Container having a displaceable valve piece for the controlled dispensing of a service fluid

Translation of description of equivalent WO 2007090889 A1

p0001Behaelter with sliding Ventilstueck for controlled delivery of a fluid use

p0002The invention relates to a container for storing and - in any steps - delivering to high viscosity fluids, especially drinks, sauces, condiments, as "food" or use fluids such as waxes, silicones shampoo or shaving cream.

p0003There are such containers known as two or three part aerosol cans, in which the product under relatively high pressure is available. They have a domed lid with a purge valve having the opening. In this the purge valve is usually fastened by means of a molded piece, a metallic valve plate and a sealing ring by clinching.

p0004Many products can be stored and dispensed without high pressures. For this a conventional aerosol can of the production, the cost of materials and the difficulty-charging is far too costly.

p0005The object of the invention to provide a container that is easy, fast and inexpensive to manufacture, fill, and seal, at the same time but also an easy and controllable delivery of the filling and a secure, tight closure of the product in the container after each product met demoulding.

p0006This object is solved by the features of claim 1. Preferably, the container is according to claim 2 in the manner of a beverage can with integral with the hull shaped floor and seamless body with an independent valve cover to the hull in the usual beverage cans manner dense and - is firmly connected - with folded seam.

p0007Such a container (as trunk) is very easy, fast and cost-effectively and because of the large trunk opening corresponding easily and quickly filling (filling cans) as the usual drinks cans.

p0008Such made of sheet steel or sheet aluminum containers by type of beverage cans is pressure resistant and optimally adapted to the customer requirements in the food industry. The valve cover can be combined in a conventional manner after filling the hull edge. Such a container is a material saving of the production and filling up for closing, cost-effective and user-friendly.

p0009The claimed invention also comprises a formed as a separate, prefabricated unit valve cover (claim 5 and claim 10) that can be used for other than for products manufactured on the type of beverage cans containers, but particularly for this. In the circular opening of the valve cover a dispensing valve is determined solely by means of a sleeve-shaped molding and sealing applications.

p0010The sleeve-like form piece has a hollow cylindrical shape, and by its elasticity allows a movement of the valve piece which is inserted into the mold piece (claim 4). Molding (for mounting on sheet metal lid) and valve piece (held by the mold) form the valve assembly (claim 9). The shape elasticity (claim 4) the valve member can be moved. It is in this case relative to the molding (or relative to the panel of the sheet metal lid) moves, but not so that it is moved only to slide or rotate in the manner of a bearing, but it is held in a sealing of the mold and can be about this fitting, the elastically deformed to be moved. This is also a movement relative to the mold, but by deforming this shape-elastic molding (claim 10,11). If the valve piece is moved in only the axial direction, the mold symmetrically (claim 19) is compressed.

p0011The elastic deformation occurs at least in an upper portion of this

p0012The form piece, which is provided above the collar of the central lid opening (claim 19).

p0013The elasticity of shape, or in other words, the shape of elastic material of the molding has different at different points of this mold component

p0014Effect. Above the collar, a spring effect is preferably achieved, below the collar of the lid opening, a sealing effect is achieved (by means of a further sealing lip projecting). The spring action is preferably used at an axial pressure force on the valve member (claim 11). The holding action of the radial collar of the fitting to the metallic collar of the cover sheet is so large that it will withstand this transmitted axial pressure and the mold will not release the opening, so far remains "firmly and tightly" connected to the lid. Nevertheless, a spring action at least in the upper portion above the upper collar of the formed piece takes place which allows the movement of the valve piece.

p0015A fluid path may lead through radial window which circumferentially limited extend and at least share depending on the position of the valve member against the mold a fluid path through the interior of the valve member and the at least one window.

p0016Preferably, the at least one window near the lower edge of the valve piece, in particular immediately above the valve plate serving as the lower skirt of the valve portion (claim 18). This then serves as a valve disc and at its retraction from the front end surface of the sealing lip of the molded piece, the valve opens.

p0017Is the symmetrical deformation of the upper portion of the fitting indication that an axial movement of the valve member takes place, the asymmetrical deformation characteristic is for a tilt movement, which can also be called a tilting movement. Here, two opposite sides of the fitting are differently deformed, compressed on one side and modified on the other side in its tendency, but without losing the sealing contact with the valve piece (claim 19).

p0018Between these two movements, the axial thrust movement and the tilt movement, a rotational movement is admitted, which can for example be used together with the axial movement. If it is causally used alone to cause the axial displacement, in the lower portion of the fitting a thread is provided, which cooperates with a counter-thread on the valve piece.

p0019A plurality of radial windows are advantageous for the tilt movement is used (claim 18). This ensures that at any direction

p0020Tilting at least part of a window of a plurality of circumferentially distributed windows arranged is open to the valve piece and the valve plate at this point of the sealing lip (the lowermost edge of the molded piece) lifts and releases the fluid path. In the upper portion of the mold piece can on the inside a circumferential groove the groove may be arranged as a recess which functions as a predetermined buckling point, that supports the spring action of this upper portion. This support or control the spring action arising under axial load deterministic changes in shape in the upper cylindrical portion of the fitting, for example. A formed in two axially spaced beads spring portion of the fitting (under axial pressure).

p0021Further details and advantages will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to drawings.

p0022The drawings show in simplified sectional view

p0023Figure 1 shows an axial section through a sealed

p0024Container.

p0025Figures 2

p0026Figure 2a and

p0027but pulled 2b in a similar representation, apart two parts of the valve cover; as

p0028Figure 2c in a similar representation, the assembly of the

p0029Valve cover with the two parts.

p0030Figure 3a,

p00313b and

p00323c shows various kinds of the opening of the valve in an axial section through the upper end of a container.

p0033Figure 4 is an axial section through the valve cover, similar to Figure 2c (here without folded edge 8a).

p0034Figure 5a,

p00355b and

p00365c various elements of the valve 10 and the

p0037Cover 8 in an axial section.

p0038Figure 6 shows an axial section through a sealed

p0039Container with valve 10 and fluid path F. Preferred embodiments show a container in the manner of a conventional beverage can. The composed of steel or aluminum sheet body 1 is formed integrally with the container bottom 2 (by ironing process) and adjacent to its opening 4 be slightly drawn (neck). The opening width d4 is slightly smaller than the inside diameter d5 of the hull 1 with interior fifth

p0040The with a flat mirror 3 (= panel) designed valve cover 8 is provided near its edge 8a with a conventional damping bead 8b and in the popular beverage cans manner sealed and joined by a seam portion 6a with the bead 6 of the body 1, which in Figure 1 has already shown transformed to the fold.

p0041As can be seen more clearly from Figures 2, the valve cover 8 a central circular opening 9, which is limited by an axially outwardly projecting collar 9a. With this collar, the cylindrical body 12 of the valve only schematically illustrated 10 by means of a fitting 11 of formelastischem material firmly and sealingly connected. The solid compound relates to the fitting, tight connections both. The molded piece 11 and the valve piece 12, together form the valve assembly; the latter opens or closes, or sequentially (at time intervals) both what conceptually at a "valve assembly" or short: a valve always done. The blocking (tight fitting) state is shown in Figure 2c. The opening sets a path for the passage of liquid to viscous fluid freely than use fluid or food. This path extends through the interior 12i of the cylindrical body 12, which is also called the valve piece.

p0042The fitting 11 of formelastischem material is fixed and sealed to the collar 9a. For this purpose, the hollow cylindrical, in particular sleeve-shaped fitting 11 in a correspondingly adapted axial distance H9A arranged, radially directed, annular projections, collars or lips 11a and 11b on which the overlap the opening 9 limiting collar 9a up and down firmly and sealingly. The lower lip 11 is radially further spreading.

p0043The cylindrical body 12 of the dispensing valve assembly 10 can be inserted without play in the hollow cylindrical mold 11 and the top and bottom of each overlaps with a corresponding shoulder forming another collar. This additional collar 10a for the lower edge of the fitting and collar 10b for the top margin. The additional collar operatively regarded as poppet. It seals at the bottom (the lower lip 11), or opens here a fluid passage. The radial dimensions of each collar are matched to each other that, for example, initially using the fitting 11 in the lid opening 9 and then the valve piece can 12 contribute to the formation of the valve assembly 10, or in the reverse order. Also, the valve 10 can only be completely assembled, and fitting 11 and valve pieces 12 used together in the opening. 9 The mold 11 and the valve piece 12 together form the valve (the valve assembly) 10th

p0044The prefabricated and preassembled valve-lid unit is arranged after the container is filled by the large trunk opening 4 by seam portion 6a on the hull edge. 6

p0045Be achieved with the training benefits are set out in detail in the introduction. It remains to clarify that the valve cover can also be used for other than trained along the lines of beverage cans two-part containers and that, if necessary, also the central lid opening can be used as a filling opening, with front attachment of the valve 10 the aid of the fitting 11th

p0046The versions of the container and the valve cover illustrated are preferred.

p0047The valve 10 can even by attaching (eg. Seaming) of the valve lid unit (which is pre-assembled and pre-fabricated) can be finally used as a filling opening (via fluid path through the valve, in particular the central interior of the valve piece 12i). The mounting case relates to the seaming of this unit at the folded edge of the hull. This is done via the example embodied as a double seam attachment portion. Here, the filling material as a liquid to a viscous fluid, in particular drink (food), 6a filled in the already sealed container after Anfalzung hinged.

p0048Another type of filling this container is to fill a filling material before mounting the valve-cover unit in the trunk and bring another, deviant or a same medium in the sealed with the lid unit container through the valve 10th

p0049This filling variants relate to a specific Addressed herein filling process, which does not describe even the container or the valve lid unit or intended to limit, but rather their use and application explains the user. Reference to the figures 2a, 2b and 2c in the assembled condition the cover of the figure, the basic mode of operation of the valve (the valve means) has been explained. A resulting solid valve effect can be understood with reference to the figures 3a-3c. Figure 3a shows the Figure 2c in a position of the valve body 12 in which a fluid path is exposed. This is thereby exposed to the axial pressure on the valve body 12 is applied, it moves in the direction of arrow S downwards, a radial window 30 above the lower skirt 10a, which forms the valve disk here opens, and thus a fluid path through the interior 12i of the valve body 12 is opened into the interior of the sealed container. This allows fluid from the inside (from the container, the upper end portion only is shown) exit. During the axial displacement movement of valve piece 12, the fitting 11 is compressed in the upper portion 11c. That portion, which (at the opening 9 of Figure 2b) is above the collar 9a of the metallic cover sheet, is now two stepped thickened beaded presented with two circular rings, which was b 2c to figure the hitherto purely cylindrical shape between the collar 10b and 11. FIG.

p0050This deformation is achieved by forming the molded piece 11 from formelastischem material. The dimensionally elastic material has in the region above the collar 9a is a spring action. It counteracts the pressure for opening the valve 10th In either releasing the pressure or retraction of the valve body 12 toward the other arrowhead of movement S, the window 30 and thus the fluid path is closed again.

p0051The lower portion of the fitting 11 serves with its more projecting lower lip portion 11a for sealing concerns of the molded piece. The lower edge 11a 'is the opposite sealing surface or sealing line cooperating with the collar 10a of the valve piece 12 sealingly and free radically (releasing).

p0052Figure 3b illustrates the same process, in addition to a rotational component R, which is shown as a helical line. There are here two windows 31, 32 can be seen at the lower end portion of the valve piece 12 which expose two fluid paths. The rotation is allowed in addition, upon axial sliding movement S which is superimposed on the rotation, but not accelerated, but only admitted. It is initiated by the user.

p0053In a variant not shown, an axially short thread in the section above the lower lip 11a and below the upper end of the collar 9a of the cover sheet is provided, which with a counter-thread on the valve member 12 cooperates. This can be achieved by a rotational movement 12 a forced axial movement of the valve piece. Here, too, the top portion 11c is compressed symmetrically in the axial direction, so compressed, which is achieved by the form-elastic material selection of the fitting 11th

p0054In Figure 3c a tilting movement is explained as just as possible. Here, an asymmetrical deformation of the fitting takes place 11 shown in Figure 3c the left is a stronger compression as in Figure 3b visible. On the other hand can be seen on the right side of a takeaway than the seal continue serving the upper portion 11c of the fitting 11th It dissolves easily the concerns of the upper collar 11 b on the collar 9a of the cover sheet, caused by the angle of inclination of the TiIt- movement T. This also at least part of a lateral window will appear where the whole window 33 and at least a part or a portion of the window 30 (and opposite the window 32), but not of the window 31 at four windows provided at the bottom of the valve piece 12th

p0055To improve the effect of the fluid path the fitting 11 can be radially widened slightly in the lower axial section, which is also visible in Figure 3a, as indicated in Figure 2a. Above this radial expansion, a tight sealing zone is provided. It follows then in the vertical direction, the crumple zone, which will be explained later, to the upper end of the upper cylindrical portion 11c of the fitting 11th

p0056From the figures 3 can be seen how the symmetrical deformation (figures 3a, 3b) or the asymmetrical deformation of Figure 3c for different

p0057forming relative movements of the valve portion 12 in terms of at least the upper portion 11c of the fitting in or molding, by virtue of the elasticity of shape, which has this to be designated as liaison or compensation piece mold element 11th It serves as a kind of flexible bearing that permits movement of the valve portion 12 relative to the closing lid 8 and its cover panel.

p0058The elasticity of shape can be different degrees designed, they can be designed with respect to their spring force in the described resilient portion so that the mold 12 for a pressing automatically reseals and returns to the home position, which is the closed position. In this case, the friction on the outer wall of the valve piece 12 and on the inner wall of the mold member 11 should be adjusted so that they in spite of a cylindrical sealing surface is little frictional action deploys, or has as little friction effect that it is overcome by the spring force of the compressed upper portion 11c. The fitting 11 may also be designated as a bush-like molding and then briefly "socket". This connector is a hollow cylinder, according to the shape of the hollow cylindrical valve piece 12. Fixed and sealing the fitting 11 is inserted into the opening 9, wherein the definition of is "firm attachment" so thought that it is an assembly step of the on through the gripping the

p0059Valve piece can withstand 12 acting forces. Opposite this socket 11, the valve piece 12 is moved, in particular displaced axially in the previous sense. The latter 3c taking advantage of the elasticity of shape of the formed piece, in particular of the upper portion 11c in the longitudinal movement and also a short distance of the lower section 11a during the tilting movement according to FIG.

p0060The sealing effect is achieved by a play-free introduction of the hollow cylindrical valve piece inside of the fitting 11 is formed between them at least one sealing line, but preferably a whole cylindrical sealing strip which sufficiently seals in the closed position of the valve or valve assembly 10, with the windows closed 31 , 32,33 and 30th

p0061Although the cylindrical mold 12 comprises an upper collar 10b and a lower collar 10a has which 11 overlap the axial ends of the fitting, it is relatively displaced with respect to this, which will be preceded by the elasticity of a

p0062Piece of the movement is also transmitted in the fitting 11th The mold 11 is however held against the panel 3 of the cover 8, this on the collar 9a.

p0063The collar mentioned may be at least partially circumferentially, is preferably a gänzliches circulation of the two collars 10b, 10a, said last collar 10a

p0064Edge side of the actual valve disc in the inside of the can and at the lower end of the valve or the valve assembly 10.

p0065The other two collars 11 b, 11a are also referred to as lips and have holding function at the collar 9a of the cover sheet, at the same time sealing function with respect to lip 11 which rests against the inside or from the inside of the lid panel 3, following the opening 9th

p0066The opening is to the cylindrical shape of the two valve parts 11, 12 may also be cylindrical and may be preferably arranged in the center of the lid.

p0067Also Figure 4 shows a more detailed drawing of Figure 2c. The elements, which are composed in the figure 4, will be apparent from Figures 5a, 5b and 5c. These correspond to figures 2a and 2b, wherein the cover of Figure 2b is shown with the inner circular opening 9 in the segment (excluding the folded edge 8a) in Figure 5a. Both the first valve part A as well as the second valve part B are inserted in the order of A, B from below into the opening 9 of Figure 5a. Alternatively, A + B together can be inserted (according to Figure 2a) in the opening. 9 The first valve member A as a fitting 11 clicks in with its two radially directed collar 11b, 11a on the metallic collar 9a. It remains to b the cylindrical piece 11c are free above the upper collar 11 as an effective spring element and is then overlapped by the collar 10b of the valve piece 12th

p0068The lower collar 10a is the valve head of the valve piece 12. The two valve parts A₁B are the molded piece 11 and the valve element 12, as previously described. The latter has at least one, preferably three or four windows 30 to 33.

p0069The upper spring portion 11c has a circumferential channel or groove 40 is internally provided, which serves as a predetermined bending point. This desired buckling Provides supports

p0070Spring effect of the upper portion 11c of the mold member 11. This predetermined bending point 40 is also shown in Figure 4 in the assembled state of the valve in its closed position. Likewise, they can be seen in Figure 2c at where the numeral 40 shows the fitting 11th

p0071The further assembled position, so that the valve cover of Figure 4 (shown here without folded edge), with an actually existing seaming panel, then seamed to the beverage can of Figure 6, is intended to show the differences in size and is a more accurate reproduction of the same position and posture FIG. 1

p0072Here, the flow path or the fluid path F is located, which is closed in the closed state at the window 30 relative to the fitting eleventh He has in pressing the valve or of the valve piece 12 through the window. A closed path which extends through the interior 12i of the valve piece 12 This path can be used both for withdrawing the fluid, as well as for refilling, or to utter filling the interior 5 of the can.

p0073The sealing rim 6 with the folded edge 6a happens before or after filling of the container body 1. If the folded edge 6a already closed, the fluid path F can also refill or mix Fill serve. The

p0074Main filling but is preferably a can filling, ie when not closed folded edge 6a.