CA1181656A

CA1181656A - Balanced pressure coupling apparatus

Info

Publication number: CA1181656A
Application number: CA000415884A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Clair D. Holben
Original assignee: Coca Cola Co
Current assignee: Coca Cola Co
Priority date: 1981-11-20
Filing date: 1982-11-18
Publication date: 1985-01-29
Also published as: ZA828415B; AR229714A1; ES517490A0; NO154771C; IE53677B1; EP0080358B1; KR840002511A; NO823861L; BR8206656A; NZ202561A; NO154771B; JPH026960B2; ATE30631T1; AU541921B2; PH19592A; SU1145920A3; MX157815A; KR860000455B1; IE822756L; JPS5888300A

Abstract

Abstract A coupler adaptor is provided for use in operative association with a container and a valve. The container houses relatively high pressurized carbon dioxide gas for use in carbonating a beverage. The valve is actuated in order to release the gas to an interface passage formed in the coupler adaptor. The coupler adaptor also has a pair of grooves formed on opposite sides of the interface passage for receiving O-rings.
The coupler adaptor is also is operative association with a pressure regulator. The pressurized gas enters the pressure regulator from the coupler adaptor interface passage. In one embodiment, the coupler adaptor remains operatively joined to the pressure regulator without retaining structure due to the balanced gas pressure which results because of the O-rings positioned adjacent the coupler adaptor interface passage.

Description

~AL~,NC~ SURE COU~LING A~ AqUS

Field of the Invent_on The present invention relates to devices which are coupled to containers having pressurized fluids 05 housed therein and, in particular, to a coupling apparatus which does not require retaining means for holding the coupling apparatus to a pressurized fluid-containing cylinder when the pressurized fluid is released therefrom to the coupling apparatus.

Background Art Various coupling devices are ~nown for connec-- tion to a container housing fluid under pressure and in which the container or the coupling device includes a valve for releasing the fluid from the container into tlle coupling device. Each of these known - coupling devices requires some retaining structure to maiiltain the coupling device and the container in secure operative association with each other when the prèssurized fluid escapes the container and flows into ,the coupling device. As can be readily appreciated, the force of a highly pressurized gas exiting the container into a coupling device joined to the container can easily separate the container and coupling device. Typically, such retaining structure used in prior art coupling devices includes threads for in-terconnecting with threads formed in the container. Alternatively, the retaining structure includes a clamp or strap for maintaining a secure connection betwcen a coupling device and the container or a valve.
It has been found desirable to eliminate the use of such retaining structures in order -to simplify the connection between a container or valve and the ~æ

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couplinq device and to minimize the al~lount of space taken by the container, valve, and coupling device.
As a result of simplifyin~ these connections, the assembly and disassembly of the container is facili-05 tated and enhanceA. ~lore specifically, it has beenfound advantageous to invert a pressurized fluid containing cylinder and provide a coupler adaptor for passing pressurized fluid into a pressure regu-lator witllout the use of retaining structure for holding the pressure regulator and cylinder together.In this regard the present invention includes a coupler adaptor which remains in operative association with the cylinder and pressure regulator when rela-tively high pressurized fluid is released from the container through a valve to the coupler adaptor andto the pressure regulator. The coupler adaptor remains joined to the container and pressure regulator because of a pressure balancing arrange~ent.

Prior Art Statement .
The following known prior art patent references are submitted under the provisions of 37 C.F.R.
1.97(b).
U.S. Patent No. 3,319,829 to Sentry discloses a pressure regulator which is connected to a housing by means of threads. The housing includes an opening for receiving a cylinder which houses gas under relatively high pressure. The gas is released into the pressure regulator in a direction parallel to its escape from the cylinder. An O-ring seal is provided adjacent the connection of the pressure regulator to the housing in order to prevent leakage of tlle ~as.
U.S. Patent No. 2,524,052 to Grant, Jr. describes a valve asscmbly which is hcld by threads to a 51~

containex. A valve operating member is joined to and m~vable relative to the valve assembly by means o~ a threaded coupl~ng nut. An O~rin~ seal prevents leakage of gas between the`couplin~ nut and the .-5 val~e operat~ng member.
:.U~S. ~atent No. l r 910~283 pro~ides a val~e arrangement includ~ng a cas~ng_threadedly connected to a c~l~nder housing pressurized fluid. ~ thrust scr~w i~used to permit the opening of a chec~ valve lQ and th.e e$cape of pressurized fluid.

S~mary of the InVent.i:on A coupling assem~ly ~aving a coupler adaptor is pro~ded for connection to a conta~ner assem~ly.
The contaî~ner assembly ~ouses pressurized fluid. ~
chec~ ~al~e i~s provided to retain the pressurized fluid.
Thus the present inventiQn pEovides an apparatus for dispensing compressed gas disposed in a container at a given pressure from said container through a pressure regulator adapted to reduce said pressure to a lower level into a gas utilization device, said apparatus having a coupling assembly for connecting said container and pressure regulator together, said coupling assembly including a first body portion extending from said container and having an interior passage in fluid communication with said pressure regulator and a second body portion for removably receiving said first body portion, an improvement in said coupling assembly characterized by:
a first sealing member disposed between said first and second body portions between said passage and said container;
a second sealing member disposed on the opposite side of 5~

- 3a -said passage from said first sealing member, said first and second sealing members defining an annular space between said first and second body portions adapted for balancing the forces exerted by said compressed gas between said first and second body portions and providing fxictional forces sufficient to hold said first and second body portions ~ogether; and a normally closed valve in said first body portion in fluid communication with said passage, said valve being adap~ed to immediately open when said first and second body portions are connected together.

In one embodiment of the invention, the coupler adaptor includes a generally cylindrical body having the check valve extending therethrough. The cylin-drical body is integrally joined to a housing whichis threadably connected to the container assembly for housing the pressurized fluid. The cylindrical body includes two grooves. An O-ring is seated in each groove and an interface passage is formed between the two O-rings. The pressurized fluid moves past the check valve and through the interface passage to a pressure regulator.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the container assembly includes a valve body having a recess into which the coupler adaptor is slidably fitted. The valve body houses tlle chec~i valve. The coupler adaptor is threadably attached to a pressure regulator or other coupling device for receiving the ..G~

pressurized fluicl ~rom the container rl'he pressllrizcd fluid is released from the container assembly when the check valve is engaged The pressurized fluid escapes from the container assembly into the pressure 05 regulator through the interface passage formed in the coupler adaptor ~ pair of O rings is also included, as in the first embodiment, adjacent the interface passage In both embodiments, the O-rings on both sides of the interface passage prevent leakage of the pressurized fluid when it is released from the container assembly and, most significantly, provide a substantial pressure balance so that the coupling device and con-tainer assembly remain in operative association during the release of the pressurized fluid.
The present invention is particularly useful in a pressurization system, such as a carbonation system, wherein a container houses carbon dioxide under high pressure The carbon dioxide gas in the container is permitted to controllably escape through the check valve and the coupler adaptor into a pressure regulator. The pressure regulator regulates the pressure of the gas which leaves an outlet port formed in the pressure regulator Typically, the pressure regulated gas is used to pressurize a liquid, such as a soft drink In view of the foregoing description, it is readily discerned that an efficient, yet simple, coupler adaptor is provided which is quickly plugged into or slidably fitted to a pressure regulator in one embodiment or a valve body in another embodiment for connection to a container As a result, connection and removal of the container and coupler adaptor . .

from th~ pressure reclulator or the conncction and removal of the container from the coupler adaptor and pressure reyulator is quickly and easily accom-plished even when the container contents are highly 05 pressurized. Importantly, the coupler adaptor rcmains coupled to or in opera-tive association with the pressure recJulator or valve body without retaining structure for securing them togethe~r, even though escaping gas from the container provides a considerable force at the interface of the coupler adaptor and the pressure regulator or valve body. Coupler- par-ts are thereby minimized and the space required for the container, coupler adaptor, and pressure regulator is reduced.
Additional advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings -Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the present invention with an inverted cylinder;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the present invention with the container in an upright position;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the inverted cylinder showing the pressure regulator separated from the coupler adaptor;
Figure 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged, longitudinal section, taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3, showing details of the coupler adaptor;
Figure 5 is an enlarged, longitudinal section, taken along line 5-5 of Figure 3, sho~A~ing details of the pressure rcgulator;

~ ~8:~5~

Figure 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal section, taken along line 6~6 of ~gure 1, sAowing details of a first embodiment ~n w~ ch the coupler adaptor is fi~edly connected to the container;
Figure 7 is an enlarged, frag~entary, longitudinal sect~on showing details of a second embodiment in which the coupler adaptor i~s ~i~edly connected to the pressure regulatorO

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Det~l~d DPs~c~i~t~ '~f ~e Prefer~ed Em~od;~ments i 10 ~n accordance wIth the present ~n~ention, a container ~sse~ly 1~ ~ncludi~ng a c~linder 12 is depicted ~n Fiyure'l ~a~ing a coupling assembly 14 attached to the cylinder 12 at its neck 16~ The cylinder 12 is typically used to contain carbon dioxide under h~gh pressure such t~at a portion o~ the contents of the cylinder 12 is liqui~d carbon diox;~de while'the remaining portions of the contents of the c~linder 12 are gaseous carbon dioxi~de. The gaseous carbon dioxide ;~s, preferably, used to carbGnate beverases/ such as soft drinks.
Accordingly-~ the present invention is primarily adapted for connecti~on to another container which houses the beverage to be carbonated~ When desired, the gaseous carbon dioxide is permitted to escape the cylinder 12 and coupling assembly 14 through the outlet tube 1~
into the container, which ~s a gas util~zation device, and which houses the beverage to be pressurized or carbonated.
The coupling assembly~l4 includes a coupler adaptor.
In a first embod'ment, the coupler adaptor is threadedly connected to the cylinder 1~ In the second embodI-ment, the coupler adaptor ~s threadedly connected to acoupling body such as a ~ressure regulator. The coupling ~ody or pressure regulator is also an element or part 7~ 6~

of the coupling assembly 14. The prescllt invcntion is particulaL^ly characterizecl in that, in thc first embodiment, the coupler adaptor remains in operative association with the pressure regulator when pressurized 05 gas is permitted to escape from the cylinder 12. Similarly, in the second embodiment, the coupler adaptor remains in operative associa~ion with the container assembly 10 and cylinder 12 when pressurized gas is permitted to escape from the cylinder 12. This operative associ-atiun in both embodiments does not necessitate the use of retaining structure, such as clamps, yokes, threaded attachments, and the like, unli~e previously devised coupling structures wherein such retaining mechanisms were required.
The present invention is a]so characterized, in its preferred configuration, by the inverted or upside down positioning of the cylinder 12, as illustrated in Figures l, 3, 4, 5 and 6~ However, it is understood, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 7, that the present invention also properly functions when the cylinder l~
is positioned right side up. That is to say, the container assembly lO and the coupling assembly 14 rcmain operatively connected without the use of re-taining structure when the cylinder 12 is positioned upright and gas escapes from the cylinder 12 into the coupling asseMbly 14.
In this regard, the notable functional differencebetween the use of an inverted cylinder and an upright cylinder is that, in the inverted cylinder embodiment, the weight of the cylinder and the carbon dioxide contained therein act to overcome the force of the ~ressurized gas in the cylinder acting on a check valve stem or releasing the pressurized gas from the cylinder.
This force tends to separate the container assembly and . .

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couplcr asser;~ . I?ith respect to the inverted cylinder embodiment, the coupler assembly is normally fastened to and supported by a horizontal support surface while the inverted cylinder is vertically positioned above 05 the coupler assembly while joined there-to. Consequently, the force resulting from -the pressurized gas against the check valve stem, tending to separate the coupler assembly from the container assembly, is fully or at least partially overcome by the downward acting force of the weighted cylinder.
With respect to t`ne upright cylinder embodiment in which the coupler assembly is again fastened to a horizontally extending supporting surface, the force resulting from the pressurized gas against the check valve stem tends to separate the cylinder from the coupler assembly. ]iowever, since the maqnitude of the ~orce against the check valve stem depends upon the magnitude of the pressure of the gas contained in the cylinder, this force is normally overcome by friction forces which resist the normal fluid force present in the cylinder. Additionally, the force against the check valve stem in an upright cylinder embodiment is minimized considerably thl-ougll the use of a relatively small lateral or cross-sectional area. Also, this force can be negated by using a valve stem which is - secured against movement in a direction towards the co~pler assembly so that the force of the ~ressurized gas does not actto move the chec~ valve.
Although not shown in Figures 1 and 2, it is understood that standard support mechanisms are usually provided to rigidly maintain the combination container assembly 10 and coupler assembly 1~ in either the upri~ht or inverted configuration. Conventional supporting assemblies can be connected to either the container assembly 10 or the coupler assembly 14 in 5~

order to ~)revcult -thc c,~el-turnillc3 or tipping of the container assembly 10 and coupler assembly 14 from their substantially vertical positions. ~evertheless, it is once again emphasized that such supDort structure 05 is not used to interconnec-t the coupler adaptor and pressure regulator with respect to the aLorementioned first embodiment or, alternatively, the coupler adaptor and container assembly with respect to the aforementioned second embodiment. It is also desirable, in selecting workable support structure, that ready access to the cylindcr 12 be provided so that it can be easily re-placed wllenever the carbon dioxide contained therein has been expended.
The detailed features of the present invention are sho~n in the two different structural arranc3emen-ts identified here as the first and second embodiments.
Although Figure 6 depicts details of the invention with an inverted cylinder 12, while Figure 7 illustrates details of the invention with an upright cylinder 12, it is readily appreciated that both embodiments of Figures 6 and 7 can be used with either an inverted or upright cylinder 12.
~ ith reference now to the first embodimc?nt in which the coupler adaptor is threadably connected to the container assembly 10, Figure 1 shows that the container assembly 10 also includes a gas escape tube 20 which extends longitudinally -through the cylinder 12. ?he gas escape tube 20 includes an inlet 22 located above the licluid carbon dioxide contained in the cylinder 12 to provide an exit for only the gaseous carbon dioxide and not the liquid carbon dioxide. Whenever the cylinder 12 is used in the inverted configuration, the escape tube 20 is utilized. Conversely, no gas escape tube 20 is included wllen the cylinder 12 is positioned in an upright state, as illustrated in ~iyure 2, since the ._ Iq ~_ ... .... . . . ~

~ 3~

g.lcic~ous carboll dioY.ide is in the Up])Cl- portiorl.s of tlle cylind~r 12 immcdiately adjacent the couc~ g asselî,bly 14 for release from the cylinder 12.
Referring to Figure 6, as well as Figures 3, 4 and 05 5, the gas escape tube 20 is integrally joined to a housing 24 of tlle valve assembly 26. The housing 24 is threaded for secure attachmen-t to the neck 16 of the cylinder 12. An O-ring seal member 28 is positioned adjacent the top surface of -the ncck 16 to prevent leakage of the pressurized gas from the cylinder 12 through the threaded junction of the housing 26 and cylinder neck 16.
A bore 30 is formed through the center of the housing 26 for communication with the previously dis-cussed coupler adaptor 32. The coupler adaptor 32 is fixedly joined to the housing 24 by means of inter-connecting threads while an O-ring seal member 34 prevents ]eakage of gas through this threaded connec-tion.
In the embodiment of Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 the check valve 36 of the valve assembly 26 is operatively positioned within a coupler passageway 38 of the coupler adaptor 32. The check valve 36 includes the check valve stem 40, previously discussed in connection with the forces acting thereon, a valve plunger 42, and a valve spring 44. The valve stem 40 is integrally joined to the valve plunger 42 while the valve spring 44 is in operative engagement with the valve plunger 42. When the check valve 36 is closed, as seen in Figure 4, the valve seat 46 acts to prevent the escape of gas f.rom the cylinder 12. An O-ring seal 48 is located in the coupler passageway 38 around portions of the valve st~m 40 to prevent escape of gas from the coupler adaptor 32 along the outer wall of the valve stem 40 whenever the check valve 36 is in its operled position.

5~

The coupl~r adaptor ,2 includcs a generally cylin-drical hody 50 and an interface passage 52 whicll is formed perpendicular, or substantially per~endicular, to the coupler passageway 38 for providing a transverse 05 flow of pressurized gas. A first circular groove 54 is formed in the coupler adaptor 32 at a first side of the interface passage 52 or located vertically above the interface passage 52 when the cylinder 12 is inverted.
A second circular groove 56 is formed in the coupler adaptor 32 at a second side-of the interface passage 52 or located vertically below the interface passage 52 when the cylinder 12 is invertedO A first O-ring seal member 58 is seated in the first groove 54 while a second O-ring seal member 60 is seated in the second groove 56.
The first and second O-ring seal members 58, 60 provide -two functions critical to the proper operation of the present invention. In particular, whenever a coupling device of the coupling assembly 14 is joined to or is in operative association with -the coupler adap-tor 32 and engages the check valve 36 for releasing the pressurized gas from the cylinder 12, the first and second O-ring seal members 58, 60 function to balance the pressure present at the interface or area along which the pressurized gas escapes the coupler adaptor 32. As a result, the joined coupling device remains attached to the coupler adaptor 32. The balanced pressure results because the force of the escaping gas against the first O-ring seal member 58, acting to separate the coupler adaptor 32 and the coupling device, is balanced or offset by an equal force ap~lied by the escaping gas in the o~posite direction actainst the second O-ring seal member 60. In addition to the providing of balanced pressure along the exit interface of the coupler ada~tor 32, the t~o O-ring seal meml~ers 58, -l2-60 also function to prevellt lea}~age of -Lhc ~3as so that the gas released from the cylinder 12 will properly pass to the operatively connected coupling device. The O-ring seal members 58, 60 also provide friction force 05 to help keep the coupler adaptor 32 joined with a mating recess, as will now be discussed.
To provide a safety vent for pressurized fluid contained in the cylinder 12, a burst disc assembly 108 is connected to the housing 24. The burst disc assembly 10 108 includes a vent plug 110l a rupture disc 112 and a seal 114. The vent plug 110 is threadably fastened to the housing 24 in a recess formed in the housing 24. The seal 114 prevents leakage of the pressurized gas around the rupture disc 112 or through lS the threaded joint. The rupture disc 112 will rupture and permit the escape of the gas if an e~cessively high pressure is present within the cylinder 12. This is a required safety device and is desirable to prevent over-pressurization of the cylinder 12.
In the preferred embodiment of the present in-vention, the coupling device referred to above is a pressure regulator assembly 62. Basically, the pressure regulator assembly 62 rcgulates or controls the pressure of the gas received from the cylinder 12 through the coupler adaptor 32. The pressure regulator assembly 62 includes an outlet port 64 forn~ed in a regulator body 66. The outlet port 64 is connec-ted to the outlet -tube 18. The outlet tube 18 carries the pressure regulated carbon dioxide gas to the container which houses the liquid. As best seen in Figure 5, the regulator body 66 also has a recess 68 formed therein. A cylindrical valve lifting pin 70 is integral with tile regulator body 66 and e~:tends into the recess 68. ~ vent passage 72 is also formed in the regulator body G6. The coupler adaptor 32 is slidably fitted or plugged into the " ~ S~

rccess 68 in order to couple the coupler adaptor 32 to -the pressure regulator assembly 62. The force necessary to plug the coupler adaptor 32 into the recess 68 must be of a magnitude to overcome the pressurized gas force 05 acting on the check valve 36. This force can readily and manually be overcome b~ simply inserting the coupler adaptor 32 into the recess 68 and then pressing downwardly (in those instances in which the c~linder 12 is in its inverted position). The vent passage 72 permits the escape of air from between the surface of the coupler adaptor 32 and the recess 68 when the coupler adaptor 32 is inserted into the recess 68.
The pressure regulator assembly 62 further includes a regulator spring housing 74. A diaphragm 76 is lo-cated at the interface of the regulator spring housing74 and the regulator body 66. A diaphragm back up plate 78 engages one side of the diaphragm 76 while a diaphragm rivet 80 contacts the other or pressure side of the diaphragm 76. The head of diaphragm rivet 80 is positioned within a valve chamber 82 of the regulator body 66. A forward plate 84 is threadably fastened to an end of the regulator spring housing 74 and a regu-lator spring 86 is operatively positioned between the diaphragm back up plate 78 and the forward plate 84.
Positioned within a cavity 88 formed in the regu-lator body 66 is a valve mechanism 90 which includes a bushing 92, a valve arm 94, a valve seat 96 and a helical spring 98. The valve arm 94 moves laterally in a valve passageway 100 formed in the bushing 92. The valve arm 94 is in operative engagement with the heli-cal spring 98 at one end of the helical spring 98. The opposi.te end of the helical spring 98 is joined to a ri~id filter disc 102 at the opposite end of the valve 6~

passageway 100. The filter disc 102 is ~ypically made of a porous material such as sintered bron~e and which is fitted into a recess formed in the end of the bushing 92. The opposite side of the filter disc 102 commllni-05 cates with a regulator passage 104. The regulatorpassage 104, in turn, communicates with the interface passage 52. An O-ring seal 106 is positioned adjacent the bushing 92 and filter disc 102 -to prevent the leakage of gas through the outer wall of the bushing 92.
Finally, a safety shroud 116 is fi~edly attached between the outer surface of the neck 16 and the housing 24. The safety shroud 116 is generally bowl-shaped, as seen in Figure 1, having a wall 118 which surrounds the coupler assembly 14 and valve assembly 26. The safety shroud 116 is preferably made of a material havins a melting point at a desired temperature. If the saLety shroud 116 shows signs of excess temperature, it is an indication that the tempera-ture of the environment about the safety shroud 116 and cylinder 12 has been at an undesirable level. Thus, tlle distortion of the safety shroud 116 is a warning that the temperature of the cylinder 12 may have been high enough to have annealed and weakened the metal cylinder 12 to produce an unsafe operating condition. Additionally, the safety shroud 116 acts to protect the coupling assembly 14 and valve assembly 26 should the container assembly 10 and coupler adaptor 32 be inadvertently dropped during transport or during the interconnection of the coupler adaptor 32 and pressure re~ulator assembly 62.
~ n operation of the embodimen-t of Figures 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6, the housin~ 24 is threadably joined to the cylinder 12 and the coupler adaptor 32 is also threadably joined ~o the housing 24. The cylinder 12 then receives . . . ~

_~5~ . 6~

carbon dio~i~c ~nder prcssure through thc couplcr adaptor 32. When it is desired to use the gaseous carbon dioxide for carbonation purpos~s, for example, the cylinder 12 is inverted and the pressure regulator 05 assembly 62 is joined to the coupler adaptor 32 by inserting or slidably Eitting or plugging the coupler adaptor 32 into the recess 68 formed in the pressure regula-tor assembly 62. In so doing, the valve stem 40 contacts the cylindrical valve lif-ting pin 70 which ext-~nds into the recess 68. The force exerted by the valve lifting pin 70 against the valve s-tem 40 moves the valve plunger 42 away from -the valve seat 46 against the force of the valve spring 44 and the pressure force acting on the check valve 42. As a result, the pressurized carbon dioxide gas is able to pass from the valve passageway 38 through the opening created at the valve seat 46 into the interface passage 52. The gas is unable to escape around the valve stem 40 because of the O-ring seal 48.
As previously discussed, balanced forces are provided at the juncture of the coupler adaptor 32 and the pressure regulator assembly 62 by means of and the location of the first and second O-ring seal members 58, 60. The gas escaping the interface passage 52 and entering the pressure regulator assembly 62 exerts cqual and opposite forces against the first and second O-ring seal members 58, 60. That is, the force tending to separate the pressure regulator assembly 62 from the coupler adaptor 32 in an upward direction is balanced by the force tending t~ scparate the pressure regulator assembly 62 from the coupler adaptor 32 in a downward direc-tion. As a consequcnce, the pressurized gas exiting the interface passaye 52 and entering the reyulator passage 104 docs not tend to separate the coupler adaptor 32 from the pressure regulator asscmbly 62.

Upon entel-ing the regulator passaqe ]04, the gas moves through the filter disc 102 into the valve passage~ay 100. The gas passes by the valve seat 96 into the valve chamber 82 where it exerts pressure 05 a~ains-t the side of the diaphragm 76 and escapes the pressure regulator assembly 62 through the outlet port 64. The pressure of the gas entering the pressure regulator assembly 62 is controlled by the operation of the valve Mechanism 90 and the diaphragm 76. The force of the gas against the diaphraym 76 causes the diaphragm 76 to move towards the left (as viewed with respect to Figure 3) against the force of the regulator spring 86.
At a predetermined gas pressure in the valve chamber 82 acting against the diaphragm 76, the diaphragm 76, as well as the diaphragm rivet 80, move laterally to the left a sufficient distance such that the valve arm 94 contacts the valve seat 96 to thereby cut off the flow of the gas from the valve passageway 100. l~hen the pressure is reduced below the predetermined pressure, the force of the regulator spring 86 moves the diaphragm 76 laterally towards the right, as viewed with respect to Figure 6, to permit the flow of gas past the valve seat 92 and into the valve chamber 82 so that it can pass through the outlet port 64 and then to the con-tainer which houses the beverage to be pressurized orcarbonated.
Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in l`igure 7, a c~nnector body 120 is threadably fastened to the neck 16 of the cylinder 12, while the O-ring seal member 28 is positioned at the interface of the neck 16 and the connector body 120 to prevent the escape of gas through this threaded joint. A valve nousing 122 is threadably fastened to the connector body 120 in a recess formed therein. A first O-ring seal 124 is positioned at one end of the threaded conllection between the connector body 120 and the valve ~; ~ a ~ 5~

housillc, 122 allcl a second O-ring seal 126 i.s positioned at the opposite elld of the threaded connection between the connector body 120 and the valve housing 122 to prevent escape of the gas through the ends of this 05 threaded joint~
A check valve 128 is provided in a recess formed in thc valve housing 122. The check valve 128, like the check valve 36, includes a valve stem 130, a valve plunge~ 132 and a valve spring 134. A valve passage-1~0 way 136 receives pressurized gas from the cylinder 12 and carries it to a first transverse passage 138 when the check valve 128 is in its open position. A second transverse passage l40. is also formed in the valve housing 122 and communicates with the first transverse passage 138 through the slot 142.
In this embodiment, a coupler adaptor 144 is fix-edl~r joined to a coupling device or, in the preferred embodiment, a pressure r'egulator assembly 146, unlike the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 6 in which the coupler adaptor 32 is threadably attached to the housing 24 of the valve assembly 26. Like the coupler adaptor 32, the coupler adap-tor 144 includes a generally cylindrical body 148 and a transversely formed interface passage 150 for receiving the pressuri-zed carbon dio~ide gas whenever the valve plunger132 is displaced away from a valve seat 152. Correspon-dingly also, the coupler adaptor 144 includes the first and second grooves 154, 156, respectively, into which first O-ring seal member 158 and second O-ring seal member 160 are, respectively, seated. The first and second O-ring seal members 158, 160 provide balanced fluid forces adjacent tlle coupler adaptor 144 and valve housinc~ 122 interface when the carbon dioxide c~as exits the valve housing 122 and enters the coupler adaptor 144. .~s a result, the coupler adaptor 144 and valvc housing 122 remain in operative association when __ _ _, the chcc}~ valvc 1~ is engaged ancl the carholl ~io,:iclc - gas escapes the cylinder 12 past the valve plunger 132 of the check valve 128. The coupler adaptor 144 further includes a coupler passageway 162, which 05 is in comMunication with the interface passage 150.
The carbon dioxide gas, therefore, cxits the interface passage 150 and enters the coupler passageway 162.
From the coupler passageway 162, the gas flows to the pressure regulator assembly 146.
In joining the coupler adaptor 144 to the valve housing 122, the coupler adaptor 144 is inserted or slidably fitted into a recess formed in the valve housing 122 so that the top surface 164 of the coupler adaptor 144 engages the valve stem 130 of the check valve 128 in order to permit the flow of the gas into the first transverse passage 138. A vent..passage,,l.66 formed in the coupler adaptor 144 is provided to permit the escape of air between the interface of the top surface 16q of the coupler adaptor 144 and the valve housing 122 when the coupler adaptor 144 is inserted into the valve housing recess.
Like the embodiment of Figure 6, the gas passes from the coupler passageway 162 to a regulator passag ~
formed,in the pressure regulator assembly 146. The re-maining elements of the pressure regulator assembly 146are identical in structure and function to the previously described pressure regulator assembly elements so that the previous description with respect to the pressure - regulator assembly 62 also applies to the pressure regulator assembly 146.
In view of the foregoing description, numerous advantages of the present invention are readily discerned.
A coupler adaptor is provided for use with a valve to permit the release of a pressurized gas from a cylinder l65~

without t}le necessity of any addi-tional retaininc3 - structur~ The pressurized gas is released -through the valve and the forces tending to separate the coupler adaptor from a body joined thereto are balanced.
05 In this regard, the coupler adaptor is easily plugged into a recess formed in a valve housing or a pressure regulator assembly in order to open the valve and release the gas. The present invention is particularly ad-vantageous in a beverage dispensing system in which it is desirable to quickly and efficiently replace a carbon dioxide-containing cylinder when the carbon dioxide has been expended from the cylinder. Addi-tionally, it is equally important that the present invention provides an effective carbonation system with minimal parts in order to reduce the complexity of the system as well as to minimize the space needed for an operable carbonation sys~em.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to a limited number of embodiments, Z it is readily appreciated that variations and modifi-cations can be effective within the spirit and scope of this invention.
T

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Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In an apparatus for dispensing compressed gas disposed in a container at a given pressure from said container through a pressure regulator adapted to reduce said pressure to a lower level into a gas utilization device, said apparatus having a coupling assembly for connecting said container and pressure regulator together, said coupling assembly including a first body portion extending from said container and having an interior passage in fluid communication with said pressure regulator and a second body portion for removably receiving said first body portion, an improvement in said coupling assembly characterized by:
a first sealing member disposed between said first and second body portions between said passage and said container;
a second sealing member disposed on the opposite side of said passage from said first sealing member, said first and second sealing members defining an annular space between said first and second body portions adapted for balancing the forces exerted by said compressed gas between said first and second body portions and providing frictional forces sufficient to hold said first and second body portions together; and a normally closed valve in said first body portion in fluid communication with said passage, said valve being adapted to immediately open when said first and second body portions are connected together.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second sealing members are characterized by O-ring gaskets seated within retaining grooves on the exterior surface of said first body portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said valve is characterized by a check valve including a spring-biased valve member.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by a vent port in said second body portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said gas utilization device is characterized by a carbonator tank and said gas is carbon dioxide.

6. The apparatus according to claims 1 or 5, further characterized by said first body portion of said coupling assembly as viewed in a vertical plane being disposed above said second body portion.