Patent ID: 6112506
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: B65B,Y10T

Abstract:
A gas exchange head for contacting and piercing a container to allow gas communication and exchange between said gas exchange head and said container, the gas exchange head comprising:a flow probe for piercing said container, said probe being hollow so as to allow said gas communication and exchange therethrough;an intermediate sleeve;an outer cylinder coaxially received on said intermediate sleeve, said outer cylinder including a lower cup portion at its distal end and being reciprocatingly mounted on said intermediate sleeve;a spring mounted on said outer cylinder for applying a biasing force to said outer cylinder; andan inner cylinder adapted at its distal end to receive and retain said flow probe, said inner cylinder being coaxially received within said intermediate sleeve and being axially moveable relative said intermediate sleeve, whereby said flow probe may be reciprocated from a retracted position within said intermediate sleeve to an exposed position in which said probe extends beyond said intermediate sleeve, said inner cylinder having a passageway therethrough for conducting a gas to and from said flow probe.