EP1095900A1

EP1095900A1 - Fluid connector with check-valve

Info

Publication number: EP1095900A1
Application number: EP00309557A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Anthony Robert Hoare
Original assignee: David S Smith Packaging Ltd
Current assignee: David S Smith Packaging Ltd
Priority date: 1999-10-30
Filing date: 2000-10-30
Publication date: 2001-05-02
Also published as: GB9925778D0

Abstract

A connecting device (10) is disclosed for use in connecting a container to a fluid delivery line. The connecting device (10) comprises a main body (11) defining a fluid pathway (24), and a valve arrangement (19) in the pathway. The valve arrangement (19) comprises resilient urging means (20) and a valve member (22) movable between a closed condition and an open condition. The resilient urging means (20) urges the valve member (22) to the closed condition. The valve member (22) and the resilient urging means (20) are provided as a one piece unit.

Description

This invention relates to connecting devices. In particular, but not exclusively, this invention relates to connecting devices for use in connecting containers for fluid to delivery lines.
Connecting devices for connecting, for example, bulk containers for drinks syrup are known. However, the construction of known connectors is expensive and complex.
According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a connecting device comprising a main body defining a fluid pathway, and a valve arrangement provided in said pathway, the valve arrangement comprising a valve member and resilient urging means, the valve member being movable between open and closed positions, wherein the resilient urging means urges the valve member to said closed condition.
According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a valve arrangement for use with a connecting device as described above, the valve arrangement comprising resilient urging means, and a valve member movable between open and closed conditions wherein the resilient urging means can urge the valve member to the closed condition.
Preferably the resilient urging means and the valve member are a one piece unit.
According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a connecting device for use in connecting a container to a fluid delivery line, the device comprising a main body defining a fluid pathway, the device further including a valve arrangement provided in said pathway, the valve arrangement comprising resilient urging means, and a valve member movable between a closed condition and an open condition, wherein the resilient urging means urges the valve member to said closed condition, and the valve member and the resilient urging means are provided as a one piece unit.
Preferably, the resilient urging means is formed of a plastics material. The valve member may be formed of a plastics material.
Preferably, the main body comprises a valve seat in said pathway, the valve seat defining an aperture for the passage of fluid therethrough. When the valve member is in the closed position, the valve member engages the valve seat. Preferably, the valve member sealingly engages the valve seat.
The resilient urging means preferably comprises spring means. The resilient urging means may include at least one spring member extending from the valve member. Preferably the, or each, spring member comprises an elongate flexible member extending from said valve member to engage the main body. Conveniently the, or each, spring member has a width which is greater than its depth. The, or each, spring member is preferably in the form of a leaf spring.
The, or each, spring member may be deformable to allow the valve member to be moved to the open condition. The, or each, spring member may be curved to permit said deformation. Preferably, the, or each, spring member is curved and that the free end region of each spring member is directed outwardly.
The resilient urging means may further include reaction means, wherein the, or each, spring member extends between the reaction means and the valve member. The reaction means may define an opening for the passage of material therethrough, may be configured to extend around the inside of the main body. Preferably the reaction means is in the form of a reaction member which may be substantially circular in configuration. In one embodiment, the reaction member is connected to each of the spring members, and is preferably integral therewith. In another embodiment, the reaction means comprises an inwardly extending shoulder of the main body, wherein the spring members engage said shoulder. The shoulder may extend in an annular configuration around the wall of the main body.
The resilient urging means may be attached to the valve member, and may be formed integrally therewith, for example by moulding.
The valve arrangement may further include stop means to stop movement of said valve member beyond said open condition. The stop means may comprise at least one stop member extending from the valve member. The, or each, stop member may be in the form of an elongate member which may have a proximal end region at which the, or each, stop member is attached to the valve member, and a distal end region to engage an engagement member when the valve member reaches its open condition.
The engagement member may be provided on the main body. The engagement member may be a shoulder extending inwardly from the main body. The shoulder may extend in an annular configuration around the main body.
The engagement member may constitute the reaction means.
Preferably, the valve arrangement includes three of said spring members which may be substantially equispaced around the valve member. The valve member may include three of said stop members which may be substantially equispaced around the valve member.
Each spring member may be arranged between adjacent stop members and each stop member may be arranged between adjacent spring members.
The valve member may be of a generally conical configuration. Preferably the spring members and the stop means extend from the base thereof. The apex of the valve member is preferably received in an aperture defined by the valve seat. Preferably the apex extends through said aperture to engage an opening member which can apply a force thereto to open the valve member.
The valve member may be provided with plunger means, whereby a force applied to said plunger means may move the valve member to said open condition. Preferably the plunger means comprises a projection preferably extending outwardly of the valve arrangement.
The reaction member may be wider than the valve member and, in the preferred embodiment, in which the valve member and the reaction member are substantially circular in configuration, the reaction member has a greater diameter than the valve member.
Conveniently the, or each, spring member extends from an edge region of the valve member to the reaction member.
In one embodiment, the resilient urging means includes four of said spring members which are preferably substantially evenly spaced around the valve member. The valve arrangement is preferably formed of a resilient plastics material, for example acetal.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompany drawings in which:-
Fig. 1 is a side view of a connecting device;
Fig. 2 is a view along the lines II-II in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a view along the lines III-III in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is the same view as Fig. 3 of another embodiment of a connecting device; and
Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively bottom and top plan views of a valve member for use in the embodiment shown in Fig. 4.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a connecting device 10 for use in connecting a container to a fluid to a delivery line, for example a plastics container of a drinks syrup. The device 10 comprises a main body 11, comprising a first portion 12 having external threads 14 to enable it to be connected to a corresponding device (not shown) on the delivery line, in a manner which would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art. The first portion 12 may also include a cap (not shown) which is intended to be removed to enable the device 10 to be connected to the corresponding device on the delivery line.
The device 10 also includes a flange 16 to enable the device 10 to be mounted to a container which will contain a liquid to be dispersed. An annular valve seat member 17 is provided in the main body 11. The first portion 12 extends from the valve seat member 17 in a first direction. The device 10 also includes a second portion 18 extending from the valve seat member 17 in a second direction, opposite to the first direction. The first and second portions 12 and 18 are in the form of substantially cylindrical tubes. The second portion 18 is provided with annular projections 18A extending outwardly therefrom. The flange 16 is provided on the second portion 18 between the projections 18A and the valve seat member 17. The valve seat member 17 defines a central aperture 17A through which fluid can pass.
In order to mount the device 10 to the container, the container is provided with an outlet spout (not shown) in the form of a tube. The outlet spout is of an appropriate shape and size to receive therein the second portion 18 of the device 10 such that the projections 18A engage the side wall of the outlet spout and are an interference fit therewith, thereby sealing the device 10 to the outlet spout. Alternatively, for example, where the container is provided with an outlet aperture (not shown) without an outlet spout, the flange 16 can be used to connect the device 10 to the container, for example by ultrasonic welding or heat sealing.
The second portion 18 holds within it a valve arrangement 19 which comprises resilient urging means 20, and a valve member 22. The resilient urging means 20 and the valve member 22 are formed of a plastics material, integrally with each other. The valve member 22 is movable between a closed condition (as shown in solid lines) in which the valve member is in engagement with a valve seat 23 on the valve seat member 17, and an open condition (as shown in dashed lines) in which the valve member 22 disengaged from the valve seat 23. The valve seat 23 surrounds and defines the central aperture 17A.
A fluid pathway 24 is defined through the main body 11 from a first end region 26 to a second end region 28. The passage 24 passes through the aperture 17A at the valve seat 23 in the region between the first and second portions 12, 18.
The resilient urging means 20 acts to urge the valve member 22 into the closed condition in engagement with the valve seat 23 to prevent the flow of fluid through the aperture 17A.
In the embodiment shown, the resilient urging means 20 comprises four spring members in the form of leaf springs 32 (only three of which are shown) extending from the valve member 22 to a reaction member 34. In other embodiments the resilient means 20 may be provided with a different number of spring members, for example 3, 5 or 6. The reaction member 34 is substantially circular in configuration, conforming to the size and shape of the inner cross-section of the second portion 18. The reaction member 34 defines an opening corresponding to the opening in the second portion 18 at the first end region 26 to allow fluid to flow therethrough.
The valve member 22 defines sloping sides 36 to engage correspondingly sloping sides of the valve seat 23. A push member 38 extends from the valve member 22 into the first portion 12. The push member 38 is adapted to engage an appropriate formation on the corresponding device on the delivery line as it is screwed onto the threads 14, whereby the push member 38 is pushed inwardly of the section 18 and, correspondingly, the valve member 22 is moved towards the open condition, as indicated in dotted lines. This movement of the valve member 22 to the open condition deforms the leaf springs 32 to their deformed condition, as also shown in dotted lines.
The valve arrangement 19 is of a unitary construction, with the valve member 22 being integral with the spring means 20. It is preferred that the valve arrangement 19 is formed by a suitable process, by example moulding, preferably from a suitably resilient plastics material, for example acetal.
Referring to Figs. 4 to 6 of the drawings, there is shown another embodiment which comprises many of the same features as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, and these have been designated with the same reference numeral.
The embodiments shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 differs from that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 in that the valve arrangement 19 is replaced by a valve arrangement 119 formed of a resilient plastics material, for example acetal and comprises a generally conical valve member 120, the apex 122 of which is rounded, or made generally planar. The valve arrangement 119 also includes resilient urging means 124 which comprises a plurality of spring members in the form of leaf springs 126.
In the embodiments shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the resilient urging means 124 comprises spring members in the form of three leaf springs 126 which extend from the base of the conical valve member 120 and engage the outermost end region of the second portion 18 of the main body 11. An annular shoulder or flange 128 extends inwardly from the wall of the second portion 18 to provide a reaction for each leaf spring 126.
Each leaf spring 126 has a proximal end 130 by which it is connected to the base of the conical valve member 120, and a distal end 132 which engages the inwardly extending annular shoulder or flange 128. Alternatively, other means, for example openings in the wall of the second portion 18 could be provided, the distal end 132 of each leaf spring 126 engaging the edges of the openings. Each leaf spring 126 exerts a force in the direction of the arrow A shown in Fig. 4 onto the conical valve member 120 to push it into engagement with the valve seat 23. Thus, the leaf springs 126 urge the valve member 120 into its closed condition.
Also extending from the base of the conical valve member 120 is stop means 134 in the form of a plurality of elongate stop members 136. In the embodiments shown, there are three stop members 136. Each of the stop members 136 is in the form of an elongate, generally rigid bar having a proximal end 138 connected to the base of the conical valve member 120 and a distal end 140 which can engage the annular flange 128 when the valve member is moved to its open condition.
As can be seen from Figs. 5 and 6, the three leaf springs 126 are generally equispaced circumferentially around the base of the conical valve member 120. Similarly, the stop members 136 are also generally equispaced around the circumference of the conical valve member 120. As can be seen, the leaf springs 126 alternate with the stop members 136.
The normal condition of the valve member is such that the leaf springs 126 urge the valve member into engagement with the valve seat 23 such that the valve arrangement 119 is in its closed condition. When it is desired to open the valve arrangement 119, a force is applied to the apex 122 of the conical valve member 120, for example by means of a plunger connected to an opening device (not shown) on the delivery line with which the connecting device 10 is connected. The plunger engages the generally planar, or rounded, apex 122 of the conical valve member 120 and pushes it in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow A to the open condition. When the valve member 120 reaches its fully open condition, as shown in Fig. 4, the distal end 140 of each of the stop members 136 engages the annular flange 128 to prevent further opening of the valve member 120. In this condition, fluid can flow along the pathway 24 through the aperture 17A. In order to close the valve member, the delivery line is disconnected from the first portion 14 of the connector 10 and allows the leaf springs 126 to urge the valve member into its closed condition in engagement with the valve seat 23.
Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

A connecting device comprising a main body defining a fluid pathway, and a valve arrangement provided in said pathway, the valve arrangement comprising a valve member and resilient urging means, the valve member being movable between open and closed conditions, wherein the resilient urging means urges the valve member to said closed condition.
A connecting device according to claim 1 wherein the resilient urging means and the valve member are a one piece unit.
A connecting device for use in connecting a container to a fluid delivery line, the device comprising a main body defining a fluid pathway, the device further including a valve arrangement provided in said pathway, the valve arrangement comprising resilient urging means, and a valve member movable between a closed condition and an open condition, wherein the resilient urging means urges the valve member to said closed condition, and the valve member and the resilient urging means are provided as a one piece unit.
A connecting device according to any preceding claim wherein the resilient urging means and the valve member are formed of a plastics material.
A connecting device according to any preceding claim wherein the main body comprises a valve seat in said pathway, the valve seat defining an aperture for the passage of fluid therethrough, whereby when the valve member is in the closed position, the valve member engages the valve seat.
A connecting device according to any preceding claim wherein the resilient urging means may include at least one spring member extending from the valve member.
A connecting device according to claim 6 wherein the, or each, spring member comprises an elongate flexible member extending from said valve member to engage the main body.
A connecting device according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the, or each, spring member is in the form of a leaf spring.
A connecting device according to claim 6, 7 or 8 wherein the resilient urging means further includes reaction means, and the, or each, spring member extends between the reaction means and the valve member.
A connecting device according to claim 9 wherein the reaction means defines an opening for the passage of material therethrough, is configured to extend around the inside of the main body.
A connecting device according to claim 10 wherein the reaction member is integrally connected to each of the spring members.
A connecting device according to claim 10 wherein the reaction means comprises an inwardly extending shoulder of the main body, wherein the spring members engage said shoulder, the shoulder extending in an annular configuration around the wall of the main body.
A connecting device according to any of claims 6 to 12 wherein the valve arrangement further includes stop means to stop movement of said valve member beyond said open condition, the stop means comprising at least one stop member extending from the valve member.
A connecting device according to claim 13 wherein the, or each, stop member is in the form of an elongate member having a proximal end region at which the, or each, stop member is attached to the valve member, and a distal end region to engage an engagement member when the valve member reaches its open condition.
A connecting device according to claim 14 wherein the engagement member is provided on the main body and comprises a shoulder extending inwardly from the main body.
A connecting device according to claim 15 wherein the shoulder extends in an annular configuration around the main body.
A connecting device according to any of claims 13 to 16 wherein the valve arrangement includes three of said spring members substantially equispaced around the valve member, and three of said stop members substantially equispaced around the valve member, each spring member being arranged between adjacent stop members and each stop member being arranged between adjacent spring members.
A connecting device according to any of claims 13 to 17 wherein the valve member is of a generally conical configuration, the spring members and the stop means extending from the base thereof, and the apex of the valve member being receivable in an aperture defined by the valve seat when the valve member is in the closed condition, the apex extending through said aperture in said closed condition.
A connecting device according to claim 10 wherein the valve member is provided with push means, whereby a force applied to said push means may push the valve member to said open condition, the push means comprising a projection which can extend through the aperture when the valve arrangement is in the closed condition.
A connecting device according to claim 10 or 19 wherein the resilient urging means includes four of said spring members which are substantially evenly spaced around the valve member.
A valve arrangement for use with a connecting device as claimed in any preceding claim, the valve arrangement comprising resilient urging means and a valve member movable between open and closed conditions, wherein the resilient urging means urges the valve member to the closed condition.