Abstract:
Apparatus and method for transferring liquids from a sealed air-tight container to a second container by means of gravity feed, the apparatus including an air pressure input line having a one-way check valve for providing pressurized air into an air space above liquid in the air-tight container and means for escape of displaced liquid from the container in response to the induced air pressure, and an output line for feeding the displaced liquid to the second container.

Description:
CLAIM FOR BENEFIT OF EARLIER FILING DATE 
       [0001]    The present utility application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/798,665 filed on 9 May 2006 and entitled “Apparatus for Inducing Gravity Feed of Liquids”. The present utility application has the same inventor, subject matter and title as the aforesaid Provisional Application. 
     
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The background of the invention will be discussed in two parts. 
         [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates to a mobile liquid transfer apparatus and particularly to an apparatus for transfer of liquid from one container to another by inducing gravity feed by means of pressured air from a closed container to another container. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,446 to Goodman issued on 14 Mar. 2000 and entitled “Fluid Transfer with Concurrent System Movement for Liquid Vacuum” is cited as background for this invention. Goodman discloses mobile apparatus for transporting a liquid which includes an outlet transfer line for liquid transfer to a remote container. Also of interest is U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,374 to Dawson issued on 27 Jul. 1993 and entitled “Mobile Liquid Transferring Apparatus. Most related art devices include a flaw in that corrosive liquids deteriorate the pump seals required to maintain the flow of liquid, a flaw not present in the present invention in that air pressure is applied externally to displace liquid and induce flow. Flow is then maintained by gravity induced vacuum as long as the plumbing integrity is maintained and the liquid gravity exceeds the effluent container gravity. Prior art devices were not found relating to gravity feed of liquids from one container to another container under conditions as is taught by the invention. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for inducing gravity feed of liquid from one container to another that is easy to set up and operate. It is another object of the invention to provide a removable, hand portable container for remote site transfer of liquids by gravity feed to another container. It is also an object to provide a closed gravity feed system wherein liquid transfer from one container to another is sealed from the environment. It is a further object of the invention to provide a system which uses air pressure as the only energy source for charging the system with withdrawal and concurrent delivery of liquids drawn from one container into another container in a closed liquid interchange system. It is another object to provide a system for transferring liquid upward against gravity from one container to another. It is another object of the invention to provide such apparatus that can be efficiently and inexpensively manufactured and marketed. Other objects, aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the specification taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The invention is a mobile apparatus for transferring liquid from a sealed container to another container by means of gravity feed. The apparatus is a closed liquid interchange system utilizing only air pressure as the energy source for initiating operation of the system. Included is an air pressure input line having a one-way check valve, tee connector means for providing the air under pressure into a closed sealed container containing liquid and for providing means for transfer of displaced liquid from the closed container to another container in response to the induced air pressure. An output line having a cut-off valve is included for feeding the displaced liquid to the second container. The system apparatus and method eliminates the need for motors, pumps, or electricity at service sites, and can eliminate open atmosphere pouring as well as electrically driven pumping during liquid transfer from one container to another. Evaporation of volatile liquids to the atmosphere is minimized and waste spillage chances are illuminated or reduced. 
     
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view illustrating apparatus in accordance with the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates in perspective view apparatus of the invention connected for transferring liquid from a closed container to another container in accordance with the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating air being applied prior to pressurizing the container sufficiently to initiate liquid transfer; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating liquid transfer after sufficient air pressure has been applied to pressurize the closed container in accordance with the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Referring now to the figures there is disclosed the apparatus of the invention and the manner in which it is utilized to transfer liquid from a first closed container to a second receiving container. Generally designated by the reference numeral  10 , the apparatus provides a closed liquid interchange system utilizing only air pressure as the energy source for charging the system. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the apparatus  10  illustrating component parts of the invention. Shown is a generally flexible air inlet tube, generally designated  11 , having an open end  11   a  for input of air under pressure, a check valve  11   b  for one-way passage of the pressurized air, and a connector/seal  12 . As will be explained, upon operation of the system of the invention check valve  11   b  captures and holds applied air pressure thereby to pressurize the system to initiate gravity flow of liquid from a sealed container to another container. Inlet tube  11  transits through connector/seal  12  as indicated at  11   c  and enters connector  15  at opening  15   a  and then curved at an appropriate angle for extending downwardly of tee connector  15  through opening  15   c  to terminate at end  11   d , end  11   d  curved and having an aperture for exhausting pressurized air from inlet  11   a . Connector/seal  12  is configured for receiving tube  11  and mating with tee-like connector  15  at inlet  15   a  in a manner to provide an air tight seal. Pipe  19  has aperture  19   a , rib  19   b , top threaded portion  19   c  and bottom opening  19   d . Further included are compression nut  17  and sealing member  18 . Liquid outlet tube, generally designated  13 , has a first end  13   a  attached to a connector/seal  14  for airtight mating with outlet  15   b  of tee-like connector  15 , and a second end  13   b  attached to on-off valve  13   c . An outlet tube  13   d  extends from valve  13   c  for insertion into a receiving container as is shown in  FIG. 2 . Thus, tee connector  15  has two female openings  15   a  and  15   b  for receiving compatible male portions of connector/seals  12  and  14 , respectively, and a third opening  15   c  for receiving tube  11  and pipe  19 . Input of pressurized air may be by a small bicycle pump or other suitable means. It is only necessary that sufficient air pressure is applied to initiate transfer flow of liquid up through pipe  19  and out of tee connector opening  15   b  and through outlet tube  13  on to the receiving container. 
         [0016]    In assembly of apparatus  10  sealing member  18  is fitted over the threaded portion  19   c  of pipe  19  and firmly against pipe rib  19   b . Compression nut  17  is then threaded onto threaded portion  19   c  of pipe  19  with threaded portion  19   c  then threaded into a receiving threaded portion (not shown) of opening  15   c  in a manner to provide an airtight seal. Pipe  19  is then inserted into the opening of container  20 , as seen in  FIG. 2 , firmly seating sealing member  18  in the container  20  opening after which threaded compression nut  17  is tightened along threaded portion  19   c  and against sealing member  18  to effect an airtight seal. It is to be understood that other methods of compression sealing can be devised by those skilled in the art that would fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the final assembly of apparatus  10  whereby liquid  22  is transferred from storage container  20  into receiving container  21 , apparatus  10  installed onto container  20  in an airtight manner so to establish air pressure in container  20  sufficient to effect transfer of liquid in accordance with the invention. As indicated in phantom the lower portion of pipe  19  is immersed in liquid  22 . End  19   d  is immersed to a sufficient depth for satisfactory operation of the invention. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  illustrating the gravity feed of liquid  22  in accordance with the invention. As indicated, air under pressure is forced into air inlet tube  11 , through check valve  11   b  and tee connector  15  to be exhausted into the air space  23  of air-tight container  20  through outlet  16   a , as indicated by the arrows, and above liquid  22 . Pipe  19  is immersed in liquid  22  such that with adequate air pressure in airspace  23  liquid  22  is forced up pipe  19  and flows out of connector  15  and into outlet tube  13 , also as indicated by arrows. As indicated in  FIG. 3  portion  19   c  is can be fitted into opening  15   c  to provide an airtight seal. Further, connector/seals  12  and  14  may be pressure fitted or otherwise sealed into openings  15   a  and  15   b , respectively. It is understood that other variations, modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that would fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of the invention illustrating pressurized air being applied into airspace  23  of container  20  prior to sufficient pressurized air being provided to initiate liquid transfer out of container  20  to container  22 . The flow of pressurized air is through curved end  11   a  of tubing  11  which is inserted through pipe aperture  19   a  and into air space  23 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of the invention illustrating sufficient pressurized air having been applied to container  20  airspace  23  so as to initiate liquid transfer from container  20  to container  22 . As indicated by the arrows the pressurized air has expanded air space  23  to force liquid  22  to flow up through pipe  19 , through tee connector  15 , and on through outlet tube  13  to the receiving container  21 . After flow is initiated, the apparatus  10  acts as a siphon to continue transfer of liquid so long as sufficient air is allowed through one-way valve into airspace  23  and the separate container  22  is positioned with a drain located such that the gravity pressure of said liquid in said container maintains liquid transfer. 
         [0021]    Thus, in accordance with the invention, pressurized air is forced through air inlet tube  11  into air space  23  of sealed container  20  to gradually increase the air space  23  until liquid  22  flows out of container  20  and into outlet tube  13  after which with valve  13   c  turned to the on position liquid flows into container  21  until either the valve  13   c  is turned off or the liquid  22  level gets below the inlet  19   d  of pipe  19 . 
         [0022]    There has been shown and described new and unique apparatus for gravity feed liquid transfer from a storage container to a receiving container. Although the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, other variations, modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that would fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.