KR20040088058A - Sealing method and article - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention includes a method of sealing a valve unit to a reservoir by vibration to cause melting and reforming. The invention also includes a reservoir 2 assembly having a valve unit 1 and at least a portion of a reservoir 2 having a member for providing the valve unit 1 and the valve hole 5. The valve hole 5 accommodates the valve unit 1, and the valve unit 1 is fused to the member providing the valve hole 5.

Description

Sealing method and article {SEALING METHOD AND ARTICLE}

Valve units and reservoirs that can be used in portable lighters require low cost, low weight, must be mass-produced, and importantly sealable when combined with each other. Typically, sealing between the reservoir and the valve unit parts requires an airtight seal, and therefore requires an airtight or precise coupling. Structurally, the need for this precise coupling depends on both the macroscopic and microscopic differences between the components. Macroscopic differences cover differences in the size and shape of the parts. The valve unit body must be slightly larger than the reservoir to achieve a tight seal. Microscopic differences cover surface defects such as scratches and roughness.

Reservoirs, such as portable reservoirs for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), are usually made of polymeric materials. The vapor pressure of LPG used in portable reservoirs is usually in the range of 1.5-5 bar at 21 ° C. This range depends on the components of the LPG. This range of vapor pressures makes polymer materials particularly suitable due to their low cost, low weight and ease of manufacture.

Generally, polymeric materials are suitable as valve units and reservoirs. Especially plastic polymer materials are suitable. Structurally, these materials can be classified as pure crystal structures up to pure glassy (ie amorphous) materials, depending on their mixing or preparation.

Amorphous structures have irregular patterns, while crystalline structures have a constant pattern. Crystalline polymers have excellent strength properties, elasticity, high elongation ability, are able to withstand continuous high stresses without degrading temperature, and are therefore suitable. Due to the mechanical properties of the crystalline structural material, the airtight seal obtained through radial compression can be kept airtight during the life of the material. Elastic and stable bonds provide good and robust wear resistance.

Generally, when produced using crystalline materials for reservoirs for LPG containers, those materials are hermetically bonded to the valve unit body by pressure-coupled radial compression or positive engagement. This sealing bond is particularly suitable for portable reservoirs for liquefied petroleum gas, ie LPG reservoirs, which can be made of a polymeric material, for example a cigarette lighter. Pressure bonding can be achieved relatively simply and airtight is maintained. Sealing the LPG reservoir to the valve body is also suitable for gas welders, gas torches, hair curlers, or any article in which the reservoir is part of the structure. This is referred to in US patent RE. 33,282. This patent discloses liquefied gas operated lighters, such as pocket lighters made of crystalline polymers. The lighter has a valve member that is pressurized in a gas tight manner within a liquefied gas non-refillable reservoir or top wall of the tank.

Amorphous structures are generally unstable, fragile and slowly change from the glass phase to the crystalline structure. Amorphous structural materials are not stable and fragile and are not as resistant to wear as crystalline materials. Reuse and regulating actions can result in cracking or breakage of parts and can break airtight seals.

The lighter of US Pat. No. 4,289,478 is made of amorphous polymer material and has a plastic gas tank and a burner mounted thereon. A heat collection tube is provided along the wick therein. The burner has a valve coupled to the nozzle and the heat collection tube. The nozzle is held in tight engagement by a screw cap screwed into the tank. The screw cap is made of amorphous plastic material.

Although the amorphous polymer of US Pat. No. 4,289,478, which uses a less expensive amorphous material, requires some additional components, these options are still expensive and pose mold difficulties, while see US Pat. 33,282 amorphous material lighters are expensive in terms of materials and design.

Another method currently used for sealing in hermetic sealing is, for example, the precise coupling of a screw type valve body with a corresponding screw type valve hole.

This method is usually limited to hand assemblies. Therefore, precise coupling is expensive in terms of assembly and production.

Both of these conventional lighters covering crystalline and amorphous materials have a high material cost and a problem of making too many component parts. Corresponding sealing methods include pressurization or radial compression and precise or manual screwing for automated manufacturing processes. In addition, the conventional sealing methods described above are limited to extremely precise surface finishes, because the surface defects of any two parts, ie any scratches or roughness, can lead to the disposal of the finished product due to the leakage of gas. In addition, there is no existing sealing method involving any melting and reforming to obtain a hermetic seal.

The present invention relates to a sealing method for assembling a valve unit in a reservoir, and a sealed valve unit and a reservoir. In particular, the present invention need not be dedicated, but discloses a portable lighter.

1 shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional lighter.

2 shows a cross-sectional view of another conventional lighter.

3 is a cross-sectional view of the valve unit assembled with the portion of the reservoir in the first insertion step.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the valve unit assembled with the reservoir portion in the second insertion step.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the valve unit assembled with the reservoir portion in the third insertion step, ie the valve unit is welded to the reservoir.

6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bottom of the assembly showing the welding position.

7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a base portion of a refillable lighter.

8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the base portion of a refillable lighter being charged.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved sealing method and a valve and reservoir assembly which can eliminate or ameliorate the above-mentioned drawbacks in a simple and effective manner or at least provide popularity with at least a useful choice.

Sealing method of valve unit and reservoir assembly is:

(a) inserting the valve unit at least partially into at least a portion of the reservoir;

(b) subjecting the melt generating operation to the valve unit and the reservoir; And

(c) at least a portion of the valve unit and the reservoir are melted so that the valve unit is sealed and bonded to the reservoir.

In the sealing method described in the previous paragraph, the melt generating action causes mutual melting and reforming of the melted portion to form an airtight seal.

In the sealing method described in the previous paragraph, at least part of the reservoir has a member for providing a valve hole.

In the sealing method described in the previous paragraph, the valve unit has a cross sectional dimension larger than that of the valve hole.

In the sealing method described in the previous paragraph, the melt-producing action is effected by applying a vibration force to the valve unit so that the valve unit is substantially press-fitted into the reservoir and reformed in connection with it.

In the sealing method described in the previous paragraph, melting and reforming are performed by high frequency vibration means.

According to a second aspect, the invention consists of a seal assembly comprising a valve unit and at least a portion of a reservoir having a member for providing a valve hole, the valve hole receiving the valve unit, the valve unit closing the valve hole. It is fused to the member to provide.

Preferably, the surfaces of the valve unit and the reservoir are melted and reformed together by fusion to form an airtight seal.

Preferably, the reservoir has a gas tank.

Preferably, the gas tank has a base having a groove, the groove having a hole therein.

Preferably, the valve set is fused to the groove.

Preferably, the valve set comprises a valve, a flexible ring seal member and a spherical member, wherein the spherical member moves along the gas refill nozzle to seal the hole so that gas can only enter during filling.

Preferably, the valve unit has at least one valve member, a retainer member and a nozzle, the valve member is installed in the retainer member, the nozzle is installed in the valve member such that one end of the nozzle protrudes from the retainer member, the valve member and the retainer member At least one of is fused to the member providing the valve hole.

Preferably, the nozzle is embedded in the retainer member by the pressing means.

Preferably, the valve unit is made of a substantially amorphous polymeric material.

Preferably, at least a portion of the reservoir is made of a substantially amorphous polymeric material.

Preferably, the melting is provided by high frequency vibration means.

Preferably, the melting is provided by ultrasonic means.

Melt is also provided by spin welding means.

Melt is also provided by vibratory welding means.

Melt is also provided by hot plates.

Melting is also provided by microwave means.

Preferably, the melting is provided at one or more melting positions and the valve unit and the member providing the reservoir are heated and fused together by melting.

Preferably, the retainer member is fused to the member providing the valve hole.

Preferably, the valve member is fused to the member providing the valve hole.

Preferably, the valve member has a top and a bottom in use, and the filter is attached to the bottom of the valve member.

Preferably, the cover is attached to the outer end of the filter.

Preferably, the nozzle has an upper end and a lower end in use, and the nozzle has an elastic packing member at the lower end.

Preferably the lighter has a sealing assembly as previously disclosed.

According to another aspect, the present invention consists of an LPG tank assembly having a tank and a valve, wherein the tank has a bottom in use having a valve groove therein, so that the valve is embedded in the groove and allows filling of gas, The valve is welded to the valve groove and reformed.

Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can make numerous modifications and broad other embodiments and applications of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. These disclosures and the description herein are exemplary only and are not intended to be limiting in any sense.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the sealable valve unit in the assembled state is shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. As shown, the valve unit 1 is interconnected with at least part 2 of the reservoir. The valve unit 1 has a valve unit body having at least a valve member, a retainer member and a nozzle member for gas flame.

The reservoir 2 has a top 3 and a bottom 4 in use. The upper end 3 is the same stage as where the portable lighter nozzle member 12 is located. At the lower end 4 of the reservoir 2, a pedestal of the reservoir to contain fuel is located. The reservoir 2 has a hole 5 as shown in FIG. 3. The valve unit is located in the hole 5. The valve unit 1 is provided with a retainer member 6, which is pressed into the inner wall of the hole 5. The retainer member 6 has a top 7 and a bottom 8. The upper end 7 can be stepped to provide a restraining action against the penetration of the retainer member 6 and / or the valve unit while being pressed into the reservoir. It is a valve member having a valve body 9 that is pressed into the inner wall of the retainer member 6. The valve body 9 has an upper end 10 and a lower end 11. The nozzle member 12 is located in the valve body 9. The nozzle member 12 has an upper end 13 corresponding to the upper end 3 of the reservoir 2, and a lower end 14 corresponding to the lower end 4 of the reservoir 2. The nozzle member 12 has a pressing means 15, which may be a spring which assists to keep the retainer member 6 in a press-fit state.

The valve body 9 also has a filter 16 at its lower end 11 which is in turn wrapped by a cover member 17. The nozzle member 12 is seated on the valve body 9 via the elastic packing member 18. The packing member may be a rubber closure member.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the valve unit 1 is sealed to the reservoir 2 by welding at a specific position on the reservoir 2. The valve unit 1 and the hole 5 have a press-in surface, which faces are melted to bring about a local reformation of these faces, thereby joining them to provide an almost perfect airtight seal. The figure shows the valve unit 1 which is arranged in the hole 5 of the reservoir 2. The valve unit 1 is pressed into the hole 5. The hole 5 has a shape that can accommodate the valve unit 1. The hole 5 has a step 19 at its upper end 3 and at its lower end 4 at least two step reductions at its diameter. The two step reduction portions may be made of an inwardly inclined portion 20 extending into a substantially right angle portion 21 substantially parallel to the inner wall 22 of the hole 5.

Under the hole there are some fusion zones 23 and rough zones 24. Any other area can be selected.

The valve unit 1 and the reservoir 2 can be made of any material or mixture that can be fused and hermetically bonded. Any polymeric material or mixture can be used. Substantially plastic polymeric materials or mixtures can be used, in particular amorphous or glassy polymeric materials. Pure crystal structures can be used up to pure amorphous structures with or without mixtures. In one embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir 2 may be made of a polymeric material, but the valve unit 1 may be formed of a metallic material and a polymeric material. Of course, typically this may be a polymeric material that is melted but in which a hermetic seal can be obtained even when the metallic part is wrapped or covered by the molten polymeric material. Macroscopic differences in shape or size can still be sealed even with microscopic differences such as scratches and roughness that may exist between the valve unit 1 and the aperture 5.

The valve unit 1 and the reservoir 2 are melted such that these units 1 and the reservoir 2 are joined at least between the positions 23 and 24, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. This joining takes place along almost all or at least a substantial part of the length of the valve unit 1 and the hole 5. As long as the valve unit is sealed to the reservoir 2 and no gas leakage occurs, any suitable joining and / or welding position can be selected. In the figure, both the retainer 6 and the valve body 9 are shown welded or welded to the valve hole 5. Since the diameter of the valve body 9 is larger than the diameter of the valve hole 5, any surplus material when the polymer of the valve body and the valve hole melts during the insertion of the valve body 9 into the valve hole 5. It is moved downward and placed in the rough area 24. The upper end 7 of the retainer member 6 may be stepped to provide a restraint against penetration of the retainer member and / or valve unit during insertion into the hole. After melting, the components are joined by fusing, for example by welding. Melting may be provided by high frequency vibration means.

The method of using melting for the connection of parts can be achieved in the following manner. Take welding as an example. In order to avoid leakage of gas, the valve unit preferably has a diameter larger or wider than all or at least a part of the diameter of the valve hole 5. Next, the valve unit 1 can be forcibly inserted downward into the valve hole 5 by inducing high frequency downward vibration with respect to the valve unit 1. 3 to 5 show the insertion stage of the valve unit 1. Due to the high frequency vibration, the lower end 11 of the valve unit 1 is priced and pressed into the inner wall 22 and the inwardly inclined portion 20 of the hole 5. Vibration does not destroy the amorphous polymer structure, but melts the plastic material at a specific location (optionally) around the valve hole 5 of the valve unit 1 and / or the reservoir 2. An amorphous polymer is used for the reservoir 2 and the valve unit 1, which has a relatively low viscosity, so when it melts the reservoir 2 and the valve in the weld zone 23 and the coarse zone 24. A seal is formed between the units 1. The molten plastic material moves downwards to fill and even the smallest gaps and holes between the reservoir 2 and the valve unit parts, such as the rough areas 24, are joined by fusion to provide a high quality airtight effect. Since no radial compression force is required as in the conventional pressure bonding method, we can use an inexpensive amorphous polymer for the production of both the valve unit 1 and the reservoir 2 of the lighter.

The valve unit may be hermetically joined to the valve hole 5 by any other melting method such as downward induction vibration or welding. The time and energy required to achieve complete penetration of the valve unit 1 into the valve hole 5 by melting is very short and the effect can be locally reshaped. This means that any problem with the deformation of the components or the post leakage of any component (s) is unlikely to occur.

7 and 8 show only the bottom of a refillable lighter that can be assembled using the same components and methods disclosed by the present invention. These figures show at least a portion of the reservoir, i.e., the bottom of the storage tank 25, which contains the compressed gas 26. In use, the tank 25 is coupled below at least a portion of the reservoir 2 of FIG. 3. 7 shows the tank 25 before refilling. 8 illustrates a gas refill operation. The base portion 27 includes a portion 28 that protrudes into the gas tank 25 to provide a groove. Within the recess, a valve assembly 29 is provided and provides an openable aperture 30 to allow insertion of the refill nozzle 31. The refill nozzle 31 may be attached to a gas source. The valve assembly 29 may be made of a valve member 32, which has an o-ring member 33 proximate a spherical member, such as a ball 34 that is hermetically in close contact with the aperture 30. Insert). Without refilling, the ball pressed to the O-ring by the downward gas pressure in the tank remains sealed thereto. When the refill nozzle is inserted into the valve, the ball is pressurized upwards to create a gap between the O-ring and the ball, thereby allowing gas to flow into the tank 25. The valve member 32 is sealed in the groove of the base portion by melting. Preferably, the melting action is provided by means including vibration welding, high frequency vibration, hot plate welding, vibration welding and microwave welding. Preference is given to using amorphous polymeric materials.

This method is also considered to be applicable to other valve units besides portable lighters. This method combines a low cost amorphous material with a melting and reforming sealing method. Other valves may include refill valves such as flow control valves.

Throughout the description of this specification, the terms "comprise" and "comprising" are not intended to exclude other additional components, completes, or steps.

Advantage of the present invention

The reservoir sealing method has the following advantages:

1. It requires less parts compared to the prior art.

2. The configuration for manufacturing is inexpensive.

3. The assembly time is very short.

4. Some embodiments do not require a sealing ring.

5. No screws or retaining elements are required.

6. Surface defects are not important.

7. Melting and reforming the sealing area achieve a very effective sealing.

Claims (25)

(a) inserting the valve unit at least partially into at least a portion of the reservoir; (b) subjecting the melt generating operation to the valve unit and the reservoir; And (c) at least a portion of the valve unit and the reservoir is melted so that the valve unit is sealed and bonded to the reservoir. The sealing method according to claim 1, wherein the melt generating action causes melting and reforming of each other in the melting portion to form a gas-tight seal. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the reservoir has a member for providing a valve hole. 4. The sealing method according to claim 3, wherein the valve unit has a cross sectional dimension larger than the cross sectional dimension of the member. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the melt generating action is effected by applying a vibratory force to the valve unit such that the valve unit is substantially press-fitted into and reshaped with respect to the valve aperture of at least a portion of the reservoir. The sealing method according to claim 5, wherein the melting and reforming are performed by high frequency vibration means. A valve unit and reservoir assembly comprising at least a portion of a reservoir having a valve unit and a member providing a valve hole, the valve hole receiving the valve unit, the valve unit being fused to the member providing the valve hole. 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the surfaces of the valve unit and the reservoir are melted and reformed together by fusion to form an airtight seal. 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the reservoir comprises a gas tank. 10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the gas tank has a base having a recess, the recess having a hole therein. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the valve set is fused to the groove. 12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the valve set comprises a valve, a flexible ring seal member, and a spherical member, wherein the spherical member moves along the gas refill nozzle to seal the aperture so that gas can only enter during filling. 13. The valve unit of claim 12, wherein the valve unit includes at least one valve member, a retainer member, and a nozzle, the valve member is installed in the retainer member, and the nozzle is installed in the valve member such that the top of the nozzle protrudes from the retainer member. And at least one of the retainer members is fused to the member providing the valve aperture. 14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the nozzle is embedded in the retainer member by pressing means. 15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the valve unit and the reservoir are made of an amorphous polymeric material. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the melting is provided by high frequency vibration means. 17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein melting is provided by one method selected from high frequency vibrating means, ultrasonic means, spin welding, vibration welding, hot plates and microwave generating means. 18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the melting is provided at one or more melting locations and the member providing the valve unit and the reservoir are heated and fused together by melting. 19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the retainer member is fused to the member providing the valve aperture. 19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the valve body is fused to the member that provides the valve aperture. 19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the valve body has a top and a bottom in use and a filter is attached to the bottom thereof. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the cover is attached to the outer end of the filter. 23. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the nozzle has a top and a bottom in use, and the nozzle has an elastic packing member at the bottom. A lighter having an assembly as described in claim 7. An LPG tank assembly having a tank and a valve, wherein the tank has a bottom in use with a valve groove in it, so that the valve is embedded in the groove and allows gas to be refilled, and the valve is fused to the valve groove to reform it. LPG tank assembly.