Patent Description:
The present disclosure provides a lightweight, portable, low cost filling head for use with bulk aseptic bags for storing and transporting pasteurized flowable products, including food products.

Current aseptic fill heads are expensive, complex and too heavy to be readily portable. As such the aseptic bag must be transported to the location of the fill head for filling and emptying the bag contents. This causes difficulty if the bag cannot be easily brought to the location of the fill head, for example if the bag is disposed within a processing apparatus, such as an HPP container. Nonetheless, it is still necessary to fill the bag with flowable product prior to HPP processing and then empty the bag in a subject matter after HPP processing. Thus, it is necessary for the fill head to be sufficiently portable to be brought to the location of the bag to be filled or emptied. The present disclosure seeks to address the need for such a fill head.

<CIT> discloses one example of an arrangement for aseptic filling of containers, including a housing, a transfer tube assembly, a fitment cap assembly and a system for selective actuation of one assembly.

The invention refers to a filler head apparatus with the features of claim <NUM>. The filler head apparatus is provided for filling and emptying a container with flowable material through a fitment on the container, the fitment having a removable cap, the filler head comprising:.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the transfer tube assembly is mounted on the inner cylinder to be advanced and retracted relative to the fitment as the inner cylinder advances and retracts relative to the distal end of the outer housing.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the actuating system rotates the inner cylinder to align the leading end of the transfer tube with the fitment.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the actuating system rotates the inner cylinder as the inner cylinder is advanced toward the housing distal end to align the leading end of the transfer tube with the fitment.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the actuating system comprises a first cam groove extending along an elongate path formed in the inner cylinder and a first cam pin projecting inward from the outer housing and engageable within the first cam groove to cause the inner cylinder to rotate to align the leading end of the transfer tube with the fitment as the inner cylinder is advanced toward the housing distal end.

In any of the embodiments described herein, wherein:.

In any of the embodiments described herein, further comprising a control system for selectively actuating the first cam to engage with and disengage from the first cam groove.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the actuating system rotates the inner cylinder to a neutral position as the inner cylinder is retracted away from the housing distal end.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the fitment cap assembly is mounted on the inner cylinder to be advanced and retracted relative to the fitment as the inner cylinder advances and retracts relative to the distal end of the outer housing.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the actuating system rotates the inner cylinder to align the leading end of the fitment cap assembly with the fitment.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the actuating system rotates the inner cylinder as the inner cylinder is advanced toward the housing distal end to align the leading end of the fitment cap assembly with the fitment.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the actuating system comprises a second cam groove extending along an elongate path formed in the inner cylinder and a second cam pin projecting inward from the outer housing and engageable within the second cam groove to cause the inner cylinder to rotate to align the leading end of the fitment cap assembly with the fitment as the inner cylinder is advanced toward the housing distal end.

In any of the embodiments described herein, further comprising a control system for selectively actuating the second cam to engage with and disengage from the second cam groove.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the transfer tube assembly and the fitment cap assembly are mounted on the inner cylinder to be advanced and retracted relative to the fitment as the inner cylinder advances and retracts relative to the distal end of the outer housing.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the actuating system rotates the inner cylinder as the inner cylinder is advanced toward the housing distal end to align the leading end of either the transfer tube assembly or fitment cap assembly with the fitment.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the actuating system may comprise first and second cam grooves extending along elongate paths formed in the inner cylinder and first and second cam pins projecting inward from the outer housing and selectively engage within the first and second cam grooves to cause the inner cylinder to rotate to align the leading end of the filler tube or the leading end of the fitment cap assembly with the fitment as the inner cylinder is advanced toward the housing distal end.

In any of the embodiments described herein, further comprising a control system for selectively actuating the first and second cams to engage and disengage from the first and second cam grooves, respectively.

The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, is intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, and is not intended to represent the only embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Similarly, any steps described herein may be interchangeable with other steps, or combinations of steps, in order to achieve the same or substantially similar result.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that many embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without some or all of the specific details. In some instances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure may employ any combination of features described herein.

The present application may include references to "directions," such as "forward," "rearward," "front," "back," "ahead," "behind," "upward," "downward," "above," "below," "horizontal," "vertical," "top," "bottom," "right hand," "left hand," "in," "out," "extended," "advanced," "retracted," "proximal," and "distal. " These references and other similar references in the present application are only to assist in helping describe and understand the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present invention to these directions.

The present application may include modifiers such as the words "generally," "approximately," "about," or "substantially. " These terms are meant to serve as modifiers to indicate that the "dimension," "shape," "temperature," "time," or other physical parameter in question need not be exact but may vary as long as the function that is required to be performed can be carried out. For example, in the phrase "generally circular in shape," the shape need not be exactly circular as long as the required function of the structure in question can be carried out.

In the following description and in the accompanying drawings, corresponding systems, assemblies, apparatus, and units may be identified by the same part number, but with an alpha suffix. The descriptions of the parts/components of such systems assemblies, apparatus, and units that are the same or similar are not repeated so as to avoid redundancy in the present application.

In the following description, filler head apparatus is described as including an outer cylindrical housing within which telescopes and inner cylinder. In the following description, the movement of the inner cylinder into the outer housing is described as the "advancing" or "forward" or "engaged" direction of movement, whereas the movement of the inner cylinder in the direction out of the outer housing is termed the "retracted" or "retracting" position or direction.

As shown in the figures, a filler head apparatus filler head apparatus <NUM> for hygienically filling and emptying containers <NUM> through a fitment <NUM> incorporated with the container <NUM> includes, in basic form, an outer housing <NUM>, shown as being of a cylindrical shape, for receiving a hollow bore inner cylinder <NUM> which simultaneously reciprocates and rotates about a central axis <NUM> within the outer housing. A transfer tube assembly <NUM>, see e.g., <FIG>, is mounted to the inner cylinder <NUM> to travel with the inner cylinder between an extended position engaged with the fitment <NUM> and a retracted position disengage from the fitment. When the transfer tube assembly is engaged with the fitment, flowable content or product may be transferred to or from the container <NUM>.

A fitment cap assembly <NUM>, see <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, is also mounted to the inner cylinder <NUM> to travel with the inner cylinder to remove the cap <NUM> of the fitment <NUM> prior to either filling or emptying the container <NUM>, and then to retract to a standby position while the container is filled/emptied, and thereafter replacing the fitment cap after filling/emptying has been completed. An actuating system <NUM> is employed to advance and retract the inner cylinder <NUM> within the outer housing <NUM> and simultaneously rotate and advance the inner cylinder to position either the transfer tube assembly <NUM> or fitment cap assembly <NUM> into engagement with the fitment <NUM> or to retract the inner cylinder to a "home" position where both the transfer tube assembly <NUM> and fitment cap assembly <NUM> are spaced away from the fitment <NUM>. A digital processer based control system controls the operation of the actuating system, which in turn controls the movement of the inner cylinder <NUM>.

Describing the foregoing components of the filler head apparatus <NUM> in greater detail, as shown in <FIG>, the outer housing <NUM> is composed of a base section <NUM>, an intermediate section <NUM>, and a top or end section <NUM>. The three sections of the outer housing <NUM> are securely attached together by hardware members or other standard means to form a rigid structure. A circular base plate <NUM> closes off the housing base section <NUM>. An opening is formed in the base plate <NUM>, and a collar fitting <NUM> is disposed in the opening. The fitment <NUM> engages through the collar fitting <NUM> so that the fitment cap <NUM> is positioned within the interior of the outer housing <NUM>.

The fitment <NUM> is held captive in the collar fitting <NUM> by an inflatable ring <NUM> disposed within a bore <NUM> formed in the base plate <NUM>, see <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. The inflatable ring <NUM> is pneumatically operated with pressurized air directed to the bore <NUM> by a fitting <NUM> positioned externally of the outer cylinder housing <NUM>.

A piston chamber <NUM> is formed by the inside circumferential surface of the intermediate section <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM> and the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder <NUM>. A ring or shoulder <NUM> extends outward from the inner cylinder <NUM> to be closely adjacent the inside circumferential surface of the intermediate section <NUM>. A ring seal <NUM> is seated within a groove formed in the outward edge of the ring/shoulder <NUM> to seal against the inside circumferential surface of the intermediate section <NUM>. Fluid ports <NUM> and <NUM> are positioned at the top and bottom of the piston chamber <NUM> through which fluid, for example pressurized air, is introduced into and expelled from the piston chamber when desiring to advance or retract the inner cylinder <NUM>.

A lower seal <NUM> is seated in a counterbore <NUM> formed in the base section <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM> to seal against the inner cylinder <NUM>. An intermediate seal <NUM> is positioned within a seat formed in the outer housing intermediate section <NUM> adjacent the outer housing base section <NUM> also to seal against the inner cylinder <NUM>. An upper seal <NUM> is disposed within the seal formed in the outer housing end section <NUM> adjacent the intermediate section <NUM> to also seal against the inner cylinder <NUM>. These seals prevent leakage of air or other fluid medium from the piston chamber <NUM>, as well as seal the interior of the filler head apparatus <NUM> from the ambient.

Although the outer housing <NUM> is described and illustrated as constructed from three sections <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, it is to be appreciated that the outer housing can be constructed from a larger number or a fewer number of sections. For example, the outer housing <NUM> could be constructed from two sections or even a singular section.

As noted above, the hollow bore inner cylinder <NUM> telescopes within outer housing <NUM> to place the transfer tube assembly <NUM> or the fill cap assembly <NUM> into or out of engagement with the fitment <NUM>. A circular top plate <NUM> closes off the end of the inner cylinder <NUM> distal from the outer housing base <NUM>. The transfer tube assembly <NUM> and the fitment cap assembly <NUM> are mounted on the top plate <NUM>, as described more fully below.

Referring specifically to <FIG>, and <FIG>, pairs of cam slots <NUM> and <NUM> or formed in the outer surface of the inner cylinder <NUM>. Mirror images of cam slots <NUM> and <NUM> are formed in the diametrically opposite sides of the inner cylinder <NUM>. The cam slots are formed with sections 90a and 92a, which extend a relatively short distance along the length of the inner cylinder <NUM>, and then the cam slots curve outwardly and diagonally along sections 90b and 92b toward the leading end <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM>.

A guide cylinder assembly <NUM> is associated with each of the cam slots <NUM> and <NUM> for causing the inner cylinder <NUM> to selectively rotate as the inner cylinder is advanced and retracted relative to the outer housing <NUM>. To this end, each of the guide cylinder assemblies <NUM> is mounted to the exterior of the outer housing <NUM> and registry with a corresponding cam slot <NUM> and <NUM>. Each of the guide cylinder assemblies <NUM> includes a head section <NUM> exterior to the outer housing <NUM> and a shank or pin section <NUM> projecting diametrically inwardly from the head section <NUM> through a close-fitting clearance hole formed in the wall of the outer housing to engage within cam slot <NUM> or <NUM> formed in the inner cylinder <NUM>. A bushing or sleeve <NUM> may be engaged over the leading end of the pin section <NUM> for anti-friction engagement with the cam slots <NUM> and <NUM>. In this regard, the bushing or sleeve may rotate relative to the leading end of the pin section <NUM>.

The head section <NUM> of the guide cylinder assembly <NUM> is engaged within a pneumatic outer cylinder <NUM> that projects radially from the exterior surface of the outer housing <NUM>. An air supply line, not shown, is connected to the outer cylinder <NUM> to actuate (retract) the pin section <NUM> from the cam slot <NUM> or <NUM>. The pin section <NUM> is nominally biased into engagement with a cam slot <NUM> or <NUM> by a compression spring <NUM> engaged over and acting on the pin section <NUM> to urge the pin section into engagement within a cam slot <NUM> or <NUM>. Alternatively, the guide cylinder assembly <NUM> may be double acting so that the extended or retracted position of the pin section <NUM> is controlled by air pressure applied to either side of the head section <NUM> of the guide cylinder assembly in a standard manner.

As can be appreciated depending on what specific guide cylinder assembly <NUM> is actuated to be engaged with cam slot <NUM> or <NUM>, the inner cylinder <NUM> rotates about central axis <NUM> in one direction or the other as the inner cylinder is advanced into the outer housing. When the inner cylinder <NUM> is in retracted position, the pin section <NUM> of one of the guide cylinder assemblies <NUM> is positioned at the end of a slot section 90b or 92b corresponding to one of the cam slots <NUM> or <NUM>. Whereas, when the inner cylinder <NUM> is in extended position toward the outer cylinder base <NUM>, the pin section <NUM> of a guide cylinder assembly <NUM> is engaged within a slot section 90a or 92a of one of the cam slots <NUM> or <NUM>.

As noted above, the transfer tube assembly <NUM> functions to fill the container <NUM> from an external source of flowable material as well as to empty a filled container of flowable material. To this end, the transfer tube assembly includes a product flow tube <NUM> attached to and extending through the top plate <NUM> and into the interior of the inner cylinder <NUM>. A connection fitting <NUM> is attached to the end of the flow tube <NUM> extending outwardly or exterior of the top plate <NUM> for connection to a hose or tube or other type of flow line through which flowable material enters the flow tube <NUM> or exits the flow tube. An elbow <NUM> is disposed at the lower end of the flow tube <NUM> connect the flow tube with a flow valve <NUM> leading to a nipple <NUM>, which is engageable with fitment <NUM> when filling or emptying container <NUM>.

The flow valve <NUM> may be opened and closed by a valve plate disposed within the interior of the valve to allow or disallow product to flow through the nipple <NUM>. The valve plate is raised and lowered relative a seat within the valve by an actuating rod <NUM> positioned within a tube assembly <NUM> extending through the interior of the inner cylinder <NUM> to a location outward of the top plate <NUM>. The position of the actuating rod <NUM> is controlled by a pneumatic actuator <NUM> position at the top of the tube assembly <NUM> exterior of the inner cylinder <NUM>. The pneumatic actuator <NUM> includes position sensors to sense the position of the flow valve <NUM>.

The fitment cap assembly <NUM> includes an actuating rod <NUM> extending downwardly from a pneumatic actuator <NUM> mounted on the exterior surface of top plate <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> includes a piston attached to the actuating rod <NUM>, which is pneumatically controlled to raise and lower the actuating rod, which in turn causes fingers <NUM> pivotably mounted on an actuating head <NUM> at the lower end of the rod <NUM> to open (spread) or close. The fingers <NUM> have jaws <NUM> formed in their distal end portions to grasp the rim portion of the fitment cap <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. An elastic band <NUM> encircles the fingers <NUM> adjacent the jaws <NUM> to maintain a constant pressure on the fingers.

The upper ends of the fingers <NUM> have radially inwardly directed camming surfaces that press against the lower end of the actuating rod <NUM>. The lower end of the actuating rod <NUM> is tapered to a reduced diameter so that when the rod is in upward position relative to the finger camming surfaces, the jaws <NUM> move radially relatively inwardly towards each other, whereas when the actuating rod is in downward position, a larger diameter portion of the rod engages the finger camming surfaces, forcing the jaws <NUM> to spread apart.

A sensor is provided to sense if the jaws <NUM> are closed to an extent that the jaws are not engaged with the fitment cap <NUM>. Thus, when the inner cylinder <NUM> is in extended (inward) position and the fingers are closed far enough to activate the sensor, this condition indicates that a cap <NUM> is not present in the jaws. However, if the jaws <NUM> grasp the fitment <NUM>, the fingers remain open sufficiently so that the sensor is not activated. In this case, it can be assumed that fitment cap <NUM> is held by the jaws <NUM>, and as such the fitment cap assembly can be moved away from the fitment <NUM> by retraction of the inner cylinder <NUM> relative to the outer housing <NUM>, thereby pulling the fitment cap <NUM> off the fitment. It will be appreciated that during this movement, the pin section <NUM> of the applicable guide cylinder assembly <NUM> is engaged with the cam groove section 92a, which extends in the longitudinal direction along the inner cylinder <NUM>. As such, the fitment <NUM> is pulled in the direction coinciding with the central axis <NUM> of the fitment.

However, if the sensor is activated when the inner cylinder <NUM> has been retracted relative to the outer housing, then the controller knows that for some reason the fitment cap <NUM> was not removed. In that case, the fingers <NUM> can be opened by extending the actuating rod <NUM> toward the actuating head <NUM> so that a larger diameter portion of the actuating rod <NUM> bears against the camming services of the fingers. Thereafter, the actuating head <NUM> can be extended back towards the fitment <NUM> to make another attempt to grasp the fitment cap <NUM> with the jaws <NUM>.

When the fitment cap assembly <NUM> is operating properly, the sensor remains deactivated throughout the process of filling or emptying the container <NUM>. At the end of the fill or emptying cycle, the fitment cap <NUM> is reinstalled on the fitment <NUM>, then the actuating rod <NUM> is extended to open the fingers <NUM>, thereby causing the jaws <NUM> to release the fitment cap so that the fitment can be removed from the filler head apparatus <NUM>.

As noted above, the transfer tube assembly <NUM> and the fitment cap assembly <NUM> are mounted on the top plate <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM>. In addition, the leading or distal ends of the product flow tube <NUM>, tube assembly <NUM> and the actuating head <NUM> of the fitment cap assembly extend through close-fitting openings formed in a triangular-shaped brace plate <NUM>. In this manner, the distal ends of the product flow to <NUM>, tube assembly <NUM>, and fitment cap assembly are held stationary relative to each other.

A steam inlet port is located on the apparatus at a convenient location, for example on the base plate <NUM> or the top plate <NUM>. Steam is introduced through the inlet port to within the filler head apparatus <NUM> once the apparatus has been engaged with the fitment <NUM>, thereby to sterilize the interior of the filler head apparatus <NUM> as well as the fitment cap <NUM> and the portion of the fitment <NUM> disposed within the filler head apparatus. The steam and condensate therefrom is evacuated from the filler head apparatus via outlet port (not shown) located on the lower plate <NUM>.

Also, during the process of filling or emptying the container <NUM>, low-pressure steam is constantly circulated through the interior of the filler head apparatus <NUM> through the steam inlet port and outlet port thereby to maintain a sterile condition within the filler head apparatus.

In the use of the filler head apparatus <NUM> to fill or empty container <NUM>, the container fitment <NUM> is engaged through the collar fitting <NUM> in the base plate <NUM> of the outer housing as described above, the fitment is held in place by plunger <NUM> that engages within one of the grooves surrounding the fitment <NUM>. At this point, sterilizing steam is introduced into the interior of the filler head apparatus <NUM> to sterilize the interior of the apparatus as well as the fitment cap <NUM> in the portion of the fitment <NUM> disposed within the filler head apparatus.

Next the fitment cap assembly <NUM> is advanced toward the fitment <NUM>. In this regard, the guide cylinder assemblies <NUM> associated with the fitment cap assembly <NUM> are actuated to engage cam slots <NUM>. Thereafter, pressurized air or other actuating fluid is introduced into the piston chamber <NUM> through port <NUM>, causing the inner cylinder <NUM> to extend into the outer housing <NUM> and simultaneously rotating the inner cylinder <NUM> to index the activating head <NUM> in alignment with the fitment <NUM>. The fitment cap fingers are in open position so that the jaws <NUM> are positioned outward of the fitment cap <NUM>. The actuating rod <NUM> is retracted upwardly so that the jaws <NUM> can engage the rim of the fitment cap <NUM>.

Next, the inner cylinder <NUM> is retracted relative to the outer housing <NUM>, causing the fitment cap assembly to remove the fitment cap <NUM> from the fitment and then rotate the inner cylinder <NUM> to a neutral or "home" position. This is accomplished by routing pressurized air to inlet port <NUM> so that the inner cylinder <NUM> is forced away from the outer cylinder base plate <NUM>. Thereafter, the guide cylinder assemblies <NUM> associated with the cam slots <NUM> are deactivated, causing the pin sections <NUM> to disengage from the cam slots.

Next, the guide cylinder assemblies <NUM> associated with the cam slots <NUM> are activated so that the corresponding pin sections <NUM> engage within the cam slots <NUM>. Then, the inner cylinder <NUM> is again extended relative to the outer housing <NUM> to move towards the base plate <NUM> by introducing pressurized air into port <NUM>. At the same time, the inner cylinder <NUM> is caused to rotate in the opposite direction relative to the direction of rotation when advancing the fitment cap assembly <NUM> towards the base plate <NUM>. As a result, the nipple <NUM>, projecting downwardly from the flow valve <NUM>, is positioned against the end of the fitment <NUM>. An o-ring or other type of seal <NUM> is mounted on the leading end of the nipple <NUM> to seal against the fitment.

Next, the flow valve <NUM> is opened by the upward movement of the actuating rod <NUM> within the tube assembly <NUM>. This provides an open path between the product flow tube <NUM> and the container <NUM>. At that point, the flowable product can be routed to the container <NUM> or routed from the container <NUM>. During this time, as noted above, low-pressure steam is being circulated through the interior of the filler had apparatus. Once a container has been filled or emptied, the inner cylinder <NUM> is retracted from the base plate <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM> by introducing pressurized air into the port <NUM>. As the inner cylinder <NUM> retracts, it also rotates about longitudinal axis <NUM> to place the inner cylinder back to "home" position.

Thereafter, the fitment cap <NUM> is replaced onto the fitment <NUM> by advancing the inner cylinder <NUM> toward the outer housing base plate <NUM> by introducing pressurized air into port <NUM>. But before this occurs, the guide cylinder assemblies <NUM> associated with cam grooves <NUM> are retracted and the guide cylinder assemblies <NUM> associated with cam grooves <NUM> are extended so that the pin sections <NUM> engage into the cam grooves <NUM>. As a result, when the inner cylinder <NUM> engages into the outer housing <NUM>, the inner cylinder is caused to rotate about axis <NUM>, to index the actuating head <NUM> over the fitment <NUM>, and then press the fitment cap <NUM> back onto the fitment. It will be appreciated that during this engagement process, the cam grooves <NUM> extends substantially longitudinally relative to the length of the inner cylinder housing <NUM> so that the inner cylinder housing is not rotating relative to the outer housing <NUM>, but instead is moving substantially longitudinally relative to the outer housing.

Once the fitment cap has been replaced, the inner cylinder <NUM> is extended (retracted) away from the base plate <NUM> to return to its "home" position. To this end, pressurized air is routed to the piston chamber <NUM> through port <NUM>, which causes the inner cylinder to extend our move away from the outer housing base plate <NUM>. At this point, the filling or emptying of the container <NUM> has been completed.

Claim 1:
A filler head apparatus (<NUM>) for filling and emptying a container with flowable material through a fitment (<NUM>) on the container, the fitment (<NUM>) having a removable cap (<NUM>), the filler head (<NUM>) comprising:
(a) a cylindrical outer housing (<NUM>) having a proximal end and a distal end, the outer housing (<NUM>) configured with a fitment opening at the distal end to receive the container fitment (<NUM>);
(b) a hollow inner cylinder (<NUM>) slidably engaged within the outer housing (<NUM>) to telescopically slide within the outer housing (<NUM>) to advance toward and retract away from the outer housing distal end;
(c) a transfer tube assembly (<NUM>) extending through the inner cylinder (<NUM>) through which the flowable material flows when filling and emptying the container, the transfer tube (<NUM>) having a leading end connectable to the fitment (<NUM>) and an opposite end connectable to an external source of flowable material or to an external receptacle for the flowable material;
(d) a fitment cap assembly (<NUM>) positioned within the inner cylinder (<NUM>) for removing the fitment cap (<NUM>) from the fitment (<NUM>) and attaching the fitment cap (<NUM>) to the fitment (<NUM>), the apparatus having a leading end engageable with the fitment cap (<NUM>); and
(e) an actuating system that selectively positions the leading end of the transfer tube assembly (<NUM>) at the fitment (<NUM>) or the leading end of the fitment cap assembly (<NUM>) at the fitment when the inner cylinder (<NUM>) is advanced to the distal end of the outer housing (<NUM>) and correspondingly retracts the leading end of the transfer tube assembly (<NUM>) away from the fitment (<NUM>) or the leading end of the fitment cap assembly (<NUM>) away from the fitment (<NUM>) when the inner cylinder (<NUM>) is retracted from the distal end of the outer housing (<NUM>).