Can tap
Disclosed are can taps for dispensing fluids from containers. The can tap has a housing with an inlet and an outlet, and a pin. The pin has a flow portion in fluidic communication with the inlet and the outlet of the housing. The pin may have a blunt depressor capable of operating a valve on the container. The flow portion of the pin allows fluid to flow between the housing and the pin. The can tap may have a gasket comprising a material having a hardness that prevents deformation of the container.
1. A container comprising:
a refrigerant, self-sealing valve and having a can tap attached to the container wherein the can tap comprises housing having a body, a lower end having an inlet, an upper end having an outlet, a throat between the lower end and the upper end; a pin located within the housing having an upper end secured to the housing body, a lower end having a depressor suitable for contact with a can having a top in which is positioned a self-sealing valve, wherein the depressor is capable of operating the self-sealing valve of the can, and a flow portion between the upper end and the lower end of the pin located within the housing throat wherein the flow portion allows fluid to flow between the housing and the pin; and a tap outlet in fluid communication with the housing outlet at the upper end of the housing and further comprising a compressible gasket positioned adjacent the housing at or adjacent to the housing inlet and wherein the gasket has a hardness ranging from 70 durometers to 100 durometers.
2. The container of claim 1 , wherein the flow portion of the pin has a dimension in a first direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin that is greater than a dimension in a second direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin.
3. The container of claim 2 , wherein the flow portion of the pin has a dimension in a first direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin that is at least twice as great as a dimension in a second direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin.
4. The container of claim 3 wherein the first direction is rotated 90 degrees from the second direction.
5. The container of claim 2 , wherein the flow portion has a flattened surface that allows fluid to pass over the flattened surface between the flow portion and the housing.
6. The container of claim 1 , wherein the flow portion is rotationally symmetrical around the central axis of the pin.
7. The container of claim 6 wherein the flow portion is cylindrical.
8. The container of claim 1 wherein at least part of the flow portion has a dimension in a first direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin that is greater than a dimension in a second direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin and at least part of the flow portion is rotationally symmetrical around the central axis of the pin.
9. The container of claim 1 wherein at least part of the flow portion has a flattened surface and at least part of the flow portion is cylindrical.
10. The container of claim 1 , wherein the pin has a pin limiter positioned along the flow portion of the pin for limiting the distance the pin may descend when the pin is engaged.
11. The container of claim 10 , wherein the pin limiter has at least one shoulder and the housing further comprises a stop positioned along the housing throat at or adjacent to the housing inlet wherein the at least one shoulder and the stop are sized such that the at least one shoulder contacts the stop to limit the distance the pin can descend when the pin is engaged.
12. The container of claim 1 , wherein the gasket comprises an elastic material having a hardness that prevents deformation of a can to which the can tap is attached.
13. The container of claim 1 , wherein the gasket has a hardness ranging from 80 durometers to 90 durometers.
14. The container of claim 1 , wherein the gasket is at least partially but not completely compresses when the can tap is attached to a can.
15. A method for providing a refrigerant comprising dispensing the refrigerant from the container of claim 1 .
16. The method of claim 15 wherein dispensing comprises recharging an automotive a/c system with the refrigerant.