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:
Jun. 10, 2008
Filed:
Apr. 30, 2004
James M. Tuyls, Vacaville, CA (US);
Juha K. Salmela, Citrus Heights, CA (US);
Thomas R. Hecht, Winters, CA (US);
James M. Tuyls, Vacaville, CA (US);
Juha K. Salmela, Citrus Heights, CA (US);
Thomas R. Hecht, Winters, CA (US);
Automatic Bar Controls, Inc., Vacaville, CA (US);
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a nonremovable tube fitting or member for insertion into a container to access the interior of the container. In one embodiment, the fitting includes a hollow body having a proximal end and a distal end. The hollow body is partially insertable from the distal end through the opening of the container. The hollow body includes a proximal cap near the proximal end. The proximal cap is larger in size than the opening of the container. The hollow body includes a hole extending from the proximal end in a direction toward the distal end for receiving the tube through the hole. A capture member is coupled with the hollow body. The capture member is movable between an expanded position and a contracted position. The capture member in the contracted position has a lateral dimension sufficiently small to be inserted through the opening of the container. The capture member moves to the expanded position upon insertion into the container. The capture member in the expanded position protrudes outwardly from a region near the distal end of the hollow body to prevent the hollow body from being pulled out through the opening and separated from the container.