Device for preventing "gas-lock" during the transfer of a liquid in a closed system, an arrangement containing the same and a method of use

A method for the transfer by gravity of a liquid from a first container to a second container and vice versa while preventing a "gas-lock", each of said containers having at least one aperture through which fluids matters may flow, these apertures being connectable together by first connecting means provided with channels, said containers and channels defining a closed system filled with at least one liquid and at least one gas, a first of said channels defining essentially a transfer channel for the liquid and a second of said channels defining essentially a venting channel for the gas, each of said channels having opposite ends with one end thereof substantially positioned near a portion of the first container that is close of the aperture of the first container, the end of the venting channel being provided with a device comprising:

• a hollow casing defining a reservoir of given capacity and having a lower portion and a set of three openings, said openings consisting of:
• a first opening substantially positioned at the lower portion of the hollow casing;
• a second opening positioned near a bottom of the reservoir;
• a third opening substantially positioned at the lower portion of the hollow casing,
• second connecting means adapted for connecting a corresponding end of the second channel with said second opening;
• a third channel having opposite ends, one end of said third channel being adapted to be positioned near a portion of the first container that is opposite to the aperture of the first container;
• third connecting means for connecting the end of the third channel that is opposite the one adapted to be positioned near the portion of the first container that is opposite the aperture of the first container, to the first opening;
• a gravity actuated means for selectively enabling the liquid contained in the first container to pass through said third opening;
• the capacity of the reservoir being sufficient to collect when the first container is oriented such that the third channel is positioned above the reservoir, all the liquid that may fill the third channel and allow inside the hollow casing a free passage for gas between said first and second openings;
• wherein
• when the first and the second containers are connected by first connecting means for filling purposes and said first container contains a liquid to be transferred in the second container, the first container is moved from a position located at a point lower than the second container to a position located at a point higher than the second container to pass the liquid through the aperture of the first container, the transfer channel and the aperture of the second container to fill this second container while the liquid eventually contained in the third channel is transferred into the reservoir of the device and the gas contained in the second container is vented from the second container and transferred in the first reservoir through the aperture of the second container, the venting channel and the aperture of the first container via the second opening of the device, the hollow casing, the first opening of the device and the third channel;
• when the first and the second container are connected by first connecting means for emptying purposes and said second container contains a liquid to be transferred in the first container, the first container is moved from a position located at a point higher than the second container to a position located at a point lower than the second container to pass the liquid through the aperture of the second container, the transfer channel, the aperture of the first container while the gas contained in the first container is vented from the first container and transferred in the second container through the aperture of the first container, the gravity actuated means, the third opening of the hollow casing, the hollow casing, the second opening of the hollow casing, the venting channel and the aperture of the second channel.

A method for the transfer by gravity of a liquid from a first container to a second container and vice versa, while preventing an "air-lock", each of said containers having at least one aperture through which fluids matters may flow, these apertures being connectable together by first connecting means provided with channels, said containers and channels when connected, defining a closed system filled with at least one liquid and at least air, a first of said channels defining essentially a transfer channel for the liquid and a second of said channels defining essentially a venting channel for air, each of said channels having opposite ends with one end thereof substantially positioned near a portion of the first container that is close of the aperture of the first container, the end of the venting channel being provided with a device comprising:

• a hollow casing defining a reservoir of given capacity and having a lower portion and a set of three openings, said openings consisting of:
• a first opening substantially positioned at the lower portion of the hollow casing;
• a second opening positioned near a bottom of the reservoir;
• a third opening substantially positioned at the lower portion of the hollow casing;
• second connecting means adapted for connecting a corresponding end of the second channel with said second opening;
• a third channel having opposite ends, one end of said third channel being adapted to be positioned near a portion of the first container that is opposite, to the aperture of the first container;
• third connecting means for connecting the end of the third channel that is opposite the one adapted to be positioned near the portion of the first container that is opposite the aperture of the first container, to the first opening;
• a gravity actuated check valve;
• fourth connecting means for connecting the gravity actuated check valve with respect to the third opening and for selectively enabling the liquid contained in the first container to pass through said third opening;
• the capacity of the reservoir, being sufficient to collect when, the first container is oriented such that the third channel is above the reservoir, all the liquid that may fill the third channel and allow inside the hollow casing a free passage for air between said first and second openings;
• wherein
• when the first and the second containers are connected by first connecting means for filling purposes and said first container contains a liquid to be transferred in the second container, the first container is moved from a position located at a point lower than the second container to a position located at a point higher than the second container to pass the liquid through the aperture of the first container, the transfer channel and the aperture of the second container to fill this second container while the liquid eventually contained in the third channel is transferred into the reservoir of the device and the gas contained in the second container is vented from the second container and transferred in the first reservoir through the aperture of the second container, the venting channel, the aperture of the first container, the second opening of the device, the hollow casing, the first opening of the device and the third channel;
• when the first and the second container are connected by first connecting means for emptying purposes and said second container contains a liquid to be transferred in the first container, the first container is moved from a position located at a point higher than the second container to a position located at a point lower than the second container to pass the liquid through the aperture of the second container, the transfer channel, the aperture of the first container while the gas contained in the first container is vented from the first container and transferred in the second container through the aperture of the first container, the gravity actuated check valve, the third opening of the hollow casing, the hollow casing, the second opening of the hollow casing, the venting channel and the aperture of the second channel.