AU2002303266A1 - Corrosive resistant liquid extraction apparatus - Google Patents

Description

CORROSIVE RESISTANT LIQUID EXTRACTION APPARATUS

S P E C I F I C A T I O N

Background of the Invention

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 config¬

ured, corrosion-resistant, plastic, coupler that operates the valve in a manner

to enable fluid to be extracted from the container.

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, ineffi- cient 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 sys¬

tems 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 dif¬

ferent types of reusable systems for transferring liquid formulations from re¬

turnable closed drums and containers. As a general rule, these systems to a

greater, or lesser extent, simplify drum emptying, minimize operator haz¬

ards, 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 Mi¬

cro Matic, Inc. of Northridge, Calif.

The Micro Matic system, which is described in U.S. Patent No.

5,901,747issued to the present inventor, basically comprises a two-part sys¬

tem that includes a coupler operated extractor valve which can be intercon¬

nected with a conventional dram via existing threaded connections and a co¬

operating coupler which connects to the extractor valve to allow drum emp¬

tying through the use of a remote pumping system. The extractor valve appa¬

ratus 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. Patent 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 c rrent

state of the art liquid transfer systems, have certain drawbacks which are

sought to be overcome by the system of the present invention More particu¬

larly, 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 chemi¬

cals 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 im¬

proved system of the present invention are of an elegantly simple design and

are uniquely constructed from a corrosive resistant plastic that is substan¬

tially impervious to most corrosive liquids. Additionally, the improved sys- tern 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 trans¬

fer system that includes a valve and coupler assembly of unique design for

use in extracting hazardous fluids from a transport container. More particu¬

larly, 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 resis¬

tant 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 re¬

movably 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 mecha¬

nism is specially configured so that only a coupler of a special, mating con¬

figuration can be interconnected with the valve mechanism. In this way, cou¬

plers 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 be¬

ing 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 groove

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 as¬

sembly is comiected 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 commu¬

nication 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 re¬

ceive 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

Figure 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.

Figure 2 is a generally perspective exploded view of one form of the

coupler assembly and valve assembly of the invention.

Figure 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a portion

of the system shown in figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view taken along lines 4-4 of figure 3, partly broken

away to show internal construction.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of figure 4.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of figure 4.

Figure 7 is a planer proj ection of the upper portion of the valve as¬

sembly of the invention and the lower portion of the coupler assembly show¬

ing the manner in which the coupler blades interact with the valve assembly.

Figure 8 is a view similar to figure 3 but showing the coupler moved

into a valve open position.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to figure 4, but showing the

valve assembly in a valve open configuration.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10-10 of figure 9. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 11-11 of figure 9.

Figure 12 is a planer projection similar to figure 7, but showing the

valve assembly having been moved into a valve open configuration.

Figure 13 is a generally perspective, exploded view of an alternate

form of the valve and coupler assembly of the invention.

Figure 14 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in figure 13,

partly broken away to show internal construction.

Figure 15 is a generally perspective, exploded view of yet another

embodiment of the invention.

Figure 16 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in figure 15

partly broken away to show internal construction.

Figure 17 is a generally perspective view of still another form of the

coupler and valve assembly of the invention.

Figure 18 is a top plan view of the assemblage shown in figure 17

partly broken away to shown internal construction.

Description of the Invention

Referring to the drawings and particulaiiy to figure 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

tlireadably comiected with top wall "T" of the container, a coupler assembly

22 that can be removably interconnected with valve assembly 20 and a re¬

motely located pumping means "P" for pumping the liquid "L" from the

transport container. As best seen in figure 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 in¬

cludes a tubular shaped skirt portion 28 that is provided with a plurality of

cu'cumfereiitially spaced, curved grooves 30, the purpose of which will pres¬

ently 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 posi¬

tion. As best seen in figure 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 (figure 2). Down tube assembly 44 also includes a flange

portion 45 that is interconnected with skirt 28 of valve body 24 in the man¬

ner shown in figure 6. As indicated in figure 6, stem 42 is comiected to and

extends both upwardly and downwardly from flange 46. The upper portion

42a of the stem, which carries an elastomeric 0-ring43, is sealably received

within central bore 38 of insert assembly 36, while the lower portion 42b ex¬

tends downwardly within reservoir "R". As indicated in figure 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 cou¬

pler assembly 22 is interconnected with the valve assembly and is rotated

into the valve-open position, fluid passageways 46 will move into communi¬

cation with an outlet passageway formed in coupler assembly 22, which, in

turn, communicates with the pumping means "P" (figure 1).

Turning particularly to figures 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 extend¬

ing, generally tubular portion 22b. Affixed to portion 22b of the coupler as¬

sembly 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 figure 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, rota¬

tion 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 figure 6 and the second valve open position shown in figure 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

figure 6 to the valve open position shown in figm-e 11 (see also figures 7 and

12).

As indicated in figure 6, when the valve is hi 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 figure 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 (figure 1). Accordingly, when the valve is in the valve open position shown in figure 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 figure 11, through outlet passageways 46,

into passageway 60 and then outwardly of the apparatus hi a direction to-

^■ ward the pump means "P". Pump means "P" can comprise any suitable

commercially available pump of a character well miderstood by those skilled

in the art.

• As illustrated in figures 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 biasmg means is here provided in the form of a conventional

coil spring 68. As indicated in figure 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 posi¬

tion .as shown in figure 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 figures 3 and 4 to the position shown in figures 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 biasmg means or spring 68.

When the coupler assembly reaches the position shown in figure 11, valve

seat engagmg 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 hi the valve-open position, energization of pump "P" will, of

course, cause fluid to be drawn from the container "C" outwardly of the ap¬

paratus hi 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 figure 6 where sleeve 56 will sealably engage

valve seat 58.

Turning to figures 13 and 14, an alternate form of the apparatus of the

invention is there shown. This form of the invention is similar in most re¬

spects to that shown in figures 1 through 12 and like numerals are used to

identify like components. However, in the embodiment of the invention

shown in figures 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 figure

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 cor¬

rectly configured blades, the coupler cannot be used in conjunction with the

valve body 24 of the character shown in figure 13.

Turning to figures 15 and 16, still another form of the apparatus of the

invention is there shown. Once again, this apparatus is similar to that previ¬

ously described and like numerals are used to identify like components. In

the embodiment of the invention shown figures 15 and 16, the circumfer¬

entially spaced openings 75 formed in the valve assembly are of a different

configuration from that shown in figures 1 through 12, but are similar to

those shown in figures 13 and 14. Similarly, the blades 77 formed on the

coupler assembly are of a different configuration from those shown h fig¬

ures 1 through 12. However, the blades hi the apparatus shown in figures 15

and 16 are of similar configuration to those shown in figures 13 and 14. Al¬

though this is the case, as indicated by the arrow 79 in figure 15, in this lat¬

est 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 impor¬

tant 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 figure 15.

Referring next to figures 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 nmiierals are

used in figures 17 and 18 to identify like components. In this latest em¬

bodiment of the invention, it is to be noted that the operating blades 81 of

the coupler assembly and the openings 83 provided hi the valve assembly

are once again of a different configuration. More particularly, as best seen

in figure 17, blades 81 include a central radially outwardly extending protu¬

berance 81a that is received within a notch-like opening 83a that forms a

part of each of the blade receiving opeiiings of the valve assembly.

It is clear from a study of figures 13 through 18 that the coupler as¬

semblies as well as the valve assemblies can be specially configured for par¬

ticular 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. Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the

requn-ements of the patent statutes, those skilled this art will have no dif¬

ficulty in making changes and modifications hi 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 clahns.

Claims (16)

I CLAIM:

1. An apparatus for extracting liquids from a container comprismg:

(a) a valve assembly comiected to the container comprising:

(i) a valve body havhig a coupler receiving portion

and a generally tubular shaped portion, said hollow skirt portion

have a curved groove formed therein;

(ii) an insert sealably received within said skirt por¬

tion for rotation with respect thereto between a first valve

closed position and a second valve open position, said insert

havhig a central bore;

(iii) a down tube assembly connected to said valve

body, said down tube assembly including a stem portion seal¬

ably received within said central bore of said insert said stem

portion having a fluid passageway;

(b) a coupler assembly removably comiected to said valve

body for imparting rotation to said insert, said coupler havhig a fluid

outlet passageway hi commmiication with said fluid passageway of

said down tube assembly; and

(c) pump means comiected 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 extendmg protuberance receivable within said

curved groove of said skirt portion of said valve body.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said coupler re¬

ceiving portion of said valve body is provided with circmiiferentially spaced

openings and in which said coupler includes circumferentially spaced blades

receivable within said circumferentially spaced openings.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which said insert in¬

cludes upstanding fingers engagable by said spaced-apart blades when said

coupler is comiected to said valve body.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 hi which said coupler as¬

sembly comprises:

(a) a downwardly extending first sleeve;

(b) an upwardly extending second sleeve telescopically re¬

ceived within said downwardly extendmg first sleeve; and;

(c) biasmg means for yieldably resisting telescopic move¬

ment of said second sleeve into said first sleeve.

6. An apparatus for extracting corrosive liquids from a container

comprising:

(a) a valve assembly connected to the container comprising: (i) a valve body threadably connected to the con- ^'

tainer, said valve body havhig a coupler receivmg portion and a

hollow skirt portion, said hollow skirt portion being rotatable

relative to said coupler receiving portion and havhig a plurality

of circumferentially spaced grooves formed therein;

(ii) an insert sealably, rotatably received within said

skirt portion for movement between a first valve closed position

and a second valve open position, said insert havhig a central

bore and a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially out¬

wardly extending protuberances receivable withm said grooves

of said skirt portion of said valve body;

(iii) a down tube assembly comprismg:

a. a flange portion connected to said valve

body , said flange portion including a peripheral portion

comiected to and circumscribing said sldrt portion

thereof; and

b. a stem portion comiected to and extending

from said flange portion, said stem portion being sealably

received within said central bore of said insert and having

a fluid passageway; (b) a coupler assembly removably comiected to said valve

body for movement between a first position and a second position to

impart rotation to said insert, said coupler assembly having a fluid

outlet passageway in commmiication with said fluid passageway of

said stem portion of said down tube assembly.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 hi which said stem portion

of said down tube assembly includes a valve seat and hi which said coupler

assembly includes a valve seat engagmg sleeve for sealably engaging said

valve seat when said coupler is in a first position.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which said coupler re¬

ceiving portion of said valve body is provided with a plurality of circumfer¬

entially spaced, irregularly shaped openings and hi which said coupler in¬

cludes a plurality of ch-cuniferentially spaced irregularly shaped blades

closely receivable within said circumferentially spaced openings.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which said insert in¬

cludes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, upstanding fingers engagable

by said circumferentially spaced-apart blades when said coupler is comiected

to said valve body.

10. An apparatus for extracting corrosive liquids from a container

comprising: (a) a valve assembly comiected to the container comprismg:

(i) a valve body threadably comiected to the container,

said valve body having a coupler receivmg portion and a tubu¬

lar skirt portion, said tubular skirt portion being having a plural¬

ity of circumferentially spaced c ved grooves formed tlierem,

said valve body further including a plurality of circmiiferen¬

tially spaced, irregularly shaped openings ;

(ii) an insert sealably, rotatably received within said

skirt portion for movement between a first valve closed position

and a second valve open position, said insert having a central

bore and including:

a. a plurality of circumferentially spaced, ra¬

dially outwardly extending protuberances receivable

withm said curved grooves of said skirt portion of said

valve body; and

b. a plurality of circumferentially spaced, up¬

standing fingers;

(iii) a down tube assembly comprising:

a. a flange portion connected to said valve

body , said flange portion including a peripheral portion comiected to and circumscribing said skirt portion of said

valve body; and

b. a stem portion comiected to and extendmg

from said flange portion, said stem portion being sealably

received within said central bore of said insert and having

a fluid passageway; and

(b) a coupler assembly removably comiected to said valve

body for movement between a first position and a second position to

impart rotation to said insert, said coupler assembly having a fluid

outlet passageway in commmiication with said fluid passageway of

said stem portion of said down tube assembly and further including:

(i) a plurality of circumferentially spaced irregularly

shaped blades closely receivable within said circmiiferentially

spaced openings of said valve body, said blades being engage-

able with said ch-cmnferentially spaced upstanding fingers of

said insert;

(ii) a downwardly extending first sleeve;

(iii) an upwardly extendmg second sleeve telescopi¬

cally received within said first sleeve; and (iv) biasmg means for yieldably resisting telescopic

movement of said second sleeve into said first sleeve; and

(c) pumping means connected to said coupler for pumping

liquid through said fluid outlet passageway.

11. The apparatus as defined hi claim 10 in which said stem portion

of said down tube assembly includes a valve seat and in which said coupler

includes a valve seat engaging sleeve for sealably engagmg said valve seat

when said coupler is hi a first position.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 in which said valve seat

engagmg sleeve circmiiscribes said stem portion of saicl down tube assembly

and is movable with respect thereto when said coupler is moved into said

second position.

13. The apparatus as defined hi claim 10 hi which said irregularly

shaped openings in said valve body are generally fan shaped.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 hi which said irregularly

shaped openings in said valve body are generally keyhole shaped.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 hi which said blades of

said coupler assembly are generally fan shaped.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 15 hi which said fan shaped

blades each include a radially outwardly extending protuberance.