Can and bottle dispenser

US7152757B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Maytag Corporation · US

Inventors

• Doug Huffer · Aiken, US
• Fred Lowery · Urbandale, US
• Gary Petersen · Grinnell, US
• Keith Gausmann · Westerville, US
• Samuel Joseph Marino · Grove City, US
• Gary E. Myers · Westerville, US
• Jamison J. Float · Westerville, US
• Jay F. Perkins · Pickerington, US
• Steve Pever · Bellefontaine, US
• Robert Hayes · Lewis Center, US
• Michael T. Kopczewski · Grove City, US
• Paul Hsu · Powell, US
• Douglas G. Schaefer · Columbus, US
• Brent L. Burchfield · Dublin, US
• Jeffrey T. DeBord · Worthington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 14, 2004
• Grant date: Dec 26, 2006
• Expiry date: Aug 29, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07F11/32
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A coupling for connection of a tube comprises a coupling housing which includes a first end into which the tube is inserted, a clamping ring which is positioned in the coupling housing against a first conical surface, a sealing ring which is positioned in the coupling housing, and a return ring which is positioned in the coupling housing between the clamping ring and a second end of the housing adjacent a second conical surface that is tapered opposite to the first conical surface. The return ring is expandable and comprises a central aperture which is smaller than the external diameter of the tube. Accordingly, when the tube is pushed into the coupling housing and forced through the return ring, the return ring will expand and move along the second conical surface.