A CONNECTOR FOR CONVEYING FLUID

Abstract: A releasable connector comprises first and second elements (A,B). The elements (A,B) have flanges (10,34) which lie face-to-face when the elements are interconnected. The flange (10) of the first element (A) has flexible lugs (12) which carry barbs (14). The barbs (14) engage the flange (34) of the second element (B) to retain the elements together. The first element (A) has a socket (2) within which extends a nozzle (4). The second element (B) comprises a plug which fits in the socket (2) and which has a bore (38) fitting over the nozzle (4).

Description: This invention relates to a releasable connector for conveying fluids. In my patent specification GB 2136321, a connector is disclosed which comprises two inter-fitting elements which can be retained together by means of a C-shaped clip engaging flanges on the respective elements. A disadvantage of this connector is that three separate components must be manufactured, one of which (the C-shaped clip) is easily mislaid. Broadly stated, the present invention comprises a releasable connector for conveying fluids, comprising first and second elements which are interconnectable to provide a flow path through the connector, the elements being provided with integral latching means for retaining the elements together. More specifically, the present invention provides a releasable connector for conveying fluids, comprising first and second elements which are interconnectable to provide a flow path through the connector, the first element having an outer tubular portion comprising a socket and an inner tubular portion comprising a nozzle, the second element comprising a body for sealing engagement with the socket, the body having an opening which receives the nozzle when the body is inserted into the socket, the first and second elements each having respective parts of a latching device which is operative to retain the body within the socket. One part of the latching device may comprise a barb; preferably, it comprises two barbs which are situated diametrically opposite each other. The other part of the latching device may be a flange which is engageable by the barb or barbs. Each barb may be mounted on a lug which projects radially outwardly from the element on which it is mounted. By making the elements from flexible mater­ ial, such as high density polyethylene, the barb or barbs can be released from the other part of the latching device (such as the flange) by resiliently deflecting the lug. The barb may have a cam surface inclined to the longitudinal axis of the connector so that the latching device will automatically engage as the two elements of the connector are brought together. The first element may have an integral cap, connected to the rest of the elements by a flexible strap, for closing the nozzle when the second element is removed. Furthermore, the nozzle may initially have a partition along its length which must be broken before the connector is first used to convey fluid. The second element may be equipped with a sharp-edged projection for piercing the partition when the elements are first interconnected. The rigidity of the first element may be improved by providing webs which extend radially between the outer surface of the nozzle and the inner suface of the socket. The two elements may conveniently be formed as integral mouldings. A prefered use of the connector is to provide a releasable connection between a container of herbicide and spraying equipment for distributing the herbicide. In such use, the first element would be connected to the connector, and the second element would be connect­ ed to the spraying equipement. The container may, for example, comprise a flexible bag made from plastics material, which can be welded to the outer suface of the socket. For a better understanding of the present invent­ ion, and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is one end view of a first element of a connector; Figure 2 is a view of the other end of the first element; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line III-III in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line IV-IV in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second element of the connector; Figure 6 shows the two elements of the connector in engagement with each other; and Figure 7 shows a connector having an alternative form of second element. The first element of the connector, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, comprises an outer tubular portion comprising a socket 2, and an inner tubular portion comprising a nozzle 4. The socket 2 and nozzle 4 are copnnected together at one end of the element by an end wall 6. Three equally distrubuted webs 8 interconnect the outer surface of the nozzle 4 and the inner surface of the socket 2 in order to make the structure of the first element more rigid. At the end of the socket 2 away from the end wall 6, the socket 2 is provided with a radially outwardly extending flange 10, which has two diametrically opposite disposed lugs 12. Each lug carries a barb 14. Each barb 14 has a cam face 16 which is inclined to the longitudinal axis of the first element, and a latching face 18 which extends parallel to, and a short distance from, the flange 10. The flange 10 also carries a flexible strap 20 which is provided with a cap 22 at its outer end. The strap 20 has a local reduction in thickness at 24 in order to permit easy bending of the strap 20 to allow the cap 22 to fit over the end of the nozzle 4. The nozzle 4 also has an internal position 26 which must be ruptured before the connector is first used. The second element of the connector, shown in Figure 5, comprises a body 32 having at one end a flange 34 from which projects a spigot 36. The body 32 has an opening 38 which communicates with the interior of the spigot 36. A seal 40 is received in a groove in the outer surface of the body 32. An intended use of the connector shown in the drawings is to provide a releasable connection between spraying equipment and a container of herbicides to be sprayed. In a preferred embodiment, the container comprises a flexible bag of plastics material which is welded to the outer surface of the socket 2 so that the interior of the bag communicates with the interior of the nozzle 4. The second element B is connected to the spraying equipment by inserting the spigot 36 into a flexible tube which extends to delivery means of the spraying equipment. Suitable spraying equipment is, for example, shown in my patent specification GB 2136231. For use, the partition 26 in the nozzle 4 is ruptured, and the body 32 of the second element B is inserted into the socket 2 of the first element A. This causes the nozzle 4 to enter the opening 38, so that the container of herbicides is put into communicat­ ion whith the tube fitted over the spigot 36. As the body 32 is inserted, the flange 34 of the second element B approaches the flange 10 of the first element A, and eventually engages the surfaces 16 of the barbs 14. A camming action is applied to the barbs 14, causing them to deflect away from each other, as indicated by the arrows X, until the flanges 34 and 10 lie adjacent one another. The barbs 14 then spring back over the flange 34, so that the flange 34 is engaged by the latching face 18, which prevents removal of the second element B from the first element A. To release the connector, the lugs 12 can be engaged by the fingers and pulled back in the direction indicated by the arrows X, so moving the barbs 14 apart from each other until the latching face 18 has moved out of engagement with the flange 34. The element B can then be removed from the element A. The cap 22 can then be fitted over the nozzle 4, to prevent leakage from the container to which the element A is fitted. In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 7, the first element A of the connector is the same as that shown in Figures 1 to 4, but the second element B' is different. It comprises a disc 42 from which two circular skirts 44 and 46 project. The outer skirt 44 is shorter than the inner skirt 46. The outer skirt 44 is a close fit within the socket 2, and the inner skirt 46 is a close fit over the nozzle. The disc 42 has a central aperture 48 within which a brass connector 50 is fitted. On the side opposite the skirts 44 and 46, the connector 50 has fir-tree formations 52 for insertion into a tube extending to delivery means of the spraying equipment. On the other side of the disc 42, the connector has an oblique end 54 which gives the connector a sharply pointed leading edge 56. It will be appreciated that, the first time the element B' is inserted into the socket 2, the leading edge 56 will cut the partition 26 and tilt it to the position shown in Figure 7. The partition 26 will remain attached to the nozzle 4, and so there is no danger of it coming free and moving about in the container, where it could cause blockages. The inner skirt 46 makes sealing engagment with the nozzle 4, while the outer skirt 44 provides secondary sealing against the socket 2. Thus there is little danger of herbicide leakage. Furthermore, the inner skirt 46 extends beyond the leading edge 56 of the connector 50 and so acts as a shroud, preventing injury from the sharp edge of the connector. As in the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6, the element B' is retained in position on the element A by the barbs 14. The element B' is released by deflecting the lugs 12 as described above. When the element B' is removed, the areas contaminated with herbicides are protected from unitentional contact by the inner skirt 46.

Claims: 1. A releasable connector for conveying fluids, comprising first and second elements (A,B) which are interconnectable to provide a flow path through the connector, characterised in that the elements (A,B) are provided with integral latching means for retaining the elements together. 2. A releasable connector for conveying fluids, comprising first and second elements (A,B) which are interconnectable to provide a flow path through the connector, the first element (A) having an outer tubular portion (2) comprising a socket and characterised in that the first element (A) also comprises a nozzle (4) disposed within the socket (2), and in that the second element (B) comprising a body (32) for sealing engagement with the socket (2), the body (32) has an opening (38) which receives the nozzle (4) when the body (32) is inserted into the socket (2), the elements (A,B) being provided with latching means (14,34) for retaining the body (32) within the socket (2). 3. A releasable connector as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the latching means (14,34) comprises respective (10,34) flanges provided on the first and second elements (A,B), these flanges (10,34) being in face-to-face contact when the elements (A,B) are interconnected, the latching means further comprising a latching element (14) which is formed integrally with the flange (10) of the first element (A) and is engageable with the flange (34) of the second element (B) to retain the elements together. 4. A releasable connector as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the latching element (14) is provided on a portion (12) of the flange (10) of the first element (A) which projects beyond the periphery of the second element (B), the latching element (14) engaging a peripheral region of the second element (B) to retain the elements together. 5. A releasable connector as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the projecting portion (12) of the flange (10) comprises a lug which is flexible to release the latching element (14) from the flange (34) of the second element (B). 6. A releasable connector as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the latching element (14) comprises a barb. 7. A releasable connector as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the latching element (14) comprises one of two diametrically oppositely disposed latching elements (14). 8. A releasable connector as claimed in claim 2, or in any one of claims 3 to 7 when appendant to claim 2, characterised in that the nozzle (4) is provided with a breakable partition (26), the second element (B) having a tubular element (50) with a sharpened leading edge (56) wich enters the nozzle (4), when the elements (A,B) are interconnected, thereby to rupture the partition (26) to permit flow through the connector. 9. Apparatus for spraying herbicides, comprising spraying equipment for distributing the herbicides and a container for the herbicide to be sprayed, the container being provided with one element of a releasable connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, and the spraying equipement being provided with the other element of the connector. 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that the container comprises a flexible bag.

Inventors: GILL,DAVID CHARLES
Applicants: NOMIX MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
Application year: 1986
Main classification: F16L37
IPC codes: F16L37, B05B15