Outlet tap assembly for a liquid filled flexible packaging bag

An outlet tap assembly comprising a tubular outlet member having a bore therein, a tap at one end, operatively the outer end, for controlling the flow of liquid through the bore, and a spike at the opposite end, operatively the inner end, at least one aperture communicating with the bore towards the inner end, an endless clamping surface encircling the outlet member between the aperture and tap;

• and a clamping element movable axially on the outlet member and having a hole defining an endless clamping edge or surface for cooperation with the clamping surface on the outlet member to operatively clamp material of a flexible packaging bag therebetween;
• wherein the hole defines the clamping surface of the clamping element such that it is a press fit over an enlarged zone of the tubular outlet member such that once installed, the clamping element is held substantially captive on the outlet member;
• and
• wherein resilient means are provided for urging the clamping element axially into engagement with the clamping surface on the outlet member such that the clamping element may move away from the clamping surface against the action of the resilient means during installation and automatically become operative under the action of the resilient means thereafter,
• the resilient means being in the form of operatively rearwardly extending resilient arm assemblies formed integral with the clamping element at one end of the arm assemblies and connected to it through integral hinges with the resilient arms having opposite free ends provided with formations that clip into co-operating formations formed integral with the outlet member.