Beverage dispensing valve

Abstract

A beverage dispensing valve includes a downspout assembly having a body having walls with a slot therein. The downspout assembly has a channel, an upper and a lower opening, with the slot in the channel between the upper and lower openings. The downspout assembly includes a lateral member typically extending laterally from the downspout assembly and engaging the wall adjacent the slot. A pinch member may partly enclosed within the lateral member and dimensioned to move partially through the slot. A handle and the pinch member moves the pinch member in and out of the slot. A coil spring may engage the lateral member and the pinch arm urging the pinch arm at least partially through the slot of the body. A flexible insert is dimensioned to tightly fit against the walls of the channel of the body, the insert having an open top and an open bottom.

1 . A beverage dispensing valve for engaging a beverage container, the valve comprising:
 a downspout assembly having a substantially vertical body and having walls defining a generally vertical channel therethrough and having a slot in the walls, the walls defining an upper opening and a lower opening; the body having a lateral member extending generally laterally from the slot;   a flexible, resilient sleeve-like insert having a channel with an upper and lower opening, the insert dimensioned to snuggly engage the walls of the channel, at least adjacent the slot;   a pinch member dimensioned to move at least partly through the slot and, at least partly into the channel and against the insert; and   a handle, adapted to engage the pinch member and the downspout assembly to move the pinch member between a pinched position wherein the channel of the pinch member is substantially closed and an open position wherein the channel is at least partially open.   
     
     
         2 . The beverage dispensing valve of  claim 1  further including a biasing member engaging the pinch member and the body to urge the pinch member to the closed portion. 
     
     
         3 . The beverage dispensing valve of  claim 1  wherein the handle includes a generally vertical portion adapted to be grasped by the hand. 
     
     
         4 . The beverage dispensing valve of  claim 3  wherein the vertical portion of the handle extends generally vertically upward. 
     
     
         5 . The beverage dispensing valve of  claim 3 , further including a pin for engaging the handle to the pinch member. 
     
     
         6 . The beverage dispensing valve of  claim 1 , wherein
 the handle includes a generally vertical portion adapted to be grasped by the hand   wherein the vertical portion extends generally vertically upward; and   further including a pin for engaging the handle to the pinch member.   
     
     
         7 . The beverage dispensing valve of  claim 1  wherein the insert at least partially extends between the ends of the channel of the body and below the lower opening of the body. 
     
     
         8 . The beverage dispensing valve of  claim 7 , wherein the insert is adapted to seal fluidly against the walls of the downspout assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The beverage dispensing valve of  claim 1 , wherein the insert has a grab handle extending at least partly upward from the walls defining the upper opening for receiving the insert from the body. 
     
     
         10 . The beverage dispensing valve of  claim 1 , wherein the insert is comprised of a silicon-based elastomer. 
     
     
         11 . The beverage dispensing valve of  claim 1 , wherein
 further including a biasing member engaging the pinch member and the body to urge the pinch member to the closed portion;   wherein the handle includes a generally vertical portion adapted to be grasped by the hand;   wherein the vertical portion extends generally vertically upward;   further including a pin for engaging the handle to the pinch member;   wherein the insert at least partially extends between the ends of the channel of the body;   wherein the insert is adapted to seal fluidly against the walls of the downspout assembly;   wherein the insert has a handle extending at least partly upward from the walls defining the upper opening; and   wherein the insert is comprised of a silicon-based elastomer.