Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a new nozzle for a beer valve tap, and a new foamless beer tap dispensing system. The new nozzle is longer, has a small bent and end openings for a more precise release of beer from the outlet of the spout. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Many drinks and beverages are dispensed in different contexts using taps. For example, in bars an owner obtains a large volume of a beverage, generally described as a keg that is pressurized. The liquid beverage is released from the keg through a series of tubes and valves up to a point where the liquid is dispensed at the outlet of a spout. Because of the pressure and gas content of certain beverages like beer, upon dispense at the tap, there is a creation of foam. 
         [0003]    Foam is sometimes desirable to protect the upper surface of a beer from oxidation with air, but too much of a foam collar on beer results in waste and lost of time by having to remove the foam from the glass in which the beer is poured. Bartenders use tools and skill to remove the excess foam resulting in drips of beer and glasses that may be sticky for the patron. 
         [0004]    One of the problem with the creation of an undesirable quantity of foam is the impact of the beer with the bottom of a long and tall glass. Because of the height of the glass and the gas content of the beverage being poured and depressurized, a greater impact allows for the release of a greater quantity of gas from within the liquid and thus a larger amount of foam. What is needed is a new system and tap nozzle that allows for the pouring of any pressurized beverage like for example beer by limiting the volume of foam. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to a new longer nozzle for a beer valve tap, and a new foamless beer tap dispensing system having end grooves or openings to allow for the proper expansion of the depressurizing fluid at the tip of the spout. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. However, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  an illustration of the beverage dispenser system with extended spout in accordance this invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a close up view of the end portion of the extended spout shown at  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of a product called the TurboTap® from the Prior Art. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    For the purposes of promoting and understanding the principles disclosed herein, reference is now made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language is used to describe the same. It is nevertheless understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is hereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and such further applications of the principles disclosed and illustrated herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure relates. 
         [0011]      FIG. 3  shows a product from the prior art called the TurboTap® from Micromatic, Inc. In this device, the system is designed to accommodate an increased flow of beer into a glass. As a result from the faster flow, more foam is produced. In the central portion of the tip of this device, a metal piece diverts the flow of beer sideways. The problems with this device include the need to clean the internal mechanism. What is needed is a device to reduce the foaming of beer without the use of moving or inter pieces that require maintenance and repair. 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a system  1  for dispensing a beverage like beer from a source  2  down to a container  100 . As shown at  FIG. 1 , the container  100  includes a portion of liquid  111  from the source  2  as poured through the system  1 . In this embodiment, a glass is shown as the container  100  but any other container may be contemplated as known by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0013]    The container  100  is then placed on a flat horizontal surface  101  such as a table. As shown in the embodiment, the new extended spout  140  is attached to the normal end  150  of the known tip  121  of a traditional tap. The extended spout  140  includes a connection section  141  that can be screwed on, clipped on, or even permanently affixed to the tip  121 . In a preferred embodiment, the internal and external diameters of the connection section  141  and the tip  121  are relatively similar to help with the internal flow of the source  2  from a storage and pressurized container (not shown) down to the container  100 . 
         [0014]    As illustrated, the extended spout  140  includes the connection section  141 , a curved section  147  adjacent to the connection section  141  and a straight section  142  on the dispensing section  144  adjacent to the curved section  147 . At the end of the dispensing section  144  better shown at  FIG. 2 , lateral grooves or openings  143  are found. Returning to  FIG. 1 , the length of the dispensing section  144  and ultimately the length of the extended spout  140  is designed in such a way to allow for the tilting of the container  100  in place and the removal of the container  100  over the dispensing section  144  without the spill of too much of the liquid  111  from within the container  100 . 
         [0015]    As shown at  FIG. 2 , the openings  143  are shown with a small edge to help smooth the passage of the fluid. The openings  143  are also shown with a rounded upper edge  145  that allows for a progressive increase of the lateral section of flow. For example, as the liquid  101  enters the dispensing section and travels over the openings  143 , the liquid  111  expands slowly and progressively outwards as forward in the pouring direction. The gradual expansion of the pressurized liquid  111  in a depressurized state allows to control the release of gas in suspension in the liquid  111 . As shown, four openings  143  are located between two horizontal flaps  148  that allows for the protection of the container  100  in which the extended spout  140  is slid. 
         [0016]    As a container  100  made of brittle material such as glass, the rounded upper edges  145  of the dispensing section  144  allows to prevent any breakage of the brittle media. While one type of openings  143  is shown, what is contemplated is the use of any types of openings, for example small holes, slits, and other vents. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  also shows the other elements of the system  1  that include a handle  130  connected to a pivot  131  for pushing inwards and outwardly a valve spool  110  who in turn allows for the liquid  111  to flow from the source  2  into an inlet  150  down through a passage  120  of the system  1  to the container  100  via the tip  121  and the extended sprout  140 . 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the extended sprout  140  is long enough to reach more than 50% down into the container  100 . In another embodiment, the extended sprout  140  can reach less than 50% down into the container  100 . In one embodiment, the thickness of the extended sprout  140  can be 1.5 mm or more. 
         [0019]    What is described is a system  1  for dispensing a pressurized beverage  111  from a source  2  into a container  100 . The system  1  includes a container  100  for receiving a liquid  111  from a pressurized source  2 , a tap  120  with a handle  130  with a pivot  131  for activating a valve spool  110  for allowing the liquid  111  from the pressurized source  2  to flow to a tip  121  of the tap  120 , and an extended spout  140  with an internal opening for the passage of the liquid from the pressurized source  2  to the container  199  that comprises a connection section  141  connected to the tip  121 , a curved section  147  adjacent to the connection section  141 , a straight section  142 , and a dispensing section  144 , and wherein the dispensing section  144  includes a plurality of openings  143 . 
         [0020]    In one preferred embodiment, unlike the device from the prior art, the system  1  is designed to be able to poor liquid  111  into the container  100  even if the dispensing section  144  rests at the bottom of the container  100  or is at any portion in the container  100 . The extended spout  140  can be 3.75, 4.75 or 5.75 inches long. In other embodiments, the extended spout  140  can be shaped and of a length adapted to the type of container  100  to be served. 
         [0021]    Finally, in many instances, the liquid  111  within the source  2  is cold and customers enjoy receiving the liquid  111  in the container  100  as cold as possible. In earlier models of taps as shown in the prior art at  FIG. 1 , the liquid  111  is disturbed and redirected laterally and this change in direction has for consequence the heating of the liquid  111  in motion. The new system  1  allows for the liquid to rest in the container  100  with as little movement and heating as possible preserving the cold temperature of the liquid  100 . Further, since less metal/material is needed at the tip  121  of the spout  140  when compared with the prior art of  FIG. 1 , this new system  1  will transfer in average less heat to the liquid  100  keeping it cold. 
         [0022]    It is understood that the preceding is merely a detailed description of some examples and embodiments of the present invention and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure made herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the invention but to provide sufficient disclosure to one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention without undue burden.

Technology Category: 7