Can and bottle dispenser

• US 20050167440A1
• Filed: 07/14/2004
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Kopezewski, Michael T., Hayes, Robert, Perkins, Jay F., Float, Jamison J., Burchfield, Brent L., Gausmann, Keith, Myers, Gary, Hsu, Paul E., DeBord, Jeffrey T., Schaefer, Douglas G., Petersen, Gary, Lowery, Fred, Marino, Samuel, Pever, Steve, Huffer, Doug
• Granted Patent: US 7,152,757 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/92
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/10 having mechanical dispensing means , e.g. with buttons or handles
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/28 for containers, e.g. flasks, bottles , tins, milk packs racks or containers with dispensing arrangements A47F1/04; for lipsticks or markers A47F7/0021; for audio/video cassettes or booklike articles A47F7/14
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/28 in which the magazines are inclined
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/32 two or magazines having a common delivery chute
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

A coupling for connection of a tube comprises a coupling housing which includes a first end into which the tube is inserted, a clamping ring which is positioned in the coupling housing against a first conical surface, a sealing ring which is positioned in the coupling housing, and a return ring which is positioned in the coupling housing between the clamping ring and a second end of the housing adjacent a second conical surface that is tapered opposite to the first conical surface. The return ring is expandable and comprises a central aperture which is smaller than the external diameter of the tube. Accordingly, when the tube is pushed into the coupling housing and forced through the return ring, the return ring will expand and move along the second conical surface.

Claims

1. A coupling for connection of a tubular member, the coupling comprising:

a coupling housing which includes a first end into which the tubular member is inserted and a second end which is located opposite the first end;

a clamping ring which is positioned in the coupling housing against a first conical surface;

a sealing ring which is positioned in the coupling housing; and

a return ring which is positioned in the coupling housing between the clamping ring and the second end adjacent a second conical surface that is tapered opposite to the first conical surface;

the return ring being expandable and comprising a central aperture which is smaller than the external diameter of the tubular member;

wherein when the tubular member is inserted into the coupling housing and forced through the return ring, the return ring will expand radially outwardly and move along the second conical surface in a direction opposite to that of the tubular member.

2. A coupling as defined in claim 1, wherein the return ring initially is situated near the clamping ring.

3. A coupling as defined in claim 1, wherein the sealing ring is situated between the clamping ring and the return ring, and further comprising a pressure ring which is positioned between the return ring and the sealing ring.

4. A coupling as defined in claim 1, wherein the sealing ring is situated in an annular groove which is located between the return ring and the second end of the coupling housing.

5. A coupling as defined in claim 1, wherein the return ring comprises a number of segments which are successively coupled together through flexible arch portions.