Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1340347
CONTAINER AND DISPENSING SYSTEM
FOR LIQUID CHEMICALS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention.
05 The invention relates to containers for
storage, transport and use of liquid chemicals
including acids, solvents, bases, photo-resists,
dopants, inorganics, organics, biological solutions,
pharmaceuticals, and radioactive chemicals. In
particular, the invention relates to a container
which uses a disposable film pouch within a bottle or
overpack, and to dispensing systems used in
conjunction with this container.
2. Description of the Prior Art.
Presently, the users of liquid chemicals
have had a very limited choice of packaging,
delivery, and disposal methods for those chemicals.
One prior art system delivers chemicals from a bulk
source, usually a 55 gallon drum, to the point of
use. This type of delivery system, including the
drums, piping, and automated delivery equipment, is
very expensive, making it usable by only a small
number of manufacturers whose volume is sufficient to
justify the high cost.
A second, most widely-used alternative is to
handle the liquid chemicals in bottles made of glass
or polyethylene. This alternative, however, has
several disadvantages. In particular, glass and
polyethylene have been shown to contribute both
particulate contamination and metal-ion extractables
which significantly compromise the level of desired
purity of liquid chemicals. In addition,
1 3 i ~ 7
-- 2 --
the dispensing methods used with glass and
polyethylene bottles also compromise the purity of
the chemical contents. Manual decanting exposes
chemicals to atmospheric contamination, and also can
05 compromise the safety of the technicians handling the
bottles. With glass bottles, there is also the
danger of breakage; even slight abuse to the bottles
can be very hazardous if breakage occurs. Disposal
of empty bottles is also a major concern. Disposal
typically requires triple rinsing, tagging, and
crushing before sanitary disposal. This process is
labor intensive and tedious.
A third alternative is the use of
blow-molded fluoropolymer bottles. With this
alternative, the manual handling of the bottle (as
opposed to bulk delivery) is maintained, yet the
fluoropolymer bottle provides inertness which is
critical to maintaining the of the chemicals being
handled. These-blow molded bottles, however, are
very expensive and therefore have only been cost
justified by the use of a returnable program in which
the bottles are returned to the manufacturer for
processing and reuse. A returnable program, however,
presents numerous logistical problems for suppliers
and users alike.
There is a continuing need for improved
containers and systems for storage, transport and use
of liquid chemicals. In particular, there is a
continuing need for containers which are much lower
in cost yet offer the handling characteristics of
fluoropolymer bottles or of automated delivery
systems.
134034~
-- 3 --
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a container for
liquid chemicals which includes an inert corrosion
resistant plastic film pouch, a fitment sealed to the
05 pouch for providing an opening through which the
pouch can be filled and emptied, an outer bottl~ or
overpack surrounding the pouch, and retaining means
for engaging the fitment to hold the pouch and
fitment within the bottle.
When the pouch has been filled with the
liquid chemical, the container is capped with a cap
which includes a break seal for closing the opening
of the fitment.
The contents of the container can be
dispensed in a number of different ways. In one
preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
dispensing closure is attached to the cap of the
container and includes a probe which breaks the seal
provided by the cap. The dispensing closure includes
a valve which is normally closed to prevent flow of
the liquid until the dispensing closure has been
inserted into a dispensing receptacle. The
engagement of the dispensing closure and the
receptacle opens the valve, and allows flow of the
liquid chemical out of the pouch, through the valve,
and through an outlet to a metering or other liquid
flow control device.
In another embodiment of the present
invention, automated dispensing of the contents of
the pouch are provided by a system which includes a
pressure vessel into which the container is placed.
Vent openings allow air to enter the region between
1~0347
the inner wall of the bottle and the pouch. The
interior of the pressure vessel is pressurized, 80
that there is no pressure differential between the
inside and outside of the bottle, but there is
05 pressure being applied to the pouch which causes it
to collapse as liquid is forced out of the pouch
through the fitment and through a valve probe which
has been inserted in the mouth of the fitment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a
preferred embodiment of the container of the present
invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view, similar to
Figure 1, with the cap of the container removed.
Figure 3 is a sectional view along section
3-3 of Figure 1.
Figures 4A and 4B are top and side
elevational views of the pouch and fitment of the
container of Figure 1-3.
Figures 5A and 5B are perspective views of
the retainer of container of Figures 1-3.
Figure 6 is a top view of the cap of the
container of Figure 1.
Figure 7 is a top view of an alternative
embodiment of the cap.
Figures 8A and 8B are sectional views,
generally along section 8-8 of Figure 7, showing the
cap during shipping and during opening of a vent hole
and removal of a tear-away seal, respectively.
Figure 9 is a perspective diagram
illustrating a manual dispensing system used with the
container of Figure 1.
~3qO~'17
Figure 10 is an exploded sectional view of
the manual dispensing system of Figure 9.
Figure 11 is a sectional view of the manual
dispensing system of Figure 9 showing the system in
05 operation.
Figure 12 is a sectional view of another
embodiment of a manual dispensing system which
includes a metering pump.
Figure 13 is a perspective view of an
automated dispensing system used with the container
of the present invention.
Figure 14A and 14B are side views showing a
pressure vessel and drawer of the system of Figure 13
in two different positions.
Figure 14C is a front view of the system of
Figure 13.
Figures 15A, 15B and 15C are side views
showing the vessel cover in three different positions.
Figures 16A and 16B are top and rear views
of the pressure vessel.
Figure 17 is a sectional view along section
17-17 of Figure 16A showing the dispensing valve
mechanism of the automated system of Figure 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
1. The Container (Figures 1-8B)
Figures 1-6 illustrate a preferred
embodiment of container 10, which includes five main
components: inner pouch 12, fitment 14, outer bottle
16, retainer 18, and cap 20.
Pouch 12, which is best shown in Figures 3,
4A and 4B, is preferably constructed of a
fluoropolymer film, such as polytetrafluoroethylene,
134~.47
-- 6 --
in a one to twenty mil thickness range. A film sheet
21 is folded to form two identical opposing film
sheets 21A and 21B. Heat seals 23A-23C around the
outer edges of sheets 21A and 21B form pouch 12.
05 Depending upon the fluid being packaged, additional
film laminants such as nylon, mylar, or metal foil
may be added to the layer of f luoropolymer film. For
example, a reflective metal foil may be used on an
outer surface of pouch 12 when the liquid chemical to
be stored within pouch 12 is a photoresist or other
photosensitive liquid.
As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the heat
sealed shape of pouch 12 is contoured to minimize
stress at joints. The capacity of pouch 12 is
preferably slightly larger than that of bottle (or
overpack) 16.
Access to the interior of pouch 12 for
filling and dispensing is gained through fitment 14,
which extends through hole 25 in the top of sheet
21. Pouch 12 and fitment 14 are constructed of
similar materials to allow for heat seal assembly.
As shown in Figure 3, fitment 14 includes a mouth 22
with a lip 24 at its upper end, an intermediate neck
26, and a lower shoulder or flange 28. Flange 28 is
heat sealed by seal 29 to the upper edge of pouch 12
surrounding hole 25.
Outer bottle or overpack 16 provides the
mechanical support and protection required by pouch
12 during filling, transport, handling, and
dispensing. Bottle 16 is typically constructed of a
plastic material such as polyethylene, although other
materials including metal may also be used depending
13~03~7
upon government regulatory specifications for
handling of the particular liquid chemicals to be
contained within container 10. Outer bottle 16 is a
generally cylindrical closed vessel having a bottom
05 30, sidewalls 32, sloped top 34, externally threaded
wide mouth 36, and integral handle 38. The sloped
walls of top 34 are desirable because container 10
typically will be used in a manual or automated
dispensing system in an inverted position. The
sloped walls of top 34 ensure that fitment 14 is at
the lower-most position when container 10 is inverted.
Retainer 18, which is best shown in Figures
5A and 5B, is a clam shell type ring containing a
pair of semi-circular segments 40A and 40B which are
joined by living hinge 42. Each segment 40A, 40B
includes generally horizontal portion 44A, 44B and
upwardly projecting section 46A, 46B with upper
flanges 48A, 48B, and downwardly projecting walls
50A, 50B. The intersection of walls 50A, 50B with
horizontal sections 44A, 44B define a pair of flanges
52A, 52B. Within horizontal sections 44A, 44B are
vent holes 54A, 54B.
AS shown in Figure 3, retainer 18 is placed
around fitment 14 so that the top edges of upwardly
projecting sections 46A and 46B engage the lower
surface of flange 24 of fitment 14. Retainer 18 is
placed within mouth 36 of bottle 16 so that walls
50A-50B are adjacent the inner walls of mouth 36 and
flanges 52A-52B engage annular shoulder 56 near the
top inner surface of mouth 36.
Flanges 48A, 48B provide a gripping surface
13 1û~~47
-- 8 --
by which retainer 18 can be pulled out of mouth 36
after pouch 12 is empty and after cap 20 has been
removed.
Mouth 22 of fitment 14 is closed by break
05 seal membrane 60, which is preferably a fluoropolymer
film material. Membrane 60 is preferably scored to
promote puncture when accessed by a proper dispensing
connector (as will be described in more detail later.)
Cap 20 is preferably constructed of a
plastic material such as polypropylene, and has
internal threads for engaging the external threads of
mouth 36 of bottle 16. Cap 20 is designed to be
screwed down onto bottle 16 to a predetermined torque
to ensure a liquid and air-tight seal between fitment
14 and membrane 60 and between cap 20 and bottle 16.
Cap 20 also includes a tear-away outer seal,
which in the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 3, and 6
is an adhesive backed film 62 with a pull tab 64.
Film 62 covers central main port 66 of cap 20, as
well as vent port 68. Film 62 remains in place,
providing a back up seal for container 10, until the
contents of container 10 are to be dispensed. At
that time, film 62 is torn away by grasping and
pulling up on pull tab 64. This exposes main port 66
and vent port 68, but membrane 60 is still in place
to provide a seal until an appropriate dispensing
device is attached to cap 20.
Vent port 68 and vent holes 54A and 54B
provide a path for air to enter the interior of
container 10 between pouch 12 and the walls of bottle
16. This permits air pressure to assist in
collapsing bag 12 as liquid is dispensed.
1~4~7
In preferred embodiments of the present
invention, cap 20 includes coding keys or slots 70 in
flange 71 which uniquely designate the particular
liquid chemical contained within pouch 12. These
05 slots 70 mate with the particular dispensing system
to ensure that only the proper containers will be
connected to the dispensing system.
Figures 7, 8A and 8B illustrate an
alternative embodiment of the cap for use in the
container of the present invention. Cap 80 shown in
Figures 7, 8A and 8B is a molded plastic cap,
preferably of polypropylene which contains an
integral tear away portion 82 and tear away tab 84.
Knock out 86 is positioned generally below tab 84,
and covers vent port 88.
Cap 80 has four upwardly projecting
alignment pins 90 which are used for proper alignment
of a dispensing mechanism over cap 80, and which also
protect against accidental opening in the event
bottle 16 and cap 80 are dropped. Also included are
key coded slots 92 in flange 93, which identify the
particular liquid chemical contained within the
container, and thus prevent the container from being
connected to the wrong dispensing system. Shallower
slots 93 are circumferentially positioned in flange
93 for gripping and for allowing air to pass when a
dispensing device is placed over cap 80.
To open the vent port 88, tab 84 is pushed
downward so that ramp 95 engages knock out 86 and
breaks the connection at one edge between knock out
86 and the remainder of cap 80 so that vent port 88
is open. The main passage is then removed by pulling
- 13~03~7
-- 10 --
up on tab 84 to break the connections between section
82 and the remainder of cap 80.
Container 10 of the present invention has
significant advantages over the prior art containers
05 for liquid chemicals. First, the portions of
container 10 which contact the liquid chemicals (i.e.
pouch 12 and fitment 14) are of materials such as
fluoropolymers which are superior to conventional
glass or polyethylene containers in terms of
eliminating particle shedding and metal ion leeching.
Second, outer bottle 16, which preferably is
made of a plastic or metal, provides a construction
which is more rugged than prior art glass containers.
Third, by the use of fluoropolymers for all
of the parts (pouch 12, fitment 14 and membrane 60)
actually contacting the liquid chemicals, container
10 is less permeable than polyethylene containers.
Fourth, by making the pouch 12 and fitment
14 of fluoropolymers, but providing the mechanical
strength and protection by a polyethylene or metal
outer bottle 16, the overall cost of the container 10
is less than an all fluoropolymer blow-molded
container, while still offering the advantages of
fluoropolymer materials.
Fifth, precleaning of the wettable surfaces
of pouch 12 is facilitated before heat sealing while
the flat fluoropolymer film 21 which forms pouch 12
is being unrolled.
Sixth, pouch 12 is preferably evacuated
prior to filling, which allows for a sealed
connection during filling. This eliminates venting
13~0347
of displaced air, which benefits the maintenance of
chemical purity of the liquid chemicals being
delivered to the pouch. Alternatively, pouch 12 can
be filled with nitrogen immediately upon manufacture
05 and leak testing, and the nitrogen can be maintained
in pouch 12 until filling with the liquid chemicals.
Seventh, disposal after use does not require
destruction of the entire container. Instead, it
merely requires grasping flanges 48A, 48B of retainer
18 and pulling retainer 18, fitment 14 and pouch 12
out through mouth 36 of bottle 16. Dispo~al then
merely involves collasped pouch 12 and fitment 14.
Retainer 18 and bottle 16 can either be reused, or
can be disposed of without elaborate cleaning
procedures since they have not been in contact with
liquid chemicals.
Eighth, container 10, with cap 20, provides
two seals, including break seal or membrane 60 which
is penetrated only when properly used in conjunction
with a dispensing valve. In addition, cap 20 also
seals to bottle 16. This ensures against atmospheric
contamination of the contents during shipping and
storage.
Ninth, the liquid chemical is actually
"double contained," i.e. within both pouch 12 and
bottle 16, which adds to safety in handling and
shipping.
With container 10 of the present invention,
dispensing can be accomplished using several
different techniques. The container can simply be
uncapped by removing cap 20 (or cap 80) and then
manually inverted for decanting. Alternatively, cap
1 3 ~ 3 4 ~
- 12 -
20 (or 80) can be removed and a tube inserted through
fitment 14 into pouch 12, and the contents can be
drawn out by use of a pump.
Still another technique for dispensing the
05 contents of container 10 uses a manual dispensing
valve assembly to which container 10 is connected.
This manual system which is illustrated in Figures
9-12 includes a valve assembly which is connected to
the container, and a platform which supports the
container in an inverted position for
gravity-assisted dispensing.
Container 10 can also be advantageously used
with an automated system like the one shown in
Figures 13-17, in which container 10 is placed in a
pressure vessel and a pressurized gas is applied to
the exterior of pouch 12 to squeeze the contents out
of pouch 12 through a mating connection and
dispensing line.
In the following portions of the
specification, manual and automated systems for use
with container 10 will be described in further
detail. In all of these systems, the cap 20 or 80 of
container 10 remains in place, so that the user does
not have to risk direct contact with the contents of
pouch 12. In addition, only fluoropolymer parts come
in contact with the liquid chemical so that
contamination during dispensing is minimized.
2. Manual Dispensing Systems (Figures 9-12)
Figures 9-11 illustrate one preferred
embodiment of a manual dispensing system 100 which
includes male dispensing closure 102, female
receptacle 104, and base 106. Male dispensing
13 -10 3~7
closure 102 is first fitted over cap 20 while
container 10 is in an upright position, and the
combination of container 10 and dispensing closure
102 are then inverted (as shown in Figure 9) and
05 inserted into female receptacle 104 (as shown in
Figure 11).
As best shown in Figure 10, dispensing
closure 102 includes probe 110, check valve body 112,
check valve housing 113, lock ring 114, key code
cover 116, locking tabs 118, key tabs 120, bolts 122,
check valve plunger 124, spring 126, and O-rings 128,
130, and 132. Key tabs 120, which are carried at the
outer end of key code cover 116, mate with key code
slots 70 of cover 20 to ensure that dispensing system
100 is the proper system for use with container 10.
Once outer flange 71 of cover 20 has cleared key tabs
120, it passes four circumferentially spaced locking
tabs 118, and is seated against key code cover 116.
Lock ring 114 is rotatable to move the locking tabs
118 so that, once flange 71 is past locking tabs 118,
it cannot be removed.
As dispensing closure 102 is being inserted
over cap 20, pointed end 134 of probe 110 breaks
membrane 60. As probe 110 moves into fitment 14,
O-ring 128 provides a seal between the inner wall of
neck 26 of fitment 14 and the outer wall of probe 110.
Probe 110 has a central bore 136 which is
connected at one end to inlet passage 138 and at its
opposite end to the interior of check valve body
112. When probe 110 is inserted into fitment 14, a
fluid flow passage is established from the interior
of pouch 12 through passage 138 and bore 136 to the
13~0347
interior of check valve 112. Check valve body 124,
however, is normally seated against check valve body
112, and O-ring 132 seals the outlet of check valve
body 112 so that no liquid is dispensed even when
05 dispensing closure 102 is inserted over cap 20 and
container 10 is inverted.
Female receptacle 104 is attached to top
plate 140 of base 106 by screws 142. Base 106 also
includes standoffs 144 to provide clearance beneath
plate 140 for outlet tubing 146 and fitting 148.
Mounted within female receptacle 104 is
manifold 150. Manifold 150 contains a cavity 152 for
receiving check valve body 112. At the bottom of
cavity 152 is outlet passage 154 and protrusion 156.
As container 10 and dispensing closure 102 are
lowered over base 106, valve body 112 is inserted
into cavity 152, while check valve housing 113 is
received within female receptacle 104. O-ring 130
forms a seal between check valve body 112 and
manifold 150, while protrusion 156 pushes upward
against check valve plunger 124 to unseat plunger 124
and allow flow of liquid from pouch 12 to outlet
passage 154, and then through fitting 148 to outlet
tubing 146.
Spring loaded plunger assembly 158 is
mounted on the side wall of female receptacle 104.
The distal end of plunger 160 nests in annular grove
162 of check valve housing 113. To remove container
10 and dispensing closure 102 from female receptacle
104, plunger 160 must first be pulled back against
the bias force of spring 164.
Spring loaded pins 166 are mounted
-~ 134~3~7
-- 15 --
vertically in the bottom of receptacle 104 and press
upward against the bottom surface of check valve
housing 113. Bias springs 168 apply a force which
urges pins 166 upward. When plunger 160 is pulled
05 back to release dispensing closure 102 from
receptacle 104, springs 168 and pins 166 provide an
automatic force to displace closure 102 vertically
upward to facilitate manual disengagement. This
upward force also disengages check valve plunger 124
from protrusion 156 so that plunger 124 and O-ring
132 are seated against check valve body 112 in
preparation for manual removal of container 10 and
closure 102 from receptacle 104. Once the operator
unlocks spring loaded plunger 158, container 10 and
dispensing closure 102 can be removed with two hands
without the chance of residual leakage. The empty
container 10 is then set upright and dispensing
closure 102 is removed for connection to the next
full container.
Figure 12 shows another embodiment of the
manual dispensing system which is generally similar
to the embodiment shown in Figures 9-11. In Figure
12, elements which are similar to those of the
embodiment of Figures 9-11 are designated with
similar reference characters.
The primary difference between the
embodiment of Figure 12 and the embodiment of Figures
9-11 is that the embodiment of Figure 12 incorporates
metering pump 190, which is supported on base 106 and
which is connected to outlet to 146. Metering pump
190, which preferably uses only fluoropolymer
material for those parts which contact the liquid
1340~ 47
- 16 -
chemical, contains a graduated cylinder 192, plunger
194, outlet 196, and discharge tube 198. When
plunger 194 is pulled upward, liquid from container
10 is drawn through outlet tube 146 and through an
05 inlet check valve (not shown) into the interior of
cylinder 192. In preferred embodiments, cylinder 192
is graduated, so that the user can select the
distance by which plunger 194 is moved upward and
thus select the amount of liquid to be dispensed.
When plunger 194 is then moved downwardly, the inlet
check valve closes and liquid is forced out through
an outlet check valve (not shown), outlet 196 and
discharge tube 198. The inclusion of metering pump
190 in the dispensing system of the present invention
provides a convenient, safe, and accurate way of
dispensing measured quantities of a liquid chemical
without the need for removing the cap from the
container and without the need for expensive pumps
(which generate particles which can contaminate the
liquid), or the need for dip tubes which extend
inside the open container and which are messy and can
add to contamination due to excessive handling.
3. Automated Dispensing Systems (Figures 13-17)
Figure 13 is a perspective view of automated
dispensing system 200, which is used in conjunction
with container 10' of the present invention.
Container 10' is generally similar to container 10
shown in the preceding figures, except that it has
two handles 38, and uses cap 80 (which is shown in
Figures 7, 8A, and 8B).
Automated dispensing system 200 includes a
main housing 202 with a roller drawer 204, which is
13 10~47
- 17 -
shown in Figure 13 in its open position. Both
housing 202 and drawer 204 are supported by wheels
206, so that dispensing system 200 can be moved from
location to location as needed.
05 Container 10' is placed within a pressure
vessel formed by pressure canister 208 and cover
210. Canister 208 is pivotally supported by a pair
of brackets 212 which are positioned on opposite
sides of canister 208 and are attached to drawer
204. Shafts 214 extend outwardly from opposite sides
of canister 208 and are pivotally mounted in and
extend through upper ends of brackets 212.
A linkage formed by track arms 216, cam
followers 218, and slides 220 are connected to shafts
214 to pivot canister 208 from the generally upright
position shown in Figure 13 and in Figure 14A (when
drawer 204 is open) to an inverted position shown in
Figures 14B and 14C (when drawer 204 is closed).
The opening and closing of cover 210 over
canister 208 is controlled by cover locking air
cylinders 222A-222D, cover lift cylinders 224, 226A
and 226B, and cover tilt cylinders 228A and 228B.
When cover 210 is in place and sealed over canister
208, a fluid path through cover 210 is established
between flexible conduit 230 and container 10', which
is within the sealed pressure vessel.
To load a fresh container 10' into
dispensing system 200, roller drawer 204 is pulled
out. Selector switch 232 on operator panel 234 is
then turned to the "open" position. At this point,
air cylinders 222A-222D are actuated to release the
locking mechanism of cover 210, and cylinders 224,
, . . . . .
13~0~47
- 18 -
226A and 226B raise cover 210 up as best illustrated
by Figures 15A and 15B. Tilt cylinders 228A and 228B
then tilt cover 210 back, as shown in Figure 15C to
allow access to the interior of canister 208.
05 Tear-away tab 84 cap 80 on the fresh
chemical container is removed, thereby exposing a
break seal membrane and opening vent hole 88 of cover
80. Container 10' is then manually lifted and
dropped into canister 208.
The operator then turns selector switch 232
to the "load" position. Cylinders 228A and 228B tilt
cover 210 directly back above the canister 208. The
operator then manually pushes down on key coded knob
236 located on canister cover 210 until keycode cone
286 (shown in Figure 17) comes in contact with cap
80. Knob 236 is then rotated until cone 286 becomes
keyed with the key coded slots of cap 80. Due to the
special design of the key code engagement mechanism
(which will be described in more detail later with
reference to Figure 17) rotation of knob 236 is not
transferred to probe 238 and conduit 230.
Selector switch 232 is then turned to the
"closed" position in which air cylinders 224, 226A
and 226B lower cover 210 into position. At the same
time, cylinders 222A-222D on cover 210 actuate to
open the clamps for final positioning on canister
208. As cover 210 comes down onto canister 208,
probe 238 (Figure 17) penetrates the break seal
membrane 60 of container 10' and seals the inside
neck 26 of fitment 14. Once cover 210 is completely
lowered, pressure is automatically removed from the
.. .. . .
134~3~7
-- 19 --
clamp actuating cylinders 222A-222D, which allows
them to lock cover 210 in place.
The operator then closes drawer 204, which
through the linXage formed by track arms 216, cam
05 followers 218, and slides 220 on opposite sides of
canister 208 rotates canister 208 to an inverted
position. Canister 208 is shown in two different
positions in Figures 14A and 14B, representing a
"drawer open" and a "drawer closed" position.
Once drawer 204 is fully closed, selector
switch 232 is turned to the "pressure" position.
This allows compressed air to enter canister 208
through air line 249 and to enter the space between
the inner walls of bottle 16 and pouch 12. In this
way, air pressure is applied to both sides of the
walls of bottle 16, 80 that bottle 16 does not have a
pressure gradient applied to it.
A pressure gauge 250 and regulator 252 on
operator panel 234 allow the operator to adjust the
air pressure being applied to pouch 12. The
introduction of compressed air into canister 208 only
occurs if dispense button 254 on operator panel 234
is depressed or if an external electrical signal is
provided to dispensing system 200. Under a normal
non-dispensing mode, air pressure is not maintained
in canister 208.
In a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, an air flow switch (not shown) senses flow
of compressed air into canister 208 during
dispensing. As the compressed air enters canister
208, the liquid within pouch 12 is squeezed out of
container 10. When pouch 12 is empty, the air flow
1340347
-
- 20 -
stops due to the total displacement of liquid by the
air in canister 208. The flow switch senses this
lack of flow and sends a signal to an alarm which
alerts the operator to change bottles.
05 In the event of an air or electrical
failure, the chemical contents of container 10' will
not leak out of canister 208, even when drawer 204 is
closed and canister 208 is inverted. Cover 210 will
remain tightly locked due to the clamping mechanism,
in which air pressure to cylinders 222A-222D is
required in order to unlock cover 210 from canister
208.
Another safety feature of dispensing system
200 provides automatic venting of pressure should the
operator attempt to pull out drawer 204 during
dispensing. Similarly, if drawer 204 is not fully
closed, air pressure cannot be introduced into
canister 208. In preferred embodiments of the
present invention, interlock circuitry also prevents
cover 210 from being removed from canister 208 unless
the air pressure within canister 208 has been
completely vented and canister 208 is in the upright
position shown in Figures 13 and 14A.
Figure 17 is a sectional view which shows a
portion of cover 210 and canister 208, together with
a portion of container 10'. As shown in Figure 17,
cover 210 includes a main cover plate 270, which
carries an O-ring 272 for sealing cover plate 270 and
the inner wall of canister of 208. The clamping or
locking mechanism of cover 210 includes clamps 274,
clamp ring 275, dowel pins 276, bearing blocks 278
and connecting ring 280. Clamping air cylinders
1341~47
- 21 -
222A-222D are mounted between cover plate 270 and
connecting ring 280. When air cylinders 222A-222D
are actuated, their pistons move upward, lifting
connecting ring 280. This transfers motion through
05 bearing blocks 278 and dowel pins 276 to cause
outward motion of clamps 274. In the absence of air
pressure applied to cylinders 222A-222D, bias springs
within cylinders 222A-222D will to tend force
connecting ring 280 back down the position shown in
Figure 17, which through dowel pins 278 will pull
clamps 274 radially inward to the position shown in
Figure 17.
Fixedly mounted in the center of main cover
plate 270 is dome 282, which supports sleeve 284 and
keycode cone 286. 0-ring 288 provides a seal between
cone 286 and the inner wall of dome 282. Shoulder
bolts 290 connect together sleeve 284 and cone 286.
Knob 236 is attached to the upper end of sleeve 284
by bolts 292.
The relative position of sleeve 284 and cone
286 with respect to dome 282 in an axial direction is
determined by the position of adjustable stop 294.
Lock nut 296 holds adjustable stop 294 in position.
The purpose of adjustable stop 294 is to allow system
200 to accommodate manufacturing tolerances in all
parts.
Sleeve 284 and cone 286 are permitted to
rotate with respect to dome 282. Rotational forces
apply to sleeve 284 and cone 286 by knob 236. This
allows rotation of cone 286 so that key tabs 298 can
be brought into alignment with the respective key
13403~7
- 22 -
slots in cap 80. As shown in Figure 17, dowel pins
300 hold key tab 298 on the inner surface of cone 286.
Alignment pins 90 of cap 80 made with
recesses 302 on the inner surface of cone 286 to
05 assist in proper alignment of cone 286 with respect
to cap 80.
Coaxially mounted within sleeve 284 is
coupling 304. The upper end of coupling 304 is
connected to tubing conduit 230. Connected at the
lower end of coupling 304 is probe 238. O-ring 306
forms a seal between flange 308 of probe 238 and cone
286. Distal end 310 of probe 238 is pointed, and
carries O-ring 312 which forms a seal with the neck
region of fitment 14. Probe 238 has a T-shaped
passage 314 which opens at distal end 310 and which
is connected to valve chamber 316. Positioned within
valve chamber 316 is a check valve formed by spring
318, disk 320 and poppet 322. Fluid passage 324 of
coupling 304 connects the interior of valve chamber
316 with tubing conduit 230. Spring 318 bia~es
poppet 322 to a normally closed position as shown in
Figure 17. When fluid pressure is present within
container 10, due to air pressure being applied to
pouch 12, the fluid pressure causes poppet 322 to
unseat, and allows fluid flow out of pouch 12 through
passage 314, valve chamber 316 and passage 324 to the
tubing conduit 230.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 17,
coupling 304 and probe 238 do not rotate with knob
234, sleeve 284, and cone 286. This allows rotation
to be applied to knob 236 in order to align key tabs
13 ~ 0 3~7
- 23 -
298 with their corresponding key slots in cap 80
without causing any rotation of probe 238.
During dispensing, air pressure is applied
to the interior of canister 208, and is permitted to
05 enter the interior of bottle 16. The passageway for
air flow is through the space between cap 80 and cone
286, which is provided in part by the notches or
grooves of the periphery of cap 80. Air flows
through recesses 302 in cone 286 and through vent
hole 88 (Figure 8A and 8B) of cap 80. Once within
cap 80, air flows through slots 54A and 54B in
retainer 18 (see Figures 5A and 5B) and into the
interior of bottle 16. Air pressure tends to
collapse pouch 12, which forces fluid out through
probe 238 and coupling 304. Because the same air
pressure is being applied both to the outer wall and
the inner wall of bottle 16, wall strength of bottle
16 is not a factor in the ability to dispense fluid
under pressure.
4. Conclusion
The present invention provides an important
alternative to prior art systems for handling and
shipping liquid chemicals. The present invention
provides a low cost, rugged, container which
simplifies the disposal of parts coming into contact
with the chemicals. In addition, the present
invention is well suited for manual and automated
dispensing in a safe manner which avoids any contact
of the contents of the container with personnel and
with the atmosphere.
~ 1340347
- 24 -
Although the present invention has been
described with reference to preferred embodiments,
workers skilled in the art will recognize that
changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
