Abstract: A tap for dispensing fluid from a vessel includes a main tap body, an actuator, and a seal member. The main tap body includes a passage with an inlet and an outlet and a seat with a shoulder formed around the outlet. The actuator has a handled and is pivotally attached to the main tap body and dispenses fluid from the vessel upon activation of the handle by a user. The seal member is received within the seat and attached to the actuator. The seal member includes a retaining portion received against the shoulder of the seat and a sealing portion which is releasably engageable with the seat. The seal member is resilient to provide a bias force to urge the sealing portion against the seat.

Abstract: A liquid-dispensing tap includes a tap body which is mountable to a container holding liquid, a seal member disposed within the tap body, and an actuator connected to the seal member. The actuator is pivotally disposed on the tap body so that when pivoted by a user, a seal formed between the seal member and the tap body is disengaged, allowing liquid within the container to dispense. The actuator may be pivoted in any number of predetermined directions. The tap may be manufactured and assembled to consist essentially of only the tap body, the seal member, and the actuator, thereby eliminating many other elements commonly found in conventional taps.

Abstract: A two-part coupling valve apparatus includes a first coupling part and a second coupling part which are mutually inter-engageable to open fluid communication through the coupling valve. The coupling parts can be disengaged from one another to discontinue fluid communication, which also closes fluid communication between each of the coupling parts and ambient. The retention volume of fluid exposed to ambient upon the coupling parts being disconnected is small. The coupling valve also allows a user to selectively regulate the flow rate of fluid by manually rotating the coupling parts relative to one another.

Abstract: A two-part coupling structure includes a male coupling part and a female coupling part which are mutually engageable to open fluid communication between a fluid-storage vessel and a conduit, for example. The coupling parts are disengageable from one another to discontinue fluid communication between the vessel and the conduit, and also to close communication between ambient and each of the vessel and conduit. The retention volume of fluid which is trapped between the connected male and female coupling parts and which is exposed to or lost to ambient when the coupling parts are disconnected is very small. The male coupling part is carried in a guide structure which is removably engageable with the female coupling part to guide the male coupling part into engagement. Also, the male coupling part and its guide structure define cooperating structural features which effect opening of the male coupling part in response to advancement relative to the guide structure.

Abstract: A two-part coupling structure includes a male coupling part and a female coupling part which are mutually engageable to open fluid communication between a fluid-storage vessel and a conduit. The coupling parts are disengageable from one another to discontinue fluid communication between the vessel and the conduit, and also to close communication between ambient and each of the vessel and conduit. The retention volume of fluid which is trapped between the connected male and female coupling parts and which is exposed to or lost to ambient when the coupling parts are disconnected is very small. Because of particular structural features, the coupling parts will function reliably even with fluid having chunks or particulates of non-fluid material therein.

Abstract: A two-part coupling structure includes a male coupling part and a female coupling part which are mutually engageable to open fluid communication between a fluid-storage vessel and a conduit. The coupling parts are disengageable from one another to discontinue fluid communication between the vessel and the conduit, and also to close communication between ambient and each of the vessel and conduit. The retention volume of fluid which is trapped between the connected male and female coupling parts and which is exposed to or lost to ambient when the coupling parts are disconnected is very small. Because of particular structural features, the coupling parts will function reliably even with fluid having chunks or particulates of non-fluid material therein.

Abstract: A valve is provided which includes a valve body having a passageway from an inlet end to an outlet end and a tapered annular valve seat intermediate the ends, a plastic poppet being provided with a disc portion and a tapered portion which can engage the valve seat, the tapered part being stepped to provide a deflectable outer edge portion, the poppet including three beams which extend toward the inlet end of the body and are bent outwardly to enter a groove in the valve body, thereby providing resilient means to bias the poppet to a closed position. The valve body includes a transverse wall adjacent the valve seat, the wall having openings for allowing flow through the passageway and also including an opening that receives a post projecting from the poppet toward the outlet end and beyond the wall for engagement by a mating connector to displace the poppet to its open position.

Abstract: A container of draft beer is substantially filled with beer having a volume of dissolved carbon dioxide greater than 2.6 and not more than 3.1 times the volume of beer. The beer is packaged in a plastic container that is slightly permeable to carbon dioxide, but retains a satisfactory dissolved carbon dioxide content even after a normal shelf life. Beer is dispensed by gravity, without use of external pressure source, after release of head space pressure. Moreover, when the container contents are partially dispensed by the consumer and then maintained at appropriate low temperature for several days, the remaining beer still retains a satisfactory volume of dissolved carbon dioxide. A spigot on the container employs a barrel valve closure member that seals the pressurized container and is movable to a pressure release position in which pressurized gas within the container is slowly released without forcibly projecting container contents.

Abstract: This invention provides a dispenser for a beverage, such as beer, in which the contents of the container are pressurized by gas from a cartridge in the container. A pressure responsive member in the container is movable in response to differences in pressure between that of the atmosphere and of the inside of the container. A valve member is carried by the pressure responsive member and includes a tapered pin for forming an opening through a diaphragm over the cartridge outlet and metering the discharge of gas from the cartridge in response to movements of the pressure responsive member.

Abstract: The fluid dispensing device includes a tubular spout attachable to a fluid-containing vessel, such as a bag, the spout including an outer end portion of a first lateral dimension and an inner portion of a smaller lateral dimension. A valve member is slidable in the spout, the valve member being tubular and having an open outer end adapted to receive a fluid-transmitting probe and a closed inner end. The valve member has openings through its sidewall. The outer end portion of the valve member is laterally outwardly deflectable and includes localized protrusions adapted to enter the recess of a probe. In the closed position of the valve member, opposed shoulders of the valve member and of the spout resist axial movement of the valve member in either direction, and interengaged sealing surfaces block fluid flow to the openings. The outwardly deflectable portion of the valve member can be deflected as the probe enters, and the protrusions thereafter spring inwardly into the recess of the probe.

Abstract: A flexible drum liner assembly having a fitting which mates with a specially cut hole in the lid of the drum. The fitting of a preferred embodiment of the present invention has a mouth with internal and external threads. A standard externally threaded bung hole cover fits in the mouth and mates with its external threads. A vertical slot is cut on either side of the mouth of the fitting interrupting the external threads. A circular bung hole with two opposed inwardly directed tabs is cut into the lid of the drum. The two tabs act as keys and fit into the keyways defined by the vertical slots on either side of the mouth of the fitting.

Abstract: A spigot for association with a spout connected to a container, the spigot including a cylindrical portion to fit over the end of the spout, a diaphragm for engaging the end of the spout to prevent flow of liquid, a toggle member for deflecting the diaphragm and an opening through the cylindrical portion for dispensing liquid upon the deflection of the diaphragm. The spigot includes a downspout extending from the opening and having a sealed outer end which is of a relatively thin-walled construction, the downspout having a thicker wall inwardly of the outer end to prevent collapse of the downspout during deflection of the diaphragm. The spigot member includes a relatively thin-walled portion inwardly of the thickened part of the downspout for facilitating deflection of the diaphragm. The spigot may be sealed by heat sealing together opposed wall portions of the downspout or by a tab heat sealed over the end of the downspout.

Abstract: A container of draft beer is substantially filled with beer having a volume of dissolved carbon dioxide greater than 2.6 and not more than 3.1 times the volume of beer. The beer is packaged in a plastic container that is slightly permeable to carbon dioxide, but retains a satisfactory dissolved carbon dioxide content even after a normal shelf life. Beer is dispensed by gravity, without use of external pressure source, after release of head space pressure. Moreover, when the container contents are partially dispensed by the consumer and then maintained at appropriate low temperature for several days, the remaining beer still retains a satisfactory volume of dissolved carbon dioxide. A spigot on the container employs a barrell valve closure member that seals the pressurized container and is movable to a pressure relase position in which pressurized gas within the container is slowly released without forcibly projecting container contents.

Abstract: A container for holding and dispensing fluid has a flexible bag to which a spout is connected. A specially designed adapter within the spout has an opening sealed by a plug. A tubular probe is inserted into the adapter opening and snapped onto the plug. The connected probe and plug are pushed into the bag to permit fluid to flow through apertures in the probe. The probe channel is filled with fluid before insertion into the bag, thus introducing substantially no air into the system. Withdrawing the probe snaps the plug back into the adapter to re-seal the bag without substantial introduction of air, and without any leakage.

Abstract: A container for holding and dispensing fluid has a flexible bag to which a spout is connected. A specially designed adapter within the spout has an opening sealed by a plug. A tubular probe is inserted into the adapter opening and snapped onto the plug. The connected probe and plug are pushed into the bag to permit fluid to flow through apertures in the probe. The probe channel is filled with fluid before insertion into the bag, thus introducing substantially no air into the system. Withdrawing the probe snaps the plug back into the adapter to re-seal the bag without substantial introduction of air, and without any leakage.