FR2526515A1 - Security latch for container valve - has locking shear pin to indicate previous valve movement - Google Patents

Abstract

The valve is of the rotating plug type, having a tubular plug (9) which is rotated manually in the valve body (7), to bring into alignment an opening (13) in the plug with an outlet (6) from the container. An indicator tag (17) with a tapered shear pin (16) is force filled through the purge hole in the valve, when in the closed position. When the valve is opened the indicator (17) is sheared off.

Description

 The invention relates to a tamper-evident element for a container tap, in particular of the mixed packaging or keg type.

 There are, for liqJide containers, multiple devices intended to signal the first opening. These devices affect, for example, the shape of a patch attached to the neck by heat sealing. This tablet must be removed or punctured to pour the contents.

 Other embodiments are associated with the capsule or the stopper. There are thus known notched crowns connected to the body of the stopper by many. radial connections of small section. This variant is particularly applicable to screw caps.

 The various solutions proposed for the taps do not give total satisfaction.

 The simplest means uses a cord connected on the one hand to the valve body and on the other hand to the operating key. The breakage of this cord signals the first opening of the tap.

This means, although very simple, has many drawbacks, the main ones of which are described below.
- incorporation into the faucet, particularly difficult to assemble,
- exposure time too long,
- discomfort caused by the cord during use,
- low guarantee because the cord is easily replaced.

 The primary object of the invention is to absolutely guarantee the inviolability of the container. We also looked for an element of simple manufacturing and easy and quick installation which allows, for a low additional cost, to detect without possibility of error a clandestine sample.

 To this end, the invention relates to a tamper-evident element for a container tap, in particular of the mixed packaging or keg type, characterized by a transverse immobilization rod passing through the air inlet orifice of the discharge duct, rod connected. to a frontal plate or to a retaining ring of contrasting color.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention are noted in the description which follows, given by way of nonlimiting example on two embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing in which
- Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a tap fitted with the tamper-evident element according to the invention.

 - Figure 2 is an elevational view of the valve shown in Figure 1 equipped with its tamper-evident element.

 - Figure 3 is an elevational view of a valve fitted with a variant of the retaining ring.

 - Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of inviolability element retaining ring.

 Conventionally, a container tap, in particular of the mixed packaging or keg type, comprises a fixed body 1 in which is mounted a movable plug 2 constituting the dispensing assembly 3.

 According to the manufacturers and the receptacles, the valve body has different technical shapes. It may, for example, include a connection piece with conical fitting 4 carrying the tap-holding plug 5 fitting onto the threaded neck of the receptacle as shown in the figures.

 This connecting piece 4 communicates by a transverse passage 6 with a support sleeve 7 through a flow orifice 8. The movable plug 2 of the tap is fitted at -force in the support sleeve 7 so as to guarantee the tightness .

 This plug comprises the liquid discharge conduit 9 secured to an operating element 10, consisting of a head 11 extended laterally by an ear 12 forming a handle-type gripping element.

 An oval lateral opening 13 provides communication between the transverse passage 6 and the interior of the discharge duct 9. The support sleeve 7 has, opposite the flow orifice 8, a purge orifice 14 intended to serve as 'air inlet for the rapid evacuation of the column of liquid remaining in the conduit 9 after closing the valve.

 The passage of the liquid is obtained by bringing, by rotation of the plug, the orifice 8 opposite the lateral opening 13. the flow rate varies as a function of the passage surface presented.

 The tamper-evident element according to the invention relates to a transverse immobilization rod 15 of length greater than the thickness of the wall, one end of which is shaped as a non-return point 16, for example of split frustoconical shape while the other end is integral with a stop and detection pad 17.

 This rod is pressed into the bleed orifice 14, the valve being in the closed position. It protrudes from the interior surface and passes through the lateral opening 13 to block the evacuation duct in rotational movement.

Of course, the tamper-evident element will be of a contrasting color compared to that of the body of the tap so as to indicate it by a simple visual reference being
intact from container.

 Another embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 is to provide a ring 18 to be mounted in the upper part on the support sleeve 7. This ring, of contrasting color, has the transverse rod 15 in the form of a lug in position radial. It can be completely smooth because the ring alone ensures its retention and its attachment to the valve body.

 Appropriate cutting 19 allows. compensate for the offset between the bleed orifice 14 and the upper connection shoulder of the valve body.

 During assembly, the ring 18 is simply placed in the upper part of the sleeve, the pin 15 being barely engaged in the orifice 14. When the plug is fully engaged, the pin 15 is fully pushed in. .

 Concerning the use, the consumer just has to cut with a sharp object the rod behind the pellet and push the rod inside the evacuation duct along which it descends by gravity. In the ring version, simply cut the ring, open and extract it.

 The tamper-evident element according to the invention is preferably to be used in conjunction with a tamper-evident crown or any other tamper-evident means provided at the connection with the container intended to signal the clandestine opening by desolarization from the tap with the container.

 Other similar embodiments obtained by direct variants, substitution of elements, means or material by their equivalents, addition of inoperative elements and other modifications without inventive contribution fall perfectly within the scope of this protection.

Claims (7)

 1. Tamper-evident element for a tap for a liquid container, in particular of the mixed packaging or keg type, tap comprising a fixed body in which a movable ball plug is fitted, the tap body comprises a support sleeve having a purge communicating with the evacuation pipe for emptying the column of residual liquid, characterized by a transverse immobilization rod (15) passing through the purge orifice. (14) and the wall of the valve body (1), rod having at its end, internal side, a non-return means and an external extension of color contrasted with that of the valve body.  2. Element according to claim 1 characterized in that the non-return means is formed in the end of the rod.  3. Element according to claim 1 characterized in that the external extension is a front pad (17) stop and detection.  4. Element according to claim 1. characterized in that the extension is a ring (18) surrounding the sleeve-support (7) in the upper part.  5. Element according to claims 1 and 4 characterized in that the rod (15) has a smooth end.  6. Element according to claim 1 characterized in that the non-return means is produced in the form of a local thickness (16) terminated by a split conical end.  7. Element according to claims 1 and 4 characterized in that the ring (18) has an appropriate cutout (19) which makes it possible to compensate. the offset between the drain opening (14) and the upper connection shoulder of the valve body.