Flow restrictor for a beverage dispensing line

Abstract

A flow restrictor 10 configured to be inserted and removed from a beer line 20 for controlling foam production, the flow restrictor having a tubular body 14 defining a flow path along a central axis, a restrictor piece 11 integral with the tubular body and arranged across the flow path, bisecting the tubular body and defining an upstream part 17 on one side of the restrictor piece and a downstream part 18 on the other side of the restrictor piece. The restrictor piece comprises a plurality of openings 12 for restricting fluid flow through the flow path. Each opening has a diameter of between 0.4mm and 1mm. A beer line 20 including the flow restrictor and a portable beverage dispensing device comprising the flow restrictor 10 or beer line.

Description

[0001] M&C PC933926BE

[0002] 1

[0003] A flow restrictor

[0004] FIELD

[0005] The present invention relates to a flow restrictor, in particular a flow restrictor for use within a portable beverage dispensing device for controlling foam production with certain beverages.

[0006] BACKGROUND

[0007] Different beverages have different serving preferences to maximise the drinking experience. Different beverages therefore require different delivery characteristics into the glass. In particular, different serving preferences require different degrees of foam generation within the beverage dispensing system

[0008] Stout is a speciality beer with a gas mixture that is different from that of lager or other beer styles. This gas mixture is often a blend of nitrogen and carbon dioxide. A characteristic of the preferred way in which stout beer is served is that it requires a creamy foam (‘head’) and a cloudy turbulence (called the ‘surge’) which is achieved by a distinct pouring technique. Achieving the preferred head and surge requires the foaming to be controlled during pouring of the stout beverage. This can be done by controlling the pressure, flow speed, temperature and degree of mixing of beverage through the beer line and tap during the pouring process.

[0009] In many fixed beverage dispensing devices, the stout pouring process is controlled by means of a speciality bi-directional tap. The tap being configured to move bi-directionally enables a user to correspondingly re-direct a flow of beverage between two different flow paths. When the user moves the tap in one direction, the beverage pours via a first flow path, which may have limited restriction to flow - i.e. it can flow freely with minimal mixing within the beer line and tap. When a user moves the tap in a second direction, the stout passes via a second flow path, which include a flow restrictor to encourage mixing and create the desired degree of foaming as the beverage is poured. While good for pouring certain beverage types (e.g. stout), the bi-directional tap may not be suited to pouring other beverage types, e.g. lager.

[0010] 15331158-1M&C PC933926BE

[0011] 2

[0012] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for portable beverage dispensing device, especially for home-use. Such systems typically only have a single-function (also referred to as a uni-directional) tap. It is also desirable for portable beverage dispensing devices to be suitable for use with many different beverage types. Existing portable beverage dispensing devices are unable to control the delivery and foam generation of beverages to allow them to pour stout beers and achieve the desired creaminess and surge. Portable beverage dispensing devices that aim to achieve the desired serving preferences of stout beers are often unsuitable for serving other beverages (e.g. lagers) according to their serving preferences.

[0013] The present invention aims to allow a user to achieve the special pour required for stout beer, as well as the pour desired for other beverage types, using a portable beverage dispensing device having a single function or uni-directional tap.

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present disclosure provides a flow restrictor, beer line and portable beverage dispensing device addressing the above shortcomings.

[0016] A flow restrictor according to the present disclosure is suitable for being inserted into, and removed from, a beverage dispensing line (e.g. a beer line) for use in a portable beverage dispensing device without damaging the flow restrictor or beer line. The flow restrictor controls the flow speed, dispense pressure and fluid mixing to provide dispense characteristics suitable for serving stouts with the desired head and surge, without the use of a bi-directional tap. The flow restrictor is also suitable for serving beverages other than stouts - for example lagers - according to their serving preferences. That is, the flow restrictor encourages sufficient foaming to achieve the desired serving requirements for a stout beer, without diminishing the quality of other beverages served using through the flow restrictor.

[0017] According to the disclosure is a flow restrictor configured to be inserted and removed from a beer line for controlling foam production. The flow restrictor comprises a tubular body defining a flow path along a central axis and a restrictor piece integral with the tubular body and arranged across the flow path, bisecting the tubular body and defining an upstream part on one side of the restrictor piece and a downstream part on the other

[0018] 15331158-1M&C PC933926BE

[0019] 3

[0020] side of the restrictor piece. The restrictor piece comprises a plurality of openings for restricting fluid flow through the flow path.

[0021] The flow restrictor may be insertable and removable from a beer line, without damaging the beer line or flow restrictor. The flow restrictor may be configured to be located between a first and second part of a beer line, for example between a rigid casing part and a flexible nozzle part. The flow restrictor may be configured to be located spaced from an outlet of the beer line - for example by at least 20% of the length of the beer line. Locating the flow restrictor spaced from the outlet of the beer line may provide improved foaming control.

[0022] The flow restrictor may be a single integral part. The flow restrictor may be made of a single piece of material, for example plastic.

[0023] The restrictor piece may be a restrictor plate. The restrictor piece may bisect the tubular body at substantially a midpoint of the longitudinal length of the tubular body. The restrictor piece may bisect the tubular body at a point other than the midpoint of the longitudinal length of the tubular body. The restrictor piece may be arranged perpendicularly to the central axis of the tubular body.

[0024] Providing a plurality of openings may cause a pressure drop within a fluid flow and encourages mixing, and thus foaming, of a beverage flowing through the restrictor piece.

[0025] Each opening may be circular.

[0026] Each opening may have a diameter of between 0.4mm and 1mm. Alternatively, each opening may have a diameter of between 0.5mm and 0.9mm, 0.5mm and 0.8mm, 0.6mm and 0.8mm or 0.65 and 0.75mm.

[0027] The openings of the restrictor piece may be configured such that the flow path area of the openings is between 2% and 10%, or 4 and 8% of the flow path area of the inside of the upstream part.

[0028] The opening diameter may be selected to provide optimal foam generation for achieving the desired foam characteristics. The range of opening diameters of the flow restrictor

[0029] 15331158-1M&C PC933926BE

[0030] 4

[0031] provides optimal foaming characteristics to allow good quality pours of stout beers - that is with the desired head and surge. Furthermore, the opening diameters are such that other beverages - e.g. lagers - can be dispensed through the flow restrictor without negatively impacting their serving characteristics.

[0032] The plurality of openings may be arranged in a grid.

[0033] The plurality of openings may be evenly spaced in a regular polygon arrangement on the restrictor piece. That is, the openings may each define a corner of a regular polygon, with even spacing therebetween. Such a regular spacing of the openings contributes to achieving a reliable pour.

[0034] The upstream part and downstream part may each define an internal annular surface and an external annular surface.

[0035] An internal annular surface of the upstream part of the tubular body may be tapered such that the diameter of the flow path reduces towards the restrictor piece. A tapered upstream internal annular surface may be configured for receiving and surrounding a male connector or interface of part of a beer line. It may therefore assist in installing and locating the flow restrictor within a beer line.

[0036] The taper angle may be between 10° and 20°, for example around 15 degrees. The maximum diameter of the internal annular surface of the upstream part may be at the upstream end of the tubular body. It may be between 6mm and 9mm, or 7mm and 8mm. The maximum internal diameter may around 7.5mm. The minimum diameter of the internal annular surface of the upstream part may be adjacent the restrictor piece. It may be between 4mm and 8mm, or 5mm and 7mm. The minimum internal diameter may be around 6mm.

[0037] An internal annular surface of the downstream part of the tubular body may have a substantially constant diameter, with a taper angle of between 0° and 3°. A substantially constant internal downstream annular surface may be configured to largely correspond to the internal diameter of a beer line. A very slight taper (e.g. between 0 and 3° may improve manufacturability of the flow restrictor.

[0038] 15331158-1M&C PC933926BE

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[0040] The internal diameter of the downstream part may be between 3.5mm and 7.5mm, or 4.5mm and 6.5mm. The internal diameter may be about 5.5mm.

[0041] An external annular surface of the upstream part of the tubular body may have a constant diameter. A constant diameter external annular surface of the upstream part may allow a liquid-tight seal to be provided with the internal annular surface of a part of a beer line, e.g. a flexible nozzle part.

[0042] The external diameter of the upstream part may be between 6mm and 10mm, or 7mm and 9mm. The external diameter may be about 8mm.

[0043] An external annular surface of the downstream part of the tubular body may be tapered such that the outer diameter of the tubular body increases towards the restrictor piece. A tapered external surface of the downstream part may be configured for being inserted into a part of a beer line, e.g. a flexible nozzle part. The taper may allow the flow restrictor to be more easily installed into, and mated with, part of the beer line. The taper may improve the seal between the beer line part (e.g. a flexible nozzle part) and the flow restrictor.

[0044] The taper angle may be between 10° and 20°, for example around 15 degrees. The maximum diameter of the external annular surface of the downstream part may be adjacent the restrictor piece. It may be between 6mm and 10mm, or 7mm and 9mm. The maximum internal diameter may around 8mm. The minimum diameter of the external annular surface of the downstream part may be at the downstream end of the tubular body. It may be between 4mm and 8mm, or 5mm and 7mm. The minimum external diameter may be around 6mm.

[0045] The dimensions of the flow restrictor may be configured such that it can be installed in existing beer lines - e.g. those that were not originally designed to include a flow restrictor. The flow restrictor may be configured to be inserted at an interface of a flexible nozzle part and a rigid casing part of the beer line. The flow restrictor may have external dimensions such that it can largely fit inside existing beer lines.

[0046] 15331158-1M&C PC933926BE

[0047] 6

[0048] The diameter of the flow path adjacent the restrictor piece in the upstream part may be greater than or equal to the diameter of the flow path adjacent the restrictor piece in the downstream part.

[0049] The tubular body may have a length of between 4 and 8mm. The maximum external diameter of the tubular body may be between 6mm and 12mm. The minimum diameter of the flow path may be between 4 and 7mm.

[0050] The taper angle of the internal annular surface of the upstream part may be substantially the same as the taper angle of the external annular surface of the downstream part. As the flow restrictor may be for installing in beer lines that are usable without the flow restrictor, the flow restrictor may be configured to be inserted at the interface of a male and female part that were previously meant to mate without an intervening flow restrictor. As such, the taper angles of the flow restrictor may be the same on both of the upstream and downstream sides of the tubular body, for example to mimic the existing tapers on the respective male and female parts of the beer line.

[0051] Further according to the disclosure is a beer line configured to be removably inserted into a beverage dispensing device. The beer line comprises a flow restrictor as described anywhere herein.

[0052] The beer line may comprise an inlet for receiving fluid from a container. The beer line may comprise an outlet via which fluid can exit the beer line. The beer line may comprise a flow passage from the inlet to the outlet.

[0053] The flow restrictor may be located, or locatable, in the flow passage towards a centre region of the beer line, spaced from both the inlet and the outlet.

[0054] The flow restrictor and beer line may be configured such that the flow restrictor may be located spaced from an outlet of the beer line - for example by at least 20% of the length of the beer line. The beer line may be configured such that the flow restrictor is configured to be located more than 40mm, 50mm or 60mm from the outlet. Locating the flow restrictor spaced from the outlet of the beer line may provide improved foaming control.

[0055] 15331158-1M&C PC933926BE

[0056] 7

[0057] The beer line may comprise a first part having the inlet. The beer line may comprise a second part having the outlet. The first and second parts may be configured to be connected and separated to provide the flow passage. The flow restrictor may be configured to be located between the first and second parts.

[0058] The first and second part may be configured to be connected to form a beer line with, or without, the flow restrictor located therebetween.

[0059] The first part may be rigid casing part. The second part may be a flexible nozzle part.

[0060] The first part may comprise a male interface configured to be received in the upstream part of the flow restrictor, such that the upstream part surrounds the male interface. The second part may comprise a female interface configured to receive and surround the downstream part of the flow restrictor. The flow restrictor may be configured to be clamped between the first and second parts.

[0061] The beer line may be configured for use with a uni-directional or single-function tap.

[0062] Further according to the device is a portable beverage dispensing device for dispensing beer. The portable beverage dispensing device comprises a flow restrictor as defined herein, or a beer line as described herein. The portable beverage dispensing device may comprise a one-function tap.

[0063] The portable beverage dispensing device may be a portable beer dispensing device.

[0064] The portable beverage dispensing device may comprise a compartment suitable for storing a container of beverage, a cooling arrangement for cooling the beverage and dispensing equipment. The beer line and / or flow restrictor may form part of the dispensing equipment. The dispensing equipment may further comprise a singlefunction tap.

[0065] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] Figures 1A through 1D are perspective, orthogonal and cross-sectional views of a flow restrictor from a downstream perspective;

[0067] 15331158-1M&C PC933926BE

[0068] 8

[0069] Figure 2A through 2C are perspective, orthogonal and cross-sectional views of a second flow restrictor from an upstream perspective;

[0070] Figures 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of a beer-line having a flow restrictor; and

[0071] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a portable beverage dispensing device.

[0072] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] Reference is made to Figures 1A to 1D. Figures 1A through 1D show a flow restrictor 10. Figure 1A is a perspective view of the flow restrictor 10 from a downstream side of the flow restrictor 10. Figure 1 B is an orthogonal view of the flow restrictor 10 as viewed from the downstream side. Figure 1C is a cross-section of the flow restrictor 10. Figure 1 D is a side view of the flow restrictor 10.

[0074] The flow restrictor of Figure 1 is a single integral piece. The flow restrictor is made of a single material, such as plastic, e.g. a recyclable plastic. The flow restrictor 10 is configured to be inserted and removed from a fluid delivery system, specifically a beverage line, e.g. beer line.

[0075] The flow restrictor 10 comprises a tubular body 14 through which a beverage (e.g. stout) may flow. A restrictor piece 11 is provided integral within the tubular body 14. The restrictor piece bisects the tubular body 14 to define an upstream part 17 and downstream part 1 of the tubular body 14. The upstream part 17 may receive an upstream fluid flow ‘US’ into the tubular body 14. The flow restrictor 10 is designed such that, after entering the upstream part 17, fluid flows through the restrictor piece 11. The downstream part 18 of the tubular body 13 may direct a downstream fluid flow 18 out of the flow restrictor 10 after passing through the restrictor piece 11. The upstream part 17 defines, generally, a side where beverage (e.g. stout) flows from the source - e.g. a container such as a keg. The downstream part 18 defines, generally, a side where beverage flows out of the flow restrictor, for example towards a dispense tap.

[0076] The restrictor piece 11 comprises a plurality of openings 12 for restricting the flow through the restrictor 10. The restrictor piece 11 creates a pressure drop within the flow

[0077] 15331158-1M&C PC933926BE

[0078] 9

[0079] of fluid through the flow restrictor 10. The restrictor piece 11 also encourages mixing of the fluid flow and thus encourages foam generation.

[0080] In the flow restrictor 10 shown in the figures, there are six openings 12 provided in the restrictor piece 11. In other examples, more or fewer openings may be provided. In some examples, the plurality of openings may be provided by interconnected openings - e.g. a plurality of open ports interconnected by thinner open sections.

[0081] The openings 12 on the restrictor piece 11 are provided equidistant to one another. Of the six openings 12, five openings 12 are provided in an arrangement corresponding to vertices of a pentagon (e.g. a regular pentagon) and a sixth opening 12 is provided at a centre of the pentagon.

[0082] Each of the openings 12 has a diameter of approximately 0.7mm. The distance between a mid-point of the centre (sixth) opening 12 and a mid-point of other surrounding openings 12 is approximately 1.4mm. Further, the five openings 12 surrounding the sixth opening 12 are provided at an angle of 72 degrees from each other.

[0083] The plurality of openings 12 are preferably drilled and a surface of the restrictor piece 11 is polished such that there are no burls along the plurality of openings 12.

[0084] The upstream part 17 of the tubular body 14 comprises an internal annular surface 17a and an external annular surface 17b.

[0085] The internal annular surface 17a of the upstream part 17 of the tubular body 14 tapers inwardly towards the restrictor piece 11. For example, the diameter of the upstream part 17 of the tubular body 14 is at its narrowest closest to the restrictor piece 11. The taper angle of the internal annular surface 17a of the upstream part 17 of the tubular body 14 is at an angle of approximately 30 degrees.

[0086] The internal diameter of the upstream part 17 of the tubular body 14 at the upstream end is approximately 7.6mm. The internal diameter of the upstream part 17 of the tubular body 14 closest to the restrictor piece 11 (i.e. towards the middle of the tubular body 14) is approximately 6.1mm. The upstream part 17 makes up approximately half of the

[0087] 15331158-1M&C PC933926BE

[0088] 10

[0089] longitudinal length of the flow restrictor 10 - in this case, the upstream part 17 is approximately 3mm long.

[0090] The external annular surface 17b of the upstream part of the tubular body 14 has a substantially constant outer diameter. In some examples the external annular surface 17b may have a slight taper (e.g. <3° to assist with installation within a beer line). The external annular surface 17b of the upstream part 17 may be configured to provide a liquid-tight fit within a substantially tubular beverage (e.g. beer) supply line or a connector thereof, as described below. The external diameter of the upstream part 17 may be selected to provide a friction fit with the internal diameter of a beverage supply line, e.g. a beer line. In the present example, the external diameter of the upstream part 17 is approximately 4.1mm

[0091] The upstream part 17 and downstream part 1 seamlessly transition into one another, via a small curved or tapered transition region.

[0092] The downstream part 18 of the tubular body 14 also comprises an internal annular surface 18a and an external annular surface 18b.

[0093] The internal annular surface 18a of the downstream part 18 has a substantially constant diameter. In the present example, it may have a slight taper with the smallest diameter towards the centre of the tubular body 14 (e.g. <3°, for example of manufacturing purposes). The internal annular surface 18a may be designed to provide a substantially constant flow area cross section for beverage flowing through the beverage supply line (e.g. beer line). In the present example, the internal diameter is approximately 5.3mm.

[0094] In the example of Figure 1, the internal diameter of the downstream part 18 is smaller than the smallest internal diameter of the upstream part 17.

[0095] The external annular surface 18b of the downstream part 18 of the tubular body 14 tapers inwardly as it extends away from the restrictor piece section 16. The external annular surface 18b of the downstream part 18 has a taper angle of approximately 15 to 20°.

[0096] 15331158-1M&C PC933926BE

[0097] 11

[0098] The taper angle of the external annular surface 18b of the downstream part 18b may substantially correspond to the taper angle of the internal annular surface 17a of the upstream part 17 (e.g. within + / - 5°).

[0099] The downstream part 18 makes up approximately half of the longitudinal length of the flow restrictor 10 - in this case, the downstream part 18 is approximately 3mm long.

[0100] Figures 2A through 2C show a further flow restrictor 110. The flow restrictor 110 of Figure 2 is largely similar to that of Figure 1, and like reference numerals are used for corresponding features, albeit incremented by 100. The geometry of the flow restrictor 110 of Figure 2 is slightly longer along the longitudinal direction and, as such, taper angles are slightly reduced. The inner and outer diameter are, however, largely the same. As such, the flow restrictor 110 of Figure 2 is suitable for being inserted and removed from the same beverage dispensing lines as those of Figure 1.

[0101] Unlike in the flow restrictor of Figure 1, the flow restrictor 110 of Figure 2 has five openings 112 in the restrictor piece 111. The five openings are provided in an arrangement corresponding to vertices of a pentagon (e.g. a regular pentagon).

[0102] Figures 3A and 3B show a cross-sectional view and an enlarged cross-sectional view of a beverage dispensing line, in this example, a beer line 20.

[0103] The beer line 20 defines an inlet 21 for receiving beverage. The beer line 20 has a first part 23 having the inlet 21. The first part 23 may, in some examples, be made of a hard material such as plastic. The first part 23 may comprise a spear or other connector for connecting to a keg.

[0104] The beer line 20 further defines an outlet 22 via which beer can leave the beer line 20 into a glass, for example. The beer line 20 has a second part 24 defining the outlet 22. The second part 24 may, in some examples, comprise a flexible, e.g. rubber, conduit. The second part 24 may be configured for being inserted into, threaded through, or connected to, a nozzle, tap or other dispensing apparatus.

[0105] The first part 23 and second part 24 are configured to be connected and disconnected to provide the beer line 20. The first and second parts 2324 define an interface, at which

[0106] 15331158-1M&C PC933926BE

[0107] 12

[0108] the parts are connected. The first part 23 may define a male interface or connector portion 25, configured to be inserted into a female interface or connector portion 26 of the second part 24.

[0109] The beer line 20 of Figure 3 includes a flow restrictor 10, for example as described with respect to Figure 1. The flow restrictor 10 is arranged between the first part 23 and second part 24. Specifically, the upstream part 17 of the flow restrictor 10 receives the male connector portion 25 of the first part 23 and the downstream part 18 of the flow restrictor 10 is inserted into the female connector portion 26 of the second part 24.

[0110] The flow restrictor 10 is configured to provide a liquid-tight seal with both the first part 23 and the second part 24. Importantly, the flow restrictor 10 is configured to be inserted into, and removed from, an existing beer line 20 in which the first and second parts 23 24 are configured to be mutually-connected, without any modifications required of the beer line 20.

[0111] Figure 4 shows a portable beverage dispensing device, for dispensing beer. The beverage dispensing device comprises the beer line 20 of Figure 3 (not shown).

[0112] The present invention has been described above purely by way of example. Modifications in detail may be made to the present invention within the scope of the claims as appended hereto. It is to be understood that features of the above examples, e.g. dimensions, may be extracted and combined with features of other examples.

[0113] 15331158-1

Claims

M&C PC933926BE13CLAIMS:

1. A flow restrictor configured to be inserted and removed from a beer line for controlling foam production, the flow restrictor comprising:a tubular body defining a flow path along a central axis;a restrictor piece integral with the tubular body and arranged across the flow path, bisecting the tubular body and defining an upstream part on one side of the restrictor piece and a downstream part on the other side of the restrictor piece; whereinthe restrictor piece comprises a plurality of openings for restricting fluid flow through the flow path; andeach opening has a diameter of between 0.4mm and 1mm.

2. The flow restrictor of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings is evenly spaced in a regular polygon arrangement on the restrictor piece.

3. The flow restrictor of any of the preceding claims, wherein each opening has a diameter of between 0.5mm and 0.9mm, 0.5mm and 0.8mm, 0.6mm and 0.8mm or 0.65 and 0.75mm.

4. The flow restrictor of any of the preceding claims, wherein an internal annular surface of the upstream part of the tubular body is tapered such that the diameter of the flow path reduces towards the restrictor piece.

5. The flow restrictor of any of the preceding claims, wherein an internal annular surface of the downstream part of the tubular body has a substantially constant diameter, with a taper angle of between 0° and 3°.

6. The flow restrictor of any of the preceding claims, wherein an external annular surface of the upstream part of the tubular body has a constant diameter.

7. The flow restrictor of any of the preceding claims, wherein an external annular surface of the downstream part of the tubular body is tapered such that the outer diameter of the tubular body increases towards the restrictor piece.15331158-1M&C PC933926BE148. The flow restrictor of any of the preceding claims, wherein:an internal annular surface of the upstream part of the tubular body is tapered such that the diameter of the flow path reduces towards the restrictor piece; and an external annular surface of the downstream part of the tubular body is tapered such that the outer diameter of the tubular body increases towards the restrictor piece;wherein the taper angle of the internal annular surface of the upstream part is substantially the same as the taper angle of the external annular surface of the downstream part.

9. The flow restrictor of any of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter of the flow path adjacent the restrictor piece in the upstream part is greater than or equal to the diameter of the flow path adjacent the restrictor piece in the downstream part.

10. The flow restrictor of any of the preceding claims, wherein:the tubular body has a length of between 4 and 8mm;the maximum external diameter of the tubular body is between 6mm and 12mm; andthe minimum diameter of the flow path is between 4 and 7mm.

11. A beer line configured to be removably inserted into a beverage dispensing device, the beer line comprising a flow restrictor according to any of the preceding claims.

12. The beer line of claim 11, comprisingan inlet for receiving fluid from a container;an outlet via which fluid can exit the beer line; anda flow passage from the inlet to the outlet;wherein the flow restrictor is configured to be located in the flow passage towards a centre region of the beer line, spaced from both the inlet and the outlet.

13. The beer line of claim 11 or claim 12, comprising:a first part having the inlet; anda second part having the outlet; wherein15331158-1M&C PC933926BE15the first and second parts are configured to be connected and separated to provide the flow passage; andthe flow restrictor is configured to be located between the first and second parts.

14. The beer line of claim 13, whereinthe first part comprises a male interface configured to be received in the upstream part of the flow restrictor such that the upstream part surrounds the male interface; andthe second part comprises a female interface configured to receive and surround the downstream part of the flow restrictor;such that the flow restrictor is configured to be sandwiched between the first and second parts.

15. A portable beverage dispensing device for dispensing beer, comprising a one-function tap and the flow restrictor of any of claims 1 to 10 or the beer line of any of claims 11 to 14.15331158-1

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