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Publication Number
US-11001435-B2
Publication Date
2021-05-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
Several pressure cartridges and activation mechanism arrangements are disclosed which are configured to use less manual force to rupture the cartridge than current pressure cartridges and activation mechanisms. According to some embodiments, the activation mechanism requires lower manual activation force by using the pressure in the cartridge to do part of the rupturing work. The cartridge can be filled with compressed gas such as nitrogen and argon, or supercritical fluids such as carbon dioxide, and can be used to propel or operate several types of devices and mechanisms including medical drug auto-injectors, paintball guns, tire emergency inflation kits, and inflatable life vests.
Core Innovation
The invention describes rupturable pressurized cartridges that are sealed and configured so that the pressurized substance is opened and released at the first end of an elongated cylindrical body or a cylindrical receptacle. The cartridge includes a lid extending across an opening and a flange at the first end that extends radially beyond the body diameter. A coil spring disposed around the body is supported by the flange and biases the body toward the first end, with a mechanism arranged to control when axial movement is prevented versus allowed.
The cartridge further includes a rotating plate or a rupturing member that, in a first state, supports the flange to prevent axial movement between the flange and the rotating plate or rupturing member, and, in a second state, allows the flange to move axially relative to the rotating plate or rupturing member so that the first end is configured to open and release the pressurized substance. This supports controlled release behavior using the pressurized cartridge end opening arrangement.
The invention additionally focuses on membrane-based rupturing enhancements. A fluid-tight membrane is joined to the body in fluid tight fashion sealing over an opening, where the membrane is a different material from the lid and is easier to pierce than the body. The cartridge embodiments also describe different membrane configurations and joining relationships.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims that share a common cartridge architecture: a sealed pressurized cartridge with a body, a lid, a flange, a coil spring, and a two-state axial-movement control element. Both independent claims require that the first end opens and releases the pressurized substance, and both claims incorporate membrane-related rupturing in overlapping but claim-distinct ways, including membrane being easier to pierce than the body.
Sealed pressurized cartridge with lid over first-end opening and flange-supported coil spring
A sealed cartridge containing a pressurized substance with an elongated cylindrical body having a first end including an opening into an interior cavity, a lid extending across the opening at the first end, a flange at the first end extending radially beyond the diameter of the body, and a coil spring disposed around the body supported by the flange and biasing the body toward the first end.
Two-state axial-movement control enabling release at the first end
A rotating plate configured to, in a first state, support the flange to prevent axial movement between the flange and the rotating plate and, in a second state, allow the flange to move axially relative to the rotating plate, wherein at least the first end is configured to open and release the pressurized substance.
Membrane sealing over opening with different material and easier-to-pierce relationship
A sealed cartridge including a cylindrical body with at least one opening, at least one lid joined in a fluid tight fashion to the receptacle, and a membrane joined to the body sealing over the opening in a fluid tight fashion, wherein the membrane is a different material from the at least one lid and the membrane is easier to pierce than the body.
Rupturing member two-state support relative to flange for axial release
A cartridge with a flange at a first end extending radially beyond a diameter of the body, a coil spring disposed around the body supported by the flange and biasing the body toward the first end, and a rupturing member configured so that in a first state it is supported by the flange to prevent axial movement between the flange and the rupturing member and in a second state it allows the flange to move axially relative to the rupturing member, wherein at least the first end is configured to open and release the pressurized substance.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage is the combination of a sealed pressurized cartridge with a flange and coil spring biasing toward the opening end, a two-state support element that transitions from preventing axial movement to allowing axial movement so the first end opens and releases the pressurized substance, and membrane sealing configurations where the membrane is different from the lid and easier to pierce than the body.
Stated Advantages
The membrane is easier to pierce than the body.
Staged operation is supported by two-state axial-movement control between preventing and allowing axial movement relative to the rotating plate or rupturing member.
Documented Applications
Medical drug auto-injectors.
Paintball guns.
Tire inflation kits.
Inflatable life vests.
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