US2790572A - Closure and tapping construction - Google Patents

Description

April 30, 1957 G. D. FLAlTH ETAL 2,790,572

CLOSURE AND TAPPING CONSTRUCTIQN Filed May 18, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

650265 Down) Fur/r11 BY Jose-PH 5 Swan; Je

April 1957 cs. D. FLAI I'H ETAL 2,790,572

CLOSURE AND TAPPING CONSTRUCTION Filed May 18, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v F 6 J 39 INVENTOR.

650255 flow/n0 Fin/TH BY Jose-PH E. SMITH, le.

April 30, 1957 G. o. FLAITH ETAL 2 CLOSURE AND TAPPING CONSTRUCTION Filed May 18, 1953 3 Sheet-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 650205 DOA/0L0 FZfl/Tf/ BY JbSEPH SM'lrrx, Je,

CLGSURE AND TAPPIN G CONSTRUCTION George Donald Flaith and Joseph E. Smith, In, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application May 18, 1953, Serial No. 355,676 2 Claims. (Cl. 217-99) dioxide) into the barrel or the like and for removing the' liquid contents (as, for example, beer) under pressure.

An object of the present invention is to provide new and improved closure-and-tapping mechanism for barrels, drums and other containers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel closure-and-tapping mechanism which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which is sturdy and dependable in operation and which facilitates cleaning, inspection and re-filling of the barrel or the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container having a new and improved closure-and-tapping mechanism. a

2,790,572 Patented Apr. 30, 1957 Referring to the accompanying drawings in whichlike' reference characters indicate like parts throughout:

Figure 1 represents a view, partly in elevation and partly in vertical cross-section, of the present invention with the bung removed from the bung-receiver and a valve-mechanism inserted within the bung-receiver, the bung-receiver being connected to the bung-flange.

Figure 2 represents an exploded perspective view showing the bung-receiver disconnected from the bungfiange. I

Figure 3 represents a fragmentary vertical cross-section al view of the bung-receiver and the valve-connector in the first stage of interconnection between the bayonet portions of the valve-connector and the bayonet portions of the bung-receiver.

Figure 4- is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a horizontal crosssectional view taken generally along line 5' 5 of Figure 6. I

Figure. drepresents a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the bung-receiver and the valve-connector Other objects and advantages of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description, appended claims and accompanying drawings.

The present application is a continuation-in-part ofour co-pending application Serial No. 34,728, filed June -23,

1948, and now Patent No. 2,638,914 1953.

Generally speaking this application is directed to a novel closure-and-tapping mechanismfor a barrel or the like which includes a bung-receiver for. operatively receiving a bung removably securedltherein, said bungreceiver being removably fastened within a bung-flange and issued May 19,

said novel closure-and-tapping mechanism. I 3

An important feature of the present invention is the novel construction which permits the bung-receiver to be of a barrel, and also to barrels or containers comp'rising quickly and easily disconnected from the bung-flange after the barrel or the like has'been emptied, so as to provide a relatively large opening to facilitate cleaning, inspection and refilling of the barrel prior to re-use thereof, and which permits the bung-receiver to be easily re-connected to the bung-flange after the cleaning andv inspection has been completed. Although the barrel may be filled (with beer or the like) through the conventional bung hole (generally located on the circular side of the barrel, the barrel having two bungs when the bung-receiver carrying a bung is in position in the bungflange), the filling may be accomplished'through the large-diameter opening of the bung-flange of the present invention prior to the connection thereto of the bungreceiver. I ,I I I For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the accompanying drawings a" form-thereof which is at present preferred, although it is to' be understood that the various instrumentalities of which, the

invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that the inventionis not limited to'the precise arrangements and organizations of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

in the final stage of interconnection. I

Figure 7 represents an enlarged, vertical cross-sectional view of the bung-flange and the bung-receiver; with the bung-receiver partly inserted into the bung-flange.

Figure 8 represents an enlarged, vertical cross-sectional view showing the bung-receiver and the bung-flange fully interconnected, with the bung inserted in position within the bung-receiver.

Referring generally to Figures 1 through 8 a bung-flange designated 24 formed of metal or the like, may be permanently attached or afilxed to the sheet-metal endwall 21 of'a drum or barrel or like container; the end-wall 21 being provided with an annular stifiening or reinforcing rib erhead 2?. in radially spaced relation to container hole 23. The bung-flange .20 includes. a flat circular bottom 2 which extends radially. outwardly beyond the peripheryv of the'jhole23 and whichis percylindrical b'ody portion 34 is provided with an upper;

manently aflixed (by welding,- soldering or the like) to the container end-wall 21. In' the case of wooden containers or drums, the bottom 24 of the bung-flange 20. I i

can be afiixed to the drum end-wall by suitable means, such as screws.

The bottom 24'of the bungflange 26 is provided with a circular opening 25 which is in alignment with the hole 23 in the end-wall 210i the container. Circular opening 25 is of'smaller diameter than hole 23 of the container. I

The bung-flange 20 also includes an upstanding collar 26 whichhas a generally cylindrical outer wall 27.

Collar 26 is provided with an uppermost generally circular inner surface 23 and a lowermost polygonal inner surface 29; the surfaces 28 and 29 being separated by a generally circular locking groove 39. The uppermost circular surface 28 has a plurality of notches 31 in axial alignment with the corners of polygonal surface 29.

A horizontal bung-receiver seat 32 intervenes the vertical polygonal surface 29 and circular opening 25.

The bung-receiver designated 33 is constructed and arranged to be removably mounted within bung-flange 2t).

Bung-receiver 33 includesa generally cylindrically-shaped f I body-portion M which may be formed of. metal or the like,,provided with abottommost tapered portion 19. The

generally flat head 35, the peripheral outline of which corresponds to and is adapted to'cooperatively mate with the polygonal inner surface 2% of the collar 26 of bungflange 2f) described above. L

II Upstanding ears, tabs, orprojection's 36 ea'ch having axially inclined undercut inner surfaces 37 on the radially inner side surfaces thereof are provided'at the cornersof the head 35, i

c The cylindrical body-portion 34 includes a circumferential groove 38 on the outer surface thereof (see Figure 3),- I A valve-connector 43 having a female bayonet joint A n Q-ring 59 i rubber or other compressible In? lfifi element 44 is lowered through male bayonet'joint notch is tinny s'litiably n' oiinte'd within circuinferential 47 of mating male bayonet joint element or bayonet-flange 38 andwh en tapestries see, for il F g l ft f- 45 positioned on the uppermost portion 46 of bung-renis'hes lfifiicl-tight andair tighl seal between the b'utig 5 ceiver 33, until female bayonet joint element 44 is below receiver 33 and hun'g flan'ge 20. g rnale bayonet joiht element 45 (see Figures 3 and 4). The

Bang-receiver 33 is provided with an aXia l bung-receiv female hayoiie't ioiritl'enieht {His then turned clockwise ing channel 40 adapted to removably receive a convenuntil thefernal'e bayonetjoint element 44 is engaged against tional bung or 'plug 41 of wood or the like. When bung stop 48 arid assumes an lfios'i'tion shown in Figures 5 41' is operatively disposed within bung-receiving channel and 6.

40 as'shown in Figure 8'; 'afluid-tight and air-tight sealing Valve mechanism, 54} comprising conventional means of bung-receiving channel 40 is eiT ected. V I, w for forcing the liquid contentsrof the container or the oar- A generally C-shaped locking-ring42 of resilient metal rel outward therefrom is positioned in liquid-withdrawal t 35 and is seated on the seating surface 39a (see Figure 2 locking groove 39 above the ears] 36 inserted into one of the notches 31' to prylthelocking rin'g or the like, such assPring SteeL'having a normal diameter position by threaded couplin element 51 having female sdniejvvh'atgreater thanthe diameter of the locking groove threads Which'mate with correspondingly threaded male 30' connects the b'ung' receiver 3316 the bung-flangeztl. t threads at the uppermost portion 52 of valve-connecto're't The interconnectionis effected by first compressing lock- Coupling element il cornprises an anniilar coupling flange ing ring 42 (so as to bring its ends closer together and or key 53 which sits" Within a groove 54 on the'eXternal thereby reduce its diameter) and then fitting locking ring wall of vatv'eme ha 'srn 50. By rotating coupling ele- 42 into head 35 within 'thel ndercnt inner surfaces37 of ment 5 1 about 'tli' threaded connection at uppermost porthe ears 36 in the manner shown in Figure 7 The bung tionl52 of valve eoritiector 43, valve mechanism 50 can he, receiver 33 is in the position shown in Figure 2 with por made to sea on its hottol at 5'5 on packing giana'w tions'oi the locking-ring 42 protrudingradially outwardly which islseated on the' t6pn1ost surface of male bayonet beyond the straightedgesof the head 35 between ears 36. joint element oi tin'g receiver 33, Packing gland The diameter of the soc ompressed ring is less than the comprises gaske't'rn'aterial','such as rubber or impregnated diameter of the circular inner surface 28 of collar 26 of fabric and servesto effect a fluid-tight and air-tight seat b n fi Q0 l l ing between bottorn' seat 55 of valve-mechanism 50 and The tapered portion 19 of bung-receiver 33 is then the top surfaceoflm i y fi t j n element 5- lowered into the collar 2e of hung-flange 20 through the VaIVemechahiShiSO includesla riser-pipe 56 which exhole 25 until the cylindrical body-portionfienters hole tends tll Ugh Channel 49' b g 33 ually to 25 and O -ri ng 3? is disposed within hole In this the opposite eiitrenrity of the container. 4 7 position, shown in Figure 7; the lockin ring 42 extends The upper partof valvemechanism 5 mprises. a 9 radially beyond the straight sides of the polygonal head ventron'al a r inlet conduit 57 consisting of a rubber or & plastic air-hose engaged over ridges 58 on thestem of between the notches 31'. The upper surface of the head CompTeSSW al xclj fi k-vfi vefii C ka 59 s of as an the locking ring 42 are radially aligned with the s t apa eas i j-t p Thomas valve) locking groove 39 and the upstanding ears 36 are fitted afidvpefmlts QW Qf. hd pressure inwardly through within the notches 31. v l g lili fii Fe lfhlit' 57biit prevents the flow of air in the Thereafter, the b'ung-receiver 33 i's rn ove'd still further R l fifl 'li do g/ntvard in respect toibung fiange 2%; the seating surface PQ U 4 OT air-pressure can be builttnp within- 304 between the notches 31 preventing corresponding lhe q t r 9 m 3 i maintaining p-oclt 60 of j downwardmovement of the loclring ring42 and as a result the il id i 'l it fll p fi l Y al me hanism Si) in the lo'ckingring 42 rern'ains in the saute horizontal plane 193. .Pll19. 7 92i llt Q l -m flg all: through conduit as the locking groo've-Sflfwhile the'eara 36 nioye clowna e eq rv ve 9 .ifi t Posllllvfi d p essure 7 ward relative thereto until thelocking ring ilclears' the P FQ- I P withifi drum" theflow of air t e drum 1 ted. On ,openin'gstop-cock 6Q the liquid co' ents the drum, such as beer, are --removed Figures 1 and 8' showthe soseatecl L42 M 9 tiger-pig l 9 ?"3 Q} b and overlying the tops pf ears 36' andpre'venting upward w ehl s m v the rldges 63 of a movement of the'bungqeceiver 33 relative ;to the hun e m)? QfQ E f llq 11 flange '29; the bung-receiver 33 being thereby.. locled in v g v E m f P Q P position within the bung-flange 2h. The position'of the means of glgndepacklng G FP A i 'hf locking ring 42 adjacent the undercut inner surfaces 37 m; inv s 9 9B urrged against Q P of ears 36 prior to being positioned in locking groove 30 .5 9 lelemem Gland Packing 6s mamis shown in dotted line in Figurefi. L N V tams a fluld7nght The upper portion of bungflange 2t! and the exposed top surface of interconnected bung-carrying bung-receiver 33 can be covered by a tearable metal cap or seal {not tops' of'the' ears 36,21nd then springs outwardly into the and the outside mosphere. r t

- valve m 'njan m 50 comprising the r'iser-pipeloiitlet pressnr'e he'ad n'g means, outlet valve meansga'nd shown) atfixed to outer wall 27 of bung-flange 20. f z P i i 9 -Qnventio-nal cogstrtuctioni d When it is desired to remove the bung-receiver 33, a zfggg gf g figglgg ig gther g gy f g w t a z t 1 lren emormenso e Small Obothar pmmed mol'mdy Q6 aforementionedleem tsean beisubstituted for that shown in Figure l Fer; arlnplmafseparate conduit can be 42; 'ut of the lockinggrooyejt wherenpon tlie Eatingr I t, r-

.s rec-e1 33 may bejlifte'dpn't; so that tne'retattvelylarg'eused to Introduce aktjrglqgheekwalvethe siz'e' Mtg 25 in theibung-flan'ge zfiis'exposed to ta'c'ilitate cleaning and inspection of the" drum or barrel or the like. i

When it is desired to utilize the drum, barrel or conminer of the present invention containingthe'bung 41in placejvi ithin the bung receiver 33, the sealing cap (not-- show 'W ichl aslheretotore'indiCatedcanbe uti Zed to] the barrel andmeans tordeveloping continuous air pressure vithin'thef' barrel" p'e'rniittirig uninterrupted Withdravval oi liq 'idtherefr in'fcan be secured;

, 56 valvegconnec tor 43,31? .supl e lam t-25 1s unwre mm 7 we; the tp r 413 v flhen valvegonhector ment hputer wallgj of collar 26 the f df, is th -Way; 43 can be r tated counter-e an'd" tlte"bnngjt41' Within bung-resetting emanates is joint element M withdravvn pushed down into the barrel. valve-connector lifted free of the bung-receiver 33.

air tight seal between riser-pipe 56 barrer'thah refuse to withdraw the liquid contentsof After the co at r "artist smarter-has been emptied;

The empty drum or barrel can then be returned to the supplier, such as the brewery or the like, whereupon the locking ring 42 is disengaged from the locking groove 30 in the manner heretofore described, enabling the bung-receiver 33 to be disconnected from the bung-flange and to be lifted out of the drum or barrel. This exposes the relatively large opening in the bung-receiver 20 and facilitates cleaning of the drum or barrel.

After cleaning and inspection of the barrel have been effected, and the barrel re-filled with liquid, the bungreceiver 33 carrying a bung 41 is re-attached to the bungfiange 20, in the manner heretofore described and is again ready to receive the valve-connector 43 and valvemechanism 50 for dispensing the liquid contents.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essen tial attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing descrip tion to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a closure-and-tapping device for a barrel or the like, a bung-flange having an axial opening formed therein and having an upstanding collar, said collar being somewhat larger in diameter than said opening and being co-axial therewith, thereby providing a generally horizontal annular seating-surface peripherally of the upper end of said opening, said collar having a lower inner surface of generally polygonal outline and having an upper inner surface of generally circular outline and having an intervening locking-groove, said upper circular surface being provided with notches in vertical alignment with the corners of the polygonal surface, a bung-receiver having a passageway therein for removably receiving a bung, said bung-receiver including a generally cylindrical body adapted to fit within the opening in the bung-flange, said bung-receiver having an upper enlarged head of polygonal outline corresponding to the polygonal inner surface of said collar, a fluid-tight sealing joint including an O-ring mounted within a groove on said bungreceiver engaging said bung-flange, a resilient lockingn'ng capable of being deformed so as to reduce its normal diameter, said locking-ring being constructed and arranged temporarily to be positioned upon said head in compressed smaller-diameter condition While said bungreceiver is lowered into said bung-flange with the corners of the head fitting within the notches of the upper circular surface, said locking-ring being constructed and arranged to be set free of said head when said head is forced further downward into the lower polygonal surface, said locking-ring springing outwardly into the locking-groove in overlying relationship to the corners of the head whereby the bung-receiver is inter-locked with the bung-flange, said locking-ring being constructed and arranged to be contracted to remove it from the lockinggroove thereby to free the bung-receiver and to permit it to be removed from the bung-flange.

2. A container including a barrel, a bung-flange mounted on an end wall of said barrel with the bore of said bung-flange coaxial with an opening in said barrel, the body of said bung-flange covering the edge of said barrel opening, said bung-flange having an axial opening formed therein and having an upstanding collar, said collar being somewhat larger in diameter than said opening and being coaxial therewith, thereby providing a generally horizontal annular seating-surface peripherally of the upper end of said opening, said collar having a lower inner surface of generally polygonal outline and having an upper inner surface of generally circular outline and having an intervening locking-groove, said upper circular surface being provided with notches in vertical alignment with the corners of the polygonal surface, a bungreceiver having a passageway therein for removably receiving a bung, said bung-receiver including a generally cylindrical body adapted to fit within the opening in the bung-flange, said bung-receiverhaving an upper enlarged head of polygonal outline corresponding to the polygonal inner surface of said collar, a fluid-tight sealing joint including an O-ring mounted within a groove on said bungreceiver engaging said bung-flange, a resilient locking-ring capable of being deformed so as to reduce its normal diameter, said locking-ring being constructed and arranged temporarily to be positioned upon said head in compressed smallendiarneter condition while said bung-receiver is lowered into said bung-flange with the corners of the head fitting within the notches of the upper circular surface, said locking-ring being constructed and arranged to be set free of said head when said head is forced further downward into the lower polygonal surface, said locking-ring springing outwardly into the locking-groove in overlying relationship to the corners of the head whereby the bung-receiver is inter-locked with the bung-flange,

said locking-ring being constructed and arranged to be f contracted to remove it from the locking-groove thereby to free the bung-receiver and to permit it to be removed from the bung-flange.

Snyder Mar. 3, 1953

Images