US20080023500A1 - Connector for Bottle-Like Containers - Google Patents
Connector for Bottle-Like Containers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080023500A1 US20080023500A1 US11/829,643 US82964307A US2008023500A1 US 20080023500 A1 US20080023500 A1 US 20080023500A1 US 82964307 A US82964307 A US 82964307A US 2008023500 A1 US2008023500 A1 US 2008023500A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- slider
- container
- connector
- sleeve
- probe
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 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
- B67D3/0029—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with holders for bottles or similar containers
- B67D3/0032—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with holders for bottles or similar containers the bottle or container being held upside down and provided with a closure, e.g. a cap, adapted to cooperate with a feed tube
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a connector able to be mounted on the open end of the neck of a bottle, the connector having a main longitudinal axis X-X and comprising:
- a main body which comprises constraining means for constraining the connector to the container and a sleeve able to connect the inside of tie container to the external environment;
- a slider which is slidably inserted in the sleeve and is able to move longitudinally between a closed bottom position, where the slider does not allow liquid to out from the container, and an open upper position, where the slider allows liquid to flow out from the container; the slider defining internally a seat able to receive a probe able to allow dispensing of the liquid;
- the slider further comprising:
- a bottom portion protruding from the sleeve towards the outside of the container when the slider is in the bottom closed position, and comprising a plurality of longitudinally elongated parts, which, when the slider is in the bottom closed position, reversibly engage with a corresponding engaging portion formed in the probe by expanding elastically in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X.
- This type of connector may be used on containers with a neck, such as bottles, in combination with devices for controlled dispensing of the beverages present inside the containers.
- the devices for controlled dispensing of beverages referred to are already known in the art and comprise, in brief, control means, a probe able to be inserted inside the connector, an end unit by means of which it is possible to dispense the beverage and, in some cases, also a source of carbon dioxide or other inert gas.
- the device When probe is inserted inside the connector, which is positioned on the mouth of the container and the latter is arranged with its mouth directed downwards, the device is ready for dispensing.
- the dispensing device will comprise refrigerating means; if the container is a bottle containing an alcoholic beverage and the dispensing device is suitable for preparing a cocktail, it will comprise a source of inert gas which is able to exert on the beverage a pressure which allows it to easily reach the end unit from which it must be dispensed.
- the connectors used on the bottles designed for this type of dispensing device comprise a main body which, during use, is constrained to the container and a slider positioned inside the main body. These connectors are very similar to the one described in the American patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,864 which discloses a connector suitable for use in water dispensers,
- the main disadvantage of the connectors known hitherto is that they are able to ensure sealing of the container only before initial opening and, thereafter, only when probe is inserted inside them.
- This technical effect would allow temporary interruption during dispensing of the beverage present in the container, while ensuring, at the same time, that there is no risk of accidentally introducing into the container substances which are foreign to the liquid present therein and that there is no accidental leakage of liquid.
- WO00/07902 there is disclosed a connector in which the jacket where the slider is located needs to comprise a narrowed portion for elastically biasing the probe radially inwards in order for the slider to engage the probe.
- the movement of the probe towards the interior of the container must therefore be limited so that the slider does not fall within the container but remains at least partly within the narrowed portion of the jacket.
- the disclosed connector requires at least two separate sealing surfaces, i.e. where the two O-rings are represented, requiring a rather complex manufacturing.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,855 to Baker et al. discloses a connector where the engagement between the probe and the slider is obtained by virtue of elastic deformation of the thickness of the material of the slider walls. Such an engagement requires strict tolerances and a precise dimensioning of the elements.
- the object of the present invention is to provide connectors able to satisfy the requirements described above more so than known hitherto.
- a further advantage of the present connector is that it is possible to use it in bars, in particular in combination with containers containing alcoholic beverages, allowing them to disconnect the probe from the connector without the alcohol contained in the beverages being able to evaporate, altering the organoleptic properties thereof.
- this object is achieved by means of a connector able to be mounted on the open end of the neck of a bottle, the connector having a main longitudinal axis X-X and comprising:
- a main body which comprises constraining means for constraining the connector to the container and a sleeve able to connect the inside of the container to the external environment;
- a slider which is slidably inserted in the sleeve and is able to move longitudinally between a closed bottom position, where the slider does not allow liquid to flow out from the container, and an open upper position, where the slider allows liquid to flow, out from the container; the slider defining internally a seat able to receive a probe able to allow dispensing of the liquid;
- the slider further comprising:
- a central port-ion able to be guided at least partially by the sleeve
- a bottom portion protruding from the sleeve towards the outside of the container when the slider is in the bottom closed position, and comprising a plurality of longitudinally elongated parts, which, when the slider is in the bottom closed position, reversibly engage with a corresponding engaging portion formed in the probe by expanding elastically in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X.
- the connector further comprises an upper portion having a conical shape terminating in an end having the outer diameter d 4 such as to engage, with slight interference, with the upper portion of the main body;
- the main body having, in the vicinity of its upper end, a circumferential projection projecting towards the inside of main body and with an inner diameter d 5 , the connector being such that when the upper portion of the slider passes over the projection, the bottom pork-ion of the slider is situated inside the sleeve
- the longitudinally elongated parts each comprise a tooth
- the main body comprises:
- the sleeve being longitudinally closer to the mouth of the container than the upper portion, when the connector is fixed to the container;
- the upper portion comprising a circumferential projection projecting towards the inside of the main body and having a height h such that h ⁇ d 5 ⁇ d 3 /2.
- the slider mazy also comprise a central portion with an outer diameter d 2 and an upper portion having an outer diameter d 4 >d 2 , wherein the central portion is longitudinally closer to the mouth of the container than the upper portion, when the connector is fixed to the container and the slider is in the bottom closed position.
- the inner diameter d 1 of the sleeve provides a liquid-tight seal when the sleeve is engaged with the outer surface of the slider or with the central portion of the slider or with the outer surface of the channel of the probe.
- d 1 is substantially equal to d 3
- d 2 is substantially equal to d 4 .
- the slider may comprise a generally flat base between its central and bottom portions.
- FIG. 1 shows a partial cross-section and a partial front view of an example of a connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, mounted on the mouth of a bottle-like container and a probe able to engage with the connector;
- FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-section and a partial front view of the connector according to FIG. 1 in the closed configuration with probe completely engaged inside it;
- FIG. 3 a shows a partial cross-section and a partial front view of the connector according to FIG. 1 in an intermediate configuration between the closed configuration and the open configuration shown in FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 3 b shows the cross-section of a detail of the connector according to FIG. 3 a:
- FIG. 4 shows a partial cross-section and a partial front view of the connector according to FIG. 3 a in an intermediate configuration between the configuration shown in FIG. 3 a and the open configuration;
- FIG. 5 shows a partial cross-section and a partial front view of the container according to FIG. 1 in the open configuration
- FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of a detail according to FIG. 1
- 100 denotes a container with a longitudinal axis Z-Z, having a neck 101 and a mouth, such as a bottle for example.
- a probe 103 which in FIG. 1 is shown separate from the container/connector assembly, is connected to the apparatus which controls it and which forms the dispensing device. As can be seen in the figures, it has a retaining groove 104 and windows 105 for allowing the introduction of liquid from the container 100 into the channel 106 of probe 103 .
- 1 denotes overall a connector which is integrally joined to the container 100 and composed of a main body 3 and a slider 4 situated inside it and longitudinally sliding therein.
- the connector 1 has a longitudinal axis X-X which, when the connector 1 is mounted on container 100 , coincides with the longitudinal axis Z-Z of the container 100 .
- the main body 3 is provided with retaining means able to constrain it firmly to the container 100 .
- retaining means able to constrain it firmly to the container 100 .
- it may advantageously comprise an outer skirt 5 with a lip 7 such as to engage with a suitable locating element formed on the neck 101 of the container 100 , preventing extraction of the connector 1 from the neck 101 of the container 100 .
- the retaining means may also be formed by an inner thread able to engage with a corresponding thread formed on the container 100 .
- the main body 3 may also comprise means able to prevent rotation relative to the container 100 ; these means may advantageously consist of projections which are parallel to the axis X-X and engage with corresponding projections formed on the outer surface of the neck of the container 100 .
- Slider 4 is able to slide longitudinally between a bottom closed position, shown in FIGS. 1 , 2 and 6 , where it defines a closed configuration of the connector 1 , and at least one upper open position, shown in FIG. 5 , where it defines an open configuration of the connector 1 , and vice versa.
- slider 4 ensures the liquid-tightness of the connector 1 and is able to engage with and disengage from probe 103 .
- slider 4 When connector 1 is in the upper open configuration, slider 4 is completely disengaged from main body 3 and is situated completely within container 100 ; the apertures of windows 105 associated with probe 103 are completely free.
- the direction from the bottom closed position towards the tipper open position thus defines the bottom-to-top direction and relates to the arrangement of the container 100 when it is being used, i.e. is upside down.
- the connector 1 may furthermore comprise special means (not shown) for indicating attempts to remove the connector 1 from the container 100 or the fact that initial opening has occurred.
- the main body 3 comprises a sliding sleeve 9 which preferably has a circular cross-section and which has a first end 11 such that, when the connector 1 is fixed to the container 100 , the first end 11 is directed towards the mouth of the container 100 ; the first end 11 is therefore the bottom end of the sleeve 9 , according to the definition given above.
- Slider 4 comprises a central guiding portion 6 which is able to be guided by the sleeve 9 of the main body 3 and a bottom, engaging portion 8 which is able to engage reversibly with probe 103 and is arranged towards the mouth of the container 100 , i.e. on the bottom side of the central portion 6 .
- Slider 4 defines inside it a seat 10 able to receive probe 103 .
- the bottom engaging portion 8 of slider 4 is situated outside the sleeve 9 of the main body 3 .
- the bottom portion 8 of slider 4 is situated on the side of the plane a which is opposite to the the sleeve 9 .
- the bottom portion 8 is able to receive probe 103 by expanding radially. It may be advantageously divided into a plurality, for example six, eight or ten elongated parts 12 which may advantageously be identical to each other and preferably equally spaced along the outer perimeter of the bottom portion 8 of slider 4 .
- teeth 14 which are advantageously formed on the bottom portion 8 and preferably project towards the seat 10 .
- a tooth 14 is formed on each elongated part 12 .
- the size of the seat 10 of slider 4 is determined so that the base 16 of the seat 10 is in contact with the top end, 109 of probe 103 , which is generally flat so as to allow also the transmission to slider 4 of high longitudinal forces directed towards the centre of the container 100 .
- the distance between the teeth 14 and the base 16 is slightly less than the distance between the top, end 109 and the groove 104 , so as to ensure constant contact between probe 103 and slider 4 .
- the main body 3 comprises, at the end of the sleeve 9 opposite to the bottom end 11 , a first abutment surface 17 able to cooperate with a second corresponding abutment surface 18 formed on slider 4 in the vicinity of the end of the central portion 6 which is longitudinally opposite to the bottom portion 8 and which has an outer diameter d 2 .
- first and second abutment surfaces 17 , 18 are preferably formed as surfaces converging towards the plane ⁇ , for example frustoconical surfaces and/or surfaces with a cross-section in the form of a circumferential arc, and are respectively adjacent to the inner surface of the sleeve 9 and to the outer surface of the central portion 6 of slider 4 .
- the function of these surfaces is to allow extraction of probe 103 from the seat 10 formed in slider 4 and preventing extraction of slider 4 from the main body 3 , exerting a longitudinal, force greater than the maximum force which the bottom portion 8 is able to exert on probe 103 via the teeth 14 .
- the bottom portion 8 is formed so that the longitudinal force which It is able to exert via the retaining means (i.e. teeth 14 ) is less than the maximum longitudinal force which the abutment surfaces 17 and 18 may exert.
- the in diameter d 1 of the sleeve 9 is such that in is able to provide a liquid-tight seal when the sleeve is engaged with the outer surface of slider 4 or with its central portion 6 or with the outer surface of the channel 106 .
- the main body 3 On the side of the first abutment surface 17 opposite to sleeve 9 (and therefore above it), the main body 3 comprises an upper portion 19 able to engage with a corresponding upper portion 20 of slider 4 , formed on the opposite side, relative to the first abutment surface 18 , to that of the central portion 6 .
- This upper portion 19 of the main body 3 is advantageously cylindrical, having an inner diameter d 3 >d 1 .
- the bottom portion 19 of the main body 3 has, in the vicinity of its upper end (namely opposite to plane ⁇ ), a third and a fifth abutment surface denoted by 25 and 27 in FIG. 2 , respectively. These surfaces are advantageously formed on a circumferential projection 23 projecting towards the inside of main body 3 and with an inner diameter d 5 .
- the abutment surfaces 25 and 27 therefore define two conical surfaces having opposite vertices with respect to the projection 23 and are advantageously inclined relative to axis X-X by about 15° and about 45°, respectively.
- the upper portion 20 of slider 4 terminates in an end 22 opposite to the bottom portion 8 where the outer diameter d 4 is such as to engage, with slight interference, with the upper portion 19 having a diameter d 3 , so as to prevent any relative movements of slider 4 and main body 3 .
- the upper portion 20 may advantageously have a cylindrical section with an outer diameter d 6 (not indicated in the figures), where d 2 ⁇ d 6 ⁇ d 4 and d 6 >d 5 , joined on one side to the first abutment surface 18 and, on the opposite side, to an additional conical surface which converges towards the bottom portion 8 and the outer diameter of which reaches the value of d 4 substantially at the end 22 .
- the surfaces 25 and 27 co-operate with surfaces 28 and 26 , respectively, so as to allow safe opening and closing of the connector 1 .
- This peak depends on the relative inclination of the surfaces, which is chosen so that slider 4 can be suitably actuated by probe 103 .
- the first of the two peaks mentioned above occurs, during opening of the connector, when surface 28 passes over surface 25 ; the second peak occurs during the closing phase, when surface 26 passes over surface 27 .
- the longitudinal distance between the end 22 and the projection 23 when the connector 1 is in the bottom closed configuration, namely the travel movement which probe 103 must perform between the bottom closed position and the position where the abovementioned peak may be detected, must be such as to satisfy a condition clarified below.
- the upper portion 20 ) of slider 4 which has a conical shape, tends to open, producing interference with the inner wall of the upper portion 19 .
- the force which probe 103 may apply on slider 4 depends on the engagement of the bottom portion 8 inside the retaining groove 104 . Since the bottom portion 8 of slider 4 is deformable radially outwards, the force pulse produced as a result of passing over projection 23 could be greater than the opposing force which may be generated by the sole resistance to radial expansion of bottom portion 8 of slider 4 .
- connector 1 it is therefore possible to design connector 1 so that the bottom portion 8 of slider 4 is situated inside the sleeve 9 when the upper portion 20 of slider 4 passes over the projection 23 , as can be seen in FIG. 3 b.
- the longitudinal distance between second abutment surface 18 and sixth abutment surface 28 may be advantageously greater than the longitudinal extension of the bottom portion 8 and less than the longitudinal distance between the first abutment surface 17 and third abutment surface 25 .
- Main body 3 and slider 4 may be both made of a single piece of polymer material, preferably by means of moulding.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention concerns a connector (1) able to be mounted on the neck of a container for liquids (100), in the form of a bottler consisting of a main body having, sliding longitudinally therein, a slider provided with a radially expandable bottom portion so as to engage reversibly with a hollow:, probe, in which the hollow probe is able to perform the longitudinal displacement of the the slider and connect the inside of the container (100) with its interior so as to allow the dispensing of liquid from the container.
Description
- The present invention relates to a connector able to be mounted on the open end of the neck of a bottle, the connector having a main longitudinal axis X-X and comprising:
- a main body, which comprises constraining means for constraining the connector to the container and a sleeve able to connect the inside of tie container to the external environment;
- a slider which is slidably inserted in the sleeve and is able to move longitudinally between a closed bottom position, where the slider does not allow liquid to out from the container, and an open upper position, where the slider allows liquid to flow out from the container; the slider defining internally a seat able to receive a probe able to allow dispensing of the liquid;
- the slider further comprising:
- a central portion able to be guided at least partially by the sleeve;
- a bottom portion, protruding from the sleeve towards the outside of the container when the slider is in the bottom closed position, and comprising a plurality of longitudinally elongated parts, which, when the slider is in the bottom closed position, reversibly engage with a corresponding engaging portion formed in the probe by expanding elastically in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X.
- This type of connector may be used on containers with a neck, such as bottles, in combination with devices for controlled dispensing of the beverages present inside the containers.
- The devices for controlled dispensing of beverages referred to are already known in the art and comprise, in brief, control means, a probe able to be inserted inside the connector, an end unit by means of which it is possible to dispense the beverage and, in some cases, also a source of carbon dioxide or other inert gas.
- When probe is inserted inside the connector, which is positioned on the mouth of the container and the latter is arranged with its mouth directed downwards, the device is ready for dispensing.
- If the container is one of the ones which contain water, such as for example the ones which can be found in the offices, the dispensing device will comprise refrigerating means; if the container is a bottle containing an alcoholic beverage and the dispensing device is suitable for preparing a cocktail, it will comprise a source of inert gas which is able to exert on the beverage a pressure which allows it to easily reach the end unit from which it must be dispensed.
- These latter devices are becoming increasingly popular in bars since, with them, precise quantities of beverages also of a varying nature may be rapidly dispensed; in this way, the cocktails which are normally served in these premises may be prepared much more precisely and quickly.
- The connectors used on the bottles designed for this type of dispensing device comprise a main body which, during use, is constrained to the container and a slider positioned inside the main body. These connectors are very similar to the one described in the American patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,864 which discloses a connector suitable for use in water dispensers,
- The main disadvantage of the connectors known hitherto is that they are able to ensure sealing of the container only before initial opening and, thereafter, only when probe is inserted inside them.
- In bars, however, there is a need to have a connector which is able to ensure sealing of the container also after initial opening and without probe necessarily having to be inserted.
- This technical effect would allow temporary interruption during dispensing of the beverage present in the container, while ensuring, at the same time, that there is no risk of accidentally introducing into the container substances which are foreign to the liquid present therein and that there is no accidental leakage of liquid.
- In WO00/07902 there is disclosed a connector in which the jacket where the slider is located needs to comprise a narrowed portion for elastically biasing the probe radially inwards in order for the slider to engage the probe.
- The movement of the probe towards the interior of the container must therefore be limited so that the slider does not fall within the container but remains at least partly within the narrowed portion of the jacket.
- This poses a further limit to the overall cross section of the openings which allow the fluid to flow outside of the container.
- On top of this, the disclosed connector requires at least two separate sealing surfaces, i.e. where the two O-rings are represented, requiring a rather complex manufacturing.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,855 to Baker et al. discloses a connector where the engagement between the probe and the slider is obtained by virtue of elastic deformation of the thickness of the material of the slider walls. Such an engagement requires strict tolerances and a precise dimensioning of the elements.
- It would therefore be desirable to provide a connector which does not suffer from the limitations of the prior art, having openings for the passage of the fluid whose cross-section is not limited with respect to the size of the neck of the container and which, at the same time, is simpler to manufacture.
- In view of the state of the art described, the object of the present invention is to provide connectors able to satisfy the requirements described above more so than known hitherto.
- As a result of he present invention it is possible to provide a connector able to allow a large number of opening and closing cycles following insertion/extraction of probe of the dispensing device, which allows higher pouring rates than the ones achievable by prior art connectors and which does not require a complex manufacturing method for being made.
- Moreover, a further advantage of the present connector is that it is possible to use it in bars, in particular in combination with containers containing alcoholic beverages, allowing them to disconnect the probe from the connector without the alcohol contained in the beverages being able to evaporate, altering the organoleptic properties thereof.
- In accordance with the present invention, this object is achieved by means of a connector able to be mounted on the open end of the neck of a bottle, the connector having a main longitudinal axis X-X and comprising:
- a main body, which comprises constraining means for constraining the connector to the container and a sleeve able to connect the inside of the container to the external environment;
- a slider which is slidably inserted in the sleeve and is able to move longitudinally between a closed bottom position, where the slider does not allow liquid to flow out from the container, and an open upper position, where the slider allows liquid to flow, out from the container; the slider defining internally a seat able to receive a probe able to allow dispensing of the liquid;
- the slider further comprising:
- a central port-ion able to be guided at least partially by the sleeve;
- a bottom portion, protruding from the sleeve towards the outside of the container when the slider is in the bottom closed position, and comprising a plurality of longitudinally elongated parts, which, when the slider is in the bottom closed position, reversibly engage with a corresponding engaging portion formed in the probe by expanding elastically in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X.
- wherein the connector further comprises an upper portion having a conical shape terminating in an end having the outer diameter d4 such as to engage, with slight interference, with the upper portion of the main body;
- the main body having, in the vicinity of its upper end, a circumferential projection projecting towards the inside of main body and with an inner diameter d5, the connector being such that when the upper portion of the slider passes over the projection, the bottom pork-ion of the slider is situated inside the sleeve
- Preferably, the longitudinally elongated parts each comprise a tooth,
- According to a possible embodiment, the main body comprises:
- a sleeve with an inner diameter d;
- an upper portion having an inner diameter d3>d1;
- the sleeve being longitudinally closer to the mouth of the container than the upper portion, when the connector is fixed to the container;
- the upper portion comprising a circumferential projection projecting towards the inside of the main body and having a height h such that h<d5−d3/2.
- The slider mazy also comprise a central portion with an outer diameter d2 and an upper portion having an outer diameter d4>d2, wherein the central portion is longitudinally closer to the mouth of the container than the upper portion, when the connector is fixed to the container and the slider is in the bottom closed position.
- Preferably, the inner diameter d1 of the sleeve provides a liquid-tight seal when the sleeve is engaged with the outer surface of the slider or with the central portion of the slider or with the outer surface of the channel of the probe.
- In an advantageous embodiment, d1 is substantially equal to d3, and d2 is substantially equal to d4.
- The slider may comprise a generally flat base between its central and bottom portions.
- The characteristic features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of a practical embodiment provided by way or a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 shows a partial cross-section and a partial front view of an example of a connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, mounted on the mouth of a bottle-like container and a probe able to engage with the connector; -
FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-section and a partial front view of the connector according toFIG. 1 in the closed configuration with probe completely engaged inside it; -
FIG. 3 a shows a partial cross-section and a partial front view of the connector according toFIG. 1 in an intermediate configuration between the closed configuration and the open configuration shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 3 b shows the cross-section of a detail of the connector according toFIG. 3 a: -
FIG. 4 shows a partial cross-section and a partial front view of the connector according toFIG. 3 a in an intermediate configuration between the configuration shown inFIG. 3 a and the open configuration; -
FIG. 5 shows a partial cross-section and a partial front view of the container according toFIG. 1 in the open configuration -
FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of a detail according toFIG. 1 - With reference to the figures, 100 denotes a container with a longitudinal axis Z-Z, having a
neck 101 and a mouth, such as a bottle for example. Aprobe 103, which inFIG. 1 is shown separate from the container/connector assembly, is connected to the apparatus which controls it and which forms the dispensing device. As can be seen in the figures, it has aretaining groove 104 andwindows 105 for allowing the introduction of liquid from thecontainer 100 into thechannel 106 ofprobe 103. - 1 denotes overall a connector which is integrally joined to the
container 100 and composed of amain body 3 and aslider 4 situated inside it and longitudinally sliding therein. - The
connector 1 has a longitudinal axis X-X which, when theconnector 1 is mounted oncontainer 100, coincides with the longitudinal axis Z-Z of thecontainer 100. - The
main body 3 is provided with retaining means able to constrain it firmly to thecontainer 100. For example, it may advantageously comprise anouter skirt 5 with alip 7 such as to engage with a suitable locating element formed on theneck 101 of thecontainer 100, preventing extraction of theconnector 1 from theneck 101 of thecontainer 100. - The retaining means may also be formed by an inner thread able to engage with a corresponding thread formed on the
container 100. - The
main body 3 may also comprise means able to prevent rotation relative to thecontainer 100; these means may advantageously consist of projections which are parallel to the axis X-X and engage with corresponding projections formed on the outer surface of the neck of thecontainer 100. -
Slider 4 is able to slide longitudinally between a bottom closed position, shown inFIGS. 1 , 2 and 6, where it defines a closed configuration of theconnector 1, and at least one upper open position, shown inFIG. 5 , where it defines an open configuration of theconnector 1, and vice versa. - In the bottom closed position,
slider 4 ensures the liquid-tightness of theconnector 1 and is able to engage with and disengage fromprobe 103. - When
connector 1 is in the upper open configuration,slider 4 is completely disengaged frommain body 3 and is situated completely withincontainer 100; the apertures ofwindows 105 associated withprobe 103 are completely free. - It is also possible to regard as open those intermediate configurations between the upper open configuration and the bottom closed configuration, which nevertheless allow the liquid to flow out of the
container 100. During the course of the present description reference will be made mainly to the upper open configuration shown inFIG. 5 . - The direction from the bottom closed position towards the tipper open position thus defines the bottom-to-top direction and relates to the arrangement of the
container 100 when it is being used, i.e. is upside down. - The
connector 1 may furthermore comprise special means (not shown) for indicating attempts to remove theconnector 1 from thecontainer 100 or the fact that initial opening has occurred. - The
main body 3 comprises a slidingsleeve 9 which preferably has a circular cross-section and which has afirst end 11 such that, when theconnector 1 is fixed to thecontainer 100, thefirst end 11 is directed towards the mouth of thecontainer 100; thefirst end 11 is therefore the bottom end of thesleeve 9, according to the definition given above. -
Slider 4 comprises acentral guiding portion 6 which is able to be guided by thesleeve 9 of themain body 3 and a bottom, engagingportion 8 which is able to engage reversibly withprobe 103 and is arranged towards the mouth of thecontainer 100, i.e. on the bottom side of thecentral portion 6. -
Slider 4 defines inside it aseat 10 able to receiveprobe 103. - When the
connector 1 is in the closed configuration, thebottom engaging portion 8 ofslider 4 is situated outside thesleeve 9 of themain body 3. - In other words, if α indicates the plane perpendicular to the axis X-X and passing through the
first end 11 of thesleeve 9 directed towardsprobe 103, thebottom portion 8 ofslider 4 is situated on the side of the plane a which is opposite to the thesleeve 9. Thebottom portion 8 is able to receiveprobe 103 by expanding radially. It may be advantageously divided into a plurality, for example six, eight or tenelongated parts 12 which may advantageously be identical to each other and preferably equally spaced along the outer perimeter of thebottom portion 8 ofslider 4. - Engagement with the retaining
groove 104 ofprobe 103 is achieved by means ofteeth 14 which are advantageously formed on thebottom portion 8 and preferably project towards theseat 10. Advantageously, atooth 14 is formed on eachelongated part 12. - In this way, when
probe 103 moves longitudinally towards theseat 10 ofslider 4, theconical end 108 ofprobe 103 will push thebottom portion 8 ofslider 4 outwards, boy means of theteeth 14 and theelongated parts 12, making use of their radial elasticity. - As soon as
teeth 14 have completely passed over theconical part 108 ofprobe 103, the elasticity of theelongated parts 12 will allow theteeth 14 to return elastically into their rest position, thus resulting in snap-engagement of thebottom portion 8 Inside the retaininggroove 104. - The size of the
seat 10 ofslider 4 is determined so that thebase 16 of theseat 10 is in contact with the top end, 109 ofprobe 103, which is generally flat so as to allow also the transmission toslider 4 of high longitudinal forces directed towards the centre of thecontainer 100. - Advantageously, the distance between the
teeth 14 and thebase 16 is slightly less than the distance between the top,end 109 and thegroove 104, so as to ensure constant contact betweenprobe 103 andslider 4. - The
main body 3 comprises, at the end of thesleeve 9 opposite to thebottom end 11, afirst abutment surface 17 able to cooperate with a secondcorresponding abutment surface 18 formed onslider 4 in the vicinity of the end of thecentral portion 6 which is longitudinally opposite to thebottom portion 8 and which has an outer diameter d2. - These first and second abutment surfaces 17, 18 are preferably formed as surfaces converging towards the plane α, for example frustoconical surfaces and/or surfaces with a cross-section in the form of a circumferential arc, and are respectively adjacent to the inner surface of the
sleeve 9 and to the outer surface of thecentral portion 6 ofslider 4. - The function of these surfaces is to allow extraction of
probe 103 from theseat 10 formed inslider 4 and preventing extraction ofslider 4 from themain body 3, exerting a longitudinal, force greater than the maximum force which thebottom portion 8 is able to exert onprobe 103 via theteeth 14. - When
probe 103 must be extracted from thecontainer 100 andslider 4 reaches the bottom closed position, the twoabutment surfaces bottom portion 8 ofslider 4 is situated outside thesleeve 9. - The
bottom portion 8 is formed so that the longitudinal force which It is able to exert via the retaining means (i.e. teeth 14) is less than the maximum longitudinal force which the abutment surfaces 17 and 18 may exert. - Consequently, each additional longitudinal movement of
probe 103 out from theseat 10 ofslider 4 results n radial expansion of thebottom portion 8, therefore allowingprobe 103 to pass over theteeth 14.Probe 103 at this point is free from its engagement inside theseat 10. - Advantageously, the in diameter d1 of the
sleeve 9 is such that in is able to provide a liquid-tight seal when the sleeve is engaged with the outer surface ofslider 4 or with itscentral portion 6 or with the outer surface of thechannel 106. - Normally the diameter of
channel 106 constitutes one of the design data and consequently determines the dimensions of the other parts. - On the side of the
first abutment surface 17 opposite to sleeve 9 (and therefore above it), themain body 3 comprises anupper portion 19 able to engage with a correspondingupper portion 20 ofslider 4, formed on the opposite side, relative to thefirst abutment surface 18, to that of thecentral portion 6. - This
upper portion 19 of themain body 3 is advantageously cylindrical, having an inner diameter d3>d1. - The
bottom portion 19 of themain body 3 has, in the vicinity of its upper end (namely opposite to plane α), a third and a fifth abutment surface denoted by 25 and 27 inFIG. 2 , respectively. These surfaces are advantageously formed on acircumferential projection 23 projecting towards the inside ofmain body 3 and with an inner diameter d5. - The abutment surfaces 25 and 27 therefore define two conical surfaces having opposite vertices with respect to the
projection 23 and are advantageously inclined relative to axis X-X by about 15° and about 45°, respectively. - The
upper portion 20 ofslider 4 terminates in anend 22 opposite to thebottom portion 8 where the outer diameter d4 is such as to engage, with slight interference, with theupper portion 19 having a diameter d3, so as to prevent any relative movements ofslider 4 andmain body 3. - The
upper portion 20 may advantageously have a cylindrical section with an outer diameter d6 (not indicated in the figures), where d2<d6<d4 and d6>d5, joined on one side to thefirst abutment surface 18 and, on the opposite side, to an additional conical surface which converges towards thebottom portion 8 and the outer diameter of which reaches the value of d4 substantially at theend 22. - In the vicinity of this maximum diameter d4, namely above and below it, it is possible to identify a
fourth abutment surface 26, facing the bottom of the container, and asixth abutment surface 23 which is directed towardssleeve 9 and the functions of which will be described more fully below. - The
surfaces surfaces connector 1. - In fact, when the
upper portion 20, during its longitudinal movement, passes overprojection 23, thepairs 25/28 and 27/26 of abutment surfaces produce a peak in the axial resistive force which opposes the movement ofslider 4. - This peak depends on the relative inclination of the surfaces, which is chosen so that
slider 4 can be suitably actuated byprobe 103. - The first of the two peaks mentioned above occurs, during opening of the connector, when
surface 28 passes oversurface 25; the second peak occurs during the closing phase, whensurface 26 passes oversurface 27. - The longitudinal distance between the
end 22 and theprojection 23 when theconnector 1 is in the bottom closed configuration, namely the travel movement which probe 103 must perform between the bottom closed position and the position where the abovementioned peak may be detected, must be such as to satisfy a condition clarified below. - Since, when the
projection 23 is passed over, a peak value in the force is reached and this force, applied toslider 4, opposes the movement ofprobe 103, it is important that this force does not cause disengagement ofslider 4 fromprobe 103, namely that thebottom portion 6 should be able to maintain its grip onprobe 103. - When
probe 103 moves towards the centre ofcontainer 100, the force, which probe 103 may apply onslider 4 depends or, the engagement of theupper end 109 against thebase 16 of slider. In this case, there is therefore no risk of the probe being able to disengage fromseat 10. - In this case, the upper portion 20) of
slider 4, which has a conical shape, tends to open, producing interference with the inner wall of theupper portion 19. - When
probe 103, however, is moving from the centre of thecontainer 100 towards its mouth, the force which probe 103 may apply onslider 4 depends on the engagement of thebottom portion 8 inside the retaininggroove 104. Since thebottom portion 8 ofslider 4 is deformable radially outwards, the force pulse produced as a result of passing overprojection 23 could be greater than the opposing force which may be generated by the sole resistance to radial expansion ofbottom portion 8 ofslider 4. - It is therefore possible to design
connector 1 so that thebottom portion 8 ofslider 4 is situated inside thesleeve 9 when theupper portion 20 ofslider 4 passes over theprojection 23, as can be seen inFIG. 3 b. - In this way, radial expansion of the
bottom portion 8 is prevented by the presence of thesleeve 9; moreover, the conical form of theupper portion 20 ofslider 4 and theprojection 23 are such that, as a result of passing over theprojection 23, the cone of theupper portion 20 tends to close. This reduces friction with the inner wall of theupper portion 19 and the axial force which opposes longitudinal sliding ofslider 4 and, consequently, also the axial force which tends to open thebottom portion 8. - In other words, the longitudinal distance between
second abutment surface 18 andsixth abutment surface 28 may be advantageously greater than the longitudinal extension of thebottom portion 8 and less than the longitudinal distance between thefirst abutment surface 17 andthird abutment surface 25. -
Main body 3 andslider 4 may be both made of a single piece of polymer material, preferably by means of moulding. - Obviously a person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, may make numerous modifications and variations to the configurations described above, all of which are contained, moreover, within the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims.
Claims (7)
1. Connector able to be mounted on the open end of the neck of a bottle, the connector having a main longitudinal axis X-X and comprising:
a main body, which comprises constraining means for constraining the connector to the container and a sleeve able to connect the inside of the container to the external environment;
a slider which is slidably inserted in the sleeve and is able to love longitudinally between a closed bottom position, where the slider does not allow liquid to flow out from the container, and an open upper position, where the slider allows liquid to flow out from the container; the slider defining internally a seat able to receive a probe able to allow dispensing of the liquid;
the slider further comprising:
a central portion able to be guided at least partially by the sleeve;
a bottom portion, protruding from the sleeve towards the outside of the container when the slider is in the bottom closed position, and comprising a plurality of longitudinally elongated parts, which, when the slider Is in the bottom closed position, reversibly engage with a corresponding engaging portion formed in the probe by expanding elastically in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X,
wherein the connector further comprises an upper portion having a conical shape terminating in an end having the outer diameter d4 such as to engage, with slight interference, with the upper portion of the main body;
the main body having, in the vicinity of its upper end, a circumferential projection projecting towards the inside of main body and with an inner diameter d5, the connector being such that when the upper portion of the slider passes over the projection, the bottom portion of the slider is situated inside the sleeve.
2. Connector according to claim 1 , in which the longitudinally elongated parts each comprise a tooth.
3. Connector according to claim 1 , in which the main body comprises:
a sleeve with an inner diameter d1;
an upper portion having an inner diameter d3>d1;
the sleeve being longitudinally closer to the mouth of the container than the upper portion, when the connector is fixed to the container;
the upper portion comprising a circumferential projection projecting towards the, inside of the main body and having a height h such that h<d5−d3/2.
4. Connector according to claim 1 , in which the slider comprises:
a central portion with an outer diameter d2;
an upper portion having an outer diameter d4>d2;
the central portion being longitudinally closer to the mouth of the container than the upper portion, when the connector is fixed to the container and the slider is in the bottom closed position.
5. Connector according to claim 4 , wherein the inner diameter d1 of the sleeve is such to provide a liquid-tight seal when the sleeve is engaged with the outer surface of the slider or with the central portion of the slider or with the outer surface of the channel of the probe.
6. Connector according to claims 3 and 4 , in which d1 is substantially equal to d3, and d2 is substantially equal to d4.
7. Connector according to claim 1 , the slider comprising a generally flat base between its central and bottom portions.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP06425545.8A EP1884493B1 (en) | 2006-07-31 | 2006-07-31 | Dispensing cap and connector for bottle-like containers |
EP06425545.8 | 2006-07-31 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080023500A1 true US20080023500A1 (en) | 2008-01-31 |
Family
ID=37575106
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/829,643 Abandoned US20080023500A1 (en) | 2006-07-31 | 2007-07-27 | Connector for Bottle-Like Containers |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20080023500A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1884493B1 (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4375864A (en) * | 1980-07-21 | 1983-03-08 | Scholle Corporation | Container for holding and dispensing fluid |
US4874023A (en) * | 1988-09-30 | 1989-10-17 | Liqui-Box Corporation | Decap dispensing system for water cooler bottles |
US5289855A (en) * | 1988-10-14 | 1994-03-01 | Elkay Manufacturing Co. | Liquid container support and probe-type hygienic liquid dispensing system |
US6354473B1 (en) * | 1998-08-05 | 2002-03-12 | Euro Maintenance Lease Produktie B.V. | Closing valve for a container |
-
2006
- 2006-07-31 EP EP06425545.8A patent/EP1884493B1/en not_active Not-in-force
-
2007
- 2007-07-27 US US11/829,643 patent/US20080023500A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4375864A (en) * | 1980-07-21 | 1983-03-08 | Scholle Corporation | Container for holding and dispensing fluid |
US4874023A (en) * | 1988-09-30 | 1989-10-17 | Liqui-Box Corporation | Decap dispensing system for water cooler bottles |
US5289855A (en) * | 1988-10-14 | 1994-03-01 | Elkay Manufacturing Co. | Liquid container support and probe-type hygienic liquid dispensing system |
US6354473B1 (en) * | 1998-08-05 | 2002-03-12 | Euro Maintenance Lease Produktie B.V. | Closing valve for a container |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1884493B1 (en) | 2013-04-17 |
EP1884493A1 (en) | 2008-02-06 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GUALA CLOSURES S.P.A, ITALY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BATTEGAZZORE, PIERO;REEL/FRAME:019721/0603 Effective date: 20070727 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |