Connect/disconnect coupling for a container
AssigneeColder Products Company
InventorsRichard Chadbourne, Thomas Anthony Braun, Charles Peter deCler, Brian J. Blenkush
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A container insert having at least two primary pieces, wherein one of the pieces includes keying features that may be replaceable with other pieces having different keying features. A related single piece container insert includes multiple keying features formed on the interior and exterior surfaces of the container insert. A related coupling assembly includes a venting system that vents a fluid into the container after a valve in the coupling assembly, which is positioned in the container contents flow path, has been opened.
Claims18
A coupling assembly for removing the contents of a container from an opening in the container, the coupling assembly comprising:
- a container insert coupled to the container opening and including:
- a first open cavity extending through the container insert;
- a first keyed surface formed in a surface of the cavity;
- a first engagement surface formed in a surface of the cavity;
- and
- a dispense unit including:
- a first dispense member having a second open cavity extending there through and a second engagement surface formed on an outer surface thereof, the second engagement surface being configured to engage the first engagement surface to releasably couple the dispense unit to the container insert;
- a second dispense member having a third open cavity extending there through, the second dispense member being at least partially disposed within the second open cavity and being adjustably coupled to the first dispense member;
- a valve assembly positioned in the third open cavity;
- and
- a second keyed surface configured to mate with the first keyed surface prior to engagement of the first and second engagement surfaces when the dispense unit is brought into contact with the container insert.
A coupling assembly for removing the contents of a container from an opening in the container, the coupling assembly comprising:
- a container insert coupled to the container opening and including:
- a first open cavity extending through the container insert and including at least first and second contact surfaces;
- and
- a dispense unit including:
- a first dispense member having a second open cavity extending there through and a third contact surface formed on an outer portion thereof, the third contact surface being configured to engage the first contact surface to releasably couple the dispense unit to the container insert;
- a second dispense member having a third open cavity extending there through and a fourth contact surface formed on an outer portion thereof, the second dispense member being at least partially disposed within the second open cavity and being adjustably coupled to the first dispense member;
- and
- a third dispense member having a fifth contact surface on an outer portion thereof and a sixth contact surface on an inner surface thereof, the fifth contact surface being configured to engage the second contact surface, and the sixth contact surface being configured to engage the fourth contact surface in an interference fit connection;
- whereby the interference fit connection provides cooperative movement of the second and third dispense members to ensure engagement between the second and fifth contact surfaces, while providing relative rotational movement between the second and third dispense member during engagement of the first and third contact surfaces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.