Abstract: A method and related apparatus for monitoring steam conditions in a container, such as a beer keg, during disinfection, usually in a washer/racker. Temperature and pressure are taken repeatedly within the container during the disinfection process. Resulting temperature and pressure values are inputted to a data processor. The data processor establishes automatically whether the measured temperature and pressure values correspond to desired steam conditions within the container. These conditions are at, or within a predetermined tolerance from, a phase boundary between steam and water. An output is provided which includes a direct indication of whether the desired conditions are or have been met for measuring pairs of temperature and pressure values.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system has a valve in a tap controlling dispensing of the beverage through a first passage from a second rigid or flexible container. Air, nitrogen (or other inert gas) or carbon dioxide gas from a passage is introduced into the beverage in the first passage during dispensing for development of a head of froth. The introduced gas flows under pressure (which is preferably adjustable) from the second passage and by way of a capilliary tube restrictor and a non return valve communicating with the tube into the beverage in the first passage. The non return valve has a resilient diaphragm which normally closes that valve and is displaceable under gas pressure to admit the gas to the beverage. A labyrinthine mixer is located in the first passage downstream of the position where the gas is introduced.

Abstract: A fluid pressure control valve and a fluid control system (such as for beverage dispensing) with such a valve has a beverage passage 3, pressure fluctuations in which are detected by a diaphragm 17 to displace a sensing member 15 axially against spring loading 23. Spring 23 reacts on thrust member 22 which is adjustable axially through a cam mechanism 25/26 to vary the biasing force of spring 23. A valve member 20 spring loaded at 21 relative to thrust member 15 normally closes an exhaust port 19 to an air or other gas passage 5 through which gas passes under pressure to be injected into the beverage from passage 3. An increase in beverage pressure in passage 3 displaces sensing member 15 to increase the spring biasing 21 on the closure member 20 and reduce the proportion of air which can escape to atmosphere from passage 5 through exhaust port 19 to provide an increase in air flow into the beverage.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system and a unified assembly for control of fluid flow in such a system has a container 1 from which liquid such as beer is drawn by an electrically controlled pump 2 to be supplied through a unified assembly 4 to a dispensing tap 5. The assembly 4 has an inlet 6 which communicates through a pressure biased non-return valve 8 with a high pressure chamber 9 and an outlet 11 to the tap 5. A piston 14 responds to high pressure in the chamber 9 to be displaced and pivot a rocking lever 26 to operate a microswitch 28 which is normally closed to operate the pump 2 but is opened in response to said displacement of the piston 14 to deactivate the pump 2. A low pressure chamber 35 communicates with the inlet passage 6 and the pressure of liquid in the system expands the chamber 35 to maintain a plunger 38 against its spring biasing.