Stopper device for containers, such as cylinders, equipped with a neck of the water fountain type

Abstract

The invention includes a stopper placed in a capsule having an external skirt and an internal duct, onto which the stopper is fitted. The lower part of the stopper includes a tapered part made from flexible rubber, in the form of a bellows with straight walls forming a slot functioning as a valve. The valve closes under the effect of the water pressure exerted on the walls, while the fountain tube effects the opening of the valve by penetrating into the slot. Preferably, the stopper consists of a single piece without movable parts.

1 . A stopper device for containers equipped with a neck of the water fountain type, such as cylinders, which are intended for containing drinking water or another liquid during the storage and transport of the liquid and for cooperating with a fountain tube for the purpose of dispensing the liquid, said device comprising being placed in a capsule which includes an external skirt to receive the neck of the cylinder, and an internal duct to pass the fountain tube and support a stopper, wherein the stopper is made from a flexible and elastic material and is formed of a single piece free of movable parts, and wherein the stopper includes a bellows-shaped tapered part, the tapered part having closely set straight walls of which form a slot, the closing and opening of which function as a valve having the property, with one wall being laid against the other, of preventing the passage of the liquid contained in the container.  
   
   
       2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the closed position of the bellows is assisted by hydrostatic pressure when the cylinder is filled, and by mechanical means, such as reinforcements exerting a thrust on the walls of the bellows, said thrust being oriented at 90° with respect to the slot.  
   
   
       3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the stopper has in its lower part an annular hollow part which fits onto the duct and which terminates in an annular flange serving as a seal on which the end of the neck of the cylinder rests.  
   
   
       4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tube can slide freely within the duct when the liquid is drawn off, and the inner wall of the duct includes a sealing bead opposing the passage of the liquid flowing incidentally outside the tube.  
   
   
       5 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom of the capsule is equipped, at the location intended for the passage of the tube in the duct, with a diaphragm which yields under the effect of the impact exerted by the tube and which consists, for example, of daisy petals.  
   
   
       6 . A stopper for use in containers that dispense liquid and include a neck portion, said stopper being made from flexible and elastic material and housed within the neck portion, said stopper comprising a fixed part surmounted by a bellows-shaped tapered part with closely set straight walls forming a slot functioning as a valve, the opening and closing of which are actuated by virtue of the elasticity and flexibility of the material of the bellows and by means of hydrostatic pressure exerted by the liquid filling the container.  
   
   
       7 . The stopper as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the rigidity of the walls is reinforced by at least one reinforcement member positioned at 90° with respect to the slot of the bellows.  
   
   
       8 . The stopper as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the fixed part is in the form of a hollow barrel fastened to the body of the stopper by being fitted onto it.  
   
   
       9 . A stopper assembly for containers intended for housing liquid and for cooperating with a fountain tube for the purpose of dispensing the liquid, said assembly comprising: 
 a capsule having an external skirt which receives the neck of the container, and an internal duct structured and arranged to pass the fountain tube therethrough and to work in cooperation with a stopper, the stopper including:    a bellows member, the member including at least two walls which cooperate to form a slot which when open allows the passage of water housed in the container therethrough, and when closed prevents the passage of water housed in the container therethrough.    
   
   
       10 . The stopper assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the stopper is made from a flexible and elastic material, and is formed of a single piece free of movable parts.