WO2012019727A1

WO2012019727A1 - Closing means and unit for ejecting objects that is operated by pressure medium, in particular a confetti shooter

Info

Publication number: WO2012019727A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/003853
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan-Florian Graf Von Bothmer; Michael Neumann
Original assignee: Bothmer-Pyrotechnik Gmbh
Priority date: 2010-08-10
Filing date: 2011-08-01
Publication date: 2012-02-16
Also published as: EP2603298A1; EP2926878A1; EP2603298B1; DE102010036936A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a closing means, comprising a closing element (10) that can be moved from a closed position to an open position and a retaining element (11) for retaining the closing element (10) in the closed position of the closing element. The retaining element (11) can be moved from a retaining position, in which the retaining element retains the closing element (10) in the closed position of the closing element, to a releasing position, which allows the closing element (10) to be opened. In order to reliably avoid unintentional opening, whether by the operator or, for example, during transport, the closing means according to the invention is characterized in that the retaining element (11) is secured in the retaining position in a form-fit manner. Such a closing means is suitable in particular for securing confetti shooters.

Description

description

Closure means and pressure-fluid-operated ejection unit for objects, in particular confetti shooter

The invention relates to a closure means having a closure element which can be moved from a closed position into an open position and a holding element for holding the closure element in its closed position, the holding element being moved from a holding position in which it holds the closure element in its closed position into a release position which opens allowed the closure element, is movable. Furthermore, the invention relates to a fluid-operated ejection unit for objects, in particular a confetti shooter, with such a closure means.

Such a pressure-operated ejection unit, namely a confetti shooter having such a closure means, is known from US 2002/0077027 AI.

Pressure fluid driven confetti shooters are available in two versions, namely as electrically triggered and manually triggered confetti shooter. The present invention is concerned with both variants of confetti shoes, without being limited thereto. Rather, the closure means according to the invention can be used quite generally for closing any things advantageous.

US 2002/0077027 AI shows different embodiments of manually triggered fluid-operated Konfettishooter. This is common that in a lower part of a pressure fluid container, specifically a compressed air tank, is added. This compressed air tank has an outlet opening for the compressed air, which is closed with a Gurnrnistopfen or a silicone plug. In In this position, the plug is secured by a closure element, namely a closure flap, which in turn is held in this closed position by a holding element. Above this structure, a chamber is provided, in which the ejected by the compressed air objects, concrete confetti, are filled. The whole is housed in a mostly circular cylindrical tube as a housing.

Due to the pressure prevailing in the compressed air tank, the plug is constantly pressed against the closure flap. As soon as it is no longer held by the retaining element in its closed position by actuation of the retaining element, the sealing plug is "shot" by the compressed air from the outlet opening, thereby also moving the closing flap in its open position the objects contained in the upper part, specifically the confetti, from the confetti shooter.

In US 2002/0077027 AI different triggering mechanisms for the confetti shooter are shown. All have in common that the closure flap is held by a bolt as a holding element in the closed position. According to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 of the document, the latch is connected to a pull cord, which is guided by a bore in the cylindrical housing to the outside. The operator pulls on the pull cord, which unlocks the latch and the flap, thereby releasing the flap. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 of the cited document is used to unlock a plunger, which is also guided through a hole in the cylindrical housing and pressed by the operator into the hole. In the embodiment of FIG. 5 to 8 of the document, the cylindrical housing is formed in two parts, namely with an upper, the confetti receiving housing part and a lower, the compressed air tank receiving housing part. The two housing parts are mutually rotatable connected to each other. By twisting the upper one Housing part relative to the lower housing part (and / or vice versa), the closure flap, similar to a bayonet closure, released and then opened by the pressure-medium-loaded stopper. A disadvantage of all variants is that only a single trigger mechanism must be operated. The risk of incorrect operation or unintentional opening during transport (for example, due to shaking movements) is therefore given. From the confetti shooters therefore goes from a latent danger. From US 7,293,558 B2 a Konfettishooter is known, the two

Triggering mechanisms which are to be operated simultaneously by the operator. Although this reduces the risk of accidental release of confetti shooter. Unintentional opening during transport is not avoided. The same applies to the confetti shooter shown in US Pat. No. 6,450,160 B1, which is wrapped in a protective film. The operator must first remove the protective film before the triggering mechanism becomes accessible, which in turn reduces the risk of operator misoperation, but in no way prevents inadvertent opening during transport by, for example, shaking movements.

In electrically triggered confetti shooters, the flap is held by a thread in the closed position. The thread is wrapped in a filament. By applying an electrical voltage to the filament, the thread is severed and gives the flap fei. Again, it can happen that the thread breaks unintentionally and thus the confetti shooter is triggered uncontrollably.

On this basis, the present invention is based on the problem, a closure means and a fluid-actuated ejection unit of the aforementioned Further develop type such that unintentional opening, be it by the operator or, for example, during transport, reliably avoided.

To solve this problem, the closure means according to the invention is characterized in that the holding element is positively secured in the holding position. The ejection unit according to the invention, in particular Konfettishooter, has to solve this problem, such a closure means.

Due to the positive locking is avoided that the operator when handling the Konfettishooter accidentally actuates the retaining element, because he feels a corresponding resistance, as well as unintentional actuation of the retaining element by, for example, shaking movements during transport. Another advantage of this solution is that it can be manufactured with the same number of components as the conventional closure means of the prior art.

After a first, in particular suitable for manually triggered Konfettishooter variant, the holding element is biased towards its holding position. Due to the bias of the holding means, the operator must first overcome the resistance due to the biasing force. Should the holding element still easily move out of the holding position (be it during transport or because the operator inadvertently rotates the holding element and then let go again due to the resistance), then the holding element is immediately pushed back into the holding position by the bias. The bias on the retaining element, for example, by separate

Springs are generated. In this case, the bias voltage is preferably generated by a force transmitted from the closure element, for example by biasing the closure element in the direction of its open position. According to a constructive embodiment of the invention, however, an internal pressure in a closed pressure vessel of the closure means can be used in a very particularly advantageous manner, which transfers to the closure element via the closure plug of the pressure vessel. Separate biasing means, such as springs, are then not required.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure element and the holding element have means which generate a biasing force on the holding element in the direction of its holding position due to a normal force transmitted by the closure element to the holding element. This results in a very simple structural design. These can be, for example, suitable lever mechanisms. In the simplest case, however, the closure element and the holding element have mutually corresponding bevels. These bevels convert the normal force transmitted by the closure element to the holding element into a force component defined by the angle in the opposite direction to the actuating direction, ie in the direction of the holding position of the holding element.

The positive securing of the retaining element against unintentional movement thereof may also be given by a destructible stop means. The stop means is associated with the holding element and / or the closure element. This variant is suitable for both manually and electrically triggered ejection units, such as confetti shooter. The operator again feels a resistance due to the stop, which warns him against unintentional operation. At the same time, the stop prevents the holding element from shaking loose, for example during transport. However, the stop is destructible, which means that it is dimensioned so that it withstand during transport or by otherwise unintentional pressing occurring forces but destroyed by targeted and thus intentional force by the operator and thus allows a deliberate operation. The stop means are suitable, for example, but not exclusively, a nose, which positively with a counter-organ, such as a hole, recess or Groove, cooperates or the counter organ engages behind. Furthermore, a flag may be provided as a stop means.

Preferably, when holding element in holding position, the closure element is secured by a projection which has a corresponding to a holding portion of the closure element pocket. This development is particularly suitable for electrically triggered closure means. If the thread tears unintentionally, the closure element springs up slightly, until it strikes against the projection. With one part, the closure element engages positively in the pocket, so that the holding element no longer, even with considerable effort, can be moved by hand. The already misdirected closure means can therefore no longer trigger by hand at all, so that the operator is protected against surprises. However, the above development has the disadvantage that a false trip will not be noticed until the operator tries to move the holding element in the release position. To make a false trip already visible from the outside, additionally or alternatively, an indicator unit may be provided which indicates the false trip. As already described above, the shutter member slightly springs in a false trip until it abuts the projection. Here, a viewing window can be provided, in which the position of the closure element is visible. Furthermore, the projection may in turn be designed to be slightly movable, so that it is actuated by the closure element and a part of it or a separate element is recognizable from the outside. Furthermore, it is possible that the easy-rising closure element pushes a separate indicator pin to the outside. This allows the dealer before the sale to detect a false trigger, even if the object provided with the closure means, for example, in a (transparent) film is packaged. The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing. In the drawing show:

1 shows a first embodiment of a closure means with the invention features in front view.

FIG. 2 shows the closure means according to FIG. 1 in longitudinal section in the plane II-II; FIG.

FIG. 3 shows the closure means according to FIG. 1 in plan view; FIG.

4 shows the closure means according to FIG. 1 in rear view, partially cut away;

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of a closure means with the features of the invention in a perspective view, partially in section;

6 shows a detail VI of the closure means according to FIG. 5 in a perspective view, FIG.

7 shows the closure means according to FIG. 5 in longitudinal section, FIG.

8 shows a detail VIII of the closure means according to FIG. 5 from the longitudinal section according to FIG. 7.

The embodiment of a closure means shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 essentially consists of a closure element, which in the present case is designed as a closure flap 10, and a holding element 11. In the present case, this closure means serves to close a pressure medium container of a confetti shooter, although the closure means of course also be used elsewhere. The closure flap 10 has an adapted to the shape of an outlet opening of the pressure medium container, for example in the present case a round, center section 12. On one side of this central portion 12, a hinge portion 13 is arranged, which has on its two sides approximately perpendicular to the plane of the central portion 12 ears 14 standing. Both ears 14 have mutually aligned bores 15, 16. Through these bores 15, 16 engages in each case from the outside an axis 25 or a shaft to pivotally mount the closure flap 10. Specifically, the closure flap 10 is pivotally connected via the axes 25 to a connecting sleeve 26, on which in practice a receiving tube for the confetti or other objects to be shot with the shooter attached and connected to the connecting sleeve 26, for example glued.

At the hinge portion 13 diametrically opposite side of the central portion 12, a holding portion 17 is arranged, although it does not have to be arranged directly opposite one another. The holding portion 17 is tongue-like integrally formed on the central portion 12 and initially bent by about 90 ° down. Subsequently, the holding portion 17 is bent back by 90 ° back, so that a kind of Z-fold is formed. This results in a free web 18, which, as can be seen very well in particular in Fig. 2, ramps to one side, in the present case of FIG. 2 to the right, drops. The web 18 thus does not extend parallel to an axis formed by the holes 15 and 16, but at a suitable angle to this.

As can also be seen in FIG. 4, a bore 19 is provided in the closure flap 10 approximately centrally in the middle section 12. This bore 19 serves, as already known from the prior art, to introduce a filling lance through a sealing plug in order to fill the pressure medium container with, for example, compressed air.

The holding member 11 is formed in the present embodiment as a retaining ring, but may also have any other suitable shape. The holding element 11 forms part of the housing of the Confetti shooter and is rotatably mounted opposite at least one of the housing parts. An outer surface 20 of the support member 11 is provided with corrugations or other suitable roughening of the surface to allow a secure grip for the operator. On the inside of the holding element 11, a projection 22 is arranged, which is arranged in the present case at the upper edge of the holding element, but can be arranged at any other location. The projection 22 has on its underside a to the cross-sectional plane of the holding element 11 (perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis thereof) at an angle extending ramp-like bottom 23. The angle at which the ramp-like underside 23 is pivoted, corresponds to the angle of the ramp-like web 18. In the holding position of the holding element 11, the ramp-like underside 23 of the holding element 11 cooperates with the web 18 of the closure flap 10. In this case, as in the prior art, the compressed air contained in a pressure vessel pushes a sealing plug in the upward direction out of the pressure vessel against the closure flap 10, specifically against its center portion 12. The stopper thus tries to open the closure flap 10, which the projection 22 of the holding element 11 is prevented. The projection 22 or its underside 23 thus forms a counter-pressure element for the closure flap 10 or its web 18. The corresponding slopes of the web 18 and the underside 23 also exerts a force component in the web 18 one of the actuating direction (arrow 24) of the holding element 11 for opening the closure means opposite direction and thus one of the actuating direction 24 opposite moment on the holding element 11 from. As a result, the nose 22 is rotated in the direction opposite to the actual actuating direction (arrows 24), which, however, is prevented by suitable stop means on the holding element 11. As a result, the retaining element 11 thus receives a bias which acts in the opposite direction to the actual actuating direction (arrows 24) for actuating the confetti shooter by turning the retaining element 11. If the operator now wants to trigger the confetti shooter, ie open the closure, he rotates the retaining ring, that is to say the retaining element 11, in the actuating direction 24. As a result, the web 18 is pushed away from the nose 22 due to the oblique underside 23 of the nose 22 and its own bevel. So the flap 10 is first pressed over the closed position against the stopper. For this purpose, the operator must therefore spend a certain amount of force, which prevents him from a malfunction. Only when the web 18 is released behind the nose 22, the pressure medium-loaded stopper pushes the shutter 10 in its open position and the compressed air escapes jerky and blows the items contained in the receiving tube out of this.

In the embodiment described above, the bevels extend over the entire width of the web 18 and the projection 22. However, this is not necessary for the solution of the problem underlying the invention. It is sufficient if the ramp-like bevels do not extend over the entire length or width of the web 18 or of the projection 22. Rather, it is also sufficient if the bevels are provided only over a part of the width and both the web 18 and the bottom 23, moreover, horizontally, that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the holding element 11, extend.

While the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 relates to a manual release, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 is intended for electrical release. The closure means again has a closure flap 10 and a holding element 11, of which identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, as in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4.

The closure flap 10 is held in its closed position by a thread which is not shown in the drawing and is wound with a filament. The filament is guided through holes 27 which are arranged on both sides of the holding portion 17 in the bottom 28 of the connecting sleeve 26. It is the Thread looped around the holding portion 17. The glow wire is connected to a power source. When current flows through the filament, it heats up and thereby disconnects the filament, so that the filament releases the holding portion 17 and thus the closure flap 10.

In order to prevent unintentional opening of the closure flap 10, if the thread should break, a projection 29 is arranged on the inside of the holding element 11, which protrudes beyond the holding section 17 when the holding element 11 is in the holding position. Tear the thread, the flap 10 jumps a maximum so far, until the holding portion 17 abuts against the projection 29, and is so, a maximum of slightly open, secured in the closed position.

The projection 29 is seen in the radial direction as the holding portion 17 toward open U-shaped profile. The projection 29 accordingly has a pocket 30 open to the holding section 17. In this pocket 30, the holding portion 17 engages, if the thread breaks. As a result, the operator can no longer move the holding element 11 from its holding position into its release position, so that the operator notices that the thread has already been torn. In order to make a false triggering (premature tearing of the thread) visible from the outside and not only by an actuation attempt, closure means comprises the indicator unit shown in greater detail in FIGS. 7 and 8. The holding portion 17 is bent hook-like upwards at its free, remote from the central portion 12 end. The bending angle is slightly greater than 90 °, so that the resulting web 31 is slightly bent inwards. In the illustrated closed position of the flap 10 is slightly above and within the pocket 30, an indicator pin 32 proceed, which projects inwardly in the direction of the web 31 and, where appropriate, may also be biased in this direction. But it is sufficient if the indicator pin 32 with a slight interference fit in one Bore 33 is guided in the jacket 20 of the holding element 11. The only important thing is that the indicator stone 32 can not slip on its own.

If there is now a false triggering, as described above, the shutter 10 opens slightly until its holding portion 17 abuts the projection 29, specifically to the bottom of the pocket 30. Due to the inwardly bent arrangement of the web 31 while the indicator pin is pressed to the outside and protrudes from the bore 33 via the jacket 20, which is very visible. In order to prevent accidental opening of the closure means by the operator, a flag 35 is arranged on the projection, specifically on the rear leg 34 in the direction of rotation 24 of the holding element 11. This is so far in front of the rear leg 34 that, although the leg 34 itself could be freely moved over the web 31, such movement is blocked by the stop 35 abutting the web 31. The flag 35 is dimensioned so that it breaks from a normally strong operator by powerful movement (turning) of the retaining element 11. A deliberate release of the closure means is possible. The operator now rotates the holding element 11 as far as necessary, against one

Stop until the holding portion 17 can pivot freely on the projection 29 over. Now the circuit for the filament can be closed and thereby the closure means are triggered. This can be done by a separate trigger mechanism or also done by the support member 11. Thus, it is possible that by turning the holding element 11, possibly over a time delay, the circuit for the filament is closed. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a first stop is provided for the holding element 11, in which the holding portion 17 is free to pivot past the projection 29. By overcoming this first stop and further rotation of the holding element 11, the circuit can then be closed. In the described embodiments, a closure flap 10 is shown in each case, which is mounted on one side pivotally by means of engaging in the bores 15, 16 axes 25. Of course, it is also conceivable, analogously to the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 to 8 of US 2002/0077027 A1, to use a closure element which is provided on both sides with holding sections 17. Such a flap 10 would then be completely blown out of the Konfettishooter after pressing the retaining element 11. It is understood that further variations or mixed forms of the two embodiments described above are conceivable without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the flag 35 may also be attached to the web 31 instead of the leg 34. In addition, the retaining element 11 need not be designed as a retaining ring according to the present exemplary embodiments. There are also pivotable catches conceivable, analogous to the two in FIGS. 1 and 2 or 3 and 4 of US 2002/0077027 AI shown notches. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the present invention, the closure flap on the one hand and the latching element on the other side would be analogous with mutually corresponding ramp-like bevels which bias the latching element as a holding element in the direction of its holding position. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 to 8 of the present invention, the catch and / or the holding section would then be provided with a lug 35.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 flap

11 retaining element

12 middle section

13 hinge section

14 ears

15 hole

16 hole

17 holding section

18 footbridge

19 hole

20 coat

22 lead

23 bottom

24 actuating direction

25 axis

26 connecting sleeve

27 bore

28 floor

29 advantage

30 bag

31 footbridge

32 indicator pen

33 hole

34 thighs

35 flag

Claims

claims:

Locking means having a closure element (10) which can be moved from a closed position into an open position and a holding element (11) for holding the closure element (10) in its closed position, wherein the holding element (11) moves from a holding position in which the closure element (10) is in holds its closed position, in a release position, which allows an opening of the closure element (10), is movable, characterized in that the holding element (11) is positively secured in the holding position.

Closure means according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding element (11) is biased in the direction of its holding position.

Closure means according to claim 2, characterized in that the holding element (11) is biased by a force transmitted from the closure element (10) in the direction of its holding position.

Closure means according to claim 3, characterized in that the closure element (10) and the holding element (11) comprise means which, due to a normal force transmitted by the closure element (10) to the holding element (11), exert a biasing force on the holding element (11) in the direction to create his holding position.

Closure means according to claim 4, characterized in that the closure element (10) and the holding element (11) have mutually corresponding bevels. Closing means according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding element (11) by means of a destructible stop means (35) is positively secured, which is associated with the holding element (11) and / or the closure element (10), in particular its holding portion (17).

Closure element according to Claim 6, characterized in that, when the holding element (11) is in the holding position, the closure element (10) is secured by a projection (29) which has a pocket (30) corresponding to a holding section (17) of the closure element (10) ,

Closure means according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by an indicator unit which indicates a false triggering.

Pressure-medium-operated ejection unit for objects, in particular confetti shooters, with a closure means according to one of claims 1 to 4.

Discharge unit according to claim 5, characterized in that a pressure prevailing in a pressure medium container exerts a force on the closure element (10), which generates the biasing force on the holding element (11).