Can tap

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019071241-A1
Application number	US-201816180259-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 5, 2018
Priority date	Jul 27, 2012
Publication date	Mar 7, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

Disclosed are can taps for dispensing fluids from containers. The can tap has a housing with an inlet and an outlet, and a pin. The pin has a flow portion in fluidic communication with the inlet and the outlet of the housing. The pin may have a blunt depressor capable of operating a valve on the container. The flow portion of the pin allows fluid to flow between the housing and the pin. The can tap may have a gasket comprising a material having a hardness that prevents deformation of the container.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A container comprising:
a refrigerant and having a can tap wherein the can tap comprises housing having a body, a lower end having an inlet, an upper end having an outlet, a throat between the lower end and the upper end; a pin located within the housing having an upper end secured to the housing body, a lower end having a depressor suitable for contact with a can having a top in which is positioned a self-sealing valve, wherein the depressor is capable of operating the self-sealing valve of the can, and a flow portion between the upper end and the lower end of the pin located within the housing throat wherein the flow portion allows fluid to flow between the housing and the pin; and a tap outlet in fluid communication with housing outlet at the upper end of the housing.

2 . The container of claim 1 , wherein the flow portion of the pin has a dimension (width) in a first direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin that is greater than a dimension (width) in a second direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin.

3 . The container of claim 2 , wherein the flow portion of the pin has a dimension (width) in a first direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin that is at least twice as great as a dimension (width) in a second direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin.

4 . The container of claim 3 wherein the first direction is rotated 90 degrees from the second direction.

5 . The container of claim 2 , wherein the flow portion has a flattened surface that allows fluid to pass over the flattened surface between the flow portion and the housing.

6 . The container of claim 1 , wherein the flow portion is rotationally symmetrical around the central axis of the pin.

7 . The container of claim 6 wherein the flow portion is cylindrical.

8 . The container of claim 1 wherein at least part of the flow portion has a dimension (width) in a first direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin that is greater (e.g., at least twice as great) than a dimension (width) in a second direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin and at least part of the flow portion is rotationally symmetrical around the central axis of the pin.

9 . The container of claim wherein at least part of the flow portion has a flattened surface and at least part of the flow portion is cylindrical.

10 . The container of claim 1 , wherein the pin has a pin limiter positioned along the flow portion of the pin for limiting the distance the pin may descend when the pin is engaged.

11 . The container of claim 10 , wherein the pin limiter is at least one shoulder and the housing further comprises a stop positioned along the housing throat at or near the housing inlet wherein the at least one shoulder and the stop are sized such that the at least one shoulder contacts the stop to limit the distance the pin can descend when the pin is engaged.

12 . The container of claim 1 , further comprising a gasket positioned adjacent the housing at or near the housing inlet.

13 . The container of claim 12 , wherein the gasket comprises an elastic material having a hardness that minimizes deformation of a can to which the can tap is attached.

14 . The container of claim 12 , wherein the gasket has a hardness ranging from about 70 durometers to about 100 durometers.

15 . The container of claim 14 , wherein the gasket has a hardness ranging from about 80 durometers to about 90 durometers.

16 . The container of claim 12 , wherein the gasket is sized such that it at least partially but not completely compresses when the can tap is attached to a can.

17 . A method for providing a refrigerant comprising dispensing the refrigerant from the container of claim 1 .

18 . The method of claim 17 wherein dispensing comprises recharging an automotive a/c system with the refrigerant.

Assignees

• Chemours Co Fc Llc

Inventors

• Koban Mary E
• Ferraioli Stephen James
• Jewell Lewis Robert
• Stasio Anthony F
• Uphaus Roderic Nathan

Classifications

• B65D83/14 Primary

  Containers for dispensing liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant · CPC title

• F25B45/00

  Arrangements for charging or discharging refrigerant · CPC title

• F17C13/04

  Arrangement or mounting of valves (valves per se F16K {; snap-coupling of nipples F16L37/00}) · CPC title

• Y10T137/6133

  Combined rotary and longitudinal movement of valve · CPC title

• F16K1/303

  with a valve member, e.g. stem or shaft, passing through the seat · CPC title