The present invention relates to a dispensing tap for liquids contained in “Bag-In-Box” applications. The tap is presently intended for boxed wine applications. Similarly, all liquids that are dispensed from containers can utilize this invention.
This invention addresses the problem of how to manufacture a compact tap, with fewer parts than the prior art taps, which is easy to assemble. Existing taps have more parts and require a more complicated assembly procedure.
Applicant's invention comprises building a dispensing valve with only two parts, namely an actuator and a valve housing. This is accomplished by combining an actuator base, a conical spring washer, and two seals between them to form the actuator. This actuator is then situated inside the valve housing.
Advantages of this design are that it: (i) replaces multiple moving parts; (ii) plastic springs are not very common because of the limitations caused by creep in a plastic spring; (iii) the two material spring design has better functioning characteristics because of the selection of the two materials that work in combination with each other; and (iv) the inventive dispensing tap will be able to be molded and assembled at a cost savings over existing taps.
Thus, there is a need and there has never been disclosed Applicant's unique dispensing tap for beverages.
The present invention is a dispensing tap for beverages that comprises an actuator and a valve housing. A conical spring washer is joined and/or sealed to an actuator base to form the actuator. The actuator is then inserted into the valve housing to form the dispensing tap for attachment to a container containing a liquid. In use, a force is exerted on the conical spring washer to actuate the actuator base within the valve housing and thereby create an opening and/or passageway in the dispensing tap. Once opened and as the force is maintained, the liquid in the container can flow through the opening or passageway for dispensing the liquid out the dispensing tap. Upon releasing the force, the conical spring washer returns back to its original position. This movement of the conical spring washer causes the actuator base to move in the reverse direction within the valve housing thereby closing the opening and/or eliminating the passageway in the dispensing tap. The resultant seal of the actuator base to the valve housing prevents any further liquid from being dispensed from the container.
The Description of the Preferred Embodiment will be better understood with reference to the following figures:
Turning first to
The actuator base 16 has a top 20, a hollow actuator shaft 22, and a head 24. Preferably, the top 20 is substantially circular in shape. The actuator shaft 22 extends outwardly and substantially perpendicular from the top 20. Situated in the center of the top 20 is an opening 26 which is in alignment with the hollow actuator shaft 22. In the preferred embodiment, the opening 26 has a diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of the hollow actuator shaft 22. The head 24 provides a closed end to the hollow actuator shaft 22. In the preferred embodiment, the head 24 also has an exterior sidewall 28 having an outward tapered surface 30 and an inward tapered surface 32 and a recess 56 contained within the exterior sidewall 28 (see also
The conical spring washer 18 has a top 34 and a hollow positioning post 36. Preferably, the top 34 has a top side 38 and an under side 40. In the preferred embodiment, the top 34 is circular in shape with the under side 40 of the top 34 being formed into a concave shape (see also
The valve housing 14 has a valve open top 44, a neck 46, a spout 48 extending outwardly from the neck 46, a collar 50, a circular ring 52, and a valve open bottom 54. In the preferred embodiment, the valve housing 14 is hollow throughout from the valve open top 44 to the valve open bottom 54. The valve housing 14 is also more clearly illustrated in
The actuator 12 is then inserted into the valve housing 14 by merely pushing the actuator 12 into the valve open top 44 of the valve housing 14, as illustrated in
In the preferred embodiment, the dispensing tap 10 is utilized for liquids contained in “Bag-In-Box” applications such as, for example, boxed wine. Alternatively, the dispensing tap 10 may be used for any and all applications where liquids are dispensed from containers or any and all other applications known to those skilled in the art.
The dispensing tap 10 is preferably secured to the container, plastic bag, etc. . . . (collectively referred to herein as “container”) using the circular ring 52 of the valve housing 14. In this manner, the circular ring 52 is inserted into the container that contains the liquid to be dispensed. The circular ring 52 may have threads or similar ridges so that it can be securely seated in the container. The collar 50 of the valve housing 14 forms a stop against which the container is sealed and controls the depth to which the circular ring 52 is inserted into the container. The container is sealed against the collar 50 to prevent liquid from flowing out of the container through any openings or leaks between the valve housing 14 and the container.
To operate the dispensing tap 10, as illustrated in
Once the force exerted on the top 34 is released from the conical spring washer 18, the design and material of the conical spring washer 18 causes it to return back to its original position. This pulls or causes the actuator shaft 22 to move in the direction away from the valve open bottom 54, as illustrated in
The design and material of the conical spring washer 18 provides the spring function and travel of the actuator 12. The material of the actuator base 16 assists in returning the conical spring washer 18 to the relaxed or original position when the conical spring washer 18 has been over-traveled and prevents the conical spring washer 18 from staying inverted.
As a result, Applicant's inventive dispensing tap 10 has fewer parts and is easy to assemble. The two material actuator 12 is made from a two shot molded process giving it sealing and structural properties. The dispensing tap 10 opens, closes, and shuts off like other taps that use five parts and have a more complicated actuating mechanism and assembly. Less parts results in a simplified construction, lower cost, with less parts to wear out, malfunction or fail. Thus, there has been provided Applicant's unique dispensing tap for beverages.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
This patent application is a non-provisional application claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/274,593, entitled “Dispensing Tap For Beverages,” filed on Aug. 19, 2009, and is fully incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20110042420 A1 | Feb 2011 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61274593 | Aug 2009 | US |