Dispensing head handle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a dispensing handle (6) configured to be movably and removably attached to a dispensing head (1) configured to be operably coupled to a beverage container. The dispensing head (1) comprises a hollow housing body (2), a hollow piston (5) axially displaceably disposed within and aligned with the hollow housing, and a hinge (10) fixedly attached to the hollow housing body (2). The hollow piston is connected to the removable dispensing handle (6) such that, upon actuation of the removable dispensing handle, the hollow piston is axially displaced within the hollow housing body (2) to open and close the beverage container. The dispensing handle (6) comprises a first end (6A) removably hinged to the hinge (10) of the hollow housing body (2) via an axle, and a second end (6B) that is a grip for actuation.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dispensing handle configured to be removably connected to a dispensing head. The present disclosure also relates to a dispensing head configured to be removably coupled to a beverage container above a container valve arranged in the beverage container in a dispensing system. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a handle for the dispensing head. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a dispensing handle and a dispensing head comprising a dispensing handle as defined in the introduction of the independent claims.

[0002] Background technology A problem with prior art solutions of pressure delivery systems for delivering gas to a gas consuming system in which the beverage is carbonized before being dispensed is that handling of the previously known dispensing heads and the parts that make them up for removable attachment to the beverage container is cumbersome, as these dispensing heads with handles and valves are often complex, including many different separate parts that can come loose and be difficult to handle, to keep track of and find when they should be used and / or when the dispensing head should be re-fitted and assembled onto the beverage container.

[0003] A problem with prior art solutions of pressure delivery systems for delivering gas to a gas consuming system in which the beverage is carbonized before it is dispensed is that the dispensing heads, valves and valve assemblies known so far that are removably attached to a beverage container are complex, including a manifold of different separate parts that are configured to removably fit together, which easily come loose and are difficult to handle, and which are difficult to track and find when it is time to clean them, when they have been used and / or after cleaning before they are re-fitted and assembled to the beverage container again, and therefore there is a risk that the different separated loose parts or items or articles that make up each dispensing head, valve and valve assembly will not be cleaned, or at least not be cleaned sufficiently after cleaning, which is particularly disadvantageous when used for beverages due to high hygiene standards.

[0004] Exemplary dispensing heads are disclosed, for example, in WO 2012 / 045676 and WO 2018 / 192975.

[0005] There is therefore a need for an improved dispensing head for use in a pressure delivery system for delivering gas to a gas consuming system where a beverage is carbonised and then dispensed via a tap.

[0006] Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present disclosure to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified drawbacks and disadvantages in the prior art and to solve at least the problems mentioned above. According to a first aspect, there is provided a dispensing handle configured to be movably and removably attached to a dispensing head configured to be operatively coupled to a beverage container, the dispensing head including a hollow housing body, a hollow piston axially displaceable disposed within the hollow housing and aligned with the hollow housing, the hollow piston connected to the removable dispensing handle such that upon actuation of the removable dispensing handle, the hollow piston is axially displaced within the hollow housing body to open and close the beverage container, and a hinge fixedly attached to the hollow housing body, the removable dispensing handle having a first end configured to be removably hingedly coupled to the hinge of the hollow housing body via an axle; the removable dispenser handle has a second end configured to be a grip for actuation, and the axle of the removable dispenser handle configured to be removably and movably attached to a hinge of the housing body of the dispenser head is an integrated part of the first end of the removable dispenser handle; and the removable dispenser handle is elongated, and the hinge has an inner through-bore and a slit forming an elongated opening within and along the inner through-bore, the slit opening being configured to face the hollow housing body and the hollow piston, whereby the integrated axle of the first handle end is configured to slidably fit through the slit opening when assembling or disassembling the removable dispenser handle.

[0007] This improves and simplifies cleaning of the removable dispense handle and dispense head, increases the actual cleanliness of these entities, makes cleaning of the removable dispense handle and dispense head more effective, and simplifies handling of these entities before, during and after cleaning, assembly and disassembly, for example, the risk of dropping an item on a dirty floor, dropping an item in the wrong place in the washer or sterilizer, or the washing liquid not being able to reach all areas of the item is greatly reduced.

[0008] According to some embodiments, the hollow housing body of the dispensing head has a first end and a second end, the hollow piston has a first upper end and a second lower end, and the first piston upper end is connected to the hollow removable top and the removable dispensing handle, such that upon actuation of the removable dispensing handle, the hollow piston and the hollow removable top are displaced axially towards the second end of the hollow housing body, and the second lower end is displaced towards and beyond the second housing body end to open the beverage container.

[0009] This improves the use of the removable dispensing head, making it easier to handle the removable dispensing head because the hollow removable top is replaceable if damaged, and also makes it more effective to use the removable dispensing head because the hollow removable top allows one hollow removable top to be replaced with another type or size or quality or shape to fit more different dispensing lines.

[0010] According to some embodiments, a gas inlet is disposed within the hollow housing body of the dispensing head and is fluidly connected to the hollow piston, the hollow housing body, and the hollow top, and the hollow housing body includes an opening extending therethrough and in fluid communication with the gas inlet, the hollow piston, and the hollow top to enable dispensing of a beverage from the dispensing head.

[0011] According to some embodiments, the removable dispenser handle is configured to be removably attached to the hinge by grasping the second handle end and orienting the handle to a vertical position after removing the hollow removable top from the first upper piston end, whereby the integrated axle of the first handle end is configured to be moved by sliding into the slit opening in a direction away from the hollow housing body and hollow piston until the integrated axle bottoms / abuts against the inner through-hole of the hinge, after which the removable dispenser handle is configured to be oriented away from the vertical position to a more horizontal, angled, or horizontal position, and the hollow removable top is configured to be removably attached to the first upper piston end to form a guide and vertical closure for the removable dispenser handle.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the removable dispense handle is elongated, and a first end thereof is removably and pivotably attached to a hinge fixedly disposed on the hollow housing body of the dispense head, the hinge comprising an inner through-bore and a slit forming an opening configured to face the hollow housing body and the hollow piston, the slit opening being adapted to be moved by grasping the second handle end and orienting the removable dispense handle to a vertical position after removing the hollow removable top from the first upper piston end, by sliding the integrated axle of the first handle end into the slit opening in a direction away from the hollow housing body and the hollow piston until the integrated axle of the first handle end bottoms / abuts the inner through-bore of the hinge, after which the removable dispense handle is oriented away from the vertical position to a more horizontal, angled or horizontal position, and the hollow removable top is removably attached to the first upper piston end to form a guide and vertical blockage for the removable dispense / movement handle.

[0013] This improves and simplifies assembly and disassembly of the handle of the dispensing head as the amount of items to be kept track of is significantly reduced and the method of assembly and disassembly of the dispensing handle is very easy and provides tactile feedback so is almost self-teaching.

[0014] According to some embodiments, the hinge's inner through-bore is cylindrical and slit along its entire length with an opening that forms an elongated orifice, and the integrated axle has two straight and parallel sides along its length and two rounded opposing sides along its length, the straight and parallel sides extending in a plane perpendicular to the length of the handle. According to some embodiments, the hinge's inner through-bore is cylindrical and slit along its entire length with an opening that forms an elongated orifice, and the integrated axle has two straight and parallel sides along its length and two rounded and parallel opposing sides along its length, the straight and parallel sides extending in a plane perpendicular to the extension of the rounded and parallel sides and the length of the handle.

[0015] This improves and simplifies assembly and disassembly of the handle of the dispensing head by significantly reducing the number of items to be tracked and by providing tactile feedback, the method of assembly and disassembly of the dispensing handle is greatly facilitated.

[0016] According to some embodiments, the two linear and parallel surfaces of the integrated axle are positioned at a distance from each other, the distance being configured to allow the surfaces to slidably align and mate with the orifice of the slit opening. According to some embodiments, the two linear and parallel surfaces of the integrated axle are positioned at a distance from each other such that the surfaces slidably align with the orifice of the slit opening. According to some embodiments, the distance between the two linear and parallel surfaces of the integrated axle is configured to allow the integrated axle to slide through the orifice of the slit opening. According to some embodiments, the distance between the two linear and parallel surfaces of the integrated axle is configured to allow slidable mate and linear movement between the integrated axle and the orifice of the slit opening when the removable dispensing head is assembled to or disassembled from the dispensing head. According to some embodiments, the distance between the two straight and parallel surfaces of the integrated axle is less than the diameter of the integrated axle, and the two rounded opposing surfaces are configured to pivotally mate with the inner through-holes of the hinge.

[0017] This improves and simplifies assembly and disassembly of the handle of the dispensing head as the number of items to be tracked is greatly reduced and the method of assembly and disassembly of the dispensing handle is much easier by providing tactile feedback while reducing the material used to manufacture the handle and its weight.

[0018] According to a second aspect, there is provided a dispensing head configured to be operably coupled to a beverage container in a beverage dispensing system, the dispensing head comprising an operable dispensing handle according to any preceding aspect / embodiment.

[0019] This allows the dispensing head to inherit the same advantages as the dispensing handle.

[0020] Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure set forth herein is not limited to the particular components of the apparatus described or the steps of the methods described, and that such apparatus and methods may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more elements, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a "unit" or "said unit" may include several devices, etc. Furthermore, the use of "comprising," "including," "containing," and similar expressions does not exclude other elements or steps.

[0021] The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be more fully understood by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in connection with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan side view of a dispensing system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art dispensing head assembled with a prior art dispensing handle. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art dispensing head with a prior art dispensing handle disassembled. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing head when not activated, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a top side view of a dispensing head in operation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1A-1C are top side views of a dispensing head in steps of being assembled together or disassembled according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7]FIG. 1 is a top view from above of a dispensing head according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 1A-1C are perspective views of a dispensing head during assembly or disassembly steps according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1A-1C are top side views of a dispensing head during assembly or disassembly steps according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1A-1C are top side views of a dispensing head during assembly or disassembly steps according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 1A-1C are top side views of a dispensing head during assembly or disassembly steps according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken from the side of the dispensing head along line AA of FIG. 7 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 12 is a cross-sectional view taken from the side of the dispensing head along line AA in FIG. 7 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and for greater clarity, is a cutaway enlarged cross-sectional view BB from FIG. 12 corresponding to the assembly or disassembly steps shown in FIGS. 4 and 9. [Figure 14] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken from the side of the dispensing head along line AA of FIG. 7 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] 14 is a cross-sectional view taken from the side of the dispensing head along line AA in FIG. 7 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and for greater clarity, is a cutaway enlarged cross-sectional view CC from FIG. 14 corresponding to the assembly or disassembly steps shown in FIGS. 4 and 9 .

[0023] MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. All figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, showing only parts necessary to explain the present invention, with other parts omitted or merely suggested.

[0024] 1 shows a dispensing system 100 for dispensing beverages. The dispensing system 100 comprises a beverage container 14 with a container valve disposed at the opening of the beverage container, the container valve having an internal spring with a spring force that enables the opening of the beverage container 14 to remain closed, a gas supply in the form of a gas container 30, a dispensing tap 31, and a dispensing head 1 according to disclosure. The gas supply container 30 is connected to a gas inlet 7 of the dispensing head 1 via a gas regulator 32 and a gas supply line 33. A beverage dispensing line 34 extends from the dispensing head 1 to the dispensing tap 31. The beverage dispensing line 34 may, in some embodiments, be configured to be guided from the dispensing head 1 via a tower 35 to the dispensing tap 31, or from the dispensing tap 31 via the tower 35 to the dispensing head 1, so that the beverage dispensing line 34 is replaced every time the beverage container 14 is replaced.

[0025] A prior art dispensing head 1' is shown in perspective views in Figures 2 and 3. The prior art dispensing head 1' of Figures 2 and 3 includes a housing or body 2' having a first end 3' and a second end 4'. The prior art dispensing head 1' includes a hollow piston 5' axially displaceably disposed within the housing body 2', the piston 5' connected to a hinged handle 6', such that upon actuation of the handle 6', the piston 5' is displaced axially toward and beyond the second end 4' of the housing body 2' to open a container valve (not shown) of a beverage container (not shown here, see the exemplary beverage container 14 in Figure 1). In Figure 2, the piston 5' has been moved by the handle 6' to a position extending beyond the second end 4' of the housing body 2'. The prior art dispensing head 1' includes a gas inlet 7' disposed within the housing body 2'. The integral top portion 8' of the piston 5' is configured to be connected to a dispensing line (not shown here, but see exemplary dispensing line 34 in FIG. 1 ). The gas inlet 7' is configured to be connected to a gas supply source (not shown here, but see instead exemplary gas supply vessel 30 and line 33 in FIG. 1 ). The handle 6' is removably attached to the housing body 2' via a separate cylindrical axle or pin 9' axially insertable into a hinge 10' fixed to the housing body 2', and functions as a pivot or guide in the form of a fixed through-hole or channel in the housing body 2' above the gas inlet 7'. In FIG. 3 , the prior art dispensing head 1' is shown with its known handle 6' and separate cylindrical axle or pin 9' axially removed from the hinge 10' and dispensing head 1' as loose, separate items 6' and 9'.The separate cylindrical axle or pin 9 is slid along the length of the channel of the hinge 10' when the handle 6' is attached to the dispensing head 1' as shown in Figure 2, and after being removably attached, is prevented from unintentional loosening by sliding axially outward from the hinge 10' by a snap fastener 11' having a U-shape with two legs that grip around the end of the separate axle or pin 9' on the outside of the hinge 10', one end of which is fixedly attached to one end of the separate axle or pin 9' at one end of the hinge 10' on the right side in Figures 2 and 3, and the other end of which is removably attached to the separate axle or pin 9' by a snap fastener at the other end on the left side in the prior art of Figures 2 and 3, as shown.

[0026] Figures 4 to 15 show the dispensing head 1 according to the invention in different views. Figures 4 and 9 show the dispensing head 1 in a perspective view, Figure 4 shows the handle 6 removably attached to the dispensing head 1, and Figure 8 shows the handle 6 disassembled from the dispensing head 1 or before removably assembling the handle 6 and the dispensing head 1. Figures 5, 6, 9 to 11 and 12 to 15 show the dispensing head 1 in side and cross-sectional side views. Figure 7 is a view from above of the dispensing head 1, clarifying the cross-sections of Figures 12 to 15 along line AA. Figures 5, 6, 9, 12 and 14 visualize the cut-out areas B, C, BB and CC, and Figures 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12 also have unfilled arrows corresponding to different orientations and angles and rotations of the handle 6, making clear how the handle is rotated or turned or pivoted and moved when detachably attached to the dispensing head 1 according to the invention (similarly for the removable top 8 of the dispensing head 1). Figures 13 and 15 show enlarged views BB and CC corresponding to the cut-out portions BB and CC of Figures 12 and 14, which also correspond to the same orientation of the handle 6 as in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 9, but shown in cross section for clarity. Figure 6 shows the dispensing head 1 and the gas inlet 7 located on the left side of the figure, and Figures 6, 8, 9-11 and 14 show a removable top 8 that is removed from the dispensing head 1 as the first step in removing the handle 6 from the dispensing head 1 (see the solid, upward, unfilled arrow visualizing the removal of the top 8 in a vertical direction opposite to the assembly direction of the entire dispensing head 1 to the beverage container 14 in Figure 1) and returned to the dispensing head 1 as the last step in attaching the handle 6 to the dispensing head 1 (see the dashed, downward, unfilled arrow visualizing the removal of the top 8 in a vertical direction corresponding to the assembly direction of the entire dispensing head 1 to the beverage container 14 in Figure 1), as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 12.

[0027] The dispensing head 1 of the present invention in Figures 4 to 15 comprises a housing body 2 having a first end 3 and a second end 4. The dispensing head 1 of Figures 4 to 15 also comprises a hollow piston 5 displaceably disposed within an axial bore or through channel 12 within the housing body 2, the piston 5 having a first upper end 5A and a second lower end 5B. The piston 5 is connected to a hinged, removable handle 6 according to the present invention, such that upon actuation of the handle 6, the piston 5 together with its second lower end 5B is displaced axially towards, beyond and below the second end 4 of the housing body 2 to open a container valve (not shown) of a beverage container (not shown in Figures 4 to 15; see instead the beverage container 14 in Figure 1). The beverage container 14 and the container valve (not shown) are closed by deactivating the handle 6. In Figures 5, 6, 12, and 13, the piston 5 has been moved by the handle 6 to a position extending beyond or below the second end 4 of the housing body 2 with its second lower end 5B. The top 8 at the upper end of the piston 5 is configured to be sealingly and removably connected to a first upper end 8A and a dispensing line (not shown here, see instead the dispensing line 34 in Figure 1) for fluid communication therebetween. In the dispensing head 1 of Figures 4-6, 9-11, and 12, the top 8 is removably attached to the upper first end 5A of the piston 5 via the lower second end 8B, for fluid communication therebetween. The top 8 is shown detached from the first upper end 5A of the piston 5 in Figures 8-11 and 14, but is not shown at all in Figures 8 and 14. In other non-illustrated embodiments, the dispensing line 34 of Figure 1 may be connected to the top 8 in other convenient ways. Gas inlet 7 is configured to be connected to a gas supply (not shown in Figures 4-15, see instead gas supply vessel 30 and line 33 in Figure 1).

[0028] The gas supply vessel 30 of FIG. 1 contains, in some embodiments, a pressurized gas, such as CO2. The gas regulator 32 of FIG. 1 may be a gas pressure regulating device, such as that disclosed in WO 2019 / 110714. The beverage dispensing system 100 includes, in part, a gas delivery system including one or more CO2 cylinders 30 having a valve assembly (not shown) and a gas pressure regulator 32. Such a gas delivery system is configured to deliver a predetermined gas pressure to a beverage container 14 having an extraction tube, such as the dispensing line 34 of FIG. 1. The dispensing head 1 is coupled to the extractor tube or dispensing line 34 and configured to direct CO2 from the gas container or cylinder 30 through the valve assembly (not shown) and gas pressure regulator 32 in the gas container 30, through the gas supply line 33, and into the beverage container 14, where the CO2 is used to discharge the beverage from the beverage container 14 to the extractor tube and dispensing line 34, through a tower 35, and out a dispensing tap 31.

[0029] The dispensing head 1 of the present disclosure is coupled to the beverage container 14 via a container valve (not shown). The container valve is configured to be opened by pushing downwards into the beverage container 14 with the second lower end 5B of the piston 5 of the dispensing head 1. The container valve is thereby opened to allow beverage to flow out of the beverage container 14 via the hollow piston 5 and the removable top 8, which is also hollow, by pressurizing the interior of the beverage container with a gas, such as CO2, from the gas inlet 7, as is well known in the art and will not be described further herein.

[0030] Figures 12-15 show that the central axis D of the inner bore or cavity 12 of the housing body 2 is aligned with the central axis of the movable hollow piston 5. The handle 6 has a central or medial axis E (shown in Figures 12-15) extending along its length, and in some embodiments is configured to coincide with the central / pivot axis of the hinge 10, about which the handle 6 is configured to rotate or swivel or pivot when removed from and attached to the dispensing head 1 during use.

[0031] The handle 6 of the dispensing head 1 of Figures 4-15 is removably attached to the housing body 2 at a first end 6A via an integrated axle or pin 9 insertable into a hinge 10 fixed to the housing body 2. The integrated axle 9 is elongated and has a flat cross-section, i.e., the integrated axle 9 is not circular over its entire circumference, but only partially circular. The rotatable handle 6 has a second end 6B that forms a grip for moving or rotating the handle in use and when removed from and attached to the dispensing head 1. The hinge 10 provides a pivot or guide in the form of a fixed through-hole or channel in the housing body 2 located above the gas inlet 7. The hinge 10 and its fixed through-hole or channel in the housing body 2 extend in a direction perpendicular to the central axis D of the housing body 2 and hollow piston 5 and the medial axis E of the handle 6 and the longitudinal direction. The handle 6 is configured to be moved in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hinge 10, with its central axis forming the rotation / pivot axis of the handle 6, when stopping and starting dispensing, i.e. when stopped or activated, and when removed from and attached to the dispensing head 1.

[0032] 8-11 show the dispensing head 1 with the removable handle 6 and the integrated axle 9 when the removable handle 6 with the integrated axle 9 has been removed as a unit from the hinge 10 and the dispensing head 1. The integrated axle 9 is a crossbar that extends in a plane parallel to the middle axis E of the handle and parallel to the extension of the through channel of the hinge 10 when the handle 6 is assembled on the dispensing head 1. The handle 6 has two arms 6C that extend in parallel from the second end 6B, which is the grip of the handle 6, to the first end 6A so as to be pivotally attached to the hinge 10. The integrated axle 9 is a fixed crossbar that forms a connecting bridge between the two arms 6C of the handle 6, making the handle more sturdy and durable compared to prior art handles. Once the handle 6 is removed from the dispensing head 1, it is slid, along with its integrated axle 9, out of the inner longitudinal bore or channel of the hinge 10 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the inner bore of the hinge 10 toward the hollow housing body 2 and hollow piston 5, as shown by the solid, unfilled arrow in FIG. 10 . This step of disassembly in FIG. 10 is made after the top 8 has been removed from the first upper end 5A of the piston, as shown by the solid, unfilled arrow in FIGS. 5 and 6 (the dashed, unfilled arrows in these figures visualize the top 8 being attached to the first end 5A of the piston 5 after the disassembly steps have been performed in reverse order). Before the disassembly step in FIG. 10 and after the step of disassembling the top 8 in FIG. 6 , the handle 6 is rotated 90° counterclockwise (to a vertically upright position), as shown by the curved, unfilled arrow in FIG. 9 . As a final step in disassembling the handle 6 from the dispensing head 1 before cleaning the handle 6 after the steps above, the handle 6 is moved vertically upwards, as visualized by the solid, unfilled arrow pointing upwards in Figure 11. Removable assembly of the handle 6 back onto the dispensing head 1 is achieved by reversing the removal steps described above.

[0033] In some embodiments, the dispensing handle 6 is configured to be movably and removably attached to the dispensing head 1. The dispensing head 1 is configured to be operably coupled to a beverage container 14. The dispensing head 1 comprises a hollow housing body 2 and a hollow piston 5 displaceably disposed within the hollow housing in an axial direction corresponding to a central axis D of the hollow housing and aligned with the hollow housing. In the present disclosure, the hollow piston 5 is operably connected to the removable and rotatable dispensing handle 6, such that upon actuation of the removable dispensing handle, the hollow piston is displaced axially downward or upward within the hollow housing body 2 depending on whether the dispensing handle grip 6B is pushed downward from the upper position shown in FIG. 4 to the lower position shown in FIG. 5 to open the beverage container 14, or whether the dispensing handle grip 6B is pushed upward from the lower position shown in FIG. 5 to the upper position shown in FIG. 4 to close the beverage container 14. In some embodiments, the hinge 10 is fixedly attached to the outside of the hollow housing body 2. In some embodiments, the dispense handle 6 has a first end 6A that is removably hinged to a hinge 10 of the hollow housing body 2 via an integral, fixed, flat axle 9, and a second end 6B that is a grip for manual actuation. The fixed axle 9 of the first end 6A of the dispense handle 6 is configured to be removably and movably attached to the hinge 10 of the dispense head 1 as an integral part of the first end 6A of the dispense handle. The removable dispense handle 6 is elongated, and its first end 6A is configured to be removably and pivotably attached to the hinge 10. The hinge 10 is fixedly disposed in the hollow housing body 2 of the dispense head 1. The hinge 10 has an inner through-bore 10A and a slit 11. The slit 11 forms an elongated opening in the inner through-bore 10A along its length. The slit opening 11 is configured to face the hollow housing body 2 and the hollow piston 5. The integrated axle 9 of the first handle end 6A is configured to slidably fit through the slit opening 11 when the removable dispensing handle 6 is assembled and disassembled.

[0034] 5 and 12 show an operable dispensing handle 6, in which a hollow housing body 2 of a dispensing head 1 has an upper first end 3 and a lower second end 4. A hollow piston 5 has a first upper end 5A and a second lower end 5B. The first upper piston end 5A is connected to a hollow removable top 8 and the removable handle 6, such that upon actuation of the removable handle, the hollow piston and hollow removable top 8 are displaced axially toward the second end 4 of the hollow housing body 2, and the second lower end 5B is displaced toward and beyond the second housing body end 4 to open the beverage container 14. In some embodiments of the operable dispensing handle 6, a gas inlet 7 is disposed within the hollow housing body 2. The gas inlet 7 is fluidly connected with the hollow piston 5 and the hollow housing body 2 and the hollow top 8, and the hollow housing body 2 includes an opening 12 extending through the hollow housing body and in at least partial fluid communication with the gas inlet 7, the hollow piston 5 and the hollow top 8 to enable dispensing of a beverage from the dispensing head 1.

[0035] The operable dispensing handle 6 is elongated. A first handle end 6A is removably and pivotally attached to a hinge 10 fixedly disposed on the exterior of the housing body 2. The hinge 10 has an inner through-bore 10A and a slit 11 forming an opening to the inner through-bore, see FIGS. 8, 10, 11, and 12-15. The slit opening 11 is configured to face the hollow housing body 2 and the hollow piston 5. The handle 6 is removably assembled to the housing body 2 of the dispensing head 1 by grasping the second handle end 6B and rotating the handle 6 upward until it is upright vertically, i.e., by orienting the handle 6 to the vertical position after removing the hollow removable top 8 from the first upper piston end 5A, if the hollow removable top 8 has not already been removed from the first end 5A of the piston 5, as shown in FIG. 11. Next, the integrated axle 9 of the first handle end 6A is moved vertically downwards towards the hinge 10 and its slit opening 11 and gas inlet 7 between the hinge and the piston 5, as visualized by the dashed downward unfilled arrow in Figure 11, and then the integrated axle 9 is moved until it bottoms / abuts against the inner through-hole 10A of the hinge 10 by sliding it into the slit opening 11 in a direction away from the hollow housing body 2 and the hollow piston 5, as visualized by the dashed unfilled arrow in Figure 10 (the solid unfilled arrows in Figures 10 and 11 visualize the disassembly of the handle 6 from the dispensing head 1). Thereafter, the handle 6 is moved or rotated clockwise away from the vertical position to a more horizontal, or angled, or horizontal position, as visualized by the dashed, unfilled, bent arrow in FIG. 9, and finally, the hollow, removable top 8 is removably attached to the first upper piston end 5A, as visualized by the dashed, unfilled, downwardly pointing arrow in FIG. 6, to form a guide and vertical closure for the moving handle.

[0036] In some embodiments of the dispensing head 1 and operable dispensing handle 6, the inner through-bore 10A of the hinge 10 is cylindrical and slit along its entire length by an opening 11 that forms an elongated orifice. This opening 11 in the hinge 10 is made by a slit in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the opening 11 is made by cutting or casting or molding the housing body 2 and hinge 10 into this shape, as shown in Figures 8 and 12-15. In some embodiments, the integrated and fixed axle 9 of the handle 6 comprises two straight and parallel sides 9A along its length and two rounded and parallel sides 9B along its length, as shown in Figures 13 and 15. In some embodiments, the straight and parallel sides 9A of the integrated axle 9 of the handle 6 extend in a plane perpendicular to the extension of the rounded and parallel sides 9B and the length of the handle 6 and the medial axis E, as shown in Figures 12-15. In preferred embodiments, the straight and parallel surfaces 9A of the integrated axle 9 of the handle 6 extend in parallel planes that are perpendicular to, or at least angled with, the extension of the rounded surfaces 9B (these rounded surfaces 9B are disposed opposite and substantially parallel to one another), and / or have the length and medial axis E of the handle 6, as shown in Figures 12-15. In some embodiments of the operable dispensing handle 6, the two straight and parallel surfaces 9A of the integrated axle 9 are disposed at a distance from one another such that these surfaces 9A are configured to be in sliding alignment with the orifices of the slit openings 11. The flat or straight parallel surfaces 9A of the integrated axle 9 are, in some embodiments, made by cutting or grinding material off a metallic cylindrical axle from two opposite parallel directions along its length, leaving two flat areas 9A parallel to the rounded circumference between these flat surfaces 9A that remain unprocessed as rounded surfaces 9B.The machining of the integrated axle 9 is adapted so that the distance between these flat surfaces 9A or the thickness of the axle between these flat surfaces 9A is reduced compared to the diameter of the unprocessed axle portion, where these flat surfaces 9A slidably fit and correspond to the width or orifice of the slit opening 11 which also has straight and parallel surfaces 11A so that the curved or circular surface 9B can be slid through the slit opening until it bottoms out against the cylindrical inner through hole 10A of the hinge 10 when the handle 6 is vertical, but the hinge When the handle 6 is then horizontal or another angled or near horizontal position, the rounded untreated surface 9B forming the full diameter of the integrated axle 9 engaging the inner bore 10A of the hinge 10 has a width greater than the slit opening 11, where the integrated axle 9 is firmly / steadily held within the inner bore 10A of the hinge 10 with appropriate tolerances to still allow the handle 6 to pivot as the integrated axle 9 rotates or turns within the inner bore 10A of the hinge 10 during use of the handle 6. In some embodiments, the flat or straight parallel surface 9A of the integrated axle 9 of the handle 6 is made by casting or molding the handle 6 into this integral shape with the axle 9 as part of the first handle end 6A, i.e., integral to the first handle end 6A, as shown in FIGS. In some embodiments, the handle 6 is made of metal and / or composite material and / or plastic, i.e., the handle 6 can be made entirely of one of these materials or a combination of two or more of these materials, as can the dispensing head 1. Furthermore, the orientation of the straight and flat outer surface 9A of the handle 6's integrated axle 9 can in some embodiments be at another angle other than perpendicular to the longitudinal or medial axis E of the handle 6, depending on how much and at what angle the handle 6 is rotated / pivoted by the handle 6's integrated axle 9, which turns or rotates with its outer rounded surface 9B abutting the inner surface of the hinge 10's inner hole, during operation of the dispensing head 1 and use for assembly and disassembly to and from the dispensing head 1.This also means that in some embodiments, the orifice having the straight and parallel surfaces 11A of the slit opening 11 can face or open toward the hollow housing body 2 and the hollow piston 5 at an angle other than perpendicular to the central axis D of the inner bore or cavity 12 of the housing body 2, as shown in Figures 9-11, 14, and 15, so that when the removable handle 6 is oriented at an angle other than the perpendicular angle shown in Figures 9-11, 14, and 15, the flat surfaces 9A and 11A slidably engage with each other to move the axle 9 in a linear motion through the slit opening 11. The straight and parallel surfaces 11A forming the orifice of the slit opening 11 are fixed and extend parallel to each other in the radial direction of the cylindrical inner through-bore 10A of the hinge 10, as shown in Figures 10-15. The straight and parallel surfaces 11A forming the orifice of the slit opening 11 are fixed and extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical inner through-bore 10A of the hinge 10, i.e., along the cylindrical inner through-bore 10A. The straight and parallel surfaces 11A of the orifice of the slit opening 11 extend parallel to each other in the radial direction of the cylindrical inner through-bore 10A of the hinge 10 and the straight and flat outer surface 9A of the integrated axle 9 of the removable dispensing handle 6 when the removable dispensing handle 6 is assembled by sliding into the slit opening 11 or disassembled from the dispensing head 1 by sliding out of the slit opening 11. A preferred embodiment is shown in Figures 4 to 15.

[0037] In one embodiment, the dispensing head 1 is configured to be operably coupled to a beverage container 14 in a beverage dispensing system 100, the dispensing head 1 comprising an operable dispensing handle 6 according to the present disclosure.

[0038] In one embodiment, the two straight and parallel surfaces 9A of the integrated axle 9 of the removable dispensing head 6 are positioned at a distance from each other, which distance is configured to allow these surfaces (9A) to slidingly align / fit with the orifice of the slit opening 11. In one embodiment, the distance between the two straight and parallel surfaces 9A of the integrated dispensing handle axle 9 is less than the diameter of the integrated axle 9, and the two rounded opposing surfaces 9B are configured to pivotally mate with the inner through-hole 10A of the hinge 10 when the axle 9 is removably introduced.

[0039] The function of the handle 6 for opening and closing the beverage container 14 will not be described in further detail herein as its function is well known, for example as disclosed in WO 2012 / 045676.

Claims

1. A dispensing handle (6) configured to be movably and removably attached to a dispensing head (1) configured to be operably coupled to a beverage container (14), said dispensing head (1) comprising: A hollow housing body (2), a hollow piston (5) disposed within the hollow housing so as to be displaceable in an axial direction (D) and aligned with the hollow housing, the hollow piston (5) being connected to the removable dispensing handle (6) so that upon actuation of the removable dispensing handle, the hollow piston is displaced axially within the hollow housing body (2) to open or close the beverage container (14); a hinge (10) fixedly attached to the hollow housing body (2); The removable dispensing handle (6) comprises a first end (6A) configured to be removably hinged to the hinge (10) of the hollow housing body (2) via an axle (9), and a second end (6B) configured to provide a grip for actuation; the axle (9) of the removable dispensing handle (6), configured to be removably and movably attached to the hinge (10) of the housing body (2) of the dispensing head (1), is an integral part of the first end (6A) of the removable dispensing handle; The removable dispenser handle (6) is elongated, and the hinge (10) comprises an inner through-hole (10A) and a slit (11) forming an elongated opening in and along the inner through-hole, the slit opening (11) being configured to face the hollow housing body (2) and the hollow piston (5), whereby the integrated axle (9) of the first handle end (6A) is configured to slidably fit through the slit opening (11) when assembling or disassembling the removable dispenser handle (6).

2. 2. The operable dispensing handle (6) of claim 1, wherein the hollow housing body (2) of the dispensing head (1) comprises a first end (3) and a second end (4), the hollow piston (5) comprises a first upper end (5A) and a second lower end (5B), the first piston upper end (5A) is connected to a hollow removable top (8) and the removable dispensing handle (6), whereby upon actuation of the removable dispensing handle, the hollow piston and the hollow removable top (8) are displaced axially towards the second end (4) of the hollow housing body (2) and the second lower end (5B) is displaced towards and beyond the second housing body end (4) to open the beverage container (14).

3. 3. The operable dispensing handle (6) of claim 2, wherein a gas inlet (7) is disposed within the hollow housing body (2) of the dispensing head (1) and is fluidly connected to the hollow piston (5), the hollow housing body and the hollow top (8), and wherein the hollow housing body (2) comprises an opening (12) extending through the hollow housing body and in fluid communication with the gas inlet (7), the hollow piston (5) and the hollow top (8) to enable dispensing of a beverage from the dispensing head (1).

4. The removable dispensing handle (6) is configured to be removably attached to the hinge (10) by grasping the second handle end (6B) and orienting the handle (6) to a vertical position after removing the hollow removable top (8) from the first upper piston end (5A), whereby the integrated axle (9) of the first handle end (6A) moves in and out of the hollow housing body (2) and the hollow piston (5) until the integrated axle (9) bottoms / abuts against the inner through-hole (10A) of the hinge (10).

4. The movable dispenser handle (6) of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the hollow removable top (8) is configured to be removably attached to the first upper piston end (5A) to form a guide and vertical closure for the removable dispenser handle.

5. 5. An operable dispensing handle (6) according to claim 4, wherein the inner through-bore of the hinge (10) is cylindrical and the opening (11) slits it along the entire length of the inner through-bore to form an elongated orifice, and the integrated axle (9) comprises two straight and parallel surfaces (9A) along the length of the inner through-bore and two rounded opposing surfaces (9B) along the length of the inner through-bore, the straight and parallel surfaces (9A) extending in a plane perpendicular to the length of the handle (6).

6. 6. An operable dispensing handle (6) according to claim 5, wherein the two straight and parallel surfaces (9A) of the integrated axle (9) are arranged at a distance from each other, the distance being configured to allow these surfaces (9A) to slidably align / fit with the orifice of the slit opening (11).

7. 7. The operable distribution handle (6) of claim 6, wherein the distance between the two straight and parallel surfaces (9A) of the integrated axle (9) is smaller than the diameter of the integrated axle (9), and the two rounded opposing surfaces (9B) are configured to rotatably fit into the inner through-hole (10A) of the hinge (10).

8. A dispensing head (1) configured to be operably coupled to a beverage container (14) in a beverage dispensing system (100), characterized in that the dispensing head (1) comprises an operable dispensing handle (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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