Abstract:
This invention relates to an adaptor used in a fitment valve assembly, said adaptor comprising an outer ring collar having a top and a bottom, and an outer and an inner surface; a flange moulded to the bottom of said outer ring collar; an interior ring collar having a top and a bottom, and an outer and an inner surface moulded in adjacent relationship to said outer ring collar near the top of said interior ring collar; an inverted dome structure moulded toward the bottom of said inner surface of said interior ring collar defining at least one opening for the flow of fluid there-through; a groove for an O-ring moulded in said inner surface of said interior ring collar above said dome structure; a lip moulded onto said bottom of said interior ring collar for forming a seal with said fitment valve assembly; and a groove for an O-ring moulded in said outer surface at the bottom of said interior ring collar.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 61/413,628 filed on Nov. 15, 2010, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to an adaptor for a valve fitment assembly used to dispense liquids from a collapsible bag or a container. Specifically, the adaptor allows for the valve fitment assembly to be used in conjunction with a spout attached to a container holding the dispensable liquid. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0053568 shows a slider valve fitment and collar for dispensing liquid from a collapsible bag or a container. However, this fitment and collar can only be used in conjunction with a certain design of spout and valve assembly that is attached to the container. Containers having a different spout and valve assembly design cannot be used with this slider valve fitment and collar. 
         [0004]    The adaptor of this invention allows for the use of such a slider valve fitment and collar with other spout and valve assemblies attached to a fluid container. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This invention relates to an adaptor used in a fitment valve assembly, said adaptor comprising:
       (A) an outer ring collar having a top and a bottom, and an outer and an inner surface,
           wherein said outer ring collar has threads moulded into said outer surface of said outer ring collar, and   wherein said outer ring collar has threads moulded into said lower inner surface of said outer ring collar;   
           (B) a flange moulded to the bottom of said outer ring collar;   (C) an interior ring collar having a top and a bottom, and an outer and an inner surface moulded in adjacent relationship to said outer ring collar near the top of said interior ring collar,
           wherein said outer surface of the top part of said inner ring collar and the top part of said inner surface of said outer ring collar forms a U-shaped channel for receiving a part of said fitment valve assembly,   wherein the lower part of said outer surface of said interior ring collar and the lower part of said inner surface of said outer ring collar form a lower U-shaped channel for receiving a part of said fitment valve assembly, and   wherein said outer surface of said interior ring collar having a groove around said bottom of said interior ring collar for positioning an O-ring being part of said fitment valve assembly;   
           (D) an inverted dome structure moulded toward the bottom of said inner surface of said interior ring collar defining at least one opening for the flow of fluid there-through;   (E) a groove for an O-ring moulded in said inner surface of said interior ring collar above said dome structure;   (F) a lip moulded onto said bottom of said interior ring collar for forming a seal with said fitment valve assembly; and   (G) a groove for an O-ring moulded in said outer surface at the bottom of said interior ring collar.       
 
         [0018]    This invention further relates to a fitment valve assembly comprising:
       (A) a fitment for attachment to a container for holding and dispensing a fluid,
           wherein said container has a generally cylindrical spout attached thereto,   wherein said fitment comprises a generally cylindrical external valve body movable to a fixed position within the spout and a generally cylindrical internal valve body movable axially within the external valve body,   wherein said internal valve body is movable between a closed position operable to prevent the flow of fluid through said fitment and an open position operable to allow the flow of fluid through said fitment,   wherein said internal valve body is movable between closed and open positions by insertion of a dispensing connector into said external valve body adjacent said internal valve body, wherein said internal valve body being is biased toward the closed position; and   
           (B) a collar for attachment to said dispensing connector and for releasable coupling to said fitment,
           wherein when coupled to said fitment said collar compressively engages said external valve body to form a seal between said external valve body and said dispensing connector and further comprises said adaptor of Claim  1  positioned between said fitment and said cylindrical spout of said container containing fluid.   
               
 
         [0026]    This invention also relates to a process for dispensing fluid from a container, wherein said container has a spout attached to it, and wherein said spout is in contact with a fitment valve through an adaptor described Claim  1 . 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a cross section of a valve fitment assembly of a dispensing connector and a collar. 
           [0028]      FIG. 1A  is a cross section of the adaptor. 
           [0029]      FIG. 1B  is a cross section of the cylindrical spout and valve assembly in connection with a fluid container. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  and  FIG. 2A  are the same cross sections as shown  FIGS. 1 ,  1 A, and  1 B except the fitment assembly is engaged with the adaptor and in a spatial relationship with spout and valve assembly of the fluid container. 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a vertical cross section shown in a perspective view of the adaptor. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3A  is a vertical cross section of the valve opening device. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is cross sections of valve fitment assembly having single fluid exist. 
           [0034]      FIG. 4A  is a cross section of the adaptor. 
           [0035]      FIG. 4B  is a cross section of the valve opening device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]    In the present description, any range for a numerical quantity is disclosed in an abbreviated manner, simply to avoid listing and describing each and every value within the range. Any appropriate value within the range can be selected as the upper value, lower value, or the terminus of the range. 
         [0037]    As used herein, the singular form of a word includes the plural, and vice versa, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, the references “a,” “an,” and “the” are generally inclusive of the plurals of the respective terms. For example, reference to “a method” includes a plurality of such “methods.” Likewise, the terms “include,” “including,” and “or” should all be construed to be inclusive, unless such construction is clearly prohibited from the context. Similarly, the term “examples,” particularly when followed by a listing of terms, is merely exemplary and illustrative and should not be deemed to be exclusive or comprehensive. 
         [0038]    The term “comprising” is intended to include embodiments encompassed by the terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.” Similarly, the term “consisting essentially of” is intended to include embodiments encompassed by the term “consisting of.” 
         [0039]    The methods and compositions and other advances disclosed herein are not limited to particular equipment or processes described herein because, as the skilled artisan will appreciate, they may vary. Further, the terminology used herein is to describe particular embodiments only, and is not intended to, and does not, limit the scope of what is disclosed or claimed. 
         [0040]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms, terms of art, and acronyms used herein have the meanings commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in the field(s) of the invention, or in the field(s) where the term is used. Although any compositions, methods, articles of manufacture, or other means or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the present invention, the preferred compositions, methods, articles of manufacture, or other means or materials are described herein. 
         [0041]    All patents, patent applications, publications, technical and/or scholarly articles, and other references cited or referred to herein are in their entirety incorporated herein by reference to the extent allowed by law. The discussion of those references is intended merely to summarize the assertions made therein. No admission is made that any such patents, patent applications, publications or references, or any portion thereof, are relevant, material, or prior art. The right to challenge the accuracy and pertinence of any assertion of such patents, patent applications, publications, and other references as relevant, material, or prior art is specifically reserved. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 1 ,  1 A, and  1 B show a cross section of a fitment assembly attached to a fluid container. Specifically,  FIG. 1  is a cross section of a dispensing connector no;  FIG. 1A  is a cross section of an adaptor  50 ; and a  FIG. 1B  is a cross section of a cylindrical spout and valve assembly  30 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 1  shows the dispensing connector no positioned in collar  120 . The dispensing connector no comprises valve stem  126  having a collar  127  and a nipple  128  attached at the end of the valve stem  126 . The connector has two exit ports  129  and  130 , and fluid from the fluid container  40  ( FIG. 113 ) flows through these ports when the dispensing connector is in an open position. Collar body  121  is in an abutting relationship with the dispensing connector no and has an internal threaded flange  122  which engages with the threaded external outer ring  51  of the adaptor  50  ( FIG. 1A ). A receiving space  123  allows the adaptor  50  to be positioned in the receiving space  123  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0044]    Shown in  FIG. 1A  is the adaptor  50  (details in  FIG. 3 ) having a threaded external outer ring collar  51  that is screwed into and meshed with the internal threads of the threaded flange  122  of the collar body  121 . The top  51   a  of the threaded external outer ring collar  51  is sealed with the grooved area  125  of the collar body  121 . Also, the U-shaped channel  54  formed by the outer ring collar  51  and the inner ring collar  51   b  of the adaptor  50  is sealed in grove  124  of the collar body  121 . These seals prevent leakage of fluid from the container  40  as the fluid is being dispensed. Moulded to the collar  51  of the adaptor  50  is a flange  57  that holds the collar body  121  in place. Locking tabs  58  and  58   a  are attached to flange  57  and lock the collar body  121  in place to prevent movement and leakage of fluid being dispensed. Groove  59  of the adaptor  50  has an O-ring (not shown) positioned therein to form a seal with the dispensing connector  110 . Groove  60  positioned at the bottom of the adaptor  50  having an O-ring (not shown) forms a seal with cylindrical spout  31 . Ridge  56  positioned at the bottom of the adaptor  50  retains valve opening device  70  that depresses valve assembly  35  positioned in cylindrical spout  31  to allow flow of liquid from container  40 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 1B  shows the cylindrical spout and valve assembly  30  attached by conventional means, such as by heat sealing or with an adhesive, to fluid container  40 . The cylindrical spout  31  has an exterior threaded collar  32  that meshes with the internal threaded part of the collar  52  of the adaptor  50  and is positioned in receiving space  53  of the adaptor  50 . Spout flange  33  is in contact with flange  57  of the adaptor. A cylindrical support collar  34  is attached to flange  33  that supports flange  33  and rests on rest on the fluid container  40 . Valve assembly  35  is positioned in the center of the cylindrical spout and valve assembly  30  and when the valve head  36  is depressed on engagement with the valve opening device  70  positioned below the adaptor so and which is actuated by nipple  128  of the valve stem  126  when the valve stem  126  is engaged into its open position, the top of the fluid container  41  is depressed and opened and fluid follows out of the fluid container  40  out through disc  70  having openings therein ( FIG. 3A ) and through dispenser connector no and out through the fluid exit ports  129  and  130 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 2  shows the dispensing connector  110  positioned in the collar  120  with the adaptor  50  positioned in the collar  120  and the valve opening device  70  positioned in the bottom of the adaptor  50 . The cylindrical spout and valve assembly  30  having valve assembly  35  positioned therein is in contact with fluid container  40 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 3  shows a vertical cross section of the adaptor  50 . Threaded external outer ring collar  51  having threads of the outside is moulded to flange  57  and has internal threads  52 . A U-shaped channel  54  is moulded therein for receiving and sealing the collar  120  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Groove  59  forms a seal with the dispersion connector no. An O-ring (not shown) is positioned in this groove. Receiving space  53  receives the threaded collar  32  of the cylindrical spout  30  (shown in  FIG. 1B ) and forms a seal therewith to prevent leakage of fluid being dispensed. The dome-shaped area  55  of the adaptor  50  defines openings  61  for the flow of fluid from the container  40  when the valve assembly  35  ( FIG. 1 ) is opened by the valve stem  126 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 3A  shows a cross section of the valve opening device  70  having a disc with openings  71  moulded thereto to allow flow of fluid. The valve opening device is positioned below the center of the inverted dome  55  of the adaptor  50 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  shows a cross section of a valve fitment assembly  110  having a single fluid exit port  130 . A spring  131  actuates the valve stem  126 . The operation of the valve fitment assembly is as described for  FIG. 1 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 4A  shows the adaptor  50  in fitting relationship to the valve fitment assembly and  FIG. 4B  shows the valve opening device in relationship to the adaptor  50 . 
         [0051]    The following is a description of the operation of the fitment, adaptor and spout and valve assembly for the release of fluid from a container. Valve stem  126  of the dispensing connector  110  is depressed, which can be accomplished simply by sliding the valve stem into an engaged position or the valve stem can be threaded in the dispensing connector  110  and rotated into the engaged position. The nipple  128  attached to the bottom of the valve stem  126  engages the valve opening device  70  thereby depressing the valve head  36  and the top  41  of the fluid container  40  is depressed and opened and fluid from the container  40  flows through openings in the bottom of the cylindrical spout  31  wherein ribs  37  encircle the valve head  36  but provide opening for the flow of fluid. The fluid then flows thorough disc  71  moulded to the valve opening device  70 . Disc  71  defines openings to provide for the flow of fluid. Fluid then passes through openings  61  of the adaptor  50 .  FIG. 3  shows the openings  61  in the dome of the adaptor. At least one opening is required but preferably 4-8 openings are used. The fluid then passes around valve stem  126  and through the openings in collar  127  of the valve stem. Collar  127  provides stability to the valve stem  126  to prevent unwanted motion or displacement of the valve stem  126 . The fluid then flows out through either or both exists  129  and  130  of the dispensing connector  110 . 
         [0052]    In a preferred embodiment, the adaptor is moulded from an elastomer, such as a polyurethane or a thermoplastic, such as high density polyethylene or polypropylene. 
         [0053]    This invention also relates to a process for dispensing fluid from a collapsible bag or a container wherein a spout attached to said collapsible bag or said container is in contact with a valve fitment through an adaptor described supra. 
         [0054]    These and other aspects of the invention do not limit the understanding and communication of the invention, as expressed in the appended claims. 
       LISTING OF PARTS OF FIGURES 
     FIGS. 1,  1 A &amp;  1 B 
       [0000]    
       
           110  Dispensing Connector 
           111  Open end of Dispensing Connector 
           120  Collar 
           121  Collar body 
           122  Internal threaded flange of collar body 
           123  Receiving space in collar body 
           124  Groove for placement of adaptor  50   
           125  Grooved area for receiving  51   a  (threaded collar of adaptor  50 ) 
           126  Valve stem 
           127  Collar surrounding valve stem 
           128  Nipple attached to end of valve stem 
           129 / 130  Fluid exits ports from dispensing connector 
           50  Adaptor 
           51  Threaded external outer ring collar of adaptor 
           51   a  Top of threaded outer ring collar of adaptor 
           51   b  Inner ring collar of adaptor 
           52  Internal threaded part of the collar of the adaptor 
           53  Receiving space for threaded collar of cylindrical spout  30   
           54  U-shaped channel for receiving and sealing collar  120   
           55  Inverted dome of adaptor having openings not shown but shown in  FIG. 2   
           56  Ridge for holding valve opening device. 
           57  Flange 
           58  Locking tab for holding collar  120  in place 
           58   a  Locking tab for holding collar  120  in place 
           59  Groove having an O-ring (not shown) positioned therein for sealing dispersion connector. 
           60  Groove having an O-ring (not shown) positioned therein to seal cylindrical spout  31 . 
           61  Opening in dome of adaptor for fluid flow 
           70  Valve opening device for depressing valve head  36 . 
           30  Cylindrical spout and valve assembly 
           31  Cylindrical spout 
           32  Threaded collar of cylindrical spout 
           33  Spout flange 
           34  Cylindrical support collar 
           35  Valve assembly for flow of liquid from fluid container  40   
           36  Valve head 
           37  Ribs surrounding valve head providing opening for fluid flow 
           40  Fluid container 
           41 . Top of fluid container in contact with valve head  46   
       
     
       FIGS. 2 &amp; 2A 
       [0000]    
       
           50  Adaptor 
           110  Dispensing Connector 
           30  Cylindrical spout and valve assembly 
           35  Valve Assembly 
           41  Fluid container 
           70  Valve opening device 
           71  Disc with openings 
       
     
       FIGS. 3 &amp; 3A 
       [0000]    
       
           50  Adaptor 
           51  Threaded collar of adaptor 
           52  Internal threaded part of the collar of the adaptor 
           53  Receiving space for threaded collar of cylindrical spout  30   
           54  U-shaped channel for receiving and sealing collar  120   
           55  Concave dome of adaptor having openings 
           56  Openings in concave dome to allow for the flow of fluid from the fluid container. 
           57  Flange 
           58  Locking tabs for holding collar  120  in place (not shown but shown in  FIG. 1 ) 
           59  Groove with O-ring (not shown) for sealing dispersion connector. 
           60  Groove with O-ring (not shown) for sealing cylindrical spout  31 . 
           70  Valve opening device 
       
     
       FIG. 4 
       [0000]    
       
           131  Spring