Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
PRESSURIZED LIQUID FILL GUN APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
100011 This application claims benefit to provisional patent application
number 62/772,794,
entitled "PRESSURIZED LIQUID FILL GUN APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE",
filed November 29, 2018.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
100021 The present invention is directed to fill gun apparatus for the
delivery of pressurized
fluid products used for beverage, welding, medical and other fields and
methods of use
thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
100031 The fill gun apparatus and method of use of the present invention may
have
applications in additional other industries using carbon dioxide or similar
systems, such as
fire protection systems, welding, medical, and other industries using
pressurized liquids, such
as represented in US. Patent No. 2,363,200 relating to a gas dispensing
system. U.S. Patent
Nos. 2,813,402, 3,392,537 and 6,601,618 disclose generic liquefied gas system
relevant to
wide applications. The discussion in this application, however, will relate
primarily to the
beverage dispensing industry.
100041 The beverage industry uses carbon dioxide to carbonate and to move
beverages from
a storage tank to a dispensing area. For beverages such as beer, the beer can
be contained in
large kegs in a remote location, e. g., the basement or storage room, and the
taps at the bar
can dispense the beer. This method eliminates the storage of beer kegs in the
bar area and
allows the beer keg delivery and removal to occur in an area other than that
in which patrons
may be sitting.
100051 In order to get the beverages from the storage area to the serving
area, prior art has
used carbon dioxide among other gases. The carbon dioxide is generally
delivered as a liquid
in large heavy DOT approved cylinders and hooked to the dispensing system.
When the tanks
are hooked to the system, a certain volume, generally about one third of the
tank, in a one
tank system or one third of the tank volume in a multi-tank system is not
filled with liquid.
This allows the carbon dioxide to boil to a gaseous state. It is this gaseous
state that is then
used to carbonate and to move the desired beverage from the storage room or
basement to the
delivery area and provide much of the carbonation to the beverages.
100061 One problem with this general system is that the carbon dioxide tanks
must be
changed or when the current tanks run out, they must be replaced with new
tanks. This can be
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-28
inconvenient and time consuming. If only one person is working, then they are
required to
leave the patron area and manually change the tank to allow the refreshments
to continue to
flow. In addition, delivery of additional filled tanks cannot always occur
when they are
needed if a user runs out in the late evening or during non-business hours.
This problem can
be somewhat lessened by using multiple liquid tanks, but this uses more space
and can be
more expensive to monitor and refill.
[0007] To refill or replace a tank, the system must generally be completely
shut down, so no
beverages can be served, and service or delivery personnel can move the full
liquid carbon
dioxide tanks into the business and remove the empty tanks. Generally, several
valves must
be shut off while the tanks are changed. The business must wait until the
changeover is
complete before beverages can be served again.
[0008] Some systems exist where the physical changing of the tanks has been
eliminated.
This is done by delivering liquid carbon dioxide to the tanks or system pre-
existing in the
businesses. Generally, a pump truck delivers the liquid carbon dioxide to a
fill line plumbed
to the outside of the building. The delivery personnel must then enter the
establishment to
close and adjust various valves. The system is then shut down and the
dispensing of
beverages must cease until the filling process is complete. Delivery personnel
must then
return to the truck and start the pump. They must then carefully watch the
system to attempt
to determine when the system is full. This can be difficult to determine with
any uniformity.
Some weeks a business may do very well with beverages and some weeks may not
do so
well. While an operator may get a general sense, it is difficult to determine
without the trial
and error method, when the system is full.
[0009] Some art uses relief valves to indicate when the system is full. The
relief valves
release carbon dioxide from the system when a predetermined pressure is met.
This method
of determining when the system is full is wasteful and can result in increased
pressure
hazards from overfilling. Overfilling can also result in the system operating
improperly
because the system needs to maintain the proper liquid gas ratios and
overfilling lessens the
efficiency of the system as a whole.
[0010] When the delivery person determines that the system is full, the
process of opening
and adjusting various valves must again occur before the truck is disconnected
from the
system. While these types of systems do eliminate much of the inconvenience of
physically
changing out tanks, there are still significant disadvantages to this liquid
delivery system
common in the art.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-28
100111 U.S. Patent No. 6,601,618, discloses a
filling apparatus that is made up of a gas passage connected to a storage tank
via a connection
passage, a first gas valve that opens and closes the gas passage, a pressure
gas passage
connected to a pressure gas supply source, a pressure gas valve that opens and
closes the
pressure gas passage, an exhaust passage that allows an interior of a
container to
communicate with the external thereof, and an exhaust valve that opens and
closes the
exhaust passage. With this filling apparatus, before a pressurized filling
operation, both the
gas passage and the pressure gas passage are opened to pressurize the interior
of the container
with a carbonated gas supplied through both passages. Further, before an
unpressurized
filling operation, both the gas passage and the pressure gas passage are
opened to perform a
flushing operation in which droplets are discharged from the gas passage with
air exhausted
from the container into the storage tank via the gas passage. Then, after the
filling operation,
both the gas passage and the exhaust passage are opened to discharge a certain
amount of
filling liquid remaining in the gas passage, into the container.
100121 U.S. Patent Nos. 5,113,905 and 4,936,343,
disclose a carbon dioxide fill manifold and method for using which is designed
to
provide an end-user with an uninterrupted supply of carbon dioxide gas, while
at the same
time eliminating the necessity of transporting individual, conventional
pressurized bottles to
be refilled. In an embodiment the carbon dioxide fill manifold includes a fill
line valve
connected to an atomizer for receiving a fill line and introducing liquid
carbon dioxide into
the atomizer, liquid cylinder ports provided in the atomizer for connecting a
pair of liquid
chambers to the atomizer and receiving and storing the liquid carbon dioxide,
a gas cylinder
port provided in the atomizer for connecting a vapor container to the atomizer
and receiving
gaseous carbon dioxide generated in the atomizer and a service line valve also
connected to
the atomizer for receiving a service lien valve and servicing the end user
with gaseous carbon
dioxide. A pressure actuated valve is also provided in the atomizer for
periodically
replenishing the supply of gaseous carbon dioxide from the liquid containers
responsive to a
selected pressure differential across the pressure actuated valve. A pressure
relief valve is
seated in the atomizer to guard against excessive liquid carbon dioxide system
pressure.
U.S. Patent No. 4,683,921,
discloses a carbon dioxide fill manifold
and method for using which is designed to provide an end-user with an
uninterrupted supply
of carbon dioxide gas, while at the same time eliminating the necessity of
transporting
individual, conventional pressurized bottles to be refilled. In an embodiment
the carbon
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-28
dioxide fill manifold includes a fill line valve connected to an atomizer for
receiving a fill
line and introducing liquid carbon dioxide into the atomizer, liquid cylinder
ports provided in
the atomizer for connecting a pair of liquid chambers to the atomizer and
receiving and
storing the liquid carbon dioxide, a gas cylinder port provided in the
atomizer for connecting
a vapor container to the atomizer and receiving gaseous carbon dioxide
generated in the
atomizer and a service line valve also connected to the atomizer for receiving
a service lien
valve and servicing the end user with gaseous carbon dioxide. A pressure
actuated valve is
also provided in the atomizer for periodically replenishing the supply of
gaseous carbon
dioxide from the liquid containers responsive to a selected pressure
differential across the
pressure actuated valve. A pressure relief valve is seated in the atomizer to
guard against
excessive liquid carbon dioxide system pressure.
[0013] There has been a need for a new approach for the liquid carbon dioxide
and other
pressurized gas delivery business. U.S. Patent No. 7,258,127, titled "Pressure
Valve and
Diverter System" to Schneider ("the '127 Patent"), incorporated by reference
in its entirety,
addressed some of the problems with the prior art and provides a diverter
valve, system and
method for the delivery of gases or liquids where the delivery persons can
fill the system
without having to enter the building and the system can continue to deliver
gas to the user.
There is no interruption of service while the system is being filled.
[0014] Japanese application 2004-528969 discloses what is described as a
carbonation
chamber that is of general relevance to the present invention.
[0015] U.S. Patent publication 2002-0179177 and Japanese applications 2006-
264716 and
3187052 may all be described as being generally related to the state of the
art of the present
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] In view of disadvantages of present technologies surrounding the
delivery of
pressurized products into systems using gases there is a need for a fill gun
apparatus to
increase delivery efficiency, reduce risk, and reduce waste. Certain
embodiments of the
present invention provide a product filling apparatus for connection between a
pump truck
and a delivery system. The fill gun apparatus can be easily attached and
detached from an
inlet port to deliver a pressurized fluid, for improved delivery, increased
efficiency, increased
safety and decreased waste. Embodiments of the present invention can be used
with the
valves, systems, and methods disclosed in the '127 Patent and U.S. Patent No.
8,444,555 to
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-28
Schneider ("the '555 Patent"), tided CO2 System Pressure Control Valve.
100171 Certain embodiments of the present invention surround a pressurized
liquid fill gun
apparatus having a quick connection for the connection to a coupler of an
inlet port. Quick
connections include connections having a retaining mechanism that allow rapid
connection
and disconnection of two mating elements. Exemplary quick connections include
a cam
locking mechanism, a bayonet coupling, a v-band clamp, quick-disconnect hose
couplings,
cam-and-groove hose couplings, grip-lock hose couplings, twist-claw hose
couplings, or
other quick connections means known to those skilled in the art. A quick
connection used
with the present invention can be quickly connected to or disconnect from an
inlet port
without risk of unintentional disconnection. Furthermore, using a quick
connection allows for
easy disconnection after delivery of pressurized products, particularly if the
connection
between the delivery apparatus and the inlet port freezes during the delivery
process The
quick connection allows a user to rapidly connect the apparatus to and
disconnect the
apparatus from a coupler of an inlet port.
[0018] Certain embodiments comprise a quick connection having a sleeve
surrounding an
inlet line. The sleeve is configured to be placed around a coupler of an inlet
port, with the
inlet line disposed within an aperture in the coupler. The sleeve has a
plurality of pins
extending radially inward from the sleeve. The pins mate with surface slots in
the external
surface of the coupler. When the pins are engaged with the surface slots, the
sleeve can be
rotated around the coupler to traverse the pins into pin retainers. Pin
retainers serve to
constrain the pins, and thus constrain the apparatus from unintentional
disconnection from the
inlet port. Certain embodiments comprise a quick connection having a
compression spring to
provide an expansion force to retain the pins within the pin retainers.
100191 Embodiments of the present invention comprise a pressurized liquid fill
gun apparatus
for the delivery of pressurized products into systems through inlet ports such
as those
disclosed by a pressure diverter valve system as disclosed in the '127 Patent.
Other
embodiments are configured for mating with a coupler attached to an inlet
port.
100201 Certain embodiments comprise a first sleeve that mates with a second
sleeve to
provide increased surface area. The increased surface area provides an
operator with
additional area to grasp, manipulate, and carry the fill gun apparatus. In
certain embodiments,
a sleeve further comprises an annular ledge. An annular ledge provides
increased rotational
leverage for the attachment and detachment of a sleeve to a coupler. It will
be appreciated
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-28
that an annular ledge may be located anywhere between a first end and a second
end of the
sleeve, and that there may be more than one annular ledge located on the
sleeve. Certain
embodiments comprise an annular ledge attached to an outer surface of a sleeve
with the
annular ledge consistent with a first end of the sleeve.
[0021] Certain embodiments of the present invention comprise elements that
assemble using
threading specified as American National Standard Taper Pipe Thread, herein
referred to as
NPT, specified by ASME B1.120.1-2013 (American Society of Mechanical
Engineers, 2013,
"American Standard Taper Pipe Thread," ASME B1.120.1-2013). However, it will
be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the fill gun apparatus for the
delivery of
pressurized product (e.g. liquid carbon dioxide) may be assembled in a variety
of ways
known to those skilled in the art.
[0022] Certain embodiments comprise fill gun apparatus having sliding
components. The
sliding components comprise materials with a low coefficient of friction to
reduce
degradation between sliding parts. It will be appreciated that the materials
of the sliding
components may include but are not limited to brass, bronze, Polyoxymethylene
(POM),
PolyTetraFluoroEthylene, or other materials known to have low coefficient of
friction, or
high lubricity. Such materials may also be used for components such as
bushings, washers
and other components that slide against another component.
[0023] Certain embodiments comprise a fill gun apparatus configured to mate
with the inlet
port of a pressure diverter valve and system disclosed in the '127 Patent. The
fill gun
apparatus allows an operator to fill a system while connected to a coupler
having a
connection to an inlet port. An operator connects the fill gun apparatus of
the present
invention to a coupler of an inlet port to allow the delivery of a product
into the system, such
as pressurized liquid carbon dioxide into a carbon dioxide delivery system.
The operator
actuates a valve of the fill gun apparatus from a first configuration, which
prevents the flow
of fluid, to a second configuration. While the valve is in the second
configuration, fluid can
flow between a first port in fluid communication with the truck, and a second
port in fluid
communication with the inlet port. When the system is full, the pump truck
senses a change
in pressure and automatically stops the delivery of product. Although the
delivery of product
ceases, a pressurized segment of the delivery system may exist within the
carbon dioxide
delivery system and the inlet port. Prior to the detaching the fill gun
apparatus from the
coupler, an operator can actuate the valve to a third configuration, allowing
the passage of
product between the first port and a third port having fluid communication
with the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-28
atmosphere. Actuation to this third configuration acts to purge potential
pressurized product
remaining between the apparatus and the pump truck after the filling
operation.
[0024] These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of the
inventions
contained herein. The above-described embodiments, objectives, and
configurations are
neither complete nor exhaustive. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of
the invention
are possible using, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set
forth above or
described in detail below. Further, this Summary is neither intended nor
should it be
construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present
invention. The
present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in this Summary, as
well as in the
attached drawings and the detailed description below, and no limitation as to
the scope of the
present invention is intended to either the inclusion or non-inclusion of
elements,
components, etc. in this Summary. Additional aspects of the present invention
will become
more readily apparent from the detailed description, particularly when taken
together with the
drawings, and the claims provided herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Fig. 1A ¨ A side view of an embodiment of an inlet line of the delivery
apparatus.
[0026] Fig. 1B ¨ A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an inlet line of
the delivery
apparatus.
[0027] Fig. 2A ¨ An exploded view of an embodiment of the of the delivery
apparatus.
[0028] Fig. 2B ¨ A side view of an embodiment of an inlet line of the delivery
apparatus
and a cross-sectional view of a coupler.
[0029] Fig. 3 ¨ A side view of certain embodiments of the delivery apparatus.
[0030] Fig. 4A ¨ A side view of certain embodiments of the delivery apparatus.
[0031] Fig. 4B ¨ A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a sleeve of the
delivery
apparatus.
[0032] Fig. 4C ¨ A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the delivery
apparatus.
[0033] Fig. 4D ¨ A side view of an embodiment of a bushing of the delivery
apparatus.
[0034] Fig. 4E ¨ A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a bushing of the
delivery
apparatus.
[0035] Fig. 5A ¨ A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the delivery
apparatus in
relation to a coupler.
[0036] Fig. 5B ¨ A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a pin of the
delivery
apparatus.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-28
[0037] Fig. 5C ¨ A side view of an embodiment of a coupler.
[0038] Fig. 6A ¨ A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a sleeve of the
delivery
apparatus.
[0039] Fig. 6B ¨ A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the delivery
apparatus.
[0040] Fig. 6C ¨ A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the delivery
apparatus.
[0041] Fig. 6D ¨ A plan view of an embodiment of a washer of the delivery
apparatus.
[0042] Fig. 6E ¨ A plan view of an embodiment of a washer of the delivery
apparatus.
[0043] Fig. 6F ¨ A plan view of an embodiment of a washer of the delivery
apparatus.
[0044] Fig. 7 ¨ An exploded view of an embodiment of the delivery apparatus.
[0045] Fig. 8 ¨ An embodiment of a method for refilling a system using the
delivery
apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0046] Certain embodiments of the present invention comprise a delivery
apparatus for the
delivery of liquid product further comprise an inlet line 1010, seen in Fig.
1A and Fig. 1B, of
a generally tubular form having a first end 1020, a second end 1030 and a hole
1040
extending between the first end 1020 and second end 1030. The inlet line 1010
further
comprises a first internal diameter 1050 and a first external diameter 1060.
The inlet line
1010, further comprises an annular ledge 1100 located between the first end
1020 and the
second end 1030 of the inlet line. The annular ledge 1100 extends radially
outward from an
external surface 1080 of the inlet line and has a diameter 1110 larger than
the first external
diameter 1060 of the inlet line. The annular ledge 1100 further comprises a
first surface 1120
and a second surface 1130.
[0047] Certain embodiments comprise an inlet line 1010, seen in Fig. 1A and
Fig. 1B,
having a chamfer 1070 on a second end 1030 of the inlet line. The chamfer 1070
in some
embodiments has a depth of 0.44cm (0.173in) and an angle of 60 . The chamfer
1070 as seen,
assists in the alignment of an inlet line 1010 when inserted into a receiving
element.
[0048] Certain embodiments, seen in Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B, comprise an inlet
line 1010
having a first internal diameter 1050 of 0.795mm (0.313in), and a first
external diameter
1060 of an inlet line of 1.88cm (0.74in). Other embodiments comprise an inlet
line 1010 have
an annular ledge 1100. The annular ledge 1110 can have a diameter 1110 of
3.68cm
(1.450in) and a thickness 1140 of 0.635 cm (0.250 in).
[0049] Certain embodiments, seen in Fig. 2A, comprise an inlet line 1010 and a
valve 1300,
with a first end 1020 of the inlet line affixed to a first port 1310 of the
valve in a manner to
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-28
prevent the unintentional leaking of pressurized product to the ambient
environment. The first
end 1020 of the inlet line can comprise a male threaded feature 1350
configured to mate with
the first port 1310 of the valve having a female threaded feature 1320. The
male threaded
feature 1350 and the female threaded feature 1320 comprises threading
consistent 3/8-18
American National Standard Taper Pipe Thread (NPT). It will be appreciated
that an inlet
line 1010 may be affixed to a port of a valve using other attachment methods
known to those
skilled in the art.
[0050] In certain embodiments, the valve 1300, as seen in Fig. 2A, comprises a
first port
1310, a second port 1330, and a third port 1340, each with a female threaded
feature 1320 for
attachment to using a male threaded feature 1350. The valve 1300, in a first
configuration
prevents the passage of fluid through the valve 1300. A second configuration
of the valve
1300 allows the passage of fluid between the first port 1310, and the second
port 1330. A
third configuration of the valve 1300 allows the passage of fluid between the
second port
1330 and the third port 1340.
[0051] Certain embodiments seen in Fig. 2A, further comprise a handle 1360. A
handle 1360
has a tubular form for the passage of product and can be affixed to a first
port 1310 of a
valve. The valve comprises a first port 1310, a second port 1320, and a third
port 1330.
Certain embodiments comprise a vent tube 1370. The vent tube 1370 comprises a
tubular
form and can be affixed to the third port 1340 of a valve.
[0052] As seen in Fig. 2B, certain embodiments comprise an inlet line 1010
having a first
circumferential ring 1200 between an annular ledge 1100 and the second end
1030 of the
inlet line. The first circumferential ring 1200 provides a perimetral seal
between the inlet line
1010 and the coupler 1600 by mating with a hole 1630 of the coupler. The first
circumferential ring 1200 may comprise any sealing mechanism known to those
skilled in the
art including but not limited to, 0-rings, E-rings, B-rings, shaft seals, U-
cup seals, ring seals
and other annular type seals. The circumferential ring 1200 of the present
embodiment
comprises an 0-ring comprising Buna-N able to withstand below freezing
temperatures
without degradation of functionality. The circumferential ring 1200 can have
an outer
diameter of 1.92cm (0.755in) and a cross-sectional diameter of 0.261cm
(0.103in) prior to
installation. Circumferential rings may be made of materials including, Buna-
N, Viton ,
polyurethane, silicone, fluorosilicone, PolyTetraFluoroEthylene (PTFE) and
ethylene
propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. The circumferential ring 1200 is
disposed in a
first groove 1220 in the external surface 1080 of the inlet line. In certain
embodiments,
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-28
groove 1220 has a depth of 0.434cm (0.171in) and height of 1.92cm (0,150in),
Once installed
into the first groove 1220, the circumferential ring 1200 is deformed to have
has a maximum
diameter 1210 equal to or greater than the first external diameter 1060 of the
inlet line. In
certain embodiments, the maximum diameter 1210 of the circumferential ring is
greater than
the diameter 1640 of a hole of a coupler, and the cross-sectional diameter is
deformable.
[0053] Certain embodiments, seen in Fig. 2B, comprise a first groove 1220 and
a second
groove 1220 for the placement of a first circumferential ring 1200 and a
second
circumferential ring 1200. It will be appreciated that additional
circumferential rings may be
used to increase sealing between the inlet line 1010 and the hole 1630 of a
coupler.
[0054] As seen in Fig. 3, certain embodiments comprise an inlet line 1010
having a first end
(not shown), a second end 1030, an annular ledge 1100, and a first external
diameter 1060.
The first external diameter 1060 of the inlet line is equal to or less than
the internal diameter
of a hole of a coupler 1600. Certain embodiments of comprise coupler 1600
having a hole
with diameter of about 0.740in to 0.745in. Typically, the inlet line 1010 is
configured to have
an engineering fit such as a sliding or loose sliding fit with the hole such
as dictated by
ASME Y14.5 (American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2009, "Dimensioning and
Tolerancing," ASME Y14.5).
[0055] Certain embodiments, seen in Fig. 3, comprise a fill gun apparatus 1000
having an
inlet line 1010 and a sleeve 1400. The sleeve 1400 is mated with the inlet
line 1010 wherein
the sleeve 1400 affix the fill gun apparatus 1000 to a coupler 1600. The
coupler 1600 is
connected to an inlet port 2000 allowing the delivery of a pressurized liquid
through an inlet
port 2000 such as disclosed by the '127 Patent.
[0056] Certain embodiments of the present invention comprise a sleeve 1400
disposed over
an inlet line 1010, seen in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4A. The interface between the
sleeve 1400 and the
inlet line 1010 can comprise a sliding fit. The sleeve 1400, referencing Fig.
4B, has a first
end 1410 with a first internal diameter 1420 of 2.54 cm (1.00 in) of and a
second end 1430
with a second internal diameter 1440 of 3.25cm (1.28 in). The sleeve 1400
further comprises
a hole 1450 extending between the first end 1410 and the second end 1430 of
the sleeve. The
first internal diameter 1420 of the sleeve is larger than a first external
diameter 1060, seen in
Fig. 4A, of the inlet line, but smaller than the diameter 1110 (Fig. 4C) of an
annular ledge.
The second diameter 1440 (Fig. 4B) of the sleeve is larger than the diameter
1110 (Fig. 4B)
of the annular ledge. The sleeve 1400, once again referencing Fig. 4B, further
comprises a
fixation mechanism that allows the sleeve 1400 to affix to a coupler 1600. In
certain
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-28
embodiments, a fixation mechanism actuates rotatively about an axis 1460. The
fixation
mechanism can comprise a pin 1550, seen in Figs. 5 A-C, for indexing into
mating elements.
[0057] As seen in Fig. 4B, certain embodiments comprise a sleeve 1400, having
a first
external diameter 1510 and a second external diameter 1520 which creates a
waist 1530 in
the external surface 1540 of the sleeve. A waist 1530 allows the operator to
more easily
manipulate the sleeve over the coupler 1600.
[0058] As seen in Fig. 4C, certain embodiments comprise a bushing 1800
disposed between
a sleeve 1400 and an inlet line 1010. As seen in Fig. 4D and Fig. 4E, the
bushing can
comprise an external surface 1810, having a first external diameter 1815
configured to
interface with an internal surface 1480 (Fig. 4B) of a sleeve. The bushing
1800, seen in Fig.
4E, comprises an internal surface 1820, having a first internal diameter 1825,
configured to
interface with an external surface 1080 (Fig. 4A) of an inlet line. In certain
embodiments,
bushing 1800, seen in Fig. 4E, comprises an annular ledge 1830, having a
diameter 1835.
The annular ledge 1830, comprises a first surface 1830 and a second surface
1840, wherein
the first surface is configured to interface with the internal step surface
1500 of the sleeve. As
seen in Fig. 4C, bushing 1800 is configured to have a press-fit interface with
the sleeve
1400 and a sliding interface with the external surface 1080 of the inlet line
in certain
embodiments. Thus, the sleeve 1400 is slidably adjustable along the external
surface 1080 of
the inlet line. Bushing 1800 can comprise PTFE.
[0059] Certain embodiments seen in Fig. 5A, comprise an inlet line 1010 with
an annular
ledge 1100. As seen in Fig. 5A, the a sleeve 1400 has a pin 1550 extending
inward from an
internal surface 1480 of the sleeve, proximal to the second end 1430 of the
sleeve. As seen in
Fig. 5B, in certain embodiments, the pin 1550, has a diameter 1560 of 0.64cm
(0.25in) and
length 1570 of 1.08 cm (0.424in), internal threading of #8-32 threading and a
thread depth of
0.848cm (0.334in). The pin 1550, as seen in Fig. 5A, can be affixed to the
internal surface
1480 of the sleeve, close to the second end 1430 of the sleeve. As seen in
Fig. 4C, in certain
embodiments, the pin 1550 can be press-fit into apertures 1470 through sleeve.
The sleeve
1400 is disposed around the inlet line 1010. The pin 1550 extends inward such
that it may
contact a second surface 1130 of the annular ledge 1100. The second end 1430
of the sleeve,
as seen in Fig. 5A, is configured to slidably mate over a first end 1610 of a
coupler 1600. The
coupler 1600 comprises a first end 1610, a second end 1620, and a hole 1630
extending
therebetween. The second end of the coupler 1620, in certain embodiments, is
configured to
affix to an inlet port 2000. The hole 1630 of the coupler is configured to
slidably mate with
11
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-28
the inlet line 1010 inserted into the hole 1630 of the coupler. In certain
embodiments, there
may be two or more pins 1550 radially spaced apart and affixed to the internal
surface 1480
of the sleeve.
[0060] Certain embodiments as seen in Figs. 5A-C, comprise a pin 1550 that
slidably mates
with a surface slot 1650 in an external surface 1660 of a coupler. Once the
pin 1550 is
indexed into the surface slot 1650 of the coupler, the sleeve 1400 is rotated
to traverse the pin
1550 through the surface slot 1650 to a pin retainer 1670. The pin retainer
1670 serves to
prevent a pin 1550 from unintentionally disengaging from the surface slot 1650
of the
coupler. In some embodiments, a surface slot 1650 of a receiver begins
coincident with a first
end 1610 of the coupler and traverses radially around the coupler 1600 and
away from the
first end 1610. At the termination of the surface slot 1650 in the embodiment
seen in Fig. 5,
the surface slot 1650 traverses back toward the first end 1610 of the coupler
to form a pin
retainer 1670. In certain embodiments, there may be two or more surface slots
1650 radially
spaced apart on the external surface 1660 of the coupler and corresponding
with the spaced
relationship of the pins 1550 affixed to the internal surface 1480 of the
sleeve.
[0061] Certain embodiments, seen in Fig. 6A, comprise a sleeve 1400 having a
first end
1410, a second end 1430, a first internal diameter 1420 and a second diameter
1440. The
sleeve 1400 further comprises an internal step feature 1490 between the first
end 1410 and
the second end 1430. The internal step feature 1490 comprises a third internal
diameter 1445,
larger than the first internal diameter 1420, thus creating an internal step
surface 1480 which
is substantially orthogonal to the hole 1450 between the first end 1410 and
second end 1430
of the sleeve. Certain embodiments have a third diameter 0.660cm (0.260in).
[0062] As seen in Fig. 6B, certain embodiments comprise a sleeve 1400
assembled over an
inlet line 1010 having a compression spring 1700 having a first end 1710 and a
second end
1720. The compression spring is disposed between an internal step feature 1490
and the
annular ledge 1100 of the inlet line 1010. The compression spring 1700
provides an
expansion force between the internal step feature 1490 of the sleeve and the
annular ledge
1100 and biases the sleeve in a axial direction away from second end 1030 of
the inlet line.
Pin 1550 laterally contacts a second surface 1130 of the annular ledge to
prevent the pin 1550
from being displaced beyond the second surface 1130 of the annular ledge due
to the
expansion force of the compression spring 1700. When assembled with a coupler
1600 (Fig.
5C), the expansion force of the compression spring 1700 acts to constrain the
pin 1550 within
a pin retainer 1670. Thus, the sleeve 1400 is rotatively constrained with the
coupler 1600, and
12
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-28
prevents unintentional disconnection between the fill gun apparatus 1000 and
the coupler
1600.
[0063] As seen in Fig. 6B, certain embodiments include at least one washer.
The washer
1870 has an internal diameter 1871 and an external diameter 1872. The first
washer 1870,
referencing Fig. 6B, is disposed between a first end 1710 of a compression
spring and a
second surface 1850 of an annular ledge of a bushing. Other embodiments
comprise a
plurality of washers. A second washer 1880, seen in Fig. 6E, has an internal
diameter 1881
and an external diameter 1882. The second washer 1880, referencing Fig. 6B, is
disposed
between a second end 1720 of a compression spring and a first surface 1120 of
an annular
ledge of an inlet line. Certain embodiments further comprise third washer
1890. The third
washer 1890, seen in Fig. 6F, comprises an internal diameter 1891 and an
external diameter
1892. The third washer 1890, referencing Fig. 6B, is a slip washer disposed
between the
second washer 1880 and the first surface 1120 of the annular ledge of the
inlet line. It will be
appreciated that washers 1870, 1880, and 1890 mat comprise materials such as
stainless
steel, aluminum, galvanized steel, materials with a low coefficient of
friction such as PTFE,
high density polyethylene (HDPE) or POM, or other materials known to those
skilled in the
art for the purposes of a washer.
[0064] Certain embodiments seen in Fig. 6C, further comprises a sleeve 1900
having a first
end 1910 and a second end 1920. The second end 1920 of the second sleeve is
configured to
mate with the first end 1410 of a first sleeve, thus extending a first sleeve
1400 and providing
increased surface area. Certain embodiments of a sleeve 1900, further
comprises an annular
ledge 1930. Typically, consistent with the first end 1910 of the second
sleeve, annular ledge
1930 has a first diameter 1940 greater than a first external diameter of the
first sleeve 1400.
Certain embodiments of a second sleeve 1900, further comprise a recess
consistent with the
first end 1910 of the second sleeve.
[0065] Certain embodiments as seen in Fig. 7, comprise an assembly of
individual
components of the fill gun apparatus 1000 for the delivery of pressurized
fluid. The assembly
comprises a valve 1300, a handle 1360, a first sleeve 1400, a second sleeve
1900, a bushing
1800, a first washer 1870, a compression spring 1700, a second washer 1880, a
third washer
1880, an inlet line 1010 and a pin 1550. The valve comprises a first port
1310, a second port
1320, and a third port 1330. The valve 1300 has a first position which
prevents the flow of
fluid, a second position which allows fluid flow between first port 1310 and
third port 1330
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-28
in fluid communication with handle 1360, and third position which allows fluid
flow between
first port 1310 and third port 1330 in fluid communication with the vent tube
1370.
[0066] Certain embodiments of the present invention, seen in Fig. 8, comprise
a method 3000
for the delivery of pressurized product comprising, inserting 3010 an inlet
line of a filler
device into a receptacle. In certain embodiments, it may be required to
perform an indexing
3020 step, to align the quick connection of the sleeve with that of a coupler.
The operator
then actuates 3030 a valve from a first configuration which blocks the flow of
product, to a
second configuration. The second configuration allows the delivery of product
through the
filler device to the receptacle. An operator then activates 3040 a pump which
then fills 3050
fluid through the receptacle. When the system has reached a predetermined
pressure, the
pump or pump truck senses 3060 a change in pressure and deactivates 3070 the
pump. Once
the pump has been deactivated, the operator actuates the valve from a second
configuration to
a third configuration. The third configuration allows the flow of product
between the filler
device and the ambient environment, purging 3080 any high pressure product
contained
within the line. After purging the filler device an operator then disconnects
the device from
the receptacle. The disconnection of the device is performed by removing 3090
the inlet line
from the receptacle.
[0067] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described
in detail, it
is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur
to those
skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such
modifications and
alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Further,
the inventions
described herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of
being carried
out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology
used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as
limiting. The use
of "including," "comprising," or "adding" and variations thereof herein are
meant to
encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as,
additional items.
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-28
