CONTAINER COUPLING AND OPENING DEVICE WITH PROBE

Abstract

Described herein is a coupling device configured to be mechanically coupled to a cap of a container to be in a coupled configuration. Also described herein are a corresponding method and a corresponding system. In one embodiment, the coupling device is used in combination with a crop protection spray system. The coupling device includes a single probe and a first and a second mechanical mechanism. The first and the second mechanical mechanisms are independent from each other. The first mechanism allows drawing the cap and the container towards the coupling device thereby sealing and locking the cap and the coupling device into a desired position. The second mechanism facilitates actually moving the probe thereby lifting the probe with the closure insert into the container. The coupling device may be embodied as a first, second and third tube which are arranged concentrically.

Claims

1. A coupling device configured to be mechanically coupled to a cap of a container to be in a coupled configuration, the coupling device comprising: a probe configured to be inserted into an opening of the cap, wherein the coupling device is configured, when in the coupled configuration, to disengage a closure insert of the cap from the cap by axially pushing the closure insert with the probe, the coupling device further comprising: a first mechanism configured for drawing the cap and the container towards the coupling device for sealing and locking the cap and the coupling device into a desired position, a second mechanism configured for axially moving the probe to thereby lift the probe with the closure insert into the container, a first tube, a second tube, and a third tube, wherein the first tube is enclosed by the second tube and the third tube, and wherein the second tube is enclosed by the third tube, and wherein the first tube is configured for guiding air through the coupling device into the container, wherein the second tube is configured for rinsing water into the container, and wherein the third tube is configured for sucking liquid out of the container through the coupling device and outside of the coupling device.

2. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the first mechanism comprises a first lever, wherein the second mechanism comprises a second lever, wherein the first mechanism is embodied as a motion link mechanism converting a linear or rotational movement of the first lever of the first mechanism into a rotation, and wherein the second mechanism is embodied as a motion link mechanism converting a linear or rotational movement of the second lever of the second mechanism into a rotation.

3. The coupling device according to claim 2, further comprising: a housing, and wherein the first and second mechanisms except the first lever of the first mechanism and the second lever of the second mechanism are both contained within the housing.

4. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second mechanisms are configured to be operated separately.

5. The coupling device according to claim 4, wherein the first mechanism is configured for preventing at the same time misuse by blocking any unintended movement of the second lever, and wherein the second mechanism is configured for preventing at the same time misuse by blocking any unintended movement of the first lever.

6. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling device is a mono probe coupling device comprising only a single probe.

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling device further comprises a suction gate for sucking liquid through the coupling device out of the container, and wherein the first and second mechanisms are configured for providing an adjustment of a size of an opening of the suction gate which adjustment is independent from a current axial position of the probe.

10. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the first mechanism comprises a first lever for operating the first mechanism, wherein the first mechanism comprises a claw element for drawing the cap and the container towards the coupling device and for locking the container and the cap into the desired position, wherein the first lever is configured to be moved from a start position towards an end position, and wherein the first lever is operatively connected to the claw element and is configured upon movement from the start position into a locking position to radially move the claw element.

11. The coupling device according to claim 10, wherein the first lever is configured to be rotated for operating the first mechanism, the first mechanism further comprising a clamp cylinder, the first mechanism further comprising a transfer cylinder comprising a motion link, wherein the first lever is connected to the transfer cylinder such that the transfer cylinder follows a rotation of the first lever, wherein the transfer cylinder is configured upon the rotation caused by the first lever to axially move the clamp cylinder, and wherein the clamp cylinder is configured upon its axial movement to radially and axially move the claw element.

12. The coupling device according to claim 10, further comprising: a suction gate, wherein an opening defined by the suction gate is closed in the start position of the first lever, wherein the first mechanism is configured upon moving the first lever from the start position to an intermediate position to open the opening of the suction gate, and wherein the first mechanism is configured upon moving the first lever from the intermediate position to the end position to re-close the opening of the suction gate.

13. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the second mechanism comprises a second lever, wherein the second mechanism comprises a lifter which comprises a second motion link, wherein the second lever is configured to be moved from a start position towards an end position, wherein the second lever is connected with the lifter and is configured upon movement from the start position to the end position to move the lifter, and wherein the lifter is configured to axially move the probe by the second motion link when the lifter is moved by the second lever.

14. The coupling device according to claim 13, wherein the second mechanism is configured upon movement of the second lever from the start position towards the end position to gradually open the opening defined by the suction gate.

15. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling device is configured for rinsing outer parts of the cap and the closure insert, inner parts of the coupling device and transfer lines of the coupling device in a coupled configuration in which the closure insert fluid tightly closes the opening of the cap.

16. A system for draining and venting a container, the system comprising: a coupling device according to claim 1, and a container comprising, a container body with at least one inlet opening, and a cap for closing the inlet opening of the container body, wherein the cap is attached to the inlet opening of the container body, wherein the cap comprises an opening, wherein the cap comprises a closure insert, wherein the closure insert releasably engages with the cap such that the opening of the cap is fluid tightly closed.

17. The system according to claim 16, further comprising: a crop protection spray system.

18. A method of mechanically coupling a coupling device to a cap of a container, the method comprising the steps of: placing the container onto a coupling device (S1), wherein a container body comprises at least one inlet opening and a cap attached to the inlet opening closing the inlet opening, wherein the cap comprises an opening and a closure insert, wherein the coupling device comprises a first tube, a second tube and a third tube, wherein the first tube is enclosed by the second tube and the third tube, and wherein the second tube is enclosed by the third tube, wherein the first tube is configured for guiding air through the coupling device into the container, wherein the second tube is configured for rinsing water into the container, and wherein the third tube is configured for sucking liquid out of the container through the coupling device and outside of the coupling device, the method further comprising the steps of: using a first mechanism of the coupling device for drawing the cap and the container towards the coupling device thereby sealing and locking the cap and the coupling device in a desired position at the coupling device (S2), and using a second mechanism of the coupling device to axially move a probe of the coupling device thereby disengaging the closure insert of the cap from the cap and thereby lifting the probe with the cap into the container (S3).

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: rinsing outer parts of the cap, inner parts of the coupling device and transfer lines of the coupling device (S4), wherein the rinsing is carried out in a coupled configuration in which the closure insert fluid tightly closes the opening of the cap, and wherein the rinsing is carried out by guiding a liquid through the coupling device towards the outer parts of the cap.

20. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the first tube, the second tube and the third tube are arranged concentrically in the coupling device.

21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the first tube, the second tube and the third tube are arranged concentrically in the coupling device.

Description

FIGURES

[0077] FIG. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a coupling device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] FIG. 2 schematically shows the coupling device of FIG. 1 where the container is placed upside down on the coupling device.

[0079] FIG. 3 schematically shows how the cap is secured to the coupling device in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0080] FIG. 4 schematically shows the sealing of the cap to the coupling device 100 and the open gate.

[0081] FIG. 5 schematically shows the locking of the container and the cap in the desired position and the reclosing of the gate.

[0082] FIG. 6 schematically shows how the probe is advanced into the closure insert according to the embodiment of the coupling device of FIG. 1.

[0083] FIG. 7 schematically shows how the container is opened by lifting the closure insert from the cap in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0084] FIG. 8 schematically shows the lifting of the probe with the closure insert into the container in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0085] FIG. 9 schematically shows the start of a suction phase by opening the gate according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0086] FIG. 10 schematically shows how rinsing water can be guided through the coupling device of FIG. 1 into the container.

[0087] FIGS. 11a to 11d show details of an embodiment where air and water intake is facilitated.

[0088] FIGS. 12a and 12b schematically show details about a rinsing water valve used in a coupling device according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0089] FIG. 13 schematically shows a coupling device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] FIG. 14 schematically shows another exemplary embodiment of a coupling device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] FIG. 15 schematically shows a flow diagram of a method of mechanically coupling a coupling device to a cap of the container according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0092] FIG. 16 schematically shows a coupling device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0093] Before the general idea of the present invention, i.e. the provision of a coupling device with two different mechanisms, as defined in the independent claims is explained in the context of several general embodiments shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, a non-limiting specific embodiment example is described in detail in the context of FIGS. 1 to 10. This embodiment facilitates an overall explanation of several different mechanical functionalities, which could also be realized separately in different embodiments of the coupling device and the corresponding method. Thus, the disclosure of the specific embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 10 shall not be interpreted as if all the functionalities comprised by this embodiment must be part of each coupling device and method according to the present invention. This has already been explained in detail hereinbefore and will also be elucidated with the following explanations.

[0094] FIG. 1 schematically shows a coupling device 100 configured to be mechanically coupled to a cap 102 of a container 123 to be in a coupled configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The coupling device 100 comprises a probe 124 which is to be inserted into an opening of the cap 102. The coupling device 100 is configured, when in the coupled configuration, to disengage the closure insert 101 of the cap 102 from the cap 102 by axially pushing the closure insert with the probe 124. The coupling device further comprises a first mechanism which is configured for drawing the cap 102 and the container 123 towards the coupling device 100 for sealing and locking the cap 102 and the coupling device 102 into a desired position. Device 100 further comprises a second mechanism configured for axially moving the probe 124 to thereby lift the probe 124 with the closure insert 101 into the container 123. The first mechanism of coupling device 100 comprises a first lever 111 for operating the first mechanism and the second mechanism comprises a second lever 118 for operating the second mechanism. In this embodiment, the first mechanism is realized as a motion link mechanism converting a linear or rotational movement of the first lever 111 into a rotation which is used for drawing the cap 102 and the container 123 towards the coupling device 100. The second mechanism is embodied as a motion link mechanism converting a linear or rotational movement of the second lever 118 of the second mechanism into a rotation which is used for axially moving the probe 124 to thereby lift the probe 124 with the closure insert 101 into the container 123. The coupling device 100 is a mono probe coupling device comprising only a single probe 124. As can been seen from FIG. 1 the device 100 comprises a housing 120, and the first and second mechanisms, with the exception of the first lever 111 of the first mechanism and the second lever 118 of the second mechanism, are both contained within the housing 120. Thus, the first and second mechanisms are configured to be operated separately. In addition, as will be explained in the context of the following FIGS. 2-10, the first mechanism is configured for preventing at the same time misuse by blocking any unintended movement of the second lever 118, and the second mechanism is configured for preventing at the same time misuse by blocking any unintended movement of the first lever 111.

[0095] Furthermore, the coupling device 100 comprises a suction gate 112 for sucking liquid through the coupling device 100 out of the container 123. As will become apparent from the following explanation the first and second mechanisms are configured for providing an adjustment of a size of an opening of the suction gate 112 which is independent from a current axial position of the probe 124. The first mechanism comprises a claw element 103 for drawing the cap 102 and the container 123 towards the coupling device 100 and for locking the container 123 and the cap 102 into the desired position. The first lever 111 is configured to be moved from a start position, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 towards an end position, shown e.g. in FIG. 5. The first lever 111 is operatively connected to the claw element 103 and is configured upon movement from the start position into a locking position, which is between the start and the end position, to radially move the claw element.

[0096] In particular, the first lever 111 is configured to be rotated for operating the first mechanism. The first mechanism further comprising a clamp cylinder 105 and a transfer cylinder 107 comprising a motion link. The first lever 111 is connected to the transfer cylinder 107 such that the transfer cylinder 107 follows the rotation of the first lever 111. Further, the transfer cylinder 107 is configured upon the rotation caused by the first lever 1111 to axially move the clamp cylinder 107. The clamp cylinder is configured upon its axial movement to radially and axially move the claw element. In the context of the present invention an axial movement shall be understood as a movement along the main axis of the probe, shown in FIG. 1 in vertical direction. The coupling device further comprises a suction gate, comprising gate element 112 and outlet 114, wherein the opening defined by the suction gate 112, 114 is closed in the start position of the first lever 111 shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen from the following FIGS. 2-4, the first mechanism is configured upon moving the first lever 111 from the start position (see FIG. 1) to an intermediate position (see FIG. 4) to open the opening of the suction gate 112, 114. Moreover, the first mechanism is configured upon moving the first lever 111 from the intermediate position (see FIG. 4) to the end position (see FIG. 5) to re-close the opening of the suction gate 112, 114.

[0097] The second mechanism of coupling device 100 also comprises a lifter 119 which comprises a second motion link. The second lever 118 is configured to be moved from a start position (see FIG. 1) towards an end position (see e.g. FIGS. 9 and 10). The second lever 118 is connected with the lifter 119 and is configured upon movement from the start position to the end position to move the lifter 119. The lifter 119 is configured to axially move the probe 124 by the second motion link when the lifter 119 is moved by the second lever 118. Moreover, the second mechanism is configured upon movement of the second lever 118 from the start position (see FIG. 1) towards the end position (see e.g. FIGS. 9 and 10) to gradually open the opening defined by the suction gate 112, 114. Also this aspect will be explained in more details hereinafter. Using the coupling device 100 the user can rinse outer parts of the cap and the closure insert 101 inner parts of the coupling device 100 and transfer lines of the coupling device 100 in the coupled configuration in which the closure insert 101 fluid tightly closes the opening of the cap 102. Important is as well an efficient rinsing of the container inner walls and the bottom, which can be achieved with the coupling device of the present invention, in particular with the embodiment disclosed here.

[0098] In particular, the embodiment using a single probe coupling device 100 may exceed the performance of previously used and known double probe devices. The inventors of the present invention found that with the single probe device it is much easier to enter the probe further into the container reducing the static fluid pressure by reducing significantly the deformation of the bottles and increasing the emptying speed. Furthermore, by combining everything into concentric tubes, space could be economized so that the air tube could be separated from the rinsing tube. This additional functionality would have required a triple probe approach, which would not have fit into the available space. Having air and rinsing water separated, eliminated the container deformation that had been observed with dual probe constructions of the prior art during rinsing. This improves the rinsing efficacy of the coupling device of the present invention.

[0099] In the following, a step wise description of a possible use of the coupling device 100 is described to emphasize the several different advantages of the coupling device 100.

[0100] In step 1, shown in FIG. 2, the container, which preferably is a Crop Protection Product (CPP) container 123 with the cap 102, including plug 101 is placed upside down on the coupling device 100. The cap sits on the clamp cylinder 105 and the clamp cylinder supports the weight of the container. Both levers 111, 118 are in the start position on the left side of the coupling device.

[0101] In step 2, shown in FIG. 3, the upper lever 111 is turned from the start position counter-clockwise. This movement simultaneously turns the transfer cylinder 107. The motion link imbedded in the transfer cylinder moves the clamp cylinder 105 downwards. This movement causes the claw to move towards the centre of the coupling device 100. By this movement the rim of the cap 102 is gripped by the claw and mechanically secured.

[0102] Step 3 is shown in FIG. 4. In continuation of the turning of the upper lever 111, the clamp cylinder 105 is further moved down pulling the cap 102 over an O-ring imbedded in the upper tube of the outlet 114. This movement seals the cap and the outlet in a leak-tight connection. Simultaneously, the another motion link imbedded in the transfer cylinder 107 causes the gate 112 to move downwards opening a gap between the gate 112 and the outlet 114. This position allows rinsing the interior of the coupling device 100 while the container is closed by the closure insert 101. This functionality is essential when only a part of the content of the container 123 is removed from the container 123.

[0103] In step 4, shown in FIG. 5, the 180° counter-clockwise turn of the upper lever 111 is completed, the container 123 is mechanically linked to the coupling device 100 and connected in a leak-tight manner with the outlet 114. The container is still closed by the plug 101 in the cap 102. The gate is closed again by a movement caused by the motion link in the transfer cylinder 107.

[0104] In step 5, shown in FIG. 6, by turning the lower lever 118 counter-clockwise, the motion link in the lifter 119 causes the air and water intake 121 to move upwards together with the probe. Thus connecting the probe head 104 with the plug 101.

[0105] In step 6, shown in FIG. 7, the continuation of the turning movement of the lower lever 118 dislodges the plug 101 from the cap 102 and fixes it on top of the probe head 106.

[0106] In step 7, shown in FIG. 8, in continuation of the turning movement of the lower lever 118 the increasing steepness of the motion link in the lifter 119 causes the probe to move up to the highest position.

[0107] In step 8, shown in FIG. 9, in completion of the 180° counter-clockwise turn of the lower lever 118 the motion link imbedded in the lifter probe top 116 causes the gate 112 to gradually open until it reaches the completely open position. The ability to gradually open the gate is essential to allow an accurate dosing of the product contained in the container, e.g. CPP, by being able to modify the emptying speed from zero to maximum by turning the lower lever. During the emptying process, the volume of liquid displaced is compensated by air flowing in through the probe air channel 110 and the air head 106. Thus, avoiding a deformation of the container 123 during the emptying process.

[0108] In step 9, shown in FIG. 10, after having emptied the container 123, the inner surface of the container can be rinsed by activating the rinsing water valve 115. This allows rinsing water provided by a hose through the water inlet 117 to flow through the rinsing water valve into the hose that connects the rinsing water valve with the water tube 122 at the bottom of the coupling device 100. The rinsing water flows through the air and water intake 121 into the probe water channel 110 and is dispensed at high pressure through holes in the probe head 104 into the container. This allows a thorough rinsing of the inner surface of the container, in particular if CCP is contained in the CPP container, to a degree that is acceptable for the container recycling industry.

[0109] The emptying and rinsing cycle can be completed by working all steps backwards from step 9 to step 1, pausing at step 3 to rinse the outer part of the cap, the inner part of the coupling device 100 and the transfer lines. This is essential when only a part of the content, e.g. of CPP, contained in the container has been removed. In this situation, the inner part of the container is not rinsed. The rinsing procedure described is imperative to ensure the complete transfer of the product aliquot and remove any contamination from accessible surfaces.

[0110] In other words, the suction gate may be seen as a valve which can be used for the following two purposes. First, when the product is transferred out of the container. This is the case in this embodiment when the upper lever is positioned at 3 o'clock and the lower lever is positioned from 6 to 3 o'clock such that little to a lot suction can be adjusted. Second, when the outer side of the closure insert and the coupling device 100 with hoses is rinsed. In this embodiment this is the case when the upper level is at 6 o'clock position and the lower level is at 9 o'clock position. To open the suction only at a certain position is an important feature of this embodiment to prevent that air is constantly sucked into the sprayer tank and causes foaming, this embodiment allows flushing the closure insert outside properly.

[0111] In a particular embodiment, the coupling device comprises a blocking mechanism. The blocking mechanism is configured to block the second lever as long as the first lever is not in its end position. Furthermore, the blocking mechanism is configured to then block the first lever as soon as the second lever is moved away from its start position.

[0112] FIG. 11 schematically shows another exemplary embodiment of a coupling device 1100. The embodiment of FIG. 11 is specifically shown to explain the air and water intake element 1102. Several different openings at the lower surface of air water intake 1102 are depicted in FIG. 11c and are shown with reference sign 1103. Water can be guided through water inlet valve 1104. The air and water intake element 1102 can be combined with any other embodiment as mentioned hereinafter and hereinbefore.

[0113] Furthermore, FIGS. 12a and b schematically shows another coupling device 1200 at which the supply of rinsing water 1201 is shown in detail. Hose 1202 is used to guide water to the lower section of housing 1203. The rinsing water valve 1204 is depicted in FIG. 12b in a cross-sectional view. Guiding the water in this way, saves space and allows the hose to follow the vertical movement of the probe. It allows as well the activation of the rinsing valve by the Bowden cable.

[0114] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a coupling device 1300 is disclosed. The coupling device 1300 comprises a first tube 1315, a second tube 1306, and a third tube 1304, which are provided in a concentric configuration. Thus, the first tube is enclosed by the second tube and the third tube, and the second tube is enclosed by the third tube. The first tube is configured for guiding air 1309 into the inner part of the container 1301. Air inlet openings 1311 are shown. The air may thus expand 1313 within the interior of container 1301. In the configuration shown in FIG. 13, the probe extends into the interior of the container and carries the closure insert 1302. The second tube 1306 is configured to guide rinsing water 1307 which enters the coupling device via rinsing water inlet 1308. Moreover, liquid 1312, 1305 is sucked out of the container through the volume which extends between the third tube 1304 and the second tube 1306. The cap 1303 is shown as well. Also rinsing water outlet openings 1310 are shown in FIG. 13

[0115] According to another exemplary embodiment, FIG. 14 shows a system 1409 for draining and venting a container 1401 in combination with a coupling device 1400. The coupling device of FIG. 14 also comprises first and second levers 1403, 1404 and also comprises a third lever 1405 for rotating the entire coupling device 1400 when it is fixed at e.g. a crop protection spray system. Attachment means 1406 are shown at the coupling device which facilitate securing the coupling device 1400 at for example a crop protection spraying system. The embodiment of FIG. 14 is a mono probe coupling device since it comprises only the single probe 1407 to which the closure insert 1408 is releasably attached. Due to the construction of this coupling device, rinsing the walls as well as the bottom of the container is advantageously facilitated.

[0116] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 15 shows a flow diagram of a method of mechanically coupling a coupling device to a cap of a container. In a first step, the container is placed onto a coupling device in step S1. The container comprises at least one inlet opening and the cap is attached to the inlet opening which closes the inlet opening. The cap also comprises an opening and a closure insert. In a further step, a first mechanism device is used for drawing the cap and the container towards the coupling device thereby sealing and locking the cap and the coupling device 100 in a desired position at the coupling device. This step is depicted in FIG. 15 with step S2. Moreover, a second mechanism of the coupling device is used to actually move a probe of the coupling device thereby disengaging the closure insert of the cap from the cap and thereby lifting the probe with the cap into the container.

[0117] FIG. 16 schematically shows a coupling device 1600 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the first and second mechanisms are configured to be operated separately. At the same time, the first mechanism is configured for preventing misuse by blocking any unintended movement of the second lever, wherein the second mechanism is configured for preventing at the same time misuse by blocking any unintended movement of the first lever. The coupling device 1600 thus comprises a blocking bar 1601 for the lower lever activated by the transfer cylinder. Further, coupling device 1600 comprises a blocking bar 1602 for the upper lever activated by lifter top. Thus, this coupling device is configured such that a rotation of the transfer cylinder causes a vertical movement of the blocking bar 1601, which blocks the rotation of the lifter. The rotation of the lifter causes the vertical movement of the second blocking bar 1602, which blocks the rotation of the transfer cylinder.