Patents Assigned to Vending Components, Inc.
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Patent number: 4538746Abstract: The invention contemplates improved safety interlock mechanism incorporated in a keg-tapping assembly which is removably attachable to a standard beer keg or the like, via a bayonet-type engagement between lugs on the keg and a slotted flange on the keg-tapping assembly. The keg-tapping assembly is of the variety in which a handle is depressed to gain beverage-dispensing access to the keg and in which the handle is raised to close the keg and to shut off supply of gas pressure to the keg. A guide formed in the keg-tapping assembly locates a vertically displaceable locking leg, having articulated connection to the handle, such that in a downward actuation of the handle, the guided locking leg will be in a position to deny lug displacement into or through one of the slots of the slotted flange, before handle displacement can either begin to open the keg or to admit gas pressure thereto.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1983Date of Patent: September 3, 1985Assignee: Vending Components, Inc.Inventor: James H. Hines
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Patent number: 4516698Abstract: A keg-tapping device wherein a probe is selectively actuable within a tap body, between axial positions of communication with and cut-off from the inner volume of the keg, to which it may be attached. The probe extends upwardly beyond the tap body and carries an axially reciprocable air pump at its upper end, while a beverage-dispensing port is open laterally, at a location beneath the pump and above the tap body. A pressure-relief valve with external actuating access is carried by the probe, and the arrangement is such that the probe and all components mounted thereto are bodily rotatable, over a full 360 degrees of lateral-discharge direction for beverage delivered at the discharge port. Conveniently, a flexible hose connects the discharge port to a selectively operable dispensing valve, and the dispensing valve is therefore flexibly adaptable, without keg movement, to serve glasses within a maximum radius (hose length), whatever the azimuth direction at which a glass is to be served.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1983Date of Patent: May 14, 1985Assignee: Vending Components, Inc.Inventor: Vincent J. Cerrato
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Patent number: 4406301Abstract: The invention contemplates removable structure to facilitate keg-tapping, and pressurized dispensing of liquid contents of the keg. A so-called Barnes neck forms part of the keg and has a bore with an elastomeric ring seal and flange at its lower end, and a valve-and-tube subassembly is inserted through the neck, to the point of valve-body compression of the seal, when secured by a removable retaining ring. In the course of such insertion, one or more radially inward lugs on the neck flange track corresponding slot formations in the subassembly. Each such slot formation has a first upward longitudinal course, leading to an angular bayonet-like offset course, and then to a second upward longitudinal course. The location of the angular offset is such that the valve body cannot compressionally load the seal ring in the absence of the partial rotation needed to develop lug alignment with the second upward longitudinal course.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1981Date of Patent: September 27, 1983Assignee: Vending Components, Inc.Inventor: Vincent J. Cerrato
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Patent number: 4363336Abstract: The invention contemplates removable structure to facilitate keg-tapping, and pressurized dispensing of liquid contents of the keg. A so-called Barnes neck forms part of the keg and has a bore with an elastomeric ring seal and flange at its lower end, and a valve-and-tube subassembly is inserted through the neck, to the point of valve-body compression of the seal, when secured by a removable retaining ring. In the course of such insertion, one or more radially inward lugs on the neck flange track corresponding slot formations in the subassembly. Each such slot formation has a first upward longitudinal course, leading to an angular bayonet-like offset course, and tnen to a second upward longitudinal course. The location of the angular offset is such that the valve body cannot compressionally load the seal ring in the absence of the partial rotation needed to develop lug alignment with the second upward longitudinal course.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1981Date of Patent: December 14, 1982Assignee: Vending Components, Inc.Inventor: Vincent J. Cerrato
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Patent number: 4341240Abstract: This invention is an improvement in tavern fittings that are used for dispensing beer from kegs, and it is for the purpose of simplifying the construction of the equipment and the dispensing of beer more efficiently. The construction lends itself to easier cleaning of beer dispensing equipment as the result of more convenient disassembly for cleaning and subsequent reassembly. One feature of the invention insures the closing of the keg valve, even though the tavern fitting is so dirty that it sticks in the open position when the tavern fitting of the prior art is moved into position to close the keg fitting valve.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1980Date of Patent: July 27, 1982Assignee: Vending Components, Inc.Inventor: Vincent J. Cerrato
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Patent number: 4260074Abstract: This invention relates to dispensing beer, or the like, by gravity from beer kegs such as are often used for picnics. The keg is turned upside down and the down tube for the beer is used as a tube for admitting air or gas into the keg above the beer while the gas passages are used for the flow of beer to a faucet outside the keg. Supports hold the keg upside down and with the lowermost end of the keg spaced far enough above its ultimate supporting surface to permit access for an operator's hand to a valve actuator that opens and closes the vent. A hose line for beer leads from a branch conduit of the valve to a beer faucet beyond the sides of the inverted keg.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1979Date of Patent: April 7, 1981Assignee: Vending Components Inc.Inventor: Vincent J. Cerrato
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Patent number: 4228929Abstract: This invention provides for the dispensing of beer from a keg by gravity. A stand is detachably connected with the upper end of the keg, and the keg is then turned upside down. The stand supports the keg with the lowermost end of the keg spaced above the floor or ground or other surface with enough clearance under the keg for a person to reach under the keg to operate a valve which is located in the lowermost end of the keg when a keg, made for use with conventional tapping equipment, is to be used in an upside down position. The stand preferably folds when not in use and can be detachably secured to the keg without the use of tools.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1979Date of Patent: October 21, 1980Assignee: Vending Components, Inc.Inventor: Charles Gross
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Patent number: 4180189Abstract: This beer-dispensing apparatus has a keg fitting with a single valve in the keg that is operated by an annular probe in a probe fitting to control the flow of the beer from the keg and the flow of gas into the keg. Both gas flow and beer flow are shut off automatically when the probe moves upward in the probe fitting. A conventional bayonet connection is used to connect the probe fitting to the keg; but a single handle, operated sequentially, connects the probe fitting to the keg and then opens the keg valve by further movement of the handle in the same direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1978Date of Patent: December 25, 1979Assignee: Vending Components, Inc.Inventors: David Zurit, Vincent Cerrato, James Hines
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Patent number: 4171004Abstract: This safety device has a delivery outlet and a pressure-relief valve for venting gas from a source of gas when the gas pressure rises above a predetermined maximum. A delivery line supplies gas from the source to a place of use, and there is a delivery line shut-off valve which shuts off flow to the place of use whenever the relief valve opens by a substantial distance from its seat. This prevents piping and hoses communicating with the delivery line from being subjected to excess pressure in the event that pressure rises faster than the relief valve can vent the excess pressure.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1977Date of Patent: October 16, 1979Assignee: Vending Components, Inc.Inventors: Vincent Cerrato, James Hines
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Patent number: 4035893Abstract: This invention is for two probe hose connector fittings for tapping beer kegs that have a keg fitting with check valves for preventing flow of beer and gas until the probes are pushed down into position to open at least the beer valve. The probes are tubes, and in the prior art such tubes were cut diagonally across their lower end portions to form a valve engaging surface. This surface at the lower end of the tube was merely the end face of a part of the circumference of the tube and easily damaged because of its lack of inherent strength. The present invention makes the probes from bar stock and provides a construction that provides ample open area over part of its cross section for the flow of beer.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1975Date of Patent: July 19, 1977Assignee: Vending Components, Inc.Inventors: David Zurit, Frank Sciara
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Patent number: D259734Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1977Date of Patent: June 30, 1981Assignee: Vending Components, Inc.Inventor: Vincent Cerrato