Abstract:
A novel system for safely transferring liquids from containers such as plastic jugs that are sealed by frangible seals, to conventional drums of the character having coupler-operated extractor valves. In one form of the invention, a standard coupler mechanism has been modified in a manner to provide means for rupturing the frangible seal of the sealed container without adversely affecting the manner in which the coupler is used to operate the extractor valve that is carried by the drum to which the liquid is to be transferred. Additionally, a novel adapter member has been provided for interconnecting the sealed container to the coupler mechanism.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a Continuation in Part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/931,515 filed Feb. 2, 2011. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to liquid transfer systems for transferring liquid from one container to another. More particularly, the liquid transfer system of the invention permits the safe and efficient transfer of liquid from a container sealed by a frangible seal to a drum type container of the character having a coupler operated extractor valve. 
     2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
     A number of different types of reusable systems for the storage, shipment and transport of liquid formulations have been suggested. One of the most advanced of such systems was developed by and is presently commercially available from Micro Matic, Inc. of Northridge, Calif. 
     The Micro Matic system is basically a two-part system which comprises a coupler operated extractor valve which is interconnectable with a conventional drum via existing threaded connections and a cooperating coupler which is operably coupled with the extractor valve to allow drum emptying through the use of a separate pumping system. The extractor valve apparatus which can either remain with the drum after emptying, or can be removed for drum processing, 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. 
     Recently a need has developed to safely transfer liquids, including hazardous liquids, from containers such as plastic jugs that are sealed by frangible seals, to conventional drums of the character having coupler operated extractor valves. Problems related to such transfers include providing means for safely rupturing the frangible seal of the plastic jugs and means for operating the coupler operated extractor valve of the drum in a manner to permit the liquid to be safely transferred from the plastic jug into the reservoir of the drum. As will be better understood from the discussion which follows, after carefully analyzing these problems the present inventor solved them by providing an elegant but relatively simple closed system that includes a modified coupler which, upon normal operation, safely ruptures the frangible seal of the plastic jug and at the same time opens the coupler operated extractor valve on the drum so as to permit fluid to flow freely from the plastic jug into the reservoir of the drum. Without the present invention, in order to transfer liquids from a sealed plastic jug to the reservoir of a drum having a coupler-operated extractor valve, it would be necessary to remove the extractor valve from the drum, manually rupture the foil seal on the plastic jug and then pour the contents of the plastic jug into the drum. Such a procedure would be not only time-consuming but extremely dangerous if the liquid in the plastic jug was a hazardous liquid. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a system for safely transferring liquids from containers such as plastic jugs that are sealed by frangible seals, to conventional drums of the character having coupler operated extractor valves. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a system of the aforementioned character in which a standard coupler mechanism has been modified in a manner to provide means for rupturing the frangible seals of the sealed containers without adversely affecting the manner in which the coupler is used to operate the extractor valve that is carried by the drum to which the liquid is to be transferred. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a system as described in the preceding paragraphs in which the coupler has been modified to include a seal rupturing assembly that is carried within the housing of the coupler. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a system of the class described in the preceding paragraph in which the seal rupturing assembly of the modified coupler is operated by the operation of actuating handle of the actuating assembly that is pivotally connected to the coupler body. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a system of the character described in the preceding paragraphs in which the seal rupturing assembly includes a flat cutter that efficiently and uniformly cuts the seal of the sealed container and reduces the amount of stroke required by the cutter actuating mechanism to fully rupture the seal. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a system for safely transferring liquids from containers such as plastic jugs that are sealed by frangible seals, which includes a novel rinsing system for quickly and efficiently rinsing the plastic jug following rupture of the frangible seal thereof. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a system of the character described in the preceding paragraph in which the rinsing system includes a quick coupling mechanism for quickly and efficiently coupling the rinsing system with a source of cleaning fluid under pressure. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a system as described in the preceding paragraphs which includes a pressure relief valve that allows for blow-off of only the rinse water if the plastic jug is over pressurized. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus in which the rinsing system includes a venting system that functions to reduce the tendency of the plastic jug to collapse thereby increasing fluid flow. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described in the preceding paragraphs in which the rinsing system is uniquely designed in a manner to prevent contaminants such as chemicals and contaminated rinse water from escaping into the environment. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a system of the character described in the preceding paragraphs that is of simple straight forward design and is quick and easy to use to safely accomplish the liquid transfer. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a system of the character described that is inexpensive to produce and one that can be used with a minimum of training. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a generally perspective, diagrammatic view showing one form of the liquid transfer system of the invention as it appears following interconnection of a plastic jug having a frangible seal with a conventional drum of the character having a coupler operated extractor valve. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section that is similar to  FIG. 1  and shows the liquid transfer system of the invention interconnecting a plastic jug having a frangible seal with a conventional drum of the character having a coupler-operated extractor valve. 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section of one form of the liquid transfer system of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a view taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational, partially cross-sectional view of a conventional coupler of the character that is used for operating the extractor valve of a conventional drum. 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational, partially cross-sectional view of a conventional coupler-operated extractor valve. 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational cross-sectional view of one form of the adapter member of the invention for interconnecting a plastic jug having a frangible seal with the modified coupler assembly of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a generally diagrammatic view similar to  FIG. 2 , but further illustrating the location and configuration of the seal rupturing assembly of the modified coupler. 
         FIG. 9  is a generally diagrammatic view, similar to  FIG. 8 , illustrating the operation of the seal rupturing assembly to rupture the closure seal located in the threaded neck portion of the plastic jug. 
         FIG. 10  is a generally perspective view of an alternate form of the liquid transfer system of the invention for safely transferring liquids from containers such as plastic jugs that are sealed by frangible seals, to conventional drums of the character having coupler operated extractor valves. 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section of the alternate form of the liquid transfer system of the invention shown in  FIG. 10  as it appears following interconnection with a container such as a plastic jug. 
         FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the alternate form of liquid transfer system shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a generally perspective view of the seal rupturing assembly of the alternate form of liquid transfer system that functions to rupture the closure seal located in the threaded neck portion of the plastic jug. 
         FIG. 14  is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view of the vent assembly of the alternate form of liquid transfer system. 
         FIG. 15  is a generally diagrammatic, side elevational view showing the liquid transfer system of the alternate form of the invention interconnected with a plastic jug having a frangible seal and with a conventional drum of the character having a coupler-operated extractor valve and illustrating the operation of the seal rupturing assembly to rupture the closure seal located in the threaded neck portion of the plastic jug. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings and particularly to  FIG. 1 , one form of the liquid transfer system of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  14 . In  FIG. 1 , the liquid transfer system  14  is shown as it appears when interconnecting a conventional prior art plastic jug “P” having a frangible seal “S” with a conventional drum “D” of the character having a conventional coupler-operated extractor valve assembly which is generally designated in the drawing as “V”. Drum “D” is of a conventional type having a threaded opening “O” provided in the top wall “T” of the drum. In  FIG. 1 , the Micro Matic coupler-operated extractor valve assembly “V” is shown threadably interconnected with drum “D” with the valve body “B” thereof extending through opening “O” which is the access opening to the reservoir. Valve assembly “V” is further illustrated in  FIG. 6  of the drawings and as there illustrated includes, in addition to valve body “B” which includes a connector port “CP”, a valve mechanism “M” and a down tube “DT” which is connected to the valve body and extends downwardly to a location proximate the bottom of the liquid containing drum “D”. Valve assembly “V” is of the character manufactured and sold by Micro Matic U.S.A., Inc. of Northridge, Calif. and the details of construction and operation of the valve assembly are fully described in technical publications available from Micro Matic U.S.A., Inc. 
       FIG. 5  of the drawings illustrates the configuration of a conventional Micro Matic coupler assembly “CA” that is of the character which, in a manner presently to be described, is modified to provide a critical part of the liquid transfer system  14  of the present invention. Coupler assembly “CA” is manufactured and sold by Micro Matic U.S.A., Inc. of Northridge, Calif. and the details of construction and operation of the coupler assembly “CA” are fully described in technical publications available from Micro Matic U.S.A., Inc. 
     In operation of the prior art Micro Matic system, the coupler assembly “CA” is interconnected with the valve assembly “V” via a conventional bayonet connection by inserting the lower portion of the coupler assembly into the connector port “CP” of the valve assembly and then rotating the assembly so that the lower portion of the coupler assembly is urged into sealable interconnection with the valve mechanism. This type of coupler-extractor valve interface is of a character well understood by those skilled in the art and is fully described in technical publications available from Micro Matic U.S.A., Inc. of Northridge, Calif. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings, the modified coupler assembly  16  of the present invention can be seen to comprise a coupler body  18  having an upper portion  20  and a lower portion  22 . Disposed within the coupler body  18  is the novel actuating assembly  24  of the invention that includes an actuating member  26 . In a manner presently to be described, actuating member  26  functions to move the valve member “VM” of the extractor valve assembly to an open position (see also  FIG. 9 ). Actuating member  26  has an interior chamber  26   a  and an externally threaded neck portion  28  and is provided with an inlet port  30  and an outlet port  32 . As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the actuating member is movable within the coupler body from the first at rest position shown in  FIG. 3  to the second valve operating position shown in  FIG. 2 . Actuating assembly  24  further includes an actuating handle  34  that is pivotally connected to coupler body  18  at a pivot point  35  and is movable from the first upraised position shown in  FIG. 3  to the second lowered position shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     An important feature of the present invention is a cutter assembly  36  that is carried by the coupler assembly  16 . This important assembly here includes a generally circular shaped punch cutter  40  for cutting the frangible seal, or frangible foil “S” of the plastic jug “P”. In a manner presently to be described, upon movement of actuating member  26  to its second position, the punch cutter  40  is movable from the first position shown in  FIG. 3  to the second seal cutting position shown in  FIGS. 2 and 9 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings, the modified coupler assembly  16  of the present invention can be seen to comprise a coupler body  18  having an upper portion  20  and a lower portion  22 . Disposed within the coupler body  18  is the novel actuating assembly  24  of the invention that includes an actuating member  26 . In a manner presently to be described, actuating member  26  functions to move the valve member “VM” of the extractor valve assembly to an open position (see also  FIG. 9 ). Actuating member  26  has an interior chamber  26   a  and an externally threaded neck portion  28  and is provided with an inlet port  30  and an outlet port  32 . As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the actuating member is movable within the coupler body from the first at rest position shown in  FIG. 3  to the second valve operating position shown in  FIG. 2 . Actuating assembly  24  further includes an actuating handle  34  that is pivotally connected to coupler body  18  at a pivot point  35  and is movable from the first upraised position shown in  FIG. 3  to the second lowered position shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     In addition to punch cutter  40 , which has a cutting edge  41  for cutting the frangible seal of the first liquid container, cutter assembly  36  also includes a base member  42  and a punch rod  44  that is connected to and spans the punch cutter and the base member (see also  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). 
     Forming another important part of the liquid transfer system of the present invention is a uniquely configured adapter member  46  ( FIG. 6 ) that functions to threadably connect the first container “P” to the coupler body  18  of the coupler assembly  16 . Adapter member  46 , which has an interior chamber  46   a , includes a first threaded portion  48  having interior threads  48   a  for threadable interconnection with the threaded neck portion  28  of the actuating member  26  and a second, larger diameter threaded portion  50  having interior threads  50   a  for threadable interconnection with the threaded neck portion “NP” of the first liquid container “P”. 
     In using the liquid transfer system of the invention, the first threaded portion  48  of the adapter member  46  is first threadably interconnected with the threaded neck portion of the actuating member  26 . This done, the threaded neck portion of the first liquid container “P” is threadably connected to the second threaded portion  50  of the adapter member. Next, the assemblage thus formed is interconnected with the valve assembly “V” in the manner described in the preceding paragraphs and as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  8  and  9  of the drawings. A downward pressure exerted on the actuating handle  34  of the coupler assembly in the manner shown in  FIGS. 2 and 9  of the drawings will cause the actuating member  26  of the coupler mechanism to move downwardly against the urging of a coil spring  51  that is carried within the adapter member in a manner to open the normally closed valve. As best seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9  of the drawings, as the actuating member  26  moves downwardly, the punch cutter  40  of the cutter assembly  36  will move into the foil, or seal cutting position shown in  FIG. 9  of the drawings, cleanly cutting the foil seal “S”. With the foil seal thusly cut, the fluid contained within the first container “P” will be permitted to safely and securely flow from the first container through the actuating member and into the down tube “DT” in the direction of the arrows  53  of  FIG. 2  of the drawings. After the fluid has been safely transferred to the drum “D”, the first container “P” can be safely discarded. Once again, the operation of the conventional Micro Matic coupler assembly and the conventional Micro Matic coupler-operated extractor valve assembly “V” is well understood by those skilled in the art and is fully described in Micro Matic U.S.A., Inc. technical publications. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 through 15 , an alternate form of the liquid transfer system of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  64 . This embodiment of the invention is similar in many respects to the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 through 9  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 10 through 15  to identify like components. In  FIG. 15  the liquid transfer system  64  is shown as it appears when interconnecting a conventional prior art plastic jug “P” having a frangible seal “S” with a conventional drum “D” of the character having a conventional coupler-operated extractor valve assembly which is generally designated in the drawing as “V”. Drum “D” is of a conventional type having a threaded opening “O” provided in the top wall “T” of the drum. In  FIG. 15 , the Micro Matic coupler-operated extractor valve assembly “V” is shown threadably interconnected with drum “D” with the valve body “B” thereof extending through opening “O” which is the access opening to the reservoir. Valve assembly “V”, which was earlier described in greater detail, is further illustrated in  FIG. 6  of the drawings. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 10  of the drawings, this alternate form of the liquid transfer system  64  here comprises a coupler assembly  66  having a coupler body  68  having an upper portion  70  and a lower portion  72 . Disposed within the coupler body  68  is the novel actuating assembly  74  of the invention ( FIG. 11 ). In a manner presently to be described, assembly  74  functions to move the valve member “VM” of the extractor valve assembly to the open position shown in  FIG. 15  of the drawings. Actuating assembly  74  includes an actuating member  76  having an interior chamber  76   a  that is provided with an inlet port  80  and an outlet port  82  ( FIG. 11 ). 
     As before, actuating member  76  is movable within the coupler body from a first at rest position to a second valve operating position shown in  FIG. 15 . In addition to actuating member  76 , actuating assembly  74  also includes an actuating handle  84  that is pivotally connected to coupler body  78  at a pivot point  85  and is movable from a first upraised position shown by the dotted lines in  FIG. 11  to the second lowered position shown by the solid lines in  FIG. 11 . 
     An important feature of the present invention is a cutter assembly  86  that is carried by actuating member  76  includes a generally circular shaped punch cutter  88  (see  FIG. 13 ) which functions to cut the frangible seal, or frangible foil “S” of the plastic jug “P”. In a manner presently to be described, upon movement of actuating member  76  to its second position, the punch cutter  86  is movable from a first position to a second seal cutting position shown in  FIG. 15 . In addition to punch cutter  86 , which has a cutting edge  86   a  for cutting the frangible seal of the first liquid container, cutter assembly  86  also includes a base member  90  and a punch rod  92  that is connected to and spans the punch cutter and the base member (see  FIG. 11 ). 
     Forming another important part of the liquid transfer system of the present invention is a uniquely configured adapter assembly  96  that functions to threadably connect the first container “P” to the coupler assembly  66 . Adapter assembly  96  here comprises a housing  98  having an interior chamber  98   a , an upper portion  98   b  and a threaded lower portion  98   c  for threadable interconnection with the threaded neck portion of the actuating member  76  ( FIG. 11 ). Adapter assembly  96  also includes a threaded connector ring  100  that is rotatably connected to the upper portion of housing  98 . Connector ring  100  functions to interconnect the adapter assembly with the first container, or plastic jug “P”. 
     Another important feature of the adapter assembly  96  of the invention is the provision of a rinsing assembly  102  for rinsing the first container or plastic jug “P”. Rinsing assembly  102 , which is connected to housing  98  in the manner shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  of the drawings, comprises a connector body  104  and a quick coupling assembly  106 . Quick coupling assembly  106  functions to connect the rinsing assembly with a source of fluid under pressure (not shown). The rinsing assembly, including the quick coupling assembly, is of the character well understood by those skilled in the art and is readily commercially available from several sources including Parker Hannifin of Cleveland, Ohio and is offered for sale by this company under the name and style “Snap-Tite 72 Series”. 
     Also forming a part of the rinsing assembly of the present invention is the important pressure relief valve assembly  108  that is connected to and extends from connector body  104 . Pressure relief valve assembly  108  functions to prevent over pressuring of first container or plastic jug “P” during the rinsing operation. This valve assembly is of a character well understood by those skilled in the art and is readily commercially available from several sources including the F. C. Kingston Co. of Torrance, Calif. which is sold under the name and style “Model 100SS safety valve”. 
     Still another important feature of the adapter assembly  96  of the invention is the provision of a vent assembly  110  that is connected to the housing  98  of adapter assembly  96  in the manner shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . As illustrated in  FIG. 14  of the drawings, vent assembly  110  includes an interiorly threaded vent housing  112  having an interior space  112   a , an externally threaded breather plug  114  threadably connected to vent housing  112  and extending into the interior space thereof and a conventional umbrella check valve  115  disposed within interior space  112   a . Vent assembly  110  also includes a threaded nipple  116  that is threadably connected to vent housing  112  and is also threadably connected to housing  98  of the adapter assembly. Breather plug  114  includes a passageway  114   a  that communicates with passageway  116   a  of the threaded nipple when the umbrella check valve  115  is in an open position. 
     Use of the apparatus of this latest form of the invention is similar to that described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 9  and this previous description should once again be reviewed along with a re-review of  FIGS. 8 and 9  of the drawings. As in the earlier described embodiment, the first step in the liquid transfer operation of this latest form of the invention is to connect the coupler assembly  66  coupler to the container, or jug “P”. This is accomplished by first removing the closure cap from container and then connecting the container to the coupler neck by interconnecting the threaded connector ring  100  to the threaded outlet of the container. More particularly, the container “P” can be securely coupled with the coupler neck by turning the connector ring in a clockwise direction until it is snug. 
     This done, the assemblage made up of the coupler assembly and the container is connected to the container valve “V” via the previously discussed conventional bayonet connection by inserting the lower portion of the coupler assembly into the connector port “CP” of the valve assembly and then rotating the assembly so that the lower portion of the coupler assembly is urged into sealable interconnection with the valve mechanism (see  FIG. 6 ). Next, the actuating handle  84  is pushed into a downward position in the manner shown in  FIG. 15  of the drawings. This will cause the actuating member  76  of the coupler mechanism to move downwardly against the urging of the coil spring  51  that is carried within the valve assembly (see  FIG. 2 ) in a manner to open the normally closed valve. As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , as the actuating member  76  moves downwardly, the punch rod  92  of the apparatus will move the punch cutter of the cutter assembly  86  into the foil, or seal cutting position thereby cleanly cutting the foil seal “S”. With the foil seal thusly cut, the fluid contained within the first container “P” will be permitted to safely and securely flow from the first container through the actuating member and into the down tube “DT”. After the fluid has been safely transferred to the drum “D”, and with the handle  84  remaining in the downward position, the rinsing operation can be commenced. 
     The rinsing operation is conducted by first connecting the rinsing assembly with the source of fluid under pressure through use of the quick coupling assembly  106 . With the actuating handle  84  in the downward position, the rinsing solution can be forced through the first container, or plastic jug “P” a sufficient number of times to fully rinse the container. As previously mentioned, if during the rinsing operation should the plastic jug become over pressurized, the pressure relief valve assembly  108  will safely and efficiently permit blow-off of the rinsing solution. 
     Once the rinsing operation is completed, the coupler assembly can be removed from the coupler-operated extractor valve assembly “V” by rotating the coupler assembly in a counterclockwise direction. This done, the empty and fully rinsed plastic jug can be unthreaded from the connector ring  100  and safely discarded. 
     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.