Closed loop connector for dispensing systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016244221-A1
Application number	US-201615096863-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 12, 2016
Priority date	Feb 23, 2015
Publication date	Aug 25, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A closed loop dispensing system comprises a connector connectable to a container for selectively dispensing the fluids from the container. The connector includes an outer cap having a first passage with an interior surface. The first passage can have variable cross-sectional areas over different regions of the first passage. The connector comprises a plug slidingly movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein, the plug allows passage of fluids present in the container in the open position, and the plug prevents passage of fluids out of the container in the closed position. The plug can have a variable cross-sectional area thereby preventing the plug from being disengaged with the outer cap or sliding out of the connector and into the container.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A connector for selectively dispensing fluid from a fluid container via a dispensing probe, the connector comprising:
an outer cap supported by a container opening, the outer cap having a first passage, the first passage having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end, the first and second ends being separated by a length along the longitudinal axis; a plug being slidingly movable in the first passage between an open position and a closed position, the plug having a first end and a second surface; and a plurality of crown elements positioned at the first surface of the plug, the crown elements being extendable such that the crown elements flare radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the first passage to lock the plug proximal to the first end of the first passage in the closed position, and the crown elements being retractable into a retracted position such that the crown elements retract radially inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the first passage allowing the plug to slide into the first passage and to unlock the plug into the open position, the plug being slidable from the first end of the first passage and into the first passage when the crown elements are in the retracted position, the plug preventing a flow of fluid from the container to the dispensing probe when locked in the closed position, and the plug allowing the flow of fluid from the container to the dispensing probe when unlocked into the open position.

2 . The connector of claim 1 , further comprising a first flap positioned on the plug, the first flap forming a frictional fit with the first passage when locked in the closed position.

3 . The connector of claim 2 , wherein the first flap is adapted to abut against an interior surface of the first passage to block the fluid from the container to the dispensing probe from flowing past the first flap in the closed position.

4 . The connector of claim 2 , wherein the first flap of the first passage does not abut against the interior surface of the first passage when the plug is unlocked, the position of the first flap when the plug is unlocked creating a second passage for the fluid from the container toward the dispensing probe.

5 . The connector of claim 2 , further comprising at least one guidance ring adapted to align the first flap along a radial direction.

6 . The connector of claim 5 , wherein the guidance ring is further adapted to align the first flap along the longitudinal axis of the first passage.

7 . The connector of claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of guidance rings positioned on the plug and spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis of the first passage.

8 . The connector of claim 7 , further comprising two or more flaps positioned on the plug and spaced apart from the first flap along the longitudinal axis of the first passage, each flap being positioned proximal to a guidance ring along the longitudinal axis of the first passage.

9 . The connector of claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of apertures positioned on the plug at a first radial distance, the apertures extending through each guidance ring defining a third passage, the flow of fluid from the container to the dispensing probe passing through the third passage and the apertures, when the plug is unlocked.

10 . The connector of claim 9 , wherein each crown element comprises a tapered outer surface, the tapered outer surface adapted to form a frictional fit with the dispensing probe, the tapered outer surface adapted to allow the crown elements to slide along the first passage when the crown elements retract radially inwardly.

11 . The connector of claim 10 , wherein each crown element comprises one or more upright edges the upright edges adapted to rest against a surface of the outer cap, thereby preventing the crown elements from retracting radially inwardly.

12 . The connector of claim 1 , wherein the crown matingly engages with the dispensing probe.

13 . The connector of claim 1 , wherein the first passage has a constant cross-sectional area along the longitudinal axis of the first passage.

14 . The connector of claim 1 , wherein the first passage has a variable cross-sectional area along the longitudinal axis of the first passage.

15 . The connector of claim 14 , further comprising a distal flange positioned at the second surface of the plug, the distal flange having a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of the plug.

16 . The connector of claim 15 , wherein the first passage has a cross-sectional area at the second end less than a cross-sectional area of the distal flange, a contact surface of the distal flange abutting against an interior surface of the first passage proximal to the second end of the first passage, thereby preventing the plug from sliding out of the first passage past the first end of the first passage such that the plug is prevented from being disengaged with the outer cap when locked in the closed position.

17 . The connector of claim 1 , further comprising a tube matingly coupled to the plug, the tube adapted to prevent the plug from sliding past the second end of the first passage when unlocked.

18 . The connector of claim 17 , wherein the hollow tube is threadingly coupled to the outer cap, the tube adapted to receiving the plug over a first portion of the tube when the plug slides past the second end of the first passage when unlocked, the tube having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the plug over a second portion of the tube such that the plug is prevented from sliding past the first portion of the tube.

19 . The connector of claim 1 , wherein the outer cap and the plug are each coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the first passage.

20 . The connector of claim 1 , wherein the outer cap comprises a vent disposed thereon, the vent permitting off-gasing of a fluid stored in the fluid container.

21 . The connector of claim 1 , wherein the outer cap comprises a central axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the first passage.

22 . The connector of claim 21 , wherein the plug is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the first passage.

23 . The connector of claim 21 , further comprising a membrane vent attached to the outer cap, the membrane vent permitting off-gasing of a fluid stored in the fluid container and permits wicking of the fluid stored in the fluid container.

24 . The connector of claim 23 , wherein the membrane vent is attached to a bottom surface of the outer cap, the bottom surface of the outer cap being directed toward the fluid stored in the fluid container.

25 . The connector of claim 23 , wherein the membrane vent is disposed about a central axis, the central axis of the membrane vent being offset from the longitudinal axis of the first passage.

26 . The connector of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing probe is a spray trigger coupled to the outer cap, the spray trigger comprising a flow passage and a flow outlet, the flow passage being fluidly coupled to the first passage such that fluid from the fluid container enters the first passage, passes through the flow passage and is dispensed out of the flow outlet of the spray trigger.

27 . The connector of claim 26 , wherein the dispensing probe comprises a stem, the flow passage being at least partially housed in the stem of the spray t

Assignees

• Ecolab Usa Inc

Inventors

• Schultz Jr Jeffrey Michael
• Feiler Thaddeus
• Erlandson Erika Theresa
• Swenson Peter
• Kreye Lisa A

Classifications

• B67D7/0205

  by manually operable pumping apparatus (hand-held apparatus with pumps for dispensing or spraying liquids or fluent materials B05B11/00) · CPC title

• B67D7/02

  for transferring liquids other than fuel or lubricants · CPC title

• B65D47/121 Primary

  Stoppers · CPC title

• B65D47/32

  with means for venting · CPC title

• B67D7/0294 Primary

  Combined with valves · CPC title