NZ552313A - Beverage container valve assembly with dispensing member attachable to container neck and having flexible seal with slit(s), and a cover member - Google Patents

Abstract

The beverage container valve assembly 10 has a dispensing member 12 with a tamper evident lower portion, and a flexible seal 32 having at least one slit 38. A cover member 14 overlies member 12 hand also has a tamper evident lower portion.

Description

5523 13 NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Title DUAL TWIST TOP VALVE ASSEMBLY We, ZAMPLAS AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED, of 43 Mons Street, Condell Park, NSW 2200, Australia, Nationality: An Australian company, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 400540NZ_Alp_20061222_1422_TGR.doc FEE CODE -1050 INTELLECTUAL property office of N.Z. 22 DEC 2006 filCEIVED DUAL TWIST TOP VALVE ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to closures for beverage containers and, more particularly, to closures with liquid dispensing spouts.

BACKGROUND Beverage containers with closures which allow a consumer to drink directly from the container have become ubiquitous. A well-known such closure has an articulated 10 outer shroud over the dispensing spout which, when pulled outwardly, allows liquid to flow from the container. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that to close the container for subsequent drinking, the shroud must be touched by the fingers, risking contamination. 15 A further disadvantage of this and other dispensing closures is that if the container is inadvertently knocked over while the dispenser is in its dispensing state, spillage of the liquid is likely to occur.

It is an object of the present invention to address or 20 at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

Note The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive 25 sense of "consisting only of".

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly in one broad form of the invention, there is provided a dual twist top valve assembly for a beverage container; said valve assembly including a dispensing member adapted for attachment to a neck portion of said container, and a cover member adapted for sealing engagement with said dispensing member; said dispensing member having an aperture provided with a flexible sealing element; said flexible sealing element provided with at least one slit allowing passage of a liquid therethrough when suction is applied to said dispensing member by a consumer.

Preferably, said flexible sealing element is adapted to prevent passage of said beverage in the absence of said suction.

Preferably, said dispensing member includes a skirt portion provided with internal engaging elements adapted for engagement with complementary external engaging elements disposed around the periphery of said neck portion of said container.

Preferably, said engaging elements comprise complementary internal screw threads of said dispensing member and external screw threads of said neck portion.

Preferably, said engaging elements comprised complementary internal snap-fitting structures of said dispensing member and external snap-fitting structures of said neck portion.

Preferably, said skirt portion of said dispensing member includes a tamper indicating ring frangibly attached at the lower edge of said skirt; said tamper indicating ring non-releasably engaging with a projecting annular structure around said neck portion of said container.

Preferably, said dispenser member includes a spout portion extending upwardly from said skirt portion; said spout portion comprising a generally cylindrical section body and an integral cap; said integral cap provided with said aperture.

Preferably, said generally cylindrical section body is provided with external thread formations adapted for engagement with corresponding internal thread formations of said cover member.

Preferably, said flexible sealing element is applied to an inside surface of said integral cap.

Preferably, said flexible sealing element comprises a disc of elastomeric material; said disc formed from a plug of said material, spread to cover said inside surface by a suitable.punch.

Preferably, said disc of elastomeric material is retained in contact with said inside surface by an annular undercut structure in the internal surface of said generally cylindrical section body.

Preferably, said disc of material is retained in contact with said inside surface by a suitable adhesive.

Preferably, said punch is provided with at least one projecting slitting element adapted to provide said at least one slit in said flexible sealing element.

Preferably, said aperture is centrally disposed in said integral cap; said aperture formed to taper inwardly from an external surface of said integral cap to said inside surface.

Preferably, said cover member comprises a generally 15 cylindrical skirt closed at a first end by an end portion.

Preferably, an internal surface of said end portion is provided with a centrally disposed internally projecting cylindrical structure; said cylindrical structure sized in diameter and length so as to at least partially enter said 20 aperture as an interference fit when said cover member is fully engaged with said dispensing member.

Preferably, an opposite end of said skirt of said cover member is provided with a tamper indicating ring frangibly attached to said cover member; said ring adapted for non-releasable attachment to said dispensing member.

Preferably, said valve assembly further includes a sealing disc element applied to an outlet aperture of said beverage container; said sealing disc element adapted to maintain a carbonated beverage in a sufficiently carbonated state for the design shelf life of said beverage.

Preferably, said sealing disc element is welded ultrasonically to said outlet aperture.

In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of dispensing a beverage from a beverage container to a consumer; said method adapted to allow extraction of said beverage by suction applied by the mouth of a said consumer to a valve assembly of said beverage container; said method including the steps of: (a) providing said valve assembly with a dispensing member; said dispensing member provided with an aperture and a flexible sealing element, (b) providing at least one beverage permeable slit in said flexible sealing element, and wherein said flexible sealing element and said at least one beverage permeable slit are adapted to prevent spillage of said beverage from said dispensing member in the absence of said suction.

Preferably, said flexible sealing member is provided at an inside surface of an end portion of said dispensing 5 member; said flexible sealing element formed by application of a suitable punch to a plug of elastomeric material.

Preferably, said flexible sealing member is retained against said inside surface by engagement of a periphery of said flexible sealing member with an annular undercut in 10 inside surfaces of said dispensing member.

Preferably, said valve assembly is further provided with a cover member; said cover member releasably engaged with said dispensing member by corresponding external thread structures on said dispensing member and internal 15 thread structures on said cover member.

Preferably, said cover member is provided with an internally projecting structure; said projecting structure adapted to seal said aperture when said cover member is fully engaged with said dispensing member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is part sectioned view of the components of a 5 dual twist top valve assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 is a view of the top of a dispensing member component of the assembly of Figure 1 showing a preferred arrangement of slits in a sealing element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to Figure 1, a valve assembly 10 includes a dispensing member 12 and a cover member 14. Dispensing member 12 is provided with a skirt 16 adapted 15 for engagement with the neck of a beverage container such as a PET drink bottle (not shown).

Skirt 16 is provided with internal engaging elements 18 adapted for engagement with corresponding external engaging elements of the neck of the beverage container. As 20 shown in Figure 1, internal engaging elements 18 may take the form of thread structures 20, or alternately may be annular rings and grooves adapted to a snap-fitting engagement.

Skirt 16 is further provided at its lower periphery 25 with a tamper indicating ring 22, provided with engaging elements for non-releasable engagement with the neck portion of the beverage container in a manner well known in the art.

Dispensing member 12 further comprises a spout portion 24 extending upwardly from skirt portion 16. Spout portion 24 comprises a generally cylindrical section body 26 with integral cap 28. Integral cap 28 is provided with a central aperture 30.

Disposed within spout portion 24 is a flexible sealing element 32 of a suitable elastomeric material. Sealing element 32 abuts the internal surface of integral cap 28, covering the aperture 30. Preferably, sealing element 32 is inserted at manufacture as a plug-of elastomeric material, for example a soft PVC, which is subsequently pressed into its disc-like shape by a suitable punch (not shown).

Again preferably, the periphery of the sealing element is by this process pressed into, and retained within, an undercut structure 34. Alternatively, sealing element 32 may be pre-formed and affixed to the inside surface of integral cap 28 by a suitable adhesive.

Sealing element 32 is provided with at least one slit 38 of length somewhat less than the diameter of aperture 30, as can be seen in Figure 2. The punch used for the installation of the sealing element 32 may incorporate a projecting slitting element for producing the slit or slits.

Slit or slits 38 and the flexibility and thickness of sealing element 32 are such that liquid from a container to which the valve assembly 10 is affixed, cannot leak through the slits, regardless of the attitude of the container.

However an application of suction produced by the mouth of a consumer applied to the spout portion 34, will readily draw liquid from the container through the slit or slits.

Cover member 14 comprises a generally cylindrical skirt 40 closed at an upper end by end portion 42. The 10 lower periphery of skirt 40 is provided with a tamper indicating ring 44 adapted for non-releasable engagement with an annular mating structure 46 on dispenser member 12.

The outer surface of generally cylindrical body section 26 of dispenser member 12, is provided with 15 external thread formations 48 adapted for screwed engagement with corresponding internal thread formations 50 on the inside surface of skirt 40 of cover member 14.

The internal surface 52 of end portion 42 of cover member 14 is provided with a centrally disposed internally 20 projecting structure 54. Projecting structure 54 is cylindrical and is of a diameter and length arranged so as to at least partially enter aperture 30 as an interference fit when cover member 14 is fully engaged (that is, screwed onto) dispenser member 12.

For carbonated drinks, the valve assembly may further include a seal, for example a foil disc (not shown), ultrasonically welded or otherwise affixed to the rim of the aperture of the container.

Manufacture Both dispenser member 12 and cover member 14 are one-piece mouldings with respective tamper indicating rings 22 and 44 attached by multiple frangible attachment points 23 and 45. Subsequent to moulding, dispenser member 12 is provided with a plug of elastomeric material and the material punched into position and shape, being slit at the same time by the projecting slitting element as described above.

After filling of the beverage container and the application of a foil seal where required, dispenser member 12 is screwed fully onto the neck of the beverage container, internal structure 56 forming a primary seal between the rim of the outlet aperture of the container (not shown) and the dispensing member 12. The screwing action causes the retaining elements of tamper indicating ring 22 to become non-releasably engaged with the neck portion of the container. Cover member 14 is then fully screwed onto dispenser member 12, forcing tamper indicating ring 44 to non-releasably engage with groove structure 46 and internally projecting structure 54 to enter aperture 3o.

In Use In use, a consumer first removes cover member 14, breaking frangible attachment points 45. Suction applied to spout portion 24 by the mouth then allows liquid to flow 5 through slit or slits 38. Inadvertent spillage, if the container is tipped over for example, is prevented by the self-sealing properties of the flexible sealing element 32. The cover member 14 can be re-applied to the dispenser member 12 after use, securely sealing aperture 30 and 10 preventing contamination of the spout portion 24.

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing 15 from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims (25)

- 12 - WHAT WE CALIM IS
1. A valve assembly for a beverage container; said valve assembly including a dispensing member adapted for attachment to a neck portion of said container, and a cover member adapted for sealing engagement with said dispensing member; said dispensing member having an aperture provided with a flexible sealing element; said flexible sealing element provided with at least one slit allowing passage of a liquid therethrough when suction is applied to said dispensing member by a consumer, and wherein each of said dispensing member and said cover member is provided with an annular tamper indicting ring; each said tamper indicating ring attached to lower edges respectively of said dispensing member and said cover member by frangible attachment points.
2. The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein said flexible sealing element is adapted to prevent passage of said beverage in the absence of said suction.
3. The valve assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein said dispensing member includes a skirt portion provided with internal engaging elements, adapted for engagement with complementary external engaging elements disposed intellectual property office OF N.z. j 0 9 JAN 2008 RECEIVED - 13 - around the periphery of said neck portion of said container.
4. 4. The valve assembly of claim 3 wherein said engaging elements comprise complementary internal screw threads 5 of said dispensing member and external screw threads of said neck portion.
5. 5. The valve assembly of claim 3 wherein said engaging elements comprise complementary internal snap-fitting structures of said dispensing member and external 10 snap-fitting structures of said neck portion.
6. 6. The valve assembly of .any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein said & tamper indicating ring frangibly attached at the lower edge of said skirt of said dispending member, engages non-releasably with a projecting 15 annular structure around said neck portion of said container.
7. 7. The valve assembly of any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein said dispensing member includes a spout portion extending upwardly from said skirt portion; said spout 20 portion comprising a generally cylindrical section body and an integral cap; said integral cap provided with said aperture. intellectual property office of n.z. 0 9 JAN 2008 RECEIVED - 14 -
8. 8. The valve assembly of claim 7 wherein said generally cylindrical section body is provided with external thread formations adapted for engagement with corresponding internal thread formations of said cover member.
9. 9. The valve assembly of claim 7 or 8 wherein said flexible sealing element is applied to an inside surface of said integral cap.
10. 10. The valve assembly of claim 9 wherein said flexible sealing element comprises a disc of elastomeric material; said disc formed from a plug of said material, spread to cover said inside surface by a suitable punch.
11. 11. The valve assembly of claim 10 wherein said disc of elastomeric material is retained in contact with said inside surface by an annular undercut structure in the internal surface of said generally cylindrical section body.
12. 12. The valve assembly of claim 10 wherein said disc of elastomeric material is retained in contact with said inside surface by a suitable adhesive.
13. 13. The valve assembly of any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein said punch is provided with at least one intellectual property office of isj.z 0 S JAN 2008 RECEive 0 - 15 - projecting slitting element adapted to provide said at least one slit in said flexible sealing element.
14. 14. The valve assembly of any one of claims 7 to 13 wherein said aperture is centrally disposed in said 5 integral cap; said aperture formed to taper inwardly from an external surface of said integral cap to said inside surface.
15. 15. The valve assembly of any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein said cover member comprises a generally 10 cylindrical skirt; said skirt closed at a first end by an end portion.
16. 16. The valve assembly of claim 15 wherein an internal surface of said end portion is provided with a centrally disposed internally projecting cylindrical 15 structure; said cylindrical structure sized in diameter and length so as to at least partially enter said aperture as an interference fit when said cover member is fully engaged with said dispensing member.
17. 17. The valve assembly of claim 15 or 16 wherein an 20 opposite end of said skirt of said cover member is provided with a- said tamper indicating ring frangibly attached to said cover member; said ring adapted for non-releasable attachment to said dispensing member. intellectual property office of m.z 0 9 JAN 2008 R E C E n v € 0!
18. The valve assembly of any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein said valve assembly further includes a sealing disc element applied to an outlet aperture of said beverage container; said sealing disc element adapted to maintain a carbonated beverage in a sufficiently carbonated state for the design shelf life of said beverage.
19. The valve assembly of claim 18 wherein said sealing disc element is welded ultrasonically to said outlet aperture.
20. A method of dispensing a beverage from a beverage container to a consumer; said beverage container fitted with a valve assembly comprising a dispensing member and a cover member; each of said dispensing member and said cover member provided with tamper indicating rings; said method adapted to allow extraction of said beverage by suction applied by the mouth of a said consumer to a valve assembly of said beverage container; said method including the steps of: (a) providing said valve assembly with a dispensing member; said dispensing member provided with an aperture and a flexible sealing element, intellectual property office of im.2. 0 9 JAN 2008 - 17 - (b) providing at least one beverage permeable slit in said flexible sealing element, and wherein said flexible sealing element and said at least one beverage permeable slit are adapted to prevent spillage of said beverage from said dispensing member in the absence of said suction.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein said flexible sealing member is provided at an inside surface of an end portion of said dispensing member; said flexible sealing element formed by application of a suitable punch to a plug of elastomeric material.
22. The method of claim 20 wherein said flexible sealing element is retained against said inside surface by engagement of a periphery of said flexible sealing element with an annular undercut in inside surfaces of said dispensing member.
23. The method of any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein said valve assembly is further provided with a cover member; said cover member releasably engaged with said dispensing member by corresponding external thread structures on said dispensing member and internal thread structures on said cover member. intellectual property office OF N.z 0 9 JAN 2008 - 18 -
24. 24. The method of claim 23 wherein said cover member is provided with an internally projecting structure; said projecting structure adapted to seal said aperture when said cover member is fully engaged with 5 said dispensing member.
25. 25. A dual twist top valve assembly for a beverage container as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. intellectual propertv office of 'm / 0 9 JAN 2008 ; R E C t a * t_ '} I