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EP-4741310-A2 - FLUID TRANSFER FITMENT, FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE, AND RELATED METHODS

EP4741310A2EP 4741310 A2EP4741310 A2EP 4741310A2EP-4741310-A2

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to fluid transfer fitments or devices, fluid dispensing devices including such fitments or devices, and methods for their construction and use. In one embodiment, the invention provides a fluid transfer fitment comprising: a tubular body having a sealed first end and a second end; a flanged member extending from the second end of the tubular body to form a flanged opening having a width greater than a width of the tubular body; a void formed between the flanged opening and the sealed first end; and a membrane within the void.

Inventors

  • HOVER, Jeffery Bruce
  • SERVIN, Sergio Medina

Assignees

  • Hovina Inc.
  • Hover, Jeffery Bruce

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20220603

Claims (15)

  1. A fluid transfer fitment (100) having: a tubular body (10) having a sealed first end (12), a second end (14) and an outer surface (16); a flanged member (20) extending from the second end of the tubular body to form a flanged opening (28) having a width greater than a width of the tubular body; a void (60) formed between the flanged opening and the sealed first end; a membrane (50) within the void; and a projection (96) extending medially inward from an inner surface (18) of the tubular body (10) and arranged in the void (60).
  2. The fluid transfer fitment of claim 1, wherein the sealed first end (12) includes: a frangible cap (30) at the first end of the tubular body (10).
  3. The fluid transfer fitment of claim 1, wherein: the frangible cap (30) includes a plurality of wings (36) extending radially therefrom; and the frangible cap is removable from the first end (12) of the tubular body (10) by exerting upon the plurality of wings a twisting force about a longitudinal axis of the tubular body.
  4. The fluid transfer fitment of claim 1, further comprising: at least one columnar member (40) extending radially outward from the outer surface (16) of the tubular body (10) and axially from an outer surface of the flanged member (20).
  5. The fluid transfer fitment of claim 1, wherein the projection (96) comprises: a proximal surface (92) having a first length (L 1 ); and a distal surface (94) having a second length less than the first length (L 2 ), wherein the proximal surface is located nearer the membrane (50) than is the distal surface and the distal surface is located nearer the sealed first end (12) than is the proximal surface.
  6. The fluid transfer fitment of claim 1, wherein the membrane (50) has a thickness from 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm.
  7. A fluid dispensing device comprising: a vessel (200) having a neck (220); a fluid transfer fitment (100) having: a tubular body (10) having a sealed first end (12), a second end (14) and an outer surface (16); a flanged member (20) extending from the second end of the tubular body to form a flanged opening (28) having a width greater than a width of the tubular body; a void (60) formed between the flanged opening and the sealed first end; a membrane (50) within the void; and a projection (96) extending medially inward from an inner surface (18) of the tubular body (10) and arranged in the void (60); wherein the neck (220) of the vessel (200) is sealed to the outer surface (16) of the tubular body (10) of the fluid transfer fitment (100).
  8. The fluid transfer fitment of claim 7, wherein the sealed first end (12) includes: a frangible cap (30) at the first end of the tubular body (10).
  9. The fluid dispensing device of claim 8, wherein: the frangible cap (30) includes a plurality of wings (36) extending radially therefrom; and the frangible cap is removable from the first end (12) of the tubular body (10) by exerting upon the plurality of wings a twisting force about a longitudinal axis of the tubular body.
  10. The fluid dispensing device of claim 7, further comprising: at least one columnar member (40) extending radially outward from the outer surface (16) of the tubular body (10) and axially from an outer surface of the flanged member (20).
  11. The fluid dispensing device of claim 7, wherein the projection (96) comprises: a proximal surface (92) having a first length (L 1 ); and a distal surface (94) having a second length less than the first length (L 2 ), wherein the proximal surface is located nearer the membrane (50) than is the distal surface and the distal surface is located nearer the sealed first end (12) than is the proximal surface.
  12. The fluid dispensing device of claim 7, wherein the membrane (50) has a thickness from 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm.
  13. A method of constructing a fluid dispensing device, the method comprising: obtaining a fluid transfer fitment (100) according to claim 1; inserting the flanged opening (28) of the fluid transfer fitment into a neck (220) of a vessel (200); and sealing the neck (220) of the vessel (200) to the outer surface (16) of the tubular body (10) of the fluid transfer fitment.
  14. The method of claim 13, wherein the sealed first end (12) includes: a frangible cap (30) at the first end of the tubular body (10).
  15. The method of claim 13, wherein the projection (96) comprises: a proximal surface (92) having a first length (L 1 ); and a distal surface (94) having a second length less than the first length (L 2 ), wherein the proximal surface is located nearer the membrane (50) than is the distal surface and the distal surface is located nearer the sealed first end (12) than is the proximal surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to co-pending US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/196,885, filed 4 June 2021, wherein is hereby incorporated herein as though fully set forth. BACKGROUND Embodiments of the invention relate generally to fluid transfer fitments or devices, fluid dispensing devices including such fitments or devices, and methods for their construction and use. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to fluid transfer fitments or devices having removable seals. SUMMARY In one embodiment, the invention provides a fluid transfer fitment comprising: a tubular body having a sealed first end and a second end; a flanged member extending from the second end of the tubular body to form a flanged opening having a width greater than a width of the tubular body; a void formed between the flanged opening and the sealed first end; and a membrane within the void. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of constructing a fluid dispensing device, the method comprising: obtaining a fluid transfer fitment comprising: a tubular body having a sealed first end and a second end; a flanged member extending from the second end of the tubular body to form a flanged opening having a width greater than a width of the tubular body; inserting the flanged opening into a neck of a vessel; and sealing the neck of the vessel to at least one outer surface of the fluid transfer fitment. In still another embodiment, the invention provides a fluid dispensing device constructed according to such a method. The present invention may provide a fluid transfer fitment comprising: a tubular body having a sealed first end and a second end;a flanged member extending from the second end of the tubular body to form a flanged opening having a width greater than a width of the tubular body;a void formed between the flanged opening and the sealed first end; anda membrane within the void. Suitably the sealed first end includes: a frangible cap at the first end of the tubular body. Suitably the frangible cap includes a plurality of wings extending radially therefrom; and the frangible cap is removable from the first end of the tubular body by exerting upon the plurality of wings a twisting force about a longitudinal axis of the tubular body. Suitably the fluid transfer fitment further comprises: at least one columnar member extending radially outward from an outer surface of the tubular body and axially from an outer surface of the flanged member. Suitably the fluid transfer fitment further comprises: a removable seal covering the flanged opening,wherein the removable seal comprises a meltable layer or a film affixed to an edge of the flanged opening. Suitably the meltable layer includes at least one material selected from a group consisting of: low density polyethylenes and ethylene vinyl acetates. Suitably the film includes at least one material selected from a group consisting of: styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), polypropylenes (PPs), thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), and synthetic rubbers. Suitably the void includes a projection extending medially inward from an inner surface of the tubular body. Suitably the projection comprises: a proximal surface having a first length; anda distal surface having a second length less than the first length,wherein the proximal surface is located nearer the membrane than is the distal surface and the distal surface is located nearer the sealed first end than tis he proximal surface. Suitably the membrane has a thickness from about 0.2 mm to about 0.3 mm. Suitably the membrane requires a force from about 15 N to about 70 N, preferably from about 30 N to about 50 N, to be pierced. Suitably the twisting force is from about 55 Ncm to about 75 Ncm, more preferably from about 60 Ncm to about 70 Ncm, and most preferably about 65 Ncm. The present invention may provide a method of constructing a fluid dispensing device, the method comprising: obtaining a fluid transfer fitment as described above;inserting the flanged opening of the fluid transfer fitment into a neck of a vessel; andsealing the neck of the vessel to at least one outer surface of the fluid transfer fitment. Suitably the method further comprises: before inserting the flanged opening into the neck of the vessel, dispensing into the vessel a quantity of at least one fluid. Suitably the fluid transfer fitment further comprises: a removable seal covering the flanged opening,wherein the removable seal comprises a meltable layer or a film affixed to an edge of the flanged opening. Suitably the method further comprises: removing the removable seal covering the flanged opening. Suitably removing the removable seal includes melting the meltable thermoplastic layer. Suitably removing the removable seal comprises peeling the film from the edge of the flanged opening. The present invention may provide a fluid dispensing device constructed according to the method described above. The pre