Beverage tap plug

The present invention relates to a beverage tap plug for occupying and disinfecting, cleaning, or sanitizing a faucet opening of a beverage tap. The beverage tap plug comprises a support member supporting a resilient absorbent member. The absorbent member comprises a generally cylindrical column of absorbent material. The support member of the beverage tap plug comprises a relatively flat, disk-shaped base supporting a thin post in which the post defines a longitudinal axis with a first base end and second distal end. The post protrudes outwardly from the center of the base at the base end. Additionally, the outside diameter of the absorbent member is larger than the diameter of the diameter of the outer rim of the faucet opening. The absorbent member of the beverage tap plug is impregnated with a disinfectant, sanitizer or cleaner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the disinfecting, sanitizing, or cleaning of beverage tap faucet interiors and rims and, in particular, to beverage tap plugs designed to be placed inside the faucet opening of a beverage tap in order to more efficiently disinfect, sanitize, or clean the beverage tap faucet interior.

2. The Prior Art

Some of the major issues that arises with beer or beverage taps are that these taps can harbor stale beverage remnants or unsanitary particulates, as well as promote the growth of bacteria and/or various other microorganisms. The prior art generally deals with these issues in one of two ways: 1) the prior art either requires the manual scrubbing and cleaning of the beverage tap every at regular intervals, which can be a tedious and rigorous process, or 2) the prior art discloses plugging up the beverage tap using a tap plug (an example of which is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/125,093, titled Beverage Tap Spout Plug, published Sep. 15, 2005) thus creating a physical barrier between the inside surface of the tap and the outside air. Manually cleaning or scrubbing the beverage tap has the disadvantage of not only being tedious, but once the cleaning is completed, microorganisms can still be reintroduced to the beverage tap from its exposure to air. On the other hand, the problem with the prior art tap plugs is that they do not disinfectant, sanitize, or clean any of the undesirable particulates or microorganisms that are already in the beverage tap. Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a tap plug that can not only disinfect, sanitize, or clean a beverage tap, but also reduce the reintroduction or growth of more microorganisms.

It is a further object of this invention to perform the above function in a simple and cost effective manner.

These and other objects of the inventions will become apparent upon review of the following claims, specification, and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a beverage tap plug for occupying and disinfecting, sanitizing, or cleaning a faucet opening of a beverage tap. The beverage tap plug comprises a support member supporting a resilient absorbent member. The absorbent member comprises a generally cylindrical column of absorbent material capable of being impregnated with a disinfectant, sanitizer or cleaner.

The support member of the beverage tap plug comprises a relatively flat, disk-shaped base supporting a thin post in which the post defines a longitudinal axis with a first base end and second distal end. The post protrudes outwardly from the center of the base at the base end. Additionally, the outside diameter of the absorbent member is larger than the diameter of the outer rim of the faucet opening.

Additionally, The beverage tap plug further comprises a plurality of fins which extend radially outwardly from the post. The fins preferably have a slight downward bias towards the base of the support member.

In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of fins extends along substantially the entire length of the post.

Also, the post of the beverage tap plug is provided with a cone-shaped tip connected to the post at the distal end.

In a preferred embodiment, the post of the beverage tap plug defines a cross section generally in the shape of a square such that the post presents four different faces, with each face angled substantially perpendicular to every adjacent face.

Additionally, the fins of the beverage tap plug can be aligned generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis notwithstanding the slight downward bias of the fins.

In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of fins are composed of four groups, each group extends radially outwardly from a separate face of the post.

Also, the flat base of the beverage tap plug can be wider than the outside diameter of the faucet opening in order to provide easier gripping of the tap plug for insertion and removal.

The absorbent member of the beverage tap plug can preferably be impregnated with a sanitizer comprising a cationic surfactant.

In a second preferred embodiment, the beverage tap plug comprises a support member supporting a resilient absorbent member. The absorbent member comprises a generally cylindrical column of absorbent material.

The support member of the beverage tap plug comprises a relatively flat, disk-shaped base supporting a thin post in which the post defines a longitudinal axis with a first base end and second distal end. The post protrudes outwardly from the center of the base at the base end. The post has a plurality of fins which are arranged in a generally continuous spiral pattern from the base end to the distal end and extending radially outwardly from the post.

In a third embodiment, the beverage tap plug comprises a support member supporting a resilient absorbent member. The absorbent member comprises a generally cylindrical column of absorbent material.

The support member of the beverage tap plug comprises a relatively flat, disk-shaped base supporting a thin post in which the post defines a longitudinal axis with a first base end and second distal end. The post protrudes outwardly from the center of the base at the base end. The post has a single continuous screw type threading from the base end to the distal end in lieu of the plurality of fins in other embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As shown inFIG. 1, beverage tap plug10, in one preferred embodiment, comprises absorbent member30enclosing support member15.

Support member15comprises flat base20and post25protruding from flat base20. Flat base20can be any shape; however, in this preferred embodiment flat base20is generally circular in shape.

Beverage tap plug10, after being impregnated with a disinfectant, sanitizer, or other cleaning agent, is inserted into the faucet opening of beverage tap60. In a preferred embodiment, flat base20is wider than the diameter of the outer rim of the faucet opening in order to provide for easier gripping and removal of beverage tap plug10.

FIG. 2shows post25defining longitudinal axis45and having base end35and distal end40. Post25is attached to flat base20at base end35such that it is protruding from the center of flat base20. Post25can have a generally square cross section. Post25also has cone tip50attached to distal end40. Post25has plurality of fins65protruding radially outwardly from longitudinal axis45. Plurality of fins65are relatively thin, flat projections and are arranged generally perpendicular to longitudinal axis45. Plurality of fins65have a slight downward bias toward base end35.

Support member15can be composed of a wide variety of materials. However, support member15is preferably made of plastic.

Absorbent member30is generally cylindrical in shape and has a hole70defining inside surface75to allow the insertion of post25. The outside diameter of absorbent member30is greater than the inside diameter of the faucet opening of beverage tap60. Absorbent member30can be composed of any acceptable absorbent material recognized by one of skill in the art to be capable of being impregnated with a disinfectant, sanitizer or cleaning solution.

As demonstrated byFIG. 1, absorbent member30is secured to post25via plurality of fins65that grab or catch inside surface75.

As shown byFIG. 3, cone tip50has notches55such that cone tip50has a cross shaped cross section.

FIG. 4is cross section of the beverage tap plug showing plurality of fins65engaging inside surface75. Also shown byFIG. 4is cationic surfactant61impregnating absorbent member30.

FIG. 5shows support member15of a second embodiment of a beverage tap plug.FIG. 5shows support member comprising a flat base20and post25protruding from flat base20.

Post25defines longitudinal axis45and has base end35and distal end40. Post25is attached to flat base20at base end35such that it is protruding from the center of flat base20. Post25has a circular cross section. Post25also has cone tip50attached to distal end40. Post26has a plurality of fins65protruding radially outward from longitudinal axis45. The plurality of fins65are relatively thin, flat projections and are arranged generally perpendicular to longitudinal axis45. Plurality of fins65are also arranged in a generally continuous spiral pattern from base end35to distal end40.

FIG. 6shows support member15of a third embodiment of a beverage tap plug.FIG. 6shows support member comprising a flat base20and post25protruding from flat base20.

Post25defines longitudinal axis45and has base end35and distal end40. Post25is attached to flat base20at base end35such that it is protruding from the center of flat base20. Post25has a circular cross section. Post25also has cone tip50attached to distal end40. Post25has a continuous screw type threading66from base end35to distal end40.

While many different disinfectants, sanitizers or cleaners may be used, a preferred sanitizer would comprise any one of a number of available cationic surfactants. Once the beverage tap plug is removed it is preferable to wait thirty seconds before drafting any beverage, especially any carbonated beverage, in order to prevent any loss of head from the beverage.

The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention and the invention is not limited thereto, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.