GB2101275A

GB2101275A - Tap for drinks container

Info

Publication number: GB2101275A
Application number: GB08213436A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Reginald Haines; Anthony James Lucking
Original assignee: Waddington and Duval Ltd
Current assignee: Waddington and Duval Ltd
Priority date: 1981-05-12
Filing date: 1982-05-10
Publication date: 1983-01-12
Also published as: GB2101275B

Abstract

The tap is operated by a resilient push button (2), which acts to open a first valve member (6), which is biased to the closed position by the button's resilience, the first valve member being for normal operation of the tap; also operated by the push button is a second valve member (10), the tap is sealed to a container wall and on first operation the valve (10) is opened, thereafter only the main valve (6) operates. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to press taps The present invention relates to taps of the kind used for containers, particularly containers which carry liquids such as table wine which deteriorate in storage due to the ingress of oxygen.

Known taps for such a use pierce diaphragms which are attached across the gland into which the tap fits. These diaphragms prevent the ingress of oxygen before initial use. Often it is convenient to fill the container through this gland but in this case problems have been found in the subsequent provision of the sealing diaphragm. Other piercing taps are located against the container wall not necessarily in a gland. The container wall is then pierced on first use; this requires the container wall to be relatively weak so as to be easy to pierce or else a special weakened area must be provided in the wall. Alternatively, if the container wall is not to be weak, a heavy piercing thrust is required. All these arrangements have their disadvantages.

According to the present invention, there is provided a tap having a first valve means for normal operation by a push button and a second valve means between the inlet and first valve means for at least initial operation by the push button.

The second valve means may or may not be reseatable after initial operation by the push button and is preferably in the form of a plug or piston acting in the tap body.

The tap according to the invention has the advantage that prior to initial operation of the tap and during storage the second valve means provides added protection for the contents of the container to which the tap is fitted. Furthermore sealing of the container through a gland into which the tap is fitted may be achieved by insertion of the tap rather than by provision of a diaphragm. A further advantage is that the container walls can be made of a tough material which does not have to be pierced and also avoids the provision of an additional weak pierceable portion.

The second valve means may be joined to or integral with the first valve means or the two valve means may be separate components.

The once and for all action of the tap unsealing arrangement when the valve means are separate components ensures better valve operation since all press effort on the push button in subsequent valve operation is directed to only valve operation.

When the two valve means are formed as a single component the tap is simpler and more economic to make.

Furthermore the invention ensures that the oxygen barrier is substantially improved without the requirement for any special equipment in the winery where the containers are filled for otherwise sealing the containers.

The plugging means may be axially movable at an angle preferably 900, to the movement axis of the valve means or alternatively the valve means and plugging means may be movable in axially parallel or coaxial directions. In the former case the initial unplugging action is good and in the latter case the construction is very simple and economic to manufacture.

The tap of the invention may be glandless that is the tap body can be welded directly to a container wall in one or more positions. In this case the oxygen barrier is enhanced. A separate filling inlet for the container is then provided.

According to a further aspect of the invention a method of joining a tap to a container comprises providing an anvil having an annular bearing surface and a heated welding means having a first heated surface coincident with at least part of the bearing surface and a heated projection forming a second heated surface within the first surface, locating the tap and a wall of the container or blank therefor between the anvil and welding means, bringing the anvil and welding means relatively towards each other so that the wall is welded to the tap at least on a flange of the tap and a portion of the wall is melted out at the tap inlet. Preferably the wall is welded to the tap body around the inlet.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a cross-section of a tap according to a first embodiment of the invention taken through the axes of the valve and second valve means.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the tap of Figure 1 in the open position, Fig. 3 is a cross-section of a tap according to a second embodiment of the invention taken through the axes of the valve and plugging means, Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the tap of Fig. 3 in the open position, Fig. 5 is a cross-section of a tap according to a third embodiment of the invention taken through a common axis of the valve and second valve means, Fig. 6 is a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 7 is a cross-section of a fifth embodiment of the invention.

In the first embodiment the tap is formed with a valve body 1, a resilient press button 2 acting on a valve stem 3 movable in axis 4. The press button 2 has chamfered socket portion 5. The valve stem 3 has on its outer end a valve member 6 shown seated in Fig. 1 on conical seating 7.

Valve member 6 seals the outlet 8 of the tap and is the valve member for controlling the normal or repetitive opening of the tap.

Axially movable in axis 9 at 900 to axis 4 is a second valve means or plugging means 10 hereafter referred to as a plug which seals in the manner of a piston or plug on the inner cylindrical surface 11 of gland engaging portion 12 of body 1. The gland itself is shown at 1 3. The plug 10 has an operating stem 1 4 provided with an engagement surface 1 5 which is angled at 450 to the axes 4 and 9.

In operation the first time the tap is used the operator presses button 2, chamfered portion 5 then depresses and acts on surface 1 5 to press stem 14 and thus plug 10 outward so that tap inlet 1 6 is opened. Stem 14 is supported by thrust portion 1 7 and suitably by a rib or ribs 18. At the same time tap outlet 8 is opened and liquid is allowed to flow from the container (not shown) through the tap inlet past the stem 14 and out of the tap outlet. On release of the press button 2 the outlet is closed but the inlet remains open.

In the second embodiment the tap is formed with a valve body 21, a resilient press button 22 acting on a valve stem 23 movable in axis 24. The press button 22 has a socket portion 25. The valve stem 23 has on its outer end a valve member 26 shown seated in Figure 3 on conical seating 27. Valve member 26 seals outlet 28 of the tap and is the valve member for controlling the normal or repetitive opening of the tap.

Axially movable in axis 29 at 900 to axis 24 is a second valve means or plug 30 which seals in the manner of a piston or plug on the inner cylindrical surface 31 of gland engaging portion 32 of body 21. The gland itself is shown at 33.

The plug 30 has an operating stem or first plugging means portion 34 which has a triangular resilient actuating portion 35 which is formed by flat portions 45, 46 and 48. First portion 34 is hinged to the second portion 45 at 42; second portion 45 is hinged to third portion 46 and 43; and third portion 46 is hinged to fourth portion 48 at 44, the fourth portion abutting on thrust member 37. A slot 47 extends between and through portions 48, 46 and 45 so that the stem 23 passes through the triangular portion 35 to stabilise portion 35. Stem 34 slides between ribs 38 and 39. A recess or hole 52 is provided in fourth portion 48 into which engages a protrusion 53 provided on the stem or first portion 34.

In operation, the first time the tap according to the second embodiment is used, the operator presses button 22, socket portion 25 acts on triangular portion 35 to press stem 34 and thus plug 30 outward so that the tap inlet 36 is opened. At the same time tap outlet 28 is opened and liquid is allowed to flow from the container (not shown) through the tap inlet, past the stem 34 and out of the tap outlet. On release of the press button 22, outlet is closed but the protrusion or peg 53 prevents the valve member 30 from re-entering and sealing the tap inlet 36.

In the third embodiment the tap is formed with a valve body 61, a resilient press button 62 acting on a valve stem 63 movable in axis 64. The valve stem 63 has on its outer end a valve member 66 shown seated in Figure 5 on conical seating 67.

Valve 66 seals the outlet 68 of the tap and is the valve means for sealing the normal or repetitive opening of the tap.

Coaxial with the valve stem 63 and movable in the common axis 64 is a second valve means or plug 70 which seals in the manner of a piston or plug on the inner cylindrical surface 71 of gland engaging portion 72 of body 61. The gland itself is shown at 73. Plug 70 has an operating stem 74 the inner end 75 of which engages with valve member 66. In a variation of the third embodiment, the valve stem 74 can be fixed to valve member 66 or the valve member 66, plug 70 and stems 63 and 74 can be formed as a single integral component so that the plug 70 is reseatable after initial operation of the push button.

In operation the first time the tap is used the operator presses button 62 so that stems 63 and 74 move towards the tap inlet 76 and the tap inlet 76 is opened. At the same time tap outlet 68 is opened and liquid is allowed to flow from the container (not shown) through the tap inlet past the stem 74 and out of the tap outlet. On release of the press button 62 the outlet is closed but the inlet normally remains open.

In all three embodiments the plug is suitably formed from polypropylene or from low or high density polyethylene which are suitable materials for preventing the ingress of oxygen into the container when in a storage condition. The tap body is suitably formed from polyethylene or of high density polyethylene.

A further advantage of the plug or piston type arrangement is that certain containers may be filled with a hot liquid at 800 to 900C which if allowed to contact the components of the valve means before cooling could affect these components to their detriment. Thus the plugging means acts also as a protection for the valve means.

In Figure 6 a further embodiment is shown in which a relatively large gland 3' of internal diameter D, of the order of 30 mm is provided with a tap having an inlet body external diameter d of the order of 1 6 mm and an internal diameter d' of about 13 mm. The tap is mounted in a gland sleeve member 200 having of course the diameter D.

The purpose of this further embodiment is that some authorities hold that it is detrimental to wine to fill it into a container at a high velocity. At the same time, it is important to keep the inlet with diameter d' as small as possible to prevent oxygen ingress. By providing a large diameter D and a small diameter d' where D is about 30 mm and d' is about 13 mm the optimum characteristics are obtained.

Preferably D is in the range 20 to 40 mm, d' is in the range 10 to 16 mm and the ratio of d'/D is between 2 to 4.

2 4 Details and function of the first and second valve operation of the further embodiment are similar to the embodiment of Fig. 3 and will not be further described.

In Fig. 7 a fifth embodiment of the invention is shown in which the plug 30" and its operation and the valve member 26" are the same as the second embodiment and no further description of these and associated parts are necessary. The inner cylindrical surface 31" is formed on a cylindrical extension 80 of the body 21 ", the extension 80 has an axis 29" at right angles to valve stem axis 24". Extending radially outwards from extension 80 is a fillet 81 which reinforces cylindrical recess 83. From fillet 81 the body material extends outwards to a thin flange 82.

In order to connect the tap body 21" to a container, only a part 87 of a side wall of which is shown, the tap is placed against the side wall 87.

A heated welding member 102 is then positioned the far side of wall 87 and a cup shaped anvil 100 is positioned over the tap so that the anvil's cylindrical edge 101 abuts the circular flange 82.

The welding member has a cylindrical extension 106 with a sharp edge facing towards the tap body, and an annular projecting welding projecting portion 104 also facing towards the tap portion. Extension 106 is aligned with recess 83 and portion 104 with flange 82. The anvil and welding member are then brought relatively together to weld the wall 87 to the tap body at points 84 and 85 and to cut out a hole in the wall 87 coincident with tap inlet 36".

The provision of a double weld at points 84 and 85 ensures an added oxygen barrier between the container and tap body, a barrier which is enhanced by the double protection of plug 30" and valve member 26".

The outer weld at 85 ensures a highly stable main weld whilst the inner weld 84 ensures final sealing of the container to the tap and may prevent liquid stagnating between the inlet and main weld. The inner weld assists with making a highly effective oxygen barrier.

It will be appreciated that the tap body 21" and wall 87 are made of thermoplastic material.

The container of which wall 87 is a part is preferably of the "form, fill and seal" type used for bag-in-a-box wine dispensers.

If it is only desired to form an outer weld 85, the extension 106 need not be cylindrical. For instance extension 106 may be cruciform so that a cruciform hole is melted out of wall 87. Other shapes of extension can also be provided if an inner weld is not required. The advantage of using a cruciform extension is that this avoids the need for disposing of a circular disc of film cut out of the wall 87.

It is possible to extend the plug type tap of the present invention to situations where adhesive is used to attach the tap to a container wall.

Claims

1. A tap having a first valve means for normal operation by a push button and a second valve means between the inlet and first valve means for at least initial operation by the push button.

2. A tap as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the second valve means is in the form of a piston acting on a closed position on a cylindrical wall of the tap body.

3. A tap as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the second valve means forms at least a part of a separate component to the first valve means.

4. A tap as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the second valve means forms a part of a component of which the first valve means is a part or is joined to the first valve means.

5. A tap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the tap body is adapted to fit into a gland.

6. A tap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the tap body is formed of a thermoplastics material.

7. A container or blank therefor having a tap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6.

8. A container or blank therefor as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the tap is provided with a flange around the tap inlet and wherein the flange is fastened to a wall of the container or blank therefor.

9. A container or blank therefor as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the flange is welded to the wall of the container or blank therefor.

10. A container or blank therefor as claimed in Claim 8 or 9 wherein the tap body is welded to the wall of the container or blank therefor immediately around the tap inlet.

11. A container or blank therefor as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the tap has a substantially cylindrical recessed surface around the tap inlet to which the wall is welded.

12. A method of joining a tap to a container or blank therefor comprising providing an anvil having an annular bearing surface and a heated welding means having a first heated surface coincident with at least part of the bearing surface and a heated projection forming a second heated surface within the first surface locating the tap and a wall of the container or blank therefor between the anvil and welding means, bringing the anvil and welding means relatively towards each other so that the wall is welded to the tap at least on a flange of the tap and a portion of the wall is melted out at the tap inlet.

13. A method according to Claim 12 wherein the wall of the container or blank therefor is welded to the tap body around the tap inlet.

14. A method according to Claim 12 wherein the wall of the container or blank therefor is welded to the tap body at a substantially cylindrical recessed surface around the tap inlet by means of a substantially cylindrical projection forming the second heated surface.

1 5. A method according to Claim 12 wherein a portion of the wall of the container or blank therefor is melted out by the second heated surface without welding around the tap inlet.

1 6. A method according to Claim 1 5 wherein the portion of the wall melted out is cruciform.

1 7. A tap substantially as described with reference to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

18. A method of joining a tap to a container or blank therefor substantially as described with reference to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.