The present invention relates to A VALVE FOR EXTINGUISHING DEVICE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING AND USE THEREOF. In general, this invention relates to a valve provided on the fire extinguishing devices. More particularly, the present invention provides an improved fire extinguishing device having an innovative valve enabling the said device to become re-usable multiple times efficiently without leakage of extinguishing material or pressure. The presently invented valve can also be used where the pressurized gas is required to maintain its pressure without leakage for a longer period.

Background of the invention

Fire is one of the greatest discoveries of mankind. It is the fundamental reason for all progress that we can see today, as it is the driving force behind the first machine - steam engine to boil water.

However, when accidents occur, fires occur that are out of control and it causes irreparable damage and loss of countless lives. To prevent such accidents, fire extinguishers were invented. There are many types of fire extinguishers and many different technologies are used to control fires and ensure human safety.

Fire Extinguishers are such devices that are used only in an emergency during which, the fire extinguisher is expected to work even if it has been neglected or not been used or not maintained regularly for a long period. In conventional fire extinguishing devices, the valve uses a plunger, rubber ring, spring, and spring base as functional components. In these conventional valves, each component is subject to failure due to fatigue and its design. For example, consider the valve spring. If the valve is regularly used the spring will work properly but since it is stored away for a long time this causes fatigue in the spring material. This fatigue causes the spring to fail (that is, the valve will not close once opened) and since the spring is a functional member of the valve assembly this causes the entire valve to fail in the open position. Also, due to fatigue even when in the closed position the spring is unable to provide the required closing pressure to prevent leakage. Further, a rubber gasket (rubber ring) is used to seal the valve and hold the pressure. Now if you consider the example of a car tyre any part that uses rubber to hold the air pressure will slowly release the air. The same problem happens in the fire extinguisher valve having rubber gasket. The rubber gasket (rubber ring) is having a cross-section in round shape when it is new. Now over of period because of the pressure of the spring on the rubber gasket (rubber ring) it will change the shape and become oblong. Because of this change, the shape of the rubber gasket (rubber ring) is subject to leak. The rubber gasket in the valve slowly releases the pressure and causes it to leak.

This causes the fire extinguisher to lose pressure and cause the unit to fail as there is no propellant to propel the extinguishing media. Another problem with rubber is that, since by the very nature of all valves, the sealing gasket comes in contact with the extinguishing media, the rubber reacts with the media and may further be worn out and cause the failure of the valve because of brittleness, swelling, erosion, etc.

However, it was so noticed that that the traditional valve that is also known as the needle valve or the extinguisher needle valve is very old technology. There may have been minor changes and improvements to the valve but fundamentally it has remained the same.

The valve uses a plunger, rubber ring spring and spring base in it as functional components. Extinguishers are such devices that are generally not used for a long time, but when there is an emergency it is expected to work even if it has been neglected or not been used or maintained regularly.

In the case of a traditional valve, each component fails dramatically in this situation. That is if the valve is regularly used it may have been okay but since it is stored away for a long time this causes fatigue in the spring material. This fatigue causes the spring to fail. And since spring is a functional member of the valve assembly this causes the entire valve to fail.

Another point is that a rubber gasket is used to seal the valve and hold the pressure. However, as we know from the example of car tyres, any part that uses rubber to hold the pressure of air will slowly release the air even though it is not defective. This is the same problem that happens in the extinguisher valve. The rubber gasket in the valve slowly releases the pressure and causes it to leak.

This causes the extinguisher to lose pressure and cause the unit to fail as there is no propellant to propel the extinguishing media. Another problem with rubber is that, since by the very nature of all valves, the sealing gasket comes in contact with the extinguishing media, the rubber reacts with the media and may further be worn out and cause the failure of the valve because of brittleness, swelling, etc.

US5954138 discloses fire-extinguisher valve and fire-extinguishing device proposed includes a container, holding a gas under pressure, and a fusible hollow element designed to actuate the device. An overview of the patent reveals that the valve is meant to operate automatically. Valve mentioned in US’138 relies on a difference in pressure inside a chamber called the fusible link. That link/pipe is filled with pressure and when the pressure escapes from that chamber, the valve opens. Although it is not very clear from the diagram it appears to be a needle valve since the word piston is used. It is not a ball valve. It is not clear if this is used one time only or multiple times without re-arming the device. US’138 primarily states it is useful for C02 based applications. Also, the valve claimed in US’138 for a fire-extinguishing device of this kind seems useful for the tubing system. Based on the limitations mentioned above, the present invention is designed as a product which is versatile in use, can fit on a simple holder such as on walls, desk, counter or table surfaces, or elsewhere, and can self-actuate when situated, can be lifted out of its holder and deployed directly. In nearly all prior arts, be they of explosive type or other means of delivery, the cost of manufacture and/or installation was high, and therefore the cost of purchase is a limiting factor to broad public demand; this factor being most acutely apparent in underdeveloped countries, and even in poorer communities of developed nations. The bulk and subjective unsightliness of even the common dry chemical, pressurized tank fire extinguisher aesthetically limits their installation in many private dwellings worldwide. One does not typically find such devices mounted in living rooms, or guest reception areas, sometimes purely for aesthetic reasons.

Frequently, only one fire-extinguisher is maintained for the entirety of a private dwelling, and it may fail to work after lying dormant for many years. Due to its need for periodic inspection and maintenance by qualified personnel, very often some parts of the work are overlooked by private owners. And with only one fire-fighting device deployed at some point within the dwelling, the possibility exists that a path to it may be blocked by flame and/or smoke, especially when the fire starts spreading while the occupants are asleep.

The present invention is intended to overcome or lessen the above- mentioned limitations in the fire extinguishing device.

The object of the invention

The main object of the present disclosure to provide a leak-proof fire extinguishing device that is re-usable multiple times and refillable. The main object of the presently invented valve has not required any maintenance for life long.

Another object of the presently invented valve keeps the pressure maintained for life long without leakage.

The operating mechanism is very simple, it can be operated by any layman person without any prior training.

According to another objective of the present disclosure to provide such a valve which is mechanized to prevent leakage while functioning the extinguishing device. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a compact and easy operating fire extinguishing device.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a fire extinguishing device that is adapted to avoid any serious safety hazard in its actuation.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a cost- effective and environmentally friendly fire extinguishing device.

Statement of the Invention The above and other objectives of the present invention are achieved according to the following embodiments of the present invention. However, the disclosed embodiments are exemplary based on the preferred mode to achieve the objectives and can be worked upon further within the scope of the provisional application and submit the final embodiments during the complete application.

By one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a fire extinguishing device having a leak-proof valve, wherein said valve is made in such a manner that it can perform while functioning of the device so that once the valve is closed it does not leak at its rated pressure.

According to the present invention, the valve does not use rubber rings and spring as a functional element which enables increasing shelf-life and hence increases reusability.

By one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the control head of the device is having a valve adapted to achieve the highest efficiency only with a 44-degree rotation ensuring this can be operated with a squeeze type grip with all the advantages of a leak- proof ball valve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 represent the front view of the semi-automatic valve illustration Fig.2 represents the side view of the semi-automatic valve illustration A detailed description of the invention

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments, as depicted in different figures as described above and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for description and not of limitation.

The valve according to the present actuates at an angle of approx. 44 degrees. That is, when the lever is turned by the said angle, the valve is fully open. In contrast conventionally in other valve technology, there is a plunger, spring, spring base and rubber ring, which are situated in the middle of the valve exit and hence obstruct any material coming out of the extinguisher. Due to this, the valve gets easily jammed. Also, a 90-degree turn at the nozzle results in jamming of the powder as when high-pressure powder strikes the topmost dead end in the valve design and forms a cake-like structure before its eventual release. By another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the valve is having a sealing gasket capable of holding pressure and unlike rubber, it does not allow the air to release even slowly due to any natural properties of the material, wherein said sealing gasket is made by a completely non-reactive material which does not react with any material and it has practically no negative effects such as brittleness, hardening, swelling, etc. on the working of the valves which may cause it to leak or lose pressure, preferably said material used is PTFE(Polytetrafluoroethylene). The material so is chosen also does not increase the friction of the valve, which would increase the force required to operate the valve.

In one of the embodiments of the present invention, a spring is preferably used as an external element having no functional importance in the valve and has no significance in maintaining the leak-proof nature of the valve as PTFE gasket seals, wherein said valve leaves no possible path for leakage.

In one of the other embodiments of the present invention, when the spring is not placed in the device for the valve to get actuated, the device is capable to actuate or bring the valve in function manually. In one of the other embodiments of the invention, when the spring is placed in the device for the valve to get actuated, then the valve functions to close automatically when it is opened.

In another embodiment of the invention, said valve is operated both manually and automatically depending on the availability and working condition of the spring, hence not rendering the valve useless in any case, wherein once the valve is used for the purpose, it is brought back to the closed position manually.

According to the present invention, said valve is set and designed in such a manner that the top-nut assembled at the outlet of the valve is the controlling parameter of the device which is capable of controlling the flow of liquids or gases from the vessel, wherein the flow rate of liquids or gases varies with the diameter of the hole of the top-nut and wherein the valve is corrosion resistant. According to the present invention, the valve can be used multiple times when used with fluids and is guaranteed to not leak if used under the rated pressure. As an exemplary case if the valve is rated for a pressure of 200psi and said valve is used in any pressure vessel which holds a pressure of less than or equal to 200psi, then the valve is guaranteed to not leak any fluids even after multiple uses. However, this is not restricted to the exemplary case and can be worked upon the increase the desired strength to manage the high pressure.

In the manufacturing process of the valve, there are multiple parts and stages. The first stage comprises the core valve body, a cast item on which machining operations are performed such as drilling and threading. The second stage comprises other parts such as valve ball, top-nut, the washers, the pins, etc. are machined specifically for the required place and dimensions. The process disclosed herein further worked upon within the scope of the provisional disclosure and the same will be detailed while finalizing the complete specification.

In the present invention, a ball valve can address any industries where leak-proof valves are needed including but not restricted to fire extinguishers that require a leak-proof valve for chemicals.

All fire extinguishers available in the market require regular maintenance so to maintain its efficiency. If these extinguishers are not maintained, they tend to lose the working efficiency and hence the extinguishers are unable to extinguish fires. A small fire can be extinguished by small extinguishers, a big fire cannot be extinguished by a big fire extinguisher. Hence working of the first aid extinguisher is of utmost importance, or else there will be a big fire hazard. By the present invention, the applicant has successfully optimized the current fire extinguishing device by featuring leak-proof valve and mechanism thereof which solves the major problem of reliability due to lack of maintenance in the technology of this industry and enables easy to use cost-effective fire extinguishing device. The disclosed detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is depicted in the accompanying labeled drawings. The drawings do depict all essential elements of the device, however, they are not intended to limit the external shape to only those shown. As shown in Fig, 1 in the present invention the valve does not use any spring or rubber gasket as functional elements because of these above problems.

The valve uses in the present invention has a different material as a sealing gasket instead of a rubber. It uses PTFE(Teflon) as the sealing gasket. This is a completely non-reactive material to almost any material and it has practically no negative effects such as brittleness, hardening, swelling, etc. on the working of the valves which may cause it to leak or lose pressure. Teflon on its own also holds pressure and unlike rubber does not allow the air to be released even slowly due to any natural properties of the material. The valve uses a spring, however, it is an external element and not critical to the functioning of the unit. That is, even if the spring fails, it does not have any effect on the leak-proof nature of the valve. This means, even if the spring gets lose, the Teflon gasket will fully seal the valve if after using the valve is manually returned to the closed position. This also means that the valve is reusable multiple times without any loss in pressure. The valve is made of the stainless steel grade 304. This is unlike other valves because in the present invention the valve to be resistant to corrosion. The internal components of the valve are also made of stainless steel. This includes the valve ball, valve pin, the valve bolt-nut, etc. The sealing gaskets are made of Teflon for the reasons stated above.

The valve is set and designed such that the top nut is the controlling parameter of the device. The valve lever is set such that only a 35- 45 degree rotation of the ball will open the valve completely according to the design parameter. The rationale behind this is so that it can be gripped in one hand and squeezed easily. The squeezing pressure is can be set according to the spring tension while assembling the valve and is purely for comfort reasons only. It does not have any functional purpose in the leakproof-ness or operation of the valve.

The embodiments are in such detail as to communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

However, the advantage of said device is not limited to the above- mentioned objectives and embodiments and are customized and extended to the various modification within the scope to achieve the desired outcome.

While the invention has been described concerning the given embodiment, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the scope of the present invention, as outlined in the following claims.