Patent Application
20100206914
The present invention relates to the reversible closure of an orifice opened in containers such as tanks and vessels, and in particular to a method for implementing normally-closed support-mounted opening closure systems and devices for closing such orifices.
A fluid is a gas or a liquid, including powder or granular material able to be poured through a container's orifice.
A container is a recipient, vessel, or any kind of reservoir containing a fluid.
Vessels such as fluid containers often include an orifice to which a cover is usually detachably attached by means of threads, bayonets, frictional forces and the like. Many such covers are provided with a mouth to which anti-spillage means of various sorts, a tap or similar means are attached, for filling the containers and for pouring their contents therethrough. It is also common practice to detachably connect such taps or similar means to the orifice of the container by means of screw threads or other known means. Taps or faucets of common design usually protrude to the outside of the envelope of the container and are therefore prone to damage, especially during storage or transportation. It is therefore desirable to find a way to prevent spillage of the container's contents while avoiding damage to the tap or to other closing means. One solution used to prevent such damage is by removing the tap from the orifice during transportation or storage, replacing it with a plug and or other suitable means, and installing the tap back on the container when needed. Unfortunately, this procedure is cumbersome and permits spillage. Many patents address this issue, but two patents relevant to the proposed solution are referred to hereinbelow.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,266 to Doron, Av et al. recites a normally-open closure, which is an internally attached and pivot-mounted flap made to cover the interior surface of a container's orifice when so urged by pressure of a liquid when the container is tilted. The flap is openable by depressing a spring loaded pin protruding to the exterior of the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,305,196 to Schlabauch, Lewis et al. shows an internally mounted, spring loaded, normally closed semi-ball type valve supported by an appropriate structure, the valve being openable by depressing the semi-ball with a draft rod.
Both U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,305,196 and 6,805,266 offer rather complex devices having many parts and are therefore expensive to assemble.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a normally closed orifice closure for a container, that is simple and reliable and low-cost to implement and assemble, cheap to buy, and easy to use.
It would also be beneficial to provide a simple and inexpensive container closure for the openable closing of an orifice of a container, the closure not being prone to incur damage during handling and use of the container. The container closure should preferably be configured for use alone or in association with other closure means such as taps, faucets, or plugs.
When opening a container of fluid, such as for example an industrial container holding nocive or dangerous material, the problem is that accidental or unintentional spilling of substance thereout may occur. After opening, an implement is usually connected to the container to allow controlled retrieval of matter.
The solution is provided by coupling a normally closed openable closure device to the container, to prevent accidental spilling. As a practical solution, the closure device has a unitary one-piece member including a closure lid, which is forced onto the opening. The closure device may be coupled to a support attached to the container. For use, a fluid flow control means, say a faucet, is coupled to the closure device to allow opening of the lid, for safe and monitored retrieval of fluid. It is the introduction of the faucet that urges the normally closed closure device to open and permit safe retrieval of substance out of the container.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive method for implementing an assembly or a system which have a normally-closed opening closure device for the openable closing of an orifice entered in a container of fluid, wherein the opening closure is not prone to damage incurred during handling and use of the container. The opening closure device is configured for use alone or in combination with other fluid flow control means such as faucets, taps, or plugs.
It is yet an object of the present invention to provide method steps for implementing a normally closed openable closure device operative in association with a container having an exterior and an interior. The container has container walls for retaining fluid therein and at least one container orifice, which is entered into a container wall. A support is coupled in sealed connection to the orifice of the container, the support including an opening allowing fluid communication from the exterior to the interior of the container and vice versa. The method comprises the steps of configuring the support to include a support attachment in fixed coupling thereto and a member formed as a piece of material accommodated for coupling to the support attachment in a configuration allowing at least one degree of freedom of motion. The member comprises:
a lid, disposed at a free end portion of the member, and configured for closing the opening in normally-closed and sealed disposition,
a lid attachment for coupling to the support attachment,
a flexible and resilient force applicator configured for urging the lid normally-close against and for sealing the opening, and
a lid guide configured for controllably orienting and guiding motion of the member and of the lid for closing onto the opening.
It is still an object of the present invention to provide a method for coupling the support to the orifice in either one of both releasable and fixed connection, however the support may also be integral to the container.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a method for enhancing sealing by providing a seal coupled to either one of both the lid and the support which seal is appropriately disposed to enhance sealing of the opening. Furthermore, a seal may be appropriately disposed on the support to enhance sealed connection between the support and the container.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a method wherein the lid attachment, the lid guide and the support attachment are configured for operation in mutual association for controlling, orienting, and guiding the lid onto and for normally close and seal the opening. Moreover, at least one portion of the member is configured to be flexible and resilient, and furthermore, the member is configured to be flexible and resilient and have a free end and an attached end, and the attached end is configured as the lid attachment and as a force applicator, which may be pre-stressed. Additionally, the attached end of the member is configured as the lid guide.
It is moreover an object of the present invention to provide a method wherein the lid is either one of both an integral portion of the member or a separate portion fixedly coupled thereto, and the lid has a rigidity enhancing bent lid rim lip.
It is moreover another object of the present invention to provide a method wherein the support is coupled to either one of both the interior and the exterior of the container, with the lid being normally closed but openable when urged to deflect by application of a predetermined force directed from the exterior to the interior of the container.
It is moreover a further object of the present invention to provide a method wherein the member has a surface finish treatment or coating which is disposed at least on a portion of the device, and the surface finish treatment or coating is disposed at least on the lid, to operate as a seal.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method wherein the member has at least one protrusion configured to enhance orientation control and guidance of the lid to close on the opening, the least one protrusion being configured to enhance coupling to the support.
It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide a method wherein the closure device is configured to include at least one magnet operative in mutual association with either one of both a ferromagnetic material and a magnetic material for applying additional positive attraction force for urging the lid close onto the opening, and the at least one magnet is disposed on either one of both the support and the lid. Likewise, the lid may have a concave portion oriented toward the opening to enhance both self-alignment of the lid on the opening and sealed closure of the opening.
It is yet an object of the present invention to provide a method wherein the closure device is configured for coupling to a removable fluid flow control means and is also configured for receiving therein a removable cap or sealing plug, which is configured for reversible removal while remaining coupled to the support.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method wherein the lid and the flexible member are configured as two separate portions coupled together to form one unitary member, and the attachment support is disposed in the interior of the container and coupled to the container by a flange disposed on the exterior thereof.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a method wherein the lid attachment of the member is coupled directly to the container, which is operative as a support.
It is yet an additional object of the present invention to provide a method wherein deflection of the member induces elastic resilient forces in the force applicator thereby urging the lid to close onto the opening. The member is configured to be flexible and resilient and have a free end and a attached end, the force applicator being configured as a wound-coil formed at the attached end of the member, and pre-stress of the force applicator urges the lid to close onto the opening. Furthermore, the member is urged to align onto and close the opening in a motion selected alone and in combination from the group consisting of translation, pitch, yaw, and roll deflection.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method wherein a wall of the container operates as the support and the orifice of the container operates as the opening. Alternatively, the support is coupled to a wall of the container and the orifice of the container operates as the opening.
Finally, it is further an additional object of the present invention to provide an assembly or a device for keeping an opening normally closed according to any one of the method steps described hereinabove.
Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following description of exemplary embodiments, in conjunction with the figures. The figures are generally not shown to scale and any measurements are only meant to be exemplary and not necessarily limiting. In the figures, identical structures, elements, or parts that appear in more than one figure are preferably labeled with a same or similar number in all the figures in which they appear, in which:
FIGS. 8 and 8.1 show a lid with a depression,
a to 10c depict a fifth embodiment of the closure device,
The closure device 20 has a member 30, which normally closes the opening 12 in sealed disposition. The member 30, which is actually coupled in cantilever-like fashion to the support 40, is able to deflect and extends longitudinally to terminate in a lid 32, which forcefully closes the opening 12.
The support 40 has a support attachment 42 that is coupled to a lid attachment 34 forming the cantilever-like coupling of the member 30 carrying the lid 32. When the lid attachment 34 is coupled to the support attachment 42, in cantilevered-like fashion, the member 30 may elastically and resiliently deflect thereabout.
A force applicator 36, also coupled to the support 40, is provided for urging the lid 32, disposed at the free end of the member 30, onto the opening 12. The lid 32 is thus urged by the force applicator 36 as a normally closed lid onto the opening 12, for closing and sealing the opening 12.
In addition, a lid guide 38 coupled to the attachment 40 controls the orientation of the deflection motion and possible translation of the cantilevered-like retained member 30 and lid 32. Control or orientation control of the motion of the lid 32, as well as of the member 30, means control of the orientation of the lid in pitch, yaw and roll relative to the length of the member 30, and possibly in translation, to achieve appropriate self-alignment for effectively closing and sealing the opening 12.
In
The bushing 100 has a hollow passage 106 allowing fluid communication from the interior IN to the exterior EX of the container 10 and vice versa. The hollow passage 106 is not necessarily concentric, and is terminated by the opening 12 disposed in the interior IN of the container 10, and by an aperture 108 opening to the exterior EX of the container. The bushing 100 also has a bushing bottom 110 on which the lid 32 of the closure device 20 abuts, in the interior IN.
The member 30 is shown as a leaf spring having a rectangular attached end 302 that may be fixedly retained or anchored in a groove 112 disposed in the bushing bottom 110. The attached end 302 forms the lid attachment 34 while the groove 112 implements the support attachment 42. The attached end 302 may be firmly attached in the groove 112 by friction achieved for example by providing a plastic deformation to the attached end 302 before insertion into the groove, or by any other means known in the art. The attached end 302 may also be anchored to or floatingly retained within the support attachment 42, 112, by plastic deformation of the latter, or by other means retention means known to those skilled in the art.
Furthermore, the member 30 may have a curved portion 304 forming the force applicator 36, implemented as a flexible and resilient curved leaf spring that is configured for urging the lid 32 onto the opening 12. The attached end 302 and the curved portion 304 shown in
The free end extremity of the member 30 forms the lid 32 having a shape appropriate to fully cover and seal the opening 12. For example, when the passage 106 of the bushing 100 ends in an opening 12 that is circular, then the lid 32 may also be circular. Other mutually matching shapes for the lid 32 and for the opening 12 are also possible. In the present example, the member 30 may be initially configured, thus prior to bending, as a flat elongated rectangular strip of material, forming the lid attachment 34 and the force applicator 36, and terminated by a generally circular lid 32. Only circular lids 32 are described hereinbelow, for the sake of ease of description.
If desired, a flat elongated rectangular strip and the lid 32 may be implemented as more than one single piece of material. The flat elongated rectangular strip may be made out of more than a single strip, and even be replaced by one or more thin wires or slender rods.
Furthermore, the cap 50 may remain permanently coupled to the bushing 100 by means of a link 54, say a chain or a cable, that is fixedly coupled to the cap 50 and to the bushing 100 by means not shown in the Figs., but well known in the art. The link 54 is provided to avoid loss or misplacement of the cap 50. It is noted that the link 54 and the coupling thereof to the cap 50 and to the bushing 100 are shown only schematically, without illustrating implementation details.
To draw fluid out of a container 10 fitted with a normally closed closure device 20, a fluid flow control means, for example, a faucet 60 or a similar device may be used, as shown in
In
It is noted that the force needed for opening the lid 32 is controllable and predetermined as desired and the necessary precautions are taken to prevent self-locking of the faucet end portion 61 with the lid 32 when retrieving the faucet 60 out of engagement from the closure device 20. Furthermore, the closure device 20 is configured to retrieve the maximum possible amount of fluid out of the container 10, leaving therein but a minimum of residuum.
Evidently, the closure device 20 may be implemented as an integral portion of the container 10, and the container may be made for example, out of plastic material, metal, any suitable material or a combination thereof.
In
The wound coil coupled end 306 integrates the functions of both the lid attachment 34 anchored into the recess 120, and of the force applicator 36, where the force is provided by the wound coil.
Furthermore, the wound coil coupled end 306 is also configured as the lid guide 38 that controls the orientation of the member 30 as further described hereinbelow.
a is a view of the embodiment 2000 of the closure device 20 showing the open lid 32. In this example the lid 32 is coupled to the member 30, even though the lid 32 is preferably implemented as an integral portion of the member. The wound coil 306 is shown and so are slits 124 and magnets 80, which enhance the closure forces of the lid 32 onto the opening 12.
In
Reference is made to
In contrast, when the slits 124 are configured to receive the lateral protrusions 308 in sliding-fit or slidingly retention, the lateral protrusions 308 may slide in translation within and along the slits 124. Sliding-fit refers to a narrow clearance just allowing for translation in sliding, but practically without any other motion of the protrusions 308. Thereby, the member 30 is not fixedly cantilevered for pivoting about a single location but the lateral protrusions 308 may “float” along the height, or the depth of the slits 124. This travel or translation along the height of the protrusions-recesses 122, or “floating”, allows the displacement of the member 30 in two degrees of freedom, namely in pitch and translation in height. Height refers here to the displacement of the lateral protrusions 308 in translation, and thus also of the member 30 and of the lid 32 along the height, or the depth of the slits 124 of the protrusion-recess 122, thus along the z-axis.
However, with appropriately dimensioned slits 124, slidingly retention of the lateral protrusions 308 may also allow translation thereof without the protrusions remaining at the same height, or level, but also with both lateral protrusions 308 being disposed at different heights, or in oblique relative, for example, to the bushing bottom 110. Thereby the elongated member 30 may roll about its longitudinal x-axis. The slidingly retention, or translational “floating” displacement of the member 30, and thus of the lid 32 now allows displacement in three degrees of freedom, namely in pitch, in roll, and translation in height.
Furthermore, when the slits 124 are configured to receive the lateral protrusions 308 in loose-fit, thus with larger clearance than in sliding-fit, an additional degree of freedom is created, allowing the displacement of the member 30, and thus of the lid 32 in four degrees of freedom, namely in pitch, in roll, in yaw, and in translation along the height. Yaw is pivoting about the z-axis.
The retention of the member 30 to the support 40 in “floating” attachment with many degrees of freedom permits self-alignment of the lid 32 onto the opening 12 and enhances closure thereof. Thereby, when in production, at the stage of assembly of the closure device 20, it is not necessary to very accurately align the member 30 in the protrusion-recess 122 to ensure proper closure of the opening 12 by the lid 32.
The lateral protrusions 308 may be prevented from exiting out of the slits 124 by terminating the opening of these slits with a narrower portion. For example, a plastic deformation may restrict the width of the slits 124 on the bushing bottom 110 after insertion of the lateral protrusions 308 therein.
The wound coil 306 may be pre-stressed before installation of the two protrusions 308 into the protrusion-recess 122, to provide the member 30 and thus also the lid 32 with additional pre-loaded closure force onto the opening 12.
The member 30 of the embodiment 3000 still combines the lid 32, the lid attachment 34, the force applicator 36, and the lid guide 38 but it is the wound coil 306 that now integrates all the three functions of the lid attachment 34, the force applicator 36, and the lid guide 38. The mid-section 301, which is preferably kept short and even practically non-existent, is the section that couples between the lid 32 and the lid attachment 34.
In
Even though the force applicator 36 provides ample closing force strongly urging the lid 32 against the opening 12, magnetic force is applicable to even further increase the closing force.
In
Should the lid 32 not be made out of a ferromagnetic material, then such a material may be attached to the lid. Alternatively, one or more magnets may be affixed to the lid 32. Likewise, should the bushing 100 not be made out of a ferromagnetic material, then such a material may be attached to the bushing bottom 110, possibly in the same manner as the magnet 80, or even as one or more magnets.
It is noted that the lid 32 and the non-attached portion of the member 30, thus without the weight of the lid attachment 34, the force applicator 36, and lid guide 38, are best kept as lightweight as possible. This is to minimize acceleration forces developing thereon from opening the lid 32 when the container 10 is dropped for example, or as a result of shocks and vibrations, say during transportation. The closure forces exerted by the force applicator 36 are kept as large as possible relative to the weight of the non-retained portion of the member 30.
For example with a closure device 20 configured to normally close an oil drum, the arm 30 may weigh about 15 grams and the force applicator 36 may apply onto the opening 12 a force, measured at the center of the lid 32, of some 450 grams. When enhanced by magnet(s) 80, the opening force may typically reach some 2 kg. The opening force required to open the closure device 20 is controllable, and a predetermined opening force is selected as desired for the application at hand. The lid 32 is thus normally closed but is openable when urged to deflect by application of a predetermined force, selected a priori. The opening force in this example is directed from the exterior EX to the interior IN of the container 10, but the opposite is also possible.
Repetitive drop tests from a height of 3 m onto a concrete floor proved the sealing efficiency of the device 20.
The embodiment 2000 may operate in association with a fluid flow control means, such as a faucet 60, and may have a cap 50 in the same manner as described hereinabove with respect to the embodiment 1000.
In
In
A lid seal 70 and/or a bushing seal 72 may also be implemented similarly to the embodiment 2000. Furthermore, a cap 50, not shown in
Assembly of the normally closed opening closure device is straightforward: the member 30 is simply coupled to the support 40. With the first embodiment 1000 this means that the cantilevered end 302 of the member 30 is introduced into the groove 112 in firm secured retention therein. This may be achieved by friction due to prior to assembly plastic deformation of the cantilevered end 302 and/or by plastic deformation of the groove 112 after insertion therein of the cantilevered end 302 to prevent exit thereof out of the groove 112. A similar assembly procedure is valid for the second embodiment 2000.
The assembly of the third and fourth embodiment, respectively 3000 and 4000, requires the insertion of the laterally extending protrusions 308 into the, respectively, slit 124 and cut 142. Preferably, the member 30 is pre-stressed prior to assembly into the support attachment 42. To pre-stress the wound coil 306 of the force applicator 36, the lid 32 is held in place while a first laterally extending protrusion 308 is gripped and rotated to wind-up the coil 306. Then, the second protrusion 308 is inserted into the, respectively, slit 124 and cut 142, which is followed by release of the grip and insertion of the previously gripped first protrusion 308. If desired, plastic deformation of the, respectively, slit 124 and cut 142 may follow.
a, 10b, and 10c show an embodiment 5000, where the device 20 is coupled from the interior IN to the exterior EX of a vessel 10 having a container top 14 with an orifice 11 therein. As shown in
c shows the lid 32 with a swaged or bent stiffening lid rim lip 145 for enhancing rigidity and for preventing self-locking when a fluid flow control means is retrieved out of the device 20.
The closure device 20 is not limited to oil drums but adaptable for use with various types of containers, reservoirs and tanks, such as for example Intermediate Bulk Containers, or IBCs, and gas tanks for motor vehicles, all well known in the art.
The closure device 20 may be introduced into the connector bushing 158 until abutment with the protruding extremity 162 of the protruding male extension 154. Next, a retention ring 164 having an external male screw thread 156 mating with the internal connector female screw thread 160 may be introduced into the connector bushing 158 until the closure device 20 is firmly pushed against the protruding extremity 162 of the protruding male extension 154. The retention ring 164 may have fastening slots 168 for facilitating assembly.
If desired, the connector bushing 158 may be supplied readily integrating the closure device 20 therein, thereby possibly making the retention ring 164 redundant. Alternatively, the IBC 150 may be supplied with an integrally built-in closure device 20, whereby the connector bushing 158 is superfluous.
At this stage the lid 32 of the closure device 20 is still normally closed on the orifice 12, as shown by the dashed line 166, thereby denying any exit of fluid out of the orifice 152 of the IBC 150.
A fluid flow control means 170, such as a faucet device 170 having a faucet external male screw thread 172 mating the internal connector female screw thread 160 may be coupled until abutment to a second downstream end 169 of the connector bushing 158. The faucet device 170 has a faucet hollow male protrusion 174 with a faucet downstream extremity 176, which when introduced into the closure device 20, is configured to push open the lid 32, whereby fluid communication between the IBC 150 and the faucet 170 is established.
To retrieve fluid out of the IBC 150 once the faucet 170 is properly installed, it suffices to open the faucet. When necessary, such as for transportation for example, the faucet 170 may be retrieved out of connector bushing 158 and the IBC 150 will remain closed by the closure device 20, which prevents spilling of the fluid thereout. An IBC 150 equipped with a closure device 20 may be emptied with a minimum of residuum remaining therein.
With motor vehicles, the fuel or gas tank may easily be equipped with a closure device 20. In a passenger car, the gas tank cap may be configured to accommodate or integrate therein the closure device 20. Thereby, when refueling, the gas tank door of the vehicle may be opened, and insertion of the gasoline pump nozzle or fuel delivery spout into the closure device 20 will open the lid 32, avoiding the need to unscrew the gas tank cap. Conventional closure of the gas tank door of the vehicle may isolate the interior of the gas tank from the exterior by help of the closure device 20.
In addition, a pressure relief device 180, or pressure relief valve 180 may be integrated within the support 40 to prevent excessive pressure to build-up in the interior of a container 10. A relief valve is a type of valve used to control or limit the pressure in a system or a container, which can build up by a process upset, instrument or equipment failure, or fire. The build-up of excessive pressure ambient in the interior of the container 10 is relieved when the pressurized fluid is allowed to flow thereout via the pressure relief device 180. The relief valve 180 is designed or set to open at a predetermined pressure to protect pressure vessels and other equipment from being subjected to pressures that exceed their design limits. When the pressure setting is exceeded, the relief valve becomes the “path of least resistance” as the valve is forced open and a portion of the fluid is diverted out of the container 10. The diverted fluid, such as liquid, gas liquid-gas mixture, powder, granules or the like, is usually routed to the atmosphere. As the fluid is diverted, the pressure inside the container 10 will drop. Once it reaches the re-seating pressure of the relief device 180, the valve will close again.
Alternatively, the relief device 180 may be configured as a rupture disk or diaphragm or membrane, or as a pop-out member such as a sealed rubber grommet, all well known in the art.
The various features of the closure device 20 described hereinabove may be implemented in combination in any of the illustrated implemetations. For example, a wall of the container 10 may operate as the support 40 and the orifice 11 of the container may operate as the opening 12. Alternatively, the support 40 may be coupled to a wall of the container 10 and the orifice 11 of the container may be operated as the opening 12.
The description hereinabove relates to a method for the implementation of a closure device 20, and to a closure device 20.
In use, a user may buy the opening closure 20 off-the-shelf as an independent stand-alone unit, or as integrated within a replacement unit or assembly, or as a portion of a container for integration into the container, or as readily integrated within the structure of the container. For example, in the case of an oil drum, the originally supplied closure may be removed and replaced by an opening closure 20, ensuring a normally closure of the drum while facilitating frequent or intermittent retrieval of the fluid contained in the oil drum while. Alternatively, the top portion 14 of oil drums may be readily manufactured to inherently include a closure device 20, for supply of such enhanced top portions to manufacturers of oil drums. The oil drum may also be fabricated by the manufacturer of oil drums to include a structurally incorporated closure device 20.
The embodiments described hereinabove are applicable in industry, for example with drums and barrels.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. For example, the closure device is also a system or a device for use in association with a fluid, such as contained in a piping system or a supply of fluid in general. The closure device may be applied to containers associated with vehicles such as transported containers or inherent to the vehicle, such as tanks of combustion fuel, to various vessels used in laboratories, in industry and in households. Evidently, the closure device 20 may be implemented as an aggregation of various portions coupled together by means known to those skilled in the art, instead of a minimal number of components. Furthermore, the closure device 20 may be coupled to the walls or to the bottom of the container. In addition, at least one portion of the device may closure device 20 may be heat treated and/or protected by a surface finish treatment such as coating, cladding or painting. Rather, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 186686 | Oct 2007 | IL | national |
The present application is a Continuation of PCT/IL 2008/001375 filed on 22 Oct. 2008.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/IL2008/001375 | Oct 2008 | US |
| Child | 12759002 | US |
