Dispensing tap for beverages
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0806580
(2010-08-16)
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등록번호 |
US-8584909
(2013-11-19)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Totten, Kevin
- Canning, Charlotte Hoffer
- Webster, Charles
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Hoffer Plastics Corporation
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대리인 / 주소 |
Knechtel, Demeur & Samlan
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
2 인용 특허 :
4 |
초록
▼
A dispensing tap for beverages that comprises an actuator and a valve housing. A conical spring washer is joined and/or sealed to an actuator base to form the actuator. The actuator is then inserted into the valve housing to form the dispensing tap for attachment to a container containing a liquid.
A dispensing tap for beverages that comprises an actuator and a valve housing. A conical spring washer is joined and/or sealed to an actuator base to form the actuator. The actuator is then inserted into the valve housing to form the dispensing tap for attachment to a container containing a liquid. In use, a force is exerted on the conical spring washer to actuate the actuator base within the valve housing and thereby create an opening and/or passageway in the dispensing tap. Once opened and as the force is maintained, the liquid in the container can flow through the opening or passageway for dispensing the liquid out the dispensing tap. Upon releasing the force, the conical spring washer returns back to its original position. This movement of the conical spring washer causes the actuator base to move in the reverse direction within the valve housing thereby closing the opening and/or eliminating the passageway in the dispensing tap. The resultant seal of the actuator base to the valve housing prevents any further liquid from being dispensed from the container.
대표청구항
▼
1. A dispensing tap for beverages, comprising: an actuator base having a base top having an opening and an actuator shaft having a long axis with a hollow channel terminating in a head, the actuator shaft extending outwardly from the top with the opening in the base top aligned with the hollow chann
1. A dispensing tap for beverages, comprising: an actuator base having a base top having an opening and an actuator shaft having a long axis with a hollow channel terminating in a head, the actuator shaft extending outwardly from the top with the opening in the base top aligned with the hollow channel in the actuator shaft, and the head having an exterior sidewall with an outward tapered surface and an inward tapered surface;a conical spring washer having a top having a topside and an underside, and a positioning post extending outwardly from the underside of the top, the positioning post of the conical spring washer being inserted through the opening in the base top and into the hollow channel in the actuator shaft until the underside of the top engages the base top;means for sealing the conical spring washer to the actuator shaft for forming an actuator;a hollow valve housing having a valve open top, a neck, a spout, and a valve open bottom, the neck defining an inwardly tapering wall extending from adjacent the valve open top and terminating at a throat and an outwardly tapering wall extending outwardly from the throat and terminating adjacent the valve open bottom;the outward tapered surface of the exterior sidewall of the head engaging the outward tapering wall of the neck to form a seal within the valve housing, the actuator moving inwardly in a straight line substantially along the long axis of the actuator shaft within the valve housing when a force is applied to the top of the conical spring washer causing the outward tapered surface to disengage from the outward tapering wall of the neck to release the seal;a circular passageway between the outward tapered surface of the exterior sidewall of the head and the outward tapering wall of the neck;the actuator shaft and the head moving outwardly along the long axis of the actuator shaft causing the outward tapered surface of the exterior sidewall of the head to re-engage the outwardly tapering wall of the neck to reform the seal when the force is removed from the top of the conical spring;the positioning post when inserted into the actuator shaft imparting rigidity to the actuator shaft, the actuator shaft remaining in a substantially straight orientation without any lateral support when the actuator and head are moved inwardly and outwardly during its operation to open and close the seal;a second seal formed between the valve open top and the base top for stopping the flow of any beverage past the base top and the conical spring washer;wherein, the actuator and the valve housing form the dispensing tap after the actuator is inserted and secured in the valve housing. 2. The dispensing tap of claim 1 wherein, during the insertion of the actuator into the valve housing, the inwardly tapering wall of the neck applies an increasingly inward force upon the head. 3. The dispensing tap of claim 2 wherein the head has a recessed portion that permits the exterior sidewall to be compressed from the inwardly tapering wall and inserted through the throat. 4. The dispensing tap of claim 1 wherein the passageway is in fluid communication between the valve housing and the spout for permitting the beverage to flow through the valve housing and be dispensed out the spout. 5. A dispensing tap, comprising: an actuator having a long axis and a spring loaded top and a base top situated in a resting position, an actuator member extending outwardly from the base top, and a head attached to the actuator member;a hollow valve housing having a valve open top, a neck, a spout, and a valve open bottom;the actuator inserted into the hollow valve housing to form the dispensing tap;means for forming a first circular seal between the head of the actuator and the neck of the valve housing, the circular seal preventing any liquid from being dispensed through the spout when the spring loaded top is in the resting position;the spring loaded top moving in a straight line substantially along the long axis of the actuator shaft from the resting position into an extended position when an axial force is applied to the spring loaded top;the spring loaded top, in the extended position, actuating the actuator member and the head causing the circular seal to be released and creating a circular opening between the actuator and the valve housing wherein liquid can flow through the opening and be dispensed out the spout of the dispensing tap;the spring loaded top automatically returning to the resting position when the axial force is released, the spring loaded top actuating the actuator member and the head to re-form the circular seal between the head of the actuator and the neck of the valve housing;the actuator member remaining in a substantially straight orientation without any lateral support when the actuator and head are moved between the extended position to the resting position during its operation;a second seal formed between the valve open top and the base top for stopping the past flow of any liquid the base top and spring loaded top. 6. The dispensing tap of claim 5 wherein the spring loaded top forms a convex shape when in the extended position. 7. The dispensing tap of claim 5 wherein the spring loaded top is formed from a conical spring washer integrally sealed to the base top. 8. The dispensing tap of claim 7 wherein the conical spring washer is made of a polycarbonate material. 9. The dispensing tap of claim 8 wherein the actuator base is made of a thermo plastic elastomer material. 10. A dispensing tap for beverages, comprising: a conical spring washer providing a top having a topside and an underside, and a positioning post extending outwardly from the underside of the top;an actuator base having a base top with an opening and an actuator shaft having a long axis with a hollow channel, the actuator shaft extending outwardly from the top with the opening in the base top aligned with the hollow channel in the actuator shaft,the positioning post of the conical spring washer inserted through the opening in the base top and into the hollow channel in the actuator shaft until the underside of the top engages the base top;means for sealing the conical spring washer to the actuator shaft for forming an actuator member;a hollow valve housing having a valve open top, a neck, a spout, and a valve open bottom;a first circular seal between the head of the actuator and the neck of the valve housing, the circular seal preventing any liquid from being dispensed through the spout when the spring loaded top is in a resting position;a second seal formed between the valve open top and the base top for stopping the flow of any liquid from the valve housing past the base top and spring loaded top,the positioning post when inserted into the actuator shaft imparting rigidity to the actuator shaft, the actuator shaft remaining in a substantially straight orientation along the long axis of the actuator shaft without any lateral support when the actuator member and head are moved inwardly and outwardly during its operation; andthe actuator member inserted into the valve housing to form the dispensing tap. 11. The dispensing tap of claim 10 wherein actuating the actuator member moves from a first closed position to a second open position when an axial force is applied to the conical spring washer in relation to the valve housing to release the first seal and permit liquid to freely flow through the dispensing tap. 12. The dispensing tap of claim 11 and wherein the actuator member automatically moves in a substantially straight orientation along the long axis of the actuator shaft from the first position when the axial force is released to re-seal the actuator member to the valve housing.
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (4)
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Shwery Roy P. (502 Crestview La. De Pere WI 54115), Bottle closures.
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Hyde Roger J. (Kettering GB2), Liquid dispensing tap.
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Dark Richard C. G. (8553 Red Hill Country Club Dr. Rancho Cucamonga CA 91730), Self closing dispensing valve.
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Rutler,Jay B., Spigot for a beverage dispenser.
이 특허를 인용한 특허 (2)
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Trettin, Bradley L., Liquid dispenser with valve.
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Van Der Molen, Peter Jan; Oosterling, Willem Jan Adriaan; Van Tuil, Johannes Wilhelmus; Murray, Christopher John, Liquid dispensing tap and liquid container provided therewith.
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