Patent Publication Number: US-11390516-B2

Title: Tap assembly

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/021,839, filed on 8 May 2020; Ser. No. 63/0825,763, filed on 24 Sep. 2020; and Ser. No. 63/164,868, filed on 23 Mar. 2021. Each U.S. Provisional Application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety and are made a part hereof, including but not limited to those portions which specifically appear hereinafter. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a tap assembly including a pierce valve and spout for dispensing fluids from a container. 
     Description of Prior Art 
     Valves and spouts exist for use in connection with liquid containers including pouches, bags, bags in boxes or cartons. Traditional valves are integrated with the container during manufacture of the liquid and/or filling of the container. Known taps associated with similar applications have the fitments attached to the bag with a hole cut in the plastic film to allow filling the bag with the fluid through the spout/gland opening and then the dispensing fitment is attached to the gland after the fill. 
     A need exists for a valve and tap combination that is integrated with a container and capable of piercing and dispensing the container subsequent to manufacture. In this way, there is zero oxygen transmission to liquids in the container prior to first use thereby extending the shelf life of the product. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a tap assembly for dispensing fluid from a container, preferably a flexible pouch or bag, and includes a gland and a cooperative tap. The gland preferably connects with the container and includes an inlet and an outlet. 
     The tap is in fluid communication with the outlet of the gland. An actuator preferably permits a user to dispense fluid from container through the tap by creating a fluid path from the container through the gland and through the tap. A tamper evident seal may be positioned between the tap and the gland. 
     An incision device is fixed with respect to the tap to rotate with a corresponding rotation of the tap. The incision device is located at the inlet of the gland, and preferably positioned fully within the gland in a first rotational position and positioned generally outside of the gland in a second rotational position. 
     An indent is positioned on one of the gland and the tap and a corresponding detent is positioned on an opposite one of the tap and the gland. In an additional embodiment a pair of ribs may be positioned at least one in each of the gland and tap to prevent counterclockwise rotation and/or over-rotation between the tap and the gland. The tap is thus rotatable between the first rotational position and the second rotational position such that the indent and the detent and/or ribs prevent further rotation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  shows a side perspective view of a tap assembly in a first position; 
         FIG. 1B  shows a front view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1C  shows a side view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  shows a side perspective view of a tap assembly as the tap is rotated away from the a first position; 
         FIG. 2B  shows a front view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  shows a side view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  shows a side perspective view of a tap assembly in a second position; 
         FIG. 3B  shows a front view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3C  shows a side view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4A  shows a side perspective view of a tap assembly in a second position with the tap actuated; 
         FIG. 4B  shows a front view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4C  shows a side view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional side view of a tap assembly in a first position; 
         FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional side view of a tap assembly in a second position; 
         FIG. 7  shows a side view of a tap assembly in a first position; 
         FIG. 8  shows a magnified view  8  of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  shows a side view of a tap assembly in a second position; 
         FIG. 10  shows a magnified view  10  of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  shows a rear perspective view of a tap assembly in a first position; 
         FIG. 12  shows a rear perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 11  in a second position; 
         FIG. 13A  shows a side perspective view of a tap assembly in a first position; 
         FIG. 13B  shows a front view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 13A ; 
         FIG. 13C  shows a side view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 13A ; 
         FIG. 14A  shows a side perspective view of a tap assembly as the tap is rotated away from the a first position; 
         FIG. 14B  shows a front view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 14A ; 
         FIG. 14C  shows a side view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 14A ; 
         FIG. 15A  shows a side perspective view of a tap assembly in a second position; 
         FIG. 15B  shows a front view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 15A ; 
         FIG. 15C  shows a side view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 15A ; 
         FIG. 16A  shows a side perspective view of a tap assembly in a second position with the tap actuated; 
         FIG. 16B  shows a front view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 16A ; 
         FIG. 16C  shows a side view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 16A ; 
         FIG. 17  shows a bottom perspective view of a tap assembly in a second position; 
         FIG. 18  shows an opposite side bottom perspective view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19A  shows a side perspective view of a gland assembly according to one preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 19B  shows another side perspective view of the gland assembly shown in  FIG. 19A ; 
         FIG. 20A  shows a cross-sectional top view of a tap assembly in a first position; 
         FIG. 20B  shows a detail view of section A of the tap assembly in  FIG. 20A ; 
         FIG. 20C  shows a cross-sectional side view of the tap assembly in  FIG. 20A , 
         FIG. 21A  shows a cross-sectional top view of a tap assembly in a second position; 
         FIG. 21B  shows a detail view of section A of the tap assembly in  FIG. 21A ; 
         FIG. 21C  shows a cross-sectional side view of the tap assembly in  FIG. 21A ; 
         FIG. 22  shows a perspective view of a tap assembly in a closed position according to one preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 23  shows a perspective view of the tap assembly of claim  22  in an open position; 
         FIG. 24  shows a cross-sectional side view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 22 ; and 
         FIG. 25  shows a cross-sectional side view of the tap assembly shown in  FIG. 23 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1-12  show a tap assembly  10  according to preferred embodiments of this invention.  FIGS. 1A-1C, 2A-2C, 3A-3C and 4A-4C  show three views of a tap assembly in each of four modes of operation.  FIGS. 13-21  show a tap assembly  210  according to preferred embodiments of this invention.  FIGS. 13A-13C, 14A-14C, 15A-15C and 16A-16C  show three views of a tap assembly in each of four modes of operation. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-12 , a tap assembly  10  for dispensing fluid from a container includes a gland  20  for connecting with the container, the gland  20  having an inlet  25  and an outlet  30 . The gland  20  may be molded of a food safe plastic and preferably includes a threaded inner body  35 . The preferably extends from a container  90  at the inlet  25  to the outlet  30  thereby directing fluid flow away from the container  90 . 
     A tap  40  is in fluid communication with the outlet  30  of the gland  20 . The tap preferably includes a molded plastic body that complements the gland and may include a threaded body  45  that engages with and permit rotational engagement with the gland  20 . The threading as shown in the drawings may be reversed between the gland  20  and the tap  40  if such an arrangement permits rotational movement of the tap  40  relative to the gland  20 . 
     An incision device  60  is preferably fixed with respect to the tap  40  to rotate with a corresponding rotation of the tap  40 . The incision device  60  is preferably located at the inlet  25  of the gland  20  and positioned fully within the gland  20  in a first rotational position. Following full rotation of the tap  40  relative to the gland  20  into a second rotational position, the incision device  60  is preferably positioned generally outside of the gland  20  and preferably in a fully extended position relative to the gland  20 . 
     The rotation between the first rotational position shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C , through an intermediate position shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C  and then to a second rotational position shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C  preferably simultaneously extends the incision device  60  and opens a fluid path between the gland  20  and the tap  40 , and more specifically between the container  90  and the tap  40 . As best shown in  FIGS. 6 and 9 , a flap  100  or portion of the container membrane is opened up by the incision device  60  to clear the fluid path from the container  90  to the tap  40 . 
     An indent  70  is preferably positioned on one of either the gland  20  or the tap  40  and a corresponding detent  80  is preferably positioned on an opposite one of the tap  40  or the gland  20 . The tap  40  is preferably rotatable between the first rotational position and the second rotational position such that the indent  70  and the detent  80  lock together to prevent further rotation beyond either rotational endpoint. 
     According to one preferred embodiment, the indent  70  is positioned 270 degrees from the detent  80  around a perimeter of the gland  20  and the tap  40 . In this way, the first rotational position of the tap assembly  10  is when the tap assembly  10  is at rest and flush with an outside surface of a flexible fluid container such as a bag or pouch. Following rotation of the tap  40  relative to the gland  20  for a full 270 degrees, the incision device punctures the container and is fully extended once the indent  70  engages with the detent  80  in the second rotational position. Although identified in one preferred embodiment as 270 degrees, this rotational freedom may be more or less depending on the desired application. 
     The tap assembly  10  preferably includes a threaded profile with indent  70  and detent  80  to additionally prevent accidental rotation of the tap  40  or to enable tamper evidence. The threads allow for a rotary function that pierces the bag/pouch allowing the fluid to be dispensed. The tap body features the incision device  60  that is actuated when rotated into a dispensing position at the second rotational position and the act of rotating the tap into position cuts through the sterility membrane allowing the user to dispense the fluid. Once activated, the tap  40  is preferably locked into position with the indent  70  and detent  80  feature. 
     In a preferred embodiment of this invention wherein the flexible fluid container may be a bag or a pouch, the tap assembly  10  and specifically the gland  20  may be welded to the container  90 . As described herein, the tap assembly  10  is entirely external to the container  90  and the container  90  is not breached until the tap  40  is rotated relative to the gland  20 . This separation preserves the integrity of the container  90  and avoids contamination from oxygen or other external contaminants. To aid in attachment of the tap assembly  10  to the container  90 , a flange  55  may be positioned at the inlet  25  of the gland  20  and is preferably generally flush with an end of the inlet  25  to form a generally planar inlet  25  of the gland  20 . 
     The tap assembly as shown in the figures may further include a button  50  positioned at an end of the tap  40  for dispensing fluid through the gland  20 . The button  50  is preferably connected with respect to an actuator  53  for opening a fluid passage between the container  90  and the tap  40 . 
     According to one preferred embodiment, the incision device  60  is a curved support having a straight sharpened leading edge. The incision device  60  is preferably positioned at a bottom of the gland  20  in the first rotational position and at a top of the gland  20  in the second rotational position, as best shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
     A corresponding method for dispensing fluid from a tap assembly  10  of a flexible container  90  includes connecting a gland with an exterior surface of the flexible container, the gland having an inlet and an outlet; providing a tap in fluid communication with the outlet of the gland; fixing an incision device with respect to the tap; rotating the tap and the incision device located at the inlet of the gland, from a first rotational position fully within the gland to a second rotational position generally outside of the gland, wherein an indent positioned on one of the gland and the tap and a corresponding detent positioned on an opposite one of the tap and gland, ensures limited rotation between the first rotational position and the second rotational position; and piercing the flexible container with the incision device. 
     The tap assembly  10  fitment preferably is provided as a 1-piece unit (gland and tap), though a two-piece assembly is possible. The tap assembly is preferably attached to the outside of the film of the container so once the container is filled with the fluid and sealed there is no oxygen transmission, thereby prolonging the shelf life of the fluid, until the end consumer is ready to dispense the fluid for use. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 13-21 , a tap assembly  210  for dispensing fluid from a container includes a gland  220  for connecting with the container, the gland  220  having an inlet  225  and an outlet  230 . The gland  220  may be molded of a food safe plastic and preferably includes a threaded inner body  235 . The preferably extends from a container  90  at the inlet  225  to the outlet  230  thereby directing fluid flow away from the container  90 . 
     A tap  240  is in fluid communication with the outlet  230  of the gland  220 . The tap preferably includes a molded plastic body that complements the gland and may include a threaded body  245  that engages with and permit rotational engagement with the gland  220 . The threading as shown in the drawings may be reversed between the gland  220  and the tap  240  if such an arrangement permits rotational movement of the tap  240  relative to the gland  220 . 
     An incision device  260  is preferably fixed with respect to the tap  240  to rotate with a corresponding rotation of the tap  240 . The incision device  260  is preferably located at the inlet  225  of the gland  220  and positioned fully within the gland  220  in a first rotational position. Following full rotation of the tap  240  relative to the gland  220  into a second rotational position, the incision device  260  is preferably positioned generally outside of the gland  220  and preferably in a fully extended position relative to the gland  220 . 
     The rotation between the first rotational position shown in  FIGS. 13A-13C , through an intermediate position shown in  FIGS. 14A-14C  and then to a second rotational position shown in  FIGS. 15A-15C  preferably simultaneously extends the incision device  260  and opens a fluid path between the gland  220  and the tap  240 , and more specifically between the container  90  and the tap  240 . As best shown in  FIGS. 14C, 15C and 16C , a flap  100  or portion of the container membrane is opened up by the incision device  260  to clear the fluid path from the container  290  to the tap  240 . 
     In the closed first position of the tap assembly  210  best shown in  FIGS. 13A-13C , a tamper evident band  228  may be positioned between the gland  220  and the tap  240  to prevent separation and/or rotation between the gland  220  and the tap  240  absent removal. One or more latches  232  may retain the gland  220  relative to the tap  240  in a fixed rotational position. Upon removal of the tamper evident band  228 , the tap  240  may rotate relative to the gland  240 . 
     A pair of corresponding ribs  270 ,  280  are preferably positioned on the gland  220  and oppositely on the tap  240 . The tap  240  is preferably rotatable between the first rotational position and the second rotational position such that the ribs lock together to prevent further rotation beyond either rotational endpoint. As best shown in  FIGS. 19-21 , ribs  280 ,  280 ′ may be positioned at a rotational interface between the tap  240  and the gland  220  to prevent counterclockwise rotation of the tap  240  relative to the gland  220  and ribs  270 ,  270 ′ are preferably also positioned at a full stop in the fully open second position, which is preferably approximately 270 degrees from the fully closed first position. 
     According to one preferred embodiment, a rib  270  is positioned 270 degrees from a corresponding rib  270 ′ around a perimeter of the gland  220  and the tap  240 . In this way, the first rotational position of the tap assembly  210  is when the tap assembly  210  is at rest and flush with an outside surface of a flexible fluid container such as a bag or pouch. Following rotation of the tap  40  relative to the gland  220  for a full 270 degrees, the incision device punctures the container and is fully extended once the corresponding ribs  270 ,  270 ′ engage in the second rotational position. Although identified in one preferred embodiment as 270 degrees, this rotational freedom may be more or less depending on the desired application. 
     The tap assembly  210  preferably includes a threaded profile with a desired rib  280  to additionally prevent accidental rotation of the tap  240  or to enable tamper evidence which interferes with ribs  270 ,  270 ′ on the gland  220 . The threads allow for a rotary function that pierces the bag/pouch allowing the fluid to be dispensed. The tap body features the incision device  260  that is actuated when rotated into a dispensing position at the second rotational position and the act of rotating the tap into position cuts through the sterility membrane allowing the user to dispense the fluid. Once activated, the tap  240  is preferably locked into position with the rib  270 ,  270 ′. 
     In a preferred embodiment of this invention wherein the flexible fluid container may be a bag or a pouch, the tap assembly  210  and specifically the gland  220  may be welded to the container  90 . As described herein, the tap assembly  210  is entirely external to the container  90  and the container  90  is not breached until the tap  240  is rotated relative to the gland  220 . This separation preserves the integrity of the container  90  and avoids contamination from oxygen or other external contaminants. To aid in attachment of the tap assembly  210  to the container  290 , a flange  255  may be positioned at the inlet  225  of the gland  220  and is preferably generally flush with an end of the inlet  225  to form a generally planar inlet  225  of the gland  220 . 
     The tap assembly as shown in the figures may further include a button  250  positioned at an end of the tap  240  for dispensing fluid through the gland  220 . The button  250  is preferably connected with respect to an actuator  253  for opening a fluid passage between the container  90  and the tap  240 . 
     According to one preferred embodiment, the incision device  260  preferably comprises one or more curved supports each having a straight leading blade. As shown in  FIGS. 13-21 , the incision device  260  comprises three curved supports arranged in a generally circular path, wherein each curved support includes a straight leading sharpened edge or blade. In addition, a generally square shaped tooth, or “tucker”  262  is positioned around the perimeter of the incision device  260  to enable a flap  100  from the container  90  to be tucked into place following puncture and penetration by the tap assembly  210 . 
     A corresponding method for dispensing fluid from a tap assembly  210  of a flexible container  90  includes connecting a gland with an exterior surface of the flexible container, the gland having an inlet and an outlet; providing a tap in fluid communication with the outlet of the gland; fixing an incision device with respect to the tap; rotating the tap and the incision device located at the inlet of the gland, from a first rotational position fully within the gland to a second rotational position generally outside of the gland, wherein an indent positioned on one of the gland and the tap and a corresponding detent positioned on an opposite one of the tap and gland, ensures limited rotation between the first rotational position and the second rotational position; and piercing the flexible container with the incision device. 
       FIGS. 22-25  show an additional embodiment of a tap assembly  310  wherein a collar  321  is molded into a gland  320  and positioned between the gland  320  and a tap  340  so as to maintain a connection between the gland  320  and the tap  340  during operation and thereby avoid separation. The collar  321  is preferably integrated with the gland  320  and partially encircles the tap  340  so as to permit dispensing of liquid while in the open position. Likewise, the arrangement of the collar  321  preferably discourages dispensing of liquid while in the closed position by providing an additional physical barrier around the output of the tap  340  when the tap  340  is fully retracted. In this embodiment, the collar  321  preferably supplants the latches  232  described above, although both may be used in certain applications. 
     As shown, a tap  340  is in fluid communication with the outlet  330  of the gland  320 . The tap  340  preferably includes a molded plastic body that complements the gland  320  and may include a threaded body  345  that engages with and permit rotational engagement with the gland  320 . The threading as shown in the drawings may be reversed between the gland  320  and the tap  340  if such an arrangement permits rotational movement of the tap  340  relative to the gland  320 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 22-25 , in a preferred embodiment, the gland  320  preferably includes a collar  321  comprising a sidewall  322  that extends longitudinally beyond at least a portion of the tap  340 . More preferably, the sidewall  322  includes a retaining undercut  324  within which the tap  340  is positioned that prevents the tap  340  from full separation from the gland  320 . More specifically, the tap  340  may include an integrally molded tap flange  342  that contacts the retaining undercut  324  to maintain a connection between the tap  340  and the gland  320 . 
     An incision device  360  is preferably fixed with respect to the tap  340  to rotate with a corresponding rotation of the tap  340 . The incision device  360  is preferably located at the inlet  325  of the gland  320  and positioned fully within the gland  320  in a first rotational position. Following full rotation of the tap  340  relative to the gland  320  into a second rotational position, the incision device  360  is preferably positioned generally outside of the gland  320  and preferably in a fully extended position relative to the gland  320 . 
     Preferably, the tap flange  342  of the tap  340  is in contact with the retaining undercut  324  when in the first rotational position as shown in  FIG. 24 . In addition, the tap flange  342  of the tap  340  may be in contact with a distal end  326  when in the second rational position. In this manner, two ends of the sidewall  322  preferably define a full length of travel between the first rotational position (closed) and the second rotational position (open). 
     Similar to the embodiments of the tap assembly  210  taught in  FIGS. 13-21 , the incision device  360  preferably comprises one or more and preferably three curved supports each having a straight leading blade  361 . As shown in  FIGS. 22-25 , the incision device  360  comprises three curved supports arranged in a generally circular path, wherein each curved support includes a straight leading sharpened edge or blade. In addition, a generally square shaped tooth, or “tucker”  362  is positioned around the perimeter of the incision device  360  to enable a flap  100  from the container  90  to be tucked into place following puncture and penetration by the tap assembly  310 . The tucker  362  is preferably unsharpened to facilitate tucking the flap into place within the punctured container  90 . 
     While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.