GB2209740A

GB2209740A - Beverage cask extractor tube assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2209740A
Application number: GB8821291A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Gilby; Henry Gotch
Original assignee: GRUNDY
Current assignee: GRUNDY
Priority date: 1987-09-14
Filing date: 1988-09-12
Publication date: 1989-05-24
Anticipated expiration: 2008-09-12
Also published as: GB8821291D0; GB2209740B

Abstract

An extractor tube assembly comprises an extractor tube (6) secured to a body member (4) by a weld zone (7). A coupling means (8) for connection with an outlet fitting incorporates a resilient valve member (10) urged upwardly by a spring member (11). The lower end of the spring member is deformed so as to provide a small projecting nib (12) forming a catch and having a chamfered end. On introducing the assembly into the housing (2) of the container, the nib rides over the internal surfaces of the housing (2) and a projecting portion (13) of the container and thereafter snaps back into the position shown. The outlet fitting is then screwed fully home. The nib prevents full removal of the assembly. In a further embodiment, the lower end of the spring seats on an annular plate having a profiled portion forming the catch. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE Beverage Casks and Containers This invention relates to beverage casks and containers and in particular to a valved extractor tube assembly for securing into an outlet housing of the cask.

This invention more specifically relates to a valved extractor tube assembly incorporating a body member with threading to engage complementary threading in the cask outlet housing and including a valve urged upwardLy to close an outlet by a spring member positioned around and coaxially with the upper end of an extractor tube which extends down from the assembly to be adjacent the opposed end of the container.

This invention seeks to provide a construction which impedes the unauthorised or accidental removal of the extractor tube assembly from the container outlet.

According to this invention there is provided an extractor tube assembly for fitment within the outlet housing of a cask or container the assembly comprising a body member to engage said housing, valve means located within the body member and urged by a spring member to normally close an outlet, the assembly being characterised by a laterally extending catch member having a profiled end portion whereby the said end may be displaced against the force of the spring sufficient to allow the assembly to be fitted within the housing the said end thereafter being restored by the spring to project laterally below the housing such that said end will abut the container or housing to prevent removal of the assembly from said outlet.

According to one preferred embodiment there is provided an extractor tube assembly for fitment within the outlet housing of a cask or container the assembly comprising a body member to engage said housing, coupling means for connection with an outlet fitting, valve means located within the body member and urged by a spring rnember to normally close an outlet with said spring member and valve being depressed by the outlet fitting to open the said outlet, the assembly being characterised by the normally lower end of the spring extending laterally and having a profiled portion forming a catch whereby the said end of the spring may be displaced to allow the assembly to be fitted within the container outlet housing with the said end of the spring thereafter being restored to the original position whereby same will abut a portion of the container or the housing on attempted removal of the assembly from said outlet.

The fitting preferably incorporates an extractor tube having a head portion located within the housing with said spring member being coaxially positioned about the head of said tube.

By this arrangement it has been found surprisingly that if the end of the spring is extended laterally by a shaping process and by provision of a chamfered profile, the assembly can be screwed into the outlet housing of a cask for example with the spring being displaced and thereafter snapping back to project laterally within the container forming a catch. Thereafter any attempt at normal removal for example by unscrewing the assembly will cause the laterally projecting part of the spring to abut the internal wall of the container.

According to another embodiment of this invention there is provided an extractor tube assembly modified wherein the lower end of the spring seats onto a plate member of annular form and located coaxially about the head of the extractor tube the plate member having a laterally extending profiled portion forming a catch whereby the plate may be displaced against the force of the spring to allow the assembly to be fitted within the container outlet housing with the plate and thereafter being restored by the spring force to the original position whereby the laterally extending portion of the plate will abut a portion of the container or housing on attempted removal of the assembly from said outlet.

In this embodiment the laterally extending profiled portion forms a tang which corresponds mechanically to the profiled end of the spring.

By this arrangement it has been found surprisingly that with the projection on the plate which extends laterally and by provision of a chamfered profile thereon, the assembly can be screwed into the upstanding outlet housing of a cask, for example, with the plate being displaced by canting against the spring pressure and thereafter snapping back to project laterally within the container. Thereafter any attempt at normal removal for example by unscrewing the tube assembly will cause the laterally projecting part of the plate to abut the internal wall of the container and thus complete removal is prevented.

In order to enable the invention to be more fully understood reference is now made to the accompanying drawings which show one embodiment by way of an example.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows in partial section a portion of the outlet housing of a container with an extractor tube assembly located therein, Figure 2 shows a view looking in the direction A of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows the tube assembly removed to its limits.

Figure 4 shows, in partial section, a portion of a further extractor tube assembly for securing into the outlet housing fitting of a cask, Figure 5 shows a view looking in the direction A of Figure 4, and Figure 6 shows the plate assembly in plan.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, these show a known type of beverage container of which only a part of the upper end surface 1 is shown including an annular upstanding outlet housing 2 having an internal screw threading 3 A valved extractor tube assembly comprises a body member 4 which receives the head end 5 of an extractor tube 6. The extractor tube 6 is secured to a lower portion of the body member 4 by a weld zone 7.

The upper end of the body member includes a coupling means 8 for connection with an outlet fitting (not shown in the drawings) with a central aperture 9 incorporating a resilient valve member 10 urged upwardly into a closed position by a spring member 11 acting through a bearing cup 10a. As is known, when the outlet fitting is connected up to the means 8 the valve 10 is depressed so as to establish communication ports for dispensing gas and dispensed liquid.

According to this invention the lower end of the spring member 11 is deformed so as to project laterally a small distance beyond the confines of the body member, thus providing a small projecting nib 12 forming a catch.

The nib 12 has the end thereof chamfered as shown.

The angle and profile of the chamfering together with the extent of the projection of the nib 12 is arranged so that on introducing the extractor tube assembly into the housing 2 of the container the end of the spring is displaced upwardly to enable the nib 12 to ride over the internal surfaces of the housing 2 and a projecting portion 13 of the container. The nib 12 will thereafter snap back into the position shown in Figure 1 and the outlet fitting can be screwed fully home to sealingly engage the housing by coaction of a sealing ring 14 and the portion 13 of the container.

If an attempt is now made to remove the extractor tube assembly by simply unscrewing same a final position is reached as illustrated in Figure 3 wherein the nib 12 abuts the under surface of the top of the container and thereby traps and prevents full removal of the assembly.

Removal nevertheless can be effected by utilisation of a special technique and tool.

Referring to Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings, a further embodiment is shown and the same reference numerals are used to indicate parts of the same or similar function. This valved extractor tube assembly comprises a body member 4 which receives the head end 5 of an extractor tube 6 The extractor tube 6 is secured to a lower portion of the body member 4 by a moulded plastics insert 7. The upper end of the body member includes a coupling means 8 for connection with an outlet fitting (not shown in the drawings) with a central aperture 9 incorporating a resilient valve member 10 urged upwardly into a closed position by a spring member 11. As is known, when the outlet fitting is connected the valve 10 is depressed so as to establish communication ports for dispensing gas and dispensed liquid.

The lower end of the spring member 11 rests on a plate 12 having a part which projects laterally a small distance beyond the confines of the body member, thus providing a small projecting nib 12b. The nib 12b may have the end thereof chamfered, or stepped or otherwise shaped.

The angle and profile of the shaping together with the extent of the projection of the nib 12b is arranged so that on introducing the extractor tube assembly into the outlet housing of the container the end of the spring 11 is displaced upwardly following canting of the plate 12 to enable the nib 12b to ride over the cask outlet housing and the projecting portion of the container 13 (Figure 1). The nib 12b will thereafter snap back into a position as described previously and shown in Figure 4 and the outlet fitting can be screwed fully home to sealingly engage by coaction of a sealing ring and a portion of the container.

If an attempt is now made to remove the extractor tube assembly by simply unscrewing same a final position is reached wherein the nib 12b abuts the under surface of the top of the container adjacent the outlet and thereby traps and prevents full removal of the assembly.

The essence of this invention is therefore the provision of a displaceable nib or projection adjacent or on the bottom end of the spring which acts as a form of "latch" to enable the tube assembly to be fitted but which thereafter prevents the assembly being fully removed. As will be appreciated by this expedient, unauthorised removal of the tube assembly can be substantially prevented with low cost and without using additional components. As will be apparent, the arrangement of the invention is eminently suitable for application to existing fittings without substantial and costly modifications. In addition the arrangement can prevent accidents as the extractor tube fitting will not blow out of the container if gas pressure still exists therein during removal.

The fully assembled extractor tube can be fitted into the container by: a) offering up to the neck of the container and pushing home firmly while securing same into the container, b) the unit is to be kept normal to the container during insertion to fully compress the spring, c) a slight click will be felt or heard during screwing in when the plate or the end of the spring is restored by the spring.

Removal can only be effected by removing the top seal, spring seating plate and spring. When these parts have been removed the tube can be removed by turning the container on its side or upside-down while unscrewing the assembly.

Claims

1. An extractor tube assembly for fitment within the outlet housing of a cask or container the assembly comprising a body member to engage said housing, valve means located within the body member and urged by a spring member to normally close an outlet, the assembly being characterised by a laterally extending catch member having a profiled end portion whereby the said end may be displaced against the force of the spring sufficient to allow the assembly to be fitted within the housing the said end thereafter being restored by the spring to project laterally below the housing such that said end will abut the container or housing to prevent removal of the assembly from said outlet.

2. An extractor tube assembly for fitment within the outlet housing of a cask or container the assembly comprising a body member to engage said housing, coupling means for connection with an outlet fitting, valve means located within the body member and urged by a spring member to normally close an outlet with said spring member and valve being depressed by the outlet fitting to open the said outlet, the assembly being characterised by the normally lower end of the spring extending laterally and having a profiled portion forming a catch whereby the said end of the spring may be displaced to allow the assembly to be fitted within the container outlet housing with the said end of the spring thereafter being restored to the original position whereby same will abut a portion of the container or the housing on attempted removal of the assembly from said outlet.

3. An extractor tube assembly for fitment within the outlet housing of a cask or container the assembly comprising a body member to engage said housing, coupling means for connection with an outlet fitting, valve means located within the body member and urged by a spring member to normally close an outlet with said spring member and valve being depressed by the outlet fitting to open the said outlet, the assembly being characterised by the lower end of the spring seating onto a plate member of annular form and located coaxially about the head of the extractor tube, the plate member having a laterally extending profiled portion forming a catch whereby the plate may be displaced against the force of the spring to allow the assembly to be fitted within the container outlet housing with the plate and thereafter being restored by the spring force to the original position whereby the laterally extending portion of the plate will abut a portion of the container or housing on attempted removal of the assembly from said outlet.

4. An extractor tube assembly according to any preceding claim, incorporating an extractor tube having a head portion located within the housing with said spring member being coaxially positioned about the head of said tube.

5. An extractor tube assembly according to any preceding claim in combination with a beverage container.

6. An extractor tube assembly constructed and arranged to function in combination with a container as described herein and exemplified with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings.

7. A spring or a plate member adapted to modify an extractor tube assembly for the purposes as herein described or as any preceding claim.