The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 26, 2005
Filed:
Jul. 22, 2003
Thomas M. Risch, Weston, CT (US);
Bryan Bourgeois, Underhill, VT (US);
Thomas M. Risch, Weston, CT (US);
Bryan Bourgeois, Underhill, VT (US);
Other;
Abstract
A refillable container includes a filling valve, and a pressurization station having housing at which a needle is coupled to a compressor. The needle includes an enlarged frustoconical head, a reduced diameter neck, and a larger diameter base. The filling valve has an upper split portion, a frustoconical section expanding downward and terminating in a barb, and a lower flared flange, and defines an interior space having a first portion sized to accommodate the head of the needle, a reduced diameter neck portion, and a flared third portion providing an entrance for the needle. Upon compressor actuation, air is forced into the valve and causes the bills of the valve to flutter open to pressurize the container. As pressure within the container increases, force against the valve from within the container increases, locking the container on the needle. The container may be guided onto the needle with minimal effort.