Patent ID: 8281961
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: B67D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A device for accessing a fluid in a container using an existing container opening, the device comprising: a sanitary fitting for attaching the device directly to the container over the existing container opening, the sanitary fitting including a first port; a sample coupling associated with the sanitary fitting, the sample coupling being rotatable relative to the sanitary fitting in a single direction, the sample coupling including at least two second ports, circumferentially spaced from one another, wherein rotation of the sample coupling in the single direction causes one first port to successively align with a single one of the at least two second ports to access fluid through the aligned one first port and the one of the at least two second ports and wherein the at least two second ports are circumferentially spaced from one another so that all other of the at least two second ports are sealed from the first port when one of the at least two second ports of the sample coupling is aligned with the first port of the sanitary fitting, the device further comprising a tab extending externally, laterally away from the sanitary fitting, a portion of the tab being receivable within a plurality of tab stops formed in the sample coupling such that when the tab is received within a tab stop, relative rotation of the sample coupling with respect to the sanitary fitting is prevented, the device further comprising a plurality of teeth operable to allow the sample coupling to rotate relative to the sanitary fitting in the single direction and to prevent relative rotation in an opposite direction, and the device further comprising a final tab stop to prevent rotating the sample coupling relative to the sanitary fitting more than approximately 360 degrees in the single direction, thereby preventing relative movement between the sample coupling and the sanitary fitting in either rotational direction.