US2702563A - Combination spigot and adapter with venting means - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 22, 1955 J, R. SNYDER ET AL 2,702,563

COMBINATION SPIGOT AND-ADAPTER WITH VENTING MEANS Filed Oct. 6, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l f1: VEIZ LUI 'E J 0:001: Ems/zfizzyaier fiazz/vfific/zefz/Zglbezger y J4 z gW 5 I Feb. 22, 1955 I J. R. SNYDER ET AL 2,702,563

COMBINATION SPIGOT AND ADAPTER WITH VENTING MEANS Filed Oct. 6, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 into the normally closed container. :procedure occurs under admirably improved operating condltions and inadvertent damage to surroundingiprop- United States Patent {COMBINATION SPIGOT AND ADAPTER WITH VENTING MEANS JacobRush Snyder and Frank J.-Schenlrelberger, Cleveland, Ohio, assignors to Thompson Products, Inc., ..Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation ofOhio Application October 6, 1949, Serial No. 119,893

9 Claims. .(Cl. 137-:588)

This invention relates generally to a fluid decanting ,apparatus and more particularly to a combination spigot jandadapter with self-venting means incorporated therein more, decantation of fluids from the familiar glass bottle-type container is very difficult and hazardous inasmuch .asthe gurgle efiect caused by the passage of venting air through the narrow-bottle neck frequently results'in the splashing of the corrosive chemical or fluid onto objects or-operating personnel in the ,vicinity.

According to the general features of the'present invention, corrosive chemicals and other dangerous fluids,vfor

example, acidsof .the red fuming nitric type, mayibe shipped and handle in stainless steel drums which are durable and capable of withstanding much more'abuse ,than has been possible with the conventional glass con- .tainer. The drums are equipped with the usual drainage bushing and may be shippedlwith a simple closurevaifixed thereon. When decantation of-the fluid in thecontainer is necessary or desirable, the closure may be'remove'd and a selfaventing combination spigot structure of the-present invention may be applied to the drum.

More specifically, the combination selfsventing spigot structure includes a locking collar whereby aspigot may be-firmlyassembledin the desired pouring position after the collar has been threaded into a druni'bushing. The

,spigot defines aflow passage having the usual inlet and outlet and, in addition, incorporates'a valve meansfin -;thejfiow passage so that the flow of fluid therethrough may-beaccurately'controlled.

zMoreover, the spigot defines an independent venting duct with a flapper-type check valve in control of the fiow 9f venting fluid therethrough.

The provision of such a structure makes it poss'ible-to effect a highflow rate because the withdrawal of fluid 'fromthe container through the spigot structure is'accompanied by a simultaneous venting of replacement fluid Furthermore, this erty'and operating personnel is eflectively precluded.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved self-venting combination spigot structure for withdrawing fluid from normally closed con- .tainers.

Another object of the present invention istoprovi'de a spigot structure whereby an automatic venting of the ,container may occur simultaneously with the withdrawal of fluid from the container.

Affurther object of the present invention is to :provide a-decanting apparatus whereby corrosive fluids and other hazardous chemicals may be handled efficiently -.with .a

minimization of danger to operating personnel and :sur-

rounding property.

Many other advantages, features and additionallobjects of the present invention will become manifest to 411 5. versed in th art up n kinsc er ncetozthe detailed d c pt o which foll ws and t e .an execlrs eetsl-o 2,702,563 Patented Feb. ,22 19.55

2 drawings in which apreferred embodiment'ofthe'present invention ,is shown and described.

0n the drawings: Figural is-a longitudinal .-cross.:sectional view, :fragmentary: in parL-an with .partsin elevation, :showing aselfven ing mbination .s pigo structure according to the p esentinvention;

:Figure 2. is a viewsimilarto Figure ,1 showingra slightly modified version of the -combinationgspigot. structure according to the present invention;

:FigureS is. a: longitudinal cro ss:se.ctional view, fragmen- :taryzintpart,zand;with partswin elevation of another modizfiedzfonn of a combination SPiEOtvSII'UCtUI :accordingto the present i invention;

Figure 4;is,-a detailed-view of the valve mechanism shown inFigure 3, being substantially a cross-sectional .view ,with parts in elevation taken on a line.- extending through thelhingepin;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal :cross-sectionalview,:fragmen- 0 tary in part and with'partsin elevation, 'ofan additional modification of the. combination .self-ventingspigot structure according to'the present invention; and

Figure. 6 isaa detailed view .with .a. parts broken away of the. poppet valve shown in Figure 5.

25 As shownlonthe drawings:

:In :Figure l, :.a:rnetal.drum;or container '10 is shown havingsthe-usual drum opening which, in the present instance,;rnay;be:characterized by the provision of a boss 11 defining an internally threaded bore'as-at'lla.

The-spigot structure'of the present invention'is indicated .generallyby'the referencenumeral 12 and com- .-prises.a..generally" tubular barrel portion 13 'for establishing a fluid flowpassage '14.

Theinletend of the .'passage*14 is bounded by an enlargedncylindrical portion indicated at 13a. 'fl'he cylindricalportiouj 13a is; provided with an annular groove to carry an 0-t-ype 'gasket 16 and" is externally threadedto receive a locking collar 17 thereon, as well as :to be -threadedly.insertable into threaded bore 11a of the'boss 11 ice A suitable gasketls-may' be inserted between-theboss 1.11 and the collar 17so as toefrect an efiicient seal-when \the collar'i17' is turned to lock the spigot 12 in the desired pouring 'positionafter'the spigot 12 has'been threaded into thedrum' bushing '11.

I t-wi1l be notedthat the tubular'barrel portion l 3-is provided with an outlet as at '19 "formedin the tubular -,wall portions of the barrel portion 13 and, in this particular-embodiment, the-outlet -19"is-in communication with a depending sleeve 13b suitably constructed to-receive in corresponding relationship therewith extension tubing as indicated at '20.

'The endof thetubular barrel portion 13 terminates in aneckor gland-indicated generally bythe reference character 13c and through which extends a piston rod 21. The end of the piston rod 21 carries a piston 22 thereon which, in one convenient form, may comprise'a plug provided with an annular groove to seat an O-type gasket 23 therein, thereby effecting 'a-seal with the bore'walls of thetubular barrel'portion 13. The neck 130 may also be--provided=with asuitable annular groove to receive an o type-gasket-24 so as to preclude leakage of fluid outwardly along the piston rod 21.

As-will be evident-from the drawing, a handle 26 is provided on the end of the pistonrod 21 so the piston -22-maybe selectively positioned within the bore of the tubular barrel portion 13 on either side of theoutlet 19. jln'thismanner'gthe piston 22 operates as a valve to -control the flow of fluid through the fluidpassageway 14 between ,the'inlet -ofthe spigot'12 and the outlet 19.

'-The neck-1300f the spigot ,12 maybe provided with a suitable slot as "is indicated at '27 so .that a pin 128, carried by'the piston rod'2l, may be moved therethrough. The piston rod 21 and ,the'pin 28 may then be rotated in 75 the groove 29 in order-that thepiston 22 may be locked in anon-flow position. 'In Figure l, the non-flow position isillustrated'by the dotted line position of the piston 22, the piston rod 21, and the handle 26.

The [cylindrical portion 13a of the tubular barrel por- 80 =ti0n :1 :d finesaventing-duct 29 extending between the :inside of the -:drnm .or :container .10 and the atmosphere.

The duct 29 may be suitably counterbored to receive an insertable sleeve 30 therein which, in turn, may have mounted thereon a flapper-type check valve 31. The check valve 31 preferably takes the form of a sleeve made of flexible material with opposed flat wall portions and operates in a well known manner to permit one-way flow of fluid therethrough.

When the structure of the present invention is employed in the handling of corrosive chemicals and other fluids, it is desirable to make the check valve 31, as well as the various sealing elements, from a plastic material such as polymerized ethylene, sometimes identified as polythene, such material having been found to display desirable resistance characteristics.

The functional action or flow of fluid from the drum or container is developed by pulling the piston 22 to the position shown by the solid lines (Figure 1). The actual rate of flow of the fluid outwardly from the drum or container to the extension tubing 20 will be effected in a large measure by the length of the downspout which governs the syphon pull on the fluid. In any event, irrespective of the rate of flow, venting fluid will readily flow into the drum or container 10 simultaneously as the container fluid is withdrawn therefrom.

It will be readily apparent that the structure described permits high flow rates to be obtained without incurring the risks which have heretofore been attendant upon the handling of various types of corrosive fluids. The present arrangement completely eliminates the gurgle effect common to decantation of fluids through a restrictive neck and employs no extraneous springs or valves, the flexible venting member or check valve 31 being the only valve which is continuously active.

Referring now to Figure 2, the principles of the present invention are shown as applied to a combination spigot structure made of diflerent composition materials. Like reference numerals are used where appropriate.

In this embodiment, the spigot 12 is made of a plastic material such as polymerized ethylene. The spigot structure 12' is again characterized by the provision of a tubular barrel portion shown at 32 having an outlet 33 and an outlet sleeve 34.

A sleeve element 36, preferably made of metal and externally threaded so as to be threadedly insertable into threaded bore 11a of the boss 11 formed on the drum container 10, as well as to threadedly receive a collar 17 thereon, is knurled intermittently along the walls of its inner bore. The enlarged cylindrical portion 32 of the tubular barrel portion 32 is further provided with a partial annular groove as at 32b so that a tube 37 may be press-fitted into the inner diameter of the tubular barrel portion'32 and the partial annular groove 32b, thereby flowing some of the plastic material of the spigot structure 12' into the knurled surface of the sleeve element 36.

The other end of the tubular barrel portion 32 is provided with a metal gland 38 which is constructed to closely correspond structurally to the neck 13c previously described and which may be integrated with the spigot structure by molding the plastic tubular barrel portion 32 therearound.

A piston tube 39 may also be located Within the tubular barrel portion 32 to cooperate with the piston 40 carried on the end of a piston rod 41. As shown in Figure 2, the piston 40 may conveniently comprise a stamped metal retainer 40a cooperatively related with a metal washer 40b and arranged to carry an O-type gasket 400 therebetween.

In this embodiment, the venting duct 29' may be formed with an integral extending tubular portion which readily receives the flexible venting valve or check valve 31.

Referring now to Figures 3-6, a further modification is shown whereby a modified collar 41 may be threaded into the threaded bore 11a of the boss 11, the collar 41 being shaped to define a counterbored coupling joint suitable for receiving a barrel of a spigot structure. It will be noted that the collar 41 is provided with a suitable annular shoulder so that a gasket 18 may be compressed against the boss 11. The collar 41 may also be provided with a suitably threaded aperture to receive a set screw indicated at 42, the purpose of which will become manifest presently.

A tubular barrel portion 43 is integrated with the collar 41 by means of a swivel connection including an annular groove 44 cooperable with the set screw 42 to'lock the tubular barrel portion 43 in any selected position, as well as an annular groove provided for seating an O-type gasket 46 engageable with the walls of the collar 41. It will be noted that the ends of the tubular barrel portion 43 may be beveled so as to snugly seat on a shoulder 41a presented by the collar 41.

In order to control the flow of fluid through a flow passage 47 defined by the tubular barrel portion 43, a valve seat indicated by the reference numeral 48 may be provided upon which a gate-type valve closure 49 may be selectively positioned to close the flow passage 47 In the particular embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the valve seat 48 is defined by a separate tubular sleeve 50 connected to the tubular barrel portion 43 by means of fasteners 51 arranged to pass through registering flanges formed at the ends of the elements. The tubular sleeve 50 is provided with a boss 50a through which a hinge pin 52 extends.

A valve closure 49 is pivotally mounted on the hinge pin 52 at a flattened key portion 52a (Figure 4) and an operating lever 53 is keyed to the end of the hinge pin 52.

The pivotal movement of the valve closure 49 is illustrated in Figure 3 where the full line position shows the flow passage 47 as being closed by the valve closure 49 and the dotted line position shows the operating lever and the valve closure 49 angularly displaced to an open position.

The usual extension tubing 20 may be employed on the end of the tubular sleeve 50.

A venting duct 54 is defined by the collar 41 so as to establish a venting passageway between the atmosphere and the inside of the container or drum 10. A sleeve 54a may be inserted into the venting duct 54 and receives on the end thereof a flapper-type flexible venting valve or check valve 31, as before. Thus, when the valve closure 49 is pivotally displaced to the open position, flow of container fluid may occur through the flow passage 47 and replacement fluid will be vented inwardly into the drum or container 10 through the venting duct 54, the sleeve 54a and the check valve 31.

The modification shown in Figures 5 and 6 varies from that previously described in Figures 3 and 4 only with respect to the structure of the valve means used for controlling the flow of fluid through the flow passage established by the tubular barrel portion of the spigot structure. For this reason, only the valve structure will be described in detail and like reference numerals will be applied to elements corresponding to those previously described and identified.

In this embodiment a valve seat 55 is defined in the flow passage 47 by virtue of an annular shoulder defined in a tubular sleeve 56. The tubular barrel portion 43' is flared at its outer extremity to receive the valve mechanism and is provided with an internally threaded skirt portion as at 57 to threadedly receive the tubular sleeve 56. The tubular barrel portion 43 may be further augmented by the provision of a washer guide support 58.

The valve closure of this embodiment takes the form of a poppet valve indicated generally by the reference numeral 59 and including a valve stem 59a cooperable with the guide support 58 and having a valve head 59b formed on one end. An annular gasket 59c adapted to snugly engage the seat 55 is positioned on the face of the valve head 5%. A guide element 60 having a plurality of spaced fingers adapted to ride along the wall of the bore defined by the tubular sleeve 56 may be attached to the valve head 59b by means of a fastener 61.

A coil spring 62 may be positioned around the valve stem 59a and is arranged to be confined by the guide member 58 so as to normally spring bias the valve closure 59 into a closed position upon the seat 55.

The tubular barrel portion 43' of this embodiment is provided with a boss as at 63 through which extends a threaded bushing 64. The bushing 64 is employed to journal a pin 66 therein, the pin 66 being provided with a groove 66a cooperable with the bushing 64 to prevent axial movement of the pin 66.

A cam element 67 is secured on one end of the pin 66 and is arranged to lie between spaced shoulders defined by the valve closure 59.

A suitable handle 68 may be connected to the pin 66 to facilitate manipulation thereof. Thus, when the pin 66 is turned, the cam 67 will operatively engage the shoulders presented by the valve closure 59 so as to actuate the valve against the bias of the spring 62 to move the valve head 59b away from the seat 55, thereby opening the flow passage 47.

As before, the usual extension tubing 20 may be employed on the end of the tubular sleeve 56.

It will be apparent to those versed in the art that we have described a novel and improved combination spigot structure incorporating self-venting means therein for effecting high flow rate from closed containers.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a self-venting fluid drainage apparatus for a fluid container having a drainage bushing, a spigot structure comprising substantially an L tube having a barrel portion received into the bushing and an angled handle portion, said barrel and handle portions having separate intersecting bores together forming an angled fluid flow passage, a piston reciprocable in the bore of said barrel portion on opposite sides of the point of intersection of said bores for opening and closing the fluid flow passage in the handle portion and operable to control the flow of fluid through the barrel portion into the handle portion, a venting duct in said spigot structure adjacent said fluid flow passage and extending into the container, and a check valve in control of the flow of venting fluid into the container, whereby said piston may be selectively positioned to eflect sealing of the container or self-venting drainage of the fluid in the container.

2. In a spigot structure for flowing fluid from a container, a tubular barrel portion establishing a fluid flow passage and having an inlet at one end thereof and a closed opposite end, the side wall of the tubular barrel portion having an outlet opening between said ends, a piston having a rod portion slidably extending through said closed opposite end and being reciprocable in said passage from a position on one side of said outlet opening to a position on the other side of said outlet opening to control the flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet opening, said tubular barrel portion having a venting passageway formed adjacent said fluid flow passage, and a check valve controlling said venting passage.

3. A drain control unit for the bushings of drums or the like which comprises an angled spigot having a first hollow leg with an open end for insertion in a bushing and a closed opposite end, together with a second hollow leg depending from the first leg between the open and closed ends, a plunger reciprocably slidable in the bore and said first leg on opposite sides of said second leg for opening and closing said second leg relative to said open end of said first leg, a plunger actuating rod extending through the closed end of said first leg and having a manual operating portion on the end thereof, a seal in said closed end engaging said rod, said first leg having a vent passage therethrough, a rubber tube at the inner end of said vent passage having a collapsed end forming a valve which will open only when the pressure in the vent passage exceeds the pressure surrounding the tube, and means on the open end of the first leg for securing said end in a drum bushing or the like with said collapsed end of the rubber tube projecting into said drum.

4. A device for controlling the decantation of fluid from a drum having an opening formed by a bung bushing, comprising, a spigot assembly having one leg adapted to be mounted in the bung bushing and having an angularly offset leg forming a pouring spout, said one leg being angularly adjustable in said bushing, a vent passage formed by said spigot, 21 rubber-tube, flapper-type check valve on the inner end of said passage, an annular groove in said leg, an O ring seal member in said groove to seal the spigot assembly in the bushing, means to lock said one leg in selected angularly adjusted pouring position, said spigot assembly including said leg having a flow passage therethrough, and a valve in said flow passage to control the flow of fluid through said spigot assembly, said valve more particularly comprising a piston axially reciprocable in said one leg, said angularly ofiset leg intersecting said one leg at an outlet opening controlled by said iston. P 5. A drain control spigot unit for the bushings of drums or the like which comprises an angled spigot having a first hollow leg portion with an open end, and a second hollow leg portion angularly offset from said first leg portion and having an open end, said first and second leg portions providing an angled flow passage between said open ends, a first annular surface provided in an intermediate portion of said flow passage, a valve head member providing a second annular surface confronting said first annular surface, said valve head member being movable from a passage-closing position inside of said flow passage when said first and second confronting surfaces are engaged and a passage open position inside of said flow passage when said first and second confronting surfaces are disengaged, an externally threaded collar integrated with said first leg circumjacent said open end of said first leg for connecting said spigot unit in the bushing of a drum or the like, a venting duct formed in said collar adjacent said flow passage and extending through said collar for communicating the interior of the drum with the atmosphere, a check valve connected to said collar and being in control of the flow of venting fluid through said venting duct into the drum, and a manual actuating means connected to said valve head member and extending outside of said angled spigot, whereby said valve head member may be positioned to effect sealing of the drum or self-venting drainage of the fluid from the drum through said flow passage.

6. A drain control spigot unit as defined in claim 5, said angled spigot being integrated to said collar by means of a swivel connection including an annular groove and a set screw formed in, and carried by, the spigot and the collar, respectively.

7. A drain control spigot unit as defined in claim 5, said angled spigot being integrated to said collar by means of a swivel connection rotatably connecting the collar and the spigot and including an annular groove in said spigot and a pin received in said groove and carried by said collar, a second annular groove formed in said spigot, an O ring seal member in said groove engaging said collar, and a second seal for sealing between said collar and said bushing.

8. A drain control spigot unit as defined in claim 5, said valve head member more particularly comprising a gate valve pivotally hinged in the flow passage and providing said second annular surface, said spigot having a seat portion providing said first annular surface and receiving said gate valve.

9. A drain control spigot unit as defined in claim 5, said spigot having a valve seat formed therein and providing said first annular surface, said valve head member more particularly comprising a spring-pressed poppet valve providing said second annular surface and being normally seated on said valve seat, said manual actuating means more particularly comprising a cam actuator engageable with said poppet valve and having an actuating handle extending exteriorly of said angularly offset leg to operate said valve upon selective rotation of said cam actuator.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 108,824 Putman Nov. 1, 1870 129,090 Bourgeois July 16, 1872 157,800 Demarest Dec. 15, 1874 222,766 Woodward Dec. 16, 1879 250,085 Lillis -Nov. 29, 1881 431,592 Kinn July 8, 1890 495,718 Beebe Apr. 18, 1893 710,631 Tietz Oct. 7, 1902 972,826 Cordley Oct. 18, 1910 1,278,764 Seiler Sept. 10, 1918 1,705,404 Hedberg Mar. 12, 1929 1,957,082 Schneible May 1, 1934 2,019,257 Gibbs Oct. 29, 1935 2,032,302 Novotny Feb. 25, 1936 2,046,474 Maggenti July 7, 1936 2,264,671 Kocher Dec. 2, 1941 2,314,683 Berry Mar. 23, 1943 2,360,733 Smith Oct. 17, 1944 2,471,725 Clilford May 31, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 555,716 Great Britain 1945

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