Abstract:
The present invention provides a faucet for tapping a liquid stored under pressure of a gas in a container that has less moving parts subject to wear or breakage, and has a housing made of multiple parts which can be disassembled so the faucet mechanism can be easily cleaned, repaired, or replaced. The faucet mechanism contains a piece of flexible tubing and an arrangement of a pinch valve mechanism that compresses the flexible tubing to shut off flow of liquid through the tubing. 
     In one arrangement of the present invention, since the housing does not move and does not come in contact with the beverage being poured the housing is made of a non-metallic material, such as a plastic or petroleum-based material, which is less expensive than the previous brass or stainless steel housing.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/508,158 entitled “Pinch Faucet” filed on behalf of Richard Spray and Rex McAffee, on Oct. 2, 2003. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates generally to dispensing of beverages, and more specifically, to a device for dispensing beverages stored under pressure in a container. The device is capable of pouring out beverages from a location remote from the container. The device works by operating a pinch lever valve on the dispensing faucet to open or close the flow of beverage through the faucet. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In many commercial establishments such as restaurants and bars, beverages, such as beer or soda, are stored under pressure in a sealed container, often in a location remote from the point where the beverages are dispensed. The container can be kept in a refrigerated compartment, so the beverages in the containers are kept cool. This enables establishments to dispense cold, fresh beverages by the glass without the need to keep a stock of filled beverage containers, like bottles and cans, at the point of dispensing. Owing to various constraints, it is often more practical or feasible for the refrigerated compartment to be kept at a location geographically remote from the point where the beverages are dispensed. In addition to taste improvement over beverages in containers and convenience, such establishments also attain a reduction in cost over serving beverages packaged in individual containers. 
     Typically, the sealed container, such as a keg, is attached to a faucet at the dispensing point by means of a flexible tube. Because the beverage in the container is stored under pressure, when the faucet is opened, the beverage flows from the container through the tube and out the open faucet. When the faucet is closed, the flow of beverage out the faucet ceases. 
     Over time and with use, the moving parts of the faucet will wear, and the faucet will cease to function efficiently, often resulting in beverage continually leaking or dripping from the faucet, even when it is shut off. The faucet housings are typically cast from a single piece of metal, because metal is resistant to wear, and many metals resist absorbing particulate matter that can yield an unpleasant taste as they breakdown, which can be transferred to beverages that are subsequently poured through the faucet. However, once the parts do ultimately wear, it can be difficult to gain access to the moving parts inside the cast unitary housing to replace or repair parts that have become worn or broken. 
     Additionally, the faucet can become dirty with particles from the beverage being processed remaining in the tubing and parts of the faucet. This can interfere with the system flow because of blockage. Also, because most beverages poured through such faucets have a high sugar content, and often contain yeast as well, the particulate matter remaining behind can ferment or spoil, which can affect the taste of subsequent beverages being transferred through the tube and faucet. 
     Often, it is difficult to clean the systems thoroughly, owing to their unitary construction. Additionally, the tubing is typically narrow to keep volume flow regulated, which can make it difficult to insert any cleaning device into the tubing. This is complicated in systems in which tubing of a flexible nature is used. Flexible tubing, which is fairly inexpensive, can usually be replaced periodically to avoid problems, if the construction of the specific system allows for such replacement. The faucets, while often of a larger inside diameter than the tubing, have attached moving parts, and typically have various curves or angles inside the housing, making it difficult to get the entire faucet thoroughly clean. Also, because the faucets are typically made of cast metals, they are expensive enough that it is difficult to cost-justify disposing of them and replacing them when parts become worn or broken or when the faucet cannot be cleaned thoroughly. 
     Therefore, what is needed is a faucet mechanism that is easier to clean, has less moving parts subject to wear or breakage, and is of a lower cost, so that if it cannot be cleaned or repaired in particular usages, the mechanism or portions thereof can be easily and inexpensively replaced. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides a faucet which is less complex than previous faucets, typically has less moving parts subject to wear or breakage, and has a housing made of multiple parts which can be disassembled so the mechanism can be easily disassembled. 
     In one preferred arrangement of the present invention, the housing is made of a non-metallic material, such as a plastic or petroleum-based material, which is less expensive than the previous brass or stainless steel housing, and can be more easily imprinted with words, pictures or other information. Since the housing does not move, it is subject to less wear, and can be made of a less expensive material without increasing the frequency of replacement of the device. However, the housing can also be made of metallic or other non-metallic materials. Because the housing is made of multiple pieces, it can be disassembled when necessary to clean the interior of the device or replace or repair worn or damaged parts. Alternatively, the entire faucet, or the moving parts of the faucet can be easily replaced as a unit with new parts, and the old parts can be removed and repaired at a remote location, and then used as spare parts for the same or another faucet at a later time. 
     In some arrangements of the present invention, some parts can be made of metals, such as stainless steel or brass, or other wear-resistant materials. Although stainless steel is more expensive than brass, parts subject to more frequent wear, such as the shank adaptor, will need to be replaced less frequently when the part is made of stainless steel or other wear-resistant materials. When the use of stainless steel or other wear-resistant materials for making parts subject to wear is combined with making non-wearing parts made of less expensive materials, the overall cost of the faucet typically is not increased, and can even be reduced. A faucet made in accordance with the present invention will have a longer life than prior art faucets. 
     An unexpected side benefit of the present invention has been a reduction in the amount of foam seen in beers dispensed through the faucet of the present invention. In prior art faucets, when beer flowing through the tubing reached the faucet, the flow passageway in the faucet was typically of a larger diameter than that of the tubing so that beer could be dispensed rapidly, and there was room for the shutoff and control mechanism inside the faucet. When the beer flowing through the tubing reached the area at the faucet where there was suddenly an increase in available volume, the pressure on the beer from the carbon dioxide is reduced, and the carbon dioxide will dissolve out of the solution of the beer and cause foaming of the beverage being dispensed. A high volume of foam in the dispensed beverage is undesirable, and results in wasting of the beverage being dispensed. In the faucet of the present invention, the flow passageway in the faucet is of approximately the same size as the tubing to the faucet. Thus, when beer flows through the faucet, there is no increase in volume or consequent reduction in pressure, and as a result, no excessive foaming of the beverage being dispensed. 
     The invention, a faucet for pouring a liquid stored under pressure of a gas in a container, comprises an outer housing made from two or more pieces capable of being secured together, a length of tubing circumscribing an opening and having an inner and outer diameter being positioned inside the housing, the tubing secured at one end to a shank adaptor that extends through an opening in the housing and extending at a second end into a second opening in the housing, and an arm external to the housing attached to a pinching device inside the housing by securing means extending through the housing. When the handle is placed in a closed position the arm maintains sufficient pressure on the pinching device to compress the outer diameter of the tubing so as to prevent the flow of liquid through the inner diameter of the tubing, and when the handle is placed in an open position the arm relieves the pressure on the pinching device, removing compression on the outer diameter of the tubing so as to allow liquid from the container to flow through from the shank adaptor through the inner diameter of the tubing and out the second end of the tubing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a cut-away side view of a typical prior art faucet in an open position; 
         FIG. 1B  is a cut-away side view of a typical prior art faucet in an closed position; 
         FIG. 2A  is a cut-away side view of a first embodiment of a faucet according to the present invention shown in an open position; 
         FIG. 2B  is a cut-away side view of a first embodiment of a faucet according to the present invention shown in a closed position; and 
         FIG. 3A  is an inside view of one part of a faucet housing for a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a pinch roller valve mechanism used in a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3C  is a cut-away side view of a second embodiment of a faucet according to the present invention shown in an open position; and 
         FIG. 3D  is a cut-away view side view of a second embodiment of a faucet according to the present invention shown in a closed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B  of the drawings, a typical prior art faucet assembly  10  is shown. The faucet assembly  10  is attached to a column  50  that is mounted in a wall or on top of a counter. The column  50  typically contains a shank  52 . The end of the shank  52  that protrudes from the column  50  has a receptacle  54  attached thereto. The inside circumference of the receptacle  54  is threaded. The shank  52  typically contains a flow passageway  56 . The flow passageway  56  is connected to one end of a length of flexible tubing  60 . The other end of the flexible tubing  60  is attached to a beverage container (not shown) that can be in the same general location as the column  50 , or can be at a location remote from the column  50 . 
     The prior art faucet assembly  10  has a shank adaptor  20  at one end that is threaded on the outside. The shank adapter  20  is threaded into to the receptacle  54  on the end of the shank  52 . A special sealing washer  21  is typically contained inside the shank adapter  20  so that a leak-proof seal is obtained when the shank adapter  20  is attached to the receptacle  54 , and beverage under pressure flows through the system. The prior art faucet assembly typically has an arm mechanism  30  seated at one end of a valve  12 , located inside a housing  11 , the valve  12  having a movable valve stem  13 , which has a head  14  on the end of the valve stem  13  opposite the end connected to the arm mechanism  30 . Typically, a gasket  16  is attached to the head  14  at the end of the valve stem  13 . The head  14  resides in an opening  18  in the rear of the faucet assembly  10 . The opening  18  inside the rear end of the faucet assembly  10  opens from the flow passageway  56  in the shank, and is tapered at the portion that is closest to the flow passageway  56 . 
     When the faucet assembly  10  is in an open condition, as shown in  FIG. 1A , the handle  70  is pulled forward, away from the column  50 . An arm mechanism  30 , which is inside the housing  11  is attached to one end of the handle  70 . When the handle  70  is pulled forward, the valve and attached valve stem  13  are pushed in the opposite direction. When the valve stem  13  is moved toward the column  50 , the head  14  and gasket  16  on the end of the valve stem  13  is moved away from the tapered portion of the opening  18 , which is known as the valve seat  19 , breaking the seal formed between the gasket  16  and valve seat  19 , allowing beverage to flow through the flow passageway  56 , into the opening  18  and out through the nozzle  24 . 
     When the faucet assembly  10  is in a closed condition, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the handle  70  is pushed to the rear towards the column  50 . The arm mechanism  30  is moved forward away from the column  50 . This pulls the head  14  and gasket  16  forward into the valve seat  19 . This creates a seal between the gasket  16  and the valve seat  19 , preventing beverage from flowing out through the nozzle  20  in the faucet assembly  10 . The gasket  16  is kept in a sealed position against the valve seat  19  by means of the head  14 , and pressure from the pressurized beverage container (not shown) to which the faucet assembly  10  is attached. In other configurations of the prior art, which are not illustrated herein, the faucet assembly operates as described, but the valve seat  19  is at the rear of the opening  18 , and the head  14  is pushed into the valve seat  19  to create a seal with the gasket  16 . When the head  14  is pulled forward out of the valve seat  19  into the opening  18  beverage will flow out through the nozzle  20 . In other arrangements of the prior art, also not illustrated here, the valve  12  is oriented vertically in the faucet assembly  10 , and the head  14  sits in the valve seat  19  at the bottom of the opening  18  when the faucet  10  is closed. When the arm mechanism  30  is pulled forward, the valve  12  is lifted upward, so the head  14  and attached seal  16  rise up out of the valve seat  19  so that beverage can flow out through the nozzle  20 . 
     The prior art faucet has many moving parts, increasing the possibility of breakage. Additionally, the moving parts are subject to wear, especially the gasket  16 , and head  14 , and the valve seat  19 . When parts wear occurs, leakage of beverage occurs, even when the faucet  10  is in the closed position. In order to replace worn gaskets  16  or heads  14 , the valve  12  has to be disconnected and removed from the faucet assembly  10 . When the valve seat  19  wears away, the surface has to be reground, which also requires removing the valve  12  from the faucet  10  so that equipment to grind the surface of the valve seat  19  can be inserted in the faucet  10 . These repairs are costly, and often difficult to make, given the relatively small size of the faucet assembly  10  and its unitary construction. 
     The present invention, alternatively, has a housing made of multiple parts secured together by securing means, that can be disassembled for easy access to internal parts. Additionally, there are fewer moving parts subject to wear or breakage in the faucet of the present invention. The faucet assembly of the present invention functions with a pinch mechanism to control the flow of beverage through the faucet, rather than using a valve seat mechanism as in the prior art. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B  of the drawings, one embodiment of a faucet assembly  100  of the present invention is shown. The faucet assembly  100  is attached to a column  50  that is mounted in a wall or on top of a counter. The column  50  typically contains a shank  52 . The end of the shank  52  that protrudes from the column  50  has a receptacle  54  attached thereto. The inside circumference of the receptacle  54  is threaded. The shank  52  typically contains a flow passageway  56 . The flow passageway  56  is connected to one end of the flexible tubing  60 . The other end of the flexible tubing  60  is attached to a beverage container (not shown) that can be in the same general location as the column  50 , or can be at a location remote from the column  50 . 
     The faucet assembly  100  of one arrangement of the present invention has a shank adaptor  120  that extends beyond the faucet at one end that is threaded on the outside. The shank adapter  120  is threaded into the receptacle  54  at the end of the shank  52 . A special sealing washer  121  is typically contained inside the shank adapter  120  so that a leak-proof seal is obtained when the shank adapter  120  is attached to the receptacle  54 , and beverage under pressure flows through the system. The faucet assembly  100  comprises a housing  102  that is made of two or more pieces which can be secured together by screws, bolts and nuts, or other appropriate securing means. A short length of flexible tubing  104  is contained in the faucet assembly  100 , which is secured at a first end to a second end of the shank adaptor  120 , which is opposite the end of the shank adaptor  120  that is threaded on the outside, the second end of the shank adaptor  120  protruding into a channel  108  in the housing  102 . In some arrangements of the present invention, a connector  106  secures the first end of the short length of flexible tubing  104  to the second end of the shank adapter  120 . The short length of flexible tubing  104  is positioned along its length in the channel  108  in the housing  102 . The second end of the short length of flexible tubing  104  is directed to an opening  108   a  at the second end of channel  108 , opposite the end into which the shank adaptor  120  is inserted, and functions as a pour nozzle. 
     The faucet assembly  100  also contains a pinching apparatus comprising a roller  112  and a tapered pressure mechanism  116 , which is tapered at one end. The tapered pressure mechanism  116  comprises an operator pin  116 B and a frame  116 C. The roller  112  is positioned in a substantially vertically-oriented groove  114  in the inside of the housing  102 , and the tapered pressure mechanism  116  is positioned in another groove  118  in the inside of the housing  102 , that is substantially horizontally-oriented and that intersects at least a portion of the top of the vertically-oriented groove  114 . The tapered pressure mechanism  116  is oriented in the groove  118  such that the tapered end  116   a  is closest to the vertically-oriented groove  114 , with the uppermost tip of the tapered end  116   a  closest to the top of the vertically-oriented groove  114 . The bottom of the groove  114  intersects a portion of the channel  108  that contains the short length of flexible tubing  104 . An arm  130 , which is external to the housing  102 , or partially external to the housing  102 , is secured to at least the non-tapered end of the tapered pressure mechanism  116  by securing means that extend through the width of the groove  118  in housing  102 . A handle mechanism  170  is attached to the arm  130 . 
     When the handle mechanism  170  is pulled forward, away from the column  50 , as shown in  FIG. 2A , the arm  130  is pulled away from the column  50  as well. Because the arm  130  is attached to the non-tapered end of the tapered pressure mechanism  116 , the tapered pressure mechanism  116  is slid toward the front of the groove  118  in the housing  102 . This releases the pressure on the roller  112  from the tapered pressure mechanism  116 , which enables the roller  112  of the pinching apparatus to slide into the upper portion of the groove  114  that intersects the groove  118 . When the roller  112  is in the upper portion of the groove  114 , it is not in that portion of the groove  114  that intersects the channel  108  that contains the short length of flexible tubing  104 , thereby releasing pressure placed on the flexible tubing  104  by the presence of the roller  112  in the portion of the groove  114  that intersects the channel  108 . The absence of such pressure enables the flexible tubing  104  to expand to fill the groove  108 , thereby enabling the flow of beverage from the flow passageway  56  through the opening in the shank adaptor  120  through the short length of flexible tubing  104  contained in the faucet assembly  100 , and out the end of the flexible tubing  104  that protrudes into the opening  108   a  in the faucet housing  102 . 
     When the faucet assembly  100  is in a closed condition as shown in  FIG. 2B , the handle mechanism  170  is pushed to the rear, towards the column  50 . This pushes the arm  130  attached to the handle mechanism  170  towards the column  50  as well. Because the arm  130  is secured to an end of the tapered pressure mechanism  116  of the pinching apparatus, when the arm  130  moves towards the column  50 , the tapered pressure mechanism  116  is also pushed toward the end of the horizontally-oriented groove  118  that is closer to the column  50 . This pushes the tapered end  116   a  of the tapered pressure mechanism  116  against the roller  112 . As the tapered pressure mechanism  116  slides further in groove  118  towards the column  50 , the tapered tip  116   a  moves beyond the portion of the groove  118  that intersects the groove  114 . As this occurs, increasing pressure is applied to the roller  112  by the increasing diameter of the tapered pressure mechanism  116 , causing the roller  112  to slide downward in the groove  114 . The roller  112  enters the portion of the groove  114  that intersects with the channel  108 , which contains the flexible tubing  104 . 
     The pressure on the roller  112  from the tapered pressure mechanism  116  causes the roller  112  to press down on the upper portion of the short length of flexible tubing  104 , compressing the circumference of the flexible tubing  104  against the bottom side of the groove  108 , thereby preventing beverage from flowing through the short length of flexible tubing  104 . The roller  112  of the pinching apparatus is maintained in the lower portion of the groove  114  by the presence of the tapered pressure mechanism  116  in the portion of the groove  118  that intersects the upper part of the groove  114 , preventing the roller  112  from moving back into the upper portion of the groove  114 . The tapered pressure mechanism  116  is held in place due to the pressure applied thereto by the arm  130  attached the tapered pressure mechanism  116 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C and  3 D of the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a faucet assembly  200  of the present invention is shown. 
     The faucet assembly  200  comprises a housing  202  that is made of two or more pieces which can be secured together with securing means, such as screws, nut and bolts, or other appropriate securing means. The housing  202  of this arrangement of the present invention can best be seen in  FIG. 3A . The housing  202  has a substantially circular external opening  203  at one end. A substantially rectangular channel  218  in the housing  202  has a “T” shaped opening  219  to the outside cut through the side of the housing  202 , with the top of the “T” being oriented vertically and closest to the end of the housing  202  in which external opening  203  is located. A groove  208  extends from channel  218  to an external opening  208   a  located at the other end of the housing  202 . 
     The faucet assembly  200  also contains a pinching device comprising a pinch roller valve mechanism  212 , which is positioned in the channel  218  in the housing  202 , the channel  218  being long enough to enable the pinch roller valve mechanism  212  to move forward and back in the channel. As can best be seen in  FIG. 3B , the pinch roller valve mechanism  212  comprises a substantially rectangular hollow frame  211 . Substantially circular openings,  213   a ,  213   b  are centered in two opposing long sides of the frame  211 . The other two opposing long sides of the frame  211  contain two slash-shaped openings,  214   a ,  214   b  in each side, positioned diagonally to form a “V” shape with the bottom of the “V” shape having a separator  215  that prevents the 2 legs of the “V” from joining together. An operator pin  216  is located adjacent to the separator  215  on each side of the pinch roller mechanism  212 , and projects outwards from the frame  211 . A roller  217  is inserted into each opening  214   a ,  214   b , the roller  217  extending through the width of the frame  211  and into the opening  214   a ,  214   b  respectively, on the opposite side of the frame  211 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3C and 3D , the faucet assembly  200  is attached to a column  50  that is mounted in a wall or on top of a counter. The column  50  typically contains a shank  52 . The end of the shank  52  that protrudes from the column  50  has a receptacle  54  attached thereto. The inside circumference of the receptacle  54  is threaded. The shank  52  typically contains a flow passageway  56 . The flow passageway  56  is connected to one end of the flexible tubing  60 . The other end of the flexible tubing  60  is attached to a beverage container (not shown) that can be in the same general location as the column  50 , or can be at a location remote from the column  50 . 
     The faucet assembly  200  of the present invention has a shank adaptor  120  that is inserted into the opening  203  in one end of the housing  202 , and extends beyond the faucet assembly  200 . The shank adapter  120  is threaded on the outside of the end farthest from the faucet assembly  200 , and screws into the receptacle  54  at the end of the shank  52 . A special sealing washer  121  is typically contained inside the shank adapter  120  so that a leak-proof seal is obtained when the shank adapter  120  is attached to the receptacle  54 , and beverage under pressure flows through the system. 
     A short length of flexible tubing  104  is contained in the faucet assembly  200 , which is secured at a first end to the end of the shank adaptor  120 , which protrudes into opening  203  in the housing  202 . In some arrangements of the present invention, a connector  206  secures the first end of the short length of flexible tubing  104  to the second end of the shank adapter  120 . The short length of flexible tubing  104  is threaded through the circular openings  213   a ,  213   b  in the frame  211  of the pinch roller valve mechanism  212 . The remainder of the short length of flexible tubing  104  is positioned in the channel  208  in the housing  202 , and the second end of the short length of flexible tubing  104  is directed to external opening  208   a  at the end of the housing  202  opposite the opening  203  into which the shank adaptor  120  is inserted, and functions as a pour nozzle. 
     The operator pins  216  on the pinch valve mechanism  212  are long enough to extend through the “T” shaped openings  219  and beyond the housing  202  on each side. An arm mechanism  230 , which is external to the housing  202 , also has openings in each side. The arm mechanism  230  is positioned around and secured to the housing  202  such that the operator pins  216 , fit into the openings in the arm mechanism  230 . A handle mechanism  270  is attached to the arm  230  which controls the pinching apparatus. 
     When the handle mechanism  270  is pulled forward, away from the column  50 , as shown in  FIG. 3C , the arm  230  is pulled away from the column  50  as well. Because the arm  230  is positioned around the operator pins  216 , the operator pins  216  are pulled toward the bottoms of the horizontal legs of the “T” openings  219  in the housing  202 . Because the operator pins  216  are attached to the pinch roller valve mechanism  212 , the pinch roller valve mechanism  212  slides forward in the channel  218 , away from the column  50  as well. This allows the pinch rollers  217   a ,  217   b  to move toward the top outside positions in the slash shaped openings  214   a ,  214   b , away from the separator  215 , and toward the outside ends of the “V” shape which outside ends are approximately aligned with the outer points of the vertically oriented leg of the “T” openings  219  in the housing  202 . This positions the pinch rollers  217   a ,  217   b  beyond the outside diameter of the flexible tubing  104 , thereby enabling the flow of beverage from the flow passageway  56  through the opening in the shank adaptor  120 , through the short length of flexible tubing  104  contained in the faucet assembly  200  and out through the end of the flexible tubing  104  that protrudes into the opening  208   a  in the faucet housing  202 . 
     When the faucet assembly  200  is in a closed condition, as shown in  FIG. 3D , the handle mechanism  270  is pushed to the rear, towards the column  50 . This pushes the arm  230  towards the column  50  as well, closing the pinching apparatus. Because the arm  230  is mounted around the operator pins  216 , the operator pins  216  are slid toward the inner points of the horizontally-oriented leg of the “T” openings  219  in the housing  202  Because the operator pins  216  are attached to the pinch roller valve mechanism  212 , the pinch roller valve mechanism  212  slides rearward in the channel  218 , toward the column  50  as well. This pulls the pinch rollers  217   a ,  217   b  toward the bottom of the slashed-shaped openings  214   a ,  214   b , toward the separator  215  and toward the base of the “V” and consequently toward the inside of the vertically-oriented leg of the “T” openings  219  in the housing  202 . This compresses the flexible tubing  104  between the rollers  217   a ,  217   b , thereby preventing beverage from flowing from the flow passageway  56  through the opening  210  in the shank adaptor  120  or out through end of the flexible tubing  104  that protrudes into the opening  208   a  in the faucet housing. The rollers  217   a ,  217   b  are maintained pinched together around the flexible tubing  104  by means of pressure exerted by the arm mechanism  230  holding the operator pins  216  in position, which prevents the pinch roller valve mechanism  212  from moving back into the front portion of the channel  218 . 
     To reduce costs of the faucet assembly  100 ,  200 , it has been found that the housing  202  can be made of plastic or petroleum-based products. Because housing  202  is not a moving part, it is not as subject to wear, and therefore making the housing  202  of a non-metallic material will not increase the frequency of replacement of the faucet assembly. Additionally, because the housing  202  does not come in contact with the beverage being poured, the material composition will not impart any “off” flavor to the beverage. Additionally, if the housing  202  is made of a non-metallic material, it may be easier to configure the housing  202  to contain the interior grooves as it may be easier to make such grooves in non-metallic materials or mold or cast non-metallic materials. Similarly, in another embodiment of the present invention, certain parts of the faucet assembly  100 ,  200 , such as the shank adapter  120 , connector  106 , pinch rollers  217   a ,  217   b , operator  216  and/or arm  130 ,  230  can be made of stainless steel, rather than brass or some other substance that does not have the increased wear characteristics of stainless steel. Although stainless steel is typically more expensive than other materials such as brass, the longer life of the parts may justify the increased cost. 
     An unexpected side benefit of the present invention has been a reduction in the amount of foam seen in beers dispensed through the faucet  100 ,  200  of the present invention. In prior art faucets  10 , when beer flowing through the tubing  60  reached the faucet, the opening  18  in the faucet  10  was typically of a larger diameter than that of the tubing  60  so that beer could be dispensed rapidly, and there was room for the valve mechanism inside the faucet. When the beer flowing through the tubing  60  reached the area  18  in the faucet  10  where there was suddenly an increase in available volume, the pressure on the beer from the carbon dioxide was reduced, and the carbon dioxide will dissolve out of the solution of the beer and cause foaming of the beverage being dispensed. A high volume of foam in the dispensed beverage is undesirable, and results in wasting of the beverage being dispensed. In the faucet  100 ,  200  of the present invention, the flexible tubing  104  in the faucet  100 ,  200  is of approximately the same size as the tubing  60  to the faucet  100 ,  200 . Thus, when beer flows through the faucet  100 ,  200 , there is no increase in volume or consequent reduction in pressure, and as a result, no excessive foaming of the beverage being dispensed. 
     It is understood that the present invention can take many forms and embodiments. Accordingly, several variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. For example, paddles, rather than rollers, can be used for compression of the flexible tubing. 
     Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.