EP2016000A1

EP2016000A1 - Container having a displaceable valve piece for the controlled dispensing of a service fluid

Info

Publication number: EP2016000A1
Application number: EP07712198A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rainer Berkefeld
Original assignee: Ball Packaging Europe GmbH
Current assignee: Ardagh Metal Beverage Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2006-02-09
Filing date: 2007-02-09
Publication date: 2009-01-21
Also published as: JP2009525927A; KR20090003210A; US20090090713A1; IL193285A0; AU2007213672A1; WO2007090889A1; RU2008136214A; BRPI0707648A2; CA2641365A1; NZ570185A; CN101384489A; ZA200806895B

Abstract

The invention relates to a container for storing and dispensing fluid to viscous products. The container comprises a container rump (1) having an opening (4) which is suitable for filling and the diameter (d4) of which is smaller than the diameter (d5) of the rump, and also comprises a lid (8) which serves to close the opening (4). The lid has a central lid opening (9), into which a dispensing valve (10) which has a valve piece is inserted in a sealing manner with the aid of a shaped piece (11). It is advantageous to manufacture, to fill and to close the container very easily, rapidly and inexpensively. At the same time, easy and controllable dispensing of the filling product and reliable, sealed closure of the product in the container after every product dispensing action are ensured.

Description

Container with displaceable valve piece for the controlled delivery of a working fluid

The invention relates to a container for storing and - in any steps - dispensing of liquid to viscous fluids, in particular drinks, sauces, seasoning, as "food" or use fluids such as waxes, silicones shampoo or shaving cream.

There are such containers known as two- or three-piece aerosol cans in which the product is under relatively high pressure. They have a domed lid with a discharge valve having opening. In this, the discharge valve is usually secured by means of a fitting, a metallic valve plate and a sealing ring by clinching.

Many products can be stored and dispensed without high pressures. For these, a conventional aerosol can of the production, the cost of materials and the filling difficulties is far too expensive.

It is an object of the invention to provide a container which is very easy to manufacture, fill and close quickly and inexpensively, but at the same time also an easy and controllable release of the filling product and a secure, tight closure of the product in the container after each product -Taste met.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1. Preferably, the container is carried out according to claim 2 in the manner of a beverage can with integrally molded with the fuselage bottom and seamless hull, with a self-contained valve cover with the hull in the usual way in beverage cans tight and - with seam - is firmly connected.

Such a container (as a hull) can be like the usual beverage cans very easily, quickly and inexpensively and due to the large hull opening fill accordingly easy and fast (can filling).

Such made of sheet steel or aluminum sheet container on the type of beverage cans is pressure resistant and optimally adapted to customer requirements in the food industry. The valve cover can be connected in the usual way after filling with the hull edge. Such a container is from the production and filling to closing material-saving, cost-effective and user-friendly.

The claimed invention also includes a trained as a self-contained, prefabricated unit valve cover (claim 5 and claim 10), which can also be used for other than for the type of beverage cans produced container, but especially for this. In the circular opening of the valve cover, a dispensing valve is fixed and sealed using only a sleeve shaped fitting.

The female fitting has a hollow cylindrical shape and allows by its elasticity, a movement of the valve member which is inserted into the fitting (claim 4). Fitting (for mounting on the sheet metal cover) and valve piece (held by the fitting) form the valve assembly (claim 9). Due to the elasticity of the formula (claim 4), the valve piece can be moved. It is thereby moved relative to the shaped piece (or relative to the panel of the sheet metal lid), but not so that it is moved only sliding or only rotating in the manner of a bearing, but it is held by the fitting sealing and can be on this fitting, which are elastically deformed, moved. This is also a relative movement relative to the molding, but under deformation of this form-elastic molding (claim 10,11). If the valve piece is moved in the axial direction only, the fitting compresses symmetrically (claim 19).

The elastic deformation takes place at least in an upper portion of this

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

The elasticity of the formula, or in other words, the shape-elastic material of the shaped piece has different at different points of this fitting

Effect. Above the collar, a spring action is preferably achieved, below the collar of the lid opening a sealing effect is achieved (with the aid of a further projecting sealing lip). The spring effect is preferably used with an axial compressive force effect on the valve piece (claim 11). The holding effect of the radial collar of the fitting on the metallic collar of the cover plate is so great that it can withstand this transmitted axial pressure and the fitting does not come off the opening, so far as "tight and tight" remains connected to the lid. Nevertheless, a spring action takes place in the at least upper portion above the upper collar of the fitting, which allows the movement of the valve piece.

A fluid path may pass through radial windows that extend circumferentially and, depending on the position of the valve member relative to the fitting, release at least one fluid path through the interior of the valve member and the at least one window.

Preferably, the at least one window near the lower edge of the valve piece, in particular directly above the serving as a valve disc lower collar of the valve piece (claim 18). This then serves as a valve plate and when it lifts off from the frontal surface of the sealing lip of the fitting, the valve opens.

If the symmetrical deformation of the upper portion of the fitting is indicative that there is axial movement of the valve member, then the unbalanced deformation is indicative of a tilt movement, which may also be called a tilting movement. Here, two opposite sides of the fitting are deformed differently, compressed on one side and changed on the other side in its inclination, but without losing the sealing contact with the valve piece (claim 19).

Between these two movements, the axial thrust movement and the tilt movement is also a rotating movement allowed, which can be used for example together with the axial movement. If it is used causally alone to cause the axial displacement, a thread is provided in the lower portion of the fitting, which cooperates with a mating thread on the valve piece.

Several radial windows are advantageous when the tilt movement is used (claim 18). This ensures that in any direction of the

Tilting movement of at least a portion of a window of a plurality of circumferentially distributed windows arranged on the valve piece is opened and the valve disc at this point of the sealing lip (the lowest edge of the fitting) lifts and releases the fluid path. In the upper portion of the fitting can be arranged internally a circumferential groove of the groove, which fulfills the function of a predetermined bending point as a recess, that supports the spring action of this upper portion. As a result of this support or control of the spring effect, deterministic changes in shape occur in the upper cylindrical section of the fitting under axial load, for example a spring section of the shaped section formed in two axially spaced-apart beads (under axial pressure).

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

It show, each in a simplified sectional view

Figure 1 shows an axial section through a sealed

Container.

Figures 2 with

Figure 2a and

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

Figure 2c in a similar representation, the assembly of

Valve cover with the two parts.

FIG. 3a,

Figure 3b and

Figure 3c shows various ways of opening the valve in an axial section through the upper end of a container.

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

FIG. 5a,

Figure 5b and

Figure 5c different elements of the valve 10 and the

Cover 8 in an axial section.

Figure 6 is an axial section through a sealed

Container with valve 10 and fluid path F. Preferred embodiments show a container in the manner of a conventional beverage can. The consisting of steel or aluminum sheet hull 1 is formed integrally with the container bottom 2 (by ironing) and slightly retracted adjacent to its opening 4 (neck). The opening width d4 is slightly smaller than the clear width d5 of the fuselage 1 with the interior 5.

The valve cover 8 formed with a flat mirror 3 (= panel) is provided near its edge 8a with a conventional damping bead 8b and sealingly and firmly connected to the flanged edge 6 of the fuselage 1 in the manner common with beverage cans by a folded seam 6a, which is shown in FIG already shown formed to fold.

As can be seen more clearly from FIG. 2, the valve cover 8 has a central circular opening 9, which is delimited by an axially outwardly projecting collar 9a. With this collar of the cylindrical body 12 of the valve 10 is shown only schematically by means of a fitting 11 made of form-elastic material firmly and sealingly connected. The fixed connection concerns the fitting, the tight connection both. The fitting 11 and the valve piece 12, together form the valve assembly; the latter opens or closes, or both successively (temporally spaced) both, which is always conceptual in a "valve assembly" or, in short, a valve. The blocking (tightly closing) state is shown in FIG. 2c. The opening exposes a path for the passage of the liquid to viscous fluid as a use fluid or food. This path passes through the interior 12i of the cylindrical body 12, which is also called valve piece.

The fitting 11 of form-elastic material is firmly and sealingly connected to the collar 9a. For this purpose, the hollow cylindrical, in particular bush-shaped fitting 11 in a correspondingly adapted axial distance h9a arranged, radially directed, annular projections, collar or lips 11a and 11 b, which cover the opening 9 limiting collar 9a above and below firmly and sealingly. The lower lip 11a is radially more expansive.

The cylindrical body 12 of the dispensing valve assembly 10 can be inserted without play in the hollow cylindrical fitting 11 and engages over its upper and lower edges each with a, a corresponding shoulder forming another collar. This further collar is 10a for the lower edge of the fitting and collar 10b for the upper edge. The other collar is effective to be regarded as a valve plate. It seals at the lower edge (the lower lip 11a), or opens a fluid passage here. The radial dimensions of the individual collars are matched to one another such that, for example, first the fitting 11 can be inserted into the cover opening 9 and then the valve piece 12 can be introduced to form the valve arrangement 10, or in the reverse order. Also, the valve 10 can only be fully assembled, and fitting 11 and valve pieces 12 are used together in the opening 9. The fitting 11 and the valve piece 12 together form the valve (valve assembly) 10.

The prefabricated and preassembled valve-lid unit is arranged after filling of the container through the large hull opening 4 by means of seam 6a on the hull edge 6.

The achievable with the training advantages are already set out in detail in the introduction. It remains to be clarified that the valve cover can also be used in different than on the model of beverage cans formed two-piece containers and that, if necessary, the central lid opening can be used as a filling opening, before attaching the valve 10 by means of the fitting 11th

However, the illustrated versions of the container and the valve cover are preferred.

The valve 10 itself may also be used as a fill port (via fluid path through the valve, particularly the central interior 12i of the valve member) after attaching (eg, prying) the valve cover assembly (which is preassembled and prefabricated). The attachment relates here to the seizing of this unit at the seam edge of the fuselage. This is done via the example formed as a double fold attachment portion. Here, the contents can be filled as a liquid to viscous fluid, in particular drink (food), after Anfalzung with fold 6a in the already closed container.

Another type of filling of this container is to fill a product before mounting the valve cover unit in the fuselage and introduce another, different or the same contents in the sealed with the lid unit container through the valve 10.

These filling variants relate to a filling method specifically addressed here, which is not intended to describe or limit even the container or the valve cover unit, but rather explains its use and application to the user. On the basis of Figures 2a, 2b and in the assembled state on the cover of Figure 2c, the basic operation of the valve (the valve assembly) has been explained. A resulting valve action can be understood from FIGS. 3a to 3c. Figure 3a shows the figure 2c in a position of the valve body 12 in which a fluid path is exposed. This is exposed by the fact that axial pressure is exerted on the valve body 12, this moves in the direction of arrow S down, a radial window 30 above the lower collar 10a, which forms the valve disc here opens, and thus a fluid path through the interior 12i the valve body 12 is opened into the interior of the sealed container. As a result, fluid can escape from inside (from the container whose upper end portion is only shown). In the axial displacement movement of the valve piece 12, the fitting 11 is compressed in the upper portion 11c. The section which lies above the collar 9a of the metallic cover plate (around the opening 9 according to FIG. 2b) is now shown in two parts with a thickened bead with two circular rings, which was the previously purely cylindrical shape between the collar 10b and 11b according to FIG. 2c.

This deformation is achieved by the formation of the molding 11 of form-elastic material. The form-elastic material has a spring action in the area above the collar 9a. It counteracts the pressure for opening the valve 10. Upon either release of the pressure or withdrawal of the valve body 12 in the direction of the other arrowhead of the movement S, the window 30 and thus the fluid path is closed again.

The lower portion of the molding 11 is used with its more expansive lower lip portion 11 a for sealingly abutment of the molding. The lower edge 11a 'is the opposite sealing surface or sealing line, which cooperates with the collar 10a of the valve member 12 sealing and exposing (releasing).

Figure 3b illustrates the same process, in addition to a rotary component R, which is shown as a helical line. There are here two windows 31, 32 visible at the lower end portion of the valve piece 12, which expose two fluid paths. The rotation is additionally allowed, in an axial displacement movement S, which is superimposed on the rotation, but not forced, but only permitted. It is initiated by the user.

In a variant, not shown, an axially short thread is provided in the section above the lower lip 11a and below the upper end of the collar 9a of the cover plate, which with a mating thread on the valve piece 12th interacts. As a result, a forced axial movement of the valve member 12 can be achieved by a rotational movement. Again, the upper portion 11c is compressed symmetrically in the axial direction, so compressed, which is achieved by the form-elastic material choice of the fitting 11.

In Figure 3c, a tilting movement is also explained as possible. In this case, an asymmetrical deformation of the shaped piece 11 takes place. On the left in FIG. 3c, a greater compression is seen than in FIG. 3b. On the other hand, a take away of the upper portion 11c of the molding 11 serving as a seal can be seen on the right side. It easily dissolves the concerns of the upper collar 11 b on the collar 9 a of the cover plate, caused by the inclination angle of the TiIt- movement T. This also at least a portion of a lateral window is opened, here the whole window 33 and at least a part or a portion of the window 30 (and opposite the window 32), but not the window 31 at four provided windows at the bottom of the valve piece 12th

To improve the effect of the fluid path, the fitting 11 may be slightly radially widened in the lower axial section, which is also evident from FIG. 3a, as indicated in FIG. 2a. Above this radial expansion, a tight sealing zone is provided. It then follows in the height direction, the predetermined bending point, which will be explained later, up to the upper end of the upper cylindrical portion 11c of the fitting 11th

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

Relative movements of the valve member 12 with respect to the at least the upper portion 11c of the mold to form or form, by virtue of the formulaic elasticity, this has to be named as a connecting piece or compensating piece 11. It serves as a kind of flexible bearing that allows movement of the valve member 12 relative to the occluding lid 8 and its lid panel.

The elasticity of the formula can be designed to vary greatly, it can be designed in terms of their spring force in the described resilient portion so that the molding 12 automatically closes after being pushed back and returns to the rest 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 molding element 11 is to be adapted so that it develops little friction despite a cylindrical sealing surface, or so little friction effect that it is overcome by the spring force of the compressed upper portion 11c. The fitting 11 may also be named as a bush-shaped fitting and then briefly "bushing". This socket is a hollow cylinder, corresponding to the shape of the hollow cylindrical valve piece 12. Firm and sealing the fitting 11 is inserted into the opening 9, wherein the description of the "fixed attachment" is intended that it is an assembly step, the by grasping the on the

Valve piece 12 can withstand acting forces. Opposite this bushing 11, the valve member 12 is moved, in particular axially displaced in the previous sense. The latter taking advantage of the elasticity of the molded article, in particular the upper portion 11c in the longitudinal movement and also a little way of the lower portion 11a in the tilting movement of Figure 3c.

It forms between them at least one sealing line, but preferably a whole cylindrical sealing strip which seals adequately even in the closed position of the valve or the valve assembly 10, with the windows closed 31st , 32,33 and 30.

Although the cylindrical fitting 12 has an upper collar 10b and a lower collar 10a which engage over the axial ends of the fitting 11, it is relatively slidable with respect to it, with inherent elasticity

Piece of movement is also transferred to the fitting 11. However, the fitting 11 is held against the panel 3 of the cover 8, this on the collar 9a.

The said collar may be at least partially encircling, preferably a complete circulation of the two collars 10b, 10a, wherein the last collar 10a

Edge side of the actual valve plate inside the can and at the lower end of the valve or valve assembly 10 is.

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

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

Also Figure 4 illustrates a more detailed drawing of Figure 2c. The elements which are assembled in FIG. 4 are shown in FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c. These correspond to FIGS. 2 b and 2 a, wherein the cover of FIG. 2 b is shown with the inner, circular opening 9 in the cutout (without the folded edge 8 a) in FIG. 5 a. Both the first valve part A and the second valve part B are inserted in the order A, B from below into the opening 9 of Figure 5a. Alternatively, A + B can also be inserted together (according to FIG. 2a) into the opening 9. The first valve part A as a fitting 11 engages with its two radially directed collar 11b, 11a on the metallic collar 9a. It remains above the upper collar 11 b, the cylindrical piece 11 c free as an effective spring element and is then overlapped by the collar 10 b of the valve piece 12.

The lower collar 10a is the valve plate of the valve piece 12. The two valve parts A ₁ B are the fitting 11 and the valve element 12, as described above. The latter has at least one, preferably three or four windows 30 to 33.

In the upper spring portion 11c inside a circumferential groove or groove 40 is provided, which serves as a predetermined bending point. This Sollknickstellt supports the

Spring action of the upper portion 11c of the element 11. This predetermined bending point 40 is also shown in Figure 4 in the assembled state of the valve in its closed position. Likewise, it is recognizable by the in Figure 2c, where the reference numeral 40 to the fitting 11 shows.

The still further mounted position, ie that of the valve cover according to FIG. 4 (shown there without fold edge) with an actually existing fold edge, then also folded against the beverage can according to FIG. 6, is intended to show the size differences and is a more accurate reproduction of the same position and position of the figure 1.

Here, the flow path or the fluid path F is shown, which is closed in the closed state at the window 30 relative to the fitting 11. He has by pressing the valve, respectively the valve member 12 through the window a closed path, which extends through the interior of the valve 12 12i. This way can serve both for removing the fluid, as well as for refilling, or for the entire filling of the interior 5 of the can.

The closing at the edge 6 with the seam edge 6a takes place before or after a filling of the container body 1. If the seam 6a is already closed, the fluid path F can also be used for refilling or for mixing. The

But main filling is preferably a can filling, so at not yet closed seam edge 6a.

Claims

Claims:

1. container for storing and - in any steps - dispensing of liquid to viscous filling products as filling fluids,

5 - with a container body (1) with one suitable for filling

Opening (4) whose diameter (d4) is smaller than a diameter (d5) of the trunk; and a lid (8) serving to close the opening (4) and having a - preferably central - lid opening (9) in which a dispensing valve (10; 11, 12) is provided solely by means of one or more of its Forming piece (1 1) is firmly and sealingly used or inserted.

2. Container according to claim 1, which is formed as a beverage can of sheet metal, wherein the container body (1) integrally formed on the i5 container wall (1 a) bottom (2) and the lid is formed on the edge side, with a Rumpfrand (6) to be firmly and tightly connected or already connected by a fold.

3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover (8) with discharge valve (10) of the valve piece (12) and fitting (1 1) is a preassembled unit with

20 one edge (6) of the hull of the container sealingly and firmly connected, in particular via a fold (6a).

4. Container according to claim 3, wherein the shaped piece (11) is formed of formelastic material, in particular in a hollow cylindrical shape.

25 5. Valve cover for the sealing closing of a container body (1), for

Dispensing of liquid to viscous products, in particular with a container according to one of the preceding claims, with a - preferably centrally located - circular opening (9) into which a dispensing valve (10; 11, 12) alone with the help of 30 or one of its sleeve-shaped fitting (11) is firmly and sealingly inserted.

6. The valve cover according to claim 5, wherein the circular opening (9) is bounded by an axially outwardly or upwardly projecting collar (9a), the top and bottom of the corresponding axial distance (h9a) arranged holding pieces, 35 in particular radial collar or Lips (11a, 11 b), the hollow cylindrical

Shaped piece (11) is tight and firmly umgreifbar.

7. Valve cover according to claim 5, wherein the cylindrical body (12) of the valve (10) in the hollow cylindrical fitting (11) arranged without play and by - arranged at an axial distance - further radial collar (10 a, 10 b), which axial ends of Overmold fitting, is held sealing.

5

8. Valve cover according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least some of the radial collar (11 a, 1 1 b, 10 a, 10 b) are circumferentially continuous.

9. Valve cover according to claim 5, wherein the hollow cylindrical fitting (1 1) lo is used as a sleeve firmly and sealingly in the lid, and the sleeve opposite to the formation of the valve (10) of the cylindrical body (12) movable as a valve member or valve body, in particular is axially displaceable.

10. Valve cover for sealing or tight closing of an i5 container body (1), suitable for controlling the delivery of liquid to viscous

Filling products, with a cover surface arranged in the opening (9), in which a dispensing valve (10; 1 1, 12) is used sealingly by means of a sleeve-shaped fitting (1 1), and with respect to the

20 firmly inserted hollow cylindrical fitting (11) a movement, in particular a displacement of the cylindrical body (12) as a valve piece, the opening and closing of the valve assembly (10; 11, 12) controls, taking advantage of the elasticity of the molded piece (11).

25

11. Valve cover according to claim 10, wherein the circular opening (9) by an axially outwardly projecting collar (9 a) is limited, the top and bottom of each arranged in the respective mutual axial distance holding pieces

(11 a, 11 b) of the hollow cylindrical fitting (11) is tightly embraced, and the grip is so tight that the valve assembly is held, even upon actuation of and at operating pressure on the valve piece (s) (12).

12. Valve cover according to claim 10, wherein the cylindrical body (12) of the dispensing valve (10) in the hollow cylindrical fitting (11) arranged without play

35 and arranged by means of an axial spacing further radial collar

(10a, 10b), which engage over the axial ends of the molding, is held in a sealing manner, in particular can not be released from this holding position.

13. The valve cover according to claim 10, wherein at least some of the radial collars (11a, 11b, 10a, 10b) are circumferentially continuous.

14. Valve cover according to claim 10, with a - preferably centrally located - circular opening (9).

15. Valve cover according to claim 10 or 5, wherein the shaped piece (11) is form-elastic.

16. The valve cover according to claim 15, wherein the elasticity of the formula provides a spring action and a sealing effect.

17. Valve cover according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve piece (12) near one end has at least one radial window (30).

18. A valve cover according to claim 17, wherein three or more windows (31, 32,30) are provided, near the lower collar (10a) of the valve piece (12), which lower collar serves as a valve disc.

19. Valve cover according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement of the valve piece (12) is allowed by the elasticity of the molded piece, with symmetrical deformation of at least an upper portion (11c) of the fitting (11).

20. Valve cover according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement of the valve piece (12) is allowed by the elasticity of the molded piece, under asymmetrical deformation of at least an upper portion (11 c) of the fitting (11).

21. A method for filling a container according to claim 1, wherein before and / or after filling of the container body (1), the closing takes place at the edge (6).

ADJUSTED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP