NL2027612B1

NL2027612B1 - Connector for connecting an adapter to a gas exchange system

Info

Publication number: NL2027612B1
Application number: NL2027612A
Authority: NL
Inventors: De Winter Tim
Original assignee: Winza Holding B V
Priority date: 2021-02-22
Filing date: 2021-02-22
Publication date: 2022-09-19

Abstract

1 3 Abstract The invention relates to a connector for connecting a hose of a gas exchange system to an adapter on or in a wall of a container, the connector comprising a ducting element comprising a duct between a ﬁrst and a second extremity, the ﬁrst extremity being 5 conﬁgured for connection to the adapter and the second extremity being conﬁgured for connection to the hose, and a locking element for locking the connector to the adapter upon rotation of the locking element with respect to the adapter. The locking element is rotatable with respect to the ducting element. The invention also relates to an assembly of a container with such a connector and to a method of connecting a container to a gas 10 exchange system.

Description

CONNECTOR FOR CONNECTING AN ADAPTER TO A GAS EXCHANGE SYSTEM The present invention relates to a connector for connecting an adapter on or in a wall of a container to a hose of gas exchange system, to a system comprising such a connector and an adapter, and a method for connecting such a connector to an adapter.

The present invention is particularly suitable to be applied to a flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC), colloquially also known as a “big bag”, “jumbo”, “super bag” or “super sack”. Such FIBCs are used for transporting and storing bulk materials and tvpically consist of a plurality of panels of a woven plastic material, which are stitched or fused together and optionally provided with a coating.

FIBCs may be used for storing and transporting a wide range of bulk materials and are dimensioned and configured accordingly for the bulk material they are intended to hold. These bulk materials may include perishable bulk materials, such as food items including rice, grain, flour, beans and the like. For holding such perishable bulk materials, the FIBC may comprise a closed top and be substantially air and waterproof to prevent ambient air and moisture from entering into an interior of the FIBC. The FIBC may be used together with a separate container, known as a liner, for holding the bulk material. In such a case the FIBC is used for its mechanical properties, whereas the liner is used to preserve the bulk material. Thus, the bulk material may be held by the liner, and not come into contact with the FIBC itself. For the connecter described below, it is however not of importance whether a liner is used or not.

After filling a FIBC with perishable bulk material, it is generally desirable to remove at least some of the air from an interior of the FIBC prior to long term storage or transport, because remaining air may hold moisture and/or oxygen that may spoil the perishable bulk material. Although for protecting the perishable material it is in principle sufficient to maintain a vacuum inside the FIBC, in practice an inert gas is often introduced instead or in addition. The presence of an inert gas prevents perishing the same way a vacuum does, but has another advantage. When leaks occur in a FIBC under vacuum, external air is sucked into the FIBC, thereby exposing the perishables to moist and/or oxygen. In the case of a leak, an inert gas, such as nitrogen, can prevent air from entering, thus reducing the likelihood of material perishmg. Typically a gas exchange system with a hose 1s for the purpose of removing air and introducing inert gas. The hose is connected to the container (e.g. the FIBC) at an adapter on or in a wall (such as the liner) of the container. Coupling the hose to the adapter is typically performed manually by an operator and as such is prone to errors. One such error is an improper connection between the hose and the container, which could lead to insufficient vacuuming or leaking of inert gas.

The objective of the present invention is to provide means for connecting an adapter in or on a wall of a container to a hose of a gas exchange system that is improved relative to the prior-art and with which one or more of the here above described or further drawbacks is obviated or abated.

This objective is obtained with a connector for connecting a hose of a gas exchange system to an adapter on or in a wall of a container. The connector comprises a ducting element comprising a duct between a first and a second extremity, the first extremity being configured for connection to the adapter and the second extremity being configured for connection to the hose, and a locking element for locking the connector to the adapter upon rotation of the locking element with respect to the adapter. The locking element is rotatable with respect to the ducting element.

In this way, the ducting element is decoupled from the locking element facilitating the mounting and handling by an operator. By decoupling the locking and the ducting element, the connector is indeed easier to connect and/or disconnect, as the ducting element need not be rotated. This reduces the effort involved in connecting significantly. because rotation of the ducting element brings forth a rather large resistance due to the inherent desire to seal the ducting element with respect to the adapter. Said sealing of course requires mechanical contact.

Furthermore, the decoupling may enable new sequences of operation in stages where for instance the ducting element can be positioned prior to locking of the assembly via the locking element. Further as the ducting element can remain still during rotation of the locking element, no rotating efforts are transmitted to the ducting element, and in particular to a seal thereof, and also potentially to the hose connected to the connector. This assembly with a moveable element and a still element enables thus an easy mounting and better durability of the assembly itself as well as of the whole system, leading in turn to a reduced maintenance and associated costs.

As an alternative, the locking element may be configured for locking the connector assembly to the adapter upon a translation rather than a rotation with respect to the adapter, possibly with the aid of suitable coupling means, such as a snap coupler, and that the locking element may be translatable rather than rotatable with respect to the ducting element. In this altemative embodiment, the same advantages in terms of ease of mounting and durability may be achieved.

In practice, it is desirable the locking element is also movable with respect to the ducting element in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation of the locking element. In practice said axis may correspond to a central axis of the ducting element and/or the locking element.

The locking element may be a separate element from the ducting element. The two may be separable completely. The locking element and the ducting element may be form fitted in order to provide engagement in one mutual movement direction, and disengagement in an opposite mutual movement direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the locking element after locking restrains a relative translation of the ducting element with respect to the locking element along an axis of rotation of the locking element. In this way the locking of the whole assembly against efforts along the rotational axis is achieved.

Said restraining may be achieved by anchoring the locking element to the adapter, thereby effectively clamping a part of the ducting element in between the adapter and the locking element.

In a preferred embodiment, the ducting element comprises a shoulder at or near its first extremity for engaging with the locking element. In this way a mechanical effort can be transmitted from the locking element to the ducting element in order to keep it in place, which may aid in reducing leaks.

In a preferred embodiment, the locking element comprises a flange with an aperture, the ducting element extending through the aperture. In this way, the flange is able to move along the body of the ducting element in a guided manner such that the relative movements of the ducting clement are at the same time free in rotation but guided in translation along the axis of rotation. In this way the positioning of the locking element with respect to the ducting element by relative translation can be decoupled from the locking rotation, by virtue of the locking element and the ducting element being decoupled.

In a preferred embodiment, wherein the flange after locking the connector abuts on the shoulder of the ducting element. In this way the shape of the ducting element engages with the locking element to lock the whole assembly against efforts along the rotational axis in a simple and efficient manner. Such an abutment does not wear out and is resistant to recurrent manipulations.

In a preferred embodiment, the locking element comprises a peripheral rim extending from the periphery of the flange. In this way, the flange and peripheral rim act as a cover, or a lid, over the ducting element partially sealing and/or protecting the inner duct of the adapter and the ducting element against outer environmental parameters like dirt.

In a preferred embodiment, the peripheral rim comprises on an inner surface at least one protrusion. Preferably, the peripheral rim comprises no more than three protrusions, more preferably exactly three protrusions. In this way, the peripheral rim may be engageable with a thread having a relatively large pitch, such that the span of movement of the locking element to reach the locking position is reduced.

In a preferred embodiment, the locking element comprises a plurality of outer ribs. In this way, the locking element can be easily griped by an operator and rotated by hand, to simplify the handling. Moreover, the ribs may prevent slipping of the user’s hand.

In a preferred embodiment, the flange of the locking element has a diameter smaller than 15 centimeters, preferably smaller than 10 centimeters. In this way, the flange can be easily gripped by an operator and rotated by hand. The ducting element may have a length of between e.g. 10 cm and 25 cm, for instance as long as the average width of a human hand, so as to be easily gripped by hand as well.

In a preferred embodiment, the ducting element comprises at the first extremity an inner peripheral wall and an outer peripheral wall defining an interspace in between them. In this way, the ducting element has a profile with an interspace for mating with the adapter providing a greater stability for the positioning of the ducting element over the adapter. This embodiment also finds use without a rotatable locking element, e.g. when the locking element is fixed or monolithic with the ducting element.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer peripheral wall comprises a tapered inner surface, e.g. on a free end thereof, with a first taper angle and a tapered outer surface, ¢.g. on a free end thereof, with a second taper angle. Preferably the first taper angle is larger than the second taper angle. In this way, an easy mating of the ducting element with the adapter is realized.

In a preferred embodiment. the inner peripheral wall comprises a groove for holding a seal. In particular the seal is an O-ring seal. The seal may cause friction between the ducting element and the adapter, rendering more difficult the rotation of the ducting element with respect to the adapter, via contact with it. As such, decoupling rotation of the locking element from rotation of the ducting element may be advantageous.

In a preferred embodiment, the ducting element and the locking element are made of stainless steel. In this way, thin-walled structures may be achieved while providing sufficient strength. As compared to aluminum, a more complex arrangement can be made accordingly. In particular, it becomes possible to create a separate inner peripheral wall improving the stability.

The mvention also relates to an assembly comprising a container with a wall, an adapter provided therein, and a connector according to any of the above claims, wherein the adapter comprises an opening fluidly connected to the inside of the container, and a first substantially upright edge surrounding the opening. The first substantially upright edge of the adapter and the locking element are provided with mutually cooperating locking means for performing the locking between the adapter and the locking element. In this way, an easy to assemble and durable assembly is realized.

In a preferred embodiment, the mutually cooperating locking means comprise a thread and at least one thread engagement element. In this way, the connector and adapter are easily locked relative to each other upon rotation. Preferably, the thread is provided as an external thread on the first substantially upright edge, the at least one protrusion constitutes the at least one thread engagement element. Altematively, the thread is provided as an internal thread, for instance on the rim, and at least one protrusion constituting the at least one thread engagement element is located on the first substantially upright edge, or vice versa. Alternatively for the embodiment wherein the locking element is configured to lock upon translation, the mutually cooperating locking means comprise mutually cooperative snap connector(s).

In a preferred embodiment, the thread has a pitch dimensioned such that the locking element reaches a locking position with a rotation span of at most 180 degrees, preferably at most 90 degrees. In this way, only a few protrusions are necessary and the assembly can be with a small rotation span locked into place for an easy and fast handling.

5 In a preferred embodiment, the adapter further comprises a second substantially upright edge surrounding the aperture at a distance of the first substantially upright edge. Preferably, the first substantially upright edge is an outer edge and the second substantially upright edge is an inner edge with respect to the opening. In this way, the adapter and the ducting element have profiles mating with each other for an improved stability of the connection, and for preventing the ducting element from tipping over the adapter.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for connecting a connector assembly to an adapter on or in a wall of a container and a gas exchange svstem is provided. The method comprises the steps of mating the ducting element with the adapter and rotating the locking element thereby locking the locking element with respect to the adapter. In this way, an operator may visually appreciate the mating of the ducting element with the adapter, followed by the locking by rotation. It is noted that the steps of connecting the connector with the hose are usually performed prior connecting the connector with the adapter, but may of course be performed after if that is considered expedient.

Inthe following description preferred embodiments of the present invention are further elucidated with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 depicts schematically a perspective view of an assembly of a container with a wall, an adapter provided therein, a connector according to the present invention and a hose of a gas exchange system: Figure 2 depicts a section of the connector and adapter of figure 1; Figure 3 depicts a sectional exploded view of the adapter and connector of figures 1 — 2; Figure 4 depicts a section of the adapter and connector of figures 1 — 3; Figure 5 depicts an enlarged view of part of Figure 4.

Figure 6 depicts a detailed view of the first extremity of the ducting element of figures 1 -

5.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of a container (not entirely shown) with an adapter 210 provided in a wall 200 of the container, a connector 100 connected to said adapter, and a hose 300 of a gas exchange system (not shown) connected in turn to the connector

100. The container is a flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC). The container may comprise an inner liner surrounded by an outer porous but robust bag. An opening 201 in the outer bag 202 may be provided to expose a wall 200 of the liner in which an adapter 210 may be provided.

The adapter 210 is arranged on an exterior side of the wall 200 of the container, but could have been arranged on the interior or alternatively within an opening in the wall 200 of the container. The adapter 210 fluidly connects the interior of the container to a gas exchange system via the hose 300. The gas exchange system comprises a vacuum system for extracting air from the container and/or an inert gas system for injecting an inert gas like nitrogen to form a protective atmosphere for preserving the contains of the container. The gas exchange system comprises a ribbed hose 300, with a connection head 301 and a clamp 302.

A connector 100 for connecting the hose 300 to the adapter 210 comprises a ducting element 10 for fluidly connecting the adapter 210 to the hose 300. The connector 100 further comprises a locking element 20 for locking the connector 100 to the adapter 210 upon rotation of the locking element 20 with respect to the adapter 210 around a rotation axis A. The connector 100 is represented in Figure 1 in a locked position, i.e. after rotating the locking element 11. The I5 ducting element 10 extends in a longitudinal direction along the rotation axis A, where the rotation axis A may be substantially perpendicular to the plane of the wall 200 housing the adapter 210. The ducting element 10 comprises an extremity 11 configured for connection to the hose 300. The extremity 11 of the ducting element 10 has a similar profile as the connection head 301 of the hose 300, such that a clamp 302 may clamp the extremity 11 and the connection head 301 together for fluidly connecting the ducting element 10 and the hose 300.

Figure 2 illustrates a section of the adapter 210 and the connector when connected to each other. The connector 100 comprises the ducting element 10 forming a duct 14 for fluidly connecting the container, via the adapter 210, to the gas exchange system, via the hose 300 (not represented in Figure 2). The ducting element 10 comprises a first extremity 13 for connection to the adapter 210, the previously mentioned second extremity 11 for connection to the hose 300, and a central portion 12 (forming the duct 14) in between said extremities 11 and 13. The duct 14 may extend along the rotation axis A of the locking element and the inner diameter of the duct 14 may vary along the axis A. The diameter of the duct 14 in the central portion 12 may be constant, forming a straight tube, and substantially smaller than the diameter of the duct 14 at the extremity

13. Near the extremity 13, the ducting element 10 comprises a shoulder 15 extending in a plane perpendicular to the axis A, 1.e. extending in a plane substantially parallel with the wall 200 housing the adapter 210. As from the shoulder 15, the inner diameter of the duct 14 increases to debouche at the first extremity 13 with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the opening 211 of the adapter 210. The duct 14 may thus have a tapered inner profile near the first extremity

13. The distance along the axis A between the shoulder 15 and the extremity 13 may be selected according to the dimensions of the adapter.

Figure 2 further shows the locking element 20, in a locked position, in which the locking element 20 has been rotated to lock the connector 100 to the adapter 210. The locking element 20 comprises a flange 22 extending in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis A and a peripheral rim 23 extending from the periphery of the flange 22, in a direction substantially perpendicular from the plane of the flange 22 and towards the extremity 13 of the ducting element 10. The locking element 20 has a rotation symmetrical shape, and the flange 22 is substantially circular. Yet other shapes of flanges are envisaged. The flange 22 further comprises an aperture 24 such that the ducting element 10 extends through the aperture 24 of the flange 22. The shape of the aperture 24 and the outer shape of the ducting element 10 in its central portion 12 may be cylindrical and more generally relatively chosen to allow the rotation of the locking element 20 around the ducting element 10.

The locking element 10 further comprises an inner rim 21 extending from the periphery of the aperture 24, said inner rim 21 extending substantially perpendicular from the plane of the flange 22 and in direction of the second extremity 11of the ducting element 10. The inner rim 21 has an inner diameter that corresponds substantially to the outer diameter of the ducting element 10 in its central portion 12 and at it second extremity 13. In this way the locking element 20 may be translated over the ducting element 10 from the second extremity 11 through the aperture 24 and may rotate and translate freely with respect to the central portion 12 of the ducting element 10. The flange 22. after locking the connector 100 by rotating the locking element 20 into place with respect to the adapter 210, abuts on the shoulder 15 of the ducting element 10. Similarly, after locking of the connector, the peripheral rim 23 of the locking element 20 abuts on a surface of the adapter 210, acting as a lid covering the assembly of the ducting element 10 and the adapter 210.

The adapter 210 comprises, as already shown, an opening 211 fluidly connected to the inside of the container. Additionally the adapter comprises a first and a second substantially upright edge 212, 213 surrounding the opening 211 and extending perpendicular to the plane of the opening 211 and towards the exterior of the container. The second edge 213 is an edge surrounding directly the opening 211 while the first edge 212 is at a distance of the opening, creating two concentric edges with a mutual interspace. The first edge 212 may be thus called an outer edge and the second edge 212 may be called an inner edge. The outer surface of the outer edge 212 may comprise a thread on its outer surface.

Figure 3 depicts a section of an exploded view of the adapter 210 and the connector 100 where the mating of the different elements will be more clearly explained. As explained before, the ducting element 10 and the locking element 20 are two separate elements. The ducting element 10 extends longitudinally through the locking element 20 and may be translated along the axis A via the aperture 24 provided in locking element 20. The translation movement is limited on one side by the flange 22 of the locking element 20 abutting onto the shoulder 15 of the ducting element 10.

During translation of the locking element 20, the inner rim 21 guides the movement and ensures that the planes of the flange 22 and of the shoulder 15 remain parallel to each other.

The locking element 20 is rotatable with respect to the ducting element 10 around the axis A.

The locking clement 20 comprises three protrusions 25 on an inner surface of the peripheral rim 23. The protrusions 25 engages upon rotation with a thread 214 provided on the outer surface of the first substantially upright edge 212 of the adapter 210. The pitch of the thread 214 is dimensioned such that the locking element 20 reaches its locking position within a rotation span of no more than 90 degrees.

For gripping the flange 22, a plurality of outer ribs 26 may be provided on the flange and/or the peripheral rim 23. The flange 22 may further have a diameter smaller than 15 centimeters to fit into a hand but larger than 3 centimeters to allow an operator to easily manipulate it.

In the locking position as previously explained, the locking element 20 abuts on the adapter 210 and abuts on the shoulder 15 of the ducting element 10 forcing said ducting element 10 in contact with adapter 210. In other words the locking element 10 after locking restrains a relative translation of the ducting element 10 with respect to the locking element 20 along the axis A of rotation of the locking element 20. Despite the decoupling of the ducting and locking elements when unlocked, the connector 100 may thus ensure a proper fluid connection to the adapter upon rotation of the locking element 10 alone.

Figures 4 shows a section of the connector and the adapter showing clearly how the ducting element 10 may mate with the adapter 210. Figure 5 provides an enlarged view of the area where the ducting element 10 and the adapter 210 may be mechanically in contact.

The ducting element 10 may comprise at the first extremity 13 an inner peripheral wall 41 and an outer peripheral wall 42 both extending substantially perpendicular to the shoulder 15 and towards the adapter 210. After locking, the inner peripheral wall 41 may abut in a radial direction in a plane perpendicular to the axis on the inner upright edge 213 of the adapter 210 while the outer peripheral wall 42 may come to rest in between the inner and outer edges 212 and 213 of the adapter 210. A groove 43 is provided on the outer surface of the inner peripheral wall 41 to hold a seal such that after locking, the seal seals radially the connection between the ducting element 10 30 and the adapter 210. An interspace 44 is provided between the inner peripheral wall 41 and the outer peripheral wall 42 such that after locking, the inner edge 213 of the adapter occupies partly the interspace 44, while the outer peripheral wall 42 extends over the inner edge 213. The two peripheral walls 41 and 42 mating in this way with the two substantially upright edges 212 and 213 allow for a precise positioning of the ducting element 10 prior to the locking.

This arrangement also improves the stability as the ducting element 11 is prevented from tipping over the adapter 210 such that it renders the manual operation by an operator easier and faster.

Further the ducting element 10 and the locking element 20 are made of stainless steel to obtain thin and solid walls and rims, further improving the stability. Other materials may vet be envisaged by a skilled person depending on circumstances.

In practice, an operator may first position the ducting element 10 over the adapter 210 looking to mate the free ends of the inner and outer peripheral walls 41 and 42 over the two edges 212 and 213 of the adapter, and in a subsequent step slide the locking element 20 down and rotate the locking element 20 to engage the thread 214 to lock the whole connector 100 to the adapter

210. The step of connecting the connector 100 to the hose 300 may be performed prior or after the above described connection of the connector100 and adapter 210.

Figure 6 shows a detail of the outer peripheral wall 42. The outer peripheral wall 42 comprise a tapered inner surface 45 with a first taper angle al and a tapered outer surface 46 with a second taper angle a2. The taper angles are defined with respect to a direction parallel to the A axis and the first taper angle al is larger than the second taper angle a2 to facilitate the positioning of the ducting element over the adapter 210 and prevent a tipping movement over the inner edge 213 ofthe adapter 210.

Whilst the principles of the invention have been set out above in connection with specific embodiments, it is understood that this description is merely made by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of protection which is determined also by the appended claims.

Claims

Conclusions

CLAIMS 1. Coupling for connecting a hose of a gas exchange system to an adapter on or in a wall of a container, the container comprising: - a tube element comprising a tube between a first and second end, the first end being adapted to couple to the adapter and the second end is adapted to couple to the hose; - a locking element for locking the coupling to the adapter when the locking element rotates relative to the adapter, wherein the locking element is rotatable with respect to the tubular element.

2. A coupling according to claim 1, wherein the locking element, after locking, limits a relative translation of the tubular element relative to the locking element along an axis of rotation of the locking element.

3. A coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tube element comprises a shoulder at or near its first end for engaging the locking element.

4. Coupling as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the locking element comprises a flange with an opening and wherein the tube element extends through the opening.

5. Coupling according to preceding claims 3 and 4, wherein the flange abuts against the shoulder of the tubular element after locking of the coupling.

6. Coupling as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the locking element comprises a circumferential edge extending from the circumference of the flange.

A coupling according to the preceding claim, wherein the peripheral edge on an inner surface comprises at least one protrusion.

8. Coupling according to the previous claim, wherein the circumferential edge comprises no more than three projections, preferably exactly three projections.

9. Coupling as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the locking element comprises a number of outer ribs.

10. A coupling according to any one of claims 4 - 9, wherein the flange of the locking element has an r of less than 15 centimetres, preferably less than 10 centimetres.

A coupling assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular member at the first end includes an inner circumferential wall and an outer circumferential wall defining a space between them.

A coupling according to the preceding claim, wherein the outer peripheral wall comprises an inner tapered surface with a first tapered angle and an outer tapered surface with a second tapered angle.

A coupling according to the preceding claim, wherein the first taper angle is greater than the second taper angle.

A coupling according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein the inner peripheral wall comprises a groove for retaining a seal.

15. Coupling as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the tube element and the locking element are made of stainless steel.

16. Assembly comprising a container with a wall and an adapter provided therein or on it, and a coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter comprises: - an opening which is connected to the interior of the container so that fluid can flow through it, and - a first substantially upright rim surrounding the opening, wherein the first substantially upright rim of the adapter and the locking element are provided with mutually cooperating locking means to effect locking between the adapter and the locking element.

17. An assembly according to claim 16, wherein the mutually cooperating locking means comprise a screw thread and at least one screw thread engaging element.

An assembly according to the preceding claim as dependent on at least claim 7, wherein the screw thread is provided as an external screw thread on the first substantially upright rim, the at least projection forming the at least one screw thread engagement element.

19. Assembly according to one of the system claims 17 or 18, wherein the screw thread has a pitch that is chosen such that the locking element reaches a locking position with a rotational span of maximally 180 degrees, preferably maximally 90 degrees.

A system according to any one of the preceding system claims, further comprising a second substantially upright rim surrounding the opening at a distance from the first substantially upright rim.

A system according to the preceding claim, wherein the first substantially upright rim is an outer rim and the second substantially upright rim is an inner rim as viewed from the opening.

22. Method for coupling a coupling assembly according to any one of the preceding claims to an adapter on or in a wall of a container and a gas exchange system, comprising the steps of: - fitting the tube element onto the adapter, - rotating the locking element and thereby locking the locking element relative to the adapter.