Retractable tap and beverage container with a retractable tap

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a retractable tap and a beverage container with such a tap.

[0002] Current technology includes taps for beverage containers for private use that are recessed into the wall of the beverage container to save space and can be pulled out for use.

[0003] German patent DE 198 35 569 C2 shows such a tap, which is recessed into the wall of the beverage can and is pulled out for dispensing. It is inserted into an opening near the bottom of the can, a so-called perforated collar, and has an outer sleeve located in this opening. An inner sleeve is movably mounted within the outer sleeve so that it can be pulled out. A push button is provided on the front face of the inner sleeve. Pressing the push button opens a valve located inside the inner sleeve, opening a fluid channel to the interior of the beverage container and allowing the beverage to flow out. The push button can become misaligned, which can prevent the valve inside the inner sleeve from closing properly and cause the tap to leak.

[0004] A dispensing device for a beer barrel is also generally known from EP 0 965 559 A1 and US 7,311,229 B1 also deals with the topic of dispensing devices: It describes a sliding tap for disposable containers, such as those known as "bag-in-box".

[0005] Based on this state of the art, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved retractable tap which is designed in such a way that it is easy to dispense with the tap.

[0006] This problem is solved by a tap having the features of claim 1.

[0007] The further problem of providing a beverage container from which the beverage filled into the container can be easily dispensed is solved by the beverage container with the features of independent claim 16.

[0008] Further developments or preferred embodiments of the tap and the beverage container are described in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to a first embodiment of the retractable tap according to the invention, which is designed for installation in an opening of a beverage container, it has an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve, which are arranged coaxially in the outer sleeve and can be moved along the longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve has a handle at its first end, which is arranged on the end face of the inner sleeve.

[0010] In the inactive state of the tap, the handle rests against a first end of the outer sleeve. In the active state, it is spaced from the first end of the outer sleeve and, together with the outer sleeve, defines a channel. The inner sleeve has a valve seat with at least one valve opening on its inside and a dispensing opening radially between the valve seat and the first end. The tap has an actuating device arranged on the handle, which interacts with a closure element shaped correspondingly to the valve seat. In the active state of the tap, the closure element can be moved by the actuating device between a closed position, in which it closes the at least one valve opening, and an open position, in which it opens the at least one valve opening.According to the invention, the actuating device is a lever handle arranged adjacent to the handle and pivotable about a pivot axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. For this purpose, the lever handle has an actuating section extending into the inner sleeve and engaging with a valve plunger that carries the closure element. The inner sleeve includes a guide element by which the valve plunger is guided along the longitudinal axis. The closure element is preferably made of an elastic plastic suitable as a sealing material, such as a thermoplastic.

[0011] The term "beverage container" refers to any type of beverage can, keg, or barrel. However, a beverage container with a dispensing device is typically a beer keg or barrel, often made of tinplate, aluminum, or plastic, and equipped with a tap, usually located near the bottom of the container in the container wall. These beer kegs or barrels, often also called "kegs," are typically designed for filling volumes of 5 liters or 10 liters; but of course, containers for other filling volumes can also be equipped with the tap according to the invention.

[0012] The valve opening establishes the fluidic connection between the channel and the tap opening by spacing the closure part away from the valve seat, thus opening the valve and allowing the fluid path to pass through the fluidic connection between the channel and the tap opening.

[0013] In this context, "closed position" refers to the separation of the fluid connection, in which the valve opening is closed by the sealing element.

[0014] The term "opening" refers to the opening or creation of the fluid connection, in which the closing part releases the valve opening and thus opens it to the fluid channel.

[0015] The tap according to the invention advantageously provides a tap that is particularly suitable for private use because it is easy to operate. The simple construction, consisting of an inner and outer sleeve with an internal valve, makes the tap compact and space-saving in its recessed position. The handle can be moved between a closed position, in which it locks into place and thus provides tactile feedback for the operator, and an open position, in which it can be continuously adjusted to control the flow rate. Due to the direct connection with the valve plunger, the handle cannot become misaligned. Operation is intuitive, as the handle is simply pivoted towards the operator, just like taps in restaurants and cafes.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the tap according to the invention, the engagement of the actuating section of the handle lever, which pivots about the pivot axis, with the valve plunger guided along the longitudinal axis is provided by an axle element guided in a cam track parallel to the pivot axis. The actuating section has two axle stubs as axle elements, and the valve plunger has two parallel tabs with elongated openings that form the cam track. The handle lever is thus connected to the valve plunger and enables easy movement of the valve plunger. The cam track provides the necessary clearance for smooth movement of the valve plunger.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the tap according to the invention, the guide element connects to the valve seat on a side facing away from the first end of the inner sleeve. The valve seat tapers towards the guide element in a hollow, frustoconical shape. The guide element is hollow and cylindrical with a closed base on the side facing away from the first end of the inner sleeve, and one or more valve openings are formed on a lateral surface of the frustoconical valve seat. Furthermore, the closure element is formed on a frustoconical section of the valve stem with a flattened side that faces the tap opening. The closure element has at least one sealing element corresponding to the at least one valve opening.Preferably, the frustoconical valve seat has two openings, but three or more openings are also possible, meaning the closure element also has two, three, or more sealing elements. The conical shape of the valve seat ensures good guidance of the valve stem and prevents it from tilting. Furthermore, the combination of the corresponding shapes of the valve seat and valve stem allows for a smooth flow of the dispensed fluid.

[0018] In yet another embodiment of the tap according to the invention, the valve plunger has an axial guide section on a side of the closure part facing away from the first end of the inner sleeve. The length of this guide section is selected such that it extends into the hollow cylindrical guide element in both the closed and open positions. The valve plunger can also have an annular ridge between the frustoconical section and the axial guide section to delimit the closure part. This element also helps to prevent the two interlocking components, the valve seat and the valve plunger, from jamming together when the valve is opened or closed.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the tap according to the invention, the valve plunger has a circular sealing section, i.e., a sealing section with a circular cross-section adapted to the inner diameter of the inner sleeve, which is arranged with respect to the first end of the inner sleeve and the valve seat such that the sealing section is located between the first end of the inner sleeve and the tap opening in both the closed and open positions, thus sealing the inner sleeve towards its first end. Liquid flowing into the valve is thereby directed towards the tap opening and cannot escape towards the end face of the inner sleeve. Corresponding to the shape of the valve seat, the sealing section is frustoconical, so that in the closed position the sealing section is completely enclosed in the valve seat and seals the valve openings.The sealing section can be made of a material suitable for sealing, such as an elastic plastic or rubber. Furthermore, the sealing section can be designed as a disc, so that the truncated cone-shaped valve stem has recesses that allow the circular sealing section to retain its disc shape. This saves material.

[0020] In yet another embodiment of the tap according to the invention, a plane defined by the circular sealing section extends non-orthogonally to the longitudinal axis, with one side of the sealing section adjacent to the dispensing opening being located closer to the first end of the inner sleeve than a side of the sealing section facing away from the dispensing opening. Alternatively or additionally, on the side of the sealing section facing away from the closure part, two parallel tabs with elongated openings are arranged, providing the cam track for engagement with the actuating section. This ensures that the liquid to be dispensed is directed precisely to the dispensing opening. The fluid connection is then shaped, starting from the valve opening, such that the liquid has more space under the valve plunger and can exit the dispensing opening more easily and quickly when the valve is open.

[0021] Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the tap according to the invention, the sealing section can have a sealing layer, which is preferably formed integrally with the closure part. The components sealing compound, closure body, and valve plunger can, for example, be molded by multi-component injection molding and thus produced cost-effectively. The sealing layer is thickened at the points where it contacts the valve openings and shaped to the form of the valve openings in order to provide a simple and precise seal. The sealing layer thus forms the sealing elements. The valve plunger does not need to be pressed into the valve seat under high pressure, but can simply rest against it due to the shaped sealing layer.

[0022] In the closed position, the sealing layer, with its thickened areas, partially protrudes into the valve openings, thus closing the valve openings.

[0023] In yet another embodiment of the tap according to the invention, the inner sleeve has an axial element at its first end, adjacent to the tap opening, which extends orthogonally to the radial direction and the longitudinal axis. The handle lever has two parallel lugs with bearing eyes in which the axial element is rotatably mounted to provide the pivot axis. This results in a structurally simple design for the pivot axis of the handle lever.

[0024] In yet another embodiment of the tap according to the invention, the inner sleeve has, in the radial direction opposite the axis element that provides the pivot axis, a first stop surface for the handle lever and, adjacent to the axis element, a second stop surface for a corner of the tabs offset from the handle lever. The first stop surface has a through-opening, and the inner sleeve has a detent recess adjacent to it. The handle lever has a detent hook that extends through the through-opening and engages with the detent recess in the closed position. This allows the handle lever to lock into its closed position and prevents it from easily opening when not in use, thus preventing liquid from leaking out.

[0025] In yet another embodiment of the tap according to the invention, the actuating section is designed as a semi-circular disk and defines a disk plane in which the longitudinal axis lies. The actuating section has a straight side and a curved side, the straight side extending orthogonally to the handle lever, and the curved side describing a circular arc around the pivot axis. In the closed position, the straight side of the actuating section extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inner sleeve. The actuating section is shaped similarly to a rounded knife tip, with the straight side as the "back of the knife" and the curved side as the "edge." The valve plunger has a slot-like receiving pocket into which the actuating section projects, the receiving pocket being widened on one side facing the curved side of the actuating section.The receiving pocket is adapted to a pivoting range of the actuating section when the handle lever is operated to move the locking element between the closed and open positions. When the handle lever is pivoted into the open position, the actuating section moves within the receiving pocket and, after a short curved path, its curved side abuts the upper edge of the slotted receiving pocket. To define the pivoting movement of the handle lever and its pivoting range, the actuating section may have a wedge-shaped recess or notch on its curved side, with the wedge-shaped recess engaging a stop at the upper edge of the slotted receiving pocket. The slotted receiving pocket may have an edge or hook on its open side against which the wedge-shaped recess can engage.The actuating section's stop defines the pivoting range of the handle lever and prevents the valve from being over-opened in the inner sleeve, particularly if the valve plunger has a radially outward-pointing hook at the stop edge of the receiving pocket, which is pressed into a slot in the inner sleeve at the first end - adjacent to the detent recess for the detent hook of the handle lever - when the actuating section strikes the stop edge from the inside.

[0026] In yet another embodiment of the tap according to the invention, the slot-like receiving pocket in the valve stem extends from the sealing section between the parallel tabs to the frustoconical section. For production reasons and to save material, the slot-like receiving pocket can be longer than the actuating section of the handle lever.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the tap according to the invention, a sleeve element with an integrally formed plug and a passage channel is arranged in the inner sleeve at a second end of the inner sleeve, which is opposite the first end of the inner sleeve. The tap has a protective sleeve that is arranged at a second end of the outer sleeve, which is opposite the first end and defines an inlet opening. In the inactive state of the tap, the protective sleeve with the inlet opening rests circumferentially against the plug that projects from the second end of the outer sleeve and seals the passage channel. In the activated state, the sleeve element with the inner sleeve is spaced apart from the second end of the outer sleeve, whereby the inlet opening of the protective sleeve is exposed and the fluid connection in the channel between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve is established by the passage channel.The sleeve element, in particular the plug, serves as a sealing element to prevent any fluid connection to the channel. In an assembly of the tap in a container, this prevents the unintentional entry of liquid. In the activated state, liquid can enter through the inlet opening provided in the end face of the protective sleeve and flow into the passage channel.

[0028] In yet another embodiment of the tap according to the invention, the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are connected to each other via a cam guide, wherein the sleeve element has a cam projecting outwards through an opening in the inner sleeve, and the outer sleeve has a cam slot in which the cam is received and guided. The cam slot forms a helical line with a rotation angle of 90° and a pitch that depends on the distance the handle has from the first end of the outer sleeve in the activated state. The helical line preferably terminates in a longitudinal groove that continues the cam slot of the cam guide. This causes the transition between the inactivated and activated states to be actuated by rotating the handle by 90° and subsequently pulling it out, thereby moving the inner sleeve in the longitudinal direction following the helical line and the longitudinal groove.The 90° turn of the handle allows for easy "unlocking" of the tap. During or after this turn, liquid can flow into the tap's interior through the opening in the end cap. This, in turn, has a positive effect on the further opening action and the complete extension of the extension tube due to the piston action, as the internal pressure of the keg also acts on the tap's internal components. The described cam mechanism enables an easy turning motion and allows for the guided removal of the inner sleeve from the outer sleeve with minimal effort.

[0029] According to a further embodiment of the tap according to the invention, the inner sleeve has, for example, a rectangular opening adjacent to its second end, and the outer sleeve also has a correspondingly shaped opening, for example, a rectangular one, but adjacent to its first end. In the activated state of the tap, both openings align and, in addition to the end-face opening of the protective sleeve, provide a further liquid inlet opening. Furthermore, the openings also serve for residual emptying, since the keg can be tilted when the fill level is low and thus almost completely emptied.

[0030] According to a further embodiment of the tap according to the invention, the handle has two wings on both sides of the handle lever, parallel to the pivot axis, between which the handle lever is embedded in the closed position. The wings can have at least one marking indicating the direction of rotation of the handle for transitioning from the inactive to the activated state. The handle is easy to grip, and the inner sleeve can be easily pulled out by turning and pulling the handle, thus bringing the tap into an activated state. A sealing element can be arranged in one of the wings, which, before use, engages with the end face of the outer sleeve at its first end and can be broken off or tilted upon initial rotation, thus ensuring that the tap is new and unused.For example, a projection may be formed on the front face of the outer sleeve.

[0031] In yet another embodiment of the tap according to the invention, the protective sleeve extends over the curved slot, wherein the outer sleeve has a circumferential seal on the outside of the curved slot on a side facing away from the second end, for the sealing arrangement of the protective sleeve. This prevents unintentional ingress of liquid except through the inlet opening, which is the intended inlet opening.

[0032] According to a further embodiment of the tap according to the invention, the outer sleeve has a circumferential inner seal on its inner side near its first end, separating it from the inner sleeve. This also prevents unwanted liquid ingress in the tap's assembly.

[0033] Furthermore, according to yet another embodiment of the tap according to the invention, the outer sleeve has, adjacent to its first end, an external sealing element arrangement for the opening of the beverage container. This element arrangement comprises a flange, a circumferential outer seal, and a ring of locking wedges extending from the first end of the outer sleeve. The tap can be securely and tightly inserted into the container in its mounting configuration. The locking wedges prevent the tap from unintentionally falling out or being forced out by the overpressure present in the container. The seal is annular and shaped to fit the container opening into which the tap is to be inserted. The shape of the flange, which forms the end face of the outer sleeve, can be customized according to the shape of the ring of holes and always has a corresponding contour to ensure a positive fit with the beverage can.Additionally, the flange may include an anti-rotation device to prevent the tap from twisting in the ring of holes when the inner sleeve is turned and pulled out.

[0034] The invention further relates to a beverage container with a tap according to the invention, which is arranged in an opening of the beverage container. The beverage filled into this beverage container can be easily and quickly dispensed from it using the tap described above.

[0035] Further embodiments of the tap, as well as some of the advantages associated with these and other embodiments, will be made clearer and more easily understood by the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying figures. Items or parts thereof that are essentially the same or similar may be provided with the same reference numerals. The figures are merely a schematic representation of one embodiment of the invention.

[0036] This shows: Fig. 1a a perspective view of the tap in its inactive state, Fig. 1b a sectional view of the tap in the inactive state according to section A Fig. 1a , Fig. 1c a sectional view of the tap in the inactive state according to section B Fig. 1a and placed in a container (partial sectional view), Fig. 2a a perspective view of the tap in activated state with handle lever in closed position, Fig. 2b a sectional view of the tap in the activated state according to section A with the handle lever in the closed position, Fig. 2c a sectional view of the tap in the activated state according to section B with the handle lever in the closed position, Fig. 3a a perspective view of the tap in activated state with handle lever in open position, Fig. 3b a side view of the tap in activated state with handle lever in open position, Fig. 3c A top view of the tap in the activated state with the handle lever in the open position, Fig. 3d a sectional view of the tap in the activated state according to section A with the handle lever in the open position, and Fig. 3e A sectional view of the tap in the activated state according to section B with the handle lever in the open position.

[0037] The invention relates to a retractable tap that can be inserted into a beverage container. The tap is extendable and easy to operate.

[0038] The Fig. 1a bis 1c Figure 1 shows a tap 1 according to the invention in a non-activated state. The tap 1 has an outer sleeve 2 and an inner sleeve 3 arranged coaxially therein. The inner sleeve 3 is movably mounted along a longitudinal axis L of the outer sleeve 2 and can be telescoped out of the outer sleeve 2 by means of a rotary and pulling motion, as shown in Figure 1. Fig. 2a and 3aThe inner sleeve 3 has a handle 4 at its first end 3a, which is used to perform the rotary and pull movements. In the inactive state of the tap 1, the handle 4 rests against a first end 2a of the outer sleeve 2. The handle 4 has two wings 4a, 4b, which are marked with arrows to indicate the direction in which the handle 4, and thus the inner sleeve 3, must be moved to switch from the inactive to the activated state. A locking component, acting as a seal 28, is arranged in one of the wings 4b. Before use, this component engages with the end face of the outer sleeve 2 and is bent outwards upon initial rotation, thus ensuring that the tap 1 is new and unused.

[0039] The outer sleeve 2 is sealed against the inner sleeve 3; for this purpose, the outer sleeve 2 has a circumferential inner seal 21 on the inside near its first end 2a.

[0040] A flange 5 is formed on the end face of the first end 2a of the outer sleeve 2. Adjoining this flange on the outer surface of the outer sleeve 2 is a circumferential outer seal 6 and a ring of locking wedges 7. These components form a molded element assembly that serves to receive and seal the tap 1 in a perforated collar or opening 101 of the beverage container 100, as shown in Fig. 1c Shown in excerpts.

[0041] The flange 5 of the outer sleeve 2 is round in the example shown and has a flattened section 5a for better fitting or assembly in the opening 101 of the beverage container 100, as shown. Fig. 2a The flange 5 has a wedge-shaped projection 5b on a side facing the handle 4 – the end face of the outer sleeve 2 – which, in the non-activated state, engages with the sealing component 28 of the handle wing 4b and prevents improper rotation in the wrong direction. The projection 5b can also serve as a transport lock.

[0042] A sleeve element 17 is inserted into the inner sleeve 3 at a second end 3g facing away from the first end 3a of the inner sleeve 3. This sleeve element 17 is connected to the second end 3g of the inner sleeve 3 via locking elements 24. The inner sleeve 3 has openings 25 corresponding to the locking elements 24 in the section adjacent to the second end 3g of the inner sleeve 3. The sleeve element 17 is cylindrical and has an integrally formed plug 17a and a coaxial passage channel 17b.

[0043] The tap 1 comprises a cylindrical protective sleeve 18, which is arranged at the second end 2b of the outer sleeve 2, the end furthest from the first end 2a of the outer sleeve 2, and defines an inlet opening 18a that extends as a tubular extension 18b along the longitudinal axis L away from the second end 2b of the outer sleeve 2. This forms a shoulder 18c. In the Fig. 1b and 1cIn the unactivated state shown, the protective sleeve 18 with the inlet opening 18a rests circumferentially against the plug 17a of the sleeve element 17. The plug 17a protrudes from the second end 2b of the outer sleeve 2. The inlet opening 18a has a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the inner sleeve 3 and corresponds to the outer diameter of the plug 17a, so that the plug 17a is surrounded by the tube extension 18b. The passage channel 17b rests against the shoulder 18c and is sealed; liquid cannot penetrate into the sleeve element 17 and thus the interior of the sleeves 2, 3.

[0044] The inner sleeve 3 and the outer sleeve 2 are connected to each other via a cam guide. The sleeve element 17 has a radially outwardly projecting cam 19 on its outer surface, which projects radially outward through a lateral through-opening 23 in the wall of the inner sleeve 3 adjacent to the second end 3g of the inner sleeve 3. The outer sleeve 2 has a cam slot 20 into which the cam 19 projects. The cam 19 is guided in the cam slot 20 and can form a helical path with a rotation angle of 90° and a pitch corresponding to a 90° rotation and a short longitudinal distance. The cam slot 20 extends further in a longitudinal groove 20a, which extends on the inside of the inner sleeve 3 to a rectangular opening 26, so that the inner sleeve 3 may be pulled out of the outer sleeve 2 along the entire length of the longitudinal groove 20a to enter an activated state, as shown in the Fig. 2a and shown in the following figures. The wings 4a, 4b of the handle 4 allow, after a 90° rotation, a simple rearward grip for pulling out the inner sleeve 3.

[0045] The inner sleeve 3 has an opening 26 adjacent to its second end 3g, which corresponds to another rectangular opening 27 in the outer sleeve 2 adjacent to its first end 3a, in the activated state of the tap 1 and provides a further liquid inlet opening next to the opening 18a of the protective cover 18.

[0046] The protective sleeve 18 completely covers the curved slot 20 along its longitudinal extent and is sealed against the outer sleeve 2, so that no liquid can enter the interior of the two sleeves 2, 3 through the cam guide. For this purpose, the outer sleeve 2 has a circumferential seal 22 on the outside of the curved slot 20 on the side facing away from the second end 2b of the outer sleeve 2.

[0047] The inner sleeve 3 has an integrally formed, hollow frustoconical valve seat 10 with two valve openings 11 on its inner surface. The two valve openings 11 are formed on a lateral surface of the frustoconical valve seat 10. Furthermore, the inner sleeve 3 has a dispensing opening 9 in the radial direction between the valve seat 10 and the first end 3a of the inner sleeve 3, the fluid connection for the beverage to be dispensed being provided later between the dispensing opening 9, the valve openings 11 and the channel 18.

[0048] An actuating device in the form of a handle lever 13 is arranged on the handle 4 and can be pivoted about a pivot axis S. The pivot axis S is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L of the outer and inner sleeves 2 and 3, respectively. In its closed position, the handle lever 13 is embedded between the two handle wings 4a and 4b, which lie in a plane parallel to or through the pivot axis S. The handle lever 13 interacts with a closing element 12, which is shaped correspondingly to the valve seat 10, via components described below. The closing element 12 can be moved between a closed and an open position by means of the handle lever 13. In the closed position of the handle lever 13, the closing element 12 closes the valve openings 11, and in the open position of the handle lever 13, the closing element 12 releases the valve openings 11.The handle lever 13 comprises an actuating section 13a, which extends into the inner sleeve 3 and engages with a valve tappet 14. The valve tappet 14 carries the closing element 12 and is guided in a guide element 15, which extends along the longitudinal axis L from the valve seat 10 into the inner sleeve 3 and thus connects to the valve seat 10 on the side facing away from the first end 3a of the inner sleeve 3. The valve seat 10 tapers in a hollow frustoconical shape towards the guide element 15, which is hollow cylindrical with a closed, rounded base. The guide element 15 allows the valve tappet 14 to be guided along the longitudinal axis L.

[0049] The valve tappet 14 has a shape corresponding to the interior of the valve seat 10 and the guide element 15: The valve tappet 14 is composed of a frustoconical section 14c, which is similar to the frustoconical shape of the valve seat 10, and an axial guide section 14b, which adjoins section 14c and corresponds to the hollow cylindrical shape of the guide element 15, extending into it from the first end 3a of the inner sleeve 3. The length of the guide element 15 and the axial guide section 14b is selected such that the axial guide section 14b is guided in the hollow cylindrical guide element 15 in every position, i.e., both in the closed and open positions of the tap 1. The truncated cone-shaped section 14c carries the closure part 12 and has a flattened side 14d which points towards the tap opening 9.Furthermore, the closure part 12 has two thickened sealing elements 12a, the shape of which corresponds to the shape of the two valve openings 11. The valve tappet 14 has an annular bead 14f between the frustoconical section 14c and the axial guide section 14b, which delimits the closure part 12.

[0050] The valve tappet 14 has a sealing section 14e with a circular cross-section facing the first end 3a of the inner sleeve 3. This sealing section 14e, in relation to the first end 3a of the inner sleeve 3 and the valve seat 10, is positioned between the first end 3a of the inner sleeve 3 and the tap opening 9 in both the closed and open positions of the tap 1. The sealing section 14e is shaped like a plate, with a groove-shaped recess provided between the plate 14e and the frustoconical section 14c of the valve tappet 14.

[0051] The sealing section 14e seals the inner sleeve 3 towards its first end 3a. This disc-shaped sealing section 14e defines a plane that is not orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L, but slightly tilted about an axis parallel to the pivot axis S of the handle lever 13. A side of the sealing section 14e adjacent to the tap opening 9, i.e., facing it, is located closer to the first end 3a of the inner sleeve 3 than a side of the sealing section 14e facing away from the tap opening 9. The closure part 12 extends over the sealing section 14e or has a sealing layer that is integrally bonded with the sealing material of the closure part 12.

[0052] On the side of the sealing section 14e facing away from the closure part 12, two parallel tabs 14a with elongated openings are arranged. Stub shafts 13b are inserted into these openings and are rigidly connected to an actuating section 13a of the handle lever 13. This ensures that the actuating section 13a engages the valve tappet 14, which is guided along the longitudinal axis L, via the stub shafts 13b, which are guided parallel to the pivot axis S in the openings of the tabs 14a. The two stub shafts 13b, acting as an axle element, follow the curved path described by the elongated openings of the parallel tabs 14a of the valve tappet 14.

[0053] The actuating section 13a, which is integrally formed with the handle lever 13, is shaped like a semicircular disk. It defines a disk plane that extends along the longitudinal axis L and is shaped similarly to a rounded knife tip. The actuating section 13a has a straight side, like a "knife spine," and a curved side, similar to a "knife edge," with the straight side being closer to the pivot axis S than the curved side. When the curved side is pivoted, it describes an arc around the pivot axis S. The actuating section 13a faces the valve tappet 14 and interacts with it. The valve tappet 14 has a slot-like receiving pocket 16 into which the actuating section 13a projects. The receiving pocket 16 is widened on one side, namely the side facing the curved side of the actuating section 13a.The shape of the receiving pocket 16 is adapted to a swivel range of the actuating section 13a, so that the actuating section 13a can execute the intended curved path when the handle lever 13 is actuated.

[0054] The actuating section 13a has a wedge-shaped recess 13f on its curved side, which limits the pivoting range of the handle lever 13. The wedge-shaped recess 13f abuts an upper edge of the slot-like receiving pocket 16. This prevents the handle lever 13, and thus the entire valve, from being over-opened in the inner sleeve 3.

[0055] To enable the handle lever 13 to pivot about the pivot axis S, the inner sleeve 3 has an axle element 3b at its first end 3a adjacent to the pin opening 9. The axle element 3b extends orthogonally to the radial direction of the inner sleeve 3 and orthogonally to the longitudinal axis L. Correspondingly, two parallel tabs 13c with bearing eyes are formed on the handle lever 13, in which the axle element 3b is rotatably mounted to provide the pivot axis S. The handle lever 13 is in its closed position, as shown in Fig. 2b As shown, the inner sleeve 3 is detachably attached to the first end 3a of the inner sleeve 3 via corresponding locking elements and secured, for example, for transport. The inner sleeve 3 has, in the radial direction opposite the axis element 3b, a first stop surface 3c for the handle lever 13 and, adjacent to the axis element 3b, a second stop surface 3d for a corner 13d of the tabs 13c that is offset from the handle lever 13. The first stop surface 3c has a through-opening 3e, and the inner sleeve 3 has a locking recess 3f adjacent to this. A locking hook 13e is provided on the handle lever 13 as a corresponding locking element, which extends through the through-opening 3e in the closed position of the handle lever 13 and engages with the locking recess 3f. Not visible in the figures is a small hook that the valve plunger 14 has on the outside at the upper stop edge of the receiving pocket 16.This hook points radially outwards and, when the actuating section 13a strikes the stop edge from the inside, is pressed into a slot formed adjacent to the detent recess 3f in the inner sleeve 3 at the first end 3a to prevent the handle lever 13 from being over-opened.

[0056] In Fig. 2a bis 3e The tap 1 is shown in its activated state. As already described, the tap 1 is switched from its inactive state to the activated state by a twisting and pulling motion. The twisting motion is performed by rotating the handle wings 4a, 4b by 90° (in Fig. 1a to the right) and meanwhile, the handle 4 is pulled forward, thus out of the outer sleeve 2 along the cam guide located between the inner and outer sleeves 2,3. The inner sleeve 3 is therefore moved along the longitudinal axis L following a helical line defined by the cam guide between the outer sleeve 2 and the inner sleeve 3, and is completely pulled out.

[0057] Once activated, the first end 3a of the inner sleeve 3 is spaced apart from the first end 2a of the outer sleeve 2. This creates a space between the two sleeves 2 and 3, a kind of channel 8. Similarly, the sleeve element 17, located at the second end 3g of the inner sleeve 3, is spaced apart from the second end 2b of the outer sleeve 2. The inlet opening 18a of the protective cover 18 is opened, and a fluid connection is established in the channel 8 between the outer sleeve 2 and the inner sleeve 3 via the passage 17b. The handle 13 is still in the closed position. The openings 26 and 27 align and, in addition to the inlet opening 18a of the end cap 18, form another liquid inlet opening. These openings 26 and 27 also serve for residual emptying, as the drum can be tilted and thus almost completely emptied when the fill level is low.

[0058] An open position, and thus a complete opening of the fluid path through tap 1, is in the Fig. 3a bis 3e The handle lever 13 is pivoted to the left in the figures, whereby the detent elements 13e release and the components axle stub 13b in the openings of the tabs 14a and actuating section 13a follow their curved path. The pivoting movement of the handle lever 13 is limited by the second stop surface 3d. By moving the axle stub 13b, the valve tappet 14 is moved from its closed position axially along the longitudinal axis L to the first end 3a of the inner sleeve 3 and the valve openings 11 are released. The fluid path is in the Fig. 3d und Fig. 3e hinted at.

Claims

1. A retractable tap (1), formed for arrangement in an opening (101) of a beverage container (100), wherein the tap (1) has an outer sleeve (2) with a longitudinal axis (L) and an inner sleeve (3), which can be arranged coaxially in the outer sleeve (2) and which can be moved along the longitudinal axis (L) and has a handle (4) on a first end (3a) of the inner sleeve (3), wherein the handle (4) of the inner sleeve (3) - comes in a non-activated state of the tap (1) to rest against a first end (2a) of the outer sleeve (2) and - is spaced apart from the first end (2a) of the outer sleeve (2) and delimits a channel (8) with the outer sleeve (2) in an activated state, and wherein on the inner side, the inner sleeve (3) has a valve seat (10) with at least one valve opening (11) and a tap opening (9) in the radial direction between the valve seat (10) and the first end (3a) of the inner sleeve (3), and wherein the tap (1) has an actuating device, which is arranged on the handle (4) and which cooperates with a closure part (12), which is shaped so as to correspond to the valve seat (10) and which, in the activated state of the tap (1), can be transferred by means of the actuating device between a closed position, in which the closure part (12) closes the at least one valve opening (11), and an open position, in which the closure part (12) opens the at least one valve opening (11), characterized in that the actuating device is a handle lever (13), which is arranged adjacent to the handle (4) and which can be pivoted about a pivot axis (S), which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (L), wherein the handle lever (13) has an actuating section (13a), which extends into the inner sleeve (3) and which engages with a valve plunger (14), which carries the closure part (12), wherein the inner sleeve (3) has a guide element (15), by means of which the valve plunger (14) is guided along the longitudinal axis (L).

2. The retractable tap (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the engagement of the actuating section (13a), which is pivotable about the pivot axis (S), with the valve plunger (14), which is guided along the longitudinal axis (L), is provided by means of an axle element, which is guided in a cam track parallel to the pivot axis (S), wherein the actuating section (13a) has two axle stubs (13b) as axle element and the valve plunger (14) has two parallel tabs (14a) with elongate openings, which provide the cam track.

3. The retractable tap (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide element (15) connects to the valve seat (10), which tapers in a hollow frustoconical manner towards the guide element (15), on a side facing away from the first end (3a) of the inner sleeve (3), said guide element being shaped hollow-cylindrically with a closed base on the side facing away from the first end (3a) of the inner sleeve (3), wherein the at least one valve opening (11) is formed on a mantle surface of the frustoconical valve seat (10), and on a frustoconical section (14c) of the valve plunger (14), the closure part (12) is formed with a flattened side (14d), which faces the tap opening (9), and wherein the closure part (12) has at least one sealing body (12a) corresponding to the at least one valve opening (11).

4. The retractable tap (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the valve plunger (14) has an axial guide section (14b) on a side of the closure part (12) facing away from the first end (3a) of the inner sleeve (3), wherein the length thereof is selected so that the axial guide section (14b) extends into the hollow-cylindrical guide element (15) in the closed position as well as in the open position, and / or wherein the valve plunger (14) has an annular bead (14f) between the frustoconical section (14c) and the axial guide section (14b) for delimiting the closure part (12).

5. The retractable tap (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the valve plunger (14) has a circular sealing section (14e), which is arranged with respect to the first end (3a) of the inner sleeve (3) and the valve seat (10) in such a way that the sealing section (14e) is located between the first end (3a) of the inner sleeve (3) and the tap opening (9) in the closed position as well as in the open position and thus seals the inner sleeve (3) towards the first end (3a) thereof.

6. The retractable tap (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that - a plane, which the circular sealing section (14e) defines, does not extend orthogonally to the longitudinal axis (L), wherein one side of the sealing section (14e) adjacent to the tap opening (9) is arranged closer to the first end (3a) of the inner sleeve (3) than a side of the sealing section (14e) facing away from the tap opening (9), and / or - the two parallel tabs (14a) with the elongate openings, which provide the cam track for engagement with the actuating section (13a), are arranged on the sealing section (14e) on the side facing away from the closure part (12), and / or - the sealing section (14e) has a sealing layer (12b), which is preferably formed in one piece with the closure part (12).

7. The retractable tap (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the inner sleeve (3) has, on its first end (3a) adjacent to the tap opening (9), an axle element (3b), which extends orthogonally to the radial direction and to the longitudinal axis (L), and the handle lever (13) has two parallel tabs (13c) with bearing lugs, in which the axle element (3b) is rotatably mounted for providing the pivot axis (S).

8. The retractable tap (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the inner sleeve (3) has a first stop surface (3c) for the handle lever (13) in the radial direction with respect to the axle element (3b) and, adjacent to the axle element (3b), a second stop surface (3d) for a corner (13d) of the tabs (13c), which is offset from the handle lever (13), wherein the first stop surface (3c) has a through opening (3e) and, adjacent thereto, the inner sleeve (3) has a catch recess (3f), and the handle lever (13) has a catch hook (13e), which extends through the through opening (3e) and which engages with the catch recess (3f) in the closed position.

9. The retractable tap (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the actuating section (13a) is formed in a pitch circular disk-like manner and defines a disk plane, in which the longitudinal axis (L) lies, wherein the actuating section (13a) is formed with a straight side and a curved side, wherein the straight side extends orthogonally to the handle lever (13) and the curved side describes a circular arc around the pivot axis (S), and the valve plunger (14) has a slot-like receiving pocket (16), into which the actuating section (13a) protrudes, wherein the receiving pocket (16) is widened towards a side, which faces the curved side of the actuating section (13a), wherein the receiving pocket (16) is adapted to a pivot region of the actuating section (13a) upon actuation of the handle lever (13) for the transfer of the closure part (12) between the closed position and the open position.

10. The retractable tap (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the slot-like receiving pocket (16) extends from the sealing section (14e) between the parallel tabs (14a) all the way into the frustoconical section (14c).

11. The retractable tap (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a sleeve element (17) with a molded plug (17a) and a through channel (17b) is arranged in the inner sleeve (3) on a second end (3g), which faces away from the first end (3a) of the inner sleeve (3), and the tap (1) has a protective cover (18), which is arranged on a second end (2b) of the outer sleeve (2) facing away from the first end (2a) and which delimits an entrance opening (18a), wherein - in the non-activated state, the protective cover (18) rests with the entrance opening (18a) circumferentially against the plug (17a), which protrudes from the second end (2b) of the outer sleeve (2) and seals the through channel (17b), and - in the activated state, the sleeve element (17) is present with the inner sleeve (3) spaced apart from the second end (2b) of the outer sleeve (2), wherein the entrance opening (18a) of the protective cover (18) is released and the fluid connection in the channel (8) is established between the outer sleeve (2) and the inner sleeve (3) by means of the through channel (17b).

12. The retractable tap (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the inner sleeve (3) and the outer sleeve (4) are connected to one another via a sliding guide, wherein the sleeve element (17) has a cam (19), which protrudes outwards through an opening (23) in the inner sleeve (3), and the outer sleeve (4) has a curved slot (20), in which the cam (19) is received and guided, wherein the curved slot (20) depicts a helical line with an angle of rotation of 90° and a gradient, which is a function of the distance of the handle (4) from the first end (2a) of the outer sleeve (2) in the activated state.

13. The retractable tap (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the handle (4) has two wings (4a, 4b) on both sides of the handle lever (13) parallel to the pivot axis (S), between which the handle lever (13) is embedded in the closed position, wherein the wings (4a, 4b) have at least one marking, which indicates a direction of rotation of the handle (4) for the transfer from the inactivated state into the activated state.

14. The retractable tap (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the protective cover (18) extends over the curved slot (20), wherein the outer sleeve (2) has a circumferential seal (22) on the outer side on a side of the curved slot (20) facing away from the second end (2b) for the sealing arrangement of the protective cover (18).

15. The retractable tap (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the outer sleeve (2) has - a circumferential inner seal (21) to the inner sleeve (3) close to the first end (2a) on the inner side and / or - adjacent to the first end (2a) on the outer side for the sealing arrangement in the opening (101) of the beverage container (100), has a shaped element assembly (5, 6, 7), which, starting at the first end (2a), has a flange (5), a circumferential outer seal (6) and a ring of catch wedges (7).

16. A beverage container (100) with a tap, which is arranged in an opening (101) of the beverage container (100), characterized in that the tap is a retractable tap (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.