Device for connecting a discharge tube and a return tube to a bung of a liquid container

Abstract: Device for connecting at least a discharge tube and return tube to a bung connection (3) of a container (1) for liquids and the like, said connection being embodied with inner screw thread, which device comprises: a cylindrical insert (4) with screw thread (5) arranged on the cylinder outer wall and co-acting with the bung, and a bottom (8) provided with at least two openings (6,7), a tube connecting bung (11) provided with passages (12,13) for the discharge tube and return tube aligned with said openings, and a clamping piece (16) for fixing the connecting bung in the cylindrical insert via connecting means (9,22), wherein there are arranged lugs (20,21) placed in a determined pattern and recesses (23,24) receiving these lugs, wherein the clamping piece is connected non-slidably in axial direction to the bung but freely rotatable relative thereto, and wherein the connecting means (9) in the insert are arranged at a distance from the bottom in order to form a chamber (10), the recesses (23,24) are placed above the chamber in the insert and the lugs (20,21) lie on a downward extended part (19) of the clamping piece and at a distance below the connecting means (22), whereby the tube to be connected onto the container remains free of tension.

Description: The invention relates to a device for connecting at least a discharge tube and return tube to a bung connection of a container for liquids and the like, said connection being embodied with inner screw thread, which device comprises: a cylindrical insert with screw thread arranged on the cylinder outer wall and co-acting with the bung, in addition to a bottom provided with at least two openings, a tube connecting bung for placing with the lower surface on this bottom and provided with passages for the discharge tube and return tube aligned with these openings, and a clamping piece for fixing the connecting bung in the cylindrical insert via connecting means, wherein there are arranged lugs placed in a determined pattern and recesses receiving these lugs. Such a device has already been described in the Netherlands patent application 9400563 of the applicant or in US 4699298A. Such a connecting device serves to discharge liquid out of the container, wherein it is recommended to code the bung connection such that it fits only onto a container with a predetermined liquid. Used for this purpose are lugs and recesses co-acting with these lugs which ensure that only one particular connecting device fits onto one particular insert of the container. The insert is placed by the supplier of the liquid. The drawback to the existing device is that the different components are arranged separately of each other, which in practice may still result in errors. The invention has for its object to obviate the above stated drawback and provides for this purpose a device which is distinguished in that the clamping piece is connected non-slidably in axial direction to the bung but freely rotatable relative thereto, wherein the connecting means in the insert are arranged at a distance from the bottom in order to form a chamber, the recesses are placed above the chamber in the insert and the lugs lie on a downward extended part of the clamping piece and at a distance below the connecting means. Due to the rotatable connection of the clamping piece relative to the bung, wherein no axial displacement is possible, and the particular placing of the lugs and the recesses co-acting therewith, the above mentioned possible erroneous connection is prevented. The bung with bung connections can nevertheless turn freely relative to the insert. An embodiment of the invention will be further elucidated in the figure description hereinbelow. The accompanying figure shows the device in perspective view with partly broken away parts. Designated with numeral 1 is the liquid container, only the upper wall of which is shown schematically. Recessed into the upper wall is an opening 2 onto which connects a threaded bung-hole 3. Into this bung-hole is placed an insert 4 which is provided with a co-acting thread 5. The insert is embodied with a passage opening 6 and a second orifice 7, the operation and function of which is further elucidated below. A screw thread 9 is arranged in the cylindrical inner part at a distance from the bottom 8 of the insert such that between thread 9 and the bottom a space 10 is left free which forms a chamber for a purpose further indicated below. Into insert 4 is placed a bung 11 which is provided with a bung connection 12 for a discharge tube and a hole 13 running through from top to bottom. Bung 11 is embodied on the outer periphery with a channel-like recess 14. An outward pointing flange 15 is further arranged on the bottom end. Around bung 11 is placed a clamping piece 16 which has on the annular inner part an annular flange 17 which fits into the annular channel 14 of bung 11. The distance between annular flange 17 and the underside of cylindrical part 19 of clamping piece 16 is such that this latter ends directly above the protruding flange 15 of the bung. Due to the connection formed by channel 14 and protruding flange 17, the clamping piece 16 is rotatable in the direction of arrow P1 relative to bung 11 but is not slidable in axial direction. Once mounted, clamping piece 16 remains fixed on bung 11. According to the invention lug means 20,21 are arranged which are situated here on the cylindrical outer wall part of clamping piece 16 under the screw thread 22 arranged thereon. Further arranged in the inner part of insert 4 close to screw thread 9 are two recesses 23,24, the distance between which corresponds with the distance between lug means 20,21. The width of recesses 23,24 also correspond with the relevant widths of lugs 20,21. For placing of bung 11 into insert 4 the assembly of bung 11 and clamping piece 16 is inserted into the cylindrical opening of insert 4. For this purpose clamping piece 16 is turned in the direction of arrow P1 by means of the upward directed clamping ring 25 such that lugs 20,21 come to lie opposite recesses 23,24. The assembly can then be carried downward in the direction of arrow P2, wherein lugs 20,21 move below screw thread 9 into the space 10 in insert 4. Clamping piece 16 can therefore be rotated freely relative to bung 11 and relative to insert 4. Further rotation can take place such that screw thread 22 engages thread 9, whereafter clamping piece 16 can be screwed tightly into insert 4. Bung 11 is thus clamped fixedly in the discharge hole of liquid container 1. Prior to definitive clamping the bung can continue to turn freely, whereby no reaction forces or twisting is generated onto the discharge tube coupled to the bung connection. A further option is a non-return valve 30 in the passage of bung connection 12 of bung 11. Valve 30 is pressed downward by a pressure spring 31 and closes off the opening of bung 12 in downward direction. During placing the back part 33 of valve 30 will come up against a stop 34 in the passage 6 of insert 4, wherein the valve is raised from its seat by placing of the bung 11. It is noted that for venting purposes the opening 13 in bung 11 communicates with hole 7 via an annular chamber 34 in insert 4. Fitting sealing rings 35 ensure a separation between the liquid passage and venting through the bung. It is further noted that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. The location of lugs 20,21 and the associated recesses 23,24 serve of course only as an example and a wholly different coding can be used with a different placing and width of lugs 20,21.

Claims: Device for connecting at least a discharge tube and return tube to a bung connection (12) of a container (1) for liquids and the like, said connection being embodied with inner screw thread, which device comprises: a cylindrical insert (4) with screw thread (5) arranged on the cylinder outer wall and co-acting with the bung (11), in addition to a bottom (8) provided with at least two openings (6,7), a tube connecting bung (12) for placing with the lower surface on this bottom and provided with passages (13) for the discharge tube and return tube aligned with these openings, and a clamping piece (16) for fixing the connecting bung tightly in the cylindrical insert (4) via connecting means (9,22), wherein there are arranged lugs (20,21) placed in a determined pattern on the connecting bung and recesses (23,24) in the insert (4) receiving these lugs, characterized in that the clamping piece (16) is connected non-slidably in axial direction to the bung but freely rotatable relative thereto, wherein the connecting means (9) in the insert is arranged at a distance from the bottom (8) of the insert (4) in order to form a chamber (10), the recesses (23,24) are placed above the chamber (10) in the insert and the lugs lie on a downward extended part of the clamping piece and at a distance below the connecting means (22) of the clamping piece. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the connecting means in the insert and on the bung are formed by a screw thread. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the bung and the clamping piece have respectively an annular channel or an annular inner flange or vice versa. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-3, characterized in that the insert is provided with a dip tube for at least one opening. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-4, characterized in that the connecting bung is embodied with a non-return valve for at least one passage.

Inventors: LEIFELS JOACHIM, VAN DER HEIJDEN JOHANNES ARNOL, LEIFELS, JOACHIM, VAN DER HEIJDEN, JOHANNES ARNOLDUS PETRUS
Applicants: WIVA BV, WIVA VERPAKKINGEN B.V.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B67D5
IPC codes: B67D7