The herein disclosed invention relates to an adapter for connecting a vacuum system to a container and moreover to a cap that may be comprised by such an adapter and an assembly comprising at least such a container and adapter.

The herein disclosed invention is particularly suitable to be applied to a flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC), colloquially also known as a “big bag”, “jumbo”, “super bag” or “super sack”. Such FIBCs are utilised for transporting and storing bulk materials and typically consist of a plurality of panels of a woven plastic material, which are stitched or fused together and optionally provided with a coating.

FIBCs may be utilised for storing and transporting a wide range of bulk materials and are dimensioned and configured accordingly for the bulk material they are intended to hold. These bulk materials may include perishable bulk materials, such as food items including rice, grain, flour, beans and the like. For holding such perishable bulk materials, the FIBC may comprise a closed top and be substantially air and waterproof to prevent ambient air and moisture from entering into an interior of the FIBC.

After filling a FIBC with perishable bulk material, it is generally desirable to remove at least some of the air from an interior of the FIBC prior to long term storage or transport, because remaining air may hold moisture and/or oxygen that may spoil the perishable bulk material. Removing air from the interior of the FIBC is, however, a precarious matter when one considers the relatively large dimensions of the FIBC and the fine granular structure that many perishable food items comprise.

Moreover, even a minor leakage of the FIBC may have disastrous consequences for the perishable bulk material located therein when unnoticed and left unattended for too long. Because such leakages are often difficult to identify at first glance, FIBCs holding perishable bulk materials require labour intensive, regular inspections to identify leakages before they may negatively affect the perishable bulk material.

The objective of the present invention is to provide means for applying a vacuum to a container, in particular a FIBC of the here above described type, that is improved relative to the prior-art and with which one or more of the here above described or further drawbacks is obviated or abated.

This objective is achieved with an adapter in accordance with the present invention, the adapter being configured to be arrangeable on or in a wall of a container, such as a FIBC, and configured to connect a vacuum system to said container, wherein the adapter comprises a first side configured to be directed towards an interior of the container and comprising an inlet; a second side, which is opposite the first side and configured to be directed outward relative to the interior of the container and comprising an outlet; and a passage extending between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the passage comprises a narrowing configured to cause a flow velocity at the inlet to be smaller than a flow velocity at the outlet.

The here above specified adapter advantageously decreased a flow velocity of an airflow at the inlet to be decreased relative to a flow velocity at the outlet, the airflow being generated by a vacuum system at the side of the outlet. Due to this relative decrease of flow velocity, a likelihood of granular particulars being sucked towards the inlet and inhibiting the airflow is substantially decreased. Moreover, this relative decrease in flow velocity allows for a further increase in flow velocity generated by the vacuum system. As such, air may be extracted from the container at a rate that is faster relative to airflows that can be achieved with known alternative systems not comprising a narrowing.

In preferred embodiments of an adapter according to the present invention, the narrowing is defined at least in part by a cross sectional surface area of the inlet that is enlarged relative to a cross sectional surface area of the outlet.

In further preferred embodiments of an adapter according to the present invention, the adapter further comprises an air permeable filter disposed at the inlet.

In further preferred embodiments of an adapter according to the present invention, the adapter further comprises a filter support disposed at the inlet.

In further preferred embodiments of an adapter according to the present invention, the filter support comprises a plurality of ribs extending from an outer perimeter of the inlet.

In further preferred embodiments of an adapter according to the present invention, the narrowing comprises a stepped surface and the filter support comprises a plurality of protrusions arranged on the stepped surface of the narrowing.

In further preferred embodiments of an adapter according to the present invention, the adapter moreover comprises a connector disposed at the second side of the adapter.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the adapter comprises a locking element arranged on the second side of the adapter, wherein the locking element is configured to receive a locking counter-element of a sealing cap configured to seal off the adapter.

According to certain embodiments of an adapter in accordance with the present invention, the adapter moreover comprises a sealing cap, said sealing cap comprising an elastic self-resealing septum that, when punctured by a needle-like object followed by a subsequent removal of said object, reseals a puncture caused by the needle-like object.

The self-resealing septum provides easy access, by means of the needle-like object, to the interior of the container so that an air sample may be collected therefrom without opening the container and canceling the vacuum therein. This air sample may subsequently be analysed, for example by determining the presence of moisture, to thereby determine whether the container from which the air sample has been collected contains a leakage allowing ambient air to enter therein.

According to certain embodiments of an adapter in accordance with the present invention, the sealing cap comprises a sensor configured to detect moisture or humidity in the interior of the container. Such a sensor may be applied in place of the here above described self-resealing septum or applied in conjunction therewith.

In further embodiments of such a sensor, the sensor may be configured to determine/sense air composition, temperature or oxygen level, or any combination thereof.

According to certain embodiments of an adapter in accordance with the present invention, the adapter moreover comprises a sealing cap and the connector of the adapter is embodied by an internal screw thread, wherein the sealing cap comprises the locking counter-element, and the locking counter-element extends in a tightening direction of the connector to be received by the locking element.

The above stated objective is moreover achieved with a sealing cap as specified above.

In the following description preferred embodiments of the present invention are further elucidated with reference to the drawing, in which:

Figure 1A depicts an assembly in accordance with the present invention prior to extraction of air;

Figure IB depicts the assembly of Figure 1A post extraction of air;

Figure 2A depicts a first perspective view of an embodiment of an adapter in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2B depicts a second perspective view of the adapter depicted in Figure 2A;

Figure 3 depicts a perspective view of a further embodiment of an adapter according to the present invention;

Figure 4 depicts a perspective view of a sealing cap comprised by an adapter in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 5 depicts an intermediate element;

Figure 6 illustrates an adapter according to the present invention in an operating state;

Figure 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an intermediate element according to the present invention; and

Figure 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a sealing cap according to the present invention.

Figures 1A and IB show an assembly comprising a container 100 containing granular matter or particulars 200. Container 100 may be an FIBC and comprises an adapter 1 fluidly connecting container 100 to a vacuum system 300 with tubing for the extraction of air from the interior of container 100. Container 100 is preferably double-sided comprising an interior container and exterior container of approximately equal dimensions, wherein at least the former is substantially airtight having adapter 1 connected thereto as described below.

Figure 1A depicts a state of container 100 prior to, or at least before the completion of, the extraction of air therefrom. In contrast, Figure IB depicts a state of container 100 wherein the extraction of air has been completed or has nearly been completed, resulting in a volume of container 100 in this state being decreased relative to the state of container 100 depicted in Figure 1A.

In Figure 2A and 2B, an adapter 1 comprises a first side 2 and an opposing second side 3. The adapter 1 is configured to be arranged on a wall of container 100 of Figure 1 and aligned with an appropriately dimensioned opening in the wall of container 100. The adapter 1 may be arranged at an interior or exterior side of the container, or alternatively arranged within the opening in the wall of said container, so that said wall is arranged partially within a groove between first side 2 and second side 3. Second side 3 is configured to be oriented away from the interior of a container so that it may be connected to vacuum system 300.

In the depicted embodiment adapter 1 moreover comprises a circular shape and comprises on its first side 2, which is configured to be oriented towards the interior of the container 100, an inlet 4 for an intake of an airflow. On the opposite second side 3, adapter 1 comprises an outlet 5. Inlet 4 and outlet 5 are mutually fluidly connected to thereby define a passage extending between inlet 4 and outlet 5 to allow for an air flow to flow there through from inlet 4 to outlet 5.

Inlet 4 is over dimensioned relative to outlet 5, so that inlet 4 comprises a cross sectional area that is larger than a cross sectional area of outlet 5. The passage extending between inlet 4 and outlet 5 may therefore be at least partially defined by this size difference between inlet 4 and outlet 5.

In certain non-depicted embodiments of adapter 1, a cross sectional dimension of the passage may gradually decrease in a flow direction from inlet 4 to outlet 5, to thereby define a narrowing in the passage. However, in the illustrated embodiments the adapter 1 comprises a narrowing 6 that is stepped and narrows the passage relatively abruptly.

During an extraction of air from an interior of container 100 to which adapter 1 is applied, a total airflow passing into inlet 4 and through the passage comprising narrowing 6 and outlet 5 is constant. However, due to the presence of narrowing 6 a flow velocity of this airflow at inlet 4 is decreased relative to a flow velocity at outlet 5. This advantageously decreases the likelihood of granular particulars 200 being sucked into inlet 4, where they may clog the passage or even eventually pass into the tubing or vacuum system 300, which would inhibit the extraction of air from container 100.

Referring now to Figure 3, the adapter 1 may moreover comprise an air permeable filter 8 arranged at inlet 4. The air permeable filter 8 comprises a circular shape substantially corresponding to the cross sectional area of inlet 4. The air permeable filter 8 comprises a plurality of perforations or passageways configured to not substantially or at least minimally inhibit an air flow flowing into inlet 4, through the passage and outlet 5, while simultaneously preventing granular material 200 passing there through.

Exemplary embodiments of an air permeable filter 8 include a perforated rigid body and a body consisting of a flexible or pliable material with air permeable passageways extending there through, such as a sponge-like material.

While both air permeable filter 8 and narrowing 6 may alternatively be applied to prevent granular matter 200 from entering inlet 4, more preferred embodiments of adapter 1 nevertheless comprise both of these components. In these embodiments, the entering of granular matter into inlet 4 is prevented by means of the air permeable filter 8; and an accumulation of this granular matter on a surface area of air permeable filter 8 - which may partially or fully inhibit the flow of air into inlet 4 - is moreover prevented due to the relatively decreased flow velocity at inlet 4 as a result of narrowing 6 being disposed in the passage.

Referring now again to Figure 2A, the adapter 1 moreover comprises a filter support 7. Filter support 7 comprises a plurality of first filter support elements 7’ and second filter support elements 7”. In the depicted embodiment, first filter support elements 7’ are embodied as a plurality of radially arranged first ribs extending from an outer perimeter of inlet 4 towards a central section of the cross sectional area of inlet 4, at which central section the first filter support elements 7’ are interconnected by of a centrally arranged ring.

In embodiments of adapter 1 comprising air permeable filter 8 - and in particular in embodiments wherein the air permeable filter 8 exhibits flexibility or pliability - the plurality of filter support elements 7’ may collectively function as a support that prevents the air permeable filter 8 being dislodged by the air flow, and possibly being sucked into inlet 4.

Still referring to Figure 2A, filter support 7 moreover comprises second filter support elements 7” that, in the depicted embodiment, are embodied as a plurality of radially arranged second ribs. Each one of second filter support elements 7” likewise extends from an outer perimeter of inlet 4, over a frontal surface of stepped narrowing 6, towards the centre of the cross sectional area of inlet 4. Second filter support elements 7”moreover comprise a length which is shorter than the lengths of first filter support elements 7’, so that said second filter support elements 7” do not overlap with a most constricted section of the passage defined by narrowing 6 as do first filter support elements 7’.

Second filter support elements 7” are configured to support air permeable filter 8 to ensure an uninhibited airflow in conjunction with first filter support elements 7’. In particular, second filter support elements 7” prevent air permeable filter 8 being displaced and compressed - whether or not with granular matter - against the stepped surface of narrowing 6, which would cancel out the here above described advantageous effects of narrowing 6.

It is emphasised here that the illustrated embodiments of first filter support elements 7’ and second filter support elements 7” are merely exemplary in nature; and that the skilled person may conceive alternative designs for these components while retaining their function. Second filter support elements 7” may alternatively comprise other protruding shapes. Nevertheless, embodiments wherein first and second filter support elements 7’, 7” are embodied as ribs are considered to be more advantageous, because such ribs may additionally function as reinforcement ribs contributing to the overall rigidity and durability of adapter 1.

With reference to Figure 2B, second side 3 of adapter moreover comprises a connector 17 for connecting container 100 to the vacuum system 300 of Figure 1 and/or for sealing off adapter 1 by means of a sealing cap 12 according to the present disclosure, which will be elucidated below with reference to Figure 4 - 6. Connector 17 comprises a flange extending around an outer perimeter of outlet 5 and outward relative to adapter 1 with a screw thread on its exterior surface for establishing the actual connection.

Moreover, arranged adjacent to connector 17 there is disposed a locking element 11, which is embodied as an eye and configured to receive a locking counter-element 13 of a sealing cap 12 configured to seal off adapter 1. Said sealing cap 12 and the operation of locking element 11 will be elucidated further with reference to Figures 4 and 6.

Figure 4 shows an exterior of exemplary embodiment of a sealing cap 12 in accordance with the present invention. Sealing cap 12 comprises a concave circular body with an internal screw thread for connecting sealing cap 12 to adapter 1 to thereby seal off adapter 1.

Sealing cap 12 moreover comprises, at its outer perimeter, a locking counter-element 13. Locking counter-element 13 comprises an elongate shape that extends from a connection point to sealing cap 12 along an outer perimeter of sealing cap 12 in a rotary direction for tightening sealing cap 12.

At an extremity of opposite the connection point with sealing cap 12, locking counterelement 13 comprises an enlarged section 14 that is over dimensioned relative to locking element 11 at second side 3 of adapter 1, so that locking element 11 retains locking counter-element 13 when sealing cap 12 is removed from the first side 2 of adapter 1.

Locking counter-element 13 moreover comprises a recess 15 configured to receive at least part of locking element 11. In the depicted embodiment, recess 15 is arranged adjacent to the connection point of locking counter-element 13 to sealing cap 12.

Figure 6 depicts a state of adapter 1 wherein sealing cap 12, by means of its internal screw thread, is screwed onto the screw thread of connector 17. As is illustrated in this figure, elongate locking counter-element 13 is received in locking element 11 and a section of locking element is received by recess 15 of elongate locking counter-element 13.

Elongate locking counter-element 13 may exhibit flexibility so that locking counterelement 13 may be pulled in an outward direction away from sealing cap 12 and adapter 1, thereby facilitating easy removal of sealing cap 12 by a user.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, connector 17 and the (not depicted) internal screw thread of sealing cap 12 are configured such that sealing cap 12 may be removed from connector 17 by twisting sealing cap 12 approximately 90 degrees in a loosening rotary direction of sealing cap 12. In this embodiment, elongate locking counter-element 13 comprises a length extending around approximately a quarter of the outer perimeter of sealing cap 12, so that said length essentially corresponds to the 90 degree twist required for the removal of sealing cap 12.

The skilled person will acknowledge that sealing cap 12 may alternatively be configured such that it can be removed from connector 17 by twisting sealing cap 12 by approximately 180 degrees, wherein the length of elongate locking counter-element comprises a corresponding length extending around approximately half of the outer perimeter of sealing cap 12. Yet further twist angles for loosening of sealing cap 12 and corresponding lengths of elongate counter-locking element 13 are likewise conceivable.

Figure 5 illustrates an intermediate element 9 arrangeable between connector outlet 5 and sealing cap 12 in the operating depicted in Figure 6. In the depicted embodiment, intermediate element 9 comprises a sealing section 19 dimensioned to fit in or onto outlet 5 to thereby close off outlet 5.

To ensure an airtight seal between outlet 5 and intermediate element 9, intermediate element 9 comprises a sealing ring 10 extending along an outer perimeter of intermediate element 9. Sealing ring 10 is configured to ensure an airtight seal between outlet 5 and intermediate element 9 and may moreover comprise a rubber-like material for this purpose. As such, intermediate element 9 prevents air from entering into container 100 even when sealing cap 12 is disconnected from connector 17.

Intermediate element 9 moreover comprises two through holes 18 for determining a presence of a leakage of container 100 to which adapter 1 is applied.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, a through hole 18 may comprise a self-resealing septum or diaphragm (not depicted) for collecting an air sample. Such a self-resealing septum may be configured to be penetrated by a hollow needle or similar object to collect a sample of air or gas present within container 100 to which adapter 1 is applied. Due to its self-resealing properties, this self-resealing septum will reseal itself after subsequent removal of the needle to thereby fully close off the through hole 18 in which it is arranged. The here above described self-resealing septum of adapter 1 enables an efficient and relatively easy method for collecting a sample for subsequent analysis. Because such a method only involves access to through hole 18, wherein intermediate element 9 may remain in place on or within outlet 5 of adapter 1, the vacuum present within container 100 may be maintained.

This collected sample may subsequently be tested for the presence of gaseous matter indicative of a leak of container 100 using one of various analysis apparatuses known in the art. Preferably, this analysis may involve determining the presence of moisture or humidity that entered into an interior of container 100 as a result of a leak of container 100. Alternatively, the sample may be analysed to determine the presence of various other gaseous chemicals normally present in ambient air and therefore indicative of a leak, or even further gaseous chemicals that have been purposefully released into a space in which container 100 is present and will seep into any leaking container.

In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, the self-resealing septum comprises a polymer material, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer. Such a septum may be punctured and resealed as described above multiple times over the course of its lifespan

In addition or alternatively to the here above described self-resealing septum, a sensor (not depicted) configured to directly detect matter indicative of a leakage may be arranged within at least one of through holes 18. Such a sensor may be configured to sense the presence of moisture, humidity or one of the other types of the other types of gaseous matter indicative of a leakage described here above. The sensor may be electrically connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) for controlling the sensor, a battery for supplying power to the sensor and the PCB, an antenna for enabling communication of the sensor or PCB with an external apparatus, and an indicator configured to indicate a detection result of the sensor.

The indicator preferably comprises a light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED), arranged on intermediate element 9. In preferred embodiments, sealing cap 12 comprises a translucent window (not shown) on its exterior surface configured to transmit light emitted by the indicator. In these embodiments, a detection result of the sensor may easily be read without first requiring the removal of sealing cap 12.

In more preferred embodiments, there is moreover provided a light guide extending from the indicator arranged on intermediate element 9 toward the translucent window of sealing cap 12, wherein said light guide is configured to guide light emitted by the indicator towards said translucent window. Said light guide may comprise a translucent material, such as glass or certain polymers.

The here above described sensor may moreover be communicatively connected by means of the antenna to an external management system configured to remotely and periodically collect detection results of the sensor in an automated manner. The present invention may moreover relate to an assembly comprising a container 100 and an adapter 1.

Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the intermediate element 9 of Figure 5. In Figure 5, the overall construction of intermediate element 9’ is further simplified resulting in a decreased vertical dimension relative to the embodiment depicted in foregoing figures. Specifically, intermediate element 9’ comprises a substantially circular body configured to be placed on or within outlet 5 of adapter 1. Intermediate element 9 ’preferably comprises a material exhibiting at least some degree of elasticity for establishing an airtight seal, such as a rubber-like material.

Intermediate element 9’ comprises a through hole 18’ arranged approximately at the center of intermediate element 9’. Through hole 18’ comprises and is closed off by, the here above described self-resealing septum, thereby making it possible to collect an air sample without removal of intermediate element 9 ’and while maintaining any vacuum present within the interior of container 100.

Figure 8 depicts a further embodiment of a sealing cap 12’ in accordance with the present invention. Sealing cap 12’ is configured to be arranged on the intermediate element 9’ of Figure 7 and thus comprises a decreased vertical dimension relative to the embodiments of sealing cap 12 of foregoing figures. Sealing cap 12’ likewise comprises an locking counter-element 13’ having an enlarged section 14’and a recess 15’, all of which are equivalent to counter-element 13, enlarged section 14 and recess 15 described here above with reference to Figure 4.

Sealing cap 12’ moreover comprises an access 20 for providing access to the aforementioned self-sealing septum disposed on or within through hole 18 ’of intermediate element 9’ . Access 20 is embodied as a through hole appropriately dimensioned to receive, for example, a needle for collecting an air sample from an interior of container 100 as described here above. Access 20 is preferably arranged at or near a center of sealing cap 12’ so that access 20 is aligned with through hole 18’ of intermediate element 9’ in an assembled state of adapter 1, intermediate element 9’ and sealing cap 12’. As such, an air sample may be collected from the interior of container 100 without necessitating the removal of sealing cap 12’ in the here above described manner.

It is further noted here that while Figure 7 and Figure 8 illustrate alternative embodiments of intermediate element 9 and sealing cap 12 of foregoing figures, these embodiments of intermediate element 9’ and sealing cap 12’ are nevertheless configured to be utilised in conjuction with any one of the here above described embodiments of adapter 1.

While the here above described exemplary embodiments of the present invention are configured to extract air from an interior of a container to thereby to apply a vacuum to said interior of said container, it is noted here that alternatively this air may be exchanged with a (mixture of) gas not comprising moisture or oxygen, such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide.

The present disclosure provides an adapter configured to be arrangeable on or in a wall of a container and configured to connect a vacuum system to said container; and a sealing cap that may be comprised by such an adapter. The invention presently disclosed may be intended as an improved substitute for known alternative means for connecting a vacuum system to a container and/or techniques for determining the presence of a leakage in such a container. It is noted here that the scope of protection for the developments described in the present disclosure are by no means limited to any particular feature of the embodiments described above and illustrated in the appended drawing. The scope of protection is exclusively determined based on the limitations of the appended independent claims, but may, in some jurisdictions, even encompass obvious alternatives for features in the independent claims. Other variations for specifically described elements, components and functionalities, that may also be embodied within the scope of the appended claims of the present disclosure, have been at least hinted at in the above embodiment description or the skilled person may be considered to be able to contemplate these variations within the range of this skilled person’s general knowledge. This exemplary reference to alternative embodiments substantiates that any limitation to any specific feature, that is not defined as a limitation in the independent claims, is unwarranted.