WO2002029297A1

WO2002029297A1 - Dispensing tap

Info

Publication number: WO2002029297A1
Application number: PCT/GB2001/004106
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stewart Graves
Original assignee: L B Europe Limited
Priority date: 2000-09-29
Filing date: 2001-09-14
Publication date: 2002-04-11
Also published as: AU2001286101A1; GB0023863D0

Abstract

The present invention provides a liquid dispensing tap (2) comprising a piston (26) movable in a body (4) between a first position providing liquid flow through the tap and a second position preventing liquid flow through the tap, and means (28) for biasing the tap to the second position, in which the tap further provides means (32, 34, 44, 46, 48) for locking the tap in the first position.

Description

DISPENSING TAP

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to liquid dispensing taps and to containers comprising such taps.

Background to the Invention

It is known for instance from EP-A-0 432 070 to provide a liquid dispensing tap comprising a plug for insertion into a liquid containing container, the plug being in liquid communication with a liquid dispensing tap. The tap dispenses liquid by the, in use, vertical movement of a piston within a tap body, vertical movement being provided by the user via opposed wings . The piston is spring biased to a closed position.

However, it is desirable for some applications for instance in bar dispensing environments to allow the tap to be locked, at least temporarily, in its open position, but this is not possible with the prior art device referred to above. It is known to provide an adapter to hold the tap in an open position, but this adds to the expense and is overly complex.

It is an aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to obviate or overcome a disadvantage of the prior art, whether referred to herein or otherwise. Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid dispensing tap comprising a piston movable in a body between a first position providing liquid flow through the tap and a second position preventing liquid flow through the tap, and means for biasing the tap to the second position, in which the tap further provides means for locking the tap in the first position.

Locking is provided by securing the tap in the first position by whatever means such that it does not return to the second position without outside intervention.

Suitably, the tap comprises a plug for connecting the tap to a liquid containing container.

Suitably, the plug comprises means for attaching the tap to a bag-in-box liquid container. Suitably, the attaching means comprises at least one groove.

Suitably, the locking means comprises a groove and a projection engaging in the groove.

In a preferred embodiment the tap comprises an outer body in which the piston moves between the first and second positions.

Suitably, the tap comprises a body within which the piston moves. Suitably, there is provided at least one projection for moving the piston between the first and second positions . Suitably, in the tap body there is provided a groove thereby to permit movement of the projection. Suitably, the groove extends in a first direction to permit movement of the piston between the first position and the second position, and extends in a second position to move the tap to a locked position. Suitably the at least one projection is adapted for finger-engagement . Suitably, the at least one projection comprises two opposed wings. Suitably, the piston is moved linearly to move the tap between the first position and the second position. Suitably, the piston is moved rotationally to move the tap from the first position to the locked position.

Suitably, the groove provided for rotational movement of the piston extends substantially perpendicular to the groove provided for linear movement of the piston.

Suitably, the groove provided for rotational movement of the piston additionally comprises a further groove, which further grooves extends in a direction for linear travel of the piston, but for a distance short of the main linear groove. This can be used to secure the tap in the "locked" position.

Suitably, the tap is spring biased to the second position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings that follow; in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a liquid dispensing tap according to the present invention in a "closed" position. Figure 2 is a front elevation of the liquid dispensing tap shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional elevation on the line A-A of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the liquid dispensing tap of Figures 1 to 3 in an "open" position.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the liquid dispensing tap shown in Figures 1-4 in a "locked open" position.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the drawings that follow, there is shown a liquid dispensing tap 2 comprising a tap body 4 and a plug 6 separated by a retaining disc 8.

The plug 6 comprises an arrangement of grooves 10 and ridges 12, 14 thereby to enable the plug 6 to be inserted into a liquid containing container (indicated generally at 7) for so-called "bag-in-box" applications.

The tap 2 further comprises an upper portion 16, a generally tubular outer wall 18 and a tap outlet 20. Tubular outer wall 18 comprises a constricting portion 22 to reduce the cross-sectional area thereof towards the tap outlet 20. Tap outlet 20 includes a rebated portion 24 thereby to enable tap outlet 20 to be connected to external devices (not shown) such as bar wine dispensers. Within tap body 4, there is provided a piston 26 arranged for linear movement within tap body 4 (see Fig 3) The internal workings of liquid dispensing tap 2 are substantially similar to those shown in EP-A-0 432 070 and so will only be described briefly.

Piston 26 is biased towards a closed position by biasing spring 28 and is moved within tap body 4 by carriage 30 connected to opposed wings 32, 34.

Wings 32, 34 extend outwardly through tap body 4,

A chamber 36 in tap body 4 is in liquid communication with plug 6. A flexible membrane 38 is secured to piston 26 and the lower portion 40 thereof. In the closed position the piston 26 and flexible membrane 38 block tap outlet 20 and prevent liquid flow from chamber 36.

The wings 32, 34 lie in a linear (referring to movement of the piston 26 within the groove) groove 42 whereby movement of the wings 32, 34 in the linear groove 42 conveys the piston from a closed position as shown in

Figures 1 to 3 to an open position as shown in Figure 4.

In the Figures only the groove on one side of tap 2 is visible. The other side is substantially similar.

Extending substantially perpendicularly from linear groove

42 is a rotational (ie movement of the wings 32, 34 in this groove permits the rotational movement of the piston

26) groove 44. At the distal end of rotational groove 44 is a securing groove 46 extending substantially perpendicular to rotational groove 44, generally parallel to linear groove 42 in the same direction as linear groove 42 but only for a short length thereof (relative to linear groove 42) .

Accordingly, from the closed position of the tap 2 shown in Figures 1 to 3, the tap 2 is moved to an open position by a user lifting wings 32, 34 to the top (ie end near upper portion 16 of tap body 4 as shown in Figure 4.

Generally this movement is achieved by the user placing their thumb on upper portion 16 and two of their fingers, most conveniently usually their forefinger and middle finger under wings 32, 34. The user then squeezes their thumb and fingers together to move the wings, thereby moving piston 26 within tap 44.

This (Figure 4) is the "open" configuration in which liquid can flow through plug 6, into chamber 36 and out and outlet 20. However, as soon as the user releases the wings, the spring bias provided by biasing spring 28 reverses the movement of piston 26 and automatically conveys the piston 26 to the closed configuration of Figures 1-3

In order to provide a "locked" configuration in which the tap is held in its open position, the user twists the wings 32, 34 into rotational groove 44. Rotational groove 44 has a lower surface 48 against which wings 32, 34 rest thereby preventing linear movement of wings 32, 34 back towards the closed position. To provide additional security and to secure the wings in place they may be moved to securing groove 46. In this "locked" position it is less likely that the wings 32, 34 will be knocked or will slide because of the spring bias back towards linear groove 42.

To move the tap 2 from its "secured" position to the "open" position, the user lifts the wings slightly from the securing groove 46 and twists them in rotational groove 44 until they lie in linear groove 42. The user can then release the wings 32, 34, or at their choice lower them, to the "closed" position.

By way of preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to lock and hold the tap in its open configuration by a simple lift and twist operation by the user.

The reader' s attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A liquid dispensing tap comprising a piston movable in a body between a first position providing liquid flow through the tap and a second position preventing liquid flow through the tap, and means for biasing the tap to the second position, in which the tap further provides means for locking the tap in the first position.

2. A liquid dispensing tap according to claim 1, in which the tap comprises a plug for connecting the tap to a liquid containing container.

3. A liquid dispensing tap according to claim 2, in which the plug comprises means for attaching the tap to a bag-in-box liquid container.

4. A liquid dispensing tap according to claim 3, in which the attaching means comprises at least one groove.

5. A liquid dispensing tap according to any preceding claim, in which the locking means comprises a groove and a projection engaging in the groove.

A liquid dispensing means according to any preceding claim, in which tap comprises an outer body in which the piston moves between the first and second positions.

A liquid dispensing tap according to any preceding claim, in which the tap comprises a body within which the piston moves.

8. A liquid dispensing tap according to claim 7, in which there is provided at least one projection for moving the piston between the first and second positions.

9. A liquid dispensing tap according to claim 8, in which in the tap body there is provided a groove thereby to permit movement of the projection.

10. A liquid dispensing means according to claim 9, in which the groove extends in a first direction to permit movement of the piston between the first position and the second position, and extends in a second position to move the tap to a locked position.

11. A liquid dispensing tap according to any one of claims 8 to 10, in which the at least one projection is adapted for finger-engagement .

12. A liquid dispensing tap according to any one of claims 8 to 11, in which the at least one projection comprises two opposed wings .

13. A liquid dispensing tap according to any preceding claim, in which the piston is moved linearly to move the tap between the first position and the second position.

14. A liquid dispensing tap according to any preceding claim, in which the piston is moved rotationally to move the tap from the first position to the locked position.

15. A liquid dispensing tap according to claim 13, when dependent on claim 10 directly or indirectly in which the groove provided for rotational movement of the piston extends substantially perpendicular to the groove provided for linear movement of the piston.

16. A liquid dispensing tap according to claim 13, when dependent on claim 10 directly or indirectly, in which the groove provided for rotational movement of the piston additionally comprises a further groove, which further grooves extends in a direction for linear travel of the piston, but for a distance short of the main linear groove.

17. A liquid dispensing tap according to any preceding claim, in which the tap is spring biased to the second position.

18. A container comprising a liquid dispensing tap according to any preceding claim.