Universal quick-disconnect

• US 20050035322A1
• Filed: 09/12/2003
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James W. Johnson, Kevin Bergenthun, Samuel N. Davis, Timothy Frasier
• Original Assignee: James W. Johnson, Kevin Bergenthun, Samuel N. Davis, Timothy Frasier
• Inventors: Frasier, Timothy, Johnson, James W., Bergenthun, Kevin, Davis, Samuel N.
• Application Number:
  US10/661,419
• Publication Number:
  US 20050035322A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 251/149.100
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0835 with one valve
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0294 Combined with valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 29/04 with a cut-off device in each of the two pipe ends, the cut-off devices being automatically opened when the coupling is applied
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/32 at least one of two lift valves being opened automatically when the coupling is applied
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/413 the lift valve being of the sleeve type, i.e. a sleeve being telescoped over an inner cylindrical wall
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/44 with one lift valve being actuated to initiate the flow through the coupling after the two coupling parts are locked against withdrawal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5109 Convertible
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87957 Valves actuate each other

Abstract

A single-service package coupling and valve includes a fitment having a spout and a sliding tubular valve member mounted therein for receiving a cooperating dispensing connector of a liquid distributing and dispensing system, and an external adapter ring designed to cooperate with the mounting mechanisms of a plurality of conventional commercially available dispensing connectors. An internal adapter sleeve is mounted with in the sliding tubular valve member to provide a tight seal with any of the conventional dispensing connectors. The external adapter ring is provided with a pair of radially extending flanges adapted to accept and position different dispensing connectors. At least one of the radially extending flanges is provided with at lest two wings to engage a threaded mounting collar of a service line connector.

Claims

1. A fluid connector for a liquid container comprising

a fitment adapted to be attached to a container for holding a liquid, said fitment comprising

a generally cylindrical spout having an external surface provided with a thread capable of mating with a threaded supporting collar of a first type of dispensing connector;

a generally cylindrical slider movable axially within said spout;

a valve mounted within said slider, said valve having a closed position and an open position, said valve being biased toward said closed position, and being adapted to be moved from said closed position to said open position by insertion of a dispensing connector into said slider;

a removable external adapter ring having internal threads mating with said external threads of said spout,

said external adapter ring having a distal end and having a first radially outward extending external flange at said distal end adapted to contact a supporting clamp of a second type of dispensing connector,

said external adapter ring having a second radially extending flange adapted to position said second type of dispensing connector on said adapter ring said radially extending flange having a periphery and being provided with at least two wings extending from said periphery adapted to engage threads of a supporting collar of a third type of dispensing connector.

2. The fluid connector of claim 1 further comprising an internal adapter sleeve within said slider, said sleeve having an external diameter adapted to provide a friction fit within said slider and an internal diameter adapted to receive a sealing ring of at least one of said second or said third type of dispensing connector.

3. The fluid connector of claim 1 wherein said valve is biased towards its closed position by a spring member.

4. The fluid connector of claim 2 wherein said internal adapter sleeve is displaceable from a first position within said slider to a second position within said slider by insertion of a probe of the first dispensing connector.

5. The fluid connector of claim 2 wherein said internal adapter sleeve is removable.

7. The fluid connector of claim 1 wherein said fitment is provided with a third radially extending flange, said second radially extending flange and said third radially extending flange being spaced to accept an adapter for mounting a fourth type of dispensing connector.

6. A fluid connector for a liquid container comprising

a fitment adapted to be attached to a container for holding a liquid, said fitment comprising

a generally cylindrical spout having an external surface provided with a thread capable of mating with a threaded supporting collar of a first type of dispensing connector;

a generally cylindrical slider movable axially within said spout;

a valve mounted within said slider, said valve having a closed position and an open position, said valve being biased toward said closed position, and being adapted to be moved from said closed position to said open position by insertion of a dispensing connector into said slider;

a removable external adapter ring having internal threads mating with said external threads of said spout and having a pair of radially outward extending external flanges adapted to contact a supporting clamp of a second type of dispensing connector, at least one of said external flanges having a periphery and being provided with at least two wings extending from said periphery adapted to engage threads of a supporting collar of a third type of dispensing connector.