GB2161205A - Resilient clip arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for securing an insert 1 in the mouth 4 of a container which is characterized by a clip 5 and guide 6 combination; the clip 5 comprising two parallel or slightly diverging legs 7, 8, each leg having a substantially horizontal portion 9, 10 and an upwards inclined portion 11, 12, the horizontal portion being of sufficient length to span the mouth of the container and having means 13, 14 for catching the edge of the mouth, the upwards inclined portion 11, 12 being cooperable with the insert 1 for exerting a spring force thereon; the guide 6 comprising means 17, 18, for receiving the insert and means 19, 20 for guiding and holding the horizontal portions of the clip. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Clamping device for container inserts The present invention relates to a clamping device and more in particular it relates to such device for securing an insert in the mouth of a container.

In many areas of trade it is custom to deliver liquid products, such as e.g. liquid chemicals, in storage containers or drums from which such products subsequently are pumped to the actual site of use.

To connect the container to the pumping mechanism in general an insert is used positioned through the mouth of the container, the lower end extending to close to the bottom of the container and the upper end connected to the suction tube through which the liquid product is transported to the site of application.

The insert normally comprises a rigid shaft serving as or housing the suction tube. It may also comprise additional shafts such as e.g. a shaft housing a level indicator or a float switch to stop the pump action when the container is nearly empty.

To ensure proper functioning it is necessary to secure the insert in the mouth of the container. Due to the limited standardization in product packaging a separate adaptor is required for each combination of insert and container. This situation is inconvenient both for the customer and the liquid product supplier.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a clamping device for container inserts which is applicable to a wide variety of containers of different type and size. It is a further object to provide such device which is easy and cheap to manufacture and simply to apply for the user.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for securing an insert in the mouth of a container which is characterized by a clamp (5) and guide (6) combination; the clamp comprising two parallel or slightly diverging legs (7, 8), each leg having a substantially horizontal portion (9, 10) and an upwards inclined portion (11,12), the horizontal portion being of sufficient length to span the mouth of the container and having means (13, 14) for catching the edge of the mouth, the upwards inclined portion being cooperable with the insert for exerting a spring force thereon; the guide comprising means (17, 18), for receiving the insert and means (19, 20)forguiding and holding the horizontal portions of the clamp.

The outer ends of the inclined portions of the clamp are preferably connected by way of a semicircular bridge cooperable with the insert in the clamping action.

The means for catching the edge of the container mouth are preferably located at the open ends of the clamp legs and take the form of clamping hooks.

The overall dimensions of the clamp are in general chosen such that application is possible with all common combinations of tubular inserts and containers.

The diameter of the guide is in general less than that of the container mouth. The guide preferably has a cylindrical shape with one or more vertical bores for receiving the shaft or shafts of the insert.

Although the vertical position of the shaft may be fixed, it is preferred that the bores of the guide are such that they allow vertical sliding of the shaft thereby enabling easy adjustment of the position of the insert to the vertical dimension of the container.

The means for receiving and holding the horizontal portions of the clamp may take any suitable form, but preferably comprises two substantially horizontal guide channels on opposite sides of the guide corresponding in shape and dimension to the horizontal portions of the clamp.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the clamping device according to the present invention, the device being shown in securing position with a partially drawn insert and a container mouth in cross section; Figure 2 is a top view of the configuration shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a similar view as Figure 1 of a second preferred embodiment.

The drawing shows an insert (1) comprising shafts (2) and (3) secured in a container mouth (4) by way of a clamp (5) and guide (6). Clamp (5) consists of legs (7) and (8), which are bended in horizontal portions (9) and (10) and upwards inclined portions (11) and (12). The portions (9), (10) have a length sufficient to span mouth (4) and more in general to span the mouth diameters of commonly marketed containers. The open ends of legs (7) and (8) are bended to form clamping hooks (13) and (14) which catch behind the raised edge (15) of mouth (4). The outer ends of portions (11) and (12) are connected by way of bridge (16), the configuration being such that cooperation of shaft 3 and bridge (16) results in a spring force exerted on the insert.In a first preferred embodiment the inclined portions (11) and (12) are substantially linear forming a sharp angle with the horizontal portions (9) and (10). In a second preferred embodimentthe portions (11) and (12) are vertically inclined having a downward bend (23) which results in a sharp angle (A') with the horizontal portions. Guide (6) has bores (17), (18) for receiving shafts (2), (3). Preferably the bores have such diameters that the shafts are slidable in vertical direction enabling precise adjustment of the position of the insert to the vertical dimension of the container. For fixing the shafts in vertical position securing screws (21) and (22) are provided.

Guide channels (19) and (20) are cut out at opposite sides of the guide, the channels corresponding in dimension to and cooperating with horizontal portions (9) and (10).

The configuration of the clamp (5) is such that under clamping conditions the angle (A, A') is somewhat greater than under detached conditions.

Accordingly, by way of the combination of hooks (13) and (14), horizontal guide channels (19) and (20) and the angle deformation resulting from cooperation of bridge (16) and shaft (3), a clamping action results which secures the insert in the container mouth pressing the guide against the wall ofthe mouth, the horizontal portions (9) and (10) resting upon the top edge of the mouth.

Clamp (5) can be manufactured from any material capable of exerting a spring action under deformation. Suitable materials are metal or metal alioys, in particular spring steel. If necessary the clamp material may be coated to protect it from aggressive liquids in the container. Guide (6) may be manufactured from any convenient material suitable for the purpose, such as metal or plastic.

Claims (3)

1. A device for securing an insert in the mouth of a container comprising a clamp and guide combination; the clamp comprising two parallel or slightly diverging legs, each leg having a substantially horizontal portion and an upwards inclined portion, the horizontal portion being of sufficient length to span the mouth of the container and having means for catching the edge of the mouth, the upwards inclined portion being cooperable with the insert for exerting a spring force thereon; the guide comprising means, for receiving the insert and means for guiding and holding the horizontal portions of the clamp.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the inclined portions comprise outer ends which are connected by way of a semi-circular bridge.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the means for catching the edge of the container mouth are clamping hooks.