EP3044122B1

EP3044122B1 - Pressurized container

Info

Publication number: EP3044122B1
Application number: EP14786538.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Maria Cecilia Longhini
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: LONGHINI, MARIA CECILIA; MORSELLI, MARIO
Priority date: 2013-09-11
Filing date: 2014-09-10
Publication date: 2017-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 2034-09-10
Also published as: ITBO20130482A1; WO2015036937A1; PL3044122T3; EP3044122A1

Description

Technical field

This invention relates to a pressurized container.
More specifically, the term pressurized container means a pressurized cylinder or bottle containing additive products for fuel, preferably gaseous fuel.

Background art

Pressurized bottles are known in the prior art comprising a main body for containing additive products for fuel and a cap for sealing the main body, the cap having a dispenser for delivering the additive products contained in the main body.
Document WO2011/101835 A1 discloses an example of pressurized bottle containing additive products for fuel to dispense in a gas apparatus.
By exerting a pressure on the dispenser, it is designed to pass from a closed condition to an open condition for dispensing the additive products.
In order to introduce the additive products contained in the bottle into the gas system of a motor vehicle, the user generally presses the dispenser against the supply fitting of the system and, by applying a predetermined pressure, changes the dispenser from the closed condition to the open condition.
However, due to the internal pressure of the container, part of the additive products dispensed tends to expand outside the supply fitting of the gas system of the motor vehicle, soiling the hands of the user who, during the operation, holds by hand the main body of the bottle.

Aim of the invention

The aim of this invention is to provide a pressurized container which overcomes the above mentioned drawback as described in independent claim 1.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of this invention are more apparent in the non-limiting description which follows of a preferred embodiment of a pressurized container, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a pressurised container according to this invention;
Figure 2 is a scaled-up view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of a detail of the container of Figure 1 according to a first embodiment and in the closed condition;
Figure 3 is a scaled-up view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of a detail of the container of Figure 1 according to a first embodiment and in the open condition;
Figure 4 is a scaled-up view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of a detail of the container of Figure 1 according to a second embodiment and in the closed condition;
Figure 5 is a scaled-up view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of a detail of the container of Figure 1 according to a second embodiment and in the open condition;
Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a detail of Figures 2 and 3;
Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a detail of Figures 4 and 5;

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to Figure 1, the numeral 1 denotes a pressurized container having an main axis 1a of extension.
The container 1 comprises a main body 2 for containing additive products 3 for fuel.
The pressurized container 1 preferably means a pressurized cylinder or bottle, but without thereby limiting the scope of the invention.
The main body 2 is substantially cylindrical in shape extending along the axis 1a.
More specifically, the main body 2 has a base 6 for supporting the container 1 and a top head 8 opposite the base 6.
The pressurized container 1 comprises a member 4 for sealing the main body 2. The member 4 for sealing the main body 2 forms the above-mentioned top end 8.
The sealing member 4 comprises a dispenser 5 for delivering additive products 3 contained in the main body 2.
The dispenser 5 passes from a closed condition to an open condition, and vice versa, for dispensing the additive products 3.
More specifically, the dispenser 5 has an opening 5a for delivering the additive products 3.
Preferably, the container 1 comprises a closing element 19 or closure cap which engages the top end 8 of the main body 2.
The closing element 19 acts as an element for protecting the dispenser 5 from external contaminating agents such as, for example, powder or dirt. Advantageously, the container 1 comprises means 7 for screening the dispenser 5 and at least part of the sealing member 4.
More specifically, in the open condition of the dispenser 5, the screening means 7 are in contact with the sealing member 4 of the main body 2 to define a zone of containment 9 for at least part of the additive products 3 delivered by the dispenser 5 preventing the additive products 3 from leaking onto the main body 2.
More specifically, the screening means 7 comprise a perimeter edge 10 for contact with a respective portion of the sealing member 4.
In both the embodiments, the area of contact between the perimeter edge 10 and the sealing member 4 is substantially shaped like a circular crown.
Advantageously, the perimeter edge 10 is in contact in a fluid-tight manner with the sealing member 4 to prevent the escape of the additive products 3 on the main body 2 and form a sealed containment zone 9.
It should be noted that the sealing member 4 has an annular bore 14 through which the dispenser 5 protrudes.
The annular bore 14 has a surface 14a of contact with the perimeter edge 10 by which the containment zone 9 is formed, in particular according to the first embodiment of the container 1 illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.
It should be noted that the sealing member 4 comprises a flange 15 for supporting the perimeter edge 10 by which the containment zone 9 is formed, in particular according to the second embodiment of the container 1 illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.
The screening means 7 comprise a body 11 for housing the dispenser 5. The housing body 11 comprises at least one hole 12 in communication with the outside.
Preferably, the hole 12 is coaxial with the axis 1a of main extension of the container 1.
The hole 12 is in fluid communication with the delivery opening 5a of the dispenser 5; in this way, in the open condition of the dispenser 5, the additive products 3 are dispensed through the hole 12 of the housing body 11.
In use, the housing body 11 is brought into contact with a supply fitting of a gas system of a motor vehicle, not illustrated, and the additive products 3 are dispensed inside the gas system through the hole 12 of the housing body 11.
Preferably, the housing body 11 has the shape of a dome to guarantee an optimum coupling with the supply fitting of the gas system of the motor vehicle.
The screening means 7 are movable along a direction parallel to the axis 1a of the main body 2, bringing the dispenser 5 from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa.
More specifically, the screening means 7 are movable towards and away from the top end 8 of the main body 2 to bring respectively the dispenser 5 from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa.
The screening means 7 are the means of actuating the dispenser 5.
The sealing member 4 preferably comprises a protrusion 17 in which the dispenser 5 is inserted.
The screening means 7 have a chamber 18 designed to house the protrusion 17 during the translation of the screening means 7.
Advantageously, the protrusion 17 forms a guiding element for the screening means 7.
It should be noted that the screening means 7 comprise at least one deformable portion 13 which can be deformed during the passage of the dispenser 5 from the closed condition to the open condition, and vice versa.
The term deformable means a portion 13 which is able to undergo elastic deformation following a stress imparted to the screening means 7 and return to the initial condition once the stress has ended.
Preferably, the deformable portion 13 is made of elastomeric material. The deformable portion 13 connects the body 11 for receiving the dispenser 5 to the perimeter edge 10.
Advantageously, the screening means 7 are defined by a single body in particular made of elastomeric material.
Advantageously, the deformable portion 13 allows the perimeter edge 10 to maintain contact with the sealing member 4 during the movement of the housing body 11 towards the top end 8 of the main body 2, and, consequently, during the passage of the dispenser 5 from the closed condition to the open condition.
Moreover, the deformable portion 13 imparts an elastic return to the housing body 11 away from the top end, during the passage of the dispenser 5 from the open condition to the closed condition.
In the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 6, the deformable portion 13 extends along a direction parallel to the main axis 1a of the container 1.
In particular, the deformable portion 13 is a portion of a truncated cone.
In this way, in the open condition of the dispenser 5, and therefore with the movement of the housing body 11 towards the top end 8, the perimeter edge 10 extends relative to the axis 1a of the container, in particular along a direction transversal to the axis 1a of the container, defining a containment zone 9 which is larger than the containment zone 9 defined in the closed condition of the dispenser 5, as illustrated in Figure 3.
In the closed condition of the dispenser 5, the deformable portion 13 of the screening means 7 returns to the initial condition, as illustrated in Figure 2, withdrawing relative to the axis 1a of the container, in particular along a direction transversal to the axis 1a of the container.
Advantageously, according to the first embodiment, the screening means 7 comprise a recess 16, preferably annular, in the proximity of the perimeter edge 10 which combines to form the containing zone 9.
In the second preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 7, the deformable portion 13 extends along a direction transversal to, in particular at a right angle to, the main axis 1a of extension 1a.
More specifically, the deformable portion 13 is a disc-shaped annular portion.
In the second embodiment, the perimeter edge 10 is in contact along the above-mentioned flange 15 supporting the sealing member 4. Consequently, the containing zone 9 is delimited partly by the supporting flange 15.
In the open condition of the dispenser 5, and therefore with the movement of the housing body 11 towards the top end 8, the perimeter edge 10 maintains the contact with supporting flange 15 and the deformable portion 13 adopts a substantially "V" configuration, as illustrated in Figure 5.
In the closed condition of the dispenser 5, the deformable portion 13 of the screening means 7 returns to the initial condition, as illustrated in Figure 4, extending along a direction transversal to the axis 1a of the container 1.
It should be noted that in both the embodiments the containing zone 9 is delimited partly by the sealing member 4 and partly by the screening means 7 and in particular by the deformable portion 13.
In use, the body 11 for housing the dispenser is pressed against a supply fitting of a gas system of a motor vehicle.
The housing body 11 translates towards the top end 8 of the main body 2 moving the dispenser from the closed condition to the open condition.
During this translation the portion 13 deforms whilst maintaining the perimeter edge 10 in contact with the sealing member 4.
When the dispenser is in the open condition, the additive products are introduced into the gas system through the hole 12 of the screening means 7.
Advantageously, the contact between the perimeter edge 10 and the sealing member 4 prevents escape of the additive products 3 on the main body.
After introducing the additive products into the system of the motor vehicle, the dispenser 5 moves from the open condition to the closed condition and the housing body 11 translates away from the top end 8.
At the same time, the portion 13, being elastically deformed, returns to its initial condition, maintaining the perimeter edge 10 in contact with the sealing member 4.
In this way, once the operation has been completed, the additive products 3 not introduced into the gas system of the motor vehicle remain contained in the containment zone 9.
This invention overcomes the above-mentioned drawback of the prior art since the contact between the screening means 7 and the sealing member 4 defines a zone 9 for containing part of the additive products which escape in an uncontrolled manner from the dispenser 5 and which are not introduced into the gas system of the motor vehicle.
In effect, unlike the prior art, the containment zone 9 prevents the escape of additive products on the main body 2 and, consequently, on the hands of the user who holds the container 1 during use.

Claims

A pressurized container having a main axis of extension (1a) and comprising a main body (2) containing fuel additive products (3), a sealing member (4) for the main body (2), the sealing member (4) comprising a dispenser (5) for delivering the additive products (3) contained in the main body (2); the dispenser (5) passing from a closed condition to an open condition, and vice versa, for delivering the additive products (3); the container (1) being characterized in that it comprises screening means (7) by which the dispenser (5) and at least part of the sealing member (4) are screened; the screening means (7) being in contact with the sealing member (4) of the main body (2) to define a zone of containment (9) for at least part of the additive products (3) delivered by the dispenser (5) preventing the additive products (3) from leaking onto the main body (2).
The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the screening means (7) comprise a perimeter edge (10) for contact with a respective portion of the sealing member (4).
The container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the screening means (7) comprise a receiving body (11) for housing the dispenser (5) and having at least one hole (12) in communication with the outside; the additive products being delivered through the hole (12) in the receiving body (11) when the dispenser (5) is in the open condition.
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the screening means (7) comprise at least one deformable portion (13) which can be deformed during the passage of the dispenser (5) from the closed condition to the open condition and vice versa.
The container according to claim 4, characterized in that the deformable portion (13) connects the receiving body (11) for housing the dispenser (5) to the perimeter edge (10).
The container according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the deformable portion (13) extends along a direction parallel to the main axis of extension (1a) of the container (1).
The container according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the deformable portion (13) extends along a direction transversal, in particular at right angles, to the main axis of extension (1a) of the container (1).
The container according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the sealing member (4) comprises a flange (15) for supporting the perimeter edge (10); the zone of containment (9) being partly delimited by the flange (15).
The container according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the sealing member (4) has an annular bore (14) through which the dispenser (5) protrudes; the annular bore (14) having a surface (14a) of contact with the perimeter edge (10) with which it defines the zone of containment (9).
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the screening means (7) are movable along a direction parallel to the axis (1a) of the container (1) to bring the dispenser from the closed position to the open position e vice versa; the screening means (7) being means for actuating the dispenser (5).