Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The present invention relates to taps of the kind
used for containers, particularly con-tainers which carry
liquids such as table wine wjhich deteriorate in storage
due to the ingress of oxygen. Such taps have a casing with
an inlet and an outlet, a valve to control fluid flowing
from the inlet to the outlet, the valve having a valve
member biassed to its closed position and movable to an
open position by a push buttonr
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 o~ygen 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 +he sealing diaphragm.
Other known taps for piercing containers normally have
a sharp hollow perforated spigot on the tap which is driven
into the container to pierce the container or container seal.
These taps derive from the very well known cask tap. Such
a piercing action requires a positive action separate from
any action relating to the operation of the tap itself
and usually requires a robust tap construction such that
the tap itself is not damaged during the piercing action.
According to the present invention, the push button also
acts to operate a seal opening means designed either to
pierce a sealing diaphragm in or adjacent the inlet or to
~1762~7
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open a sealing plug in the inlet, the seal opening means
being operable to unseal the inlet only on the first
movement of the push button to open the valve.
The tap according to the invention has the advantage
that prior to initial operation of the tap and during
storage sealing means that is the diaphragm or plug provides
added protection for the contents of the container to
which the tap is fitted. Furthermore, when the tap inlet
is provided with a diaphragm, or alternatively with a plug,
the additional sealing against oxygen ingress is obtained
when the tap is inserted, rather than from a diaphragm on
the container. The once and for all action of the tap
unsealing arrangements ensures better valve operation since
all of the press effort on thepush button in subsequent
valve operations is directed to only valve operation and
the valve cannot be held inadvertently open due to parts
of pierced diaphragms jamming the seal opening means.
The seal opening means is advantageous in that the
oxygen barrier is substantially improved over known taps.
In the case of the plug or when the diaphragm is fitted to
the tap no special equipment is required in the winery where
the containers are filled.
The seal opening means may be axially movable at an angle
preferably 90 , to the movement axis of the valve means or
alternatively the valve means and seal opening means may be
i~7~Z17
*3*
movable in axlally parallel or coaxial directions. This
embodiment is particularly simple to manufacture.
In one embodiment of the invention the sealing
diaphragm may be attached to the tap casing over the
tap inlet or in other embodimentsthe diaphragm may be
attached to the container over the gland on the container
into which the tap fits.
The tap according to one embodiment of the invention
has the advantage that on first dispersing from the tap,
the container is pierced by the action of pressing on the
push button. This is a simple operation and the construction
of the tap is such that the tap is simple and economic
to manufacture.
The piercing means can be formed as a simple one part
member comprising a piercing head having a piercing edge at
its outer extremity, one or more fins to keep the pierced
diaphragm open and a resilient actuating por-tion which
when pressed at an angle, preferably 90, to the axis
of the head causes the head to move away from the push
button into the diaphragm to be pierced. The actuating
portion preferably comprises a fork which is biassed
towards the push button and which engages over the valve
member.
~mbodiments of the inYention will now be described
by way of example with reference to the accompanying
*4*
1~762~7
drawings in which:-
Fig. 1 is a cross section of a tap according to a firstembodiment of the invention fitted in a container gland and
with the tap in the closed position and the container
unpierced,
Fig. 2 is a similar cross section to Figure 1 showing
the tap of Figure 1 operated to open the tap and to pierce
the container,
Fig. 3 is a plan view of a piercing means or piercing
strap for the tap of Figure 1 prior to assembly in the tap,
Fig. 4 is a cross section of the piercing means or
strap of Figure 3,
Fig. 5 is a cross section of a tap according to a second
embodiment of the invention,
Fig. 6 is a cross section of a tap according to a
third embodiment of the invention taken through the
axes of the valve and seal opening means,
Fig. . is a cross section of the tap Gf Figure 3
in the open position,
Fig. 8 is a cross section of a tap according to a
fourth embodiment of the invention taken through the
axes of the valve and seal opening means,
Fig. 9 is a cross section of the tap of Fig. 8
in the open position,
Fig. 10 is a cross section of a tap according to a
fifth embodiment of the invention taken through a common
axis of the valve and seal opening means~and
Fig. 11 is a cross section of a tap according to a
11~6217
*5*
sixth embodiment of the invention showing the tap in a
similar position to Fig. 9.
In Figures 1 and 2 can be seen the assembled tap 2 -
fitted into a gland 3. The tap comprises a body 4 having
a cylindrical valve casing portion 5 in which is a tap
outlet 6 and cylindrical inlet portion 8. The axis 10
of the inlet portion is at right angles to the axis 12
of the inlet portion 8. The inlet portion 8 fits
into the gland 3 in turn fitted into a container (not
shown) and a sealing diaphragm 14 of suitable plastics
film is heat welded onto gland flange 15 and across the
outer extremity 16 of the inlet portion. Alternatively
the diaphragm may only extend across the outer extremity 16
and be welded to the annular surface 17 of the outer
extremitY 16.
The tap has a valve member 20 which is sprung onto
a seating 24 by means of a resilient push button 22 which
is snap fitted to a valve stem 23 joined to the valve
member 20. The seating 24 is an annular portion from which
extends a cylindrical extension or thrust block 26.
Mounted within the inlet portion 8 so as to be ~
slidable in the direction of axis 10 is a seal opening means
formed as a piercing means or member 30. Member 30 is
guided between guide ribs 32 and 33 extending from either
side of the cylindrical inner surface 34 of the inlet
portion. The piercing member 30 has a head 36 at the
outer extremity of which are two piercing points or edges 38
(see Fig. 3). The head also has four fins 40 which act to
keep the diaphragm open once pierced.
.
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Fxtending from the head is flat part which is hinged
at 42, 43 and 44 to form a triangular shaped resilient
actuating portion. Hinge 43 forming an apex of the
triangle is arranged to be acted on by an inner body
portion 50 of push button 22. Flat sections 45, 46 and 48
of the piercing member forms sides to the triangle between
hinges 42, 43 and 44 respectively. A slot 47 extends
between sections 48, 46 and 45 so that when the piercing
member is fitted intothe body 4 it fits across and engages
with valve member 20. The section 48 rests on thrust
block 26. Section 48 has a hole 52 which engages with a
protrusion or peg 53 on the head and acts to hold the head
in the unoperational position shown in Fig. l to prevent
the head piercing the diaphragm before first operation of
the push button.
To operate the tap initially push bu-tton 22 is pushed
to the position shown in Fig. 2. This causes body 50
to act on hinge 43 and section 46 to flatten the triangular
actuating portion and force the head 36 away from the valve
member 20 along axis lO into the diaphragm 14. At the
same time peg 53 jumps out of hole 52. The piercing
points 38 rupture the diaphragm and the fins 40 lodge in
the ruptured hole in the diaphragm to hold this hole open.
Thus liquid in the container is enabled to flow to the
interior of inlet portion 8 and into body 4 ~here it can
flow through the now open outlet 6.
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On releasing the push button the valve member is
sprung back by the deformation of the push button and the
valve outlet closes. The piercing member normally remains
lodged with its head in the ruptured hole of the diaphragm.
The piercing member is formed of polypropylene and
or of high density polyethylene
the tap body is conveniently formed of the same materialk
It will be appreciated that the peg 53 and hole 52
act to stop the piercing member from prematùre rupturing
of the diaphragm and the initial operation of the push
button requires a rather greater effort than in normal
use.
- Conventionally the tap is disposed behind a tear-out
section of a cardboard box enclosing the container. The
tap has to be extracted and fitted into place in a slot
in the cardboard box before use. The extra thrust
- required for initial use of the tap is a safeguard against
piercing the diaphragm during -this fitting process.
In ~ig, 5 showing a second embodiment the tap 62 is
fitted into a gland 63. The tap has a cylindrical body 64
with an outlet 66 and inlet 68. The inlet has an axis 70
at right angles to the axis 72 of the outlet. The inlet 68
is surrounded by a cylindrical portion 74 which fits into the
gland 63. Within the interior of the body 64 is a valve
member 78 having a valve stem 80 which is fixed to a press
button 82. The valve member seats on a seating 84.
:1176217
*8*
Within the inlet portion 74 is a seal opening means
formed as a piercing member 86 with fins 88 and piercing
points 90 similar in formation and function to those
shown at 40 and 38 in the first embodiment shown in
Figs. 1 to 4.
A plastics diaphragm 92 is welded across the outer
extremity 94 of the inlet portion 74 and across the
inlet 68.
In initial operation the operator pushes the press
button 82 to pierce the diaphragm, the piercing member 86
pierces the diaphragm and remains lodged in the diaphragm.
The fins 88 enable liquid to reach the valve member 78
which -then is operated to open or shut the outlet as
required.
In the third embodiment as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the
tap is formed with a valve body 101, a resi:lient press
button 102 acting on a valve stem 103 movable in axis 104.
The press button 102 has chamfered socket portions 105.
The valve stem 103 has on its outer end a valve member 106
shown seated in Fig. 6 on conical seating 107. Valve
member 106 seals the outlet 108 of the tap and is the valve
member for controlling the normal or repetitive opening
of the tap.
Axially movable in axis 109 at 90 to axis 104 is a
seal opening means 110 which seals in the manner of a
piston or plug on the inner cylindrical surface 111 of gland
:~'76Z17
*g*
engaging portion 112 of body 101. The gland itself is
shown at 1~3. The plug 110 has an operating stem 114
provided with an engagement. surface 115 which is angled
at 45 to the axes 104 and 109.
In operation the first time the tap is used the
operator presses button 102, chamfered portion 105 then
depresses and acts on surface 115 to press stem 114 and
thus plug 110 outward so that tap inlet 116 is opened.
Stem 114 is supported by thrust portion 117 and suitably by
a rid or ribs llB. At the same time tap outlet 108 is
opened and liquid is allowed to flow from the container
(not shown~ through the tap inlet past the stem 114 and out
of the tap outlet. On release of the press button 102 the
outlet is closed but the inlet remains open.
In the fourth embodiment the tap is formed with a
valve body 121, a resilient press button 122 acting on a
valve stem 123 movable in axis 124. The press button 122
has a socket portion 125. The valve stem 123 has on its
outer end a valve member 126 shown seated in Figure 8 on
conical seating 127. Valve member 126 seals outlet 128
of the tap and is the valve member for con-trolling the normal
or repetitive opening of the tap.
Axially movable in axis 129 at 90 to axis 124 is
a seal opening means or plug 130 which seals in the
manner of a piston or plu~ on the inner cylindrical
1~76217
* 10*
surface 131 of gland engaging portion 132 of body 121.
The gland itself is shown at 133. The plug 130 has a
stem 134 which has a triang~lar actuating portion 135 the
construction and function of which is the same as the
triangular shaped resilient actuating portion as shown
in the first embodiment and is formed by flat sections 145,
146 and 148 numbered the same as in the first embodiment.
Portion 135 is hinged in the same way at 142, 143 and 144
and abuts on thrust member 137. Stem 134 slides between
ribs 138 and 139.
In operation, the first time the tap according to the
fourth embodiment is used, the operator presses button 122,
socket portion 125 acts on triangular portion 135 to press
second valve stem 134 and thus plug 130 outward so that
tap inlet 136 is opened. At the same time tap outlet 128
is opened and liquid is allowed to flow from the container
(not shown) through the tap inlet, past the stem 134 and out
of the tap outlet. On release of the press button 122,
outlet is closed but the protrusion or peg 153 prevents
the valve member 130 from re-entering and sealing the tap
inlet 136.
In the fifth embodiment as shown in Fig. 10 the tap is
` formed with a valve body 161, a resilient press button 162
` acting on a valve stem 163 movable in axis 164. The valve
stem 163 has on its outer end a valve member 166 shown
.
1~7~;2~7
*11*
seated in Figure 10 on conical seating 167. Valve
member 166 seals the outlet 168 of the tap and is the
valve means for sealing the normal or repetitive opening
of the tap.
Coaxial with the valve stem 163 and movable in the
common axis 164 is a seal opening means or plug 170 which
seals in the manner of a piston or plug on the inner
cylindrical surface 171 of gland engaging portion 172 of
body 161. The gland itself is shown at 173. Plug 170
has an operating stem 174 the inner end 175 of which engages
with valve member 166.
In operation the first time the tap is used the operator
presses button 162 so that stems 163 and 174 move towards the
tap inlet 175 and tap inlet 176 is opened. At the same
time tap outlet 168 is opened and liquid is allowed to flow
from the container (not shown) through the tap inlet past
the stem 174 and out of the tap o-itlet. On release of
the press button 162 the outlet is closed but the inlet
normally remains open.
In the third, fourth and fifth embodiment~the plug is
suitably formed from polypropylene or from low or high
density polyethy]ene. The tap body is suitably formed
from polyethylene.
.
1~762~7
.*12*
A further advantage of the plug or piston type
arrangement is that certain containers may be filled
- with a hot liquid at 80 to 90 C which if allowed to
contact the components of the valve means before cooling
could affect these components to their detriment. Thus
the plug acts also as a protection for the valve means.
-~~ In Figure 11 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 2' having an inlet body
external diameter d of the order of 16 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 arrangement with differing diameters D and d' may be
applied to the piercing or plug version.
The purpose of this further embodiment is that some
authorities hold that it is detri.mental 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 di.ameter 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' is between ~ to 1.
