Abstract
A pressurized gas container associates with and supplies gas to a pressurized gas port of an appliance, such as for supplying carbon dioxide for the preparation of a carbonated drink. The container has a plug at its opening that has a barrier element that seals the container and is configured to be non-reversibly ruptured by a shaft of a gas-channeling member. The plug also has one or more sealing elements that are distinct from the barrier element and are configured for forming a gas-tight association with the shaft of the gas-channeling member. A plurality of such pressurized containers may be carried by a holder rack in a multipack. An appliance adapted for preparing or dispensing carbonated drink includes an adapter for associating with such a pressurized carbon dioxide-containing canister and for receiving the pressurized carbon dioxide therefrom.
Claims
1. A pressurized gas container for association with and supplying gas to a pressurized gas port of an appliance or system, the container comprising: a container body, defining a pressurized gas enclosure, and a neck integral therewith defining a gas outlet; the neck having an end portion that is configured for coupling with a coupling element, which may be a coupling element integral with or forming part of said gas port or may be a coupling element of a coupling device or adapter configured for coupling with said port, a plug being fitted within the neck; the plug having a barrier element sealing said enclosure and configured for non-reversible rupturing by a shaft of a gas-channeling member of said coupling element, and having one or more sealing elements, distinct from said barrier element and configured for forming a gas-tight association with said shaft; and the container comprising a flow-restricting element fitted within the neck, situated interior of the plug, and configured to permit (i) free flow of pressurized gas as long as the neck is coupled to the coupling element and (ii) gradual outflow of gas upon decoupling of the coupling element from the neck.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the flow-restricting element comprises a floating member displaceable between a seated position in which it bears against a seat at an outlet of the container to thereby partially seal the container's outlet and an unseated position in which it is distanced from said seat and permitting free gas outflow through said outlet, said floating member being biased into said seated position and being configured for displacement into said unseated position by the shaft of said gas channeling member.
3. The container of claim 2, wherein said floating member is rounded, e.g. spherical.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein said flow-restricting element comprises a nesting member fitted within the container's neck and having an upper segment defining said seat and a lower segment comprising arms configured to limit displacement of said floating member.
5. The container of claim 4, wherein the seat defines flow channels.
6. The container of claim 5, wherein flow channels are defined between the seat and the neck's interior face.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein the pressurized gas within the container is pressurized carbon dioxide, and is intended for association with a carbonated drink dispensing appliance or system in which the pressurized carbon dioxide is utilized for the preparation of the carbonated drink.
8. The container of claim 7, wherein the container is configured for association with said appliance or system such that the pressurized carbon dioxide for the preparation of the carbonated drink is drawn when needed out of the container.
9. The container of claim 1, wherein the gas is carbon dioxide and the appliance or system is adapted for the preparation of a carbonated drink.
10. The container of claim 1, wherein said barrier element is a pierceable metal sheet.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein said sheet is configured for rupturing in the event that the pressure within the container exceeds a predefined threshold.
12. The container of claim 1, wherein said plug defines an axis extending between an exterior end and an interior end and being formed with a generally axial bore extending between the two ends.
13. The container of claim 12, wherein said barrier is formed at said interior end of the bore and said one or more sealing elements are formed within said bore at said exterior end or in between said interior and said exterior end.
14. The container of claim 13, wherein the one or more sealing elements are one or more O-rings.
15. The container of claim 14, wherein said O-ring is fitted within a circumferential groove formed in the walls of said bore.
16. The container of claim 1, wherein said body has an average wall thickness that is less than 60%, 55%, 50%, 45% or even less that 40% of the average wall thickness of a container of similar dimensions and made of similar material that is intended for multiple use.
17. A coupling element for coupling a pressurized gas container of claim 1, to an appliance or system to permit gas supply to a gas conduit system of the appliance or system, the element comprising a gas channeling member having an elongated shaft that extends axially from a base to a shaft end, the shaft being configured for fitting into a bore of a plug in the opening of the container and, once coupled with the container, causes irreversible opening of a barrier element formed at an inner end of said bore; the shaft having openings at or proximal to the shaft end leading into said gas conduit.
18. The element of claim 17, defining also one or more gas release channels that are configured to form a gas-release conduit between the container's interior and the exterior during decoupling of the container and the coupling element.
19. The element of claim 18, wherein such gas-release conduit being constituted by one or more axial grooves or recesses at the shaft's face that faces the bore's internal walls.
20. The element of claim 18, being (i) an element of said appliance or system, or (ii) an independent device for coupling the container to a gas port of the appliance or system.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0131] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0132] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-section representation through a canister of the invention, typically one that contains pressurized carbon dioxide.
[0133] FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic cross-section representation of the upper portion including the neck of the canister.
[0134] FIGS. 3A-3F are schematic cross-sectional representations of some operational parts of the apparatus used for the manufacture of a canister of the kind shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in several successive manufacturing sequences.
[0135] FIGS. 4A-4C are schematic cross-sectional representations through the upper portion of a canister and a coupling element that is part of an appliance or system, e.g. such used for preparation of a carbonated drink, illustrating several successive sequences of coupling of the canister with the coupling element.
[0136] FIGS. 5A-9B are schematic representations of some embodiments of plugs that may be fitted into a cavity within the neck portion of a canister blank to form a canister of this disclosure. FIGS. 5A, 5C, 6A, 7A and 8A show an exploded view of the upper portion of the canister blank and the plug; while FIGS. 5B, 6B, 7B and 8B are respective longitudinal cross-sectional views of the upper portion of the canister with the plug fitted within the cavity in the neck portion. FIG. 9A is an exploded view of a plug in isolation and FIG. 9B is a longitudinal section of such a plug.
[0137] FIG. 10A is a longitudinal cross-section through (i) the neck of a canister that comprises a flow-restricting element in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure and (ii) through a gas-channeling member of an appliance or system (the appliance or system, not shown), the canister and said member being separated from one another prior to coupling.
[0138] FIG. 10B shows the canister of FIG. 10A and the gas-channeling member coupled to one another.
[0139] FIG. 10C is a side view of the nesting member of the flow-restricting element.
[0140] FIG. 10D is a cross-section through lines C-C in FIG. 10C.
[0141] FIGS. 11A and 11B are, respectively, schematic exploded view and a cross-sectional view of a coupling device for coupling a pressurized gas canister to an appliance or system.
[0142] FIGS. 12A and 12B are, respectively, schematic perspective view and longitudinal cross-sectional view of the coupling device of FIGS. 11A and 11B coupled to a canister.
[0143] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a coupling device according to another embodiment incorporating a safety arrangement against premature decoupling of the device from the pressurized gas canister.
[0144] FIGS. 14A and 14B are, respectively, longitudinal cross-sections along respective planes A-A and B-B, marked in FIG. 13.
[0145] FIGS. 15A and 15B are side elevation and longitudinal cross-section, respectively, of a pressurized gas canister coupled with a the coupling device of FIGS. 13-14B.
[0146] FIGS. 16A-16C are longitudinal cross-sections through the canister's neck and a coupling element with a shaft with defined gas-release conduits in a state of coupling (FIG. 16A), during decoupling (FIG. 16B) and being totally decoupled (FIG. 16C).
[0147] FIGS. 17A and 17B show two examples of multipacks (6-pack in this example) of canisters of the kind described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0148] In the following, the present disclosure will be elaborated and illustrated through description of some specific embodiments with reference to the annexed drawings. The illustrated embodiments refer to a canister, such as that containing carbon dioxide for use in an appliance or system for preparation of a carbonated drink. It is to be understood that the figures are intended to exemplify the general principles of this disclosure and are not to be construed in any way to be limiting.
[0149] The description of canister below makes occasional reference to a top or bottom. This is done for convenience of description only. As can be appreciated in use the orientation has no functional significance and it may be coupled to the appliance or system in any desired orientation according to various engineering or other considerations.
[0150] Referring first to FIG. 1, shown is a canister 100 having a body 102, defining a pressurized gas enclosure 103, and having an integral neck 104 with an external threading 106 for coupling to a coupling element of an appliance or system adapted, in this specific example, for the preparation of a carbonated drink. It should be noted that coupling by threading is only one example and other types of coupling are possible, such as for example snap-fitting. The canister may be made from a variety of different materials, a typical example being metal, such as aluminum. Fitted at the canister's bottom end is a base element 108, typically made of plastic serving as a base on which the canister may stand. Included within the neck is a plug 110.
[0151] The upper portion of the canister including neck 104 is shown in FIG. 2. Particularly, what can be seen in more detail is plug 110 that is fitted at the upper part of the neck and is tightly secured in position by crimping of the upper portion 112 and particularly the upper lips 114, e.g. in a manner as will be described below. As can be seen, the plug device 110 has an external uneven surface 116 that provides for tighter engagement with the surrounding parts of the neck. As can also be seen, the bore within the upper end portion of the neck is of a larger diameter, defining a shoulder 118 that seats the bottom end 120 of the device.
[0152] The device 110 includes a bore 122 which is coaxial with bore 124 within neck 104. Formed at the bottom end of plug 110 is a barrier element 126 which is constituted by a metal sheet that seals enclosure 103. The plug also includes a sealing member which is constituted by an O-ring 128 that is accommodated within a circumferential groove 130 formed within the internal walls of bore 122.
[0153] Reference is now being made to FIGS. 3A-3F showing sequences in the filling and manufacture of a canister of the kind described in FIGS. 1 and 2. The structural elements that eventually form the canister are the canister blank 132 and a plug device 110, the latter shown here fitted on the leading end of plunger 170, the function of which will be explained further below.
[0154] Further illustrated in these figures are the functional components of the apparatus for carrying out the method for said filling and manufacturing (which are annotated, particularly, in FIG. 3A). It includes the main block 140 that defines a working space 142, having axially orientated side walls 144 and an end wall 146. The end wall 146 has an opening 148 which is at the end of seat 150 that has a shape matching the upper portion of the canister blank 132.
[0155] The seat has circumferential grooves that accommodate O-rings 152, 154 and, as can be seen in FIG. 3B, once the canister is brought into association with the block, these O-rings form a gas-tight association with the external wall of the canister blank, thus hindering pressurized gas flow out of the opening 148. As can further be seen in FIG. 3B, once the canister blank is in tight association with the block, the upper portion of the neck protrudes into working space 142. The working space houses a piston 160 that can axially reciprocate between the first piston position, seen in FIG. 3B, and the second piston position, seen in FIG. 3E, that is more proximal to the end wall 146. O-rings 162, 164 accommodated within circumferential grooves in side walls 144, provide for gas-tight association between piston 160 and side walls 144.
[0156] Piston 160 also has an axial bore 166 accommodating plunger 170 that can also axially reciprocate between the first plunger position, shown in FIG. 3A or 3B, and the second plunger position, shown in FIG. 3C. In the latter position, the plunger 170 brings plug device 110 fully into the upper portion 112 of neck 104. The internal bore 166 also includes two circumferential grooves accommodating O-rings 172, 174 providing for gas-tight association between plunger 170 and walls of the bore 166. Formed at the center of leading face 176 of piston 160 is a depression 178 having a circular perimeter with dimensions corresponding to the external perimeter of upper portion 112 of neck 104. Working space 142 is linked to a gas conduit 136, which in turn is linked to a pressurized gas source shown schematically as rectangle 138 for control of the pressurized gas flow into working space 142.
[0157] The sequence of operations will now be described with reference to distinct steps shown in FIGS. 3A-3F. It should be noted that some of the described steps or details within them may be performed in different sequences or the performance of some may be partially or entirely overlap one another in the time of their performance.
[0158] Preparatory to the step shown in FIG. 3A, a plug device 110 is fitted at leading end of plunger 170 which has a circular bulging member that fits into the cavity of plug device 110. Canister blank 132, as shown in FIG. 3B, is brought into tight association with seat 150. Then pressurized gas, typically carbon dioxide, is released into working space 142 through conduit 136, as represented by arrow 190 and from there enters enclosure 103. When reaching the desired pressure, the flow of gas may be stopped and, given the gas-tight seal maintained by the gas-tights engagement of the different elements, the pressure will be maintained. Alternatively, the link to the pressurized gas may be maintained to compensate for minor pressure loss.
[0159] In the next step, shown schematically in FIG. 3C, plunger 170 is displaced from its first to its second plunger position, thus inserting plug device 110 into the terminal bore 134 until its bottom end 120 rests on shoulders 118.
[0160] In the next step, shown in FIG. 3D, piston 160 is axially displaced and when reaching the position shown in FIG. 3D, it begins to exert pressure on lips 114 and through additional downward displacement of the piston to the second piston position, shown in FIG. 3E, the upper portion is deformed to tightly fit around the external face of plug 110, this deformation including the internal bending of lips 114. The piston 160 and plunger 170 are then retracted to their respective first positions, as shown in FIG. 3F and then the canister, filled with pressurized gas and sealed by a rupturable single use plug, can be removed; and the cycle may be repeated again.
[0161] Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A and 4B showing schematic cross-section representations of the upper part of the canister and of the coupling element 200, which is part of the appliance or system schematically represented by block 221. Canister 102 with neck 104 fitted with a plug device 110 is brought into association with coupling element 200, both of which are shown separated from one another in FIG. 4A The coupling element includes a coupling body 202 having a cavity 204 with internal threading 206 and including in its center a spiked gas-channeling member 208. Gas-channeling member 208 has an elongated shaft 210, tapered end 212, openings 214 proximal to the tapered end leading into lumen 216, linked to a gas conduit 220 that is, in turn, linked to the pressurized gas conduit sub-system (not shown) of the appliance or system 221.
[0162] The spiked member has a base 223 that is accommodated in seat 224, the seat including also O-rings 222 to ensure gas-tight association. The accommodation of base 223 in seat 224 may, for example, be through a screw-type engagement.
[0163] The coupling between the coupling element and the canister neck is, in this case, a screwed type engagement; but, as can be appreciated, this is an example only of a variety of other coupling arrangements. Upon coupling, the spike member penetrates cavity 124 within plug 110 and by further screwing, as shown in FIG. 4C, it penetrates through bore 122 and ruptures barrier element 126 and consequently openings 214 come into contact with the pressurized gas in the canister and permit passage of the gas through them and through lumen 216 into the gas conduit sub-system of the appliance or system. O-rings 128 provide for gas-tight association between shaft 210 and internal walls of the plug.
[0164] Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A-8B: In these Figures like reference numerals are used as in FIGS. 2A and 3A, shifted by 200 (FIGS. 5A-5B), 300 (FIGS. 6A-6B), 400 (FIGS. 7A-7B) and 500 (FIGS. 8A-8B) to mark like elements.
[0165] In the embodiments of FIGS. 5A and 5B, plug 310 is formed with an annular groove 321 accommodating an O-ring 323. Barrier element in the form of a thin metal sheet 326 is tightly and sealingly fixed at the inner end 325 of the plug by welding. The plug may be fitted within cavity 334 through welding or through crimping (in the latter case in a manner analogous to that described in FIGS. 3A-3F). As can further be seen in FIG. 5B, the neck of the canister blank is formed with a lateral bore 329 linking cavity 334 to the external environment. In the event that pressure within the canister increases to an excessively high level, e.g. as a result of heating, through the clearance 331 between the bottom portion of the plug and the side walls of cavity 334 the pressure will impact O-ring 323 and cause it to deform to such an extent as to permit gas release out of bore 329 to thereby reduce the pressure to safe level.
[0166] The plug 310A shown in an explode view in FIG. 5C, is structurally similar to the plug 310 of FIGS. 5A and 5B and elements having a similar function have been given like numbers with and A indication. The main difference is in that the barrier element 326A has the shape of a dish formed with upright walls 327 that fit around the base 329 of the plug body 310A. The barrier element 326A may be pressure fitted to base 329, may be welded or held tightly by pressing the plug body 310A against an auxiliary member or against shoulders formed within the canister neck's cavity in an analogous manner to that described in connections with FIGS. 7A and 7B.
[0167] In the embodiments of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the thin metal sheet 426 serving as a barrier element is secured in position by tight screw engagement between the plug's body 441 and auxiliary member 443, which is screw fitted into the opening at the inner end of body 441 (through external threading at the former and matching internal threading of the latter). Other than this, the plug in this embodiment is functionally similar to that of FIGS. 5A and 5B.
[0168] In FIGS. 7A and 7B the thin metal sheet 526 is also held between plug body 541 and auxiliary member 543; but, rather than screw fitting the plug body and the auxiliary member are fitted tightly one against the other while inserting them into cavity 534 during the manufacturing process, thus holding sheet 546 between them. Alternatively the auxiliary member 543 may also be welded to plug body 541.
[0169] Similarly as in the case of the embodiments of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the plug of embodiments of FIGS. 6A-7B may be secured in position through welding or pressure crimping.
[0170] In the embodiments of FIGS. 8A and 8B the auxiliary member 643 may be fitted together with plug body 641 by screw-engagement, by welding, etc. and this assembly may then be fitted into cavity 634 is by screw tight engagement through external threading in the outer face of the plug body and internal threading within the cavity.
[0171] FIGS. 9A and 9B show a plug 650 that includes plug body 652 defining a central bore 654 with an annular groove 656 accommodating O-ring 658. Barrier element 660 is fitted at the bottom of body 652, for example by welding. Plug 650 is of the kind used in the canister of FIGS. 15A and 15B, to be described below, and is constituted by a first, main body section 662 and an upper, second body section 664 of narrower diameter defining between them shoulder 666. In use, as can be seen in FIG. 15B, the upper body section protrudes above the upper end of the canister's neck with the main body section 664 being in tight association with the walls of the cavity of the canister while the upper end of the walls being folded as lips over shoulder 666 to thereby ensure tight fitting of the plug in the containers neck cavity.
[0172] All the embodiments of the plug, shown above, are various configurations of a barrier element and a plug body that are separately produced and are assembled and tightly fitted to one another in a gas-tight manner, to thereby form the plug. It should be noted, however, that it is also possible, under other embodiments of this disclosure, to construct the plug body and the barrier element out of a single integral metal block, e.g. through machining, a die casting or a combination of the two.
[0173] Reference is now being made to FIGS. 10A-10D showing the upper portion of a canister 102 where the neck 104 accommodates a plug 650, of the kind shown in FIGS. 9A-9B and, also, a flow-restricting element 674 situated interior (or below, in the orientation of the canister in these figures) to plug 650. Plug 650 is held within the upper part of neck 104 between lips 114, tightly holding the plug in its upper end, and between disk 670 that define a central void 672. The flow-restricting element 674 that is situated below disk 670 includes a nesting member 676 and a spherical floating member 678. As can best be seen in FIG. 10C, nesting member 676 has an upper segment 680 that is snugly associated with the surrounding inner walls of the neck and has a slanted lower surface 682 that defines a seat for member 678. The lower segment 684 of nesting member 676 has arms that define a cage between them that accommodates member 678 and are provided with displacement-restricting abutments 686 that limit the downward vertical displacement of member 678. Consequently, member 678 can vertically displace between an uppermost position in which it is seated in seat 682 and a lowermost position, in which it rests on abutments 686, as seen in FIG. 10A.
[0174] In FIG. 10A, barrier element 660 is intact and accordingly there is no outflow of gas. Once barrier element 660 is pierced, gas outflows and, consequently, floating member 678 moves upward with the gas to come to rest within seat 682. In this position of member 678 gas outflow is limited, whereas as long as member 678 is removed from seat 682, gas can outflow in a unrestricted manner.
[0175] Upon coupling of the canister's neck with gas-channeling member 208, shaft 210 penetrates through lumen 122, in a manner similar to that described above, to rupture barrier 660 and in its fully coupled state, openings 214 come to be positioned within void 672. At this state the tapered end 212 of the shaft limits the upward displacement of member 678, as seen in FIG. 10B and gas outflows through a flow path represented by arrow 690. This gas outflow causes upward displacement of member 678 to the position seen in FIG. 10B.
[0176] In the event of premature decoupling, when there is still gas pressure remaining within the canister, the pressure differential between the canister's interior and the exterior will cause upward displacement of floating member 678 to its fully upward position to rest within seat 682.
[0177] As can best be seen in FIG. 10D, seat 682 is formed with a vertical notch 692 that defines an open gas channel that permits gas outflow even when member 678 is seated in seat 682. This then enables trickled gas outflow and, hence, gradual pressure reduction from within the canister. Thus, according to this embodiment, in the event of decoupling, gas pressure will not be released in a burst but will rather be gradual and also relatively quiet.
[0178] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10A-10D, the floating member is made to be light, e.g. is a hollow member or made of a low-density material, such as a low density polymeric material, foamed polymers, thin-walled aluminum hollow sphere, etc. As can be appreciated, in other embodiments, member 678 may also be biased into its seated position by biasing elements, e.g. a spring. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the member may have shapes other than spherical.
[0179] Referring now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, shown is a coupling device 702 for coupling to a canister 700 (illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B). The device is configured for coupling to the canister in a screw-type manner, at its one end 791 and for coupling to the gas-port of the appliance or system, again in a screw-type manner, at its other end 792. It should be noted that screw-type coupling is an example and other means of coupling may be used (e.g. snap fit coupling, latches-based coupling, bayonet type coupling and others).
[0180] Device 702 is comprised of device body 704, a cup-shaped connector element 706 and gas channeling member 708 at end 791, safety plug 718, and valve element 724 at end 792. Gas channeling member 708 has a structure similar to gas channeling member 208 shown in FIG. 4B and includes a shaft 709 with a tapered end 712 having openings 714 leading into lumen 716. Lumen 716 is part of a gas conduit, marked 738 that extends between the two ends 791, 792 and includes also spring-accommodating cavity 734 and valve-accommodating cavity 736.
[0181] Member 708 has a base 723 which is fitted within a seat 724 and is configured with a lateral groove 725 accommodating O-ring 722 that provides for a gas-tight seal to avoid leakage out of said gas conduit.
[0182] The shaft 709 of member 708 protrudes into cavity 730 within cup-shaped connector element 706, the side walls of which are internally threaded (the threadingnot shown). Connector element 706 is constituted by side walls which extend from body 704 and by a fastening element 732 that is coupled to said walls in a screw-type manner. Turning of the fastening ring 732 will distance it away from the member and owing to the outwardly tapering contour of the neck the external lips of ring 732 will then bear tightly against the tapering portion to thereby secure the coupling of the coupling device to the canister.
[0183] The other end of the device has an external, coarse screw threading 740 for coupling with a matching connector (not shown) of an appliance or system.
[0184] Valve 744 includes a base 746, plunger 748, spring 750 and O-ring 752. Plunger 748 has a stem 754 that is accommodated within bore 756 in base 746 and can axially displace against the biasing force of spring 750 that is accommodated with spring-accommodating cavity 734. In the position shown in FIG. 11B, the plunger is in its fully biased state with its shoulders 758 pressed against base 746 and O-ring 752, accommodated within circular groove 760, thereby sealing egress of gas out of valve-accommodating cavity 756. Once coupled with said device or appliance, stem 754 is pushed against the bias of spring 750 causing shoulders 758 to distance from base 746, thus permitting gas egress through the clearance between stem 754 and bore 756. Base 746 is fitted within cavity 736 in a screw type engagement and is associated with O-ring 762 to ensure a gas-tight association between the base and the device.
[0185] Cavity 766 accommodates safety plug 764 and is linked through conduit 768 to spring-accommodating cavity 734. The conduit 768 is sealed by membrane 770 and when pressure increases above a defined threshold level, membrane 770 opens permitting gas release to the outside.
[0186] FIGS. 12A and 12B show a coupling device of the kind described above coupled to a canister. As can now be better understood, turning of fastening element 732 so that it will be downwardly displaced, in the direction of arrow A, will press lips 772 against the wider portion of the neck to thereby practically lock the device in this coupling position. Once so coupled, as explained above, coupling of the device with the appliance or system at its other end will cause gas flow through said conduit into the gas-port of the appliance or system (not shown).
[0187] Reference is now being made to FIGS. 13-15B showing a coupling device, generally designated 1000, of another embodiment which, as already noted above, includes a safety arrangement that prevents premature or accidental decoupling between the device and a pressurized carbon dioxide canister, namely, decoupling it while there is still carbon dioxide pressure in the canister exceeding a predetermined gas pressure.
[0188] In FIGS. 12-14B, the same reference numerals as those used in FIGS. 11A-12B have been used with the indication A to denote elements having the same or similar function. Thus, by way of example, element 746 of FIGS. 11A and 11B will be equivalent to element 746A of the embodiment of FIGS. 13-15B. The reader is referred to the description above of the embodiments of FIGS. 11A-12B for explanation of the role and/or function of these elements. The description below will focus primarily on those elements that are distinct from the embodiments described above.
[0189] Coupling device 1000 has a base portion 1002 and accommodates a cup-shaped cavity 730A that is internally screw-threaded and adapted for screw-tight coupling with the neck of a canister.
[0190] Fitted over the base portion 1002 is a ring element 1004 having an internal guiding projection 1006 that fits into groove 1008 defined on the exterior of base portion 1002, to thereby guide circular rotation of ring 1004. Accommodated in groove 1008 is also a helical spring 1010 that rests against projection 1006 at its one end and a barrier at the end of groove 1008 (not shown). The urging force of spring 1010 biases the ring to rotate in a direction represented by arrow 1012 (clockwise in FIG. 13) into the ring's locking state. The ring is secured into position by means of fastening ring 1020.
[0191] Coupling device 1000 also includes a safety bolt 1022 which fits into bore 1024 and has an associated spring 1026 that biases the bolt element in a radial direction from a first, locking position to a second, releasing position of the bolt. Safety bolt 1022, as can be seen in FIGS. 14B and 15B, has a projection 1028, that upon coupling of the coupling device 1000 with the neck of canister 700A, can, when the bolt is in its locking position, fit into and be accommodated in groove 1030 formed in the canister's neck, as can be seen in FIG. 15B. As long as bolt 1022 is in its locking position in which projection 1028 is accommodated within groove 1030, coupling device 1000 cannot be decoupled from the canister.
[0192] The safety arrangement of this embodiment includes, in addition to safety bolt 1022, also blocking pin 1032 that is accommodated in pin bore 1034. Pin 1032 has a broader shoulder 1036 at its rear end, snugly associated with the walls of pin bore 1032 having a lateral groove accommodating an O-ring 1038 that forms a gas tight seal with the walls of bore 1032 and thereby defining a head space 1042. Head space 1042 is linked through lateral bore 1044 to cavity 734A, which is part of the gas conduit 738A within the coupling device.
[0193] When pressurized gas enters the head space 1042 through lateral bore 1044, it applies downward pressure on pin 1032 which is then axially displaced from its position shown in FIG. 14B towards bolt 1022 to position seen in FIG. 15B, in which the tip 1046 of the pin is accommodated into a matching peripheral groove 1048 of bolt 1022, to thereby locking bolt 1022 in the position shown in FIGS. 14B and 15B, in which projection 1028 is accommodated within groove 1030. In this state the device cannot be decoupled from the canister, as explained above.
[0194] Pin 1032 is associated with spring 1050 that provides a biasing force on the pin in a direction away from bolt 1022. Once pressure in the canister and consequently also in head space 1042 is reduced below a certain pressure (that is a pressure defined by the properties of the spring, where the force acting by the gas pressure on shoulders 1036 equals the opposite biasing force of the spring), pin 1032 can then be displaced away from the bolt, by the force of the spring to the position shown in FIG. 14B, thereby permitting radial displacement of bolt 1022 to its unlocking position.
[0195] Ring 1004 has an abutment 1054, seen cross-section in FIG. 14B, which during rotation of the ring slides over track 1014. When abutment 1054 comes to rest over bolt 1022, it pushes the bolt into its locking position. Once the ring is rotated against the bias of spring 1008, the bolt can be displaced away from the neck to permit decoupling.
[0196] Locking of the coupling device 1000 onto the neck of a canister, upon coupling, is in fact automatic. Once the canister's neck is coupled with the device, as seen in FIG. 15B, barrier element 660 is ruptured by the tip 712A of elongated shaft 709A, whereby pressurized gas can enter into the gas ducting system 738A and from there to head space 1042 of bore 1034. Consequently, the gas pressure in the canister and in the head space 1042 of bore 1034 will be the same. This pressure then forces pin 1032 to displace against the bias of spring 1050. Ring 1004 is biased into a locking state by spring 1010 whereupon abutment 1054 forces bolt 1022 into its locking position, as shown in FIG. 15B against the bias of spring 1026, whereupon pin 1032 can move downward locking bolt 1022 and lock it in its locking position.
[0197] Reference is now being made to FIGS. 16A-16C showing neck 804 of a canister having a flow-restricting element of the kind similar to that shown in FIGS. 10A-10D; and, accordingly, like reference numerals are used shifted by 200 to define like elements. The reader is referred to the description of FIGS. 10A-10D for an explanation of structure and function.
[0198] The coupling element 808, which in this embodiment forms a functional element of an appliance or system (although similar functional coupling features may also be included in a coupling element that is an independent device), includes a shaft 810 with a shaft end 812 that in the coupling state, shown in FIG. 16A, bears on floating member 878 to permit gas flow through apertures 814 into lumen 816 and from there to the gas conduit, an initial segment thereof 820 being seen in this figure.
[0199] Shaft 810 is formed with a peripheral axial recess 822 that extends upward from shaft end 812 and ending at shoulders 824. In the coupled state shown in FIG. 16A, gas outflow along the periphery of the shaft is prevented by O-ring 858.
[0200] During decoupling, as seen in FIG. 16B, the shaft is relatively axially displaced away from the neck and, once shoulders 824 extend upwards to O-ring 858, the recess 822 permits gas outflow along the lines represented by arrow 890. This enables controlled release of pressure, avoiding violent release of pressure in the fully decoupled state shown in FIG. 16C. In this case, such violent release is further avoided by the flow-restricting element 874.
[0201] Reference is now made to FIGS. 17A and 17B showing two different examples of multipacks (6-pack in these examples) 900, 950 of canisters of the kind described above. Each one includes respective holding racks 902, 952 for canisters 100 and integral carrying handles 904, 954. The racks and the handles may, for example, be made of plastic or cardboard.
