FR2492037A1 - COMPOSITE CONTAINER, FAUCET FOR THE SAME, AND METHOD FOR FILLING THE SAME - Google Patents

Abstract

COMPOSITE CONTAINER, TAP FOR THE LATTER AND PROCESS FOR FILLING IT. THE TAP 10 INCLUDES A MOUNTING BODY 11 ATTACHED TO AN OUTER CARDBOARD ENCLOSURE 17 AND A HOLLOW TUBULAR PART 12 SEALED BY A FLANGE 15 TO AN INTERNAL SOFT BAG 14; THE TURNTABLE 10 IS MANEUVERABLE IN THE HOLLOW TUBULAR PART 12 AND THIS ASSEMBLY CAN SLIDE IN THE MOUNTING BODY 11 SO THAT THE TAP CAN BE TAPED OUT OR RELEASED AT WILL.

Description

The subject of the invention is a composite container

  for liquid and a valve for the latter.

  The container concerned by the invention comprises an inner bag made from a sheet of flexible material, preferably a plastic material, intended to contain a liquid and an outer envelope made of a relatively rigid material, preferably made of cardboard, the tap having a mounting member for attachment to a wall of the outer casing. The containers of this

  type are often called "a bag in a box".

  The invention is particularly applicable to containers for storing liquids which must be protected from contact with air, such as wine; it also relates to a method of filling such a container In a composite container, the bag is attached to the outer casing and a separate valve must be mounted before use. The tap pierces a membrane

  teardrop formed by the wall of the bag across a

  mounting member within which the bag is introduced and by which it is retained. The valve extends outside the outer casing and can not be removed while the bag contains liquid, which is the cause of

  storage and storage difficulties.

  In another known container, a tap is

  initially attached to the bag but when placed in

  in the outer shell, it can not be

  easily pushed inside for storage.

  The main purpose of the invention is to provide a tap for a bag-type container in a box that

  you can easily push back inside the container.

  This object is achieved, according to the invention, using a valve as defined above, comprising a hollow tubular portion which has an end capable of being placed in communication with the interior volume of the inner bag and

  which is axially movable with respect to the body of

  stage, with a valve arranged to close a liquid outlet opening at the other end of the tubular portion. The hollow tubular part of the valve can be moved by sliding inside the mounting member

  so that it can easily be pulled through this

  deny to a position where the outlet opening is unobstructed, or pushed back so that no part of the faucet

  does not project outside the mounting member.

  The tap may be contoured to fit snap-fit into a socket surrounding an opening

made in the bag.

  The invention also covers a method of filling

  wise and closing the inner bag of a composite container

  site for liquid, wherein the bag is filled through an opening surrounded by a socket and, after filling, the bag is closed by a snap fit of

tap in this socket.

  The invention also covers a composite liquid container comprising an inner bag made from a sheet of flexible material to contain a liquid and an outer shell made from a sheet of material

  relatively rigid, fitted with a tap as defined above.

  with a hollow tubular portion assembled with the inner bag and a mounting member attached to a wall of

the outer envelope.

  The outer casing may be formed with a false bottom which is inclined towards the location where the mounting member is located, so that the bag can be

easily emptied of its contents.

  We will now only give as examples

  without limitation, a description of two modes

  embodiment of the invention. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a valve according to the invention,

  FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view through

  to the valve of a composite liquid container provided with the valve illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a valve according to the invention, shown in connection with an enclosure exterior of a container, - Figures 4 and 5 are detail views of the tap

illustrated in Figure 3.

  The tap shown in FIG. 1 comprises four parts: a turn 10, a mounting member 11, a hollow tubular portion 12 and a stop ring 13.

  parts are shown separately in Figure 1 and together

  each other in Figure 2.

  As can be seen from the latter, a bag 14 is fixed by a stop ring 13 at the rear of a flange which is integral with the portion 12. In an alternative embodiment, the bag 14 could be simply sealed with

  the flange 15 by a hot gluing junction.

  The mounting member 11 is fixed in a hole

  provided in a corrugated envelope 17.

  The turn 10 fits into the tubular portion 12 and is retained by a flexible rib 19 which engages behind an inner shoulder 18 formed in this portion 12. During transport, the turn 10 is engaged in the portion 12 but this and the turn 10 are pushed into the mounting member 11 until notches 21 provided on this turn come into cooperation with protuberances 22 formed inside the mounting member. The mouth of the mounting member 11 is closed by a tearable membrane whose remains are visible

  in Figure 2 and designated by reference 9.

  For use, the membrane 9 is torn and the turn 10 is pulled so that grooves 23 of

  the tubular portion 12 cooperate with the protuberances 22.

  Additional traction makes it possible to reach the state shown in FIG. 2 where protrusions 24 formed on the mounting member 11 are engaged in grooves 25 dug in part 12 in order to retain it at its end.

  position in the axial direction. As Exhibits 11 and 12 are

  made of flexible plastic material, the part 12 can be pushed inwards under the effect of a thrust exerted

  on the turn 10 so that the tap is moved back to the inte

  The bag 14 visible in FIG. 2 rests on an inclined false bottom 26 of the container 17. In this way, the bag 14 can be emptied almost completely of its contents.

  content without the need to tilt the container 17.

  The turn 10 has an exit hole 27 and a scraper element 28 which fits on the circular edge 31 of the portion 12 while the latter also has a hole 29. When the turning is operated with a element

  30, the holes 27 and 29 can be

  correspondance so that the liquid flows out of the bag 14.

  When we turn again so that the holes do not match

  lay more, the scraper element comes to put on the hole

  29 that it closes with respect to the outside.

  The bag 14 can be filled in a conventional manner.

  only through an opening provided in one of its edges, which is sealed after filling. However, it is preferable to fill the bag 14 through the opening of the portion 12 while the turn is removed from it. After filling, turn 10 to seal the contents

of the bag 14.

  Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5

  to describe a second embodiment of the invention.

  In this case the valve comprises a mounting member 40 and a hollow tubular portion 42 with a turn 44 which adjusts to the end of the portion 42. A ring 46 is sealed to an inner bag 48 of plastic material around an opening 50 formed in the latter. The ring 46 can

  be sealed to bag 48 by any appropriate method, for example

  sealed by heat sealing. Before continuing the description,

  it will be pointed out that the bag 48 can be advantageously filled with

by opening 50.

  The mounting member 40, the tubular portion 42, and the turn 44 constitute an assembled unit, prior to joining to the bag 48. The mounting member 40 has a collar 52 which has a non-circular peripheral groove 54 in which the edge of a corresponding notch 56 cut in the carton of the outer envelope 58. When

  the mounting member has been adjusted in this way in the

  at 56, it can no longer rotate relative to the envelope.

  The mounting member 40 has an axial hole in which the tubular portion 42 can slide. Note that the latter is frustoconical and that the diameter of its

  outer end is smaller than that of its outer

  inside. This mounting member 40 is provided with

  resilient tabs 60 surrounding its central opening.

  The outer end of the tubular portion 42 fits freely in the mounting member 40, but as this portion slides through the mounting member, the truncated cone begins to spread the tabs 60 until 'they come to engage with aearéte 62 lying

  at the right end of the tubular portion 42. This engagement

  the elastic part makes it possible to firmly hold the tubular part

  to its extended position, ready for liquid distribution. The truncated cone ensures that the transition up

  this commitment position is done gently.

  Because the tubular portion 42 is truncated

  that the tabs 60 do not retain it except when they come to engage with the edge 62, so that they do not interfere with the displacement in the axial direction of this part

tubular in the mounting member.

  Ribs 64 provided on the tubular part 42 engage in grooves 66 formed in the mounting member 40 and prevent the portion 42 from rotating during

  they slide in the mounting member.

  Turn 44 is provided with an annular shoulder

  68 which engages behind a corresponding inner shoulder formed in the tubular portion 42 so that the turn is held in place. The turn is tubular in the whole and it has through its side wall a

  outlet opening 70 which is arranged to come into

  with an opening 72 provided in the wall of the tubular portion 42. When the turn 44 has been adjusted in the latter part, it can rotate between a

  position in which the holes 70 and 72 are in correspondence

  dance, for the distribution of the liquid, and a position in which they are no longer in correspondence, when the valve is closed. The turn has an operating means 74 by which it can be rotated relative to the part

  hollow 42, to open and close the tap.

  The operating means 74 also serves to lock the valve in its retracted position inside the box. To put the valve in this position of retraction, it is first exerted on it in an axial direction so that the tongues 60 move backwards to the edge 62. Then the tubular portion 42 is pushed directly to through the mounting member. When the means of maneuvering with respect to the latter member the orientation visible in Figure 3, its outermost wings 76 slide in grooves 78 formed in the mounting member. These wings 76 may be trapezoldal so that their engagement is facilitated with the grooves 78 which terminate in a circumferentially widened zone 80 so that, when the turn has been completely pushed into its housing, they can turn a small value (which is insufficient to match the openings 70 and 72) in order to

  to lock the maneuvering means inside the orga-

  do not mount-. This arrangement can be considered as being

  bayonet type. When the means of maneuver is ver-

  rusted in this way, its outer edge is flush with the outer face of the collar 52 of the mounting member 40. As this outer face of the collar is virtually flush with the surface of the container 58,

  we can see that nothing is protruding from the over-

outer face of the latter.

  Before sale, the front face of the mounting member 40 may be covered with a tear-off warranty sheet to prevent fraudulent removal of the contents. This warranty sheet must be torn for use, after which it can be taken out or made

  return the tap as often as you want. In part-

  When it is desirable to keep the container in a refrigerator, it is possible to put the tap in its retracted position so that it is no longer projecting at

the outside of the container.

  When the valve has been assembled and the bag has been filled, the right end of the tubular portion 42 is simply inserted into the ring 46 and the elements

  cooperating together on the two

  give the assurance that they are connected in such a way

  permanently fluid-tight.

  When the tap has been put in its extended position

  the rotational movement of the operating means 74 is limited by the cooperation of a flange 80A which extends radially on a fraction of a circle, on the turn 44 and a finger 82 projecting from the left end of the tubular portion 42, or by a similar arrangement acting between

cinnamon and the tubular part.

  In the embodiment of Figures 3, 4 and 5, there is no scraper element corresponding to the scraper element 28 of the example of Figures 1 and 2 but it would be possible to provide one. However, in a variant, FIG. 5 makes it possible to see how the opening 72 formed in the tubular part 42 is made with a widely diverging mouth which prevents drops of liquid being

  held by the edges of this opening.

  As can be seen in FIG. 4, the flanges which limit the one and the other sides of the groove 54 have different depths corresponding to the thickness of the groove.

  carton which constitutes the bottom 86 of the outer casing 58.

  The filled bag 48 to which the valve of FIG. 3 has been attached is introduced into the box 58 when it is in the state shown, ie when the bottom flap 84 has not yet been folded back to its position. The bag is held above the base 86 of the container and the tap is lowered through the opening 88, so that the

  mounting 40 can be reassembled into the cut notch 56.

  When the mounting member has been put in its correct position in the latter, the flap 84 can be raised and glued.

  at its position so that the tap is held in its place.

  The mounting member 40 further has a channel 90 with a trapezoidal cross-section so that any liquid that drips from the tap in the retracted state is directed outside this member, where it can be wiped off, rather than imprisoned.

  in an inaccessible part of the same organ.

  It should be noted that the embodiment of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 can be used with a container having a

  false bottom 26 as in the case of Figure 2.

  For ease of understanding, it will be appreciated that the hollow tubular portion has a first end which is its inner end which communicates with the interior volume of the inner bag. In the second example described above, it is this first end that is

  bigger than the other end.

Claims (16)

  1. Liquid composite container valve comprising an inner bag made from a sheet of flexible material to contain the liquid and an outer shell made from a relatively rigid material, the valve having a mounting member adapted to be fixed in a wall of the outer casing; characterized in that it comprises a hollow inner portion (12, 42) which has a first end adapted to communicate with the interior volume of the inner bag (14, 48) and which is axially displaceable relative to the mounting member (11, 40) and a turn (10, 44) arranged to close a liquid outlet opening (29, 72) located at the other   end of this tubular part.   2. Tap according to claim 1 characterized in that the tubular portion (12. 42) is movable in the axial direction between two extreme positions, one in which no part of the valve is projecting beyond the outer face of the mounting member (11, 40) and the other wherein a gripping or operating means (30, 74) of the turn (10, 44) and a fraction of the hollow tubular portion (12, 42) containing the outlet opening of the liquid (29, 72) projects beyond the outer face of the the mounting member.   3. Tap according to claim 2 characterized in that the hollow tubular portion (12, 42) can be placed   in its second position by an elastic engagement.   4. Tap according to any one of the claims   2, 3 characterized in that the tubular portion (12,42)   can be locked in its first position.   5. Tap according to any one of the claims   1 to 4, characterized in that the tubular portion (12, 42) is axially slidable within the mounting member. 6. Tap according to claim 5 characterized in that the tubular portion (12, 42) and the mounting member (11, 40) have complementary profiles preventing the party   tubular to rotate in the mounting member.   7. Faucet according to one of claims cuelconaue   1 to 6 characterized in that the tubular portion (42) is truncated   conical and larger at its first end than at its other end.   8. Tap according to one of the preceding claims   1 to 7 characterized in that the mounting member (40) is profiled to be engaged with a wall (58) of an outer casing without being rotatable relative thereto.   9. Tap according to any one of the claims   1 to 8 characterized in that the liquid outlet opening (29, 72) is an opening through the wall of the tubular portion (12, 42) and the turn comprises a tubular region (10, 44) of internally adjusting to the tubular portion and having an opening (27, 70) adapted to match the outlet opening (29, 72) in a turning position.   10. Tap according to claims 9 and 4 together   characterized in that the locking of the tubular portion (42) at its first position is achieved by a bayonet type engagement which is between the operating means (76) and the mounting member (40), resulting engagement of a rotation of the operating means whose importance is of a lesser degree than that which is necessary to open   the liquid outlet opening (29, 72).   11. Tap according to any one of the claims   1 to 10 characterized in that the largest end of the tubular portion (42) is capable of being assembled by a   elastic latching inside a bushing (46)   filling opening (50) of a bag (48) so that   to achieve a liquid-tight assembly.   12. Tap according to claim 9 characterized in   the edges of the outlet opening (72) are chamfered   born to the outside of the tubular portion (42).   13. Tap according to claim 9 characterized in that aue the tubular region (10) comprises a scraper element (28) arranged to wipe and seal the outside of the opening (29) formed through the wall of the part tubular (12).   he 14. Composite liquid container characterized in that it is equipped with a valve according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.   15. Composite container of liquid according to the claim   14 characterized in that the outer shell (17) has a false bottom (26) which is inclined towards the body mounting (11).   16. A method of filling and closing the inner bag of a composite container according to any one of   Claims 14, 15, characterized in that it introduces   the liquid in the bag (48) through the opening (50) of this bag surrounded by a sleeve (46) sealed to the wall of the latter and, after filling, is mounted on this sleeve, to close the bag, by snapping the tubular portion (42) of a valve according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.