Patent ID: 7055611

Claim:
A plug-dropping container within a head member for releasing an object into a wellbore, the plug-dropping container comprising: a tubular housing; a tubular canister disposed within and generally aligned with the tubular housing by at least one centralizing member so as to define an annulus between the tubular housing and the canister, the centralizing member configured to allow fluid flow through the annulus; a channel along the inner surface of the canister, the canister channel being configured to receive the object therein; and a valve disposed within the tubular housing proximal to the lower end of canister, the valve having a solid surface, and having a channel through the valve; wherein the valve is movable from an object-retained position to an object-released position such that (1) in its object-retained position, the solid surface of the valve substantially blocks the object from exiting the canister but fluids are permitted to flow around the valve, and (2) in its object-released position, the channel of the valve is in substantial alignment with the channel of the canister thereby permitting the object to exit the canister and to travel downward through the channel of the valve, and the solid surface of the valve substantially blocks the flow of fluid around the valve.