Food product bag-to-pump connector

The present invention relates to a connector that provides secure and convenient connection to a product container. In one embodiment, an apparatus for providing fluid flow connection to a container opening of a container comprises a connector including a proximal end, a distal end, a flow passageway extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and at least one side opening extending from an external surface of the connector to the flow passageway, the side opening being disposed between the distal end and the proximal end. The connector is configured to be inserted into the container opening and to be movable between a closed position and an open position. The side opening is blocked by an internal surface of the container opening in the closed position. The side opening is at least partially open to an interior of the container to permit fluid flow between the interior of the container and the flow passageway of the connector in the open position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a connector for food products and, more particularly, to a connector for connecting an opening of a container of a food product to a device such as a pump for pumping the food product.

Connectors for conveying food products are widely used. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,403 discloses a device for controlling fluid flow which includes a housing having a front end and a back end. The housing defines a flow passageway extending longitudinally between the front end and the back end. A first retaining structure is connected to the housing and positioned within the flow passageway. The device includes a valve mechanism for opening and closing the flow passageway of the housing. The valve mechanism includes a poppet member mounted within the flow passageway. The poppet member includes a first end opposite from a second end. The first end includes a second retaining structure that cooperates with the first retaining structure of the housing to provide a snap fit connection for retaining the poppet member within the housing. In this device, cooperating arrangements of movable assemblies incorporating springs and O-rings are used for flow control. In certain applications, these assemblies appear within the food contact/conveying flow and become a mechanism for trapping products or particles by virtue of their physical features. In addition, the operation of the device relies on correct assembly and connection with another component (e.g., product container outlet) without inadvertent misalignment (e.g., cross-threading). In certain cases, such necessary and cooperating threads are not provided on the other components. It is desirable to prevent trapping food products with the use of the connectors and provide convenient and thorough cleaning of connectors.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a connector that provides secure and convenient connection to a product container such as a fitting on a tubular bag and a method of using the connector to provide product flow control. The connector is configured so that its internal food product contact/conveying features are easily and readily cleanable. In one embodiment, the connector is used to connect a dispensing device such as a pump to a product container such as a tubular bag. The connector is movable between a closed position to close the opening of the product container and an open position to allow product flow through the opening of the product container. When the connector coupled with the product container is in the closed position, the container can be placed in a desired storage area such as a refrigeration unit. The connector is designed to minimize trapping materials, or impeding or preventing proper cleaning/sanitization. This is true for products that include relatively large particles. The connector does not trap particles, for instance, between sealing surfaces so as to cause malfunction. The connector is removable for cleaning/sanitization and for reuse.

An aspect of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for providing fluid flow connection to a container opening of a container. The apparatus comprises a connector including a proximal end, a distal end, a flow passageway extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and at least one side opening extending from an external surface of the connector to the flow passageway, the side opening being disposed between the distal end and the proximal end. The connector is configured to be inserted into the container opening and to be movable between a closed position and an open position. The side opening is blocked by an internal surface of the container opening in the closed position. The side opening is at least partially open to an interior of the container to permit fluid flow between the interior of the container and the flow passageway of the connector in the open position.

In some embodiments, the connector further comprises a distal seal around the external surface of the connector near the distal end. The distal seal is configured to be pressed between the external surface of the connector and the internal surface of the container opening during insertion of the connector into the container opening. The connector further comprises an intermediate seal around the external surface of the connector at an intermediate position between the proximal end and the distal end. The distal seal and the intermediate seal are disposed on opposite sides of the at least one side opening. The intermediate seal is configured to be pressed between the external surface of the connector and the internal surface of the container opening during insertion of the connector into the container opening. The distal seal and the intermediate seal may comprise O-rings. The distal seal and the intermediate seal may be formed integrally with the external surface of the connector. A retaining cap is disposed around the external surface of the connector in a region between the proximal end and the intermediate seal, the retaining cap being configured to be fastened to the container opening at a proximal end thereof. The retaining cap may be configured to be threadingly coupled to the proximal end of the container opening. The connector may further comprise an enlarged head near the proximal end, the enlarge head being larger than the container opening to prevent the connector from being inserted completely into the container.

In specific embodiments, a cooperative fitting includes a first end portion with a first opening, a second end portion with a second opening, and a flow path extending between the first opening and the second opening. The first end portion of the cooperative fitting is configured to be inserted into the flow passageway of the connector via the proximal end thereof. The cooperative fitting comprises at least one seal disposed around an external surface of the cooperative fitting near the first end portion, and the at least one seal is configured to be pressed between the external surface of the cooperative fitting and an internal surface of the container opening during insertion of the first end portion of the cooperative fitting into the flow passageway of the connector. The cooperative fitting further comprises a locking mechanism to lock the cooperative fitting with the connector upon insertion of the first end portion of the cooperative fitting into the flow passageway of the connector.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of providing fluid flow connection to a container opening of a container. The method comprises providing a connector including a proximal end, a distal end, a flow passageway extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and at least one side opening extending from an external surface of the connector to the flow passageway, the side opening being disposed between the distal end and the proximal end; inserting the connector into the container opening; moving the connector to a closed position in which the side opening is blocked by an internal surface of the container opening in the closed position; coupling the proximal end of the connector to an external device; and moving the connector to an open position in which the side opening is at least partially open to an interior of the container to permit fluid flow between the interior of the container and the external device via the flow passageway of the connector in the open position.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises providing a distal seal around the external surface of the connector near the distal end, the distal seal being configured to be pressed between the external surface of the connector and the internal surface of the container opening during insertion of the connector into the container opening. The method further comprises providing an intermediate seal around the external surface of the connector at an intermediate position between the proximal end and the distal end, the distal seal and the intermediate seal being disposed on opposite sides of the at least one side opening, the intermediate seal being configured to be pressed between the external surface of the connector and the internal surface of the container opening during insertion of the connector into the container opening. The method further comprises providing a retaining cap around the external surface of the connector in a region between the proximal end and the intermediate seal and fastening the retaining cap to the container opening at a proximal end thereof to secure the connector to the container opening.

In specific embodiments, the method further comprises providing a cooperative fitting which includes a first end portion with a first opening, a second end portion with a second opening, and a flow path extending between the first opening and the second opening; inserting the first end portion of the cooperative fitting into the flow passageway of the connector via the proximal end thereof; and moving the connector from the closed position to the open position. The method further comprises providing at least one seal disposed around an external surface of the cooperative fitting near the first end portion; and pressing the at least one seal between the external surface of the cooperative fitting and an internal surface of the container opening during insertion of the first end portion of the cooperative fitting into the flow passageway of the connector. The method further comprises providing a locking mechanism to lock the cooperative fitting with the connector upon insertion of the first end portion of the cooperative fitting into the flow passageway of the connector. The method further comprises locking the connector to the container opening upon insertion of the connector into the container opening, the connector being movable between the closed position and the open position with the connector being locked to the container opening; and locking the cooperative fitting to the connector upon insertion of the first end portion of the cooperative fitting into the flow passageway of the connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-4show a connector or adapter10having a body12and a longitudinal flow passageway14extending therethrough. A first, distal seal16is disposed near the distal end of the body12. A second, intermediate seal18is disposed away from the distal end at an intermediate position between the proximal end and the distal end of the connector body12. In the embodiment shown, the distal seal16and the intermediate seal18are external O-rings. The O-rings16,18are disposed in external circumferential slots17,19, respectively (seeFIGS. 3 and 4). One or more side openings20,21are disposed between the distal seal16and the intermediate seal18, and provide flow communication between the longitudinal flow passageway14and the exterior. As best seen inFIG. 4, the embodiment includes two side openings20,21. The body12includes an enlarged head24at or near the proximal end.

FIG. 5shows the connector10ofFIG. 1spaced from an opening30of a container. The opening30may be provided as a product supply outlet, such as a fitting or spout on a tubular bag. InFIG. 6, the connector10is inserted into the opening30of the container ofFIG. 5. The distal seal16is disposed between the connector body12and the interior surface of the opening30to seal the opening30. During insertion of the connector10into the opening30, the distal end of the connector10pushes any product disposed in the region of the opening39back into the container and avoids any overflow or spillage.FIGS. 7 and 8show the connector10inserted into the opening30of the container36in a closed position. As best seen inFIG. 8, both seals16,18are disposed between the connector body12and the interior surface of the opening30of the container to seal the opening30. The side openings20,21are closed by the interior surface of the opening30. There is no fluidic communication between the interior of the container36and the exterior via the connector10. In this closed position, the container36can be moved to another location for storage such as a refrigeration unit, or for dispensing product in the container36by a dispenser or pump. The seals16,18provide sealing between the connector body12and the container opening30, and may further provide a press fit to couple the connector body12and the container opening30by virtue of the frictional forces of the seals16,18.

FIG. 9shows a cooperative fitting or connector40(e.g., a pump connector) to be coupled to the connector10which is inserted into the opening30of the container36in the closed position ofFIGS. 7 and 8. The cooperative fitting40includes a first opening42provided through a first end portion44to be coupled to the proximal end of the connector10, and a second opening45at a second end portion46to be coupled to a hose or tube50. One or more seals47,48are provided on the external surface of the cooperative fitting40around the first end portion44. One or more seals49is provided on the external surface of the cooperative fitting40around the second end portion46. The second end portion46is configured to be inserted into the tube50. The first opening42and the second opening45are in fluidic communication with one another.

FIG. 10shows the first end portion44of the cooperative fitting40connected to the proximal end of the connector10. The first end portion44is inserted into the longitudinal flow passageway14of the connector10at the proximal end with the seals47,48disposed therebetween. The force applied to insert the first end portion44into the passageway14can further push the connector10from the closed position ofFIG. 8to an open position ofFIG. 10. The enlarged head24prevents the connector10from being pushed further into the interior of the container36. As seen in the open position ofFIG. 10, the intermediate seal18remains disposed between the connector body12and the interior surface of the container opening30. In the open position, the side openings20,21of the connector10are exposed to the interior of the container36to allow fluidic communication between the interior of the container36and the tube50via the connector10and the cooperative fitting40. The conveying tube50may be coupled to a dispensing device or pump to pump product from the container36. AlthoughFIGS. 9 and 10show a cooperative fitting having a L-shaped flow passage between the first opening42and the second opening45, the flow passage in other embodiments may be linear or have other shapes.

FIGS. 11 and 12show a cooperative fitting60with a locking mechanism70, to be coupled to the connector10inserted into the opening30of the container36at the first end portion44with first opening42, and to be coupled to the tube50at the second end portion46with the second opening45. The locking mechanism70includes a lever72coupled to the cooperative fitting60at a pivot74. On one side of the pivot74is a spring76connected between the cooperative fitting60and the lever72. On the other side of the pivot74is a locking clip78which protrudes from the lever72at an angle toward the cooperative fitting60. As seen inFIG. 12, the clip78is configured to engage the connector10under the force of the spring76to be captured by the enlarged head24to prevent inadvertent disconnection of the cooperative fitting60from the connector10. The locking clip78can be disengaged from the connector10by pressing on the opposite side of the lever72to compress the spring76.

FIGS. 13 and 14show the connector10inserted into the opening30of the container36in the closed position. In this embodiment, a retaining or locking cap80is disposed in a region of the connector10between the intermediate seal18and the enlarged head24. The retaining cap80has interior threads that mate with exterior threads of the connector10near the proximal end to secure the connector10to the container36. This prevents inadvertent disconnection of the connector10from the container36. As seen inFIGS. 15 and 16, the locking mechanism70as described above prevents inadvertent disconnection of the cooperative fitting40from the connector10.

FIGS. 17 and 18show a connector90inserted into the opening30of the container36in a closed position. The connector90includes a bayonet or twist lock slot92provided at the proximal end. The slot92is proximal to the enlarged head24. In the embodiment show, the slot92has an L shape.FIGS. 19 and 20show a cooperative fitting100including a Bayonet or twist lock pin102which engages the twist lock slot92by twisting the cooperative fitting100relative to the connector90. The twist lock mechanism prevents the cooperative fitting100from inadvertent disconnection from the connector90. The embodiment also includes a retaining cap80for securing the connector90to the container36.

The connector10,90provides an easy and secure connection to the container opening30. The fluid flow through the connector can be easily controlled by moving the connector between the closed position and the open position. The connector and the cooperative fitting40,100are designed to minimize trapping materials, or impeding or preventing proper cleaning/sanitization. This is true for products that include relatively large particles. The apparatus does not trap particles, for instance, between sealing surfaces so as to cause malfunction. The connector and the cooperative fitting are removable for cleaning/sanitization and for reuse. The connector and the cooperative fitting, as well as associated components, may be made of any suitable material, including metals such as stainless steel, and plastics. In the case of molded plastic components, the seals such as O-rings may be integrally formed with the molded plastic components (connector and cooperative fitting), and made with the appropriate durometer material for sealing purposes. Moreover, the connector can have different sizes to adapt to different sizes of the container opening for the same cooperative fitting, or different sizes of the cooperative fitting also.