A tamper-evident liquid-dispensing tap and a bag-in-box containiner provided with such a tap

Abstract

A tamper-evident liquid-dispensing tap comprising: a body (1), a membrane (2), a trigger (11) that has wings (3) and is connected mechanically to the membrane (2) and configured for taking two positions: the lower position where the membrane (2) shuts off the flow of liquid through the tap; and the upper position where the membrane (2) no longer adheres to the internal surface of the body (1), thus enabling the flow of liquid through the tap; a cap (4); and interlocking elements (5) located between the trigger (11) and the cap (4) or, before the first opening of the tap, between the wings (3) and the cap (4), wherein the trigger (11) is connected to two interlocking elements (5) located on the opposite sides of the trigger (11) and attached to the upper surface of the wings (3) by means of a hinge (8) and, before the first opening of the tap, also by means of a protective seal (9); the cap (4) has guides (7) on its bottom that are shaped and configured for cooperating with adequately profiled top sections (6) of the interlocking elements (5) that have an adequate profile at their top section (6) designed for cooperation with the cap (4) guides (7) in such a way that when the trigger (11) moves towards the cap (4), the top section (6) of the interlocking elements (5) moves on the guides (7), and the interlocking elements (5) incline on the hinge (8) to the inside of the tap, wherein the first such inclination causes the protective seals (9) to break.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a liquid-dispensing tap provided with a protective seal that is not detached from the tap after its first opening. The tap is designed for use in bag-in-box containers. In addition, the solution can be used for various types of flexible packages, aseptic packages, or packages for sterilised products (milk and its derivatives, egg pastes, highly processed products, juices and beverages).Prior art

[0002] In prior art, there are known liquid-dispensing taps comprising a protective seal that remains attached to the body of the tap after opening.

[0003] For instance, EP4069628B1 discloses a liquid-dispensing tap provided with sealing elements that are broken at first opening. Wedges (3.4) located in the upper part of the flaps (3.1) guide the fins / flaps (2.1), making it possible to open the tap (and at the same time break the seal). The lateral flaps are fastened to a cap by means of two flexible hinges (2.6) integrated to the cap (2), which have the function of maintaining the two tamper-evident flaps. The seals break when the protrusions or wedges (3.4) press against the driving element, indicating that the tap has already been opened. Unlike the tap according to the invention, the fins / flaps (2.1) are fastened to the cap, not to the flaps of the tap. Furthermore, the fins / flaps (2.1) do not retract into the tap, as in the discussed solution, but remain lifted to the sides. Such a solution can hinder the use of the tap due to the presence of additional elements released at first opening. In addition, any modifications made to the tap structure can hinder the operation of pouring machines, or complex and expensive adaptation processes are required that lead to dependence on a single type of tap closure, as the use of a different type will require another changeover of the machine.

[0004] The VINlflow Secure Tap With Integrated Tamper Protection by Liquibox (shown in Fig. 1), available on www.liquibox.com / news / news-and-press-releases / liquibox-unveils-viniflow-secure- tap-with-integrated-tamper-protection / , discloses a tap without a gasket or seal that would be torn off at first use. The tap is opened in two steps: first the seals have to be broken by pressing them towards the centre of the tap body, and then it is possible to lift the wings towards the cap and to retract the latches into the tap body. Such a solution requires an additional operation and the use of both hands to open the tap, compared to the solution according to the invention.

[0005] In order to streamline the first opening of the tap and not generate additional elements of the tap that will be detached during that process, solutions are searched that will minimise the quantity of additional elements increasing the area of the tap after its opening and that will allow to open the tap in a single operation made with one hand, which will make the tap more comfortable to use and streamline and accelerate its opening.The subject matter of the invention

[0006] The subject matter of the invention is a tamper-evident liquid-dispensing tap according to independent claim 1.

[0007] Preferably, the tap has latches located on a top surface of the trigger as well as latches located on an internal surface of the interlocking elements, which are configured for cooperation with each other and for blocking the interlocking elements by connecting the latches after the first opening of the tap, in a position inclined compared to the position of the interlocking elements before the first opening of the tap, especially in a position essentially parallel to the wings.

[0008] Preferably, the side of the wings opposite to the cap is finned, corrugated or has another pattern that ensures an anti-slip surface.

[0009] Preferably, the tap is made of polyolefins, and most preferably of polypropylene, polypropylene copolymer, low-density polyethylene, or high-density polyethylene.

[0010] Preferably, the cap is attached to the body by means of mechanical fasteners (E) that are preferably integrated to the cap.

[0011] Preferably, the protective seals are made as thin bars running between the interlocking elements and the wings.

[0012] Preferably, before the first opening of the tap, the interlocking elements are positioned essentially along the tap body.

[0013] The invention further relates to a bag-in-box container provided with a tap according to the invention.

[0014] Bag-in-box containers are flexible packages designed for storing liquids, mostly foodstuffs such as wine, milk, dairy products, juices, water, egg paste, oils, and many more. In addition to foodstuffs, such containers can be used to store chemicals, for example adhesives, paints, detergents, dyes, or petroleum products. The capacity of bag-in-box containers is normally 3 to 20 litres, but other formats are also possible.

[0015] There are several categories of bag-in-box containers: aseptic bags, which are free of any microbiological contaminants (owing to the use of radiation sterilisation), self-sterilising bags, which are made of a special type of polyethylene and can be filled at up to 85 0< C (direct filling after pasteurisation), standard bags, which are made of materials that will not be affected by thermal loads.

[0016] A bag-in-box container is built of appropriately selected foils (mostly made of polyolefins) that provide adequate mechanical strength, as well as barrier foils (laminated, coextruded) that effectively reduce the penetration of oxygen into, and odours from, the container. Another important element of the bag is the flange with a valve. It is a tight closure that, on the one hand, protects the product against undesirable substances and, on the other, allows proper filling and drainage. Today the market offers many types of valves. Some of them are unique solutions developed for the purposes of a specific technological process, but most of them are commonly known to the users of such containers. Examples include the so-called butterfly closures used for producing bag-in-box containers designed for wine, juices, water, etc.

[0017] A benefit of using butterfly closures is their airtightness as well as a reduced or completely eliminated access of ambient gases to the product, even once the bag is opened, so the product lasts long and remains fresh even for several months. Butterfly taps are commonly used, as they retain a specified spatial geometry (shape). The machinery for filling the bag-in-box containers with a butterfly tap are adapted to a specific spatial geometry, so there are no complications with their use.Brief description of Drawings

[0018] The invention will now be presented closer in preferred embodiments, in reference to the attached drawing, wherein: Fig. 1 (prior art) shows a VINlflow Secure Tap known in prior art, Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the tap in closed position, Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of individual parts of the tap, Fig. 4 shows a lateral cross-section of the tap in closed position, Fig. 5 shows a frontal cross-section of the tap in closed position before the first opening, Fig. 6 shows a frontal cross-section of the tap in closed position with the protective seal and interlocking elements being marked, Fig. 7 shows a diagram of the cap viewed from the bottom with visible guides, Fig. 8 shows a diagram of the trigger with the wings and interlocking elements being marked, Fig. 9 shows a frontal cross-section of the tap in the first phase of its first operation, Fig. 10 shows a frontal cross-section of the tap in the second phase of its first operation, Fig. 11 shows a frontal cross-section of the tap in the third phase of its first operation, Fig. 12 shows a frontal cross-section of the tap in the fourth phase of its first operation, Fig. 13 shows a frontal cross-section of the tap in the fifth phase of its first operation. Fig. 14 shows a detailed view of element A shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 15 shows a detailed view of element B shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 16 shows a detailed view of element C shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 17 shows a detailed view of element D shown in Fig. 4 Fig. 18 shows a detailed view of element E shown in Fig. 4. The following designations are used in the attached drawing: 1 - body, 2 - membrane, 3 - wings, 4 - cap, 5 - interlocking elements, 6 - upper surface of interlocking elements, 7 - guides, 8 - foil hinges, 9 - protective seals, 10a, 10b - latches, 11 - trigger, 12 - pressure strips, A, B - areas where the membrane adheres to the tap body, C - membrane-trigger connection, D - the area where the membrane is pressed through the pressure strips, E - mechanical fastenersDetailed description of the invention

[0019] An embodiment of the tap according to the invention is presented in Fig. 2. The tap can be made of polyolefins, such as polypropylene, polypropylene copolymer, low-density polyethylene, or high-density polyethylene. The tamper-evident liquid-dispensing tap comprises five main elements that are responsible for its operating functions: the body 1 with the membrane 2 inside, the trigger 11, wings 3, and the cap 4. A diagram of the tap presenting its individual components is shown in Fig. 3.

[0020] The membrane 2 is connected mechanically to the trigger 11 (Fig. 5 and Fig. 16) that is configured for taking two positions: the lower position and the upper position. When the trigger 11 shown in Fig. 8 is in the lower position, the membrane 2 located inside the body 1 acts as a sealing and a valve shutting off the flow of liquid by adhering to the internal surfaces of the body 1 at the entire circumferences of its rotating part (Fig. 14 and Fig. 15). The cap 4 presses the upper envelope of the membrane 2 by means of pressure strips 12 shown in Fig. 7, preventing the membrane from moving up, which is shown in Fig. 4 and, in a closer view, in Fig. 17. At the same time, the cap 4 is permanently attached to the body 1 through a set of mechanical fasteners (Fig. 18) that are integrated to the cap 4 as shown in Fig. 4. The trigger 11, connected mechanically to the membrane 2, has wings 3 that comprise the upper surface (on the cap 4 side) and the lower surface (on the side opposite to the cap 4). When the trigger 11 is in the lower position, the wings 3 are located further from the cap 4, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0021] Before the first use, the tap is protected against tampering (undesired opening) by means of two interlocking elements 5 integrated with the wings 3 of the trigger 11, located on the opposite sides of the trigger 11, between the trigger 11 wings 3 and the cap 4, essentially along the body 1 of the tap, as shown in Fig. 6, in such a way that when the trigger 11 is in the lower position, the wings 3 are located further from the cap 4. The interlocking elements 5 are attached to the upper surface of the wings 3 by means of foil hinges 8 and a protective seal 9 located further from the centre of the body 1 than the hinge 8. The protective seals are made as thin bars running between the interlocking elements 5 and the wings 3. In this position, the interlocking elements 5 prevent the wings 3 from lifting by leaning against the cap 4 by means of their upper surfaces 6. Such a design prevents the membrane 2 from deforming and protects it against the undesirable impact of the substance inside the container.

[0022] During the first phase of the first opening of the tap, as a result of lifting the wings 3 and moving the trigger 11 to the upper position closer to the cap 4, the protective seals 9 become strained, the interlocking elements 5 initially incline to the inside of the body 1 and their upper parts 6 are directed to the guides 7, and the foil hinge 8 deforms, which is presented in Fig. 9. Due to the wings 3 being lifted, the trigger 11 reaches its upper position, which causes the membrane 2 to deform in such a way that at least a part of its circumference no longer adheres to the surface inside the body 1, allowing the liquid to flow through the tap.

[0023] In the second phase of the first opening of the tap, shown in Fig. 10, the trigger 11 moving to the cap 4 causes the move of the upper surface 6 of interlocking elements 5 on the guides 7 running through the curvature of the surface and located on the bottom surface of the cap 4 (Fig. 7). The guides 7 are shaped and configured for cooperating with adequately profiled top sections 6 of the interlocking elements 5 that have an adequate profile at their top section 6 designed for cooperation with the cap 4 guides 7. During further lifting of the wings 3 and movement of the trigger 11 to the cap 4, the top section 6 of the interlocking elements 5 moves on the guides 7, and the interlocking elements incline on the hinge 8 to the inside of the tap. Then the foil hinge 8 further deforms, and the protective seals 9 break.

[0024] In the third phase of the first opening of the tap, shown in Fig. 11, the interlocking elements 5 lean against the bottom part of the cap 4.

[0025] In the fourth phase of the first opening of the tap, shown in Fig. 12, the wings 3 with the trigger 11 are in the extreme upper position. The interlocking elements 5 are maximally inclined to the inside of the tap compared to their position before the first opening of the tap. The foil hinges 8 are deformed to the maximum. In the fifth phase of the first opening of the tap, shown in Fig. 13, once the force applied on the wings 3 is cut off, the wings 3 and the trigger 11 return to their lower position, that is the position where the trigger 11 is located further from the cap 4. The interlocking elements 5 remain in a position essentially parallel to the wings and do not return to the original position from before the opening of the tap, which is supposed to be a clear indication for the users that the tap has been opened. The cooperating latches 10a, 10b are responsible for blocking the interlocking elements 5 in the inclined position compared to the position of the interlocking elements 5 before the first opening of the tap. Latches 10a are located on the upper surface of the trigger 11, while latches 10b are located on the internal surface of the interlocking elements 5. Once latches 10a and 10b interconnect after the first opening of the tap, the interlocking elements 5 are fixed in a position essentially parallel to the wings 3.

[0026] After removing the force applied on the wings 3, since the membrane 2 is flexible, it returns to its original shape, and the flow of liquid is shut off.

[0027] In order to provide slip protection, the lower surface of the wings 3 (on the side opposite to the cap 4) may be finned, corrugated or have another pattern.

[0028] The solution according to the invention provides a structure of a tap that is optimised for protecting the tap against undesired opening. With the use of protective seals (which, after the first opening of the tap, are broken and the interlocking elements retract to the inside of the tap), a tap with an ergonomic design is obtained. The first opening of the tap is carried out with a single movement, so the use of the tap is uncomplicated, quick and safe. In addition, since the plastic elements are not detached during use, the tap complies with the Single Use Plastic (SUP) Directive, which is aimed at reducing the environmental impact of plastics. The solution according to the invention maintains the presently existing geometry of butterfly taps, so it is not required to modify the gripping elements on pouring machines, which makes the implementation process much easier and, consequently, reduces the costs of adapting the new tap.

[0029] The tap according to the invention can be fully used in bag-in-box containers.

Claims

1. A tamper-evident liquid-dispensing tap comprising: - a body (1), a cap (4) attached to the body, - a membrane (2) located inside the body (1), which membrane (2) is connected mechanically (C) to a trigger (11), wherein the trigger(11) is configured for taking two positions: the lower position where the circumference of the membrane (2) adheres to an internal surface of the body (1), shutting off the flow of liquid through the tap; and the upper position where the membrane (2) is deformed so that at least a part of the membrane (2) circumference no longer adheres to the internal surface of the body (1), thus enabling the flow of liquid through the tap, - the trigger (11) connected mechanically to the membrane (2), which has wings (3) comprising an upper surface, on the cap (4) side, and a lower surface, on the side opposite to the cap (4), and is configured for taking two positions: a lower position where the wings (3) are located further from the cap (4), and the membrane (2) shuts off the flow of liquid through the tap; and an upper position where the wings (3) are located closer to the cap (4), and at least a part of the membrane (2) circumference no longer adheres to the internal surface of the body (1), thus enabling the flow of liquid through the tap, - interlocking elements (5) located between the trigger (11) and the cap (4) or, before the first opening of the tap, between the wings (3) and the cap (4), wherein the trigger (11) is configured for taking two positions: the lower position where the wings (3) are located further from the cap (4), and the upper position where the wings (3) are located closer to the cap (4) and the interlocking elements (5) are inclined to the inside of the tap compared to their position before the first opening of the tap, characterised in that the trigger (11) is connected to two interlocking elements (5) located on the opposite sides of the trigger (11) and attached to the upper surface of the wings (3) by means of a hinge (8) and, before the first opening of the tap, also by means of a protective seal (9) located further from the centre of the body (1) than the hinge (8); the cap (4) has guides (7) on its bottom that are shaped and configured for cooperating with adequately profiled top sections (6) of the interlocking elements (5) that have an adequate profile at their top section (6) designed for cooperation with the cap (4) guides (7) in such a way that when the trigger (11) moves towards the cap (4), the top section (6) of the interlocking elements (5) moves on the guides (7), and the interlocking elements (5) incline on the hinge (8) to the inside of the tap, wherein the first such inclination causes the protective seals (9) to break.

2. The tap according to claim 1, characterised in that it has latches (10a) located on an upper surface of the trigger (11) as well as latches (10b) located on an internal surface of the interlocking elements (5), which are configured for cooperation with each other and for blocking the interlocking elements (5) by connecting the latches (10a) and (10b) after the first opening of the tap, in a position inclined compared to the position of the interlocking elements (5) before the first opening of the tap, especially in a position essentially parallel to the wings (3).

3. The tap according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the side of the wings (3) opposite to the cap (4) is finned, corrugated or has another pattern that ensures an anti-slip surface.

4. The tap according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the tap components are made of polyolefins, preferably selected from among polypropylene, polypropylene copolymer, low-density polyethylene, and high-density polyethylene.

5. The tap according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the cap (4) is attached to the body by means of mechanical fasteners (E) that are preferably integrated to the cap (4).

6. The tap according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the protective seals (9) are made as thin bars running between the interlocking elements (5) and the wings (3).

7. The tap according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that before the first opening of the tap, the interlocking elements (5) are positioned essentially along the tap body (1).

8. A bag-in-box container provided with the tap according to any of claims 1 to 7.

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