# US 2013/0153084 A1 · System and compact method of bottling gas

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- Number: US 2013/0153084 A1
- Document ID: US20130153084A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/817,443
- Filed: 2010-11-22
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2010-08-20
- Inventors: Daniel Camilotti; Flavio Camilotti
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153084A1

## CPC

- B65B 3/30: by volumetric measurement
- B65B 31/003: {Adding propellants in fluid form to aerosol containers (in solid form B65B31/10)}
- B65B 31/025: {specially adapted for rigid or semi-rigid containers (B65B31/021, B65B31/022 take precedence)}
- B65B 31/047: {the nozzles co-operating with a check valve in the opening of the container or wrapper}
- F17C 6/00: Methods and apparatus for filling vessels not under pressure with liquefied or solidified gases
- F17C 9/00: Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure
- F17C 2201/0109: with exteriorly curved end-piece
- F17C 2201/032: with substantially vertical main axis
- F17C 2201/035: with substantially horizontal main axis
- F17C 2201/054: medium (>1 m3)
- F17C 2201/058: portable (<30 l)
- F17C 2205/0111: Boxes
- F17C 2205/0126: One vessel
- F17C 2205/013: Two or more vessels
- F17C 2205/0165: with handgrip
- F17C 2205/018: Supporting feet
- F17C 2205/0308: Protective caps
- F17C 2205/0326: electrically actuated
- F17C 2221/035: Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
- F17C 2223/0153: Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
- F17C 2223/033: Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
- F17C 2225/0153: Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
- F17C 2225/033: Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
- F17C 2227/0142: with specified pump type, e.g. piston or impulsive type
- F17C 2227/047: by repeating a process cycle
- F17C 2250/032: using computers
- F17C 2250/0421: Mass or weight of the content of the vessel
- F17C 2250/043: Pressure
- F17C 2250/0439: Temperature
- F17C 2260/024: Improving metering
- F17C 2265/06: Fluid distribution
- F17C 2270/0134: placed above the ground
- F17C 2270/0171: Trucks
- F17C 2270/0745: Gas bottles
- 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)
- 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)

## Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and compact method of bottling gas (1), that can be installed in any the retail sales establishment to bottle cylinders (3) directly to the consumer, or in vehicles to bottle the cylinders (3) in the residences where they are consumed, the compact system of bottling gas (1) comprising a device for transfer of gas, from a reservoir (2) to gas cylinders (3) located in closed compartments (4), allowing the consumer a choice of quantity of gas and further eliminating the inconveniences of exchanging the cylinder (3) or its transport to remote locations for refill.

## Claims

### Claim 1

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS characterized by the fact that it comprises a gas reservoir (2) for the filling of gas cylinders (3); at least one compartment (4) that comprises a cradle (13) in its base to accommodate a cylinder (3); under the cradle (13), a weight measurement system (12); the compartment (4) is closed by a door (6) equipped with a connection means (8); the compartment (4) further comprises a fast coupler (9) and its retractable support (10), a gas hose (15) that connects the reservoir (2) to the coupler (9), the said fast coupler (9) being able to be coupled to a connecting assembly (7) with safety valve already incorporated in the cylinder (3); a gas transfer device located in the hose (15) transferring the gas from the reservoir (2) to the cylinder (3); and a bottling control panel (5) for each compartment (4), that comprises a processing and management unit, and an loaded program that manages the operation of the components of system (1).

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that the cradle (13) incorporates a box (40), in whose upper surface is fastened the said retractable support (10) of the fast coupler (9), centered with the cradle (13), the cradle (13) being a groove recess of the cylinder (3).

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that the weight measurement system (12) is a scale equipped with load cell.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that it comprises a pressure sensor between the output of the reservoir (2) and the coupler (9), that it sends a signal of its value to the bottling control program.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with claim 4, characterized by the fact that the said pressure sensor is located in the coupler (9).

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that transfer of the gas from the reservoir (2) fo the cylinder (3) is carried out by a device chosen between a pump or a dosing device.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that it comprises a counterflow valve in the hose (15).

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that the compartment (4) comprises vents (14).

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that the control panel (5) comprises digital displays (50) for visualization of the initial weight data of the cylinder (3), chosen refill value; termination of the refill procedure; pressure limit reached; and maximum load reached.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that the mentioned program manages various functions, at least the movement of the connection of the coupler (9) in the connecting assembly (7); the weight measurement of the cylinder (3) upon being located in the compartment (4); the weight measurement of the cylinder (3) upon being bottled; the choice of a quantity of gas to bottle; and notification of the gas limit in the cylinder (3).

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that it comprises a sensor of the presence of non-coupling associated with the coupler (9), of partial coupling or disarrangement of the fast coupler (9) in relation to the connecting assembly (7), whose signal is sent to the bottling control program, for cancellation of the refill.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that the compartment (4) is fastened on a base structure, particularly in the form of vertical rods (41).

### Claim 13 (depends on 6)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with claim 6, characterized by the fact that it comprises a dosing device (D) for the transfer of gas from the reservoir (2) to the cylinder (3), of a form similar to a syringe, the said dosing device (D) equipped with a hollow body (D2), a piston (D3) inserted in the body (D2) and movable along it; the said body (D2) equipped with a gas input (D4) and output (D5), the input (D4) being connected to the reservoir (2), and the output (D5) connected to the hose (15), so that, on moving the piston (D3) in the direction opposite to the input (D4) of the body (D2), an internal chamber (D6) is formed that is filled with gas from the input (D4); the said chamber (D6) is emptied on moving the piston (D3) in the direction of the input (D4) of the body (D2), expelling the gas through the output (D5), which proceeds through the hose (15) to the cylinder (3); the dosing device (D) also comprises two anti-return valves (D8, D9) installed in the gas input (D4) and output (D5), respectively; the valve (D8) allows the passage of gas from the reservoir (2) to the chamber (D6), whereas the valve (D9) allows the output of gas from the chamber (D6).

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with claim 13, characterized by the fact that the dosing device (D) comprises temperature sensors, arranged in the body (D2), and position sensor (D1) of the piston (D3), the said sensors communicating with the mentioned program loaded in the processing and management unit of the panel (5) of the system (1), that receives and processes the information from the mentioned sensors.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with claim 13, characterized by the fact that the piston (D3) is moved by a pump that injects or withdraws fluid, through the opening (D11), from the chamber (D7) of the body (D2).

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with claim 13, characterized by the fact that the piston (D3) is moved by a plunger (D12) whose rod (D13) is connected to the piston (D3), promoting its backward or forward movement in the body (D2).

### Claim 17 (depends on 13, 14, 15, 16)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with any one of the claims 13 to 16, characterized by the fact that it comprises a spring in the chamber (D6) that pushes the piston (D3) in the direction opposite to the input (D4) of the body (D2).

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with claim 14, characterized by the fact that the position sensor (D1) is located in the piston (D3), the rod (D13) of the plunger (D12), or in the body (D2).

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with any one of the claims 13 the 18, characterized by the fact that the dosing device (D) is located outside the reservoir (2).

### Claim 20 (depends on 13)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with any one of the claims 13 the 18, characterized by the fact that it is located inside the reservoir (2).

### Claim 21 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 19, characterized by the fact that the hose (15) is thermally insulated.

### Claim 22 (depends on 1)

COMPACT SYSTEM OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that the hose (D10) comprises a coil.

### Claim 23 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)

METHOD OF BOTTLING GAS that uses the system (1) of any one of the claims 1 to 22, characterized by the fact that it comprises the following steps:
1) Positioning of a cylinder (3) in the filling compartment (4);
2) Measurement of the weight of the cylinder (3);
3) Closing of the door (6) and activation of the connection means (8) of the compartment (4);
4) Reading of the information specified by the manufacturer concerning the validity date of the cylinder (3), by optical means, by a chip installed in the cylinder (3) or by any other means that ensures interpretation of the information;
5) Choice of a quantity of gas to bottle through the control panel (5);
6) Coupling of the fast coupler (9) on the connector (7) of the cylinder (3);
7) Transfer of the quantity of gas chosen in step (c), from the reservoir (2) to the cylinder (3);
8) Interruption of the gas transfer upon reaching the chosen value, the pressure limit of the cylinder (3) or the maximum weight of the cylinder (3);
9) Decoupling of the retractable support (9) from the fast coupler of the connector (7) of the cylinder (3);
10) Deactivation of the connection means (8) of the door (6) of the compartment (4);
11) Withdrawal of the cylinder (3).

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

METHOD OF BOTTLING GAS in accordance with claim 23, characterized by the fact that it comprises the following additional steps, after step (6) of coupling the coupler (9) in the connector (7):
a) Activation of the dosing device (D) with verification of the temperature of the chamber (D6) and of the piston (D3) of the dosing device (D), for filling the total volume of the chamber (D6);
b) Calculation of the density of the gas, the quantity of gas in the chamber (D6) by mass; and the value of the advance of the piston (D3), from the temperature values of the chamber (D6), the initial position of the piston (D3) and the quantity of gas chosen in step (5);
c) Advance of the piston (D3) to the output of the gas to the hose (15);
d) Interruption of the advance of the piston (D3) if the pressure limit or the weight limit of the cylinder (3) is reached, or, if the position defined in step (b) is reached.