Beverage tap

[0002] The invention relates to a beverage tap with a base element whose one end has a fitting, and whose other end accommodates a spout, wherein a controllable valve through which the beverage passes is situated between the fitting and spout.

[0003] Taps of this kind are known from practice in many designs. In most known taps of this kind, the base element with its fitting and spout are often designed as a single unit, and consist of metal. Brass is often used as the metal, and can be coated with chrome or gold on the outside. One problem encountered when using such taps is that they are hard to clean. Verdigris can form in hard-to-reach locations. In addition, such taps are expensive to make.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a visually appealing, inexpensive to manufacture tap that is easy to clean.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a tap of the kind mentioned at the outset by having the tap exhibit an injection-molded plastic casing, into which a special steel part of the base element with its fitting and a tubular special steel part of the spout are securely pressed with a snug fit, wherein the tubular special steel part of the spout is connected in a liquid-tight manner with the tubular special steel part of the base element.

[0006] The tap according to the invention made of plastic outside and special steel outside ensures the inexpensive manufacture of a visually appealing tap, because the plastic casing that is important in terms of appearance can be molded into visually appealing shape, without this being associated with any high costs. The inner part that comes into contact with only the beverage is made only of special steel, so that this part can be optimally designed from the standpoint of hygiene and production techniques, in particular cleaning aspects.

[0007] In one embodiment of the invention, a special steel fixture for the control element of the valve body is securely inserted in the side of the tubular special steel part of the base element. However, it is advantageous for this fixture to rest in a form-fitting manner in the special steel part of the base element and plastic casing, as this additionally fixes the base element relative to its snug fit in the plastic casing.

[0008] In the simplest case, the tap exhibits only a shutoff valve for beverage flow. However, to influence the dispensing quality, the tap can additionally have a butterfly valve in the tubular base element in the direction of flow in front of the shutoff valve, wherein the butterfly valve can be adjusted with a controller located on the outside of the tap. Such a butterfly valve can be used to generate a head while dispensing Pilsner beer in a comparatively short amount of time.

[0009] The injection-molded plastic casing is preferably provided with an outer decorative finish. The decorative finish usually consists of metal, in particular chrome or gold.

[0010] The invention will be explained in greater detail below based on one of two embodiments. Shown on:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a complete tap for beverages, side view,

[0012] FIG. 2 is a tap according to FIG. 1, with a flow vale and tap lever, axial cross section, and

[0013] FIG. 3 is a complete tap that is additionally provided with a butterfly valve relative to the tap on FIG. 1.

[0014] The tap according to FIGS. 1 and 2 consists of a base element 1 with a fitting 2 located at one and a spout 3 resting laterally inclined against the base element 1, and a flow valve, of which FIG. 1 essentially depicts only a control element 4 located on the side of the base element 1 in the form of a swiveling tap lever. The special feature of such a tap according to the invention is that it consists of plastic outside and special steel outside.

[0015] As shown on FIG. 2, the base element 1 consists of an inner, tubular special steel part 1a, which at one end consists of a piece having a fitting 2 with screw thread 2a, and against which a tubular special steel part 3aof the spout 3 is laterally placed in a liquid-tight manner. The liquid-tight connection can be an adhesive bond. In addition, a special steel fixture 4afor a ball joint 4bof the control element 4 of the shutoff valve sits with a snug fit to the side in the tubular special steel part 1a. A venting channel 6aemptying in the tubular special steel part 3aof the spout 3 and a venting channel 6bopen to the atmosphere branch from the end of the tubular special steel part 1aof the base element 1 lying opposite the fitting 2.

[0016] The flow valve is comprised of a valve body 4clocated in the special steel part 1aof the base element 1 so that it can move axially and a valve seat 1a* formed in the special steel part 1. It is routed in a guide 1a** of the special steel part 1awith an axially placed peg 4c*. The controller 4 resembling a lever, which engages a recess in the peg 4c*, can be used to adjust the valve body 4c.

[0017] The outside of the tap consists of a plastic casing 5. The outwardly essentially cylindrical special steel part 1aof the base element 1 sits securely and snugly in a corresponding tubular part 5aof the plastic casing 5. The fixture 4asitting snugly to the side in the tubular special steel part 1aalso extends in a laterally molded-on connection piece 5a* of the casing 5, so that this fixture 4ainitiates a positive interlock between the tubular special steel part 1aand the casing 5. The control element 4 of the shutoff valve is held on a ball joint 4awith a swivel nut 5a** in the connection piece 5a* of the casing 5.

[0018] The tubular special steel part 3aof the spout 3 sits snugly in an inclined molded-on tubular part 5bof the plastic casing 5.

[0019] The multi-part tap is assembled in such a way that the tubular special steel part 1ais first pressed into the corresponding tubular part 5aof the injection-molded plastic casing 5. The fixture 4ais then placed inside. The tubular special steel part 3afor the spout 3 is then placed inside, wherein the face is provided with an adhesive, so that a liquid-tight bond is established between the tubular special steel part 3aof the spout 3 and the tubular part 1aof the base element.

[0020] The embodiment on FIG. 3 only differs from that on FIG. 1 and 2 in that a butterfly valve 7 with a control element 7asecured to the side of the base element 1 is provided in the direction of flow in front of the shutoff valve 1a*, 4c, 4c*.