U.S. patent number 3,608,790 [Application Number 04/889,485] was granted by the patent office on 1971-09-28 for tapping device for beer kegs and the like.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Republic Corporation. Invention is credited to Mack S. Johnston.
United States Patent |
3,608,790 |
Johnston |
September 28, 1971 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
TAPPING DEVICE FOR BEER KEGS AND THE LIKE
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.
Inventors: |
Johnston; Mack S. (Rolling
Hills, CA) |
Assignee: |
Republic Corporation (Los
Angeles, CA)
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Family
ID: |
25395203 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/889,485 |
Filed: |
December 31, 1969 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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819706 |
Apr 28, 1969 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/400.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D
1/0832 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B67D
1/08 (20060101); B67D 1/00 (20060101); B65d
083/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/400.7,525 ;137/323
;239/583 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Tollberg; Stanley H.
Parent Case Text
The present application is a continuation-in-part of my copending
application Ser. No. 819,706 filed Apr. 28, 1969.
Claims
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
Description
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 11/2 inch tapping opening and comprising a novel keg
adapter for sealing 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 11/2 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 means whereby the coupler employed at the
beer dispensing 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 the
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 12-16 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.
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 concavo-convex 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 a common
diametrical plane with lower opening 18. A filler opening 25 is
also formed through the sidewall 12 of keg 10 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 11/2 inches in diameter and comprises stepped shoulders 26
and 28 forming a portion of an outwardly projecting annular flange
30, flange 30 being internally 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
when adapter A is secured within opening 24. The lower end portion
44 of siphon tube 42 is bent outwardly at about a 15.degree. 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 of 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 valve 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 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 a gas check valve illustrated generally at 78. Sleeve 74
has a plurality of openings 80 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 110 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 the 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 to
another keg wherein a series installation is desired) and the arm
118 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 constitute 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 and 52 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 54 in 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 80
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 adapter A 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 90.degree. 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.degree. 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.degree. toward securement in the adapter, the coupler arm will
pass by the center of the keg and make about a 45.degree. 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 coupler 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 its upper end. Sleeves 140 and 144 are preferably
formed of a plastic material and 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 162
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 10 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 a 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 effect of keg elongation due to pressurization
of the keg is minimized with the result that the keg may be
substantially completely drained of beer.
* * * * *