Patents Assigned to Torrent Trading Ltd.
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Patent number: 7779858Abstract: A valve assembly, such as a tap for a liquefied gas cylinder, includes an overfill protection device and a liquid level gauge having an electrode assembly comprising a pair of lamellar electrodes mounted closely adjacent a housing member of the overfill protection device and deflectable into close proximity with a float of the overfill protection device for insertion into the gas cylinder. A circuit board is provided, preferably mounted on the electrode assembly, and has an electronic converter circuit for measuring the electrical capacitance between the electrodes and producing in response to the measured capacitance an output signal representative of the liquid level in the container. A display means is mounted on a body of the valve assembly or remote therefrom, to indicate the liquid level in the container in response to the output signal from the electronic converter circuit.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2009Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Torrent Trading Ltd.Inventors: Jean-Claude Schmitz, Linze Hoekstra
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Publication number: 20090139584Abstract: A valve assembly, such as a tap for a liquefied gas cylinder, includes an overfill protection device and a liquid level gauge having an electrode assembly comprising a pair of lamellar electrodes mounted closely adjacent a housing member of the overfill protection device and deflectable into close proximity with a float of the overfill protection device for insertion into the gas cylinder. A circuit board is provided, preferably mounted on the electrode assembly, and has an electronic converter circuit for measuring the electrical capacitance between the electrodes and producing in response to the measured capacitance an output signal representative of the liquid level in the container. A display means is mounted on a body of the valve assembly or remote therefrom, to indicate the liquid level in the container in response to the output signal from the electronic converter circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2009Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: TORRENT TRADING LTD.Inventors: Jean-Claude Schmitz, Linze Hoekstra
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Patent number: 7487793Abstract: A valve assembly, such as a tap for a liquefied gas cylinder, includes an overfill protection device and a liquid level gauge having an electrode assembly comprising a pair of lamellar electrodes mounted closely adjacent a housing member of the overfill protection device and deflectable into close proximity with a float of the overfill protection device for insertion into the gas cylinder. A circuit board is provided, preferably mounted on the electrode assembly, and has an electronic converter circuit for measuring the electrical capacitance between the electrodes and producing in response to the measured capacitance an output signal representative of the liquid level in the container. A display means is mounted on a body of the valve assembly or remote therefrom, to indicate the liquid level in the container in response to the output signal from the electronic converter circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Torrent Trading Ltd.Inventors: Jean-Claude Schmitz, Linze Hoekstra
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Patent number: 7240690Abstract: A valve assembly, such as a tap for a liquefied gas cylinder, includes an overfill protection device and a liquid level gauge having an electrode assembly comprising a pair of lamellar electrodes mounted closely adjacent a housing member of the overfill protection device and deflectable into close proximity with a float of the overfill protection device for insertion into the gas cylinder. A circuit board is provided, preferably mounted on the electrode assembly, and has an electronic converter circuit for measuring the electrical capacitance between the electrodes and producing in response to the measured capacitance an output signal representative of the liquid level in the container. A display means is mounted on a body of the valve assembly or remote therefrom, to indicate the liquid level in the container in response to the output signal from the electronic converter circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2004Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Torrent Trading Ltd.Inventors: Jean-Claude Schmitz, Linze Hoekstra
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Patent number: 7219686Abstract: This invention relates to a tap assembly for a liquid vessel, having an overfill protection device and a float controlled mechanical or magnetic level gauge. A single float actuates a stem of the overfill protection device as well as a rod of the level gauge. The rod of the level gauge has one end movable linearly in a valve body bore and carrying a permanent magnet for actuating a magnetic level indicator. In one embodiment a crank mechanism may be provided between a float lever and the rod of the level gauge to cause the rod to effectuate a swinging movement and simultaneously displace the rod longitudinally to cause linear displacement of the permanent magnet in the valve body bore. In another embodiment the rod may be actuated by a cam to cause axial displacement thereof without swinging motion.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2005Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Torrent Trading Ltd.Inventors: Jean-Claude Schmitz, Privat Roderes
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Publication number: 20070107786Abstract: A valve assembly, such as a tap for a liquefied gas cylinder, includes an overfill protection device and a liquid level gauge having an electrode assembly comprising a pair of lamellar electrodes mounted closely adjacent a housing member of the overfill protection device and deflectable into close proximity with a float of the overfill protection device for insertion into the gas cylinder. A circuit board is provided, preferably mounted on the electrode assembly, and has an electronic converter circuit for measuring the electrical capacitance between the electrodes and producing in response to the measured capacitance an output signal representative of the liquid level in the container. A display means is mounted on a body of the valve assembly or remote therefrom, to indicate the liquid level in the container in response to the output signal from the electronic converter circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2006Publication date: May 17, 2007Applicant: Torrent Trading Ltd.Inventors: Jean-Claude Schmitz, Linze Hoekstra
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Patent number: 6923430Abstract: A valve which intended to control the flow of a fluid, for example a gas, comprises a valve body (50), an internal member for opening and shutting-off the passage of the gases, an operating handwheel (56) connected to the opening and shut-off member, and means limiting movement of the operating handwheel (56) and of the opening and shut-off member in the direction of opening of the valve. To avoid the valve jamming in the open position, said means limiting the movement of the operating member includes a stop (60) and of a mating stop (62), with frontal contact, arranged respectively on a rotary element and on the body of the valve (50) or vice versa. To ensure optimum contact between the stop (60) and the mating stop (62), the latter forms part of an element the angular position of which can be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2002Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Torrent Trading, Ltd.Inventors: Léon Kerger, Claude Goffin
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Patent number: 6920896Abstract: The present invention relates to a visual valve indicator comprised of a handle assembly with peripheral sidewalls attached to a linear moving valve stem for opening and closing of the valve and a grommet stratified into one or more color bands attached to and surrounding the base of the valve stem. A breakaway portion of the grommet allows the handle assembly to close if the grommet is frozen, by breaking away from the grommet. A sawtooth-edged inner radius of the grommet allows the grommet to slide one direction when pushed down by the handle assembly, if the valve is worn.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2003Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Torrent Trading Ltd.Inventors: Leon Kerger, Bert Pistor
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Patent number: 6783112Abstract: The tap intended for controlling the flow of a fluid, for example of a gas, comprises a tap body (34), an inner member (36) for opening and closing the passage of the gases, an outer rotary operating handwheel (42), a connector member (40) connecting the operating handwheel (42) to the closing member (36) and a stop mechanism limiting the movement of the operating handwheel (42) and of the opening and closing member (36) in the opening direction of the tap. In order to avoid the tap becoming jammed in the open position, the stop mechanism that limits the movement of the operating member comprises of an abutment (44) and a counterabutment (46) with frontal contact, which are arranged respectively on a rotary element and on the body (34) of the tap, or vice versa.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Torrent Trading Ltd.Inventors: Léon Kerger, Jean-Claude Schmitz
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Patent number: 6767002Abstract: There is disclosed a check valve for a tap of a gas or a liquefied gas cylinder comprising a valve body member axially movable in a housing bore. The body member has an axial bore opening out through one axial end of the valve body member and being in fluid communication with an annular space surrounding valve body member within the housing bore. The other axial end of the valve body member is closed and carries a primary seal ring gas tightly engaging an inner circumferential surface in the pore in the closed position of the check valve. There is provided a secondary seal ring at the first axial end of the valve body member.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Torrent Trading Ltd.Inventors: Loll Kerger, Gary M. Clawson, Sr.
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Publication number: 20040041116Abstract: A valve which intended to control the flow of a fluid, for example a gas, comprises a valve body (50), an internal member for opening and shutting-off the passage of the gases, an operating handwheel (56) connected to the opening and shut-off member, and means limiting movement of the operating handwheel (56) and of the opening and shut-off member in the direction of opening of the valve. To avoid the valve jamming in the open position, said means limiting the movement of the operating member includes a stop (60) and of a mating stop (62), with frontal contact, arranged respectively on a rotary element and on the body of the valve (50) or vice versa. To ensure optimum contact between the stop (60) and the mating stop (62), the latter forms part of an element the angular position of which can be adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2002Publication date: March 4, 2004Applicant: Torrent Trading Ltd.Inventors: Leon Kerger, Claude Goffin
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Patent number: 6640829Abstract: A two-way valve is disclosed comprising at least two lateral openings which can be shut off by a piston provided with an axial orifice for the passage of gas, which piston slides axially in the casing between a position in which the openings are shut off under the influence of a spring and an open position counter to the action of the spring under the influence of the pressure of the filling gas, and a level valve activated by a float at the bottom of the casing. In order to prevent pressure from building up inside the casing after closure, the latter is provided with vent orifices. A seal member is arranged on the piston to cover or uncover the vent orifices.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Torrent Trading Ltd.Inventor: Loll Kerger
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Publication number: 20030047701Abstract: The tap intended for controlling the flow of a fluid, for example of a gas, comprises a tap body (34), an inner member (36) for opening and closing the passage of the gases, an outer rotary operating handwheel (42), a connection means (40) connecting the operating handwheel (42) to the closing member (36) and means limiting the movement of the operating handwheel (42) and of the opening and closing member (36) in the opening direction of the tap. In order to avoid the tap becoming jammed in the open position, said means limiting the movement of the operating member consist of an abutment (44) and a counterabutment (46) with frontal contact, which are arranged respectively on a rotary element and on the body (34) of the tap, or vice versa.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2002Publication date: March 13, 2003Applicant: Torrent Trading Ltd.Inventors: Leon Kerger, Jean-Claude Schmitz
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Patent number: 6398183Abstract: The shut-off device is intended for refillable gas cylinders. In order to be sure that only authorized persons can refill the cylinder, the filling device comprises a non-return valve element (16) which prevents filling and which can only be neutralized using a special magnet (18).Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Torrent Trading Ltd.Inventors: Leon Kerger, Jean-Claude Schmitz
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Publication number: 20010017361Abstract: The tap intended for controlling the flow of a fluid, for example of a gas, comprises a tap body (34), an inner member (36) for opening and closing the passage of the gases, an outer rotary operating handwheel (42), a connection means (40) connecting the operating handwheel (42) to the closing member (36) and means limiting the movement of the operating handwheel (42) and of the opening and closing member (36) in the opening direction of the tap. In order to avoid the tap becoming jammed in the open position, said means limiting the movement of the operating member consist of an abutment (44) and a counterabutment (46) with frontal contact, which are arranged respectively on a rotary element and on the body (34) of the tap, or vice versa.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2001Publication date: August 30, 2001Applicant: Torrent Trading Ltd.Inventors: Leon Kerger, Jean-Claude Schmitz
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Patent number: 6109314Abstract: The tap is designed for fitting onto a gas bottle and to allow both the drawing-off of gas and the filling of the bottle. To this end, the tap includes a filling circuit communicating with the inside of the bottle via a level valve which automatically closes at a specific level and a drawing-off circuit comprising at least one retention valve (22, 32) preventing filling of the bottle via the drawing-off circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1999Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Torrent Trading Ltd.Inventors: Gilbert Christophe, Jean-Claude Schmitz
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Patent number: 5487404Abstract: The valve (30) comprises at least two lateral openings (34, 36) which can be shut off by a plug (40) provided with an axial orifice (48) for the passage of gas, which plug slides axially in the casing (32) between a position in which the openings (34, 36) are shut off under the influence of a spring (44) and an open position counter to the action of the spring (44) under the influence of the pressure of the filling gas, and a level valve (52) activated by a float (62) at the bottom of the casing (32).In order to prevent pressure from building up inside the casing (32) after closure, the latter is provided with escape orifices (50) which are associated with resilient opening means (64).Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1994Date of Patent: January 30, 1996Assignee: Torrent Trading Ltd.Inventor: Leon Kerger
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Patent number: 5460197Abstract: The valve (31) comprises at least two lateral openings (34, 36) which can be shut off by a plug (40) provided with an axial orifice (48) for the passage of gas and sliding axially in the casing (32) between a position in which the openings, (34, 36) are shut off under the influence of a spring (44) and an open position counter to the action of the spring (44) under the influence of the pressure of the filling gas, and a level valve (52) activated by a float (62) at the bottom of the casing (32).The plug (40) comprises an inner cavity (70), the bottom of which has a cross-section in the shape of an open "V". In this cavity (70) is a ball (72) which prevents the cylinder from being filled when the latter is inclined sufficiently for the ball not to be situated at the bottom of the cavity (70).Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1994Date of Patent: October 24, 1995Assignee: Torrent Trading Ltd.Inventors: Leon Kerger, Claude Goffin