Adapter assembly for storage containers

• US 4,832,237 A
• Filed: 02/24/1987
• Issued: 05/23/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mogul Corp (Sealed Air)
• Inventors: Hurford, Hadley M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin P.
• Application Number:
  US07/017,573
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• Field of Search: 222/382, 222/189, 222/464, 251/149.6, 251/149.7, 251/149.1
• US Class Current: 222/464.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0841 by means of a transversally slidable locking member surrounding the tube
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/42 the valve having an axial bore communicating with lateral apertures
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/1108 fixed by screwing or by means of a screw-threaded ring

Abstract

A device for safely transporting, storing, and dispensing chemicals from a drum, including an adapter which fits in the top of a drum, a foot valve near the bottom of the drum, and tubing connecting the adapter and the foot valve. The adapter has a body which is sealingly threadedly engaged with the drum and has a cap which is threadedly engaged with it. An adapter fitting has a bore therethrough connecting the adapter body to the tubing, and further has a connecting device for a quick-connect fitting. The foot valve has a body with a check valve which permits flow of chemicals only from and not into the drum. A foot valve connects the foot valve body to the tubing. A quick-connect fitting that is normally closed is adapted to engage the adapter by a spring-loaded ring which interacts with a recess. A manually operated release mechanism for the ring is connected thereto.

Claims

1. A dispensing device and a drum for safely transporting, storing, and dispensing chemicals, the drum having a top and bottom, comprising:

an adapter fitted in the top of the drum in a fluidtight fashion;

a foot valve and tubing disposed between the adapter and foot valve so that fluid may pass therebetween through the tubing and so that the foot valve will be located near the bottom of the drum;

the adapter including an adapter body, first means for connecting the adapter body to the tubing, and second means for connecting a fitting to the adapter body so that fluid may pass through the tubing to the adapter body, said second connecting means being disposed within a recess of the adapter body;

the adapter body further including threads on the exterior thereof to engage the top of the drum and interior threads within said recess to receive a cap, the cap, when engaged, preventing chemicals from passing out of the drum, the adapter further including a cylindrical connecting means;

the foot valve including a valve body having a valve bore therethrough and a check valve therein to prevent flow in one direction and a filter;

the fitting adapted having one end to connect to the adapter body by said second means for conencting and having a conduit on a second end,

the fitting having a passageway and a plunger at said one end for the passageway that is biased to a closed position on a seat until the fitting is connected to the second means for connecting on the adapter body where the plunger engages a cylindrical portion of the second connecting means and moves away from the seat; and

the fitting further including a spring-biased ring that latches in place in a locking recess on the second connecting means when the fitting and second connecting means are pressed together;

whereby the drum may be shipped with the cap threadedly engaged with the adapter in order to prevent chemical spillage, the cap may be removed and the fitting coupled to the adapter by pressing it on the second connecting means, the chemical may be removed safely through the filter in the foot valve along the tubing and out of the adapter and drum, and the fitting may be safely disconnected from the adapter since chemical in the conduit connected to the fitting is prevented from flowing out by said plunger when the fitting is disconnected, and the cap may be replaced on the adapter.

2. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the fitting further includes a tab operatively connected to the locking ring which releases the locking ring when it is pressed.

3. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the foot valve includes a seat in the valve bore and the check valve comprises a ball adapted to interact with the seat so that chemicals can only flow outwardly from the drum.

4. The dispensing device of claim 3, wherein the foot valve further includes a foot valve fitting for fluidtight engagement with the tubing.

5. The dispensing device of claim 4, whereby the filter comprises a screen that covers an opening in the foot valve so that the chemical is filtered before it is drawn through the foot valve and out of the drum.