Regulated fluid dispensing device and method of dispensing a carbonated beverage

A regulated fluid dispersing device, comprising:

• a main housing having a cavity, and a fluid regulator mounted therein;
• a pressure relief mechanism incorporated in said main housing;
• a source of compressed gas for supplying a flow of gas through said regulator into a beverage container attached to said dispensing device;
• a tap handle operatively connected to said main housing for selectively allowing the beverage to flow through said dispensing device, said tap handle having a roller;
• and
• a fluid delivery tube extending through said dispensing device for delivering the beverage, said roller of said tap handle selectively engaging and disengaging said fluid delivery tube to allow beverage to flow therethrough, or to shut off flow of beverage through said fluid delivery tube;
• and
• said fluid delivery tube has an internal passageway extending therethrough, said passageway being smaller in cross-section as said passageway approaches an outlet of said delivery tube where the beverage is dispensed.

A regulated fluid dispensing device comprising:

• a main housing having a cavity, and a fluid regulator mounted therein;
• a pressure relief mechanism incorporated in said main housing;
• a source of compressed gas for supplying a flow of gas through said regulator into a beverage container attached to said dispensing device;
• a tap handle operatively connected to said main housing for selectively allowing the beverage to flow through said dispensing device, said tap handle having a roller;
• and
• a fluid delivery tube extending through said dispensing device for delivering the beverage, said roller of said tap handle selectively engaging and disengaging said fluid delivery tube to allow beverage to flow therethrough, or to shut off flow of beverage through said fluid delivery tube;
• and
• said fluid delivery tube has an internal passageway extending therethrough, said passageway having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape at a proximal portion thereof, and said passageway having an oval cross-sectional shape at a distal portion thereof.

A method of dispensing a beverage from a pressurized beverage container, said method comprising:

• providing a dispenser device secured to the beverage container, said device including an integral regulator and an integral pressure relief mechanism, said device further including a fluid delivery tube extending through the device and communicating with the beverage container for conveying the beverage for dispensing, a source of pressurized gas communicating with the regulator for maintaining the beverage container at a desired pressure, a tap handle rotatably connected to the dispensing device, said tap handle including a roller;
• positioning the tap handle in a rearward closed position such that the roller makes contact with said fluid delivery tube to prevent the beverage from flowing therethrough;
• rotating the tap handle forward from the rearward closed position to an open position wherein the roller is displaced away from contact with the fluid delivery tube thereby allowing the beverage to flow through the fluid delivery tube to thereby dispense the beverage through an outlet defined by a distal end of the fluid delivery tube;
• and providing a locking tab operable with said tap handle to place the tap handle in a selected locked or unlocked position, said locking tab having a threaded extension wherein rotation of said locking tab results in selectively placing the tap handle in the locked or unlocked position.