Patent GB-784357-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to filling valves for liquefied gas lighters
IPC: F23Q2/52
Filed: 1955-08-05
Abstract: 784,357. Liquified-gas cigarette lighters. NATIONALE SOC. ANON. Aug. 5, 1955 [Aug. 28, 1954], No. 22563/55. Class 75(3) A valve for filling liquefied-gas lighters from a vessel 4, the valve being actuated by movement of the refill vessel 4 and carrying a tubular member, such as a needle 20, for insertion in the refill vessel and being provided with an inlet duct 21 and an exhaust passage 17, 18, 19 for placing the reservoir in communication with the atmosphere and having an axially-movable closure-member 11 loaded by a spring 16, has the exhaust passage located at a point spaced from the wall carrying the valve so as to provide, after filling, a liquid free space in the reservoir, the closure member 11 co-operating with at least one fluid-tight element 9 so that when the valve is opened the exhaust passages 17, 18 19 are opened before the inlet duct 21 and that, during closing, the latter is closed before the exhaust passages. The hollow needle 20 pierces the resilient closure 4a of the refill vessel 4 when the neck 3 thereof is introduced into the fixed part 2 of the valve and upon applying pressure to the refill vessel 4 the closure member 11 is moved against its spring 16 whereupon a shoulder 13 disengages from an end fase of the resilient-cylindrical fluid-tight element 9; the annular groove 17 adjacent should 13 is then uncovered and connects the interior of the reservoir with atmosphere via the passages 18, 19 and the space between the valve part 2 and the refill vessel 4. Continued movement of the member 11 then opens the inlet duct 21 to the reservoir. When the level of liquid reaches the shoulder 13 the liquid flows toward the inlet of the filling opening through groove 17 and to the exhaust passage 18, 19 thus ensuring that the reservoir is not completely filled. The cross-sectional area of the inlet duct is smaller than that of the exhaust passage. Upon removing pressure from the vessel 4 the member 11 is spring-urged to move the shoulder 13 on to the element 9. In a modification, the annular groove 17 is dispensed with and the passage 18 is arranged in a similar manner to the duct 21. In a further modification, the needle 20 is replaced by a tube with a notch at its outer end whilst the refill vessel is sealed by a spring-loaded lift-valve which is raised from its seat by the tube when the neck of the refill vessel is introduced into the filling opening. The end of the neck abuts a fluid-tight ring on the reservoir valveclosure member. In another modification, the downward motion of the member 11, Fig. 6, causes opening of a spring-loaded lift-valve 28 carried thereby when a stem 30 impinges on the bottom 10c of a fixed cap 10a, whereupon liquid from the refill vessel enters the reservoir by way of the needle 20, a recess 22, controlled by the valve 28, and openings 10b in the cap 10a. The fixed part 2 is not internally threaded for the reception of a closing plug as it is in the other embodiments. In a final modification, the lift valve is partly conical and seats on an "O" ring whilst the main fluid-tight element, with which the member 11 cooperates, is also an "O" ring.