Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders, and more particularly an anti-pilferage self-closing valve (APSCV) for a LPG cylinder and a method thereof.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Currently, pilferage of liquid form of a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) poses a significant challenge for oil companies and regulatory authorities. Considering the fact that GOI has been promoting the usage of LPG by allowing a substantial subsidy, the PSU Oil Marketing Companies have been encountering the issues of Pilferage of LPG cylinders by unscrupulous third parties and persons involved in the distribution system. Such pilferages are prone to safety hazards at the public places (since the activity is carried out in an unsafe operating condition), causing infringement to the consumers right to get the right quantity of LPG and also the loss of revenue on account of subsidy and taxes. Considering this aspects, there is need to develop an Anti-Pilfer self-closing valve that can provide a technological solution for the benefit of LPG consumers across the country and make the public places safer.
[0003] The present design of SC Valve allows flow of fluid (both in Vapor and Liquid Phase) from & to the cylinder, when the valve pin is pressed. Thus when LPG as a liquid is filled in the plants by pressing the valve pin, using the same process, it is pilfered by taking out liquid pressing the valve pin. This makes the product (LPG) vulnerable to Pilferage or misuse in non-domestic applications.
[0004] Hence, there is a need for an improved device to prevent the pilferage of liquid form of LPG from the cylinder which addresses the aforementioned issue(s).
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An objective of the invention is to provide an anti-pilferage self-closing valve (APSCV) unit to prevent the pilferage of liquid form of the LPG from the LPG cylinder by utilizing a mechanical arrangement of ball valve unit.
[0006] Yet another objective of the invention is to prevent withdrawal of liquid LPG from the LPG cylinder in several orientations such as inclined, horizontal and vertical with the valve in open condition.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0007] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an anti-pilferage self-closing valve for a liquid petroleum gas cylinder is provided. A self-closing valve unit mechanically coupled to a neck of a liquid petroleum gas cylinder wherein the self-closing valve unit is adapted to allow refill of liquid form of liquid petroleum gas to the liquid petroleum gas cylinder in response to a pressure applied on a spindle assembly. Further, a non-return valve unit mechanically coupled to a bottom section of the self-closing valve unit wherein the non-return valve unit enables unidirectional flow of the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas through a plurality of holes into the liquid petroleum gas cylinder at a liquid petroleum gas bottling plant. Further, the non-return valve unit includes a check valve to provide a refill path for the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas through the plurality of holes. Further, the non-return valve unit also includes a check valve spring mechanically coupled to the check valve wherein the check valve spring is subjected to compression to seal the check valve after the said refill path. Further, the anti-pilferage self-closing valve includes a ball valve unit mechanically coupled to a bottom section of the non-return valve unit. The ball valve unit includes a ball seat adapted to house a first ball and a second ball wherein the first ball has a diameter less than the diameter of the second ball and wherein the first ball and second ball are aligned vertically such that the first ball is positioned on the second ball. Furthermore, the ball valve unit includes an end cap equipped with an inclined frame wherein the end cap allows the movement of the second ball within the inclined frame thereby causing the second ball to push the first ball in an upright direction to enable closure of the metering hole wherein the ball valve unit is adapted to allow LPG vapor to exit from the LPG cylinder only when the liquid petroleum gas cylinder is positioned in an upright direction wherein the ball valve unit is adapted to block the liquid form of the LPG by the said movement of the second ball thereby preventing the pilferage of the liquid form of LPG when the liquid petroleum gas cylinder is subjected to one or more orientations wherein the one or more orientations comprises horizontal, inclined, and inverted.
[0008] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method to operate an anti-pilferage self-closing valve for a liquid petroleum gas cylinder is provided. The method includes allowing, by a self-closing valve unit, refill of liquid form of liquid petroleum gas to the liquid petroleum gas cylinder in response to a pressure applied on a spindle assembly. The method also includes enabling, by a non-return valve unit, unidirectional flow of the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas through a plurality of holes into the liquid petroleum gas cylinder at a liquid petroleum gas bottling plant. Further, the method includes providing, by a check valve of the non-return valve unit, a refill path for the liquid petroleum gas through the plurality of holes. Further, the method also includes sealing, by a check valve spring of the non-return valve unit, after the said refill path. Furthermore, the method includes housing, by a ball seat of the ball valve unit, a first ball and a second ball wherein the first ball has a diameter less than the diameter of the second ball and wherein the first ball and second ball are aligned vertically such that the first ball is positioned on the second ball. Additionally, the method includes allowing, by an end cap of the ball valve unit, the movement of the second ball within the inclined frame thereby causing the second ball to push the first ball in an upright direction to enable closure of the metering hole, wherein the ball valve unit is adapted to allow liquid petroleum gas vapor to exit from the liquid petroleum gas cylinder only when the liquid petroleum gas cylinder is positioned in an upright direction, wherein the ball valve unit is adapted to block the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas by the said movement of the second ball thereby preventing the pilferage of the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas when the liquid petroleum gas cylinder is subjected to one or more orientations wherein the one or more orientations includes horizontal, inclined, and inverted.
[0009] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an anti-pilferage self-closing valve in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2 (a), FIG. 2(b) and FIG. 2(c) are schematic representations of an anti-pilferage self-closing valve, a refill path for the liquid LPG at the bottling plant, LPG vapor outflow path, and position of ball valve unit during tilting of the LPG cylinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method to operate an anti-pilferage self-closing valve for a liquid petroleum gas cylinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0014] Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0016] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or subsystems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.
[0017] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.
[0018] In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0019] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an anti-pilferage self-closing valve for a liquid petroleum gas cylinder is provided. A self-closing valve unit mechanically coupled to a neck of a liquid petroleum gas cylinder wherein the self-closing valve unit is adapted to allow refill of liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas to the liquid petroleum gas cylinder in response to a pressure applied on a spindle assembly. Further, a non-return valve unit mechanically coupled to a bottom section of the self-closing valve unit wherein the non-return valve unit enables unidirectional flow of the liquid form of liquid petroleum gas through a plurality of holes into the liquid petroleum gas cylinder at a liquid petroleum gas bottling plant. Further, the non-return valve unit includes a check valve to provide a refill path for the liquid petroleum gas through the plurality of holes. Further, the non-return valve unit also includes a check valve spring mechanically coupled to the check valve wherein the check valve spring is subjected to compression to seal the said refill path. Further, the anti-pilferage self-closing valve includes a ball valve unit mechanically coupled to a bottom section of the non-return valve unit. The ball valve unit includes a ball seat adapted to house a first ball and a second ball wherein the first ball has a diameter less than the diameter of the second ball and wherein the first ball and second ball are aligned vertically such that the first ball is positioned on the second ball. Furthermore, the ball valve unit includes an end cap equipped with an inclined frame wherein the end cap allows the movement of the second ball within the inclined frame thereby causing the second ball to push the first ball in an upright direction to enable closure of the metering hole wherein the ball valve unit is adapted to allow liquid petroleum gas vapor to exit from the liquid petroleum gas cylinder only when the liquid petroleum gas cylinder is positioned in an upright direction wherein the ball valve unit is adapted to block the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas vapor by the said movement of the second ball thereby preventing the pilferage of the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas when the liquid petroleum gas cylinder is subjected to one or more orientations wherein the one or more orientations includes horizontal, inclined, and inverted.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an anti-pilferage self-closing valve (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The anti-pilferage self-closing valve (100) includes a self-closing valve unit (105) mechanically coupled to a neck of a liquid petroleum gas cylinder (not shown in FIG. 1). As used herein, the anti-pilferage self-closing valve fits into an existing location of the self-closing valve on the LPG cylinder and protrudes inward slightly without any undue interference. Typically, the existing self-closing valve unit (105) in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder is a safety feature that automatically closes when the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder is not in use. The self-closing valve unit (105) is located at the opening of the LPG cylinder and prevents leaks during transportation, storage, and usage. Further, the self-closing valve unit (105) is adapted to allow refill of the liquid form of liquid petroleum gas to the liquid petroleum gas cylinder. The self-closing valve unit (105) operates by triggering an opening of the self-closing valve when pressure is applied to the spindle assembly. As used herein, the spindle assembly (115) is a component within the self-closing valve unit (105) that controls flow of the LPG gas in and out from the cylinder. Once a desired amount of LPG is dispensed into the LPG cylinders, the pressure is released, causing the self-closing valve unit (105) to automatically close and seal off the LPG gas supply, ensuring proper filling and minimizing gas leaks or overfilling.
[0021] It must be noted that components and materials utilized in the anti-pilferage self-closing valve unit (105) are selected to ensure compatibility with the LPG cylinder and adhere to standards outlined in IS 4576. As used herein, IS 4576 is an Indian Standard Specification for LPG cylinders, valves, and equipment, ensuring safety and reliability through design, materials, construction, and performance requirements.
[0022] Further, the anti-pilferage self-closing valve (100) includes a non-return valve unit (120) mechanically coupled to a bottom section of the self-closing valve unit (105). The non-return valve unit (120) enables unidirectional flow of the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas through a plurality of holes (123) into the liquid petroleum gas cylinder at a liquid petroleum gas bottling plant. Furthermore, the non-return valve unit (120) includes a check valve (125) to provide a refill path for the liquid petroleum gas through the plurality of holes. Furthermore, the non-return valve unit (120) also includes a check valve spring (130) mechanically coupled to the check valve (125). The check valve spring (130) is subjected to seal the check valve after the said refill path.
[0023] It must be noted that, the anti-pilferage self-closing valve unit (105) does not affect filling time at the bottling plant which is presently approximately 30 to 35 seconds per cylinder of 14.2 kilo grams at a differential pressure of 7-to-8-kilogram force/centimetre square. Further, the anti-pilferage self-closing valve unit (105) supports functioning of domestic pressure regulator (DPR) (IS 9798) with standard rated LPG vapour outflow of 500 l/hr at a nominal outlet pressure rating of 30-gram force per centimetre square (300 mm water column).
[0024] Furthermore, the anti-pilferage self-closing valve (100) includes a ball valve unit (135) mechanically coupled to a bottom section of the non-return valve unit (120). Further, the ball valve unit (135) includes a ball seat (140) adapted to house a first ball (145) and a second ball (150). The first ball (145) has a diameter less than the diameter of the second ball (150). The first ball (145) and second ball (150) are aligned vertically such that the first ball (145) is positioned on the second ball (150). Typically, the first ball (145) and the second ball (150) facilitate outflow of the liquid petroleum gas vapor through the metering hole (160) from the liquid petroleum gas cylinder when the liquid petroleum gas cylinder is in an upright orientation, serving domestic usage needs. Further, the first ball (145) and the second ball (150) ensure safe decanting of the liquid petroleum gas at the bottling plant that is overfilled thereby mitigating potential hazards associated with excessive pressure buildup inside the cylinder. Typically, the first ball (145) and the second ball (150) are positioned beneath the non-return valve unit (120) enabling the vapor liquid petroleum gas to flow out when the cylinder is in upright position. Moreover, the ball valve unit (135) includes an end cap (155) equipped with an inclined frame. The end cap (155) allows the movement of the second ball (150) within the inclined frame thereby causing the second ball (150) to push the first ball (145) in an upright direction to enable closure of the metering hole (160). The ball valve unit (135) is adapted to block the liquid petroleum gas vapor by the said movement of the second ball (150) thereby preventing the pilferage of the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas when the liquid petroleum gas cylinder is subjected to one or more orientations. The one or more orientations comprises horizontal, inclined, and inverted.
[0025] It must be noted that the anti-pilferage self-closing valve met all test requirements outlined in IS 8737. IS 8738 may include at least one of the leakage tests, bursting pressure test, flow rate test, operating force test and endurance test.
[0026] Typically, volume occupied by the anti-pilferage self-closing valve in a vapor space is minimal and left-over liquid LPG in cylinder after use is less than 200 grams with the anti-pilferage self-closing valve which is same as the existing self closing valve.
[0027] FIG. 2 (a), FIG. 2(b) and FIG. 2(c) is a schematic representation of an anti-pilferage self-closing valve, a refill path for the liquid LPG at the bottling plant, LPG vapor outflow path, and position of ball valve unit during tilting of the LPG cylinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 2a, the refill path (160) for the liquid LPG through the anti-pilferage self-closing valve is illustrated. The non-return valve allows a unidirectional flow of the liquid form of the LPG into the cylinder to serve the process of refilling the cylinder at an LPG bottling plant. Typically, the process of refilling liquid LPG cylinders at the bottling plant is meticulously planned to ensure safety, efficiency, and quality control. Empty cylinders are transported to the bottling point, where the LPG cylinder undergo inspection and cleaning before being connected to a filling station with pumps and piping systems. Further, the anti-pilferage self-closing valve is securely attached to a filling station, and the liquefied LPG is transferred under controlled pressure and temperature conditions. Further, the refilling of the liquid form of the LPG is though the plurality of holes.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2b, the LPG vapor outflow path (165) is illustrated. The outflow path (165) is also referred to as the exhaust path. Further, the outflow path (165) is a separate path wherein the ball and ball seat allows the flow of vapor LPG out of the cylinder, when the cylinder is kept in an upright orientation. In such an orientation, the vapor LPG is used for domestic purposes.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 2c, the position of the ball valve unit during tilting of the LPG cylinder is illustrated. The first ball (145) and the second ball (150) are suitably designed to ensure the closure of the outflow path (165). This is provided by the movement of the second ball (150) into an inclined frame thereby causing the second ball (150) to push the first ball (145) with the help of gravitational force and LPG flow force when the cylinder is tilted from its upright position. The first ball (145) is pushed upwards thereby blocking the metering hole. Consequently, zero liquid LPG pilferage is achieved.
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart representing a method (300) to operate an anti-pilferage self-closing valve for a liquid petroleum gas cylinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method (300) includes allowing, by a self-closing valve unit, refill of liquid form of liquid petroleum gas to the liquid petroleum gas cylinder in response to a pressure applied on a spindle assembly in step 310.
[0032] Further, the method (300) includes enabling, by a non-return valve unit, unidirectional flow of the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas through a plurality of holes into the liquid petroleum gas cylinder at a liquid petroleum gas bottling plant in step 320.
[0033] Furthermore, the method (300) also includes providing, by a check valve of the non-return valve unit, a refill path for the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas through the plurality of holes in step 330.
[0034] Moreover, the method (300) includes, sealing by a check valve spring of the non-return valve unit, the check valve after the said refill path in step 340.
[0035] Further, the method (300) includes housing, by a ball seat of the ball valve unit, a first ball and a second ball wherein the first ball has a diameter less than the diameter of the second ball and wherein the first ball and second ball are aligned vertically such that the first ball is positioned on the second ball in step 350.
[0036] In one embodiment, the first ball and the second ball facilitate outflow of the liquid petroleum gas vapor through the metering hole from the liquid petroleum gas cylinder when the liquid petroleum gas cylinder is in an upright orientation, serving domestic usage needs.
[0037] In another embodiment, the first ball and the second ball ensure safe decanting of the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas at the bottling plant that is overfilled thereby mitigating potential hazards associated with excessive pressure buildup inside the cylinder.
[0038] In another embodiment, the first ball and the second ball are positioned beneath the non-return valve enabling the vapor liquid petroleum gas to flow out when the cylinder is in upright position.
[0039] Furthermore, the method (300) includes allowing, by an end cap of the ball valve unit, the movement of the second ball within the inclined frame thereby causing the second ball to push the first ball in an upright direction to enable closure of the metering hole, wherein the ball valve unit is adapted to allow liquid petroleum gas vapor to exit from the liquid petroleum gas cylinder only when the liquid petroleum gas cylinder is positioned in an upright direction, wherein the ball valve unit is adapted to block the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas by the said movement of the second ball thereby preventing the pilferage of the liquid petroleum gas when the liquid petroleum gas cylinder is subjected to one or more orientations wherein the one or more orientations includes horizontal, inclined, and inverted in step 360.
[0040] Various embodiments of anti-pilferage self-closing valve for a liquid petroleum gas cylinder as described above provide several benefits. The non-return valve unit (120), coupled with the self-closing valve unit (105), offers significant advantages for liquid petroleum gas (LPG) bottling plants by enabling unidirectional flow through the plurality of holes, it ensures precise filling of LPG cylinders while preventing backflow. Further, incorporation of a check valve (125) and check valve spring (130) establishes reliable refill path. Additionally, the ball valve unit (135) enhances security by allowing vapor LPG exit only when the LPG cylinder is upright and blocking liquid form of the LPG in other orientations, thus effectively preventing pilferage of the liquid form of the LPG. This comprehensive design ensures both efficient operation and enhanced security, making it an asset for LPG bottling facilities.
[0041] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
[0042] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.
[0043] The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, the order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.
, Claims:1. An anti-pilferage self-closing valve (100) for a liquefied petroleum gas cylinder comprising:
a self-closing valve unit (105) mechanically coupled to a neck of a LPG cylinder wherein the self-closing valve unit (105) is adapted to allow refill of liquid form of liquefied petroleum gas into the LPG cylinder in response to a pressure applied on a spindle assembly (115);
characterized in that,
a non-return valve unit (120) mechanically coupled to a bottom section of the self-closing valve unit (105) wherein the non-return valve unit (120) enables unidirectional flow of the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas through a plurality of holes (123) into the LPG cylinder at a LPG bottling plant, wherein the non-return valve unit (120) comprises:
a check valve (125) to provide a refill path for the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas through the plurality of holes; and
a check valve spring (130) mechanically coupled to the check valve (125) wherein the check valve spring (130) is subjected to compression to seal the check valve after the said refill path;
a ball valve unit (135) mechanically coupled to a bottom section of the non-return valve unit (120) wherein the ball valve unit (135) comprises:
a ball seat (140) adapted to house a first ball (145) and a second ball (150) wherein the first ball (145) has a diameter less than the diameter of the second ball (150) and wherein the first ball (145) and second ball (150) are aligned vertically such that the first ball (145) is positioned on the second ball (150); and
an end cap (155) equipped with an inclined frame wherein the end cap (155) allows the movement of the second ball (150) within the inclined frame thereby causing the second ball (150) to push the first ball (140) in an upright direction to enable closure of the metering hole (160),
wherein the ball valve unit (135) is adapted to allow liquid petroleum gas vapor to exit from the LPG cylinder only when the LPG cylinder is positioned in an upright direction; and
wherein the ball valve unit (135) is adapted to block the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas by the said movement of the second ball (150) thereby preventing the pilferage of the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas when the LPG cylinder is subjected to one or more orientations wherein the one or more orientations comprises horizontal, inclined, and inverted.
2. The anti-pilferage self-closing valve (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first ball (145) and the second ball (150) facilitate outflow of the liquid petroleum gas vapor through the metering hole (160) from LPG cylinder when the LPG cylinder is in an upright orientation, serving domestic usage needs.
3. The anti-pilferage self-closing valve (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first ball (145) and the second ball (150) ensure safe decanting of the liquid from of the liquid petroleum gas at the bottling plant that is overfilled thereby mitigating potential hazards associated with excessive pressure buildup inside the LPG cylinder.
4. The anti-pilferage self-closing valve (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anti-pilferage self-closing valve is adapted to permit unhindered withdrawal of the outflow of the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas upon pressing the spindle assembly (115) under typical operational circumstances during both the filling and evacuation procedures at the bottling plant thereby enhancing efficiency of the LPG cylinder evacuation processes at the bottling plant.
5. The anti-pilferage self-closing valve (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first ball (145) and the second ball (150) are positioned beneath the non-return valve enabling the vapor liquid petroleum gas to flow out when the LPG cylinder is in upright position.
6. A method (200) to operate an anti-pilferage self-closing valve for a LPG cylinder comprising:
allowing, by a self-closing valve unit, refill of liquid form of a liquid petroleum gas to the LPG cylinder in response to a pressure applied on a spindle assembly; (310)
characterized in that,
enabling, by a non-return valve unit, unidirectional flow of the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas through a plurality of holes into the LPG cylinder at a LPG bottling plant; (320)
providing, by a check valve of the non-return valve unit, a refill path, and for the liquid petroleum gas through the plurality of holes; (330)
sealing, by a check valve spring of the non-return valve unit, the check valve after the said refill path; (340)
housing, by a ball seat of the ball valve unit, a first ball and a second ball wherein the first ball has a diameter less than the diameter of the second ball and wherein the first ball and second ball are aligned vertically such that the first ball is positioned on the second ball; (350) and
allowing, by an end cap of the ball valve unit, the movement of the second ball within the inclined frame thereby causing the second ball to push the first ball in an upright direction to enable closure of the metering hole, wherein the ball valve unit is adapted to allow liquid petroleum gas vapor to exit from the LPG cylinder only when the LPG cylinder is positioned in an upright direction, wherein the ball valve unit is adapted to block the liquid form of liquid petroleum gas by the said movement of the second ball thereby preventing the pilferage of the liquid form of the liquid petroleum gas when the LPG cylinder is subjected to one or more orientations wherein the one or more orientations comprises horizontal, inclined, and inverted. (360)
Dated this 15th day of July 2024

Signature

Jinsu Abraham
Patent Agent (IN/PA-3267)
Agent for the Applicant