Device for sealing a beverage-dispensing apparatus

Abstract

This invention relates to the beverage-dispensing field. In particular, the invention relates to devices and methods for maintaining the cleanliness of taps through which beverages are dispensed.

1 . A device for sealing the tap of a beverage dispensing apparatus comprising a plug and a brush, wherein the brush is fixably attached to the plug.  
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the brush comprises a solid support from which bristles extend outwardly.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the brush is fixably attached to the plug by inserting a portion of the solid support into the plug.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the brush is fixably attached to the plug using an adhesive to attach the solid support to the plug.  
   
   
       5 . The device of any one of  claim 1  wherein the plug is manufactured from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, and metal.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the plastic is selected from the group consisting of low-density polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, vinyl, and PVC.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the rubber is selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber, neoprene, and common stopper material.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, copper, and brass.  
   
   
       9 . The device of any one of  claim 1  wherein the shape of the plug is selected from the group consisting of conical, non-conical, threaded, non-threaded, flared, non-flared, tapered, and non-tapered.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the plug comprises a pull-tab.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising an overmolded nylon insert adjacent to the portion of the solid support that is inserted into the plug portion.  
   
   
       12 . A device for sealing the tap of a beverage dispensing apparatus comprising a plug and a brush, wherein the brush is fixably attached to the plug, wherein the plug comprises a pull-tab.  
   
   
       13 . A device for sealing the tap of a beverage dispensing apparatus as illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  
   
   
       14 . A device for sealing the tap of a beverage dispensing apparatus comprising a plug having a solid support portion for gripping the device and a opening; the device further comprising a brush comprising a stem portion and bristles, wherein a flange is attached to the stem portion of the brush and the plug such that the brush is fixably attached to the plug.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14  wherein the flange is an overmolded nylon insert.  
   
   
       16 . A device for sealing the tap of a beverage dispensing apparatus comprising a plug and a brush, wherein the brush is fixably attached to the plug; wherein the brush comprises multiple bristles extending outwardly from a solid support that comprises a stem part; and the plug comprises a pull-tab extending outwardly from a platform and a tap insertion part extending outwardly from the platform in approximately the opposite direction of the pull-tab; and wherein the brush is fixably attached to the plug.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16  where the tap insertion part further comprises an opening into which the stem part of the brush may be inserted.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the tap insertion includes members outwardly protruding from a center portion containing an opening into which the stem part of the brush may be inserted.  
   
   
       19 . A method for preventing the accumulation of contaminants in a tap comprising inserting of device of  12  into the tap opening.  
   
   
       20 . A method for preventing the accumulation of contaminants in a tap comprising inserting of device of  13  into the tap opening.  
   
   
       21 . A method for preventing the accumulation of contaminants in a tap comprising inserting of device of  14  into the tap opening.  
   
   
       22 . A method for preventing the accumulation of contaminants in a tap comprising inserting of device of  16  into the tap opening.  
   
   
       23 . A method for manufacturing a device for sealing the tap of a beverage dispensing system comprising fixably attaching a plug to a brush comprising a solid support and a stem, wherein the stem is inserted into an opening within the plug.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the plug comprises a tap insertion part that comprises the opening.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the plug further comprises a platform to which is attached the tap insertion part and to which is also attached a pull tab, wherein the tap insertion part and the pull tab extend outwardly in approximately opposite directions from the platform.