ES2280376T3 - PACK FOR CARBON DRINKS WITH FLOW REGULATOR. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention related to a "flow control element" with suction spout for carbonated beverage cans. The fluid remains under pressure while access is possible when suction is applied to the spout. The spout is attached to a housing enclosure that holds a spring, a centrally perforated membrane, a valve stem and a valve. This housing enclosure extends into the inside of the container, which extended part functions as a guide for the valve stem and that incorporates the valve seat. The valve stem is attached to the perforated membrane on one side and to the valve on the other side. When suction is applied the membrane moves the valve and opens a flow path, thereby allowing fluid to flow through the valve stem and the perforated membrane to the mouth. When the suction stops, a spring closes the valve against the gas pressure in the can or container.

Description

Container for carbonated drinks with regulator flow.

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a series of cans, bottles or containers for carbonated beverages tightly closed in order to avoid spilling the liquid contained in its interior when manipulated and / or lost due to the transport of said can, container or portable container. American Classification: 220/706, 220/85, 222/214, 220/713 and 220/714, among others (International Patent Classification: A47G 19/22, BD65D 1/00 and BD65D 25/48, among others).

Object of the invention

The distribution of carbonated beverages has place using cans, bottles or other suitable aluminum containers for consume. Once these containers are opened, the properties organoleptic of the liquid begin to deteriorate and the gases become dissipate quickly. Usually bottled drinks are they serve in a glass and provide for immediate consumption and intake, while the remaining beverages are preserved, for future use, in a pressure bottle with a screw cap or crown cap. By on the contrary, aluminum beverage cans cannot return to close once opened by pulling the ring on the lid, fact that implies the need to consume the liquid contained in Short term after opening. It can also happen that serve an excessive amount of bottled liquid for a immediate consumption, or you may want to keep it for a prolonged period The packaging methods used previously have revealed that it was impossible to maintain or preserve the pressure inside the so-called "thermo cup" or portable container, at the same time that the spillage or dispersion of the content in the case of carbonated or hot drinks.

The multiple object of the invention is that of preserve the active coals of the drink inside the container used, ensure easy access to liquid content and avoid any spillage due to handling or transport of said container. The same concerns drinks hot, so that the liquid is protected inside the thermo-cup or container, while the pressure of air increases due to the expansion of compressed air.

Background of the invention

Portable containers and containers for drinks equipped with airtight lids, together with a mouthpiece suction with drip device and an opening or hole of ventilation, have evolved over time and have innovated its shapes and designs in order to preserve the liquid contained in said containers and for easy storage temporary. The nozzle and the vent outlet are equipped with valves that allow to extract the liquid content from the container exerting a suction force on the suction nozzle. He space derived from the reduction in the volume of the liquid at Inside the container will be replaced by the air flowing through of a second opening located in the lid. Said opening u vent hole has a control valve that opens when the pressure drops below the pressure atmospheric outside due to the suction force exerted on the mouthpiece As an example, reference has been made to this type of containers and / or containers developed for the industry food in various patents, among which the Description of US Pat. No. 5,079,013 (Belanger), the U.S. Patent 5,542,670 (Morano) and U.S. Patent 5 186 347 (Freeman). In all these cases, the main application of the inventions was aimed at babies and young children and was intended to prevent spillage of liquid on the occasion of the fall of the container or when drinking on the move. The descriptions of the aforementioned patents also refer to others inventors, all of them accompanied by identical objectives or analogous to preventing the loss or spillage of liquid.

Inventions and / or mechanisms previously described are suitable, only and exclusively, in the case of Non-carbonated and cold drinks. If the package contains drinks carbonic, the internal pressure will increase producing the opening of the valve and the loss and spillage of the liquid. The same goes for hot drinks, in which case the volume of air contained in the upper part of the container is heats and expands, causing internal pressure to rise of the container and consequently causing the liquid to escape when the container is not in an upright position. However, It is possible to avoid spilling liquid by using a more consistent elastic valve as described in the US patent 5 542 670 (Morano), or one more spring resistant as mentioned in US Pat. No. 5,079 013 (Belenger). However, the drawback is that, for this, the suction force or pressure generated at the nozzle should increase significantly, even exceeding the power human, so it would be virtually impossible to open the valve or, at least, quite difficult.

Since, today, the use of cans of carbonated drinks have proliferated and become widespread among consumers, there are several adapter devices with a fastening mechanism to the top of the beverage can that allow the latter to be closed again after opening and / or They help you drink more easily than directly from the can. Such devices are cited in the descriptions of the following patents: US Patent 4,796,774 (Nabinger); patent American 4,852,776 (Patton); US Patent 4 883 192 (Krugman); US Patent 5,071,042 (Esposito); patent US 5 947 324 (Palinchak) and European Patent EP 0870 685 A1 (Igor), among others. It should also be mentioned that these applications have the disadvantage of suddenly releasing the pressure contained inside the can once opened and of also contribute, in a very short period of time, to the release of carbon dioxide contained in the drink, made that it implies the loss of active carbons and that results in a Less flashy drink

For this reason, it is discouraged to use the devices described above in the case of drinks hot or hot.

The present invention exceeds all of these problems, both with regard to beverage cans and bottles, thermo cups or portable containers, presenting a whole series of advantages over other methods and / or previous solutions such as maintaining pressure of the gas to preserve the active carbons contained in the drink, to facilitate the transport of the little or partially filled and to avoid spilling liquid at handle said container or when drinking on the move. Regarding beverage cans, the present invention has the advantage additional guarantee a higher degree of hygiene than a common closing device of the beverage cans or adapter as It is described, for example, in US Patent 4,883,192 (Krugman), or other more recent inventions.

Brief Description of the Invention

The present invention is available in two main models or configurations described, in practice, in claims 1 and 2. One of these models comprises a suction nozzle body that includes a flow regulator to aspirate the liquid into a pressurized container, a metal can, a bottle or portable container containing a carbonated or hot drink such as coffee or tea. Saying flow regulator is activated by exerting a suction force on the nozzle, on which a device is mounted membrane regulator that impels the closing valve Tightly inside the container from the outside. The pressure gas inside is higher than outside atmospheric pressure generated by the carbonic liquid or the expansion of air that is heats by the action of the hot drink inside the container. The flow regulator is thus composed of a nozzle tightly fitted to a capsule, a spring and a device membrane regulator with a central opening coupled, in turn, to the hollow valve stem, by definition, to allow drainage of the liquid to the nozzle through an opening in the membrane; a valve stem guide with valve seat, extruded part of the capsule, and a valve of flexible material and elastic. The spring keeps the valve closed and presses the diaphragm and the valve stem against the valve seat. To the act the valve stem as a link between the valve and the diaphragm, any movement or rotation in the axial direction of the membrane will result in a symmetrical displacement of the valve. If the pressure on one side of the membrane is reduced by exerting a suction force on the nozzle, the diaphragm will displace the valve and will open the chamber of the container, which will allow drainage of the liquid The liquid will leave the container through a tube Flexible feeding capillary - in the form of a straw - located inside of the container that extends from the bottom of the container to the upper valve opening, passing through the valve stem and the diaphragm, until reaching the mouthpiece. The closing area of the valve is considerably smaller than the active surface of the membrane. A small difference in pressure or suction force exerted on the membrane will result in sufficient power to push and open the valve against spring pressure which, Usually keeps the valve closed. Consequently, the interaction of the valve, the spring and the membrane has a especially important for the invention, since it makes possible the correct operation of the flow regulator. The capsule of flow regulator can consist of a removable part tightly coupled to the opening of the lid of a can of aluminum or a bottle, or you can integrate the airtight lid of a beverage container. The bottom of the membrane is maintained at atmospheric pressure through an opening in the capsule of the flow regulator. The opening or hole found in the valve guide opens only when the internal pressure of the can or the container drops below atmospheric pressure by lowering the level of liquid contained in order to compensate for the lower proportion of liquid. There is also another model or configuration of the invention in which the membrane pushes the valve to cause the opening instead of pulling it, as it has been previously described. In this specific case, it is a inverted membrane with a sliding seal gasket. This last It is part of an extruded core housed inside the nozzle and coupled, in turn, to the extruded tubular extension of the membrane with a central opening. Moreover, said model It has a valve that limits the pressure inside the container and whose opening occurs thanks to the pushing force against the internal pressure of the container exerting, for this purpose, a force of nozzle suction.

In short, it is concluded that the regulator of flow tightly closes the inside of the portable container from abroad, regardless of the circumstances and / or of the position of the container, except when used for drinking.

Brief description of the drawings

To complement the description that is being performing and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, are represented by way of illustration and not limiting the drawings of four examples or configurations Preferred practical implementation of said invention, accompanied by The relevant specifications.

Figure 1.- Shows a detail in perspective of a can or assembled beverage container representing one of the configurations planned as preferred for the present invention. Figures 3, 4 and 5 illustrate, in greater detail, the specific characteristics of said configuration or model.

Figure 2.- Shows a detail in perspective of a cup-thermo anti-spill or container assembly relative to a second version or representation of the invention, whose characteristics are described, in greater detail, in the figure 6.

Figure 3.- Shows a partial front view and a panoramic view of the first preferred configuration, which evidence all necessary parts and components involved in the mechanism of the flow regulator of the invention.

Figure 4.- Shows a frontal detail enlarged drawing shown in figure 3 to appreciate with Sharp assembly and composition of the flow regulator.

Figures 5-a) a 5-e) show a front view of each of the parts and components that make up the structure of the regulator flow of the invention

Figure 6.- Shows a partial front view and a panoramic view of an anti-spill thermo cup in relation to the second preferred configuration of the invention, about which Figure 2 shows a detail in perspective.

Figure 7.- Shows a frontal representation of a third configuration or model of the invention, in which case produces the opening of the valve exerting a suction force in the nozzle and no longer moving the valve from its seat, such and as it happens in the first two models.

Figure 8.- Shows a front view of a fourth model or configuration of the invention similar to the third model described in figure 7, with the proviso that the extruded part of The membrane also surrounds the nozzle.

Detailed description of the invention

Reference will be made to the drawings to describe the practical application of the invention and its usefulness in a can of beverage (canteen), generally used and intended for consumption of carbonated beverages; however, a cover will be inserted specifically modified to adapt the "flow regulator" or "nozzle", a novel element in the present invention. TO various configurations or models are represented below possible with a purely illustrative and non-limiting nature in as regards the preferred realization of a certain model or configuration.

Figure 1 illustrates the first configuration preferred and shows a partially open perspective detail of a beverage can with a flow regulator located in the center of the cover, through which the interior and connect and communicate outside of the container Figure 3 illustrates the details of said configuration and shows a partial front view while the Figure 4 shows an enlarged front detail of the flow regulator by way of clarification. The illustrated beverage can, consisting of a screen-shaped body or cylindrical wall 1, a base or bottom 2, a cover 3 and a flow regulating device 4, contains a carbonated beverage 5 with pressurized gases (P3) 6 originated by the carbonization process The internal gas pressure can exceed significantly outside atmospheric pressure (P1) in order to preserve the carbon dioxide that comes under striking bubbles. The flow regulating device 4 preserves the pressure of the gas while allowing access to the liquid content of the can. This is achieved by a fitted capsule 9 tightly to the mouth 3 of the can and which is part of the protective cover or barrier between the inside and outside of the container. Said capsule 9 has an attached nozzle 7 tightly to a membrane 8 with a central opening through from which the suction mouth is inserted into the capsule while preserving atmospheric pressure. The membrane is It is surrounded by a cavity, which allows it to move some millimeters up and down in the central part at the same time which remains fixed to the peripheral contour. The membrane 8 is connected entirely to a hollow valve stem 10, by definition, to allow the internal flow of the liquid, and presents also a central opening, at which point they join Hermetically sealed valve stem and membrane. The stem of valve 10 is coupled to the cylindrical bottom 14, It acts as a valve guide and integrates the capsule 9, being scarce separation or space between the pieces and mentioned components. Said space is enough narrow enough to allow, on the one hand, the displacement of the valve stem, although, on the other hand, prevents flow Internal liquid or gas. The bottom of the rod guide Valve 14 also incorporates valve seat 13. In the lower end of the valve stem is located a valve 11 of elastic material that provides tightness 12 in the valve seat 13 and tightly close the inside of The can of drink. In order to empty or completely remove the contents of the can, a flexible capillary tube (straw) is used 15 that is attached to the opening of the valve 12 and that reaches the bottom of the container. The closing of the valve occurs by the action of a driving element that may be constituted by a spring 16 in the suction mouth of the regulator of flow, which causes the membrane 8 and, consequently, the valve 11, return to the original rest position. The part lower of the valve stem cavity presents a narrowing 17. Also, said tapered and tapered section can present one or more holes 18 through which the liquid when valve 11 rises from its seat 13. The capsule 9 has a small air duct 19 to ensure the differential pressure at the bottom of the membrane with with respect to atmospheric pressure (P1).

The flow regulator 4 is activated from the following form: the suction force exerted on the nozzle 7 shifts the membrane 8 upwards, so that the valve of your seat against spring pressure. Value and magnitude of force needed to activate the valve can be calculated from the differential pressure on the diameter active surface active membrane plus pressure differential over the active diameter of the active surface of the valve minus the driving force (F) of the spring, which gives us (P1-P2) * A + (P3-P2) * a - F, where "A" is the active surface of the membrane, which results from ¼. \ Pi.D2, equaling "\ Pi" (pi) to 3.14, and "D" represents the active diameter of the membrane, being "a" the active surface of the valve, which results in ¼. \ Pi.d2, where "\ Pi" (pi) equals 3.14 and "d" represents the active valve diameter. "F" represents the force spring drive together with the elastic force of the membrane. When the valve rises from its seat, the differential pressure (P3 - P2) - which represents, respectively, the internal pressure of the gas in the can and the suction pressure generated in the nozzle- causes the liquid to escape into the container. To the exert a suction force, the liquid ascends through a tube flexible 15 to the injector 12, flows through the valve 11 thanks to the existing holes 18 and up the cavity of the valve stem 10 until reaching the top of the membrane 8 inside the nozzle 7, finally reaching the mouth. When the suction force ceases, the pressure disappears differential (P1-P2) remaining, only, the tensile and driving force "F" of the closing device (spring) 16 and the excess elastic force of the membrane, which will push the valve 11 back into its seat 13 clogging, of This way, the flow of liquid.

In some cases, it is possible that the pressure internal P3 decrease significantly when the can is emptied, being able to even descend below the pressure atmospheric outside P1. In that case, the suction pressure will be enough to cause the valve to open, although it does not stop completely empty the beverage can. This problem is rectifiable. thanks to an air outlet 20 that has one or more holes at the top of the valve stem guide 14. So In general, the ventilation holes are obstructed by a elastic band 21 wide enough and will act as a valve, allowing air flow through conduit 19 until reaching the cavity located under the membrane, crossing the upper part of the valve stem guide through the air outlets 20 of the can. In this way, it prevents the internal pressure P3 of the can drop dramatically below the outside atmospheric pressure P1. As a consequence, the party top of valve stem guide 14 will widen slightly to allow air flow. The beverage cans that present a flow regulator of this type, will be accompanied a protective cover 21 that adapts perfectly to the outer edge of the capsule 9 in order to prevent the nozzle from getting dirty with reason for transporting the can or when it is not going to be used.

Figures 5-a) a 5-e) illustrate the various pieces that make up e they integrate the flow regulating device described in relation to The first preferred configuration. However, it is not intended impose the present configuration of the invention against others possible models that implement the same principle of increased pressure through the use of a perforated membrane that Activate a valve.

Figures 2 and 6 illustrate the second preferred configuration presenting an applied flow regulator  to an anti-spill thermo cup with a lid that tightly close the container using a thread system. In this case, the capsule 9 'of the flow regulator 4' is part of the lid and close it tightly, so that the container can contain carbonated, hot and cold drinks without being produced losses or spills once closed. In relation to drinks hot, the volume of air contained at the top of the container will expand causing the increase in internal pressure of the portable container or container Figure 2 illustrates this application by a perspective detail of a container partially open, while figure 6 shows a partial front view of said model or configuration. The operating system of the flow regulator 4 is identical to that of the first configuration preferred, so only the points in the that differ.

Figure 6 illustrates a plastic container or metal 22 with a removable cover 23 screwed and adjusted to the mouth of the container 22 and an elastic seal 24, which prevents spillage or loss of liquid when the container Contain hot or cold drinks. As regards the second configuration or model, the capsule 9 'of the flow regulator 4' is It is fully coupled and assembled to the lid 23, so differs slightly from the flow regulator of the beverage can. The nozzle 25 consists of a detachable piece, so that guarantees access to the inside of the flow regulator to be able to clean The remaining parts or components match, for the most part, with those employed in the beverage can (of aluminum) illustrating figures 1, 3, 4 and 5.

Figure 7 represents a third configuration or version of the 4 '' flow regulator that can be used in cans, bottles or other containers for drinks. The first difference with respect to the configurations of the invention described above lies in the fact that the suction pressure pushes the valve to cause its opening instead of lifting it from its seat. He third model consists of the following parts: a membrane centrally perforated 8 '' with a 40 '' extruded tubular joint and a sealing gasket 26 '' that slides, in axial direction, to the inside a support or cylindrical tube 27 '' integrated in the 7 '' nozzle In turn, the nozzle 7 '' is attached to the 8 '' membrane and fits tightly to the edge of the body of the 9 '' valve that has a 30 '' gasket. The flow regulator is It is mounted on top of the can, bottle or 1 '' beverage container and tightly close the container by a 31 '' thread system. The valve holder 14 '', part integral of the valve capsule, comprises a seat of valve 13 '' and a valve 11 '' that constitute a barrier that tightly close the inside of the container 1 '' and prevents flow of liquid when not in use. The 11 '' valve and the 8 '' membrane are interconnected through the valve stem 10 '' at the end of which is a guide rod holder 17 '' valve wide enough to cover the walls of the central opening of the membrane, and can also be found coupled to said rod, although it allows the flow at the same time of liquid Said support 17 '', driven by a driving force or spring 32 '', provides tightness in the seat 13 '' of the 11 '' valve when a suction force is not exerted on the 7 '' nozzle; on the contrary, once activated by a pressure of Suction, will allow the flow of liquid. The nozzle features a 29 '' air outlet that maintains the volume of air contained in the cavity located above the membrane at atmospheric pressure. Is possible to add a 32 '' spring to help keep the valve in closing position if the pneumatic membrane controller does not It is appropriate. This concrete model works as follows shape: by exerting a suction force on the nozzle 7 '', the P2 pressure in the cavity 28 '' decreases depending on the external pressure P1 on the membrane. This fact causes the 8 '' membrane offset down, lift valve 11 '' from its seat 13 '' and gives way to the flow of liquid contained in The container to the mouth. If the internal pressure of the vessel drops below outside atmospheric pressure on the occasion from the suction of the liquid in the container, the 11 '' valve opening against membrane pressure operated by the spring when the suction force ceases.

To this end, the configuration or model described requires a watertight 26 '' mobile connection between the tubular joint extruded 40 '' from the membrane and cylindrical support 27 '' to inside of the nozzle 7 ''. The air leak at this point could determine the malfunction of the flow regulator. One possible solution would be to place a bellows or sleeve between the membrane and the nozzle or an o-ring, although some could be verified inconvenience For this reason, it is logical to think of the possibility of completely suppressing the 7 '' nozzle, by simply inserting an extruded tubular joint 40 '' through 8 '' membrane with nozzle function, simplifying considerably the present configuration of the invention. Figure 8 shows that the fourth configuration includes the same pieces or components shown in figure 7, except for the nozzle 7``. Also, the operation of the mechanism is identical, so that no further explanation is necessary.

Claims (12)

1. A flow regulator (4) for emptying or extracting a pressurized liquid from a container, consisting of:

to)

a nozzle (7) coupled to a capsule (9) incorporating a device membrane (38) and a valve (11);

b)

bliss capsule includes a valve stem guide (14) that rests on a valve seat (13), tightly closed by the action of the latter;

C)

saying membrane device comprises (i) a membrane (8) with a central opening and (ii) a hollow valve stem (10) with a hole or opening (18) at the bottom;

d)

saying membrane device has a seal static (39) on the outer edge of the membrane and a gasket dynamic sealing (40) in the center, located between the rod of hollow valve and the bottom (17) of said guide of the valve;

and)

bliss capsule has a vent (19) at the top which communicates the cavity located below the membrane with the outside, keeping the lower surface at atmospheric pressure of the membrane oriented towards the inside of the container;

F)

the upper part of the valve stem guide features a larger internal diameter (41) at the top, endowed part, a in turn, of several ventilation holes (20) that allow the air flow from the cavity located under the membrane to the inside of the container (6);

g)

these ventilation holes are obstructed by a mechanism of closing (21) with the function of covering said holes when the gas pressure (P3) inside the vessel exceeds the pressure atmospheric exterior (P1) and, on the contrary, to open ventilation holes when, due to the fluid flow of the  container, the gas pressure drops below the pressure atmospheric outside;

h)

saying membrane device experiences an impulse into the container due to the action of a driving element (16) in order keep the valve closed, provided that the latter is  in rest position;

i)

saying membrane device curves or folds from inside the container against the pushing force of the drive element to the exert a suction force on the nozzle, which produces the valve opening to allow liquid flow.

2. A flow regulator (4 '') to empty or extracting a pressurized liquid from a container, whose structure incorporates:

to)

a nozzle (7``) with a support or cylindrical tube (27 ''), a membrane device (38 ''), a valve or capsule body (9 '') and a valve (41 '');

b)

saying membrane device includes (i) a membrane (8 '') with a central opening and (ii) a sealing tube (40 '') with a flexible gasket (26 '') inside the tube cylindrical (27 '') of the nozzle;

C)

saying flow regulator incorporates a vent outlet (29 '') in order of preserving the atmospheric pressure between the nozzle and the membrane surface facing the opposite side of the inside of the container;

d)

saying valve body or capsule incorporates a valve holder (14 '') with a valve seat (13 '') on which the whole rests valve structure;

and)

the valve consists of a stem or guide (10 ''), a valve (11 '') mounted on said rod or guide and a rod holder of valve with an opening (17 '');

F)

bliss valve bends or folds elastically against the seat of valve when receiving the thrust of a drive element (32 '') in contact, on the one hand, with the valve stem holder with an opening and, on the other, with a horizontal part of the seat of valve;

g)

saying membrane device is hermetically coupled to the contour peripheral (30 '') of the mentioned membrane, although it is curved and folds centrally into the container when exerting a suction force on the nozzle, which impels the valve from its seat in opposition to the pushing force exerted by the driving element.

3. The flow regulator described in the claim 1, whose closing mechanism incorporates a band elastic 4. The flow regulator described in the claims 1 or 2, whose membrane has an undulating shape  in the cross section and is made of an elastic material. 5. The flow regulator described in the claims 1 or 2, whose pushing or driving mechanism It includes a spring. 6. The flow regulator described in the claims 1 or 2, whose pushing or driving mechanism incorporates the elastic force of the membrane. 7. The flow regulator described in the claims 1 or 2, wherein the membrane surface on which the suction pressure is exerted is considerably greater than the surface of the valve on which the pressure acts of the gas inside the container. 8. The flow regulator described in the claim 2, whose seal has a bellows or sleeve between the tube or cylindrical support of the nozzle and the tubular membrane seal. 9. A combination with the following elements:

A container capable of containing a liquid that has an opening in the part upper and the flow regulator described in the claims 1st or 2nd, the latter coupled to the container and covering the opening.

10. The combination specified in the claim 9, wherein the container, made of plastic or of metal, may contain a liquid under pressure or high temperature. 11. The combination described in claim 9, characterized in that it contains any gaseous beverage or hot liquid. 12. The combination described in claim 9, characterized by a detachable flow regulator coupled to the container by means of a thread system.