CA1160183A - Dip tube and valve with quick-disconnect coupling for a collapsible container - Google Patents

Abstract

DIP TUBE AND VALVE WITH QUICK-DISCONNECT
COUPLING FOR A COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER

Abstract of the Disclosure The present invention is directed to a dip tube and valve with a quick-disconnect coupling for use in combination with a collap-sible bag to dispense a liquid product therefrom.
The dip tube is extruded or otherwise formed from plastic or other suitable materials and includes at least one channel in the per-ipheral surface thereof extending along the entire length of the dip tube. As a vacuum or suction is applied to the dip tube by a pump, initially all of the air within the collapsible bag is extracted therefrom. Subsequently, the liquid product is dispensed out of the collapsible bag and the bag collapses around a portion of the dip tube which is no longer surrounded by the liquid product.
Progressively, as the liquid product is removed, the bag will con-tinue to collapse around the dip tube, and the liquid product will continue to flow through the longitudinal channel of the tube until the contents of the collapsible bag are exhausted. The collapsible bag has a figment or spout to which a valve with a quick-disconnect coupling is connected. The dip tube may be moun-ted in either the bag fitment or the valve. The quick-disconnect coupling of the valve is adapted to receive a mating coupling from the hose socket of a dispensing hose. when the respective coupling are engaged the valve is biased in an open position. The valve is normally biased to a closed position when the coupling are not engaged.

Description

I
BACKGROUND OF TI~E INVENTION
__ Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dip tube and valve with a quick-disconnect coupling for use in combination witll a collapsible sealed container to dispense a liquid product therefrom.

Description of t~!e Prior Art ~lany exemplary dip tubes are available in the prior art l~hich permit the extraction of a product from a container. The most convcntional dip tube is an elongated cylindrical tube which in-cludes an upper portion connected to a valve and an open lower portion positioned within the product to be extrac~ed from the' container. For example, Daniels U.S. 3 171 571, discloses a conventional bag-in~box type of dispensing package including l a dip tube 13.
1 Another example of a dip tube positioned l~ithin a flexible bag is disclosed by Kramer et al U.S. 2,859,899. The dip tube inclu~es perforations 38 through which syrup or other material positione~ witllin the flexible bag is sucked therefrom b~r means of a pump.
U.S. patent 2 133,411 to Zohe discloses a baby nursing bottle includin~ a rigid member 12 which precludes the bending of the flexible bag 4 thus preventing thc scaling off of the aperture at the top end of the bottlc through l~hi'ch the milk is sucked.
l It is conventional in the pressurized container industry to position ~ dip tube ~ithin an aeroso] containcr for dispcnsing ¦thc product tl~crethrou&ll.' A number of cxemplary dip tubes arc illustrated in the prior art ~ ich are used l~ithin pressurized containcrs. For example Rotll et al U.S. 3 245 582; ~licallef ,~

~601~33 U.S. 3,257,036; Venus, U.S. 3,79l,557; Stewart, U.S. 3j388,832;
Harris et al, U.S. 4,062,475; and Petterson, U.S. 4,087,026 all disclose`dip tubes positioned within an aerosol container. These 1 conventional dip tubes are desi~ned to dispense a product by 1 means of a pressurized source which pushes the product throu~h the dip tube.

SU~1ARY OF TI~E INVENTION

Accordingl)~, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a dip tube whic]1 includes one or more channels in the periphery thereof, extending along substantially the entire len~th of the dip tube, for use in combination with a collapsible, sealed container to dispense a liquid product therefrom.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a dip tubc which may be inexpensively extruded at a cost substan-tially less than known techni4ues.
!~ A further object of the prescnt invcntion is to provide 3 ¦¦dip tube which permits a flexible bag to collapse thereon whilcstill cnablin~ a product to be dispenscd therefrom.
The objects of the ~rcscnt inve~tion are fullfillcd by ZU providing an elongated dip tube wl1ic11 includes at least onc . channel in the periphery thereof which extends along thc cntire length of thc dip tube. T1le tube is positioned within a collapsib~
ba~ and a vacuum or suction is applicd at thc l;pper end thercof.
Jnitial~y, air witl~in ~he collapsiblc bag ~ill be dra-~n thcre~rom.

2~ ISubsc4ucntly, thc liquid product disposcd ~ritl1in tl1c collapsible bag 1~ill flo-~ throug11 .hc c1ial1ncl in thc di1) tU~C ,~nd t~c ¦1collapsible bag will c~ollapse around thc outer circumIcrcncc of !I thc dip tube. Progressively, as the liquid product is rcmoved !~ from the collapsible bag, the ba~ will continue to collapse on thc .

outer circumference of the dip tube until all of the liquid pro-duct is dispcnsed therefrom.
A major advantage of the dip tlIbe of the present invention I is that it will allow the dip tube to be emptied regardless of the ¦ bag's orientation, namely, with the baB spout on the top, bottom or side of the bag.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.
HoweverJ it should be understood, that the detailed description of the invention and the specific examples, while indicating pre-ferred embodiments of the invention are given by way of illustra-tion only, since various changes and modifications within the spiri o~ the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRJ~F ~ESC~]I'IION OF IIIr; DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully un~erstood from tlle detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings whic]l are given by way of illustration onl~, and thlIs are not limitative of the present invention, an~ wIlerein:
Figure l is a partial ~ross-sectional view of a collapsible bag including a bag fitment to which the dip t~be of the present invention is attached:
I:igure 2 is a pcrsepctive view of a filst embodimcnt sf the dip tube according to tl~c present invention;
Fi~ure 3 is a persepctive view of a second embodiment o~ the dip t e accordil-g the thc prcscnt invention;

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Figure 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the dip tube according to the present invention;
Figure ~ is an end view of another embodiment of a dip tube according to the present invention;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the dip tube according to the present invention including a washer for attachin~ the dip tube to a collapsible, sealed container.
Figure 7 is an exploded view of an alternaeive embodiment of an assembly for retaining the dip tube of the present invention within the spout of a container;
Figure 8 is a side elevational view of an alternative em-bodiment of the bag coupling mcmber of Figure l;
Figures 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views of one embodiincnt of a valve member which may be used in the bag couplin~s of FiQures 1 or 8, Figure 9 illustrating the valve in a closed position and Figure lO illustratin~ the valve in an o}en position;
~ i~ure 9A is a top plan view o~ the em~odiments of Figures 9 and 10;
Fi~ure 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another 20 embodimcnt of a valve member suitable for use in connection with tl)e present invcntion;
¦ Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of still ano~her embod-imcnt of the bag coupling of the present invention illustrating ,the valve of Fi~ures 9 and lO therein; and Fi~urc l~ is a cross-scctiona] view of )~et allotllcr cmbodi-i mcnt of the prcsellt invention illustrating a dip tube rctaincdin Ihe valvc bod).

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I

DETAILED DESCRI]'TION OF THE INVENTlON

The present invention is directed to a dip tube for use in combination with a collapsible, sealed container to disl~ense a liquid ~roduct therefrom. The dip tube of the present invention ~may be used in combination with a Pos~-mix beverage system. Such a Post-mix beverage system is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,104,461, issued March 29, 1977 to Harvill and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

As illustTated in Figure 1, a dip tube 10 may incll~de a deformed end 12 for attachment to a bag fitment 14. I~3Owever, the dip tube 10 according to the present invention may be attached to a collapsible, sealed container 16 by means of a variety of dif-ferent attachment members. For example, as illustrated in Figure 6, a washer 19 may be positioned on the dip tube 10 for attachment ~to the bag fitment 14. The washer 19 includcs an inwardly pro-¦jectin~ lip 19A wllich permits sliding movemcnt of thc wasller 1 on the dip tube 1~ in onc direction only. Therefore, aftcr t!le wasller 19 is correctly positioned on the dip tube 10 and the dip tubc is inserted into the collapsible,sealed containcr 16 to abut a~ainst the bag fitment 14, the dip .tube 10 will be properly positiollcd witllin thc collapsible,sealed containcr 16.
¦ The baB fitment 14 in one embodimcnt includes a substanti~lly ~l~orizontal wall portion 13 to which the deformed end 12 or tl)e l~s}lcr 19 is securcly affixc(l to prcvent latera] movcll1ent of thc di1) Iul~e ]~ I~'it]li!l tllc co]]~psih]c, .sc~l~cd colltaincr ]~. ~
Thc ba~ fitmcnt 14 includes an upl.~ardly projectill~ circular wall lS adapted to be cn~a~cd b)~ a valvc attachmcnt mcm~er 17. As lustratei in Fi~ure ~ he uy-arùly projcctin~ circular l~all l5 .. . ; . . . .

may include serr~tions 15A, ~hich are engaged hy corresponding serrations 17A on tl-e coupling 17, to lock the two me~bers rela-tive to each other.
In one contemplated use of the present inven,ion, the dip tube 10 may be disposeci ~ithin a colla?sible, sealed container 1~ positiore~ within a bo~ 18. Tllis arrangement is co~only referred to as a bag-in-boY. ~s a vacuur. or suction is supplied to the dip tube 10 throug~ the valve mem~er by ~eans of a pump, initially all of the air within the collzpsible, sealed container 16 is discharged therefrom. ~ubsequently, the liquid product contained in the sealed container 16 will begin to flo-~ upwardly through the dip tube 10 to be discharged therefrom and supplied to a discharge spout, not illustrated in the drawings. As the liquid product is discharged from the collapsible, sealed con-tainer 16, the container will collapse onto the dip tube becauseo' the suction a??lied by the pump. Normall~, the collapsing o' the colla?sible, se~led container in this ~anner usually clogs the dip tube openinq of a conventional, prior art dip tube and ; prohibits further dispensing of the product disposed within the 20 collapsible, sealed container.
The dip tube 10, according to the present invention, over-co~es the ~isadvantages of the prior art hy providin~ at least one channel in the peripheral surface thereof extellding along substantially the entire length of the dip tube. Thereforc, as 25 the liquid product is ~ispensed out of the collapsible, sealed container 1~, the containcr collapses around a portion of the dip tube 10, ;hich is no longer surrounded ~y the liquic, product leaving the remainil-g portion ~ t~e ~har.nel open to permi. the complete dispensing of all the liquid product contained ~ithin 30 the collapsible, se~led container 16.

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6~ ~3 Figures l and 2 illustrate a preferTed embodimellt of the dip tube accordin~ to the present invention. The dip tube lO inc1udes three channels lOCl - lOC3 l~hich provide passa~eways for the liquic 1~roduct positioned within the collapsible scaled container to be suc~ed therefrom. The frame lOF inclu~es three arms connected at one end thereof and projecting outwardly from the connection. The other end of each of the arms is connected to s~irt members lOAl -lOA3 which are spaced relative to eacll other to form channels lOC
lOC3 therebetween. Tlle distance between tlle s~irt members wllich lO form the channels may be increased or decleased 'depending upon the fluid viscosity and tl1e flexibility of the collapsible sealed container used in combination with the dip tube.
Fi~ure 3 illustrates another embodimcnt of the dip tube accor~
ing to the present invention. The dip tube 20 includes a channel 15 20Cl in the peripheral surface thereof extending along substantial Y
the entire lcng~t]1 of the dip tube. In addition, a de~ormed end 22 may bc positioned at one end thcreof to facilitate the attach-mcnt of the di]~ tube to the horizontal t~all membcr 13 o~ the bag ~itment 14 in the same manl1cr as illustrated in ~i~ure l. Ilow-2C ever, as previously discussed othcr means o~ attachin~ thc diptllbe 20 to the ba~ fitmcnt l4 are contcmplated witllin the scope o~ thc prcscnt invcntiol1. Thc dip tuhe 20 operatcs in thc same manner as the ~ip tube 10 describcd above.
Figure 4 illustrates another'embodiment of the dip tube accor( 2' ing ~o the prcscnt invention. ~he dip tube 30 includes two channe s ~OCl 30C2 ~ ic]1 arc positiol1cd in ~he pcrip]7cr.7l surface thercof and extcnd alon~ substantially the entirc lcn~th of the dip tube.
A frame 30F conl~ccts ~he s' .rt rcml-c~s ~n~l, 30A~ to~ctller to ~orm~

, .

¦ ~.A,~ 33 the channels 30Cl, 30C2 therebetween. In addition, a deformed end 32 may be positioned at one end thereof to facilitate the a tach-ment of the dip tube to the horizontal member 13 of the bag fitmen member 14 in tl~e same manner as illustrated in Fi~ure l. .~gain, ¦other means of attaching the dip tube 30 to the bag fitment 14 may be utilized without departing from the spirit and intent of the prtsent invention.
Figure 5 illustrates an end view of yet another embodiment according to the present invention. The dip tube 40 is shaped in the form of a st~uare and includes skirt members 40Al - 4OA4 con-nected toget]~er by means of a frame 40F. The skirt members 40Al -40A4 are spacetl relative to each other to form channels 40Cl - 40C
in the pcriphcral surface of the dip tube 40 ~]lich cxtend sub-stantially along tl1e entire lengt}l of the dip tube. As discussed hereinabove, a suitable attachment member will be provided adjacen to one end of the dip tube for attachment to the bag fitment 14.
Tlle various embodiments of t]le dip tube according to the present invcntio1l may be extruded, molded or manufacturcd in any manncr suitable to obtain a dip tube with one or morc c}lanncls 20 extendin~ substantially along the entirc lcn~th thcreof. In addition, any suitable material, for examl~le, ~lastic metal or othcr matcrials may bc utilized in constructing ~1~e dip tube according to thc present invention. Furt]~er tl~e dip tube accord-ing to the prescnt invcntion may be constructed in a variety of 25 s]lapes and is not limitcd to a circular, or st~uare dip tube as ¦illustratttl in Fi~urcs 1-6. Tllc number o~ chann~s in tlle periphel.al Isurface of t}lC dip tube accordin~ to t]1e prcscnt invention is not ¦llimitcd to an) l~articu] ?~ :!UlTIbC~, ']'!~t` ~1~anT-e~c co11ld 1-e ten or morc i~ dcsircd. ~

~L60~83 Figures 7 to 13 illustra~e various embodiments of a bag ~, ~
coupling member 50, valve assemblies retained within ba~ coupling member 50, and alternative means for retaining the dip tube 10 either within the bag coupling S0 or the ba~ fitment.
Referring in detail to Figure 7, there is illustrated what shall be referred to hereinafter as a bag coupling S0, which per-forms essentially the same function as the bag coupling 17 of Fi~ure 1. That is, the bag couplin~ 50 houses a ~alve assembly ~ and provides at its respective ends a quick-disconnect coupling 101 between a bag fitment 54 and the hose coupling of a dispensing hose, to be discussed hereinafter.
As illustrated in Figure 7 ba~ coupling 50 is open at both ends thereof, to permit the flow of fluid tllerethrough, and includes screw threads 50A about the peripllery of tl)c outer wall adjacent the top end of the coupling for receiving a screw-on hose couplin~, a shoulder 50B for engagin~ the bottom ed~c of the llose coupling, a lower enlarged portion 5()C which fits into a soc~et 54A of a ba~ fitment 54, and an annul~r sealin~ ring or rings 50D, WhiCil are sized ~or a force-fit within soc~et 54A.
~a~ fitment 54 includes an annular flange 54B which is lleat ¦sealed or securcd by other suitable means to a collapsiblc ba~, ~enerally indicated 16. Disposed within the bottom portion of socket 54A of fitnlent 54 is a spider 56. Spider 56 in a preferl-ed embodiment, is molded as an integral part of the fitment 54.
25l l~lithill the bottom portion of the soc~ct 54A, tlle spider 5~ in-cludes a ccntlall)~ located, annular rin~ 56A ~ ich dcfincs a l~ol~
or openin~, througll which a dip tul)e 1~ is insertcd ioto the COIl-ainer, and a pluralily oi Isdial spo~cs 56B. Ihe cenrcr hole of A~ 83 the spider defined by anllular ring 5~A is lar~e cnou~h to allo~
!1dip tul,e 10 to be casily inserted, yet the larg~ dip tube rctainer ,~asllcT 52 (or deformed dip tubc end) does not ie~ the dip tube ;;fall throu~ll the opening in~o the bag. The central hole in spider 5 1156 is sizecl so that thc dip tube can also ~asily pivot as re~uired.
1t can bo obseT~ed ~ith re~erence to Figure 7 th~t once the bag ! coupling 50 containing the Yalve is inserted into soc~ct 54 of the bag fitmcnt, thc dip tube 10 and retainer S2 are capti~ated or llsandwicl)ed bet~cen thc ba~ coupling and the spider 5(. The space lO 1bctween the radial spo~es 56B of spider 56 pcrmit.s the container, lor collapsible bag, to he fillcd ~ith li~uid before the dip tube !1is inscrtcd without im~airing or restrictin~ tlle flo~ of fluid.
j1Ihc spider is located at the bottom of the annular .soc~et 54~ of 1jfitment 54 so that thcre is room ~or the couplin~ of a filling l5¦ machine to seal on soc~et 54~ wit1~out touching t]~e s~idc-r. Thu~, j ¦1the s~)idcr 56 m2y be maintaincd in a subst~nti~lly stcrile condi-¦tion. ~llc use of thc spidcr 5G climinatcs the need ~OT all cxtr~
¦part or cI.ement for supportin~ tlle dip tube 1() in the ba~ fitment 1 54.
20~ Fi~urc ~ illustrates anothcr ~orm of a bag couplin~ S0 in an insertcd, scaled condition ~ithin lag fitment 54 of the coll~r-¦ sible ba~ 16. In this cmbodilnellt l~a~ coupling 50 has sulstantial-.
I ly thc sa111e ~iametcr from top to bottom.
1. ]i~nIcs 9 ~nd ~0 .~rc cross-section~ ic~s illl1st:Tatin~ tlle 251 intcrn~] ~c~tures of thc ba~ couplin~ 50 of li~urc ~ in closcd ~
'1and ol~cn ~osition~ rcspcctivc~y with the valve ass~mbly 60. The ¦b;l~ coupling 50, h'l~iCh in a prc~crrctl cmbotlime~lt is nlolded from !l~lastic, f~nctions as tllc l)ody of ~l-c val~c asscmbl~.

Il ~ 83 !i~ s~rin~-loaded ~oppct (,0 is dispose~ ~ithin tlle valve bod~
an~ is normally ~iase~ ~o a closcd ~OSitiOIl, ~llCrCill frusto-coni valve nlclnbcr 62 is sealingl~ en~a~ed in tllc o~enin~ 63, under the 'laction oE integrally molded s~ring 6~ hicll tcrminates in ~ rin~-;Isha~ed base 70 The h~se 70 of spling 66 is mounted in a ~roove in the inside ~vall of bag couplin~ 50. Thc valve as~embly further includes an inner poppet stem 64 ~v~hich is integrally molde~
~ith elements 62, 66 and 70. An outer stcm 68 is integr~lly mol-lùed witllio the bag coupling 50 ancl is supporte~ centrally ther~of llby mcans of radial spokes 68A (~igurc 9A) in the provision of i fluid ~assages 67 about the periphery thereof.
As illustrated in Figure 9 tlle s~rin~-loa(led ~op~et 60 is normall~ seated in opening 63 to preclu~e tl~e flo\~ o~ fluid thlou~li l¦the valve body o~ ba~ coupling SO. On the other h~n~, Fi~ure 10 lS lillustr~tcs the sprinr.-lo~ded po}~pCt 60 in its ~c~u~tc~ con~ition in res~onsc to the inscrtion o~ a m~tin~ COU~ 72 on~o t11e Ito~ of tl~e bag cou~ling 50. ~l~tin~ cou~lin~ 72 may he a conven-!¦tional 4uic~-disconnect couplin~, ~s is illustT~tetl i31 the ~ost-mi ¦! ~)evcra~e industry for coul~lin~ tlle l~cll kno~vn FlGAL * s)~rul~
l¦cont~iners to the dispensin~ macllîner)~. l`lle top of co~l~ling 72 ¦¦includcs a serratc~ hose conncctioll 76, an~ thc bottom inclu~es a downwardly extendin~ s~irt 74 wllicll fits over the side l~alls of ¦b~g cou~ling SO. Couplin~ 72 m~y l)e scrc~ed onto bag couplin~
I ~n h~ mcans Or thrc~ds 50~. As i~]ustrltc~ in ~i~uJc 1~ cn ¦In~tin~ coul~]in~ 72 is scre~c~ into position it clel~rcsscs tllc in-jncr ~alvc l)ol~l)e~ stc~ 6~ lo COIIIJ;l ~`S' S.`l i:l!` 6( ;111(] lllO~'C frllstO-~conica~ vllvc clcment G2 ollt o~ sc~linl~ cnr~cmcnt ~itll l~ore G3 The outer stem 68 presses up in~o coupling 72 1~ -11-I * Trademark _. _ .. . . . ; . . .

~ 60183 against valve member 72A to open the same. Thus, all valves are open in the respec~ive couplings, and fluid is free to flow from the bottom of bag coupling 50, through its interior and that of couplin~ 72, and out through the hose connection 76 to tile dis-pensing apparatus.
T~le pair of stems 64 and 68 offer a unique advantage, inthat the center stem 64 of the spring-loaded poppet when depressed by the mating coupling 72, opens the valve in the bag couplin~, while the outer stem 68 serves to open the valve element 72A within 10 the mating coupling. Accordingly, the spring ~6 of the sprillg-loaded poppet does not have to be strong enough to open thepoppet 72A of the mating coupling 72, since the outer stem 68 which Is fixedly mounted with respect to bag coupling 50, performs this operation. Since the ~ixed outer stem 68 is capable of op-15 eratin8 very strong mating coupling s~rings, suc}- as would be desirable in a coupling 72, it is possible to us~ a variety of tlesi~ns of mating couplings 72 with the bag coupling 50 of the present invention. Tllis offers tlle additional advantage that the ¦
strong springs in the mating coupling allo~ tlle provision of a ver~
20 stron~ se~l against the high vaccum created by the tdi.~ensing system. ]f tlle outer stem 68 were not ~rovidetl, thell thc }-oppet spring 66 would have to be strong enough tO open the mating coupling, or the poppet spring assembly, after opening, would ]lave to bottom-out on a fixed restraint, so that the porpet stem 2c coultl then open the popret of the mating coupling. lhis, o~
course, would be untlesirable because an addition,ll part ~oultl be required, adding to the comp]exit~ of the hag couplillg asse bly. -12-_ _ ~ _ , . _ . . . _ . _ . . _ . . . _ .

:~6~83 In a preferred embodiment, the entire bag coupling 50, and spring-loaded poppet 60, are molded from relatively inexpensive plastic material and thus, would be disposable if so desired.
As illustrated in the embodiments of Figures 9 and 10, the biasing spring 66 of the poppet 60 has a pair of spiral legs which terminate in a ring-shaped base 70. Thus, the spring 66 is similar in shape to a coil spring, which permits the free and unobstructed flow of fluid therethrough.
An alternative embodiment of the spring is illustrated in Figure 11 (shown on the same page as Figure 7). As illustrated in Figure 11, the spring 80B is merely an extension of the frusto-conical sealing member 80, and includes a plurality of folds, resulting in a substantially cylindrical bellows configuration. An inner poppet stem 80A, is also provided and functions in a similar manner to the poppet stem 64 of the embodiment of Figures 9 and 10. The bottom of the cylindrical spring element 80B of Figure 11 terminat~s in an annular flange 80C which is mounted in the inside walls of bag coupling 50 adjacent the bottom thereof in a suitable groove. Flange 80C
includes a plurality of fluid passages 82 disposed about its circumference to permit the free flow of liquid. The valve assembly of Figure 11 functions in substantially the same manner as the valve assembly in the embodiments of Figures 9 and 10.
Referring to Figure 12 (shown on the same page as Figure 8), there is illustrated a bag coupling 50 including the spring poppet embodiment of Figures 9 and 10. The bag coupling 50 of Figure 12 has a slightly different external configuration to facilitate the use of a different form of mating coupling, namely, one that snaps onto the top of bag coupling 50, rather than screwing onto the coupling. The .. ~...... ., .. , ., ~... .. ....... . ... .

top of the bag coupling 50 of Figure 12 has a reduced diameter, which extends down to an enlarged shoulder portion 92, and a plurality of outwardly extending pins 94. Thus, when a mating coupling is connected to the reduced end of bag coupling 50, it sealingly engages with the top thereof with an "O"ring seal 90, and connects to the outwardly extending pins 94 in the fully coupled position. The coupling 50 of the embodiment of Figure 4 is further provided with an enlarged flange 96 which permits the coupling to be supported by an operator's hand for insertion 0 into a bag fitment or while being attached to a mating coupling.
Referring to Figure 13 (shown on the same page as Figure 8), there is illustrated a bag coupling 50 including a spring-loaded poppet 60 of the type illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, with a dip tube 10 supported in the bottom of bag coupling 50 or valve body, by means of a dip tube retainer 98. Dip tube retainer 98 is a one-way slidable washer, as previously described in the embodiment of Figure 6. However, in the Figure 13 embodiment the dip tube retainer washer supports dip tube 10 in the bottom of the valve body, ~bag coupling 50) rather than in the bag fitment. There are distinct advantages to supporting the dip tube in the valve body or valve coupling 50 rather than in the bag fitment. For example, the valve/dip tube assembly of Figure 13 can b4 inserted into the bag fitment, and collapsible bag 16, witho~t contaminating the dip tube 10 or parts of the bag coupling 50, which contact the product by means of the flange 96. In addition, the valve/dip tube assembly of Figure 13 can be used with standard bags, spou~s or fitments without the need for a spider type retainer, such as 56 of Figure 7. Thus, filling of the bag through the spout or fitment .

~ 31~3 is not in the least impaired. A further advantage is that the - valve/dip tube assembly of Figure 13 can be shipped from the supplier to the bag filling location as one assembly, and no secondary assembly steps need take place at the bag fillin~
facility.
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the splrit and scope of the inven-tion, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skil-10 , led in the art are intended to be included within the scope ofthe following claims.

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Claims (6)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a system for dispensing syrup from a container, said container including a fitment for defining an opening through which said syrup passes, the improvement comprising:
a first coupling member having first and second open ends connected by a central bore, said second open end being connected to said fitment;
a first self-sealing valve disposed in said central bore including means in said bore defining a valve seat, a valve member movable into or out of sealing engagement with said valve seat, spring means for normally biasing said valve member into sealing engagement with said valve seat, and a first actuating stem coupled to said valve member and extending toward said first open end of said first coupling member;
a second actuating stem rigidly affixed in said bore inboard of the walls thereof adjacent said first actuating stem and extending toward said first open end of said first coupling member, said second actuating stem being supported at the center of a plurality of radial spokes extending from and affixed to said bore walls, said radial spokes defining fluid flow openings therebetween, said second actuating stem having a channel therethrough for guiding and supporting said first actuating stem; and a second coupling member for engaging said first open end of said first coupling member, said second coupling member including means for engaging said first actuating stem to move said valve member out of engagement with said valve seat when said first and second coupling members are fully engaged and a second self-sealing valve which is opened by said second actuating stem when said first and second couplings are fully engaged.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said spring means is an integrally molded extension of said valve member.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said spring means comprises at least one serpentine leg extending from said valve member and terminating in an integrally formed annular ring, said annular ring being secured to the wall of said central bore on the side of said valve seat toward said second open end of said first coupling member.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said spring means comprises a cylindrical sleeve with a plurality of annular folds said sleeve being integrally formed with said valve member and extending therefrom toward said second open end of said first coupling member, said sleeve having a flange secured to the wall of said central bore with fluid passages therein.

5. The system of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said valve member has a frusto-conical shape.

6. The system of claims 3 or 4, wherein said valve member, first actuating stem, and spring means are integrally molded from plastic.