US20080081307A1

US20080081307A1 - Fuel Gas Container

Info

Publication number: US20080081307A1
Application number: US11/844,477
Authority: US
Inventors: Arlo Lin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-03
Filing date: 2007-08-24
Publication date: 2008-04-03
Also published as: TW200817624A

Abstract

A fuel gas container includes a body defining an open end and from which a cavity extends with respect to the body longitudinally. The fuel gas container also includes filling adapted to be filled into the cavity. The filling can absorb and mix with liquefied fuel gas and turn the liquefied fuel gas into pulpy or semi-fluid form. Accordingly, the semi-fluid fuel gas can quickly vaporize into gasified fuel gas. Furthermore, a lid which closes the open end of the body after the filling is disposed in the cavity is provided.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fuel gas container, in particular, to such a container that is adapted for transforming liquefied fuel gas into gasified fuel gas.
2. Description of the Related Art
A blowtorch, or a welding torch, or a lighter or other lighting apparatus may either has a chamber to thereby allowing fuel gas to be filled into or an adapting device for connecting with a bottled fuel gas in order to be supplied with fuel gas. The fuel gas is generally stored in liquefied state and the liquefied fuel gas should be converted into gaseous state when using these lighting apparatuses. One reason for this is that air can effectively mix with the gasified fuel gas and allow the fuel gas to be burned efficiently. Another reason is that burning liquefied fuel gas is dangerous, as the tongues of fire produced is not stable and difficult to be controlled. However, a problem which is often encountered is that the liquefied fuel gas is still fed to the lighting apparatus during its use. It is therefore especially beneficial if only gasified fuel gas can be supplied.
Referring to Taiwan Patent No. 329291, a polyvinyl alcohol is used as a sponge to absorb liquefied fuel gas stored in the chamber or bottle. However, the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) suffers several problems. One problem is that the fuel gas absorbed by polyvinyl alcohol is still in liquefied state. Another problem is that PVA has limited deformability and is susceptible to abrasion.
The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A fuel gas container includes a body defining an open end and from which a cavity extends with respect to the body longitudinally. The fuel gas container also includes filling adapted to be filled into the cavity. The filling can absorb and mix with liquefied fuel gas and turn the liquefied fuel gas into pulpy or semi-fluid form. Accordingly, the semi-fluid fuel gas can quickly vaporize into gasified fuel gas. Furthermore, a lid which closes the open end of the body after the filling is disposed in the cavity is provided.
It is an objective of this invention to provide filling that can make liquefied fuel gas become pulpy or semi-fluid and the semi-fluid fuel gas can quickly vaporize into gasified fuel gas.
It is another objection of the present invention to provide the filling 2 which can be used repeatedly for mixing with liquefied fuel gas.
Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fuel gas container in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the lid of the fuel gas container is removed, and SAP (super absorbent polymer) powder is thereafter filled into the fuel gas container.

FIG. 4 shows the filling of liquefied gas into the fuel gas container.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fuel gas container in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows the fuel gas container in FIG. 7, wherein the lid of the fuel gas container is removed, and SAP (super absorbent polymer) powder is thereafter filled into the fuel gas container.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel gas container shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a fuel gas container 1 includes a body 10 defining an open end 11 and from which a cavity 12 extends inward with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body 10. The fuel gas container also includes filling 2 adapted to be filled into the cavity 12. The filling 2 is filled into the cavity 12 at the open end 11 of the body 10. The filling 2 is super absorbent polymer and is adapted to absorb and mix with liquefied fuel gas in order to make the liquefied fuel gas become pulpy or semi-fluid. By mixing the liquefied fuel gas with the filling, the semi-fluid filet gas can quickly vaporize into gasified fuel gas and can be prevented from being drawn. Moreover, the filling 2 is not consumable and therefore can be used repeatedly for mixing with the liquefied fuel gas. Moreover, the filling 2 has 100 times better absorbing rate than polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).
The fuel gas container 1 also includes a lid 20 for closing the open end 11 of the body 10. The lid 20 includes a passage way 21 and a neck 22 by which the lid 20 is securely fitted with the body 10.
Referring to FIG. 2 in conjunction with FIG. 4, the fuel gas container 1 has a gas transferring means 30 disposed therein for fluidic communication with the passage way 21. The gas transferring means 30 is comprised of a ring 31, a pushing element 32, an elastic element 33 and a siphon tube 34. The fuel gas container 1 also has a gas-receiving means 40 formed therein for receiving supply of liquefied fuel gas from a bottled fuel gas 3. The gas-receiving means 40 is comprised of a valve 40, an elastic element 42 and a joint 43. In this preferred embodiment, the siphon tube 34 is inserted through the open end 11 of the body 10 and includes a first end connected to the joint 43, with a flow path 431 defined by the joint 43 being in fluidic communication with the siphon tube 34. The elastic element 33 is receivable by the pushing element 32. The siphon tube 34 also includes a second end against which the elastic element 33 and the pushing element 32 abut. The ring 31 is disposed on the pushing element 32 and is abutted by the lid 20. Furthermore, the valve 41 includes a flow passage 411 adapted to allow liquefied fuel gas to flow past and an orifice 412 adapted to allow the liquefied fuel gas to flow into the joint 43. In addition, the joint 43 has a bore 432 that allows the liquefied fuel gas to flow into the cavity 12 such that the filling 2 is mixed with the liquefied fuel gas. Accordingly, the liquefied fuel gas is turned into a pulpy or semi-fluid form and is adapted to quickly vaporize into gasified fuel gas.
A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6, wherein like numerals are employed to denote like components of the first embodiment. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except that super absorbent polymer (SAP) powder is replaced by powdered recycled paper.
FIGS. 7 through 9 show a third embodiment of a fuel gas container 1 embodying the present invention. The fuel gas container 1 includes a body 10′ defining an open end 11′ and from which a cavity 12′ extends inward with respect to the longitudinal axis 10′ of the body 10′. The cavity 12′ has the filling 2 disposed inside. The filling 2 is filled into the cavity 12′ at the open end 11′. A lid 20′ is secured to the body 10′ for closing the open end 11′. The lid 20′ includes a control valve 21′ for dispensing the gasified fuel gas inside the body 10′ and a hole 22′ through which the gasified fuel gas in the body 10′ can flow into the control valve 21′.
A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 10, wherein like numerals are employed to denote like components of the third embodiment. The fourth embodiment is similar to the third embodiment except that super absorbent polymer (SAP) powder is replaced by powdered recycled paper.
Accordingly, it is an advantage of the present invention that the filling 2 is provided. The filling 2 can make the liquefied fuel gas become pulpy or semi-fluid and the semi-fluid fuel gas can quickly vaporize into gasified fuel gas. Thus, the fuel gas container in accordance with the present invention is adapted to supply gasified fuel gas.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the filling 2 which can be used repeatedly for mixing with liquefied fuel gas is provided.
While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of invention and the scope of invention is only limited by the scope of accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A fuel gas container comprising:

a body defining an open end and from which a cavity extends inward with respect to the body longitudinally;

filling which is adapted to be filled into the cavity, with the filling being adapted to absorb and mix with liquefied fuel gas, with the mixture of the liquefied fuel gas becoming pulpy or semi-fluid, and with the mixture being adapted to quickly vaporize into gasified fuel gas; and with semi-fluid fuel gas being prevented from being drawn; and

a lid which closes the open end of the body after the filling is disposed in the cavity.

2. A fuel gas container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said filling is powdered recycled paper.

3. A fuel gas container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said filling is super absorbent polymer powder.

4. A fuel gas container as claimed in claim 1 further includes a gas transferring means disposed therein for drawing the gasified fuel gas and delivering the gasified fuel gas to the outside of the fuel gas container.

5. A fuel gas container as claimed in claim 4 wherein said gas transferring means is comprised of a ring, a pushing element, an elastic element and a siphon tube.

6. A fuel gas container as claimed in claim 1 further includes a gas-receiving means disposed therein for coupling with bottled fuel gas, whereby liquefied fuel gas is fed into the fuel gas container.

7. A fuel gas container as claimed in claim 4 further includes a gas-receiving means disposed therein for coupling with bottled fuel gas, whereby liquefied fuel gas is fed into the fuel gas container.

8. A fuel gas container as claimed in claim 6 wherein said gas-receiving means is comprised of a valve, an elastic element and a joint.

9. A fuel gas container as claimed in claim 7 wherein said gas-receiving means is comprised of a valve, an elastic element and a joint.

10. A fuel gas container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lid includes a control valve for dispensing the gasified fuel gas to the outside of the fuel gas container and a hole through which the gasified fuel gas in the fuel gas container can flow into the control valve.