Claims:We Claim (s):

1. CAN piercing valve apparatus for transferring pressurized media from a container to an outlet comprising:
- a valve body unit
- a nut
- a valve cap
- a valve core
- multiple layers of sealing
- and a piercing pin

2. The apparatus according to claim (1) wherein the said nut has any suitable profile like a hex nut or round knurled.

3. The apparatus according to claim (1) wherein the said pressurized media is a fluid which is contained using a suitable valve core (4).

4. The apparatus according to claim (1) wherein the said valve body unit is constructed with brass/SS/ EN-8 material or any other suitable material.

5. The apparatus according to claim (1) wherein said CAN piercing valve apparatus for transferring pressurized media from a container to an outlet comprising the steps of:
- tightening of the nut onto the CAN,
- tightening of said valve body unit which brings the said piercing pin in the downward direction,
- piercing the CAN,
-allowing the pressurised media in the CAN to move up towards the said valve core through a micro-hole,
- pressing the piercing pin to vent out pressurised media using the said valve core,
- releasing the said piercing pin to shut-off the flow of pressurized media and contain the media within the CAN.

, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[001] The present invention relates to the field of canister piercing valves used for releasing pressurized media from cylinders and canisters (CANs). This could be used for after-market repairs of air-conditioning systems for vehicles and/or buildings and other applications. The present invention further provides a valve core with a means to shut off and hold pressurised media for future use. The present invention provides a CAN piercing valve apparatus with multiple leakage prevention layers for improved sealing of pressurized media.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[002] The present invention is related to discharging canisters (CAN) for application in, without any limitation to, air conditioning systems.
[003] Presently, CANs are commonly used to contain the pressurised media within them. To extract this pressurised media for use, a piercing valve needs to be employed. In the current practice, piercing valve has a provision only to control the flow of the media from within the CAN. However, it does not provide any means to shut off the supply of the media. This means that once the CAN is opened, the entire media must be used completely for a single instance of use or application. This is a major disadvantage in prior art systems where reuse of unused pressurised media remaining within a CAN is not possible.
[004] The tapping mechanism is typically a part of a control valve arrangement. A control valve is needed to provide controlled flow of the pressurized media from the CAN.
[005] Also in CAN piercing valve systems’ prior art, there is significant loss of pressurized media at end of each use, due to the lack of a flow control system.
[006] Furthermore, various types of pressurized media are used in refrigeration and the air-conditioning industry. Pressurised media are supplied in various types of packaging including cylinders and canisters for after-market repairs.
[007] Currently refrigerants like HCFC, C02, HFC or other hazardous gases are stored in commercially available CANs. These refrigerants like HCFC, C02 or HFC are either Ozone depleting or are major causes for increasing global warming. Due to imminent global environmental concerns, controlling emission of such ozone depleting and environmentally hazardous refrigerants has become more important than ever before.
[008] Patent No.: US4281775A discloses an apparatus for controllably transferring fluid from a pierceable pressurized container which includes a valve body at one end and a fluid-conducting hose at the other end, and an elastomeric valve ball controls for fluid flow from the container through the valve stem relative to the body. The valve ball control as taught by the ‘775 patent is both complex and costly.

[009] Patent No.: US3817302 discloses a can tapping device adapted to not only provide for controlled connection between a container of fluid under pressure and a receiver, but also to limit the fluid pressure in the container to effectively preclude injury to the user as by explosion or similar rupture of the container as may result from a high pressure condition therein. This apparatus taught by ‘302 patent is complicated and requires a number of separate parts, each performing an individual function. In particular, a flow control valve, a check valve and pressure regulating elements operate independently.

[010] Patent No.: US2865410 teach apparatus for providing access to a container or pipe having some form of piercing point and a valve. Each employ an air valve core of the type employed in automotive tire valves. Such devices are not believed to be adaptable for use as a can piercing valve system according to the present invention.

[011] Patent No.: US5025633 discloses a method for recycling Freon by the use of an appropriate valve is so constructed so as to have a puncture means which taps the Freon supply tube or other supply and conveys the Freon into a collection vessel which can be hermetically sealed once the Freon is collected. The collecting vessel is then brought to a collection center where the collected Freon is recycled and reused. Although this invention provides a valuable ecological function and but this patent does not disclose means to prevent unwanted release of pressurised media like that of unused refrigerant through a piercing valve apparatus

[012] The present invention addresses some of the aforementioned concerns as faced by prior art systems involving release and flow control of pressurized media from cylinders and canisters (CANs)

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION:

[014] The primary objective of this invention is to provide a means to control the flow of pressurised media through an innovative CAN piercing valve apparatus.

[015] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a valve core, wherein the said valve core can be used to shut and hold the pressurized media for future use.

[016] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a compact design of a CAN piercing valve apparatus wherein the said design reduces emission of harmful refrigerant at the end of use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[017] Accordingly, the present invention provides a CAN piercing valve apparatus comprising a valve body unit, a nut, a valve cap, a valve core, a piercing pin and multiple layers of rubber sealing to avoid any leakage of pressurized media.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS:

[018] The advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[019] Figure-1 illustrates a cut section view of the CAN piercing valve apparatus

[020] Figure-2 illustrates a cut section of the before assembly view of the CAN piercing valve system apparatus

[021] Figure-3 illustrates a cut section of the after assembly view of the CAN piercing valve system apparatus

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[022] In the following description, for purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

[023] According to Fig. 1, one embodiment of the present invention provides (1) a valve body unit (2) a nut (3) a valve cap, (4) a valve core as a first layer of sealing, (5) a second layer of sealing (6) a third layer of sealing and a fourth layer of sealing (8) housed within the valve cap (3) to avoid any leakage of pressurised media and a piercing pin (7).

[024] According to Fig 2, another embodiment of the present invention provides, a nut (2) of a suitable profile, which is tightened to the CAN and then the valve body unit (1). This tightening of valve brings the piercing pin (7) in downward direction and pierces the CAN. The micro-hole present in the pin will allow the pressurised media in the CAN to move up towards the valve core (4). The valve core will be used to take the pressurised media out by depressing its pin. Once the pin is released, the valve core will shut-off the flow of pressurised media from the CAN. Thus the remaining pressurised media can be used later as and when required. The second layer of rubber sealing (5) and the third layer of rubber sealing (6) and the fourth layer of rubber sealing housed within the valve core (4) provide four layers of sealing and ensure that the leakage of pressurized media is controlled.

[025] According to Fig 3, yet another embodiment of the present invention provides, an appropriate selection of threads on the valve body and a suitable profile of the pin to ensure that it can withstand the pressure of pressurised media and is also capable of initiating a smooth piercing action

[026] The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

[027] The invention has considered brass/SS/ EN-8 materials for this design, however any other suitable material can be selected to ensure that all the above mentioned conditions are met. The material required for the sealing members like that for O-rings or washers has to be compatible with pressurized media and the working environment in the CAN. This material can be, but not limited to, either elastic, polymer, plastic, elastomeric or a hybrid of two or more materials.
[028] The invention uses a standard valve core but any other valve core with better design or efficiency can be used at a later stage to optimize/ improve product performance.