Abstract: A tamper-evident closure assembly (22) for a valve outlet (16) of a pressurized gas cylinder, or the like includes a cap (50) and a tamper-evident ring (52, 140, 200, 240). The assembly is threadably attached to the outlet prior to shipment and removed by a customer prior to dispensing fluid through the outlet. The ring includes tabs (84, 146, 204, 242) which snap fit into slots (90) in the cap and cause the ring to rotate with the cap. Fins (100, 162, 206, 260) on the ring engage a surface of the valve outlet during cap removal. When sufficient force is applied in the cap removal direction, part of the ring is severed, such as the tabs or the fins. This provide evidence that the cap has been removed.
Abstract: A tamper-evident closure assembly (22) for a valve outlet (16) of a pressurized gas cylinder, or the like includes a cap (50) and a tamper-evident ring (52, 140, 200, 240). The assembly is threadably attached to the outlet prior to shipment and removed by a customer prior to dispensing fluid through the outlet. The ring includes tabs (84, 146, 204, 242) which snap fit into slots (90) in the cap and cause the ring to rotate with the cap. Fins (100, 162, 206, 260) on the ring engage a surface of the valve outlet during cap removal. When sufficient force is applied in the cap removal direction, part of the ring is severed, such as the tabs or the fins. This provide evidence that the cap has been removed.
Abstract: Restricting outlet fluid flow from a pressure vessel includes an inlet/outlet member having a passage of predetermined dimension communicating with the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel is initially filled with fluid through the passage at a first flow rate. A restrictor is adapted for close receipt in the inlet/outlet member passage and includes an opening having a dimension substantially less than the inlet/outlet member passage. An outer end of the inlet/outlet member is thereafter deformed to retain the restrictor insert within the passage. Fluid flow released from the pressure vessel must exit through the restrictor opening at a second flow rate substantially less than the inlet first flow rate.
Inventors:
Greg Churchill Ames, James M. Getter, Christopher Carl Hall, Charles T. Hayes, Michael Thomas Kopczewski, Thomas L. Lease, Sean Aaron Murray, Jay F. Perkins, Adam M. Ruggles, Rainer Bernhard Teufel, Joel D. VanGilder, Igor Ivanovich Zemskov