Patent · US Expired

Vacuum adapter for maintaining fluid in a vessel

US6234188A · kind A · utility

1Cited by
26References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 18, 1999
Grant dateMay 22, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 18, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/86823
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An adapter for connection to an opening in a fluid containing vessel for applying a vacuum to the interior of the vessel is provided. The adapter includes at least partially concentrically disposed outer and inner sleeves, each having a generally conical shape and a generally radially extending opening in a side wall thereof. The inner and outer sleeves are rotatable relative to each other such that the extent to which the openings in the side walls of the inner sleeve and outer sleeve are aligned can be selectively adjusted. The inner and outer sleeves define a passage through the adapter extending from a proximal opening at a proximal end to a distal opening at a distal end of the adapter. The proximal end of the adapter is configured for connection to a vacuum source and the distal end is configured for insertion in and to sealingly engage the edge of the opening in the vessel.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.