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Container insert for use in a closed loop dispensing system

  • US 10,508,016 B1
  • Filed: 05/31/2019
  • Issued: 12/17/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2019
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An insert for use with a closed loop dispensing system including a container having a throat with an inside surface, comprising:

  • a horizontally disposed ring-shaped lip having an upper side, a lower side, an outer end, and an inner end;

    a generally cylindrical upper wall member having an open upper end, an open lower end, an inner surface and an outer surface;

    a horizontally disposed first wall member extending inwardly from said lower end of said upper wall member with said first wall member having an inner end;

    a generally cylindrical lower wall member having an open upper end, an open lower end, an inner surface and an outer surface;

    said lower wall member extending downwardly from said inner end of said first wall member;

    said lower wall member having at least one annular retaining member extending outwardly from said outer surface thereof;

    a horizontally disposed second wall member having inner and outer ends;

    said second wall member extending inwardly from said lower wall member above said lower end of said lower wall member;

    said second wall member having an inner end;

    a generally cylindrical and hollow first receiver tube having upper and lower ends;

    said first receiver tube being vertically disposed;

    said first receiver tube extending upwardly from said inner end of said second wall member;

    a horizontally disposed and annular first shoulder extending inwardly from said upper end of said first receiver tube;

    said first shoulder having inner and outer ends;

    a generally cylindrical and hollow second receiver tube having upper and lower ends;

    said second receiver tube extending upwardly from said first shoulder outwardly of said inner end of said first shoulder;

    said first receiver tube defining a first passageway;

    said second receiver tube defining a second passageway;

    an upstanding hollow valve stem having an upper end, a lower end, an outer surface and an inner surface;

    said valve stem having an upper tubular member and a lower tubular member;

    said upper tubular member having a greater diameter than said lower tubular member;

    a second annular shoulder, having an upper end and a lower end, extending outwardly from said valve stem between said upper and lower ends thereof;

    said valve stem being vertically movably positioned in said first and second receiver tubes between upper and lower positions;

    said upper end of said second annular shoulder of said valve stem being in engagement with said lower end of said first annular shoulder when said valve stem is in said upper position;

    a retainer configured to be inserted into said lower open end of said lower wall member;

    said retainer including a horizontally disposed disc member having a plurality of radially spaced-apart openings extending downwardly therethrough;

    said disc member of said retainer having a hollow dip tube support extending downwardly therefrom;

    said disc member of said retainer having a central opening formed therein;

    said retainer including an elongated hollow valve body, having an open lower end and a closed upper end, which is integrally formed with said disc member;

    said valve body extending upwardly from said disc member of said retainer whereby said open lower end of said valve stem is in communication with said central opening of said disc member;

    said valve body having at least one opening formed therein below said closed upper end of said valve body;

    a plastic spring over-molded thereon on said retainer;

    said plastic spring including a hollow upper cylindrical portion having a lower end and an upper end;

    said plastic spring having a horizontally disposed disc portion at said lower end of said upper cylindrical portion thereof;

    said disc portion of said plastic spring having a plurality of spaced-apart hollow protrusions formed therein;

    said hollow protrusions being received in said openings formed in said disc member of said retainer;

    each of said hollow protrusions having an open upper end and a lower end;

    each of said protrusions having a bi-directional slit-type valve formed in said lower end thereof;

    said upper end of said upper cylindrical portion of said plastic spring being in engagement with said annular shoulder of said valve stem to urge said valve stem to its closed position thereby closing said opening in said upper end of said valve stem; and

    said upper end of said cylindrical portion of said plastic spring being compressed downwardly upon downward force being applied to said upper end of said valve stem to open said at least one opening in said upper end of said valve.

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