WO2001010771B1

WO2001010771B1 - Fluid coupling and container

Info

Publication number: WO2001010771B1
Application number: PCT/NZ2000/000153
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Alexander Johns
Original assignee: NEW ZEALAND PUMP Co Ltd
Current assignee: NEW ZEALAND PUMP Co Ltd
Priority date: 1999-08-09
Filing date: 2000-08-09
Publication date: 2001-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 2002-02-09
Also published as: WO2001010771A1; AU6741900A

Abstract

A coupling (1) for connecting a liquid source to a container (11) includes a poppet valve (40) for opening and closing a coupling passage, the valve (40) being opened by securing the container (11) to the coupling (1). A bayonnet-type connection fixes the container (11) to the coupling (1). In other embodiments a flap valve (5) replaces the poppet valve (40) in the coupling (1) and the container (11) includes a flap valve (10) in its inlet passage, providing two flap valves (5, 10) in series in the passage between the source and the container (11). Means are provided for opening the two flap valves (5, 10) when the container (11) is secured to the coupling (1).

Claims

21AMENDED CLAIMS[received by the International Bureau on 27 Februay 2001 (27.02.01); original claims 1-29 replaced by amended claims 1-28 (6 pages)]

1. A coupling connecting a liquid hand pump outlet to a container for conducting a product to the container, the coupling being removably engageable with the container, and including means for supporting the weight of the container- said container including a container opening, said coupling providing a fluid passage between a liquid source and a liquid outlet; and a coupling valve for opening and closing said fluid passage, said coupling being removably engageable with said container opening, wherein said coupling valve is opened by engagement of the container with the coupling and remains open until the container and coupling are disengaged, said coupling valve being otherwise closed.

2. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said liquid outlet is an outlet nozzle which projects into the said container opening.

3. A coupling as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein die said liquid source is a pump outlet.

4. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the coupling and container are inter-engageable by means of a bayonet-type connection.

5. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 further including: a central axis and a cylindrical interior surface with two opposing lugs projecting radially inwardly from the interior surface,

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said container having an opening with a central axis and a cylindrical neck extending around the opening, a collar extends radially outwardly from the container neck and the collar includes two opposed openings positioned where the lugs will pass in the axial direction through the said openings and engage against a bottom of the collar when the coupling is attached to the neck, the said container neck further including stops extending radially outwardly from the container neck, each opening having two stops displaced clockwise and counter-clockwise respectively, from the opening to prevent rotation of said container past the said stops.

6. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 including a passageway for venting vapour displaced from the container to an external point on the coupling.

7. A coupling as claimed in claim 6 wherem the said venting passageway may be adapted to also vent fluid in the case of the container being overfilled.

8. A coupling as claimed in either claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the said venting passage is connected by a return line to the reservoir from which the fluid is drawn.

9. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the container includes means for liquid measurement.

10. A container as claimed in claim 9 wherein the means for liquid measurement is a graduated scale on said container.

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11. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherem the container has a volume of up to 20 litres.

12. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein resilient seals are provided for sealing between the coupling and the container.

13. A couplmg as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the container further includes: a container closure having a container passage and a normally closed container valve for opening and closing said container passage, and an opening means associated with the container for firstly opening said coupling valve when the container is engaged with the said coupling, and secondly for opening said container valve to provide a flow path to allow filling of the container.

14. A coupling as claimed in claim 13 wherein the container valve is a flap valve biased toward its closed position.

15. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the coupling valve is a flap valve biased toward its closed position.

16. A coupling as claimed in claim 15 wherein a rod-like actuating member slidably fixed to the container includes an end section which, when the coupling and

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container are connected, bears against and opens the said coupling flap valve.

17. A coupling as claimed in claim 16 wherein the container flap valve is opened by the agency of the coupling nozzle acting upon the rod-like actuating member, moving same to the open position.

18. A coupling as claimed in either claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the container includes a switch fixed to the said rod-like actuating member allows the container flap valve to be manually opened.

19. A coupling as claimed in claim 18 wherein biasing means ensure the said rod-like actuating member returns to the closed position when the switch is released or the coupling and container are disconnected.

20. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 19 wherein the container flap valve is hinged on die handle side of the spout of the container opening toward the inside of the container thereby improving the flow characteristics for the fluid through the spout, particularly when pouring from the container.

21 , A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 20 wherein when the container is upright the container flap valve acts as a vapour seal, if the container is tipped or inverted the pressure differential across the flap valve combined with the spring bias provides sufficient seal to prevent spillage.

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22. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 21 wherein the flap valve includes resilient seals.

23. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the said coupling valve is a poppet valve.

24. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein when the coupling and container are engaged an annular part of the container bears against the valve, which is thereby opened.

25. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherem the liquid flow into the container passes through a valve guide and the guide includes splash preventing means closing the gap between the container opening and the nozzle.

26. A container engageable with a coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 25.

27. A coupling and container in combination, wherein the coupling is as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 25 and the container is as claimed in claim 26,

28. A manually controlled liquid distribution process for reducing unwanted liquid splashing, spillages and mis-handling in the dispensing of such liquids, said process comprising the steps of a. securely affixing a coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 25 to a liquid source, said liquid source including means for controlling the supply of the liquid to the said coupling;

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b. securely affixing a liquid container as described in claim 27 to the said coupling; c. operating said means for controlling the supply of the liquid to dispense a measure of liquid into the said container; and d. disengaging the container from the coupling.

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