Liquid Dispensing Tap And Liquid Container Provided With Said Tap

Abstract

Liquid dispensing tap 1 connectable to a liquid container 70, e.g. a bag in box, for controlled dispensing of a liquid therefrom. The tap includes a housing 10 forming an inlet of the tap and including a dispensing chamber wall portion 13 delimiting a dispensing chamber 14 with a valve seat 15 at an axial end and forming a dispensing outlet 17 in communication with the dispensing chamber 14. The tap 1 includes a plunger 30 with a stem 31 and a valve portion 32. The stem having an actuator engagement portion 33 outside the dispensing chamber and extending along an axis 15 through a bore 18 in the dispensing chamber wall portion and throughout the dispensing chamber. The plunger moves axially between a closed and an open position. A manually operable plunger actuator 50 engages the engagement portion of the stem to open the tap.

Claims

1. A liquid dispensing tap (1) adapted to be connected to a liquid container, e.g. a pouch (70), e.g. a pouch of a bag in box container (75), for controlled dispensing of a liquid from said container, the tap comprising: a housing (10) comprising: a connector portion (11) adapted to connect the tap to a liquid container and forming an inlet of the tap, a dispensing chamber wall portion (13) delimiting a dispensing chamber (14) having a vertical axis (15), which dispensing chamber wall portion comprises a valve seat (16) at an axial end thereof and forms a dispensing outlet (17) of the tap in open communication with said dispensing chamber, a one piece molded plastic plunger (30) having a valve portion (32) that is integrally molded with a stem (31) of the plunger, wherein the stem has an actuator engagement portion (33) outside said dispensing chamber (14) and wherein the stem extends along said axis (15) through a first bore (18) in said dispensing chamber wall portion (13) and through the dispensing chamber, wherein the valve portion (32) is embodied to cooperate with the valve seat (16), and wherein the plunger is axially movable between a closed position, wherein the tap is closed, and an open position, wherein the tap is open, a manually operable plunger actuator (50) which engages said engagement portion of the stem of the plunger allowing a user to open the tap for dispensing of liquid, characterized in that the plunger (30) has an integrally molded annular flexible sealing lip (34) that extends around the stem (31), and in that the first bore (18) forms a first cylinder (19) along said axis (15), and wherein the sealing lip (34) slides within and sealing engages the first cylinder (19) in any position of the plunger (30).

2. A tap according to claim 1, wherein the stem (31) has a small diameter section (31a) connected to the actuator engagement portion (33) and large diameter section (31b) within the dispensing chamber (14) and wherein the stem (31) has a shoulder (35) between said small and large diameter section.

3. A tap according to claim 2, wherein the annular flexible sealing lip (34) extends from said shoulder (35), concentrically about the small diameter section (31a) of the stem.

4. A tap according to claim 1, wherein the valve seat (16) has a substantially cylindrical valve seat surface, and wherein the valve portion is embodied as a dish (36) with a flexible peripheral rim (37) that is primarily compressed in radial direction when contacting said valve seat surface.

5. A tap according to claim 1, wherein the axial movement of the plunger between the closed position and the open position is a vertical movement, wherein the valve portion of the plunger in the closed position sealingly engages with said valve seat and wherein in the open position one or more openings are formed between the valve portion and the dispensing chamber, e.g. the dispensing outlet of the dispensing chamber, which openings allow fluid to be dispensed.

6. A tap according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing chamber comprises a second bore forming a second cylinder, said second bore and second cylinder coaxial with and offset axially with respect to said first bore and first cylinder, wherein the stem and the valve portion of the plunger extend through said second bore, and wherein the valve seat and dispensing outlet are formed at the axial end of said second cylinder.

7. A tap according to claim 6, wherein the internal cross-sectional area of the second cylinder is enlarged at the dispensing outlet, e.g. through the provision of a conical inner surface or indentations to the second cylinder at the end thereof, so as to provide one or more openings between the valve portion and the dispensing outlet.

8. A tap according to claim 6, wherein the housing has an outer wall portion forming an exterior of the tap, wherein said outer wall portion comprises a portion of the second cylinder, e.g. the dispensing outlet thereof, e.g. the dispensing outlet and the valve seat thereof, and wherein the first cylinder is provided within and radially spaced from said outer wall portion.

9. A tap according to claim 1, wherein the stem (31) is hollow with an open end at the side of the valve portion (32) and a blind end at the side of the engagement portion (33).

10. A tap according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is a manually depressable push button (50), that is exposed to allow operation by a user's finger, e.g. a thumb.

11. A tap according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a resilient biasing member providing a biasing force on the plunger urging the plunger to the closed position thereof, preferably in an embodiment of claim 11 the push button (50) being embodied as a one piece resilient material push button providing said biasing force.

12. A tap according to claim 10, wherein the push button (50) comprises a snap fit collar (51) having an outer diameter, which snap fit collar is snap fitted over a snap fit head (33) forming the engagement portion of the stem of the plunger.

13. A liquid dispensing tap (1) adapted to be connected to a liquid container, e.g. a pouch (70), e.g. a pouch of a bag in box container (75), for controlled dispensing of a liquid from said container, the tap comprising: a housing (10) comprising: a connector portion (11) adapted to connect the tap to a liquid container and forming an inlet of the tap, a dispensing chamber wall portion (13) delimiting a dispensing chamber (14) having a vertical axis (15), which dispensing chamber wall portion comprises a valve seat at an axial end thereof and forms a dispensing outlet (17) of the tap in open communication with said dispensing chamber, a plunger (30) comprising a stem (31) and a valve portion (32), wherein the stem has an actuator engagement portion (33) outside said dispensing chamber and wherein the stem extends along said axis through a first bore in said dispensing chamber wall portion and through the dispensing chamber (14), wherein the valve portion (32) is embodied to cooperate with the valve seat, and wherein the plunger (30) is axially movable between a closed position wherein the tap is closed and an open position wherein the tap is open, a manually operable plunger actuator (50) which engages said engagement portion of the stem of the plunger allowing a user to open the tap for dispensing of liquid, characterized in that the stem (31) has small diameter section (31a) connected to the actuator engagement portion (33) and a large diameter section (31b) within the dispensing chamber (14), wherein the stem has a shoulder (35) between said small and large diameter sections, and wherein the stem has a hollow cavity (38) that extends from an open end at the valve portion (32) through the large and small diameter sections (31a,b) to a blind end at the side of the engagement portion (33).

14. A tap according to claim 13, wherein the greater diameter section (31b) of the stem has a diameter that is at least 35% of the diameter of the valve portion (32).

15. A liquid dispensing tap (1) adapted to be connected to a liquid container, e.g. a pouch (70), e.g. a pouch of a bag in box container (75), for controlled dispensing of a liquid from said container, the tap comprising: a housing (10) comprising: a connector portion (11) adapted to connect the tap to a liquid container and forming an inlet of the tap, a dispensing chamber wall portion (13) delimiting a dispensing chamber (14) having a vertical axis (15), which dispensing chamber wall portion comprises a valve seat (16) at an axial end thereof and forms a dispensing outlet of the tap in open communication with said dispensing chamber, a plunger (30) comprising a stem (31) and a valve portion (32), wherein the stem has an actuator engagement portion (33) outside said dispensing chamber and wherein the stem extends along said axis through a first bore (18) in said dispensing chamber wall portion and through the dispensing chamber, wherein the valve portion (32) is embodied to cooperate with the valve seat (16), and wherein the plunger is axially movable between a closed position wherein the tap is closed and an open position wherein the tap is open, a manually operable push button (50) which is connected to said engagement portion of the stem of the plunger allowing a user to open the tap for dispensing of liquid, which push button is embodied as a one piece resilient material push button providing a biasing force on the plunger urging the plunger to the closed position thereof, characterized in that the push button (50) is made of polypropylene (PP) or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

16. A liquid dispensing tap (1) adapted to be connected to a liquid container, e.g. a pouch (70), e.g. a pouch of a bag in box container (75), for controlled dispensing of a liquid from said container, the tap comprising: a housing (10) comprising: a connector portion (11) adapted to connect the tap to a liquid container and forming an inlet of the tap, a dispensing chamber wall portion (13) delimiting a dispensing chamber (14) having a vertical axis (15), which dispensing chamber wall portion comprises a valve seat (16) at an axial end thereof and forms a dispensing outlet (17) of the tap in open communication with said dispensing chamber, a plunger (30) comprising a stem (31) and a valve portion (32), wherein the stem has an actuator engagement portion (33) outside said dispensing chamber and wherein the stem extends along said axis through a first bore (18) in said dispensing chamber wall portion and through the dispensing chamber, wherein the valve portion (32) is embodied to cooperate with the valve seat, and wherein the plunger (30) is axially movable between a closed position wherein the tap is closed and an open position wherein the tap is open, a manually operable push button (50) which is connected to said engagement portion of the stem of the plunger allowing a user to open the tap for dispensing of liquid, which push button is embodied as a one piece resilient material push button providing a biasing force on the plunger urging the plunger to the closed position thereof, wherein the push button has a depressable wall portion (54) with a user engagement face having a central area (56) and with a stem connector portion (51) at an opposite face of said central area, wherein the push button has an outer collar portion (53) secured to the housing of the tap, characterized in that the push button (50) has multiple concentric undulations (58,59) between the central area (56) and the outer perimeter (57) of the depressable wall portion (54), preferably the central area being axially raised relative to the outer perimeter (57) of the depressable wall portion (54).

17. A container, e.g. a pouch (70), e.g. a pouch of a bag in box container (75), provided with a liquid dispensing tap (1) of claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] The invention will now be discussed with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a liquid dispensing tap according to the invention,

[0054] FIG. 2 shows the tap of FIG. 1 from below in perspective view,

[0055] FIG. 3 shows the tap of FIG. 1 in cross-section, with the tap being closed,

[0056] FIG. 4 shows a detail of FIG. 3 on a larger scale, and

[0057] FIG. 5 shows in perspective view the housing of the tap of FIG. 1.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] In the drawings a liquid dispensing tap 1 is shown that is adapted to be connected to a liquid container, e.g. to a pouch of a bag in box container, for controlled dispensing of a liquid from the container. For example the pouch of the bag in box container is filled with a beverage, e.g. wine. The pouch may be provided with a fitment to which the tap 1 is connected or the tap 1 can be directly connected to the pouch. Instead of a pouch the container may also have another design, e.g. as a bottle, canister, etc.

[0059] The tap 1 is, as is preferred, assembled from just three one piece plastic components: [0060] a housing 10, [0061] a plunger 30, [0062] a push button 50.

[0063] As is known in the art the tap 1 can be provided with a removable covering seal that extends over the outlet in order to an opening any ingress of foreign matter.

[0064] The housing 10 is preferably a rigid and one piece injection molded plastic part.

[0065] The housing 10 comprises a connector portion 11 that is adapted to connect the tap to a liquid container and forms an inlet 12 of the tap via which liquid from the container enters the tap 1.

[0066] The housing 10 further comprises, as integral part thereof as is preferred, a dispensing chamber wall portion 13 delimiting a dispensing chamber 14 having a vertical axis 15. This dispensing chamber wall portion 13 comprises a valve seat 16 at an axial end thereof and forms a dispensing outlet 17 of the tap 1 that is in open communication with the dispensing chamber 14.

[0067] The plunger 30 is, as is preferred, a one piece molded plastic plunger. Preferably the plunger is made of a plastic material that is less rigid than the plastic material of the housing 10, e.g. of a semi rigid plastic material.

[0068] The plunger 30 has a stem 31 and a valve portion 32 that is integrally molded with the stem 31. The stem 31 has an actuator engagement portion 33 outside the dispensing chamber, generally at the front side of the tap 1 in practical use. The stem 31 extends along the vertical axis 15 through a first bore 18 in the dispensing chamber wall portion 13 and through the dispensing chamber 14.

[0069] The valve portion 32 is embodied to cooperate with the valve seat 16. The plunger 30 is axially movable or reciprocable along the axis 15 between a closed position, wherein the tap 1 is closed, and an open position, wherein the tap is open.

[0070] As a third and here final component the tap 1 comprises the push button 50 that acts as manually operable plunger actuator of the tap 1. The button 50 is coupled to the engagement portion 33 of the stem 31 of the plunger 30 and allows a user to open the tap 1 for dispensing of liquid from the container.

[0071] The first bore 18 forms a first cylinder 19 along the axis 15. The plunger 30 has an integrally molded annular flexible sealing lip 34 that extends around the stem 31. This lip 34 slides within and sealing engages the first cylinder 19 in any position of the plunger 30.

[0072] The stem has a small diameter section 31a connected to the actuator engagement portion 33 and large diameter section 31b within the dispensing chamber 14. The stem 31 has a shoulder 35 between the small and large diameter sections 31a, 31b.

[0073] The annular flexible sealing lip 34, that provides a seal and support where the plunger 30 extends through the wall portion 13, extends from the shoulder 35 and is concentric about the small diameter section 31a of the stem 31.

[0074] The valve seat 16 has a substantially cylindrical valve seat surface, e.g. with none or a minimal tapering, e.g. less than 6 degrees taper.

[0075] The valve portion 32 is embodied as a dish 36 with a flexible peripheral rim 37 that is primarily compressed in radial direction when contacting this cylindrical valve seat surface of the valve seat 16.

[0076] The axial movement of the plunger 30 between the closed position and the open position is a vertical movement, wherein the valve portion 32 of the plunger in the closed position sealingly engages with said valve seat 16. In the open position a opening, here an annular opening, is formed between the valve portion 32 and the dispensing outlet 17 of the dispensing chamber.

[0077] The dispensing chamber 14 comprises a second bore 21 forming a second cylinder 20, wherein said second bore 21 and second cylinder 20 are coaxial with and offset axially with respect to said first bore 18 and first cylinder 19. This is most apparent in FIGS. 3-5. The stem 31 and the valve portion 32 of the plunger extend through said second bore, and the valve seat 16 and dispensing outlet 17 are formed at the axial end of said second cylinder.

[0078] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 the dispensing chamber further comprises a conduit chamber 22 in between the connector portion 11 of the housing and the second bore 21. An aperture in the surface of the second cylinder provides fluid communication between the second bore and the conduit chamber 22. Thus, in order to be dispensed the fluid flows through the connector portion 11, the conduit chamber 22, the second bore 21 and through the dispensing outlet 17 of the dispensing chamber 14.

[0079] The internal cross-sectional are of the second cylinder 20 is enlarged at the dispensing outlet 17 through the provision of a conical inner surface to the second cylinder at the end thereof, so as to provide the annular opening between the valve portion and the dispensing outlet when the plunger is in the open position.

[0080] The housing 10 has an outer wall portion forming an exterior of the tap 1. Said outer wall portion comprises a portion of the second cylinder 20, here the dispensing outlet 17 and a portion of the valve seat 16 thereof. The first cylinder 19 is provided within and radially spaced from said outer wall portion of the housing 10.

[0081] The stem 31 is a hollow cavity stem, or a tubular stem, with a hollow cavity 38 that extends from an open end at the valve portion 32 through the large and small diameter sections 31a,b to a blind end at the side of the engagement portion 33.

[0082] The manually depressable push button 50 is exposed to allow operation by a user's finger, e.g. a thumb. In the shown embodiment the push button 50 is embodied as a one piece resilient material push button, as is preferred of polypropylene (PP) material, providing a biasing force on the plunger 30 urging the plunger to the closed position thereof. In an alternative the push button is made of an elastomer, e.g. a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

[0083] The push button 50 comprises a snap fit collar 51 having an outer diameter. This snap fit collar 51 is snap fitted over a snap fit head 33 forming the engagement portion of the stem 31.

[0084] The snap fit collar 51 has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the first cylinder 19 of the dispensing chamber wall portion 13, so as to allow said snap fit collar 51 to be partially inserted into said first cylinder when the plunger actuator 50, e.g. manually depressable push button, has been actuated and in response thereto the plunger 30 is in the open position.

[0085] The push button 50, embodied as a one piece resilient material push button, provides the biasing force that urges the plunger 30 to the closed position. So when the user release the button 50, the button 50 exerts said biasing force, e.g. the button being made of polypropylene (PP).

[0086] The push button 50 has a collar portion 53, here circular as is preferred, that is secured to the housing of the tap 1 and a depressable wall 54 bridging the collar portion 53.

[0087] The collar portion 53 is held on a tubular retention wall portion 29 of the housing, here a cylindrical wall portion 29 protruding axially from the chamber wall portion 13, opposite the chamber 14.

[0088] The collar portion 53 here clamps elastically on the inner retention wall portion 29. To enhance the retention the collar portion has circular ridges 53a on the inner face thereof and the wall portion has mating circular grooves. In another embodiment the collar portion 53 is fitted within a tubular retention wall, e.g. with mating formations on the outside of the collar portion and the inside of the retention wall.

[0089] The depressable wall portion 54 has a user engagement face, or front face, with a central area 56. The collar 51 is integral with said area at the opposite or rear side of the button 50. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the non-mounted condition of the push button, the central area 56 is axially raised relative to the outer perimeter 57 of the wall portion, which perimeter 57 adjoins the collar 53.

[0090] Between the central area 56 and the outer perimeter 57 the depressable wall portion 54 has multiple concentric undulations 58, 59 that enhance the resiliency and form restoring effect of the wall portion 54.

[0091] As shown here each undulation 58, 59 is formed by three concentric and integral regions: [0092] a first conical annular region 58a, widening towards the outer perimeter of the wall portion, [0093] an intermediate radial annular region 58b, adjoining the first conical annular region and extending substantially in a radial plane of the push button, [0094] a second conical annular region 58c, adjoining the intermediate radial annular region and widening towards the outer perimeter of the wall portion.

[0095] In the embodiment shown here the push button 50 has two undulations 58, 59, whereas in another embodiment the button may have a single undulation.