WO2003045834A1

WO2003045834A1 - Container closure

Info

Publication number: WO2003045834A1
Application number: PCT/EP2002/013529
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans-Ulrich Hahn; Andreas Szeteli
Original assignee: Honeywell Specialty Chemicals Seelze Gmbh
Priority date: 2001-11-29
Filing date: 2002-11-29
Publication date: 2003-06-05
Also published as: EP1451094A1; DE10158510A1; AU2002352194A1; CN1617829A

Abstract

Container closure for filling and emptying containers, in particular barrel-like transport containers, which can be inserted into a container opening, which receives a plug head, and which comprises a riser tube, connected to the plug head, a removal connection element, whereby the removal connection element can be locked with the plug head, and a first cylindrical tube section having a removal tube formed therein, a ventilation line and a recirculation line, being separated spatially from the ventilation line.

Description

Container closure

The invention relates to a container closure for filling and emptying of containers, in particular of barrel-like transport drums, which can be inserted exchangeable into a container opening which can receive a plug head.

The high purity of the chemicals being necessary for sensitive processes, particu- larly in the semiconductor production, renders particular measures necessary with respect to the removal of chemicals from containers. In most cases the protection of very pure chemicals from contamination e.g. by dust particles as well as the avoidance of contacts between persons and dangerous chemicals in the form of gas or liquid can only be assured by the use of closed systems. Those chemicals are usually delivered in containers, particularly in barrel-like transport drums. In order to provide a closed system, consisting in the easiest case of a removal device for the chemicals at a location of use and of a onduit for the chemicals, it is necessary to provide a container closure permitting a removal of the chemicals from the container ensuring a tight closing against the environment.

Such a container closure is known from WO 98/49090. This container closure serves for filling and emptying containers. It can be inserted into a container opening, which can receive a plug head, so as to be exchangeable. The container closure comprises a riser tube being connected with the plug head and a removal connection element. A conduit can be connected to the removal connection element for a transfer of the chemicals. Furthermore, a ventilation of the container via a ventilation device also being arranged in the container closure is provided.

The container closure is designed in a way that a mixing up of chemicals can be avoided. For this purpose the container closure is provided with a removal con- nection element which may be locked by means of coding studs and corresponding coding recesses with the plug head. The coding studs are arranged on a first securing part and the coding recesses on a second securing part. One of the securing parts is formed as an annular disc which can separately be fitted loosely such that it cannot slip off onto the modular removal connection element.

During the use of chemicals in those systems the situation frequently arises that chemicals once they are removed from the container do not have to be disposed after their use but may be used several times. This is useful with respect to a re- duction of costs with the use of expensive chemicals as well as from the point of view of environmental protection. Thus, it is necessary to feed back those chemicals to the container. Thereby, the closed system must be maintained.

In prior art a container closure having a possibility for a feeding back within a closed system is not provided.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a container closure which permits the feeding back of chemicals within a closeofsystem and, furthermore, provides the functions of a removal of chemicals and of a ventilation of the container.

This object is achieved by a container closure comprising the features according to claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the inventive container closure are given in the dependent claims.

According to the invention a container closure for filling and emptying containers is provided, which can be inserted in an exchangeable manner into a container opening and which comprises a riser tube connected to the plug head and a re- moval connection element. The removal connection element can be locked to the plug head and comprises a first cylindrical tube portion being insertable into the plug head having a removal tube as well as a ventilation conduit and a recirculation conduit.

The container closure according to the invention combines the functions of a re- moval of chemicals, of a ventilation and of a recirculation of chemicals in the container closure. Thereby, it becomes possible to integrate a container for chemicals, particularly with chemicals which are highly pure and/or dangerous for persons into a closed system, which is hermetically closed to the outside, whereby a feeding back of reusable amounts of chemicals into the container is possible. By the spatial separation of the recirculation conduit from the ventilation conduit the generation of turbulences, splashes and droplets of the chemical in the container and in the removal device is avoided. Those occur particularly when a chemical is fed back to the container through a conduit through which simultaneously air streams in during the removal of chemicals via the riser tube.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the first cylindrical tube section is prolonged into the removal connection element. Between its outer surface and a second cylindrical tube section of the removal connection element comprising a larger diameter than the first cylindrical tube section a first space is formed being connected with the recirculation conduit or forms part thereof, respectively. This first space formed in the removal connection element is continued into a space formed between a first cylindrical tube section of the plug head and the second cylindrical part of the plug head in the mounted state of the removal connection element. Through this space or the part of the recirculation conduit formed thereby, respectively, a chemical can be fed back from outside into the container.

According to a further preferred embodiment, a second space being connected to a ventilation conduit is formed between the second cylindrical tube section and the inner surface of the removal connection element. The second space is fluidly con- nected with a ventilation opening arranged in the plug head when the removal connection element is mounted in the plug head. For ventilation of the container air from outside can stream into the container through the ventilation conduit into the second space and through the ventilation opening arranged in the plug head to compensate for an underpressure arising in the container during discharge of chemicals.

According to still another embodiment, the removal connection element comprises at the side facing the plug head, particularly at a second cylindrical tube section, a second flange carrying a second O-ring for sealing the removal connection element with respect to the plug head. Preferably, this O-ring is inserted in an annular groove formed in the flange and seals the removal connection element in its locked state, e.g. in the state in which a coupling stopper is screwed fixedly and sealingly in a recessed internally threaded section of the plug head, against the plug head, and seals, in particular, the first space with respect to the second space of the removal connection element.

According to another preferred embodiment the removal connection element comprises a first flange at the first cylindrical tube section at its side oriented towards the plug head, carrying a first O-ring for -sealing the removal connection element with respect to the plug head.

According to further preferred embodiment the first cylindrical tube section of the removal connection element protrudes into a first cylindrical tube section of the plug head and comprises a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical tube section of the plug head and is sealed with the first cylindrical tube section of the plug head by means of a sealing.

According to a further embodiment, the removal connection element is sealed with respect to the plug head by means of a sealing being positioned above the ventilation opening when the removal connection element is mounted in the plug head. This sealing again is preferably obtained by means of an O-ring inserted in an annular groove. The sealing preferably is made of PE and prevents chemical contamination of the above positioned thread in the plug head.

According to a further preferred embodiment the first cylindrical tube section of the plug head and a second cylindrical part of the plug head are formed concentrically with respect to each other and a space for guiding a fluid is formed there between.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the removal tube and the recircula- tion conduit are provided each with a check valve. Thereby, the container remains tightly closed at the removal tube as well as at the recirculation conduit, if the container is not connected to the closed system when the container closure is mounted.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the removal connection element can be locked to the plug head by means of a stud coding system and is connected in a sealing manner to the plug head by means of a coupling stopper, the stud coding system having coding studs and matching codings-recesses. The coding studs are provided on a first securing part and the coding recesses are provided on a second securing part, whereby one of the securing parts is designed as an annular disc, which can separately be fitted loosely onto the modular removal connection element such that it cannot readily be moved again therefrom, e.g. such that it cannot slip off, and the other of the securing parts being integrated in the plug head.

A container closure formed in this manner serves to avoid contamination by external influences which have an adverse effect on the purity of special liquid chemicals, e.g. high-purity chemicals for manufacturing electronic components. Such a removal system ensures that the high degrees of purity of the special liquid chemicals mentioned remain intact even during removal operation. Due to the special stud coding system on the one hand, for reasons of safety and contamination, the risk of chemicals being mixed up is ruled out, on the other hand, in terms of construction and dimensions the actual removal connection element is identical for a vast range of different chemicals, the only difference being that the actual stud coding system has to be designed specifically for the respective application case. This makes it possible for such removal systems which ensure the removal of specific chemicals with minimized contamination, nevertheless to be produced cost-effectively.

According to a preferred embodiment, the annular disc is designed as a studded disc, i.e. the coding studs are provided thereon and arranged such that they engage in coding recesses which are provided in the plug head and are distributed on the circumference of the latter in accordance with the arrangement of the studs. This means that the first securing part is designed in the form of the annular disc and the second securing part is integrated in the plug head. Of course, it is also possible for the annular disc to be designed as a perforated disc and for the plug head to have corresponding studs which, in a locking position, match the recesses in the annular disc. Such a stud coding system thus rules out any risk of mix-up upon connection to chemical supply systems.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the coding studs are designed as cylinder studs and circular-ring-segment studs, which are in a mirror-inverted and congruent arrangement with respect to the correspondingly formed coding recesses arranged on the circumference of the plug head. The circular-ring-segment studs preferably also serve as a resting aid.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the riser tube, which is connected to the plug head and extends into the interior of the container, is provided with a folding-bellows section.

According to a further preferred exemplary embodiment, the riser tube has an opening funnel which is oriented in the direction of the base of the container. On the front side of the funnel circumferencially space-part webs are provided which leave an inflow cross-section when the opening funnel has been positioned on the container base, with the result that the container can be emptied nearly completely without having to be tilted or up-ended. Furthermore, the opening funnel ensures uniform extraction of the chemicals located in the container.

According to a further embodiment, the plug head supporting the riser tube comprises an external thread by means of which it may be screwed in a barrel-like container comprising a matching thread.

Preferably, the riser tube which may also be referred to as a submerged tube, may preferably be fitted onto a cylindrical tubular socket which extends into the interior of the container. In order, on the one hand, to ensure reliable, complete emptying of the liquid from the container, the riser tube has to extend as far as the base, i.e. the most lower point of the container. When the plug head is screwed into the opening of the container, the folding-bellows ensure that the necessary adaptation of the distance between the container base and the screwed-in plug head is ensured. By the folding-bellows, the rupture of riser tubes under the action of pressure upon inserting of the plug head into -ine opening of the container is prevented. Furthermore, the folding-bellow is preferably of such a flexibility that friction of the riser tube on the container base or on the container wall is minimized to the extend where no particles are abraded from the surface of the container base or of the riser tube.

Consequently, the fitting of the riser tube in conjunction with the plug head does not result in any contamination of the special high purity of the chemicals located in the container.

According to yet another preferred exemplary embodiment, the plug head also has a threaded section which differs from the recessed internally threaded section for the coupling stopper and into which a threaded stopper can be screwed to seal the open plug head when the removal connection element has been removed. How- ever, it is also possible, for the purpose of reliably closing off the plug head in a sealing manner, for the threaded stopper to be fitted into the recessed internally threaded section provided for the coupling stopper.

Beneath the opening thread in the container coupling, in the case of conventional containers, a shoulder is provided which serves the purpose, in conjunction with an O-ring which is arranged on the plug head beneath the external thread and rests against a mating shoulder, of reliable sealing on the exterior of the plug head.

An inner section of the plug head is provided with an internal thread in which the coupling stopper, which has an external thread and extends through the annular disc, can engage such that the removal connection element and the plug head can be reliably connected to one another in a sealing manner. The coupling stopper is arranged in a loosely displaceable manner on a cylindrical section of the removal connection element, and the annular disc is arranged displaceably and loosely on a cylindrical section above the externally threaded section of the coupling stopper, said externally threaded section extending through the annular disc.

Preferably, the container closure is made of inert plastic materials, i.e. a plastic material which is not attacked by chemicals the container closure is getting in contact with.

Further advantages, features and possible applications of the invention will now be explained with reference to an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the container closure according to the invention in a mounted state. For the sake of simplicity the container and the riser tube have been omitted. In the mounted state the container closure is in its removal state; Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the container closure according to the invention in a mounted state.

Fig. 3 shows a plug head with riser tube and threaded stopper, the inventive removal connection element according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 being removed; Fig. 4 shows a plan view of a studded disc according to the invention; and

Fig. 5 shows a lateral sectional view of the studded disc according to Fig. 4.

Fig. 1 shows the inventive container closure in the mounted state without container and riser tube 2. The container closure comprises a removal connection element 3, which is introduced in a plug head 1 in its mounted state. The removal connection element 3 comprises in its interior a first cylindrical tube section 4, in the inside of which a removal tube 5 is formed in a concentric manner thereto, crossing the removal connection element over its entire length. The cylindrical tube section 4 of the removal connection element 3 is continued upwards far into the interior of the removal connection element 3, namely into a thickened region of the removal connection element 3 to which one or several conduits may be screwed into a connection nozzle being provided at a recirculation conduit 7 through which chemicals may be fed back into the-cδntainer.

The first cylindrical tube section 4 forms a first flange 31 of the removal connection element 3 at its lower end in which an annular groove for the reception of a first O-ring 32 is arranged. In its mounted state this first O-ring 32 rests on a first cylindrical tube section 33 of the plug head 1 arranged in the interior of the plug head 1. Thereby the O-ring 32 provides a sealing of the removal connection ele- ment 3 and its first cylindrical tube section 4, respectively, with the first cylindrical tube section 33 of the plug head 1, which is opposite to the first cylindrical tube section 4 of the removal connection element 3 in its mounted state.

Concentrically with the first cylindrical tube section 4 the removal connection element 3 comprises a second cylindrical tube section 10 having a larger diameter, whereby a first space 9 is formed between the latter and the first cylindrical tube section 4 which is connected to the recirculation conduit 7 in the upper part of the removal connection element 3, or forms part thereof, respectively.

The second cylindrical tube section 10 forms a second flange 13 of the removal connection element 3 at its lower end in which an annular groove is arranged for receiving an O-ring 14. In the mounted state the O-ring 14 provides a sealing of the removal connection element 3 in the plug head. In this case, the second O-ring 14 rests on an annular shoulder 27 which is continued by a second cylindrical part 8 of the plug head 1.

Between the second cylindrical tube section 10 of the removal connection element 3 and the inner wall of the removal connection element 3, which is located further outside a second space 11 is formed. This second space 11 is also continued upwards in form of a cylindrical annular gap according to Fig. 1 far into the interior of the removal connection element 3. However, it ends under the level of the entrance opening of the recirculation conduit 7 in the removal connection element 3. The second space 11 is connected with a ventilation conduit 6, or forms part thereof, respectively, into which ventilation valve^'s^* or conduits, respectively, can be screwed in one or several connection nozzles by means of which ventilation of the container takes place. The second space 11 ends at the lower end of the removal connection element 3 in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the removal connection element in form of an annular opening 28 in the outer lower cylindrical wall of the removal connection element 3. In the mounted state of the removal connection element 3 the annular opening is located at the level of a ventilation opening 12 formed in the plug head.

The plug head 1 located in a container opening is provided with coding recesses 18. These coding recesses 18 are made as cylindrical recesses 18' and circle- segment-shaped recesses 18" as defined, i.e. coded intervals on the circumference of the outwardly oriented end surface of the plug head 1. The removal connection element 3 has a cylindrical section on which a coupling stopper 19 is arranged in a displaceable manner. This coupling stopper 19 has a threaded section 24 which mates the internally threaded section 25 recessed in the plug head 1 such that the coupling stopper 19 can be screwed into the recessed internally threaded section 25 in the plug head 1 to fasten the removal connection element 3. The head of the coupling stopper 19 comprises a flange-like design and supports an angular disc 20 with the inner end surface of a flange. The annular disc 20 is arranged loosely and displaceably on a thread-free section of the coupling stopper 19, the threaded section 24 extending centrally through the annular disc 20. The annular disc 20 has coding studs 17 such that the annular disc 20 is designed as a studded disc. The coding studs 17 of the studded disc 20 are arranged such that they are in a mirror-inverted and congruent arrangement on that surface of the annular disc 20 which is directed towards the outwardly oriented end surface of the plug head 1, and match the coding recesses 18. Accordingly, the coding studs 17 are designed as cylindrical studs 17' and circular-ring- segment studs 17" (fig. 4 and 5).

The coupling stopper 19, which bears the studded-^'dlsc, is secured on the cylindrical part of the removal connection element 3 such that it cannot slip off, with the result that, once it has been fitted on said cylindrical part of the removal connection element 3, which is otherwise of identical design for different chemicals, said coupling stopper cannot readily be removed therefrom.

If the removal connection element 3 is to be connected to the plug head 1, in which case, in accordance with the stud coding system, only a coded arrangement of cylindrical and circular-ring-segment studs matches the correspondingly formed recesses, then the first step is for the removal connection element to be introduced, until the second flange 13 of the removal connection element 3 rests on the annular shoulder of the plug head 1. Thereafter, the studded disc 20 is ro- tated such that its coding studs 17 match the corresponding coding recesses 18 and these studs are inserted into these coding recesses until the studded disc 20 rests on the outer end surface of the plug head 1. After this, the coupling stopper 19, which extends through the central region of the studded disc 20 by way of its threaded section 24, is screwed into the recessed internally threaded section 25 of the plug head 1 until the removal connection element 3 is fixedly connected to the plug head 1. In order to prevent the coupling stopper 19 with the studded disc 20 from being removed from the cylindrical part of the removal connection element 3, the removal connection element 3 has a projection 29 projecting outside at the lower end of the second space 11.

Preferably, a groove is provided in the projection 29 above the annular opening in the removal connection element 3 along the circumference of the removal connection element 3 in which a sealing 15 maybe arranged.

The second cylindrical part 8 of the plug head 1 is oriented in the direction of the interior of the container. A ventilation opening 12 is provided in said cylindrical part. The internal diameter of said cylindrical part 8 of the plug head 1 is larger than the external diameter of the first cylindrical tube section 33 of the removal connection element 3. Beneath the ventilation opemng 12 an annular shoulder 27 is arranged, from which onwards the internal diameter of the second cylindrical part 8 of the plug head 1 decreases.

Through the space existing between the concentric cylindrical tube sections of the plug head and of the removal connection element 3 a liquid which shall be fed back into the container may flow through the recirculation conduit 7.

A riser tube 2 (not shown in fig. 1) may be pushed rigidly onto the cylindrical part 8 on the plug head 1, said cylindrical part extending into the container, with the result that the riser tube is retained by said cylindrical part 8.

In the upper part of the removal connection element 3 a check valve 16 is arranged in the removal tube 5. The check valve 16 comprises a spring pushing a cover fixed thereto perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the removal rube 5 against a shoulder formed in the course of the removal tube 5 into the direction of the container. For sealing an O-ring is arranged under the cover having a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the removal tube 5 which seals the cover with respect to the removal connection element 3. Preferably the O-ring is made of PE and is inserted into a groove formed in the cover. By the spring the cover together with the O-ring is pressed against the shoulder and thereby closes the removal tube 5 and the container. The spring of the check valve leans against a cap mounted on the removal connection element 3 on the side opposite to the cover. The cap 30 is congruent with the top part of the removal connection element 3 and may be mounted thereon e.g. by means of screws. In order to increase the tightness of the cap against the removal connection element 3 a groove for reception of an O-ring may be provided concentrically with the circumference of the removal tube in the cap 30.

In Fig. 2 a second embodiment of the inventive container closure is shown, where the top part of the removal connection element 3 has been omitted. Parts of the container closure corresponding to those of the first embodiment have been denoted with the same reference numerals.

The container closure according to the second embodiment distinguishes form the one according to the first embodiment substantially in that the first cylindrical tube section 4 is longer than the second cylindrical tube section 10 such that the first cylindrical tube section 4 in its mounted state protrudes into the first cylindri- cal tube section 33 of the plug head 1 mounted thereon.

For this purpose the first cylindrical tube section 4 comprises an outer diameter that has the same size or preferably is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first cylindrical tube section 33 of the plug head 1. At a certain place of the first cylindrical tube section 4 of the removal connection element 3 which in the mounted state of the removal connection element 3 is located in the first cylindri- cal tube section 33 of the plug head 1 an O-ring 34 inserted into a groove is provided sealing the first cylindrical tube section 4 of the removal connection element 3 against the first cylindrical tube section 33 of the plug head 1. According to the present embodiment, the first space 9 being connected with the recirculation line 7 in the top part of the removal connection element 3, and which is formed between the second cylindrical tube section 10 having the larger diameter of the removal connection element 3 and the first cylindrical tube section 4, is connected to the space of the plug head 1 formed between the first cylindrical tube section 33 and the annular shoulder 27, which is continued by the second cylindrical part 8 of the plug head 1, by an annular opening 35 which runs obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the container closure. With respect to the particular embodiment of the plug head 1 presented here also other equivalent embodiments may be suited.

The connecting of the removal connection element 3 described here with the plug head 1 is carried out in the same way as it has been described with respect to the embodiment described above.

Fig. 3 illustrates a plug head 1 which bears the riser tube 2. At the lower end of the riser tube 2 an opening funnel 22 is arranged which is sitting on the container base when the plug head 1 is inserted. The opening funnel 22 comprises webs 23 on its end surface oriented towards the container base being spaced from each other along the circumference, which guarantee that a sufficient cross section of stream is provided between the container base and the webs 23. Furthermore, it is ensured by the webs 23 that as little material as possible of the opening funnel 22 gets into frictional contact with the container base and the container wall, respectively, when the plug head 1 is screwed in the container opening such that the amount of eventually rubbed off particles is minimized or completely avoided, respectively. In the section between the top part of the riser tube 2 placed on the cylindrical part of the plug head 1 and its opening funnel 22 a section is located being formed as folding-bellows 21. This folding-bellows 21 can compensate for several centimeters in the longitudinal direction in order to cover different distances between a base or a wall of a container, respectively, and the plug head 1, which is located opposite and has been screwed into a container opening. This also makes it possible to use one and the same container closure for different container dimensions and types of containers. Furthermore, the folding-bellows 21 serves for compensating for any slopes in the container base or the container wall on which the opening funnel 22 is seated without there being any possibility of the riser tube 2 buckling when the plug head 1 is inserted into the opening of the container.

In Fig. 3 the removal connection element 3 has not been inserted. Rather, a threaded stopper 26 has been inserted into the plug head 1 instead. The threaded stopper 26 can be screwed in a sealing manner into a threaded section of the plug head 1 which is offset inwards in relation to the recessed internally threaded section 25, which receives the coupling stopper 19. As an alternative it is also conceivable not to screw a threaded stopper into a threaded section which is offset inwards in relation to the recessed internally threaded section 25, but directly into the recessed internally threaded section 25 being provided with the threaded section 24 of the coupling stopper 26 for a screwing connection. Thus the additional threaded section can be omitted. The containers either may be provided with a conventional closure or may have already been equipped with such a plug head which, in the delivery state, bears the threaded stopper 26 for closing purposes. This ensures that just one coding stud arrangement fits, which matches the spac- ings and forms predetermined by the coding recesses 18 in the plug head 1, and thus a specific removal connection element 3. Consequently, the predetermined stud coding system rules out any mix-up of chemicals.

The point on the cylindrical part 8 at which the ventilation opening 12 is arranged can also be seen in Fig. 3. Beneath the ventilation opening 12 the annular shoulder 27 is arranged, beginning from which, in the direction of the riser tube 2, the reduced-diameter section of the cylindrical part 8 of the plug head 1 is provided.

The annular disc 20, which is designed as a studded disc, is illustrated in Fig. 4. Cylindrical studs 17 and circular-ring-segment studs 17" are spaced apart circum- ferentially on that end side of the annular disc which, in the fitted state is directed towards the coding recesses 18 in the plug head 1. A variation in spacing and in the form of the studs, which may also be of, for example, rectangular or triangular cross-section, can provide any number of stud coding systems, which ensures that it is only possible for the coding stud arrangements and forms which match predetermined recesses 18 in the plug head 1 to be used and thus the associated removal connection element to be connected.

In order that, when the removal connection element 3 is fitted in the plug head 1, the correct positioning of the studded disc 20 in relation to the recesses located in the plug head 1 can be identified and implemented quickly, the studded disc 20 has a marking slit arranged on the circumference. The outwardly projecting, tooth-like extensions serve for bringing the studiϊed disc 20 into the necessary coding position.

Fig. 5 illustrates a lateral sectional view of the studded disc according to Fig. 3. In this illustration, a cylindrical coding stud 17' and a circular-ring-segment coding stud 17" have been inserted into the disc or provided thereon. Said coding studs may either be attached using conventional, known adhesive-bonding methods or be inserted into appropriately prepared openings and likewise fastened to the studded disc 20 by adhesive bonding.

The container closure according to the invention, in conjunction with the stud coding system, thus rules out any mix-up of chemicals and, consequently, any contamination of high-purity chemicals. Furthermore, the container closure according to the invention permits simultaneous liquid removal, ventilation of the container and recirculation of chemicals in order that the liquid can be removed without difficulty. Moreover, the container closure according to the invention is constructed such that by means of the coupling stopper described liquid lines, ventilation lines, or recirculations lines do not have to be separated when the re- moval connection element is connected to the plug head or removed therefrom. Since the plug head is adapted to commercially available drum threads, in particular, it is also possible for the container closure according to the invention to be used in commercially available containers, in particular drums.

Furthermore, the design according to the invention means that the container closure according to the invention satisfies the requirements for the existing licensing of hazardous substances. The inventive configuration of the container closure in conjunction with the riser tube ensures a high throughflow rate, of at least 5-20 1/min, of liquid which is to be removed from the container.

Reference numerals

(1) plug head

(2) riser tube

(3) removal connection element

(4) first cylindrical tube section

(5) removal type

(6) ventilation conduit

(7) recirculation conduit

(8) second cylindrical part of the plug head

(9) first space

(10) second cylindrical tube section

(H) second space

(12) ventilation opening

(13) second flange

(14) second O-ring

(15) sealing

(16) check valve

(17) coding stud

(18) coding recess

(19) coupling stopper

(20) annular disc

(21) folding-bellow

(22) opening funnel

(23) webs

(24) threaded section

(25) internally threaded section

(26) threaded stopper

(27) annular shoulder

(28) annular opening

(29) projection (30) cap

(31) first flange

(32) first O-ring

(33) first cylindrical tube section of the plug head

(34) sealing

(35) annular opening

Claims

Patent claims

1. Container closure for filling and emptying containers, in particular barrellike transport containers, which can be inserted into a container opening, which receives a plug head (1), and which comprises a riser tube (2), connected to the plug head (1), a removal connection element (3), whereby the removal connection element (3) can be locked with the plug head (1), and a first cylindrical tube section (4) having a removal tube (5) formed therein, - a ventilation conduit (6) and

- a recirculation conduit (7), being separated spatially from the ventilation conduit (6).

2. Container closure according to claim 1, whereby the first cylindrical tube section (4) is prolonged into the removal connection element (3) and forms a first space (9) being connected with the recirculation conduit (7) between its outer surface and a second cylindrical tube section (10) of the removal connection element (3).

3. Container closure according to claim 1 or 2, whereby a second space (11) connected with the ventilation conduit (6) is formed between the second cylindrical tube section (10) and the inner surface of the removal connection element (3), whereby the second space (11) is fluidly connected with a ventilation opening (12) arranged in the plug head (1), when the removal connection element (3) is mounted.

4. Container closure according to any of the preceding claims, whereby the removal connection element (3) comprises a second flange (13) at the second cylindrical tube section (10) at its side oriented towards the plug head (1), carrying a second O-ring (14) for sealing the removal connection element (3) with respect to the plug head (1).

5. Container closure according to any of the preceding claims, whereby the removal connection element (3) comprises a first flange (13) at the first cylindrical tube section (4) at its side oriented towards the plug head (1), carrying a first O-ring (32) for sealing the removal connection element (3) with respect to the plug head (1).

6. Container closure according to any of the preceding claims, whereby the first cylindrical tube section (4) of the removal connection element (3) protrudes into a first cylindrical tube section (33) of the plug head (1) and comprises a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical tube section (33) of the plug head (1) and is sealed with the first cylindrical tube section (33) of the plug head (1) by means of a sealing (34).

7. Container closure according to any of the preceding claims, whereby the removal connection element (3) is sealed with respect to the plug head (1) by means of a sealing (15) positioned above the ventilation opening (12) with the removal connection element (3) mounted.

8. Container closure according to any of the preceding claims, whereby the first cylindrical tube section (33) of the plug head (1) and a second cylindrical part (8) of the plug head (1) are formed concentrically with respect to each other and a space for guiding a fluid is formed there between.

9. Container closure according to any of the preceding claims, whereby the removal tube (5) and/or the recirculation conduit (7) are each provided with a check valve (16).

10. Container closure according to any of the preceding claims, whereby the removal connection element (3) can be locked to the plug head (1) by means of a stud coding system (17, 18) and can be connected thereon in a sealing manner by a coupling stopper (19) and whereby the stud coding system (17, 18) comprises coding studs (17) and matching coding recesses (18), the coding studs (17) being arranged at the first securing part (17, 20) and the coding recesses (18) being provided on a second securing part (1, 18), whereby one of the securing parts is designed as an annular disc (20) which can separately be fitted loosely such that it cannot slip off, onto the modular connection element (3) and the other of the securing parts being integrated in the plug head (1).

11. Container closure according to claim 10, whereby the annular disc (20) is designed as a studded disc having the coding stud (17) and the plug head (1) is provided with coding recesses (18).

12. Container closure according to claim 10 or 11, whereby the coding studs (17) are designed as cylinder studs (17') and circular-ring-segment studs

(17"), which are in a mirror-inverted arrangement with respect to the correspondingly formed coding recesses (18', 18") arranged on the circumference of the plug head (1).

13. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, whereby the riser tube (2) comprises a folding-bellows section (21).

14. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, whereby the riser tube (2) comprises an opening funnel (22), on the end side of which there are provided spaced-apart webs (23), which leave an inflow-cross- section when the opening funnel (22) has been positioned on the container base.

15. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, whereby the plug head (1) can be screwed into the container, and the coupling stopper

(19) which extends through the annular disc (20) by way of a threaded section (24) can be screwed into an internally threaded section (25) which is recessed in the plug head (1).

16. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, whereby the plug head can be closed off in a sealing manner by means of a threaded stopper (26) when the removal connection element (3) has been removed.

17. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, whereby it consists of plastic material being resistant to chemicals.