Tire sealant dispensing apparatus

Abstract

A tire-sealing apparatus for injecting a sealing composition into a vehicle tire either as a prophylactic or for sealing an existing leak is in the form of a pressurizeable container for a flowable sealant compound. An inlet is provided for introducing compressed gas into the container to pressurize its contents. An outlet line is also provided to deliver the sealant into a tire, the pressurized gas acting on contents of the container and providing the motive force for the delivery. A dip tube extends into the compound and is coupled to a one-way valve to provide a controlled flow of the compound from the container into the tire while preventing back pressure of the tire from either delivering air or compound back into the container. A passageway between the outlet tube and an interior of the container is provided to allow a flow of compressed gas within the container into the outlet tube along with the sealant.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for dispensing a measured amount of a fluid under pressure and in particular to an apparatus for dispensing tire sealant into a vehicle tire. Applicants claim the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60 / 983,423 filed Oct. 29, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Vehicle tire repair technology is well developed. In one well known aspect, a tire, such as an automobile or truck tire, damaged and deflated by a puncture, such as by a nail, is demounted from the vehicle and the puncture point located. An elastomeric plug is inserted into the puncture hole creating an airtight seal. The tire can then be re-inflated and re-installed on the vehicle. Such a methodology has the deficiencies that the tire must be removed from the vehicle and the location of the puncture found. When the puncture-causing object no longer is in the tire some degree of skill and care is req...

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