WO2007135641A1

WO2007135641A1 - Dispensing tap with transversely angled liquid outlet

Info

Publication number: WO2007135641A1
Application number: PCT/IB2007/051903
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Roos
Original assignee: Mark Roos
Priority date: 2006-05-19
Filing date: 2007-05-18
Publication date: 2007-11-29

Abstract

The invention discloses a dispensing tap for dispensing a liquid from a container having a valve body defining a passage with a side wall. A liquid inlet leads into the passage and a liquid outlet leads out from the passage. A closure member is movably located in the passage is movable along a linear movement axis to open or close the liquid outlet. The liquid outlet is orientated in the side wall to be transversely angled relative to the linear movement axis.

Description

DISPENSING TAP WITH TRANSVERSELY ANGLED LIQUID OUTLET FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dispensing tap.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a dispensing tap moulded from plastics material for dispensing liquid from a container.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

The so-called "bag-in-box" containers are widely used to package wine, fruit juices and other liquids. The liquid in such containers is contained in a flexible pouch of plastics material and the pouch is placed into a cardboard box for protection and sturdiness.

The pouch is provided with a tap for dispensing controlled amounts of liquid. The tap can be integrally formed with the pouch or, alternatively, a gasket or flange can be secured to the pouch and the tap can be placed loose in the cardboard box for later insertion into the gasket. The tap should be simple in construction and inexpensive to make. It should not leak or drip and must not permit ingress of air into the bag.

One problem with known dispensing taps is that once closed, a small volume of liquid remains in the vicinity of the spout on the outside of the tap and in contact with air, which is unhygienic as the liquid can become spoiled. When further volumes of liquid are dispensed from the container, the spoiled liquid is washed into a person's cup or glass and becomes mixed with the freshly dispensed liquid and is thus consumed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing tap, which will assist in overcoming these problems.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the invention, a dispensing tap for dispensing a liquid from a container includes a valve body defining a passage with a side wall; a liquid inlet leading to the passage; a liquid outlet leading from the passage; a closure member movably located in the passage and being movable along a linear movement axis to open or close the liquid outlet; and the side wall that houses the liquid outlet being transversely angled relative to the linear movement axis.

The valve body may have an annular conically flared side wall.

The closure member may be substantially bell shaped having a generally cylindrical body, which is open at one end and which is closed off at its opposite end by a transverse end wall.

The cylindrical body may be conically flared at its open end being adapted to cooperate with and lie flush against the side wall.

The dispensing tap may include a flexible resilient diaphragm being adapted to bias the closure member to close the liquid outlet.

The valve body may be tubular and the diaphragm may close off an open end of the tubular body, opposite to the inlet.

The valve body may have a protective collar surrounding and extending beyond the diaphragm.

The valve body may have two opposite outwardly projecting gripping members.

Also according to the invention, a dispensing tap for dispensing a liquid from a container includes a valve body defining a tubular passage with a conically flared side wall; a liquid inlet leading into the passage at one end thereof; a liquid outlet leading from the passage and being located in the side wall; and a conically flared closure member located in the passage and being movable longitudinally within the passage to open or close the liquid outlet. The form of the conically flared side wall and the closure member mat be adapted to express liquid, that is located within the tubular passage between the closure member and the side wall, when the closure member is moved to close the liquid outlet.

The liquid may be adapted to be expressed either back into the container or out through the liquid outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

In the drawings there is shown in:

Figure 1 a perspective view from above of a first embodiment of a dispensing tap according to the invention in a closed position;

Figure 2 a perspective view from below of the dispensing tap of Figure 1;

Figure 3 a sectional side view seen along arrows III-III in Figure 1;

Figure 4 a sectional side view of the dispensing tap of Figure 3 shown in an open position;

Figure 5 a perspective view from below of a second embodiment of a dispensing tap according to the invention in a closed position;

Figure 6 a sectional side view seen along arrows VI-VI in Figure 5; and

Figure 7 a sectional side view of the dispensing tap of Figure 6 shown in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, a first embodiment of a dispensing tap in accordance with the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, is shown. The dispensing tap 10 is adapted to be connected to a pouch or container (not shown) for dispensing a flowable liquid, such as fruit juice or wine from the pouch.

The dispensing tap 10 includes a tubular body or barrel 12 having opposite open ends 14,16. A disc-like flange 18 extends from the barrel 12 at the open end 14 with a sleeve 20 protruding from the flange 18 on the opposite side thereof to the barrel 12. The sleeve 20 is of larger diameter than the barrel 12 and is adapted to be in push-fit with the pouch. The open end 14 serves as an inlet to the tap 10 for liquid contained in the pouch. The barrel 12 has a circumferential side wall 22 which has a frusto-conically flared part 24 from about midway along its length towards the flange 18. A valve seat 26 is formed at the join between the flared part 24 and the flange 20.

A liquid outlet opening 28 is provided within the flared part 24, which outlet 28 is closed by a movable plunger or closure member 30 internally located in the barrel 12. The closure member 30 is movable along a linear axis 31.

The closure member 30 is substantially bell shaped having a generally cylindrical body 32, which is open at one end 34 and which is closed off at its opposite end by a transverse end wall 36. The cylindrical body 32 is in flush contact with the side wall 22 and is able to slide to-and-fro within the barrel 12. The cylindrical body 32 has an outwardly flared wall 38 being adapted to cooperate with and lie flush against the flared part 24 of the barrel 12 when the dispensing tap 10 is in its closed position, as shown in Figure 3. At the end 34, the flared wall 38 has an outwardly projecting lip forming a sealing edge 40 being adapted to cooperate with the valve seat 26.

The closure member 30 has a knob 42 projecting outwardly from its end wall 36 for attachment to a flexible resilient diaphragm 44, which covers the open end 16. The diaphragm 44 is hemispherical with its free annular edge 46 being joined to the cylindrical wall 22 by suitable complementary annular ridge and groove formations respectively provided on the diaphragm 44 and cylindrical wall 22. The diaphragm 44 is injection moulded from a plastics material, such as ethylene vinyl acetate material or commercially available "Arnitel" material.

A protective collar 48 extends from the cylindrical wall 22, from relatively near to the open end 16, around the diaphragm 44. The collar 48 assists in preventing damage to the dispensing tap 10 through accidental dislocation of the diaphragm 44 from the closure member 30. The collar 48 also assists in preventing accidental opening of the dispensing tap 10 through accidental force being applied to the diaphragm 44.

Two opposite gripping members 50 are provided on the collar 48.

In use, liquid from the pouch is adapted to flow through the sleeve 20, around the outside of the closure member 30 between it and the barrel 12 and to exit through the outlet 28.

In the rest or closed position shown in Figure 3, the diaphragm 44 exerts a biasing force pulling the closure member 30 toward the open end 16. This forces the flared wall 38 to lie flush against the flared part 24 to close off the outlet 28. Simultaneously, the sealing edge 40 is pressed against the valve seat 26 preventing any liquid from flowing between the closure member 30 and the barrel 12.

When liquid is to be dispensed, the dispensing tap is opened (as shown in Figure 4) by applying sufficient pressure, such as finger pressure, to the diaphragm 44 to overcome the biasing force and to compress the diaphragm by pushing it together. This pressure is in turn transferred to the closure member 30 which is pushed through the open end 14 dislodging the sealing edge 40 from the valve seat 26. Simultaneously, due to the flaring of the flared wall 38 and the flared part 24, an annular gap 52 is formed between the flared wall 38 and the flared part 24. Liquid from the pouch is then able to flow through the gap 52 and to exit through the outlet 28.

Leaking through the open end 16 is prevented by the flush sliding contact between the cylindrical body 32 and the side wall 22 even when the closure member 30 is in the open position.

When the dispensing tap 10 is again closed, the coming together of the flared wall 38 and the flared part 24 forceably presses out any liquid remaining in the gap 52. This minimises the likelihood of any post- closure dripping from the outlet 28.

The barrel 12 is preferably made of plastics material such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

The dispensing tap 10 can be made by injection moulding.

Referring now to Figures 5 to 7 of the drawings, a second embodiment of a dispensing tap in accordance with the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 110, is shown. The dispensing tap 110 is substantially similar to the tap 10 and is adapted for a similar use.

The dispensing tap 110 includes a tubular body or barrel 112 having opposite open ends 114,116. A disc-like flange 118 extends from the barrel 112 at the open end 114 with a sleeve 120 protruding from the flange 118 on the opposite side thereof to the barrel 112. The sleeve 120 is of larger diameter than the barrel 112 and is adapted to be in push-fit with the pouch. The open end 114 serves as an inlet to the tap 110 for liquid contained in the pouch. The barrel 112 has a circumferential side wall 122 which has a frusto-conically flared part 124 from about midway along its length towards the flange 118. A valve seat 126 is formed in the flared part 124. A guide support wall 150 lies within the barrel 112 and has a central elongated guide orifice 152. A liquid outlet opening 128 is provided within the flared part 124, which outlet 128 is closed by a movable plunger or closure member 130 internally located in the barrel 112. The plunger 130 is substantially cup shaped having an outwardly flared body 132, which is open at one end 134 and which is closed off at its opposite end by a transverse end wall 136. A spigot 154 extends centrally from the end wall 136 through the orifice 152 and is able to slide to-and-fro therein. The body 132 is adapted to cooperate with and lie flush against the flared part 124 of the barrel 112 when the dispensing tap 110 is in its closed position, as shown in Figure 6. At the end 134, the body 132 has an outwardly projecting lip forming a sealing edge 140 being adapted to cooperate with the valve seat 126.

The plunger 130 has a knob 142 projecting from the spigot 154 for attachment to a flexible resilient diaphragm 144, which covers the open end 116.

The diaphragm 144 and its surrounding collar 148 are similar to the diaphragm 44 and collar 48 and are therefore not be described in further detail.

In use, liquid from the pouch is adapted to flow through the sleeve 120, around the outside of the plunger 130 between it and the barrel 112 and to exit through the outlet 128.

In the rest or closed position shown in Figure 6, the diaphragm 144 exerts a biasing force pulling the plunger 130 toward the open end 16. This forces the flared wall 138 to lie flush against the flared part 124 to close off the outlet 128. Simultaneously, the sealing edge 140 is pressed against the valve seat 126 preventing any liquid from flowing between the plunger 130 and the barrel 112.

When liquid is to be dispensed, the dispensing tap is opened (as shown in Figure 7) by applying sufficient pressure, such as finger pressure, to the diaphragm 144 to overcome the biasing force and to compress the diaphragm 144 by pushing it together. This pressure is in turn transferred to the plunger 130 which is pushed through the open end 114 dislodging the sealing edge 140 from the valve seat 126. Simultaneously, due to the flaring of the body 132 and the flared part 124, a gap is formed between the plunger 130 and the barrel 112. Liquid from the pouch is then able to flow through the gap and to exit through the outlet 128.

Leaking through the open end 116 is prevented by the flush sliding contact between the spigot 152 within the guide orifice 152 even when the plunger 130 is in the open position.

When the dispensing tap 110 is again closed, the coming together of the flared body 132 and the flared part 124 forceably presses out any liquid remaining in the gap between the plunger 130 and the barrel 112. This minimises the likelihood of any post-closure dripping from the outlet 128.

The barrel 112 is preferably made of plastics material such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

The dispensing tap 110 can be made by injection moulding.

Claims

1. A dispensing tap for dispensing a liquid from a container including a valve body defining a passage with a side wall; a liquid inlet leading to the passage; a liquid outlet leading from the passage; a closure member movably located in the passage and being movable along a linear movement axis to open or close the liquid outlet; and the side wall that houses the liquid outlet being transversely angled relative to the linear movement axis.

2. A dispensing tap as claimed in claim 1, in which the valve body has an annular conically flared side wall.

3. A dispensing tap as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the closure member is substantially bell shaped having a generally cylindrical body, which is open at one end and which is closed off at its opposite end by a transverse end wall.

4. A dispensing tap as claimed in claim 3, in which the cylindrical body is conically flared at its open end being adapted to cooperate with and lie flush against the side wall.

5. A dispensing tap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a flexible resilient diaphragm being adapted to bias the closure member to close the liquid outlet.

6. A dispensing tap as claimed in claim 5, in which the valve body is tubular and the diaphragm closes off an open end of the tubular body, opposite to the inlet.

7. A dispensing tap as claimed in claim 5 or 6, in which the valve body has a protective collar surrounding and extending beyond the diaphragm.

8. A dispensing tap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the valve body has two opposite outwardly projecting gripping members.

9. A dispensing tap for dispensing a liquid from a container including a valve body defining a tubular passage with a conically flared side wall; a liquid inlet leading into the passage at one end thereof; a liquid outlet leading from the passage and being located in the side wall; and a conically flared closure member located in the passage and being movable longitudinally within the passage to open or close the liquid outlet.

10. A dispensing tap as claimed in claim 9, in which the form of the conically flared side wall and the closure member is adapted to express liquid, that is located within the tubular passage between the closure member and the side wall, when the closure member is moved to close the liquid outlet.

11. A dispensing tap as claimed in claim 10, in which the liquid is adapted to be expressed either back into the container or out through the liquid outlet.

12. A dispensing tap substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying schematic drawings.