DE29722034U1 - Containers for liquids, in particular drinks - Google Patents

Description

Applicant; 11 December 1997

2447G100 SG/CR-km
HUBER PACKAGING GmbH + Co.
Otto-Meister-Strasse 2

74613 Oehringen

Representative:

Witte, Weller, Gahlert, Otten & Steil

Patent attorneys

Rotebühlstrasse 121

70178 Stuttgart

Containers for liquids, especially beverages

The invention relates to a container for liquids, in particular drinks, with a wall which is closed off at the bottom by an edge, wherein a drain tap is provided in an opening in the wall, which has an outer tube which is sealingly connected to the wall and extends into the interior of the container and an inner tube which is axially displaceable within the outer tube, wherein a closed position of the drain tap can be converted into an open operating position by pulling out the inner tube.

Such a container is known from WO 97/16350.

The container described there is a so-called party keg for beer or similar. Such containers have a capacity of between three and ten liters and are usually made of tinplate, aluminum or plastic.

To remove liquids, such containers have a drain or tap, which is integrated into the container wall in the party keg described in WO 97/16350. The drain tap described there is a sliding tap, which is opened by pulling the inner tube out of the outer tube, which is sealed to the wall, using a handle arranged on its outside in order to assume its open operating position, and which is closed again by pushing the inner tube back into the outer tube.

By pulling out the inner tube, a continuous connection is created between the inside of the container and a downward opening in the inner tube, through which the liquid, e.g. the beer, flows out. When the inner tube is pushed into the outer tube, the continuous connection is interrupted again, so that the tap closes.

A particular problem with such drain valves is their sealing, both the sealing of the outer pipe against the wall of the container and the sealing of the inner pipe against the outer pipe, because the liquid may only escape when the drain valve is in the open operating position and through the opening in the inner pipe provided for this purpose. Such a secure seal must also be ensured at a high internal pressure of the

container and under greater external loads, e.g. during stacking of the containers or their transport.

According to WO 97/16350, an annular seal is provided to seal the outer tube in the wall of the container. The inner tube is sealed against the outer tube by sealing rings arranged in the area of both ends of the inner tube.

However, due to the need to securely seal the inner pipe against the outer pipe, high frictional forces occur when pulling out and inserting the inner pipe, which make it difficult to move the inner pipe and therefore significantly impair the opening and closing of the drain tap.

In addition, such containers are usually made of a light material such as tinplate or aluminum, so that they can be easily moved, especially when they only contain a small amount of liquid.

This means that the container must always be held while operating the drain tap so that the tap can be opened and closed at all.

At the same time, however, a container for collecting the liquid coming out of the container, such as a glass, must be held under the drain tap when it is operated. Another person is then required for this, as the person who operates the drain tap and simultaneously holds the container no longer has a free hand to hold a container.

Simply placing the collecting vessel under the drain tap is not possible, as the drain tap must be installed far down on the container in order to empty the container as completely as possible. The container is therefore placed on the edge of a solid surface, e.g. on the edge of a table, so that a glass can be easily held under the drain tap.

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to simplify the handling of the drain tap.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a container of the type mentioned at the outset in that a stop is provided which can be connected to the lower edge of the container in a holding position in such a way that at least a part of the stop protrudes downwards beyond the edge in order to prevent the container from being displaced during the insertion of the inner tube into the outer tube.

The object underlying the invention is further achieved by such a stop.

When the inner tube is pushed into the outer tube when the drain tap is closed, high frictional forces occur on the drain tap and the container is moved with it if it is not held. The main advantage of the invention is that the holding is carried out by the stop that protrudes downwards beyond the edge and hits the surface on which the container is placed, e.g. a table edge. The stop is pressed against the table edge and thus counteracts the forces exerted on the container.

Since the stop replaces the need to hold the container by hand, the drain tap can be closed with just one hand and a glass can be held under the drain tap opening with the other hand.

The stop according to the invention therefore allows for the first time that a person can simultaneously operate the drain tap and hold the vessel intended to hold the liquid. This makes operating the drain tap considerably easier.

The problem underlying the invention is thus completely solved.

In a preferred embodiment, the stop is connected to the edge of the container in its holding position below the drain tap and is supported with its upper end on a projection of the drain tap.

This measure has the advantage that the stop can counteract the forces exerted on the drain tap and thus also on the container particularly well. Supporting the stop on a projection of the drain tap prevents the stop from increasingly tipping over from the base on which the container is standing and ultimately slipping off when the drain tap is operated, so that the container is no longer secured against displacement. By supporting the stop, it is advantageously held in a position that is approximately perpendicular or only slightly tilted in relation to the base, which allows the stop to optimally fulfill its holding function.

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In a further preferred embodiment, the drain tap is inserted into the opening in a recess in the wall with a plug-like sealing element at the outer end of the outer tube in such a way that the drain tap is largely completely accommodated within the outer contour of the wall in its closed position.

The advantage here is that, on the one hand, the plug-like sealing element ensures that the outer tube is securely sealed against the wall of the container, while, on the other hand, the recess in the wall ensures that the drain tap does not protrude significantly from the wall of the container in its closed position. The outer contour of the wall of the container is therefore not affected by the drain tap, which also makes stacking the container during storage and transport considerably easier.

In a preferred embodiment, the projection on which the stop is supported is formed on the outside of the sealing element.

The advantage here is that the projection does not hinder the pulling out of the inner tube from the outer tube and the pushing of the inner tube into the outer tube. It is also advantageous that the projection can be manufactured as part of the plug-like sealing element at the same time as the latter, so that the projection is also made of an elastic sealing material and is therefore flexible to a certain extent. This flexibility also contributes to the container being held securely by the stop.

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In a preferred development, the stop can be fixed in its holding position by clipping it to the edge of the container.

The advantage of this measure is that the stop can be particularly easily attached to the edge of the container and removed again. Clipping and unclipping can be repeated as often as required and does not require any additional fastening devices.

In a further preferred embodiment, the edge of the container is closed off at the bottom by a bead, and the stop has a shield-like plate, on the inside of which, facing the wall of the container, a locking device is provided for fixing to the bead.

The advantage here is that the stop can be attached particularly easily and securely. The outside of the stop facing away from the wall of the container is not affected by the locking device, so that the outside of the shield-like plate can contain a company logo or something similar.

It goes without saying that the shield-like plate can take on all possible shapes, for example an oval or rectangular shape. In particular, when using the stop on party kegs for beer, it is advantageous if the shield-like plate takes the shape of a coat of arms, on the outside of which the coat of arms of the brewery can then be printed or embossed. In this way, the stop according to the invention also contributes to the identification

drawing of the contents of the liquid container and is aesthetically pleasing.

In a preferred development, the locking device has a guide element that protrudes from the inside of the plate in the direction of the bead and points upwards to accommodate the bead in the free space formed between the plate and the guide element, with which a locking lug on the inside of the plate interacts in order to fix the stop in its holding position on the bead.

This measure ensures that the locking device is securely gripped around the bead, so that the stop cannot fall off even under greater loads. This measure also has the advantage that the guide element both guides the attachment of the stop to the bead, and also serves to securely hold the stop. The locking lug engages above the bead on the side of the bead opposite the guide element, so that the bead is gripped by the locking device. This grip also allows the stop to tilt relative to the container to a certain extent without the stop coming loose from the lower edge of the container.

In a further preferred embodiment, the outer end of the inner tube of the container is closed by an angularly projecting plate.

This measure ensures that the drain tap is closed flat on the outside, and on the other hand, this plate serves as

Actuating element for pulling the inner pipe out of the outer pipe, i.e. for opening the drain tap.

In order to be able to open the drain tap with one hand, first the inner tube is pulled out a certain amount on the plate, while the container can be held with the other hand. Then the fingers of one hand are spread between the plate and the wall, with the thumb preferably pressed against the container wall. A glass or similar object can be held under the drain tap with the other hand to catch the liquid that only begins to flow out of the opening provided for this purpose when the inner tube is pulled out further.

If the drain tap is to be closed, the inner tube can be pushed into the outer tube using one hand on the angularly protruding plate, whereby the stop according to the invention prevents the container from moving, while a glass can be held with the other hand.

In a preferred embodiment, a tab is formed on the plate.

This measure has the advantage of making it considerably easier to initially pull the inner tube out of the outer tube. The tab can be bent from the plate located inside the recess in the wall and then grasped with a finger to initially pull the inner tube out just a little bit. The inner tube can then be easily pulled out further by spreading the fingers between the plate and the wall.

pushed out until the drain tap reaches its open operating position.

In a further preferred embodiment, a recess is provided on the plate into which the locking device of the stop can be inserted in order to fix the stop with its plate resting on the plate of the inner tube in a rotation-proof storage position.

The advantage of this measure is that the stop can be easily attached to the container for storage. Since the stop protrudes downwards beyond the edge of the container in its holding position, it is advisable to remove it from the lower edge of the container when filling the container and during its transport and storage. However, so that the stop does not get lost, it must be connected to the container. Attaching it in a recess in the drain tap has the further advantage that the stop is already in close proximity to its holding position in its storage position, so that it can be easily removed from the recess in the drain tap and attached directly below the drain tap on the edge of the container in one movement.

In addition, the stop covers the plate at the outer end of the inner pipe, which is particularly advantageous if a company logo, coat of arms or similar is attached to the outside of the stop. Since the plate of the stop rests on the plate of the inner pipe and the drain tap is inserted into a recess in the wall, the stop fits

in its storage position into the contour of the container.

In a further preferred embodiment, the drain tap has a seal which breaks when the inner tube is first pulled out of the closed position.

This measure has the advantage that the seal shows whether the drain tap has already been operated or is still untouched. The seal therefore guarantees the consumer that the container is intact and completely full.

In a further preferred embodiment, a recess is provided in the plate, which forms a break seal with a tear-off element projecting into the recess, which is provided on the outer surface of the plug-like seal, wherein the recess in the plate is assigned a viewing opening in the plate of the stop.

This measure creates a break seal in a particularly simple way that can be checked at any time, even when the stop is in its storage position. The recess in the plate is then aligned with the viewing opening in the plate, so that it can be checked whether the break seal has already been torn off by pulling out the inner tube or whether it has remained intact. This is advantageous in order to enable sales staff or customers on a sales shelf to check the integrity of the seal by simply visually checking it.

Even after removing the stop, the break seal can be seen through the recess in the inner tube plate.

The object underlying the invention is further achieved in a container of the type mentioned at the outset in that an intermediate stop is formed on the drain tap, which indicates to a user the transition between the closed position and the open operating position of the drain tap when the inner tube is pulled out of the outer tube.

When the user pulls the inner tube out of the outer tube to open the drain tap, the liquid from the container begins to flow out through the drain tap as soon as the open operating position is reached. Since a relatively high force must be applied to pull out the inner tube due to the frictional forces that occur when the inner tube is pulled out of the outer tube, it can happen that the inner tube is pulled out of the outer tube too quickly and the liquid suddenly escapes from the container without the user having had the opportunity to hold a collecting vessel under the drain tap. The intermediate stop according to the invention shows the user the transition between the closed position and the open operating position of the drain tap, it warns him, so to speak, that the liquid will begin to escape through the drain tap if the valve is pulled out just a little further.

This intermediate stop makes handling the drain valve much easier by allowing the user to initially pull the inner tube out of the outer tube until the open operating position is just not reached.

To ensure that no liquid will come out of the drain tap by then, the user can hold the container with his or her other hand. As soon as the intermediate stop is reached, the user knows that the liquid will soon flow and can hold a glass or something similar under the drain tap in good time.

Even an inexperienced user does not run the risk of the liquid accidentally starting to flow through the drain tap before he has a suitable collecting vessel ready.

In a first embodiment, the intermediate stop is formed by a tapering of a longitudinal groove on the inner tube, with which the inner tube is guided on a nose provided on the outer tube.

This measure has the advantage that the intermediate stop can be implemented in a particularly simple manner. The nose provided on the outer tube slides within the longitudinal groove when the inner tube is pulled out of the outer tube and then aligns itself with the taper where the taper of the longitudinal groove begins, which is noticeable as an intermediate stop.

In addition, the effect of the intermediate stop due to the tapering is only noticeable when the inner tube is pulled out, but not when the inner tube is pushed in, i.e. when the drain tap is closed, so that the dispensing process can be ended at any time without hindrance.

In an alternative embodiment, which can also be provided in addition to the taper, the intermediate stop is

a transverse rib is formed at the bottom of a longitudinal groove on the inner tube, in which a nose provided on the outer tube is guided.

In this design, the cross rib not only indicates to the user when pulling the inner tube out of the outer tube to open the drain tap by hitting the nose that the open operating position can be reached by pulling it out a little further, but is also effective when pushing the inner tube back into the outer tube. The intermediate stop can therefore be felt in both directions.

When the inner tube is pushed back to close the drain valve, the cross rib hits the nose just as the closed operating position has been reached. It prevents the inner tube from being accidentally pushed too far into the outer tube, which prevents liquid from being pushed out through the outlet opening when the drain valve is in the closed position. This prevents the drain valve from "leaking" when it is in the closed position.

It is understood that the features of the invention mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing. They show:

15

Fig. 1 is a front view of a container according to the invention standing on a base, with the drain tap closed and the stop arranged in its storage position;

Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1, with the drain tap opened and the stop arranged in its holding position;

Fig. 3 shows a section through the container according to Fig. 1 in the area of the drain tap in a closed position of the drain tap;

Fig. 4 is a view according to Fig. 3, but with the drain tap in an open operating position, with the stop in a holding position on a table edge;

Fig. 5 is a top view of the inner tube of the drain tap;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a section of the inner wall of the bottom of the outer tube after the upper part of the inner tube has been removed; and

Fig. 7 is a cross-section through the drain tap along the line VII-VII according to Fig. 3.

A container for liquids, in particular for drinks, shown in Fig. 1 and 2 is generally designated 10. The container 10 is a so-called par-

ty barrel for beer. The container 10 stands on a table 12 directly on a table edge 13.

The container 10 has a lid 14, a base 16 and a surrounding wall 18. In the lower part of the container 10, a drain tap 20 is provided, which is inserted into a recess 22 in the wall 18. The base 16, which merges into the wall 18, is closed off at the bottom by an edge 36, which is formed by a surrounding bead 90.

The drain tap 20 consists of an outer tube 60, an inner tube 62 and a plug-like sealing element 72. The outer tube 60 consists of a hard plastic material and is closed at its inner end pointing into the interior of the container 10. The other end of the outer tube 60 is closed on its outside by a closing flange 64. In the upper area of the closing flange 64, an outwardly projecting projection is formed, which forms a tear-off element 66 of a break seal 34.

In the front third of the outer tube 60, a downwardly projecting nose 68 is formed on the upper inside of the wall. On its underside, the outer tube 60 also has an inlet opening 70 which completely penetrates the wall of the outer tube 60.

The end flange 64 of the outer tube 60 is surrounded by the plug-like sealing element 72. The sealing element 72 consists of a soft sealing material and is sprayed onto the outer tube 60 or the connection flange 64.

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The plug-like sealing element 72 widens outwards in three steps, with an annular groove 74 being formed in front of the outermost step with the widest diameter.

The lower portion of the sealing element 72 has an outwardly projecting projection 76.

In the illustration shown in Fig. 1, a stop 30 is connected to the outside of the inner tube 62, which is closed off by a plate 40 protruding at right angles from the inner tube 62. The stop 30 has a shield or coat of arms shape and lies flat on the outside of the plate 40.

The stop 30 has a viewing opening 32 through which the break seal 34 is visible.

The outside of the plate 40 is visible in the illustration chosen in Fig. 2, in which the stop 30 is arranged in a holding position on a lower edge 36 of the container 10.

A tab 41 is formed on the outside of the plate 40. The plate 40 has a recess 42 which, together with a tear-off element (not shown in Figs. 1 and 2), forms the break seal 34. In the illustration selected in Fig. 2, the drain tap 20 is open, so that the break seal 34 has already been broken and only tear-off webs 44 of the break seal 34 can be seen.

Approximately in the middle of the plate 40 there is a further recess 46, which is approximately cross-shaped in order to

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Stop 30 can be stored in a storage position without twisting.

The design of the drain tap 20 and the stop can be seen in detail in Figs. 3 and 4.

The stop 30 has a shield-like plate 50. A guide element 52 is arranged on the inside of the plate 50 facing the inside of the container in such a way that there is a free space 53 between the plate 50 and the guide element 52. The inside of the plate 50 also has a locking lug 54. With the guide element 52, the stop 30 is clipped onto the bead 90 from below directly below the drain tap 20 according to Fig. 4 and is fixed by locking the locking lug 54.

According to Fig. 4, the stop 30 was removed from the recess 46 of the plate 40 and clipped onto the edge 36 of the container 10. For this purpose, the guide element 52 and the locking lug 54 together enclose the bead 90 of the wall 18. The upper end of the guide element 52 is held in a groove 92 of the base 16, via which the base 16 merges into the lower edge 36, which is formed by the bead 90.

Since the guide element 52 and the locking lug 54 firmly enclose the bead 90, the stop 30 is securely fastened to the lower edge 36 of the container 10. The shield-like plate 50 of the stop 30 protrudes downwards over the edge 36 of the container 10 and strikes the edge 13 of the table 12 on which the container 10 stands.

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The upper end of the shield-like plate 50 abuts against the projection 76 of the plug-like sealing element 72 of the outer tube 60.

The recess 46 on the plate 40 of the inner tube 62 is delimited and closed off inwards by an inclined wall 82, whereby the inclined wall 82 forms an acute angle with the underside of the inner tube 62.

In addition to the inward-facing side of the inclined wall 82, a circular outflow opening 84 is provided on the underside of the inner tube 62, which completely penetrates the wall of the inner tube 82 and is surrounded by a seal 85.

The inner tube 62 is sealed from the outer tube 60 at its inner end by a sealing ring 86 and at its outer end by a sealing ring 88.

The drain tap 20 is arranged in an opening in the wall 18, which lies in the recess 22 in the wall 18. In the area of the opening, the wall 18 is embossed inwards and thus forms a receptacle 65 for the drain tap 20. The drain tap 20 is inserted with its plug-like sealing element 72 into the receptacle 50 in the wall 18 in such a way that the sealing element 72 is securely fixed to the annular groove 74. In this way, a secure seal between the wall 18 and the drain tap 20 is ensured. Since the sealing element 72 consists of a soft sealing material, the drain tap 20 can be inserted into the receptacle 65 in the wall 18 when the container 10 is assembled, whereby it

first deformed and finally fits into the receptacle 65 of the wall 18.

In Fig. 3, a closed position 89 of the drain tap 20 is shown, which can be transferred into an open operating position 93 by pulling out the inner tube.

In its storage position, the stop 30 is accommodated in the recess 46 of the plate 40 of the inner tube 62, with the guide element 52 and the locking lug 54 pointing inwards. The shield-like plate 50 closes off the drain tap 20 from the outside and covers it to a large extent. Due to the recess 22 of the wall 18 of the container 10, the drain tap 20 is completely accommodated in its closed position within the outer contour of the wall 18.

The tear-off element 66 is visible through the viewing opening 32 of the stop 30, which together with the recess 42 of the plate 40 forms the break seal 34.

In the closed position 89 of the drain valve 20, the inner tube 62 is pushed into the outer tube 60. The nose 68 of the outer tube 60 engages in the longitudinal groove 80 of the inner tube 62 and thus ensures that the inner tube 62 is guided in the outer tube 60.

In this closed position 89, the inlet opening 70 of the outer tube 60 is closed off by the wall of the inner tube 62, while the outlet opening 84 of the inner tube 62 is closed off by the wall of the outer tube 60. The seals ensure that

85, 86 and 88 ensure that no liquid from the interior of the container can escape through the drain tap 20.

The drain tap is opened by pulling the inner tube 62 out of the outer tube 60. To do this, first grasp the tab 41 with one finger, while the container 10 can be held with the other hand.

When the inner tube 62 is pulled out, the tear-off element 66 detaches from the recess 62 so that the break seal 34 breaks.

Due to a special design of the longitudinal groove 80 of the inner tube 62, namely a cross rib 95 arranged on the base of the longitudinal groove 80, a noticeable intermediate stop is created when the nose 68 hits the cross rib 95 when it is pulled out, which indicates to the user that he must now hold a container such as a glass under the outlet opening 84 at the latest before the liquid begins to flow out when the inner tube 62 is pulled out further. When the inner tube 62 is pulled out further, the nose 68 overcomes the cross rib 95.

The liquid begins to flow out of the interior of the container through the drain tap 20 as soon as the open inner end of the inner tube 62 reaches the inlet opening 70 of the outer tube 60. The special shape of the inlet opening 70, which will be explained below in connection with Fig. 6, together with a special design of the longitudinal groove 80, which will be explained in connection with Fig. 5, ensure that the liquid initially only slowly exits the drain tap 20.

When the inner tube 62 is further pulled out of the outer tube 60, the inlet opening 70 is completely opened and the liquid exits through the inner tube 62 via the outlet opening 84.

Complete withdrawal of the inner tube 62 from the outer tube 60 is prevented by the nose 68 striking the end of the longitudinal groove 80.

If the drain valve 20 is to be moved from its open operating position 93 back to the closed position 89, the inner tube 62 must be pushed back into the outer tube 60.

This can be done simply by pressing against the plate 40, whereby the container 10 does not have to be held in place because the stop 30 with its lower part strikes the edge 13 of the table 12 and thus prevents the container 10 from moving or slipping. The stop 30 is prevented from tipping over by the upper end striking the projection 76 of the sealing element 72.

The drain cock 20 closes as soon as the inlet opening 70 is covered by the wall of the inner tube 62, so that the inner tube 62 does not have to be pushed back into the outer tube 60 completely, but only a short distance. In doing so, the nose 68 again hits the cross rib 95. In this way, the user is shown that the closed position 89 of the drain cock 20 has been reached, further pushing the inner tube 62 into the outer tube 60 is unnecessary, which prevents any liquid still present in the inner tube 62 from

is pushed out of the drain tap 20, while no collecting vessel is held underneath.

In the top view of the inner tube 62 shown in Fig. 6, the design of the longitudinal groove 80 and the measures provided for sealing are visible.

The longitudinal groove 80 extends over a large part of the length of the inner tube 62. In its rear area, the longitudinal groove 80 is narrowed by both groove walls 94 being offset towards the center of the groove, so that a taper 96 is produced on both sides. The taper 96 is shown enlarged for the purpose of better visibility.

In addition, the transverse rib 95 is visible approximately in the middle of the longitudinal groove 80, which extends across part of the groove. This serves as an intermediate stop both when opening and closing the drain tap 20, as already explained above in connection with Figs. 3 and 4.

The taper 96 forms a further intermediate stop, which can be provided alternatively or in addition to the transverse rib 95. When the inner tube 62 is pulled out of the outer tube 64, it also strikes the nose 68 of the outer tube 60, and only later than the projection 95. The taper 96 only strikes the nose 68 shortly before the inlet opening 70 is reached by the inner, open end of the inner tube 62, i.e. shortly before the liquid begins to exit through the drain tap 20.

This tapering 96 ensures that the inner tube 62 is not pulled out of the outer tube 60 too quickly and the liquid then suddenly escapes from the container 10 under pressure. This also provides an inexperienced user with an intermediate stop, which indicates the point in time at which the user must now hold a glass or similar under the opening 84 at the latest before starting the actual tapping process by reaching behind the plate 40 and supporting himself with his thumb on the wall 18 in order to pull the inner tube 62 out further with just one hand in order to let the liquid escape.

The sealing rings 88 and 86 are recessed in recesses 98 and 100.

The front seal 86 surrounds the inner tube in a wave-like manner in order to leave sufficient space for the outflow opening 84 shown in dashed lines on the underside of the inner tube 62.

Also shown in dashed lines is a sealing surface 102 sprayed onto one side of the underside of the inner tube 62, which consists of a soft sealing material and securely seals the inner tube 62 against the inlet opening 70, even during the displacement of the inner tube 62 in the outer tube 60.

The inlet opening 70 is shown enlarged in Fig. 6.

In order to further improve the sealing of the inlet opening 70, a bead 104 with a height of only a few tenths of a millimeter is provided around the inlet opening 70. This bead

rises above the inside of the outer tube 60 and is an integral part of the inner tube 62. The bead 104 is therefore also made of hard plastic material.

The inlet opening 70 is approximately keyhole-shaped, with the inlet opening 70 widening outwards from a constriction 106 to a circular region 108.

This shape of the inlet opening 70 ensures that when the inner tube 62 is pulled outwards, the constriction 106 is reached first, so that only a small amount of liquid from the inside of the container can enter the inner tube 62. At the same time, the taper 96 of the longitudinal groove 80 ensures a slight intermediate stop beforehand, which indicates to the person operating the drain tap 20 that the inlet opening 70 has almost been reached.

When the inner tube 62 is pulled out further, the circular area 108 is reached by the open end of the inner tube 62, so that the liquid can escape unhindered through the drain tap 20.

After a certain amount of liquid has escaped, a vent is made on the lid 14 of the container (not shown) to allow further escape of the liquid.

The interaction of the sealing elements is evident from the section shown in Fig. 7.

The outer tube 60 completely encloses the inner tube 62 in the lateral areas. In the lower area of the inner tube 62, the sealing surface 102 is sprayed onto the outside, whereby a slightly oval cross-section of the inner tube 62 is achieved, which leads to an increased surface pressure in the area of the sealing surface 102. The width of the sealing element 102 and the ovality are shown enlarged for illustration purposes.

The sealing surface 102 consisting of the soft sealing material is thus pressed with a high surface pressure against the outer tube 60 and the bead 104 surrounding the inlet opening 70, whereby the sealing element is slightly deformed. In this way, a secure seal of the inlet opening 70 is achieved, while at the same time a relatively low friction force is achieved, since the friction with the soft sealing surface 102 is locally limited and the entire inner tube 62 does not have to be sealed against the outer tube 60, which would lead to considerably higher friction forces.

Claims (17)

• * ■ Protection claims 1. Container for liquids, in particular drinks, with a wall (18) which is closed off at the bottom by an edge (36), wherein an opening in the wall (18) is provided with a drain tap (20) which has an outer tube (60) which is sealingly connected to the wall (18) and extends into the interior of the container (10) and an inner tube (62) which is axially displaceable within the outer tube (60), wherein a closed position of the drain tap can be converted into an open operating position by pulling out the inner tube, characterized by a stop (30) which can be connected in a holding position to the lower edge (36) of the container (10) in such a way that at least a part of the stop (30) protrudes downwards beyond the edge (36) in order to prevent displacement of the container (10) during insertion of the inner tube (62) into the outer tube (60) to prevent. 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop (30) in its holding position below the drain tap (20) is connected to the edge (36) of the container (10) and is supported with its upper end on a projection (76) of the drain tap (20). 3. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drain tap (20) with a plug-like sealing element (72) at the outer end of the outer tube (60) is inserted into the opening in a recess (22) of the wall (18) in such a way that the drain tap (20) in its closed position (89) is largely completely accommodated within the outer contour of the wall (18). 4. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the projection (76) on which the stop (30) is supported is formed on the outside of the sealing element (72). 5. Container according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the stop (30) can be fixed in its holding position by clipping it onto the edge (36) of the container (10). 6. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that the edge (36) of the container (10) is closed off at the bottom by a bead (90), and that the stop (30) has a shield-like plate (50), on the inside of which facing the wall (18) of the container (10) a locking device for fixing to the bead (90) is provided. 7. Container according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking device comprises a guide element (52) protruding from the inside of the plate (50) in the direction of the bead (90) and pointing upwards for receiving the bead stes (90) in the free space (53) formed between the plate (50) and the guide element (52), with which a locking lug (54) on the inside of the plate (50) cooperates in order to fix the stop (30) in its holding position on the bead (90). 8. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer end of the inner tube (62) is closed by an angularly projecting plate (40). 9. Container according to claim 8, characterized in that a tab (41) is formed on the plate (40). 10. Container according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that a recess (42) is provided on the plate (40), into which the locking device of the stop (30) can be inserted in order to fix the stop (30) with its plate (50) resting on the plate (40) of the inner tube (62) in a storage position secured against rotation. 11. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drain tap (20) has a seal (34) which breaks when the inner tube (62) is first pulled out of the closed position (89). 12. Container according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a recess (46) is provided in the plate (40) which is connected to a tear-off element (66) projecting into the recess (46) and which is attached to the outer surface of the plug-like gen sealing element (72) is provided, forms a break seal (34), wherein the recess (46) in the plate (40) is associated with a viewing opening (32) in the plate (50) of the stop (30). 14. Stop (30) for a container (10) according to one of the preceding claims. 15. Container for liquids, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, with a wall (18) which is closed at the bottom by an edge (36), wherein a drain tap (20) is provided in an opening in the wall (18), which has an outer tube (60) sealingly connected to the wall (18) and extending into the interior of the container (10), and an inner tube (62) which is axially displaceable within the outer tube (60), wherein an open operating position (93) of the drain tap (20) can be transferred into a closed position (89) by pushing the inner tube (62) into the outer tube (60), characterized in that an intermediate stop is formed on the drain tap (20), which allows a user to see the transition between the closed position (89) and the open operating position when pulling the inner tube (62) out of the outer tube (60). (93) of the drain tap (20). 16. Container according to claim 15, characterized in that the intermediate stop is formed by a taper (96) of a longitudinal groove (80) on the inner tube (62), with which the inner tube (62) is guided on a nose (68) provided on the outer tube (60). 17. Container according to claim 15, characterized in that the intermediate stop comprises a transverse rib (95) at the bottom of a longitudinal groove (80) on the inner tube (62), in which a nose (68) provided on the outer tube is guided.