Abstract:
A faucet assembly for dispensing liquids from a container. The faucet assembly includes a handle assembly that is connectable to a liquid dispenser of a container for use with a variety of liquids. The faucet assembly is configured to be compatible with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) Guidelines requiring certain features of equipment to be located to allow access to a person who might have a temporary or permanent disability and require a faucet assembly connected to a liquid or beverage container to be lower than a certain height and depth or set back dimension when the container is placed on a surface for dispensing the liquid from the container. A faucet assembly with a handle assembly that extends downwardly and outwardly from the top of the faucet assembly to ensure the faucet can be actuated by a person within the ADA Guidelines.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/661,127, filed Jun. 18, 2012. The disclosure set forth in the referenced application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a faucet assembly for dispensing liquids from a container, and more particularly, to a handle assembly that is connectable to a liquid dispenser of a container for use with a variety of liquids, including but not limited to beverages, in order to selectively dispense or stop dispensing the flow of the liquid. 
     The faucet assembly of the present disclosure is configured to be compatible with Guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The ADA provides Guidelines which require certain features of various equipment (, controls, access, etc) to be set at a dimension or a range of dimensions that would allow access to a person who might have a temporary or permanent disability, by way of example, but not limitation, a person seated in a wheelchair. In particular, these guidelines require a faucet assembly connected to a liquid or beverage container to be lower than a certain height and depth or set back dimension when the container is placed on a countertop or table for dispensing the liquid from the container. This requirement ensures the faucet actuator or handle can be reached by a person in a wheelchair or other device. 
     The present disclosure relates to a faucet assembly with a handle assembly that extends downwardly and outwardly from the top of the faucet assembly to ensure the faucet can be actuated by a person, within the ADA Guidelines, such as a person in a wheelchair when the container is placed on a raised surface such as a countertop. Traditional faucet assemblies have a nozzle with a handle extending directly upwardly from the top of the nozzle, resulting in a situation where a wheelchair-bound user may not be able to reach the top grip of the handle to actuate or comfortably operate the faucet assembly. Inevitably, these faucets place the control feature of the faucet outside of the dimensional range or dimensional envelope of the established ADA Guidelines. 
     SUMMARY 
     A faucet assembly in accordance with the present disclosure includes a liquid dispenser, a valve assembly, and a handle associated with the valve assembly. The liquid dispenser includes a nozzle and a dispenser body that is connectable to a variety of different liquid containers that can store hot or cold liquid. The valve assembly is coupled to the liquid dispenser and configured to move between a closed position to block the discharge of liquid from the container and an open position to allow the discharge of liquid or to dispense liquid from the container. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the handle assembly includes a lever that extends downward and away from the top of the liquid dispenser and a base that is connectable to the valve assembly. By configuring the lever to extend downward and away from the liquid dispenser, the faucet assembly of the present disclosure is accessible and operatable by a wheelchair-bound user and compliant with ADA Guidelines. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the handle assembly includes a gripping portion that is angled outward from the liquid dispenser to allow more space for a user&#39;s finger to access a contoured grip on the gripping portion. In this way, handle assembly provides an understandable means for operating the handle assembly in an upward fashion in a direction away from the bottom of liquid dispenser to actuate the liquid dispenser. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the handle assembly includes pivot pins that may be used to removably or permanently couple the handle assembly to any traditional or standard valve assembly for use with any traditional or standard liquid dispenser. In the case of removable pivot pins, the handle assembly of the present disclosure may be interchangeable with handles currently used by standard faucet assemblies in order to modify them to meet the ADA Guidelines. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the faucet assembly is configured to prevent unintentional operation or actuation of the nozzle but still facilitate intentional, controlled operation. The handle assembly of the present disclosure includes an abutment nub on the back of the handle assembly to block unintentional movement of the lever in a backward direction toward the liquid dispenser. This also provides resistance to a user as tactile guidance that the handle assembly is not configured to operate in a backward direction. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the faucet assembly is also configured to be arranged in a service position, whereby the faucet assembly may be positioned to allow the nozzle to be maintained in the open position without continued upward forced applied by the user. This service position allows the faucet assembly to be retained in such a way that free flow draining of liquid from the container to which the faucet is attached may be accomplished during a service operation such as cleaning. 
     This background information is provided to provide some information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present disclosure. No admission is intended, nor should such admission be inferred or construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present disclosure. Other aims, objects, advantages and features of the disclosure will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of specific embodiments thereof, given by way of illustration and not limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to the attached drawings which are given as a non-limiting example only, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an enlarged sectional view of a faucet assembly showing that the faucet assembly includes a liquid dispenser, a valve assembly coupled to the liquid dispenser, and a handle assembly in accordance with the present disclosure coupled to the valve assembly, wherein the handle assembly is in a first position in which the valve assembly is in a closed position relative to the liquid dispenser for blocking movement of liquid from the liquid dispenser and showing the handle assembly includes a downward extending lever to provide accessible control and operation of the valve assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  showing the handle assembly in a second position in which the valve assembly is in a open position relative to the liquid dispenser for allowing movement of liquid from the liquid dispenser out of the faucet assembly and showing the handle has been rotated in a clockwise direction about a pivot point as a result of an upward force to allow discharge of liquid from the liquid dispenser; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged front perspective view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 1  showing a lever of the handle assembly, the lever including a gripping portion, a connecting portion, and an angled extender coupled to the gripping portion and connecting portion, the gripping portion including instructional indicia, and the connecting portion including a shaft window for use in assembling the handle assembly to the valve assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 3  showing the handle assembly includes the lever and a base coupled to a backside of the lever, the lever including a contoured grip on a backside of the gripping portion and the gripping portion angling away and downward from the base, the connecting portion of the lever including a side wall and a top wall forming an obtuse angle downward and outward from the top wall, the base including guide rails configured to abut against the liquid dispenser when the handle assembly is in the first position and a cam mechanism configured to pivot the base upward in a direction away from the closure top when the lever of the handle assembly is rotated upward to the second position; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 3  showing the lever of the handle assembly includes an abutment nub on the backside of the lever that is configured to abut against a side of the liquid dispenser when the handle assembly is in the first position to block rearward movement of the lever to prevent unintended actuation of the lever through inadvertent bumping of the lever, the handle assembly also including a pair of pivot pins coupled to an interior surface of the base and configured to be coupled to an operating shaft of the valve assembly to move the operating shaft up or down through pivotal movement of the handle assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view of the back and side of the handle assembly of  FIG. 3  showing the base of the handle assembly is coupled to both the side wall and top wall of the connecting portion of the lever, the base including the cam mechanism which includes a cam surface adjacent to the guide rails of the base, the cam surface providing an angled edge to the base to facilitate an efficient and smooth movement as the base is moved in an upward direction away from the liquid dispenser when the lever of the handle assembly is rotated upward; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view along the plane  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6  showing the top wall of the handle assembly includes a shaft window formed to include an assembly orifice, the assembly orifice configured to allow a portion of the operating shaft to move through the top wall when coupling the handle assembly to the valve assembly; and 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a faucet assembly in accordance with the present disclosure showing a liquid dispenser is connectable to an outlet tube of a container to allow liquid stored in the container to be discharged through the faucet assembly and showing that the handle assembly has been rotated approximately 180 degrees about a pivot point from the handle assembly in  FIG. 2  to abut against the outlet tube and be maintained in a third position in which a valve assembly coupled to the handle assembly is positioned in an open position relative to the liquid dispenser for allowing removal of liquid from the container, through the liquid dispenser, and out of the faucet assembly without the continued upward force of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the disclosure that are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner. Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the present disclosure may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, embodiments with the understanding that the present description is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure. The disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of structure, function, construction, or the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of various phrases and terms is meant to encompass the items or functions identified and equivalents thereof as well as additional items or functions. Unless limited otherwise, various phrases, terms, and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass all variations of such phrases and terms. Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific configurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the disclosure. However, other alternative structures, functions, and configurations are possible which are considered to be within the teachings of the present disclosure. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the term “or” is to be considered inclusive. 
     Beverages and related ingredients may be described in the present application and will be generally referred to as “coffee”. However, it should be understood that the term beverage ingredient should be broadly interpreted regardless of reference to beverage ingredient or coffee. Also, the characteristics or form of the beverage ingredient can be any variety of ingredients which are currently known or hereafter developed. The form of the beverage ingredient may include powder, liquid, gel, crystal, flake, freeze-dried and any other form or state regardless of temperature, phase or other characteristics. Reference to beverage dispensing includes reconstituting, brewing, steeping or any other form of combining a dilution ingredient with a beverage ingredient. 
     Moreover, while “beverage” is referred to, it is envisioned that any variety of food ingredients could be placed in an ingredient container for dispensing. In this regard, the food could take the form of water, juice, coffee, tea, other flavored beverages, as well as other foods. 
     A faucet assembly  10  in accordance with the present disclosure includes a liquid dispenser  12 , a valve assembly  14 , and a handle assembly  16  as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 8 . Valve assembly  14  is coupled to liquid dispenser  12  and is configured to move relative to liquid dispenser  12  to control the discharge of liquid  104  stored in a container  100  that liquid dispenser  12  is coupled to, as suggested in  FIGS. 2  and  8 . Handle assembly  16  is coupled to valve assembly  14  to define a valve space  19  therebetween. Handle assembly  16  is configured to move valve assembly  14  from a closed position as shown in  FIG. 1  to an open position to allow liquid  104  in container  100  to flow out through liquid dispenser  12 . Handle assembly  16  includes a lever  20  that extends downward and outward from where handle assembly  16  is coupled to valve assembly  14  to provide accessible control of valve assembly  14  at a height suitable for compliance with ADA Guidelines. 
     When handle assembly  16  is in a first position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , valve assembly  14  is in the closed position and discharge of liquid  104  through a first or, as shown, horizontal flow channel  18  in liquid dispenser  12  is blocked by valve assembly  14 . When a user-applied force  11  is applied to handle assembly  16  by lifting up on the downwardly extending lever  20 , handle assembly  16  is moved to a second position and valve assembly  14  is moved to the open position that does not block horizontal flow channel  18 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . When valve-assembly  14  is in the open position, liquid  104  stored in container  100  can flow through liquid dispenser  12  and be discharged out of faucet assembly  10 . 
     Handle assembly  16  includes lever  20 , a base  22 , and one or more pivot pins  24 , as seen in  FIGS. 3-7 . Base  22  is coupled to lever  20  and configured to extend downward toward liquid dispenser  12  to abut against liquid dispenser  12  when handle assembly  16  is in the first position. Pivot pins  24  are appended to base  22  and are configured to be coupled to valve assembly  14  in order to provide movement of valve assembly  14  when handle assembly  16  is moved by user-applied force  11 . 
     As shown, for example, in  FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7 , lever  20  includes a gripping portion  26 , a connecting portion  28 , and an angled extender  30 . Angled extender  30  is appended to the top of gripping portion  26  and is appended to the bottom of connecting portion  28  to bridge gripping portion  26  and connecting portion  28  together, as seen in  FIGS. 3-7 . Gripping portion  26 , connecting portion  28  and angled extender  30  are configured such that, when a user actuates lever  20  of handle assembly  16  with user-applied force  11 , gripping portion  26 , connecting portion  28  and angled extender  30  move together as a unified piece. 
     Gripping portion  26  includes a front face  32  and a back face  34 . Front face  32  may, in at least one embodiment, include indicia  36  that instruct a user on how to actuate handle assembly  16 . Alternatively, the indicia  36  could be left off of the front fact  32 . As shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , back face  34  of gripping portion  26  may, in at least one embodiment, include a contoured grip  38  to provide a place for a user&#39;s fingers to grip when actuating handle assembly  16 . Contoured grip  38  includes ribs  40  to accommodate a range of user&#39;s finger dimensions, positive gripping, and comfort. As shown in  FIG. 4 , ribs  40  are arranged to extend in an inward direction toward liquid dispenser  12  when handle assembly  16  is coupled to valve assembly  14  and liquid dispenser  12 . 
     Angled extender  30  is slightly angled in an outward direction away from liquid dispenser  12 . Gripping portion  26  is coupled to angled extender  30  at a connection plane  31 , causing gripping portion  26  to be angled further away from liquid dispenser  12 . Gripping portion  26  is angled downward at a point below connection plane  31  to provide an indentation for a user&#39;s finger to easily grasp contoured grip  38  between gripping portion  26  and liquid dispenser  12 . 
     Connecting portion  28  includes a side panel  42  and a top panel  44 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The bottom of side panel  42  is appended to the top of angled extender  30  at a connection plane  33 . The top of side panel  42  is appended to top panel  44  at a connection plane  35 . Connecting portion  28  is arranged to interconnect gripping portion  26  to base  22  of handle assembly  16  to cause valve assembly  14  coupled to base  22  to move relative to liquid dispenser  12  in response to user-applied force  11  on gripping portion  26 . 
     Side panel  42  and top panel  44  are arranged to cause side panel  42  and gripping portion  26  to extend in a downward and outward direction from top panel  44  such that handle assembly  16  extends below valve assembly  14  when coupled to valve assembly  14  and can be activated at a lower height, compared to other prior art faucet which might have a substantially vertically oriented handle, to comply with ADA Guidelines. In illustrative embodiments, side panel  42  extends downward at a handle angle  17  that is generally greater than 90 degrees from top panel  44  along a top axis  13 , preferably at a handle angle  17  between approximately 100 degrees and 110 degrees. Handle angle  17  causes side panel  42  and gripping portion  26  to extend in an outwardly direction away from a valve axis  15  to facilitate a user&#39;s finger in actuating lever  20 . 
     Side panel  42  includes a front face  45  and a back face  46 , as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . Back face  46  includes an abutment nub  48  arranged to extend in an inward direction toward liquid dispenser  12  when faucet assembly  10  is assembled. In particular, abutment nub  48  is coupled to lever  20  and arranged to abut against liquid dispenser  12  when handle assembly  16  is in the first position, blocking movement of lever  20  in a rearward direction toward liquid dispenser  12 , as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 1, 4 and 6 . In this way, abutment nub  48  may act to block unintended operation or actuation of handle assembly  16  in a rearward direction toward liquid dispenser  12 . In illustrative embodiments, abutment nub  48  may abut against any part of liquid dispenser  12  when handle assembly  16  is in the first position. 
     Top panel  44  of connecting portion  28  includes a shaft window  50  that is formed to include a shaft orifice  52 . Shaft orifice  52  is arranged to open into valve space  19 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 1 . Shaft orifice  52  is configured to be substantially aligned with valve axis  15  and is of substantial width to allow for a portion of valve assembly  14  to travel through shaft orifice  52  during assembly or use. 
     Base  22  of lever  20  includes guide rails  54  and cam mechanism  56 . As shown, for example, in  FIGS. 4-7 , guide rails  54  are appended to side panel  42  and top panel  44  and arranged to extend in a downward direction toward liquid dispenser  12 . Cam mechanism  56  is appended to guide rails  54  and top panel  44 . When handle assembly  16  is in the first position, guide rails  54 , top panel  44 , side panel  42 , cam mechanism  56  and liquid dispenser  12  combine to define valve space  19 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , guide rails  54  are arranged to abut against the top of liquid dispenser  12  when handle assembly  16  is in the first position, thereby blocking handle assembly  16  from downward gravitational movement. In this way, valve assembly  14  is secured in the closed position to block liquid from flowing through liquid dispenser  12 . 
     Cam mechanism  56  includes curved cam surface  58  configured to facilitate intentional and/or controlled operation of handle assembly  16  when user-applied force  11  is applied to handle assembly  16 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , cam surface  58  is configured to rotatably abut against the top of liquid dispenser  12  when user-applied force  11  is applied to handle assembly  16  to allow for controlled and/or predictable operation of faucet assembly  10 . In illustrative embodiments, curved cam surface may include a generally uniform radius of curvature  21 , designed to allow the valve to open or “crack” when approximately 5 in/lbs of force is applied to the handle assembly  16 . 
     As shown, for example, in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , pivot pins  24  are appended to an interior surface  55  of guide rails  54  and are generally in parallel alignment with shaft orifice  52  along valve axis  15 . Pivot pins  24  are configured to be integrally formed and couple the handle assembly  16  to valve assembly  14  in order to facilitate movement of valve assembly  14  through movement of handle assembly  16 . The pivot pins could, alternatively, be configured as a separate rod or pair of rods extending through a least one of the side walls  54 . 
     Valve assembly  14  may be configured similar to traditional valve assemblies in traditional faucets. In illustrative embodiments, valve assembly  14  includes an operating shaft  60  and a valve plug  62 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , operating shaft  60  is coupled to valve plug  62  at a plug-receiving end  64  of operating shaft  60 . Operating shaft  60  also includes a handle-receiving end  66  to couple valve assembly  14  to handle assembly  16 . In particular, handle-receiving end  66  includes a pin groove  68  to securably receive pivot pins  24  of handle assembly  16  to lock handle assembly  16  onto valve assembly  14 . 
     Operating shaft  60  is configured to move up and down along valve axis  15  when handle assembly  16  is actuated. When user-applied force  11  is applied to handle assembly  16 , lever  20  rotates up about pivot pins  24 . Such rotation causes cam mechanism  56  to engage with liquid dispenser  12  to facilitate efficient movement of handle assembly  16 . Movement of handle assembly  16  causes pivot pins  24  connected to base  22  to move upward along valve axis  15 . As pivot pins  24  are connected to pin groove  68  of operating shaft, operating shaft  60  also moves upward along valve axis. Faucet assembly  10  is arranged to prevent movement of operating stem  60  in a vertically upward direction until the user&#39;s hand manually moves handle assembly  16  by applying user-applied force  11  in order to prevent unintended opening of the faucet assembly  10 . 
     Valve plug  62  is coupled with operating shaft  60  such that both valve plug  62  and operating shaft  60  are movable along valve axis  15  when handle assembly  16  is actuated. Valve plug  62  includes an annular side wall  70  that is configured to block the flow of liquid  104  through liquid dispenser  12  when valve assembly  14  is in the closed position, as seen in  FIG. 1 . When handle assembly  16  is moved to the second position to move valve assembly  14  to the open position, valve plug  62  moves upward with operating shaft  60  to allow flow of liquid through liquid dispenser  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In illustrative embodiments, valve plug  62  is coupled to operating shaft  60  through a shaft-receiving orifice  72  in a top wall  74  of valve plug  62 . In particular, plug-receiving end  64  of operating shaft  60  is lockably coupled into shaft-receiving orifice  72  of valve plug  62 . 
     Liquid dispenser  12  includes a dispenser body  76 , a nozzle  78 , and a closure top  80 . Dispenser body  76  and nozzle  78  are coupled together at substantially a right angle, as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 8 . Closure top  80  can be coupled to nozzle  78  to enclose liquid dispenser  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , dispenser body  76  is coupleable to an outlet tube  106  of container  100 . Dispenser body  76  includes an annular body wall  84  and threading  82  appended to one end of annular body wall  84 . Annular body wall  84  defines horizontal flow channel  18  to allow liquid  104  to flow through liquid dispenser  12  in order to dispense liquid  104  from container  100 . In illustrated embodiments, dispenser body  76  may be coupled to outlet tube  106  via a coupling washer  108  that engages with threading  82  of dispenser body  76 . 
     Nozzle  78  of liquid dispenser  12  is of similar configuration as found in traditional faucet assemblies and includes an opening  88 , an open top end  77 , and an annular nozzle wall  87  formed to include a vertical flow channel  86 . As illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , open top end  77 , opening  88  and vertical flow channel  86  are substantially in parallel alignment along valve axis  15 . When valve assembly  14  is in the closed position, valve plug  62  blocks all liquid flowing from horizontal flow channel  18  of dispenser body  76  from entering vertical flow channel  86 . When valve assembly  14  is in the open position, liquid is allowed to flow from horizontal flow channel  18  into vertical flow channel  86  and out through opening  88 . 
     Closure top  80  includes an annular skirt  90 , a top wall  92 , and an annular lip  94 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 8 , annular skirt  90  depends from the outer circumference of top wall  92  and is configured to be secured onto top end  77  of nozzle  78 . Annular lip  94  is coupled to top wall  92  inside the circumference of annular skirt  90 . Annular lip  94  extends downward from top wall  92  and is substantially parallel to annular skirt  90 . 
     Annular lip  94  defines a valve-assembly orifice  96  in closure top  80 . Annular lip  94  and valve-assembly orifice  96  are generally aligned with valve axis  15 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , operating shaft  60  is arranged to extend through valve-assembly orifice  96  defined by annular lip  94  and into valve space  19  so that operating shaft may be engagably coupled to handle assembly  16  to move valve assembly  14  from the closed position to the open position. Annular lip  94  creates frictional engagement with operating shaft  60  to ensure operating shaft  60  is properly aligned with valve-assembly orifice  96  and valve axis  15 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates use of faucet assembly  10  in a servicing or cleaning position. In particular, handle assembly  16  has been rotated approximately 180 degrees around valve axis  15  to a third position. In this third position, lever  20  of handle assembly  16  abuts against washer  108  and outlet tube  106  to maintain handle assembly  16  at the relative height and rotation as it is in the second position but without user-applied force  11 . By maintaining handle assembly  16  in this third position, valve assembly  14  is maintained in the open position and allows liquid  104  to flow through liquid dispenser  12  without user-applied force  11 . Such third position is advantageous when, for example, cleaning or emptying container  100  for service. 
     Faucet assembly  10  is assembled in a series of illustrative operations. In a first operation, valve assembly  14  is inserted into top end  77  of nozzle  78  along valve axis  15 . Closure top  80  is the coupled to nozzle  78  and operating shaft  60  is positioned through valve-assembly orifice  96  of closure top  80  to extend through and out of liquid dispenser  12 . In a second operation, handle assembly  16  is then coupled to valve assembly  14  by extending operating shaft  60  in an upward direction through shaft orifice  52  of lever  20  until pin groove  68  of operating shaft  60  lines up with pivot pins  24  of handle assembly  16 . During assembly, operating shaft  60  is arranged to extend out of valve space  19  through shaft orifice  52  so that pivot pins  24  can be properly aligned with pin groove  68  of operating shaft  60 . Pivot pins  24  then can be positioned into pin groove  68  to retainably couple valve assembly  14  to handle assembly  16 . In a third operation, dispenser body  76  of liquid dispenser  12  is coupled to outlet tube  106  of container  100  to allow selective dispensing of liquid  104  from container  100 . 
     As an example of use of faucet assembly  10 , handle assembly  16  begins in the first position with the valve assembly  14  in a closed position blocking discharge of liquid  104  through liquid dispenser  12 . In a first stage of use, the user lifts handle assembly  16  in an upward direction relative to liquid dispenser  12  to the second position by user-applied force  11 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Such movement causes valve assembly  14  to move upward to an open position and valve plug  62  ceases to block liquid from moving through liquid dispenser  12 . After use is complete, the user stops applying user-applied force  11  and allows handle assembly  16  to return to the first position, causing valve assembly  14  to return to the closed position. When a user wishes to service or empty container  100 , the user rotates handle assembly  16  approximately 180 degrees until handle assembly  16  can be maintained in the third position without user-applied force  11  by securing handle assembly  16  in an open position to be abutting against outlet tube  106 . This enables valve assembly  14  to be maintained in the open position to allow liquid  104  to freely flow through liquid dispenser  12 .