The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 06, 1998
Filed:
Oct. 31, 1996
Douglas K Stricklin, Brea, CA (US);
Chester Savage, Irvine, CA (US);
Scholle Corporation, Irvine, CA (US);
Abstract
A two-part coupling structure includes a male coupling part and a female coupling part which are mutually engageable to open fluid communication between a fluid-storage vessel and a conduit, for example. The coupling parts are disengageable from one another to discontinue fluid communication between the vessel and the conduit, and also to close communication between ambient and each of the vessel and conduit. The retention volume of fluid which is trapped between the connected male and female coupling parts and which is exposed to or lost to ambient when the coupling parts are disconnected is very small. The male coupling part is carried in a guide structure which is removably engageable with the female coupling part to guide the male coupling part into engagement. Also, the male coupling part and its guide structure define cooperating structural features which effect opening of the male coupling part in response to advancement relative to the guide structure. Consequently, the male coupling part can be opened without being connected to a female coupling part, for example, for cleaning and inspection, as well as for replacement of a sealing member.