GB2170488A - Extractor tube fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

A means for retaining the extractor tube and associated parts in a head fitting of a beverage container comprises a retaining clip plate 30 which is annular and has a radial line of separation 31 and an aperture 32 to engage with a driving tool. The plate is engaged by bending an end 33 downwardly to engage underneath detent 10 and then rotating the plate 30 counter-clockwise, so that after 360 DEG rotation it will fully lie beneath all three detents 10 to thus resume a planar configuration and lock into place. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Extractor tube fittings for beverage containers This invention relates to an improved extractortube head fitting for beverage containers and, more specifically, to an improved means for retaining the extractor tube and spring valve assembly within the extractor head housing.

A prior art construction is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings and as shown the head fitting comprises a housing 3 in which an extractor tube 1 is mounted to be longitudinally displaceable against a spring 7. The spring 7 bears at one end against the flared mouth of the tube 1 and at the other end againstthe retaining plate 5 held in the lower end of body 3. The tube head houses a seal 2 and poppet valve 4 urged upwardly by spring 6.

Referring to Figure 2, which is looking in direction A of Figure 1, the housing has three detents 10 or possibly cast-in lugs which serve to retain plate 5.

The plate has cut-outs 11 and is assembled by aligning the cut-outs with the detents, pressing the plate into the housing against pressure of spring 6 and then rotating through 60 and releasing the pressure, whereby the plate is retained by abutment with the detents or lugs 10. The disadvantage of this construction is that the cut-outs 11 allow liquid jetting when filling and the plate can be partially fitted in a position where it appears secure but may nevertheless detach through vibration.

This invention provides an improved retaining plate in the nature of a clip for securing the extractor tube and associated fittings.

According to this invention there is provided an extractor tube head fitting for beverage containers wherein the extractor tube is secured in a housing by a retaining plate comprising an annular clip of springy material with a radial line of separation, the clip being inserted in the housing by deforming at the line of separation out of the plane of the clip and then feeding the end beneath one of a plurality of detents or lugs in the housing and rotating the clip to progressively engage same with the housing to lie under the detents and to then resume a planar configuration in a final position.

The invention is illustrated more specifically by way of an example with reference to Figure 3 of the drawings. As shown the retaining clip plate 30 is annular and has a radial line of separation 31 and an aperture 32 to engage with a driving tool. The plate is engaged by bending an end 33 downwardly to engage underneath detent 10 and then rotating the plate 30 counter-clockwise, so that after 360 rotation it will fully lie beneath all three detents 10 to thus resume a planar configuration and lock into place.

The advantages of this construction are reduced cost using less material because of the thinner gauge and reduced manufacturing costs. An improved flow pattern is achieved due to vertual elemination of liquid jetting slots and the clip can be fitted either way up, whereas in the prior-art construction the plate can only be fitted correctly one way. The plate also cannot be half fitted and appear to be correct as the prior-art device; thus the risk of the plate shifting under vibration to unclip itself is eliminated and also the arrangement of the invention is difficult to tamper with.

The aeprture 32 will, in use, be arranged so that it is covered by the end of the spring 7.

1. An extractor tube head fitting for beverage containers wherein the extractor tube is secured in a housing by a retaining plate comprising an annular clip of springy material with a radial line of separation, the clip being inserted in the housing by deforming at the line of separation out of the plane of the clip and then feeding the end beneath one of a plurality of detents or lugs in the housing and rotating the clip to progressively engage same with the housing to lie under the detents and to then resume a planar configuration in a final position.

2. Afitting according to Claim 1, wherein the clip has an aperture adjacent the line of separation to engage a driving tool.

3. A fitting as described herein and illustrated with reference to Figure 3 of the drawings.

4. A clip for the purposes herein set forth, as described herein and shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Extractor tube fittings for beverage containers This invention relates to an improved extractortube head fitting for beverage containers and, more specifically, to an improved means for retaining the extractor tube and spring valve assembly within the extractor head housing. A prior art construction is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings and as shown the head fitting comprises a housing 3 in which an extractor tube 1 is mounted to be longitudinally displaceable against a spring 7. The spring 7 bears at one end against the flared mouth of the tube 1 and at the other end againstthe retaining plate 5 held in the lower end of body 3. The tube head houses a seal 2 and poppet valve 4 urged upwardly by spring 6. Referring to Figure 2, which is looking in direction A of Figure 1, the housing has three detents 10 or possibly cast-in lugs which serve to retain plate 5. The plate has cut-outs 11 and is assembled by aligning the cut-outs with the detents, pressing the plate into the housing against pressure of spring 6 and then rotating through 60 and releasing the pressure, whereby the plate is retained by abutment with the detents or lugs 10. The disadvantage of this construction is that the cut-outs 11 allow liquid jetting when filling and the plate can be partially fitted in a position where it appears secure but may nevertheless detach through vibration. This invention provides an improved retaining plate in the nature of a clip for securing the extractor tube and associated fittings. According to this invention there is provided an extractor tube head fitting for beverage containers wherein the extractor tube is secured in a housing by a retaining plate comprising an annular clip of springy material with a radial line of separation, the clip being inserted in the housing by deforming at the line of separation out of the plane of the clip and then feeding the end beneath one of a plurality of detents or lugs in the housing and rotating the clip to progressively engage same with the housing to lie under the detents and to then resume a planar configuration in a final position. The invention is illustrated more specifically by way of an example with reference to Figure 3 of the drawings. As shown the retaining clip plate 30 is annular and has a radial line of separation 31 and an aperture 32 to engage with a driving tool. The plate is engaged by bending an end 33 downwardly to engage underneath detent 10 and then rotating the plate 30 counter-clockwise, so that after 360 rotation it will fully lie beneath all three detents 10 to thus resume a planar configuration and lock into place. The advantages of this construction are reduced cost using less material because of the thinner gauge and reduced manufacturing costs. An improved flow pattern is achieved due to vertual elemination of liquid jetting slots and the clip can be fitted either way up, whereas in the prior-art construction the plate can only be fitted correctly one way. The plate also cannot be half fitted and appear to be correct as the prior-art device; thus the risk of the plate shifting under vibration to unclip itself is eliminated and also the arrangement of the invention is difficult to tamper with. The aeprture 32 will, in use, be arranged so that it is covered by the end of the spring 7. CLAIMS

1. An extractor tube head fitting for beverage containers wherein the extractor tube is secured in a housing by a retaining plate comprising an annular clip of springy material with a radial line of separation, the clip being inserted in the housing by deforming at the line of separation out of the plane of the clip and then feeding the end beneath one of a plurality of detents or lugs in the housing and rotating the clip to progressively engage same with the housing to lie under the detents and to then resume a planar configuration in a final position.

2. Afitting according to Claim 1, wherein the clip has an aperture adjacent the line of separation to engage a driving tool.

3. A fitting as described herein and illustrated with reference to Figure 3 of the drawings.

4. A clip for the purposes herein set forth, as described herein and shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.