US3758008A - Tapping assembly for beer kegs and the like - Google Patents

Tapping assembly for beer kegs and the like Download PDF

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US3758008A
US3758008A US00189281A US3758008DA US3758008A US 3758008 A US3758008 A US 3758008A US 00189281 A US00189281 A US 00189281A US 3758008D A US3758008D A US 3758008DA US 3758008 A US3758008 A US 3758008A
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tapper
housing
valve
adapter
gas
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M Johnston
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0829—Keg connection means
    • B67D1/0831—Keg connection means combined with valves
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0801—Details of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs
    • B67D1/0802—Dip tubes

Definitions

  • a tapper is connected to a source of compressed gas and to a beer faucet and contains a tap rod, which, when manually actuated, seals the tapper to the adapter and interconnects the gas source and the faucet with the interior of the keg.
  • the present invention relates generally to the siphoning art, and more particularly to a novel tapping assembly for beer kegs and the like, for drawing liquids such as beer from barrels or kegs, utilizing a gas such as air or carbon dioxide as the pressure force.
  • the prevailing draft system for dispensing beer from kegs required a wooden bung or cork which sealed an opening in one end of the keg, which bung was removed by the bartender who then inserted into the opening an elongated tap rod assembly which had a siphoning device associated therewith.
  • Means were provided to inject compressed air or car bon dioxide into the keg through the tap rod assembly, whereby the beer was driven out of the keg through the siphoning device to a spigot or faucet which controlled the flow of beer from the keg.
  • the bartender would then remove the tap rod assembly and siphoning device from the spent keg and repeat the process with a full keg. Inasmuch as the same tap rod assembly and siphoning device were used over and over again, it was necessary for the bartender to frequently clean the unit in an effort to remove old yeast deposits and bacteria so as to avoid contaminating the beer in the fresh barrel.
  • a further problem with existing equipment is that it is often difficult for a woman bartender to properly engage the tapper with the keg adapter, and subsequently actuate the probe as to tap the keg.
  • Another object is to provide a novel keg adapter which is completely devoid of spring biased valves, thereby obviating the aforementioned problems of set and washing difficulties. More particularly, it is an object to provide in such an adapter, valves which are biased toward the closed position by a force or pressure source which remains substantially constant regardless of the number of times the adapter is used and reused. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to employ valve actuators containing permanent magnets, which actuators are of stream-lined configuration.
  • a further object is to provide a novel keg adapter in which the various beer and gas valves are effectively maintained in the closed position during shipping and prior to tapping, but which are easily opened by a stream of water during the cleaning operation and while the adapter is mounted in an empty keg.
  • Yet another object is to provide a novel tapper for use with the aforementioned keg adapter, which is simple in construction and easy to operate, whereby even the most inexperienced bartender can easily and quickly tap a keg of beer, using aminimum amount of physical force. More particularly, it is an object to provide such a novel tapper which can be installed by a simple push and twist operation, and which is held in sealing engagement with the adapter by performing the tapping operation.
  • An additional object is to provide a novel tapper which prevents beer from flowing in the reverse direction from the faucet or spigot toward and out of the tapper, as when the tapper is disengaged from the keg adapter. More particularly, it is an object to provide such a tapper with valve means which automatically close prior to the disengagement of the tapper from the adapter, whereby beer is prevented from flowing in the reverse direction from the faucet toward and out of the tapper.
  • Yet another object is to provide a novel tapper which requires the tap rod to be disengaged and the gas flow into the keg cut off, before the tapper can be disengaged from the keg adapter.
  • a tapper assembly which comprises a keg adapter and a tapper, the keg adapter including a housing of magnetic material adapted to be mounted in an opening in a keg and containing gas and liquid passageways provided with valves yieldably biased toward the closed position by actuators which contain permanent magnets.
  • the magnetic actuators maintain the valves in the closed position during the filling of the keg and during shipment but are easily moved to the open position by a stream of water under pressure entering the passageways, as when the keg is being washed prior to refilling.
  • the tapper is adapted to be connected to a source of compressed gas and to a faucet for dispensing the beer, and contains gas and liquid passageways in communication therewith, said passageways being provided with valves for controlling the flow of gas and liquid therethrough.
  • the tapper is adapted to be engaged with the keg adapter and contains a tap rod, which, when manually actuated, seals the tapper to the adapter, opens the valves in the tapper, and opens the liquid valve in the adapter, whereby gas can flow into the keg and beer can be dispensed from the faucet.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a tapping assembly embodying the teachings of the present invention, shown installed in a keg of conventional construction and interconnected with a conventional source of gas pressure and with a conventional faucet or spigot;
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical, sectional view of the tapping assembly shown installed in a keg, the assembly being in the closed or untapped position;
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, elevational view of the upper portion of the tapper, viewed generally from the left of FIG. 2 and shown partially in cross-section to illustrate the construction of the gas passageways;
  • FIG. 4. is an enlarged, horizontal, sectional view of the actuator for the tap rod assembly, taken generally on the line 4-4 in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 is a vertical, sectional view of the tapping assembly, similar to the view shown in FIG. 2, but with the assembly in the open or tapped position;
  • FIG. 6 is a top, plan view of the tapper, with the handle thereof in the closed or untapped position;
  • FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the upper portion of the tapper, taken on the line 7-7 in FIG. 6;
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the beer flowcontrolling valve, removed from the assembly shown in FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 9 is a horizontal, sectional view of the adapter taken on the line 9-9 in FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical, sectional view of a portion of the keg adapter, showing an alternative form of gas flowing-controlling valve and valve actuator.
  • tapping assembly of the present invention can be used for siphoning various liquids from containers, it is especially suitable for use in the dispensing of draft beer, and will be so described. It is also to be understood that various types of gas pressure sources and faucets can be employed and that the keg and gas cylinder can be located under the counter in a tavern or bar, or in the basement or storage room of a restaurant.
  • the number 12 indicates generally a tapping assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, shown installed in a beer keg 13 of conventional construction having a filling opening 14 closed by a bung l5, and interconnected with a cylinder of compressed air or carbon dioxide gas 16 by a gas hose l8, and with a faucet or spigot 20 by means of a beer hose 21.
  • the tapping assembly 12 (FIG. 2) includes a tapper 22 which is engageable with a keg adapter 24, the latter being mounted in an opening 26 contained in the end wall 28 of the keg 14.
  • the keg opening 26 contains an inwardly extending bottom flange portion 30 which provides a ledge 32, and is surrounded by an upwardly extending flange portion 34 which contains internal threads 36.
  • the keg adapter 24 (FIG. 2) inlcudes a cylindrical adapter housing 38 made from a magnetic material such as stainless steel, with an outwardly extending upper flange portion 40 which bears upon an O-ring 42 supported on the aforementioned ledge 32.
  • the adapter is held in position by a conventional retaining ring 43 which engages the upper face of the flange portion 40 and which contains an internal annular groove 45 with opposed slots 47.
  • the upper end of the adapter housing contains an annular groove having a bottom wall 44 and an outer side wall 46, the latter being provided with a shoulder 48.
  • a gas valve 54 Positioned in each of the gas passageways in a gas valve 54, which, in the preferred form, comprises a separate valve member 56 made from a tasteless and odorless resilient material such as Neoprene, and which is adapted to engage the valve seat 52, and a valve actuator 58 formed from a permanent magnet 60 enclosed within a smooth casing 62 which is in sliding engagement with the lower wall 51 of the gas passageway.
  • a gas valve 54 which, in the preferred form, comprises a separate valve member 56 made from a tasteless and odorless resilient material such as Neoprene, and which is adapted to engage the valve seat 52, and a valve actuator 58 formed from a permanent magnet 60 enclosed within a smooth casing 62 which is in sliding engagement with the lower wall 51 of the gas passageway.
  • a valve actuator 58 formed from a permanent magnet 60 enclosed within a smooth casing 62 which is in sliding engagement with the lower wall 51 of the gas passageway.
  • each magnet 60 is' off-set in a downward direction from the center of the mass of the metal adapter housing 38, which causes each magnet to endeavor to move within the gas passageway toward the center of the housing, where there is less magnetic reluctance and the lines of electro-magnetic force have the shortest paths to travel through the housing 38, which, as previously mentioned, is made from a magnetic material such as staininterior of the keg 14, as will be described more fully hereinafter.
  • tubular bayonet portion 66 Projecting upwardly from the center of the adapter housing 38 is a tubular bayonet portion 66 which includes an outer wall 68 provided with an external annular groove which receives an O-ring 70.
  • the center of the tubular bayonet portion provides a beer passageway 72 which contains a valve seat 74 (FIG.-2) and a lower inner wall 76, said passageway being in communication at the lower end thereof with a siphon tube 78 of conventional construction, said tube being removably fastened to the lower end of the adapter housing 38 by a threaded fitting.
  • the siphon tube 78 extends to adjacent the bottom wall of the keg 14, in a conventional manner.
  • a beer valve assembly which includes a valve member 80, preferably made from a tasteless and odorless resilient material such as Neoprene, and a valve actuator 82. These are shown as being separate members, but it is to be understood that the valve assembly could be of unitary construction.
  • the valve member 80 is adapted to engage the valve seat 72, and, as shown most clearly in FIG. 8, includes a body portion 84 and four radially extending flanges 86, the radial dimensions of these flanges being such that the outer faces thereof are in sliding contact with the wall 76. This prevents the valve member 80 from tilting and binding in the beer passageway 72 during the movement thereof relative to the valve seat 74.
  • valve members 56 in the gas passageways are shown as having cylindrical body portions, I have determined that it is advantageous to use small radially extending flanges with these valve members, similar to the flanges employed with the beer passageway valve member 80.
  • the valve actuator 82 includes a permanent magnet 88 which is enclosed within a casing 90, the latter being provided with short, radially extending flanges 92 (FIG. 9) adjacent the top and bottom ends thereof, also for sliding engagement with the wall 76 of the beer passageway 72.
  • a small Teflon plug 94 may be inserted in the upper end of the casing 90, primarily to maintain the magnet 88 in position within the casing.
  • the casing made from a lightweight material.
  • the length and position of the magnet 88 is ofiset from the center of the mass of the housing 38, whereby the valve actuator 82 urges the valve member 80 into the closed position in engagement with the valve seat 74.
  • flanges 86 of the valve member 80 and the flanges 92 of the valve actuator 82 provide a space between said members and the wall of the beer passageway, to permit the free flow of beer therethrough when the valve member 80 is in the open position, as will be described more fully hereinafter.
  • a sleeve 96 is press-fitted into the beer passageway 76 adjacent the lower end of the housing 38 (FIG. 2)
  • the keg adapter 24 is installed in the keg 14 with the retaining ring 43 maintaining it in position, prior to the filling of the keg with beer. It is conventional to fill a keg of this type through the bung hole or opening 14 in the side wall of the keg, which opening is thereafter closed with the wooden bung or plug 15.
  • valve actuators 58 and 82 maintain their respective valve members in the closed position, thereby preventing the beer in the keg from flowing through the gas passageways 50 and the beer passageway 76 during the filling operation.
  • the beer within the keg is under a residual or filling pressure which is normally from about 9 to about 34 pounds per square inch, and this pressure obviously aids in maintaining the aforementioned valves in the closed position.
  • a water hose fitting (now shown) can be engaged with the flange 34 (FIG. 2), and the water pressure will unseat the valve members 56 and and permit the water to enter the interior of the keg through the beer passageway 76 and the gas passageways 50 and the vents 64.
  • coiled springs become set through usage and also break from fatigue failure, thereby requiring frequent replacement. Contrarywise, the permanent magnets, as valve actuators, will last as long as the keg adapter housing.
  • FIG. 10 An alternative form of gas valve is shown in FIG. 10, and includes a spherical valve member 100 made from a tasteless and odorless resilient material such as Neoprene, and a valve actuator which comprises a permanent magnet 102 within a tubular case 104, the case being in sliding engagement with the lower wall 51 of the gas passageway, as previously described.
  • a spherical valve member 100 made from a tasteless and odorless resilient material such as Neoprene
  • a valve actuator which comprises a permanent magnet 102 within a tubular case 104, the case being in sliding engagement with the lower wall 51 of the gas passageway, as previously described.
  • the tapper 22 As shown in FIG. 1 it is connected through hoses l8 and 21 with the supply of gas and with the faucet, respectively, and is continuously being reused by uncoupling it from an empty keg and recoupling it to a full keg. Accordingly, as mentioned hereinabove, it is advantageous to have a tapper which is easy to use and which can be quickly engaged with the aforementioned keg adapter, followed by a simple and easy tapping operation.
  • the tapper 22 (FIG. 2) includes an upper tapper housing 106 and a lower tapper housing 108 interconnected for limited vertical relative movement.
  • the upper housing includes a longitudinally extending tap rod assembly passageway 110 which is counter-bored at the top to provide an enlarged cavity 1 12 with an annular peripheral wall 114.
  • An axially inclined camming slot 116 (FIG. 7) is provided in the wall 114 for a purpose to appear.
  • a tap rod assembly 118 which comprises an actuator and a tap rod 120.
  • the actuator 118 includes a two-piece tubular fitting 122 and 123 containing external threads 124 at the top thereof for attachment to the beer hose 21, a central beer passageway 126, and a handle 128 (FIGS.
  • a wall 130 Extending transversely within the beer passageway 126 in the fitting 122 is a wall 130 (FIGS. 2 and 4) which contains a central opening 132 and four circumferentially spaced slots 134 to provide a support ledge for a purpose to appear, but which also provides for the passage of beer therethrough.
  • the lower part of the tubular fitting 123 contains a shoulder 136, a lower inner wall 138 for slidably receiving the upper portion of the tap rod 120, and a depending annular wall 140.
  • the tap rod 120 (FIG. 2) is cylindrical in shape with a machine screw 142 projecting from the upper end thereof, the shank of the screw extending through the opening 132 in the transversally extending wall 130, and the head of the screw being supportable on the wall portions projecting between the aforementioned slots 134 (FIG. 4).
  • An O-ring 144 is supported in an external groove adjacent the upper end of the tap rod 120, said O-ring 144 functioning as a valve in cooperation with the shoulder 136, as will be described more fully hereinafter.
  • An elongated central beer passageway 146 extends upwardly in the tap rod 120 and terminates adjacent the upper end thereof, said passageway being in communication with an external annular groove 148 through radially extending port 150.
  • the outer surface of the tap rod adjacent the lower end thereof is enlarged to provide a shoulder 152, and immediately above said shoulder is an O-ring 154 received in an external groove, said O-ring also functioning as one part of a valve, as will be described more fully hereinafter.
  • the lower end of the tap rod 120 is counter-bored to provide a spring chamber 156 with an inner wall surface 158 which is adapted to be in sliding sealing engagement with the outer wall 68 of the tubular bayonet portion 66 of the keg adapter.
  • the lower end of the tap rod 120 also includes a bottom edge 160 which is adapted to engage the bottom wall 44 of the adapter housing.
  • the spring chamber 156 contains a coiled spring 162 which has a free lower end adapted to engage and unseat the valve member 80.
  • the bottom portion thereof contains a chamber which receives the lower end of the tap rod 120, and which includes an upper shoulder 164 which coacts with the O-ring 154 to provide a valve, and an inner wall surface which is spaced from the outer surface of the tap rod 120 so as to provide an annular passageway 166 therebetween.
  • An external annular groove with an O-ring 168 therein is provided adjacent the bottom end of the lower tapper housing, said O-ring 168 being adapted to seat on the shoulder 48 in sealing engagement therewith.
  • a passageway for slidably receiving the tap rod 120 is a passageway for slidably receiving the tap rod 120, said passageway being counter-bored adjacent the lower end to provide a chamber 170 surrounding 8 the body of the tap rod.
  • the passageway is also counter-bored adjacent the upper end to receive the annular wall of the actuator and to provide a shoulder 172 for engagement with the bottom edge of said annular wall.
  • the upper tapper housing 106 is provided with a gas hose fitting 174 which receives the hose 18, and which is in communication with an L-shaped passageway 176, the lower end of said passageway slidably and sealingly receiving the upper end of a nipple 178 which has a passageway 180 therethrough.
  • the lower end of the nipple 178 is slidably and sealingly received in a passageway 182 provided in the lower tapper housing, which passageway, in turn, is in communication with a pressure chamber 184 (FIGS. 2 and 3) through ports 186 and 188.
  • the pressure chamber 184 is adapted to be in communication with one side of a diaphragm chamber 190 through a passageway 192 of reduced diameter which provides a valve seat 194 adjacent one end thereof.
  • a diaphragm 196 of conventional construction extends across the aforementioned diaphragm chamber, the diaphragm supporting a valve body 198 which has an O-ring 200 received in a groove which is adjacent the free end thereof, the O-ring being adapted to en: gage the valve seat 194.
  • the valve body 198 is biased toward the open position in a conventional manner, as by a coiled spring 202.
  • a lower chamber 204 which receives a duck-bill" resilient valve member 206, the collapsible end of said duck-bill valve extending through a port 208 which is in communication with the chamber 170 surrounding the body of the tap rod.
  • each strap 110 is secured in a recess 212 in the upper tapper housing, as by means of a machine screw 214.
  • the center portion of each strap contains a slot 216 which receives the shank of a machine screw 218 which is fastened to the lower tapper housing 108, the slot being slightly larger than the diameter of the screw shank to provide for the limited relative movement referred to above.
  • the lower end of each strap contains a hook portion 220 which is adapted to pass through the slot 47 and be received in the groove 45 of the retaining ring 43, thereby fastening the tapper to the keg adapter.
  • keg adapters 24 are installed in kegs 14 of conventional construction, said adapters being maintained in position by retaining rings 43 of conventional design.
  • the kegs are filled with beer through the opening 14 in the side wall, and the opening sealed with a plug or bung 15 in a conventional manner.
  • valve members 56 close off the gas passageways 50 and the valve member 80 closes off the beer passageway 72, due to the forces exerted by their respective valve actuators which con- 3,7ss,00s
  • tain permanent magnets As also mentioned hereinabove, there is a filling gas pressure in the keg of from about 9 to 34 pounds per square inch, and this pressure assists in maintaining the aforementioned valves in the closed position.
  • the keg is placed in an upright position as shown in FIG. 1 with the keg adapter 24 at the top, and the tapper 22 is pushed downwardly onto the keg adapter 24 so as to cause the hook portions 220 of the straps 210 to pass through the slots 47 in the retaining ring 43 and into the annular groove 45, and to cause the bayonet portion 66 of the adapter to be received in the spring chamber 156 with the O-ring 20 in sealing engagement with the inner wall surface 158 as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the tapper 22 is then physically rotated approximately 90 degress to move the hook portions 220, in the groove 45 and away from the slots 47.
  • the gas passes through the diaphragm chamber 190, through the lower chamber 204, past the duck-bill valve 206 and through the port 208 into the annular chamber 170 surrounding the tap rod- 120.
  • the beer passageway 126 above the upper end of the tap rod 120 would contain a column of beer.
  • the handle 128 (FIGS. 3 and 6) is rotated in the clock wise direction approximately 180 degrees, from the closed to the 10 into the beer passageway 146 in the tap rod and into the spring chamber 156 above the valve member 80.
  • the tap rod As downward movement of the tubular fittings 122 and 123 continues, and the wall 130 thereof engages the upper end of the tap rod 120, the tap rod is moved downwardly as previously described and the free end of the coiled spring 162 moves the valve member 80 away from its valve seat 74, thereby permitting the beer in the siphon tube to flow upwardly through the beer passageway 72, past the valve member 80 and into the spring chamber of 156 where it would join the beer which had reverse flow from the beer hose 2].
  • the initial downward movement of the tubular fittings 122 and 123 causes the O-ring 144 to pass the shoulder. 136, thereby permitting beer to reverse flow from the passageway 126, into the annular groove 148, through the ports 150, and
  • thehandle128 is turned in the counterclockwise direction to release the pressure between the bottom edge of the annular wall and the shoulder 172, and to cause the tubular fittings 122 and 123 to be moved in the upward direction relative to the upper and lower tapper housings 106 and 108, respectively, and relative to the tap rod 120.
  • the shoulder moved into the closed position due to the force of the valve actuators 58, as previously described, thereby closing the gas passageways into the keg.
  • the tapper 22 can be disengaged from the keg adapter 24 by rotating it until the hook portions 220 of the straps 210 are in alignment with the slots 47 in the retaining ring 43. The tapper 22 can then be pulled away from the adapter 24.
  • a tapper assembly for beer kegs and the like comprising in combination;
  • an adapter for mounting in an opening in a keg or the like, and including a housing containing magnetic material;
  • liquid passageway in said adapter housing containing an inlet and an outlet with a first valve seat therebetween, the inlet being adapted to be in communication with the interior of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted;
  • first valve member associated with said first valve seat and movable between an open position and a closed position relative thereto, said first valve member being biased toward the closed position by means including a permanent magnet;
  • a second valve member associated with said second valve seat and movable between an open position and a closed position relative thereto, said second valve member being biased toward and closed position by means including a permanent magnet;
  • a tapper in selective sealing engagement with said adapter and including a housing
  • a gas passageway in said tapper housing having an inlet and an outlet with third valve means therebetween movable between an open position and a closed position, the inlet being adapted to be connected to a source of gas under pressure, and the outlet being in communication with the inlet of the gas passageway in the adapter housing when the tapper and the adapter are in sealing engagement;
  • a liquid passageway in said tapper housing having an inlet and an outlet with fourth valve means therebetween movable between an open position and a closed position, the inlet being in communication with the outlet of the liquid passageway in the adapter housing when the tapper and the adapter are in sealing engagement;
  • a tapper assembly according to claim 1 further including means responsive to the movement of the actuating means from the inoperative position to the operative position urging said tapper and said adapter into said sealing engagement.
  • An adapter for mounting in an opening in a keg or the like comprising:
  • a liquid passageway in said housing containing an inlet and an outlet with a first valve seat therebetween, said inlet being adapted to be in communication with the interior of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted;
  • a first valve member associated with said first valve seat and movable between an open position and a closed position relative thereto;
  • first valve actuating means biasing said first valve toward the closed position and including a movable permanent magnet in operative engagement with the first valve member;
  • a gas passageway in said housing containing an inlet and an outlet with a second valve seat therebetween, the outlet being adapted to be in communication with the interior of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted;
  • a second valve member associated with said second valve seat and movable between an open and a closed position relative thereto;
  • second valve actuating means biasing said second valve toward the closed position and including a movable permanent magnet in operative engagement with the second valve member.
  • each valve actuating means comprises a permanent magnet with a casing slidably mounted in the housing.
  • each valve member is separate from its respective valve actuating means, and each valve actuating means comprises a permanent magnet.
  • the liquid passageway includes a smooth inner wall surface;
  • the first valve actuating means comprises a permanent magnet within an elongated casing, said casing being spaced from said inner wall surface to provide for liquid flow therebetween; and said casing contains spaced apart, transversally extending flanges in sliding engagement with said inner wall surface.
  • a gas passageway in said housing having an inlet and an outlet with a gas valve therebetween movable between a closed position and an open position, the inlet being adapted to be connected to a source of gas under pressure;
  • a liquid passageway in said housing having an inlet and an outlet with a liquid valve therebetween movablebetween an open position and a closed position, the outlet being adapted to be connected to a liquid dispensing device;
  • actuating means supported in the housing and movable between the inoperative position and an operative position
  • tapping means supported in said housing and responsive to the movement of the actuating means from the inoperative to the operative position for moving said gas valve and said liquid valve from the closed to the open position.
  • tapping means includes an elongated tap rod with a longitudinally extending chamber therein, which chamber forms part of said liquid passageway, and the 'tap rod contains spaced-apart, external shoulders which form part of said gas valve and said liquid valve.
  • a tapper according to claim 10 wherein the chamber in said tap rod is open at one end to provide the inlet to said liquid passageway, and the other end of the chamber is in communication with a transversely extending passageway which terminates adjacent one of said external shoulders which forms part of the liquid valve means.
  • the actuating means includes a tubular member having inner and an outer ends, which member is rotatable and axially movable relative to said housing, and in which said outer end comprises the outlet of said liquid passageway.
  • a tapper according to claim 14 wherein the tubular member contains an internal shoulder and the tap rod contains an externally mounted O-ring for axially movement relative to said shoulder, and said shoulder and said O-ring comprise said liquid valve in the liquid passageway.
  • the gas passageway includes a chamber in the housing, said chamber having an inner wall terminating in a shoulder;
  • the tapping means includes an elongated tap rod mounted in said housing for limited axial movement relative thereto and extending through said chamber, said tap rod including an externally mounted O-ring for sliding sealing engagement with said inner wall of the chamber, said O-ring and said shoulder comprising said gas valve in the gas passageway.
  • a keg and tapper assembly comprising, in combination:
  • a keg having an opening in one wall thereof; a flange adjacent to said opening; an adapter housing mounted in said opening, said housing containing liquid and gas passageways therethrough; liquid valve means and gas valve means in said liquid and gas passageways, respectively, and movable between an open position and a closed position; retaining means in engagement with said flange for retaining the adapter housing in position;
  • a tapper in engagement with said adapter housing and containing liquid and gas passageways therethrough for communication with the liquid and gas passageways in the adapter housing;
  • liquid and gas valves in the liquid and gas passageways in the tapper, and movable between an open position and a closed position; an actuating member supported in the tapper and movable between an inoperative position and an operative position;
  • a keg and tapper assembly according to claim 17, wherein the tapper includes an upper housing and a lower housing interconnected for limited relative movement, the upper housing being connected to said retaining means and the lower housing being in engagement with the adapter housing; and wherein the means for forcing together the tapper and the adapter housing in sealing relationship includes means supported on the upper tapper housing for movement relative to said upper tapper housing and for engagement with the lower tapper housing to move the lower tapper housing from the upper tapper housing responsive to the movement of the actuating member from the inoperative position to the operative position.

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  • Multiple-Way Valves (AREA)
US00189281A 1971-10-14 1971-10-14 Tapping assembly for beer kegs and the like Expired - Lifetime US3758008A (en)

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US (1) US3758008A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS4876686A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AU (1) AU6014873A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA982991A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2251263A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1382735A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3836053A (en) * 1971-10-14 1974-09-17 M Johnston Liquid dispensing apparatus
US4089444A (en) * 1974-03-11 1978-05-16 Shea Ronald E Tapping apparatus for golden gate type beer keg openings
USD247905S (en) 1976-02-23 1978-05-16 Malinky Fred T Beer keg tapping kit
US4728010A (en) * 1986-07-22 1988-03-01 Johnston Mack S Keg tapper
US5617977A (en) * 1993-10-22 1997-04-08 Micro Matic A/S Dispenser head for dispensing a liquid which is pressurized by a gas in a container
WO2005113414A1 (en) * 2004-05-19 2005-12-01 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Valve assembly with positioning means for a keg with an inner bag
US20060243755A1 (en) * 2005-04-08 2006-11-02 Hennen John M High-volume fluid dispense system
US20160152461A1 (en) * 2013-07-05 2016-06-02 Scott Williams Keg Adapter Apparatus, Systems and Methods of Using Same

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AT342448B (de) * 1976-04-13 1978-04-10 Morth Rudolf Zapfhahn
CA1121321A (en) * 1977-09-28 1982-04-06 Leo J. Fallon Valve assembly and coupler therefor and locking mechanism for coupler and valve assembly
US4305421A (en) 1977-09-28 1981-12-15 Draft Systems, Inc. Fluid dispensing system
US4343325A (en) 1977-09-28 1982-08-10 Draft Systems, Inc. Valve assembly and coupler therefor
JPS6455259U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1987-09-30 1989-04-05
DE19831186C2 (de) * 1998-07-11 2001-11-29 Hiwi Schankanlagen Gmbh I K Betätigungsvorrichtung für den Arretierstift des Schwenkhebels einer Einrichtung für die Entnahme von Flüssigkeiten unter Druck aus einem Behälter

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US2597952A (en) * 1947-09-02 1952-05-27 Packard Motor Car Co Valve construction
US3065885A (en) * 1960-02-18 1962-11-27 Anheuser Busch Beer barrel tapping device
US3360007A (en) * 1965-08-02 1967-12-26 Thomas N Haidek Gas pressure and vacuum pull control valve
US3376013A (en) * 1965-03-12 1968-04-02 American Standard Inc Mechanism for delivering predetermined fluid quantities
US3495620A (en) * 1967-02-09 1970-02-17 Weck & Co Inc Edward Magnetic valve

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US729145A (en) * 1902-12-15 1903-05-26 David j morris Beer-keg tap.
US2597952A (en) * 1947-09-02 1952-05-27 Packard Motor Car Co Valve construction
US3065885A (en) * 1960-02-18 1962-11-27 Anheuser Busch Beer barrel tapping device
US3376013A (en) * 1965-03-12 1968-04-02 American Standard Inc Mechanism for delivering predetermined fluid quantities
US3360007A (en) * 1965-08-02 1967-12-26 Thomas N Haidek Gas pressure and vacuum pull control valve
US3495620A (en) * 1967-02-09 1970-02-17 Weck & Co Inc Edward Magnetic valve

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3836053A (en) * 1971-10-14 1974-09-17 M Johnston Liquid dispensing apparatus
US4089444A (en) * 1974-03-11 1978-05-16 Shea Ronald E Tapping apparatus for golden gate type beer keg openings
USD247905S (en) 1976-02-23 1978-05-16 Malinky Fred T Beer keg tapping kit
US4728010A (en) * 1986-07-22 1988-03-01 Johnston Mack S Keg tapper
US5617977A (en) * 1993-10-22 1997-04-08 Micro Matic A/S Dispenser head for dispensing a liquid which is pressurized by a gas in a container
WO2005113414A1 (en) * 2004-05-19 2005-12-01 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Valve assembly with positioning means for a keg with an inner bag
US20080061086A1 (en) * 2004-05-19 2008-03-13 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Valve Assembly with Positioning Means for a Keg with an Inner Bag
US8561856B2 (en) 2004-05-19 2013-10-22 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Valve assembly with positioning means for a keg with an inner bag
US20060243755A1 (en) * 2005-04-08 2006-11-02 Hennen John M High-volume fluid dispense system
US8561855B2 (en) * 2005-04-08 2013-10-22 Entegris, Inc. High-volume fluid dispense system
US20160152461A1 (en) * 2013-07-05 2016-06-02 Scott Williams Keg Adapter Apparatus, Systems and Methods of Using Same
US9834427B2 (en) * 2013-07-05 2017-12-05 Scott Williams Keg adapter apparatus, systems and methods of using same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS4876686A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-10-15
DE2251263A1 (de) 1973-04-19
GB1382735A (en) 1975-02-05
AU6014873A (en) 1975-03-13
CA982991A (en) 1976-02-03

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