Closed loop dispensing system with mechanical venting means

• US 8,083,107 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2009
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RD Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Rodney Laible
• Inventors: Laible, Rodney
• Primary Examiner(s): NGO, LIEN M
• Application Number:
  US12/384,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20100258593A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 222/478, 222/189.1, 222/189.09, 222/189.06, 222/189.11, 222/464.1, 222/464.2, 222/572, 222/546, 222/547, 251/149, 251/149.4, 251/149.6, 251/149.8, 137/590, 137/614.2
• US Class Current: 222/478
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/283 between tubular parts
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/32 with means for venting

Abstract

A closed loop dispensing system including a mechanical venting assembly which ensures that sufficient air may enter the interior of the container as liquid is being drawn from the container. The mechanical venting assembly of this invention ensures that the vent openings associated therewith will not become plugged with debris.

Claims

1. A liquid container having upper and lower ends;

said container having a hollow throat extending upwardly therefrom which has interior and exterior surfaces;

a throat plug assembly, having upper and lower end, positioned in said throat of said container;

said throat plug assembly including an upstanding, ring-shaped wall means at its upper end which engages the interior surface of said hollow throat of said container;

said throat plug assembly having a horizontally disposed upper wall which extends between said wall means;

said upper wall of said throat plug assembly having a central opening formed therein;

said throat plug assembly including a disc member at its lower end;

said disc member having a hollow dip tube support extending downwardly therefrom having the upper end of a dip tube secured thereto;

a dip tube in communication with said open lower end of said valve body and being in communication with the liquid in said liquid container;

said disc member including an upstanding hollow valve body having upper and lower ends;

said upper end of said hollow valve body being closed;

said lower end of said hollow valve body being open;

said hollow valve body having at least one opening formed therein below said upper end thereof;

said lower end of said hollow valve body being in fluid communication with said hollow dip tube support;

said lower wall portion of said disc member having at least one vent opening formed therein laterally outwardly of said hollow valve body;

a mechanical valve and vent assembly at the lower end of said throat plug assembly;

said mechanical valve and vent assembly including a horizontally disposed wall having a central opening formed therein;

said mechanical valve and vent assembly being vertically movably mounted on said hollow valve body;

said mechanical valve and vent assembly including a vertically disposed hollow tubular portion which vertically movably embraces the upper end of said hollow valve body;

said mechanical valve and vent assembly being movable between upper and lower positions with respect to said valve body;

said mechanical valve and vent assembly, when in its said upper position, closing the opening formed in said valve body below the upper end thereof;

said horizontally disposed wall of said mechanical valve and vent assembly having at last one vent pin extending downwardly therefrom which is received in the said one vent opening;

said vent pin closing the associated vent opening when said valve and vent assembly is in its said upper position;

said vent pin permitting air to pass through the associated vent opening when said valve and vent assembly is in its said lower position;

a spring positioned between said disc member and said wall of said mechanical valve and vent assembly which normally urges said mechanical valve and vent assembly to its said upper position;

the vertical movement of said vent pin preventing the accumulation of debris in the associated vent opening;

said upper ends of said valve body and said tubular portion of said mechanical valve and vent assembly extending upwardly through said central opening in said throat plug assembly;

a cap removably mounted on said throat of said container for selectively closing said throat; and

a dispensing tube extending from said cap for dispensing liquid from said container;

said cap including means for engagement with said tubular portion of said mechanical valve and vent assembly to move said mechanical valve and vent assembly to its said lower position to permit liquid to pass outwardly through said at least one opening in said hollow valve body;

the downward movement of said valve by said cap also causing said vent pin to open said vent opening.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein an additional vent opening is formed in said lower wall portion of said disc member which has a membrane extending thereover which prevents liquid from passing therethrough but which permits air to pass therethrough.

3. The combination of claim 2 further including a shipment cap which replaces said cap and wherein the shipment cap does not cause said mechanical valve and vent assembly to move to its said lower position.