Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20030106610?dq=5,832,511
Timestamp: 2014-12-20 17:38:56
Document Index: 621235043

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 126', 'art 128', 'art 106', 'art 128', 'art 106', 'art 126', 'art 128', 'art 128', 'art 140', 'art 140', 'art 128', 'art 126', 'art 126', 'art 206', 'art 214', 'art 226', 'art 224', 'art 234', 'art 236', 'art 238', 'art 238', 'art 238', 'art 234', 'art 234', 'art 234', 'art 128', 'art 128', 'art 128']

Patent US20030106610 - Self closing coupling - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA valve arrangement for dispensing liquid from a flexible container (124) is disclosed. It includes a container dispenser body (106) connected to a flexible container (124) for containing a liquid and a first biasing means (168) adapted to bias a first closing member (110) to close off a first passage...http://www.google.com/patents/US20030106610?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20030106610 - Self closing couplingAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20030106610 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 10/311,957PCT numberPCT/IB2001/001083Publication dateJun 12, 2003Filing dateJun 20, 2001Priority dateJun 21, 2000Also published asEP1305225A1, EP1305225A4, US6892760, WO2001098158A1Publication number10311957, 311957, PCT/2001/1083, PCT/IB/1/001083, PCT/IB/1/01083, PCT/IB/2001/001083, PCT/IB/2001/01083, PCT/IB1/001083, PCT/IB1/01083, PCT/IB1001083, PCT/IB101083, PCT/IB2001/001083, PCT/IB2001/01083, PCT/IB2001001083, PCT/IB200101083, US 2003/0106610 A1, US 2003/106610 A1, US 20030106610 A1, US 20030106610A1, US 2003106610 A1, US 2003106610A1, US-A1-20030106610, US-A1-2003106610, US2003/0106610A1, US2003/106610A1, US20030106610 A1, US20030106610A1, US2003106610 A1, US2003106610A1InventorsPaul Roos, David ConnellyOriginal AssigneeRoos Paul Francois, Connelly David WilliamExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManReferenced by (10), Classifications (12), Legal Events (6) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetSelf closing couplingUS 20030106610 A1Abstract A valve arrangement for dispensing liquid from a flexible container (124) is disclosed. It includes a container dispenser body (106) connected to a flexible container (124) for containing a liquid and a first biasing means (168) adapted to bias a first closing member (110) to close off a first passage (107) in the container dispenser body (106); and a valve body (118) with a second biasing means (120) adapted to bias a second closing member (116, 118) to close off a second passage (119) defined in the valve body (118); and a dispensing member (122) operatively connected to the valve body (118); and operating means (114, 198, 136) which moves the two bodies (118, 106) into an operative position, against the two biasing means (168, 120) to open the two passages (107, 119) allowing liquid to flow from the flexible container (124) along the first passage (107) and out of the second passage (119). Images(14) Claims(9)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0090] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a valve arrangement in accordance with the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 100, is shown. [0091] The valve arrangement 100 includes a first set of components indicated by reference numeral 102 and a second set of associated components indicated by reference numeral 104. The first set of components 102 are adapted to be attached to a pouch or flexible container containing a beverage, e.g. wine, or a liquid extract, e.g. for making a soft drink. [0092] The second set of components 104 are located at a dispensing location, e.g. in a bar or restaurant, a factory, an office or in domestic premises. [0093] The first set of components 102 include a container dispenser body 106 having an internal passage 107, a valve stopper 108, and a diaphram body 110. [0094] Prior to use, the first components 102 are closed off by means of a closure cap 112. [0095] The second set of components 104 include an operating nut 114, a first valve body 116, a second valve body 118 having an internal passage 119, a stainless steel coil spring 120 and a dispenser fitting 122. [0096]FIG. 2 shows the assembled valve arrangement with the first set of components attached to a flexible container or bag 124 and with the closure cap 112 removed so that the second set of components 104 can be fitted to the first set of components. In this position the valve arrangement 100 is in the closed position and no liquid can flow from the flexible container 124 through the passages 107 and 119 to the dispenser fitting 122. [0097] In FIG. 3 the operating nut 114 has been rotated so as to cause the valve arrangement 100 to open and to allow flow of the beverage from the flexible container 124 through the valve arrangement and along the dispenser fitting 122 for dispensing purposes. [0098] The operation of the valve arrangement 100 will be described in more detail after the description of the various components as set out below. [0099] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 12 the container dispenser body 106 is illustrated. [0100] The body 106 has a first tubular part 126 and a second tubular part 128 between which a disc 130 is provided. The first tubular part 106 is adapted to be inserted through a gland 131 in a flexible container 124. [0101] The second part 128 therefore protrudes to the outside of the gland 131 of the flexible container 124. [0102] The first part 106 is provided at its open end 132 with a scallop type of formation so as to prevent the open end to be closed off by an opposite part of a flexible container 124 as it reaches its empty stage and collapses under atmospheric pressure. [0103] On the outside of the first part 126 a number of rings 134 are provided. These rings 134 are tightly and sealingly fitted to the gland 131 provided in a flexible container 124. [0104] The second part 128 has two opposite spiral grooves 136 which extend from the open end 138 of the second part 128 up to adjacent the disc 130. At the disc 130 the spiral groove 136 extends into a straight part 140 and a step 142 is provided between the part 140 and the spiral groove 136. [0105] At the end 138 an annular ridge 144 is provided. On its inside the second part 128 is provided with an inwardly directed collar 146 from which there extends an annular ring 148. The annular ring 148 terminates in an inclined step formation 150 as shown in FIG. 8. [0106] On the inside a step 151 is provided adjacent the collar 146 directed to the open end 132 of the first part 126. [0107] An annular ridge 152 is provided in the first part 126. [0108] The valve stopper 108 is illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 17. [0109] The valve stopper 108 has an annular ring 154 with a central hub 156 which is joined to the annular ring 154 by means of radial arms 158 defining spaces 159 between them. Between the ring 154 and the hub 156 an intermediate ring 160 is provided. Flow can take place through the spaces 159. [0110] A stem 162 extends from the hub 156. As can be seen from FIGS. 13 and 14 the stem 162 is flattened on one side 164. [0111] Furthermore, as indicated in FIG. 17 a raised section 166 is provided adjacent the annular ring 154. [0112] The diaphram body 110 is illustrated in FIGS. 18 to 22. The diaphram body 110 includes a cup 168 from which a stem 170 extends. At its end the stem 170 is provided with a frusto-conical formation 172. The stem 170 includes a hollow cylindrical passage 174. [0113] The annular end 176 of the cup 168 is provided with a thickened annular ring portion 178 as shown in FIG. 22. [0114] At the beginning of the passage 174 a thickened annular section 180 is provided as shown in FIGS. 19 and 21. [0115] The closure cap 112 is illustrated in FIGS. 23 to 31. [0116] The closure cap 112 includes a disc 182 attached by way of a tearable section 184 to a ring 186. A gripping tab 188 is joined to the ring 186. [0117] The cap 112 is fitted to the outside of the annular body 106 as shown in FIG. 1. [0118] In FIGS. 32 to FIGS. 35 the operating nut 114 is illustrated. [0119] The operating nut 114 includes a cylindrical body 190 on the outside of which a number of longitudinal recesses 192 and ridges 194 are provided for gripping purposes. [0120] The body 190 is slightly tapered as is in particular clear from FIGS. 32, 33 and 35. [0121] At its one open end 196 the operating nut 114 has two opposite knobs 198 which co-operate with the spiral grooves 136 of the container dispenser body 106 shown in FIGS. 4 to 7. [0122] At its opposite end 200 the nut 114 has an inwardly directed collar 202 which is divided into two parts by way of two opposite cut-outs 204. [0123] The second valve body 118 is illustrated in FIGS. 37 to 39. The second valve body 118 has a cylindrical part 206 having an inwardly directed collar 208 at an inlet opening 210 of the passage 119, the collar 208 passing over into an internal ring 212. The ring 212 has a bent-over part 214 with an annular seat 216. [0124] On the inside surface 218 of the ring 206 a number of concentric rings 220 are provided at the outlet opening 221 opposite the inlet opening 210. [0125] The first valve body 116 is illustrated in FIGS. 40 to 46. The first valve body 116 includes an annular ring 222, which has on its inside a cup-shaped formation 224. Centrally the cup-shape formation 224 has a stem part 226 having a recess 228 at one end. [0126] The cup-shaped formation 224 is supported by radial arms 230 defining gaps 231 between them. Flow can take place through the gaps 231. [0127] An annular ridge 232 is provided on the cup-shaped part 224 concentric to the stem 226. [0128] In FIGS. 47 to 50 the dispenser fitting 122 is shown. The dispenser fitting 122 has a first tubular part 234 joined to a second tubular part 236 having an increased diameter and, which in turn terminates in a third tubular part 238 with an even larger diameter. [0129] The tubular part 238 is provided with a ring 240 on its outer surface and carries an annular outwardly directed collar 242, which has two opposite flattened surfaces 244. [0130] The part 238 has an internal passage 246 leading into a passage 248 which further leads into a passage 250 in the part 234. From the part 234 a spigot 252 extends with engagement rings 254 on the outside and a disc 256 close to the part 234. The passage 250 is in communication with a further passage 258 in the spigot 252. [0131] In use, the first set of components 102 are attached to a flexible container 124 in that the container dispenser body 106 is tightly and sealingly fitted by way of the rings 134 to the gland 131 fixed to the flexible container 124. The flexible container 124 is filled with a beverage or liquid extract. The beverage (or extract) cannot flow out through the dispenser body 106 because the cup 168 of the diaphragm body 110 abuts sealingly against the inwardly directed collar 146 of the second part 128. [0132] Similarly the second set of components 104 joined to a dispenser member (e.g. a tap�not shown) connected to the dispenser fitting 122 is closed off and no backflow can take place. This is achieved in that the spring 120 presses the first valve body 116 so that the annular ridge 232 abuts sealingly against the annular seat 216. This is also the position of rest when the operating nut 114 is uncoupled from the second part 128). [0133] When the operating nut 114 is coupled to the second part 128 the closed position is as illustrated in FIG. 2. However, on rotating the nut 114 through 90� in that the knobs 198 slide in the grooves 136, the stem 170 presses the first valve body 116 against the biasing action of the spring 120 (as shown in FIG. 3) so that the annular ridge 232 is moved away from the seat 216 to open an annular gap 260 and simultaneously the cup 168 of the diaphragm body 116 is pushed together so that it lifts off the collar 146 to provided an annular gap 262 through which beverage can flow from the flexible container 124 through the passages 107 and 119 to be dispensed by way of the dispenser spigot 252 wherever required. [0134] Reference numerals [0135]100 valve arrangement or valve [0136]102 first set of components [0137]104 second set of associated components [0138]106 container dispenser body [0139]107 internal passage [0140]108 valve stopper [0141]110 diaphram body [0142]112 closure cap [0143]114 operating nut [0144]116 first valve body [0145]118 second valve body [0146]119 internal passage [0147]120 stainless steel coil spring [0148]122 dispenser fitting [0149]124 flexible container or pouch [0150]126 first tubular part [0151]128 second tubular part [0152]130 disc [0153]131 gland [0154]132 open end [0155]134 rings [0156]136 spiral groove [0157]138 open end of the second part [0158]140 straight part [0159]142step [0160]144 annular ridge [0161]146 inwardly directed collar [0162]148 annular ring [0163]150 curved formation [0164]151 step [0165]152 annular ring [0166]154 annular ring [0167]156 central hub [0168]158 radial arms [0169]159 spaces [0170]160 intermediate ring [0171]162 stem [0172]164 flattened side of stem [0173]166 raised section [0174]168 cup [0175]162 stem [0176]172 frosto-conical formation [0177]174 passage [0178]176 annular end [0179]178 thickened annular ring portion [0180]180 thickened annular section [0181]182 disc [0182]184 tearable section [0183]186 ring [0184]188 gripping tab [0185]190 cylindrical body [0186]192 longitudinal recesses [0187]194 longitudinal ridges [0188]196 open end [0189]198 two opposite knobs [0190]200 opposite end [0191]202 inwardly directed collar [0192]204 two opposite cut-outs [0193]206 cylindrical part [0194]208 collar [0195]210 inlet opening [0196]212internal ring [0197]214 bent-over part [0198]216 annular seat [0199]218 inside surface of ring [0200]220 concentric rings [0201]222 annular ring [0202]224 cup-shaped formation [0203]226 stem [0204]228 recess [0205]230 radial arms [0206]231 gaps [0207]232 annular ridge [0208]234 first tubular part [0209]236 second tubular part [0210]238 third tubular part [0211]240 ring [0212]242 annular outwardly directed collar [0213]244 flattened surface [0214]246 passage [0215]248 passage [0216]250 passage [0217]252 spigot [0218]254 engagement rings [0219]256 disc [0220]258 passage [0221]260 annular gap [0222]262 annular gap Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7546857Mar 30, 2005Jun 16, 2009Colder Products CompanyConnect/disconnect coupling for a containerUS7997462 *Jun 24, 2005Aug 16, 2011FlextainerBung hole and tap assembly for small containers provided with at least one positioning and holding meansUS8287513 *Sep 11, 2007Oct 16, 2012Carmel Pharma AbPiercing member protection deviceUS8721612Dec 16, 2011May 13, 2014Hospira, Inc.System and method for intermixing the contents of two containersUS8801689 *Jul 31, 2008Aug 12, 2014Hospira, Inc.Medicament admixing systemUS8827978Sep 17, 2007Sep 9, 2014Carmel Pharma AbBag connectorUS20090036861 *Jul 31, 2008Feb 5, 2009Hospira, Inc.Medicament admixing systemUS20100224624 *Mar 1, 2010Sep 9, 2010Homer GonzalezContainer interconnectUSRE44310Jun 16, 2011Jun 25, 2013Colder Products CompanyConnect/disconnect coupling for a containerWO2005113415A1 *May 12, 2005Dec 1, 2005Koninkl Philips Electronics NvValve assembly for a container with an inner bag* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification141/346, 137/614.04, 251/149.6International ClassificationB67D1/08, B65D33/38Cooperative ClassificationY10S251/902, B67D3/042, B67D3/043, B67D1/0835European ClassificationB67D3/04C, B67D3/04D, B67D1/08B2BLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJul 9, 2013FPExpired due to failure to pay maintenance feeEffective date: 20130517May 17, 2013LAPSLapse for failure to pay maintenance feesDec 31, 2012REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedNov 27, 2008FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Nov 27, 2008SULPSurcharge for late paymentNov 24, 2008REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedRotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google