Keg Tap Adapter With Flow Restriction
First Claim
1. A tap adapter for use in dispensing an alcohol beverage from a container, the tap adapter comprising:
- a shoulder and a support arm, the support arm having an elongate channel having a floor, a first side wall portion and a second side wall portion, and the support arm having an access portion adjacent the second side wall portion;
a dispensing tube supported in the channel on the floor between the first and second side wall portions, the dispensing tube providing a beverage flow passageway for dispensing beverage from the container, and the dispensing tube having at least a flexible wall portion;
a flow restricting actuator pivotally attached to the shoulder and movable between a first position remote of the dispensing tube and a second position at least partially passing through the access portion of the support arm to squeeze the flexible wall portion between the first wall portion and the flow restricting actuator so as to partially collapse the flexible wall portion and restrict flow of beverage through the passageway.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tap adapter (38) for use in dispensing an alcohol beverage from a container (22) has a shoulder (152), a support arm (150), a dispensing tube, a flow restricting actuator (200), and a switch (300). The dispensing tube is supported by the support arm and provides a beverage flow passageway for dispensing beverage from the container. The dispensing tube has at least a flexible wall portion (86). The flow restricting actuator is pivotally attached to the shoulder and moves between a first position remote of the dispensing tube and a second locked position to partially collapse the flexible wall portion and restrict flow of beverage through the passageway. The switch, when actuated by a user, releases the flow restricting actuator from the second locked position. The switch of the tap adapter facilitates disconnection of the dispensing tube from a spent container and the changing of the dispensing tube.
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A tap adapter for use in dispensing an alcohol beverage from a container, the tap adapter comprising:
-
a shoulder and a support arm, the support arm having an elongate channel having a floor, a first side wall portion and a second side wall portion, and the support arm having an access portion adjacent the second side wall portion; a dispensing tube supported in the channel on the floor between the first and second side wall portions, the dispensing tube providing a beverage flow passageway for dispensing beverage from the container, and the dispensing tube having at least a flexible wall portion; a flow restricting actuator pivotally attached to the shoulder and movable between a first position remote of the dispensing tube and a second position at least partially passing through the access portion of the support arm to squeeze the flexible wall portion between the first wall portion and the flow restricting actuator so as to partially collapse the flexible wall portion and restrict flow of beverage through the passageway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A tap adapter for use in dispensing an alcohol beverage from a container, the tap adapter comprising:
-
a dispensing tube supported by the support arm and providing a beverage flow passageway for dispensing beverage from the container, and the dispensing tube having at least a flexible wall portion; a flow restricting actuator pivotally attached to the shoulder and movable between a first position remote of the dispensing tube and a second locked position to partially collapse the flexible wall portion and restricting flow of beverage through the passageway; and
,a switch, when actuated by a user, for releasing the flow restricting actuator from the second locked position. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification