GB499934A - Improved apparatus for dispensing beer and like beverages - Google Patents

Abstract

499,934. Plug cocks. REID, J. May 7, 1938, No. 13645. [Class 135] [Also in Group XVIII] A beverage-dispensing apparatus of the kind in which a selectively-operable dispensing nozzle can dispense the liquid direct from bulk supply, or divert some of the liquid from the bulk supply into a settling vessel, is provided with means permitting the supply of the liquid direct from the bulk supply to the upper part of the settling vessel above the level of the liquid therein while the liquid is being drawn off from the bottom of the vessel. In the apparatus shown, which is a modification of that described in Specification 403,692, a dispensing nozzle 7 combined with a four-way tap 8 is mounted at the end of an arm 6 formed with three passages 9, 10, 11, the settling vessel 5 being mounted at the other end of the arm. The upper passage 9 communicates with a vertical tube 12 extending along the axis of the vessel 5 and in the upper portion of which holes 24 are provided, while the middle passage 10 communicates with the bulk supply by means of a vertical passage in the column 17 by which the apparatus is mounted on the counter, and the lower passage 11 is in communication with an opening 26 at the bottom of the settling vessel. The apparatus operates as follows: (1) On turning the tap 8 through 90‹ in an anticlockwise direction from the closed position shown, the passages 9. and 10 are connected by a recess 27 in the valve plug and the passage 11 is connected with the nozzle 7 by a port 16 in the valve. Liquid passes from the bulk supply, through the passages 10, 9, to the tube 12, from which it passes into the vessel 5 via the holes 24, and at the same time liquid passes through the opening 26 and along the passage 11 to the nozzle 7. The passage 11 is larger than the passages 9, 10, and consequently the vessel 5 will be emptied if liquid is drawn off continuously, but atmospheric air cannot enter the vessel. (2) On turning the tap through 90‹ in a clockwise direction from the position shown, the passages 9, 11 remain closed and the passage 10 communicates with a port 14 in the valve, so that liquid is delivered to the nozzle 7 direct from bulk supply. (3) On turning the tap through 180‹ from the closed position, passages 10 and 11 are connected by a recess 25 in the valve and the passage 9 is put into communication with the nozzle 7 by a port 15, so that liquid passes from bulk supply through the passages 10, 11 to the bottom of the vessel 5, while air and gas pass through the holes 24 in the tube 12 to the nozzle 7. The apparatus may be modified by mounting the settling vessel 5 below the tap level instead of above the tap level as shown.