WO2010100435A1

WO2010100435A1 - Connector assembly for supplying fluid

Info

Publication number: WO2010100435A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/000398
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Darby
Original assignee: DS Smith Plastics Ltd
Current assignee: Corplex Plastics UK Ltd
Priority date: 2009-03-05
Filing date: 2010-03-05
Publication date: 2010-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 2011-09-05
Also published as: GB0903789D0; GB2468342A; GB2468342B

Abstract

In the field of fluid dispensing there is a need for a connector assembly connector assembly which is of relatively simple construction. A connector assembly (20; 100), for supplying fluid from a fluid supply to a dispenser (30) which is detachably connectable to the connector assembly (20; 100), includes a valve spool housing body (22) which adapted to be fixedly connected to the fluid supply and a valve spool (24) which is rotatably housed in the housing body (22) for rotation between first and second rotary positions. The connector assembly (20; 100) has a fluid inlet (29) for receiving fluid from the fluid supply, a fluid outlet for supplying fluid to the dispenser and a fluid flow path providing fluid communication between said inlet and outlet. Fluid flow along said path is controlled by said spool (24) such that in said first rotary position of the spool (24) fluid is able to flow along said path and in said second rotary position of the spool (24) fluid is prevented from flowing along said path. The housing body (22) has dispenser connection means which are co-operable with co¬ operating connection means on the dispenser (30) to detachably secure the dispenser (30) to the housing body (22). The dispenser connection means and the co-operating connection means are moved into engagement and disengagement by rotation of the dispenser (30) relative to the housing body (22). The spool (24) is provided with rotary drive means (48) which are engagable with the dispenser (30) to cause the spool (22) to rotate to its first or second position when the dispenser (30) is rotated to cause engagement or disengagement between said dispenser connection means and said co- operating connection means.

Description

CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR SUPPLYING FLUID

The present invention relates to a connector assembly for use in dispensing a fluid from a fluid supply via a detachable dispenser.

It is known to package fluids in a bag which is retained in a relatively rigid packaging box. This kind of packaging is often referred to as 'bag-in-a-box' type packaging and is commonly used for supplying, for example, syrups, beverages, wine or other fluids to end users, such as customers and/or consumers.

In this specification the term 'fluid' is intended to cover any type of liquid having a viscosity which enables the fluid to flow; the term excludes gases.

With such packages, a connector assembly is usually attached to the bag and is arranged to project through an opening in the surrounding box in order to be accessible to the consumer. To access fluid in the container, the consumer attaches a dispenser to the connector assembly. Usually the dispenser will be of a standard design and will be arranged for a quick and easy connection to the connector assembly.

Prior to attachment of the dispenser to the connector assembly and after removal of the dispenser it is desirable that no fluid leaks from the connector assembly. It is therefore known to provide such connector assemblies with valves which act to prevent spillage of fluid from the connector assembly.

Such valves tend to be complicated in design and rely upon the use of poppet valves and metal coil springs. As a result conventional connector assemblies tend to be expensive..

A general aim of the invention is to provide a connector assembly, in particular for, but not exclusively for, use in combination with a bag-in-a-box type of package which is of relatively simple construction.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a connector assembly for supplying fluid from a fluid supply to a dispenser which is detachably connectable to the connector assembly, the connector assembly including a valve spool housing body adapted for being fixedly connected to the fluid supply and a valve spool rotatably housed in the housing body for rotation between first and second rotary positions, the connector assembly having a fluid inlet for receiving fluid from the fluid supply, a fluid outlet for supplying fluid to the dispenser and a fluid flow path providing fluid communication between said inlet and outlet, fluid flow along said path being controlled by said spool such that in said first rotary position of the spool fluid is able to flow along said path and in said second rotary position of the spool fluid is prevented from flowing along said path, the housing body having dispenser connection means which are co- operable with co-operating connection means on the dispenser to detachably secure the dispenser to the housing body, the dispenser connection means and the co-operating connection means being moved into engagement and disengagement by rotation of the dispenser relative to the housing body, the spool being provided with rotary drive means engagable with the dispenser to cause the spool to rotate to its first or second position when the dispenser is rotated to cause engagement or disengagement between said dispenser connection means and said co-operating connection means.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided, in combination, a fluid container and a connector assembly as defined above.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a fluid container containing fluid and a connector assembly as defined above mounted on the container for dispensing fluid from the container.

Various aspects of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a bag-in-a-box package fitted with a connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic broken away partial side view of the package shown in

Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the invention shown with the valve spool partially inserted into the housing body; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly shown in

Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a more detailed view similar to that of Figure 2 showing the connector assembly of Figure 3 immediately prior to connection of the dispenser;

Figure 6 is a cut away perspective view of the first embodiment and a dispenser prior to completed connection of the dispenser to the connector assembly;

Figure 7 is a cut away view similar to Figure 6 showing the first embodiment after completed connection of the dispenser to the connector assembly; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention shown mounted on a mounting boss and with a dispenser partially connected to the connector assembly;

Figure 9 is a perspective view similar to Figure 8 showing the dispenser fully connected to the connector assembly;

Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly and dispenser of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly of Figure 1 shown separated from the mounting boss; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the connector assembly of Figure 8 in which the housing body is shown ghosted;

Figure 13 is a perspective view similar to Figure 9 in which the housing body is shown ghosted;

Figures 14a to 14c are perspective views of the valve spool illustrating operation of a piercing member during connection of the dispensing member;

Figures 15a and 15b are perspective views of the mounting boss from above and below respectively, prior to securance of the mounting boss to a container;

Figure 16a is a cut away view of a spool housing forming part of a connector assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 16b is a perspective view of the spool housing shown in Figure 16a;

Figure 17a is a perspective view of a valve spool forming part of the connector assembly according to the third embodiment of the invention;

Figures 17b and 17c show cut away views of the valve spool shown in Figure 17a; Figure 18a shows a perspective view of the connector assembly according to the third embodiment of the invention with the valve spool in an 'off' rotary position;

Figure 18b is a cut away version of Figure 18a;

Figure 19a shows a perspective view of the connector assembly shown in Figure 18a with the valve spool in an 'on' rotary position; and Figure 19b is a cut away version of Figure 19a.

There is shown in Figures 1 and 2 a bag-in-a-box package 10 fitted with a connector assembly 20 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As seen in Figures 3 and 4 the connector assembly 20 is basically a two component assembly comprising a valve spool housing body 22 and a valve spool 24. Both components 22, 24 are preferably one piece mouldings formed from a suitable plastics material, such as a polyolefin.

The housing body 22 is shown in Figure 2 mounted on a fluid tight bag 12 which is housed within a surrounding box 14. The bag 12 is typically made from a flexible fluid impermeable material such as a suitable plastics film and the box is typically made from a relatively rigid material such as a suitable cardboard.

In use the bag 12 of a new package 10 as supplied to a consumer will contain a fluid, such as a syrup, a beverage, wine or other fluid, and the consumer will connect a dispenser 30 to the connector assembly 20 in order to access the fluid contained within the bag 12. Once the bag 12 has been emptied, the empty package 10 will be disposed of as waste.

An advantage of the connector assembly 20 of the preferred embodiment is that it is constructed entirely of plastics material (i.e. it does not include any metallic component parts), and so is of a simpler construction than conventional connector assemblies. As a result the connector assembly of the invention is easier to assemble, and so cheaper to manufacture, than a conventional connector assembly.

The construction of the connector assembly 20 will now be described in greater detail with reference to Figures 3 to 7.

The housing body 22 includes a main sleeve-like cylindrical wall 25 which is stepped to define a centrally located bore 32 that extends through the body 22 from axial end 22a to the opposite axial end 22b. The bore 32 is stepped having a relatively wide longitudinal bore portion 32a defined by the relatively wider wall portion 25a of wall 25 and a relatively narrow longitudinal bore portion 32b defined by the relatively narrower wall portion 25b of wall 25.

The relatively wider and narrower wall portions 25a and 25b are joined by a radially extending wall portion 27.

Surrounding the wall portion 25a is an outer sleeve-like cylindrical wall 26. The outer wall 26 is joined to the wall 25 in the region of the junction between wall portion 27 and wall portion 25b and so is spaced outwardly from the wall portion 25a and extends axially therealong to axial end 22a of the body 22. The wall portion 25a, outer wall 26 and wall portion 27 define therebetween an annular fluid plenum chamber 28 which has an annular open mouth defining a fluid inlet 29 located at the axial end 22a of the body 22.

Located adjacent to axial end 22a, the wall portion 25b is preferably provided with an inwardly projecting annular bead 33; the purpose of bead 33 will be described below.

A pair of diametrically opposed fluid ports defined by apertures 36 passing through the wall portion 25a are provided in order to define fluid communication between the plenum chamber 28 and the interior of the bore portion 32b.

At axial end 22a the outer wall 26 is provided with an outwardly extending peripheral mounting flange 38. In use the flange 38 is secured to a bag 12 by suitable bonding techniques (e.g. adhesive and/or fusion) in order to mount the connector assembly 20 to the bag.

In the first embodiment 20, the outer wall 26 and flange 38 collectively define a mounting means by which the connector hosing is directly mounted onto the bag 12.

Preferably, as illustrated, the outer wall 26 is also provided with peripheral flanges 39 spaced apart along the wall 26; these serve to provide strength to the wall 26 and thereby enable the wall 26 to have a relatively thinner wall thickness.

Adjacent to end 22b of the housing body 22 the wall portion 25b is provided with an external screw thread formation 21 for use in attaching a dispenser to the connector assembly 20 as described below.

As seen more clearly in Figures 4 and 5 the valve spool 24 is in the form of a sleeve-like cylindrical body 40 having a central bore 41 which is closed off at one axial end by an end wall 42. The body 40 is open ended at axial end 40a to define an open mouth 40b for access to the bore 41. The body has a first relatively narrow longitudinal portion 44 and a second relatively wider longitudinal portion 45.

At axial end 40a the body 40 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed drive recesses 48 intended to be engaged by the dispenser for causing rotation of the spool 24 during connection of the dispenser to the connector assembly. This is described in more detail below. In use, the valve spool 24 is rotatably supported within the bore 32 of the housing body 22 with portion 44 being located within portion 32b of bore 32 and portion 45 located within portion 32a of bore 32.

The outer diameter of the cylindrical body in the region of bore portion 44 is substantially the same as the internal diameter of bore portion 32b such that the body 40 is sealingly rotatably received in the bore portion 32b.

The body 40 is also provided with a tubular extension 4Od which extends axially beyond the end wall 42. A pair of external axially spaced circumferentially extending grooves 51 , 52 are provided on the tubular extension 4Od. These grooves are shaped and dimensioned to accommodate the bead 33 whilst permitting rotation of the spool 24 within the bore 32.

On assembly of the connector assembly 20, the spool 24 is introduced, tubular extension 40d first, into the bore 32 at end 22a of the housing body 22. The resilience of the plastics from which the housing body 22 and spool 24 are formed enables the terminal end 40b of the spool to pass by the bead 33. Continued insertion moves the groove 51 into registry with the bead 33 and at this point of insertion the bead enters the groove 33 to resist further axial insertion of the spool. At this axial location (the 'pre-fill') location of the spool 24 the terminal end 40b does not project beyond the end 22a of the housing body 22.

In this condition of assembly, the spool 24 is simply held captive in the housing body 22 and can simply be removed by withdrawal of the spool from the body 22. This is a useful feature as it enables a bag and connector assembly to be manufactured and stored at one location (with the bag empty of fluid) and then be supplied in bulk to another location whereat the bags can be filled with a desired fluid through the housing body bore 32

(after withdrawal of the spool 24) prior to distribution of the filled bag to the eventual customer for consumption of the fluid.

After the bag has been filled with a desired fluid, the spool 24 is re-inserted into the bore 32 of the housing body 22 and insertion is continued until the bead 33 is accommodated into the second groove 52. In this axial position (the 'operating' axial position) of the spool 24, its terminal end 40b projects beyond the axial end 22a of the housing body, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. The spool 24 is provided with a pair of fluid ports in the form of apertures 46. The apertures 46 are axially aligned with the apertures 36 when the bead 33 is located in the groove 52 and are brought into registry with the apertures 36 by rotation of the spool 24 within bore 32.

When the apertures 36, 46 are in registry with one another (i.e. an 'on¹ rotary position of the spool) fluid is able to flow from the bag into the fluid inlet 29 defined by the mouth of the plenum chamber 28 and then from the plenum chamber 28 into bore 41 of the spool 24 via apertures 36, 46. This condition is illustrated in Figure 7.

When the spool 24 is at a rotary position whereat the apertures 36, 46 are not in registry (i.e. an 'off' rotary position of the spool) fluid is prevented from flowing into the bore 41 from the plenum chamber 28. Also fluid cannot flow into the bore 32 since the end wall 42 of the spool 24 is closed and so the spool 24 effectively acts as a plug to stop fluid flow along bore 32. This condition is illustrated in Figure 6.

Another embodiment of the invention (not shown) may include a valve spool housing body that differs from the aforementioned housing body 22 in that it has an end wall at axial end 22a which acts to close off the bore 32 within the housing body. The end wall may include a first aperture which is spaced from the centre of the end wall.

The other embodiment may also include a valve spool that differs from the aforementioned valve spool 24 in so far as the end wall 42 that includes a second aperture which is aliignable with the first aperture on suitable rotational orientation of the spool 24 relative to the housing body 22.

When the first and second apertures are in registry with one another (i.e. an 'on' rotary position of the spool) fluid is able to flow from a bag into a fluid inlet of a corresponding plenum chamber of the housing body, and then from the plenum chamber into a bore of the spool via the first and second apertures.

When the spool is at a rotary position in which the first and second apertures are not in registry (i.e. an 'off' rotary position of the spool) fluid is prevented from flowing into the bore since the end wall of the housing body and the end wall of the spool cooperate with one another to close the aforementioned fluid path between the housing body and the spool. Accordingly, in each of the foregoing embodiments, after filling of the bag and reinsertion of the spool 24 into the housing body 22 to its operating axial position, the rotary position of the spool 24 is set to an off position in order to prevent fluid escaping from the bag.

In order to provide a positive location for a desired off position of the spool 24, cooperating rotary limit stop means are preferably provided. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 to 5 the co-operating limit stop means preferably comprise a pair of diametrically opposed lugs 61 formed on the external face of the spool body each of which is located in a respective axially outwardly facing, part circumferentially extending, recess 62 formed adjacent end 22b of the housing body 22. Each recess 62 has a first end wall 63 against which a respective lug 61 abuts to position the spool 24 at a desired off rotary position and an opposed second end wall 64 against which a respective lug 61 abuts to position the spool at the on rotary position.

Preferably associated with each end wall 63, 64 there is a small projection 65 which projects axially from the bottom of the recess 62. The projections 65 are spaced adjacent to their associated end wall and serve to co-operate with the lugs 61 to restrain rotary movement of the spool away from the associated end wall.

Preferably the lugs 61 and end walls 63 co-operate to locate the spool 24 at a rotary off position whereat the angular displacement between the apertures 36 and 46 is about 90 degrees. This condition is illustrated in Figure 6.

A dispenser 30 is also illustrated in Figure 6. The dispenser 30 is shown axially inserted into the connector assembly 20 in readiness for connection thereto.

The dispenser is of a standard conventional construction and includes an internally screw threaded cap member 72 which is rotably mounted on a fluid line valve body 74. Internally of the cap 72 there is provided a screw thread formation 76 and a pair of diametrically opposed, axially projecting rotary drive lugs 78.

Internally of the valve body 74 there is provided a poppet valve 80 which includes a valve element 82 that is axially biased by a spring 84 into sealing engagement with a valve seat 86 surrounding a fluid inlet 88. The valve body 74 also includes a fluid outlet 90 in the form of a mounting tube 91 upon which a fluid dispensing pipe is connected in use for conveying fluid away from the dispenser to a desired location for consumption.

The dispenser 30 is connected to the connector assembly 20 by a two stage operation, i.e.:

Stage 1 : the valve body 74 is axially inserted through mouth 40b into the bore 41 of the spool valve 24 and the cap member 72 is rotated, if necessary, to align the drive iugs 78 with the drive recesses 48. When these are aligned, the valve body 74 is further inserted into the spool body 24 until the lugs 78 enter their respective recesses 48 and the screw thread formations 21 , 76 axially abut; and

Stage 2: after stage 1 , the cap member 72 is rotated the cause the screw thread formations 21 , 76 to threadingly engage. Such rotation of the cap member 72 causes the valve spool 24 to be rotated due the drive inter-engagement between the lugs 78 and accommodating recesses 48. The degree of rotation required for the cap member to be fully screw threadingly engaged on the housing body 22 is chosen to correspond to the rotary displacement required to move the spool valve 24 from its rotary 'off' position to its rotary On' position whereat apertures 36, 46 are in registry.

The valve spool 24 is provided with a poppet valve actuating projection 94 which projects axially along the bore 41 from wall 42. During the second stage of the connection operation, the rotary movement of the cap member 72 also causes the cap member to move axially toward the spool body 24 and so causes the valve body 74 to be further inserted axially along the bore 41. This additional axial movement of the valve body 74 opens the fluid inlet 88 by causing the valve element 82 to engage the terminal end of projection 94 and cause it to be moved axially away from its seat 86 against the bias of spring 84.

Disconnection of the dispenser 30 from the connector assembly 20 is undertaken by reversing the steps of the two stage connection process, i.e. the cap member is rotated to a rotary position whereat the screw thread formations are disengaged and the dispenser is then axially withdrawn from the connector assembly.

It will be appreciated that with the arrangement according to the present invention, the dispenser can only be removed from the connector assembly after the valve spool has been moved to its desired off position and so ensures closure of the valve spool before removal of the dispenser. In other words, the dispenser connection and disconnection process automatically opens and closes the valve spool 24 and ensures that the valve spool is located at its desired off rotary position whenever the dispenser is not connected to the connector assembly.

Accordingly the connector assembly of the invention provides the same convenience and failsafe functionality as a conventional "self-closing", spring-operated, connector assembly, while having a substantially simpler construction.

A connector assembly 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 8 to 14.

The connector assembly 100 is of the same basic construction as connector assembly 20 and in Figures 8 to 15 parts in assembly 100 similar to those in connector assembly 20 are designated by the same reference numerals.

Accordingly connector assembly 100 operates in a similar manner to connector assembly 20 for connection/disconnection of the dispenser 30. In this respect dispenser 30 is connected to the connector assembly 100 following the same two stage procedure as with connector assembly 20; in particular rotation of the cap member 72 drives the valve spool 24 between its open and its desired closed position and the dispenser cannot be removed without causing the valve spool 24 residing in its off position.

Functionally the connector assembly 100 differs from the connector assembly 20 in the following main respects, i.e. (i) the valve spool is adapted to include an axially movable piercing member 140, and (ii) the spool housing 22 is adapted to be indirectly mounted on a bag via a separate mounting boss rather than being adapted to be directly mounted on the bag.

In assembly 100, the wall 25 includes an additional tubular wall portion 25c that projects axially from wall portion 25b. The wall portion 25c is relatively narrower than wall portion 25b and is joined to wall portion 25b by a radially extending wall portion 27a. The terminal axial end of wall portion 25c defines the axial end 22a of the housing body 22.

The wall portion 25c also defines a further bore portion 32c for bore 32; the open mouth of bore portion 32c at axial end 22a defines the fluid inlet 29. The housing body 22 in assembly 100 includes a pair of diametrically opposed fluid passageways 130 which provide a fluid pathway between bore portions 32c and 32b when the spool valve 24 is inserted into the bore 32.

Each passageway 130 is formed by wall portions 131 integrally moulded with the remainder of wall 25 to form open bottomed channels. The open bottoms of the channels in the region of wall portion 25a correspond to the apertures 36 in assembly 20 and serve the purpose of allowing fluid flow into bore 44 of the valve spool 24 when apertures 26 are in registry therewith.

In the assembly 100 the tubular extension 4Od of the valve spool 24 is adapted to include a piercing member 140. The piercing member 140 has a tubular body 141 which defines the terminal end portion of tubular extension 4Od and has a terminal axial end which is preferably defined by a series of teeth 142. The teeth 142 are capable of piercing a plastics film or metal foil, as typically employed in aseptic packaging, when axially moved in a transverse direction relative to the film or foil.

The axial end face of tubular body 141 opposite to its terminal end is shaped to define a cam follower formation 147. As seen more clearly in Figures 14a to 14c the cam follower formation 147 includes a pair of part circumferential Iy extending helical end faces 148.

The end faces 148 are diametrically opposed and each extends halfway about the circumference of the tubular body 141. Located between neighbouring ends of the faces 148 is an axially extending face 150. A circumferentially extending recess 151 is defined between each face 150 and the opposed end face 148.

The body 141 and wall portion 25c are provided with one or more co-operating guide formations 160 which interact with one another to prevent relative rotary displacement of the piecing member 140 within the bore portion 32c but permit relative axial displacement of the piercing member 140 along the bore portion 32c.

In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of diametrically opposed guide formations 160 are provided and each comprise an axially extending guide channel 164 formed on the internal wall face of wall portion 25c and a projection 166 on the body 141 which is received in the channel 164. Located between the end wall 42 and the piercing member 140 the tubular extension 4Od further includes a tubular mounting body 152 which serves to mount the piercing member 140 on end wall 42 (in particular for the purpose of assembling the connector assembly 100), and also serves during the dispenser connection process as a drive cam for causing the piercing member 140 to be advanced axially out of bore portion 32c and beyond axial end 22a.

The terminal end of the tubular mounting body 152 is shaped to define a drive cam formation 170 which during the dispenser connection process serves to act upon the cam follower formation 147 to cause axial displacement of the piercing member 140.

In the illustrated embodiment the cam formation 170 is defined by a pair of part circumferentially extending helical end faces 172 each of which is arranged to be mutually opposed to one of the helical end faces 148. The opposed end faces 172, 148 are spaced axially apart and are joined together at discrete circumferential locations by a series of frangible connection elements in the form of fingers 176.

The fingers 176 are integrally moulded with the piercing member 140 and tubular mounting body 152 and are each provided with a line of weakness at the juncture of the fingers and the end faces 148 such that when the valve spool 24 is caused to rotate during the dispenser connection process, the fingers 176 shear at the line of weakness creating free terminal ends 177 of the fingers which on rotation of the spool 24 slide in a circumferential direction along faces 148 to act as drive cam faces.

The axial displacement process of the piercing member 140 is shown diagrammatically in Figures 14a to 14c. In Figure 14a the piercing member 140 is shown as being attached to the tubular body 152, i.e. fingers 176 are joined to the faces 148. This is the condition of the valve spool immediately prior to commencement of Stage 2 of the dispenser connection process.

In Figure 14b, Stage 2 of the dispenser connection process has been initiated, i.e. the valve spool 24 has started to be rotated since it is being rotatably driven by the cap member 72. The piercing member 140 cannot rotate as it is prevented from doing so by the guide formations 160. Accordingly a torque force is applied to the fingers 176 and this causes them to shear from faces 148 and leave them free to move over faces 148. In Figure 14b, the fingers have sheared free and the tubular body 152 has rotated slightly relative to the piercing member 140.

In Figure 14c, Stage 2 of the dispenser connection process has been completed. In this condition, the valve spool 24 has been rotated to its 'on' position and the piercing member 140 has been axially extended to its maximum extent (see also Figure 13).

The terminal end of tubular body 152 defines a pair of recesses 180 similar to recesses 151. As seen in Figure 14c, axially facing recesses 151 and 180 collectively define a window or aperture 182 which permits flow of fluid from the interior of bore portion 32c to the passageways 130 for delivery to the interior bore 41 of the valve spool 24.

Preferably the outer diameter of the piercing member body 141 is such as to provide an interference fit inside bore portion 32c such that after completion of the dispenser connection process, the piercing member is axially restrained with the bore portion 32c.

In use, the connector assembly 100 is intended to be indirectly mounted on a mounting boss 200 (Figure 15a, 15b). The mounting boss 200 is in the form of a cylindrical body 202 having a centrally located through bore 204. The body 202 includes at one axial end a radially outwardly projecting peripheral mounting flange 205. In use, the mounting body 202 is secured to a bag 12 by securing the flange 205 to the bag wall by suitable fixing means such as adhesive or welding.

The body 202 is moulded in one piece from a suitable plastics material such as a polyolefin.

To attach the connector assembly 100 to the mounting body 202 the wall portion 25c of the spool housing is inserted into bore 204. The wall portion 25c of the housing body 22 has an outer diameter which provides a sealing fit with the bore 204. Co-operating lock formations are preferably provided to prevent axial withdrawal of the housing from the mounting body 202; preferably the co-operating lock formations are in the form of a circumferentially extending rib 208 on wall portion 25c and a circumferentially extending channel 209 formed wall of bore 204.

Prior to attachment of the mounting boss 200 to a bag 12, the bore 204 is preferably sealed by layers of suitable material, such as plastics film or metal foil. This arrangement is illustrated in Figures 15a, 15b wherein a first and second layers 210, 212 of sealing material are shown attached to respective opposite axial ends of the body 202 to seal off the interior of the bore 204. With this arrangement it is possible to sterilise the bore 204 and maintain its sterilised state until use.

With this arrangement the mounting boss 200 is secured to the bag 12 after the bag has been filled and with the layer 212 in place. When the housing body is to be attached, the layer 210 is removed and wall portion 25c of the housing is inserted into the bore 204.

Subsequently when a dispenser is connected, the piercing member 140 is axially advanced to pierce through the layer 212 and wall of bag 12 to provide fluid communication with the interior of the bag.

A connector assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 300 (see Figures 16 to 19).

The third connector assembly 300 is of the same basic construction as the first and second connector assemblies 20; 100, and like features are designated by the same reference numerals.

The third connector assembly 300 operates in a similar manner to the first and second connector assemblies 20; 100 for connection/disconnection of the dispenser 30. In this respect dispenser 30 is connected to the third connector assembly 300 following the same two stage procedure as with the first and second connector assemblies 20; 100, i.e. rotation of the cap member 72 drives the valve spool 24 between its open and its desired closed position and the dispenser 30 cannot be removed without causing the valve spool 24 to reside in its off position.

Functionally the third connector assembly 300 is similar to the second connector assembly in that the spool housing 22 is adapted to be indirectly mounted on a bag via a separate mounting boss 200. However, the third connector assembly 300 differs from the second connector assembly 100 in that the axially movable piercing member 140 is formed by a part of the spool housing 22.

As shown in Figures 16(a) and 16(b), the spool housing 22 is integrally moulded to include the piercing member 140. The piercing member 140 is frangibly coupled within the internal bore 32 of the spool housing 22. The piercing member 140 has a tubular body 141 which has a terminal axial end that is defined by a series of teeth 142. The teeth 142 are capable of piercing a plastics film or metal foil, as typically employed in aseptic packaging, when axially moved in a transverse direction relative to the film or foil.

The tubular body 141 and internal bore 32 include mutually cooperable formations to prevent rotation of the piercing member 140 within the bore 32.

In the embodiment shown the tubular body 141 includes a pair of axially opposed female guide formations 302 while the bore 32 includes a pair of axially opposed male guide formations 304 (only one male guide formation shown in Figure 16(a)). In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the tubular body 141 and bore 32 may include fewer or more mutually cooperable formations, and/or different mutually cooperable formations.

The tubular body 141 also includes a pair of opposed cam follower formations 306 lying in a hollow internal cavity 308 thereof. In the embodiment shown each cam follower formation 306 is a helical formation, although other formations are also possible.

The internal bore 32 of the spool housing 32 includes a pair of diametrically opposed sealing formations 310, each of which extends inwards from the wall of the bore 32 (only one sealing formation is shown in Figure 16(a)).

The valve spool 24 of the third connector assembly 300 is shown in Figures 17(a) to 17(C).

The cylindrical body 40 of the valve spool 24 includes an engagement formation 312 in the form of a pair of axially opposed fingers 314. Each finger 314 defines a drive formation 316 in the form of a cam drive formation 318. A distal end of each finger 314 includes a retention formation 320 in the form of a bead 322

The body 40 of the valve spool 24 includes first and second fluid conduits 324, 326 arranged in fluid communication between the aperture 46 in the valve spool 24 and the valve spool bore 41. The valve spool bore 41 includes a projection formation 328 in the floor thereof to prevent either of the fluid conduits 324, 326 becoming obscured. In use the valve spool 24 is inserted into the spool housing 22. On such insertion the fingers 314 of the valve spool 24 engage with the piercing member 140 to separate the piercing member 140 from the spool housing 22. Further insertion of the valve spool 24 drives the piercing member 140 along the internal bore 32 of the spool housing 22.

The male and female guide formations 304, 306 prevent rotation of the piercing member 140 within the spool housing 22, and so the abutting cam follower and cam drive formations 306, 318 cause the valve spool 24 to rotate within the spool housing 22 and it is inserted into the spool housing 22.

When the valve spool 24 is fully inserted in the spool housing 22 the piercing member 140 lies adjacent to the open mouth of bore portion 32c, and the apertures 46 in the valve spool 24 are arranged to lie in registry with the corresponding sealing formation 310 of the spool housing 22 such that fluid is prevented from flowing into the bore 41 of the valve spool 24, i.e. the valve spool 24 is arranged in its 'off' rotary position.

The bead 322 at the end of each finger 314 of the valve spool 24 engages with the piercing member 140 to retain the piercing member 140 relative to the valve spool 24.

The valve spool 24 and piercing member 140 lie in the aforementioned arrangement immediately prior to commencement of Stage 2 of the dispenser connection process.

On initiation of Stage 2 of the dispenser connection process the valve spool 24 is rotated by cap member 72. The piercing member 140 cannot rotate within the internal bore 32 (because of the male and female guide formations 302, 304), and so the cam drive formation 318 acts on the cam follower formation 306 to axially extend the piercing member 140 relative to the spool housing 22, as shown in Figures 19a and 19b.

Axial extension of the piercing member 140 causes it to puncture the layer 212 associated with a corresponding mounting boss 200 (not shown in Figures 16 to 19)

Rotation of the valve spool 24 also causes the apertures 46 therein to move out of sealing engagement with the corresponding sealing formation 310 of the spool housing 22 and into an exposed position within the internal bore 32 of the spool housing 22.

Accordingly the valve spool 24 is arranged in its 'on' rotary position, and fluid is able to flow from within the internal bore 32 of the spool housing 22 to the bore 41 of the valve spool 24 (and hence out through the dispenser 30) via the first and second fluid conduits 324, 326.

As with the first and second connector assemblies 20; 100, removal of the dispenser 30 causes the valve spool 24 to rotate back into its 'off' position.

In the above embodiments the dispenser 30 is fixedly attached/detached to/from the spool housing body by co-operating connection means in the form of screw thread formations 21 , 76 which are engaged and disengaged by relative rotation. It is envisaged that similar co-operating connection means other than screw thread formations may be used, for example a bayonet type arrangement.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A connector assembly for supplying fluid from a fluid supply to a dispenser which is detachably connectable to the connector assembly, the connector assembly including a valve spool housing body adapted for being fixedly connected to the fluid supply and a valve spool rotatably housed in the housing body for rotation between first and second rotary positions, the connector assembly having a fluid inlet for receiving fluid from the fluid supply, a fluid outlet for supplying fluid to the dispenser and a fluid flow path providing fluid communication between said inlet and outlet, fluid flow along said path being controlled by said spool such that in said first rotary position of the spool fluid is able to flow along said path and in said second rotary position of the spool fluid is prevented from flowing along said path, the housing body having dispenser connection means which are co-operable with co-operating connection means on the dispenser to detachably secure the dispenser to the housing body, the dispenser connection means and the co-operating connection means being moved into engagement and disengagement by rotation of the dispenser relative to the housing body, the spool being provided with rotary drive means engagable with the dispenser to cause the spool to rotate to its first or second position when the dispenser is rotated to cause engagement or disengagement between said dispenser connection means and said co-operating connection means.

2. A connector assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the housing body includes a cylindrical bore passing therethrough, the valve spool being sealingly housed in the bore for rotation about the axis of the bore between said first and second rotary positions.

3. A connector assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the bore is open ended at both axial ends, a first axial end of the bore being in fluid communication with the fluid supply, the valve spool being arranged to act as a plug to prevent flow of fluid directly along the bore from one of said open ends to the other of said opens at any rotary position of the valve spool within the bore.

4. A connector assembly according to Claim 3 wherein the housing body includes one or more fluid ports formed in the bore wall surrounding said cylindrical bore, said one or more fluid ports being in fluid communication with said fluid inlet, said valve spool having a fluid passageway passing therethrough which communicates with said outlet of the connector assembly, the valve spool including one or more co-operating fluid ports formed therein which at said one rotary position are in register with said one or more ports in the bore wall to permit fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet and which at said second rotary position are not in register with said one or more ports in the bore wall to prevent flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet.

5. A connector assembly according to any of Claims 3 or 4 wherein the valve spool is formed by a cylindrical sleeve shaped body having an internal cylindrical bore closed at one axial end by an end wall, said cylindrical bore defining said fluid passage way and forming the outlet for the spool assembly.

6. A connector assembly according to Claim 5 wherein the valve spool includes a piercing member axially extending beyond said end wall, the piercing member being caused to move axially away from the end wall when the valve spool is rotated from its second to its first rotary position.

7. A connector assembly according to Claim 6 wherein the piercing member forms part of a tubular extension projecting from said end wall.

8. A connector assembly according to Claim 3 wherein the the valve spool has a fluid conduit passing therethrough which communicates with said outlet of the connector assembly, the valve spool including one or more co-operating fluid ports formed therein which at said one rotary position are in fluid communication with the fluid inlet to permit fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet and which at said second rotary position are not in fluid communication with said fluid inlet to prevent flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet.

9. A connector assembly according to Claim 8 wherein the spool housing includes a piercing member moveably received therein, the piercing member abutting the valve spool and being caused to extend from the spool housing when the valve spool is rotated from its second to its first rotary position.

10. A connector assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said rotary drive means are defined by one or more axially facing recesses and/or lugs formed on the sleeve shaped body which are arranged to engage with co-operating one or more lugs and/or recesses formed on the dispenser when the dispenser is moved axially toward the connector assembly, subsequent rotation of the dispenser relative to the housing body causing the valve spool to rotate within said bore of the housing body.

11. A connector assembly according to Claim 4 wherein the one or more fluid ports in the bore wall communicate with said inlet of the connector assembly via an annular plenum chamber formed in said housing body. .

12. A connector assembly according to Claim 11 wherein the plenum chamber has an annular open mouth adjacent said one axial end of the bore, said annular mouth defining said fluid inlet for the connector assembly.

13. A connector assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the housing body and valve spool include co-operating limit stops which act to position the spool at said first and second rotary positions.

14. A connector assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the housing body is formed as a one piece plastics moulding.

15. A connector assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the valve spool is formed as a one piece plastics moulding.

16. A connector assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.

17. In combination, a fluid container and a connector assembly according to any preceding claim.

18. A fluid container containing fluid and a connector assembly according to any of one of Claims 1 to 14 mounted on the container for dispensing fluid from the container.