Dispensing cap for a container for storing and dispensing a carbonated beverage

Description

[0001] The invention relates to dispenser plugs for devices for storing and dispensing liquids, according to claim 1, that are pressurized. These are primarily highly carbonated beverages or naturally fermented nalitos. The beverages are packaged in disposable plastic containers, primarily PET bottles with neck types PC018S1 and PC018U.

[0002] A filling siphon for carbonated beverages is known, which consists of a container with a siphon tube and a tap. The fitting is equipped with a spout. The siphon also contains a spring-loaded valve and a lever for adjusting the flow rate [1]. The filling siphon is filled with carbonated beverage through the spout at a pressure of 4 to 8 atmospheres. The advantage of a siphon is the ability to store and consume the beverage in it, a beverage with a higher gas content than a container without a valve closure allows. This increases the attractiveness of the beverage and eliminates the need for preservatives. At the same time, it also enables the packaging of carbonated beverages based on natural juices.

[0003] FR 03 13759 discloses a set (1). It consists of a container with a dispensing coil (9) and a device (5) for closing the container. The closure device consists of a cap (33) and a tamper-evident ring (35). The dispensing device (9) comprises stops (21) against which the elements of the dispensing device (9) of the ring bear when unscrewing the plug (33) in order to block the rotation of the ring (35). The ring (35) comprises at least one projection (45) intended to engage with a retaining element (22) of the neck (9) in order to hold the tamper-evident ring (35) longitudinally on the distribution circuit (9).

[0004] Application to the packaging and distribution of medicines for oral administration.

[0005] EP 1 754 542 A2 teaches an airless dispensing pump assembly (30) comprising a pumping mechanism with an inlet valve (57) configured to efficiently pump viscous liquids and capable of being primed when the pumping mechanism is attached to a container. In one form, the inlet valve includes a sealing member sealing an inlet opening of the pump and an outer support member connecting the inlet valve to the rest of the pumping mechanism. Two or more legs (88) extend generally circumferentially between the support member and the sealing member to create a large flow opening for liquid flow through the inlet valve and to quickly close the inlet valve. The pumping mechanism further includes an outlet valve (64) configured to retract past the nozzle of the pump after dispensing to minimize the noise around the nozzle.

[0006] From US 6 253 965 B1 an improvement on valve heads for soft drink bottles and the like is known, which can be connected to the neck of a carbonated bottle containing carbonated liquid, with a valve body which is crossed by a liquid circulation channel which has an outer outlet connected to the inner outlet of a dip tube which ends inside the bottle, a check valve which is mounted in the circulation channel and has a normally closed valve blocker, the rear of which has a sliding guide in the upper part of the valve body;the improvements include a cover having a substantially frustoconical shape, a control element forming a second generic lever, a removable band forming a folding band for the foldable articulated arm, an opening forming a passage for the outer spout, and a connecting element between the cover and the valve body;

[0007] US 6 036 170 A teaches improvements to service valve heads that can be connected to soft drink bottles or the like, whereby a valve body is obtained, wherein a liquid circulation channel is provided between the spout and the flushing pipe, the channel having a check valve. The valve rod is actuated by a control means whose articulated arm can be folded over the valve body, with folding stops and a band provided with a holder. The folding stops of the valve body and the corresponding recesses in the articulated arm prevent the latter from being lowered by any inadvertent pressure, which would displace the valve rod and cause an undesired dispensing of liquid. To dispense the carbonated liquid, the folding tab must first be released. In this way, the articulated arm can be folded out until it slides through the control channel provided on the head walls.

[0008] Due to the market's reorientation toward single-use containers, the reusable siphon has fallen out of favor. It has been replaced by cheap and technologically advanced single-use plastic products, such as large-capacity PET bottles (up to 2.5 liters). These containers can be used to store highly carbonated beverages. The disadvantage of these bottles, especially the large-capacity ones, is that when the cork is removed, most of the gas escapes, thus reducing the quality of the drink.

[0009] The dispenser cap releases the beverage evenly and ensures a high degree of carbonation. The cork is designed to operate within a wide pressure range of 0.5 to 10 atm. It must have a high flow capacity. Therefore, it was previously believed that the cork could not be manufactured in a compact size and could only be designed for large-scale industrial production. At the same time, it could not be inexpensive enough for single-use or for sale in retail stores without further collection and refilling of used containers.

[0010] A container system for storing and dispensing a saturated beverage and a filling device therefor are known [2]. It contains a container with a throat, on the inner wall of which a valve element is attached. On the outer wall, a thread for detachable attachment of the dispensing head is provided. The container is equipped with a siphon tube and a removable safety cap. The container is made of unbreakable plastic. By incorporating a valve element into the container neck, the filling process is somewhat simplified, as the process is quite cumbersome due to the shape of the dispensing head, which usually houses the valve. The removable attachment of the dispensing head enables a two-part system: an interchangeable beverage container and a removable dispensing system. This makes it possible to attach a beverage container. The tank is intended for single use.The dispenser is more expensive, but can be used multiple times.

[0011] The disadvantage of this concept is that the dispensing system is still a complex and costly part of the system compared to the container—a single plastic bottle—and the current economic climate demands the opposite. Bottles with the familiar dispensing device are difficult to produce on conventional PET packaging lines. Stacking multiple rows on top of each other on pallets is also not possible. The dispenser's design does not allow this. A container with such a valve element is too complex. It is not competitive with conventional disposable containers. When filling such a container, the beverage comes into contact with air. There is also no technology to protect the system against the possibility of refilling.

[0012] The closest to the present invention in terms of technical characteristics and the achieved result is the container for carbonated beverages chosen as a prototype. The container comprises a housing. A plug-valve for storing and dispensing carbonated beverages from the container is attached to the neck of the housing [3 - prototype]. It comprises a bottom body with an inner surface for sealing against the neck of the container. A valve device with a tube is installed in this housing. The tube reaches the bottom of the container. There is also an upper body with a control lever. The two-part operating lever of the plug is designed to be hinged. The valve device is in the form of a poppet valve. It interacts with the seat. The seat is mounted in the lower housing. The valve stem is fixed in the bore of the two-part hinged lever.The lever is hinged to the upper body, and the lever parts are hinged to each other. An elastic, spring-loaded element is mounted on the lever. The upper housing is equipped with stops that prevent the lever from being pushed down in the closed position. A latch is also attached to hold the lever in the retracted position.

[0013] The valve plate is made of a flexible, soft material. The hinge of the two-part folding control lever and the hinge for attaching the lever to the upper housing are molded from plastic, along with the lever parts and the housing. A spring element in the form of at least one spring rod is molded into the lower level of the control lever.

[0014] A disadvantage of the known device is its relatively complex design. It requires a series of assembly steps. Furthermore, there is no way to prevent unauthorized tampering.

[0015] The object of the invention is to provide disposable PET bottles with an inexpensive and simple dispensing closure. The cork should ensure that the carbonated beverage is poured efficiently until the entire bottle is empty. A new dispensing stopper should not be much larger than a standard cork, ensuring that standard bottles on conventional PET filling lines can also be closed with the new dispensing corks. This can be done using the same special closing machines. They are installed in the line downstream of the filling line.

[0016] The problem is solved as follows: The dispenser cap for storing and dispensing carbonated beverages from a container includes a base housing. The container is provided with a pouring spout. The shape of the inner surface of the lower housing part is selected so that the cap can be hermetically attached to the neck of the container. The upper body is shaped so that it can be connected and fixed to the lower body. It is equipped with a control lever. The valve device is designed to ensure the tightness of the container. The plug also contains a tube. It is connected to the lower part of the housing of the dispenser plug. The control lever is designed as a two-part folding lever. The valve device contains a poppet valve and is connected to a seat. The seat is housed in the lower housing. A valve stem is hinged to a hole in the two-part folding arm.It is hinged to the upper housing.

[0017] The lever parts are connected to each other by a hinge. A returnable elastic element is located on the lever. The upper housing is equipped with stops that prevent the lever from being pushed in the folded position. A lock is also installed to hold the lever in the folded position.

[0018] The proposed solution involves equipping the lower part of the dosing piston with a control ring. The end of the housing and the end of the ring are connected by two bridges with loosened bands. The connections are parallel and aligned along the axis of the dosing plug. Some of the bands are destroyed by unscrewing the dosing plug when opening it.

[0019] A flip-top lid or other suitable cap type is attached to the drain valve nozzle. This is designed to protect against dust ingress during transport and storage. The lower housing is also equipped with at least one tooth. The tooth is designed to lock the dispenser cap with a locking ring when it is screwed on. This prevents the bridges between the ring and the lower housing from accidentally collapsing.

[0020] The lever on the upper body of the cork dispenser is equipped with a spring-loaded element in the form of two flexible tendrils. The tendrils are located on either side of the valve assembly. The lever is connected to the upper housing by a single link with a loose rod. The lever is required to control the lever pressure.

[0021] Guides are located on both sides of the valve assembly at the bottom of the metering cone. Each guide is designed in the form of a channel. The cross-sectional shape corresponds to that of the flexible clamping element. The guide channel is located on the end face of the cylindrical tube with a variable height. It is aligned along the axis of the plug. The height fluctuates between the maximum value at the beginning of assembly and the minimum value at the end of assembly.

[0022] When assembling the dosing plug, the sequence may be as follows. The installer takes the upper and lower parts of the doser and aligns the tabs of the upper housing with the corresponding guides of the lower housing. They then move both housings towards each other until a double click is heard. This occurs when the pair of annular tabs on the lower housing align with the pair of annular grooves on the upper housing. They then take the poppet valve and insert the spindle into the central cavity of the dosing cone and slide it along the axis of the cavity until it stops in the flap lever. They then align the rod with the hole in the lever. The flare attached to the end of the rod must enter and force through the said hole. This securely clamps the valve stem into the bore of the two-piece flap lever. The installer then inserts the tube into the cylindrical hole.This is located in the lower housing. The connector is ready for installation.

[0023] It is important that the disc and stem of the poppet valve are made of a soft, elastic material. They are machined from a single piece. The hinge of the two-piece flap control lever and the hinge for attaching the lever to the upper housing are cast. The hinges are made from a single piece with the lever parts and the housing, respectively. This design of the plug parts and the plug as a whole allows the dimensions of the valve to be significantly reduced.

[0024] The design of the elastic spring element in the form of plastic coils eliminates the use of spring parts made of steel or other metals and allows for a reduction in the axial dimensions of the cone valve. Production costs are lower and compliance with environmental regulations is significantly improved. The valve head's construction of a soft, elastic material, such as thermoplastic elastomer, allows the conical face of the inner part of the base housing to be used as the valve seat.

[0025] The soft material ensures tightness. Elastic - reliably restores the original shape of the poppet valve when the load is removed, and also locks the valve when it returns to the closed position. The valve's closure state is initially held in the closed position by an elastic, retractable element. This is achieved by acting on the lever. In addition, the valve closes the dispensing channel of the carbonated beverage container. This is activated by the gas pressure inside the tank acting on the poppet valve. Carbon dioxide is mainly used as a gas for carbonated beverages. However, in special cases, other gases such as oxygen, nitrous oxide, or their mixtures are also used. Gas mixtures from the natural fermentation of alcoholic, low-alcohol, and sour-milk beverages are also used.

[0026] The hinge of the two-part folding control lever and the hinge for attaching the lever to the upper housing, along with the housing parts and the levers, are made of molded plastic. This allows for relatively simple connections at low cost. They are suitable for a limited number of printing operations.

[0027] Practice shows that such a hinge can easily withstand one or two dozen folds. For disposable containers, long-term durability is not required. The elastic return element is cast in the form of a pair of tendrils on the lower level of the lever. This allows the lever, and thus the valve cone, to return to the "closed" position. It does not require much force to return them, since the channel is reliably sealed after sealing. The channel is closed by a valve under gas pressure from the interior of the container.

[0028] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 the dispensing plug in overall view with closed beverage control lever and open cap on the outlet of the lower housing, Fig. 2 the dispensing plug in section with closed lever, Fig. 3 the lower part of the dosing screw in side view, Fig. 4 the upper part of the dispenser closure with the open beverage control lever in overall view from below, Fig. 5 the upper part of the lower housing with the special notches and the poppet valve seat in sectional view, Fig. 6 the dispensing plug of the upper housing with open beverage control lever in sectional view, Fig. 7 the lower housing of the dosing screw in plan view, Fig. 8 the lower housing of the dosing screw in sectional view, Fig. 9 the upper housing of the dispenser in sectional side view and Fig. 10 a schematic representation of the use of the dispensing plug.

[0029] In the figures of the drawings, a dispensing cap 2 is hermetically attached to the bottle neck 1. It is required for the storage and dispensing of carbonated beverages. The parts can be connected by screwing, crimping, pressing, gluing, or any other known method. The dispensing cone 2 is formed by the upper housing 3 and the lower housing 4. The outer surface of the lower housing 4 serves to attach the dispensing cap 2 to the neck of the bottle 1. Tightness is achieved by cotton wool. Inside the lower housing 4 is the seat 5 of the poppet valve 6. A tube 7 is attached to the cylindrical opening of the lower housing 4 of the dispensing piston 2 using known methods. The cylindrical opening practically reaches the bottom of the bottle 1 and ensures the necessary clearance for liquid dispensing.

[0030] The lower housing 4 contains a drain port 8 for draining the liquid. There is also a guide 9 that holds the stem 10 of the poppet valve 6. The inside of the guide 9 is provided with special notches 11 to improve the vessel's tightness in this area.

[0031] The upper body 3 of the dispenser 2 is attached to the lower body 4 in any known manner, e.g., by pressing. The upper housing 3 is designed as a cap. When folded, the body supports a two-part control lever 12. One end of the control lever 12 is hinged to the surface of the upper housing 3. The other end of the lever is free. It is equipped with a hinge for unfolding the control lever 12. A spring-loaded return element is provided to return the control lever 12 to its upper position. It is manufactured in the form of reinforcement arms by injection molding together with other parts of the upper housing 3.

[0032] A hole is drilled into the control lever 12. The upper part of the pin 10 of the poppet valve 6 is passed through the hole. The lower plane of the lever 12 rests on the shoulder of the stem. There is a flare at the end of the pin 10. This ensures that the valve 6 is reset when the lever 12 is raised and the pallet of the poppet valve 6 is pushed against the seat 5. Any suitable cap 13, e.g., a flip-top cap, is fitted to the outlet nozzle 8 of the valve 6. This is particularly important when transporting or storing bottles, as the top of the cork can be subjected to considerable stress, and also to prevent debris, dust, and dirt from getting inside.

[0033] According to the proposed solution, the lower housing 4 of the dispensing plug is equipped with a control ring 14. The ends of the lower body 4 and the ring 14 are connected by four crosspieces 15. They are parallel and aligned along the plug axis. The bridges contain loosened crosspieces. Some of the strips are destroyed when the plug is unscrewed. This solves the problem of controlling the opening of the dispensing plug attached to a container before sale to the consumer.

[0034] The lower housing 4 is additionally equipped with a tooth 16. This tooth blocks the separation between the lower body 4 and the control ring 14. This occurs when closing the dispenser plug on manual, semi-automatic, or automatic closing machines. The toothing also prevents accidental breakage of the spacers between the control ring 14 and the lower part 4.

[0035] The upper cone bodies 3 and the lower cone bodies 4 are equipped with parts for fastening the cone bodies relative to the valve device. The elastic spring elements of the upper cone body 3 are in the form of two flexible clamping members 17 located on either side of the valve device. Tubular guides 18 are located on the lower body 4 of the cone on either side of the valve device. Each guide has the shape of a channel whose cross-section corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the flexible tendrils 17. Each channel is located on the end face of a cylindrical tube wall section of variable height, aligned along the axis of the plug. The height varies continuously from a maximum value at the point where the tendrils enter the tubular guides to a minimum value at the point where they exit.

[0036] The seal between the bottle neck and the bottle cap is achieved by the cotton wool 19. A lock 20 is located in the upper housing 3. It prevents the operating lever 12 from accidentally tipping over. The lock is designed to keep the lever in the "closed" position. It also prevents the lever from spontaneously tipping over to the "open" position when closing with a dispensing cork, even during transport of the finished product to the end user. The lock is also equipped with a tamper-evident device. The tamper-evident function is also performed by the jumpers 21 located on the top of the housing. After the lever is operated for the first time, the jumpers fold together. The upper housing 3 is equipped with stops 22 on the sides of the lever 12. These prevent the folding part of the control lever 12 from moving downward in the folded state and opening the valve 6.This allows the finished product to be stacked in pallets with 5 or more rows and is done without the dosing plug losing its tightness and causing it to collapse spontaneously during transport and storage.

[0037] Importantly, the pallet and valve stem are molded from a single piece. They are made of a flexible, soft material. The hinge of the two-piece folding control lever and the hinge for attaching the lever to the upper housing are injection-molded. The joints are manufactured together with the housing and the lever parts, as are the elastic return element in the form of a pair of tendrils and other parts of the upper housing 3.

[0038] This design of the entire metering cone significantly reduces the size of the valve. It also allows the valve lever to be fully inserted into the connector when folded. The plastic housing and elastic spring element eliminate the need for steel springs, reduce the axial dimensions of the cone valve, and increase the product's environmental compatibility. Manufacturing costs are reduced. As a result, the cost of the final product for the end user is reduced.

[0039] The dosing plug works as follows: Bottle 1 is filled with carbonated beverage using conventional methods. It is then sealed with a dosing plug 2 using conventional methods. First, the container's tightness is ensured by screwing or pressing the dosing plug 2 tightly onto the bottle neck 1. Then, the container's tightness is ensured by a pair of valves. The higher the gas pressure in bottle 1, the more forcefully it presses valve 6 against seat 5.

[0040] Fig. 10 shows schematically the instructions for use of the dispenser plug mounted on a container and instructions with step-by-step instructions: 1 - Open the lid. 2 - Release the catch. 3 - Release the hinged part of the lever. 4 - Press the folding part of the lever. Dispense the desired amount of carbonated liquid.

[0041] The pressure of dissolved carbon dioxide or other gases released from the liquid forces the liquid from inside the tank to the outside through the siphon tube 7, the valve 6, and the drain port 8. When the lever 12 is released, an elastic element in the form of tendrils 17 returns it to its original position. The rod 10 presses the valve 6 against the seat 5. The outlet of the liquid from bottle 1 is blocked. The pressure of the gases contained in the beverage presses the flexible plate of the valve 6 against the seat 5, sealing this contact.

[0042] The consumer presses the flap again if they want another drink. The consumer can dispense the desired amount of drink. The dispenser stopper is industrially manufactured entirely from plastic. This allows it to be used for corking carbonated beverages. As with all other non-carbonated, low-alcohol, or alcoholic beverages, it allows the use of conventional bottling equipment. This achieves the goal of simplifying the cork design while making it significantly cheaper.

[0043] At the same time, the convenience and functionality of bottles are increased, extending to large containers, from 0.5 to 3 liters or more. The gas is stored in them until the beverage is completely consumed.

[0044] Design and technology documentation has been developed. The production and filling of PET bottles with dosing corks (siphon closures) is mastered. Sources of information considered in the audit:

[0045] 1. German patent Ns 1249111, Ref. B 650 1 / 02, published in 1967. 2. USSR patent Ns 1535375, Ref. B 67D 1 / 10, filed on 07.01.90. 3. Eurasian patent Ns 020436, with class B67D 1 / 04 (2006.01) B65D 47 / 20 (2006.01), published on 2014.1 1.28 (prototype).

Claims

1. Dispenser cap for storing and dispensing carbonated beverages from a container with: - a lower housing part (4) with a discharge nozzle (8), - the shape of the inner surface of the spout (8) is chosen so that it fits snugly against the neck of the container, - an upper housing part (3), which is connected to and interlocking with the lower housing part (4) - the housing is equipped with a control lever (12), - a valve device and a tube (7), - the tube (7) is connected to the lower part (4) of the housing, - the control lever (12) is designed as a two-part folding lever, - a plate valve (6), - the plate valve (6) can be brought into contact with a seat (5), - the seat (5) is housed in the lower housing part (4). - the valve stem is pivoted at a bore of the two-part folding lever which is connected to the upper housing part (3), - the lever parts are hingedly connected to each other, - a resettable elastic element is located on the folding lever (12), - the upper housing part (3) is provided with stops (22), - the stops (22) prevent the folding lever (12) from being pressed in a folded position, - a locking mechanism (20) is provided to hold the folding lever (12) in the folded position, - the lower housing part (4) of the dispenser cap is equipped with a control ring (14), - the end of the housing and the end of the control ring (14) are connected by two parallel strips (15), with the strips (15) aligned along the axis of the dispenser, - some of the strips are destroyed when the dispenser cap is opened by unscrewing, - a cap (13) is attached to the discharge nozzle (8) of the valve, - the lower housing is additionally equipped with a tooth (16) designed to engage when a dispenser cap with control ring (14) is screwed on, - the tooth (16) prevents the strips (15) between the control ring (14) and the lower housing part (4) from collapsing unintentionally, - the resettable elastic element is attached to the control lever of the upper housing part (3) of the dispenser cap (2), - the resettable elastic element has the form of two flexible tension members (17) located on both sides of the plate valve (6), - guides (18) are attached to the lower housing part (3) of the dispenser cap (2) on both sides of the plate valve (6) to fasten the tension members (17) of the dispenser cap (2) to the plate valve (6), - each guide (18) is designed in the form of a channel, - the shape of the cross-section of the channel corresponds to that of one of the flexible tension members (17), - the channel of the guide (18) is located at the front end of the cylindrical tube (7), which is aligned along the axis of the dispenser cap (2), - the height of the channel varies continuously from a maximum value at the point where the flexible tension members (17) are inserted into the tubular guides, to a minimum value at the point where they exit.

2. Dispenser cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate valve has a stem and a disc, whereby both the valve disc and the valve stem are made from a single piece consisting of elastic, soft material.

3. Dispenser cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the joint of the two-part folding lever (12) and a joint for attaching the folding lever (12) to the upper housing part (3) are each injection molded together with the body and the lever parts.