Telescoping valve assembly and method for use thereof

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a telescoping valve assembly for a container and a method for use thereof, more particularly, a telescoping valve assembly and method of use wherein the valve assembly is integrally affixed to a container.

2. Description of the Prior art

Containers are frequently used to ship, store, dispense, and handle liquids and other free flowing materials such as powders, pellets, etc. Facilitating the removal/dispensation of these materials from the container used for storage and shipment is desirable. Simply providing an opening for the removal of the material without means to control the dispensation rate is undesirable because flow rates of the material from the containers cannot be adjusted as material is needed. Including a valve assembly along with a spout enables rate controlled dispensation of the material.

The valve and spout assembly of the present invention is particularly desirable for use with an intermediate bulk container, such as those disclosed in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09,499,128, filed Feb. 7, 2000, which is herein incorporated by reference. The container contains a primary container in the form of an inner liner which actually contains the material. A rigid box-like structure forms the secondary container and houses the flexible and/or non-flexible liner. The valve and spout assembly is affixed to the liner of the rigid box-like support structure. These containers are often referred to by the name intermediate bulk containers (“IBC”). The valve and spout assembly is located in an area where it is accessible via a port in one of the panels for dispensation of the material. The IBC secondary containers come in many different sizes and may be made out of wood, plastic, steel, cardboard, or other types of materials with wall thicknesses of varying sizes. The primary container liners are often made out of a flexible plastic material, high density polyethylene, or other materials well known in the art.

Prior art containers include valve and spout assemblies that are removably attached to the liner of the container. These types of valves and spouts are undesirable because of the need to keep track of separate parts. Shipping of the valve and spout assembly parts is often done separately from the material, resulting in extra shipping costs, lost valves, incorrect fittings, broken pieces, and wasted time and effort. The prior valve and spout assemblies also require the extra effort of attaching the spout to the container before the removal of the material. Since container walls are not of uniform width, ensuring the correct valve length to ameliorate the dispensation of the material from the container is a constant difficulty. In addition, special tools needed for the attachment and removal of these assemblies creates a further hindrance.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,541 to Perkins (“Perkins”) teaches a valve and spout assembly that is permanently attached to the liner. One problem with Perkins, however, is that the valve has no means contained therein to control the dispensation rate. The Perkins valve has a slide that must be pushed in toward the container to break a seal and initiate the flow of material. The slide breaks the seal and starts the flow, however, the assembly is simply an on/off flow control apparatus. Furthermore, the Perkins valve assembly does not allow for the precise control of the length in which the valve protrudes from the container. The valve cannot be extended to provide easier access depending on the wall thickness of the container used. In fact, the Perkins valve is stored and shipped in a substantially out position. The out position of the Perkins subjects it to snagging, storage, and handling difficulties.

A need exists for a valve and spout assembly that can be integrally affixed to the surface of a container. This valve and spout assembly should facilitate access to the assembly by the user and be usable with different containers. The present invention valve may be flush or substantially coextensive with the surface of the container liner or the secondary housing container in which the liner is covered, enabling the container to have easy storage and handling properties. In alternative embodiments, the valve assembly may protrude from the liner of the container, but still remain substantially inside of the secondary container of the IBC. In still a further embodiment, the valve assembly may be attached to a liner with one end substantially flush with the outer secondary container. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, various combinations of the protrusion distance from the liner or the container may be implemented without changing the fundamental nature of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved valve and spout assembly that can be integrally affixed to a container. The valve and spout assembly is easily operated using conventional tools and attachments. Furthermore, the valve and spout assembly includes a slidable member to allow for the precise adjustment of the protrusion distance from the container. Finally, the present invention includes a valve member attached to the spout that allows for the control of the dispensation rate of the material contained therein.

One embodiment of the present invention comprises a sleeve operably connected with a container, the sleeve further comprising an inner surface. The valve assembly further comprises a slide member movably attached to the inner surface of the sleeve and a valve member operably connected to the slide member.

A combination container and telescoping valve assembly whereby the controlled rate of removal of a material from the container is achieved, the combination comprising a container and a telescoping valve assembly operably attached to the container. The combination container and telescoping valve assembly may further include a sleeve, a slide member, and a valve member. The slide member may be operably attachable and selectively positionable to the sleeve, and the valve member operably attachable to the slide member.

A method for removing the contents of a container comprising providing a telescoping valve assembly of the type having a slide member, a sleeve, and a valve member, the slide member selectably positionable relative to the sleeve between a retracted position and an extended position. The method may further comprise extending the slide member to a desired extended position, opening the valve member to obtain a desired amount of the material of the container, and closing the valve member.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the easy removal of materials from a container.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus affixed to a container for the removal of materials from the container.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for the removal of materials from a container that is attached to the container and allows for the easy control of the dispensation rate of the contained material.

Another object of this invention is an apparatus for dispensation of material from a container that provides a means to control the distance the valve protrudes from the container.

A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for the removal of materials from a container that is incorporated in the container in such a way that one end of the apparatus is substantially coextensive to the surface of the container.

Another object of the present invention is a valve and spout assembly that can be operated using standard tools.

A further object of the present invention is a method for removal of material from a container using a valve assembly in which the flow of material can be controlled and the protrusion distance of the valve assembly from the container can also be controlled.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a combination container and telescoping valve assembly whereby the controlled rate of material from the container is achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

shows an exploded side plan cut-away view of one telescoping valve assembly embodiment.

FIG. 2

is a sectional view showing the telescoping valve assembly in the extended position.

FIG. 3

is an elevational top view of the telescoping valve assembly in the extended position.

FIG. 4

is an elevational top view of the telescoping valve assembly in the retracted position.

FIG. 5

is a sectional view of the telescoping valve assembly as viewed along the section line

5

—

5

of

FIG. 4

in the retracted position with the butterfly valve is in the closed position.

FIG. 6

is a sectional view of the telescoping valve assembly as viewed along the section line

6

—

6

of

FIG. 3

showing the valve member in the closed position.

FIG. 7

is a sectional view of the telescoping valve assembly as viewed along the section line

7

—

7

of

FIG. 4

showing the valve member in the open position.

FIG. 8

is a block diagram of the method of operation of using the telescoping valve assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

Features and advantages of the device and method of the present invention will become more fully apparent and understood in light of the above-referenced drawings, this description, and the appended claims. Features and advantages will also become apparent in light of the described embodiments of the apparatus and the description of the method or process of making and/or using the telescoping valve assembly of the present invention.

The present embodiment is described in terms of dispensing liquid but the present invention contemplates dispensing any type of free flowing material that is compatible with the present invention. The present embodiment is described in terms of attachment and use with the liner of a substantially rigid box-like IBC. Alternatively, other types of containers, with and without liners, are contemplated for use with the present invention. The embodiment described herein is approximately six inches long in its fully extended state, and about four inches long in its fully retracted state, though valve and spout assemblies of different lengths are contemplated.

The present embodiment further contemplates that the assembly will be substantially flush with the surface of the secondary box-like container and that the sleeve will be attached to the liner. This description does not exclude alternative embodiments that might have the valve and spout substantially coextensive with the liner, or embodiments for use with a container that does not have a liner. All of the components of the present embodiment, unless otherwise specified, may be made of low and/or high density polyethylene, glass filled nylon, or stainless steel.

Any references to front and back, right and left, top and bottom, and upper and lower are intended for convenience of description, not to limit the present invention or its components to any one positional or spatial orientation. As used herein, the terms “valve,” “valve assembly,” “telescoping valve assembly,” or “valve and spout” are intended to include and/or encompass a structure, device, or apparatus used to dispense materials from storage and/or shipment containers and the like.

FIG. 1

is an exploded view of one valve assembly embodiment

8

of the present invention. The valve assembly

8

includes a sleeve

10

that is integrally connected with a liner

12

. The valve assembly

8

of the present embodiment further comprises a slide member

14

and a valve member

16

. As shown in the above referenced Figure, the slide member

14

is movably attached to the sleeve

10

. In one embodiment, a plug

18

is removably attached to a first end

32

of the slide member

14

, and the butterfly valve

16

is operably attached to the slide member

14

. An alternative embodiment may have the plug

18

attached to the sleeve

10

instead. In a still further embodiment, a collar

19

may be operably attached to the sleeve

10

and substantially coextensive with a secondary container

13

.

With reference to

FIGS. 1 and 2

, the sleeve

10

of the present embodiment will be described. The present embodiment sleeve

10

may be a substantially cylindrical shape and may be further comprised of a first end

10

a

, a second end

10

b

, an external surface

20

, and an internal surface

22

. The first end

10

a

, the second end

10

b

, and the internal surface

22

of the sleeve

10

form a substantially hollow chamber therein. The sleeve

10

of another embodiment further comprises a slide surface

23

, an internal screw thread form

24

, and a liner attachment area

25

. The slide surface

23

is formed on the internal surface

22

of the sleeve

10

. The internal screw thread form

24

is integrally formed on the internal surface

22

. The liner attachment area

25

is located on the external surface

20

. In a further embodiment the sleeve

10

further comprises a lattice frame

26

and an external screw thread form

27

. The lattice frame

26

is the structure that comprises first end

10

a

of the sleeve

10

. This lattice frame

26

may be formed as an extension of the solid shape of the second end

10

b

. The external screw thread form

27

may be operably positioned on the second end of the sleeve

10

b

. The external screw thread form

27

cooperatively interacts with the collar

19

to removably and movably position the collar

19

on the second end

10

b

of the sleeve

10

. In different embodiments, the present invention sleeve

10

could take on different shapes and the arrangement of the parts could be in different positions, for example, the internal screw thread form

24

could be closer to the first end

10

a

or the second end

10

b

. Alternatively, the internal screw thread form

24

could be longer. A further embodiment might not have a lattice frame

26

and instead have a shorter sleeve

10

. One embodiment may employ a sleeve

10

with a generally square external surface

20

and a generally circular internal surface

22

. As will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art, as long as the shapes are compatible with the herein described elements, including the slide member

14

and the butterfly valve

16

, any sleeve shape could be utilized.

As shown in

FIG. 1

, the external surface

20

of the sleeve

10

has a liner attachment area

25

for fixing the sleeve

10

to the liner

12

. This liner attachment area

25

runs contiguously around the entire surface of a diameter of the external surface

20

of the sleeve. In this embodiment the liner

12

is made of substantially flexible material. In another embodiment the material of the liner

12

may be heat sealed to the outer surface of the sleeve. In alternative embodiments, the attachment of the sleeve and liner may be accomplished by any other means known to those ordinarily skilled in the art and compatible with the material of the liner, for example, adhesive bonding. In further embodiments, the junction between the outer surface

20

of the sleeve

10

and the material of the liner

12

may be further coated with several materials known by those ordinarily skilled in the art to ensure that the joint does not leak. The sleeve

10

of the present embodiment is attached to a portion of the liner

12

that provides for the easy dispensing of the contained material. The sleeve

10

might be attached to a different position relative to the liner

12

depending on the desired configuration of the user.

As shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

, the first end

10

a

of the present embodiment is comprised of a lattice frame

26

. This lattice frame

26

allows for the material contained in the liner

12

to more easily flow through the sleeve first end

10

a

and then through the slide member

14

.

FIG. 3

shows a view of the valve assembly

8

with the slide member

14

in the extended position. As can be seen, the first end

30

of the slide member is substantially planar with the joining between the sleeve first end

10

a

and the second end

10

b

of the sleeve.

FIG. 4

shows a view where the slide member

14

of the valve assembly

8

is in the retracted position. A screw thread form

38

of the slide member

14

can be seen through the lattice frame

26

of the sleeve first end

10

a

. In alternative embodiments, the first end

30

of the slide member

14

might be in different positions when the slide member

14

is in the extended position; for example, the slide member

14

might not be protruding from the first end of the sleeve

10

a

, or the slide member

14

might be totally encapsulated within the second end

10

b

of the sleeve.

Referring to

FIGS. 1

,

2

, and

5

, the slide member

14

of the present invention will be described. As illustrated in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, the slide member

14

of the present embodiment has a substantially cylindrical shape and is dispensed inside the sleeve

10

. The slide member

14

of the present embodiment is comprised of a first end

30

, a second end

32

, an outside surface

34

, an inside surface

36

, a first screw thread form

38

, and a second screw thread form

40

. In another embodiment, the slide member

14

may be further comprised of a plug

18

. The inside surface

36

of the slide member

14

defines a generally hollow chamber. The valve member

16

may be operably connected to the inside surface

36

of the slide member

14

. The first screw thread form

38

may be formed on the outside surface

34

of the first end

30

of the slide member

14

. The second screw thread form

40

may be formed on the inside surface

34

of the second end

32

. The present embodiment plug

18

is removably and movably attached to the second end

32

of the slide member

14

. An alternative embodiment may be further comprised of a stop

42

, a first opening

44

, a second opening

46

, a groove

50

, and an O-ring

52

. The stop

42

of the present embodiment may be located on the first end

30

of the slide member

14

, substantially next to the screw thread form

38

. The first opening

44

may be on the first end

30

of the slide member

14

and the second opening

46

may be on the second end

32

of the slide member

14

. The groove

50

may be substantially aligned at a distance between the first screw thread form

38

and the second screw thread form

40

. In another embodiment, the O-ring

52

may be removably nested in the groove

50

. In alternative embodiments the groove

50

and O-ring

52

may be generally aligned between the first screw thread form

38

and the first end

30

of the slide member

14

. An alternative embodiment may replace the second screw thread form

40

with an alternative plug

18

connection means, such as a bayonet style fitting. A further embodiment of the slide member

14

may further comprise a grip surface

61

. The grip surface

61

may be operably attached on the second end

32

exterior surface of the slide member

14

. The grip surface of the present embodiment may allow the user to obtain a better grip on the slide member

14

when the user is telescoping the slide member

14

in or out. The grip surface

61

can be comprised of any material and surface shape known to those reasonably skilled in the art.

In the present embodiment, the external surface

20

of the slide member

14

has two generally circular holes

48

and

49

formed in the slide member

14

. The circular holes

48

and

49

may be aligned in the slide member

14

surface so that a direct line may be formed through the holes

48

and

49

on both sides of the slide member

14

. These holes,

48

and

49

, are used to receive the valve shaft

66

which will be discussed in further detail herein.

As shown in

FIG. 2

in the present embodiment, the external screw thread form

38

of the slide member

14

may be of such a diameter that it cooperatively interacts with the screw thread form

24

of the sleeve

10

. The slide member

14

is movably and rotatably positioned inside the sleeve

10

. When the slide member

14

is rotated around the longitudinal axis, the cooperative interaction of the sleeve

10

, the screw thread form

24

, and the slide member

14

first screw thread form

38

effectuates the movement of the slide member

14

towards either the first end

10

a

or the second end

10

b

of the sleeve

10

. The stop

42

ensures that the slide member

14

cannot be totally removed from the sleeve

10

.

When the screw thread form

38

extends the slide member

14

to the point where it is in the extended position, the stop

42

will not cooperate with the screw thread form

24

of the sleeve

10

, preventing further movement of the slide member

14

. If the slide member

14

did not have the stop

42

, then the slide member

14

could be removed from the sleeve

10

. Removing the sleeve

10

would break the seal and allow the material to escape the liner

12

. Another embodiment may include alternative methods to movably attach the slide member

14

with the sleeve

10

known to those reasonably skilled in the art. One alternative embodiment may use a slide member

14

with an O-ring that slidably engages the inner surface

22

of the sleeve

10

and creates enough friction that the slide member

14

could be selectively positioned relative to the sleeve

10

and held into position by the O-ring alone. In still further embodiments, the screw thread form

24

may be of a longer length and thread form

38

be of a shorter length. The slide surface

23

may be interposed on the surface of the slide member

14

and the groove

50

and O-ring

52

might be attached to the internal surface

22

of the sleeve

10

.

The telescoping nature of the slide member

14

of the valve assembly

8

is an advantage to the present invention because it allows the distance that the valve assembly

8

protrudes from the liner

12

to be precisely controlled. As mentioned above, this is particularly helpful when the liner

12

is contained inside a secondary container

13

and the valve assembly

8

is accessed via a port in a side of the secondary container

13

. Depending on the wall thickness of the secondary container

13

, the valve assembly

8

can be expanded a greater or lesser distance from the liner to enable easier access to the slide member

14

and the butterfly valve

16

further described below.

As shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, the present embodiment groove

50

may be located at a distance between the first end

30

and the second end

32

on the external surface

34

of the slide member

14

. The present embodiment places the groove

50

substantially aligned with the screw thread

38

just toward the second end

32

. As will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the art, an alternative embodiment might place the groove

50

in other locations on the outside surface

22

of the slide member

14

as long as the O-ring

52

is positioned to operably interact with the slide surface

23

as described below. With reference to

FIG. 2

, the groove

50

of the present embodiment may be further comprised of two substantially parallel raised edges

54

and

56

. The groove

50

and O-ring

52

are of such a width that the O-ring

52

may be removably nested in between the raised edges

54

and

56

of the groove

50

. The O-ring

52

of the present embodiment is shaped so that when it is in place it movably contacts the slide surface

23

of the sleeve

10

. The O-ring

52

and the slide surface

23

may be movably nested with each other to facilitate the sealed and movable engagement of the slide member

14

relative to the sleeve

10

, creating a fluid and particle tight seal. The seal of the present embodiment does not allow the material in the liner

12

to pass along the exterior surface

34

of the slide member

14

and interior surface

22

of the sleeve

10

and out of the liner

12

, bypassing the butterfly valve

16

of the present invention. The present embodiment O-ring

52

may be made of rubber, but alternatively can be constructed of any material known to those skilled in the art. This material should be corrosion resistant and compatible with the material stored in the liner

12

. The operation, construction, and usefulness of O-rings are well known in the art and could be modified or replaced by those skilled in the art with another sealing arrangement.

In reference to

FIGS. 1 and 2

, the valve member

16

of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment valve member

16

is a butterfly valve

16

. The butterfly valve

16

may be comprised of a flapper

62

, an O-ring

64

, a valve shaft

66

, and a shaft connector

68

. The flapper

62

may be operably attached to the shaft connector

68

, which in turn may be removably and operably connected to the valve shaft

66

. The present embodiment valve shaft

66

may be removably and rotatably attached to the slide member

14

. The O-ring

64

is operably and removably disposed substantially along the edge of the flapper

62

. The butterfly valve

16

is used in this embodiment of the present invention as the valve member, but other types of valve members used for controlling the dispensing of materials could be likewise incorporated, including but not limited to ball valves, diaphragm valves, etc.

The present embodiment butterfly valve

16

may be further comprised of a lock

69

. The lock

69

of the present embodiment is a half-moon shaped member slidably and operably attached between the butterfly valve

16

and the slide member

14

of the present invention. The lock

69

prevents the rotation of the valve shaft

66

when engaged so that the valve shaft

66

will not be accidently opened. The lock

69

prevents the release material from the liner

12

at an inopportune time. Slidable locks of this type are well known to those reasonably skilled in the art and may be replaced with other devices known to the same.

The shape of the flapper

62

of varying embodiments of the present invention will be dictated by the shape of the interior of the slide member

14

. The flapper should be of a size and shape to sealably engage the inner walls

38

of the slide member

14

, thus restricting the flow of material past the flapper

62

. In the present embodiment, the inner surface

38

of the slide member

14

is substantially circular, and so the flapper

62

is also substantially circular. The flapper

68

is shown in

FIGS. 1

,

2

, and

7

in cut-away form. The flapper

62

is a solid member the size and shape of the circular area that is defined by the O-ring

64

. The O-ring

64

protrudes a small distance from the surface of the flapper

62

to create the below discussed seal. An alternative embodiment might employ just the flapper

62

without the O-ring

64

. In still further embodiments, the flapper

62

might be made of rubber or some other material known in the art so as to not require the O-ring

64

to form the seal with the inner wall

36

of the slide member

14

. In still further embodiments the flapper

62

, valve shaft

66

, and shaft connector

68

, might be all formed of one molded removable or non-removable piece.

With reference to

FIGS. 1 and 2

, the valve shaft

66

will be described. As illustrated, the present embodiment valve shaft

66

is removably and rotatably attached to the slide member

14

. The valve shaft of the present embodiment may be made of glass filled nylon, stainless steel, or any other material known to those reasonably skilled in the art with the necessary wear resistance. The valve shaft

66

of the present embodiment may be further comprised of an upper O-ring

70

, a lower O-ring

72

, a first end

74

, and a second end

76

, an insert

78

, and a cavity

79

. The valve shaft

66

of the present embodiment is operably connected to the shaft connector

68

. The valve shaft

66

of the present embodiment is used to turn the flapper

62

, and thus control the flow of material.

The Upper O-ring

70

of the present embodiment may be placed substantially on the first end

74

of the valve shaft

66

. The lower O-ring

72

may be placed substantially on the second end

76

of the present embodiment valve shaft

66

. The cavity

79

may be a shape formed into the first end

74

of the valve shaft

66

. The insert

78

may be removably placed on the inside of the cavity

79

.

As shown in

FIGS. 3

,

6

, and

7

, the valve shaft

66

of the present embodiment is positioned slightly off-center of the middle of the slide member

14

. The valve shaft

66

of the present embodiment is placed slightly off-center so that flapper

62

can be in substantially the center of the slide member

14

. As illustrated, the valve shaft

66

does not go through any portion of the flapper

62

, instead it is connected by means of the shaft connector

68

described above. Because of this connection to the flapper

62

through the shaft connector

68

, the flapper

62

may be substantially in the center portion of the slide member

14

. As illustrated in

FIG. 6

, when the valve shaft

66

of the present embodiment is turned to the full open position, the flapper

62

bisects the slide member

14

along the line

8

—

8

. In alternative embodiments, the valve shaft

66

may be connected to the flapper

62

in other ways, for example, as one molded piece, and so the valve shaft

66

may be placed substantially in the center of the slide member

14

.

The upper O-ring

70

may be of such a diameter and elasticity that the inner diameter of the O-ring

70

is just larger than the outer diameter of the first end

74

of the valve shaft

66

. In this way, when the upper O-ring

70

is placed around the first end

74

of the valve shaft

66

, the O-ring

70

sealably and removably engages the valve shaft

66

. The upper O-ring of the present embodiment

70

operably interacts with the slide member

14

to create a seal by which no stored material can escape through the hole

44

when the valve

16

is in use. The lower O-ring

72

may be removably attached in the same manner. The upper O-ring

70

and lower O-ring

72

seals further enable the valve shaft

66

to be rotated relative to the slide member

14

without the seals being broken. In alternative embodiments, other methods of operably and removably attaching the upper O-ring

70

and the lower O-ring

72

to the valve shaft

66

first end

74

and second end

76

, respectively, could likewise be incorporated. The O-rings

70

and

72

could also be replaced by other means know in the art to create the proper seal.

One embodiment valve shaft

66

may be further comprised of an insert

78

and a cavity

79

. The cavity

79

may be formed generally on the first end

74

. The insert

78

may be removably mated to the cavity

79

. The cavity

79

of the present embodiment is shaped to receive a standard Allen wrench tool. Alternative embodiments for the shape of the cavity could include shapes designed to operably receive tools such as a standard or Phillips screw head, a hex head, or the like. Still further embodiments might instead have a knob attached to the valve shaft

66

first end

74

which can be grasped by hand. Any means known to those skilled in the art to effectuate the rotation of the valve shaft

66

, and so the valve member

16

as a whole, may be employed.

As shown in

FIG. 1

, the valve shaft

66

may be further comprised of an insert

78

. The insert

78

of the present embodiment fits inside the first end

74

of the valve shaft

66

, more specifically, inside the cavity

79

. When the valve shaft

66

is inserted in the slide member

14

and engages the shaft connector

68

, the cavity

79

is accessible. By removal of the insert

78

, the valve shaft

66

may be turned by means of the cavity

79

using a standard Allen wrench.

The insert

78

of the present embodiment fits the cavity

79

. The insert

78

of the present embodiment may further engage the lock

69

. In one embodiment, the insert

78

may fit into the cavity

79

and operably engage the lock

69

in such a manner that valve shaft

66

may not be moved while the insert

78

is present. In alternative embodiments the lock

69

may be replaced with other designs known to those skilled in the art.

Referring now to

FIGS. 1

,

2

, and

3

, the plug

18

of the present embodiment will be described. The plug

18

of the present invention may be further comprised of an external screw thread

60

. The external screw thread

60

may have an outer diameter such that it can cooperatively interact with the screw thread form

40

of the second end of the slide member

14

. The plug

18

is desirable because it protects the valve assembly

8

from damage and because it provides an additional sealing means during transportation and storage. The plug

18

of the present embodiment is made of the same low and high density polyethylene material as the sleeve

10

and the slide member

14

, however the plug

18

could be made of any material known in the art. The plug

18

of the present invention may be further comprised of any means known to those reasonably skilled in the art to facilitate inserting and removing it. Though the plug

18

of the present embodiment is attached by means of a screw thread interaction, other methods known to those skilled in the art to be effective for this type of attachment can be utilized, such as “push and twist” connections commonly used in child-proof containers, or alternatively a bayonet connection. In alternative embodiments the plug

18

could be replaced with a screw cap, or some other end protection device known to those reasonably skilled in the art.

With reference to

FIGS. 1

,

2

, and

3

the collar

19

will be further described. The collar

19

may be further comprised of an internal screw thread

80

, a protection guard

82

, and an outer rim

84

. The collar

19

and internal screw thread

80

may cooperatively interact with the external screw thread

27

of the sleeve

10

to movably and removably connect the collar

19

to the sleeve

10

. The guard

82

may be connected to the collar

19

as shown in

FIGS. 1

,

2

and

3

and operably attached in a manner that runs substantially around the entire outer rim

84

of the collar

19

. The secondary container

13

, collar

19

, and guard

82

of the present embodiment may be made of any material known to those reasonably skilled in the art.

The collar

19

may fit so that the collar outer rim

84

would remain substantially coextensive with the surface of the secondary container

13

of one embodiment. The collar

19

would allow the user easier access to the valve assembly

8

through the wall of the secondary container

13

. The collar

19

may help to insure that the valve assembly

8

remained in a substantially steady position relative to the secondary container

13

despite movement of the container. The guard

82

of the present embodiment would protect the collar

19

and outer rim

84

. In alternative embodiments, the secondary container

13

may have a port that is open and closed so that the collar

19

would remain substantially on the interior of the secondary container

13

.

In operation, the assembly of one embodiment present invention is substantially coextensive with the surface of the liner

12

while in its retracted position. Alternative embodiments could be disposed with the assembly coextensive with the secondary container

13

of the IBC, as shown in the accompanying figures. Further embodiments could have the assembly

8

planar with the wall of whatever type of container

13

is employed.

When materials are going to be dispensed, the plug

18

is turned and removed by means of the cooperative interaction of the screw thread

60

on the inside of the plug

18

and the screw thread

40

on the outside of the slide member

14

. The slide member

14

itself is then turned utilizing the grip surface

61

. With proper movement of the slide member

14

, the external member thread form

38

of the slide member

14

and internal thread form

24

of the sleeve

10

cooperatively interact to axially move the slide member

14

from a first retracted position (shown in

FIG. 4

) to a second extended position (shown in FIG.

3

). This second extended position can be any length along the possible slide member

14

path that the user desires. In an alternative embodiment the assembly of the present invention could be utilized with the slide member

14

still in the completely retracted position. The present invention assembly

8

can be used in any position the user desires as long as the operator can engage the valve shaft

66

to open and close the flapper

62

.

Once the slide member

14

has reached the selected operating position, the butterfly valve

16

is then utilized. By rotating the valve shaft

66

, the flapper

62

is moved about the axis represented by the valve shaft

66

. This movement creates a gap between the O-ring

64

of the butterfly valve

16

and the inside surface

36

of the slide member

14

.

FIGS. 6 and 7

show the open and closed positions of the of the butterfly valve

16

respectively. As can be seen in

FIG. 7

, the valve surface

62

completely blocks the internal diameter of the slide member

14

when in the closed position. The butterfly valve O-ring

64

creates a seal with the internal surface

36

of the slide member

14

. As illustrated in

FIG. 6

, the O-ring

64

and the valve surface

62

can be moved in a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slide member

14

by action of the valve shaft

66

and shaft connector

68

. The flapper

62

position allows the material to flow through the gap created between the flapper

62

, O-ring

64

, and the internal surface

36

of the slide member

14

. Material from the container can enter the first opening

44

of the slide member

14

, go past the flapper

62

, and out the second opening

46

. In order to stop the material from flowing out of the slide member

14

, the valve shaft

66

may be turned back to the closed position shown in FIG.

7

. The valve shaft

66

and flapper

62

may be left in any intermediate position to choose a desired flow rate. The present embodiment valve shaft

66

may be aligned substantially from the top to the bottom of the valve and spout assembly, but as can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the orientation of the assembly could be changed to any position.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the valve assembly

8

may be placed in a position on the bottom of the secondary container

13

and liner

12

. In this alternative embodiment, the valve assembly

8

may drain the material straight down, or in the alternative, the sleeve

10

may be formed of a curved or L-shaped shaft. If the sleeve

10

is an L-shape, then the slide member

14

would be of a length that when it is in the fully retracted position, the first end

30

of the slide member

14

would reach a point short of the bend so that the slide member

14

would not bind inside of the sleeve

10

and become immobile. This box gland formation for the sleeve

10

and slide member

14

of the telescoping valve assembly

8

would still ease storage and transportation difficulties presented by the prior art valve assemblies, but would allow the material to drain substantially from the bottom surface of the container

13

, either straight down or through the elbow joint described above.

Another embodiment of the present invention telescoping valve assembly

8

comprises a method of removing materials from a container

13

utilizing the above described apparatus.

FIG. 8

is a block diagram showing the method of operation. The following description of the method is described in terms of removing material from a IBC container

13

that has an liner

12

to which the valve assembly

8

is attached. This description also contemplates a valve assembly

8

with various parts like the one substantially described previously, including a plug

18

, a butterfly valve

16

, and the like. However, the below description of this method, though including steps like removing the plug, could have a fewer number of steps depending on the embodiment that is used. Furthermore, this method is equally applicable to the use of the present invention to removal materials from other types of containers to which the present invention may be attached.

As shown in

FIG. 8

, the first act is gaining access to the valve assembly

8

. In the present embodiment this requires that the user remove and/or open the access port of the IBC so that the valve assembly

8

can be accessed. In other embodiments, the valve assembly

8

might be on the outside of the liner

12

and not have a secondary container

13

surrounding the valve assembly

8

and the liner. Once the valve assembly

8

has been accessed, the plug

18

of the present embodiment must be removed. The plug

18

of the present embodiment is removed by rotating the same in a counterclockwise direction. Rotating the plug

18

allows the screw thread form

60

of the plug

18

to operatively interact with the screw thread form

40

of the slide member

14

.

Once the plug

18

has been removed, the valve assembly

8

must be extended to the desired operating position. In the present embodiment, the slide member

14

is the part of the valve assembly

8

that is extended. The extension of the slide member

14

is done in substantially the same way as removing the plug

18

. The slide member is grasped by the second end

32

grip

61

and twisted in a direction that allows the cooperative interaction of the first screw thread form

38

of the slide member

14

and the internal screw thread from

24

of the sleeve

10

. In this way the slide member

14

can be extended to any desired position. In the preferred embodiment, the extension of the slide member

14

past the edge of the substantially ridged secondary container

13

of the IBC would allow the user easier access to the valve assembly

8

.

As shown at block

40

of

FIG. 8

, once the valve assembly

8

is in the desired extended position, the opening of the valve assembly allows the desired material to be removed. The butterfly valve

16

of the present embodiment is opened utilizing the valve shaft

66

. Rotating the valve shaft

66

of the present embodiment in either direction allows the seal between the flapper

62

, the O-ring

64

, and the inner wall

38

of the slide member

14

to be broken. Once the seal between these members is broken, the material begins to flow from the liner

12

, through the sleeve

10

, through the valve assembly

16

, and into whatever receptacle the user so desires. Once the desired amount of material has escaped from the liner

12

, the butterfly valve

16

should be rotated utilizing the valve shaft

66

to close the seal between the flapper

62

, O-ring

64

, and the inside surface

36

of the slide member

14

. In alternative embodiments that incorporate a different type of valve

16

, the valve

16

must be opened using the proper method that suits the alternative embodiment valve.

As represented by block

50

of

FIG. 8

, the act of closing the valve assembly

8

ensures that no more material will escape the liner

12

than is desired by the user. The butterfly valve

16

is closed by utilizing the valve shaft

66

to re-seal the connection between the valve assembly

16

and the slide member

14

. Once the seal has been re-engaged, the user should rotate the slide member

16

back to the retracted position (Block

70

) to again take advantage of the easy transportation and storage capabilities the present invention allows.

One advantage of the present invention is the telescoping nature of the slide member

14

and sleeve

10

screw thread connection. When the spout and valve assembly

8

is not in use, the assembly can be screwed into the retracted position. This retracted position allows the protrusion of the valve assembly

8

to be minimized. Because of the minimization of the protrusion, working with the liner

12

is easier and more convenient. This retracted position reduces the risk that the assembly will be damaged during storage or shipment of the secondary container

13

. Furthermore, stacking and storing can be done in a more efficient manner because the combined liner

12

, secondary container

13

, and valve assembly

8

are a more compact unit.

The telescoping nature of the valve assembly

8

presents yet another advantage to the present invention. Because the valve assembly

8

can be extended to provide a variable distance from the liner

12

, this valve and spout assembly can be attached to a liner

12

and used with a container of many different sizes and secondary container

13

wall thicknesses.

Another advantage of the present invention is the convenience of having a valve and spout assembly

8

affixed to the liner

12

. Since the assembly is always attached to the liner

12

, it assures that whenever the user desires to remove material from the liner

12

there is an attached apparatus for precisely controlling the dispensation of the material. No time is wasted looking for the proper fittings to remove the material.

Another advantage of the present invention is the dispensation control that the valve member gives the user for dispensing the materials. The valve shaft

66

and flapper

62

allows the user to more effectively control the egress of the material from the liner

12

and secondary container

13

then the prior art.

A still further advantage to the present invention is the ability to approximately control the rate of flow of the material using a standard tool. Prior art valve and spout assemblies require the use of specialized tools that were not always readily available to adjust the valve member. The present invention incorporates a valve shaft

66

that can be actuated by a standard Allen wrench, Phillips screwdriver, or the like.

The accompanying Figures and descriptive material depict and describe embodiments of the device of the present invention along with features and components thereof. With regard to fastening, mounting, attaching, or connecting the components of the present invention to form the device or apparatus as a whole, unless specifically described otherwise, the invention may incorporate or use conventional fasteners such as screws, nut and bolt connectors, machined connectors, snap rings, complementary fittings such as snap, threaded or plug/socket arrangements and the like, clamps such as screw clamps and the like, rivets, toggles, pins and the like. Components may also be connected, if appropriate, by adhesives, welding, friction fitting or deformation. Unless specifically disclosed or taught, materials for making components of the present invention are selected from appropriate materials such as metal, metallic alloys, fibers, fabrics, plastics and the like, natural or synthetic, and appropriate manufacturing or production methods may include casting, extruding, weaving, spinning, molding, and machining. It is desirable that any components of the present invention be made of materials that are compatible for use with whatever type of liquids or other materials are going to be handled in conjunction with the valve assembly and container.

Although the description of this apparatus and present embodiment has been specific, it is contemplated that various deviations can be made to this embodiment without deviating from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the present invention be dictated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description of this embodiment.

Number	Name	Date	Kind
2083776	Ferguson	Jun 1937	A
2738796	Chadwick	Mar 1956	A
3039656	Wentz	Jun 1962	A
4025048	Tibbitts	May 1977	A
4169548	Bond	Oct 1979	A
4997108	Hata	Mar 1991	A
5775541	Perkins	Jul 1998	A

Telescoping valve assembly and method for use thereof

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Original Assignees

Examiners

Agents

CPC

US Classifications

Field of Search

US

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

US Referenced Citations (7)