Liquid feed system using a non-reusable container

• US 4,941,519 A
• Filed: 08/19/1988
• Issued: 07/17/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American Sterilizer Company (Steris Corporation)
• Original Assignee: American Sterilizer Company (Steris Corporation)
• Inventors: Childers, Robert W., Sestak, Joseph T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US07/233,776
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 422/257, 422/283, 141/18, 141/20, 141/21, 141/22, 141/29, 141/95, 141/250, 141/263, 141/264, 141/266, 141/269, 141/275, 141/276, 141/278, 222/382, 222/464, 222/325-327, 222/381, 222/147, 604/403, 604/414, 604/110, 604/416, 604/415, 604/905, 137/588, 137/592, 137/67, 137/797, 128/205.21
• US Class Current: 141/22
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0277 using negative pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0288 Container connection means for dispensing beverages on draught B67D1/0829
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86332 Vent and inlet or outlet in unitary mounting

Abstract

Apparatus for dispensing a liquid into equipment having an inlet port includes a container for holding the liquid, a tube in the container through which the liquid can exit the container, a connection member for fluidly connecting the tube to the inlet port of the equipment and for venting the container, and a cam member for moving the connection member into a first position for sealingly engaging the connection member to the container and the tube for transferring liquid from the container to the inlet port, into a second position wherein the tube is rendered ineffective for permitting fluid to pass out of the container, and into a third position wherein the container can be removed and replaced with another container having an effective tube and a fresh supply of liquid.

Claims

1. Apparatus for dispensing a liquid into equipment having an inlet port comprising:

a container for holding the liquid having a top portion with an opening and a bottom portion for holding said liquid said container having means removably positioned in said opening and extending from said opening into said bottom portion for permitting the liquid to exit said container;

means for fluidly connecting said exit permitting means of said container to the inlet port of the equipment and for venting said container; and

means for moving said connecting means into a first position wherein said connecting means sealingly engages said container for transferring the liquid through said exit permitting means to the inlet port, and for moving said connecting means into a second position wherein said exit permitting means is rendered permanently ineffective for passing liquid from said container such that said exit permitting means cannot thereafter be fluidly connected to the inlet port of the equipment.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said moving means is structured to move said connecting means into a third position wherein said container can be removed and replaced with another said container having an effective said exit permitting means.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 2 further comprising means to indicate when said container is in the apparatus.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said exit permitting means is a tube.

5. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises:

a first conduit for fluidly connecting said exit permitting means to the inlet port of the equipment;

a second conduit for venting said container;

sealing means for sealingly engaging said container when said moving means is in at least said first position; and

means for maintaining contact between said connecting means and said moving means.

6. The apparatus recited in claim 5 wherein said container has a first opening for receiving said first conduit in a sealed engagement and for fluidly connecting said first conduit to said exit permitting means, and a second opening for venting said container.

7. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said moving means comprises a cam member having a first surface for moving said connecting means into said first position upon contact with said connecting means and a second surface for moving said connecting means into said second position upon contact with said connecting means.

8. The apparatus recited in claim 7 wherein said cam member is structured to move said connecting means into a third position wherein said container can be removed and replaced with another said container and said cam member has a third surface for moving said connecting means into said third position upon contact with said connecting means.

9. The apparatus recited in claim 8 further comprising means for assuring that said cam member moves only from said first position to said second position, from said second position to said third position and from said third position to said first position.

10. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said apparatus is releasably connected to the equipment.

11. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said apparatus is integrally connected to the equipment.

12. The apparatus recited in claim 1 further comprising means to indicate when said connecting means is in said first position.

13. A container for use with an apparatus for dispensing a liquid into equipment having an inlet port, said container comprising:

a top portion having an opening therethrough for receiving a member for fluidly connecting the container to the inlet port of the equipment; and

a bottom portion for holding the liquid;

means extending from said opening into said bottom portion for permitting the liquid to exit said bottom portion when said member is received within said opening, said exit permitting means being removably positioned in said opening to permit said exit permitting means to be disconnected from said opening to render said exit permitting means permanently ineffective for passing liquid from said bottom portion.

14. The container recited in claim 13 wherein said exit permitting means is a tube.

15. The container recited in claim 13 wherein said top portion has a second opening for venting said bottom portion.