Patent ID: 7661719
Filing Date: 2010-02-16
Classification: B65D,F16L

Abstract:
1. A fluid port for alternately interfacing a fluid conduit with a fluid container or with a fluid hose, the fluid container having a container wall, the port comprising: a back plate having a back surface, a front surface, at least one peripheral wall connecting the front surface to the back surface, and a back aperture therethrough for receiving the fluid hose therein, the back plate including a wall attachment mechanism; a front plate held away from and substantially parallel to the back plate by a plurality of standoffs, the front plate including a front aperture coaxially aligned with the back aperture of the back plate, the front aperture adapted to receive the fluid hose therein; and a port cap comprising a cylindrical pipe portion having a back aperture attachment mechanism at a distal end thereof and at least one side aperture, the port cap including a collar fixed to a proximal end of the pipe portion that includes a port cap aperture and a flap pivotally attached to the collar, the flap substantially covering the port cap aperture when the flap is in a closed position, the port cap aperture substantially uncovered when the flap is in an open position, a biasing mechanism urging the flap into the closed position; whereby the fluid hose may be inserted into the front aperture for substantially connecting the fluid hose to the fluid conduit, and whereby with the fluid hose removed from the front aperture the fluid conduit is connected to the fluid container through the side aperture and between each standoff; whereby with the flap in the open position the fluid hose may be inserted into the port cap aperture for substantially connecting the fluid hose to the fluid conduit, and with the flap in the closed position the fluid container is connected to the fluid conduit through the at least one side aperture of the cylindrical pipe portion of the port cap and between the standoffs.