Dispensing tap and methods for using the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11858799-B2
Application number	US-202017783261-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 5, 2020
Priority date	Sep 27, 2018
Publication date	Jan 2, 2024
Grant date	Jan 2, 2024

Abstract

A dispensing tap ( 700 ) for liquids includes a body ( 702 ) connected to the neck of a container ( 900 ), a dispensing head ( 708 ) with an outlet or mouth ( 714 ), and a throat ( 710 ) connecting the body to the dispensing head. A shut off valve ( 716 ) is configured for sealing engagement with the mouth of the dispensing head, and a piston ( 718 ) is axially guided within the dispensing head. The piston includes a peripheral seal ( 720 ) slidably engaged with an interior surface of the dispensing head, and a valve stem ( 722 ) coupled to the shut off valve. The piston is selectively actuable between a normally closed position an open position. A vent ( 740 ) is in communication with an interior of the body and the vent is opened and closed with movement of the piston and shut off valve.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing tap, comprising:
a body;
a dispensing head connected to the body, comprising:
an interior surface;
a mouth; and
a lower loading cone;

a valve stem seated in the dispensing head, comprising:
a button;
an upper loading cone; and
a peripheral seal;

a shut off valve attached to the valve stem and seated in the mouth; and
a spring positioned between the upper loading cone and lower loading cone.

2. The dispensing tap of claim 1 , wherein the spring comprises a slotted tubular spring element.

3. The dispensing tap of claim 1 , wherein the spring comprises a coil spring.

4. The dispensing tap of claim 1 , further comprising a throat connecting the body to the dispensing head.

5. The dispensing tap of claim 4 , wherein the throat further comprises a flow path between the body and the dispensing head.

6. The dispensing tap of claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a plug seal.

7. The dispensing tap of claim 1 , further comprising:
a peripheral seal diameter associated with the peripheral seal;
a shut off valve diameter associated with the shut off valve; and
wherein the peripheral seal diameter is larger than the shut off valve diameter.

8. The dispensing tap of claim 1 , wherein the shut off valve comprises a bell shape.

9. The dispensing tap of claim 1 , wherein the shut off valve comprises a medium-density polyethylene material.

10. The dispensing tap of claim 1 , wherein the shut off valve is seated in sealing engagement with the mouth.

11. The dispensing tap of claim 1 , further comprising a vent between an interior of the dispensing head and an interior of the body.

12. The dispensing tap of claim 11 , further comprising a ball valve in the vent.

13. The dispensing tap of claim 11 , further comprising:
a valve seat in the vent; and
a ball valve seated in the valve seat.

14. The dispensing tap of claim 13 , wherein the valve seat has an angle of between 30 and 45 degrees.

15. The dispensing tap of claim 13 , wherein the valve seat has an angle of 35 degrees.

16. The dispensing tap of claim 1 , wherein the valve stem has a stroke length of about 5.8 mm to about 7 mm.

17. The dispensing tap of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing head further comprises two external finger holds.

18. The dispensing tap of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing head further comprises a first external finger hold extending radially outwardly from an exterior surface of the dispensing tap and a second external finger hold extending radially outwardly from the exterior surface of the dispensing tap in a direction opposite the first external finger hold.

19. A dispensing tap, comprising:
a body;
a dispensing head connected to the body, comprising:
an interior surface;
a mouth; and
a lower loading cone;

a throat connecting the dispensing head to the body, comprising a fluid flow path between the body and the dispensing head;
a valve stem seated in the dispensing head, comprising:
a button;
an upper loading cone; and
a peripheral seal engaged with the interior surface;

a shut off valve attached to the valve stem and seated in the mouth; and
a spring positioned between the upper loading cone and lower loading cone.

20. The dispensing tap of claim 19 , further comprising:
a container connected to the body; and
a liquid product contained in the container and flowable through the dispensing head upon opening of the shut off valve.

Assignees

• Silgan Dispensing Systems Corp

Inventors

• Driskell Willam
• Ramsuer Brandon
• Deman Eelco H
• Van Wieringen Niels F G
• Zuijderduijn Paulus

Classifications

• B05B11/1076

  Traction springs, e.g. stretchable sleeve · CPC title

• B67D3/043 Primary

  with a closing element having a linear movement, in a direction perpendicular to the seat · CPC title

• B65D77/067

  combined with a valve, a tap or a piercer · CPC title

• B67D3/046 Primary

  and venting means operated automatically with the tap · CPC title

• F16F1/028

  cylindrical, with radial openings · CPC title