Delivering tap for carbonated beverages equipped with forgery-preventing system and warranty seal with integrated degassing key, and vessel for carbonated beverages equipped with such tap
10301162 ยท 2019-05-28
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
B67D1/0004
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B67D1/0851
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
B67D1/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
A delivering tap made of plastic for a vessel for liquids, the delivering tap having a main body, at least one cover coupled to the main body, the cover having a first turret for gas entering the vessel and a second turret for liquid exiting the vessel, each turret having a turret bottom operatively threadedly coupled to its respective turret body, a first piston located inside the first turret, a second piston located inside the second turret, each piston configured to control an opening of one of the turrets simultaneously with a closing of the other turret, an insulating sealing O-ring for each turret bottom for separating passage of gas from passage of liquid, a spring disposed in each turret bottom to push the corresponding piston to a closed position, at least one tamper seal to indicate external access to the turrets, and at least one degassing key.
Claims
1. A delivering tap made of plastic for a vessel for liquids, the vessel having a neck, the delivering tap comprising: a) main body adapted to connect to the neck of the vessel, the main body having a first end; b) at least one cover coupled to the first end of the main body, the cover having a first turret for gas entering the vessel and a second turret for liquid exiting the vessel, each turret comprising a turret body and a turret bottom, each turret bottom operatively threadedly coupled to a respective turret body, said each turret bottom having a tapered duct; c) a first piston located inside the first turret and a second piston located inside the second turret, the first piston operatively coupled to the first turret by a first sealing O-ring and the second piston operatively coupled to the second turret by a second sealing O-ring, wherein each piston is configured to the first and the second O-rings to control an opening of one of the turrets simultaneously with a closing of the other turret; d) a pair of insulating sealing O-rings for said each turret bottom for separating passage of gas from passage of liquid; e) a spring disposed in said each turret bottom to push the corresponding piston against an inside surface of the corresponding turret, such that the pistons are biased to a closed position for preventing flow through the corresponding turret, said each piston having a stem that slides within the tapered duct of the corresponding turret bottom; f) at least one tamper seal to indicate external access to the turrets placed above and around the cover; and g) at least one degassing key integrated into the seal for degassing the vessel.
2. The delivering tap of claim 1, wherein the tap is made from polyethylene terephthalate.
3. A combination comprising: a) a plastic vessel for holding liquids, the vessel comprising a neck; b) a delivering tap comprising: i) a main body connected to the neck of the vessel, the main body having a first end; ii) a cover coupled to the first end of the main body, the cover having a first turret for gas entering the vessel and a second turret for liquid exiting the vessel, each turret comprising a turret body and a turret bottom, each turret bottom operatively threadedly coupled to a respective turret body, said each turret bottom having a tapered duct and a seat; iii) a first piston located inside the first turret and a second piston located inside the second turret, the first piston operatively coupled to the first turret and the second piston operatively coupled to the second turret to control an opening of one of the turrets simultaneously with a closing of the other turret; iv) a pair of insulating sealing O-rings for said each turret bottom for separating passage of gas from passage of liquid; v) a spring is disposed in said each turret bottom to push the corresponding piston against an inside surface of the corresponding turret, such that the pistons are biased to a closed position for preventing flow through the corresponding turret, said each piston having a stem that slides within the tapered duct of the corresponding turret bottom; vi) at least one tamper seal to indicate external access to the turrets placed above and around the cover; and vii) at least one degassing key integrated into the seal for degassing the vessel; and wherein the neck of the vessel is equipped with internal and external neck forgery-preventing means, wherein both the internal and external neck forgery-preventing means adapted to cooperate with the at least one tamper seal of the tap, the internal neck forgery preventing means comprising two internal recesses disposed along an interior surface of the neck, and the external neck forgery-preventing means comprises a flange on an external surface of the neck.
4. The vessel of claim 3, wherein the main body is adapted to block the cover on the neck to provide a seal, the main body operatively threadedly coupled to the neck of the vessel, the main body comprising: a) fastening means comprising an external lip for fastening the main body to the tamper seal; b) fastening means comprising flexible teeth for fastening the vain body to the cover; and c) main body forgery-preventing means that fasten onto elements present on the neck of the vessel.
5. The vessel of claim 4, wherein the main body further comprises an indicator, the indicator comprising the word GAS, and the letter N, to indicate which of the turrets is for a gas connection, and which of the turrets is for a liquid connection.
6. The vessel of claim 4 wherein the main body further comprises: a) a plurality of recesses in a peripheral exterior surface of the main body for providing grip to screw the tap onto the neck of the vessel; and b) transmitting means comprising a plurality of recesses in an upper surface of the main body for transmitting a screwing motion applied to the tap to the cover.
7. The vessel of claim 3, wherein the cover applies a head gasket onto the neck of the vessel, the cover comprising: a) a plurality of fastening teeth fastening the cover to the main body of the tap; b) a seal to keep the third O-ring in place; c) a flange disposed along an outer perimeter of the cover to transmit pressure applied to the body to the cover; d) a plurality of connecting slits or holes coupled with securing means obtained on the bottom; and e) at least two flexible wings that conform to an internal diameter of the neck of the vessel and, after reaching a final position, the wings extend outward into the two recesses disposed along the interior surface of the neck of the vessel, effectively locking the cover and preventing removal of the cover.
8. The vessel of claim 3, wherein the turret bottoms secure the springs contained therein, the springs being below the pistons, said each turret bottom comprising: a) a guiding cylinder for guiding the corresponding piston; b) a plurality of ribs connected to the guiding cylinder, the ribs operating as a stopper to stop descent of the piston, locking the piston in the open position to allow the flow of gas or liquid; and c) a sealed engagement area below the ribs to seal with the cover and create separate ducts for air and for liquid.
9. The vessel of claim 8, wherein the seats of the turret bottoms are each configured to connect to a dip tube.
10. The vessel of claim 8 wherein the turret bottoms are threaded onto the cover.
11. The vessel of claim 3, wherein each of the first and second pistons is an elongated element and has: a) a seat onto which the corresponding either the first or second sealing O-ring is disposed; b) a chamfered head which conforms to the inside surface of the turrets; c) an upper abutment area that abuts the spring; d) a lower edge to limit a movement of the piston when opening by abutting against the turret bottom; and e) a vertically extending guide having a cross-shape.
12. The vessel of claim 3, wherein the tamper seal protects the turrets after a filling, the tamper seal comprising a tamper-evident system, breakable jumpers, and a removable cover.
13. The vessel of claim 3, wherein the neck is an elongated body equipped with a threaded safety device for discharging gas in case of forced and accidental opening.
14. The vessel of claim 13, wherein the neck comprises an external ring to support a handle.
15. The vessel of claim 3, wherein the vessel is made from polyethylene terephthalate.
16. The vessel of claim 7, wherein the plurality of fastening teeth of the cover are flexible.
17. A delivering tap for a vessel for liquids, the vessel having a neck, the delivering tap comprising: a) a main body adapted to connect to the neck of the vessel, the main body having a first end; b) at least one cover coupled to the first end of the main body, the cover having a first turret for gas entering the vessel and a second turret for liquid exiting vessel, each turret comprising a turret body and a turret bottom, each turret bottom have a tapered duct disposed therein; c) a first piston located inside the first turret and a second piston located inside the second turret, the first piston operatively coupled to the first turret by a first sealing O-ring and the second piston operatively coupled to the second turret by a second sealing O-ring; d) a pair of insulating sealing O-rings for said each turret bottom for separating passage of the gas from passage of the liquid; e) a spring disposed in said each turret bottom to push the corresponding piston against an inside surface of the corresponding turret, such that the pistons are biased to a closed position for preventing flow through the corresponding turret, each piston having a stern that slides within the tapered duct of the corresponding turret bottom; f) at least one tamper seal to indicate external access to the turrets placed above and around the cover; and g) at least one degassing key integrated into the seal for degassing the vessel.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The present invention will be better described by some preferred embodiments thereof, provided as a non-limiting example, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(18) With reference to the Figures, a preferred embodiment of the tap 1 of the present invention is shown and described. It will be immediately obvious that numerous variations (for example related to shape, sizes and parts with equivalent functionalities) could be made to the described tap 1, without departing from the scope of the invention as appears from the enclosed claims.
(19) According to the Figures, the improved delivering tap/connector 1 of the invention, in particular for a vessel for liquids of the keg type made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (not shown) substantially comprises: a main body 7.1 (shown in detail in
(20) With the above described arrangement, according to the invention, a tap 1 is obtained, for beverages vessels preferably made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is recyclable and disposable, has two connections (turrets) and is specific for carbonated beverages, and with dedicated and specific connections for the manufacturers of beverages currently on the market.
(21) The tap 1 of the invention has a low cost, two separate, preferably parallel ways (one for gas and one for liquid) (two turrets) and with specific geometries which can be adapted to the two systems on the market (pin ball and pin lock), which allow a connection to existing systems for dispensing beer, wine and in general all carbonated, draft beverages.
(22) The solution associated with new unidirectional plastic vessels, preferably made of PET, offers environmental and economic benefits.
(23) The tap 1 of the invention provides economic and ecologic advantages with respect to existing systems on metal kegs and to other plastic variations currently on the market (less pieces which are easier to assemble and less costly, being made of plastic and obtained from injection moulding).
(24) The tap 1 of the invention, associated with plastic vessels, preferably made of PET, provides major advantages for beer and wine shops and all distributors of carbonated beverages and other users of kegsabove all when compared with metal kegs.
(25) They are: lower total property costs, reduction of environmental impacts, new market opportunities and quicker response to variations of the short-term demand.
(26) The passage from metal kegs to plastic kegs, preferably made of PET, equipped with the inventive tap 1, allows saving in terms of capital and operating costs.
(27) These are potentially important savings in terms of used capital, removing the need of keeping a wide series of kegs. Removing the excessive number of kegs allows freeing important sums invested in such assets and does without the need of further constant expenses for replacing damaged, lost or stolen kegs.
(28) Moreover, it is not necessary to use costly tracing systems.
(29) Further savings are possible regarding further savings in terms of capital with the removal of costly and complex cleaning systems for kegs.
(30) The use of spaces is more efficiently improved, as consequence of the elimination of the need of storing a high number of kegs when the demand is low, to have them available during demand peaks.
(31) By removing the return of used metal kegs, cleaning and re-use costs are reduced. With the plastic keg, preferably made of PET, not only the vessel but also the valve and the taps 1 are disposable total absence of return and cleaning costs.
(32) Strong savings in terms of logistics are also guaranteed, not only by removing the return costs in case of metal kegs, but also reducing the delivery costs outside for filled kegs. Kegs made of PET are lighter than metal kegs containing the same volume of liquid. Consequently, a higher number of kegs can be loaded on every vehicle going out of the factory.
(33) The main components of the taps 1 are wholly recyclable with dry wastes or following the normal plastic recovering cycle, as provided for single manufacturing systems and plants.
(34) The tap 1 of the invention is designed to allow the owners of bars and restaurants to use the kegs exactly in the same way of the metal kegs.
(35) Without proceeding to any replacement of fixtures available in bars or canteens, they will immediately be able to benefit from the advantages of the plastic keg on which the tap 1 of the invention will be placed; reduced weight, easy storage and recyclability.
(36) The availability of a two-way tap 1 produced under hygienic conditions means that the keg users will have less to worry about health and safety, and less work to keep the taps 1 and equipment clean. All components of the keg and of the taps 1 will be approved for foodstuff use.
(37) Other features of the inventive tap 1 are: since the covering device 9.1 is uncoupled from the main body 7.1, there is the chance of moulding with highly technical materials only the major part of the tap 1, and not the whole piece, actually doing away with the waste of technical material for geometries for which certain features are not useful, and therefore actually saving the use of these highly costly materials, for example increasing the oxygen barrier; at the end of filling the keg with a liquid, it will be possible to place a tamper-evident element or warranty seal, which will protect it hygienically and will help locating the kegs which have already been used (forgery prevention); moreover, the warranty seal will have such a geometry as to allow stacking the barrels; another important innovation is that the warranty seal has integrated geometries 11.8, which will allow the part to also operate as degassing key, thereby avoiding to have a very costly dedicated and additional tool; the tap 1, as previously stated, will be unidirectional like the associated vessel, and this will allow having strong advantages at economic and ecologic level. The tap 1 for such purpose will be composed of the various components made of recyclable plastic (only the two internal springs will be made of stainless steel); the system will allow moulding the main piece (the one with the two turrets) in PET (for example), thereby with an analogue product to the vessel on which it will be assembled. There will be above all the chance of moulding the piece with the two parallel turrets in a material with high oxygen barrier; the tap 1 of the invention will have forgery-preventing systems which are internal (two sealing areas) and possibly external (four sealing areas not shown in these drawings) to the product, in order to protect integrity and quality of the internal beverage (this feature is not guaranteed in current kegs, because they have no forgery-preventing geometries of this type). In this way, it is guaranteed that the keg cannot be re-filled again (after its first use), unless the tap 1 is destroyed, but then it will be very easy for a user to locate the forged kegs.
(38) The assembly of the inventive tap 1 on the plastic vessel (preferably PET) occurs as follows:
(39) 1) the tap 1 will be supplied to the distributing company divided from seal/degassing key, which will then be placed as guarantee of the product integrity and originality, after having filled the plastic keg barrel;
(40) 2) the tap 1 will be placed for its screwing (or a snap, solution non shown, but which, being wholly equivalent to the above described one, falls within the scope of the present invention) before filling on the vessel, also as warranty of internal hygiene;
(41) 3) when screwing, the different types of external forgery-prevention (not shown) will be activated, together with the internal flexible teeth 9.10 present on the covering device 9.1 and on the main body 7.1 (not shown in this version), due to the elements 12.1 and 12.3 present on the carafe neck 12.2;
(42) 4) once screwed, unless the tap 1 is destroyed, the closure will remain fastened to the carafe neck 12.2;
(43) 5) the filling step will then start, and then the warranty seal with integrated degassing key 11.8 will be positioned.