Pressure control fill valve

Abstract

A fill valve for filling and sealing of a pressurized dispensing container, as well as for allowing the release of pressure from a container to prevent over pressurization. The valve may include a generally cylindrical body having a first end and a second end. The fill valve prevents over pressurization of a dispensing container by releasing pressure at a desired maximum point and then stopping the leakage of pressure at a desired minimum point.

1 . A pressure control fill valve comprising:
 a generally cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end, said body comprising   a first section extending from said first end toward said second end and defining at least one circumferential groove, said first section also defining at least one flute wherein said at least one flute defines a fill arc and a fill area when said pressure control fill valve is disposed in a dispensing container opening for filling the dispensing container and releasing pressure therefrom;   a base defining a cavity, said cavity extending from said base inwardly toward said first end; and   a flexible wall disposed between said flute and said cavity that deforms upon the application of a suitable pressure to the first section of said body and reverts substantially to its original position upon a drop in pressure below the suitable pressure.   
   
   
       2 . The pressure control fill valve set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said circumferential groove has an outwardly extending lip. 
   
   
       3 . The pressure control fill valve set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first section includes a plurality of flutes. 
   
   
       4 . The pressure control fill valve set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the first section includes two flutes symmetrically spaced approximately 180° apart about the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       5 . The pressure control fill valve set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said cavity has a diameter of 0.160 inches. 
   
   
       6 . The pressure control fill valve set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said cavity has a diameter of 0.127 inches. 
   
   
       7 . The pressure control fill valve set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the fill valve is constructed of nitrile. 
   
   
       8 . The pressure control fill valve set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first section is tapered outwardly along at least a portion of its length from a smaller diameter at said first end to a larger diameter at said second end. 
   
   
       9 . A pressure control fill valve comprising
 a generally cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end, said body comprising   a first section extending from said first end toward said second end and defining at least one circumferential groove, said first section also defining at least one flute, wherein said at least one flute defines a fill arc and a fill area when said pressure control fill valve is disposed in a dispensing container opening for filling the dispensing container and releasing pressure therefrom, said fill area being greater than 15.0% of the total area of the opening;   a base defining a cavity, said cavity extending from said base inwardly toward said first end; and   a flexible wall disposed between said flute and said cavity that deforms upon the application of a suitable pressure to the first section of said body and reverts substantially to its original position upon a drop in pressure below the suitable pressure.   
   
   
       10 . The pressure control fill valve set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said circumferential groove has an outwardly extending lip. 
   
   
       11 . The pressure control fill valve set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the first section includes a plurality of flutes. 
   
   
       12 . The pressure control fill valve set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the first section includes two flutes symmetrically spaced approximately 180° apart about the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       13 . The pressure control fill valve set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said cavity has a diameter of 0.160 inches. 
   
   
       14 . The pressure control fill valve set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said cavity has a diameter of 0.127 inches. 
   
   
       15 . The pressure control fill valve set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the fill valve is constructed of nitrile. 
   
   
       16 . A dispensing container comprising:
 a container body including a propellant chamber and an opening for fluid communication with the propellant chamber; and   a pressure control fill valve disposed within the opening,   wherein the pressure control fill valve is capable of deforming to open the opening upon build up of a maximum pressure in the propellant chamber.   
   
   
       17 . The dispensing container of  claim 16 , wherein the pressure control fill valve can be situated in first and second positions with respect to the container body, the first position allowing for filling of the propellant chamber with a propellant, and the second position allowing for sealing of the opening. 
   
   
       18 . The dispensing container of  claim 17 , wherein the pressure control fill valve includes
 a generally cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end, the body having   a first section extending from the first end toward the second end and defining at least one circumferential groove, the first section also defining at least one flute, wherein the at least one flute defines a fill arc and a fill area when the pressure control fill valve is in the first position for filling the dispensing container;   a base defining a cavity, the cavity extending from the base inwardly toward the first end; and   a flexible wall disposed between the flute and the cavity that deforms upon the build up of the maximum pressure in the propellant chamber and reverts substantially to its original position upon a drop in pressure below the maximum pressure.   
   
   
       19 . The dispensing container of  claim 16 , the fill valve is constructed of nitrile. 
   
   
       20 . The dispensing container of  claim 16 , wherein the fill valve is capable of reverting to is original shape upon a drop in pressure in the propellant chamber below the maximum pressure.