Abstract:
A liquid transfer system that includes a valve and 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:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    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.  
           [0003]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    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.  
           [0005]    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.  
           [0006]    The Micro Matic system, which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,747issued 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.  
           [0007]    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.  
           [0008]    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.  
           [0009]    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  
         [0010]    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.  
           [0011]    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.  
           [0012]    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.  
           [0013]    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.  
           [0014]    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.  
           [0015]    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 groove 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  
       [0016]    [0016]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.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a generally perspective exploded view of one form of the coupler assembly and valve assembly of the invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the system shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a view taken along lines  4 - 4  of FIG. 3, partly broken away to show internal construction.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5  of FIG. 4.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  of FIG. 4.  
         [0022]    [0022]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 manlier in which the coupler blades interact with the valve assembly.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the coupler moved into a valve open position.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the valve assembly in a valve open configuration.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  10 - 10  of FIG. 9.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  11 - 11  of FIG. 9.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 12 is a planer projection similar to FIG. 7, but showing the valve assembly having been moved into a valve open configuration.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 13 is a generally perspective, exploded view of an alternate form of the valve and coupler assembly of the invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 13, partly broken away to show internal construction.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 15 is a generally perspective, exploded view of yet another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 partly broken away to show internal construction.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 17 is a generally perspective view of still another form of the coupler and valve assembly of the invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the assemblage shown in FIG. 17 partly broken away to shown internal construction. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]    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.  
         [0035]    Valve assembly  20  farther 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).  
         [0036]    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 .  
         [0037]    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).  
         [0038]    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.  
         [0039]    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.  
         [0040]    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 .  
         [0041]    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.  
         [0042]    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.  
         [0043]    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.  
         [0044]    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.  
         [0045]    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.  
         [0046]    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 claims.