Abstract:
A valve assembly to dispense fluid from fluid containers including a member that is rotatably slideable in a tube between open and closed positions. The valve assembly utilizes sealing beads to provide seals so that fluid cannot be dispensed from the assembly when the assembly is in the closed position. The valve assembly also includes a tamper evident indicator to show a user whether or not the valve assembly has been previously actuated. The tamper evident indicator may include a tab that is broken when the valve assembly is first actuated. The tamper evident indicator may also include a skirt that either detaches from a knob or fractures when the valve assembly is first actuated.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to valve assemblies utilized with containers that can control the flow of fluids being dispensed from such containers and specifically valve assemblies having tamper evident devices that show users that the valve assembly has either been previously actuated or tampered with.  
         [0002]     Valve assemblies for dispensing fluid from containers, systems or other sources are known in the art. Such valve assemblies, for example, are widely used with containers for dispensing liquids such as wine, syrups, juices, teas and other like beverages. Trouble-free, easy-to-use and reliable valve assemblies are significant considerations in such dispensing applications. Additionally, as valve assemblies are typically disposed of along with their containers once the contained fluid has been consumed, it would be desirable for the valves to be recyclable. Moreover, since most of the valve assemblies are disposed after use, the cost of manufacturing the valve assemblies is a significant factor.  
         [0003]     One type of valve assembly commonly used includes push body closures in which a cap or spout having a dispensing aperture is used to dispense fluid by applying a force to pull or push the aperture to a dispensing position. Some of those prior art valve assemblies generally include relatively complex and involved structures which are difficult to manufacture, such as by molding processes, and/or include fragile elements which are susceptible to breakage.  
         [0004]     Another type of valve assembly known in the prior art utilizes a tap feature wherein a tap is rotated between open and closed positions to dispense fluid. Valve assemblies having such tap features generally have ridges or protrusions that mate with grooves and/or seats to provide seals that stop fluid from being dispensed when the valve assemblies are in the closed position. To ensure that those types of valve assemblies do not leak when used, the assemblies must be manufactured so as to provide a tight seal between the ridges and the grooves or seats. Thus, during manufacture great care is taken to make certain that the ridges and their respective grooves mate properly. Such efforts add to the costs of producing such assemblies as well as increasing the complexity of such designs. It is also a known disadvantage that such valve assemblies with the tap feature have a propensity to open during transportation either because of inadvertent actuation or vibration.  
         [0005]     Moreover, all of the prior art valve assemblies present safety concerns. Neither the assemblies nor containers employ a feature or device to indicate that the containers have been tampered with or that some or all of the fluid has been lost by prior actuation of the valve assemblies.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention may be used in the food service, beverage and/or chemical industry or any use where fluid containers are stored and then transported to a final destination where the fluid is dispensed from the container. It should also be understood that the valve assembly can be used in both liquid and gas applications. A typical fluid container is a “bag-in-box” packaging container; however, other fluid containers may be used. The “bag-in-box” container includes a collapsible plastic bag filled with a liquid that is contained in a cardboard box. The valve assembly is generally assembled to the bag at the filler and then shipped to the end user. The end user or operator can either dispense the liquid directly from the container or connect it to another dispensing system using a suitable connector.  
         [0007]     In one embodiment of the invention, the valve assembly includes a tube having first and second open ends with an inlet opening coming into the tube shaft between the two open ends. Preferably, the inlet opening is closer to the first open end. The tube includes at least two sealing beads which are continuous protrusions around the inside wall of the tube. At least one sealing bead is located between the first open end and the inlet opening; and at least one sealing bead is also located between the second open end and the inlet opening. The tube additionally includes two protrusions on the outside wall of the tube near the second opening.  
         [0008]     A member having a knob at one end may also used in the valve assembly of the present invention. The knob preferably includes two grooves such that when the member is inserted into the tube, the walls of the tube engage the knob, and the protrusions and the grooves cooperate so that the member can rotatably slide between open and closed positions.  
         [0009]     When the valve assembly of the present invention is in the closed position, the sealing beads are in contact with the sides of the member providing a seal so that fluid flow from the inlet is blocked. When the valve assembly is in the open position, the member rotatably slides away from the inlet, removing the seal between the sealing bead and the member near the first open end so that fluid is able to be dispensed from that end. While in the open position, the sealing bead near the second open end of the tube maintains its seal so that fluid does not escape through the second open end.  
         [0010]     It should be appreciated that the member of the valve assembly can be tapered so that, as the member rotatably slides into the closed position, the sealing beads of the tube exert a greater force onto the sides of the member providing a tighter seal.  
         [0011]     Thus, one object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a valve assembly which is reliable, relatively inexpensive, easy to manufacture and easy-to-use. It is a further object to provide a valve assembly that includes a tamper evident feature whereby a user can quickly determine whether the valve assembly has been previously actuated or tampered with. Additionally, it is further object to provide a valve assembly that is connected to the container and ready-to-use which cannot be inadvertently actuated during storage or transportation.  
         [0012]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the sealing beads are placed on the sides of the member of the valve assembly so that the sealing beads provide a sealing contact with the inside walls of the tube. It should also be appreciated that the inside walls of the tube could be tapered so, as the member rotatably slides into the closed position, the sealing beads exert a greater force onto the inside walls of the tube providing a tighter seal.  
         [0013]     It should also be appreciated that, in order to prevent accidental actuation of the valve assembly while it is in either the open or closed position, detents can used in conjunction with the protrusions and grooves of the knob.  
         [0014]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tamper evident indicator so that a user can quickly see whether the valve assembly was previously opened or tampered with. In one embodiment of the invention, the tamper evident indicator is a skirt that is attached to the knob so that when the valve assembly is first actuated, the skirt can either detach itself from the knob or the skirt can fracture so that the user can quickly determine whether or not the valve assembly has been previously actuated.  
         [0015]     In another embodiment of the invention, the tamper evident indicator is one or more tabs located inside one or all of the grooves of the knob so that when the valve assembly is in the closed position, the tabs are located adjacent to the protrusions. When the valve assembly is first actuated the tabs will break, evidencing to a user that the valve assembly has been previously actuated. The tabs can partially or fully bridge the groove.  
         [0016]     It should also be appreciated that the tamper evident indicators described above can be used to prevent accidental actuation of the valve assembly.  
         [0017]     With all of the above described embodiments of the present invention, the valve assemblies are easy to produce and simple to assemble as the tube and the member can be snap fitted together. Moreover, the valve assemblies of the present invention are simple to use and are relatively inexpensive. And, since all of the valve assembly can be made utilizing plastic the assembly is easily recyclable.  
         [0018]     Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the drawings included herein and the Detailed Description of the Invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the valve assembly attached to a fluid container utilizing a tab within the grooves of the knob as a tamper evident indicator.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the valve assembly attached to a fluid container utilizing a skirt connected to the knob as a tamper evident indicator.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the valve assembly utilizing the skirt attached to the knob wherein the valve assembly is in a closed position.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the valve assembly in an open position with the skirt detached from the knob.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged sectional view of the tube of the valve assembly.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged sectional view of the tube.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     One embodiment of the valve assembly  10  of the present invention has a configuration as shown in  FIG. 1  in which the assembly  10  is already connected to a fluid container  12 . In this embodiment the valve assembly  10  is fully assembled and may be attached to the fluid container  12  a number of ways. It may be mechanically attached to a suitable outlet of the fluid container  12  or the valve assembly  10  may be directly attached to the container  12 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the valve assembly  10  includes a housing  14  that is sealed to a wall of the fluid container  12 . The valve assembly  10  may be made of plastic or other suitable materials.  
         [0026]     The valve assembly  10  also includes an open tube  16  that is connected to the housing  14  by an inlet  18  through which fluid can flow from the container  12 . The inlet  18  is connected near a first open end  20  of the tube  14 ; it is through this first open end that fluid is dispensed from the valve assembly  10 . The valve assembly  10  also includes a member  22  ( FIGS. 3, 4 ,  5 ) which has a knob  24  that is attached to one end of the member  22 . The knob  24  can be any device that can be easily rotated by a user. In one embodiment, the knob  24  includes two grooves  26  that are located on opposite sides of the knob  24 . When the member  22  is inserted into the tube  16 , two protrusions  28  located on the outside wall of the tube  16 , near the second open end, are fitted into the grooves  26  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The grooves  26  are angled in such a way that the member  22  slides within the tube  16  when the knob  24  is rotated. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the protrusions  28  are visible to the user when they are within the two grooves  26  of the knob  24 .  
         [0027]     In the valve assembly  10  shown in  FIG. 1  there is also included a tamper evident indicator in the form of tabs  30  located in grooves  26  of the knob  24 . When the valve assembly  10  is initially in the closed position, the tabs  30  are located near or preferably adjacent to the protrusions  28  such that when the valve assembly  10  is first actuated by turning the knob  24 , the protrusions  28  break the tabs  30  evidencing that the valve assembly  10  had been actuated. The tabs  30  can either fully bridge the grooves  26 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , or can partially bridge the grooves  26 . The tabs  30  may also serve an additional purpose of initially locking the valve assembly  10  into the closed position so that during shipment the valve assembly  10  is not inadvertently opened or actuated.  
         [0028]     Another embodiment of the valve assembly  10  is shown in  FIG. 2 , wherein the tamper evident indicator is in the form of a skirt  34  connected to the knob  24 . That embodiment also includes a flange  36  located on the outside wall of the tube  16 . When the knob  24  is first rotated to actuate the valve assembly  10 , the skirt  34  detaches from the knob  24 , evidencing that the valve assembly  10  has been actuated. This is clearly shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , where the valve assembly is in the closed position in  FIG. 3  and in the open position in  FIG. 4 . The skirt  34  is attached to the knob  24  in  FIG. 3  and detached in  FIG. 4 . In this embodiment, when the skirt  34  is detached it rests on flange  36  on the outside wall of the tube  16 .  
         [0029]     Detachment of the skirt  34  from the knob  24  during actuation can be accomplished in a number of ways. One way is to have projections (not shown) on the skirt  34  that engage the wall of the tube  16  so that the skirt  34  cannot be rotated in conjunction with the knob  24 . When the knob  24  is rotated the projections engage the wall of the tube  16  exerting a force onto the skirt  34  which results in detaching it from the knob  24  evidencing that the valve assembly  10  has been actuated. Another way of detaching the skirt  34  is to provide projections (not shown) on the outside wall of the tube in such a manner that when the knob  24  is rotated the projections sever a plurality of strips  38  attaching the skirt  34  to the knob  24 . In other embodiments of the present invention, the skirt  34  may fracture, evidencing that the valve assembly  10  has been actuated.  
         [0030]     As with the previous embodiment, the skirt  34  may also serve the additional purpose of locking the valve assembly  10  into the closed position so that during shipment the valve assembly  10  does not inadvertently open.  
         [0031]     When the member  22  is fitted into the tube  16 , the second open end  40  of the tube  16  fits into a groove  26  formed by the knob  24  and the outside of the member  22 . At the same time, the protrusions  28  near the second open end  40  of the tube  16  fit into the grooves  26  of the knob  24 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the interaction between the member  22  and the tube  16 . The valve assembly  10  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is in the closed position. In that position, the valve assembly  10  provides a seal around an inlet  18  so that fluid is not dispensed from the container  12 . That seal is provided by at least two sealing beads. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  to  6 , three sealing beads  42 ,  44  and  46  are used.  
         [0032]     The sealing beads  42 ,  44  and  46  are continuous protrusions or rings on the inside wall of the tube  16 . The first sealing bead  42  is located between the first open end  20  of the tube  16  and the inlet  18 . The second sealing bead  44  is located between the second open end  40  and the inlet  18 . The third sealing bead  46  is located between the second sealing bead  44  and the second open end  40 . In the closed position, the side of the member  22  and the sealing beads  42 ,  44  and  46  come together and provide a tight seal so that fluid cannot pass and fluid cannot be dispensed from the container  12 . The sealing beads  42 ,  44  and  46  can be easily seen in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0033]     In this embodiment the wall of tube  16  between the second open end  20  and the inlet  18  is tapered. This can be seen in  FIG. 6  which shows an enlarged view of the valve assembly  10  in the closed position. The portion of the member  22  which is in contact with the first sealing bead  42  is also tapered. Such tapered regions interact to provide a tight seal as the member  22  slides into the closed position.  
         [0034]     To open the valve assembly  10 , a user turns the knob  24  and the member  22  rotatably slides away from the inlet  18 . The seal between the first sealing bead  42  near the first open end  20  of the tube  16  and the sides of the member  22  is then broken and the member  16  is removed from the inlet  18 . When the valve is in the open position, the seals between the second and third sealing beads  44  and  46  and the member  22  remain so that fluid does not exit through the second open end  40  of the tube  16 . Rather, fluid flows only through the first open end  20  of the tube  16 . The open position of the assembly is shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0035]     A detent  32  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  can be used to hold the valve assembly  10  in either the open or closed positions.  
         [0036]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the entire member  22  and the entire tube  16  are tapered. As the member  22  slides into the tube  16 , the seal between the sides of the member  22  and the sealing beads  42 ,  44  and  46  tighten. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the sealing beads  42 ,  44  and  46  are on the side of the member  22  and, together with the wall of the tube  16 , provide the seals in the valve assembly  10 .  
         [0037]     It should also be understood that the size of the sealing beads  42 ,  44  and  46  may vary depending on the dimensions of the member  22  and/or tube  16 .  
         [0038]     Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the hereafter appended claims.