Sealing method and article

Abstract

This invention comprises a method of sealing a valve unit to a reservoir by vibrating to cause melting and reshaping. Also the invention comprises a valve unit 1 and reservoir 2 assembly including a valve unit 1 and at least part of the reservoir 2 having members defining a valve bore 5 , the valve bore 5 receiving the valve unit 1 wherein the valve unit 1 is meltedly attached to the members defining the valve bore 5.

1 - 25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 . A method of sealing a valve unit of a portable lighter to at least a part of a reservoir for liquified petroleum gas, by carrying out the following steps: 
 (a) inserting the valve unit at least partially into the part of the reservoir;    (b) applying a melting creating action to the valve unit and reservoir;    (c) at least a portion of the valve unit and reservoir being melted such that the valve unit is sealed and joined to the reservoir, wherein the melting creating action causes the melted portions to melt and reshape together to form a gas-tight seal; and wherein at least part of the reservoir has a member defining a valve bore; wherein the valve unit has a cross-sectional dimension larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the member and wherein the valve unit is forced into a substantially abutting and reshaped relationship with the valve bore of the said at least part of the reservoir.    
   
   
       26 . The method of sealing as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the melting and reshaping is caused by a high frequency vibration means.  
   
   
       27 . A portable lighter comprising a valve unit and reservoir for liquified petroleum gas including a valve unit, 
 the reservoir having a member defining a valve bore, the valve bore receiving the valve unit, 
 wherein the valve unit is meltedly attached to the member defining the valve bore;  
 wherein the melting attachment causes the surface of the valve unit and reservoir to melt and reshape together to form a gas-tight seal.  
   
   
   
       28 . A portable lighter including a valve unit and a reservoir for liquified petroleum gas; 
 the reservoir having a member defining a valve bore,    the valve bore receiving a valve unit,    wherein the valve unit and reservoir are attached to form a gas tight seal;    wherein the valve unit includes a valve, a flexible ring seal member and a spherical member,    wherein gas pressure in the reservoir moves the spherical member to seal the aperture, and wherein the spherical member can be pushed by a re-fill nozzle to reveal a gap between the sealing ring and spherical member to allow ingress of gas into the reservoir.    
   
   
       29 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein a valve unit is meltedly attached to the valve bore.  
   
   
       30 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the reservoir has a base portion having a recess wherein the recess has an aperture therein.  
   
   
       31 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the reservoir has a base portion having a recess wherein the recess has an aperture therein.  
   
   
       32 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the valve unit includes a valve, flexible ring seal member and a spherical member wherein gas pressure in the reservoir moves the spherical member to seal the aperture, and wherein the spherical member can be pushed by a re-fill nozzle to reveal a gap between the sealing ring and spherical member to allow ingress of gas into the reservoir.  
   
   
       33 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the valve unit includes at least a valve member, a retainer member and a nozzle, the valve member fitting within the retainer member, and the nozzle fitting within the valve member such that an upper end of the nozzle protrudes from the retainer member, and at least one of the valve member and retainer member being meltedly attached to the member defining the valve bore.  
   
   
       34 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the nozzle is interfitted with the retainer member by biasing means.  
   
   
       35 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the valve unit and said at least part of a reservoir are manufactured from an amorphous polymer material.  
   
   
       36 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the valve unit and said at least part of a reservoir are manufactured from an amorphous polymer material.  
   
   
       37 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the melting is provided by a method selected from the group consisting of: high frequency vibration means, ultrasonic means, spin welding, vibration welding, hot plates and microwave generating means.  
   
   
       38 . A lighter as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the melting is provided by a method selected from the group consisting of: high frequency vibration means, ultrasonic means, spin welding, vibration welding, hot plates and microwave generating means.  
   
   
       39 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the melting is provided by high frequency vibration means.  
   
   
       40 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the melting is provided by high frequency vibration means.  
   
   
       41 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the melting is provided at, at least one melting location wherein the melting causes heating and fusing together of the valve unit and members defining the reservoir.  
   
   
       42 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the melting is provided at, at least one melting location wherein the melting causes heating and fusing together of the valve unit and members defining the reservoir.  
   
   
       43 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the retainer member is meltedly attached to the valve bore.  
   
   
       44 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein the retainer member is meltedly attached to the valve bore.  
   
   
       45 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the valve body is meltedly attached to the valve bore.  
   
   
       46 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein the valve body is meltedly attached to the valve bore.  
   
   
       47 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein the valve body has an upper end and a lower end in use, and wherein a filter is attached to the lower end thereof.  
   
   
       48 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 46 , wherein the valve body has an upper end and a lower end in use, and wherein a filter is attached to the lower end thereof.  
   
   
       49 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein a cover is attached to the outer end of the filter.  
   
   
       50 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein a cover is attached to the outer end of the filter.  
   
   
       51 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the nozzle has an upper end and lower end in use, and wherein the nozzle has a resilient packing member at the lower end.  
   
   
       52 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein the nozzle has an upper end and lower end in use, and wherein the nozzle has a resilient packing member at the lower end.