Can tap

Abstract

Disclosed are can taps for dispensing fluids from containers. The can tap has a housing with a housing net and a housing outlet, and a pin and a tap outlet. The pin has a flow portion in fluid communication with the housing inlet and housing outlet. The flow portion of the pin may be a hollow shaft. The pin has a blunt depressor capable of operating a valve on the container. The can tap may have a gasket comprising a material having a hardness that prevents deformation of the container.

1 . A can tap comprising:
 a housing having a body, a lower end having an inlet, an upper end having an outlet, a throat between the lower end and the upper end;   a pin located within the housing having an upper end secured to the housing body, a lower end having a blunt depressor suitable for contact with a can having a top in which is positioned a valve, wherein the blunt depressor is capable of operating the valve of the can, and a flow portion between the upper end and the lower end of the pin located within the housing throat wherein the flow portion is in fluid communication with the housing inlet and the housing outlet;   a gasket positioned adjacent to the housing at or near the housing inlet, and is further positioned so as to be capable of contacting a can when the tap is affixed to a can, wherein the gasket comprises an elastic material that cushions the top of the can; and   a tap outlet in fluid communication with housing outlet at the upper end of the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The can tap of  claim 1 , wherein the flow portion of the pin is a hollow shaft wherein the hollow shaft has one or more openings in fluid communication with the housing inlet and the housing outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The can tap of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow shaft terminates in an open depressor, having a ring-shaped cross-section that forms the opening of the pin in fluid communication with the housing inlet and wherein at least one of the one or more openings is in fluid communication with the housing outlet. 
     
     
         4 . The can tap of  claim 2 , the pin terminates in a solid depressor and at least one of the one or more openings in the hollow shaft of the pin is positioned along a side of the pin at the lower end of the pin adjacent to or near the depressor, in fluid communication with the housing inlet, and wherein an opening in the flow portion remote from the depressor is in fluid communication with the housing outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The can tap of  claim 1 , wherein the pin has a pin limiter positioned along the flow portion of the pin for limiting the distance the pin may descend when the pin is engaged. 
     
     
         6 . The can tap of  claim 5 , wherein the pin limiter is at least one shoulder and the housing further comprises a stop positioned along the housing throat at or near the housing inlet wherein the at least one shoulder and the stop are sized such that the at least one shoulder contacts the stop to limit the distance the pin can descend when the pin is engaged. 
     
     
         7 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The can tap of  claim 1 , wherein the gasket has a hardness ranging from about 70 durometers to about 100 durometers. 
     
     
         10 . The can tap of  claim 9 , wherein the gasket has a hardness ranging from about 80 durometers to about 90 durometers. 
     
     
         11 . The can tap of claim  7 , wherein the gasket is sized such that it at least partially but not completely compresses when the can tap is attached to a can. 
     
     
         12 . The can tap of  claim 1 , wherein the can tap can be attached and detached from a can at least about 5 times without deforming the can. 
     
     
         13 . The can tap of  claim 1 , wherein the can tap is capable of delivering a constant flow rate of at least 2.0 g/sec when the can has a starting pressure of 662 kPa (96 psia). 
     
     
         14 . The can tap of  claim 1 , wherein the depressor has a blunt surface for contacting with a valve of a can. 
     
     
         15 . The can tap of  claim 1 , wherein the blunt surface of the depressor is flat, curved, faceted, or dully pointed. 
     
     
         16 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The can tap of  claim 14  or  15  wherein the depressor has straight sides. 
     
     
         19 . The can tap of  claim 14  or  15  wherein the depressor has curved sides. 
     
     
         20 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The can tap of  claim 11  wherein the elastic material compression is at least about 1% and less than 100%. 
     
     
         28 . The can tap of  claim 11  wherein the elastic material compression is at least about 10%. 
     
     
         29 . The can tap of  claim 11  wherein the elastic material compression is less than about 90%. 
     
     
         30 . The can tap of  claim 11  wherein the elastic material compression is at least about 20%. 
     
     
         31 . The can tap of  claim 11  wherein the elastic material compression is less than about 75%. 
     
     
         32 . The can tap of  claim 11  wherein the elastic material compression is at least about 50%. 
     
     
         33 . The can tap of  claim 11  wherein the elastic material compression is less than about 60%.