Abstract:
A fuel consumption apparatus includes a container for discharge of a fuel therefrom and a fuel consumption device such as a torch for producing a flame upon igniting the fuel. An adaptor releasably couples the container to the fuel consumption device. The adaptor includes a tightening assembly having an inner locking element and an outer ring rotatable with respect to the inner locking element. The tightening assembly is operable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A holding member releasably engages with a portion of the container when the tightening assembly is in at least the unlocked position. The holding member includes one or more prongs shaped to releasably engage a portion of the container.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to a fuel consumption device for use with a disposable fuel container. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fuel transfer adaptor that releasably attaches the fuel container and that provides a sealed gas passageway between the fuel container and the fuel consumption device. 
   Butane is used as fuel in various fuel consumption devices such as butane lighters, soldering torches, ignitors, portable stoves, etc. In some portable applications, butane is stored in a small, air tight, cylindrically-shaped container having an elongated nozzle coupled to a release valve for dispensing the butane fuel. One example of this type of fuel container is Ronson&#39;s Multi-Fill® Ultra Butane Fuel. 
   The vast majority of portable fuel containers are designed to refill the fuel reservoir of a butane lighter. In butane lighter applications, the tip of the butane container nozzle is first inserted into an inlet opening of the reservoir. The release valve of the container is then triggered and butane is discharged into the reservoir. After filling the container with butane, the nozzle is removed from the inlet opening. A perfect seal between the nozzle and the inlet opening is desireable but not vital in achieving the goal of refilling the fuel reservoir. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the butane container to be securely attached to the lighter since the entire refilling process is temporary. A person can hold both the fuel container and the lighter at the same time during the short refilling process. 
   When fuel stored in this type of container is used with other fuel consumption devices, such as a torch assembly, different design considerations are at issue. Many fuel consumption devices do not have a separate reservoir to store the source of fuel. Instead, the fuel container is attached to the fuel consumption device, and the fuel is supplied directly from the fuel container itself. A reliable seal between the fuel container and the torch assembly is a much more important design criteria as fuel leaks can be very hazardous. Another important design criteria is that the fuel container be securely attached to the fuel consumption device to prevent against accidental disengagement. 
   One known torch assembly attaches to a portable butane fuel container to form a handheld torch. The torch assembly includes an opening for receiving the nozzle of the fuel container. Within the opening is a pin which is received within the nozzle for triggering the release valve of the fuel container. The torch assembly releasably attaches to the container by a cam tightening assembly. The cam tightening assembly has a plurality of fingers that circumscribe the rim of the container. The fingers apply a radially inward force against the rim to create a friction fit that securely attaches the fuel container to the torch assembly. The magnitude of the force depends on the position of an outer tightening ring, which rotates about an axis. Rotating the ring in one direction (tightening direction) increases the force, and rotating the ring in the opposition direction (releasing direction) decreases the force. 
   The process of attaching the fuel container begins by rotating the tightening ring in the releasing direction to its most released limit. The nozzle of the fuel container is then inserted into the torch assembly opening so that the pin triggers the release valve of the container. The container is held in a predetermined, pre-attached position with respect to the torch assembly. The tightening ring is then rotated in the tightening direction so that the fingers clamp onto the rim of the container. The process of releasing the container from the torch assembly is by rotating the tightening ring in the releasing direction until the fingers are released. The user of the device can then separate the fuel container from the torch assembly. 
   This aforementioned device has a number of disadvantages. First, the process of attaching the fuel container to the torch assembly requires the cam assembly to be in a released configuration before the other steps are performed. Forcing a fuel container onto the torch assembly when the cam assembly is not in a released configuration may damage the torch assembly. Second, the fuel container must be held in a predetermined assembled position by the user before and while the tightening ring is rotated. Finally, even after the torch assembly is attached to the container, it is still possible for the container to become accidentally disengaged by a strong force applied to the container. 
   There therefore exists a need for a fuel transfer adaptor that provides a reliable seal between a fuel container and a fuel consumption device and that also solves the described problems of the known device. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed towards a fuel transfer adaptor that is capable of being releasably attached to a fuel container and that provides a sealed gas passageway between the fuel container and the fuel consumption device. The adaptor is designed to couple with a fuel container that has a nozzle for releasing the fuel. 
   In accordance with the invention, the adaptor includes a cam tightening assembly which attaches to the fuel container by flexible fingers that clamp down on the container when a tightening ring is rotated. The cam assembly of the present invention includes a spring coupled to the tightening ring to force the ring into a released configuration when it is in its free state, e.g., when it is not attached to the container. The cam assembly fingers are also shaped to have undercuts to accept a portion of the fuel container, e.g., the container rim, to achieve the correct installation position while the tightening ring is rotated. 
   The adaptor also includes a holding member shaped to have a plurality of prongs that engage the fuel container. The prongs hold the container in a position suitable for further attachment by the cam tightening assembly. The holding member cooperates with the cam assembly fingers when the tightening ring is rotated and prevents against the accidental disengagement of the container. 
   The adaptor also includes a gasket that presses against the fuel container to form a gas tight enclosure that surrounds the base of the container nozzle. This gasket is used to prevent the release of fuel that may escape through the nozzle base and also the fuel that may have leaked passed other seals present in the adaptor. 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention there is described an adaptor for receiving fuel from a fuel container having an elongated nozzle and a fuel reservoir, the container having a recess surrounding the elongated nozzle. The adaptor includes a body member shaped to define a passageway for receiving the elongated nozzle, the passageway capable of communicating with the fuel reservoir when the adaptor is coupled to the container, a holding member shaped to engage the container recess to hold the container in a predetermined position with respect to the body member, and a compressible sealing member positioned to provide a gas tight seal between the container and the body member when the fuel container is in the predetermined position, the seal circumscribing an interface between the nozzle and the body member. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is described an adaptor for receiving fuel from a fuel container having an elongated nozzle and a fuel reservoir. The adaptor includes a cam tightening assembly having an inner locking element with a plurality of flexible arms and an outer ring rotatable with respect to the inner locking element, the locking element being positioned at least partly within the ring; the tightening assembly having at least two configurations, a tightened configuration and a released configuration, the configurations dependent on the position of the outer ring with respect to the locking element, a guiding element positioned adjacent to the inner locking element, the guiding element restricting the movement of the plurality of flexible arms in a longitudinal direction. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is described a cam tightening assembly for removeably attaching a fuel container having an elongated nozzle and a fuel reservoir, the assembly includes an inner locking element having a plurality of flexible arms and capable of circumscribing a portion of the container for attachment to the assembly; an outer ring rotatable with respect to the inner locking element to define at least two configurations, a tightened configuration and a released configuration; and a spring coupled to the inner locking element and the outer ring so as to impart a force against the outer ring in a direction from the more tightened configuration to the released configuration. 
   In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, there is described a fuel transfer adaptor for receiving fuel from a container having an elongated nozzle with a tip and a base, the adaptor comprises an opening for receiving the nozzle, an o-ring positioned within the opening and adapted to circumscribe the nozzle, a gasket shaped and positioned to create a gas tight enclosure that encompasses the base of the nozzle, and means for attaching the adaptor to the container. 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention there is described an adaptor for releasably securing a container having a fuel reservoir and an elongated nozzle for discharge of fuel therefrom to a fuel consumption device, the container having a recess at one end of the container, the adaptor comprising a body member having a passageway for receiving the elongated nozzle, the passageway adapted for communicating between the fuel reservoir and the fuel consumption device when the adaptor is coupled to the container; and a holding member attached to the body member and shaped to engage the container recess for securing the container in a predetermined position with respect to the body member. 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention there is described an adaptor for releasably securing a container having a fuel reservoir to a fuel consumption device, the adaptor includes a tightening assembly including an inner locking element and an outer ring rotatable with respect to the inner locking element; the tightening assembly having at least two configurations, a tightened configuration and a released configuration, the configurations dependent on a position of the outer ring with respect to the locking element; and a holding member arranged inwardly of the flexible arm, the holding member adapted for releasable engagement with a portion of the container when the tightening assembly is in at least the released configuration. 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention there is described a fuel consumption apparatus for producing a flame, the apparatus includes a container for discharge of a fuel therefrom, a fuel consumption device for producing a flame upon igniting the fuel, and an adaptor for releasably coupling the container to the fuel consumption device, the adaptor including a tightening assembly having an inner locking element and an outer ring rotatable with respect to the inner locking element, the tightening assembly operable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a holding member adapted for releasable engagement with a portion of the container when the tightening assembly is in at least the unlocked position. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is a method for releasably securing a container having a fuel reservoir to a fuel consumption device, the method comprising providing a tightening assembly having an inner locking element and an outer ring rotatable with respect to the inner locking element, the tightening assembly having a tightened configuration and a released configuration dependent on a position of the outer ring relative to the inner locking element, providing a holding member inwardly of the inner locking element, arranging the tightening assembly in the released configuration, engaging a portion of the container within the holding member with the tightening assembly in the released configuration, and rotating the outer ring relative to the inner locking element for arranging the tightening assembly in the tightened configuration. 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of one example of a fuel container that may be used with the fuel transfer adaptor of the invention. 
     FIG.  2 . is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an adaptor that is attached to the fuel container of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 3A  is a bottom plan view of one embodiment of a center holder of the invention. 
       FIG. 3B  is a bottom plan view taken along reference line  3 B— 3 B of FIG.  3 A. 
       FIG. 3C  is a partial cross-sectional view of a center holder attaching a container to an adaptor. 
       FIG. 4A  is a bottom plan view of one embodiment of a locking element according to the invention. 
       FIG. 4B  is a side elevational view of the locking element of FIG.  4 A. 
       FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view taken along reference line  4 C— 4 C of FIG.  4 A. 
       FIG. 4D  is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of the locking element showing a profile of an engagement surface. 
       FIG. 5A  is a bottom plan view of one embodiment of a tightening ring according to the invention. 
       FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view taken along reference line  5 B— 5 B of FIG.  5 A. 
       FIG. 6A  is a bottom plan view of a fuel transfer adaptor coupled to a fuel consumption device in a released configuration. 
       FIG. 6B  is a bottom view of the fuel transfer adaptor coupled to a fuel consumption device in a tightened configuration. 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of another embodiment of a locking element according to the invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along reference line  8 — 8  of FIG.  7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a bottom plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of a torch adaptor incorporating the inventive adaptor. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and is understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalence which operate in a similar manner to accomplish the same purpose. 
   Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1  an engagement end of a fuel container  100 . The fuel container  100  includes a fuel chamber  102  for storing butane or other combustible fuel, a nozzle  104  for dispensing the butane and a valve  105  that controls the flow of butane out of the container  100 . The fuel chamber  102  is preferably formed of a metal wall  107  or other strong material, and the nozzle  104  is preferably made of plastic. The fuel chamber  102  is shaped to include a recess  106  having a circular engaging portion  108  and a circular rim  110  surrounding the recess  106 . The recess  106  is preferably shaped so that the rim  110  at least partially overhangs the engaging portion  108 . 
   The nozzle  104  of the container  100  is generally in the form of an elongated shaft with a base  112 , a tip  114 , and a passageway  116  that spans the entire length of the nozzle  104 . The passageway  116  connects an interior of the fuel chamber  102  to the tip  114  of the nozzle  104 . Coupled to the nozzle  104  is the valve  105 . The valve controls the flow of butane out of the container  100 . The valve is coupled to the nozzle  104  is that butane is released from the chamber  102  when the nozzle  104  is pushed axially towards the chamber  102 . Other container designs may be used with the inventive adaptor. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, th e container may have a valve that is coupled to release butane when a pin or other structure is inserted into the nozzle passageway for piercing a septum that releases the butane. Alternatively, the container can store other fuels besides butane, for example, it can store propane. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a fuel transfer adaptor  118  is shown releasably attached to the fuel container  100  and coupled with a fuel consumption device  120 . The adaptor  118  includes a metal sleeve  122 , a center holder  124 , a rubber gasket  126  positioned between the center holder  124  and the metal sleeve  122 , and a cam assembly  128 . The adaptor  118  is fastened to the consumption device  120  by three screws  130 , which are received by three openings  132  in the center holder  124  and three openings  134  in the cam assembly  128 . The screws  130  are anchored in threaded blind holes  136  in the consumption device  120 . 
   The metal sleeve  122  has a linear passageway  138  shaped to receive the nozzle  104  of the container  100 . The passageway  138  includes an inner ledge  140 , which is designed to abut against the tip  114  of the container  100  when the container  100  and the adaptor  118  are attached together. The ledge  140  serves to trigger the valve  105  of the container  100  by pushing the nozzle  104  towards the chamber  102 . In the alternative, the adaptor can include a pin (not shown) that is positioned within the passageway  138  so that the pin is inserted into the nozzle passageway  116  when the container  100  is coupled to the adaptor  118 . The pin triggers the release of butane. 
   Within the passageway  138  are two o-rings  142 , which are sized to frictionally mate with an outer diameter of the nozzle  104 . The o-rings  142  create a first set of gas tight seals against the nozzle  104  for preventing the escape of butane. 
   The ring shaped gasket  126  also assists in preventing the release of butane when the adaptor  118  is attached to the container  100 . The gasket  126  is shaped to receive the nozzle  104  of the container  100  and provides a second set of seals  144 ,  146 . The two seals  144 ,  146  are circular and are located against the chamber wall  107  of the container  100 . The first seal  144  is formed on an upper flat portion of the chamber wall  107 , and the second seal  146  is formed within the recess  106  of the chamber wall  107 . Both seals  144 ,  146  circumscribe the base  112  of the nozzle  104  to form a gas tight enclosure that encompasses the base  112  of the nozzle  104 . In some instances, butane may be released at the base  112  of the nozzle  104  when the container valve is triggered. 
   The ring shaped gasket  126  is held in place by the metal sleeve  122  and the center holder  124 , which is attached to the fuel consumption device  120  by the three screws  130 . The gasket  126  is preferably press-fitted against a central major opening  148  of the center holder  124 . The gasket  126  is preferably formed of rubber or an alternative polymer and relatively gas-impermeable material. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and  3 C, the center holder  124  is shaped to have three guiding members  150  and three circumferentially-positioned prongs  152 , each having a base  151 , a tip  153 , and an engaging curved portion  155  therebetween. At the center of the center holder  124  is the major opening  148 , which, as explained above, is adapted to receive the gasket  126 . The center holder  124  is also shaped to provide the three openings  132  for receiving the three screws  130  that are used to fasten the adaptor  118  to the consumption device  120 . The center holder  124  is preferably formed of a single piece of sheet metal, which is first stamped and then bent to form the prongs  152 . 
   The prongs  152  of the center holder  124  prevent the accidental disengagement of the adaptor  118  from the container  100 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 3C , the three prongs  152  engage the engaging portion  108  of the container recess  106  to hold the container  100  in place. In their relaxed state, the prongs  152  extend generally downward. As the container  100  is being attached to the adaptor  118 , the prongs  152  are bent radially inward by the container rim  110 . The resiliency of the prongs  152  imparts a force against the container  100  in the radially outward direction. The shape of the prongs  152  are such that when the rim  110  passes the engaging portion  155  of the prongs  152 , the prongs  152  snap back towards their relaxed state and continue to impart a force against the container  100 . At the same time, the shape of the prongs  152  are such that it forces the top chamber wall  107  of the container  100  against the gasket  126  to product the gas-tight seals  144 ,  146 . The shape of the container rim  110  prevents the container  100  from becoming easily uncoupled. 
   The guiding members  150  of the center holder  124  are generally flat wall members that extend out from the center of the center holder  124 . As explained in more detail hereinafter, the guiding members  150  together with the cam assembly  128  provide for the secure attachment of the container  100  and protect against unintentional disengagement. The guiding members  150  can have a wide variety of shapes and sizes. 
   The center holder  124  holds and positions the container  100  for further attachment by the cam assembly  128 . The container  100  should be properly aligned with respect to the adaptor  118  before tightening the cam assembly  128 . As explained in more detail below, the cam assembly  128 , when tightened, forms a friction fit against the rim  110  of the container  100 . A misalignment may produce a weak fit or may cause damage to the container  100  and the adaptor  118 . 
   Although the described center holder  124  shows three equally spaced prongs  152  and three guiding members  150 , the center holder  124  can have more or less than three prongs  152  and guiding members  150  without departing from the invention. Furthermore, the prongs  152  need not be equally spaced from each other. 
     FIGS. 4-5  show different views of two components of the cam assembly  128 , an outer tightening ring  154  and an inner locking element  156 . When assembled, the inner locking element  156  is fixedly attached to the rest of the adaptor  118  and the outer tightening ring  154  rotates with respect to the locking element  156 . As explained in more detail below, the cam assembly  128  attaches to and releases the fuel container  100  by rotating the tightening ring  154 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  4 C and  4 D, the inner locking element  156  is shaped to have a circular, disk-shaped base  158  with a central major opening  160 . The inner locking element  156  also includes the three openings  134  for receiving the three screws  130  used to fasten the adaptor  118  to the consumption device  120 . The inner locking element  156  also includes three flexible fingers  162  that are attached to the base  158 . The finger  162  are designed to flex in the radially inward direction. 
   The tips of the fingers  162  are each shaped to each have a detent  164  that projects radially outward and a flange  166  that projects radially inward. Proximal to and on the same side of each flange  166  is an engagement surface  168 . Each engagement surface  168  is shaped to have a recess  169  adjacent to undercut  170  that extends radially inward from the rest of the engagement surface  168 . As explained in more detail below, the engagement surface  168  is shaped to guide the container  100  into the proper position as the cam assembly  128  clamps onto the rim  110  of the container  100 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the outer tightening ring  154  is generally washer-shaped with an opening  172  at its center  174 . The tightening ring  154  also includes continuous inner engaging surfaces  176  with a detent  178  at each end thereof. A distance  180  between the engaging surface  176  and the center  174  varies circumferentially between each detent  178 . This variation provides the cam functionality of the cam assembly  128 . Preferably, the variation in the distance  180  is gradual and in one direction between each detent  178 . The tightening ring  154  also has an outer gripping surface  182  with ridges  184 . The ridges  184  assist the user to grip the ring  154  and tighten the cam assembly  128 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , bottom views of the adaptor  118  illustrate the design and operation of the cam assembly  128 . The tightening ring  154  is rotatable with respect the stationary locking element  156 . As the tightening ring  154  rotates counterclockwise, the adaptor is  118  is placed from a released configuration ( FIG. 6A ) to a tightened configuration (FIG.  6 B). The released configuration correlates to the range of positions of the tightening ring  154  where the container  100  can be easily separated from the adaptor  118 , and the tightened configuration correlates to the range of position where the container  100  is securely attached to the adaptor  118 . 
   As the cam assembly  128  is tightened, the engaging surfaces  176  of the tightening ring  154  press against the detents  164  of the locking element  156  and force the fingers  162  in the radially inward direction. As the fingers  162  are forced radially inward, the fingers  162  press against the fuel container rim  110  to produce a strong friction fit. When the adaptor  118  is in a tightened configuration, the rim  110  is positioned within the recesses  169  of the engaging surface  168  and the finger undercuts  170  extend over the rim  110 . The undercuts  170  prevents the rim  110  from sliding in a direction that results in the unintentional disengagement of the container  100 . 
   The finger undercuts  168  also assist in attaching the container  100  to the adaptor  118 . As discussed above, the prongs  152  of the center holder  124  hold and align the container  100  prior to the tightening of the cam assembly  128 . As the cam assembly  128  is tightened, the fingers  162  move radially inward and the finger undercuts  168  guide the rim  110  into the recesses  169  of the engaging surface  168 . 
   The adaptor  118  is designed to prevent the container  100  from being uncoupled when a strong force is placed against the container  100 . A container attached to an adaptor by a cam tightening assembly may become disengaged when a strong force is placed on the container. The force may bend one or more of the fingers of the cam assembly in the axial direction and allow for the container rim to slip out. The inventive adaptor  118  solves this problem by using the guiding members  150  of the center holder  124  to restrict the bending the fingers  162  in the axial direction. 
   In this regard, the flanges  166  of the fingers  162  are contained and held within a space underlying the guiding members  150  of the center holder  124 , See FIG.  6 B. The flanges  166  and their containment by the guiding members restrict the bending of the fingers  162  in the axial direction. Although the guiding member  150  of the present embodiment is a relatively flat wall structure, the guiding member  150  can be a variety of other shapes as long as it generally limits the direction by which the fingers  162  may bend. 
   The detents  178  of the tightening ring  154  and the detents  164  of the locking element  156  define the two limits by which the tightening ring  154  can be rotated. The detents  164 , 178  prevent the tightening ring  154  from rotating beyond either of the two limits. The cam assembly  128  applies a gradually increasingly force against the container rim  110  as the tightening ring  154  is rotated in the tightening direction from one limit to the other limit. This can be accomplished by designing the shape of the tightening ring engaging surface  176 . The engaging surface distance  180  determines the degree by which the fingers  162  are bent radially inward with generally a smaller distance correlating to a larger degree of bending by the fingers  162 . A tightening ring  154  having a engaging surface distance  180  that varies uniformly from one detent  178  to the next detent  178  will result in cam assembly  128  that applies an increasing greater force against the container rim  110  as the tightening ring  154  is rotated in the tightening direction. In the alternative and by the same design principles, the cam assembly  128  can be designed to gradually tighten from a released configuration to a certain predetermined degree of tightness and then level off as the tightening ring  154  is rotated further. 
   The adaptor  118  may include an automatic release feature that places the cam assembly  128  in a released configuration when it is in its free state, e.g., not attached to a container  100 . In accordance with one embodiment, a spring  190  (See  FIG. 6B ) is coupled to both the locking element  156  and the tightening ring  154  by anchoring one end of the spring  190  onto a protrusion  192  formed proximal the base  158  of the locking element  156  and the other end onto a protrusion  194  formed proximal the opening  172  of the tightening ring  154 . The spring  190  wraps around the outer portion of the locking element base  158 . 
   When the cam assembly  128  is uncoupled from the container  100 , the spring  190  forces the cam assembly  128  into a relaxed configuration. Preferably, the cam assembly  128  is designed so there is relatively little interference between the locking element  156  and the tightening ring  154  when the cam assembly  128  is in its free state. In this way, the adaptor  118  will be in a relaxed configuration prior to the attempted coupling of the cam assembly  128  to the fuel container  100 . When the cam assembly  128  is coupled to the container  100  and placed in a tightened configuration, the friction created by the tightening resists the force of the spring  190  and the cam assembly  128  remains in the same tightened configuration. 
   One purpose of having a cam assembly  128  that is biased towards a relaxed configuration is to allow the fingers  162  to receive without interference the container rim  110  into the adaptor  118 . However, in the absence of the container  100 , it is possible that the tightening ring  154  when rotated a significant degree, will frictionally engage the fingers  162  whereby the return spring force will be insufficient to return the tightening ring to its original position. In other words, the tightening ring  154  may not return over its entire range of rotation. Preferably, the cam assembly  128  is sized so that the rim  110  of the container  100  spreads the fingers  162  radially outward when the container  100  is placed in its preferred pre-tightened position. This is achieved by biasing the fingers  162  radially inward as shown in FIG.  7 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the fingers  162  in accordance with the preferred embodiment are biased radially inward by a distance designated by the letter X. This distance is sufficient to place the inner edges of the fingers  162  into an interfering relationship with the container rim  110 . To this end, the inner edges of the fingers  162  are formed as rounded edges  195 . As a container  100  is inserted into the adapter  118 , the container rim  110  will engage the rounded edges  195  flexing or spreading the fingers  162  radially outward to accommodate the container. The container  100  is subsequently locked into the adapter  118  by rotation of the tightening ring  154  as previously described. 
   When the container  100  is removed from the adapter  118 , the fingers  162  will naturally flex or expand radially outward to their original position as shown in FIG.  7 . The radially inward biasing of the fingers  162  by distance X is sufficient to allow the tightening ring  154  to generally freely rotate without engaging the fingers a sufficient amount whereby the frictional engagement will be insufficient to prevent return of the tightening ring by action of the spring  190 . Accordingly, the tightening ring  154  will return to its inoperative state even if inadvertently rotated by the user into a tightened condition in the absence of a container  100  being received within the adapter  118 . 
   In the above embodiments, the cam functionality is based on the inner surface distance  180  of the tightening ring  154 . However, the cam functionality can be the result of the shape of the inner locking element  156  as well as the tightening ring  154 . The locking element  156  can have fingers  162  that gradually increase in thickness from their bases to their tips so that the outer diameter of the locking element  156  increases likewise. The detents  178  of the tightening ring  154  press against the outer diameter of the locking element  156  to force the fingers  162  radially inward as the tightening ring  154  is rotated in the tightening direction. 
   The illustrated embodiments have three locking element fingers  162  that form a dissected, circular ring to engage the rim  110  of the container  100 . This results in cam assembly  128  with a tightening ring  154  that can be rotated approximately 100 degrees from one end to the other. In the alternative, the locking element  156  can have more or less fingers and can be rotated through a wide variety of angles without departing from the invention. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9 , in an alternative embodiment similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , a tightening ring is shaped to have minor protrusions  196  on its engaging surface  168 . Unlike the detents  178  of the tightening ring  154 , the protrusions  196  do not limit the tightening ring  154  from rotating further. Instead, the protrusions  196  produce a signal such as a ratcheting sound or a feelable vibration in the tightening ring  154  to signal to the user that the cam assembly  128  is close to its most tightened configuration. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a fuel-burning torch  200  having a fuel transfer adaptor  118  according to the invention is shown. The torch  200  includes the inventive fuel transfer adaptor  118  attached to a butane container  100 . The butane torch  200  is only one example of a fuel consumption device. The butane torch  200  includes a stem  204  coupled to a barrel  206  having a flame burner tip  208 . Butane supplied by the container  100  is transferred through passageways in the stem  204  and the barrel  206 . The flow of butane through the torch  200  is regulated by a valve  210  located on the opposite end of the barrel  206  to the tip  208 . The valve  210  is used to control the size of the flame that is directed out through the burner tip  208  by regulating the butane flow through from the container  100 . The torch  200  can include an igniter for igniting the flame or, in the alternative, the flame can be ignited by a match. Other designs of butane torches are known in the art and may be used with the adaptor  118  as well. 
   Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.