WO2011148232A1

WO2011148232A1 - A tap

Info

Publication number: WO2011148232A1
Application number: PCT/IB2010/052353
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes Wolfaart
Original assignee: Johannes Wolfaart
Priority date: 2010-05-27
Filing date: 2010-05-27
Publication date: 2011-12-01
Also published as: WO2011148232A8

Abstract

A tap 10 comprises a valve body 14 and a valve mechanism. The body 14 defines a flow passage 22, an inlet opening 36, an outlet opening 38 and a valve seat 24 surrounding the inlet opening 36. The valve mechanism includes a valve member 16, a valve stem 18 connected to the valve member 16 and a valve actuation member 20. The valve body 14 is adapted for displaceably mounting the stem 18 and the valve member 16 to the body 14 and rotatably mounting the member 20 to the body 14. The member 20 defines an axis A of rotation about which the member 20 is rotated. The member 20 engages the valve stem 18 in an arrangement wherein rotation of the member 20 causes linear, non-rotational displacement of the valve member 16 along a displacement axis C extending transversely relative to the axis A, for displacing valve member 16 between an open position wherein the valve member 16 is spaced from the valve seat 24 and a closed position wherein the valve member 16 seats against the valve seat.

Description

A TAP FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a tap for controlling the dispensing of a liquid from a container.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a tap for controlling the dispensing of a liquid from a container, the tap including: a valve body which is connectable to the container, the valve body having a flow passage, an inlet opening through which liquid contained within the container may flow into the flow passage, an outlet opening through which liquid may flow out of the flow passage of the valve body; and a valve seat; a valve mechanism including a valve member which is displaceably mounted relative to the valve body; a valve stem which is connected to the valve member and which is mounted within the flow passage of the valve body; and a valve actuation member which is rotatably mounted to the valve body, the valve actuation member defining an axis of rotation about which the valve actuation member may be rotated, the valve actuation member engaging the valve stem in an arrangement wherein rotation of the valve actuation member causes displacement of the valve stem within the flow passage of the valve body and thereby displacement of the valve member, the valve body and the valve mechanism including complementary guiding formations for guiding the displacement of the valve member relative to the valve body along a displacement axis extending transversely relative to the axis of rotation of the valve actuation member, in an arrangement wherein rotation of the valve actuation member relative to the valve body causes linear displacement of the valve stem and thereby the valve member relative to the valve body, causing the valve member to be displaced between an open position wherein the valve member is spaced from the valve seat permitting flow of liquid to the outlet opening and a closed position wherein the valve member is seated against the valve seat thereby preventing liquid flow to the outlet opening.

The guiding formations of the valve mechanism may provide for said linear displacement in the form of translation of the valve stem within the flow passage and thereby translation of the valve member relative to the valve body. The displacement axis and the axis of rotation of the valve actuation member may intersect. The displacement axis and the axis of rotation of the valve actuation member may define an acute angle relative to one another, wherein an operative upper end of the valve actuation member is relatively closer to the inlet opening than a lower end thereof.

The guiding formations of the valve mechanism may be in the form of a pair of longitudinally extending grooves, each groove being defined on an opposite side region of the valve stem and the complementary guiding formations of the valve body may be in the form of a pair of guiding pins projecting inwardly into the flow passage of the valve body in an arrangement wherein a different one of the guiding pins of the valve body is received within a different one of the grooves so as to guide the axial displacement of the valve stem within the valve body.

The valve body may include a blocking formation for blocking rotation of the actuation member beyond a predetermined position in which the actuation member is in an open condition wherein the valve member is displaced by the actuation member into its open position. The valve body may have a spout formation which defines the outlet opening. The blocking formation of the valve body may be defined on the spout formation.

The valve body may include a holding formation configured to releasably engage the actuation member for releasably holding the actuation member in a closed condition when the valve member is in its closed position.

The valve seat of the valve body may be in the form of an annular sealing formation projecting from the valve body in a configuration in which the annular sealing formation surrounds the inlet opening of the valve body. More particularly, the annular sealing formation may comprise an annular projection which tapers towards a distal end thereof when viewed in sectional side view.

The valve member may have an annular configuration so as to seat against the annular sealing formation in the closed position of the valve member so as to form a liquid-tight seal therewith. More particularly, the valve member may include a pair of spaced concentric annular projections defining a groove between them configured to receive the annular sealing formation therein, thereby to form said liquid-tight seal. The valve actuation member may include a lever formation which can be manipulated by a user for causing rotation of the valve actuation member about its axis of rotation. The valve actuation member may be configured such that the lever formation revolves around the spout as the valve actuation member is rotated, in use.

The valve actuation member may include an engagement post defining a longitudinal axis along its length, the longitudinal axis of the engagement post being spaced from the axis of rotation of the valve actuation member in a configuration permitting the engagement post to revolve around the axis of rotation of the valve actuation member as the valve actuation member is rotated, in use, the engagement post being operable to engage the valve stem for displacing the valve stem and thereby the valve member between its open and closed positions. As such, the valve stem may include a complementary engaging formation for engaging the engagement post of the valve actuation member, for displacing the valve stem and thereby the valve member along said displacement axis between its open and closed positions. The valve body may include a connecting formation configured to be connected, in use, to a complementary connecting formation of said container, for connecting the flow passage of the tap in flow communication with a reservoir of said container.

The invention extends to a liquid dispensing system comprising the tap in accordance with the invention which is connected to said container in the form of a flexible pouch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further features of the invention are described hereinafter by way of a non-limiting example of the invention, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a tap in accordance with the invention connected to a pouch;

Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the tap of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a sectional side view of the tap of Figure 1 , sectioned along section lines Ill-Ill of Figure 1 , with the valve member of the tap in a closed position; and

Figure 4 shows the tap of Figure 3, with the valve member in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the drawings, a tap in accordance with the invention, is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. The tap 10 is specifically configured for use in controlling the dispensing of a drinkable liquid from a container in the form of a pouch 12. The pouch 12 is of a flexible material and has a reservoir containing a beverage, a base permitting the pouch to be supported on a substrate surface and an outlet opening at a lower end of the reservoir through which the beverage contained within the reservoir is dispensed, in use. As such, the tap 10 is connected in flow communication with the outlet opening of the reservoir of the pouch 12. The tap 10 comprises, broadly, a valve body 14 and a valve mechanism which includes a valve member 16, a valve stem 18 which is connected to the valve member 16 and a valve actuation member 20. The valve body 14 and the valve mechanism are of a plastics material. The valve body 14 is adapted for displaceably mounting the valve stem 18 and the valve member 16 to the valve body 14 and rotatably mounting the valve actuation member 20 to the valve body 14 for controlling the dispensing of a beverage from the pouch 12. The valve body 14 includes an inner end portion 13, a flow passage 22, a valve seat 24, a pair of guiding formations 26, mounting formations 28, and a spout 30 on which a blocking formation 32 and a holding formation 34, is defined. The inner end portion 13 includes a flange 15 and a connecting formation in the form of a cylindrical portion 17. The cylindrical portion 17 includes a pair of spaced circumferential outwardly projecting ribs 19 defined on an external side of the cylindrical portion 17. The cylindrical portion 17 is received in a complementary connecting formation in the form of a sleeve of the pouch 12 defining the outlet opening of the reservoir. The sleeve is sonically welded to an outer side of the cylindrical portion 17 thereby connecting the valve body 14 to the pouch 12 such that the flow passage 22 is in flow communication with the reservoir of the pouch 12. The cylindrical portion 17 includes a pair of spaced annular ribs 19 defined on an external side of the cylindrical portion 17. The flow passage 22 has an inlet opening 36 through which liquid contained within the pouch 12 may flow into the flow passage 22 and an outlet opening 38 through which liquid may flow out of the flow passage 22 of the valve body 14. The valve seat 24 comprises an annular sealing formation 40 which surrounds the inlet opening 36. The annular sealing formation 40 comprises an annular projection which tapers towards a distal end thereof. The annular sealing formation 40 thus has a tapered configuration when viewed in sectional side view, as shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings. The guiding formations 26 comprise a pair of guiding pins 46.1 and 46.2 projecting inwardly into the flow passage 22 of the valve body 14. The mounting formations 28 include an aperture 48 and a pair of spaced annular mounting brackets 50.1 and 50.2. The spout 30 defines the outlet opening 38 and directs the flow of beverage dispensed from the reservoir of the pouch 12 downwardly at an appropriate angle relative to the pouch 12 for pouring the beverage into a drinking vessel. The spout 30 includes an annular groove 52 defined on an internal side of the spout 30, the purpose of which will be explained below. The blocking formation 32 extends along a central region of the spout 30 and is operable to block rotation of the actuation member 20 relative to the valve body 14. The holding formation 34 of the valve body 14 is operable to engage the actuation member 20 for holding the actuation member 20 in a predetermined holding position, as will be explained in more detail below.

The valve actuation member 20 defines an axis of rotation A about which the valve actuation member 20 is rotated, in use. The valve actuation member 20 includes mounting formations 54, an engagement post 56 and a lever formation 58. The mounting formations 54.1 and 54.2 of the valve actuation member 20 are received in mounting brackets 50.1 and 50.2 of the mounting formations 28 of the valve body 14, respectively, for rotatably mounting the valve actuation member 20 to the valve body 14. The engagement post 56 defines a longitudinal axis B along its length. The longitudinal axis B is spaced from the axis of rotation A of the valve actuation member 20, as is shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. The lever formation 58 is also spaced from the axis of rotation A of the actuation member 20. The valve member 16 is displaceably mounted relative to the valve body 14 and has an annular configuration and includes a pair of spaced concentric annular projections 60.1 , 60.2 defining a groove between them configured to receive the annular sealing formation 40 of the valve body 14 therein, as will be explained in more detail below.

The valve stem 18 is mounted within the flow passage of the valve body 14 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The valve stem 18 includes guiding formations in the form of a pair of longitudinally-extending grooves 62.1 , 62.2 and a complementary engaging formation 68. Each groove 62.1 , 62.2 is defined on an opposite side region of the valve stem 18 as shown in Figure 2. A different one of the guiding pins 46.1 and 46.2 of the valve body 14 is received within a different one of the grooves 62.1 , 62.2 so as to guide the axial displacement of the valve stem 18 within the valve body 14 along a displacement axis C.

The tap 10 further includes a cap 64 having a lip 65 and a locking member 66. The cap 64 is inserted into the spout 30 such that the lip 65 is received in the annular groove 52 of the spout 30 after filling of the pouch 12 with the beverage. The cap 64 is operable to block the outlet opening of the spout 30 during transportation and storage of the pouch 12. The locking member 66 locks the actuation member 20 to prevent rotation of the actuation member 20 relative to the spout 30. A frangible formation (not shown) is connected between the cap 64 and the spout 30 such that a user of the tap 10 will rupture the frangible formation when removing the cap 64 prior to use of the tap 10. As such, the cap 64 forms part of a "tamper-evident seal", which indicates to the user whether the cap 64 has been tampered with.

In use, rotation of the valve actuation member 20 causes the engagement post 56 to revolve around the axis of rotation A of the valve actuation member 20 such that the engagement post 56 engages the complementary engaging formation 68 of the valve stem 18, thereby displacing the valve stem 18 within the flow passage of the valve body 14 and thereby displacing the valve member 18. More particularly, rotation of the valve actuation member 20 relative to the valve body 14 causes linear, non-rotational displacement of the valve stem 18 and thereby the valve member 16 relative to the valve body 14 along the displacement axis C, causing the valve member 16 to be displaced between an open position wherein the valve member 16 is spaced from the valve seat 24 permitting flow of liquid to the outlet opening 38 and a closed position wherein the valve member 16 is seated against the valve seat 24 thereby preventing liquid flow to the outlet opening 38.

In use, the guiding formations provide for displacement in the form of translation of the valve stem 18 within the flow passage 22 and thereby translation of the valve member 16 relative to the valve body 14. The displacement axis C and the axis of rotation A of the valve actuation member 20 intersect. Furthermore, the axes A and C define an acute angle a between them, with an operative upper end of the valve actuation member 20 being relatively closer to the inlet opening 36 than a lower end thereof, as shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings.

It will be appreciated that the valve member 16 has an annular configuration so as to seat against the annular sealing formation 40 in the closed position of the valve member 16. More particularly, as shown in Figure 3, the groove defined between the pair of spaced concentric annular projections 60.1 , 60.2 receives the annular sealing formation 40 of the valve body 14 therein, in the closed position of the valve member 16, thereby to form a liquid tight seal. More particularly, the annular sealing formation 40 is wedged into the groove defined between the pair of spaced concentric annular projections 60.1 , 60.2 in a wedging action.

An effective liquid-tight seal is achieved by receiving the annular sealing formation 40 within the groove defined between the pair of spaced concentric annular projections 60.1 , 60.2. More particularly, this arrangement provides for an increased area of contact of sealing surfaces, which results in improved sealing capacity of the valve member 16 when in its closed position.

In use, the lever 58 revolves around the spout 30 as the valve actuation member 20 is rotated. In this regard it will be understood that the blocking formation 32 is operable to block rotation of the valve actuation member 20 beyond a blocking position in which the valve actuation member 20 is in an open condition wherein the valve member 16 is displaced by the actuation member 20 into its open position as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. It will also be understood that the holding formation 34 is operable to releasably hold the actuation member 20 in the holding position in which the valve actuation member 20 is in a closed condition wherein the valve member 16 is displaced by the actuation member 20 into its closed position, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. In the closed condition the lever formation 58 of the valve actuation member 20 is positioned in the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. In use, the lever formation 58 is manipulated by a user to rotate the valve actuation member 20 in a clockwise direction, until the valve actuation member 20 is blocked by the blocking formation 32, for displacing the valve member 16 into its open position and the valve actuation member 20 into its open condition. Figure 4 shows the open condition of the valve actuation member 20 and the open position of the valve member 16. Similarly, in use, the lever formation 58 is thus manipulated by a user to rotate the valve actuation member 20 in an anti-clockwise direction until the valve actuation member 20 is releasably held by the holding formation 34 in the holding position, for displacing the valve member 16 into its closed position and the valve actuation member 20 into its closed condition.

Due to spacing of the longitudinal axis B of the engagement post 56 from the axis of rotation A of the valve actuation member 20 and due to spacing of the lever formation 58 from the axis of rotation A of the valve actuation member 20, the lever formation 58 provides for a relatively large turning moment produced by an actuating force applied to the lever formation 58 by a user, in use. This turning moment is beneficial in overcoming friction forces encountered when the valve member 16 is displaced into and out of its closed position.

It will be appreciated that an excessive force applied to the lever formation 58 will tend to displace the tap 10 relative to the pouch 12, and cause the pouch 12 to deform or bend. It is clearly undesirable that the pouch 12 should deform or bend when a user is applying a force to the lever formation 58 when displacing the valve member into its open or closed position. The applicant believes that the turning moment mentioned above ensures that a relatively small force needs be applied to the lever formation 58 in order to displace the valve member 16 between its open and closed positions and that said force can be applied without causing the pouch 12 to deform or bend. Furthermore, bending and deforming of the pouch 12 is reduced by reduced frictional forces due to the guiding pins 46.1 , 46.2 being configured and dimensioned to provide a small contact surface area which contacts the grooves 62.1 , 62.2, thereby to minimise frictional forces during displacement of the valve stem 18 and thereby the valve member 16 between its open and closed positions.

The tap in accordance with the invention is therefore operable to convert a rotational force applied to the lever 58 by a user, into a translational force providing for the linear displacement of the valve member 16 along displacement axis C extending at acute angle a relative to the axis of rotation A, providing for the reciprocation of the valve member 16 between its open and closed positions as the actuation member 20 is rotated, in use. This arrangement allows the tap 10 to take up a compact configuration which is advantageous during packaging, transporting and storage of a number of pouches which each have a tap attached thereto which projects outwardly from the pouch.

Although the tap 10 is configured, primarily, for use with a free-standing pouch 12 having a base upon which it is supported, the applicant believes that the tap is also suitable for use with "bag-in-box" type packaging, wherein a flexible pouch to which the tap is connected, is received in a box having an opening defined in a side wall thereof. In this configuration (not shown) the cylindrical portion of the valve body is received in the opening defined in the side wall of the box, with the flange abutting an external side of the side wall of the box such that the spout and valve actuation member are accessible to a user. The applicant further believes that the tap 10 in accordance with the invention is advantageous as it comprises few moving parts and is efficient, reliable to use and cost effective to produce.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A tap for controlling the dispensing of a liquid from a container, the tap including: a valve body which is connectable to the container, the valve body having a flow passage, an inlet opening through which liquid contained within the container may flow into the flow passage, an outlet opening through which liquid may flow out of the flow passage of the valve body; and a valve seat; a valve mechanism including a valve member which is displaceably mounted relative to the valve body; a valve stem which is connected to the valve member and which is mounted within the flow passage of the valve body; and a valve actuation member which is rotatably mounted to the valve body, the valve actuation member defining an axis of rotation about which the valve actuation member may be rotated, the valve actuation member engaging the valve stem in an arrangement wherein rotation of the valve actuation member causes displacement of the valve stem within the flow passage of the valve body and thereby displacement of the valve member, the valve body and the valve mechanism including complementary guiding formations for guiding the displacement of the valve member relative to the valve body along a displacement axis extending transversely relative to the axis of rotation of the valve actuation member, in an arrangement wherein rotation of the valve actuation member relative to the valve body causes linear displacement of the valve stem and thereby the valve member relative to the valve body, causing the valve member to be displaced between an open position wherein the valve member is spaced from the valve seat permitting flow of liquid to the outlet opening and a closed position wherein the valve member is seated against the valve seat thereby preventing liquid flow to the outlet opening.

2. The tap as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the guiding formations of the valve mechanism provide for said linear displacement in the form of translation of the valve stem within the flow passage and thereby translation of the valve member relative to the valve body.

3. The tap as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the displacement axis and the axis of rotation of the valve actuation member intersect.

4. The tap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the displacement axis and the axis of rotation of the valve actuation member define an acute angle relative to one another, wherein an operative upper end of the valve actuation member is relatively closer to the inlet opening than a lower end thereof.

5. The tap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the guiding formations of the valve mechanism are in the form of a pair of longitudinally extending grooves, each groove being defined on an opposite side region of the valve stem and the complementary guiding formations of the valve body are in the form of a pair of guiding pins projecting inwardly into the flow passage of the valve body in an arrangement wherein a different one of the guiding pins of the valve body is received within a different one of the grooves so as to guide the axial displacement of the valve stem within the valve body.

6. The tap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the valve body includes a blocking formation for blocking rotation of the actuation member beyond a predetermined position in which the actuation member is in an open condition wherein the valve member is displaced by the actuation member into its open position.

7. The tap as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the valve body has a spout formation which defines the outlet opening.

8. The tap as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the blocking formation of the valve body is defined on the spout formation.

9. The tap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the valve body includes a holding formation configured to releasably engage the actuation member for releasably holding the actuation member in a closed condition when the valve member is in its closed position.

10. The tap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the valve seat of the valve body is in the form of an annular sealing formation projecting from the valve body in a configuration in which the annular sealing formation surrounds the inlet opening of the valve body.

1 1 . The tap as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the annular sealing formation comprises an annular projection which tapers towards a distal end thereof when viewed in sectional side view.

12. The tap as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 1 1 , wherein the valve member has an annular configuration so as to seat against the annular sealing formation in the closed position of the valve member so as to form a liquid-tight seal therewith.

13. The tap as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the valve member includes a pair of spaced concentric annular projections defining a groove between them configured to receive the annular sealing formation therein, thereby to form said liquid-tight seal.

14. The tap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein the valve actuation member includes a lever formation which can be manipulated by a user for causing rotation of the valve actuation member about its axis of rotation.

15. The tap as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the valve actuation member is configured such that the lever formation revolves around the spout as the valve actuation member is rotated, in use.

16. The tap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 15, wherein the valve actuation member includes an engagement post defining a longitudinal axis along its length, the longitudinal axis of the engagement post being spaced from the axis of rotation of the valve actuation member in a configuration permitting the engagement post to revolve around the axis of rotation of the valve actuation member as the valve actuation member is rotated, in use, the engagement post being operable to engage the valve stem for displacing the valve stem and thereby the valve member between its open and closed positions.

17. The tap as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the valve stem includes a complementary engaging formation for engaging the engagement post of the valve actuation member, for displacing the valve stem and thereby the valve member along said displacement axis between its open and closed positions.

18. The tap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 17, wherein the valve body includes a connecting formation configured to be connected, in use, to a complementary connecting formation of said container, for connecting the flow passage of the tap in flow communication with a reservoir of said container.

19. A liquid dispensing system comprising the tap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 18 which is connected to said container in the form of a flexible pouch.