AU2012101213A4 - Gas refilling actuator - Google Patents

Abstract

A receptacle system operating selectively and alternatively in at least one of two configurations including refilling fluid into a fluid chamber and spraying fluid into the atmosphere. The receptacle system comprises a container and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly comprises an outer nozzle, pushing means connected to the outer nozzle and a cantilever disc adapted to provide resilience to the pushing means; an inner nozzle co-axial and in fluid communication with the outer nozzle, a valve connected to and in fluid communication with the inner nozzle at a first end, and a tube fitted to the valve at a second end of the valve. The valve is provided with at least two passages with apertures provided strategically to enable operation of the receptacle system in one of the selected configurations. - -- 12

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT GAS REFILLING ACTUATOR The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me GAS REFILLING ACTUATOR FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 5 The present disclosure relates to a receptacle system. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a fluid actuator that operates independent of the orientation of the fluid container. .0 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED IN THE DISCLOSURE The expression 'fluid chamber' used hereinafter in this disclosure refers to but is not limited to a gas chamber located in a cigarette lighter, gas lighter, and the like. .5 The expression 'fluid container' used hereinafter in this disclosure refers to but is not limited to containers including bottles or cans that contain fluid to be filled into the fluid chamber (defined herein above) or fluid that can be sprayed. 20 The expression 'upright position' used hereinafter in this disclosure refers to a position wherein the fluid container rests on its base. Accordingly, orientation of the fluid container in an opposite direction is referred to hereinafter in this disclosure as an 'inverted position'. 25 These definitions are in addition to those expressed in the art.

BACKGROUND Gas refill actuators are used for refilling gas chambers provided in cigarette lighters, gas lighters and the like. In an operative state, such lighters produce a 5 flame. A gas refill container known in the art typically comprises a fluid container and an injection valve, the gas being in a compressed liquefied form. Typically, compressed gas is a mixture of Propane, Butane and Iso-Butane in a predetermined proportion. The injection valve is provided to inject the compressed gas into the lighter's gas chamber through a nozzle co-operating with the injection valve. .o Conventional gas refill assembly only works when the fluid container is held in an inverted position. This is because the gas is heavy and it will come out in liquefied form only when inverted. When used in an upright position only vapour would come out. .s Gas refill assemblies known in the art are thus limited by the orientation of the gas container. Also, such assemblies serve the purpose of refilling gas only. There is thus felt a need to provide a receptacle system that is independent of the orientation of the fluid container and is also reliable and cost effective and can possibly serve another purpose besides refilling gas. 20 OBJECTS Some of the objects of the present disclosure aimed to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative are described 25 herein below: 2 An object of the disclosure is to provide a receptacle system for refilling fluid in a fluid chamber. Another object of the disclosure is to provide a receptacle system for refilling fluid in a fluid chamber from a container irrespective of the orientation of the container. 5 Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a receptacle system to enable spraying of liquefied gas irrespective of the orientation of the container. Still another object of the disclosure is to provide a cost effective receptacle .O system. An additional object of the disclosure is to provide a reliable receptacle system. Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from .s the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 2o In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a receptacle system comprising a container and an actuator assembly, the container adapted to hold pressurized fluid, the system adapted to selectively and alternatively operate in at least one of a first 25 configuration and a second configuration irrespective of the orientation of the container, 3 the receptacle system in the first configuration being adapted to fill the pressurized fluid into a fluid chamber; and > the receptacle system in the second configuration being adapted to spray the pressurized fluid into the environment. 5 Typically, in accordance with the present disclosure, the actuator assembly comprises: an outer nozzle; .0> pushing means connected to the outer nozzle; and a cantilever disc adapted to provide resilience to the pushing means; the outer nozzle, the pushing means and the cantilever disc being located above the rim of the container; and .5 an inner nozzle co-axial and in fluid communication with the outer nozzle; a valve connected to and in fluid communication with the inner nozzle at a first end; and a tube fitted to the valve at a second end of the valve; '0 the inner nozzle, the valve and the tube being housed within the container. Preferably, in accordance with the present disclosure, the valve comprises: 25 a first passage provided with at least one first passage aperture on a side wall; a second passage abutting the first passage and in fluid communication with the inner nozzle, the second passage being provided with at least one second 4 passage aperture on a side wall abutting the first passage, the second passage aperture being located at a level below the first passage aperture; and a ball held within the first passage, the ball adapted to block the first passage aperture in at least one orientation of the system. 5 In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a valve adapted to co-operate with an actuator assembly associated with a receptacle system, the actuator assembly comprising: .0 an outer nozzle, pushing means connected to the outer nozzle; and a cantilever disc adapted to provide resilience to the pushing means; the outer nozzle, the pushing means and the cantilever disc being located above the rim of the container; and an inner nozzle co-axial and in fluid communication with the outer nozzle; .5 a valve connected to and in fluid communication with the inner nozzle at a first end; and a tube fitted to the valve at a second end of the valve; the inner nozzle, the valve and the tube being housed within the container. 20 the valve characterized by: a first passage provided with at least one first passage aperture on a side wall; a second passage abutting the first passage and in fluid communication with 25 the inner nozzle, the second passage being provided with at least one second 5 passage aperture on a side wall abutting the first passage, the second passage aperture being located at a level below the first passage aperture; and a ball held within the first passage, the ball adapted to block the first passage aperture in at least one orientation of the system. 5 Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a method of selectively and alternatively filling pressurized fluid contained in a container into a fluid chamber and spraying pressurized fluid contained in the container into the environment, irrespective of the orientation of the container, .0 the method comprising the following steps: > providing an outer nozzle and a resilient pushing means above the rim of the container; > providing an inner nozzle, a valve and a tube housed within the .s container; > providing a first passage with at least one first passage aperture on a side wall in said valve; > providing a second passage abutting said first passage and in fluid communication with said inner nozzle; 20 > providing said second passage with at least one second passage aperture on a side wall abutting the first passage, the second passage aperture being located at a level below the first passage aperture; and > housing a ball within the first passage, the ball blocking the first passage aperture in at least one orientation of the container; 25 > allowing the pressurized fluid to flow through the tube, the second passage aperture and the inner nozzle in an upright position; and 6 allowing the pressured fluid to flow through the first passage aperture, the second passage aperture and the inner nozzle in an inverted position. 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS The receptacle system of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of accompanying drawings, in which: .o FIGURE 1 illustrates an elevational view of a receptacle system comprising a fluid container fitted with an actuator assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; FIGURE 2 illustrates a portion of the actuator assembly of FIGURE 1 including a .s tube and valve mechanism; FIGURE 3 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the actuator assembly of FIGURE 1 seen above the container; 'o FIGURE 4 illustrates a top view of the receptacle system of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of the valve of the actuator assembly of FIGURE 1; and 25 FIGURE 6 illustrates a cross sectional view of two passages in the valve of the actuator assembly of FIGURE 1. 7 DETAILED DISCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiment does not limit the scope and 5 ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration. The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following .o description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be .s construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein. The following description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific 2o embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have 25 been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein. 8 Refill valves used in conventional gas refill assemblies are limited by enablement of the refilling process only when the fluid container is oriented in a predetermined direction. The containers have to be necessarily held with their nozzles in an inverted position. Some endeavors have been made to overcome this drawback. 5 One of them being, use of a tube cooperating with the injection valve for enablement of the refilling process when the fluid container is in an upright position. However, the enablement is still limited to either an upright position or an inverted position depending on the presence or absence of a tube thereof. .o The present disclosure envisages a receptacle system to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art. The receptacle system as envisaged enables use of a fluid container as spraying means or means to refill a fluid chamber. The receptacle system of the present disclosure is provided with a valve including a metallic ball and a tube fitted thereon. The tube remains immersed in the liquefied gas when the container .s is in an upright position. A receptacle system in accordance with the present disclosure will now be explained with reference to FIGURES 1 to 6; the key components of the system being referenced generally by numerals as indicated in the accompanying drawings. 20 The receptacle system 10 comprises fluid container 12 and actuator assembly 14. Actuator assembly 14 typically comprises the following components: outer nozzle 22; > pushing means 20; and a cantilever disc 16; 25 the above components being located above the rim 40 of fluid container 12 and inner nozzle (not specifically shown); 9 a spring (not specifically shown); and a valve 32 comprising at least two passages; a ball 38 is held within a first passage 24 provided with at least one aperture 34 and a second passage 26 is provided with at least one aperture 36 in fluid communication with the first 5 passage 24; and a tube 28; the above components being located within fluid container 12. .o The mechanism of the actuator assembly 14 is based on the following: > pressure inside the fluid container 12 is greater than atmospheric pressure; and > pressure inside the fluid container 12 is substantially uniform throughout irrespective of the orientation of the fluid container 12. .s The mechanism of the actuator assembly 14 presently disclosed is explained in two typical orientations (upright position and inverted position) for ease of explanation. When fluid container 12 is oriented in an upright position, the ball, typically a metallic ball 38, within passage 24, rests at the bottom of first passage 24, thus blocking a plurality of apertures 34 provided on side walls of first passage 24. In 20 accordance with a preferred embodiment, two holes are provided on side walls of first passage 24. Hence the only path available for the liquefied gas in fluid container 12 to enter valve 32 is via tube 28 and aperture 36 in second passage 26. In order to refill a fluid chamber or spray fluid, pressure is exerted on pushing means 20. A 'C' shaped slit 18 in the cantilever disc 16 provides resilience to 25 pushing means 20. This causes inner nozzle to be lowered, thus pressing the spring (not shown) attached to inner nozzle and causing the liquefied gas inside the fluid container 12 to be ejected from outer nozzle 22. 10 When fluid container 12 is oriented in an inverted position, the ball 38 in first passage 24 rests in a position such that apertures 34 on side walls of passage 24 are open for fluid communication. When pressure is exerted on pushing means 20, the liquefied gas enters the valve 32 via apertures 34 and then gets ejected from outer 5 nozzle 22 via aperture 36 in second passage 26. In accordance with one aspect of the preferred embodiment, the assembly 10 is used as an air freshener. Air freshener is a device to mask unpleasant odor. Ingredients of air freshener may vary; a typical air freshener is a mixture of 1% .o perfume, 24% alcohol or other solvents and 75% liquefied petroleum gas under predetermined pressure inside a fluid container. The working of the receptacle system 10 is now described herein below with particular reference to its application as an air freshener. The mixture is contained within the fluid container 12. A propellant in gaseous state converts to liquid state when pressurized. The .s propellant is used to propel alcohol, perfume and other solvents out of fluid container 12. Since the propellant is maintained under high pressure in the sealed fluid container 12, the space inside container 12 is not sufficient to permit expansion of the propellant into gaseous state. The propellant maintains a liquid state as long as the pressure inside fluid container 12 is maintained. 20 When fluid container 12 is oriented in an upright position and pressure is exerted on pushing means 20; the pressure inside the fluid container 12 is instantly reduced. This causes the liquid propellant to start boiling and form a gaseous layer towards the valve end of fluid container 12. The pressurized gaseous layer causes 25 at least a part of the mixture of alcohol, perfume, propellant and other solvent to eject out from outer nozzle 22 via tube 28, aperture 36 in second passage 26 and inner nozzle. 11 When fluid container 12 is oriented in an inverted position, the ball 38 in first passage 24 rests in a position such that apertures 34 on side walls of passage 24 are open for fluid communication. When pressure is exerted on pushing means 20, the pressure inside the fluid container 12 is instantly reduced and hence the liquid 5 propellant starts boiling and forms a gaseous layer on a portion of fluid container 12 near the base. The pressurized gas layer causes at least a part of the mixture to eject out from outer nozzle 22 via apertures 34 and 36. Although the description of the receptacle system provided herein above is made .o with reference to refilling a fluid chamber of a gas lighter or for spraying fluid into the atmosphere, the receptacle system in accordance with the present disclosure can find other applications, for instance, a room freshener, an insect repellant, a foaming cream dispenser and the like. .s TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE The technical advancements offered by the present disclosure include the realization of: 2o >a receptacle system for refilling fluid in a fluid chamber; a receptacle system for refilling fluid in a fluid chamber from a container irrespective of the orientation of the container; a receptacle system to enable spraying of liquefied gas irrespective of the 25 orientation of the container; a cost effective receptacle system; and 12 > a reliable receptacle system. Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer 5 or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. The use of the expression "at least" or "at least one" suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the .o disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results. The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification .s specific to the contrary. 20 25 13

Claims (5)

1. A receptacle system comprising a container and an actuator assembly, the container being adapted to hold pressurized fluid, 5 said system adapted to selectively and alternatively operate in at least one of a first configuration and a second configuration irrespective of the orientation of the container, .0> said receptacle system in said first configuration being adapted to fill the pressurized fluid into a fluid chamber; and > said receptacle system in said second configuration being adapted to spray the pressurized fluid into the environment. .5

2. The receptacle system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator assembly comprises: an outer nozzle; > pushing means connected to said outer nozzle; and o > a cantilever disc adapted to provide resilience to said pushing means; said outer nozzle, said pushing means and said cantilever disc being located above the rim of the container; and 25 an inner nozzle co-axial and in fluid communication with said outer nozzle; a valve connected to and in fluid communication with said inner nozzle at a first end; and 30 a tube fitted to said valve at a second end of said valve; said inner nozzle, said valve and the tube being housed within the container. 14

3. The receptacle system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said valve comprises: 5 a first passage provided with at least one first passage aperture on a side wall; a second passage abutting said first passage and in fluid communication with said inner nozzle, said second passage being provided with at least one second passage aperture on a side wall .0 abutting said first passage, said second passage aperture being located at a level below said first passage aperture; and a ball held within said first passage, said ball adapted to block said first passage aperture in at least one orientation of said system. .s

4. A valve co-operating with an actuator assembly associated with a receptacle system, the actuator assembly comprising: an outer nozzle, pushing means connected to the outer nozzle; and o0 a cantilever disc adapted to provide resilience to the pushing means; the outer nozzle, said pushing means and said cantilever disc being located above the rim of the container; and an inner nozzle co-axial and in fluid communication with the outer 25 nozzle; a valve connected to and in fluid communication with the inner nozzle at a first end; and a tube fitted to the valve at a second end of the valve; the inner nozzle, the valve and the tube being housed within the 30 container. said valve characterized by: 15 a first passage provided with at least one first passage aperture on a side wall; a second passage abutting said first passage and in fluid communication with the inner nozzle, said second passage being 5 provided with at least one second passage aperture on a side wall abutting said first passage, said second passage aperture being located at a level below said first passage aperture; and a ball held within said first passage, said ball adapted to block said first passage aperture in at least one orientation of said system. .o

5. A method of selectively and alternatively filling pressurized fluid contained in a container into a fluid chamber and spraying pressurized fluid contained in the container into the environment, irrespective of the orientation of the container, .s said method comprising the following steps: > providing an outer nozzle and a resilient pushing means above the rim of the container; > providing an inner nozzle, a valve and a tube housed within the container; 20 > providing a first passage with at least one first passage aperture on a side wall in said valve; > providing a second passage abutting said first passage and in fluid communication with said inner nozzle; > providing said second passage with at least one second passage 25 aperture on a side wall abutting said first passage, said second passage aperture being located at a level below said first passage aperture; and > housing a ball within said first passage, said ball blocking said first passage aperture in at least one orientation of said container; 16 allowing the pressurized fluid to flow through said tube, said second passage aperture and said inner nozzle in an upright position; and > allowing the pressured fluid to flow through said first passage 5 aperture, said second passage aperture and said inner nozzle in an inverted position. 17