Patent ID: 7779858

Claim:
A valve assembly for a pressurized container, comprising: a valve body having a longitudinal axis and a base end adapted to secure the valve body in an opening of the container; and a capacitive liquid level gauge for detecting the liquid level in the container, said level gauge being secured to said valve body base end and extending downwardly therefrom in the direction of the longitudinal axis, said level gauge comprising two elongate, relatively thin, flexible, conductive electrodes; said electrodes each having opposite surfaces and opposed elongate side edges; said electrodes normally being in a straight parallel condition spaced apart from one another in the direction of the length thereof; said electrodes being connected together at least proximate an end of said electrodes remote from said valve body; said level gauge being movable between a first position in which said electrodes are in said generally straight parallel condition and a second position in which said level gauge is bent or deflected to facilitate insertion of said level gauge into said container; said level gauge being adapted to return to the normally straight condition, and being adapted to return to or to keep the parallel condition of the electrodes spaced apart from one another in the direction of the length thereof, upon being released from the bent position.