Patent US4560091A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4560091A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stationary beer container
Assignee: Grolsche Bierbrouwerij BV
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Filing: 1983-03-15
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Granted: 1985-12-24
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Expires: 2003-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A stationary beer container having upper and lower end connections coupled with a flow line coupling and valve assembly adapted to cooperate with a standard beer tap head used with barrels or kegs. The flow line coupling and housing assembly of the invention is connected with a line to the lower end of the beer container and a vertical line to the upper end of the container including a transparent section for determining the beer level in the container. The same type of tap head is used for tapping beer from the container, filing the container, and cleaning the container.
Inventors
- 👤 Hubertus J. Souren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:33
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D1/00; B67D1/08; B67D1/0829; B67D1/0831; B67D1/0832; B67D1/0801
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
311 words
Apparatus for storing and dispensing beer comprising: a stationary beer container; a lower flow connection into said container; an upper flow connection into said container; a substantially vertical flow line connected at a first upper end into said upper flow connection for separate pump functions of gas flow during beer dispensing, cleaning fluid flow, and measurement of beer level in said container; a flow line coupling and valve assembly connected between said lower connection and a second lower end of said vertical flow line including means comprising an annular coupling flange for connecting a tap head to said flow line coupling for flow communication with said flow line coupling and operation of said valve assembly for controlling flow between said tap head and said flow line coupling; said flow line coupling having a central tube closed at an outer end and having port means inward from said outer end and defining flow passage means into said lower flow connection and a housing around and spaced from said central tube defining second annular flow passage means around said first central tube and opening into said lower end of said vertical flow line; said valve assembly including an annular valve member movable along said tube between first and second operating positions on opposite sides of said port means; said valve member shutting off flow through said tap head connection means while permitting flow through said port means between said first and said second flow passages at said first operating position; and said valve member at said second operating position isolating said first flow passage means from said second flow passage means inward from said valve member while directing flow between said first and said second flow passage means outward of said valve member and separate flow channels in a tap head when said tap head is connected with said tap head connecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
311 words
Apparatus for storing and dispensing beer comprising: a stationary beer container; a lower flow connection into said container; an upper flow connection into said container; a substantially vertical flow line connected at a first upper end into said upper flow connection for separate pump functions of gas flow during beer dispensing, cleaning fluid flow, and measurement of beer level in said container; a flow line coupling and valve assembly connected between said lower connection and a second lower end of said vertical flow line including means comprising an annular coupling flange for connecting a tap head to said flow line coupling for flow communication with said flow line coupling and operation of said valve assembly for controlling flow between said tap head and said flow line coupling; said flow line coupling having a central tube closed at an outer end and having port means inward from said outer end and defining flow passage means into said lower flow connection and a housing around and spaced from said central tube defining second annular flow passage means around said first central tube and opening into said lower end of said vertical flow line; said valve assembly including an annular valve member movable along said tube between first and second operating positions on opposite sides of said port means; said valve member shutting off flow through said tap head connection means while permitting flow through said port means between said first and said second flow passages at said first operating position; and said valve member at said second operating position isolating said first flow passage means from said second flow passage means inward from said valve member while directing flow between said first and said second flow passage means outward of said valve member and separate flow channels in a tap head when said tap head is connected with said tap head connecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
305 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flow coupling comprises said housing defining a chamber having a first end opening connected into said lower flow connection into said container, an opposite second end opening away from said container, and an upper side opening connected with said lower end of said vertical flow line; said central tube in said chamber being spaced from the inner walls thereof opening at one end into said lower flow connection and closed at the opposite end thereof, said tube having a bore defining said first flow passage means into said lower flow connection and said chamber around said tube defining said second flow passage means opening into said lower end of said vertical flow line, said port means in said tube communicating said tube bore with said chamber; said second opposite end opening of said housing being spaced from and defining an annular opening around said closed end of said tube; said housing having a flange around said opposite end opening for connection of said tap head; and said valve member fitting in sealing relation around said tube and in said housing opening and being movable along said tube between said first operating position sealing said housing opening while uncovering said port means to communicate said first flow passage means with said second flow passage means and said second operating position inwardly on said tube from said port means to isolate said first and second flow passage means for communicating said first flow passage means with one flow channel in a tap head connected with said flange and for communicating said second flow passage means with a second separate flow channel in said tap head when said valve member is engaged by an operating tube of said tap head and moved by said tube to said second operating position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein, said valve member is an annular seal adapted to fit and seal said annular end opening against flow at said first operating position, and a spring is mounted around said tube in said chamber engaging said valve member and urging said valve member along said tube into said sealing relationship in said annular opening, said spring being compressible for movement of said annular seal to said second operating position on said tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 including a releasable coupling connecting said flow line coupling to said lower end of said flow line and another releasable coupling connecting said flow line coupling with said lower connection into said container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein at least a portion of said vertical flow line is transparent for observing the liquid level in said container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said annular seal has an outer face sealingly engageable by an operator tube and flow member in said tap head, said operator tube moving said annular seal from said first operating position to said second operating position and said operator tube of said tap head directing flow between a dispensing nozzle of said tap head and said first flow passage of said flow line coupling and directing separate flow between said second flow passage of said coupling and a gas connection on said tap head when said annular seal is at said second operating position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein at least a portion of said vertical flow line is transparent for observing the liquid level in said container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 including a releasable coupling connecting said flow line coupling to said lower end of said vertical flow line and another releasable coupling connecting said flow coupling with said lower connection into said container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein at least a portion of said vertical flow line is transparent for observing the liquid level in said container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 including a tap head connected with said flow coupling and a supply line connected with said gas connection on said tap head for cleaning and rinsing liquid, valve means in said supply line for controlling flow through said supply line, a discharge line connected with said dispensing nozzle, and valve means in said discharge line for controlling discharge of cleaning and rinsing liquid from said container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-12-23 | 1989-06-24 | 1989-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-23 | 1993-06-24 | 1993-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-23 | 1997-06-24 | 1997-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |