The present invention solves some of the problems of the prior art by providing a method, system and apparatus for readily refilling the reservoir of a smoking-substitute device with liquid from a dispenser. The method, system and apparatus of the present invention prevents liquid from being dispensed until the dispenser is securely and sealably engaged to the smoking-substitute device, provides independent liquid and gas pathways between the dispenser and reservoir, and substantially alleviates the problems of spillage and/or leakage when dispensing liquid from the dispenser into the reservoir of the smoking-substitute device.

The present invention solves some of the problems of the prior art by providing a method, system and apparatus for readily refilling the reservoir of a smoking-substitute device with liquid from a dispenser. The method, system and apparatus of the present invention prevents liquid from being dispensed until the dispenser is securely and sealably engaged to the smoking-substitute device, provides independent liquid and gas pathways between the dispenser and reservoir, and substantially alleviates the problems of spillage and/or leakage when dispensing liquid from the dispenser into the reservoir of the smoking-substitute device.

A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path and a suction path therein. The nozzle has a valve positioned in the fluid path and configured to selectively prevent or allow a flow of fluid through the fluid path, and a manually operable actuator operatively connectable to the valve. The nozzle also includes a suction generator configured to apply a suction force in the suction path at a suction location. The suction path includes an expansion chamber located upstream of the suction location with respect to a direction of flow in the suction path. A bottom surface of the expansion chamber and a bottom surface of a portion of the suction path positioned immediately upstream of the expansion chamber are generally aligned.

A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path and a suction path therein. The nozzle has a valve positioned in the fluid path and configured to selectively prevent or allow a flow of fluid through the fluid path, and a manually operable actuator operatively connectable to the valve. The nozzle also includes a suction generator configured to apply a suction force in the suction path at a suction location. The suction path includes an expansion chamber located upstream of the suction location with respect to a direction of flow in the suction path. A bottom surface of the expansion chamber and a bottom surface of a portion of the suction path positioned immediately upstream of the expansion chamber are generally aligned.

Preloading a containment vessel with Low Vapor Pressure (LVP) liquid; partially evacuating the containment vessel to generate a vacuum in a headspace above the LVP liquid; and relieving material from a process vessel into the containment vessel during a process relief event in the process vessel. The containment vessel pressure may be equalized with ambient conditions prior to preloading the LVP liquid. The containment vessel size and quantity of LVP liquid may be determined to absorb the energy and mass of relieving fluids from the maximum anticipated relief scenario, permitting the gases to condense to liquid form to be recovered in liquid state instead of atmospherically venting or combusting the gases. The containment vessel headspace may be partially occupied with High Vapor Pressure (HVP) liquid comprising C5-C10 hydrocarbons configured to flash during the evacuation step to create and occupy a headspace, providing additional head space volume and heat rejection capacity.

Preloading a containment vessel with Low Vapor Pressure (LVP) liquid; partially evacuating the containment vessel to generate a vacuum in a headspace above the LVP liquid; and relieving material from a process vessel into the containment vessel during a process relief event in the process vessel. The containment vessel pressure may be equalized with ambient conditions prior to preloading the LVP liquid. The containment vessel size and quantity of LVP liquid may be determined to absorb the energy and mass of relieving fluids from the maximum anticipated relief scenario, permitting the gases to condense to liquid form to be recovered in liquid state instead of atmospherically venting or combusting the gases. The containment vessel headspace may be partially occupied with High Vapor Pressure (HVP) liquid comprising C5-C10 hydrocarbons configured to flash during the evacuation step to create and occupy a headspace, providing additional head space volume and heat rejection capacity.

A filling head, which includes: A filling head housing for conveying operating fluid in a supply sense from a supply-intake region, which is configured for introducing operating fluid into the filling head, to an outlet port, A venting structure which allows the conveying of gas in a venting sense which is opposite to the supply sense,
Where the supply-intake region exhibits a hollow plug-in connector extending along a virtual nozzle path with a plug-in orifice through which an intake space connected fluid-mechanically with the outlet port is accessible,
Where an inner nozzle wall bordering the intake space exhibits functional formations projecting into the intake space as part of the venting structure,
Where on the external side of the plug-in connectors there is provided an active formation which is configured to interact with an internal thread of a supply device for the latter's positional stabilization at the plug-in connector. The filling head provides that the active formation reaches along the nozzle path up to a main body of the filling head housing, from which the plug-in connector projects.

A filling head, which includes: A filling head housing for conveying operating fluid in a supply sense from a supply-intake region, which is configured for introducing operating fluid into the filling head, to an outlet port, A venting structure which allows the conveying of gas in a venting sense which is opposite to the supply sense,
Where the supply-intake region exhibits a hollow plug-in connector extending along a virtual nozzle path with a plug-in orifice through which an intake space connected fluid-mechanically with the outlet port is accessible,
Where an inner nozzle wall bordering the intake space exhibits functional formations projecting into the intake space as part of the venting structure,
Where on the external side of the plug-in connectors there is provided an active formation which is configured to interact with an internal thread of a supply device for the latter's positional stabilization at the plug-in connector. The filling head provides that the active formation reaches along the nozzle path up to a main body of the filling head housing, from which the plug-in connector projects.

A filling head, which includes: A filling head housing for conveying operating fluid in a supply sense from a supply-intake region, which is configured for introducing operating fluid into the filling head, to an outlet port, A venting structure which allows the conveying of gas in a venting sense which is opposite to the supply sense,
Where the supply-intake region exhibits a hollow plug-in connector extending along a virtual nozzle path with a plug-in orifice through which an intake space connected fluid-mechanically with the outlet port is accessible,
Where an inner nozzle wall bordering the intake space exhibits functional formations projecting into the intake space as part of the venting structure,
Where on the external side of the plug-in connectors there is provided an active formation which is configured to interact with an internal thread of a supply device for the latter's positional stabilization at the plug-in connector.

The filling head provides that the active formation reaches along the nozzle path up to a main body of the filling head housing, from which the plug-in connector projects.

A filling head, which includes: A filling head housing for conveying operating fluid in a supply sense from a supply-intake region, which is configured for introducing operating fluid into the filling head, to an outlet port, A venting structure which allows the conveying of gas in a venting sense which is opposite to the supply sense,
Where the supply-intake region exhibits a hollow plug-in connector extending along a virtual nozzle path with a plug-in orifice through which an intake space connected fluid-mechanically with the outlet port is accessible,
Where an inner nozzle wall bordering the intake space exhibits functional formations projecting into the intake space as part of the venting structure,
Where on the external side of the plug-in connectors there is provided an active formation which is configured to interact with an internal thread of a supply device for the latter's positional stabilization at the plug-in connector.

The filling head provides that the active formation reaches along the nozzle path up to a main body of the filling head housing, from which the plug-in connector projects.