JPH0344971Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed explanation of the invention] [Purpose of the invention] (Field of industrial application) The present invention relates to a liquid fuel combustion device such as a wick-type kerosene stove, and in particular to a combustion device that allows the combustion amount to be significantly adjusted. Regarding.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, in a wick-type kerosene stove, the amount of protrusion of the wick is constant, and it has been difficult to adjust the amount of combustion. Since then, kerosene stoves have become commonplace in which the protrusion of the wick can be adjusted and the amount of combustion can be adjusted within a permissible range that does not deteriorate the exhaust gas components. However, the amount of combustion in this type of kerosene heater can only be adjusted to 90-80% of the maximum amount, so when the room temperature rises excessively, it is necessary to extinguish the fire or open the window to adjust the room temperature. It had many disadvantages both in terms of operability and economics.

Therefore, as shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 50-113930 or Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 55-22325, the wick covered by one combustion tube is divided into front and rear parts, and the front and rear wicks are separated from each other. A kerosene stove has been proposed that is removable and has a greatly adjustable combustion rate.

However, with the structure of this kerosene stove,
Especially during small combustion where only one wick is burned,
Since the combustion heat applied to the combustion tube is uneven, the combustion tube is likely to be thermally deformed due to temperature differences.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) As mentioned above, with conventional liquid fuel combustion devices such as wick-type kerosene stoves, it is difficult to greatly adjust the amount of combustion. Therefore, the proposed device also has one combustion tube.
However, because the wick within the lamp was divided into parts, there was a problem in that the combustion tube was susceptible to thermal deformation.

The present invention was developed in consideration of the above circumstances, and allows for significant adjustment of the amount of combustion.
The object of the present invention is to provide a liquid fuel combustion device with good combustibility, which can prevent thermal deformation of the combustion tube and can obtain stable combustion conditions both during large combustion and small combustion. be.

[Structure of the idea]

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a liquid fuel combustion device in which a wick whose lower part is immersed in liquid fuel is covered with a combustion tube, in which the combustion tube is divided into a plurality of upper and lower parts, and these plurality The plurality of combustion tubes can be freely connected and separated in the vertical direction, and an air passage hole is provided at the joint portion of the plurality of combustion tubes, and the plurality of combustion tubes are connected to and separated from each other, An opening/closing body is provided which opens the air passage port when the combustion tubes are connected and substantially closes the air passage port when the combustion tubes are separated.

(Function) In the liquid fuel combustion device of the present invention, the amount of combustion is adjusted by combining or separating a plurality of vertically divided combustion cylinders by utilizing the flame focusing effect of the combustion cylinder. That is, when a plurality of combustion tubes are combined, the combustion amount increases, and when they are separated, the combustion amount decreases. In addition, the air passage port of the joint part of the combustion cylinder is connected to the combination and separation of the combustion cylinder,
By opening when combined and almost closing when separated, the amount of combustion air that rises and passes through the joint of the combustion tube is adjusted so that it increases during large combustion and decreases during small combustion. Combustion air is exclusively supplied to only the combustion tubes that are in use. In this way, during large combustion, a sufficient amount of combustion air is supplied to the upper combustion cylinder, while during small combustion, the pressure inside the lower combustion cylinder is increased, and combustion due to disturbances such as breeze is suppressed. Prevents turbulence and prevents the generation of odors and carbon monoxide.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of the apparatus, in which a fixed tank 3 is fixed on a base 2 via a support frame 4, and a case body (not shown) is attached to cover the fixed tank 3. ing. Further, located inside the case body and on the right side of the upper surface of the fixed tank 3 when viewed from the front, there is a fuel tank 5 that supplies liquid fuel such as kerosene to the fixed tank 3 while maintaining a constant level at all times. It is attached removably.

Further, a combustion section 11 is provided on the upper left side of the fixed tank 3. Next, this combustion section 11
The configuration of is explained.

An opening 12 is provided on the upper left side of the fixed tank 3.
is formed, and a burner basket 14 having a substantially cylindrical shape with a reduced diameter at the upper part is fixed to surround this opening 12 via a step 13.
A flange-shaped fire pan 15 is formed at the upper end of the burner basket 14. Further, a cylindrical core guide 16 is integrally provided on the inner bottom surface of the fixed tank 3, and the upper part of the core guide 16 faces the upper part of the burner basket 14 from the inside with a small gap therebetween. At the same time, a regulating plate 18 having a fire pan 17 corresponding to the fire pan 15 of the burner basket 14 on its upper end surface and having a partially open opening is provided.

A cylindrical lamp wick 21 made of non-combustible fiber is supported between the burner basket 14 and the wick guide 16 so as to be vertically movable.
The upper part of the fuel tank 1 can be freely retracted from the fire pans 15 and 17, and the lower part is constantly immersed in the liquid fuel in the fixed tank 3.

Further, above the fire pans 15 and 17, a lower combustion tube 22 and an upper combustion tube 23 are provided that cover the lamp wick 21 and can be freely connected and separated in the vertical direction. Next, the configuration of these combustion tubes 22 and 23 will be explained starting from the lower combustion tube 22.

On the fire pan 17 of the wick guide 16, there is a cylindrical lower inner flame tube 25 having a large number of air holes 24.
is placed. And this lower inner flame cylinder 25
A plurality of lower guide disks 26 each having a partially opened interior are fixed horizontally to the inner side thereof, and a lower rectifying plate 27 is fixed to the upper end surface thereof. Furthermore, a lower rectifying plate 28 is provided on the lower rectifying plate stand 27.
are fixed thereto, and air passage ports 29 of the same shape and overlapped are formed in the center portions of the lower baffle plate base 27 and the lower baffle plate 28.

On the other hand, the fire pan 15 of the burner basket 14
A cylindrical lower outer flame tube 31 having a large number of air holes 30 is placed on top of the lower inner flame tube 25, and is located concentrically on the outer circumferential side of the lower inner flame tube 25. A lower glass retainer 32 is fixed to the upper end of the tube 31 in the form of a flange. In addition, the lower outer flame tube 3
1, a substantially cylindrical lower outer cylinder 33 is attached to the lower part of the lower outer cylinder 33 by a cross pin (not shown) and is located concentrically on the outer circumference side of the lower outer cylinder 33.
and the lower glass outer cylinder 3 with the lower glass retainer 32
4 is installed. In addition, the lower outer cylinder 33
A gap is formed between the lower end of the burner basket 14 and the fire pan 15 of the burner basket 14, and this gap serves as a lower air intake port 35 that opens downward.

The lower combustion tube 22 configured in this way
The upper combustion cylinder 23 is supported coaxially and movably up and down. Similar to the lower combustion tube 22, the upper combustion tube 23 includes an upper inner flame tube 37 having the same diameter as the lower inner flame tube 25 and a large number of air holes 36, an upper guide disk 38, and an upper guide disk 38. an upper rectifying plate base 39 with an open section, an upper rectifying plate 40, an upper outer flame tube 42 having the same diameter as the lower outer flame tube 31 and having a large number of air holes 41, an upper glass retainer 43, and the lower glass outer tube. 34 and a cross pin (not shown).

This upper combustion tube 23 differs from the lower combustion tube 22 in particular in that an air control tube 46 having a plurality of upper air intake ports 45 is provided between the lower ends of the upper outer flame tube 42 and the upper glass outer tube 44. A gap is formed between the air control cylinder 46 and the lower glass holder 32.
Further, on the outer circumferential surface of the air control cylinder 46, the lower glass retainer 32 is surrounded with a gap therebetween.
A substantially cylindrical air guide tube 47 is fixed, and these air guide tubes 47 and the lower glass retainer 32
The gap between the two is opened downward.

Furthermore, a movable rod 49 is vertically fixed to the upper combustion tube 23 through the center of the upper rectifying plate 40, the upper rectifying plate stand 39, and the upper guide disk 38. The lower portion slidably passes through the center of the lower guide disk 26 of the lower combustion tube 22 and reaches into the core guide 16 .
In addition, the central part of the movable rod 49 has a slightly smaller outer diameter than the air passage opening 29 at the joining part of the two combustion tubes 22 and 23, and this air passage opening 29 is provided when the two combustion tubes 22 and 23 are connected. A plate-shaped opening/closing body 50 that opens and closes when separated is horizontally fixed.

Further, on the front side of the bottom of the device main body 1, there is provided a wick ejection mechanism 61 for making the lamp wick 21 appear and retract, and this wick ejection mechanism 61 includes a combustion tube elevating mechanism 62 for moving the upper combustion tube 23 up and down. is incorporated. Next, these lamp wick appearance mechanism 61
And the configuration of the combustion cylinder elevating mechanism 62 will be explained.

An operation plate 63 is attached to the front side of the fixed tank 3, and a bearing plate 64 is attached to the rear side of this operation plate 63. 65 is rotatably and horizontally supported. and,
A core vertical shaft 66 that rotatably penetrates the front surface of the fixed tank 3 is fitted into the operating shaft 65, and the core vertical shaft 66 is fitted into a stop hole 67 formed at its front end. A return pin 69 that is passed through and engaged with a notch 68 formed at the front of the operating shaft 65 prevents the operating shaft 65 from slipping out and rotating, and a shaft spring 70 always prevents the operating shaft 65 from rotating rearward. is being energized. moreover,
A packing 71 is attached to the fixed tank 3 and the bearing plate 64 surrounding the core vertical shaft 66.

Further, a right end portion of a lifting plate 72 is fixed to the rear end of the lead vertical shaft 66 located in the fixed tank 3, and a lead holder shaft 73 is provided on the left end of the lifting plate 72 to protrude rearward. ing. On the other hand, a cylindrical wick holder 74 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the lamp wick 21, and a holder metal fitting 75 is fixed to the front surface of this wick holder 74, and a long hole 76 is formed in this holder metal fitting 75. . And this long hole 7
6 is engaged with the wick holder shaft 73, and in conjunction with the rotation of the wick vertical shaft 66, the lamp wick 21 moves up and down.

Further, an interlocking lever 77 is supported on the operation shaft 65 so as to be movable up and down.
is always biased counterclockwise by a return spring 78 when viewed from the front. The interlocking lever 77 has a locking pin 79 protruding forward at its left end, and regulating pieces 80 are integrally bent at the upper and lower sides of its right end.

Further, an operating lever 81 is fixedly supported on the operating shaft 65, and this operating lever 81 is positioned with some play between the pair of regulating pieces 80 of the interlocking lever 77. On the other hand, the operation panel 63
A slider guide 82 is formed on the right side of the slider guide 82, and a slider 83 is supported by the slider guide 82 so as to be slidable up and down, and an operating knob 85 is fixed to the front surface of the slider 83 via a support 84. A flanged projection 86 formed protrudingly on the rear surface of the slider 83 is engaged with an elongated notch 87 formed at the right end of the operating lever 81, and is adapted to the up and down movement of the operating knob 85. The operation shaft 65 and the core vertical shaft 66 rotate in conjunction with each other.

Next, the fire extinguishing mechanism 90 of this wick appearance mechanism 61
The structure of the lock mechanism 91 incorporating the lock mechanism 91 will be explained.

The locking pin 79 of the interlocking lever 77 projects forward from an arcuate groove 92 formed on the left side of the operation plate 63. Further, a clutch lever 93 is supported by an eyelet 94 at the upper left side of the front surface of the operation plate 63 so as to be movable up and down.
A clutch 95 is fixed to the lower part of the clutch lever 93 to which the locking pin 79 is engaged and released. Further, the clutch lever 93 is always biased clockwise by a clutch spring 96.

Further, a horizontal sensing piece 97 is bent and formed on the right side of the clutch lever 93, and this sensing piece 97 freely passes through the front surface of the operating plate 63 and extends downward from the upper surface of the operating plate 63. It is more facing.
A pendulum shaft 99 having a flange portion 98 at the lower end is connected to the sensing piece portion 97 and the operation plate 63.
It loosely passes through the upper surface from below and is screwed onto a pendulum 100 located above the operation plate 63.

The operating shaft 65 also includes the sensing piece 97.
An operating lever 101 that is pressed from below is supported so as to be movable up and down.
is constantly biased counterclockwise by an operating spring 102. A horizontal sensing body 103 is integrally bent at the right end of the operating lever 101, and this sensing body 103 is inserted into a slit 104 formed on the right side of the operating plate 63.
It protrudes further, is positioned above the fixed tank 3, and is pressed against the lower surface of the fuel tank 5 so as to be able to approach and separate.

Next, the configuration of the combustion tube lifting/lowering mechanism 62 that is linked to the wick projecting/retracting mechanism 61 will be described.

An eyelet 94 supporting the clutch lever 93 on the operation plate 63 passes through a long hole 111 formed in the operation plate 63, and is movable by a predetermined amount. Further, the cooperation lever 1 is connected to the front left end of the operation plate 63 by another eyelet 112.
13 is supported so as to be movable up and down, and the eyelet 94 is rotatably passed through the cooperative lever 113. On the other hand, another slider guide 114 is formed on the left side of the slider guide 82 of the operation plate 63.
A slider 115 is supported so as to be movable up and down, and two elongated holes 1 are formed on the front surface of the slider 115.
An adjustment plate 118 formed with numbers 16 and 117 is fixed, and an adjustment knob 120 is also fixed via a support 119. A shaft 121 protruding from the right end of the cooperative lever 113 is engaged with the elongated hole 116 on the upper side of the adjustment plate 118. A cooperative lever 113 is adapted to rotate.

Further, a drive shaft 122 is rotatably and horizontally supported at the bottom of the device main body 1.
The left end of a drive lever 123 is fixed to the front end of the drive lever 123, and a shaft 124 protruding from the right end of the drive lever 123 is engaged with a long hole 117 on the lower side of the adjustment plate 118. In conjunction with the vertical movement of the adjustment knob 120, the drive shaft 12
2 is designed to rotate. On the other hand, inside the core guide 16, a plurality of partially opened guide plates 125 are fixed horizontally, and these guide plates 125
The movable rod 49 slides through the center of the movable rod 49.
A drive rod 126 whose upper end is in contact with the lower end of the drive rod 126 is supported so as to be movable up and down, and a shift plate 128 in which a long hole 127 is formed is fixed to the lower end of the drive rod 126 . A shaft body 130 protruding from the left end of a connecting lever 129 whose right end is fixed to the rear end of the drive shaft 122 is engaged with the elongated hole 127 of the shift plate 128. axis 12
2, the shift plate 128 and drive rod 126 move up and down.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be explained.

First, the operation of the wick projecting/retracting mechanism 61 will be explained.

When the operating knob 85 is pushed down, the operating lever 81 rotates clockwise in conjunction with this, and the operating shaft 65, core vertical shaft 66, and lifting plate 72 rotate clockwise integrally with this operating lever 81. direction, the wick 21 moves toward the fire pan 15,
It is projected on 17. In addition, the operation lever 81
As the operation lever 81 rotates, the control piece 80 on the lower side of the interlocking lever 77 is pressed from above, causing the interlocking lever 77 to rotate clockwise and locking the interlocking lever 77. The pin 79 is engaged with a clutch 95 located opposite the arcuate groove 92, and the interlocking lever 77 is connected to the return spring 7.
It is maintained in a clockwise rotated state against the urging force of 8. Therefore, the lamp wick 21 is also held in a protruding state.

Here, for example, by energizing a heater (not shown) and bringing it into contact with the protruding lamp wick 21, the lamp wick 21 is ignited and combustion begins.

Moreover, when extinguishing a fire, push up the operation knob 85 strongly. Then, the operating lever 81 presses the upper regulating piece 80 of the interlocking lever 77 from below, and a strong counterclockwise force is applied to the interlocking lever 77, causing the clutch spring 9
6, the locking pin 79 of the interlocking lever 77 is forcibly removed from the clutch 95. Then, as the locking pin 79 is disengaged from the clutch 95, the interlocking lever 77 is rotated counterclockwise by the biasing force of the return spring 78, and the regulating piece 80 on the lower side of the interlocking lever 77 is operated. Press the lever 81 from below, and press this operating lever 81.
rotates counterclockwise. Then, the operating shaft 65 and the wick vertical shaft 66 rotate counterclockwise together with the operating lever 81, and the wick 21 is lowered and retracted, thereby extinguishing the fire.

Note that during combustion, when an earthquake occurs and a force is applied to the device body 1 that causes it to fall down, the pendulum 100 will swing and the flange portion 98 of the pendulum shaft 99 will not be able to sense the clutch lever 93. By allowing the piece 97 to freely move, the clutch lever 93 rotates, and the clutch 95 is disengaged from the locking pin 79 of the interlocking lever 77. Then, the wick 21 is immersed and extinguished in the same manner as described above.

Also, if the fuel tank 5 is removed during combustion,
This fuel tank 5 is the sensor 1 of the operating lever 101.
03, the operating spring 10
2, the actuating lever 101 rotates counterclockwise, and the actuating lever 101 presses the sensing piece 97 of the clutch lever 93 from below, causing the clutch lever 93 to rotate counterclockwise. make it move. Along with this, the clutch 95 of the clutch lever 93 is disengaged from the locking pin 79 of the interlocking lever 77, and the lamp wick 21 is moved in the same manner as described above.
is immersed and extinguished.

Next, the operation of the combustion cylinder elevating mechanism 62 will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the adjustment knob 120 is raised, the upper combustion tube 23 is in a lowered state and is coupled to the lower combustion tube 22.

Then, as shown in FIG.
0, the drive lever 123 rotates clockwise, and this drive lever 123
The drive shaft 122 and the connecting lever 129 are integrated with the
rotates clockwise. Accordingly, the shift plate 128 and the drive rod 126 rise together, and the drive rod 126 pushes up the movable rod 49.
The upper combustion tube 23 rises integrally with this movable rod 49 and is separated from the upper combustion tube 23,
The opening/closing body 50 of the movable rod 49 is located within the air passage opening 29 of the engaging portion of both combustion tubes 22 and 23, and substantially closes this air passage opening 29. In addition, the adjustment knob 12
0, the cooperative lever 113 rotates clockwise, the eyelet 94 supporting the clutch lever 93 descends, and the clutch 9
5 also descends. Then, the interlocking lever 77 is engaged with the clutch 95 via the locking pin 79.
is rotated counterclockwise by the biasing force of the return spring 78, and the operating lever 81 is rotated counterclockwise, thereby lowering the lamp wick 21 and reducing its protrusion amount.

On the other hand, when the adjustment knob 120 is pushed up, the drive lever 123 rotates counterclockwise, the drive rod 126 descends, and the movable rod 49
The upper combustion tube 23 descends due to its own weight and is coupled to the lower combustion tube 23, and the opening/closing body 50
The air passage port 29 is also lowered and the air passage port 29 is opened. At the same time, the cooperative lever 113 rotates counterclockwise to raise the clutch 95. Then, the interlocking lever 77 is rotated clockwise, and the operating lever 81 is also rotated clockwise, causing the lamp wick 21 to rise and its protrusion amount to increase.

Next, the combustion action will be explained.

Combustion takes place in a combustion chamber between the inner flame tubes 25, 37 and the outer flame tubes 31, 42 that surround the lamp wick 21.
Due to the flame focusing effect of the inner flame tubes 25 and 37, the amount of combustion increases when the two combustion tubes 22 and 23 are combined, and decreases when they are separated. That is, by coupling and separating both combustion tubes 22 and 23 in this way, the amount of combustion can be greatly adjusted. Of course, by changing the heights of both combustion tubes 22, 23, etc., the range in which the combustion amount can be adjusted can be set arbitrarily.

The combustion air is supplied to the combustion chamber through the lower air intake port 35 and the lower outer flame tube 31 during small combustion.
through the air hole 30 of the core guide 16, the lower end opening of the core guide 16, and the guide plate 12 inside thereof.
5, through the lower guide disk 26 in the lower inner flame tube 25 and the air hole 24 of the lower inner flame tube 25. At the time of large combustion, in addition to this, the air guide tube 4
7 and the lower glass retainer 32, the upper air intake 45, and the air hole 41 of the upper outer flame cylinder 42.
It is carried out via the lower rectifying plate stand 27.
and the open air passage port 29 of the lower baffle plate 28,
This takes place via the upper guide disk 38 in the upper inner flame tube 37 and the air holes 36 in the upper inner flame tube 37.

By the way, if there is no opening/closing body 50 and the air passage port 29 is always open, especially during small combustion, most of the combustion air supplied from the inner flame tube 25 side will flow to the upper combustion tube 23 side. Since it flows out, there is a shortage on the lower combustion cylinder 22 side, which tends to cause red flames and also makes it susceptible to disturbances such as a breeze.

However, according to the above configuration, at the time of small combustion,
Since the air passage port 29 is almost closed by the opening/closing body 50, almost all of the combustion air supplied from the inner flame tube 25 side is supplied to the combustion chamber of the lower combustion tube 22, resulting in a stable combustion state. It will be done. In addition, since the internal pressure of the lower inner flame tube 25 is sufficiently increased, it is less susceptible to disturbances such as a breeze, and the time required to increase the generation of odor and carbon monoxide due to combustion disturbances after being exposed to a breeze is shortened.

On the other hand, during large combustion, the air passage port 2 is opened.
Since a sufficient amount of combustion air is also supplied to the upper combustion tube 23 via the combustion chamber 9, a stable combustion state can be obtained.

In this way, the amount of combustion air necessary for large combustion and small combustion supplied from the inner flame cylinder 25 side is adjusted by the opening/closing body 50.
It can be adjusted by

Moreover, the lower combustion tube 2 especially during large combustion
The distribution ratio of the combustion air to the upper combustion tube 2 and the upper combustion tube 23 can be determined by simply changing the area of the air passage port 29 according to the ratio of the combustion amounts of the two combustion tubes 22 and 23, that is, by making a small design change. You can set it freely without incurring any cost.

Further, according to the above configuration, during both large combustion and small combustion, combustion heat is transmitted to each combustion cylinder.
2 and 23 uniformly in the circumferential direction,
Thermal deformation of the combustion tubes 22 and 23 due to the temperature difference does not occur.

Furthermore, as described above, the amount of protrusion of the wick 21 increases when the two combustion tubes 22, 23 are combined, and decreases when they are separated, so the amount of liquid fuel evaporated increases when the two combustion tubes 22, 23 are combined. It decreases when separated. That is, the amount of vaporized gas produced by vaporizing the liquid fuel and its draft force are matched to changes in the effective volume of the combustion chamber. Therefore, during large combustion,
A more stable combustion state can be obtained both during small combustion and when switching between the two.

In addition, when the two combustion cylinders 22 and 23 are connected and separated, by rotating the operating lever 81 via the operating knob 85 within the range allowed by the regulating pieces 80 of the interlocking lever 77,
By finely adjusting the amount of protrusion of the lamp wick 21, the combustion state can be finely adjusted.

[Effect of idea]

According to this invention, the combustion tube that covers the lamp wick is divided into a plurality of upper and lower parts, and these multiple combustion tubes are connected and separated to adjust the combustion amount, so the amount of combustion amount that can be adjusted is greatly increased. It can be set arbitrarily, and since combustion heat is uniformly applied to each combustion tube in the circumferential direction, thermal deformation of the combustion tube due to temperature differences can be prevented. The air passage port at the joint part of the combustion tube is opened when the combustion tube is joined, and is almost closed by the opening/closing body when it is separated.
Combustion air is effectively supplied during both large combustion and small combustion, resulting in stable combustion conditions.Especially during small combustion, the internal pressure of the lower combustion tube increases, which prevents disturbances. It can prevent deterioration of exhaust gas.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the liquid fuel combustion device of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view when both combustion tubes are separated, Fig. 3 is a perspective view thereof, and Fig. 4 is a lamp wick protrusion and ejection. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the mechanism, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of its assembled state, and FIG. 6 is a front view thereof. 21...Light wick, 22...Lower combustion tube, 23...
Upper combustion tube, 29... air passage port, 50... opening/closing body.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] In a liquid fuel combustion device comprising a lamp wick whose lower part is immersed in liquid fuel and a combustion tube that covers the lamp wick, the combustion tube is divided into a plurality of upper and lower parts, and these plurality The plurality of combustion tubes can be connected and separated in the vertical direction, and an air passage port is provided at the joint of the plurality of combustion tubes, and this air passage port is linked to the connection and separation of the plurality of combustion tubes. A liquid fuel combustion device characterized in that an opening/closing body is provided which opens when connected and substantially closes when separated.