US 8,944,094 B2 · Adaptor for use with a valve fitment for dispensing fluids

Abstract

This invention relates to an adaptor that is used with a valve fitment assembly used to dispense fluids or flowable materials from a container. The adaptor is utilized in conjunction with the valve fitment assembly to allow the fitment assembly to be used with a spout and valve assembly attached to a container holding fluid. This invention also relates to a process for dispensing fluid using the adapter described herein.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims1

Dependent claims

An L shaped adaptor used in a fitment valve assemble comprising:

(I) a vertical cylindrical housing, and
(II) a horizontal cylindrical channel;
wherein said vertical cylindrical housing and said horizontal cylindrical channel are connected to each other in an L-shape;
wherein said vertical cylindrical housing comprises a front wall, and is partially open at the back wall, wherein said opening is the locus for connecting a spout-valve assembly attached to a container that dispenses fluid;
wherein, said front wall, on the inside, comprises a locking groove for locking said adaptor to said spout-valve assembly;
wherein, said vertical cylindrical housing comprises two J-shaped pull-tabs attached to the two sides of said front wall, such that said vertical cylindrical housing's side walls protrude over the base of said J-shaped pull-tabs;
wherein, attached to the opening at the back wall of said vertical cylindrical housing is an U-shaped tray that supports said spout-valve assembly attached to the fluid dispensing container;
wherein said horizontal cylindrical channel comprises at least a first opening and a second opening;
wherein said first opening is at the first end proximate to the joint of said L-shaped adaptor, and at the top of said horizontal cylindrical channel such that said first opening opens at the bottom of said vertical cylindrical housing;
wherein said second opening, used for dispensing fluid into a fluid dispensing setup, is at the opposite end to said first end of said horizontal cylindrical channel;
wherein at the base of the horizontal cylindrical channel directly below said first opening in said horizontal cylindrical channel is a cylindrical activator pin;
wherein, said activator pin is supported by at least one ridge, that is triangular;
wherein at the top of said first opening proximate to the bottom of said vertical cylindrical housing is an O-ring for sealing attachment with said spout-valve assembly;
wherein said O-ring is situated in a second vertical cylindrical channel that is narrower that said vertical cylindrical housing;
wherein on the outside wall of said horizontal cylindrical channel, oriented generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of said second horizontal cylindrical channel and protruding outward, are locking tabs, one on each side of said horizontal cylindrical channel, that are used for locking the locking mechanism of said fluid dispensing setup with said adaptor;
wherein said horizontal cylindrical channel further comprises a third opening at its second end that is in in a radial plane to the longitudinal axis of said horizontal channel;
wherein said third opening is closed with a cap.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description2,683 words

Summary577 words

#This invention relates to an adaptor that is used with a valve fitment assembly used to dispense fluids or flowable materials from a container. The adaptor is utilized in conjunction with the valve fitment assembly to allow the fitment assembly to be used with a spout and valve assembly attached to a container holding fluid.

#For example, a valve fitment assembly may be used to dispense liquid from a collapsible bag or container. However, this fitment assembly can only be used in conjunction with a certain design of spout and valve assembly that is attached to the container. Containers having a different spout and valve assembly design cannot be used with this valve fitment assembly.

#The adaptor of this invention allows for the use of such a valve fitment to be used with other spout and valve assemblies attached to a fluid container.

Brief description of the drawings8 figures

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adaptor from the front and side;

#FIG. 2 is the perspective view of the adaptor from the back and side;

#FIG. 3 is the perspective view of the adaptor from the top;

Detailed description1,964 words

#Ranges are used herein in shorthand, so as to avoid having to list and describe each and every value within the range. Any appropriate value within the range can be selected as the upper value, lower value, or the terminus of the range.

#As used herein, the singular form of a word includes the plural, and vice versa, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, the references “a”, “an”, and “the” are generally inclusive of the plurals of the respective terms. For example, reference to “a method” includes a plurality of such “methods”. Likewise the terms “include”, “including” and “or” should all be construed to be inclusive, unless such a construction is clearly prohibited from the context. Similarly, the term “examples,” particularly when followed by a listing of terms, is merely exemplary and illustrative and should not be deemed to he exclusive or comprehensive.

#The term “comprising” is intended to include embodiments encompassed by the terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of”. Similarly, the term “consisting essentially of” is intended to include embodiments encompassed by the term “consisting of”.

Facts

Application

13/804,555Filed 14 Mar 2013 · us provisional application

Priority

14 Mar 2012

Published

US 2013/0277966 A124 Oct 2013

Granted

3 Feb 2015

Term ends

11 Apr 2033

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 28 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification8 codes

F16L 37/084
In which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members: combined with automatic locking
B67D 3/04
Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes: liquid-dispensing taps or…
Y10T 137/7043
With casing, support, protector or static constructional installations: guards and shields
Y10T 137/7054
Guards and shields: cover for beer cooler aperture for faucet

Timeline

14 Mar 2012Priority claimedParent application 61/610,723
14 Mar 2013Application filedUS 13/804,555
18 Mar 2013Assigned to Liqui-Box Corporationassignment of assignor's interest
24 Oct 2013PublishedUS 2013/0277966 A1
3 Feb 2015GrantedUS 8,944,094 B2
5 Oct 2015Assigned to Antares Capital LP, AS Agentsecurity interest
26 Feb 2020Assigned to Antares Capital LP, AS Collateral Agentsecurity interest
29 Feb 2020Assigned to Liqui-Box Corporationrelease of security interest
2 Feb 2023Assigned to Liqui-Box Corporationrelease of security interest
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
11 Apr 2033Term endsEstimated, includes 28 days of adjustment

Adaptor for use with a valve fitment for dispensing fluids

Life of this patent

Adaptor for use with a valve fitment for dispensing fluids

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims1

Description2,683 words

Drawings

Classification8 codes

Life of this patent

Description2,683 words