FLUID DISPENSING ASSEMBLY

• US 20120138178A1
• Filed: 07/01/2010
• Published: 06/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Koo, Yeong-Heng, Wrigley, Andrew Nicholson
• Granted Patent: US 8,776,828 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/614.05
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/36 with two lift valves being actuated to initiate the flow through the coupling after the two coupling parts are locked against withdrawal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87949 Linear motion of flow path sections operates both
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87965 Valve- or closure-operated by coupling motion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87973 Coupling interlocked with valve, or closure or actuator

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.

Claims

1-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A fluid dispensing assembly comprising:

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.