Abstract:
The invention concerns a liquid container for drinks such as a can, party keg or drum, having a peripheral wall ( 1,13,31 ) and lids ( 14,32 ). A tap ( 4,15,34 ) with a closed and opened position is inserted in a hole ( 27,33 ) in the wall ( 1,13,31 ) or in one of the lids ( 14,32 ). The tap extends into the interior of the container and comprises an outer part ( 6,16,35 ) which is fixed to the wall or lid and an inner part ( 5,17,36 ) which can move within the fixed part and is provided outside the container with a grip ( 8,26,41 ). The hole ( 27 ) can be located in the wall ( 1 ) or lid ( 14 ) in a recess ( 3 ) in which, when the tap ( 4,15 ) is in the closed position, the grip ( 8,26 ) attached to the inner part ( 5,17 ) of the tap is countersunk.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention concerns a liquid container tap for drinks such as a can, a party keg or a drum in particular made from tin plate, aluminum or plastic, consisting essentially of an outer tube and an inner tube disposed within the outer tube in a displaceable and/or rotatable manner and having a grip, the inner tube, in its closed position, being at least partially and preferentially completely or almost completely displaced into the outer tube, the outer tube having an inlet opening which, in the closed position of the tap with the inner tube inserted into the outer tube, is closed by same, the inner tube having a longitudinal channel with an outlet opening and an inlet opening which, in the opened position of the tap with the inner tube pulled out of the outer tube coincides with the inlet opening of the outer tube to free the longitudinal channel. 
     Beverage cans for beer or beer kegs as well as for other beverages normally have a pre-stamped opening seal. So-called party kegs for beer having a volume between two and ten liters are becoming increasingly prevalent today. A special separate tap must be used to first open and then empty these kegs. It has turned out that this tap, which must be subsequently connected to the party keg or can, is disadvantageous, since a certain amount of dexterity is required to introduce the tap into the can or into the party keg, in particular, when the contents are not to be shaken. A separate tap can also become lost and be missing at an important moment. 
     Known in the art from French patent manuscript FR 894 079 A is a tap for emptying liquid from a container. The conventional tap consists essentially of an outer tube and an inner tube disposed for longitudinal displacement within the outer tube. A liquid can flow from the inside of a container through the inner tube when the inner tube is sufficiently pulled out of the outer tube to at least partially align an opening in the wall of the inner tube with an opening in the outer tube at which the fluid is located, with an inner tube outlet opening disposed on the other end outside of the container. 
     When the flow of fluid is to be interrupted, the inner tube is pushed into the outer tube and the opening in the wall of the inner tube is covered by the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube and sealed in a liquid-tight fashion. 
     A protrusion is mounted to the outer wall of the container and can include a sealing band. Before the conventional tap is opened for the first time, the sealing band is securely connected to both the outer wall of the container as well as to the tap. Before the tap can be opened for the first time, the sealing band must first be destroyed. In the event that the seal band is intact, the user knows that the container is still in its original filled state. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the purpose of the present invention to create a seal for a container, prior to the first use thereof, which permanently indicates the sealed state and which is simple and economical to produce without incorporating the outer wall of the container. 
     This purpose is achieved in that a tap having a closed and opening position is inserted into a hole within the wall or one of the lids which extends into the inner portion of the liquid container. The hole in the wall or lid can be advantageously disposed in a recess of same within which, in the closed position of the tap, the grip which is firmly connected to the inner tube of the tap is countersunk. An outside member, such as a flange, is disposed on the outer tube to which a seal is attached, the seal protruding through the grip of the inner tube and having an intended breaking location which is adapted to tear-off when the grip is pulled out of its closed seating. 
     The tap in accordance with the invention has the advantage that it is already mounted to the liquid container by the manufacturer so that no additional preparations are required. The tap is integrated in the liquid container. In this fashion an emptying is possible at any location and at any time without auxiliary measures. The tap is mounted by the manufacturer during production of the liquid container and sealed. The tap in accordance with the invention therefore constitutes part of the liquid container. It is advantageous to introduce the hole into the wall or the lid in which the tap is disposed in a recess in the wall or in the lid wherein, in the closed position of the tap, the grip, which is connected to the inner tube of the tap, is countersunk within the recess. In this manner, protection against injury or damage due to protruding or sharp portions of the tap is prevented. 
     In further embodiments of the invention of the tap, the inner tube is disposed in a displaceable and/or rotationable fashion within the outer tube which, at least partially, and preferentially completely or almost completely can be inserted into the outer tube, wherein the outer tube has an inlet opening sealed in a closed position of the tap by the inner tube inserted into the outer tube, the inner tube having a longitudinal channel with an outlet opening and an inlet opening which coincides with the inlet opening of the outer tube in the open position of the tap when the inner tube is withdrawn from the outer tube for freeing the longitudinal channel. 
     A liquid container equipped with a tap in accordance with the invention is easily operated. After engaging the grip and destroying the seal, the inner tube of the tap is pulled out of the outer tube or screwed out thereof, wherein the fluid begins to flow during the last third or the last quarter of the path of the inner tube relative to the outer tube. Should the tap have an inner tube which is rotated out of the outer tube, this rotation is preferentially through 360 degrees, wherein fluid begins to flow approximately at an angular position between 300 and 330 degrees. 
     A vent valve can be advantageously disposed in one of the lid faces of the liquid container which, if appropriate, simultaneously serves as a valve for filling the container. It is also possible for the tap itself to have a vent mechanism. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 shows a schematic cut through a liquid container for beverages in the form of a party keg having a built-in tap, 
     FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the tap of FIG. 1 which is opened by a translational motion, 
     FIG. 3 shows a cut through a tap opened by means of a screw-like motion, 
     FIG. 4 shows a vent valve for venting the liquid container during dispensing, 
     FIG. 5 shows a plan view of FIG. 4, 
     FIG. 6 shows a side view of FIG. 4 with extended pulling-rings, 
     FIG. 7 shows a cross-section through an additional embodiment of a tap which is opened with a translational motion and which has a seal, 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B show an enlargement of the seal region of FIG.  7  and 
     FIG. 9 shows an additional vent valve for venting the liquid container. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As seen in FIG. 1, a liquid container in the form of a party keg consists essentially of an outside wall  1 , having lower and upper lids, in which a filling connector  2  is disposed. A embossed recess  3  is formed in the container wall  1  in a lower region proximate the lower lid. The recess  3  extends into the inward portion of the liquid container and has a hole  2 . A ring-shaped seal  7  seats within the hole  2  through which a tap  4  penetrates into the inward portion of the liquid container, the tap consisting essentially of an outer tube  6  and an inner tube  5  disposed within the outer tube  6  for motion relative thereto. The outer tube  6  is firmly anchored within the wall of the recessed portion by the seal  7 . The end of the inner tube  5  outside of the liquid container has a grip  8  which, in a closed position of the tap  4 , lies completely within the recess  3 . The inner tube  5  has a longitudinal channel  9  which serves for the passage of the fluid in the opened position of the tap  4 . 
     FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the tap of FIG.  1 . The outer tube  6  of the tap  4  is closed at its end facing away from the container wall  1  and has an inlet opening  43  into which a tubular inlet connector  12  having an inlet opening  10  is fitted to connect the outer tube  6  with the inner portion of the liquid container. A longitudinal channel  9  penetrates through the inner tube  5  and leads at one end into that end of the inner tube facing away from the container wall. The channel  9  has an outlet opening  11  situated at the protruding end of the inner tube  5  and in the side of the outer wall of the inner tube  5 . In this manner, a diagonally downward flow-out direction is effected when the liquid container seats in an upright manner on a support. The grip  8  disposed on the front protruding end of the inner tube  5  is tab-shaped and has the same contour as the recess  3 . The recess  3  is elongated-oval in shape, wherein the larger diameter of the recess extends approximately parallel to the middle axis of the liquid container and the hole  2  for receiving the tap  4  is disposed in the lower region of the recess  3  near the edge. 
     In order to open the tap, the flexible tab of the grip  8  is engaged with a finger and pulled in the forward direction out of the recess  3 , wherein the inner tube  5  is moved along therewith. When the inner tube  5  is pulled out of the outer tube  6  for the first time, a seal disposed between the outer tube  6  and the inner tube  5  is irreversibly destroyed. As soon as the end of the inner tube  5  passes over the inlet opening  10  of the inlet connector  12  and the inlet opening  43  of the outer tube  6 , fluid flows through the inlet connector  12  and the longitudinal channel  9  in an outward direction. When the grip is pushed towards the liquid container, the tap  4  is closed as soon as the back end of the inner tube  5  passes over the inlet openings  43  and  10 . The inlet connector  12  effects complete emptying of the liquid container due to the suction effect. 
     FIG. 3 shows a tap  15  inside of a container wall  13  which is opened and closed by a translational-rotational motion. An embossment or recess  30  is formed in the container wall  13  having a hole  27  in which a ring-shaped seal  25  seats. The seal  25  surrounds a cylindrical outer tube  16  having a peripheral shoulder  28  at which the seal  25  abuts. The outer tube  16  projects into the inside of the liquid container and is closed at its back end. A likewise cylindrical inner tube  17  is guided and fit within the outer tube  16  and has a sealing ring  20 ,  20 ′ at each of its two ends for sealing with respect to the outer tube  16 . The inner tube  17  has a longitudinal channel  23  which leads into the end surface of the inner tube  17  to form an inlet opening  29 . The longitudinal channel  23  connects with the outer wall of the inner tube  17  at the front end facing the container wall  13 , as can be seen from FIG. 3. A grip  26  is disposed on this end of the inner tube  17  and seats within the recess  30  in the closed position of the tap  15 . 
     A guide groove  21  subtends a spiral or screw-like path about the outer wall of the inner tube  17  into which a guide pin  22  projects which is mounted inside the outer tube  16  at the front end facing the container wall  13 . The outer tube  16  has, at approximately half of its length, a pipe-shaped inlet connector  18  which feeds into an inlet opening  42  in the outer tube  16  and which has sideward inlet openings  19  at its lower end. The inlet connector  18  is approximately perpendicular to the outer tube  16  and extends up to the lid  14  of the liquid container so that same can be completely emptied by the suction effect when tapped. 
     It is also possible to manufacture the outer tube  16  and the seal  25  as one integral piece. The outer tube  16  can then be made from a harder plastic than the seal  25 . 
     In order to open the tap  15 , the grip  26  is engaged and rotated in a clockwise direction. The guide groove  21  thereby rotates along the guide pin  22  so that the inner tube  17  is guided outwardly from the outer tube  16 . When the inner tube  17  is screwed out of the outer tube  16  for the first time, a seal disposed between the outer tube  16  and the inner tube  17  is permanently destroyed. As soon as the inner end of the inner tube  17  passes by the tubular inlet connector  18 , fluid flows in an outward direction. It is preferred if the guide groove  21  has a pitch such that the tap  15  is opened shortly before completing a full rotation, for example between 300 and 330 degrees, and is completely open at 360 degrees. As soon as the grip  26  is rotated back somewhat in a counterclockwise direction, the tap  15  is once more closed. Complete rotation in the counterclockwise direction causes the grip  26  and the inner tube  17  to once more completely sink into the liquid container or into the recess  3  so that there are no longer any protruding components. 
     The grip  26  can in the closed state of the tap  15 , snap into an embossment to thereby prevent a spontaneous opening thereof. It is preferred when the length of the tap  15  is fashioned in such a manner that the outer tube  16  ends before the middle of the liquid container. This allows the filling connector for introduction of the liquid in the brewery or in the beverage company to extend unhindered into the fluid container up to the lower lid. 
     In addition, the tap  15  preferentially comprises plastic approved for food product applications. The grip  26  preferentially comprises transparent plastic to allow observation of the passage of the fluid through the inner tube  17 . 
     The inner tube  17  can have a latching connection with the outer tube  16  to prevent complete rotation of the inner tube out of the outer tube. A proper rotation of the inner tube  17  out of the outer tube is also guaranteed when the guide groove  21  does not terminate at the end surface of the inner tube  17 , rather has a stop at its rear end facing away from the wall of the container. 
     The cylindrical outer and inner tubes can also be configured in such a manner that a rigid axle extends centered within the outer tube and has a spiral-shaped or screw-shaped outer groove. The inner tube is passed over the axle, slides in a sealed manner within the bore of the outer tube, and has a pin at its back end near the liquid container which guides within the groove. Holes for outlet of the liquid are disposed in the outer and inner tubes in accordance with FIG.  3 . 
     FIGS. 4 through 6 show a possible venting of the liquid container during emptying using a vent valve  44  which is subdivided into a flange  53  seating on the upper portion of the liquid container and an inner ring or peg  45  having a peripheral neck  54  or which consists essentially of a ring-shaped seal. A peg  45  is preferentially conical in shape and has a through longitudinal bore  52  which can have a corrugated wall  52 . A plug  46  is disposed in a movable fashion within the longitudinal bore  52  and has a correspondingly shaped outer wall, e.g. corrugated, and a bottom hole  47  facing towards the container and opened thereto which is penetrated by at least one transverse channel  48 ,  48 ′,  49 ,  49 ′ at its upper end inside the plug. The vent valve  44  is closed when the plug  46  is pushed-in. The liquid container is in contact with the atmosphere via the transverse channels  48 ,  48 ′,  49 ,  49 ′ and the bottom hole  47  when the plug  46  is partially pulled-out. The plug  46  has pulling rings  50 ,  51  disposed at its top outside of the liquid container which can be extended through 90 degrees for pulling the plug  46  out of the ring or peg  45 . 
     FIG. 7 shows a cross-section through an additional embodiment of a tap opened by a translational motion. The tap is inserted into a recess  67  of a party keg  55  and consists essentially of an outer pipe  57  closed at the inside and firmly anchored in a seal  56  which is, in turn, firmly anchored in a hole of the party keg  55 . An inner tube  58  is disposed inside the inner volume of the outer tube  57  and is sealed at its back end in a peripheral fashion with respect to the outer tube  57  by at least one seal  59 . The outer tube  57  has a radial bore  60  for the passage of fluid into the inside of the outer tube  57 . The inner tube  58  is open at its back end for entrance of fluid into the inner tube  58 . The inner tube  58  also has a radially diagonal output opening  62 . 
     The forward end of the inner tube  58  has an outer flange  63  which seats outside of the party keg  55  within the recess  67  of the outer wall of the keg in the closed state of the tap. A grip  64  is fashioned into the surface of the flange  63  which, for example, consists essentially of a tab  64  which can be bent through 90 degrees and which is connected at one side to the flange  63 . The tab  64  is secured by means of a seal  65  which projects through a hole  77  in the tab  64  and a hole  70  in the flange  63 . The end of the seal is firmly connected to the material of the outer tube  57 . The outer tube  57  has e.g. in this region a shoulder seating outside of the liquid container  55  or a flange  69  at which the seal  65  seats at its end  66  and is firmly connected to the material of the outer tube  57  at this location. 
     When the tab  64  is pulled in the forward direction, the seal  65  breaks at its intended breaking location  66  away from the flange  69  of the outer tube  57  so that the first opening of the tap is visible. The tab  64  can then be extended through 90 degrees towards the longitudinal axis of the tap and the inner tube  58  can be pulled out from the outer tube  57 . As soon as the back open end of the inner tube  58  passes by the radial bore  60  of the outer tube  57 , the fluid located within the party keg flows outwardly. 
     FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of the position of the sealing ring  56  with respect to the flange  69  of the outer tube  57  and the seal  65  seating thereon. The flange  69  is disposed in a recess  78  of the seal  56  and the surface of the flange  69  is coplanar with the surface of the seal  56 . The seal  65  is firmly connected to the flange  69  of the outer tube  57  and has an intended breaking location  66  at the end seating on the flange  69 . The seal  65  is inserted through a hole  77  in the grip  64  as well as a hole  70  in the flange  63  of the inner tube  58 . 
     FIG. 9 shows an additional vent valve for venting the liquid container  55 . The vent valve is disposed in a hole  79  of a lid  81  of the liquid container  55  and consists essentially of a ring-shaped seal  71  into which a likewise ring-shaped sealing stopper  72 , having an inner thread  80 , is pressed. A tubular valve  73  having an outer thread  76  is screwed in a gas-tight fashion into the inner thread  80  and has a longitudinal bottom hole  74  facing in an inward direction and having a transverse bore  75  at its upper end. When the valve  73  is screwed out of the sealing stopper  72 , the transverse bore  75  is freed and the liquid container  55  vented.