CA2263977A1 - Beer foam reducing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A beer foam reducing apparatus (10) disposed for placement into the beer delivery lines between a keg (12) and a beer serving spout (16) to prevent pressurized carbon dioxide from entering the delivery line between the apparatus (10) and the serving spout (16) when a keg (12) empties of beer. The apparatus (10) comprises a base (20) with a shallow receptacle disposed to receive an inverted, clear plastic container (24) for sealed, threaded engagement. The plastic container (24) is easily removed for cleaning or replacement and easily sealed for operation. The apparatus (10) also comprises an inlet and outlet in the base, a float (144) disposed for releasably sealing the outlet of the base (20) when a keg (12) empties, and a flow control column (52) secured in the base (20) and extending upwards into the inverted container (24).

Description

?lmW0 98/09103CA 02263977 1999-02-25PCT/US97/l52841-BEER FOAM REDUCING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to beer dispensingapparatus, and more particularly to a foam reducingapparatus disposed for insertion into commercial beerdispensing systems. Even more particularly, thepresent invention relates to a foam reducing apparatusdisposed for insertion into the beer delivery linesbetween the keg and the serving spout.2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ARTConventional commercial beer delivery systemsutilize a pressurized carbon dioxide source to deliverbeer from the keg to the serving spout. Typically,the keg cooler is located in the basement of abuilding, whereas the serving’ spouts for‘ beer arelocated upstairs at one or more bars. Typically, thebeer delivery lines may be anywhere from approximately10 feet to 100 or more feet long. Depending on thelength of the delivery line, the delivery lines maycontain up to three to five pints of beer.Using the conventional beer delivery system, asdescribed above, pressurized carbon dioxide isoftentimes forced into the delivery lines when the kegempties. This pressurized carbon dioxide is the causeof substantial foaming when the keg nears its emptyingpoint. When the pressurized carbon dioxide enters thebeer delivery lines, the contents of the lines usuallymust be discarded because the substantial foamingrenders the beer undesirable. Over time, the wastingof up to three to five pints of beer per keg mayresults in significant lost profits.To overcome this problenuwith traditional commercialkegging systems, one piece of prior art discloses a?lmW0 98l09103CA 02263977 1999-02-25PCT/U S97/ 152842"foam on beer", or FOB detector. The FOB detector,manufactured by Metallocraft & Engineering Limited,appears in an sales brochure. The FOB detector shownin the sales brochure comprises a beer chamber whichhas an inlet for receiving the beer supply from a keg,an outlet for discharging beer to a tap, and afloating member to close the outlet. While beer flowsthrough the FOB detector, the float remains in itsbuoyant position to allow beer to flow from theoutlet. When pressurized carbon dioxide and foamenter the container, the float drops and seals theoutlet closed to prevent pressurized carbon dioxidefrom entering the beer delivery line. The FOBdetector also comprises a first handle that operatesa cam to control the position of the floating member,as well as a second handle that controls the openingand closing of an air vent. The FOB detectorcomprises a pair of casing members that screw onto andseal the opposed ends of the beer chamber.The Metallocraft & Engineering Limited FOB detector,however, requires two handed operation to re—establishthe flow of beer through the delivery line. Toaccomplish the task, a user must manipulate a firsthandle with one hand to allow gas to bleed from theFOB detector when a new keg is tapped, and thenmanipulate a second handle with the other hand toeffect the cam and the position of the float. Inaddition, because the casing members are located oneither end of the device, the Metallocraft &Engineering Limited FOB detector is much moredifficult to disassemble for cleaning or replacementof parts.None of the above inventions and patents, takeneither singly or in combination, is seen to describethe instant invention as claimed.?lmW0 98/09103CA 02263977 1999-02-25PCT/US97/152843.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe beer foam reducing apparatus of the presentinvention is disposed for placement into the beerdelivery lines between. a keg’ with its pressurizedcarbon dioxide source, and a beer serving spout. Thepresent invention operates to close the outlet to thedelivery line when the flow of,beer from the keg stopsand pressurized carbon dioxide enters the apparatus.By closing the outlet, the present invention protectsbeer already in the delivery line from foaming, whichwould require the beer to be discarded. The beer foamreducing apparatus prevents the wasting of beer in thedelivery lines, which over time results in substantialsavings.The beer foam reducing apparatus of the presentinvention comprises a base with a shallow receptacledisposed to receive an inverted, clear plasticcontainer for sealed, threaded engagement. Theplastic container is easily removed for cleaning orreplacement and easily sealed for operation. Theapparatus also comprises an inlet and outlet in thebase, a float disposed for releasably sealing theoutlet of the base when a keg empties, and a flowcontrol column secured in the base and extendingupwards into the inverted container. Single handedmanipulation of a handle leveraged against a mountingbracket regulates operation of the flow controlcolumn, and specifically the venting of pressurizedcarbon dioxide and releasing of the float to open theoutlet for renewed delivery of beer.Accordingly, it is a principal object of theinvention to provide a beer foam reducing apparatusthat eliminates the flow of pressurized carbon dioxidegas through delivery lines when a keg empties, andthereby provides substantial savings by eliminatingthe discard of beer.?IU'IW0 98/09103CA 02263977 1999-02-25PCT/US97/152844.It is another object of the invention to provide abeer foam reducing apparatus that is easy to use andrequires only single handed operation.It is a further object of the invention to providea beer foam reducing apparatus that is easy toassemble and disassemble for cleaning and whose partsare easily replaced if necessary.Still another object of the invention is to providea beer foam reducing apparatus that is simple tomanufacture.‘It is an object of the invention to provide improvedelements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus forthe purposes described which is inexpensive,dependable and fully effective in accomplishing itsintended purposes.These and other objects of the present inventionwill become readily apparent upon further review ofthe following specification and drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFig. 1 is an environmental view of the beer foamreducing apparatus as it is placed in a conventionalbeer delivery systemthat utilizes a pressurized carbon dioxide source todeliver beer from the keg to the serving spout.Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the beer foam reducingdevice.Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view according to line3-3 in Fig. 2, with the handle shown in the lowestposition and the flow control column in a position formaintaining closure of the outlet by the float, andwith the vent closed.Fig. 4 is 21 cross sectional view as in Fig. 3,however, the handle is shown in a partially raisedposition following tapping of a new keg, whereby theinner cylinder in the flow control column is slightlyelevated to open the vent and allow pressurized carbondioxide to escape.?imW0 98/09103CA 02263977 1999-02-25PCT/US97/152845.Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view as in Fig. 3,however, the handle is shown in its fully raisedposition following tapping of a new keg, whereby theflow control column is elevated to cause the retainingring on the outer barrel to break the seal of thefloat at the outlet for resuming beer flow through thedelivery lines.Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the flow controlcolumn removed from the remainder of the beer foamcontrol apparatus, and shown as at Fig. 4 with theinner cylinder elevated to open the vent.Similar reference characters denote correspondingfeatures consistently throughout the attacheddrawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTReferring now to the figures by numerals ofreference and first to Fig. 1, 10 denotes generally abeer foam reducing apparatus of the present invention.The beer foam reducing apparatus 10 is disposed foruse with a conventional beer delivery system whichcomprises a keg 12 and a pressurized carbon dioxidesource 14 for supplying the beer to a serving spout16. The apparatus 10 should be installed intermediatethe keg and tap, with a delivery line 18 carrying beerto the inlet of the apparatus and a delivery line 18’carrying beer from the outlet of the apparatus to theserving spout 16. Because of the nature of theapparatus 10, it should be placed in closer proximityto the keg 14 than the serving spout 16. For example,the beer foam reducing apparatus 10 may be mounted tothe interior wall of a keg cooler, with delivery line18 extending several feet from the keg to theapparatus and delivery line 18’ extending up to 100 ormore feet to the serving spout 16 located in the bar.Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, the beer foamreducing apparatus 10 generally comprises a base 20secured to a mounting bracket 22 and disposed to?ImW0 98/09103CA 02263977 1999-02-25PCT/US97/152845.receive a container 24. The base 20 preferably isformed from an acetyl plastic material which is bothdurable and relatively lightweight. The container 24is formed of a clear plastic material and is disposedto engage the base 20 with its externally threadedneck 25. Mounting bracket 22 is formed of stainlesssteel and is generally L—shaped. One portion of themounting bracket 22 is secured to the lower surface ofbase 20 with a plurality of screws 26, while the otherportion is disposed for mounting against a wall. Apair of openings 28 are provided for screwing orotherwise anchoring the mounting bracket 22 to a wall.It should be noted that the apparatus 10 operates inpart on the principle of gravity, and for that reasonthe apparatus has a definite orientation. Thus, themounting bracket 22 must be secured to a wall or othersurface so that the container 24 is oriented directlyabove or upwardly from the base 20, and in an invertedposition.Base 20 has a generally cylindrical construction,and at its upper end 30 a generally cylindrical,axially positioned recess 32 is formed. Recess 32 issurrounded by an annular collar 34 whose innerdiameter has a series of threads 36 disposed toreceive the threaded :neck 25 of container 24. Ashoulder 38 is provided where the inner diameter ofannular collar 34 meets the upper end 30 of the base.An O-ring 40 of sufficient gauge, which is eitherplaced into shoulder 38 or placed around neck 25, isdisposed to provide a sealed engagement between base20 and container 24. Although not shown, it should beapparent to one skilled in the art that rather thanusing O-ring 40, a gasket alternatively could beplaced in recess 32 to seal the same engagement at themouth of the container 24.Base 20 has a radially displaced bore 42 thatextends longitudinally therethrough. The lower end of?[U1W0 98l09103CA 02263977 1999-02-25PCT/U S97/ 152847bore 42 is provided with a threaded inner diameterthat is disposed to receive the threaded fitting 44,which effectively seals bore 42 from any leakage.Fitting 44 may be any conventional pipe fitting havingan appropriate diameter, however, the fitting 44 shownat Fig. 2 is a double-end joint with male threads oneach end. Fitting 44 simply provides a means forconnecting the beer delivery line 18 to the apparatus10. The upper end of bore 42 is generally cylindricaland is disposed to receive an inlet conduit 46, whichcarries the beer into the container 24. Inlet conduit46 preferably is aa stainless steel tube having anouter diameter slightly smaller than the diameter ofbore 42 so that the conduit fits snugly therein, yetmay also easily be removed.A second radially displaced bore 48 also extendslongitudinally through the base 20. Extending intothe lower end of base 20 and communicating with bore48 is a coaxial counterbore 50 that has asubstantially wider diameter than the bore 48. Bore48 is disposed to receive a flow control column,generally denoted as 52. Because the flow controlcolumn 52 is adequately sealed within bore 48, asdiscussed hereinafter, the counterbore 50 receives thesupport member 54 without any seals therebetween.During assembly, the support member is placed intocounterbore 50 before the mounting bracket 22 issecured to the lower end of base 20. Support member54 has a broader cylindrical end that is disposed forplacement into counterbore 50, and a reduced diameterend which is disposed to project through an opening 56in the mounting bracket 22.Referring now to Figs. 3 and 6, the flow controlcolumn 52 comprises a generally cylindrical outerbarrel 58 and an inner cylinder 60 that is disposedfor sliding motion within a cylindrical bore 62 ofouter barrel 58. Both the outer barrel 58 and the?IU1WO 98/09103CA 02263977 1999-02-25PCT/US97l152848.inner cylinder 60 are formed of stainless steel. Theouter barrel 58 is provided with a pair of annularrecesses 66 and 68 in its outer diameter which retaina pair of resilient O—rings 70 and 72, respectively.The recesses 66 and 68 are located on the portion ofouter barrel 58 which is placed into bore 48, and theO—rings 70 and 72 effectively seal bore 48 to preventany leakage of beer or pressurized carbon dioxide fromthe container 24. A pair of annular grooves 74 and 76are also provided in the outer diameter of the barrelS8, and each groove is disposed to receive a removableretaining ring 78 and 80, respectively. It should benoted that all retaining rings disclosed herein may beof any conventional design, however, for ease ofassembly, cleaning, and repairs, it is preferable toutilize retaining rings that are removable by way oftheir broken circumference. Regardless of the type ofretaining rings used, the upper retaining ring 78limits downward movement of the outer barrel 58 andthe lower retaining ring 80 limits upward movement ofthe outer barrel, as discussed hereinafter.At its upper end, the outer barrel 58 has an axialcounterbore 82 that communicates with bore 62 via atapered counterbore 84. As discussed hereinafter, thecounterbores 82 and 84 accommodate the upper end ofinner cylinder 60. Inner cylinder 60 comprises astainless steel shaft with an axial bore 86 thatextends the length of the shaft. The inner cylinder60 is provided with a pair of annular recesses 100 and102 in its outer diameter which retahn a pair ofresilient O—rings 104 and 106, respectively. Therecesses 100 and 102 are located on the portion ofinner cylinder 60 which is placed into bore 62, andthe O—rings 104 and 106 effectively seal bore 62 toprevent any leakage of beer or pressurized carbondioxide from the container 24. The upper end of bore86 is provided with threads along its inner diameter?lmWO 98/09103CA 02263977 1999-02-25PCT/US97/152849which are disposed to receive the threaded end of amachine screw 88 or the like, thereby sealing closedthe upper end of bore 86. The upper end of innercylinder 60 has an annular shoulder 90 that receivesa resilient O—ring 92. With screw 88 tightened intothe upper end of bore 86 the O—ring 92 is deformedslightly, and while inner cylinder 60 is in theposition shown at Fig. 3, the O-ring 92 seals againstthe tapered counterbore 84 to prevent the innercylinder from allowing the flow of pressurized carbondioxide through bore 86.To allow for selective flow of pressurized carbondioxide through the bore 86, inner cylinder 60 isprovided with a tapered diameter portion 96 adjacentit upper end. At the point where its diameter isnarrowest, the inner cylinder 60 has a diametralpassageway 98 that extends radially through innercylinder 60 and communicates with the axial bore 86.When inner cylinder 60 is elevated within the bore 62of outer barrel 58, as shown at Fig. 4, the sealbetween O—ring 92 and the tapered counterbore 84 ofthe outer barrel is broken. This allows pressurizedcarbon dioxide (represented by the paired arrows inFig. 4) to flow around the head of screw 88, betweenthe tapered diameter portion 96 and the bore 62 ofouter barrel, through diametral passageway 98, andinto axial bore 86 for discharge from the lower end ofinner cylinder 60. To limit the upward movement ofthe inner cylinder 60, the inner cylinder is providedwith an annular groove 108 that is disposed to receivea removable retaining ring 110. The retaining ring110 contacts the lower end of the outer barrel 58, asshown at Figs. 4 and. 5, to halt upward. movement.Where retaining ring 110 halts upward. movement ofinner cylinder 60, there is sufficient clearancebetween the inner cylinder and the outer barrel toallow for release of pressurized gas through bore 86.?ImW0 98/09103CA 02263977 1999-02-25PCT/US97/1528419Support member 54, which snugly fits into thecounterbore 50, has a central, axial opening 114 thatloosely receives the inner cylinder 60 for axialmovement therethrough. The upper or innermost end ofsupport member 54 has a pair of stepped, coaxialrecesses 116 and 118 that have a sufficient diameterto accommodate retaining rings 110 and 80,respectively. Recess 118 specifically limit downwardmovement of the outer barrel 58, and recess 116specifically limits downward movement of the innercylinder 60. When retaining ring 110 rests withinrecess 116, no pressurized carbon dioxide may escapethrough the above—described ventilation passages ofthe ventilation cylinder 60 because the O—ring 92 issealed against the tapered counterbore 84 of the outerbarrel 58. The lower or outermost end of supportmember 54, which extends through the opening 56 ofmounting" bracket 22, also has a coaxial, expandeddiameter recess 120. A coil spring 122, fitted aroundthe inner cylinder 60 and loosely received in recess120, resiliently urges the inner cylinder to itsdownward limit by acting upon the threaded nut 124which is secured to a threaded portion 125 of theinner cylinder outer diameter.A handle 126 is provided for selectivelymanipulating the flow control column 52. The handle126 has an opening 128 that is disposed to accommodatethe lower end of inner cylinder 60. The lower end ofthe inner cylinder is provided with an annular groove129 that is disposed to receive a removable retainingring 130. The retaining ring 130 prevents handle 126from disengaging the lower end of inner cylinder 60.As shown at Fig. 1, handle 126 is provided with atongue 132 which upon assembly of the beer foamreducing apparatus 10 is inserted through a slot 133formed in the side of the mounting bracket 22. Slot133 provides handle 126 with its fulcrum point for?[mWO 98/09103CA 02263977 1999-02-25PCT/US97/ 152841.1leverage to operate the flow control column 52. Asdiscussed hereinafter, manual lifting of handle 126allows a user to manipulate inner cylinder 60 andouter barrel 58 by acting against the force of spring1 2 2 .An outlet generally denoted as 134 is provided fordischarging the beer from container 24 to the servingThe outlet 134 islocated between the flow control column 52 and thespout 16 at a remote location.inlet conduit 46 at a radially displaced position.The outlet 134 comprises a tapered bore 135 thatcommunicates at its upper end with the interior ofcontainer 24 (as defined by the recess 32) andcommunicates at its lower end with a shallow,generally cylindrical bore 136. The bore 136communicates with an off—centerline passageway’ 138that extends laterally between bore 136 and the outerwall of base 20. The outer end of passageway 138 maybe threaded and equipped with an appropriate fitting140 for coupling to a conventional delivery hose 18’.A float 144 is provided for releasably' sealingoutlet 134 to prevent pressurized carbon dioxide gasand beer foam from entering delivery line 18'. Thefloat 144 preferably is manufactured frompolypropylene or another similar plastic material thatwill allow the float to be buoyant in even the lowestspecific gravity beers. The float has a generallycylindrical shape, however, to maintain the floataligned with outlet 134 the outer periphery of thefloat is provided with a pair of opposed, longitudinaland arcuate recesses 146 and 148 that accommodate theinlet conduit 46 and flow control column 52,respectively. The recesses 146 and 148 allow thefloat to rise and fall, as necessary, but withoutmoving away from its alignment with the outlet 134.At its lower end, float 144 has a reduced diameterneck 150 that extends into the tapered bore 135 when?lmW0 98/09103CA 02263977 1999-02-25PCT/U S97/ 152841.2float 144 is fully depressed to close outlet 134.Neck 150 is provided with an annular shoulder 152 thataccommodates a resilient O—ring 154 of suitable gauge.When float 144 is fully depressed, the O—ring 154engages the sidewalls of the tapered bore 135effectively to seal closed the outlet 134. Even whensealing closed the outlet 134, a portion of float 144overlies a jportion of the retaining’ ring 80. Asdiscussed hereinafter, the retaining ring 80 may beused to elevate the float and break the seal of O—ring154 to resume flow of beer through outlet 134 and intodelivery tube 18’.To assemble the beer foam reducing apparatus 10, acomplete flow control column 52 should have itsretaining ring 80 removed so that the entire flowcontrol column may be inserted upwardly through bore48 before the retaining ring 80 is replaced. With theflow control column properly placed, the supportmember 54 should then be positioned in counterbore 50and mounting bracket 22 placed over the lower end ofbase 20 so that the lower end of support member 54passes through opening 56 in the nwunting bracket.The mounting bracket 22 may be secured to the base 20by a plurality of screws 26. Next, spring 122 and nut124 are inserted over the lower end of inner cylinder60 and nut 124 threadably retains spring 122 in theshown position. Following the nut 124 is aconventional washer, then handle 126 and anotherwasher. The entire compliment of materials placedonto the lower end of inner cylinder 60 is maintainedin position by a final removable retaining ring 130.However, before handle 126 is placed onto the lowerend of inner cylinder 60, the tongue 132 should firstbe placed into the slot 133 provided on. mountingbracket 22. Next the threaded fittings 44 and 140should be inserted into base 20, and inlet conduit 46and float 144 properly positioned before screwing the?lmWO 98/09103CA 02263977 1999-02-25PCT/US97/152841 3threaded neck 25 of container 24 into the recess 32defined by the threaded annular collar 34.With the beer foam reducing apparatus 10 assembled,a user may mount the apparatus in a keg cooler, forexample, using a pair of screws or wall anchors (notshown) that engage mounting bracket 22 by the openings28. Delivery tubes 18 and 18’ may be connected to thethreaded fittings 44 and 140, respectively, and thekeg with its pressurized carbon dioxide source may betapped for delivering beer into the apparatus throughdelivery line 18.In use, the float 144 will begin in its lowermostposition whereby the outlet 132 is sealed closed toprevent pressurized carbon dioxide gas from flowingthrough delivery line 18’. Following tapping of thekeg, a user will lift the handle 126 (as indicated bythe single arrow in Fig. 4) to force the innercylinder 60 to elevate by the action of handle 126against the fixed nut 124. This causes the innercylinder to elevate against the resistance of spring122 until the retaining ring 110 contacts the lowerend of outer barrel 58, as shown in Fig. 4. When theretaining ring reaches the position shown in Fig. 4,the inner cylinder will have been elevated a distancesufficient to allow pressurized carbon dioxide(represented by the paired arrows) to flow aroundscrew 88, between the tapered diameter portion 96 andthe bore 62 of outer barrel, through diametral bore98, and into axial bore 86 for discharge through thelower end of the inner cylinder.Almost immediately following the venting ofpressurized carbon dioxide, beer will begin to flowinto container 24 through the inlet conduit 46.However, without elevating float 144 beer will escapethrough the vent of flow control column 52 rather thanthrough the outlet 134. To begin delivery of beerthrough the outlet 134 and eventually to the serving?lmW0 98/09103CA 02263977 1999-02-25PCT/US97/152841.4spout 16, the user must continue to raise handle 126.When handle 126 is raised further, as shown at Fig. 5,the action of handle 126 against the nut 124 causescontinued elevation of inner cylinder 60 which, due tothe contact of retaining ring 110 against the lowerend of the outer barrel 58, results in the elevationof the entire flow control column 52. When the flowcontrol column 52 rises, retaining ring 78 lifts thefloat 144 to break the seal of O—ring 154. When theseal of O—ring 154 is broken the float 144 may riseupwardly (as indicated by a single arrow in Fig. 5) tofloat on the continuous supply of beer entering thecontainer 24. Once float 144 is elevated, the usermay let go of handle 126 and allow the spring 122 tourge the entire flow control column 52 into itsoriginal position, shown at Fig. 3. Although the flowcontrol column 52 returns to its original position,float 144 remains above outlet 134 until the supply ofbeer ceases.Flow of beer through the beer foam reducingapparatus 10 will continue until the keg empties ofbeer and begins spewing pressurized carbon dioxide andbeer foam into container 24. When the liquid leveldrops into the outlet 134, the float 144 falls and thepressure of carbon dioxide causes the O—ring 154 onthe float to seal against the tapered bore 135. Onceoutlet 134 is sealed and the flow of beer throughdelivery line 18’ has stopped, a new keg may be tappedand the process repeated.It is to be understood that the present invention isnot limited to the sole embodiment described above,but encompasses any and all embodiments within thescope of the following claims.

Claims (15)

1. A beer foam reducing apparatus of the type to be used in connection with a keg coupled to a pressurized carbon dioxide source for supplying the liquid contents of the keg to a remote serving spout, the apparatus comprising:
a base member having an upper side and a lower side, said base member having an inlet for receiving the liquid and an outlet for discharging the liquid;
a container having means for removably securing said container to said upper side of said base member for sealed fluid and vapor communication with said inlet and said outlet;
outlet closure means for sealing closed said outlet when the supply of liquid from the keg ceases;
venting means for venting the pressurized gas from said container, said venting means being slidable between a normally closed position and an open position;
outlet opening means for opening said outlet following closure of said outlet by said outlet closure means; and biased lifting means connected to said venting means and operable to slide said venting means and to effect said outlet opening means.

2. The beer foam reducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said upper side of said base has an annular collar defining a recess and said annular collar has a first plurality of threads on the interior of said annular collar, said means for removably securing said container to said upper side of said base member comprises a second plurality of threads on a neck of said container, and said first plurality of threads is disposed to engage said second plurality of threads upon insertion of said container into said recess.

3. The beer foam reducing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising container sealing means for sealing said container in said recess of said base.

4. The beer foam reducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said biased lifting means is operable sequentially to slide said venting means into said open position, then to effect said outlet opening means.

5. The beer foam reducing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said base has a bore extending therethrough, said venting means comprises:
an outer member seated in said first bore, said outer member having an upper end and a lower end, and a second bore extending longitudinally through said outer member between said lower end and said upper end thereof;
first sealing means for sealing said outer member in said first bore;
an inner member slidably seated in said second bore, said inner member having an upper end and a lower end, said inner member having a first passageway extending longitudinally into said inner member from said lower end thereof and communicating with a second passageway extending laterally into said inner member adjacent said upper end thereof;
second sealing means for sealing said inner member in said second bore;
adjustable sealing means for sealing said upper end of said inner member and said upper end of said outer member; and wherein said biased lifting means is secured to said lower end of said inner member, said biased lifting means is manipulable for movement between a first position where said venting means remains in said closed position, whereby said adjustable sealing means is closed to prevent the venting of pressurized gas, and a second position where said biased lifting member elevates said inner member upwardly within said outer member for sliding said venting means into said open position, whereby said adjustable sealing means is opened to allow the venting of pressurized gas.

6. The beer foam reducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said adjustable sealing means is secured to said inner member.

7. The beer foam reducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first passageway extends longitudinally through said inner member between said lower end and said upper end thereof, said adjustable sealing means comprise:
third sealing means for sealing said upper end of said inner member and said upper end of said outer member; and retaining means removably secured within said first passageway for sealing said first passageway and retaining said third sealing means in contact with said upper end of said inner member.

8. The beer foam reducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said outer member is slidably seated in said first bore, said outlet opening means comprises:
first contact means secured to said inner member for contacting said outer member;
second contact means secured to said outer member for contacting said outlet closure means;
wherein said biased lifting means is manipulable for movement between said second position, where said first contact means contacts said lower end of said outer member, and a third position where said first contact means urges said outer member to slide upwardly, whereby said second contact means urges said outlet closure means to move upwardly away from said outlet.

9. The beer foam reducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said outlet closure means comprises:
a buoyant body having a lower end with outlet sealing means on said lower end thereof; and aligning means for maintaining said buoyant body in alignment with said outlet.

10. The beer foam reducing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said buoyant body has a pair of arcuate, longitudinal grooves formed in opposed sides of said buoyant body, said aligning means comprise:
a first cylindrical member secured in said base and projecting perpendicularly upwardly therefrom; and a second cylindrical member secured in said base and projecting perpendicularly upwardly therefrom.

11. The beer foam reducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting bracket secured to said base, said mounting bracket having at least one opening therethrough for securing the apparatus to a vertical surface.

12. The beer foam reducing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said mounting bracket has a side wall with an opening in said side wall, said biased lifting means comprise:
a handle having a tongue on one end thereof for placement through said opening in said sidewall to provide leverage for operable movement of said handle;
and a spring positioned between said base and said handle to bias said handle into a position wherein said venting means is maintained in said closed position.

13. A beer foam reducing apparatus of the type to be used in connection with a keg coupled to a pressurized carbon dioxide source for supplying the liquid contents of the keg to a remote serving spout, the apparatus comprising:

a base member having an upper side and a lower side, said base member having a first bore extending through said base member between said upper side and said lower side, and said base member having an inlet for receiving the liquid and an outlet for discharging the liquid;
a container having means for removably securing said container to said upper side of said base member for sealed fluid and vapor communication with said inlet and said outlet;
outlet closure means for sealing closed said outlet when the supply of liquid from the keg ceases; and a flow control column slidably seated within said first bore, said flow control column having first sealing means for sealing said flow control column in said first bore, said flow control column having adjustable venting means for venting the pressurized gas from said container and outlet opening means for opening said outlet following closure of said outlet by said outlet closure means; and biased lifting means connected to said flow control column and operable to slide said flow control column to effect said adjustable venting means and said outlet opening means.

14. The beer foam reducing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said flow control column comprises an outer member slidably seated within said first bore, said outer member having an upper end and a lower end, said outer member having a second bore extending between said lower end and said upper end thereof, said venting means comprise:
an inner member slidably seated in said second bore for movement between a first position and a second position, said inner member having an upper end and a lower end, said inner member having second sealing means for sealing said inner member in said second bore, said inner member having a first passageway extending from said lower end thereof and communicating with a second passageway extending laterally into said inner member adjacent said upper end thereof;
adjustable vent sealing means secured to said upper end of said inner member for sealing said upper end of said inner member and said upper end of said outer member; and wherein said biased lifting means is secured to said lower end of said inner member, said biased lifting means is manipulable for sliding said inner member between said first position, where said adjustable vent sealing means prevents venting of the pressurized gas through said first and second passageways, and said second position, where said adjustable vent sealing means allows venting of pressurized gas through said first and second passageways.

15. The beer foam reducing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said outlet opening means comprise:
first contact means secured to said inner member for contacting said outer member;
second contact means secured to said outer member for contacting said outlet closure means;
wherein said biased lifting means is manipulable for sliding said inner member between said second position, where said first contact means contacts said lower end of said outer member, and a third position, where said first contact member urges said outer member to slide upwardly, whereby said second contact member contacts said outlet closure means and urges said outlet closure means to move upwardly away from said outlet.