This invention relates to a dispensing valve and spout assembly. This assembly is of the self-closing type and is chiefly intended for one-time use in disposable bag- in-bόx packages, which comprise a flexible bag, usually of a synthetic resin, disposed within and supported by a relatively rigid box, typically of cardboard, and which are now in common commercial use for packaging various liquids. However, the assembly of this invention may also be useful as a dispensing valve in other types of apparatus.

Prior art dispensing valves and spout assemblies for such packages are described, for example, in U.S. Patents 3,400,866, 3,443,728 and 3,972,452. These prior art valve and spout assemblies suffer from various disadvantages, including ineffective sealing and susceptibility to damage.

U.S. Patent 4,211,348 describes a dispensing valve and spout assembly com¬ prising a hollow tubular spout having a conduit extending axially therethrough and a valve member formed of resiliently flexible material and having spaced, hollow tubular inner and outer walls which are interconnected but spaced apart sufficiently to provide a socket capable of receiving the ax i ally-out ward end of the spout. The inner wall of the valve member extends into the axially-outward end of the spout and carries a sealing bead which seals against the inner wall of the spout. The axially-inward end of the inner wall of the valve member is closed by a transverse wall which carries a toggle lever. By moving the toggle lever, the transverse wall and the inner wall of the valve member are flexed so that the bead on the inner wall is moved away from the spout to provide a dispensing outlet between the inner wall of the valve member and the spout. The main disadvantage of this form of valve

and spout assembly is that the relatively heavy and stiff bead on the inner wall of the valve member must be flexed with that inner wall each time the valve is open so that after repeated use the bead tends to become distorted, leading to inefficient sealing and possible leakage of liquid from the container to which the assembly is attached. Also, the bead stiffens the inner wall of the valve member so that considerable pressure on the toggle lever is required to open the valve and it is difficult to regulate the flow through the valve because of the pressure required to hold the lever in varying positions.

Thus, there is a need for a dispensing valve and spout assembly which can be repeatedly opened and closed without distortion or damage to the seal between the valve member and the spout, and in which the force required to open the valve or to open it sufficient to produce any desired flow rate is less than that required in the valve and spout assembly disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,211,348. This invention seeks to provide a dispensing valve and spout assembly meeting these requirements. One further disadvantage of the assembly described in U.S. Patent 4,211,348 is that the assembly is not provided with any member for preventing accidential movement of the toggle lever during storage or transportion of the package to which it is attached. Thus, when this prior art valve assembly is being transported, there is a risk that the valve will accidentally become opened, thereby leading to loss of liquid and perhaps fouling of other containers. Since such valve assemblies are often used for dispensing potable liquids, such as wines or soft drinks, such accidental opening of the valve assembly may a result in serious losses since both the acci¬ dentally opened package and others fouled by liquid running therefrom may have to be discarded as unfit for human consumption. This invention also seeks to provide a dispensing valve and spout assembly which is less susceptible to accidental opening than that described in U.S. Patent 4,211,348.

Accordingly, this invention provides a dispensing valve and spout assembly comprising: a hollow tubular spout having a conduit extending axially therethrough; a valve member formed of resiliently flexible material and having spaced, hollow tubular inner and outer walls, the inner and outer walls being interconnected but spaced apart sufficiently to provide a socket capable of receiving and engaging the axially-out ard end of the spout, part of the inner wall carrying an axially- outward extension, and the inner wall carrying, at or adjacent its axially-inward end, a transverse wall such that, when the axially-outward end of the spout is inserted to

the fullest extent possible into the socket, the transverse wall and the engagement between the axially-outward end of the spout and the inner and outer walls will seal the conduit through the spout, but the extension of the inner wall will project ax i ally-outwardly beyond the axially-outward end of the spout; and a distorting member mounted on the transverse wall such that movement of the distorting member in one direction will cause flexing of both the transverse wall and the inner* wall, thereby opening a dispensing passage bounded by the inner wall, the spout and the extension on the inner wall, the assembly being characterized in that the spout carries a sealing rib spaced from its axially-outward end such that, when the axially-outward end of the spout is inserted to the fullest extent possible into the socket, the rib will sealingly engage the inner wall, thereby forming a seal between the spout and the valve member, but that when the transverse wall is flexed by movement of the distorting member, the transverse wall will move away from the rib, thereby opening the dispensing passage.

Thus, in the assembly of this invention, the sealing rib or bead is not .carried on the inner wall, which must be distorted to open the valve, but instead is carried on the spout and thus does not have to be distorted during opening of the valve. Furthermore, since the inner wall of the valve member is not stiffened by the sealing rib or bead, the inner wall can be made very flexible, thereby greatly reducing the force which must be applied to the distorting means to open the valve or to hold it open at any desired flow rate.

This invention also provides a dispensing valve and spout assembly comprising: a hollow tubular spout having a conduit extending axially therethrough; a valve member formed of resiliently flexible material and having spaced, hollow tubular inner and outer walls, the inner and outer walls being interconnected but spaced apart sufficiently to provide a socket capable of receiving and engaging the axially-outward end of the spout, part of the inner wall carrying an axially- outward extension and the inner wall carrying, at or adjacent its axially-inward end, a transverse wall such that, when the axially-outward end of spout is inserted to the fullest extent possible into the socket, the transverse wall and the engagement between the axially-outward end of the spout and the walls will seal the conduit, but the extension will project axially-outwardly beyond the axially-outward end of the spout and, a distorting member mounted on the transverse wall such that movement of the distorting member in one direction will cause flexing of both the transverse wall

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and the inner wall, thereby opening a dispensing passage bounded by the inner wall, the spout and the extension on the inner wall, characterized in that a retaining sleeve insert is disposed within the inner wall of the valve member and serves to retain the inner wall in engagement with the 5 spout.

In this valve assembly of the invention, the provision of the sleeve insert holding the inner wall in engagement with the spout prevents accidental opening of the valve, since the sleeve insert prevents distortion of the inner wall sufficient to open the dispensing passage. Moreover, as will be described in m ore detail below, 0 the sleeve insert can be formed so that it covers the distorting means, thereby preventing an additional safeguard against accidental opening of the valve assembly.

Preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, though by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first valve and spout assembly of the invention 5 from in front and to one side;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the assembly shown in Fig. 1 looking inwardly along the axis of the valve assembly;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the spout alone;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the valve member only of the assembly shown in 0 Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken along the line 5-5 in Fig. 2 showing the valve assembly in its closed position;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 5 but showing the valve assembly in its open position; 5 Fig. 7 is an enlarged section corresponding to the lower left-hand corner of

Fig. 5 and showing the parts of the spout and valve member adjacent the dispensing outlet of the valve assembly;

Fig. 8 is a detailed section similar to Fig. 7 but taken at a portion of the axially-outward end of the valve assembly remote from the dispensing outlet; 0 Fig. 9 is an axial section, corresponding to that of Fig. 5, of a second valve assembly of the invention provided with a gas barrier;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view, similar to that of Fig. 1, of a third valve assembly of the invention having a sleeve insert; and

Fig. 11 is a vertical axial section, corresponding to that of Fig. 5 , through the 5 valve assembly shown in Fig. 10.

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The first valve assembly of the invention shown in Figs. 1-8 comprises a hollow cylindrical spout (generally designated 11) having a substantially cylindrical conduit extending axially therethrough, and a valve member (generally designated 12) formed of resiliently flexible material, normally a semi-rigid synthetic resin such as

05 polyethylene.

As best seen in Figs. 3, 5 and 6, the spout 11 has a body 13 of hollow cylindrical form. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the outer surface of the body 13 is cylindrical while the inner surface (which defines the conduit through the spout) tapers axially inwardly so that the thickness of the wall of the body 13 decreases slightly towards

10 its axially outward end. The axially-outward end or lip 14 of the spout 11 is provided with an outwardly-extending annular locking shoulder or rib 16 (references herein to inward or outward are references to radially-inward or radially-outward from the axis of the spout 11 unless otherwise stated), while adjacent the rib 16 on the inward surface of the body 13 is provided a frusto-conical surface 15, best seen in Fig. 7.

15 At the extreme axially-inward end of the spout 11 is provided an outwardly- extending, relatively flexible flange 17. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, when the valve assembly is in use in a box-in-bag package, the flange 17 is heat-sealed (or otherwise suitably attached) to a flexible bag B which extends over the outward part of the flange 17. The flange 17 is actually connected to the body 13 by means of a shoulder

20 18, which extends completely around the body 13 immediately adjacent the axially- inward end of the body 13. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, this shoulder 18 projects from the body 13 immediately axially outwardly of the flexible bag B (when this bag is heat-sealed to the flange 17) to prevent contact of the bag B with equipm ent which engages the spout 11 -between the shoulder 18 and an outwardly-extending flange 19,

25 which is provided on the body 13 axially outwardly of the shoulder 18. A third outwardly-extending flange 21 is provided on the body 13 axially outwardly of the flange 19 and a fourth outwardly-extending flange is provided on the body 13 axially outwardly of the flange 21. This flange 22 is spaced a pre-deter mined distance axially inwardly of the lip 14 and has associated therewith, on the axially-outward

30 side thereof, a frusto-conical shoulder surface 22a, as best seen in Fig. 7.

A sealing rib 20 extends completely around the inner surface of the spout body 13 axially intermediate the lip 16 and the axially-outermost flange 22. Obviously, a plurality of ribs 20 can be provided if desired.

As already indicated, the flange 17 on the spout 11 is made relatively thin and

35 flexible. However, the remainder of the spout is made of greater thickness and thus is relatively rigid. In contrast, the valve member 12 is formed of a synthetic resin

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which is elastomeric or resiliently flexible, for example a modified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, in order that the valve member may have the flexibility needed for the distortion which it must undergo when the valve is opened, as described in m ore detail below. The resiliently flexible material from which the valve member

05 12 is form ed also ensures that, when the forces causes distortion of the valve member are released, the valve member returns to its original shape so that the valve assembly will be self-closing.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4-8, the valve member 12 comprises spaced, hollow cylindrical and coaxial inner and outer walls 25 and 24 respectively. The walls 24

10 and 25 are interconnected by a transverse flange 27 (best seen in Fig. 8) but are spaced apart sufficiently to provide an axially-inwardly-open socket 26 capable of receiving and engaging the axially-outward end of the spout 11. Again as best seen in Fig. 8, except in the immediate vicinity of a dispensing outlet 30 (described below) the outer wall 24 is of greater axial extent than the inner wall 25 , the transverse. 5 flange 27 connecting the axially-outward end of the inner wall 25 to an axially- intermediate portion of the outer wall 24. The extreme outward end of the outer wall 24 carries an outwardly-extending reinforcing bead 28 , and the portion of the outer wall 24 lying axially outwardly of the flange 27 is reinforced by spaced gussets 31 extending between the axially-outward end of the outer wall 24 and the flange 27. 0 Immediately axially inwardly of the flange 27, a groove 34 is form ed in the inner surface of the outer wall 24, while the extreme axially-inward end of the outer wall 24 is tapered at 32 to form a frusto-conical shoulder surface 33.

As already mentioned, the inner wall 25 extends axially-inwardly from the inner end of the transverse flange 27. The axially-inward end of the inner wall 25 is 5 attached to a transverse wall 36, which closes the axially-inward end of the inner wall 25, the transverse wall 36 lying perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical inner wall 25 so that they are connected together at right angles. The central portion of the transverse wall 36 carries a distorting member in the form of a toggle lever 35, which extends axially outwardly from the wall 36, to which it is connected 0 by triangular gussets 37 directed vertically downwardly (with the valve assembly in the orientation shown in the drawings, which is its normal operating orientation). The lever 35 has a (horizontal) width which is greater than its (vertical) thickness, thus providing it with a large, dυwnwardly-directed face which extends across the width of the lever and to which the gussets 37 are attached. 5 The way in which the spout 11 and the valve member 12 are held in their correct positions relative to one another may be seen from Figs. 5 and 8. The valve

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member 12 is pushed onto the axially-outward end of the spout 11 so that the lip 14 at the axially-outward end of the spout 11 enters the socket 26 of the valve member 12. During insertion of the axially-outward end of the spout 11 into the socket 26, the axially-inward taper of the inner surface of the spout of body 13 facilitates entrance of the inner wall 25 of the valve member thereinto, while the frusto-conical surface 33 at the axially-inward end of the outer wall 24 allows the outer wall to slip readily over the shoulder 16 on the spout. As best seen in Fig. 8, just before the lip 14 at the axially-outward end of the spout 11 strikes the transverse flange 27 (which ^" forms the "base" of the socket 26), the rib 16 on the spout 11 engages in the groove 34 in the inner surface of the outer wall 24' of the valve member 12, while the shoulder surface 22a on the outer wall 24 engages the shoulder surface 33 on the spout 11, both these engagements locking the spout 11 in a predetermined axial position relative to the valve member 12. Also, as shown in Fig. 8, with the spout and the valve member thus retained in their correct axial positions relative to one another, the sealing rib 20 on the inner surface of the spout seals against the outer surface of the inner wall 25; note that the axial length of the inner wall must be sufficient to dispose the transverse wall 36 inwardly well beyond the rib 20 on the spout once insertion of the spout into the socket 26. has thus been completed. The rib 20 on the spout is so sized that, in its undistorted state, its internal diameter is slightly less than the external diameter of the inner wall 25 so that during insertion of the spout 11 into the socket 26 the rib 20 is compressed and forms a tight frictional seal with the inner wall 25.

As already mentioned, a dispensing outlet 30 is provided on the lowest part of the valve assembly (when the valve assembly is in its normal working orientation as shown in Figs. 1-8). This dispensing outlet 30 is provided by forming a cut-out in the flange 27, as best seen by comparing Figs. 7 and 8. Adjacent this cut-out in the flange 27 is a similar cut-out in the bead 28 on the outer wall 24. Also adjacent the cut-out in the flange 27, the inner wall 25 carries an extension 25a which extends axially-outwardly to the plane of the axially-outward face of the bead 28. As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, this extension 25a has a main portion which is concave upwardly, the concave upward face of this main portion being an extension of the cylindrical inner surface of the inner wall 25. This concave upward face of the main portion faces vertically upwardly, directly towards the flat undersurface of the lever 35, and has a horizontal width which decreases axially outwardly. The axially-outward edge of the main portion of the extension is joined to the bead 28 by an outwardly extending flange 27a which forms, in effect, a continuation of the bead 28. The side

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edges of the main portion are joined to the inner surface of the axially-outward portion of the outer wall 24 by side portions (best seen in Fig. 2), and the edges between these side portions and the flange 27a are rounded. (These side portions of the extension 25a are not visible in Fig. 7 because of the curvature of the main

05 portion of the extension 25a.) Thus, ignoring for the moment the curvature of the main portion, the main portion, side portions and flange 27a of the extension 25a define a substantially trapezoidal prismatic cavity 25b (Fig. 7) which tapes axially outwardly. As best seen in Figs. 4 and 6, the inner surfaces of the axially-outward portion of the spout 11 are provided with serrations 38, the axially-outward ends of

10 these serrations 38 being connected to the flange 27a.

As already indicated, when the valve member 12 is in its natural, undistorted configuration, the conduit through the spout 11 is sealed by the transverse wall 36 and the engagement of the rib 20 on the spout with the inner wall 25 of the valve member 12. To open the valve assembly, the lever 35 is pushed upwardly and

15 axi ally-inwardly, to a position such as that shown in Fig. 6; the horizontal width of the lever 35 is deliberately made large so that a human thumb can conveniently be used to move the lever 35. Because of the downwardly-extending gussets 37, this upward and axially-inward movement of the lever 35 causes the portion of the transverse wall 36 adjacent the extension 25 a to be distorted axi ally-outwardly, as

20 shown in Fig. 6, thereby causing the extension 25a to be pulled inwardly. The major portion of the inner wall 25 cannot of course move inwardly since it is constrained by its connection to the transverse flange 27 and thus to the outer wall 24, but the cut-out in the flange 27 adjacent the extension 25a leaves the extension 25a free to distort inwardly. This inward movement of the extension 25a opens a dispensing

25 passage (as best seen in Fig. 6) connecting the conduit through the spout 11 to the dispensing outlet 30, this dispensing outlet being bounded by the inner wall 25, the inner surface of the spout 11, the extension 25a. and the axially-outward portion of the outer wall 24 lying axially outwardly of the lip 14 of the spout 11. This passage includes the (distorted) trapezoidal prismatic cavity 25b lying below the extension

30 25a. It will be seen from Fig. 6 that this dispensing passage exposes parts of the serrations 38.

When the valve assembly is in its open position as shown in Fig. 6, the reinforcement of the axially-outward portion of the outer wall 24 provided by the gussets 31 maintains the proper cylindrical form of this portion of the wall 24. This

35 axially-outward portion of the wall 24 provides room for the dispensing outlet 30 to extend axi ally-outwardly beyond- the lip 14 on the spout 11, and allows the cavity 25b

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to be kept as small as possible to minimize accumulation of liquid therein after the valve assembly returns to its closed position. M oreover, the reinforcement of the axially-outward portion of the outer wall 24 by the gussets 31 is important because distortion of this portion of the outer wall during operation of the valve or at any other time might cause failure of the seal between the rib 20 and the inner wall 25, and consequent leakage of liquid through the valve.

Because of the right-angled connection between the transverse wall 36 and the inner wall 25, when the toggle lever 35 is released the ^' transverse wall 36 and the inner wall 25, including the extension 25a will quickly snap back into their closed position, as shown in Fig. 5, thereby restoring the seal between the rib 20 and the spout 11 and the inner wall 25.

When the valve assembly is thus restored to its closed position as shown in Fig. 5, the serrations 38 prevent most of any liquid which remains in the cavity 25b from dripping from that cavity as the valve closes; capillary action between the closely- spaced serrations 38 tends to retain any liquid which has already entered the cavity 25b within that cavity.

The second valve assembly of the invention shown in Fig. 9 is generally similar to the first valve assembly shown in Figs. 1-8 but is intended for use with a bag B which is a laminate including a barrier material to prevent, or at least reduce, penetration of oxygen into the liquid contents of the bag; such oxygen-barrier bags are in common use for protecting certain oxygen-sensitive liquids. In order that the oxygen-barrier action of the bag B may not be thwarted by oxygen penetration through the valve assembly, the second valve assembly shown in Fig. 9 has the axi ally-inwardly facing surface 36a of its transverse wall 36 covered with a disc or coating 40 of oxygen barrier material, which ^' may be any of the common oxygen barrier materials such as that known commercially as polysaran. This barrier material 40 reduces penetration of oxygen through the closed valve.

The third valve assembly of the invention shown in Figs. 10 and 11 is again similar to the first valve assembly shown in Figs. 1-8 but is provided with a retaining sleeve insert 41, which maintains the valve assembly closed and sealed until the insert 41 is removed. This insert 41 comprises a hollow, substantially cylindrical body 42 which tapers slightly axially-inwardly and which has a chamered axially- inward edge 44; the axial length of the body 42 is slightly less than the axial length of the inner wall 25. The axially-outward end of the 42 is closed by a cap disc 43, which extends outwardly beyond the body 42 so as to provide an outwardly-extending flange which, when the insert 41 is in the position shown in Figs. 10 and 11, abuts the bead 23 at the axially-outward end of the valve member 12.

Th e external diameter of the body 42 is such that it can be inserted within the hollow interior of the inner wall 25 of the valve member 12 and will wedge or fit tightly within this inner wall 25 as it is pushed axially inwardly until the disc 43 contacts the bead 28. The chamfered edge 44 and the taper of the body 42 facilitate its insertion within the inner wall 25, while the smaller axial length of the body 42 as compared with that of the inner wall 25 ensures that the disc 42 contacts the bead 28 before the axially-inward end of the body 42 makes contact with the transverse wall 36. Once the insert 41 has been pushed into the valve assembly so that its disc 43 contacts the bead 28, the body 42 will lie inwardly of the gussets 31 (not visible in Figs. 10 and 11) and will surround the toggle lever 35, the axially- outward end of which will be covered by the disc 43, as shown in Fig. 11. So long as the insert 41 is in this position, the tight frictional engagement between the insert 41 and the inner wall 25 keeps the wall 25 firmly in contact with the rib 20 on the spout 11, while the lever 35 is covered so that it cannot be moved. Thus, the insert 41 prevents any movement of the inner wall 25 away from the rib 20 caused by accidental movement of the lever 35 or any other reason, thereby preventing accidental opening of the valve assembly during shipping, handling or storage and thus contributing to easier shipping, and handling and increased shelf life. When it is desired to open the valve assembly so as to dispense liquid from the bag B (Fig. 11) attached thereto, the insert 41 can be readily withdrawn from the valve assembly by inserting a sharp edge between the bead 28 and the adjacent portion of the disc 43 and prying the insert axially outwardly, thereby uncovering the toggle lever 35 and rendering the valve assembly ready for dispensing.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the field that the insert 41 can be used not only with the valve and spout assemblies ^' of the invention having a rib on the spout, but also with the valve and spout assemblies described in the aforementioned U.S. patent 4,211,3481 having a rib or bead on the inner wall.