Patent ID: 8584909

Claim:
A dispensing tap for beverages, comprising: an actuator base having a base top having an opening and an actuator shaft having a long axis with a hollow channel terminating in a head, the actuator shaft extending outwardly from the top with the opening in the base top aligned with the hollow channel in the actuator shaft, and the head having an exterior sidewall with an outward tapered surface and an inward tapered surface; a conical spring washer having a top having a topside and an underside, and a positioning post extending outwardly from the underside of the top, the positioning post of the conical spring washer being inserted through the opening in the base top and into the hollow channel in the actuator shaft until the underside of the top engages the base top; means for sealing the conical spring washer to the actuator shaft for forming an actuator; a hollow valve housing having a valve open top, a neck, a spout, and a valve open bottom, the neck defining an inwardly tapering wall extending from adjacent the valve open top and terminating at a throat and an outwardly tapering wall extending outwardly from the throat and terminating adjacent the valve open bottom; the outward tapered surface of the exterior sidewall of the head engaging the outward tapering wall of the neck to form a seal within the valve housing, the actuator moving inwardly in a straight line substantially along the long axis of the actuator shaft within the valve housing when a force is applied to the top of the conical spring washer causing the outward tapered surface to disengage from the outward tapering wall of the neck to release the seal; a circular passageway between the outward tapered surface of the exterior sidewall of the head and the outward tapering wall of the neck; the actuator shaft and the head moving outwardly along the long axis of the actuator shaft causing the outward tapered surface of the exterior sidewall of the head to re-engage the outwardly tapering wall of the neck to reform the seal when the force is removed from the top of the conical spring; the positioning post when inserted into the actuator shaft imparting rigidity to the actuator shaft, the actuator shaft remaining in a substantially straight orientation without any lateral support when the actuator and head are moved inwardly and outwardly during its operation to open and close the seal; a second seal formed between the valve open top and the base top for stopping the flow of any beverage past the base top and the conical spring washer; wherein, the actuator and the valve housing form the dispensing tap after the actuator is inserted and secured in the valve housing.