BACKGROUND

This disclosure generally relates to devices for attaching cylinders of compressed materials to appliances.

Cartridges containing pressurized gas or liquids are used in many devices. These cartridges are common and can be used to provide pressurized gas or liquids for use in inflating balloons, firing BBs from BB guns to aerating delectable edibles such as whipped cream. Devices that utilize these cartridges typically contain a pin to puncture the cartridge to release its contents, and use a mechanism to drive the cartridge into the pin. Once the sealing mechanism of the cartridge is punctured, the contents of the cartridge is utilized by the device.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,534, entitled Gas Operated Rifle, there is a lever arm with a cam and cam surfaces to operate a spring loaded piston, the piston has a shaped head to hold a cartridge in place after its loaded. Releasing the piston allows the cartridge to be removed. The cartridge may be manually removed or a separate element may be actuated to lift the cartridge out of the rifle stock.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,630,151, entitled Manually Actuated Fluidic Igniter, a lanyard is used to pull a cam lever arm, depress a cartridge against a pin. The pin punctures the cartridge to release gas into oscillating wave chamber. Oscillations produce heat, which ignite a pyrotechnic explosive, and a solid grain propellant. The device is used to ignite things, like rocket motors. The cartridge is manually removed once the contents are spent.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,575 entitled Signal Balloon Device, there is a container holding gas cartridges in an emergency signal device to inflate a signal balloon. Cartridges are loaded into a storage box and can be used to inflate a balloon by a lever arm and cam action that push the cartridges into a puncture device and feeding gas to the balloon. Once the cartridge is spent, the cartridge is manually removed.

In U.S. Pat. No. 2,190,688, entitled Food Products Aerating and dispensing device, there is a cartridge holder to accommodate a cartridge, threaded into a receiving base. The threads are high pitch, to allow maximum axial displacement with minimum rotation, to reduce gas leakage while cartridge is advanced into puncture and sealing mechanism position.

These technologies are still in use today. One need only visit a local restaurant or café to see whipped cream dispensers using a screw thread container for attaching gas cylinders to whipped cream dispensers. Each time the cartridge is spent, the screw thread container is manually unscrewed, the cartridge discarded, and a new cartridge inserted to be manually screwed to the dispensing device again.

There are inherent inefficiencies and risks associated with the way cartridges containing compressed gas or liquids are loaded and unloaded:

The proper alignment of the threads can be challenging. Misalignment of the threads can prevent loading of the cartridge or damage the equipment to be charged.

Repeated rotational movement of small diameter objects, such as screwing the cartridge toward and away from the pin, may be a source of repetitive strain injury.

The cartridge holder can be easily lost or misplaced.

The screwing action relies upon friction and grip strength to overcome the forces of threading the cartridge and puncturing the cartridge. Common environmental factors such as moisture, food or grease can reduce the friction between the cartridge holder and the hand of the operator compromising proper cartridge operation. Common manual dexterity issues can reduce grip strength and compromise proper cartridge operation.

Cartridges and cartridge holders are often manufactured from metal for strength and durability. The rapid expansion of gas when the cartridge is pierced can create extremely cold temperatures which can be conducted through the metal to the operator's hand causing potential discomfort or injury. Cartridge holders manufactured partially or completely from plastic are available that reduce thermal transfer but durability is reduced.

Thus there remains a need for a mechanism to reliably attach to a device using cartridges, that can permit rapid insertion and removal of the cartridge without straining a user.

There remains a need for a way to reliably ensure cartridges dispense their content without creating uncomfortable or hazardous conditions for users.

