Patent Publication Number: US-2002000451-A1

Title: Drum bung adapter

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates to an adapter for use with storage drums that allows the direct withdrawal of a drum&#39;s liquid contents so that the drum can be used directly as a supply of those contents.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002] Where liquid, for example fuel, is transported in drums for use at remote locations it is common to transfer the liquid from the drum to a separate tank for use. The transfer is often done by tipping the drum and pouring its contents. The tank is equipped with the requisite connections to the equipment to which the liquid is to be supplied. It may, for example, be a fuel tank for a motor.  
       [0003] The transfer process is often laborious and time consuming. It may result in unacceptable spills, particularly where noxious substances are involved.  
       [0004] The present invention provides a simple, effective mechanism to allow the pumping of liquids from storage drums.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005] According to the present invention there is provided an adapter for a storage drum of the type having a threaded bung hole, said adapter comprising:  
       [0006] a bung with top and bottom sides and including:  
       [0007] a main body at the top side of the bung;  
       [0008] a threaded plug at the bottom side of the bung and projecting from the main body, the plug being sized and configured to screw into the threaded bung hole of the storage drum;  
       [0009] a liquid passage through the bung from the top side to the bottom side;  
       [0010] a vent bore through the bung from the top side to the bottom side;  
       [0011] a check valve in the vent bore allowing and preventing air from passing through the vent bore from the bottom side of the bung to the top side;  
       [0012] a hose fitting secured to the top side of the bung in communication with the fluid passage therethrough for connection to a hose; and  
       [0013] a suction hose secured to the bottom side of the bung in communication with the fluid passage.  
       [0014] This adapter screws into the bung hole of a storage drum. With the suction hose extending to the bottom of the drum, all of the liquid from the drum may be withdrawn, often directly to the equipment using the liquid. This eliminates entirely the transfer of liquid from the drum to a tank. Because of the vent opening and the check valve in that passage, no secondary opening in the drum need be provided to allow air access as liquid is withdrawn from the drum. The check valve prevents liquids and vapours from leaving the drum. For the same purpose, it is preferred that the hose fitting is a quick release fitting with an internal valve that opens when the fitting is connected. This means that the drums is sealed by the check valve and the internal valve coupling when it is not in use. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0015] In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention:  
     [0016]FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of a drum with an adapter according to the present invention;  
     [0017]FIG. 2 is a partial isometric view of an adapter according to the present invention; and  
     [0018]FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section through the adapter. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0019] Referring to the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a storage drum  10  of the conventional type for transporting and storing large volumes of liquids. The drum has at one end a bung hole  12  with an internal thread  14 . This is normally sealed closed with a threaded plug or bung  16 . The illustrated drum is also equipped with a smaller sized threaded vent hole  18 , which is closed with a threaded plug  20 . An adapter  22  according to the present invention is used with this drum to withdraw liquid from the drum.  
     [0020] The adapter includes a bung  23 , the structure of which is illustrated most particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3. The adapter bung  23  has a main body  24  carrying a threaded plug  26  projecting from its bottom surface  27 . An o-ring seal  28  surrounds the threaded plug at the bottom of the main body to seal the bung to the bung hole  12  when the threaded plug  26  is screwed into the bung hole  12 .  
     [0021] As illustrated most particularly in FIG. 3, there is a through bore  30  extending from the bottom side of the plug  26  through the top side  31  of the main body  24 . A second vent bore  32  also extends from the bottom of the plug to the top of the main body. At the bottom of the plug  26 , the bore  30  has a thread  34  into which is screwed a suction hose fitting  36  connected to a suction hose  38 . The suction hose serves as a dip tube extending to the bottom of the drum when the adapter is in place. At its end remote from the bung it carries a filter  40 . At the top end of the bore  30  is a counterbore  42  into which is threaded one component  44  of a quick release coupling  45 . Coupling component  44  includes an internal valve  46 . The valve has a seat  48 , a valve head  49  and a spring  50  pressing the valve head into engagement with the seat so that the valve is normally closed. The second component  52  of the quick release coupling is connected to a hose  54  leading to the device to which the liquid in the drum is to be supplied.  
     [0022] The vent bore  32  has a counter bore  56  at the top into which a check valve  58  is threaded. The check valve includes a seat  60  against which a ball  62  is engaged under the bias of a spring  64 .  
     [0023] In use, the drum bung is removed from the drum and the adapter is threaded into the bung hole  12 . The suction hose  38  extends from the adapter down to the bottom of the drum. At this point, the drum remains completely sealed. To use the drum, the second component  52  of the quick release coupling is engaged with the component  44  on the adapter. The second component includes a stud (not shown) that depresses the valve head  49  to allow flow of liquid around the valve head and through the valve. When closed and no longer required, the coupling can be released, leaving the drum sealed but ready for re-use at any time.  
     [0024] While one embodiment of the present invention has been described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention and are intended to be included herein. The invention is to be considered limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.