Dispensing – With relatively movable actuator for outlet element – For nonrotary outlet element reciprocable axially of...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-16
2002-09-10
Jacyna, J. Casimer (Department: 3751)
Dispensing
With relatively movable actuator for outlet element
For nonrotary outlet element reciprocable axially of...
C222S518000, C222S105000, C222S505000, C251S319000, C251S339000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06446845
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a dispensing device for a liquid container—in particular for a container of flexible material in a substantially dimensionally stable outer container which encloses the container of flexible material and is penetrated by the dispensing device—, wherein a tubular part of the dispensing device has a laterally disposed outlet opening which can be closed by a valve element.
Combinations comprising a dimensionally stable outer container and an inner container of flexible material which is accommodated therein are known for storing liquid foodstuffs such as wine, salad oil or the like. The outer container which is for example of a cuboidal or parallelepipedic shape can comprise corrugated card and its inner container can be of a bag-like configuration consisting of heat-sealed plastic foil or sheet. Such systems are also referred to as ‘bag-in-box’ containers.
In an opening in the inner container, a flange collar of a hollow coupling portion which is formed from plastic material can be welded to the inner container in liquid-tight and gas-tight relationship. Usually, pressed into that coupling portion is a tap or faucet or a bung; while the bung is pulled out for dispensing liquid, the re-closable tap for that purpose includes a valve element which is associated with the cross-section of an outlet opening.
For transport purposes, the tap is disposed within the outer container and, prior to being opened, is pulled through a pre-perforated portion of the outer container. In order in that situation to prevent unwanted actuation of the valve element the tap can additionally be provided with a seal. When the liquid flows out the flexible inner container collapses, that is to say its volume always matches the amount of liquid which is stored therein and oxidation processes due to air subsequently flowing thereinto therefore do not occur.
An aspect of significance in regard to taps or faucets of that kind is the sealing integrity thereof with respect to the ambient atmosphere; if the latter penetrates into the liquid container, the shelf life of liquid foodstuffs, for example wine stored in the inner bag, is considerably reduced. It will be appreciated that the sealing integrity of a tap made from plastic material is reduced reciprocally to the number of joins that it involves.
Besides a good flow speed for the container contents, the properties required of a tap of the described kind are that it should be simple to keep clean and that it should be of a configuration which facilitates injection molding.
A dispensing device of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification is disclosed in EP 0 043 698 A1.
Here the valve element is a plug-like body on a pressure plate which is displaceable in the housing body; the pressure plate is connected by a rod-shaped intermediate element which in the closed position of the valve element extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing body, to a spherical portion of elastic material, as an actuating member arranged at the front end of the housing; that spherical portion is clampingly fixed by its edge to the housing body and deformed upon actuation of the intermediate element.
EP 0 553 956 A1 describes another dispensing device whose actuating member is also a pressure spherical portion which is fixed at one end to a housing body. Projecting substantially axially from the pressure spherical portion is a sliding pin which affords a sliding cam and which at its inner end includes a cylinder body having a sawtooth edge, as a penetration element, and whose sliding cam co-operates with the bar end of a valve element at the lateral outlet opening.
Rotational elements are unsuitable for so-called bag-in-box systems as the flexible inner container does not offer a sufficient resistance to turning movement. To open such a tap the tap or its coupling portion has to be held fast with one hand while the other hand is used to operate the valve element. A rotary tap with a valve cover which is rotatable by hand is to be found for example in DE 39 10 425 A1. Taps which can be opened and held at the same time with one hand are more suitable for a bag-in-box; in that way, the other hand remains available for firmly holding a vessel which is to be filled.
In order to keep the inner container free of oxygen before the first use of the inner container, the above-mentioned opening in the inner container can be closed by a plate or a plug which is removed before the first use occurs. There are also taps which, in addition to the valve element, also have a device for piercing the plate or for removing the plug from the opening in the container. In that case, the valve element can be connected to the piercing device, in which respect attention is directed to DE 32 12 232 A1. The latter describes a tap having a valve element and a closure device, in which the valve element and a plug of the closure device are arranged in coaxial successive relationship. Upon actuation of a resilient knob the valve element is removed from its valve seat; the tap opens as a result. In addition the valve element urges the plug towards the outlet and the opening in the container is opened.
EP 0 432 070 A discloses a tap having a housing body and a plunger which is loaded by a force-storage means. The plunger acts on a sealing diaphragm connected to the housing body.
The dispensing devices available hitherto for the bag-in-box systems are generally of a complicated and expensive design configuration and comparatively large amounts of plastic material are required for shaping them. Those dispensing devices are excessively cost-intensive both in terms of their manufacture and also in terms of stockkeeping. In addition, gas-tight sealing integrity is still defective; the taps available on the market include a large number of soft parts; however, they perceptibly reduce the gas-tight sealing integrity while involving a low level of resistance to deformation under the effect of heat.
In consideration of that state of the art the object of the present invention is to simplify a dispensing device for liquid containers of flexible material, in particular for wine containers of bag-in-box systems, in regard to the design configuration thereof, and to enhance their gas-tight sealing integrity. The invention also seeks to provide that the amount of plastic material used is reduced and handleability and cleanability are improved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention a tubular housing body is closed at one end by a diaphragm-like front disk and supported therein is a rod-like element which passes therethrough and from which extends a valve tappet for a valve head which is associated with the outlet opening provided laterally in the tubular housing body. The valve tappet and the valve head should advantageously form a shaped or molded unit comprising plastic material which is softer than the housing body or the rod-like element—for example polyethylene—; the valve tappet is supported on the rod-like element in the region of a pivot location. The rod-like element and the housing body are preferably formed from polypropylene.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, in the closed position of the valve head, the above-mentioned rod-like element extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing body and can be pivoted therefrom towards the outlet opening, with temporary deformation of the front disk, for which purpose outside the housing body it is advantageously in the form of a kind of press key body, that is to say it affords a pressing surface for a finger or the like. In order to predetermine the pivotal movement of the rod element, formed on the key body in accordance with the invention at the rear thereof is an abutment element which in the closure position is disposed at a spacing relative to a mounting tongue or the like profile element, which projects from the face of the housing body. That helps a user to implement the pivotal movement by means of two fingers.
Fo
Bachman & LaPointe P.C.
Jacyna J. Casimer
Kunststoffwerk & Formenbau Arthur Steiger AG
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