EP0697348B1 - Dispensing valve and pouch welded therewith assembly - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a structural unit consisting of a Dispensing valve for dispensing pressurized liquids, Foaming, gelling or the like and a welded to it Bags made of flexible film material.

Such a unit is known from WO 90/10583. In this assembly part of a dispensing valve extends through a bag which is connected to the valve body of the Dispensing valve is tightly welded. An escape of the contents of the bag through a space between the bag and the dispensing valve is prevented and a good hold is guaranteed.

Conventionally, a pouch is used which consists of a flexible film material consists of several Layers is built up. The innermost layer is mostly polyethylene or polypropylene.

The materials polyethylene or polypropylene have among others the property that they are only with themselves or with each other, i.e. again with polyethylene or polypropylene, are easy to weld. A weld with another Material has proven to be unsustainable. Because the bag welded directly to the dispensing valve, had to so far also the dispensing valve made of polyethylene or polypropylene getting produced. However, these materials have the disadvantage that they break easily on the one hand and on the other hand are permeable to organic media. So it is easily possible that the dispensing valve within the container then breaks when the container falls to the ground.

The permeability to organic media is also extreme disadvantageous. On the one hand, for example, one in the bag filled gel containing isopentane, which was kept under pressure must be and foams at about 34 ° C. Will with the Unit an organic medium, such as the environmentally friendly Butane, used as a pressure medium, comes it when using polyethylene or polypropylene for the dispensing valve that the butane slowly through the dispensing valve diffuses through and a pressure equalization between Bag and container interior takes place. Likewise, too a medium contained in the gel, in particular a solvent, diffuse out of the bag.

Experiments have shown that, for example, in use of polyethylene for the dispensing valve and butane as pressure medium in a spray or foam can, with a storage time such a pressure equalization between about 6 to 7 months Bags and containers take place that no guarantee period of 2 up to 3 years, as is required today can be. Would be well before such a guarantee period expires the spray or foam can is inoperable. Also will changed the content of the can by the aforementioned diffusion and possibly even unusable.

A similar structural unit is known from EP-A-0 585 908, consisting of a dispensing valve for dispensing under Pressurized liquids, foams, gels, or the like and a bag made of flexible film material welded to it, which can be placed in an outer container, whereby the dispensing valve is fluid-tight at the edge of an opening valve body attachable in the container, one in the valve body axially displaceable, from a closed position dispensing tube movable out and one inside the pouch arranged discharge tube, which through the Bag film in one piece with the valve body of the dispensing valve is connected such that between the inside of the bag and maintain a fluid connection to the valve body becomes. In this arrangement, the valve body - according to previously known Arrangements - are made of nylon while the discharge tube for example made of polyolefin and the bag should consist of a laminate, the innermost, with the Discharge tube welded layer also made of polyethylene consists.

The object of the invention is to provide a structural unit of the beginning to create the type mentioned, which is shatterproof, at the an exchange of individual substances, especially organic media, between bag interior and environment effectively prevented and with a good weld between Bag and dispensing valve is ensured.

This object is achieved by the features mentioned in claim 1 solved.

According to the invention, a discharge tube of a dispensing valve is which is arranged inside a bag, passes through the bag film and with a valve body of the dispensing valve is connectable with a surface or provided with a covering that a good weld allowed between bag film and discharge tube. In order to eliminate the disadvantages described above, on the one hand the discharge tube and / or the valve body are made of one material, which is shatterproof and especially against organic Media is not permeable; and on the other hand the surface or the covering of a material which with the bag film is easy to seal. So there are storage times of three and more years possible. Appropriate Guarantee periods can be given. The discharge tube has a disk-like, in particular a cylindrical cap Widening on that within of the bag connects directly to the bag and one in Towards the inside of the bag open ring space around the discharge tube limited around. This widening will the stability of the discharge tube is increased. Furthermore receives this measure increases the welding area with the bag film so that it is not even the smallest Stress pulls out.

A technically simple way to apply a covering the discharge tube is to be provided by one on the discharge tube given push-on or push-on sleeve. The Discharge tube can thus be made entirely of one material are manufactured, which are shatterproof and organic Media is not permeable. The sleeve is also easy to manufacture and consists of a material which be well sealed to the inside of the bag film can.

When using a cap-like widening, the outer Cover the extent of this widening with a covering or formed with a surface that with the inside the bag film is easy to seal.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, this Discharge tube through an opening of the bag tube portion extending therethrough which is within an associated opening of the valve body of the dispensing valve can be snapped in such a way that the valve body with the inside of the bag fluid tight against the interior of the outer container is fluidly connectable. By a such construction can be the discharge tube as well manufacture the valve body separately. When joining the Unit are in the still open and not welded together Bag film provided an opening, the tube section of the discharge tube through this opening and inserted latching in the valve body. It will then the pouch film forming the pouch at its edges welded together, the assembly is completed. At When the edge welds are formed, the bag is also attached to the discharge tube welded on.

Preferably, the discharge tube is one to close riser pipe extending to the bottom of the bag. This allows the one on the bottom of the bag Dispensed content and a better emptying of the bag be achieved. Furthermore, the riser gives the Bag an additional stability.

The discharge tube preferably has a lateral opening on, which in the by the cylinder cap-like widening defined annular space that extends to the bag is open. This makes another one, in the bag at the top arranged fluid connection between the bag interior and the valve body created by means of which the bag contents over the Dispensing valve can be deployed. This prevents if the bag is constricted in the middle, the upper part can no longer be emptied.

Advantageous materials for the valve body and the discharge tube are polyacetal; that welded to the bag film Sleeve consists of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide or the like material. That for the valve body and Material used for the discharge tube Polyacetal is unbreakable and not permeable to organic media. In contrast the materials that can be used for the sleeve weld well to the inner layer of the bag film.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht einer in einem Behälter befindlichen Baueinheit, wobei die Behälterwand teilweise weggebrochen ist;

Fig. 2

eine Ansicht wie Fig. 1, wobei auch der Beutel teilweise weggebrochen und das Abgabeventil im Schnitt dargestellt ist;

Fig. 3

eine vergrößerte schematische Detail-Schnittansicht, wobei unter anderem der Ventilkörper vergrößert im Schnitt dargestellt und eine Befüllkappe für die Befüllung des Behälterinnenraums auf dem Abgabeventil aufgesetzt ist;

Fig. 4

eine vergrößerte schematischen Detail-Schnittansicht ähnlich wie Fig. 3, wobei auch das Austragsröhrchen im Beutelinneren im Schnitt dargestellt und auf dem Abgabeventil eine Befüllvorrichtung für die Befüllung des Beutels angeordnet ist;

Fig. 5 und 6

ähnliche schematische Darstellungen wie in den Figuren 3 bzw. 4, wobei der Strömungsweg der jeweiligen Medien nochmals deutlich dargestellt ist.

The invention is explained in more detail below, also with regard to further features and advantages, using the description of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show in:

Fig. 1

a side view of an assembly located in a container, the container wall is partially broken away;

Fig. 2

a view like Figure 1, with the bag partially broken away and the dispensing valve is shown in section.

Fig. 3

an enlarged schematic detail sectional view, among other things, the valve body shown enlarged in section and a filling cap for filling the container interior is placed on the dispensing valve;

Fig. 4

an enlarged schematic detail sectional view similar to Figure 3, wherein the discharge tube inside the bag is shown in section and a filling device is arranged on the dispensing valve for filling the bag.

5 and 6

Similar schematic representations as in Figures 3 and 4, wherein the flow path of the respective media is clearly shown again.

In Figures 1 to 6 is a unit consisting of a Dispensing valve 12 and a bag 24 welded thereto shown. An outer container 22 made of, for example Tinplate or plastic can exist around the bag 24 such that a receiving space between these two components is defined. The container 22 has at its upper end an opening 23 through which the bag 24 into the container 22 is introduced or in the inserted state, the dispensing valve 12 protrudes beyond the container 22. The opening 23 is closed by a lid 25 in the usual manner. A cover opening 26 is in turn formed in the cover 25. In this lid opening 26 is a valve body from the edge 21 thereof 14 of the dispensing valve 12 held such that the Dispensing tube 18 passes through the lid opening 26. The dispensing tube 18 can thus be operated from the outside.

Bag 24 and container 22 thus form a two-chamber package represents, in the bag 24 (in the present embodiment) a liquid or pasty filling and in the container 22 a pressure medium, such as air or butane, is filled or can be filled.

First, as explained in detail below will - the bag or container contents mentioned above the dispensing valve 12 is filled into the bag or container become. The bag 24 expands in the container 22 and takes up a substantial part of the container volume on. When the bag is emptied, the contents of the bag are below corresponding expansion of the pressure medium in the container 22 the dispensing valve 12 can be squeezed out through the dispensing tube 18 through.

The bag 24 consists of a flexible film material, which is made up of several layers. In the present Case, the film comprises three layers, namely an outer polyamide or polyester layer, a middle aluminum layer and an inner polyethylene or polypropylene layer.

The bag 24 extends essentially over the entire Length of the interior of the container 22. Specifically, it is through the folded and welded together on the edge or sealed film of the type mentioned above.

As will be explained in detail later, the bag 24 welded to a portion of the dispensing valve 12 in a fluid-tight manner and held.

In the valve body 14, this is made of one in the axial direction Can be moved to an open position and vice versa stored dispensing tube 18 added, which contrary to Effect of a helical compression spring 20 from its closed position can be moved out. The helical compression spring 20 is supported on the one hand by a seat in the lower area of the Valve body 14 and the other on the delivery tube 18 itself from.

Between the edge 21 of the lid opening 26 and the valve body 14 an annular seal 28, for example made of rubber, is provided, which also surrounds the dispensing tube 18 in a fluid-tight manner. This ring seal 28 closes the cylindrical one and valve body 14 open at the top. she owns so double function. First, it prevents a substance from the bag, through the valve body interior unintentionally exit; on the other hand, no medium can come out of the container interior accidentally get into the outside environment. The ring seal 28 also serves in the closed position of the Dispensing tube 18 has a side access 54 to one in the dispensing tube 18 formed discharge channel 56 to close. By acting on the dispensing tube 18 in the opposite direction the action of the helical compression spring 20 becomes access 54 - as can be seen in particular from FIG. 4 - released. In in this case there is a fluid connection between the discharge channel 56 in the discharge tube 18 and the valve body interior created, which - as will be explained later - in turn is fluidly connected to the inside of the bag.

The valve body 14 has its - in the illustrated Figures - lower end of a bore 64 that provides access defined to the inner cavity of the valve body 14. By this bore 64 is a tube section 44 of a discharge tube 56 insertable, the fully inserted Condition snaps into place. The locking effect is achieved in that at the discharge valve end of the tube section 44 radially outwardly projecting ring flange is formed, the bore 64 within the valve body in the assembled state 14 engages behind.

The tube section 44 is prior to insertion into the bore 64 of the valve body 14 through an opening of the bag film has been inserted so that the bag 24 with interposition another sealing ring 32 between the discharge tube 58 and the valve body 14 is clamped. The intermediate sealing ring 32 is a complete Sealing against the interior of the tank reached.

The discharge tube 58, which is located inside the bag, includes immediately after the bag 24 one cylinder-cap-like widening 38, which is an annular disc Support surface 40 for between the discharge tube 58 and the valve body 14 clamped bag film Are defined. This creates the risk of the bag tearing out significantly reduced at this point.

Between the cylinder cap-like widening 38 and the discharge tube 58 continuing into the bag 24 defines an annular space 60, which (down in FIG. 4) opens to the inside of the bag 52. At the free end of the cylinder-cap-like Widening 38 is a radially outward projecting peripheral edge 37 is provided.

On the cylinder cap-like widening 38 is a sleeve 36 postponed, which are in the fully postponed or attached Condition supported on the peripheral edge 37.

When the assembly is assembled, the sleeve 36 is upwards held by the bag 24.

On the sleeve 36 - as in particular in FIGS. 1 and 3 it can be seen - the bag 24 is welded in a fluid-tight manner or sealed.

The dispensing valve 12, namely the valve body 14, the dispensing tube 18 and the discharge tube 58 are made of one material manufactured that are both unbreakable and organic Media is not permeable. This is suitable for example Polyacetal.

In contrast, the sleeve 36 consists of a material that is well with the bag 24 or the inside of the bag film can be sealed. The materials used for this are polyethylene, Polypropylene or similar materials in question.

Overall, the construction described is high Security against breakage ensured. It is also prevented that a media exchange takes place between the container and the bag. You can also permanently seal the bag on the dispensing valve 12 us a correspondingly permanent Create a connection between the bag and the dispensing valve.

At the lower end of the discharge tube 58 is a riser 42 connected up to close to the bottom of the bag 24 extends. This riser 42 also has a stabilizing function for the bag 24.

The following briefly explains how the space between Bag 24 and container 22 or the interior 52 of the bag 24 can be filled.

3, a fill cap 67 is placed on the dispensing valve 12 or the upper end of the container 22, which itself suitable for filling the container 22. There are seals in the form of O-ring seals between the filling cap 67 and the lid 25 on the one hand and the filling cap 67 and the dispensing tube 18 on the other hand effective. Inside the fill cap 67, a flow path is formed such that a medium can be introduced into the area in which the delivery tube 18 protrudes from the lid opening 26. Now via the flow paths formed in the filling cap 67 a medium is supplied under pressure, so the ring seal 28, as can be seen in FIG. 3 and also in FIG. 5 pressed down or away from the lid edge 21 into the interior of the container pressed so that there is a flow path between the ring seal 28 and cover 25 and then between the valve body 14 and cover 25 forms. About this flow path is a fluid connection between the filling cap 67 and defines the interior of the container, so that the filling cap 67 provided medium introduced into the container 22 can be. In the present case, the container interior a blowing agent or gas is introduced, preferably Air, butane or another environmentally friendly Propellant is used.

When the bag 24 is filled, one in FIGS. 4 and 6 shown filling cap 69 used for sealing an O-ring seal between the dispensing tube 18 and the filling cap 69 having. When the filling cap 69 is placed on it Dispensing tube 18 against the direction of the compression spring 20 moved its closed position into an open position. In this Position is the discharge channel 56 via the access 54 with the interior of the valve body 14 fluidly connected, which in turn via a continuous axial bore in the tube section 44 and the discharge tube 58 into the interior of the bag 24 flows. The mouth is at the bottom the riser 42, ie in the lower region of the bag, and on the other hand at the side opening 65 of the discharge tube in the area of the annular space 60 in the upper part of the Bag 24.

Will now in the space between the bag 24 and container Filled butane or is a gel in the bag, for example taken up with isopentane, so takes place at the aforementioned Unit no exchange of organic media instead of. So there can be no pressure equalization, which leads to an inoperability of the whole Device would result.

When the bag is emptied, the dispensing tube 18 is countered the action of the helical compression spring 20 pressed down, so that the bag contents with expansion of the compressed gas is squeezed out in the container 22.

With this unit, a device is created that is unbreakable, an exchange of organic media between Bag and container interior prevented and above In addition, a good and permanent seal between the bags and ensures valve body.

On the other hand, the widening 38 makes it quick Tear of the bag 24 prevented.

In a simplified embodiment, the cylinder cap is Widening 38 replaced by a simple washer, which are transverse to the discharge tube 58 under training an annular disk-shaped support surface corresponding to the Support surface 40 extends for the bag.

Reference list

10th

Unit

12th

Dispensing valve

14

Valve body

18th

Dispensing tubes

20th

Compression spring

21

edge

22

container

23

Container opening

24th

bag

25th

cover

26

Lid opening

28

Ring seal

32

Sealing ring

34

section

36

Sleeve / fixation tube

37

Tube seat

38

widening like a cylinder cap

40

washer-like contact surface

42

Riser

44

Tube section

46

Welding

48

Arrow (filling the bag)

50

Arrow (filling the container)

52

Bag interior

54

Access

56

Discharge channel

58

Discharge tube

60

Annulus

62

Bag opening

64

lower valve body opening

65

side opening

67

Filling cap for container filling

69

Filling cap for bag filling

Claims (7)

1. Assembly unit, comprising a dispensing valve (12) for dispensing pressurised fluids, foams, gels or the like and a thereto welded bag (24) of flexible foil material which is placeable therein through an opening (23) of an external container (22) which is closeable by a lid (25), and the dispensing valve (12) includes a valve element (14), which is placed fluid-tight on the edge (21) of a lid opening (26) within the container lid (25), a dispensing tubelet (18), which is mounted in the valve element (14) so as to be axially displaceable and movable from a closed position against the load of an elastic element, in particular a helical pressure spring (20), and an annular seal (28) of rubber or an elastic sealing material of this type which closely encases the dispensing tubelet (18) between the edge (21) of the lid opening (26) and the valve element (14) in such a manner that it closes in the closed position of the dispensing tubelet (18) or the dispensing valve (12) access (54) to a dispensing channel (56) established in the dispensing tubelet (18), and within the bag (24) is arranged a dispensing tubelet (58) which is connectable through the bag foil as well as with inclusion of a sealing ring (32) to the valve element (14) of the dispensing valve (12) in such a manner that between the interior of the bag (52) and the valve element (14) is established a fluid connection, and the dispensing tubelet (58) and/or the valve element (14) is made of unbreakable material which is, in particular, impermeable to organic media and the area (34) of the dispensing tubelet (58) directly adjacent the bag (24) is provided with a surface, in particular a coating (36) of a material which is easily weldable to the bag foil, and the dispensing tubelet (58) comprises a widening (38), which is discshaped, particularly in the shape of a cylindrical cap, and which is within the bag (24) directly adjacent to the bag (24) and defines an open annular space (60), which is open in the direction of the inside of the bag and defines the dispensing tubelet (58).
2. Assembly unit according to Claim 1, characterised in that the easily weldable surface or the easily weldable coating is formed by a sleeve (36) which can be pushed or placed thereonto.
3. Assembly unit according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at least over the outer periphery of the caplike widening (38) extends a surface or a coating, in particular a sleeve (36), of a material which is easily weldable to the bag foil.
4. Assembly unit according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the dispensing tubelet (58) comprises a tubelet section (44), which extends through an opening (62) of the bag (24) which is detentable inside an associated opening (64) of the valve element (14) of the dispensing valve (12) in such a manner that the valve element (14) is joined to the inside of bag (24) so as to be fluid-tight relative to the inside area of the outer container (22).
5. Assembly unit according to Claim 4, characterised in that to the dispensing tubelet (58) is connected a riser pipe (42) which extends to near the base of the bag (24).
6. Assembly unit according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that in the area of the annular space (60), which extends around the dispensing tubelet (58) and which is defined by the cylindtical caplike widening (38), the dispensing tubelet (58) comprises a lateral opening (65) by which a further fluid connection towards the inside of the bag (52) is defined.
7. Assembly unit according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the valve element (14) of the dispensing valve (12) as well as the dispensing tubelet (58) including widening (38) are composed of polyacetal, whereas the coating, which is easily weldable to the bag foil, or the sleeve (36) is made of polyethylene, polypropylene or the like.

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