Spout for screw on connector

• US 20040232374A1
• Filed: 03/08/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rapak LLC (TriMas Corporation)
• Original Assignee: DS Smith Plastics Limited (DS Smith PLC)
• Inventors: Spalding, Lamar, Rutter, Christopher C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,893,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 251/149.6
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/067 combined with a valve, a tap or a piercer
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 41/02 Branch units, e.g. made in one piece, welded, riveted

Abstract

A spout for a flexible bag adapted to hold a liquid, the spout adapted for coupling with a connector having a rotatable spout adapter with an internal thread. The spout has a substantially cylindrical body with an outer surface, a spout opening, and a spout axis. The spout further has at least one flexible tab attached to and protruding radially distal from the outer surface of the cylindrical body of the spout. The tab has a top side that is substantially perpendicular to the spout axis, a bottom side opposing the top side, and a leading edge for engaging the thread. Additionally, the spout, has an undeformed tab length that typically deforms upon engaging the internal thread of the spout adapter.

Claims

1. A method for coupling an assembly comprising a line connector with a spout, the connector having a rotatable adapter with internal threads and the spout having a radially extending flexible tab, the method comprising:

axially aligning the connector with the spout;

rotationally aligning the tab with the thread;

threading the tab onto the threads;

deforming the tabs during threading, where the deforming provides a force to keep the assembly axially aligned; and

engaging the tabs with thread.

2. A method for coupling an assembly comprising a line connector with a spout, the connector having a rotatable adapter with internal threads, the spout having a radially extending flexible tab, and the assembly having at least one valve that is actuated under an axial valve actuating force to permit flow through the assembly, the method comprising:

axially aligning the connector with the spout;

rotationally aligning the tab with the thread;

threading the tab onto the threads;

deforming the tabs during threading, where the deforming provides a force to keep the assembly axially aligned;

actuating the valve by threading the spout and line connector together; and

engaging the tabs with thread against the actuating force.