Fluid dispensing assembly

• US 8,776,828 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2010
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Koo, Yeong-Heng, Wrigley, Andrew Nicholson
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US13/384,996
• Publication Number:
  US 20120138178A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,475 Days
• Field of Search: 137/614, 13761403-61406
• US Class Current: 137/614.06
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/36 with two lift valves being actuated to initiate the flow through the coupling after the two coupling parts are locked against withdrawal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87949 Linear motion of flow path sections operates both
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87965 Valve- or closure-operated by coupling motion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87973 Coupling interlocked with valve, or closure or actuator

Abstract

Known fluid dispensers can suffer from the disadvantage of inadvertent disconnection of a connector causing potentially hazardous spillage of fluid. The present invention relates to a fluid dispensing assembly comprising a tap and a connector body. The tap comprises a first valve, movable between an open and closed position to allow fluid flow through; and a first portion of an interlocking coupling, configured for rotational engagement with a second complementary interlocking coupling portion of the connector body by rotation about a first fluid dispensing assembly axis. The connector body also comprises a second valve, movable between an open and closed position to allow fluid flow through. By this configuration, the first and second interlocking coupling portions remain interlocked preventing disconnection of the connector body from the tap unless the first and second valves are both in the closed position.

Claims

1. A fluid dispensing assembly comprising:

a valve body comprising;

a first valve, movable between an open and closed position by an actuator to respectively allow fluid flow through, and obturation of, a valve body fluid outlet; and

a first portion of an interlocking coupling;

a connector body connected to the valve body comprising;

a second valve, movable between an open and closed position to respectively allow fluid flow through, and obturation of, a connector body fluid inlet; and

a second portion of the interlocking coupling, configured for rotational engagement with the first portion of the interlocking coupling by rotation about a first fluid dispensing assembly axis;

wherein

the first and second interlocking coupling portions remain interlocked preventing dispensing of fluid from the fluid dispensing assembly unless the first and second valves are both in the open position, and

wherein

the fluid dispensing assembly also comprises a control element, attached to the second valve and retained within the connector body for restricted linear and rotational movement along, and about, the first fluid dispensing assembly axis after rotational engagement of the first portion of the interlocking coupling with the second portion of the interlocking coupling.

2. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein obturation of the first valve and the connector body fluid outlet is effected by contact of first and second valve faces with a corresponding valve seat located at the valve body fluid outlet.

3. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second valve and the control element are biased toward the open position by a biasing means.

4. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the linear movement of the control element and the second valve is restricted between;

a first position corresponding to the fluid dispensing position with the second valve in the open position with a valve face distal to the connector body assembly fluid inlet, and

a second position corresponding to the disconnected position with the second valve in the closed position with the valve face obturating the connector body assembly fluid inlet;

wherein movement between the first and second positions is obstructed unless the control element is positioned along the first fluid dispensing assembly axis such that the second valve obturates the connector body fluid inlet.

5. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the control element is further constrained from rotational movement from the second to the first position by at least one projection on the control element biased into engagement with a corresponding indentation in the connector body.

6. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the projection is a shoulder projection on at least one laterally enlarged control element limb projection.

7. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein engagement of the projection with the indentation prevents rotation of the control element with respect to the connector body about the first fluid dispensing assembly axis, disengagement of the shoulder projection being effected by movement of the control element along the first fluid dispensing assembly axis against the force of the biasing means.

8. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the valve body and the connector body are provided with a first visual indicator.

9. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first visual indicator is in the form of a pin extending from an outer surface of the connector body and configured to pass through a corresponding slot in the connector body.

10. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a tap, wherein the tap and the connector body are provided with a second visual indicator.

11. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a tap, wherein the second visual indicator is in the form of a pointer extending from an upper edge of the connector body and a corresponding aligned marking on an outer surface of the tap.

12. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid dispensing assembly is configured to limit rotational movement of the second valve via positive retention.

13. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid dispensing assembly is configured such that the control element limits rotational movement of the second valve via contact of the control element with structure of the connector body that include obstructions that protrude into a rotation path of the control element that would be present in the absence of the obstructions.

14. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid dispensing assembly is configured such that the control element limits rotational movement of the second valve via interaction with a slot in the connector body.

15. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control element is a substantially rigid component.

16. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control element is spring biased by a spring, and wherein the control element is configured such that the spring deflects at least substantially more than the control element in the axial direction when a force is applied to the control element.

17. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control element is spring biased by a spring, and wherein the control element is configured such that the spring deflects at least substantially more than the control element in the axial direction when a force is applied to the control element.

18. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid dispensing assembly is configured to limit rotational movement of the second valve via structural obstruction.

19. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a center structure of the control element is located in the center of the connector body.

20. A fluid dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control element is an elongate body.