Container insert for use with a closed loop system

• US 9,126,725 B1
• Filed: 05/28/2014
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rodney Laible
• Original Assignee: Rodney Laible
• Inventors: Laible, Rodney
• Primary Examiner(s): NGO, LIEN M
• Application Number:
  US14/288,446
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• Field of Search: 222/544, 222/554, 222/555, 222/563, 222/567, 222/569, 222/570, 215/53, 215/341
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/50 arranged to be plugged in two alternate positions
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0288 Container connection means for dispensing beverages on draught B67D1/0829
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0476 Vapour recovery systems

Abstract

An insert for use with a closed loop system, a dispensing system, a gravity draining system or other systems. The insert is designed to be inserted into the throat of a container such as a bottle. The insert includes a cylindrical seal which has a hardness which is less than the other components of the insert. The seal compensates for varying inside diameters of the throat of the container. The seal may be overmolded into a cylindrical recess formed in the insert or may be separately molded and then positioned in the cylindrical recess.

Claims

1. An insert for use with a closed loop system including

a container having a throat with an inside surface, comprising:

a horizontally disposed ring-shaped lip having an upper side, a lower side, an outer end, and an inner end;

a cylindrical first wall member having an upper end, a lower end, an inner surface and an outer surface;

said first wall member extending downwardly from said inner end of said lip whereby said lip protrudes outwardly from said upper end of said first wall member;

an annular shoulder, having inner and outer ends, at said lower end of said first wall member;

a second wall member, having an upper end and an open lower end, extending downwardly from said inner end of said shoulder;

said open lower end of said second wall member having internal threads formed therein;

a tubular member having upper and lower ends;

said tubular member being positioned within said first and second wall members;

said lower end of said tubular member being fixed to second wall member;

said lip, said first wall member, said shoulder, said second wall member and said tubular member being injection molded with a plastic material having a first hardness;

said outer surface of said first wall member having a cylindrical recess formed therein;

and a seal having an upper end, a lower end, an inner side and an outer side;

said seal being comprised of a plastic material which is positioned in said cylindrical recess in said outer surface of said first wall member after the other parts of the insert have been injected molded;

said outer surface of said seal being downwardly and inwardly curved;

said seal being comprised of a plastic material which has a hardness less than the said first hardness.

2. The insert of claim 1 wherein said shoulder is downwardly and inwardly tapered.

3. The insert of claim 1 wherein said seal is comprised of a low density polyethylene material and wherein the other parts of the insert are comprised of a polypropylene material.

4. The insert of claim 1 wherein said seal is overmolded into said cylindrical recess.

5. An insert for use with a liquid container having a throat with an inside surface, comprising:

a horizontally disposed ring-shaped lip having an upper side, a lower side, an outer end, and an inner end;

a cylindrical first wall member having an upper end, a lower end, an inner surface and an outer surface;

said first wall member extending downwardly from said inner end of said lip whereby said lip protrudes outwardly from said upper end of said first wall member;

an annular shoulder, having inner and outer ends, at said lower end of said first wall member;

a second wall member, having an upper end and an open lower end, extending downwardly from said inner end of said shoulder;

said open lower end of said second wall member having internal threads formed therein;

a tubular member having upper and lower ends;

said tubular member being positioned within said first and second wall members;

said lower end of said tubular member being fixed to said second wall member;

said lip, said first wall member, said shoulder, said second wall member and said tubular member being injection molded with a plastic material having a first hardness;

said outer surface of said first wall member having a cylindrical recess formed therein;

and a seal having an upper end, a lower end, an inner side and an outer side;

said seal being comprised of a plastic material which is positioned in said cylindrical recess in said outer surface of said first wall member after the other parts of the insert have been injected molded;

said seal being comprised of a plastic material which has a hardness less than the said first hardness.

6. The insert of claim 5 wherein said shoulder is downwardly and inwardly tapered.

7. The insert of claim 5 wherein said seal is comprised of a low density polyethylene material and wherein the other parts of the insert are comprised of a polypropylene material.

8. The insert of claim 5 wherein said outer surface of said seal is downwardly and inwardly curved.

9. The insert of claim 5 wherein said seal is overmolded into said cylindrical recess.