US20040164079A1

US20040164079A1 - Tap cap

Info

Publication number: US20040164079A1
Application number: US10/372,259
Authority: US
Inventors: Raymond Alois
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-02-25
Filing date: 2003-02-25
Publication date: 2004-08-26

Abstract

A tap cap (10) removably insertable into a tap spout opening (18AA) of a tap spout (18A) having a plug (12) which comprises a plug handle (12A) positioned at one end securely connected to a plug appendage (12B) positioned at the opposite end. The A tap cap (10) further has a cap (14) having a complimentary configuration to the plug appendage (12B). The cap (14) is removably positioned over the plug appendage (12B).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cap for a liquid dispenser. More particularly, the present invention relates to beer or soda tap cap.

2. Description of the Prior Art:

Numerous innovations for soda and beer tap covers have been provided in the prior art that are described as follows. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention as hereinafter contrasted.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,626, by inventor, Guerra, et al., titled, Beverage dispenser stanchion cover, a cover for a beverage dispenser stanchion, such as a draft beer tower or the like, having a front containing a tap and a back substantially distal to the tap. The cover comprises a housing shaped to contain at least the stanchion back. The housing comprises a body having a top region, a bottom and a longitudinal opening extending substantially from the body top region to the body bottom, the opening for receiving the stanchion, and adapted to have at least the stanchion front extending outwardly therefrom, the opening further adapted to have the tap extending outwardly and operatively therefrom. A mechanism is provided for quickly and removably mounting the housing to the stanchion.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,905, by inventor, Weimer, et al., titled, Beverage dispenser tap cover with position sensing switch, existing beverage dispensing taps may be retrofitted with a mechanism that provides an electrical signal which indicates when the tap is open. That mechanism includes a housing with an open bottom for placement over the tap with a lever of the tap projecting upward through an aperture in the housing. The housing is held in place over the tap by a compression bonnet the holds the operating lever on a conventional beverage tap. A switch assembly within the housing is engaged and operated by a component of the beverage tap to provide the electrical signal. The switch assembly has a unique double action actuator that tolerates different amounts of movement of the tap component. The actuator has a ring that is engaged by the tap component to operate the switch assembly and an annular flange secured to the housing. A first flexible web connects the ring to the annular flange and a button with a surface with a conductive surface is coupled to the ring by a second flexible web. When the switch is closed the conductive surface abuts a pair of contacts.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,750, by inventor, Armstrong, titled, Beer keg cap, a removable thermoplastic cap for a beer keg bushing comprising a flat disc with integral peripheral skirt which includes inturned upwardly directed gripping lugs preventing removal of the cap when once fitted to a beer keg bushing, vertical slots spaced around the skirt and extending partway across the disc to provide venting for the interior of the bushing, and a pull tab provided on one side of the disc and connected by weakened lines to the opposite side thereof to facilitate peeling off of the cap by tearing apart the skirt.

The aforementioned patents significantly differ from the present invention because the patented inventions fail to describe and/or claim one or more of the following: disposable or dish washable cap which is capable of snapping on or easily fastenable and conforms to any angle and of spout.

Numerous innovations for soda and beer tap covers have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The types of problems encountered in the prior art are beer and soda taps have openings which allow bacteria and other microorganisms to enter there through.

In the prior art, unsuccessful attempts to solve this problem were attempted namely: nor replaceable dispenser covers. However, the problem was solved by the present invention because it utilizes a disposable insert which seals against the inside of the soda or beer dispenser spout.

Innovations within the prior art are rapidly being exploited in the field of sanitary products.

The present invention went contrary to the teaching of the art which describes and claims covers for beer and soda spouts.

The present invention solved a long felt need for a disposable sanitary insert.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tap cap having a plug, cap, and strap.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a plug having a plug handle, plug handle indicia, plug appendage, and plug appendage tread.

In keeping with these objects, and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in the cap having a cap thread.

When the strap is designed in accordance with the present invention, it has a strap first end with a strap first end opening and strap first end teeth.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the strap also has a strap second end with a strap second end opening.

The novel features which are considered characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawings.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWINGS

1—-tap cap (10)

12—plug (12)

12A—plug handle (12A)

12AA—plug handle indicia (12AA)

12B—plug appendage (12B)

12BA—plug appendage tread (12BA)

14—cap (14)

14A—cap thread (14A)

16—strap (16)

16A—strap first end (16A)

16AA—strap first end opening (16AA)

16AB—strap first end teeth (16AB)

16B—strap second end (16B)

16BA—strap second end opening (16BA)

18—tap (18)

18A—tap spout (18A)

18AA—tap spout opening (18AA)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a tap cap ([0039] 10).
FIG. 2 is an upper left perspective view of a tap cap ([0040] 10) inserted into a tap spout opening (18AA) of a tap spout (18A).
FIG. 3 is a front view of a cap ([0041] 14) being inserted onto a plug appendage (12B).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 which is a front perspective view of a tap cap ([0042] 10) removably insertable into a tap spout opening (18AA) of a tap spout (18A). The tap cap (10) comprises a plug (12) having a plug handle (12A) positioned at one end securely connected to a plug appendage (12B) positioned and extending outwardly from the opposite end.
The tap cap ([0043] 10) further comprises a cap (14) having a complimentary configuration to the plug appendage (12B). The cap (14) is removably positioned over the plug appendage (12B).
The tap cap ([0044] 10) further comprises a strap (16) having a strap first end (16A) and a strap second end (16B). The strap first end (16A) having an strap first end opening (16AA) through which the strap second end (16B) is inserted there through forming a loop. The strap second end (16B) is attachable to the plug (12). The strap first end (16A) preferably further comprises a plurality of strap first end teeth (16AB) functioning to engage an outer periphery of the strap first end opening (16AA). The plug handle (12A) may optionally comprise plug handle indicia (12AA) thereon. The plug handle indicia (12AA) is preferably embossed or raised.
Referring to FIG. 2 which is an upper left perspective view of a tap cap ([0045] 10) inserted into a tap spout opening (18AA) of a tap spout (18A).
Lastly, referring to FIG. 3 which is a front view of a cap ([0046] 14) being inserted onto a plug appendage (12B). The plug appendage (12B) further comprises plug appendage tread (12BA) having a complimentary configuration to cap thread (14A) positioned on the cap (14). The plug appendage tread (12BA) and cap thread (14A) function to securely hold the cap (14) onto the plug appendage (12B) during insertion and removal into and from the tap spout opening (18AA). The strap second end (16B) further comprises a strap second end opening (16BA) through which the plug appendage (12B) is securely positioned. The cap (14) screws onto the plug appendage (12B) and remains securely attached thereto. The cap (14) is preferably 16 disposable.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the type described above. [0047]
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a soda and beer tap covers, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. [0048]
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. [0049]
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims. [0050]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A tap cap (10) removably insertable into a tap spout opening (18AA) of a tap spout (18A) comprising:

A) a plug (12) which comprises a plug handle (12A) positioned at one end securely connected to a plug appendage (12B) positioned at the opposite end; and

B) a cap (14) having a complimentary configuration to the plug appendage (12B), the cap (14) is removably positioned over the plug appendage (12B).

2. The tap cap (10) as described in claim 1, further comprises a strap (16) which comprises a strap first end (16A) and a strap second end (16B), the strap first end (16A) having an strap first end opening (16AA) through which the strap second end (16B) is inserted therethrough forming a loop, the strap second end (16B) is attachable to the plug (12).

3. The tap cap (10) as described in claim 2, wherein the strap first end (16A) further comprises a plurality of strap first end teeth (16AB) functioning to engage an outer periphery of the strap first end opening (16AA).

4. The tap cap (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the plug handle (12A) comprises plug handle indicia (12AA) thereon.

5. The tap cap (10) as described in claim 4, wherein the plug handle indicia (12AA) is embossed or raised.

6. The tap cap (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the plug appendage (12B) further comprises plug appendage tread (12BA) having a complimentary configuration to cap thread (14A) positioned on the cap (14).

7. The tap cap (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the strap second end (16B) further comprises a strap second end opening (16BA) through which the plug appendage (12B) is securely positioned.

8. The tap cap (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the cap (14) is disposable.