Patent Publication Number: US-8967430-B2

Title: Tap assembly

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is based on International Application No. PCT/NZ2011/000053, filed Apr. 15, 2011 and claims priority from, New Zealand Application Number 584742, filed Apr. 19, 2010. 
     STATEMENT OF CORRESPONDING APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on the Provisional specification filed in relation to New Zealand Patent Application Number 584742, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to a tap assembly. In particular, a tap assembly for dispensing a fluid stored within a flexible film bag. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     The use of taps to dispense fluids from a collapsible bladder or bag such as those housed within a box (known as “bag-in-box”) or other rigid containers is known. In the case of the “bag-in-box” arrangement, the tap is fluidly connected to the bag and extends through an opening in the box so that a user can dispense the fluid in the bag via the tap without opening the box. Such bags are formed by form-fill-and-seal (FFS) processes. 
     A disadvantage with such taps is that the tap does not always efficiently dispense fluid from a bag which has been partially emptied of fluid, due to collapse of the bag on itself resulting in the cut-off of fluid flow to the tap. 
     The use of a combined piercer and valve is known (such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,316). The piercer functions to puncture the bag wall to which the base of the tap is attached when the tap is actuated (usually by depressing a button cap). In this way sterility of the fluid in the bag is maintained during transportation and storage before first use of the tap. 
     A disadvantage with such bag and tap combinations is that the piercer can also puncture the opposite wall of the bag, particularly when the bag has been partially emptied. In addition, the wall flap cut by the piercer can later occlude the fluid pathway to the tap thereby restricting fluid flow from the tap. 
     It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. 
     All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinence of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country. 
     It is acknowledged that the term ‘comprise’ may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term ‘comprise’ shall have an inclusive meaning—i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements. This rationale will also be used when the term ‘comprised’ or ‘comprising’ is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process. 
     Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a tap assembly for dispensing a fluid from a fluid container, the tap assembly comprising:
         a body having a bore formed therein;   an actuation member configured to move axially within the bore and cover at least a portion of the bore; and   a piercer configured to pierce and cut an adjacent sterility film as a result of movement of the actuation member by a user
 
wherein the piercer is pivotable with respect to the bore and comprises a substantially curved surface configured to form a barrier to prevent blockage of the fluid within the bore from the cut sterility film and position the piercer away from an adjacent wall of the fluid container after piercing and cutting of the sterility film.
       

     Preferably, the fluid container is a flexible film bag to which the body of the tap assembly is attached. 
     Preferably, the bore is configured to facilitate fluid communication between an open end of the body configured for attachment to a fluid container and an exit spout. 
     Preferably, the actuation member is configured to move the piercer from a retracted position, whereby the piercer is housed within the bore of the tap, to an extended position, whereby a substantial portion of the piercer extends from the bore of the tap. 
     More preferably, the piercer is moved from the retracted position to the extended position via the curved surface of the piercer abutting an end surface of the actuation member as the actuation member is moved axially within the bore. 
     Preferably, the piercer is attached to the body at at least one pivot point. 
     More preferably, the piercer is attached to the body at two pivot points. 
     More preferably still, the pivot points are joined by a shaft. In this way the piercer is strengthened against breakage during movement of piercer. 
     Preferably, the piercer is held temporarily within the within the bore before first use of the tap assembly via a protrusion on the curved surface of the piercer, wherein the protrusion is configured to retained in a corresponding detent on a wall surface of the bore. 
     Preferably, the substantially curved surface comprises at least one cutting edge. 
     More preferably, the at least one cutting edge comprises at least one serration configured to maintain the piercer in place relative to the sterility film after entry of the piercer into the sterility film and subsequent cutting by the cutting edge. In this way, the piercer first pierces an initial point of entry into the sterility film to minimise the piercing force required and then cuts an opening in the sterility film with the cutting edge after actuation of the piercer by the actuation member. 
     Preferably, the piercer also comprises at least one fluid passageway to facilitate the flow of fluid between the fluid container and the tap assembly after piercing and cutting of the sterility film by the at least one cutting edge. 
     Preferably, the substantially curved surface is configured to pull away the cut sterility film from the intended fluid flow path after piercing and cutting of the sterility film. 
     Preferably, a second sterility film is attached over the bore on an end of the exit spout and configured for removal before first use of the tap assembly. 
     Preferably, the tap assembly also includes a cap configured to cover an end of the actuation member and attach to the body to prevent inadvertent activation of the tap assembly before first use. 
     More preferably, the cap comprises a weakened join configured to tear and release the cap from the actuation member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawings will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. 
       Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the form of a tap assembly; 
         FIG. 2  shows a side section view of the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  attached to a “bag-in-box” packaging container; 
         FIG. 3  shows a side section view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  in a closed position; 
         FIG. 4  shows a side section view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention in an opened position; 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective section view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  in an opened position; 
         FIG. 6  shows a schematic perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  with the piercer displaced through an adjacent sterility membrane; 
         FIG. 7  shows a schematic side view of the piercer of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 8  shows a schematic perspective view of the piercer shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     A preferred form of the invention in the form of a tap assembly generally indicated by arrow  1  attached to a fluid container in the form of a “bag-in-box” (BIB) including a flexible film bag  100  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) to store liquids such as wine. The BIB also includes a rigid container in the form of a cardboard box  150  (best seen in  FIG. 1 ). 
     The tap assembly  1  includes a body  2  having a bore  3  formed therein for fluids to flow through the tap assembly  1  from an open end  2 A adjacent the fluid bag  100  to exit the body  2  at spout  200 . Typically the body  2  is formed in a plastics material by injection moulding. The tap assembly  1  also includes an actuation member  4  in the form of a push-rod which is configured to move axially within the bore  3  and cover a portion of the bore  3 , and a button  4 A on the end of the push rod  4  to control movement of the push rod  4  and thereby flow of fluid through the spout  200 . 
     The body  2  is fixed to the bag  100  at a pair of latches  300  which extend into and attach to the body  2  at slots  2 B. The latches  300  extend from a plate  350  which is fixed to the external wall of the bag  100  (as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 ). The actuation member  4  is connected to the body  2  by first  5  and second  5 A seals. In this way aseptic conditions are maintained inside the tap assembly  1  during actuation of the button  4 A. 
     Wing-like projections  6  extends from the body  2  near the button  4 A to provide convenient surfaces, transverse to the body, for an operator to grip with their index and middle fingers while depressing the button  4 A with their thumb. 
     The tap assembly  1  optionally includes a cover in the form of a cap  7  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) which encloses and abuts the button  4 A to prevent actuation of the button  4 A before first use of the tap assembly  1 . Cap  7  is fitted by clip-fit engagement with annular lip  8  on body  2 . The cap  7  attaches to lip  8  of the body  2  at a sealing groove  9  which aseptically seals the cap  7  over the button  4 A to the body  2  via a seal surface  10 . In this way, actuation of the button  4 A is prevented by an internal pressure differential, such as a vacuum within the tap assembly  1 . In addition the cap  7  connects to the periphery of the button  4 A by clip-fit engagement of annular bead  11  of cap  7  with retainer groove  500  which retains the seal  5 A with respect to the cap  7 . The cap  7  has a pull tab  12  to facilitate a user gripping the cap  7  for removal. 
     The tap assembly  1  also includes a piercer  13  attached to the body  2  via pivot bar  14  (best seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) at a socket cup  400  at opposing positions on the wall of the bore  3  and proximal to the open end  2 A of the body  2 . The pivot points  14  are joined by a shaft  14 A (shown in  FIG. 5 ) which strengthens the pivot points  14  against breakage during movement of the piercer  13 . The piercer  13  comprises a substantially curved surface in the form of a first curved surface  13 A (best seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) which abuts an end wall  4 B of push-rod  4 . The end wall  4 B moves over the first curved surface  13 A in a cam action in a short actuation stroke to translate to rotation of the piercer  13  about pivot bar  14 . 
     The tap assembly  1  includes a pierce-able sterility film  15  (best seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) attached over the open end  2 A of the body  2 . The sterility film  15  may be made of any suitable material which provides a barrier to the exchange of fluids between a fluid container (not shown) and the bore  3 . The sterility film  15  improves the quality of oxygen sensitive fluids such as wine to improve the shelf life of the fluid during transport and storage and before use of the fluid container and is attached to the end of the bore  3  by any suitable process known to those skilled in the art, such as heat sealing. Such a sterility film  15  can also provide a further barrier to contamination of the fluid by micro organisms before first use of the tap assembly  1 . 
     A further sterility film  16  is optionally provided over the end of the spout  200  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) to provide a further barrier to fluid exchange and/or micro organism contamination before first use. The sterility film  16  is provided with a flap  16 A for easy removal as is known in the art. 
     The piercer  13  comprises a piercing point  13 B which provides an initial point of entry into an adjacent film surface  15 , as the piercer  13  rotates, and which minimises the force required to pierce the sterility film  15  by the push-rod  4 . Cutting edges along both sides of the second curved surface  13 C cuts a flap  500  (best seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) in the film surface  15  as the piercer  13  moves to its extended position. Once the sterility film  15  has been pierced and cut there is resultant flow of fluid from the attached fluid container (not shown). The configuration of second curved surface  13 C forms an aperture  13 D which provides a fluid entry port for fluid flow after the projections  16  have pierced the sterility film  15 . In addition, the shape of the second curved surface  13 C is configured to pull away the cut sterility film  15  from the intended fluid flow path in the bore  3 . The pivot points  14  are connected by a shaft  17  to strengthen against breakage during operation. The configuration of the surface of the end wall  4 B and first curved surface  13 A provides sufficient force to pierce and cut the adjacent film  15  and provide a clear passage way for fluid flow. 
     After movement of the piercer  13  to its extended position, the first curved surface 13 A acts as a barrier to prevent blockage of the opened fluid path by the cut flap  500  of the sterility film  15  which is retained against first curved surface  13 A on which the cutting edges are positioned. The first curved surface  13 A also acts as a barrier to a further film surface such as an opposite film wall of a fluid bag, which may block the fluid path during partial evacuation of the bag. In addition, the first curved surface  13 A of the piercer  13  acts to displace the piercing point  13 B and cutting edges away from the plane of an opposite film wall of a fluid bag to prevent puncture of the opposite wall during the initial piercing process and consequent leakage of fluid from the fluid bag. 
     During transport of the tap assembly  1 , associated container  150  and film bag  100  and prior to first use, the piercer  13  is held temporarily in position inside the bore  3  and away from the unpierced sterility film  15  via a ball protrusion  13 E which clips into ball detent  3 A positioned on the bore  3  wall surface (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). This arrangement prevents contamination of the sterile fluid inside the bag  100  by the non-sterile piercer  13 . The force of the cam action of the first curved surface  13 A and the end wall  4 B of the actuation member  4  is sufficient to detach the ball protrusion  13 E of the piercer  13  from the ball detent  3 A. 
     In use, actuation of the push-rod  4  by a user via button  4 A (in the direction of arrow A shown in  FIG. 4 ) causes rotation of the piercer  13  on its axis by substantially 90° (defined by pivot points  14  and in the direction of arrow B shown in  FIG. 4 ) via sliding contact of the first curved surface  13 A with the push-rod  4 . Thus, as push rod  4  is moved down the bore, piercer  13  moves from a retracted position, whereby the piercer  13  is housed within the bore  3  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), to an extended position, whereby a substantial portion of the piercer  13  extends from the bore  3  of the tap assembly  1  (as shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6 ). 
     A person skilled in the art will appreciate that other methods of actuation of the piercer  13  to puncture and cut the membrane  15  may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the body of the tap assembly  1  may be rotated 180° relative to the spout  200  by the user prior to first use. Rotation of the body  2  may actuate the piercer  13  from its retracted position to its extended position with respect to the body  2  via a cam profile on an internal surface of the body  2  (not shown) to rotate the piercer  13  about the pivot bar  14 . 
     A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the shape of the piercer  13  may be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention. Each cutting edge may optionally include at least one serration (not shown) configured to maintain the cutting edges in place relative to the sterility film  15  which will aid in the cutting efficiency of the piercer  13 . 
     Thus preferred embodiments of the present invention have a number of advantages over the prior art which include:
         improved efficiency of dispensing fluids from a film bag ( 150 );   improved sterility of a stored fluid before first use of the tap assembly ( 1 ); and   improved security from damaging a connected a film bag ( 150 ).       

     Where, in the foregoing description, reference has been made to integers or components then such equivalents are incorporated herein. 
     Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.