Technical field of the invention

This invention relates to a canister for holding a substance, preferably a fluid, comprising a suction lance for emptying the substance out of the canister.

Background of the invention Devices for emptying canisters filled with a substance, e.g. a fluid, are known in practice in various forms. These known devices often incorporate a suction lance that is inserted into the canister and that is pointing from an opening of the canister into the canister for sucking the substance out when coupled to a suction device. Due to this, the positioning of the suction lance inside the canister is different every time a canister is used. Further, using known suction lances in order to empty the canister so that it is free of residue, a residual amount of substance always remains in the canister .

For the disposal of canisters that are filled with dangerous or harmful substance for example it is desirable to reduce the amount of substance that is left in the canister to a minimum. Moreover, an unintended contact of a person handling the emptied canister with the substance is to be avoided in order to reduce health risks .

SUMMERY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a canister for holding a substance, preferably a fluid, which enables a complete emptying of the canister without the risk of a person handling the canister to get into contact with the substance held in the canister.

This object is solved by a canister according to claim 1 of the present invention. Accordingly, a canister for holding a substance, preferably a fluid, comprises a body, wherein the body comprises a top part, a side part and a bottom part, at least one nozzle, preferably located at the top part of the body, wherein the nozzle comprises a first opening, and a suction lance for sucking the substance out of the body of the canister, wherein the suction lance comprises an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper end is connected to the first opening and the lower end is located next to the bottom part of the canister, wherein the suction lance is formed integrally as part of the body of the canister.

Through the integration of the suction lance into the side part of the body of the canister, it is possible to define the position where the lower end of the suction lance is positioned inside the canister. The canister and the suction lance are designed as one-piece. This makes the positioning of the lower end of the suction lance at the lowest point inside the body of the canister possible for every canister, where the remaining substance will move to, when being sucked out of the canister. In order to improve this, the bottom part of the canister may be designed to comprise a lowest point at the lower end of the suction lance. This enables the efficient, residue free removal of the substance out of the body of the canister. By forming the suction lance as an integral part of the body of the canister, it is ensured, that the lower end of the suction lance is positioned at the optimal position, i.e. the lowest point inside the body, with every canister designed according to the invention. Further, the integration of the suction lance into the canister makes the handling of the suction lance by a person, for example the introduction of the suction lance into the canister, unnecessary and therefore allows for a clean and safe handling. Especially after the canister is used and emptied of the substance, a handling of the suction lance is not necessary at all, because the canister according to the invention forms, especially in connection with a later described connector closure and a suction system, a closed system for extracting the substance. The closed system avoids any leakage during connecting the canister, emptying the canister and/or disconnecting the canister. Thus, with this clean, safe and efficient canister the danger of contaminating and harming a person handling the emptied canister is avoided . According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the canister further comprises a second opening, preferably at the top part of the body, suitable for filling the substance into the body. This allows for the second opening to be designed different to the first opening. For example a second opening with a large diameter allows for an improved, faster filling of the substance into the canister, while the first opening may be designed comprising a diameter optimised for extracting the substance out of the canister.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first opening and the second opening are both arranged in the nozzle. This reduces the manufacturing costs of the canister, by reducing the complexity of the design and also by avoiding the costs for an additional closure for the second opening. The first opening and the second opening may have different cross sectional areas and/or different shapes. The first opening may be arranged eccentrically to the geometrical centre of the nozzle.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the bottom part of the body is sloped at the inside, preferably sloped towards the lower end of the suction lance. By forming the inside of the bottom part in such a way that it is sloped and/or inclined, it is possible to guide the remaining substance in a defined direction, when extracting the substance out of the canister and when the level of substance is lowered. Thus, a last remaining amount of substance can be guided towards the lower end of the suction lance in order to further improve the residue free extraction of the substance out of the canister .

According to an embodiment of the invention, the canister is designed to be stackable with at least a second canister of the same design. This enables canisters of the same design to be stacked on top of each other in order to save space which for example allows for an efficient transportation and/or storing of such canisters. The bottom part of the body of the canister may be designed in such a way as to match the profile of the top part of a canister of the same design. Further, the top part of the body may comprise stacking means in order to accept the bottom part of a canister of the same design. This enables the received canister to be centred by the stacking means and to avoid a relative movement between the canisters. The stacking means may be formed like side walls, protruding from the upper part of the body of the canister above the nozzle of the canister. The stacking elements at the upper part of the body may be designed to interlock with fitting stacking elements at the bottom part of the canister.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the nozzle is designed to be attachable to flange of a suction machine for extracting the substance out of the body of the canister. As the upper end of the suction lance is connected to the first opening inside the nozzle, attaching the flange of the suction machine directly to the nozzle improves the handling of the canister when the substance is to be extracted as no further handling, for example of an adapter or a separate suction lance, is required. Thus the risk of contaminating a person handling the canister with the substance is avoided. Further, a cap may be provided to seal the nozzle, for example for transportation in order to protect the nozzle from dirt, which may hinder the forming of an underpressure when attaching the nozzle to a suction machine.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the canister further comprises a connector closure to seal the first opening and/or the second opening. The connection closure may be fitted inside the nozzle. The connector closure may be designed to match and/or contact the flange of a suction machine attached to the nozzle of the canister, thus enabling a continuous, air and/or fluid tight, pressure-resistant connection of the flange of the suction machine with the suction lance, via the nozzle and the first opening in the nozzle. The connection closure may seal both, the first opening and the second opening simultaneously, for example after the canister is filled with the substance and prepared for transport. Further, the connection closure may seal one opening and leave the other opening open and/or unsealed, for example the second opening, e.g. used for filling the substance in to the canister, may be closed and/or sealed by the connection closure while the first opening, which is connected to the suction lance, may be left open and/or unsealed. Sealing is meant in a way of an air tight and/ or fluid tight closure of an opening.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the connector closure is designed as a snap-on connector closure. The connector closure may comprise positive locking means matching positive locking means arranged at the nozzle. The connector closure may also be designed as a screw-on connector closure. This allows for a time saving fitting of the connector closure without use of tool .

The canister according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the connector closure is designed to selectively seal and/or open the first opening and/or the second opening separately. This allows for the first opening and/or the second opening to be closed and/or sealed by the connector closure, and if needed to opened or re ^¬ opened the first opening and the second opening separately and independently of each other, if desired. For example when extracting the substance out of a canister with both openings sealed, the second opening may be keep closed and/or sealed, while the first opening is opened or re-opened in order to allow a suction machine to connect to the first opening for extracting the substance through the suction lance which is connected to the first opening.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the connector closure comprises a venting means for venting the inside of the body of the canister. The venting means may for example be designed in form of a venting valve or a venting membrane, allowing a gas, e.g. air, to flow into the canister whilst stopping the substance from leaving the canister via the venting means. This enables pressure compensation when the canister is attached to a suction machine, extracting the substance out of the canister by means of an underpressure, a vacuum for example .

A further aspect of the invention is a connection closure for sealing a canister comprising a first opening and a second opening, in particular a canister as previously described, wherein the connection closure is designed to seal and/or open the first opening and/or the second opening separately at the same time, wherein the connection closure further comprises a venting means for venting the inside of the body of the canister. This allows for the first opening and/or the second opening to be closed and/or sealed by the connector closure, and if needed to opened or re-opened the first opening and the second opening separately and independently of each other, if desired. The venting means may for example be designed in form of a venting valve or a venting membrane, allowing a gas, e.g. air, to flow into the canister whilst stopping the substance from leaving the canister via the venting means. This enables pressure compensation when the canister is attached to a suction machine, extracting the substance out of the canister by means of an underpressure, a vacuum for example.

A further aspect of the present invention is a suction system comprising a canister and a connector closure as previously described.

The afore mentioned components, as well as the claimed components and the components to be used in accordance with the invention in the described embodiments, are not subject to any special exceptions with respect to their size, shape, material selection and technical concept such that the selection criteria known in the pursuant field can be applied without a limitation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional details, features, characteristics and advantages of the object of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims, the figures and the following description of the respective figures and examples, which - in exemplary fashion - show several embodiments and examples of a canister and a connector closure according to the invention. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is an illustration of a canister constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective of a canister constructed in accordance with the invention ;

Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 2, but with a different design;

Fig. 4 is an illustration of a canister constructed similar to Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a schematic drawing of a canister similar view to Fig. 3, but from a side view; Fig. 6 is a similar view to Fig. 4, but showing the canister from a front perspective; Fig. 7 is a drawing of a nozzle design constructed in accordance with the invention ;

Fig. 8 is a similar view to Fig. 7, but with a differently designed suction lance;

Fig. 9 schematic top view of a nozzle constructed according to the invention; Fig. 10 is a similar view to Fig. 9, but with a differently designed nozzle;

Fig. 11 is a schematic illustration of a nozzle with a connector closure constructed in accordance with the invention and

Fig. 12 is an illustration of a connector closure.

The illustration in Fig. 1 shows a canister 10 for holding a substance, for example a liquid or fluid, comprising a body 12, wherein the body 12 has a top part 14, a side part 16, which may consist one or more side elements, and a bottom part 18 (not shown) . The canister 10 further comprises a nozzle 20, which is located at the top part 14 of the body 12 of the canister 10. The nozzle 20 comprises a first opening 22, wherein the first opening 22 of the nozzle 20 is connected with a suction lance 24. The suction lance 24 is connected to the nozzle 20 with an upper end 26 and reaches down the bottom part 18 of the body 12 of the canister 10 with a lower end 28. The suction lance 24 is formed as one-piece with the body 12 of the canister 10. As illustrated, the suction lance 24 may be formed as an integral part of the top part 14 and the side part 16 of the body 12. The suction lance 24 is designed to protrude at least partially towards the outside of the body 12, forming for example a bulge at the outside of the body 12. The suction lance 24 may also be designed in such a way that the suction lance 24 protrudes at least partially towards the inside of the body 12, forming for example a bulge at the inside of the body 12. The suction lance 24 provides a continuous, air and fluid tight, pressure-resistant connection from the bottom part 18 of the body 12 to the nozzle 20, thus enabling the extraction of the substance for example by applying a vacuum. The canister 10 is further provided with a second opening 30, which is also arranged at the top part 14 of the body 12. The second opening 30, as shown, has a larger diameter than the first opening 22 and the nozzle 20 and may for example be used for filling a substance into the body 12 of the canister 10. For handling, the canister 10 is provided with a handle 32 at the top part 14.

The canister 10 illustrated in Fig. 2 has the nozzle 20 located at the top part 14 of the body 12, herein the first opening 22 and the second opening 30 are both arranged within the nozzle 20, wherein both the first opening 22 and the second opening 30 are located horizontally adjacent to each other. The diameter and/or cross-sectional area of the first opening 22 and the second opening 30 are different, wherein the second opening 30 shows the larger diameter and/or cross- sectional diameter, e.g. for filling the substance into the canister. The suction lance 24 is formed as an integral part of the body 12, wherein the suction lance 24 is formed at the inside of the body 12. Fig. 3 illustrates a canister 10 of a similar design to the canister 10 shown in Fig. 2, but provides a different design of the suction lance 24 and the arrangement of the first opening 22 and the second opening 30. The suction lance 24 is formed at the outside of the body 12 mainly in a straight line, as an integral part of the body 12. The nozzle 20 is located at the edge of the top part 14 of the body 12. The second opening 30 comprises a larger diameter than the first opening 22, which is located adjacent to the circular second opening 30. The nozzle 20 has an oval outer circumference.

The canister 10 shown in Fig. 4 comprises a suction lance 24 that is formed as an integral part of the body 12 of the canister 10, wherein the suction lance 24 protrudes or bulges towards the outside of the body 12. The upper end 26 of the suction lance 24 which is connected to the first opening 22 is arranged inside the nozzle, wherein the nozzle 20 has a circular outer contour. Fig. 5 shows a canister 10, similar to the one illustrated in Fig. 4, from a side view. The suction lance 24 is formed as one-piece with the side part 16 of the body 12. The suction lance 24 reaches from the bottom part 18 to the first opening 22, located inside the nozzle 20, which has a circular outer contour. The canister 10 also comprises stacking means 34, which are formed as side walls, rising up to the height of the nozzle 20, in order to enable a stacking of canisters 10 of the same design.

In Fig. 6 a canister 10, similar to the one depicted in Fig. 5, is shown in a frontal view. The suction lance 24 is formed towards the outside of the body 12. Stacking elements 34 are formed as side walls, that rise up to the upper level of the nozzle 20, in order to enable stacking canisters 10 of the same design on top of each other.

Illustrated in Fig. 7 is a nozzle 20, which is arranged centrally on the top part 16 of the body 12 of the canister 10. The first opening 22 and the second opening 30 are both arranged horizontally adjacent to each other within the nozzle 20. The suction lance 24 is formed at the inside of the body 12. The arrow indicates the filling of the substance into the canister 10 via the second opening 30. Fig. 8 depicts a canister 10 with a centrally at the top part 14 of the body 12 arranged nozzle 20, wherein the suction lance 24 is formed at the outside of the body 12 as one-piece with the body 12. The first opening 22 and the second opening 24 shown in Fig. 9 are both arranged inside the nozzle 20 horizontally adjacent to each other. The nozzle 20 has an oval outer contour. The first opening 22 and the second opening 30 both comprise a circular cross-sectional area, wherein the second opening 30 is has a larger cross- sectional area than the first opening 22. The nozzle 20 in Fig. 10 has a circular outer contour, with both the first opening 22 and the second opening 30 arranged within the nozzle 20. The first opening 22 and the second opening 30 disembogue into the nozzle 20 with a circular cross-sectional area. At the inside, the nozzle 20 comprises two areas of different shape into which each of the two openings disembogue. These areas may be contacted by a seal of a flange 38 of a suction machine (not shown) , in order to enable the build up of a vacuum for extracting the substance out of the canister.

In Fig. 11 a cross-sectional view of a canister 10 with a nozzle 22 is shown. The first opening 22 and the second opening 30 are both arranged inside the nozzle 20. Inside the nozzle 20, covering both the first opening 22 and the second opening 30, a connector closure 36 is arranged. The connector closure 36 may receive a flange 38 of a suction machine (not shown) , in order to extract the substance out of the canister 10. The flange 38 may be screwed onto the nozzle 20. With the flange 38 fitted to the nozzle 20, the suction machine is connected to the first opening 22 and the suction lance 24 and may built up a vacuum allowing the substance to flow upwards through the suction lance 24, the first opening 22, the connector closure 36, the flange 38, towards the suction machine .

Fig. 12 shows a connector closure 36 suitable for sealing for example the second opening 30, after the canister 20 has been filled with the substance. The connector closure 36 may be pressed-on, snapped-on or screwed on the canister 10 in order to seal the opening. The connector closure 36 may only be removable with a tool, not by hand. The connector closure 36 comprises a spring 40, which applies a pressure in a movable lid of the connector closure 36. The spring 40 may be made of plastic and is supported by a spring holder 42. The movable lid comprises a sealing 44 in order to avoid any leakage of the substance.

The particular combinations of elements and features in the above detailed embodiments are exemplary only; the interchanging and substitution of these teachings with other teachings in this and the patents/applications incorporate by reference are also expressly contemplated. As those skilled in the art will recognize, variations, modifications, and other implementations of what is described herein can occur to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by the way of example only and is not intending as limiting. In the claims, the wording "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the identified article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. The inventions scope is defined in the following claims and the equivalents thereto. Furthermore, reference signs used in the description and claims do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed. List of reference numerals

10 canister

12 body

14 top part

16 side part

18 bottom part

20 nozzle

22 first opening

24 suction lance

26 upper end

28 lower end

30 second opening

32 handle

34 stacking means

36 connector closure

38 flange

40 spring

42 spring holder

44 sealing