US 12,187,596 B2
Beverage dispensing system
Steven P. Keeling, Mokena, IL (US)
Filed by Steven P. Keeling, Mokena, IL (US)
Filed on Jan. 15, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/412,725.
Application 18/412,725 is a continuation of application No. 17/651,008, filed on Feb. 14, 2022, granted, now 11,873,204.
Application 17/651,008 is a continuation of application No. 16/922,237, filed on Jul. 7, 2020, granted, now 11,267,686, issued on Mar. 8, 2022.
Application 16/922,237 is a continuation of application No. 16/175,542, filed on Oct. 30, 2018, granted, now 10,703,620, issued on Jul. 7, 2020.
Application 16/175,542 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/091,570, filed on Apr. 6, 2016, granted, now 10,144,630, issued on Dec. 4, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/143,766, filed on Apr. 6, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2024/0150164 A1, May 9, 2024
Int. Cl. B67D 1/14 (2006.01); B67D 1/00 (2006.01); B67D 1/04 (2006.01)
CPC B67D 1/1422 (2013.01) [B67D 1/0004 (2013.01); B67D 1/0082 (2013.01); B67D 2001/0094 (2013.01); B67D 1/0406 (2013.01); B67D 1/1477 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A beer dispensing faucet configured to be connected to a shank connector, the shank connector defining a passageway having an outlet opening, the shank connector further defining a distal end, the shank connector further having a connecting member, an inlet of the passageway configured to be connected to a pressurized beer source, the beer dispensing faucet comprising:
a housing having a body and a connection structure configured to be connected to the shank connector, the housing defining a central conduit therethrough, the central conduit having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the central conduit further defining a valve seat in the housing;
a valve assembly having a valve member, the valve member operably associated with the valve seat of the central conduit,
wherein when the dispensing faucet is configured to be connected to the shank connector, the inlet opening is configured to be positioned in confronting relation to and engaged with the outlet opening of the passageway of the shank connector, wherein the inlet opening of the central conduit is configured to be in fluid communication with the outlet opening of the passageway,
wherein the valve member has a first position wherein the valve member is engaged with the valve seat to define a closed faucet position, the valve member having a second position displaced from the valve seat to define an open faucet position, wherein in response to the valve member positioned in the first position, the central conduit is configured such that any beer located downstream of the valve seat is configured to automatically drain via gravity through the outlet opening of the central conduit,
and wherein the outlet opening of the passageway opens into a dome-shaped volume portion proximate the distal end, the body defining a protrusion defining the inlet opening of the central conduit, wherein the protrusion has a contoured outer surface, wherein when the dispensing faucet is configured to be connected to the shank connector, the protrusion is configured to be received in the dome-shaped volume portion.