Tamper-evident liquid-dispensing tap

Abstract

The present invention relates to taps for dispensing liquids from the containers of the type "Bag-in-Box" with the control of first opening. The proposed invention allows to obtain a tap for dispensing liquid with reliable, simple and safe tamper-evident system reducing the risk of plastic elements entering the environment and providing full compliance with the requirements of the European and international directives on the reduction of impact of single-use plastic articles.

Description

[0001] TAMPER-EVIDENT LIQUID-DISPENSING TAP

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a tamper-evident tap for dispensing liquid from a container, and specifically from a container of the type “Bag-in-Box” (also referred to as BiB).

[0004] Description of Prior Art

[0005] In the prior art, tamper-evident taps for dispensing liquid from a respective container are known. These taps comprise driving members having protruding wings, petals or blades that can be actuated by a user. In particular, a lifting force is applied to bias the driving member from a lower position to an upper position, mainly by the index and middle / ring fingers on lower surfaces of the wings. The lifting force is counteracted by a thumb placed on an upper surface of the tap in a position opposite to the lifting force.

[0006] In the known taps, the driving member moves axially within a cap between the upper and lower positions in order to open and close the tap, respectively. Specifically, the driving member is coupled to an elastic valve or a membrane, and is configured to bias such valve or membrane from a closed configuration to an open configuration. In the closed configuration, the valve is configured to seal the tap and prevent the dispensing of liquids from the container.

[0007] It is known in the prior art to include taps for dispensing liquid, comprising tamper-evident elements which, in turn, provide visual evidence of the first opening of the tap, to immediately reveal an unauthorized or previous use of the container.

[0008] An example of anti-counterfeiting system is shown in document EP0432070A1, which discloses a tap having a tear-off device. This tear-off device is circumferentially connected to a cap of the tap and configured to prevent the movement of the piston until such device is removed from the tap by a user.

[0009] Another prior art tap with an anti-counterfeiting system is disclosed in document EP1748028A1, wherein the tap has a security sealing tape wound around a cap of the tap. A lug is provided at the end of the security sealing tape to be gripped by a user for tearing it off, such tape being coupled to the cap with a plurality of breakable teeth or ribs (seals).

[0010] However, such known dispensing taps should comply with the European and international directives (e.g., Directive (EU) 2019 / 904) on the reduction of impact of single-use plastic articles, according to which a warranty seals, security sealing elements, means of protection from intervention and tamper-evident systems, i.e., the elements providing visual evidence of the first opening of the container, must not come off the tap as it could be dispersed in the environment if not properly disposed of. Solutions complying with the above mentioned or similar plastic-related directives are known from the prior art.

[0011] For example, document EP4069628A1 discloses a tamper-preventing tap for dispensing liquids and with an automatic opening. Specifically, the described tap comprises a driving member with protruding wings, wherein the driving member is coupled to an internal elastic valve or a membrane and adapted to move axially inside a cap' of the tap. It also comprises integrated security sealing elements configured to be broken by the driving element when the tap is first opened.

[0012] Another known tap complying with the above mentioned directives is disclosed in document DE202022105115U1, wherein the tap is provided with the improved tamper-evident device disclosed in the above mentioned document EP0432070A1. The improvement of such device consists in that the tear-off tape remains on the tap cap as it is integral with the cap at its rear side (the side where the tap contacts with a container), while the wings of the driving member are released from blocking.

[0013] Prior Art Problems

[0014] The known taps have the disadvantage of not fixing such tamper-evident element to the tap, as they increase general geometry of the tap after the first opening, which can lead to its detachment during transport or use, making it difficult to recycle it and increasing the risk of individual plastic elements entering the environment.

[0015] Moreover, the taps disclosed in documents EP4069628A1 and DE202022105115U1 require the tamper-evident elements to be partially deformed or broken because plastic elements have bending lines, which impairs their mechanical properties substantially, thereby increasing the probability of their tearing off from the cap. According to document EP4069628A1, it occurs due to the driving member applying the lifting force when sealing elements are unbent from the cap. According to document DE202022105115U1, after applying force by the user, the tear-off tape at the rear side of the tap where sealing (security sealing) elements end is deformed, as the radius of tom off fragments changes as compared to the part remaining on the cap. In other words, at the places of deformation of the tear off tape, the quality of such connection is low. In this way, there is a risk that further breakage of tamper-evident elements will disperse fragments of plastic into the environment. Additionally, due to their impaired connection to the cap, they may be introduced into a working mechanism of the tap and damage its elements, for example a cap or a driving member, thereby compromising its primary function. Worse still, a plastic fragment may be introduced into the liquid as it is dispensed from the container, potentially harming the user and leading to undesirable consequences.

[0016] The invention is based on the object of creation of a tap for dispensing liquid with a tamper- evident device, which would be capable of overcoming the aforementioned prior art drawbacks. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a tamper-evident tap for dispensing liquid, which would have a reliable, simple and safe tamper-evident device to minimize a risk of plastic elements entering the environment and provide a full compliance with the requirements of the relevant European and international directives.

[0017] Summary of the invention

[0018] The object is fulfilled by a tamper-evident tap for dispensing liquid, which comprises a containing body with a dispensing opening for liquid passage, a valve system located inside the containing body, a hollow cap connected to the containing body, a driving member with protruding wings, configured to move from the lower position to the upper position to bias the valve system from a closed configuration to an open configuration, and a tamper-evident device. According to the invention, the tamper-evident device contains a movable ring and at least one coupling element to secure the ring to the hollow cap, wherein all elements of the tamper-evident device remain attached to the tap after the first opening of the tap.

[0019] Advantageously, the ring of the tamper-evident device is not deformed, thus reducing the risk of detachment of a plastic part from the tap and entering the environment. Indeed, despite the fact that the ring according to the invention is completely detached from the cap after the first use, it remains a non-detachable part of the tap, it does not change general geometry of the tap during the first and further uses, which results in creation of safer, more reliable and simple tamper-evident device.

[0020] Still advantageously, the tamper-evident device provides for obvious visual, audible and tactile evidence of the first opening of the tap, which prevents from returning the device to the initial position, thereby preventing from any attempts of fraudulence and / or unauthorized access.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the ring of the tamper-evident device is further provided with extended sections, the tamper-evident device being configured for retaining each of extended sections of the ring in the position over the respective protruding wings of the driving member before the first opening.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment, the tamper-evident device is configured for detachment from the cap due to rotational movement of the ring and breaking the coupling elements. Such rotational movement may occur automatically, during biasing the valve system of the driving member to an open configuration, or manually by a user prior to biasing the valve system of the driving member to an open configuration.

[0023] Preferably the tamper-evident device is rotatable clockwise and / or counterclockwise to the angle providing the position of the extended sections beyond the respective protruding wings, i.e. for positioning the extended sections at least partially between protruding wings. More preferably, such that the tamper-evident device could provide for rotation by the angle of 15° to 165°, preferably 45° to 135°, in particular, substantially by 90°.

[0024] In another preferred embodiment, the extended sections of the movable ring are spaced along the containing body at a distance which corresponds to the distance at which the protruding wings of the driving member are located.

[0025] In another preferred embodiment, the tamper-evident device enables complete blocking the driving member, thereby preventing from unauthorized first opening.

[0026] In another preferred embodiment, the ring, after the first opening, is retained within the area of the containing body between the containing body of the hollow cap and the protruding wings of the driving member.

[0027] Preferably, the ring is movable together with the driving member from the lower position to the upper position during biasing the valve system from a closed configuration to an open configuration after the first opening.

[0028] In another preferred embodiment, the valve system is a membrane or an elastic valve, preferably an elastic valve.

[0029] In another preferred embodiment, the driving member is made in the form of a piston mechanism, for example, a piston.

[0030] In another preferred embodiment, the ring of the tamper-evident device has an internal diameter which is made smaller that the external diameter of the hollow cap.

[0031] In another preferred embodiment, the coupling element is a plurality of breakable bridges.

[0032] In another preferred embodiment, the ring of the tamper-evident device is made integrally with a hollow cap or as a separate element discretely from the hollow cap. Herein the coupling element may be represented by a collar formed in the ring and / or in the hollow cap, preferably the collar being able to connect the hollow cap and the ring before the first opening and prevent from returning to the initial attached position after the first opening.

[0033] In one of the alternative embodiments, the coupling element is represented by at least one tearable sticker securely fixed both to the ring and the hollow cap, the tearable sticker being configured for connecting the hollow cap and the ring before the first opening and preventing from returning to the initial attached position after the first opening.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the ring and / or hollow cap are provided with one or more elements for visual and / or tactile interaction with a user, selected from the group comprising of protrusions, inscriptions, marks, ribs, curves, cutouts, grooves, slots, recesses, riffles, etc., or a combination thereof.

[0035] In one of the alternative embodiments, the extended sections the rings are made inclined and capable of interaction with the respective protruding wings of the driving member to provide simultaneous or sequential breakage of coupling elements of the tamper-evident device during the first opening. More preferably, protruding wings of the driving member are additionally equipped with matching inclined protrusions configured for interaction with the respective inclined extended sections of the ring.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the tamper-evident device is made capable of conservation of outline dimensions of the tap in each of the projections before the first opening and after the first opening.

[0037] Still preferably, the tamper-evident device is made capable of providing visual, audible and / or tactile perception of the tap opening by a user.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the ring maintains the shape of a continuous ring after the first opening. Moreover, the said ring can have an external surface made in the form of a closed contour with an arbitrary acceptable external geometry of the figure, for example, a polyhedron, in particular, a pentahedron, hexagon, etc., oval, ellipse, circle, etc., which has the shape of a ring inside.

[0039] Illustrative variants and examples of implementation of the invention are described below with reference to the figures. These examples are provided for better understanding of the invention without limitation of the scope thereof.

[0040] Singular terms as used herein, including claims, should be construed as including plural forms as well, and vice versa, unless the context dictates otherwise. It should be noted that the terms used herein in singular include the respective terms in plural, unless the context dictates otherwise.

[0041] As used throughout the description and claims, the terms «contains», «includes», «has», as well as their various derivatives, should be construed as meaning «including but not limited to», and not intended to exclude other components.

[0042] The present invention also comprises precise meanings of the terms, features, values and ranges in cases where such terms, features, values and ranges are used in combination with such terms as «approximately», «about», «generally», «substantially», «mainly», «at least», etc. (i.e. ((substantially 10» will also comprise 10 precisely, or about 10, for example from 9 to 11).

[0043] The term «at least one» should be construed as meaning «one or more», therefore it comprises both embodiments including one or more components.

[0044] It should be noted that the above mentioned embodiments of the invention may be subjected to changes and still remain within the scope of the invention. If not stated to the contrary, the features disclosed in the description may be replaced with alternative features, provided that the latter serve the same, equivalent or similar purpose. Therefore, unless stated otherwise, each disclosed feature represents one example of the general combination of equivalent or similar features.

[0045] The use of preliminaries, such as «for example», «such as», «specifically», etc. is merely intended for better illustration of the invention and does not indicate the limitation of the scope, unless explicitly stated to that effect. Any steps described herein may be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless the context directly indicates otherwise.

[0046] All features disclosed in the description may be united in any combinations, except for the combinations where at least some of features are mutually exclusive. In particular, preferable features of the invention may be applied to all aspects of the invention and may be used in any combination.

[0047] Brief description of the drawings

[0048] The features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description of one practical embodiment which is illustrated with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0049] - Figure 1 shows an example of use of the tamper-evident liquid-dispensing tap according to the invention, wherein the ring of the tamper-evident device is shown separated from the cap;

[0050] - Figure 2 shows an upper perspective view of the tap according to the invention, wherein the ring of the tamper-evident device is shown in its initial state, attached to the cap;

[0051] - Figure 3 A shows an exploded front view of the tap according to the invention;

[0052] - Figure 3B shows an exploded side view of the tap of Figure 3 A;

[0053] - Figure 4A shows an upper perspective view of the cap of the tap with a tamper-evident device according to the invention in the first configuration;

[0054] - Figure 4B shows a bottom perspective view of the cap of the tap with a tamper-evident device of Figure 4 A;

[0055] - Figure 5A shows a side view of the cap of the tap with a tamper-evident device of Figure 4A;

[0056] - Figure 5B shows a close-up of the cap of the tap with a tamper-evident device of Figure 5A;

[0057] - Figures 6A - 6E show a perspective view of the tap according to the invention in first, second, third, fourth and fifth configurations respectively;

[0058] - Figure 7A shows a sectional view (A-A) of the tap according to the invention in the first configuration;

[0059] - Figure 7B shows a side view of the tap of Figure 7A;

[0060] - Figure 7C shows a partial sectional view (A-A) of the tap according to the invention in the fourth configuration;

[0061] - Figure 7D shows a side view of the tap of Figure 7C;

[0062] - Figure 8A shows a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the tap according to the invention in the first configuration; - Figure 8B shows a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the tap according to the invention in the third configuration;

[0063] - Figure 9A shows an upper perspective view of the cap of the tap with a tamper-evident device according to the alternative embodiment of the invention in the first configuration;

[0064] - Figure 9B shows a bottom perspective view of the cap of the tap with a tamper-evident device of Figure 9A;

[0065] - Figure 10A shows a side view of the cap of the tap with a tamper-evident device of Figure 9A;

[0066] - Figure 10B shows a close-up of the cap of the tap with a tamper-evident device of Figure 10A;

[0067] - Figure 11A shows a side view of the driving member according to the alternative embodiment of the invention;

[0068] - Figure 1 IB shows a close-up of the element A of the driving member of Figure 11 A;

[0069] - Figure 12 shows a top view of the driving member of Figure 11 A;

[0070] - Figures 13A - 13D show a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the tap according to the invention in first, second, third, and fourth configurations respectively;

[0071] - Figure 14A shows a sectional view (A- A) of the tap according to the alternative embodiment of the invention in the first configuration;

[0072] - Figure 14B shows a top view of the tap of Figure 14A;

[0073] - Figure 14C shows a close-up of the part of the tap of Figure 14A;

[0074] - Figure 15A shows a partial sectional view (A-A) of the tap according to the alternative embodiment of the invention in the second configuration;

[0075] - Figure 15B shows a top view of the tap of Figure 15A;

[0076] - Figure 15C shows a close-up of the part (B) of the tap of Figure 15A;

[0077] - Figures 16A - 16H show perspective views of possible embodiments of the tap according to the invention;

[0078] - Figure 17 shows a perspective view of the possible alternative embodiment of the tap according to the invention.

[0079] Reference designations on the figures:

[0080] 1 - tap for dispensing liquid;

[0081] 2 - containing body;

[0082] 2a - dispensing opening of the containing body;

[0083] 2b - internal surface of the containing body;

[0084] 3 - valve system;

[0085] 4 - hollow cap;

[0086] 4a - main body of the hollow cap; 5 - driving member;

[0087] 5a - protruding wings of the driving member;

[0088] 6 - tamper-evident device;

[0089] 7 - movable ring;

[0090] 7a - external surface of the ring;

[0091] 8 - coupling element;

[0092] 9 - the extended sections of the ring;

[0093] 10 - internal cavity;

[0094] 11 - guide of the hollow cap;

[0095] 12 - pin of the driving member;

[0096] 12a - annular groove of the driving member;

[0097] 13 - seat of the valve system;

[0098] 13a - annular protrusion of the valve system;

[0099] 20 - connecting portion of the containing body;

[0100] 40 - upper surface of the hollow cap;

[0101] 50 - inclined protrusions of the driving member.

[0102] The examples and figures herein are not intended to limit embodiments of the tap for dispensing liquid according to the invention and rather provided for illustration thereof.

[0103] Detailed description of the invention

[0104] With particular reference to the accompanying figures, 1 refers to a tamper-evident liquiddispensing tap. The tap 1 according to the invention is adapted for the dispensing of liquid from a container, not shown in the attached figures, specifically for a container of the type “Bag-in-Box” (or BiB container).

[0105] The tap 1 contains a containing body 2 having a dispensing opening 2a delimited by an internal surface 2b. In the preferred embodiment, as shown for example in Figures 2, 3B, 8A, 14B, 16A - 16H, 17, a containing body 2 comprises a connecting portion 20 configured to be connected to the container. The dispensing opening 2a allows the dispensing of liquid from the container to the outside the tap 1. Still preferably, the containing body 2 is made of plastic material.

[0106] The tap 1 also contains a valve system 3 (Figures 3 A, 3B, 7A, 14 A) located inside the containing body 2 and configured to engage the containing body 2, and specifically the internal surface 2b of the containing body 2, to close the dispensing opening 2a in a closed configuration. At the same time, the valve system 3 is configured to bias from the closed configuration, in which it seals the tap, to an open configuration, in which the valve system 3 allows the dispensing of liquid from the container to the outside the tap 1 through the dispensing opening 2a. In detail, when the valve system 3 is in the open configuration, the dispensing opening 2a is in fluid connection with the container.

[0107] An example of the closed configuration, before the first opening, is shown in Figures 2, 7A - 7B, 8A, 14A - 14B, 16A - 16H and 17, while an example of the closed configuration after the first opening is shown in Figures 1, 6C, 6E and 13D. An example of the open configuration is shown instead in Figures 6D, 7C - 7D, 13B and 15A- 15C.

[0108] Preferably, the valve element system 3 comprises an elastic valve or membrane. Still preferably, the valve system 3 is made of an elastic material, for example of rubber, silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, etc. In addition, the valve system 3 has a dome shape. The dome-shaped elastic valve is known in the prior art and will not be described further.

[0109] The tap 1 for dispensing liquid comprises a hollow cap 4 connected to the containing body 2 and defines an internal cavity 10. Preferably the cap 4 is arranged on a top portion of the containing body 2. Still preferably, the cap 4 has a substantially cylindrical shape. Still preferably, the cap 4 is made of plastic material.

[0110] The tap 1 for dispensing liquid comprises a driving member 5 with protruding wings 5a, movably located into the cap 4 and operatively connected to the valve system 3. Specifically, the driving member 5 is arranged inside the internal cavity 10. The driving member 5 is configured to move within the hollow cap 4, and thus into the internal cavity 10, between a lower position and an upper position. In more detail, the driving member 5 is configured to move from the lower position to the upper position to bias the valve system 3 from a closed configuration to an open configuration. Specifically, the driving member 5 with protruding wings 5a allows the opening of the tap 1 because of a traction force, i.e., a lifting force, exerted on the protruding wings 5a of the driving member 5 by a user, as shown in Figure 1. Preferably, the driving member 5 is made of plastic material.

[0111] Preferably, the hollow cap 4 contains at least one guide 11 configured to stably limit the movement of the driving member 5 within the cap 4. Advantageously, guide 11 allows a translation of the driving member 5 in the axial direction, while movements along other directions are prevented.

[0112] According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the driving member 5 comprises a pin 12, extending along the axial direction, as shown in Figures 3 A, 3B, 7A, 11A and 14 A. The valve system 3 comprises a seat 13 configured to receive and connect to the pin 12 of the driving member 5. Preferably, the seat 13 comprises an annular protrusion 13 a, while the pin 12 comprises an annular groove 12a configured to receive the annual protrusion 13a.

[0113] Preferably, the tap 1 for dispensing liquid has an automatic self-closing mechanism. In more detail, the valve system 3 is attached to the driving member 5 and is configured to return the driving member 5 from the upper position to the lower position due to a spring effect of the valve system 3. Indeed, the elastic properties and the dome shape of the valve system 3 ensure automatic return thereof to the closed configuration once the lifting force has ceased.

[0114] The cap 4 comprises a main body 4a that delimits the internal cavity 10 and has an upper surface 40. The upper surface 40 extends transversally to the axial direction.

[0115] According to the preferred embodiment, the ring 7 is further provided with extended sections 9, the extended sections 9 being retained by a tamper-evident device 6 in the position over the respective protruding wings 5a of the driving member 5 before the first opening. Preferably, such configuration provides for complete blocking the driving member 5, thereby preventing from unauthorized or accidental first opening of the tap. Indeed, the extended sections arranged over the respective protruding wings prevent from biasing the valve system 3 from a closed configuration to an open configuration.

[0116] Preferably, the tamper-evident device 6 is separated from the hollow cap 4 due to rotational movement and breakage of coupling element(s) 8 of the tamper-evident device 6. The rotational movement as such is pre-performed by a user, through rotation of the ring 7 clockwise or counterclockwise, as shown in Figures 6A - 6E. Preferably, rotation is performed substantially by 90°, or by other minimally required angle, for example substantially from 15° to 165°, which is sufficient to provide such position of the extended sections 9 to be beyond the respective protruding wings 5a, i.e. between them. It should be noted that the extended sections 9 of the ring 7 do not prevent from further use of the tap 1, as they are arranged between the protruding wings 5a due to gravity.

[0117] According to the possible aspect of the invention, the extended sections 9 of the ring 7 are spaced along the containing body 2 at a distance which corresponds to the distance at which the protruding wings 5a of the driving member 5 are located.

[0118] Preferably, the ring 7, upon separation from the hollow cap 4, i.e. after the first opening, is retained within the area of the containing body 2, specifically, between the containing body 4a of the hollow cap 4 and the protruding wings 5a of the driving member 5. More preferably, after the first opening, the ring 7 is movable together with the driving member 5 from the lower position to the upper position during biasing the valve system 3 from a closed configuration to an open configuration. Additionally, in order to lower risks of separation of the tamper-evident device 6 from the elements of the tap 1, the movable ring 7 has an internal diameter which is made smaller that the external diameter of the hollow cap 4, i.e. the external diameter of its main body 4a. At the same time, the ring 7 maintains the shape of a continuous ring after the first opening and subsequent uses. Preferably, the ring 7 has an external surface 7a having circular shape, or shape other than circular, in particular, in the form of a closed contour with an arbitrary acceptable external geometry of the figure, for example, a polyhedron, in particular, a pentahedron, hexagon, etc., oval, ellipse, etc., which has the shape of a ring inside, which provides for more convenient interaction with a user.

[0119] In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 5B and 10B, the coupling element 8 is made in the form of plurality of breakable bridges, for example from 2 to 15 bridges, more preferably from 4 to 8 bridges, in order to provide audible perception of the tap opening by a user.

[0120] Alternatively, the coupling element 8 is made in the form of a collar formed in the ring 7 and / or in the hollow cap 4, the collar being able to connect the hollow cap 4 and of the ring 7 together before the first opening (not shown in Figures).

[0121] According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, the coupling element 8 is at least one tearable sticker adhesively secured both to the ring 7 and the hollow cap 4, the tearable sticker connects the hollow cap 4 and the ring 7 together only before the first opening of the tap 1. At the same time, the torn fragments of the sticker also remain an integral part of the tap 1 (not shown in Figures).

[0122] According to the possible aspect of the invention, the hollow cap 4 contains, as a coupling element 8, irreversible movement locks configured for retaining the ring 7 in its lower position before the first opening of the tap 1, i.e. in the position where the ring directly contacts the protruding wings 5a of the driving member 5. At the same time, the irreversible movement locks are made in such a way that during the first opening the ring 7 are moved and locked under the main body 4a of the cap 4, hereby providing obvious visual perception of the first opening of the tap 1 (not shown in Figures).

[0123] In the preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 4A - 5B and 9A - 10B, all elements of the tamper-evident device 6, including the ring 7, are made integrally with a hollow cap 4.

[0124] According to the alternative aspect of the invention the ring 7 of the tamper-evident device 6 is made as a separate element, discretely from the hollow cap 4 (not shown in Figures).

[0125] In the preferred embodiment, as shown, for example, in Figures 16A - 17 the ring 7 and / or the hollow cap 4 are provided with one or more elements for visual and / or tactile interaction with a user. Such interaction element may be represented by, but not limited to, protrusions, inscriptions, marks, ribs, curves, cutouts, grooves, slots, recesses, riffles, etc.

[0126] According to the alternative embodiment of the invention the extended sections 9 of the ring 7 are made inclined and capable of interaction with the respective protruding wings 5a of the driving member 5, hereby providing for simultaneous breakage of coupling elements 8 of the tamper-evident device 6 during the first opening. In other words, the first opening and the respective activation of the tamper-evident device is carried out automatically during the first use, without a need in special rotational movement by a user. More preferably, protruding wings 5a of the driving member 5 are additionally equipped with matching inclined protrusions 50 configured for interaction with the respective inclined extended sections 9 of the ring 7 and promote to the process of breaking the coupling elements 8, i.e. separation of the ring 7 from the cap 4.

[0127] According to one aspect of the invention, the tamper-evident device 6 allows to conserve outline dimensions of the tap 1 in each of the projections before the first opening and after subsequent uses, for example as shown in Figure 14B showing the top view of the tap before the first opening, and in Figure 15B showing the top view of the tap after the first opening. Figures 7B and 7D show side views of the tap before the first opening and during the use of the tap (open configuration) respectively.

[0128] In the preferred embodiment, tamper-evident device 6 is made capable of providing visual, audible and / or tactile perception of the tap 1 opening by a user.

[0129] The inventor also provides additional illustrations of possible configurations of the tap 1 provided according to the invention and shown in Figures 6 A - 6E and Figures 13A - 13D.

[0130] Figures 6A - 6E illustrate five possible configurations for the preferable embodiment, wherein: the first configuration (Figure 6A): the tap 1 for dispensing liquid is in its closed state before the first opening. To effect the first opening of the tap 1, a user rotates the ring 7 of the tamper-evident device 6 by rotation thereof, for example counterclockwise, thereby releasing the protruding wings 5a from locking by the extended sections 9 of the ring 7. the second configuration (Figure 6B): the extended sections 9 of the ring is located beyond the protruding wings 5a of the driving member 5. The ring 7 is lowered under the gravity, until the ring 7 is located directly on the protruding wings 5a. the third configuration (Figure 6C): the ring 7 rests on the protruding wings 5a of the driving member 5, the extended sections 9 being locked due to gravity in the space between the protruding wings 5a. In this configuration, the tap 1 is considered as having been subjected to the first opening and it can be used further for dispensing liquid. For this purpose, a user applies lifting force to the driving member 5. the fourth configuration (Figure 6D): the tap 1 is in the open configuration, i.e. the configuration wherein the dispensing opening 2a is in fluid connection with the container and liquid is dispensed. To bias the tap 1 into its closed configuration, a user stops acting on the driving member 5, with the resulting automatic returning of the tap 1 into its closed configuration by the valve system. the fifth configuration (Figure 6E): the tap 1 for dispensing liquid is in its closed state after the first opening.

[0131] According to the embodiment of the invention, during the subsequent use of the tap 1, the third and fourth configurations are repeated in the following order: 3-4-3. Figures 13A - 13D, in turn, illustrate four possible configurations for the alternative embodiment (with automatic first opening), which include: the first configuration (Figure 13A): the tap 1 for dispensing liquid is in its closed state before the first opening. To effect the first opening of the tap 1, a user applies lifting force to the protruding wings 5a of the driving member 5 (preliminary actions are not applied to the tamper- evident device 6, and the first opening occurs automatically). the second configuration (Figure 13B): the tap 1 is in the open configuration, i.e. the configuration wherein the dispensing opening 2a is in fluid connection with the container and liquid is dispensed. Due to the inclined configuration of the extended sections 9 of the ring 7 and the respective inclined protrusions 50 of the driving member 5, the ring 7 is rotated clockwise. To bias the tap 1 into its closed configuration, a stops acting on the driving member 5, with the resulting automatic returning of the tap 1 into its closed configuration by the valve system. the third configuration (Figure 13C): the tap 1 is in the closed configuration. The extended sections 9 of the ring are located beyond the protruding wings 5a of the driving member 5. The ring 7 is lowered under the gravity, until the ring 7 is located directly on the protruding wings 5 a. the fourth configuration (Figure 13D): the tap 1 for dispensing liquid is in its closed state after the first opening.

[0132] According to this embodiment, during the subsequent use of the tap 1, the fourth and the second configurations are repeated in the following order: 4-2-4.

[0133] Therefore, the proposed invention allows to obtain a tamper-evident liquid-dispensing tap with reliable, simple and safe tamper-evident system to reduce the risk of plastic elements entering the environment and providing full compliance with the requirements of the European and international directives on the reduction of impact of single-use plastic articles.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Tamper-evident liquid-dispensing tap (1), comprising:- a containing body (2) with a dispensing opening (2a) for liquid passage,- a valve system (3) located inside the containing body (2),- a hollow cap (4) connected to the containing body (2),- a driving member (5) with protruding wings (5a) configured to move from the lower position to the upper position to bias the valve system (3) from a closed configuration to an open configuration, and- a tamper-evident device (6), characterized in that the tamper-evident device (6) contains a movable ring (7) and at least one coupling element (8) to secure the ring (7) to the hollow cap (4), wherein all elements of the tamper-evident device (6) remain attached to the tap (1) after the first opening of the tap (1).

2. The tap according to claim 1 , wherein the ring (7) of the tamper-evident device (6) is further provided with extended sections (9), the tamper-evident device (6) being configured for retaining each of the extended sections (9) of the ring (7) in the position over the respective protruding wings (5a) of the driving member (5) before the first opening.

3. The tap according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the tamper-evident device (6) is configured for detachment from the cap (4) due to rotational movement and breakage of coupling element(s) (8) of the tamper-evident device (6).

4. The tap according to claim 3, wherein the tamper-evident device (6) is rotatable clockwise and / or counterclockwise to the angle providing the position of the extended sections (9) beyond the respective protruding wings (5a), for example substantially from 15° to 165°, for example substantially by 90°.

5. The tap according to any one of claims 2 - 4, wherein the extended sections (9) of the ring (7) are spaced along the containing body (2) at a distance which corresponds to the distance at which the protruding wings (5a) of the driving member (5) are located.

6. The tap according to any one of claims 1 - 5, wherein the tamper-evident device (6) enables complete blocking of the driving member (5) from unauthorized first opening.

7. The tap according to any one of claims 1 - 6, wherein the ring (7) is retained within the area of the containing body (2) between the containing body (4a) of the hollow cap (4) and the protruding wings (5a) of the driving member (5) after the first opening.

8. The tap according to any one of claims 1 - 7, wherein the ring (7) is movable together with the driving member (5) from the lower position to the upper position during biasing the valve system (3) from a closed configuration to an open configuration after the first opening.

9. The tap according to any one of claims 1 - 8, wherein the valve system (3) is a membrane or elastic valve.

10. The tap according to any one of claims 1 - 9, wherein the driving member (5) is made in the form of a piston mechanism, in particular a piston.

11. The tap according to claim 1 - 10, wherein the ring (7) of the tamper-evident device (6) has an internal diameter which is made smaller that the external diameter of the hollow cap (4).

12. The tap according to any one of claims 1 - 11, wherein the coupling element (8) is a plurality of breakable bridges.

13. The tap according to any one of claims 1 - 12, wherein the ring (7) of the tamper-evident device (6) is made integrally with the hollow cap (4).

14. The tap according to any one of claims 1 - 12, wherein the ring (7) of the tamper-evident device (6) is made as a separate element, discretely from the hollow cap (4).

15. The tap according to any one of claims 1 - 11, wherein the coupling element (8) is a collar formed in the ring (7) and / or the hollow cap (4), the collar being able to connect the hollow cap (4) and of the ring (7) together before the first opening.

16. The tap according to any one of claims 1 - 11, wherein the coupling element (8) is represented by at least one tearable sticker, securely fixed both to the ring (7) and the hollow cap (4), the tearable sticker bring configured for connecting the hollow cap (4) and of the ring (7) together before the first opening.

17. The tap according to any one of claims 1 - 16, wherein the ring (7) and / or the hollow cap (4) are provided with one or more elements for visual and / or tactile interaction with a user, selected from the group comprising of protrusions, inscriptions, marks, ribs, curves, cutouts, grooves, slots, recesses, riffles, or a combination thereof.

18. The tap according to any one of claims 2 - 5, 7 - 15, wherein the extended sections (9) of the ring (7) are made inclined and capable of interaction with the respective protruding wings (5a) of the driving member (5) to provide simultaneous or sequential breakage of coupling elements (8) of the tamper-evident device (6) during the first opening.

19. The tap according to claim 18, wherein the protruding wings (5a) of the driving member (5) are equipped with matching inclined protrusions (50) configured for interaction with the respective inclined extended sections (9) of the ring (7).

20. The tap according to any one of claims 1 - 19, wherein the tamper-evident device (6) is made capable of conservation of outline dimensions of the tap (1) in each of the projections before and after the first opening.

21. The tap according to any one of claims 1 - 20, wherein the tamper-evident device (6) is made capable of providing visual, audible and / or tactile perception of the tap (1) opening by a user.

22. The tap according to any one of claims 1 - 21, wherein the ring (7) maintains the shape of a continuous ring after the first opening.

23. The tap according to any one of claims 1 - 22, wherein the ring (7) has an external surface (7a) made in the form of a closed contour with an arbitrary acceptable external geometry of the figure, for example, an oval, ellipse, circle, or polyhedron, in particular, a pentahedron, hexagon, which has the shape of a ring inside.

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