Controlled leakage container and method
View Patent ↗A container, a method for dispensing a fluid contained in the container and a valve are disclosed. The container includes a valve that permits the contents of the container to be dispensed and re-sealed after use. In some embodiments, the valve automatically opens when a suitable connector is attached to the container and automatically closes when the connector is removed from the container. The container can also optionally include a pressure relief system and provisions to prevent backflow into the container. The container is also designed to be backward compatible with existing hardware and connectors.
1. A container for storing refrigerant comprising:
a storage portion;
an upper portion associated with the storage portion and acting as a cap for the storage portion;
the upper portion including a rim disposed about an outer periphery, a bottom portion disposed radially inward from the rim and axially spaced from the rim, and a coupling portion disposed radially inward from the bottom portion;
the coupling portion having an external thread configured to mate with a corresponding internal thread;
a valve associated with the upper portion and disposed within the storage portion of the container, the valve including an actuator including a cup, the cup configured to receive a needle of a piercing valve; and
wherein the valve is automatically opened when the coupling portion is engaged to a connector and automatically closed when the coupling portion is disengaged from the connector.
2. The container according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator moves axially and the motion of the actuator opens and closes the valve.
3. The container according to claim 1 , wherein the valve includes a valve gasket axially spaced from the bottom portion of the upper portion of the container.
4. The container according to claim 1 , wherein the valve is comprised of a composite.
5. The container according to claim 1 , wherein the valve includes a valve gasket confronting an interior surface of the storage portion and a valve plate disposed adjacent to the valve gasket, and wherein a valve spring biases the valve plate against the valve gasket and biases the valve gasket against an inner surface of the storage portion, thereby sealing the storage portion.
6. The container according to claim 1 , further comprising a pressure relief system.
7. The container according to claim 6 , wherein the pressure relief system includes a bleeder spring biasing the actuator towards the storage portion of the container.
8. The container according to claim 6 , wherein a hole is formed in a valve gasket and a valve plate to expose an exterior surface of the actuator to contents in the storage portion of the container.
9. The container according to claim 6 , wherein a predetermined internal pressure of the storage portion causes the actuator to move away from the storage portion against the force of a bleeder spring biasing the actuator towards the storage portion; and wherein the separation of actuator from a valve gasket causes fluid contained in the storage portion to escape.
10. The container according to claim 9 , wherein the actuator moves towards the storage portion of the container after a portion of fluid has escaped, re-sealing the storage portion of the container.
11. The container according to claim 1 , further comprising provisions to prevent backflow into the storage portion of the container.
12. The container according to claim 11 , wherein the provisions to prevent backflow include a check valve disposed proximate the valve.
13. The container according to claim 1 , wherein the external thread is an ACME thread.
14. A method for dispensing fluid stored under pressure in a container comprising the steps of:
engaging a connector to a coupling portion of the container by screwing the connector onto the coupling portion;
engaging a needle of a piercing valve, associated with the connector, with a cup configured to receive the needle of the piercing valve, the cup disposed on an actuator attached to the container;
moving the actuator towards a storage portion of the container by advancing the connector further onto the coupling portion;
opening a valve disposed in an upper portion of the storage portion of the container by moving the actuator;
dispensing fluid from inside the storage portion, a portion of the fluid flowing past portions of the valve disposed radially outward of the coupling portion;
moving the actuator away from the storage portion by unscrewing the connector from the coupling portion;
and closing the valve and re-sealing the container by further unscrewing the connector from the coupling portion and moving the actuator further away from the storage portion of the container.
15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the step of opening the valve includes moving a valve gasket away from an interior surface of the storage portion of the container and wherein the valve gasket is contained in a valve housing.
16. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the step of opening the valve includes moving an actuator disk with a needle received by a cup disposed in an end of an actuator stem.
17. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the step of closing the valve includes moving a valve gasket towards an interior surface of the container by using a valve spring biased to close the valve.
18. The method according to claim 14 , wherein a step of disconnecting the connector from the coupling portion includes the steps of moving the actuator away from the storage portion by unscrewing the connector from the coupling portion;
closing the valve and re-sealing the container by further unscrewing the connector from the coupling portion and moving the actuator further away from the storage portion of the container, and
separating the connector from the coupling portion.
19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein 100 grams or less of fluid is leaked to the atmosphere during the step of disconnecting the connector from the coupling portion.
20. The method according to claim 18 , wherein 50 grams or less of fluid is leaked to the atmosphere during the step of disconnecting the connector from the coupling portion.
21. The method according to claim 18 , wherein 20 grams or less of fluid is leaked to the atmosphere during the step of disconnecting the connector from the coupling portion.
22. The method according to claim 18 , wherein 10 grams or less of fluid is leaked to the atmosphere during the step of disconnecting the connector from the coupling portion.
23. The method according to claim 18 , wherein 5 grams or less of fluid is leaked to the atmosphere during the step of disconnecting the connector from the coupling portion.
24. The method according to claim 18 , wherein 2 grams or less of fluid is leaked to the atmosphere during the step of disconnecting the connector from the coupling portion.
25. The method according to claim 18 , wherein 1 gram or less of fluid is leaked to the atmosphere during the step of disconnecting the connector from the coupling portion.
26. A valve adapted for use with a refrigerant and adapted for use inside a container with a coupling portion having an external thread comprising:
a valve gasket supported by a valve plate, the valve plate being biased by a valve spring disposed between a valve plate and a housing;
an actuator disposed coaxial with the valve gasket and the valve plate;
the actuator having a first end associated with the valve gasket and a second end including a cup, wherein the cup is adapted to receive a needle of a piercing valve; and
wherein displacement of the cup by the needle moves the actuator and the actuator moves the valve gasket to open the valve.
27. The valve according to claim 26 , further comprising a bleeder valve spring biasing the actuator towards the valve spring.
28. The valve according to claim 27 , wherein the valve gasket includes an aperture proximate the actuator.
29. The valve according to claim 26 , further comprising a check valve disposed in a housing, the housing defining a pressure chamber.
30. The valve according to claim 29 , wherein the check valve includes a ball confined between a portion of the housing and a ball trap wherein the check valve prevents backflow out of the pressure chamber.
31. The valve according to claim 29 , wherein the check valve includes a ball confined between a portion of the housing and a ball trap wherein the check valve prevents backflow past the actuator.
32. The valve according to claim 26 , wherein the actuator is capable of rotating.