FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a closing device, a connection device and a relative closing and connection system for a tank containing a liquid, for example a washing and/or disinfecting liquid. In particular, the tank can be connected to a machine for treating medical objects, for example for endoscopy, which uses such liquid for cleaning and disinfecting the aforesaid medical objects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tanks are known to contain washing and/or disinfecting liquids, such as chemical detergents, and/or natural substances which contain, or have had added, hazardous volatile substances which have disturbing or damaging factors, even serious, for the user.

In the current art, such tanks are connected to a suction organ, or device, such as a peristaltic pump or the like, of a machine for treating medical objects, for example for endoscopy. Specifically, the suction device has the function of sucking the liquid from the tank so as to make it usable for the treatment machine.

This occurs especially in the case of thermolabile medicinal objects, i.e., which cannot be subjected to high temperatures for their disinfection, such as endoscopes; in fact, their cleaning and disinfection occurs at a substantially low temperature, in the order of a few tens of degrees, by means of chemical treatments, thus using the aforesaid liquid present in such a tank. For example, a disinfection liquid widely used in this specific case is peracetic acid, which, however, is particularly irritating from the olfactory point of view and, in the event of contact with the skin, can cause serious cutaneous bums for the user.

Currently, such tanks are closed with a sealing cap. During the connection operations of the tank to the treatment machine, in order to use the liquid contained therein, the user must remove the aforesaid sealing cap and couple a closing and connection device to the threaded mouth of the tank.

The known closing and connection device comprises one or more draft probes, or tubes, which are inserted into the tank to be immersed in the liquid, and a closing cap capable of coupling, by screwing, to the mouth of the tank. In turn, the closing cap is provided above with one or more coupling connectors, substantially of a universal type, which are in fluid communication with the respective draft probes and arranged to be connected with corresponding suction pipes of the suction device of the treatment machine. A disadvantage of such a closing and connection device is that during the connection operations to the treatment machine, the liquid contained in the tank remains exposed to air and/or unsuitable operations. Furthermore, the liquid can spill, escape even with a few drops and/or emit its typical vapours and odours.

In addition, when it is necessary to replace the tank, in particular when unscrewing the closing cap and removing the draft probes, there is the disadvantage that the operator is exposed to the liquid remaining inside the tank, or on the surfaces of the draft probes themselves, thus entailing all the risks and/or problems listed above.

US 5667253 A (US’253) discloses a device for connecting a delivery and return tube to the mouth of a container in which a liquid is present, in which the device comprises at least one insert provided with an external thread couplable to the internal thread of said mouth. The insert has a threaded central cavity provided with a lower part in which two holes are created, in which one of the two holes is connected below to a draft tube. A closing element having a thread adapted to cooperate with the thread of said central cavity can be associated with the insert. Said device further comprises a tube support positionable in said central cavity and provided with two internal passages which are placed in fluid communication with the two holes of the insert. The two internal passages are associated with respective connection ducts to fluidly connect the delivery and return tube to the aforesaid two holes. Furthermore, said device also comprises a locking means for locking the tube support in said central cavity, in which the locking means is provided with an external thread cooperating with the thread of said central cavity.

US 4699298 A (US ’469) discloses a connector device for connecting multiple conduits to a mouth of a container in which a liquid is present. The connector device consists of three parts, namely a main body, a tube support couplable to the latter, and a clamping bushing for clamping the tube support to the central body. The main body is provided with an external thread couplable to the internal thread of said mouth and with a threaded central cavity. The clamping bushing is in turn provided with a thread adapted to cooperate with the thread of the central cavity to clamp the tube support, which is provided with at least three holes to connect the aforesaid conduits to the mouth of the container.

The solutions disclosed in US’253 and US’469 can have the disadvantage that the external thread of the insert, or of the main body, may be more subject to wear and/or dirt, making the coupling with the mouth of the container more complicated and less secure. Furthermore, since the holes are used for the passage of liquid, there may be the disadvantage that during a suction step of the liquid, overpressures form inside the container which can lead to the collapse thereof.

EP 0194501 A2 discloses an extraction head connectable to the mouth of a container for extracting a liquid present therein. The extraction head comprises an upper part provided with first holes connected to tube fittings and a lower part provided with second holes communicating with the first holes when the two parts are associated with each other. The lower part comprises both an externally threaded lower portion which is associable with said mouth by means of an external connection element, adapted to be screwed externally to said mouth, and an externally threaded upper portion which is associable with said upper part by means of an external clamping element.

The extraction head has the disadvantage that to couple such a lower part with the mouth of the container it is necessary to use the aforesaid connection element; this means that such a coupling can be slow and very cumbersome. Furthermore, since an external connection element must be used, such a coupling may be less secure and the connection element itself may be subject to stresses which compromise the stability thereof.

There is therefore the need to perfect at least a closing and connection system for a tank containing a liquid, for example for disinfection, that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

To do this, it is necessary to solve the technical problem of creating a closing and connection system for a tank containing a liquid which prevents the operator from being exposed to such liquid both during the connection operations of the tank to the treatment machine and during the replacement operations of the tank itself.

In particular, a purpose of the present invention is to provide a closing device, a connection device and a related closing and connection system for a tank containing a liquid which allow a quick and easy coupling and connection with the suction device of the treatment machine.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a closing device, a connection device and a related closing and connection system for a tank containing a liquid which are easy and economical to manufacture.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, and to resolve the technical problem disclosed above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a closing device is created according to the present invention for hermetically closing a tank containing a liquid and having a threaded mouth.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, said closing device comprises both a first closing element configured to couple with said mouth and having draft means for intercepting said liquid and a coupling seating which is provided on the bottom with at least one suction hole in fluid communication with said suction means, and a second closing element configured to couple with said coupling seating to hermetically close said first closing element so that, in use, said tank is hermetically closed.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, said coupling seating is provided with an internal thread and, on the bottom, also with one or more ventilation holes for the internal ventilation of said tank.

Said ventilation holes have the function of allowing the ventilation of said internal chamber, so that during the suction of said liquid a vacuum is not created in said internal chamber such as to make said tank collapse and/or the latter does not expand due to the heat which develops during said suction.

Said ventilation holes have a size such as to prevent or almost totally limit the escape of the vapors of said liquid, when said second closing element is decoupled from said first closing element.

Furthermore, there are four of said ventilation holes and they are arranged peripherally with respect to said suction hole.

Said second closing element comprises a head part, a threaded part capable of cooperating and coupling with said internal thread, and a sealing element which is interposed between said head part and said threaded part and which allows to hermetically seal the junction zone with said coupling seat.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, said first closing element is provided with an internal thread capable of cooperating and coupling with a thread of said mouth.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, said first closing element and two or more circumferential fins arranged below said internal thread and configured to cooperate with an end part of said mouth, said fins being created so as to break if said first closing element is unscrewed from said mouth.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a suitably shaped insertion hole is obtained on said head part so that the unscrewing or screwing of said second closing element is possible by means of a special unlocking member having an insertion portion mating with the shape of said insertion hole.

A connection device for allowing the connection of a tank to suction means is also an object of the present invention. Said connection device comprises a central body connectable above, or to the side of, said suction means, a coupling element configured to be coupled below said central body, and a clamping element cooperating with said coupling element and configured to couple and clamp said connection device to said first closing element, thus defining a connection unit capable of ensuring a fluidic connection between said tank and said suction means.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, said central body comprises an upper part, an intermediate part configured to cooperate with a central seating of said clamping element, and a lower part which is externally provided with a lateral thread.

In said central body a connection channel is created having a first end obtained in said lower part and coaxial thereto, and a second end obtained in said upper part and connectable to at least one suction tube of said suction means. Furthermore, in said central body, close to said lower part, at least one ventilation channel is created which extends from one side to the other of said upper part.

Said coupling element comprises a hollow central part provided with an internal thread capable of cooperating and coupling with said lateral thread.

Said coupling element an interface part having a central aperture and configured to contact, in use, a bottom portion of said coupling seat. Around said central aperture there is a corresponding sealing element which protrudes with respect to said interface part. Said sealing element is positioned slightly protruding to keep the portion of said interface part outside the sealing element slightly spaced from the bottom of said coupling seat.

Inside said coupling element, close to said central aperture, a non-retum valve is axially arranged, provided at the head with a respective sealing element and having the function of preventing said liquid from escaping from said central aperture.

There is an eccentric through hole in said coupling element which, when said coupling element is coupled to said lower part, allows fluidic communication between said at least one ventilation channel and the outside. Furthermore, when said connection device is coupled to said first closing element, said eccentric hole allows the fluidic communication between said ventilation channel and said ventilation holes, thus allowing the ventilation of said internal chamber.

Furthermore, said clamping element also comprises a threaded part configured to cooperate with said internal thread of said coupling seat, and a through axial cavity which is configured to cooperate with minimum clearance with said central part to ensure an idle rotation of said clamping element with respect to said coupling element.

The present invention further relates to a connection unit for connecting said tank containing a liquid to suction means of a machine for treating objects. Said connection unit comprises said first closing element and said connection device, in which said threaded part is coupled to said coupling seating defining a circulation path for said liquid from said tank to said suction means. The present invention further relates to a closing and connection system for said tank, comprising said closing device and said connection device, in which said first closing element is selectively couplable to said second closing element or to said connection device, remaining constantly coupled to said mouth.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a containing device for a machine for treating objects, comprising said tank and said closing device, in which said closing device is solidly coupled to said mouth to hermetically close said tank.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is an axonometric and exploded view of a closing and connection system for a tank containing a liquid, according to the present invention;

- fig. 2 is an axonometric view of a closing device of the closing and connection system of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 3 is a sectional view of a closing device of fig. 2 which is coupled to a tank in a first condition;

- fig. 4 is a sectional view of a closing device of fig. 2 which is coupled to a tank in a second condition;

- fig. 5 is an axonometric and exploded view of a connection unit comprising a part of the closing device and the connection device of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 6 is a sectional view of the connection unit of fig. 5 assembled and coupled to the tank;

- fig. 7 is an axonometric view of a containing device for a machine for treating objects, in which the closing device of fig. 2 is present and coupled to the tank.

We must clarify that in the present description the phraseology and terminology used, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also as described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their function being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications. DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference to figure 1, a closing and connection system 10 according to the present invention is provided for a tank 100 containing a liquid L, for example a washing and/or disinfecting liquid L as indicated above.

The tank 100 has an internal chamber 101 (figures 3, 4 and 6) in which the liquid L is present and an upper threaded mouth 102 which protrudes with respect to the body of the tank 100 itself.

The closing and connection system 10 (fig. 1) comprises a closing device 11 for hermetically closing the mouth 102, and a connection device, or connector, 12 to allow the connection of the tank 100 to a suction device 105, for example a peristaltic pump or the like, of a machine for treating objects, not shown in the drawings. It should be noted that the suction device 105 is schematically depicted in the attached figures, as it is not part of the present invention. The connection device 12 is selectively couplable to the closing device 11 , or at least to a part thereof, along a coupling axis Y, so as to define a connection unit 13 capable of ensuring a correct fluidic connection between the tank 100 and the suction device 105.

The closing device 11 comprises a first closing element, or cap, 14 configured to coaxially couple with the mouth 102, and a second closing element, or cap, 15 configured to couple with the first closing element 14, along the coupling axis Y, to hermetically close it. Thereby, when the closing device 11 is coupled and fixed to the mouth 102 and thus to the tank 100, they define a containing device 110 which is hermetically closed (fig. 7). The first closing element 14 (figures 1 to 6) has a shape mating with the mouth 102 and comprises an internal lateral thread 16 capable of cooperating and coupling with the thread of the mouth 102, and draft means, i.e., at least one draft probe, or a tube 17, configured to intercept the liquid L by means of a draft end 18 thereof. Below the internal lateral thread 16 there is a plurality of circumferential fins 19 (fig. 5) configured to cooperate with an end part of the mouth 102 and lock the first closing element 14 to the latter when the same is fully screwed thereto, maintaining a hermetic closing of the tank 100. Specifically, the fins 19 are created so that if the first closing element 14 is attempted to be unscrewed from the mouth 102, they break, thus preventing a subsequent locking of the first closing element 14 to the mouth 102 itself. Thereby, the reuse of the tank 100 is avoided once the liquid L is exhausted, and the operator comes into contact with, or is exposed to, the liquid itself, for example if he wants to fill the tank 100 again.

The first closing element 14 comprises a recessed coupling seating 20, coaxial with the coupling axis Y and provided laterally with an internal thread 21. As can be seen in figures 2, 3 and 4, the coupling seating 20 has the function of housing the second closing element 15 to thereby form the closing device 11. According to another possible embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in figures 5 and 6, the coupling seating 20 has the function of housing a lower part of the connection device 12, thus defining a connection unit 13 for connecting the tank 100 to the suction device 105, as will be described in detail below.

The coupling seating 20 (figures 3, 4 and 6) is provided, at the bottom, with at least one central suction hole 22 and with one or more substantially peripheral ventilation holes 23.

In particular, the suction hole 22 is fluidically connected to the draft tube 17, which is fixed to the bottom of the coupling seating 20 and which, in use, i.e., when the first closing element 14 is coupled to the mouth 102, extends inside the internal chamber 101 of the tank 100. Thereby, the draft end 18 of the draft pipe 17 always remains in contact with the liquid L, allowing the latter to be withdrawn, until it is exhausted, by means of the suction device 105.

In the example provided here, there are four ventilation holes 23 and they are symmetrically arranged with each other. Specifically, the ventilation holes 23 have the function of allowing the ventilation of the internal chamber 101, so that when the suction device 105 is in operation a vacuum is not created in the internal chamber 101 such as to cause the tank 100 itself to collapse and/or that the latter does not expand due to the heat which develops during the suction of the liquid L. Advantageously, the ventilation holes 23 have a dimension such as to prevent or almost totally limit the escape of the vapors of the liquid L when the second closing element 15 is removed from the first closing element 14.

The second closing element 15 (figures 1 and 2) comprises both a circular head part 26 in which an insertion hole 27 is obtained, and a lower threaded part 29 having a smaller diameter with respect to the head part 26 and capable of cooperating and coupling with the internal thread 21 of the coupling seating 20.

Furthermore, so as to ensure a watertight coupling between the first closing element 14 and the second closing element 15, between the head part 26 and the threaded part 29 there is a slot in which a sealing element 31, for example an Ciring, is arranged, which allows to hermetically seal the junction zone with the coupling seating 20.

As can be seen in fig. 2, the insertion hole 27 is suitably shaped so that the unscrewing or screwing of the second closing element 15 is only possible by means of a special unlocking member 32 having substantially the function of a key and, therefore, capable of determining the decoupling or coupling of the second closing element 15 to the first closing element 14. Specifically, the unlocking member 32 has a lower insertion portion 33 mating with the shape of the insertion hole 27, and an upper handle portion 34. The connection device 12 (figures 1 and 5) comprises a central body 35, a coupling element 36 configured to be coupled below to the central body 35 and a rotating clamping element, or ring 37, which cooperates with the coupling element 36 and which is configured to couple and clamp the connection device 12 to the first closing element 14 by screwing it. The central body 35 (figures 5 and 6) comprises a substantially cylindrical upper part 35a configured to be connected to connection means of the suction device 105, a circular intermediate part 35b configured to cooperate with the clamping ring 37, and a lower part 35c also substantially cylindrical and configured to cooperate with the coupling element 36. It should be noted that the terms "upper" and "lower" are used considering the arrangement, in use, of the connection device 12.

The lower part 35c is externally provided with a lateral thread 38 configured to cooperate and couple with the coupling element 36.

A connection channel 39 and a ventilation channel 40 are created inside the central body 35, which are in fluidic communication with the outside. The connection channel 39 has a first end obtained in the lower part 35c, coaxially to the latter, and a second end obtained in the upper part 35. In the example provided here, the second end of the connection channel 39 is obtained on the lateral surface of the upper part 35a and is internally threaded to be connected to a suction tube

It should be noted that the suction tube 106 and the suction device 105 define the suction means of the treatment machine.

The ventilation channel 40 is created close to the lower part 35c and extends from one side to the other of the upper part 35 a. The ventilation channel 40 can be provided, at the inlet, with a filtering membrane, not depicted in the drawings, which allows the entry and/or escape of air, while hindering or filtering the passage of harmful vapors and odors of the liquid L. If necessary, at the top of the upper part 35a a small closing cap can be provided to selectively close an upper end of the ventilation channel 40.

The coupling element 36 is substantially bushing- shaped and comprises a cylindrical and hollow central part 41 which is provided with an internal thread 42 capable of cooperating and coupling with the lateral thread 38 of the lower part 35c, and an interface part 43 having a central aperture 45 and configured to cooperate, in use, i.e., when the connection device 12 and the first closing element 14 are coupled, with the bottom portion of the coupling seating 20. Thereby, when the central body 35 and the coupling element 36 are coupled to each other, they substantially define a single body cooperating with the clamping ring 37.

In use, the central aperture 45 has the function of putting the connection channel 39 in fluidic communication with the suction hole 22.

In particular, when the connection device 12 is coupled to the first closing element 14 a fluid connection is obtained between the suction hole 22 and the connection channel 39, thereby defining a circulation path for the liquid L, which by means of the suction device 105, is sucked through the draft end 18, passes into the draft tube 17, passes through the suction hole 22 and the central aperture 45, passes into the connection channel 39 and reaches the suction tube 106 of the suction device 105.

Around the central aperture 45 there is a sealing element 46, for example an Ciring, which protrudes slightly from the front surface of the interface part 43 and which has the function of ensuring, in use, a hermetic fluidic connection between the aperture 45 and the suction hole 22.

The coupling element 36 is also provided with an eccentric through hole 47 which when the coupling element 36 is coupled to said lower part 35c allows the fluidic communication between the ventilation channel 40 and the outside. Furthermore, when the connection device 12 is coupled to the first closing element 14, the eccentric hole 47 allows the fluidic communication between the ventilation channel 40 and the ventilation holes 23, thus allowing the ventilation of the internal chamber 101. It should be noted that the sealing element 46, being slightly protruding, keeps the portion of the interface part 43 outside the sealing element 46 slightly distanced from the bottom of the coupling seating 20, in the order of about 1-2 mm, so as to allow the aforesaid ventilation (fig. 6).

Furthermore, inside the coupling element 36, close to the central aperture 45, a non-return valve 49 is axially arranged (figures 5 and 6), which is provided at the head with a respective sealing element 50 and advantageously having the function of preventing the liquid L possibly present in the connection channel 39 and/or in the aforesaid suction tube 106 from escaping from the central aperture 45 and coming into contact with the operator, for example if he wants to replace the tank 100 with another.

The clamping ring 37 comprises a disc-shaped gripping part 51 provided, possibly, with external circumferential recesses to improve the grip thereof, and a lower threaded part 52 having a smaller diameter with respect to the gripping part 51 and configured to cooperate with the internal thread 21 of the coupling seating 20.

Furthermore, the clamping ring 37 has a central seating 53 configured to couple with the intermediate part 35b, and an axial through cavity 54 which is configured to cooperate with minimum clearance with the external surface of the central part 41 of the coupling element 36 to ensure an idle rotation of the clamping ring 37 with respect to the coupling element 36 and, therefore, also with respect to the central body 35 when it is coupled to the latter.

Therefore, the clamping ring 37, by means of screwing, is capable of coupling and clamping the connection device 12 to the first closing element 14, thus defining the connection unit 13. Conversely, by loosening or unscrewing the clamping ring 37, it is possible to decouple the connection device 12 from the first closing element 14.

As can be seen in fig. 5, the clamping ring 37 is kept in its position by means of the interface part 43, which has a larger circular section with respect to the central part 41 of the coupling element 36.

The central seating 53 is provided with a first sealing element 55 for sealing the junction zone with such an intermediate part 35b.

Furthermore, a slot is created between the gripping part 51 and the threaded part 52 in which there is a second sealing element 56, for example an O-ring, which allows to seal the junction zone with the coupling seating 20.

It should be noted that the fact that the clamping ring 37 is idle entails the advantage that when the connection device 12 is fixed to the first closing element 14 and the central body 35 is connected to the suction tube 106 of the suction device 105, the same central body 35 can be free to rotate, preventing any twisting or damage to such a suction tube 106 connected to the latter.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the closing and connection system 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims. It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve other equivalent forms of closing devices, connection devices and closing and connection systems for a tank containing a liquid, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.