Self Sealing Bag In Box Cap Assembly

Abstract

A cap assembly comprising a body, a sealing membrane and a retaining ring. An opening is provided through the body and includes a recessed circumferential channel and a membrane engaging flange positioned proximate the recessed circumferential channel. The sealing membrane covers the opening and includes a body engaging flange and a pierceable surface. The retaining ring is positioned with the sealing membrane engagement surface in overlying engagement with the sealing membrane. Extension of the tab into the recessed circumferential channel of the body releasably maintains the overlying engagement and biases the retaining ring against the membrane. The inner wall structure of the retaining ring extends radially inward beyond the membrane engaging flange of the sealing membrane, to, in turn, protect the membrane.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cap assembly comprising:
 a body having a top surface and a bottom surface, a spout engagement channel on the bottom surface thereof and an opening extending therethrough, the opening including a recessed circumferential channel and a membrane engaging flange positioned proximate the recessed circumferential channel;   a sealing membrane covering the opening and including a body engaging flange and a pierceable surface, the sealing membrane positioned upon the membrane engaging flange so that the body engaging flange and the membrane engaging flange are in overlying engagement; and   a retaining ring including a tab, a sealing membrane engagement surface and an inner wall structure opposite the sealing membrane engagement surface, the retaining ring positioned with the sealing membrane engagement surface in overlying engagement with the sealing membrane, whereupon extension of the tab into the recessed circumferential channel of the body releasably maintains said overlying engagement and biases the retaining ring against the membrane, and wherein the inner wall structure of the retaining ring extends radially inward beyond the membrane engaging flange of the sealing membrane.   
     
     
         2 . The cap assembly of  claim 1  further including a cap which is removably coupled to the body, the cap precluding access to the opening and the sealing membrane when the cap assembly is in operable engagement with a bag. 
     
     
         3 . The cap assembly of  claim 1  wherein the inner wall structure of the retaining ring includes an inwardly sloped surface. 
     
     
         4 . The cap assembly of  claim 3  wherein the inwardly sloped surface is inclined at an acute angle. 
     
     
         5 . The cap assembly of  claim 1  wherein the recessed circumferential groove is spaced apart from a top surface of the cap. 
     
     
         6 . The cap assembly of  claim 1  wherein the opening further includes an upper inwardly sloping wall portion positioned above the recessed circumferential channel. 
     
     
         7 . The cap assembly of  claim 6  wherein the opening further includes a lower inwardly sloping wall portion positioned below the membrane.