Christopher Robert Rutter, 4722 13Th Ave N, Texas City, TX 77590

6612545, Sep 2, 2003

Apr 12, 2000

09/547465

Christopher C. Rutter - Oakland CA
Lamar Spalding - Hayward CA

David S. Smith Packaging Limited

B65B 304

2511496, 141346

An improved screw-on assembly for coupling line connectors with spouts has been invented. The invention can be used with bag-in-box packaging or with a variety of other applications requiring fluid coupling. In one embodiment, threading is accomplished by mating internal threads on a line connector with flexible tabs located on the spout. Deformation of the tabs during threading provides a restorative force that stabilizes the assembly during threading. Cooperation of the deformable tabs with structures near the end of the thread provides for self-locking of the assembly. In addition, the tabs are situated on a flange, providing compatibility of the present invention with prior art line connectors.

6702337, Mar 9, 2004

Feb 26, 2002

10/083084

Christopher C. Rutter - Oakland CA
Lamar Spalding - Hayward CA

David S. Smith Packaging Ltd.

F16L 1900

285377, 285376, 285362, 285401

A spout for a flexible bag adapted to hold a liquid, the spout adapted for coupling with a connector having a rotatable spout adapter with an internal thread. The spout has a substantially cylindrical body with an outer surface, a spout opening, and a spout axis. The spout further has at least one flexible tab attached to and protruding radially distal from the outer surface of the cylindrical body of the spout. The tab has a top side that is substantially perpendicular to the spout axis, a bottom side opposing the top side, and a leading edge for engaging the thread. Additionally, the spout, has an undeformed tab length that typically deforms upon engaging the internal thread of the spout adapter.

6893000, May 17, 2005

Mar 8, 2004

10/795960

Christopher C. Rutter - Oakland CA, US
Lamar Spalding - Hayward CA, US

DS Smith Plastics Limited - London

F16L019/00

2511496, 141346

A spout for a flexible bag adapted to hold a liquid, the spout adapted for coupling with a connector having a rotatable spout adapter with an internal thread. The spout has a substantially cylindrical body with an outer surface, a spout opening, and a spout axis. The spout further has at least one flexible tab attached to and protruding radially distal from the outer surface of the cylindrical body of the spout. The tab has a top side that is substantially perpendicular to the spout axis, a bottom side opposing the top side, and a leading edge for engaging the thread. Additionally, the spout, has an undeformed tab length that typically deforms upon engaging the internal thread of the spout adapter.

2009007, Mar 19, 2009

Sep 17, 2007

11/901305

Christopher C. Rutter - Oakland CA, US

B32B 23/02
B32B 27/32
B32B 27/36
B32B 27/38
B32B 9/04
B65H 81/00

428194, 156188, 4284111, 428412, 428413, 4284735, 4284744, 428480, 428500, 428521, 428523

The present invention provides a roll of film material having: (1) a first web of film having a first planar surface and a first set of opposed lateral edges; (2) a second web of film having a second planar surface and a second set of opposed lateral edges, a portion of the second planar surface being in contact with the first planar surface but not being attached thereto, the second set of opposed lateral edges being in registration with the first set of opposed lateral edges; and (3) the first web of film and the second web of film being wound about an axis transversely disposed to the first set of opposed lateral edges to define a roll of film material.

6053360, Apr 25, 2000

Jul 1, 1998

9/108430

Christopher C. Rutter - Oakland CA

Packaging Systems, Inc. - Romeoville IL

G01F 1100

222 1

A fitment for a flexible container and method of using the same, especially suitable for use with a dispensing system having a peristaltic pump. The fitment having a generally cylindrical base assembly and an outlet port for providing access to the contents of the container, and a spout body dimensioned to attach to the base assembly to form a fluid flow path between the base assembly and spout body. A cap and barrier material may also be provided to seal the outlet port of the container and protect against contamination.

4700744, Oct 20, 1987

Mar 10, 1986

6/837776

Christopher C. Rutter - Hayward CA
Peter N. Thomsen - Hayward CA

F16L 2900

13761404

In a bag-in-box fluid dispensing system including a bag fitment sealed over an opening in the fluid bag, a normally closed valved intermediate element sealed in the bag fitment, and a normally closed valved dispenser removably coupled to the valved intermediate element, the intercoupling of the intermediate element and the valved dispenser causing the valves in each unit to open for the passage of fluid from the fluid bag, an improved intermediate element having but two components, the improved element including a housing having a long skirt for passing through the bag fitment and into the fluid bag to prevent blocking of the bag opening, a valve set formed by the deformation of a circular opening in the end of the housing, and a normally closed axially movable valve member for mating with the valve seat and having a valve spring bias provided by the deformation of a novel hemispherical resilient member latched in the bore of the housing.

4981374, Jan 1, 1991

Sep 30, 1988

7/252058

Christopher C. Rutter - Oakland CA
Robert A. Bilbrey - Orinda CA
Bruce R. Koball - Berkeley CA

Rapak, Inc. - Hayward CA

B65D 3010

383 37

A machine for automatically filling plastic bags with liquid or particulate material moves a continuous web of such bags through a number of serially positioned work stations. The bags are completely sealed when they enter the machine. As each bag passes through a slitting work station, a specially shaped opening is cut into the bag near an end of it which will become its top. When the bag proceeds to a filling work station, it is held vertically and a specially shaped fill nozzle is moved downward and rotated for entry into the bag through the slit opening. A valve is provided within the fill nozzle for controlling entry of the material into the bag. The valve and fill nozzle are cooperatively controlled by a single mechanism. The bags are transported through the various work stations by a positive toothed belt drive that preferably holds the bags flat until the filling station, wherein the belts are then moveable toward and away from each other in order to allow filling of the bag. After filling, the bag opening is then sealed.

5697410, Dec 16, 1997

Sep 13, 1995

8/528394

Christopher C. Rutter - Oakland CA
Lamar Spalding - Hayward CA

Packaging Systems, Inc. - Romeoville IL

B65B 300

141346

A spout fitment attached to a liquid filled bag, or other fluid container, of a type having a slidable dispensing valve member to receive a line connector for establishing a fluid path from an interior of the container, through a valve element in the line connector and into a service line attached to the line connector. Although the dispensing valve member is slid into the container when the line connector is inserted therein, the sliding motion does not form the container valve action. The container seal is established by a valve element within the slidable dispensing valve member that is resiliently biased to close an opening therein. The dispensing valve member thus need not be slid in the fitment when the line connector is removed from the dispensing valve member, thereby making it easier to remove and reinsert the line connector. Insertion of the line connector within the dispensing valve member causes their respective valve elements to engage each other to open and form the fluid flow path.