Valve and method for assembling the same
First Claim
1. A valve for dispensing a fluid to and from a container, the valve comprising:
- a housing having a front end and a back end, the front end of the housing defining a poppet receiving opening and being configured for connection to a corresponding fluid coupling, the back end being adapted to connect the valve to the container, the housing defining a flow passage extending longitudinally through the housing and being configured such that fluid can be dispensed through the front end of the housing, and the housing also including a first retaining structure integral with the housing and located within the flow passage; and
a poppet member telescopically mounted in the flow passage of the housing and being telescopically moveable between an open position and a closed position, the poppet member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the proximal end portion including a second retaining structure that is integral with the poppet member and that cooperates with the first retaining structure to provide a snap fit connection for retaining the poppet member in the housing, and the distal end portion including a head member sized and shaped to be inserted through the front end of the housing, wherein the poppet member is arranged and configured to be loaded in the housing by inserting the poppet member through the front end of the housing.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A valve for dispensing fluid to and from a container. The valve includes a housing defining a flow passage extending longitudinally therethrough. A poppet member is telescopically mounted in the flow passage of the housing and is telescopically movable between an open position and a closed position. The poppet member has a proximal end portion that includes a second retaining structure that cooperates with a first retaining structure of the housing to provide a snap fit connection for retaining the poppet member in the housing. The snap fit connection allows the poppet member to be mounted in the housing by inserting the poppet member through a front end of the housing member.
-
Citations
30 Claims
-
1. A valve for dispensing a fluid to and from a container, the valve comprising:
-
a housing having a front end and a back end, the front end of the housing defining a poppet receiving opening and being configured for connection to a corresponding fluid coupling, the back end being adapted to connect the valve to the container, the housing defining a flow passage extending longitudinally through the housing and being configured such that fluid can be dispensed through the front end of the housing, and the housing also including a first retaining structure integral with the housing and located within the flow passage; and a poppet member telescopically mounted in the flow passage of the housing and being telescopically moveable between an open position and a closed position, the poppet member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the proximal end portion including a second retaining structure that is integral with the poppet member and that cooperates with the first retaining structure to provide a snap fit connection for retaining the poppet member in the housing, and the distal end portion including a head member sized and shaped to be inserted through the front end of the housing, wherein the poppet member is arranged and configured to be loaded in the housing by inserting the poppet member through the front end of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A coupling assembly for dispensing a fluid to and from a container, the coupling assembly comprising:
-
a valve housing having a front end and a back end, the front end of the housing defining a poppet receiving opening and forming a male coupling portion, the back end being adapted to connect the valve housing to the container, the valve housing defining a flow passage extending longitudinally therethrough such that fluid can be dispensed through the front end of the housing, and the valve housing also including a first retaining structure integrally formed with the valve housing and located within the flow passage; a poppet member telescopically mounted in the flow passage of the valve housing and being telescopically moveable between an open position and a closed position, the poppet member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the distal end portion including a head member sized and shaped to be inserted through the poppet receiving opening defined by the front end of the housing, the poppet member being arranged and configured to be loaded in the housing by inserting the poppet member through the front end of the housing, and the proximal end portion including a second retaining structure that is integral with the poppet member and that cooperates with the first retaining structure to provide a snap fit connection for retaining the poppet member in the valve housing; a first sealing member circumferentially surrounding the head member and forming a fluid tight seal with an inner radial surface of the valve housing when the poppet member is in the closed position; and a female coupling member constructed and arranged to mate with the male coupling portion of the valve housing. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
-
-
27. A method for assembling a valve including a housing having a front end and a back end, the back end being adapted to connect the valve to a container and the front end being adapted for connection to a fluid coupling, the housing defining a flow passage extending longitudinally through the housing and configured for allowing fluid to be dispensed through the front end of the housing, the housing also including a first retaining structure located within the flow passage;
- and a poppet member telescopically mounted in the flow passage of the housing and being telescopically moveable between an open position and a closed position, the poppet member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the distal end portion including a head member sized and shaped for insertion through the front end of the housing and defining a maximum width of the poppet member, the proximal end portion including a second retaining structure that cooperates with the first retaining structure to provide a snap fit connection between the housing and the poppet member, the method comprising the steps of;
inserting the proximal end of the poppet member into a poppet receiving opening defined by the front end of the housing; pushing the poppet member toward the back end of the housing thereby causing the head member to slide through the poppet receiving opening defined by the front end of the housing such that the entire poppet member is located within the housing, and also causing the second retaining structure to snap past the first retaining structure to provide a snap fit connection, wherein once second retaining structure is snapped past the first retaining structure, interference between the first and second retaining structures prevents the poppet member from disengaging from the housing. - View Dependent Claims (28)
- and a poppet member telescopically mounted in the flow passage of the housing and being telescopically moveable between an open position and a closed position, the poppet member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the distal end portion including a head member sized and shaped for insertion through the front end of the housing and defining a maximum width of the poppet member, the proximal end portion including a second retaining structure that cooperates with the first retaining structure to provide a snap fit connection between the housing and the poppet member, the method comprising the steps of;
-
29. A female coupling comprising:
-
a housing including a front end and a back end and defining a flow passage extending longitudinally therethrough, the housing also defining a slot oriented generally transversely with respect to the housing; a clip member mounted in the housing slot, the clip member being moveable within the slot between a first position in which the clip member is adapted for retaining a male coupling member within the housing, and a second position in which the male coupling member can be inserted into or removed from the flow passage of the housing; and a sealing member mounted within the flow passage of the housing, the sealing member being retained within the housing by the clip member and being adapted for forming a fluid tight seal between the housing and the male coupling member. - View Dependent Claims (30)
-
Specification