Product dispensing system

Abstract

In a dispensing system for dispensing a product from a canister, which comprises a solid/gas arrangement with a gas adsorber for storing gas, the canister having valve means for dispensing the product while allowing the gas adsorbed by the carbon to be desorbed, the system incorporates a scavenger for the removal or neutralization of a substances which detrimentally affects the performance of the system.

1 . A dispensing system for dispensing a product from a canister, which comprises a solid/gas arrangement in which the gas is adsorbed on to the solid under pressure and desorbed therefrom when the pressure drops and in which the solid comprises activated carbon and the gas comprises at least one of nitrogen, oxygen and mixtures thereof including air, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and argon, the container having valve means to allow the gas adsorbed on to the carbon to be desorbed and effect product dispense, the system incorporating a scavenger for the removal or neutralization of substances which detrimentally affect the performance of the system. 
   
   
       2 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the detrimental substance is water or water vapor. 
   
   
       3 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the detrimental substance is one of an alcohol, a liquid hydrocarbon, and mixtures thereof with other substances including water. 
   
   
       4 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , including a scavenging agent, or desiccants, comprising at least one of silica gel, a zeolyte, (Type X or Type Y), calcium chloride, calcium oxide and alumina. 
   
   
       5 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the scavenging agent is held in the canister adjacent the carbon adsorbent. 
   
   
       6 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the scavenger includes particles which are mixed with carbon particles. 
   
   
       7 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the scavenging agent is present in an amount of from 0.1 to 10%, by volume, of the carbon adsorbent. 
   
   
       8 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the scavenging agent is present in an amount of from 1 to 5% by volume of the carbon. 
   
   
       9 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the scavenging agent is calcium dioxide which acts as the scavenging agent for water (or aqueous mixtures) and which minimizes any increase in internal canister pressure caused by gas released from the absorbent by the water impinging on the carbon. 
   
   
       10 . A dispensing system according to  claim 9 , wherein the water is alkaline.