Hygienic coupling

A coupling for use with comestible products, the coupling comprising:

• a first body having a first flow path extending therethrough;
• a second body having a second flow path extending therethrough;
• wherein the first body and second body are configured for coupling together such that the first flow path and second flow path form a continuous flow path extending through the coupling when the first body and second body are coupled together;
• the coupling further comprising a valve member actuable between an open position, wherein product is able to pass through the continuous flow path, and a closed position, wherein the passage of the product through the continuous path is prevented;
• and
• wherein the coupling comprises a closure mechanism configured for actuating the valve member between the open position and closed position;
• wherein the closure mechanism includes a biasing member in the form of a spring for biasing the valve member into the closed position;
• wherein the coupling is configured for the valve member to self-close by switching from the open to closed position if the first body is undesirably decoupled from the second body;
• and
• wherein the biasing member is isolated from the flow of the product passing through the continuous flow path;
• wherein the biasing member is operable in a first chamber which is isolated from the continuous flow path, and wherein the biasing member is in operable communication with the valve member;
• wherein the first chamber is at least partially defined within a cylinder provided within the first body, wherein the interior of the cylinder is isolated from a flow of the product from the continuous flow path;
• wherein the valve member comprises a piston-like body, a portion of which extends within the cylinder and is arranged for reciprocation within the cylinder, for moving the valve member between the open and closed positions;
• wherein the coupling comprises a cylinder seal located between the cylinder and the piston-like body for sealing the cylinder against product ingress;
• and
• wherein the coupling further comprises an annular seal located outboard of the flow path for creating a seal between the first and second bodies when the first body and second body are coupled together;
• and wherein the coupling is configured such that metal-to-metal contact between the first and second bodies inboard of the annular seal is prevented.

A coupling for use with comestible products, the coupling comprising:

• a first body having a first flow path extending therethrough;
• a second body having a second flow path extending therethrough;
• wherein the first body and second body are configured for coupling together such that the first flow path and second flow path form a continuous flow path extending through the coupling when the first body and second body are coupled together;
• the coupling further comprising a valve member actuable between an open position, wherein product is able to pass through the continuous flow path, and a closed position, wherein the passage of the product through the continuous path is prevented;
• and
• wherein the coupling comprises a closure mechanism configured for actuating the valve member between the open position and closed position;
• wherein the closure mechanism includes a biasing member in the form of a spring for biasing the valve member into the closed position;
• wherein the coupling is configured for the valve member to self-close by switching from the open to closed position if the first body is undesirably decoupled from the second body;
• and
• wherein the biasing member is isolated from the flow of the product passing through the continuous flow path;
• wherein the biasing member is operable in a first chamber which is isolated from the continuous flow path, and wherein the biasing member is in operable communication with the valve member;
• wherein the first chamber is at least partially defined within a cylinder provided within the first body, wherein the interior of the cylinder is isolated from a flow of the product from the continuous flow path;
• wherein the valve member comprises a piston-like body, a portion of which extends within the cylinder and is arranged for reciprocation within the cylinder, for moving the valve member between the open and closed positions;
• wherein the coupling comprises a cylinder seal located between the cylinder and the piston-like body for sealing the cylinder against product ingress;
• wherein the first body comprises a plurality of releasably connectable sections including a front portion for cooperation with the second body when the first body and second body are coupled together, and a rear portion in which the biasing member is mounted;
• wherein the valve member is carried on the rear portion;
• and
• wherein the coupling further comprises an annular seal located outboard of the first flow path for creating a seal between the front portion and rear portion of the first body;
• wherein the coupling is configured such that metal-to-metal contact between the front portion and rear portions inboard of the annular seal is prevented.