# US 10,131,486 B2 · Can tap > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,131,486 B2 - Document ID: US10131486B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/417,443 - Filed: 2013-04-12 - Published: 2015-07-23 - Granted: 2018-11-20 - Earliest claimed: 2012-07-27 - Assignees: The Chemours Company Fc, LLC - Applicants: Chemours Company Fc LLC - Inventors: Mary E Koban; Stephen James Ferraioli; Lewis Robert Jewell; Anthony F. Stasio; Roderic Nathan Uphaus - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10131486B2 ## CPC - B65D 83/164: {Actuators comprising a manually operated valve and being attachable to the aerosol container, e.g. downstream a valve fitted to the container; Actuators associated to container valves with valve seats located outside the aerosol container} - F16K 1/02: with screw-spindle (F16K1/12 - F16K1/28 take precedence; actuating mechanisms with screw-spindles F16K31/50) - F16K 1/04: with a cut-off member rigid with the spindle, e.g. main valves - F16K 1/303: {with a valve member, e.g. stem or shaft, passing through the seat} - F17C 13/04: Arrangement or mounting of valves (valves per se F16K {; snap-coupling of nipples F16L37/00}) - F25B 45/00: Arrangements for charging or discharging refrigerant - Y10T 137/6133: Combined rotary and longitudinal movement of valve - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - F17C: VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES (storing fluids in natural or artificial cavities or chambers in the earth B65G5/00; construction or assembling of bulk storage containers employing civil-engineering techniques E04H7/00; variable-capacity gas-holders F17B; liquefaction or refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25) - F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Disclosed are can taps for dispensing fluids from containers. The can tap has a housing with an inlet and an outlet, and a pin. The pin has a flow portion in fluidic communication with the inlet and the outlet of the housing. The pin may have a blunt depressor capable of operating a valve on the container. The flow portion of the pin allows fluid to flow between the housing and the pin. The can tap may have a gasket comprising a material having a hardness that prevents deformation of the container. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A can and tap system for dispensing refrigerants comprising: a can tap comprising: a housing having a body, a lower end having an inlet, an upper end having an outlet, a throat between the lower end and the upper end; a pin located within the housing having an upper end secured to the housing body, a lower end having a blunt depressor suitable for contact with a can having a top in which is positioned a self-sealing valve, wherein the blunt depressor is capable of operating the valve of the can, and a flow portion between the upper end and the lower end of the pin located within the housing throat wherein the flow portion allows fluid to flow between the housing and the pin wherein the pin has a rotatable handle and a gasket mounted around the pin maintaining a fluid-tight engagement between the pin and housing and the pin further comprises a pin limiter having at least one shoulder and the housing further comprises a stop positioned along a housing throat at the housing inlet wherein the at least one shoulder and the stop are sized such that the at least one shoulder contacts the stop to limit a distance the pin can descend when the pin is engaged; a gasket positioned adjacent to the housing at the housing inlet and further positioned so as to be capable of contacting a can when the tap is affixed to a can; a tap outlet in fluid communication with the housing outlet at the upper end of the housing; and wherein the can tap has a threaded portion which is affixed to a can through a threaded portion of the top of the can, wherein the can has an upraised crown with an opening through which depressor of the pin can pass, wherein the valve has an o-ring seal which seals the top of the valve and a plug which presses against the o-ring seal; and wherein the can and tap assembly can be attached and detached from a can. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The can and tap system of claim 1, wherein the flow portion of the pin has a dimension in a first direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin that is greater than a dimension in a second direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The can and tap system of claim 2, wherein the flow portion of the pin has a dimension in a first direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin that is at least twice as great as a dimension in a second direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The can and tap system of claim 3 wherein the first direction is rotated 90 degrees from the second direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The can and tap system of claim 2, wherein the flow portion has a flattened surface that allows fluid to pass over the flattened surface between the flow portion and the housing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The can and tap system of claim 1, wherein the flow portion is rotationally symmetrical around the central axis of the pin. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The can and tap system of claim 6 wherein the flow portion is cylindrical. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The can and tap system of claim 1 wherein at least part of the flow portion has a dimension in a first direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin that is greater than a dimension in a second direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin and at least part of the flow portion is rotationally symmetrical around the central axis of the pin. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The can and tap system of claim 8 wherein at least part of the flow portion has a flattened surface and at least part of the flow portion is cylindrical. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The can and tap system of claim 1, wherein the gasket comprises an elastic material that at least partially but not completely compresses when the can tap is placed on the can. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The can and tap system of claim 1, wherein the can tap is capable of delivering a constant flow rate of at least 2.0 g/sec when the can has a starting pressure of 662 kPa (96 psia). ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The can and tap system of claim 1, wherein the depressor has a blunt surface for contacting with a valve of a can. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The can and tap system of claim 12, wherein the blunt surface of the depressor is flat, curved, faceted, or dully pointed. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12, 13) The can and tap system of claim 12 or 13 wherein the depressor has straight sides. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12, 13) The can and tap system of claim 12 or 13 wherein the depressor has curved sides. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The can and tap assembly of claim 1 wherein the can is an internal spring-actuated plug self-sealing can. ### Claim 17 A can tap for dispensing refrigerants from pressurized containers comprising: a housing having a body, a lower end having an inlet, an upper end having an outlet, a throat between the lower end and the upper end; a pin located within the housing having an upper end secured to the housing body, a lower end having a blunt depressor suitable for contact with a can having a top in which is positioned a self-sealing valve, wherein the blunt depressor is capable of operating the valve of the can, and a flow portion between the upper end and the lower end of the pin located within the housing throat wherein the flow portion allows fluid to flow between the housing and the pin and wherein the flow portion is in fluid communication with the housing inlet and the housing outlet; and a tap outlet in fluid communication with the housing outlet at the upper end of the housing; and a gasket positioned adjacent to the housing at or near the housing inlet, wherein the gasket comprises a material having a hardness ranging 80 durometers to 90 durometers; wherein the can tap has a threaded portion which is affixed to a can through a threaded portion of the top of the can, wherein the can has an upraised crown with an opening through which depressor of the pin can pass, wherein the valve has an o-ring seal which seals the top of the valve and a plug which presses against the o-ring seal; wherein the can tap can be attached and detached from a can; and wherein the pressurized container is an internal spring-actuated plug self-sealing can. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The can tap of claim 17, wherein the flow portion of the pin has a dimension in a first direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin that is greater than a dimension in a second direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The can tap of claim 18, wherein the flow portion has a flattened surface that allows fluid to pass over the flattened surface between the flow portion and the housing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The can tap of claim 17, wherein the flow portion is rotationally symmetrical around the central axis of the pin. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The can tap of claim 17, wherein the pin has a pin limiter positioned along the flow portion of the pin for limiting the distance the pin may descend when the pin is engaged. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The can tap of claim 21, wherein the pin limiter is at least one shoulder and the housing further comprises a stop positioned along the housing throat at or near the housing inlet wherein the at least one shoulder and the stop are sized such that the at least one shoulder contacts the stop to limit a distance the pin can descend when the pin is engaged.