FLUID DISPENSING ASSEMBLY
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Known fluid dispensers can suffer from the disadvantage of inadvertent disconnection of a connector causing potentially hazardous spillage of fluid. The present invention relates to a fluid dispensing assembly comprising a tap and a connector body. The tap comprises a first valve, movable between an open and closed position to allow fluid flow through; and a first portion of an interlocking coupling, configured for rotational engagement with a second complementary interlocking coupling portion of the connector body by rotation about a first fluid dispensing assembly axis. The connector body also comprises a second valve, movable between an open and closed position to allow fluid flow through. By this configuration, the first and second interlocking coupling portions remain interlocked preventing disconnection of the connector body from the tap unless the first and second valves are both in the closed position.
6 Citations
15 Claims
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1-14. -14. (canceled)
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15. A fluid dispensing assembly comprising:
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a valve body comprising; a first valve, movable between an open and closed position by an actuator to respectively allow fluid flow through, and obturation of, a valve body fluid outlet; and a first portion of an interlocking coupling; a connector body connected to the valve body comprising; a second valve, movable between an open and closed position to respectively allow fluid flow through, and obturation of, a connector body fluid inlet; and a second portion of the interlocking coupling, configured for rotational engagement with the first portion of an interlocking coupling by rotation about the first fluid dispensing assembly axis; wherein the first and second interlocking coupling portions remain interlocked preventing dispensing of fluid from the fluid dispensing assembly unless the first and second valves are both in the open position, and wherein the fluid dispensing assembly also comprises a control element, attached to the second valve and retained within the connector body assembly for restricted linear and rotational movement along, and about, the first fluid dispensing assembly axis after rotational engagement of the first portion of the interlocking coupling with the second portion of the interlocking coupling.
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Specification