# US 12,008,855 B2 · Fluid filling station > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,008,855 B2 - Document ID: US12008855B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/671,316 - Filed: 2022-02-14 - Published: 2022-12-29 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-23 - Assignees: Fountain Master, LLC - Applicants: Fountain Master, LLC - Inventors: Francis X. Tansey, Jr.; Gwenivere R. Tansey; Joseph F. Tansey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12008855B2 ## CPC - G07F 13/10: with associated dispensing of containers, e.g. cups or other articles - B65B 3/04: Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles - B65B 3/10: by application of pressure to material (by screw-type feeders B65B3/08) - B65B 31/00: Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers - G07F 13/04: by weight - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) ## Abstract A fluid filling station which has a supply tank, filter, transfer pump, a high pressure valve, an optional flow meter, a pressure relief valve, at least one muffler, a filling head, a control module, a purge head, cylinder dispensing mechanism, and its method of use are provided for. This fluid filling station is capable of refilling many types of fluids, but is preferably for the use with carbon dioxide. Additionally, this station is capable of housing and dispensing prefilled refillable fluid containers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fluid filling station, comprising: a supply tank configured to supply a fluid to a filling head via at least one length of tubing; a holder shaped to receive a refillable fluid container; and a lift mechanism capable of bringing the refillable fluid container into fluid communication with the filling head in a manner where the refillable fluid container is capable of receiving fluid from the supply tank. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fluid filling station of claim 1, wherein the refillable fluid container comprises a cylinder constructed of aluminum. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fluid filling station of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises liquid carbon dioxide. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fluid filling station of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises a gripper capable of securing the refillable fluid container in the holder. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fluid filling station of claim 1, wherein the purge head comprises a plunger capable of depressing the purge valve to purge fluid within the refillable fluid container. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The fluid filling station of claim 5, further comprising a plunger lift mechanism capable of raising the plunger to depress the purge valve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The fluid filling station of claim 5, further comprising a plunger lift mechanism capable of raising the plunger to a purging position where the purge valve is depressed and subsequently lowering the plunger to complete the purging position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The fluid filling station of claim 7, wherein the lift mechanism, subsequent to the plunger lift mechanism lowering the plunger to complete the purging position, is capable of bringing a valve disposed on a top of the refillable fluid container into fluid communication with the filling head. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The fluid filling station of claim 8, further comprising a control module capable of being in communication with a fluid level sensor of the refillable fluid container to control filling of the refillable fluid container. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The fluid filling station of claim 1, wherein the purge valve interfaces with the refillable fluid container via a threaded connection. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The fluid filling station of claim 1, further comprising a muffler in fluid communication with the purge head. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The fluid filling station of claim 1, wherein the refillable fluid container comprises: a valve disposed on a top of the refillable fluid container capable of engaging with the filling head; and a purge valve disposed on a bottom of the refillable fluid container capable of engaging with a purge head of the holder. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The fluid filling station of claim 1, wherein the filling head comprises a sleeve actuated connector. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The fluid filling station of claim 1, further comprising a solenoid valve in fluid communication with the supply tank and the filling head.