MODULAR CONSTRUCTED REGULATED FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE

• Main Authors: HOSS, VONG, SPOONER, GREGORY CLEGG
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French
• Published: 26.11.2009
• Subjects: ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS,e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES,DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; CONVEYING; DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISEPROVIDED FOR; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; LIQUID HANDLING; OPENING, CLOSING; PACKAGES; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; STORING; TRANSPORTING

A device and method are provided for dispensing a beverage from a pressurized container. The dispensing device includes an integral source of compressed gas for maintaining the beverage within the container at a desired pressurized state. The dispensing device also includes a regulator for controlling the flow of gas from the compressed gas source to the interior of the container, as well as a pressure relief mechanism that accounts for potential over pressurization of the container. The beverage is selectively dispensed by actuation of a tap handle. Delivery is achieved through the device by a resilient delivery tube, and the delivery tube is either pinched closed or allowed to decompress by the actuation of the tap handle. In another embodiment, a check valve is used to control flow of the beverage in which the tap handle activates a transfer rod to seat and unseat a check element. The device can be manufactured in either a unitary construction or a modular construction. Modular construction provides greater flexibility in testing and replacement of defective components.