Patent ID: 6367521
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: B67D

Abstract:
A dispensing valve cap for use with a bottle containing fluid for dispensing the fluid in a gravity feed fluid dispensing system, the valve cap comprising:a first valve part having a first end and a second end, the first end mountable to the bottle, the first valve part including a tubular portion defining a longitudinal axis extending in a direction from the first end to the second end, the tubular portion including an air inlet aperture through the tubular portion, the tubular portion further including a fluid outlet aperture through the tubular portion, the air inlet aperture spaced apart from the fluid outlet aperture along the longitudinal axis, the air inlet aperture adjacent to the first end, the fluid outlet aperture adjacent to the second end; a second valve part rotatably mounted to the first valve part about the longitudinal axis, the second valve part including a mating portion adapted to cooperate with the tubular portion of the first valve part to close the air inlet and the fluid outlet apertures of the first valve part when the second valve part is in a first position relative to the first valve part, and to open the air inlet and the fluid outlet apertures of the first valve part when the second valve part is in a second position relative to the first valve part; and at least one locking tab extending from the second valve part, and at least one arcuate slot including a locking notch at one end of the arcuate slot positioned on the first valve part, wherein the locking tab is positionable in the locking notch to lock the second valve part and the first valve part from relative rotation, and wherein the locking tab is positionable in the arcuate slot to permit relative rotation between the second valve part and the first valve part.