REFILLABLE MATERIAL TRANSFER SYSTEM

• US 20140144947A1
• Filed: 01/29/2014
• Published: 05/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CH & I Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CH & I Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Thibodeau, Robert D., Williams, Eric A., Levenstein, Lawrence M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,221,059 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/386
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0227 by an ejection plunger B67D7/0238 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0238 utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on liquids in storage containers for dispensing beverages on draught B67D1/04
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/78 Arrangements of storage tanks, reservoirs or pipe-lines

Abstract

A material transfer system for storing, transferring and dispensing viscous material, such as fluids and liquids, includes a material containment vessel with an upper region incorporating a motive force and a bottom region with a material ingress and egress opening. A diconical or other shaped force transfer device is located in the material containment area. The force transfer device is an energy transducer when the material containment is filled with highly viscous materials, such as adhesives, sealants, mastics or lubricating greases. The system'"'"'s performance can be improved by applying a surface treatment to the wetted surfaces of the system to change the physical properties at the fluid/vessel interface.

Claims

1. A refillable system for transferring material, the system comprising:

a vessel having a longitudinal axis, an inner wall, and an arrestor, and a first end having a material inlet and outlet manifold;

a force transfer device disposed within the vessel, the force transfer device including, (a) a crown;

(b) a cylindrical member having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel, wherein the cylindrical member includes an outer wall that is parallel to the inner wall of the vessel, and (c) a conical thruster attached to the cylindrical member;

the arrestor of the vessel positioned at the first end of the vessel and configured to conform to the shape of the thruster; and

a treatment applied to the vessel'"'"'s inner wall and arrestor to change a friction of a moving fluid at the inner wall and arrestor.

2. The refillable system for transferring material of claim 1, wherein the treatment is a polishing to reduce the surface roughness of the inner wall and arrestor.

3. The refillable system for transferring material of claim 1, wherein the treatment is a sandblasting to increase the surface roughness of the inner wall and arrestor.

4. The refillable system for transferring material of claim 1, wherein the treatment is an application of an agent between the inner wall and a bulk fluid therein, and an application of the agent between the arrestor and the bulk fluid therein.

5. The refillable system for transferring material of claim 4, wherein the agent is a lubricant.

6. The refillable system for transferring material of claim 4, wherein the agent is a silicone-based release agent.

7. The refillable system for transferring material of claim 4, wherein the agent is an epoxy coating.

8. The refillable system for transferring material of claim 4, wherein the agent is a binder/tackifier.

9. A refillable system for transferring material, the system comprising:

a vessel having a longitudinal axis, an inner wall, and an arrestor, and a first end having a material inlet and outlet manifold;

a force transfer device disposed within the vessel, the force transfer device including, (a) a crown;

(b) a cylindrical member having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel, wherein the cylindrical member includes an outer wall that is parallel to the inner wall of the vessel, and (c) a conical thruster attached to the cylindrical member;

the arrestor of the vessel positioned at the first end of the vessel and configured to conform to the shape of the thruster; and

a treatment applied to the vessel'"'"'s inner wall and arrestor to change a thermal conductivity of a moving fluid at the inner wall and arrestor.

10. The refillable system for transferring material of claim 9, wherein the treatment is an application of thermal grease.

11. A refillable system for transferring material, the system comprising:

a vessel having a longitudinal axis, an inner wall, and an arrestor, and a first end having a material inlet and outlet manifold;

a force transfer device disposed within the vessel, the force transfer device including, (a) a crown;

(b) a cylindrical member having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel, wherein the cylindrical member includes an outer wall that is parallel to the inner wall of the vessel, and (c) a conical thruster attached to the cylindrical member;

the arrestor of the vessel positioned at the first end of the vessel and configured to conform to the shape of the thruster; and

a treatment applied to the vessel'"'"'s inner wall and arrestor to change an acoustic response to energy directed into the vessel.

12. The refillable system for transferring material of claim 11, wherein the treatment is an application of glycerine based acoustic coupling medium.

13. A refillable system for transferring material, the system comprising:

a vessel having a longitudinal axis, an inner wall, and an arrestor, and a first end having a material inlet and outlet manifold;

a force transfer device disposed within the vessel, the force transfer device including, (a) a crown;

(b) a cylindrical member having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel, wherein the cylindrical member includes an outer wall that is parallel to the inner wall of the vessel, and (c) a conical thruster attached to the cylindrical member;

the arrestor of the vessel positioned at the first end of the vessel and configured to conform to the shape of the thruster; and

a treatment applied to the vessel'"'"'s inner wall and arrestor to change an electrical conductivity between the vessel and a moving fluid at the inner wall and arrestor.

14. The refillable system for transferring material of claim 13, wherein the treatment is an application of a dielectric grease.

15. A refillable system for transferring material, the system comprising:

a vessel having a longitudinal axis, an inner wall, and an arrestor, and a first end having a material inlet and outlet manifold;

a force transfer device disposed within the vessel, the force transfer device including, (a) a crown;

(b) a cylindrical member having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel, wherein the cylindrical member includes an outer wall that is parallel to the inner wall of the vessel, and (c) a conical thruster attached to the cylindrical member;

the arrestor of the vessel positioned at the first end of the vessel and configured to conform to the shape of the thruster; and

the vessel'"'"'s inner wall and arrestor include fluid repellent structures.

16. The refillable system for transferring material of claim 15, wherein the fluid repellant structures have a tapered cone geometry.

17. The refillable system for transferring material of claim 15, wherein the fluid repellant structures are omniphobic.

18. A refillable system for transferring material, the system comprising:

a vessel having a longitudinal axis, an inner wall, and an arrestor, and a first end having a material inlet and outlet manifold;

a force transfer device disposed within the vessel, the force transfer device including, (a) a crown;

(b) a cylindrical member having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel, wherein the cylindrical member includes an outer wall that is parallel to the inner wall of the vessel, and (c) a conical thruster attached to the cylindrical member;

the arrestor of the vessel positioned at the first end of the vessel and configured to conform to the shape of the thruster; and

the vessel'"'"'s inner wall and arrestor include a omniphobic film.