Bag in box cleanable connector system having conical plunger

摘要

The system and method discloses a cleanable connector system for a Bag-In-Box (“BIB”) type package having a valve arrangement that prevents the mixing of product within the bag and in the line. Various embodiments provide a connector system including a valve arrangement having a line-side valve and a bag-side valve, wherein the valve arrangement allows connection to a bag and to a line-side connector while preventing the product within the bag and in the line from mixing. The system improves the user experience by only requiring a relatively weak connection force between the line-side valve and the bag-side valve. The system and method improves the shelf life of products within the bag and reduces the risk of contamination of the bag, the line, and the product within the bag by minimizing the risk of introducing biological and other foreign material into the system when connecting the bag and the line.

主权项

1. A dispensable product line connector, comprising:
a body member having at least one engagement structure, wherein the engagement structure is configured to engage a bag-side connector; a valve formed within the body member, the valve including:
a cylindrical member having an opening formed in an end of the cylindrical member;a plunger disposed within the cylindrical member, wherein the plunger includes a substantially cylindrical shape portion and a substantially conical shape portion; anda resilient member in communication with the plunger, wherein the resilient member maintains the substantially cylindrical shape portion of the plunger adjacent the opening in the cylindrical member; and a vacuum line formed within the body member, wherein the substantially conical shape portion of the plunger abuts with and forms a first seal at an opening located at an end of the vacuum line at an interface with the cylindrical member when the plunger is in a closed position, and wherein the substantially cylindrical shape portion of the plunger abuts with and forms a second seal at the opening formed in the end of the cylindrical member.