Abstract
A dispensing tap (1) is described, comprising: a support and containment body (2) equipped with an elongated neck (I); a locking ring (3A, 3B) located externally around the elongated neck (I) of the body (2); and a cap (4) inserted inside the elongated neck (I) of the body (2).
Claims
1.-6. (canceled)
7. A dispenser tap comprising: a support and containment body equipped with an elongated neck; a Locking ring LCKR placed externally around the elongated neck of the body designed to be anchored to a cardboard box and rotatable by 90° in order to perform a locking of the dispenser tap with the box; and a first cap inserted inside the elongated neck of the body; wherein the body further comprises: a second central zone, connected to the elongated neck, designed to operatively couple with the Locking ring LCKR; and a third base zone, connected to the second central zone, in which external connection geometries of the tap are located; wherein, in the second central zone, there are two opposing anchoring sectors, each 90° wide, where geometries of the anchoring sectors necessary for anchoring the Locking ring LCKR are obtained, on a same ring there being two remaining opposing sectors, always 90° wide, which, having a less pronounced anchoring tooth than the first two sectors, enable the assembly of the Locking ring LCKR, allowing the passage of the anchoring teeth in coupling sectors placed at 90° on the Locking ring LCKR, the second central zone further comprising a central rib which has the purpose of keeping the Locking ring LCKR in the correct position, favoring its correct 90° rotation during the operative anchoring step, the second central zone comprising also a vertical rib geometry designed to cooperate with the internal tooth of the Locking ring LCKR and generate a stop area of the Locking ring LCKR, the second central zone also including a first plane, the first plane allowing underlying horizontal planes to be anchored to the box, the second central zone also including a double contrast which allows the tap to lean on and, in cooperation with the Locking ring LCKR, definitively lock the tap, preventing it from coming out of its anchored position or collapsing.
8. The dispensing tap of claim 7, further comprising a second cap placed above a part of the first cap protruding from the elongated neck of the body, the second cap being designed to minimize the effort to open the tap by exploiting large fins with which it is equipped.
9. The dispensing tap of claim 7, wherein, on the plane, there are two opposing semicircular geometries which are coupled with the hollow geometries obtained on the Locking ring LCKR in its rear part, thus preventing the Locking ring LCKR from moving in the steps preceding the final anchoring step on the box.
10. The dispensing tap of claim 7, wherein the Locking ring LCKR in a manual version is designed to allow the assembly of the tap, and comprises, in development from a flat rear area, a cylinder which contains inside the two opposed 90° coupling sectors which are then coupled with the geometries of the anchoring sectors present on the body, on the outside of the cylinder and for all 360° there being clamping sectors, grip to better facilitate the engagement of the fingers during the anchoring/rotation step of the Locking ring LCKR, the Locking ring LCKR also comprising two opposing fins which further increase the grip area useful for the operator carrying out a manual assembly, on the lower part of the Locking ring LCKR being present two opposed spherical grooves which act as a seat for the opposite semicircular geometries present on the body.
11. The dispensing tap of claim 7, wherein the Locking ring LCKR in an automatic version is designed to allow the fitting of the tap, and comprises, in development from a flat area, a cylinder which contains inside the two coupling sectors opposite to each other by 90°, which are then coupled with the geometries of the anchoring sectors present on the body, outside the cylinder and for all 360°, there being grip sectors to better facilitate the engagement of the fingers during the anchoring/rotation step of the Locking ring LCKR, the external geometries being suitable for operatively coupling with a mandrel designed to automatically rotate the Locking ring LCKR once the cap is placed in the operative position, the mandrel having inside hollow geometries opposite to the geometries obtained on the Locking ring LCKR, which allow to have the necessary grip to make the Locking ring LCKR perform the necessary 90° rotation to lock the tap in the anchored position, on the lower part of the Locking ring LCKR there being two opposing spherical grooves which act as a seat for the opposite semicircular geometries present on the body.
Description
[0054] The present invention will be better described by some preferred embodiments thereof, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
[0055] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tap 1 according to the present invention in the closed position with the locking ring LCKR 3A “not activated”;
[0056] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tap 1 according to the present invention in the closed position with the locking ring LCKR 3B for use on automatic lines “not activated”;
[0057] FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the tap 1 according to the present invention in the closed position with the locking ring LCKR 3A for use on manual lines “not activated”;
[0058] FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of the tap 1 according to the present invention in the closed position with the locking ring LCKR 3B for use on automatic lines “not activated”;
[0059] FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment of the tap 1 according to the present invention in the closed position with the locking ring LCKR 3A for use on manual lines “activated”;
[0060] FIG. 6 is a front view of an embodiment of the tap 1 according to the present invention in the closed position with the locking ring LCKR 3B for use on automatic lines “activated”;
[0061] FIG. 7 is a front view of an embodiment (manual version) of the tap 1 assembled according to the present invention in the closed position with the locking ring LCKR 3A “not activated”;
[0062] FIG. 8 is a front view of an embodiment (automatic version) of the tap 1 assembled according to the present invention in the closed position with the locking ring LCKR 3B “not activated”;
[0063] FIG. 9 is a sectional front and detailed view of an embodiment of the tap 1 according to the present invention in the closed position with the locking ring LCKR 3A (manual version) “not activated”;
[0064] FIG. 10 is a sectional front and detailed view of an embodiment of the tap 1 according to the present invention in the closed position with the locking ring LCKR 3B (automatic version) “not activated”;
[0065] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the tap 1 according to the present invention in conformation for manual lines;
[0066] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the tap 1 according to the present invention in conformation for automatic lines;
[0067] FIG. 13 is an exploded sectional view of an embodiment of the tap 1 according to the present invention in conformation for manual lines;
[0068] FIG. 14 is an exploded sectional view of an embodiment of the tap 1 according to the present invention in conformation for automatic lines;
[0069] FIG. 15 is an isometric exploded sectional view of an embodiment of the tap 1 according to the present invention in conformation for manual lines;
[0070] FIG. 16 is an isometric exploded sectional view of an embodiment of the tap 1 according to the present invention in conformation for automatic lines;
[0071] FIG. 17 is an isometric, sectional and side sectional view of an embodiment of the tap 1 placed and locked on the box 7 and in a ready-to-use position for dispensing according to the present invention in conformation for manual lines;
[0072] FIG. 18 is an isometric, sectional and side sectional view of an embodiment of the tap 1 placed and locked on the box 7 and in a ready-to-use position for dispensing according to the present invention in conformation for automatic lines;
[0073] FIG. 19 is a sectional front view of an embodiment of the tap 1 and the mandrel which proceeds with the movement (in rotation) of the locking ring LCKR 3B automatically locking it on the carton 7B of the box 7 according to the present invention;
[0074] FIG. 20 is a front, side and isometric view of an embodiment of the body 2 of the tap 1 according to the present invention;
[0075] FIG. 21 is a front, side and isometric view of an embodiment of the locking ring LCKR 3A in the manual positioning version of the tap 1 according to the present invention;
[0076] FIG. 22 is a front, side and isometric view of an embodiment of the locking ring LCKR 3B in the manual positioning version of the tap 1 according to the present invention;
[0077] FIG. 23 is a front view of the geometry of the hole to be made on the box 7, with flap 7B, according to the present invention;
[0078] FIG. 24 contains four images that illustrate how today the dispensing tap is protected, extracted and placed in the world of BIBs;
[0079] FIG. 25 contains two isometric views which illustrate how today the P&G company places and blocks the Applicant's tap 8 with the spacer 6 in the initial position;
[0080] FIG. 26 contains two isometric views which illustrate how today the P&G company places and blocks the Applicant's tap 8 with the spacer 6 in the final position;
[0081] FIG. 27 is an isometric view of the box 7 in the closed position;
[0082] FIG. 28 is an isometric view of the box 7 in the open position ready for use;
[0083] FIG. 29 is a front, side and isometric view of the spacer used; and
[0084] FIG. 30 is a front view of the circular hole of the box 7.
[0085] With reference to the Figures, an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment of the dispensing tap 1 of the present invention is described.
[0086] It will be evident to an expert in the art that the tap described can be made in shapes, sizes and with equivalent details, and can be used for containers of various types, for example those so-called “Bag-in-Box” (BIB), but also those of rigid or semi-rigid type or others.
[0087] A first embodiment of the tap 1 of the invention is shown in FIG. 1, and uses the body 2 of FIG. 14, which is then coupled with the new locking ring component LCKR 3A and with a cap 4 and a cap 5 of FIG. 11, forming the version for manual placement on the inventive box 7 of FIG. 27.
[0088] A second embodiment of the tap 1 of the invention is shown in FIG. 2, and instead uses a second locking ring LCKR 3B (shown in detail in FIG. 22) which is coupled with the new body 2 of FIG. 20 and with the cover visible in FIG. 12.
[0089] Both versions (tap 1 in FIG. 1 and tap 1 in FIG. 2) comply with the new European and international directives on disposable plastic items (SUP), as all components, including the new LCKR 3A and 3B locking rings, they remain permanently bound to the dispenser, not dispersing into the environment.
[0090] With reference to the Figures, and in particular to FIG. 11, the tap 1 of the present invention is formed, in its manual locking configuration on the box, first of all of known or optional components, such as: [0091] a closing/opening cap 4 guided by a cam system which is the component that, coupled with 20 the body 2 of FIG. 14, allows the delivery or not of the flow; the technical characteristics of this cap 4 have been described in patent WO-A1-2006030465; [0092] a main support and containment body 2, shown in FIG. 20, equipped with an elongated neck I, partially threaded, whose technical characteristics have also been described in patent WO-A1-2006030465; and [0093] a cap 5, which is an optional additional component that allows to minimize the opening effort of the tap 1, by exploiting the large fins with which it is equipped.
[0094] The body 2, to be operatively coupled with the inventive locking ring LCKR 3A, 3B, is also equipped with a second central part II, connected to the elongated neck I, in which there is a group of geometries, which allow anchoring and correctly handling the locking ring LCKR 3A, 3B itself. There are two 2.1 opposing anchoring sectors, each 90° wide, where the geometries 2.1 necessary for anchoring the LCKR 3A and 3B locking ring are obtained. Always on the same ring, there are two remaining 2.5 opposing sectors, always 90° wide, which, having a less pronounced anchoring tooth than the first two sectors 2.1, favor the assembly of the locking ring LCKR 3A, 3B, allowing the passage of the anchoring teeth in sectors 3A.1 and 3B.1 at 90° present on the locking ring LCKR 3A, 3B of FIGS. 21 and 22. Also in the second central part II there is a central rib 2.2 (FIG. 20) which has the purpose of keeping the locking ring LCKR 3A, 3B in the correct position, favoring its correct rotation by 90° when it must be anchored to the box 7 of FIG. 28 on its internal flap 7B.
[0095] On the cylinder of the second central part II, there is also a geometry with a vertical rib 2.7 (FIG. 20) which, by cooperating with the internal tooth of the locking ring LCKR 3A, 3B, generates a “stop” area so that that the locking ring LCKR 3A, 3B stops in the correct anchoring position after a 90° rotation.
[0096] At the base of the cylinder of the second central part II, there is a foreground 2.8 (FIG. 20) which has the same geometry as the hole 7A (FIG. 27) to be created on the box 7, so that the tap 1, during its insertion, can easily pass the hole 7A and be placed in the box 7, allowing the underlying geometries 2.6 to anchor to the horizontal walls of the hole 7A.1, and therefore create that geometrical contrast necessary to compensate for the torque that is created when the dispensing tap 1 is opened and/or closed.
[0097] Finally, there is a double contrast 2.4 (FIG. 20) which allows the tap 1 to rest on the internal side of the flap 7A and which allows, in cooperation with the locking ring LCKR 3A, 3B, to block definitively the tap 1, preventing it from coming out or collapsing inside the BIB 7 itself, thus creating a perfectly balanced system. On the plane 2.8 of FIG. 20, two opposite hemispherical geometries 2.3 are obtained, which are coupled with the hollow geometries obtained on the locking ring LCKR 3A, 3B in its rear part (3A.7 of FIGS. 21 and 3B.5 of FIG. 22), thereby preventing the locking ring LCKR 3A, 3B from moving in the steps preceding the final locking on the cardboard box 7.
[0098] The body 2 finally comprises a third base zone III, connected to the second central zone II, in which there are the geometries for connection to the nozzle welded on the inner bag of the BIB 7, which are already known and described in patent WO-A1-2006030465.
[0099] The tap 1 also comprises a locking ring LCKR 3A, 3B useful for placing the dispensing tap on the body 2 thanks to the geometries that are listed below. With reference to FIG. 21, in its manual version 3A, it is a component that has a flat shape identical to the through hole to be created on the box 7 of FIG. 23, and therefore allows the dispenser tap 1, when it is mounted and not in the hooking position, to easily pass the hole created on the internal flap 7A of the box 7 of FIG. 23.
[0100] From the flat area 3A.8 of FIG. 21 a cylinder 3A.4 develops itself and contains inside it the two opposed 90° coupling sectors 3A.1 which are then coupled with the profiles 2.1 present on the body 2 of FIG. 20. On the outside of the cylinder and for all 360° there are clamping sectors (“grip”) 3A.6 to better facilitate the engagement of the fingers during the anchoring/rotation step of the locking ring LCKR 3A. For this 3A version, there are two opposing fins 3A.5 which further increase the grip area useful for the operator carrying out the manual assembly. On the lower part of the locking ring LCKR 3A there are two opposing spherical grooves which act as a seat for the opposite hemispherical geometries 2.3 present on the body 2.
[0101] As an alternative to the manual version, it is possible to use a locking ring LCKR 3B (shown in detail in FIG. 22) useful for placing the dispenser tap 1 on the body 2 thanks to the geometries that are listed below. With reference to FIG. 22, the locking ring LCKR 3B is a component that has a shape, in plane, identical to the through-hole created on the box 7, and therefore allows the dispensing tap 1, when it is mounted and not in its coupling position, to easily pass the hole created on the inner flap 7A of the box 7.
[0102] From the flat area 3B.8 of FIG. 22 a cylinder 3B.4 develops itself and contains inside it the two coupling sectors 3B.1 opposite each other at 90°, which are then coupled with the profiles 2.1 present on the body 2 of FIG. 20. On the outside of the cylinder and for all 360° there are grip sectors 3B.6 to better facilitate the engagement of the fingers during the anchoring/rotation step of the locking ring LCKR 3B. As shown in FIG. 19, the external geometries 3B.6 can be operatively coupled with a mandrel 9 of FIG. 19 which allows the locking ring LCKR 3B to be automatically rotated once the cap has been placed on the box 7. The mandrel inside it has hollow geometries opposite to the geometries 3B.6 obtained on the locking ring LCKR 3B, which allow it to have the necessary grip to make the locking ring LCKR 3B perform the necessary 90° rotation to lock the system to the box. On the lower part of the locking ring LCKR 3B, there are two opposing spherical grooves that act as a seat for the 2.3 opposite geometries present on the body 2.
[0103] Going in detail and referring to FIG. 17 (as regards the manual version of the locking ring LCKR 3A) and FIG. 18 (as regards the automatic version of the locking ring LCKR 3B), we will now describe the dispenser tap assembly 1 in its use position.
[0104] Analyzing FIG. 17, once the tap 1 has been inserted into the hole created on the flap 7A and once the locking ring LCKR 3A, 3B has been rotated by 90°, the assembly is locked to the cardboard box 7. Going to analyze the geometries involved in the perfect locking of the tap 1 on the box 7, it can be observed that the horizontal planes 2.6 of FIG. 20 are operatively coupled with the horizontal planes 7A.1 of FIG. 23, thereby counteracting the opening torque and closing the dispenser tap 1. To prevent the tap 1 from going beyond the hole, the plane geometry 2.4 of FIG. 20 abuts against the internal surface 7A.3 of the flap of the cardboard box of FIG. 23, thus not allowing the cap to overcome the hole but to maintain a given height that allows the locking ring LCKR 3A, 3B to rotate and lock the front part 7A4 on the rear part 3A.8 of the locking ring LCKR 3A, thus preventing the collapsing cap inside the BIB 7.
[0105] Analyzing FIG. 18, once the tap 1 has been inserted into the hole created on the flap 7A and once the locking ring LCKR 3A, 3B has been rotated by 90°, the assembly is locked to the cardboard box 7. Going to analyze the geometries involved in the perfect locking of the tap 1 on the box 7, it can be observed that the horizontal planes 2.6 of FIG. 20 are operatively coupled with the horizontal planes 7A.1 of FIG. 23, thereby counteracting the opening torque and closing the dispenser tap 1. To prevent the tap 1 from going beyond the hole, the plane geometry 2.4 of FIG. 20 abuts against the internal plane of the flap 7A.3 of the cardboard box 7 of FIG. 23, thus not allowing the cap to overcome the hole but to maintain a given height which allows the locking ring LCKR 3A, 3B to rotate and lock the front part 7A4 of FIG. 23 on the rear part 3B.8 of the locking ring LCKR 3B of FIG. 21, thereby allowing the cap to collapse inside the BIB 7.
[0106] In order to comply with the new European and international directives on disposable plastic items (SUP), it is possible, at the end of the life of the BIB 7, to rotate the locking ring LCKR 3A, 3B in the opposite direction in order to be able to easily release the part made of plastic (therefore internal plastic bag+dispenser with integrated locking ring) from the cardboard part (box), that can therefore be recycled easily and correctly.
[0107] It will also be possible to create on the locking ring geometries for hooking the dosing cup (not shown).
