Abstract:
A liquid transfer system that includes a valve and a coupler assembly of unique design for use in extracting hazardous fluids from a transport container. The system includes a novel valve and coupler assembly that is of a simple design and is uniquely constructed from a corrosive resistant plastic that is substantially impervious to most corrosive liquids.

Description:
[0001]    This is a Continuation In part Application of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/827070 filed Apr. 4, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to systems for the filling, transport, and emptying of liquid containers More particularly, the invention concerns a novel, corrosion resistant liquid extraction apparatus that includes a novel plastic valve that can be removably connected to a liquid transport container. In turn, the valve can be interconnected with a specially configured, corrosion-resistant, plastic coupler that operates the valve in a manner to enable fluid to be extracted from the container.  
           [0004]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    The storage and transport of liquids and particularly the storage and transport of hazardous liquids have long presented substantial problems. For many years liquids were stored and transported in throwaway type metal and plastic containers. Typically, such containers were provided with a threaded liquid outlet port, which, after the container was filled, was closed, by some type of threaded cap. The use of these types of containers was costly, inefficient and often hazardous, particularly when the containers were used to store and transport potentially dangerous chemicals.  
           [0006]    In recent years substantial efforts have been made to develop new systems to improve container and drum management capabilities, minimize user exposure to hazardous materials and address emerging governmental regulations. These efforts have resulted in the development of several different types of reusable systems for transferring liquid formulations from returnable closed drums and containers. As a general rule, these systems to a greater, or lesser extent, simplify drum emptying, minimize operator hazards, improve cleanliness and eliminate costly waste inherent in prior art disposable container systems. One of the most advanced of such improved systems was developed by and is presently commercially available from Micro Matic, Inc. of Northridge, Calif.  
           [0007]    The Micro Matic system, which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,747 issued to the present inventor, basically comprises a two-part system that includes a coupler operated extractor valve which can be interconnected with a conventional drum via existing threaded connections and a cooperating coupler which connects to the extractor valve to allow drum emptying through the use of a remote pumping system. The extractor valve apparatus includes a valve body and a down tube connected to the valve body, which extends to the bottom of the drum to permit the complete transfer of liquid from the drum.  
           [0008]    Another Micro Matic prior art liquid transfer system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5, 944,229 also issued to the present inventor. This invention concerns a novel, tamper-proof, safety valve system that includes a tamper evident valve closure cap that must be broken before liquid can be removed from the container.  
           [0009]    The Micro Matic systems, while representing the best of the current state of the art liquid transfer systems, have certain drawbacks which are sought to be overcome by the system of the present invention More particularly, the metal valve and coupler assemblies of the Micro Matic systems are of a relatively complex design making them somewhat difficult and costly fabricate. Further, in some respects these metal assemblies are not well suited for use with various types of hazardous and highly corrosive chemicals that are frequently stored and transported.  
           [0010]    As will be better appreciated from the discussion that follows, unlike the prior art Micro Matic systems, the novel valve and coupler of the improved system of the present invention are of an elegantly simple design and are uniquely constructed from a corrosive resistant plastic that is substantially impervious to most corrosive liquids. Additionally, the improved system provides a customer unique, key type coupler-valve mating interface that precludes removal of the drum contents by unauthorized persons  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel liquid transfer system that includes a valve and coupler assembly of unique design for use in extracting hazardous fluids from a transport container. More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a liquid transfer system of the aforementioned character that includes a novel valve and coupler assembly that is of a simple design and is uniquely constructed from a corrosive resistant plastic that is substantially impervious to most corrosive liquids.  
           [0012]    Another object of the invention is to provide a system of the character described which improves container and drum management while at the same time significantly reducing the material and labor costs inherent in the fabrication of the prior art liquid transfer systems.  
           [0013]    Another object of the invention is to provide a liquid transfer system, which includes a novel plastic valve mechanism, which can be readily removably connected to a container such as a metal or plastic drum, and a novel, plastic coupler mechanism that can be removably coupled with the plastic valve mechanism for operating the valve mechanism. An important aspect of the liquid transfer system resides in the fact that the valve mechanism is specially configured so that only a coupler of a special, mating configuration can be interconnected with the valve mechanism. In this way, couplers and valves can be custom designed for individual users and use of or tampering with containers belonging to the individual user by users of similar systems is positively prevented.  
           [0014]    Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid transfer system of the aforementioned character, which is highly reliable in operation, has a long useful life and is easy to use with a minimum amount of instruction being required.  
           [0015]    Another object of the invention is to provide a system of the character described in the preceding paragraphs, which is inexpensive to produce and requires minimum maintenance.  
           [0016]    In summary, the novel liquid transfer system of the present invention includes a valve and coupler assembly of unique design and a remote pump means that can be connected to the coupler to extract hazardous fluids from a transport container. The plastic valve of the system comprises a valve body that is connected to the container, which includes a coupler receiving portion and a hollow skirt portion, the hollow skirt portion have a spiral guideway formed therein. An insert having a central bore is sealably received within the skirt portion for rotational movement by the coupler between a first valve closed position and a second valve open position. A down tube assembly is connected to the valve body and includes a stem portion that is sealably received within the central bore of the insert. The coupler of the liquid transfer system, which includes a fluid outlet passageway in communication with the fluid passageway of the down tube assembly, can be conveniently, removably connected to the valve body for imparting rotation to the insert. The plastic valve further includes a radially outwardly extending protuberance that is closely receivable within said spiral groove of the skirt portion of said valve body and the coupler receiving portion of the valve body is provided with circumferentially spaced openings which receive circumferentially spaced blades provided on the coupler. The insert of the plastic valve, in turn, includes upstanding fingers that are engagable by the spaced-apart blades when the coupler is connected to said valve body. In one form of the invention, the coupler also includes a downwardly extending first sleeve, an upwardly extending second sleeve telescopically received within the first sleeve and biasing means for yieldably resisting telescopic movement of the second sleeve into the first sleeve.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a generally perspective, exploded view of one form of the liquid transfer system of the invention showing the fluid container broker away to reveal internal construction.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a generally perspective exploded view of one form of the coupler assembly and valve assembly of the invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the system shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a view taken along lines  4 - 4  of FIG. 3, partly broken away to show internal construction.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5  of FIG. 4.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  of FIG. 4.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a planer projection of the upper portion of the valve assembly of the invention and the lower portion of the coupler assembly showing the manner in which the coupler blades interact with the valve assembly.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the coupler moved into a valve open position.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the valve assembly in a valve open configuration.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  10 - 10  of FIG. 9.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  11 - 11  of FIG. 9.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 is a planer projection similar to FIG. 7, but showing the valve assembly having been moved into a valve open configuration.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 13 is a generally perspective, exploded view of an alternate form of the valve and coupler assembly of the invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 13, partly broken away to show internal construction.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 15 is a generally perspective, exploded view of yet another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 partly broken away to show internal construction.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 17 is a generally perspective view of still another form of the coupler and valve assembly of the invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the assemblage shown in FIG. 17 partly broken away to shown internal construction.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 19A is a generally perspective, exploded view of an alternate form of the coupler assembly of the liquid transfer system of the invention.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 19B is a generally perspective, exploded view of an alternate form of the valve assembly of the liquid transfer system of the invention.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 19C is a generally perspective, fragmentary exploded view of a locking assembly that comprises a part of the coupler assembly of this latest form of the invention that locks the cap assembly of the coupler assembly against rotation relative to the body portion of the coupler assembly.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the coupler assembly.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 21 is a view partly in cross section taken along lines  21 - 21  of FIG. 20.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 22 is a view taken along lines  22 - 22  of FIG. 21.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  23 - 23  of FIG. 21.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  24 - 24  of FIG. 21.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 25 is a planar projection of the upper portion of the valve assembly of this latest form of the invention and the lower portion of the coupler assembly showing the manner in which the coupler blades interact with the valve assembly.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the coupler assembly similar to FIG. 20, but showing the cap portion of the coupler assembly rotated to a second position.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 27 is a view partly in cross section taken along lines  27 - 27  of FIG. 26.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 27A is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the manner of locking the blade-like components of the valve assembly against rotation when the valve is in the open position.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  28 - 28  of FIG. 27.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  29 - 29  of FIG. 27.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 30 is a planar projection of the upper portion of the valve assembly of the invention and the lower portion of the coupler assembly similar to FIG. 25 but showing the portion of the components as they appear in a valve-open configuration.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 24, but showing the locking means moved into a locking position to enable rotation of the insert assembly toward a valve open position. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0051]    Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, one form of the apparatus is there shown interconnected with a conventional liquid transport container “C”. Container “C” includes interconnected top, bottom and side walls “T”, “B”, and “S” respectively that define a liquid reservoir “R”. The apparatus of the invention here comprises a valve assembly  20  that is threadably connected with top wall “T” of the container, a coupler assembly  22  that can be removably interconnected with valve assembly  20  and a remotely located pumping means “P” for pumping the liquid “L” from the transport container. As best seen in FIG. 2, valve assembly  20  comprises a valve body  24  that is threadably connected to top wall “T” of container “C” by conventional threads  26  formed on the valve body. Valve body  24  includes a tubular shaped skirt portion  28  that is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, curved grooves  30 , the purpose of which will presently be described. The top wall  24   a  of valve body  24  is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced irregularly shaped openings  32  which here are generally fan shaped.  
         [0052]    Valve assembly  20  further includes a generally cylindrically shaped insert  36  that is rotatably received within skirt portion  28  of valve body  24 . In a manner presently to be described, insert  36  can be moved by the coupler assembly  22  from a first valve closed position to a second valve open position. As best seen in FIG. 6, insert  36  is provided with a central, generally cylindrically shaped bore  38  that telescopically receives upper portion  42   a  of stem  42  which forms a part of a down tube assembly generally designated by the numeral  44  (FIG. 2). Down tube assembly  44  also includes a flange portion  45  that is interconnected with skirt  28  of valve body  24  in the manner shown in FIG. 6. As indicated in FIG. 6, stem  42  is connected to and extends both upwardly and downwardly from flange  46 . The upper portion  42   a  of the stem, which carries an elastomeric O-ring  43 , is sealably received within central bore  38  of insert assembly  36 , while the lower portion  42   b  extends downwardly within reservoir “R”. As indicated in FIG. 2, the upper portion  42   a  of stem  42  is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced fluid passageways  46 . As will presently be described, when the coupler assembly  22  is interconnected with the valve assembly and is rotated into the valve-open position, fluid passageways  46  will move into communication with an outlet passageway formed in coupler assembly  22 , which, in turn, communicates with the pumping means “P” (FIG. 1).  
         [0053]    Turning particularly to FIGS. 2 and 6, the novel coupler assembly of the present invention can be seen to comprise an upper gripping portion  22   a  having finger gripping segments  22   b  and a lower, downwardly extending, generally tubular portion  22   b.  Affixed to portion  22   b  of the coupler assembly are circumferentially spaced blade-like members  50  which engage circumferentially spaced surfaces  52  formed on a plurality of upstanding, finger-like portions  54  that comprise a part of insert  36 .  
         [0054]    As indicated in FIG. 4, when the coupler assembly  22  is mated with the valve assembly, the generally fan shaped blades  50  will be received within the fan shaped openings  32  and the edges thereof will engage walls  52  of fingers  54  upon rotation of the coupler. With this construction, rotation of coupler assembly  22  relative to valve assembly  24  will cause blades  50  to impart rotation to insert  24  between the first valve closed position shown in FIG. 6 and the second valve open position shown in FIG. 11. In this regard, it is to be noted that protuberances  40  of insert  36  are received within curved grooves or slots  30  so that, upon rotation of insert  36  by the coupler assembly  22 , protuberances  40  will move along grooves  30  urging downward movement of insert  36  from the valve closed position shown in FIG. 6 to the valve open position shown in FIG. 11 (see also FIGS. 7 and 12).  
         [0055]    As indicated in FIG. 6, when the valve is in the closed position, a valve seat-engaging sleeve  56  formed on coupler assembly  22  will sealably engage a valve seat  58  formed on upper stem portion  42   a.  When the valve is in the valve open position illustrated in FIG. 11, it is to be noted that outlet passageways  46  provided in stem portion  42   a  can freely communicate with outlet passageway  60  formed in coupler assembly  22  and with the pumping means (FIG. 1). Accordingly, when the valve is in the valve open position shown in FIG. 11, upon urging of the pumping means, the liquid “L” can be drawn from the container “C” upwardly through the down tube assembly in the direction of the arrow  61  in FIG. 11, through outlet passageways  46 , into passageway  60  and then outwardly of the apparatus in a direction toward the pump means “P”. Pump means “P” can comprise any suitable commercially available pump of a character well understood by those skilled in the art.  
         [0056]    As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 11, coupler assembly  22  includes a downwardly extending sleeve  64  which telescopically receives an upwardly extending sleeve  66 . Sleeve  66  terminates in an end wall  66 a that engages the top of valve seat  58 . Disposed within sleeves  64  and  66  is biasing means for yieldably resisting telescopic movement of second sleeve  66  into first sleeve  64 . This biasing means is here provided in the form of a conventional coil spring  68 . As indicated in FIG. 11, as the coupler assembly is rotated into the valve open position there shown, spring  68  will be compressed in a manner that will urge coupler  22  to return to its upward, valve closed position as shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0057]    With the construction described in the preceding paragraphs, as the coupler assembly is rotated relative to the valve assembly, from the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to the position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, valve seat engaging sleeve  56  will move telescopically downwardly over the upper portion  42   a  of stem  42  against the urging of the biasing means or spring  68 . When the coupler assembly reaches the position shown in FIG. 11, valve seat engaging sleeve  56  will have moved telescopically downwardly relative to stem portion  42   a  to a position where outlet passageways  46  are in fluid communication with passageway  60  formed in coupler assembly  22 . With the apparatus in the valve-open position, energization of pump “P” will, of course, cause fluid to be drawn from the container “C” outwardly of the apparatus in the direction toward pump “P”. Rotation of coupler assembly  22  in the opposite direction will, of course, cause the apparatus to return to the valve closed position shown in FIG. 6 where sleeve  56  will sealably engage valve seat  58 .  
         [0058]    Turning to FIGS. 13 and 14, an alternate form of the apparatus of the invention is there shown. This form of the invention is similar in most respects to that shown in FIGS. 1 through 12 and like numerals are used to identify like components. However, in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the circumferentially spaced openings  71  formed in the valve body are of a slightly different configuration as are the blades  73  of the coupler assembly. More particularly, as indicated in FIG. 13, blades  73  are provided with a plurality of key-like shoulders  73   a  that are closely received within the keyhole-like openings  71  provided in the valve assembly. It is apparent that, unless the coupler is provided with the correctly configured blades, the coupler cannot be used in conjunction with the valve body  24  of the character shown in FIG. 13.  
         [0059]    Turning to FIGS. 15 and 16, still another form of the apparatus of the invention is there shown. Once again, this apparatus is similar to that previously described and like numerals are used to identify like components. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the circumferentially spaced openings  75  formed in the valve assembly are of a different configuration from that shown in FIGS. 1 through 12, but are similar to those shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Similarly, the blades  77  formed on the coupler assembly are of a different configuration from those shown in FIGS. 1 through 12. However, the blades in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 are of similar configuration to those shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Although this is the case, as indicated by the arrow  79  in FIG. 15, in this latest embodiment of the invention, the coupler is rotated in a counterclockwise direction rather than a clockwise direction to move valve assembly from a valve closed position to a valve open position. Once again, with this important distinction, unless the coupler is provided with properly configured blades  77 , the coupler cannot be used with the valve assembly having the configuration shown in FIG. 15.  
         [0060]    Referring next to FIGS. 17 and 18, yet another form of the apparatus of the invention is there shown. Again, this form of the apparatus is similar in most respects to the apparatus previously described and like numerals are used in FIGS. 17 and 18 to identify like components. In this latest embodiment of the invention, it is to be noted that the operating blades  81  of the coupler assembly and the openings  83  provided in the valve assembly are once again of a different configuration. More particularly, as best seen in FIG. 17, blades  81  include a central radially outwardly extending protuberance  81   a  that is received within a notch-like opening  83 a that forms a part of each of the blade receiving openings of the valve assembly.  
         [0061]    It is clear from a study of FIGS. 13 through 18 that the coupler assemblies as well as the valve assemblies can be specially configured for particular customer so that only couplers belonging to that customer can be used to operate valves belonging to the customer.  
         [0062]    It is to be understood that the configuration of the blades and openings of the apparatus shown in the drawings is only exemplary, and that any number of mating configurations of blades and openings can be provided to the customer.  
         [0063]    Turning to FIGS. 19A, 19B,  19 C, and  20  through  31 , still another form of the apparatus of the invention is there shown. This form of the invention is similar in many respects to that shown in FIGS. 1 through 12 and like numerals are used to identify like components. However, in this latest embodiment of the invention the coupler assembly  90  is of a slightly different construction and mates with a valve assembly  92  (FIG. 19B) that is also of a slightly different construction. More particularly, as indicated in FIG. 19A, the novel coupler assembly of the present invention can be seen to comprise an upper, cap assembly  94  having finger gripping segments  94   a,  a seal tube  96  having a central bore  97  and a body portion  98 . Cap assembly  94  is rotatably interconnected with body portion  98  by a split ring  99  (FIG. 23). With the construction shown in the drawings, when the coupler assembly is in normal configuration, the cap can be rotated relative to body portion  98  so that an angularly upwardly extending tubular outlet port  100  provided on the cap can be optimally positioned to permit the easy and convenient interconnection of the outlet port with a pumping unit “P” (FIG. 26). Locking means, the character of which will presently be discussed, are provided to enable the cap assembly  94  to be interlocked with body portion  98  to enable rotation of the valve insert component of the valve assembly, the nature of which will presently be described.  
         [0064]    Affixed to body portion  98  of the coupler assembly are circumferentially spaced blade-like members  101  the purpose of which will presently be described. Also comprising a part of the coupler assembly is sealing means, shown here as a sealing ring  103  for sealably interconnecting the coupler assembly with the valve assembly.  
         [0065]    As best seen in FIGS. 19B and 23, valve assembly  92  comprises a valve body  104  that is threadably connected to top wall “T” of container “C” (see FIG. 23) by conventional threads  106  formed on the valve body. As illustrated in FIG. 19B, valve body  104  includes a tubular shaped skirt portion  108  that is provided with a generally spiral shaped guideway  110 , the purpose of which will presently be described. As before, the top wall  104   a  of valve body  104  is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced irregularly shaped openings  112  which here are generally fan shaped in configuration.  
         [0066]    Valve assembly  92  further includes a generally cylindrically shaped insert component  116  that is rotatably received within skirt portion  108  of valve body  104 . In a manner presently to be described, insert  116  can be moved by the coupler assembly  90  from a first, valve closed position shown in FIGS. 21 and 23 to a second, valve open position shown in FIGS. 27 and 29. Insert  116  is provided with a central, generally cylindrically shaped bore  118  that telescopically receives the upper portion  122   a  of a stem  122  which forms a part of a down tube assembly. This down tube assembly is similar in construction and operation to the down tube assembly shown in FIG. 2 and there generally designated by the numeral  44 . As in the earlier described embodiments, the down tube assembly also includes a circular flange portion  125  that is provided with a vent opening  125   a.  Flange portion  125  is sealably interconnected with skirt  108  of valve body  104  in the manner shown in FIG. 23. As indicated in FIGS. 19B and 23, stem  122  is connected to and extends both upwardly and downwardly from flange portion  125 . The upper portion  122   a  of the stem, which carries three elastomeric O-rings  127   a,    127   b  and  127   c,  is sealably received within central bore  118  of insert assembly  116 , while the lower portion  122   b  extends downwardly within reservoir “R”. As indicated in FIG. 19B, the upper portion  122   a  of stem  122  is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced fluid passageways  128 . As will presently be described, when the coupler assembly  90  is interconnected with the valve assembly  92  and is rotated into the valve-open position shown in FIG. 29, fluid passageways  128  will move into communication with an outlet passageway  129  formed in coupler assembly  90 , which, in turn, communicates with the pumping means, such as the pumping means “P” of FIG. 26.  
         [0067]    As indicated in FIGS. 22, 27 and  28  when the coupler assembly  90  is mated with the valve assembly  92 , the generally fan shaped blades  101  that are provided on body portion  98  will be received within the fan shaped openings  112  formed in valve body  104  to enable their engagement with circumferentially spaced surfaces  130  formed on a plurality of upstanding, finger-like portions  132  that comprise a part of insert  116  (FIG. 19B). At the same time, the tube sealing means provided on seal tube  96  will move into sealing engagement with the top wall  122   c  of down tube  122 . This sealing means is here provided in the form of an elastomeric seal member  105  (FIGS. 19A and 23).  
         [0068]    With the construction described in the preceding paragraph, rotation of coupler assembly  90  relative to valve assembly  92  will cause blades  101  to impart rotation to insert  116  between the first valve closed position shown in FIG. 23 and the second valve open position shown in FIG. 29. In this regard, it is to be noted that protuberances  134  formed on insert  116  are received within spiral guideway  110  so that, upon rotation of insert  116  by the coupler assembly  94 , protuberances  134  will move along guideway  110  urging a downward movement of insert  116  from the valve closed position shown in FIG. 23 to the valve open position shown in FIG. 29 (see also FIGS. 25 and 30).  
         [0069]    As illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 23, cap assembly  94  includes a downwardly extending sleeve  135 , which telescopically receives seal tube  96 . Disposed within seal tube  96  and sleeve  135  is biasing means for yieldably resisting telescopic movement of seal tube into sleeve. This biasing means is here provided in the form of a conventional coil spring  137 . As indicated in FIG. 29, as when coupler assembly is rotated into the valve open position there shown, spring  137  will be compressed in a manner that will urge the coupler assembly to return to its upward, valve closed position as shown in FIG. 23. However as will be described in the paragraphs that follow, blades  101  are configured to include a step  101   a  having a shoulder  101   b  (FIG. 25) that will engage an edge  116   a  formed on insert  116  so as to prevent the counter-rotation of the coupler assembly into a valve closed position until a downward force is exerted on cap  94  (see FIGS. 19B, 25 and  30 ).  
         [0070]    The earlier described locking means, which here comprises a finger engaging assembly  136  having a knurled knob  136   a  and an outwardly extending locking stem  138  (FIG. 19C) enables the user to interlock cap  94  with valve body  98  so that rotation of the cap will impart rotation to the valve body  98 . As shown in FIG. 19C, the knurled knob  136   a  includes a plurality of slots  136   b  that receive a locking pin  139  carried by the cap assembly when the finger engaging assembly is in position within a bore  94   b  formed in cap  94 . A coil spring  141  surrounds stem  138  and functions to continuously urge the finger engaging assembly outwardly into the position shown in FIG. 24 where the extremity  138   a  of stem  138  is spaced apart from body portion  98  of the coupler assembly. As illustrated in FIG. 31, an inward force exerted on the finger engaging assembly in the direction of the arrow, will cause the extremity of the stem to enter into a selected one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots  98   a  formed in body  98 . With the locking stem  138  of the locking means in the position shown in FIG. 31, rotation of the cap will impart rotation to body portion  98  of the valve. Conversely, with the locking stem in the position shown in FIG. 24, the cap can be freely rotated relative to body portion  98  to a position where the pump “P” can be most conveniently interconnected with tubular outlet port  100 .  
         [0071]    In using the apparatus of the invention with the apparatus in the valve closed position shown in FIG. 23, the operator first depresses the finger engaging assembly  136  in the manner shown in FIG. 31 to operably interconnect cap assembly  94  with coupler body  98 . This done, rotation of the cap assembly  94  will cause rotation of body portion  98 , which in turn will cause the valve to move from the valve closed position shown in FIG. 23 to the valve open position shown in FIG. 29. As the coupler assembly is rotated relative to the valve assembly, seal tube  96  will be moved upwardly against the urging of coil spring  137  into the position shown in FIG. 29. When the coupler assembly reaches the position shown in FIG. 29, outlet passageways  128  are in fluid communication with passageway  129  formed in coupler assembly  90 . With the apparatus in the valve-open position, and with the finger engaging assembly  136  in its normal retracted position, cap assembly  94  can be freely rotated to position outlet port  100  at a desired location to enable expedicious interconnection of the port with the pump “P”.  
         [0072]    Before energizing the pump “P” gas is introduced into an inlet port  146  formed in the cap assembly (FIG. 29). This priming gas will flow in the direction of the arrows  147  of FIG. 29, through the cap or assembly, through the valve assembly and into the reservoir “R” of the container “C” to impart a pressure on the liquid contained therein. Following this priming step, energization of pump “P” will cause fluid to be drawn from the container “C” outwardly of the apparatus in a direction toward pump “P”.  
         [0073]    Referring particularly to FIGS. 25, 27,  27 A and  30 , with the cap assembly coupled with the body portion  96  by the previously described locking means, rotation of the cap assembly will cause the protuberances  34  to travel within the spiral groove  110  from the starting position depicted in FIG. 25 into the position depicted in FIG. 30. This, of course, moves insert  116  downwardly into the valve open position shown in FIG. 29. As previously described, when insert  116  reaches the position shown in FIGS. 27, 27A and  30 , the blades  101  that are carried by coupler body  98  will engage the edges  116   a  of the insert and will be held in this locking position by the urging of compressed spring  137 . With the blades in this locking position, counter-rotation of the cap assembly is blocked. However, a downward force exerted on the cap assembly against the urging of the spring  137  will enable the steps  101   b  to clear edges  116   a  so as to permit counter-rotation of the cap assembly and the return of the apparatus to the starting valve closed position shown in FIG. 23.  
         [0074]    Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following documents.