초록 ▼

A connector for a self sealing fitment that includes a body, a lower flange, and a locking mechanism. The connector is configured to sealingly engage with a cap coupled to a spout of a flexible bag by sealingly engaging with a sealing membrane of the cap. The locking mechanism facilitates the mainta

A connector for a self sealing fitment that includes a body, a lower flange, and a locking mechanism. The connector is configured to sealingly engage with a cap coupled to a spout of a flexible bag by sealingly engaging with a sealing membrane of the cap. The locking mechanism facilitates the maintaining of the same in the inserted configuration. A lockout collar is provided to preclude inadvertent and undesirable coupling between a connector and a sealing membrane of a cap.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A connector for a self sealing fitment attachable to a spout, the self sealing fitment further comprising: body having an elongated opening extending from a top end to a bottom end, the opening including an inner surface, the body further including an axially outward flange positioned along an ou

1. A connector for a self sealing fitment attachable to a spout, the self sealing fitment further comprising: body having an elongated opening extending from a top end to a bottom end, the opening including an inner surface, the body further including an axially outward flange positioned along an outer surface of the body;a sealing membrane extending across the opening in a sealing configuration, the membrane spaced apart from the top end and the bottom end and including a valve opening extending therethrough;a retaining ring attachable to the body along the inner surface of the opening, and positionable so as to sealingly sandwich the sealing membrane between the body and the retaining ring, with the ring positioned between the axially outward flange and the sealing membrane;the connector further comprising: a body having a first elongated portion and a second elongated portion, each having an inner passageway, with the inner passageways being in fluid communication with each other, the first elongated portion having a proximal end that meets with a proximal end of the second elongated portion, the second elongated portion having an outer surface, the second elongated portion extends to a distal end, with the second elongated portion being smaller than the elongated opening of the body, so that when the second elongated portion is positioned within the elongated opening of the body, the second elongated portion is axially spaced apart from the body;a lower flange disposed on the outer surface of the second elongated portion, the lower flange spaced apart from the distal end, wherein the lower flange defines the insertion portion of the second elongated portion as the region extending from the lower flange to the distal end, the lower flange being smaller than the elongated opening of the body of the self sealing fitment; anda locking mechanism having a central pivot beam extending outwardly from the second elongated portion between the proximal end and the lower flange, a movable portion extending from the central pivot beam in a first direction toward the proximal end of the second elongated portion defining a handle portion, and in a second direction toward the distal end of the second elongated portion defining an engaging portion, both the handle portion and the engaging portion having an inner surface facing and spaced apart from the second elongated portion, with an inward flange positioned at a distal end of the cap engaging portion,whereupon insertion of the connector into the self sealing fitment, the insertion portion extends through the valve opening of the sealing membrane, with the lower flange extending into the elongated opening of the body of the self sealing fitment, so as to maintain the insertion portion in a spaced apart configuration relative to the inner surface of the elongated opening of the body of the self sealing fitment, with the lower flange of the second elongated portion extending into the elongated opening of the body of the self sealing fitment, and inwardly beyond the axially outward flange, with the inward flange of the locking mechanism cooperatively engaging the axially outward flange of the body of the self sealing fitment to preclude inadvertent detachment of the connector from within the self sealing fitment and with the lower flange centering the second elongated portion within the elongated opening, and, maintaining the second elongate portion in the spaced apart orientation from the elongated opening of the self sealing fitment. 2. The connector of claim 1 wherein, the insertion portion of the outer surface of the second elongated portion having a substantially uniformly smooth surface configuration structurally configured to sealingly engage the valve opening of the sealing membrane. 3. The connector of claim 2 wherein the insertion portion of the outer surface of the second elongated portion is free of resilient sealing members or o-rings. 4. The connector of claim 1 wherein the lower flange includes a bottom surface, the bottom surface contacting one of the retaining ring and the sealing membrane when the inward flange of the locking mechanism cooperatively engages the axially outward flange of the body of the self sealing fitment. 5. The connector of claim 1 wherein the first elongated portion and the second elongated portion are substantially perpendicular to each other. 6. The connector of claim 1 comprising a single integrally molded member. 7. The connector of claim 6 wherein the single integrally molded member comprises a uniform material therethrough. 8. The connector of claim 1 wherein the lower flange includes a bottom surface that is substantially perpendicular to the second elongated portion. 9. The connector of claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism further includes a pivot stop positioned between the central pivot beam and the proximal end of the second elongated portion, the pivot stop precluding further pivoting of the central pivot beam relative to the second elongated member. 10. The connector of claim 1 further including a lockout collar having a radially outward portion extending radially outward from the second elongated portion proximate the lower flange, an extension portion extending from the radially outward portion in an annular configuration around at least a portion of the second elongated portion in a direction toward the distal end of the second elongated portion, the second elongated portion being longer than the outer surface of the body of the self sealing fitment. 11. The connector of claim 10 wherein the body further includes an upper flange spaced apart from the lower flange toward the proximal end of the second elongated portion, a channel defined between the upper flange and the lower flange, the lockout collar further including a connector body coupling member extending from the radially outward portion, the connector body coupling member configured to releasably engage with the second elongated portion within the channel defined between the upper flange and the lower flange. 12. The connector of claim 11 wherein the extension portion extends arcuatly approximately 180° about the second elongated portion. 13. The connector of claim 12 wherein the extension portion is substantially parallel with the second elongated portion. 14. The connector of claim 13 wherein the extension portion extends beyond the distal end of the second elongated portion. 15. The connector of claim 1 further comprising a valve positioned within the second inner passageway proximate the distal end of the second elongated portion in a configuration to preclude material from passing beyond the valve and through the distal end. 16. The connector of claim 15 wherein the valve comprises a duck bill valve, wherein a clamping member is attachable to the distal end of the second elongated portion, whereupon attachment, sandwiches a portion of the duck bill valve therebetween, to in turn, fix the position of the valve within the second elongated portion. 17. The connector of claim 16 wherein the clamping member includes a interfacing tab, and the distal end of the second elongated portion includes an interfacing tab, wherein the interfacing tab of the clamping member and the interfacing tab of the second elongated portion are configured for coupling with each other.