Dispensing – With discharge assistant – Fluid pressure
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-05
2001-11-06
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
With discharge assistant
Fluid pressure
C222S400700
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311875
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a pressurized tank dispenser assembly for discharging liquids from a tank. More particularly, it is concerned with a pressurized tank dispenser assembly having a liquid extractor valve and pressure relief vent on the same fitting.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Tanks which are used for transporting and delivering liquids under pressure are known and used, for example, in the beverage industry. Typically, the liquids contained in the vessel or tank receive pressure, such as air or carbon dioxide to assist in dispensing the liquid. An extractor valve on the tank may be fitted with a coupler which, when connected, opens the valve and permits the liquid therein to be discharged. It is particularly beneficial if the tank valve shuts off upon removal of the coupler, so that no additional liquid escapes. When beverages or hazardous chemicals are contained in the tank, minimizing such leakage avoids contamination or exposure of the user to hazardous chemicals. Various valves and dispensing couplers for use with a pressurized tank are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,242,092, 5,246,140, 5,653,253, 5,713,496, 5,901,747, 5,944,229, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 326,503 and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 328,200, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
However, there is a need for a simplified dispenser which may be readily attached and removed from the tank. When bulk chemicals such as liquid fertilizer, insecticide, herbicide or the like used by farmers are contained in the tank, existing pressurized liquid dispensers may be difficult to remove for refilling. Moreover, when relief valves for permitting venting of excess air or entry of air to prevent a vacuum are separate from the dispensing valve, additional time is required for removal and installation of the several valves on the tank, and the separate valves may be misplaced or damaged.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a significant advantage over prior pressurized tank dispensers by having a simple to install and remove dispenser which includes in a single fitting both a liquid extractor valve and a pressure relief valve. The dispenser may thereby be attached as a single unit and coupled to the tank through a single securement member.
In greater detail, the dispenser assembly preferably includes an extractor valve which is configured to both discharge liquid and receive pressurized gas therethrough, a relief valve for preventing over pressurization of the tank, and a fitting adapted for mounting to the tank and connecting both the dispenser valve and the relief valve thereto. The fitting is configured for mounting to a neck of the tank, and may be readily secured in place by a securement member complementarily configured to the neck. The tank wall is preferably rotationally molded to present only a single hole therethrough which is within the neck. The extractor valve is preferably configured to receive a coupler thereon which requires no tools for attachment and both selectively discharges liquid under pressure within the tank and allows attachment of a source of pressurized gas. The relief valve is positioned on the fitting so as to avoid interference with the operation of the coupler but nonetheless permit good venting of the tank when overpressured. The relief valve is further advantageously configured to permit manual actuation as well as automatic overpressure relief, and most preferably to enable admission of air into the tank to enable controlled entry to air and avoid the presence of a partial vacuum.
The fitting is preferably configured as a plate which may be flat or domed, but sits atop the neck and sealed by a gasket. The fitting is quickly and easily attached and removed by a securement member configured as a ring which permits the relief valve and dispenser valve to extend upwardly therethrough. Preferably, the tank has a neck which is externally threaded and complemental to the internally threaded securement ring, whereby attachment of the pressurized tank dispenser may be accomplished by merely placing the fitting on the gasket residing on the neck and threading the securement ring thereon.
In an alternate embodiment, the pressurized tank dispenser also includes a receiver for the intake of pressurized gas directly through the fitting. The placement of the receiver, for example a quick-connect pneumatic coupler, on the fitting and as a part of the dispenser assembly enables the tank to be pressurized without the need of attaching the coupler to the extractor valve. In this manner, the tank may be pressurized while the coupler is attached to another tank, thereby reducing preparation time or the need for multiple couplers.
It may thus be appreciated that the pressurized tank dispenser avoids undesired separation of the relief valve and extractor valve, provides a single part for installation and removal, and quick and easy attachment of the coupler without the need for tools. These and other advantages will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art with reference to the description of the preferred embodiments and the drawings provided herewith.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 326503 (1992-05-01), Ipsen
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patent: 5246140 (1993-09-01), Thix et al.
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patent: 5653253 (1997-08-01), Larsen
patent: 5713496 (1998-02-01), Ipsen
patent: 5901747 (1999-05-01), Rokkjaer
patent: 5944229 (1999-08-01), Rokkjaer
Snyder Industries, Inc. “Snyder AG Chem Tanks” product literature in color, Lincoln, Nebraska, 4 pages, no publication date given.
Transpak 120, Micro Matic USA, Inc., Northridge, California, (Snyder Industries, Inc., Lincoln, Nebraska), single double-sided sheet, product literature No. 236, Jan. 1999.
Transpak 120, Micro Matic USA, Inc., Northridge, California, (Snyder Industries, Inc., Lincoln, Nebraska), single double-sided sheet, product literature No. 20-640, Dec. 1999.
Micro Matic Group, “Connection” and “Disconnection,” single undersized black and white sheet, product literature No. 235/May 1995.
Micro Matic Group, “Installation Manual for MacroValve,” on Liquid Transfer Valve Systems, literature No. 233, no date given.
MacroValve MAV publication on “Liquid Transfer Valve System-a Clear Commitment to the Environment,” published by Micro Matic Group, no date given.
“Servicing of MacroValve” regarding “Liquid Transfer Valve Systems,” published by Micro Matic Group, no date given.
Anderson William C.
Bolzer Todd
Gran Bryan J.
Hovey Williams Timmons & Collins
Shaver Kevin
Snyder Industries, Inc.
Willatt Stephanie L.
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