PRESSURIZED-FLUID CONTROL MECHANISM AND PRESSURIZED-FLUID SUPPLY DEVICE

Abstract

A pressurized-fluid control mechanism for controlling the ejection of a compressed carbonic gas C charged into a gas container vessel (3), and a Pressurized-Fluid Supply device that makes use of the pressurized-fluid control mechanism, are disclosed. The pressurized-fluid control mechanism is mounted on the gas container vessel filled with the compressed carbonic gas C to control the ejection of the compressed carbonic gas C charged into the gas container vessel. The pressurized-fluid control mechanism includes a sealing plate (13) that stops up an opening (4) of the gas container vessel, and an acute pointed member (17) provided towards its extreme end. A sealing part (19) progressively reduced in its diameter is formed at an extreme end of the acute pointed member. The pressurized-fluid control mechanism also includes a coil spring (23) that biases the acute pointed member. The acute pointed member (17), used in this pressurized-fluid control mechanism, is arranged within the gas container vessel and adapted to be moved back and forth in the gas container vessel to open/close an ejection opening (18) formed in the sealing plate. The acute pointed member is biased by the coil spring to fit a sealing part into the ejection opening to close the opening.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a pressurized-fluid control mechanism for controlling the ejection of a pressurized fluid, such as a high pressure gas, charged into a container vessel, and to a Pressurized-Fluid Supply device that makes use of this pressurized-fluid control mechanism.

BACKGROUND ART

A gas spraying device has so far been used for removing dust and dirt affixed to a device such as a feed mechanism for an elongated magnetic tape or sheet, or a semiconductor manufacturing device. The gas spraying device of this sort is adapted for ejecting a high pressure gas, a pressurized gas charged into a container vessel, via an ejection opening. The high pressure gas, charged into the container vessel, is ejected by actuating a valve device fitted on the container vessel.

There is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication 2003-146393 a Pressurized-Fluid Supply device in which a pressurized gas is ejected from a container vessel filled with the pressurized gas as the pressurized fluid. In the device described in this Publication, a needle is pierced through a sealing plate that closes an opening of a gas container, thereby forming a gas ejection opening. The gas container is a container vessel filled with the pressurized fluid, The gas ejection opening is opened or closed by the needle that has formed it in order to control the gas ejection.

In the Pressurized-Fluid Supply device, disclosed in the above Patent Publication, the opening/closure of the gas ejection opening formed in the sealing plate is controlled by the needle provided outside the container vessel filled with the pressurized gas. It is thus possible to control the gas ejection by a simplified structure.

However, in the Pressurized-Fluid Supply device, configured as described above, the structure that controls the movement of the needle, in turn controlling the opening/closure of the gas ejection opening, is complicated in structure.

On the other hand, in a Pressurized-Fluid Supply device, used for removing dust and dirt, such as a gas spraying device, there is a demand that the device is reduced in size so that it may be held by hand and moved about for use.

In a small-sized Pressurized-Fluid Supply device, it is desired that ejection control may be attained without requiring a large operating force in order to realize ejection control of a pressurized fluid with high operability.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressurized-fluid control mechanism which may be reduced in size and in which ejection of a pressurized fluid, such as a pressurized gas, charged in a container vessel, may be controlled extremely readily with high operability with the use of a simpler mechanism, and a Pressurized-Fluid Supply device making use of this pressurized-fluid control mechanism.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pressurized-fluid control mechanism in which ejection of a pressurized fluid may be controlled with high operability, and a Pressurized-Fluid Supply device making use of this pressurized-fluid control mechanism.

The present invention provides a pressurized-fluid control mechanism mounted on a pressurized fluid container filled with a pressurized fluid to control ejection of a pressurized fluid charged into the pressurized fluid container. The pressurized-fluid control mechanism of the present invention includes an acute pointed member including a sealing part at its distal end. The sealing member is reduced in diameter from a proximal end towards the distal end. The pressurized-fluid control mechanism of the present invention also includes a biasing member for biasing the acute pointed member. The acute pointed member is arranged in the inside of the pressurized fluid container and moved back and forth in the inside of the pressurized fluid container to open or close an ejection opening for the pressurized fluid provided in the pressurized fluid container. The acute pointed member is biased by the biasing member so that the sealing part is fitted into the ejection opening to close the ejection hole.

The acute pointed member is supported by a movable member movable by being guided by a movement guide provided on the pressurized fluid container. There is formed a passageway for a pressurized fluid between the movable member and the movement guide. There is formed a spacing between a sealing plate and the movable member when a sealing part of the acute pointed member is fitted in the ejection opening to stop the ejection opening. The pressurized fluid charged in the pressurized fluid container flows into this spacing.

When the sealing part is fitted in the ejection opening to stop the ejection opening, the distal end of the sealing part is protruded via the ejection opening to outside of the pressurized fluid container. The protruded portion of the distal end of the sealing part may be thrust and thereby moved to open the ejection opening.

The ejection opening is provided in a sealing plate that closes an opening of the pressurized fluid container. Preferably, the sealing plate is formed of synthetic resin, and the acute pointed member is formed of metal.

The present invention also provides a Pressurized-Fluid Supply device including a pressurized fluid container filled with a pressurized fluid, and a pressurized-fluid control mechanism mounted on the pressurized fluid container. The pressurized-fluid control mechanism opens or closes an ejection opening for the pressurized fluid provided in the pressurized fluid container to control the ejection of the pressurized fluid charged in the pressurized fluid container. The pressurized-fluid control mechanism includes an acute pointed member provided with a sealing part at its distal end, and a biasing member for biasing the acute pointed member. The sealing part is progressively reduced in diameter from a proximal end towards the distal end. The acute pointed member is supported by a movable member moved by being guided by a movement guide provided on the side the pressurized fluid container. There is formed a passageway for the pressurized fluid between the movable member and a movement guide. There is formed a spacing into which flows the pressurized fluid charged in the pressurized fluid container when the sealing part of the acute pointed member is fitted in the ejection opening to stop the ejection opening.

When the sealing part of the acute pointed member is fitted in the ejection opening to close it, the distal end of the sealing part is protruded via the ejection opening. This protruded portion may be thrust and thereby moved to open the ejection opening.

The Pressurized-Fluid Supply device according to the present invention includes an opening/closure actuating mechanism that thrusts the acute pointed member against the bias of the biasing member to open the ejection opening.

In the pressurized-fluid control mechanism and in the Pressurized-Fluid Supply device that makes use of this pressurized-fluid control mechanism, the small-sized ejection opening formed in the sealing plate may be controlled to be opened or closed by the acute pointed member arranged in the pressurized fluid container filled with the pressurized fluid. Hence, the ejection of the pressurized fluid, such as a pressurized gas, charged into the container vessel, may be controlled with ease by a simpler mechanism. In addition, the control mechanism and the supply device itself may be reduced in size.

In particular, in the pressurized-fluid control mechanism and in the Pressurized-Fluid Supply device that makes use of this pressurized-fluid control mechanism, according to the present invention, the ejection opening is closed just by the acute pointed member arranged in the pressurized fluid container. Hence, the total pressure applied to the member that closes the ejection opening may be made small, so that the ejection opening may be opened or closed with ease with a light force. It is thus possible to construct a Pressurized-Fluid Supply device of high operability.

Other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description which is made in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a Pressurized-Fluid Supply device that makes use of a pressurized-fluid control mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the Pressurized-Fluid Supply device showing the state in which the gas ejection opening has been closed by the acute pointed member.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the pressurized-fluid control mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the gas ejection opening has been closed by the sealing part of the acute pointed member.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the pressurized-fluid control mechanism showing the state in which the gas ejection opening has been opened.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the acute pointed member is moved to open the gas ejection opening.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of a pressurized-fluid control mechanism and a Pressurized-Fluid Supply device that uses this pressurized-fluid control mechanism, according to the present invention, will now be described in detail.

A preferred embodiment of a pressurized-fluid control mechanism that controls ejection of a pressurized carbonic gas from a pressurized fluid container filled with the compressed carbonic gas as a pressurized fluid will now be described. A preferred embodiment of a Pressurized-Fluid Supply device that uses this pressurized-fluid control mechanism will also be described. In the following description, a compressed carbonic gas is referred to simply as a carbonic gas.

A pressurized-fluid control mechanism 1 according to the present invention is applied to a Pressurized-Fluid Supply device 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The Pressurized-Fluid Supply device 2 includes a gas container vessel 3 in which the carbonic gas as pressurized gas has been charged, or is adapted to be charged. This gas container vessel 3 has a mechanical strength sufficient to be filled with a compressed liquefied carbonic gas, and is formed from metal, such as iron, to the shape of a bottomed cylinder.

Referring to FIG. 2, the gas container vessel 3 includes a vessel main 3a whose upper end is formed as a tubular reduced-diameter portion 3b, as shown in FIG. 2. This reduced-diameter portion 3b is prepared by reducing-molding an upper end of the vessel main 3a so as to have an end opening 4. The pressurized-fluid control mechanism 1 is arranged so as to be accommodated within this reduced-diameter portion 3b.

The gas container vessel 3, within which the pressurized-fluid control mechanism 1 is mounted, is housed within a vessel container 8 combined from an upper half 6 and a lower half 7. This vessel container 8 is molded from synthetic resin to a cylindrical shape to conform to the gas container vessel 3 held within the vessel container. The gas container vessel 3 is retained by the upper and lower halves 6, 7 so as not to be moved or displaced within the vessel container 8.

An opening/closure actuating mechanism 9, used for opening or closing the pressurized-fluid control mechanism 1, is provided on the side the upper half 6 of the vessel container 8, as will be described subsequently in detail.

The pressurized-fluid control mechanism 1, controlling the ejection of carbonic gas C, charged into the gas container vessel 3, includes a valve box 11, mounted so as to be engaged in the reduced-diameter portion 3b of the gas container vessel 3, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The valve box 11 includes a tubular valve box main 12, engaged in the reduced-diameter portion 3b, and a sealing plate 13. This sealing plate 13, mounted as one with an upper end of the valve box main 12, closes the end opening 4 of the reduced-diameter portion 3b.

An outer peripheral surface of the valve box main 12 has a threaded portion 15 engaged with a mating threaded portion 14 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the reduced-diameter portion 3b. The valve box 11 is mounted on the reduced-diameter portion 3b by screwing the threaded portion 15 provided on the valve box main 12 to the mating threaded portion 14 of the reduced-diameter portion 3b, as shown in FIG. 2.

The valve box 11 is formed of a synthetic resin, such as a polyacetal resin. The crest and the root of the threaded portion 15 provided on the valve box 11 formed of the synthetic resin are set so as to be slightly larger than those of the mating threaded portion 14 of the reduced-diameter portion 3b. By so doing, the threaded portion 15 is screwed to the mating threaded portion 14 of metal as the threaded portion 15 becomes deformed by engagement with the metal threads. As a result, the outer peripheral surface of the valve box main 12 is hermetically sealed against the inner peripheral surface of the reduced-diameter portion 3b to inhibit gas leakage from the outer peripheral surface of the valve box main 12.

The sealing plate 13 is formed as one with the valve box main 12 so as to close an upper end opening of the tubular valve box main 12 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The sealing plate 13 is formed as a disc and is formed on its outer periphery with a flange 16 of a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the valve box main 12, as shown in FIG. 3. When the valve box main 12 is fitted on the reduced-diameter portion 3b, the flange16 abuts against an upper end face of the reduced-diameter portion 3b to regulate the mounting position of the valve box 11 with respect to the gas container vessel 3.

The sealing plate 13 has a gas ejection opening 18 at its center position for ejecting the carbonic gas C filled in the gas container vessel 3 to outside of the vessel. This gas ejection opening 18 has its opening/closure controlled by an acute pointed member 17 moved back and forth within the valve box main 12 located within the reduced-diameter portion 3b of the valve box 11.

The acute pointed member 17, controlling the opening/closure of the gas ejection opening 18, is formed as a linear member of a smaller diameter. This acute pointed member 17 includes a sealing part 19 at the foremost part of a proximal side shank part 17a, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. This sealing part 19 fits in the gas ejection opening 18 to hermetically seal the gas ejection opening 18, and is tapered from the shank part 17a towards its foremost portion. That is, the sealing part 19 is tapered towards the foremost acute end via a conically inclined terminal portion.

The gas ejection opening 18, in which the sealing part 19 is fitted, has is inner peripheral surface tapered in keeping with the profile of the sealing part 19, as shown in FIG. 4. The gas ejection opening 18 is formed by thrusting the acute pointed member 17 of metal through the sealing plate 13 of synthetic resin. Preferably, the gas ejection opening 18 is formed by the acute pointed member 17 used later for closing the gas ejection opening 18. By forming the gas ejection opening 18 by the acute pointed member 17 in this manner, the shape of the gas ejection opening 18 may be made coincident with that of the acute pointed member 17, thereby improving the hermetic sealing property by the acute pointed member 17.

The sealing part 19, fitted in and closing the gas ejection opening 18, is tapered and, when it has closed the gas ejection opening 18, its distal end is protruded by a preset length from the sealing plate 13, as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the sealing part 19 has a tapered terminal portion of such a length that, when a mid part of the conically inclined surface progressively increasing in diameter from its distal end towards its proximal end is fitted in and retained by the gas ejection opening 18, as the sealing part is inserted into the gas ejection opening 18, the foremost part of the sealing part 19 is protruded by a preset amount from the sealing plate 13.

The portion of the sealing part 19 protruded from the sealing plate 13 is used as a thrust part 21 acted on by an opening/closure actuating member 20 that causes fore-and-aft movement of the acute pointed member 17 relative to the gas ejection opening 18, as later explained.

The acute pointed member 17 is housed within the valve box main 12 operating as a movement guide means. The acute pointed member 17 is carried by a movable member 22 guided in its movement direction by the valve box main 12. The acute pointed member is movably arranged within the valve box main 12 for movement in unison with the movable member 22 in a back-and-forth direction relative to the gas ejection opening 18 as indicated by arrows Y₁ and Y₂. The movable member 22 is thus of a size such that it can be moved within the valve box main 12.

The acute pointed member 17 is mounted on the movable member 22, as the shank 17a on its proximal side is introduced into and carried by the cylindrically-shaped movable member 22 and as the sealing part 19 on its distal side is protruded from the movable member 22. A retention step 17b is formed at the proximal end of the shank 17b of the acute pointed member 17. The acute pointed member 17 is mounted on the movable member 22 with the retention step 17b abutting against the proximal end face of the movable member 22 in order to regulate the amount of protrusion of the sealing part 19 from the distal end face of the movable member 22.

The movable member 22, carrying the acute pointed member 17, is arranged within the valve box main 12, as the sealing part 19 at the distal end side of the acute pointed member 17 is inserted into the gas ejection opening 18, as shown in FIG. 2. The movable member 22, arranged within the valve box main 12, is biased for movement in the direction indicated by arrow Y₁ in FIG. 2 by a coil spring 23 which is an elastic member arranged between the movable member 22 and the valve box main 12. That is, the movable member 22 is biased for movement in a direction in which the sealing part 19 at the distal side end of the acute pointed member 17 carried by the movable member 22 will be protruded and introduced into the gas ejection opening 18.

Meanwhile, the coil spring 23 is retained by a retention step 22a and a spring support member 24, as shown in FIG. 2. The retention step is formed at a mid portion of the movable member 22, and the spring support member is fitted to the proximal end of the valve box main 12. The coil spring biases the movable member 22 in a direction of projecting the sealing part 19 out of the gas ejection opening 18.

In the pressurized-fluid control mechanism 1 according to the present invention, the gas ejection opening 18 bored in the sealing plate 13 is stopped just by the sealing part 19 of the acute pointed member 17 arranged within the gas container vessel 3. That is, in the present embodiment, when the acute pointed member 17 is fitted in the gas ejection opening 18 to stop this gas ejection opening, the movable member 22 is located halfway in the valve box main 12, with the movable member thus being held in a floated state within the valve box main 12.

In the outer peripheral surface of the movable member 22, there are formed a plurality of flutes 25 that provide passageways for the pressurized fluid between the outer peripheral surface of the movable member and the inner peripheral surface of the valve box main 12, as shown in FIG. 3. These flutes 25 are continuously formed from the proximal end towards the distal end of the movable member 22. By these flutes 25, the carbonic gas C, filled in the gas container vessel 3, is charged via the flutes 25 into a spacing 26 delimited between the distal end face of the movable member 22 and the sealing plate 13 to equalize the pressure in the vessel main 3a of the gas container vessel 3 with that in the spacing 26. As a result, the force acting in the direction of introducing the acute pointed member 17 into the gas ejection opening 18 is just the biasing force of the coil spring 23 plus the force of the carbonic gas, as the pressurized fluid, acting on the acute pointed member 17. The force of the pressurized fluid on the acute pointed member 17 is the force acting on a surface corresponding to the cross-sectional area of the acute pointed member 17, and may thus be made sufficiently small in comparison with the pressure of the pressurized fluid filled in the gas container vessel 3.

In the present embodiment, the gas ejection opening 18 bored in the sealing plate 13 has a diameter on the order of 0.3 mm to 1 mm, while the acute pointed member 17, carrying the tapered sealing part 19, is so formed that its shank part 17a has a diameter R₁ on the order of 1.3 mm to 0.8 mm. The pressure of the liquefied carbonic gas, charged into the gas container vessel 3, is ca. 70 atm. The force applied from the pressurized carbonic gas to the acute pointed member 17 is on the order of 400 gf to 600 gf.

If the acute pointed member 17 is thrust in the direction of arrow Y₁ in FIG. 2 with a force of insertion just sufficient to keep the gas ejection opening 18 in its closed state, the gas ejection opening 18 may be kept hermetically sealed to inhibit gas leakage. If, in the present embodiment, the acute pointed member 17 is thrust by a thrust force on the order of 1 kgf to 2 kgf in a direction indicated by arrow Y₁ in FIG. 2, it is possible to prevent the carbonic gas from flowing out to keep the gas ejection opening 18 closed. In the present embodiment, the coil spring 23 having the biasing force on the order of 1 kgf to 1.5 kgf is sufficient as the biasing member that biases the acute pointed member 17 in the direction of closing the gas ejection opening 18.

Since the force acting on the acute pointed member 17 may thus be decreased, a smaller force that causes movement of the acute pointed member 17 from its state of closing the gas ejection opening 18 in the direction of opening the gas ejection opening 18 suffices. Since the force that produces movement of the acute pointed member 17 may safely be reduced, the mechanism of controlling the ejection of the gas as the pressurized fluid charged into the gas container vessel 3 may be simpler in structure. In addition, since a smaller force suffices, it is possible to construct an ejection control mechanism with optimum operability. A tubular actuation member insertion unit 27 is also formed as one with the valve box 11 for encircling the gas ejection opening 18. The distal end of the sealing part 19, formed as one with the acute pointed member 17, projected from the gas ejection opening 18, is disposed within the tubular actuation member insertion unit 27. This tubular actuation member insertion unit 27 performs the role of protecting the sealing part 19 protruded via the gas ejection opening 18. In addition, the opening/closure actuating member 20, composing the opening/closure actuating mechanism 9 operating for opening/closing the gas ejection opening 18, is introduced into this tubular actuation member insertion unit 27 so as to perform a back-and-forth movement therein.

A nozzle unit 32, including a nozzle member 31 that ejects the carbonic gas via the gas ejection opening 18, is mounted on the distal end of the tubular actuation member insertion unit 27. The proximal end of the nozzle unit 32 includes a tubular fitting portion 33 in which the tubular actuation member insertion unit 27 has a fit. The upper end of the nozzle unit 32 includes an insertion guide portion 34. The fitting portion 33 and the insertion guide portion 34 are co-axial relative to each other. The nozzle member 31 is adapted to be projected sideways from a mid part of the nozzle unit 32 on top of the fitting portion 33.

The nozzle unit 32 is mounted on the valve box 11 as the fitting portion 33 is fitted over the tubular actuation member insertion unit 27. The nozzle unit 32 is mounted at this time in position over the tubular actuation member insertion unit 27, so that the proximal end of the nozzle 31 is disposed in the vicinity of the actuation member insertion unit 27, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The nozzle member 31 is now in fluid communication with the actuation member insertion unit 27.

The nozzle unit 32, constructed as described above, is mounted on the valve box 11 with the fitting portion 33 fitted on the actuation member insertion unit 27. The nozzle unit 32 is mounted at this time in position with the proximal end of the fitting portion 33 fitted on the tubular actuation member insertion unit 27. The nozzle member 31 thus is in fluid communication with the actuation member insertion unit 27.

The opening/closure actuating mechanism 9, adapted for opening/closing the gas ejection opening 18, includes the opening/closure actuating member 20 and an opening/closing lever 37, as shown in FIG. 2. The opening/closure actuating member 20 is introduced via the insertion guide portion 34 of the nozzle unit 32 into the actuation member insertion unit 27, and the opening/closing lever 37 serves for thrusting and thereby actuating the opening/closure actuating member 20. The opening/closure actuating member 20 is formed by a shank-like member, and includes a shank part 20a and a thrusting head part 20b. The shank part 20a is introduced into the actuation member insertion unit 27 via the insertion guide portion 34, and the thrusting head part 20b is formed at the terminal end of the shank part 20a. Referring to FIG. 2, the opening/closure actuating member 20 is introduced into the actuation member insertion unit 27 so that the proximal end of the shank part 20a abuts against the thrust part 21 at the distal end of the sealing part 19. The opening/closure actuating member 20 is biased by the coil spring 23 in the same direction as the acute pointed member 17, indicated by arrow Y₁ in FIG. 2, as the shank part 20a is introduced into the actuation member insertion unit 27. The coil spring 23 biases the acute pointed member 17, as previously mentioned.

The foremost part of the insertion guide portion 34, into which the opening/closure actuating member 20 has been inserted and which is in fluid communication with the actuation member insertion unit 27, is sealed by a sealing member 43 to prevent gas leakage.

The opening/closing lever 37, thrusting the opening/closure actuating member 20, is formed as one with an upper plate 39 of a cap 38 mounted on an upper side of the upper half 6 of the vessel container 8. This cap 38 is molded from a synthetic resin, and is mounted on the upper half 6 so as to overlie the opening/closure actuating member 20. The opening/closure actuating member is mounted by having its shank part 20a introduced from the insertion guide portion 34 of the nozzle unit 32 into the inside of the actuation member insertion unit 27. The opening/closing lever 37 is provided for facing the head part 20b of the opening/closure actuating member 20 of the upper plate 39. The opening/closing lever 37 is formed as by partially cutting the upper plate 39 in the form of a letter U, and is adapted to be rotationally displaced along the direction of arrow X₁ or arrow X₂ in FIG. 2, with a connecting portion to the upper plate 39 as a hinge 40. The opening/closing lever 37 is formed so that, when the cap 38 is mounted on the upper half 6, a mid part of the opening/closing lever abuts on the thrusting head part 20b of the opening/closure actuating member 20. The opening/closing lever 37 is also formed so that its mid part abuts at all times on the thrusting head part 20b with a small thrusting force. That is, the opening/closing lever 37 is formed so that, when the cap 38 is mounted on the upper half 6, a biasing force will be generated for acting in a direction indicated by arrow X₁ in FIG. 2. Hence, the opening/closing lever 37 is contacted with the opening/closure actuating member 20 in a state in which the opening/closing lever is acted on by the biasing force of the coil spring 23 adapted for thrusting and biasing the acute pointed member 17.

Meanwhile, when the cap 38 is mounted on the upper half 6, the distal end of the nozzle member 31 is projected laterally of the cap 38 via a cut-out 41 formed in a lateral surface of the cap 38. An ejection nozzle 44 is mounted on the distal end of the nozzle 31 as necessary.

In the pressurized-fluid control mechanism 1, described above, when the opening/closing lever 37 is turned in the direction indicated by arrow X₁ in FIG. 2, the opening/closure actuating member 20 is moved in a direction indicated by arrow Y₂ in FIG. 2. By this opening/closure actuating member 20, the acute pointed member 17 is thrust in the direction indicated by arrow Y₂ in FIG. 2 against the bias of the coil spring 23. The acute pointed member 17 is thus moved towards a more inner area in the gas container vessel 3. When the acute pointed member 17 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow Y₂ in FIG. 2, there is produced a gap D between the tapered sealing part 19 and the tapered gas ejection opening 18, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The carbonic gas C, charged into the container vessel 3, is ejected into the nozzle unit 32 via the gap D and the actuation member insertion unit 27. The carbonic gas C, thus ejected into the nozzle unit 32, is ejected outwards via the nozzle member 31.

In the present embodiment, the gas ejection opening 18 may be kept in an opened state to allow sustained ejection of the carbonic gas C if the opening/closing lever 37 is kept in a state it has been turned in the direction indicated by arrow X₁, the opening/closure actuating member 20 has been moved in the direction indicated by arrow Y₂ in FIG. 2 and the acute pointed member 17 has been moved in the direction indicated by arrow Y₂ in FIG. 5.

When the opening/closing lever 37 is released from the thrust state in which it is turned as described above, the opening/closure actuating member 20 is released from its thrust state. The acute pointed member 17 is then moved in the direction of the arrow Y₁ of FIG. 2, under the bias of the coil spring 23. Hence, the sealing part 19 is intruded into the gas ejection opening 18, with the thickened part of the sealing part 19 fitting into and stopping the gas ejection opening 18 to halt the ejection of the carbonic gas C.

A protective cap 45 is mounted on the cap 38 of the opening/closure actuating mechanism 9 to cover the cap to prevent inadvertent thrusting of the opening/closing lever 37.

In the pressurized-fluid control mechanism 1 of the present embodiment, the gas ejection opening 18 is stopped by the acute pointed member 17 except if the opening/closure actuating member 20 is thrust. It is thus possible to positively prevent outflow of the carbonic gas charged into the gas container vessel 3. By applying this pressurized-fluid control mechanism 1 to the Pressurized-Fluid Supply device 2, it is possible to realize a device free from gas leakage.

In addition, in the pressurized-fluid control mechanism 1 of the present embodiment, there is no necessity of exerting a large biasing force to the acute pointed member 17 that closes the gas ejection opening 18, as described above. Hence, the opening/closure operation for the gas ejection opening 18 is facilitated, so that it is possible to simplify the mechanism of opening/closing the gas ejection opening 18 to contribute to reducing the size of the Pressurized-Fluid Supply device 2 employing the pressurized-fluid control mechanism 1.

In the above embodiment, the acute pointed member 17 that opens/closes the gas ejection opening 18 is carried by the movable member 22 and moved within the valve box main 12 operating as a movement guide unit. The acute pointed member 17 may, however, be supported for movement within the valve box main 12, in which case the movable member 22 may not be used. For example, the proximal end of the acute pointed member 17 may directly be supported by one end of the coil spring 23.

In the above embodiment, the Pressurized-Fluid Supply device is filled with the carbonic gas as a pressurized fluid. The present invention is, however, not limited to the above mentioned embodiment and may be applied to a Pressurized-Fluid Supply device filled with another pressurized fluid.

Claims

1. A pressurized-fluid control mechanism mounted on a pressurized fluid container filled with a pressurized fluid to control ejection of a pressurized fluid charged into said pressurized fluid container; comprising:

an acute pointed member including a sealing part at a distal end thereof; said sealing member being reduced in diameter from a proximal end thereof towards said distal end; and

a biasing member for biasing said acute pointed member;

said acute pointed member being arranged in the inside of said pressurized fluid container and being moved back and forth in the inside of said pressurized fluid container to open or close an ejection opening for said pressurized fluid provided in said pressurized fluid container; said acute pointed member being biased by said biasing member so that said sealing part is fitted into said ejection opening to close said ejection hole.

2. The pressurized-fluid control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein

said acute pointed member is supported by a movable member movable by being guided by a movement guide provided on said pressurized fluid container;

there being formed a passageway for said pressurized fluid between said movable member and said movement guide;

there being formed a spacing between a sealing plate and said movable member when said sealing part of said acute pointed member is fitted in said ejection opening to stop said ejection opening; said pressurized fluid charged into said pressurized fluid container flowing into said spacing.

3. The pressurized-fluid control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein

the distal end of said sealing part is protruded via said ejection opening to outside of said pressurized fluid container when said sealing part is fitted in said ejection opening to stop said ejection opening.

4. The pressurized-fluid control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein

said acute pointed member is arranged so that the distal end of said sealing part is protruded from said ejection opening; the portion of said acute pointed member protruded from said ejection opening operating as a thrust part.

5. The pressurized-fluid control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein

said ejection opening is provided in a sealing plate that closes an opening of said pressurized fluid container.

6. The pressurized-fluid control mechanism according to claim 5, wherein

said sealing plate is formed of synthetic resin; and wherein

said acute pointed member is formed of metal.

7. A Pressurized-Fluid Supply device comprising:

a pressurized fluid container filled with a pressurized fluid; and

a pressurized-fluid control mechanism mounted on said pressurized fluid container; said pressurized-fluid control mechanism opening or closing an ejection opening for said pressurized fluid provided in said pressurized fluid container to control the ejection of the pressurized fluid charged in said pressurized fluid container;

said pressurized-fluid control mechanism including

an acute pointed member including a sealing part at a distal end thereof; said sealing part being reduced in diameter from a proximal end thereof towards said distal end; and

a biasing member for biasing said acute pointed member;

said acute pointed member being arranged in the inside of said pressurized fluid container and being moved back and forth in the inside of said pressurized fluid container to open or close an ejection opening for said pressurized fluid provided in said pressurized fluid container; said acute pointed member being biased by said biasing member so that said sealing part is fitted into said ejection opening to close said ejection hole.

8. The Pressurized-Fluid Supply device according to claim 7, wherein

said acute pointed member is supported by a movable member movable by being guided by a movement guide provided on said pressurized fluid container;

there being formed a passageway for the pressurized fluid between said movable member and said movement guide;

there being formed a spacing between a sealing plate and said movable member when said sealing part of said acute pointed member is fitted in said ejection opening to stop said ejection opening; said pressurized fluid charged in said pressurized fluid container flowing into said spacing.

9. The Pressurized-Fluid Supply device according to claim 7, wherein

the distal end of said sealing part is protruded via said ejection opening to outside of said pressurized fluid container when said sealing part is fitted in said ejection opening to stop said ejection opening.

10. The Pressurized-Fluid Supply device according to claim 7, wherein

said acute pointed member is arranged so that the distal end of said sealing part is protruded from said ejection opening; the portion of said acute pointed member protruded from said ejection opening operating as a thrust part.

11. The Pressurized-Fluid Supply device according to claim 7, wherein

said ejection opening is provided in a sealing plate that closes an opening of said pressurized fluid container.

12. The Pressurized-Fluid Supply device according to claim 11, wherein

said sealing plate is formed of synthetic resin; and wherein

said acute pointed member is formed of metal.

13. The Pressurized-Fluid Supply device according to claim 7, further comprising:

an opening/closure actuating mechanism that thrusts said acute pointed member against the biasing force of said biasing member to open or close said ejection opening.