Abstract:
Methods and systems for dispensing a product from a container into a tire are provided. In a described embodiment, a method of dispensing a product into a tire inflation port includes the steps of attaching a flexible conduit to the inflation port and then operatively attaching the conduit to container of the product. A system for dispensing a product into an inflation port of a tire includes: a container having the product pressurized therein, and a valve selectively permitting and preventing flow of the product from the container; and a conduit assembly including a flexible conduit extending between a container connector and a port connector, the container connector being configured for connection to the container for flow of the product from the container into the conduit, and the port connector being configured for connection to the inflation port for flow of the product from the conduit into the tire.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for dispensing a product from a container into a tire and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides methods and apparatus for repair of flat tires. 
     It is well known in the art to repair a flat tire by flowing a sealant into the tire. The sealant at least temporarily seals whatever puncture or other leak that caused the tire to lose pressure. To permit driving on the tire after the leak has been sealed, it is common to package the sealant with a pressurized gas (which may be in liquid form when sufficiently pressurized), so that the tire is inflated somewhat after the leak is sealed. 
     There exists a need to provide a convenient method and system for dispensing the sealant, gas and/or other product from a container into a tire. Present methods and systems have drawbacks, which are discussed more fully below. 
     SUMMARY 
     In carrying out the principles of the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment thereof, a method is provided which improves on present techniques of dispensing a product into a tire. A system is also provided for use in the method. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a method of dispensing a product into a tire includes the steps of attaching a flexible conduit to a tire inflation port and then attaching the conduit to a container of the product. By first attaching the conduit to the inflation port, the difficulties of attaching the container to the port are eliminated. Attachment of the conduit to the port preferably opens the tire valve. A check valve associated with the conduit prevents escape of pressure from the tire valve through the conduit. Subsequent attachment of the conduit to the container preferably opens a valve of the container, permitting the product to flow from the container into the tire through the conduit. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a system for dispensing a product into an inflation port of a tire is provided. The system includes a container and a conduit assembly. The container has the product pressurized therein, and a valve selectively permitting and preventing flow of the product from the container. The conduit assembly includes a flexible conduit extending between a container connector and a port connector, the container connector being configured for connection to the container for flow of the product from the container into the conduit, and the port connector being configured for connection to the inflation port for flow of the product from the conduit into the tire. 
    
    
     These and other features, advantages, benefits and objects of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of the detailed description of a representative embodiment of the invention hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a prior art method of dispensing a tire sealant into a tire; 
     FIG. 2 is an elevational view of another prior art method of dispensing a tire sealant into a tire; 
     FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a system for dispensing a product into a tire, the system embodying principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a check valve of the system of FIG. 3; and 
     FIGS. 5 &amp; 6 are elevational views of successive steps of a method of dispensing a product into a tire, the method embodying principles of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art method of dispensing a product from a container  12  into a tire inflation port or valve stem  14 . The container  12  has a connector  16  rigidly attached thereto. A valve  18  of the container  12  prevents escape of the product from the container. 
     When it is desired to dispense the product from the container  12 , the connector  16  is screwed onto the valve stem  14 . As the connector  16  is threaded onto the valve stem  14 , a valve (not shown) in the valve stem is opened and the valve  18  of the container  12  is opened, thereby permitting the product to flow from the container and into the tire. 
     Unfortunately, this method  10  is frequently inconvenient to use. Because the connector  16  is rigidly attached to the container  12 , the container must be aligned with the valve stem  14  threads and must be rotated along with the connector. This is a relatively ungainly operation, which often results in the connector  16  being improperly threaded (e.g., cross-threaded) on the valve stem  14 . As a result, a poor seal is frequently made between the connector  16  and valve stem  14 , permitting the product to escape therebetween instead of flowing only into the tire. Another problem is that obstructions, such as a hub cap  20 , may prevent the container  12  from being properly aligned with the valve stem  14 , which in turn prevents the connector  16  from being properly threaded onto the valve stem. 
     Another prior art method  30  is depicted in FIG.  2 . This method  30  solves some of the problems with the method  10  discussed above, but substitutes others in their place. In the method  30 , a flexible conduit  32  is interconnected between a container  34  and a valve stem connector  36 . The conduit  32  spaces the container  34  away from any obstructions around the valve stem  14 . 
     When it is desired to dispense the product from the container  34 , the connector  36  is threaded onto the valve stem  14 . The connector  36  has a nut  38  which rotates relative to the conduit  32 , so that the conduit does not have to be rotated when the connector is threaded onto the valve stem  14 . When the nut  38  has been sufficiently threaded onto the valve stem  14 , the valve in the valve stem is opened, permitting flow between the conduit  32  and the tire. A valve  40  of the container  34  is then depressed to permit the product to flow from the container and into the tire through the conduit  32 . 
     The main difficulties associated with this method  30  have to do with attaching the connector  36  to the valve stem  14 . Since the container  34  is attached to the conduit  32  during this step, one hand must be used to hold the container, leaving only one other hand to thread the nut  38  onto the valve stem  14 . In addition, since the nut  38  rotates relative to the conduit  32 , a seal must be maintained between the rotating members. Another inconvenience is that the valve  40  must remain depressed (for example, by finger pressure) for the entire time that the product is being dispensed, and many people find this difficult. 
     Representatively illustrated in FIG. 3 is a system  50  for dispensing a product into a tire, which system embodies principles of the present invention. In the following description of the system  50  and other apparatus and methods described herein, directional terms, such as “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, etc., are used only for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, it is to be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, without departing from the principles of the present invention. 
     The system  50  solves the problems associated with prior art methods of dispensing a product into a tire, and does so in a straightforward, economical and convenient manner. The system  50  includes a container  52  and a conduit assembly  54 . Note that the conduit assembly  54  is not initially attached to the container  52 . This configuration substantially enhances the functionality and ease of use of the system  50 , as will be described more fully below. 
     The container  52  is depicted in FIG. 3 as including a conventional can  56  of the type typically used for dispensing pressurized products, such as aerosol products. However, the container  52  has a specially configured connector  58  for attaching the conduit assembly  54  thereto. The container  52  also includes a conventional valve  60  with an upwardly projecting member  62 . When the member  62  is depressed, the valve  60  opens and the product is permitted to flow out of the can  56 . Note that other types of containers may be used in the system  50 , without departing from the principles of the present invention. 
     The conduit assembly  54  includes a flexible conduit  64 , a valve  66 , a container connector  68  and an inflation port connector  70 . The connector  68  is configured for attachment to the connector  58 . As depicted in FIG. 3, the lo connector  68  is externally threaded and includes a projection  72  for depressing the member  62  when the connector  68  is threaded into the connector  58 . However, it is to be clearly understood that the connectors  58 ,  68  could be otherwise configured and the valve  60  could be otherwise operated, without departing from the principles of the present invention. For example, the connectors  58 ,  68  could snap together, or could be clamped together, etc. The valve  60  could be opened by means other than depressing the member  62 . For example, a ported sleeve could be displaced when the connectors  58 ,  68  are attached to each other, etc. 
     The inflation port connector  70  is in some respects similar to the connector  36  described above. That is, the connector  70  is threaded onto the valve stem  14 , which opens the valve in the valve stem for flow between the conduit  64  and the tire. In the system  50 , the connector  70  could be secured against rotation relative to the conduit  64  so a seal would not have to be maintained between the rotating members. However, the connector  70  preferably rotates relative to the conduit  64  in the system  50 . Furthermore, other types of connectors may be used in place of the connector  70 , for example, a clamp connector, etc. 
     The connector  70  does not need to rotate relative to the conduit  64 , because the conduit assembly  54  is attached to the valve stem  14  without the container  52  being attached to the conduit assembly, as is described in more detail below. Thus, there is no need to provide a rotating seal in the connector  70 . In addition, both of a person&#39;s hands may be used to attach the conduit assembly  54  to the valve stem  14 , since one of the hands is not occupied with holding the container  52 . 
     The valve  66  prevents escape of pressure from the conduit assembly  54  when the connector  70  is attached to the valve stem  14 . There may be some pressure remaining in the tire when the product is to be dispensed into the tire. It is preferable not to let the pressure escape from the conduit assembly  54  when it is attached to the valve stem  14 . The valve  66  acts to close off the conduit assembly  54  so that, when the connector  70  is attached to the valve stem  14 , opening the valve therein, any pressure in the tire does not escape from the conduit assembly. 
     Preferably, the valve  66  is a check valve. Referring additionally now to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of the valve  66  is representatively illustrated. The valve includes a ball  74  and a spring  76  biasing the ball against a seat  78 . Note that other types of check valves may be used for the valve  66  in keeping with the principles of the invention. Furthermore, the valve  66  could be another type of valve. For example, the valve  66  could be a valve which is opened by displacing a member, such as the projection  72 , when the connectors  58 ,  68  are attached to each other. 
     When the conduit assembly  54  is attached to the container  52 , pressure in the container exceeds pressure in the conduit assembly. This pressure differential opens the valve  66 , permitting the product to flow from the container  52  and into the conduit assembly  54 . Note that the product flows continuously from the container  52  as long as the conduit assembly  54  is attached to the container, thereby eliminating the need to depress a valve (such as the valve  40  described above) with finger pressure for the entire duration of dispensing product from the container. 
     Referring additionally now to FIGS. 5 &amp; 6, a method  80  of dispensing the product from the container  52  into the tire is representatively illustrated, the method embodying principles of the present invention. In the method  80 , the conduit assembly  54  is attached to the valve stem  14  prior to attaching the container  52  to the conduit assembly, as depicted in FIG.  5 . 
     This step may be conveniently and easily performed, thereby lessening the probability that the connector  70  will be improperly or incompletely threaded onto the valve stem  14 . There is no need to hold the container  52  during this step, and the flexible conduit assembly  54  can easily avoid any obstacles. 
     Although the attachment of the connector  70  to the valve stem  14  permits flow between the conduit assembly  54  and the valve stem, any remaining pressure in the tire is prevented from escaping by the valve  66 . Note that the valve  66  could be provided at either end of the conduit  64  to prevent flow from the tire through the conduit. 
     As depicted in FIG. 6, the container  52  is attached to the conduit assembly  54  after the conduit assembly is attached to the valve stem  14 . When the connectors  58 ,  68  are attached to each other, the valve  60  is opened and the valve  66  permits the product to flow from the container  52  through the conduit assembly  54  and into the tire. As long as the connectors  58 ,  68  are attached to each other, the valve  60  is open, without the need of depressing the valve by finger pressure, etc. 
     To cease dispensing the product from the container  52 , the connectors  58 ,  68  are detached from each other. This closes the valve  60  and then releases the container  52  from the conduit assembly  54 . The valve  66  prevents the product remaining in the conduit assembly  54  from escaping when the container  52  is detached from the conduit assembly. 
     The conduit assembly  54  is then detached from the valve stem  14 . The valve in the valve stem  14  closes when the connector  70  is detached therefrom. 
     Note that any type of product may be dispensed into a tire using systems and methods embodying principles of the present invention. Tire sealers, inflators, balancers, etc. are but examples of products which may be dispensed into a tire. In addition, the principles of the present invention may be used in conjunction with tubeless and tube type tires. For example, the phrase “into a tire” as used herein may be taken to mean “into a tire tube”, and the tire valve stem  14  may be a valve of a tube in a tire, etc. 
     Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the above description of representative embodiments of the invention, readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to these specific embodiments, and such changes are contemplated by the principles of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.