Patent ID: 7448418

Claim:
An apparatus for providing fluid flow connection to a container, the apparatus comprising: an opening spout on the container, a removably insertable 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, wherein the connector is configured to be removably inserted into the opening spout on the container opening and to be movable between a closed position and an open position, the side opening being blocked by an internal surface of the container opening in the closed position, the side opening being 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, said connector further comprising a distal seal near the distal end and an intermediate seal at an intermediate position between the proximal and the distal end, said distal and said intermediate seals being disposed on the opposite sides of the at least one side opening, said seals being configured to be pressed between the external surface of the connector and internal surface of the container opening spout during insertion of the connector into the container opening a detachable 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 and at least one seal disposed between the cooperative fitting and the connector, wherein 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.