Patent ID: 6053475
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: B67D

Abstract:
A tap for withdrawing fluid from a container, said tap comprising:an outer tube adapted for inserting into an opening of said container and mounting in sealing engagement therewith;an inner tube which is received in sliding and sealing engagement within said outer tube;an inlet opening provided in said outer tube;an outlet opening provided in said inner tube;an inlet opening provided in said inner tube which communicates with said outlet opening of said inner tube;guide means provided on said outer and said inner tubes for guiding movement of said inner tube within said outer tube between a closed position, in which said inner tube is fully retracted within said outer tube and in which the inlet openings of said outer tube and said inner tubes do not overlap, an intermediate ready position in which said inlet openings of said outer tube and said inner tubes are not yet aligned with one another, and an open position in which said inlet openings of said outer and said inner tubes are at least partially aligned with one another;wherein said guide means comprises:an axial portion extending axially on said inner tube;a circumferential portion extending circumferentially on said inner tube; andan engagement means guided within said axial portion and said circumferential portion and allowing axial movement of said inner tube within said outer tube between said closed and intermediate positions and allowing rotating movement of said inner tube within said outer tube between said intermediate and said open positions;wherein said inner tube further comprises a sealing surface which is embedded in a lateral surface of said inner tube, and which extends axially and circumferentially on the lateral surface of the inner tube to sealingly cover any possible range of movement of said inlet opening of said outer tube with respect to said inner tube in axial and rotational directions, as allowed by said guide means.