Device for retaining and for inserting a flexible tube assembly into a fluid container
AssigneeS. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
InventorsKevin Harrity, Timothy R. Bartlett
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Abstract
A device for use with a container having a container top includes a tubular retainer engaging the container top and a tube assembly. The tubular retainer has a retainer top, a retainer bottom, a longitudinal axis, and an inner passageway formed along the longitudinal axis and defined by an inner surface. The tube assembly is frictionally disposed within the inner passageway of the tubular retainer. The tube assembly comprises (i) a tube having a first end and a second end, (ii) a weight attached to the second end of the tube, and (iii) an adapter attached to the first end of the tube.
Claims45
A device for use with a container having a container top, said device comprising:
- a tubular retainer engaging the container top, the tubular retainer having a retainer top, a retainer bottom, a longitudinal axis, and an inner passageway formed along the longitudinal axis and defined by an inner surface;
- and
- a tube assembly frictionally disposed within the inner passageway of said tubular retainer, said tube assembly comprising (i) a tube having a first end and a second end, (ii) a weight attached to the second end of said tube, and (iii) an adapter attached to the first end of said tube.
A method of engaging a tube assembly with a container having a container top, the method comprising the steps of:
- assembling a tube assembly, the tube assembly comprising an adapter, a tube connected to the adapter, and a weight connected to the tube;
- inserting the tube assembly into a tubular retainer, the tubular retainer having a retainer bottom and an inner passageway defined by an inner surface, such that by inserting the tube assembly the adapter frictionally engages the inner surface of the tubular retainer;
- and
- engaging the tubular retainer with the container top.
A method of inserting a tube assembly into a container having a container top, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a tube assembly disposed within a tubular retainer, the tube assembly comprising an adapter and a tube connected to the adapter, the tubular retainer having a retainer bottom and an inner passageway defined by an inner surface, such that the adapter frictionally engages the inner surface of the tubular retainer;
- engaging the tubular retainer with the container top;
- and
- forcing the tube assembly through the passageway of the tubular retainer by pushing the adapter with a machine element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.