Dispenser valve and method of forming the same

A valve structure formed from a single tubular plastic component having two integral tube sections. A first section includes a flow orifice. The second section constitutes the valve element for controlling flow through the orifice by being inverted relative to the first section to overlie the orifice in sealing relationship thereto. In the preferred embodiments of the specification, the second section is invaginated into a compressed position within the first section.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The subject invention is directed to a valve of the type used for 
dispensing beverages and will be described with particular reference 
thereto; however, the invention is capable of broader application and 
could be used for forming a variety of valves, taps, and dispensing 
faucets. 
In the prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,750, issued Nov. 11, 1986, and titled 
"Dispenser Valve", there is disclosed a valve for dispensing fluid 
products which comprises a tubular discharge nozzle or passageway having a 
longitudinal bore which communicates with an inlet passage through a port 
in its side wall. A valve or seal element in the form of a resilient tube 
is located within the tubular discharge nozzle. The seal element is 
compressed or interference fitted within the nozzle and seals about the 
port. A handle assembly is arranged to allow selective shifting of the 
seal element between open and closed or sealed positions. 
The valve of the noted patent is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and 
closes the port in a drip-free, leak-proof manner. A further advantage of 
the valve is that it can be formed from only two or three elements. 
The subject invention provides a significant improvement to valves of the 
type described above and still further reduces the cost of the valve while 
simplifying its manufacture. 
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a valve for dispensing 
fluid products comprises a body member including a first tubular portion 
defining a first passageway and a second portion having a second 
passageway disposed in fluid communication to the first passageway at a 
port disposed in the side wall of the first passageway. The body member 
further includes a resilient third portion of tubular configuration 
integrally joined to the first tubular portion to form an integral 
continuation thereof. The third portion is inverted or invaginated 
relative to the first tubular portion to sealingly engage the first 
tubular portion with an interference fit and overlie the port to prevent 
fluid flow therethrough. Operating means are associated with the third 
portion for selectively deflecting it away from the port to permit fluid 
flow from the second passageway to the first passageway. 
In accordance with a more limited aspect of the preferred invention, the 
first and third tubular portions of the body member are preferably of 
cylindrical configuration and are joined at a tapered transition zone. 
In accordance with a still further aspect of the preferred invention, the 
inner diameter of the first tubular portion is at least slightly less than 
the outer diameter of the third tubular portion. 
In accordance with another aspect of the preferred invention, there is 
provided a method of forming a dispensing valve which includes providing a 
tubular body having a first circumferentially continuous side wall portion 
and a second relatively resilient circumferentially continuous side wall 
portion which extends from and forms an integral continuation of the first 
wall portion. A flow passage port is formed through the first side wall 
portion and the second relatively resilient side wall portion is inverted 
relative to the first side wall portion to sealingly overlie the flow 
passage port. 
Preferably, in accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the first 
and second side wall portions are molded simultaneously from the same 
resinous plastic material and the second sidewall portion is invaginated 
into the first sidewall portion. 
The design and construction of the subject valve is such that the entire 
valve can be formed from a single injection molded plastic component. This 
makes the valve extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture. As a 
consequence, it is especially suited for use as a disposable valve on 
"bag-in-the-box" or "membrane" type beverage containers. 
A further object and advantage of the invention is that the resulting valve 
is capable of use throughout a wide range of temperatures. 
Another object of the invention is the provision of a valve wherein the 
valve element is an integral portion of the valve body to thereby 
eliminate any special hinges, operators, or the like. 
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those 
skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following 
detailed specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of 
illustrating the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention 
only, and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows the new 
dispenser valve A associated with a bag-in-the-box type outlet nozzle B. 
As noted earlier, the subject valve assembly is particularly suitable for 
use with the disposable bag-in-the-box type of beverage containers. It 
should, however, be appreciated that the inventive concept involved could 
equally well be adapted to use in other valve and dispensing environments. 
More particularly, and with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the valve assembly 
A includes a first body portion 10 comprising a first generally circular 
end face 12 which carries a rearwardly extending circumferential flange 
portion 14. Suitable web sections 16 extend between the outer peripheral 
section of the end face 12 and the flange 14 as shown. The web sections 16 
serve to provide rigidity to the circumferential flange 14. Flange 14 is 
further provided with an internal circumferential recess 18 which is 
positioned and sized so as to tightly and resiliently receive a flange 20 
which extends radially outward from the nozzle assembly B. The nozzle 
assembly B could have a variety of configurations but is shown as being 
cylindrical and provided with a plurality of spaced outwardly extending 
flanges 20, 22, 24, and 26. To assist in the installation of the body 
section 10 to the nozzle B, a tapered section 28 (see FIG. 4) is provided 
about the entrance to the circumferential rearwardly extending flange 14. 
Joined to the body portion 10 is a second portion 30 which comprises a 
first tubular section 32 which is joined to end face 12 by an outlet or 
discharge passage forming tube section 34. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, 
discharge section 34 includes a central passage 36 which opens through the 
end face 12. Preferably, according to the subject embodiment, the tubular 
section is generally cylindrical and is mounted generally perpendicular to 
the connecting section 34. It should be appreciated, however, that other 
shapes and mounting arrangements could equally well be used. The outermost 
end of the passage 36 constitutes a valve seat and is closed by a second 
tube section 38 which is closely and compressively received within the 
first tube section 32. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cylindrical 
tube sections 32 and 38 are integrally formed and are joined at the upper 
end 40. According to the subject invention the two tube sections 32 and 38 
are molded integrally as one piece with the original "as molded" 
configuration as best shown in FIG. 4. That is, the tube section 38 is 
axially aligned with tube section 32 and extends upwardly from the upper 
end thereof. As best shown in FIG. 5, the upper or second tube section 38 
is joined to the lower tube section 32 through a transition zone 44. Note 
that the outer diameter Do of the upper tube section 38 is illustrated as 
slightly less than the outer diameter of the lower tube section. It is, 
however, greater than the inner diameter Di of the lower tube section 32. 
Additionally, the inner wall surface 46 of the upper tube section 38 joins 
to the inner wall surface 48 of the lower tube section 32 by a tapered or 
inclined wall 50. As shown, wall 50 is inclined at an angle of 15.degree. 
relative to the wall surface 46. Although the tapered transition zone is 
not absolutely necessary, it facilitates the inversion of the upper tube 
section into the lower tube section. Moreover, it helps to locate the 
final position of the upper tube section in the lower tube section. 
The structure shown in FIG. 4 has, as previously noted, the "as molded" 
shape of the valve assembly A. Many different types of resinous plastic 
materials having suitable characteristics of toughness and resiliency 
might possibly be used for forming the valve assembly A. Preferably, 
however, and in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the valve is 
injection molded in the FIG. 4 configuration from any suitable resinous 
plastic material such as silicone rubber, latex or some vinyls. 
From the FIG. 4 configuration the upper tube section 38 is inverted and 
invaginated into the lower tube section 32 to assume the position shown in 
FIGS. 2 and 3. In this position, the upper tube section 38 is compressed 
and effectively interference fitted within the lower tube section 32 and 
sealingly overlies the outlet opening 36. The upper tube section 38 thus 
acts as a valve element for closing the passage 36. To selectively open 
the outlet end of passage 36 and permit flow to take place, the portion of 
tube section 38 which overlies the outlet opening 36 is deflected away 
from the outlet end of the passage. Many different structures could be 
used to allow deflection of this tube section as required. In the subject 
embodiment, however, a handle tab or the like 54 is molded integrally with 
the upper tube section 38 as shown in FIG. 4. As can be appreciated, by 
pulling on the handle section 54 in the direction shown by the arrow of 
FIG. 2, it is possible to deflect the overlying wall portion of tube 
section 38 to permit flow to take place outwardly through the lower end of 
tube section 32. 
As is apparent, the subject invention allows the valve to be formed from a 
single plastic molding thereby eliminating all subsequent assembly 
operations or the like. In addition, the resulting valve element is 
extremely reliable and fool proof. The arrangement shown also results in a 
drip-free closure. 
FIGS. 6 through 9 show a second or alternate embodiment of the invention. 
For ease of illustration and appreciation of this embodiment, like 
components are identified by like numerals differentiated with a prime (') 
suffix. In FIGS. 7 and 8 the valve assembly A' is shown as being enclosed 
by an injection molded plastic dust cover element 60. The dust cover 
element 60 includes a cylindrical collar section 62 which is arranged to 
closely receive the end wall 12' of the valve assembly A'. An internal 
flange or the like 64 maintains the dust cover in place on the end wall 
12'. 
A generally rectangular end section 64 extends outwardly from a circular 
wall 66. The section 64 is sized to closely enclose the section 30' of 
valve assembly A'. The lower section of portion 64 is provided with a 
weakened line or frangible section 68 which extends completely about the 
lower most portion of section 64. A tear tab 70 is provided to allow the 
lower section to be torn off along line 68. This exposes the discharge end 
of section 30' of the valve assembly A' and allows the valve to be used 
for the dispensing operation. As best shown in FIG. 8, the operating 
handle 54" of the valve assembly A' is deflected into the interior of 
section 30' when the dust cover assembly 60 is in place. However, after 
removal of the tear-away section, the handle is exposed as shown in FIG. 
6. The valve assembly can then be used for dispensing fluids. 
FIG. 9 shows the slightly modified valve assembly used in the dust cover 
embodiment. Specifically, in this embodiment the valve operating handle 
54' extends perpendicularly from the tube section 38'. Additionally, the 
lower end of the tube section 32' is provided with a small recess opening 
72. A similar recess 74 is provided at the upper end of the tube section 
38' in the location shown. Thus, when the upper tube section 3' is 
invaginated into the lower section 32' the handle 54 can extend exactly 
horizontally through the mating openings 72, 74. Thus, operation of the 
valve requires a simple horizontal pulling motion on the handle 54'. 
FIG. 10 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention which is quite 
similar to the FIGS. 1-5 embodiment. In this showing like components are 
identified by like numerals differentiated by a double prime (") suffix. 
As illustrated, the FIG. 10 embodiment includes an end wall 76 which 
closes the end of the second tube section 38". In addition the handle 
section 54" is located such that when the valve is assembled in the 
operating position, the handle section 54" extends out the upper end as 
shown. As can be appreciated, by pulling upwardly on the handle section 
54", the tube section 38" is pulled away from the lower portion of outlet 
opening 36 to permit flow to take place. 
The invention has been described with reference to preferred and alternate 
embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others 
upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is our 
intention to include all such modifications and alterations as part of our 
invention insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or 
equivalents thereof.