초록 ▼

A liquid-dispensing tap includes a tap body which is mountable to a container holding liquid, a seal member disposed within the tap body, and an actuator connected to the seal member. The actuator is pivotally disposed on the tap body so that when pivoted by a user, a seal formed between the seal me

A liquid-dispensing tap includes a tap body which is mountable to a container holding liquid, a seal member disposed within the tap body, and an actuator connected to the seal member. The actuator is pivotally disposed on the tap body so that when pivoted by a user, a seal formed between the seal member and the tap body is disengaged, allowing liquid within the container to dispense. The actuator may be pivoted in any number of predetermined directions. The tap may be manufactured and assembled to consist essentially of only the tap body, the seal member, and the actuator, thereby eliminating many other elements commonly found in conventional taps.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A tap for dispensing liquid, said tap comprising:a tap body defining an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path communicating therebetween; a dispensing seat around said outlet; a recess positioned between said inlet and said outlet, said recess defining a part of said flow path, and inc

[ We claim:] [1.] A tap for dispensing liquid, said tap comprising:a tap body defining an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path communicating therebetween; a dispensing seat around said outlet; a recess positioned between said inlet and said outlet, said recess defining a part of said flow path, and including an opening outwardly on said body; anda shoulder defined around said opening of said recess and having a top surface;a resilient seal member disposed within said recess and including a base portion sealingly received in said recess adjacent to said opening thereof, a sealing portion movably engaging sealingly with said dispensing seat, and a resilient portion inherently providing a bias force to urge said sealing portion against said dispensing seat; andan actuator for dispensing liquid from the container upon activation, said actuator including a pivotal seat disposed on said shoulder, and a stem coupling to said seal member to lift said sealing portion off said dispensing seat;whereby, said actuator pivots at said seat on said shoulder, which shoulder forms a fulcrum such that said stem pulls said sealing portion away from said dispensing seat against said bias force of said resilient portion thereby allowing liquid to flow from said inlet along said flow path and from said outlet. [29.] A method for controllably dispensing liquid from a container and tap combination, said method comprising steps of:providing a container for holding liquid and including a wall and a liquid outlet;providing a tap for dispensing the liquid from the container via the container liquid outlet,configuring the tap to include a tap body sealingly mounting to the wall of the container at the container liquid outlet,utilizing the tap body to define:an inlet receiving communication of liquid from the container liquid outlet,a tap outlet,a flow path extending from the tap inlet to the tap outlet,a recess defining a part of the flow path and defining an opening outwardly on the tap body,a dispensing seat defined around the tap outlet, anda shoulder defined around the opening;providing a seal member disposed within the recess and configuring the seal member to include:a base portion sealingly received within the recess adjacent to the opening thereof,a sealing portion sealingly and removably engaging the dispensing seat,a resilient portion between the base and sealing portions andproviding a bias force to urge the sealing portion against the dispensing seat;providing an actuator for dispensing liquid from the container upon activation and including:a handle portion movable in at least one predetermined direction,a pivotal seat disposed on the shoulder and carrying the handle portion,a stem extending from the actuator within the shoulder and coupling to the seal member;providing for the actuator to pivot on the pivotal seat with the shoulder providing a fulcrum so that movement of the handle in the predetermined direction pulls the stem to move the sealing portion away from the dispensing seat thereby allowing liquid to flow from the container into the inlet and from the outlet;moving the handle in the predetermined direction; andreleasing the handle to allow the seal portion of the seal member to sealingly engage the dispensing seat because of the resilient bias of the seal member.