CA2440175A1 - Single light illumination system for a fluid tap - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a single light illumination system for a comestible fluid tap. The single light, in the form of a single or multi-color light emitting diode, is insertion injection molded into a tap in position to illuminate the lower surfaces of a beer dispenser upon which the tap is mounted. Means for sensing fluid flow, temperature, and pressure, are within the tap for the purpose of illuminating alarm indicating LEDs displayed on the tap. Separate electrical circuits, with externally accessible electrical jumpers for programming different modes of controlled illumination, are provided for a single color LED, and for a multi-color LED.
Also a beer tap bank accessory is described that provides for a horizontal mounting rail located beneath multiple taps, into which illuminating accessories are slid.
Illuminating accessories are slid into the mounting rail and positioned beneath each tap of a multi-tap bank.

Description

TITLE (~F THE INVENTI~Na SINGLE LIGI~IT' ILLLT~INA'I°I N S~'S'I°EM ~' It A FLUID
TAI' background of the lEnvention This invention relates to comestible fluid taps and more particularly to comestible fluid taps with integrated illumination and the means for monitoring the flow, temperature, and pressure of the dispensed fluid.
01. Canadian Patent No. CA 2169343 issued to Currie, 3oseph E. May 11, 1999 and U.S.
Pat. No. 5,491,b17 issued to Joseph ~. Currie on Aug. ~, ? 996 discloses are illumination device that illuminates a tap handle and an area proximate to a tap outlet.
A remote light source, comprised of two lamps, directs illumination from the first lamp, through a first light conduit, into the tap handle when there is nn fl~.~id ~l~qu=_ When activated by a tap handle controlled tilt switch, the first lamp is switched ~af~' and the second lamp switched on. Illumination f'ropn thc~ ~ecor~d imp is communicated through a second light conduit where it is connected to the outlet of the tap.
~2. U.S. Pat. No. 4,9?9,64I issued to Charles S. Turner on December 25, 199gi discloses a computerized beverage dispensing system where a fitting with an electricsll~r controlled valve, attached to a tap, is controlled by a computer. Pressure and temperature transducers are installed in the fitting to meal=~~-e those ~aratr~ete=~ .=_~f =hg fluid flow and input those measurements into the computer for control ofthe i~~~id okspensing valve.
t~3. Neither of the above cited patents taken either singly or in combination disclose the arrangement of features in the instant invention as disclosed in this application.
Joseph E. Currie (603) 456-248 2 of I S

Summary of the Invention 04. The present invention discloses a rPew technolo~,ry single source illumination system for a comestible fluid tap. This new technology tap is formed using a plastic insertion injection molding process that positions the single light emitting diode with attached collar and focusing lens, herein after the LED, within the optically conductive plastic or acrylic. body of the tap. The main body of the tap n:ay be ~f an optically opaque or opticall~r non-conductive plastic that is co-extruded with a combination LED and optically conductive portion of the tap. The :~.,~ ~ l ~~xt a insertion injection molded within the body of the tap is positior!ed to direct the solid state LED generated colored illuminator toward $he to per surfaces of the beer dispenser upon which the tap is mounted.
05. Two separate anagnetically actuated E',leCtrlC~;~y nes~?-al~~~ !-~~~f-~
,~yv*r.~ r,~n~~r~øc ~t-.5 located within the tap adjacent to the horizontally disposed aa~e~allic flow cc~ntroa valve. Each magnetic swiich _is locaied on the same hor~aaniansa_r._e as, gin:: s n~=~_ and parallel to each side of°the rrr~etallic ~Iow control valve-actuatin"~ rod. x hose t~vo ., , .., R, ., , magneiicauy aciuaiea cor~iadts~ in cor~junciion mt~a exter ~aa~y r~~,ve:~=x ~~-e3 ~ ..~___ jumpers. determine the mode of operation ofthe imbedded illumination LED.
he tats may have audible volume or audible i~ec~uer~cv a:et~sgr~n ~ea~~.. ~n~
~r illumination intensity sensing means, co-extruded within, or installed thereon, that may control and change the intensity and or color of illumination from the imbedded illumination LED when exposed to sound or light changes 06. Conditions unfavorable to tqie continued operation ofthe tap such as, bz;t ~~~ 4iE;~r~zr~
to, abnormally high temperature of the dispensed liquid, lack of dPSpensed liquid #lt~w, or below normal dispensed liquid pres~.ere, v:-ould tr igge ~ ~ri~~.fl ~,l~r indication such as flashing the imbedded illumination LE.~ at ~ high rate, or ~;han~ing the color of the illumination f,Et3; ox s=~;stclein~ thA 311umi:~atio~ LEt~
n~' sac alarm sensor has a Corm wC:'' contact witt? a norrnaliv o~er~ anrl a nornaallv ,iosed .sose~h .E. i,~rne iiw~'~ ~So-:~~~a 3 co i:~

contact. 'The normally closed contacts are wired in serues and connected to the illumination LED series circuit. The normally open sides of the alarm contacts are connected in parallel. The summation of the parallel alarm co~~tacts is connected through a flashing contact to the illumination LED. Tb.e output of each alarms contact is also connected to a small indication LED mounted within th(~ top section of the t~.r that will illuminate in a steady state and be labeled to indicate the source sensog- of the S~~na~eCl alarm. The Vlsttc'1~ t~lLlnllnatlon ~.~D a~ar~!2 ~'a'zdlC'..~fi3~'-~
e~:'?~° !°''-s~~~==aa.' asxrtza ~~-ar alarming condition is corrected, or until an over-ride s«itch is ~~perated.
~~he sensors, T~~'afi C x?sty=~i' t -s s '~f~a ai~.iTT_~ -'avrxtu,i ers auf iFxS~~aiyn~t a e~. rrt~; iP zrt~-~td~Ti Ztnsfrya~a 'sg 3.~~..,...__5.. ~~ J,I_z. ~ _ , ,. ~_ __1i. _ ~.... _ ~ i"a".",.,aJ~" ,,' ~,., :_ ___, ._. __ . __ zw~thout the f~u~Wd~snensma tan.
lip . T ~3e Ilrst eF1?~7o~LYt~t~~'It ~C t~H:S IIlStant lTlif~t~tlt~'F~
~?Fili~~S a ai~qcs~P ~y ~a~a-9y ~ ~,~', combines a turbine flow anc~; volume rneasurin~ valz'e ~vitlz a fo:~-~n '"C",>: contact_ a S3reSSLif~ selis~3r w~tY3 s"~ toy ~s.'> c~~2l.a?!,',~2 ~T19~ ~ ~~~~~?~'~"'.-~.L',~1"° 5~'~'?c~er ~ yars~ ~ r'..
contact. The normally closed side of each of these cont~.cts is wired in series ~~nd a~~T'3te~Ie~7 to a Settee C132''Is~l~'l2ll~Tt ~7~ ~ ~33i7:C3'~'.P~!
=l~rlSlr~'r as~rVita ~,ai~-wz c~~~~
This circuit is connected in turn to the series coxnbinatio~n of the tEVO
magnetically ~cT~~TPCcoThactS afl!~ce~3I T.'~ tl2e hl3r~~~Iatax~~r ti%cne~c~r~ ib ~yri rara~~r ~T~s~ra_a~a~a~ss%~ss rnr'e, Externally accessible electrical ~u~npers, either in series o~- in ~aarallel with the photocell varister, the audio sensor varister, and both ma~~aetically actuated s~Titch contacts, program the mode of operation of the imbedded illumination f..ED.
f~8.The second embodiment c~f this invention uses a two cols:~r ~.."EL~. It o:~binej a turbine flow and volume-measuring valve with a form "C''' contact, a pressure sensor ~.vlt~! a $c~rn'I "~'» ~SJBIt'dCt, ~Ti'~ ~, t$..'1'~:pe,a~ii:e S°v'a'TS~r ~,r'd~t~i ,'~ ~ns-'".~°~" t's~'" a~r?r".xrot ~ ~=
normailv closed side of each of these contacts is wired in series and connected '~r~.l'P.e»:fi ~~~ ni6r ~~:r~3ciics'3!~z' "~~ ?r?a r b ,~a.~ =rig,~..
,", -- ,v, ~ s2.c.~lL._..3..%w~. ,.fir, 3tL3~ t~~w3 _..~. v ~ _ __ ____ y _ .
_ _ _ . _ __ r"~ia~1 it ~ T~ The I"B?_'SL C(1~!rJ~" d~'=?~ ~F tpl~ ~~~'~i vrt~nr i~o1_~txti?'aakzaysva s '~:a ~_ ~c~3~~rr~ Krna~; acaa~ ~c .. ° a:. ., ~. _ ~ia:i"..~~cu m:?'~u~i~ ~i~s.. 52~~~"~.;Y N"_°~'~,~a~,,~;.._a ;
~_.._,~~=rd,.. ,... __. . ,_ ~~~"'. .. _ _ J ~e _ g h~ ?7G~rdT?~IIZr ~,~'Jer? ssCle L~~~t~%e term '°~ :~- contact ~T
relaE' ~ t ~S ~:~nne~i~~ t~ ~h SecC~~d color ~eaG~ E3~ tiTe C!~.la~ color i~l,..iP'1'IP~at~on ~..~:$~.
a~.xtP~naf~v r~~~'~SS1~3~
~nsPpll ~_ ~l~i'i'1~: (~~33) ~ 56-:,~~~' ~ o~ l electrical jumpers either in series or in parallel with the photocell varister; the audio sensor varister, and both magnetically actuated switch contacts program the mode of operation of the dual colored illumination LED.
09. In a third embodiment of this invention a programmable logic controller w'stlain or without the tap, with input tI-om fluid pow sensing means, and or paid ~~olume of flow measuring means, located within or without the tap, can control electric's poza;A9-to the illumination LED within the tap, or change the intensity' ofillumination of tlae illunasnation LED within the tap. The ~L,~C ~:~y be -f~;-;~ .._a_t:~' uv '-~ ~
_.,' ,., .-~~,~ .,.: ; d. ~ ~=~sa;;;
ofillumination from the imbedded illumination I~~l~ to s~~==?~°;y~~
$~~~~lz ~!$i=d ~~~~.~
iiQi"inti~o~ij_ ear i~' fj: ~~S..~it~-~'uo~~r tl~~~~~r3~,:.3~ri ~i~.i~ ?l~~'-.#'~ .!tea. ~,w:Ifi: ~~i"i;...;.__°~5 x!?w'~ Si~.a'i,.i Ft's=.
~~s~s~s~~r ~ s,-"!-3~P allmmin~tin~ ~'r~e~m tl,p ~ ~'~
1 ~. in a fourth embod~rnent of tl~ls invention a beer tan ~e~.~~l; ac~-~s:o:°r' :~;, dv~,";~~~~
LED with attached collar arid focusing lens is insertion ir~iectio~ molded into rt ~r> ill at s- -a - a~'na ry ira n~'rueyf-:CU~~ ~nsar8 r~xs r. 3 3°
pa, ab... ur~..n~.tio.s-dispe~.sing; dr~" mug::, L . .. ..e.~. . _ ., _ . .
...
Mastic. ~'he illumination device has electric;allv connective contact pads above ~nq below the portable illumination dispenser along the front top at~d bottom edges. ~'l~e mounting section of the device also has compressible spring tension means on the back surface. 'hhe mountin,~ section ofthe device is de~~~~~ed vo s9i~~ ~:,~~
=
y, _ .
mounting rail with electrically conductive stripes inside off' overhanging toy sn ~'S .f ~~. te..~- ! A.;.e.......,.!- ... ...v4._...~ ....3._.. ...,1 4i..i.
w.~dev..
L.;.1~'~(j'~3'~ ,~,,~~P~ ~~7at rf~~~~ ~.eY'i'~~.. J~.!~~,_f~ ~~;w !",r",.
".".._r,.~..,.__.. ___. .__ ___ ____.=._._ 1~9~)n~tloh ~P'JzCP. ~~1_C lC~~t~ ~elPC~t~~~~ i'.~?9 i~ ??2fitBn k? ~
?'!s°~i~Ei ~ a-« 1~ spa a c t_C~ ~~__-_____ __ _ _°~~ o~ v~'~.~" ~LZ~~:
"-, s,~a sI~~3 fs ;.JtJa tlaj'J~~ Piii.!a!I33ii9.i3t7!I ~i~'t~~~.,~.", fl7t ~G3.L!3 ia.3.!7 i:3 s..~3i9illrS,..~~,.~__ ~.,_s~ __,.... . .. _ ...__._ ______ °,nsi~j4~a~tC~ t7eneatl3 ~.'2Ca'I taL"°. ~.I~J~~Cn L'"<~C~~
3~~LBI2'llna~..at~~ ~C,,;PC'v~ ag rPiP~~C;'~~ atasb~r~r~~i 4.-L° 'it!Lv ll~:~VYe!.!: ti!G Gl~Ltdl4.~B.Y tviJE~it'S~.l~~.P!"C~
%JLL'~~3 LY~l4~t~l~.,~.. S.~.e!".(,..~ 4,.::';,~ °~"I' =:~=~~.e.:,.. g.
conductive sirios of tfae rail °s made. anc~ itlurr~ination of t.,e io~~er surfaces ;~.~ 'the beer t:iSVCa!aer ~i3t3i~ 9iU13Ii,i1 t3n~ ~Cai's'auie ra'si aa!ti ii~'tli!eii~atlvn!
i iS~~?!3i~rj isr~ it~t'3'tiii~~a'~ is c2CCOr~i~~1S11eC1.
Joseph E. C~.~rrie (6~3) 4~6-~4~~ 5 oI° 15 BRIEF DESCRIPTI~N t~F THE DIiA~VINGS
11. Fig.lA is a side view ofthe tap.
12. Fig.1B is a front view of the tap.
13. Fig.2 is an electrical schematic diagram of a single color LED lighting system.
14. Fig.3 is jumper/results table for a single color LED lighting system.
1 S. Fig.4 is an electrical schematic diagram of a mufti-color LED lighting system.
16. Fig.S is a jumper/results table for a mufti-color LED lighting system.
17. Fig.6A is a front view of a mounting rail.
18. Fig.6B is an end view of a mounting rail.
19. Fig.6C is a side view of a portable illumination device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION 9F THE PI2EFE 1) ElB4IIII1VLENTS
20. The present invention is a single light illumination system for a comestible fluid tap.
Fig. lA depicts a side view ~f a tap with a single light illuminati~r~ system i~~sts.Il~A3 therein. The area 13 below and behind tap outlet 26 is where the single illuminating LED is insertion injection rrmlded into the tap. This side view shows the locations 15 and 28 of a first and second magnetically actuated switch. Fluid under pressure slows into the tap at I t and through a turbine rqowv and y~~~lam~
rr~:~s~~ri~« ~rvl«~> ~~,L
_ __ temperature and pressure sensors located at 12. Direct current source electrical Joseph E. ~'i~rrie (6~3j 456-2428 b of l~

power available at electrical plug 14 flows through the nc~rrr~ally dosed contacts of the flow valve and temperature and pressure sensors of location 12. 'This power then flows through the normally open magnetically actuated switches a~: IS and 2~i avlzer~
the liquid flow control ~Jal~re l~ is operated to the open condition. !~ flow, pressure, or temperature alarm sensed by the valve or sensors at !_°~ ~;To',~ld be Lo::::::'~nicwted to labeled indication ~Ef7s at l 7. 'This indicated alarm we>uld also flash the illumination L~I3 at 13 until the alarm condition was corrected o~- the alarm buries switch 29 was operated.
2I. Fig. l~ is a front of a tap with a single light illumination system installed.
t~s shown, 24 is a front viev~ of the liquid dispensing ~sp~.~s.at_ 25 and 22 ~~-e ~~_ magnetically actuated normally closed electrical contacts that close upon the capenin~
entluid cor-atrol valve 23. 91-~e labeled ala~-p~~ indicators a~~e si~s~wn o~y the alarrrq dist~lav panel 21.
22. Fig.2 is a schematic diagrar~~ of a single color I_,~lighti~~g system fo~° a comestible fluid-dispensing tap.
l~~ electrical current from power supply Fsl flows through tie: tac~rr~~allv closed side;
of alarm cutout switch S I. and then through the three normally closed alarm contacts ~, ,x ;, ~.~ :~»n".
~ t ~pressurej, F l o lack of p~~ui~); arid g l ~ tet~~pe9-at~~n';.r~. g ;:ij »~ ~:~ r ~.._« ~ _ through the photocell modulating output 1P~, the audio modulating oar~,at ~
r~~~r° the first magnetically actuated switch Ml ; and through either resistor ~ l or the second magnetically actuated switch M2, to the anode of illuminating LEi~#l .
aQperation of any of the three alarm contacts 7~ l , F g , or 'T ~ will open ~:he r~c~rr~ai ~'~~ : cap.--: emr r .~~uA d.
~.,~Dl, and connect the do current through cane ofthe three isolating diodes ~
s ~, ~Ly._ o~-~' '-en ~i~ro~~ ~...m ~, i~ i_ dis.~s ~t~ ~~ f~~~3a~a a 3 i~ ~N=; 3 :.~z. .o. ,. ~. ...., ~.'~~
~.,..__<
_ _ ~ll'~.~',IS will alSO C~n(leCT ~» C~.lrren~ tC tile appr~~33r~atC: :~~~rt~
an7ir~rinr~ a ~'.~'s ,,-~-~ *~~a ;;r-~~a Joseph ~. ~urrie ~6t3~~ 456-2~2~ 7 of 15 23. Fig.3 is an electrical jumper table for the five jumpers of the electrical circuit as depicted in Fig.2, and a results table for different programming configurations of the five jumpers, Jl, J2, J3, J4, end J5.
24. Fig.4 is a schematic diagram of a single mufti-color LED lighting system far a comestible quid-dispensing tap.
DC electrical power from power supply F'sL flows through the normally closed side of alarm cutout switch ~2, end then through the three normally closed contacts (pressure), F2 (lack of fluid flow), and T2 (temperaturej. This a~C current then: ~oy~~:~
through the photocell modulating output 2PC, the audio modulating output ~ ~
~~, the first ~Tlc'ignC'tlC~.~~~% aCtLIated S't*c~'3 :'; c°~~nt~ t~r'~3u;~~
~~'::°'?,'~,r,r4~9y r~~fa~4.__ _:~~_ ... '~~~' ~s.,-t relay contact to the second color leas of mufti-color LEF~~#~. vnenin~ the r_a~, rigid valvc $ball close ma~neticali&° ~i;tuat~(i s~3t~~"._ ~'~°~
s~.~$~ ~it~~r'~y,~~ : °$a3i >~~ ~ f:~?~i? ~_ ~~'?
normally omen ~l relay contact. The DC current then t'lows to the first color ;ead of ~LI~tI-color ~,~:D~Jr. l~era~lon ofad"Iv '~f t~7~; tl3rGL' a~s~.r'~'~
c~3~g~~~,~s' ~ ~ _ °° .. ~i- '~. °~1~~' oven the normal DC current oath to mufti-color ~.Et~#j. anti conned the DL:
current through one of three isolating diodes D4, D.~, or D6, and then through flasher F'j. to mufti-color LED#5. Operation of any of the three alarm contacts v~~Il also connect DC current to the appropriate alarm indication LED#6, #7, or #8.
~5. Fig.S is an electrical jumper table for the four jumpers of the elf~ctric~gi circ~t~i~w ~~.
depicted in Fig.4, and a results table for dii~erent programming configurations ;~f the for lumbers. J~_ J7. J8_ and ~ 9.

2~. Fig. ~A depicts amounting rail far a beer tap bank accessor~r that ilh~m;nates tx~v lower portions of a beer dispenser upon which multiple beer tips are mounted.
~! t n rus° tre ~n~ro i9~4 are, f3 Electrical plug ~4 connects i~ositive and negative Diexec ~ri~.al pore.._ La_, ~, ,~.., ., .. L~..._:
bottom 7~ electrical conductive strips that extend the length of the rail inside of top ed~P %~ a_nd bottom edøe ~~.
.Joseph E. Currie (6Q3j 4S6-X428 ~ of l~

27. Fig.'s depicts an end view of the mounting rail 65.
The end view ofthe rail length spanning electrical conductors ~5 is indicated.
2~. Fig. 6C shows a side view of a portable illumination device that slides into a mounting rail.
~ single color I,EI~ 69 is insertion in~eetion molded into an acrylic illumination device with collar 70 and focusing lens "71. Electrical conductors 74 are connected individually to electrical contact pads S~ and 72. Compressible coil spring ~~
is attached to the back of the illumination device. and cap b7 is a9~xed to the end of spring 73 lo facilitate sliding the illumination accessory into the n~~u~5~~-3ray.~ ~~.
decreasing the sliding resistance of the spring 'when the spring is ~°omnressed.
.
~e3easing tlae roressure necessar~~ to cc~rnpress t'n < ~ ,~
c wr131~~zt' a~3 ;s'siC3~:: s.il~. :i3olri3:::m'~$6W
accessory into the mounting rail will cause ire electrical contact pads ~~ and ~ ~ to ~,or~tact the lengthwise electrical conductive strips of the vnounting raiiA
ever<~ize a.,E~~
dR. and illuminate the lower surfaces oz the laser dispenser.
Joseph E. Currie (603 4~6-X428 R of t 5

Claims (19)

Claims:

What is claimed is:

1. A single light source illumination system for a comestible fluid tap, said system comprising:
a single light source illumination system where the single illuminating light source is a single light emitting diode with attached collar and focusing lens;
means for indicating alarm conditions of the dispensed fluid as part of the tap;
means for monitoring the flow, temperature, and pressure of the dispensed fluid as part of the tap;
a first electrical system for operating said single illuminating light source in different modes programmed by externally accessible electrical jumpers when said light source is a single-color light emitting diode;
a second electrical system for operating said single illuminating light source in different modes programmed by externally accessible electrical jumpers when said light source is a multi-color light emitting diode.

2. The single light source illumination system of claim 1 wherein:
said light emitting diode with attached collar and focusing lens is insertion injection molded into said comestible fluid tap;
said light emitting diode is a single color light emitting diode;
said light emitting diode is a multi-color light emitting diode.

3. The electrical system of claim 1 is designed with two separate magnetically actuated switches with normally open electrical contacts, and said switches are located within the tap adjacent to the horizontally disposed metallic flow control valve;
said magnetically actuated switches are further located on the same horizontal plane as, and adjacent and parallel to, each side of the metallic flow control valve-actuating rod.

4 The single light source illumination system of claim 1 wherein:
said means for indicating alarm conditions of the dispensed fluid are a part of the tap and include a light emitting diode alarm indication and status panel with individual inputs from the normally open side of form "C" alarm contacts;
said means for indicating alarm conditions as part of the tap include a built in turbine flow and volume measuring valve with an electrical form "C" output contact;
said means for indicating alarm conditions as part of the tap include a temperature sensor that allows adjusting the operating set point temperature of the form "C" output contact;
said means a part of the tap for indicating alarm conditions further including a built in pressure sensor that allows adjusting the operating pressure set point of the form "C" output contact.

5. A first electrical system of claim 1 is designed to operate a single color light emitting diode at low and high power settings as programmed by externally accessible electrical jumpers and operation of integral magnetically actuated normally open switches.

6. A second electrical system of claim 1 is designed to change the colors of a multi-color light emitting diode as programmed by externally accessible electrical jumpers and operation of integral magnetically actuated normally open switches and an integral relay.

7. A first and a second electrical systems of claim 1 are designed to flash the illumination light emitting diode at a fast flash rate when one or more alarm conditions of the dispensed fluid exist.

8. The alarm conditions of claim 5 include temperature, pressure, and lack of dispensed fluid flow.

9. The temperature, pressure, or lack of fluid flow alarms of claim 6 are signaled by operation of the associated alarm contact that opens the normally closed series contact to the illuminating light emitting diode and closes the normally open parallel contact to the alarm flasher;
said alarm contact, and the series string of three alarm contacts, can be bypassed to maintain operation of the illumination light emitting diode by operating an alarm bypass switch.

10.The electrical system of claim 1 including a varister type output from an audio sensor and a varister type output from an illumination or light sensor;
said varister type outputs are connected in series with each other, in series with alarm contacts, and in series with the electrical current flowing through the illumination light emitting diode;

said varister type outputs may be bypassed by externally accessible electrical jumpers.

11. The multi-color light emitting diode of claim 1 is color changed when an integral magnetically actuated switch is operated connecting electrical power to an integral relay, changing condition of the relay form "C" contact that disconnects said electrical power from the first color lead and connects said electrical power to the second color lead of said multi-color light emitting diode.

12. A comestible fluid tap with a single illuminating light emitting diode that may be a single or multi-color diode, that is insertion injection molded within said fluid tap, providing for illumination of the lower surfaces of a beer dispenser upon which said tap is mounted, comprising:
a first electrical circuit programmed by externally available electric jumpers to change the illumination intensity of said single color light emitting diode:
a second electrical circuit programmed lay said externally available electrical jumpers to change the color of a single multi-color light emitting diode.

13. A comestible fluid tap with a single illuminating light emitting diode that may be a single or multi-color light emitting diode molded within said fluid tap, providing for illumination of the unit upon which said tap is mounted, comprising:
a fluid flow sensing means;
a fluid volume of flow sensing means;
a programmable logic controller, or PLC, with inputs from said fluid flow sensing means, and or said fluid volume of flow sensing means, that can control electrical power to said illumination light emitting diode;

said PLC may control electrical power on and off to said light emitting diode, may change the illumination intensity of said light emitting diode, or may change the illuminating color of said light emitting diode.

14. A portable illuminating beer tap bank accessory that: continuously or intermittently illuminates the lower surfaces of the beer dispenser beneath each tap that is mounted on the beer dispenser, and is comprised of:
a mounting rail approximately the length of a beer tap bank;
two or more conductors for electrical connectivity the length of said mounting rail;
a portable illuminating accessory or accessories that slides into said mounting rail.

15. The mounting rail of claim 14 where said rail has two or more conductive stripes secured to inner surfaces of said rail, the length of said rail, in a manner that allows two or more electrical connections to be made to each illumination accessory that is slid into said mounting rail.

16. The mounting rail of claim 14 where said rail has three or more conductive stripes of any length, secured to inner surfaces of said rail, in a manner that allows two or more electrical connections to be made to each illumination accessory that is slid into said mounting rail.

17. The portable illuminating accessory of claim 14 where a single color light emitting diode, or a multi-color light emitting diode with attached collar and focusing lens, is insertion injection molded into an illumination conductive acrylic or other plastic device in a shape conducive to being slide into said mounting rail of claim 14.

18. The portable illuminating accessory of claim 14 where two or more external electrically conductive surfaces are electrically connected to said light emitting diode.

19. The portable illuminating accessory of claim 14 where compression spring tension means is attached to the back surface of said accessory;
said spring tension means can include a compressible coil spring with a plastic cap or cover piece on the end that contacts the inner surface of the mounting rail to reduce sliding friction, or metal spring tension clips mounted in a horizontal direction.