Spigot device for a liquid container

Details Spigot device for a liquid container Spigot device for a liquid container

2002-07-05

2004-10-26

Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3732)

Dispensing

Inspection devices

External gauge tubes

C222S518000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06808088

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a spigot device adapted to be mounted on a liquid container, more particularly to a spigot device with an upright branch tube to indicate the level of liquid in a liquid container.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to
FIG. 1
, a conventional hot water container is shown to include a vessel body
102
with a bottom outlet
105
for engaging one end of a connecting tube
103
. A spigot device
1
includes a conduit
10
which has an outer surrounding wall
11
that defines a liquid passage
13
and a valve channel
14
. The liquid passage
13
is disposed downstream of the other end of the connecting tube
103
. A spout
16
extends into the outer surrounding wall
11
, and is disposed downstream of the valve channel
14
. An upright tube
15
is in fluid communication with the liquid passage
13
and a lower end of an upright water-level indicating branch tube
104
so that liquid into the vessel body
102
can flow in the branch tube
104
via the liquid passage
13
. A valve body
101
is disposed in the valve channel
14
to control flow of liquid through the spout
16
.
Although the level of the liquid in the vessel body
102
can be monitored by observing the level of the liquid in the branch tube
104
, the liquid in the branch tube
104
that is exposed on the outside of the vessel body
102
is relatively cool, and may flow back into the liquid passage
13
to mix with the liquid in the liquid passage
13
to result in an undesirable reduction in the temperature of the liquid flowing out of the spout
16
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a spigot device which can minimize flow of liquid in a branch tube into a spout to preventing undesirable reduction in the temperature of the liquid flowing out of the spout.
According to this invention, the spigot device includes a valve assembly which has an internal port, a spout disposed downstream of the internal port, a fluid passage disposed downstream of the internal port and upstream of the spout, and a valve body disposed in the fluid passage to control flow of liquid into the spout. An elongate conduit of a single-piece molded construction has an outer surrounding wall extending in a transverse direction. The conduit confines a primary passage and a channel surrounded by the outer surrounding wall. The primary passage has a first intake end adapted to be in fluid communication with a bottom outlet of a vessel body, and an exit end opposite to the first intake end and in fluid communication with the internal port of the valve assembly so as to permit the liquid in an accommodation space of the vessel body to flow into the internal port via the primary passage. The channel is not communicated with the primary passage within the conduit, and has a second intake end disposed adjacent to the first intake end and adapted to be in fluid communication with the bottom outlet of the vessel body, and a middle channel portion extending from the second intake end and terminating at a closed end. A branch tube extends in an upright direction, and defines a duct therein which has a lower end in fluid communication with the middle channel portion to permit the liquid in the accommodation space to flow into the duct so that the level of the liquid in the accommodation space can be monitored.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1512971 (1924-10-01), Zolleis
patent: 1784973 (1930-12-01), Preston
patent: 5944225 (1999-08-01), Kawolics

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