Fluid coupling

• US 6,382,593 B1
• Filed: 07/13/2000
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Colder Products Company (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Colder Products Company (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: Wilhelm, Grant Armin, Blenkush, Brian J., Ramacier, Patrick J. Jr., Harris, Gary J., deCler, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Derakshani, Philippe
• Assistant Examiner(s): BONDERER, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US09/615,139
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 251/345, 251/340, 251/902, 137/887, 137/883, 137/881, 222/482
• US Class Current: 251/340
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0294 Combined with valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/30 with fluid cut-off means in each of two pipe-end fittings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 251/902 Springs employed as valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87861 Spring coaxial with valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87877 Single inlet with multiple distinctly valved outlets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87909 Containing rotary valve

Abstract

A fluid coupling for dispensing fluids, suitable for connecting a fitment disposed within a fluid source to a fluid receiving member. The fluid coupling includes a housing that defines a central passage between front and back openings and a first flow passage between the back and a side openings. A lever actuator is rotatably mounted on the housing to open/close the first flow passage. A poppet member is disposed within the central passage to define a second flow passage. The poppet member is actuatable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration to close/open the second flow passage. The housing, the poppet member and the lever actuator are each one-piece integrally molded device.

Claims

1. A fluid coupling, comprising:

a housing having a front end with a front opening, a back end with a back opening, and a side opening, the housing defining a first flow passage extending between the back opening and the side opening, the housing defining a central passage extending longitudinally between the front opening and the back opening;

a lever actuator rotatably mounted on the housing having an opening corresponding to the side opening of the housing, and rotatable between a first position in which the first flow passage is open and a second position in which the first flow passage is closed; and

a poppet member disposed within the central passage;

the poppet member cooperating with the housing to define a second flow passage;

the poppet member is actuatable between an extended configuration in which the second flow passage is closed and a retracted configuration in which the second flow passage is open;

wherein the poppet member is retained within the housing in a position downstream of the side opening.

2. The fluid coupling according to claim 1, wherein the housing further includes at least one stop member to limit the movement of lever actuator between the first position and the second position.

3. The fluid coupling according to claim 2, wherein the housing, the lever actuator and the poppet member are each a one-piece, integrally molded structure.

4. The fluid coupling according to claim 1, wherein the front end of the housing is suitable or connecting a fluid receiving member, and the back end of the housing is suitable for connecting a fitment disposed within a fluid source.

5. The fluid coupling according to claim 1, wherein the poppet member has a head portion, a body portion and a base portion, the head portion having a sealing surface that matches a sealing member proximate the front opening of the housing to form a fluid-tight seal when the poppet member is extended, the body portion defining the second flow passage, and the base portion defining at least one flow opening radially outward from the body portion which is in fluid communication with the second flow passage.

6. The fluid coupling according to claim 5, wherein the base portion of the poppet member has at least one retention member, and the housing has a retention surface downstream of the side opening of the housing, the at least one retention member and the retention surface cooperating to retain the poppet member therein.

7. The fluid coupling according to claim 1, wherein the poppet member is telescopically actuatable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the fluid coupling being in the closed configuration when the poppet member is in the extended configuration, and the fluid coupling being in the open configuration when the poppet member is in the retracted configuration.

8. The fluid coupling according to claim 1, wherein the poppet member comprises at least one elastic member for biasing the fluid coupling in the closed configuration.

9. The fluid coupling according to claim 1, wherein the housing, the poppet member and the lever actuator are made of plastic.

10. The fluid coupling according to claim 1, wherein the housing, the poppet member and the lever actuator are made of a material selected from the group consisting of acetal and low-density polyethylene.

11. The fluid coupling according to claim 1, wherein the first flow passage and the second flow passage each being separately actuatable between open and closed positions.

12. A fluid coupling, comprising:

a one-piece, integrally molded housing having a front end with a front opening, a back end with a back opening, and a side opening, the housing defining a first flow passage extending between the back opening and the side opening, the housing defining a central passage extending longitudinally between the front opening and the back opening;

a lever actuator rotatably mounted on the housing having an opening corresponding to the side opening of the housing, and rotatable between a first position in which the first flow passage is open and a second position in which the first flow passage is closed; and

a poppet member disposed within the central passage;

the poppet member having a head portion, a body portion and a base portion, the head portion having a sealing surface that matches a sealing member proximate the front opening of the housing to form a fluid-tight seal when the poppet member is extended, the body portion defining a second flow passage, the base portion defining at least one flow opening radially outward from the body portion which is in fluid communication with the second flow passage;

the poppet member is actuatable between an extended configuration in which the second flow passage is closed and a retracted configuration in which the second flow passage is open;

wherein the base portion of the poppet member has at least one retention member to match a retention surface downstream of the side opening of the housing to retain the poppet member therein;

wherein the housing further includes at least one stop member to limit the movement of the lever actuator between the first position and the second position.

13. The fluid coupling according to claim 12, wherein the first flow passage and the second flow passage each being separately actuatable between open and closed positions.