AU621387B2 - Taps - Google Patents

Description

S F Ref: FORM COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION /7

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE: Class Int Class Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority: Related Art: Name and Address Name and Address of Applicant: Address for Service: Richard Hideaki Hata 171 No: 5-3-0-307, Mejiro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Complete Specification for the invention entitled: Taps The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us ii 5845/3 -2- The present invention relates to taps and more particularly but not exclusively to taps used to dispense a liquid from within a closed bag supported in a box.

The dispensing of fluids from portable containers is common. In particular, the wine industry has for many years been producing casks in the foim of cardboard cartons, shaped in the form of rectangular prisms, with wine contained in a bag within such a carton. A spigot is attached to the wine container and the container is filled through this spigot before placement of the wine container into the cardboard cask. A weakened portion of one wall of the cardboard container is provided so that the end user may remove a section of the wall and form a further section of the wall into a cardboard opening flap so that the spigot attached to the wine container within the cardboard cask, may be withdrawn through the hole formed in the wall of the cardboard cask and fixed in position protruding A 15 through the wall of the cask by location of the aforesaid cardboard flap in a groove formed in the outer periphery of the spigot. The first of these spigots was the subject of Fattori Australian Patent No. 446,218 and improvements to the Fattori spigot were provided in Scholle Australian A Patents Nos. 571,926 and 510,198.

However, both the Fattori and the Scholle spigots suffer from deficiencies in that an operation such as tearing of cardboard must be performed to allow those spigots to be withdrawn from within a cardboard cask; once withdrawn from within the cask and located by the aforesaid cardboard flap, the prior art spigots remain in location disposed through and protruding from the aforesaid cardboard wall whilst liquid for dispensing remains within the liquid container; unless physically wiped after each use, droplets of fluid may remain in location on the spigot after a desired quantity of liquid has been dispensed from the container and these droplets of liquid can, in time, come to house bacteria. The bacteria results firstly from the tap being of a configuration which jretains moisture around the tap outlet, and secondly from leaka-e through the tap. A further problem associated with the diaphragm type taps is the lack of control the user has over movement of the diaphragm. Frequently it is difficult to control movement of the diaphragm thereby resulting in the liquid being split. Still further, this lack of control of movement of the diaphragm will frequently result in the liquid spraying from the tap making it difficult to collect the liquid in a glass.

MRC:0057f -3- In attempts to overcome the problems associated with diaphragm taps, other taps have been devised which are of a "spool valve" configuration.

The tap includes a tubular portion communicating with the interior of the bag, which tubular portion is provided with an outlet passage. A movable valve member is then located on the tubular portion and movable from a position closing the outward passage to a position exposing the outlet passage. These taps suffer from the disadvantage that they promote the growth of bacteria since they retain liquid adjacent the tap outlet after the tap is closed.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages.

There is disclosed herein a tap for attachment to a flexible S reservoir to dispense a liquid therefrom, which tap is adapted to be S mounted on a rigid container supporting the reservoir, said tap comprising: °°15 a spout having a longitudinal passage to communicate with the ooo interior of said reservoir so as to receive liquid therefrom, a flange S enabling fixing of the spout to the container so that said tap is at least partly supported by the container with said spout projecting internally of said container; ad a spigot assembly sealingly and captively mounted on said spout, said assembly including, a hollow spigot body having a longitudinal passage communicating at one end with the spout passage so as to receive liquid 0: therefrom, said spigot body being closed at its other end, at least a portion of said spigot body being mounted within said spout passage for sliding telescopic movement longitudinally thereof between a retracted storage position in which said spigot body is contained substantially within said spout passage and an extended position projecting outwardly of i0.' said spout, an outlet aperture in said spigot body, a user operable valve member having a dispensing aperture, said valve member being slidably MRC:0057f -4supported by said spigot body, said valve member being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of said spigot body and relative thereto so as to be angularly movable between a first position closing said outlet passage and a second position with said dispensing aperture aligned with said outlet aperture.

Preferably said flange is adapted to support said spigot on said container in a cantllever manner.

It is further preferred that said spout member is slidably located on an exterior peripheral surface of said spout body, and said spout assembly includes a sleeve mounted on said spout body so as to move therewith, which sleeve has an aperture aligned with said outlet aperture.

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by 0 way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of a tap to be 15 mounted on a wall of a cardboard carton to dispense liquid from a closed flexible bag supported within the carton, the tap being in a retracted 0 0' closed position; :°0o0 Figure 2 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the tap of Figure 1 in an extended open position; Figure 3 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the spigot body employed in the tap of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic end elevation of the spigot body of Figure 3; 0 Figure 5 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the spout of the tap of Figure 1; 25 Figure 6 is a Thematic end elevation of the spout of Figure Figure 7 is a schematic front elevation of a bar spout to be used with the tap of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the bag spout of 6. Figure 7; 0 30 Figure 9 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of a retaining ring employed to retain the spigot body of Figure 3 mounted within the spout of Figure Figure 10 is a schematic end elevation of the retaining ring of Figure 8; Figure 11 is a schematic side elevation of the spigot body of Figure 3; Figure 12 is a schematic section side elevation of a valve member to be mounted on the spigot body of Figure 3; MRC:0057f

A

AI

Figure 13 Is a schematic section end elevation of the splgot body of Figure 10 sectioned along the line AA; Figure 14 is a schematic part section side elevation of a plug and handle member employed with the spigot body of Figure 3; i r i i :1 Figure 15 Is the spigot body of Figure 16 is Figure 17 is embodiment of the i Figure 18 is Figure 17, wherein Figure 19 is Figure 17, wherein Figure 20 is spout in accordance Figure 21 is used in conjunctior Figure 22 is Hgure 23 is Figure 24 is a schematic end elevation of a sleeve to be mounted on Figure 3; a schematic side elevation of the sleeve of Figure 14; a schematic sectioned side elevation of a second nvention; a schematic sectioned side elevation of the top shown in the tap is extended but closed to flow; and a schematic sectioned side elevation of the tap shown in the tap is extended and open to flow.

a schematic sectioned side elevation of an alternate Swith the teachings of the present invention.

a schematic sectioned side elevation of a retaining ring Swith the spout of Figure a front elevation of the retaining ring of Figure 21.

a front elevation of the spout of Figure partial cross section of a spigot body and spout

V.

I

according to the present invention.

In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a tap to be mounted in a cardboard carton 11 which receives and supports a flexible bag to retain a liquid to br dispensed by the tap 10. Attached to 25 the bag is a bag spout 12 having an attachment flange !3 sealingly secured to the bag. Extending normal to the flange 13 is a liaison base tube 14 having an internal annular projection 15. Extending between the flange 13 and tube 14 are reinforcing ribs 16.

The tap 10 includes a tubular tap spout 17 having an extremity sealingly engaged within the bag spout 12. The extremity of the spout 17 has an annular groove 18 which snap engages with the annular projection of the bag spout 12 to sealingly connect the bag spout 12 with the spout tap 17. The spout 17 has a body 19 formed with a flange 20 to be secured to the carton 11. The connection between the carton 11 and flange 20 is such that the spout 17 is supported in a cantilever fashion from the carton 11. Connecting the flange 20 and body 19 is an annular ring 21 defining a recess 22. Projecting internally of the recess 22 is an annular lip 23.

Extending rearwardly from the body 19 is a tube 24 provided with the MRC:0057f -6annular groove 18. The tube 24 projects inwardly of the body 19 so as to define, in co-operation therewith, an annular cavity 25. Formed on the internal peripheral cylindrical surface 26 of the body 19 are two helical recesses 27. The inner extremity of the tube 24 is provided with an inclined surface 28 which is of a "frusto-conical" configuration.

Slidably received within the spout 17 is a spigot assembly 29. The spigot assembly 29 includes a spigot body 29a of tubular configuration so as to have a first tubular portion 30 and a second tubular portion 31.

Attached to the extremity of the first tubular portion 30 is an end wall 32 by means of a plurality of ribs 33. The ribs 33 are spaced by apertures 34 and are inclined so as to match the inclination of the surface 28. The end wall 32 has a cylindrical peripheral surface 35 which sealingly engages the surface 36 of the spout 17 so as to close the passage 37. Extending from S the tubular portion 31 is a cylindrical portion 38 cooperating with the tubular portion 30 to define an annular cavity 39. The cylindrical portion 38 has a pair of projections 40 which are slidably engaged in the helical recesses 27.

The spigot body 29, when located within the spout 17, is movable longitudinally between a retracted position as shown in Figure 1, and an extended position as shown in Figure 2. This movement involves a tubular i portion 30 slidably engaging within the tube 24. Since the projections ii are engaged within the helical recesses 27, movement of the spigot 29 longitudinally within the spout 17 corresponds to rotation of the spigot 29 iI about its longitudinal axis. The cylindrical portion 38 of the spigot body i 25 is received within the annular recess 25 of the spout, while the extremity 41 of the spout tube 24 is received within the annular recess 39 of the spigot 29.

To retain the spigot 29 in the extended position, as shown in Figure 2, each of the helical recesses 27 is provided with a terminal portion 42 against which the projections 40 may be moved to prevent axial movement of the spigot 29. Movement of the projections 40 into the portions 42 from the recess 29 is achieved by rotating the spigot 23 about its longitudinal axis.

The outer end of the spigot 29 is provided with a threaded section 43 which receives the threaded neck of a plug 44 in order to close the passage extending throught the spigot 29. The plug 44 is also provided with a handle 46 which is pivotally mounted in cylindrical recesses 47 formed in the plug 44. The handle 46 has circular pins 48 which engage within the MRC:0057f -7recesses 47. Accordingly the handle 46 is pivotally movable relative to the plug 44 about an axis transverse of the longitudinal axis of the spigot 29.

Since the passage 45 is closed at its outer end by the plug 44, liquid is dispensed from the passage 45 via an outlet aperture 54.

Mounted on the portion 38 is a sleeve 53 having an aperture aligned with the aperture 54 so that the liquid passes through both apertures 54 and 55. One end of the sleeve 53 has a pair of recesses 56 which engage the projections 40 so that the sleeve 53 rotates and moves with the spigot 29.

Retaining the spigot 29 telescopically within the spout 17, and the sleeve 53 on .he portion 38, is a retaining ring 49. The retai-:ng ring 49 has a flange 50 and a cup portion 51. The cup portion 51 has a central aperture 52 through which the spigot 29 projects. However, the aperture 52 has a diameter greater than the diameter of the sleeve 53, but less than the distance between the extremities between the two projections Accordingly the projections 40 engage the retaining ring 49 and prevent outward movement of the spigot 29 once the pins 40 engage with the cup portion 51. The cup portion 51 has an annular recess 57 which snap engages with the annular projection 23 of the spout 17 so that the retaining ring 49 has its cup portion 51 securely engaged within the annular ring 21 of the spout 17.

Slidably mounted on the tubular portion 31 is a valve member 58. The valve member 58 has a flange 59 and a cylindrical wall 60 slidably mounted 25 on the tubular portion 31, and sandwiched between the tubular portion 51 and the sleeve 53. The cylindrical wall 60 has a dispensing aperture 61 which can be moved into alignment with the apertures 54 and 55 when a liquid is to be dispensed. However, the valve member 58 can be rotated so as to close the aperture 54.

The internal cylindrical surface of the wall 60 is relieved so as to have a tapered portion 62 of annular form. The spigot 29 has a radially outwardly biased lip 63 which engages within the portion 62 so that the valve member 58 is captively located on the spigot 29.

In use of the above described tap 10, the flexible bag is filled through the spout assembly 28. Initially the plug 44 is not located so as to close the passage 45. A filling head engages the tubular portion 31 and moves a liquid into the bag via a passage 45. This filling operation takes place when the spigot 29 is in its extended position as shown in Figure 2.

MRC:0057f -8- Once filling has been completed, the plug 44 is moved to threadably engage the spigot 29 so as to close the passage 45. The spigot 29 is also moved to its retracted position with the end wall 32 engaging the surface 36. In this retracted position, as best seen in Figure 1, the flange 59, plug 44 and handle 46 are located so as to be substantially retained within the p1 cavity 64 of the retaining ring 49. Nhen liquid is to be drained from the j bag, the handle 46 is pivoted so as to protrude from within the cavity 64 (as seen in Figure The user then rotates the handle 46 which in turn causes rotation of the spigot assembly 28. Due to engagement of the projections 40 within the helical recesses 27, the spigot assembly 28 is caused to move longitudinally of its axis to an extended position as shown in Figure 2. At its outermost limit, with projections 40 abutting the retaining ring 49, the apertures 54 and 55 project downward. The valve member 58 is then rotated to align the aperture 61 with the apertures 54 and 55. Liquid then flows through the tap 10. This procedure is then S reversed in order to close the tap The above described preferred embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages: the filling head does not engage a sealing surface of the tap the final outlet aperture (aperture 55) projects directly downward and is stationary during operation of the valve member 58. This inhibits spraying and retention of liquid droplets; the tap is suspended in a cantilever manner from the carton 11 thereby eliminating the use of any internal supports. This simplifies manufacture and installation of the tap the spigot 29 can be retained in an extended position as shown in Figure 2 by engagement of the projections 40 in the extended portions 42 of the helical slots 27; the valve member 58 is provided with a flange 59 which Is gripped by the user and facilitates operation of the valve member 58; and in the retracted position, the spigot 29 is retained within the spout 17 removing the spout 29 from direct contact with the atmosphere, and thus inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

In the above described preferred embodiment, the final aperture through which the liquid passes, is the aperture 55. This aperture is stationary thereby inhibiting retention of liquid and spraying of the liquid during pouring. As an alternative construction, the plug 44 could be replaced with the valve member 58 so that the cylindrical wall 60 is MRC:0057f 9 located internally of the passage 45 i.e. within second tubular portion 31. This then eliminates the requirement for the sleeve 53.

Accordingly, a second somewhat simplified tap 100 made using the teachings of the present invention is shown in Figures 17-19. As shown in Figure 17, the plug 44 has been replaced by a plug 101 which is threaded directly into a valve member 102 having a knurled grip 103. The valve member 102 is itself threadably received by a spigot body 104. The spigot body has a first cylindrical position 105 which surrounds the valve member 102, and a second cylindrical position 106 which extends rearwardly toward the bag 107. The first cylindrical portion 105 also includes a cylindrical extension 108 having two pin-like projections 109.

The spigot body is received within a spout 110 which at one end engages a bag flange 111 affixed to the bag 107. The spout 110 includes a spout flange 112 having an inwardly directed lip 113. The spout flange is 15 maintained in rigid contact with the box 123 by an inner retainer 124 having a radial flange 125 affixed to the box, and an outer retainer 126 S which includes a radial flange and an annular recess 127 which receives the lip 113. The spout 110 also has a tubular extension 114 which defines a cavity which receives the cylindrical extension 108 of the spigot body.

The portion of spout 115 surrounding the first cylindrical portion 105 of the spigot comprises an enlarged internal passageway 116. The passageway 116 has two helical grooves 117 formed in it which receive the pin-like projections 109 formed on the spigot.

Thus from the fully retracted position shown in Figure 17, the spigot is extended by lifting the plug handle 119 by the small nib 120 and rotating the handle. This has the effect of rotating the entire spigot body 104 including the pin-like projections 109 which ride in the helical grooves 117. The action of the projections 109 in the grooves extends the spigot into the position shown in Figure 18. The valve member 102 is not actuated by this rotation because the threads 118 run in direction opposite J that of the helical grooves 117. When extended as shown in Figure 18, the handle 119 is rotated in the opposite direction. This has the effect of rotating the valve member relative to the spigot body 104. Any tendency for the spigot to retreat while opening the valve may be countered by slight tug on the handle while rotating. This second rotation of the handle has the effect of aligning an aperture 121 in the valve member with a second aperture 122 in the spigot. This defines the fully open position.

Reversing the order of the aforesaid actions effects first a closing of the MRC:0057f lyll..- -i .i--lli--ili -l Lill.-i i -iiiinli~li 10 valve member and second, a retraction of the spigot body to within the spout. Note that when the spigot body is retracted, that the handle 119 and plug 101 are fully recesed with respect to the flange 128 of the outer retainer 126. This minimized unwanted stress to the tap when not in use.

An alternate embodiment of the invention which allows an alternate method of attachment to a cardboard carton is shown in Figures 20 to 23.

As shown in Figure 20, a spout 200 need not include a flange. The spout of Figure 20 is provided with an annular ring 201 defining a recess 202. The recess 202 has formed therein an inwardly projecting annular lip 203. The recess 202 is bounded by a rim 204 which includes a Lircumferential groove 205 and a tapered extremity 206. The spout 200 is also equipped with an enlarged threaded fitting 207 at the end opposite the recess 202. Exterior threads 208 are adapted to engage cooperating threads associated with the bag to which the spout is attachable. The spout 200 is engageable with a removable support ring 209 as shown in Figure 21. The removable support ring 209 includes a flange 210 for attachment to the carton. Radially S interior to the flange 210 is a central passageway 211. The passageway S includes an inwardly projecting circumferential bead 212 and a tapered pilot section 213. It will be appreciated that the spout 200 may be introduced into the tapered pilot section 213. The taper portion 206 of the rim 204 acts to slightly expand the support ring 209 so that the S inwardly projecting bead 212 can seat within the circumferential groove 205 O on the spout 200. Nhen seated, the bead 212 and groove 205 form an effective seal and mechanical support for the spout.

25 In addition, the support ring 209 may be adapted to include an alignment groove 214 which is seen in Figure 22. The alignment groove in the central passageway 211 of the support ring 209 receives an outwardly projecting key 215 formed on the exterior surface of the spout's rim 204.

The optional keyway 214 and alignment key 215 allow the spout to be positioned with respect to the support ring in a predictable fashion. The support ring itself is generally shaped, having a single flat edge which is easily aligned, during machine assembly, to rest against the bottom of the cardboard carton 11.

A different spout 250 and spigot body 251, as shown in Figure 24 may also be used with the support ring 209 of Figures 21 and 22. In this embodiment the generally flat end wall 32 of the spigot body (shown in Figure 11) has been replaced by a conical terminal portion 253. Thus as the spigot body is withdrawn from the spout during dispensing, the opening MRC:0057f I I _L II_ jil; -7 .1

I

11 through which the dispensed fluid passes is gradually, rather than suddenly increased. The spout is similar to the arrangement shown in Figure except that the enlarged threaded fitting 207 is replaced by threads 252 formed directly on the spigot body tube 254. It will be appreciated that the tube 244 can be adapted to any thread size for fitting.

MRC:0057f

Claims (17)

1. A tap for attachment to a flexible reservoir to dispense a liquid therefrom, which tap is adapted to be mounted on a rigid container supporting the reservoir, said tap comprising: a spout having a longitudinal passage to communicate with the interior of said reservoir so as to receive liquid therefrom, means for attaching the spout to the container so that said tap is at least partly supported by the container with said spout projecting internally of said container; and a spigot assembly sealingly and captively mounted on said spout, said assembly including, a hollow spigot body having a longitudinal passage communicating at one end with the spout passage so as to receive o liquid therefrom, said spigot body being closed at its other end, at least a portion of said spigot body being mounted within the spout passage for sliding telescopic movement longitudinally thereof between a retracted storage position in which said spigot body is contained .substantially within the spout passage and an extended position projecting outwardly of the spout, an outlet aperture in said spigot body, a user operable valve member having a dispensing aperture, the valve member being slidably supported by the spigot body, the valve member being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the spigot body and relative thereto so as to be angularly movable between a first position ,h closing said outlet aperture and a second position with said dispensing aperture aligned with the outlet aperture.

2. The tap of claim 1, wherein the spout is provided with at least one peripheral helical recess extending longitudinally of an angularly about the spout passage, and said spigot body has at least one project,)n, with each projection being engaged within a respective helical recess so that rotational movement of the spigot assembly about its longitudinal axis causes linear movement of the spigot assembly along its longitudinal axis.

3. The tap of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the means for attaching the spout to the container comprises a flange, the tap further including a retaining ring through which said spigot body projects, which retaining ring engages the flange to captively locate said spigot assembly with respect to said spout. 13

4. The tap of claim 3, when appended to claim 2, wherein said retaining ring engages an inwardly projecting circumferential lip on the flange for captively locating said spigot assembly with respect to said spout. The tap of any one of claims 1 to 4 further including a plug threadably engaged with the spigot body to close the spigot passage at its outer end.

6. The tap of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the spout is provided with a valve seat at its inner end, and the spigot body is provided with an inner end wall which engages the valve seat to close the inner end of said spo,:( passage when said spigot assembly is in its retracted position. I 7. The ta. claim 6, wherein the inner end of said spigot body is provided with cures permitting communication between the spout passage and the sp4ot passage when the spigot assembly is in its extended position.

8. The tap of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said flange is adapted to support the spigot on the container in a cantilever manner.

9. The tape of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said valve member is slidably located on an exterior peripheral surface of the spigot body, said spigot assembly further comprising a sleeve mounted on the spigot body so as to move therewith, which sleeve has an aperture aligned with the outlet aperture. The tap of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said valve member projects inwardly of the spigot passage and closes the outer end of the spigot passage.

11. In combination, a carton and a flexible bag located therein, and a tap according to any one of claims 1 to 10 mounted on said carton and attached to said bag and operable to dispense a liquid from within the bag.

12. The tap of claim 3, wherein the flange of the spout is secured by an inner and cuter retainer, each retainer having a radial flange which contacts the container.

13. The tap of claim 12, wherein the inner retainer further comprises an annular recess which receives an inwardly projecting lip on the flange of the spout. V 7 TA/0518E zzi J-Mw--- c -I o S f 0*00 So.. IOD 1 44 4 14

14. The tap of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the spigot body further comprises a first cylindrical portion adapted to receive within it the valve member. The tap of claim 14, wherein the valve member receives a plug having a handle.

16. The tap of either of claims 14 or 15, wherein the valve member has external threads which cooperate with internal threads in the first cylindrical portion of the spigot body.

17. The tap of claim 16, wherein a rotational sense of the helical recess and the internal threads of the spigot oppose one another.

18. The tap of either claims 1 or 2 wherein the means for attaching the spout to the container comprises a ring at one end of the spout, the ring having a rim, the ring and rim defining a recess; and a support ring having a central passageway and a flange, the flange affixable to the rigid container, the central passageway receiving the rim of the spout.

19. The tap of claim 18, wherein the spigot assembly is recessed with respect to the flange. The tap of claim 19 wherein the rim has formed thereon a circumferential groove and the support ring has within the central passageway a circumferential bead, wherein the groove receives the bead. The tap of claim 20 wherein the rim has a tapered extremity which cooperates with a tapered section of the support ring central passageway so as to facilitate the insertion of the spout into the support ring.

22. The tap of any of claims 19 to 21 wherein the rim further comprises an outwardly projecting key and the central passageway further comprises a keyway which receives the key.

23. The tap as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. DATED this THIRTIETH day of OCTOBER 1991 Richard Hideaki '!ta Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON r re STA/0518E