초록 ▼

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

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.

대표청구항 ▼

A valve sealing arrangement for sealing a container of fluid comprising: (a) a valve assembly for providing access to said container; (b) a valve assembly receiving member secured to said container; (c) a deformable sealing member; (d) said valve assembly having a body portion with a seal engaging s

A valve sealing arrangement for sealing a container of fluid comprising: (a) a valve assembly for providing access to said container; (b) a valve assembly receiving member secured to said container; (c) a deformable sealing member; (d) said valve assembly having a body portion with a seal engaging surface and including a pair of diametrically opposed inwardly extending lugs; (e) said sealing arrangement including a nonthreaded retaining member for insertion between said valve assembly and said receiving means for deforming and compressing said seal member between said seal engaging surface of said valve assembly and said receiving member for effecting a seal between said valve assembly and said receiving member; (f) safety delay means for retaining said valve assembly within said receiving member when the container is under pressure should said retaining member become disengaged thereby allowing for gas to be released from the container prior to removal of said valve assembly, said safety delay means comprising: (i) a pair of diametrically opposed keys carried by said body portion of said valve assembly, said keys being circumferentially spaced 90 degrees from said lugs; and (ii) a pair of diametrically opposed offset keyways formed in said valve assembly receiving member, said keys being adapted to engage said keyways to prevent withdrawal of said valve assembly until rotated to a predetermined position after said retaining member has been withdrawn.