Closure device with self-aligning poppet

• US 6,978,800 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2003
• Issued: 12/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Colder Products Company (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Colder Products Company (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: deCler, Charles Peter, Johnson, Robert K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Krishnamurthy, Ramesh
• Application Number:
  US10/417,678
• Publication Number:
  US 20030196703A1
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 137/538, 137/540, 137/614.04, 137/614.05, 137/614.03, 137/800, 137/543.13, 137/543.19, 137/543, 251/149.6, 251/337
• US Class Current: 137/540
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/026 the valve member being a movable body around which the medium flows when the valve is open
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/063 the valve being loaded by a spring
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/18 with actuating mechanism; Combined check valves and actuated valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/0209 Check valves or pivoted valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/32 at least one of two lift valves being opened automatically when the coupling is applied
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7925 Piston-type valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7929 Spring coaxial with valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7937 Cage-type guide for stemless valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87965 Valve- or closure-operated by coupling motion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9247 With closure

Abstract

A closure device used in a fluid dispensing assembly. The closure device contains a housing, a poppet member, and a biasing member. The closure device provides a retaining structure for stabilizing and aligning the poppet member and biasing member within the housing.

Claims

1. A closure device, comprising:

a housing including a first end and a second end opposite said first end, an inner sidewall defining a flow passage extending longitudinally through said first and second ends;

a poppet member disposed within said flow passage, said poppet member being in fluid communication with said housing;

a biasing member connected to said poppet member, said biasing member biasing said poppet member in a closed position, wherein said closure device is actuatable from said closed position to an open position through said biasing member and said poppet member; and

a retaining mechanism connected to said inner sidewall of said housing, said retaining mechanism including a plurality of elongated members disposed along the inner sidewall and extending longitudinally between the first and second ends, said elongated members defining a diameter within said housing and stabilizing said poppet member and said biasing member within said diameter;

wherein said elongated members each include a retaining tab disposed at an end proximate said first end of said housing, each retaining tab moving between an undeflected position wherein the retaining tab is coaxial with the flow passage of the housing, and a deflected position wherein the retaining tab extends over a portion of said biasing member.

2. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein said first end of said housing being adaptable for attachment with a fluid source.

3. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein said second end of said housing being adaptable for attachment with a piece of fluid dispensing equipment.

4. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein said second end of said housing including a secondary seal removeably connected to said second end, said secondary seal being removable when said closure device is connected to a piece of fluid dispensing equipment.

5. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein said housing and said poppet member being in a fluid tight seal when said closure device is in said closed position.

6. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein said retaining mechanism enabling self-alignment of said popper member within said housing.

7. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein said retaining mechanism enabling auto assembly of said housing, said poppet member, and said biasing member prior to use of said closure device.

8. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein said closure device being disposable after one time use.

9. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein said poppet member is constructed of a thermoplastic elastomer material.

10. A closure device, comprising:

a housing including a first end and a second end opposite said first end, an inner sidewall defining a flow passage extending longitudinally through said first and second ends;

a poppet member disposed within said flow passage, said poppet member being in fluid communication with said housing;

a biasing member connected to said poppet member, said biasing member biasing said poppet member in a closed position, wherein said closure device is actuatable from said closed position to an open position through said biasing member and said poppet member;

a retaining mechanism connected to said inner sidewall of said housing, said retaining mechanism including a plurality of elongated members disposed along the inner sidewall and extending longitudinally between the first and second ends, said elongated members defining a diameter within said housing and stabilizing said poppet member and said biasing member within said diameter; and

a secondary seal removeably connected to said second end of the housing, said secondary seal being removable when said closure device is connected to a piece of fluid dispensing equipment wherein said secondary seal is an adhesive cover;

wherein said elongated members each include a retaining tab disposed at an end proximate said first end of said housing each retaining tab moving between an undeflected position wherein the retaining tab is coaxial with the flow passage of the housing, and a deflected position wherein the retaining tab extends over a portion of said biasing member.

11. A fluid dispensing system, comprising:

a fluid container; and

a closure device coupled to the fluid container, the closure device comprising;

a housing including a first end and a second end opposite said first end, an inner sidewall defining a flow passage extending longitudinally through said first and second ends;

a poppet member disposed within said flow passage, said poppet member being in fluid communication with said housing;

a biasing member connected to said poppet member, said biasing member biasing said poppet member in a closed position, wherein said closure device is actuatable from said closed position to an open position through said biasing member and said poppet member; and

a retaining mechanism connected to said inner sidewall of said housing said retaining mechanism including a plurality of elongated members disposed along the inner sidewall and extending longitudinally between the first and second ends, said elongated members defining a diameter within said housing and stabilizing said poppet member and said biasing member within said diameter;

wherein said elongated members each include a retaining tab disposed at an end proximate said first end of said housing, each retaining tab moving between an undeflected position wherein the retaining tab is coaxial with the flow passage of the housing, and a deflected position wherein the retaining tab extends over a portion of said biasing member.