WO2004108584A1

WO2004108584A1 - Plug for beverage containers, in particular for water flasks

Info

Publication number: WO2004108584A1
Application number: PCT/IT2003/000454
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luigi Bonandini; Bruno Comendulli; Gabriele Ronchetti
Original assignee: B & P Finanziaria D'investimenti SpA
Current assignee: B & P Finanziaria D'investimenti SpA
Priority date: 2003-06-05
Filing date: 2003-07-24
Publication date: 2004-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2005-12-05
Also published as: AU2003253266A1; ITMI20031135A1; ITMI20031135A0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plug for beverage containers in general and, in particular, for water flasks or jugs, characterized in that said plug comprises a plug body including, as a single piece, a mantle body which can be coupled to the outside of a mouth of a container or the like, and connected at an axial end portion to a flat portion, from a center of which extends an axial end-piece which can be fitted on a water delivery nozzle, said end piece ending with a removable portion operating as a small plug element thereby allowing, upon removal, a communication with the inside of said container, sealing means being provided on the inner face of said plug.

Description

SPECIFICATION

PLUG FOR BEVERAGE CONTAINERS, IN PARTICULAR FOR WATER FLASKS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a plug for beverage containers in general and, in particular, for water flasks or jugs.

As known, drinking water delivery devices are at present used, mainly in .public environments, offices and other public rooms, said drinking water delivery devices conventionally comprising an apparatus adapted to be supplied with water from comparatively large size containers, which, usually, are called "water flasks or jugs" and have a water capability or volume of about 20 liters.

The above mentioned prior water jugs are usually closed by closing plugs which must be made in three discrete elements, comprising, generally, a mantle body to be coupled on the outside of the vessel mouth and which, at an axial end portion thereof, is coupled with a top flat portion, therefrom centrally extends an axial end-piece, engaging in the water delivery nozzle. At an end portion of the mentioned axial end-piece, a second element is provided, usually made, for example, by a co-molding operation, which, practically comprises a small plug which is separated as the water jugs is coupled to the apparatus water delivery nozzle.

Moreover, a further element comprising a flat gasket to be arranged under the mentioned flat portion and providing a tightly coupling with the top end portion of the water jug mouth is provided.

The above mentioned approach, however, is affected by several drawbacks, the most important of which is that, since it is made of three discrete elements, it has a comparatively high cost.

Another drawback is that the small plug element coupled to the nozzle is so designed as to be suitable for coupling with the tip of the water delivery nozzle as it is introduced into the water jug.

The above small plug is engaged in the end- piece again as the water jug is removed from the delivery nozzle, thereby it does not allow to visually detect an occurred at least partial use of the water jug.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks , by providing a plug for beverage containers in general and, in particular, for water flasks or jugs, allowing to greatly simplify all the plug making steps, without negatively affecting its functional characteristics.

Within the scope of the above mentioned

_, aim, a main object of the invention is to provide such a plug which comprises safety elements adapted to allow to clearly detect a first opening of the plug, thereby preventing said plug from being accidentally or fraudulentaly reclosed for a possible reuse thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a plug which, owing to its specifically designed constructional characteristics, is very reliable and safe in operation.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a plug, specifically designed for water jugs, which can be easily made and which, moreover, is very competitive from a mere economic standpoint.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a plug for beverage containers in general and, in particular, for water flasks or jugs, characterized in that said plug comprises a plug body including, as a single piece, a mantle body which can be coupled to the outside of a mouth of a container or the like, and connected at an axial end portion to a flat portion, from a center of which extends an axial end-piece which can be fitted on a water delivery nozzle, said end piece ending with a removable portion operating as a small plug element thereby allowing, upon removal, a communication with the inside of said container, sealing means being provided on the inner face of said plug.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment, of a plug for beverage containers in general and, in particular, for water jugs, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example, in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating the plug according to the present invention, in an exploded position thereof, with respect to a water flask or jug;

Figure 2 illustrates the subject plug as applied to a water jug;

Figure 3 is a further exploded view illustrating a water jug and a plug shown partially broken away;

Figure 4 is a further cross-sectional exploded view illustrating the plug and water jug mouth;

Figure 5 is a further cross-sectional view of the plug as applied to the water jug;

Figure 6 is a further cross-sectional view illustrating an operating step preceding the engagement step in which the water delivery nozzle is engaged in the plug according to the present invention, applied to a water jug;

Figure 7 illustrates a following operating step, in which the water delivery nozzle, upon having removed the small plug from the attachment portion thereof, is fitted thereto by displacing it upward; Figure 8 illustrates yet another following operating step, showing the position which is again assumed by the small plug engaging for a first time in a cavity formed in the attachment portion; and

Figure 9 illustrates the falling movement of the mentioned small plug into the inside of the water jug, as the water delivery nozzle is again introduced into said water jug, having the inventive plug; in this operating step, the small plug element, engaged in the end-piece cavity, cannot provide a sufficient friction force to fit again on the water delivery nozzle that same small plug element which, consequently, will fall inside the water jug.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the plug for beverage containers or vessels in general, and, in particular, for water flasks or jugs 4, according to the present invention, comprises a plug body, generally indicated by the reference number 1, which comprises, as a single piece, i.e. made by a single molding operation of a food type plastic material, a mantle body 2, coupled to the outside of the mouth portion 3 of a water container of jug 4.

The mantle body 2 comprises a cylindrical portion which, on an inner surface thereof, comprises an abutment tooth element 10 operating as a sealing gasket, which is arranged at an annular outer recessdefined on the mouth 3.

The mantle body 2, in particular, at an axial end portion thereof, is coupled to a flat portion 20 which, at a central position thereof, comprises an end-piece 21 including an attachment frustum-of-cone shaped portion 22, ending with a removable portion 23 practically comprising a small plug element connected to the attachment portion 22 by a weakening connecting line 24. The mentioned small plug element 23 comprises an undercut collet 50, having a diameter, less than that of the attachment portion 22 and provided for coupling, as the plug is opened for the first time, to the end portion 53 of the water delivery nozzle 40.

Said small plug element 23 is moreover provided with a projecting collar 51 operating as an abutment element, as the water jug is withdrawn from the water delivery nozzle 40. On the inner surface of the body 1 and, preferably, near the periphery of the flat portion, are provided sealing means, comprising a lip tongue 30, made as a single piece with the plug body 1 which, as it is coupled to the mouth portion 3 of the water jug 4, will operate as a sealing gasket and will provide a further sealing at the top or upper edge portion, thereby providing a truly firm and safe coupling, made by a plug element 1 formed by a single molded piece. The mentioned small plug element 23 is so contoured and sized as to enter and re-enter for a single time inside the end-piece 21.

After the first removal of the small plug 23, it is actually possible to perform only a first reengagement of the small plug 23 in the cavity formed inside the end-piece 21.

As is clearly shown in figure 7, at its first use, the water jug 4 is fitted on a water delivery nozzle 40 of the water delivery apparatus which, practically, separates the undercut portion operating as said small plug element 23. Then, the small plug element 23, as the water delivery nozzle 40 is withdrawn from the water jug 4, will be arranged inside the end-piece 2 thereby providing a perfect sealing therewith (Fig. 8). If the water delivery nozzle 40 is then again re-engaged in the mouth portion 3 of a water jug 4, then the small plug 23 will be so contoured and sized as not to provide any further friction resistance to allow it to fit on the water delivery nozzle 40 and, accordingly, said small plug element 23 will fall inside the water jug 4, thereby indicating a previous opening thereof (Fig. 9).

If one would attempt to refill the water jug 4 with water, for example by engaging a pipe or funnel in the plug 1, then the small plug element 23 will fall inside the jug 4, thereby indicating the mentioned undesired refilling operation.

Upon removing the water jug 4 from the delivery nozzle 40, the water being exhausted, the small plug element 23 will be engaged, and perfectly arranged, in the housing seat formed inside the mentioned end-piece 21.

This result will be facilitated by the provision of the collet 51, allowing the small plug element 23 to be stably arranged in end-piece 21, while allowing said plug element from being removed from the nozzle 40, as said nozzle is removed from the end-piece 21.

The thus arranged small plug 23 will close the water jug 4 as the latter is returned, for example, to a washing and refilling station, thereby preventing powder or foreign bodies from entering said jug 4.

In this connection it should be pointed out that the small plug element 23 is engaged in the cavity of the end-piece 21 by a small force engagement operation, so as to allow said small plug element to be properly held, while providing a sealing with respect to the water remained inside the water jug 4.

As above illustrated, the small plug 23 and end-piece 21 are so designed and contoured that the above mentioned forced engagement will not be sufficient to allow the delivery nozzle 40 to be engaged for a second time in the end-piece 21 of the plug 1, without causing the small plug element 23 to fall inside the jug 4, thereby indicating possible fraudulent or undesired refillings of the jug.

From the above disclosure it should be accordingly apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects. In particular, the invention provides a plug for beverage containers in general and, in particular, for water flasks or jugs, which is very practical and functional, since it can be obtained by a single food plastic material molding operation, while providing the required sealing and an additional safety element adapted to signal a possible undesired opening. The invention, as disclosed, is susceptible to several modifications and variations, all of which will come within the scope of the invention.

Moreover, all the constructional details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements .

In practicing the invention, the used materials, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, depending on requirements.

Claims

1. A plug for beverage containers in general and, in particular, for water flasks or jugs, characterized in that said plug comprises a plug body including, as a single piece, a mantle body which can be coupled to the outside of a mouth of a container or the like, and connected at an axial end portion to a flat portion, from a center of which extends an axial end-piece which can be fitted on a water delivery nozzle, said end piece ending with a removable portion operating as a small plug element thereby allowing, upon removal, a communication with the inside of said container, sealing means being provided on the inner face of said plug.

2. A plug, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said mantle body comprises, at an end portion thereof facing said flat portion, an annular tooth element engaging in an annular cavity defined on the mouth.

3. A plug, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said end-piece comprises an attachment portion, to which is coupled said removable portion operating as a safety small plug, through a weakening line.

4. A plug, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said attachment portion has a substantially frustum of cone configuration.

5. A plug, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said attachment portion comprises a sealing portion provided for sealing against the water delivery nozzle.

6. A plug, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said removable portion, operating as said small plug element, as it has been torn away at said weakening line, cannot be reconnected to said attachment portion.

7. A plug, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sealing means comprise an annular tongue, provided at an inner periphery of said flat portion.

8. A plug, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said small plug element (23) is so contoured and sized as to enter again a single time inside said end-piece (21).

9. A plug, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, after a first removal of said small plug element (23), said small plug element (23) can be re-engaged only for a further time inside a cavity formed in said end-piece (21).

10. A plug, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for a first use thereof, said water jug (4) is fitted on a water delivery nozzle (40) of a water delivery apparatus, said water delivery nozzle separating an undercutportion operating as said small plug element (23), by fitting thereon.

11. A plug, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said small plug element (23) as said water delivery nozzle (40) is removed from said water jug (4), is arranged inside said end-piece (21) to provide a perfect sealing therewith.

12. A plug, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, if said water delivery nozzle is reintroduced again into the mouth portion (3) of a water jug (4), then the small plug element (23) is so contoured and sized that it is not anymore able of providing a friction resistance to be fitted on said delivery nozzle (40), thereby causing said small plug element (23) to fall inside said water jug (4), thereby indicating possible other refillings of said water jug.

13. A plug, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, as said water jug (4) is removed, the water being exhausted, then the small plug (23) will be engaged and perfectly arranged in a housing seat formed inside said end-piece (21).

14. A plug, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said small plug (23) comprises a collet (51) allowing said small plug (23) to be firmly arranged in said end-piece (21) while allowing said small plug to be removed from said water delivery nozzle (40) as said water delivery nozzle (40) is removed from said end-piece (21).

15. A plug, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said small plug (23) is suitable to close said water jug (4) in a return movement of said water jug to a washing and refilling station, thereby preventing powder and foreign materials from entering said water jug (4).

16. A plug, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said small plug (23) is engaged in said cavity of said end-piece by slightly forcing said small plug element (23), thereby allowing said small plug element (23) to be held in a sealed condition with respect to water remaining in said water jug (4).

17. A plug, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said small plug element (23) and end-piece (21) are so designed and sized that said slight forcing is not sufficient to allow said nozzle (40) to be reingaged in said end-piece (21) of the plug (1), without causing said small plug element (23) to fall inside said water jug (4), thereby indicating possible fraudulent or undesired refillings of said water jug.

18. A plug for beverage containers in general and, in particular, for water flasks or jugs, according to one or more of the preceding claims , and substantially as broadly disclosed and illustrated, for the intended aim and objects.