Patent Publication Number: US-9834427-B2

Title: Keg adapter apparatus, systems and methods of using same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a United States National Stage Application claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. 371 from International Patent Application No, PCT/US14/45613 filed on Jul. 7, 2014, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/843,309, filed Jul. 5, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Beer is one of the oldest prepared beverages in the world. In most societies, beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage. Various social traditions and activities are associated with beer drinking, such as playing cards, darts, or other pub games; attending beer festivals; visiting a series of pubs in one evening; joining an organization such as CAMRA; visiting breweries; beer-oriented tourism; or rating beer. Drinking games, such as beer pong, are also popular. A relatively new profession is that of the beer sommelier, who informs restaurant patrons about beers and food pairings. 
     To the average beer drinker, beer is a commodity picked up at the grocery store or ordered at a restaurant or pub. The average beer drinker doesn&#39;t concern themselves with the origin of their favorite beer. However, those in the commercial beer industry understand that the origin of a beer is important not only for the qualities of the beer, i.e. color and flavor, but also for the type of dispenser in which the beer is packaged. 
     Since beer is consumed globally it may not be surprising that beer is imported and exported throughout the world. And despite draught beer from a pressurized keg being the most common method of dispensing in bars around the world, keg valves and taps are not universal around the world, There are six types of valves used in kegs worldwide, generally corresponding to the region where the beer is brewed. Keg valve systems include: A System; D System; G System; M System; S System; and U System. Each valve system requires a specific coupler to tap the keg. Apart from the various couplers used to tap kegs, also required for dispensing are an air or compressed gas line and a beer line from the coupler. 
     Prior art keg couplers are of a standardized design on their bottom surface so that when connecting a full keg the coupler can be mounted onto a complimentary and also standardized fitting of the keg, and subsequently removed from the fitting upon disconnection of the keg. The actual contact surface of the keg coupler is a radial bearing surface which is mounted onto a corresponding mating surface of the keg fitting, so that the beverage conduit is connected to the riser pipe of the keg. 
     In use, the coupler is fixed on the keg fitting using a bayonet-like arrangement which itself is made up a cylindrical internal peripheral surface, a lower radial surface, and segmented peripheral surfaces that protrudes inward about the circumference. To connect the keg and the coupler, the segments are inserted from above into corresponding recesses of the keg fitting. The keg coupler is then typically turned about a common axis of keg coupler and a keg fitting, so that the segments then extend under corresponding mating segments of the keg fitting and are wedged into place. A lever on the coupler is then pivoted to establish the connection between a riser pipe of the keg and the beverage conduit leading to a taproom. This pivoting also opens the gas conduit so that the carrier gas can flow into the keg. 
     In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide the desired features described herein as well as additional advantages of providing a means for eliminating keg valve coupler system incompatibility and enabling bars and restaurants to quickly and easily transfer kegs regardless of the keg valve style. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an adapter for a beverage dispenser, more particularly an adapter for a beer keg. The keg adapter serves as an intermediate device for connecting mismatched types of tap couplers and keg valves. The present invention removes the need for bars and/or restaurants to maintain the exact style of coupler required for each different keg maker and/or brewery. The universality of the keg adapter facilitates the quick and easy transfer of beer kegs from breweries utilizing different style keg valves without the need for changing tap couplers between keg styles. The keg adapter also relieves the pressure on beer distributors to provide a technician for changing couplers when bars and/or restaurants wish to tap kegs with different style valves. 
     Although the present embodiment is described in the context of beer kegs, the adapter may be used for dispensing any beverage from a pressurized container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side plan view of the keg adapter of the present invention shown positioned between a beverage container and a tap; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the keg adapter of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section view of the keg adapter shown  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section view of the keg adapter of  FIG. 3  shown attached positioned between a keg and tap coupler. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The keg adapter  16  of the present invention is aligned with a tap head  10  with a standard keg fitting and a keg-like container  20  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The tap head  10  has an axis which, when the keg adapter  16  is used in the intended manner, is a vertical axis. The tap head  10  further comprises a housing  12  with a gas conduit  14  for the introduction of pressurized gas and a beverage conduit  15  for leading a beverage to a bar tap (not shown). The pressurized gas may be pressurized air or carbon dioxide. At the top of the tap head  10  is a lever system  30  which controls the release of the pressurized gas and thereby the flow of the beverage from the keg-like container  20 . The housing  12  further includes a slidably moveable guide arranged on the underside of the housing  12  for enabling the housing  12  to be pushed in the known manner onto the keg fittings  22  of the keg-like container  20 . The tap head  10  can be connected to the keg adapter  16  which is then connected to the keg fitting  22  of the container  20  such that the tap head  10 , keg adapter  16  and the container  20  are connected in a secure and sealed continuous system. 
     The keg adapter  16  may be designed to work with any commercially standard keg fitting coupler  22  design and any commercially standard tap head  10  design. At the bottom of a typical tap head  10  is a conical section adjoined at its bottom by a lower section (not shown). This lower section is primarily provided for the connection to a keg fitting  22  on a container  20  or, in the context of the present invention, for connection to a keg adapter  16 . 
     With regard to  FIG. 2 , a side view of the keg adapter  16  is illustrated. The diameter of keg adapter  16  is tapered from the top (Y) of the adapter to the bottom such that the keg adapter  16  will mate snuggly with the neck of a standard keg valve (not shown). To further ensure the snug fit of the keg adapter  16  with the keg fitting  22 , the keg adapter  16  further includes a series of threads  35  corresponding to the grooves inside a standard keg fitting  22 . The lower section of the keg adapter  16  is made up of a cap extension  26  which is externally delimited by a cylindrical external peripheral surface or line. On the underside of cap extension  26  there is a radial end face  28  (not shown), which is formed partially by projections  30  which protrude radially from cap extension  26 . Collar piece  38  extends radially from the keg adapter  16  to a sufficient diameter such that the collar piece  3  rests on top of a standard keg fitting  22 . Also shown are keg lock tabs  32  which are positioned opposite each other on either side of keg adapter  16  for locking the keg adapter  16  to the a standard keg fitting  22 . 
     With regard to  FIG. 3 , a cross-section view of the keg adapter  16  shown in  FIG. 2  is illustrated. Particularly shown in  FIG. 3  is the remainder of cap extension  26  through the center of keg adapter  16  in the shape of an ampule with the upper end protruding slightly into the tap head cutout located at the top of the keg adapter  16 . Tension spring  34  maintains cap extension  26  in a closed position when the lever system (not shown) in in the “closed” orientation, i.e. during the changing of empty kegs. Tap lock tab  33  is shown at the top most of keg adapter  16  and secures the tap head (not shown) to the top of the keg adapter  16 . 
     With regard to  FIG. 4 , a cross-section of the keg adapter  16  in use connecting a foreign, non-US type keg fitting  22 , with a coupler  10  for an American tap. By way of example only, the foreign keg fitting shown in  FIG. 4  is a Type U valve and the American tap head is a Type D coupler. Table 1 provides further examples of beer brands which require specific style couplers in order to tap a commercial keg of a given beer brand. In a preferred embodiment the keg adapter  16  may be designed to work with any commercially standard keg fitting coupler  20  design and any commercially standard tap head  10  design. The keg adapter  16  is secured to the keg fitting  22  using keg lock tabs  32  and threads  35  such that the cap extension  26  of the keg adapter  16  rests flushly on top of the keg valve and the seal between the keg fitting  22  and the keg adapter  16  is water tight. Tap head  10  is secured to the top of the keg adapter  16  using tap lock tabs  33  also creating a water tight seal between the tap head  10  and the keg adapter  16 . Once the system is securely assembled, the lever system  30  is moved to the “open” position thereby simultaneously forcing the cap extension  26  downward toward the keg fitting  22  and allowing pressurized gas to enter the system. The downward movement of the cap extension  26  forces the keg valve  40  on the keg fitting  22  into an open position. Once the valve  40  is open, pressurized gas from gas conduit  14  enters the keg and displaces the liquid contained in the keg out of the keg into beverage conduit  15  connected to a tap for dispensing, Reversing the lever system  30  results in the return of the keg valve  40  to the closed position and the tension spring  34  retuning the cap extension  26  to the closed position. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Beer brands according to coupler style 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Type Sankey “D” 
                 Type “S” 
                 Type “A” 
                 Type “G” 
                 Type “U” 
                 Type “M” 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Anheuser-Busch 
                 Amstel 
                 Ayinger 
                 Anchor 
                 Guinness 
                 Schneider 
               
               
                 Boston 
                 Becks 
                 Bitburger 
                 Bass 
                 Harp 
                 Veltins 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Pilsner 
               
               
                 Miller 
                 Belle-Vue 
                 De Koninck 
                 Boddingtons 
                 John Courage 
                 Zywiec 
               
               
                 Molson Coors 
                 Erdinger 
                 Fischer 
                 Fullers 
                 Smithwicks 
               
               
                 New Belgium 
                 Heineken 
                 Isenbeck 
                 Grolsch 
               
               
                 Rolling Rock 
                 Limdeman&#39;s 
                 Lowenbrau 
                 Old Speckled 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Hen 
               
               
                 Sam Adams 
                 Murphy&#39;s 
                 Paulaner Lager 
                 Tennents 
               
               
                 Sierra Nevada 
                 Pilsner Urquell 
                 Spaten 
                 Watney&#39;s 
               
               
                 Scottish &amp; 
                 Saint Pauli Girl 
                 Victoria 
               
               
                 Newcastle 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The keg adapter  16  of the present invention has a first end and a second end, the first end being compatible with at least one tap head coupler and having a diameter greater than the second end and the second end being compatible with at least one keg valve system. The keg adapter  16  further includes a central opening extending vertically through the interior of the keg adapter  16  from the first end to the second end through which a pressurized beverage may flow for dispensing. The central opening is further comprised of a cap extension  26  and tension spring  34  such that when the cap extension is engaged by a tap head coupler, the cap extension  26  is forced in a downward vertical direction thereby forcing the end face  28  of the cap extension  26  to engage with the keg valve  40  and force the keg valve  40  into an open position further allowing pressurized gas to enter a keg and subsequently force beer from the keg through the keg valve  40  and keg adapter  16  and finally to the tap for dispensing. 
     One embodiment of the present invention provides a keg adapter to alleviate keg valve coupler system incompatibility. In a preferred embodiment, the keg adapter may be compatible with a tap head coupler selected from the group consisting of the A coupler System, the D coupler System, the U coupler System, the M coupler System, the S coupler System, and the U coupler System. In another preferred embodiment, the keg adapter may be compatible with a keg fitting selected from the group consisting of A valve System, the D valve System, the U valve System, the M valve System, the S valve System, and the U valve System. In a most preferred embodiment, the keg adapter may be compatible with any combination of tap head coupler and keg valve system. 
     In another embodiment, the keg adapter may be easily changed by a bar or restaurant employee as needed when exchanging an empty keg with a new keg requiring a different keg adapter. In a preferred embodiment, the keg adapter may be pre-attached to each keg when delivered by a distributor such that a restaurant or bar simply orders a keg with the specific keg adapter compatible with their existing tap system such that each keg is ready to be connected to their system regardless of the valve system of the keg. 
     In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a keg adapter manufactured from any non-corrosive material suitable for use with beverage dispensing such that the material will not impact the taste and smell of the beverage due to exposure over time and to minimize the incidence of microbial growth, In a preferred embodiment, the keg adapter may be manufactured from stainless steel, plastic, PVC, and copper. in a preferred embodiment, the keg adapter may be manufactured from stainless steel. 
     In still another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for installing a keg adapter in a system for beer dispensing, the method comprising: 
     a) obtaining a keg requiring dispensing of its contents; 
     b) identifying the keg fitting and valve system of the keg in step a); 
     c) obtaining a keg adapter with a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is compatible with the valve system identified in step b) and first end is compatible with the tap head coupler available fur dispensing beer; 
     d) positioning the second end of keg adapter onto the keg fitting and securing the keg adapter to the keg fitting by turning the keg adapter in a clockwise direction until the keg adapter and keg fitting form a water tight seal; 
     e) positioning the tap head coupler at the first end if the keg adapter and securing the tap head. coupler to the keg adapter by turning the tap head coupler in the clockwise direction until the tap head coupler and the keg adapter form a water tight seal. 
     In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of using a keg adapter  16  to dispense beer from a keg, wherein the keg adapter  16  includes: a first end and a second end, the first end being compatible with at least one tap head coupler and having a diameter greater than the second end and the second end being compatible with at least one keg valve system. The keg adapter  16  further includes a central opening extending vertically through the interior of the keg adapter  16  from the first end to the second end through which a pressurized beverage may flow for dispensing. The central opening is further comprised of a cap extension  26  and tension spring  34  such that when the cap extension is engaged by a tap head coupler, the cap extension  26  is forced in a downward vertical direction thereby forcing the end face  28  of the cap extension  26  to engage with the keg valve  40  and force the keg valve  40  into an open position further allowing pressurized gas to enter a keg and subsequently force beer from the keg through the keg valve  40  and keg adapter  16  and finally to the tap for dispensing.