Draft Systems, Inc.

Mcdantim, Inc.

Other

Merton R Fallon

Thomas W Clements

John R Froehler

Harry E Saterbo

Leo J Fallon

John Froehler

An apparatus for blending two gases together in precisely adjustable proportions. The apparatus includes a mechanically adjustable, blending subassembly adapted to receive the first gas at a predetermined pressure and a one to one force balanced pneumatic relay which is operated by the first gas and which meters the flow of the second gas to the blending subassembly at a pressure substantially equal to the pressure of the first gas being supplied to the blending subassembly.

Gas blending apparatus

A safety flow control device in a beverage distribution system using pressurized gas to dispense the beverage from its containers for ensuring that the containers are not accidentally overpressurized. The device is adapted to be placed in the line which connects the pressure source to the container for the beverage. The device includes a base assembly having an internal chamber in communication with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a replacement unit removably connected with the base assembly. The replacement unit embodies a rupture disc having a first side exposed to the gas used in pressurizing the containers and a second side exposed at atmosphere. Strategically positioned between the pressure inlet of the device and the pressure side of the rupture disc is a valving mechanism which is maintained in an open configuration by the rupture disc. In the open configuration the valving mechanism permits the gas to flow from the inlet into a first sub-chamber defined by the first side of the rupture disc and then outwardly through the outlet of the device. When the rupture disc fails, the valve mechanism will automatically close preventing further flow of gas into the first sub-chamber and toward the outlet. The replacement unit is constructed as at unit of the factory so that, when the rupture disc fails, the entire unit containing the failed disc can be disassembled from the base assembly and replaced with a factory built replacement unit having a new rupture disc correctly positioned therewithin.

Flow control device

An improved coupler or tapping mechanism and valve system for obtaining access to a container of fluid. In a container of fluid, and particularly a keg for beer, a valve assembly receiving member or keg neck extends from the top of the container. This keg neck receives a flat top, dual valve system which is operated by the coupler. The improved coupler is placed over the keg neck and is positively secured thereto and sealed relative to the valve assembly by a two point locking mechanism which engages the external surfaces of the keg neck. A safety locking mechanism is provided which prevents removal of the coupler from the keg neck as long as the dual valves are in an open fluid tapping position.

Valve assembly and coupler therefor

A sealing element which is particularly adapted for use in preventing fluid flow between threadably interconnected components. The sealing element comprises a rigid portion formed of metal or the like and an elastomeric material portion. These portions are assembled together in a geometric configuration that protects the elastomer from shear forces and at the same time permits close control over the compression forces which can be exerted on the elastomeric portion of the sealing element. In this way, both overcompression and shear damage to the elastomer are effectively prevented.

Structurally supported elastomer sealing element

An improved coupler or tapping mechanism and valve system for obtaining access to a container of fluid. In a container of fluid, and particularly a keg for beer, a valve assembly receiving member or keg neck extends from the top of the container. The keg neck receives a dual valve system which is operated by the coupler. The improved coupler is placed over the keg neck and is positively secured thereto by a three point locking mechanism which engages the external surfaces of the keg neck. A safety locking mechanism is provided which prevents removal of the coupler from the keg neck as long as the dual valves are in an open fluid tapping position.

A safety flow control device for use in a beverage distribution system of the character using pressurized gas to dispense the beverage from its containers for ensuring that the containers are not accidentally overpressurized. The device of the invention is adapted to be placed in the line which connects the pressure source to the containers for the beverage. The device embodies a rupture disc having a first side exposed to the gas used in pressurizing the containers and a second side exposed to atmosphere. Strategically positioned between the pressure inlet of the device and the pressure side of the rupture disc is a valving mechanism which is maintained in an open configuration by the rupture disc. In the open configuration the valving mechanism permits the gas to flow from the inlet into a first sub-chamber defined by the first side of the rupture disc and then outwardly through the outlet of the device. When the rupture disc fails, the valve mechanism will automatically close preventing further flow of gas into the first sub-chamber and toward the outlet. The valve is constructed so that it will remain closed until pressure on the inlet side of the unit is relieved.

A safety apparatus and method of using same in dispensing beverages, such as soft drinks and beer, in which the beverage is dispensed by introducing gases under pressure into the beverage container to force the beverage to flow from the container through a dispensing outlet, or faucet. The apparatus comprises a pair of redundant pressure reducing regulators, a frangible burst disc and one or more flow control check valves all interconnected in a predetermined sequence. The apparatus is installed between the high pressure gas source and the beverage container. In accordance with the method of the invention the various components are adjusted at particular pressure settings depending upon the beverage to be dispensed.

Safety apparatus for high pressure systems

An improved locking mechanism and valve system for obtaining access to a container of fluid. In a container of fluid, and particularly a keg for beer, a valve assembly receiving member or keg neck extends from the top of the container. A sealing mechanism is provided to secure the valve assembly in sealed relationship with the keg neck and to allow access to the fluid contained by actuation of the valves. More specifically, the valve neck has a groove in its inner surface to receive a resilient retainer ring which maintains the valve assembly in place. In addition, an improved dual keyway, dual key safety feature is provided to prevent inadvertent expulsion of the valve assembly should the retainer ring be dislodged while the keg is pressurized. This improvement also decreases the likelihood of damage to the valve assemblies during their installation and precludes accidental or intentional infliction of damage to the safety keys carried by the valve body of the system. Further the improved configuration of the valve assemblies prevents catastrophic failure of the systems in the event of fire or exposure of the system to high temperature environments. Finally, the design of the valve system has been improved to enhance fluid flow therethrough and to enable superior cleaning of the system components.

Locking mechanism and valve assembly

A safety pressure reducing regulator for use in systems operable by pressurized gas incorporates multiple safety features which preclude excessive pressure buildup in the system and provide protection against catastrophic failures. The regulator includes primary and secondary regulator stages through which pressurized gas from a gas pressure source is supplied to a pressure control chamber which provides the operating pressure for the system. The primary regulator stage is designed to reduce the inlet gas pressure to an intermediate level. The secondary regulator stage is designed to automatically regulate the supply of the pressurized gas at the intermediate pressure to the pressure control chamber to maintain a desired operating pressure therein. A flexible diaphragm is normally disposed across the pressure control chamber which is adapted to function as a check valve to control communication between the secondary regulator stage and the pressure control chamber. A clamping piston provided with a central passage normally clamps the flexible diaphragm in place across the pressure control chamber. In the event of excess pressure buildup in the pressure control chamber, the piston unclamps the diaphragm which collapses into its central passage to permit the pressurized gas to escape through exhaust vents. One form of the apparatus of the invention includes a unique safety feature which precludes adjustment of the secondary regulator stage until the source pressure has either been removed or relieved. Another form of the apparatus of the invention comprises a novel gage assembly also embodying the collapsible diaphragm element.

Safety pressure reducing regulator

The safety device is disposable in the gas line connecting between a gas source under pressure and a tapping device installed in a keg. The safety device includes a valve housing carrying a spring biased, axially movable piston assembly including a valve body and an axially movable stem element. Upon an increase in gas line pressure above a predetermined pressure, the gas acts on the piston assembly to displace it as a unit in an upstream direction against the bias of the spring to seal the stem against a primary valve seat element and preclude further ingress of gas into the keg. However, should the primary valve seat element leak, due to wear or contamination, causing pressure within the system to increase, the valve body will move relative to the valve stem to vent the housing to atmosphere and to close a secondary valve seat adapted to positively prevent further fluid flow downstream of the device toward the keg.

Fluid pressure control device

A combined fluid pressure gage and safety pressure relief device for interconnection with systems wherein excess fluid pressure will cause explosions likely to result in injury to personnel and damage to surrounding equipment. The device accurately measures fluid pressure within the system to which it is connected so long as the system pressure remains within the working range of the pressure gage. However, should the system pressure exceed the normal full scale pressure reading on the gage, the device will instantly and automatically safely vent the system to atmosphere. Once the device is vented the pressure relief mechanism must be manually reset by skilled technicians using special tools before the apparatus can be reused.

Safety pressure gage

A safety pressure reducing regulator for use in systems operable by pressurized gas incorporates multiple safety features which preclude excessive pressure buildup in the system and provide protection against catastrophic failures. The regulator includes primary and secondary regulator stages through which pressurized gas from a gas pressure source is supplied to a pressure control chamber which provides the operating pressure for the system. The primary regulator stage is designed to reduce the inlet gas pressure to an intermediate level. The secondary regulator stage is designed to automatically regulate the supply of the pressurized gas at the intermediate pressure to the pressure control chamber to maintain a desired operating pressure therein. A flexible diaphragm is normally disposed across the pressure control chamber which is adapted to function as a check valve to control communication between the secondary regulator stage and the pressure control chamber. A clamping piston provided with a central passage normally clamps the flexible diaphragm in place across the pressure control chamber. In the event of excess pressure buildup in the pressure control chamber, the piston unclamps the diaphragm which collapses into its central passage to permit the pressurized gas to escape through exhaust vents.

An improved valve system for obtaining access to a container of fluid. In a container of fluid, and particularly a keg for beer, a valve assembly receiving member or keg neck extends from the top of the container. A sealing mechanism is provided to secure the valve assembly in sealed relationship with the keg neck and to allow access to the fluid contained by actuation of the valves. More specifically, the valve neck has a groove in its inner surface to receive a resilient retainer ring which maintains the valve assembly in place. In addition, a safety feature is provided to prevent inadvertent expulsion of the valve assembly should the retainer ring be dislodged while the keg is pressurized. A siphon tube extends from the valve assembly to a position adjacent the bottom of the keg when the valve is secured within the keg neck. The bottom portion of the tube is configured to enhance the flow of fluid into and out of the tube as well as carry a spring member for cooperating with one of the valve members in the valve assembly. An improved coupler mechanism is employed in operating the valves while avoiding inadvertent opening and closing of the valve assembly. A handle is provided on the coupler for moving the valve actuating elements between an open and a closed position. A locking mechanism on the coupler prevents engagement and disengagement of the coupler while it is in the open position.

A system for dispensing fluid from a container. The container is pressurized by supplying gas into the container thereby forcing the fluid out of the container through a siphon tube and an outlet valve in the container. The system utilizes a valve assembly having two valves, one for enabling the flow of the gas into the container and the second for allowing the flow of the fluid out of the container. The valve assembly is mounted in a neck member that is secured to an opening in one of the walls of the container. Arranged within the neck is a deformable seal that is compressed between a body portion of the valve assembly and an inner surface of the neck member. A non-threaded retaining ring holds the valve body portion of the valve assembly within the neck member and serves to apply the force to the valve body portion for compressing the seal. In order to avoid the existence of a sump within the valve structure, which could damage or contaminate the fluid dispensed from the container, the top of the valve assembly is substantially flush with the top of the neck member. A coupler is connected to the neck member and has a probe capable of being moved between an open position and a closed position. In its open position, the probe serves to open the two valves of the valve assembly for enabling gas to be fed into the container and fluid to be dispensed from the container.

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Thousand Oaks, CA, United States of America

Merton R Fallon