Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
  • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
  • B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
  • B65D47/2018—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure
  • B65D47/2056—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure lift valve type
  • B65D47/2081—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure lift valve type in which the deformation raises or lowers the valve port

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a self-closing valve for dispensing a flowable product.
• a typical application for self-closing valves is in containers in which the flowable content is dispensed by squeezing the container.
• squeeze bottles for personal care products. Due to the reduction in the internal volume of the squeeze bottle caused by the user, the pressure in the squeeze bottle increases, so that the contained product, for example a liquid soap, is dispensed via the valve. Due to the self-closing effect of the valve, content is prevented from escaping unintentionally without this pressure increase, even if the container is not closed with a closure cap and even if the product weighs on the dispensing area of the valve with its weight.
• the pressure in the squeeze bottle increases, so that the contained product, for example a liquid soap, is dispensed via the valve. Due to the self-closing effect of the valve, content is prevented from escaping unintentionally without this pressure increase, even if the container is not closed with a closure cap and even if the product weighs on the dispensing area of the valve with its weight.
• a self-closing valve for dispensing a liquid or pasty product is known from DE 102 18 363 A1.
• the valve comprises a valve membrane which is convex in the direction of the product.
• the valve membrane is formed on the edge with a retaining ring formed by injection molding.
• the valve membrane is underpinned with a plate part.
• the plate part is in turn held by spring arms, which results in an increased construction cost for the valve.
• Another disadvantage of this solution is that the air balance is inhibited in particular by the plate part, so that the container must have a large restoring force.
• DE 196 13 130 A1 discloses a self-closing closure with a closure membrane for dispensing a fluid filling material in a compressible container.
• the sealing membrane In the unattended installation state, the sealing membrane has a lower mounting edge and an upper sealing cover, which extends essentially concavely in the dispensing direction.
• opening slits in the sealing membrane open reliably and almost suddenly at a certain pressure.
• the container is reset so that the sealing membrane is pulled back into the concave initial state.
• the opening slits break through inwards so that air is sucked back.
• grooves can be introduced between the sealing membrane and its support. Disadvantages of this solution are the limited tightness and the large negative pressure that is required for vacuuming.
• the containers In order to achieve a strong rucksack effect, the containers must be designed with a corresponding spring action. This requires a high amount of material for the container, which increases the manufacturing costs.
• a self-closing valve with a plate-shaped valve membrane is known from EP 0 388 828 A1.
• the valve membrane has a central dispensing opening that is placed on a support plate and is thereby sealed. This solution has no possibility of air suction.
• valve membrane in turn has a central dispensing opening which is placed on a support plate and is thereby sealed.
• the valve membrane is held upwards by a mounting flange against which the valve membrane rests from below in a radially outer contact area.
• a spigot can be formed on the support plate, which in the closed position moves into the dispensing opening and thus enables reliable sealing.
• the lateral contact area of the valve membrane can be designed in such a way that it deforms inwards when there is negative pressure, as a result of which an airway is released for the back suction. However, such a deformation requires a large negative pressure, so that the
• Wall of the container must apply correspondingly large restoring forces.
• the object of the present invention is therefore to provide a self-closing valve for dispensing a flowable product, which is very simple and inexpensive to manufacture and requires only a slight negative pressure for air suction.
• a good seal Effect of the valve is desired in order to safely prevent the unwanted escape of even small amounts of the flowable product.
• a valve membrane changes from a closed position to a dispensing position for dispensing the product.
• a dispensing opening of the valve membrane In the closed position, a dispensing opening of the valve membrane is closed by a stop. In the dispensing position, the dispensing opening is lifted from the stop and released.
• the outer circumference of the valve membrane forms a circumferential edge that seals against a stop ring in the dispensing position. There is a gap between the peripheral edge and a lateral guide through which the air can be sucked back when the container closed by the valve is released.
• a particular advantage of this invention is that a very simplified design and a significantly improved air suction can be achieved at the same time.
• the valve membrane can be formed by a simple plastic disc, which can be produced very inexpensively.
• a container with a valve according to the invention does not have to have large restoring forces.
• the wall of the container can consequently be made thin, so that the use of the valve according to the invention enables material-saving and cost-effective production of the container.
• FIG. 1 shows cross-sectional representations of a self-closing valve according to the invention in four phases during the transition to a dispensing position
• FIG. 2 shows cross-sectional representations of the valve shown in FIG. 1 in three phases during an air suction
• Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modified mounting frame with support pins.
• FIG. 5 shows a perspective detailed view of a stiffened embodiment of a valve membrane
• Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective view of a modified embodiment of the valve membrane.
• Fig. 1 shows cross-sectional representations of a preferred
• Embodiment of a self-closing valve 01 according to the invention in four phases during the transition from a closed position to a dispensing position
• Figure a) of Fig. 1 shows the valve 01 in the closed position.
• Illustrations b) and c) of FIG. 1 show the transition to the dispensing position and
• Figure d) of FIG. 1 shows the valve 01 in the dispensing position.
• the valve is configured to be mounted on a container (not shown), for example by inserting it into the neck of a squeeze bottle.
• the valve oil comprises a circular valve membrane 02 with a circular central dispensing opening 03.
• the valve membrane 02 essentially has the shape of a plate spring and also shows comparable spring properties.
• Figure a) of Fig. 1 the valve membrane 02 is shown in a position when the valve 01 is closed. In this closed position, the valve membrane 02 rests on a stop disk 04 with its dispensing opening 03. A round contact surface 06 formed in this way on the stop disc 04 closes the dispensing opening 03. Furthermore, a sealing lip 07 of the valve membrane 02 rests with play on a pin 08 of the stop disc 04, since the pin 08 projects into the dispensing opening 03.
• the jacket of the pin 08 has the shape of a truncated cone and corresponds in a guide area 09 to the inner surface of the sealing lip 07.
• the shape of the valve membrane 02 is arched inward in the shown closed position and, except for the sealing lip 07, has the shape of a truncated cone jacket.
• the valve membrane 02 is elastically deformable, a prestress being impressed by the truncated cone shape and the sealing lip 07, which determines the deformability.
• the outer periphery of the valve membrane 02 is formed by a peripheral edge 11.
• the peripheral edge 11 is in the closed position ( Figure a) on a stop ring 12.
• the valve membrane 02 is held by the stop ring 12 from above.
• Lateral movement of the valve membrane 02 is limited by a lateral guide 13.
• the stop ring 12 and the lateral guide 13 merge into one another, making a simple Manufacturing is possible.
• the stop ring 12 and the lateral guide 13 can also be designed in two pieces. In the embodiment shown, the lateral guide 13 and the stop plate 04 are made in two pieces.
• the lateral guide 13 and the stop plate 04 can also merge into one another.
• the lateral guide 13 is circular in the embodiment shown.
• the lateral guide can also be designed such that it guides the valve membrane 02 only at a few circumferential points or sections.
• the stop ring 12 has an inclined cross-sectional area.
• the stop ring 12 can also be designed perpendicular to the lateral guide 13. The circumferential edge 11 of the valve membrane 02 lies under the stop ring 12, so that the valve membrane 02 is opposite the
• Stop ring 12 is sealed. Through openings 14 in the stop disk 04, the product or air stored in the interior of the container (not shown) can flow in the direction 16 into the area under the valve membrane 02.
• the peripheral edge 11 of the valve membrane 02 preferably has the same material thickness as the main part of the valve membrane 02.
• the peripheral edge 11 is not reinforced and has no special shape, for example due to additional sealing lips.
• the circumferential edge 11 of the valve membrane 02 also serves as an upper and lateral stop for the valve membrane 02.
• a gap 15 is provided between the lateral guide 13 and the circumferential edge 11 of the valve membrane 02.
• the gap 15 runs all around in the embodiment shown. In other embodiments, the gap can be designed in sections if, for example, the valve membrane 02 is guided laterally in only a few points.
• the self-closing valve oil is particularly suitable for so-called squeeze bottles, in which the flowable product is dispensed by manually squeezing the bottle.
• valve oil is arranged in the opening of the bottle intended for dispensing.
• the embodiment of the valve according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 has a circular fastening frame 21 which can be inserted into the opening of the bottle.
• the valve according to the invention can also be designed as an integral part of the container.
• valve 01 is shown in a state when the pressure inside the container is slightly increased. This is the case, for example, when the manual squeezing process is initiated to dispense a product from a squeeze bottle. A slightly higher pressure can also exist if the bottle is subjected to a force when it is handled without the product being dispensed. Due to the slightly increased internal pressure, a force acts in the direction 16 on the valve membrane 02. As a result, the valve membrane 02 is slightly deformed. The sealing lip 07 is wedged in the guide area 09 due to the preforming of the valve membrane 02 with the frustoconical pin 08, so that a secure seal between the pin 08 and the sealing lip 07 is ensured.
• valve 01 Due to the deformation of the valve membrane 02, the contact force of the valve membrane 02 on the stop ring 12 is increased, whereby the sealing effect of the valve membrane 02 against the stop ring 12 is increased.
• the valve 01 according to the invention thus has the advantage that small increases in pressure do not lead to the output of the product. For example, during the opening and closing of a squeeze bottle hold the squeeze bottle firmly with a cap. The internal pressure in the bottle is increased slightly, but no dispensing of the product is desired. Furthermore, the initial deformation of the valve membrane increases the sealing of the valve membrane 02 with respect to the pin 08, since the sealing lip 07 is pressed more strongly against the pin 08. The deformation of the valve membrane 02 increases its cross-sectional extent, so that a sealing system on the pin 08 is still retained. In the central area of the valve membrane 02, the seal is therefore retained with only a slight increase in pressure, even if the membrane should stand out from the contact surface 06.
• FIG. c) of Fig. 1 shows the valve 01, with a further increased internal pressure in the container.
• Valve 01 is about to change from the closed position to the dispensing position.
• the increased internal pressure causes the valve membrane 02 to be deformed in such a way that the truncated cone shape is significantly flattened. This is due in particular to the fact that, as a result of the increased internal pressure, a force acts in the direction 17 on the valve membrane 02 below the sealing lip 07, which force clearly raises the valve membrane 02 in this area.
• the pin 08 is still sealed against the sealing lip 07.
• FIG. 1 shows valve 01 when the internal pressure has become so great that valve 01 has changed to the dispensing position.
• the valve membrane 02 has reached an almost flat shape. In the embodiment shown, it has the shape of a very flat truncated cone, this truncated cone being directed opposite to the truncated cone shape in the closed position.
• the valve 01 can also be designed in such a way that the valve membrane 02 in the dispensing position has a conical has a truncated shape, which corresponds to the opposite truncated cone shape of the closed position, but has a significantly lower slope.
• valve membrane 02 means that a maximum of the force acting on the valve membrane 02 must be overcome during this turning operation. Exceeding the maximum force when turning over is both noticeable and audible by the user. This improves the operating properties, in particular the tactile handling of the squeeze bottle equipped with the valve 01 according to the invention. As soon as the valve membrane 02 has changed into the inverted truncated cone shape, it remains in this, even if the acting force becomes smaller again. If the force drops below a certain threshold value, the valve diaphragm 02 suddenly changes back to the truncated cone shape of the closed position. This provides a defined locking moment, which leads to a clean cut off of the squeezed liquid jet, so that dripping is largely avoided.
• the sealing lip 07 is clearly raised relative to the pin 08, so that a large opening has formed between the sealing lip 07 and the pin 08.
• the product is dispensed through the openings 14 in the stop disc 04 and through the dispensing opening 03.
• a directional arrow 18 illustrates the direction of flow of the product.
• the diameter of the pin 08 determines the diameter of the dispensing opening 03 and thus the flow rate and flow rate of the product.
• valve oil and the squeeze bottle can be dimensioned in such a way that the suddenly released product quantity corresponds to the typical consumption quantity of the product. In this way, the user can intuitively output the typical consumption quantity of the product. If a larger dispensing quantity is desired, the bottle must continue to be squeezed after the sudden change of valve 01 into the dispensing position. Since the maximum force for switching to the dispensing position has already been overcome, little effort is required to dispense larger quantities of the product.
• FIG. 2 shows cross-sectional representations of the self-closing valve 01 shown in FIG. 1 in three phases during the transition from the closed position to a suction position.
• Figure a) of Fig. 2 shows the valve 01 in the closed position.
• Figure b) of Fig. 2 shows the transition to the back position and
• Figure c) of Fig. 2 shows the valve 01 in the back position.
• the closed position shown in Figure a) of FIG. 2 has occurred after the dispensing of the product has ended.
• the increased internal pressure is relieved by the output of the product.
• the valve membrane 02 has returned to its original shape and position. This is the case, for example, when the user has withdrawn the force to squeeze the bottle so that the product is no longer dispensed, but the force is still so great that the deformation of the bottle is still retained.
• the volume of the bottle is smaller than the volume of the undeformed bottle. If the force to deform the bottle is completely withdrawn, the effect elastic jerking forces of the wall. Since the volume of the bottle is reduced during this moment, a negative pressure is created in the bottle.
• FIG. b) of FIG. A first effect of the vacuum is shown in Figure b) of FIG. Since the valve membrane 02 is still sealed against the support surface 06 on the stop disk 04 and against the stop ring 12, the negative pressure cannot yet be compensated for by inflowing air and the valve membrane 02 is slightly deformed. The valve membrane 02 is therefore very light Bulge inwards. This curvature will not increase with an increase in the negative pressure, since the circumferential edge area of the valve membrane 02 will yield to the internal pressure.
• FIG. 2 shows the valve 01 after the circumferential edge region of the valve membrane 02 has given in to the negative pressure inside. Since the peripheral edge area of the valve membrane 02 is not trimmed and is not reinforced by a stiffening or a similar design, only a very small force is required for this. As a result, the valve 01 according to the invention enables air to be sucked in even at a very low negative pressure. In this pull-back position, the valve membrane 02 is lifted off the stop ring 12, so that it is no longer sealed against the stop ring 12. As a result, outside air can flow in through the opening created. This air flow is not hindered because the circumferential gap 15 is present between the valve membrane 02 and the lateral guide 13.
• the air can flow from outside to inside almost unhindered and reduce the negative pressure there.
• a directional arrow 19 illustrates the air flow.
• the squeeze bottle is back in its original form.
• Adequate air suction is also ensured if sections of the gap 15 are still closed by portions of the product to be dispensed. Due to the sucking action, these parts of the product are sucked back into the inside of the bottle. This also applies to parts of the product that are left on the outside of the valve membrane 02, since there is also a suction effect.
• the valve according to the invention consists of only two parts in the embodiment shown in more detail above. This enables simple and quick assembly, since only the valve membrane has to be stamped into the mounting frame.
• the membrane can preferably consist of silicone or a comparable soft-elastic plastic, while the fastening frame can be made as an injection molded part from a stiffer plastic.
• FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the fastening frame 21.
• the valve membrane is not shown in order to better illustrate the special features of the fastening frame.
• a plurality of support webs 22 are fastened to the stop disk 04 and, in the embodiment shown here, extend radially from the centrally arranged pin 08 to the inside of the fastening frame 21. This support webs 22 are primarily used to stabilize the position of the valve membrane, which in the
• the closed position of the valve rests in sections on the support webs 22.
• the support webs 22 increase the stability of the entire valve arrangement.
• FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the fastening frame 21.
• the essential difference from the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 consists in that instead of the support webs, a plurality of support pins 23 are used, which are attached to the stop disc 04.
• the support pins 23 perform the same function as the previously mentioned support webs, namely the position stabilization of the valve membrane in the closed position of the valve.
• other profiles can also be provided within the fastening frame in order to control the position of the valve membrane and to support it during the closed state. Depending on the design and the inherent rigidity of the valve membrane, different numbers of support points are provided.
• the fastening frame including the lateral guide and the stop disc, can also be formed in one piece with the squeeze bottle or a similar container in a modified embodiment.
• FIG. 5 shows a perspective detailed view of a modified embodiment of the valve membrane 02.
• stiffening means 24 are provided in the flat area of the valve membrane 02, which for example extend radially and are evenly distributed on the circumference of the valve membrane.
• material weakening can also be provided in order to favor deformation of the membrane at the corresponding points.
• Contouring means 25 are in the area of the dispensing opening 03 provided that protrude into the otherwise open cross section of the dispensing opening 03 or are provided in the wall in the area of the dispensing opening 03.
• a strand is formed by the contour-shaping means 25.
• Different and shaped contour-shaping means can be provided.
• the contour-shaping means 25 are preferably located on the outer edge of the dispensing opening 03 in the direction of flow.
• the contour-shaping means can also be shifted further inward in the direction of flow, for example by profiling or slitting the wall in sections.
• Such a slitting also has the advantage that the transition of the membrane from the closed position into the dispensing position is facilitated, since a cross-sectional change can take place in the edge region of the dispensing opening 03.
• valve When not in use, the valve is expediently still covered by a closure cap which is attached to the squeeze bottle in a known manner.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Superconductors And Manufacturing Methods Therefor (AREA)
• Electronic Switches (AREA)
• Magnetically Actuated Valves (AREA)
• Control Of Combustion (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Priority Applications (10)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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• 2006
  • 2006-04-13 DE DE102006017957A patent/DE102006017957B3/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2007
  • 2007-04-11 DK DK07727996.6T patent/DK2004509T3/da active
  • 2007-04-11 EP EP07727996A patent/EP2004509B1/de not_active Not-in-force
  • 2007-04-11 RU RU2008144657/12A patent/RU2432306C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2007-04-11 US US12/297,209 patent/US20120024913A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2007-04-11 JP JP2009504743A patent/JP2009533284A/ja active Pending
  • 2007-04-11 AU AU2007239519A patent/AU2007239519A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2007-04-11 WO PCT/EP2007/053528 patent/WO2007118833A1/de active Application Filing
  • 2007-04-11 BR BRPI0709511-2A patent/BRPI0709511A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2007-04-11 MX MX2008013151A patent/MX2008013151A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2007-04-11 CN CN2007800132085A patent/CN101421170B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2007-04-11 PL PL07727996T patent/PL2004509T3/pl unknown
  • 2007-04-11 AT AT07727996T patent/ATE512079T1/de active
  • 2007-04-11 ES ES07727996T patent/ES2367853T3/es active Active

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