Title: Corrosive resistant liquid extraction apparatus
Abstract: A liquid transfer system that includes a valve and a coupler assembly of unique design for use in extracting hazardous fluids from a transport container. The system includes a novel valve and coupler assembly that is of a simple design and is uniquely constructed from a corrosive resistant plastic that is substantially impervious to most corrosive liquids.
Patent Number: 6,920,893 Issued on 07/26/2005 to Rokkjaer
| Inventors:
|
Rokkjaer; Henrik (19791 Bahama St., Northridge, CA 91324)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
193365 |
| Filed:
|
July 9, 2002 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
137/322; 137/212; 137/320; 220/293; 220/303; 222/400.7 |
| Intern'l Class: |
F16L 037/24.8; F16L 037/25.2; F16L 055/07 |
| Field of Search: |
137/212,320,321,322
220/293,303
222/400.7
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 3473556 | Oct., 1969 | Marine et al.
| |
| 3494373 | Feb., 1970 | Horak et al.
| |
| 3596810 | Aug., 1971 | Taubenheim.
| |
| 3687340 | Aug., 1972 | DeLaHunt.
| |
| 4180189 | Dec., 1979 | Zurit et al.
| |
| 4350273 | Sep., 1982 | Nezworski et al.
| |
| 4411287 | Oct., 1983 | Hyde.
| |
| 5901747 | May., 1999 | Rokkjaer.
| |
| 5944229 | Aug., 1999 | Rokkjaer.
| |
| 6196522 | Mar., 2001 | Yuen et al.
| |
Primary Examiner: Lee; Kevin
Parent Case Text
This is a Continuation In part Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/827,070
filed Apr. 4, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,340.
Claims
1. An apparatus for extracting liquids from a container comprising:
(a) a valve assembly connected to the container comprising:
(i) a valve body having a coupler receiving portion and a skirt portion, said
skirt portion having a curved guideway formed therein;
(ii) an insert sealably received within said skirt portion for rotation with
respect thereto between a first valve closed position and a second valve open position,
said insert having a central bore;
(iii) a down tube assembly connected to said valve body, said down tube assembly
including a stem portion sealably received within said central bore of said insert
said stem portion having a fluid passageway;
(b) a coupler assembly connected to said valve body for imparting rotation to
said insert, said coupler assembly comprising a body portion having a central bore;
a seal tube telescopically received within said central bore and a cap assembly
rotatably connected to said body portion, said coupler assembly having a fluid
outlet passageway in communication with said fluid passageway of said down tube
assembly; and
(c) pump means connected to said coupler for drawing liquid through said fluid
outlet passageway.
2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said insert further includes
a radially outwardly extending protuberance receivable within said curved guideway
of said skirt portion of said valve body.
3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said coupler receiving portion
of said valve body is provided with circumferentially spaced openings and in which
said coupler assembly includes circumferentially spaced blades receivable within
said circumferentially spaced openings.
4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said coupler assembly further
comprises biasing means carried within said body portion for yieldably resisting
telescopic movement of said seal tube within said central bore of said body portion.
5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said coupler assembly further
includes sealing means for sealably interconnecting said coupler assembly with
said valve assembly.
6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said coupler assembly further
includes locking means for locking said cap assembly against rotation relative
to said body portion.
7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said seal tube includes tube
sealing means for sealably interconnecting said seal tube with said down tube assembly.
8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said down tube assembly comprises
a tubular portion and a flange portion connected to said tubular portion, said
flange portion having a vent opening.
9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said coupler assembly includes
a gas inlet and in which said valve assembly includes a gas passageway in communication
with said gas inlet and in communication with said container for pressurizing the container.
10. An apparatus for extracting liquids from a container comprising:
(a) a valve assembly connected to the container comprising:
(i) a valve body having a coupler receiving portion having a plurality of circumferentially
spaced openings and a skirt portion, said skirt portion having a curved guideway
formed therein;
(ii) an insert sealably received within said skirt portion for rotation with
respect thereto between a first valve closed position and a second valve open position,
said insert having a central bore and a plurality of outwardly extending protuberances
receivable within said curved guideway;
(iii) a down tube assembly connected to said valve body, said down tube assembly
including a stem portion sealably received within said central bore of said insert
said stem portion having a fluid passageway;
(b) a coupler assembly connected to said valve body for imparting rotation to
said insert, said coupler assembly comprising a body portion having a central bore
and a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades receivable within said circumferentially
spaced openings in said coupler receiving portion of said valve body; a seal tube
telescopically received within said central bore and a cap assembly rotatably connected
to said body portion, said coupler assembly having a fluid outlet passageway in
communication with said fluid passageway of said down tube assembly; and
(c) pump means connected to said coupler for drawing liquid through said fluid
outlet passageway.
11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which said coupler assembly further
comprises biasing means disposed within said cap assembly for yieldably resisting
telescopic movement of said seal tube within said central bore of said body portion.
12. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which said coupler assembly further
includes sealing means for sealably interconnecting said coupler assembly with
said valve assembly.
13. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which said coupler assembly further
includes locking means for locking said cap assembly against rotation relative
to said body portion.
14. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which said seal tube includes tube
sealing means for sealably interconnecting said seal tube with said down tube assembly.
15. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which said down tube assembly comprises
a tubular portion and a flange portion connected to said tubular portion, said
flange portion having a vent opening.
16. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which said coupler assembly includes
a gas inlet and in which said valve assembly includes a gas passageway in communication
with said gas inlet and in communication with said container for pressurizing the container.
17. An apparatus for extracting liquids from a container comprising:
(a) a valve assembly connected to the container comprising:
(i) a valve body having a coupler receiving portion having a plurality of circumferentially
spaced openings and a skirt portion, said skirt portion having a curved guideway
formed therein;
(ii) an insert sealably received within said skirt portion for rotation with
respect thereto between a first valve closed position and a second valve open position,
said insert having a central bore and a plurality of outwardly extending protuberances
receivable within said curved guideway;
(iii) a down tube assembly connected to said valve body, said down tube assembly
including a stem portion sealably received within said central bore of said insert
said stem portion having a fluid passageway;
(b) a coupler assembly connected to said valve body for imparting rotation to
said insert, said coupler assembly having a fluid outlet passageway in communication
with said down tube assembly and comprising:
(i) a body portion having a central bore and a plurality of circumferentially
spaced blades receivable within said circumferentially spaced openings in said
coupler receiving portion of said valve body;
(ii) a seal tube telescopically received within said central bore; and
(iii) a cap assembly rotatably connected to said body portion;
(iv) sealing means for sealably interconnecting said cap assembly with said valve
assembly; and
(v) biasing means disposed within said cap assembly for yieldably resisting telescopic
movement of said seal tube within said central bore of said body portion; and
(c) pump means connected to said coupler for drawing liquid through said fluid
outlet passageway.
18. The apparatus as defined in claim 17 in which said coupler assembly further
includes locking means for locking said cap assembly against rotation relative
to said body portion.
19. The apparatus as defined in claim 18 in which said down tube assembly comprises
a tubular portion and a flange portion connected to said tubular portion, said
flange portion having a vent opening.
20. The apparatus as defined in claim 19 in which said coupler assembly includes
a gas inlet and in which said valve assembly includes a gas passageway in communication
with said gas inlet and in communication with said container for pressurizing the container.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to systems for the filling, transport,
and emptying of liquid containers More particularly, the invention concerns a novel,
corrosion resistant liquid extraction apparatus that includes a novel plastic valve
that can be removably connected to a liquid transport container. In turn, the valve
can be interconnected with a specially configured, corrosion-resistant, plastic
coupler that operates the valve in a manner to enable fluid to be extracted from
the container.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
The storage and transport of liquids and particularly the storage and transport
of hazardous liquids have long presented substantial problems. For many years liquids
were stored and transported in throwaway type metal and plastic containers. Typically,
such containers were provided with a threaded liquid outlet port, which, after
the container was filled, was closed, by some type of threaded cap. The use of
these types of containers was costly, inefficient and often hazardous, particularly
when the containers were used to store and transport potentially dangerous chemicals.
In recent years substantial efforts have been made to develop new systems to
improve
container and drum management capabilities, minimize user exposure to hazardous
materials and address emerging governmental regulations. These efforts have resulted
in the development of several different types of reusable systems for transferring
liquid formulations from returnable closed drums and containers. As a general rule,
these systems to a greater, or lesser extent, simplify drum emptying, minimize
operator hazards, improve cleanliness and eliminate costly waste inherent in prior
art disposable container systems. One of the most advanced of such improved systems
was developed by and is presently commercially available from Micro Matic, Inc.
of Northridge, Calif.
The Micro Matic system, which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,747 issued
to the present inventor, basically comprises a two-part system that includes a
coupler operated extractor valve which can be interconnected with a conventional
drum via existing threaded connections and a cooperating coupler which connects
to the extractor valve to allow drum emptying through the use of a remote pumping
system. The extractor valve apparatus includes a valve body and a down tube connected
to the valve body, which extends to the bottom of the drum to permit the complete
transfer of liquid from the drum.
Another Micro Matic prior art liquid transfer system is described in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,944,229 also issued to the present inventor. This invention concerns
a novel, tamper-proof, safety valve system that includes a tamper evident valve
closure cap that must be broken before liquid can be removed from the container.
The Micro Matic systems, while representing the best of the current state of
the art liquid transfer systems, have certain drawbacks which are sought to be
overcome by the system of the present invention More particularly, the metal valve
and coupler assemblies of the Micro Matic systems are of a relatively complex design
making them somewhat difficult and costly fabricate. Further, in some respects
these metal assemblies are not well suited for use with various types of hazardous
and highly corrosive chemicals that are frequently stored and transported.
As will be better appreciated from the discussion that follows, unlike the prior
art Micro Matic systems, the novel valve and coupler of the improved system of
the present invention are of an elegantly simple design and are uniquely constructed
from a corrosive resistant plastic that is substantially impervious to most corrosive
liquids. Additionally, the improved system provides a customer unique, key type
coupler-valve mating interface that precludes removal of the drum contents by unauthorized persons
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel liquid transfer system
that includes a valve and coupler assembly of unique design for use in extracting
hazardous fluids from a transport container. More particularly, it is an object
of the invention to provide a liquid transfer system of the aforementioned character
that includes a novel valve and coupler assembly that is of a simple design and
is uniquely constructed from a corrosive resistant plastic that is substantially
impervious to most corrosive liquids.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system of the character described
which improves container and drum management while at the same time significantly
reducing the material and labor costs inherent in the fabrication of the prior
art liquid transfer systems.
Another object of the invention is to provide a liquid transfer system, which
includes a novel plastic valve mechanism, which can be readily removably connected
to a container such as a metal or plastic drum, and a novel, plastic coupler mechanism
that can be removably coupled with the plastic valve mechanism for operating the
valve mechanism. An important aspect of the liquid transfer system resides in the
fact that the valve mechanism is specially configured so that only a coupler of
a special, mating configuration can be interconnected with the valve mechanism.
In this way, couplers and valves can be custom designed for individual users and
use of or tampering with containers belonging to the individual user by users of
similar systems is positively prevented.
Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid transfer system of
the aforementioned character, which is highly reliable in operation, has a long
useful life and is easy to use with a minimum amount of instruction being required.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system of the character described
in the preceding paragraphs, which is inexpensive to produce and requires minimum maintenance.
In summary, the novel liquid transfer system of the present invention includes
a valve and coupler assembly of unique design and a remote pump means that can
be connected to the coupler to extract hazardous fluids from a transport container.
The plastic valve of the system comprises a valve body that is connected to the
container, which includes a coupler receiving portion and a hollow skirt portion,
the hollow skirt portion have a spiral guideway formed therein. An insert having
a central bore is sealably received within the skirt portion for rotational movement
by the coupler between a first valve closed position and a second valve open position.
A down tube assembly is connected to the valve body and includes a stem portion
that is sealably received within the central bore of the insert. The coupler of
the liquid transfer system, which includes a fluid outlet passageway in communication
with the fluid passageway of the down tube assembly, can be conveniently, removably
connected to the valve body for imparting rotation to the insert. The plastic valve
further includes a radially outwardly extending protuberance that is closely receivable
within said spiral groove of the skirt portion of said valve body and the coupler
receiving portion of the valve body is provided with circumferentially spaced openings
which receive circumferentially spaced blades provided on the coupler. The insert
of the plastic valve, in turn, includes upstanding fingers that are engagable by
the spaced-apart blades when the coupler is connected to said valve body. In one
form of the invention, the coupler also includes a downwardly extending first sleeve,
an upwardly extending second sleeve telescopically received within the first sleeve
and biasing means for yieldably resisting telescopic movement of the second sleeve
into the first sleeve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a generally perspective, exploded view of one form of the liquid transfer
system of the invention showing the fluid container broker away to reveal internal construction.
FIG. 2 is a generally perspective exploded view of one form of the coupler assembly
and valve assembly of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the system
shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3, partly broken
away to show internal construction.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is a planer projection of the upper portion of the valve assembly of
the invention and the lower portion of the coupler assembly showing the manner
in which the coupler blades interact with the valve assembly.
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the coupler moved into a valve
open position.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the valve assembly
in a valve open configuration.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10-10 of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 9.
FIG. 12 is a planer projection similar to FIG. 7, but showing the valve assembly
having been moved into a valve open configuration.
FIG. 13 is a generally perspective, exploded view of an alternate form of the
valve and coupler assembly of the invention.
FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 13, partly broken away
to show internal construction.
FIG. 15 is a generally perspective, exploded view of yet another embodiment
of the invention.
FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 partly broken
away to show internal construction.
FIG. 17 is a generally perspective view of still another form of the coupler
and valve assembly of the invention.
FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the assemblage shown in FIG. 17 partly broken
away to shown internal construction.
FIG. 19A is a generally perspective, exploded view of an alternate form of the
coupler assembly of the liquid transfer system of the invention.
FIG. 19B is a generally perspective, exploded view of an alternate form of the
valve assembly of the liquid transfer system of the invention.
FIG. 19C is a generally perspective, fragmentary exploded view of a locking
assembly that comprises a part of the coupler assembly of this latest form of the
invention that locks the cap assembly of the coupler assembly against rotation
relative to the body portion of the coupler assembly.
FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the coupler assembly.
FIG. 21 is a view partly in cross section taken along lines 21-21
of FIG. 20.
FIG. 22 is a view taken along lines 22-22 of FIG. 21.
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 23-23 of FIG. 21.
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 24-24 of FIG. 21.
FIG. 25 is a planar projection of the upper portion of the valve assembly of
this latest form of the invention and the lower portion of the coupler assembly
showing the manner in which the coupler blades interact with the valve assembly.
FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the coupler assembly similar to FIG. 20, but showing
the cap portion of the coupler assembly rotated to a second position.
FIG. 27 is a view partly in cross section taken along lines 27-27
of FIG. 26.
FIG. 27A is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the manner of locking the blade-like
components of the valve assembly against rotation when the valve is in the open position.
FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 28-28 of FIG. 27.
FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 29-29 of FIG. 27.
FIG. 30 is a planar projection of the upper portion of the valve assembly of
the invention and the lower portion of the coupler assembly similar to FIG. 25
but showing the portion of the components as they appear in a valve-open configuration.
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 24, but showing the locking
means moved into a locking position to enable rotation of the insert assembly toward
a valve open position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, one form of the apparatus
is there shown interconnected with a conventional liquid transport container "C".
Container "C" includes interconnected top, bottom and side walls "T", "B", and
"S" respectively that define a liquid reservoir "R". The apparatus of the invention
here comprises a valve assembly
20 that is threadably connected with top
wall "T" of the container, a coupler assembly
22 that can be removably interconnected
with valve assembly
20 and a remotely located pumping means "P" for pumping
the liquid "L" from the transport container. As best seen in FIG. 2, valve assembly
20 comprises a valve body
24 that is threadably connected to top
wall "T" of container "C" by conventional threads
26 formed on the valve
body. Valve body
24 includes a tubular shaped skirt portion
28 that
is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, curved grooves
30,
the purpose of which will presently be described. The top wall
24a of
valve body
24 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced irregularly
shaped openings
32 which here are generally fan shaped.
Valve assembly
20 further includes a generally cylindrically shaped
insert
36 that is rotatably received within skirt portion
28 of valve
body
24. In a manner presently to be described, insert
36 can be
moved by the coupler assembly
22 from a first valve closed position to a
second valve open position. As best seen in FIG. 6, insert
36 is provided
with a central, generally cylindrically shaped bore
38 that telescopically
receives upper portion
42a of stem
42 which forms a part of
a down tube assembly generally designated by the numeral
44 (FIG.
2).
Down tube assembly
44 also includes a flange portion
45 that is interconnected
with skirt
28 of valve body
24 in the manner shown in FIG.
6.
As indicated in FIG. 6, stem
42 is connected to and extends both upwardly
and downwardly from flange
46. The upper portion
42a of the
stem, which carries an elastomeric O-ring
43, is sealably received within
central bore
38 of insert assembly
36, while the lower portion
42b
extends downwardly within reservoir "R". As indicated in FIG. 2, the upper
portion
42a of stem
42 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially
spaced fluid passageways
46. As will presently be described, when the coupler
assembly
22 is interconnected with the valve assembly and is rotated into
the valve-open position, fluid passageways
46 will move into communication
with an outlet passageway formed in coupler assembly
22, which, in turn,
communicates with the pumping means "P" (FIG.
1).
Turning particularly to FIGS. 2 and 6, the novel coupler assembly of the
present invention can be seen to comprise an upper gripping portion
22a
having finger gripping segments
22b and a lower, downwardly extending,
generally tubular portion
22b. Affixed to portion
22b of
the coupler assembly are circumferentially spaced blade-like members
50
which engage circumferentially spaced surfaces
52 formed on a plurality
of upstanding, finger-like portions
54 that comprise a part of insert
36.
As indicated in FIG. 4, when the coupler assembly
22 is mated with the
valve assembly, the generally fan shaped blades
50 will be received within
the fan shaped openings
32 and the edges thereof will engage walls
52
of fingers
54 upon rotation of the coupler. With this construction, rotation
of coupler assembly
22 relative to valve assembly
24 will cause blades
50 to impart rotation to insert
24 between the first valve closed
position shown in FIG.
6 and the second valve open position shown in FIG.
11. In this regard, it is to be noted that protuberances
40 of insert
36 are received within curved grooves or slots
30 so that, upon rotation
of insert
36 by the coupler assembly
22, protuberances
40
will move along grooves
30 urging downward movement of insert
36
from the valve closed position shown in FIG. 6 to the valve open position shown
in FIG. 11 (see also FIGS.
7 and
12).
As indicated in FIG. 6, when the valve is in the closed position, a valve seat-engaging
sleeve
56 formed on coupler assembly
22 will sealably engage a valve
seat
58 formed on upper stem portion
42a. When the valve is
in the valve open position illustrated in FIG. 11, it is to be noted that outlet
passageways
46 provided in stem portion
42a can freely communicate
with outlet passageway
60 formed in coupler assembly
22 and with
the pumping means (FIG.
1). Accordingly, when the valve is in the valve
open position shown in FIG. 11, upon urging of the pumping means, the liquid "L"
can be drawn from the container "C" upwardly through the down tube assembly in
the direction of the arrow
61 in FIG. 11, through outlet passageways
46,
into passageway
60 and then outwardly of the apparatus in a direction toward
the pump means "P". Pump means "P" can comprise any suitable commercially available
pump of a character well understood by those skilled in the art.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 11, coupler assembly
22 includes a downwardly
extending sleeve
64 which telescopically receives an upwardly extending
sleeve
66. Sleeve
66 terminates in an end wall
66a that
engages the top of valve seat
58. Disposed within sleeves
64 and
66 is biasing means for yieldably resisting telescopic movement of second
sleeve
66 into first sleeve
64. This biasing means is here provided
in the form of a conventional coil spring
68. As indicated in FIG. 11, as
the coupler assembly is rotated into the valve open position there shown, spring
68 will be compressed in a manner that will urge coupler
22 to return
to its upward, valve closed position as shown in FIG.
6.
With the construction described in the preceding paragraphs, as the coupler
assembly is rotated relative to the valve assembly, from the position shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4 to the position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, valve seat engaging sleeve
56 will move telescopically downwardly over the upper portion
42a
of stem
42 against the urging of the biasing means or spring
68.
When the coupler assembly reaches the position shown in FIG. 11, valve seat engaging
sleeve
56 will have moved telescopically downwardly relative to stem portion
42a to a position where outlet passageways
46 are in fluid
communication with passageway
60 formed in coupler assembly
22. With
the apparatus in the valve-open position, energization of pump "P" will, of course,
cause fluid to be drawn from the container "C" outwardly of the apparatus in the
direction toward pump "P". Rotation of coupler assembly
22 in the opposite
direction will, of course, cause the apparatus to return to the valve closed position
shown in FIG. 6 where sleeve
56 will sealably engage valve seat
58.
Turning to FIGS. 13 and 14, an alternate form of the apparatus of the invention
is there shown. This form of the invention is similar in most respects to that
shown in FIGS. 1 through 12 and like numerals are used to identify like components.
However, in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the circumferentially
spaced openings
71 formed in the valve body are of a slightly different
configuration as are the blades
73 of the coupler assembly. More particularly,
as indicated in FIG. 13, blades
73 are provided with a plurality of key-like
shoulders
73a that are closely received within the keyhole-like openings
71 provided in the valve assembly. It is apparent that, unless the coupler
is provided with the correctly configured blades, the coupler cannot be used in
conjunction with the valve body
24 of the character shown in FIG.
13.
Turning to FIGS. 15 and 16, still another form of the apparatus of the invention
is there shown. Once again, this apparatus is similar to that previously described
and like numerals are used to identify like components. In the embodiment of the
invention shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the circumferentially spaced openings
75
formed in the valve assembly are of a different configuration from that shown in
FIGS. 1 through 12, but are similar to those shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Similarly,
the blades
77 formed on the coupler assembly are of a different configuration
from those shown in FIGS. 1 through 12. However, the blades in the apparatus shown
in FIGS. 15 and 16 are of similar configuration to those shown in FIGS. 13 and
14. Although this is the case, as indicated by the arrow
79 in FIG. 15,
in this latest embodiment of the invention, the coupler is rotated in a counterclockwise
direction rather than a clockwise direction to move valve assembly from a valve
closed position to a valve open position. Once again, with this important distinction,
unless the coupler is provided with properly configured blades
77, the coupler
cannot be used with the valve assembly having the configuration shown in FIG.
15.
Referring next to FIGS. 17 and 18, yet another form of the apparatus of
the invention is there shown. Again, this form of the apparatus is similar in most
respects to the apparatus previously described and like numerals are used in FIGS.
17 and 18 to identify like components. In this latest embodiment of the invention,
it is to be noted that the operating blades
81 of the coupler assembly and
the openings
83 provided in the valve assembly are once again of a different
configuration. More particularly, as best seen in FIG. 17, blades
81 include
a central radially outwardly extending protuberance
81a that is received
within a notch-like opening
83a that forms a part of each of the
blade receiving openings of the valve assembly.
It is clear from a study of FIGS. 13 through 18 that the coupler assemblies as
well as the valve assemblies can be specially configured for particular customer
so that only couplers belonging to that customer can be used to operate valves
belonging to the customer.
It is to be understood that the configuration of the blades and openings of the
apparatus shown in the drawings is only exemplary, and that any number of mating
configurations of blades and openings can be provided to the customer.
Turning to FIGS. 19A,
19B,
19C, and
20 through
31,
still another form of the apparatus of the invention is there shown. This form
of the invention is similar in many respects to that shown in FIGS. 1 through 12
and like numerals are used to identify like components. However, in this latest
embodiment of the invention the coupler assembly
90 is of a slightly different
construction and mates with a valve assembly
92 (FIG. 19B) that is also
of a slightly different construction. More particularly, as indicated in FIG. 19A,
the novel coupler assembly of the present invention can be seen to comprise an
upper, cap assembly
94 having finger gripping segments
94a,
a seal tube
96 having a central bore
97 and a body portion
98.
Cap assembly
94 is rotatably interconnected with body portion
98
by a split ring
99 (FIG.
23). With the construction shown in the
drawings, when the coupler assembly is in normal configuration, the cap can be
rotated relative to body portion
98 so that an angularly upwardly extending
tubular outlet port
100 provided on the cap can be optimally positioned
to permit the easy and convenient interconnection of the outlet port with a pumping
unit "P" (FIG.
26). Locking means, the character of which will presently
be discussed, are provided to enable the cap assembly
94 to be interlocked
with body portion
98 to enable rotation of the valve insert component of
the valve assembly, the nature of which will presently be described.
Affixed to body portion
98 of the coupler assembly are circumferentially
spaced blade-like members
101 the purpose of which will presently be described.
Also comprising a part of the coupler assembly is sealing means, shown here as
a sealing ring
103 for sealably interconnecting the coupler assembly with
the valve assembly.
As best seen in FIGS. 19B and 23, valve assembly
92 comprises a valve
body
104 that is threadably connected to top wall "T" of container "C" (see FIG.
23) by conventional threads
106 formed on the valve body. As illustrated
in FIG. 19B, valve body
104 includes a tubular shaped skirt portion
108
that is provided with a generally spiral shaped guideway
110, the purpose
of which will presently be described. As before, the top wall
104a of
valve body
104 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced
irregularly shaped openings
112 which here are generally fan shaped in configuration.
Valve assembly
92 further includes a generally cylindrically shaped
insert component
116 that is rotatably received within skirt portion
108
of valve body
104. In a manner presently to be described, insert
116
can be moved by the coupler assembly
90 from a first, valve closed position
shown in FIGS. 21 and 23 to a second, valve open position shown in FIGS. 27 and
29. Insert
116 is provided with a central, generally cylindrically shaped
bore
118 that telescopically receives the upper portion
122a of
a stem
122 which forms a part of a down tube assembly. This down tube assembly
is similar in construction and operation to the down tube assembly shown in FIG.
2 and there generally designated by the numeral
44. As in the earlier
described embodiments, the down tube assembly also includes a circular flange portion
125 that is provided with a vent opening
125a. Flange portion
125 is sealably interconnected with skirt
108 of valve body
104
in the manner shown in FIG.
23. As indicated in FIGS. 19B and 23, stem
122
is connected to and extends both upwardly and downwardly from flange portion
125.
The upper portion
122a of the stem, which carries three elastomeric
O-rings
127a,
127b and
127c, is sealably
received within central bore
118 of insert assembly
116, while the
lower portion
122b extends downwardly within reservoir "R". As indicated
in FIG. 19B, the upper portion
122a of stem
122 is provided
with a plurality of circumferentially spaced fluid passageways
128. As will
presently be described, when the coupler assembly
90 is interconnected with
the valve assembly
92 and is rotated into the valve-open position shown
in FIG. 29, fluid passageways
128 will move into communication with an outlet
passageway
129 formed in coupler assembly
90, which, in turn, communicates
with the pumping means, such as the pumping means "P" of FIG.
26.
As indicated in FIGS. 22,
27 and
28 when the coupler assembly
90
is mated with the valve assembly
92, the generally fan shaped blades
101
that are provided on body portion
98 will be received within the fan shaped
openings
112 formed in valve body
104 to enable their engagement
with circumferentially spaced surfaces
130 formed on a plurality of upstanding,
finger-like portions
132 that comprise a part of insert
116 (FIG.
19B). At the same time, the tube sealing means provided on seal tube
96
will move into sealing engagement with the top wall
122c of down
tube
122. This sealing means is here provided in the form of an elastomeric
seal member
105 (FIGS.
19A and
23).
With the construction described in the preceding paragraph, rotation of coupler
assembly
90 relative to valve assembly
92 will cause blades
101
to impart rotation to insert
116 between the first valve closed position
shown in FIG.
23 and the second valve open position shown in FIG.
29.
In this regard, it is to be noted that protuberances
134 formed on insert
116 are received within spiral guideway
110 so that, upon rotation
of insert
116 by the coupler assembly
94, protuberances
134
will move along guideway
110 urging a downward movement of insert
116
from the valve closed position shown in FIG. 23 to the valve open position shown
in FIG. 29 (see also FIGS.
25 and
30).
As illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 23, cap assembly
94 includes a downwardly
extending sleeve
135, which telescopically receives seal tube
96.
Disposed within seal tube
96 and sleeve
135 is biasing means for
yieldably resisting telescopic movement of seal tube into sleeve. This biasing
means is here provided in the form of a conventional coil spring
137. As
indicated in FIG. 29, as when coupler assembly is rotated into the valve open position
there shown, spring
137 will be compressed in a manner that will urge the
coupler assembly to return to its upward, valve closed position as shown in FIG.
23. However as will be described in the paragraphs that follow, blades
101
are configured to include a step
101a having a shoulder
101b
(FIG. 25) that will engage an edge
116a formed on insert
116
so as to prevent the counter-rotation of the coupler assembly into a valve closed
position until a downward force is exerted on cap
94 (see FIGS. 19B,
25
and
30).
The earlier described locking means, which here comprises a finger engaging assembly
136 having a knurled knob
136a and an outwardly extending
locking stem
138 (FIG. 19C) enables the user to interlock cap
94
with valve body
98 so that rotation of the cap will impart rotation to the
valve body
98. As shown in FIG. 19C, the knurled knob
136a includes
a plurality of slots
136b that receive a locking pin
139 carried
by the cap assembly when the finger engaging assembly is in position within a bore
94b formed in cap
94. A coil spring
141 surrounds stem
138 and functions to continuously urge the finger engaging assembly outwardly
into the position shown in FIG. 24 where the extremity
138a of stem
138 is spaced apart from body portion
98 of the coupler assembly.
As illustrated in FIG. 31, an inward force exerted on the finger engaging assembly
in the direction of the arrow, will cause the extremity of the stem to enter into
a selected one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots
98a formed
in body
98. With the locking stem
138 of the locking means in the
position shown in FIG. 31, rotation of the cap will impart rotation to body portion
98 of the valve. Conversely, with the locking stem in the position shown
in FIG. 24, the cap can be freely rotated relative to body portion
98 to
a position where the pump "P" can be most conveniently interconnected with tubular
outlet port
100.
In using the apparatus of the invention with the apparatus in the valve closed
position shown in FIG. 23, the operator first depresses the finger engaging assembly
136 in the manner shown in FIG. 31 to operably interconnect cap assembly
94 with coupler body
98. This done, rotation of the cap assembly
94 will cause rotation of body portion
98, which in turn will cause
the valve to move from the valve closed position shown in FIG. 23 to the valve
open position shown in FIG.
29. As the coupler assembly is rotated relative
to the valve assembly, seal tube
96 will be moved upwardly against the urging
of coil spring
137 into the position shown in FIG.
29. When the coupler
assembly reaches the position shown in FIG. 29, outlet passageways
128 are
in fluid communication with passageway
129 formed in coupler assembly
90.
With the apparatus in the valve-open position, and with the finger engaging assembly
136 in its normal retracted position, cap assembly
94 can be freely
rotated to position outlet port
100 at a desired location to enable expedicious
interconnection of the port with the pump "P".
Before energizing the pump "P" gas is introduced into an inlet port
146
formed in the cap assembly (FIG.
29). This priming gas will flow in the
direction of the arrows
147 of FIG. 29, through the cap or assembly, through
the valve assembly and into the reservoir "R" of the container "C" to impart a
pressure on the liquid contained therein. Following this priming step, energization
of pump "P" will cause fluid to be drawn from the container "C" outwardly of the
apparatus in a direction toward pump "P".
Referring particularly to FIGS. 25,
27,
27A and
30,
with the cap assembly coupled with the body portion
96 by the previously
described locking means, rotation of the cap assembly will cause the protuberances
34 to travel within the spiral groove
110 from the starting position
depicted in FIG. 25 into the position depicted in FIG.
30. This, of course,
moves insert
116 downwardly into the valve open position shown in FIG.
29.
As previously described, when insert
116 reaches the position shown in FIGS.
27,
27A and
30, the blades
101 that are carried by coupler
body
98 will engage the edges
116a of the insert and will
be held in this locking position by the urging of compressed spring
137.
With the blades in this locking position, counter-rotation of the cap assembly
is blocked. However, a downward force exerted on the cap assembly against the urging
of the spring
137 will enable the steps
101b to clear edges
116a so as to permit counter-rotation of the cap assembly and the
return of the apparatus to the starting valve closed position shown in FIG.
23.
Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements
of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making
changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in
order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications
may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set
forth in the following documents.
*
