Collapsible container connector

• US 5,709,244 A
• Filed: 10/06/1995
• Issued: 01/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ferrell Burton III
• Original Assignee: Condiment Master, Inc.
• Inventors: Ramirez, Rory F., Patriquin, Lawrence J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US08/539,997
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 137/614.04, 137/614.02, 251/149.5, 251/149.6, 251/149.3, 251/366, 251/367, 222/92, 222/105, 222/501, 222/522
• US Class Current: 137/614.04
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/30 with fluid cut-off means in each of two pipe-end fittings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87957 Valves actuate each other

Abstract

A connector for a collapsible container having a container outlet fitting, the connector including a container cap for mounting on a container outlet fitting, a coupling insert for attaching to the container cap, and a coupling body, with the coupling insert and coupling body having interengaging means for connecting the body to the insert and for disconnecting the body from the insert, with the coupling body having an outer end for connection to a hose line. The container cap has a flange with a threaded opening and the coupling insert has a threaded end for mounting in the container cap flange, and the container cap further has a first annular rim projecting from the flange for insertion into a container outlet fitting.

Claims

1. In a connector for a collapsible container having a container outlet fitting, the combination of:

a container cap having means for mounting said cap on a container outlet fitting;

a coupling insert for attaching to said container cap; and

a coupling body, said coupling insert and coupling body having interengaging means for connecting said body to said insert and for disconnecting said body from said insert,

said coupling insert having a first poppet valve with a valve seal ring engagable with a valve seat in said coupling insert, and a spring in said coupling insert urging said poppet valve seal ring into engagement with said poppet valve seat,

said coupling body having a second poppet valve having a valve seal ring engagable with a valve seat in said coupling body, and a spring in said coupling body urging said poppet valve seal ring into engagement with said poppet valve seat,

said first and second said poppet valves having exposed ends positioned for engaging each other when said coupling insert and said coupling body are connected by said interengaging means,

said interengaging means including means for latching said coupling body to said coupling insert bringing said popper valve exposed ends into engagement with each other moving each of said poppet valves seal rings out of engagement with the corresponding poppet valve seat permitting fluid flow through said connector,

said interengaging means including means for latching said coupling body to said coupling insert bringing said poppet valve exposed ends into engagement permitting fluid flow through said connector and for unlatching said coupling body from said coupling insert with said poppet valve springs pushing said connector body from said connector insert when said body and insert are unlatched and blocking fluid flow through said connector, with said connector body moving only axially relative to said connector insert, with actuation of the poppet valves providing only full flow and zero flow through the connector,

said coupling body having an outer end for connection to a hose line,

said container cap having a flange with a threaded central opening and said coupling insert having a threaded end for insertion into said threaded opening mounting said coupling insert on said container cap flange, and

said container cap means for mounting including a first annular rim projecting from said flange for insertion into said container outlet fitting.

2. A connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said container cap means for mounting further includes a second annular rim concentric with said first annual rim and defining an annular slot for engagement with said container outlet fitting.