Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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VALVE COVER
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The presently-disclosed subject matter generally relates to a cover for
valves. More
particularly, the presently-disclosed subject matter relates to valve covers
that include a cap that covers the
valve and a plug for the valve opening.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Compressed and/or liquefied gasses are commonly stored in metal
containers or tanks, which
are commonly referred to as cylinders. To dispense the gas, a valve is
provided on the containers. The
valves are coupled to the containers and comprise a valve opening from which
gas can be released. Valves
also include a mechanism for opening and closing the valve, such as a handle
or wheel that can be
activated.
[0003] Gasses can be stored under relatively high pressure, can be flammable
and/or toxic, and can be
harmful to animals and the environment. Gasses may also be relatively
expensive or may need to be stored
for extended periods of time. Thus, a valve should open only when the opening
mechanism is activated.
In addition, since these gases under pressure can be toxic, flammable, and/or
expensive, the connection
between the container and any utilization equipment should be "leak free" or
"leak tight," meaning there
are no leaks that allow excess amounts of the compressed gas to
unintentionally escape and create an
unsafe condition.
[0004] In this regard, certain valves can become damaged and malfunction if
the valve opening is
exposed. Moisture, dirt, insect nests (e.g., wasps), and other obstructions
can enter the valve opening
during storage or transport, and can potentially interfere with the valve's
opening and closing mechanisms
and cause gas to unintentionally release. Obstructions that enter the valve
can also damage the threads,
sealing surfaces, or other features located on an interior side of the valve,
which can make it difficult or
impossible to establish a leak free seal. Accordingly, anything that gets into
the valve, or damages it in any
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way, can compromise the seal between the utilization equipment and the valve,
potentially making it
unsafe to store, transport, or use the compressed gas.
[0005] Several known covers have been created to attempt to protect a valve
from tampering and/or
exposure. For example, U.S. Patent No. 6,854,616 to Daniel J. Steffan and U.S.
Patent Application
Publication No. 2008/0232927 to Trimble et al., describe
protective caps for threaded valve stems. However, these known protective caps
only cover the exterior of
a valve and offer limited protection for the opening of a valve.
[0006] Accordingly, there remains a need for a valve cover that can better
protect a valve from
exposure or damage. There also remains a need for such valve cover that also
comprise tamper evident
characteristics.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a valve cover in
accordance with the
presently disclosed subject matter.
[0008] FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of the embodiment of the valve
cover.
[0009] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the embodiment of the valve cover.
[0010] FIG. 4 shows a side front view of the embodiment of the valve cover.
[0011] FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the embodiment of the valve cover.
100121 FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the valve
cover.
[0013] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a valve installed on a compressed
gas container.
[0014] FIG. 8 shows an interior view of a valve.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0015] The details of one or more embodiments of the presently-disclosed
subject matter are set forth
in this document. Modifications to embodiments described in this document, and
other embodiments, will
be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art after a study of the
information provided in this document.
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The information provided in this document, and particularly the specific
details of the described exemplary
embodiments, is provided primarily for clearness of understanding and no
unnecessary limitations are to be
understood therefrom. In case of conflict, the specification of this document,
including definitions, will
control.
[0016] While the terms used herein are believed to be well understood by one
of ordinary skill in the
art, definitions may be set forth to facilitate explanation of the presently-
disclosed subject matter.
[0017] Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms "a", "an", and
"the" refer to "one or
more" when used in this application, including the claims. Thus, for example,
reference to "a vent"
includes a plurality of such vents, and so forth. Unless otherwise indicated,
all numbers expressing
quantities, measurements, and so forth used in the specification and claims
are to be understood as being
modified in all instances by the term "about".
[0018] The presently disclosed subject matter includes a valve cover that can
overcome the above-
described limitations and disadvantages. Some embodiments provide a valve
cover that comprises a cap
and a plug, wherein the plug is on an interior side of the top end of the cap
and projects toward the opening
of the cap. In this manner, when the valve cover is installed on a valve, the
plug can provide additional
protection to the opening and/or the interior side of the valve from exposure,
tampering, or both. In some
embodiments the plug includes a diameter that is less than a diameter of the
valve opening. In certain
embodiments, when the valve cover is installed on a valve, the plug extends at
least partially beyond the
opening of the valve.
[0019] In this regard, FIG. 7 shows an exemplary valve that the present valve
cover can be installed
on. The valve includes a handle (i.e., a hand wheel) 102 for opening and
closing the valve. Gas can be
loaded into or released out of a container through a valve opening 106. The
gas to be used in conjunction
with the valve is not particularly limited. In some embodiments the valve is
intended for use with a
propane gas container. Valves may or may not further comprise a threaded lip
portion 104 that surrounds
an exterior side of the opening. Threaded lip portions 104 can be used to
secure hoses or devices to the
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valve, particularly when filling a container. As discussed below, in some
embodiments the threaded lip
portion 104 can be used to install and secure a valve cover to a valve.
[0020] FIG. 8 shows an interior view of the exemplary valve. While the opening
of the valve 106 is
defined by its outer edge, the interior side of the valve includes a valve
orifice 108 that can be opened and
closed, and that can serve as an inlet or outlet for gas. FIG. 8 also shows
that an interior side of the valve
can comprise an o-ring 110 that is positioned next to the orifice 108, a
sealing surface 112, a snap ring 114,
and an interior threaded portion 116 that can individually or collectively be
used to form a seal between the
valve and any utilization equipment. Any of these interior components can be
protected to ensure that a
valve can form an adequate seal. For example, The o-ring 110 can be a rubber o-
ring, and can be damaged
by obstructions or other contaminants. Similarly, the sealing surface 112 and
interior threaded portion 116
can be damaged, possibly beyond repair, by obstructions or other contaminants
such that it becomes
difficult or impossible to establish an adequate seal between a valve and
utilization equipment.
Furthermore, in some embodiments the snap ring 114 covers only a portion of
the interior circumference of
a valve, and contaminants can become lodged in the snap ring 114 or at a
portion of the valve that is not
covered by the snap ring 114.
[0021] Looking now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an
embodiment of a valve cover 1
in accordance with the presently-disclosed subject matter. The valve cover 1
includes a cap 2 that can
cover the opening of a valve 106. The cap 2 includes a top end 3 and a side
wall 7. The side wall 7 shown
in FIG. 1 is substantially cylindrical, but the shape of the side wall 7 can
vary, and can depend on the
shape of the valve to be covered. The side wall 7 includes a top edge 9 that
joins a perimeter of the top end
3. The side wall 7 also includes a bottom edge 11 that defines an opening 5 of
the cap 2. In this regard,
when describing the orientation of a valve cover herein, a top side and a
bottom side refer to, respectively,
an upper side and a lower side from the perspective shown in FIG 1.
[0022] The top end 3 and side wall 7 together comprise a cap 2 that can be
used to cover and protect a
valve. The height of the side wall 7 (i.e., top edge 9 to bottom edge 11) is
not particularly limited. In some
embodiments the height of a side wall 7 depends on the type of valve to be
covered. In some embodiments
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the height of the sidewall 7 is about 0.25 to about 2 times the diameter of
the top end 3 of the cap 2. In
some embodiments the side wall 7 is tall enough that, when installed, the
valve cover 1 protects at least a
portion of a threaded lip portion 104 of a valve.
[0023] FIG. 1 also shows that the valve cover 1 includes a plurality of vents
21 that extend in a
longitudinal direction (i.e., centerline of valve cover) along the side wall 7
of the cap 2. The plurality of
vents 21 also extend along a portion of the top end 3 of the cap 2. Although
vents 21 are optional in some
embodiments, vents 21 can serve various purposes. Vents 21 can decrease the
amount of material required
to manufacture a valve cover 1, thereby lowering the material costs to
manufacture a valve cover 1. Vents
21 can also provide an opening for one to inspect a valve's threaded portion
104 (or equivalent
nonthreaded portion) without having to remove the valve cover 1. The
dimensions and number of vents 21
provided on a valve cover can vary for different embodiments of valve covers
and for different
applications.
[0024] Further still, FIG. 1 shows that the valve cover 1 can further comprise
a pair of tear strips 23 .
The pair of tear strips 23 are substantially parallel, and extend across the
side wall 7 from the bottom edge
11 to the top edge 9, and also extend across a portion of the top end 3 from
the perimeter of the
top end 3 towards a center thereof. In other embodiments, the tear strips 23
extend along at least a portion
of the side walls 7, but do not extend across the top end 3 of the cap 2. In
even further embodiments, the
tear strips 23 only extend across a portion of the sidewall, and, for example,
only extend from the opening
of the valve cover 1 to a midway point along the width of the sidewall 7. The
tear strips 23 in FIG. 1 are
grooves formed in the side wall 7, which can be split so that the side wall 7
opens along its width. The tear
strips 23 can be any design that can be split, such as a groove that is V-
shaped or U-shaped, a perforated
strip, or the like.
[0025] Located between the pair of tear strips 23, and projecting from the cap
2, is a pull tab 17. Thus,
the pull tab 17 is coupled to a portion of the side wall 7 that is between the
pair of tear strips 23. As shown
in FIG. 1, the pull tab 17 extends from the bottom edge 11 of the portion of
the side wall 7 that is located
between the pair of tear strips 23. FIG. 1 also shows that the pull tab 17 is
perpendicular to the surface of
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the side wall 7. In other embodiments the pull tab 17 is angled relative to a
surface of the wide wall 7. In
specific embodiments the pull tab 17 is angled in an upward direction, and in
other specific embodiments
the pull tab 17 is angled in a downward direction.
[0026] To remove the exemplary valve cover 1 from a valve, one can pull on the
pull tab 17 with a
force sufficient to at least partially split one or both of the tear strips
23. With the tear strip(s) 23 split, the
side wall's 7 effective diameter can increase such that it can release from
the valve. The pull tab 17 need
not be between a pair of tear strips 23. In some embodiments a valve cover
comprises only one tear strip
23, and the pull tab 17 can be provided on or near the tear strip 23 such that
when force is applied to the
pull tab 17 the tear strip 23 splits and permits release of the valve cover 1
from a valve.
[0027] The pull tab 17 can optionally be provided with a pull tab handle 19.
The pull tab handle 19
can be a relatively wider portion of the pull tab 17, and thus can be easier
to grab. The pull tab handle 19
can also be provided with or without texturing, ribs, grooves, or other
features that can enhance the grip of
the pull tab handle 19.
[0028] In some embodiments, the valve covers 1 are not provided with tear
strips 23 and/or pull tabs
17.
[0029] Looking now to FIG. 2, another perspective view is shown that
illustrates the bottom side of
the valve cover 1. FIG. 2 shows that the valve cover 1 includes a plug 15
located on the top end 3 of the
cap 2 that projects toward the opening 5 of the cap 2. The depicted plug 15 is
substantially cylindrical,
although in different embodiments plugs can be of any shape that corresponds
to the shape of the opening
on a valve. The depicted plug 15 also comprises a flat distal end, although
the plug can have differently
shaped distal ends. For instance, plugs 15 may have a pointed or rounded
distal end in some embodiments,
and may comprise recessed ends in other embodiments.
[0030] The plug 15 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a height (i.e., length from top
end of cap 2 to the
bottom end of the plug 15) such that, when the valve cover 1 is installed on a
valve, the plug 15 at least
partially enters the opening on the valve. More specifically, when installed,
the plug can at least partially
extend beyond a threshold defined by the opening edge of a valve. In some
embodiments, when the valve
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cover is installed, the opening edge of the valve contacts the inner side of
the top end 3 of the valve cover
1, and therefore the entire plug 15 is located within an interior side of the
valve (i.e., beyond the valve
opening). In other embodiments, when the valve cover 1 is installed only a
portion of the plug 15 extends
into a valve's opening.
[0031] In some embodiments the plug 15 includes a diameter that is less than a
diameter of the valve
opening, and therefore the plug 15 can enter an opening on a valve with little
to no resistance. In other
embodiments the plug 15 can have a diameter equal to or greater than a
diameter of an opening on a valve,
such that the plug 15 must compress and/or scrape off a surface thereof in
order to enter a valve opening.
In this regard, a plug 15 is said to enter a valve opening when it extends
past a threshold defined by the
opening on the valve.
[0032] Additionally, the dimensions of a plug 15 can vary depending on the
valve to be covered. In
some embodiments the height of the plug 15 is defined in terms of the height
of the sidewall 7, or a length
between a top edge 9 and bottom edge 11 of the sidewall 7. In some embodiments
the plug 15 extends
about 5% to about 95%, about 25% to about 75%, and/or about 35% to about 60%
of the distance between
the top edge 9 and the bottom edge 11 of the sidewall 7. In specific
embodiments the plug 15 extends
about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%,
about 80%, or about
90% of the distance between the top edge 9 and the bottom edge 11 of the
sidewall 7. In some
embodiments the plug includes a height that allows the distal end of the plug
to be recessed with respect to
a plane defined by the bottom edge of the side wall.
[0033] In some embodiments a plug 15 can enhance the ability of the valve
cover 1 to protect a valve,
and particularly a valve opening, from exposure and/or tampering. The present
valve covers can protect
outer portions of a valve, and can even protect a threaded portion 104 that is
around a periphery of a valve
opening 106. Furthermore, unlike known valve covers that only protect an
valve's exterior, the present
valve covers can protect the opening or the interior side of a valve.
[0034] As discussed above, the interior side of certain valves can comprise an
interior threaded portion
116 for attaching regulators and other utilization equipment. Valves can also
comprise a machined sealing
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surface 112 that is configured to seal with the nipple on a regulator or hose
connection. However, if the
sealing surface 112 gets scratched, pitted, or damaged, which can occur if
debris is in the valve when a
regulator or other device is attached, the valve's ability to seal can be
compromised. In some instances the
valve becomes unsafe to use, and in some instances the damage cannot be
repaired. Therefore, to ensure
that valves are in good working order and can form a satisfactory seal, the
plugs 15 can provide protection
to the interior threaded portion 116 and/or sealing surface 112 from exposure
and tampering. The interior
portion of valves may also comprise an o-ring 110 and/or snap ring 114, both
of which can be protected by
certain embodiments of the present valve covers 1.
[0035] In this regard, the opening of a valve can also become obstructed to
the point that a regulator or
hose can no longer be connected to the valve. For example, insect nests, dirt,
sand, snow, ice, and the like
can enter a valve opening and make it difficult or impossible to seal the
regulator or hose to the valve. The
plugs 15 of the present valve covers can fill and protect the interior side of
a valve from such obstructions.
[0036] Plugs 15 can also provide additional protection to valves covers that
comprise vents 21, since
the vents 21 in some valve covers can otherwise permit contaminants to enter a
valve opening or provide
easier access for one to tamper with a valve when compared to valves covers 1
that do not comprise vents
21.
[0037] FIG. 2 also shows that the embodied valve cover 1 comprises a plurality
of protrusions 25 that
extend from an inner side of the side wall 7. The protrusions 25 generally
extend toward the top end 3 of
the cap 2. Thus, when the valve cover 1 is installed to cover a valve, the
protrusions 25 can help hold the
valve cover 1 on the valve.
[0038] In some embodiments a valve cover will be frictionally held on to a
valve once it is installed.
In some embodiments of valves covers 1 that include protrusions 25, the
protrusions 25 can frictionally
hold an installed valve cover on a valve. In some embodiments the protrusions
25 provide a mechanism by
which the valve cover 1 can lock on to the valve, and removal of the valve
cover 1 can be easily
accomplished only by compromising the valve cover 1. For example, should a
particular valve have a
threaded portion 104, the protrusions 25 can extend between the threads to
lock the valve cover on to the
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valve. Furthermore, embodiments of protrusions 25 that extend toward the top
end 3 of the cap 2, rather
than towards the opening 5, can provide additional locking force once the
valve cover is installed on a
valve.
[0039] The specific shape, size, and angle of protrusions 25 can vary
depending on, among other
things, the valve to be covered. In some embodiments the protrusions 25 extend
toward the opening 5 of a
valve cover 1 in an installed and/or uninstalled state. In some embodiments
the protrusions 25 extend
toward a top end 3 of the valve cover 1 in an installed and/or uninstalled
state. In some embodiments
protrusions 25 can extend perpendicular to a surface of the side wall 7 in an
installed and/or uninstalled
state.
[0040] Protrusions 25 can also be manufactured to comprise a certain degree of
flexibility such that the
protrusions 25 can bend to permit installation of a valve cover 1 on a valve.
In some embodiments,
flexible protrusions 25 have a spring-like action so that once the protrusions
25 bend to permit installation
of a valve cover 1 on a valve, the protrusions can flex back towards their
original orientation to lock the
valve cover 1 on a valve. It will be understood that the term "lock" is used
herein to refer to any degree to
which a valve cover is held on to a valve, and does not necessarily imply an
absolute lock. Some valve
covers can lock on to a valve in such a way that they can only be uninstalled
by breaking (i.e.,
compromising) the valve cover.
[0041] Accordingly, in some embodiments a valve cover 1 that has been
installed on a valve can be
removed only by compromising the valve cover 1. More specifically, in some
embodiments, once the
valve cover 1 is installed and locked on to a valve, it can be reasonably
removed only by breaking the tear
strip(s) 23. Once the tear strip(s) 23 are broken, the effective diameter of
the side wall 7 is increased so
that the frictional force and/or protrusions holding the valve cover 1 to the
valve can be reduced or
eliminated. Furthermore, for embodiments that have a locking mechanism to hold
a valve cover on to a
valve (e.g., protrusions), breaking the side wall 7 can allow one to peal peel
the valve cover 1 off of the
valve.
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[0042] Breaking the tear strip 23 or another portion of the valve cover 1 in
order to uninstall a valve
cover will indicate that a particular valve has potentially been accessed or
used. A broken valve cover can
indicate that gas has been released from a container. A broken valve cover may
also alert a user that the
valve has been exposed, possibly during storage, transport, or both. A broken
valve cover may also
indicate that a valve has been tampered with. Thus, assuming valves are
covered after a container is filled
with a gas, valve covers can function as indicators of whether a particular
container has been used since
last being filled.
[0043] In this regard, when full containers and empty containers are stored in
close proximity to one
another the valve cover can be used to differentiate between full containers,
which would have a valve
cover installed, and used/empty containers, which would not have a cover
installed. Mix-ups can occur as
a result of someone removing a valve cover from a full container, using the
compressed gas, and then
installing the newly removed valve cover on the valve outlet of the empty
container. In this situation, one
can accidentally take the empty container with a valve cover believing it is a
full container. Thus, some
embodiments of valve covers are destroyed or rendered unusable during the
initial removal process to
prevent them from being reused or placed back on the valve outlets of empty
containers. This
characteristic is referred to as a "tamper evident" seal herein.
[0044] The presently-disclosed subject matter also includes methods for making
and using the present
valve covers 1. The valve covers 1 can be made of any suitable material or
combination of materials. In
some embodiments the valve covers 1 comprise a thermoplastic resin. In some
embodiments the valve
covers 1 are made via injection molding or 3D printing. Valve covers 1 can
also include metal, resins, or
other suitable materials.
[0045] List of Numbered Elements
[0046] 1 ¨ valve cover
[0047] 2 ¨ cap
[0048] 3 ¨ top end
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[0049] 5 ¨ opening
[0050] 7 ¨ side wall
[0051] 9 ¨ top edge
[0052] 11 ¨ bottom edge
[0053] 15 ¨ plug
[0054] 17 ¨ pull tab
[0055] 19 ¨ pull tab handle
[0056] 21 ¨vent
[0057] 23 ¨ tear strip
[0058] 25 ¨ protrusion
[0059] 102 ¨ handle
[0060] 104 ¨ threaded portion
[0061] 106 ¨ valve opening
[0062] 108 ¨ valve orifice
[0063] 110 ¨ o-ring
[0064] 112 ¨ sealing surface
[0065] 114 ¨ snap ring
[0066] 116 ¨ interior threaded portion
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