摘要 |
Herein disclosed is an improved tap assembly (14) including a tap (22), a delivery tube (20), and a rotatable cam (84) for selectively compressing or not compressing a resilient flow control portion (38) of the delivery tube in order to block or allow fluid flow therethrough. Also included is a decompression device (90) for positively ensuring unrestricted flow through the resilient flow control portion when the cam is rotated to its opened position. The dispensed fluid may be pressurized by premixing with another fluid supplied by a manifold (116). The manifold is adapted to be connected to multiple pressurized sources (16) of the other fluid. A diffuser (96) is provided upstream of the flow control portion in order to effectively condition the dispensed fluid to desired characteristics such as reduced velocity, laminar flow, and appearance. The tap and manifold have mateable piloting members (170) for easily guiding these components together in correct relation for a snap assembly. The tap assembly may dispense, for example, pressurized liquid beverages (12) such as beer, wine, soft drinks, and the like. The subject invention may also be used to dispense non-pressurized liquids such as intravenously-fed medicine, food or nutrients, and the like. |