US 12,460,725 B1
Fluid fitting couplers and coupling system
John Koniski, New York, NY (US); and John James Tarter, Henderson, NV (US)
Assigned to New AeroFarms, Inc., Ringgold, VA (US)
Filed by AeroFarms, Inc., Newark, NJ (US)
Filed on Mar. 7, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/118,392.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/318,797, filed on Mar. 11, 2022.
Int. Cl. F16L 5/02 (2006.01); B65D 81/32 (2006.01); F16J 15/3284 (2016.01); F16L 41/18 (2006.01)
CPC F16J 15/3284 (2013.01) [B65D 81/3211 (2013.01); F16L 5/025 (2013.01)] 32 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A container coupling system, comprising:
a first container including a first wall defining an inner surface and an outer surface, and a first opening formed in the first wall;
a second container including a second wall defining an inner surface and an outer surface, and a second opening formed in the second wall;
a first coupler body extending through the first opening of the first container, a first gasket positioned over the first coupler body and against the inner surface of the first wall, and a second gasket positioned over the first coupler body and against the outer surface of the first wall, the first and second gaskets form a fluid tight seal between the first coupler body and the first wall while permitting pivoting of the first coupler body relative to the first wall; and
a second coupler body extending through the second opening of the second container, a third gasket positioned over the second coupler body and against the inner surface of the second wall, and a fourth gasket positioned over the second coupler body and against the outer surface of the second wall, the third and fourth gaskets form a fluid tight seal between the second coupler body and the second wall while permitting pivoting of the second coupler body relative to the second wall;
wherein at least one of (i) the first coupler is configured to be pivoted relative to the first wall or (ii) the second coupler is configured to be pivoted relative to the second wall during engagement between the first coupler and the second coupler to overcome misalignment between the first coupler and the second coupler.