Tamper-proof liquid dispensing tap with integrated and bound tamper-evident seal opening

Abstract

A manual / automatic opening tamper-proof liquid dispensing tap (1C) with integrated and irremovable seal is described, comprising: a containing body (5); an internal valve or elastic dome membrane (4); a control element (3) contained in and operatively coupled to the internal valve or elastic dome membrane (4); and a cap (2C) equipped with integrated sealing elements (2C-2) designed to remain anchored to the cap (2C) due to flexible hinges (2C-7), and to be blocked when in their closed position by breaking jumpers or teeth (2C-1).

Description

[0001] TAMPER-PROOF LIQUID DISPENSING TAP WITH INTEGRATED

[0002] AND BOUND TAMPER-EVIDENT SEAL OPENING

[0003] The present invention refers to a tap for dispensing liquids from containers , in particular and preferably the so-called "Bag- In-Box" (hereinbelow "BIB" ) type containers .

[0004] In particular, the present invention refers to dispensing taps , preferably for BIB systems with opening, which allows the dispensing of fluids contained inside the container (preferably BIB ) , made by means of a driving element with protruding fins , on to which it is possible to apply a li fting force , preferably transmitted by the index and ring fingers , resting on the lower external surfaces of the protruding fins of said component installed on the dispensing tap and compensated by the opposable thumb placed in a position opposite to the li fting effort on the cap component also permanently installed on the dispensing tap : all this has been illustrated several times on patents previously filed and bound to the latter, as they are considered alternative technologies explained and linked to the main patent W02021111480A1 (FIG. 35 and 36) and to its first filed alternative, i.e. document WO2023047428A1 (FIG. 34 and 35) to which is referred.

[0005] In particular, the new inventive tap, generically speaking, has an anti-counterfeiting or anti-tampering system ("tamper-evident") with breakage bands, preferably lateral, which remain attached to the tap due to hinges integrated on the cap component and blocked, when they are in the closing phase, by bridges which break during the first opening phase and allow the breaking bands, preferably lateral, to bend without breaking and therefore without dispersing into the environment, freeing the movement of the driving element to which the elastic dome membrane is connected, which in turn move / deform and allow the dispensing of liquid from the container (not illustrated) , as required by the new European and international directives on articles of disposable plastic (SUP) , thus promoting its recovery and recycling.

[0006] The inventive faucet 1C of FIG. 9, like its two predecessors, i.e. the one described with reference 1A in FIG. 1 in document W02021111480A1 ( of which the necessary reference numbers will be used later ) which is considered the progenitor of this technology, and also its first explicit technological alternative , described with reference IB in FIG . 6 of document WO202304742A1 ( of which the necessary reference numbers will be used later ) , must also have shapes and geometries that enable a perfect sealing and rest on the new tamper-evident band when the tap is in the closed position, and still with the inviolate tamper- evident seal , as seen previously in the two patents already filed by the Applicant , and as will be seen better later for the present invention .

[0007] In particular, the driving element 3 must be connected to a domed elastic membrane 4 , positioned inside the body of the inventive tap 5 .

[0008] In particular, on the assembly j ust described, body 5 + domed elastic membrane 4 + driving element 3 , a cap 2A, 2B or 2C of FIG . 14 is placed, which is operationally connected to the body 5 and operationally fixes all previously described components (body 5 + elastic dome membrane 4 + driving element 3 ) and activates the various internal and external geometries ; due to this , it determines their opening ( thanks to the traction force impressed on the driving element to which it is attached) and self-closing (thanks to the elastic characteristics of the material and the special dome geometry 4) , once the integrated warranty seal 2A, 2B or 2C has been breached.

[0009] In particular, the components body 5 + elastic dome membrane 4 + driving element 3 are common parts for all versions of the tap, from 1A of document W02021111480A1 (FIG. 1, 2, 3, 4) to IB of document WO2023047428A1 (FIG. 5, 6, 7, 8) , up to the inventive tap 1C of the present Application (FIG. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) .

[0010] In particular, based on the type of cap with integrated seal that is assembled on the common assembly represented, as previously mentioned, by body 5 + domed elastic membrane 4 + driving element 3, one of three possible variants is obtained, that are closely linked to each other, i.e. 1A, IB and 1C, and also as illustrated in FIG. 14 where the common parts and the caps 2A, 2B and 2C which determine the type of dispenser are illustrated.

[0011] The inventive tap 1C of this Application has to reuse three components (tap body 5, driving element 3, domed elastic membrane 4 of FIG. 14) , which are reused in all above-mentioned versions, so as to be able to optimize its production and reduce the carbon footprint emitted for such production .

[0012] This dispensing tap 1A, IB, 1C is considered, to all intents and purposes , the progenitor of the caps having a tamper-evident seal which is integrated and indivisible from the tap from which all subsequent versions arise : once violated or operated or opened, it is known that it effectively satisfies the new European and international directives on single-use plastic items ( SUP) , as it is equipped with a warranty seal with an integrated band, preferably lateral , not dispersible into the environment , since, after its opening, it remains firmly bound to the capping device .

[0013] Compared to the main configuration of the tap 1A which is not illustrated in detail here as it is already extensively described in patent W02021111480A1 , its first variant IB shows a subsequent technological solution which highlights a hood with flaps / zippers , preferably lateral , integrated and irremovable .

[0014] Also in this case the tap IB will not be described in detail because , as for the 1A version, it has already been extensively analysed in patent W02021111480A1 , limiting itsel f to the description of the opening steps of FIG . 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 .

[0015] In order to better understand the purpose of the tap 1C, the two previous taps 1A, IB will be generically illustrated, highlighting the common parts of the inventive tap 1C, which can be reused for all versions of tap to be produced, thereby optimi zing the construction / reali zation and reducing the CO2 impact that would be created i f each version required speci fically designed details .

[0016] In this way, the environmental impact due to the production of the individual components is reduced, as three of the four components are reusable for multiple versions of the caps 2A, 2B and 2C, as illustrated in FIG . 14 .

[0017] A generic technical solution of a tap 1A of FIG . is already known . It is composed of four components stably interconnected to each other, i . e . a main body 5 in which an elastic dome 4 i s mounted, a driving element 3 stably constrained to the elastic dome 4 and a cap 2A with flexible fins , preferably lateral , integrated and indivisible due to the deformable hinges and the warranty breakage j umpers from the particular cap 2A and, consequently, from the tap 1A. The second known tap IB is always equipped with a cap component with a warranty seal integrated with deformable hinges , preferably lateral , and warranty breaking j umpers and geometries for attaching the seal once opened, integrated and irremovable to the cap component 2B of FIG . 14 and consequently by the tap IB, as it is stably connected thereto .

[0018] As illustrated in Figures 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 , the various steps that lead to the opening of tap 1A will be analysed, with the simultaneous "breakage" of the integrated and immovable tamper-evident seal .

[0019] Referring to FIG . 3 , to allow the dispensing of fluids from containers , the opening force is transmitted from the driving element 3 to the domeshaped elastic membrane 4 , to which it is operationally constrained . At the same time , the cap 2A, stably attached to the body 5 , deforms the tamper-evident fins (pre ferably lateral ) , integrated and attached to the cap 2A in order not to disperse them in the environment after the first opening, present on the cap 2A, and highlights the first opening thanks also to the deformation of the fins and the simultaneous breaking of the warranty bridges even after the release of the driving element 3 and the consequent sel f-reclosure of the dome-shaped elastic membrane 4 , as illustrated in FIG . 4 .

[0020] As shown in Figures 5 , 6 , 7 and 8 , the various steps that lead to the opening of tap IB in FIG . 5 will be analysed, with the simultaneous "breakage" of the integrated and immovable tamper-evident seal .

[0021] Referring to FIG . 6 , the tap IB in the closed position is shown . FIG . 7 shows the start of opening with the overturning of the seal and the simultaneous " freeing" of the driving element 3 and the breaking of the warranty j umpers to allow dispensing of fluids from containers . Finally, FIG . 8 shows the complete release of the driving element 3 and the coupling in the final position of the tamper-evident of the cap 2B to the geometries for maintaining the opening position j ust reached, directly obtained on the cap 2B . At this point , the tap IB is ready to dispense the liquid from the container due to the opening force transmitted from the driving element 3 to the internal sealing element , to which it is operatively connected to the domed elastic membrane 4 . The cap 2B is stably constrained to the body 5 , and once opened and brought to the opening and locking position of the integrated seal , as illustrated in FIG . 8 , highlights the first opening and therefore helps the final consumer to notice any tampering / counterfeiting .

[0022] The prerogative of the present invention is to create a dispensing cap that allows having a cap 1C ( as illustrated in FIG . 15 ) with an integrated and irremovable tamper-evident system, in order to have a further alternative to the tap 1A of FIG . 1 already equipped with a cap system 2A with tamper- evident bands (preferably lateral , but which can also have other positions ) , integrated with the cap component 2C, not divisible from the main body of the cap 2C and consequently from the tap 1C of FIG . 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 to which it is connected stably and operationally and in a non-detachable way, without distorting the current production systems of the tap itsel f , with a warranty seal compliant with the new European and international directives on disposable plastic items ( SUP ) , and which therefore remains attached to the tap after opening and does not disperse into the environment , preventing it from being disposed of incorrectly, allowing it to be recycled correctly, and which adapts to connection systems present on the market .

[0023] Obj ect of the present invention is therefore providing a technological alternative obtained with the tap 10, which allows the same characteristics of the tap 1A to be obtained by reusing all its components , i . e . the driving element 3 , the domed elastic membrane 4 and the body 5 illustrated in Fig . 14 , thereby obtaining the advantages mentioned above .

[0024] In particular, the cap 20 of FIG . 15 is designed, as the cap 2A and also the subsequent cap 2B were designed, to meet the requirements of the new European regulation called " Single-use plastics" ( SUP ) , as well as , for example , the AB 319 Cali fornia legislation in the United States . Both regulations aim to increase the amount of plastic collected and recycled, thereby reducing marine litter . As a result , CPGs ( consumer packaged goods companies ) have called on their partners to develop solutions that not only comply with new regulations , but also provide environmentally conscious consumers with solutions that fit their lifestyle and provide them the best packing experience . Another obj ect of the present invention is finding a geometry that allows a tap similar to tap 1A of FIG . 1 to be of fered on the market , so as not to require the end customer to have a " change of habit" in his way of use . As will be seen in more detail later, the new 1C tap more or less maintains the main aesthetic ( and historical ) characteristics of the tap 1A, integrating and modi fying the general geometries of the cap 2C in order to obtain a new constrained opening system .

[0025] Another obj ect of the present invention is creating a tap that is completely made of plastic material ( therefore easily recyclable ) and that adapts to the connector systems speci fically designed for this dispensing tap present on the market today without upsetting the existing production cycles , and therefore not having to invest a lot of money for the " green" change made .

[0026] The above and other obj ects and advantages of the invention, as will appear from the following description, are achieved with a dispensing tap as described in claim 1 . Preferred embodiments and non-trivial variations of the present invention form the subj ect matter of the dependent claims .

[0027] It is understood that all attached claims form an integral part of this description .

[0028] It will be immediately obvious that countless variations and modi fications can be made to what i s described ( for example relating to shape , dimensions , arrangements and parts with equivalent functionality) without departing from the scope of the invention as appears from the attached claims .

[0029] The present invention will be better described by some preferred embodiments thereof , provided by way of example and not by way of limitation, with reference to the attached drawings , in which :

[0030] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tap 1A in its closed position;

[0031] - Figure 2 is a sectional front , side and top view of an embodiment of the tap 1A in its closed position;

[0032] - Figure 3 is a front , side and sectional view of the tap 1A in its open position;

[0033] - Figure 4 is a sectional front , side and top view of an embodiment of the tap 1A in its closed position after the first opening;

[0034] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tap IB in its closed position;

[0035] - Figure 6 is a sectional front , side and top view of an embodiment of the tap IB in its closed position;

[0036] - Figure 7 is a front , side and sectional view of the tap IB in its semi-open position;

[0037] - Figure 8 is a sectional front , side and top view of an embodiment of the tap IB in its fully open position and with the tamper-evident seal band blocked on geometries integrated on the cap IB ;

[0038] Figure 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the new inventive tap 1C in its closed position;

[0039] - Figure 10 is a sectional front , side and top view of an embodiment of the tap 1C in its closed position;

[0040] - Figure 11 is a sectional front , side and top view of an embodiment of the tap 1C according to the present invention in its first activation position, preferably manual ;

[0041] - Figure 12 is a sectional front , side and top view of an embodiment of the tap 1C according to the present invention in its first complete activation position;

[0042] - Figure 13 is a sectional front , side and top view of an embodiment of the tap 1C according to the present invention in its first closing position after first activation, with the flaps blocked in the open position inside the cap 2C ;

[0043] - Figure 14 is an exploded view of the three types of valves 1A, IB and 1C, changing only the type of cap with integrated seal 2A, 2B and 2C and reusing the components of the driving element 3 , elastic dome membrane 4 for the three versions and body 5 ;

[0044] - Figure 15 is an upper side front view in section and in detail of the cap 1C .

[0045] It will be evident to an expert in the art that the described tap can be made in equivalent shapes , dimensions and details , and can be used for containers of various types , for example those so- called "Bag-in-Box" , but also those of rigid or semi-rigid or others .

[0046] The fact of being able to reuse the components currently produced gives further value to the present invention, as it allows saving time and money and does not change the final perception o f the customer .

[0047] The new solution of the tap 1C of FIG . 10 will now be described, which has a new integrated tamper-evident seal equipped with breakage j umpers which help maintain the closing position until a manual intervention by the end customer, which can preferably be opened towards the inside of the tap

[0048] 1C itself, in order to hide the locking geometries of the driving element 3. The flaps 2C-2 (preferably lateral, but can also have other positions) enter inside the cap 2C and remain locked in the operating / opening position from geometries present inside the cap 2C.

[0049] The flaps 2C-2, during the closing phase, are connected to the main body of the cap 2C by elements such as breaking jumpers or teeth 2C-1 (FIG. 15) which break during its opening. They are present on the seal elements (or tabs or tamper- evident bands) 2C-2 of FIG. 15 of the actuation geometries 2C-3 of the tamper-evident bands 2C-2 which facilitate the first manual movement of the tamper-evident fins 2C-2 inside the cap 1C. The fins are preferably pushed towards the inside of the tap 1C, where there is a "natural" internal free space 2C-4 (FIG. 10) that can be exploited between the inside of the cap 2C and the driving space of the driving element 3. There are coupling geometries 2C-5 on the cap 2C (FIG. 15) , which couple with the coupling geometries 5-1 present on the body 5 (FIG. 14) .

[0050] The tamper-evident bands 2C-2 of FIG. 15 generally have a geometry such that they can be compared aesthetically and also functionally to those present on tap 1A, so as to immediately recognize the new product by the end consumer.

[0051] This cap 2C allows, after its complete activation, freeing the driving element 3 of FIG. 11, allowing the movement of the same fins 2C-2 and therefore the opening and dispensing of fluid from the tap as in FIG. 12, and at the same time the opening driving element 3 simultaneously pushes the interlocking fins 2C-2 onto locking geometries 2C-8 obtained internally on the cap 2C, binding them in the open position, as illustrated in Figure 12.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, the tap 1C of the present invention is provided with a configuration which substantially includes: a body 5, which is a body with a "traditional" geometry equal to that used today for the tap 1A on which the necessary geometries are obtained to make it compatible with the new caps 2C (and consequently also with the caps 2A and 2B) effectively making it a universal component: this provides an enormous advantage in economic terms and in terms of implementation time of the entire project, as it allows using existing components and equipment to create the inventive tap 1C, further highlighting plus its "green" side. All necessary geometries for the perfect functioning of the tap 1C are obtained on this body 5; an internal valve or membrane or elastic dome 4 (common for all versions) which has liquid sealing and elastic element functions, and which allows to automatically re-close the tap 1C; a driving element 3 which is the element operationally connected to the dome membrane 4 and allows opening the tap 1C; a cap 2C (illustrated better in Figure 15) , with tamper-evident bands 2C-2, preferably lateral, which form a single indivisible component, with the cap 2C. The cap 2C is provided with a system of breaking jumpers or teeth 2C-1, which have the function of keeping the fins 2C-2 blocked in the closed position, and consequently block the tap 1C in the closed position, also due to the simultaneous action of the horizontal plane geometries 2C-6 present on the fins 2C-2, which rest operationally on the driving element 3 (2C- 6 on 3.1 of FIG. 10) locking it in its closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 10. On the flaps 2C-2, drive geometries 2C-3 are obtained (FIG. 15) which have the purpose of facilitating the first opening push of the flaps 2C-2 of the cap 2C as depicted in FIG. 11. There are also coupling geometries 2C-5 (FIG. 15) which match the coupling geometries obtained on the body 5. There are locking geometries 2C-8 inside the cap 2C (FIG. 15 and FIG. 12) which allow the flaps 2C-2 to be locked in their open position, as illustrated in FIG. 13. The flaps 2C-2 are connected to the cap 1C by means of integrated flexible hinges 2C-7 (FIG. 15) , forming a single indivisible piece with the cap 2C, which allows, once the tap 1C is opened, keeping the seal bound to the cap 2C (being part of it) and not disperse it into the environment, thus creating a system with non-divisible geometries as required by the new "Disposable plastic" regulations (SUP) .

[0053] The preferred embodiments of the invention have been described. In this patent, mainly the interlocking versions have been described but this does not limit the operating scope of the patent, extending it, with the relevant modifications, also to the versions that exploit existing welding technologies between two components.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 10, 11, 12 and 13, the operating method of the tap 1C of the present invention will be explained. FIG. 10 shows the cap 1C mounted on the universal assembly body 5 + driving element 3 and dome membrane 4, and fixed to it stably (preferably, but not limited to, by means of the coupling 5.1 - 2C5) . The fins 2C-2, preferably lateral, are stably constrained to the main geometry of the cap 2C by means of the flexible hinges 2C-7. The breaking jumpers or teeth 2C-1 of FIG. 10 help and warranty the maintenance of the closed position of the flaps 2C-2, which have the purpose, once the cap 1C has been opened and together with the movement of the lateral tamper evident fins 2C-2, of highlighting the opening, as they are geometries that are designed to break when the cap 2C is activated. On the tamper-evident fin 2C-2 there is a geometry with horizontal planes (flat) 2C-6 which, coupled with the flat geometry 3-1 of the driving element 3 (3-1 2C-6 of FIG. 10) helps locking the driving element 3 in its closed position. It can be seen in FIG. 10 that the internal free space 2C-4 is still free and the locking geometries 2C-8 of the seal of FIG. 10 in the open position are still "free".

[0055] FIG. 11 shows that the lateral tamper-evident elements are preferably pushed towards the inside of the tap 1C, pressing on the drive geometries 2C- 3 of FIG. 11. At this stage, the breaking jumpers or teeth 2C-1 of FIG. 11 break and release the seals which begin to occupy the internal space 2C-4 of the tap 1C.

[0056] In FIG. 12 the first opening can take place and the fins 2C-2 of the driving element 3 are free to move upwards and, being operationally coupled with the membrane 4, bring the membrane 4 into its opening position, as illustrated in FIG. 12. During this step, the driving element 3 brings the tamper- evident flaps 2C-2 to its maximum opening and enables the locking / coupling at maximum opening of the flaps 2C-2 in the internal horizontal plane geometries (2C-6) of the cap 2C (FIG. 12) . When the dispensing of liquid ends and the fins 2C-2 of the driving element 3 are released, the dome-shaped membrane 4, being elastic, closes the tap 1C as illustrated in FIG. 13. It is possible to note that the tamper-evident fins 2C-2 remain locked due to the interlocking with the internal locking geometries 2C-8 of the cap 2C.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Tamper-proof liquid dispensing tap (1C) with manual / automatic opening with integrated and irremovable seal comprising:- a containing body (5) ;- an internal valve or elastic dome membrane (4) contained in said body (5) ;- a driving element (3) operationally coupled to said internal valve or elastic dome membrane ( 4 ) ; and- a cap (2C) equipped with integrated sealing elements (2C-2) designed to remain anchored to the cap (2C) due to flexible hinges (2C-7) , and to be blocked, when in its closed position, by elements at breaking jumpers or teeth (2C-1) , said cap (2C) being placed above and stably constrained to said body (5) forming a single indivisible component with it, said cap (2C) also being operationally coupled to said element driving element (3) using flat geometries (2C-6) to keep said driving element (3) locked when it is in its closed position; wherein said driving element (3) is designed to be controlled by said cap (2C) to allow opening once the sealing elements (2C-2) of said cap (2C)have been activated by means of pressure on actuation geometries (2C-3) of said sealing elements (2C-2) of the tap (1C) , said sealing elements (2C-2) , once the tap (1C) is opened, being designed to be stably anchored in internal locking geometries (2C-8) of said cap (2C) .

2. Tap (1C) according to claim 1, wherein the sealing elements (2C-2) are shaped as fins, preferably lateral.

3. Tap (1C) according to claim 2, wherein the fins(2C-2) are pushed towards the inside of the tap(1C) , where there is an internal free space (2C-4) that is exploited between the inside of the cap(2C) and the driving space of the driving element (3) , in which the breaking jumpers or teeth (2C-1) break and release the seals which begin to occupy the internal space (2C-4) of the tap (1C) .

4. Tap (1C) according to any of the previous claims, wherein on the cap (2C) there are coupling geometries (2C-5) designed to couple with coupling geometries (5-1) present on the body (5) .

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