] Inventor Mack s. Johnston 3,065,885 11/1962 Chanhlllll. 222/4067 Rolling Hills, Calif. 2,810,499 10/1957 Forman 222/525 X [21] Appl. No. 889,485 3,035,603 5/1962 Jamieson et a1. 137/323 [22] Filed Dec. 31, 1969 3,113,725 12/1963 Packard vet a1. 239/583 X [451 Pmmd 1971 Prima Examiner-Stank: 11 Tollber [73] Assignee Republic Corporation 'z Blanc and 8 Los Angeles, Calif. Continuation-impart oi application Ser. No. 819,706 l 28, 1969- ABSTRACT: Disclosed is a tapping device for beer kegs and the like including a cup-shaped keg adapter mounted in the keg opening at the brewery and a probe type coupler secured to the keg adapter at the dispensing establishment for [54] TAPPING DEVICE FOR BEER KEGS AND THE dispensing beer. The adapter includes a pair of ofiset openings LIKE theroughdrts lower end \tvkall Will-11C; respective]: dziline part mm er an gas passages roug e a apter. v ve y 1s 20 C 12 Dn'hg was. disposed in the adapter body and has beer and gas m 222M00-7 passageways, the body being rotatable between a position [IL m 365d 83/00 sealing about the openings and a position permitting flow of 0f n gas and beer through the valve b dy respectively and into and 525; 137/323; 239/ out of the keg. The coupler includes a member engageable with the valve body to rotate the latter to the valve open and [56] Reference CM closed positions. A positive gas check valve is also provided in UNnED STATES PATENTS the keg adapter body. A beer shutoff valve is provided on the 1,021,669 3/1912 Frisholm 222/400.7 coupler.

PATENTEU SW28 ism 3,608,790

,- sum 1 or 4 INVENTOR MACK S JOHNSTON ATTORNEYS TAPPING DEVICE FOR BEER KEGS AND THE LIKE The present application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 819,706 filed Apr. 28, 1969.

The present invention relates to a new improved tapping device for drawing fluids such as beer from containers such as beer kegs or barrels using a gas to drive the fluid from the container. Particularly, the present invention relates to a new improved tapping device usable with conventional beer kegs of the type having a 1% inch tapping opening and comprising a novel keg adapter for sealing and the keg opening, a unique coupler releasably attachable to the adapter at the dispensing establishment for dispensing beer, a new siphon tube configuration for the keg adapter whereby the keg may be substantially completely drained of beer notwithstanding its employment in high-pressure systems, and a novel beer shutoff valve for the coupler whereby flow of beer from the keg to the faucet can be shutoff at the keg.

In the fluid dispensing industry, particularly the beer dispensing industry, there are currently several types of tapping systems utilizing specially constructed kegs or containers. One such system is the so-called Golden Gate type which employs a keg characterized by an enlarged opening, usually about 1% inches in diameter, formed in the bottom sidewall of the keg and in its top wall. Fittings, commonly used with this system, are provided to seal these openings whereby the keg may be filled and then sealed at the brewery. At the dispensing establishment, two additional and separate fittings for the two different keg openings are applied to the keg fittings, one for introducing gas or air into the keg through the opening in its top wall and the other for. withdrawing the beer from the keg through the sidewall opening. This type of arrangement has proven generally unsatisfactory from many standpoints, including the high cost of the fittings, difficulties encountered in cleaning the kegs and the considerable labor involved in tapping the keg. However, Golden Gate type systems have been adapted and are in use by some of the largest U.S. Brewerys and there is a reluctance to abandon the system due to the substantial capital investment therein, notwithstanding its well-known disadvantages.

The keg tapping unit disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,065,885 has been proposed for use with the Golden Gate tapping system and this unit provides beer and gas passages through a barrel unit secured in the upper keg opening. A tavern unit, having beer and gas passages, is coupled to the barrel unit and a probe carried by the tavern unit opens the centrally disposed beer valve to permit beer to be withdrawn from the keg under pressure, the beer and gas passages being provided through the single keg opening. However, this adapter is a relatively complex structure and does not admit of successful utilization in series tapping systems, successful industry penetration of this unit being precluded by its high cost, the foregoing and other factors.

In my above identified copending application, there is specifically disclosed a beer tapping device for use with the Golden Gate tapping system. This device includes a keg adapter having enlarged gas and beer passageways and distinct valves for each gas passageway whereby the valves are individually opened when a coupler is attached thereto. This device has proven satisfactory in dispensing beer from a keg.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a novel, improved beer tapping unit specifically adapted for use with the Golden Gate tapping system, and wherein, only the one opening through the upper wall of the keg is utilized to provide gas or air under pressure to the keg and withdraw beer or the like from the keg, thereby eliminating the necessity of a second pair of tapping and keg fittings for the other opening, as is the current practice in tapping kegs of the Golden Gate type.

Another object is to provide enlarged beer and gas passages through both the coupler and keg adapter of the present tapping unit whereby the unit is useful in series installations.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel keg adapter for releasable securement in the enlarged opening of the Golden Gate type keg at the brewery having a unique valve structure and coupling establishment can be readily and easily applied to the keg adapter to simultaneously open the beer and gas valves.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel keg adapter and coupler wherein the keg adapter is located about the keg opening in a predetermined position with the coupler being specifically configured such that the coupler arm for admitting gas (or beer in case of a series ,installation) into the keg lies well within the peripheral confines of the keg rim in the valve opened and closed positions whereby the coupler can be applied to the keg adapter by grasping the coupler arm without interference from the rim of the keg and without injury to the individual tapping keg.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel siphon tube configuration depending from the keg adapter whereby, when the adapter is secured in the keg opening, the lower end of the siphon tube is located adjacent the trough and between the keg wall and the lower rim portion of the keg at the bottom of the keg. This insures that, when high pressures are employed in dispensing the beer from the keg, i.e. for example, keg pressures on the order of 35 lbs. in contrast to more conventional keg pressures on the order of 12-46 lbs., the beer may be substantially completely drained from the keg notwithstanding slight elongation of the keg in the area of the concavo-convex end portions of the keg due to the high pressure.

It is a related object of the present invention to provide a novel unique beer shutoff valve on the coupler whereby the flow of beer from the keg to the faucet can be terminated at the keg. This permits a tavernkeeper to prevent pilferage of beer by turning off the beer flow within a tap room which can be locked and which is separate from the room containing the beer faucets whereby beer could not be dispensed to the faucet. The shutoff valve also precludes reverse flow of beer from the faucet through the beer line connecting it with the coupler when the coupler is detached from the keg. w

These and further objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the following specification, appended claims and drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view with parts broken out for ease of illustration of a typical Golden Gate type keg and in which the improved tapping unit of the present invention is installed, the latter unit being illustrated in exploded juxtaposition;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the parts forming the new improved keg adapter and coupler of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of the keg adapter as assembled in the keg opening and the coupler prior to its securement to the keg adapter;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the tapping unit hereof with the coupler being illustrated as secured to the keg adapter in tapping position and the valves in the keg adapter in an open position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken about on lines 5-5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the keg adapter as it is installed in the keg opening prior to attachment of the coupler and generally taken about on line 6-6 in FIG. 3';

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken generally about on line 7-7 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the tapping unit illustrated in FIG. 4 with parts broken out for ease of illustration and illustrating the movement of the coupler arm with respect to the keg adapter in tapping the keg;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the keg adapter taken generally about on line 9-9 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the keg adapter taken generally about on line 10-10 in FIG. 4',

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the keg with the keg adapter installed in the keg opening and illustrating the position of the siphon tube within the keg and schematically illustrating the location of the coupler arm as it is rotated between valve open and valve closed positions; and

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the keg with the tapping unit hereof installed therein and specifically illustrating the location of the siphon tube with the keg.

Referring now to the drawings, particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated one form of a conventional keg, generally indicated at 10, of the type commonly in use with the so-called Golden Gate type tapping systems. This conventional keg includes a cylindrical keg body comprising sidewalls 12 and upper and

lower walls

14 and 16 respectively. As set forth below, these upper and lower walls are generally in a concavoconvex configuration. A keg opening 18 is provided through sidewall 12 adjacent the bottom of the keg and, conventionally, receives a fitting, not shown, for withdrawing beer from the keg. In utilizing the present invention, however, this conventional sidewall fitting is not needed as both gas and beer are respectively supplied to and withdrawn from the keg through the other keg opening as will be described. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, opening 18 is sealed by application of a plug 20 clamped against a shoulder 21 in opening 18 by a ring 22 threadedly received within opening 18. The threaded opening 18 is standard for all Golden Gate type kegs and the sealing plug 20 and ring 22 are formed compatible with this type of opening whereby modification of the standard keg and keg openings are not necessary.

The conventional Golden Gate type keg also includes an opening 24 through the upper keg wall 14. The opening 24 in this form of keg is offset from the central axis of the keg and lies in common diametrical plane with lower opening 18. A filler opening 25 is also formed through the sidewall 12 of keg to receive a filler rod, not shown, for transmitting beer into the keg at the brewery when the keg is being filled. Typically, the upper opening 24 is about 1% inches in diameter and comprises

stepped shoulders

26 and 28 forming a portion of an outwardly projecting annular flange 30, flange 30 being inwardly threaded outwardly of shoulder 28 as at 31.

The new improved tapping unit of the present invention is adapted to be received within keg opening 24 for transmitting gas or air from a pressurized source, not shown, through opening 24 into the keg and for withdrawing beer from the keg through the same opening 24. The improved keg tapping unit of the present invention comprises a keg adapter, generally indicated at A, which is releasably secured within the keg opening 24 at the brewery, and which, in cooperation with plug 20, seals the beer within the keg after filling at the brewery, and a coupler, generally indicated A, which is releasably secured to keg adapter A at the dispensing establishment and cooperates therewith to provide gas into the keg and withdraw beer under pressure from the keg. The improved tapping unit hereof also includes a beer shutoff valve generally indicated at C which is releasably secured to coupler B. It will be understood that the beer shutoff valve C is not only useful with the keg tapping unit of the present invention but is also useful and can be employed with standard keg tapping units of the type employed in the Peerless type tapping system. An example of the foregoing Peerless type keg tapping system including a tapping unit therefor and which tapping unit is fully compatible with the beer shutoff valve C is described and illustrated in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,422,448.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 3 and 4, keg adapter A comprises a generally cylindrical housing or body 32 having a radially outwardly directed flange 34 at its upper end, and terminating at its lower end in a wall portion 36. Housing 32 is preferably an all stainless steel construction and a pair of laterally offset diametrically

opposed openings

38 and 40 are formed through wall portion 36 to form portions of respective liquid and gas passageways through keg adapter A. The upper end of a siphon tube 42 formed, preferably of stainless steel tubing, is suitably secured, as by brazing or the like, within a counterbored portion 43 of offset openings 38 in end wall portion 36 and, as seen in FIG. 12, extends substantially vertically within the keg adapter A is secured within opening 24. The lower end portion 44 of siphon tube 42 is bent outwardly at about angle to extend toward the sidewall 12 of keg 10, for

reasons described hereinafter, when adapter A is finally secured within keg opening 24. Adapter body 32 also includes a pair of outwardly opening slots 46 and 48 (FIGS. 2 and 6) extending different circumferential distances and which slots open outwardly of flange 34.

Slots

46 and 48 are diametrically opposed one from the other and a pair of arcuate grooves or

slots

50 and 52 extend along the inner wall of body 32 in like circumferential directions from the

respective slots

46 and 48.

Grooves

50 and 52 extend circumferentially in a common plane, and as described hereinafter in conjunction with

slots

46 and 48, form a substantially twist type connection with coupler B.

A cylindrical valve body 54 is rotatably received within cylindrical adapter body 32 and includes an upwardly projecting sleeve portion 56 forming a central passage 58 (FIG. 4) through the upper portion of valve body 54. The lower end passage 58 continues in a laterally offset passage 60. The underface of valve body 54 is provided with a seal 63, preferably formed of Teflon, the seal having offset openings 64 and 65 in alignment with

passages

60 and 62 respectively. The seal 63 is preferably glued to the underface of the valve body 54 for sealing about

openings

38 and 40 in the valve closed positions as described hereinafter. A passage 62 extends through body 54 at a like offset and diametrically opposed position as passage 60. When valve body 54 is located in the position illustrated in FIG. 4,

passages

58 and 60, and opening 64, are aligned with opening 38 and in conjunction with siphon tube 42, form a liquid passage through adapter A, In the same valve position, passage 62 and opening 65 are aligned with opening 40 and, in conjunction with the gas check valve 78 to be described, form a gas passage through adapter A.

A pair of diametrically opposed lugs 66 project outwardly at diametrically opposed positions from sleeve portion 56 along the upper face of valve body 54. Lugs 66 extend radially a distance less than the radius of body 54 and are undercut as at 68 adjacent their outer ends. To retain valve body 54 in adapter body 32, the inner wall of body 34 is provided with a groove 70 for receiving a circlip 72. As is conventional, the circlip comprises a split ring which is formed as to exert a pressure in one direction when received in a groove. As seen in FIG. 3, circlip 72 is received within groove 70 and bears about the upper margin of valve body 54 to simultaneously retain valve body 54 in adapter body 32 and to urge seal 63 carried by valve body 54 into sealing engagement against the end wall portion 36 about

openings

38 and 40. To fabricate the adapter body, the valve body 54 is slipped into the adapter body 32 and circlip 72 is contracted by a suitable tool, not shown, as to slip by the ends of lugs 66. Once under lugs 66 and within the cutout portion 68, the tool is removed from the circlip and the latter expands to lie within groove 70 with the inner margin 1 thereof bearing against valve body 54, whereby, in the valve closed position, seal 63 effectively seals about

openings

38 and 40.

The upper end of a nipple or sleeve 74 is received within a counterbored portion of opening 40 in end wall portion 36 and forms a part of gas check valve illustrated generally at 78. Sleeve 74 has a plurality of openings spaced circumferentially thereabout intermediate its ends and has a groove 82 formed about its inner wall adjacent its lower end. Sleeve 74 is provided with a valve seat 84 and slideably receives a valve stem 86 having a cylindrical upper portion 88 which, in turn, has a plurality of openings 90 spaced circumferentially thereabout. An O-ring 92 is provided about valve stem 86 and an upper end of a spring 94 bears against the lower end of stem 86. A circlip 96 is provided in groove 82 and provides a seat for the lower end of spring 94.

As can best be seen in FIG. 6, valve body 32 is provided with a radially outwardly projecting lug 98 and the unthreaded portion of the keg outwardly of shoulder 26 is provided with a slot 100. To secure keg adapter A within the keg opening, a seal 102 is disposed on keg shoulder 26 or about valve body 32 below flange 34 and keg adapter A is then inserted through opening 24 from without the keg. That is to say, the siphon tube 42 is first inserted into opening 24 followed with the keg adapter body 32. For reasons hereinafter noted, it is important that the keg adapter be aligned in a predetermined circumferential position relative to the keg opening. Accordingly, when inserting adapter A within the keg opening, adapter body 32 is rotated to align lug 98 with slot 100. In this fashion, the inclined portion 44 of siphon tube 42 is located to extend outwardly toward the sidewall 12 of keg 10. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, flange 34 seats against O-ring seal 102 which, in turn, seats against shoulder 26 about keg opening 24. When the adapter is finally seated, the lower end of siphon tube 42 rests on the bottom wall of the keg adjacent keg trough 104 between the sidewall 12 and the semicircular rims defining the concavo-convex portion of the lower end of the keg. The lower end of siphon tube 42 is flared as at 105 and since it is also inclined, provides an enlarged beer opening into siphon tube 42. An externally threaded locking ring 106 is threaded into the internally threaded portion 31 of keg opening 24 to clamp keg adapter flange 34 and seal 102 against shoulder 26. In this fashion, the keg adapter A is semipermanently secured within the keg opening with the

seals

64 and 102 preventing outflow of beer from the keg.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, the new improved coupler B of the present invention includes a main cylindrical body or housing 1 having a reduced diameter externally threaded upper end 112. An O-ring seal 114 is provided in a suitable groove formed adjacent the lower end of housing 110. The lower end of housing 110 includes a pair of diametrically opposed recesses 116 for cooperation with lugs 66 on keg adapter A in a manner to be described. As best seen in FIG. 8, a pair of diametrically

opposed lugs

118 and 120 project from opposite sidewalls of housing 110 and have different circumferential distances as to be receivable within the

respective openings

46 and 48 formed on keg adapter A. An arm 118 projects laterally from one side of housing 110 and includes a bore 120 communicating with an enlarged central bore 122 within housing 110. Arm 118 may be suitably grooved at its distal end as seen in FIG. 4 for connection with a hose for transmitting gas or air under pressure from a suitable source of pressure, also not shown, into the keg when coupler B is secured to keg adapter A in a manner to be described.

Coupler B also includes a sleeve 124 having an O-ring seal 126 adjacent its lower end. Sleeve 124 is received within a reduced diameter bore 128 formed through upper end 112 of coupler B and has a diametrically enlarged upper end portion 130 which seats against a correspondingly enlarged portion of bore 128. A suitable O-ring seal 132 is provided about sleeve 124 for sealing engagement about bore 128. It will be appreciated that the enlarged diameter bore 122 forms with bore 120 a gas passage and that the sleeve 124 forms a central liquid passage.

To employ the tapping unit of the present invention, the keg adapter is installed at the brewery in the opening 24 in the manner as previously described. When the keg 10 is to be tapped at the dispensing establishment, the upper end of coupler B is coupled by beer shutoff valve C to be described in detail and suitable hosing schematically illustrated at 133 to a beer dispensing faucet (or another keg wherein a series installation is desired) and the arm 1 18 is coupled to a gas pressure source, not shown, through suitable hosing 135, (or to a preceding keg wherein a series installation is desired). The coupler B is then aligned above keg adapter A such that lugs 118 and 120 are aligned with the corresponding

slots

46 and 48 respectively. Accordingly, when coupler B is displaced downwardly toward adapter B with

lugs

118 and 120 being received within the

respective slots

46 and 48, the lower end of sleeve 124, which 46 a probe, is received within the sleeve portion 56 of valve body 54. Note that O-ring 126 on sleeve 124 seals about the sleeve portion 56. Furthermore, when the coupler is aligned as previously described with

lugs

118 and 120 receivable within

slots

46 and 48, the recesses 116 on coupler B are also aligned above the lugs 66 on valve body 54. Thus, when the coupler has been displaced downwardly to its fullest extent, lugs 118 and 120 are aligned with the corresponding arcuate slots 50 and52 respectively, while simultaneously, the lugs 66 are located within the recesses 116 on the lower end of coupler B. When coupler B is thus disposed, it may then be rotated in a clockwise direction as seen in FIGS. 8 and 11 with the

lugs

118 and 120 on coupler B riding in and along respective arcuate slots until

lugs

118 and 120 bear against the ends of the

respective slots

50 and 52 which then comprise stops precluding further rotation of coupler B relative to adapter A. Clockwise rotation of coupler B relative to the keg adapter A also rotates valve body 54 clockwise through the engagement of lugs 66 in recesses 116 to locate the

passageway

60 and 62 in valve body 54in respective alignment with the

openings

38 and 40 in end wall portion 36 of adapter A. Thus, when the coupler is precluded from further rotation by the slot end stops, the valve body passageways are also aligned with the openings in wall portion 36. In this fashion, there is provided a through gas passage into the keg through coupler B and adapter A comprising the bore 120, bore 122, passageway 62, opening 65, opening 40, and the sleeve 74. Valve 78 is a check valve and stem 86 will be displaced downwardly against the bias of spring 94 when suitable pressure is introduced in the gas passageway whereby gas may flow into the keg through openings 88, past valve seat 84 and through the openings in sleeve 74. Note that, when the coupler is received within adapter body 32, O-ring seal 114 seals against the inner wall of body 32 whereby the gas passage is sealed. When valve body 54 has been rotated to the position illustrated in FIG. 4 as previously described a through liquid passage is provided for dispensing beer from the keg and comprises siphon tube 42, opening 38, opening 64 through seal 63,

passages

60 and 58 in valve body 54, and the central passage through sleeve 124.

It will be appreciated that the coupler cannot be initially misaligned with adapter B as the smaller slot 48 on adapter B could not receive the larger lug 118 on coupler B. Furthermore, there is minimum frictional resistance to rotation of coupler B when securing it to keg adapterA as the slots and lugs do not cam one against the other, the upper shoulder of groove 70 retaining lugs 118 and 120 therein and securing coupler B to adapter A.

It is a further significant feature of the present invention that when keg adapter A is properly positioned and secured within keg opening 24, as previously described,

slots

46 and 48 on adapter A and lugs 118 and 120 on coupler B are so located relative to one another such that coupler arm 122 lies in a position so that it can be grasped and conveniently rotated without interference from the upper rim of the keg and lies wholly within the cylindrical confines of the keg. Preferably, a rotation of the coupler is provided to accomplish its securement with adapter A and the opening of the gas and liquid valves. When the keg adapter is properly located, the coupler arm, when displacing the coupler toward the adapter, makes about a 45 angle indicated at e with a radius of the keg extending through the center of the tapping unit. By rotating the coupler clockwise for about 90 toward securement in the adapter, the coupler arm will pass by the center of the keg and make about a 45 angle indicated at f with the radius of the keg extending through the tapping unit in the tapped position. Thus, the coupler arm will lie wholly within the cylindrical confines of the keg rim portion and can be readily and easily grasped to effect coupling and uncoupling of couple B to adapter A without injury to the individual tapping the keg.

It is a further particular feature hereof that a beer shutoff valve is provided on the coupler whereby the beer flow from the keg through the adapter and coupler can be terminated at the location of the keg rather than at the faucet. This is particularly effective in preventing pilferage of beer since the kegs are often kept in a taproom which can be locked whereby beer cannot flow from the keg to the faucet in another room of the dispensing establishment. It is also significant in precluding back flow of beer when the coupler is removed from the keg adapter as when tapping another keg. To this end, shutoff valve C comprises a lower sleeve 140 terminating in an outwardly directed flange 142. Surrounding sleeve 140 is an upper diametrically enlarged sleeve 144 having an enlarged bore or chamber 146 and a reduced diameter bore 148 at is upper end.

Sleeves

140 and 144 are preferably formed of a plastic material bonded as by an epoxy one to the other. An internally threaded nut 150 is received about the lower end of lower sleeve 140 above flange 142 for threaded engagement with the externally threaded portion 112 of coupler B whereupon a liquid or beer passage is provided through sleeve 124 and the central passage in sleeve 140 into chamber 146.

A centrally bored valve stem 152 is received through bore 148 of sleeve 144, the central bore 154 terminating adjacent the lower end of stem 152 in a plurality of radial apertures 153 opening into chamber 146. An O-ring seal 156 is provided about the lower end of stem 152 and, in the valve closed position as seen in FIG. 3, seals against the walls of a counterbore 158 formed in the upper end of lower sleeve 40. Stem 152 also carries a diametrically enlarged cylindrical portion 160 which is grooved to receive an O-ring 62 for sealing engagement about the walls of chamber 146. A pair of axially spaced

annular grooves

164 and 166 are provided about stem 152 for cooperation with a ball detent including a ball 168 biased into bore 148 by a spring 170. A plug 172 forms the seat for spring 170. Accordingly, valve stem 152 may be axially detented into either a valve closed or valve open position depending on which of the

grooves

164 and 166 is detented by ball 168.

In use, a flexible beer hose is suitably connected to the upper end of valve stem 152 and, when valve stem 152 lies in its upper most extended position as seen in FIG. 4, there is provided a through beer passage from keg through adapter -A and coupler B as previously described into the central passage of sleeve 140, chamber 146, through openings 153 in the lower end of stem 152 and through the central passage 154 of stem 152 into the flexible hose.

When it is desired to terminate the beer flow from the keg to the faucet at the keg, the bartender displaces valve stem 152 inwardly such that it is detented into a second valve closed position as illustrated in FIG. 3. In this position, the lower end of valve stem 152 is received within the counterbored portion 158 of sleeve 140 and O-ring seal 156 seals about the walls of counterbore 158. Thus beer flow through the shutoff valve is precluded. To reopen the beer valve, stem 152 is displaced upwardly into the valve open position illustrated in FIG. 3.

It is further significant feature hereof that the lower end of siphon tube 42 is located within the bottom rim of the keg adjacent the sidewall of the keg and adjacent the trough which extends centrally across the bottom wall of the keg. As has been experienced, a portion of the beer in the keg, when utilizing conventional tapping devices with tap rods extending from the top of the keg to the central bottom portion of the keg, cannot be withdrawn from the keg. The quantity of beer that remains in the keg is not inconsiderable and is on the order of about a half gallon. As has been discovered, particularly in high-pressure tapping systems, the beer barrels or kegs will elongate axially, for example, as illustrated by the dashed lines in FIG. 12. More specifically, the concavo-convex portions of the keg will tend to move away from one another. The rim portions of the keg, however, remain substantially in their original relative positions. The net result of this phenomena in kegs having the lower ends of the siphon tube centrally located with the keg is the movement of the lower end of the siphon tube off the keg bottom to a position spaced from the keg bottom whereby the beer in the bottom of the keg cannot be withdrawn through the siphon tube. By locating the flared end portion of siphon tube 42 directly adjacent the lower rim of the keg adjacent one sidewall thereof and adjacent the end of trough 104, the eflect of keg elongation due to pressurization of the keg is minimized with the result that the keg may be substantially completely drained of beer.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like container having top, bottom, and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of said walls comprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical body adapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and having gas and liquid passageways extending therethrough for the respective transfer of gas into the keg and of liquid out of the keg, normally closed valve means in said gas and liquid passageways, said valve means including a valve body rotatable in a plane extending substantially norme! to the axis of said body between a first position sealing said passageways and a second position opening said passageways, said adapter body including a wall portion having a pair of openings therethrough fonning respective portions of said gas and liquid passageways, said valve body including a member disposed in said adapter body, said wall portion and said valve body having cooperating sealing portions for sealing about said openings thereby to seal said passageways when said valve body lies in said first portion and means for retaining said valve body within said adapter body including a groove formed about its inner wall, a retainer ring received in said groove and engageable against said valve body, said retainer ring being fonned to bias said valve body inwardly into sealing engagement about said openings.

2. A liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like container having top, bottom, and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of said walls comprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical body adapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and having gas and liquid passageways extending therethrough for the respective transfer of gas into the keg and of liquid out of the keg, normally closed valve means in said gas and liquid passageways, said valve means including a valve member coaxially disposed in said adapter body and rotatable in a plane extending substantially normal to the axis of said body between a first position sealing said passageways and a second position opening said passageways, said adapter body including a wall portion having a pair of openings therethrough forming respective portions of said gas and liquid passageways, said wall portion and said member having cooperating sealing portions for sealing about said openings thereby to seal said passageways when said member lies in said first position, said member including a pair of passages forming respective portions of said gas and liquid passageways through said keg adapter, said passages being misaligned with said openings in the valve closed position, each of said passages lying in communication with a corresponding opening in the valve open position, a portion each of said liquid and gas passageways passing through said member, one of said openings and one of said passageways portions through said member being radially offset from the axis of said body at substantially like radial distances as to lie in communication one with the other in the valve open position, the other of said openings and the other of said passageway portions through said member being radially offset from the axis of said body at substantially like radial distances as to lie in communication one with the other in the valve open position, one of said liquid and gas passageways terminating adjacent the outer end of said member in a coaxial passage, said dispensing apparatus including a pair of upstanding lugs carried by said member at spaced circumferential positions thereabout, said adapter body including a groove formed about it inner wall, means for retaining said member within said adapter body including a retainer received in said groove and engageable against said member, said retainer ring being formed to bias said member inwardly into sealing engagement about said openings, said lugs being undercut to form slots between the lugs and the member for receiving portions of said retainer ring.

3. A liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like container having top, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of said walls comprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical body adapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and having gas and liquid passageways extending therethrough for the respective transfer. of gas into the keg and of liquid out of the keg, normally closed valve means in said gas and liquid passageways, said valve means including a valve body rotatable in a plane extending substantially normal to the axis of said adapter body between a first position sealing said passageways and a second position opening said passageways, a dispensing coupler unit having a generally cylindrical head member and a probe extending therefrom with a passageway through said probe, another passageway in said head member by passing said first mentioned passageway therein, means for releasably securing said coupler unit to said keg adapter in generally coaxial relation therewith with said passageways in said coupler unit and said keg adapter lying in respective communication one with the other, means carried by said coupler unit for rotating said valve body between said first and second positions to open said passageways, said securing and rotating means including means responsive to rotation of said coupler unit relative to said keg adapter about said axis to respectively secure said coupler unit to said adapter and rotate said valve body, said securing means including at least one lug carried by said coupler unit and a slot carried by said adapter body for receiving said lug when said coupler is displaced toward said adapter body, said slot having a shoulder extending in a circumferential direction therefrom, said lug being engageable below said shoulder in response to rotation of said coupler relative to said keg adapter thereby to releasably secure said coupler unit to said keg adapter, said rotating means including at least one recess disposed adjacent the lower end of said coupler, a log carried by said valve body and engageable in said recess, the lug carried by said coupler and the lug carried by said valve body being disposed for substantially simultaneous engagement in the corresponding slot and recess in response to displacement of said coupler toward said adapter.

4. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 including a dispensing coupler having a generally cylindrical head a nd a probe extending therefrom with passageway through said probe, another passageway in said head bypassing said first mentioned passageway therein, means for releasably securing said coupler to said keg adapter in generally coaxial relation therewith with said passageways in said coupler and said keg adapter lying in respective communication one with the other, and means carried by said coupler for rotating said valve body between first and second positions to open said passageways.

5. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said member is disposed substantially coaxially of said adapter body for rotation about said axis, a portion each of said liquid and gas passageways passing through said member, one of said openings and one of said passageway portions through said member radially ofiset from the axis of said body at substantially like radial distances as to lie in communication one with the other in the valve open position, the other of said openings and the other of said passageway portions through said member being radially offset from the axis of said body at substantially like radial distances as to lie in communication one with the other in the valve open position, one of said liquid and gas passageways terminating adjacent the outer end of said member in a coaxial passage.

6. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said probe is received within said coaxial passage in said member, and means sealing about said probe and said passage.

7. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said member includes a sleeve portion extending coaxially therefrom and forming a part of said coaxial passage, said sleeve portion being spaced from said cylindrical body to define an annular portion of the other of said passageways through said adapter body, said probe extending generally coaxially of said coupler head and being received within said coaxial passage in said member, said probe being spaced from the cylindrical walls of said coupler head to define an annular portion of the other of said passageways through said head, said annular passageway portions lying in communication one with the other when said coupler and said keg adapter are releasably secured one to the other, and sealing means about said probe and said sleeve portion to maintain said passageways segregated one from the other when said coupler is secured to said keg adapter.

8. A liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like container having top, bottom, and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of said walls comprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical body adapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and having gas and liquid passageways extending therethrough for the respective transfer of gas into the keg and of liquid out of the keg, normally closed valve means in said gas and liquid passageways, said valve means including a valve body rotatable in a plane extending substantially normal to the axis of said adapter body between a first position sealing said passageways and a second position opening said passageways, said valve means including a valve seat about at least one of said passageways and carried by one of said adapter and valve bodies, a valve seal carried by the other of said adapter and valve bodies for sealing about said valve seat, and means for resiliently urging said valve seal and said valve seat toward one another to effect a seal therebetween.

9. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein at least one of said passageways is at least in part ofl'- set from and to one side of the axis of said valve body.

10. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said valve includes both positive acting and check valves in said gas passageway.

11. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said valve body carries said seal, said seat comprising a wall portion about said openings, said urging means including a spring member engaging between said adapter body and said valve body for biasing said valve body in a direction to urge said sealing engagement about said openings.

12. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 8 including means for rotating said valve body comprising a pair of upstanding lugs carried by said valve body at spaced circumferential positions about said valve body.

13. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said adapter body includes a wall portion having a pair of openings therethrough forming respective portions of said gas and liquid passageways, said valve body includes a pair of passages forming respective portions of said gas and liquid passageways through said keg adapter, said passages being misaligned with said openings in the valve closed position, each of said passages lying in communication with a corresponding opening in the valve open position, said valve body being disposed substantially coaxially of said adapter body for rotation about said axis, a portion each of said liquid and gas passageways passing through said valve body, one of said openings and one of said passageway portions through said valve body being radially offset from the axis thereof at substantially like radial distances as to lie in communication one with the other in the valve open position, the other of said openings and the other of said passageway portions through said valve body being radially offset from the axis thereof at substantially like radial distances as to lie in communication one with the other in the valve open position, one of said liquid and gas passageways terminating adjacent the outer end of said valve body in a coaxial passage, including means for rotating said valve body comprising a pair of upstanding lugs carried by said valve body at spaced circumferential positions about said valve body, said adapter body including a groove formed about its inner wall, said urging means including a retainer ring received in said groove and engageable against said valve body, said retainer ring being formed to bias said valve inwardly to efiect sealing engagement between said seal and seat about said opening, said lugs being undercut to form slots between the lugs and the valve body for receiving portions of said retainer ring,

14. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 8 including a dispensing coupler having a generally cylindrical head and a probe extending therefrom with a passageway through said probe, another passageway in said head bypassing said first mentioned passageway therein, means for releasably securing said coupler to said keg adapter in generally coaxial relation therewith with said passageways in said coupler and said keg adapter lying in respective communicationone with the other and means carried by said coupler for rotating said valve body between said first and second positions to open said passageways.

15. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said securing and rotating means includes means responsive to rotation of said coupler unit relative to said keg adapter about said axis to respectively secure said coupler unit to said adapter and rotate said valve body, said rotating means including at least one recess disposed adjacent the lower end of said coupler, a lug carried by said valve body and engageable in said recess, the lug carried by said coupler and the lug carried by said valve body being disposed for substantially simultaneous engagement in the corresponding slot and recess in response to displacement of said coupler toward said adapter.

16. A liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like container having top, bottom, and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of said walls comprising a keg adapter adapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and having gas and liquid passageways extending therethrough for the respective transfer of gas into closed valve means in said gas and liquid passageways, a dispensing coupler having gas and liquid passageways extending therethrough, means for releasably securing said coupler to said keg adapter with said passageways in said coupler unit and said keg adapter with in respective communication one with the other, a shutoff valve in said coupler for one of said passageways including an inlet, a chamber, and a valve member including a stern having a central passage in communication with said chamber for transmitting the gas or liquid carried by said one passageway from said housing, and cooperative sealing means on said stern and inlet, said stem being carried by said coupler for movement between a first position with said cooperative sealing means effective to preclude flow of or liquid carried by said one passageway from said inlet into said chamber and a second position with said cooperative sealing means spaced one from the other to permit flow of the gas or liquid carried by said one passageway through said inlet and into said chamber.

17. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said chamber is cylindrical and said stem is slideable in an axial direction, and means for detenting said stem in each of said f'ust and second positions.

18. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said inlet includes an axially aligned bore, said seal being received in said bore when saidstem lies in said first position, said stem having at least one aperture opening radially into said chamber to provide communication between said chamber and said central passage in said stem.

19. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said detenting means includes a pair of axially spaced grooves about said stern, a ball carried by said housing, and a spring for urging said ball into said groove.

20. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a generally cylindrical. keg or like container having top, bottom and sidewalls with said top wall including an upstanding rim surrounding a generally convex wall portion having an opening therethrough offset from the axis of said keg, a keg adapter secured within the keg wallopening and having gas and liquid passageways extending therethrough for the respective transfer gas into the keg and of liquid out of the keg, normally closed valve means in said gas and liquid passageways, said valve means including a valve body rotatable in a plane extending substantially normal to the axis of said body between a first position sealing at least one of said passageways and a second position opening said one passageway, a dispensing coupler unit having a probe, liquid and gas passageways in said coupler unit, means for releasably securing said coupler unit to said keg adapter in generally coaxial relation therewith, said coupler unit being rotatable about said axis from an initial position in engagement with said adapter to a finally secured position with said passageways in said coupler unit and said eg adapter in respective communication one with the other when said, coupler lies in said finally secured position, a laterally projecting arm carried by said coupler unit and having a passage therein in communication with one of said coupler passageways, said arm in the initial position of said coupler unit being disposed in a first position within the cylindrical confines of said keg between the keg axis and a rim portion, said coupler unit being rotatable into said finally secured position with said coupler arm being carried past the keg axis into a second position projecting to the other side of the central axis of said keg between said keg axis and a second rim portion, means carried by said coupler unit for rotating said valve body between said first and second positions to open said one passageway, means cooperable between said keg and said adapter and between said adapter and coupler to orient said coupler about said axis in said initial position in engagement with said adapter such that said arm obtains said first position.

MIA/F1 5 (all CURE Patent No. 3,608,790 Bat -1 September 28, 197].

lmmnuwm) Mack S Johnston 'll 1:; (te-rHFiml 111ml ml'm nppmnfn vin 1111C: ill t".if'-jfl i1lIFHW] patent In Column 1, line 10, "sealing and the keg" should read -sealing the keg--;

In Column 2 line 1, after "coupling" and before "establishment" the following should be inserted --means whereby the coupler employed at the beer dispensing--.

In Column 3 line 25, "openings" should read --opening--; line 29, "in common" should read --in a common--; lines 35 and 36, "inwardly" should read --internally--; line 71, "openings" In Column 4, line 24, "body" should read -valve body--; line 58, "gas check" should read -a gas check--.

In Column 5 line 60, "another" should read --to another-- line 69, "as" should read --constitutes--.

In Column 6.

line 64, "couple B" should read -coupler B--.

In Column 7, line 6, "bonded" should read --and bonded--; line 20, "62" should read -l62--; line 47, "It is" should read --It is a--.

In Column 8, line 50, (Claim 2) "passageways" should read --passageway-; line 62 (Claim 2) "it" should read --its-; line 64, (Claim 2), "retainer" should read --retainer ring--.

In Column 9, line 27 (Claim 3) "log" should read -lug-- line 36, (Claim 4) "passageway" should read --a passageway--; line 49, (Claim 5) radially offset" should read -being radially offset-.

should read -opening--; line 75, "about' should read --about a- UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE CER'EIFICATE GI CORRECTION Patent No. 3,608,790 Dated Se tember 28, 1971 Inventor(s) Mack S. Johnston g It is c find that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In Column 10, line 25, (Claim 10) "valve" should read --valve means--; line 32, (Claim 11) "said sealing engagement" should read --said seal into sealing engagement--; line 66, (Claim 13), "valve" should read --valve body--; line 67,

(Claim 13), "said opening" should read --said one opening--.

In Column 11, line 23, (Claim 16) "gas into closed valve means" should read --gas into the keg and of liquid out of the keg, normally closed valve means-; line 27 (Claim 16) "with in" should read --in--.

In Column 12 line 16 (Claim 20) "transfer gas" should read -transfer of gas--; line 42 (Claim 20) "coupler" should read -said coupler--.

Signed and sealed this 26th day of December 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents ORM PO-mT-O (iO-69) uscomwhr m "rewc

Claims

1. A liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like container having top, bottom, and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of said walls comprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical body adapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and having gas and liquid passageways extending therethrough for the respective transfer of gas into the keg and of liquid out of the keg, normally closed valve means in said gas and liquid passageways, said valve means including a valve body rotatable in a plane extending substantially normal to the axis of said body between a first position sealing said passageways and a second position opening said passageways, said adapter body including a wall portion having a pair of openings therethrough forming respective portions of said gas and liquid passageways, said valve body including a member disposed in said adapter body, said wall portion and said valve body having cooperating sealing portions for sealing about said openings thereby to seal said passageways when said valve body lies in said first portion and means for retaining said valve body within said adapter body including a groove formed about its inner wall, a retainer ring received in said groove and engageable against said valve body, said retainer ring being formed to bias said valve body inwardly into sealing engagement about said openings.

2. A liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like container having top, bottom, and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of said walls comprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical body adapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and having gas and liquid passageways extending therethrough for the respective transfer of gas into the keg and of liquid out of the keg, normally closed valve means in said gas and liquid passageways, said valve means including a valve member coaxially disposed in said adapter body and rotatable in a plane extending substantially normal to the axis of said body between a first position sealing said passageways and a second position opening said passageways, said adapter body including a wall portion having a pair of openings therethrough forming respective portions of said gas and liquid passageways, said wall portion and said member having cooperating sealing portions for sealing about said openings thereby to seal said passageways when said member lies in said first position, said member including a pair of passages forming respective portions of said gas and liquid passageways through said keg adapter, said passages being misaligned with said openings in the valve closed position, each of said passages lying in communication with a corresponding opening in the valve open position, a portion each of said liquid and gas passageways passing through said member, one of said openings and one of said passageway portions through said member being radially offset from the axis of said body at substantially like radial distances as to lie in communication one with the other in the valve open position, the other of said openings and the other of said passageway portions through said member being radially offset from the axis of said body at substantially like radial distances as to lie in communication one with the other in the valve open position, one of said liquid and gas passageways terminating adjacent the outer end of said member in a coaxial passage, said dispensing apparatus including a pair of upstanding lugs carried by said member at spaced circumferential positions thereabout, said adapter body including a groove formed about its inner wall, means for retaining said member within said adapter body including a retainer ring received in said groove and engageable against said member, said retainer ring being formed to bias said member inwardly into sealing engagement about said openings, said lugs being undercut to form slots between the lugs and the mEmber for receiving portions of said retainer ring.

3. A liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like container having top, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of said walls comprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical body adapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and having gas and liquid passageways extending therethrough for the respective transfer of gas into the keg and of liquid out of the keg, normally closed valve means in said gas and liquid passageways, said valve means including a valve body rotatable in a plane extending substantially normal to the axis of said adapter body between a first position sealing said passageways and a second position opening said passageways, a dispensing coupler unit having a generally cylindrical head member and a probe extending therefrom with a passageway through said probe, another passageway in said head member by passing said first mentioned passageway therein, means for releasably securing said coupler unit to said keg adapter in generally coaxial relation therewith with said passageways in said coupler unit and said keg adapter lying in respective communication one with the other, means carried by said coupler unit for rotating said valve body between said first and second positions to open said passageways, said securing and rotating means including means responsive to rotation of said coupler unit relative to said keg adapter about said axis to respectively secure said coupler unit to said adapter and rotate said valve body, said securing means including at least one lug carried by said coupler unit and a slot carried by said adapter body for receiving said lug when said coupler is displaced toward said adapter body, said slot having a shoulder extending in a circumferential direction therefrom, said lug being engageable below said shoulder in response to rotation of said coupler relative to said keg adapter thereby to releasably secure said coupler unit to said keg adapter, said rotating means including at least one recess disposed adjacent the lower end of said coupler, a lug carried by said valve body and engageable in said recess, the lug carried by said coupler and the lug carried by said valve body being disposed for substantially simultaneous engagement in the corresponding slot and recess in response to displacement of said coupler toward said adapter.

4. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 including a dispensing coupler having a generally cylindrical head and a probe extending therefrom with a passageway through said probe, another passageway in said head bypassing said first mentioned passageway therein, means for releasably securing said coupler to said keg adapter in generally coaxial relation therewith with said passageways in said coupler and said keg adapter lying in respective communication one with the other, and means carried by said coupler for rotating said valve body between first and second positions to open said passageways.

5. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said member is disposed substantially coaxially of said adapter body for rotation about said axis, a portion each of said liquid and gas passageways passing through said member, one of said openings and one of said passageway portions through said member radially offset from the axis of said body at substantially like radial distances as to lie in communication one with the other in the valve open position, the other of said openings and the other of said passageway portions through said member being radially offset from the axis of said body at substantially like radial distances as to lie in communication one with the other in the valve open position, one of said liquid and gas passageways terminating adjacent the outer end of said member in a coaxial passage.

9. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein at least one of said passageways is at least in part offset from and to one side of the axis of said valve body.

10. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said valve means includes both positive acting and check valves in said gas passageway.

11. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said valve body carries said seal, said seat comprising a wall portion about said openings, said urging means including a spring member engaging between said adapter body and said valve body for biasing said valve body in a direction to urge said seal into sealing engagement about said openings.

13. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said adapter body includes a wall portion having a pair of openings therethrough forming respective portions of said gas and liquid passageways, said valve body includes a pair of passages forming respective portions of said gas and liquid passageways through said keg adapter, said passages being misaligned with said openings in the valve closed position, each of said passages lying in communication with a corresponding opening in the valve open position, said valve body being disposed substantially coaxially of said adapter body for rotation about said axis, a portion each of said liquid and gas passageways passing through said valve body, one of said openings and one of said passageway portions through said valve body being radially offset from the axis thereof at substantially like radial distances as to lie in communication one with the other in the valve open position, the other of said openings and the other of said passageway portions through said valve body being radially offset from the axis thereof at substantially like radial distances as to lie in communication one with the other in the valve open position, one of said liquid and gas passageways terminating adjacent the outer end of said valve body in a coaxial passage, including means for rotating said valve body comprising a pair of upstanding lugs carried by said valve body at spaced circumferential positions about said valve body, said adapter body including a groove formed about its inner wall, said urging means including a retainer ring received in said groove and engageable against said valve body, said retainer ring being formed to bias said valve body inwardly to effect sealing engagement between said seal and seat about said one opening, said lugs being undercut to form slots between the lugs and the valve body for receiving portions of said retainer ring.

14. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 8 including a dispensing coupler having a generally cylindrical head and a probe extending therefrom with a passageway through said probe, another passageway in said head bypassing said first mentioned passageway therein, means for releasably securing said coupler to said keg adapter in generally coaxial relation therewith with said passageways in said coupler and said keg adapter lying in respective communication one with the other and means carried by said coupler for rotating said valve body between said first and second positions to open said passageways.

16. A liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like container having top, bottom, and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of said walls comprising a keg adapter adapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and having gas and liquid passageways extending therethrough for the respective transfer of gas into the keg and of liquid out of the keg, normally closed valve means in said gas and liquid passageways, a dispensing coupler having gas and liquid passageways extending therethrough, means for releasably securing said coupler to said keg adapter with said passageways in said coupler unit and said keg adapter in respective communication one with the other, a shutoff valve in said coupler for one of said passageways including an inlet, a chamber, and a valve member including a stem having a central passage in communication with said chamber for transmitting the gas or liquid carried by said one passageway from said housing, and cooperative sealing means on said stem and inlet, said stem being carried by said coupler for movement between a first position with said cooperative sealing means effective to preclude flow of gas or liquid carried by said one passageway from said inlet into said chamber and a second position with said cooperative sealing means spaced one from the other to permit flow of the gas or liquid carried by said one passageway through said inlet and into said chamber.

17. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said chamber is cylindrical and said stem is slideable in an axial direction, and means for detenting said stem in each of said first and second positions.

18. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said inlet includes an axially aligned bore, said seal being received in said bore when said stem lies in said first position, said stem having at least one aperture opening radially into said chamber to provide communication between said chamber and said central passage in said stem.

19. A liquid dispeNsing apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said detenting means includes a pair of axially spaced grooves about said stem, a ball carried by said housing, and a spring for urging said ball into said groove.

20. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a generally cylindrical keg or like container having top, bottom and sidewalls with said top wall including an upstanding rim surrounding a generally convex wall portion having an opening therethrough offset from the axis of said keg, a keg adapter secured within the keg wall opening and having gas and liquid passageways extending therethrough for the respective transfer of gas into the keg and of liquid out of the keg, normally closed valve means in said gas and liquid passageways, said valve means including a valve body rotatable in a plane extending substantially normal to the axis of said body between a first position sealing at least one of said passageways and a second position opening said one passageway, a dispensing coupler unit having a probe, liquid and gas passageways in said coupler unit, means for releasably securing said coupler unit to said keg adapter in generally coaxial relation therewith, said coupler unit being rotatable about said axis from an initial position in engagement with said adapter to a finally secured position with said passageways in said coupler unit and said keg adapter in respective communication one with the other when said coupler lies in said finally secured position, a laterally projecting arm carried by said coupler unit and having a passage therein in communication with one of said coupler passageways, said arm in the initial position of said coupler unit being disposed in a first position within the cylindrical confines of said keg between the keg axis and a rim portion, said coupler unit being rotatable into said finally secured position with said coupler arm being carried past the keg axis into a second position projecting to the other side of the central axis of said keg between said keg axis and a second rim portion, means carried by said coupler unit for rotating said valve body between said first and second positions to open said one passageway, means cooperable between said keg and said adapter and between said adapter and said coupler to orient said coupler about said axis in said initial position in engagement with said adapter such that said arm obtains said first position.