Quick connect fill system

[0002] This application claims priority to the Provisional Application No. 60/207,906 filed May 29, 2000, and hereby incorporates said application herein.

[0003] This invention relates to bulk containers and equipment for receiving, transportation and dispensing of fluids. More particularly, the invention relates to systems for efficiently transferring highly corrosive fluids with respect to said drums.

[0004] Steel and plastic drums are utilized in many industries for transporting and storing various liquids which may be utilized as fuels, lubricants, ingredients, process fluids, or the like. In the majority of applications where fluids are transported and stored in drums, slight spills, although not desireable, are usually not hazardous to personnel nor of great concern.

[0005] In certain industries, for example, the semiconductor processing industry, extremely caustic and ultrapure chemicals such as hydrofluoric, sulfuric, and hydrochloric acids are commonplace and are transported and stored in such drums. Total and absolute containment during storage, transport, and handling are essential for protection of personnel and the environment. These chemicals require handling with materials that are chemically inert, that do not degrade from contact, and do not contaminate the chemicals. Chemically inert materials such as fluoropolymers, for example, PFA(perfluoroalkoxy) and PTFE(polytetrafluoroethylene) have been found to be suitable for contact with these ultra pure, highly corrosive, and toxic chemicals. Even when drums with such hazardous and caustic liquids are on-site and ready for use, great care must be taken in accessing the liquids so as not to expose personnel or the environment to such chemicals. Couplings used in making fluid connections must provide an extremely high level of containment integrity. Moreover, it is desireable to minimize the time and thus potential exposure that personnel have to these materials.

[0006] Plastic drums utilized in the semiconductor processing industry typically have standardized openings on the top of the drums. These openings comprise a pair of ports or bungholes, each having a fitting with a neck extending upward from the top wall of the drum approximately 1 to 1½ inches. The ports may have internal or external threads. Several closures or bungs may be utilized with these standardized ports including standard bung closures which are threadably attached to the neck and utilize O-rings for sealing.

[0007] Access to the liquids in the plastic drums is typically accomplished by port bung connectors known as dispense heads that attach to drum inserts such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,298, issued to Grant et al., and assigned to FSI International Corporation and as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,015, issued to Rauworth, and assigned to Fluorware, Inc. Also, see the dispense heads and closures as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,045,000 and 6,079,547. These four patents are hereby incorporated herein by reference. The bung connectors illustrated in these patents may have drum inserts with down hole tubes extending to the inside bottom of the drums for withdrawing the liquid in the drum and for providing a means for sensing the level of the liquid in the drum. An additional tube or port in the insert may be utilized for supplying air or other gas to replace the liquid as it is withdrawn or to allow escape of gas/air when the drum is filled. Although such dispense heads can and are used for filling the drums, such heads are not ideal for such use in that they take some time to attach to the drum bung. Where rapid filling of drums is needed such as at a chemical distribution facility, a coupling that attaches quicker and easier is desirable.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, a quick connect adaptor has a first coupling that attaches to the bung of a plastic blow molded drum by way of pivotal retainer members and a second coupling that connects to a conventional dispense head. The bung has internal or external threads and may have a radially extending circumferential lip or other retainer member engagement structure. The first coupling provides a secure attachment that is quickly accomplished by manual operation. In a preferred embodiment, the pivotal retaining members pivot into and out of a retention position with the radially and circumferential extending lip. The retaining members are mechanically linked with a circular manual handle member to operate the pivoting of said plurality of retaining members. The pivotal members are preferably biased toward the retention position. These couplings will generally utilize O-rings for sealing.

[0009] A feature and advantage of the invention is that the coupling of the fluid flow lines may be accomplished with minimal manual motion, such as a ⅛ of a turn of the handle, as opposed to several rotations of a conventional coupling.

[0010] A further feature and advantage is that drums may be filled in much less time than when utilizing conventional couplings.

[0011] A further feature and advantage is that the adaptor is relatively small, has a minimal number of components, and, other than O-rings, only one component is wetted by the fluids being handled.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chemical distribution fill station embodying the invention herein.

[0013] FIG. 2 (prior art) is a cross-sectional view of a conventional bung and closure.

[0014] FIG. 3 (prior art) is a cross-sectional view of a conventional bung.

[0015] FIG. 4 (prior art) is a cross-sectional view of a dispense head on a bung.

[0016] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an adaptor in accord with the invention.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a elevational view of an adaptor in accord with the invention with a portion cut-away.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an adaptor and a dispense head in accord with the invention

[0019] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an adaptor and dispense head of FIG. 7 with a section cut-away revealing a bias means.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an adaptor and dispense head of FIG. 7 with a section cut-away revealing a retainer member.

[0021] FIG. 10 is an elevational view of an alternate adaptor and dispense head with a portion cut-away disclosing a retainer member according to the invention.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, four plastic drums 20, such as utilized in the chemical processing industry, are shown on a pallet 22, on a scale 24, ready for filling at a fill station 26. A fill coupling 30 is connected to a fluid distribution source 34 for filling the drums. The drums have closures 38 thereon that are removed for filling and thereafter replaced for shipping. The drums are suitably secured to the pallet for shipping.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, prior art exemplary bungs 39, 39.1 are illustrated in cross-section, one 40 with external threads 42 and one 44 with internal threads 46. Each bung has a neck 50, threaded portion 52, and bung opening 54. The bung of FIG. 3 has a lip 60 which extends radially outward and circumferentially with respect to the bung. The lip 60 constitutes alternate structure to threads for making the mechanical connection to the coupling. The lip may also be utilized for sealing functions.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 4, a prior art exemplary coupling configured as a dispense head 66 is illustrated attached to a bung 68. Such dispense head has a pair of conduits including a fluid flow conduit 69 and an air displacement/replacement conduit or vent 70.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, an adaptor 76 according to the invention is illustrated and comprises principally a main body portion 80, a first coupling portion 81, a second coupling portion 82, a retaining ring 84, a central fluid flow conduit 85, a vent or air replacement conduit 86, a handle 88, a sealing portion 90 configured as an O-ring, retainer members 91, and bias means 92. FIGS. 6, 8, and 9 show the adaptor with a dispense head 92.1 attached at the second coupling 82. The dispense head couples to the adaptor, at a threaded neck 94 the main body portion, in the manner as illustrated in prior art FIG. 4 and the previously cited patents incorporated by reference. FIG. 6 illustrates the first coupling 81 of the adapter 76 attached to a drum 92.3 at a bung 92.4 shown in cross section and illustrating the interrelation of the components. The inner body portion 80 and the handle comprise an adaptor that provides an alternate mechanical coupling means to attach to the bungs. Not specifically illustrated, the adapter may utilize retainer members configured to engage exterior threads of a bung such as illustrated in prior art FIG. 2.

[0026] The handle 88 is configured as a concentric ring which rotates on the axis α of the coupling. The main body portion 80 provides a plurality of pivot means 104, suitably configured as a pin or screw, that pivotally retains the retainer members 91. Each retainer member has a retaining portion 110 and a sliding link portion 112. The sliding link is cooperatively coupled to an engagement member configured as a pin 116. As the handle is rotated with respect to the inner body portion, the pin 116 engaged with the sliding link causes the retainer member to pivot to move the member from the retaining position designated with the letter RP to the uncouple position designated UC. Suitable slots 120 are provided in the handle for movement of the retainer member therein.

[0027] Referring specifically to FIG. 8, a bias means 130 comprising a spring 132, anchored between the handle and the inner body portion biases the rotation of the handle to the position where the retainer members are in the retaining position RP. A plurality of such springs may be used.

[0028] The main body portion and the handle will typically be formed of PFA and may be injection molded or machined. The retainer ring 84 and handle 88 are not in contact with the fluids handled and therefore are suitably a less expensive plastic such as high density polyethylene. The retainer members may be preferably formed of stainless steel. Although the embodiment specifically illustrated shows a dispense head separate from the adaptor, such may be combined in a single unit.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 10 an alternate embodiment is illustrated wherein the retaining members 101 pivot about a horizontal axis and pivot within a plane coextensive with the axis a of the adaptor. The retaining member pivots about a pin 104 and has a spring 106 as a bias means that urges the engagement portion 107 of the retaining member to the retention position as is illustrated in this figure. The retaining member may have a cam surface 110 that causes the retaining member to pivot out of the retention position as the adaptor is lowered onto a bung. The handle may also have a cam surface 115 that upon a partial rotation of the handle urges the upper portion 120 of the retaining member inward, thus moving the engagement portion 107 outwardly.

[0030] The specific configurations shown are merely exemplary and alternative configurations may provide the same inventive aspects as specifically illustrated. In particular configurations, the retainer member may pivot outwardly to the retaining position rather than inwardly. Moreover, the retaining portion may be configured to cooperate with the structure on the bung to which it is attaching. As such, it could also secure to threads or recesses on the bung neck. Moreover, the retaining portions could be configured with cam surfaces to automatically lock onto the attachment structure of the bung without a separate manual rotation motion. The handle, although shown as a concentric member, could also be a gripping member with a pair of gripping handles that squeeze together to effect the motion of the retainer members.