GB2468698A

GB2468698A - A connector assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2468698A
Application number: GB0904705A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Darby
Original assignee: DS Smith Plastics Ltd
Current assignee: Corplex Plastics UK Ltd
Priority date: 2009-03-19
Filing date: 2009-03-19
Publication date: 2010-09-22
Also published as: GB0904705D0

Abstract

A connector assembly 30 comprises a connector body 32 that has a bore 34 which extends therethrough. The bore 34 includes first and second ends 36, 38. The connector assembly 30 also includes an actuator member 40 that is received in the first end 36 of the bore 34 for rotation between a first rotary position in which movement of the actuator member 40 towards the second end 38 of the bore 34 is prevented and a second rotary position in which the actuator member 40 is movable towards the second end 38 of the bore 34 so as to protrude therebeyond. In the field of connector assemblies for dispensing fluid from a fluid supply there is a need for a connector assembly that helps to eliminate the difficulties associated with perishable fluids spoiling during storage.

Description

A CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY

This invention relates to a connector assembly, and in particular a connector assembly for dispensing fluid from a fluid supply.

One type of conventional connector assembly I for dispensing fluid from a fluid supply includes, as shown in Figure 1(a), a connector body 12 which has a bore 14 passing therethrough. The bore 14 includes a first end (not shown) and a second end 16.

The connector body 12 is connectable with a gland 18 which, typically, is fixedly secured to a container that contains a fluid supply.

The first end of the bore 14 may have a flexible connection tube 20 secured thereto. The tube 20 is connectable with a downstream component, such as a dispensing apparatus.

Accordingly the connector body 12, when connected to the gland 18, defines a fluid conduit between a fluid container and the connection tube 20. In order to prevent the flow of fluid through the connector body 12 and the tube 20, until such flow is required, an end (not shown) of the tube 20 is sealed. One way in which this seal may be achieved is by melting two sidewall portions of tube 20 together.

An operative removes this sealed end of the tube 20, as desired, to allow the flow of fluid through the connector body 12 and tube 20 and into, for example, a dispensing apparatus.

Typically the connection tube 20 is made from a plastics material such as silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer. Such materials are poor barriers to air, and with time so air permeates through the tube 20.

In situations where the fluid to be dispensed is perishable such as, for example, where the fluid is a yogurt or a fruit juice, this air permeation can lead to fluid retained in the tube 20 perishing during storage. Such perishing can lead to contamination of the remaining fluid supply and/or any downstream equipment, and so is undesirable.

There is, therefore, a need for an improved connector assembly which helps to eliminate the perishing difficulties set out above.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a connector assembly, for dispensing fluid from a fluid supply, comprising: a connector body having a bore extending therethrough, the bore including first and second ends; and an actuator member received in the first end of the bore for rotation between a first rotary position in which movement of the actuator member towards the second end of the bore is prevented and a second rotary position in which the actuator member is movable towards the second end of the bore so as to protrude therebeyond.

The inclusion of an actuator member that is moveable towards a second end of a bore so as to protrude beyond the second end, permits the use of an alternative sealing element to isolate the connector body (and any downstream elements such as a connection tube) from perishable fluid. This is because the aforementioned movement of the actuator member can be employed, selectively, to override, i.e. rupture, the sealing element and so allow fluid flow through the connector body.

Such isolation of the connector body from perishable fluids eliminates the opportunity for the fluid to perish in the connector assembly and any downstream components during storage.

Moreover, the provision of a first rotary position in which movement of the actuator member towards the second end of the bore is prevented ensures that the actuator member is not inadvertently operated to override the alternative sealing element.

Preferably a first end of the actuator member is able to protrude beyond the second end of the bore, the first end including a piercing formation. Such an arrangement helps to ensure that the actuator member is readily able to override an alternative sealing element by perforating or puncturing the sealing element.

The connector assembly may include an elongate actuator member having a fluid conveying conduit extending axially therealong. The provision of an elongate actuator member having a fluid conveying conduit extending axially therealong allows the connection assembly to dispense fluid, once an alternative sealing element has been overridden, without the need to separate the actuator member from the connector body.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the actuator member includes a first retention formation co-operable with the bore to selectively retain the actuator member in a first axial position within the bore in which the actuator member protrudes beyond the second end of the bore. Such an arrangement helps to ensure that an alternative sealing element remains overridden, i.e. can no longer prevent fluid to flow through the connector assembly. In addition, retention of the actuator member relative to the connector body allows for the connection of a downstream item, such as a connector tube, to the actuator member to facilitate the flow of fluid to a downstream apparatus.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the actuator member includes a second retention formation co-operable with the bore to selectively retain the actuator member in a second axial position within the bore in which rotation of the actuator member between the first and second rotary positions is possible. This arrangement helps to ensure that the actuator member remains coupled with the connector body during, e.g. a transportation phase, thereby ensuring that the actuator member is readily available to override, as desired, an alternative sealing element.

Optionally the actuator member includes an actuator element. The inclusion of an actuator element assists an operative in handling the actuator member and, more particularly, assists an operative in moving the actuator member between the first and second rotary positions, and the first and second axial positions.

Conveniently the second end of the bore includes an alternative sealing element.

The sealing element may be integrally formed with the second end of the bore.

The sealing element may also be frangibly coupled with the second end of the bore.

The foregoing features provide a connector body that is readily manufacturable while desirably including an alternative sealing element which obviates the need, for example, to seal a downstream tube with the attendant possibility of perishing that such an arrangement creates.

Optionally the second end of the bore includes a retention element for fixedly connecting the connector body to a gland. Such a feature means that the connector assembly of the invention is readily connectable with a fluid container, or other vestibule, which incorporates a gland.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the connector body and the actuator member include mutually co-operable formations to prevent movement of the actuator member towards the second end of the bore while the actuator member is in the first rotary position and to allow movement of the actuator member towards the second end of the bore while the actuator member is in the second rotary position.

This arrangement helps to ensure that the connector body and the actuator member of the invention function only with one another, thereby minimising the nsk of an operative incorrectly using one or other of the connector body and the actuator member with another incompatible component.

Preferably the bore of the connector body includes a first guide slot and the actuator member includes a corresponding first protruding member. Such features are readily manufacturable while desirably constraining movement of the actuator member relative to the connector body.

The bore of the connector body may include a second guide slot diametrically opposed to the first guide slot and the actuator member may include a corresponding second protruding member diametrically opposed to the first protruding member. The inclusion of these features provides the connector assembly with a desired degree of robustness against improper use.

Optionally at least one guide slot includes a detent to selectively retain the actuator member in the first rotary position. Such a detent helps the ensure that the actuator remains in the first rotary position, in which movement towards the second end of the bore is prevented, and so further reduces the risk of the actuator member being operated inadvertently.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided, in combination, a gland coupled with a connector assembly according to any preceding claim. Such an arrangement shares the advantages mentioned above in relation to the connector assembly.

Preferably the gland includes an alternative sealing member coupled thereacross to prevent the flow of fluid through the gland.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a fluid container containing a fluid having a gland fixedly secured thereto, and a connector assembly as mentioned hereinabove coupled with the gland for dispensing fluid from the fluid container.

There now follows a brief description of preferred embodiments of the invention, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1(a) shows a conventional connector assembly; Figure 1(b) shows the conventional connector assembly shown in Figure 1(a) with a corresponding gland; Figure 2 shows a connector body according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows an actuator member according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the first actuator member shown in Figure 3 lying in a first rotary position and a second axial position relative to the first connector body shown in Figure 2; Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the first actuator member lying in a first axial position relative to the first connector body; Figures 6(a) to 6(d) show an operating sequence of a connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 shows an enlarged, partial view of an alternative sealing element according to a first embodiment of the invention; and Figure 8 shows a connector assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention coupled with a corresponding gland.

A connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 30.

The first connector assembly 30 includes a connector body 32, as shown in Figure 2, which has a bore 34 extending therethrough. The bore 34 includes a first end 36 and a second end 38.

The connector assembly 30 also includes an actuator member 40, as shown in Figure 3.

The actuator member 40 is received in the first end 36 of the bore 34, and is rotatable between a first rotary position (as shown in Figure 6(a)) and a second rotary position (as shown in Figure 6(b)).

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A first end 42 of the actuator member 40 includes a piercing formation 44. The piercing formation may include one or more teeth 46, but preferably includes two teeth 46 (as shown).

Each tooth 46 may, optionally, include a further protrusion 48 to assist in puncturing an alternative sealing element.

As shown, the actuator member 40 is elongate and has a fluid conveying conduit 50 which extends along its length. As such the fluid conveying conduit 50 defines an uninterrupted fluid flow path 52 between the first end 42 of the actuator member 40 and a second, opposite, end 54 thereof.

The actuator member 40 may include a tube (not shown) fluidly connected with its second end 54 so as to lie in fluid communication with the fluid flow path 52. Such an arrangement conveniently allows the ready connection of the connector assembly 30 to a downstream apparatus, such as a dispenser (not shown).

In the embodiment shown, the actuator member 40 includes a first retention formation 56 which cooperates with the bore 34 to selectively retain the actuator member 40 in a first axial position relative to the bore 34, as shown in Figure 5. As indicated, in this position the first end 42 of the actuator member 40 protrudes beyond the second end 38 of the bore 34.

The first retention formation 56 includes a first annular ring 58 that extends around the actuator member 40. This ring 58 cooperates with a lip 60 located at the first end 36 of the bore 34 to provide the desired retention functionality. In this regard the first annular ring 58 has a tapered cross-sectional profile which facilitates movement of the actuator member 40 towards the second end 38 of the bore 34, but inhibits movement in an opposite direction.

In other embodiments of the invention, not shown, the first retention formation 56 may adopt a different configuration. For example, it may not be completely annular and may, instead, extend only part way around the actuator member.

The actuator member 40 shown also includes a secondary first retention formation 62 in the form of a plurality of second annular rings 64 lying towards the first end 42 of the actuator member 40. These annular rings 64 cooperate with axially-aligned annular recesses 66 located within the bore 34 to supplement the retention functionality provided by the first retention formation 56.

The actuator member 40 also includes a second retention formation 68 which cooperates with the aforementioned lip 60 of the bore 34 to selectively retain the actuator member in a second axial position relative to the bore 34, as shown in Figure 4. In this second axial position the actuator member 40 is moveable between first and second rotary position relative to the bore 34.

The second retention formation 68 includes third and fourth annular rings 70, 72 which extend around the actuator member 40.

Each of the third and fourth annular rings 70, 72 has a tapered cross-sectional profile.

The fourth annular ring 72 extends radially to a greater extent than the third annular ring 70.

In this way the fourth annular ring 72 inhibits movement of the actuator away from the second end 38 of the bore 34, i.e. inhibits separation of the actuator member 40 from the connector body 32.

The third annular ring 70 provides a degree of resistance to movement of the actuator member 40 towards the second end 38 of the bore 34, but less resistance to movement than the fourth annular ring 72. This lower degree of resistance to movement is more easily overcome by an operative so that the operative is able to move the actuator member 40 towards the second end 38 of the bore 34, when desired.

In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the second retention formation 98 may adopt a different configuration. For example, the third and fourth annular rings 70, 72 may be replaced by elements which extend only partially around the actuator member The actuator member 40 also includes an actuator element 74 in the form of an annular collar 76 which extends radially. Other embodiments of the invention, not shown, may include a different actuator element, e.g. one that does not extend completely around the actuator member 40.

The annular collar 76 includes a plurality of radial protrusions 78 lying along the periphery thereof. These radial protrusions further assist an operative in gripping and moving the actuator member 40.

The second end 38 of the bore 34 includes an alternative sealing element 80, as shown in Figure 7.

The sealing element 80 is a substantially planar disc 82 that extends across the open second end 38 of the bore 34.

In the embodiment shown the sealing element 80 is integrally formed with the second end 38 of the bore 34, and in particular is integrally moulded with the connector body 32 from the same material.

Is The interface between the sealing element 80 and the connector body 32 is thinner than the surrounding material of the disc 82 and the connector body 32. In this way the interface defines a frangible coupling between the sealing element 80 and the connector body 32.

The sealing element 80 may include a connecting element 84 which forms a connection between the sealing element 80 and the connector body 32 that is more robust than the aforementioned frangible interface.

In other embodiments of the invention, not shown, the second end 38 of the bore 34 may include an alternative sealing element in the form of a sheet material, such as a plastics or metal film, which is secured over the open second end 38 of the bore 34. Such a sheet may be so secured by, for example, an adhesive or by melting.

The second end 38 of the bore 34 also includes a retention element 86 for fixedly connecting the connector body 32 to a gland which, typically, is fluidly connected to a fluid supply. The retention element 86 in the embodiments shown is a fifth annular ring having a tapered cross-sectional profile.

In still further embodiments of the invention, not shown, the second end 38 of the bore 34 may include a piercing member which extends around the periphery of the second end 38 and protrudes beyond an alternative sealing element 80. The piercing member may be formed by a plurality of serrated teeth lying parallel with the bore 34. Conveniently the piercing member may not extend completely around the periphery of the second end 38 so as to maintain a fluid flow path through the connection body 32 in the event that a remainder of the piercing member becomes covered, e.g. by a sidewall of a bag.

The inclusion of such a piercing member allows the connector body 32 to be driven through a sidewall of, e.g. a fluid container such as a bag, in circumstances when the fluid container omits a conventional connection fitting such as a gland. The piercing member punctures the fluid container to create a fluid flow path from the fluid container.

However, the flow path may remain closed off (at least initially) by the alternative sealing element 80.

The connector body 32 and the actuator member 40 include mutually co-operable formations 92, 94 which prevent movement of the actuator member 40 towards the second end 38 of the bore 34 while the actuator member 40 is in the first rotary position, and allow movement of the actuator member 40 towards the second end 38 of the bore 34 when in the second rotary position.

In the embodiments shown, the bore 34 of the connector body 32 includes a first mutually co-operable formation 92 in the form of a first guide slot 96, and the actuator member 40 includes a second mutually co-operable formation 94 in the form of a first corresponding protruding member 98.

The bore 34 also includes a second guide slot 100 which is diametrically opposed to the first guide slot 96, and the actuator member 40 includes a second corresponding protruding member (not shown) which is diametrically opposed to the first protruding member 98.

Each of the first and second guide slots 96, 100 includes a first guide portion 104 that extends in a circumferential direction relative to the bore 34, and a second guide portion 106 which extends in an axial direction relative to the bore 34.

Each first guide portion 104 includes a detent 108 to selectively retain the actuator member 40 in the first radial position.

In use, the actuator member 40 is inserted into the bore 34 of the connector body 32 via the first end 36 of the bore 34.

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The actuator member 40 is inserted until it adopts the second axial position relative to the bore 34, as shOwn in Figure 4. The second retention formation 68 maintains the actuator member 40 in this axial position while allowing rotational movement within the bore 34.

In this second axial position each protruding member 98 is aligned with, and located in, the first guide portion 104 of the corresponding guide slot 96, 100 so as to constrain the rotational movement of the actuator member 40 within the bore 34 to between the first and second rotary positions.

The detent 108 in each first guide portion 104 cooperates with the corresponding protruding member 98 to selectively retain the actuator member 40 in the first rotary position.

In this position, a wall portion 110 of the bore 34 lying adjacent to the first guide portion 104 of each guide slot 96, 100 cooperates with the corresponding protruding member 98 to prevent movement of the actuator member 40 towards the second end 38 of the bore 34.

Accordingly the actuator member 40 is retained in a desirable transit configuration, as shown in Figure 6(a), in which the actuator member 40 is retained in the second axial position relative to the bore 34 (and so is suitably coupled with the connector body 32 to inhibit separation of one from the other), and in the first rotary position relative to the bore 34 (in which inadvertent operation of the actuator member 40 is prevented).

When it is desired to allow the connector assembly 30 to dispense fluid, an operative rotates the actuator member 40 from the first rotary position (Figure 6(a)) to the second rotary position (Figure 6(b)). In this regard the inherent flexibility of the material from which the connector body 32 and/or the actuator member 40, and/or manufacturing tolerances, enables the operative, on application of a suitable force, to ride each protruding member 98 over the corresponding detent 108 so as to effect such rotary movement from the first rotary position to the second rotary position.

In the second rotary position each protruding member 98 is rotationally aligned with the second guide portion 106 of the corresponding guide slot 96, 100. As such, each second guide portion 106 defines an elongate channel into which the corresponding protruding portion 98 is able to move.

The operative, on application of a suitable force, is able to overcome the resistance to movement imparted by the third annular ring 70 (and cooperating lip 60).

It follows, therefore, that the operative is able to move each protruding member 98 into the elongate channel defined by the corresponding second guide portion 106, and so move the actuator member 40 towards the second end 38 of the bore 34 (as shown in Figure 6(c)), from the second axial position to the first axial position shown in Figure 6(d).

Such movement of the actuator member 40 causes the first end 42 of the actuator member 40, and its associated piercing formation 44, to move beyond the second end 38 of the bore 34.

This protruding movement of the piercing formation 44 breaks the frangible interface between the planar disc 82 of the sealing element 80, thereby rupturing the seal created across the second end 38 of the bore 34, as shown in Figures 6(c) and 6(d) (and Figure 5).

The connecting element 84 maintains a degree of contact between the sealing element 80 and the connector body 32, so as to help ensure that the sealing element 80 does not move with the fluid flow to, for example, contaminate or block a downstream component.

On rupturing of the sealing element 80, a fluid flow path is created through the connector body 32 via the fluid conveying conduit 50 of the actuator member 40. As a result the connector assembly 30 is able to dispense fluid.

The first retention formation 56, i.e. the first annular ring 58, cooperates with the lip 60 on the bore 34 to retain the actuator member 40 in this first axial position relative to the bore 34.

Accordingly the actuator member 40 is retained in a desirable operative configuration, as shown in Figures 5 and 6(d), in which the actuator member 40 helps to ensure that the fluid flow path through the connector assembly 30 remains open.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 8.

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Figure 8 shows a second connector assembly 120 coupled with a gland 122. The second connector assembly is almost identical to the first connector assembly 30 and similar components share the same reference numeral.

However, the second connector assembly 120 differs from the first connector assembly in that the connector body 32 includes a bore 34 which has a second end 38 that does not include an alternative sealing element.

Instead, the gland 122 includes a second alternative sealing element 124 sealingly secured across a first face 126 thereof. The second sealing element 124 may be a sheet-like plastics or metal film that is sealingly secured to the gland by adhesion or welding.

In use, the second connector assembly 120 functions in essentially the same manner as the first connector assembly 30, as set out above.

However, movement of the actuator member 40 towards the second end 38 of the bore 34, from the second axial position to the first axial position, causes the piercing formation 44 at the first end 42 of the actuator member 40 to penetrate and rupture the second sealing element 124.

A fluid path is, therefore, similarly created through the gland 122 and the second connector assembly 120.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A connector assembly, for dispensing fluid from a fluid supply, comprising: a connector body having a bore extending therethrough, the bore including first and second ends; and an actuator member received in the first end of the bore for rotation between a first rotary position in which movement of the actuator member towards the second end of the bore is prevented and a second rotary position in which the actuator member is movable towards the second end of the bore so as to protrude therebeyond.
2. A connector assembly according to Claim I wherein a first end of the actuator member is able to protrude beyond the second end of the bore, the first end including a piercing formation.
3. A connector assembly according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 including an elongate actuator member having a fluid conveying conduit extending axially therealong.
4. A connector assembly according to Claim 3 wherein the actuator member includes a first retention formation co-operable with the bore to selectively retain the actuator member in a first axial position within the bore in which the actuator member protrudes beyond the second end of the bore.
5. A connector assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the actuator member includes a second retention formation co-operable with the bore to selectively retain the actuator member in a second axial position within the bore in which rotation of the actuator member between the first and second rotary positions is possible.
6. A connector assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the actuator member includes an actuator element.
7. A connector assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the second end of the bore includes an alternative sealing element
8. A connector assembly according to Claim 7 wherein the sealing element is integrally formed with the second end of the bore.

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9. A connector assembly according to Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein the sealing element is frangibly coupled with the second end of the bore.
10. A connector assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the second end of the bore includes a retention element for fixedly connecting the connector body to a gland.
11. A connector assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the connector body and the actuator member include mutually co-operable formations to prevent movement of the actuator member towards the second end of the bore while the actuator member is in the first rotary position and to allow movement of the actuator member towards the second end of the bore while the actuator member is in the second rotary position
12. A connector assembly according to Claim 11 wherein the bore of the connector body includes a first guide slot and the actuator member includes a corresponding first protruding member.
13. A connector assembly according to Claim 12 wherein the bore of the connector body includes a second guide slot diametrically opposed to the first guide slot and the actuator member includes a corresponding second protruding member diametrically opposed to the first protruding member.
14. A connector assembly according to Claim 12 or Claim 13 wherein at least one guide slot includes a detent to selectively retain the actuator member in the first rotary position.
15. In combination, a gland coupled with a connector assembly according to any preceding claim.
16. The combination of Claim 15 wherein the gland includes an alternative sealing member coupled thereacross to prevent the flow of fluid through the gland.
17. A fluid container containing a fluid having a gland fixedly secured thereto, and a connector assembly according to any of Claims 1 to 14 coupled with the gland for dispensing fluid from the fluid container.
18. A connector assembly generally as herein descnbed with reference to and/or as illustrated in Figures 2 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.
19. A combination of a gland coupled with a connector assembly generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in Figures 2 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.
20. A fluid container generallyas herein described with reference to andfor as illustrated in Figures 2 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.