Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TELESCOPIC SNAP VALVE
This invention relates to a valve assembly, in particular to a valve assembly
for
use with a bag in a box type container for holding liquid having a ball check
valve with
telescoping snap-in connection end.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
Dispensing liquid such as juices, liquid soap, industrial oil, and the like,
from
bags within box containers has been used for many years with vending type
machines,
and are known to have problems. For example; the small exit ports from the
liquid filled
bags have been known to become clogged over time with substances such as juice
pulp,
and the like. Various types of valves have been proposed over the years to
correct this
problem such as using ball check valves, and the like. See for example,
Figures 1 A and
1B, and U.S. Patents: 5,975,164 to Whaley et al., and U.S. Patent 6,561,386 to
Martens.
Fig. 1 A is an exploded view of a prior art ball check valve assembly 1. Fig.
1 B is
an assembled view 1' of the prior art ball check valve assembly of Fig. 1 A.
Referring to Figures lA-1B, a prior art ball check valve assembly 1, 1' has
been
used in the past several years as a dispenser head for bags in boxes that were
used to
dispense watery fluids such as iced tea, and the like. Inside a narrow
diameter chamber
14, a ball 2 is held place under an upper plate portion 12: An external O-ring
13 is held in
place between upper plate portion 12 and annular member 11. Chamber 14 has a
diameter of approximately 8/10 of an inch which expands outward from sidewall
16 to an
enlarged chamber 18 having a diameter of approximately 9/10 of an inch. An
outer
annular rim separates the chamber 14 from a lower extending chamber section 30
having
a length of approximately 1 & 1/10 inches long and has a ridge 38 along its'
lower end
with an downwardly expanding edge.
The prior art valve assembly has limited use for several reasons. The narrow
dispensing chamber portion 14 with a constricting interior passageway is only
able to
dispense watery type fluids such as iced tea,: and the like; and also fluids
that have a
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greater viscosity. More dense fluids such as juices with pulp are not able to
pass through
this narrow diameter chamber. In addition; the extra manufacturing needed to
make the
valve body 10 to have a narrowing diameter upper end, and raised surface
portions and
extra costs to allow for two O-rings is not an easy to make and is costly to
produce.
Still furthermore, the fitting 40 used in the prior art ball check valve is
not able to
be used with different types of bags in a box that are used in vending
machines, and the
like, such as bags holding juice, and the like, which can not have a fitting
with a long
length as used in the prior art shown in Figures 1A and 1B.
In addition, the raised ridge 38 shown on chamber section 30 is difficult to
push
into the fitting 40. The interior shoulder protrusion 45 inside of chamber
section 30
causes the ridge 38 to be basically wedged in place, and subject to the valve
10 being able
to potentially separate from the fitting 4Q. Also, the combination of both the
raised ridge
38 and the interior shoulder protrusion causes a gap between the exterior of
chamber
section 30 and the interior of fitting 40: Such a gap space can cause liquid
from the bag
to become trapped therebetween. Even with upper O-ring 25, a potential leak of
fluid
from outside the valve assembly 1' can occur as well.
U.S. Patent 6,561,386 to Martens describes a "Ball Check Valve Assembly",
title,
for use with a bag in a box application, having a narrow depth "U-shaped"
collar pre-
attached to a ball valve that must be top mounted over a raised stem section
that is
attached to the liquid bag. However; this assembly has problems. The inside of
the U-
shaped portion is no greater than approximately 2/10 of an inch in depth. The
shallow
depth of this top mounted collar is clearly prone to accidentally falling off
and separating
from the stem section if the valve member is accidentally hit sideways. Since
the bag is
usually filled with liquid, such as juice, knocking the valve member off the
stem portion
can result in a disastrous loss of juice from the bag, which can result in a
mess and
possibly ruining the assembly and,anything else in proximity such as the
vending
equipment itself. Thus, this assembly tends to not be stable and reliable when
used.
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In addition, the Marten's apparatus requires two separate ring shaped raised
ridge
surfaces in order to attach the collar to the stem section. These raised
surfaces create
extra complications that require additional molding work, and special
tolerances and costs
associated with the mold to make the assembly work.
The inventor is also aware of other U.S. Patents. See for example, U.S.
Patents:
3,799;194 to Bedo et al.; 3,894,556 to Pareja; 3,916;496 to Freiheit;
4,100;928 to
Schoepe; 4,287,912 to Hewett; 4;512,360 to Chronister; 4,665,940 to Jacobson;
4,934,408 to Christopherson; 5;275,196 to Mitchell et al:; 5,558,121 to
Webster et al.;
5,332;001 to Brown; and 5,749,494 to Wolski et al: In addition, the inventor
is aware of
UK patent Applications: GB 2,172,063 and GB 2;338,365. However, none of these
patent references overcome all the problems referenced above.
Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a telescopic snap
valve
assembly and assembly method for dispensing liquid from bags in boxes where
the ball
check valve portion with an easy to secure telescopic snap valve connection.
A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide a telescopic snap
valve assembly and assembly method for dispensing liquid from bags in a box
where the
valve member is inserted into the fitting and results in a stable, reliable
connection that is
not prone to being separated and dislodged from the valve stem portion that is
connected
to the bag.
A third objective of the present invention is to provide a telescopic snap
valve
assembly and assembly method for dispensing liquid from bags in boxes where
the
telescopic snap connection accomplished by only a single raised surface edge
resulting in
easier to make molds and lower costs to manufacture.
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A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide a telescopic snap
valve
assembly and assembly method for dispensing non watery thicker liquids such as
juice
with pulp, therefrom, without clogging the dispensing end of the valve.
A fifth obj ective of the present: invention is to provide a telescopic snap
valve
assembly and assembly method for dispensing liquid that becomes sealed in such
a way
to reduce leaks, and the like, by eliminating gap spaces between components
where liquid
can flow, become trapped, and potentially leak out therefrom.
A preferred assembled embodiment of the invention can include a fitting on a
liquid holding container, the fitting having a through-hole therethrough
between and
upper end and a lower end, and a valve member having a lower protruding
telescopic end
with a raised ridge edge; the lower protruding end for telescoping into the
upper end of
the fitting so that the raised ridge edge protrudes under and about the lower
end of the
fitting, wherein the valve assembly is used for dispensing liquid from the
liquid holding
container.
The invention can be used with a bag in a box wherein the fitting is between
the
bag and the box. The valve member can be a ball check valve end opposite to
the lower
protruding end.
The lower protruding telescopic end can be at least approximately 1/2 inch in
length, and the through-hole in the fitting and the lower protruding end of
the valve
member both have a cylindrical configuration.
The valve member can have an annular rim with a ledge portion which rests
against the upper end of the fitting. A seal member such as an O-ring can be
located
between the ledge portion and the upper end of the fitting.
The raised ridge edge of the telescopic end of the valve member can have an
inwardly sloping angled lower-surface portion for directing the telescopic end
of the valve
member into the through-hole of the fitting, and an upper catch surface
portion for
snapping outward under the lower. end of the fitting for locking the valve
member to the
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fitting. A seal member such as an 0-ring can be used for sealing the valve
member to the
fitting.
A method of assembling a valve member into a bag in a box fitting can include
the steps of telescopically inserting a protruding portion of a valve member
into a
S through-hole opening of the fitting to the bag located in the box, and
snapably expanding
a raised edge portion on a lower end of the protruding portion of the valve
member
underneath the fitting to lock the valve member to the fitting. The valve
member can be
sealed to the fitting by compressing an O-ring between a ledge portion on the
valve
member and a shoulder portion on the fitting.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the
following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which
are
illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Fig. 1 A is an exploded view of a prior art ball check valve assembly.
Fig. 1 B is an assembled view of the prior art ball check valve assembly of
Fig. 1 A.
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the telescopic snap valve assembly
with cap
cover, ball check valve with telescopic snap-in end and bag in a box fitting
for receiving
the telescopic snap-in end.
Fig. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the hag in a box fitting of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the valve with telescopic snap-in end
of Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the ball check valve with telescopic
snap-in end
interconnected with the bag in a box fitting of the preceding figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail
it
is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to
the details of the
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particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other
embadiments.
Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of
limitation.
The main components in the figures are labeled as follows:
1 Prior Art Valve Assembly Unassembled
1' Prior Art Valve Assembly Assembled
2 Ball
Ball Check Valve
10 12 Upper flat end top of valve 10
13 Outer O-ring about nozzle ,end
14 Narrow diameter upper ball holding chamber
Inner O-ring to hold ball 10 in place
16 outwardly expanding sidewall from narrow
diameter chamber
15 20 outer annular rim
30 lower extending chamber ection
32 upper stop
38 downwardly expanding catch
40 elongated fitting
44 upper rim member
46 lower rim member
45 inside chamber shoulder protrusion
48 bottom end of lower chamber section
100 Telescopic Snap Valve Assembly unassembled
100' Telescopic Snap Valve Assembly fully
assembled
110 Cap cover
112 closed lid top
114 cylindrical sides
116 bottom end
120 Ball Check Valve
122 annular walls fox O-ring
123 seal member O-ring
130 Upper cylinder liquid dispensing end
of Ball Check Valve
131 top end
132 interior ridge
134 moveable ball
136 compressed coil spring
138 ledge portion
140 Annular Rim
142 upper shoulder portion
143 seal member O-ring
146 annular groove
148 lower ledge portion 48
150 Telescoping End
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154 raised ridge edge
155 upper catch surface portion
157 inwardly sloping angled lower
surface portion
160 Bag in a Box Fitting
162 upper end edge
164 annular rim member
165 through-hole
166 annular rim member
168 lower end
170 Bag
180 Box
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the telescopic snap valve assembly
100
with cap cover 110, ball check valve 120 with telescopic snap-in end 150 and
bag 170 in
a box fitting 160 for receiving the telescopic snap-in end 150. Fig. 3 is a
side cross-
sectional view of the bag in a box fitting 160 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side
cross-sectional
view of the valve 120 with telescopic snap-in end 150 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a
side cross-
sectional assembled view 100' of the ball check valve 120 with telescopic snap-
in end
150 interconnected with the bag 170 in a box fitting 160 of the preceding
figures.
Unlike the prior art valve members, the novel invention can dispense many
various types of fluids having different viscosities, different textures,
different densities,
and the like.
Referring to Figures 2-5, the bag 170 in the box 180 can be used to hold and
dispense many various types of liquid such as but not limited to juice with or
without
pulp, liquid soap, industrial oil, and the like.
The subject invention can be used with dispensing all types of fluids, and
also can
be placed in vending machines and the like, such as those shown and described
in
reference to U.S. Patents 5,975,164 to Whaley et al., and U.S. Patent
6,561,386 to
Martens, both of which axe incorporated by;reference.
The cap cover 110, valve member 120 and fitting 160 can be made and/or molded
from a suitable synthetic resin material, such as but not limited to
polyethylene,
polypropylene, and the like. The seal members such as the O-ring components
referenced
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in the figures can be formed from suitable material, such as but not limited
to neoprene,
rubber, and the like.
A preferred embodiment of the cap cover 110 can have a closed lid top 112 and
cylindrical sides 114 having a snap fitting with bottom end 116, the latter of
which can
cover and close off the liquid dispensing end 130 of ball check valve member
120. The
cap cover 110 is used from the time the bag is being filled, through storage
until it is
placed in the vending machine. The purpose of the cap cover 110 is for
sanitary purposes
and to limit the amount of air entering the bag and destroying the liquid
contents, until the
bag in a box is being used.
The novel ball check valve member 120 can have an upper dispensing end 130,
and inside having an interior ridge 132 for holding a moveable ball 134, which
is pressed
upward from a compressed coil spring 136 that is supported by a ledge portion
138 inside
of the upper end 130 of the valve member 120. About the upper end 130 of the
valve
member can be an O-ring 123 having a wall thickness diameter of approximately
0.105
inches that is positioned between annular walls 122, where the O-ring provides
a seal
against liquid leakage between the valve member 120 and the cap cover 110.
The dispensing end 130 of the cylindrical upper end 130 of the valve member
120
can have a hollow interior diameter of slightly greater than approximately 0.5
inches
while the moveable ball 134 can have a diameter of approximately 0.5 inches:
This
sizing can allow that the ball 134 can move inside the cylindrical space of
upper end 130
of the valve member 120; and the length of the upper end 130 of the valve
member 120
can be approximately 1.19 inches from the annular rim 140 to the top end 131
of valve
member 120.
The annular rim 140 can extend about a mid portion of valve member 120 and
have an upper shoulder portion 142 and lower ledge portion 148, with an
annular groove
146 underneath the inside of the lower ledge portion 148 for supporting
another seal
member 143 such as but not limited to an O-ring therein.
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The valve member 120 has a lower facing extending hollow telescopic end 150
protruding beneath the annu ar rim 140 that can,have an outer diameter of
slightly less
than approximately 1.196 inches and having a length of greater than
approximately 0.590
inches.
A raised ridge edge 154 on the bottom of the telescopic end 150 can have an
inwardly sloping angled lower surface portion 157 for directing the telescopic
end 150 of
the valve member 120 in the direction of arrow I(Fig. 2) into the through-hole
165 of the
fitting 160(Fig. 3). The raised ridge 154 can have an upper catch surface
portion 155 that
can have a generally horizontal surface for snapping outward under the lower
end 168 of
the fitting 160 for locking the valve member 120 to the fitting 160. The
raised ridge 154
becomes a retainer for literally locking the valve member 120 to the fitting
160 and unlike
the prior art cannot become easily dislodged and separated therefrom.
The fitting 160 can be pre-attached to the liquid filled bag 170 that is
located
within a box 180 that is used with vending type machines such as those
described in the
background portion of the invention. The fitting 160 can be sealing attached
to the bag
170 by being sandwiched between annular rim members 164, 166. The telescopic
end
150 is sealed with the valve member 120 by the O-ring 143 having a ring
diameter of
approximately 0.070 inches which becomes compressed between upper end edge 162
having a thickness of approximately 0.141 inches of the fitting 160 and the
ledge portion
148 of annular rim 140.
In operation pushing the ball I34 inward in the direction of arrow P while the
dispensing end 130 is placed upside down allows liquid to exit from the valve
member
20.
The tight fitting of the valve member into the fitting does not have any
unnecessary gap spaces that can cause liquid to become trapped, and lost,
and/or
potentially leak out therefrom.
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The shaped raised ridge on the telescopic end of the valve member secures in
place underneath the fitting causing a more stable lock that is not prone to
separate as can
occur with the valves shown and described in reference to Figures 1A and 1B.
The mold used to form the valve member and the fitting used in the invention
would be easier and less costly to produce and uses less parts(at least one
less O-ring)
than that shown and used with the prior art: of Figures 1 A and 1 B,
While the raised ridge edge of the telescoping end of the valve member is
completely and continuously surrounds the; telescoping end, the raised ridge
edge can be
formed from separate pieces such as one, two or more tab sections spaced apart
from one
another as needed.
Although the telescoping end of the valve member and the fitting opening are
shown to be cylindrical, other shapes such as square; rectangular, triangular,
hexagon, and
the Like, can be used for locking the telescoping end o the fitting.
While the invention has been described; disclosed, illustrated and shown in
various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in
practice,
the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to
be, limited
thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the
teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the
breadth and
scope of the claims here appended.
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