Abstract:
Apparatus (10) for dispensing a potable beverage (B) stored in a container (K). A tap (16) is attached to the container and provides a discharge passage (18) for the beverage. A valve (20) opens and close the passage. A valve control unit (32) operates the valve. The container is a pressurized container and the valve control unit also utilizes this source (G) of pressure to operate the valve. A controller (60) activates the valve control unit. The controller includes a sensor (64) for first sensing when a receptacle is positioned adjacent the tap, to activate the valve control unit, for beverage to be dispensed into the receptacle. The controller subsequently senses when the receptacle has been withdrawn to deactivate the valve control unit and stop dispensing of the beverage. Dispensing is also automatically stopped if the receptacle is left in place for a preselected amount of time. The apparatus is available in a "kit" form for retrofitting existing dispensers. Further, two taps can be arranged in a side-by-side relationship for automatically dispensing beverage into two receptacles simultaneously.
Abstract:
A CO.sub.2 gas generator for a utilization device is located in a housing and chemically generates CO.sub.2 from a chemical reaction between two reagents contained within a common container. The reagents are located in different chambers of the container with a CO.sub.2 accumulation region being included in one of the chambers. A reference pressure source of a predetermined pressure forces the two reagents into contact with each other when the pressure of gas in the CO.sub.2 accumulation region is less than the predetermined pressure whereupon CO.sub.2 is generated in one of the chambers. An output conduit in fluid communication with the CO.sub.2 accumulation region is provided to withdraw the generated gas from the generator. As the CO.sub.2 is withdrawn, the gas pressure drops permitting more mixing of the reagents. When the CO.sub.2 pressure becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined pressure applied by the reference pressure source, the reagents become separate again and gas generation ceases.
Abstract:
A resilient faucet extension functions both as a nozzle and guard attachment and is particularly well adapted for beer faucets. The nozzle design controls the angle and rate of beer delivery to a glass so as to reduce foaming, while the resilient extended portion of the attachment serves to absorb impacts between glasses, or similar items such as glass pitchers, ceramic beer steins, and the like, and a dispensing unit, such as a faucet, to thus reduce chipping and breaking of the glass items.
Abstract:
An apparatus for dispensing a predetermined volume of fluid under pressure with provision for modifying the dispensing time of the fluid to compensate for changes in the pressure on the fluid. Further provision is made to selectively dispense one of a plurality of predetermined liquid volumes, and to record the number of dispensing cycles made of each said predetermined liquid volume.