Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
  • B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
  • B65D41/46—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers
  • B65D41/48—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers non-metallic, e.g. made of paper or plastics
  • B65D41/485—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers non-metallic, e.g. made of paper or plastics with integral internal sealing means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
  • B65D2401/15—Tearable part of the closure
  • B65D2401/35—Vertical or axial lines of weakness

Definitions

• the presently-disclosed subject matter generally relates to a cover for valves. More
• valve covers that include a cap that covers the valve and a plug for the valve opening.
• Compressed and/or liquefied gasses are commonly stored in metal containers or tanks, which are commonly referred to as cylinders.
• a valve is provided on the containers.
• the valves are coupled to the containers and comprise a valve opening from which gas can be released.
• Valves also include a mechanism for opening and closing the valve, such as a handle or wheel that can be activated.
• Gasses can be stored under relatively high pressure, can be flammable and/or toxic, and can be harmful to animals and the environment. Gasses may also be relatively expensive or may need to be stored for extended periods of time. Thus, a valve should open only when the opening mechanism is activated. In addition, since these gases under pressure can be toxic, flammable, and/or expensive, the connection between the container and any utilization equipment should be "leak free” or “leak tight,” meaning there are no leaks that allow excess amounts of the compressed gas to unintentionally escape and create an unsafe condition.
• valves can become damaged and malfunction if the valve opening is exposed.
• Moisture, dirt, insect nests (e.g., wasps), and other obstructions can enter the valve opening during storage or transport, and can potentially interfere with the valve's opening and closing mechanisms and cause gas to unintentionally release.
• Obstructions that enter the valve can also damage the threads, sealing surfaces, or other features located on an interior side of the valve, which can make it difficult or impossible to establish a leak free seal. Accordingly, anything that gets into the valve, or damages it in any
• valve cover that can better protect a valve from exposure or damage.
• valve cover that also comprise tamper evident characteristics.
• FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a valve cover in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.
• FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of the embodiment of the valve cover.
• FIG. 3 shows a top view of the embodiment of the valve cover.
• FIG. 4 shows a side front view of the embodiment of the valve cover.
• FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the embodiment of the valve cover.
• FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the valve cover.
• FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a valve installed on a compressed gas container.
• FIG. 8 shows an interior view of a valve.
• valve cover that can overcome the above- described limitations and disadvantages.
• Some embodiments provide a valve cover that comprises a cap and a plug, wherein the plug is on an interior side of the top end of the cap and projects toward the opening of the cap. In this manner, when the valve cover is installed on a valve, the plug can provide additional protection to the opening and/or the interior side of the valve from exposure, tampering, or both.
• the plug includes a diameter that is less than a diameter of the valve opening. In certain embodiments, when the valve cover is installed on a valve, the plug extends at least partially beyond the opening of the valve.
• FIG. 7 shows an exemplary valve that the present valve cover can be installed on.
• the valve includes a handle (i.e., a hand wheel) 102 for opening and closing the valve.
• Gas can be loaded into or released out of a container through a valve opening 106.
• the gas to be used in conjunction with the valve is not particularly limited.
• the valve is intended for use with a propane gas container.
• Valves may or may not further comprise a threaded lip portion 104 that surrounds an exterior side of the opening. Threaded lip portions 104 can be used to secure hoses or devices to the
• the threaded lip portion 104 can be used to install and secure a valve cover to a valve.
• FIG. 8 shows an interior view of the exemplary valve. While the opening of the valve 106 is defined by its outer edge, the interior side of the valve includes a valve orifice 108 that can be opened and closed, and that can serve as an inlet or outlet for gas. FIG. 8 also shows that an interior side of the valve can comprise an o-ring 110 that is positioned next to the orifice 108, a sealing surface 112, a snap ring 114, and an interior threaded portion 116 that can individually or collectively be used to form a seal between the valve and any utilization equipment. Any of these interior components can be protected to ensure that a valve can form an adequate seal.
• the o-ring 110 can be a rubber o-ring, and can be damaged by obstructions or other contaminants.
• the sealing surface 112 and interior threaded portion 116 can be damaged, possibly beyond repair, by obstructions or other contaminants such that it becomes difficult or impossible to establish an adequate seal between a valve and utilization equipment.
• the snap ring 114 covers only a portion of the interior circumference of a valve, and contaminants can become lodged in the snap ring 114 or at a portion of the valve that is not covered by the snap ring 114.
• FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of a valve cover 1 in accordance with the presently-disclosed subject matter.
• the valve cover 1 includes a cap 2 that can cover the opening of a valve 106.
• the cap 2 includes a top end 3 and a side wall 7.
• the side wall 7 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially cylindrical, but the shape of the side wall 7 can vary, and can depend on the shape of the valve to be covered.
• the side wall 7 includes a top edge 9 that joins a perimeter of the top end 3.
• the side wall 7 also includes a bottom edge 11 that defines an opening 5 of the cap 2.
• a top side and a bottom side refer to, respectively, an upper side and a lower side from the perspective shown in FIG 1.
• the height of the side wall 7 i.e., top edge 9 to bottom edge 11
• the height of a side wall 7 depends on the type of valve to be covered. In some embodiments
• the height of the sidewall 7 is about 0.25 to about 2 times the diameter of the top end 3 of the cap 2. In some embodiments the side wall 7 is tall enough that, when installed, the valve cover 1 protects at least a portion of a threaded lip portion 104 of a valve.
• FIG. 1 also shows that the valve cover 1 includes a plurality of vents 21 that extend in a longitudinal direction (i.e., centerline of valve cover) along the side wall 7 of the cap 2.
• the plurality of vents 21 also extend along a portion of the top end 3 of the cap 2.
• vents 21 are optional in some embodiments, vents 21 can serve various purposes. Vents 21 can decrease the amount of material required to manufacture a valve cover 1 , thereby lowering the material costs to manufacture a valve cover 1. Vents 21 can also provide an opening for one to inspect a valve's threaded portion 104 (or equivalent
• valve cover 1 The dimensions and number of vents 21 provided on a valve cover can vary for different embodiments of valve covers and for different
• FIG. 1 shows that the valve cover 1 can further comprise a pair of tear strips 23 .
• the pair of tear strips 23 are substantially parallel, and extend across the side wall 7 from the bottom edge
• the tear strips 23 extend along at least a portion of the side walls 7, but do not extend across the top end 3 of the cap 2. In even further embodiments, the tear strips 23 only extend across a portion of the sidewall, and, for example, only extend from the opening 5 of the valve cover 1 to a midway point along the width of the sidewall 7.
• the tear strips 23 in FIG. 1 are grooves formed in the side wall 7, which can be split so that the side wall 7 opens along its width.
• the tear strips 23 can be any design that can be split, such as a groove that is V-shaped or U-shaped, a perforated strip, or the like.
• a pull tab 17 Located between the pair of tear strips 23, and projecting from the cap 2, is a pull tab 17.
• the pull tab 17 is coupled to a portion of the side wall 7 that is between the pair of tear strips 23.
• the pull tab 17 extends from the bottom edge 11 of the portion of the side wall 7 that is located between the pair of tear strips 23.
• FIG. 1 also shows that the pull tab 17 is perpendicular to the surface of
• the pull tab 17 is angled relative to a surface of the wide wall 7. In specific embodiments the pull tab 17 is angled in an upward direction, and in other specific embodiments the pull tab 17 is angled in a downward direction.
• a valve cover comprises only one tear strip 23, and the pull tab 17 can be provided on or near the tear strip 23 such that when force is applied to the pull tab 17 the tear strip 23 splits and permits release of the valve cover 1 from a valve.
• the pull tab 17 can optionally be provided with a pull tab handle 19.
• the pull tab handle 19 can be a relatively wider portion of the pull tab 17, and thus can be easier to grab.
• the pull tab handle 19 can also be provided with or without texturing, ribs, grooves, or other features that can enhance the grip of the pull tab handle 19.
• valve covers 1 are not provided with tear strips 23 and/or pull tabs
• FIG. 2 shows that the valve cover 1 includes a plug 15 located on the top end 3 of the cap 2 that projects toward the opening 5 of the cap 2.
• the depicted plug 15 is substantially cylindrical, although in different embodiments plugs can be of any shape that corresponds to the shape of the opening on a valve.
• the depicted plug 15 also comprises a flat distal end, although the plug can have differently shaped distal ends. For instance, plugs 15 may have a pointed or rounded distal end in some embodiments, and may comprise recessed ends in other embodiments.
• the plug 15 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a height (i.e., length from top end of cap 2 to the bottom end of the plug 15) such that, when the valve cover 1 is installed on a valve, the plug 15 at least partially enters the opening on the valve. More specifically, when installed, the plug can at least partially extend beyond a threshold defined by the opening edge of a valve. In some embodiments, when the valve cover 1 is installed on a valve, the plug 15 at least partially enters the opening on the valve. More specifically, when installed, the plug can at least partially extend beyond a threshold defined by the opening edge of a valve. In some embodiments, when the valve is installed on a valve.
• the opening edge of the valve contacts the inner side of the top end 3 of the valve cover 1, and therefore the entire plug 15 is located within an interior side of the valve (i.e., beyond the valve opening). In other embodiments, when the valve cover 1 is installed only a portion of the plug 15 extends into a valve's opening.
• the plug 15 includes a diameter that is less than a diameter of the valve opening, and therefore the plug 15 can enter an opening on a valve with little to no resistance.
• the plug 15 can have a diameter equal to or greater than a diameter of an opening on a valve, such that the plug 15 must compress and/or scrape off a surface thereof in order to enter a valve opening.
• a plug 15 is said to enter a valve opening when it extends past a threshold defined by the opening on the valve.
• the dimensions of a plug 15 can vary depending on the valve to be covered.
• the height of the plug 15 is defined in terms of the height of the sidewall 7, or a length between a top edge 9 and bottom edge 11 of the sidewall 7.
• the plug 15 extends about 5% to about 95%, about 25% to about 75%, and/or about 35% to about 60%> of the distance between the top edge 9 and the bottom edge 11 of the sidewall 7.
• the plug 15 extends about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, or about 90%) of the distance between the top edge 9 and the bottom edge 11 of the sidewall 7.
• the plug includes a height that allows the distal end of the plug to be recessed with respect to a plane defined by the bottom edge of the side wall.
• a plug 15 can enhance the ability of the valve cover 1 to protect a valve, and particularly a valve opening, from exposure and/or tampering.
• the present valve covers can protect outer portions of a valve, and can even protect a threaded portion 104 that is around a periphery of a valve opening 106. Furthermore, unlike known valve covers that only protect an valve's exterior, the present valve covers can protect the opening or the interior side of a valve.
• valves can comprise an interior threaded portion 116 for attaching regulators and other utilization equipment.
• Valves can also comprise a machined sealing
• valves 15 can provide protection to the interior threaded portion 116 and/or sealing surface 112 from exposure and tampering.
• the interior portion of valves may also comprise an o-ring 110 and/or snap ring 114, both of which can be protected by certain embodiments of the present valve covers 1.
• the opening of a valve can also become obstructed to the point that a regulator or hose can no longer be connected to the valve.
• a regulator or hose can no longer be connected to the valve.
• insect nests, dirt, sand, snow, ice, and the like can enter a valve opening and make it difficult or impossible to seal the regulator or hose to the valve.
• the plugs 15 of the present valve covers can fill and protect the interior side of a valve from such obstructions.
• Plugs 15 can also provide additional protection to valves covers that comprise vents 21, since the vents 21 in some valve covers can otherwise permit contaminants to enter a valve opening or provide easier access for one to tamper with a valve when compared to valves covers 1 that do not comprise vents 21.
• FIG. 2 also shows that the embodied valve cover 1 comprises a plurality of protrusions 25 that extend from an inner side of the side wall 7.
• the protrusions 25 generally extend toward the top end 3 of the cap 2.
• the protrusions 25 can help hold the valve cover 1 on the valve.
• a valve cover will be frictionally held on to a valve once it is installed.
• the protrusions 25 can frictionally hold an installed valve cover on a valve.
• the protrusions 25 provide a mechanism by which the valve cover 1 can lock on to the valve, and removal of the valve cover 1 can be easily accomplished only by compromising the valve cover 1. For example, should a particular valve have a threaded portion 104, the protrusions 25 can extend between the threads to lock the valve cover on to the
• protrusions 25 that extend toward the top end 3 of the cap 2, rather than towards the opening 5, can provide additional locking force once the valve cover is installed on a valve.
• protrusions 25 can vary depending on, among other things, the valve to be covered.
• the protrusions 25 extend toward the opening 5 of a valve cover 1 in an installed and/or uninstalled state.
• the protrusions 25 extend toward a top end 3 of the valve cover 1 in an installed and/or uninstalled state.
• protrusions 25 can extend perpendicular to a surface of the side wall 7 in an installed and/or uninstalled state.
• Protrusions 25 can also be manufactured to comprise a certain degree of flexibility such that the protrusions 25 can bend to permit installation of a valve cover 1 on a valve.
• flexible protrusions 25 have a spring-like action so that once the protrusions 25 bend to permit installation of a valve cover 1 on a valve, the protrusions can flex back towards their original orientation to lock the valve cover 1 on a valve.
• lock is used herein to refer to any degree to which a valve cover is held on to a valve, and does not necessarily imply an absolute lock. Some valve covers can lock on to a valve in such a way that they can only be uninstalled by breaking (i.e.,
• valve cover
• a valve cover 1 that has been installed on a valve can be removed only by compromising the valve cover 1. More specifically, in some embodiments, once the valve cover 1 is installed and locked on to a valve, it can be reasonably removed only by breaking the tear strip(s) 23. Once the tear strip(s) 23 are broken, the effective diameter of the side wall 7 is increased so that the factional force and/or protrusions holding the valve cover 1 to the valve can be reduced or eliminated. Furthermore, for embodiments that have a locking mechanism to hold a valve cover on to a valve (e.g., protrusions), breaking the side wall 7 can allow one to peal peel the valve cover 1 off of the valve.
• breaking the side wall 7 can allow one to peal peel the valve cover 1 off of the valve.
• valve covers can function as indicators of whether a particular container has been used since last being filled.
• valve cover when full containers and empty containers are stored in close proximity to one another the valve cover can be used to differentiate between full containers, which would have a valve cover installed, and used/empty containers, which would not have a cover installed. Mix-ups can occur as a result of someone removing a valve cover from a full container, using the compressed gas, and then installing the newly removed valve cover on the valve outlet of the empty container. In this situation, one can accidentally take the empty container with a valve cover believing it is a full container. Thus, some embodiments of valve covers are destroyed or rendered unusable during the initial removal process to prevent them from being reused or placed back on the valve outlets of empty containers. This
• valve covers 1 can be made of any suitable material or combination of materials.
• the valve covers 1 comprise a thermoplastic resin.
• the valve covers 1 are made via injection molding or 3D printing.
• Valve covers 1 can also include metal, resins, or other suitable materials.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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Cited By (2)

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• 2014
  • 2014-03-06 WO PCT/US2014/021373 patent/WO2015134031A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2014-03-06 EP EP14884592.8A patent/EP3114076B1/de active Active
  • 2014-03-06 CA CA2919610A patent/CA2919610C/en active Active

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