Abstract:
A valve particularly suitable for use on disposable containers has a valve head on a flexible membrane. A simple lever moves the valve head to open the valve and deform the membrane. The shape of the membrane returns the valve head to a closed position upon release of the lever. Structure for restricting movement is provided for preventing excessive deflection of the membrane.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of International Application Number PCT/NZ02/00045, filed on 28 Mar. 2002. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to container valves. Specifically the valve of the present invention may be used in so-called “bag-in-a-box ” fluid dispensing applications where it is of advantage to have a self-closing valve or tap assembly, which can be operated easily, and quickly by a user.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Numerous different types of valves and taps have been developed and used to dispense a wide range of fluids from various containers. One common application for taps and valves is “bag-in-a-box ” products in which a bladder is provided within a cardboard box, and a low cost, disposable tap is provided to dispense fluid from the bladder.  
           [0004]    In bag-in-a-box products the valve assembly provided needs to be formed inexpensively from low cost materials allowing the whole packaging assembly to be discarded once the contents of the bladder has been dispensed. Of course, the valve must still operate effectively, to tightly close and prevent spills or leakage even after long periods of use with frequent or infrequent opening and closing cycles.  
           [0005]    One problem associated with such tap or valve assemblies is the ease with which they can be used to dispense fluid from the disposable bladder. Some of the known designs require the use of several fingers of one or both hands to operate an actuation button or lever efficiently. Some designs require the user&#39;s hands to be placed in an awkward position. Furthermore, some of these assembles also require a separate movement from the user to close the tap or valve in addition to the first movement to open the valve. This, too, can be awkward, requiring repositioning of the user&#39;s hand and increasing the risk of accidental spilling or overflowing the container being filled from the dispenser.  
           [0006]    It is also possible that the user may not completely close the valve, resulting in intermittent dripping of fluid from the valve.  
           [0007]    A valve or tap assembly that improves on the above disadvantages and problems would be of advantage. A valve or tap assembly that can be operated by one or two fingers only, and that closes automatically when the user&#39;s hands or fingers are not in contact with the assembly would be of advantage.  
           [0008]    The present invention addresses the foregoing problems and provides the public with a useful choice.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention provides a valve having an elastomeric component operated by a simple lever requiring only single action for opening and automatic return to a closed position upon release of the lever.  
           [0010]    In one aspect thereof, the present invention provides a valve with a body defining a fluid channel including a first open end forming an inlet to the channel and a valve seat within the body defining an outlet in fluid communication with the channel. A valve head is adapted to engage the valve seat to close the outlet from the fluid channel. A lever connected to the valve head is adapted to pivot the valve head toward the valve seat to close the valve and to pivot the valve head away from the valve seat to open the valve upon movement of the lever. A movement restricter connected to the body is positioned to restrict movement of the valve head in the direction to open the valve.  
           [0011]    In another aspect thereof, the present invention provides a valve with a hollow body defining a fluid channel including a first open end forming an inlet to the channel and a valve seat within the body at a second end thereof defining an outlet in fluid flow communication with the channel. A lever is pivotally connected to the body. A valve membrane of flexible material defines a valve head therein adapted to engage the valve seat to close the outlet from the fluid channel. The valve membrane is connected to and forms a fluid tight seal between the body and the lever. The valve head and the lever are associated to pivot the valve head toward the valve seat to close the valve and to pivot the valve head away from the valve seat to open the valve upon movement of the lever. A movement restricter is connected to the body and positioned to restrict movement of the valve head in a direction to open the valve.  
           [0012]    In still another aspect thereof, the present invention provides a valve with a hollow body defining a fluid channel including a first open end forming an inlet to the channel and a valve seat within the body at a second end thereof defining a downwardly opening outlet in fluid flow communication with the channel. A lever is pivotally connected to the body. A valve membrane of flexible material defines a valve head therein adapted to engage the valve seat to close the outlet from the fluid channel. The valve membrane is connected to and forms a fluid tight seal between the body and the lever. The valve head and the lever are operatively associated to pivot the valve head toward the valve seat to close the valve and to pivot the valve head away from the valve seat to open the valve upon movement of the lever. The valve membrane is formed in a shape having memory, and is positioned on the body for deflection from the shape to open the valve upon movement of the lever and for returning to the shape for closing the valve upon release of the lever. A cap connected to the body substantially covers the valve membrane, and has a portion thereof positioned to restrict movement of the valve head in a direction to open the valve.  
           [0013]    An advantage of the present invention is providing a fluid-dispensing valve that can be operated easily and comfortably, and that closes automatically when not operated for opening.  
           [0014]    Another advantage of the present invention is providing a fluid-dispensing valve that can be manufactured using relatively low cost materials and manufacturing techniques for use on disposable packaging applications.  
           [0015]    Still another advantage of the present invention is providing a fluid-dispensing valve that has tamper-evident structures providing a visible indicator when the seal has been breached.  
           [0016]    Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like features. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a self-closing valve in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the underside of a valve in accordance with the present invention, with some structures removed and the valve shown in an opened position;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the valve of FIG. 2, but shown from the top of the valve;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a perspective, partial cut-away view of the valve in FIG. 3, shown from the opposite side and revealing internal structures of the valve;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cap and tamper-proof seal of the valve shown in FIG. 1, but removed for clarity and illustration in FIGS.  2 - 4 ; and  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0023]    Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0024]    Referring now more specifically to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a valve assembly  10  configured in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Valve assembly  10  can be used for dispensing liquids from a variety of packages or containers, including but not limited to bag-in-a-box type packages. Reference throughout this specification will be made to the present invention being used in a bag-in-a-box application, but those skilled in the art should appreciate that other applications for the invention are also considered. For example, in one embodiment one end of the valve assembly may be provided with a male or female-thread connection system to allow it to be engaged with other components of a fluid delivery or dispensing apparatus.  
         [0025]    Valve assembly  10  is formed from a main body  12  that is substantially hollow and defines or forms a channel  14  through which fluid can flow from a package (not shown) on which valve assembly  10  is installed. Fluid can flow from the container into valve assembly  10  through a first or inner end  16  of the body  12  that is open into the container and defines an inlet to the valve. Fluid flows out from valve assembly  10  through a downwardly opening valve seat  18  in a second or outer end  20  of body  12 , seat  18  being in fluid flow communication between channel  14  and the outside of valve assembly  10 , and thereby defining a valve outlet.  
         [0026]    A valve head  22  is provided to open and close the outlet from channel  14 .  
         [0027]    Preferably, valve head  22  has a non-drip profile for engagement with valve seat  18 . Valve head  22  can pivot into engagement with valve seat  18  to close the outlet from channel  14  and can pivot away from valve seat  18  to open the channel  14 . The form and configuration of valve head  22  may be arranged so as to seal tightly the end of fluid channel  14  by engaging with the edges or rim of the valve seat  18 .  
         [0028]    A trigger lever  24  is connected to body  12  and to valve head  22 , and is used by an operator of the valve to pivot valve head  22  toward and away from valve seat  18 . Lever  24  is shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and  4  in a position where valve head  22  is pivoted away from the valve seat  18  to open fluid channel  14  from the body  12 , allowing fluid to pass out of valve assemble  10 .  
         [0029]    In a preferred construction, valve body  12  and lever  24  are cast as an integral body of relatively rigid material, such as food-safe plastic if valve assembly  10  is to be used for dispensing beverages or other fluids for human consumption. A hinge  26  of thin plastic material is formed as the interconnection between lever  24  and body  12 , allowing pivoting movement of lever  24  relative to body  12 .  
         [0030]    Valve head  22  is part of a valve membrane  28  formed of flexible, preferably somewhat elastic, food-safe material if valve assembly  10  is to be used for dispensing beverages or other fluids for human consumption. Valve membrane  28 , including valve head  22  can be formed by overmolding on main body  12  and trigger lever  24 , and serves as an end enclosure of fluid channel fluid  14 , completely sealing the area between body  12  and lever  24  in a fluid-tight manner. Valve head  22  is a formed, thickened structure shaped to sealingly engage valve seat  18  when valve assembly  10  is in a closed position. Wings  30  and  32  are provided from lever  24  and are secured to valve head  22  on opposite sides thereof, for proper positioning of head  22  in valve seat  18  when lever  24  is in a closed position. Valve membrane  28  further includes lateral flanks  34  and  36  and a top  38  each extending from valve head  22  to body  12 .  
         [0031]    The interaction of valve seat  18  and valve head  22  can be best understood with reference to the cutaway view shown in FIG. 4. Elastic valve membrane  28  can flex to pivot valve head  22  in and out with respect to the valve seat  18 . Valve membrane  28  is provided in a shape having memory. Thus, when valve head  22  is pivoted away from seat  18 , the cooperative shapes of flanks  34  and  36 , and top  38  of elastic membrane  28  provide a biasing force to resist motion of lever  24  pivoting head  22  away from seat  18 . When the user releases lever  24 , the biasing force provided through elastic membrane  28  pulls and pivots valve head  22 , to move back into engagement with valve seat  18 , to close fluid channel  14  formed within the valve body  12 .  
         [0032]    Trigger lever  24  is operated easily by a user of valve assembly  10 .  
         [0033]    Through a force applied by one or two fingers, lever  24  can be pulled outwardly and down by a user, to open valve assembly  10 . Conversely, to close valve assembly  10 , the user simply pushes the lever  24  in the opposite direction or by simply releasing the trigger lever  24 , the biasing force applied by elastic membrane  28  will pull valve head  22  back into engagement with valve seat  18 .  
         [0034]    It should be understood that pivoting lever  24  to the extreme positions shown in FIGS.  2 - 4  is not required to open valve assembly  10  and allow fluid to pass therethrough. The extreme positioning of lever  24  is shown in FIGS.  2 - 4  to better reveal the internal parts of valve assembly  10 , and to explain the operation thereof. During use and operation of valve assembly  10 , valve membrane  28  is inwardly folded rather than outwardly folded, as shown in FIGS.  2 - 4 . If opened to the outwardly folded, extreme position shown in FIGS.  2 - 4 , the biasing force from the shape and elasticity of membrane  28  may be insufficient to close valve assembly  10  automatically.  
         [0035]    A rigid cap  50  is provided to cover at least a portion if not substantially all of the exposed outer surfaces of membrane  28 . Cap  50  includes a ring  52  that is attachable to body  12 , surrounding lever  24  at the base thereof. A tab  54  is connected to and extends inwardly in ring  52 . Tab  54  restricts outward movement of membrane  28  and specifically outward movement of valve head  22  thereof. Tab  54  thereby ensures that membrane  28  remains at least partially inwardly folded and is not completely outwardly folded.  
         [0036]    A tamper-evident seal  60  is incorporated with cap  50 , and includes an inner strap  62  and outer blocking member  64  positioned closely to or against lever  24 . FIG. 5 shows cap  50  and tamper evident seal  60  apart from body  12 .  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 1 shows valve assembly  10  before use, with tamper-evident seal  60  in place thereon. Tamper-evident seal  60  is connected weakly to cap  50  by frangible links  66 . In the exemplary embodiment, frangible links  66  are provided between inner strap  62  and ring  52 . Inner strap  62  can be provided with a handle  68 , which can be grasped and pulled or twisted to break frangible links  66  and remove tamper-evident seal  60  when valve assembly  10  is placed into use for dispensing fluid from a container on which it is installed.  
         [0038]    Valve assembly  10  can not be opened without fracturing one or more frangible link  66 . Any tampering with trigger level  24  will break one or more frangible link  66 , thereby providing a visual indication of tampering.  
         [0039]    Additionally, tamper-evident seal  60  provides a level of security against accidental opening of valve assembly  10  during transportation and/or handling of a container in which valve assembly  10  is installed.  
         [0040]    FIGS.  2 - 4  show perspective views of a valve that differs from that of FIG. 1 only with respect to a connector  70  used for attaching valve assembly  10  to a container or package on which it is used. Connector  70  also can be adapted to allow valve  10  to be connected to fluid supply lines or fluid distribution networks and to dispense fluid from such networks easily. For example, connector  70  may be formed from a female threaded component  72  as shown in FIG. 1. Connector  70  also can include a male component  74  that is inserted into a container, and may include threads or ribs  76  for securing attachment of valve assembly  10  to the container.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of a valve assembly  80  of the present invention in which a cap  82  is rigidly connected to, and preferably formed integrally with main body  12 . Cap  82  includes an outer wall  84  positioned outwardly of lever  24  and essentially defines a pocket  86  in which lever  24  can operate. The internal structures of valve assembly  80  are substantially as shown and described previously herein, and include a valve membrane  28  with a valve head  22  operating in conjunction with valve seat  18  and lever  24  to open and close valve assembly  80 . Valve assembly  80  is operated easily by grasping lever  24  and outer wall  84  between a thumb and forefinger on one hand, and pinching to move lever  24  toward wall  84 , thereby opening valve  80 . Since outward movement of lever  24  is restricted by wall  84 , membrane  28  is not deformed excessively, and the shape and elasticity thereof returns valve assembly  80  to a closed position upon release of lever  24 .  
         [0042]    Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defmed herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.  
         [0043]    Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.