Patent US4510969A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4510969A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector for pressurized source of beverage concentrate
Assignee: Ikon Office Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1982-01-15
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Granted: 1985-04-16
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Expires: 2002-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A separable connector for use in conveying beverage concentrate from a pressurized source to a dispenser has the bias springs for valve actuation isolated from the concentrate. This feature, coupled with a removal of areas that can cause a congregation of concentrate and the use of relatively large flow path areas, provides a connector that has a minimum of blockage problems. Other important aspects of this connector include poppet valve structure, sealing arrangements, easy cleaning by back flow, a simple and effective engaging of connector sections, easy disassembly of connector sections and an interlock arrangement to insure a proper sequence for valve actuation.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph J. Rodth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:32
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L37/00; F16L37/28; F16L37/30; F16L37/32; F16L37/08; F16L37/10; F16L37/107; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/598; Y10T137/612; Y10T137/613; Y10T137/6137; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87917; Y10T137/87925; Y10T137/87933; Y10T137/87941; Y10T137/87949; Y10T137/87957; Y10T137/87965
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
444 words
A separable connector for releasably securing a pressurized source of concentrate to a line leading to a dispenser valve comprising: a conduit tube to receive concentrate from the pressurized source; a first poppet valve retainer mounted in said conduit tube, a larger diameter portion sealingly contacting said conduit tube and a smaller diameter portion extending downwardly into said conduit tube; a first bias spring located in the bottom of said smaller diameter portion of said first retainer; a first poppet valve actuating member extending into said smaller diameter portion of said first retainer to contact said first bias spring; fluid-tight seal means between said first actuating member and said smaller diameter portion; at least one relatively large opening having sloped sides to minimize congregation of pulpy concentrate extending to the interior of said retainer; an opening in the end of the larger diameter portion of said retainer having sloped sides; a first housing in which said first poppet valve retainer is mounted; a fitting secured to the pressurized source of concentrate, said first housing releasably attached to said fitting; an extending shoulder at the other end of said first housing forming a first valve seat; sealing means adjacent the end of said first actuating member away from said first bias spring to engage said first valve seat when said first poppet valve is closed; a second housing; a rotatable slip ring mounted on said second housing; at least one stepped opening formed in said slip ring; at least one projecting pin on said first housing to fit into said stepped opening to engage said first and second housings; a second poppet valve retainer releasably fastened in said second housing; a generally cylindrical opening formed in said second retainer; a second poppet valve actuating member extending into the opening in said second retainer; sealing means to preclude concentrate obtaining access to the opening in said second retainer between said second actuating member and said second retainer; a generally cylindrical opening in said second actuating member extending the major portion of the length of said second actuating member; a second bias spring located in the opening in said second actuating member; a plunger located in the opening in said second actuating member over said bias spring; an extending shoulder on the interior of said second housing forming a second valve seat; sealing means on the exterior of said second actuating member to engage said second valve seat when said second poppet valve is closed; a projecting arm on the end of said second actuating member; and a chamber on the end of said first actuating member to receive said projecting arm on said second actuating member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
444 words
A separable connector for releasably securing a pressurized source of concentrate to a line leading to a dispenser valve comprising: a conduit tube to receive concentrate from the pressurized source; a first poppet valve retainer mounted in said conduit tube, a larger diameter portion sealingly contacting said conduit tube and a smaller diameter portion extending downwardly into said conduit tube; a first bias spring located in the bottom of said smaller diameter portion of said first retainer; a first poppet valve actuating member extending into said smaller diameter portion of said first retainer to contact said first bias spring; fluid-tight seal means between said first actuating member and said smaller diameter portion; at least one relatively large opening having sloped sides to minimize congregation of pulpy concentrate extending to the interior of said retainer; an opening in the end of the larger diameter portion of said retainer having sloped sides; a first housing in which said first poppet valve retainer is mounted; a fitting secured to the pressurized source of concentrate, said first housing releasably attached to said fitting; an extending shoulder at the other end of said first housing forming a first valve seat; sealing means adjacent the end of said first actuating member away from said first bias spring to engage said first valve seat when said first poppet valve is closed; a second housing; a rotatable slip ring mounted on said second housing; at least one stepped opening formed in said slip ring; at least one projecting pin on said first housing to fit into said stepped opening to engage said first and second housings; a second poppet valve retainer releasably fastened in said second housing; a generally cylindrical opening formed in said second retainer; a second poppet valve actuating member extending into the opening in said second retainer; sealing means to preclude concentrate obtaining access to the opening in said second retainer between said second actuating member and said second retainer; a generally cylindrical opening in said second actuating member extending the major portion of the length of said second actuating member; a second bias spring located in the opening in said second actuating member; a plunger located in the opening in said second actuating member over said bias spring; an extending shoulder on the interior of said second housing forming a second valve seat; sealing means on the exterior of said second actuating member to engage said second valve seat when said second poppet valve is closed; a projecting arm on the end of said second actuating member; and a chamber on the end of said first actuating member to receive said projecting arm on said second actuating member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-04-15 | 1988-10-15 | 1989-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-04-15 | 1992-10-15 | 1993-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-04-15 | 1996-10-15 | 1997-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |