Valves and valve actuation – Valve actuator is inlet or outlet – Plural motions of valve
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-13
2001-07-17
Rivell, John (Department: 3788)
Valves and valve actuation
Valve actuator is inlet or outlet
Plural motions of valve
C222S153070, C222S523000, C222S481500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260823
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a liquid container tap for drinks such as a can, a party keg or a drum in particular made from tin plate, aluminum or plastic, consisting essentially of an outer tube and an inner tube disposed within the outer tube in a displaceable and/or rotatable manner and having a grip, the inner tube, in its closed position, being at least partially and preferentially completely or almost completely displaced into the outer tube, the outer tube having an inlet opening which, in the closed position of the tap with the inner tube inserted into the outer tube, is closed by same, the inner tube having a longitudinal channel with an outlet opening and an inlet opening which, in the opened position of the tap with the inner tube pulled out of the outer tube coincides with the inlet opening of the outer tube to free the longitudinal channel.
Beverage cans for beer or beer kegs as well as for other beverages normally have a pre-stamped opening seal. So-called party kegs for beer having a volume between two and ten liters are becoming increasingly prevalent today. A special separate tap must be used to first open and then empty these kegs. It has turned out that this tap, which must be subsequently connected to the party keg or can, is disadvantageous, since a certain amount of dexterity is required to introduce the tap into the can or into the party keg, in particular, when the contents are not to be shaken. A separate tap can also become lost and be missing at an important moment.
Known in the art from French patent manuscript FR 894 079 A is a tap for emptying liquid from a container. The conventional tap consists essentially of an outer tube and an inner tube disposed for longitudinal displacement within the outer tube. A liquid can flow from the inside of a container through the inner tube when the inner tube is sufficiently pulled out of the outer tube to at least partially align an opening in the wall of the inner tube with an opening in the outer tube at which the fluid is located, with an inner tube outlet opening disposed on the other end outside of the container.
When the flow of fluid is to be interrupted, the inner tube is pushed into the outer tube and the opening in the wall of the inner tube is covered by the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube and sealed in a liquid-tight fashion.
A protrusion is mounted to the outer wall of the container and can include a sealing band. Before the conventional tap is opened for the first time, the sealing band is securely connected to both the outer wall of the container as well as to the tap. Before the tap can be opened for the first time, the sealing band must first be destroyed. In the event that the seal band is intact, the user knows that the container is still in its original filled state.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the purpose of the present invention to create a seal for a container, prior to the first use thereof, which permanently indicates the sealed state and which is simple and economical to produce without incorporating the outer wall of the container.
This purpose is achieved in that a tap having a closed and opening position is inserted into a hole within the wall or one of the lids which extends into the inner portion of the liquid container. The hole in the wall or lid can be advantageously disposed in a recess of same within which, in the closed position of the tap, the grip which is firmly connected to the inner tube of the tap is countersunk. An outside member, such as a flange, is disposed on the outer tube to which a seal is attached, the seal protruding through the grip of the inner tube and having an intended breaking location which is adapted to tear-off when the grip is pulled out of its closed seating.
The tap in accordance with the invention has the advantage that it is already mounted to the liquid container by the manufacturer so that no additional preparations are required. The tap is integrated in the liquid container. In this fashion an emptying is possible at any location and at any time without auxiliary measures. The tap is mounted by the manufacturer during production of the liquid container and sealed. The tap in accordance with the invention therefore constitutes part of the liquid container. It is advantageous to introduce the hole into the wall or the lid in which the tap is disposed in a recess in the wall or in the lid wherein, in the closed position of the tap, the grip, which is connected to the inner tube of the tap, is countersunk within the recess. In this manner, protection against injury or damage due to protruding or sharp portions of the tap is prevented.
In further embodiments of the invention of the tap, the inner tube is disposed in a displaceable and/or rotationable fashion within the outer tube which, at least partially, and preferentially completely or almost completely can be inserted into the outer tube, wherein the outer tube has an inlet opening sealed in a closed position of the tap by the inner tube inserted into the outer tube, the inner tube having a longitudinal channel with an outlet opening and an inlet opening which coincides with the inlet opening of the outer tube in the open position of the tap when the inner tube is withdrawn from the outer tube for freeing the longitudinal channel.
A liquid container equipped with a tap in accordance with the invention is easily operated. After engaging the grip and destroying the seal, the inner tube of the tap is pulled out of the outer tube or screwed out thereof, wherein the fluid begins to flow during the last third or the last quarter of the path of the inner tube relative to the outer tube. Should the tap have an inner tube which is rotated out of the outer tube, this rotation is preferentially through 360 degrees, wherein fluid begins to flow approximately at an angular position between 300 and 330 degrees.
A vent valve can be advantageously disposed in one of the lid faces of the liquid container which, if appropriate, simultaneously serves as a valve for filling the container. It is also possible for the tap itself to have a vent mechanism.
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Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 017, No. 667 (M-1524) Dec. 9, 1993 & JP 05 221462 A (Hideaki Hatake), Aug. 31, 1993.
Huber Verpackungen GmbH&Co.
Rivell John
Vincent Paul
LandOfFree
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