GB2096284A

GB2096284A - Improvements in and relating to press taps

Info

Publication number: GB2096284A
Application number: GB8209162A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Waddington and Duval Ltd
Current assignee: Waddington and Duval Ltd
Priority date: 1981-03-30
Filing date: 1982-03-29
Publication date: 1982-10-13
Also published as: IT8220355A0; CA1176217A; AU8199482A; NZ200030A; ES276367U; IT8220355A1; GB2096284B; AU544350B2; BR8201752A; ES276367Y; FR2502726A1; FR2502726B1; ES273382Y; DE3212232A1; IT1151362B; ES273382U; AR229259A1

Abstract

A push button (22) acts to open a valve member (20) which is biassed to the closed position, the valve member being for normal operation of the tap; also operated by the push button is a seal opening means (36); the seal opening means being actuated to open a tap inlet (34) on initial operation only of the push button; the seal opening means may either pierce a diaphragm (14) in or adjacent the inlet or cause a plug to open. The arrangement ensures an added protection against oxygen penetrating into a container fitted with the tap and is particularly useful for wine containers. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to press taps The present invention relates to taps of the kind used for containers, particularly containers which carry liquids such as table wine which deteriorate in storage due to the ingress of oxygen. Such taps have a casing with an inlet and an outlet, a valve to control fluid flowing from the inlet to the outlet, the valve having a valve member biassed to its closed position and movable to an open position by a push button.

Known taps for such a use pierce diaphragms which are attached across the gland into which the tap fits. These diaphragms prevent the ingress of oxygen before initial use. Often it is convenient to fill the container through this gland but in this case problems have been found in the subsequent provision of the sealing diaphragm.

Other known taps for piercing containers normally have a sharp hollow perforated spigot on the tap which is driven into the container to pierce the container or container seal. These taps derive from the very well known cask tap. Such a piercing action requires a positive action separate from any action relating to the operation of the tap itself and usually requires a robust tap construction such that the tap itself is not damaged during the piercing action.

According to the present invention, the push button also acts to operate a seal opening means designed either to pierce a sealing diaphragm in or adjacent the inlet or to open a sealing plug in the inlet, the seal opening means being operable to unseal the inlet only on the first movement of the push button to open the valve.

The tap according to the invention has the advantage that prior to initial operation of the tap and during storage sealing means that is the diaphragm or plug provides added protection for the contents of the container to which the tap is fitted. Furthermore, when the tap inlet is provided with a diaphragm, or alternatively with a plug, the additional sealing against oxygen ingress is obtained when the tap is inserted, rather than from a diaphragm on the container. The once and for all action of the tap unsealing arrangements ensures better valve operations since all of the press effort on the push button in subsequent valve operations is directed to only valve operation and the valve cannot be held inadvertently open due to parts of pierced diaphragms jamming the seal opening means.

The seal opening means is advantageous in that the oxygen barrier is substantially improved over known taps. In the case of the plug or when the diaphragm is fitted to the tap no special equipment is required in the winery where the containers are filled.

The seal opening means may be axially movable at an angle preferably 900, to the movement axis of the valve means or alternatively the valve means and seal opening means may be movable in axially parallel or coaxial directions.

This embodiment is particularly simple to manufacture.

In one embodiment of the invention the sealing diaphragm may be attached to the tap casing over the tap inlet or in other embodiments the diaphragm may be attached to the container over the gland on the container into which the tap fits.

The tap according to one embodiment of the invention has the advantage that on first dispersing from the tap, the container is pierced by the action of pressing on the push button. This is a simple operation and the construction of the tap is such that the tap is simple and economic to manufacture.

The piercing means can be formed as a simple one part member comprising a piercing head having a piercing edge at its outer extremity, one or more fins to keep the pierced diaphragm open and a resilient actuating portion which when pressed at an angle, preferably 900, to the axis of the head causes the head to move away from the push button into the diaphram to be pierced. The actuating portion preferably comprises a fork which is biassed towards the push button and which engages over the valve member.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a cross section of a tap according to a first embodiment of the invention fitted in a container gland and with the tap in the closed position and the container unpierced, Fig. 2 is a similar cross section to Figure 1 showing the tap of Figure 1 operated to open the tap and to pierce the container, Fig. 3 is a plan view of a piercing means or piercing strap for the tap of Figure 1 prior to assembly in the tap, Fig. 4 is a cross section of the piercing means or strap of Figure 3, Fig. 5 is a cross section of a tap according to a second embodiment of the invention, Fig. 6 is a cross section of a tap according to a third embodiment of the invention taken through the axes of the valve and seal opening means, Fig. 7 is a cross section of the tap of Figure 3 in the open position, Fig. 8 is a cross section of a tap according to a fourth embodiment of the invention taken through the axes of the valve and seal opening means, Fig. 9 is a cross section of the tap of Fig. 8 in the open position, Fig. 10 is a cross section of a tap according to a fifth embodiment of the invention taken through a common axis of the valve and seal opening means, and Fig. 11 is a cross section of a tap according to a sixth embodiment of the invention showing the tap in a similar position to Fig. 9.

In Figures 1 and 2 can be seen the assembled tap 2 fitted into a gland 3. The tap comprises a body 4 having a cylindrical valve casing portion 5 in which is a tap outlet 6 and cylindrical inlet portion 8. The axis 10 of the inlet portion is at right angles to the axis 12 of the inlet portion 8.

The inlet portion 8 fits into the gland 3 in turn fitted into a container (not shown) and a sealing diaphragm 14 of suitable plastics film is heat welded onto gland flange 1 5 and across the outer extremity 1 6 of the inlet portion. Alternatively the diaphragm may only extend across the outer extremity 16 and be welded to the annular surface 1 7 of the outer extremity 1 6.

The tap has a valve member 20 which is sprung onto a seating 24 by means of a resilient push button 22 which is snap fitted to a valve stem 23 joined to the valve member 20. The seating 24 is an annular portion from which extends a cylindrical extension or thrust block 26.

Mounted within the inlet portion 8 so as to be slidabie in the direction of axis 10 is a seal opening means formed as a piercing means or member 30. Member 30 is guided between guide ribs 32 and 33 extending from either side of the cylindrical inner surface 34 of the inlet portion.

The piercing member 30 has a head 36 at the outer extremity of which are two piercing points or edges 38 (see Fig. 3). The head also has four fins 40 which act to keep the diaphragm open once pierced.

Extending from the head is flat part which is hinged at 42, 43 and 44 to form a triangular shaped resilient actuating portion. Hinge 43 forming an apex of the triangle is arranged to be acted on by an inner body portion 50 of push button 22. Flat sections 45, 46 and 48 of the piercing member forms sides to the triangle between hinges 42, 43 and 44 respectively. A slot 47 extends between sections 48, 46 and 45 so that when the piercing member is fitted into the body 4 it fits across and engages with valve member 20. The section 48 rests on thrust block 26. Section 48 has a hole 52 which engages with a protrusion or peg 53 on the head and acts to hold the head in the unoperational position shown in Fig. 1 to prevent the head piercing the diaphragm before first operation of the push button.

To operate the tap initially push button 22 is pushed to the position shown in Fig. 2. This causes body 50 to act on hinge 43 and section 46 to flatten the triangular actuating portion and force the head 36 away from the valve member 20 along axis 10 into the diaphragm 14. At the same time peg 53 jumps out of hole 52. The piercing points 38 rupture the diaphragm and the fins 40 lodge in the ruptured hole in the diaphragm to hold this hole open. Thus liquid in the container is enabled to flow to the interior of inlet portion 8 and into body 4 where it can flow through the now open outlet 6.

On releasing the push button the valve member is sprung back by the deformation of the push button and the valve outlet closes. The piercing member normally remains lodged with its head in the ruptured hole of the diaphragm.

The piercing member is formed of polypropylene and the tap body is conveniently formed of the same material or of high density polyethylene.

It will be appreciated that the peg 53 and hole 52 act to stop the piercing member from premature rupturing of the diaphragm and the initial operation of the push button requires a rather greater effort than in normal use.

Conventionally the tap is disposed behind a tear-out section of a cardboard box enclosing the container. The tap has to be extracted and fitted into place in a slot in the cardboard box before use. The extra thrust required for initial use of the tap is a safeguard against piercing the diaphragm during this fitting process.

In Fig. 5 showing a second embodiment the tap 62 is fitted into a gland 63. The tap has a cylindrical body 64 with an outlet 66 and inlet 68.

The inlet has an axis 70 at right angles to the axis 72 of the outlet. The inlet 68 is surrounded by a cylindrical portion 74 which fits into the gland 63.

Within the interior of the body 64 is a valve member 78 having a valve stem 80 which is fixed to a pressure button 82. The valve member seats on a seating 84.

Within the inlet portion 74 is a seal opening means formed as a piercing member 86 with fins 88 and piercing points 90 similar in formation and function to those shown at 40 and 38 in the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

A plastics diaphragm 92 is welded across the outer extremity 94 of the inlet portion 74 and across the inlet 68.

In initial operation the operator pushes the press button 82 to pierce the diaphragm, the piercing member 86 pierces the diaphragm and remains lodged in the diaphragm. The fins 88 enable liquid to reach the valve member 78 which is then operated to open or shut the outlet as required.

In the third embodiment as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the tap is formed with a valve body 101, a resilient press button 102 acting on a valve stem 103 movable in axis 104. The press button 102 has chamfered socket portions 105. The valve stem 103 has on its outer end a valve member 106 shown seated in Fig. 6 on conical seating 107. Valve member 106 seals the outlet 108 of the tap and is the valve member for controlling the normal or repetitive opening of the tap.

Axially movable in axis 109 at 900 to axis 104 is a seal opening means 110 which seals in the manner of a piston or plug on the inner cylindrical surface 111 of gland engaging portion 112 of body 101. The gland itself is shown at 113. The plug 110 has an operating stem 114 provided with an engagement surface 11 5 which is angled at 450 to the axes 104 and 109.

In operation the first time the tap is used the operator presses button 102, chamfered portion 105 then depresses and acts on surface 11 5 to press stem 114 and thus plug 110 outward so that tap inlet 116 is opened. Stem 114 is supported by thrust portion 117 and suitably by a rib or ribs 118. At the same time tap outlet 108 is opened and liquid is allowed to flow from the container (not shown) through the tap inlet past the stem 114 and out of the tap outlet. On release of the press button 102 the outlet is closed but the inlet remains open.

In the fourth embodiment the tap is formed with a valve body 1 21, a resilient press button 122 acting on a valve stem 123 movable in axis 1 24. The press button 122 has a socket portion 125. The valve stem 123 has on its outer end a valve member 1 26 shown seated in Figure 8 on conical seating 127. Valve member 126 seals outlet 128 of the tap and is the valve member for controlling the normal or repetitive opening of the tap.

Axially movable in axis 129 at 900 to axis 124 is a seal opening means or plug 130 which seals in the manner of a piston or plug on the inner cylindrical surface 131 of gland engaging portion 132 of body 121. The gland itself is shown at 133. The plug 130 has a stem 134 which has a triangular actuating portion 135 the construction and function of which is the same as the triangular shaped resilient actuating portion as shown in the first embodiment and is formed by flat sections 145, 146 and 148 numbered the same as in the first embodiment. Portion 135 is hinged in the same way at 142, 143 and 144 and abuts on thrust member 137. Stem 134 slides between ribs 138 and 139.

In operation, the first time the tap according to the fourth embodiment is used, the operator presses button 122, socket portion 125 acts on triangular portion 1 35 to press second valve stem 134 and thus plug 130 outward so that tap inlet 136 is opened. At the same time tap outlet 128 is opened and liquid is allowed to flow from the container (not shown) through the tap inlet, past the stem 1 34 and out of the tap outlet. On release of the press button 122, outlet is closed but the protrusion or peg 1 53 prevents the valve member 1 30 from re-entering and sealing the tap inlet 136.

In the fifth embodiment as shown in Fig. 10 the tap is formed with a valve body 161, a resilient press button 1 62 acting on a valve stem 163 movable in axis 1 64. The valve stem 163 has on its outer end a valve member 1 66 shown seated in Figure 10 on conical seating 167. Valve member 1 66 seals the outlet 1 68 of the tap and is the valve means for sealing the normal or repetitive opening of the tap.

Coaxiai with the valve stem 163 and movable in the common axis 164 is a seal opening means or plug 170 which seals in the manner of a piston or plug on the inner cylindrical surface 171 of gland engaging portion 172 of body 161. The gland itself is shown at 173. Plug 170 has an operating stem 174 the inner end 175 of which engages with valve member 166.

In operation the first time the tap is used the operator presses button 1 62 so that stems 1 63 and 1 74 move towards the tap inlet 176 and tap inlet 176 is opened. At the same time tap outlet 1 68 is opened and liquid is allowed to flow from the container (not shown) through the tap inlet past the stem 1 74 and out of the tap outlet. On release of the press button 1 62 the outlet is closed but the inlet normally remains open.

In the third, fourth and fifth embodiments the plug is suitably formed from polypropylene or from low or high density polyethylene. The tap body is suitably formed from polyethylene.

A further advantage of the plug or piston type arrangement is that certain containers may be filled with a hot liquid at 800 to 900C which if allowed to contact the components of the valve means before cooling could affect these components to their detriment. Thus the plug acts also as a protection for the valve means.

In Figure 11 a further embodiment is shown in which a relatively large gland 3' of internal diameter D, of the order of 30mm is provided with a tap 2' having an inlet body external diameter d of the order of 16mm and an internal diameter d' of about 13mm. The tap is mounted in a gland sleeve member 200 having of course the diameter D.

The arrangement with differing diameters D and d' may be applied to the piercing or plug version.

The purpose of this further embodiment is that some authorities hold that it is detrimental to wine to fill it into a container at a high velocity. At the same time, it is important to keep the inlet with diameter d' as small as possible to prevent oxygen ingress. By providing a large diameter D and a small diameter d' where D is about 30mm and d' is about 13 mm the optimum characteristics are obtained.

Preferably D is in the range 20 to 40mm, d' is in the range 10 to 16mm and the ratio of dt/D is between 1/2 to 1.

Claims

1. A tap having a casing with an inlet and an outlet, a valve to control fluid flowing from the inlet to the outlet, the valve having a valve member biassed to its closed position and movable to an open position by a push button, the push button also acting to operate a seal opening means designed either to pierce a sealing diaphragm in or adjacent the inlet or to open a sealing plug in the inlet, the seal opening means being operable to unseal the inlet only on the first movement of the push button to open the valve.

2. A tap as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the seal opening means is formed as a unitary member comprising a piercing head having at least one piercing protrusion at its outer extremity, and one or more fins to keep the pierced diaphragm open, the or each fin being provided adjacent the piercing head.

3. A tap as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the seal opening means is formed as a unitary member with the sealing plug formed on its head, the head sliding from a duct portion adjacent the inlet to an unsealed position outside the inlet.

4. A tap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the push button is operable to move the valve member along a path at substantially 900 to the axis of movement of the seal opening means.

5. A tap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the seal opening means comprises a first portion on which is provided a piercing protrusion at its outer extremity or a sealing plug, a second portion hinged at a first hinge to the first portion and extending toward the push button, a third portion hinged at a second hinge to the second portion with a slot transverse the second hinge and extending through the second and third portions, the third portion extending away from the push button and hinged at a third hinge to a fourth portion, the fourth portion extending towards the inlet and parallel to and lying against the first portion with a slot in and extending through the fourth portion, a valve stem extending from the valve member through the slot in the fourth portion and the second hinge to the push button, and wherein guide means are provided in the interior of the casing on either side adjacent the inlet which act to guide the first portion toward the inlet on first pressing the push button.

6. A tap as claimed in Claim 5 wherein retention means are provided between the first and fourth portions for holding the first and fourth portions in temporary engagement before first pressing the push button, the retention means comprising a projection on one portion and a projection receiving recess on the other portion.

7. A tap as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the guide means comprise a pair of longitudinally laterally spaced ribs extending from each side of the inner side of the casing adjacent the inlet.

8. A tap as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 7 wherein a thrust receiving means is provided between the push button and valve seating, the thrust receiving means providing a surface against which an inner portion of the fourth portion rests.

9. A tap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the seal opening means is slidable along an axis coaxial with the axis of movement of the valve member.

10. A tap as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the valve member acts against the seal opening means.

11. A tap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the push button is connected to valve member by a valve stem and is movable in a first axis to open the valve, the push button or stem having an operating abutment thereon, wherein the seal opening means is movable in a second axis to open the seal, the seal opening means also having an operating abutment thereon, the operating abutments co-acting so that as the push button is pushed initially to open the valve the seal opening means is pushed outwards to unseal the inlet.

12. A tap according to any one of Claims 1 to 11 wherein the tap is mounted in a gland receiving sleeve, the tap inlet having a small interior diameter (d'), the gland sleeve having a large external diameter (D), the large diameter being at least twice as large as the small diameter.

13. A tap substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A tap substantially as described with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

1 5. A tap substantially as described with reference to Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

1 6. A tap substantially as described with reference to Figures 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.

1 7. A tap substantially as described with reference to Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.

1 8. A tap substantially as described with reference to Figure 11 of the accompanying drawings.