FR2808863A1 - Connector for attaching milk tanker hose to storage tank inlet has ribbed end which fits inside hose and shoulder which fits inside tank inlet, locking sleeve fitting over connection and being held in place by semi-cylindrical sleeve - Google Patents

Abstract

The connector (2) for attaching a milk tanker hose to the inlet of a fixed storage tank has a ribbed end (2a) which fits inside the hose and a shoulder (2b) on the opposite end which fits inside the tank inlet (12). A locking sleeve fits over the connection and is held in place by a semi-cylindrical sleeve (6) with a slot (7) through which a lever (10) with a threaded end is inserted into a bore in the locking sleeve.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for connecting a movable tube and a fixed tubular element, more particularly intended for the transfer of liquids such as milk between a tank truck and a storage tank, without however being limited thereto.

Indeed, the milk collection on the farms is done by tanker truck tours allowing the milkman to come and recover the milk contained in coolers which include a tank whose bottom is inclined in order to facilitate the flow of milk through an orifice drain located at the bottom of the cooler.

This drain orifice generally has a threaded external surface on which a plug is screwed. A known device for connecting this drain orifice to the flexible pipe of the tanker truck comprises a threaded end piece connected to this flexible pipe, said threaded end piece being provided with a nut. The slag wishing to drain the cooler must first unscrew the plug of the drain port, bring the flexible pipe to its level, hold the threaded end opposite the port with one hand while screwing the nut on the threaded outer surface of the hole with his other hand.

This device is not satisfactory in several respects, in particular as regards the ease and speed of implementation. The assembly constituted by the flexible pipe and the threaded end piece is bulky and heavy, and it is necessary to carry it until the connection is completely locked. Unscrewing the plug from the drain port and then screwing the nut onto this port are relatively long operations, which must be carried out again at the end of the drain.

Furthermore, this connection device can only be used for a given diameter of the drain orifice and for a precise thread type. Indeed, there are different standards and different threads depending on the country or habits of the dairies (SMS 51 mm, DIN 50mm, IDF, RJT, DS, for example), which therefore requires the manufacture and storage of many models of threaded ends.

Furthermore, there are also two-part connection devices, one of which is secured to the tank while the other is secured to the flexible collection pipe. The connection is made by locking these two parts which are specially adapted to each other. The emptying of milk from the tanks thus equipped therefore requires the use of a flexible hose provided with the appropriate part, a modification of the tank to remove or neutralize the part which is integral therewith. Such a connection system has the major drawback of being difficult to adapt.

The device according to the invention therefore essentially aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks of the connections of mobile tubes and known fixed tubular elements.

To this end, the object of the invention consists of a device for connecting a movable tube and a fixed tubular element, characterized in that it comprises - a hollow end piece having at least two ends, intended to be connected to the movable pipe by a first end, and a second end of which has an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the fixed tubular element and is intended to be inserted therein, - temporary locking means without threading the end piece with the fixed tubular element.

Thanks to the use of this device, the connection can be carried out more easily since it is no longer necessary to support the entire weight of the device and the flexible hose during locking, but simply to keep the end piece inserted in the fixed tubular element. In addition, since this device does not have a thread, it is no longer necessary to provide different fittings according to the type of thread of the drain orifice. The device according to the invention is therefore both quick and easy to use. In a preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention further comprises means for prepositioning, relative to the fixed tubular element, the end piece before insertion. This prepositioning can, for example, make it possible to put the end piece in the longitudinal direction of the fixed element and / or to place it at a predefined distance from this fixed element, thus facilitating insertion.

These prepositioning means allow easy and rapid insertion of the end of the end piece into the fixed tubular element. In addition, in a more particularly preferred embodiment, they can simultaneously serve as a support for the assembly before insertion, thus making it possible to lock without effort.

In another preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention further comprises means making it possible to insert the second end of the end piece into the fixed tubular element.

In another preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention further comprises sealing means intended to be placed between the fixed tubular element and the second end of the end piece.

This embodiment has the advantage of varying the thickness of the sealing means, it is possible to use the same nozzle with all kinds of diameters of different drain orifices, which makes it possible to obtain a universal connection device.

In another preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention further comprises gripping means.

In another preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention further comprises means for temporarily closing the section of the hollow endpiece.

This embodiment makes it possible to prevent the liquid still contained in the movable tube from escaping outside when the device is unlocked, once the liquid has been transferred. In addition, it allows the device to be used with vacuum-operated collection tanks. Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly during the following description of two preferred embodiments of the invention given by way of examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which - Figure 1 is a view exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a side view of the device of Figure 1 connected to a flexible pipe and placed in front of a drain orifice; - Figure 3 is a front view of the device of Figure 1 during locking; - Figure 4 is a side view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention presented in the locked position; - Figure 5 is a half top view in section of the device of Figure 4; - Figure 6 is a front view of the device of Figure 4; - Figure 7 is a side view of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention in the unlocked position; - Figure 8 is a side view of the device of Figure 7 in the locked position.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the connecting device 1 comprises a nozzle 2 which takes the form of a hollow cylinder having a first end 2a whose outer surface carries grooves intended to retain the flexible pipe after its insertion. It also has a second end 2b which has a shoulder 2c followed by a part whose outside diameter is less than the inside diameter of the drain orifice V which can be seen in FIG. 2, and on which an annular seal is inserted. 3.

The cylinder 2 also comprises, in its middle part, a circular groove 2d in which a circlip 4 engages which, once put in place, serves as a removable stop for a ring 5 previously inserted around the end piece 2 between the circlip 4 and shoulder 2c. This ring 5 is provided in its center with a threaded hole and has a degree of freedom in rotation around the end piece 2. It is blocked in translation by the circlip 4 on the one hand and by the shoulder 2c on the other go.

The connection device 1 also comprises a hollow semi-cylindrical part 6 comprising a first cylindrical part in which a cutout 7 is made in the form of an inverted J, and a second part taking the form of a half cylinder and comprising a bent handle 8 and two oblong lights separated by a strip of material. This second part ends with a re-entrant flange 9 of circular shape.

Once the circlip 4, the ring 5 and the seal 3 put in place on the end piece 2, the whole is inserted into the part 6 until the threaded hole of the ring 5 appears by the cutout 7. The mounting of the device then ends by screwing into this threaded hole a handle 10 which takes the form of a rod having a thread at one of its ends.

The device 1 also includes a plastic part 11 which is threaded onto the handle 8 to facilitate its handling. As can be seen in Figure 2, when the milkman wants to recover the milk contained in the cooler, he grabs the sheathed handle in room 11 and takes the device, connected to the pipe of the tank truck, at the drain opening V which has a threaded nose 12. There, it comes to place part 6 on the threaded nose 12, so that the circular rim 9 is beyond this threaded part, the strip of material separating the two oblong slots of the part 6 resting then on the threaded nose 12. The nozzle is then prepositioned in the longitudinal axis of the drain orifice.

While holding the handle 8 in place, the milkman then grasps the lever 10 which is at the bottom of the cutout 7 in the small branch of the J, and pushes it forward until it reaches the other end of the small branch of J, which has the effect of translating the ring 5 and the nozzle 2, the end 2b of which is inserted into the drain orifice by compressing the seal As can be seen in FIG. 3, the slag lowers then the lever 10 down, along the cutout 7, which locks the assembly in translation. When the milk is pumped into the tanker, the connection device 1 remains in place, the threaded nose of the drain orifice being pinched under the joint action of the circular rim 9 and the lever 10 inserted in the cutout 7.

second embodiment according to the invention is shown in the figure where a connection device 20 can be seen. This device 20 also includes an end piece 21 similar to the end piece 2 previously described but having neither shoulder nor circular groove.

end piece 21 is provided with a seal 22 around its end 21 b to be inserted into the drain orifice, as well as an articulation shaft 23 fitted near its other end 21a which must be connected to the flexible pipe, as can be seen in Figure 5.

A small oblong link 24 is inserted on the shaft 23 by means of a first hole 24a, while a second hole 24b is crossed by a screw which in turn passes through a second link 25 with two branches, taking substantially the shape of a V, and comprising a first hole 25a located at the bottom of the V and which allows the connection with the rod 24.

The link 25 also includes two other holes 25b and 25c each located at the end of the branches of the V. The hole 25b is crossed by a screw which will then be fixed in a part 26 identical to the part previously described and comprising in particular a circular rim , similar to edge 9, but not having a handle similar to handle 8.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the hole 25c is also crossed by a screw which will be fixed in a handle 27. In this embodiment, the link 25 is not planar but has an enlargement at the level of this hole 25c, thus making it possible to have a larger handle. As can be seen in Figure 6, the device comprises a second set of links 28 and 29 and a second articulation shaft identical in all respects to those which have just been described.

When the milkman wishes to recover the milk contained in the cooler, he grasps the handle 27 and takes the device, connected to the pipe of the tanker truck, at the drain orifice V. There, comes to place the part 26 on the threaded nose 12, so that the circular rim 26a is beyond this threaded part, the strip of material separating the two oblong lights of the part 26 then resting on the threaded nose 12.

Before its insertion, the end piece 21 is retracted into the part 26, only the end 21b remaining visible. The link 25 is in front of the link 24 which is almost vertical. The user then pulls the handle 27 backwards, which rotates the link 25 around the axis 25b, drives the link 24 in rotation towards the rear and pushes the end piece 21 forward, thus inserting the end 21 b in the drain orifice, while compressing the seal 22.

The slag then continues to lower the handle 27 until reaching the locking position shown in Figure 4, in which the rod 24 is slightly inclined relative to the horizontal, thus preventing any unwanted movement of the nozzle 21 during pumping.

When the milk is pumped into the tank truck, the connection device 20 remains in place, the threaded nose 12 of the drain orifice being pinched under the joint action of the circular rim 26a of the links 24, 25, 28 and 29 .

This embodiment is particularly advantageous because, unlike the first embodiment described, the device can be used either by a right-handed person or by a left-handed person and using only one hand.

A third embodiment according to the invention is presented in FIGS. 7 and 8 where one can see a connection device 31 largely similar to the device 20 previously described. It comprises in particular a link 32 which is articulated on a fixed axis 32a and on a movable axis 32b, and which carries a stop 32c. The locking / unlocking system also includes a small link 33 articulated on the movable axis 32b and on a fixed axis 34 secured to the hollow end piece 35.

end piece 35 carries on its outer surface two stops 36 37 placed in a manner substantially symmetrical with respect to its longitudinal, not far from the axis 34. Inside the hollow end piece 35, there is a valve 38 integral with the axis 34 This valve 38 takes the form of a disc with the same diameter as the inside diameter of the endpiece and allows total closure when it is in the vertical position, as shown in FIG. 7. It is actuated by means of a quarter-turn lever 39 , fitted on the axis 34, and provided with three notches 39a, 39b and 39c of sizes corresponding to those of the three stops 32c, 36 and 37.

When the device 31 is in the unlocked position, as shown in FIG. 7, the lever 39 is in the horizontal position and the valve 38 completely closes the internal section of the hollow end piece 35. The stop 37 is then housed in the notch 39b , preventing the lever from being raised further. Thus, the tank to which the mobile pipe carrying the connection device 31 is connected is isolated from the outside, this is particularly advantageous if this tank operates under vacuum. in addition, the stop 36 blocks the link 33, which limits the linkage travel 32 in the unlocked position.

once the connection device 31 is locked on the drain orifice by lowering the link 32 (as previously described in the second embodiment), the lever 39 is lowered by a quarter of a turn to obtain the position shown in FIG. 8 The valve 38 is then horizontal and therefore lets the liquid flow inside the end piece 35. lever 39 cannot be pushed beyond the vertical position because the stop 37 is housed in the notch 39a, thus preventing any false maneuver. In addition, the link 32 cannot then be reassembled because its stop 32c is blocked in the notch 39c thus preventing any untimely unlocking when the valve 38 lets the liquid pass. That 'is then sucked towards the collection tank. Once the liquid transfer has been completed, the operator quickly raises the lever to the horizontal position to avoid increasing the internal tank pressure to atmospheric pressure and he can then unlock the system by raising the link 32. The liquid still contained in a movable pipe on which the connection device 31 is fixed cannot flow outwards because it is blocked by the valve 38.

therefore sees that the devices which have just been described allow a quick, easy and tight connection of a movable pipe to a fixed tubular element and this universally.

Another advantage of these devices is that they are easily completely removable, and can therefore be cleaned thoroughly, which is essential when handling agrifood liquids, such as milk.

It goes without saying that the embodiments of the device which have been described above have been given purely by way of indication and in no way limitative, and that numerous modifications can be easily made by those skilled in the art without going beyond of the scope of the invention.

Thus, it is perfectly possible to use the device according to the invention for the transfer of powders or various solid materials.

Claims (10)

<B><U>REVENDICATIONS</U> </B> 1. Device for connecting a movable tube and a fixed tubular element, characterized in that said device (1, 20) comprises - a hollow end piece (2, 21) having at least two ends, intended to be connected to the pipe movable by a first end (2a), and a second end (2b, 21b) of which has an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the fixed tubular element (V) and is intended to be inserted therein, temporary locking means (5, 7, 9, 10; 24, 25, 26a) without threading the end piece (2, 21) with the fixed tubular element (V). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises prepositioning means (6, 26), relative to the fixed tubular element (V), of the end piece (2, 21) before insertion . 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises means (5, 7, 10; 24, 25) for inserting the second end (2b, 21b) of the nozzle (2 , 21) in the fixed tubular element (V). 4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a ring (5) which can pivot around the end piece (2), said ring (5) being provided with a lever (10 ) projecting outwards, a semi-cylindrical piece (6) at least partially surrounding the ring (5) and comprising a cutout (7) in the form of an inverted J through which the lever (10) has been inserted, thus that a re-entrant end flange (9) facing the drain orifice (V). 5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a semi-cylindrical part (26) at least partially surrounding the end piece (21) and comprising a re-entrant end flange (26a) to be made opposite the drain opening (V), two small links 29) and two two-link links (25, 28) located on either side of the device (20), each small link (24, 29) being articulated the end piece (21) and on the corresponding two-link rod (25, 28), which in turn is articulated on the semi-cylindrical part (26). 6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it further comprises sealing means (3, 22) intended to be placed between the fixed tubular element (V) and the second end (2b, 21 b) the end piece (2, 21). 7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it further comprises gripping means (8, 11, 27). 8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that further comprises means for temporarily closing the section of the hollow nozzle. 9. Use device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, for transferring a liquid. 10. Use according to claim 9, characterized in that said liquid is milk.