John Guest International Limited

Glen Ansell

Joshua Smith

An coaxial keg connector comprising a main body () made of plastic and having a first inlet port () and a second inlet port () receiving a stem (). A coaxial outlet () comprises an outer outlet port () in communication with the first inlet port () and an inner outlet port () in communication with the second inlet port. The stem () comprises a tubular body with a main axis () with an inlet and a connector for attachment to the keg at one end. The second end of the stem opposite to the first end has an outlet in fluid communication with the inner outlet port () and comprises a ball joint () rotatably mounted in and sealed with respect to the main body () so as to be rotatable () about the main axis () of the tubular body and rotatable () to a limited extent about axes perpendicular to the main axis.

Coaxial beverage keg connector comprising a ball joint

A mold for molding a body or cap for a connector. The mold comprises a mold body () and an axial core () which together define a mold cavity in the shape of the body or cap. The core has a sleeve () and an inner pin () each having complementary castellations () which interdigitate in a first configuration. In the first configuration, the castellations () are arranged such that respective recesses () are formed each bound by the proximal end of a first castellation () and the side walls of adjacent second castellations (). Each recess has a shape to form a respective first portion of the body or cap. The sleeve () and inner pin () are axially movable to a second configuration in which the castellations () are disengaged from one another. The inner pin () is rotatable to a third configuration in which the first castellations () can be axially withdrawn following a path occupied by the second castellations () in the first configuration.

Mold and method for molding a body or cap for a connector

A ball valve assembly includes a duct with a central passage for the flow of fluids. A ball valve is rotatably mounted within the duct. The ball valve has a through bore selectively alignable in an operational position with the central passage to allow flow through the valve assembly. A lateral opening is provided in the duct. A handle attached to the ball valve extends through the lateral opening such that it is accessible from outside the duct to allow rotation of the ball valve. The ball valve, handle and duct are sized so that the ball valve and handle together are insertable into one end of the duct in a first orientation to an intermediate position, from which position and orientation the ball valve and handle together can be manipulated without the ball valve leaving the duct to a final position with a second orientation in which the handle extends out through the lateral opening and the ball valve is in its operational position.

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Edgware, United Kingdom

Glen Ansell