Dispense tap

Claim 1

A tap, for a carbon dioxide gas pressure dispense system for beer, comprising: a tap body; a nozzle, forming part of said tap body, to convey dispensed beer to a receptacle therefor; a counterbore in said tap body and communicating with said nozzle; a valve seat within said tap body and about said counterbore; a reciprocating valve housed in said tap body to control flow of beer through said tap; said reciprocating valve having a valve member movable by a valve operating mechanism towards and away from said valve seat to close and open said tap; said reciprocating valve being configured to minimize pressure drop and turbulence in the flow of beer through said tap when said valve member is in the open position; said valve member having an extension that projects through said valve seat into said counterbore; said extension having a radially outwardly directed flange that is always disposed within said counterbore defining a range of movement of said valve member proximate the closed position thereof; said flange cooperating with said counterbore to define a narrow annulus to substantially restrict beer flow and create a turbulence-inducing pressure drop so as to facilitate an automatic positioning of the valve operating mechanism by an operator to a turbulence and pressure drop-inducing position within said range and hence a generally automatic production of foam in the tap prior to said flange leaving said counterbore in an opening direction or after said flange enters the counterbore in a closing direction and without requiring manuel adjustment of the parts of the reciprocating valve and the operating mechanism relative to each other.