Method and apparatus for forming carbon dioxide snow

Claim 2

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said orifice has a diameter of about 0.008 inches.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 2 including a curved conduit in fluid communication with the interior of said fitting to direct and confine discharged carbon dioxide in a curved path.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said fitting includes an external circumferential groove, and an O-ring in the groove, whereby a conduit with a smooth internal bore may be detachably secured to the fitting and sealed thereto by said O-ring.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said fitting includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced circumferential barbed surfaces adapted to receive and seal the internal surface of a resilient tube.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said recess has an internal shoulder, said insert comprising a hollow body extending into the interior of said fitting and having an enlarged head seated upon said recess shoulder, said external face comprising the exterior of said insert head.

Claim 7

The apparatus set forth in claim 2 including a conduit having a smooth internal bore snugly engaging the outer end of said fitting and sealed thereto, said conduit being substantially curved and terminating in an enlarged nozzle.

Claim 8

For use with a pressurized container of liquid carbon dioxide having a valve with an outlet port and a port sealing face, a liquid expanding fitting comprising a sealing face in fluid tight engagement with the sealing face of said outlet port, a recess centrally positioned in said fitting sealing face and in fluid communication with the interior of said fitting, a member having an orifice considerably smaller than said outlet port, said orifice member comprising an insert mounted within said recess and having an external face substantially coplanar with said fitting sealing face, and an orifice in said coplanar external face of said insert, and means for holding said orifice member in sealing relation to said port with the orifice of said member substantially in the plane of said port sealing face.

Claim 9

The fitting of claim wherein said orifice has a diameter in the range of 0.005 through 0.012 inches.

Claim 10

The fitting of claim 10 wherein said orifice has a diameter of about 0.008 inches.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said orifice has a diameter in the range of 0.005 inches through 0.012 inches.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 12 including a curved conduit in fluid communication with the interior of said fitting to direct and confine discharged carbon dioxide in a curved path.

Claim 13

Apparatus for forming a spray of carbon dioxide snow comprising a vessel containing liquid carbon dioxide, a standard valve mounted on the vessel and having a valve body, an inlet port in said body in communication with the interior of the vessel, an outlet port in said body having a port sealing face, a valve closure member movably mounted in said body to block or allow fluid flow through said body from said inlet to said outlet port, and an expansion fitting secured to said valve, said fitting comprising a sealing face in fluid tight engagement with the sealing face of said outlet port, a recess centrally positioned in said fitting face and in fluid communication with the interior of said fitting, an insert mounted within said recess and having an external face substantially coplanar with said fitting sealing face, and an orifice in said external face of said insert, said fitting sealing face including an annular protrusion having a concave outer surface, an O-ring circumscribing said protrusion, and an annular washer circumscribing said protrusion and having a concave inner surface, said O-ring being retained by and between said concave surfaces.