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.

Abstract: A fluid coupling for dispensing fluids, suitable for connecting a fitment disposed within a fluid source to a fluid receiving member. The fluid coupling includes a housing that defines a central passage between front and back openings and a first flow passage between the back and a side openings. A lever actuator is rotatably mounted on the housing to open/close the first flow passage. A poppet member is disposed within the central passage to define a second flow passage. The poppet member is actuatable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration to close/open the second flow passage. The housing, the poppet member and the lever actuator are each one-piece integrally molded device.

Abstract: A high flow low spill quick coupling valve assembly is used to connect to pressurized, large diameter fluid lines. The valve assembly includes a female coupling and a male coupling, each of which defines a fluid passageway. The female coupling fluid passageway is normally closed by a female coupling valve. The female coupling valve is normally biased into a close position by a female coupling spring which is isolated from the female coupling fluid passageway. The male coupling fluid passageway is normally closed by a male coupling valve. The male coupling valve is normally biased into a close position by a male coupling spring which is isolated from the male coupling fluid passageway. Both male and female coupling valves are fluid pressure balanced to minimize the connecting force and opening force. The male coupling is inserted into the female coupling and is engaged with the female coupling to open the fluid passageways.

Abstract: A high flow low spill quick coupling valve assembly (40) is used to connect to pressurized large diameter fluid lines. The valve assembly includes a female coupling (44) and a male coupling (42), each of which defines a fluid passageway. Both male and female coupling valves are fluid pressure balanced to minimize the connecting force used to lock the valve assembly and the disconnecting force used to unlock the valve assembly. The fluid spillage or leakage is minimized. All spring members (80, 104) in the valve assembly are isolated from the fluid passageways. The valve assembly also includes a plurality of static seals between inner and outer bodies of the male coupling and between an inner body and a fluid conduit adaptor of the female coupling, or between the end surfaces of the inner and outer bodies of the male coupling and between the end surfaces of the inner body and the fluid conduit adaptor of the female coupling.

Abstract: A high flow low spill quick coupling valve assembly is used to connect to pressurized, large diameter fluid lines. The valve assembly includes a female coupling and a male coupling, each of which defines a fluid passageway. The female coupling fluid passageway is normally closed by a female coupling valve. The female coupling valve is normally biased into a close position by a female coupling spring which is isolated from the female coupling fluid passageway. The male coupling fluid passageway is normally closed by a male coupling valve. The male coupling valve is normally biased into a close position by a male coupling spring which is isolated from the male coupling fluid passageway. Both male and female coupling valves are fluid pressure balanced to minimize the connecting force and opening force. The male coupling is inserted into the female coupling and is engaged with the female coupling to open the fluid passageways.

Abstract: A dispensing valve includes a body defining a passage with a first opening and a second opening. The body further has an outer surface with a lock surface and an open surface. A pluger is slidably disposed within the passage for movement between a first position wherein a fluid tight seal is formed between the plunger and the body for preventing fluid flow between the first opening and the second opening, and a second position wherein fluid flow is permitted between the first opening and the second opening. An arm extends from the plunger and includes a projection slidably engageable with the outer surface of the body. The arm includes biasing structure for biasing the projection against the outer surface of the body. The projection is engageable with the lock surface when the plunger is in the first position for maintaining the plunger in the first position.

Abstract: A one piece female coupling member (24) having a front end and back end, the female coupling member (24) defining a path (34) for the flow of fluid therethrough. A male coupling member (22) having a front end and a back end and defining a path (32) for the flow of fluid therethrough, the front end of the male coupling member (22) being insertable into the front end of the female coupling member (24). A seal (36) cooperates with an external surface of the male coupling member (22) and an internal surface of the female coupling member (24) for providing a fluid tight seal therebetween. A one piece quick connecting/disconnecting clip member (26) is slidably mounted in a slot (58) of the female coupling member. The clip member (26) is slidable between a connecting position wherein it engages the male coupling member and a disconnecting position wherein it is disengaged from the male coupling member, the clip member (26) being biased toward the connecting position by a resilient biasing member ( 74).

Abstract: A one piece female coupling member (24) having a front end and back end, the female coupling member (24) defining a path (34) for the flow of fluid therethrough. A male coupling member (22) having a front end and a back end and defining a path (32) for the flow of fluid therethrough, the front end of the male coupling member (22) being insertable into the front end of the female coupling member (24). A seal (36) cooperates with an external surface of the male coupling member (22) and an internal surface of the female coupling member (24) for providing a fluid tight seal therebetween. A one piece quick connecting/disconnecting clip member (26) is slidably mounted in a slot (58) of the female coupling member. The clip member (26) is slidable between a connecting position wherein it engages the male coupling member and a disconnecting position wherein it is disengaged from the male coupling member, the clip member (26) being biased toward the connecting position by a resilient biasing member ( 74).

Abstract: A male insert member (12) having a part line free seal member (20) of one piece with the male insert member (12) and method for making the male insert (12) is disclosed. The male insert member (12) is configured for insertion into a female receptacle assembly (14) of a coupling assembly (10). The seal member (20) cooperates with an inner surface of a bore (30) to create a fluid tight seal therewith upon insertion into the bore (30).

Abstract: An improved self-tightening fitting and fitting connector for use with soft tubing includes a stem having a flange at one end over which a piece of soft tubing may be pulled, and a sleeve which is slidable over the stem and has an inwardly extending lip with a connect surface thereon.

Abstract: A shutoff valve (26) including a plunger (28) slidably mounted in a housing (30). The plunger (28) being slidable between an open and a closed position. The plunger (28) having a front end and a back end and defining a path flow of fluid therethrough. A back end (32) of the plunger (28) having inclined surfaces (50). Projections (34) extend from the back end (32) of the housing (30) and cooperate with the inclined surfaces (50) to bias the plunger (20) into the closed position.

Abstract: A quick connect/disconnect assembly (10) comprises a male insert (50) secured to one end of a hose assembly (14), a separate female adapter (52) for attachment to an aerosol can (12), and dual seal arrangement (68, 70) within the adapter, and a releaseable latch (78) for positively interconnecting the insert and adapter. Upon insertion of the male insert (50), leakage of any fluid is contained within the female adapter (52).

Abstract: An improved self-tightening fitting and fitting connector for use with soft tubing includes a stem having a flange at one end over which a piece of soft tubing may be pulled, and a sleeve which is slidable over the stem and has an inwardly extending lip with a contact surface thereon. A releasable ratchet mechanism prevents movement of the sleeve away from the flange, so that tubing can be secured tightly between the contact surface of the sleeve and the flange. When tension is applied to the tubing, the lip portion catches on the tubing, urging the contact surface tighter against the flange, preventing the tubing from creeping through the clamping couple formed by the sleeve and flange. When it is desired to disconnect the tubing, the ratchet mechanism can be released. The method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: A molded miniature tube fitting (200) having a barbed stem portion (204) surrounded by a protective shroud (206) and method for making same. The shroud (206) including windows (230) therein so as to enable undercutting of a portion of the stem portion (204) so as to form a barb (224).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple tube connector (60). The multiple tube connector (60) includes two substantially identical first and second connector housings (62, 64). The first and second connector housings (62, 64) include an aperture (65) coaxially positioned therein. The aperture (65) includes a plurality of inwardly projecting, evenly spaced apart and substantially identical splines (88) defining key ways (90) therebetween. A locking spindle (66) is rotatably mounted in one of the first and second connector housings (62, 64). The locking spindle (66) includes evenly spaced apart, outwardly projecting and substantially identical splines (92) defining key ways (96) therebetween.

Abstract: A two-way uncoupling valve assembly (300) is disclosed. The two-way uncoupling valve assembly (300) includes a male coupling member (306) and a female coupling member (308). The female coupling member (308) includes a two-way valve assembly (304) and a locking mechanism (302) for cooperating with the male coupling member (306) to retain the two-way uncoupling valve assembly (300) and to enable the two-way uncoupling valve assembly (300) to be shut off or turned on. In addition, the two-way uncoupling valve assembly (300) includes a threaded nut (318) which cooperates with a threaded collar portion (336) to enable threaded connection of the male coupling member (306) to the female coupling member (308). Accordingly, the present invention provides in a single mechanism a two-way valve assembly along with a quick disconnect, connect feature.

Abstract: A fitting (30) for use with soft tubing (40) is disclosed. The fitting includes a threaded female member (36) defining an aperture for insertion therethrough of the tubing. The fitting further includes a male member (32) defining a generally tubular portion (46) adapted for insertion into the end of the tubing. The male member includes a radially extending flange for preventing the insertion of tubular portion into the tubing beyond a predetermined distance. The male member is further threaded for threading onto the female member. A sliding mandrel (48) is positioned on the tubular portion for axial movement thereof. The female member includes a generally inwardly projecting collar portion (64) for engaging the outer surface of the tubing, the collar portion cooperating with the sliding mandrel to maintain the tubing in the fitting when a tensile pull is exerted on the tubing.

Abstract: A quick connect/disconnect coupling assembly (10) defining a fluid flow path is disclosed. The coupling assembly (10) includes a female coupling member (12) adapted for connection to a conduit (14) and a male coupling member (18) adapted for connection to a conduit or container (20). The female coupling member (12) includes a poppet valve assembly (90) which functions as an automatic shut-off when the female coupling member (12) is not interconnected to the male coupling member (18), the male coupling member (18) being adapted for removeable partial insertion into the female coupling member (12). The valve assembly (90) of the female coupling member (12) further includes a needle-like structure (92) for puncturing a penetrable membrane (28) at the front end of the male coupling member (18) upon insertion of the male coupling member (18) into the female coupling member (12) thereby enabling the flow of fluid therethrough.

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.