Container shut-off valve with venting

• US 7,219,693 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2003
• Issued: 05/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scepter Us Holding Company (Myers Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Scepter Corporation (Myers Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Alex, Peter, Chisholm, Ronald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US10/460,807
• Publication Number:
  US 20040200533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,439 Days
• Field of Search: 137/588, 137/590, 251/144
• US Class Current: 137/588
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/0856 having all the connecting conduits situated in more than one plane perpendicular to the axis of the plug
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 24/02 the enclosure being itself a valve, tap, or cock
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 3/262 with a transverse bore in the valve member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86332 Vent and inlet or outlet in unitary mounting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86348 Tank with internally extending flow guide, pipe or conduit

Abstract

An apparatus for effecting transport of a liquid from a container defining an interior storage volume and having a container aperture to effect communication between the interior storage volume and an environment external to the container, the apparatus comprising a housing defining a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage and configured for mounting in a position wherein each of the first and second fluid passages is disposed in fluid communication with the interior storage volume and extends through the container aperture, the first fluid passage including a first port configured for disposition in an upper region on the interior storage volume upon the mounting of the housing to the container system, and including a second port configured for disposition in the environment external to the container upon the mounting of the housing to the container system, the second fluid passage including an inlet configured for disposition in the interior storage volume upon the mounting of the housing to the container system, and including an outlet configured for disposition in the environment external to the container upon the mounting of the housing to the container system, and a valve member configured to effect sealing of each of the first and second fluid passages, the valve member being movable relative to the housing between a closed position, whereby each of the first and second fluid passages is sealed, and an open position, whereby each of the first and second fluid passages is at least partially open, wherein the valve member includes a first valve passageway and a second valve passageway, wherein, when the valve member is disposed in the open position, the first valve passageway registers with the first fluid passage to effect fluid communication between the first port and the second port and the second valve passageway registers with the second fluid passage to effect fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the first fluid passage is sealed when the first valve passageway is out of registry with the first fluid passage, and the second fluid passage is sealed when the second valve passageway is out of registry with the second fluid passage, and wherein in moving from the closed position to the open position, the first valve passageway registers with the first fluid passage before the second valve passageway registers with the second fluid passage, such that the valve member is disposed in an intermediate position when the first valve passageway is registered with the first fluid passage and the second valve passageway is out of registry with the second fluid passage.

Claims

1. An apparatus for effecting transport of a liquid from a container system including a container defining an interior storage volume and having a container aperture, and a cap configured for releasable mounting to the container and having a cap aperture configured for alignment with the container aperture to effect communication between the interior storage volume and an environment external to the container when the cap is releasably mounted to the container, the apparatus comprising:

a housing defining a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage, the housing configured for being pressed between the cap and the container when the cap is mounted to the container to effect mounting of the housing to the container system in a position whereby each of the first and second fluid passages is disposed in fluid communication with the interior storage volume and extends through each of the container aperture and the cap aperture for effecting fluid communication between the interior storage volume and the environment external to the container; and

a valve member configured to effect sealing of each of the first and second fluid passages, the valve member being movable relative to the housing between a closed position, whereby each of the first and second fluid passages is sealed, and an open position, whereby each of the first and second fluid passages is at least partially open.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap is threadably mounted to the container.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the housing includes a peripherally extending lip configured for being pressed between the cap and the container to effect the mounting of the housing to the container system.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cap includes a resilient gasket for engaging the cap and the container upon the mounting of the housing to the container system.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first fluid passage includes a first port configured for disposition in a vapour space of the interior storage volume upon the mounting of the housing to the container system.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first fluid passage includes a first port configured for disposition in an upper region of the interior storage volume upon the mounting of the housing to the container system.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any of claim 5 or 6, wherein the first fluid passage includes a second port configured for disposition in the environment external to the container upon the mounting of the housing to the container system.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second fluid passage includes an inlet configured for disposition in the interior storage volume upon the mounting of the housing to the container system.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the inlet is configured for coupling to a first flexible hose such that the first flexible hose extends into the interior storage volume upon the mounting of the housing to the container system, wherein the first flexible hose includes a hose passageway defined by an interior surface of the first flexible hose.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the inlet is defined by an inlet conduit having an exterior surface, the exterior surface including at least one peripherally extending rib for bearing against an interior surface portion of the interior surface of the first flexible hose.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second fluid passage includes an outlet configured for disposition in the environment external to the container upon the mounting of the housing to the container system.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the outlet is configured for coupling to a second flexible hose such that the second flexible hose extends externally of the container system upon the mounting of the housing to the container system, wherein the second flexible hose includes a hose passageway defined by an interior surface of the second flexible hose.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the outlet is defined by an outlet conduit having an exterior surface, the exterior surface including at least one peripherally extending rib for bearing against an interior surface portion of the interior surface of the second flexible hose.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, further comprising an actuator coupled to the valve member for effecting movement of the valve member between the closed and open positions.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the actuator is configured for disposition in the environment external to the container upon the mounting of the housing to the container system.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second fluid passage includes an outlet configured for disposition in the environment external to the container upon the mounting of the housing to the container system.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the valve member includes a first valve passageway and a second valve passageway, wherein, when the valve member is disposed in the open position, the first valve passageway registers with the first fluid passage to effect fluid communication between the first port and the second port and the second valve passageway registers with the second fluid passage to effect fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first fluid passage is sealed when the first valve passageway is out of registry with the first fluid passage, and the second fluid passage is sealed when the second valve passageway is out of registry with the second fluid passage.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein in moving from the closed position to the open position, the first valve passageway registers with the first fluid passage before the second valve passageway registers with the second fluid passage, such that the valve member is disposed in an intermediate position when the first valve passageway is registering with the first fluid passage and the second valve passageway is out of registry with the second fluid passage.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the housing includes stop means for preventing the valve member from moving from the closed position and the open position before assuming the intermediate position.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the valve member is rotatably mounted within the housing for facilitating rotational movement of the valve member relative to the housing.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the valve member includes a first valve passageway and a second valve passageway, wherein, when the valve member is disposed in the open position, the first valve passageway registers with the first fluid passage to effect fluid communication between the first port and the second port, and the second valve passageway registers with the second fluid passage to effect fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the first fluid passage is sealed when the first valve passageway is out of registry with the first fluid passage, and the second fluid passage is sealed when the second valve passageway is out of registry with the second fluid passage.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein in moving from the closed position to the open position, the first valve passageway registers with the first fluid passage before the second valve passageway registers with the second fluid passage, such that the valve member is disposed in an intermediate position when the first valve passageway is registered with the first fluid passage and the second valve passageway is out of registry with the second fluid passage.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the housing includes stop means for preventing the valve member from moving from the closed position and to the open position before assuming the intermediate position.

26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25, further comprising an actuator eccentrically extending from the valve member.

27. An apparatus for effecting transport of a liquid from a container system including a container defining an interior storage volume and having a container aperture, and a cap configured for releasable mounting to the container and having a cap aperture configured for alignment with the container aperture to effect communication between the interior storage volume and an environment external to the container when the cap is releasably mounted to the container, the apparatus comprising:

a housing defining a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage;

a valve member configured to effect sealing of each of the first and second fluid passages, the valve member being movable relative to the housing between a closed position, whereby each of the first and second fluid passages is sealed, and an open position, whereby each of the first and second fluid passages is at least partially open; and

a mounting collar releasably coupled to the housing, the mounting collar configured for being pressed between the cap and the container when the cap is mounted to the container to effect mounting of the housing to the container system in a position whereby each of the first and second fluid passages is disposed in fluid communication with the interior storage volume and extends through each of the container aperture and the cap aperture for effecting fluid communication between the interior storage volume and the environment external to the container.

28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the mounting collar is threadably coupled to the housing.

29. An apparatus for effecting transport of a liquid from a container defining an interior storage volume and having a container aperture to effect communication between the interior storage volume and an environment external to the container, the apparatus comprising:

a housing defining a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage and configured for mounting in a position wherein each of the first and second fluid passages is disposed in fluid communication with the interior storage volume and extends through the container aperture, the first fluid passage including a first port configured for disposition in an upper region on the interior storage volume upon the mounting of the housing to the container system, and including a second port configured for disposition in the environment external to the container upon the mounting of the housing to the container system, the second fluid passage including an inlet configured for disposition in the interior storage volume upon the mounting of the housing to the container system, and including an outlet configured for disposition in the environment external to the container upon the mounting of the housing to the container system; and

a valve member configured to effect sealing of each of the first and second fluid passages, the valve member being movable relative to the housing between a closed position, whereby each of the first and second fluid passages is sealed, and an open position, whereby each of the first and second fluid passages is at least partially open, wherein the valve member includes a first valve passageway and a second valve passageway, wherein, when the valve member is disposed in the open position, the first valve passageway registers with the first fluid passage to effect fluid communication between the first port and the second port and the second valve passageway registers with the second fluid passage to effect fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet;

wherein the first fluid passage is sealed when the first valve passageway is out of registry with the first fluid passage, and the second fluid passage is sealed when the second valve passageway is out of registry with the second fluid passage, and wherein in moving from the closed position to the open position, the first valve passageway registers with the first fluid passage before the second valve passageway registers with the second fluid passage, such that the valve member is disposed in an intermediate position when the first valve passageway is registered with the first fluid passage and the second valve passageway is out of registry with the second fluid passage.

30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the housing includes stop means for preventing the valve member from moving from the closed position and to the open position before assuming the intermediate position.

31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein the valve member is rotatably mounted within the housing for facilitating rotational movement of the valve member relative to the housing.

32. A system for dispensing liquid comprising:

a container defining an interior storage volume and having a container aperture, and a cap configured for releasable mounted to the container and having a cap aperture aligned with the container aperture to effect communication between the interior storage volume and an environment external to the container;

an apparatus for effecting transport of a liquid from the container comprising;

a housing defining a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage, the housing being pressed between the cap and the container to effect mounting of the housing to the container system in a position whereby each of the first and second fluid passages is disposed in fluid communication with the interior storage volume and extends through each of the container aperture and the cap aperture for effecting fluid communication between the interior storage volume and the environment external to the container; and

a valve member configured to effect sealing of each of the first and second fluid passages, the valve member being movable relative to the housing between a closed position, whereby each of the first and second fluid passages is sealed, and an open position, whereby each of the first and second fluid passages is at least partially open.

33. An apparatus as claimed in claim 32, wherein the cap is threadably mounted to the container.

34. An apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein the housing includes a peripherally extending lip configured for being pressed between the cap and the container to effect the mounting of the housing to the container system.

35. The apparatus as claimed in claim 34, wherein the cap includes a resilient gasket for engaging the cap and the container upon the mounting of the housing to the container system.

36. An apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein the first fluid passage includes a first port configured for disposition in a vapour space of the interior storage volume upon the mounting of the housing to the container system.

37. The apparatus as claimed in claim 36, wherein the first fluid passage includes a first port configured for disposition in an upper region of the interior storage volume upon the mounting of the housing to the container system.

38. An apparatus as claimed in any of claim 36 or 37, wherein the first fluid passage includes a second port configured for disposition in the environment external to the container upon the mounting of the housing to the container system.

39. The apparatus as claimed in claim 38, wherein the second fluid passage includes an inlet configured for disposition in the interior storage volume upon the mounting of the housing to the container system.

40. An apparatus as claimed in claim 39, wherein the inlet is configured for coupling to a first flexible hose such that the first flexible hose extends into the interior storage volume upon the mounting of the housing to the container system, wherein the first flexible hose includes a hose passageway defined by an interior surface of the first flexible hose.

41. The apparatus as claimed in claim 40, wherein the inlet is defined by an inlet conduit having an exterior surface, the exterior surface including at least one peripherally extending rib for bearing against an interior surface portion of the interior surface of the first flexible hose.

42. An apparatus as claimed in claim 41, wherein the second fluid passage includes an outlet configured for disposition in the environment external to the container upon the mounting of the housing to the container system.

43. An apparatus as claimed in claim 42, wherein the outlet is configured for coupling to a second flexible hose such that the second flexible hose extends externally of the container system upon the mounting of the housing to the container system, wherein the second flexible hose includes a hose passageway defined by an interior surface of the second flexible hose.

44. The apparatus as claimed in claim 43, wherein the outlet is defined by an outlet conduit having an exterior surface, the exterior surface including at least one peripherally extending rib for bearing against an interior surface portion of the interior surface of the second flexible hose.

45. The apparatus as claimed in claim 44, further comprising an actuator coupled to the valve member for effecting movement of the valve member between the closed and open positions.

46. The apparatus as claimed in claim 45, wherein the actuator is configured for disposition in the environment external to the container upon the mounting of the housing to the container system.

47. An apparatus as claimed in claim 39, wherein the second fluid passage includes an outlet configured for disposition in the environment external to the container upon the mounting of the housing to the container system.

48. The apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein the valve member includes a first valve passageway and a second valve passageway, wherein, when the valve member is disposed in the open position, the first valve passageway registers with the first fluid passage to effect fluid communication between the first port and the second port and the second valve passageway registers with the second fluid passage to effect fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet.

49. The apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein the first fluid passage is sealed when the first valve passageway is out of registry with the first fluid passage, and the second fluid passage is sealed when the second valve passageway is out of registry with the second fluid passage.

50. The apparatus as claimed in claim 49, wherein in moving from the closed position to the open position, the first valve passageway registers with the first fluid passage before the second valve passageway registers with the second fluid passage, such that the valve member is disposed in an intermediate position when the first valve passageway is registering with the first fluid passage and the second valve passageway is out of registry with the second fluid passage.

51. The apparatus as claimed in claim 50, wherein the housing includes stop means for preventing the valve member from moving from the closed position and the open position before assuming the intermediate position.

52. The apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein the valve member is rotatably mounted within the housing for facilitating rotational movement of the valve member relative to the housing.

53. The apparatus as claimed in claim 52, wherein the valve member includes a first valve passageway and a second valve passageway, wherein, when the valve member is disposed in the open position, the first valve passageway registers with the first fluid passage to effect fluid communication between the first port and the second port, and the second valve passageway registers with the second fluid passage to effect fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet.

54. The apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein the first fluid passage is sealed when the first valve passageway is out of registry with the first fluid passage, and the second fluid passage is sealed when the second valve passageway is out of registry with the second fluid passage.

55. The apparatus as claimed in claim 54, wherein in moving from the closed position to the open position, the first valve passageway registers with the first fluid passage before the second valve passageway registers with the second fluid passage, such that the valve member is disposed in an intermediate position when the first valve passageway is registered with the first fluid passage and the second valve passageway is out of registry with the second fluid passage.

56. The apparatus as claimed in claim 55, wherein the housing includes stop means for preventing the valve member from moving from the closed position and to the open position before assuming the intermediate position.

57. The apparatus as claimed in claim 56, further comprising an actuator eccentrically extending from the valve member.