GB2026619A - Gas Container Dispensing and Charging Adaptor - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser for gas under pressure comprises a gas container 9 on the valve stem of which is mounted an adaptor 1 provided with a nipple 4 allowing recharging of the container by engaging the nipple with the valve stem of a larger container. The adaptor is shaped to enter a lock 11 and is used for spraying a gas intended to de-ice locks blocked by frost. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Gas Dispenser The invention has as its subject an improvement in compressed gas dispensers which are rechargeable.

There are used for various purposes many sorts of dispenser comprising a cartridge of gas under pressure closed by a valve provided with an axial cylindrical nozzle of small diameter (commonly 3 mm), capable of causing opening of the valve when pressure is exerted on its end to allow the gas to escape. This gas may have a direct use and be, for example, a combustible gas as in gas lighters or be a propelling gas allowing spraying on various products which are liquid or powder such as polish and medicaments.

An adaptor of shape adapted to the orifice for which the apparatus is intended covers the nozzle and has a recess of which the internal diameter corresponds to the external diameter of the nozzle, the recess communicating with one or more projection orifices which are in general placed laterally. The adaptor facilitates pushing in of the nozzle and also allows direction of the jet.

These cartridges are not generally intended to be recharged by the user.

Certain uses however require use of rechargeable cartridges. It is known for example that in winter the locks of automobiles exposed to humidity and to cold are likely to be blocked by an internal deposit of ice. Advantageously there are used for de-icing cartridges containing a gas which is easily condensible. The adaptor has then an end of elongated rectangular section capable of penetrating the barrel of the lock to allow injection of gas there of which the condensation causes melting of the ice.

The quantity of gas used in each operation is not negligible. However it is useful to have cartridges which are not very bulky, and it is desirable to recharge them from a reserve can which is easily available. Such a can is formed of a similar cartridge of greater capacity and provided with a valve of similar type but having dimensions rather greater: its nozzle has an external diameter of the order of 4 mm.

The cartridges are thus provided with a special nozzle of which the end is modified in order to comprise a male extension having a fairly small diameter to allow it to penetrate inside the orifice of the nozzle of the reserve can; it thus suffices to remove the adaptor to allow recharging of the cartridge and placing the can on the cartridge with the head down and pressing so as to cause simultaneously the opening of both valves.

However this solution is not without disadvantages; it is more difficult to carry out as the existence of the extension at the end of the nozzle reduces the available length for alignment of the adaptor and complicates obtaining of gastightness in the cavity. On the other hand it requires manufacture in a relatively small series of nozzles which are non-standard, thus increasing the price of the cartridges.

The invention is intended to resolve this difficulty in a simple manner. According to the invention there is provided a dispenser for gas under pressure comprising a container for the gas provided with an outwardly projecting nozzle to discharge the gas and an adaptor fitted over the nozzle, the outward end of the nozzle being positioned in a recess in the nozzle and the adapter having an axial bore terminating in a nipple on the outward end of the adaptor to allow recharging of the dispenser.

The adaptor nipple may be of conical or biconical shape and have a base diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the orifice of a reserve can nozzle.

An adaptor of which the projection orifice is provided with such a nipple is used as in previous cartridges for dispensing gas but also it allows direct recharging of a cartridge of the ordinary type and without having to dismount it; it facilitates recharging while dispensing with manufacture of special cartridges; it thus provides a solution which is more convenient than those previously used.

An embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view in elevation partly cut-away of an adaptor to be mounted on a dispenser according to the invention; Figure 2 is a view from above of the adaptor of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section showing use of the dispenser of Figure 1 during de-icing of a lock; Figure 4 is a section similar to Figure 3 but showing an adaptor on a dispenser according to the prior art; Figure 5 is a view in elevation, partly cut away, showing the operation of recharging the dispenser of Figure 4.

The adaptor of Figure 1 comprises a body 1 of which a conical end and has two cut-outs forming flats 2 which give it at its end a shape close to a trunk of a pyramid of rectangular section.

The frontal face 3 of the adaptor is provided with a nipple 4 of biconical shape intended to allow recharging of a container provided with the adaptor. The nipple is of a diameter which is less than the width of the face 3.

An axial channel 5 for passage of gas which opens to the outside by an orifice 6 in the centre of the nipple 4 communicates at its inner end with a recess 7 having a slight conical taper.

As seen in Figure 3 the adaptor is mounted on a cylindrical nozzle 8 which forms the movable end of a valve 9 of a cartridge 10 containing deicing compressed gas. A tight fit of the nozzle 8 inside the conical recess 7 ensures gas-tightness of the assembly and guiding of the adaptor.

When the adaptor is placed in the barrel of a lock 11 and the cartridge is pushed into abutment towards this lock there is caused pushing in of the nozzle and opening of the valve.

As seen in Figure 4 adaptors of the prior art have a similar shape but are not provided with a recharging nipple on their frontal face 1 2. Instead, the end of the nozzle 1 3 of the corresponding cartridge is machined so asto give a male extension 14 of very small diameter and the cavity 1 5 of the adaptor comprises a protective lodging 1 6 of corresponding shape. To recharge the cartridge 10 it is necessary to remove the adaptor and to place the cartridge to be refilled in the valve 17 of a reserve tank 18, as shown in Figure 5, the valve 17 being turned downwards and the extension 14 penetrating it to serve as a guide and ensure gas-tightness.

When the tank 1 8 is applied on the cartridge 10, there is caused pushing in of the two nozzles, opening of the valves and the liquid contained in the can can pass into the cartridge.

Comparison of the figures of the drawings will illustrate the simplification achieved by the arrangement of Figures 1 to 3.

With this arrangement the gas cartridge now carries a nozzle 8 of normal cylindrical shape which need not be provided with any extension 14 of particular shape at its end. The nipple 4 does not obstruct in any way penetration in a lock 11 and it will readily be understood that to refill the device again it suffices to place it directly on a tank such as the tank 18, the nipple 4 penetrating into the orifice of the valve 1 7 in the same manner as the extension 14 for cartridges in the prior art.

Claims (4)

Claims

1. A dispenser for gas under pressure comprising a container for the gas provided with an outwardly projecting nozzle to discharge the gas and an adaptor fitted over the nozzle, the outward end of the nozzle being positioned in a recess in the nozzle and the adaptor having an axial bore terminating in a nipple on the outward end of the adaptor to allow recharging of the dispenser.

2. A dispenser according to Claim 1, in which the outward end of the adaptor is of elongated rectangular cross-section to allow the adaptor to penetrate the barrel of a lock.

3. A dispenser according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the nipple has a biconical shape.

4. A dispenser for gas under pressure, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.