Beverage dispense system

Abstract

A beverage dispense system (100) comprising a tap-mounting structure (110), and a mounting apparatus (120) for mounting a tap (1001, 1002) to the tap-mounting structure (110). The mounting apparatus (120) comprises a tap-receiving opening (121a, 122a), and a tap-engagement portion (121b, 122b) configured to engage the tap (1001, 1002) when received in the tap-receiving opening (121a, 122a) to releasably retain the tap in the tap-receiving opening. The mounting apparatus further comprises a mounting portion (125, 127) configured to releasably mount the mounting apparatus (120) to the tap-mounting structure (110).

Description

[0001] BEVERAGE DISPENSE SYSTEM

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The disclosure relates to a beverage dispense system, in particular, to a beverage dispense system including a mounting apparatus for mounting a tap (for dispensing beverage) to a tap-mounting structure (e.g. a T-bar, bridge, or font).

[0004] Background

[0005] A typical beverage dispense system may comprise a tap-mounting structure (e.g. a T-bar, bridge or font) and one or more taps mounted directly to the tap-mounting structure. The tap-mounting structure may house one or more beverage lines for connection to the one or more taps thus allowing beverage to be dispensed from the beverage dispense system via the one or more taps. Typically, the tap-mounting structure is securely mounted on a countertop to allow stable dispensing of beverage from the one or more taps into a drinking receptacle placed on the countertop beneath a corresponding tap.

[0006] A drawback with known beverage dispense systems is that conventional tap-mounting structures may be designed to receive specific taps having specific mounting designs and different beverages may require different taps having different mounting designs. This creates two problems. Firstly, it is not possible to mount different taps having different mounting designs to a single tap-mounting structure. Secondly, to change to taps of a different mounting type, the entire tap mounting structure needs replacement.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] In a general sense, the present disclosure provides a mounting apparatus including a tap-receiving opening and a tap-engagement portion for releasably retaining a tap in the tap-receiving opening. Thus, different mounting apparatuses can be configured to receive different tap designs such that different taps can be quickly and easily mounted to the same tap-mounting structure via a corresponding mounting apparatus thus eliminating the need to change the tap-mounting structure each time.

[0009] In a first aspect, there is provided a beverage dispense system comprising: a tap-mounting structure; and a mounting apparatus for mounting a tap to the tap-mounting structure, the mounting apparatus comprising: a tap-receiving opening; and a tap-engagement portion configured to engage the tap when received in the tapreceiving opening to releasably retain the tap in the tap-receiving opening; and a mounting portion configured to releasably mount the mounting apparatus to the tap-mounting structure. In this way, different taps (e.g. having different mounting designs) can be mounted to the tap-mounting structure via the mounting apparatus in an interchangeable manner thus eliminating the need for the tapmounting structure itself to be configured to receive individual taps. Hence, taps of various mounting designs can be quickly and easily mounted on the same tap-mounting structure via different mounting apparatuses thus eliminating the need for the tap-mounting structure to be replaced each time a new tap mounting design is introduced. This significantly increases the versatility of a tap mounting structure.

[0010] Optional features of the first aspect will now be set out. These are applicable singly or in any combination with any aspect.

[0011] The mounting apparatus may include a boss. The tap-receiving opening may be located through the boss. The tap-engagement portion may form part of the boss. The boss may be cylindrical. The boss may taper (e.g. in a direction away from the tap-mounting structure).

[0012] The mounting apparatus may include a plate. The tap-receiving opening may be formed in the plate. The tap-engagement portion may be a portion of the plate that surrounds the tap-receiving opening. The plate may be elongate. The plate may conform to the tap-mounting structure. The plate may be arcuate. The plate may be convex (i.e. may have a convex outer surface). Thus, the plate may be arcuate and conform to a convex surface of the tap-mounting structure. The boss may project from the plate (e.g. the arcuate plate and / or in a direction away from the tap-mounting structure).

[0013] In some embodiments, the beverage dispense system may comprise a tap (e.g. for dispensing beverage from the beverage dispense system). The tap may include a shank (e.g. an elongate shank). When the tap is mounted to the mounting apparatus, the shank may extend through the tap-receiving opening. Thus, the shank may engage with the tap-engagement portion to secure the tap to the mounting apparatus.

[0014] The tap-receiving opening may be circular. Correspondingly, the elongate shank may have a circular cross-sectional shape. The tap-receiving opening (and e.g. the shank) may have other cross-sectional shapes, an may be e.g. elliptical, rectangular, obround, etc. In general, the shape of the tap-receiving opening may be complementary to the shape of the shank.

[0015] The tap-engagement portion may be threaded. The shank (when present) may be threaded to facilitate engagement with the mounting apparatus. In this way, the tap can be threadedly engaged with the mounting apparatus to achieve secure and robust engagement of the tap with the mounting apparatus. In some examples, the tap-engagement portion may include a (cylindrical) boss for receiving (e.g. and supporting) the shank of the tap. The boss may upstand from an inner surface of the mounting apparatus (e.g. the plate). The boss may define the tap-receiving opening (i.e. a bore of the boss may be concentric with the tap-receiving opening). The boss may be threaded to engage with a threaded shank.

[0016] When the mounting apparatus comprises a plate, the plate may include a body (e.g. a main body) and a mounting flange (e.g. angled relative to the body). The tap-receiving opening may be formed in the body of the plate. The mounting portion may be provided on the mounting flange. Thus, the mounting flange may facilitate the mounting of the mounting apparatus to the tap-mounting structure.

[0017] The mounting portion may include an aperture for receipt of a fastener (e.g. a threaded fastener such as a screw) therethrough. The aperture may have a circular cross-section. The mounting portion may comprise a plurality of apertures, which may be evenly distributed along the mounting flange (i.e. there may be equal spacing between adjacent apertures). In this way, secure attachment of the mounting apparatus to the tap-mounting structure may be facilitated.

[0018] The mounting flange may be a first mounting flange and the plate may include a second mounting flange (e.g. angled relative to the body). The mounting portion may be a first mounting portion and the beverage dispense system may include a second mounting portion. The second mounting portion may be provided on the second mounting flange. For example, the second mounting portion may include one or more apertures formed in the second mounting flange (e.g. each being as descried above with respect to the first mounting portion).

[0019] The body may be planar (e.g. a planar rectangle). This may facilitate engagement of the tap with the tapengagement portion. The first mounting flange and the second mounting flange may be disposed on opposing sides of the body (e.g. on opposing (long) sides of the rectangle). In this way, secure mounting to the tap-mounting structure may be facilitated. The mounting flanges may be angled away from the body in the same direction. The mounting flanges may be geometrically similar.

[0020] The tap-engagement portion may include one or more alignment elements for aligning the tap in a predetermined orientation relative to the mounting apparatus. Each alignment element may engage with the tap. Each alignment element may be positioned in the tap-receiving opening (e.g. the first or second tap-receiving opening when present). In some examples, the tap-engagement portion may include a plurality of alignment elements (e.g. distributed around a perimeter of the tap-receiving opening). In some examples, there may be a gap between circumferentially adjacent alignment elements (e.g. to allow rotational engagement with the tap). Where an even number of alignment elements is included, pairs of alignment elements may be diametrically opposed across the tap-receiving opening. Thus, the gaps between circumferentially adjacent alignments elements may also be diametrically opposed across the tap-receiving opening.

[0021] The beverage dispense system may comprise a locating element for locating / aligning the mounting apparatus on the tap-mounting structure. The locating element may be integrally formed with the plate. The locating element may be angled relative to the body, and may be angled in the opposite direction to the mounting flange. The locating element may be perpendicular to the body. In this way, locational engagement with the tap-mounting structure may be facilitated.

[0022] The locating element may be a first locating element and the mounting apparatus may include a second locating element (e.g. angled relative to the body and e.g. angled in an opposing direction to the mounting flange). The tap-receiving opening may be a first tap-receiving opening. The mounting apparatus may further comprise a second tap-receiving opening for receiving a second tap.

[0023] The tap-engagement portion may be a first tap-engagement portion. The mounting apparatus may further comprise a second tap-engagement portion configured to engage a tap when received in the second tap-receiving opening to releasably retain the tap in the second tap-receiving opening.

[0024] The second tap-receiving opening may include any one or more of the features of the (first) tap-receiving opening described above. The second tap-engagement portion may include any one or more of the features of the (first) tap-engagement portion described above.

[0025] The first tap-receiving opening may be different in shape and / or size to the second tap-receiving opening. For example, the first tap-receiving opening may have a different width or diameter to the first tapreceiving opening. In general, the first tap-receiving opening may be configured to receive a different type of tap (e.g. of different dimensions) to the first tap-receiving opening.

[0026] The first tap-engagement portion may comprise a first connection type for releasably retaining a tap in the first tap-receiving opening, and the second tap-engagement portion may have a second connection type for releasably retaining a tap in the second tap-receiving opening. The first connection type may be different to the second connection type. For example, the first connection type may be one of a threaded connection, bayonet connection, snap-fit connection, etc. and the second connection type may be another one of a threaded connection, bayonet connection, snap-fit connection, etc. Alternatively, the first and second connections may be threaded connections but may e.g. differ in pitch and / or diameter.

[0027] The tap-mounting structure may comprise an opening (referred to herein as an access opening), which may be formed in a housing of the tap-mounting structure. The housing may be mounted on a (hollow) support to elevate the housing. One or more beverage lines may be routed through the support (e.g. to fluidly connect the beverage lines to beverage containers). The housing may be an elongate tube (e.g. cylindrical tube).

[0028] The mounting apparatus may extend across the access opening in the tap-mounting structure (e.g. in the housing) when mounted to the tap-mounting structure (i.e. via the mounting portion). The housing may have a (convex) curved outer surface in which access opening is formed. Thus, the outer surface of the tap-mounting structure (e.g. the housing) adjacent the access opening may align the mounting apparatus (e.g. via the locating element(s)) with the access opening. In this way, ease of mounting the mounting apparatus to the tap-mounting structure may be facilitated.

[0029] The top of each locating element (distal the body) may have an arcuate profile. In this way, each locating element may follow the curved outer surface of housing of the tap-mounting structure. In other words, each locating element may be flush with the outer surface of the housing when the mounting apparatus is mounted thereto. In a second aspect, there is provided a mounting apparatus for the beverage dispense system of the first aspect, the mounting apparatus comprising: a tap-receiving opening; and a tap-engagement portion configured to engage a tap when received in the tap-receiving opening to releasably retain the tap in the tap-receiving opening; and a mounting portion configured to releasably mount the mounting apparatus to the tap-mounting structure.

[0030] The mounting apparatus of the second aspect may be as otherwise described above with respect to the first aspect.

[0031] In a third aspect, there is provided a method of mounting a tap to a tap-mounting structure, the method comprising: providing a mounting apparatus; mounting a tap to the mounting apparatus; and mounting the mounting apparatus to a tap-mounting structure.

[0032] The mounting apparatus may be as described in the first or second aspect. Thus, the mounting apparatus may comprise: a tap-receiving opening; a tap-engagement portion configured to engage the tap when received in the tap-receiving opening to releasably retain the tap in the tap-receiving opening.

[0033] Mounting the tap to the mounting apparatus may include locating the tap through the tap-receiving opening and engaging the tap with the tap-engagement portion.

[0034] The mounting apparatus may comprise a mounting portion configured to releasably mount the mounting apparatus to the tap-mounting structure. Thus, mounting the mounting apparatus to the tap-mounting structure may include positioning the mounting apparatus on the tap-mounting structure and engaging the mounting portion with the tap-mounting structure via the mounting apparatus to retain the mounting apparatus on the tap-mounting structure.

[0035] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a kit of parts comprising: a tap-mounting structure; a first mounting apparatus (for example, such as described in the first or second aspect) for mounting a first tap to the tap-mounting structure; and a second mounting apparatus (for example, such as described in the first or second aspect) for mounting a second tap to the tap-mounting structure; wherein: the tap-receiving opening of the first tap mounting apparatus has a different shape and / or size to the tap-receiving opening of the second tap mounting apparatus; and / or the tap-engagement portion of the first tap mounting apparatus has a different connection type to the tap-engagement portion of the second tap mounting apparatus.

[0036] Brief Summary of the Figures

[0037] Embodiments will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0038] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage dispense system 100 according to the first aspect;

[0039] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the mounting apparatus 120 of the beverage dispense system of Fig. 1 ;

[0040] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the tap-mounting structure 110 of the beverage dispense system of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the mounting apparatus 120 mounted to the tap-mounting structure 110 of the beverage dispense system of Fig. 1 ;

[0041] Fig. 5A and 5B are perspective views of a mounting apparatus 220 according to the first aspect; and Fig. 6A and 6B are perspective views of a mounting apparatus 320 according to the first aspect.

[0042] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0043] Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.

[0044] Fig. 1 illustrates a beverage dispense system 100 including a tap-mounting structure 110 and a mounting apparatus 120. A first tap 1001 and a second tap 1002 are mounted to the mounting apparatus 120 and the mounting apparatus 120 is mounted to the tap-mounting structure 110. The tap-mounting structure 110 includes an upper housing 111 on which the mounting apparatus 120 is mounted and a downward support 112 for mounting the tap-mounting structure 110 to a surface such as the countertop of a bar.

[0045] The first tap 1001 is fluidly connected to a first beverage line and the second tap 1002 is fluidly connected to a second beverage line. The beverage lines are housed within the tap-mounting structure 110 and are routed through the downward support 112 for fluid connection to beverage containers such as kegs. Thus, the beverage dispense system 100 can be used to dispense beverage from the kegs via the first tap 1001 and the second tap 1002. In use, a beverage receptacle such as a glass is placed below the tap whereby the tap is opened to allow beverage to be dispensed into the glass.

[0046] Fig. 2 shows the mounting apparatus 120 isolated from the other components of the beverage dispense system 100 of Fig. 1. The mounting apparatus 120 is a plate. The plate includes a planar main body 123, a first (upper) mounting flange 124, a second (lower) mounting flange 126, a first (left) locating element 128 and a second (right) locating element 129. The mounting flanges 124, 126 are each angled relative to the main body 123. The first locating element 128 and the second locating element 129 upstand from the main body 123 in the opposite direction to the mounting flanges 124, 126. Thus, the main body 123 is rectangular with the mounting flanges 124, 126 on the two opposing long sides and the locating elements 128, 129 on the two opposing short sides.

[0047] The planar rectangular main body 123 includes a first tap-receiving opening 121a and a second tapreceiving opening 122a. The first tap-receiving opening 121a is surrounded by a first tap-engagement portion 121 b configured to engage the first tap 1001 when received in the first tap-receiving opening 121 a to releasably retain the first tap 1001 in the first tap-receiving opening 121a. Similarly, the second tapreceiving opening 122a is surrounded by a second tap-engagement portion 122b configured to engage the second tap 1002 when received in the second tap-receiving opening 122a to releasably retain the second tap 1002 in the second tap-receiving opening 122a. Thus, each tap-receiving opening 121 a, 122a is located through the main body 123 of the plate.

[0048] Each of the first tap 1001 and the second tap 1002 includes an elongate shank. When each tap 1001 , 1002 is mounted to the mounting apparatus 120, each elongate shank is located through the corresponding tap-receiving opening 121a, 122a. Thus, each elongate shank engages with the corresponding tap-engagement portion 121 b, 122b to secure each tap 1001 , 1002 to the mounting apparatus 120. Each tap-receiving opening 121a, 122a is circular and, correspondingly, each elongate shank has a circular cross-section.

[0049] The first mounting flange 124 includes three mounting portions in the form of first mounting apertures 125a, 125b, 125c for receiving first engagement elements and the second mounting flange 126 includes three second mounting portions in the form of mounting apertures 127a, 127b, 128c for receiving second engagement elements. Each of the first mounting apertures 125a, 125b, 125c and the second mounting apertures 127a, 127b, 127c has a circular cross-section. The first mounting apertures 125a, 125b, 125c are evenly distributed along the first mounting flange such the spacing between the first mounting apertures 125a, 125b is the same as the spacing between the first mounting apertures 125b, 125c. Likewise, the second mounting apertures 127a, 127b, 127c are evenly distributed along the second mounting flange such that the spacing between the second mounting apertures 127a, 127b is the same as the spacing between the second mounting apertures 127b, 127c.

[0050] Fig. 3 shows the upper housing 111 of the tap-mounting structure 110 isolated from other components of the beverage dispense system 100 of Fig. 1. The upper housing 111 includes an apparatus-receiving opening 113. The upper housing 111 is an elongate cylindrical tube such that the upper housing 111 has a convexly curved outer surface through which the apparatus-receiving opening 113 is located. The apparatus-receiving opening 113 is substantially rectangular to receive the rectangular main body 123 of the mounting apparatus 120. When the mounting apparatus 120 is mounted to the tap-mounting structure 110 as shown in Fig. 4, the outer surface 114, 115 of the upper housing 111 adjacent the apparatusreceiving opening 113 abuts the locating elements 128, 129 of the mounting apparatus 120 to align the mounting apparatus 120 with the apparatus-receiving opening 113.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 4, the beverage dispense system 100 includes first engagement elements 135a, 135b, 135c and second engagement elements 137a, 127b, 127c. Each engagement element is a threaded screw threadedly engaged with the upper housing 111 of the tap-mounting structure 110 to retain the mounting apparatus 120 to the tap-mounting structure 110. Thus, each first engagement element 135a, 135b, 135c is located through a corresponding first mounting aperture 125a, 125b, 125c of the first mounting flange 124 and each second engagement element 137a, 137b, 137c is located through a corresponding second mounting aperture 127a, 127b, 127c of the second mounting flange 126. As is also apparent from Fig. 4, each locating element 128, 129 has an arcuate profile distal the main body 123 such that the locating elements 128, 129 are flush with the outer surface of the upper housing 111 and retain the mounting apparatus 120 in fixed alignment with the upper housing 111.

[0052] Fig. 5A and 5B show a mounting apparatus 220 that is a modification of the mounting apparatus 120 shown in Fig. 2. Like features have been given like reference numerals. The mounting apparatus 220 is substantially the same as the mounting apparatus 120 but includes the following additional features.

[0053] The first tap-engagement portion 221 b includes a first cylindrical boss extending from an inner surface of the main body 223 of the plate. The first cylindrical boss defines the first tap-receiving opening 221a. The first cylindrical boss is threaded to threadedly receive a threaded shank of a first tap.

[0054] Likewise, the second tap-engagement portion 222b includes a second cylindrical boss extending from the inner surface of the main body 223 of the plate. The second cylindrical boss defines the second tapreceiving opening 222a. The second cylindrical boss is threaded to threadedly receive a thread shank of a second tap. In this way, secure engagement of the taps with the mounting apparatus is facilitated.

[0055] Fig. 6A and 6B show a mounting apparatus 320 that is a modification of the mounting apparatus 120 shown in Fig. 2. Like features have been given like reference numerals. The mounting apparatus 320 is substantially the same as the mounting apparatus 120 but includes the following additional features.

[0056] The first engagement portion 321 b includes four first alignment elements 321 c for retaining the first tap in a predetermined orientation relative to the mounting apparatus 320. The first alignment elements 321c are geometrically similar (circumferential tabs) and extend into the first tap-receiving opening 321a and are evenly distributed around the perimeter of the first tap-receiving opening 321a. There is a gap between circumferentially adjacent first alignment elements 321c (i.e. four first gaps in total) around the perimeter of the first tap-receiving opening 321. Hence, the first engagement portion 321 b exhibits rotational symmetry of order four.

[0057] Likewise, the second engagement portion 322b includes four second alignment elements 322c for retaining the second tap in a predetermined orientation relative to the mounting apparatus 320. The second alignment elements 322c are geometrically similar (circumferential tabs) and extend into the second tap-receiving opening 322a and are evenly distributed around the perimeter of the second tapreceiving opening 322a. There is a gap between circumferentially adjacent second alignment elements 321c (i.e. four second gaps in total around the perimeter of the second tap-receiving opening 322. Hence, the second engagement portion 322b exhibits rotational symmetry of order four. The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

[0058] While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0059] For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

[0060] Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[0061] Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and “include”, and variations such as “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0062] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and / or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example ±10%.

Claims

Claims1 . A beverage dispense system comprising: a tap-mounting structure; and a mounting apparatus for mounting a tap to the tap-mounting structure, the mounting apparatus comprising: a tap-receiving opening; and a tap-engagement portion configured to engage the tap when received in the tapreceiving opening to releasably retain the tap in the tap-receiving opening; and a mounting portion configured to releasably mount the mounting apparatus to the tap-mounting structure.

2. The beverage dispense system of claim 1 , wherein the tap-engagement portion is threaded.

3. The beverage dispense system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the tap-engagement portion includes an alignment element for aligning the tap in a predetermined orientation relative to the mounting apparatus.

4. The beverage dispense system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting apparatus comprises a plate and the tap-receiving opening is formed in the plate.

5. The beverage dispense system of claim 4, wherein the plate comprises a body in which the tapreceiving opening is formed, and a mounting flange extending on an angle from the body, the mounting portion being provided on the mounting flange.

6. The beverage dispense system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting portion comprises an aperture configured for receipt of a fastener therethrough to mount the mounting apparatus to the tap-mounting structure.

7. The beverage dispense system of claim 5 or 6, wherein: the mounting flange is a first mounting flange and the plate comprises a second mounting flange extending on an angle from the body; the mounting portion is a first mounting portion and the mounting apparatus comprises a second mounting portion provided on the second mounting flange.

8. The beverage dispense system of claim 7, wherein the first and second mounting flanges are disposed on opposite sides of the body of the plate.

9. The beverage dispense system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tap-receiving opening is a first tap-receiving opening and the tap-engagement portion is a first tap-engagement portion, and wherein the mounting apparatus further comprises: a second tap-receiving opening for receiving a second tap; and a second tap-engagement portion configured to engage a tap when received in the second tap-receiving opening to releasably retain the tap in the second tap-receiving opening.

10. The beverage dispense system of claim 9, wherein the first tap-receiving opening is different in shape and / or size to the second tap-receiving opening.

11. The beverage dispense system according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the first tap-engagement portion comprises a first connection type for releasably retaining a tap in the first tap-receiving opening, and the second tap-engagement portion has a second connection type for releasably retaining a tap in the second tap-receiving opening, and wherein the first connection type is different to the second connection type.

12. The beverage dispense system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tap-mounting structure comprises an opening across which the mounting apparatus extends when mounted to the tap-mounting structure.

13. A mounting apparatus for a beverage dispense system, the mounting apparatus comprising: a tap-receiving opening; and a tap-engagement portion configured to engage a tap when received in the tap-receiving opening to releasably retain the tap in the tap-receiving opening; and a mounting portion configured to releasably mount the mounting apparatus to the tapmounting structure.

14. The mounting apparatus of claim 13, wherein the tap-engagement portion is threaded.

15. The mounting apparatus of claim 13 or 14, wherein the tap-engagement portion includes an alignment element for aligning the tap in a predetermined orientation relative to the mounting apparatus.

16. The mounting apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the tap-receiving opening is a first tap-receiving opening and the tap-engagement portion is a first tap-engagement portion, and wherein the mounting apparatus further comprises: a second tap-receiving opening for receiving a second tap; anda second tap-engagement portion configured to engage a tap when received in the second tap-receiving opening to releasably retain the tap in the second tap-receiving opening.

17. The beverage dispense system of claim 16, wherein the first tap-receiving opening is different in shape and / or size to the second tap-receiving opening.

18. The beverage dispense system according to claim 16 or 17 wherein the first tap-engagement portion comprises a first connection type for releasably retaining a tap in the first tap-receiving opening, and the second tap-engagement portion has a second connection type for releasably retaining a tap in the second tap-receiving opening, and wherein the first connection type is different to the second connection type.

19. A kit of parts comprising: a tap-mounting structure; a first mounting apparatus according to any one of the claims 13 to 15 for mounting a first tap to the tap-mounting structure; and a second mounting apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15 for mounting a second tap to the tap-mounting structure; wherein: the tap-receiving opening of the first tap mounting apparatus has a different shape and / or size to the tap-receiving opening of the second tap mounting apparatus; and / or the tap-engagement portion of the first tap mounting apparatus has a different connection type to the tap-engagement portion of the second tap mounting apparatus.

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