Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
  • B67D3/04—Liquid-dispensing taps or cocks adapted to seal and open tapping holes of casks, e.g. for beer
  • B67D3/041—Liquid-dispensing taps or cocks adapted to seal and open tapping holes of casks, e.g. for beer operated by pinching action on flexible tubes

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a liquid dispensing valve to be placed on a container having a single flow orifice, in particular being a bottle arranged with the neck turned downwards.
• Document EP427,495 has already proposed a liquid dispensing tap, capable of being adapted to a container having a single orifice, in particular a bottle.
• the valve in question comprises two juxtaposed flexible tubes, a means for closing by crushing the two tubes and a shutter means capable of hermetically sealing the orifice around the two tubes when the valve is placed on the container.
• One of the two tubes is used for the passage of liquid while the other tube is used exclusively for the passage of the air. It is indeed important that the volume of liquid leaving the container is replaced by air and is regularly so if we want to avoid the jerky effect that we observe when emptying a bottle by turning it over, an effect which causes the bottle to deform, depending on pressure variations, when the latter is made of flexible plastic.
• the valve of the invention overcomes these drawbacks.
• one of the two tubes has locally towards its end facing the interior of the container a reduced internal diameter. Thanks to the liquid distribution valve of the invention, the user no longer has to manipulate the container to pour the liquid but it suffices to place the aforementioned valve on the opening of the container, the two tubes being crushed thanks to the closing means, to turn the container, the opening then being downwards, to position it on a suitable support and then to take as many times as necessary the quantity of liquid desired thanks to the closing means. This is possible with containers, such as bottles with a large plastic capacity.
• the presence of the second tube of reduced diameter makes it possible to regulate the flow of gas entering the container through this second tube, when the pressure of the liquid near the opening is equal to or less than atmospheric pressure; thus it is possible to obtain a regular flow of the liquid, while avoiding the jerky effect.
• This flow is preferably done by the first tube, but is also done in part by the second tube having the narrowing according to the pressure conditions. There is therefore no longer any need for an air intake as in document EP427,495.
• the second tube may be of short length towards the interior of the container. The applicant was able to determine that by judiciously choosing the internal section of the two tubes and in particular of the constricted part of the second tube it was possible to obtain a good flow of the liquid from the start to the end of the container.
• the shape of the section of the two tubes must be designed to have the largest possible passage of liquid in the open position while having the smallest possible deformation to pass from the open position to the position closed, when the two tubes are crushed by the closing means.
• An oblong, oval, elliptical or flattened circle section allows these two parameters to be combined.
• the two tubes have the same section, except of course the area of the second tube where the section is narrowed, in order to facilitate the pinching of the two tubes and to have a good seal in the closed position. Furthermore, to obtain stable and rapid operation of the flow of the liquid, the total height between the ends on the one hand of the portion outside the container of the first tube and on the other hand of the portion inside the container of the second tube is of the order of 50 to 60 mm.
• the narrowed part of the second tube is situated towards the end of the latter facing the interior of the container has two advantages; first of all this prevents said second tube from filling with liquid in the stopped position, since the narrowed section is determined so as not to allow passage liquid under normal pressure conditions inside the container; in addition, this allows the second tube to be emptied easily in the event that, in operation, the liquid passes through the narrowed section during a pressure variation.
• This location of the narrowed portion of the second tube therefore makes it possible to trap the air located between the area of said second tube crushed by the closure means and the narrowed portion.
• the first tube has a portion, external to the container, which has a length greater than the external portion of the container of the second tube.
• the dispensing of liquid can be interrupted when the level of liquid in the glass or other container to be filled reaches the ends of the two tubes and the two said tubes are filled themselves. same liquid.
• the fact that the second tube is shorter than the first makes it possible, in this case, to automatically re-prime the distribution of the liquid thanks to the difference in lift height in the two tubes.
• the second tube has a portion intended to be inside the container, when the tap is in place around the opening, which has a length greater than that of the corresponding portion of the first tube.
• the portions, located inside the container, of the two tubes have the same length, there may be a risk that the gas bubbles entering the container through the second tube are entrained by the liquid distributed in the first tube, which would disturb the flow of said liquid.
• the fact of shifting the second tube in height makes it possible to disperse the gas bubbles in an area of the container remote from the immediate proximity of the end of the first tube through which the liquid flows.
• this offset in height of the second tube inside the container makes it possible to limit the size of the portion of the first tube located outside the container.
• the lengths of the portions of the first and second tubes, outside the container, are sufficient to be accessible by means of closing by crushing.
• the end of the inner portion of the second tube is provided with a non-return valve. This particular provision relates to the case of use of containers with pressurized liquid. Thanks to the non-return valve, only the first tube is used for the liquid flow. If during the withdrawal, the pressure in the container decreases, the non-return valve allows the gas to enter the container to be able to continue the withdrawal.
• the obturator means achieving the hermetic sealing of the orifice around the two tubes consists on the one hand in a flexible piece, sealingly surrounding the two tubes and having a dimension greater than the orifice of the container and on the other hand in a device for locking in position of said flexible piece on the outer edge of the orifice.
• the two tubes and the flexible part form a one-piece assembly, made of flexible plastic, preferably silicone.
• this monobloc assembly can thus be easily replaced after each use or washed and sterilized if very advanced hygiene is necessary.
• the two tubes have a section in the form of a flattened circle of internal section of the order of 50 to 80 mm 2 ; the reduced section of the second tube is of the order of 3 to 5mm 2 over a height of 2mm; only the second tube has a portion intended to be inside the container, of the order of 8 to 12mm, the first tube has a portion intended to be outside of the container, which is of the order of 1 at 5mm greater than that of the second tube and the total height between the outer portion of the first tube and the inner part of the second tube is of the order of 50 to 6Omm.
• the device for locking in position the assembly consisting of the flexible part and the two tubes comprises two elements cooperating one with the other, a first gripping element on the flange and bearing element on the flexible part, provided with at least one gripping surface and a second element. These two elements are movable relative to each other between a first position where the gripping surface is recessed, allowing the introduction of the locking device around the neck of the bottle, beyond the flange, and a second position where the gripping surface, under the action of the second element, is advanced, and is applied to the face of the flange opposite to the external edge of the neck and where the external edge of the neck is force applied to the part flexible.
• the closure means comprises two arms with a bent end which are pivotally mounted with respect to an axis situated in the plane of symmetry of the two tubes and a spring disposed between the two said arms. In the inactive position, the bent ends of the two arms are angularly spaced from one another, while the parts of said arms situated opposite said bent ends with respect to the pivot axis are forcibly applied to the two tubes.
• the closure means comprises:
• the closure means comprises:
• control arm which is pivotally mounted relative to an axis which is perpendicular to the general direction of the two tubes and one free end of which is intended to be actuated by the user
• a pivoting crushing assembly pivotally mounted relative to an axis perpendicular to the general direction of the two tubes, said assembly comprising a support plate and a crushing plate, a fixed stop disposed on the other side of the two tubes with respect to the swivel assembly,
• FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation in section of the assembly constituted by the two juxtaposed tubes and the flexible part positioned under the neck of a bottle, in the open position,
• FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional representation of the same elements in FIG. 1 but in the closed position
• FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic representations in bottom plan of the tube / flexible element elements of FIGS. 1 and 2
• FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation in section of another embodiment of the tube / flexible part assembly and of the shutter device before blocking on the neck of the bottle
• FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of the elements of FIG. 5 with locking in position of the shutter device
• Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 are schematic sectional representations of four examples of taps with different means of closing by crushing the tubes
• Figures 11 to 17 are perspective representations of the seven main parts, making a firstly the blocking of the tube / flexible part assembly on the neck of the bottle and secondly the fixing on a support.
• the valve of the invention is particularly intended to be placed on the neck of a plastic bottle, of large capacity, for example five liters, the distribution of the liquid from this bottle necessitating turning it over and putting it in place. on a support.
• This valve typically comprises a first flow assembly comprising two juxtaposed flexible tubes, a means for blocking this flow assembly on the neck of the bottle and a means for closing by crushing the two tubes.
• the drain assembly 1, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 consists of two juxtaposed flexible tubes 2, 3, and of a flexible piece 4.
• This drain assembly 1 is preferably made of food-grade silicone or in a material with equivalent flexibility. This flexibility is required at the level of the two juxtaposed tubes 2, 3 which must be able to be closed by crushing, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4. It is also required at the level of the flexible part 4 which acts as a seal between the locking device and the outer edge 5 of the neck 6 of the bottle 7.
• the first liquid flow tube 2 is completely outside the neck 6 when the assembly 1 is locked in position on the outer edge 5 of the latter.
• the second air return tube 3 has an inner portion 3a which extends beyond the flexible part 4 towards the inside of the neck 6.
• This second tube 3 has an end 9, closing the inner portion 3a which has a passage opening 10 of reduced cross section relative to the cross section of the two tubes 2, 3.
• the two tubes 2,3 have an oblong section, each having the shape of a flattened circle (FIG. 3), of internal section of the order of 50 to 80 mm 2 .
• the total height between the end 9 of the second tube 3 and the outer end 2b of the first tube 2 is of the order of 50 to 60 mm.
• the passage opening 10 of the end 9 of the second tube 3 is a circular orifice 2 to 2.5 mm in diameter, said end 9 having a thickness of the order of 2 mm.
• tubes 2,3 which have an identical cross section over their entire length. In practice, it may be advantageous to provide a certain increase in this section from their inner end 2a to their outer end 2b, for reasons of demolding when it is a single piece.
• the two tubes 2, 3 are closed by applying a certain pressure against the rectilinear walls 11, 12 of the two tubes 2, 3 so as to produce the flattening of said walls 11, 12 against each other in accordance with the representation of FIG. 4.
• liquid flows through the first tube 2 while air enters the bottle through the orifice 10 of passage, replacing the liquid that has run out.
• liquid can also escape through the orifice 10 until the pressure returns under normal conditions.
• Figure 5 is illustrated the locking device in position of the flexible piece on the outer edge 5 of the neck 6 of the bottle 7, said neck 6 being provided with a recessed flange 15 - sometimes called counter-ring - relative to the thread 14.
• This type of flange 15 is used in particular for the travel of the bottles from blowing to capping after filling.
• the locking device 13 consists of two elements cooperating with each other, namely a first gripping and support element 16 and a second locking element 17, both of annular shape, with the first element
• the first element 16 has a transverse wall 18, open in the middle so as to allow the passage of the two tubes 2, 3.
• the flexible part 4 is applied to the inner face 18a of this transverse wall 18 which is surmounted by a shoulder 19 forming with the inner face 18a a housing for the flexible part 4 and the outer edge 5 of the neck 6 of the bottle.
• the flexible part 4 of circular shape has at least one protuberance 93, and the shoulder 19 has a groove, shaped to allow the interlocking of said protuberance 43. It is also possible to obtain precise placement of the flexible part 4 in the first element 16. This placement is very important when the two tubes 2,3 have a non-circular section, for example oblong, and when it is a question of positioning them in a device for closing by crushing the two tubes.
• the first gripping element 16 has a prominence 20, in the form of a mushroom, projecting on either side of an annular wall 21, thus delimiting two bearing surfaces 22, 23 , the first surface 22 being turned towards the inside of said first element 16 and the second 23 being turned towards the outside, that is to say towards the second locking element 17.
• the annular wall 21 comprises a first portion 24 having a determined constant diameter D and a portion 25 ending in the prominence 20 having a diameter greater than D.
• the portion 25 is in fact made up of individual tongues 29 integral with the first portion 24 and generally forming a frustoconical volume, in normal position, each tongue being inclined at an angle.
• the second annular support element 17 has a diameter just greater than the aforementioned diameter D, so as to be arranged around and in the immediate vicinity of the external face of the annular wall 21 in its first portion 24.
• FIG 5 there is shown the position of the second element 17 relative to the first element 16 during the establishment of the locking device 13 on the neck 6 of the bottle.
• the diameter of the neck at the level of the collar 15 is such that it was possible to make said neck and the collar 15 penetrate into the interior recess of the first element 16, the second element 17 being against the first portion 24 of the annular wall 21 with its upper edge 28 against the base of the tabs 29.
• the second air return tube 3 is slightly shorter by 3 to 4 mm, compared to the first tube 2. This arrangement makes it possible to automatically re-prime the distribution of the liquid thanks to the difference in lift height in the two tubes.
• FIG. 7 illustrates a first alternative embodiment of a device for closing by crushing the two tubes.
• This device 31 comprises two arms 32, 33 each having a bent end respectively 34, 35. These two arms 32, 33 are pivotally mounted relative to an axis 36 located in the plane of symmetry DD 'of the two tubes 2, 3.
• the device 31 also includes a spring 37 which connects the two arms 32, 33 at their opposite end to the two elbows 34, 35.
• the two arms 32, 33 are shown in solid lines in the crushing position of the two tubes 2, 3 between their faces 32a and 33a facing each other; these two faces being brought together thanks to the action of the spring 37. This first position corresponds to the inactive position, closing the valve.
• the active position of the two arms 32, 33 has been shown in broken line, in which the user has brought the two bent ends 34, 35 together. This bringing together, by angular pivoting of the two arms 32, 33 around the axis 36, counteracting the action of the spring 37, has separated from one another the two faces 32a and 33a of the two arms 32, 33, allowing the two tubes 2, 3 to resume their initial shape and thus authorizing the passage of the liquid.
• the closing device 38 comprises a single arm 39 having a bent free end 40.
• This arm 39 is pivotally mounted relative to an axis 41 which is perpendicular to the general direction of the two tubes 2 , 3, said axis being on the end 39a of the arm 39, opposite the elbow 40.
• This arm 39 also includes a transverse upright 42 which faces the two tubes 2, 3.
• a fixed stop 43 is arranged on the other side of the two tubes 2, 3 relative to the transverse upright 42.
• a spring 44 extends between the arm 39 from an extension 45 of the bent end 40 to a fixed point 46, for example secured to the locking device in position of the tube / flexible part assembly.
• FIG. 8 is shown in solid lines the arrangement of the arm 39 in the inactive position, corresponding to the closing of the tap by crushing of the two tubes 2, 3 by the front end 42a of the transverse upright 42.
• the spring 44 pushes back from the fixed point 46 the extension 45 carried by the arm 39.
• the arrangement of the arm 39 in the active position is shown in broken lines.
• the user pushes the bent end 40 in the direction of arrow H, counteracting the action of the spring 44.
• This angular movement of the arm 39 around the axis 41 separates the transverse upright 42 from the two tubes 2, 3, which can return to their original shape and allow the distribution of the liquid
• the closure device 47 comprises two parts pivoting around two parallel axes, perpendicular to the general direction of the two tubes 2, 3.
• the first part is an actuating arm 48.
• the second part 50 comprises a or two bearing zones 51 and a crushing plate 53.
• a fixed stop 54 is disposed near the two tubes 2, 3 but opposite the crushing plate 53.
• a spring 55 connects the second part 50 and a fixed point 56, for example projecting from the outside face of the locking device in position of the tube / flexible part assembly.
• the actuating arm 48 has a bent portion 48a, actuable by the user, while another portion 48b comes against the bearing zone or zones 51.
• Figure 9 is shown the device 47 in the inactive position, that is to say in the valve closed position.
• the spring 55 pushes the second part 50, which correlatively causes the application of the crushing plate 53 against the tubes 2, 3 and the crushing of these against the fixed stop 54.
• the passage of this position in the active position is obtained by pressing the bent end 48a of the actuating arm 48 in the direction of the arrow J. This causes the angular pivoting of the actuating arm 48 about its axis during which the portion 48b of said arm 48 pushes the support zone or zones 51, thereby counteracting the action of the spring 55 and causing the second part 50 to pivot about its axis.
• the crushing plate 53 also pivots in the direction of the arrow K, which moves said plate 53 away from the fixed stop 54 and frees the two tubes 2, 3 which can resume their section initial and allow the liquid to flow.
• the closure device 47 also comprises a first body 80 supporting the stop 54 and on which the locking device 13 is fixed, for example by snap-fastening of the element 16 described above.
• a path of cam 82 cooperating with cutouts 83 formed on the lower part 29 of the second locking element 17.
• This cam path 82 and these cutouts 83 are determined so as to allow the sliding of the second element 17 in the first direction in the direction of the arrow G, as described above, then in a second step the rotation of the two elements 16 , 17 relative to each other and their relative locking in a position where the bearing surfaces 22, 23 are engaged on the upper edge 28 of the second element 17 and on the flange 15 of the neck 6.
• the assembly constituted by the blocking device 13 and this first body 80, once placed on the neck 6 of the bottle, can be used alone as a tap.
• the second part 51 is provided with a face 84 accessible to the user, perpendicular to the crushing plate 53 and which can act as an actuating arm.
• the actuating arm 48 forming the second pivoting part of the closure device 47, is mounted on a second body 85, which serves as a housing for the first body 80.
• This second body 85 is for example permanently fixed to a fixed support 86 and it suffices for the user, once he has placed the assembly constituted by the blocking device 13 and the first body 80 on the neck of the bottle, in the normal position, to return the latter and to introduce the first body 80 into the second body 85.
• the precise position of the two bodies 80, 85 is facilitated by one or more sets of lugs and grooves 86, made facing each other in the first 80 and the second body 85, the lug of one sliding in the corresponding groove 86 of the other.
• the cutouts 83 formed on the lower part 29 of the second blocking element are determined so that the sliding of the lug in the groove can take place only if the rotation of the two elements 16, 17 l ' one with respect to the other was carried out up to the final blocking position.
• the groove 86 formed in the first body 80 is concealed by a recess 92 formed in the lower part 29 of the element 17.
• the second body 85 has an opening 87, facing the two tubes 2,3; the actuating arm 48 has a closure surface 88, which completely obscures this opening 87 when the actuating arm 48 is in the inactive position.
• the closure surface 88 firstly releases a small part of the opening 87 which reveals the two tubes 2,3 still in the closed position, then there is proper passage from the inactive position to the active position with complete disengagement of the opening 87 and release of the two tubes 2,3.
• a return spring, integral with the second part 85 and the actuating arm 48 brings the closure surface 88 over the opening 87 from the folding of the actuating arm 48 and to the initial position; this return spring completes the action of the spring 55 secured to the second part 50. This complete closure protects the end of the tubes 2,3 from external pollution and improves the hygiene of the device.
• the fixed support 86 on which the second body 85 is permanently fixed can be an independent support placed on a table, fixed on a wall or even integrated in a piece of furniture, for example a refrigerated piece of furniture. It can be mounted inside the cabinet; in this case the user must open the cabinet door to be able to use it. It can be mounted outside the cabinet while the bottle is inside the cabinet, for example a cabinet with insulating enclosure and cooling or possibly heating system to maintain the liquid at a determined temperature. The user has access to the liquid, for example by a hatch made in an upright of the piece of furniture, the second body being fixed on the upper face of the hatch.
• a support flange 89 surmounted by a thread 90, in the upper part 85a of the second body 85.
• a recess being formed in the support 86, it suffices to penetrate the upper part 85a until the flange 89 abuts under the support 86 and to screw a threaded ring 91 onto the thread 90 until blocked on the support 86.
• the introduction of the first body 80 into the second body 85 is done by simple sliding, it is very easy for the user, between two periods of use, to remove the bottle equipped with its blocking device assembly 13 / first body 80 to place it in the refrigerator, or, as already mentioned above, to use the tap manually.
• the closing device 71 comprises two pieces pivoting around two parallel axes, perpendicular to the general direction of the two tubes 2, 3.
• the first piece is an actuating arm 61 pivoting with respect to the axis 62.
• the second part 63 pivoting with respect to the axis 65, supports two plates, respectively a support plate 66 and a crushing plate 67.
• a fixed stop 68 is disposed nearby two tubes 2, 3 but opposite the two support plates 66 and crushing 67.
• a spring 69 connects the support plate 66 and a fixed point 70 consisting for example in the outer face of the locking device in position of the tube / flexible part assembly.
• the actuating arm 61 has a bent end 61a which can be actuated by displacement of the container to be filled, while its other end 61b comes under the support plate 66.
• Figure 10 is shown the device 71 in the inactive position, that is to say in the valve closed position.
• the spring 69 pushes the support plate 66, which correlatively causes the application of the crushing plate 67 against the tubes 2, 3 and the crushing of the latter against the fixed stop 68.
• the transition from this position to the active position is obtained by moving the angled end 61a of the actuating arm 61 in the direction of the arrow L, when placing the container, in particular glass, under the two tubes 2, 3.
• the lower end 61a can be covered with an absorbent foam 72, washable, capable of absorbing the drop 73 which could possibly fall from the lower end of the tubes 2, 3 after use.
• an absorbent foam 72 washable, capable of absorbing the drop 73 which could possibly fall from the lower end of the tubes 2, 3 after use.
• the applicant has observed that, when in the inactive position the two tubes are filled with liquid, it is desirable to switch to the active position by energetic actuation of the device allowing the release of the two tubes 2,3.
• the rapid opening of the two tubes indeed promotes automatic re-priming of the phenomenon of air intake by the second tube.
• the tap is opened either by pushing backwards with the glass or the hand placed on the glass ( Figures 8, 10), or by pushing down with the finger ( Figure 9), either by pinching with the fingers ( Figure 7); it could also be by pushing upwards with the glass or with the hand holding the glass.
• the assembly constituted by the two flexible tubes and the flexible part is a one-piece assembly made of flexible plastic material, in particular of food grade silicone, obtained for example by molding. If necessary this piece may be disassembled, cleaned, sterilized or replaced. This is not necessary for the other component parts of the valve which do not have direct contact with the liquid.
• the length of the outer portions of the two tubes must be as short as possible so that there is little or no liquid in levitation in the tubes in the closed position. This height depends on the design of the closure system.
• the section of the second return air tube may be different from that of the first flow tube, but preferably these two sections are identical so as to have a symmetrical deformation at the level of the closure system. It should be noted that the larger the volume of air trapped in the second tube between the narrowed portion and the area passed through the closure system, the less this second tube is likely to fill with liquid in the closed position.
• the material of the two tubes must be able to deform easily under the action of the closure system, returning to its initial shape, allowing the liquid to flow, even after a long time of deformation. This is particularly the case for silicone.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
• Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=9513027

Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (1)

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• 1997
  • 1997-10-30 FR FR9713869A patent/FR2770606B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 1998
  • 1998-09-30 ES ES98946536T patent/ES2169556T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-09-30 AU AU93550/98A patent/AU9355098A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-09-30 WO PCT/FR1998/002096 patent/WO1999023029A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 1998-09-30 PT PT98946536T patent/PT1027278E/pt unknown
  • 1998-09-30 DE DE69802711T patent/DE69802711T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-09-30 EP EP98946536A patent/EP1027278B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-09-30 CA CA002311289A patent/CA2311289A1/en not_active Abandoned

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