RU2372266C1 - Pressure regulator for container for liquid delivery - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: mechanical engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to device for dispersion. Pressure regulator for container contains: the first cylinder with open and closed end, provided for filling by compressed gas with specified excessive pressure, piston with sealing annular, relocatable inside the first cylinder, the second cylinder with closed end and opened end, provided for filling by compressed gas under pressure, exceeding excessive pressure. The second cylinder envelops the first cylinder, forming annular channel. Opened end of the second cylinder joins open end of the first cylinder. Channel leads outside from within the second cylinder and past external wall of the first cylinder. For opening and closing of channel it is a valve. Piston contains rod for opening and closing of a valve. Opened end of the first cylinder is outfitted by axial opening, such, that piston with sealing annular in position at standard pressure is introduced into the first cylinder and closes opening end. Rod is outfitted by lock member, which closes valve in top position of piston, length of piston specifies piston stroke between position at standard pressure and closed position of valve. Piston stroke jointly to internal volume of piston space defines in closed position of valve specified excessive pressure.

EFFECT: invention provides for creation of pressure in regulator simultaneously with filling.

12 cl, 12 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pressure regulator for a fluid container that maintains a constant predetermined overpressure according to the preamble of paragraph 1. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a pressure regulator according to paragraph 8.

Tanks with pressure regulators have been known in the patent literature for almost thirty years, but until now, commercially available products are not on the market.

EP-A-0349053 describes a membrane pressure sensor for an aerosol can consisting of two chambers. The first chamber is filled with a fluid under relatively high pressure, and the second chamber is filled with a fluid under a pressure equal to the usual overpressure in the aerosol can necessary to expel the liquid. In the wall of the second chamber there is a membrane that controls the valve. A plug in the wall maintains fluid pressure - so that the valve remains closed.

The 1993 publication WO-A-93/22222 (Cruysberghs) discloses the principle of operation of a pressure regulator to maintain a constant pressure in a container. Many different embodiments of this device are described, but in practice, none of them has received wide commercial distribution.

Another example of such a pressure regulator is known from PCT Publication WO-A-99/62791. The device described therein is designed to maintain a constant predetermined pressure in a container designed to dispense a fluid. The pressure regulator comprises a first chamber and a second chamber, as well as a closure element movable relative to the second chamber, for creating and terminating fluid communication between the first chamber and the container, depending on the position of the closure element relative to the second chamber. The first chamber is filled with gas, which is in working condition under a higher pressure than the pressure inside the container. The second chamber is clogged when the gas is under a predetermined, or reference, pressure, and it is located outside the first chamber. According to the first embodiment (FIG. 2), the first chamber is a cup-shaped holder located in the container in an inverted position, the longitudinal edge of which is connected to the bottom and vertical side wall of the vessel or container. Figure 3 presents the second embodiment, according to which the diameter of the cup-shaped first chamber is much smaller than the inner diameter of the container. The camera is located in the center of the container and connects to the bottom of the container with its longitudinal edge. FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment according to which the same first camera as in FIG. 4, is eccentric relative to the container. In FIG. 5, slightly lower than the middle of the vessel (in height), a disk is provided that is hermetically connected to the inner wall of the vessel through an o-ring. This disk divides the vessel into two fixed parts. A similar design is presented in Fig.6a and Fig.6b. In addition, Fig. 7 shows a first pressure regulator chamber made in the form of a plunger hermetically attached to the inner wall of the container by means of an o-ring, the plunger being able to move axially inside the container. Thus, the plunger divides the container into two parts, while the upper part is filled with the fluid to be dispensed. The fluid message from the first chamber ends at the bottom. When the pressure in the container drops after the fluid is dispensed by means of a button located at the top of the container, the plunger moves upward due to the pressure differential between the lower and upper parts until the equilibrium pressure between the lower and upper parts is restored again. Consequently, the pressure in the lower part drops, so that the pressure in the second chamber becomes higher, and the closure element opens a fluid communication between the first chamber and the lower part, so that the pressure in the lower part increases. Then the plunger again moves up to achieve equilibrium pressure corresponding to a given, or reference, pressure in the second chamber. And finally, according to the embodiment of FIG. 8, the first chamber has a cylindrical shape, and the size of its outer diameter corresponds to the value of the inner diameter of the container, as a result of which it is installed in the container in a tight fit.

Only the pressure regulator shown in FIG. 7 moves axially. In all other examples, the pressure regulator is fixed inside the container. The complete pressure regulator shown in FIG. 7 is a plunger that acts as a movable piston that pushes out the fluid being discharged. However, this design of the pressure regulator is not preferable because of the large size, which reduces the volume of the container that can be used under the fluid.

Another important problem associated with the aforementioned pressure regulators, which are separate units, is the need to increase the pressure in the first and second chambers before installing the regulator in a container. In practice, this can be very difficult and expensive - for example, in the case of aluminum aerosol cans, which are made integral on very high-performance production lines. Another big drawback is that, as practice has shown, the pressure in a separate regulator, which is installed in the container after manufacture, drops quite a lot during several months, which inevitably go to storage and delivery to retail enterprises. In addition, the pressure increase in the regulator must be performed with closed fluid communication in order to obtain a given pressure. Thus, known pressure regulators are not suitable for wide industrial applications.

Thus, the technical objective of the present invention is to provide a pressure regulator for a container for dispensing a fluid having a simple structure. Another objective of the present invention is to develop a method of manufacturing a pressure regulator, easily assembled in a container for dispensing a fluid.

These and other objectives of the present invention are carried out using a pressure regulator according to paragraph 1 of the claims and the manufacturing method according to paragraph 8.

The main advantage of the present invention is that increased pressure in the pressure regulator is created after installation in the dispensing bottle and filling it with liquid. This means that increased pressure in the pressure regulator can be created simultaneously with filling the vial with liquid. This eliminates the need for preliminary creation of excess pressure in the regulator, which was present in the prior art - for example, in the above examples. Due to the fact that the second chamber covers the first chamber, it is possible to obtain a very compact design of the pressure regulator so that the fraction of the useful volume of the vial is much larger than in the known embodiments. Due to the fact that the regulator is made in advance and is easily installed in existing plastic bottles, it is possible to use existing technological processes for manufacturing bottles and filling them, for example, with cosmetic products, accompanying these processes with only minor additions to the production flow line.

Additional advantages of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims and in the following description, which presents an example embodiment of the invention described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from below of a pressure regulator with a spatial separation of parts, where some parts are shown on an enlarged scale;

Figure 2 is a top view of the same pressure regulator;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the pressure regulator, from the bottom and top with a spatial separation of the parts, illustrating the process of assembling the pressure regulator;

Figure 4 is a perspective view and in section of an assembled pressure regulator;

Figure 5 - three views in section of the assembled pressure regulator.

Reference numerals associated with elements of a particular drawing correspond to these elements in the remaining drawings, unless otherwise indicated.

1 and 2, the pressure regulator 1, designed to maintain a constant predetermined overpressure in the container, is depicted in perspective and with a spatial separation of the parts. The regulator 1 contains a first chamber 2, equipped with a first cylindrical or cup-shaped insert 3 with a movable piston 4, provided with a large sealing ring 5, and a second chamber 6, equipped with a bottle-shaped second cylinder 7, with an open end 8 and a closed end 9. The open end 8 of the cylinder 7 has a tapering neck section 10 and a flange 11 on which an annular insert or closure 12 is installed, with a stepped funnel-shaped bell 13 in which a cup-shaped insert 3 is fixed. The piston 4 contains a rod 14 with an end section m 15 larger diameter (Figure 2). The locking element 16 with the sealing ring 17 is mounted at the other end of the closure element 12, forming together with the valve seat in the closure a shut-off or adjustment valve. In the bottom 9 of the cylinder 7, in the hole 19 to create increased pressure in the cylinder 7, a ground stopper (Nicholson stopper) 18 is installed.

1 a, the locking element 16 is shown on an enlarged scale. It contains a cylindrical part 20 and an annular part 21 of a larger diameter with fluted teeth 22 located below for ultrasonic welding of the closure 12 to the lower rim 23. Three guide ribs 25 are provided in the inner annular cavity 24 of the locking element 16, which are angled at a distance from each other 120 ° to guide the piston rod 14. In addition, the piston rod 14 contains two grooves parallel to the axis of the rod, for exhausting gas or air under high pressure through the control valve formed by the end portion 15 of the rod 14 and the small sealing ring 17. These grooves extend to the end portion 15. FIG. 1b closure 12 is shown on an enlarged scale. As can be seen in the drawing, a large rim 26 is provided, provided with an annular groove 27 with perimeter internal teeth 28 and outer teeth 29 for welding the closure 12 to the flange 11 of the cylinder 7 by ultrasonic welding. Fig. 1c shows, on an enlarged scale, a cup-shaped insert 3 with a round top plate 31 (see Fig. 2c) provided with six recesses 32 uniformly distributed around the perimeter, forming protrusions 33, on the lower sides of which there are grooved teeth 34. In addition, axial slots 37 are provided from the open end 36 of the cylindrical bowl 3. In the assembled state, the piston 4 with the sealing ring 5 only covers the ends of the slots 37 under equilibrium pressure, i.e. in the starting position, or at normal pressure. In addition, in the immediate vicinity of the open end of the insert 3, an inner step 39 can be provided on the inner wall 38 at the end of the slots 37, into which the piston 4 with the o-ring 5 abuts in the initial position or at normal pressure (see below) . To reduce friction between the o-ring 5 and the wall of the cup-shaped insert 3, an anti-friction gel made, for example, of silicone or graphite grease, with which the o-ring 5 is coated, is used.

In Fig.2, as well as 2a, 2b and 2c, the numbers of the reference numbers on which coincide with the numbers of the elements shown in Figs. 1a, 1b and 1c show the same pressure regulator as in Fig. 1, but in the inverted position .

Figures 3a and 3b show the relative positioning of the various parts described above during assembly.

Figure 4 presents a sectional view of the pressure regulator 1 in the assembled state, and the arrows 35 indicate the welding zone between the closure 12 and the flange 11 of the second cylinder 7, between the protrusions 33 and the inner ring step 40 of the socket 13, and also between the annular part 21 the locking element 16 and the lower rim 23 of the closure 12.

Principle of operation

The functioning of the above-described pressure regulator 1 is as follows: the second chamber 6 is filled with an inert gas - as a rule, this is ordinary air - under an overpressure of about 8 bar. In the assembled state, the pressure in the first chamber 2 is normal, and the o-ring 5 of the piston 4 only covers the ends of the slots 37 or lies on the inner step 39, respectively. The force applied to the stem 14 due to overpressure in the second chamber 6 pushes the piston to the round top plate 27 of insert 3 until the valve closes between the locking element 16 and the sealing ring 17. Since the pressure above the piston 4 rises in accordance with the Boyle's law Gay-Lussac, and the overall temperature remains constant, the pressure in the first chamber 2 is proportional to the volume when closing the valve and the volume in the initial position (at normal pressure). The slots 32 and the recesses 28 of the insert 3 form a channel from the second chamber 6 leading outward through the valve, i.e. through the upper plate 27 of insert 3. The pressure regulator 1 assembled in this way is installed at the bottom of the fluid container, equipped with, for example, a spray valve actuated by a button. If the pressure in the vessel is equal to the control pressure in the first chamber 2, the control valve of the pressure regulator 1 remains closed. However, if part of the fluid is discharged through the spray valve, the pressure in the container drops and the control valve opens so that gas under excess pressure will be supplied from the second chamber 6 to the container. The pressure in the container and the regulating pressure are fairly quickly balanced, and the control valve closes again.

If more fluid is dispensed through the spray valve, the control valve oscillates between open and closed positions. In practice, when the o-ring 34 is rotated, the piston moves only a tenth or one hundredth of a millimeter, opening and closing the valve.

Estimated data

Mathematical models of the pressure regulator show that the regulation pressure is described by the following equation:

where P _with - pressure regulation, or gauge pressure,

P _R is the pressure in the second chamber,

P ₁ - pressure in the initial position (at normal pressure),

And ₁ - the area of the piston rod,

And ₂ - the area of the piston,

V ₁ - the volume in the first chamber above the piston in the initial position,

V ₂ is the volume in the second chamber above the piston at elevated pressure.

Thus, this equation allows you to calculate the pressure in the container at a given pressure in the second chamber 6, the given dimensions of the piston 4 and the piston rod 14. In addition, the equation shows that the control pressure P _c in the first chamber 2 rises slightly when the pressure P _R in the second chamber decreases, until P _R becomes equal to P _c , while the pressure regulator 1 remains open. Thus, the equation also allows you to determine the minimum pressure P _R required to dispense all of the fluid from the container.

Given the geometrical dimensions of the piston 4 and the piston rod 14, the volume V ₂ determines the control pressure, or gauge pressure P _s . Therefore, changing only the thickness of the piston 4, it is possible to provide different values of pressure P _with regulation for one geometric shape of the cup-shaped insert 3.

Manufacturing process

The cup-shaped insert 3 and the closure 12 are made by casting from polyethylene terephthalate. The piston 4 with the piston rod 14 and the locking element 16 is made of polyoxymethylene. A cylinder 7 in the form of a bottle is made by blowing out of polyethylene terephthalate. The main advantages of blowing in the manufacture of cylinder 7 are that using one tool, it is possible to produce cylinders of different sizes, and the orientation of the stretchable polyethylene terephthalate in the blowing process leads to the creation of a higher crystalline structure, giving the material increased strength and good gas impermeability.

The assembly process proceeds as follows: first, the piston 4 with the sealing ring is inserted into the cup-shaped insert 3. Then, the insert 3 is inserted into the funnel-shaped bell 13 of the closure 12 until the protrusions 33 with their serrated teeth 34 end up tightly in the annular step of the bell 13. Then the insert 13 is ultrasonically welded to the bell 13. After that, the locking element 16 with a small sealing ring 17 is put on the piston rod 14 and snap it, attaching to the bell 13; as a result, the sealing ring 17 is sandwiched between the bell 13 and the upper side of the locking element 16. Then, the annular portion 20 of the locking element 16 is ultrasonically welded to the lower rim of the bell. And finally, the closure 12 is installed on the flange 11 of the cylinder 7 and is welded to it by ultrasonic welding. The controller 1 assembled in this way is ready for use, i.e. for installation in a container for dispensing a fluid, equipped with, for example, a spray. After that, the cylinder 7 is filled with compressed inert gas or air, and the overpressure is, for example, 8 bar so that the piston 4 rises, the control valve formed by the piston rod 14 and the small O-ring 17 closes, and a predetermined excess occurs in the tank pressure. If necessary, the assembly can be performed in a different sequence.

Obviously, welding of elements can also be carried out by other types of welding, such as rotational welding, laser welding or any other known method of welding plastics, as well as by gluing or mechanical fastening, for example, latches or screws.

Another advantage of the invention is that, since only atmospheric air or a suitable inert gas is used for pressure packaging, the increased safety requirements for industrial premises, equipment and the environment, which are usually necessary in the case of hazardous flammable aerosol cans, are removed liquids.

Claims (12)

1. A pressure regulator for a container for dispensing a fluid, comprising a first cylinder (3) with an open end and a closed end, designed to be filled with compressed gas with a given overpressure, a piston (4) with an o-ring (5), moved inside the first cylinder, a second cylinder (7) with a closed end and an open end, designed to be filled with compressed gas under a pressure exceeding the overpressure, the second cylinder (7) covering the first cylinder (3), forming an annular channel between the first and second cylinders, p and the open end of the second cylinder (7) adjacent to the open end of the first cylinder (3), and the channel leading outwards from the inside of the second cylinder (7) past the outer wall of the first cylinder (3); a valve for opening and closing the channel, said piston comprising a stem (14) for opening and closing the valve, characterized in that the open end of the first cylinder (3) is provided with at least one axial slot (37) such that the piston (4) with a sealing ring (5) in position at normal pressure, it is inserted into the first cylinder (3) and closes the end of the slot (37), and the stem (14) is equipped with a locking element (15) that closes the valve in the upper position of the piston, while the stem length determines the piston stroke between the position at normal pressure position and the closed position of the valve, while the piston stroke together with the internal volume of the piston space determines the set overpressure in the closed position of the valve. 2. The pressure regulator according to claim 1, characterized in that the first cylinder (3) contains an inner step (39) provided at the end of at least one slot (37), while the piston rests on this step in position at normal pressure ( 4) with a sealing ring (5). 3. The pressure regulator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outer contour of the piston (4) is smaller than the inner diameter of the first cylinder (3), so that only the o-ring (5) is in contact with the inner wall of the first cylinder. 4. The pressure regulator according to claim 3, characterized in that the o-ring (5) is coated with antifriction gel. 5. The pressure regulator according to claim 4, characterized in that the antifriction gel contains silicone or graphite lubricant. 6. The pressure regulator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second cylinder (7) is closed by a closure (12) in the form of a funnel, in which a cylindrical bowl (3) is installed as the first cylinder. 7. The pressure regulator according to claim 5, characterized in that the closure (12) in the form of a funnel is attached by a weld to the second cylinder (7), and the cylindrical bowl (3) is attached by a weld to the closure (12). 8. A method of manufacturing a pressure regulator according to one of claims 1 to 7, according to which the first cylinder (3) and the second cylinder (7) are formed from a suitable synthetic material; forming a piston (4) with a stem (14) and valve elements from a suitable synthetic material; a piston (4) with a sealing ring (5) is introduced into the first cylinder (3) and pushed until the pressure in the first cylinder (3) begins to increase; install the first cylinder (3) in the closure (12), designed to close the second cylinder (7); install the valve elements (16, 17) in the closure (12) and install the closure (12) on the second cylinder (7). 9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the o-ring (5) is coated with antifriction gel. 10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the antifriction gel contains silicone or graphite lubricant. 11. The method according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the first cylinder (3) and valve elements (16) are welded to the closure (12), and the closure (12) is welded to the second cylinder (7). 12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the first cylinder (3) and valve elements (16) are ultrasonically welded to the closure (12), and the closure (12) is ultrasonically welded to the second cylinder (7).

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