초록 ▼

Stopper removal apparatus of the type in which gas under pressure is directed into a container thereby to eject a cork or like stopper. The apparatus directs gas from a gas cylinder into a gas reservoir sealed by a piston valve. Each gas cylinder has its own seal to prevent gas escaping during stora

Stopper removal apparatus of the type in which gas under pressure is directed into a container thereby to eject a cork or like stopper. The apparatus directs gas from a gas cylinder into a gas reservoir sealed by a piston valve. Each gas cylinder has its own seal to prevent gas escaping during storage. As a new cylinder is installed and the cylinder seal is broken, the resulting gas from the cylinder forces the piston valve to its sealing position, so no gas escapes. The gas pressure provides the sealing force. When an actuator moves the piston valve to an open position, gas passes through passages and a hollow needle that penetrates the stopper to exit within the container to eject the stopper. A cover assembly completely encloses the needle. A disk at one end of the cover retracts as the needle is inserted into the stopper. After the stopper is ejected it remains on the needle within the cover. Tabs extending through the cover enable the disk to be returned to its original position thereby removing the stopper and enclosing the needle.

대표청구항 ▼

In an apparatus for removing a stopper from a container, said apparatus being of the type including a gas cylinder for the storage of gas under pressure, hollow needle means for piercing the stopper and injecting gas into the container thereby to pressurize the container and eject the stopper, and g

In an apparatus for removing a stopper from a container, said apparatus being of the type including a gas cylinder for the storage of gas under pressure, hollow needle means for piercing the stopper and injecting gas into the container thereby to pressurize the container and eject the stopper, and gas passage means for establishing a gas flow path from the gas cylinder to said hollow needle means, the improvement of pressure actuated valve assembly means comprising: A. valve body means interposed in the gas passage means, said valve body means including: i. valve seat means formed in one portion of said valve body means for defining a valve body sealing surface, and ii. valve body passage means for conveying gas from said valve seat means to said hollow needle means, B. piston-driven valve means for controlling the flow of gas under pressure from the gas cylinder to the hollow needle means, said piston-driven valve means having: i. actuator stem means extending through said valve body passage means to terminate at a free end, said actuator stem means guiding said valved means between sealing and open positions, and ii. piston means connected to the other end of said actuator stem means, said piston means being located upstream of and overlying substantially all of said valve seat means, c. sealing means carried on said actuator stem means for being interposed between said piston means and said valve seat means for effecting a seal with said valve seat means, and D. actuator means for engaging said free end of said actuator stem means to move said valve means to an open position whereby the gas passes through said gas passage means to the hollow needle means, said valve means being moved to the sealing position when said actuator means is released, gas pressure acting on said piston means providing the dominant force for displacing said piston toward said valve seat means and producing a seal by forcing said piston means and said sealing means against said valve seat means.