Self-contained octopus adaptor tap

Abstract

The self-contained octopus adapter of the invention has a plurality beer outlets and sits between the pump and the Sanke coupler and transmits beer out and air in through channels similar to those in the devices on either side. The beer supply to any given one faucet of the plurality of faucets or taps is not sent through a single hose line at any time and the flow of beer or other beverage may be increased. Seals on the device will aid in maintenance of pressure and avoidance of leaks. No division of the hose lines is necessary, nor external pressure increases, and thus the unit is self-contained. In an alternative embodiment, the invention may comprise a self-contained pump replacement unit having a CO 2 or other gas cartridge which sits upon the various devices of the beer flow path and provides gas from above.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A self-contained beer keg tap adapter for use between first and second beer keg flow devices, the tap adapter comprising: 
 a unitary body having a lower surface and an upper surface;    a first coupling located at the lower surface of the body, the first coupling dimensioned and configured to adapt to such first beer keg flow device;    a second coupling located at the upper surface of the body, the second coupling dimensioned and configured to adapt to such second beer keg flow device;    a plurality of beer outlets;    a first air channel through the body from the second coupling to the first coupling, the first air channel fluidically connecting the upper surface and the lower surface, thereby allowing passage of air through the body from the second beer keg flow device to the first beer keg flow device; and    a first beer channel through the body from the first coupling to the plurality of beer outlets, the first beer channel fluidically connecting the lower surface of the body and each of the plurality of beer outlets, thereby allowing passage of beer through the body from the first beer keg flow device to each of the plurality of beer outlets.    
     
     
         2 . The tap adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the unitary body is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of: HDPE, other plastic, other polymer, food grade stainless steel, other stainless steel, brass, aluminum, other metal, wood, carbon composite, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The tap adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling comprises threads physically complementary to the upper end of such first flow device.  
     
     
         4 . The tap adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the second coupling comprises threads physically complementary to the lower end of such second flow device.  
     
     
         5 . The tap adapter of  claim 1 , wherein such first flow device further comprises a coupler and further wherein such second flow device further comprises a pump, and further wherein the first coupling is identical to the upper end of such coupler and further wherein the second coupling is identical to the lower end of such pump.  
     
     
         6 . The tap adapter of  claim 5 , wherein such pump, such coupler and the first and second couplings of the unitary body are coaxially located about a central vertical axis extending therethrough.  
     
     
         7 . The tap adapter of  claim 6 , wherein the first beer channel extends partially along the vertical axis through the unitary body.  
     
     
         8 . The tap adapter of  claim 7 , wherein the first air channel is substantially parallel to the vertical axis and offset therefrom.  
     
     
         9 . The tap adapter of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a toroidal channel located in the second coupling, the toroidal channel and the first air channel being fluidically connected.    
     
     
         10 . The tap adapter of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a first seal disposed about the first beer channel in the second coupling.    
     
     
         11 . The tap adapter of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a second seal disposed about the first air channel in the second coupling.    
     
     
         12 . The tap adapter of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second seals further comprise O-rings.  
     
     
         13 . The tap adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the beer outlets further comprise: 
 cylindrical projections from the unitary body, each interior cannula of each cylindrical projection fluidically connected to the beer outlet, whereby beer may flow freely from the beer outlet through the cylindrical projection.    
     
     
         14 . The tap adapter of  claim 1 , wherein each beer outlet is further dimensioned and configured to receive at least one member selected from the group consisting of: a beer hose line, a tap, a faucet, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The tap adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the first beer channel is fluidically connected to each of the plurality of beer outlets by at least one segment connecting each beer outlet to a central junction, the central junction fluidically connected to the first beer channel.  
     
     
         16 . The tap adapter of  claim 15 , wherein the first beer channel is substantially vertical and the at least one segment makes an angle of greater than 90 degrees with the first beer channel.  
     
     
         17 . An improved self-contained beer keg pump comprising: 
 a plurality of beer outlets dimensioned and configured to each receive a hose line to a beer faucet;    a first coupling below the beer outlet, the first coupling dimensioned and configured to mate to a first beer keg flow device;    a second coupling above the beer outlet, the second coupling dimensioned and configured to attach to a gas cartridge in fluidic communication therewith;    a gas cartridge capable of containing a first given quantity of gas at a first given pressure;    the gas cartridge being attached into fluidic communication with the second coupling.    
     
     
         18 . The improved self-contained beer keg pump of  claim 17 , wherein the first given quantity of gas at the first given pressure is sufficient to empty at least a single keg of beer.