GB2182915A - Protective cap - Google Patents

Abstract

A protective cap for a fluid dispensing mechanism comprises a cup of resilient material shaped so as to provide a push-fit over at least the outer portion of the mechanism to be protected. The cup has a panel 10 extending longitudinally thereof and defined by lines of weakening 12 thus providing a tear strip which can be readily broken when it is desired to remove the cap for access to the dispensing mechanism. The mechanism may be the tap of a soft drink concentrate container. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Protective cap This invention relates to a protective cap and is particularly concerned with a protective cap for a fluids dispensing mechanism such as a valve or tap.

Fluids are frequently transported in portable containers to a final station at which they are released from their containers either in their entirety to empty the containers or in discrete quantities. The fluids are frequently dispensed from the containers via a valve ortap. It is importantto protectthevalve ortapfrom inadvertent opening or damage during transportto the final station. On the other hand, any protection placed overthe valve ortap must be readily removable to allow dispensing ofthefluid.

For example, soft drinks mixers are often supplied as concentrates to bars, where they are mixed with the appropriate quantities of water to provide a ready supply of on-top mixers for addition to alcoholic beverages. The concentrates are transported in valved containers and the contents are released through the valves atthe bar. Itis highlydesirableto protect the valves from damage during transit so that no leakage occurs, especially ifthe concentrate is under pressure as may be the case with carbonated mixers.

The present invention seeks to provide protection for such valves, or taps, which can be readily removed when it is desired to dispense the contents of the containers fitted with the valve or tap.

According to this invention we provide a protect ive cap for a fluid dispensing mechanism comprising a cup of resilient material shaped so as to provide a push-fit over at least the outer portion of the mechanism to be protected, the cup having a panel extending longitudinally thereof defined by lines of weakening so as to provide a tear strip which can be readily broken when it is desired to remove the cap from the fluid dispensing mechanism.

The cup mayforexample be made ofsemi-rigid plastics or rubber. The lines of weakening may be provided by continuous or discontinuous scoring along a portion of along the entire length ofthe cup, extending from the rim to the base. Conveniently, a projecting grip may be provided extending from the tear strip adjacent the rim of the cup.

One form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded side view of a valve for a soft drinks concentrate container and a protective cap therefor; Figure2 is an enlarged end view of the protective cap; and Figure 3 is a plan view of the cap of Figure 2 inthe direction of arrow 111 of Figure 2.

Figure 1 shows a valve 2 adapted to be fitted to a suitable partofthe peripheryofa container(not shown) fora soft drinks concentrate. The valve is in- tended to mate with a female member provided at a suitable location, for example, at a bar, to release the concentrate for admixture with the diluting agent such as water. A cap 4 is provided for the projecting end ofthe valve 2. Cap 4 is of resilient plastics material, although other materials such as rubber could be employed. The cap is in the form of a cup dimensioned so as to be a push fit over the end of valve 2.

Thus the cup4will distorttofitsnuglyoverthe 0- ring 6 and inner extremity 9 offlared portion 8 ofthe valve, thus protecting the valve during transit. The cup has a panel 10, extending longitudinallythereof, bounded by lines of weakening 1 2, which are in the form of cuts 14 in the outer surface of the cup extending partly, but not completely, through the plastics.

The cuts 14 extend from the rim 15 ofthe cup tothe base 16. That part of panel 10 atthe rim 15 has a grip portion 18 extending at right angles to the cup.

In use, a person wishing to remove the protective capfrom thevalve, grips the portion 18 and pulls away the tear strip thus reieasing the cap, which can then be thrown away as having fulfilled its purpose.

In the absence of such a tear strip, it is extremely difficult to remove the cap because of its snug fit on the valve, especially against the O-ring 6 which may have swollen during transit, for example due totem- perature changes or build up of pressure as a result of slight leakage from the valve. It will be appreciated that the invention allows a well fitting protection cap to be used which is difficultto dislodge inadvertently, while still allowing easy access two thevaive when desired.

1. A protective cap for a fluid dispensing mechanism comprising a cup of resilient material shaped so as to provide a push-fit over at leastthe outer portion ofthe mechanism to be protected, the cup having a panel extending longitudinally thereof defined by lines of weakening so as to provide a tear strip which can be readily broken when it is desired tore- move the cap from the fluid dispensing mechanism.

2. A cap according to claim 1 of semi-rigid plastics or rubber.

3. Acapaccordingto claim 1 or2,whereinthe lines of weakening comprise continuous ordiscontinuous scoring along at least a portion ofthe length ofthe cup extending from the rim thereof.

4. Acap according to claim 1,2 or3comprising a projecting grip extending from the tear strip adjacent the rim ofthe cup.

5. A container having a fluid dispensing mechanism fitted with a protective cap according to any one ofthe preceding claims.

6. A container according to claim Swhereinthe fluid dispensing mechanism is a valve.

7. A container according to claim 6 wherein the valve has an 0 ring and a flared portion on which the cupofthe protective cap fists snugly.

8. A protective cap for a fluid dispensing mechanism substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings and described herein with reference thereto.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Protective cap This invention relates to a protective cap and is particularly concerned with a protective cap for a fluids dispensing mechanism such as a valve or tap. Fluids are frequently transported in portable containers to a final station at which they are released from their containers either in their entirety to empty the containers or in discrete quantities. The fluids are frequently dispensed from the containers via a valve ortap. It is importantto protectthevalve ortapfrom inadvertent opening or damage during transportto the final station. On the other hand, any protection placed overthe valve ortap must be readily removable to allow dispensing ofthefluid. For example, soft drinks mixers are often supplied as concentrates to bars, where they are mixed with the appropriate quantities of water to provide a ready supply of on-top mixers for addition to alcoholic beverages. The concentrates are transported in valved containers and the contents are released through the valves atthe bar. Itis highlydesirableto protect the valves from damage during transit so that no leakage occurs, especially ifthe concentrate is under pressure as may be the case with carbonated mixers. The present invention seeks to provide protection for such valves, or taps, which can be readily removed when it is desired to dispense the contents of the containers fitted with the valve or tap. According to this invention we provide a protect ive cap for a fluid dispensing mechanism comprising a cup of resilient material shaped so as to provide a push-fit over at least the outer portion of the mechanism to be protected, the cup having a panel extending longitudinally thereof defined by lines of weakening so as to provide a tear strip which can be readily broken when it is desired to remove the cap from the fluid dispensing mechanism. The cup mayforexample be made ofsemi-rigid plastics or rubber. The lines of weakening may be provided by continuous or discontinuous scoring along a portion of along the entire length ofthe cup, extending from the rim to the base. Conveniently, a projecting grip may be provided extending from the tear strip adjacent the rim of the cup. One form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded side view of a valve for a soft drinks concentrate container and a protective cap therefor; Figure2 is an enlarged end view of the protective cap; and Figure 3 is a plan view of the cap of Figure 2 inthe direction of arrow 111 of Figure 2. Figure 1 shows a valve 2 adapted to be fitted to a suitable partofthe peripheryofa container(not shown) fora soft drinks concentrate. The valve is in- tended to mate with a female member provided at a suitable location, for example, at a bar, to release the concentrate for admixture with the diluting agent such as water. A cap 4 is provided for the projecting end ofthe valve 2. Cap 4 is of resilient plastics material, although other materials such as rubber could be employed. The cap is in the form of a cup dimensioned so as to be a push fit over the end of valve 2. Thus the cup4will distorttofitsnuglyoverthe 0- ring 6 and inner extremity 9 offlared portion 8 ofthe valve, thus protecting the valve during transit. The cup has a panel 10, extending longitudinallythereof, bounded by lines of weakening 1 2, which are in the form of cuts 14 in the outer surface of the cup extending partly, but not completely, through the plastics. The cuts 14 extend from the rim 15 ofthe cup tothe base 16. That part of panel 10 atthe rim 15 has a grip portion 18 extending at right angles to the cup. In use, a person wishing to remove the protective capfrom thevalve, grips the portion 18 and pulls away the tear strip thus reieasing the cap, which can then be thrown away as having fulfilled its purpose. In the absence of such a tear strip, it is extremely difficult to remove the cap because of its snug fit on the valve, especially against the O-ring 6 which may have swollen during transit, for example due totem- perature changes or build up of pressure as a result of slight leakage from the valve. It will be appreciated that the invention allows a well fitting protection cap to be used which is difficultto dislodge inadvertently, while still allowing easy access two thevaive when desired. CLAIMS

1. A protective cap for a fluid dispensing mechanism comprising a cup of resilient material shaped so as to provide a push-fit over at leastthe outer portion ofthe mechanism to be protected, the cup having a panel extending longitudinally thereof defined by lines of weakening so as to provide a tear strip which can be readily broken when it is desired tore- move the cap from the fluid dispensing mechanism.

2. A cap according to claim 1 of semi-rigid plastics or rubber.

3. Acapaccordingto claim 1 or2,whereinthe lines of weakening comprise continuous ordiscontinuous scoring along at least a portion ofthe length ofthe cup extending from the rim thereof.

4. Acap according to claim 1,2 or3comprising a projecting grip extending from the tear strip adjacent the rim ofthe cup.

5. A container having a fluid dispensing mechanism fitted with a protective cap according to any one ofthe preceding claims.

6. A container according to claim Swhereinthe fluid dispensing mechanism is a valve.

7. A container according to claim 6 wherein the valve has an 0 ring and a flared portion on which the cupofthe protective cap fists snugly.

8. A protective cap for a fluid dispensing mechanism substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings and described herein with reference thereto.

9. A container having a fluid dispensing mechanism fitted with a protective cap substantiallyas do.

scribed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.