Back to results
US 5,657,790 AGranted
Valves for pressurized containers
AssigneeAmtrol Inc.
InventorChristopher Dandridge Mohn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeAmtrol Inc.
InventorChristopher Dandridge Mohn
Estimating the term…
A non-refillable valve for a pressurized container which includes a unidirectional stepped valve housing within which a freestanding blocking element is housed. The blocking element is preferably a reversible, symmetrical check that integrally includes stop means for preventing the return of said blocking element to an initial location after it has been moved to a final location that activates the one way characteristic feature of a non-refillable valve (where activation is designed to take place after initially charging of the container). Further aspects of the invention relate to blocking elements (checks) per se which are suitable for use in non-refillable valves. In particular, blocking elements that are easy to manufacture and install, blocking elements that possess a degree of rigidity which enhances the check's ability to function as a freestanding element once inserted into a valve housing, and blocking elements which inherently reduce the risk of false check engagement during the valve assembly process, are all contemplated by the present invention. Other aspects of the invention relate to dual purpose manufacturing processes that use a single basic valve design to enable both refillable and non-refillable valves to be manufactured; and relate to products of the aforementioned processes.
A non-refillable valve for a pressurized container comprising a blocking element, said blocking element being adapted to occupy an initial location whereby fluid can move in and out of said container past said blocking element, wherein said blocking element can be irreversibly moved to a final location in which said blocking element permits escape of fluid under pressure exerted from the inside of the container, but which automatically closes in response to exposure to an external pressure greater than the pressure inside the container, said blocking element comprising a reversible non-spherical check that integrally includes stop means for preventing the return of said blocking element to said initial location upon movement of said blocking element from said initial location to said final location.
A blocking element for use in a non-refillable valve, said non-refillable valve including a housing which is attached to a pressurized container with the interior of said housing being in fluid communication with the interior of said container, wherein said blocking element is operative to prevent refilling the container after it is initially charged and further wherein said blocking element allows fluid from within the container to flow out from said container when said non-refillable valve is opened, comprising reversible non-spherical check means which includes stop means for preventing the return of said blocking element to a predefined first location in said housing upon movement of said blocking element from said first location to a predefined second location.
A non-refillable valve for a pressurized container comprising a blocking element, said blocking element being adapted to occupy an initial location whereby fluid can move in and out of said container past said blocking element, wherein said blocking element can be irreversibly moved to a final location in which said blocking element permits escape of fluid under pressure exerted from the inside of the container, but which automatically closes in response to exposure to an external pressure greater than the pressure inside the container, said blocking element comprising a reversible non-spherical freestanding check that integrally includes stop means for preventing the return of said blocking element to said initial location upon movement of said blocking element from said initial location to said final location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.