METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING A FLUID CONNECTION TO A CONTAINER

1 . A container/fluid conduit connector assembly comprising:

a container ( 102 ) having an interior and an exterior and a container wall comprising an integral receptacle ( 104 ), the receptacle ( 104 ) comprising an opening, and an exterior sealing surface adjoining and surrounding the opening;

a fluid conduit ( 108 ) having at one end a collar, the collar affixed to the receptacle ( 104 ); and

a seal ( 106 ) placed between the receptacle ( 104 ) and the fluid conduit ( 108 ).

2 . The container/fluid conduit connector according to claim 1 , wherein the container ( 102 ) is comprised of one of: metal, plastic, ceramic, glass, rubber or composite material.

3 . The container/fluid conduit connector according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid conduit ( 108 ) is comprised of one of: metal, plastic, ceramic, glass, rubber, or composite material.

4 . The container/fluid conduit connector according to claim 1 , wherein the collar and receptacle ( 104 ) are threaded and the collar is affixed to the receptacle by threading.

5 . The container/fluid conduit connector according to claim 1 , wherein the collar is affixed to the receptacle by one or more fastener ( 110 ).

6 . The container/fluid conduit connector according to claim 1 , wherein the collar is affixed to the receptacle by one or more clamp.

7 . The container/fluid conduit connector according to claim 1 , wherein the seal ( 106 ) is one or more gasket.

8 . A container/fluid conduit connector assembly comprising:

a container ( 102 ) having an interior and an exterior and a container wall comprising an integral receptacle ( 104 ), the receptacle ( 104 ) comprising an opening, and an exterior sealing surface adjoining and surrounding the opening;

a fluid conduit ( 302 ) having a lip ( 306 ) at at least one end;

a collar ( 304 ), the collar ( 304 ) sized and fitted over the fluid conduit ( 302 ) and placed adjacent to the lip ( 306 ), the collar ( 304 ) further affixed to the receptacle ( 104 ) by one or more fastener ( 110 ); and

a seal ( 106 ) placed between the receptacle ( 104 ) and the fluid conduit ( 302 ).

9 . A method of connecting a fluid conduit ( 108 ) to a container ( 102 ), the method comprising:

providing a container ( 102 ) having an interior, an exterior and a container wall comprising an integral receptacle ( 104 ), the receptacle ( 104 ) comprising an opening and an exterior sealing surface adjoining and surrounding the opening;

providing a fluid conduit ( 108 ) having a collar at at least one end;

placing a seal ( 106 ) on the exterior sealing surface of the receptacle ( 104 );

placing the collar against the seal ( 106 ); and

affixing the collar to the receptacle ( 104 ) by one or more fastener ( 110 ).

10 . A method of connecting a fluid conduit ( 302 ) to a container ( 102 ), the method comprising:

providing a container ( 102 ) having an interior, an exterior and a container wall comprising an integral receptacle ( 104 ), said receptacle ( 104 ) comprising an opening and an exterior sealing surface adjoining and surrounding the opening;

providing a fluid conduit ( 302 ) with a lip ( 306 ) at at least one end;

providing a collar ( 304 ) sized to fit around the fluid conduit ( 302 ) and against the lip ( 306 );

placing a seal ( 106 ) on the exterior sealing surface of the receptacle ( 104 );

placing the collar ( 304 ) around the fluid conduit ( 302 ), against the lip ( 306 ) and against the seal ( 106 ); and

affixing the collar ( 304 ) to the receptacle ( 104 ) by one or more fastener ( 110 ).