Protected integral gas cylinder with manual on/off and flow control valve

Abstract

Provided is a device for pressurized contents comprising a container having a hollow interior for location of the contents therein, a valve body having a channel in fluid communication with the interior of the container, a stem having a tapered end extending into the valve body, wherein the stem is moveable within the valve body, a single port for conveyance of the contents between the container exterior and the container interior, wherein the device has no additional port for conveyance of the contents between the container exterior and the container interior, and a seal arrangement between the valve body and the tapered end to prevent conveyance of the contents through the single port when the tapered end is in a seated position, wherein a rate of conveyance of the contents through the single port is controllable by movement of the stem within the valve body.

1 . A device for pressurized contents, comprising: 
 a container having a hollow interior for location of the contents therein;    a valve body having a channel in fluid communication with the interior of the container;    a stem having a tapered end extending into the valve body, wherein the stem is moveable within the valve body;    a single port for conveyance of the contents between the container exterior and the container interior, wherein the device has no additional port for conveyance of the contents between the container exterior and the container interior; and    a seal arrangement between the valve body and the tapered end to prevent conveyance of the contents through the single port when the tapered end is in a seated position, wherein a rate of conveyance of the contents through the single port is controllable by movement of the stem within the valve body.    
     
     
         2 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the valve body comprises an alloy that includes aluminum, silicon, and bronze.  
     
     
         3 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a grasp operatively coupled to the stem for imparting movement within the valve body to the stem.  
     
     
         4 . The device as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein rotating the grasp causes the stem to move.  
     
     
         5 . The device as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the valve body and stem form a needle valve.  
     
     
         6 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising an outlet, wherein the single port extends from the valve body and is at least partially defined by the outlet.  
     
     
         7 . The device as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the outlet further comprises a plurality of engagement threads located on an exterior surface of the outlet.  
     
     
         8 . The device as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the outlet further comprises an engagement barb, and further wherein the outlet is removable from the valve body.  
     
     
         9 . The device as set forth in  claim 8 , further comprising a removable filling adaptor coupled to the outlet.  
     
     
         10 . The device as set forth in  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 a grasp operatively coupled to the stem for imparting movement within the valve body to the stem; and    a protective housing coupled to the container and at least partially enshrouding the valve body to protect the valve body from impact and transmit impact forces to the container, wherein the protective housing is configured to permit access to and operation of the grasp, and further wherein the protective housing is configured to permit access to and operation of the outlet.    
     
     
         11 . The device as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the protective housing further comprises: 
 a handle; and    a shield configured to deform upon transmission of impact force from the protective housing, wherein the shield provides the coupling between the protective housing and the container.    
     
     
         12 . A method of filling a device for pressurized contents, comprising the steps of: 
 providing the device, wherein the device comprises: 
 a container having a hollow interior for location of the contents therein;  
 a valve body having a channel in fluid communication with the interior of the container;  
 a stem having a tapered end extending into the valve body, wherein the stem is moveable within the valve body;  
 a single port for conveyance of the contents between the container exterior and the container interior, wherein the device has no additional port for conveyance of the contents between the container exterior and the container interior;  
 an outlet, wherein the single port extends from the valve body and is at least partially defined by the outlet; and  
 a seal arrangement between the valve body and the tapered end to prevent conveyance of the contents through the single port when the tapered end is in a seated position, wherein a rate of conveyance of the contents through the single port is controllable by movement of the stem within the valve body; and  
   conveying the contents to the container interior through the single port.    
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 12 , further comprising the step of attaching a filling adaptor to the outlet, wherein the conveying step includes conveying the contents to the container interior through the filling adaptor.  
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the device further comprises: 
 a grasp operatively coupled to the stem for imparting movement within the valve body to the stem; and    a protective housing coupled to the container and at least partially enshrouding the valve body to protect the valve body from impact and transmit impact forces to the container, wherein the protective housing is configured to permit access to and operation of the grasp, and further wherein the protective housing is configured to permit access to and operation of the outlet.    
     
     
         15 . The method as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the protective housing further comprises: 
 a handle; and    a shield configured to deform upon transmission of impact force from the protective housing, wherein the shield provides the coupling between the protective housing and the container.    
     
     
         16 . A method for providing pressurized contents to a container device, comprising the steps of: 
 providing the device, wherein the device includes a container with a hollow interior for location of the contents therein, a single port for conveyance of contents between an exterior of the container and an interior of the container, no additional port for conveyance of the contents between the container exterior and the container interior, and a manually operated valve for preventing and controlling a flow rate of contents through the single port; and    bringing a supply line into operative engagement with the single port, including:    attaching a filling adaptor to the device;    engaging the supply line to the filling adaptor;    opening the valve; and    conveying contents through the single port to the interior of the container.    
     
     
         17 . The method as set forth in  claim 16 , further comprising the step of evacuating residual contents from the container.  
     
     
         18 . The method as set forth in  claim 17 , further comprising the step of capping the single port with a gas-tight cap.  
     
     
         19 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the device includes: 
 a protective housing coupled to the container and at least partially enshrouding the manually operated valve to protect the valve from impact and transmit impact forces to the container, wherein the protective housing is configured to permit access to and operation of the valve, and further wherein the protective housing is configured to permit access to and attachment of the filling adaptor, the protective housing including:    a handle; and    a shield configured to deform upon transmission of impact force from the protective housing, wherein the shield provides the coupling between the protective housing and the container.